Breakfast – Page 13 – The Celiathlete

February 20, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters – $3.99+

I. HEART. VAN’S.

Honestly…best gluten-free waffles you can find in the freezer section of the grocery store. For real. Best gluten-free French toast sticks too. Some of the best boxed gluten-free pasta meals. Amazing gluten-free crackers. Yes…Van’s has impressed me each and every time they have put out a product for the gluten-free market.

I won’t lie. I have a bit of a Celiac crush on them.

Shhhh.

So, this past week, I was out and about at Target, spending all my money on all the seasons of Game of Thrones (my newest obsession!) on Blu-ray, when it occured to me that my roomie and I didn’t have any gluten-free granola in the house. Considering at least twice a week I make delicious breakfast parfaits that require said granola, this had to be fixed. And, wouldn’t you know it, Target recently started carrying a good amount of gluten-free breakfast things. Technical term…things. So, the two of us meandered over to the grocery section to see if we spotted anything we liked.

Our eyes immediately went to the KIND brand and we snagged a bag of it and then prepared to move on. But my wandering eyes spotted something else. Van’s…granola?! What was this? I didn’t even know that existed. I didn’t know it was out in the wild! And now I really, really wanted to try it. Why? Because Van’s Gluten-Free = OMGYUMMY!

So, without any hesitation, the pack of KIND granola we settled on was back in place and the bag marked NEW carrying that infamous red flag that reads: VAN’S…now made its way into our little shopping basket. Game of Thrones…granola. Do we know how to party or what?!

So, one morning this week, I got everything geared up to make big, big breakfast parfaits. I had the new granola to try…I had kiwi fruit from my CSA bin…I had Greek yogurt. So…the assembly began…but not without me first sneaking a taste of the granola.

Bad idea.

Very, very, very bad idea.

Because one taste of the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters and I was beyond hooked. Holy Moses and the Gluten Free Gods! I mean…think of the most fantastic Rice Krispies treat you have ever had…then multiply it by at least ten. Maybe more. This soft baked granola is exactly what that tastes like. Trust me. I used to devour Rice Krispies treats whenever possible. This is a little bit sticky, very soft and chewy, packed with sweetness, with a hit of the dried fruit and the savory nuts to bring it balance and amazing texture. I wanted to eat the entire bag and not share. Not even put it in a parfait. It was sheer perfection the way it was…straight out of the bag. So much love. One big gooey clump of granola…one very happy Celiathlete. Beyond amazed. Beyond impressed. Simply put…I was blown away. This is one of the only granola I now will have in my pantry.

One of those reasons is how much Van’s actually cares about what they put into their products. And the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters are no exception. They even put on their label: “Ingredients: (That we are proud of!)”. WINNING! So, what goes into the Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Granola Clusters? Glad you asked! This granola is comprised of gluten-free whole grain oats, brown rice syrup, walnuts, invert cane syrup, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, dried blueberries, cane sugar, unsweetened coconut, honey, flax seed, gluten free oat bran, almonds, vanilla extract, sea salt, and mixed tocopherols for freshness. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, cholesterol-free, kosher, made with whole grains, and contain no artificial flavors or colors.

As far as nutrition goes…loving the stats on the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters. One serving is actually a whopping 1/3 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 130 calories and 5 grans of fat. You will also be provided with 30 mg sodium and only 6 grams of sugar. This serving will also dish up 2 grans of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

And, trust me…you’ll just eat it straight out of the bag. You won’t want to stop. You’ll wish you had dished out a portion size. And then you won’t care. Because…just wow!! WOW!! Another winner in the Van’s Gluten Free product line up. I’m going back for more of this granola this week. Because, yeah, we polished it.

February 10, 2015

Product Review: Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds

Product: Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds – $6.99+

Sometimes, it’s not just my pantry that keeps products for awhile. Back at the beginning of summer, I finally found a local store that carried a certain sandwich bread that I had been searching high and low for. You see, gluten-free bread has always been expensive, and since this particular bread only came with 8 pieces and was about $7.00, I really needed to make sure my budget was going to allow for it.

And so, it was because I finally had it within my clutches, I purchased a box of Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds.

Amy’s Kitchen and I are BFFs. For real. Her gluten-free products are amazing. All of her products are vegetarian…with a good chunk of them being vegan as well. How’s that for amazing, eh? I haven’t met a product from Amy’s Kitchen that I haven’t fallen in love with. And, for awhile, I was stashing her frozen meals and canned soups/chili in my freezer and/or pantry. When I moved to more of a clean diet, I went for more natural foods rather than frozen and processed. But Amy’s still had a place in my heart…and when anything called for vegetarian chili or the like…it is her brand that I turn to.

So, when I saw online awhile (like years!) that Amy’s Kitchen had created gluten-free Sandwich Rounds (I assumed these were like Sandwich Thins), I went on the hunt. When I came up empty handed, I just sort of gave up on it. Until Earth Fare opened up in my area…and lo and behold…there on the shelf…the Sandwich Rounds. No conversation or budget stopped me from putting that in my shopping basket and bringing them home. Into my freezer. And…there they sat. For a long while. I just kept buying loaves of bread. I didn’t even think about these again until I was reorganizing my freezer and starting to work through the items inside. And when I rediscovered them…I had an idea of how to use them.

Veggie burgers.

Because I had been craving. So, I picked up some of my favorite gluten-free veggie burgers from the store on Sunday (Franklin Farms is the brand, in case you were wondering…delicious and low calorie!). And this morning, I pulled the box Amy’s Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds out of the freezer and removed two of the flat breads to thaw while I was at work.

And this was my only disappointment with this product. I thought that these would be a lot like the Sandwich Thins I used to eat when I was eating horribly unhealthy “diet” bread. Those were thin little bread rounds that were sliced in half. These looked like small three-inch pizza crusts more than sandwich bread. And…in order to actually make a sandwich (or in my case a burger), I would have to double the bread. One piece is just that…one piece. No way to slice it in half to make a sandwich you can pick up. So, forget about that burger…it now became and open-faced sandwich tonight.

