Galleries

general, USA

Gluten-Free Globetrotter 2017 Year in Review

Erin Smith

When looking back over the past year, I traveled more than I realized. I went to New York City a whopping FIVE times in the past year. Not a surprise considering that is where I got married and that is my hometown. I also went to Wisconsin twice to see my sister and her family. I also went to Anaheim, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and San Francisco more times than I can remember. I connected with gluten-free friends across the country and eat some really delicious meals. While my life in California has been a bit tumultuous this year, I do have positive things about to reflect on as 2017 comes to an end.

Top 5 Gluten-Free Globetrotter Events of 2017

  1. Wedding in New York City! I had a wonderful wedding in April that was completely gluten-free. We stayed in an AirBnB in our old Brooklyn neighborhood and got to see the city through the eyes of our tourist friends. It was so wonderful to have friends and family from across the world celebrating with us. Looking for places to eat gluten-free in New York City. Check out this post!

    Wedding Venue: My Moon Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York
  2. The Celiac Project Podcast. Not only was I a guest multiple times this year, but I finally got to meet Mike and Cam, the awesome duo behind the Celiac Project Podcast while in Indianapolis. These are some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. They put together a wonderful podcast about all things celiac and gluten-free related and they just hit their 100th episode. Take a listen.

    Me with Mike and Cam from the Celiac Project Podcast
    Me with Mike and Cam from the Celiac Project Podcast
  3. Visiting the Pope Farm Conservancy sunflower farm. This place was truly magical. It looked and felt like you were in a living painting. The moody sky added to the beauty of the day. Also, being with my three favorite kids (my nieces and nephew) on earth helped too! If you happen to be near Madison, Wisconsin around mid-August, add this place to your list. It is a must see!

    Gluten-Free Globetrotter at the Pope Conservancy in Wisconsin
  4. 2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day. Not only did I get to speak at this national conference, but I also got to meet an awesome girl who said I inspired her to travel. We first connected via Instagram and it was an honor to meet C in Washington. She was the sweetest girl and I was beyond flattered that she wanted to meet me! I love meeting future Gluten-Free Globetrotters.

    One of my youngest fans!
  5. Camp Celiac. This was my second year volunteering at Camp Celiac in Livermore, CA. I love being part of the the excitement that comes along with summer camp. I wish I had this as a kid! This program is put on in part by the Celiac Disease Foundation of Northern California. If you are interested in your celiac kids attending Camp Celiac, registration opens on February 1st and fills up VERY quickly. Don’t delay!
Gluten-Free Globetrotter goes to Camp Celiac
Gluten-Free Globetrotter goes to Camp Celiac

I am excited to put 2017 behind me and jump into 2018. I have a few trips in the works including a work trip to Florida in the beginning of the new year. I also have a big birthday coming up which deserves a HUGE trip.

Happy new year everyone!

 

california, general

A Beautiful Day at Asilomar State Beach

Erin Smith

IMG_20170716_140502The California coastline is beautiful. It is rugged and rocky in the north and smooth sandy beaches in the south. A few weekends ago, I decided to take a mental health day and a drive down the coast to Asilomar State Beach. I packed a gluten-free lunch, stopped to buy an iced coffee, and I was on my way.

Asilomar is “a state park is located on 107 acres of state beach and conference grounds, within the quaint and scenic town of Pacific Grove, California.” I was in a beach mood, so I only explored the coastline and not the conference center or the dune trails.

The rugged coastline and low tide made for a perfect day of tide pool exploration. These little pools are teeming with sea creatures from crabs to mollusks to anemones. I felt like a little kid as I hopped pool to pool looking for life.

IMG_20170716_112313

The lack of surfers (too rocky near the coast) and the rugged terrain made parts of the beach look deserted which is my favorite way to explore. At times, I felt like an explorer on a faraway, oceanic planet. No one for miles but me. (Not really, but a girl can pretend!)

IMG_20170716_120318

 

After a few hours of exploring, I pulled up on to a quiet part of the beach for a picnic. I had packed a sandwich made on Franz gluten-free bread and brought some chips to crunch on after lunch.  If you go to Pacific Grove but forget to pack lunch, there is a Trader Joe’s (1170 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove) right on the way to the beach. They have a lot of pre-made salads that are completely gluten-free as well as plenty of other gluten-free items like meats, cheeses, and fruits that can easily be made into a beach-side lunch.

IMG_20170716_133911

After lunch, I decided to walk along the 2-mile Coast Trail before hopping back into the car. One important thing to remember when walking and exploring at Asilomar is that it a Marine Reserve. This means “All marine resources, animals and features (including shells and rocks) are protected. No collecting or fishing is allowed.” Please look but leave all critters and gorgeous shells behind!

IMG_20170716_121302

If you are looking to grab some grub before or after your day at the beach, I would recommend making the short drive to nearby Monterey to eat and shop. Just follow the coastline and you will weave your way past Lover’s Point and then finally wind up in Monterey.

