Sophie’s Kitchen is bringing seafood back into my life…without actually being seafood. What’s even better…these items are things I used to enjoy back when I was a meat/poultry/seafood eater. Nothing could make me happier. Finding a gluten-free and vegan substitute for many proteins is difficult at times. However, thanks to the product line-up from Sophie’s Kitchen…I won’t need to worry about that any longer.
A month or so ago, I gave Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets a try. And while they tasted nothing like fish…and the texture wasn’t quite right…they weren’t bad. Not at all. They were actually quite tasty and gave me a reason to make a homemade tartar sauce for my roommate and I to enjoy with them. It was a nice introduction to the products that Sophie’s Kitchen offers. While not exactly like how I remembered fish fillets, these were decent enough.
So, while out at the grocery store a few weeks ago, I spotted the Breaded Vegan Shrimp in the freezer section. With the veggies from my CSA bin, I had it in my head that I could totally throw together some gluten-free and vegan shrimp po boys for dinner one night. My roommate was all for that, so we went ahead and purchased a box of the Breaded Vegan Shrimp and took it home. I picked up some Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls to hold the po boys, and then just had to decide on when to make them.
Work had been crazy…and my training schedule for running has taken up a lot more time since my mileage increase as I train for my first marathon. But a week ago, I made up a small snack to tide us over while I worked on putting my shrimp po boys together.
Sophie’s Kitchen really outdid themselves on the Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Honestly. They were really easy to cook. Thank goodness. Just let them thaw in the fridge (I didn’t do this, but managed to break them apart so they could cook properly in the end) and put them into the oven to cook as directed. While they were in the oven, I went ahead and began slicing up my vegetables, which included romaine lettuce, carrots, green peppers and shallots. I topped them off with sliced of avocado for my own personal touch. And…I just honestly love avocado. I mixed up some vegan sriracha mayonnaise to apply to the toasted sandwich buns and had that all ready just as the shrimp was finishing up in the oven.
When they emerged, the breading had turned a beautiful golden color and looked like fried shrimp would normally look. Already, I was impressed. I just hoped that it would taste as good as it smelled and looked. So, I got to work assembling the po boys…giving the bread a schmear of the vegan sriracha mayonnaise, then topping that with the lettuce, The shrimp were next, followed by the rest of the vegetables. The avocado topped it off and then I dabbed a bit more of the mayonnaise on top. Dinner…was served.
And, boy, was I ever blown away when I settled in to feast on my stuffed sandwich. The shrimp are packed full of amazing flavor. With all the different components on the sandwich, it was what really stood out. Rightfully so, as it was the protein. But the texture was fantastic. But it was the flavor of the breading and the shrimp itself that really impressed. I was blown away and kept eating and eating and just enjoying every single bite…until I reached the end of my sandwich and had to lick my fingers clean. Just sensational. Sophie’s Kitchen really nailed it on the head with these Breaded Vegan Shrimp. They are, so far, my favorite item off their product list. And while I was on the fence with the fish fillets, I am standing up and shouting my love for this product. Amazing. Delicious. Outstanding. YUM!
For those of you who do pay attention to nutrition facts, as I do, then you’ll want to take note. Each box contains 2.5 servings, which is about 7 pieces of shrimp per person. My roommate and I just split the entire box. We have no shame. In a single serving of these Breaded Vegan Shrimp, you will consume 240 calories and 11 grams of fat. These shrimpy delights are cholesterol free and low in sodium (only 270 mg). Even better, you get 4 grams of protein in each serving as well. Gotta love that.
I can’t stop singing the praises of Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Amazing. Super delicious. And next time, I may just eat them on their own. But, the po boy was super delicious and I would make and consume that with as much vigor as I did initially. Super yum. Thank you, Sophie’s Kitchen, for bringing seafood back to this gluten-free vegetarian. I. LOVE. YOU.
Gluten-Free Vegan Shrimp Po Boy made with Sohpie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp
Product: Lundberg Salt Free Organic Brown Rice Cakes – $3.49+
I was an odd child.
Well, I’m still a bit odd, but growing up, not many children would have said that one of their favorite snacks to eat was rice cakes. Don’t look at me like that. It’s the truth. My mom often had a sack of them in our pantry and when we’d want a snack, we’d dig one out, give it a little schmear of peanut butter, and happily devour. Sometimes…we nixed the peanut butter and would just eat them on their own. Most people would say they taste like cardboard. Not me. I loved the little cakes of puffed rice. I’d eat the entire bag if I had the opportunity.
Not much has changed in my tastes as I grew into an adult. But…for years I went without my rice cake treat. When I moved out on my own, snacks like that just fell to the wayside. I just stopped buying them.
But along came the giant closeout scare at my local grocery store. These were marked down, and I spotted them on the bottom shelf. I wasn’t going to pass that up, so I snatched a bag of them and, without hesitation, purchased them right then and there. And, as we all know, my plethora of gluten-free snacks and treats was out of control…so these waited for the day they would get to shine.
And that day finally came. These little rice cakes came out of the pantry and journeyed to the office with me for my 3:00 p.m. pick-me-up snack. I even packed a tablespoon of peanut butter to put on top of the little brown rice cake as well. Just like mom used to do for us. Just like we used to do as we got older. Memories…treasured, happy memories.
