Cereal – Page 3 – The Celiathlete

September 8, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins – $5.29+

Some mornings, it’s easy to decide what to make for breakfast. Other mornings, I have way too much going on to make something great and elaborate. These are the mornings that the gluten-free toast and gluten-free bagels usually rear their heads. And yes, I am certainly aware of the “good carbs vs. bad carbs” argument when it comes to breakfast foods and how you start your day. But…with a strict budget and, honestly, the need for something quick that doesn’t take a lot of time some mornings…I have to do what fits into my mornings.

I don’t feel guilty about it. An egg scramble isn’t hard, but to not overcook the eggs, it can take awhile. Where as something like a gluten-free bagel or a couple slices of gluten-free toast can toast up while I take a quick shower, having just returned home from my early morning spin class or from doing laps in the pool. Regardless…some mornings, it’s what has to be done.

So, this morning, despite having some gluten-free bagels in my freezer, I reached for something that I had been wanting to try for a very long time.

And if you read the subject of this post, you already know that I’m talking about Glutino’s Gluten Free Original English Muffins.

After my local Whole Foods stopped carrying the LivWell brand of English Muffins that I fell in love with…and since Katz Gluten Free requires an online order…it was nice to be able to duck into one of my local grocery stores/natural food stores and pick these up out of the freezer section. I did a bit of a double-take, I admit, when I first purchased them, as they are a bit of a yellow-orange color in the packaging. Odd. But, it didn’t deter me from buying them. Nope. So, purchase made, they found their way to my freezer, I found myself out of town and using up other products that needed using…until this morning.

After that morning spin class I previously mentioned, I drove home, turned on the oven and put the two Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins onto a baking sheet. I had left them in a Ziploc bag to thaw while I was gone. I handed my roommate her bowl of cereal, put the English Muffins into the oven and went to take a quick shower. They could cook without me needing to babysit them. I was all about that for sure! Makes for an easy breakfast that can be done while I am doing something else. I love to be able to multitask.

So, after I was dressed and ready for work, I made my way back out to the kitchen, where the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins were still happily toasting away. I pulled down some plates and got out the Earth Balance spread and some blueberry jam (made from real fruit only!). I checked on the English muffins and they were almost to that perfect golden toasty color. So, I got out the butter knife and then grabbed the hot pad holder to remove them from the oven. They looked perfect. I slathered each half of the Glutino Original English Muffins with Earth Balance spread and then…topped that with the most perfect schmear of blueberry jam. It looked heavenly and I was already anticipating my very first bite.

I picked up my plate and settled in for breakfast. I lifted the English muffin and took my very first bite.

I was anticipating something that was heavy and dense and just…not what an English muffin should be. But I was wrong. I was definitely wrong. The Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins actually were quite light. The toasted areas had this nice crispiness to them, but the inner layer was soft and light. I loved that it wasn’t dense. I loved that it felt like I was eating a normal English muffin. In fact, the powdery cornmeal dusted on top helped add to that illusion too. I was loving every bite. And it paired so well with the classic toppings of butter and jam. It was pure breakfast perfection. And now that they were toasted, that strange color didn’t look so scary anymore. I happily noshed away on my entire English muffin, wanting to savor, but not wanting it to get cold either. I found the perfect balance, enjoying every bite and commenting on just how surprised I was by the taste and texture. These were, for sure, a winner!

The Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins are made from water, corn starch, tapioca starch, skim milk powder, corn flour, egg whites, can sugar, canola oil, salt, cellulose gum, yeast, baking powder, gluconon-delta-lactone, pectin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, modified cellulose, corn meal, iron, nacin, tracalcium phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, and riboflavin. Yes…I am aware of how chemically some of those ingredients sound. And that word modified is a bit of a bother. It’s sad…because, if you’re like me and actually care about that sort of thing…it sort of lessens my excitement for these breakfast treats.

A serving of the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins is one English muffin. This one English muffin will provide your body with 170 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. I think that’s freakin’ fantastic. A serving also provides 440 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. Not bad for a bready breakfast item. These English muffins are also cholesterol free. And, finally, this serving will give you less than 1 gram of filling fiber and only 4 grams of protein. So, this is why I paired it with a bowl of cereal…because otherwise, I’d be starving within an hour. It will not leave you feeling full for very long, that’s for sure.

Regardless, I am a huge fan of the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins. Great flavor, great taste, great texture…which means I’ll treat myself to them every now and again. Because, on some mornings, sometimes the only thing you want is an English muffin. And when, normally, due to Celiac or gluten intolerance, this isn’t something that can happen on a regular basis…this is a nice treat indeed. I highly recommend these English muffins. In fact, I even think people who can eat Thomas’ English Muffins would appreciate these as well. There…I said it.

Put it to the test. For me…no need. I’m in love. I’m in love all over again with breakfast. Thank you, once more, for another fantastic product, Glutino. Thank you.

August 26, 2014

Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest – Indianapolis, Indiana – August 23, 2014

GF Jules and me at the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This past Saturday, I had the honor of being able to attend the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest up in Indianapolis, Indiana. I love going to gluten-free expos and events and Indianapolis seems to always have one at some point during any calendar year. This year was no exception, and I was thrilled to read about the new location for this year’s event – the Indian State Fairgrounds. With all the vendors and exhibitors I saw listed, I knew this year’s event was going to be HUGE! I was not let down at all.One of the magazines I currently subscribe to, Gluten Free & More (formerly Living Without), was putting on the Living Without Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in various cities this year as a way to show those with food allergies and/or sensitivities that we can live life without deprivation and missing out on delicious food. It was a coming together of the magazine, as well as over a hundred of their favorite exhibitors to celebrate living well. And it was open to anyone who wanted to stop in.

