Product: Mom’s Best Cereal Crispy Cocoa Rice – $1.99+
I am trying, really hard, to watch how much sugar I take in a day. Despite this, it just happens that most of my sugar gets used up bright and early in the morning. This is before I have dinner…sometimes before I have lunch. And I know part of the culprit is…well…my Greek yogurt. But on the mornings where I have cereal…sometimes that’s where much of the hit comes from.
Due to a fantastic Manager’s Special deal at my local grocery store, my roommate returned home from one of my “Oh my God, I’m in the middle of cooking something and we’re out of ______ and need it…NOW!” shopping errands with a surprise for me. She picked up one of her favorite brands of cereal – Mom’s Best Cereals – but this time, it was for me. Why? Because it was their gluten-free cereal – the Crispy Cocoa Rice.
This morning…was the day for chocolate in the morning. And, I mean, who doesn’t love a little chocolate to start out their day. I retrieved the crumpled (part of the reason it was on Manager’s Special) box from my pantry and dished up a serving (3/4 cup) of the cereal. I smiled a little…as it reminded me of Cocoa Pebbles (gluten-free)…or the Cocoa Krispies (not gluten-free) that were out on the market. It was just…familiar without being exactly the same. The thing about Mom’s Best Cereals is that they keep their products free of artificial flavors and preservatives, use no hydrogenated oils, and do not allow high fructose corn syrup to make an appearance on the ingredient list. So, it would seem to be a healthy…or at least…healthier choice, right?
Well…for the most part. Do keep in mind that this is a chocolate cereal. It might be puffed rice…but it’s still chocolate. And with chocolate comes that dreaded “s-word”…SUGAR. So before I get into the flavor of this cereal…let me just set up this comparison. Mom’s Best Cereals Gluten-Free Crispy Cocoa Rice contains 13 grams of sugar per 3/4 cup serving. The same serving size in Cocoa Pebbles contains only 10 grams of sugar. And for that same serving in Cocoa Krispies (despite the fact that those of us who can’t have gluten can’t eat these…this is for comparison only) contains 12 grams of sugar. So, the all-natural cereal has the most amount of sugar than the brands that contain hydrogenated oils and artificial flavors and artificial preservatives. I hate seeing that…but in the end, I’ll take the extra few grams of sugar over the hydrogenated oils, BHA and BHT. Seriously.
So…how did it taste? A-MAZ-ING! No, really. It’s sweet. It’s sweeter than I like most of my cereals…but it is really, really good. I mean, it’s chocolate in the morning. And…the added bonus is it turns my unsweetened almond milk into chocolate milk. Which is always a plus. These puffs of rice stay crispy, even when swimming in a sea of almond milk. They provide great chocolate flavor. And it’s sweet…without being overly sweet. It’s just sweeter than I’m accustomed to at breakfast. But…who turns their nose up at a chocolate hit in the early morning? Not me…as I am definitely a choco-holic!
This was my fuel prior to hitting the gym…the downside of that high sugar content, however, is that I burned through it quickly…and was hungry about halfway through my cardio exercises. Some of that might also have to do with the fact that this cereal provides no fiber at all and only 1 gram of protein. Therefore…it’s not very filling. Mostly sugar. But…CHOCOLATE!!!
Mom’s Best Cereal Crispy Cocoa Rice cereal is low in fat, naturally cholesterol free, and gluten-free. As for the rest of the nutrition information…a serving size, as stated before is 3/4 cup. This will provide you with 120 of your daily calories with only 1 gram of fat per serving. Aside from the high sugar content, the lack of fiber and small amount of protein, you will be taking in 150 mg sodium. That’s not bad. And…as far as ingredients go, this cereal does keep it all natural: rice, sugar, coconut oil, cocoa, salt, caramel color, and natural flavors.
Much better than the hydrogenated oils and artificial preservatives and flavors that come with the other two previously mentioned cereals. The rest of the nutrition information is relatively the same otherwise.
So, if you are looking simply to satisfy a sweet tooth…Mom’s Best Cereals Crispy Cocoa Rice will definitely do the trick. It’s one of the more nutritious chocolate cereals on the market…and it is definitely made with better ingredients than others provide. But do recognize that it won’t fill you up…and eventually that sugar rush does wear off. So keep this in mind. Aside from that…who doesn’t love sweet chocolate first thing in the morning. Treat yourself without all the extra junk. Mom’s Best Cereals at least keeps their ingredients natural. And that speaks volumes of the quality of the cereal they put on the market. Trust me…the extra grams of sugar are totally worth it in the end.
Tasty Bite keeps winning me over. Honestly. If there is one thing that this company knows…it is flavor. And even more importantly…flavor profiles. Because what Tasty Bite continues to manage, time and time again, is to get the perfect blend of spices and ingredients to work together…in this little microwavable pouch. Most naysayers would say it couldn’t be done. But, as they have proven over and over again…it can.
I remember first spotting Tasty Bite products on the shelf of my local grocery store. Then…I started seeing more (and other varieties) at the other grocery stores I go to each week (which is between 4-6, honestly). When they went on sale at my grocery store, my roommate and I decided to stock up on the varieties they had…and just hope that they were good.
This was, quite honestly, the best decision we ever made.
