Wild Wood Bakehouse Serves Up Gluten-Free Cuisine Just North of Campus
Joan Griffith
Having breakfast with Joan is like attending a crash course in everything you’ve ever wanted (or didn’t want) to know about the evils of gluten. Like many people, even food critics, I rarely gave a passing thought to the gluten contained in wheat, rye, spelt, kamut and other grains that had their origin in North Africa. But because of gluten, wheat has the capacity to absorb more of anything toxic in the environment than say, corn.
Hence, doctors began over a long period to observe that certain diets high in wheat were having an adverse effect on their patients. This began in the early 20th century with two sisters in Denmark. What was originally known as the Danish Sisters Disease gradually evolved into Celiac disease. This is literally where the small intestine loses its ability to pass the food along toward its ultimate path. In someone with acute Celiac disease, the undigested food can actually begin to ferment in the small intestine causing all sorts of problems.
The only acknowledged cure for people with gluten intolerance is the absence of gluten. No medicine exists.
But there is the Wild Wood Bakehouse. And they offer a delicious array of gluten-free dishes ranging from Migas and Breakfast Tacos to French Toast, Chicken Fried Steak, Lasagna, Pizza and a wide array of sandwiches and baked goods. The key to this is the flours they use. Joan prefers rice flour and tapioca to make the breading for her Chicken Fried Steak. Same for the crust on the pizza. She also uses brown rice flour. And their Foccacia bread is actually pretty good. It may take those who have a lifetime of eating wheat-based products some time to come around on this, but it is a viable substitute. Her Mama G muffin is ridiculously tasty, has no gluten whatsoever, and we eat them all the time at the office.
I have seen some of my friends and coworkers become absolutely miserable when in the mist of a full-blown Celiac episode. True, most of us don’t need to eat a gluten-free diet, but to those who do, Wild Wood is huge! And moreover, the food and baked goods have TASTE! And even for us wheat eaters, an occasional break could do our GI systems some good as well. Wild Wood has got me thinking more about everything I put in my mouth, and its impact with regard to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. And that’s not a bad thing.
Check this place out and try to grab a cup of coffee with Joan. You’ll be impressed, and you’ll enjoy the food as well.
