Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and often times, it’s the meal that I eat the most at. I try to eat a larger breakfast and taper down the portion sizes as the day goes on. I have found this not only helps maintain my energy level and blood sugar level, but also my weight.

You should always make the time to whip up breakfast in the morning. It’s not as time-consuming as people might think. No excuses – start your day off right with a healthy, gluten-free breakfast.

Here are some ideas to get you started …

A Roundup of 10 Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas

1) Toast with sunflower seed spread and sprinkled with Spectrum Naturals Decadent Coco-Chia-Flax Mix (found at Whole Foods, Sprouts), served with fruit (pictured above, great snack also)!

2) Banana Silver Dollar Coconut Pancakes from The Spunky Coconut  ~ Loving these grain-free pancakes, highlighting banana and coconut!

3) Fresh Berry and Basil Crumble from The Healthy Apple ~ A refreshing take on a regular baked crumble. This recipe features tons of fresh fruit!

4) 1 Minute Blueberry Citrus Shake from Family Fresh Cooking ~ A super easy morning or afternoon shake, made with simple ingredients.

5) Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal from Family Fresh Cooking ~ Use gluten-free oats with this recipe, super flavorful!

6) Peanut Butter Banana Quinoa Granola from Queen of Quinoa ~ A unique take on regular granola, this one is packed with nutrients!

7) Melted Leek and Red Pepper Quiche from Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free ~ I love quiches of any kind! They are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

8) Kale, Sausage and Quinoa Scramble from With Style and Grace ~ You had me at Kale … (I’m a huge kale fan).

9) Paleo Breakfast Bars from Elana’s Pantry ~ Perfect for a snack on the go!

10) Gluten-Free Buckwheat Crepes from The Gluten-Free Girl and Chef ~ Buckwheat is such a wonderful gluten-free ingredient and it works great in this crepe recipe.

What do you like to eat for breakfast? Share with us in the comment section.

Cheers!

News: Locate Special Diet now has a great Pinterest board … filled with tons of recipe inspiration such as: gluten-free, vegan, paleo, dairy-free and more! Check it out here.

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find gluten-free food and drink options (vegetarian and organic available also). (Demo)

Infographic courtesy of Gluten Dude

Our friend over at Gluten Dude came up with this awesome infographic highlighting common Celiac Disease symptoms. I normally do not share these types of things on my blog, but rather on our social media channels. This infographic is certainly helpful though, and I thought many of you would find it interesting.

Have you experienced any of these signs and symptoms?

Cheers!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find gluten-free food and drink options. (Demo)

Chris and I normally crave barbecue at least once a week. We normally just go out to a local barbecue joint for dinner, but now that we have the new oven (YAY); I can make my favorite baked BBQ chicken at home (no grill required).

This recipe is super simple to make. You’ll notice that the first 5 ingredients (plus olive oil), are more of a basic chicken seasoning recipe. Feel free to use that base, and switch out the sauce for something else (ex: Italian Dressing). Voila – you’ll have a whole new meal.

See the okra in the picture? Recipe coming soon, and it’s completely non-slimy … YES.

Easy Baked BBQ Chicken

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breasts (2 breasts)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt, each side
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, each side
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Pickapeppa sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• BBQ sauce (I used Russ and Franks)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken breasts in a small casserole or baking dish. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken. Sprinkle onion powder and garlic powder, from the bottle, on both sides of the chicken. Pour Pickapeppa, Worcestershire over chicken. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on the chicken. Mix chicken and ingredients with hands to evenly coat the chicken with sauces. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. When there is 10 minutes of cook-time left, pour BBQ sauce over chicken.

Cheers!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find gluten-free food and drink options. (Demo)

The beautiful Austin Food Blogger Alliance Cookbook has arrived! I’m so honored to be a member of this wonderful organization, as well as having TWO gluten-free recipes in the cookbook. I must say, it is pretty neat to see your photographs and recipes in print!

Here are some of the recipes included in the cookbook:

~ Gluten-Free Olive Oil Pancakes

~ Gluten-Free Quiche

~ Grilled Lime-Paprika Broccoli

~ Coconut Sriracha Cauliflower Rice

~ And more! View the full list of recipes included here.

The cookbook is now available for purchase at participating local stores including: Whole Foods Market, Book People, Central Market and Breed and Company. You can also purchase it online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Cheers!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find reliable options.

Morning Smoothie – filled with nutritious ingredients. Taken on Instagram.

