Finally managed to get along to the Bunbury Markets this Saturday morning to sample some gluten free and vegan cup cakes from Devil’s Decadence. Lucky I did not go much later as these sweet cup cakes and slices sell out fast. I chose a selection of red velvet, blueberry and nutella flavour cup cakes.  They were delicious with my takeaway coffee, nice dense texture, not too dry or moist, but lets face it the best bit of cup cakes is the frosting and I was not disappointed.   I can definitely suggest checking them out at the Bunbury Markets the 1st Saturday of the month or at the various other locations and markets.  Devil’s Decadence also supply cup cakes to Bayside Barista in Safety Bay which is WA’s first Coeliac Society accredited cafe and everything is gluten free. I had the chance to have breakfast there a couple of weeks ago while on a yoga retreat and they did not disappoint. The popover bread is the best and was almost croissant like in its fluffiness with my scrambled eggs.  Next time will get a photo but was too eager to eat on my first visit!  Worth a trip to Safety Bay if you are driving by and can stop in a visit Penguin Island while you are there.

I have been in my new job just over two months and I think my colleagues know me too well as my manager gave me a hilarious book “Five Go Gluten Free” by Enid Blyton, well not really!   It is Enid Blyton for grown ups.   There are also Ladybird books for grown ups on cats, mindfulness and the zombie apocalypse – maybe need these as well.   Thankfully coffee and wine are gluten free so that is my Christmas sorted!   But seriously being Coeliac at Christmas time can be a hassle with the eating out and hidden gluten in all sorts of things so be prepared.   I wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday break – take some time to slow down and appreciate good food and company.   My New Year resolution is to do more blog posts!

Checked out the new outdoor area and the summer menu.  The Bliss Bowl and Paleo Bowl are both gluten free.  I had the Bliss Bowl with sweet potato falafels, smokey corn, cherry tomatoes on wild rice salad with jalapeño ranch dressing and pomegranate gems.  On the brekky menu the Tropical Chia Pudding is gluten free and looks delish for summer.  The Townhouse also offer gluten free bread and I have had this with the Smashed Avocado and can still afford my mortgage repayments!

There is a new Italian Cafe Restaurant in the same premises as  where Danny’s used to be.   Headed out for Friday night dinner date with my husband and was impressed with the gluten free options including pasta and pizza.   The staff were very helpful and checked any requests with the chef.   We shared some flash fried calamari and polenta chips for entree.   I chose a baked risotto for mains which was very tasty being wrapped in prosciutto and served with  prawns in a creamy sauce.   The dessert options not so great but the chef did make me an affogato.   I checked with the staff and they can offer gluten free breakfasts as have gluten free bread available.   Check out their Facebook page here.

I have  been meaning to try out The Plant Organic Cafe since it opened so when I had my next day off work I visited for morning tea.   The lovely Kirra made me a coffee with hazelnut milk which was delicious and creamy.   It went very well with the Key Lime Pie which is gluten free and also I think dairy free, raw and vegan.   The Cafe has plans for more lunch options soon and sells a range of gluten free products that are worth checking out including their own Earth Candy brand.   I sampled the Kale Cashew Cheese chips and the muesli – both very tasty!   So check out The Plant Organic Cafe & Market Facebook page here.

So I don’t want to cook for Mother’s Day but my favourite cafe’s can get a bit busy and particularly since Mothers Day is the same weekend as Groovin the Moo Bunbury.   So we booked for lunch at newly refurbished Lighthouse Beach Resort.   I had the beef for my main meal which was very tender and served with a beetroot relish and creamy potato bake.   For dessert I had the creme brûlée minus the biscuit but it was still delicious with the ice cream and toffee, looked very pretty as well!   The service from Glen and his team is always excellent and the view over the ocean from the new function rooms was beautiful.

It was Aubrey’s birthday and decided to go out for dinner and try somewhere new.   With having Coeliac disease I find that I tend to keep going back to places I know I can trust.   It does make it a bit boring and hard for a non-gluten free husband who wants to try new things.   So we called Josephine’s as it is an Italian restaurant and the online menu at their website did not mention gluten free options.   The owner was very friendly and assured me could alter some of the menu options to be gluten free however they don’t have gluten free pasta which is a shame.

Aubrey and I shared a grilled field mushrooms entree which was very yummy with tomato based sauce and cheese.   I had the Chicken Josephine which was gluten free with brie cheese, potato gratin, green runner beans and a white wine creamy sauce.   Dessert options not so great but I had the cassata which was lovely but still was green with envy watching Aubrey eat sticky date pudding.   Going to have to make my gluten free version of this soon!

For my birthday we had a family lunch at The Ridge restaurant in Collie.   The menu offers a range of gluten free main meals and I chose the lamb shank with jus, steamed vegies and jacket potato.   The lamb was so tasty and very tender!   Dessert options not so good on the menu for gluten free but the wonderful chef offered to whip up a gluten free bread and butter pudding.   It was served with ice cream and raspberry couli and tasted yummy – great comfort all round for what was a very wet and drizzly day for late October!

Despite the lack of spring weather here in the south west of WA we made another day trip with the in-laws to the Ferguson Valley yesterday.   We stopped in for lunch at Moody Cow Brewery and despite no gluten free beer (I had a glass of Ferguson Hart Estate shiraz!) the lunch of grilled salmon, hand cut potato chips and caesar salad (minus the croutons) was filling.   But there is always room for dessert and especially when there are three gluten free choices on offer from the fantastic chef Julie at St Adain’s winery.   I finally chose the baked chocolate cheesecake with caramel sauce.

I have my lovely in-laws here visiting from the USA so we took a trip to one of my favourite places, Balingup.   This is usually gluten free Mecca but not this trip as the local 100% gluten free cafe has changed hands and is no longer open during the day it seems.   But do not despair as the delectable cafe Taste of Balingup has lots of gluten free options prepared by a true foodie!   I had the posh steak sandwich with gluten free bread and it was very tasty with the brie cheese.   The coffee at Taste of Balingup is also much better as use Bannister Down milk and there is a range of gluten free products to buy as well.   Check out their website here.