Food Lush

Gluten-Free Corner: Pre-Workout Snacks

by Slynnro

After years of having an internal debate about when to eat relative to my workout schedule, I've finally adopted a later dinner time. This was a HARD FOUGHT battle.I'm finally able to wait until 8:00pm, after my classes are done, to eat dinner. But at around 5:00pm, when I start to get a little hunger pang going, I'm always looking for something to take the edge off, but that won't make me feel overly full. I've found a few good gluten-free options (which I also often eat for breakfast) that make for great snacks. Also, I try to have a few good gluten-free items in my bag when I travel, or in my desk at work for harried trial days when I don't have time for a real meal.

My newest find is Orgain Energy Drinks:

I like these because they are not particularly thick in texture (more like skim milk) so they don't feel heavy, and they taste chocolatey but not too chocolately so that you don't feel like you've had a milkshake or something.

My hair lady was very concerned the other day when I told her I would be headed straight to the gym without eating anything and insisted I eat one of her Kind Bars. I mentioned Kind granola a while back, but I had not tried the bars because I typically don't like bars that are heavily nutty. These are great though, and the almond coconut is my favorite (and I don't even like coconut!):

Unlike those pesky regular Luna bars (MISS YOU GUYS!), Luna Protien bars are gluten-free and delicious! My favorite is the chocolate peanut butter, but they are all delicious. And they are relatively low in calories for a bar, 190 calories compared to 250 for my beloved Think! Thin bars:

So what are you guys (gluten-free or otherwise) eating as a pre-workout snack? This is always a conundrum for me because I don't want to eat more calories than I would burn in the workout, but I also don't want to PASS OUT.

In other gluten-free news, I posted my recipe for the perfect gluten-free pizza english muffin on my blog. Check it out!

Gluten Free Corner: Late July Green Mojo, and a Bonus Snack Idea.

by Slynnro

I've waxed poetically before on my blog about my obsession with Late July chips, and Caitlin has blogged about their ranch chips on Food Lush as well (confession: I'm the only sorority girl on earth that hates Ranch things). I have quietly been inhaling bag after bag of Sea Salt by the Sea Shore chips. And, lo, they are delicious. But then....I bought a bag of Mild Green Mojo and my life totally changed.  

I've been trying to come up with a way to describe the flavor of these chips, but honestly I cannot. Except to say my obsession with them is such that I have to MEASURE OUT SERVINGS and put them in bags so that I don't accidentally eat the entire bag in one sitting. We are in serious love, Mild Green Mojo and Me, and will be personally offended if you don't go buy some of these chips posthaste. I usually get mine at Whole Foods, but I actually did see them recently at Albertson's, so hopefully they will be available at more average grocery stores at a more reasonable price. Regular price is around $4.99 for a bag, but I am having good luck spotting them on sale for $2.99. Not only are these chips perfect on their own, I have been enjoying scooping up my Chipotle salad with them lately as well.

Beyond my obsession with these chips, I have a new dirty little snacking secret. I have always loved Annie's Graham Bunnies, and there is always a box in my bag when I travel. My favorite of the lot is most definitely the Ginger Snap variety:

Now, I AM a sorority girl in that I am always trying to find myself some kind of low cal sweet snack, and I have eaten an embarrassing number of tubs of Cool Whip with a spoon. I spotted some Tru Whip at Whole Foods and decided to give it a try. This stuff is leaps and bounds better that Cool Whip -- it has a very ice-creamy consistency. And in a moment of inspiration, I combined my Annie's Bunnies with my Tru Whip and my own little low calorie McFlurry was born. After discovering the deliciousness of this combination, I took my snack ambitions a step further and stirred a (large) amount of Bunnies into a Tru Whip container and put it back in the freezer.  

OH WOW.

This snack is not something to tell your nutritionist about, but its something to enjoy on occasion without any guilt. It's addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Gluten-Free (And Diet-Friendly!) Corner: Seasons 52

by Slynnro

Last night, I dined at a Seasons 52 for the first time. For those of you unfamiliar with their dining concept, all dishes on the menu have fewer than 475 calories. Seasons 52 refers to itself as a "Fresh Grill," and they do so with serious conviction when your waiter comes to the table. They say "fresh grill" as though it were a commonly accepted thing, which gave me a small chuckle. ("It's not a thing!" was my rant). But the concept is something I can get behind--fresh foods, cooked in a healthy preparation. BUT WOULD THE PORTIONS BE ENOUGH? That was the big question I had, and the answer is a resounding yes!

