Best Thursday Blog Post

Best Content that I posted on Thursdays in 2022

In 2022, the Thursday Blog posts were around five different topics: Classic Mac, LaunchBar, Framingham, Throw Back Video Thursday, and Gluten Free. Here are my Eight favorite Blog posts:

• Connect MacOS 9 to MacOS 10 - How to get System 9.1 connected with your 2020 iMac
• ADC vs DVI Monitor Ports - How to tell the difference in ADC vs DVI
• The Blacksmith Minuteman Statue - Statue to Commemorate the Revolutionary War
• Cushing Memorial Park - Wonderful Family Park in Framingham
• Gluten Free Cart At Fenway Park - New Cart for the 2022 Season
• Uncle Chungs - Best Gluten Free Chinese Food in Metrowest
• Taco Bell - Supreme Taco is Gluten Free
• Google Chrome URL - Easily create hyperlinks from the current page

Hidden Gluten

Where Gluten Can Be Found

There are many common foods that may contain gluten but may not be obvious sources of gluten to some people. Here are a few examples:

Soy sauce: Many types of soy sauce contain wheat, which is a source of gluten. However, there are also gluten-free options available.

Soups: Some soups may contain ingredients such as wheat flour or barley, which are sources of gluten.

Salad dressings: Some salad dressings may contain wheat-based ingredients, such as wheat germ or wheat protein.

Processed meats: Some processed meats, such as deli meats and sausages, may contain gluten as a binding agent.

Frozen vegetables: Some frozen vegetables may be coated in a sauce or seasoning that contains gluten.

Imitation seafood: Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, may be made with wheat protein as a binding agent.

Beer: Most beers are made with barley, which is a source of gluten. However, there are now many gluten-free options available.

It's important to carefully read labels and ingredient lists to determine if a food contains gluten. If you are following a gluten-free diet, it's also a good idea to check with the manufacturer or restaurant to verify that the food is indeed gluten-free.

The Holy Donut

Great Gluten Free Donuts in Maine

The Holy Donut is a popular bakery in Portland, Maine that offers a variety of gluten-free donuts. Some of their gluten-free flavors include chocolate, blueberry, and maple. They also offer vegan and grain-free options. It's always a good idea to call ahead and verify that they have gluten-free donuts available before visiting, as their offerings may vary depending on the day and time.

These were the options when we visit the Holy Donut back in March of 2022. We arrived pretty early in the morning so we had a great selection to choose from. We got a dozen donuts so we would have them for our weekend trip in Maine.

Gluten Free Donut Variety

This is generally the gluten-free donut choices that you have:

• Gluten Free Chai
• Gluten Free Vanilla Glazed
• Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Sea Salt
• Gluten Free Chocolate Coconut
• Gluten Free Old Fashioned
• Gluten Free Triple C
• Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar
• Gluten Free Fresh Lemon

There are three locations:

• Portland, Maine - Commercial St.
• Portland, Maine - Park Ave
• Scarborough, Maine

Our Thoughts

We loved the donuts. They went really quick! My daughter loved the variety and taste. She is excited to go back to Maine and get some donuts.

Dunkin Donuts Food

Gluten Free Food Options

There are a lot of people in New England who love Dunkin Donuts. Sometimes you will see people in downtown Boston walking to their offices with an iced coffee in their hands on the coldest days.

Recently, my daughter was able to get some food as part of her Dunkin refresher. She can ask for Egg Bits, Hash Browns, and Snackn Bacon, all of which are completely safe for her to consume.

Although she doesn't have these a lot, it's nice to know that she can grab a quick bite to eat if we are in a hurry between activities, and it's nice to know that she can get something to eat while she's waiting for the next activity.

Arturo's Ristorante

This Westborough, MA. restaurant has fresh gluten free pasta

If you're looking for a delicious Italian dining experience, look no further than Arturo's Ristorante in Westborough, MA. This family-owned and operated restaurant serves up traditional favorites like homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood dishes. The warm and inviting atmosphere is perfect for a date night or special occasion. And be sure to save room for dessert – the tiramisu is simply irresistible!

Three Things We Learned

Despite the fact that they don't have a dedicated gluten-free menu, we were able to ask the host if something could be made gluten-free by substituting a different ingredient. The waiter was able to verify that the Alfredo in the Alfredo Penne Chicken and Broccoli is gluten-free. He did this via a wireless microphone to the kitchen - very cool.

As for the gluten-free pasta, it is freshly made pasta, not some kind of boxed pasta. My daughter loved it and enjoyed the leftovers a few days later.

As you wait for your food to come to the table, they will serve you bread. They do have gluten-free bread on the menu, however, it is not free. The waiter did not inform me about that in advance, so I would have still ordered it, but I was surprised to find a $3.99 charge on my bill.

Great Food!

We all enjoyed the food, and we look forward to coming back soon. However, the prices were a bit high from our point of view, so we wouldn't be eating here on a regular basis.

Gluten Free School Lunch

Sample school lunch

Here's a sample of what my daughter brings for lunch at school:

This is a typical lunch that my daughter would get. Some hot dish with some vegetables on the side.

We pack the vegetables in the COCOBELA Bento Box,900 Ml Lunch Box Containers. They work out great but the locking sides are falling off and they don't hold the container as tight as they use to. We got the container at the end of the school year back in May.

