The first time I ever had one of Schär’s amazing products, I was in Los Angeles, California. One of my besties, Tawn, came down from Fresno and when I walked in the house, we hugged, we hugged more…and she looked at me and said, “I have gifts for you!” What she brought out of her luggage was a thinkThin bar and one of Schär’s Chocolate Hazelnut Bars.
I, naturally, ate them when I needed a snack or was at a restaurant where there were no real options for me. That being said…I didn’t blog about the gift snacks…because I devoured them before I took pictures of them.
Well, I remedied that already with the thinkThin bar…but the Schär wafer treat had yet to see it’s day in the blog spotlight.
Tonight…that changes.
During a major gluten-free closeout at my local grocery store, the entire section it seemed was on sale. So, while out grocery shopping that night, we piled our cart full of everything that was marked down and on closeout, fearing that the gluten-free section was being taken away from us…or shrinking. That wasn’t the case. I think they were moving out old stock to make room for a lot of new stock and new items. We didn’t know that at the time though.
One of the items that were tossed into the cart of gluten-free madness was a package of the Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bars.
Memories of my time in Los Angeles crept back to me immediately. Happy, happy memories. But, other products had to be used up before I got to these…and so…they sat…and waited.
But today was the big unveiling of the Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bars. I couldn’t really recall what they tasted like anymore. That trip to California happened over two years ago. I remembered finding them delicious though, so I wasn’t too concerned about taking this item to work for my afternoon snack without a backup plan.
Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bar (individual)
I had been anticipating my 3 p.m. snack most of the day. Every time I opened my desk drawer, the Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bar was sitting there…tempting me. But…I behaved and waited until the appropriate time. But once the clock struck 3 p.m., all bets were off!
First of all, I love how this is the actual size of a candy bar. The picture on the cover shows a treat that resembles those little wafer cookies (the ones that come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry that you devour as a child). So, already this bar is like that…but on steroids. After splitting it in half, and taking the required picture for the blog, I took my first bite.
Oh. My. Gluten. Free. God.
Rich. Decadent. Light. Fantastic. Heaven in chocolate-covered wafer form. One bite and I knew this was a treat to be savored.
It tasted like the awesomeness that would emerge should a KitKat Bar mate with a Ferrero Rocher. Honestly. It was more of a dessert than a snack when it came down to it. That’s not knocking the bar in the slightest. It was melt-in-your-mouth awesome from the first bite to the last. I let my teammate, Andrea, try some and she also loved it. She’s very picky…especially with gluten-free foods…but this one only garnered compliments. My roomie also tried a little portion of it…and she too enjoyed it.
Really…it’s a decadent mid-day pick-me-up…or a sweet treat when you are craving something rich, smooth, and chocolatey. The wafer crackers are thin and lend a slight crunch. The hazelnut cream is the perfect amount to lend its flavor without overpowering the rest of the bar. And the milk chocolate that surrounds this treat…exceptional. Schär managed to find the perfect balance between snack and dessert. This was definitely a decadent mid-afternoon snack.
It’s also not the healthiest option I’ve ever brought with me for that 3:00 p.m. munchie attack. One Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bar packs 200 calories and 12 grams of fat. Like I said…It’s much more like a dessert than a snack. And perhaps that’s how these should be treated. But, at least these are made with recognizable ingredients, have no preservatives, no gluten, no wheat, and no eggs.
Super smooth. Super rich. Super delicious!
Super Schär does it again…wrapping up hazelnut goodness in a simple chocolate coating. The results…sweet chocolate-coated wafer nirvana.
Mmmmm…it tastes as good as it sounds!
Schär Chocolate Hazelnut Bar (unwrapped and split open)
Product: The Swiss Colony Gluten-Free Chocoláno Cookies – $19.95
It was a huge surprise to me one day when I received an additional Swiss Colony catalog in the mail. Now, I used to order Swiss Colony stuff all the time. From cheeses to chocolates, they are one of the best go-to resources for tasty treats for loved ones and friends…or even for yourself. When the gluten intolerance happened, however…I had to bid adieu to Swiss Colony…at least for myself. And then…I received a little sunshine in the mail when a sugar-free and gluten-free catalog showed up.
Now, they didn’t have everything listed in the gluten-free portion of the catalog. Nope. They actually had listed the cheesecakes, which, while they look fantastic…were definitely overpriced. Yikes.
I mean, I’m used to paying a pretty penny for gluten-free goodies, but a $50 cheesecake is not what I’d like to spend my money on. I’m sure they are delicious and really, really good…but…alas…I do live in a budget.
Well, as I normally do at the holiday time, I was surfing through Swiss Colony’s Web site for a couple of purchases for friends and family members. And I came across their gluten-free section on there. I figured I’d give it another look. The cheesecakes were there…and some of the 123 Gluten-Free box mixes you can find at stores for a variety of baking needs. And then there were cookies…and brownies…ooooh…
I sent the link over to my roomie to take a look. And she immediately goes, “Are those gluten-free Milano cookies?”
