Welcome to the Kati Keksi monthly newsletter, bringing together the latest content from the Kati Keksi website as well as highlights from social media including Facebook and Instagram.

Wow.

What a month of surprises this has been. Not in the gluten free world, in my own.

I reached 40,000 followers on Facebook!

I knew it was coming up, so the day I thought I'd reach it I bought some champagne to share at dinner as a little celebration.

We were having dinner with my parents that night and at dinner time I still hadn't made it, 39,981. 🫠

I felt like I couldn't celebrate early, so I held off and didn't open it.

Just as we finished dessert, and when my toddler was very tired and ready for bed it ticked over to 40,000.

Did I go home right away with my kid and put her to bed? Nope! We opened the champagne, toasted and had a glass. 🥂

It was a good moment to acknowledge and just reflect on the growth this year has brought.

But it wasn't all fun and celebrations this month.

About half way through the month my husband mentioned he'd need to go on a work trip. The next day he said it would be for two weeks.

Later that evening he told me he was leaving on Sunday.

That was a Thursday, three days notice for him to be off on a two week overseas work trip.

I've managed to scrape through the last two weeks. With help from my parents I got to the gym and I got photos of specials up twice a week. I even managed a plasma donation and my monthly book club session.

The main thing I didn't get done was work.

Facebook posts and Instagram stories I can just about keep up with, even at my busiest times. I often schedule posts ahead of time and I can reply to comments when I'm pushing a stroller or sitting down for a much needed coffee.

But sitting down to research and write articles requires time. Quiet, uninterrupted time.

For a full time mum that is usually nap time and late at night. For a 24/7 mum well... That doesn't happen. 😅

Add in the need for recipe development, photography and negotiating with brands... It's a lot.

So that is why my end of the month articles are a bit later than usual, along with this newsletter. I pushed back what I could and let things slide where I needed to.

I'm pretty happy with how things went, but I don't want to do it again any time soon. 🫣

My husband arrived home this morning (Father's Day), well before we woke up (actually him coming through the door woke me up).

It was so nice to see his face and even nicer to see him with our daughter.

As much as I want to give him an easy Father's Day, nope I'm exhausted. This one is all about me and it's time to relax.

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Kati x

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Gluten free souvenirs

You didn't think I'd really sign off a newsletter and not tell you where my husband disappeared to and what snacks he brought back?

He was in the US, 30+ degrees every day while it rained back here in Melbourne.

I gave him a shopping list of suggested products to buy and bring back home. I really like Chex cereal (there's about six gluten free flavours) and there are some Swedish style crisp breads there that you can't buy in Australia.

Here's a photo of the haul, everything made it through biosecurity (generally speaking, declare everything, if it's commercially made and no animal products you'll be fine).

US groceries are pretty interesting and rather tricky. One set of muesli bars my husband bought were labelled gluten free but the side of the box indicated a may contain for wheat.

There's no testing requirement in the US but there are I think two organisations that provide a testing standard and label for approved products. You can just about see the stylised G on the Bobo's and Katz products.

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Latest posts on katikeksi.com​

Not up to date with the website? Here's what I've been talking about this month.

I took a break the first week of August so there's a bit less this month.

What cinema popcorn is gluten free?

This question comes up in every Facebook group around the country. Here I've put together a list which will hopefully make it easier for panicked googling in the queue.

Gluten free swaps episode 3

I am genuinely so excited to finally be releasing another gluten free swaps article. This one covers GF swaps for kecap manis, seafood sticks, Cadbury Clinkers and more!

Gluten free Mars bar slice, Curly Wurly slice

It's hard to believe, but there aren't really any recipes online for this gluten free version of a Mars bar slice. Until now of course.

New gluten free products for August

Two ready meals, oodles of crackers, Belgian chocolate seashells and so much more.

Most popular content on Facebook

What's been big on Facebook this month?

• Coles rissoles aren't labelled gluten free on the front but they are tested on the back!
• Sun Rice's labels may have changed but their ready rice packs are still tested gluten free.
• Dr Oetker provided an update on their recent recipe change, confirming they are working to revert back to the original recipe.
• Did you know there's a family size meal at Coles that's gluten free? We had it for dinner recently, tandoori chicken and veggie feast.
• The MCG has gluten donuts! G Free donuts are at the G for the finals series.
• Grill'd has a new option and it's gluten free too.
• Have you had Nanna's gluten free crepes before? They are popular but can be hard to find. Check out everyone's recommendations for toppings.

Instagram @kati_keksi

Do you follow me on Instagram? I tend to post different content there compared to Facebook so it's worth checking out both.

Here's what I've been sharing this month.

• I found gluten free pappadoms without a may contain, in fact, they are tested gluten free!
• ​Curly Wurly slice got a space on my grid. Handy if you like to save posts on Instagram.
• My monthly reel of all the latest gluten free products is now available. A bit late, but worth the wait.

New product alerts

Here's just a few of the new gluten free products I've seen in the last month.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook where I post everything I find, and if you prefer, follow me on Instagram for a monthly reel summary.

• Coles has a new range of smallgoods by The Provedore. I've already tried the chorizo and it's so good, better than others I've bought here in Australia.
• Is this a mash up we need? CC's have released a Cheezels flavoured corn chip.
• I discovered pappadams that are tested gluten free at a green grocer. They are available at select Woolworths stores.
• The Reject Shop has been releasing more gluten free lollies including a tropical mix and aniseed rings.
• Select Coles stores are stocking onigiri that's gluten free by Yumami (Big Crunch Sushi).
• Not quite new, I think it's a comeback Turkish delight thins at Coles.

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Article from the archive

Did you know I started my website back in January 2022? There's so many articles, including reviews that you can read. Here's one I picked for you.

Foddies Thai green curry

This may be the only low FODMAP ready meal on the market, wow! Check out my review of the Foddies Thai green curry from way back in 2023.

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