Oh yeah…Sweet Note Bakery is back with some brand new flavors in their online store…and this just means morning are bagelicous again. Bagelicious is a word, for the record. I used it in a sentence. HA!
The moment the announcement of the store carrying their new Online Exclusive flavor on Sweet Note Bakery’s social media sights, I was heading over there to make a purchase? Because…that is how much I love these bagels. No other gluten-free bagels live up to the amazing flavor, texture, taste, and size of these bagels. And I don’t mean bagels as big as your head, either.
If you have looked at past reviews of other Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels that I have written, you will know that they developed a gluten-free (and vegan) New York-style bagel for all of us to enjoy. There is no law that says you have to be on a gluten-free or vegan diet to want to devour these at each setting. My roommate is neither of those things, and she eats these faster than I do at times. Anyway, what sets the Crazy Bagelers at Sweet Note apart from the other gluten-free bagels on the market is that they are true to New York-style, creating a smaller, thicker, denser bagel. When toasted, it has this amazing crunchy crust and a chewy center. That’s bagel perfection. BAGEL PERFECTION. Other gluten-free bagels on the market are light as air, packed with chemicals, and gigantic. They aren’t as filling and they just don’t have that true bagel mouthfeel. This is where Sweet Note hits the sweet spot. Authentic bagels are made with real ingredients and in real size…not super-mega-jumbo. And I’m okay with that. I love a good authentic bagel…size, texture, feel…the whole carby package.
Those Crazy Bagel Ladies sure do make this former New York-er, who had to go gluten-free after a Celiac diagnosis 5 years ago, one happy girl. But I am not alone. There is an entire community…nationwide…of crazy bagelers who are also in love with ALL THE BAGELS!! Sweet Note has definitely hit a sweet note with those who are daring enough to try.
So, they have released a few new flavors…at a variety of times, these past few weeks. But the first of these was none other than…ONION!
Yes…the ever popular, Onion Bagel! The Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagel is amazing. Seriously. I prepared this as I normally do any Sweet Note Bagel. I pulled it out of the freezer this morning after a short run and a spin class and microwaved two bagels…one at a time…for 30 seconds. Then, flipped it over and hit it up for another 30 seconds. I then sliced each bagel in half and placed it on a baking sheet. You all know by now that I don’t own a toaster or a toaster oven, so I put these into the oven and left them in the mindful watch of my roommate while I went to shower off and get ready for work. About 15-20 minutes later, the amazing aroma of roasted onion wafted through the apartment and I was pulling the baking sheet out of the oven and making goo-goo eyes at the golden bagels that now awaited a schmear of some sort of topping.
Today…Daiya Vegan Cream Cheese.
Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagel with a schmear of Daiya Cream Cheese
It just made sense. And, technically…was all I had in my fridge for this bagel. Although…mashed avocado…ooooh…I know what I’m doing on Wednesday…
So, now properly schmeared with some cream cheese, I delivered one bagel to my roommate and went to pour myself some (very important) coffee before settling in with my own bagel while the news droned on over the presidential campaign and such nonsense. Ignoring the news, I turned my full attention to my bagel. My roommate had already devoured one of her halves…so I had a good feeling about this. I drew in a breath…inhaled that sweet onion smell…and took a bite.
OH YES! Layers (onions…layers…get it?) of flavor. Seriously. I thought that this bagel might have reached bagel perfection. You have that bitter/sweet/caramelized flavor of the bagels that sit atop the upper half of the bagel. You have this flavor penetrating all the way through the dough, the chewy center, the crisp crust…all of it…infused with this great, but not overpowering, onion flavor. The flakes of onion on the surface were a nice touch. I saw my roommate making sure she swiped up any bit of onion that might have fallen away from the bagel itself. Nothing goes to waste. That is the sign of a winner-winner-bagel dinner! If you’re an onion lover, these are sure to make you tear up (I did it again…onions…tears…HA! I’m punny!). With joy. Tear up with joy.
So, let’s discuss what goes into each Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagel, shall we? These bagels are made from: Love (yes, that is an ingredient!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, onion, and salt. As with all their bagels, the Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. Made with love, indeed!!
As for nutritional information for the Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagels…you’ll eat this up! They really do stack up to the competition. Since they are made with real ingredients, every bite of these bagels are better for you and your body. A serving size is 4.5 ounces (128 grams), or one (1) bagel. ONE FULL ONION-Y BAGEL! One bagel will serve you up 290 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 5 grams of protein. With the higher fiber and protein counts, these bagels will keep you feeling full all morning. Gotta love that!
Your search for the perfect bagel has come to an end. Sweet Note Bakery definitely has the top of the line bagels…and you would never guess that these are vegan and gluten-free…unless you were told or read their packaging. That being said, they really nail the bagel…and make it for everyone to love and enjoy. The new Sweet Note Gluten Free Onion Bagel packs a great onion flavor, but won’t overwhelm your palate either. Top these off however you like…and feast on them often. They would make the perfect vehicle for a burger or sandwich as well. So. Much. Love.
I urge you to check your local stores for Sweet Note Bagels as soon as you can. Their products are carried here at Whole Foods and in CVS stores. But their online exclusive flavors are NOT to be missed.
Me running toward the finish line of the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon (in the rain, but still smiling) – Louisville, KY
Race: Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon
Place: Louisville, Kentucky
Date: April 30, 2016
Time: 1:41:18
You know…the week and morning I had leading into the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon was one that pointed to not running it at all. On Monday morning, I had an unexpected Great Cat Chase with my neighbors cat, which I was catsitting while they were at the beach. I love this cat, but that morning I was running late to my spin class and she slipped outside and just took off. I ended up having to wake my roommate up to find her while I went to spin. Since she is not my cat, I felt horrible not having her back inside while I wasn’t home. She behaved the rest of the week though and we had good purr sessions. Tuesday…my coffeemaker died. MY COFFEEMAKER DIED!! Do you know what that means??!! It meant that I had NO caffeine fix that morning. And after hitting up the gym, I begged my roommate for some Starbucks. She came through, with a tall sugar free cafe misto with coconut milk for me. She saved the day. Then…on Thursday…my Garmin died. I woke up to it having a blank screen and not turning on. I went on my 4 mile run sans-Garmin running watch. I was feeling pretty hated by technology at that point. One of the race ambassadors, and a friend of mine, Melissa, said that she had purchased an extra Garmin watch and that I could have it if I wanted it. OMG…that was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me.
Anyway…that was leading up to race day. I went to the race expo on Thursday night, and one of the first people I see is sweet Melissa. I gave her a hug and we lamented about the weather. I joked about carrying shampoo and body wash with me so as I head into the finish, I could just lather up, wash down, and look and smell immaculate at the finish. After chatting and wishing each other luck, I went over to the table to pick up my race packet.
Picking up my race bib from the nice volunteers at the expo! This was supposed to be posed, but Cathy snapped it candid.
This was funny…kinda. I listed off my bib number (937A) to the lady at the table. She asked for my ID…which I had to fish out. Cathy was poised with her camera to take a picture, which the nice volunteer noticed. So she had a plan to pose and everything, but before we could carry out the plan, Ninja Cathy already snapped the photo. The lady asked if she was ready to take the shot and Cathy said, “I already did.” We all laughed a little. I happily took my bib and the big plastic bag of stuff (including a full box of Cold-Eez) and went to retrieve the garishly bright yellow race shirt. I love bright shirts. What I don’t love on this shirt is the actual design. I loved the map route on the medal this year, but it didn’t transfer well over to the screen print on the shirt. Ah well. It’s another race/running shirt to add to my already full closet. I’ll take it. After that, we walked through the various booths at the expo. I was on the hunt for a Garmin at this point…but no one had any. I did purchase some new Bondi Bands (YAY!) and got to see my friend Daniel working at one of the booths. He was handing out free magnet things and I went to get one and he said, “Except for you…you have to pay for yours.” I love my friends. I also ran into my physical therapist, Katie, who was working an Alter-G treadmill. AH. I want to get on one of these SO bad. Needless to say, she messaged me after the race on Saturday morning and said I should come into the office and try it out. I’m SO taking her up on that. We wrapped up the expo and headed home for a late dinner and to settle in before the craziness of Friday at the office.
My delicious Gluten Free & Vegan Veggie Pizza from Annie May’s Sweet Cafe
Friday night is the night before the race…so I pulled a Gluten Free & Vegan Veggie Pizza from Annie May’s Sweet Cafe out of my freezer. I don’t risk anything the night before a race. I knew I’d be fine eating this. And it was delicious and amazing. I rested that night, foam rolled, and went to bed around 9:30 p.m. I set an early alarm to get up and do all my PT exercises, my dynamic warm-up and to get an early start on my mileage.
I was scheduled for 16 miles this weekend. Which was one reason I signed up for the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon. Why not run 13 miles with people and get a medal at the end of it, right? That being said, I went out that morning before the race and ran a slow, steady 3 miles. I came back home, ate my breakfast and got dressed into some (unflattering) running shorts, a light singlet, and my compression sleeves and running socks (I went with the Injinji toe socks to help prevent any blistering should rain kick in as scheduled). I had debated wearing my favorite running shoes (my Newton Distance III) and opted to wear my Nike Free RN Distance shoes, which I have never worn over a 10K mileage, but I’d rather let rain destroy those than my Newtons. So…I figured this would be interesting regardless. That being said and done, I brushed my teeth gathered up my change of clothes for afterwards, got all the running gear out and ready to go…and headed out the door.
