We are on our February vacation here in New Hampshire and yesterday we were looking for a small adventure. As some of the readers know my daughter, Brighid, has Celiac’s disease. This means, in laymen terms, she has an allergy to a certain proteins called gluten. Gluten is also the cause of the magic in most baked goods giving them their gooey sticky wonderful goodness. So, this is why we experiment a lot with gluten free food items to try and develop a manna of baked goods for Brighid to enjoy. While we are also whole food consumers as well as health centered in our approach it makes the experiments even more challenging. So–occasionally we like to see what others are creating with gluten free goods so we can compare ideas and try out new foods. For some of you who already eat gluten free I am sure you have run into the same disgusting food products out there–we have bought cookies I would not feed to the dogs let alone pack in a lunch tote for my children. We have also seen the increase in prices that people pay simply because it is gluten free. So, with those things in my mind we headed out to Buzz’s Bakery in North Hampton.
We arrived close to the closing time so our choices were limited. However we were greeted by the owner and his mother as soon as we walked in. So, first note is that Buzz’s Bakery is a family run establishment and that alone is an endearing quality for a bakery to have, don’t you think? It was like walking into a friend’s home when his mother had just finished making something homemade and wonderful–like a hug! The bakery is small and clean and everything is right there for you to see. I talked for a while with the owner, Steve, about food ideals ,ingredients, and healthy choices etc. It was like meeting a fellow foodie who had the same REAL FOOD focus. He explained he uses real butter, real sugars and also mentioned the movie Food Inc. He agrees with the rest of the real food community that people should view this movie and grasp the meaning behind it. HELLO STEVE!
After I talked for far too long (remember they were about to close when we arrived? OOPS!) we decided to make our choices. I wanted to try everything soups, pastas, breads, rolls–but we choose a few baked treats to begin with.
Inside Out Whoopie Pie, Brownie, Almond Cherry Scone
There were a lot of things to choose from and the prices were what you would expect from a normal whole food bakery–not from a specialty one–meaning great prices! They also had a few non gluten free food items for that person in your family who is not limited–and they make sure to out source for those so that there is no chance of contamination to the foods they prepare.
We selected the White Chocolate Almond Cherry Scone, the traditional brownie, and the inside out whoopie pie. The brownie in this picture I cut to fit in the shot–they give you a large piece. It was chocolaty and the texture was rich and doughy and exactly what a brownie your mom made you should be like. Perfect!
Biddy helped me set up the pastries for the picture--she adjusted the whoopie pie for me!
The whoopie pie was another win, very rich in texture and flavor–filling your mouth up with sugar and calories and delight. In fact I believe milk was invented just for these whoopie pies–do not tell the cows or their feelings may be hurt. Now, with these two items I want to also add–this is real food and your body knows real food. When I was talking with Steve we were commenting on how you do not have to over eat treats and that eating rich luxurious foods in a normal quantity is fine–we are living beings who hate to be deprived so indulging with a healthy conscious is good for the soul! So–when you eat these foods with the real ingredients you are sated and enjoy the portion they give you. It just tastes so much better than store bought artificially flavored junk that you do not feel like you are missing out on anything!
OK, the last item we tried–that scone! WOW! It was like a baking soda biscuit that your grandmother made in the summer time that she slathered whipped cream and strawberries over. The texture was so perfect, the right balance of salt and butter and almond—the cherries in it were a wonderful addition. I loved these–I want this recipe! If you started every Sunday morning off with a scone like this, there would be no need for church! What a great little cake this was!
We were thrilled with the samples we came away with and we will be heading back to try out the breads and pizza crusts. If you are in the area of North Hampton be sure to stop in–you will be thrilled!
You can see more of their products by visiting their homepage!
A holistic health and fitness educator living with her husband and 5 children in New Hampshire. Maureen graduated with honors from Australasian College of Health Science in 2004 and was a nominee for the Graduate of the Year. After completing college she earned fitness certifications with International Sports Science Association, American College of Sports Medicine and with the United States Navy. She has worked as a fitness specialist for the Navy and runs her own fitness support community on the internet. Maureen is passionate about fitness and weight loss; having lost almost 90 pounds herself.
Jamie Wilson is a talented and passionate cook, a full time Geologist. and a mother of a very energetic little girl. She strives to feed her family in the best and healthiest way possible. Struggle with weight related issues is no stranger to Jamie, by using the guidance that Maureen was able to provide She has been able to get herself back on the right track. Recently, Jamie has made some wonderful progress in making the healthy lifestyle changes in her own life. Jamie loves to teach and share her knowledge of culinary delights, so what better way than by sharing a few healthy recipes in a fun and useful cookbook.