One of the best things to ever come from my birthday expedition to Jungle Jim’s International Market (FOODIE HEAVEN!) was discovery local (to Ohio…not to me) bakeries through the products they had on display and for sale at Jungle Jim’s. I love purchasing these items over everything else, because, well…I LOVE supporting local businesses.
So, one of the products I snagged from the end cap of gluten-free local bakery goodies at the market was this amazing sounding granola from a place called Tina’s Sweet Treats, based out of Franklin, Ohio.
Tina’s Sweet Treats came about after six (6) members of her family were diagnosed with Celiac. She went from casually baking gluten-free to full-blown. And, as with most people, wanting to make sure that her fmaily didn’t miss out on any of the wonderful baked goods that they loved, Tina worked hard to create products that won’t lack in flavor, taste, or make her family members feel like they were missing out on something amazing. Everything from Tina’s Sweet Treats is baked fresh from their home kitchen, which is completely free of contamination!
I love it when I can also get a product and feel 100% secure that it won’t make me sick. When something is produced where contamination will not even come into question, I never have to play roulette with my body. And for that, I am thankful!
Jungle Jim’s had a few options from Tina’s Sweet Treats…but the one that really caught my eye…mostly because I don’t see a lot of this from local bakeries…was the granola. But not just any granola. Probably what may be considered the most epic of all granola.
Banana Bread Granola.
You had my full attention with all three of those words. Into the basket…into the shopping bag…into the car…into my pantry.
And it didn’t last long. This past weekend, I was baking and cooking up a storm, and my lunch was something quick and easy on Saturday. I had a soccer match to get to and I needed to make some Gluten Free and Vegan Snickerdoodle Blondies and some Dairy Free Pumpkin Ice Cream before heading out to the big playoff match for Louisville City FC. Thus…lunch became a yogurt with granola on top. I remembered I had the granola…and being that it is made by a bakery, no preservatives are added and therefore, it is best when used by the sell-by date. This would certainly accomplish that. So, after palming a handful to taste on its own (OH MY GOD YUM!), I poured some on a yogurt for my roommate and some on mine. It was a simple, yet delicious addition to already delicious yogurts, let me tell you.
What I love, first and foremost, is that toasty flavor you get with homemade granola. Top it off with that aroma and the taste of fresh banana bread, and you’re talking about a winning combination. And that is exactly what Tina’s Sweet Treats accomplishes with this gluten free Banana Bread Granola. It was the perfect topper and stir-in for my vegan yogurt, and acted as a bit of a “sundae” topper for Cathy’s Banana Greek Yogurt with a Chocolate Topping. It was, without a doubt, a way to kick up the yogurt lunch a notch. And, the added crunch was that bonus that sometimes yogurt lacks.
I wish I lived closer to Tina’s Sweet Treats. I’d purchase this every week. Probably multiple times.
The Tina’s Sweet Treats Banana Bread Granola is made from rice flour, potato starch, millet flour, tapioca flour, sweet rice flour, sugar, apples, milk, butter (cream, natural flavorings), eggs, brown sugar (white sugar, molasses) sour cream, baking powder (corn starch, sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum sulfate, monocalcium phosphate), vanilla (water, alcohol, vanilla bean), xanthan gum, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and salt.
Since this is made out of a home and sold by a local bakery, I don’t have any of the nutritional information. But…as with all granola out there, stick to a serving (usually around 28 grams), and don’t go overboard. It’s all good. Enjoy a sweet treat (see what I did there?) every now and again.
Love at first banana bread-y bite. Seriously, if you are a lover of banana and banana bread, Tina’s Sweet Treats has you covered with this granola. I only wish they had it online to order. Just…pure goodness and pure wow any way you want to eat it. Personally, by the handful is the way I recommend. HA!
It seems like ages ago, back on a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, when my parents first took me to Organic Harvest, the latest and newest health food store in their area. I was gobsmacked by the amount of products inside this store that I had never seen before. I might have heard of the brand, but the product itself or even the brand, was not available to me in any convenient form.
So, naturally, I went on a shopping spree.
Because…I do that.
Well, I get very overburdened with mixes. I do this to myself, naturally. I just get really, really excited when I see something new. Or course, as of late, I’ve been making a point of eating more unprocessed foods for breakfast than something that comes out of a box (cereal included) or from a mix. So, yeah, the pantry is well stocked with so many mixes that I honestly just need to work through. And as this one was (obviously as the packaging has been since updated) nearing expiration…it was time to use it up and move it out. So, out came the Zema’s Madhouse Foods Gluten Free & Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix.
Zemas Madhouse Foods is committed to manufacturing gluten-free, ancient grain baking mixes that help support a clean eating lifestyle through the use of minimally processed ingredients that can be safely incorporated into diets that are limited, allergy-free and diabetic. They are committed to keeping their products free of dairy, soy, rice, yeast, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, additives, trans fats, preservatives, and refined sugar.
Now, I had high hopes for this mix. I was first introduced to Zema’s Madhouse Foods by Cuisine Cube when I tried their mix for Focaccia and/or Pizza Crusts. I loved it. So, the fact that I had another Zema’s Product (yes…I had this one before Cuisine Cube sent theirs), I had very good expectations for this. But…why stick to something as simple as the box exclaims. After all, this is a pancake and waffle mix, and there are recipes for both on the back. But I am really pancaked out these days and waffles are great…but a pain to make (time consuming, really). So…I opted for the other recipe on the box, making a few minor adjustments to fit what I had in my pantry and my own idea of what constites a Harvest Muffin.
Oh, yeah…I made muffins with the Zema’s Madhouse Foods Gluten Free & Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix. Yes. Muffins. I sort of ripped off Udi’s version of a Harvest Muffin, but utilized most of the recipe from the back of this exact box. YAY! The recipe will follow, of course.
Naturally, I can’t bake something and not try it. How else am I going to report on it? So, after these came out of the oven and rested for 10 minutes in the pan, I removed them and put them on a wire rack to cool the rest of the way. After running some gluten-free and dairy free goodies downstairs to my neighbors, I came back upstairs and decided that both my roomie and I had an obligation to see how the muffins turned out. If they were crap, well, we certainly didn’t have to keep them. But…if they were good, they were getting bagged up and put in the freezer for those stressful and hectic days where cooking a breakfast is just not feasible.
Let me tell you…Zema’s Madhouse Foods Gluten Free & Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix is amazing. Seriously. Okay…so the muffins are a little dense…but I’ve grown to that being mostly the norm when it comes to gluten-free goodies (especially of a bread-like quality) that I bake. However, there is a lot of flavor in each and every bite of these muffins. And I absolutely love the combination of the sweet potato and pumpkin flavors, making this a perfect autumn mix for any sort of morning recipe…even pancakes and waffles. Just…really good. And not overly sweet either, which is a nice change. I love dessert as much as any girl, but I mostly want my muffins to be muffins, not a fruit/veggie based cupcake. But, maybe that’s just me. The fact that there is no added sugar in the mix is a big plus with me, as I am working on cutting down on the amount of sugar I eat every day. I also love that this mix is made with the superseed trio of hemp, chia and flaxmeal. Flax is one of the best gluten-free plant-based sources, which contains alpha-linolenic acid, which converts in the body to the same heart-protective Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines and mackerel. It also contains 3 grams of fiber per tablespoon, which promotes intestinal health. The chia seeds (like chia pets, yes!) are also naturally gluten-free and contain Omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber, calcium and protein. LOVE a breakfast that packs a bit of extra nutrition into each and every bite through healthy and beneficial ingredients. This might be a mix, but it has great ingredients making it a better choice than all the lack-luster and nutrient-sparse mixes on the shelf. Oh yeah…have your breakfast treat and treat your body too. Now we’re talking.
Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Zema’s Madhouse Foods Gluten Free & Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix, shall we? This mix is made from sorghum flour, organic flax seed meal, sweet potato flour, potato starch, organic quinoa flakes, tapioca flour, aluminum free baking powder (monocalcium phosphate, baking soda, corn starch (made from non-GMO corn)), hemp seeds, organic cinnamon, contains less than 2% of each of the following: baking soda, chia seeds, xanthan gum, sea salt, organic ginger, and nutmeg. This product is manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility free of the top 8 allergens(milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). It is vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and verified non-GMO.
