Gaming To Escape

Like a lot of people, I have found myself playing online games more and more over the last few years. I find gaming to be a wonderful escape from the stress that sometimes comes with needing to live life gluten-free. It's also a great way to take a break from social media and just have some unapologetic fun. While I don't consider myself a superstar gamer by any means, I love to pass the time with a good online game.

If you like casual games that are free to play and don't require pestering friends to water your crops or send you gifts to level up, well I have a site for you! The website is Solitaire.org and it's full of a variety of games...not just Solitaire!

One of my go-to games to play is Battleships Armada. I've loved the game Battleship since I was a kid. In this version, you can choose between three levels and even adjust the sound. I really like it because it's not a long drawn-out version of the game. It's simple, to the point, and fun to play.

Another game I have a blast playing is Tetra Blocks, which also takes me back to my childhood. Am I dating myself yet? There's something about this game that just ropes me in - I could play it forever and I would not be bored. Like Battleship Armada, Tetra Blocks is very easy to play (depending on the level chosen of course) and a lot of fun.

I've been really into hidden object games as of late and the below game is just an example of the variety of this game type available on the site. Garden Secrets Hidden Objects is pretty fun. Especially if you enjoy being a sleuth and are patient. To be honest the hidden object games are right up my alley - I love searching for them and let me tell you it's not always as easy as it looks! It feels pretty rewarding to find all of the objects before the time runs out. There's even the option to click for clues if you're struggling. I try not to utilize that option though and I feel pretty darn proud of myself when I'm successful all on my own!

 

Aside from the fantastic variety of games (seriously, there's so much!) on Solitaire.org the music which plays along with the games is incredibly calm and relaxing. This is a big deal to me because let's be honest, if you're looking to wind down after a busy day or stressful situation buzzy carnival sounding music is not going to be helpful. The music on Solitair.org games is almost Zen-like and a love it!

 The website gets bonus points for not having those annoying pop-up ads all over the place AND for not having in-game ads that no doubt would take away from the chill experience.

Do YOU like to game? What are your favorites?

The Foodie Bag Review

I was gifted The Foodie Bag in exchange for an honest review. 

If you're a foodie who enjoys taking photos of food - whether it be creations of your own or something on the go then this is the kit for you! The Foodie Bag has everything you need to elevate your photo-taking game to the next level. Learn more about the brand behind the bag - the Paper Bag Company here.

So what's The Foodie Bag all about?

It's a big, lightweight, and limited edition,12oz cotton zip-up bag that has an internal zip pocket and mesh divider. The bag comes with a 5 in 1 pop-up reflector, an 8 postcard set with handy tips, and 4 photographic backgrounds.

The four backgrounds are the perfect size to flat lay dishes and props while adding a burst of life to the background. As my photos depict, The Foodie Bag is not just for food photography - the creative possibilities are endless!

This was my first time using any kind of photographic reflector or diffuser, so I've got some learning to do on my end, but I'd say it was a great first attempt! I'm excited to continue using The Foodie Bag and learn more from the tips on the included postcards.

The photos I've taken are from my phone, but you could use a professional camera if you have access as well.

I love how convenient The Foodie Bag is for pictures on the go and for easy cleanup and storage at home.

Pros & Cons of The Foodie Bag

I really appreciate how big and roomy the bag is. It's able to easily hold everything the kit comes with and more! I was able to fit my Canon Camera, and mini tripod in the bag comfortably. The straps on the bag are made well and sit nicely on your shoulder.

The backgrounds are made of durable paper, which can be wiped clean with ease. I would caution against anything that could leave a residue or ring mark though. The backgrounds do need to be rolled up and stored in the provided tube, which is a pro or con depending on your personal needs and point of view. I found this to be a non-issue since I wasn't taking photos away from home. However, it could be a frustration for on-the-go photo taking. Perhaps this is a challenge to tackle for a future The Foodie Bag.

The pop-up reflector is pretty handy and though I'm still learning how to utilize it properly, I love its portability! It twists and folds down super easily and fits like a charm into the supplied pouch, thus taking up very little room in The Foodie Bag itself. 

An added bonus is the included photo cards with photography tips on framing, lighting, and editing on the reverse side. These tips are courtesy of renowned phone photographer Matt Innwood. I plan on spending some time reading these cards thoroughly and implementing the advice with future photos.

Would I Recommend The Foodie Bag?

I would - It's a fantastic tool for anyone who loves taking flat lay style photos! You can purchase one for yourself (or as a gift for the photo-taking foodie in your life) over at The Paper Bag Company. 

#TheFoodieBag sells for £39.95 and is capable of being shipped overseas - Contact The Paper Bag Company for more information here. 

