Author

Danielle Brown

Browsing
Healthy Food

Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad

By
Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad

Spring is here, and let’s celebrate it with a nice spring blueberry-pistachio salad, jam-packed with seasonal vegetables and tossed with simple honey vinaigrette. This easy spring salad combines a mix of textures with fresh mixed greens, blueberries, crunchy pistachios, and creamy goat cheese. It is a fresh, vibrant dish that can be enhanced with red onion, radishes, and avocado.

Why Our Family Loves this Recipe

So, I’m a calorie-conscious person, and I’m looking for a lot of protein, fiber, and vegetables in my meals. Also, I like to eat clean and fresh, so this salad hits all the marks. The pistachios and goat cheese have just enough protein and offer a vegetarian option. If I want more protein, I can just add grilled chicken.

There’s really no guilt in eating a salad that’s seasonal, fresh, and gluten-free. So it’s a win!

Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad
Print Pin

Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad Recipe

Enjoy this healthy spring salad, so colorful it will brighten up your mood. Plus it should make you feel good knowing that you are eating a healthy, vibrant dish that's satisfying.

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 package baby crispy green leaf lettuce
  • 1 package fresh blueberries
  • 1 english cucumber
  • 4 radishes
  • 1 package goat cheese crumbled
  • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
  • 1/4 red onion

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbs. lemon juice
  • 1 tbs. honey, maple syrup or agave
  • 1 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper

Instructions 

Salad Instructions

  • Lay a bed of lettuce
  • Prep veggies. Slice cucumbers and radishes. Then chop red onions.
  • Top with fresh blueberries, pistachios, red onions, cucumbers, radishes, and crumbled goat cheese.

Dressing Instructions

  • Whisk together dressing ingredients in mason jar, add pinch of salt and pepper
  • Toss and Serve. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not add the salad dressing until you are ready to eat the salad.

Don’t Forget to Pin this Recipe!

Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad

Pro Tips and Variations to Spring Blueberry Pistachio Salad

  • Adding more protein: add grilled chicken.
  • meal prep: store salad in 2-3 containers for the week ahead
  • Cheese variations: not everyone loves goat cheese, which has a distinct flavor profile; you can sub with feta cheese or your favorite variety.
  • Lettuce: Substitute any type of lettuce, including spring mix, whatever floats your boat.

How to Store

  • store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
  • store dressing in a mason jar for 3-4 days

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share your comments and feedback below.

  • Would you make it again?
  • Did you customize it?
  • What add-ins did you try?
  • Do you have any pro tips?

Also, don’t forget to share your photos on Instagram and tag @gfdalesio. Use hashtags #GFDalesio #FamilyFriendly #GlutenFree

What’s Next?

Create new family traditions in the kitchen or discover more gluten-free favorites at GFDalesio.com.

You might also love:

View Post
By
Recipes

The Best-Ever Scrambled Eggs

By

How do you make moist and creamy scrambled eggs without the eggs sticking or turning brown? You need to try this scrambled egg recipe; it’s the best-ever. Pair the eggs with crisp bacon, gluten-free toast, home fries, fresh fruit, or your favorite sides, and you have yourself a perfect Sunday breakfast or brunch.

My son Gabriel loves this recipe so much that almost every one of Gabriel’s friends has enjoyed breakfast with us. They enjoy helping with cooking, which makes the process even more fun.

View Post
By
Product Reviews

The Best Family-Friendly Gluten-Free Bread

By

Is there a gluten-free white bread that tastes like regular white bread? Unfortunately, no. There still isn’t a gluten-free bread that’s as affordable, tasty, and family-friendly as regular white bread. If someone ever figures that out, they’ll be a billionaire.

For now, families like ours who eat gluten-free are left sorting through the best options available. In this article, we’re sharing our top picks for gluten-free white breads that stand out based on taste, price, and how well they work for families. Our goal is to help you find the best option for your household.

View Post
By
Advocacy

Don’t Eat the Plates: Why people with celiac disease shouldn’t eat edible plates.

By
wheat germ plate with fruit, not safe for people with celiac disease

​What Happened? Why are people eating plates?

Who wants to eat plates? There’s a new craze with edible plates. Crazy right? Well, of course, the celiac disease community has a lot of questions about whether this is safe. In this post, we will dive into why celiacs should avoid eatable plates.

Not only does the plate not taste great, but a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has confirmed that it contains wheat and can be absorbed through your food.

Study on Edible Plates

They tested 8 different types of editable tableware samples, and found that most of them contain wheat. Interestingly, one particular plate contained traces high enough to cause cross-contamination. In other words, the “table 5” sample, which was an edible plate, contained high gluten levels that could be transferred to gluten-free food on the plate.

download the study
Chart of Biodegradable Tableware Information regarding edible plates
Chart of 5 different plates tested, Potential Transfer of Toxic Gluten from Biodegradable Tableware to Gluten-Free Foods: Implications for Individuals with Gluten-Related Disorders

What’s Happening Now

​Besides the need for biodegradable materials, I’m not really sure where this edible plate trend originated. We don’t eat straws or cups, so why would we eat plates? I mean, unless we are visiting Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and offered a chocolate cup, I don’t see the point of eating tableware. On the Celiac Cruise, they utilize the Strawfish brand for their straws. As part of the Save the Waves Recycling Program, and for sustainability purposes, Royal Caribbean committed to eliminating the one-time use of straws. Still, these straws aren’t edible.  

Willy Wonka eating an edible cup, and holding an edible plate

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/cb/d3/01cbd3eae982dfd0d4e4d1f7b81f30eb.gif

What This Means For You

Stay away from any edible plates or tableware that say edible or edible. They are not safe for people with celiac disease.

