b.good - healthy, local, delicious and gluten free

b.good is a restaurant we fell in love with on a recent trip to Portland and Wiscasset Maine. We visited the Portland store at least three times in our five days in Maine. The other two days we were in Wiscasset.

The Portland, Maine store employees were friendly and helpful in keeping our food gluten free and so delicious. The six of us tried just about every gluten free item on the menu from burgers to salads to kale and quinoa bowls. Everyone absolutely loved everything. Especially awesome are the kids meals. We loved it so much it just didn't seem worth the bother to look up other safe restaurants.

The photo on the right is our last visit up in Maine. Loved the brick and the photos of the local farmers.

So the wait for the Raleigh store seemed ever so long. But open it did last week!

Chris, Joe and I went on Friday for lunch. This was their second day open and the line started clear across the restaurant. We obviously were not the only people anxiously waiting for them to open. The line moved quickly and the young man taking our order was friendly and capable. He quickly told us the couple of items we couldn't have and assured us the rest were safe.

The look of the Raleigh store is fresh and new and the farmer photos are local to our area. I was happy to later hear that JMF Photography took their photos.

We ordered and found a spot at the counter in front of the window to sit.  While I all but stopped drinking sodas years ago, at b.good I indulge with their outstanding Maine Roots soda. My family loves lots of their flavors but I always get the root beer. It's just like what we had growing up ages ago - creamy and perfect.

The guys' burgers and my chicken sandwich were perfect. The toppings are fresh and local, as are the burgers and chicken breasts. The veggie patties are house made and vegan (but not gluten free).

But the fries are amazing. If you're gluten free you know what a big deal safe gluten free fries are but at b.good you can get sweet potato or regular fries. Both are absolutely awesome.

The next day Marc, Marie, Aiden and I ran in for lunch. We arrived just before the doors opened and by the time they did open there was another family waiting with us. Several others filled tables before long.

The crowd Friday at lunch was definitely a work crowd and the Saturday lunch crowd was mostly young families. Steve Woodward, the owner said he was pleased with the lunch turnout but also pleasantly surprised by the dinner crowds, many of whom live in the apartments above the restaurant. How convenient would it be to just pick up dinner and take it right upstairs?? It seems a perfect location for everyone.

Marc and Marie ordered burgers and I ordered the spicy avocado lime kale and quinoa bowl.  It was my first b.good bowl and I ordered it as a healthy and maybe lighter choice. It was such a great combination of fresh veggies with a very spicy and flavorful sauce that I have a new favorite. So fresh and satisfying.

One thing I really love about b.good is their kids meals. Our sweet Aiden loves to eat and Marie and Marc feed him real, whole foods. The kids meals at b.good live up to their requirements and Aiden loves them.

Saturday he enjoyed a bunless turkey burger (freshly grilled and juicy) and a side of veggies. He loved the tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots and kale.

Aiden - so happy and busy with his kid's meal.

It's so nice to be able to walk into a restaurant and know that we can all enjoy healthy, local and delicious food without a worry about gluten. I can't recommend b.good highly enough.

Happily shared on Gluten Free Wednesdays at Gluten Free Easily!

Primal Food & Spirits

The Raleigh Gluten and Allergen Free Expo kicked off with an amazing blogger/vendor dinner the night before the expo at Primal Food & Spirits in Durham. Primal welcomed the very large group in their private room and overflow in the dining area.

Chris and I were fortunate enough to attend the dinner. The ample private dining room was nearly full by the time we arrived so we sat in the dining area with Nikki Everett's awesome family and with vendor Stephanie of SAF Organics and her husband Ken of JMF Photography.  (Nikki is the amazing woman who coordinates the GFAF events all over - check the expo site to see when one will be near you).

I could say so much about Primal but I think that photo of the bucket of bread says it all! When was the last time you had delicious gluten free bread at a restaurant? Sometimes its the little things that mean the most and make you feel welcome.

We all ordered off the menu which could not have been easy for such a large group but our server made it look simple. Chris and I shared Crab Cakes with citrus cabbage slaw and orange aioli. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I've had crab cakes since it had been a long while before I had to go gluten free.  Every bite was perfection. If I could order only one thing at Primal from now on, this would keep me happy.

Chris' fish was melt in your mouth good. Fish isn't my forte and although I grill, saute and bake it a couple of times a week I can never get it to this level of perfection.