So, yeah…I was already a little disappointed. But, after I slid the Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds into the oven to toast slightly while the burgers cooked and the mushrooms and onions were marinating in bar-b-que sauce. As those finished up, I removed the now warmed thin bread rounds from the oven and began to put together the open faced sandwiches…trying not to be too disappointed that in order to make an entire burger, I’d have to double my calories and everything else. So…this would have to do. A little BBQ sauce on the round, then the veggie patty, melted vegan cheese, and then the barbeque onions and mushrooms to top it off. I served it with a side of Zapp’s New Orleans Style Voodoo Kettle Chips (which are totally amazing!).

Settling into dinner with an open-faced burger instead of an actual burger was a bit of a let-down. But…after I took my fork and knife and sliced into everything and gave it all a taste…all was forgiven. The Amy’s Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are totally amazing. In fact, they taste like mini pizza crusts. So, now I kind of want to do little individual pizzas and use these as the base. They are amazing. And they even held up to the sauce, the burger, the toppings…without getting soggy and falling apart. Color me impressed. The disappointment for not being able to pick up my dinner faded. The taste, texture, and all-around goodness of this product made up for it in spades. Holy cow!

Let’s look at the ingredients! Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are true to Amy’s Kitchen form. Using only ingredients that are recognizable. No fake stuff here. These little sandwich rounds are made from organic rice flour, filtered water, organic sunflower seed meal, organic tapioca starch, organic potatoes, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic agave nectar, sea salt, yeast, and organic rice bran extract. These little sandwich rounds are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, cholesterol free, and kosher. Love it.

A serving of Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds is (sadly) one round. This one round piece of bread will provide you with 90 calories and 4 grams of fat. This serving will also give you only 135 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. You will also be taking in 1 gram fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, they aren’t very filling, but it’s nice not to have a calorie-laden burger/sandwich. I only wish these could have been split so that I could have picked up my burger instead of having to go all fine-dining on it with a fork and knife.

I am not kidding…Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are fantastic. If you happen to find these in your store, I recommend the splurge. Make an open face sandwich…or if you don’t mind 180 calories and 8 grams of fat in one sitting…make a full one. For me…I think mini pizzas are up next. What started off initially as disappointment transformed into nothing but pure joy. This product is truly amazing. I love them!

An Open-Faced BBQ Mushroom & Onion Veggie Burger on an Amy's Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Round — An Open-Faced BBQ Mushroom & Onion Veggie Burger on an Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Round

February 9, 2015

Product Review: Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal

Product: Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal – $4.99

January has come and gone, but some of us are clinging tightly to our New Years Resolutions. There are so many new members at my gym that it’s virtually impossible to get a machine unless you arrive at 5 a.m. Granted, this happens every year…but it can still be quite the gauntlet to run for about 2-3 months. Along with exercise come vows to eat better and to diet, diet, diet. Now, I’m not one to technically diet. I try to mind what I eat (although I have my weaknesses…like anything creamy like a nut/seed butter) all throughout the year, but it seems when everyone around you is dieting, you become a bit more mindful of what you’re eating as well.

Leave it to Cuisine Cube, then, to put together the perfect cube for January 2015. Enclosed inside were some really fantastic gluten-free products…that had a healthy edge to each and every one of them. I have already dined on the gluten-free white chili mix. And while I have plenty left in this cube, this past day, I realized I was out of my little pouches of oatmeal for lunch…so therefore, I needed something to feast on at work. Since oatmeal is my thing…I remembered that Cuisine Cube had included a package of oatmeal in the latest delivery. I went and dug it out of the box and took it into the kitchen to see about getting it ready for the following day at work.

But I’ll get to that soon enough. Let me first talk about Cuisine Cube. Cuisine Cube is a mail delivery service, starting at a cost as low as $29.99, which delivers amazing, local, small artisan gluten-free products and foods to your doorstep each month. Encased in each box you will find 5-6 products that are free of preservatives and chemicals that you are likely to find in the more common gluten-free product brand names on the shelves of your grocery store. When I first signed up for this, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I’m hooked. And I love the surprise I get each month when I open up the box and dig out what they included this time. It is truly like Christmas every month. And I have liked and loved pretty much everything that that have included. Not always…but they have a good streak going this far.

Well, with all the promises to get fit and stay fit, it seems Cuisine Cube was prepared. For the breakfast item in the January 2015 cube, they included a pack of Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal. This is not the first time Fiona’s Natural Foods has been a part of my Cuisine Cube. I’ve had the opportunity to try (and love) a granola that was included in the very first Cuisine Cube I received (May 2014). This made me very excited to give the oatmeal a try. Fiona’s Natural Foods’ mission is simply to offer consumers an organic, gourmet product that is superior in taste, texture, quality, and nutritional value. They commit themselves to this mission with each product they have on the market. In my January Cuisine Cube, it was the Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal.

The first thing I did was scan the packaging for the instructions on how to prepare it. They had a few options…stove top, microwave, or cold. I love overnight oats, and it’s so much easier to do for work than try to fit into the line for the one microwave we have for the 18 people that work in the actual office. So, that’s what I did. There weren’t many instructions, just to combine the oatmeal with milk and let it sit overnight. There were no measurements, so I went with the measurements for the warm version of this cereal. 1/4 cup of the oatmeal – 1/2 cup of milk (I used Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk). I put it in a mason jar and set it in the fridge overnight. There was a lot of liquid, but I was hoping that the oats would soak most of it up as it sat overnight. It didn’t. Not really…but it was no bother to me.

That following afternoon, around noon, when I usually take my lunch, I went to the kitchen at the office where I stashed my jar of milk and oats in the fridge and brought it back to my desk. I took one bite…and was amazed. The crazy amount of flavor and texture that comes with each bite is fantastic. I will definitely have to give this a try warm in the next few days…but cold it was soupy (so much milk), but amazing. The European-style oatmeal is a hearty and wholesome blend of dried fruits, oats, nuts and seeds. There was no added sugars, no added oil. Nothing that shouldn’t be in there. Extra love just for that. So, I carefully brought a spoonful of the chilled oats and cashew milk up to my lips and tried it.

I am beyond in love with this blend. First of all…the flavors that come out of having no sweeteners or spices included in the ingredients is fantastic. The seeds and nuts make each spoonful take on a fantastic and intriguing texture. I loved the variety. The raisins and tart cherries plumped up sitting in the milk overnight and were sweet and sour all at once. It was fantastic. In fact, today I made it up for my roommate as well. Remember, Cathy doesn’t have to eat gluten-free or vegan or vegetarian…but she does in the apartment. And, guess what? She LOVED the oatmeal. In fact, she said her favorite part was how plump and ripe the bits of raisin and cherry got. Yeah…it’s a total win. Super delicious. I would make this for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a total heartbeat!