Sure enough, there on the page were what Swiss Colony was billing as Gluten-Free Chocoláno Cookies…and they definitely resembled the infamous Milano cookies I used to be able to eat. As it was the holiday season, it was definitely time to treat myself, so I ordered some of the Chocoláno Cookies and hoped for the best.
Well, yesterday they arrived. Just in time too, because I needed something new for dessert in the apartment. These would be perfect. Well, I tore into the box at the office and was actually pleasantly surprised by how many were in the container. I was expecting a small box…as that’s normally what happens. But this came in one that said there were 16 servings (although I think there are more than 16 cookies in there). It was a very welcome surprise. I was just getting giddy thinking about diving into these after I ate my dinner and before I got to work on some gluten-free vegan baking that needed to be done.
Well, dessert time came and I opened up the plastic container and pulled out two cookies. One for myself…one for my roommate. She was the first to take a bite. I asked what she thought and she said…”Is good.” Which I never really know if that means it is good or…eh…I’ve had better. So, I took my own taste to decide for myself.
At first bite…they hardly taste like anything. I can definitely taste the rice flour in the cookies. And they do have that buttery lightness to them, which I love. The chocolate cream in the middle, however, is awesome. It really kicks the cookie up a notch. And then, once you finish that bite…that flavor lingers and…that’s when that Milano cookie flavor hits. It was very reminiscent of the cookies I used to enjoy. The thing was, that flavor didn’t hit until the very end. It was bizarre. But…all-in-all…a delicious cookie in the end.
The serving size is one cookie…and like I said, there are definitely more than 16 cookies in that container. They are tasty, sweet, and won’t fill you up. I love that about them. In addition, they only have 100 calories per cookie, which isn’t bad for something cream-filled. The outer cookies have a great crunch to them, yet still are smooth and soft. And the cream will definitely win you over. As with everything chocolate that Swiss Colony does…the chocolate is sublime.
I really want to congratulate Swiss Colony on adding a selection of gluten-free treats to their growing catalog. It definitely made my holidays a little merrier…and much tastier.
If you miss Milano cookies…these are definitely worth a try. They aren’t exact…but…wow…if they aren’t close.
Angie’s Artisan Treats Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Holidrizzle Kettle Corn
Product: Angie’s Artisan Treats Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Holidrizzle Kettle Corn – $4.99+
Okay…it doesn’t get much better than this:
Popcorn.
Dark chocolate.
Salt.
What this provides is this amazing salty-sweet blend that is one of my favorite tastes ever. I guess that’s why I love chocolate covered (gluten-free) pretzels so much. Salty-sweet is my favorite thing because it honestly is the best of both worlds. Why choose when you can have both?
I had never heard of Angie’s Artisan Treats until my friend Shana posted a picture of the bag of Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Holidrizzle Kettle Corn on Facebook. I was immediately intrigued. In fact, I was immediately craving. I asked her one simple question – is it gluten-free? Her response: YES! And she said she found it at Target, so when I was at Target a couple days later…I hunted and found it on the end cap. I grabbed the last two bags.
And then…the time just never seemed right to open it up. I mean…who really needs to make time for dark chocolate drizzled popcorn? But I have an air popper and that’s usually what I do for popcorn at night. Until last night…when I spent a majority of the evening baking up requested Triple Chocolate Mint Truffle Blossom cookies for my roommate (per her request) and had no counter space in order to set up the air popper. Her suggestion: why not eat the popcorn we bought at Target?
Brilliant!!
So, that evening, I dished up 1-2/3 cup of popcorn for each of us (yes…I do actually measure this out!) and served it up with our nightly cup of tea. As I settled in for the evening, I picked up one piece of popcorn, perfectly drizzled with dark chocolate, and took my first bite.
OH. MY. GOD.
If heaven was made of popcorn, then it would surely taste like this. So delicious. I love the sweetness of the dark chocolate and how it plays with the soft texture and the saltiness of the popcorn. It doesn’t feel heavy at all. In fact, the entire snack seems very light as you eat it. And yeah…it’s pretty damn amazing.
Angie’s Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Holidrizzle Kettle Corn only has 13o calories per serving and will set you back 6 grams of fat. That isn’t too bad. These are all natural, gluten-free, contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. No artificial sweeteners are used in this popcorn either. This snack is a great source of whole grains and is non-GMO!
The best part is…it is super delicious…perfect for a snack to satisfy every craving and flavor you might have. I am so glad my friend Shana posted this on Facebook or I might have gone the rest of my life without this snack in my life.
Dark chocolate sea salt popcorn…how sweet it is!!
