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Without question, pizza is my favorite food, but I'm also trying to eliminate wheat products from my daily diet. I'm seeking out the best of both worlds, eating my favorite food, while also trying to reduce my consumption of wheat.
Cranking out a good alternative pizza crust isn't easy, and finding out who makes the best one around the Wichita Metro is the focus of the Best in the Wichita Metro Pizza Challenge 2023 - Gluten-Free Edition.
On a Thursday night date night, Jennifer and I ventured out to Ziggy's East to sample their pizza on a gluten-free crust.
Ziggy's gluten-free crust is based on brown rice flour, a variation from the more common alternative, a cauliflower-based crust. Another pizza variation when ordering GF here, instead of Ziggy's traditional rectangle-shaped pizza and square slices, the GF pizza comes in a round, 10-inch pie.
Jennifer and I arrived at about 6 p.m. We were greeted warmly at the door and informed it was "Sit anywhere you like." There was a decent-sized Thursday Night Football crowd in attendance, but we were able to find a table with no problem.
Our server, Grace, quickly introduced herself and took our drink order. We really didn't have to look at the menu, as we had both pursued the online version earlier in the day during breaks at our respective jobs. We had both independently decided on hoping to order Ziggy's Classic Pizza. Great minds think alike. The Classic comes topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, green pepper, onion, mushroom, and black olives.
Delivering our drink order, Grace took our dinner order, the Classic pizza on the GF crust, and an Italian Salad. After a bit of small talk that included of all things professional wrestling which was on display on one of the TVs, our pizza arrived. The visual appeal was good but wait a minute... What happened to the salad? Grace immediately realized the omission and scurried back to the kitchen to remedy it. Faster than a politician changes his mind, that Italian salad was delivered to the table. See what I did there with the election season humor? I digress...
Looking forward to sampling that brown rice-based gluten-free crust, I took that first bite of pizza. A tad under-baked, it was a bit chewy, lacking that light crispy exterior and fluffy, flaky interior and it needed some herbal notes, it was a bit bland. The toppings made up for it some. The pizza was loaded with Italian sausage, Ziggy's uses fresh mushrooms rather than canned which is a big plus. The green pepper and onion were tender-crisp and the generously portioned cheese had a nice melt and pull. The only thing to critique on the toppings was the portion of pepperoni was a bit sparse.
Priced at $13.99, The Ziggy's Classic Pizza on their gluten-free crust scored 55 out of a possible 63 points on the spreadsheet, earning 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars. Overall, it's a good pizza at a reasonable price, the so-so crust and the lack of pepperoni prevented this pizza from scoring better and earning 5 stars. As is, although reasonably priced, I'll explore other GF pizza options before declaring this a repeat buy.
Ziggy's East is located at 12115 E 21st St N., #101, Wichita, KS. 67206. The service was good, Grace was friendly and engaging. She apologized for the salad oversight, corrected it immediately and her follow-up throughout the meal was commendable. Observation & Recommendation to Ziggy's, supply tables with disposable coasters. Perhaps you don't do so now due to cost considerations, or maybe you were out on this occasion? But if you're going to serve cold beer in frosted pints and schooners, c'mon...
$pend Wisely My Friends...
~ Mike
Out and about running errands one-day last week, I was in need of a quick lunch.
I spotted a Burger King nearby and I've been wanting to try their new Royal Crispy Wraps, so I hit the drive-through.
The "Royal" Crispy Wraps are BK's response to consumer demand that fast food puts some snack-size wraps on their menus. The "Royal" Wraps feature crispy white-meat chicken, tomato, and lettuce wrapped in a soft tortilla, they come in three flavor varieties, classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard.
I ordered one each for the purpose of this review, sampling the flavors, and with the consumption of three wraps I made a meal of it, I didn't need a side and besides, I also didn't need a carb overload from fries.
I bit into the classic first. I got tortilla, mayo, and some lettuce, no chicken, no tomato. In prepping these things, BK cuts up a chicken patty to make them, OK, fine, and I'm taking an educated guess that one of their patties will make three of these wraps. But cut the darn thing evenly! Check out the wrap reveal showing how you don't get chicken or tomato in every bite in two of the three wraps. The classic version tastes as expected, a generous portion of mayo and lettuce carrying the wrap. The Honey Mustard is a nice change of pace but is light on the mustard. The sweet/tart balance is off. The spice flavor is decent, probably the best flavor profile of the group, but that's not saying much. The chicken was crispy in all three wraps, but again, I didn't get chicken in every bite in two of the three wraps and didn't get tomato in every bite in all three wraps.
I'm not impressed.
