Breakfast – Page 17 – The Celiathlete

July 16, 2014

Product Review: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack

Product: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack – $5.99+

It’s summer…and I’m broke. Why am I broke? Because…it’s been hot…and my air conditioner has been rocking and rolling. Also…food prices are on the rise. And…well…I just have a difficult time living within my meager food budget when I have to eat the way that I do. Being that I am very broke at the moment, I opted not to purchase the extra container of vanilla Greek yogurt this week to make my overnight oats…because I had a box of gluten-free oatmeal waiting in my pantry. No time like the times you have no expendable income to clear out the pantry some, yes?

That’s right!

I don’t remember which store I discovered the Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal in…but I want to say it was either Whole Foods or Earth Fare. One of them. And I don’t know why, after months spent making overnight oats, I really, really had to have hot cereal. I mean…it’s hot outside…

I blame it on my blonde hair. I have to blame something…

But, now I’m glad I sort of made that decision. I get really excited when I see new products, especially ones that I know I’ll eat…eventually. And we all know I eat something oat-y for lunch every day. Well, this week…it’s been Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal…the variety pack…which gives a couple pouches of each flavor out on the market, so you can try it and if you don’t like it, you have maybe one or two more pouches to use instead of an entire box.

The three flavors that are included in the variety pack are: Spiced Apple with Flax, Homestyle, and Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains.

And…wouldn’t you know it…I chose to sample them in that very order.

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal

I started my foray into the Nature’s Path Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal with a bowl of the Spiced Apple variety. Now, I’m quite particular about my hot cereal. I want it at a certain consistency…and it has to wow me with flavor. It has to really win me over. And it has to still maintain the integrity of the product…meaning, I don’t want it laden with sugar. I want something that will stick with me…fill me up…do exactly what a hot cereal is supposed to do. Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal does just that. Made from gluten-free, rolled and uncontaminated whole oats, this blend contains dried bits of apple and a little dash of cinnamon. The glax helps add a bit of fiber to the mix, helping to fill you up and keep you feeling full.

It’s super easy to prepare too. I go the microwave route, because I eat this at work and we have no stove. So, I simply pour the oatmeal into my bowl, add about 2/3 cup water and microwave for around 75 seconds (1 minute 15 seconds). When it emerges, it’s steamy and has this nice creamy texture without having gone all to mush. No one likes mushy, soupy oatmeal. It cooks to perfection. And I love how the apples sort of soak in the water and become reinvigorated. They lend a nice bit of natural sweetness to this variety.

I wasn’t sure about it on the first bite. I thought it might be a little bland…but the next bite brought more flavor…and the same thing with the next. And soon, I had devoured my whole bowl and was spooning at the little bits left in the curves of the dinnerware.

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal include organic gluten free rolled oats, organic evaporated cane juice, organic dried apple, organic flax seeds, organic flavor, organic cinnamon and sea salt. This oatmeal is not only gluten-free but also cholesterol free.

As far as the nutrition information goes, a serving is one packet of the Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal. This packet will give you 170 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 90 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. It’s sort of on the…iffy on the sugars line as to whether it’s too high or not on that count. In addition, you will be consuming 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. So, yes…it does make you feel full. Gotta love that. I know I do.

Overall…definitely liked this one!

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal

I admit, this was the packet that I was the most leery of when I opened up this box. Why? Because traditional oatmeal and I don’t always get along. Sometimes it can be rather boring and bland. And I was more than a little concerned that would be the case here. Also…I was taking it in on the day that the office was having lunch catered by a bbq restaurant…which was meat and gluten…so not for me. While my boss, that morning, said she’d be happy to purchase something for me from one of the restaurants nearby…even if it was just a salad…I told her I had my oatmeal with me…and that was fine. I sure hoped it was going to be okay…because I was stuck eating it regardless.

AND…I opted not to bring anything to mix into it. No raisins, no berries…not even brown sugar or maple syrup. Nope. I needed to try it on its own…and was definitely rolling the dice on this one.

Same cooking as the other packet…bowl, water, microwave for 75 seconds…enjoy!

For an oatmeal that is nothing but rolled oats…this one amazed me. This one impressed me. It wasn’t bland at all. In fact, it had this tiny hint of sweetness to it, without all the added sugars. The oats were definitely perfect. I didn’t give raisins or syrup or fruit a second thought when I settled into the lunch meeting with my bowl and sent up prayers to the gluten-free lunch gods that I could at least get through this bowl. I had no problems and found myself devouring the oatmeal faster than I intended. That’s saying something!

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal include organic gluten free rolled oats. Yes…that’s all. And yes…it really is delicious. It may seem plain, but there is nothing plain about this variety. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and sugar free. Speaking my language!

As far as the nutrition information goes, one serving is one packet of Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal. This packet will serve you 170 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. You will be taking in 0 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be consuming 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein, leaving you feeling full for longer. Yes…just…yes! Trust me…this is really good. Not bland. Not plain. Not lacking in anything but the stuff you don’t need to be feeding your body anyway.

Overall…LOVE!

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains Hot Oatmeal

Before I really expanded into the hot cereal world, growing up I would add brown sugar to the Malt-O-Meal (something I definitely can’t eat anymore!) my dad would cook up for breakfast sometimes. This was a go-to whenever my mom wasn’t able to make breakfast or was out of town or something. When he was in charge…he opted for his favorite hot cereal. Malt-O-Meal. The thing was…growing up I hated hot cereal. Hated it. I ate my cold cereal dry…no milk. So when I started giving hot cereal a try as an adult…I did it cautiously and started with something familiar. Something with brown sugar.

From there, I expanded to other flavors, but if given the choice…old habits die hard…I always opt for the Brown Sugar variety. I think that’s why I usually save that version for last. It’s just…ingrained in me.