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal is made from certified gluten free rolled oats, certified gluten free steel cut oats, raisins, flax seeds, dried sour cherries, pecans, and sunflower seeds. Yes…that is it. It is raw, wheat free, vegan, soy free, salt free, gluten free, and amazing!! Just pure and simply amazing.

As for nutrition, a serving of Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal is 1/4 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. You will also be provided with only 3 grams of sugar. Isn’t that fantastic. This oatmeal is cholesterol free and sodium free. Finally, you will be consuming 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which will help make you feel full once you finish your serving. It truly is one of the most fantastic oatmeal combinations I have ever eaten.

I can’t find Fiona’s Natural Foods products here in my area, so when I get something like this, it truly does make me want to place an order for more. And that will certainly be happening as the way this oatmeal plays across your taste buds and excites your palate is really unmatched by anything else I have eaten. Truly a fantastic food in and of itself. Hot or cold…you’re going to want to devour the Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal. I know it won’t last long in my pantry.

Another brilliant product brought to me by the amazing Cuisine Cube. I am forever in their debt.

Overnight Oats made from Fiona's Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal — Overnight Oats made from Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal

February 9, 2015

Product Review: Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix

Product: Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix – $7.99

I’m still working my way through some of my older Cuisine Cube products that have just been set aside. Not that I haven’t been dying to try them…because I have. I’ve just been so busy lately and have hardly had time to bake/cook/devour my way through every product in the span of a month. And when a new box arrives, I get so excited that things just get pushed to the back of the pantry. Well…no more. I’m making a very dedicated and very focused attempt to get through some of the products I have neglected since signing up for this amazing service.

First of all…let me once again highlight what it is the Cuisine Cube does. Cuisine Cube is a service that is offered by foodies who have sought out better and lesser-known (often times local) gluten-free products and foods. So, if you, like me, are a gluten-free foodie…this service will be just perfect for you. With delivery plans starting as low as $29.99, each month you will receive a box of delicious gluten-free goodness. Inside are 5-6 items that are from smaller artisan companies. Sometimes I have heard of them, or even tried them, but more often than not…the product is new to me and I discover a company that prides itself on better-for-you ingredients than the highly processed gluten-free foods you’ll find on the shelves of your local grocery store.

So, back in July 2014, I received an amazing box from Cuisine Cube. One of the products that seriously caught my eye was the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix. First of all…DONUTS! Hello!! Secondly…lemony goodness. Enough said. I was thrilled to have this. Not only do I own mini donut pans and regular donut pans, but I love anything lemon flavored. And so does my roommate. Even more…we are donut fanatics. I have pretty much tried every gluten-free donut in the grocery store and beyond. As far as packaged varieties at my local stores, Katz Gluten Free are, hands down, the finest. I love the ones that my local allergy-free bakery makes and the ones that Babycakes NYC produces down at Disney World and in NYC. But, aside from that…I’ve been less than impressed. Seriously, I grew up in the land of Dunkin’ Donuts and then moved to the land of Krispy Kreme. Before being diagnosed as Celiac…I loved an occasional donut treat. But afterwards, nothing seemed to live up to the donuts I had been able to feast on up until that point. Talk about a disappointment.

And, yes, I have even attempted to make my own, with some success…but mostly failure. Let’s face it…when you bake donuts, they are best fresh from that oven. Especially gluten-free versions.

Well, as it happened, my running group was getting together this past Saturday to run a very hard and hilly 10 miles together. Afterwards, we all get together to eat snacks and just hang out and talk. This happens once a year. And a few of my running group do eat gluten-free (although they are not Celiacs and can cheat a little, which I can’t do!), so I figured this would be a good time to see what this product can do. I decided, for fear of the donuts being…MEH…the following morning, to make these into mini muffins. I had a back-up plan (gluten-free Madeleine cookies) should the mix not work out to my liking. But…pink lemonade mini muffins sounded beyond delicious. I hit up the store in hopes of finding the strawberry juice. And being that it is not prime strawberry season, I didn’t want to buy strawberries and puree them, so when the strawberry juice hunt turned out nothing…I picked up blueberry juice and decided to roll with it. That night, I started to get everything together to bake up these mini muffins.

Bumbalooza strives to find the, often difficult, balance between nutrition and taste, while still managing food allergies and sensitivities. But with Celiac disesase and the public’s increasing consumption of chemically modified ingredients, it’s no wonder food allergies have exploded in society. Bumbalooza prides it’s products on being made from only all-natural ingredients and as many whole grains as possible. They use less-refined sugars and produce each mix on dedicated equipment, ensuring that their products are produced and remain completely gluten-free. Bumbalooza creates mixes in hopes of getting parents and their children back into the kitchen together. In fact, each recipe on the box includes steps that the kids can help with in the preparation process.

Since I have no children…this was all about me…and my runners. But…I was the only one baking…so…

Despite owning donut pans, for the sake of the product I would be bringing to the event Saturday morning, I opted for mini muffins. And I was calling them Blue Lemonade Mini Muffins…as I used blueberry juice. But, hey, close enough. Preparing the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix was super easy. In a mixing bowl, you simply beat the butter, add the eggs, lemon zest and berry juice and beat it again. Then add the mix and combine. Fill the donut pans (or in my case, mini-muffin tins) and bake in a preheated 325°F oven for about 20 minutes. Once the muffins (or donuts) are cooked through (you can check them with a toothpick), you place them on a wire rack to cool and, should you choose, glaze them. I made a light lemon glaze for mine, taking confectioners sugar and lemon juice, then spooning it over the top of each muffin. It made the perfect zippy way to kick them up a bit.

How were they? AMAZING!! Say it with me. AMAZING!! These were very light and fluffy. I loved that the lemon didn’t overpower the rest of the muffin itself. In fact, the blueberry flavor shined through with the lemon hitting you in that glaze. I loved that these weren’t heavy or dense. They were soft and bouncy and just…WOW!! I mean WOW!! And, the rest of the group who had to or at least ventured into the gluten-free goodies seemed to like them as well. Even my roommate is a bit addicted to them. We have only a few leftover…but…yeah…SO good. Now I kind of which I had used the mix to actually make donuts. I bet they would have been out-of-this-world. Next time. Trust me…there will be a next time!!