This is what a runner who is running late to a race looks like. I’m trying to walk and snap on my hydration belt.
No joke, my roommate and I were down the road at a stoplight and I went…”I forgot to put on my wings anklet my mom gave me.” So…this is a thing now. Ever since I’ve returned to running, when I race, this anklet has been around my ankle. My mom got it for me because she said, “You don’t run, baby, you fly.” So, when I was finally able to get back out there to run and race…this anklet has been kept on my ankle. I feel like it’s carrying my mom’s words with me on each run. So, yeah…we turned around and I dashed back inside and grabbed the anklet. Back off we went…and I clasped the anklet on and felt better about life. We got back down the road to the stop light and Cathy started cussing and went to turn around. I was like, “WHAT??!” And she said, “We forgot the most important thing for today…” I was so confused. “What?” She said…”YOUR RACE BIB.” Oh…my…God. I felt like such a newbie, LOL!! We turned around and went back to the apartment. I was now a mess because we were running way late, still had to cross the bridge, still had to park, and had to get to the corrals for the start. I was supposed to meet up with my dear friend, Deana, to run with her, so I was texting her and telling her I had to go back to my apartment a few times and was just NOW getting underway. UGH. I was planning on napping on the way to the race, but it was now 7 a.m., 30 minutes before the start, and I now had to eat my banana. I was a mess now…feeling very stressed and rushed. I do NOT like getting to a race in this state. The parking garage Cathy wanted to park in was not accessible as they had closed the road getting to it. So, now we’re driving in circles looking for a place to park. She finally found a place…and paid only $5 to park there. We were shocked the price was so cheap! We got parked…and she grabbed the poncho I loaned her (it’s my super nice lined one from the NYC Marathon) and we headed down the stairs to the start. I tossed my banana peel and started to walk swiftly toward the start line. I got there with only moments to spare. No joke. We took a quick picture in front of the start line, I shed the poncho (it wasn’t raining yet) and ducked into my corral. I was so stressed and upset that I wasn’t going to be able to find Deana…and just as I found a place to stand…the gun went off…and we were off and running.
The morning was humid, but I felt good as I crossed the start line. I saw Cathy and gave a wave as I headed out for the first mile. I was determined to just keep it comfortable because I wasn’t here to race this half marathon. I was here just to run it. I fell into pace and headed down the long stretch of Main Street. It was crowded but I didn’t have to do too much bobbing and weaving, which is always appreciated. I felt good and blasted through the first 2 miles, making an easy turn onto 20th street. The pace remained relaxed for me, and I felt like I was pushing a little, but not hard, which I figured was fine for a girl who already ran 3 miles before the race. The course was a little less populated by spectators due to the impending weather. It was nice to have the scattered people out clapping and cheering though. At least this is a beautiful city to run, right?
Me heading out for the start of the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon – Louisville, KY
I ran the full marathon back in 2014, pacing a friend of mine, and somehow forgot about much of this course. For some reason, I thought we ran through Churchill Downs around mile 6, so I was really looking forward to that. At Mile 6, I was heading down Magnolia Avenue and turning back onto 4th street. Churchill Downs was nowhere in sight. I was so confused!! But, I just kept going. I knew my running buddy, Tammy, said she was going to be out near Churchill Downs, so I kept an eye out for her…because I was certain it was coming up. Two miles later, I saw Tammy and made the turn to run into Churchill Downs. 8 miles down and now was one of my favorite parts of the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini Marathon…the lap through Churchill Downs. Down the tunnel and back up…and then it was time to run around the infield. Normally horses are out, but the weather was gearing up to start raining and none of the horses were out running or training. So, that was a bit of a bummer. Ah well…then…back out through a different tunnel…up…and out of Churchill Downs. Just up the way is the infamous split. Mini Marathon runners go left…and Marathon runners go right (and start making their way to the hills of Iroquois Park). I turned left this time…heading into the last 5 miles of the Mini Marathon. 9 miles down…and soon…came the rain.
I had been silently cussing the fact that I wore a hat (I hate wearing hats when I race) and my Nikes instead of my Newtons…until this point. The rain, at first, was a light drizzle. It actually felt good. It was around Mile 10 when my friend Dan came up beside me and said “Hi” to me. I asked how he was doing, and he said he was starting to hurt (he ran Boston), and I wished him luck as he pulled up ahead. With the new front of weather, the hip started to get tight and I was feeling it now. The rain picked up a little more as I made it to the 11th mile marker. Two more to go. That was my mantra. Just two more to go. The stretch of 3rd Street was lined with few spectators…up until we hit the downtown area. Around Mile 12…the crowds picked up. People were shouting encouragement. And I made the turn onto Market Street. I could hear the announcer at the finish line, so I knew I was getting close. But that small stretch before making the turn toward the finish line felt like it went on forever. But I finally made the turn and pushed it as much as my tired legs could manage to hit that finish line. I saw Cathy just before crossing and she was just screaming. I heard my name get announced and I threw up my arms in victory and was all smiles at the end. My friend Daniel, who headed up the training program I went out with every Saturday, was there and he came over to high five me. That was the best part of the finish, right there. That high five meant the world to me.
I kept moving through the chute, got my Mylar wrap and my medal. And then I continued on for some water. I got an official finish picture taken and then continued on toward the Family Reunion Area…where I spotted Cathy on the edge of the fence-line…just waiting for me. I came up to her and she gave me my official time. I took 2 minutes (somehow) off my NYC Half Marathon Time and actually turned in my 4th fastest half marathon. I was shocked. I passed off the snacks I snagged on the way to the meeting point and did a few leg swings to help loosen up the hip some. After that, I was ready to get out of my wet clothes, get some coffee, and grab some actual food. So we left and did just that.
16.17 miles done that day!! And 13.1 of them were done in racing conditions. I never really felt like I was racing though, which speaks highly of my fitness levels. Given that I had to take a forced year off, this makes me feel really good as I come back from this hip thing.
Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon…DONE! – Louisville, KY
So, the official results of the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon are that I finished in 1:41:18. I was 468/10,422 finishers overall. I was 95/6,209 female finishers. And I was 20/972 finishers in my division. I started this race under stress and a feeling more than a little flustered. I didn’t get to meet up with Deana as planned, but she and I texted pretty much most of the afternoon after she finished. We’re already making plans to train together for something bigger and better…and I couldn’t be more excited about this. My pace slowed at the end of this run, I think due to the weather and the fact that I ran ahead of the race. Next time, I’ll just count the race as my run. Regardless, this was my 17th half marathon I’ve run and my 4th fastest. Which…is super exciting given the challenges I have faced the past year. I am starting to not only regain confidence, but an easy, fast pace while racing too! I sort of needed this finish. I only wish I had felt stronger at the end of it.
I want to thank everyone who I met through the Norton Training Group (those who were race ambassadors, helping to run the group, and the runners themselves)!! I have some new running and, hopefully, lifelong friends who went through a rigorous training regimen and ran hills and did speed work and gave up their Saturday mornings just to train hard for this day. To everyone who finished…and to those who couldn’t…I am proud of all of you and am so happy to have met you.
Anyone else out there have to contend with stupid strong winds this week? I swear, it was strong winds all week. You know…those types of winds that, when you head out for a run, you are running into the wind…and when you turn around to come back…you are still running into the wind.
That being said, the cold temperatures have really wreaked havoc on my body. At least, I hope it’s the cold weather…hard to say when spring weather has all but disappeared…despite being mid-April-ish! UGH!
But that being said, there has been some amazing stuff going on this week for me too. Sometimes it might seem mundane, but, you know…simple things make me happy, and there is nothing wrong with that.
1. My new favorite piece of kitchen gear
This…is a cutting board. This is a cutting board made by my super speedy, awesome, super-talented friend and running buddy, Dennis!! How amazing is this?! I love it. I tried it out all this week, and it seriously makes me happy just to chop up my vegetables and fruits and tofu…and whatever else needed a happy bit of chopping.
Dennis, you’re super talented and I thank you so much for this gift. Seriously, my favorite thing in the kitchen.
2. Game of Thrones Okay, so, I don’t have cable. Nor do I have anything Apple that I could get HBO Go or whatever it was so I could watch Game of Thrones Season 5 while it was airing. This meant, I was dodging spoilers (and still am whenever an actor from the show starts trending). But, I purchased the Blu-Rays the other day, and have dived headlong into the season. I’ve gotten through half of the season so far and am eager to wrap it up. And then I need to figure out how to watch Season 6 as it airs…if possible. Shhh…no spoilers!
