A healthy cookie...who knew?! :)

Made banana muffins for breakfast today, so had to find something I could eat...checked my huge list of recipes to try on Pinterest and bingo - Breakfast Cookies! Who doesn't like eating cookies for breakfast? :)

My pinned recipe originated from this blog, I did add some sliced almonds (that's just what I had on hand - pecans would be tasty too), omitted the cinnamon (by mistake and they could have used it), and I doubled the sugar and vanilla. As I munched on one of these for a snack this afternoon, I thought even brown sugar might be a good option to try next time. Texture is a little odd once they've sat on the counter for a while. I did have them in a container, but still kinda like eating cold oatmeal...moms with small children understand what I'm talking about. For those that don't: breakfast was made with intentions of eating it asap, but you get interrupted 50 million times. So by the time you eat the last spoonful it has been cold for over an hour. These cookies reminded me of that last cold bite. I'm sure zapped in the microwave for a few seconds would fix that.

I baked them for 15 minutes...make sure you flatten them out since they won't do that on their own (the thick ones maybe could have baked a bit longer). Oh, and I always bake cookies on parchment paper, but I think this one you should grease the parchment paper...they stuck on a bit (because there is zero fat in these!). Overall they turned out pretty good. I froze the leftovers, so we'll have to see how they thaw out.

A healthy cookie...who knew?! :)

Pancakes!

I'm not a huge pancake eater. So, when going GF the fact that I would no longer have to choke them down EVERY Saturday morning made me happy. I finally had a valid reason to decline. So it had been a long time since I've eaten them. Maybe a year? Anyways, I came across a box of Kinnikinnick Pancake & Waffle Mix at Safeway and thought one morning I might enjoy a pancake heavily laden with chocolate chips.

So I made up one recipe according to the box, plus half a bag of chocolate chips (oops). It made 8 medium sized pancakes. And I ate not one but three! They were actually good, or I was just really hungry. Not as fluffy as your regular pancakes, but I froze the rest of the batch and they do reheat nicely in the microwave. Makes for a quick breakfast on the mornings I oversleep and have to inhale breakfast on the walk from the house to the car...I eat my pancakes plain with no butter or syrup. I know. I'm weird. Here's the finished product:

Side note: I love waffles. And are they not just pancakes with holes punched in them? Yes, but somehow they taste better :)

Cheesy Quinoa Mac & Cheese

Tried a new recipe from Pinterest today for lunch. Cheesy Quinoa Mac & Cheese. This is a GF dish, aside from the bread crumbs (I omitted the breadcrumbs and it tasted fine. You could use GF if you have them). Recipe I pinned linked back to this blog website.

I had 2 willing guinea pigs family members and 1 not so willing child. Adults all seemed to enjoy it! DD did not. She couldn't be convinced that it was pasta :) We were in a hurry, so forgot to take a picture of the finished product. But it looked pretty much like this one from the above blog:

Recipe could have used more salt & pepper and next time I would double the amount of cheese. I didn't add any veggies, but with the taste of the quinoa you could easily add broccoli or cauliflower. Texture was sort of like a quiche (from the eggs probably), so might even be tasty with onion or mushrooms in it. It was a quick and simple dish to make, and I'll be making this again. This was only my second attempt at cooking and eating quinoa, and I'd say this time around was certainly better! :)

Gluten Free beer trials - Part 1

So, when you cut out gluten, beer goes out the window too. When I first went GF, DH said "you know you can't drink beer now". Of course, being the super smart person I am, I said "why not?". I realized after the fact that most beer is made from barley, which contains gluten.

Anyways...I've tried a few brands of GF lately. About a month ago I had enlisted the help of a friend (who is also GF) to try some with me the first go around. I was pretty sure it would taste really bad and we'd be pouring the 3 different kinds down the drain. They turned out to be okay, none were completely terrible. It was a nice change from wine. Since then I've tried 2 other brands, and a new one today. I'll start my reviews with the new one, and work my way through the others. Who knew there were so many options!? And let me clarify that several of these you can buy as single bottles, I'm not drinking a 6-pack at a time here people :)

Up today is La Messagere Blonde. This one is made in Quebec, and is a rice and buckwheat beer (buckwheat is not really wheat) so that makes it 100% GF. Some of the other beer is gluten-reduced, which may bother the more sensitive GF person. This one was being sold as a 6-pack, at $20.54 including GST.

