🧺 Market Rounds: A Gluten & Dairy Free Field Trip to the Oakbrook Artisan Market
👩⚕️ A Playful Field Report from the Gluten & Dairy Free NP
Vitals, vibes, and vendor visits — it’s time for a little field trip, friends! Today my husband and I made a return visit to the Oakbrook Center Artisan Market, this time with a full dose of daylight and curiosity. Yesterday’s trip was more of a “quick triage” before a movie — but today, I was on full gluten and dairy-free duty. Clipboard in hand (okay, just my Pixel 9), here’s how the check-up went!
🧁 Swedish Girl Bakery~ https://www.swedishgirlbakery.com/
Their booth was absolutely swamped — like a post-lunch rush in a busy clinic! The team was kind, though one of the helpers admitted he was “just the husband.” 😂 No worries — he quickly called in the “specialist” who guided me through all the gluten and dairy-free options.
✅ 100% gluten-free bakery
✅ Pumpkin bread loaf: $13
✅ Crowded, but smooth checkout
Diagnosis: Pumpkin-perfect and worth the wait! I already tasted this, and it was AWESOME! I added a little Miyoko’s Oat Milk Butter an popped in the microwave for 23 seconds and was instantly in LOVE😊( I did buy this at Mariano’s for $6.49).
🍫 Grown-Up Kid Stuff – Chocolate Sauce~ https://www.grownupkidstuff.com/
This one’s basically dessert therapy in a jar. Their dark chocolate and very dark chocolate sauces are both gluten and dairy free, with no preservatives, nuts, or legumes.
💲 $12
🩺 Recommendation: Take two spoonfuls and call me in the morning.
🌶️ Artisan Hot Sauce – Chef Heatley’s Hot Pepper Farm~ https://www.chefheatleys.com/
These sauces range from mild to “check your vital signs” hot. Everything is gluten free and dairy free, which keeps my system happy. We picked up the Smash & Pumpkin flavor — $15 for one bottle of spicy, seasonal magic.
🍯 Illinois Bee Rescue – Raw Local Honey~ https://illinoisbeerescue.org/
Locally made and naturally sweet. I bought the Wildflower Raw Honey ($15), while my husband tested the citrus versions — he gave them a glowing review. Bonus points for supporting pollinators and small business!
🔥 K Mama Sauce (Korean Hot Sauce)~ https://kmamasauce.com/
This Minneapolis-based company offers both gluten-free and non-gluten-free sauces (no dairy in any).
💲 $9 + $0.50 card fee
We grabbed the gluten-free mild — I loved the flavor, and my husband enjoyed the medium. The couple running the booth were knowledgeable and kind — true “bedside manner” goals.
🌶️ Gindo’s Hot Sauce~ Gindos.com
Their Smoked Garlic Cilantro sauce caught my attention (and taste buds). Gluten and dairy free, 8 oz bottle for $15 + tax. This one’s going on repeat prescriptions in my kitchen.
💄 Doo Doo’s Naturals~ https://doosnaturals.com/
All-natural tallow products made with simple ingredients. They’re gluten and dairy free, but since I typically focus on edible products, I tested their lip balm ($5).
⚠️ PSA: My phone’s Google Wallet decided to “chart” its own transaction, charging my personal card instead of my business one! The vendor couldn’t refund it, so — friendly reminder — keep your phone and purse socially distanced from card readers. 😅
(I got home and wanted to try this tallow and beeswax lip balm, but there was NO product inside the cardboard tube? Ummm.. email sent☹
🏥 Final Reflections: A Market Worth the Rounds
The market was packed — some vendors even ran out of product. But honestly, that’s a great sign for the gluten and dairy free community.
I’m so grateful to be in a season where I can explore new allergy-friendly foods and support smaller brands. For years, I stuck to the same few “safe” staples — fear of getting sick can do that to you. But now? I’m learning there’s a whole world of companies creating gluten and dairy free products that actually taste good.
Supporting small businesses means a little extra cost sometimes, but it also means keeping these allergy-safe creators thriving. And if I can use my platform to help more people discover them — that’s a mission I’ll happily scrub in for. I give the overall experience a nice Tacycardia😊
💖 Live safe, happy, healthy —
The Gluten & Dairy Free NP