I have been needing a mix-up of my morning breakfast routine. Eggs, toast and fruit or gluten-free oatmeal, can get old after a while. A smoothie is my answer, as of lately. It’s healthy, fast, fresh and fills you up!

We have been so busy lately! In between events (Whew! SXSW wore me out!), work and wedding planning; I feel like I haven’t been able to take a breather and relax 100%. Speaking of wedding planning, things are moving along nicely. I actually went wedding dress shopping recently and found “the ONE” in Austin at a cute local boutique. It feels real that it’s getting close and I’m thrilled.

Locate Special Diet will be making an appearance at a couple events around Texas soon. Make sure and check out the Texas VegFest coming up April 6, as well as the Dallas Mavericks Celiac Awareness Event brought to you by the good folks over at Gluten-Free Calendar. I’ll be heading north to Dallas, April 12th to attend the event. I hope to see you there!

Also, I’d like to give a shout-out to the hilarious - April Peveteaux - who recently had a book signing for her new book coming out titled ~ Gluten is my Bitch (available for pre-order on Amazon). Thanks for mentioning our mobile app, Locate Special Diet, on your SXSW panel April!

Blueberry-Banana Morning Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 medium ripe banana
• 2 tablespoons cashew butter (or nut butter of choice)
• 2/3 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 packet stevia (optional)
• 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend to combine. Serve chilled.

Cheers!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find reliable options.

This is the FINAL post for the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide. For those who are not from Austin, thanks for hanging tight as we finish up the city guide. We have tons of recipes lined up for the next few weeks!

This guide is for vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Central Austin, South Austin (78704), and the Westlake Hills area. Every single one of these restaurants also offers gluten-free friendly items. Many have dedicated menus. I’ll be posting links to their listings on Locate Special Diet so you can view the gluten-free tips for various restaurants. This guide is a partial listing of vegetarian-friendly establishments. If we have missed your favorite, please leave your suggestion in the comment section below!

Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Central Austin:

~ Wheatsville (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Spider House (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Tacodeli (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ The Steeping Room (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Mellow Mushroom (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Clay Pit (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Kerbey Lane (Locate Special Diet listing)

South Austin:

~ Kerbey Lane (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Tarka Indian Kitchen (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Central Market Cafe (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Soup Peddler, Juicebox (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Mr. Natural (Locate Special Diet listing)

Westlake Hills area:

~ Thai Spice

~ Taco Deli 

~ zPizza (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ The Grove (Locate Special Diet listing)

Locate Special Diet Mobile Apps

For those looking to find other vegetarian restaurant options near them – we now have a mobile app for free download. Seriously! Use our app, called Locate Special Diet to help you navigate the vegetarian scene while you are visiting Austin! (available on iPhone, Android, and our website).

Here are some sample screenshots!

Cheers!

View other Vegetarian City Guide entries from other local bloggers:

• Downtown from aneelee
• East from aneelee
• Food Trucks from Coseppi Kitchen
• North from Gourmet Veggie Mama
• Date Night from Lizz Delicious
• Dessert from Red Hot Vegans
• Heathy Eats from The Little Red Journal
• Late Night from Lazy Smurf’s Guide

All Annual City Guide posts: click here

Welcome to my third installment for the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide.

The topic for this installment is Paleo! For those who are unfamiliar with the Paleo diet (short for Paleolithic), the diet consists mainly of fish and meats (ex: grassfed meat is great), vegetables, nuts, fruits, etc. The Caveman diet (another name for it), excludes all things refined – such as sugar, processed oils (canola oil is a no-no), legumes, grains, dairy, etc.

Just like any lifestyle where you adhere to a certain type of diet – eating out might be a challenge at first. For me, I have Celiac disease so I do not adhere by a diet just because I want to. I do so by medical necessity.

When dining out Paleo, overtime you learn how to order your foods, you learn what to look for on a menu, and how you can change that item to be more paleo-friendly. Just like any lifestyle – you adapt, and learn how to pick the foods that are right for your particular lifestyle. Not everyone that lives the Paleo lifestyle is hardcore about the restrictions of the diet, many are though. We all know that canola oil is slinging around in the majority of America’s restaurants so you pick and choose your battles when dining out. Of course, this isn’t for everywhere. There are plenty of places in town where you can find reliable options that truly are paleo. Educate yourself and know what to tell the waitstaff when ordering!

For PALEO FAQ ~ check out this link.