Angie’s Artisan Treats Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Holidrizzle Kettle Corn
Twas the night before the Santa Hustle Half Marathon and all through the city, this runner’s stomach was rumbling…and that meant one thing…gluten-free pizza.
It’s a race tradition for me these days. I tend to run better in races the day after I eat a gluten-free pizza dinner. Hey…I’m an athlete with superstitions now. And for me…the night before races means I have to eat gluten-free pizza (or gluten-free pizza related). The one time I didn’t eat something pizza related, I felt like death at the end of the race (granted, that might have been the 90% humidity that I ran in, but still…)
So, with that in mind, my roommate went on the hunt for places in downtown Indianapolis that offered gluten-free pizza that wouldn’t be too difficult to get to from our hotel. Just up the way was Harry & Izzy’s, who actually have a gluten-free menu…with, yes, gluten-free pizza on the menu.
Harry & Izzy’s is an independent, upscale American Grill with two locations: downtown and at the Indianapolis International Airport. It is actually the sister restaurant to the famous St. Elmo Steak House, which means they share a few classic dishes. Some of which are even on the gluten-free menu.
However…the added difficulty with me is that I’m also a vegetarian. So, with the exception of one of the salads, I was pretty much limited to the pizza anyway. But…I’m okay with that. The pizza was the entire reason I was there to begin with.
Dinner tonight was being shared with Cathy (the roomie) and our friend Greg. Once we were finally seated (they were changing over the tables from lunch to dinner, so it took our hostess three tries to get us to a table that was ready for us), we were handed menus and asked if we were going to want something other than ice water to drink. As I am running tomorrow, I stayed with the water. So did Cathy. We also went ahead and gave our waitress the heads up that I am medically gluten-free. She said she would go grab a gluten-free menu for me and that when she takes my order, the manager would come up and talk to me and ask if I had any questions with the menu. I actually loved that.
Greg arrived soon after and we settled into conversation as we had much to catch up on. Our waitress returned with the manager, Amy, who directed her focus right on me to talk to me about their gluten-free options. She asked if I had any specific questions regarding the menu. At that point, I didn’t. So she said our waitress would now take our order and if I had any concerns, to just ask for her. What a great perk. It really put my mind to ease about how the food was prepared on the gluten-free menu when the manager makes a point to come out and talk to me about it. Yeah, I felt confident. I was ready for some pizza.
So…we placed our orders. Greg went with the Steakburger, a burger served with cheese (he had them leave that off), lettuce, tomato, onion, and a spicy mayo ($12.00). He chose the coleslaw as his side item.
Harry & Izzy’s Gluten-Free Thin Crust Pizza (topped with cheese, caramelized onion, and mushrooms)
Cathy and I decided that we would split the 10-inch gluten-free thin crust pizza on the menu. For our toppings, we chose cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions ($12.00). The plain cheese pizza normally runs $10, but each additional topping is $1 each. That is an awesome price for a gluten-free pizza, let me tell you!
Our waitress went to go put in order and for the time being, we got caught up on eveything that has been keeping our lives so busy as of late. It had been awhile since we last got together with Greg and we had much to talk about. As our food was nearing time to come out, I noticed our waitress grab a couple of plates for my roommate and I. She specifically wiped them off and placed them in front of us. I appreciated that too, as it means they are very aware of the dangers of cross-contamination and were taking no chances.
A few minutes later, our waitress was climbing the stairs with a tray laden with our food. The burger was set down in front of Greg and Cathy and I were given the pizza. Our waitress aid that the Parmesan cheese might have something in it to keep it fresher longer that might be gluten-free, but I prefer red pepper flakes on my pizza anyway…so my roommate got the fresh Parmesan and I took the red pepper flakes. I appreciated my waitress mentioning the possibility that the cheese wasn’t safe. That is often the case when it comes to Parmesan at restaurants anyway…so I normally just skip it regardless. I prefer a little added spice to my pizza regardless and always opt for the red pepper in the end.
The pizza was sliced so that Cathy and I would each get three slices. And let me tell you…this pizza was really delicious. It is brick oven baked, and that is evident from the crispness of the outer crust of the pizza. I did find the inner crust to be softer than I would normally like…but when you can’t bake a pizza on a pizza stone, that crispiness is sometimes very hard to achieve. That being said…I was impressed. With the first bite, the complete flavors of the sauce, the cheese, the mushrooms, and the perfectly caramelized onions all came together on my palate and it was just…yummy. Super, duper, delicious yummy! I don’t think the crust is actually made by Harry & Izzy’s…but the fact is they cook it up fantastically. And my roommate and I devoured each bite. Each slice was completely downed and enjoyed thoroughly.
