Chocolate – Page 4 – The Celiathlete

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015

Hawaiian Hau’oli

Aloha!

So, last week, for a wonderful week, I was fortunate enough to spend some time on the two of the Hawaiian islands. The original purpose – to run the Kauai Marathon.

But then…I fractured my ankle.

Trying to start a new trend in footwear, perhaps? This is Bootsie, my new friend for the next 6-8 weeks. MEH!

Yep. Fractured my freakin’ ankle three days before leaving for Hawaii. SUCK!! I tried to put a positive spin on things…I really did. At least I was still going to Hawaii. Yeah…it didn’t really work for me then either…but I was trying. To help make this painful adjustment, I started a Twitter account for Bootsie (the boot I’m forced to wear for 6-8 weeks) to document traveling adventures. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason…so there better be a damn good reason for this. That’s all I’m saying.

The first leg of the trip was flying out to San Diego. This gave us pretty much a full day to adjust to a bit of the time change (West Coast = 3 hours behind EST; Hawaii = 6 hours behind EST) and break up what was already a long ass flight to the islands. We’d depart San Diego before it was bright and early to get to Kauai by mid-morning. It was a plan. The ankle just meant we had to depart from the hotel sooner because I wasn’t moving anywhere very fast. So…my traveling companions, Cathy & Jenn, were both very helpful and very, very patient with me. And, I didn’t complain much. I mean, complaining won’t change the situation. I just apologized…a lot…for being slow.

The first order of business after getting to San Diego and checking into the hotel to drop off luggage was…lunch. Not having prepared for lunch, I ate a protein bar, while my fellow travelers ate tacos from a local taco stand. SO cool. But after that, I required my morning cup of coffee…so we sought out and found a great local establishment called…

Lestat’s Coffee House, San Diego, California

Lestat’s is one of those places that is open 24/7, 365 days of the year. YES…it is always open! Holiday? No worries…they’re open! Lestat’s Coffee House has a few signature drinks on their menu…and as it was pretty toasty in San Diego, I wasn’t feeling the hot coffee that day. Neither were my traveling friends. So, they each got coffee freezes (think blended drinks!) while I opted for one of Lestat’s Signature Drinks done up all refreshing and cold. Jenn got the Winter Raspberry Freeze ($5.25), which is a ice blended raspberry mocha. I took one little sip. WINNING! Cathy had me pick for her, and I choose the Arctic Squirrel Freeze ($5.25) for her, which is an ice blended hazelnut mocha (similar to the Hazelnut Turtle drink she loves at our local cafe…just…blended and cold). As for me…I went with the Iced Arctic Joey ($4.55)…which is coconut, almond and chocolate. I had mine made with coconut milk as well (+$1.00). In essence, it was a liquid almond joy. And it was delicious. There were bits of coconut floating in it. I think I was just starting to get in the Aloha spirit by getting something with coconut. Needless to say…smooth, creamy, delicious. Nothing overwhelmed the drink, and it wasn’t heavy. It was pure liquid gold. And refreshing. And tasty. And in the end, coffee should always be tasty. I was beyond happy with this decision.

Lestat's Coffee House Iced Almond Joey with Coconut Milk — Lestat’s Coffee House Iced Almond Joey with Coconut Milk

Upon arriving in Hawaii…after the rental car debacle…wherein we learned…convertible is fun…but not when you have a fractured ankle. We got it sorted…and switched out the fun and stylish convertible for…a Ford Fusion. Yeah…definitely not the way we had envisioned traveling, but it gave us more leg room and some more storage space for our big-ass luggage. LOL! After checking into Pono Kai Resort in Kauai…coffee was needed.

It’s always coffee with me. LOL!

So, we scoped out and fell in love with a local café called Ha Coffee Bar. And we went back every day we were on the island of Kauai…save for Sunday, because they are closed.

