PB Cookies

Snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, and classic chocolate chip. All varieties are tasty in their own right, but peanut butter cookies are my all-time favorite. There's something ever-satisfying about them...fluffy, chewy, and moist all at the same time. To put things bluntly, they're a hard cookie to screw up.

Normally laden with flour, these treats are usually off limits to us GF snackers. That is, until someone invented this amazing four-ingredient recipe. That's right, four ingredients! Peanut butter, sugar, vanilla, and an egg. That's it.

The beauty of using minimal ingredients lies in the quick prep time. This recipe should take you no more than 10 minutes to get those babies in the oven. Make these gems next time you're craving something sweet and salty!

1 cup peanut butter
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Mix ingredients together until well combined. Spoon mixture onto ungreased baking sheet(s) and flatten each mound with a fork. 
Optional: sprinkle a pinch of sea salt onto each cookie

Bake about ten minutes, or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Macarons

There are macaroons, the chewy coconut cookies made with mounds of moist coconut. And then there are macarons - the sweet, colorful, dome-topped morsels that have been popping up in boutiques and cafes (pictured above). Both cookies start off with a base of egg whites and sugar, but there are several differences that set them apart.

One key difference is the presence of almond flour in macarons. This basic blend leaves a lot of room additional fruity or candy-infused flavors. Baking a batch of these French cookies is a bit harder than other styles, but follow this simple recipe and see how easy it actually is!

French Macarons

1 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup white sugar

1 cup finely ground almonds

3 egg whites

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and preheat oven to 285 degrees F

1. Beat egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer using a whisk until whites are foamy; beat in white sugar and continue beating until egg whites hold soft peaks and are fluffy. Sift confectioners' sugar and ground almonds in a separate bowl and quickly fold the almond mixture into the egg whites.

1. Using a spoon, put a tiny amount of batter into a plastic bag with a corner cut off and pipe a test disk of batter (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter) onto your baking sheet. If the disk of batter holds a peak instead of flattening immediately, gently fold the batter a few more times and retest.

1. When batter well mixed, spoon into a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheet in rounds, leaving space between the disks. Let the piped cookies stand out at room temperature until they form a hard skin on top (about 1 hour).

1. Bake cookies until set but not browned (about 10 minutes) and let them cool completely before filling.

Quest Bars

If you're like me, eating healthy is a priority for a variety of reasons. But a busy schedule can make it hard to cook freshly and fix meals on a regular basis. Instead of noshing on candy bars and chips, I often find myself reaching for protein bars - sometimes multiple ones each day!

Although many protein bars are healthier than their sugar-laden candy counterparts, you'd be surprised to know that just as many aren't. Yuck. After learning about this, I've drastically minimized my overall intake of processed foods.

Since I'm constantly on the go, I still arm myself with nutritious bars - they make wonderful portable snacks. But finding gluten free and healthier bars can be quite the challenge.

 Quest offers an appealing protein bar alternative without all the junk. Loaded with whey protein and naturally-derived flavors, they're a smart pick for your tasty afternoon pick-me-up. Quest makes flavors like chocolate peanut butter, white chocolate raspberry, and cookies and cream. My hands down favorite is cookie dough - nuke it in the microwave and you'll be surprised at this bar's genuine doughy consistency (:

Have you tried Quest Bars?

Grocers Going Gluten Free

The grocery store gluten free scene has changed dramatically during the past decade. I'm not just talking about upscale places like Whole Foods and Bristol Farms, both of which carry an impressive selection of allergy-friendly items. During my recent travels around the US, I've noticed gf items popping up in stores like Safeway and even Walgreens. 

Above is an example of such an item - a brand called Amy's carries a lot of gf and allergen-free items. All meals are naturally made and contain organically sourced ingredients - perfect for a healthy & hearty meal. Other frozen brands include Evol (delicious teriyaki bowls!) an Applegate Naturals. Beyond frozen entrees, these stores offer options like baking mixes, cereals, and gf protein bars. I just made pancakes with a Simply Organic mix I found at Raley's - stay tuned for a post!

