the Gluten Free Author's Guide to Suitcase Snacks (also known as essentials) #GlutenFreeAuthor

Hi all, or the three people and a kitten who are reading this. I'm back and chatting.

This time about snacks in your suitcase. Both carry on and hold luggage I guess.

(pic: pinterest)

I've been lucky enough to travel quite a bit over the last few years and discovered what I need, gluten free wise in different places.

(Trader Joe's, California)

Originally it was half of the suitcase full of food. You can imagine what it was like when both myself and my daughter went away. Two lots of everything. Poor lovely hubby discovered that his suitcase was once again half full of my clothes. (Originally it had been because I took at least a book a day to read and they took up a lot of space. Now it's a couple of paperbacks and my kindle.)

Over the years gluten free food is getting ever more available. Long haul flights you can opt for a gluten free meal that nowadays isn't just a rice cake, melon, melon, half a grape and melon, and overcooked chicken. Okay it is still mainly overcooked chicken and melon but you get a roll most of the time now. 

However short haul... Yes well, that's when hand luggage goodies are needed.

I invested in a small cool bag, that takes a sandwich, cookie, or chocolate and fruit. It might not be haute cuisine but it's better than watching everyone else tucking into whatever the airline has to sell you (very few free snacks these days)

I always have a couple of these bars handy.  (Tesco)

They taste good and are filling. (and darn it my gluten eating lovely hubby likes them as well. The problem is I can only find one shop in a 30 mile radius that sells them.

Mind you I was overjoyed when I heard more gluten free sarnies could be had airside at some outlets. (As long as you've taken out a second mortgage ;) )

However this is about what I call my suitcase essentials. The things I'm not sure about getting abroad so shove them inside. (Usually Nairn's fruit and oat bars, or Nobbly bars) As I said earlier more food is available elsewhere nowadays. I don't have to worry about things like bread or biscuits, unless I'm in a hotel and I'm not sure they do gluten free bread. Most seem to these days, but I have had one run out sad face, and one assure me all their bread was gluten free. When I asked if they knew what I meant I was told 'No but I'm sure we don't have it!!!' That was a few years ago, and nowadays it seems to be, 'no, no call for it', 'no sorry', or 'well of course'. I prefer the latter!

I do however always take a toasting bag or two with me. (Two since the day the maid threw one out thinking it was rubbish.) With the bag I have a good chance of getting toast with my breakfast. It also gets a lot of comments whenever I use it in a hotel.

So, apart from enough food for the first day or so, because, let's face it the last thing you want to do when you arrive anywhere is go food shopping because you have nothing to eat, my suitcase is now full of clothes.

So why, the lovely hubby has just asked, do I still half fill his?

Happy holidays,

love Raven xx

The Gluten-Free Author's guide to goodies-or not and, it's definitely GOOD, gorgeous goodies at OdeTrueFood

This is a long time overdue, but here we go.

Hell everyone and welcome to my latest gluten free author chat. Which I am honest enough to say is all about a company with fabulous ethics and sustainability, as well as amazing g-f goodies. 

I've just returned from Shaldon in glorious Devon, in an area where now I think of it, quite a few of my books are set, both contemporary and historical. 

Not only do I enjoy going there for the scenery, inspiration and relaxation, I love the food. 

Over the years, Ode True Food has become a firm favourite, which just gets better and better. 



Ode's food is amazing. This year there have two places on the go, Cafe Ode 'up' the Ness with this beautiful view that my camera can't do justice to. 

They have g-f home made oat bread for sarnies and on this visit, blondies (think white chocolate brownies with attitude) 

I should have taken photos of the food, but my bacon, leaves and tomato jam on that home made oat bread was so appetising, I forgot, until I'd eaten three quarters of it.

And the blondie...ditto. Next time, I promise I will try to remember.

 Everything that can be recycled is recycled, and how great is that?

They also have Ode at Coast View, which is pizza with pizzaz, and sadly also with gluten. 😞 That's because they have a wood fired pizza oven and as Tim, the great owner says, cross-contamination would be a problem. 