So for this basic list of Paleo-friendly options in Austin, Texas – take note that these are just suggestions of places that have paleo-friendly options to choose from on their menu. For most of these, you will need to modify the item before choosing from their menu.

Note: This is a partial list of paleo-friendly options in Austin. If you want to view more, please visit Three Dinners One Diet, where Brittanie shares Part 1 of this paleo-friendly guide.

It just so happens that every one of these options below are also gluten-free friendly. Yippee! For the gluten-free tips for these businesses below, click on the links that say “Locate Special Diet listing”.

Paleo Restaurant Guide to Austin, Texas

~ Hopdoddy

Hopdoddy is the best burger in town, in my opinion. Go bun-less, remove dairy to make more paleo-friendly. Pile on some extra veg.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Salt Lick

BBQ sauce most always has sugar in it, so skip to make more paleo-friendly. Meat heaven!

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Lambert’s

I love their pork ribs (minus the glaze to make more paleo-friendly). The brussels with bacon are too-die-for.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ 24 Diner

Great modern diner downtown with plenty of paleo-friendly options to choose from.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ P. Terry’s

Lettuce wrapped burger – I always ask for extra tomatoes (sourced locally).

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Kerbey Lane

You can find something for everyone here. I love their omelets with no cheese or butter, add extra guacamole.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Whole Foods Market Flagship

The flagship Whole Foods – love their salad bar.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Chipotle

Chipotle is always great, and there are so many locations around town. So if you are in need of something fast and reliable, this is your place. Salad with steak, no beans or cheese, and add extra guacamole – for the win!

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Elevation Burger

More lettuce wrapped burgers … yum. 100% grass-fed and organic meats.

~ Trento

A little farther out from downtown but I think it’s worth the drive. They have great food and are always willing to accommodate ~ I normally get a steak with sautéed kale here.

Locate Special Diet listing

~ Tarka Indian Kitchen

Ask for no rice or grains, double up on the veg. They have some great coconut curries to choose from!

Locate Special Diet listing

Yesterday I asked the fans on my Facebook page where they like to eat out Paleo in Austin … Here were some of their suggestions:

Casey: East Side Showroom, Eastside Cafe

Kelli: Cafe Malta

Christina: Garrido’s

For those who are gluten-free, each of these places offers a gluten-free option and/or gluten-free menus. To view some of my tips for these businesses click on the links that say “Locate Special Diet.”

To view part one of this Paleo Restaurant Guide to Austin – hop on over to Brittanie’s paleo blog called: Three Diets one Dinner

 Locate Special Diet Mobile Apps

For those looking to find other gluten-free restaurant options near them – we now have a mobile app for free download. Seriously! Use our app, called Locate Special Diet to help you navigate the gluten-free scene while you are visiting Austin! (available on iPhone, Android, and our website). Built for the gluten-free people, by local gluten-free people. What more could you ask for?

Here are some sample screenshots!

Welcome to the second installment of my contribution to the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide. To view my first post on Gluten-Free Breakfast and Brunch Spots near downtown Austin, click here. Make sure and check out the other Guide posts (will be live March 2) – it’s a great way to see what your favorite bloggers recommend around Austin.

Speaking of AFBA – pre-order the cookbook now!

For my readers that are not from Austin, thank you for your patience. We will resume regular posting after the guide is completed (2 more posts to go!)

NOTE: Our app’s website lists helpful tips for the restaurants I mentioned, but if you would like specific recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact us. I was trying to save some space on this blog post and include more options! 

For those looking to find other gluten-free restaurant options near them – we now have a mobile app for free download. Seriously! Use our app, called Locate Special Diet to help you navigate the gluten-free scene while you are visiting Austin! (available on iPhone, Android, and our website). Built for the gluten-free people, by local gluten-free people. What more could you ask for?

Here are some sample screenshots!

Gluten-Free Guide to South Lamar (and 78704), Westlake Hills, Bee Caves, Lakeway and South Austin

For listings that have a menu on Locate Special Diet, click on the link titled (Tip + Menu) and hit the drop down titled ‘Menu Selection’ to view menu. For those that just have tips on our app, click the link titled (Tip) and view our comments on the restaurant.

The ones marked with 4 Stars **** are my top picks! 