You see…we are very busy, very active, very on-the-go people. And there are certain days of the week where cooking a full meal just doesn’t work. When we have places to go and appointments to make, there is just no way I can spend that sort of time in the kitchen. It just isn’t possible. Take Monday’s for example. Yesterday…after running in the morning…then working 8 hours…then with my group fun run that evening at 6 p.m…and travel over into Louisville being figured in, I basically had time to either cook up a Tasty Bite meal…or make a grilled cheese sandwich.
I decided to do the Indian food. Spinach Channa was the next one on the list. What is Spinach Channa?
I cooked up some jasmine rice the evening before, so you can tell which won out in the end. It’s basically chickpeas that are simmered with savory spinach, some herbs, some spices, and given a little kick with the addition of chilies. It sounded great because I absolutely love chickpeas and spinach. And…chilies in everything makes me a happy girl. Give me something with a bit of a kick and what you have is one very, very happy gluten-free vegetarian.
One thing that I love about these Tasty Bite packages is how simple they are. They are good to eat on their own, but if you want to boost the staying power, you can pair it with a protein, pour it over rice, or however else you choose to eat it. Putting it over rice is always my method. Anyway, once you decide how you are going to enjoy your Tasty Bite meal…the rest is simple. Tear a 2 inch slit into the top of the package and pop it into the microwave for 90 seconds. When done…serve however you choose. For me…I pour the now steamy warm contents over my jasmine rice and settle in to eat.
So, how exactly does the pairing of various herbs and spices with spinach and chickpeas taste? Just as amazing as it sounds. The spinach is cooked down into this green, thick, soup-like sauce. The chickpeas are scattered throughout that. And the flavors…they are to die for. Just the right amount of heat from the chilies. The rest…it just all blends together. It makes for one tasty, tasty meal. I really loved the flavors of this one. Not as much as the Vegetable Korma…but this one is good in its own right. Savory…with a small mild heat. And I mean…mild. My roommate is a spice wimp and she didn’t say anything about heat level on this one. So…it’s just enough to give it this added something. That’s all.
Now comes the science part…the ingredients and the nutritional information. Ready?
First of all, one thing that Tasty Bite does pride itself on is their ingredients. They use no preservatives and many of their options are gluten-free. Take Spinach Channa for example…since that’s what I am reviewing. The Spinach Channa is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and kosher. Everything that goes into the package is an actual food. No chemicals. No artificial additives. Just pure ingredients. The ingredient list on this one is simple and small: water, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, salt, cumin, chilies, turmeric, and spices. Recognize all of those? I sure do. And that is a comfort.
Now…for the nutritional part. One serving of Tasty Bite Spinach Channa (5 ounces…or half the pouch) will serve you up 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. For being a shelf-stable option, the 490 mg of sodium isn’t too bad. It’s on the lower end of most processed foods. And much lower than some soups out on the market. Each serving also provides a filling 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. LOVE that.
And, honestly, I loved every bite of Tasty Bite’s Spinach Channa. It was filling. It provided great energy for my evening run, with nothing that upset my stomach. Indian food before a run isn’t everyone’s choice, but with the mild flavors and pairing it with rice, it’s ideal. Honestly. Oh…let’s not forget that it tastes AMAZING. Great flavors, great food, great company. And a great variety to choose from!
But…when in doubt…go for something simple. Spinach Channa is a great place to start.
What more could you want? Except, perhaps, another Tasty Bite…
It’s July, right? Right? Because this week, save for the very beginning, brought about less humidity and cooler temperatures. This has definitely boosted my confidence in my training and my running. I don’t feel like I’m out of breath. I don’t feel like I’m drowning in sweat (even if it is liquid awesome). I don’t feel tired as quickly. Mother Nature somehow brought me my confidence back with the much cooler, much more running-friendly weather this week.
After last week, this was a welcome change. Especially with the long runs (yes…runs!) I had planned for this weekend. Sweet, sweet relief. And, to make it even better (who am I and what did I do with my former self?)…on Saturday my running group got poured on. It was amazing. It felt great. It made me smile…even if I was getting poured on. It didn’t last long…but it was nice to splash through the puddles and feel all badass for hitting that pavement in a drenching downpour.
This was a “scale-back” week for me in terms of mileage during the week. But my long run this weekend was supposed to be longer than last week’s. Last week I extended my long run to comply with my friend Matthew’s…so, this was technically a scale back as well. I was okay with that. These are important weeks for the body…because with the scale back…the following week brings back the higher mileage and now your body is ready to handle it.
But then…a second long run happened. Because when a friend invites you to join her group for a refreshing, early, early morning long run on Sunday…you go. It was fantastic. I met a new group of wonderful people and I had a chance to really chat up Kelsie and we discussed our training…our hopes for our marathons…fundraising problems…and…clothing/shoes, etc.
This week…was the kind of week I needed.
