Morning Smoothie

Morning Smoothie

Morning Smoothie – filled with nutritious ingredients. Taken on Instagram.

I have been needing a mix-up of my morning breakfast routine. Eggs, toast and fruit or gluten-free oatmeal, can get old after a while. A smoothie is my answer, as of lately. It’s healthy, fast, fresh and fills you up!

We have been so busy lately! In between events (Whew! SXSW wore me out!), work and wedding planning; I feel like I haven’t been able to take a breather and relax 100%. Speaking of wedding planning, things are moving along nicely. I actually went wedding dress shopping recently and found “the ONE” in Austin at a cute local boutique. It feels real that it’s getting close and I’m thrilled.

Locate Special Diet will be making an appearance at a couple events around Texas soon. Make sure and check out the Texas VegFest coming up April 6, as well as the Dallas Mavericks Celiac Awareness Event brought to you by the good folks over at Gluten-Free Calendar. I’ll be heading north to Dallas, April 12th to attend the event. I hope to see you there!

Also, I’d like to give a shout-out to the hilarious - April Peveteaux - who recently had a book signing for her new book coming out titled ~ Gluten is my Bitch (available for pre-order on Amazon). Thanks for mentioning our mobile app, Locate Special Diet, on your SXSW panel April!

Blueberry-Banana Morning Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 medium ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons cashew butter (or nut butter of choice)
  • 2/3 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 packet stevia (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend to combine. Serve chilled.

Cheers!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on TwitterFacebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find reliable options.

Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Central Austin, South Austin and Westlake area (Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide, Part 4)

This is the FINAL post for the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide. For those who are not from Austin, thanks for hanging tight as we finish up the city guide. We have tons of recipes lined up for the next few weeks!

This guide is for vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Central Austin, South Austin (78704), and the Westlake Hills area. Every single one of these restaurants also offers gluten-free friendly items. Many have dedicated menus. I’ll be posting links to their listings on Locate Special Diet so you can view the gluten-free tips for various restaurants. This guide is a partial listing of vegetarian-friendly establishments. If we have missed your favorite, please leave your suggestion in the comment section below!

Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Central Austin:

~ Wheatsville (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Spider House (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Tacodeli (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ The Steeping Room (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Mellow Mushroom (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Clay Pit (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Kerbey Lane (Locate Special Diet listing)

South Austin:

Kerbey Lane (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Tarka Indian Kitchen (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Central Market Cafe (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Soup Peddler, Juicebox (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ Mr. Natural (Locate Special Diet listing)

Westlake Hills area:

Thai Spice

~ Taco Deli 

~ zPizza (Locate Special Diet listing)

~ The Grove (Locate Special Diet listing)

Locate Special Diet Mobile Apps

For those looking to find other vegetarian restaurant options near them – we now have a mobile app for free download. Seriously! Use our app, called Locate Special Diet to help you navigate the vegetarian scene while you are visiting Austin! (available on iPhoneAndroid, and our website).

Here are some sample screenshots!

Cheers!

View other Vegetarian City Guide entries from other local bloggers:

All Annual City Guide posts: click here

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian)

Rich and creamy, this butternut squash soup recipe is a keeper.

I know, I know… another crock pot or slow cooker recipe. I can’t help it. I think I might be addicted. There’s no excuses here… you just chop it up and throw it all together in the pot. It’s that simple. It’s also nice that you can come home to a house smelling delicious, from your dinner cooking all day.

I used a kitchen scale to measure the amount of squash I had. Feel free to improvise.

What’s new with us? Just working away on all of the new features we are adding soon to Locate Special Diet. We are about to expand the mobile app to include ALL 50 states! Super exciting! If you haven’t downloaded it yet, it’s free and available on iPhone and Android ~ Locate Special Diet Mobile Apps

Coming soon to the blog in the next two weeks – The Annual Gluten-Free City Guide! I’m also putting together a Vegetarian City Guide and a Paleo City Guide for Austin. If you do not live in Austin, apologies … regular posting will resume after those posts have been completed! They are in association with the wonderful organization – the Austin Food Blogger Alliance. Speaking of the AFBA, I’ve had the privilege to contribute to the first-ever Austin Food Blogger Alliance Community Cookbook! My gluten-free olive oil pancakes and grilled lime-paprika broccoli will be making an appearance. If you would like to pre-order the cookbook, you may do so by visiting this link: Pre-Order. The cookbook makes a great gift!