To start, we shared the chicken skewers and a pork carnitas flat bread:

I only nibbled a bite of the flatbread because, uh, bread. But it was quite tasty, and rather large for 470 calories. The chicken skewers were also excellent:

The chicken was flavorful and juicy.

For my entree, I had the pork medallions, which are on the Seasons 52 gluten-free menu (there is also dairy-free, lactose-free, low-sodium, vegetarian, vegan, and, ultimate sadness, garlic-free menu options):

This was delicious! And as you can see, the portion was generous. This dish came in at 470 calories, and it was perfectly filling.  Aaron had a grilled chicken dish:

which was also filling (for a 6'3" boy!), and quite tasty as well.  

When we finished our entrees, we both had a sense of being perfectly full--not overly so, as is often the case when eating a multi-course dinner. In addition to our appetizers and entrees, we both had salads, which were fresh and perfectly lightly dressed. After years of ordering my salads with the dressing on the side, I recently decided to be brave and not request the dressing on the side. The salad was so overly dressed it was inedible. But these salads were dressed just enough to flavor the greens, but lightly enough that you could still taste the vegetable goodness. This was the feeling on all of our dishes--we didn't feel overly full because our entrees weren't covered in butter and oil, and you could really taste the ingredients. It was a refreshing change.

We both agreed that, for once, we were truly excited to have a nibble of dessert, without dreading the painfully full feeling we often get when indulging (but which for some reason, we cannot avoid subjecting ourselves to). I forgot to photograph them, but we shared two mini-indulgences, which are desserts in shot glasses, peanut butter & chocolate mousse, and a pecan pie indulgence. Neither were gluten-free, so I just had a little nibble and both were delicious!

After a four-course meal, I did a calorie tally, and my huge dinner was a mere 950 calories. Seasons 52, you'll be seeing me again!

Gluten-Free Corner: Kind Granola

by Slynnro

Even prior to going GF, I generally avoided granola (not granola bars, I love those, but Granola GRANOLA) because holy crap, one second you're enjoying a delicious healthy snack and then two minutes later, you have just inhaled 750 calories and 50 grams of fat. However, over Thanksgiving I was at a recently GF relative's house (she's GF because of migraines and has had great success, if that's something you're dealing with now!) and I was advising her on various gluten-free goodies. She was showing me what was in her pantry and one of the things she had tried and liked was Kind Healthy Grains in Dark Chocolate and Cranberry cluster. Now, as a fruit hater (yes, I hate all fruit, and yes, even strawberries) I don't normally taste such things, but I was starving and downed a handful. And my lord, was this stuff delicious. Not fruity-tasting at all.

 

It comes in a variety of flavors, and the nutrition facts are surprisingly reasonable. There are 130 calories and 3 grams of fat in 1/3 cup. Much to my shock, I was actually able to consume a reasonable serving and be satisfied. Which is good, because at around $5/bag, this stuff isn't cheap. I picked mine up at Whole Foods, but I have seen it at regular chain grocery stores as well.  

Kind makes a variety of other bars and granola flavors, and I eager to get to tasting!

Gluten Free Corner: Plentils Lentil Chips

by Slynnro

Well, after a brief work-induced hiatus, I'm back and from now on I will be bringing you my favorite gluten-free finds (and anything I find that is NOT worth the investment). Hopefully, the finds I bring here will be delicious enough for the non-gluten intolerant amongst us, as well!  

So this week's featured product is Plentils, delicious lentil chips!

 

These chips are made by Enjoy Life, and well, I haven't always enjoyed their wares. But these chips are awesome. They have a lightness in texture that for some reason reminds me of FunYuns (do those still exist? Are they gluten free? FunYuns taste like my childhood), without the horrific onion breath after.

I've had a lot of luck with products that are lentil-based when gluten-free goodies hunting, and these were no exception. They'd make a great sandwich side, and I've also crushed them into tomato soup and put them on top of a salad in lieu of croutons. These are also definitely yummy enough that I'd serve them to someone without gluten issues without my typical "gluten-free good" warning -- gluten-free good meaning, they're good . . . for being gluten free. These are just straight-up good. I picked them up at my local Whole Foods. They are also available through the Enjoy Life website for $3.74/bag, which is about what I paid in store. They also sell a small indiviudal serving bag online, and I haven't been able to find that in store.

31 chips has 130 calories, and 6 grams of fat, which is a bonus -- gluten-free chips and especially pretzels tend to have pretty high calorie and fat content. They are also dairy free.

