One of the many reasons why I love and appreciate San Diego, other than its constant sunny disposition and slew of things to do, is that it’s a city that really turned the tide and has made tremendous strides in bringing recognition to a growing problem that was going unchecked in the restaurant industry. With healthy, food allergy educated establishments popping up left and right, San Diego has made it incredibly easy for someone living with food allergies to enjoy a meal out free of stress and aggravation. No more negative connotations of that gluten f-word for me!

Below are my top four favorite, gluten-free friendly dining spots in North County San Diego that offer great food, a great atmosphere, and understand the struggles of a food sensitive individual…

Yosemite National Park brings in over four million visitors each year!  Since 4 million yearly fans can’t be wrong, there are many reasons to want to visit Yosemite, and plenty of reasons to stay within the park boundaries during your next visit. During peak season, we expect large crowds, heaps of cars, traffic delays (sometimes 1-2 hours), busy attractions, and limited parking and lodging. Here are five reasons why staying in Wawona will allow you to spend less time in your car, and more time enjoying what this great park has to offer… 

Jamie was recently tagged in the comments section of a Facebook post highlighting the Mammoth hot springs Article I wrote. In a comment, she brought up that the increase in popularity (likely due to social media #instagramtourism and otherwise) has translated to an increase of trash, broken glass, fights and other disrespectful actions in and around the hot springs, leaving the locals to clean up after them. Not cool. I asked her to write an article on hot tub etiquette so that we are all aware of the best methods to sustain these beautiful pieces of nature for future generations to come. And here we are :)

It is time to take the local conversation beyond farm-to-table and start talking about seed origins.

“We talk about food-to-table, but seed-to-table is just as important,” explains Brijette Romstedt-Peña, founder of the San Diego Seed Company, which is currently the only local seed distributor in San Diego and the only certified organic urban seed producer in the country.

Traveling with food restrictions can seem daunting. It’s anxiety provoking to think you may not have hotel or dining options where you are going, let alone the possibility of a reaction. Although these are risks are real, they can be mitigated with proper preparation using the right tools and resources. Article was written Big Blend’s Radio and TV Magazine. Be sure to also check out our podcast episode on the same subject.

Gluten-free travel can be adventurous, stress-free, and enjoyable with proper preparation. Article was written for Mediaplanet for their Digestive Health and Wellness campaign, available online and in USA Today! Learn about exciting developments in microbiome research, dietary and lifestyle advice for managing digestive diseases and disorders, the importance of patient-provider relationships, and how thought leaders are fighting stigma and raising awareness for digestive health.

“Everything served in the newly opened Ranch 45 restaurant is locally sourced and responsibly raised, including their poultry and beef.

The coffee beans used for their espresso bar are from Cafe Virtuoso, while the Free-Ranch Chicken is from Mary’s. Vegetables come from Chino Farms, and their eggs from Eben-Haezer .

The star of the menu is Brandt Beef, sourced from a family-owned ranch in Imperial County dedicated to using sustainable practices to produce their premium natural beef that’s free from antibiotics with no added hormones.

In the front-of-house and behind-the-line, General manager Pam Schwartz and Executive Chef DuVal Warner run the show.”

"When you visit Yosemite, every view in the park feels like a wonder. Every minute you are surrounded by the sheer beauty and natural amazement everywhere you look; a rushing river, a waterfall, a glistening lake. You are confronted with breathtaking vistas, a seemingly never-ending redwood trees, giant granite cliffs that have seen the beginning of time, and more. We've come up with a list of the most spectacular places in the park."

I’ve been traveling there with my family since I was a young kitten, and it remains one of my favorite spots in the world. Gorgeous natural surroundings, amazing cuisine, great coffee, vintage shopping, mid-century homes and furniture, miles of hiking, hot springs and a tiki culture. Is there much more you need from a vacation destination?

Winning first place at San Diego’s 2019 Cake Show was not part of the plan for Yu Kelsey.

“I never thought about becoming a cake decorator, or working in a bakery. I actually had a dream of building movie sets,” she said.