Ha Coffee Bar, Lihue, Hawaii

It was love at first “Aloha” when it came to Ha Coffee Bar. I have nothing but warm fuzzies when I think back to every stop at Ha Coffee Bar, each morning, first thing, while on Kauai. It was a bit of a drive from the resort, but always worth it. I tried three different things on the three days we were there that they were open. And, not once, was I ever disappointed in my choice. Ha Coffee Bar is a café that is built to resemble an old-school bar. No joke. Their iced drinks are even mixed in martini shakers. LOVE. This set-up allows them to showcase and sell products and items, such as pour-overs, that might not typically be served at a café. Ha Coffee Bar primarily serves espresso coffee, cold brewed coffee, pour-over and French press coffee. The variety in the types of coffee they serve allows for different origins and price points, which also helps minimize waste as they don’t have coffee sitting and going stale…high quality coffee and flexibility that allows customers to explore different blends, flavor profiles and methods of making coffee. Coffee love. And boy…did I LOVE this. On the first day there, I stayed pretty basic. I got a Salted Caramel French Pressed Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk. I loved that they added the flavor to the steamed milk itself, and then gave me the pitcher of leftover almond milk in case I needed more of it in the drink. But it was perfect the way they gave it to me. And the French pressed coffee…OMG…so good. Jenn got a simple Iced Hazelnut Latte and Cathy got an Iced Peppermint Mocha. So, on the next morning, I noticed they had signature drinks hanging up near the register…so I decided to give one of those a try. I had it narrowed down to two…but opted for their drink the Bee Sting. The Bee Sting is simply Espresso, Coconut Milk, Honey and Cinnamon. I got it iced…as the humidity was killer that morning. Cathy got their take on an Iced Black & White Mocha (Zebra). And it was, absolutely, hands down, my favorite coffee drink of the trip. I wish I could have had it again. I would have gotten it again. The coconut milk gave it this rich flavor, the honey sweetened it, the cinnamon lent a hint of spice…and espresso…got me moving for sure. Simple…yet SO good. SO very good. In fact, on our last day there, this is the drink that Jenn opted to get after trying mine. With Ha closed on Sunday, we had to go elsewhere, but on our last day on Kauai…we were there in the morning and I was getting another signature drink…Liquid Sunshine, which was cold brew coffee, coconut syrup, and coconut milk. DELICIOUS!! Not Bee Sting delicious…but delicious. I was quite happy with it. Not something I can get here…anywhere…so that was most of the draw for this drink in particular. The last morning there, Cathy got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha and a Pineapple Cream Cheese Scone to enjoy for breakfast. I still say it today…back in Louisville, Kentucky…that I miss Ha Coffee Bar. It made that much of an impression.

Ha Coffee's Salted Caramel Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk, Iced Bee Sting, and Iced Liquid Sunshine — Ha Coffee’s Salted Caramel Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk, Iced Bee Sting, and Iced Liquid Sunshine

Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream, Lihue, Hawaii

I have KONG Radio to thank for the discovery of Skinny Mike’s. As we were driving the island of Kauai on Saturday, just enjoying beaches and the like…an advertisement for Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream came on. And it advertised ice cream, sorbets, and vegan ice cream. They had my attention, and the attention of both Jenn and Cathy too. I looked them up…and took note of where it was located. And we vowed to go there and check them out. At least once, yes?

And so, Saturday evening, after splitting a gluten-free pizza at a local chain…we headed over to Harbor Mall, where Skinny Mike’s is located. We parked and marched up the stairs to the little shop. Online I had taken a peak at the flavors, and sort of had my heart set on the Pineapple Cream. However…they didn’t have that flavor. So…I was left to look over the offered flavors while Jenn & Cathy made their choices. We each got regular scoops ($3.49) of our flavor choices. Cathy went with the Mint Chocolate Chip as it is one of her favorites…anywhere. Jenn won with their signature flavor…a local classic…Macadamia Nut. Hers was so good, we went back the last night there and each got a scoop of the Macademia Nut. That’s how good that was. For my first trip there, without the Pineapple flavor being available…I went with the suggestion of Coconut Cream. The Coconut Cream ice cream was the perfect level of coconut flavor. No bits of raw coconut…just the flavor infused in a creamy scoop of ice cream goodness. It was delicious. Smooth. And melted fast. Ah…coconut based things…I didn’t mind though. Not one bit. I eat frozen desserts rather quickly regardless. LOL! We were so impressed with the ice cream there that, as I said, we all went back to get the signature Macadamia Nut flavor on our last night on Kauai. Worth it. That was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Just…delicious. I miss it. I want some more of the Macadamia Nut flavor…it’s a craving that hits now. Now that I know it exists…but can’t get it anywhere else…but there.