The ingredients that go into making the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix are: white rice flour, evaporated cane sugar, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, millet, coconut palm sugar, aluminum-free baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt. That’s it. This mix contains no gluten, no GMOs, no soy, no dairy, no nuts, and no refined white sugar.

As for the nutrition facts…this box will make 24 servings. In that serving, this mix provides 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. This mix contains 180 mg sodium and only 10 grams of sugar per serving. And, these are small and fluffy for a reason, as you will not fill up on just one. Each one only has 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Depending on how you prepare the mix…these will change. I figured up the nutrition info on MyFitnessPal and figured that each mini muffin was 164 calories, 4 grams of fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 181 mg sodium, 13 grams sugar, 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Which, I do find pretty high for a two-bite muffin (or one bite if you aren’t a delicate princess like me). Regardless…I don’t indulge in muffins or donuts much…so I’ll take it!

Bumbalooza has a great sounding line of gluten-free products that go beyond the Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix. These include Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gooey Oatmeal Bars, Sugar Cookies, Bumba Bakers Cookies, Banana Bread, Cookies & Cream Cake, and Chocolate Pudding. All of which I am now DYING to try. Seriously. I want it all.

And to think, without Cuisine Cube…I never would have even known of the existence of Bumbalooza. I now want to get another box of the Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix and make actual donuts. Because now I see how amazing this mix bakes up, I don’t think the donuts would lose their integrity if not eaten straight away. So, a huge win from both Cuisine Cube and Bumbalooza. If you are curious and want to check them out yourself…follow the links and place an order. You will not be disappointed.

Blueberry Lemonade Mini Muffins made from Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix

January 29, 2015

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donuts

Product: Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donuts – $6.49

It was a couple of weeks back that I mentioned, to my surprise and delight, that Katz Gluten Free had seemingly put out some new products without me knowing about it. How that escaped my gluten-free radar, I’ll never know. But the fact of the matter was, one morning, I was puttering around and randomly went over to their site, only to be met by not one, not two, but three new flavors in their gluten-free donut line. HELLO!!

When it comes to gluten-free donuts that I can buy commercially (aka: not from a local gluten-free bakery), Katz Gluten Free blows away the entire competition. Better than any of the ones I have ever pulled out of the freezer section at my local grocery or natural food store. I love these donuts. Especially the regular ones…not any that are filled. But, I’ve never been a huge fan of filled donuts anyway. Give me a classic cake or glazed donut and I am a happy girl.

Yes…I am a nutrition freak. And yes…donuts are definitely not a nutritious food. But, I also believe in everything in moderation. When I start telling myself I can’t have something…that’s when cravings and unhealthy eating habits kick in. Allowing myself a little treat here and there is all part of finding balance in life. So…you better believe I ordered all three flavors of the new varieties. Last week, my roommate (for those of you who are tuning in, the roomie is not a Celiac and does not have to eat gluten-free) and I delved into the world of the new Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts. And, man…were they ever amazing. Very reminiscent of my Dunkin’ Donut days…the Munchkins…the chocolate ones. That’s what they tasted like. It was enough to just…make me happy. And, let’s face it…the food you eat should make you feel happy…not guilty. Donuts included.

That being said…this morning, after doing some strength training at the gym, we both headed into work with one of the other flavors of Katz Gluten Free donuts tucked away for breakfast. This time…it was going to be one of my favorite flavors…the Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut.

Now, pumpkin flavored anything can either be perfect or it can be too much. Sometimes…even too little. I wasn’t sure what to expect from these donuts when I pulled them out of my freezer to let them thaw. I just knew it had the word “pumpkin” on it…so therefore I was one happy girl. I don’t need it to be fall to have some pumpkin in my life. So, they stayed out overnight to thaw and I packed them up that morning to have after strength training. Because…why the hell not? HA! Upon getting out of the gym and over to the office…I went into the kitchen and sliced up my grapefruit to have with the donut. I then microwaved both of them for about 20 seconds, letting that glaze get all gooey again…like it was fresh out of the bakery. And breakfast was that easy. And at that point, I was totally ready to sit down and eat.

It only took one bite of the Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut for me to declare my undying love for it. No joke. First of all, this isn’t a heavy or dense donut at all. It is light…and airy and fluffy. And I love that, because too often I have to settle for heavy and dense baked goods when everyone else has these amazing treats that are soft and melt-in-your-mouth. AH…that’s what this donut does. It melts in your mouth. Each warm, moist, soft bite is fantastic…packed with all that pumpkin spice flavor that you love…without it overwhelming your palate. It literally is like eating pumpkin pie…without it actually being a pumpkin pie. Which, is good. Because while I love things pumpkin flavored, I have never liked pumpkin pie. I think it’s a texture thing. But I digress. The texture is just rich and soft and amazing. I loved the glaze, giving it that extra hit of sweetness without being too cloying. And…just…it’s one amazing breakfast bite for sure. I am in total love with these. I kind of don’t want the box of 6 to end. Just…fantastic.

Of course, that’s what I have come to expect from Katz Gluten Free.

Let’s discuss some of the chemistry that goes into these, shall we? The Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut is made from a gluten-free flour blend containing corn starch, tapioca starch, and white rice flour. These donuts also are made form water, palm oil, confection sugar, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, canola oil, baking powder, vanilla, xanthan gum, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium slufate, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, mace, and allspice. They are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and nut-free.

As far as nutrition goes…well, it’s a donut. But this isn’t bad for a donut. Honestly. A serving is, of course, just one donut. So try to stick to it. If I can do it – so can you!! This one donut will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. This soft little morsel of pumpkin goodness will also provide 10 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, and 9 grams of sugar. Which…isn’t bad considering we’re talking about a donut here. This serving will give you no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. No…it will not make you feel full for hours after eating it. Pair it, as I did, with something like an orange or a grapefruit or some apple slices. That should help…and helps bring balance. Donut…fruit. Perfect.

I can’t get over how amazing these donuts were. I have tried so many gluten-free donuts and nothing ever compares to the way Katz Gluten Free makes theirs. I continue to be impressed by what they put out in the gluten-free market. These donuts are love. I definitely have a new favorite flavor. So good. Don’t take my word for it though…go order some and see for yourself! You don’t have to be gluten free to love the products (and especially the donuts) from Katz Gluten Free!