 (However I was nice, and didn't moan when my husband devoured his with appreciation)

But, hey we g-f-ers don't miss out. There are lots of gorgeous salads...mackerel, yum... and steak and other foods that can be gluten free. Oh and some of the best rosemary chips ever. 

And Tim makes a mean scone...

(Tim and the lovely Lottie >>>>>>>>)

I'll be honest, I missed my tasting menu of years gone by, but these two places do have better views. 

I'm putting in an order for next year. more scones please.

Before I go, I promised to put this pic up...

Happy eating,

love Raven xx

(I just had to mention Ode in my latest book, New Beginnings by Bryony Bennet written as Katy Lilley. Coincidentally, my heroine is coeliac...)

The Gluten Free Author's Guide to goodies—or not—in Barbados

Long time no post, I know. Did you wonder where I was?

Finishing a book by my softer, sweeter side, Katy Lilley (New Beginnings for Bryony Bennett, out this week on 24th).

And on holiday. 

Which means, today I'm chatting about Barbados where I've just been lucky enough to spend several gorgeous weeks. 

It was hard to leave, I tell you. It's such a friendly island, and you soon feel part of life there.

The company, sun, sand, sea, and scenery were perfect. The villas exactly what we wanted, and we came home relaxed and knowing we'd had a fantastic time.

And the food....

Well what can I say?

Barbados does gluten free food in general very well. 

You might need, as they say,  a second mortgage for some of it, it's not cheap, but it's there. (frozen g-f pizza bas around £10 for instance) Plus a lot of it isn't quite what we're used to in the UK, but that's all part of the fun of discovering new places and new foods. 

The main thing it is easily available. Both in the supermarkets and restaurants.

I found all the basics in the main supermarkets across the island, much more than on previous visits. The main stores—Massy—sell a lot of Waitrose stuff. It feels a bit surreal drinking Waitrose wine in Barbados. (At twice the price of home *wink* 

They also have a dedicated g-f shelf. Perfect.

As for eating out?

As we split our time between Holetown and Hastings, my main meals out were around those places, but I got fantastic fish as you would expect, at The Fish Pot, at Little Good Harbour. That restaurant never fails.

Great food great views and great company.



We also went to Little Arches at Enterprise Beach, where they use as many local ingredients as possible, and I had g-f gluten free fish and chips. Proper fish and chips. 

The Art Cafe in Hastings do gluten free wraps but you have to get there early, because they sell out fast. However it's worth it. Filling, tasty and enormous.

And all with fantastic views.

I could go on and on. The Sunset Bar in Holetown, Cutters near Crane, a beach bar in Speightstown whose name I forget (sorry my bad). Plus lots of places we didn't go to this year, but have done in the past. Tides, Tapas, Atlantic Hotel... to name a few.)

Champers at Rockley Beach, where we celebrated a birthday, and the birthday boy got a cake and a candle and the two g-f-ers their own menu. (I've been here several times over the years and had several celebration meals—with g-f menu and candle—and it's superb.

(Pic Champers web)

I always travel with at least a loaf, just in case. This time it was sensible as we landed on a Sunday, after the supermarket in Holetown closed, but as long as the supermarkets are open, you're fine. (Check opening hours, They don't open on Founders Day or Labour Day for instance, and some close earlier than others, especially on a Sunday)

You'll not starve, and it is fun trying different types of g-f food. The sweet waffles in the freezer are amazing. 

(Source, Kelloggs)

If you fancy a BBQ, it's easy. Not all but a lot of the food have the g-f symbol on them (some sausages for instance). Salad food is a bit hit and miss, but nip to Oistins and buy your fish and watch it being prepared for you.

I even, in a fit of housewifery madness bought flour and made buns. Now they were...shall we say...different. But that was because the flour wasn't good old UK g-f Self Raising. Even so, I was all over happy.

Now I can't wait to go back. And without a suitcase full of g-f food. (More space to hit the shops in duty free eh?)

Happy g-f holidays,

Raven xx