Tickets went on sale and, as a subscriber, I received a free entry, and then received a discount code for another ticket…so I had Cathy taken care of as well. So, on Saturday morning, we ate a light breakfast before climbing into the car and hauling up to Indianapolis. We timed it perfectly because we burned through our breakfast just as we got up there, about 30 minutes after it officially opened.

And…there was already a line waiting to get in.

Oh…that made me happy, indeed.

It was a hot summer day already and standing outside in the blazing sun didn’t sound like too much fun…but it wasn’t going to be a long wait. Just about 5 minutes, at the most. And while standing in line, I got to listen to people who have done expos like this before (like me) describe the events and how things work to the first timers. I even got to geek out over favorite products and the like for a few moments. I love making gluten-free friends!

Before we knew it, we were inside the doors, in the air conditioning, and getting the tickets scanned. We were given blue wristbands to wear (for re-entry purposes and to show we paid!). Cathy and I put them on and headed into the expo proper. We were greeted at the door by people passing out reusable shopping bags from Glutino (a personal favorite!). Perfect for all the samples and products you are bound to pick up and buy.

Trust me, you don’t walk out of these events empty-handed.

Cathy and I decided that we were going to be systematic about our approach to each table/vendor/aisle. We’d start on one side and then work our way up, then come back down the other side. This was a good plan in theory, and we decided to start in the middle aisle to avoid the congestion of the end aisles. We soon found out…no matter what…it was just hopping and congested. People were surrounding tables, getting free samples, trying products, trying local baked goods, and the like. So, we ditched our original systematic plan for the…let’s just see what there is and wriggle into open areas when we can.

We’re pros. HA!

That being said, we began our Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest at the Glutino/Udi’s/Earth Balance booth, which was giving out samples of Udi’s Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Cashew Cookies as well as Glutino’s Gluten-Free Multigrain English Muffins, schmeared with Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread. It was all crazy, crazy delicious. I actually have the Glutino English Muffins in my freezer, I just haven’t tried them yet. Now…I know buying them wasn’t a mistake at all. They were delicious. And that Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread…out-of-this-world good!

And from there…it only got better. We made a point to stop by each vendor’s table and talk to them about their products, if we had tried them. If we hadn’t…we would ask all about them. I made a point of raving to the Pamela’s Product people about the Figgies & Jammies. Because they are awesome and worthy of praise. I talked to the Hodgson Mills representative and when I mentioned being a food blogger he said to reach out to the Hodgson Mills team anytime. I was told the same thing by various other vendors as well. And one local vendor who was selling the most amazing bar-b-que sauce and seasoning (which we purchased) said to tag her on Facebook when I use their products so they can read my blog. I was having a great time.

I think, though, the best moment had to come at the Freedom Foods table. Because, as many of you are aware, Freedom Foods only makes my favorite gluten-free cereal, Tropic-O’s. NOM NOM! I can’t find this cereal here anymore, since my Whole Foods stopped carrying it, so my parents ship it to me from Birmingham, Alabama. We have a system down. But, recently, they put out a gluten-free, dairy-free, and not-free version of Nutella…which I fell in love with. My local Kroger is the only place that had it…and I bought the last jar of it a few weeks ago. It has never been restocked. So…I stocked up on some Quinoa Pancake Mix, lots of “Smudge” (that’s the Nutella stuff!), and a few other products to try, all the time raving about how much I love their products and how they honestly care about what ingredients go into all of their stuff. It didn’t hurt that the guy at the table had a New Zealand/Australian accent. HELLO! I actually ended up going back to the table before leaving that day and buying 4 more jars of Smudge. I hadn’t opened the one I had at home for fear I would never find it again. Now…it’s on!

I was able to sample some of the best gluten-free Snickerdoodles I have ever eaten. And this pasta that was made from lentils that tasted exactly like regular pasta…but I couldn’t afford the hefty price tag on it. Unfortunately. It was nice to sample it, however. At the very back of the building, for those over 21, was the gluten-free cider/beer tasting area. There was so much food and samples…so I was glad we ate light. And Cathy and I have a system down…where we split a sample so we aren’t filling up on our own. It always works at these events.

However, I have to say the greatest moment ever was when I finally got to meet GF Jules in person. GF Jules (formerly Jules Gluten Free) was one of the first Celiac/Gluten-Free bloggers/recipe makers/amazing people I started to follow on social media after my diagnosis. While I have been to events where she has been present, I have never been able to actually meet her. That changed. We discovered that we were food allergy soul sisters, both of us being vegetarian Celiacs who also can’t handle dairy. Go figure. She was so nice and just so easy to talk with. I picked up one of her cookbooks, which she signed, and she was kind enough to take a picture with me. I might have geeked out a little bit. Or a lot. You know how it goes…

And soon, after a couple hours of tasting, testing, buying, talking, and exploring, our time at the expo drew to a close. We were going to meet our friend, Greg, for lunch that day, so we bid adieu to the fantastic event and made our way out to the car.

