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Hi everyone! This is Emily, the GM here at BabyCakes NYC and the resident Walt Disney World fanatic. I am excited to announce that this coming weekend, BabyCakes NYC is coming to Walt Disney World! Well, specifically, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Erin is honored to have been asked to participate in the Authors Without Borders series. She will be giving a brief talk about her cookbook, Babycakes followed by a book signing at the Wonders Theatre in the Wonders of Life Pavilion in Epcot. She is participating Friday, October 23rd; Saturday, October 24th; and Sunday, October 25th. The presentation is each day at 12 noon, immediately followed by a book signing at 12:45.

If you will be visiting the Orlando area this weekend, or if you live in central Florida we would love to see you there! For the complete event schedule,please click here.

Let me get right to it.

When I realized I couldn't tolerate wheat, dairy and sugar it wasn't because I had a blood test done or anything, it was by quitting cold turkey. After removing them from my diet, all my ailments went away. My skin cleared up, I had more energy, the stomach upsets were gone. I was a new girl. And oh-my-agave was I ever grateful.

Soon after this realization, not only did I stop eating wheat, dairy and sugar--I got really nit-picky about everything I ate and obsessed with digestion and overall health. The good news is that I learned a lot about nutrition and used the knowledge while creating my recipes for the bakery.The bad news was that I got all koo-koo crazy about every little thing I ate. My list of requirements read like the Odyssey. Is it organic? Are there preservatives? Hormones? Omega 3's? If I combine my rice with beans would it give me more energy then eating rice with nuts? When out to dinner, I was one of those girls. You know the one that's like, "What kind of oil do you use? Are your vegetables organic? Is your soy non-GMO? How do you make your tempeh?". I was real obnoxious and a total buzz kill for any dinner companion. Luckily, I've learned how to loosen up since then. I love food too much to agonize over the tiny things that I can't control and I have to say much happier with simply avoiding dairy, wheat, and sugar.

Now to the real talk. Last week I met my sisters for breakfast when I was in San Diego. They decided to meet at a bagel shop because that's what they and many normal people eat for breakfast. Now, I blame this partially on the fact that I was jet lagged, another partially on wanting to do what my sisters were doing and a final partially cause after all this time there's still a little voice in me that doesn't believe I can't digest wheat. So...I. Ate. A. Bagel. I know, gasp! gasp! I totally did it. And I was fine. For an hour. And then the pain began and let's just say I was not comfortable for the rest of the day. Why did I do this to myself? Was I insane? I guess I must have been temporarily but I learned my lesson. Wheat's sword is swift indeed. I guess I need to open a bagel shop next.

So instead of keeping this just my little secret, I thought I'd share my experience with y'all. Have any of you had a similar experience? Any war stories to share? You're in a safe place here!

Oh, you guys are my favorites! Thank you, thank you everyone for posting really great comments and suggestions for the Fall menu.

At first, every comment was like, "Pumpkin chocolate chip!", "Pumpkin Chocolate Chip sounds good!", "What about Pumpkin Chocolate Chip?" and "Oh! Have you thought of pumpkin chocolate chip?!" I was beginning to think it was the only seasonal thing you guys were into, which was fine by me! But then a lot more ideas started rolling in and I want you to know that I've been playing around with the ingredient combos you guys suggested. It has been fun making things that I know will excite you and I'm not totally hating the flavors. Sorry! That's the best I can do with anything involving pumpkin.

Which leads me to my lunch today. I'm sitting at Le Pain Quotidien in the Village working on a secret project on my computer (details soon!) and take a glance at the menu. They have a gluten-free vegen quiche on the menu so I ordered it out of curiosity. Despite the fact that it has pureed pumpkin and a slight Thanksgiving-y finish on my palette, it's really good! I took a pic of it, like a total blogger to show you. It was definitely worth trying. I know there are a ton of small cafes and restaurants around the country that do gluten-free, vegan dishes but it's interesting to see a chain restaurant do it nicely. They have a number of locations that you can check out here .

Do you have a favorite spot for finds like this? I want to hear it! I'm traveling a lot lately and often find myself looking for options without any luck. So, let's hear it!

Oh thank God I didn't know about this sooner or I would most likely be a royal mess. Apparently Heathers bar in the east village sells gluten-free liquor and beer. I know I'm a wee bit late on this one since they've been open for years, but I guess I'm too busy baking and making dance videos that I don't get out much. Spread the word with me! Oh! You should definitely check out their live podcasts here too. I'm so into it!

Dear Dedicated BabyCakes Blog Reader,

These just came in and look how cute they are (Becca and Lizz too)!!! Get one now for $20! And yes, we do ship (for only $5)!

Hearts,

BabyCakes NYC

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Did you ever see the episode of Martha where Snoop Dog shows her how to make mashed potatoes? Well, I think it's the best bit of TV I have ever seen. I guess Martha agrees because it's up on her homepage right now being featured as one of her best moments of TV. And guess who else made the top 5??? Me. Me! You remember the time I showed her how to make the cookies? If not, you can watch it here. And don't skip the Snoop. It's a total must.

In honor of Labor Day we'll be closed so all the BabyCakes girls can get down to some nitty-gritty work and give the basement a good scrub. Just kidding!!! I mean, we will be closed on Monday but instead of cleaning they will be free to be beach partying with the rest of you! We're back to normal hours on Tuesday. See you real soon!!!

Happy Birthday to our dear beloved oven! He turns 4 years old today which means our anniversary is very near. Be on the lookout for our next dance video in honor of our anniversary--along with a special promotion in honor of it all early September!

The plumbing is done and she's starting to get framed out! And it looks like a bus totally stops in front of the store so LA people get to know your public transit system! I'll post more pics of the progress as they roll in. Oh, LA. I cannot wait for you. I can wear a bikini all day there and no one will care, right? Rad.

In April, Veg News asked me what my dream menu item would be. I said, "The perfect vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, agave-sweetened, no-fry doughnut." After that, it really started to bug me that I hadn't been able to master that yet.

Today, my dear friends, is a big day at the bakery. I finally made the doughnuts of my dreams and they are reeeeeeeeaaaaally good. I cannot believe it! Whoooooooooooooooooooooo! YES! We are LOSING IT here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn it feels good to be a baker.

Now...I know we talked about old favorites that you'd like to see in an imaginary book and I thank everyone for the inspirational ideas (some we actually already make but they haven't made it on the official menu yet!). The thing about it is, that I'd also like to ask you hypothetically again for some requests. What if I were to hypothetically write a "how-to" book about opening a small business. Any burning questions you'd like answered? Advice you'd like to hear? Hairstyles advise that will land you the job?

Again, I'm just asking.

Just wanted to share a touching note from customer:

stop me if you heard this before..................

So long story short; THANK YOU......Thank you so much for baking such delicious goods that my wife now can enjoy such a simple pleasure in life again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!...... I plan on visiting you very often from now on. God Bless You....Paul and Dina Biscione, Branchburg NJ

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!