The veggies were crisp and flavorful and the almonds were a perfect bit of crunch and flavor.

I had the veggie lasagna which was a really delicious layered dish of veggies and cheese. No pasta to get in the way of the fresh flavors.

After dinner Chris ordered a pot of French press coffee and we each picked a dessert. At this point we were both very content and probably should have skipped or, at the very
least, shared a dessert. The dessert
options were just too tempting.

Chris had the berry tart and it was sweet and creamy with a crispy crust and piles of beautiful berries. I chose the flour-less chocolate torte.

I have a beloved old recipe for a flour-less chocolate torte that I have been making for decades and it's the recipe I gauge others by. If you had me do a blindfolded taste test between the two, I don't think I could have told the difference.

It was dense and oh so chocolaty without being cloyingly sweet. Just exactly the way I love it.

So we finished our meal completely stuffed to the brim and happy. Our dinner companions were charming and interesting and we can't wait to go back to Primal Food and Spirits.

Luna's Living Kitchen Gluten Free, Vegan and Amazing!

So many friends had been raving about Luna's Living Kitchen and posting mouth-watering photos on Instagram and Facebook lately so I've been anxious to try it. It's a two and a half hour drive from us so we used a trek to IKEA as an excuse for a visit a few days ago. We are not vegan but we do eat many vegan and vegetarian meals weekly so we looked forward to checking Luna's out.

The restaurant exterior is warm and inviting. There are large planter boxes outside and most of them were full of greens. The tall ceilings, huge windows, spare decor and art make for a cozy yet bright interior. Every single employee greeted us with a smile from the moment we walked in. We sat at the juice bar because all the tables were full.

Jonathon was our gracious server and was happy to tell me which items were gluten free. There was a much better than usual selection to choose from. We ordered an organic juice for each of us. Chris chose the Volcano, a citrus blend with a touch of maple syrup and cayenne. I have an aversion to the smell of maple syrup but when I tasted it I fell in love. I ordered the Zinger which was beet, apple, orange, lemon and ginger. The ginger actually gave it more heat than Chris' Volcano. The sweet and hot combination was delicious. Luna's juices are available at our local Whole Foods, too. Pricey, but a healthy splurge.

One of our friend Josh's recommendation was the Rawco Taco Salad so I was glad it was gluten free. That was my order. How gorgeous is that salad?

Underneath the cilantro and sprouts was a large scoop of crumbled walnuts and almonds. The nuts gave it a crunchy, satisfying feel without feeling heavy. The cashew sour cream and hot sauce combination was a perfect touch - so flavorful! The hot sauce had quite a kick without being too much heat. Cool slices of avocado and crispy veggie/flax crackers made a perfect meal.

It's the kind of salad I could eat every day of the week if only someone would deliver it!

Chris ordered the Living Burrito. It was a collard leaf wrapped around sunflower seed refried beans, cauliflower rice, veggies and the same cashew sour cream and pico de gallo that were on my salad. He inhaled it shortly after I took this photo. 

He loves all things cauliflower so he especially enjoyed the cauliflower rice. Chris loved the combination of flavors and textures and found it to be a hearty lunch (he likes big food!) and also commented that he didn't feel weighed down by this large meal.

I'm going to have to get on Pinterest soon and look up some cauliflower rice and cashew sour cream recipes.

This meal makes me want to up my game when it comes to our vegetarian and vegan meals and make them more creative. Summer is a great time to take advantage of wonderful produce.

Josh had also recommended the Lemon Berry Cheesecake and we shared a beautiful slice while Chris had a coffee. 

Hands down the best cheesecake I've ever tasted and again totally vegan. Just the right amount of crunchy nut crust, plain and fruit flavored layers and perfect to share.

We both loved every part of our meal and our experience at Luna's Living Kitchen. While it is quite a drive I know we'll be back - maybe not as often as I'd like - but I can't wait.

This post has been shared on Gluten Free Wednesdays - thanks Shirley!

Gluten Free DC Marathon Weekend

Last weekend my crazy hubby ran the Marine Marathon in DC. That's him right after finishing 26.2 miles. Smiling ear to ear. It was really a wild experience. There were approximately 34,000 Runners, wheelchair racers and hand cyclists participating.

