Lunch with a Cavegirl

Meet Claudette Wilkins, founder and head chef of Cavegirl Confections; a health and fitness conscious company. I was lucky enough to snag some of Claudette's time for a delicious lunch of curry in Pacific Beach, Ca. We chatted about everything from our lives in San Diego, social media, the gluten free world and of course Cavegirl Confections and how this ambitious mamma got her company started. 

Claudette founded Cavegirl Confections in 2013 and has already gained a large fanbase, including chef and tv-host Andrew Zimmern. Claudette, who is a trained chef, was introduced to the crossfit-paleo lifestyle and began developing snacks that were pure, healthy, and fit her lifestyle needs. 

Cavegirl confections uses high quality ingredients like organic coconut oil and each small batch is made by hand. All of their products are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and paleo approved. 

THIS. This beauty is Maple Bacon Granola. Yes, I said bacon. This granola is the perfect amount of sweet and salty. It is packed with protein from the variety of nuts and of course baaaacon. There are no fillers or artificial ingredients, so you aren't eating a bunch of nonsense with your granola. It contains walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin puree, applesauce, Vermont maple syrup, bacon, dried cherries, and cinnamon. How awesome is that ingredient list?

Cavegirl Confections ships nationwide so you can order this maple bacon granola along with other favorites like AB+J bars, Almond Butters, Cherry "Pie" Bites, Chocolate Hazelnut Granola, and tons of other gluten free + paleo snacks.

Head over to Cavegirl Confections to get your fix of healthy and super tasty paleo-approved snacks.

Follow Claudette!

Instagram- Cavegirlconfections

Twitter- CG_confections

Facebook.com/CavegirlConfections 

Fig Tree Cafe: A California Eatery

I was beyond excited to eat at the new location of Fig Tree Cafe at Liberty Station. I had tried Fig Tree Cafe in Hillcrest for New Years 2013 and had one of the best steaks of my life, so I knew that I was about to eat a tasty lunch. We sat on their beautiful outdoor patio. It looks like what I would want my backyard to look like. Classic, sweet, and comfortable. 

As any Gluten Free person knows, we always check the menu before going to eat somewhere. I knew that Fig Tree had TONS of options, but hey I like to plan out what I am going to eat and get excited about it. Whenever I eat at a restaurant that I am going to blog about I ask what should I order? What is the most ordered Gluten Free dish that I can't leave without trying? Well, on this special day, what I planned to eat was the same thing the wonderful manager told me I had to try. Sold, 100%. 

Alright guys, are you ready?! This is the Gluten Free Portobello Panini. It is GF breadcrumb crusted Portobello Mushroom + Wild Arugula + Cilantro Hummus + Goat Cheese + Jack Cheese + Balsamic Glaze on Gluten Free Multigrain Bread. 

This. sandwich. is. everything.

It was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. It was packed with tons of flavor and had my favorite creamy goat cheese. The mushroom was crispy, crunchy, and went perfect with the balsamic glaze and bite of the arugula. The gluten free bread was from Deanna's Bakery (formally GNI). It toasted up and stayed soft enough to enjoy but not to where it crumbled apart. Definitely have been dreaming of this portobello paradise.

I honestly think one of my biggest pet peeves in life is the extra charge for a gluten free option. It's tooootally not fair right? But that's the way the gluten free cookie crumbles and we get used to overpaying. I spotted this no extra charge on the menu and had to point it out to you. Thank you Fig Tree for the gluten free french toast at the same prices as all those normies. 

Biggie Smalls joined us for lunch. I am not sure if it's dog friendly, but it was Biggie Smalls friendly. 

Make sure you head on over to Fig Tree Cafe at Liberty Station (also check out their Hillcrest location) The service is friendly and attentive and the food is amazing. It's a win for Gluten Free San Diego. 

Fig Tree Cafe: A California Eatery
2400 Historic Decatur Road Suite 103
San Diego, California 92106
(619) 821-2044

Dallas GFAF Expo

I am back! I survived driving in Texas! I spent an amazing weekend in Dallas/Plano Texas for the GFAF Expo. It is always awe-inspiring seeing so many gluten and allergen free companies in one giant room. Every single expo takes my breath away. Some of my old favorites were there, a ton of new delicious allergen free options, and I met some brilliant and inspirational people. From gluten free carbs galore, texas rain storms, girls night with cards of humanity, and spending the weekend with my gluten free family I couldn't have asked for a more perfect gluten free weekend.

A huge thanks to Holy Crap Cereal for sponsoring the bloggers. This awesome named company from Canada is a non-gmo, organic, gluten free, and vegan breakfast cereal. It is packed with nutrients and protein. It comes in a few different varieties so make sure to check them out to find your favorite! 

Drum roll please... My two favorites of the weekend!

I am a lipstick junkie. If you were to look in my purse right now there would probably be about 10 different lipsticks and balms. I really believe that lipstick completes any outfit. 

I have been a fan of Red Apple Lipstick from social medias and my blogger friends who swear by their products. I finally had the chance to play around with some Red Apple Lipstick and makeup.  Oh my goodness. These lipsticks are heaven. They are so smooth and come in the most beautiful vibrant colors. They are gluten free, paraben free, lead free, animal cruelty free, no animal parts, and vitamin E enriched for some pretty kissers. I went home with Strawberry Lips and Hibiskiss and have been wearing them everyday since! I can't wait to see them at the next expo so I can try the other great lip products and gorgeous make up.

