Sometimes you have to give people the props they deserve - just because. A couple of weeks ago BohoHandyman and I stopped by a Farmers Market we saw in a mall parking lot and while wandering the aisles looking for organic produce I came upon this woman:
Meet Marsha - she is gluten free and the mother of three....and after tasting her baked goods I dubbed her the "magic baker"!
Marsha bakes and sells all Gluten Free products (some vegan too) and WOW what deliciousness she creates! I spent most of the time at the Farmers Market that day talking to her, tasting and asked if I could take a few photos and do a blog post about her. I've had a few things going on since then so I am finally getting around to doing that post. AND we need to get back to that Farmers Market and buy some more!!
Baguettes
The most delicious cookies and they are vegan as well
Jam cookies
Muffin and a donut
The above items were just some what of she offers and I'm sure the selection changes each week. Two places in the Bay Area now carry some of her items....Zocalo in San Leandro and Cream in Berkeley. Plus she sells at that Farmer's Market every Sunday.
Marsha started to bake Gluten Free after she found out her child had Celiac Disease and her 2 other children had an intolerance to gluten/wheat.....through her own diligence she was able to find the diagnosis and bring it to the doctors attention. She really had a challenge on her hands with behavioral and physical systems being exhibited by her children with an unknown reason as to the cause. She said even the slightest morsel of a non gluten free item can bring on severe stomach ailments and behavioral issues - called "cross contaminating" - like if the butter with non gluten free toast crumbs is used on her childrens bread. (Her husband doesn't eat soley gluten free) She has to really be on top of the situation and took on the challenge as a Mom who is militant about keeping her children healthy and calm. Even school parties, birthday parties, family gatherings etc were a challenge because her children could not indulge in what the other children were having. She began making items and bringing them so her kids could partake and found the other children loved what she was making too. (Go to her website and blog to get the whole story) She lists all the various ingredients she uses on her site so those with any other allergies know what's in the item.
I found her to not only be truly delightful to talk to but also her goods were SERIOUSLY delicious......we tasted a lot and loved it all.....taking home a few items we consumed quickly. I wanted to stand there and tell people "you HAVE to try this stuff, it's magic!!" (She said she wished I would - I can get a bit excited) Her goods may seem on the spendier side (not unreasonable) but the ingredients necessary to make them 100% gluten free, and vegan in some cases, are spendy in themselves.....you cannot sacrifice cost for health. BohoHandyman and I do not have Celiac but so much is being said about gluten/wheat just in terms of a healthier gut and focus that we try to eat Gluten Free whenever possible, it's minimal at best but we try. Marsha is now offering baking classes I just may take. It's a real committment for sure even though there are more and more items in grocery stores that are Gluten Free I am sure it doesn't cover everything so learning to bake in this way would be a great help. I know for those suffering with Celiac or even a gluten/wheat intolerance it's a delicate balance to keep it at bay with the absolute right ingredients. Marsha is truly committed!
So if you live in the SF Bay Area....don't just take my word for it.......I say try and taste some of Marsha's magic baking at the market or one of the locations I linked........or contact her for special ordering! You won't be disappointed! ALSO you may have or know of a child/children with similar symptoms and you don't know why.....maybe her story can help. OR maybe you, yourself, have them or already were diagnosed and looking for Gluten Free baked goods......
Look for the woman with the sweet smile - the pink banner and the pink labels!
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On another quick note.....we were able to adopt out 3 of the 4 kittens....I was sad to see them go having nurtured them for a solid month but we are happy they are in good homes. As for the 4th one....well we kept him and have added him to the Zoo.....see Jakkity Jak in my right side bar under Furry Studio Assistants. He still can't roam the house freely....Lucy and Daisy aren't liking this new "thing" in their house and take effort to walk way away from his enclosure in the kitchen. There has been some hissing and growling on their part. Hopefully they will learn to tolerate him and as he gets bigger we can let him roam more. For now when Daisy and Lucy are in the bedroom lounging I close the hall door and let Jakkity Jak run free....he is as fast as a mouse or a squirrel and loves playing with feathers on a stick or soccer with a ball of aluminum foil. He hates when playtime is over and let's us know.....but he's healthy and very loved and growing! Sadey doesn't seem bothered - she'd like to just play with him but a Lab vs a 2 lb kitten....uh, not yet!
See you soon........