Same as everything else…empty packet into bowl, add water, nuke for 75 seconds…consume.

This one was good. It was really, really good. Homestyle, I think is still my favorite of the three…but this one is a close second. The sweetness of the brown sugar and maple syrup is a nice way to really perk up oatmeal. The texture on this one was a little soupy…but I might have added a little too much water when measuring it out. Hard to say. But…it sat for a moment and those oats just soaked it up. It was nice and sweet and delicious. And I savored each bite…wondering how it was I used to dislike hot cereal…except when I mixed brown sugar into it. Well…this one is a sentimental favorite for sure…but, honestly, the flavor is nice. Not too sweet, actually…but not bland. The right balance with the right consistency. Impressed.

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains Hot Cereal include organic gluten free rolled oats, organic brown sugar, organic evaporated cane juice, organic rolled amaranth, organic rolled quinoa, organic sorghum flour, natural flavor, and sea salt. It is gluten-free and cholesterol free.

As far as the nutrition information goes, one serving is one packet of Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple Hot Oatmeal. This packet will serve you 160 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be consuming 80 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Don’t let that drop in number hinder you…this one is also very filling. In fact…I felt my fullest after eating this one. Odd!

Overall…really, really like!

So, if you are wanting an easy-to-make and easy-to-eat option for breakfast, lunch or even dinner…I highly recommend Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack. You get a little bit of everything to try and you can choose what you prefer when it comes to the flavors out on the market. It’s a great value at a great price.

Beyond impressed. I’m sure this will find its way into my pantry again.

July 11, 2014

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns

Product: Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns – $5.99

I am going to admit it…cop to it right now…put this out there. I am a chocaholic. There. I said it. If it’s chocolate…I’m going to eat it. Seriously. Especially if it’s dark chocolate. And, quite honestly, being the cinnamon roll fan that I am, I had no intention of even purchasing something else with those on my last order from Katz Gluten Free.

But…then…chocolate happened.

Katz Gluten Free introduced a slew of new products a little bit ago…and as soon as the announcement came, I was online and ordering. Because…it’s Katz Gluten Free. It has to be good. Honestly…it was really a “OMG, THEY HAVE CINNAMON ROLLS NOW I MUST GET THEM OR I WILL DIE FOR REAL!” sort of moment. That’s no exaggeration. I feel that strongly about gluten-free cinnamon rolls. They aren’t very common…and not something I can just go to the store and purchase. So, yes…I do get a little overzealous when it comes to things like…gluten-free cinnamon rolls. Especially from Katz Gluten Free.

Because…they have never really let me down when it comes to products. So, I was getting the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns into my cart online…and then…and then I saw them:

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns.

Oh. My. Chocolate.

So, yeah…they ended up in the cart. No accident. Don’t believe me if I ever say something chocolate ending up in my clutches was an accident. It most likely was my female brain kicking in and saying…”EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE!” So…that’s how I ended up with Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns in my freezer. (Yes…I giggled at that last line too…)

So, without my bin or much time to bake something this week…I’m living out of my pantry and fridge/freezer. And on my gym morning, I needed something easy to prepare at the office so I can eat after getting my sweat on and not spend a lot of time doing so. After all…I’m at work and should be working. With the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns already having been devoured, my roomie and I were about to take a leap of faith and give the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns a try.

Super simple. I took the buns out of the freezer the night before and put them in the fridge. After working out and arriving at work, I went into the break room and heated up each of the Gluten Free Chocolate Buns for about 25-30 seconds in the microwave. I served…with clementines. Because…in my world, if you’re going to devour a treat, you gotta have something healthy with it. Adds balance, yes? Breakfast was good to go. And we both settled in at our desks and went to devour (because after a good cardio session at the gym, I’m in starvation mode!) our brekkies.

So…the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns are like…cinnamon rolls on chocolate steroids. Take out the spice aspect of the cinnamon and instead substitute dreamy, rich chocolate with a heap of chocolate glaze. That…that deliciousness is exactly what I was biting into. It was sweet, but it struck a nice balance, regardless of not having some cinnamon to add a bit of spice. It was flaky and crusty and gooey in the middle. I actually found the Chocolate Buns to be less dry than the Cinnamon Buns had been. Which was a surprise, but one that made me happy. Dare I say that I actually preferred them over Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns?!

*collective gasp*

So, now that I’ve gotten you drooling…let’s talk ingredients and nutrition, shall we? Because it should be done…even on breakfast pastries.

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns are made from a gluten-free flour blend (potato, tapioca, sorghum, white rice, brown rice) trans-fat free margarine, water, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, confection sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract, dry yeast, honey, xanthan gum, cinnamon, salt, corn syrup, baking powder, sunflower lecithin, emulsifier, nutmeg, and canola oil. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.

As for nutrition, a serving is 1 of the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns. This one roll will provide you with 310 calories and 15 grams of fat. I know…that’s high…but this isn’t something you really eat every day. It’s a breakfast treat. Key word…treat. In addition to that, you will be taking in 25 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, and 17 grams of sugar. Which…is a lot of sugar. But…it’s a treat. And finally, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein…so you will definitely feel like you’ve eaten.

I have so much love for the products that Katz Gluten Free has out. I am definitely going to pick up more of the Gluten Free Chocolate Buns in the near future. Honestly a delicious and sweet way to start the day.

June 30, 2014

Product Review – Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread

Product: Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread – $3.99+

I absolutely LOVE Nutella. I love it. There is something so amazing about that flavor combination of chocolate and hazelnut. And while sometimes Nutella and I get along like old friends…there are other times I have a reaction to the dairy that is in it…and then…we don’t get on so great.

