Buttercelli Bakeshop in Sherman Oaks

I was on a lunch break in Sherman Oaks and was trying to think of some gluten free options. Buttercelli Organic Bakeshop came to mind. I called ahead to make sure they had gluten and dairy free options; and they assured me plenty of treats for me.

I arrived at their location of Ventura and was greeted by a gluten and vegan sign on the street. When I came in, the girl working there showed me all my options: carrot cake cupcake, berry bar, date bar, and some paleo treats. I feel the gluten free option is always a cupcake, so I was excited to see some variety and chose the berry bar. It had a delicious lemon crumble on top with a gushy berry layer underneath. It had a soft texture, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. They also have almond milk, so I was able to have my favorite espresso drink, an unsweetened almond milk cappuccino.

This is a nice little place for a treat. They do have food also (gluten free but not dairy free). They also have plenty of goodies if you are on the Paleo Diet. If you are not, I recommend selecting from the non paleo options :)

Hugo's Restaurant..my new find

I don't know why I always assumed Hugo's was just your regular diner type place. When I got wind of it being allergen friendly, I decide to check out the Studio City location.

This is literally the most allergen friendly restaurant I've ever been to. Their entire menu is allergen coded with vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and nut free options clearly marked. If you tell them you have allergies, they put a red circle on your table to notify your server. The staff is extremely knowledgable about what is in the food and how to modify it (though many dishes don't even need modification).

Now let's talk food. I didn't order dinner, but I did order dessert, the brownie tort that is. This is a heavenly creation, and it's gluten free and vegan! It's to die for. It reminds me of lava cakes I used to order. If that weren't enough their menu states (about the torte), "they are so full of whole ingredients we consider them more a nutritious food source than any ordinary dessert." So it was good for me to... I'll take that.

I am definitely returning to Hugo's as soon as I can! Their menu is huge and intriguing; hello gf pineapple coconut pancakes ;) They have locations in Studio City, West Hollywood, and Agoura Hills.

Fresh Brothers

Tonight we decided to have a little chill sesh at the Commons in Calabasas. It's a beautiful little shopping and dinning area. I kept hearing about Fresh Brothers (a SoCal pizza, salad, and wing joint) and their gluten free menu. I saw they had a vegan pizza, so I immediately chose that. When I ordered, I informed them of my dairy and gluten allergies. My server said he would make sure they brushed my pizza pan with olive oil instead of butter (great save)! The pizza tasted great and not allergen free (even though it was)! The crust was perfectly golden and slightly crisp. The vegan cheese was melted and gooey (surprised they don't use Daiya cheese though this one was satisfying). I am not a meat eater, but they looked like they had some great options (gluten free BBQ chicken pizza and wings). This is a great find :)

Also we walked around a bit and wondered in Menchie's frozen yogurt. As I have mentioned before, frozen yogurt was my favorite before going dairy free. Luckily we got to sample two dairy and gluten free flavors tonight: mango and sweet pink lemonade. The mango is my new favorite df Menchie's flavor. You would swear it has milk in it! It has that delicious creamy taste to it 💕

Gluten free, Dairy Free, Nut Free and Vegan on the Road

Is this even possible? ....Yes.

Yesterday I got to drive down to Vista, California to shoot my friends music video (Elli Lauren Music...check her out❤). I knew we would be at the house shooting all day, so I devised a plan. I went to Whole Foods the night before and found items that I thought would travel well (and of course met my needs). I discovered a collection of goodies; my new favs are Zen chocolate pudding (with almondmilk) and Amy's Lean and Light sweet and sour Asian noodles. A little prep went a long way! I had food all day and snacked on bananas there. But let's not forget, Starbucks's americanos are 100% gluten and dairy free. Yay!

Rising Hearts Bakery Culver City

If you are gluten free in LA, then I'm sure you've heard of Rising Hearts Bakery. They supply many restaurants and markets in LA with gluten, dairy, casein, and peanut free products. Today I got to go to the mother ship.