Sunday is normally my easy run or rest day. My roommate and I had a house guest this weekend, but I felt I needed to stretch my legs out. After Saturday’s rough 18 mile run in extreme heat and humidity, then a lot of riding in a car…followed by sitting on a hard cement floor at a very fun roller derby bout…followed by more car riding…the run was a relief and gave these legs a chance to simply S-T-R-E-T-C-H out. I choose to run hills though…which still doesn’t make sense now that I look back. But, it seemed to be what my legs needed. I could feel the strength returning to them with each hill that I powered up, despite having some residual aches and pains. I took it easy, though…as that stifling humidity was still lingering. It was all about pacing myself and keeping myself hydrated and fueled properly. After the run, I showered, changed, and headed out to meet up with my sports nutritionist again. This time we went over loss of sodium in these sort of conditions and what that means…how to fuel properly for that…what I’ve been doing right…what I need to improve on…and the like. It was a brilliant meeting and I walked out of there feeling so much better about things. Remember all those harsh comments about my body? Well, she told me I looked healthier now than I did when we first met. And that I should pay no attention to the negative people firing these comments at me. She said simply…believe it or not…I am built like a runner. Lean muscle. And the people who said those things have no idea what they are talking about. Her job was to make judgment calls about her clients based on looks as well and she said I looked healthy. Then we hugged. I needed that.
Monday morning took me back out into the wee dark hours before most people are even out of bed. The air felt so heavy, humid, and wet that morning. I did, however, get rained on for one glorious mile. I think I smiled then. It just felt better and easier. It happened right in the middle of my 5 easy run…and it was a blessing. Until it stopped. And all I wanted after that was it to rain down on me a little more. It was so refreshing. But, alas…the rain was gone for the time being. I did rock out negative splits, however! Always a good thing. Being Monday, that also meant it was my Daily Double…so I headed out to my running store’s fun run and we all ran with Natalie again, whose arm is feeling better, but her hamstring is dealing her fits. We let her set the pace and we ran for three miles, winding up back at the store. It was a hot, hot day for running.
Tuesday is the usual cross training day. This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training. That’s rather normal on Tuesdays now. The only difference this week was that Cathy was left at home, having had her last wisdom tooth extracted on Monday afternoon. All alone at the gym. I got on the Arc Trainer for 45 minutes, using the Program 1 setting on Level 5, and managed 2.78 with various intervals, resistance, and inclines. It was challenging. Then, to finish it up, I got on the rowing machine for 10 minutes worked my core and upper body to the max, pushing for 1.19 miles. I hit up a few strength machines before calling it a day. That night…yoga to stretch everything out.
Wednesday is my speed work or pacing day and this week called for 5 miles of speed work. This was supposed to be done at the track, however, Cathy was still out of commission and I wasn’t going to head off to the track alone while it was still dark out. I do a lot of crazy things, but safety is always first and I didn’t feel safe going off on my own. So, I decided I would have to dreadmill the speed work this time and make sure I hit up the track next time it came up in the schedule. That was the deal I made with myself and with Cathy. So, I hit the gym and set the treadmill for an easy 7 mph pace for my first mile to get warmed up. Then I dug into 4 x 800 meters at 8 mph with 4 x 400 meters at 7.5 mph for recovery. My last mile was back down to the 7 mph pace to cool down. When I finished, I actually felt like I was too easy on the speed work and should push a little harder next time. So, that’s my goal. I tend to go easier than I normally run on a treadmill. I don’t know why. Most people are the opposite. Go figure.
Thursday morning dawned and brought about my final 5 mile easy run of the week. It was a gorgeous 60 degree morning. And I loved it. I had a bit of a twinge in my hip that morning, but I stretched really well and it went away. And the entire time I was running nothing bothered me at all. I polished off that run like it was nothing, no twinges after that or anything. So whatever it was just required a bit of stretching. And…once again I managed negative splits. It was the kind of run I needed. That was also my second day of the week to hit up the gym and I managed to get 9.18 miles in on the elliptical in 49 minutes. Then rocked out 3.89 miles on the stationary bike. I felt really good about how I did on those, but my legs were really feeling it all that day. So, after hitting up some strength machines and heading to work, I made sure I stretched it all out that night with some soothing yoga.
Friday naturally meant it was the rest day that I never like taking, but have promised to respect it and keep it holy. Which I do. I don’t run or hit the gym or do anything at home. I did, however, take myself for an early morning walk. I managed 2.5 miles in 30 minutes, so that wasn’t too bad. I tend to be a fast walker with these short legs. Next time, I might have to slow it down some. I just get lost in my thoughts and don’t even realize it. But, the rest of the day it was rest, rest, rest because Saturday was coming and that meant…the long run…
Saturday is long run training day. Run long at an easy pace. This week, most people were going for the mileage my training plan called for, which was 15 miles at the Long Slow Distance pace. I met up with my running group earlier than normal, at 6:00 a.m. We hit the road, heading toward one of the parks and overshooting it to get to 8 miles…so that when we turned around…we wouldn’t have to run the worst part of Eastern Parkway here in Louisville near the end. Instead, we would take that at a deliberate walk to cool down. Now…on Friday I accidentally got hit with a case of accidental glutenization. Let’s just say…stupid mistake led to major stomach issues. So, I was a bit nervous about Saturday morning. But I managed to rock out the run. Matthew and I were having a much better run this week…and for the first couple of miles, we ran with the rest of the 6 a.m. group. But, then…for the remainder, it was just us…until we turned around and met up with them again. We stopped to talk for a moment, but then decided to head back to the store. They told us to go ahead…because no one likes to get passed. Matthew and I went on…and polished off the run, cooling down just as planned with a brisk walk toward the coffee shop. I had baked up some gluten-free rosemary cheddar biscuits and some gluten-free/dairy-free/sugar-free banana oat cookie bites for everyone, and Cathy was at the coffee shop, generously handing them out for me. We settled in to talk for a little while, then we excused ourselves because we were both starving and were ready to hit up my favorite Saturday breakfast spot – Annie May’s Sweet Café – for their gluten-free/vegan sausage and “cheese” breakfast sandwich. I was pretty much on the go the rest of the day…finishing up grocery shopping and just hitting the malls to keep on moving. Eventually, as the day went on, my stomach started to feel better. I’m still not 100%, but at least I proved I had it in me to go the distance regardless. I feel strong.