And, yes, even after that…we left a little room for dessert. The waitress asked if I was feeling the Créme Brûlée…but it was the Sorbet that caught my attention. I love ice cream and frozen goodies…so the sorbet sounded like the perfect palate cleanser and way to end the meal. I was given a choice: lemon or raspberry. I decided on the Lemon Sorbet ($3.50). Cathy and Greg decided they would split the Signature Brownie ($8.00) from the homemade dessert menu. I couldn’t enjoy that chocolate goodness due to the brownie, but the dessert consisted of a homemade brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauce and candied pecans.
Harry & Izzy’s Signature Brownie (NOT GLUTEN-FREE)
Our desserts arrived. I had two amazing scoops of delightful, light, pleasing lemon sorbet. I loved how it wasn’t too sweet or sour. It was the perfect level of each for lemon sorbet. My problem with sorbets normally is that they can be too sweet. So after a few bites, I’m done and craving something to counterbalance the sweetness. This wasn’t the case with this sorbet. It was balanced and refreshing. And it was just what I needed at the end of my meal.
The Signature Brownie was this tower of dessert awesomeness. It was definitely meant to split. Cathy and Greg managed, between them, to devour it completely. But it was a near thing. Cathy raved about the brownie base, saying that you could tell that it was freshly made. It died a very messy death between the two of them. And it looked so good. Now there is something I totally miss since going gluten-free…the amazing dessert sundaes I used to be able to help eat.
To say that I was impressed with the service and the food at Harry & Izzy’s is an understatement. I felt confident that the food I was receiving was safe to eat. They took very, very good care of me and were very careful with the food that I ordered. I have already said that whenever we are in Indianapolis, this had to be our go-to spot for food. There was plenty on the menu that caught Cathy’s eye…so she seems more than happy to go along with that.
Being a Celiac means that the food has to be safely prepared and served. Not every restaurant knows how to do that properly. But with Harry & Izzy’s…I had no concerns about the food I was served and appreciated all the attention given to me and others who have food allergies. I appreciated that the manager personally came out to talk to me and answer any questions I might have about food preparation and the menu in general.
When I feel that safe at a restaurant, of course I’ll want to go back. I’m looking forward to my return sometime in the near future.
Thank you, Harry & Izzy’s for the delicious, safe meal. I can’t rave about you enough. The precautions you take set my mind at ease and made me feel content in my decision to eat there. It means so much to me that you take that sort of care and consideration for those with food allergies.
I didn’t know they existed until I was wandering down the frozen food aisle of my local Earth Fare grocery store. I was just glancing in and out of the freezers, looking for something…anything…that might catch my eye. Something that might be gluten-free. Maybe. If I prayed really hard and closed my eyes…maybe it would be so.
Or something to that affect…just less dramatic.
The fact of the matter was, I was at the grocery store and as I was searching the aisles, I stumbled across two new flavors of gluten-free ice cream sandwiches from Julie’s. Thrilled? Yes. Ecstatic? Very much. Did I buy them? OF COURSE!
And then…the reality of my overflowing gluten-free pantry hit…and I didn’t get to eat them. Not right away. Not until two nights ago, in fact. Thank goodness there was no freezer burn on them. I would have cried had it been so.
The Cherry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are amazing. No…they really are. Picture with me, if you will…two chocolate sandwich cookies (manufactured by Glutenfreeda…so they are gluten-free) that are packed…literally packed full of cherry cheesecake ice cream. If that sounds amazing to you, then let me tell you…this is not a figment of my overactive foodie imagination. No, my friends. This reality was brought to life by Julie’s Organic Ice Cream.
Cherry and chocolate is a fantastic combination as it is, but this ice cream sandwich brings out the best of everything sweet that I love. Cherries…check. Cheesecake…check. Chocolate…check. Ice cream…check. Totally gluten-free too. Which means…I get ice cream sandwiches!!
I had been previously blown away by the taste, texture, and awesomeness of the original (chocolate gluten-free cookies with vanilla ice cream) ice cream sandwiches and the Lemon Yogurt Ice Cream Sandwiches (lemon yogurt between vanilla gluten-free cookies). So, I figured this one had a lot to live up to. But…I have a lot of faith in these products as they have not only impressed me, but impressed my friends who can eat regular ice cream sandwiches. So much that they prefer these instead!
The Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie is a mouthful to say…but it’s a delight to eat. Honestly. I love the way the soft chocolate cookie melts away with the delicious and smooth cherry cheesecake ice cream. Totally wowed by this flavor. The lemon is still my favorite thus far…but this one is a very close second. It was like biting into a cheesecake with a chocolate crust. It brought back so many delicious and amazing memories. I can’t wait to devour the other one waiting for me in the freezer.
As far as sweet, ice-creamy snacks go, the nutrition information on this one isn’t too bad. One ice cream sandwich will set you back 200 calories and 9 grams of fat. That’s not bad for an ice cream sandwich. And, let me tell you, it is worth every creamy, dreamy calorie. For real.