Corner Store in Holliston

Great Gluten Free Pizza

In Holliston, there is a delicious takeout restaurant known as the Corner Market where you can get many varieties of food. You can get Pizza & Calzone, Panini & Sandwiches, Tacos & Burritos, Salads & Wings, etc.

We recently found out that they offer gluten-free pizza, so we decided to visit them and find out what they are like.

Customize Gluten-Free Pizza - My daughter's latest topping obsession

Three Things We Learned

In Toast TakeOut, they have a gluten-free crust option that can be selected when ordering through their website. Although the gluten-free crust is not listed on their website, you can select it when ordering via Toast TakeOut. It might be a good idea to go into the restaurant and ask if it's possible for it to be gluten-free if you are ordering a speciality pizza.

I ordered this pizza for my daughter and she thought it was really good. She liked how it was almost well done and how crispy the crust was.

This restaurant appears to be busier during the lunch hour than during dinner time, which is probably a good thing as we are likely only going to visit in the early evening. The place is nice to visit as they do have various snack items available for you to try.

We will Be Back!

As the Corner Market is more than 5 miles from our house, I don't think we will go out of our way to go there to enjoy the pizza. While the pizza is delicious - I don't think we will go out of our way to enjoy it.

We are fortunate enough to have my daughter take tumbling classes at the nearby Shen's Gymnastics Academy. Therefore, every now and then, we can pick up dinner for her on our way home from class. 

Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant

Gluten Free Hibachi

In March, we visited Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant for the first time in a while. This was the first time we actually visited the restaurant with my daughter as she was diagnosed with Celiac a few years ago.

A large part of the reason people come to Samba Steak and Sushi Restaurant is for the excellent sushi selection and the fact that it is cooked right in front of your eyes. The whole point of visiting this restaurant is to be entertained and to enjoy a wonderful meal.

Four Things We Learned Eating at Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant

As a rule, if you are going to eat gluten-free, it is best that everyone around the grill eat gluten-free as well. They can separate the non-gluten-free items, but to be on the safe side, they suggest that everyone eats gluten-free.

We were told that they did not have a gluten-free menu at the time, so we talked to the server about whether they would be able to prepare the dish in a gluten-free fashion.

There is a gluten-free sauce available for the rice at Samba - you will have to ask for it.

The meal was delicious, the service was great, and we all had a good time. It's a little pricey to dine here - as most Hibachi places are - but we will certainly return. It's a great place to celebrate the holidays!

Fire Dough Kitchen

Great Wood-Fired Gluten Free Pizza

Looking for a delicious and gluten-free pizza option in Framingham? Look no further than Fire Dough Kitchen! This local spot specializes in wood-fired pizzas made with gluten-free dough, so you can enjoy all your favorite toppings without any of the guilt. Whether you're celiac or just trying to eat a little healthier, Fire Dough Kitchen is the perfect place to satisfy your pizza craving.

Fire Dough Kitchen is located at 624 Waverly Street in Framingham. They are in the same space that was recently occupied by "Wings over Framingham."

Four things that I've learned about fire dough pizza.

We really like their gluten-free pizza. You can make it any way you like, and they will carefully place it in the wood-fire oven to prevent cross-contamination.

There are gluten-free wings at Fire Dough Kitchen as well as gluten-free pizza. I was not sure if the boneless wings were gluten-free. They didn't really know and just said 'yes' without understanding my allergy. I suggest ordering the regular wings.

The restaurant has seating, but most orders are takeout. Even if you order in-house you need to ask for plates and utensils when the order is ready.

They have a loyalty program where you can earn points for every $1 you spend - with lunch earning double points. When you reach 50 points you can save $5 on any order.

We'll be Back!

Fire Dough Kitchen was a great place to eat and will certainly be returning! We were very impressed with the wood-fired pizzas, and the location was ideal. We can't wait to go back!

Gluten Free Halloween Candy

Top 5 Favorite Halloween Candy

This is our list of the top gluten-free Halloween candy picks for the year 2022, which are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. My daughter, who suffers from celiac disease, is always looking forward to treating herself to these yummy sweets on Halloween.

• Hershey's Chocolate - Hershey's chocolate is my daughter's favorite candy, so it's no surprise that this is what she searches for the most. If she wants a simple chocolate treat, this is what she wants..
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - This is the #1 candy that most children are looking for.
• Sour Patch Kids - She likes to snack these in the car on road trips.
• Jelly Beans - Every year, a neighbor would give her one of these, and she is very happy to receive it..
• Mike & Ike - She is known to buy a box or two of these during dance competitions.

There is an interesting side note: she does not like Snickers. She told me that it is too sweet and there is a lot of caramel in Snickers.

Teal Pumpkin

Be sure not to forget the Teal Pumpkin this Halloween! The Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to ensure that everyone can enjoy Halloween, regardless of food allergies. You can let trick-or-treaters know you have non-food treats available by placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep. So if you're looking for something to do this Halloween, consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project!

Related Posts

Here are some of the past blog posts we have written about Halloween candy:

• 2021 Halloween Candy
• 2019 Halloween Candy
• Halloween Candy 2017
• Halloween Candy