Gluten free in Vancouver

Yes, another cookie post, but I am a cookie monstah after all.

I'm not celiac, but I'm convinced I feel better when I don't eat gluten, so I am forever on the search for delicious gluten free baked goods, mainly cookies

Well, found another one, the Gluten Free Epicurean 633 east 15th avenue, vancouver, glutenfreeepicurean.ca is delish as a bakery, only drawback is you can't pick up a coffee at the same time. Luckily, there's a trendy coffee shop a couple doors down

But, getting to the real point, their Salted, no oat chocolate chip cookie is AMAZEBALLS!! I like a large, hearty cookie to make sure u get my full fix and an totally satisfied. This cookie has size, texture and amazing layered flavor, with the sweetness of chocolate, contrasted by salt and added crunch from nuts-delish!

Found! Perfect sandwich cookie!

Sounds like an unusual perfect thing to search for, but if anyone else out there is passionate about baked goods, you will understand...

Where? The Last Crumb Bakery www.lastcrumb.ca 3080 Main Street, Vancouver

What? Gluten free sandwich cookie

Why? Two, moist chocolate chip cookies, which taste rich, sandwiched together by vanilla buttercream, AMAZEBALLS! 

Let me say, I try every gluten free bakery that pops up because I can feel that gluten is not my friend and the texture is always off, not so at Last Crumb, tastes like the best sandwich cookie in town, full gluten. Comparable to Butter Baked Goods sandwich cookies in size and taste. They also have inventive gluten full sandwich cookies that I have not tried yet, but sound delish: peanut butter with raspberry buttercream, ginger molasses with cream cheese frosting and Black Forest with cherry buttercream 

Don't try it, anything but a Perfect 10

So, I've been getting more and more grey hair, sigh... So, I have been in search of the perfect permanent at-home hair dye. Perfect 10 happened to be on sale at the drugstore and had an ash brown colour, as a dark haired girl whose hair likes to go brassy, the word ASH is my cue, so I thought I'd try it. Generally, you can't go wrong dying your hair darker right? Ummmm, not so much! This product burns and itches on your scalp, doesn't cover the grey and changes the texture of your hair. After this product, hair just does not lay right! Advice: stay away

I'll let you know when I do find the perfect product, but for now I'm heading to the salon, until next time...

Best Nail Polish Find!!

Searching for perfection can also lead to procrastination - holding back from doing things unless the can be done perfectly!! Such is the case with my nails - if I can't do them perfectly, I'd rather not do them at all or need to get them done professionally. Messing with a base coat, 2 coats of polish and a top coat - I can never get them done perfectly...Until I discovered my fave new nail polish:

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - best nail polish ever!!!

2 coats - no base, no top needed

Easy to use brush

BARGAIN - but lasts on your nails

I've found 2 classic colours:

550 All Fired Up - Tomato Red, comparable to OPI Cajun Shrimp &

370 Commander in Chic, comparable to OPI You Don't Know Jacques

The World of Wine

the world of wine is multifaceted - on the one hand you have marketing brands where juice can be sourced from anywhere, wines are blended for the masses and it's about a flashy label, cool concept or celebrity - their marketing brands - these have their place - they are interesting and fun...

my world of wine consists of family owned wineries, that have been passed down for generations and are able to last because they have always made great quality wines, they have a passion for wine and for place, they have been able to last because successive generations are able to incorporate the expertise gained from working proven, excellent plots of land with new tastes and trends...

today I met Marie Albrecht, daughter of Jean Albrecht and 19th generation of the Lucien Albrecht winery in Alsace...today she told me "I was born in a vat and wine is in my blood" - can it get more romantic than that?

That is my world of wine - history, passion, romance! Wine is the embodiment of the passion of its maker, the terroir of its region and the stories that it tells.

Here was the menu for our media lunch today at Le Crocodile:

• Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace & Brut Rose paired with Alsatian Onion tart




• Lucien Albrecht Gewurtztraminer paired with Foie Gras Terrine & Icewine gelee




• Lucien Albrecht 2005 Clos Schild Riesling (small production - not sold outside of France) paired with Frog's Legs
  


• Lucien Albrecht 2008 Weid Pinot Noir paired with Veal with Morel Mushrooms, Spaetzle and Duck Breast

• Pear and Mint Sorbet to cleanse the palette
  
  
• Souffle with Creme Anglaise and Americanos to finish, a revisit of the Lucien Albrecht Gewurtztraminer

• and can't forget milk and dark chocolate crocodiles
  

Of course the Clos Schild was amazing, but I hadn't known how wonderful the Lucien Albrecht Gewurtztraminer - at $25.99 in BC Liquor Stores, it is my new go-to Gewurtz...

one more insight

fulfillment is not food -but when you are hurting and looking to fill the emptiness - food is often the obsession - way to fill the void - but it does not fill the void and leaves you feeling ashamed and depressed - overeating is an addiction as much as alcoholism!

kickoff

not quite sure the focus or purpose of this sucker yet - for now - its purpose is to help me figure it out - fulfillment - that is what I am trying to figure out right now- what does it come from & how do I find it again - my inkling is that it comes from love and companionship - the u complete me phenomenon. my dear passed away almost two years ago now & it leaves me empty - i know that it also is linked to hope - hmmm - hope & fulfillment!! hope keeps you going to pursue fulfillment - fulfillment comes from love - but when you are sad and lost - how can you find love or fulfillment? hmmm, this is taking a depressing turn - corny, sad start -try again tomorrow...