Cafe Review - Beethoven 105 – Cairns

Beethoven 105 is one of my new favourite lunch spots in Cairns. It’s commonly referred to as Beethoven's and has around for a long time. I am really pleased that they have gluten free options available. They make lovely gluten free bread that can be made into sandwiches to eat in our take away (they also take phone or fax orders). You can also purchase loaves of the gluten free bread when it’s available (best to order).  Yesterday I purchased a takeaway sandwich which was so large, I had to eat some for afternoon tea! I had a delicious egg, lettuce and avocado sandwich (with no butter). It’s a nice change to have such large slices of gluten free bread that tastes so yummy.

They also have a range of gluten free sweet options, looks like these do contain dairy so you might want to check first if this is an issue for you. I have tried the coconut macaroon – very yummy. Also available gluten free are Pavlova topped with cream and fresh fruit, Flourless Chocolate Cake (rich, moist cake  made  with ground almonds), Berry Niciola (Hazelnut, whole oranges make up gluten free cake topped with glazed mixed berries) and a mouse like Baci Slice. In the sweet range, you can purchase by the slice or order a whole cake as they do advertise on their flier that  “we also take orders for special diets and are able to make gluten free cakes”. They also have soy available for hot drinks and can do catering with delivery. 

Rating - 4 out of 5 avo's

All the facts:
105 Grafton St Cairns
Ph 40510292
Fax 4051 4148

So What? Soy Milk!

Recommendations for the best soy milk is one of the most common topics when people find out I don’t have dairy. I have tried a few brands over the years and my favourite has been the Vitasoy brand.

Maybe I am being a “soy snob” by focusing on only one brand or being bias in my suggestions to others? So I thought I would work my way through what products are available (that are gluten free) to give each one a second chance. For the next few weeks, I will try different brands and let you know the results.

Product Review - Well and Good Mufin Mix

I have used the "Well and Good Muffin mix" a couple of times now and it's now one of my favourite products. When ever I see the Muffin mix at my local health food shop - I always buy two packets! They are gluten free, wheat free, nut free, dairy free, fructose friendly, have no trans fat, GMO free with no artificial flavours or colour.

Each time I have followed instructions - the muffins have cooked perfectly and were delicious. I added fresh blueberries to the mix and they have turned out great. For a change I have also added sultanas and/or coconut to half of the blueberry mix. The Well and Good packet suggests that you will get 10 muffins from the mix, I have found you can make 11 when the extras like blueberries are added.

I have a fan forced oven and baked the muffins at 175c. They freeze really well wrapped in glad wrap, especially if they are frozen on the same day that they are baked. They defrost by morning tea on the days I take them to work and still taste great. I have sourced some really pretty muffin papers from a local catering supplier which makes home made muffins extra special when I have some to share.

Even Mr Lejam loves these Well and Good muffins and was sad this week when there was only one in his lunchbox! 

Lejam’s score: 5 out of 5 Avocados

Cafe Review – Under Wraps – Port Douglas

One of my favourite places to eat in Port Douglas, Queensland is a cafe on Macrossan St called “Under Wraps”. They serve health foods and fresh juices which are very reasonably priced. I can enjoy eating there with family and friends as they have gluten free wraps. I know that the gluten free wraps may not be to everyone’s liking but it’s a nice change to gluten free bread (or no option!).

There are lots of options on the menu for those on a normal diet like toasted sandwiches, fish and chips, seafood baskets and curries. My companions have enjoyed the burgers, salads and fruit juices Under Wraps make fresh to order. There are also some things which are naturally gluten free like salads and some of the breakfast menu.

I have always found Under Wraps have quick friendly service and obliging to make you dish to order. There is seating inside the air-conditioned cafe and outside, however the cafe is quite narrow so takeaway is a nice option given there are lots of lovely places in Port Douglas to have a picnic. Getting to Port Dougals only takes about an hour from Cairns, via one of the best drives in Australia! There are also local markets every Sunday on the waterfront in Port Douglas.

Lejam’s score: 4 out of 5 Avocados!

All the facts:
Under Wraps
22 Macrossan St Port Douglas
Ph 40 995972 (phone orders welcomed)
Open from 8am

Product Review - Coconut Crunch Bakehouse Cookies by Naturally Good

 Here we go with the first product review...

Today I had some Coconut Crunch Bakehouse Cookies by Naturally Good. The biscuits were very delicious, I could hardly stop eating them!

The biscuits were a good size and consistency, just like real cookies! They were not chewy or too hard, just nice and crunchy. They have a nice coconut flavour which leaves no unpleasant aftertaste.

Coconut Crunch are gluten free, dairy free, yeast free, Fructose friendly, Vegan with No artificial colours or flavours. You can buy them in Coles supermarkets and some health food shops. Although I haven’t tried it yet, I think they would make a good biscuit base for slices or sweet pies.

Lejam’s score: 5 out of 5 Avocados!

http://www.naturallygoodproducts.com.au/

This blog has been in in the planning stages for a long time! Many years ago, I wanted to design a website that shared my knowledge of surviving and thriving on a special diet.

I collected lots of gluten and dairy free recipes, links to great products and found lots of places to buy special food. I tried many brands of special food and found places to eat in my local area and when I was on holidays across Australia.

I started making website but didn't have enough skills to eventually post it so all the info stayed on the hard drive!

Lately, I have been thinking of a way to get the website published when I came across blogs. This seems like a better way!

I hope you will be patient on my discovery of blogging and hopefully put you in the direction of great products and places to eat in Cairns, Queensland and Australia!