Sandwiched in the most unlikely of places, between a car wash and an adult lingerie store, is Lingonberries, an entirely gluten free market! How nice is it, for people with allergies, to simply shop in a store without having to check for potentially harmful ingredients! They did the sorting for us. I originally made the quick jaunt to Vancouver in search of a granola that a hairstylist got me hooked on by Bakery On Main in “nutty cranberry maple granola” flavor. I found it, and then some.

Lingonberries carries an assortment of known brands and products, such as rice pasta and Kind Bars, but there was an extensive array of products and brands I had never seen before. Bread mix from Brazil? Cookies from Europe? Dinosaur shaped fruit cookies? COMMUNION WAFERS? They have it.

This is pretty much heaven for anyone with an allergy who has been denied a cookie at some point in their life. Here, you have full reign of every type of cookie, from flavor to size to crunchy or soft, and you are not just left with the one random gluten free option that doesn’t look that great anyway. I think I will be sick if someone suggests another trail-mix bar as dessert!

Aside from boxed goods, they also have a freezer case stocked full of giant frozen muffins, pie crusts, and even chicken nuggets from Applewood Farms! In the front of the shop is a brand new lovely display of glitter dusted cupcakes by Fairycakes of Portland, that also makes dairy-free options. Even though the shop is gluten-free, you still have to check for any other ingredients that you avoid. I had a hard time finding breads or baked goods that are entirely vegan, but there are some to choose from.

I went a little crazy and brought home a huge bag of healthy gluten-free junk food. It was my first time, after all. I have to try everything! Take a trip to Vancouver to get your gluten free fix! You will be so happy you did.

Lingonberries Market
6300 NE 117th Ave, Suite B5
Vancouver, WA 98662
360-260-4411

Dresses and underskirts, layering skirts, jackets, and bloomers are handmade by Amy Dotts of Portland, who was a regular Last Thursday vendor on Alberta Street for the past two years. The dresses are bright and invite lots of smiles – with prices starting around $120, it is a great deal for handmade, local clothing. Each one could be easily dressed up or down with a flick of the wrist and the right pair of tights or pearls! There are a variety of prints and solids, and one of my favorites has little bicycles all over it.

Part inspiration, part oddity, the knitwear by “Girl with a Hook” is something unlike anything I have seen knit before, and very mystical. The hats appear almost distorted in shape, each one created with handspun yarn in a freeform style. I placed a hat on my friend Martina and she looked charming and elfin at the same time. I didn’t leave the shop empty handed, for I fell in love with one of the knit headbands ($40)- it has sparkley yarn and bubbly bits woven in, and wass surprisingly warm on this cold December day.

Just as charming is the jewelry by Viki – whimisical and inspired by nature, Vicktoria Ciesiul uses recycled metals and beautiful stones. Each one looks unique and sophisticated.

All of the vendors are local to the Portland area – and the term, “it takes a village” really applies to Dotts. Amy Dott’s mother greeted me in the store, her dad created the metal shelving in the shop, and the individual designers are all closely tied as friends. I plan on wearing my new Girl with a Hook headband all winter, knowing that no one will ever have an identical one as this!

Dotts
NE Alberta St, between 29th and 30th, next door to Ampersand Gallery and Fine Books
Website on the way…

As a young girl, I would daydream about fairies flying around making beauty potions from woodland harvests, leaving shimmery dust trails behind as they worked their magic.

I have found a natural mascara that is not made by fairies but practically could be. 100% Pure makes a mascara out of black tea, blackberries, blueberries and other fruit pigments for a rich, dark color that smells edible, while thickening and lengthening lashes.

I love that I can wear one coat during the day or do two coats at night for a more dramatic look. There are absolutely no parabens, artificial fragrances, or petrochemicals in this mascara. Only the good stuff to make you look gorgeous. Find it here at alex+von .

There is a new place to get a quick detox in a cup! It’s called Sip, (their other location is in SE outside People’s CoOp) a juice cart on NE Alberta between 22nd and 23rd. I ordered the “Summer Breeze” juice with cucumber, cilantro, apple, lime, and substituted the pineapple for carrot! Service was sprightly and fresh, and even the juicer itself was polite. I have never heard a more quiet juicer in my life! I have always been a fan of fresh juices, but not so much of the pricing. Luckily, you can order a 12 oz or 16 oz size, which allows you to save a buck or two. Most juices come in one size and price only, which can be frustrating for the frugal and semi-hungry.

I am also a fan of the location. If you stand in the middle of Alberta street and slowly turn around, you can satiate every level of hunger: tea at Townshend’s (parched but not hungry), juice at Sip (in need of nutrients but few calories/probably just did yoga and want to continue feeling healthy), or vegan cake and ice cream at Back to Eden Bakery (totally ran for an hour this morning/possibly PMSing/cake is always good so why do I have to explain!?)The bottom line is: if you want juice, get it here.

