Whats in The Oven - General

Before any of you ask or think, no I am NOT pregnant :) but I can understand why you may right away think that to be a possibility. Rest assured no baby in my oven :p

No the purpose of this post is all about baking. So todays a Sunday that involves my immediate family and family to our friends house. With that being said I was volunteered for the baking. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it but I’m gluten free, so knowing that their household in kind is also gluten free I was designated to whip up the desserts or “postres” (they are a Latin family so Spanish would be involved through the day and event). The postres were a gluten free chocolate chocolate chip brownie and my experimentally found and now used, blueberry apple cake. 

If you noticed some missing areas I am a baker that likes to quality control before providing :p no comments!

I don’t know about any of you but something so mundane to be is actually the most exciting and calming think I truly love to do. I honestly have no problem when someone volunteers me to bake because it’s soul soothing for me and feel down gives me pleasure to put into the task my touch for someone else to have. I’m no whiz in the kitchen for cooking but I absolutely love to bake! I like the experimenting of ingredients along with the sweetness of the elements used and finding out how to make something gluten free taste delicious. I’m sure many could say, “then do the same with cooking for entrees” but it just isn’t the same…my theory is this: I feel that in providing my creation of a dessert I’ve provided something important with a part of me because it’s the last course of the meal right. I’ll be the last thought the person or people have because of my dessert, and what better way or better thing to do than provide something sweet by not only your ingredients but the “love” you’ve baked into it…

Anyone else feel the same way? No maybe just me- haha might be a possibility. Well anyway! If you ask, I can share a version of the recipe but I’ll admit I go by “feeling” because I don’t always use the same servings for all the ingredients. The only ones that stay constant are the amount of gluten free flour, lactose free milk, and olive/vegetable/avocado oil used. 

Let me know if you have any recipes to share!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Cinnamon Bear - Restaurant Review

If you're craving something delicious, made fresh, and with fresh ingredients at anytime of the day then this is the place for you. Granted its in Virginia, but it's still a worthy pit stop whether you're passing through or in the town to stay-this is a place to frequent!

First off, the owner and chef has a refreshingly humble personality with the patience and conscientiousness of your diet needs. They don't necessarily advertise or publicize that they provide gluten free options, healthy substitutes, and have lactose free options for some of their menu items so if it's your first time trying this quaint little hole in the wall, then make sure to ask.

Second, I don't I can do him (the owner) justice on how conscientious he is of the gluten free items and diet. Lets just say that he has family affected by both the gluten intolerance and celiac disease...so if you're a little timid or cautious in trying their food this should help ease some of that concern, a concern that he's more attentive to than most other restaurants you'll frequent or go to (especially in the Virginia state). 

Third, they did once upon a time have a reward program at their kiosk, that you would enter in your telephone number and the account/profile would be found. Why do I say "once upon a time", well because it's been a while since I've been personally and NO for any of you nay sayers or negative people it's not because I don't like it or that I'm not standing behind me review of their quality of establishment and food. Just personal circumstances-let's leave it at that ;)

Lastly, I haven't even expanded on their actual menu items specifically but know that at this restaurant you don't want to leave without having tried one of their freshly in house made pastries/desserts. And yes for those of you who may be wanting to ask, they even have gluten free dessert options! 

I know I was always excited to try something new or even if I ate my "norm" selection; in case you're wondering, my favorite all time menu items were their gluten free lemon bar, muffins (both blueberry and chocolate chip), their breakfast wrap, their breakfast sandwich but as a wrap instead of a sandwich, tuna AND chicken salad, turkey avocado wrap, Italian chicken breast, with the last of my favs being their pear and gorgonzola salad!

My mouth has literally just watered as I'm typing and reminiscing on their menu items I would eat...as I've said before, don't just take my word for it, go take your palette on an adventure and try it out for yourself!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

J Petal - Restaurant Review

If you're traveling north and going through JMU university city (aka Harrisonburg, Virginia) then you need to put this on the stop for you!

(This is not my image but used after googling “J-Petal”. My pictures from being here are on the blog's instagram page "truthbetoldlifeblog".)

What seems to be a simple family owned restaurant with your typical rolled up ice cream flare that's taking America by storm everywhere, is definitely more than meets the eye! You see we've come to know the owners and their family, who is about 98% of the staff - well it was once upon a time they may have changed that recently but I'm not sure, but regardless that's not the focus of this post. As I was saying, with coming to know the owners well you get to see firsthand how they run their business as well as seeing the quality of what they put into not only their business but their products. Not only are they delicious but the options are unique! The options are not overbearing for someone who is indecisive and yet there is just enough options for someone who comes in craving one thing but contemplating another. Ok before I confuse you with what I'm trying to get at, let me break it down. 

This wonderful place started off with their marketing and go to being the rolled up ice cream, then they ventured into not only the delicious ice cream and toppings but the crepe side of deliciousness! So when cold season rears it's pretty chilly weather, this place has people covered with not only sweet crepes but a twist on seafood and even breakfast style and flavor crepes! Oh but they didn't stop there! By early spring of 2019 we noticed that they were reconfiguring their kitchen area towards the far back area of their entrance meanwhile they had added some delicious drinks to their menu. Granted if they served it with liquor it would've been even more of a delicious surprise, but thankfully their flavors and mixed drinks of flavors and fresh fruits didn't even need the additional boost of liquor. Their mixed drinks were of milkshakes and mixed teas then into some fizzed drinks, etc. All leading into the best thing that could happen to someone, especially someone who loves food as much as I do! They finished their in-house kitchen reconfiguration to surprise all with the poke bowls! I know it may seem that it's a lot for an establishment to do, to become such a versatile one stop shop for a variety of deliciousness, but that's exactly what they did and I was thrilled to see their success when it happened-I'm hoping it continues that way for them! 

The quality of their raw fishes and fresh ingredients never disappointed, their portions/serving sizes were perfect for whatever you're appetite, their lunch specials were becoming legend, AND to top if off inside the environment was so relaxed and chill that it fast becomes your go to spot everyday...from their comfy lounge like open area of couches with tables to the games they provided to those who stayed a while, and warm family that owned it. 

Believe me when I say I wish more of the these locations were this delicious and consistent on their deliciousness while also serving quality with spoonfuls of flavor!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman