Jiko - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Last night, my daughters and I had dinner at Jiko - The Cooking Place, a signature dining restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, one of our favorite resorts at Disney World.

Jiko serves a blend of African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, and the menu changes seasonally.  Jiko used to have a gluten free menu, but now they have an allergy-friendly menu which lists safe options for people with gluten/wheat, milk, egg, soy, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.  These allergy-friendly menus are being adopted at all quick service and table service restaurants at Disney World and Disneyland between April and September of this year.

Peak Season Pops

This morning, I didn't feel like cooking breakfast, so my daughters and I headed to the Winter Park Farmers' Market, which is held every Saturday from 7am to 1pm.  While my girls devoured their gluten-filled cinnamon roll, we strolled over to Peak Season Pops to see what they were offering this morning.  

First up, I tried the Blueberries 'N Cream, which is one of the best popsicles I have ever had.  It was smooth and creamy, and had the most wonderful blueberry flavor in every bite.  I will definitely be trying to recreate the recipe at home this summer.  

I also enjoyed my pineapple basil pop, one of the vegan choices offered this morning.  

My daughter Emma really enjoyed her tropical mango pop, while Katie raved about the straight up local watermelon so much, I bought one to bring home.  

Peak Season Pops are gluten free, handmade, seasonally inspired, preservative free, and use local ingredients.  

Last fall, I enjoyed the pumpkin chocolate chip.  

I also really like their avocado lime.  

If you love chocolate and enjoy a little spice in your life, try the dark chocolate cayenne.  

I have never tried a Peak Season pop that I didn't like, and they always have a large selection of vegan and dairy pops to choose from.  

June 8, 2015 Update

This past weekend, my daughter Emma chose the watermelon lime pop, which she said was even better than the plain watermelon we had last week.  I was really impressed by the Hulk, which is a combination of apple, banana, spinach and kale.  Thankfully, this is one of Peak Season Pop's regular flavors, so I can enjoy it any time we visit the Winter Park Farmers' Market.  I also loved the orange & cream, and the plain vanilla.

Peak Season Pops can also be found at the Maitland Farmer's Market and the Orlando Farmer's Market on Sundays.  You can follow Peak Season Pops on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, or visit their website here.  

What is your favorite Peak Season Pops flavor?

California Pizza Kitchen Gluten Free Margherita Pizza

Earlier today, we stopped at the Walmart on Turkey Lake Road to look for California Pizza Kitchen's new gluten free frozen pizzas.  Walmart didn't have the BBQ Chicken pizza I was hoping to find, but I did purchase a Margherita pizza.  

Liberty Inn - Epcot

Earlier today, my daughters and I had lunch at Liberty Inn at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot.  

Liberty Inn is a quick service restaurant featuring American favorites, like burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, steak and salads.  

Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

I recently asked Michelle Couch if she would be interested in doing a guest blog post about afternoon tea at the Garden View Tea Room at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, one of her favorite gluten free experiences at Disney World.  

Fogo de Chao

Yesterday, my daughters and I had lunch at Fogo de Chao on International Drive.  Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian steakhouse that can be found in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.  You can view their restaurant locator here.  

I first learned about Fogo de Chao while I was using the Find Me Gluten Free App on I-4.  When I saw one of my college friends from Brazil raving about it on Facebook, I decided I had to give it a try.  My daughters and I had the full churrasco experience, which includes all the grilled meats, sides, and dishes on the market table for one price.  Desserts are purchased separately.  

Disney Parks Rice Krispies Treats

At any Disney theme park or resort, you will find an amazing assortment of Disney Parks Rice Krispies Treats.  As a celiac, I have to avoid wheat, rye, and barley, ingredients I commonly look for on food labels.  

At the end of the list of ingredients for this iced Rice Krispies Treat, you find warning statements that this product contains milk, soy and coconut, and is manufactured on shared equipment with peanuts and/or tree nuts.  Even when I don't see wheat in the warning statements, I still scan ingredients.  The words wheat, rye or barley don't appear in the ingredients list of either of the Disney Parks Rice Krispies Treats pictured, but they are still not safe for celiacs.  The Mickey shaped treat pictured does have a warning that it is manufactured in a facility which handles peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and egg, so hopefully celiacs would stay away from that one because of the risk of cross contamination.  

La Hacienda de San Angel - Epcot

Last Saturday, we had dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot.  Nina, our international student, chose the restaurant for her final meal at Disney before she flew back to China.  My whole family was happy with her choice, because we love La Hacienda de San Angel, which is featured in my Favorite Table Service Restaurants at Disney blog post.  

Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch - Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Earlier today, my daughters and I had lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, my favorite resort at Walt Disney World.  We have never stayed there, but I think the resort is incredibly beautiful, and I love the theming.

Rose & Crown Allergy-Friendly Menu - Epcot

Yesterday, we stopped at the Rose & Crown Pub in Epcot to check out their new allergy-friendly menu.



In April, Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts started rolling out new allergy-friendly menus, which should be available in all Disney-owned and operated table-service and quick-service restaurants by September.  All of the new menus state that you may still speak to a chef before placing your order.