3. Cupcake of the Week
Annie May’s Sweet Café Cupcake of the Week – Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake (vanilla cupcake filled with strawberry jam and topped with vanilla frosting and a fresh strawberry)
I have never been a cupcake person, but lately, Annie May’s Sweet Cafe, has been putting out a new weekly special…CUPCAKE OF THE WEEK! And they always just sound so amazing. I think I’ve only missed out on 2 of the weeks (once because I got a cookie, and the other because they were sold out). But it has been my favorite thing to check out when I go in for Soft Pretzel Wednesday. It’s usually the dessert I split with my roomie that night. A nice mid-week treat for sure. Anyway, some of the standouts have been the “Unicorn Cupcake,” the “Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake” and the “Hot Fudge Sunday Cupcake.” I missed the Cookie Dough one so maybe they’ll bring that one back sometime. All allergen-free…and all have been totally yummy!!
4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Are you aware that the new Star Wars came out on Blu-Ray and DVD this week? I got the special edition at Walmart…because it had BB-8 on the cover. Dammit, I’m such a BB-8 fangirl. Regardless, I LOVED this movie. And I love the new characters. And I really love BB-8. So, yeah, I braved Walmart and bought the Blu-Ray this past week. I hear my Sphero BB-8 droid will react to the movie if I have him turned on and watching it when I am. So, yeah…that’s happening.
5. PB&J Breakfast Bowls Want to know what my latest obsession is? Parfait bowls. Now, I’m not new to breakfast parfaits, but this is a brand new, and SUPER good way to eat them. And I have the Chobani Cafe in SoHo, NYC, to thank for it. I eat this every morning after the gym. And this coming week, with me heading out of town, this is breakfast all week. Super easy to make:
1 cup yogurt (vegan, Greek, etc.)
1/4 cup grapes, sliced
2 tablespoons natural grape jelly
2 tablespoons peanut butter (I use NuttZo!!) #NuttZoAmbassador #NuttZoFanatic #NuttZoLove #NuttZo
1 tablespoon peanuts
Place yogurt in a bowl. Scatter grapes over yogurt. Place the grape jelly in the center. Place the peanut butter around the edge of the bowl. Top off with nuts. Enjoy!
I have done variations on this, using orange marmalade and either Smudge, Nutella, or the NuttZo chocolate versions. Also strawberry with the chocolate Smudge, Nutella, or NuttZo is also delicious. Want a healthy but delicious breakfast? Make this. You’ll thank me for it!
6. I HAVE A ROAD BIKE!! It finally happened. After years of talking about it. And over a year of trying to get one for myself, but always having medical bills (hello, MRIs) to cover instead…the perfect bike finally came into my life. Someone was selling their road bike that they hardly rode for a really good price. Way less than what the bike was originally purchased for. It had been sitting in her storage room. It came with all the gadgets and gizmos. And it is BB-8 colors, so it was truly meant to be. I’m taking it to get fitted properly for me so I don’t do any hip damage or get injured…and then…I’m road ready. FINALLY!! I love this bike. And, yes, I did name it BB-8.
How was your week? Has the wind in your area been crazy-strong and gusty too? What fun and exciting things do you have coming up? Buy anything fun this week?
One of the best parts about receiving a monthly subscription box is the products I never would have tried and/or heard of without it. After Cuisine Cube…I needed a change. So, I opted to get a subscription to Conscious Box, which has become Bestowed. I love my little monthly treats and this one is affordable, and often has a blend of samples and full-size products.
I received the April box a few days ago…
And I’ve already delved into it.
This morning, I was prepping for a 6 mile run, and per the instructions of my sports nutritionist, I needed to get some fuel in my body before heading out. So, I went to the pantry and pulled down a package of one of the products I received a full-size sample of. It is like a granola (and we all know I love granola) and from a company called WholeMe.
WholeMe was created in 2003 by Krista Steinbach and Mary Kosir, two women who were dedicated to developing nutrient-dense, delicious, convenient foods. Like so many of us, they were leading busy and chaotic lives. But one thing they both took into consideration was that food has power over everyone’s daily lives and they really wanted to make eating real food delicious and convenient. In early 2014, they launched a Kickstarter campaign and raised over $40,000 to begin WholeMe. Their products offer a real alternative to the preservative-filled, sugar-laden snacks that infiltrate the grocery store, and then inevitably…our pantries. They like to say, “Real food should have a limited shelf life. Remember, food is perishable. ours is. And that’s why the only preservative we use is the fridge.”
So, thanks to my Bestowed Box, I now was the owner of a package of one of WholeMe’s three variety of clusters. Their granola clusters are available in Almond Coconut, Lemon Berry Chia, and Cinnamon Banana Chip. As luck of the draw (or in this case…box) had it, I received the Cinnamon Banana Chip. And this morning…with 6 miles needed at 3:30 a.m…I needed to get some fuel before heading out. Without any extra sugars, I thought this might be a nice thing to munch on while I got dressed and ready to stretch and warm up.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but when I opened it up and reached inside, snagging a few crumbly clusters of the chocolate-y looking snack, I wasn’t expecting to see real banana chips scattered throughout the blend. I love banana chips. Always have. So, yeah, this made me so happy! The only real chocolate in this, by the way, is the smattering of cocoa nibs inside the mix. I figured to give it a go, and I popped the handful in my mouth…
…and was immediately hooked.
In fact, I went back for some more and then went and finished getting ready for my run. It’s sweet, without being overly sweet. It tastes mostly of banana. The cinnamon is nice for the flavor, but it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the product. In a word…these clusters are freakin’ amazing. Out of this world. And GOOD FOR YOU!! They are soft and have great texture. Especially if you get a bit with a banana chip in it. Yummy! The bits of chocolate add just enough sweetness to keep the flavor interesting. And everything inside these clusters…is made from real food. Real food! I love eating real food. With a blend of nuts, seeds, natural sweeteners, and an appropriate hit of salt, cinnamon, and maca…this snack blend is a real treat…no guilt.
It is perfect for…as the back of the bag reads:
“What’s in it for Me? The watch-what-I-eat Me. The work-out-addict Me. The grain-free Me. The paleo Me. The give-me-something-good-to-eat Me. The diabetic Me. The gluten-free Me. No matter which Me you happen to be, WholeMe is determined to provide genuine, delicious, convenient foods. Food that makes all of Me (you) happy.”
So, if it’s so good for you, let’s take a look at these natural and real ingredients that go into a package of WholeMe Cinnamon Banana Chip Clusters, shall we? This granola mix is made from banana chips (bananas, coconut oil), honey, pecans, coconut, almonds, dried bananas, coconut oil, sunflower seeds, pure maple syrup, cocoa nibs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and maca. This blend is grain-free, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, paleo, nutrient-dense, preservative-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. It is all natural goodness, for sure!
So, with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at the nutrition facts for the WholeMe Cinnamon Banana Chip Clusters. A serving size of the clusters is 1/3 cup (28 grams). There are 8 servings per package. A serving will serve you up 133 calories, 10 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 1 gram polyunsaturated fat, 2 grams monounsaturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 67 mg sodium, 11 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 2 grams protein. Not too bad for something that you can eat as cereal, by the handful, or as a topping to yogurt or ice cream. Seriously…options are endless.
I haven’t seen this in stores anywhere in my area, and it looks like it is mostly available in Minnesota (where WholeMe is based out of). That being said, there is an online store…which I will definitely be hitting up in the near future. With real food that is really good…why wouldn’t I? This is right in my wheelhouse…and definitely gave me adequate and perfect fueling for my run.
I come by it honestly. As I’ve stated before, I was raised in New York. New York is the birthplace of the bagel, I’m pretty certain. New York is the land of these carby rounds of delicious bread-y goodness. I have loved them for as long as I can remember being alive. And that’s a damn long time.
One of the hardest things for me when I was diagnosed with Celiac was to say goodbye to my bagels. Sure, there were plenty of gluten-free versions out there…but nothing like a classic New York bagel. Some were small like a doughnut. Some were light and fluffy. Some were just…wrong. All wrong. Some were close or came close…close enough at least in flavor. But what I truly missed was that dense, small round that was schmeared with some variety of cream cheese and devoured while on-the-go or at the table or wherever.
Yes…they found me. Through Twitter. And they told me I needed to try their bagels. I shrugged it off the first time, but they came back…and so…I decided to blindly place an order.
It was the best decision of my life.
Sweet Note began in 2012, when founder and president, Michelle MacDonald, stepped up to a challenge. She had been baking ever since she was a child and was very passionate about it. When her grandfather and sister were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she took the first steps on her entrepreneurial journey. Her family really missed a good New York Style bagel. (Hey…I can’t blame them…I know this feeling all too well). So with a lot of experimentation and trial and error, MacDonald perfected the recipe, getting huge approval from her family (also bagel lovers). Gluten-free bagels that taste good?! It was a reality. Sweet Note Bakery’s vision is to make gluten-free options more readily accessible. Those of us who live with Celiac understand how isolating this disease can be, when you can’t have a meal while out with friends and family, be it at a restaurant or a ballpark, or wherever your adventures take you. MacDonald wanted to change that…one gluten-free bagel at a time.
