Toronto has got to be one of the best places to live for a gluten-free vegetarian like me.
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| CN Tower in Toronto |
It's like everywhere I look there are gluten-free baked goods and gluten-free vegetarian foods. Many are also vegan, so no dairy, eggs or gelatin.
On Sunday September 11, 2011 I took the opportunity to check out the Toronto Vegetarian Festival at the Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. This festival is the largest of its kind in North America and it is a great chance to gather information and see what's new in the vegetarian world.
I visit just about every year and the gluten-free options and gluten-free awareness seems to grow with every festival.
I would like to apologize in advance for the quality of some of the pictures. The festival was really busy and I had to snap the pictures when there was a gap in the crowd.
Fresh organic produce delivered right to your door! They also offer some gluten-free packaged food.
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| Front Door Organics |
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| Bloomer's Bakery |
This vegan bakery offers GF baked goods from their dedicated gluten-free facility. Gluten-free options include the Flourless Cashew Cookie, Peppermint Nanaimo Bars, Espresso Cheesecake, Walnut Brownie, Chocolate Pecan Caramel Bar and more. They also just introduced NEW GF Chocolate Chip Cookies and GF Biscotti!
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| Sweets from the Earth |
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| Sweets from the Earth |
Bunner's is a vegan gluten-free bakeshop on Dundas in Toronto in the Junction. All baked goods are gluten-free, dairy & egg-free, soy free and free of refined sugar.
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| Bunner's |
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| Bunner's |
Free of refined sugar, gluten, eggs, dairy and soy, these vegan coconut cookies put other cookies to shame. The Mackies are the only flavour that is gluten-free. They are made on separate trays on different days than the company's spelt cookies. (Reminder: spelt is NOT gluten-free)
Products include soups, soybean snacks, appetizers, chili, side dishes and desserts made from beans. (Yes, you read that right.) Almost all products from The Bean Ladies are gluten-free - only a handful are not. Read packages carefully. All GF products are labelled accordingly.
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| The Bean Ladies |
Organic gluten-free custard mix, pudding mix, bouillon cubes and gummy candy.
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| GoBIO |
Think you can't have chips or tortilla chips because you're gluten-free, corn-free, potato-free and soy-free? Think again. Beanitos are free of the above, plus they are packed with protein, fiber and omegas and are low glycemic. Available in four flavours.
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| Beanitos |
These heat-and-serve meals from Rasm are easy to prepare and taste great - as long as you can handle the heat!
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| Rasm Indian Food |
This vegan, gluten-free milk alternative from Manitoba Harvest is a good source of omegas and protein and it's available in four different flavours. The set up was great. It was super busy and it took about 5 minutes for me to grab this (blurry) shot between taste-testers.
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| Manitoba Harvest Hemp Bliss |
Hemp hearts are super easy to sprinkle on your salads, cereal and yogurt to increase your protein and omegas. Organic option (green package) available, too.
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| Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts |
Kombucha contains natural probiotics, enzymes, amino acids and B vitamins. It has been said to increase energy levels, promote liver cleansing, increase metabolism and balance sugar levels. It's like a Celiac's dream.
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| Tonica Kombucha |
Prana offers a wide range of gluten-free organic raw, sweet or savoury nuts and dried fruit.
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| Prana Organic Nuts and Dried Fruit |
This product can be used in place of granola in your favourite recipes. You can also put it on top of yogurt, fruit or desserts.
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| Quinola |
These all natural, non-GMO pasta sauces have no added salt, sugar, preservatives, trans fats or additives. They contain only real ingredients that you can pronounce. It's the closest you'll find to a fresh, homemade pasta sauce in an authentic Italian restaurant.
Raw, organic, gluten-free and vegan vegetable-based snacks and kale chips. Developed by holistic nutritionists, the products are high in fiber, enzymes, vitamins and minerals and have no added sugar.
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| Two Girls Cooking |
If you're looking for a gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan alternative to butter or margarine, look no further.
Earth Balance has got you covered. To sway your decision, their products are also cholesterol-free and free of trans fats.
They make different varieties of buttery spread (minus the dairy) which can be used for spreading, baking, frying and more as well as vegan shortening.
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| Earth Balance |
And last but not least, (in fact, I think I saved the best for last) LPK's offers a huge range of gluten-free and vegan treats. Nanaimo bars, mini cupcakes, donuts holes ("Timbits") and my personal fave - gluten-free, vegan ice cream sandwiches!
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| LPK's Culinary Groove |
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| LPK's Culinary Groove |
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| LPK's Culinary Groove |
thank you for sharing all of this! I wish I could have gone.. maybe next year! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely check it out next year!
ReplyDeletePS - I like your name ;)
Wow! I will definitely be attending next year. The GF options are pretty impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the yummy pictures =)