I am not a runner, as evidenced by the sticker Chris bought for me at the runner's expo:

Every place we ate over the weekend was really wonderful and warrant their own review but here's a quick recap and photos straight from my phone:

Saturday we drove up to DC and picked up his run packet in one tent and his shirt at the expo. By the time we were through with all the lines and vendors it was starting to get dark and we were hungry. We went to Shophouse Kitchen, a southeast Asian style restaurant. It's owned by Chipotle and while the set up is a similar concept to Chipotle the result is so different. Shophouse Kitchen's food is entirely gluten free, fresh, fast and truly one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Authentic flavors made as mild or spicy as you like. I'd love a bowl right now. The green beans were spicy hot but really flavorful, the eggplant with basil was a mellow contrast and the cold rice noodles were a yummy, if messy, base. So far you can only find SK in the DC and Los Angeles areas but I'm hoping they spread quickly to Raleigh!

The marathon morning was sunny and perfect and I was able to watch some of it from our hotel room. As Chris' finish time grew near I headed up to meet him. I thought he made great time and couldn't believe he had energy to spare. We walked from the race down to the hotel and had a very brief encounter with Taylor Morris and his adorable girlfriend Danielle Kelly who had just run her first marathon in amazing time. They are one of the most inspiring couples you'll ever read about and it was an honor to get to say hello. Check the site, please.

After that we headed out to District of Pi for gluten free pizza. Chris had been here with Joe and Marc and Marie had visited, too. So I was the lone hold out. The gluten free menu is varied and includes lots of different options and it was hard deciding just what to get. We ordered far too much and enjoyed our pizza for lunch and again for dinner. The pizzas and salad were really good, but the caramelized onion dip and kettle cooked chips - something we never order - was so delicious. Creamy dip and warm salty chips - such a great combo. The leftover pizza was just as good cold at dinner time, the sign of good pizza in my book. =D

We had hoped to get to Macaron Bee after our pizza but they were closed before we could get over to the shop. DC is not an easy place to maneuver! Since I'd been in contact with Debby prior to our visit, I emailed my apology for not making it in when we got back to the hotel. We had been in touch since I'd written to see if they had any dye free macarons. (While a macaron is a delicious gluten free treat I am careful because many of them have food dyes which cause problems for us. There were several safe varieties at Macaron Bee!) Debby wrote back and told me she'd even set some aside for me on Sunday and I felt so bad for not getting there in time. Then she told me she'd be in the store Monday, their day off, and I could stop by! The shop is so cute and I loved the bee decor. Debby was as sweet as I imagined and had a lovely selection of macarons for me to choose from. I picked out a box for Marc and Marie and one for Chris and me. Even the packaging is perfect and makes for an even more special treat. The Earl Grey/Milk Chocolate, Expresso and Fleur de sel Caramel have all been perfect. Macaron Bee will be a must stop every time we visit DC.

We then headed to the freeway and trudged along in traffic for a while and as we got further and further away from the city the fall foliage was so pretty - just starting to turn. We had to stop for one more meal and made it a late lunch. Marc and Marie had found Burger Bach in Richmond, Virginia while driving home from Maryland last month and they raved about it. The burgers really were as good as they had told us but the fries were out of this world. Whenever you can get gluten free safe fries it's a good thing, but Burger Bach has unique dipping sauces that take them over the top! While you can get ketchup, you can also try a variety of sweet and spicy dips. We chose a cilantro sauce (right) that was creamy, mild and flavorful and a jalapeno remoulade (left) that had just the right amount of kick. We inhaled them.

I'd like to visit every one of these spots again and I bet you'd enjoy them, too.

25 and Counting at Tamishii Sushi And Spoons

Fuzzy but happy shot, thanks to Dan. 

Saturday night we celebrated our 25th anniversary much the same way we spent our very first date so many years ago and so many miles away. I honestly cannot believe how fast time has flown - in fact it only occurred to me we were celebrating 25 a few weeks prior to our anniversary. Time really does fly when you're having fun and are so blessed.

We were able to sneak away for a weekend at the beach. Nothing helps us connect like long walks on the beach away from phones,computers and responsibilities. Chris found this sand dollar as we walked. They my sentimental favorite and the first one we've found since our 20th anniversary beach trip.