So…I stopped with the Nutella. As much as I could. Every now and again…I would risk that small bit of dairy. I don’t get it with me and dairy. Sometimes…a little bit doesn’t affect me. Other times, even the slightest bit of it does. Ah, food intolerance. So much fun! *dripping with sarcasm*

As it was…I would gaze longingly at the Nutella at the grocery store…thinking…maybe…just maybe it would be okay this one time. But, then I would recall how I would feel afterwards and…well…it wasn’t worth it. While naturally gluten-free Nutella does contain skim milk, whey, and soy. I don’t always get along with those ingredients. So, bummer.

Until…until that blessed day I was grocery shopping at my local Kroger and came to the gluten-free end cap that usually holds the same products it has held since…they first put it up. But there was something different. Something…exciting. Foods from my beloved Freedom Foods. I am hooked on their Tropico’s cereal, which my parents have to mail to me. We have a few of their products here now. And, while I didn’t spot it, my roommate did. And she picked it up off the shelf and went…”NUTELLA!”

Sure enough! This little jar of cocoa goodness goes by the name Smudge. Smudge. I love it. It’s so…cute!

And since everything I have tried from Freedom Foods has been delicious, this was a splurge I was willing to pay for. Splurging on Smudge. That’s my life. That had to be done!

So, for an entire week it sat on my pantry shelf with nothing to be spread on. That is until my roomie went grocery shopping and found Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagels on a “huge stupid sale” at one of our various grocery stores we frequent every week. So…bagels!! And I know that Nutella and Nutella-ish spreads are amazing on bagels. Like…dessert for breakfast. So, this morning after my spin class…I came home and put the bagels in the oven to toast while I took a shower and got changed for work. By the time I was out, the bagels were ready. It was time to schmear the Smudge!

This spread was a rich, dark chocolate color and very smooth. It smelled like bittersweet chocolate and happiness. Because if happiness was a smell, it would smell like chocolate. Trust me. It was so easy to spread over the toasted bagel, a tablespoon to each half. I did a test for my roomie, putting the Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread on one of her halves and Nutella on the other half. Just for comparison reasons. She liked both, but I noticed she saved Smudge for her last bite. So when I asked, she said it was good…less sweet than hers. Nice.

As for my thoughts…Holy Chocolate Goodness, Batman!! Freedom Foods just won my heart, my stomach, and the rest of me. If there is a pleasure switch when it comes to taste, this one flipped it. It was just as smooth as it spread on the bagel. It was chocolatey, without being too much. It wasn’t hot fudge chocolate, but perhaps chocolate syrup chocolate. And now I can imagine drizzling this over a scoop of dairy-free ice cream. Oh, Freedom Foods Smudge is one happy spread, bite-for-bite-for bite. You’ll want to lick your fingers clean. I did. And maybe my plate too. This is Nutella without the nuts and the dairy and the soy. This is Nutella on happy steroids for people like me…suffering from food allergies and only being able to pass by the product in the store and think about what could have been.

Smudge…makes it all better. Smudge…makes life better.

I seriously could eat the entire jar with a spoon. I am going to attempt to not do that. No promises though…

Freedom Foods is an Australian company that takes great pride in their products they put out on the market. Since they say something is “free from” something…they mean it. And, they adhere to the Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand, keeping their products free of anything genetically modified. In addition. All of their products are free from nuts and gluten. And, in addition, they use no artificial colors or flavors. All natural. All good!

So, what makes up Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread? Simple. This chocolatey spread is made from vegetable oils, maltodextrin (maize), raw sugar, cocoa (10%), tapioca starch, inulin, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), vegetable gums (locust bean, xanthan), flavors, sweetener (steviol glycosides), sea salt. Not 100% clean…but still…YUMMY!! This product is gluten-free, nut-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and lactose-free.

As for nutrition, a serving of the Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread is 2 tablespoons. This serving delivers 210 calories and 12 grans if fat. So…yes, eating the entire 9.2 ounce jar with a spoon is probably not recommended. A serving also serves up 35 mg sodium and 12 sugars. This product is cholesterol free. Two tablespoons will also provide you with 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. In the long run – not filling. That’s why you put it on a carby, fiber-filled bagel. Mmmm…

Trust me on this one…it is amazing. So…it’s not Nutella. For someone like me…it’s so much more than Nutella. And, honestly…I like it better. Thank you, once again, Freedom Foods…because of you Smudge is my new go-to spread. I am in chocoholic heaven!

Also…it’s fun to say schmear of Smudge. HA!

Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread (on a gluten-free bagel)

What are our products free from, and just how ‘free from’ are they?

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• If our box states the product is nut free, that means no peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts can be detected. (While we’d love to test for every single type of tree nut, there’s just not an approved test available just yet. We’ll get there.)

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

• While other leading snack brands sneak artificial colours and flavours into their foods, we don’t. You won’t find a single artificial colour or flavour in any of our products. And trust us, you won’t miss them.

Genetically Modified Ingredients

• We’re proud to say that all Freedom Foods products are free of genetically modified ingredients. We adhere to the Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand, if you’d like to learn more about our standards.
How can we guarantee our foods are free from all of the above? Check out How We Do It.

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.8SjjxHU5.dpuf

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

Genetically Modified Ingredients

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.k7reomFu.dpuf

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

Genetically Modified Ingredients

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.k7reomFu.dpuf

June 29, 2014

Product Review: Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly

Product: Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly – $2.39+

This was it. The final Quest Bar that I picked up on my excursion to Jungle Jim’s back in April. I have been more then…ehhhh…on these bars. Which, honestly, makes me sad because I heard so many people talk them up. I had such high hopes for them. And from the first one (too chewy)…to the next one (still hurt to chew so much)…to this…the last one…I stick with my initial assessment.

