NEW POST! Featured Michigan GF Baker of the Week
Cathy Bragg owns Bragg Family Farm. As a mom to 10 kids, she knows how to bake for a crowd. After one of her own children was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she learned how to bake gluten free to keep her kids nourished and safe.
You can find her each week at the The Pavilion Market in Gaylord and the Boyne City Farmer`s Market on both Wednesday AND Saturday. They take orders for gluten free baked goods year round, and offer shipping.
In addition to baked goods, they also make their own granola, jam and maple syrup, which you can purchase in what she calls the "Maple Mini Mall" on her home property. If you stop by on a Tuesday or Friday, which are her baking days, you may just find some gluten free goodies inside as well.
Comment BRAGG and I`ll DM you the link to my interview.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/bragg-family-farm-gluten-free-gaylord-mi/
...
Jun 30
How Do You Top a Hot Dog?
DYK Americans eat an estimated 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July?
While most people add ketchup, mustard, or some combo of the two, this weekend is a great time to enjoy a coney dog.
This Flint style coney dog sauce takes your standard hot dog to spectacular.
Comment RECIPE and I`ll DM you the link.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/flint-coney-dogs-gluten-free/
...
Jun 29
I`ve lost count how many waffle makers I own.
There`s the Belgian waffle maker, the Dash mini waffle maker and my Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker which is perfect for making waffle "sandwiches."
If you miss the idea of crispy chicken and waffles, you have to try my recipe. You can even cook the breaded gluten free chicken IN the waffle maker!
Grab the link to the recipe, below
https://miglutenfreegal.com/waffled-chicken-and-waffle-sandwich/
...
Jun 29
Missing Ice Cream Sandwiches?
You can easily make your own with my graham cracker recipe.
Cut them into squares, circles, or even stars if you want.
BTW, did you know Hudsonville Ice Cream labels which of their ice creams are gluten free? I`ve personally toured their facility to learn about their food allergen protocols, and almost exclusively buy Hudsonville Ice Cream because of it.
While their American Fireworks Special Edition ice cream is no longer available, you could use any of their gluten free flavors to make an epic gluten free ice cream sandwich.
Find my gluten free graham cracker recipe in the link below.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-graham-crackers/
Comment GRAHAM and I`ll DM you the link.
@hudsonville_ic @puremichigan
...
Jun 27
You May Be Braver Than Me
Raise your hand if you plan to go to the Traverse City Cherry Festival over the course of the next week. ✋
Bravo if you are, because it`s way too "peopley" for me.
But I do love a good trip to Traverse City, which should always include a stop to Third Coast Bakery, Taproot Cider and Middle Coast Brewing.
For a list of my favorite places near this Northern Michigan town, click the link below.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-in-traverse-city-michigan/
Comment TRAVERSE and I`ll DM you the link.
P.S. Just a reminder, that over 500,000 people attend the Cherry Festival. It`s going to be busy at every restaurant and store you go to. I`ve seen so many businesses post after this week about how rude customers have been and how they have belittled their staff.
Don`t be that person.
@traversecitytourism
...
Jun 27
T/F- You`re Never Too Old for Pudding
It`s way too hot to bake, so making this incredibly easy pudding recipe is perfect for a summer time dessert.
If you avoid dairy, you can make this pudding with canned coconut milk.
I`ve used this recipe to make vanilla and chocolate pudding, and even peanut butter pudding by subbing powdered peanut butter for cocoa powder.
Take it up a notch and turn them into parfaits using whip cream and some of your favorite crushed up candies.
Also, see my tips in the comments section about using this as a pudding pie filing.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/dairy-free-gluten-free-chocolate-pudding/
Comment PUDDING and I`ll DM you the link.
...
Jun 25
Do You Bake with Parchment Paper?
For me, it is a "must have. It helps my cookies brown more evenly, keeps them from sticking to the sheet pan, and makes cleaning up easier.
And one of my favorite cookies to bake are these Gluten Free Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I use Enjoy Life chocolate chunks, but you can use your favorite baking chocolate. (I like Guittard as well.)
Being a Michigander, I like using dried Montmorency cherries. Did you know Traverse City is often referred to as "Cherry Capitol of the World?" We grown 70% of the country`s cherries used in the United States. In fact, in 2024 they produced 179.5 million pounds of tart cherries!
Click the link below for my gluten free cherry chocolate chunk cookie recipe.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-cherry-chocolate-chunk-cookies/
Find more Michigan Produce facts at Michigan GROWN, Michigan GREAT
@migrownmigreat
...