Search high and low for these at your local grocery store…and if you don’t see them, see if the store can order them in. Trust me…you’ll want to take a bite out of these…and then polish it off. It’s hard to eat just one.
You know what that means? For me, it means I get to do all my holiday baking. And I absolutely love to bake goodies for the holidays. Even better, I love to surprise people with homemade goodies for the holidays.
You see, the other day while my roomie and I were in the gas station getting our daily dose of caffeine, the cashier behind the counter (who literally sees us every work day) said that she was leaving. On Monday she was starting a new job…in an office. So she would definitely miss us.
And we all know that I love any occasion to bake. I happened to be in the gas station one morning when she was talking to a co-worker about chocolate. She hates chocolate…except for white chocolate. So…I knew her going away gift needed to be something white chocolate. And keeping with the spirit of the holidays…I was guided by the wonder of Pinterest to this recipe, featured on the Crazy For Crust blog. I took it, and gave it a gluten-free spin.
Recipe: Gluten-Free Triple White Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms
1/2 cup butter, softened (I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter All-Purpose Sticks)
3/4 cup sugar
3 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly (I used Ghirardelli White Chocolate)
1 box white chocolate instant pudding (3.5 ounces)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour (I used 2 cups Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour and ran out, so the last 1/2 cup was Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour)
1 package Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Additional sugar for rolling, if desired
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Add pudding mix and blend until combined.
Add white chocolate and mix until mixture is smooth.
Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
Mix in baking soda and flour.
Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place about 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl for rolling, if desired. (Cookies will be a little crunchy on the outside with the sugar, if you use it.)
Scoop one tablespoon balls of dough and roll in sugar, or just place on cookie sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes until bottoms just begin to get golden. Remove from oven and immediately press an unwrapped Peppermint Hershey’s Kiss on top. Do not move pan until Kiss is cooled, or it will collapse.
Cookies can be frozen for later consumption, if desired. Place in a Ziploc bag between layers of paper towel for best results when freezing.
~*~*~
Here’s the best part…they truly are amazing. Honestly. I had my doubts. Me and sugar cookie bases don’t get a long…at all. Seriously…I’ve tried for about 5 years now to make sugar cookies at Christmas time and it just never works. This time…it did. And to think…it was with a blend of flours too.
Of course my roommate and I each had to sample one. I even took one in for my teammate to try. She loves to bake and I love to have her sample things, especially since I’ve had to go gluten-free. She doesn’t hold back. We all loved how the cookies were soft in texture and that after you swallow, the white chocolate really hits. But the magic happens when you take a bite with that Peppermint Hershey’s Kiss in it. Oh…yeah.
I am going to do a few different variations on these cookies now and I’m really looking forward to the end results.
Anyway, I gave the cashier at the gas station her gift and told her that I overheard that she loved white chocolate so I made these for her. She looked so happy and said that she wasn’t going to share. She thanked me and we left. I hope she enjoyed them as much as three three of us who also got to eat one did.
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
It was Small Business Saturday and I made it known…I wanted to go to one of my favorite small businesses in the area. Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky. And I wanted to have breakfast there. A gluten-free waffle. Perhaps with a gluten-free donut. Maybe I’d get the gluten-free apple cider donut with the glaze this time. I just wanted to support a business that has literally changed my life in this area for the better.
My love affair with Annie May’s began with a simple birthday cake. Because of Annie May’s, I didn’t have to bake my own cake or birthday confection this year. It was done for me. And the result was nothing short of spectacular. I was enamored with them…and so…the love affair continued.
I have returned to Annie May’s as often as possible when I am in the area. I have gone there for breakfast, for sweet snacks and treats, for take and bake cinnamon rolls. If I am in town, I want to stop by for something. And given that this past Saturday was Small Business Saturday, I made a point to go to as many small businesses as possible…and my first stop was Annie May’s for my usual waffle breakfast.
Annie May’s Sweet Café has the best gluten-free waffles. Seriously. I always get the regular ones, served with maple syrup and Earth Balance. I did decide on the Maple Glazed Apple Cider Donut as well…and devoured that as soon as I hit the table. I had not eaten anything since I had woken up bright and early that morning…so, needless to say…I was ready to eat.
And then…sad news was given. They were having some trouble with their waffle batter. It wasn’t working out. So…they were going to make a fresh batch. It would take a little while…and did we mind the wait. I never mind waiting for food. But, soon after we were asked if we would mind having pancakes instead of waffles. No skin off my nose. I keep thinking of trying the pancakes and always returning to the waffles. I’m a waffle addict apparently. They apologized numerous times and said that for our wait and our patience we could get a free cookie before leaving. I don’t mind the wait. I had an amuse bouche of donut, after all…
In the end, however, the waffles were able to be made and were delivered to our table looking all golden and delicious and ready to be consumed. And they died a very messy death right there in the café. Cathy went to clear the table and I was putting on my jacket when the nice woman behind the counter called me over to get my cookie. I was going to leave without it…because I wasn’t upset with them, nor did I mind the wait. But, she insisted. So, she asked me to come over and choose between the cookies or the cupcakes or the brownies on the counter. I had their brownie before (to DIE FOR!) and I wasn’t feeling cupcakes…so I stuck with the allergen-free (yes…it’s even vegan!) Chocolate Chip Cookie. After all…I do love my cookies!