Skinny Mike's Hawaiian Ice Cream's Coconut Cream and Macadamia Nut Ice Cream — Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream’s Coconut Cream and Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

Java Kai, Kapaa, Hawaii

What happens when your favorite Hawaiian coffee stop on Kauai is closed on Sunday? You have to find a new place to get that caffeine hit. And this was what we were left to do on Sunday morning. Sunday. When I should have been running a marathon. When, instead, I was hobbling around Kapaa in search of coffee. The stop at the little food truck-like coffee place was…not going to work for everyone. No one was really happy with the menu options…so…we backtracked to a spot that Jenn spotted and had looked up online. It wasn’t far from the resort. It was a worthwhile stop in the end. And, in the end, we all ended up with a bit of breakfast with our coffee as well. How? Because this place had some gluten-free options on the menu and in the bakery case. SCORE! This meant we could have something a little more substantial at the start of the day, instead of the meager protein bars or yogurts back at the resort. It would mean eating better now and not making poor choices later. And so…Jenn got one of the bars from the bakery case…the Aloha Bar ($3.75), I think. For her caffeinated goodness that morning, she got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50). Cathy went for the Breakfast Burrito ($10.50), which includes eggs, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese, which she got with the mango-chipotle salsa. For her drink, she got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha ($4.70). She at hers there at the café as she was the driver. As for me…they had gluten-free English muffins. HELLO! So I ended up getting the Gluten Free English Muffin with Cream Cheese ($3.95), which they kindly toasted for me…looks like in a pan…no cross-contamination. And for the drink, I got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). Jenn and I had ours to go and I happily noshed away on a Glutino English Muffin with a light spread of cream cheese. The Macanut Latte…macadamia nut flavor…espresso…nutty goodness. And it was just the perfect drink that morning. It was supposed to be marathon morning…and I needed a distraction. This food, while simple and basic…was just what I needed. The drive along the coast helped too!

Java Kai's Gluten Free English Muffin (with Cream Cheese) and Macanut Latte with Almond Milk — Java Kai’s Gluten Free English Muffin (with Cream Cheese) and Macanut Latte with Almond Milk

Hanalei Bay, Hanalei, Hawaii

We visited a lot of beaches while visiting Hawaii. I mean, that’s part of the point when you visit an island, right? But, I think, above all others, my favorite one we stopped at, and spent the most time at, was Hanalei Bay. This beach is stunning. A beautiful 2-mile long crescent of white sand, nestled beneath a breathtaking range of mountains. The water was relatively calm that day, with some small waves crashing against the shore. Despite my new friend…Bootsie…being on, we were determined to get away and enjoy the day. Anything to keep my mind off the fact that I should have been running. Hanalei Bay is a great beach for walking and body surfing. Calm waves, lifeguards, and a great coast line. I managed a few solo ventures along the waterline of the beach, just needing to at least move a little…minus the boot. I took it off for beach time. Strange tan lines were not on the agenda. I was very careful of where I stepped and the movement of the sand…and would pause if a wave came up and rolled over my legs…because that undertow could be a bit strong and throw me off balance. It was here that I realized my surf lessons the following day were not going to happen, as much as I wanted to give it a try. It was just not going to be physically possible for me to get up on a surf board. I was brokenhearted over this…but shrugged it off as no big deal. These were the cards I was dealt. Suck it up, cupcake…you’re in Hawaii!

After some walking and some laying on the beach…we got dressed and headed off for the next venture. Which tunred out to be a good thing. Heavy rains started soon after we had changed…and soon, Jenn and I realized just how sunburned we had gotten. I don’t think Jenn slapped on any sunscreen. I had…but the burn was in those places where clothes met skin or that strings were located. I was trying to avoid strange tan lines…and yet…that is what I ended up with in the end.

That being said…for a moment, I forgot about the ankle…and the boot…and I just enjoyed the perfect afternoon at the perfect beach.

