Cereal – Page 6 – The Celiathlete

February 15, 2013

Protein packed Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Crisp falters with taste

Product: Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar – $2.29+

Normally, when a gluten-free product makes it into my shopping basket, it’s because there is some sort of sale going on. Such was the case, then, when my roommate discovered protein bars that are soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free at our local Earth Fare store. As I often use these to fuel my runs or refuel after my runs, protein bars are never in short supply in my kitchen ‘run’ drawer. Trust me. There is such a variety in there, I sometimes have a hard time deciding which to go with next.

While most are tried and true favorites, sometimes it’s fun to try a new product.

And that’s what happened when these bars were on sale at Earth Fare a couple months ago. I selected two, because I didn’t want to stock up on something and then hate it with an intensity that I just ended up trashing them all and calling myself a bargain buying fool. Hey…it has happened before! I’m a bit more mindful of the situation now.

As I am also aware, this bar was approaching it’s sell by date, so I figured it was time to devour it and see if it was worth the investment. So, knowing that after running this morning and then doing some speed work/intervals on lunch, a protein bar would be a good pick-me-up snack for the afternoon, I packed this one for the office…with some not as healthy items to use as back-up if needed. Trust me…I’ve been burned enough by nasty tasting snacks that I come prepared…just in case.

When my 3 p.m. snack time did roll around, I pulled the Greens Plus Vegan Proten Bar from my snack drawer and peeled the wrapper open. It reminded me a lot of what Quaker Granola Bars look like…but on a bit of a larger scale…and minus the wheat, milk, soy and high fructose corn syrup that comes with each bite of a Quaker Granola Bar.

Instead, this vegan protein bar from Greens Plus combines organic peanut butter, brown rice, pea protein, and chia seeds with organic dark chocolate. And…for the first time, I didn’t cringe at the calorie count of a protein bar. So often, these top off near the 200 or more calorie margin. Not this one. Despite including peanut butter and dark chocolate, one bar delivers 170 calories toward your daily intake and 8 grams of fat. One bar also delivers 5 grams of protein. Sugar is not off the charts either. This particular bar, despite having dark chocolate in it, only contains 7 grams of sugar. Thanks to the addition of chia seeds, it also provides a huge Omega 3 punch. All of this makes it the perfect bar for athletes, travelers, students, or whoever might need a meal supplement or snack to get them through the day.

So, drawing in a huge breath and repeating…”Please be good, please be good, please be good…” I broke off a small piece and took my first taste.

I was immediately underwhelmed.

It’s not bad. I didn’t spit it out or wrinkle up my face in disgust when it crossed my taste buds. On the contrary, I ended up taking another bite, figuring that it really did remind me of something I have tasted before. I broke off a piece and walked it to the other side of the office for my roommate to try. She agreed that they did taste like something…but couldn’t pinpoint it at first. Then said it reminded her of a Luna Bar. She might be right. Before I had to go gluten-free, Luna Bar’s were my go-to snack for on-the-go snacking. And this might be reminiscent of one of them. It also kind of does remind me of those Sweet and Salty granola bars from Nature Valley, now that I think of it.

But…even my roomie said it. When she took her taste, she didn’t immediately think dark chocolate and peanut butter. What you really get first are the rice crisps. Then maybe a hint of peanut butter. Then…that bittersweet taste of chocolate. But…not strong. And definitely not where you’d immediately recognize it upon first bite. This wasn’t horrible by any means. In fact, the bar is one of the better ones I have tried on a whim…which is definitely saying something.

But would I actively seek this one out again in the grocery store? No. Would I purchase it again if it were on sale…maybe…but probably not. It wasn’t bad…it just wasn’t amazing either. And when you are a lactose intolerant, gluten-free, vegetarian athlete…you really want something that you like to eat when you need the protein fix.

I appreciate the effort Greens Plus puts into these bars, ensuring they are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free…I just wish they flavor had been as amazing as all of that sounds.

Green's Plus Vegan Peanut Butter And Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar (unwrapped) — Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter And Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar (unwrapped)

February 14, 2013

Lots of love for Love Grown Foods Simply Oats oat clusters

Product: Love Grown Foods Simply Oats Oat Clusters – $4.99+

Love Grown Foods…you are truly amazing. Your foods are obviously baked and created with love because it shines through in even the most simplest of products that you offer. I don’t know what else to say except…BRAVO.