January 28, 2015

Product Review: New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola

Product: New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola – $6.49+

I don’t know why…but I have turned into a granola freak over the past couple of years. I absolutely love the stuff. And it can be eaten on its own, on top of Greek yogurt, put over ice cream, mixed with fruit, etc. I love granola and love trying new versions that I find out in the markets. When it comes to the gluten-free options available in my area, I think I’ve pretty much tackled them all. Every brand. Every flavor. I’ve got it covered.

So, when I take a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit my family, one of the required stops I make is to a natural foods market called Organic Harvest. It was on one such trip that I stopped in and spotted some gluten-free granola I was unfamiliar with on one of the shelves. Therefore, I put it into the “Organic Harvest Budget” and made it one of the items I brought home with me. I try to aim for things I don’t see in my area…so this fell right into that category.

The brand was New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola. There were a few flavor options on the shelf from New England Naturals…but this had a few things working for it…the word unsweetened…the word coconut…and the word berry. I happily snagged the white and pink package off the shelf and dropped it into my basket. After a little more shopping…it was time to check out. And, when I left Alabama, this bag of granola made the journey with me.

And then sat, dormant, as I wasn’t doing anything in the mornings with granola. Until recently. Because I’m really changing up not only workout plans, but also the diet. And some mornings…a fruit, yogurt and granola parfait are on the menu. YAY! Finally getting things back on track. And I have been working my way through the packs of granola that I have acquired over the past few months. Some I have liked more than others. But now…it was time for the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola to either wow me or underwhelm me.

Yesterday…was the first chance it had to shine. I had picked up some strawberries at the grocery store over the weekend, along with some Greek yogurt. So, I began building the parfait…starting with a small hit of the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola…then yogurt…honey…fruit…repeat…top with a handful of granola…drizzle honey…enjoy! Simple. And one heck of a breakfast if you ask me. Nutritious, filled with great nutrients, and hearty thanks to the granola.

I loved quite a few things about this granola. For one thing, the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola wasn’t clumpy. No large clusters to break apart. It was just every little piece stood on its own. Which means to me that this is not loaded with sticky sugars and syrups that would cause things to bind together. YAY! Second of all…because it is unsweetened, the flavors that are in the bag are what you get. If a granola can’t stand on its own when it comes to flavor…then…I feel it is failing to do its duty. The freeze dried blueberries and raspberries really bring out the tangy nature of this granola. The coconut chips add a depth of flavor. And the oats…they bring the texture. I felt all the components really worked well together and when put into one bite did make for…a perfect bite. Subtle flavors…but just enough to accentuate, not detract from the rest of the dish.

What I love about New England Naturals is that they believe that gluten free products should be delicious and have nutritional value. What a concept!! So often, a gluten free product is a calorie and fat laden mess, making up for the lack of gluten in the product. It is great to see a company striving for better health in gluten free goods. This is something I can totally get behind.

With that being said, let’s go ahead and take a look at the ingredients that go into the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola, shall we? This granola includes organic gluten free oats, organic expeller pressed canola oil, organic coconut, organic raisin puree, organic corn meal, organic flax seed, organic freeze dried raspberries, organic freeze dried blueberries, organic vanilla flavor, and salt. This granola is non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free trans fat free, and cholesterol free. It is a great source of iron as well!

As far as nutrition information goes, a serving of the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola is 1/2 cup. That’s a lot of granola. I use half of that in each parfait. But, if you were to eat an entire serving, that would provide you with 250 calories and 12 grams of fat. Much of that fat count is going to be provided by the oils, seeds, and the coconut. With the exception of the oil, the rest of it is a healthy fat. A serving of this granola will also dish up 60 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. How amazing is that? So often, granola is just laden with sugar and I have to really pay attention to it as I’m trying to cut back on processed sugars. But with this being left unsweetened, that sugar count stays low. Love that. And, finally, you will be taking in 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein, making this not only nutritious, but also filling. I love eating a gluten-free food and not feeling famished only an hour or so later. No artificial fillers here either. This is naturally filling and it lasted me through the morning for sure.

If you like granola, but are tired of the sugar-fests out there, I highly recommend the New England Naturals brand. With less sugar and still packed with flavor, you really can’t go wrong. I am definitely enjoying using it this week on various morning dishes. Breakfast is definitely being done right. I hope I can locate some of this granola in my area…or else I’m stocking up next time I’m down visiting my family! Without a doubt…one of the best low sugar options out there.

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola – $6.99+

On some very rare occasions, a product that arrives in my Cuisine Cube is actually something I am familiar with…or…perhaps…even might have tried before. When it comes to the Non-GMO Project cube, which arrived in October, I was actually surprised to encounter a brand that I had already tried. Albeit, this was not a flavor I had tried from this brand, but it is readily available at my local Whole Foods! Like I said…this doesn’t happen often…but sometimes it’s a comfort to find a small brand that you have familiarized yourself with before.

This product…was the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products.

Prior to this Cuisine Cube…I had picked up a pack of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola. My Cuisine Cube stepped it up a notch by including one of my most favorite things…chocolate! Chocolate chips to be exact.

With all the time that I’ve spent traveling and racing these past couple of months…and the holidays taking over life in general…I haven’t had much time to explore some items from some of my Cuisine Cubes. That being said, I’m making a push currently to polish off most of the products that have made a home in my pantry. I need to be more pro-active about these products…and that’s not a bad thing. It is definitely getting me to branch out and try some things I had been content to let sit for awhile.

This past week, after a long weekend away in Charleston, South Carolina (I was marathoning)…I was looking for a delicious, and more nutritious way to enjoy breakfast. I knew I had a few granola options tucked away on the top shelf of my kitchen pantry…so, I grabbed a stool (I’m short…I can’t help it!) and dug around. I had two to choose between and both sounded great. But the Jessica’s Natural Foods variety had one thing that won me over…

CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Yep…the sweet-tooth, chocaholic emerged with a vengeance upon seeing that in the name. WIN! That morning, I darted out to the grocery store to pick up a few necessities that were needed for the coming week and ended up picking up a big container of Greek yogurt, some fresh organic blueberries, and a few other fruits and vegetables to use for the various meals I needed for the week. Breakfast…lunch…dinner. You name it. But, I hadn’t made many of my fruit & yogurt breakfast parfaits for a long while, and I knew this was a delicious and nutritious way to start the morning. With some granola at home, it was just a matter of choosing the fruit. I had thought to get strawberries, but the organic ones didn’t look too good. We are, after all, out of season. But, the blueberries looked big and ripe and therefore…came home with me. That morning, I assembled two breakfast parfaits, making use of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola, vanilla Greek yogurt, local honey, and the fresh organic blueberries. I just layer these up and top it off with more granola and…voila…breakfast was served.

