Hola, I'm Julia. Former dental assistant (for 10years!) and now your self-taught Gluten Free Queen

 (SLO County Licensed

- Atown based- 

Cottage 100% Gluten Free Micro-bakery) 

 I created Rainbow Poppy with ONE goal: to make Gluten Free Deliciousness. After having my third baby in August 2023, I was left with one decision- go back to work (where I wasn't comfortable anymore) or find a hobby I'm good at, make it into a successful business, all while getting to stay home with my three babies (which by the way the two oldest are the teenagers you'll see working with me at pop-ups- however if you are a mother you will understand when I say- they will always be my babies). Going back to a toxic work environment or stay home with my babies was a no brainer! Right?!

(As we all know) Cost of living is no joke! (let alone with 3 kiddos!)

I 'm an artist at heart but can art really pay the bills?

- Now let's go back in time -

 In 2019, I was determined to figure out why my body felt as if I was 80 years old. Keep in mind, I was in my mid-twenties. I started, as many of us, removing major allergens out of my diet. First was milk. As many other food allergens, that didn't do much for my pain. Time kept passing by and my determination to find a solution only grew into frustration, as I was being deprived from many of my favorite foods. (Being HANGRY is REAL thing yall!)   I felt as if I had tried everything and nothing really helped. Being Hispanic, pan dulce (sweet bread) was a MUST in my household. When I was informed "gluten" was a more recent allergen most people (like me!) do not know about.

 What is gluten?

 Was my first question.

 Basically, to sum it up: it's a protein found in certain grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. 

OK... 

So, how does one survive with no flour!?!?!

 No mas pan dulce?!?! 

Nevertheless, I was determined to figure out what was going on with my body. Removing gluten from my diet (within a week and a half!) made me feel like I was 15 years old again! My gut felt better and was visibly less bloated, rashes around my body were visibly less, my joints were less achy, my elbows and knees were visibly lighter (less dry), but the best part was- 

my energy levels were over the moon! No more foggy thoughts, no more bloating, no more achy joints, Count me in!

I had FINALLY found the food that was making me sick. However, going "gluten free" was no walk in the park. Of course, I wanted to give up and sure, I did cheat at times- however, the pain I endured for days after only made me realize- life's too short to feel shitty ALL the time!

BUT!  There was no way one could go a day, let alone a WHOLE lifetime, without GLUTEN!  (EVERYTHING seemed to contain what my body could not digest- "all purpose" flour, wheat, wheat and more WHEAT!

When we would go out to eat- there was NEVER real options for me- most times salad would have to cut it. We started making dinner at home but that wasn't hard at all.  Afterall, having a chef (for a husband) came in handy. (I've learned so much!)

 However, I now missed ALL those delicious desserts!

Cinnamon rolls, donuts, puff pastries, cake, brownies, EVEN bread was hard to find!

 There was NO "good" GF bread. NO "good" GF desserts. 

Which only made it even more difficult! 

It got to the point that I traveled over TWO hours for a cinnamon roll- 

YES!  GF Cinnamon roll! 

 (not so tasty and very stale- should I add)

You would think the driving was the worst part- NOPE! It was the fact that I ended up tossing it away because it was that bad!

I felt robbed. 

So, I refused to believe ALL delicious treats were

 NO MAS! 

I refuse "to have to" toast my bread, so it doesn't taste like cardboard. (if you know gluten free, you know!)

  I started baking gluten free cookies and cooking GF food for work and family/friend potlucks so I wouldn't be excluded from eating. Got nothing but great feedback-especially from one hygienist (I can still hear her clearly saying 

"Your gluten free baking is so good! You should do that!"

 but never really thought anything of it- back then!

(Today I believe she was an angel in a season of my life!)

For me, Rainbow Poppy all started with a chocolate stand for my older kiddos during Christmas break 2023. REALLY! They gave out free GF cookies with a purchase of a hot cocoa. Having so many of you (now regulars!) reach out-

 how good the cookies were and if I sold them by order. 

Many had no idea, I was going through postpartum depression. 

A decision had to be made! Stay home with my newborn OR go back to work? 

 (Am I a bad person because I LOVE dental and at that moment I felt- ALL I KNEW was DENTAL

+ I NEVER depended on ANYONE

 (First marriage at the age 17yrs old and had been independent since!)

In this case- I was to depend on my husband! 

Whose idea was for me to stay home with baby girl AND he would take on the financial responsibility (may I add: he was also amazing the whole pregnancy, a champ during delivery -  c-section- caretaker duties aren't a walk in the park, and is an amazing dad!),

 And ALL he expected was for me to just stay home?!?

I couldn't do that!

I had to feel as if i was contributing in some way- 

Having so many reach out during that time, encouraged me to set a goal for the following year (2024) 

 MAKE GLUTEN FREE TASTE GOOD! 

I came to realize I was REALLY good at baking after all!

 (Keep in mind- I NEVER went to school for this!)

By February 2024,

"GLUTEN FREE DELICIOUSNESS!" 

  'Gluten Free Heaven'

 was created.

With less than 3k, I invested.

 PLEASE NOTE: 

NOT only did i invest money-

 I invested

 ALOT time,

 ALOT sweat, 

AND

A WHOLE LOT of tears!

(MORE HAPPY than sad!)

 I CONTINUED to believe, (regardless of so many flops!)