Costing $2.99 each, I'm giving Burger King Royal Crispy Wraps 2 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars. BK's answer to meeting consumer demand for a snack-size wrap is a royal miss! The restaurant's approach and rush to make a quick marketing buck rather than put out a quality product is another example of poor executive decision-making and why BK's decline in fast food market share continues. These wraps are NOT worthy of a repeat buy.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
~ Mike
The Burger King visited on this occasion is located at 11551 E Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS 67207. I pulled into the drive-through and placed my order at 11:26 am. I was the only vehicle "in line" and there were just a few cars in the parking lot (employee vehicles). The service was polite, and I was asked to pull ahead and wait for my order which is an indication the fry on the chicken was fresh. But again, I was the only vehicle in line and was until I received my wraps and I didn't see anybody pull in as I left. Business was slow on this day. Why do you think that is BK?
It was a Sunday night date night, and I was cooking dinner for Jennifer. I was handling the main dish and a side, she was bringing the dessert.
It was a no-fuss kind of meal - perfect for watching the Kansas City Chiefs destroy the Chicago Bears - Crock Pot Crack Chicken, Seasoned Curly Fries, and Jennifer picked out the perfect dessert. She's wonderful.
Trader Joe's Rustic Apple Tarte
Found in the frozen section, it's fully baked, so all you have to do is heat it up and serve.
This tarte is SO tasty! The folded crust is super flaky, and the apple filling, blended with cream cheese and dusted with cinnamon and sugar is a delightful bite. Topping things off are those slivered almonds, creating a nice, light, nutty crunch. I didn't have any ice cream on hand, and this tarte was lovely on its own, but it would be even better with a scoop of vanilla. Another nice add would be a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Available at Trader Joe's for $4.99, I'm giving the Trader Joe's Rustic Apple Tarte 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars. Very reasonably priced, it's a perfect petite dessert for 2-4 people and it tastes like something your grandma made. Super convenient and tasty, this dessert flat-out rocks and is most definitely a repeat buy!
$pend Wisely My Friends...
~ Mike
Chicken Shawarma, with roots in the Middle East, is thinly sliced chicken featuring regional spices. A super popular street food, boneless/skinless chicken gets stacked in an inverted cone shape, then is cooked slowly on a rotisserie or spit with that fantastic blend of spices. Street vendors then slice off portions of the cooked meat, serving it up with pita or naan bread. Also great on salads and over rice, Chicken Shawarma is delightfully delicious, especially when paired with a yogurt, tzatziki, or tahini sauce.
I'm a bit spoiled, I live in a town that has some great Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine eats, shout out to N&J Cafe, my favorite Chicken Shawarma spot in the Wichita Metro.
Sadly, the only time I ever eat Chicken Shawarma is when I go out to eat. It's not a dish I fix at home.
Until now.
Picking up some staple items at Costco on a recent shopping trip, I happened across a refrigerator holding several packages of On The Street Foods Chicken Shawarma Slices captive. I broke one out and put it in the get-away cart.
This is fully cooked meat, so all you have to do is heat the Shawarma up per the package instructions, super easy, and super convenient and dinner is ready in about 5 minutes!
I served the Shawarma over seasoned rice, a classic platter presentation. Biting into the chicken it's got all the notes you look for in a shawarma, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, a touch of cinnamon, some red pepper, and a bit of turmeric for color. The chicken was tender, juicy, and satisfied my impromptu Middle Eastern street food craving.
Costing me $11.99 at Costco for 2 pounds of meat, I'm giving On The Street Foods Chicken Shawarma Slices 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars. Reasonably priced, it breaks down to just $1.50 per serving, and there's a lot of meat here, the bag states 8 servings and the serving portions are legit. It's a super convenient eat and most importantly, tastes good. Not as good as N&J Cafe, but pretty darn good nonetheless and I don't know about you, but how many people are able to stack up a cone of meat and put it on a spit at home?
$pend Wisely My Friends...
~ Mike
Just in Time for the Fall Blizzard Treat Menu, Fans Can Win a Set of Their Own in Upcoming Sweepstakes on @DairyQueen Social Channels
MINNEAPOLIS -- Fall is officially here, and as the weather begins to cool, it’s time to break out the knitwear. In celebration of the Fall Blizzard® Treat Menu, available now, American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) has created an exclusive accessory that fans – and their BlizzardTreats – can wear with flair, BlizzardBeanies!
(Photo: Business Wire)
Available in two fall-forward styles – rich cream and an on-trend neutral check – each pair of Blizzard Beanies comes with one full-sized beanie and a matching, Blizzard Treat size beanie to keep hands warm while enjoying a cool treat. Each matching set offers endless opportunities to match with your favorite treat on the Fall Blizzard Treat Menu, the ultimate fall fashion flex.