The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly was my post-run protein this weekend. I’m really short on money right now…so catching a bite out was not happening. Ice cream didn’t even happen this weekend. Yeah. And it was a miserably humid weekend. Ice cream would have been the best thing ever. But…budgets are budgets and have to be lived with. So…following my run, this…was my breakfast.

As mentioned before, I’m on the fence. I don’t know whether I like these or loathe them. And this one in particular…kind of has me perplexed more than usual. Because…as with the previous one…it tastes just like the wrapper describes it. It tastes…like peanut butter and jelly. More like jelly…strawberry jelly…but it has that peanut butter flavor in there as well. So, the taste and flavor are totally there.

But that chewy texture. That overly chewy texture that makes my jaw ache after having to chew it down to some semblance of something I can swallow…that’s what is offputting on these. Otherwise, I’d be all about them. But, the fact that all three of them, some more than others albeit, have brought about an ache in my jaw from the amount and intensity of chewing I have to do in order to get it down…speaks volumes. It tells me…that these bars are not worth the money.

Sure, flavor-wise, they are spot on. All three have tasted like what they are advertised to taste like. This one, especially, does a great job with the flavor profile. That being said, I just can’t handle this thick, tough bar. After I run, I have the runchies and am rungry. The last thing I want to do is go to battle with my food. Usually I don’t want to chew all that much either…so…yeah…this, while great nutrition-wise after a long run, not so great as far as actually being able to consume it easily. My jaw should not feel like it has run a marathon.

I have read, however, that if you microwave these bars, they get soft and that almost-gooey consistency of a fresh-baked cookie. I don’t travel with a microwave, however, and as these are meant as meal replacements or supplements, I don’t think a microwave should even factor into the equation. Fine if you’re at a gym where there is one that is accessible. That isn’t the case at my gym…because I use these on days my gym is the open road that goes on for miles. Many…many…many miles!

Too bad. I was so excited about the Quest Bars.

Let’s talk ingredients in this bar. The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly is made from a combination of protein blend (whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate), isomalto-oligosaccarides (prebiotic fibers derived from plant sources), peanuts, almonds, water, sea salt, lo han guo, sucralose, and natural flavors. Where the jelly flavor comes from…I couldn’t even tell you!

Nutritionally speaking, a serving size is one bar. One bar contains 200 calories and 10 grams of fat. Much of that fat is from the almonds and peanuts that are involved. Those are healthy fats. This bar contains less than 5 mg of cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, and only 2 grams of sugar. That low sugar is one of the things that drew me to these bars. This bar has 17 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein. FILLING! Too bad it wasn’t filling and delicious.

So…I think this is where Quest Bar and I part ways. Sadly. I was so excited to try these, and then they went and let me down…in a big way. They were just a disappointment to me. And I was just expecting so much more from them. The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly…was the last bar in my drawer…and will be the last Quest Bar in my drawer. On to trying something else that is new and different…

I gave it a shot…but these aren’t all they are cracked up to be.

June 24, 2014

Recipe: Gluten-Free Blueberry and Dark Chocolate Scones

I love berries. Love them. I haven’t met a berry I didn’t like. I will EAT ALL THE BERRIES! And sometimes…I do.

Thanks to my good friend, Harry, I have a nice supply of freshly picked blueberries. And I really wanted to make the most of them. So, over the weekend, while doing some meal prep, I decided to do some baking…utilizing some of the blueberries.

Lucky for me, this month’s Vegetarian Times was featuring blueberries in their “One Food Five Ways” feature. SCORE! And the one recipe that really stuck out to me was the Blueberry and Dark Chocolate Scones. So…that’s what I made…for breakfast at the office on my gym mornings. It just will involve some reheating. And since I love scones, this seemed like a great recipe to attempt. The only difference is my version had to be gluten-free. So, I crossed my fingers and said a prayer to my gluten-free baking gods that this recipe might like my gluten-free all-purpose flour.

These pastries are so simple to make and don’t take a lot of time. They bake up beautifully and look amazing. Oh…and you might want to eat them the moment they come out of the oven because they make your home smell SO good!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Blueberry and Dark Chocolate Scones

Servings: 8
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting (I used Better Batter)
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used Earth Balance)
3/4 cup low-fat milk, plus more for brushing (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels)
3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Work in the butter using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, until only small crumbs remain in the mixture.

Whisk together milk, egg yolks, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and mix just until incorporated (the mixture will be crumbly). Gently stir in the chocolate chips and blueberries. Gather dough into a ball.

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface, and press into a 3/4-inch-thick disk. Dust a knife with flour, then cut dough into 8 equal wedges. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and brush tops lightly with milk.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top and bottom.

~*~*~

This recipe embodies everything that is amazing and wonderful in this world. Fresh blueberries. Dark chocolate. Breakfast. These scones are a fantastic treat in the morning…and actually not too bad as far as nutrition goes…for scones. I loved the flavor of the bittersweet chocolate with the burst of sweetness from the blueberries. Harmony in breakfast form. I will be making these again…that’s for sure! Simple recipe…simple breakfast pleasure.

June 23, 2014

Product Review: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes

Product: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes – $2.69

Oh…pancakes. I love pancakes. I’m a runner…I’m supposed to live on pancakes, right? I wish I did, honestly. Because I grew up eating pancakes for breakfast, sometimes for lunch, and my family was a big believer in pancakes for dinner. We love breakfast in my family and breakfast for dinner was sort of like a tradition with us. My mom had a great recipe for what was deemed “The Best Ever Pancakes.” I loved it when mom would cook up pancakes, getting the skillet all nice and warm before pouring that perfect, fluffy batter onto it in perfect circles, flipping it as the edges bubbled and revealing this perfect crusty outside with that soft, cakey, light and fluffy inside. Mmm…I’m drooling just thinking about it.

