Angelina's - "Baking to the Rythm of Life"

This time, I was away for six days visiting my family in Central Oregon, including a one-day round trip to Portland with my daughter in a blizzard. Snow conditions on the passes hindered the return trip I had planned for earlier in the week, but by waiting a couple more days I was able to celebrate Mother's Day early with my mom (video) and oldest daughter, and enjoy a beautiful drive home with sunshine and blue sky all the way.

I arrived in Sisters before 2:00pm, and took the time to stop by Angelina's Bakery to pick up a couple of my favorite gluten-free baked goods and have a quick bite of lunch to fuel up for the two hour drive back to Eugene on Santiam Pass.

While the staff was reheating my slice of gluten-free Polenta Pizza layered with marinara sauce, a medley of vegetables and vegan cheese, and preparing my salad of fresh greens, feta and balsamic vinaigrette, I ordered gluten-free baked goods - a freshly-baked Marionberry Morning Muffin and a 2-pound loaf of Angelina's "Outrageous Orange Cinnamon Swirl Rice Bread for treating us to french toast on Sunday morning, which will be Mother's Day breakfast at our house. Now, that was a mouth full of healthy gluten-free goodiness. Yummers!

Angelina's Bakery, a local newspaper review rating it "a little slice of heaven", has been in business since 1997. For more information about their history, stories, staff, events, dedicated gluten-free bakery, menus and baked goods and bake-at-home products, visit Angelina's online.

Wishing mothers and grandmothers everywhere a very Happy Mother's Day!

Search for the Best Local Gluten-Free Baked Goods

Although I rarely bake or eat pastries or desserts, I keep my eye open for the best gluten-free baked goods sold commercially, especially a firm, but moist slice of gluten-free bread I can toast.

A couple of months ago, my husband purchased a freshly baked loaf of Tarte Desserts & Bakery's Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread for me at Market of Choice. Visit Tarte's website for other locations. So far, Tarte's Multigrain is my favorite gluten-free "toasting" bread of all I have purchased to date. It freezes well. Rainbird also specializes in gluten-free buttermilk, white pumpernickel, ciabatta rolls and amaretto biscotti, has developed a line of gluten-free pastries and plans to open a gluten-free cafe. Tarte opened in October 2009. Rainbird advertises her business solely by word of mouth. S0, tell your friends!

Photo Credit: Trask Bedortha, Eugene Weekly

Read the full article about Tarte in Eugene Weekly featuring Tarte's owner Phoenix Rainbird in their Winter 2010 CHOW! publication. Tarte is located at 1037 Maxwell Road, Eugene, Oregon.

Do you live in Portland, Oregon? I highly recommend New Cascadia Traditionals - The Gluten-Free Artisans. Whenever I visit Portland, I look for them at the Portland State University Saturday Farmers Market to satisfy my carving for their rich, dark chocolate gluten-free brownie. Chris and Teresa's artisan breads, baked goods and gourmet desserts are incredible!! This past year they moved into a new location at 1700 SE 6th Avenue.

Where are you shopping for your gluten-free baked goods in your area? What are your favorite products? Any disappointments?