“I dream of a day when I can go someplace and not have to wait to get my food photographed before I can eat it.”
~Ken Kelley, husband & fellow food adventurer
Gluten-Free, Veggie Food Adventures
~Ken Kelley, husband & fellow food adventurer
Since 1996, I’ve been sick. Always sick with something. I didn’t even know what gluten sensitive meant until exactly 20 years later. I was diagnosed with everything from fibromyalgia, chronic fatique, EBV, Hashimoto’s, interstacial cystitis, endometriosis, Reynaud’s Phenomenon, veinous insufficiency, persistent anxiety disorder, costocondritis, pre-diabetic and a slew of other ailments meant to keep me medicated and stuck in bed. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Post Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Dysautonomia, and Mast Cell Activation added to the list in 2020. In the beginning, I even had doctors who couldn’t understand what was going on tell me it’s in my head. After years of frustration, turning into that horrible friend that cancelled at the last minute, I vowed I would do what the doctors could not. I did the Google thing. And I said screw this. I am way too busy with living – to allow any diagnosis to get the better of me.
The moment I discovered what gluten sensitivity was – was the turning point in my life. I have never been formally diagnosed with Celiac. I just know my own experience. Taking wheat, rye, and barley out of my diet was the hardest thing in the world to do, (I LOVE BREAD & PASTA!) but it changed my life. No longer did I have random inflammation, excruiating pain, and stomach upset. I started feeling better. The same day I stopped gluten – I stopped coffee. Cold-turkey. There’s a chemical in coffee that has the same properties as the thyroid. When you have Hashi’s where your body attacks your thyroid, coffee just compounds the issue. I discovered Teeccino Dandelion Root Herbal Coffee – completely gluten-free! It’s not exactly coffee, but after years of living this lifestyle, I don’t remember what it tastes like anyway.
A few months later, after years of you sneezing and me being ill for the next 30 days, I discovered an incredible drink that I modified. Besides occasional migraines and costocondritis flare-ups, I haven’t been sick in over a year…. like this is from someone who lives for theatre and theatre peeps always share germs back and forth.
I make this weird concoction of teas and it has prevented countless flu, viruses and strep throat.
I use an organic oregano tea bag, elderberry tea bag, echinacea tea bag, lemon ginger tea bag, spoonful of fermented turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon pepper to activate tumeric properties (or tumeric ginger tea), spoonful of coconut oil, packet of MonkFruit sugar or organic honey, and almond milk creamer. Mix and drink. It will knock whatever ails you out of you.
Buddha Tea: Oregano Tea
Buddha Tea: Elderberry Tea
Buddha Tea: Turmeric Ginger
So a year into my gluten-free foray, on July 3, 2017, my husband, Ken and I watched “What The Health” documentary and when it ended, we made a major decision. He took all the dairy, eggs, chicken, sandwich meat and the rack of ribs marinating in the fridge for the grill the next day and we tossed into the garbage, hesitantly starting our journey into a vegan lifestyle. If you knew my husband, you’d understand what a huge deal this was, how much the documentary impacted him. At one point, we were going to open a BBQ restaurant because he was known for his mouth-watering ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket. Although many say that the documentary is all propoganda BS, it kick started us into a healthier lifestyle. So whether it is or isn’t, I don’t care. Understand, we are not one of those vegans who will spat at you for eating meat. Though we love animals, we chose this lifestyle for health reasons. (But yeah, I did get disgusted about what is found in milk. :P) Ken was all in, so I convinced him to also go gluten-free and he has for me.
Inspired by said theatre friends, we will share our favorite gluten-free and vegan restaurants, recipes and products that help with a gluten-free, dairy-free, and veggie lifestyle – #IloveAmazon. Please feel free to suggest new restaurants to visit in Tampa Bay and new gluten-free and vegan products to try.
By the end of our first year, my energy had returned and Ken went from 3XL to 2XL and 50 to 44, his blood sugar reduced from upper 300 to 400 to mid 100s. Proof that taking better care of yourself, eating whole foods and occasional faux meats and cheeses can make a tremendous difference. So we’ll do us and you do you. A few years have passed, and we are still doing a gluten-free, dairy-free, and predominantly meat-free, and mainly veggie diet. My specialist ironically recommended this diet plus organic to combat all my newly diagnosed issues, so I was, for once, ahead of the game. Now I just have to find a gym with a pool.
Deb
DK Veggie Kitchen
PS: If you want amazing gluten-free, and vegan cookies, my mom has started a cookie company and the cookies are addicting. Straight from Grandma’s Kitchen
Violife ANYTHING
Way Fair Cheddar, Blue Cheese
Miyoka ANYTHING
Daiya Cheddar slices
Daiya Swiss slices
Daiya Cheddar shreds
Daiya Mozzarella shreds
Daiya Pepperjack shreds
Kite Hill plain and herb cream cheese
Almond Breeze
So Delicious
Ripple
Aldi Brand
Wal-Mart Brand
Oatly
Kite Hill regular and Greek
Earth Balance Organic Soy Free
NadaMoo! Cookies and Cream
Almond Dream Toffee Almond Fudge
So Delicious Turtle Trails
Cado Avocado Ice Cream Chocolate
Cado Avocado Ice Cream Lemon
Beyond Meat Beyond Burger
Beyond Meat Hot Italian Sausage
Beyond Meat Sweet Italian Sausage
Beyond Meat Brats Sausage
Gardein Chick’n Scallopini
Gardein Chick’n Strips
Gardein Beefless Crumbles
Dixie Diner’s Club Beef (Not!) Strips
Dixie Diner’s Club Tangy Style Meatloaf (Not!)