Well, snack time came and I opened up the pack of Lundberg Salt Free Organic Brown Rice Cakes. I broke off a little piece of it to try on its own. So…so amazing. No…really. Even though this is a Salt Free Rice Cake, the little puffed rice cakes are light, airy, and actually have a rich flavor. Some might say…Styrofoam. Not me. I think they have that bit of sweetness to them, and aren’t loaded with sodium or preservatives that I don’t need to be ingesting. In fact, the Lundberg Salt Free Organic Brown Rice Cakes are made with one ingredient…and one ingredient only…organic whole grain brown rice.
Bingo. Simplicity is a beautiful thing.
But, I had that peanut butter right there, so I had to pay homage to my childhood, so I gave it a schmear across the top of the rice cake. The sweetness of the peanut butter went so well with the crispy, savory taste of the brown rice cake. And it did transport me back to the days of growing up in upstate New York, feasting on these little cakes of goodness as a child, not knowing that they were actually good for me. I have my mom to thank for that. And I often do thank her for providing us with healthier snacks and well-balanced meals as we grew up.
Rice cakes don’t mean bland diet treats. Not when it comes to Lundberg Farms Salt Free Organic Brown Rice Cakes. Honestly, these just may have to become a new staple in my pantry. I’m enjoying this trip down a delicious memory lane!
And yes…puffed brown rice never tasted so good. Thanks, Lundberg Farms!
Yesterday marked a full week since the senseless bombing of the Boston Marathon. I would be lying to you if I sat here and said that I wasn’t affected. As human beings, all of us were, in some way, touched by what happened near that finish line.
Boston is about 970 miles away from Louisville, Kentucky. But the instant I heard about those explosions at the marathon, it felt like my own world was falling apart. It’s hard to explain the wave of emotions that I’ve been feeling over the past week. This tragic event literally took my legs out from under me. I couldn’t watch the news, but I wanted to be informed. I cried so much this past week, fought back tears when I had to, and just couldn’t get the events at Boston off my mind or my heart. I was heartbroken over what occurred.
I am the granddaughter of a marathoner. That running bug must have skipped a generation, but I caught it. And I have never stopped falling in love with the simple act of running. In fact, if it’s even possible, in the two years I have been running, I might have learned to love this sport more than anything else I have ever done. More than my art, my photography, and yes…even my cooking. There is something so primitive, but so empowering about a run.
It’s not to say every run is a good run, but let’s face it…there are more good runs than bad runs. And a bad run is just another reason to get up the next day and try it again. It doesn’t stay bad forever.
Neither do life changing events. The bombing of the Boston Marathon, for me, was life changing. I know I wasn’t there…but my heart and soul were. It’s hard to explain what I mean, but as a runner who aspired to one day be fast enough to qualify for this race (my grandpa never had the chance to run it, but he always wanted to), a part of me was there, with the runners, with the crowd. Cheering the elite. Cheering those that came after them. The spirit of a runner is unbridled, and where there is a race, a part of each of us are there…carried in the hearts, minds, and the soles (get it?) of each runner there. Whether they know it or not…we are with them. We’re part of this tightly-knit group, and while we don’t know everyone out there who thinks like us and finds joy in the act of running, we know they are out there. And every race that runs is proof of that.
The Boston Marathon…is the crème de la crème of marathons. It has a deep tradition to upkeep, and a history that is like no other race out there. And, on April 15, 2013, at 2:50 p.m., explosions tore through the finish area. And the Boston Marathon was brought to a halt. And with it…the world of every runner who was either there, or watching, or following online…stopped with it.
970 miles between Louisville and Boston.
And something great emerges from the ashes. Something that the running community here in Louisville really, really needed.
You see, the owner of Fleet Feet Louisville, Jeff Wells, was at Boston. He had crossed the finish line about 30 minutes before the blasts went off. In fact, he was on his way back to his hotel, near the site of the second explosion, when it all went down. His story is moving…and inspiring. And what Jeff did when he returned to Boston was start to share his story. And from that…a movement grew.
He said it countless times in interviews. “We are unstoppable.”
Three simple words, that I really needed to hear. The Boston Marathon might have been stopped…but we, the running community, are unstoppable.
From there, a movement began. Jeff began to talk to the other four running stores in the area…his competitors in sales…but his brothers on the road. Blue Mile, Swags, Pacers and Racers, Ken Combs…they all began talking and putting together this idea…of taking their running groups for a run to commemorate the victims of the bombings at the Boston Marathon. All proceeds raised from the run would benefit Boston’s The One Fund.
It was brilliant. And the entire Louisville running community was bolstered by the very idea of having such an event. The initial plan was to meet at Waterfront Park, and for 26.2 minutes, run, pausing at 6:26 p.m. for a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The run would happen on the newly opened pedestrian bridge. Any and all levels were welcome. Runners, walkers…whoever wanted to be a part of the event…and help make a donation toward The One Fund.
The event, however, got too big. And with Derby season in full swing here in Louisville, the city couldn’t get us a permit for such a large gathering. Subsequently, the event was cancelled. The stores still planned to do their memorial runs…but from each respective store…and that would be that.
But Jeff wasn’t giving up. He talked to the other stores, and what they came up with was the best alternative and what culminated into one of the most moving moments of my life. The five local running stores all agreed to leave from their respective stores, or from a meeting place for those further away (they chose the bathrooms at Seneca Park) to run into Cherokee Park and come together at Hogan’s Fountain at 6:26 to observe a moment of silence for what happened in Boston.
I met up with my Monday running group at BlueMile…and soon the store was overflowing with runners and walkers who were looking to participate in the event. Cathy accompanied me…with a cowbell that she tied up with blue and yellow yarn (the colors of the BAA), and a sign that the two of us worked on for her to hold at the event. Let’s face it…Cathy is one of the best when it comes to crowd support at races…with cowbell and sign always in hand. She left early to drive up to Hogan’s Fountain and get situated. She was the first one there. She had her sign. And soon…people started finding her.