This event was probably the best one I have attended so far. Great people, great vendors, great information all around. And I came home with samples and products to try in the very near future. Can’t argue with that, right? Right!

I hope they return next year. I’m already making plans to attend. If one of these events happens near you…I definitely encourage you to go!

July 21, 2014

Product Review: Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal

Product: Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal – $5.99+

Many of you know, because I make it no secret, that there are certain things in life that I love. Certain foods that I fall in love with and make a staple in my pantry, refrigerator, or even my freezer. Well, that holds true for products made by the Australian company, Freedom Foods. Freedom Foods makes a variety of products, although only a few items are available in the United States at the moment…and most of these include cereals, which, for the record, are made in a dedicated and specially built allergen-free facility in the Riverina region of New South Wales, in Australia. As Freedom Foods was specifically developed to make allergen-free foods, they test every batch made in their facilities, to the most stringent levels possible, leaving no doubt that the Freedom Foods products you pick up will be free of the allergens that are necessary to avoid.

LOVE THAT!

Because we live in a world where it’s not enough to just be health conscious. Now we have to be allergen conscious too. With the growing number of food allergies and intolerances, it is nice to find a company that really proves that it is dedicated to creating products that are safe to consume. Freedom Foods has been around for over 20 years, making great-tasting and nutritious allergen-free food. I can attest to this, as I am a huge fan of the products I have had from them thus far. All of their products adhere to the strict guidelines laid out by Australia’s food industry, meaning all their products are non-GMO. They even test for GMOs just to make sure.

One of my favorite products, mind you, is the Tropico’s cereal, which is a gluten-free version of Froot Loops, but made without artificial colors, ingredients, partially hydrogenated crap…you know…all that bad stuff that Kellogg’s puts into their cereals and people consume freely. I am a cereal girl. I start most of my mornings with a small bowl. A serving. And yes…I do measure. You knew that already though, right?

Well, in my July Cuisine Cube, I had a special surprise waiting for me inside. Because when I opened up the box, I saw that bright red top of a cereal box that meant…it had to be Freedom Foods. I thought for a moment that they just restocked me on my Tropico’s (which my parents mail to me every few weeks so I never run out – as it is impossible to find them around here anymore!). But I was wrong. The box of cereal that awaited me when I pulled it out of the Cuisine Cube was…one I had never seen in the wild before. Not when stores around here carried it…and not at the store that carries the brand in Birmingham, Alabama…where I think my parents buy them out of Tropico’s.

The cereal was Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal…and it’s basically a chocolate version of Rice Krispies. Chocolate puffed rice cereal? I’m down with that. We all know I’m a chocolate fiend as it is. Give it to me for breakfast and you just won my morning. As I just ran out of Tropico’s…it looked like Monday was going to start with a bit of chocolate. So, I poured myself a serving of the Cocoa Crunch, topped it with a splash of unsweetened almond milk, and settled in to get something more in my stomach (I had a small bite of something before I went for my run, but I still had spin class to contend with…so…fuel, baby, fuel!).

I have had my fair share of puffed rice cereals in the chocolate form before. Envirokidz (Koala Crisp) and Mom’s Best (Crispy Cocoa Rice) both do gluten-free puffed rice cereal. And both are really delicious. So…when I took a bite of this cereal, I was hoping it would live up to those two at least.

It came as no surprise that…it did.

Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch is a chocolaty bowl of goodness and rightness in the morning. Chocolate can make anything better. Even a good morning can be improved on with a hint of chocolate. What makes this cereal really unique, though, is that these chocolate puffs of rice are flavored and colored with natural ingredients and are lower in sodium and sugar than comparable kids cereals. And…the flavor really is great. I don’t want a cereal to be too sweet, because it feels like it’s just a bunch of sugar. And this one strikes a nice balance of rich chocolate without that overkill on sweetness. It was crunchy, and stayed crunchy, as I ate it. And analyzed each bite…which I tend to do each time I try a new cereal. It was decadent without being too much. And, the best part is…the chocolate milk left in the bowl at the end of it. Recovery fuel at its finest! This cereal is total chocolate love without the excess sugar and sodium that other kids cereals have inside.

So…let’s get down to the comparisons and the nitty-gritty of the ingredients and nutritional information, yes?

Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal contains the following ingredients: gluten-free flour mix (rice, non-GMO corn, wholegrain sorghum flour), cane sugar, chocolate syrup, psyllium, cocoa powder, salt, palm oil, natural chocolate flavor, and…wait for it…vitamins (niacin, thiamine, folic acid). This cereal is free from gluten, wheat, nuts, soy, eggs, and GMO ingredients.

As for the nutritional information, this isn’t too bad for a gluten-free chocolate-based cereal. Honestly. A serving of Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal is 1 cup (Envirokidz Koala Crunch is 3/4 cup and Mom’s Best is 3/4 cup). This serving will give you 130 calories and .5 grams of fat (Envirokidz – 110 calories; 1 gram fat; Mom’s – 120 calories; 1 gram fat). This serving will also dish you up 85 mg sodium and only 7.5 grams of sugar (Envirokidz – 100 mg sodium; 11 grams sugar; Mom’s – 150 mg sodium and 13 grams sugar). And finally, you will be taking in 3.5 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein (Envirokidz – 2 grams fiber; 2 grams protein; Mom’s – 0 grams of fiber; 1 gram protein). So, Freedom Foods might have a few more calories than the other gluten-free puffed rice cereals out there, but it definitely has them beat on everything else. And you know what? That makes me really happy. The small amount of sugar that is inside a chocolate cereal from Freedom Foods just wow’s me. Honestly. I am beyond impressed.