Except…I can’t eat those pancakes anymore. And, ironically, neither can she. With both of us dealing with Celiac diagnosis (mine three years ago, hers late last year), those pancakes will have to remain a fond memory. But, that’s not to say that pancakes are off the menu. In fact…so many different gluten-free pancake mixes and frozen pancakes are out on the market these days. Between that and pizza…you’d think that’s all Celiacs and the gluten intolerant eat. And…I would if I could get away with it. But I also like variety. So…maybe not.

Back as May (Celiac Awareness Month) kicked off, Aldi brought out it’s brand new line of gluten-free products for testing on the market. I heard about it from work and from my mom. So, on Mother’s Day…my roommate and I trekked to the store, found products we could afford, and walked out with one of practically everything…for less than $30. NO JOKE! Talk about a bargain. The kicker was going to be whether or not these products were any good.

As we start our journey through the Aldi liveGfree line that has invaded our pantry(s) and our freezer, I keep an open mind. Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s going to be crap. And, as of today, there is only one product so far that I wouldn’t bother with again (The Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches). Everything else has been decent or even delicious. So, that’s a win. Products that actually fit my budget and are good too? Sign me up. Or at least send me to Aldi every once and awhile (provided they keep this line in stores…and I pray they do!).

I happen to have a fantastic blueberry invasion in my fridge and freezer these days…compliments of my good friend Harry. LOVE blueberries and how good they are for you. And I’ve been eating the hell out of them. With a busy Monday morning at hand, I knew that I needed breakfast to be relatively simple. Aside from having a fruit, yogurt and granola parfait…to round it out…I figured I would try the other version of the frozen pancakes that I picked up at Aldi (I previously reviewed the blueberry variety…ironically). These are simply Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes. Also known as…the standard…the pancake to end all pancakes. If you can’t make a good buttermilk pancake, you’re not worthy of wielding batter and a spatula.

A package of three of the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes

The best part about these, however, is that they are already prepared and frozen. They come in individual servings, already wrapped and ready for their date with some source of heat. The box gives three options…microwave, toaster, and oven. I went with the oven, because it would allow me some time to shower and change before they were done cooking. Perfect. Each wrapper contains three pancakes. I opened up the wrappers, placed the pancakes on a baking sheet, covered them with foil, and put them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. My oven is old…I went for 12 minutes.

Just as with their blueberry counterparts, when I removed them from the oven and pulled away the foil…this cloud of steam emerged and the pancakes were now soft…thawed…and looked absolutely perfect. I placed three on each plate and topped them of with a homemade blueberry compote. There is the irony of the other flavor being blueberry! Anyway…I served up a plate to the roomie and then began some clean-up work in the kitchen while I dug into mine.

I loved this. What I felt was the best part was that rich, buttermilk flavor that you get with each bite. Even with the blueberry compote, you can’t miss the flavor from the pancakes. It was rich and smooth and just pure pancake perfection (try saying that three times fast!). They were so light and fluffy…like they were homemade. Like they were the pancakes my mom used to make (just not as fluffy or epic or delicious!). I will point out these are a bit small…but what frozen pancakes aren’t. I loved the texture…not having anything gritty or gummy. Just soft and chewy and delicious bite after bite after bite. I was actually impressed. I asked Cathy her thoughts and she said, “They don’t have much flavor.” But she also is congested with a summer cold and really can’t taste much at the moment. So, that was a comment I am ignoring and a question I shouldn’t have asked the girl with the stuffed up sinuses. DUH!

Let’s discuss ingredients, shall we? The Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes from the Aldi liveGfree line contain water, rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar, soy flour, potato flour, whole egg powder, canola oil, buttermilk, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, and natural flavors. These are all ingredients that I recognize and box proudly declares that this product contains “No Artificial Anything.” Love that too!

As for nutrition, these are actually really good stats for pancakes. One serving (3 pancakes) of the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes will provide you with 210 calories and 4 grams of fat. NICE! That’s awesome for pancakes. A serving will also give you 40 mg cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, and 9 grams of sugar. The sugar is…higher than I like…but…it’s pancakes. Also, you will be taking in only 1 gram of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Love that protein stat, but the lack of fiber is probably why my stomach was rumbling by 9 a.m. I resisted the urge to snack though. Even though I really needed to do so.

For the price, I really can’t complain about the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes. I actually savored each bite this morning because they tasted so darn close to homemade. I really am hoping the trial run of this gluten-free line catches on at Aldi because sometimes convenience foods are necessary and they do make life easier. And when they are made right, like these pancakes, they can really add some smiles and sunshine and rainbows and unicorns…or at least something delicious to start (or perhaps end) your day with. On mornings when you are pressed for time or are just running late…something this easy to prepare and to enjoy sure does come in handy. Maybe if I beg and bat my eyelashes Aldi will keep this line around for awhile. I’m one happy customer so far!

Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes (fresh from the oven)

June 23, 2014

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola – $6.99+

It wasn’t in the budget this week. Honestly. But I have a lot of delicious, fresh blueberries at home and needed some way to prepare them. Well…some other way as I’ve already put some in a blueberry compote for gluten-free pancakes and even baked some into dark chocolate and blueberry scones. Mmmm…scones. I’ve been eating them prior to running and after running. So, when I was out grocery shopping, it occured to me that one of my favorite ways to eat blueberries…is in my breakfast fruit, yogurt and granola parfaits. So, while at Whole Foods, Cathy and I were walking through the cereal aisle and she spotted the bright, colorful, yellow packaging of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Granola!