This marks a huge turning point for gluten free, dairy free, and nut free diners. The implementation of labels and larger gf sections at supermarkets creates a new convenience that many of us have not experienced. It also marks the end of an era - a frustrating time of seeking out specialty shops that cater to our food needs. 

Where do you like to shop for gf items?

*photo by glutenfreenews.com

La Boulange

La Boulange is quite possibly my favorite dining spot at the moment. These days, I'm always trying to find a new coffee shop to write at, a secret nook to do study in, a quiet place to meet friends on rainy afternoons...preferably with awesome snacks to nosh on while we're at it.

The great thing about La Boulange is this: it works for pretty much everything. Need to do work? There are plenty of single tables & counter spaces that let you get down to business. Study sesh? One of their many caffeinated drinks will perk you up and help you tackle that massive textbook. First date? It's kind of romantic to sip hot chocolate with soft French music playing in the background, no?

The point is, there's something for everyone. Don't you love how cliche that sounds? But it's true! Besides versatility, you can count on great food and a friendly staff. The cafe serves open face sandwiches, chopped salads, and brunch all day (my favorite :) You can also expect an array of decadent pastries, fruit tarts and colorful macarons, which just so happen to be gluten free (I also noticed a flourless chocolate cake on my last visit)! Safe gf meal options include salads, omelet / egg dishes, and sandwiches sans bread. I usually order mine in a lettuce wrap - everyone has been very accommodating so far. Menu items do vary based on location (They're scattered around San Francisco and larger Bay Area!) and specials change seasonally.  

The food in the top picture? A creamy chicken & mushroom sandwich with sweet potato fries...because whenever they're available, I generally can't resist ;)

Have you ever been to La Boulange? What's your favorite dish?

*second photo borrowed from nanthip.com

Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo

A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to go to an awesome event targeted towards anyone with a food allergy. Drumroll please.......enter the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo!

The GAF Expo lasted for two days, complete with lectures, workshops, and tons of GF brands selling their delicious products. The best part? A measly fee bought me a bag (and another bag) of free stuff! Visitors were able to stroll around the expo building and try snacks from almost every table. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was almost too much food!

The expo had everything from dairy-free, gf pasta dishes to fresh caramel corn and quinoa cookies! I went there on almost an empty stomach and left feeling full & satisfied. Each sample of food was marked with a card stating all of the allergens it contained. Such a great way for food allergy sufferers to enjoy bites with out having to worry about having a reaction!

I would strongly recommend finding one in your area - it's a wonderful experience to see all of the delicious products out there! It's especially helpful for anyone new to food allergies - going to an expo will squash any fears you have about not being able to find food to munch on.

*Stay tuned for another expo post about my favorite new products & snacks!

UberX Opportunity!

 

I'm excited to tell you about a new promotion from the ever popular company, Uber. Not familiar with it? Uber connects riders to drivers through their specialized apps. With a global presence in over 70 cities, the company aims to make places more accessible and  "[open] up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers."

Now for the good part...

 

UberX is holding a competition for specific colleges in Boston, DC, and Atlanta from now until Tuesday, February 11.  One lucky school will win a FREE week of uberX – for everyone! 

The winning school must reach 1,500 new sign ups using your school’s unique promo code. Every new user will receive $20 off their first Uber ride! Already have Uber? Great! the more you share the opportunity with all your friends on campus, the closer you get to winning a free week of uberX! 

If you go to one of the schools listed below, your specific promo code is valid for a free ride up to $20! (new users only) 

So Here's How to win #uberXtracredit:

1.    Download the free Uber app on your smartphone.

2.    Sign up using your school’s unique promo code (see below for your specific school!)

3.    Receive $20 off your first Uber ride.

4.    Tell all your friends to do the same.

5.    Win a FREE week of uberX for everyone on campus!

Unique Promo Codes for Each School:

Boston College: BosUberXtraCredit2

Boston University: BOSUberXtraCredit1

Harvard University: BOSUberXtraCredit4

Northeastern University: BOSUberXtraCredit3

Emory: uberXtracreditATL2

American: DCUberXtraCredit1

George Washington University: DCUberXtraCredit2

Georgetown: DCUberXtraCredit3

Good luck everyone, and happy riding!