It turned out to be a fantastic week for running, once the weather changed and the humidity lifted. I mentioned a second long run this weekend, which I rocked out at 5:30 a.m. this morning with my Virgo-in-arms and friend, Kelsie. But…that will have to wait for next week’s blog.
I started the week on a high note, with a good, hill run and a great meeting with my sports nutritionist. Then I polished it off with great running weather for my scheduled long run. Life has been good to me this week. And I am pleased to see that the nicer weather is staying this coming week. See this smile…yeah…it’s been awhile.
Here is what I love about Glutino – I have yet to try one of their products and not like it. Everything has been impressive and delicious and amazing. So close to what I used to be able to eat…it’s scary…and amazing…full of gluten-free awesomesauce all at once. They were the first to bring me gluten-free pretzels. The first to give me gluten-free toaster pastries. And now…the first to create the ultimate gluten-free tortilla chip…meant for dipping.
Remember Tostitos Scoops? You should. Because they are actually one of Frito-Lay’s gluten-free products. Yeah. Well, think Tostitos Scoops…but done in a completely gluten-free facility. That’s what you get when you purchase Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers.
Glutino’s Web site declares that these Tortilla Dippers are made for the bold, the brassy and the sassy. And that may not be far from the truth. The entire point of a dipper is to get all wild and crazy with what you choose to scoop with them. Or…the toppings you pile onto them. The entire point is that they must, I repeat…MUST…hold up to the toppings or the weight of the scoop, be it nacho cheese, salsa, guacamole, or some other amazing dip of your own creation. If they fall apart or crumble…no good!
I spotted Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers while at my natural food store on an end cap. The Glutino products were on sale…so I allowed the splurge. I knew there would be something I could make with them, regardless. And I was right. It just took me about a month to actually get around to using them. But, my roommate had her last wisdom tooth removed this past week, and after being stuck on mushy food for the entire week, yesterday she had one request…
NACHOS FOR DINNER!
So, I complied. After all, I had some Trader Joe’s queso (gluten-free) in the pantry that was begging for some action. In addition, some black beans that would add some delicious protein. Oh…and avocado. Because if there is a reason to add avocado to something I am going to. Heck, I’ll just eat the avocado. But I digress…
Since she was ready for crunchy food again, I agreed to make some nachos per her request. And I already had everything at home to make it happen. BONUS!
I pulled out the beans and got them heating on the stove. While that was happening, I went ahead and chopped up some fresh tomatoes and got the avocado sliced, pitted, and chopped. Then…the queso was warmed in the microwave. Soon…dinner would be ready. All I needed now was the chips.
So I pulled the Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers out of the pantry and doled out a serving for each of us. Then the beans were tossed on top…followed by the tomatoes, the avocado, then the queso. Dinner took almost no time at all…and was now ready to be served. I added a bit of vegan Sriracha sour cream to the top, and for me a few jalapeno peppers.
Time to dig in and see how the Tortilla Dippers handled my toppings.
The fact was, Glutino did it’s job well. Not only do these chips have an amazing texture and crunch to them, you can really taste the sweetness of the corn. It adds a beautiful balance to the dish you are using them with, honestly. I had to try a chip on its own, and I felt that they tasted even better than Tostitos Scoops. And I used to heat the hell out of those. They didn’t get mushy, nor did they crack and crumble when the toppings were piled on top. I asked Cathy what she thought and she raved about them. This is always a good thing, because she can be rather finicky at times about things that are close to a favorite product…and she really has always loved to the Tostitos Scoops.
So, let’s talk about nutrition. For a chip, these are identical in comparison with Tostitos Scoops. Honestly. A serving is 28 grams, or about 12 chips. This serving sets you back 140 calories and 7 grams of fat. Not bad for a corn chip. A serving also only dishes up 120 mg of sodium, 2 grams of fiber (one more gram than Scoops), and 1 gram of protein. Everything else is identical. This has one gram less in carbohydrates. Aside from that…nothing too different. But when I can get something that is certified gluten-free…that’s what I am going to purchase. So, Glutino…you win!
As far as ingredients go, Glutino’s Tortilla Dippers are made from ground whole white corn, vegetable oil, toasted corn germ, and salt. Four ingredients. Simply made. Simply delicious. Simply good.
Don’t take my word for it though. These are definitely a bit pricier than Tostitos, but I’d pay the extra few dollars again. Without batting an eyelash. And we all know I live on a strict budget…so that’s saying something.
Next time you’re feeling the need to make a salsa, queso, guacamole, or other dip…give Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers a try. I promise…you’ll love them!