Jun 24
This Traverse City Bakery is totally gluten free & dairy free.
The Cherry Festival in Traverse City starts this weekend, and if you eat gluten free, Third Coast Bakery needs to be on your agenda.
Do keep in mind that the Cherry Festival usually has an attendance of 500,000 people in a town built for 15,000.
So that means that anyone in TC this weekend needs to also bring a heavy dose of patience and compassion. Also, "please" and "thank you" go along way.
To learn more about this amazing bakery, that also ships nationwide, read my blog post. You`ll find the link below.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/third-coast-bakery/
Comment THIRD and I`ll DM you the link.
@thirdcoastbakery @traversecitytourism @cherryfestival
...
Jun 23
Happy Birthday To the OG Detroit Style Pizzeria
Today is National Detroit Style Pizza Day, which honors Buddy`s Pizza, the creator of the original Detroit Style Pizza. They`ve officially been in business for 79 years!
Did you know that they also offer gluten free pizza?
Learn more about how they make their gluten free pizza in my blog post.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/buddys-pizza-gluten-free-detroit-style/
Comment DETROIT STYLE and I`ll DM you the link.
Note - Their GF pizza dough contains dairy. It is yeast free.
@buddyspizzadet
...
Jun 22
Avoid Baking During Heat Advisory Days
Your best friend the next few days will be Air Fryers and Instant Pots.
For example, cooking a large beef roast in the Instant Pot can set you up with cooked beef that you can use as leftovers in many meals.
I share 10 recipe ideas in this blog post.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/beef-roast-gluten-free-meal-ideas/
...
Jun 22
Michigan friends, the next few days have high heat warnings.
Stay in air conditioned buildings.
Avoid the outdoors from 10 am - 4 pm.
Drink plenty of water. (avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.)
Keep pets inside and off of the pavement.
Please keep an eye on the elderly whose bodies do not regulate their body temperatures well.
Be advised that certain medications can make you more susceptible to dehydration
* diuretic & ace inhibitors can inhibit thirst
* antipsychotics and stimulants can inhibit the body`s ability to regulate temps
* SSRIs and Tricyclics can impair sweating
Please be safe.
...
Jun 21
"The best treat! My husband and I love this, especially in the summer. I use almond butter for me and peanut butter for him. If I don’t have cream cheese or milk on hand, I just add extra yogurt." ~Pam
My husband`s grandmother (whose name also happened to be Margaret), used to drink a version of this Peanut Butter Pie "shake" almost every day. I tweaked it a bit from how she made hers. It`s a great treat that uses no ice cream, and could easily be made dairy free.
I feel this works best with frozen bananas, as it makes the shake creamier.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-peanut-butter-pie-shake/
...
Jun 20
100% Gluten Free in Lenawee County
Nourish Juicery and Kitchen is located in Blissfield, Michigan. It`s located about an hour south of Ann Arbor, 15 min east of Adrian, MI and about a half hour north of Toledo, OH.
They offer prepared meals, baked goods, juices and more. And on Saturdays they make pancakes. Their products are also available at Argus Farm Stop in Ann Arbor and People`s Food Co-Op in Ann Arbor. @argusfarmstop @peoplesfoodcoop
All gluten free, soy free, vegan and free from refined sugars.
Read my blog post to learn more about this fantastic Michigan business.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/nourish-juicery-and-kitchen-gluten-free/
@nourishjk @visit_lenawee @puremichigan
...
Jun 19
On This Juneteenth, I want to remind us the Black population is tested less frequently, despite having obvious Celiac Disease symptoms.
Doctors mistakenly believe that Black people do not have Celiac Disease.
There are numerous stories from Black patients whose doctors have ignored or gaslight them, because of the color of their skin.
This should not happen. EVERYONE deserves better Celiac Disease testing, treatment and health care.
...
Jun 18
Planning a Trip Across the United States This Summer?
For those of us who need to follow a gluten free diet, vacations often involve lots of research into where we can safely eat.
While apps like Find Me Gluten Free are available, it`s nice to be able to reach out to someone "local" who has their own list of favorites. Especially people who ask about how gluten free food is prepared.
I have compiled a list of gluten free bloggers and advocates from across the United States who were willing to give local recommendations.
Find the whole list, with an easy to navigate table of contents, in this blog post.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/usa-gluten-free-bloggers/
...