Jessica’s Natural Foods gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is, without a doubt, one of the best granola’s I have had since going gluten-free. The gluten-free oats were toasted and golden to perfection. Adding to the sweetness were the melt-in-your-mouth bits of semi-sweet chocolate chips. It feels like you’re cheating, but in reality, you are eating something that is good for you. Mixing these delightful spoonfuls with a thick and delicious Greek yogurt and bursts of fresh fruit juice from the little blueberries…this made a perfect breakfast with each bite. The granola brought this fantastic and light texture to the entire dish. And, if left with a bag of this and no supervision, I could easily eat the entire bag in one sitting. The clusters with the chocolate were my favorite part as they would melt upon hitting my tongue. This made handfuls of this granola a great treat…if not addictive. Seriously…one of the best parts of any breakfast I have ever eaten in my entire life…this granola is amazing. And I don’t feel bad indulging in it, because the ingredients are natural and the nutritional information is rather good!

Granola can become a calorie-laden sugar-fest, so it’s always good to take a look at ingredients and nutritional information. For Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola…this is what the company strives for. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is free of cholesterol and trans fats. It is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is 1/4 cup. Trust me…this may not seem like much…but it is an amazing and filling 1/4 cup. Mmm…chocolate by the quarter-cup. In this serving, you will be consuming 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not bad for granola. Not at all. In this serving, you will also be taking in 30 mg sodium and only 7 grams of sugar. Yes…only 7 grams. That’s amazing. So often, the gluten-free granola I find is laden with heavy sugar. Not these. Naturally sweet more than anything. And finally, this 1/4 cup serving gives you 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Not too filling, but filling enough, especially when paired with nutrient dense Greek yogurt and fiber-filled fresh fruit.

Oh yes…it’s a rare thing when Cuisine Cube sends me something I am already familiar with, but in a way, it’s also quite satisfying. If you have yet to join the happy consumers of Cuisine Cube…just go over to their Web site and check out your options. Every month is like Christmas as you open up your box and discover what products have been selected for you. These monthly deliveries start at $29.99…and are so totally worth the investment. I have yet to regret making this choice to enjoy these monthly deliveries. Seriously…give it a month and you will want to keep going! It’s because of this service that I am able to try foods like Jessica’s Natural Foods, a less-processed and lesser-known product than some of the brand name gluten-free granola out on the market. I much prefer to support the smaller businesses who put a lot more thought and care into their products and the making of their products. I feel that way about Jessica’s Natural Foods…so check them out too! If you can’t find these bags of granola goodness at your Whole Foods…get online and place an order! Stop hesitating…and just do it!

January 15, 2015

Product Review: Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal

Product: Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal – $3.50+

It feels like a frozen tundra outside, so my favorite things to eat right now are warm, hearty, and comforting. This includes casseroles, soups, and yes…oatmeal. And while I’ve been preparing refrigerated overnight oats since…the weather warmed up, I guess…when the windchill dips down and makes the air hurt my face, the last thing I want is cold meal. I don’t mind…but once I’m chilled, I’m chilled to the bone. So something that is warming is always welcome.

And, it seems like I’m on a current oatmeal kick. And who, honestly, can blame me. There is nothing better in life than a steaming bowl of gluten-free oatmeal. I’ll take it flavored or plain or with fruit or nuts or however. As long as it tastes good, you have won me over. Seriously. Growing up I hated oatmeal. I think it was a texture thing…and the fact that my dad would overcook it so it got lumpy and just…meh. And I upheld that I disliked oatmeal up until a few years ago. I started bringing in little packets with me to work for lunch. They were perfect. And they weren’t all bad. Some where. I won’t lie. But I discovered some that were actually rather tasty.

And then…BAM…the diagnosis of being a Celiac. I could find gluten-free oatmeal at my natural food stores…but I was having a hard time finding decent ones that wouldn’t break my already very fragile (and about to get more expensive) budget. I purchased some, for sure, but eventually just moved onto making overnight oats with almond milk, gluten-free rolled oats, chia seeds, honey, fruit, cinnamon and Greek yogurt. It was easy to make and really tasty. But, when winter kicks you in the teeth…you fight back with heat, yes? I know I do.

Back in August, my Cuisine Cube featured quite a few products that I’m still getting to try. I travel a lot, so sometimes this means things get put into my pantry and I get to them…when I get to them. And as I am sent a new box of goodies each month by Cuisine Cube…I sometimes get a bit backlogged. But…this is not a complaint. I always get to a product in the end. I know I’ve talked a lot recently about Cuisine Cube, but let me share some more with why I love this service so much. For a small fee (ranging from $34.99 (1 month) to $29.99 (six months)), a perfect cube filled with small business and lesser-known gluten-free products will be delivered to your door. It’s yours to enjoy and then…do all over again the following month. I love this because it is giving me the opportunity to try products and brands that I never heard of or would know about otherwise. Sometimes the items come from local bakeries…and sometimes they might be something you have seen at a natural food store, but isn’t a widespread gluten-free corporate giant for sure. It’s nice to try full-size (not sample sizes) products that are new to me or that I am unfamiliar with. Every month, it’s like Christmas all over again. At least 5-6 products in every Cube…and I never know what to expect inside.

I was very lucky to have not gotten through some items I received back in August because it meant with the cooler weather, I now had a warm treat for lunch. And that treat was Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal. I was not familiar at all with Modern Oats, so I was pretty excited to have a new gluten-free oatmeal to try. Modern Oats was founded in 2013 with the simple goal of changing people’s perception of ‘old fashioned’ oatmeal. You know…people like me…who either disliked or felt that oatmeal was boring. They decided to only work with small farm, non-GMO, gluten-free rolled oats. They next began to craft artisanal, delicious blends of fruits, nuts and seeds to produce the perfect, healthy, modern meal that can be enjoyed anytime…anywhere. It’s a modern take on fast food…only better for you!