Nachos made with Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers
Every week, I receive this amazing little green bin on my doorstep that is stocked with fresh, organic, local vegetables. Depending on the week, I can churn through these fresh goodies quickly…or I struggle to use them up before the next week when another great bin arrives. This week, it was one of the slower-through-the-produce weeks as my roommate had her last wisdom tooth removed and was on soft food. But she humored me the other night…and let me use up quite a few of our veggies to create this amazing dish.
I spotted this recipe on Pinterest…and it seemed easy enough…and very, very delicious!! So, with my roomie’s permission and blessing, this is what I fixed for dinner. Of course, I tweaked it a little to use up some of the ingredients I had from my bin…but those will be noted in the recipe.
The recipe itself is taken from the blog Healthful Pursuit. As I said…I added my own fresh veggie twist on it to polish off some of the items from my bin.
1 tomato, chopped (I roasted and chopped organic beets)
Salsa (optional, I didn’t use)
Corn Tortillas (optional, I didn’t use)
Directions:
Make the taco seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.
Add sliced onion and water to a medium-sized saucepan. Heat on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until onions are softened.
Add chickpeas and taco seasoning and reduce heat to medium. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
Meanwhile, add guacamole ingredients to a small bowl and mash with a fork to combine. Set aside.
Make the cilantro lime dressing. Feed cilantro leaves through food processor tube and process until finely minced. Add lime juice and process a few seconds. Slowly pour olive oil through food processor tube and process until dressing emulsifies. Add honey, season with salt and pepper, and process a few seconds to combine.
Pile all of the salad ingredients in a bowl. Top with guacamole and taco “meat”.
~*~*~
This made a lot of salad. I doubled the recipe when I made it the other night. It was filling and very, very delicious. I was very impressed with the way the flavors came together. Instead of salsa, I made a cilantro lime dressing, which really topped off all the ingredients nicely. And instead of tomatoes, I roasted up some organic beets by wrapping them in foil and putting them in a 425 degree for an hour and a half. After letting them cool, I peeled off the skins and put them in the fridge until dinner time the following day. Then I chopped them up for the salad. It added a nice earthy flavor. The lettuce was replaced with the cabbage I had in my fridge as well. It was a nice substitution that really, really worked well.
Substitute, dress it up as you like. This vegan taco salad is amazing whether you make it your own or follow the original recipe. Filling, full of great proteins, healthy fats, and great flavor.
I also made my own taco seasoning…and it was awesome!
Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola – $5.99+
Oh…Bakery on Main. Maker of amazing granola and delicious oatmeal. Whenever someone inquires about gluten-free oatmeal…I immediately point them in your direction. After all, I’ve been doing the gluten-free lifestyle now for two years. I know what is good. I know what is great. And I know what is worth raving about. You are a fantastic company that does great things for the gluten-free community by offering quality products. Even better though…you back up your quality products with a statement that says if the customer is not 100% satisfied…a refund will be given.
How many companies do that? I can tell you…not many. Not these days. And I love how strongly you believe in your company, your products, and your standards to put that out there. Amazing.
A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for a long road trip from the Louisville, Kentucky area up to Utica, New York. I was going to be participating in the Boilermaker 15K. Being an athlete with food allergies, I always pack snacks for long trips. I mean, you just never know when you might get hungry and all that is available is establishments you don’t feel comfortable dining in, or the possibility of not having options at all. It has happened to me before, and I wasn’t going to let it happen again.
As fueling up properly before a race is important, I packed a variety of items. Raisins, vegan (and gluten-free) jerky, gluten-free granola and protein bars, and finally…granola. I had hit up the grocery store early one morning in search of easy items that would travel and pack well. None of these were my specialty stores, but thankfully this particular grocery store had a few different gluten-free granola options in the natural food section. After deliberating between two different companies…I finally settled on Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola. I had already had the other company’s granola…and loved it. But this flavor…this one from Bakery on Main…was new to me. And I was curious. After all, I already am a huge fan of granola. Now we’re tossing in some freeze-dried raspberries, strawberries and blueberries…can you say heaven?
As it happened, I didn’t ever break into the granola on the road trip…however, I am famous for my breakfast parfaits, consisting of gluten-free granola, Greek yogurt, and fresh berries. As my roommate and I had polished off our last granola, this now because the crunchy portion of the parfait. Way to default, yes?
Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola
As always, though, I make a habit to try the granola on its own. Because I want a clear taste of the product before it gets added to fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.
The first thing I noticed was that this granola didn’t have the crunch I expected it to have. In fact, while it is baked well, with flavors infused properly, I found this particular variety to lack the crunch that toasted oats usually have. The flavors were all there, although the freeze-dried berries are few and far between the sea of oats. They didn’t taste soggy…but they definitely didn’t add the desired texture I had hoped for in my breakfast parfait. But…it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but I find it edible. The flavor is there. The texture is just not what I expected. But it works. And, in the grand scheme of things, that is a minor fault.