Between Tropico’s and Smudge…Freedom Foods is really making a name for itself in my pantry. And now…it’s striking a high note with the chocolate lover in me with this Cocoa Crunch Cereal. I can’t thank Cuisine Cube enough for introducing me to this product that I didn’t even know existed. Another great item in my latest box…another fantastic product from Freedom Foods. I am one happy food-loving girl!

A bowl of Freedom Foods Cocoa Crunch Cereal

July 16, 2014

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

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

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

That’s right!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall…definitely liked this one!

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall…LOVE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall…really, really like!

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

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

June 23, 2014

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

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

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

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

Bummer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 16, 2014February 9, 2015

Product Review: Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola

Product: Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola – $4.99+

Another morning…another healthy breakfast! That’s how I try to look at it. Especially as I am gearing up for marathon training, yet again, through the hot, steamy summer mornings. This morning, not only did I have a training run to do, but I also have my spin class. Fuel is important and I want to be sure I’m giving my body the best fuel possible for optimum performance. Besides, food that is good for me makes me feel good. I try to keep it as natural as possible as often as I can.

So, after my run (I had something to eat before heading out, don’t worry…sports nutritionist’s orders!) and before heading out for spinning…I grabbed yet another product from my May Cuisine Cube – Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola. First of all, if you haven’t checked out Cuisine Cube, I highly encourage you to do so. I get a box, every month, with a new gluten-free item from every meal category. One for breakfast, one for snack, one for candy, one for dinner, one for lunch, and one for dessert. Every month, this is delivered to me with…and everything inside is from a smaller, lesser known company that specializes in gluten-free foods. I love it, because it is introducing me to companies and products I never would have heard of otherwise.

As my CSA bin had provided me with some amazing looking organic strawberries, I figured it was time to build up some breakfast fruit and yogurt parfaits. Because I have some damn good Greek yogurt in my fridge. It’s a staple. I always have it in there. So…I pulled the granola (a breakfast item from my Cuisine Cube) out of my pantry and began to build my famous parfaits. First some granola…then the yogurt…some honey…fruit (in this case…strawberries)…more granola…yogurt…honey…strawberries…granola…honey. Serve!

Super easy. And one of my favorite breakfasts. It’s cool and refreshing and just damn good. But…a lot of the success of this parfait does fall to the granola.

So…it was time to put Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola to the test.

You know what? It passed. One bite (which I took straight from the bag so I could see how it tasted on its own without the yogurt and fruit muddling the flavor) and I knew it was good. I knew I was going to be okay with this one. The flavors were fantastic. Not overwhelming or overpowering, but just enough. I loved being able to see not just the sunflower seeds, but the oats and flax seeds too. Nothing was hidden or unidentifiable. And the sweetness was natural as well, brought out with agave and coconut. And…the coconut doesn’t take over the granola either. And because it is sweetened with pure, organic agave nectar, this granola is low glycemic and won’t cause those sugar highs that lead to the eventual crash. This granola is heavenly. Seriously. The combination of the pure vanilla with the coconut and the crunchy sunflower seeds and toasted oats…magic on my tongue. I am so glad I had the chance to enjoy this granola. Because I use granola a lot in things and I love trying new ones. I’d never heard of Fiona’s Natural….and now I hope to find it in one of my stores around here.

Let’s talk ingredients. Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola couldn’t be cleaner. The ingredients are as follows: certified gluten-free oats, unsweetened coconut, sunflower seeds, milled flax seeds, organic agave nectar, rice bran oil, and pure vanilla extract. Not only are all of those natural ingredients, but they are all recognizable and things I have in my kitchen. Seriously! And the granola is also vegan, soy-free, and salt-free. But it does not skimp on flavor because of that. Honestly…you’ll fall in love at first bite too.

And what about nutritional information? Fiona’s Natural Sunflower Vanilla Coconut Granola is a bit higher on the calorie scale than many other granolas out there. However…I didn’t use a full serving in my parfaits…in fact, I normally use about half of what this says. But a serving is 1/3 cup of the granola. This serving provides you with 210 calories and 10 grams of fat. Do NOT freak out over that fat…they are the healthy fats. I promise! A serving will also give you 5mg sodium and 6 grams of sugar. That isn’t bad for a granola at all. This granola is cholesterol free and gluten-free. A serving will dish up 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.

So much love to Cuisine Cube for introducing me to yet another company with a great product. I hope to find Fiona’s Natural granola in stores around here. And if not, I will see if I can have it special ordered. Or…maybe I’ll just order online. This was really good granola. I was impressed. And when you eat a lot of granola, sometimes they all blend together. But this one, the subtleness of it…made it stand out. And I’m happy to have a bag of it in my pantry.

May 19, 2014

Restaurant Review: The Gluten Escape, Denver, Colorado

Restaurant: The Gluten Escape, Denver, Colorado

I have my friend, Pecos, to thank for turning me on to the newest gluten-free bakery near the Denver Tech Center in Denver, Colorado. I make a yearly sojourn out to Denver for Starfest, an annual sci-fi/fantasy convention, and am always looking for places that can safely feed me. A couple of months before I headed that way, Pecos mentioned this place on Facebook. Sure enough, it wasn’t far from my hotel at the convention at all. Insert a happy traveler right here!