To me, La Messagere is very sweet and has a funny aftertaste. Don't like it. I'd say it's at the very bottom of my list. Might taste better with food. This was the only brand of GF beer my local Liquor Depot had. An awesome store on the southside of Edmonton (Keg n Cork) carries the other brands I've tried (total I think they have about 7 different ones? maybe more). That's where some of the single bottles are sold.

Next up...Glutenberg blonde ale - also from Quebec!

Disneyland has Gluten Free!

So, we're heading down to Disneyland in a few weeks - VERY excited! Last time we were there we only had to deal with DD's dairy issues. Which wasn't too bad, brought her soy milk along and it's easy enough to be selective for meals with her and didn't have any problems with the "no ice cream" rule. There are enough other treats and snacks she could enjoy. And she was only 2.5 years old on our last visit. I expect this time around, should be much the same for her at the ripe old age of 4.

Me, however, will be a different story. First time facing the parks with food "issues". I did some digging on the internet and found that Disney *does* cater to us GF guests! What!? Awesome! I read that if you email Disney Guest Services, they will email you back a current list of their GF options. So, I did. And, took about a week, but they emailed back the list! So excited and happy I wouldn't be eating just giant pickles and pineapple spears the whole week! :)

No churros (*sob*), but plenty of other options, especially for meal time - even GF Mickey waffles! Take a look, this was as of May 24, 2012 (a current list can be picked up in the parks as well) :

Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/

For questions regarding accommodations for special dietary needs while 
at the DISNEYLAND® Resort theme parks, including product availability, 
preparation methods, and ingredient lists please contact our Chefs at 
(714) 781-3569. They may not be available to answer all calls 
immediately; however, they will answer all messages left on voice mail. 
For the Hotels of the DISNEYLAND® Resort, please contact the Chef's 
Office at (714) 956-6719.

**Always ask to speak to a chef or manager as vendors, products, and 
ingredients may change. Ingredient labels.
Please be aware some locations may close due to rain or slow times in 
the Park. Some menu items will require an additional preparation time 
and due to Guest demands may not be available. Please note: Disneyland 
Parks and Resorts will use reasonable efforts to prevent the 
introduction of the allergen of concern into the food through close 
attention during our sourcing, preparation and handling processes. 
However, it is ultimately always up to the Guest to use his or her 
individual discretion to make an informed choice regarding whether to 
order any particular items, since Walt Disney Company cannot guarantee 
that allergens may not have been introduced during another stage of the 
food chain process, or even inadvertently, by us. 

Disneyland Park:

Throughout the Park: Fountain Minute Maid Lemonade and Light Lemonade 
Various Fruit Carts: located throughout the park with fresh whole fruit,
cut up fruit packages; ask for ingredient list for any prepared items 
Outdoor Vending Carts: 
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade 
Turkey legs 
Cotton candy 
Popcorn (made with a combination of vegetable and coconut oils) 
Kettle Corn 
Mickey faced premium ice cream bars on a stick 
o ** NESTLES NOVELTY ICE CREAM IS MADE IN A PLANT THAT PRODUCES NUT AND 
WHEAT PRODUCTS. 

Tomorrowland Terrace: 
Breakfast 
Scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes 

Lunch/Dinner 
Hamburger with lettuce & tomato: Request Gluten Free Bun. Side of fresh 
fruit 
Cheeseburger with American cheese, lettuce & tomato: Request Gluten Free
Bun. Side of fresh fruit 
Grilled Chicken Breast sandwich with lettuce & avocado sauce: Request 
Gluten Free Bun. Side of fresh fruit 
French Fries 

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port: 
Rice noodles with marinara sauce or tomato basil sauce 
Romaine Lettuce with Chicken Breast and Fat Free Raspberry Dressing 
Starfield of Greens with Basil Vinaigrette 
Planetary Pizza Salad: Request a new base and bowl to avoid 
cross-contact 
Cheese Pizza: Request Gluten Free shell 
Pepperoni Pizza: Request Gluten Free shell 


Tiki Juice Bar: 
Pineapple Spears 
Dole Whip Frozen Drink 

Big Thunder Ranch: 
Ask to speak with Chef or Manager. 
Menu offerings are available. 