JoJo’s Shave Ice, Hanalei, Hawaii

I have my good friend Harry Cooke to thank for the journey, while in Hanalei, to JoJo’s Shave Ice. He had mentioned it to me in a message on Facebook…and we were right there!! And with the rain pouring down now, it gave us a good excuse to not sit in a car and try to avoid the flooding roads. It gave us some time to hope the rain would pass and we could do more exploring. The rain didn’t pass. It was with us the rest of the time on the North Shore. However, after a bit of a short (hobbling, for me) spring from the rental car to the little storefront that the Hanalei JoJo’s Shave Ice operates out of…we knew we were in for a treat. The original JoJo’s began in Waimea in 1992, the same year that Hurricane Iniki landed on Kauai. That store is stil there today and still has the original JoJo’s sign. The goal of JoJo’s…to offer the ultimate in Shave Ice on Kauai…which is a true Hawaiian treat. When they expanded into Hanalei, they took the JoJo’s traditions and secret recipes along…and introduced the smaller “junior size,” which closely matches the normal serving size of other shave ice venues throughout Hawaii. JoJo’s doesn’t use commercially made syrups. They, instead, carefully make up their own syrups, with a lot less sugar and more flavor than the commercially used ones by other shave ice businesses. And…no corn syrups either. They also have upgraded all their locations with the best ice machines on Kauai, making for an unmatched, fluffy shave. LOVE. The three of us each got the Junior Sizes ($4.50). And they let you choose up to 4-5 flavors. I don’t remember what Jenn got…but it had cherry…and perhaps lime? I can’t recall. Cathy got Root Beer, Lemon and Grape Shave Ice. And I opted for two of my favorite flavors…Watermelon and Strawberry Shave Ice. Of course, now looking back, I wish I opted for something more…local…like mango or something. Next time. But the shave ice at JoJo’s was huge…filling…and amazingly packed with flavor. I can see why it’s been open for 23 years.

30 ounces of Watermelon and Strawberry flavored goodness from JoJo's Shave Ice — 30 ounces of Watermelon and Strawberry flavored goodness from JoJo’s Shave Ice

Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café, Kalaheo, Hawaii

I know that technically Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café should have gotten a full review, as it was our place to catch a bite for lunch…on Monday afternoon. However, it was a hot day…and the humidity was really doing a number on me. And while there were a few options for a gluten-free vegetarian on the menu, what sounded really, really good was the Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad ($10.95). And the reason that this didn’t warrant a Restaurant Review post was…it was a salad I could have made at home. Honestly. But this was what I wanted. The Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad is a blend of fresh grown Kailani Farm greens, served with crisp spinach and topped off with strawberries and candied pecans. I kept the feta cheese and held the side of warm flat bread for obvious reasons. It came with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. And it was delicious. Light, but filling. And cooling. And just flat-out what I was really wanting that miserably humid day. But…it was a salad I could make…and therefore…it garners a mention here…but the restaurant itself is cozy and has a lot of great, fresh-made, delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, etc, to choose from. And I loved sitting in there, listening to runners who had run the day before discuss the marathon and half marathon…looking at the different food items coming out of the kitchen to each table. Beautiful setting, beautiful food…and tasty too. For the record, Cathy got the Hot Pastrami Sandwich, which contained grilled onions, mushrooms, and melted Swiss cheese on toasted bread. She got it with the much raved about Garlic Cilantro Fries…which after seeing her and Jenn devour…made me really wish I could have had those. Not safe though…not for me. Darn it.

Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café's Spinach & Kauai Greens Salad — Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café’s Spinach & Kauai Greens Salad

USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii

This was one ONE place that I had to visit while in Hawaii, and the main and primary reason we even island hopped over to O’ahu instead of just hanging tight on the beautiful island of Kauai. Honolulu is definitely a hopping city and much more urban…think LA and NYC. But this…this stop was…important. To all three of us. The USS Arizona Memorial is the number one visitor destination in Hawaii, drawing millions of people from all over the world to see where World War II began for the United States on December 7, 1941. Visitors are free to explore the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center, which was recently expanded from the original 3 acres to 17 acres, and is now operated by the National Park Service. Admission and parking is free to all visitors. Over 2000 tickets are given out free per day on a first come, first serve basis. We had to check our bags before entering the historic site, so Jenn and I did that while Cathy went to get the tickets she reserved online for us. We were set for the final shuttle out, at 2:45 pm. It was the hottest day in Honolulu…and with all the metal and concrete, we were literally melting out in the sun while walking around the ground. We ducked into the museum, but it was even hotter in there. Bottles of water were purchased and Cathy and I downed ours before we were put on an earlier shuttle, the 2:30 pm, to head out to the memorial. A US Navy boat taxied us out to the USS Arizona Memorial, which is built over the remains of the sunken battleship, the final resting place of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. The memorial itself was relatively quiet upon disembarking and walking over to it. You can still see the oil leaking out of the actual ship that is buried beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor. It is moving and touching. And the memorial is beautiful and humbling. And I am so glad that we went.