So, let’s talk nutrition, shall we? Well, the Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola is a great choice for people on a gluten-free diet. Why? Because often we lack in consuming enough fiber throughout the day…so this is a great way to balance it out. A serving, which is 1/2 cup, dishes up 240 calories. I know that seems like a lot…and it is…but this is for 1/2 cup, while most granola stops at 1/4 cup serving size…so it actually balances out in the end. With the 24o calories, you also will be taking in 6 grams of fat. The sodium in this granola is low, topping out at 50 mg per serving. This granola actually has only 7 grams of sugar, which was why I chose it over the other brand there at the store. In addition to that, the Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola has 9 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving. You have to love that, right?
Of course.
So, while I wouldn’t call the Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola by Bakery on Main a success…I would say that it is passable. I mean, honestly, are there better options out there…yes. But was this granola unpleasing in any way? Of course not. If only it had some crunch in each bite…
Ah well…
If you have been searching for a good way to get more fiber into your life…this is a good choice. A fantastic choice, actually. Look past the soft oats, enjoy the intermittent bursts of sweetness from the freeze dried berries, and simply savor.
Greek yogurt and fresh berry breakfast parfait made with Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola
Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Maple Caramel Blondies – $3.00
I have to give another huge shout-out to my favorite place in Louisville. Whenever I am out of town, I miss arriving on Saturday morning to get a delicious vegan/allergen-free breakfast sandwich. I miss talking to the owners and employees behind the counter. I miss hearing my roommate talk about how many miles I just finished running and how now it was time to indulge in some allergen-free doughnuts and breakfast!
Annie May’s Sweet Café is my happy place. I make a habit to frequent their little spot on Frankfort Avenue whenever I am in town. I have never had anything there that I didn’t care for. In fact, my eyes have been opened to the amazing gluten-free baked goods that continue to churn out. And, every now and again, they introduce something new and spectacular…and if I happen to be around for it…you better believe I am going to purchase it to try.
This past weekend, Annie May’s Sweet Café rolled out Maple Caramel Blondies. I saw them post about them on their Facebook page. I had been out of town the two weekends prior, so now that I was back, I was hitting up the café for breakfast after an 18 mile run…then going out to a Gluten-Free Fair and Fundraiser later that afternoon. While they had the Maple Caramel Blondies at the café that morning…I saved that purchase for the fair.
After feasting on an amazing gluten-free crepe from Sweet ‘N’ Savory food truck, I bounced over to say “HI” to Annie May and Kenna, who were manning the table at the Gluten-Free Fair and Fundraiser. While there, I made a purchase of one of their gluten-free Maple Caramel Blondies ($3.00). They chose me to find one with lots of maple swirled in there…and I was more than happy to oblige. YUM YUM!
But…the weekend was a busy one…and I had a gluten-free sponge cake to polish off. Then my roomie had her last wisdom tooth removed…so the Maple Caramel Blondie sat on my kitchen counter until Wednesday. But…that didn’t affect it one bit.
Over the entire weekend and into half the week, this blondie was still very light and moist. I sliced it in half…eager to get a sample of this bar. Trust me…I think I started drooling when they posted about them. And I had been thinking about it all weekend…and up until dessert on Wednesday. The moment of truth was here.
I handed Cathy her half…then settled in with mine.
FLAVOR TOWN!! I mean…wow. First of all…this is exactly how I like my brownies/blondies. It had more of a cake-like texture. I totally prefer a cake-like brownie to a fudge-like brownie any day. They are lighter, fluffier, and not as dense or heavy. The blondie itself was really good. Not overly sweet, which is good, because swirled throughout it was this fantastic caramel and maple flavor. I mean…WOW!! You can see it blended into the baked blondie. Yes…this was simply awesome. Cathy thought so too, because she eating another one tonight, but stupid shoppers that we are…we had only bought the one.
So…here is hoping that Annie May’s keeps these in the bake case for awhile. TOTALLY yummy!
No one would ever guess they were allergen-free…unless you told them.
So…thank you once again, Annie May’s…for making gluten-free look and taste so, so damn good!
Annie May’s Sweet Café Maple Caramel Blondie (unwrapped)
Product: Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar – $3.59+
Dark chocolate. It is, honestly, my favorite thing in this world. Honestly.
I mean…it has this rich, deep flavor. And the bittersweet taste means you don’t really overindulge. That’s the beauty of dark chocolate. It sort of provides a serving size, because it can be rich…so a little goes a long way.
Now…enter the realm of the vegan dark chocolate bar. Yes. You read that right. VEGAN!
Okay, so vegan chocolate really isn’t anything new. But…the problem I have with vegan chocolate is that it can be hard and chalky…instead of smooth and rich like regular dark chocolate. So, vegan chocolate bars can be disappointing.
Enter…Dark Chocolate Dream. Aptly named, mind you. Dark Chocolate Dream is the chocolate bar segment of the umbrella company responsible for Rice Dream rice milk, Almond Dream almond milk, Soy Dream soy milk, and so on…
I think you get the picture. Now, I’ve many products from Imagine Foods, the company responsible for the “Dream” products. And I love them. Even the Almond Dream almond milk was good. In fact…it was really, really good. So, this company is no stranger to vegan products that focus on ingredients. I like when a company takes pride in the products they put out on the shelf.
But chocolate? Dark chocolate? Dark chocolate candy bars? That are also vegan?