As it turned out, we’d be hitting Denver at the right time to stop into said bakery for lunch. And I couldn’t be happier. Cathy and I budgeted some money (and then she added on after we settled in to eat and after purchasing a few things for later…but I’m getting ahead of myself) for this stop to be our official lunch and snack stop on Friday afternoon. It was perfect. And…after getting a little lost trying to find the place, we finally located it (under a storage awning, of all things).

The Gluten Escape. Their slogan…”Where gluten is a 4-letter word…gone!”

Love it.

The bakery itself is quite small and cozy. You see the counter with all the baked goods in the case and on top of the case the moment you walk in. To the left is a fridge, a toaster, a microwave, and coffee/tea stuff. To the right, a small dining area for those who are dining in. The back and far walls had little shelves with some of the items they had for sale…as well as cakes. Cathy scoped those out while I was preparing lunch…but I’m getting ahead of myself again.

We were greeted by a very nice gentleman behind the counter when we entered the bakery. We told him that we were from the Louisville, Kentucky area and had been told about this bakery by a good friend of ours in the area…and we were starving travelers. I was eying the brownies and bars in the case at the front when Cathy tapped me on the shoulder and said…”Bagels!”

The Gluten Escape's Gluten-Free Onion Bagel and Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll — The Gluten Escape’s Gluten-Free Onion Bagel and Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll

SOLD!! They were out of the Everything Bagel, which would have been my first choice. The other two options were Onion and Cinnamon Raisin. I jumped at Cinnamon Raisin, but Cathy said…”Really? You want that one?” Which means…she didn’t. So, I gave in for the Gluten-Free Onion Bagel ($3.00). And let me tell you…this bagel looked AWESOME!! Even better than Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagels. All of them. So, we got the Gluten-Free Onion Bagel with the Daiya Cream Cheese (yay for vegan cream cheese!) to split as we also purchased one of the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls ($2.25) to split as well.

We also picked up other goodies…but I’ll get into that in a moment.

Let’s focus on lunch. We were handed the bagel, which he sliced for us and told that the toaster was right behind us. Awesome. I got to work toasting it while he grabbed the dairy-free cream cheese and then the cinnamon roll. He handed that to Cathy and told her she might want to give it a 20 second warm-up in the microwave. Which…she did. The toasting on the bagel was taking a bit of time and I was hoping I wasn’t going to burn it. Because…FRESH MADE GLUTEN-FREE BAGEL!! HELLO!! Do you realize how uncommon that is to find??!! Trust me…you don’t see it very often. I don’t see it at all, honestly. The bagel popped and I plated it and carried it to the table. Photos happened and then I spread the bagel with the cream cheese and we each took a bite.

Holy gluten-free bagel, Batman. This was fantastic. It was light, not heavy. The flavor was amazing. You really got the onion flavor without it being overpowering. It had that nice crust on the outside, but was still chewy and bread-y in the middle. It was heaven. I cried. Seriously. Tears of joy. Because, save for the Udi’s processed gluten-free bagels…I hadn’t had an actual bagel since I had to go gluten-free. This…was life changing for me. Life affirming even. I might survive after all. I set the bagel down so I could try the cinnamon roll.

This was not what I was expecting when I cut the cinnamon roll in half. Honestly. It looked more like a muffin than the traditional cinnamon roll. It was way different from the gluten-free cinnamon rolls that I purchase from Sinfully Gluten Free in Dayton, Ohio and Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky. Like I said…it looked more like a muffin. But…we all know that cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite indulgences…and I was looking forward to splitting this with Cathy. I sliced it in half…a pocket of cinnamon flavoring nestled right in the center. I lifted it and took a bite. It reminded me of…apple pie, oddly enough. I think it was the spices that went into the dough and the cinnamon center. I loved that it wasn’t coated in icing, but lightly drizzled. I am not a fan of icing or frosting…so the less the better in my book. And this definitely gave it a nice level of sweetness. It wasn’t my favorite gluten-free cinnamon roll, but it was delicious. And we ended up buying another one!

This brings me to our side purchases…

For breakfast the following morning, Cathy and I picked up two of the Mini Chocolate Donuts ($1.59), the Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bar, and the Lemon Raspberry Bar as well. I would have bought one of everything if I could have afforded it. So, after I went for a run that morning, I returned to the hotel room and got our breakfast prepped. I sliced the bars in half and delivered those to Cathy, along with her donut. As I was getting the rest of my breakfast ready for me to settle in and enjoy…I hear the happiest noise in the world.

The Gluten Escape's Gluten-Free Lemon Raspberry Bar, Gluten-Free Chocolate Donut, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bar — The Gluten Escape’s Gluten-Free Lemon Raspberry Bar, Gluten-Free Chocolate Donut, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bar

“You HAVE TO try the donut RIGHT NOW!” I was told.

So, I took a bite.

OMG…best gluten-free donut I have had yet. From anywhere. And, trust me, I’ve eaten a lot of gluten-free donuts…in gluten-free bakeries and the store-bought kind. Seriously…reminded me of a Dunkin Doughnuts Chocolate Munchkin. I was once again in tears. It was a cake doughnut, but without the denseness and heaviness that I often find with gluten-free donuts. These were light and airy, and amazing. The chocolate chips inside were a very nice treat as well. I was starting off breakfast with a bang. YUMMY!!