My group left BlueMile about 15 minutes before the meetup, giving people time to run up the hill to Hogan’s Fountain and catch their breath before the moment of observance for Boston. A local news crew was out, and the BlueMile group was filmed on their trek up to Cherokee Park. The climb up the hill felt somewhat easier than usual. And when we reached the top…when Hogan’s Fountain was in view…there was a sea of humanity gathered around. Media was there, taking pictures and filming, and runners were mingling and talking.
I spotted Cathy near the fountain and ran over to talk to her and a few other runners nearby. Soon, Jeff arrived with the Fleet Feet group. I finally was able to give him a hug. It was one of the best hugs ever. I felt…better. Then, the five running store owners came together to say a few words. The prelude to the 6:26 moment of silence was given by the man in charge of Team Sweaty Sheep, a Christian group of athletes (runners, walkers, bikers), who said a few words than encouraged everyone to take a moment to reflect on Boston. And with that…the hundreds of runners, walkers, and bikers…fell silent. All I could hear was the shutter of a camera nearby. And that stopped a second later. Silence.
It’s hard to explain what I felt in that moment. A wave of emotion just swept over me. My shoulders shuddered a little as a few silent tears fell. I drew in a deep breath, and my heart felt…lighter. And, after a minute passed, we were sent off to do what we do best. Run.
I felt better. All last week, my emotions were all over the place. I would run sad, run angry, run to break away, run to feel…something. This time…in the cool spring breeze, in the sunshine that was shining down through the trees in Cherokee Park…I smiled. I hadn’t found joy in my run since the bombings occurred. I felt like the darkness was leaving. I felt…lighter. I ran 3.25 miles that night…back up the hill to Hogan’s Fountain to meet up with Cathy. I ran them easy. No need for speed. I needed to reflect, feel, and more importantly…smile again.
That small moment of time meant the world to me. I am so proud to have been a part of that gathering. I needed to be. Because, I have been scrambling to come to terms with the senseless act of violence at the Boston Marathon. I said it before…had I been running…my friends, my family, my roommate (and biggest fan), could have been standing right there. It’s a fact that isn’t lost on me. It is a fact that I am constantly reminded of whenever a replay of those explosions comes onto the news.
It can be a scary world out there…but we’re runners. And what Jeff said was true…
We are unstoppable.
When runners get knocked down, they get back up. They keep going. When runners can’t get back up…other runners carry them. It’s what we do. When we have no strength left…we somehow find it. Deep inside us. It’s there. And it’s that strength that is going to see us through these hard times. It’s that strength that sends us out to races still. The organizer of the Super Sprint Triathlon I participated in on Sunday said something else that resonated with me. He said that our participation and our simple act of being at the event showed that we would not be bullied. Runners are strong. They have to be…especially distance runners. It’s mind over matter.
Some wounds take time to heal. I’m not saying I’m whole again, but I’m on the mend. No longer is my spirit broken, because my soul is that of a runner. And when the road seems long and the miles ahead endless…I just keep going. I keep pushing. I find my strong. I pick up my feet, I set my gaze ahead, and I overcome.
That’s what happened in Louisville on Monday night at 6:26 p.m. We all came together…for whatever reasons we were drawn there…and we showed Boston our love and hope for the future of their city and the Boston Marathon. We made donations to their charity. We put in miles…some of us for the first time in years. And, we came away from it changed. Events like this change you…whether you were there or not. When you are part of such a tightly knit community like the running community…the ties that bind are so much more than the laces on your shoes.
We are runners. We are unstoppable.
Boston…Louisville stands strong with you. There may be 970 miles of road between us…but last night…we were at that finish line at Copley Square. Last night…we remembered what you endured a week ago. And we were all moved and touched. Did you feel the love? If not…listen closely…hundreds of running shoes pounded the pavement for you. You might still hear the echoes of it. Because we all did it…together.
Me and Nikky pinned up and ready for our run for Boston.
Today was a good day.
It feels strange to say that, because good days since Monday, April 15, 2013, have been few and far between. I’ve had good moments, sure…but my overall attitude, my overall emotional state was rocked…perhaps even shattered when those bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I wasn’t there. But my heart and soul was. And every image burned itself into my heart. I cried…a lot. I felt down. Depressed. Angry. Sad. I felt lost. I felt hopeless. I felt helpless. I’ve witnessed quite a few life-changing events in my life, but this one rocked me hard. This one…hit me right in the chest.
Why?
Because…I am a runner.
So, when my friend Nikky asked on her Facebook page if someone wanted to pace her while she went on her last long run before she began her taper for the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon coming up in a week…I volunteered. It’s not often I get to go running with others. There is my fun run group on Monday, of course, but…most times I’m on my own there too. So, I jumped on the chance to join her for her 10 mile run. She was worried that she would be too slow…but I told her it was her job to set the pace…and I would go with it. I never mind running with people. And if it means I slow my pace down, I’m more than happy to do it.
So often runners focus on their pace, their time. I am one of these runners. I always am looking to better myself. And so often I forget the joy of just going out for a slow, easy run. It’s amazing what you see, what you feel, what you notice that you might have missed…
Then, on Thursday, it occurred to me that Nikky and I could do something very special on our 10 miler. We could run…for Boston. I pitched the idea at her, and she was totally for it. Dedicating her long run to a cause…and we’d do it together. I printed up some race bibs for us to wear, to make it official, and eagerly anticipated our run on Saturday afternoon.