Dole Plantation, Wahiawa, Hawaii

Two words…

DOLE WHIP.

DOLE FREAKIN’ WHIP!! That was the primary reason to venture out to the Dole Plantation in Wahaiwa. It was a bit of a journey…a long drive, but well worth it. The Dole Plantation originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, before opening up to the public as “Hawaii’s ‘Pineapple Experience'” in 1989. Another one of O’ahu’s most popular visitor attractions, the Dole Plantation provides activities for the entire family, including the Pineapple Express ($8.25/adult), the Plantation Garden Tour ($5.00/adult), and the Pineapple Garden Maze ($6.00/adult). None of which we did…due to the cost that was associated with each one and the warm, humid weather that made us want to stick to the air conditioning. What we did do, however, was shop at the HUGE gift shop, which carries a wide variety of Dole Plantation Gifts, local favorites, foods, and refreshments…including DOLE WHIP!! You can even purchase a fresh pineapple to take home. I wish I had. The pineapple in Hawaii is freakin’ incredible. I did some shopping, buying a few minor things like Dole Pineapple hard candy and a magnet. Easy to transport and all. And then, we went over to The Plantation Grille to purchase a bowl each of the world famous Dole Whip ($5.25). It was a large serving, which I loved, and devoured enthusiastically. Better than Disney, which is one of the few places Dole Whip is available. This was…amazing and I wish I had gone back for seconds. Dole Whip, by the way, is vegan and gluten free. LOVE!! It’s just pure frozen treat love.

Panalu’u Beach Park and the Random Pineapple Roadside Stand, Hauula, Hawaii

Welcome to two of the most random stops we made on our trek around the North Shore of O’ahu. Panalu’u Beach Park is located on O’ahu’s windward coast and has this strip of narrow, sandy beach. The nearshore ocean bottom is shallow and has a reef, so swimming conditions here are poor. This was a clam day at this particular beach when we pulled over to check it out. Cathy went wading…and the water looked so refreshing (another humid and hot day!), that I took off Bootsie and kicked off my flip-flop to go wading in the surf myself. My friend Jenn snapped my favorite picture of me on this entire trip here…with the gorgeous blue water and the white sand on the beach. As I said on my Instagram…”Make only memories…Leave only footprints…Kill only time…”

Me on Punalu'u Beach Park (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!) — Me on Punalu’u Beach Park (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!)

From there, we went hunting for a shrimp place, Romey’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp, that the lady at Enterprise told Cathy about after we first arrived in Honolulu, when she mentioned we would be heading up to the North Shore. Along the way, I had been hunting for mangos and we found a stand that advertised them. We pulled into this dodgy little roadside stand, only to learn that they were out of mangos. The weather had ended the season early. I was bummed. BUT…we did purchase a fresh pineapple there, so we purchased one for $5.00, and watched as this little old lady had it peeled and sliced in less that 2 minutes…bagged…and ready for us to take away. We wasted no time, after climbing into the car, trying it out. So fresh…so juicy…so amazing. Hands down, the best pineapple I have eaten in my life. Anywhere. And I’ve had a lot of pineapple. We did find Romy’s…and Jenn and Cathy split a plate of the Garlic and Butter Shrimp. They ate that and I ate a good 2/3 (if not more) of the pineapple. They helped a little after they were done with their fresh seafood.

Best. Pineapple. Purchase. EVER!

BEST PINEAPPLE EVER from a random roadside stand along the North Shore of O'ahu! They peeled and chopped it right there! — BEST PINEAPPLE EVER from a random roadside stand along the North Shore of O’ahu! They peeled and chopped it right there!