As for nutrition information, here you go…a serving of Zema’s Madhouse Foods Gluten Free & Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix is 1/3 cup of the dry mix (44 grams), and the box contains around 6 servings. In each serving, you will be taking in 150 calories, 4 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 510 mg sodium, 29 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 2 grams sugars, and 4 grams of proteins. This one might actually be the best nutrient-packed mix out on the market to be honest. WOW!
3/4 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened cashew milk)
2 eggs (or egg replacer)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (I used agave)
1/3 cup oil of choice (I used coconut)
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup raw pepitas
1/2 cup craisins
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mix and xanthan gum. Set aside.
n a large bowl, whisk all liquid ingredients together. Add the dry mix to the wet mixture and combine, Add in the pepitas and craisins, mixing well.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way.
Bake for 28-30 minutes. Check the doneness with a toothpick.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then take muffins out and cool on a rack.
This recipe freezes well.
~*~*~
I have the remaining 17 muffins in my freezer now for hectic crazy days…but I already am looking forward into diving into them. I’m sure it won’t be long.
If you are interested in a pancake mix with more benefits than sugar and fillers, I can’t praise Zema’s Madhouse Foods enough. Their Gluten Free and Sugar Free Peruvian Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix surpassed all expectations. And I didn’t even make pancakes or waffles with them. Go figure. Although, I am more than certain this mix would make some of the best pancakes or waffles out there. Next time I pick up another box of this mix…I think I’ll go for traditional pancakes and waffles. That being said…give this muffin recipe a shot! And seek out Zema’s Madhouse Foods in your natural food stores…or order online! It’s worth the hunt.
So, last week, for a wonderful week, I was fortunate enough to spend some time on the two of the Hawaiian islands. The original purpose – to run the Kauai Marathon.
But then…I fractured my ankle.
Trying to start a new trend in footwear, perhaps? This is Bootsie, my new friend for the next 6-8 weeks. MEH!
Yep. Fractured my freakin’ ankle three days before leaving for Hawaii. SUCK!! I tried to put a positive spin on things…I really did. At least I was still going to Hawaii. Yeah…it didn’t really work for me then either…but I was trying. To help make this painful adjustment, I started a Twitter account for Bootsie (the boot I’m forced to wear for 6-8 weeks) to document traveling adventures. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason…so there better be a damn good reason for this. That’s all I’m saying.
The first leg of the trip was flying out to San Diego. This gave us pretty much a full day to adjust to a bit of the time change (West Coast = 3 hours behind EST; Hawaii = 6 hours behind EST) and break up what was already a long ass flight to the islands. We’d depart San Diego before it was bright and early to get to Kauai by mid-morning. It was a plan. The ankle just meant we had to depart from the hotel sooner because I wasn’t moving anywhere very fast. So…my traveling companions, Cathy & Jenn, were both very helpful and very, very patient with me. And, I didn’t complain much. I mean, complaining won’t change the situation. I just apologized…a lot…for being slow.
The first order of business after getting to San Diego and checking into the hotel to drop off luggage was…lunch. Not having prepared for lunch, I ate a protein bar, while my fellow travelers ate tacos from a local taco stand. SO cool. But after that, I required my morning cup of coffee…so we sought out and found a great local establishment called…
Lestat’s Coffee House, San Diego, California
Lestat’s is one of those places that is open 24/7, 365 days of the year. YES…it is always open! Holiday? No worries…they’re open! Lestat’s Coffee House has a few signature drinks on their menu…and as it was pretty toasty in San Diego, I wasn’t feeling the hot coffee that day. Neither were my traveling friends. So, they each got coffee freezes (think blended drinks!) while I opted for one of Lestat’s Signature Drinks done up all refreshing and cold. Jenn got the Winter Raspberry Freeze ($5.25), which is a ice blended raspberry mocha. I took one little sip. WINNING! Cathy had me pick for her, and I choose the Arctic Squirrel Freeze ($5.25) for her, which is an ice blended hazelnut mocha (similar to the Hazelnut Turtle drink she loves at our local cafe…just…blended and cold). As for me…I went with the Iced Arctic Joey ($4.55)…which is coconut, almond and chocolate. I had mine made with coconut milk as well (+$1.00). In essence, it was a liquid almond joy. And it was delicious. There were bits of coconut floating in it. I think I was just starting to get in the Aloha spirit by getting something with coconut. Needless to say…smooth, creamy, delicious. Nothing overwhelmed the drink, and it wasn’t heavy. It was pure liquid gold. And refreshing. And tasty. And in the end, coffee should always be tasty. I was beyond happy with this decision.
Lestat’s Coffee House Iced Almond Joey with Coconut Milk
Upon arriving in Hawaii…after the rental car debacle…wherein we learned…convertible is fun…but not when you have a fractured ankle. We got it sorted…and switched out the fun and stylish convertible for…a Ford Fusion. Yeah…definitely not the way we had envisioned traveling, but it gave us more leg room and some more storage space for our big-ass luggage. LOL! After checking into Pono Kai Resort in Kauai…coffee was needed.
It’s always coffee with me. LOL!
So, we scoped out and fell in love with a local café called Ha Coffee Bar. And we went back every day we were on the island of Kauai…save for Sunday, because they are closed.
Ha Coffee Bar, Lihue, Hawaii
It was love at first “Aloha” when it came to Ha Coffee Bar. I have nothing but warm fuzzies when I think back to every stop at Ha Coffee Bar, each morning, first thing, while on Kauai. It was a bit of a drive from the resort, but always worth it. I tried three different things on the three days we were there that they were open. And, not once, was I ever disappointed in my choice. Ha Coffee Bar is a café that is built to resemble an old-school bar. No joke. Their iced drinks are even mixed in martini shakers. LOVE. This set-up allows them to showcase and sell products and items, such as pour-overs, that might not typically be served at a café. Ha Coffee Bar primarily serves espresso coffee, cold brewed coffee, pour-over and French press coffee. The variety in the types of coffee they serve allows for different origins and price points, which also helps minimize waste as they don’t have coffee sitting and going stale…high quality coffee and flexibility that allows customers to explore different blends, flavor profiles and methods of making coffee. Coffee love. And boy…did I LOVE this. On the first day there, I stayed pretty basic. I got a Salted Caramel French Pressed Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk. I loved that they added the flavor to the steamed milk itself, and then gave me the pitcher of leftover almond milk in case I needed more of it in the drink. But it was perfect the way they gave it to me. And the French pressed coffee…OMG…so good. Jenn got a simple Iced Hazelnut Latte and Cathy got an Iced Peppermint Mocha. So, on the next morning, I noticed they had signature drinks hanging up near the register…so I decided to give one of those a try. I had it narrowed down to two…but opted for their drink the Bee Sting. The Bee Sting is simply Espresso, Coconut Milk, Honey and Cinnamon. I got it iced…as the humidity was killer that morning. Cathy got their take on an Iced Black & White Mocha (Zebra). And it was, absolutely, hands down, my favorite coffee drink of the trip. I wish I could have had it again. I would have gotten it again. The coconut milk gave it this rich flavor, the honey sweetened it, the cinnamon lent a hint of spice…and espresso…got me moving for sure. Simple…yet SO good. SO very good. In fact, on our last day there, this is the drink that Jenn opted to get after trying mine. With Ha closed on Sunday, we had to go elsewhere, but on our last day on Kauai…we were there in the morning and I was getting another signature drink…Liquid Sunshine, which was cold brew coffee, coconut syrup, and coconut milk. DELICIOUS!! Not Bee Sting delicious…but delicious. I was quite happy with it. Not something I can get here…anywhere…so that was most of the draw for this drink in particular. The last morning there, Cathy got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha and a Pineapple Cream Cheese Scone to enjoy for breakfast. I still say it today…back in Louisville, Kentucky…that I miss Ha Coffee Bar. It made that much of an impression.
