allergy friendly RESTAURANT RECOMENDATIONS ...if you need help, or want to eat!!

 SO.....This is the number one question I get from a newly diagnosed celiac or someone who is looking to be gluten free. WHERE CAN I EAT OUT?? IM SO SCARED!!! This is the second thing that comes out of their mouth before I can answer the first. So this section is not a "restaurant review" so to speak but more of a helping guide to be as safe as you can with allergies. I also want to let you know what I am allergic to. I do not eat ..Ahem.....Gluten, dairy, try to avoid corn, low sugar, anti inflammatory, shrimp or shellfish. I also try to eat non-gmo and organic meat. The organic meat is nearly impossible in any restaurant. I know that to an average person, because the first thing I hear from people is "well, um...what do you eat and Do you eat? I can completely assure you I eat PLENTY! I have a very hard time with hunger because I always am. I have always had a hearty appetite. I eat several, several times throughout the day. I also waitress in a balls to the walls restaurant and do hair so, I am pretty busy. So basically this is just a reference to where I go out and eat, how well the gluten thing is understood in some places, and where you can eat pretty safe compared to the latter. Let's start with this awesome place.

I am grateful to have worked at Faegans just so I could discover Alto Cinco!! I must say I had never really been "up to the university". I never had a reason to go there .....Ever! I ended up living in that area for a few years and am grateful for many businesses up there that I never knew existed. Alto cinco is amazing for allergies because for one, their food is extremely fresh and mostly in its raw state which is the exact way I like to eat.  Simple, basic, clean, and really delicious. Prices are extremely reasonable for what you get despite that EVERYONE says its overpriced. For the amount of food you get, in it's abundantly fresh state, packed full of nutrition and amazingly tasty, I feel the price is just right.It's You will leave so full because there is a lot we can eat there. They offer gluten free wraps so, yes, you can actually have a quesadilla, burrito, anything that requires a wrap, go right ahead!! Also, not only is it gluten free, they actually hold together unlike the store bought gluten free wraps and are pretty tasty. The chips and salsa are amazing and are also safe.  I also like that they are pretty knowledgeable about their product which is more than I could say for most restaurants unfortunately. I like the atmosphere and the love they put in the food. It is also a great local business. If we don't support local then we eat tragic passable food. Take out is usually quick if you call ahead and a table,  maybe for their awesome breakfast I hear about. Someday ill get up there earlier in the day. I can eat here, completely safe, healthy and amazingly delicious!

Fresh kale, basil, and walnut pesto......for literally anything

This recipe is so easy and if you have a food processor, its even easier! I use this for spread on turkey burgers, chip dip, veggie dip, add to mayo, add to roasted veggies, dressings, etc. There is so much you can do with this. The trick is I use only a few walnuts which cuts down on the calories and on the other hand, walnuts are actually really good for you. Raw walnuts, not roasted, not salted. Use organic kale, organic garlic and hydroponic organic or homegrown basil. Its that time of year that you could really get some yummy basil going outside and this is the recipe to use for the overgrown basil you might just grow! You could also substitute organic parmesan cheese but, I love the galaxy soy parmesan. No one that has ever tried it over here has EVER known the difference. It tastes exactly the same as the real thing!!  



What you will need:

2-4 large cloves of organic garlic roughly chopped.

2 Tablespoons or organic, cold pressed olive oils.

One cup packed organic basil.

2 cups of kale, throw away all rough stems.

2 Tablespoons of galaxy soy parmesan.

Around 5-7 large walnuts. I only use 5 .

Pink himilayan salt and pepper to taste. 

Put everything in your food processor except the oil. Use the low setting and run until everything is well incorporated and paste like. As you run it, drizzle in the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Continue on low until everything is mixed as one. You cannot over mix this. I like it to be very creamy and spreadable. Any consistency you like is great! This is my personal favorite on a turkey burger and the other side of the bun with roasted garlic hummus. Add some sprouts and garlic chipotle puree and ....well thats a whole other story! Coming soon on all that!