I really enjoy a great road trip. This means an extended weekend or a planned multi-day trip which involves stopping and eating at places I've never heard of. That can be as easy as brushing a furry knot out of my long-haired cat when I'm not sure what's available in the next town, especially when I'm in the middle of nowhere. I've found a few ways to lessen the hardship of gluten-free on the road.

#1 Carry food with you at all times. Yes, and bring a superhero along with you as well (is Captain America available?). This can be easy if you find out what you like and keep it on hand. My suggestion: gluten-free protein bars and cookies. I really like protein drinks (single-serve powder is most accessible, although it can be costly). I take the protein from my bulk container and double bag the protein. This keeps costs down but gives me a few meals to hold me over until I find a safe restaurant to eat at.

Always bring yummy snack foods with you for the ride. Gas Stations do not have many gluten-free offerings, except for Oregon and California. These are the only two states which I have found more than 2 or 3 safe snacks to eat.

My favorite gluten-free snacks are KaPop Snacks, Deliciousness Foods, and Jai Mix. I've interviewed each of these owners on my podcast, and I would feel safe eating these snacks, even on vacation! They are reliable and do not use any gluten in their products or their process.

Remember to not carry chocolate with you on your road trip, chocolate melts, and makes a mess. Be cautious of coconut oil, as this will quickly melt in your car!

Check back for your next gluten-free on the road trip next blog!​

​For great advice on how to travel gluten-free, grab my Guide to Traveling Gluten-Free on Amazon today!

One afternoon while driving home, it came to fruition how finding a good restaurant with options is similar to finding a good guy to date. At first glance, you may wonder how I came to connect these two (you may also wonder about my sanity, but that's a subject for a different kind of blog). 

No. 1
Comfort
When looking for a good restaurant, you want to find a place that makes you feel comfortable. Your date should also make you feel comfortable as well, because, if he (or she) seriously isn't then you're not going to go back out with that person again, at least you shouldn't. Who wants to spend time at a restaurant (or on a date) in an uncomfortable situation? Only masochists, and I for sure, do not fall into that category!

No. 2
Smell and Taste
One of the very first senses that picks up good food is your sense of smell. If the food smells good, then for the most part, it will taste good. We all like to eat food that tastes good, no matter what foods we cannot eat. For those of us who are gluten-free, we are limited, but still look for yummy food! Like your food, your date 

When you're gluten-free there are items that you'll need to keep in your pantry. I've been gluten free for about a year-and-a-half, and have found out which items I need to keep in my pantry for everyday use. Here are a list of items I keep in my pantry:

1. A good gluten-free flour mix. My favorite is Namaste gluten-free flour mix. Why? This mix is free from the 8 allergens, tastes great, has a good blend of gluten-free flours and is economically priced. I get a 5lb bag at Costco every 2 months or so. Keep this handy and don't run out!
2. Cornstarch. This seems like a funny thing to keep around, but cornstarch and gluten-free flour combination are perfect for thickening sauces or gravy. I use a tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of Namaste gluten-free flour mix. I add these in combination until the sauce or gravy is the thickness I desire.
3. Gluten-free bread mix. My favorite so far is 

Gluten is the protein found in many varieties of grain. Gluten can be found in  wheat, rye, barley and triticale. Just in the category of wheat alone, there are several sub-categories of grains: wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, KAMUT® khorasan wheat and einkorn. Gluten is the glue that helps maintain the shape of your dough when baking. Gluten is sticky and keeps moisture locked into that yummy loaf of bread that you're making. This is the reason why gluten-free baked goods are more dry and fall apart easier than their gluten counterparts. 

Yes, there are foods you can commonly find wheat (and other gluten containing grains). Here is a list of common gluten-containing foods: