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.

Hey there!

I'm actually writing this about mid-June because after experiencing a few days of not feeling inspired to post on Facebook, followed by a few days of getting absolutely hounded in the comments...

I. Am. Over. It.

Where is Kati's real office?

If blogging, visiting supermarkets and posting on social media is my job, then the comment section on Facebook is basically my office.

It's where I have the most one on one interactions.

And sometimes it's kind of a toxic workplace.

Now, I will be the first to say that the community who follow my Facebook page are amazing. I've had so many brands and particularly gluten free influencers, comment about how lovely and friendly everyone is in the comments.

It really does make it my job a joy.

But man, the ones who are a pain really do get under my skin some days.

I guess it's true for most of us that one bad experience can linger in our minds a lot longer than ten positive ones.

So it's not surprising that people continuing to argue with me, despite me showing evidence, weighs heavily on my mind.

In the last month I've had so many people comment negatively when I've posted Allen's speckled snakes.

They've looked them up online, seen the out of date ingredient information, and rather than a polite, informative query, such as

"Hey Kati, I just looked this up on Big W and it says wheat, are you sure it's gluten free?"

They say.

"Stop advertising this as gluten free when it clearly contains wheat."

I don't think it's possible to read that in anything over than an aggressive tone.

That was just one example, I had other incredibly aggressive comments pop up that week too.

I was already having an off week in terms of motivation. Add this kind of behaviour on and it's too much.

Please give me some credit

Without a doubt, there are influencers out there who will tell you any old shit. Whether it's to buy a product, make a recipe that won't work or to rack up social media views and likes.

I am sure there are influencers out there who have shared posts before making appropriate checks.

I'm not one of them.

Check and check again

I photograph between 160 and 200 products a week for my specials posts.

Many items are labelled gluten free, no worries there. But most are not.

I check the ingredients of at least 50% of them every single week.

Some I check because I don't trust them. Some, I just don't remember. And others I haven't picked up in a while so it's good to check in.

I do that so that when I get a message or comment saying "Are you sure it's gluten free?", I can confidently say yes it is because I checked it that day.

I set a policy very early in making my website and socials. No may contains for wheat / gluten.

The reason I did it wasn't because I think people shouldn't eat may contain products. You're welcome to do what is best for you.

I did it because I don't want someone to see a post, get excited and then disappointed realising it's not suitable for them.

Coeliacs / gluten free folk can feel let down on a daily basis. I don't want people to look at my posts and feel like they're missing out.

I just wish that, those few people who do come out swinging at me would give some pause.

I wish they'd remember that this is my job. My sole focus is helping people in Australia to find more gluten free products.

It just baffles me that people may be thinking I'm out to deliberately mislead.

Moving on

I am sure that by the time the end of the month comes around and I'm reviewing this feature that I will be well past these feelings I've expressed. (I am ☺️)

Social media, like the news these days, is a 24 hour cycle. What is going viral one moment will be forgotten about in a few days' time.

Hopefully I'll have had a bit of a mental break and be feeling as happy as I usually am about what I do. (I do ☺️)

Taking names

By the way, since I always try to end things on a positive note.

Despite having some 60,000 followers these days - I do remember a lot of names.

I do remember the names of the snarky commenters, but overwhelmingly, overwhelming I remember the names of all the absolutely lovely people.

I remember the ones who comment thank you every single week on my specials posts. I remember names of people who commented on my posts three years ago and still pop up in my notifications today.

I remember the names of those who DM me their awesome finds and save me a tonne of leg work.

So yes, a big rant with a lot frustration, but even bigger love to so so many of you. 🙏🏼🥰

Kati x

Latest posts on katikeksi.com​

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

Gluten Free OREOs!

This release was a bit of a surprise, it wasn't on my radar at all. I sat down with my husband to review and compare these with Arnott's cookies and cream, and for my husband, the original OREO.

YesYouCan caramel mud cake mix

The YesYouCan caramel mud cake mix is now available at Coles. I tested it out and reviewed the kit with a blondies recipe.

Most popular content on Facebook

What's been big on Facebook this month?

• The Reject Shop has an entire wall of gluten free lollies available to buy.
• These rice puddings have been out for a while but they're the perfect winter warmer dessert.
• We shared our local charcoal chicken shops, there are so many across Australia doing gluten free options.
• Latina recently changed the recipe on their creamy carbonara sauce which is now gluten free by ingredient!
• Maccas always gets a lot of interest. The new Caramilk Sundae is GF, alongside that I've also updated my Maccas guide.
• I shared these thermal containers at Aldi and the comments are full of ideas for meals to send to school.
• This post about Coles ready roast beef got picked up and went a bit wild on the algorithm. On that - if someone is being a jerk in the comments - drop me a DM and I'll sort it out.
• The Aldi potato bake is back to being GF again! Gosh it changes so often.

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 made a reel to promote the new gluten free OREOs. I've still got a few packs from that job.
• I shared a photo of my lovely Yorkshire puddings. I think I need to do more Instagram posts to promote my recipes. 🤔
• And of course the summary of all the new gluten free products released in June.

New product alerts

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

• Coco & Lucas have a new ready meal and it's kid-sized! The meatballs and mash meal is available at Woolworths.
• A big mint chocolate block from Pana Organic. I had the Easter egg version of this recently and it was delicious. I hope it's the same!
• Cheezels but... Salt and vinegar? Yeah, not sure I understand it either.
• New.. ish? Aldi now has a big tub of vanilla ice cream that's gluten free. Not sure when that changed!
• In my view the best news this month, all the ready meals at Coles that are now suddenly GF! There's about seven or eight! I've updated my Coles ready meal guide with them all.
• Woolies has released a ready to heat mushroom risotto sold in the freezer section.
• Also at Woolies, loaded spuds. Cut potatoes, bacon, cheese and dressing ready to bake.
• ​Mint Twirl is back! I spotted it at a 7-Eleven last week in Melbourne.

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.

Article from the archive

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

Five Gluten Free Swaps

This was the first in a series finding gluten free swaps for popular products. This issue covers Vegemite, Pringles, Jaffas, French onion soup and Maccas nuggets.

Thanks for reading! If you want to support my work you can Buy Me a Coffee ☕.