And…

I LOVE YOU.

And it doesn’t get much more tasty or a simple as your Simply Oats oat clusters. Honestly…this is simple, easy, very pure without any additions. No nuts, no fruit…but all the flavor. I don’t even miss them. Not one bit. And another huge deal is that you use honey and agave to sweeten this product, not the refined sugars or artificial sweeteners that most other brands offer. Not. A. Fan.

One thing I vowed to do as my dietary needs have changed (having to go dairy-free and gluten-free as of 2 years ago) was to pay closer attention to the foods that I buy and the actual ingredients that go into them. I started this before I had to change my diet, doing my best to cut out anything that included high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. BLECH! It was a small goal, but it did get me into the habit of really looking at the information that companies put on the packaging and exactly what it is that I am putting into my body.

Now, with the dietary restrictions…reading labels is a must.

So, imagine how much less stressful and how much easier it is to know of a company and brand that I can simply pluck from the shelf at the grocery store and know…for absolutely certain…that what I am getting is made with natural ingredients and will definitely fit into my needs.

That’s Love Grown Foods. And I have to say, I didn’t have high hopes for the Simply Oats variety of their granola…but it wowed me. At first bite…I was wowed. This doesn’t happen normally. I normally need some nuttiness or fruitiness to accompany my granola…despite adding it to yogurt and berries. This one, I would eat on its own…in a flippin’ heartbeat. Honestly. I don’t need the yogurt. I don’t need the fruit. I just love the savory, sweet flavor these oat clusters have. On their own. Without added sugars or preservatives.

Love goes into these products. True love.

The granola is gluten-free and produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Love that. That takes a lot of guesswork out as well. And it means I can trust the gluten-free label that comes with these. As for ingredients…simple, but delicious: Certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, canola oil, sunflower seeds, pure vanilla, milled flaxseed, cinnamon, and sea salt. That’s it. Nine simple ingredients. Nothing chemical about it. Just simple goodness in a simple, unassuming package. And that’s the magic of these products.

Even better is how good they are for you. Nutritionally speaking, a serving is 1/4 cup (or 30 grams). In this simple serving, you get served up only 130 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. Sodium content is crazy low, a serving of Simply Oats granola only having only 35 mgs. This also provides 3 grams of protein and cuts back on sugars that most granola are loaded with. This 1/4 cup serving…only 7 grams of sugar. How amazing is that?! And you don’t even miss it. These stand alone and provide such a great burst of flavor you don’t needed added sugars and artificial sweeteners. They are amazing on their own.

Unprocessed, organic goodness in a simple breakfast or snack…you better believe I’m all over that. Don’t let the name lead you to believe that these are not anything but simple. The complex flavors and amazing taste proves that even if these are Simply Oats…they are still simply delicious. And what more could you ask?

Breakfast Blueberry Parfait with Chobani Fat Free Vanilla Greek Yogurt and Love Grown Foods Simply Oats Oat Clusters

January 9, 2013

Eco-Planet dishes up a mighty fine Gluten-Free Apples and Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

Product: Eco-Planet Gluten-Free Apples and Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal – $5.19+

Oatmeal.

It has been my go-to, inexpensive, gluten-free lunch of choice since I was told by my doctor to go gluten-free. Sure, not all brands are inexpensive, but when compared to the price of gluten-free bread…gluten-free condiments…oh…and those pesky rising costs of fresh fruits and vegetables…oatmeal is the way to go.

Besides…it’s hearty. And, more often than not, delicious.

Well, awhile back a local grocery store I frequent suddenly had a massive closeout on items in their gluten-free section. Fearing that I was about to lose my gluten-free shelves of goodness, I stocked up on items that I loved and a couple items I had been meaning to try, and just hadn’t talked myself into it.

One of the items in the latter category was the Gluten-Free Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal from Eco-Planet.

Today was the day that I busted this out of the pantry to take to work and enjoy at lunch. At least…I hoped I was going to enjoy it. I had high hopes because Eco-Planet is the very same company that is putting out Gluten-Free Toaster Pastries (yes…gluten-free Pop Tarts!). I wanted it to be good. I hoped it would be good.

