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Gluten Free Dayton

Happy Plates With Shana + Healthier Holiday Favorites!

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Dating, events and now FOOD! Well, healthier food that is. I’ve written about a lot of things over the years and I’ve eaten my way through most 🙂 I’m excited to be back on DaytonMostMetro and share a bit of my personal journey towards wellness, one happy plate at a time.

A Little About Happy Plates With Shana

Like so many other women, I’ve struggled with my wellness my entire life. Notice, I didn’t say weight. Because for me it’s always been an internal struggle moreso than an outward appearance struggle. Having lost and gained so many times in my life, I’ve finally reached a point where I’ve realized two important things. The first, I’ve got to move more. The second and inspiration for my group – FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY. Because I love to cook and refuse to compromise flavor for my fitness goals, I’ve started researching and creating new recipes. While I am working on the first point (MOVING) I’m also eating delicious meals and reinventing the way I do everything in my life.

On Dayton Dining

I’m excited that I’ll be sharing my own personal food makeovers on Dayton Dining and fab reinventions that I find elsewhere! Also, I LOVE to eat out and Dayton has some of my favorite restaurants. I realize I can’t stay away from them forever, so as I learn to make healthier options at these restaurants I’ll be sharing my thoughts and reviewing the level flavor in the dishes I decide to try! I’ll also attempt to reinvent those favorite dishes at home and share back progress. I think the world will be starting their new years resolutions in a few days, so it’s the perfect time to redesign the way we think about food from our homes to our favorite restaurants because remember, food isn’t the enemy.

Happier, Healthier Holiday Favorites

This week in Happy Plates we talked about Holiday Favorites (SWEETS!!!!) and what we wish could be made over to be a little healthier. I’ve rounded up the thoughts of everyone in our group, researched and found some options!

I won’t be making all of these this Christmas but have noted what I will try and I’m excited to report back on flavor!

Skinny Christmas Sugar Cookies (Making These!)

https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/12/13/skinny-christmas-sugar-cookies/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Oat Flour or Gluten Free Blends instead of All Purpose
  • Add ½ Teaspoon Organic Almond Extract
  • Swap Skim Milk with Almond Milk

No Sugar Cheesecake

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/no-sugar-cheesecake-1260262

Gluten Free Carrot Cake

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/gluten-free-carrot-cake/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

https://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/kid-approved-gingersnap-cookies-gluten-free/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Cut the sugar with Stevia (click for conversion ratios)

Clean & Healthy Lemon Meringue Pie

http://thatcakechick.net/healthy-lemon-meringue-pie/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • None on this one!

Healthy No Bakes (Making!)

https://www.wellplated.com/healthy-no-bake-cookies/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Definitely use all natural peanut butter and Smart Balance is my favorite, having the best consistency!

Healthier Pecan Pie (This was a tough one to find!)

https://www.asweetpeachef.com/healthy-pecan-pie/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps
  • Gluten Free Crust for pastry bottom
  • Oat Flour or Almond Flour in place of Wheat Flour

Eggnog

https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-eggnog/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Just go easy on whatever you spike it with 🙂

Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-cinnamon-rolls-recipe

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Cut the sugar with Stevia (click for conversion ratios)
  • Skip the icing if you can!
  • Add walnuts
  • Swap milk with almond milk
  • Swap vegetable oil with coconut oil

Low Sugar Buckeyes (Making!)

https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/sugar-free-low-carb-buckeyes/

Happy Plates Additional Makeover Tips / Swaps

  • Eat them in moderation 🙂

If you’re interested in more of my personal food reinventions and great recipes I find join my group on Facebook!

Remember, try not overthink this holiday season and give yourself grace if you splurge a little. Reinvent when you can to make things lighter and healthier and always ALWAYS remember moderation.

Happy Baking and Merry Christmas! Be back soon with my first restaurant menu review and flavor test!

Xo

Shana

 

Shopping & Cooking Gluten Free

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At the 2nd Street Market this Thursday at 11:30am Chef Joe Fish will share his firsthand knowledge on how to shop and cook the gluten free lifestyle.  He’ll share his shopping tips and opinions on the best products on the market for the gluten intolerant as well as his best recipes.