South Lamar & 1st Street area – and other parts of 78704

• Uchi ****  ~ (Tip) – Seafood, Sushi
• Casa de Luz ****~ (Tip) – Vegetarian
• Matt’s El Rancho ~ (Tip) – Tex-Mex
• Olivia ~ (Tip) – New American
• Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Vegetarian
• Kerbey Lane ~ (Tip + Menu) – American
• Thai Fresh ~ (Tip + Menu) – Thai
• Elizabeth Street Cafe **** ~ (Tip) – Vietnamese
• P.Terry’s ~ (Tip) – Burgers
• Toastie’s Subs ****~ (Tip) – Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads
• Maudie’s ~ (Tip + Menu) – Tex-Mex
• Freddie’s ~ (Tip) – American
• Paggi House ~ (Tip) – New American
• Juicebox, Soup Peddler **** ~ (Tip+ Menu) – Soups, Smoothies
• Sway **** ~ (Tip) – Thai
• Dock and Roll Trailer ~ (Tip) – Seafood
• Bufalo Bob’s Trailer ~ (Tip) – Chalupa

Westlake Hills

• Hai Ky ~ (Tip) – Vietnamese
• Lupe Tortilla **** ~ (Tip) – Tex-Mex
• ZPizza **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Pizza, Salads
• Jason’s Deli ~ (Menu) – Salads, Sandwiches
• The Grove Wine Bar ****~ (Tip + Menu) – Italian, Pizza, Salads
• Trento **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Steak, Seafood, Italian
• Eleven Plates ~ (Tip) – New American
• Maudie’s ~ (Tip + Menu) – Tex-Mex
• Tacodeli **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Tex-Mex, Tacos
• Las Palomas ~ (Tip + Menu) – Mexican, Seafood
• Blue Dahlia ~ (Tip + Menu) – French
• 360 Uno and Trattoria ~ (Tip) – Italian, Pizza
• Hat Creek Burger Company ~ (Tip) – Burgers
• P. Terry’s **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Burgers

Bee Caves

• Iron Cactus ~ (Menu) – Tex-Mex
• Rivera Bistro **** ~ (Tip) – New American
• Whole Foods Market - Grocery
• Maudie’s **** ~ (Tip + Menu)- Tex-Mex
• Mandola’s Italian Market ~ (Tip + Menu) – Italian, Grocery
• Chisos Grill ~ (Tip + Menu) – Tex-Mex, Mexican
• Plate by Dzintra **** ~ (Tip) – New American, Seafood
• Dock and Roll Trailer ~ (Tip) – Seafood

Lakeway

• Java Dive Organic Bistro ****~ (Tip + Menu) – Sandwiches, Salads, American
• Hill Country Pasta House ~ (Tip) – Italian, Pizza
• Hudson’s on the Bend **** ~ (Tip) – Steakhouse, American
• Gatti’s Pizza ~ (Tip) – Pizza
• Steiner Ranch Steakhouse ****~ (Tip) – Steakhouse, American

Other parts of South Austin

• BJ’s Brewhouse ~ (Tip + Menu) – American, Pizza
• Longhorn Steakhouse ~ (Menu) – Steakhouse
• Central Market - Grocery
• Firebowl Cafe ~ (Menu) – Asian Fusion
• Genghis Grill - Mongolian
• Tarka Indian Kitchen **** ~ (Tip + Menu) – Indian
• Mighty Fine Burgers ~ (Tip) – Burgers
• Hyde Park Bar and Grill ~ (Tip + Menu) – American
• Red’s Porch ~ (Tip + Menu) – American, Pub Food
• CraigO’s Pizza ~ (Tip) – Italian, Pizza
• Jack Allen’s Kitchen ****~ (Tip) – Tex-Mex, Southwestern
• Mama Fu’s **** (Menu) – Chinese

Do you have a favorite spot in any of these areas in Austin? Share it in the comment section below.

Please note that this is not a complete list of gluten-free friendly spots in Southwest Austin and South Austin.  This is just a portion of places I frequent. If you would like to see others, please download our mobile app called Locate Special Diet.

Disclaimer: Please be aware of cross-contamination when dining out, and do not be afraid to ask the waitstaff and chef questions.

Stay tuned – for other gluten-free blogger’s entries for the guide.

View our past gluten-free guides (downtown dinner, SXSW editions)

View other local blogger guides:

• Central from Salt’s Kitchen
• Downtown Breakfast and Brunch from ATX Gluten-Free
• Downtown Lunch from Inspired Eats
• Downtown Dinner from Blinded by the Bite
• East from Salt’s Kitchen
• North from Blinded by the Bite
• South Congress, Travis Heights from Inspired Eats

Cheers!