Ha Coffee’s Salted Caramel Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk, Iced Bee Sting, and Iced Liquid Sunshine
Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream, Lihue, Hawaii
I have KONG Radio to thank for the discovery of Skinny Mike’s. As we were driving the island of Kauai on Saturday, just enjoying beaches and the like…an advertisement for Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream came on. And it advertised ice cream, sorbets, and vegan ice cream. They had my attention, and the attention of both Jenn and Cathy too. I looked them up…and took note of where it was located. And we vowed to go there and check them out. At least once, yes?
And so, Saturday evening, after splitting a gluten-free pizza at a local chain…we headed over to Harbor Mall, where Skinny Mike’s is located. We parked and marched up the stairs to the little shop. Online I had taken a peak at the flavors, and sort of had my heart set on the Pineapple Cream. However…they didn’t have that flavor. So…I was left to look over the offered flavors while Jenn & Cathy made their choices. We each got regular scoops ($3.49) of our flavor choices. Cathy went with the Mint Chocolate Chip as it is one of her favorites…anywhere. Jenn won with their signature flavor…a local classic…Macadamia Nut. Hers was so good, we went back the last night there and each got a scoop of the Macademia Nut. That’s how good that was. For my first trip there, without the Pineapple flavor being available…I went with the suggestion of Coconut Cream. The Coconut Cream ice cream was the perfect level of coconut flavor. No bits of raw coconut…just the flavor infused in a creamy scoop of ice cream goodness. It was delicious. Smooth. And melted fast. Ah…coconut based things…I didn’t mind though. Not one bit. I eat frozen desserts rather quickly regardless. LOL! We were so impressed with the ice cream there that, as I said, we all went back to get the signature Macadamia Nut flavor on our last night on Kauai. Worth it. That was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Just…delicious. I miss it. I want some more of the Macadamia Nut flavor…it’s a craving that hits now. Now that I know it exists…but can’t get it anywhere else…but there.
What happens when your favorite Hawaiian coffee stop on Kauai is closed on Sunday? You have to find a new place to get that caffeine hit. And this was what we were left to do on Sunday morning. Sunday. When I should have been running a marathon. When, instead, I was hobbling around Kapaa in search of coffee. The stop at the little food truck-like coffee place was…not going to work for everyone. No one was really happy with the menu options…so…we backtracked to a spot that Jenn spotted and had looked up online. It wasn’t far from the resort. It was a worthwhile stop in the end. And, in the end, we all ended up with a bit of breakfast with our coffee as well. How? Because this place had some gluten-free options on the menu and in the bakery case. SCORE! This meant we could have something a little more substantial at the start of the day, instead of the meager protein bars or yogurts back at the resort. It would mean eating better now and not making poor choices later. And so…Jenn got one of the bars from the bakery case…the Aloha Bar ($3.75), I think. For her caffeinated goodness that morning, she got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50). Cathy went for the Breakfast Burrito ($10.50), which includes eggs, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese, which she got with the mango-chipotle salsa. For her drink, she got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha ($4.70). She at hers there at the café as she was the driver. As for me…they had gluten-free English muffins. HELLO! So I ended up getting the Gluten Free English Muffin with Cream Cheese ($3.95), which they kindly toasted for me…looks like in a pan…no cross-contamination. And for the drink, I got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). Jenn and I had ours to go and I happily noshed away on a Glutino English Muffin with a light spread of cream cheese. The Macanut Latte…macadamia nut flavor…espresso…nutty goodness. And it was just the perfect drink that morning. It was supposed to be marathon morning…and I needed a distraction. This food, while simple and basic…was just what I needed. The drive along the coast helped too!
Java Kai’s Gluten Free English Muffin (with Cream Cheese) and Macanut Latte with Almond Milk
Hanalei Bay, Hanalei, Hawaii
We visited a lot of beaches while visiting Hawaii. I mean, that’s part of the point when you visit an island, right? But, I think, above all others, my favorite one we stopped at, and spent the most time at, was Hanalei Bay. This beach is stunning. A beautiful 2-mile long crescent of white sand, nestled beneath a breathtaking range of mountains. The water was relatively calm that day, with some small waves crashing against the shore. Despite my new friend…Bootsie…being on, we were determined to get away and enjoy the day. Anything to keep my mind off the fact that I should have been running. Hanalei Bay is a great beach for walking and body surfing. Calm waves, lifeguards, and a great coast line. I managed a few solo ventures along the waterline of the beach, just needing to at least move a little…minus the boot. I took it off for beach time. Strange tan lines were not on the agenda. I was very careful of where I stepped and the movement of the sand…and would pause if a wave came up and rolled over my legs…because that undertow could be a bit strong and throw me off balance. It was here that I realized my surf lessons the following day were not going to happen, as much as I wanted to give it a try. It was just not going to be physically possible for me to get up on a surf board. I was brokenhearted over this…but shrugged it off as no big deal. These were the cards I was dealt. Suck it up, cupcake…you’re in Hawaii!
Me and Bootsie at Hanalei Bay
After some walking and some laying on the beach…we got dressed and headed off for the next venture. Which tunred out to be a good thing. Heavy rains started soon after we had changed…and soon, Jenn and I realized just how sunburned we had gotten. I don’t think Jenn slapped on any sunscreen. I had…but the burn was in those places where clothes met skin or that strings were located. I was trying to avoid strange tan lines…and yet…that is what I ended up with in the end.
That being said…for a moment, I forgot about the ankle…and the boot…and I just enjoyed the perfect afternoon at the perfect beach.
JoJo’s Shave Ice, Hanalei, Hawaii
I have my good friend Harry Cooke to thank for the journey, while in Hanalei, to JoJo’s Shave Ice. He had mentioned it to me in a message on Facebook…and we were right there!! And with the rain pouring down now, it gave us a good excuse to not sit in a car and try to avoid the flooding roads. It gave us some time to hope the rain would pass and we could do more exploring. The rain didn’t pass. It was with us the rest of the time on the North Shore. However, after a bit of a short (hobbling, for me) spring from the rental car to the little storefront that the Hanalei JoJo’s Shave Ice operates out of…we knew we were in for a treat. The original JoJo’s began in Waimea in 1992, the same year that Hurricane Iniki landed on Kauai. That store is stil there today and still has the original JoJo’s sign. The goal of JoJo’s…to offer the ultimate in Shave Ice on Kauai…which is a true Hawaiian treat. When they expanded into Hanalei, they took the JoJo’s traditions and secret recipes along…and introduced the smaller “junior size,” which closely matches the normal serving size of other shave ice venues throughout Hawaii. JoJo’s doesn’t use commercially made syrups. They, instead, carefully make up their own syrups, with a lot less sugar and more flavor than the commercially used ones by other shave ice businesses. And…no corn syrups either. They also have upgraded all their locations with the best ice machines on Kauai, making for an unmatched, fluffy shave. LOVE. The three of us each got the Junior Sizes ($4.50). And they let you choose up to 4-5 flavors. I don’t remember what Jenn got…but it had cherry…and perhaps lime? I can’t recall. Cathy got Root Beer, Lemon and Grape Shave Ice. And I opted for two of my favorite flavors…Watermelon and Strawberry Shave Ice. Of course, now looking back, I wish I opted for something more…local…like mango or something. Next time. But the shave ice at JoJo’s was huge…filling…and amazingly packed with flavor. I can see why it’s been open for 23 years.
30 ounces of Watermelon and Strawberry flavored goodness from JoJo’s Shave Ice
Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café, Kalaheo, Hawaii
I know that technically Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café should have gotten a full review, as it was our place to catch a bite for lunch…on Monday afternoon. However, it was a hot day…and the humidity was really doing a number on me. And while there were a few options for a gluten-free vegetarian on the menu, what sounded really, really good was the Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad ($10.95). And the reason that this didn’t warrant a Restaurant Review post was…it was a salad I could have made at home. Honestly. But this was what I wanted. The Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad is a blend of fresh grown Kailani Farm greens, served with crisp spinach and topped off with strawberries and candied pecans. I kept the feta cheese and held the side of warm flat bread for obvious reasons. It came with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. And it was delicious. Light, but filling. And cooling. And just flat-out what I was really wanting that miserably humid day. But…it was a salad I could make…and therefore…it garners a mention here…but the restaurant itself is cozy and has a lot of great, fresh-made, delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, etc, to choose from. And I loved sitting in there, listening to runners who had run the day before discuss the marathon and half marathon…looking at the different food items coming out of the kitchen to each table. Beautiful setting, beautiful food…and tasty too. For the record, Cathy got the Hot Pastrami Sandwich, which contained grilled onions, mushrooms, and melted Swiss cheese on toasted bread. She got it with the much raved about Garlic Cilantro Fries…which after seeing her and Jenn devour…made me really wish I could have had those. Not safe though…not for me. Darn it.
Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café’s Spinach & Kauai Greens Salad
USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii
This was one ONE place that I had to visit while in Hawaii, and the main and primary reason we even island hopped over to O’ahu instead of just hanging tight on the beautiful island of Kauai. Honolulu is definitely a hopping city and much more urban…think LA and NYC. But this…this stop was…important. To all three of us. The USS Arizona Memorial is the number one visitor destination in Hawaii, drawing millions of people from all over the world to see where World War II began for the United States on December 7, 1941. Visitors are free to explore the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center, which was recently expanded from the original 3 acres to 17 acres, and is now operated by the National Park Service. Admission and parking is free to all visitors. Over 2000 tickets are given out free per day on a first come, first serve basis. We had to check our bags before entering the historic site, so Jenn and I did that while Cathy went to get the tickets she reserved online for us. We were set for the final shuttle out, at 2:45 pm. It was the hottest day in Honolulu…and with all the metal and concrete, we were literally melting out in the sun while walking around the ground. We ducked into the museum, but it was even hotter in there. Bottles of water were purchased and Cathy and I downed ours before we were put on an earlier shuttle, the 2:30 pm, to head out to the memorial. A US Navy boat taxied us out to the USS Arizona Memorial, which is built over the remains of the sunken battleship, the final resting place of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. The memorial itself was relatively quiet upon disembarking and walking over to it. You can still see the oil leaking out of the actual ship that is buried beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor. It is moving and touching. And the memorial is beautiful and humbling. And I am so glad that we went.
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Dole Plantation, Wahiawa, Hawaii
Two words…
DOLE WHIP.
DOLE FREAKIN’ WHIP!! That was the primary reason to venture out to the Dole Plantation in Wahaiwa. It was a bit of a journey…a long drive, but well worth it. The Dole Plantation originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, before opening up to the public as “Hawaii’s ‘Pineapple Experience'” in 1989. Another one of O’ahu’s most popular visitor attractions, the Dole Plantation provides activities for the entire family, including the Pineapple Express ($8.25/adult), the Plantation Garden Tour ($5.00/adult), and the Pineapple Garden Maze ($6.00/adult). None of which we did…due to the cost that was associated with each one and the warm, humid weather that made us want to stick to the air conditioning. What we did do, however, was shop at the HUGE gift shop, which carries a wide variety of Dole Plantation Gifts, local favorites, foods, and refreshments…including DOLE WHIP!! You can even purchase a fresh pineapple to take home. I wish I had. The pineapple in Hawaii is freakin’ incredible. I did some shopping, buying a few minor things like Dole Pineapple hard candy and a magnet. Easy to transport and all. And then, we went over to The Plantation Grille to purchase a bowl each of the world famous Dole Whip ($5.25). It was a large serving, which I loved, and devoured enthusiastically. Better than Disney, which is one of the few places Dole Whip is available. This was…amazing and I wish I had gone back for seconds. Dole Whip, by the way, is vegan and gluten free. LOVE!! It’s just pure frozen treat love.
Dole Whip from The Dole Plantation’s Plantation Grille
Panalu’u Beach Park and the Random Pineapple Roadside Stand, Hauula, Hawaii
Welcome to two of the most random stops we made on our trek around the North Shore of O’ahu. Panalu’u Beach Park is located on O’ahu’s windward coast and has this strip of narrow, sandy beach. The nearshore ocean bottom is shallow and has a reef, so swimming conditions here are poor. This was a clam day at this particular beach when we pulled over to check it out. Cathy went wading…and the water looked so refreshing (another humid and hot day!), that I took off Bootsie and kicked off my flip-flop to go wading in the surf myself. My friend Jenn snapped my favorite picture of me on this entire trip here…with the gorgeous blue water and the white sand on the beach. As I said on my Instagram…”Make only memories…Leave only footprints…Kill only time…”
Me on Punalu’u Beach Park (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!)
From there, we went hunting for a shrimp place, Romey’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp, that the lady at Enterprise told Cathy about after we first arrived in Honolulu, when she mentioned we would be heading up to the North Shore. Along the way, I had been hunting for mangos and we found a stand that advertised them. We pulled into this dodgy little roadside stand, only to learn that they were out of mangos. The weather had ended the season early. I was bummed. BUT…we did purchase a fresh pineapple there, so we purchased one for $5.00, and watched as this little old lady had it peeled and sliced in less that 2 minutes…bagged…and ready for us to take away. We wasted no time, after climbing into the car, trying it out. So fresh…so juicy…so amazing. Hands down, the best pineapple I have eaten in my life. Anywhere. And I’ve had a lot of pineapple. We did find Romy’s…and Jenn and Cathy split a plate of the Garlic and Butter Shrimp. They ate that and I ate a good 2/3 (if not more) of the pineapple. They helped a little after they were done with their fresh seafood.
Best. Pineapple. Purchase. EVER!
BEST PINEAPPLE EVER from a random roadside stand along the North Shore of O’ahu! They peeled and chopped it right there!
Chief’s Luau, Waimanalo, Hawaii
Okay, again, this would generally get a blog of its own, despite not being a restaurant. I couldn’t go to Hawaii and not do a luau, even if it is one that is so tourist-y…it’s funny. We chose Chief’s Luau ($82.00+) due to the fact that it is the best ranked luau on O’auh AND that it had an allergen menu on their Web site. And, yeah, it’s tourist-y, but I actually had a lot of fun at the luau. I finally got a lei (made of shells as we had the cheapest package), had my picture taken with Chief…learned how to hula dance, watched Cathy throw a spear (rather poorly), watched Cathy make a coconut leaf headband (which she left behind), listened to great music, enjoyed the history of the dances that are native to Hawaii…and just…kicked back, laughed, and enjoyed my final night in Hawaii…with a Mai Tai and everything. Aside from the free drink…the luau package also included dinner…and as a gluten-free vegetarian, this left only a few things for me to pick from. Cathy was there for the meat…the pork…cooked in the ground with banana leaves…but for someone like me…I got the food that was catered in. And that’s fine…but because it was catered, I didn’t review it. I was left with the Seasonal Fruit Salad (more pineapple!), the Poi (GROSS…it looked like Barney’s (the purple dinosaur) snot…kind of gelatinous and goopy and YUCK. I didn’t want to try it, but peer pressure had me at least take a taste. NEVER AGAIN!), the Steamed White Rice and (my personal favorite) the Sweet Potatoes. My first plate of food was not really full, and as this was all you can eat, I ventured back for more of the DELICIOUS sweet potatoes and the fruit. Because…fruit and sweet potatoes are actually two of my favorite foods in life. For real. The Mai Tai’s were delicious…and I had a great time at the luau. If you are in O’ahu and want to go to a luau…go to Chief’s. They are #1 for a reason!
Seasonal Fruit Salad, Poi (GROSS!), White Steamed Rice, and Sweet Potatoes – my gluten free and vegetarian dinner at Chief’s Luau
Barista, Portland, Oregon
The flight we took back to the mainland went through Portland, where we disembarked and stayed an entire day, so we could explore. Cathy and Jenn had Voodoo Doughnuts for breakfast. We hit up the food pods for lunch, we did a gastropub for dinner. But after the stop for doughnuts, it was vital that we got caffeine. And I chose Barista, out of all the different coffee shops in Portland. I chose wisely…of this I am certain. Being a former barista, myself, I not only liked the name, I liked everything I read about them. Barista was established by coffee legend, Billy Wilson, who now has four (4) Barista cafés open in the Portland area. Let me tell you, this cofee delivers!! Barista is one of the first multi-roaster shops in the Portland area, showcasing Heart, Coava, and another roaster on bar for espresso or drip. Barista is known for serving exceptional coffees from the world’s finest roasters, prepared by the most skilled baristas in the Portland area. No joke. Jenn skipped out on this amazing experience, but both Cathy and I partook of the opportunity to try the coffee at the Downtown Barista location. Cathy ordered the Semi-Sweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50). I went for the Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). It was delicious. Strong…but smooth. There was this perfect balance of chocolate and espresso that just…melted together. The milk softened up the bite of the espresso itself, cutting through the dark chocolate. OH MY GOD…one of the best coffees I have ever had. If you are in Portland and love coffee…you are missing out if you don’t swing by one of the Barista locations. For real. I loved every sip. Even better…finally a coffeeshop that gives me an 8 ounce cup of coffee for a small!! THANK YOU!