And today…until they release a new flavor or put that Gluten Free Rainbow Bagel up in their online store…I devoured the last of their four (4) new flavors they released earlier last month. Hey…new bagels means I get out my credit card and buy, buy, buy. With all that being said, I sense that it’s time to place a new order. I don’t like my freezer to be empty of these. It’s nice to have some on hand. So, the four flavors that they released were Tomato Basil, Garlic & Herbs, Salt and Garlic.
Today…was all about Garlic!
I grew up in a family of garlic lovers. Perhaps that’s why we always seem to carry mints with us. Like…all of us. HAHA! Anyway, if my mom was making garlic bread…it was butter and garlic for days. Just heaped on there. And we loved it that way. There is no such thing as too much garlic. So…garlic bagels…right up my alley.
I was both excited and sad to return from spin class this morning and pull the last package of bagels out of my freezer. Sweet Note…be forewarned…an order is coming your way. *cough* Anyway…
GARLIC!!
ALL THE GARLIC!! These bagels have a nice coating of garlic right on top of it, so be cautious of the bagels beneath the one you are removing…and be sure to leave some garlic on them. Mine pulled apart just fine, without stealing any of the garlic-y goodness. I used my current method for perfect defrosting in the microwave…30 seconds on one side, then flip it over for another 30 seconds. Let it sit for a moment and then slice in half. If you’re not into toasting (like a true New Yorker), then go ahead and schmear this bagel up with whatever goodness you like. If you are a true New Yorker (or not) but love a toasted bagel (like me!)…toast it up. If you have a toaster…go to town. If you, like me, don’t own a toaster, simply put these beauties on a baking sheet and into an oven heated to 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. Since my roomie was awake at this point, I went to shower while our breakfast was toasting up. By the time I was dressed and out of the bathroom…it was time to pull them out.
The apartment smelled SO GOOD!! I was practically drooling as I pulled the pan out of the oven and then schmeared some vegan cream cheese over the tops of each half. I served one bagel to my (gluten-eating) roommate and I took the other one. And grabbed coffee…because…I need to be human. HA!
Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels with a schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and Coffee!!
My roomie was already digging in, so I asked what she thought. She muttered something incoherent as she took another bite. So, I took that as a good thing. This was the flavor she had been waiting for…and somehow managed to save for last. I think she was beyond happy with it. And with that…I took a bite.
Oh…yes. Even with the nice coating of garlic on the top of the bagel, this does not overwhelm or overpower. It is a nice balance, especially with the dense bread of the bagel. This would totally make a great base for a bagel pizza…but it’s all about breakfast for me this time. And this…was heaven. I’m contemplating a bagel sammie with the other ones in the freezer…a nice fried egg on the inside…mmmm…
When I’m daydreaming about the next time I eat a product, you know it’s a winner. I loved the crispy crust and soft insides of this bagel. The bread is chewy and perfect, right at that perfect bagel consistancy. This isn’t your average gluten-free bagel. This feels and tastes just like a “normal” bagel…a “regular” bagel. You know…the kind you buy from a corner bagel shop in NYC. There are plenty to choose from. No other bagels on the market live up to that…and I don’t think any others will. Sweet Note Bakery has the magic touch…and the perfect recipe for the ultimate Garlic Bagel. I might have devoured this faster than I intended today.
Record time. The coffee had to wait.
One of the things that sets Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels apart from others on them market is the old-school style that these gluten-free bagels are produced in. They hit that traditional New York Style, not only in size, but in texture too! And, yes, I am 100% certain these are gluten free!! You wouldn’t believe it to taste it for yourself, but it’s on the packaging and a big part of the business. The authentic nature of all of the gluten-free bagels from Sweet Note Bakery is that they take you back to the classic 3-inch size of the traditional bagel. No mega-bagel here. You don’t need it. Instead of a 6-inch monstrosity, you’re chowing down on real, natural ingredients that will leave you feeling full and content. Trust me. And, with the way these are constructed, you get an amazing crispy outer crust and that warm, chewy middle that New York bagels are known for. Bagel perfection.
In this case…Garlic Bagel perfection. HA!
Let’s talk about what goes into Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made with love (yep…real ingredient!), white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, and salt. As always when it comes to Sweet Note’s bagels, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. Made with love, indeed!!
As far as the nutritional information goes, these bagels really do stack up to the competition. In fact, with real ingredients, it makes every bit of these even better for you. A serving size is 4.5 ounces (128 grams), or one bagel!! Yep…one full bagel. YAY! This one bagel will serve up 280 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 330 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams of protein. This bagel kept me full all morning, thanks to that high protein and fiber count. YES! Loving it.
If you have been hunting for the perfect gluten-free bagel…or just bagel…you need to turn your attention to Sweet Note Bakery. Their bagels (every single flavor…and I have tried them all) has been amazing. They all are packed with flavor, taste amazing, and give you a true texture and mouthfeel of an authentic bagel. Life is so good…thanks to Sweet Note. Don’t just read my blog though…try it for yourself. If your local natural food stores don’t carry Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels…hop over to their Web site and order from the shop. Keep in mind that the Garlic Bagels, as well as the Garlic and Herb, and the Salt are online exclusive…so get them while you can.
Okay, let me start off this blog by saying…I do not like frosting. Well, I do, but in minimal amounts. In other words…usually…not at all. In fact, growing up, whenever birthdays happened in my family, my mom served me cake without the frosting…and gave my sister the frosting…because she didn’t want cake…she just wanted the frosting.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve either scraped off the frosting or just grin and bear it, making sure I have more cake on the fork than frosting. It’s a precise ratio. Trust me.
SCIENCE!
So, you might ask…what the HELL am I doing buying a frosting product??!!
You’d be totally in the right for inquiring, to be honest. With that kind of lead-in and a full product review for…FROSTING…pending…it’s a natural question to ask. The answer…I heard about Dollop Gourmet through Instagram…the pictures always looked so good, so I began following them…and my roommate was drunk when I went grocery shopping and spotted the jar on the shelf (first time seeing the product in the grocery store wild) and I get whatever I want when my roomie is tipsy and grocery shopping with me. So…gourmet frosting it was.
I’m a social media compulsive buyer. I can’t help myself.
Before I go much further, if you are unfamiliar with Dollop Gourmet…let’s change that. Dollop Gourmet All Natural Frosting was started by Heather Saffer, winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, and author of The Dollop Book of Frosting. She found herself regularly buying these amazing cookies from a little local bakery near the car dealership where she worked, but they were topped with “the most dreadful frosting.” Saffer is passionate about frosting, always fighting for a corner piece of the cake…and it was this artificial frosting at this little bakery that set Saffer on her new mission – to reinvent frosting (and life).
Saffer taught herself how to bake and opened up the first Cupcake Bar in her hometown of Rochester, NY. Dollop Gourmet Cupcake Creations became an award winning interactive bakery. In 2012, she took her cupcakes and frosting to Food Network, competing and winning the hit TV show, Cupcake Wars. As you can imagine, business boomed at Dollop Gourmet Cupcake Creations. But then, one day, Saffer realized that she wasn’t having fun anymore, so she sold her stores and began to focus on the part of the cupcake that she truly loved – the frosting. She wrote her first frosting cookbook and then set ou tto create a mindful product that would inspire unique and honest experiences, and to be living proof that you can turn nothing into something. In other words, proof that frosting isn’t just for cake and that you can pretty much spread some frosting love on just about anything. Saffer makes sure that Dollop Gourmet All Natural Frostings are made with premium ingredients, and all five (5) of the available flavors are gluten-free, non-GMO, and 100% junk-free. Gluten-free and vegan frosting that you can literally eat with a spoon, scoop up with pretzels, schmear on a bagel…or just top off those baked goods…I think she’s onto something.
So, with a tipsy roommate ready to spend money on whatever I point out, and my delightful shrieks that I have finally found Dollop Gourmet in stores (because…I have been stalking them on Instagram and I need it in my life now), I grabbed a jar (yes…a jar) of it off the shelf to bring home with me. Meijer, the store that made my night by carrying this product, only had 2 flavors, so I went with the most obvious one…Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. Everyone knows, when it comes to me, if it involves peanut butter…it’s going to win. And with that…it found a home in my pantry.
Fast forward to this morning. I’m rushing around, trying to get things prepared for when I get home from spin class, while trying to eat some fruit and yogurt and get out the door to get to spin class…obviously…I need to reevaluate my life choices at times (like not crawling back into bed for that 1 minute that turns into 30, HAHA!)…and realizing I didn’t have any more of the yogurt for a recipe I intended to finally make for breakfast when I got home. I was eating it…with my strawberries and granola. Because…this is my life. I knew I had jam, which was part of the recipe, but that yogurt…what to do?
After getting to spin with only 5 minutes to spare and sweating it out on the bike…I had one of those “A-HA” moments! I recalled the jar of Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough frosting in my pantry and figured…that should be tasty with my Downton Abbey Christmas Preserves and the Irish Soda Bread in a Mug (the recipe I was going to cook up…in the microwave). So…there it was. Inspiration at 5:30 a.m. And by 7 a.m…frosting with breakfast. Hey…it works on toaster pastries and cinnamon rolls, why not bread from a mug?