I went out on Saturday morning for an easy 5 miler on my own…a warm-up if you will. And after grabbing a bite to eat at Jason’s Deli (My pre-race lunch was a gluten-free peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Don’t mock…runners love peanut butter!), I headed to our rendezvous spot, ready to help her do her long run.
We met up at the YMCA and had Cathy get us pinned up (she’s an expert after all). After that, Cathy went off to grocery shop and Nikky and I headed to the park where we would start our run. We stretched (she is SO flexible!) and then walked up to the road to get started. I reassured her that I was more than happy to take her pace and she told me it was okay to push her a little now and then. So, with that understanding, I let her start us off…up a hill.
We had so much fun. The miles flew by as we ran around a route she runs often enough. And we did it wearing our special race bibs, throwing our hands up in the air. Running for Boston. It felt good to add a cause to purpose for being out on the roads. The race bibs just sort of made it feel more official. It felt good. We kept our conversations on the light side…speaking of happy things. We’d talk about Boston…but mostly of the relief that just last night the second suspect was taken into custody…alive. And how we hoped that justice would be played out. We talked of races, ones we’ve run, ones that we would like to run. We talked about our families. We talked about people we know who run. We talked about our local running stores. We would throw our hands up in the air when cars drove by, saying, “We’re running for Boston!” And we never stopped. It was refreshing. It was, honestly, just what I needed.
Ten miles, with hills at the start, hills in the middle, and more hills at the end. She really had this planned out. The best part was, she did an amazing job on her run. We hit 10 miles and I hugged her and congratulated her. She is amazing and she’s going to do a great job on her run next weekend. I can tell. And with crowd support down there, oh…I have a feeling she’ll do better than she even expects. The important thing is to pace herself. I am so proud of her. She rocked it. She knew when to push and when to let up. She was determined not to get injured before this race this year…and I am so glad she listened to her body. Those last two miles, though, she gave it her all. Yeah…very proud of her.
Proudly wearing our race bibs…we headed to The Comfy Cow for celebratory ice cream. We talked some more about anything and everything. And finally, we parted ways.
Today’s run was so cleansing. It was something we both felt we needed to do. She had the reason and we both had the time. Dedicating today’s run to Boston was so heartfelt. We both were affected by what happened. Anyone who is a runner or was a runner or even just knows runners was affected by the events in Boston on Monday. But with every step we took today, we put in miles for the victims of those senseless bombings. Miles for a good cause. Miles to remember. Miles that we shared…with Boston in our hearts and proudly displayed on our tech shirts. This was Nikky’s run…but she and I made it so much more.
This wasn’t just a training run. That was what got us out there. This was a run for remembrance. This was a run for healing. We accomplished it. And we did it together. One foot in front of the other. The road rose up to meet us…and we left our heartache and tears behind as we climbed our first hill together…and lifted up Boston.
Thank you, Nikky, for this amazing experience. We may have only been two people…but we carried the whole of the Boston Marathon with us. Boston Strong!
It has been forever since I’ve had an Oreo. Going gluten-free takes simple pleasures like a simple sandwich cookie and sometimes makes them…untouchable. But…not with sandwich cookies. Quite a few brands are actually out on the market. Some are better than others. But…that’s to be expected.
Another treat to myself when I was last in Minneapolis, Minnesota was these Gluten-Free Chocolate O’s, Schär’s version of the gluten-free sandwich cookie. In every sense of the world…an Oreo. Chocolate cookies with a vanilla cream center sandwiched between them. I saw the box while at Cub Foods, and again, at the time, had yet to see that in my area. Since then, they have been incorporated into at least a few of the natural foods stores that I frequent. But, I’m just a little backed up on my cookie obsession in my gluten-free pantry. I’m getting there! So, naturally, since these were not available, at the time, in my region, I purchased them and carried them home with me.
Mmmm…sandwich cookies!
And, after all this time, they were next up in my gluten-free cookie backlog of epic proportions! So, two days ago, I broke into this box and pulled out a serving of Schär’s Gluten-Free Chocolate O’s. That, by the way, is 3 cookies. Yes…THREE cookies. Don’t get too excited though. These are definitely not the size nor stuffed portion you would find in Oreo cookies. These cookies are about the size of, or maybe slightly bigger (very slightly) than a quarter. Yep. One bite delight. But, that’s the good part…they are at least delicious!
The chocolate biscuits that make up the cookie portion of these little bite-size cookies are a rich and have that crisp softness to it. Sound contradictory? Well, you won’t break your teeth biting into these, but they aren’t soft either. They have just the right amount of crispness to them to make them taste like a cookie. And the center…so delicious. Not too sweet, but so reminiscent of the Oreo stuffing (just less of it), that it wowed me. I was in sheer heaven, looking for a glass of almond milk to dunk these in for good measure. Yes…they are truly amazing. I loved them. The chocolate is rich, but balanced by the cream in the middle. Just delicious bite-sized cookie goodness.
While these cookies are wheat-free and gluten-free, they do contain milk and soy. So be aware! The chocolate cookie is simply made from sugar, palm oil, corn flour, cocoa powder, soy flour, milk powder, potato starch. The filling is a blend of palm oil, milk powder, dextrose, sugar, lactose, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla flavor.