Barista’s Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha with Almond Milk
And that was it. It was Portland to Vegas to Louisville from there. And my 10 day vacation came to an end. Back in Louisville, it’s hard for me to ignore Bootsie. It’s a depressing reminder of everything I’ve had to cancel for the upcoming weeks leading into November. I tried not to fuss much over it on the trip. And, I ate whatever I wanted…whenever I wanted…as long as it fit into my dietary restrictions. And despite limited mobility and really lack of much movement at all…while continuing to stuff my face with local eats…I lost 3 pounds. I’ve put it back on since coming home though…so no worries. LOL!
It was a beautiful trip to paradise…and I’m already dreaming about my return. Next time…to actually run the Kauai Marathon!!
Product: Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves – $5.99+
My pantry is overflowing these days with fruit preserves. I am a jelly and jam fanatic. Seriously. If there is a way to utilize jam in a recipe, by God, I’m going to do it. Fruit preserves are one of the little joys in life. And I am a huge fan.
So, imagine my excitement when the final Cuisine Cube box I was set to receive (I had to cancel it due to financial obligations toward medical bills) had a jar of fruit preserves inside!! Insert me…doing a happy dance of joy. It was the perfect ending to a year-long and fantastic partnership with this amazing subscription box. So, before I talk more about the product itself, let me remind you or explain (in case you are new) what Cuisine Cube is all about!
Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that delivers 5-6 gluten-free, full-size products to your door for as little as $34.99/month. Inside the cube, you will discover full-size products (not sample sizes) that are made by local and smaller, artisan companies, rather than those that you can find at the average grocery store. It has introduced me to so many new and delightful products. Each box contains a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert product…and then, sometimes, an extra bonus item. Who doesn’t love a little something extra, right? Keep in mind, however, that Cuisine Cube has gone through some changes as of May. No longer do they strictly only offer gluten-free cubes. In addition to their gluten-free option, they now also offer Artisan and Vegan cubes as well. The Artisan cube means that you have no food allergies and foods that contain common food allergens will be included. The Vegan cubes contain products that are dairy and animal free. And, they still have the Gluten Free cubes, which will have products that contain no gluten or wheat. So, if you’re really interested in being introduced to the smaller, lesser-known, artisan companies, give Cuisine Cube a try! It’s like…Christmas…or your birthday…every month! Who doesn’t love that?!
So…as it stands, we are still delving into May (Is For Mom) 2015 cube. This morning was a swimming morning at the gym, meaning that I normally take in a smoothie and my roomie gets something easy that cooks up while I shower and get ready for work. We have gluten-free bread. We have vegan cream cheese. Hmmm…
See where I’m going here?! The best part is, this morning, I needed a new jam to top off the ricotta toast with, and this was just staring at me at the forefront of the jarred preserves shelf in my pantry (I recently reorganized). It was the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves that I had been so excited about receiving, but hadn’t had a moment to actually use them. Until now.
Vino de Milo began at a food business incubator, the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet). After a few issues that needed to be worked through, the company obtained a beautiful logo, the addition of wine, and a growing business began. It began simply when an eggplant sauce for a catering job led to a packaging experiment in the adjoining bottling facility. One thing led to another, wine was suggested and then added to the sauce…and Vino de Milo, the product line, was born. This company prefers to use ingredients from local suppliers in Ohio. And, as the brand has grown, they have added more products and capabilities. With a research and development chef on staff, new products are not only being developed, but can easily be customized for retail sales. From it’s humble start in 2003 by Jonathan Milo Leal, Vino de Milo has grown from only offering 3 pasta sauces to a full line of from-scratch-made products that include salad dressings, pasta sauces, bruschetta toppings, salsas, BBQ sauces, and fruit preserves. All of which, by the way, include wine in some way, shape or form…hence the name…VINO de Milo.
So…as I said…it was my May 2015 Cuisine Cube, and most of the ingredients inside had some sort of Mother’s Day spin on them. Kinda. I’d say that the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves did above all other products in that box. For sure. Because…WINE! This morning…it was a wine-infused breakfast morning. I toasted up gluten-free bread and then gave each slice a healthy spread of vegan ricotta cheese. Then, I simply scooped out the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves and settled them over the top, giving them a light smoothing with the back of the spoon. Breakfast…was easily made, quick, and…
DELICIOUS!! My roommate isn’t big on cherries, like I am, but she absolutely loved these preserves. I am certain it had nothing to do with the crispness that the Riesling wine (her favorite kind of wine, mind you) brought to this spread. Or…perhaps it did. I don’t know about her, but I loved how deep and rich the cherry flavor was, with that Riesling really stepping it up and bringing out this crispness, keeping the cherries from being too tart on their own. I fell in love with the smooth, yet a little chunky consistency to these preserves, finding chunks of cherries to be an inviting and tasty way to enjoy this spread. Seriously…packed with great flavor, not overly strong, and just…delicious. Wine or not, these preserves are the cherry on top. HA!
Let’s discuss what goes into a jar of the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves. This amazing spread is made from red tart cherries, sugar, Riesling wine, pectin, cherry concentrate, and citric acid. Simple. Basic. REAL ingredients. These preserves are 100% all natural. No chemicals, preservatives, or artificial fillers. It is also vegan and gluten-free. YAY!
So, let’s take a look at the nutrition information now, shall we? A serving size of the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves is 1 tablespoon. This serving will provide you with 25 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 6 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 5 grams sugars, and 0 grams of protein. For fruit preserves, that sugar level is fantastic!
I was beyond impressed with the Vino de Milo Cherry Riesling Fruit Preserves. With it spread over the vegan ricotta cheese, it was almost like eating cheesecake for breakfast. LOVE a healthy meal that tastes like a treat. Vino de Milo puts out quality products made with local and amazing ingredients…all blended with a little bit of wine. And who wouldn’t love that. Now that I know this is out there, I hope that I can find it on the shelves. But it’s because of Cuisine Cube that I am aware it exists. And if I can’t find it locally…I can always order it online!
And so can you. And this is me…encouraging you to do just that. Trust me…this is one jam you don’t want to miss!
Restaurant: Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hangry.
That was all there was to it. We were all hangry. Our flight out of Kauai to island hop over to O’ahu was the earliest one available. We were up at 4 a.m. Some of us sooner. Some of us without getting much sleep. But between the three of us, we were all just picking at everything.
And the added unseasonable humidity wasn’t helping matters. For me…I was doing okay…but my traveling companions don’t take to the humidity well. So, lack of coffee and food was setting in. But…we made the short hike over to Hee Hing Plaza and climbed the stairs to the second floor. We stepped inside, happy to be in some air conditioning and took a table near the middle of the dining area. A nice waitress came over with glasses of water and menus and explained to us the three new specials that Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast was now offering. After that, she let us ponder what we wanted and returned soon after when we looked ready to order.
Jenn had one question about the pancakes, and when she was given an answer as to what size they were, she ordered up. One single Ricotta Pancake ($4.00) with a side of bacon ($4.00). Cathy went with the House Omelette (bacon, potato, cherry tomato, spinach & parmesan) with Sourdough Toast ($11.50). As for me, I wanted one of the new specials for the menu:
The Smashed Avocado Toast ($9.50) on Gluten Free Toast with a Side of Fresh Fruit ($6.00).
