I love food. I fantasize about my next meal, write about it, and spend too much time wandering the aisles of my favorite grocery stores (Takoma Park Co-Op and My Organic Market).
When I was abruptly diagnosed with celiac disease after nearly 26 years of gluten-stuffed eating, it threw me for a bit of a loop. No more blind tasting menus, fried mystery bites or even red velvet cupcakes. Now I troll the same supermarket aisles looking for glutenless replacements. 
To ease the adjustment, I turn to good dark chocolate, bicycles, wine, ice cream, and frosting (see above).
I love Thai food (thank god fish sauce is gluten-free), Indian food and believe that anything is better loaded with spice, even if it makes us cry into our curry.
In the non-food realm, I live in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. I do my best thinking in the hour-or-so that I spend searching for parking each week. I share my bed with two saucy cats, Radley and Culpepper. They give me 5 a.m. face licks and occasionally help me type.
Career-wise, I once dreamed of glory as a Roller Derby Queen, but I get my derby fix now with the “Xanadu” soundtrack. I’m working up the courage to sport derby-style daisy dukes.
15 responses so far ↓
1 Cait H. // May 12, 2008 at 11:47 pm
For once, a photo rivals the adorableness of your cats!
2 shelley // May 15, 2008 at 1:36 am
I love this page! And thank you for creating it.
3 Tiffany // May 16, 2008 at 1:51 am
I’m so excited to find your page! I love spicy (gluten free) ethnic food, so I will surely be back frequently to learn from you
Welcome to the foodie blogroll!
4 Molly Seltzer // May 27, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Agggghhhh…. I once sat those fat cats. They remain adorable and full of felin-ine mystique.
Big moony eyes… ugh. CUTE.
5 Meredith Theis // Jun 9, 2008 at 5:56 am
You are brilliant and making great contributions to the gluten-free world! I love the toast-licking photo!!
6 Rebekah // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I am so excited that you have started this page!! I have been gluten-free for four years…I love Mom’s, but have recently started making the trek to Clarksville, MD, to Roots–they carry baked goods from Tenzo Artisan (http://www.tenzoartisan.com/) that taste as if they were crafted from gluten…they are too good:) They also carry a good variety of Schar pastas and Gillian’s frozen pizza dough (it tastes like the real thing!)…It is a bit of a hike, but it is well worth it (both for the greater variety and better prices than TPSS and Mom’s).
7 Keri // Jun 26, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Thanks for blogging about gluten-free in DC. It’s not easy to be diagnosed & alter your whole life. I appreciate all the writing thus far!
A friend of mine brought me to Zaytina in Chinatown when it became apparent that I needed to be gluten-free – Zaytina has a whole gluten-free menu if you ask for it!
8 Mary // Jul 4, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Thank you for creating this site. My husband and I both have to be gluten free for health reasons. I feel deprived sometimes when we go out because we don’t know where we can eat out.
I will be back to visit your site.
Thanks.
9 Betsy // Nov 25, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Hi! Thanks for your blog! I was diagnosed with celiacs over a year ago (age 25) and have loved getting a new perspective on cooking!
I’m so excited to check out Ray’s Burgers. I LOVE Ray’s the Steaks!
I hope you’ll check out my blog.
http://www.glutenfreeindc.blogspot.com
-Betsy
10 Ashleigh // Feb 17, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Great Blog! Wanted to email you some places to try in DC but couldn’t figure out how to so I’ll post here: Belga Cafe in Barracks Row – quite a few gluten-free Belgian beers that are amazing and mussels and steak that rock my world. Rustico in Alexandria, fab gf menu including shrimp and grits, gf pizza and beer as well. Also, if you’re up for a meat-fest, Fogo de Chao downtown has pao de queijo (tapioca cheese rolls) served hot – wish I could get just those and the polenta. Happy eating and I look forward to reading more on your blog!
11 Henry // Mar 4, 2009 at 12:55 am
my nutritionist just put me on gluten and lactose free diet
thanks, so glad to find your site, will explore–but dagoba dark choc has milk????
found following twitter threads, don’t ask me to retrace my steps
warm wishes from California
henry
12 Zarina // Mar 12, 2009 at 9:14 pm
what a great blog! i just recently learned of my diagnosis with celiac’s and i appreciate all your helpful tips!
13 Deb // Apr 8, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I am gluten free in Arlington Va age 29
it’s no fun at all being a celiac amoungst wheat loving friends but thank you for your blog
happy eating
14 Acai Juice Secrets // May 8, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Hey, great site! I’m a new blogger i have a new Acai Health blog (http://www.acaijuicesecrets.com/) and your site is very related to mine and i thought it would be very beneficial for both of us do a blogroll link exchange. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks!
15 Bunny Polmer // Jul 23, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Wildfire Hosts Gluten-Free Wine Dinner
Guest speaker Brandi Horton of DC Gluties will share advice on how to manage a gluten-free lifestyle
Tysons Galleria, July 2009…Join us at Wildfire Tysons Galleria for a gluten-free wine dinner experience on Tuesday, August 11, 2009. With Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity on the rise, many Americans are opting to eat gluten-free for allergy and health-related reasons and are seeking restaurants offering gluten-free dining options. Wildfire Tysons Galleria features a savory gluten-free menu daily that offers guests a worry-free culinary experience full of flavor.
Executive Chef Steven Lukis creates the evening’s dinner to feature menus items such as Citrus Cured Salmon and Braised Short Ribs. Co-founder of DC Gluties (www.dcgluties.com), Brandi Horton, will discuss eating and drinking gluten-free.
The four-course dinner will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. The entire evening – food, wine, tax and gratuity – is priced at $55 per person. Seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Michelle Bringham at (703) 442-9110 or visit wildfirerestaurant.com.
¾¾Reception ¾¾
Assorted Gluten Free Pizzas
shrimp & pesto, fresh mozzarella & tomato, roasted vegetable & goat cheese
Danzante Pinot Grigio ‘08
¾¾ First Course ¾¾
Citrus Cured Salmon
baby greens, hazelnut vinaigrette
Estancia Monterey Chardonnay ‘07
¾¾ Second Course ¾¾
Braised Short Rib
roasted root vegetables
Hess “Monterey/Mendocino” Syrah ‘06
¾¾ Dessert ¾¾
Pear Tartlet
crème anglaise
Robert Mondavi Moscato d’Oro ‘06
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