kiara-oneil-blog - Tumblr blog

[kiara-oneil-blog]

Brace yourself... this is a long one: Being both vegan and gluten free, one of the most common questions I get asked is how I follow my “restricted” diet in social settings. Well, it wasn’t always easy. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac disease, the “gluten free bandwagon” had yet to arise in our society. Consequently, I would be sitting in a restaurant with my friends or family and ask the server if they had any gluten free options. More frequently than not, that question would be met with a look as if to suggest I either had three heads or a really huge zit on my forehead. Typically, the server would return with a manager who would enthusiastically tell me I could have some steamed broccoli (thanks Chili’s for the wonderful meal) and a baked potato as long as I wasn’t “highly” allergic. I was. I would then fight back tears while eating my meal of sides as I felt ashamed for being an inconvenience both to my company and the staff at the restaurant, as well as feeling isolated for no longer being able to partake in a causal meal out with loved ones. As the years progressed, I would call ahead to restaurants and, as people became more familiar with the gluten free lifestyle, would usually be told to not even bother trying to eat at their establishments. Of course, I now felt humiliated to have to turn down a long list of restaurants my company wanted to eat at. Then, as a gluten free diet became more and more popular, restaurants became less and less conscientious of the severe allergic reactions that could take place if a person with Celiac disease were to be contaminated. In fact, I once had a waitress say to me, “what, it’s not like a real allergy” after she (accidentally) brought me my salad with croutons on it and told me just to pick it off. Additionally, as I’m sure most of you gluten free vegans are painfully aware, many “gluten free options” are... chicken. Doesn’t help us 😂 So, looonnnnnnggggggggg story short: I planned ahead! I would call restaurants, do research online, look at my apps, make suggestions, have lists in my phone of “safe” places I could eat and, worst case scenario, I would bring my own food. Hey, my argument is that my bringi (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

My new staple: Fancy Avocado Toast!!! Just your basic avocado toast but topped with savory garlic and onion mushrooms. I can’t stop eating it! (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I had some left over sweet potato burger patties, so I decided to cook up some of my cheap and easy homemade baked black beans and some quinoa. I then drizzled my favorite green dressing, which I make by blending avocado, lemon juice, basil and garlic. So nutritious and filling after a long and raining day at work. #glutenfree #vegan #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreechicago #chicagovegan #veganchicago #celiacdisease #celiacawareness #celiacdiseaseawareness #cheapvegan #cheapveganmeals #cheapglutenfree #cheapmeals (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I was craving some chinese food, so I just made vegetable lo mein at home with pad thai rice noodle, crispy tofu and fresh veggies. It satisfied my craving and they taste even better as leftovers! (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I was craving some chinese food, so I just made vegetable lo mein at home with pad thai rice noodle, crispy tofu and fresh veggies. It satisfied my craving and I had plenty of leftovers! (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

It’s that time of year!!! Yes, I love my long hair, but it can be put to much better use than being up in a sweaty ponytail all summer long if it’s being made into a wig for someone in need 👩➡️👧#donatehair #byelonghair #summerchop #pantenehairdonation #pantene #wigsforwomen (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

#rednoseday (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

Friday Night means Pizza Night!!! Homemade cauliflower crust (wouldn’t be worth the time it takes to make if it didn’t taste so good), homemade vegan pesto, vegan mozzarella cheese, spinach, arugula, grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, fresh tomatoes and, of course, nooch. Fresh tastes so good 😊 (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I must admit, I have a bit of an obsession when it comes to bok choy. (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

Homemade miso soup with seaweed because it still feels like winter here. Super, super easy and super, super cheap! (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

It has been cold and rainy in Chicago for days, so I was craving some cozy soup. I made one of my favorites by throwing together any and all of the vegetables I had on hand with a homemade tomato broth and paired it with some brown rice for an extra hearty bite. Warmed me right up 🤗 (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kiara O'Neil | GF Vegan (@urban_gf_vegan)

Vegan Essential: WATER. Water with a squeeze of lemon is my favorite way to start off the day and I make sure to drink at least 150 oz of water a day! #drinkyourwater #veganessentials #stayhydrated #vegan #glutenfree #glutenfreevegan #chicagovegan #glutenfreechicago #celiacdisease #celiacdiseaseawareness #autoimmunedisease #chicagoglutenfree #veganchicago (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I’m not a huge coffee drinker but, when I do drink it, it’s technically creamer with a hint of coffee. However, I’m not a fan of buying vegan coffee creamer because, even though I use a lot of it in one cup of coffee, I never end up finish the container before it goes bad. Yes, that’s how infrequently I drink coffee. So, I decided to create my own vegan vanilla coffee creamer made from the canned coconut milk I always have on hand! That way, I don’t have to waste! #creamerwithahintofcoffee #vegancoffeecreamer #vegancoffee #glutenfree #vegan #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreechicago #chicagovegan #veganchicago #celiacdisease #celiacawareness #dontwastefood #makeityourself (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

I have been crazy busy studying for my grad school finals this week and have not had time to go to the grocery store, so I experimented with some new recipes by making do with whatever I have in the pantry (my fridge is literally empty minus a few condiments). Last night’s concoction was a can of chickpeas marinated in a blend of tahini, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika paired with some brown rice and drizzled with Sriracha. Delicious and protein packed, but I’m definitely craving some fresh veggies. So excited for farmers market season!!! #gradschoolproblems #graduatestudent #protein #wherearetheveggies #leftovers #veganchicago #glutenfreevegan #glutenfreechicago #chicagovegan #vegan #glutenfree #veganrecipes #glutenfreerecipes #chicago #celiacdisease #celiacdiseaseawareness #chicagoceliac #sriracha (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

What’s a movie night without some stovetop popcorn?! 🍿 I sprinkled on some Nooch to make it even more addicting 🤗 #movienight #saturdaynightin #movienightwithbae #popcorn #nooch #vegancrack #nutritionalyeast #vegansnack #glutenfreesnack #glutenfreevegan #vegan #glutenfree #veganchicago #glutenfreechicago #chicagoglutenfree #stovetoppopcorn (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

Drink your fruits and vegetables! With this abnormally warm weather we’ve been having in Chicago, I’ve been back to craving my smoothies 😋 #chicagovegan #chicagoglutenfree #smoothie #vegan #glutenfreevegan #glutenfree #celiacdisease #celiacdiseaseawareness #springishere (at Chicago, Illinois)

[kiara-oneil-blog]

My go-to snack these days: homemade hummus #protein #vegansnack #glutenfreesnack #glutenfreevegan #vegan #glutenfree #veganchicago #glutenfreechicago #canigetsomehummuswiththat #hummus #betterwithveggies (at Chicago, Illinois)