Order in, and we continued to sit there and attempt to wake up. This usually meant that Cathy rambled on about something while Jenn and I pretended to listen or just simply blinked at her. It was one of those mornings. We watched as plates were brought out to fellow diners…all of the food looking amazing. I was ready to get something other than a protein bar in my tummy, that was for sure.
After a bit of a wait…out came some food. Happiness is food arriving at your table when you are hot, tired, and hungry. Jenn’s pancake was fluffy and looked and smelled amazing. The Web site says they serve 100% maple syrup…but she tasted it and shunned it. Not pure maple.
Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast’s House Omelette with Sourdough Toast
Cathy’s omelet was packed with vegetables. In fact, the entire top layer was vegetables. Inside the egg was the bacon and potatoes. It looked amazing. And, she does love her sourdough toast when we’re out to eat. She’s always stuck with the gluten-free stuff in our apartment due to the kitchen needing to be completely gluten-free (save for her own boxed snacks and cereals). She devoured it.
And my Smashed Avocado Toast was fantastic. I knew this was what I wanted the moment I saw it on the board at the restaurant. It is no secret that avocado and I are BFFs and when smashed over toast…I’m in a happy place. This version of Avocado Toast was made with lemon juice, an Egyptian spice blend, and toasted pistachios on top. The pistachios were a nice touch, and one I never would have thought of. But…lo and behold…it totally changed my idea of Avocado Toast. This was amazing. It was love at first bite…all the way down to the last bite. Because, yes…I ate it ALL! ALL of it. Completely all of it. And the big bowl of fresh fruit as well. The fruit was fresh and ripe and sweet…and I didn’t need it, but damn, it tasted good. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries and grapes. That’s the good breakfast life.
We all pretty much ate what was put in front of us. Cathy ate most of hers. She almost had all the eggs gone and left two of the slices of bread.
In the end, we were happy with the fact that we now had delicious food in our stomachs. It was an unexpected breakfast stop, but well worth it. I am forever dressing up my avocado toast with toasted pistachios. I mean…HELLO! Mind blown. Culinary eyes opened. Heck yeah…LOVE.
So, while Tucker & Bevvy was a spur-of-the-moment choice so the three of us didn’t claw each other’s eyes out…our hanger pains were tamed by the delicious breakfast foods at Tucker & Bevvy. Seriously, I’d go back for that toast in a heartbeat. Breakfast is love…and this was true love.
Gluten Free Avocado Toast with a Side of Fresh Fruit
Restaurant: Living Foods Market and Café, Koloa, Hawaii
Okay…so technically this was an unplanned, unexpected way to have breakfast on Saturday morning. The initial plan was to go by Sweet Marie’s Hawaii Inc., Hawaii’s first 100% dedicated gluten free bakery. It sort of reminded me a little of home with Annie May’s Sweet Café, when my friend Jenn sent me the link to the Web site. I was pretty stoked about having a 100% gluten-free facility where I could grab snacks, treats, and even a meal (see…just like Annie May’s…minus all the cool unique stuff like soft pretzels, toaster treats, and that sort of stuff).
However, it seems Sweet Marie’s is no longer in business. The sad thing is…nothing indicates this. Not one thing. We got into the car and got our morning coffee…then headed to where Sweet Marie’s was supposed to be…but it wasn’t there. A different business now occupied the spot. The Website and Facebook page do not indicate that this bakery closed…but it’s gone. G.O.N.E. And I was really, really put out and sad…because I had planned out what I wanted to get there to eat, and now I had no idea where to get breakfast that morning.
Then Cathy saved the day. While looking around on Find Me Gluten Free (which I later found a review on Sweet Marie’s from June saying that the place was closed), Cathy had discovered a place called Living Foods Market and Café, which is a local gourmet market and café that offers up the freshest seasonal specials and local favorites, as well as handpicked imports from around the world. In addition, they offer a cafeteria-type café, offering an impressive menu with items that are created by the culinary team that is employed there. They offer paninis and pizza and…the kicker…GLUTEN FREE CREPES…among other things. It was breakfast…and the three of us thought crepes sounded divine.
Living Foods Market and Café Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe
So, we left the ruins of a gluten-free bakery dream behind and took the 25 minute drive around to Koloa, where Living Foods Market and Café is located. It was a nice shop to be sure. The market was packed with familiar items and items I had never seen before. And lots of tasty, tasty sounding foods that I only wish I had time to purchase and consume before my time in paradise was up. We got in line to place our food orders…
Cathy was the oddball this time. She went ahead and ordered the Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe ($13.99), which is basically your simple breakfast crepe…smoked ham, melted fontina cheese and a soft cooked egg. It sounded like everything she liked in the world and normally couldn’t get at home, thanks to the chef of the apartment being a gluten-free vegetarian who is lactose intolerant. HA!
Jenn and I, without any conversation, apparently were on the same wavelength when it came to our choice for crepe. We both got the Sautéed Apples Crepe ($13.99). Cathy and I got bottles of water to go with ours and we went to find somewhere to sit. Most of the larger tables were taken up, but we did find a table with two chairs at it in the back, and hauled over a seat from another table for the third. I left Cathy with the table and returned to (selfishly) poke around more in the market and then retrieve the crepes upon completion.
Jenn was still inside and began to tell me about this crazy-good sounding macadamia nut butter that she found in the food isles. I had her go show me. It was crazy-expensive (well…maybe not for macadamia nut products), but sounded amazing. She was considering purchasing it. I said it was relevant to my interests. HA! So, we poked around a little more at some of the local products (as in hand soaps, shampoo, the like), until the chef at the line called Jenn’s name and heaped this plate up with the biggest crepe I had seen in my life on top. I think they used 1 full or maybe 1-1/2 apples in the apple crepe. Cathy and my order followed right after…with Cathy’s crepe looking the most normal sized and mine being this monster. I carried the breakfast plates outside to the table and we all tucked in for our meal.
Cathy did, in fact, love her breakfast-style Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe. She especially loved it when she got to the part with the egg inside. She acted all surprised that there was an egg, despite the fact that it was listed on the description when she ordered it. She didn’t forget…she was just being Cathy. I think she’s so used to breakfast-type savory crepes having scrambled eggs inside…instead of a soft-cooked egg. Regardless…she was a happy pork-eating girl.
Jenn and I both tucked into the Sautéed Apples Crepe. This…was awesome. It is a crepe wrapper (which…I’ll get into my thoughts on that in a moment) wrapped around apples sautéed in butter and cinnamon and topped off with a drizzle of caramel and a dollop of whipped cream. I pushed my whipped cream to the side and took my first bite. So…the crepe wrap as opposed to the crepe that is cooked and toasted to this golden perfection, with a little golden crust on the outside…was missing. The crepe wrap was unexciting and dull in comparison to the crepes that I have had at Sweet ‘N Savory Food Truck in Louisville, Kentucky and C’est Si Bon! in Bexley, Ohio. Both of those gluten-free crepe places make their crepes on crepe stones, yielding a much more finished product. While the wrap here at Living Food Market and Café was…pale and a little bit gummy. The fact that the fillings were not cooked inside the wrap itself made it so that the hot apples and their juices soggied up the crepe and it eventually began to fall apart. All that being said, the apples were caramelized and cooked to utter perfection. Seriously. It was like diving into an apple pie and eating the filling only. The balance of apples to cinnamon was amazing…and filling. Whew. There were so many apples stuffed into this one crepe that it was amazing I was able to eat as much as I did. In the end, I pushed aside the crepe wrap and tried to eat the apples, but even some of that was left behind. It was not the way I intended to start the morning, but it was filling and delicious…and in the end…I suppose that’s all that matters.
After we ate and cleared our dishes, we headed out…pausing briefly while Jenn did, in fact, purchase the macadamia nut butter that was calling her name. YAY! And from there…it was off for a day of exploring (as much as I comfortably can) and some beach time. It was a nice way to start the day and left us relatively full until about 3 pm, when we packed up from the shore, drove back to the resort, cycled through showers, and headed out for dinner.
So, while it wasn’t the breakfast I anticipated, it was a hearty, and good breakfast in the end. If you love a sweet crepe…dive into that Sautéed Apples offering. Trust me!! It’s really good!