Butternut Squash Soup

(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian)

Equipment: I used a 5 quart slow cooker

Ingredients:

  • ~2.75 lb. of butternut squash (cubed). I used about 2 lb. and ~12.5 ounces.
  • 1 large white onion, rough chop
  • 3 cloves garlic, throw in whole
  • 1 can coconut milk, unsweetened
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 bunch leeks (approximately 3), white parts sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot
  • Optional garnish: Italian parsley

Directions:

Peel the butternut squash and scoop out the seeds (save for roasting later). Slice the butternut squash into medium size cubes. There is no need for this to be perfect, as you will blend this all in the end. Leeks are dirty so make sure and wash them! Slice the white parts of the leeks and place in a bowl of water. Swish the leeks around to remove dirt and drain the water. Rough chop the onion. In your slow cooker, place all of the above ingredients and mix to combine some. Cook on high for 4 hours. Depending on the strength of your slow cooker and size, you might have to cook longer or shorter. Stir every once in a while. Once the butternut squash is fork-tender, use an immersion blender to blend ingredients until smooth. Depending on the amount of butternut squash you use, you might need less water or more water. I prefer my soup slightly thicker, so I used more squash and less water. It’s hard to mess this one up :)

Prefer to cook this on the stove top instead? Sure, it’s possible. Use a large soup pot or dutch oven and use the same amount of ingredients. You will need less cooking time for this preparation.

Enjoy!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on TwitterFacebook or Pinterest.

We have a MOBILE APP! Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find reliable options.

Raw Kale and Avocado Salad with Lime-Sriracha Vinaigrette

 

This Raw Kale and Avocado Salad with Lime-Sriracha Vinaigrette is packed with nutrients like – fiber, b-vitamins, vitamin K, A and more.

Don’t let the title of this post scare you. This salad is not only nutritious,  but it is also tasty.

I have always loved kale. I eat it raw, steamed, sautéed, in smoothies, and so on. It has always been one of my favorite vegetables. Some people however, are terrified of kale. There is something about the big curly leaves that scares them. Try it this way and see what you think. Adding an entire avocado and one of my favorite condiments, Sriracha, definitely helps calm the natural flavor of kale. You’ll find yourselves going for seconds.

Raw Kale and Avocado Salad with Lime-Sriracha Vinaigrette

Print this recipe

Ingredients:

Note: This salad is a rough estimate of ingredient measurements. I literally just threw it in a bowl and mixed it all together. Serves 1.

  • Kale leaves, rough chop (I used about 1-2 cups, raw)
  • Juice of half a lime
  • Extra virgin olive oil, roughly 1 tablespoon
  • 1 small ripe avocado, sliced
  • Couple squirts of Sriracha, roughly 1-2 teaspooons
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Don’t miss a news announcement, giveaway or recipe! Subscribe to our Feed, follow us on TwitterFacebook or Pinterest.

Enjoy dining out? Download the Locate Special Diet mobile app for iPhone and Android and let us help you find reliable options.

 

Three-Bean Beer Chili (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian)

I love chili. I make it all the time, no matter what the temperature is outside. I make a variety of different kinds, but this is one of my favorites because it is simple to make, and it is vegetarian. It’s always a crowd pleaser. I can’t believe I finally remembered to write this recipe down! I think it has been on my list of things to do for a year now… oops. [Read more...]

Grilled Cabbage Slaw

So … I have a confession to make.

My oven has been broken since June and I still haven’t fixed it. Why you may ask? Well, partly because I’m lazy. I also have been enjoying dining out (aka eating at Lupe Tortilla like 4 times a week … love their beef fajitas)! Since our oven has been broke, we having been ‘flooding the stovetop’ as I like to call it. I’ve also been grilling up a storm. The other night we made this grilled cabbage slaw and accompanied it with grilled barbecue sausage. It was great! [Read more...]

Locate Special Diet for iPhone and Android

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jesslynnmeyer posted a photo:… Read More

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Screenshot 2012.09.26 11.03.59
jesslynnmeyer

jesslynnmeyer posted a photo: filter restaurants by food type and dietary preference… Read More

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Screenshot 2012.09.26 11.01.53
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jesslynnmeyer posted a photo: full business listing… Read More

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jesslynnmeyer posted a photo: businesses around me… Read More

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Screenshot 2012.09.26 11.00.41
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jesslynnmeyer posted a photo: around me… Read More

SlideDeck 2

 

 

The day has finally come!

