Dining Out Gluten Free: Ruth’s Chris Steak House September 24, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dining Out , add a commentRuth’s Chris Steak House, San Diego Harbor with National locations
American
Gluten free menu: yes
Gluten friendly staff: yes
I had the pleasure of dining out with Ruth’s Chris for my boyfriend’s birthday last month. We had several events over the weekend, we saved this for our day of the birthday party with close friends. They did an AMAZING job. From coordinating with us on Twitter, to a beautiful spread they put on for our large group at a table looking over the bay. The service was first class. I am even more excited to report Ruth’s Chris has a gluten free menu! Now when I consider dining out my thought is often that this place is too pricey for our frequent casual dining. Until, I discovered the bistro menu making it much more accessible than for special occasions. While I was there I sampled a sushi appetizer that they modified GF, of course had to have one of their scrumptious steaks the filet is always my fav, and went with a side of veggies no butter no sauce as a side dish. I do not eat meat often and when I do this is how I do it.
Ruth’s Chris Gluten Free Menu – this is unfortunately not available from their website but they were kind to link me up on Twitter here. Confirm with your location these items are available a menus get customized per location even for National restaurants.
@RuthsChrisSD – San Diego friends you can follow them here, yes a brand that actually talks to you!
My Day Ten and Eleven Detox Diet September 14, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , add a commentIts over I did it! I reached the end of my eleven day detox diet. Not without consequence as I unleashed myself back into the world…read onto dinner on day eleven.
DAY TEN
Breakfast
Black beans on a slice of beefsteak tomato and sea salt
Lunch
Hummus wraps: hummus, cucumber, sprouts wrapped in a collard green leaf
Dinner
Rice pasta with red sauce – can of Trader Joes marinara, add oregano and diced yellow squash
Snacks
In n Out french fries
DAY ELEVEN
Breakfast
Rice cereal: warm rice, honey, rice milk
Natural Bar
Ginger tea
Lunch
Salad, tomato, cucumber, red beans, garbonzo beans, beets, light olive oil and balsamic dressing
Dinner
This is where I messed up I’ve been up all night with a stomach ache through the next day. I’m wondering if red wine is a problem cringe
I decided to end my detox at 6pm and blined it for Little Italy for a glass of wine at my favorite spot Enoteca Style. I also had a helping of olives. I decided to skip my usual flourless lava cake because of the dairy and sugar. Next stop for dinner
Cucina Urbana where the food was delicious but there weren’t many gluten/lactose free options. It’s a pizza and pasta place. So I tried to carefully order the chicken, pesto, and vegetable entree. And, one more glass of red wine.
I feel aweful as I write this, back to basics eating my plain lunch of white rice, red beans and carrots.
My Day Eight and Nine Detox Diet Menu September 12, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , 1 comment so farI’ve figured out how to navigate ordering at restaurants. Keep it simple and tell them I’m vegan, in addition to my deadly gluten allergy (not really but the urgency helps getting my order right). We eat out about four days or more out of the week which can be challenging because restaurants vary vastly in their ability to manage food allergies or requests. This week, the prize goes to Roy’s on the harbor. The food is amazing, the service even better. This has been my experience every time I’ve been there but they get extra awesome points for dealing with this menu with smiles. My advice if you are eating out gluten, lactose or detox free – order without any of the sauces and stick with the base foods. Or, substitute for olive oil.
DAY SEVEN
Breakfast
Skipped (I was running out of prepped food by now! Friday)
Lunch
Salad, half baked potato, left over Thai stir fry (scraping my fridge)
Dinner
I was starving and needing some protein so cheated a little with the fish. Over all I listen to my body when it comes to eating, not diets.
Roy’s, San Diego harbor: shrimp cakes on greens, hawaiin roll containing spicy tuna topped with rainbow slices no sauce, seared scallops (prepared vegan and gluten free)
Snacks
Edamame (plain no salt and sugar)
DAY EIGHT
Breakfast
Half an avacado with sea salt
Lunch
Aqua Pazzo, Rancho Mirage: quinoa and fig stuffed squash, greens tossed in a light vinegar/olive oil. Yummm that’s all I have to say. Menu:
http://www.acquapazzabistro.com/menu.htm
Dinner
Veggie tacos: corn tortilla stuffed with black beans, sautéd mushrooms in OO, and grilled beefsteak tomato, sea salt
Most important especially visiting the desert drink lots of water with lemon.