Chief’s Luau, Waimanalo, Hawaii

Okay, again, this would generally get a blog of its own, despite not being a restaurant. I couldn’t go to Hawaii and not do a luau, even if it is one that is so tourist-y…it’s funny. We chose Chief’s Luau ($82.00+) due to the fact that it is the best ranked luau on O’auh AND that it had an allergen menu on their Web site. And, yeah, it’s tourist-y, but I actually had a lot of fun at the luau. I finally got a lei (made of shells as we had the cheapest package), had my picture taken with Chief…learned how to hula dance, watched Cathy throw a spear (rather poorly), watched Cathy make a coconut leaf headband (which she left behind), listened to great music, enjoyed the history of the dances that are native to Hawaii…and just…kicked back, laughed, and enjoyed my final night in Hawaii…with a Mai Tai and everything. Aside from the free drink…the luau package also included dinner…and as a gluten-free vegetarian, this left only a few things for me to pick from. Cathy was there for the meat…the pork…cooked in the ground with banana leaves…but for someone like me…I got the food that was catered in. And that’s fine…but because it was catered, I didn’t review it. I was left with the Seasonal Fruit Salad (more pineapple!), the Poi (GROSS…it looked like Barney’s (the purple dinosaur) snot…kind of gelatinous and goopy and YUCK. I didn’t want to try it, but peer pressure had me at least take a taste. NEVER AGAIN!), the Steamed White Rice and (my personal favorite) the Sweet Potatoes. My first plate of food was not really full, and as this was all you can eat, I ventured back for more of the DELICIOUS sweet potatoes and the fruit. Because…fruit and sweet potatoes are actually two of my favorite foods in life. For real. The Mai Tai’s were delicious…and I had a great time at the luau. If you are in O’ahu and want to go to a luau…go to Chief’s. They are #1 for a reason!

Seasonal Fruit Salad, Poi (GROSS!), White Steamed Rice, and Sweet Potatoes - my gluten free and vegetarian dinner at Chief's Luau — Seasonal Fruit Salad, Poi (GROSS!), White Steamed Rice, and Sweet Potatoes – my gluten free and vegetarian dinner at Chief’s Luau

Barista, Portland, Oregon

The flight we took back to the mainland went through Portland, where we disembarked and stayed an entire day, so we could explore. Cathy and Jenn had Voodoo Doughnuts for breakfast. We hit up the food pods for lunch, we did a gastropub for dinner. But after the stop for doughnuts, it was vital that we got caffeine. And I chose Barista, out of all the different coffee shops in Portland. I chose wisely…of this I am certain. Being a former barista, myself, I not only liked the name, I liked everything I read about them. Barista was established by coffee legend, Billy Wilson, who now has four (4) Barista cafés open in the Portland area. Let me tell you, this cofee delivers!! Barista is one of the first multi-roaster shops in the Portland area, showcasing Heart, Coava, and another roaster on bar for espresso or drip. Barista is known for serving exceptional coffees from the world’s finest roasters, prepared by the most skilled baristas in the Portland area. No joke. Jenn skipped out on this amazing experience, but both Cathy and I partook of the opportunity to try the coffee at the Downtown Barista location. Cathy ordered the Semi-Sweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50). I went for the Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). It was delicious. Strong…but smooth. There was this perfect balance of chocolate and espresso that just…melted together. The milk softened up the bite of the espresso itself, cutting through the dark chocolate. OH MY GOD…one of the best coffees I have ever had. If you are in Portland and love coffee…you are missing out if you don’t swing by one of the Barista locations. For real. I loved every sip. Even better…finally a coffeeshop that gives me an 8 ounce cup of coffee for a small!! THANK YOU!

Barista's Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha with Almond Milk — Barista’s Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha with Almond Milk

And that was it. It was Portland to Vegas to Louisville from there. And my 10 day vacation came to an end. Back in Louisville, it’s hard for me to ignore Bootsie. It’s a depressing reminder of everything I’ve had to cancel for the upcoming weeks leading into November. I tried not to fuss much over it on the trip. And, I ate whatever I wanted…whenever I wanted…as long as it fit into my dietary restrictions. And despite limited mobility and really lack of much movement at all…while continuing to stuff my face with local eats…I lost 3 pounds. I’ve put it back on since coming home though…so no worries. LOL!

It was a beautiful trip to paradise…and I’m already dreaming about my return. Next time…to actually run the Kauai Marathon!!

September 15, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams – $4.99+

Chocolate. Graham. Crackers.

Three words that, to someone like me, are just as important as “I love you.” Okay…well…maybe not, but this comes really close in my book.

For the longest time, the gluten-free market was devoid of graham crackers. There were a couple out there…sure, most notably Kinnikinnick’s S’moreables and Schär’s Honeygrams…which I’ve sampled, but have never purchased for myself. Oh, and there are plenty or recipes out there. Even the famous GF Jules was selling a mix where you could bake your own. But cracker baking and I don’t always get along…and the gluten free snack isles were still missing that WOW with the graham cracker love.