The three cookies in your serving will only set you back 170 calories and 8 grams of fat. Not too shabby for sandwich cookies, I think. The sodium is low (135 mg). As for sugars, for sandwich cookies, 11 grams per serving isn’t bad. And each serving does offer 3 grams of protein. Keep in mind…these are sandwich cookies you are eating. Indulge a little. You can have broccoli tomorrow.
While these are not at the top of my list for gluten-free sandwich cookies, these were very delicious and I have enjoyed indulging my inner cookie monster with a these dunkable, sweet, bite-size treats. Would I buy them again…sure. Would they be the first ones I reached for? Nope. But they are definitely worth the money.
Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells and Creamy White Cheddar
Product: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar – $3.59+
Oh…your eyes did not deceive you there. You read that right. Shells. And. Cheese. Just like the old days, yes? You know…when you could crack open a box of Velveeta Shells and Cheese and cook it up within 20 minutes and just dive right in and indulge that part of you that just craves, craves, craves that oh-so-good-but-oh-so-bad-for-you comfort food. Hey…sometimes you just have to have it.
Nevermind the fact that this sort of comfort food comes in…a box.
I know…I’m not a huge fan of packaged pastas as it is…but when you live a busy life, such as I do, sometimes cooking everything from scratch just isn’t feasible. I have races to run, group runs to get to, and sometimes, long nights at the office, or workouts to do before I can finally settle in for food. My life is pretty much lived around my training schedule and extracurricular activities.
So, sometimes, dinner does come from a box. Or a package. It just…it has to at times. But I’m very particular about what sort of processed and packaged food makes it into my home. The nutrition information is scoured for certain things. As well as whether or not the item shares equipment with products that my body cannot handle.
I had never seen Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar until I was visiting my grandpa in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their local Cub Foods had it on their gluten-free shelves. It really made me so excited that I ended up buying a box of it and bringing it back to Indiana with me. And, of course, now at quite a few of my natural food grocery stores, I can find this without trouble. But at the time…this was brand new to me…and I totally had to have it in my life.
But, of course, I didn’t get around to eating it until…well…tonight. The expiration date was still a couple months off, but I needed an easy meal tonight. Originally I was to go on a Boston Marathon commemorative run, however, the weather kicked up a storm. But since my dinner was already started on the stove top…I was committed. So, I got some broccolini roasting in the oven while the water came up to a boil. I dumped the small rice shells into the water and gave it a stir. These shells took 8 minutes to reach the perfect al dente. I drained them, then let them sit in the colander while I put 3 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk into the pan and poured in the white cheddar powder that was provided. I stirred and stirred until it was well mixed and then added the pasta back in. Another round of stirring to coat the shells and dinner was ready to be served. I pulled out the broccolette to serve on the side and then dished up a bowl of Annie’s Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar for both myself and my roomie.
She dug in first, and said that it was pretty good. Like most things made with white cheddar, the flavor was a bit milder than usual, but she said it was creamy and good. So, I picked up my bowl and got my plate of broccolini and settled in for my own dinner. Taste time. Moment of truth.
Cathy was absolutely right. The small shells not only cook fast, but they are light and easy to eat. I love that they didn’t expand in size. The cute little shells were just perfect for each little spoonful that I took. The white cheddar, despite being from a powder, actually was quite amazing and delicious. It coated the shells with a light sauce that had a mild tang of cheddar. While this does contain dairy, my lactose intolerance doesn’t go crazy because it can handle small amounts without problem. And this sauce reminded me so much of alfredo…without the fat…that it just sort of…made me happy.
The fact that I was eating a macaroni and cheese with small shells and white cheddar, which I didn’t make myself, which was ready within 15 minutes…made me so stupidly happy. I love mac and cheese…and this was shells and white cheddar, a very rare treat when you have to eat gluten-free. You either make it yourself or go without. Now…I don’t have to.
Nutritionally speaking, this comfort food isn’t too bad for you at all. One serving, or half of the box, will only set you back 330 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. For being a packaged meal, the sodium is rather low (490 mg). And this offers a kick of 7 grams of protein in a serving. That’s awesome. So, overall, comfort food that you don’t feel too guilty about eating. LOVE that.
So in love with this product. So, perhaps packaged goods aren’t always an awful thing. Sure, made from scratch is best, but when time and life keeps you on the go…easy and simple is best. Thanks to Annie’s Homegrown Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar, I can eat the comfort foods I love, keeping it gluten-free, and rather healthy when all is said and done. Combine that with the fact that this product is a fantastic source of Vitamin B6, a good source of calcium, is vegetarian, has no artificial flavors, synthetic colors, or preservatives. And…no trans fat either. Loving it. The cheese that is used in the powder comes from cows that are not treated with the growth hormone rBST.
Happiness can come in a box…especially a box that has white cheddar inside to coat delicate little gluten-free pasta shells. Comfort food taken to happier levels.
Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar
Product: Namaste Foods Gluten-Free Waffle and Pancake Mix – $5.99+
I can be pretty particular about certain foods. And anything pertaining to breakfast…well…that’s my favorite meal of the day, so it needs to impress. It needs to be good. I don’t want my breakfast to go to waste. I live for breakfast. I sometimes eat breakfast three times in a day. That’s how much breakfast means to me.
I’m working on clearing out a good bit of my pantry overstock in the gluten-free items I have stockpiled. And my roommate had a craving. Pancakes. Well, we had quite a few pancake mixes kicking around on the shelves, so I grabbed the next one up as far as expiration dates, and it was a company I had yet to try any products from. Namaste Foods. Being a yoga enthusiast, I already loved the name of it.