 Today, I'm proud to say I have over 20 popular desserts that are NOT only

 100% DELICIOUSNESS

 but ALSO

 100% Gluten Free! 

From working in a dental office for a decade to being your self-taught local 

Gluten Free (Colorful) Queen

 (You can find and meet me at your local farmers market, which you MUST STOP and MUST try! (EVERYTHING!) 

You'll find Gluten Free sourdough, to Gluten Free Vegan, to Gluten Free Dairy Free, AND I am 100% confident you will believe you are in Heaven- correction- 

"Gluten Free Heaven!"

 Your mind will not believe what you are tasting!

Many of the goodies you'll try at Rainbow Poppy have been challenges- challenges (from now regulars that believed I could) to make a gluten free version of their one (or at times, many) missed goodie(s).

 What's your challenge for me? 

What do you miss the most?

(That I may -not- already have on the Menu!) 

Check out our menu! 

Hablo Espanol :)

 I am a very passionate Rainbow and Unicorn old soul. I take pride in NOT only my VERY colorful and playful booth but also in creating each and every goodie with so much love. From measuring every ingredient, to baking, packaging, labeling, and handing (sometimes delivering) every order. Rainbow Poppy is a Gluten Free Micro- Bakery based in MY Gluten Free Home Kitchen. It's ran everyday (from running errands, advertising, social media content, sales, packaging and so much more like TAXES! AARR!)  ALL by ME! (Julia)

HOWEVER, I'm very fortunate to have my teenagers! They are my ONLY employees, for now. They help me at every pop-up, help with baby sister (when she's not with dad-which they swear isn't work because they enjoy their time with her), and at times, they help label and deliver orders. YES! They get paid! My oldest (daughter) does NOT wish to be a badass baker like her mother (like me, I'm her mother! lol) so do not waste your time asking if she helps with the baking! (lol kidding not kidding!) My son (my only son for now lol don't judge me- I love being a momma!) loves the water and would really love to become a literal fish so he can live IN the water! (lol again- kidding not kidding!) Nonetheless, they are proud to be part of Rainbow Poppy but most of all they say, "love spending time with their mommy!" Which is a win-win for me! They are learning responsibility and together, we are learning more and more what life is supposed to be about! Now more than ever! 

We've learned that worrying is just a waste of time. Time is just an illusion that one can NEVER get back. We stopped living in the thoughts of " the yesterday" and/or "the tomorrow" and we started enjoying and living in the NOW! 

ABRACADABRA!

Somehow, it all started working out. Recipes started to come out on the first try, fails turned into gains, and I saw no negativity.

At Rainbow Poppy you will find a Latina mother who became a mother at very young age (18), who has a great relationship with her now teenagers (who literally grew up with her), who help her run her small business and are her motivation to keep going (even when no one believed in her!)

  Believing in herself is what started this small business- 

She is now determined to show her kids ANYTHING is possible, as long as you believe!

With just ONE encounter, you will feel it's not JUST a (Cottage) Bakery and "It's not JUST Gluten Free, It's Rainbow Poppy!" 

When starting Rainbow Poppy I had a feeling, if not intolerant to gluten, like I am, most of my customers would be Celiac. I did my research (a lot of it!) and figured out many Celiac diagnosed people cannot digest certain flours. For that reason, ALL and ANY Rainbow Poppy goodie, I use ONLY certified Gluten Free flours and starches. I do NOT use any oat flour or any flours labeled "Gluten Free" that contain wheat starch. (YES! Can you believe that is a "thing"!) I also do NOT use almond flour or almond extract on my royal icing cookies.

I take food allergies very seriously. I am willing to work with any allergy (allergy list encountered and worked with: nut, corn, coconut, cane sugar, chocolate:

 what's your unique allergy?) 

To avoid ANY and ALL cross contamination, (Coming from the dental field, I am no rookie to cross contamination!)

  I do not use any of the Rainbow Poppy machines or tools, other than to bake Gluten Free Deliciousness for Rainbow Poppy and my family (because- Duah! They are the first to try EVERY recipe!) 

 I also, NEVER use artificial preservatives or additives!

 I bake our goodies fresh to ensure our customers satisfaction.

 I offer a variety of desserts and breads that are 100% gluten free. In addition, I have recently starting including  (ALOT) of vegan and dairy free goodies.

We offer VEGAN Sourdough (100% GF!) FRESH bread!

 (that you DON"T have to toast!)

 I started this self-taught baking journey, committed to make sure every beautiful soul that crossed our booth would be able to consume and enjoy these amazing goodies. (that only I believed I would create!) 

 I'm committed to be the best and most delicious baked goodie(s) they've had in years! (because If you know- YOU KNOW! The struggle is real guys!) See, being gluten free is no joke, but being allergic to more than gluten, that's another ballpark!

I, one hundred percent believe, with the (huge) passion I have to make Gluten Free taste delicious PLUS the quality of my baked goodies, it will set ME apart from ANY Gluten Free Bakery you've EVER gone to!

 {besides being the most colorful and joyful place you'll ever be at as well}

AND you'll ONLY find yourself coming back for more

DELICIOUSNESS! 

Because....

"It's NOT Just Gluten Free, It's Rainbow Poppy!"

Find us @ 

Paso Robles Farmers Market

SATURDAYS

 9am-1pm 

( Dates of when we will be there posted on IG page 

@ Rainbow.Poppy805 )