Since this was a BIG anniversary, we indulged and bought folding travel bikes a couple of weeks ago. Best anniversary gift ever. They fold up in minutes and fit in the hatchback and are ready to ride just as quickly. My only request was a the silly basket and bell on mine. Otherwise they are identical and since the traditional 25th anniversary gift is silver we figure the chrome spokes fit the bill there. The rides, even the one that ended with us being drenched by rain on Sunday morning, were such a fun addition to our beach days. It's so much easier to park away from the hustle and bustle and bike up to quieter spots. Neither of us sits well for very long and biking up and down new streets was so much fun.

That first date of ours so many years ago was a sushi date and so was this one. I had done a search of gluten free restaurants in the Wilmington area and found a sushi spot that looked good. Neither Chris or I could remember the name of it so we did another search and this time Tamishii Sushi and Spoons caught our eye. Chris made an early reservation, not for a senior early bird meal, but to have time to talk to the chef prior to any rush and check about gluten and food dyes. I loved that thoughtful gesture.

We ended up getting there very early and because it was graduation weekend it was quieter than usual and we had the friendly staff all to ourselves for quite a while. We sat at the sushi bar and found that Chefs Mark and Josh were knowledgeable about gluten and because they make a point to use sustainable seafood and really fresh ingredients we had lots of great, safe options.

As dyes cause severe headaches I asked about the wasabi and found it did have food dye but no worries, I had brought my own and we were there early enough to unobtrusively sneak it into the gluten free tamari.

Dan, our waiter, was as careful as Mark and Josh about gluten. He brought out a complimentary appetizer of  edamame hummus served with fried strips of eggroll wrappers with a spoon for me to try the humus. It was a pleasant sign of things to come. Really flavorful and so nicely balanced.

Our first order were "spoons" - lots of spoons. There are several different options on the menu and most were gluten free. Seeing these shots makes me wish I'd pulled my camera out of my bag rather than using my phone but bear with me please.

Each spoon has a fish or shellfish combination of different vegetables, herbs and/or seasonings. Each of them was delicious - can you see the spoon in the very front? That's their classic Tartare - check out the two thin slices of yellow fin tuna with a sliver of avocado a sprig of cilantro. Tasted as wonderful as it looked.

Further up was my favorite spoon. It's hard to really have a favorite when all of them were so good but the Demarisco really stood out. It was a spoonful of scallops and shrimp roasted corn, manzano peppers (HOT!), shallots and cilantro. As hot as the peppers were you could still taste each and every fresh ingredient.

The rolls were really tasty. We chose two to share- the Firecracker Roll and the Fantasy Roll.

Because the wasabi sauce has regular soy sauce in it we ordered the Firecracker Roll without it and can testify it was still plenty fiery! Just the right amount of heat for us. I was excited to have this roll because so many rolls that say "crab" really use faux crab that has not only wheat but food dyes. This was real, fresh and amazing.

The Fantasy Roll was a little different than anything I'd ever ordered while out for sushi. The scallops, tuna and salmon were combined with charred pineapple, a mango citrus sauce, toasted coconut and scallions. Delicious and cooling between bites of the Firecracker Roll.

Chefs Mark and Josh were both young but experienced sushi chefs and made the dinner interesting and fun. Tamishii has a traditional sushi bar look with a hip twist - at least from my perspective - and is very inviting. It was a nice spot to linger and enjoy good food and good company before another long walk by the water.  Not only would I highly recommend you try it, but we've already planned a July visit.

Gluten Free at Mediterranean Deli in Chapel Hill

Marc and Marie had gone to Mediterranean Deli several weeks ago and raved about it - especially the fact that they serve gluten free pita bread. Life got busy and I forgot. Then sweet Megan, a fellow gf'er went not long ago with her boyfriend and Instagramed an amazing looking plate. I kind of forgot again. Finally, super talented photographer Carolyn asked her Facebook friends about gluten free restaurants in Durham and Chapel Hill so I Googled it to get the menu for her yesterday. After reading the menu and I asked Chris if he wanted to go for a late lunch today and he graciously complied.

Mediterranean Deli is a large, sunny and casual restaurant that was packed when Chris and I stopped in late this afternoon. As you walk in and see a long case full of salads and goodies, grab a menu so you can order at the counter. Our friendly order taker helped us to pick our gluten free sides, we paid and took our number to our table. We also purchased a bag of gluten free pitas for us and for Marc and Marie. It took a few minutes before our plates came but oh was it worth the wait.