Individual packet of Eco-Planet Gluten-Free Apples and Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

Before we get to that, however, how about a little information on the product itself? The gluten-free instant oatmeal from Eco-Planet is definitely one of the more nutritious finds out there. It is composed of seven whole grains, including whole oats, buckwheat, sorghum, brown rice, puffed amaranth, quinoa and millet. Each packet of oatmeal contains 500 mg of Omega 3.

Not only that, one serving (which is one pouch) is only 150 calories! That’s awesome. Each serving contains only 3 grams of fat and 10 grams of sugar. Not bad for a hot cereal, yes? And for me, as a gluten-free, vegetarian…who is also an athlete…the 4 grams of protein is a sweet addition to every spoonful.

So…now to the nitty-gritty of this review…the actual review.

Making the cereal up at work is super easy. Empty the pouch into a bowl and add 1/2 cup of water (or milk…but I use water). Stir and then microwave for 1-1/2 minutes to 2 minutes. Remove from microwave…and enjoy!

I tend to forget that the microwave at the office is much stronger than the one I have at home…so when I put this in for 2 minutes, it turned out a bit thicker than I normally enjoy my hot cereal…but it wasn’t bad. The taste…well…surprisingly good. I mean, like most oatmeal, it isn’t much to look at…but one bite…and I knew that this was a good thing. I didn’t need to break out the back-up lunch plan today. Nope. The oatmeal was thick, hearty, and seasoned well with dried apples and that spicy hint of cinnamon. Yummy!

I was pleasantly surprised with the texture, flavor, and quality of Eco-Planet’s Gluten-Free Apples and Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal. I would love to try the Maple and Brown Sugar one next if I can find it somewhere. I am very impressed with the way the company chooses ingredients, makes sure they maintain the integrity of the gluten-free product, and in the end, put out a product that is amazing and delicious.

I’m hooked and ready for more!

Eco-Planet Gluten-Free Apples and Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal (prepared)

December 20, 2012

Great texture with Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Buckwheat Creamy Hot Cereal…just bland!

Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Buckwheat Creamy Hot Cereal – $4.40+

I’m going to be the first to admit it. When I pulled out this box from the pantry to take to work with me as my lunch today, I was more than a little nervous about it. At first, I thought nothing of it. But the more I looked at the box, the more I thought this spontaneous gluten-free sale item might have not been the wisest choice while out grocery shopping. And the only reason I think that is that it sort of makes a reference to grits. And I do not like grits.

So…yeah…wasn’t too sure about this one.

But that’s what happens when I get caught up in the moment of a great gluten-free sale. When items get marked down or put on closeout, I snatch them up as fast as I can. Sometimes I think twice about them…but not this time. My local grocery store was having a closeout on their entire gluten-free section. And that made me think that they were getting rid of it. Thankfully, they didn’t…they were going to expand it and were moving things off the shelf. But…it put the fear of a gluten-free-less pantry into my head and I just started grabbing whatever was marked down on closeout and throwing it in my cart.

Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Buckwheat Creamy Hot Cereal was one such item. And today…was the moment of truth…

It wasn’t…horrible. It wasn’t what I was used to either. And I think that might have been part of the problem. The texture was actually nothing like grits…more like oatmeal. I’m okay with that. I always eat oatmeal for lunch. In fact, I was so concerned with the texture that I caramelized some apples up this morning to reheat and add to the cereal…and that’s what I did when lunch time hit. I settled in at my desk at work with a hot, steaming bowl of the Gluten Free Buckwheat Creamy Hot Cereal and took a bite.

It wasn’t sweet at all…and that was what I missed. While I’m not a fan of loading things down with sugar, even with the caramelized apples it was just bland. I went to add some sugar to it…and it was just not a good idea. It actually made the flavor a bit worse. So, I stuck it out, figuring tomorrow I’d try again, maybe with different fruits and some brown sugar or maple syrup to sweeten it. It wasn’t horrible…it just needs some additional work to get it to where I like it.

