Note: Watch the Tabor Mountain Bakehouse class schedule to learn when Kristi's next class for gluten free bakers & cooks is scheduled! Many of her classes are held right here at the Market!
I interviewed Kristi Hayes, of Tabor Mountain Bakehouse, last week. Before we got started, she brought out a tray of little bags full of what looked like ordinary Rice Krispie treats, except for the addition of chocolate chips. She explained that she mixes in a little almond butter and sweetens them with brown rice syrup.
“Take as many as you like,” she said.
“Oh, thanks, but I’ll just taste one for the article,” I replied.
I began the interview, reaching for a crispy treat. “So, I understand you specialize in gluten free baking. How did you get started with gluten free cooking?”
“My kids are allergic to everything,” Kristi replied, and explained how her family’s allergies changed her approach to cooking. Eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs and 24 other ingredients had drastically improved her children’s health, her health and that of her husband. A nurse by training, she explained how the immune system focuses on the gut and if it is preoccupied with food allergies, limited resources remain to protect the rest of the body. Eliminating the troubling foods frees the immune system to fight other threats.
“Take as many as you like,” she said.
“Oh, thanks, but I’ll just taste one for the article,” I replied.
I began the interview, reaching for a crispy treat. “So, I understand you specialize in gluten free baking. How did you get started with gluten free cooking?”
“My kids are allergic to everything,” Kristi replied, and explained how her family’s allergies changed her approach to cooking. Eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs and 24 other ingredients had drastically improved her children’s health, her health and that of her husband. A nurse by training, she explained how the immune system focuses on the gut and if it is preoccupied with food allergies, limited resources remain to protect the rest of the body. Eliminating the troubling foods frees the immune system to fight other threats.
We paused a moment while I finished chewing. I asked another question, hoping she wouldn’t notice I was reaching for another crispy treat.
“Tell me about your products. What ingredients do you use?”
“One thing I would like people to know is I use a lot of nuts,” Kristi told me. Her family can eat nuts and since they add flavor and texture, she uses them in many of her baked goods, despite their reputation as a common allergen. Customers sometimes assume her products are nut free, but that is not the case.
She showed me her menu and talked about the different items. She makes a variety of products, including ...
“Tell me about your products. What ingredients do you use?”
“One thing I would like people to know is I use a lot of nuts,” Kristi told me. Her family can eat nuts and since they add flavor and texture, she uses them in many of her baked goods, despite their reputation as a common allergen. Customers sometimes assume her products are nut free, but that is not the case.
She showed me her menu and talked about the different items. She makes a variety of products, including ...
- Gluten Free/Vegan Cookies, in flavors such as chocolate chip and pumpkin,
- Gluten Free/Vegan/Refined Sugar Free Coffee Cakes,
- Gluten Free/Grain Free/Vegan/Refined Sugar Free Muffins,
- Gluten Free/Grain Free/Vegan Cupcakes,
- Gluten Free/Vegan/Refined Sugar Free Granola
- Gluten Free/Vegan/Refined Sugar Free Biscotti Bites
- Gluten Free/Vegan Calzones and Pizza Crusts
She paused and the room went silent.
“Did you get that?”, she asked.
“Um ... yes,” I replied, distracted, longingly eyeing the plate of crispy treats again.
Everything Kristi makes is available by special order and many products can be picked up at the Market, to enjoy at home or over coffee with a friend. Contact her at 719-464-8183 or visit her website for more information or to order. Tabor Mountain Bakehouse goods will soon be available at a variety of shops. Watch her website and Facebook page to keep up with the news!
Written by Bonnie Simon of Hungry Chicken Homestead Business and Personal Writing Services
“Did you get that?”, she asked.
“Um ... yes,” I replied, distracted, longingly eyeing the plate of crispy treats again.
Everything Kristi makes is available by special order and many products can be picked up at the Market, to enjoy at home or over coffee with a friend. Contact her at 719-464-8183 or visit her website for more information or to order. Tabor Mountain Bakehouse goods will soon be available at a variety of shops. Watch her website and Facebook page to keep up with the news!
Written by Bonnie Simon of Hungry Chicken Homestead Business and Personal Writing Services