I have tried a lot of gluten free pizza in my gluten free life. The good, the bad, the awful, and the cross-contaminated, i've had it all.  When I tried Smart Flour Foods Pizzas I immediately couldn't stop raving about it. I literally made sure all of my friends who were working different booths got some pizza. This is some of the best i've tried. They are certified gluten free so it's safe to eat and it tastes so good. 

I was introduced to a lot of great companies in Dallas. Some that were local Texans, some who traveled from Canada, Colorado, Arizona, California and even Australia. I love getting to meet the faces behind some of these new (or new for me!) 

Green Valley Organics is a certified humane farm from Northern California. I loved trying all the flavors of their Lactose Free Kefir. It is organic, gluten free, humane and tastes amazing. My favorite is the strawberry pomegranate but every flavor was delicious. The lactose free sour cream was smooth and creamy. Hopefully someday I will make it out to the farm for a visit! 

Local Oven is a Texas based company that creates some of the tastiest gluten free breads around. The rolls are so soft and have the best texture. They served them up toasted and I couldn't stop myself from going back for seconds or thirds. I went out for BBQ in Texas after the expo one night and so I got a double dose of Local Oven from the expo and from dining out in Texas. It's great that you can buy them online too! 

Freedom Foods has some really tasty cereals and gluten free products. I loved getting to try these cereals. They have a ton of other products too like biscuits, bars, pancake mixes with quinoa...yum, condiments, and spreads. Obviously, Australia knows what they are doing when it comes to great tasting gluten free options so thanks for bringing it over to us here in the states! Cheers! 

Living Now has tons of great mixes and certified gluten free flours. 

As always, it's a pleasure seeing some of my favorite companies and of course the people behind them. 

I loved spending a weekend with the lovely Whitney from Bakery on Main. My expo partner in crime. Bakery on Main still has my favorite oatmeal on the gluten free market. 

Always love getting to taste some Bard's GF Beer. This american lager is made from 100% Malted GF Sorghum. It's refreshing to hear about their high standards for keeping their beers safe and 100% gluten free. Bard's takes great care of their ingredients and creates a delicious beer. 

I am lucky and got to spend another weekend with my soul sister Erica from Celiac and the Beast. She is such an awesome human and just released her first book "Celiac and The Beast: A love story between a gluten-free girl, her genes, and a broken digestive tract"  I read the entire thing on the flight home from Dallas and was laughing through every page. It is so relatable for anyone with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. I absolutely recommend this book for everyone and anyone who is gluten free or knows someone who is. Thumbs up times a million. Buy it HERE

Nutra Summa was there sampling their pea proteins. I took home a vanilla! Nutra Summa has high quality nutritional supplements and they are gluten free too!

Taste Guru is a gluten free box of the month club. They send tasty samples of gluten free products straight to your door. It is an awesome way of finding new gluten free products to make GF living a bit easier. Plus it's a surprise every month! Taste Guru hand picks and tastes the products to make sure you get the best selections. You can sign up here and pick a plan that works for you. 

Always nice to see the New Planet guys! They brought out their new Brown Ale to sample. 

Enjoy Life for the win. Sampling some allergen free bars and plentils. Love their products!

Delight Gluten Free Magazine is one of my favorites. It has great gluten free living tips, GF recipes, GF travel, and so much more. I love reading each new issue more than the last.

Kyra Bussanich, 2 time Cupcake Wars Winner and cook book author was there sharing her knowledge and signing books. I can't wait to attempt every single recipe in there. Kyra is an inspiration. She owns a gluten free bakery Kyra's Bake Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She's even hosting a cruise in May. I love me some Kyra!! (And the amazing Brandy Wendler, Mrs. Northwest and Celiac advocate) 

The G-Free Foodie Box Club! I love this monthly gluten free box. You can sign up Here! The monthly box club comes packed with tasty gluten free products. KC Pomering is like a gluten free fountain of knowledge so you know are getting great products in the G-Free Foodie box. 

Happy Family Brands has organic snacks and meals for babies and tots. I love these for the kids I babysit, but to be honest they make great snacks for adults too haha 

What an incredible weekend! The GFAF Expo is top notch. I can't wait to continue to attend these expos for years to come. See you in San Francisco! 

Boll Weevil 53

When I went Gluten Free I was in denial. I would cheat a little bit here and there and wasn't as strict and cautious as I am now. I used to eat from shared fryers, a well-known cross contaminated area. The hardest thing for me to give up was french fries. Naturally gluten free, usually contaminated. Then came Boll Weevil 53 in Santee, California.... Y'all they have dedicated fryers and a huge gluten free menu. Go ahead and splurge, eat some safe and delicious french fries. 

Boll Weevil 53 has been one of the best places consistently for my gluten free dining needs. They take such great care of their gluten free customers. They take all the precautions to keep you safe including these cute little labels from Gluten Free Labels. The labels give you the 100% good to go to make sure there was no confusion from the cook to the server. 

What goes better with burgers and fries than an ice cold gluten free beer? A variety of gluten free beers and ciders to choose from. They have multiple New Planet Flavors, including my favorite brew the Blonde Ale.

Boll Weevil's burgers are juicy and seasoned well. They offer a gluten free bun as well as a lettuce wrap option for the gluten free customers. The gluten free bun is toasted and holds together well. They have a ton of different burger toppings for creating your own or you can order one of their signature burgers. They also have a turkey burger! If you aren't a burger fan they have some tasty salads. They come with house-made gluten free croutons. You can't beat that! Check out their menu here (Scroll down for their gluten free menu) 

Did I mention there is a bacon wrapped hot dog?!

Yea... I'll meet you there in 20

Boll Weevil 53

9621 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee, CA 92071

(619) 334-5353