It took about 2 minutes to get the mixture of oats (that I turned into flour), sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and other goodies needed to make the bread ready, to cook up to a perfect consistency in the mugs in the microwave. But when they got there, they were turned out of the mug and onto a plate, where I ladled some of the fruit preserves on top, then followed it up with a ginormous scoop of Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Frosting, and then more of the preserves. It looked fantastic, I won’t lie. I couldn’t wait to try it out.
I delivered one to my roomie and I took up the other one. She was already digging in by the time I got seated, as I had to pour my coffee and take pictures for the blog, you know? Priorities. But when I dug in…oh yeah!! GOOD!
So…here’s the deal. Dollop Gourmet All Natural Frosting is just that…amazing, sugary, delicious frosting. And how does someone who doesn’t like frosting like it? Well…for frosting, it’s pretty damn good. I took a little bit of it on its own to try, and yeah…it’s sweet and sugary and everything I don’t like about frosting, but I wasn’t offended by this at all. Would I eat it straight out of the jar…no. Would my roommate…yes. But she’s a frosting freak (she’s frosting freaky)…and that would totally be her thing. With all of that being said…let me tell you more about the Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Frosting. It tastes…like sugary sweet peanut butter cookie dough. No false advertising there. What it is…is what it is. And while I’m a definite lover of peanut butter, this was almost too sweet for me. But…it’s not peanut butter…it’s peanut butter frosting. HA!! This would be fantastic sandwiched between cookes, stuffed into cupcakes, topping off brownies, as a dip for apples, pretzels, etc. It is a fresh palate, anyway you choose to consume it. Topping off an Irish Soda Bread (made GF) that I cooked up in a mug, pairing it with a sweet plumb jam…it was like the ultimate breakfast PB&J on raisin bread. Everything worked together, and that was the magic. Also, as the bread was hot from the mug, the dollop of Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cooke Dough Frosting that I put on top…melted…like peanut butter…and was a delight to sponge up with the bread and jam.
Irish Soda Bread in a Mug (and then out of a mug) topped with Downton Abbey Christmas Preserves and Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough FrostingThis frosting didn’t change my life…but it did make me more aware of how frosting, when done right, can do magical things to simple recipes. Forget yogurt on this one…frosting!! It made for a nice Friday breakfast treat for sure.
Let’s discuss what ingredients go into the Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough frosting, shall we? This product is made from organic, sustainably-sourced palm shortening, powdered organic cane sugar, peanut butter (peanuts, cane sugar, palm fruit oil, salt), brown sugar (sugar, molasses), vanilla extract, salt, rice bran extract, and natural flavors. This product is 100% gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, and has half the sugar of regular frosting (but is still sweet!)
As for nutritional information, well…it is frosting, so keep that in mind, HA! A serving of the Dollop Gourmet All Natural Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Frosting is 2 tablespoons (24 grams) an there are about 14 servings per jar. A serving will dish up 150 calories, 12 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 35 mg sodium, 10 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein.
If you love frosting, or are just looking for something new to dress up your baked goods, breakfast, or snacks…you should truly try Dollop Gourmet All Natural Frosting. I did enjoy this, even though I’m not big on frosting. It wasn’t bad at all. It did taste, dead up, like cookie dough, so there is that. We all know I’m a cookie monster…so offering a frosting that tastes like two of my favorite worldly things…peanut butter…and cookies…a definite win!
Dollop Gourmet All Natural Frosting is available in these flavors: Madagascar Vanilla, Hot Chocolate, Firebomb Cinnamon Spice, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, and Sea Salted Caramel. If you can’t find them at any local stores, you can seek them out online here!
Love frosting or just have a passing acquaintance with it…you’ll find a reason to love Dollop Gourmet! That was unexpected.
Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels – $7.25
It was just over a year ago when I was in NYC, not able to run the New York City Half Marathon, and hurting pretty much with every step I took. I was bummed, but I was going to enjoy my trip regardless. And that meant hitting up all the gluten-free bakeries I could manage in the weekend.
Believe it or not, one of the first places I made it to was Jennifer’s Way Bakery, which is owned and operated by Jennifer Esposito. She makes bagels there. And the morning that my roommate and I wandered in, we were hoping there would be bagels. None were currently out, but they had just opened. And when we inquired…we were told they were in the oven and if we didn’t mind waiting 10 minutes, she’d have them out to us (not Esposito, but the nice lady working the counter, LOL!).
Of course I was willing to wait for a fresh bagel. They had a few options as far as flavors went. My roommate got the Garlic Bagel and I went with the Salt. Because I wasn’t feeling plain or anything else that day. We waited and they were brought out to us. Not your standard fat and fluffy, dense bagels…but more like the way mine turn out when I make them from hand. A little flat and really impossible to cut in half. Regardless…the Gluten Free Salt Bagel was amazing and delicious. And I don’t think I blogged on it…because I can’t seem to find it anywhere…
Anyway…it was my first ever Salt Bagel…and I loved it. I’m usually more of a sweet person (hence why Cinnamon Raisin is often my favorite thing when it comes to bagels) but this was a nice change of pace.
SO…you can only imagine my glee when Sweet Note Bakery announced that they were releasing four (4) new flavors. I ordered all of them right away. And I’ve already given my thoughts on the Garlic & Herb and the Tomato Basil varieties. Well, my friends…we have come to the Salt variety now!
Do you remember what an amazing soft pretzel tastes like. All dense and chewy and salty and amazing, yes? Well…that’s pretty much what a Salt Bagel is. And Sweet Note is doing it absolutely perfectly.
Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel with a Schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (and coffee).
Prepping one of Sweet Note Bakery’s amazing New York-style bagels is super easy. Always keep this precious cargo frozen. Do not thaw it to room temperature. They advise against it. I advise against it. Just simply pull from freezer, place in microwave for 1 minute (I go 3o seconds on one side, and then flip it over for 30 seconds on the other side), and then cut in half. A true New Yorker would stop there…because real New Yorkers don’t eat bagels toasted. I am a real New Yorker, but I prefer to toast my bagel, thank you very much! As you know by now, I do not own a toaster anymore. I toast everything in my oven. So I preheated the oven to 350°F and popped the bagels in this morning. I had just gotten in from my first (of 2) spin classes for the day, so I went and hopped in the shower while the bagels lightly toasted. When I returned to the kitchen, they were ready for a schmear of…something. Today, I opted for the Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese that was hanging out on the shelf of my fridge.
I served one to my roomie…and I took care of the other one. And by take care, I mean I settled in, bagel in one hand, coffee in the other, morning news on TV, and began to take my first bite.
YES! Nailed it!! The outside of the bagel, when toasted, gets slightly crispy, but that center remains all doughy and dense and chewy and…awesome. But with the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel…you also get the added bonus of a hit of salt. Or, as their Web site says, an “a-salt on your taste buds.” Puns are funny. Bagels are delicious. There you have it. If you love a little kick of salt with each bite, or if you are a fan of soft pretzels…then this bagel variety is for you. 100% guarantee that you will be hooked from the first bite. My roommate wasn’t too sure about these, wanting to go right to the Garlic (which she has been eager to try)…but I had my heart set on Salt. And I’m glad we went that way. It’s the best of the breakfast and snack worlds…combined into one sweet, or in this case, salty bite. A good schmear of anything, really…be it nut butter or chocolate, or butter, or jelly, or frosting…or even cream cheese (vegan or not)…works with this sort of a flavor. You want salty and sweet…Nutella or Smudge or some chocolate nut spread. Oh yeah…now we’re talking. Or, keep it real and simple with cream cheese. With the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel…you have an open canvas and plenty of options.
But trust me…you’ll hoover this down like it’s going out of style.
So, let’s talk about what ingredients the crazy bagelers at Sweet Note put into their Gluten Free Salt Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made with love (yep…that’s a listed ingredient!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, yeast, and salt. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Pretzels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan & Gluten Free bagels are now ready to be delivered right to your doorstep! And when it comes to the Salt variety of the Sweet Note bagels…you can only get them online.
As far as nutritional information goes, you’ll want to eat these up. A serving size of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels is one (1) bagel (4.5 ounces (128 grams)), and there are four (4) bagels per pack. This serving will provide you with 300 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 530 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams protein. With the high fiber and protein, you’ll feel full and satisfied long after your bagel is gone.
Real ingredients, amazing nutritional facts, amazing bagels. Happiness is round and salty and gluten-free. Trust me, you’ll love to love Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels.
But, as I mentioned, these are on online exclusive, so if you want to try them out yourself, head over to their online store and place an order!
You won’t regret it. Order one of everything while you’re at it. You’ll thank me later!
Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cream Cheeze
Product: Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze – $7.99+
Not surprisingly, one of the things I miss the most is real…actual…cheese. My lactose intolerance has not only gotten worse over the past year, but it makes indulging in things like cheese…virtually impossible anymore. The same goes for ice cream, but, I sometimes try and pray that the lactase enzyme supplements help (sometimes they do…more often than not…they don’t). But cheese and I don’t really get along at all these days.
Which sucks.
Mightily.