She packed up two of them for me and asked what Cathy was interested in. I waved her off and said the cookies she gave me in the bag were plenty for us and thanked her.
After a busy day of small business shopping, Cathy and I returned home and I went for my 10K run for training. Soon after, I was preparing dinner (leftovers!), which we settled in to eat. And then…dessert. With a bag on the counter with two of Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies…I knew exactly what dessert was going to be.
I carefully opened the small white paper bag and pulled out the paper-wrapped cookies. They smelled amazing. I handed one to Cathy and I took the other one. As I settled in for my sweet treat to cleanse my palate, I took my first bite.
Homemade cookies are the best around. And these, completely vegan and allergen-free, have to be some of the best I have ever tasted. Most of the time, unless I make them myself, my gluten-free cookies are store-bought packaged brands. Not these. These are fresh from the oven at Annie May’s and the time and dedication to their products really shows. The cookie was light and buttery. The flavor was fantastic. They were soft, chewy, yet with that golden crust that gave it a bit of texture. And the mini chocolate chips were awesome. Just the right hit of sweetness in each bite. Not one bit of the cookie lacked in chocolate chips. They were like my mom used to make. And I do love a chewy chocolate chip cookie. These delivered everything I love in a cookie and that…made me one happy girl.
While my visit to Annie May’s Sweet Café on Saturday didn’t initially involve trying their Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies…now that I have, I think I’ll be purchasing more in my future. Honestly…the best gluten-free chocolate chip cookie I have had…to date…anywhere! And we all know how much of a cookie monster I am. So, that is truly saying something.
I really am fortunate to have a small business that caters to people with food allergies in my area. The day I discovered Annie May’s Sweet Café my life changed…and it was all for the better. My life is whole lot more delicious these days too.
Small Business Saturday…I hope you were kind to this fantastic little café on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky…because this café is always good to me.
Actually, until this journey to Columbus, Ohio, I had never even had a macaron. I have heard of them, looked at them online, even thought about making them myself. What is a macaron? Is it really a macaroon? Nope. There actually is a difference.
A macaroon is an American version for a flourless egg-white based cookie. Most often it is made with coconut.
A macaron, however, is a French cookie made with almond and egg whites that are sandwiched around a cream-based filling. They are often found in a rainbow of colors and a variety of flavors.
I don’t know how Jenn and I stumbled across the Web site for Pistacia Vera on Saturday morning…but we did. And we noticed they had a gluten-free menu. On it were a plethora of baked items…including every macaron that they made. Yes…macarons are gluten-free because they are made with almond flour. Gotta love that. So, after stopping by the race expo for the Hot Chocolate 15K, we hit up a market, and on our way to get ice cream, we swung by Pistacia Vera to get some macarons to take with us.
Pistacia Vera is a sleek looking dessert boutique located on South Third Street in German Village in Columbus, Ohio. They are a from-scratch pastisserie which boasts a menu of over 60 seasonal pastries and confection. All made by-hand and with great care. They specialize in classic European technique, making it a truly special stop while in Columbus. Their Web site boast that their coffee and espresso are considered to be the best in town. If it’s made like it is in Europe…or even France for that matter…I bet they’re right.
I didn’t get coffee when I was in there that morning, however. I was there on a mission. A mission…for macarons.
Jenn picked four she wanted to choose and Cathy and I decided to split the difference and each choose two to sample. We were actually quite interested in the same flavors, but I let her take them and went for a couple of other delicious sounding ones.
Pistacia Vera’s Buckeye Macaron, Maple Walnut Macaron, Peppermint Chocolate Macaron, and Mocha Hazelnut Macaron
In the end, Cathy got the Peppermint Chocolate Macaron ($1.25) and the Buckeye Macaron ($1.25). Since those two were taken by my roomie, I opted to give the Maple Walnut Macaron ($1.25) a try and the Mocha Hazelnut Macaron ($1.25) a try. They both definitely sounded delicious. Actually, the entire display case of macarons sounded awesome, but I figured as I had never had a macaron before, I would start small and I could always come back for more. As we were checking out, I spotted the gluten-free caramels near the register. Specifically the Cashew Caramel with Fleur de Sel ($1.50). We got one single piece of that and were on our way. With much to do that day, like going out of town, the cookies and caramel got left behind at Jenn’s house.