Dixie Diner’s Club – Ham (Not!)
Namaste Foods Egg Replacer
Sammy’s Bakery GF/Vegan Bread, Sourdough Bagels, Sub rolls
Ronzoni Gluten Free (4 grain blend) pasta
Sensible Portions Sea Salt Veggie Chips
Daiya Cheezecake
Louisville Vegan Jerky
Earth Balance Vegan Aged White Cheddar Puffs
Berry Green Superfood Powder with Organic Greens & Organic Fruits, Enzymes, Probiotics, Antioxidants, Vitamins, Minerals – Alkalize & Detox
Superfood Reds by Parker Naturals Organic Antioxidant Powder: Super Food Energy Mix With SuperFruits and SuperGreens
All meals pictured were eaten by Ken and I, and photographed by me. We will only list restaurants and meals we have personally enjoyed.
Jasmine Thai
13248 Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Gluten-free and vegan options are indicated on the menu.
Thai Legacy Restaurant
120 N Parsons Ave, Brandon, FL 33510
Several gluten-free and vegan options. Family-owned and operated. One of the best Thai restaurants in Tampa Bay.
Simply Pho & Grill
13149 N Dale Mabry Hwy F, Tampa, FL 33618
Minimal gluten-free and vegan options, but delicious.
Trang Viet Cuisine
230 E Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613
Gluten-free vegan options galore! Delicious and extremely affordable.
Seasons 52
204 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Very minimal gluten-free and vegan options, but the veggie plate is amazing. Discovered grilled kohlrabi for the first time – like cabbage and an apple had a baby.
The Cider Press Cafe
601 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
www.ciderpresscafe.com
All vegan, but not necessarily gluten-free. I prefer going when it’s not the brunch menu because there are more options to choose from. My first time having the Beyond Meat Beyond Burger… and it was beyond expectations and fueled current addiction!
Love Food Central
2057 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Gluten-free and vegan options are many!
Sage Biscuit Cafe
6656 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34210
Not many choices, but gluten-free and vegan options are indicated on the menu.
Lovin Hut
1905 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
All vegan, but not necessarily gluten-free. Still a lot of choices and a delicious inexpensive monthly buffet.
Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant
6575 Park Blvd N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Gluten-free and vegan options are indicated on the menu.
Leafy Greens
1626 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
All vegan, but not necessarily gluten-free. Many incredible raw choices.
Gourmet Pizza Company
610 S Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33609
Delicious thin gluten-free pizza with loads of veggie toppings and vegan cheese!
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant
3636 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
You must taste this incredible Ethiopian food. It looks a little odd, but the taste is outstanding.
Vegan International Co. Kitchen & Market
13751 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa,FL 33613
Vegan Caribbean/Spanish food with some gluten-free options.
Ray’s Vegan Soul
169 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Oh my God, gluten-free vegan Southern cooking at its finest. The mac and cheese is my absolute favorite!
Casa Tina’s
369 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698
Minimal gluten-free and vegan options.
Xtreme Tacos
6809 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Minimal gluten-free and vegan options, but does offer delicious Portabello mushroom taco.
Bay Leaves Indian Cuisine
4023 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Gluten-free and vegan options indicated on menu.
Udipi Cafe Pure Vegetarian Cuisine
14422 Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Spicy, but several options.
Origami Sushi
6507 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33634
A few veggie sushi options and a veggie burrito that’s amazing!
Kuchi Sushi & Hibachi
9206 Anderson Rd, Tampa, FL 33634
Lots of veggie sushi options like the amazing Sweet potato sushi.
Mouna’s Delicacies – The Mediterranean Chickpea
3217 S MacDill Ave suite c, Tampa, FL 33629
Tons of delicious vegan and gluten free options on the menu.
Fresh Bites
11665 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33626
Gluten-free and vegan options indicated on menu.
HaleLife Bakery
3351 Tech Dr, Clearwater, FL 33762
Hands down, the best gluten-free and vegan bakery in town! Follow them on Facebook as they do monthly tasting events of their products and others that are vegan and gluten-free.
Oh My Donuts!
7902 Land O Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
Gluten-free and vegan option for mini-donuts!
1101 S Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida 33607
Three words: vanilla bean charcoal. You will never look at vegan ice cream the same again.
I’m completely blessed that Ken likes to cook, so I find the recipes and he works his magic. Sometimes we work together in the kitchen, but for the most part, that is his domain. I get the benefit of enjoying the many innovative end products.
Whether you need an app that helps you find a local restaurant that can accomodate dietary restrictions, a recipe that meets your specific needs, or you are trying to determine if a particular product in the grocery store is gluten-free, these apps will help you navigate this lifestyle.
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