Sip
2210 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR
7 days a week, 9am-8pm

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Inside, I look intently at a shelf full of lumps of dough to find that they are loaves of bread and bake at home pizza dough! Both are vegan. To my left are two large cases of desserts and I am faced with many choices. Lemon blueberry tarts, zucchini loaf, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and muffins glisten on their platters. Immediately I ask the barista how to tell which ones are vegan. He explains that each item clearly marks contained allergens, and points to some swirly stamps individually marked “egg, dairy, corn, soy, and tree nuts.” The stamps are so beautiful and artistic that I ignore them entirely, thinking they are a quaint illustration next to the dessert label, but if you look closely, they hold all the answers. I select a Lone Pine (Oregon coffee!) Chocolate Coffee Cake with a chocolate espresso glaze and a Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie along with a soy cappuccino.

The chocolate cake has a moist interior and is very sweet with a deliciously dark chocolate glaze. I sample a bite of the cookie and taste brown sugar immediately. I love that there are not too many chocolate chips, but dislike the amount of sea salt on top (easily solved by brushing it off a bit). Unlike some gluten free cookies, this one is large, chewy, and not doughy. 

Despite the strange location near a gym as well as near a busy MLK bus stop filled with unfortunately dressed people, Tula is the ideal place to go for a satisfying treat or snack. They offer pizza, panini, salad and seasonal soups, as well as a full espresso and tea menu. The inside is clean and spacious, staff is peppy, and they have a very large selection of items to choose from, no matter what your allergies may be. After all, I can only go to New Cascadia so many times before I have the taste of their vegan cupcakes burned in my brain. I’m ready for new dessert options and here they are!

Tula
4943 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 101
Portland, OR
503 764 9727
7am-5pm Mon-Sat

Homemade Has Never Looked so Good

After a recent dining excursion ended with coconut tapioca pudding topped with fig compote, I decided it was time to make my own. Although it takes a little longer to prepare, the larger pearl size (as opposed to small pearl) is satisfyingly gummy in a creamy coconut base. A small amount of agave instead of the usual refined sugar lends a surprising brown sugar flavor. Top with local berries, add a drizzle of chocolate syrup, or enjoy it plain. Go eat your pudding!

Coconut Tapioca Pudding

1/3 C Large Pearl Tapioca
3/4 C Water
1/3 C Agave Syrup
2 1/4 C Canned Coconut Milk (about 2 cans)
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

Soak tapioca in water for 30 minutes, until all water has been absorbed. In a medium saucepan over medium to high heat, combine soaked tapioca, coconut milk, and salt. Bring to a boil then reduce to a bubbling simmer (low-medium heat) for 15 minutes, stirring often. In the last 5 minutes, add agave and stir continuously. Pudding will thicken slightly, and thickens more after cooling. Remove from heat, allow to cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so a film does not form on top. Stir in vanilla. Refrigerate in a large bowl or 6 individual servings for a yummy treat!

Inside what could be a cramped space, but is more elfin-like in charm, alluring oddities fill every corner of the French-inspired trailer. Everything is petite and lovely, not claustrophobic in any way. Robin’s sweet and caring demeanor makes you feel instantly at ease. Guests are offered cups of tea and a bite of pastry from stone’s-throw-away Crema, upon arrival. My sister is treated to a bite of the very innovative Crème Cake, made with a crème brulee batter. What could be better than that?

Unlike some bustling salons, where the next client visibly waits in the wings to sit the very salon chair in which you’re sitting, there is no rush here; there is no competition for time. Because of the intimate space, it is just you and Robin. Her focus is entirely on you, your hair, and your vision. She uses the more natural lines, Moroccan Oil and Evo from Australia, which has tongue in cheek product titles like “gangsta grip” and “gluttony” shampoo. Also an artist, Robin designed her business cards and hangs her art in the space. The original sketch for the hair cart is carefully hung on the wall by the entrance. Her husband is a talented wood worker and handcrafted the deck outside and the wooden drawers inside.

Everyone in town seems to want this holiday, as she gets five new clients a week (that is a lot!), so try to book out at least two weeks in advance so you have a fighting chance to achieve the hair of your dreams.

Robin offers color, cuts, and Moroccan oil treatments. Visit her website for pricing. Appointments available Tues-Sat, 8:00am-7:30pm.

Holiday Hair Studio
116 SE 28^th Ave
Portland, OR
97214
503 516 9115

While exploring downtown on a date, I spy an enormous rainbow peeking through the tall buildings and shifting sunlight, ending at the west side of the Willamette river. We hungrily chase the rainbow for blocks, laughing and running through “do not walk” signs, hoping for a better view as it fades into the sky.  By the time we get to the waterfront, the rainbow has already disappeared, but our hunger has not. We look up and strike gold – happy hour at H5O is happening now! H5O, located within Hotel 50, and just across the street from the waterfront, has a happy hour that is well priced, filled with fancy people on vacation, and is just blocks from Pioneer Square. I love that H5O has many options for vegetarians and omnivores, and uses loads of local and organic produce in their menu.