But then…by magical happenstance (perhaps rainbow unicorn pixie dust)…one day while “just browsing” at Whole Foods, I stumbled upon Heidi Ho Organics, which was apparently featured on Shark Tank and has really made a name for itself in the vegan cheese market. I figure there must be a vegan cheese markets. Vegans love cheese too…they just don’t eat it. But, obviously, they want to…because vegan cheese is made. And consumed. A lot.
Heidi Ho was created by Heidi K. Lovig, a fanatic about farm-to-table dining, sustainability, seasonal menus, and buying local. This vegan chef honed in on her skills during her time living on the Big Island of Hawaii in a sustainable community where she managed an eco hostel and farm. She trained with vegans and raw foodies from around the world, thus developing a deeper connection to the ingredients she uses in her cooking. Lovig moved to Portland a few years ago and began training at Le Cordon Bleu to obtain her degree in Culinary Arts. With a focus on local, organic, and sustainable practices, she turned her attention to the environmental issues humans have created due to food supply structures and our current system of distribution. At her side is Lyssa M. Story, “the Boss” at Heidi Ho. She runs the show and is the brains behind every facet of its operations. From HR to business plans and projections, to law, licensing, accounting, banking, money, organization, and keeping Chef Heidi on track. Story has an extensive background in the food and beverage industry, and attended the Western Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu, where she received an Associates degree in Occupational Studies – Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Story was raised on the standard American diet, which, over time, jeopardized her health. At the age of 22, she began a plant based and whole foods diet.
So, these two ladies set out to create delicious plant-based cheezes using ingredients that are healthier for their consumers…as well as the planet. Hedi Ho is the future of cheese – aiming to be the cheese that creates change. They take great pride in the values they uphold in their company and products. They sell cheeze that is superior in flavor and quality over the rest on the market.
Guess what…they succeed. The introduction of this plant-based comfort food is a game changer for vegans out there. They say on their Web site that their Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is “a delicious live culture cashew cheeze made from simple plant-based ingredients. It’s like goat cheese without the goat.” In fact, Ne Chevre means “No Goat” in French. So…that’s really straight forward. HAHA!
Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze on a Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagel
The Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Cultures Cashew Cheese is a fantastic spreadable cheese that would be perfect for crackers, or sprinkled over salads, or even just spread across a savory gluten-free bagel (which is what I did with it! Oh, and then later did it again, topping it with marinara and dried basil for bagel pizzas…oh yeah!). Who needs vegan cream cheese when you can spread a non-goat goat cheese over something packed with tomato and basil flavors, right? A great product to pair with white wines, grapes, walnuts and spicy jams, this is a versatile and crazy-good spread. I loved the texture (creamy, not gritty) and the wow-power of the flavor (not as strong as goat cheese, but bringing this powerful flavor that mimics goat cheese). Seriously, this would be good in just about anything. Maybe even subbing it for ricotta cheese in lasagnas or such. I know, for me, it upped my bagel game to 11. Heidi Ho Organics may have created the Spinal Tap of vegan cheese here. I honestly loved the sharp, tangy and creamy mouthfeel that came with each bite of this cheese. It had a bit of a salty flavor, but it didn’t distract from the flavor of the cheese itself. Beyond impressed!! No surprise though, as I fell in love first with the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Lava Cheeze (which I thought I reviewed, but didn’t), and the Heidi Ho Organics Creamy Chia Cheeze Sauce and the Spicy Chia Cheeze Sauce (also didn’t review that one…what is wrong with me??!)
So…now that I’ve went on and on and on with how (honestly) fantastic the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is…let’s take a look at what makes it that way. I absolutely adore an ingredient list that has ingredients that I, not only recognize, but also can pronounce. The Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is made from organic cashews, water, sea salt, organic lemon, live cultures, nutritional yeast, and citric acid. All Heidi Ho vegan cheeses are organic, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, low in sodium, and low in fat (although they taste like they are SO fattening…so you gotta love that little added bonus!).
Speaking of which, how about these nutritional facts?! A serving of the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is 1 ounce (28 grams…or about 1 tablespoon). This serving will provide you with 80 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 4 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 3 grams of protein.
I have now tried (but apparently need to blog about two of them) the four (4) versions of Heidi Ho Organics products that my Whole Foods currently carries. And I am absolutely enamored with them. They are a bit pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Heidi Ho Organics definitely delivers a delicious, amazing, and high quality product. I’m beyond impressed.
I just got home from New York City. When you’re in New York, you eat bagels. It’s what you do. Fortunately for me, there are a lot of places that offer gluten-free bagels throughout the city. Most of the bagel shops use a store brand version (like the one I went to…Tompkins Square Bagels), but at least I got to indulge. BTW…if you go to Tompkins Square Bagels, they have a variety of tofu cream cheeses (for people like me who don’t handle dairy well), which makes the bagel experience that much more authentic. For the record, I got a plain gluten free bagel there which I had them load up with the tofu veggie cream cheese. It was mighty good.
But…you can tell when a bagel is a store brand.
Tompkins Square Bagels could really benefit from picking up bagels from a company that does New York-style bagels right!
You want to talk about an appropriate bagel…you look to these ladies (and gentleman).
What’s even more exciting is that Sweet Note has expanded their flavor profile on their bagels. While they are getting rid of the Sesame Bagels (due to allergen concerns with sesame seeds now), they have added 4 new varieties to their already sought-after, highly delicious, amazing bagel lineup.
I think I have stumbled upon my new favorite from their latest creations. Seriously…i should have ordered 10 packs of these…
While I have already reviewed their new Garlic & Herb Bagels a few weeks ago…today I stepped it up, reached into my freezer, and delivered to my oven the epitome of every gluten-free bagel out there. Seriously…no comparison…nothing could live up to the flavors, texture, and sheer awesomeness of every bite of the brand new…
…wait for it…
SWEET NOTE GLUTEN FREE TOMATO BASIL BAGEL!!!!!!
Before I begin to wax rhapsodic about this bagel…let’s start with the basics. Keep these frozen . Do NOT thaw them out to room temperature ahead of time. It’s on the instructions on the packaging and in the box they arrive in. Do not ever think you know best. Simply place in the microwave for a minute to begin to thaw bagel from frozen. I have found that if I start with 30 seconds, then completely flip the bagel over for the remaining 30, they thaw out evenly and perfectly. If you eat a bagel in true New York fashion…stop here. If you, like me (despite being a New Yorker), like to toast up that bagel a wee bit…then stick it in your toaster (or if you, like me, do not own a toaster, get that oven going at 350°F and place on a baking sheet…toasting for about 15-20 minutes or less). My roommate was awake at this point, so I let them toast lightly while I went to shower, since I had just returned from my Friday morning spin class.
Timing is everything…and that just seems to be the perfect toasting time for these bagels for me. I don’t get them to the crispy on the inside point, but do get a nice, light, golden color to them. My apartment smelled frickin’ awesome this morning while these were working.
Since Tomato Basil is a bit more of a savory flavor, I opted for something different than your standard cream cheese. Because…why do anything normally? This was a brand new, exciting, culinary adventure. LIVE IT UP! I had a container of Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze. I used that! I’ll review Heidi Ho in a little while..but this is some of the best plant-based cheese I have ever had!! Goat cheese without the goat!! OH HELL YES!! On a tomato basil bagel…now I’m just out of control!! Somebody stop me!!
Or don’t…because…
HOLY GARDEN OF EATING!! Let me just say…the Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels are like eating a pizza first thing in the morning. It’s a bagel..that tastes like pizza. In fact, if I wanted to make bagel pizzas like I used to…this bagel would be the ideal base. No joke…packed…just loaded…overloaded…full of flavors. It has this rich tomato flavor to it, but the herb-y nature of the basil keeps the flavor profile balanced and just…awesome. Yep. Awesome is now a flavor profile descriptor. There are no other words to describe how life changing just one bite of this bagel was. If you are into savory flavors…THIS bagel will blow your culinary mind! Your taste buds will applaud each and every bite you take…whether you savor it (I tried…I tried…) or mow it down on the go (I might have power ate mine…a little…). If you’re a pizza freak (she’s a pizza freak…pizza freak…so hot and cheesy)…like I am…this bagel is calling your name. Loud and proud, my friends. I am in total and absolute love and now needing to go and buy at least 5 more packs of these. I will not rest until my freezer is properly stocked. Just…WOW!! Wow-factor…off the scale…off the chart…OFF THE CHAIN!!! Pairing it with a more “cheezy” spread was a wise decision I think too. While regular cream cheese would work just fine…this…highly complimented every bite. It was…virtually…pizza for breakfast. Just like when I was in college…ah…those good ol’ days.
Gluten Free and Vegan Pizza Bagels made with Sweet Note Bakery Gluten Free Tomato Herb Bagels
And…if that wasn’t enough, I went back for more. YES…MORE!! I came home from work and toasted up another round of these bagels. This time, along with the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Cheeze, I topped it with marinara and some dried basil…making bagel pizzas for dinner. And they were BEYOND fantastic. They were superbagelfragalisticexpizzalidocious! Blew me away. Pizza bagels…now that really did bring back some memories, LOL!! You’d think I was carb loading or something. But I’m not. I’m just LOVING these bagels.