“We know our fans love fall, whether it’s digging into a delicious treat from ourFall Blizzard Treat Menu or breaking out their fall fashions,” said Maria Hokanson, executive vice president, marketing at ADQ. “Our BlizzardBeanies will give fans the chance to do both and celebrate the very best of the season, with a beanie on their heads and a matching, cozy BlizzardTreat in their hands.”
The DQ® Fall 2023 Blizzard Beanies Sweepstakes
Fans can enter for a chance to win* one pair of Blizzard Beanies by heading to @DairyQueen on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok between October 2 and October 13 and look for posts dedicated to Blizzard Beanies. There, they can enter by following @DairyQueen and commenting with their favorite Blizzard Treat using #BLIZZARDBeaniesSweepstakes. Full sweepstakes rules can be found atdairyqueen.com/en-us/fall-blizzard-menu-giveaway-rules.
The Fall Blizzard Treat Menu is currently available at participating locations for a limited time only. Fans can get their fix of the following flavors for a limited time only.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 U.S. (D.C.) excluding Texas, 18 years and older. Ends 10/13/23. See Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, at DQ.com. Void where prohibited.
About IDQ
International Dairy Queen Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,000 restaurants in the United States, Canada and more than 20 other countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Berkshire), which is led by Warren Buffet, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.
IDQUS for Food, Treats & Beverages - US
Omaha, Neb. – While National Coffee Day is September 29, Scooter’s Coffee has been spreading the coffee love all month long by offering FREE delicious, fresh-brewed coffee to customers every day throughout September. By the end of September, Scooter’s Coffee anticipates its stores will have served more than 1 million cups of free fresh-brewed coffee since September 1.
“What an exciting milestone to give away over 1 million cups of coffee during our September celebration of National Coffee Day,” said Joe Thornton, President of Scooter’s Coffee. “We have enjoyed the positive feedback from our valued loyal customers and new customers. Our Baristas have loved the joyful interactions with familiar and new faces each day in the drive-thru. It’s a reminder that a cup of coffee represents kindness, warmth and connection.”
Customers have been flocking to Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru locations throughout September to sip and savor fresh-brewed hot coffee for free.
Stop by your local Scooter’s Coffee on National Coffee Day or any remaining day in September for a FREE brewed coffee of any size. The offer is valid one cup per person, per visit, while supplies last.
The coffee won’t stop flowing after the month ends. Scooter’s Coffee plans to extend the coffee love beyond September. Beginning October 1, customers can order any size fresh-brewed coffee for just $1.
“Making our fresh-brewed coffee available going forward for $1 on our menu is our way of extending an everyday great value while recognizing the loyalty and support of our amazing customers,” said Thornton.
Scoot on through the Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru and pair your brewed coffee with a fall bakery treat such as one of our Pumpkin Caramelicious Muffins or Maple Waffle Sandwiches. Customers can scan the Scooter’s Coffee Mobile App to earn Smiles that can be collected and redeemed for free drinks.
About Scooter’s Coffee
Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee uses only the finest coffee beans in the world, which are roasted by its affiliated company, Harvest Roasting, in Omaha, Nebraska. In over 25 years of business, the key to Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company’s four core values, which are Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees, is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers.
Scooter’s Coffee, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase. The company is approaching 700 stores in 29 states, with plans to have 1,000 franchise stores open by the end of 2024. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion-a-year, recession-resistant industry, and Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation.
For more information, visit scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee, or ownascooters.com, or call 877-494-7004.
Draft Guidance Provides Examples of Ways Manufacturers Can Significantly Minimize or Prevent Allergen Cross-Contact and Undeclared Allergens
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced updated draft guidance designed to help food facilities comply with the requirements for current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) and preventive controls for human food. In particular, the new chapter on food allergens outlines ways to ensure protection of food from major food allergen cross-contact and to ensure that the finished food is properly labeled with respect to the major food allergens.
Millions of Americans have food allergies and may experience adverse reactions to products that contain food allergens. While many allergic reactions may involve only mild symptoms, some are severe and may even be life-threatening. Earlier this year, sesame was added as the ninth major food allergen when the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act became effective on Jan. 1. This means that sesame, when present in a food, is now required to be disclosed on food labels and firms need to implement controls to significantly minimize or prevent sesame allergen cross-contact.