Village Haus: 
Angus Pastrami Burger: Request Gluten-free Bun 
Hamburger or Cheeseburger: Request Gluten-free bun 
French Fries: Request that the fries are cooked in the Fries only Fryer 
Apple Cheddar Salad 

Troubadour Tavern: 
Baked Potato with butter and sour cream 

Toon-Up Treats: 
Chef Salad: Ask for Salad Dressing to check label 
Kids Hot Dog: Request no bun, with apple sauce 

Blue Bayou: 
Five Pepper Roast New York 
Blackened Cajun Spiced Salmon 
Tesoro Island Chicken 
Portobello Mushroom with Macque Choux 
Broiled Filet Mignon 
Bayou Surf & Turf (after 4 p.m.) 

Café Orleans: 
La Salade de Maison (House Salad) 
“Crescent City” Salad with Salmon or Chicken 
N’awlins Vegetable Ragout 
Kids Chicken Breast: Request Rice Noodles 
Kids Seared Salmon Fillet: Request Rice Noodles 

Rancho Del Zocalo: 
Entrées: 
o Vegetable Tacos: Request Corn Tortillas* 
o Plain Chicken Tacos: Request Corn Tortillas* 
o Quesadillas - 50/50 Cheese in Corn Tortillas 
o Cheese Enchiladas with Cotija Cheese* 
o Cheese Enchiladas with Carne Asada, Cotija Cheese* 
o Fire Roasted Chicken (Corn Tortillas)* 
*Rice, Beans, Shredded Lettuce, 50/50 Cheese, Pico de Gallo, 
Guacamole, Sour Cream 
o Tostada salad (plain chicken or veggie): Request no Shell 
Dessert: 
o Fresh Fruit Plate 

River Belle Terrace: 
Mississippi Turkey Breast Sandwich: Request Gluten Free Bun 

Hungry Bear Restaurant: 
Hamburger: Request Gluten-free Bun 
Sweet Potato Fries: Request that the fries are cooked in the Fries only 
Fryer 
Watermelon Chicken Salad 

Plaza Inn: 
Breakfast: 
o Omelets, Bacon, Fresh Eggs, Fresh Fruits, Hash Browns, Sausage, Bacon,
Ham 
Gluten Free waffles can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
Baked Chicken 

Cone Shop: (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
All ice cream is made by Dreyers, (only flavors not Gluten-free: Cookies
and Cream & Tollhouse Swirl) 

Gibson Girl (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
All ice creams is made by Dreyers, (only flavors not Gluten-free: 
Cookies and Cream & Tollhouse Swirl) 

Rancho Del Zocalo: 
Entrées: 
o Vegetable Tacos: Request Corn Tortillas* 
o Plain Chicken Tacos: Request Corn Tortillas* 
o Quesadillas - 50/50 Cheese in Corn Tortillas 
o Cheese Enchiladas with Cotija Cheese* 
o Cheese Enchiladas with Carne Asada, Cotija Cheese* 
o Fire Roasted Chicken (Corn Tortillas)* 
*Rice, Beans, Shredded Lettuce, 50/50 Cheese, Pico de Gallo, 
Guacamole, Sour Cream 
o Tostada salad (plain chicken or veggie): Request no Shell 
Dessert: 
o Fresh Fruit Plate. 

River Belle Terrace: 
Mississippi Turkey Breast Sandwich: Request Gluten Free Bun 

Hungry Bear Restaurant: 
Hamburger: Request Gluten-free Bun 
Sweet Potato Fries: Request that the fries are cooked in the Fries only 
Fryer 
Watermelon Chicken Salad 

Plaza Inn: 
Breakfast: 
o Omelets, Bacon, Fresh Eggs, Fresh Fruits, Hash Browns, Sausage, Bacon,
Ham 
Gluten Free waffles can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
Baked Chicken 

Cone Shop: (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
All ice cream is made by Dreyers, (only flavors not Gluten-free: Cookies
and Cream & Tollhouse Swirl) 

Gibson Girl (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
All ice creams is made by Dreyers, (only flavors not Gluten-free: 
Cookies and Cream & Tollhouse Swirl) 
Coke Corner: (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
John Morrel, Hot Dog: Request Gluten-free bun 