So, I’ll try it again tomorrow…with different fruit and something to sweeten it up. It was the texture I had been worried about originally…but that wasn’t the problem with this one. It was the flavor, or lack thereof, despite my attempts to make it taste a little sweeter through the use of fruit and additional sweetener.

I guess only time will tell when I give this another shot with a different fruit and a different sweetener. All in all…not bad…but not my favorite. It’s…edible at least.

Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Buckwheat Creamy Hot Cereal (with caramelized apples)

December 13, 2012

General Mills’ Corn Chex still a classic and a favorite…and it’s gluten-free!

Product: General Mills Corn Chex Gluten-Free Cereal – $3.19+

I love that General Mills has so many options for the gluten-free crowd when it comes to their Chex cereal. And let me tell you, I enjoy the chocolate and cinnamon and other flavors just as much as the other person. Being able to eat a cereal that actually has different flavors to entice and excite the palate is a very nice change of pace. I have my favorites…oh…I really do.

But the other day while out at Target, there was a bit of a sale on a few of the flavors of Chex cereal. The first one I spotted was the Honey Nut Chex. But upon going back to the cereal section, I managed to snag a big box of the Corn Chex as well.

Corn Chex. I remember the days when only three flavors existed. Corn, Rice, and Wheat. I was always a huge fan of my mom’s homemade Chex Mix…and the corn and rice varieties were always my favorite to pick out. One in particular over the other – Corn Chex.

I imagine that more people get excited about eating the newer flavors in the gluten-free selection over the old standbys, but this morning proved that sometimes you just can’t top the classics. I measured out a cup of Corn Chex into my cereal bowl this morning and snagged a piece to just eat on its own, before I topped off my bowl with a splash of unsweetened almond milk. Immediately I was transported back to my childhood. Breakfast. Snacks. My mom’s Chex Mix. It all came flooding and rushing back. All in one simple, easy taste.

I noticed that in the past, this cereal was marked as gluten-free, but contained Barley Malt Extract (not gluten-free). It looks like the Corn Chex recipe has been revised because the boxes no longer contain that ingredient…so it appears to be safe for the gluten-intolerant and the Celiacs among us. I ate it this morning for breakfast and then went to the gym and have had it all settling for over 4 hours now…without any sort of reaction. I think General Mills put this one in the clear. And I appreciate them taking that sort of initiative.

Corn Chex is back to basics when it comes to cereal. A serving (1 cup) is only 110 calories. It is virtually fat free. And with only 3 grams of sugar, it makes it one of the more healthy choices for a breakfast cereal. The best part…it tastes great. Simple flavors…but they make an impression. Obviously…because these brought back so many memories that now…they’re all I want.

Thank you, General Mills, for making classics like Corn Chex so that those of us who have to eat gluten-free have an inexpensive, classic cereal we can turn to…not just for breakfast, but for snacks and parties too.

December 2, 2012

Chocolate for breakfast? With Enjoy Life’s Double Chocolate Crunch Granola…you betcha!

Product: Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch Granola – $5.99+

Say it with me…

Chocolate. For. Breakfast.

Sounds sweet, yes? Sounds, perhaps, a little decadent? Perhaps more than a little sinful?

In most cases, you would be right to think so. But there is nothing sinful about Enjoy Life’s Double Chocolate Crunch Granola. It’s sweet. It’s chocolate. And yes…it can be even made into something decadent. But you will be amazed at how good this actually is as far as, not just gluten-free granola (and granola in general) goes, but chocolate granola at that.

My problem with most granola is that it is laden with sugar. I try to eat healthy…and at times I am as guilty about splurging on some sweet treat than every other human being out there. We like to treat ourselves to something at times. This chocolate granola from Enjoy Life foods is all treat without the guilt. I promise…even I was shocked by the nutritional information on this.

But I’ll get to that momentarily.

I actually picked up a bag of Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch granola at Big Lots one afternoon while out shopping. It was a random stop, but I couldn’t turn down the price. Most of the time it is far more expensive than what I found it for at Big Lots. Score. I’d been wanting to try chocolate granola for ages and had seen this at other stores, but had been more than a little reluctant to pay the price for it. Now…I had reason to welcome it into my pantry.