We both had ordered Kebabs - lamb for Chris and chicken for me. The kebab plates came with rice, pita and two sides. Chris had gluten free tabouli and a beet salad and enjoyed both. He loved the lamb kebab. It was served over a bed of yellow basmati rice which we were assured was naturally colored with saffron and spices. It was delicious. The grilled jalapeno and tomato were a nice touch. The yogurt came in very handy to temper the fire of said jalapeno.

My chicken kebab was perfect - tender and spiced just right. The avocado salad had red onion, tomato and feta. Mediterranean guacamole if you ask me. Totally addictive. The beet salad was so good. I don't know about you but I always assumed I would hate beets. Never tried one until I was 50 and then it was love at first bite! Can't get enough of them these days. I savored this meal and ate it so slowly - pacing my pita and devouring every bite. It was such a treat.

The restaurant was busy the entire time we were there. The catering van pulled up, was filled and left again just filled to the brim with trays of goodies. At least two people left with large party trays. This is obviously not a well hidden secret and I just can't believe it took so long for us to find it.

Gluten Free Organic Pita Bread. <----- Click on that link! You can order their organic gluten free pita bread and have it delivered to you. Honestly, it will be a long time before I order because we need to go back and try so many other things on the menu and I can just pick up a few bags again. But just knowing I can order it any time just makes me smile.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Gluten Free Raleigh - bu ku Global Street Food

Cambodia Roll

Saturday afternoon Chris and I had a date lunch at bu ku Raleigh, a really beautiful restaurant in downtown Raleigh. There's a large patio that would be a perfect spot to sit on a much warmer day than when we visited. While a very elegant restaurant it's also really comfortable.

The wonderful thing about bu ku is they cover so many cuisines that there is really something for everyone and the small plates are meant to be shared. Perfect for spending time together and catching up. What really impressed us was that despite the variety, each dish was true to its heritage. Nothing is dumbed down or homogenized - everything is fresh and full of flavor. Check out their video on their home page to see what I mean.

Their gluten free menu is really large and varied. We chose some small dishes to share and split dessert. It was hard to narrow down our choices to just a few. We decided to really vary our choices rather than sticking to one cuisine.

We started with the Cambodia Roll which is a rice paper summer roll full of shrimp, avocado, carrot, cucumber and lots of spinach and just a bit of fresh herbs. There was a nice creamy peanut sauce to dip. It was a perfect blend of flavors - more spinach that I would have thought could have worked in a summer roll - but it was perfect. It left me wanting to order another that I didn't have to share.

Aloo Chana Chaat

But the Aloo Chana Chaat and Empanadas were being served and I was easily distracted.

The Aloo Chana Chaat is an Indian dish with a twist. A crispy and spicy potato cake is topped with chickpeas, cucumber, cabbage, raita, tamarind and cilantro chutney. The mix of textures and components that ranged from crispy to creamy, very hot to cool was amazing. There was a bit of a fork war over that one, I will admit to that.

Empanadas

The Empanadas were really a treat as I haven't had one in a decade. These were filled with chipotle braised chicken and topped with guacamole, tomato and queso fresco. The crispy thin crust was to die for. The spicy but not too hot shredded chicken was so good - luckily there were two and we didn't have to battle.

While we were enjoying these last two treats we decided to really indulge and order one more item and chose the Massaman Hot Pot. A yellow coconut curry full of cinnamon and spice but not hot - just flavorful - and full of veggies. There was enough of this warming curry soup for at least two bowls for each of us.

Massaman Hot Pot

Not that we needed dessert after all those wonderful dishes, but we were easily talked into it. The only gluten free dessert the day we visited was the Trilogy of Creme Brulees. While Chris loves a good Creme Brulee but it's never been one of my favorite dishes. This dessert changed my mind.

As with everything we tried the presentation was beautiful. Each little pot was garnished with one berry to compliment its flavor. Between the pots were little slices of strawberry with tiny greens in a balsamic reduction. A nice treat between very sweet bites. The traditional vanilla was very good. The ginger was mild but with just enough ginger to give it a little delicious kick. The chocolate, however, was my favorite. A very grown up chocolate pudding flavor with a creme brulee texture. Perfect!

Our waiter, Alex was friendly, informative and professional and helped make our meal a really nice experience. I can't wait to go back.

Gluten Free Raleigh - The Irregardless Cafe

Laura & Birthday Girl Cara today

Today I met Laura and Cara at The Irregardless Cafe for Cara's birthday lunch. The Irregardless Cafe is a Raleigh institution. It's a little green house turned into an award winning restaurant that is known as a farm to fork, vegetarian and green establishment.