Her eyes fell on the Motor City Crunch variety, which is a chocolate and hazelnut granola. Mmmm…Nutella in granola form. I wanted it. So, I told her we had to get one, because, after all, we had blueberries to eat. So, she grabbed…the Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola??!! After waving chocolate hazelnut at me? That’s just mean and cruel, I think. Next time I’m selecting so I get the chocolate hazelnut. Crazy roomie of mine. Chocolate and hazelnut always win. I mean, I love pecans and almonds, but those are in…pretty much every other granola out there. And Motor City Crunch actually had like a special title and everything It wasn’t just the flavor. It has to be big…it has to be amazing…it has to wait until next time…

Bummer.

But…you just go with it in these situations. So, instead of the one I thought we were getting…the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola is the actual variety that made it into our shopping bag and then into the pantry on Saturday.

Fast forward to Monday morning. I had spin class to get to by 5:30 a.m. and breakfast had to be quick. So…here it was…blueberry breakfast parfaits. I pulled out the pouch of granola and opened it up. I retrieved glasses to build the parfaits in and then the Greek yogurt and berries from the fridge. I plucked the honey from the pantry. And I figured I had to taste-test the granola before loading it into the parfaits. So, I reached inside and plucked out a large clump of granola.

It was sweet without being overly sweet. It looked like it was packed with sugar…but it’s not. The nuts add a great bit of depth to the flavor and the oats are toasted to perfection. You get that perfect granola crunch followed by the sweetness. I had to take another bit before telling myself that I actually needed to build a parfait and couldn’t just eat the granola. But trust me…I could. While I might have been disappointed that the flavor I wanted remained shelved at Whole Foods…this flavor is top of the line. I mean, honest-to-goodness ingredients and flavors. Low in sugar…packed with enough flavor that makes you almost feel guilty when eating it. It was like a treat. And when I paired it with the ripe and very fresh (and amazing) blueberries and the Greek yogurt…it was a fantastic combination. The pecans, almonds, and oats brought this nice texture, the berries practically burst on my tongue…and the smooth yogurt just tied it all together. This was a wonderful (and tasty) surprise this morning. LOVED this flavor.

So…let’s talk ingredients. Inside a package of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola you will find certified gluten-free rolled oats, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, pecans, almonds, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). That last ingredient sounds very chemical-like…but look at everything else. The sweetness, I now see, is due to the honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup that are included. I can taste the hint of coconut and the seasoning of cinnamon that is included. And the combination is magic on your taste buds. Not only is it gluten-free, but it’s also cholesterol free. YAY!

Nutritionally speaking…these stats are pretty awesome. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Pecan Almond Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide you with 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. That isn’t bad for something that contains nuts. Mostly healthy fats there. A serving also will give you only 25 mg sodium and 6 grams of sugar. This is phenomenal for a granola. You will also be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. It doesn’t sound like much, but you will actually feel full. Trust me.

I always try to get Cathy’s opinion on a product and since this was the flavor that she chose…against my wishes (because NUTELLA!)…I asked her what she thought. She gave her usual…”It was good.” Or whatever. And then I remember she is still fighting off a summer cold and she had just woken up. Dammit. No luck these days with her opinion. And this one I really wanted. Maybe another time.

That being said, despite not getting the Chocolate Hazelnut variety I am enamored with high praise and love for Jessica’s Natural Foods and the Pecan Almond Granola. Delicious. Not too sweet…although it just looks like it should be more sweet than it is. It’s sheer granola perfection and I can’t wait to try the other flavors. But next up…Motor City Crunch. For real!

June 22, 2014

Product Review: Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar

Product: Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar – $2.39+

I’m finding I am very on-the-fence about these bars. I’d heard so much good buzz about them, but I’m still not sure I actually like them or not. HA! Does that sound odd? I believe most of it has to do with the texture more than anything else. Because the flavor, much like last time, was there. And, thank the protein bar gods…this was still chewy…but not as chewy as the Chocolate Peanut Butter one…so at least my jaw didn’t get tired and start hurting.

That being said…it’s Sunday. And sometimes on Sunday I just don’t have time to prepare a breakfast. I am usually very busy. So, when this happens…it’s always nice to have something in the apartment that I can just grab-and-go. My stash of gluten-free protein bars definitely fits that bill. And when things were getting hectic and go…go…go…today, I was happy to have packed one of the protein bars from the kitchen.

I know…real food is best…but a Cinnamon Roll flavored protein bar is probably more nutritious than a real cinnamon roll. It is, however, not as delicious.

So, let’s get down to the (literal) nitty-gritty of this product, shall we?

Since I love cinnamon rolls. Honestly…there is really nothing better than a hot, gooey, fresh cinnamon roll. They have always been one of my favorite breakfast pastries…but they are so guilt-inducing. Not that it stops me from downing one or two at a time. The thing is…they are tasty, they are awesome, but they aren’t exactly healthy.

Quest Bar is striving to bring some of the best and most popular flavor combinations that happen in nature to their line-up of protein bars. I tried the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar about a week ago and was…eh. So, today…Cinnamon Roll. Because Sundays are just good cinnamon roll days.

As I was on the road in the middle of my errands this morning, I was definitely needing some form of sustenance. Thank goodness I packed both Cathy and I one of our protein bars. I handed her the LäraBar that she likes and I broke into the wrapper of the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar. I loved that I could see flecks of cinnamon in the bar itself. That was really cool. And it smelled like…a cinnamon roll. This was definitely promising.

I went to tear off a piece to try…and realized that it had the sort of softy and chewy texture the previous one had. So, I wasn’t sure what to make of that. But I popped it into my mouth and began to chew. It did taste like a lightly seasoned cinnamon roll. I will give this bar that. The flavor was spot-on. And it felt a lot lighter than the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar that I ate last week. It was chewy, but it didn’t hurt my jaw to work on it like last time. Improvement. I broke off a bit for Cathy to try and she also isn’t too sold on the texture…but she liked it better than the previous one as well. And we’re both chocolate peanut butter fans…so go figure. This bar had a bit of grittiness to it, I’m assuming from the cinnamon that is incorporated into it. It took a few bites to get used to, but it was decent enough.