It’s that time of the year, folks! The annual city guides are upon us … Incoordination with the Austin Food Blogger Alliance, many of us will be sharing our picks for various genres of food around town. This year I will be writing about gluten-free, vegetarian and paleo-friendly options in Austin so stay tuned for those posts in the next two weeks. For my readers who do not live in Austin, regular posting will resume after the guide is completed!

For those looking to find other gluten-free restaurant options near them – we now have a mobile app for free download. Seriously! Use our app, called Locate Special Diet to help you navigate the gluten-free scene while you are visiting Austin! (available on iPhone, Android, and our website). Built for the gluten-free people, by local gluten-free people. What more could you ask for?

Here are some sample screenshots!

Gluten-Free Breakfast Options near Downtown Austin, Texas

For listings that have a menu on Locate Special Diet, click on the link and hit the drop down titled ‘Menu Selection’ to view menu. 

Tacodeli (View the menu)

(3 Locations. Breakfast served 7am-11am Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday)

Whole Foods Flagship

(3 other locations)

A foodie mecca – smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, coffee and more. They have breakfast items in the morning. They mark their items with allergens, but be aware of what food is next to the gluten-free food (i.e. barley next to quinoa at the salad bar= don’t eat). The Whole Foods Flagship is a must-see while you are visiting.

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse (View the menu)

(Open 7am Monday-Friday, 8am on weekends)

A favorite of mine… I eat here at least once a week. My favorite for breakfast? The El Tipico – eggs over medium with lettuce, tomato, potato-hash cake and corn tortillas. I always ask for sliced avocado on top and some sriracha!

Austin Java (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(6 locations. Breakfast served all day, everyday).

Another place I frequent for breakfast. Their lunch and dinner are not as gluten-free friendly…But breakfast is easy! I normally order the Traditional – eggs over medium with bacon, hash browns, salsa and avocado. Their coffee is great – try the almond milk latte.

Lamberts (View the menu)

(Brunch 11am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday)

A great spot for a relaxing weekend brunch. Alert the server you are gluten-free. They are knowledgeable.

Counter Culture (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Brunch Saturday and Sunday , 11am-3pm)

Vegan restaurant with marked gluten-free items.

Snack Bar (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Brunch, 9am-4pm Saturday and Sunday)

Great gluten-free brunch, including french toast! 

Kerbey Lane (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(5 area locations, 24 hour diner, breakfast served 24 hours a day)

Gluten-Free pancakes, sure! Be aware of cross contamination.

Frank (View the menu)

I love Frank. Quality ingredients and it’s super cheap. Their brunch is great and if you let them know you are gluten-free, they will take care of you. If you must though, I love their lunch and dinner too and it’s great that they serve gluten-free beer.

Taverna (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(opens 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday)

Another great weekend brunch spot, but get there early. They no longer take reservations for brunch. They have a great gluten-free menu (brunch, lunch and dinner)! The chorizo and manchego cheese omelette is awesome!

Bacon (View menu)

(Breakfast served all day)

Ask them to not grill your corn tortilla if you get breakfast tacos. Most breakfast plates (besides the obvious), may be modified to be gluten-free.

Daily Juice (View menu)

(3 area locations)

Their downtown location is a great spot to pick up a quick snack on the go, or enjoy one of their smoothies or freshly squeezed juices.

Juiceland (View menu)

(4 area locations)

Similar to Daily Juice, Juiceland offers snacks on the go and freshly squeezed juices, as well as unique smoothies.

Galaxy Cafe (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Breakfast served everyday)

Galaxy Cafe is great. It’s another local spot that I frequent often. They have a great gluten-free menu, including bread for sandwiches, and gluten-free wraps. Try their American breakfast, with scrambled eggs.

Zocalo Cafe (View menu)

(Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10am-2pm)

Zocalo is owned by the same people as Galaxy Cafe. Zocalo is great at accommodating special diets, just let them know. I love their huevos rancheros (not dairy-free though).

Hickory Street (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Brunch served Saturday and Sunday)

Hickory Street has plenty of gluten-free options, clearly marked on their menu (even gluten-free fried chicken … not breakfast appropriate but still)! They do a great job at preventing cross contamination.

Maudie’s (View menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(6 area locations, Breakfast served all day)

Maudie’s is great for the gluten-free folks. They have a great menu, and serve breakfast all day. Ask for the gluten-free tortilla chips and menu upon arrival.