Christmas Laura waiting for her Chili Relleno!

But honestly I wasn't bowled over the first two visits. The first time was an anniversary dinner with Chris a few years ago. He'd checked it out and read they did gluten free meals well. Cute, funky building and great atmosphere made for a nice date night feel. Our new-ish waiter wasn't trained in gluten free and brought out pita bread in spite of careful no-pita ordering on my part. He really didn't get there being a safety issue but begrudgingly brought out another plate. It was a busy night and we never could make eye contact with management. An off night - every place can have one - but it didn't make me want to try it again soon.

Delicious? Yes! Pad Thai? Close.

Fast forward to three months ago when Laura and I met at the Irregardless for lunch. I was excited to try it again - after all gluten free has come a long way since our first visit and I continued to hear or read great things about it so I was ready. It was busy and noisy with Christmas celebrations so we had to wait a while for our server but this gal was spot on - she knew what Laura needed to know to order a yummy vegan lunch and was really helpful in helping me decide on a gluten free lunch between the two, yes just two entree choices.  I settled on the Pad Thai which needs to be carefully ordered because the seitan listed on the menu contains wheat.

While the Pad Thai was good, it wasn't anything like any Pad Thai I've had anywhere else or have made at home. I was initially disappointed because I expected what I know to be Pad Thai, but I could appreciate the freshness and flavors and over all really enjoyed my lunch.

I had even told Chris later that I felt like it was a safe, good gluten free meal and even told him that I'd go back if that is where a friend wanted to go, but it just wasn't a spot I would probably choose myself.

When Laura invited me to join in on Cara's birthday I jumped at the chance to meet Cara who I only knew over the phone. I wanted to try The Irregardless Cafe one more time to see how I felt - I figured it would be a three strikes and you're out or a third time's the charm meal.

While the Irregardless lunch menu only has a few gluten free options, the dinner menu shows many more. When I compared the two I realized one of the things marked gluten free at dinner were on the lunch menu but not marked as gluten free. It was the amazing Chile Rellenos that Laura had at Christmas.

Today the Irregardless was quieter and we had a great waitress. Wait staff can make or break any dining experience but all the more so when you have to avoid gluten. I mentioned to her that I'd looked at the dinner menu and noticed the discrepancies and she assured me the Chile Rellanos were, in fact, gluten free so I quickly ordered them.

Happiness on a plate!

Oh my goodness, third time was the charm! A large poblano pepper is sitting atop a roasted tomato and balsamic reduction - so yummy you want to lick the plate. Between the sauce and the stuffed pepper is a black bean cake. And the stuffed pepper is full of a Spanish ratatouille rice. Every bit of it was amazing. I ordered the vegan version - without the smoked gouda or cream fraiche - I can't imagine it being any better than it was.

So now I want to drag Chris there as soon as we can get him there so he can try it, but I think we'll go for dinner when there are a few more gluten free choices to check out. I'm glad to have tried one more time because now I have a special spot I can really look forward to.

It was so great getting to catch up with Laura and to hear about her move and getting to meet sweet Cara. I felt blessed to have been able to sneak away from my responsibilities for a couple of hours and enjoy some fellowship with these wonderful women.

Check out Laura's post today and her healthy mocha shake. It sounds amazing!

Bella Monica Ladies Lunch

Laura invited me along to a lunch she and her friend Kinde had planned at Bella Monica.  I couldn't refuse a chance to meet a friend of Laura's, see Laura outside work and eat at Bella Monica now could I? Best of all it came at a very good time - Marc had just moved into his apartment and I was having a hard time adjusting to him flying out of the nest.

Amazing Laura has already blogged about our lunch at The Chronicles of DDL and you should check it out. I thought I knew a lot about Bella Monica but I learned more  reading her post. I won't reinvent the wheel so check out her post for our menu selections as well as what everyone thought. =D

It was absolutely wonderful meeting Kinde and her beautiful daughter Vanessa. Kinde works at Trader Joe's with Laura and has been there for five years and somehow we've never met. I am there at least twice a week. I saw her just once a couple of months ago - she had never seen me. I was so glad we got to finally meet. Vanessa is mature beyond her years and just the sweetest girl. Laura took this gorgeous photo of the two of them.