Modern Oats offers six varieties of their oatmeal. The Cuisine Cube contained a single container of the Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal. I love everything about this flavor. I love apples. I love walnuts. Therefore…this should be a WIN with me, yes?! Well…only one way to find out.

It’s Thursday and I’m rushing to get things done at the office before heading to Charleston, South Carolina this weekend. YAY!! Vacation. A very short vacation, but a vacation. The more I can be at my desk, working on what needs to be done, the better. And the easy and quick preparation for this oatmeal definitely made it the best thing to bring with me this week. Nothing could be easier. Give the little container a shake, then pour boiling water over all the oats so they are covered. Then, cover the container and allow it to sit for 3 minutes. Uncover, stir, and devour. Easy-peasy! And quick. I let mine steep and cook up while I got some work done. And when the three minute time window was up…it was lunch time. Sort of. I might have added too much water…so I let it sit for another 2 minutes. THEN…it was lunch time.

One bite. And at first…I wasn’t too sure. What I did notice was that it wasn’t abundantly sweet, despite containing 17 grams of sugar. I’m assuming that some of that is the dried fruit. At least…that’s what I am hoping. On my second bite…I got it. I mean, I really got it. I had a little bit of everything. The oats…the nuts…the seeds…the fruit…it was one magical bite. I loved the different textures that were prevelant throughout the entire container. This made each bite different from the one that came before it. And that, my friends, is a fantastic thing. I love that it wasn’t too sweet…nor was it bland. And the best part was…it didn’t turn to mush. Not at all. The oats stayed al dente…in a good way…the nuts and fruits brought their own flavors and textures…and it was just one great bite after another. I ended up eating this way faster than I usually would. I liked it. I liked it a lot. I’m even happy to overlook the astounding (for oatmeal) calorie count, under the impression that much of that comes from the naturally good for you seeds and nuts that are inside. Oh yeah…this was a big win! And SO easy to make too! Shake, pour, wait, devour!

Let’s discuss what goes into Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal. This oatmeal is made from certified gluten-free whole grain rolled oats, organic cane sugar, walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried apples, golden raisins, chia seeds, cinnamon, and natural flavors. Real ingredients. And while the second ingredient is sugar…not bad as to what all goes into it. And, as a bonus, these ingredients are non-GMO. This oatmeal, in addition to being gluten-free, is also cholesterol free and sodium free.

As for nutritional information, I will preface this by saying I was a little reluctant to dive into a small container that would give me over 300 calories for my lunch. I’m not used to that. But, I had to tell myself to remember that what I am eating is all-natural and real food. A lot of these calories were coming from healthy ingredients, like the seeds, fruits, and nuts. So…with that in mind, I hesitated no longer. A serving of the Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal is 1 container. This serving provides you with 310 calories and 7 grams of fat. Much of that fat content will be the naturally healthy kind that you find in nuts. This serving, however, does dish up a whopping 17 grams of sugar. YIKES! I’m trying to cut back on my sugar intake, so I’m chalking this figure up to the dried fruits…despite that second ingredient being organic cane sugar. I am thinking positively. One container of these oats will also serve up 7 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. Oh yeah…you’ll definitely feel full after eating this!

For the record, of the six flavors (Apple Walnut, 5 Berry, Goji Blueberry, Mango Blackberry, Chocolate Cherry, and Nuts and Seeds), the calories range between 250-310, depending on the variety you choose to feast on.

I love finding out what products Cuisine Cube has discovered and decided were worth to share with those of us who subscribe. This little container from Modern Oats boasted big flavors and big promise. It is one mighty meal indeed, and you will feel satiated and warmed all the way through. Nicely done, Cuisine Cube. Now, I have yet another gluten-free oatmeal option…and that is no bad thing! If you can’t find Modern Oats at any of your local stores, you can certainly order online!

Modern Oats Apple Walnut Oatmeal (prepared)

January 14, 2015

Product Review: Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats

Product: Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats – $1.50+

Another day has dawned, and in true fashion, I am having oatmeal for lunch. Like I said, not a workday goes by where I don’t enjoy oats in some way, shape or form for my lunch. Normally it’s in the form of overnight oats, but I’m working on a strict budget while I pay off the holidays…and I have plenty of goodies stashed in my pantry that have been just…waiting…and waiting for their turn to be consumed.

That week has arrived as I’m not only on a tight budget, but I’m heading out of town. Therefore…it’s the perfect week to try new things, yes? Because nothing adds stress to preparing for a trip like…loading up the blog! HA!

Ah…in the end, it’s worth it. I’m just hoping I can maintain the momentum and stay caught up. We shall see.

All of that being said, it’s Wednesday…and it’s lunch time. Instead of a package of my usual Chex Gluten Free Oatmeal (hey…it is always on sale!), I’m pulling out the other options from the top shelf of the pantry. And up today…none other than Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats.

I’m not going to lie…I sort of wish I had saved the Peach Almond Vanilla version I hate yesterday for today…because it has become my absolute favorite oatmeal…ever…of any brand…of any type…as of yesterday. I was beyond impressed and wowed by it. But, I also love berries, so I’m holding the Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats to live up to it’s predecessor. I have no doubt it will wow me. I have yet to find something from Love Grown Foods that hasn’t done just that.

Preparation is super easy. Everything I did yesterday, I repeated today. At lunch, I pulled out the little container of oatmeal and removed the lid and the seal. I then added water up to the fill line (which…is located on the outside of the container, not the inside, which means I do a lot of guessing…but it’s worked out thus far) and gave it a stir. Into the microwave it went for 70 seconds. It says to microwave for a minute and then add on 10-20 seconds for a thicker oatmeal. I split the difference. Another stir and then I let it stand for…about a minute. It absorbs everything in the 1-2 minutes it sits…and believe me…I wanted to let it sit for 2 minutes, but I was hungry and it smelled so good.