If I don’t have your attention yet…then you’re not reading a thing I’ve written. But in case you need a little more…let’s talk about all the good things that go into the Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels, shall we? Real ingredients for starters. And it all starts with…LOVE. Yes…that’s an actual listed ingredient. Everything that makes these amazing New York-style, gluten-free bagels is listed here: Love, water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, salt, tomato paste, and basil. Nothing fake or processed…just high quality, real products to make a high-quality real product. Eating a clean breakfast just got so much tastier. Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan & Gluten Free bagels are now ready to be delivered right to your doorstep!
As far as nutrition goes, I LOVE that these bagels keep calories and fat in check. Honestly! A serving size is one (1) full bagel (not a half a bagel, but a full)…which is about 4.5 ounces (or 128 grams) of bagel-y goodness. Each pack of bagels comes with four (4) bagels inside. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagel will deliver unto you…290 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 5 grams of protein. We are talking about the ultimate powerhouse of nutrients in a delicious carby package. Mmmm…carbs. With the high fiber and protein, you’ll feel full and satisfied long after your bagel is gone.
This flavor is not an online exclusive, but in case your local stores don’t carry Sweet Note Bagels or have yet to get their hands on the new flavor…you can order this (and go overboard, for real!) in their ONLINE STORE!
There is nothing better than taking your first bite of breakfast and being blown away by the intense, amazing flavors that touch your palate. This was the ideal way to start my Friday. Definitely sets the standard for the rest of what I consume today…which is in no way as interesting as my breakfast. For real. I mean, a gluten-free peanut butter & jelly sammie just isn’t the same as a gluten-free tomato basil bagel with a schmear of ne chevre cheeze. When you hear the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day…believe it…and make it epic.
Sweet Note Bagels will definitely take you above and beyond that epic level. Don’t wait any longer if you haven’t tried these yet. DO IT!!
Me after finishing the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
Race: United Airlines NYC Half Marathon
Place: New York, New York
Date: March 20, 2016
Time: 1:43:53
When I go into a race without any expectations or goals…I seem to do better than anticipated. While I had a semi-goal of being able to do my first half marathon distance after injury (for a year) in sub-2 hours, I wasn’t going to be too hard on myself if it didn’t happen.
Especially since the weather changed drastically the week of the race.
The weekend before the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon…the weather was gorgeous. Not just in Louisville (where I ran my first official race back…the Rodes City Run 10K), but up in New York too. I was hoping it would hold. I do better in nicer temperatures. But as the week went on…the gorgeous weather started to go away.
NOOOOOO!!
For much of the week, the forecast was calling for rain…cold…wind. Then snow…cold…wind. And then, on Friday night, it changed to just really flippin cold and really flippin’ windy.
UGH!! Now I was in a crisis. I had my outfit planned out for weeks…but the 30 degree temps and the strong winds (and the wind chill it would bring), meant I needed to reevaluate my wardrobe. With much reluctance, the running skirt went back into the closet and a pair of my (albeit bright) compression tights came out. Any of you who regularly read my running blog know…I…HATE…PANTS. So this frustrated me. I also packed a big turtleneck lined top and a windbreaker…and at the last minute, just before walking out the door early Saturday…I tossed in a long sleeve shirt…just in case, because I never ran in a windbreaker and I was nervous it would annoy me or just not work out…in which case, I’d rather brace against the cold in layers than anything.
So, Saturday morning was an early morning for me. I was up at 2 am to do all my physical therapy exercises. The stretches, the dynamic stuff outside, the plyometrics. I knew once I touched down in NYC…I was on the move…and these stretches were more important than anything else.
I admit, a little voice in my head said, “Go on…go do an easy mile or two for a shakeout before getting on the plane.” But, as tempting as it was, I quieted that voice. I knew I’d be on the go both at the airports and once I touched down in the city, the shakeout wasn’t important, and I didn’t need to do it. I’d be doing ample time on my feet just moving about NYC.
See what I have learned??!!
So, we (my roommate and I) walked out the door right at 5 am (giving us time to get a light breakfast in our stomachs and (SO VERY MUCH NEEDED) coffee into our system. We got to the Louisville airport in record time…parked…had to take a roundabout way to the Southwest Airlines counter due to renovations that are going on, and which I hope they finish up before Derby, or that airport is going to be a mess. Security was quick, although I ended up being randomly chosen for the hand swab, and my laptop (as always) had to be examined more closely…but it was quick, painless, and we were off and heading to our gate (which was behind a bunch of renovation boards). Like I said, the airport was sort of a mess.
Deciding that we weren’t ready to settle in yet, we took a little walk, as usual, through the airport crowds, and Cathy and I grabbed a Cool Lime Refresher at Starbucks (and she got a breakfast sammie as well) and we went back to the gate. I downed one of the new LUNA Bars (the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond, which has only 5 grams of sugar and tasted like an amazing caffe mocha) and then…it was time to board. We were at the end of the A group…so it worked out perfectly.
Our flight had a small layover at Chicago Midway before we went on to NYC. So, we took the time to stretch our legs and walk the terminal. I was really craving something sweet, so we went on the “Great Fruit Cup Hunt of Midway,” finding that everywhere that normally had fruit cups were sold out. With 5 minutes to boarding, we finally found something at one of the food court restaurants. It was a large fruit cup with honeydew melon, pineapple, grapes and strawberries in it. I carried it onto our flight into Laguardia Airport and ate it while still sitting on the runway.
The flight into Laguardia was uneventful, save for the funny flight crew. The lead flight
Me with the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon logo – New York, New York
attendant was in her 50s and just…SO funny. Love that. It also helps calm my nerves when the flight crew is loosey-goosey like that. I was drinking my water to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and we landed in Laguardia early. Taxied to the jetway…disembarked…and went to baggage claim. My bag was the 2nd one off the belt. Cathy’s wasn’t too far behind. With bags in hand, we called the hired car company and they had a car out to fetch us in about 5 or so minutes. Luggage went into the trunk and we were now on our way into Manhattan…staying at a different hotel this time (which was totally our fault because we originally had the race pegged for the weekend before this one and it wasn’t until about a month before that I realized the date of the race was for the week after…in my defense, it ran a week earlier last year!)…but the traffic situation wasn’t bad and our driver was really aggressive once he got into the city blocks, LOL! We were dropped off at the door of The Distrikt Hotel on W 40th Street and went to check in.
We were much earlier than anticipated, so our room wasn’t ready yet. We did go ahead and leave our bags and went to go buy a Metrocard and take the subway to get to the United Airlines NYC Half Experience (the expo), which was taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion. We headed into the Expo, which was a madhouse! Seriously…at some points, I felt like salmon swimming upstream. I had the registration sheet with me so I went over to where my numbers were to pick up my bib. From there, it was through the store and over to get my official bag with my t-shirt and stuff in it. I haven’t really looked through what else was in there. I made one circuit of the expo before returning to the official store. There was a great t-shirt in there, pink and purple, that I had my eye on. But, to no surprise, my size was gone. Disappointing for sure. Ah well. Except, Cathy and I realized almost all official merchandise for women had nothing left in small. Now I remember why I order things online ahead of this. She did manage to find me an official finisher’s t-shirt and I grabbed a Sparkly Soul headband that had the event name on it. Purchases made. Back into the expo.
I actually thought there would be more vendors there and more to see and lots more places to shop. But, for the best, there wasn’t. I walked through the line of charities…I got in line to have my picture taken in front of the logo…Cathy made a couple signs (which never got used due to the 21 mph gusts of wind on race morning)…and we settled in for a moment at a table where I could charge my phone and we could catch our breath.
Me and my awesome friend Ellen at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon Experience
My friend, Ellen, who got in on lottery this year (I deferred last year so had automatic entry…except I had to repay the $127 registration fee), turned up to meet up with me, and brought me a nice salad to boot. YAY for friends. YAY for food! We discussed what we were planning on wearing, food, and…all the crazy shit (hehehe…get it Ellen?) that runners rely on and need to have happen prior to a run. It was fun. I even did a Snapchat video for her giving a running tip. She calls me her inspiration…but I think she’s mine. She needed to get back to the charity event she was attending, and I needed to get back to the hotel to get into the room. The travel capris I was wearing weren’t very warm against the already chilly wind of NYC. So, we returned to the hotel, got our room, gathered our bags, and went upstairs. We flopped for a moment before changing into jeans and heading back out…this time just to explore. We didn’t want to stop in for dinner until at least 5 p.m. So, we had a couple of hours to just explore. That’s what we did, too.
With no plan, we just wandered through some of the area, stopping into shops that drew our attention. We went and got our chocolate from Teuscher (I got a mini champagne, dark mocha, and dark salted caramel…and Cathy got a limoncello, almond, and chocolate orange truffle), which is a requirement, and ducked into the Hard Rock Café for a shotglass and a pin. Back out and seeing the city until we decided to hike over to our pre-race dinner spot of choice, Don Antonio by Starita on W 50th Street. They have a fantastic gluten-free pizza menu, and while they have a couple of GF and Vegan options, I stuck with the one I knew I loved and wouldn’t give me too much. The Marinara Pizza Senza Glutine. OMG…this is my 2nd favorite gluten-free pizza crust in the world (the first being Annie May’s Sweet Café). I love when there is a real and actual crust on a gluten-free pizza, and not just a cracker crust. We devoured dinner and then hiked back to the hotel to cycle through showers, giving me time to foam roll, and to eat some chocolate. HA! It was an early to bed night…and by 9 pm…we were turning out the lights.