Oh yes…and this one in partucular has an added burst of sweetness because the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar adds a hit of sweetness from freeze dried raspberries to the bittersweet chocolate that forms the rest of the bar. And…honestly…dark chocolate and fruit always pair well. Dark chocolate with some sort of berry…even better.
The Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar is fabulous. It really is. No fake and unpleasing raspberry gel inside. Nothing sticky or unappealing. Just real ingredients. The pieces of fresh raspberries that are freeze dried and added to the dark chocolate just elevate this particular candy bar to the next level. Bittersweet meets sweet…and it just works. It meshes together well. Even better, this vegan dark chocolate bar doesn’t have that chalky flavor. And it isn’t tough to bite into. It’s smooth. It’s sweet. It’s very pleasing to the palate. And the chocolate is rich, and melt-in-your-mouth good. No strange aftertaste. A dark chocolate lover’s dream…
Let’s talk about ingredients and nutrition. First of all, keep in mind this is a chocolate bar. Just because it’s vegan and gluten-free doesn’t mean that it is better for you than other chocolate out on the market. It’s not. A serving of the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar is 1/2 of the bar. This will set you back 240 calories and 15 grams of fat. YIKES, right? Luckily, this bar comes in break-away squares of 8. This means, you can certainly just take a square (trust me it’s enough) and get 8 days worth of treats. That’s what I’d do. But I’m frugal like that. Anyway…in addition to the calories and fat, you are ingesting 15 mg of sodium and then a whopping 24 grams of sugar. YIKES! Half of the candy bar contains 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.
As far as the ingredients that go into this dark chocolate bar, this list is short and recognizable. The ingredients in the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar are: evaporated cane juice, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, freeze dried raspberries, roasted soy flour, soy lecithin, and pure vanilla extract.
That’s it. It’s nice to see such a short list when it comes to ingredients.
If you love the taste of raspberries. If you love dark chocolate. Then I encourage you to find and try Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar. It’s a sweet bite of rich, smooth, vegan dark chocolate. So…break off a piece…and devour! Then take a moment to savor. Trust me…you’ll thank me later.
Dark Chocolate Dreams Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar (unwrapped)
You will find this dish on pretty much every Indian restaurant menu you go into. Why? Because it is just one amazing meal that is so full of different flavors and textures, it’s actually exciting to eat. This is no exaggeration. Welcome…to my Monday tradition of easy, fast food…so I can get across the river and go running.
Thank goodness for meals for the busy people in this world. Tasty Bite has mastered the art of creating not only meals that are ethnic, interesting, and super-tasty…but that are also quick and easy to prepare. A simple warming in the microwave for 90 seconds and you’re set and ready to eat. Make it into more of a meal by pairing it with rice or a protein…and dinner/lunch/whatever…is served.
This Monday was like every other Monday prior. I have a running group I adore and always want to make the Monday fun runs that are hosted from my favorite local running store. LOVE the people who work there, who run there, and who just come in there. These are good people. And missing a run always bums me out. Therefore, in the limited amount of time I have after getting off work, getting home, getting ready to run…it leaves very little time to actually prepare and eat a dinner. Besides, before running for at least 3 miles…I don’t want anything too heavy. Carbs are a must. Protein is a must. Time is of the essence.
Tasty Bite seems to fit the description.
And lucky me…I have a pantry full of these easy, quick, and very flavorful pouches of awesomeness.
This Monday…the next flavor on the tasting menu was…Vegetable Korma.
Vegetable Korma is one of the most popular dishes on Indian menus everywhere. And why wouldn’t it be? For one thing, it is packed with fresh and delicious varieties of vegetables. In this case, onion, corn, carrots, potatoes, and spinach. Lots of vegetables, because they are the star of the meal. But, with Indian food especially, you have to flavor it…season it…get that right balance of spice in each bite. And this little meal was heightened by the addition of coconut milk, yogurt, sunflower oil, garlic, chickpea flour, salt, chilies, spices, and turmeric. Are you drooling yet?
You will be. What emerges after a short 90 second zap in the microwave is a steaming pouch that contains what has become my favorite Tasty Bite meal to date. It isn’t much to look at…not really. The sauce is sort of this light green color (the spinach), and it’s laden with chunks of vegetables (LOVE IT). But…it’s not always what it looks like that is any indication of what food tastes like. And that is especially true with ethnic foods. Indian foods more often than others. Take it from me…you can’t just a food simply by its looks. What is hidden inside is what makes each meal sing.
So why did Vegetable Korma overtake every other Tasty Bite meal I have tried to become my favorite? Well…it has this warming curry flavor to it…and it has the savory taste of the garlic and onion and spices. Top that off with the earthiness of the vegetables that make up the dish itself. But what really sets it apart…is that addition of the corn. You get this fantastic pop of sweet flavor with each bite.
It’s simple. It’s easy. And it’s amazing. I don’t just say that about anything. As I normally do, I served this over some freshly cooked jasmine rice. It was just filling enough that I didn’t feel like I’d have it still in my stomach when I went running, but didn’t leave me still feeling hungry.
Perfection.
With that being said, let’s take a quick glance at the nutrition offered up by Tasty Bite’s Vegetable Korma. A serving is 1/2 of the pouch. This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will also 430 mg of sodium, which isn’t bad for a pre-packaged, shelf-stable meal. This serving also gives you 4 grams of sugar. Aside from that, you feel satisfied after eating it thanks to the 5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein each serving provides. It’s a nutrient powerhouse. Even better, this particular product is also gluten-free, vegetarian, and kosher.