So, I ended up with this gluten-free pancake and waffle mix from Namsate Foods because it was one of the items marked down when my local grocery store decided to put almost all of its gluten-free shelves on closeout and totally freak me out into thinking that I was going to lose a store to get gluten-free foods. False alarm. I think they just needed to make room for new items. These items I bought on the big, panic, closeout are still on the shelves there. Ah well…worked in my advantage.
Anyway…it was the morning after the Boston Marathon bombing and I was really feeling my fellow runners that morning. What better way to honor runners than to make one of their favorite carby meals? Pancakes. To add to the runnerific awesomeness of pancakes…I thought to make peanut butter and jelly pancakes. Mine just had to be gluten-free…for the sake of my digestive system. And this mix made it simple.
Normally, the Namaste Gluten-Free Waffle and Pancake Mix calls for the addition of 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 eggs, and milk or water. Well, I don’t like to use oil or eggs in my pancakes, so I decided to gamble…and added applesauce and melted peanut butter instead. I used water to keep the calorie count down with the peanut butter being a big portion of the mix. I wasn’t sure what this would do to the texture, but I figured gluten-free cooking is all about taking risks anyway. And pancakes can be saved someway if it turns out to be a bust on the flavor.
That being said, I mixed everything together, added 2 cups of the mix, and blended it all together. At first the batter was way too thick, so I added a little more water and that helped even out the consistency. Onto the griddle it went. And it took a little while to get that crisp, golden layer on one side. But…it got there. I didn’t want to turn the heat up, because I tend to burn pancakes that way, but trying to cook them faster. It’s one of the biggest complaints I have with gluten-free pancakes…getting that perfect golden crust on the outside. It’s difficult at times. Anyway…I flipped them and continued to cook the batch, making a total of 8 pancakes with one batch of the batter. Nice.
Then…to conclude the epic breakfast to honor the Boston Marathon, I spread some organic strawberry preserves across the top of each pancake, drizzled some melted peanut butter over the top, then added a swirl of dark chocolate because…I was upset about the marathon and needed chocolate, then topped each one off with a fresh, organic strawberry. Work of pancake art, let me tell you.
So, the moment of truth was upon us…how did they taste? My roommate was the first to dig into the perfect pancake breakfast…and she didn’t have any complaints. In fact, she hoovered the pancakes down. It had been a long time since I’d seen her do that with any product. So, this was a very good sign. I settled in with my two pancakes and sliced into one. Oh…oh yes…these were good!
While they didn’t have that perfect golden crust on the outside, the pancakes themselves were fluffy and packed with flavor. The texture of these pancakes is light and fluffy. But, they are filling. Just two was all I needed and the breakfast stayed with me all the way to my snack time, about 4 hours later. I loved that. It was nice not to eat breakfast and be hungry about an hour or so later. It was very nice, indeed. I loved that each bite had a hint of vanilla to it, which I could still taste, even with my toppings and additions. And the lack of eggs and oil didn’t affect the flavor or texture at all, in my opinion. This was one of the better pancakes I had made from a gluten-free mix. I tested the gluten-free pancake gods again later on that day because I needed to make easy pancakes for workout mornings. I left the eggs and oil out again and substituted pumpkin, then folded in some chocolate chips. Same thing. The pancakes were a little more dense this time around, but they cooked all the way through. They still didn’t get that golden color, but the pumpkin sort of distracts from that anyway. But yeah…filling…and fantastic. Loved the flavor, the texture, the chewy nature of the pancakes. Delicious. Very pleased with this mix.
The Namaste Foods Waffle and Pancake Mix contains no wheat, gluten, soy, corn, potato, dairy, casein, peanuts or tree nuts. It is all natural, has no preservatives, and is non-GMO. LOVING it. You will recognize all eight ingredients that go into the mix itself, starting with sweet brown rice flour, tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, rice milk powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and ground vanilla bean. It’s always a comfort when you can identify what goes into your processed and packaged foods. I think so anyway.
As I said, this was the first product I tried from Namaste Foods, and now I am eager to try other mixes that they have on the market. Total win. Pancake perfection when I needed it most.
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes made with Namaste Foods Gluten-Free Waffle & Pancake Mix
Purely Elizabeth Gluten-Free Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal
Product: Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal – $7.99+
Granola is one of those foods that can walk a fine line between healthy and…not so healthy. It all comes down to the ingredients. I have had some really amazing gluten-free granola in the past…but my problem with it is that it is always laden with extra sugars. WHY?! Granola doesn’t have to be rich in sugar in order to taste good.
Proof is in the package – and in this case it’s Purely Elizabeth’s Pumpkin Fig Granola.
I admit, I was apprehensive about my choice to pick up the Pumpkin Fig Granola. My local Whole Foods store had a couple of other selections from Purely Elizabeth…but after looking at the Cranberry Pecan and the Original flavors, I decided to go with a flavor that no other gluten-free granola company had tackled yet. Pretty much any fruit would pair well with it…so that’s what I decided on. As to why I decided to hop brands to a different gluten-free granola…it wasn’t any reason, per se…just the fact that this one happened to be on the shelves at Whole Foods and caught my eye.
I like to utilize granola in fruity breakfast parfaits. I will layer it with vanilla Chobani yogurt and a fresh fruit of some sort, whether it’s fresh organic berries, kiwi, or apples and pears that I caramelize…it makes a nice change from having cereal every morning. So, it falls into rotation every other morning, normally when my roommate and I are not hitting up the gym for our 60 minute cardio and strength training.