This morning, I had some Chobani vanilla chocolate chunk Greek yogurt to finish off, some pomegranate seeds to use, and a pantry that held the key crunch component of my infamous breakfast parfaits. I reached into my pantry and eagerly pulled out the bag of Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch and eagerly began assembling my gluten-free and mighty tasty breakfast parfaits.

A serving of Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch Granola

In the bowl, a small layer of granola. Over that, some Greek yogurt. Then the pomegranate seeds. Then more granola, more yogurt, more pomegranate seeds, then one last dusting of granola. It’s super simple and super delicious. And it makes for a delicious breakfast treat to start off the morning with. I just knew that the chocolate and pomegranate would be a match made in heaven. In fact, I couldn’t wait to try it so I dug right in.

Super chocolate YUM! No joke. I loved how crisp this granola is. And scattered throughout it are chunks of allergen-free chocolate. Love that. In fact, this granola is free of the top eight food allergens (wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, fish and shellfish). I love that. It is composed of brown rice flakes, evaporated cane juice, chocolate chips, brown rice syrup, rice crisps, cocoa powder, ground flaxseed, vegetable oil, vanilla, salt, and rosemary extract. When combined, what develops is this amazing chocolate granola that is a delight to nibble on, plain, with a splash of milk (I use unsweetened almond milk), or in some sort of a breakfast parfait, dessert topping, etc.

Nutritionally speaking, for a chocolate granola (or just as granola) this is one of the better options. A serving size is 1/2 cup and that will only set you back 180 calories and 4 grams of fat. That’s not bad at all comparatively speaking. But what surprised me and pleased me even more was that the sugar content in a serving was only…only…11 grams. A lot of regular granola pack twice that. Color me impressed.

What also impressed me was the taste and texture of this granola. It was sweet without being overly sweet. The chocolate was a delicious sweet touch and it really popped when I mixed it into my breakfast parfait. On its own, however, it was just as tasty. I love the chocolate chips that are scattered throughout, making a nice pop of chocolate with every bite. I was in love with this granola upon first bite. And I’m already coming up with other ideas of how to use it and use it well.

If you are in the market for a granola and are craving a hit of chocolate…you can’t go wrong with Enjoy Life’s Double Chocolate Crunch Granola. I’m so happy I finally got to try this. And now…I don’t think I can survive without it.

Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch Granola layered with Chobani Vanilla Chocolate Greek Yogurt and Pomegranate Seeds

November 2, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free S’mores Hot Cereal

You know…sometimes I get into a breakfast rut. I know…that might be hard to believe…but it happens. I’ll get on a pancake kick, or an egg kick (I get on the egg kick a lot because it is SO easy and versatile), and that’s what I do. For awhile. And then…eventually, I find something else to entertain me.

But…I had an ingenious stroke of breakfast inspiration the other night. And I warned my roommate that when she woke up, I would have an experiment ready for us to try at breakfast. She looked a little concerned. But agreed she would brave whatever it was that I created. And if it was crap, I told her that I’d be happy to whip something else up for us.

Thankfully, however, my little experiment turned into a delicious breakfast treat. One I would totally make again. Just not every day. Given that it is mostly chocolate…it’s good for a nice, sweet morning eat every now and again.

Recipe: Gluten-Free S’mores Hot Cereal

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup hot cereal (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal)
1-1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (divided)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon zero calorie sweetener (I used Truvia)
2 dark chocolate mini candy bars, chopped (I used Nestle Special Dark)
1 tablespoon white chocolate morsels
2 gluten-free graham crackers, crumbled (I used Kinnikinnick S’moreables)
2 tablespoons Marshmallow Fluff

Directions:

Bring water and salt to a boil. Stir in 1/2 cup cereal and 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder. Immediately turn heat to very low, continuing to stir until cereal and water are blended. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and add the vanilla, 2 tablespoons cocoa, and and sweetener to taste.

Split between two bowls.

Over the top, sprinkle each with chopped dark chocolate, white chocolate morsels, and crumbled gluten-free graham crackers. Place a dollop of Marshmallow Fluff on each serving. Toast with kitchen torch or just serve.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

The best part about this breakfast was just how much it really tasted like S’mores. If you aren’t a fan of dark chocolate, feel free to use milk chocolate. Or just use chocolate chips instead. The possibilities are endless…and yield a delicious treat for breakfast. The chocolate melts into the hot cereal and it’s just…yum! Really, really yum! Forget the campfire at night, now you can have S’mores for breakfast. Trust me…you’ll want to make this one again!