I’m so excited to announce the launch of the Locate Special Diet mobile applications for iPhone and Android.

Download the Locate Special Diet app for FREE from iTunes or Google Play!

Locate Special Diet

Our mission is to help you find local places that offer gluten-free, vegetarian or organic food or drink options.

Features:

- Search for businesses near you

- Choose your dietary preferences (gluten-free, vegetarian, organic)

- Save your dietary preferences in your settings once you have created an account; or filter by dietary preference when you search

- Narrow your search by restaurants, grocery stores, and places with drinks

- Filter restaurants by type of food (ex: Italian)

- Save businesses and tips to your favorites list

- Submit tips and view public favorite tips

- Share places you like on Facebook and Twitter

- View business websites, call the business and view map directions

- Submit menu photos and businesses on the go

We are adding new businesses every week. We currently have listings in over 27 U.S. Cities and growing.

Note: Austin, Texas is the currently the only city in the database with a full listing of drink options around you. We are working hard to expand this option to other cities, and will soon, but we need your help! Let us know what places you like to grab a gluten-free beer, shop for gluten-free drinks, or grab an organic non-alcoholic beverage.

Current Locate Special Diet Cities (does not include small towns and new areas just added):

  • Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Columbus
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Jackson Hole
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • Nashville
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Oklahoma City
  • Orlando
  • Palo Alto
  • Phoenix
  • Portland
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Antonio
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Waco
  • Washington DC
  • And MORE

Locate Special Diet: iTunes, Android, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

 

Cinnamon French Toast Egg Sandwich

Yes, you read that right … Cinnamon French Toast Egg Sandwich (gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free). That’s a mouthful, literally. I’ve been on a french toast kick lately, thanks to my sister, who re-introduced it into my breakfast routine recently. I hadn’t had french toast in years. Mainly because I forgot about it, and am normally a pancake person. Now I am hooked… [Read more...]

Locate Special Diet is LIVE!

It’s finally here. After a year and a half of work and research, the Locate Special Diet website is live. Oh… it feels so good to type those words. Let me tell you a little bit about my baby…

Locate Special Diet helps people find local businesses that cater to a gluten-free, vegetarian, or organic lifestyle. 

The database currently includes approximately 30,000 businesses in over 27 U.S. cities. Users can browse local restaurants and grocery stores by location, dietary preference and type of food. There is also a section to filter places that offer gluten-free, vegetarian or organic drinks. Austin is currently the only city with the largest drinks database, and it includes places to get smoothies, juices or even gluten-free beer.

Don’t see your favorite local business in the database? Users can submit businesses to Locate Special Diet and after they are approved by our team, we will add them in. This includes restaurants, grocery stores and drinks for any city. Our team is also furiously working to extend the current database to reach others looking to find places that cater to their special diet lifestyle.

I thought I would share some of my Favorite Things About Locate Special Diet.

partial screenshot of the homepage

  • Submit Tips, Photos, Menus and more.
  • Create a free account and invite others to join Locate Special Diet.
  • Read tips from other users, and save tips to your Favorite Tips list.
  • Search local businesses and save them to your Favorite Businesses list.
  • Join our social media world by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
  • Stay up to date on what’s going on in your city by subscribing to our newsletter.
  • Stay tuned for the Locate Special Diet mobile application launching very soon on iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
  • Submit businesses to our database. Once they are approved by our team as an appropriate business for Locate Special Diet, we will add it to our existing database.

If you would like to learn more out our services, feel free to visit the About section of the website and the Press Studio.

Feedback is appreciated so let us know what you think of Locate Special Diet!

Create your free account TODAY and start browsing!

View Website

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 Locate Special Diet cities include:

  • Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Columbus
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Jackson Hole
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • Nashville
  • New York City
  • Oklahoma City
  • Orlando
  • Phoenix
  • Palo Alto
  • Portland
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Antonio
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Waco
  • Washington DC

Booze a la Cart with Liquid Austin and Lembas Bakery and Breakfast

Lembas Green Eggs and Ham. No green food coloring here. Their eggs are pureed in a blender with fresh kale before scrambling.

 

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Emma Janzen of Liquid Austin (Austin 360) for an evening of cocktails and delicious gluten-free food at Lembas Bakery and Breakfast. Lembas is the first completely gluten-free food trailer in Austin, which recently opened, and they are serving a wide variety of [Read more...]