While the program is put on for free, registration is requested. You can call (937) 228-2088 to register, or register online.

Gluten Free Dayton

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Overwhelmed and distressed by the news that they would need to avoid so many familiar foods, a good friend recently emailed me for advice on gluten free dining options after her husband tested positive for Celiac Disease. Dining out with food allergies is a source of stress for many – and one that I am very familiar with. I was diagnosed Celiac in 2008 and my husband and I have a food venue at the 2nd Street Market, The Chef Case, which is dedicated to allergy conscious food. It seems to me that every Saturday I meet more and more newly diagnosed Celiacs. The good news is that the necessity of taking a closer look at what we are eating causes us to embark on a journey of food education and results in a more healthful, nutrient dense diet.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of gluten in unexpected places. Inexpensive burgers, grill steaks, lamb meat, sausage and similar meat products almost always contain gluten. Imitation crab meat is made with modified starch. Wheat flour may be a hidden ingredient in ice cream, ketchup, mayonnaise and even instant coffee. Gluten is often lurking in low fat versions of products, as it is used to make these items thicker and less watery. Most prepacked grated cheese is coated in flour or modified starch to keep it from sticking together in the package. This may seem easy to avoid but think about all the restaurants that use grated cheese, how many of those do you imagine grate their own cheese?  Monosodium glutamate (MSG), often listed in ingredients as ‘flavor enhancer’, is manufactured with gluten as are most soy sauces. Any alcoholic drink made from grain, beer or whiskey for example, is also a source of gluten.

After successfully eliminating gluten from the diet, the antibodies that helped to move gluten through the body are no longer produced. Without these antibodies, consuming even a small amount of gluten creates a much more severe reaction for Celiacs which we refer to as “being glutened”. Those of us with food sensitivities are all advocates for each other, charged with helping to educate food service providers. As gluten intolerance becomes more prevalent and gains exposure, education and menu accommodation continue to increase. From the entire Dayton Area Gluten Free community, thank you to area chefs who have taken the time to understand Celiac Disease and offer gluten free menus, options and substitutions!

Below please find the first installment of the Guide to Gluten Free Dining in Dayton.

Restaurants Specializing in Gluten Free or Offering a Gluten Free Menu

Bonefish Grill

Fleming’s

Godfather’s Pizza

Hawthorn Grill

Olive Coming Soon, promises to have a gluten free menu!

Olive Garden

PF Chang One of the first and most extensive gluten free menus.

Ruby Tuesday

Sidebar

Skyline Chili

Spinoza’s Pizza Have a gluten free beer with your gluten free pizza!

The Chef Case Specializing in gluten free food! Gluten free panini sandwiches, bake goods and prepared foods to enjoy at the market or take home by the pint.

Wendy’s

Restaurants Offering Special Gluten Free Alternatives or Options

C’est Tout Chef Fortin will prepare any menu item gluten free!

Black Rooster Pasta Bar

Butter Cafe Gluten Free bread available but, avoid the potoatoes which are dusted in flour.

Coco’s Bistro Gluten Free on request.

Crepe Boheme Offers gluten free and gluten free/soy free Crepes!

Figlio

Lucky’s Taproom

Meadowlark

Rue Dumaine Chef Kearney and her staff are very well educated and happy to accommodate Celiacs!

Thai 9

The Wine Gallery Featuring gluten free crackers and starting next Tuesday 4/10/11, gluten free pizza!

Wellington Grille

Naturally Gluten Free Cuisine

Abuelo’s

Chipotle

El Rancho Grande Always ask…  all of ERG sauces are made with flour and the pollo loco has flour dusting the chicken breast. Otherwise, avoid the flour tortillas and dig in!

Jay’s

Linh’s Many dishes feature rice noodles just hold the soy sauce!

Limited Gluten Free Options or Not Gluten Aware Yet

Amber Rose

Franco’s

Bravo A Chef will come out to discuss allergy concerns but they offer no specifically gluten free dishes and no guarantees.

Boulevard Haus