It's a small store in Culver City with a huge (and exciting) gluten and dairy free sign out front. They carry their products and other allergen free products. The had samples of fresh bread and snicker-doodles that were amazing (just out of the oven), but the giant case of treats is what caught my eye. I purchased the baguette and lemon stack cake. The baguette was truly amazing (even my non GF mom was BLOWN away). For my taste, their desserts are overtly sweet. I tried the cake and returned it for brownies, but both were not to my liking (though the consistency was spot on). I can see why this bakery supplies bread to so many places because they really know how to do it. If you are ever in Culver City, definitely stop by for some fresh bread! I included a picture of their menu below.

When I got home, I decided to make a pb and j because I literally haven't had one in a year! I did my version though, since I cannot have nuts (digestion issues). I used my delicious Sunbutter (unsweetened and made from sunflower seeds) and sugar free blueberry jam. It blew my mind...so happy!

*one side note: I have had their snicker doodle before at a restaurant, and it was dried and hard (completely unrecognizable from what I sampled today). I think their products are best fresh. Try calling ahead to see when you can get their products fresh from the oven.

Follow Your Heart

Tonight we went on a little adventure to Follow Your Heart, a natural market and restaurant. They actually invented Vegenaise and have their own line of vegan and gluten free dressings, "cheeses", and spreads (the brand is Follow Your Heart). I would not have expected this place to be where it is; a neighborhood behind Westfield Topanga.

We went in and walked back to the cafe section. I asked for the gluten free menu and perused my many options. I got the melt sandwich (vegan cheese, sprouts, tomato, avocado, and Vegenaise) on gluten free garlic bread. My waiter said nobody had ever ordered it on garlic bread before, and I was super excited to try it. It was THE best gf sandwich I've had. They use bread from Rising Hearts (allergen free bakery) in Culver City who also sources Real Food Daily and Larchmont Bungalow. I was thrilled. Tip: if its available ask to sit outside.

While my sandwich was being made, I couldn't help but explore the market, and they have everything. This market really rivals even gluten free markets, and everything is vegetarian, so only some products have dairy. They had all sorts if products I've never seen! They also sell Rising Hearts products in the freezer section (breads, cupcakes, rolls, muffins). I found some delish vegan butter popcorn (from earth balance...they have great products), gf + vegan chocolate chip cookie, their own creamy ceased dressing (omg I haven't had Caesar in about a year), and beautiful produce. They do have a hippy vibe going on but don't be fooled. They have amazing food and a wonderful selection of gluten an dairy free products. I am so going back for breakfast to try their gf + df french toast!

Interim Cafe...as I explore gluten and dairy free in Santa Monica

Truth be told, I have been going to Santa Monica a lot lately for doctors appointments. I have some type of digestion issue in addition to my sensitivities. But hey, after my appointments I get to enjoy all the beauty (and food) that SM has to offer.

Today I didn't have time to stick around, but I did have time to pop in Interim Cafe ( right down the street from UCLA medical). I had a test done this morning where morning coffee was not allowed, so I was in dire need if caffeine. I dashed in there, and to my pleasure I found 4 gluten and dairy free goodies in the bakery case! I opted for the Chocolate Ricemellow Organic Brownie (no refined sugar + organic eggs) and a almondmilk cappuccino (I noticed they use whole foods unsweetened almond milk..my fav). I do not exaggerate when I say this brownie was the bomb. I cannot think of a gf + df brownie that touches this. It has a fudge like texture an creamy taste with little nibs inside it. It also had some type of marshmallow like topping. I definitely want to come back for their other treats.

They also have Chocolate Salvation which is a sugar, dairy, and gluten free vegan soft serve made with organic chocolate and soy milk. Before going dairy free, I was a frozen yogurt connoisseur (I hit up froyo shops multiple times a week), and I can tell you this is very very good stuff. I just had a sample, but I very impressed.