Kinde took this pic of Laura and me - doesn't she just glow? I know it's a lot of healthy living but I do think you see the Lord just shine through her eyes!

Our lunch was so fun and time just flew by. Since Laura captured everything so well on her post I'll just let you know about the gluten free details.

Bella Monica is on my very short list of favorite places and not to rattle on and repeat myself but I do think it's important to know why.  It's not just because everything there is wonderful but because we can eat all that wonderful food safely. I can sit down just like everyone else and enjoy myself.

Bella Monica is on top of things. The management and staff really know their stuff and they're all friendly and welcoming - you never feel like you're imposing or a problem diner. As Laura mentioned, this place is always packed. Always. Even so they never seem to miss a beat. They color code the gluten free plates so the wait staff knows what to do. They have a dedicated oven just for gluten free goodies. They even market gluten free flat breads to local grocery stores and they are delicious, too.

At many other restaurants ordering gluten free often means skipping bread, pasta or dessert - you know, the good stuff. Not here. As Marc and Marie will tell you, the Bella Monica stuffed shells are to die for. In fact, Bella Monica is catering their wedding and their wedding guests will all get to know just how good it is! Their Eggplant Parmesan made me swoon a visit or two ago but everything has been wonderful.

The flat bread and desserts are made offsite in a dedicated gluten free kitchen by an amazing woman named Ragan who owns De'Lure Desserts & Bakery.  More about her in a few weeks as she's doing the desserts for Marc and Marie's wedding.

On Monday I enjoyed a delicious chopped salad which worked well with the October Unprocessed Challenge and my hopes of fitting into my mother of the groom dress a little more comfortably. You no doubt have already seen Laura's photo of that salad. It was really satisfying - I just love beans and greens together. The vegetarian version was really perfect although I'm sure it would have been great with the optional chicken. The small square of flat bread really should have been off limits but I did enjoy it. I have to admit it wasn't as fresh and soft as usual it was still very good.

I loved the chance to sit down and discuss food and health over a yummy meal. Each of us started our health journey from different places and it was wonderful to learn more from Kinde and Laura. Vanessa was our sole "normal" eater but I think she eats a lot healthier than most girls her age and is much more aware of making good choices. I love to see that!

Laura surprised me at the end of lunch with a bundle of three foil packages of vegan and gluten free goodies she had baked.  She had wrapped it sweetly in a fall motif napkin and tied it with a bow. I had a little sampling at home that afternoon with some herbal tea and it was such a sweet treat. They were all great but the gingerbread was my favorite and I hope she'll post that recipe in time for Thanksgiving - hint, hint!!

It was such a good time and I hope we can do it again soon!

A Surprise at Spize Cafe!

Saturday Chris and I ran over to the venue for Marc and Marie's wedding so Chris could see it finally and so he could check out the "techie" side of things.  We wanted to check the WIFI to see if we'd be able to Skype his mom in to the festivities since she isn't able to fly out for the wedding. WIFI testing went great and we decided to walk through the gardens a bit when Marc joined us there and wandered a bit with us. The gardens are so beautiful and it will be the perfect spot for their wedding.

Marc left his car there and went with us for lunch and an errand. Ever since going to Spize with the lovely Laura I've wanted to get Chris there to try one of their baguette sandwiches.  Definitely NOT gluten free but their artisan/local baguettes looked like the real deal and something Chris would love.

Chris chose the pork sandwich with lemongrass and a honey mayo. The pickeled veggies and chips rounded out his plate. I had to take this picture quickly or I would have missed it all together but since this is a gluten free blog it really shouldn't be here in the first place! =D

There's an eggplant and mushroom sandwich with basil and chili paste that I want to recreate in a gluten free version - it sounds amazing!

Spize Cafe has the most flavorful sauces and dressings and they take really simple fresh ingredients and make the most delicious combinations.

Marc had the Chicken Thai Red Curry Rice Plate - the chicken version of the veggie meal Laura and I enjoyed.

Marc really enjoyed the fresh veggies - especially the bamboo shoots.

The pickled veggies are more than a pretty plate garnish - each veggie seems to have a different heat to them - all fresh and crispy and yummy.

The red curry is super hot but so flavorful.

This time I chose the White Peppered Shrimp Asian Noodle Salad.