What I loved, immediately, about Purely Elizabeth was that the items that the company produces are all natural and organic, using nutritious alternative grains and superfood seeds. The products are free of sugar, dairy, wheat and gluten. Loving it already. Purely Elizabeth founder, Elizabeth Stein, was perusing a career as a holistic nutrition counselor where she learned about the connection between what you eat and how you feel – specifically how sugar, wheat and dairy can negatively impact health. Her mission became simple…to create gluten-free and vegan products that were not overly processed that still tasted good. She totally succeeded.
A serving of Purely Elizabeth Gluten-Free Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal
This morning marked the inaugural tasting of the Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig Granola. I was going to pair it with the vanilla Greek yogurt and some organic strawberries that came in my CSA bin. Pumpkin, fig, strawberry? Could it possibly work? Only one way to find out…but first…I needed to see if my palate was going to appreciate the flavor of Pumpkin and Fig together in this granola form. I reached into the pouch of granola and swiped a pinch of the ancient grain cereal. I popped it in my mouth…and knew it was going to be okay.
I loved how the pumpkin flavor wasn’t overpowering. Sometimes, as much as I love pumpkin, it can get to be a bit much. It can really take away from the product itself. And the balance of the sweet dry figs made the ideal blend. Match that with the variety of flavors and textures that come with the inclusion of gluten-free oats, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic chia seeds, and the sweetness of the organic coconut palm sugar, and cinnamon…and what you have is a recipe for amazing flavor. Add in the organic raw virgin coconut oil and a hint of sea salt…and that’s what you’ll find in every bag of Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal.
Amazing? You better believe it.
Even more amazing than the blend of flavors and textures is the nutritional value of a serving of this cereal. The combination of ingredients are all natural, organic, and gluten-free…the ancient grains all providing excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. Loving that. One serving is 1/3 cup, which serves you up 140 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not too shabby. Especially since the fat content is derived from the raw virgin coconut oil, and this sort of fat gets used as energy, rather than stored. Loving that. A serving of this granola has only 6 grams of sugar and will provide you with 4 grams of protein. It is low in sodium (110 grams) as well. All the granola is hand baked and made with over 70% certified organic ingredients. No artificial colors or flavors are added either. Which means…what you see is what you get.
And what you get is a delicious blend of oats, seeds, ancient grains, and dried figs. And all together it provides a delicious, and not overpowering flavor to whatever you choose to add it to…or if you just enjoy it on its own with a splash of milk. Either way, you should feel good about the food you are eating. I feel good about choosing Purely Elizabeth and I highly recommend the Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal.
Wholesome Cravings Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Protein Snack Cake Mix
Product: Wholesome Cravings Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Protein Snack Cake Mix – $4.99+
Thank you, Wholesome Cravings, for teaching me an important lesson when it comes to new products.
What lesson might that be?
No matter what, always try the new product out while at home. Do NOT think that just because it smells amazing while baking that it will taste good too.
That was my mistake I made when I baked up this Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Protein Cake from Wholesome Cravings this past weekend to use for breakfast on gym mornings this work week. Streamline. Make something that can be eaten throughout the week. Perfect. And, hello, cake…for breakfast. Sounds like a dream come true. And an apple cake at that. I love apples!
I also loved how easy this cake was to make. Simply mix together 3 eggs, 1/4 cup of zero calorie sweetener, and 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, then add the mix to the other ingredients, make sure they are blended well, and pour into a cake pan. Bake as directed at 330°F.
Simple. Efficient. And, I wasn’t lying when I said that this cake smelled fantastic as it baked.
But…scents can apparently be very deceiving. I know this now.
Wholesome Cravings Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Protein Snack Cake
The following morning, I sliced two pieces of this cake and packed it into a container to take to the office for my roommate and I to enjoy after working out at the gym. We had a great workout…and when we were done, we were both famished and ready for some food. We headed over to the office and I went into the kitchen to peel some blood oranges and throw a slice of the cake into the microwave to warm up for our cake-for-breakfast pleasure. It still smelled amazing.
I took my roomie her slice first, and then went to warm mine up. As I walked back toward my desk, I stopped by hers and asked what she thought of the cake. She gave me an unenthusiastic, “Eh, it’s okay…I mean…I’ll eat it.” That is never a good sign. I thought perhaps she was exaggerating. So, I went and settled in at my desk and took my first bite of the cake.
First of all, the texture is rather spongy. Yep. Spongy. I really didn’t like that at all. It really didn’t sit well on my taste buds. I mean, food needs to have a pleasing texture, so when it feels like you are gnawing on a sponge, something is definitely wrong. The flavor…chemically. The apple tasted fake and the caramel flavor was rather nonexistent. I was not impressed. In fact, I messaged my roommate and told her that I would eat this slice because I was hungry, but when I got home, the rest of the cake was going into the garbage. I didn’t like it at all. I think I disliked it more than her because I didn’t even want to eat it. The things exercise induced hunger drive you to.
Totally unimpressed.
Totally disgusted by it too. It certainly doesn’t make me want to try any of the other cake offerings from Wholesome Cravings.
In case you like fake apple-flavored spongy cakes, though, the nutritional breakdown is this.
A serving is 1/7 of the cake. Who cuts a cake into 7 pieces? I made it 8. The calories per serving once prepared (and done in 8 servings) are 118 calories per slice and only 4 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a cake, right? Right. Too bad it tastes so awful. Also of note, each slice of cake serves up a healthy dose of protein, in this case, 12 grams. And you also get 2 grams of fiber. This cake made of 100% whole grains, contains zero trans fats, has no preservatives or artificial sweeteners, and is 100% all natural.