And then…along came Pamela!

Pamela’s Products first announced their latest product breakthrough at this year’s Expo West. They were going to be offering two different types of snack crackers…in the sweetened graham form. Graham crackers!! Graham crackers that reached beyond the ordinary. In fact, Pamela’s Products stepped it up and took graham cracker snacking to the next level by offering two different sizes…Graham Cracker Size and Mini Grahams…in three (3) flavors: Honey, Cinnamon, and Chocolate.

How can you NOT get on board with this??!

The hardest part, initially…was finding them. I searched high and low in my area for these and finally gave up, believing that it would take at least a year for the Louisville area to get them in. But then, randomly one afternoon with a quick stop by my Kroger (of all places)…two flavors of the mini grahams sat on a shelf, illuminated in the heavenly fluorescent grocery store lights. And, yes, I snagged a box of each and took them home with me. I had to have them. I’d been searching for them. It had to happen.

Previously, I devoured the box of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams by making up little deconstructed S’mores bowls for desserts. The box of the Mini Chocolate Grahams have been waiting their turn to shine, but with summer in full swing, I was all about cool treats from the freezer. But the cooler fall temperatures are moving in…and with that…out comes the big bowl of S’mores-y goodness once again. But this time…with a complete chocolate spin.

Yep…the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams came down from the top pantry shelf tonight. And into a couple of bowls they went. Just as with the Cinnamon variety, the Mini Chocolate Grahams are also little medallions of graham cracker goodness…about the size of a quarter, sporting a gorgeous “P” for “Pamela” on each one. The Mini Chocolate Grahams are shaped like little hexagons, perfect for one-bite servings, especially if you just want something mindless and easy for snacking purposes. Or, hey…dip them into milk or coffee. YUM! But, now I’m getting away from the point. The point is…they are the perfect snack size. I popped a few to much on (for the sake of the blog, you know!) while building the Double Chocolate S’mores Bowls tonight. This dessert started with a layer of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams, a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips, and then topped off with vegan marshmallows, which I then toast with my kitchen torch, successfully melting the chocolate chips in the process. In essence…the ideal dessert bowl of marshmallow perfection.

Oh chocolate gods above…this is the perfect…perfect mini graham snack. These crackers make all other chocolate snacks pale in comparison. Not only are they crunchy, but they are sweet and packed with a chocolate punch, that doesn’t overpower, but definitely lets you know…this graham cracker is chocolate…not honey…not cinnamon. Chocolate, baby! I love that each cracker is lightly dusted with a bit of sugar, bringing out a nice hit of sweetness. And when paired with the melt-y dark chocolate chips and the toasted mini vegan marshmallows…oh…dessert nirvana. S’mores taken to the next dessert level. Who says you need a campfire?! For that matter, who says S’mores can’t be made gluten free. These crackers are AMAZING!! Sinfully deliciously good. The Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams are ideal for snacking, munching, dunking, or for use on desserts, as a pie crust, topping off ice cream…making mini ice cream sandwiches, or simply putting over your morning cereal (I make a killer S’mores hot cereal…that these will be DELICIOUS on!). What’s not to love, especially when all that flavor comes from real cocoa!!

Let’s discuss what the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams are made from, shall we? This particular treat is made up of a gluten free flour blend (brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, xanthan gum), brown cane sugar, organic non-GMO butter (salted), cocoa powder, gluten-free oat bran, organic non-GMO honey, molasses, gluten-free flavors, baking soda, grainless and aluminum free baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, potato starch, sodium bicarbonate), sea salt, and a topping that is made up of organic sugar. This product is certified gluten-free by GFCO, made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and kosher certified. They are gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, egg-free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, contain no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, and contain no corn syrup.

If that doesn’t make you want to rush out and find these…this might…

The nutritional facts for the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams aren’t too bad either. A serving size is 10 crackers (29 grams) and there are about 7 servings per box. This serving will provide you with 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 140 mg sodium, 22 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 11 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Not too bad for a handful of chocolate mini graham crackers, right?! I’m happy with it. Happily eating straight out of the box. HA!

No…we all know, I’m the queen of portion sizes. I live by my kitchen scale!