The next thing I sampled was the Gluten-Free Lemon Raspberry Bar ($3.75). This had this delicious crust and was topped with a sweet and tart lemon filling and then capped with something akin to raspberry jam or compote. Whatever it was…the flavor combination was awesome. The crust gave it a little bit of texture as well as dulled the sweetness of the berries and the tartness of the lemon. I liked this bar a lot, but found myself wishing that it was just the lemon on there. I love raspberries and all…but LEMON…is the ultimate bar. Forever.

The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bar ($3.75) snagged my attention away from the brownies that were in the case. Those were tempting too. But…pretzel! HELLO! This was a lot like a blondie…but with gluten-free pretzels baked into it and scattered across the top. I’m thinking…sweet with salty. I was right. This bar was fantastic. The pretzels were slightly on the stale side, but that’s because I had bought them the day before and they were sitting on top of one of the tables in the hotel room all night. It didn’t take away from the deliciousness though. I loved the play and sweet and salty, which is my favorite flavor combination These were amazing. For real.

The Gluten Escape's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookie — The Gluten Escape’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookie

Later on that day, Cathy and I decided to have a snack. We indulged in some fruit we had picked up at the grocery store. And with it, we split the Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookie ($2.50) that we also purchased while there. This was my first time ever encountering a crispy snickerdoodle cookie. But…the flavors were spot on. The sweetness from the sugar, the heat from the cinnamon. Snickerdoodles, as we all know, are my absolute favorite cookie and these were different from what I’m used to, but I loved it all the same. So, it wasn’t the chewy cookie I associate snickerdoodles with. Didn’t matter. It tasted like a snickerdoodle. That’s what counts, yes? RIGHT!

I won’t lie…the buying didn’t stop there. Nope. Not at all. Before we left the bakery on Friday afternoon, Cathy pointed out the Gluten-Free Biscotti and the Gluten-Free Puppy Chow on one of the shelves. I also found a Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar that was definitely intriguing, since pumpkin flavored everything rules! I ended up buying the Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar ($2.25), the Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti ($1.95), the Grain Free Mocha Almond Biscotti ($3.25), and a container of the Gluten-Free Puppy Chow ($3.99-ish?).

The Gluten Escape's Gluten-Free Puppy Chow — The Gluten Escape’s Gluten-Free Puppy Chow

I tried the Puppy Chow on Monday morning on my way to the airport. Cathy and I needed to swing by Voodoo Donut to pick up some dounuts for a co-worker of ours. So, while there, Cathy ordered a donut for herself. As for me…it was Puppy Chow time. The Gluten Escape’s Puppy Chow is a mix of Chex cereal, puffed rice, pretzels, and corn flakes. They are dusted in powdered sugar. And it was really, really good. I loved the different textures and flavors with each bite. You got the salty from the pretzels, the sweet from the cereal, and each cereal was different, making it crunchy or softer or just snack-able by the handful. I loved it. I ate half of it before hitting the airport and brought the other half to the office with me the following day.

The Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar was…lacking sweetness, in my opinion. It was good. And they definitely had the right pumpkin spice flavor down. It wasn’t overpowering. But…the bar just seemed flat. It was very crunchy, which is fine…granola bars can go either way. But I kept waiting on something that would sweeten the deal. Like chocolate chips or something. I just think it needed a touch of sugar (not too much…just something to elevate it). Regardless, it was good and I downed that entire thing at the office.

As for the two biscotti that I chose…WOW!! Just…WOW!! They complimented my morning coffee beautifully for one thing. The first one that Cathy and I tried (we split them) was the Grain Free Mocha Almond Biscotti. OH MY GOD!! So delicious. I enjoyed dunking it in my coffee and just having that flavor mingle and mix. Oh…it was divine. And totally made my morning, if you couldn’t tell. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti was the same way. I loved the crispness that would soften when dunked in the coffee and the chocolate chips were a nice lingering sweet touch. I was in total coffee heaven those mornings. Seriously. I will probably buy whatever biscotti they have next time I am in town. For real. That…was love at first bite for sure!

I know that Colorado is a hotbed for gluten-free companies and businesses…and I love visiting there for that reason. But, if you happen to be near the Denver Tech Center (DTC)…I strongly encourage you to take the trip up the road to The Gluten Escape and indulge in some of their daily specials and their baked goods. Everything looked fantastic. I really would have purchased one of everything had the budget and my belly allowed. But, that’s why there is always a next time. And there will be a next time.

Beyond impressed!

The Gluten-Escape's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar, Grain-Free Mocha Almond Biscotti, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti — The Gluten-Escape’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar, Grain-Free Mocha Almond Biscotti, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti

May 7, 2014

Product Review: Glutenfreeda Cranberry Cashew Honey Granola

Glutenfreeda Cashew Cranberry Honey Granola

Product: Glutenfreeda Cranberry Cashew Honey Granola – $4.99+

Way back when my gluten-free journey started, I finally stopped cheating on my oatmeal (because I got tired of feeling like crap after lunch) and made the leap to gluten-free oats. One of the first brands readily available in my area (and also more cost efficient than others) was the gluten-free oatmeal by Glutenfreeda. And…sadly enough, the oatmeal didn’t wow me or really make me want to be friends with it. In fact, I found it rather bland, if I recall correctly.