October 19, 2012October 19, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

It’s pumpkin season, in case you aren’t aware. And as many of you know…I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking using pumpkin. I love pumpkin…except in pumpkin pie. I don’t know what it is…but while I have never liked pumpkin pie…I have this strange affinity for using pumpkin in recipes, whether sweet or savory.

I wanted to make something for my podiatrist and his staff as a thank you for repairing my torn plantar fasciitis prior to a half marathon race I ran back in September and somehow turning me into a better, faster, more efficient runner in the process. Since my injury, my speed and endurance have definitely improved and I owe it all to him and his staff.

Being that it is October, I wanted to do something seasonal. I just happened to have a box of Gluten-Free Rice Krispies in my pantry. And I always have pumpkin on hand. I also, believe it or not, always have Marshmallow Fluff on hand too. So…inspired, I decided to make some Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (with chocolate chips included because…pumpkin and chocolate are an amazing combination). The recipe follows…

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats with a Chocolate Drizzle

Servings: 12-16
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 (7 ounce) container Marshmallow Fluff
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of allspice
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of kosher salt
5 cups crispy rice cereal (I used Gluten-Free Rice Krispies)
1 cup mini chocolate chips
2 squares semi-sweet Baker’s chocolate, melted

Directions:

Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish (or a smaller dish…as my podiatrist’s office is small, I put these in 2 8×8 baking dishes).

In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat.

Add the pumpkin puree and continue to cook until it is warmed through.

Fold in the Marshmallow Fluff, stirring frequently until almost completely melted.

Add the vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt, and remove from heat.

Allow the marshmallow mixture to cool 20 minutes or until it is room temperature (failure to cool the mixture will result in soggy rice crispy treats). Add the puffed rice cereal and the mini chocolate chips and stir, using a silicone spatula, until combined.

Press the mixture into the greased baking dish.

Let set for 30 minutes.

In a microwave safe dish, place the bakers chocolate and melt in microwave, starting with 30 seconds and then adding 10-15 seconds to each additional heating until the chocolate has melted. Use a spoon or fork and drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the Rice Krispie Treats.

Allow chocolate to harden. Cut into squares and serve.

~*~*~

Honestly…I wasn’t sure what to expect with these. They are, truly, packed with flavor. With only a scant 1/4 cup of pumpkin, these actually taste like pumpkin. I’m glad I added the chocolate chips because it really gives these a kick of sweetness that ties in so well with the pumpkin and spices.

Since I am a vegetarian, I nixed the marshmallows and used Fluff instead. I find that I should probably incorporate a cup less of the Rice Krispies next time as these are not stuck together and ooey-gooey as they should be. They tend to crumble. But, they are still delicious…even if they fall apart. That’s why instead of the usual 6 cups of Rice Krispies recommended for treats, I cut it back to 5 on this recipe. I think that will make for a better binding together of the fluff and the cereal.

Do you love pumpkin and chocolate? Do you love Rice Krispie Treats. Do something seasonal…and give these a go. I love them and hope my podiatrist and his staff do as well.

October 18, 2012

Nothing processed and nothing artificial in Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch granola

Product: Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch – $3.49+

You know what granola goes great with? Yogurt and fruit. Seriously, it’s one of my favorite things to make in the morning. My yogurt parfaits are legendary. But in order to build a beautiful and tasty parfait, you need a solid, delicious base with the granola you choose.

While out grocery shopping the other day, the manager’s special table included a bag of Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch granola. I had previously enjoyed a bag of their Sweet Cranberry Pecan granola and was pretty excited about this one because of that. Besides, I love raisins and I love almonds…so this had to be good.

On Monday morning, I got to find out. It was a frantic morning already as I took to attempting to caramelize apples for the parfait, get my morning coffee going, and get the gluten-free muffins warmed up and iced for breakfast. Needless to say…I had too much going on at once. However, the bright spot of the morning was I got to try the Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch.