Ingredients in the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar include: protein blend (whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate), isomalto-oligosaccharides* (prebiotic fiber), almonds, water, and erythritol. This bar contains less than 2% of the following: sea salt, stevia, lo han guo, natural flavors, and cinnamon. It is gluten-free, contains no artificial sweeteners, and is practically guilt free.

This leads us to the nutritional portion of the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar. A serving size is 1 bar. This bar will provide you with 170 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will be taking in 5 mg cholesterol, 280 mg sodium, and only 1 gram of sugar. LOVE that low sugar! Also, you will be taking in 17 grams of fiber and 20 grams of sugar. YES…this bar will actually fill you up! Trust me.

So, for me, I’m struggling with the chewy texture (which is better than being rock solid…but…it’s a lot of work to chew that much). In fact, I’m just not 100% sold on these bars. While the flavors are definitely there…mild…but there…the actual bar itself is just…okay. Sure, it tastes fantastic, but damn…I just don’t want to chew 100 times in order to swallow one bite.

I have one more variety of this brand to try…so we’ll see how it fares. As for now…not looking likely that I’ll actively seek these out. Would I eat them again? Sure. But if there are other options, I’d probably go with those first.

Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar (unwrapped)

June 19, 2014

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns

Product: Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns – $5.99

I love it when Katz Gluten Free puts out new products. Why? Because it means they are expanding on the line of goodies that I already love and adore. And, trust me, in today’s gluten-free-filled world…quality is what I look for. I’ve been suckered into new products from big companies before only to have a product that tastes like sawdust or something worse. And then…sometimes you get these little known companies that put out the best gluten-free product you have ever tasted.

And that medium can rock back and forth. Honestly. Gluten-free foods are more science than anything else. And if the texture or flavor are even the slightest bit off…well…the consumers will make it known.

I am a huge fan of Katz Gluten Free. Fell in love with their products from the instant I ordered their free Sample Pack (all you do is pay for shipping!) a long, long, long time ago. Okay…it was probably about two years ago, but still…it feels like I’ve been ordering Katz Gluten Free products my entire life. I was blown away by the standards they maintain and the quality of each product they put out for their consumers and customers. If you’re new to gluten-free foods…I highly suggest ordering this pack…and while you’re at it…order the Gluten Free Powdered Donuts…because…they’re amazing. Just trust me and add it to your shopping cart!

Good. Now that that’s done…let me talk to you about one of their newest products! One that I squealed and squeaked and cheered for when I saw the e-mail announcing it to their product lineup. Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. Like…cinnamon rolls…with the icing already applied. Oh…hell yes!! We all know my weakness for a good cinnamon roll. And finding a good cinnamon roll is not easy when you’re gluten-free. HA…there’s an idea for a Tumblr…”It’s Not Easy Being Gluten-Free.” But I digress.

Cinnamon Buns.

Gluten-Free. Freakin’. Cinnamon. Buns.

There…back on track.

I ordered these the instant they came up as a new product. And then froze them, per instructions, until today. Because it was a gym morning…and I was out of foods that were easy to take to the gym in a cooler to have at the office. These…are easy. And, being that they are a product of Katz Gluten Free…I was pretty certain they’d suffice for a breakfast. I wouldn’t take a bite and wish that I had brought something else. Of that, I was certain.

So, last night I removed two of the four buns from the package of Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns, placing them in a plastic bag to thaw. I don’t know why I do this when I know I’m going to microwave the product anyway. I just think it’s easier to get the right temperature when it’s not coming from frozen. So, overnight, they sat and thawed on my counter…and this morning, I packed them in the cooler and hauled my booty to the gym…and then to work. My reward…breakfast that consisted of one of the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. My roomie got the other one.

One quick 20 second zap in the microwave is all I gave each of these rolls. And it was just what it needed. Because I could have eaten them at room temperature…but you want that fresh from the oven feel, right? I know I do. That’s why I normally thaw them and then give a small zap each time I eat a Katz Gluten Free product. I do the same with the donuts…and OMG!

So…I settled in at my desk with my warmed Cinnamon Bun, the icing now all gooey from the quick heating…and that cinnamon filling just ready to be sliced into. I took my fork, gave it a neat cut, and then took my first bite.

And this is where it gets complicated. Because I like these. I like these a lot. The only issue I had with them was that the outer part of the Cinnamon Bun was…dry. Yes…even with the icing. It was just…dry. The further you ate into the bun, toward the center, it was moist (and that may have to do with the filling being inside the roll), but that first initial bite just was not the moist and delicious cinnamon roll texture I was anticipating. BUT…that being said…the flavor was awesome. The cinnamon gave just enough spice…the sugar…sweetness…the icing wasn’t too much, but it kept each bite sweet yet satisfying…without taking over and just coating your mouth in sugar, which can happen. It was just a light drizzle of icing, and for that…I was happy. Because…I’m not a frosting/icing kind of girl. I often find it way too sweet. But this was icing perfection. The Cinnamon Bun, itself, had great flavor. And after that first initial twist in the roll, it got a bit moister. It tasted like a cinnamon roll. Maybe a day old cinnamon roll…but that might be due to freezing (you have to keep them frozen as these have no preservatives in them…as is the case with a lot of baked gluten-free goodies), or the microwave, or a flaw in the roll itself. But…I wouldn’t turn my nose up at these. Not at all. I’m already contemplating when the best time to bust out the other one might be. HA!

Taste good…a little dry on the outside…but delicious once you get to that inside. YUMMY!