But…sometimes you have to learn not to hold something against a brand itself. And, after a quick trip to Birmingham, Alabama, and a dash through the Publix near the Mellow Mushroom I was meeting my parents at for gluten-free pizza that night…I discovered a delicious sounding granola on the gluten-free shelves. The issue I had was…it was Glutenfreeda.

Do I risk it? I mean…it was Glutenfreeda Gluten-Free Cranberry Cashew Honey Granola. Um…nothing wrong with any of that. In fact…it sounds oh…so right! So, with a little debating, I finally snatched it off the shelf and committed myself to the purchase.

And…a month later…and me back in Louisville, Kentucky…I broke it out of the pantry for some breakfast parfaits (made with Greek yogurt and caramelized pears). Oh, to be sure, I was beyond nervous. It was the only granola in the pantry at the time, so it was either amazing…or not. And with no replacement, either way my roomie and I were eating it.

*sigh* *deep breath*

Breakfast Parfait…assemble!

Of course, I had to test the granola on its own before tossing it with the rest of the parfait components. I poured a bit in my palm, getting the oats, the dried cranberries, and the cashews. I tossed it back and…it was really good. I mean…REALLY good. It’s actually that perfect mix of sweet and salty. I mean…perfect. It has the flavor from the roasted cashews and the sweetness from the dried cranberries. The honey ties it all together. And the gluten-free oats are toasted to perfection and absolutely amazing. It all just comes together…and as much as I thought I was going to dislike this granola…I love it.

Naturally, because I have yet to find it around here. HA!

So…let’s talk ingredients, shall we? You’ll love these. Glutenfreeda’s Gluten-Free Cranberry Cashew Honey Granola is simply made from gluten-free oats, cashews, dried cranberries, brown sugar, canola oil, honey, flax seeds, vanilla.

That’s it. Okay…so the canola oil and brown sugar might throw you off…especially the canola oil, but in the grand scheme of things…not too shabby! Not at all.

Nutritionally speaking, Glutenfreeda isn’t dishing up a whole lot of empty, sugar-laden calories either. Each box of granola contains 4 individual packages. The kicker is, there are 10 servings per box. So do not eat an entire package in one sitting. You’ll be doing 2.5 servings if you do that. And one serving, 1/4 cup of the granola, will give you 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. This granola is cholesterol-free and sodium-free. A serving also provides you with 6 grams of sugar (not bad), 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

Honestly, I was skeptical, but as it turns out…I was pleasantly surprised to actually like this granola. Not just like…love. I could indulge in this at breakfast every day…if I could find it in my area. Great flavor profile. Crunchy, tasty granola. Great job, Glutenfreeda!

Granola never tasted this good! Roasted cashews and plump dried cranberries are the cornerstones to our Cranberry Cashew Honey granola. This wholesome cereal is the perfect way to start your day, carry you through the day or even end your day, as a late night snack. Our Cranberry Cashew Honey Granola is made with certified gluten-free oats and is a great way to get fiber back into your diet, deliciously.

Each box contains 4 convenient travel pouches. Just slide one in your purse, briefcase or backpack for a nutritious ‘anytime’ snack.’

Ingredients:

Certified gluten-free oats, cashews (salt), dried cranberries (sugar, sunflower oil), brown sugar, canola oil, honey, flax seeds, vanilla.

– See more at: http://www.glutenfreeda.com/our-products/granola/cranberry-cashew/#sthash.hltlNfkn.dpuf

Each box contains 4 convenient travel pouches. Just slide one in your purse, briefcase or backpack for a nutritious ‘anytime’ snack.’

Ingredients:

Certified gluten-free oats, cashews (salt), dried cranberries (sugar, sunflower oil), brown sugar, canola oil, honey, flax seeds, vanilla.

– See more at: http://www.glutenfreeda.com/our-products/granola/cranberry-cashew/#sthash.hltlNfkn.dpuf

Each box contains 4 convenient travel pouches. Just slide one in your purse, briefcase or backpack for a nutritious ‘anytime’ snack.’

Ingredients:

Certified gluten-free oats, cashews (salt), dried cranberries (sugar, sunflower oil), brown sugar, canola oil, honey, flax seeds, vanilla.

– See more at: http://www.glutenfreeda.com/our-products/granola/cranberry-cashew/#sthash.hltlNfkn.dpuf

February 20, 2014

Product Review: Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola

Product: Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola – $6.50+

Granola.

I love it. I use it every other morning (as in…mornings I don’t go to the gym) in breakfast fruit parfaits or over hot cereal. I love it. And, thankfully, I have found some better choices when it comes to the sugars that are included. And I love finding granola I haven’t tried yet. And Udi’s Gluten Free released quite a few new options recently.

Now Udi’s Gluten Free has had granola out on the market for awhile…but the new varieties bring some extra oomph to the mix. For real.

The variety that I purchased was the Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola.

So…what is it? Simple. It’s a blend of oats that have been toasted and mixed with sweet and salty toppings. What might these be? Raisins, banana chips, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Mmmm…delicious! I love that blend. The raisins and the banana chips bring nice variety in texture, soft and crunchy…and also the sweetness that meshes with the honey toasted oats. The blend of nuts also adds variety as each has a distinct flavor and texture. And it just works! It works well.