Jolly Holiday Bakery: 
Turkey Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Capresse Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Tuna Salad Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Waldorf Salad Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Angus Roast Beef Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Pastrami Ruben: Request Gluten-free roll or bun 
Tomato Soup: N Bread Stick 
Jolly Holiday Salad: No Bread Stick 
Angus Roast Beef Salad: No Bread Stick 
Kid’s Turkey and Toasted Cheese Sandwich: Request Gluten-free roll or 
bun 

Carnation Café: (Location Currently CLOSED for refurbishment) 
Breakfast: 
o Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, Ham and Fresh Fruit 
(Oranges, Cantaloupe, Strawberries, and Bananas) 

Lunch/Dinner (All items are served with a Pickle Spear and choice of 
Fresh Fruit (Cantaloupe, Oranges, Grapes, or Strawberries), Sautéed 
Vegetables or Green Salad with Italian or Fat-free Raspberry Dressing): 
o Pan-Seared Boneless Chicken Breast 
o Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich: Request Gluten-free Hot Dog Bun in place
of bread 
o Turkey Sandwich: Request Gluten-free Hot Dog Bun in place of bread 
o Oscar’s Choice Chef Salad with Italian or Fat-free Raspberry Dressing:
Request no croutons 
o Steak Melt: Request lettuce in place of bread 
o Child’s Hot Dog plate: Tapioca Bun Available 
Dessert: 
o Scoop of Dryer’s Chocolate, Strawberry or Vanilla Ice Cream


UUDisney California Adventure: 
Throughout the Park: Fountain Minute Maid Lemonade and Light Lemonade 
Various Fruit Carts: located throughout the park with fresh whole fruit,
cut up fruit packages; ask for ingredient list for any prepared items 
Outdoor Vending Carts: located throughout the Park 
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade 
Turkey legs 
Cotton candy 
Popcorn (made with a combination of vegetable and coconut oils) 
Mickey faced premium ice cream bars on a stick (not the Mickey sandwich)

o ** NESTLES NOVELTY ICE CREAM IS MADE IN A PLANT THAT PRODUCES NUT AND
WHEAT PRODUCTS. 

Award Wieners: 
John Morrel, Hot Dog: Request a Gluten-free bun 

Ariel’s Grotto: 
Ask to speak with Chef or Manager 
Menu offerings are available 

Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta: 
Cheese Pizza: Request Gluten Free shell 
Pepperoni Pizza: Request Gluten Free shell 
BBQ Chicken Pizza: Request Gluten Free shell 
Boardwalk Field Greens Salad: Request no breadstick 
Caesar Salad: Request no croutons and no breadstick 
Italian Salad: Request no breadstick 
Rice Noodles with Marinara Sauce 

Paradise Garden Grill: 
Chicken Skewer 
Beef Skewer 
Vegetable Skewer 
Moroccan Chili 
Tandoori Spiced Yogurt 
Tzaziki 
Cucumber Salad 
Greek Salad 

Taste Pilots’ Grill: 
Hamburger patty with or without cheese: Request Gluten-free bun 
Grilled chicken salad: Request no cucumber sticks. Your choice of 
dressing (check ingredients) 
Grilled Chicken Sandwich from a fresh pan: Request Gluten-free bun 
French Fries: Request that the fries get cooked in the Fries only Fryer 
Kids sliders without bun, with carrots 

Baker’s Field Bakery: 
Chicken Caesar salad with no croutons, choice of dressing (check 
ingredients on packet) 

Burr-r-r Bank Cones: 
All ice creams are made by Dreyers, (only flavors not Gluten Free: 
Cookies and Cream & Tollhouse Swirl) 

Lucky Fortune Cookery: 
Chicken, Beef, Tofu with rice & vegetables: Sub sauce with yuzu 

Cocina Cucamonga: 
Corn Tortillas 
½ Chicken 
Carne Asada 
Three Way Veggies 
Six Way Veggies 
Kid’s Chicken 
Fruit Cup 
Mexican Rice 
Refried Beans 
Veggie Salad 
Guacamole 
Pico do Gallo 
Sour Cream 