Order a mountain of truffle oil french fries ($4), shared easily between two ravenous diners, and ask for the house red ($6), for a generous pour of wine. “The Salad” ($3), is meager but pretty, with a refreshing vinaigrette of honey and shallot.  The dungeness crab roll ($5), has some of the freshest crab I have tasted lately, paired with avocado and pickled mango. My date orders (and avidly compliments) the tomato bisque, made with rich cream and organic tomatoes. It arrives a vivid orange color, topped with chopped basil.

Always of fan of a chic pink drink, I order the Cosmo-Not ($8), made with house-infused beet  vodka. The visual effect is more similar to a bloody mary (I don’t get to hold a pink drink after all), but tastes fresh and is strong without being overpowering.

Inside H5O, the waitstaff is impeccably dressed, and accommodating for substitutions (some restaurant happy hours will not accommodate menu substitutions, which can make or break your meal options if you have food allergies, like me) The decor is very modern- everything is shiny and new, with placemats that look like a million melted plastic yellow paperclips, and an impressive indoor crushed glass fireplace to sit around when it gets chilly. I am not a fan of the two televisions screens above the bar, or the parking lot view (try to snag a communal bench spot); but overall, the ambiance is high energy, and the music is upbeat. This is a place where you can dress up a bit and be surrounded by others on holiday- ready to jet off for a movie or shopping spree. Fab.

Happy hour is Monday-Saturday, 3-7pm and 9-close, and all day Sunday. Let’s go!

H5O Bistro & Bar
50 Southwest Morrison Street
Portland, Oregon 97204
503.484.1415

The massage room is spacious and warm with lit candles and calming music playing in the background, and I immediately feel at ease. A brief health questionnaire helps me navigate problem areas on my body for Rachael to work on, and I am asked what kind of essential oil blend I would like during the massage (nutmeg bergamot, please!). Before I know it, I am receiving an invigorating cocoa kona coffee body scrub, melting under Rachael’s strong hands. Scents of coffee, cocoa, and coconut waft through the air as I am buffed to a smooth polish. I know that only the best product is being applied, because Rachael utilizes 100% Pure, an Oakland, CA based company that only uses organic, food grade ingredients. I am a long time follower of 100% Pure, as any body product of theirs I have ever tried has left me smelling and feeling like a goddess.

The body scrub blends seamlessly into the massage, and I never once feel confused about what to do or feel exposed for a second, due to Rachael’s strategic towel draping. Her massage technique is powerful: she smoothes over sore areas and identifies trigger points in the body, working my stiff receptionist neck, all the while communicating about pressure and comfort (in a soft, soothing voice, as not to disrupt the bliss). Any knot I have ever had in my body has suddenly disappeared.

After my blissful services ends, I open my eyes to find a white robe and extremely comfortable, nearly orthopedic, Okabashi sandals, ready to be used if needed. If you ever have any tension, sore muscles, or simply need to relax and feel whole again, come to Sage Body and let Rachael work her magic on you – you will not be disappointed.

Sage Body
1804 NE 45th Avenue
Portland OR 97213
971-678-5846

Ingredients

2.5 C. Rolled Oats
1/2 C. Pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 C. Raw almonds, roughly chopped
1/2 C. Raw walnuts, roughly chopped
1/4 C. Sesame seeds
1/2 C. Sunflower Seeds
1/2 C. Shredded Coconut
1/3 C. Coconut Oil
1/3 C. Honey
1/4 C. Ground flax seeds
1/2 C. Currants
1/2 C. Golden raisins

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients except flax, currants, and golden raisins. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with a rack in the center of the oven. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut oil and honey, stirring until the coconut oil has melted and the oil and honey are somewhat combined. Remove from heat and pour over dry ingredients, mixing together with a wooden spoon. On a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, spread granola mixture evenly, and bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through baking.
Granola will look golden brown when done, but will not look crispy. Remove from oven and sprinkle curants, raisins, and flax on top, roughly combining with a wooden spoon. Allow it to cool before removing from pan. Granola should keep, regrigerated (omega rich foods, like ground flax seeds, are not stable at room temperature) for 10-14 days.

Facts

Why use coconut oil? Coconut oil is easy to digest, maintains thyroid health, as well as lowers your LDL (bad Cholesterol) levels. It contains 50% lauric acid, which is known to help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Coconut oil has also been shown to help your body absorb vitamins, minerals, and amino acids (if you add blueberries to the granola, you will absorb even more antioxidants), and can even help prevent viruses, due to its fabulous antimicrobial properties. How cool is that?