Jun 17
Featured Michigan GF Baker of the Week- NEW POST! I recently learned about Rolling Scones. Owner Kimberly Morro lives in Livonia, but sells her baked goods at the Plymouth Farmers Market every Saturday, from 8 am to noon.
Learn more about her small, home based business, in ny blog post. Find her contact information at the END of the post. You can also use her website to place special orders.
Comment ROLLING SCONES and I"ll DM you the link.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/rolling-scones-gluten-free-livonia-michigan/
@rollingsconesgf @mifarmersmarkets @plymouthmichigan @waynecountymichigan
...
Jun 16
June is National Dairy Month.
Did you know that Michigan is the 6th largest produce of milk in the United States? Look for the code "26" on your milk cartons, to purchase Michigan made milk.
Did you also know that if cows get too warm they stop producing milk? Farmers try to keep barns under 72 degrees. Which means as our summers get warmer, farmers need to use more energy to keep dairy cows cool, so they can produce enough milk to meet demand.
And farming is a dangerous job. Not just because of the physical labor that they do, though. Did you know that farmers are 3.5x more likely to die from suicide? And increasingly so as they get older?
I share more light hearted facts in my blog post. But I want us to remember this month, and every day, that farming is a stressful job. A lot has to happen for milk and food to arrive to our store, safely, for our consumption.
So when you get a chance, thank a farmer.
Link to my list of 10 Facts About Dairy Farming.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/what-i-learned-on-dairy-far/
...
Jun 15
My Dad`s Signature Recipe
I am totally my father`s daughter. I love a good pun. I love to help others. I have a total sweet tooth.
And like him, I have Celiac Disease.
He was my gluten free pal. We would love eating out together, especially on family travels to see my niece. He was always cooking for baking something gluten free to feed others.
But when it came to food, my dad was especially known for his meatballs. It`s been 5 years since he`s passed away, and family still request these at family gatherings.
To be honest, they`re pretty simple to make. They freeze great for later use. And instead of using the barbecue sauce, they work great with spaghetti sauce and pasta.
The link to this "secret family recipe" is listed below.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-meatballs/
I realize how lucky I am to have a dad who wa always in my corner. Who showed up to all the band concerts and football games.
I know that this is not the case for everyone. To those who struggle with Father`s Day, because their dad was uncaring or simply absent, please know that you deserved better. To those who have lost a dad and are missing them today, may the memories bring you comfort today.
And to the men who wished to be fathers but can`t, my husband and I can totally sympathize. May you find ways to nurture those who desperately need a positive male role model in their life. <3
...
Jun 14
Images of Kellogg Gluten Free Cheez Its are circulating the internet.
Per GF Philly, Yes, they are real. No, we don`t know what the ingredients are.
Sadly, they won`t be available this year.
In the meantime, there are more than a dozen gluten free cheese crackers and snacks that are already available for purchase.
For example Qwackers gluten free cheddar duck shaped crackers have been around for YEARS. Long before Simple Mills or Made Good cheese snack crackers.
Read my blog post for gluten free cheese crackers that are on the market, as well as recipes for making them at home. (Less than 6 ingredients and SO easy to make.)
Comment CHEESE and I`ll DM you the link.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-cheese-crackers-brands-recipes/
@simplemills @qwackers_crackers @madegoodfoods @34degrees_ @whispssnacks @parmcrisps @mooncheesesnacks @sonomacreamery @fitjoy @marysgonecrackers @fearless_dining
...
Jun 13
Authentic Flavors Straight from Hidalgo, Mexico
If you haven`t been to Hidalgo Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Belleville, MI, you need to add it to your "must visit" list.
Most of the menu can be prepared gluten free, they have a dedicated gluten free fryer, and they have gluten free deep fried ice cream.
In addition, the staff is incredibly nice. Kim, the manager, took time to chat with us for quite a while
She explained that customer requests for gluten free meals lead them to set aside a dedicated fryer.
Before any new staff wait on tables, they must know gluten free procedures inside and out.
We were blessed to chat with the owner and cook, Tony, as well. Despite not having Celiac Disease issues himself, he`s passionate that all patrons get a safe meal.
Tony even stands up to cooks at other restaurants who think gluten free is a "fad." It`s so nice to have others sticking up for us!
Learn more about this authentic Mexican restaurant, including address and hours, in my blog post.
https://miglutenfreegal.com/hidalgo-mexican-restaurant-gluten-free/
@hidalgobelleville
...