Berries and oatmeal are BFFs. Seriously. I have never turned my nose up at any oatmeal that included either dried or fresh fruits. The hit of sweetness just meshes beautifully with the savory, rich oats. And, for that reason, I know that this little container was going to be amazing. I was right. I sort of wish I had saved the Peach Almond Vanilla one for today though…because this one just doesn’t quite equal the one I devoured yesterday for breakfast. But now I’m comparing different flavors and that’s not fair. Because this is a classic (and highly) delicious paring. I love how sweet the berries are…strawberries and raspberries offer up a natural sweetness and then…this little hint of cinnamon follows up each spoonful. It’s refreshing and warm and hearty and filling and just…perfection. Seriously. I loved how thick this oatmeal is because it does fill me up. I don’t feel hungry for much of the rest of the day. It’s amazing. Most oatmeal doesn’t come close to accomplishing that at all. I have nothing but love for Love Grown Foods and their little containers of Hot Oats. If you love fruit and berries as much as me…then this one is totally for you!

Let’s discuss ingredients, shall we? The Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats are made from gluten-free oats, brown sugar, freeze-dried raspberries, freeze-dried strawberries, and cinnamon. Loving the small ingredient list for sure. These oats are also cholesterol free, gluten free and non-GMO.

As for nutrition, a serving of the Love Grown Foods Strawberry Raspberry Hot Oats is one container. This serving will dish up 230 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. This is actually higher than most the the oatmeal I consume, calorie-wise, but it really isn’t bad for the amount of oats you actually cook up. A serving will also give you 0 mg sodium and 12 grams of sugar. Much of the sugar seems to be due to the dried fruits, which is fine. And, trust me, these hot oats will fill you up because they pack a whopping 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein! Talk about loving it!

One thing I love about Love Grown Foods is not only their passion for their ingredients and their products, but their mission to create delicious foods that are packed with nutritional benefits and available to everyone. They have made it a point to educate not only children, but also parents and teachers on the importance of eating healthy. That’s why, Love Grown Foods keeps ingredients simple, flavors elevated, and their products healthy. They have a fantastic line of granola (or oat clusters…which I LOVE…and, yes, I have tried them all!), Super Oats (I haven’t tried these yet…but want to!), and Power O’s (breakfast cereals…which I also haven’t tried yet, but certainly want to!). With all of these options, it’s hard to make excuses for not having a filling, healthy breakfast (or lunch…or dinner!).

Love Grown Foods is definitely doing something right. It’s rare for me to LOVE everything that I try from a company, but, seriously, they keep hitting it out of the park. Not only do their products fill me up physically, but they are nutritious and healthy, and I love that. I love feeling good about the food I am eating. I can’t wait to try the products I either haven’t purchased yet or discovered yet. And…I still have one more flavor of the Hot Oats to try (Apple Cinnamon), as soon as I pick it up from the grocery store!

And trust me…that’s happening for sure!! DELICIOUS!

January 13, 2015

Product Review: Love Grown Foods Peach Vanilla Almond Hot Oats

Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats

Product: Love Grown Foods Peach Vanilla Almond Hot Oats – $1.50+

Gluten-Free oatmeal is a way of life for me. I know this sounds really over-the-top and dramatic, but it’s true. Every single work day, I have something that is comprised of gluten-free oats. Be it a package of gluten-free oatmeal or some version of overnight oats…lunch has been oatmeal (and oatmeal only) for the past two to three years. With all the varieties out there, and all the ways oats can be dressed up and flavored, I really don’t get tired of it. Besides, it is filling and nutritious too.

One of my favorite gluten-free companies came out with little tubs of gluten-free oatmeal awhile back. Once I was able to find them at my local stores, I tried the one that appealed to me the most: the Blueberry Banana Walnut Hot Oats. I fell in love with them. And then I vowed to get more. I just…never did.

Until recently, when I found a couple of flavors on the Manager’s Special shelf at my local grocery store. Gluten-free products on Manager’s Special means…they come home with me. Especially when it’s from a brand I already love and trust.

My relationship with Love Grown Foods began with their granola. OH. MY. GOD. Their granola (every single flavor of it!) is some of the best gluten-free granola out on the market. Then, they began expanding their line of products to include hot oats, then super oats, and finally a line of cereal as well. They are growing and expanding…and this is only a good thing. Because Love Grown Foods prides itself on putting out quality and healthy products.

They also have a huge focus on breakfast…healthy breakfasts. The products they have out on the market definitely promote this passion they share.

The Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats are so easy to prepare. Simply remove the lid and seal and fill with water to the fill line. Give it a stir and then microwave it for 60 seconds. Add an additional 10-20 seconds if you like a thicker consistency. Then, let it sit for 1-2 minutes. That’s it. Then you can dive in. So easy.

So I let it sit for 1 minute because the added 10 seconds I gave the cook time seemed to take away most of the water anyway. And it was sheer oat perfection. Seriously. The Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats cook up into a smooth, rich, and thick bowl of oatmeal. It was heaven on a spoon and warm going down. Perfect for these cold days. Even more, there was a nice balance of flavor. I had actually hesitated on purchasing the peach one, because, so often, the peach flavor dominates. I love peaches…but I don’t want it to overtake everything else in my meal. The vanilla and flavor of almonds balances out the sweetness of the peaches. And it makes for the ultimate, warming, hearty bite…all the way to the very end. There is just the right hit of sweetness thanks to the brown sugar and, so that it isn’t bland either. And the little chunks of almonds just give it a little depth in the texture to keep it interesting. It is amazing. Pure and simple. It is love. This little unassuming microwave bowl exceeded every expectation I had for my lunch today. And it made me really reconsider shunning peach flavored things in the near future. I should have known never to doubt products put out by Love Grown Foods. This one was a total win!

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats are made from gluten-free oats, brown sugar, freeze-dried peaches, almonds, vanilla, and cinnamon. That’s it. Simple. Nutritious. Healthy. Amazing. These are gluten-free and dairy free and also non-GMO.

As for nutrition, a serving is one tub of the Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats. This little basin of goodness will deliver 240 calories and 4 grams of fat. These oats contain no cholesterol or sodium. LOVE it. In addition, a serving gives you 12 mg of sugar, of which some of it comes from the fruit that is inside. You also get 5 grams of filling fiber and 7 grams of protein. You will definitely feel full upon eating this little tub of oat-y goodness.

I was beyond elated to spoon up each bite of this amazing little dish today. I have to applaud Love Grown Foods for their dedication to quality products. It’s for this reason I continue to stock my pantry with their oats and their granola. Honestly…they have yet to let me down and I’m starting to believe it won’t happen. It comes down to this…food is love…and I love these oats. Total win with the Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats. Now…to go stock up on more!

Love Grown Foods Peach Almond Vanilla Hot Oats (prepared)