Bar Americain, NYC

by Slynnro

This weekend I traveled to New York City, not for BlogHer per se, but because BlogHer was there. I hung out with some of my blogging besties, Rhi Kristin and Regan, who also happen to be food-loving besties. On Saturday night, we dined at Bar Americain, which is a part of Bobby Flay's collection of restaurants.  

For appetizers we shared the Deviled Eggs and the Tuna Tartare:

I can't speak for the Deviled Eggs (sorry, I think they're an abomination) but everyone else seemed to quite like them. The tuna tartare was also excellent (though not on par with the best tartare on earth, at Ocean Prime).

After seeing them roll out, we also had to try the blue cheese potato chips:

which were good, though I've also had better, specifically at Jasper's.

For my entree, I had the skate:

which was excellent, as was the corn cake served with it. The corn cake was perfectly crispy on the outside, and like a soft polenta in the middle. The skate was perfectly cooked, and I loved the caper-rich sauce that accompanied the fish. I also had the majorly delicious fries, which were served with a spicy mayo. Clearly, I was taking a gluten-intolerance holiday during this meal, as the skate was dusted in flour. Rhi enjoyed the mussels, which came in a green chile broth she said she could drink. The best dish of the night, which I did not photograph, was Kristin's pork chop. It was simply incredible, and what I would order should I ever return.

All in all, a solid meal, though nothing particularly special. Which pleases me, as I kind of hate Bobby Flay. I may have told the waiter about the Angry Bobby Flay twitter account. He was either amused or horrified, or simply frightened that I might have been a secret agent sent by Bobby Flay to test employee loyalty. Which is SO SOMETHING HE WOULD DO.

Champagne Wishes and Gluten-Free Cake Dreams

by Slynnro    

I haven't had my own birthday cake in years. The last time was in 2006, when Aaron purchased for me a delicious cake from a local bakery, Cretia's. My old employer used them for office birthday cakes, and I quickly became obsessed. Back in 2006, pre-gluten intolerance, I ate quite literally HALF of a cake in one day. I can still remember the "oh crap I'm gonna get fat" guilt associated with that indescretion. Of course, in retrospect I want to slap that guilt feelin' fool because HEY GIRLFRIEND. IT'S YOUR LAST GLUTEN BIRTHDAY CAKE. Your only error was not eating the whole thing in one day and then ordering another one and going to town on it.

That cake-related regret ended this past weekend, when I was gifted an amazing cake from local favorite Company Cafe. I had dined on a few different flavors of cake when eating dinner there a few times in the past, and my glee could barely be contained when presented with this beauty:

I swear y'all, the cake came with half my name missing.  It's like they knew I blog with a pseudonym.

Yep, y'all. Those are layers of CAKE. AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES.  

Between thick delicious layers of frosting. This cake was everything I dreamed a cake could be. And for the first time in ages, I was able to enjoy something THIS delicious without gluten guilt. Gluten-free deliciousness--it DOES exist! Don't give up on your dreams, is what I'm saying.

Dallas: State and Allen Lounge & La Duni

by Slynnro

This weeked, I dined at two of my local favorites for dinner.  I've been dining at both of these establishments for years now, and they never fail to please.  

The first is a neighborhood favorite in my 'hood, Uptown Dallas. The State and Allen Lounge sits among a ton of apartment and townhome developments just off of the super busy Uptown main drag, McKinney Avenue. State and Allen has a reallly great casual vibe -- TVs with sports playing on the patio, very dog-friendly, and a large patio perfect for neighborhood people watching. It's also home to one of my favorite salads, the Silver Bowl:

From the menu: Chopped romaine, bacon bits, grapes, oranges slices, red bell peppers, spicy chicken and two dressings -- balsamic vinaigrette & caesar!

To make this gluten-friendly, I sub balsamic vinegar for the dressings. It seems simple, but that chicken is the best damn chicken I've ever had on a salad. Super spicy and flavorful! This place just knows how to season things right, which in my book is HEAVILY. Which brings me to Aaron's order -- the turkey burger, which he claims is his favorite in the city (MY favorite is MY turkey burger, but whatever):

And do you see those fries? They are SWEET POTATO WAFFLE FRIES. Nothing else to say. As an appetizer, we often order the triple dip, which is Hummus, tomato feta salsa, and spinach artichoke dip with chips and pita bread slices. But this time we ordered something new to the menu, the baked brie and Roasted Garlic, which is really a salad with baby greens, spicy pecans, grilled pear and home made bread croutons:

I also dined at a long-time favorite, which is so tasty that the first time I dined there many years ago, I ate there three days in a row: La Duni. This weekend I dined at the Northpark Mall location prior to a movie, but there are three locations, the other two of which are in my Uptown area.