With the passage of the FASTER Act, the FDA and families with sesame-allergic members hoped that it would become easier for those allergic to sesame to feel more confident in their food choices with the clear label declaration of sesame. However, some manufacturers are intentionally adding sesame to products that previously did not contain sesame and are labeling the products to indicate its presence, rather than take appropriate measures to minimize or prevent cross-contact. This keeps manufacturers in compliance with the law for disclosing the presence of a major food allergen. However, it also limits options for consumers who are allergic to sesame, a result the FDA does not support. The FDA is encouraging industry to follow the draft guidance on ways to significantly minimize or prevent allergen cross-contact and undeclared allergens and review the examples provided--rather than intentionally adding sesame to their products to comply with the law.
“The FDA is looking for opportunities that could help consumers who are allergic to sesame and other major food allergens find foods that are safe for them to consume. We encourage manufacturers to follow the guidelines in the draft guidance updates released today to prevent allergen cross-contact and ensure proper labeling,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “We recognize there are challenges with ensuring products are free of allergens and we are engaging with stakeholders on this issue. The agency is interested in finding solutions, within our authorities, that meet the needs of consumers with food allergies. Updating this draft guidance with the new allergen chapter provides one tool to help manufacturers meet this goal.”
Chapter 11—Food Allergen Program and Chapter 16—Acidified Foods—are among the chapters that have been added since the draft guidance, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food, was first issued in 2016.
Chapter 11—Food Allergen Program—explains how to establish and implement a food allergen program that ensures protection of food from major food allergen cross-contact and that the finished food is properly labeled with respect to the major food allergens. It provides many examples of ways to significantly minimize or prevent allergen cross-contact and undeclared allergens using CGMPs and preventive controls. Labeling errors are the cause of most FDA food allergen recalls, and Chapter 11 includes guidance on how to monitor or verify that the food allergens are properly declared as required and the correct label is used for the product.
The chapter also discusses circumstances in which, despite adherence to appropriate CGMPs and preventive controls, allergen presence due to cross-contact cannot be completely avoided and options a firm can consider, including the voluntary use of allergen advisory statements when appropriate. The chapter complements the FDA’s recently released Draft Compliance Policy Guide on Major Food Allergen Labeling and Cross-Contact, which reflects the agency’s risk-based and science-based approach for the evaluation of potential allergen violations.
Chapter 16—Acidified Foods—applies to manufacturers, processors or packers of acidified foods (such as some processed sauces, beans, cucumbers or cabbage that have an overall pH of 4.6 or below). It explains how these manufacturers can use procedures, practices and processes that they have established to meet requirements in the acidified foods regulations to satisfy requirements under the preventive controls for human foods rule.
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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Migraines are headaches with intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head, along with nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine can last four to 72 hours when untreated. According to the National Institutes of Health, 12% of Americans (about 37 million people) have migraines. These debilitating headaches affect children and adults, and women are three times more likely to have migraines than men (about 18% of women have migraines).
About one-third of people with migraines experience an aura – visual disturbances such as dots, flashing lights or a blind spot – that signals the beginning of the headache.
There are many medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce migraine pain and symptoms. FDA-approved migraine medicines can prevent or treat migraines. They can be taken orally (by mouth), intranasally (inhaled through the nose), or injected by a health care professional.
Often migraines are not diagnosed at all, or migraine patients are prescribed a treatment that doesn’t work for them. If you have headaches, you should tell your doctor about them. Ask for a referral to a migraine specialist if the treatment is not working for you.
Since 2018 the FDA has approved several new prescription migraine medicines. Some of the newer FDA-approved migraine medicines are safe for people with certain heart conditions, unlike some previously approved treatments. Some newer medicines also are less likely to slow your heart rate (e.g. propranolol) or thinking (e.g. topiramate). If your current migraine medicine is not working well for you, talk to your health care professional about new treatment options that may be available.
These medicines, when they are taken regularly, may help to reduce the number of migraine headaches but rarely eliminate them completely.
Migraine sufferers are at risk of developing a condition called medication overuse headache (MOH). This is a migraine-like daily headache, or marked increase in frequency of migraine attacks, caused by the overuse of certain medications.
Studies have shown that using certain pain medications for 10 or more days a month may cause MOH. These include:
That’s why the FDA has worked with companies to add a description of MOH to labels of nonprescription (over-the-counter, or OTC) oral pain medications used to treat migraines. Prescription migraine medication labels also have a similar warning.
Headaches caused by medication overuse usually stop when people stop taking the pain medication. Talk with your health care professional if you believe you have MOH. They can determine what is causing your headaches and can tell you the best way to cut back on headache medicine.
Some headache medicines can be stopped quickly, but some must be tapered down slowly. Some people may need additional treatment for withdrawal symptoms.
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