Living Foods Market and Café Gluten Free Sautéed Apples Crepe
There are few things in life as perfect as a bagel, right? All my New Yorkers, let me hear those cheers of agreement. They are crispy, and soft and chewy and…just amazing little morsels of bready goodness that actually due fill you up and keep that motor running all the way through lunch time. Bagels and I have been BFFs for years.
Well, we were breakfast besties until I was diagnosed with Celiac. Then the bagel and I had to break up. Yep…because I just couldn’t find a decent one out on the market. Which…sucks. Yep. Sucks. The closest I came to bagel perfection was Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels (now available in a variety of flavors) and also Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels (Plain & Everything), which were just released this past year. They weren’t perfect…but they were the best out there. Most of the other ones I tried were wrong in texture, taste, or everything. Katz Gluten Free offered some good ones…but again…not anything like the bagels I grew up consuming.
And then, one day, that all changed…
I had just posted on Twitter about trying the new Canyon Bakehouse bagels, when I was tweeted at by the PR person at this random gluten free bagel company, called Sweet Note Bakery. I was, naturally, intrigued. So…I did find myself scoping out their Web site and seeing all the amazing bagel flavors they have to offer. Their bagels not only looked amazing, but sounded amazing too. To top things off and really sweeten the deal for this former New Yorker and bagel-enthusiast, they were New York style! And yes…New York does have a style for bagels. Smaller and more dense. For such a big and bustling city, you wouldn’t think small and dense would sum up the bagel style. But it does…beautifully.
So, Sweet Note Bagels started 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, as you know, I have already sung the praises of the Plain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, Chocolate Swirl and Poppy. Which means…Sesame was the last holdout. I’d been meaning to place an order with Sweet Note Bakery…but life’s been a bit hectic as of late. It kept slipping my mind, although in the mornings I’d be all “I wish I had bagels.” So, one would think I would take drastic action. But, alas…craziness.
But then I finally made the trip up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my friend Jenn for a weekend. And, one of my favorite stops to make (and one reason I travel with a cooler) is at The Raisin Rack. It’s a great natural food store with a gluten-free section that blows my mind. And, as I was meandering down the aisle…what should I see in the freezer…but Sweet Note Bagels – Poppy and Sesame variety. The two that I hadn’t tried yet. It was an omen. It was a sign. Yes…both flavors were in my basket, in my shopping bag, in my cooler, and then in my freezer.
With Poppy long gone, and a hectic and even more stressful week this week than originally planned…the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels made their debut in my kitchen (and my belly) yesterday and were polished off today. Let me tell you…these were completely worth the wait. I pulled the sleeve of Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels out of the freezer yesterday morning, just as I was about to make them. Why? Because the bagel goddesses in charge of the Sweet Note Bagel Empire instruct per the packaging that you should not let these bagels thaw to room temperature…and instead, microwave them to perfect softness for about 60 seconds. Allow to cool (or don’t) and slice in half. Toast these bagel halves to perfection, either in a toaster, or, if you’re like me and don’t own a toaster, in the oven at 350°F for about…15-20 minutes. What emerges is sheer toasty bagel perfection, all golden brown and ready for their liberal schmear of the vegan cream cheese that is in my fridge. Time to dig in.
I love anything with sesame seeds on it, honestly, and these get a nice toasting, making the flavor really…pop. I was hooked at first bite, for real!! The Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are what sesame bagels are meant to be like. Perfectly coated, because bagel perfection is what Sweet Note Bakery is all about. They hit up the top with a nice layer…and speckle that bottom. No plain bottoms here. No way! Every bite gives you that sesame flavor that you love. The bagel itself…a nice crisp on the outside with that soft, chewy center. It’s amazing what a good bagel can do to start your day off right. And the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagel is not just a good way to start your day off on a sweet note (heh…see what I did there?), it’s a great way! This bagel is everything you love about that sesame flavor, without having to go to your favorite Asian bistro at 5 am. They aren’t open. But your freezer is open 24/7…365 days a year. So stock happy bagels in your happy freezer…whichever flavor makes you happiest. But trust me, a good sesame bagel…no…a great sesame bagel like the one from Sweet Note…is a happy place and a happy food. Even better, the inner bread, that soft, chewy part, is perfect. No holes or airpockets, like those you can find in the gluten-free bagels in the supermarket. You know what I’m talking about…so you don’t have that “I paid for holey products!” moment and feel like you wasted your money and you’re not getting your fill. Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are, like all their bagels…love in a bag. Every flavor has now been consumed with eager anticipation and foodie amazement…and everyone has left me satisfied. Bagel perfection…in a gluten-free, New York-style way. It doesn’t get any better than this!
So…let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are made with LOVE (and you can tell!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, sesame seeds, and salt. These bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan and gluten-free…yes, please. I also love that their ingredient list is all real food. No weird chemicals and preservatives. Just real…tasty…perfect ingredients.
And now…here is where we discuss the nutrition facts of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels. A serving size is 1 bagel (128 grams), and there are 4 bagels in a sleeve. This one bagel will dish up 310 calories, 5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Seriously…this is a great choice for breakfast as it does keep you energized and full throughout the entire morning. So much love. Oh yes…a sesame coated love-fest for sure.
And guess what? This is not where my Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagel journey comes to and end. Nope. For one thing…I intend to always have some of these delights in my freezer. I’d be missing out on life if I didn’t. BUT…more importantly…it is September and that means they have just released their limited time fall flavor…PUMPKIN SPICE!
And you know me…I love PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! As my birthday is in 19 days…I think I’m going to have to celebrate by ordering some of their Pumpkin Spice bagels. I mean, I’ve earned it, right?
If you are a bagel aficionado like me…and if you have to eat gluten free (or not…because you really won’t care. These are awesome and my gluten-loving roomie LOVES these!), hurry over to their Web site and place an order. OR…check your local natural food stores, as they might carry them. Me…I still have to do the online order…but they ship fast and get here in amazing condition. I am so glad that they pinged my tweet about my blog or I’d never know the goodness of a perfect gluten-free bagel.
Sweet Note…I am definitely a #CrazyBageler!! Proud flag waver and supporter of your crazy-good, crazy-tasty, crazy-flavorful, crazy-that-they-are-gluten-free New York Style Bagels!! Love is all I have, which works…because love is what you give us! Thank you!
Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels topped with a schmear of vegan cream cheese
I am in love with my Gluten Free on a Shoestring books. I always have been. I always will be. Because the recipes utilize items you would normally have in your kitchen. Not only that, all of the recipes are super easy to prepare and have been DELICIOUS!
I mean…DELICIOUS!
I own three of the four Gluten Free on a Shoestring books by Nicole Hunn. However, this particular recipe I stumbled across through a post on Facebook…and it is not in any of her current books. That being said, I pinned it to my Pinterest account and then made arrangements to make it that weekend.
And I did. And it was awesome.
I loved how light and full of peanut butter flavor this bread was. While the chocolate chips are optional, I highly recommend it. Great topped off with jam or…as I enjoyed preparing it…as French toast…with blueberry maple syrup topping it off. Whether you like it plain, jammed up, buttered up, or French toast style…this quick bread is super easy to make and even easier to devour.
Recipe: One Bowl Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Quick Bread
One Bowl Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Quick Bread
1 cup smooth natural peanut butter (I used Trader Joe’s Organic Unsalted Natural Peanut Butter, but I bet any other nut butter, or non-nut-butter would work beautifully)
1-1/4 cups milk, at room temperature (I used Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk)
2 eggs at room temperature, beaten
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups all purpose gluten free flour (I used Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free All-Purpose)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (or try arrowroot or potato starch) (I actually used arrowroot)
1-1/2 to 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, but recommended!) (I used Enjoy Life)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease or line a standard 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.
In a large, heat-safe bowl, place the peanut butter and microwave for 30-seconds on high power just to loosen up the peanut butter and make it easier to stir. Remove it from the microwave and whisk the peanut butter until smooth.
Add the milk, eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda, whisking to combine well after each addition. The batter will be thin.
Switch to a large spoon or spatula, and add the flour and cornstarch, mixing to combine after each addition. The batter will be relatively thick.
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and smooth the top with a wet spatula. Using a very sharp knife, score the center of the loaf along the length from one end to the other in one swift motion. Scatter the (optional) chocolate chips over the top of the batter, and press the chips gently into the batter to adhere.
Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (about 1 hour), rotating once during baking.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the loaf pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice thickly and serve, topped off however you want. Wrap any leftover slices tightly in freezer-safe wrap and freeze until ready to use. Defrost at room temperature.
ENJOY!
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Serious…serious yum! I mean…yum!! And if you want a protein-packed breakfast or snack, this is the bread to make. It has great flavor, great taste, great texture. It was light (not dense and heavy) and the chocolate chips gave it this nice touch of sweetness without overpowering the entire recipe. And, as I said, it is great as French toast. For real!! I was sad when my roommate and I polished this off on Friday for breakfast, but I will definitely be making this again.
They’re back!! Not just bagels my friend. And not just those crazy poppy seeds that get everywhere, screw up drug tests (or so I’ve heard), and make everything taste amazing. Nope. I’m talking Sweet Note Bagels! If you missed out on my initial fawning over this brand of gluten-free bagel…then you’ve missed out. So it up and pay attention! And if you remember it all too well, welcome back…because they hit another one out of the endzone…or something!
You see, a long time ago in a Twitter-verse far, far away, I posted a blog regarding the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels that I had actually found in my area. Much praise and accolades were given. And then…a highly efficient PR person for another gluten-free bagel company replied to my tweet and told me that if I enjoyed Canyon Bakehouse…then I would love what they were serving up.
I was skeptical, naturally…but found myself clicking on the link to go to their Web site. And lo and behold…a virtual gluten-free bagel bakery awaited my every bagel desire. Well…maybe not every desire…but they had quite the variety. And what was even more important, especially to this former New Yorker and bagel-enthusiast, they were New York style! And yes…New York does have a style for bagels. Smaller and more dense. For such a big and bustling city, you wouldn’t think small and dense would sup up the bagel style. But it does…beautifully.
So, Sweet Note Bagels started 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, as you know, I have already sung the praises of the Plain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, and Chocolate Swirl. Which means…Poppy and Sesame are all that remains. I’d been meaning to place an order with Sweet Note Bakery…but life’s been a bit hectic as of late. It kept slipping my mind, although in the mornings I’d be all “I wish I had bagels.” So, one would think I would take drastic action. But, alas…craziness.
But then I finally made the trip up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my friend Jenn for a weekend. And, one of my favorite stops to make (and one reason I travel with a cooler) is at The Raisin Rack. It’s a great natural food store with a gluten-free section that blows my mind. And, as I was meandering down the aisle…what should I see in the freezer…but Sweet Note Bagels – Poppy and Sesame variety. The two that I hadn’t tried yet. It was an omen. It was a sign. Yes…both flavors were in my basket, in my shopping bag, in my cooler, and then in my freezer.
And last Monday, I busted out the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels for breakfast. Per the instructions on the packaging, do not thaw these bagels on the counter. Just don’t. Obey the bagel goddesses who are in charge of these fantastic bagel-y treats. They say nuke each one for 60 seconds, until they are soft. Allow to cool slightly (or don’t)…and then slice in half. Toast…in a toaster or, if you’re like me and don’t own a toaster, in the oven at 350°F for about…10 minutes. This gave me time to toss them in the oven and then toss myself into the shower (Hey, Monday morning is spin class…and I had an office I didn’t want to offend with my workout funk!)…and upon my return, I pulled them out of the oven. And they were perfect. I mean…golden brown perfect. Each half got a liberal schmear of the vegan cream cheese that is in my fridge and then my roommate and I dug into the Poppy variety.
DUDE! YUM! The packaging says…“For flavor that POPS…” like Poppy Seeds…get it? HAHA! Well, the fact of the matter is, those little black seeds really are a powerhouse for flavor. And what’s more is that Sweet Note Bakery knows how to properly coat a bagel, prep a bagel, and put out a good quality bagel. Sure, some seeds fleck off, but that’s what happens. That’s life. You simply wet a fingertip and pluck them up, or turn your cream cheese side down and dab at them. It’s all good. The bagel itself…a nice crisp on the outside with that soft, chewy center. It’s amazing what a good bagel can do to start your day off right. And the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel is not a good bagel…it’s a damn good bagel. It’s a happy bagel. A poppin’ fresh bagel. It’s an everything is going to be okay bagel. The poppy seeds bring this nutty flavor and aroma to the toasted bagel. The bread itself is perfection…no airpockets of “WTF WHERE IS MY PRODUCT?” that can happen with gluten-free bread products. It’s…love in a bag. Every flavor I’ve tried has been outstanding. And this one just got added to the list.
So…let’s talk about what goes into the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made from LOVE (Yes, that is on the ingredient list), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, poppy seeds, and salt. These bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan and gluten-free…yes, please. More of these! Like for life. Just keep them coming!
Now, let’s look at the nutritional information. A serving size is one (1) of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels. This bagel will provide you with 310 calories, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 520 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Yes…these bagels are filling, and that’s what I love about them. With other gluten-free bagels on the market, I am full for an hour, then hungry again, despite being twice as big. Most others on the markets are made with fillers rather than real ingredeints, and that’ makes a difference by leaps and bounds.
Love. Love is their main ingredient. And love is what I give back. Sweet Note Bagels is doing the gluten-free community a lot of justice by putting out quality, delicious, amazing bagels. If these were served to anyone, no one would be able to tell that they are gluten-free. That is how outstanding these bagels are. With this package polished off, all that remains is the Sesame…before I need to restock. Maybe the Pumpkin Spice will be back by then…
Stay tuned!
Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel topped off with a schmear of vegan cream cheese
It was one of those moments where you receive an e-mail with a recipe…and you’re out of town visiting a friend, who happens to keep gluten-free goodies at her house just for you! And every ingredient needed for said recipe that caught your attention is already in her pantry, fridge, or freezer.
To me, that sounds like a sign to make something for sure. And as it is traditional for the two of us to cook at least once together when visiting…this recipe seemed to fit the bill.
And why did it catch my eye? First…the word “breakfast” was involved. We all know that my favorite meal of the day is breakfast. Secondly…the word “cake.” Yes…CAKE FOR BREAKFAST!
I have actually made this recipe twice now…and found the flour I used for it the second time (Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour) worked a lot better than the Trader Joe’s Gluten Free All Purpose that we used at Jenn’s. I served this up to my parents, my sister, and my nephews…and all loved it as much as my roommate, Jenn, and I did. So…this is forever being made.
The original recipe was from Gluten Free on a Shoestring…posted by Udi’s Gluten-Free. The recipe below…is how I make it!
Cake for breakfast…it sounds so sinful, but, even more importantly…it’s delicious.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (I used Earth Balance)
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon vanilla Greek yogurt, (If dairy-free, use soy/almond/coconut yogurt) (you make need to add more to mix)
2 eggs, beaten
1-1/4 cups fresh roughly chopped strawberries
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan, then line it with crisscrossed sheets of unbleached parchment paper, overhanging both sides of the pan. Set the pan aside.
Make the batter.
In a large bowl, place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar, and whisk to combine well.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the butter, yogurt and eggs, mixing to combine after each addition. The batter will be thick.
Add 1 cup of the chopped strawberries and mix gently until the strawberries are evenly distributed throughout the dough, taking care not to crush the strawberries.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer with a wet spatula. Scatter the remaining 1/4 cup chopped strawberries over the top of the batter, pressing them gently into the batter.
Bake the cake.
Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is very lightly golden brown (about 25 minutes). Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting out by the overhung parchment paper and placing on a wire rack to cool (peeling off the parchment from the bottom of the cake if possible). Allow to cool completely before slicing into 16 squares and serving.
**NOTE: I store this in the fridge and give it a 20-30 second heat up in the microwave before eating. It is DIVINE!**
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This cake is not just for breakfast, but it is a rather healthy, low-calorie, and amazingly moist and delicious way to have breakfast. Nothing better than having your cake (for brekkies) and eating it too! I was so impressed by this recipe, and totally made only a few slight adjustments to the recipe, but it came out perfect. And I intend to make it again very soon. It’s easy, it’s delicious…it’s what breakfast should be.
The Celiathlete 