Aaron had his usual, the roasted pork:

which is just UNBELIEVABLE.  Perfectly cooked and seasoned, he turns it into tacos, which he artfully and diligently creates.

I had MY usual, the tomate con pollo y palmitos salad, which is just uh, a salad with giant slices of tomato, hearts of palm, and perfectly grilled chicken and sauteed onions.  And much to my delight, it happens to be on their new gluten free menu:

Sorry for the crappy photography!

I've never had a bad thing at La Duni, and I've eaten half the menu. The desserts are also AMAZING, though hardly gluten-friendly. The Nutella cake is probably the best dessert I've ever tasted. They also have an amazing selection of coffees and some of the best drinks in Dallas, including their award-winning margarinha, which is kind of a margarita/mojito hybrid.  

Some of my other local favorites:

Fearing's: best brunch in Dallas, located in the Ritz Carlton, and hardly a typical hotel restaurant. It was actually rated the Best Hotel Restaurant in America by Zagat in 2009.  The bar will be the locale for my birthday party this Friday!)

Hibiscus: Hands down my favorite restaurant in Dallas, and the site of many birthday/anniversary/celebratory dinners. Everything is perfection.  

Stephan Pyles: Home of the best steak I've ever had (the Cowboy Ribeye) and the best cake in the WORLD, the Heaven and Hell Cake.

Tillman's Roadhouse: The Trio of Fries. Just do it.

Fireside Pies: Some of my favorite pizza ever, and they make it gluten-free too!

A recent study indicated that Dallas diners dine out more than ANYONE in the US, and, well, there's good cause all over the city. Come forth and eat!

Local Finds: Bolsa Mercado

by Slynnro

A while back, the restaurant Bolsa opened up in the latest gentrified Dallas area du jour, the Bishop Arts District, to much fanfare.  I still have not enjoyed dinner there, but as it is near my office, it a frequent stop for Friday Fancy Lunch.  I love the entire vibe of the restaurant, and as I am wont to do, I Facebook Liked the restaurant, and their grocery store, Bolsa Mercado.

What drew my attention to the Bolsa Mercado page is their nightly Dinner for Two packages, which is, as you might expect, a take out dinner for two with all kinds of yummies.  Recent offerings include pan fried pork loin, roasted saffron pork stew, and roasted tarragon chicken. This weekend, I noticed on their page that they were offering a ton of free sample stations in store and I decided to stop by.

I was really impressed with their wares- all kinds of gluten free products, unique baked goods, an array of different spices (I picked up some rosemary salt!), homemade cake balls, assorted local meats, and a delicious looking in store menu.

The awesome meat case, with local meats and unique sausage products

Handcrafted chocolates in fun shapes!

Unique dry goods, including yummies from local chocolatier Dude, Sweet Chocolate

My favorite acquisition from this outing was a PBR planter with a succulent- only $15!

When in Dallas, I recommend stopping by Bolsa Mercado, and the entire Bishop Arts area, home of many of my local favorites, including Tillman's Roadhouse (have the trio of fries!), Hattie's, and Oddfellow's (voted best mac 'n cheese in Dallas!)

Allergy Elimination Diet Anyone?

by Slynnro

I've been struggling a lot lately with my diet.  

No, I haven't been gaining weight.

I haven't been losing weight.

My struggle relates to what I publically, and Food Lush-ally, refer to as my "gluten intolerance." While gluten is the primary culprit in my digestive troubles, it goes a whole lot deeper than that. Years of incorrect diagnoses to my problem left me with a damaged digestive system, and a myriad of other tummy troubles. As a result, there are many other foods beyond those containing gluten that set off my stomach. Full-fat dairy (sayonara, ice cream), too much sugar, too many carbs, too many vegetables (yes, my body flips out if I eat too many veggies in one day), and, well, a whole lot else.  

Sometimes it's pretty defeating, and I really just want to give up and live on white rice, but I'm betting my body would even find a way to be mad about that.

Which is why I need to clean out my system, and attempt to do some kind of food allergen elimination diet. The task is daunting, and I'm hoping you all can provide some tips, or some commiseration at the least sensitive tummy friends. Have any of you ever tried an elimination diet? I've done some internet research, but I'm thinking to do this properly I probably need to seek the advice of a nutritionist as well.  Anyone with any experience in that arena?

What say you Food Lush Friends? What foods give you trouble? Anyone else with any major food allergies? Any nutritionists reading? Slynnro needs you!