Born in Tsukigase, a village outside of Kyoto, Japan, Kelsey was always interested in the arts, studying English for a year in Osaka before moving to California. She completed her BA at San Francisco University in Studio Arts, with a concentration in sculpting, ceramics and oil painting.

“It’s spring in Yosemite! The snow has melted in nearly all of the lower elevations, the rivers and streams are rushing, the baby animals are strolling, the flowers are blooming, and the mountains are calling. What better way to see the natural beauty of Yosemite than by taking a hike during this exciting time? Whether you are looking for a short and sweet hike through the meadow, along the river, or crave a more strenuous hike to visit a raging waterfall, we have you covered with this post.” 

“Most people who have had the opportunity to venture through Yosemite National Park, have driven through the famous and historical Wawona Tunnel. It is part of three main roads in Yosemite Valley, transporting you down to Tunnel View and Yosemite Valley, or up to Wawona and Mariposa Grove on California State Route 41, towards on the south entrance. There isn’t anything more spectacular than driving through Wawona Tunnel to reach one of the most stunning views in the park. The spectacular Tunnel View looks eastward into Yosemite Valley, including the Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. Here are other great facts about the tunnel…”

Being gluten-free and visiting a foreign country for the first time can always be a little intimidating. Will they have food I can eat?  Will the servers be able to understand me? What happens if I get sick while I'm there? All of these questions crossed my mind when my husband and I were planning a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland.  I made it a point to pack lots of gluten-free snacks like RXBars, Kind Bars, Chef's Cut jerky, Terra Sweet Potato chips, and Orchard Valley trail mix. At least if there wasn't much to eat in Reykjavik, I would survive our long weekend trip on nuts and berries!

I think Spring in Yosemite might be my favorite, and I got to write exactly why that is for Redwoods in Yosemite... 

Have you been contemplating a Road Trip but are afraid to because you live a Gluten Free lifestyle?  Adventure is out there, take a leap of faith and bring your gluten free food with you!

Humboldt County is a beautiful destination for hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and all things outdoors related. Once you hit that redwood curtain on the 101 you know you are amongst the hippies. If you are vegetarian, vegan and of course gluten free this will be a farm fresh food haven indeed. I have been navigating the gluten-free world for the past eight years and come to love the following restaurants.

We decided to spend a recent weekend getaway in Ojai, CA. I only heard great reviews about this mountain-side “small town” saddled between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and wanted to check it out for myself. I imagined a true small town, far inland, and away from it all. Like one of those Hallmark channel Christmas movie settings (is anyone else obsessed with those? I’m going to imagine you just said, yes.). What I got was a quaint town, only 15-20 minutes inland from the coastal city of Ventura. Surrounded by mountains and ranches, and filled with things to do and see (and eat), especially during our weekend stay, Ojai is definitely a unique place to visit. Here are a few of our favorites, to create your own ideal itinerary… 

Mexico City aka #CDMX is the 17th largest city in the world, and is full of rich history, from the Aztec, to the Spanish colonials and now, the modern world. Regardless of what you’re looking for, you will likely find it in one of the many unique neighborhoods in the city (I’m partial to the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods). This includes phenomenal cuisine, archaeological sites, museums, lucha libre wrestling shows, live music, boutique shopping, street vendors, and much more. It’s impossible to see it all in a lifetime, let alone in one day. But we’ve created a list of our favorites, so that you can design an itinerary that’s right for you!

I do not travel without Traveler’s Insurance. I am happy to see how much it benefited me while in, and after returning from Mexico. Here is more info on it:

At 5,000 ft elevation, Cuernavaca, the capital of the Mexican state of Morelos, is a short 1.5 hours drive south from Mexico City. It has a historic colonial city center, which was once home to the (in)famous Spanish conqueror, Hernan Cortes. Cuernavaca is the place Mexican nationals go for respite to escape from the constant hustle and bustle of Mexico City. Many even retire or keep vacation homes in Cuernavaca. Although the entire state of Morelos was greatly affected by September 2017’s earthquake, the citizens of this quaint city have maintained their optimism through community and resilience.