Imagine our surprise at finding a small health food store named Naturally’s that stocks more gluten-free items than most grocery stores! In the back section of the store is a café with quite a range of gluten-free menu items.

Most of the appetizers are naturally gluten free, including the homemade hummus and the Nacho Average Nachos. You can add free range chicken or free range ground turkey for a small additional charge.

All of the soups and chili are gluten free and made locally from fresh ingredients. Or you can choose the Garden Harvest Salad and add turkey, tofu, egg salad, albacore tuna, or free range chicken to make a full meal.

There is a delectable sounding sandwich menu for those gluten eaters you are traveling with, but you are welcome to order the sandwich ingredients without the bread, or you could buy a loaf of gluten-free bread from the freezer and ask them to make you a sandwich, being careful to avoid contact with the rest of the kitchen.

There is a vast array of smoothies, all gluten free except for Athlete’s Answer. For protein boost they can add Source of Life protein powder, which says gluten free on the label. Many of these are also dairy free. Remind them to be sure and rinse out the container to be sure there is no residue from previous smoothies.

I sat and talked to manager Laura, who told me that Naturally’s has been in business for 28 years, but this is a new location. When I asked if there are many celiacs or gluten intolerant visitors to Naturally’s, she replied that they actually have more visitors when the “winter Texans” arrive for several months, but they have a year round supply of gluten-free products. These are not in a specific gluten-free section, but wherever you look you will see things you recognize mixed in with the others in the appropriate sections. Namaste and Glutino mixes next to regular mixes, gluten-free cereals next to regular cereals, gluten-free crackers next to other crackers. In the limited freezer section they even offer Ian’s Chicken Fingers Kid’s Meals with breaded chicken patties, mashed potato, corn, and chocolate cake (no casein, no eggs). There were a few selections from Gluten Free Café, which I had never seen in a store before. They also carry various frozen Kinnikinnick breads. Naturally’s is open 7 days a week, but the lunch counter is closed on Wednesday. Smoothies are available 7 days a week.

I sat and talked to manager Laura, who told me that Naturally’s has been in business for 28 years, but this is a new location. When I asked if there are many celiacs or gluten intolerant visitors to Naturally’s, she replied that they actually have more visitors when the “winter Texans” arrive for several months, but they have a year round supply of gluten-free products. These are not in a specific gluten-free section, but wherever you look you will see things you recognize mixed in with the others in the appropriate sections. Namaste and Glutino mixes next to regular mixes, gluten-free cereals next to regular cereals, gluten-free crackers next to other crackers. In the limited freezer section they even offer Ian’s Chicken Fingers Kid’s Meals with breaded chicken patties, mashed potato, corn, and chocolate cake (no casein, no eggs). There were a few selections from Gluten Free Café, www.myglutenfreecafe.com, which I had never seen in a store before. They also carry various frozen Kinnikinnick breads. Naturally’s is open 7 days a week, but the lunch counter is closed on Wednesday. Smoothies are available 7 days a week.

We were in this store almost every day and enjoyed talking to Laura. I am sure you will too. You can read more about Naturally’s and how it came to be by going to their Web site. (AB July 2008)

We were in this store almost every day and enjoyed talking to Laura. I am sure you will too. You can read more about Naturally’s and how it came to be by going to their Web site, http://www.naturallys.net. (AB July 2008)