LOVE IT!
No, honestly…I do. As I said, one bite and I was certain this would be my new favorite. It’s amazing. It’s incredible. It’s beyond delicious. It once again proves that Tasty Bite knows what they are doing when they put these meals together and sell them to the masses. I keep going back for more, wanting to try the different varieties that I can on a gluten-free, vegetarian diet. And the best part is…that doesn’t eliminate too many of Tasty Bite’s meals. Love that.
So, if you have a busy night ahead of you and are in need of something good, yummy, and just awesome to eat…go to your grocery store…find the Tasty Bite packs and pick up one or a couple. But…if you are choosing just to do one…I highly recommend the Vegetable Korma. It exceeds all expectations by leaps and bounds. Honestly good food…one tasty bite after another!
Let me start by saying how very fortunate we, the residents of the Louisville area, are to have you in our neighborhoods and at our public events. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, most food trucks would be a bust for me. In fact, I had never had the chance to actually eat from a food truck until you rolled into my life. And, since then, I find myself clearing up my busy schedule just so I can come out to an event or hit up wherever you might be parked and serving on any particular weekend.
But you don’t just put out your typical street food and food truck fare. No…you cooked yourself in a different direction and have set yourself apart from the sorts of trucks (sandwiches, burgers, tacos) that frequent the streets of cities.
But you didn’t stop there with a unique product. Nope. You also made a conscious decision to make your products gluten-free. This is no easy task and it can be quite costly. Not to mention, there are certain stigmas that come with the term “gluten-free” so you already had to get over that hump. But you built your truck, you brought it out to the streets…and that was where I found you.
And my hope is that I never have to let you go.
From my first crepe from your truck…I tested first the sweet ones. I wasn’t too sure how to take those savory crepes…so the ones with chocolate and fruit were my first choices. But…then…one very warm day at a festival in Louisville, I branched out. I tried my first savory crepe…and it was love. It was delicious, heavenly love. And now…the savory crepes seem to be my choice each time.
This past Saturday at the Gluten-Free Fair held at Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville…not only did I get to indulge in another (savory) crepe, but talked my roommate and our friend Greg into trying them as well. My roomie had actually wanted tacos…but in the end went with a crepe. As for Greg…he can sometimes be a bit picky…but he seemed set on the same crepe I was getting. So…orders were in.
The Veggie Caponata Crepe ($6.00) was my choice this time…although I was so tempted to get your delicious, rich Caprese Crepe again. But…this one caught my eye. This one not only sounded super-delicious, but it was made with local, fresh vegetables. Therefore…I had to have it. The Veggie Caponata Crepe was stuffed full with amazing Kentucky eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and roasted red peppers. But the star…the ingredient that made all of these fresh vegetables shine…was the Parmesan cheese. Complete and total love at first bite. It was like eating a delicious gluten-free, veggie pizza. The flavors sang. The vegetables were fresh and their flavor, after being roasted, really became elevated. And that crepe…it is never overdone, never burned, never mushy. It’s always perfect.
Then…on a perfectly hot summer afternoon, you gave to me the greatest gift of all. Gluten-free gelato. I can’t thank you enough for finding a dedicated gluten-free base for your gelato. I can’t wait to indulge in it more frequently. And…you offered a Salted Caramel flavor. Salted Caramel is my favorite flavor…for real. Nothing tops it. It’s what I crave…perhaps because, in and of itself, it is both sweet and savory. That sweet with the hint of salt. It’s the best combination out there…and you…you gave me my favorite without even being aware of that. You must have just known…
I bought one scoop of your Salted Caramel Gelato ($2.50) and was blown away. One of the best salted caramel items I have ever tasted…and trust me…I have had many. I even make my own. You made it to perfection. The right creaminess and richness to warrant a gelato…and the flavor was outstanding. Salty…caramely…refreshing. It was the perfect way to end my food truck feast.
No love letter would be complete, however, without a lot of praise and love going out to the owners and operators of Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck. Much love, much appreciation, and respect go out to Richard and Ashley Giannini. I know this can be quite a costly venture…and one that you have put a lot of your own hard-earned time and money into…but from the heart of someone like me, I can’t thank you enough for not just building a better food truck, but for giving a gluten-free (and vegetarian) girl a place to come and eat at these fun little gatherings and festivals. I never have to worry about the food I purchase from you. I hope to continue to follow you around this beautiful city and give you not just my business, but more business from my roommate (Cathy) and my friends who happen to come along with us.
By the way…Cathy completely loved the Limoncello Gelato.
I count myself one of the lucky residents in this amazing foodie town of Louisville, Kentucky, who have discovered just how beautiful and delicious your products are. But when you take such great care with ingredients and you prepare them to perfection, it’s hard to imagine anything else.
Basically…the point I am trying to make here is…I love you.
And I can’t wait to indulge in more of that Salted Caramel gelato.
Love…food truck style…defined as Sweet ‘N’ Savory.
Love Always,
Karen
(Veggie Food Lover)
A scoop of Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck’s Salted Caramel Gelato
The Celiathlete 