Here’s the quinoa stuffed squash and salad it was so good.
My Day Six and Seven Detox Diet Menu September 10, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , 11commentsThe past two days have gone by fast. Eating healthy takes a lot of preparation and work. I’m starving by 4pm despite a good lunch and snacks throughout the day. As of today, I’ve run out of food but luckily I have just three days to go. I vow the first thing I will do is have a cup of coffee. Not for the high but for the warmth and taste it brings me that’s left an empty hole in my psyche each morning. What’s up with the red velvet cupcake? Just a snapshot of my battlefield.
DAY 6
Breakkfast
Rice cereal: fresh warm rice, honey, rice milk
Lunch
Lime and cilantro rice, squash
Dinner
Celedon Thai Restaurant
Vegan dish with mixed veggie stir fry
Crispy Duck salad substitute duck for fried tofu
Brown rice
Snacks
Fresh oranic fruit salad with a squeeze of lemon
Cucumber salad
DAY SEVEN
Breakfast
Grapefruit
Lunch
Baked potato with olive oil, cranberry and pine nut sauce
Dinner
Lucha Libre Taco Shop (tummy ache time can’t identify the offender)
Vegetable taco: black beans, corn, mushrooms no cheese or sauce
Rolled tacos with potato inside, guac and lettuce
Tortilla chips and salsa
Snacks:
Carrots and cherry tomatos
Drink room temperature water with a fresh lemon wedge all day
My Day Four and Five Detox Diet Menu September 7, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , 1 comment so farFeeling good, feeling good. My tummy problems have dissapeared completely. I am enjoying the vegan menu because it pushes me to be creative and try new foods. It is so healthy! Over the past few days I have been thinking about how it changes my belief system about mealtime. A meal can be complete without meat. What I normally consider a side is now the main course. Here are my new concepts in days four and five of my eleven day detox diet.
DAY FOUR
Breakfast
Warm rice cereal: fresh white rice, sliced peaches and rice milk
Lunch
My first time dining at Evolution Fast Food in Hillcrest summed up in a word, heavenly. The entire menu is organic, vegan, dairy free and fresh. Many items such as the chocolate cheese cake and brownies are gluten free. This is my new dessert spot. What I ate for lunch…
Raw hummus wraps
Guacamole with corn tortilla chips
Sweet potato chips with organic natural ketchup
…ok I cheated a little on the chocolate cheese cake because it contains sugar but it was the best thing that happened to me this week.
Dinner
Organic eggplant and yellow squash sauté in olive oil
Rice pasta with olive oil and sundried tomato sauce
Chard
Snacks
Veggies
Drink room temperature water with a fresh lemon wedge all day.
DAY FIVE
Breakfast
Warm rice cereal: fresh white rice, sliced peaches and rice milk
Lunch
Raw hummus wraps
Cucumber lemon salad
Fresh fruit salad- organic cantaloupe, oranges, apples, with a squeeze of lemon
Dinner
Half a potato with sautéd red onion and leeks and garlic tamarind hummus
Salad with olive oil and balsamic dressing
Snacks
Guacamole with corn tortilla chips
Carrots and tomatos
Drink room temperature water with a fresh lemon wedge all day.
Don’t forget to use sea salt in place of regular. I do it anyways it’s tastier and better for us.
My Day Two and Three Detox Diet Menu September 5, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , add a commentDAY TWO
Room temperature lemon water all day
Breakfast
Ginger peach tea with honey
Guacamole and corn chips
Hummus
Vegeterian wrap
I know the breakfast wasn’t standard I was at the farmers market.
Lunch
Challenged lunching out with family at an Irish joint so opted for a plain salad hold the cheese and croutons, and steamed broccoli both drizzled with olive oil
Dinner
Baked potato with roasted green chili relish
Bedtime Snack
Cucumber cherry tomato salad with lemon and olive oil
DAY THREE
Room temperature lemon water all day
Breakfast
I made an extra large pot of rice for the next few days starting with cereal: warm rice with rice milk drizzled with a tbs of honey
Lunch
Surviving lunch out was not so bad at The Fish Market. While fish isn’t on the detox list it’s the least impactful protein to cheat with…ok excuses the crab stuffed avacado salad was delicious and so was the California roll. Both are made with real crab not the fake stuff which is full of disgusting ingredients, don’t eat that crap. The worst ingredients in my dish were a few dips of soy sauce and mayo used in the salad. I declined the eggs and dressing which I substituted with oil and vinegar.