But none of that can save it from the fact that it is just…bizarre, in flavor and in texture. I was not a fan. And I really don’t recommend anyone wasting their money on this product. I’m more than a little upset that I did…because I feel cheated out of what should have been a delicious breakfast cake. Perfect, with the protein content, for post workout eats. But…instead…I got one of the more disgusting gluten-free products I have tried yet.
Disappointed? You have no idea.
A slice of Wholesome Cravings Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Protein Snack Cake
April 15, 2013 – Patriot Day – The Boston Marathon.
As someone who is looking forward to running in her first marathon, the Chicago Marathon in October, I cannot even put into words how I feel about the senseless bombing of the iconic Boston Marathon. All I can say is…when I heard the news, I started crying…and then…I started running. And it has been a struggle to make myself stop doing either one.
I wasn’t in Boston for the marathon, but I feel my heart was. I knew a few people who were running yesterday. I know a few people who live there. And I have been told, by countless people, that they believe I can qualify for this historic, amazing, iconic race.
As a runner, the events that unfolded in Boston ripped through my body and soul. It was so senseless.
I read the news at work, as the first reports came over my Twitter feed. I got up and hurried over to Cathy’s desk and relayed the news. From then on, I was a mess of fighting back tears, receiving texts from friends and family, and just doing my best to keep it together. There is just something about Boston that touches the runner in all of us.
Yesterday started off really amazing. I had a running feed of the Boston Marathon going. I was getting a lot of work done. I was cheering for my US ladies, Shalane Flanagan (finished 4th) and Kara Goucher (finished 6th) as well as the US men, like Jason Hartmann (finished 4th). My work situation was tense. I had apparently pissed off my teammate that morning…and instead of telling me…things just got uncomfortable. I confronted her on it…she finally just told me the issue. We resolved it…but I was tense. And then…explosions ripped through the finish line of the Boston Marathon. And my world just seemed to stop for a moment.
WHY? JUST WHY?! That’s what I didn’t understand. I still don’t understand. I try to think the best of people and then some senseless act strikes. What kind of an asshole bombs a marathon?! I struggled with news reports the rest of the day, fighting back tears at the office, and ultimately failing every time. With a heavy heart and puffy, tear-soaked eyes, I left the office and headed home.
I wasn’t home long. My local running store was putting on their usual Monday night fun run. They aptly put up over Twitter and Facebook that it was now a Boston Solidarity Walk/Run. My heart was in it…I didn’t just want to go, I needed to go. So, after eating dinner very quickly, Cathy and I hopped into the car and drove over to Louisville to my running store for the usual Monday night fun run. The mood was solemn. For awhile no one really wanted to talk about it. But we all had it in our hearts and on our minds. You just had to look us – our posture, our stoic faces. We left for our run…and I was going to take it easy and stay with the group.
At first, conversation was about marathons…and security now. The subject slowly changed…to what people did last weekend…Jurassic Park 3D…and then we hit the hills of Cherokee Park. A friend of the small group I was with in the lead stopped them, but I kept going. I couldn’t stop. My feet needed to move. Easy, without any speed or power behind it. Me legs just had to be moving. They had to run. And it was when I broke away and really thought about the events of the day, that the tears really started to flow. I cried my eyes out and my heart out on that run through Cherokee Park. It felt cleansing and good. And I know people were wondering why this girl was bawling her eyes out as she ran the loop, but I couldn’t stop the emotions just like I couldn’t stop my feet. It had to happen. I needed it to happen.
Hal Higdon, an American writer and runner said it best yesterday in his response to the bombings at Boston. He said:
“When I first offered the link below, it was to let everyone know who were the winners in today’s Boston Marathon. But there were a lot of losers today: all of us who love the sport of long distance running, all who love the Boston Athletic Association Marathon for all it means to our sport. And ironically from early reports, those who seem to have taken the biggest hit from the explosions were those who cheer us, the spectators standing beside the road. God love them all.”
He’s absolutely right. The brunt of the attacks didn’t so much hit the runners, but tore through the people who lined the course…those who chose to come out and offer support to the tired runners who were making their way in to the finish line. They were celebrating the accomplishments of others, cheering, clapping, shouting. Runners need support like that, especially after a grueling race. These people were innocent bystanders. They didn’t have to be out on that street offering their support to those out there running – but that was where they chose to be.
Another reason it hit so hard…had I been running Boston, my family, Cathy, even my friends could have been right there waiting for me to come in, perhaps watching me come in. Perhaps I would have been done by then. But…this could have been my loved ones. It hits hard. It breaks my heart. And I am still torn to pieces on the inside over the entire situation.
Runners are some of the kindest and most giving people in the world. I have met so many amazing and wonderful people in the running community. This senseless act tore through me…because it affected a world that I am a part of. I am a runner. And this hurt. This stung. This ripped through me and broke my heart. I had tears in my eyes this morning as I went out for my morning run.
One of my female running idols, Kathrine Switzer, who has huge ties to the Boston Marathon (GO GIRL!), once said, “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”
I couldn’t agree more. To all the runners out there…I know. I feel it too. For all of you who choose to come out and cheer at any race, no matter the size or distance…thank you. You are the true heroes…because you are the ones who pull us through when we need it most.
My heart is with Boston today. My soul is in Boston today. My mind is on Boston today. My love goes out to those who helped…the heroes in Boston, the spectators, the victims, the runners, the residents…
Hug a runner today. Hug a spectator today. Because, when it all comes down to it…we’re in this race together.
The Celiathlete 