Freddie’s

(Breakfast served everyday)

They have a gluten-free menu, with many options for those who are gluten-free. Great outdoor sitting area and they are a dog-friendly establishment.

Snap Kitchen (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(3 locations. Breakfast-to-go all day during business hours)

Snap Kitchen is perfect for breakfast on the go. Plenty of healthy and gluten-free options to choose from.

24 Diner (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Breakfast served 24 hours a day)

The name says it all, a 24 hour Diner in downtown Austin, TX. But this one is special … I like to call it an ‘upscale diner’ which uses quality ingredients, and has a gluten-free menu!

Trio (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Breakfast served Monday-Sunday, + Brunch on Sundays)

Trio is located in the Four Seasons downtown. They have a great gluten-free menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guero’s (View the menu)

(Breakfast served all day)

Located on South Congress (Soco).

Wildwood (View the menu on their Locate Special Diet listing)

(Breakfast served Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm)

A completely gluten-free restaurant and bakery. Not necessarily downtown, but it’s a must I mention it.

Do you have a favorite breakfast spot in Austin? Share it in the comment section below.

Please note that this is not a complete list of gluten-free friendly breakfast or brunch spots near downtown Austin.  This is just a small portion of places I frequent that serve breakfast or brunch. If you would to see others, please download our mobile app called Locate Special Diet.

Disclaimer: There is only one completely gluten-free kitchen on the list above (Wildwood). Please be aware of cross-contamination when dining out, and do not be afraid to ask the waitstaff and chef questions.

Stay tuned – for other gluten-free blogger’s entries for the guide.

View past gluten-free guides.

Cheers!

Rich and creamy, this butternut squash soup recipe is a keeper.

I know, I know… another crock pot or slow cooker recipe. I can’t help it. I think I might be addicted. There’s no excuses here… you just chop it up and throw it all together in the pot. It’s that simple. It’s also nice that you can come home to a house smelling delicious, from your dinner cooking all day.

I used a kitchen scale to measure the amount of squash I had. Feel free to improvise.

What’s new with us? Just working away on all of the new features we are adding soon to Locate Special Diet. We are about to expand the mobile app to include ALL 50 states! Super exciting! If you haven’t downloaded it yet, it’s free and available on iPhone and Android ~ Locate Special Diet Mobile Apps

Coming soon to the blog in the next two weeks – The Annual Gluten-Free City Guide! I’m also putting together a Vegetarian City Guide and a Paleo City Guide for Austin. If you do not live in Austin, apologies … regular posting will resume after those posts have been completed! They are in association with the wonderful organization – the Austin Food Blogger Alliance. Speaking of the AFBA, I’ve had the privilege to contribute to the first-ever Austin Food Blogger Alliance Community Cookbook! My gluten-free olive oil pancakes and grilled lime-paprika broccoli will be making an appearance. If you would like to pre-order the cookbook, you may do so by visiting this link: Pre-Order. The cookbook makes a great gift!

Butternut Squash Soup

(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian)

Equipment: I used a 5 quart slow cooker

Ingredients:

• ~2.75 lb. of butternut squash (cubed). I used about 2 lb. and ~12.5 ounces.
• 1 large white onion, rough chop
• 3 cloves garlic, throw in whole
• 1 can coconut milk, unsweetened
• 8 cups water
• 1 bunch leeks (approximately 3), white parts sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot
• Optional garnish: Italian parsley

Directions:

Peel the butternut squash and scoop out the seeds (save for roasting later). Slice the butternut squash into medium size cubes. There is no need for this to be perfect, as you will blend this all in the end. Leeks are dirty so make sure and wash them! Slice the white parts of the leeks and place in a bowl of water. Swish the leeks around to remove dirt and drain the water. Rough chop the onion. In your slow cooker, place all of the above ingredients and mix to combine some. Cook on high for 4 hours. Depending on the strength of your slow cooker and size, you might have to cook longer or shorter. Stir every once in a while. Once the butternut squash is fork-tender, use an immersion blender to blend ingredients until smooth. Depending on the amount of butternut squash you use, you might need less water or more water. I prefer my soup slightly thicker, so I used more squash and less water. It’s hard to mess this one up

Prefer to cook this on the stove top instead? Sure, it’s possible. Use a large soup pot or dutch oven and use the same amount of ingredients. You will need less cooking time for this preparation.

Enjoy!

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