But Sunday after my 15K race…we all split the Cashew Caramel with Fleur de Sel (I forgot to take a picture of it!). It was delicious. Very light. Not too chewy, but just enough. It wasn’t going to get lodged in your teeth. This was caramel done right and done well. It had a delicious flavor to it. I love cashew, so it was the ideal one and probably why it caught my eye. Even though she groused about having to eat a caramel, my roommate seemed to like it well enough. It just took her forever to eat it because she was just in a grumpy mood and thought it would get stuck in her teeth. She has a thing or two to learn about good caramel. Hopefully this helped.
The macarons, however, made the journey back to Louisville with us. And last night, I decided that they would be perfect to have for dessert. After polishing off dinner and doing up the dishes, I pulled out the macarons and dished out each of our chosen ones. Cathy got the green minty one and the deep brown chocolate/peanut butter one. And I got the two lighter colored ones. I was looking forward to trying these out for the first time.
Cathy had already taken a bite of each of hers by the time I made it back out to the living room. She declared that they were both really good, but that she really liked the Buckeye one. Being that it was chocolate and peanut butter, I now kicked myself for not getting it. But, alas…there will be other options.
I settled in and decided to give the Maple Walnut Macaron a try first. It was the lighter one of mine. One bite and I was hooked. The light, chewy outer layer was fantastic and very delicious. I loved how these treats weren’t heavy at all, despite being sandwiched around a layer of cream filling, usually a buttercream or a ganache. It was love at first bite. So, I moved onto the Mocha Hazelnut one…and yeah…that was like taking a bite out of a fresh coffee. Honestly. The flavors are amazing and just simple. I loved the softness of the cookie and the richness of the cream inside. I could have probably eaten more of these and not felt full at all. They are that light and airy. And yeah…I’m now a fan of macarons. Go figure.
Maybe I will give making them a try sometime.
Until then, I am thankful for places like Pistacia Vera in Columbus, Ohio…for having a gluten-free selection that is awesome and extensive…and so very good. Yeah…I’ll definitely be visiting this place again. They have way more flavors of macarons for me to try. And maybe I will get some coffee next time…just to see if it really is the best in town.
Pistacia Vera’s Maple Walnut Macaron and Mocha Hazelnut Macaron
Product: Go Picnic Black Bean Dip and Crispy Plantain Chips – $5.99+
Fast food, shmast food.
Being a gluten-free vegetarian means a stop-off at any regional fast food joint is just not an option. I mean, I got sick for 5 days after eating Chik-Fil-A’s supposedly gluten-free waffle fries this past summer. Let me tell you, I have yet to go back.
So, when someone like me – someone who is constantly on the go and on the road – needs something to eat…what then? Well…thanks to Go Picnic my options just got a little more exciting and much healthier than any fast food stop would have been.
Now, I’ve blogged about Go Picnic before. I am a HUGE fan of the gluten-free Hummus + Crackers meal, which is usually my on-the-road poison. However, when I attended the Gluten-Free Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana a month or so back, I dropped by the Go Picnic booth and raved to them about how much I appreciated their gluten-free boxes (especially the ones that are also vegetarian/vegan). It just so happened that they had some of their brand new on-the-go meals at the expo…and if I bought them that day, I’d be saving some money, for sure.
So, my roomie and I made a decision to purchase six meals. She got two of the Sunbutter + Crackers plus the Turkey Pepperoni + Cheese boxes. As for me, I went with two of my favorite…the Hummus + Crackers and one of the brand new offerings…the Black Bean Dip & Plantain Chips box. I was pretty stoked about that one as it was new, vegan, and gluten-free. And it just sounded…different and interesting.
Well, the perfect opportunity to break out the Go Picnic meals came this past weekend as my roomie and I were venturing out to Ohio to visit our friend Jenn. Our plan…to see The Monkees on Saturday night and then on Sunday morning…I was off to the races. Literally. I was running in the Hot Chocolate 15K in Columbus. So, we left work at noon on Friday and went to run a few local errands before settling in for the 4 hour car trip up to Columbus, Ohio. With the errands out of the way…it was lunch time. And for me, lunch was the Go Picnic Black Bean Dip & Plantain Chips on-the-go meal.
After opening the box, I settled on starting with the star of the actual box…the Go Picnic Garden Black Bean Dip with the Sweet Perry Orchards Crispy Roasted Plantain Chips. I thought, at first, that this was an interesting combination and wasn’t quite sure how it would work in the end. However, the combination was actually quite delicious. What I loved was how the sweetness of the dried and roasted plantains made into chips complimented the rich, sweetness of the black bean dip. The Go Picnic Garden Black Bean Dip is amazing. A creamy, somewhat sweet and spicy blend of black beans, green chilies, jalapeno peppers, spices, garlic, and onion made for a fantastic base to dip the chips in. And Sweet Perry Orchards Crispy Roasted Plantain Chips made a fantastic alternative to crackers or corn chips. Honestly. They provided a hint of sweetness as well. They were crispy, crunchy, and just the perfect compliment to the rich dip. I was so happy with this flavor combination. The Go Picnic Garden Black Bean Dip is only 40 calories of this box’s total 360 calories and provides 2 grams of protein. Let’s hear it for the protein magic of beans! And the Sweet Perry Orchards Crispy Roasted Plantain Chips also only contain 70 calories in the provided 0.5 ounce bag. It also only sets you back 3 grams in fat. They are also very low in sodium (50 mg).
