This past weekend I was honored to be one of the official bloggers for a second year in a row at the Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo in Phoenix. Being in a community of people who celebrate healthy living, gluten-free and dairy-free eating and who just enjoy the companies of others who do, I always get freshly inspired to make new recipes, to inspire others myself and to write and connect with you all even when my schedule is crazy.
I decided this year to do something a little different. Instead of a walk through play-by-play, that already played out on my social media, I wanted to highlight my Top 5 Favorite Vendors of the weekend. A few old, that I've been a fan of along my gluten-free journey, and a few new, who I was pleasantly surprised by. Below my review on each... (note that none of this post is endorsed, in any way, by any of these companies. This is purely my personal opinion.) My Top 5 Favorite VendorsAnd #1 Goes To....Beanfield's offers delicious gluten-free, corn-free, bean and rice based chips in a variety of flavors. The sea salt flavor is my favorite and is delicious by itself or with your favorite salsa. I personally pair them with fresh avocado and Trader Joe's Peach Salsa. Mompops was new to me! And although their products are not yet available on the West Coast (bummer!) they should be coming here soon and offer 100% fruit pops with just 2-3 ingredients per bar. They were serving up a mango flavor and a coffee variety at the show and the company reps were some of the most charming and friendly people at the entire show! Wildtree offers gluten free bread (YUMMY, gluten free bread) that is also YEAST free. Enough said. Yummy. Yeast Free. Buy some now. Neal's Yard was promoting various products including teas, but their beauty products stuck out to me. All created with essential oils their deodorant and face masks caught my eye and may be popping up on my beauty reviews soon. Jovial Pasta. I've never eaten a pasta that tastes LESS gluten-free than this one. In a lot of brown-rice pastas you get that heavier texture and that after taste. Gluten-free foodies, you know what I mean. And rarely do I find a pasta with such fresh, pure taste. They offer a variety, from lasagna noodles to penne, spaghetti and egg noodles (my absolute FAVORITE), so you can mix it up. When I'm tolerating grains well, this is one of my top go to dinner party pasta. Overall, an amazing show again this year! There were so many more people this year, and so many amazing food, beauty and home vendors. Make sure to check it out if and when it comes to a city near you. Did I mention ours was within walking distance to an H&M? So I just had to... Until next time my lovelies...
1 Comment
2/1/2015 11:14:04 am
I went to GFAF this year for the first time. I was amazed at all of the wonderful foods available. My husband is gluten free and my daughter has multiple food allergies. I'm glad that I went.. One of my favorites was Vivian's Live Again. Also, that is my daughter with you in your picture.
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Welcome! My name is Mandi & I hope you stay in this happy little space a while. I'm a Christian, a wife to my Mr. Charming, mama to baby Greyson, healthy food-lover, traveler, professional journalist and Personal Nutritionist who hopes to inspire others with my story...
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October 2017
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