I set the alarm on my phone for the first one to wake me up at 4 a.m. It went off and I got up to use the bathroom, take my medicine, and then crawled back into bed for another 50 minutes. The second alarm was the 5 a.m. one, and I got up and started to get changed into my running gear for the race. Cathy was up at 5:15 to get dressed and ready. And while I felt good all day prior to this morning, I felt tired, but in good shape for the actual race. I was not happy that I had to wear pants to run a half marathon, but the windchill was a factor and I under-dressed once before for a full and have been nervous about doing that again ever since (hypothermia is NOT fun, my friends). I decided to wear a long sleeve tech shirt under my warmer top with the big turtleneck top, figuring it would be good against the wind, without me trying to get used to running in a windbreaker on the fly. I got my number pinned on, threw on the hoodie I was going to leave behind, filled up my water bottles and we were off.
We took the subway to Columbus Circle and disembarked, climbing the stairs and being
Me at then entrance of Central Park, Times Square behind me, on the morning of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
greeted with some of the coldest wind. I don’t know how the dude in front of us was handling being in short running shorts, because I would have been dying. I think he was. But…to each their own, right?! We walked over to the checkpoint at Central Park where Cathy had to go her own way and I had to show my bib number and enter. We took a picture of me with Times Square behind me and then I went in. I walked with a bunch of runners who were just talking about some of the most random stuff. One was talking about Scott Jurek on Instagram and it was kind of amusing to me. We went through the medal detectors and then continued on the path to the corrals. There was a line of port-o-potties without lines and many of the people I was walking with went to take advantage of them…and I kept on trekking. I made my way to the line of corrals, working my way up to the one for 10000-10999. I did a few of my dynamic warm-up moves from physical therapy, but the air temperature was enough to make me not want to do it anymore. I did one set of each, then hunkered down and shivered for a good half hour more. It was really, really cold. When the corrals opened for the start of the wheelchair race, I stepped inside and did a few static stretches just to loosen up. From the onslaught of the cold wind, my hip was already not loving me. It began to ache during the easy walk from security to the corals. Seriously, my body and cold weather never got along, but it really doesn’t get along with it these days.
The wheelchair racers, hand crank racers, and elite women were all sent off by 7:15 a.m. It was awesome standing in the corral and being able to see each group take off. When the elite women took up, I cheered loudly for Molly Huddle, who is from Elmira, NY…my hometown area. She’s amazing. She’s fast. She set a new course record that morning and it came down to an eighth of a second…it was THAT close. The elite men went off with Wave 1 at 7:30 a.m.. Then my wave…Wave 2…were shuffled forward for our 7:45 a.m. start. It was really exciting. When the airhorn blew to send us off, I began the walk toward the official start, and started my Garmin as I crossed. The first step already had my hip screaming at me. I struggled through the final mile of a 10K the weekend prior…and I just started a half marathon. I really just made a point go focus on my form and my breathing, and just finding a comfortable pace to run at. As I said, I had no goals or expectations…just to have fun and to finish what I start. Well…I started. I now had to finish.
Me running through the 10K mark of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
The 6 miles through Central Park are beautiful and quiet. There were pockets of spectators out there, but mostly it was runners, our feet, and our breathing. Being the start of the race, I would catch snatches of conversations people were having as they ran the race with friends or running partners. It keeps me amused. Some people were tucked into their earbuds, their music propelling them forward. There was a couple running together, and on the back of his shirt was a sign that said “Baby on Board” and an arrow pointing to his wife who was running right next to him. The people inside the park were loud and awesome and the little loop we do outside the park to turn around and head back in…was packed, crowded and loud. I love a good crowd. The hills of Central Park are respectable, but my hill repeats have been more intense than those, so while they slowed me down slightly, they didn’t have me huffing and puffing. I’m learning to love to hate to love those hill repeat sessions more and more. I didn’t check my pace on my watch at any point, but I hit the 5K mark and felt like I was coming along well for someone who was fighting hip pain twinges since the start. With the hills now behind us, the runners exit Central Park onto 7th Avenue. Cathy said she’d be outside the park to see me there, so I got to the left per her instructions and headed up 7th Avenue. She was tucked into the pocket of the turn, but I heard her shouting and screaming and I gave a wave at her as I ran past. It lifted my spirits, for sure. And it was on to run down 7th Avenue and into Times Square.
I think Times Square was my favorite part of this race. The crowd was intense. There was so much noise. All the screens were lit up. The Kids Mile was running through there. There was so much energy there…that it just pulsed through you. I loved every stretch of this portion of the race. And it is the part I remember the most. I love a good crowd.
And with the extreme winds we were getting, it was a great way to start off the last stretch of the race. This portion is pretty flat, save for just after the 20K mark. So, it was nice to easily pick up the pace a little here. Miles 8-12 really just have you fighting the windtunnels that are 42nd Street. Here you make a U-Turn and head down the West Side Highway. Wind. Lots of wind. Thankfully there was music blasting at various stages throughout this stretch of the run. The crowds were sparse, but there were some spectators out there to cheer. But without the bands, this might have been a tough slog through these 4 miles. However, as the miles tick down, One World Trade Center/Freedom Tower keep getting closer and closer. It’s gorgeous. I can’t tell you how long I just kept my eyes on that building, minding each time I drew up my right leg, making sure I wasn’t overcompensating due to the hip pain. This was…uplifting.
Mile 12 takes runners through the Battery Park Underpass. This…was fun. Seriously. You are underground for a long while. Runners scream and shout and let out whoops as they run through the dark, spooky tunnel. I loved it. I even left my sunglasses on. Just powered on through. Running through tunnels is fun. For some reason, I always smile more in them. The 20K mark was just as we were let out to run up a hill.
Me coming out of the Battery Park Underpass at the 20K mark of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York
This is where Cathy was situated to see me before I hit the finish line. LOVED this little uplift right at the end. I waived and smiled as she shouted, “YOU REALLY ARE ALMOST THERE!” And so, I burst up the hill and got hit by one hell of a headwind. NYC has this way of always being super windy when I run there. So…I battled the headwind and just ran…ran…ran…rounding a corner…passing up a pace group….rounding another turn and seeing that finish line. As I ran this race rather conservatively, I still had some go in the tank and so…I powered up, powered through, and crossed that finish line.
I stopped my Garmin…and the tears just started going. I didn’t know my official time. I didn’t check the Garmin. I competed and finished my first half marathon since my hip labrum tear over a year ago. And I could still move. No limping. Just a small ache. I had done what I thought I wouldn’t be able to do…and it turns out I did it well.
We were filtered through the finisher’s area where we had medals hung around our necks and mylar sheets wrapped around us to keep us warm. We were given these nice bags filled with snacks, Gatorade and water, and then shuttled out toward Battery Park. At the exit, Cathy was waiting. I hurried over and got a hug and she said, “YOU KILLED IT!! Do you want to know your time?” Of course I did. She told me…and I started crying. Not only was it better than I anticipated, it was better than I could have dreamed of doing, given the circumstances.
Our bodies find ways of surprising us. And I think not having a specific goal or pace I wanted to hit helped.
So, the official results of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon are that I finished in 1:43:53. I was 3318/20,149 finishers overall. I was 786/10,556 female finishers. And I was 132/1706 finishers in my division. I, honestly, couldn’t have run this any better. Since the cold weather made me sore from just shivering at the start, I just took this race one step at a time…one mile at a time. And I LOVED it. I loved this race. It was…probably….one of my favorite half marathons I have ever run. Even in the cold…and the wind…and the suck…it was just…fun. And I had fun running it. It was a struggle at times…but I finished it and I felt good at the end.
Afterwards, we hopped the subway back to the hotel where I showered and changed.
Cathy, Me and Marisa after a great evening of celebration at Red Rooster Harlem.
Cathy and I went to Empire Coffee & Tea House where I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte (dairy free…made with almond milk…and YUMMY!). Then we ended up hiking around NYC the rest of the day with Cathy and my friend Marisa, who I have known since high school. We stopped in at bakeries (I bought 3 cookies from By The Way (BTW) Bakery) and a tea shop (where I had the Energitea…an amazing green blend). We settled in for a bit at the hotel before getting ready to head to dinner at Red Rooster Harlem. You might recall, Red Rooster is where I celebrated my NYC Marathon finish…so I wanted to go back for this. And it was amazing. Once again, the chef created a dish to fit my dietary needs…and I was SO impressed. I even had dessert. And fun. We sat and talked over mint tea and listened to the live jazz music in the bar before calling it a night and making the trek back from Harlem to Midtown. We said goodbye to Marisa and settled in for the night.
Overall…I’m already ready to come back to NYC…even if I don’t have a race. There is always so much to see and do. But…this time…for me…the highlight was getting through the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon…after having to defer it last year. It was just the boost I needed.
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