Float On Bakeshop & Cafe

Float On Bakeshop & Cafe has just opened up their charming brick & mortar in the up & coming Fraserhood area. This is one of Vancouver's newest gluten free bakeshops. In the beginning you could find Shael's goodies only at small markets. I discovered her wonderful baked goods & delicious coffee fairly recently, at the 'Make It' faire and I'm so happy I did. Visiting the shop for the first time today I can tell you first hand that this husband & wife team have made something very special. The vintage tables, the front bar, the kiddies area in the back, the art. All these features plus high quality goods. Coffee is from Elysian, I had a cappuccino and I put nothing else in it. Very smooth cup. Also pretty exciting was the Gfree doughnut with chocolate glaze. YES! -and sprinkles 'cause, why not? Very tasty and I'm sure there will be a repeat performance.
Best wishes for a prosperous business you two --er four! Hip-hip-huzzah from @beandar and see ya soon.
I must've been pretty excited for my goodies because I see no photos of the baked goods. How funny! Why not check out some pix and another short review here: glutenfreeauthority

Recent article; "Gluten sensitivity may not really exist" is detrimental to our health.

So we're over calling it a "fad diet" that's SO VERY GOOD. But recent press about #glutenIntolerance & #Celiac isn't doing us any favours. Telling people that "gluten sensitivity may not really exist" just isn't helpful at all to people who are suffering from various, undiagnosed food intolerance. It's not helpful in any way to point out various pharmaceutical or food producer sponsored lab studies that confirm (pretty much anything) that helps them sell their product or drug. This is bullshit to us. We have itchy rashes on our body, bloating, dizziness, headaches, mood swings, brain fog and 170+ other symptoms that we can monitor ourselves daily. We don't need another lab study telling us that we should eat something that we know damn well we should avoid. We each do our own studies, every day of our lives. All of our bodies are different and each person has to get to know what's best for them and be disciplined enough to stick with it.

Public education is paramount to us. Many people hear buzz words like 'gluten free diet' and often tune out important information. When I ask a food manufacturer if their product is gluten free, I don't want them to think of some b.s. study they came across in some woman's magazine about how the gluten free diet is bogus. I don't need anyone rolling their eyes in judgement & dismissal or even worse, make some shit up that encourages me to buy or eat their product, I want the truth! Is it gluten free and is it dairy free? Pretty simple. If you are selling something, you should bloody-well learn what's in it! I'd like to avoid these (and SO many other, rather unsavory symptoms) I'd like to remain healthy. Is that okay with you?
*PS the latest article making the circuit was brought to public attention by comedian Jimmy Kimmel;
"Gluten Sensitivity May Not Really Exist"
Guess what? It's funded by....
A BREAD COMPANY.

-Moving on.

Happy New Year 2014! Gluten Free Expo is coming to Vancouver

Hello there wheatless wonders and a Happy New Year 2014 to you all! I know, it's been ages since my last post! Lately I read (somewhere) that Vancouver is one of the top cities to live in if you have to be gluten free. And to think that I'm still hard pressed when someone asks me where to go for a meal. There are still only a few establishments on my radar like Wallflower Modern Diner where we can bliss out on a burger and fries with out having to worry about cross contamination. There are a few vegetarian, gluten free places as well. Personally I still enjoy eating meat. However, I can't digest ANY dairy. I'm starting to realize what a huge downer this is when I'm out at a regular establishment and the gluten free items they have on offer have dairy in them.

We seem to have a plethora of gluten free bakeries, which is wonderful (especially if you are in a position to shed some of those heavy dollars) In my opinion Gluten Free Epicurean is still numero uno. East Village Bakery is wonderful if you can digest dairy, if not the choices become even more limited. But the larger issue is still the search for a meal, not necessarily something sweet.

At the end of this month something exciting is happening. The event Gluten Free Expo is coming to Vancouver *PNE Forum. The number of attendees has been off the Richter scale for each consecutive event. This fact alone is very telling if you're interested in knowing about the growing number of Canadians who are affected with gluten intolerance issues. At the event, vendors offer samples of their products.

I'll be there and happily reporting back to you on Twitter from @beandar so keep in touch!