Sunday, October 16, 2016

Red Apple Lipstick

I spent all of my teen years in the 1980s, the decade of big hair and lots of makeup.  As a history teacher, I enjoy teaching my students about the 80s, and I love watching The Goldbergs, one of the best comedies on TV, but I am anti-80s when it comes to fashion and makeup.  I no longer use hairspray, foundation, blush, eyeliner, rainbow colored mascaras, lipstick, or blue eye shadow.


The only makeup I have worn in the last 20 years is mascara and lip gloss, but I had to give up mascara after we moved to Florida, because every time I wore it, my eyes would be red and itchy for days afterwards.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease right before our move to Orlando 8 years ago, so I tried Tarte mascara, which does not contain gluten, in the hopes that my eyes would tolerate it.  With Tarte, I still ended up with red and itchy eyes.


Friday, October 14, 2016

Tiffins - Disney's Animal Kingdom

Shortly before we left Orlando to move to California, Tiffins opened in Disney's Animal Kingdom.  Tiffins is a signature dining restaurant featuring African, Asian and Latin cuisine.


We dined on small plates at neighboring Nomad Lounge in June, which you can read about here.  After looking at Tiffins' allergy-friendly menu, I am excited to dine there when we visit Disney World next November.


Sunday, October 9, 2016

Blaze Pizza

Earlier today, we had lunch at Blaza Pizza in Gold River, California on our way home from Lake Tahoe.  I have wanted to try their pizza since reading my friend Sarah's review on her blog Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free at WDW.  Shortly after we moved to California, a Blaze Pizza opened in Disney Springs, and I have heard from Sarah and others that they do a great job with special diets.


All the employees I spoke to at Blaze Pizza were incredibly friendly and willing to help.  I was told that they change their gloves, and press gluten free pizza dough on a dedicated pizza press.  When I expressed concern about cross contamination of their toppings as employees stick their gloves in them after touching gluten-filled dough, they were happy to get fresh toppings from the back or under the counter for me.  I did not have to worry about flour in the air, because they do not toss any of their pizzas, and I did not see them dusting their regular dough either.


Sunday, October 2, 2016

Mission Heirloom - Berkeley, California

Update - this restaurant is permanently closed 

Last weekend, we drove up to Berkeley to see the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, and to explore the university that is so famous for its protests in the 1960s.


Using the Find Me Gluten Free App, we found Mission Heirloom, a 100% gluten free restaurant in Berkeley, a short distance from campus.