Dinner
Lime cilantro rice, yep like Chipotle, and black beans topped with diced onions, tomatos and a dash of hot sauce
Snacks
Guacamole and chips
Carrots tomatos
A peach
This diet requires you eat every few hours or you will start feeling weak, the snacks are crucial to survival!!
Detox Diet FoodsList September 4, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It , 1 comment so farFrom About.com
Fruit
Fresh or frozen fruit.
Vegetables
All fresh vegetables. Vegetables thought to be particularly good detox foods include broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables.
Rice
All forms of rice, including rice cakes, rice crackers and rice pasta. Brown rice is typically preferred.
Other Grains
Quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat can be used instead of rice. They can be purchased at a health food store or in some grocery stores.
Beans
Split yellow and green peas and lentils are easiest to digest and require the least soaking time. Other good options include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans.
Nuts and Seeds
Unsalted nuts or seeds can be sprinkled over salads or eaten as a snack. Good options include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Nut butters are permitted. Peanuts and peanut butter are usually not recommended.
Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is a preferred oil.
Condiments
Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, all herbs or spices.
Tea
Herbal teas, green tea.
Other Beverages
Water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, rice milk
Daily Detox Do’s
Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, warm or room temperature.
Take the time to chew food well, especially grains.
Sugar
Includes sugar, products containing sugar, and hidden forms of sugar, such as sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, and turbinado. Artificial sweeteners are usually not recommended. Stevia and erythritol are allowed natural sweeteners.
Dairy Products
Milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and other dairy products.
Wheat
Wheat and products containing wheat, such as pasta and bread.
Gluten
All gluten-containing grains: wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, and barley.
Coffee
Although most detox diets recommend avoiding coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, one cup a day is usually acceptable and may reduce the occurrence of caffeine withdrawal headaches.
Other Foods to Avoid
Yeast
Alcohol
Food additives and preservatives
Chocolate
High-Fat Foods
My additions:
Meat, poultry, fish, shell fish
Animal products including broth or oils like lard
Any artificial additives or processed foods
My Day One Detox Diet Menu September 3, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Dishing It, Living It , add a commentI’ve updated this post with breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast
A sliced orange and pear
Green tea
Water
Lunch
The cupcakes were seductive. I ate the salad instead from Sellers Market in San Francisco. The dressing was simple: olive oil, vinegar, herbs.
Water w lemon slice
Dinner
Soupplantation yes! I can’t think of why I had not come here before.
Salad with all the vegetables I could pile on. Olive oil and vinegar dressing. 2 baked potatos with olive oil, dash of salt and pepper. Technically the diet calls for sea salt. When you eat, eat a lot you will get hungry on this diet. And, snack often.
Water w lemon slice
When Gluten Free Goes Bad September 3, 2010
Posted by @Melonie in : Living It , add a comment
I’ve been doing horrible. Between a birthday this week, red velvet birthday cake, a lot of eating with little tasted here and there, and what seems like events involving social drinking every day for weeks – my stomach is in a tizzy. I’ve determined that lactose (anything containing cow milk including cheese ugh!) is just as bad for my tummy as wheat. If not worse. Did I mention that cake was filled with white chocolate and cream cheese frosting…
This is why I am declaring today day 1 of my 11 day detox diet. Not to test for allergies, to cleanse. My diet will basically consist of veggies and rice. The no no’s = sugar, processed foods at all, caffeine, meat, alcohol or anything else containing toxins. This is going to be tough because I am traveling today and there will be nothing I can eat in the airport. Or, out in general.
Today’s menu plan:
Breakfast: water and green tea, some fruit if I can find some in a coffee shop or cafe
Lunch: salad from an organic lunch spot with fresh vegetables only, no meat no croutons no cheese and if I can’t find pure olive oil and vinegar dressing I will be skipping that too
Dinner: I will be home by then to cook with quality assurance. Fresh steamed veggies and white rice, a little sea salt and olive oil
I’ll share my menu as I go along. And will try to keep the wining down to a minimum. The first two days are the worst. My body literally goes through sugar and caffeine withdrawals sometimes causing headaches and flu like symptoms. At the end of the detox I feel great and the digestion problems will be completely gone. A new start for me and my tummy.