Do not ask AI if you can eat a plate. I ran the question through Gemini, and it said to check the labeling for gluten ingredients. Reality check: Tableware doesn’t have to list food ingredients; FDA rules do not apply to food contact materials (FCM), like plates. Here’s the incorrect information I received through Gemini, which rated the highest for celiac disease information:

The Golden Rule: Always check the packaging for a “Gluten-Free” label or a specific ingredient list (like corn, potato, or fallen leaves) before using or consuming edible tableware.

This increasing trend of using biodegradable edible plates poses a significant risk to people with gluten allergies and celiac disease.

What You Should Do Now Regarding Edible Plates

Take this as an opportunity to learn more about how your tableware, like plates, cups, and straws, are made. Then ask yourself if they are safe for people with celiac disease? Also, now is a good time to review other ways that gluten can be transferred, commonly known as cross-contamination. In closing, remember that gluten-free labeling only encompasses food, and not edible materials like plates.

Strawfish brand straws, natural and biodegradable, used by Royal Caribbean.
Strawfish brand straws used by Royal Caribbean, 100% biodegradable

What’s Next with Edible Plates?

Check out some relevant articles rated to edible plates.

Read on: Advocacy

​

Tags: celiac disease research, celiac disease research news, gluten-free, gluten-free diet, wheat

View Post
By
Breakfast

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

By

A GFDalesio favorite, these gluten-free pumpkin donuts are baked to perfection. Serve them as a fall treat or Thanksgiving breakfast; no matter what, they will be a hit all season long. They have an amazing comforting flavor profile, with the classic blend of pumpkin with traditional autumn spices, like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. So moist and tender, they have a cake-style texture that makes it hard to imagine you are eating fiber-packed donuts.

View Post
By
Guides & Tips

Gluten-Free at the Movies

By
Cinemark popcorn, gluten-free at the movies

Going to the movies tonight? What is gluten-free at the movies typically? What movie theatre food is okay for those with celiac disease? Can celiacs eat movie theater popcorn?

In this post, I will discuss how your family can enjoy the movies while maintaining your gluten-free lifestyle. This is your Guide to a Gluten-Free Family-Friendly Movie Night. You will learn the basics of what is gluten-free at movie theaters, what to avoid, and best practices. After all, you should be spending savoring life’s precious moments with your family, and less time worrying about eating gluten-free.

What is Gluten-Free at the Movies?

  • Popcorn (Plain): Most movie theater popcorn is gluten-free.
  • Sodas & Waters: These are naturally gluten-free.
  • Candy (Generally Safe): Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Mike & Ikes, Starburst, and some M&M flavors are safe, but always check packaging for cross-contamination warnings.

What to Avoid:

  • Artificial Butter Topping/Flavors: This is a common source of gluten or dairy-based issues; request it plain.
  • Flavored Salts/Powders: These can contain hidden gluten or dairy.
  • Other Snacks: Avoid pretzels, cookies, and pizza. Stay away from nachos; while tortilla chips are often gluten-free, the cheese sauce may contain gluten, and there’s a strong chance of cross-contamination.  

Best Practices for Gluten-Free at the Movies:

  • Ask for Popcorn (Plain): Request your popcorn with no butter or flavored toppings.
  • Check for Cross-Contamination: Even if ingredients are often gluten-free, shared prep areas can pose risks; inquire with staff about how the food is prepared.
  • Check Allergen Information: Refer to the movie theatre’s official site or ask for their allergen guide. Many places do post allergen information, but if not, do not refer to AI to other varied websites.
  • Become a rewards member: Many movie theaters offer a discount if you sign up for their movie club, a subscription-based service. We are members of the Cinnemark Movie Club. Save 20% on food at the concession stands, absorb no fees, and rollover tickets just for being a rewards members. Usually, we save our movie credits until a good movie comes out and invite friends.

Don’t Forget to Pin this Post!

Gluten-Free at the Movies

Theater Options:

Cinnemark

plain popcorn is gluten-free; it’s made with gluten-free oil and kernels. Also, it’s Kosher, Halal-friendly, gluten-free, organic, and non-GMO. Avoid artificial butter topping and flavored salts, as they may contain gluten or cause issues for sensitive individuals. Ask for it plain or with no toppings to be safe.

Enjoy the gold—and buttery—standard at your next screening. This beloved movie snack not only pairs well with every movie, but with nearly every diet, too—our high-quality popcorn is Kosher and Halal-friendly, gluten-free, organic and non-GMO.

Cinnemark

Also Read: Allergen Information at Cinnemark

AMC

Plain Popcorn Tub (no butter) is gluten-free and contains no wheat.

Marcus Theatres

Marcus Theatres also has gluten-free popcorn.

Our popcorn, and all of the related food items (salt, popping oil and buttery topping) are dairy free and gluten free. Unfortunately we cannot call the products Vegan, solely because we are not sure if the Flavorcol brand salt we use is processed in a Vegan-friendly environment.  Other than that, the product itself does not contain dairy.  

Marcus Theatres

Key Takeaways

After reading this post, I hope you have a better understanding of what is gluten-free at movie theaters, what to avoid, and best practices. Make your adventure family-friendly with a movie that you can all enjoy together while eating gluten-free. The bottom line is that popcorn and drinks are a safe bet, and most of the candy is gluten-free.

View Post
By
Desserts

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

By
Healthy Black Bean Brownies on a plate

No regrets here with these healthy, chocolatey, fudgy, fiber-rich black bean brownies that melt in your mouth. Who can even imagine a brownie with black beans that tastes good and has no bean flavor? Is that even possible? Yes, it is with this sweet protein-packed recipe, perfect for healthy treats in your lunchbox. Make these amazing brownies ahead of time during your Sunday meal prep, and enjoy a guilt-free dessert later.

View Post
By