I did not get to try any of their lunch food, but I spoke with an employe. Many of their gluten free dishes contain dairy, but if you are gluten free only I bet you would get some great dishes. They can do some gluten and dairy free salads.

Larchmont Village Gluten + Dairy Free

Today I had a lovely little jaunt in Larchmont Village, a cute little area in LA off Melrose. There is lots of shopping (think boutiques) and some great gluten free gems.

First, I swung by Larchmont Bungalow to buy a couple of slices of gluten free + dairy free millet bread. They sell items from Rising Hearts Bakery (a gluten and dairy free bakery in Culver City). Today they had muffins, cookies, whoopie pies, and cupcakes.

I then met up with a friend at Bricks and Scones Coffee Shop and grabbed a great almond milk latte (warning: this place is only good for drinks; they are not gf savvy).

Then we popped down the street to Babycakes Bakery. They are absolute pros in the allergen field and are gluten, dairy, and nut free. They have donuts, cupcakes, brownies, blondies, loafs, and other goods. I got a cinnamon bun, and my friend got a chocolate chip cookie sandwich. The thin mint also looked tempting! Both were super yummy and had great consistencies for gluten free! Babycakes is also a healthier bakery because they use coconut oil instead of butter, agave nectar over refined sugar, and bob's red mill gf flour (delicious blend of blend bean, rice, and starches).

She had never been to Lemonade, an absolute fav of mine. They serves up fresh SoCal cuisine (and they label their allergens very clearly). My new favorite flavor of lemonade is their watermelon rosemary :)

Best Gluten + Dairy FREE LA Restaurants and Bakeries (so far....)

This is actually one if the main things that prompted me to write this blog. I was going around trying and finding all these great restaurants that do superb gluten and dairy free food. Here is the list I have compiled
so far....

(Items in the parenthesis are items I've had that are not just good but AMAZING)

Best Gluten + Dairy Free Food in LA

-True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica (hummus and gf pita)
-Real Food Daily in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasedena (tacos and gf waffle)
-Larchmont Bungalow in Larchmont Village (ahi tuna sand which on gf millet bread)
-Earth Bar in West Hollywood and Equinox gyms (green detox and blueberry bliss smoothie)
-Tender Greens in Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Pasadena (salami and kale salad subbed with tender greens and ahi tuna)
- Lemonade has 12 locations in SoCal (cauliflower salad + kale salad)
-Buddha's Belly on beverly and Santa Monica (coconut curry)
-Four Seasons Westlake (gf berry pancakes)
-Urth Cafe on melrose, beverly, and Santa Monica (almondmilk latte)
-The Counter has various locations (gf bun + pesto)
-Veggie has various locations (sweet potatoe fries)
-Sun Cafe in Studio City (gf garlic bread)

Best Gluten + Dairy Free Desserts LA

-Real Food Daily (chocolate cupcake..frosting rotates seasonally)
-Cafe Gratitude in Larchmont Village
-Sun Cafe (sweet kale shake)
-Seed Kitchen in Venice (chocolate mousse)
-Fonuts on W 3rd (chocolate coconut..fonuts are baked donuts)
-True Food (dairy free pistachio ice cream )

Gluten and Dairy Free

I found out in June that I have a very severe gluten intolerance and recently discovered the same problem with dairy. I am lucky because I figured this out at 16 instead of 30 years later. I live in LA and am always trying new products and places. Here is my space to share it with others that suffer like me or want to adopt this lifestyle, and it is a lifestyle. It is a mindset. Don't bog yourself down with negative thoughts of how difficult your life will be. Every day is an adventure. Every day is a opportunity to find new gems. Best of all, committing to being gluten and dairy free can greatly increase your quality of live. All my years growing up I was tired, irritable, and bloated. I was in pain, but now I am free of that. My acne disappeared, my blood sugar stabilized, I lost weight, I have more energy, and I am very very happy. Here is my journey; I hope I can help you with yours.