Give the Paper Bag Company a follow on Instagram

Cooking with Sue and Promise Gluten Free - Stuffed French Toast

Are you a French Toast fan? Below is a fantastic video of Sue Jennett, showing how to make Stuffed French Toast with Promise Gluten Free Brioche Bread.

Thanks to @CCACeliac for their effort in creating wonderful Celiac Awareness Month events. 

Review: Delicious Without Gluten

I was recently contacted by the folks at Delicious Without Gluten and asked if I would like to review some of their products. They were kind enough to send me a lovely care pack with a variety of their baked goods.

Some quick facts about Delicious Without Gluten

• Everything is made without gluten, dairy, peanuts and tree nuts
• They are certified by the Canadian Celiac Association, thus bearing the logo
• Products are Kosher
• They have expanded into the Foodservice industry, offering a variety of goods to cafeterias, hospitals, convention centers, and restaurants
• A Canadian company, based out of Quebec
• They offer custom orders 
• You can find their products throughout Ontario and Quebec
• Everything freezes and defrosts beautifully

So What Did I think?

Full disclosure: I had heard a lot about Delicious Without Gluten and was beyond excited to sample away. One of the first things that I noticed was how fresh everything smelled and tasted. You can really tell that that a lot of thought has been put into creating this product line. 

I'm happy to report that the bread items can be enjoyed without the use of a toaster. That's right, they were light, airy and didn't fall apart. Awards should be given out for gluten-free bread that can be eaten sans toaster. But, if you do enjoy your bread products toasted, they fair well in the toaster as well. Both the bread and paninis make fantastic sandwiches. 

Side note: The Challah Rolls make for some excellent french toast.

 Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

I have a love-hate relationship with banana bread so I went into this unsure of my expectations. What did I think? Well, the Banana Chocolate Chip Cake was pretty wonderful! It had just the right amount of chocolate chips to provide a sweet surprise, but not take away from all that yummy banana. I enjoyed it both with and without a light spread of margarine. Both options are extremely enjoyable.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

 

Look at all of those chocolate chips! Seriously, these muffins were AMAZING. They're fluffy, full of chocolate chips and not at all dry. It's wonderful to be able to eat a gluten-free muffin that doesn't disintegrate into a crumbly mess. These are top of the line in my opinion. 

I usually try to find both positives and things which can be improved upon when I do a review, but I honestly loved everything I sampled. The only downside I can think of is that Delicious Without Gluten is not widely available on store shelves across the country. To that I say, if you enjoy their products, contact your local grocery stores and ask them to carry DWG products. 

You can find out where to buy Delicious Without Gluten products by searching their store locator.

Keep up with Delicious Without Gluten on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

Review: Red Apple Lipstick

I received free product for review purposes. Opinions are entirely my own.

As someone who eats gluten-free due to Celiac disease, it's important that my cosmetics are free from gluten as well. Let's be honest, if it's on your face then it's easily ingested. It can be overwhelming to read cosmetic labels all the while trying to decipher hidden gluten sources. Often the ingredients are listed in the worlds smallest fonts, making reading those scientific terms all the more difficult.

Are there any Gluten-Free Makeup Brands?

Enter Red Apple Lipstick. They take serious pride in using only the finest, highest quality ingredients to create their products. On top of being certified Gluten-Free, Red Apple ingredients are Vegan, Soy Free, Paraben-Free, Lead-Free and Vitamin E Enriched. All products are created in small batches to ensure freshness.

Exfoliate Stick and Magic Momint Lipgloss

I tried out a lipgloss and an exfoliate stick.

This was my first experience with an Exfoliate Stick so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It comes in an elegant lipstick tube and has coarse-grained bits all throughout the product. The coarse grainy bits are what scrub the dry patches from your lips. Using it is quite simple and not messy at all. Just apply like you would lipstick and then wipe off with a small cloth or some water. The creamy texture is really enjoyable and I adore the cooling mint flavor - so refreshing! As someone who regularly endures chapped lips, the Exfoliate Stick has earned a fan in me! 

Cost: $17.00

Next up, I tried the Mint 2 Be lipgloss - Magic Momint

I tend not to wear lipgloss often as I find it to generally be a thick goopy mess that ends up drying out my lips. So no fun there. On a happy note, Red Apple Lipstick has exceeded my expectations with their lipgloss formulation. Magic Momint feels airy and light when applied. It has a very satiny feel and a luscious spearmint aroma that is a pure winner. The pigment is so darn gorgeous! It goes on slightly sheer and allows for easy to control intensity by applying a lot or just a little. A big highlight is that the colour lasts for a long time and feels silky and conditioning on the lips.

Cost: $18.50

For more information on Red Apple Lipstick, check out the following social media links:

Red Apple Lipstick Facebook Page

Red Apple Lipstick Twitter

Red Apple Lipstick Pinterest

Red Apple Lipstick Instagram