I tore into the bag and happily reached inside to snag a few of the clusters to eat on their own. This would give me a sense of the flavor associated with it. Let me tell you…this variety of Love Grown Foods granola is fantastic.

The granola mixture itself is a combination of whole almonds, plump raisins, certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, coconut, sunflower seeds, canola oil, flaxseed, pure vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt. What emerges is one of my favorite granola to date. The whole almonds give this granola a nice crunch to the mix. The raisins are sweet. The coconut is the perfect addition to help tame the sweetness from the hone, agave, and raisins. What emerges is a healthy blend that is filling and just simply…delicious.

Love Grown Foods was created by a couple while attending the University of Denver. Each of the young entrepreneurs brought a knowledge of healthy living, healthy eating and love of an active lifestyle to the kitchen. And why not? What emerged was a perfected recipe for granola that started off with simple sample packs and grew from that into a business. And who can argue with a company that delivers amazing flavor in each handful that isn’t tainted at all by artificial sweeteners or sugar. Their granola is sweetened by either honey or agave.

Their food is produced with love…and that is something that is evident in the flavors and care that goes into their products. The granola is out-of-this-world good. And without all the additional sugars that normally go into granola, this is one of the best ones out on the market. In fact, a serving of 1/4 cup will only set you back 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. There are only 7 grams of sugar in a serving, which is fantastic for granola, which is usually heavy on the sugars. Thanks to the almonds, a serving also provides a hit of 3 grams of protein. Gotta love that.

And I do. For real.

Love Grown Foods is my go-to granola these days. They taste great and are good for you. Baked and created with love…and it shows.

October 4, 2012October 4, 2012

Recipe: Apple Cider Spiked Hot Cereal with Caramelized Apples, Pecans, and Cream Cheese Icing

I love the fall. Not only does cooler weather get ushered in, but so do some of my favorite things to eat. Pumpkin is one. Apples are the other. And I especially love this time of year for the apple cider. I love to drink it…and even more…I love to cook and bake with it.

This morning, after a 5 mile run, I decided to get a little creative with some of the ingredients laying around my pantry and fridge. After all, I have a new CSA bin arriving tomorrow with new produce for me to enjoy, so why not get a little creative?

The base of this recipe is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal, which instead of cooking in water with salt, I cooked in apple cider with cinnamon. Then I caramelized two Gala apples to top it all off with. The result…a mighty tasty hot cereal for this cool morning. I happened to have some cream cheese icing left over. This is a totally optional addition. A drizzle of maple syrup or honey would work just as well. Without further adieu…the recipe is below.

Recipe: Apple Cider Spiked Hot Cereal with Caramelized Apples, Pecans, and Cream Cheese Icing

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 + 2 tablespooons cups apple cider
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup hot cereal mix (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal)
2 tbsp butter
2 Gala apples, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
dash of ground nutmeg
1 oz chopped pecans (optional)
maple syrup (optional)
cream cheese icing (optional)

Directions:

Heat a nonstick pan on medium-high heat. Add butter and allow it melt down, swirling it around the surface of the pan in circular motions to spread the butter and prevent it from burning.

Meanwhile, pour the apple cider into a pot and add the cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to very low and pour in the hot cereal. Stir until mixed. Cover and allow to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Peel and cube the apples. Drop the apples into the butter.

With a wooden spoon, stir them around until they are completely coated with butter. Continue to stir until the the butter in the pan is no longer bubbling. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and continue to stir. Add a dash of ground nutmeg as you stir. Then, cook the apples for approximately 10 minutes, or until the fruit begins to soften and brown slightly.

Remove the pan from the heat. Using your wooden spoon, remove the apples from the pan and place them into a bowl.

Pour the cooked hot cereal into two bowls. Add the caramelized apples to the top of the cereal. Sprinkle with a few chopped pecans. Then add any syrup, honey, or cream cheese icing to the cereal.

Dig in!

~*~*~

This hot cereal tastes like fall. It is sweet and savory all at the same time. Not to mention…healthy and filling. I loved how amazingly soft the apples turned out. It was my first attempt at ever caramelizing apples, so the result was perfection. This would make a great breakfast on a cold winter’s morning as well. If you love the flavors of fall…give this one a try. I promise…you won’t be disappointed.