My next taste from the box that I chose to devour was the Sweet Perry Orchards Ginger Zip Fruit and Nut Mix. This was a surprisingly delicious mix of peanuts coated in ginger, dried cranberries, and banana chips. The ginger was the part that concerned me, as often it can be a little too strong and too much. Thankfully, pairing it with lightly salted peanut, banana chips, and the tart sweetness of the dried cranberries, the blend worked. It worked fantastically, actually. I was digging down into the little 0.75 ounce bag that came in the Go Picnic box in hopes of finding more of the mix in there. But, alas, when I said devour…that’s what I did. This one surprised me and it was a nice surprise. The ginger was just enough to add a bit of heat to a few of the bites, but it didn’t overwhelm the mix. It was nicely balanced. And the little snack bag you receive in the box is only 90 calories of the entire 360 in the box itself. And the rest of the nutrition information is nice as well. The little pack provides 5 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein. Not bad for a fruit and nut mix. Not bad at all. Oh, and the sugar content on this one isn’t bad either. Most “trail mixes” are laden with sugar. Thanks to the ginger, this one only has 10 grams of sugar. Other trail mixes would be at least twice that per serving.
My next choice to eat from the box was the Sweet Perry Orchards Power Play Tasty Seed Blend. Now, one of my favorite parts of the Go Picnic Hummus + Crackers box is the packet of dry-roasted edamame. Well, this is a different twist on that pack. Sweet Perry Orchards Power Play Tasty Seed Blend is a mix of dry roasted edamame, pumpkin seeds, and watermelon kernels. Sound weird? It’s not. In fact, what this little 0.75 ounce pack provides is a heap of protein and healthy fats. Yep. While salt is added, it’s not overdone either. The seeds really stand up for themselves and pack a bunch of flavor in each bite. The blend is interesting and different. I mean, who can say they’ve really enjoyed a watermelon kernel before? Well…truth is…I did. And the pumpkin seeds and edamame were also fantastic. Sweet Perry Orchards Power Play Tasty Seed Blend provides 110 calories of the entire 360 calories in the box and 5 grams of fat. This blend also provides 8 grams of protein. That’s awesome. As for the sodium…which can be a real sticking point, this bag only has 70 mg of sodium in it. Yep. It really is a healthy choice.
And finally…dessert. Because that’s what we look forward to at the end of a meal. Even lunch on-the-go. The Go Picnic Black Bean Dip & Plantain Chips box comes with dessert of dark chocolate. Oh yes…almost like it was made for me. Dark, delicious chocolate. The little piece is Professor Zim Zams Extraordinary Sweets Dark Chocolate with Orange. It’s a little circle of orange-flavored dark chocolate goodness. Now, sometimes the orange and chocolate combination works for me. Sometimes…it doesn’t. In this case, the bittersweet dark chocolate meshes so well with the tart orange. It’s a seamless marriage of flavor to be honest. And it was a decadent enough bite to satisfy that need for dessert or something sweet to cleanse the palate. Professor Zim Zams Extraordinary Sweets Dark Chocolate with Orange is only 0.35 ounces of rich chocolate flavor…but it’s just enough. This little disk of sweetness provides the Go Picnic box with the remaining 50 calories. It contributes 4 grams of fat into the serving and 2 grams of protein. And it is good to the last little bite. Because…I admit…I savored the chocolate. I love a good, sweet ending.
In the end, Go Picnic provided a hearty on-the-go meal in a little box that really satisfied every taste. Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It meant that I felt satisfied at the end of the box. And with only 360 calories, it’s a nutritious meal that you can take with you on the road, on a hike, on a picnic, or just for something easy on a busy day at the office. This little box also provided me with 13 complete grams of protein at the end of it, which is fantastic as I am a gluten-free, vegetarian athlete (distance runner!) so making sure I get enough protein in my diet can be a huge challenge. This satisfied.
I haven’t been able to find this actual box listed yet on Go Picnic’s Web site. But it is one of the new offerings from the company. I say…give it a bit of time and it will be there. As for me…I hope to find this one in the stores soon because I loved every bite of it. If you can find it…pick it up and try it. I promise…you’ll be as hooked as me. Go Picnic…you won me and my taste buds over again with simple flavors and nutritious snacks.
The Celiathlete 