Our cashier asked if I would like it hot or hotter.  He used the terms medium and burning. Burning seemed like a good choice but in retrospect why it seemed like a good choice is beyond me! The red peppers you see on top of those rice noodles were really and truly burning hot! But once the sweet and tangy vinaigrette mixed with everything it was the most delicious salad I've had in a long time. I'd order it again but I might order a medium next time.

The only thing I'd love to see at Spize Cafe are more gluten free veggie options without tofu. This salad would have been just as good without the shrimp and even better with more veggies. Their gluten free menu is really varied and better than most but that one small thing would thrill me.

Oh, and the surprise?  We bumped into our sweet neighbors!

Justin, Kyle, Andrea and Gabrielle, from left to right. They were in Raleigh for the NC Museum of Natural Science Bug Fest and stopped in for lunch. Empty plates and happy faces are always a good sign.

Lunch with Laura at Spize Cafe!

Today I was able to sneak out for a great lunch with my friend Laura at Spize Cafe in Raleigh. Spize Cafe was at the Gluten Free Expo last month and after sampling their curry and salad dressing we left the expo with a bottle of their yummy salad dressing and a menu. I stuck the menu on the fridge with a magnet so I wouldn't lose it and would remember to give it a try soon.

When Laura and I made plans for lunch downtown Raleigh was the perfect halfway spot but we needed to find a restaurant that would work for both of us. Laura is vegan and I, as you may have noticed by now, am gluten free =D so I checked the Spize menu and noticed their vegan options.

Because I drive like my grandma and took side streets into Raleigh past NCSU during lunch hour, Laura was already there and checking out the menu when I arrived. Spize is small, bright and modern with a tiny but busy kitchen on the right and seating on the left and the staff is friendly and helpful. We ordered our lunches at the counter and waited outside for our lunches. The weather was just perfect for sitting outside and catching up.

We both ordered a red curry rice plate with veggies - nice and hot and full of fresh veggies. I loved the strips of bamboo shoots and cabbage. It was thin and soup-like and had just the perfect amount of kick for me.

(I can't wait to get Chris here - he would love this curry but they also have French artisan baguette sandwiches that sound right up his alley. We never have gluten in our kitchen and he rarely eats anything with it in front of me so I may have to talk him into one of them.)

Laura ordered a vegan won ton appetizer special that looked so yummy. See them in the pretty picture of Laura above?

My appetizer was really enough to make a meal of and for that matter so was the curry - I left quite full and happy.

Isn't this a gorgeous basil shrimp rice paper roll and so much prettier than the rice paper rolls we make!

The anchovy lime vinaigrette was tart and had just the right amount of that fish sauce punch - I could have poured it over a bowl of greens and licked the bowl when I was done.

I loved my meal but I loved getting to sit and visit with Laura much more. We had never met when we went to the same church, or lived in the same town. Laura is our favorite checker at Trader Joe's but we didn't get to know each other there, either. Despite the fact I'm there at least twice a week you don't really have time for much conversation in a store that busy.

In fact, long before we met I remember running in one day to pick up a few things. I don't remember what had been going on but I was really stressed out. Joe was shorter than me so I know it was a long time ago!  Laura walked by and asked how I was. I smiled and said something like "fine, and you?" but she didn't say "fine". She asked me how I was *really* doing. It caught me off guard and I admitted it was an off day but you know the rest of the day was better. It made a world of difference that someone asked. Laura's that kind of person.

Since Marie introduced us we've emailed a lot, had some quick conversations at TJ's and we've prayed for each other. Today I had the opportunity to meet my friend. We caught up on faith and family and their farm. Well, more like we scratched the surface on all three, but we did fit a lot in. =D I hope we have the opportunity to share many a lunch or cup of tea in the future.

Laura gave me a mission for our first lunch - she wanted me to share a favorite verse, person or book of the Bible with her and said she would do the same. Don't you love that?

Laura also had a surprise for me. I knew she was sharing a bunch of fresh chives from her garden but she also gave me beautiful jar of her homemade body balm and I just love it. It lighter than the body butter I make and Laura gave it a light orange scent.

It feels so silky and smells heavenly.

You should check out the body balm post and read about harvesting honey, too. Things are busy at that farm!

I love that girlie purple bow and keep sliding it back on the jar when I use it but I also love what Laura did under the jar.  Check this out:

Such a sweet label - ysic - Your Sister in Christ. The heart and cross means so much. And notice those two little letters - GF! Love that, too.

Sweet friendship and a spicy lunch - not a bad day!

xoxo