The oats are that right level of granola perfect. Kind of soft, but still crunchy. The raisins are plump and sweet. The nuts are amazing…because I love nuts. And the banana chips are a nice addition of sweetness that is a little unexpected but very welcome. The variety of ingredients and flavors really works well over the palate. It’s a fantastic play on the tongue. And I put this over some gluten-free hot cereal and it was really delicious. I mean…YUM!

Ingredients are basically already listed above…with a few additions. Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Oats are made from certified gluten-free oats, wildflower honey, canola oil, raisins, banana chips, walnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachio nuts. I love, love, love it. Clean eating…right here!

As for nutrition…this isn’t bad either. A serving size is 1/4 cup of granola. This is actually a rather large amount believe it or not. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 6 grams of fat (of which, much is the healthy variety from the nuts). This granola is cholesterol free and sodium free. A serving also provides 7 grams of sugar, which is amazing in a granola. This serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

I am wowed!

No, for real. This is one of my favorite granola I have had to date. And trust me…I have eaten a lot of granola. Why I never purchased this before, I don’t know. But I’m sold. The different textures, tastes…it works. It works magic, whether you top something off with it or eat it straight from the bag. You won’t be disappointed either.

Now…excuse me…there is an open package of this in my pantry calling my name…

A serving of Udi's Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola — A serving of Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola

November 19, 2013

Product Review: Mom’s Best Safari Cocoa Crunch

Product: Mom’s Best Gluten-Free Safari Cocoa Crunch – $2.49+

Remember those adds with Sonny the Cuckoo Bird declaring, “I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!”

I ate it up as a child. As did I devour said chocolatey puffy cereal. Actually, I think my dad enjoyed them way more than we kids did, because he’d eat the entire box if we weren’t watching him. Says something about that chocolate, sugary rush in the morning, yes?

Well, aside from a couple varieties of chocolate rice puffs…anything remotely close to Cocoa Puffs was nonexistent in the gluten-free cereal world.

Or…so I thought.

Enter…The Roomie.

You see, every now and again, I get into my kitchen to start on a meal…and discover that I am missing an ingredient. So, the roomie is normally kind enough to allow me to do more prep work while she runs down to the grocery store to get what I need. And every now and again, she returns with a wonderful new gluten-free product for me to try. This was the scenario the day she came home from the grocery store with…basically gluten-free Cocoa Puffs.

The brand is Mom’s Best…and I’ve had their Crispy Cocoa Rice cereal (basically…chocolate Rice Krispies) before…and loved then. Loved everything about them but the sugar content. But…let’s face it. I’m having chocolate for breakfast.

That’s basically how it works with the Mom’s Best Gluten-Free Safari Cocoa Crunch as well. At first…the amount of sugar was a concern…but I let it go. I tend to obsess over some things…and while watching my sugar intake is important, it isn’t life-threatening if I go over a certain amount. I just try to keep it in check…and I never seem to be able to. But…setting all that aside, this morning I opened up the box of the Safari Cocoa Crunch, and poured myself a serving. These little chocolate puffy balls of cereal looked so much like Cocoa Puffs, I might have squeed a little in delight. Maybe.

Okay…I did.

But even more so after tasting them. I popped a couple pieces of them dry…to get just the flavor on their own. Oh…my chocolate gods of cereal bliss…they were fantastic. Light…crispy…chocolatey…everything this chocoholic could have asked for and more. Chocolate in the morning…yes please! Sign me up. I then ate the rest of the bowl with a small pool of unsweetened almond milk. Fantastic. I might…might…have slurped up the extra milk, now rich with chocolate, at the bottom of the bowl. There is a good possibility it happened.

These were better than I even remember Cocoa Puffs tasting. However…it’s been a very long time since I’ve had cocoa puffs…so…keep that in mind.

But…OMG…YUMMY!!!

So, let’s get down to the ingredients and nutrition portion of this blog, shall we?

Ingredient wise…Mom’s Best Gluten-Free Safari Cocoa Crunch is made up from sugar (ugh…yes…that is the first ingredient!), corn meal, corn flour, corn syrup, coconut oil, corn bran, cocoa, caramel color, salt, calcium carbonate, canola oil, natural flavor and trisodium phosphate. So…not really the best option…and there are a few chemical sounding ingredients, despite the fact that the box declares that there are no flavors or preservatives that you can’t pronounce. Okay…I can pronounce them…doesn’t mean I know what they are. This cereal, however, does not contain high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. It is gluten-free as well.

A serving of Mom’s Best Gluten-Free Safari Cocoa Crunch is 3/4 cup. In this serving, you will be consuming 120 calories and 2 grams of fat. That really isn’t too bad for a chocolate cereal. You will be provided with 110 mg sodium and a whopping 14 grams of sugar. Again…it’s a chocolate cereal. I’m going to try not to obsess over that. Unfortunately, this cereal will not leave you feeling full, as I found out this morning. It has only 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein. I ate my bowl before heading to the gym and I was already starving 30 minutes into my workout. So, it won’t stick with you. Then again, it’s mostly sugar…so there is a reason.

Overall though…really, really tasty. I love chocolate and it’s nice to treat myself every now and again to a sinfully sugary cereal. I don’t make a habit of it…but this one was totally worth it. Really good. Mom’s Best has once again bested the sugar-addict in me…and made me fall in love with yet another chocolate breakfast treat.

Well played!