If you are a seafood lover, you will be in heaven here! My gluten-free recommendations are to come. In the meantime, I would recommend using FindMeGlutenFree or Yelp to look for gluten-free recommendations in Pacific Grove and Monterey. Do you, dear readers, have any gluten-free food recommendations? I would love to read your comments below.

 

california, general

Gluten-Free Desserts in Santa Cruz

Erin Smith
Dolphin spotting in Santa Cruz

The weather in my not-so-new hometown Santa Cruz, California has been absolutely beautiful lately. Sunny skies, cool ocean breezes, and dolphins sightings from the beach! I’ve been running by the ocean and riding my bike as much as possible. It’s been hard to stay inside and work over the past few weeks especially since I am trying to make this a summer of saying “YES” to new experiences.

Besides being a local, Santa Cruz is a great summer tourist destination for those in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond. Tourists flock to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the beaches, and the redwood forests all found within Santa Cruz County. There really is so much going on each week that you will never go bored in Santa Cruz.

The most popular question I get through my Santa Cruz Celiac Facebook group is where to eat which is why I am especially excited about my first post on the local website SantaCruzLife.com. This list is only desserts, but let’s be honest… that is definitely one of the most important food groups. 🙂  Stay tuned for future articles about where to get gluten-free sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more.

Click here to read my Gluten-Free Desserts in Santa Cruz on SantaCruzLife.com.

Melinda’s GF is a 100% gluten-free bakery in Capitola, CA
general, USA

Gluten-Free Travel Talk at 2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day

Erin Smith
Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day
Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day

Join me on Sunday, June 11th at the 2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day. This full-day conference has tracks for both adults and children that will focus on gluten-free cooking, health, nutrition, and navigating a gluten-free lifestyle. As part of the speaker series, I will be giving my expert gluten-free travel tips on how to plan a family-friendly vacation. I am honored to be a part of this elite panel of gluten-free travel pros including Kim Koeller of Gluten Free Passport and gluten-free travel specialist Ellen Morse. The awesome Karen Broussard from GlutenFreeTravelSite.com will be moderating our panel.

Gluten-free food, entrance to all speaking sessions, and gluten-free goodie bags are included in your ticket price. The ticket price increases on May 11, 2017 so buy your tickets today! Use code globetrotter for 10% off your ticket purchase. 

2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Doubletree Bethesda Hotel
8120 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD20814

Erin Smith Gluten-Free Travel ExpertAbout Erin Smith, founder of Gluten-Free Globetrotter and gluten-free travel expert
Living with celiac disease since 1981 and eating gluten-free long before it was “trendy”, Erin Smith has a unique perspective of growing up in the gluten-free community. Erin founded her first blog Gluten-Free Fun in 2007 to share her lifelong experiences of growing up with celiac disease. In 2011, after a solo trip to the Czech Republic and her first gluten-free beer on tap in Prague, Erin founded Gluten-Free Globetrotter. This website shares Erin’s passion for travel and encourages those with celiac disease to travel the world. To date, Erin has been to 33 states and 21 countries. She was the lead organizer of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group for more than ten years before relocating to Northern California where she founded the Santa Cruz Celiac support group.

About the Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day
The Celiac Disease Program at Children’s National Health System and the Walter and Jean Boek Foundation invite you to attend the 2017 Washington DC Gluten-Free Education Day. This annual event brings the best of the gluten-free industry to Washington DC and features a full day of educational sessions with options for adults and kids as well as a cooking pavilion where attendees learn valuable nutritional lessons and tricks for cooking up delicious gluten-free meals. And, of course, time to interact with gluten-free food manufacturers, bakeries and restaurants.

Local restaurants, bakeries, and national gluten-free food manufacturers sponsor meals and snacks throughout the day. The event is live streamed globally to capture an international audience. Attendees leave the event filled with knowledge, jam-packed goodie bags, and many new gluten-free friends.

Click here to buy your tickets and be sure to say hello while you are at the conference.

 

 

general, New York

Gluten-Free Globetrotter Got Married!

Erin Smith

Yes, it is true. I am now a Mrs. Gluten-Free Globetrotter!!! Planning a wedding is not easy. Planning a New York City wedding from California is even more of a challenge. Thank goodness for email, phone, and direct flights via Jet Blue from San Jose to New York City. It’s been a busy few months but it all paid off. My wedding was 100% gluten-free and I married my love. That’s a win-win in my book!

A few of our highlights include wedding guests from SIX countries (USA, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, and Spain), a mariachi band, and getting to see all of our friends and family in the same room at the same time.

As I catch up on work, life,and blogging, I will leave you with some of my favorite pictures from our wedding day.

Wedding Venue: My Moon Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York. Photo by LumoBox Photography
Enjoying views of Brooklyn, NYC
Enjoying views of Brooklyn, NYC. Photo by LumoBox Photography
Our wedding mariachi band!
Our wedding mariachi band! Photo by LumoBox Photography
Old School New York City Taxi
Old School New York City Taxi. Photo by LumoBox Photography
Our amazing gluten-free wedding cake from By the Way Bakery in New York City
Our amazing gluten-free wedding cake from By the Way Bakery in New York City