Golden Vine Winery - Trattoria: 
Appetizers: 
o Caprese Salad 
o Shrimp Picatta: no crust on polenta 
o Italian Iceberg Wedge 
Entrée Salads: 
o Tuscan Salad: Sub Balsamic & Vinegar for Dressing 
o Trattoria Salad: No Crostini 
o Arugula Salad: Sub Balsamic & Vinegar for Dressing 
Entrées: 
o All create your own pasta can be substituted with Gluten Free Pasta: 
Bolognese, Shrimp Scampi, All Vongole, Broccolini Aglio Olio & Pomodoro 
o Seasonal Fish 
o Garlic & Herb Roasted Chicken: Sub Gluten Free Pasta 
Dessert: 
o Please check with Chef or HOH Lead for options


Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa 
Throughout the Hotels: Fountain Minute Maid Lemonade and Light Lemonade 
Storyteller’s Café: 
Breakfast: 
o Gluten Free Pancakes can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Gluten Free Waffles can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Bacon, Eggs, Hash Browns and Fresh Fruit 

Lunch & Dinner: 
o Vegetable Soup: Request no croutons 
o Grilled New York Steak Sandwich: Request Gluten-free bun 
o Roast New York 
o Grilled Salmon 
o French Fries and Baked Potatoes 
o Pizza: Request Gluten-free pizza dough 
o Hamburger: Request Gluten-free bun 
o Hot Dog: Request Gluten-free bun 
o Salad with oil and Vinegar Dressing 

Whitewater Snacks: 
Pizza: Request Gluten-free pizza dough 
Hamburger: Request Gluten-free bun 
Hot Dog: Request Gluten-free bun 

Napa Rose: 
Grilled Steak 
Grilled Fish 
Chicken Quesadilla with Corn Tortilla 
All sauces (they have all been reduced and are not made with starch or 
thickeners) 

Disneyland Hotel 
Goofy’s Kitchen 
Breakfast: 
o Gluten-free Pancakes can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Gluten-free Waffles can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Bacon, Eggs, Roast Potatoes and Fresh Fruit 

Lunch and Dinner: 
o Pizza: Request Gluten-free pizza dough 
o Gluten-free Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce 
o Roast New York 

o Baked Potato 
Steakhouse 55 
Breakfast: 
o Gluten Free Pancakes can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Bacon, Eggs, Roast Potatoes and Fresh Fruit 

Dinner: 
o Grilled Steaks 
o Grilled Salmon or Grilled Sustainable Fish of the Day 
o Grilled Chicken 
o Grilled Pork Porterhouse 
o Lobster 
o Baked Potato 
o Shrimp Cocktail 
o Caesar Salad: Request no croutons 
o Grilled Asparagus

Tangaroa Terrace 
Breakfast: 
o Breakfast Platter, no Biscuit 
o Tofu & Egg White Bake 
o Breakfast potatoes side 
o Bacon Side 
o Eggs side 
Grab-n-Go: 
o Garden Salad 
o Chef Salad 
o Veggies & Dip 
o Tropical Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, no granola 
o Fruit Plate 
Lunch/Dinner: 
o Chicken Salad, no dressing, no rice noodles, sub ranch PC 
o Angus Burger, no bun, with Green Papaya Slaw or Jasmine Rice 
o Side Jasmine Rice 
o Side Green Papaya Slaw 
o Grilled Salmon (rotational dinner item not always available) 
o Kids Salmon with Jasmine rice and Fruit (can be doubled for an adult 
portion) 
o Kids Burger, no bun with Jasmine rice and Fruit 
o Fish Tacos (Pool bar only) 

Trader Sam’s 
Lunch/Dinner: 
o Fish Tacos 
o Side Green Papaya Slaw 

Paradise Pier Hotel: 
PCH Grill 
Breakfast: 
o Gluten-free Pancakes can be made, requires an additional time for 
preparation 
o Gluten-free Bagels (upon request) 
o Bacon, Eggs and Fresh Fruit 

Dinner: 
o Hamburger: Request Gluten-free bun 
o Spaghetti: Request Gluten-free pasta 
o Pizza: Request Gluten-free dough 
o New York Steak 
o Roasted half Chicken 
o BBQ Ribs 
o Any Specialty Salad: Request no croutons 

Wow! Options! I will certainly be providing a GF dining update once we are back from this trip. Did I mention I'm excited? :)