So, let’s talk about ingredients. As I mentioned, there are no preservatives added to the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. So, they do need to sit in your freezer if you aren’t going to eat them right away. The Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns are made from a gluten-free flour mix (potato, tapioca, sorghum, white rice, brown rice, and corn), trans free margarine, water, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, confection sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, dry yeast, honey, xanthan gum, salt, corn syrup, baking powder, sunflower lecithin, emulsifier, nutmeg, canola oil, and orange juice. These Cinnamon Buns are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.

As for nutrition…well, it is a breakfast pastry. Yep. Pastry. Which means…sugar, sugar, sugar. It’s true. And while I am trying to cut down on the amount of sugar that I consume…sometimes you just have to have a treat. A serving of the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns is only one of the rolls. Trust me though…it’s plenty. This one Cinnamon Bun has 280 calories and 15 grams of fat. Yes…15 grams of fat. Pastry. Remember? In addition, you will be consuming 25 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, and 14 grams of sugar. It’s a lot…I know…but not bad for a pastry. These shouldn’t fill you up, considering they contain only 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein…but it kept me going until my morning snack time.

So…a solid product from Katz Gluten Free. I was not disappointed with the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. They had great flavor. And since it was only the outer ring of the roll itself that seemed dry…well…I can blame that on freezing them…or even reheating in the microwave. Regardless, that small point isn’t enough to prevent me from picking these up again. But…I’d have to really be talked out of ordering the Powdered Donuts. It’s the truth. I love cinnamon…and these definitely hit all the right flavor tones.

June 17, 2014

Product Review: Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins

Product: Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins – $3.99+

I am not going to lie…I’ve been eying the Garden Lites Veggie Muffins since the day I first spotted them in my local natural food and grocery stores. Why did it take me so long to get a box? Well…it probably would have taken me longer, but my roomie surprised me with a box one day after I sent her out on a grocery expedition. I obviously forgot some sacred ingredient to something I was cooking right then…or I would have gone. But the roomie often picks up little surprises when she’s sent on these emergency runs. Maybe it’s to tame me, since I’m usually wound up about missing something I need. Whatever the reason…she brought me a box of Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. And I was all too excited to try them.

I just…never did. They just remained in my freezer.

I think I got all caught up in making my Breakfast Banana Splits and other such “real” food items, that opening the freezer for breakfast hadn’t happened in a long time. I knew they were in there…

Lo and behold…after a week of Cathy being down with a cold and sitting out of gym workouts (meaning I’d go really early and get mine in, then come home and make breakfast instead of hauling it to work post-gym), I had no idea what to have after our time at the gym. I began to search the pantry and fridge. I found grapes…but those only get you so far. I’d include some…but what to eat to refuel and recover?

And then…I remembered the box of Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. Problem…SOLVED!

I know what you’re thinking…zucchini with banana with chocolate chips…how could that possibly be good? Well…zucchini bread is good. Banana bread is good. Both types of bread with chocolate chips are damn good. So…why not combine them? It should work, right?

Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffin (individually wrapped)

I won’t lie…even I questioned it this morning as I packed the box of muffins in the cooler. After the workout, we walked to our office and I got to work on breakfast. These little muffins couldn’t be easier to prepare. They come individually wrapped. And all you have to do is pop the wrapped muffin into the microwave for 35 seconds. Carefully remove the muffin from the microwave and then the plastic wrapper…and viola…your muffin is ready.

I think my biggest fear was that these were going to be soggy. Or mushy. Or just…gross. But, I cooked up all four of them, two for me and two for Cathy, and our breakfast was ready. In less than three minutes. That has to be a new record!

I settled in at my desk with my first batch of work and my breakfast. And after one bite, I knew the stack of paperwork was going to have to wait while I gave my full attention to the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. Oh. My. God! No…really…who knew that a muffin made primarily from vegetables and fruit could taste this fantastic. Or this moist. It was like biting into a luscious piece of banana bread. But with zucchini in it. You can’t even taste the zucchini, you just sometimes get those green flecks in the muffin. And the chocolate chips…just enough to sweeten the deal without consuming the flavor of the muffin itself. This was truly one amazing product and the love I have for it surprises even me. I never would have thought about pairing zucchini with banana…but…damn…it works. It works in delicious ways!

I don’t think my morning could have started any better…

So, let’s take a look at the ingredient list for the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins, shall we? These muffins are made from zucchini, pasteurized egg whites, sugar, pasteurized whole eggs, certified gluten-free oats, soluble corn fiber, semi-sweet chocolate chips, banana, sorghum flour, brown rice flour, corn starch, baking powder, canola oil, natural banana flavor, salt, and vanilla extract.

Recognize all those items? I sure do. And when mixed together and baked…epic things happen, both flavor, texture, and food-wise.

Now, how about the nutritional aspect of these muffins? A serving is only 1 of the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. As all we had before working out was a breakfast fruit, yogurt and granola parfait, Cathy and I each had two. But…if you stick to the serving size, you will be consuming 120 calories and 3 grams of fat. In addition, you will be taking in 20 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, and 11 grams of sugar. I know the sugar seems high, and while some of that comes from the chocolate chip, some of it comes from the real banana that is included in the ingredients of the muffins. One serving will also give you 5 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein! These muffins are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free!

Nutritional and yummy too! Gotta love it. And I sure did. I want to try the other varieties of muffins. Yes…they have other flavors. In fact, in addition to the Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins, Garden Lites has Veggie Muffins in the following flavors: Carrot Berry, Golden Corn, Veggie Blueberry Oat, and Zucchini Chocolate! So…I must try all the Veggie Muffins. Because these honestly did impress me. And I lasted all the way through my snack time. And that doesn’t always happen. Good quality food…great product…

I’m hooked. On muffins made with veggies and fruit.

Oh yeah…loving it!

Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins (cooked)