So…feel free to find, purchase, open, and snack away on a box of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Grahams. Munch, crunch, dunk, dip, or pile high with chocolate and marshmallows…and devour. Do whatever it is you want with these little miniature graham crackers. These gluten-free treats are fantastic. A great chocolate snack that will definitely curb your craving…without denying you that fantastic chocolate flavor you love and crave. Trust me…you’ll want more than one box.

Double Chocolate S'mores Bowl made with Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Mini Chocolate Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows — Double Chocolate S’mores Bowl made with Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Mini Chocolate Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows

August 29, 2015August 29, 2015

Recipe: One Bowl Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Quick Bread

I am in love with my Gluten Free on a Shoestring books. I always have been. I always will be. Because the recipes utilize items you would normally have in your kitchen. Not only that, all of the recipes are super easy to prepare and have been DELICIOUS!

I mean…DELICIOUS!

I own three of the four Gluten Free on a Shoestring books by Nicole Hunn. However, this particular recipe I stumbled across through a post on Facebook…and it is not in any of her current books. That being said, I pinned it to my Pinterest account and then made arrangements to make it that weekend.

And I did. And it was awesome.

I loved how light and full of peanut butter flavor this bread was. While the chocolate chips are optional, I highly recommend it. Great topped off with jam or…as I enjoyed preparing it…as French toast…with blueberry maple syrup topping it off. Whether you like it plain, jammed up, buttered up, or French toast style…this quick bread is super easy to make and even easier to devour.

Recipe: One Bowl Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Quick Bread

Servings: 10-12
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 60 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup smooth natural peanut butter (I used Trader Joe’s Organic Unsalted Natural Peanut Butter, but I bet any other nut butter, or non-nut-butter would work beautifully)
1-1/4 cups milk, at room temperature (I used Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk)
2 eggs at room temperature, beaten
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups all purpose gluten free flour (I used Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free All-Purpose)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (or try arrowroot or potato starch) (I actually used arrowroot)
1-1/2 to 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, but recommended!) (I used Enjoy Life)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease or line a standard 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.

In a large, heat-safe bowl, place the peanut butter and microwave for 30-seconds on high power just to loosen up the peanut butter and make it easier to stir. Remove it from the microwave and whisk the peanut butter until smooth.

Add the milk, eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda, whisking to combine well after each addition. The batter will be thin.

Switch to a large spoon or spatula, and add the flour and cornstarch, mixing to combine after each addition. The batter will be relatively thick.

Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and smooth the top with a wet spatula. Using a very sharp knife, score the center of the loaf along the length from one end to the other in one swift motion. Scatter the (optional) chocolate chips over the top of the batter, and press the chips gently into the batter to adhere.

Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (about 1 hour), rotating once during baking.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the loaf pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Slice thickly and serve, topped off however you want. Wrap any leftover slices tightly in freezer-safe wrap and freeze until ready to use. Defrost at room temperature.

ENJOY!

~*~*~

Serious…serious yum! I mean…yum!! And if you want a protein-packed breakfast or snack, this is the bread to make. It has great flavor, great taste, great texture. It was light (not dense and heavy) and the chocolate chips gave it this nice touch of sweetness without overpowering the entire recipe. And, as I said, it is great as French toast. For real!! I was sad when my roommate and I polished this off on Friday for breakfast, but I will definitely be making this again.

I hope you do too!

*already craving more*

August 18, 2015September 15, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams – $4.99+

Graham crackers. They are so simple…so commonplace. They are something that conjure up memories of campfires, toasting marshmallows, gooey chocolate, and sticky fingers. They recall afternoons where you grab a graham cracker (probably a cinnamon one because that dusting of sugar on top made it feel like such a treat) and snack on it while heading out to play with friends before dinner, or settling in with a good afternoon television show.

That was my childhood. That was my adulthood. Well, maybe not the playing with friends thing…but graham crackers had such a prominent part of my life. Especially when bonfires and campfires were involved.

S’mores are one of the best treats in the world. It’s got all the textures, all the sweetness…everything that makes a treat a treat. Who doesn’t love s’mores. The problem being…I’ve only come across a few gluten-free graham crackers since being diagnosed with Celiac. Kinnikinnick was the first brand I knew of that existed, making S’moreables for that graham cracker craving. Then, Schär came out with their Honeygrams, which I have tasted, but never purchased. They are also good. But that was basically it…unless you made your own. I love to bake, but I haven’t tackled crackers yet…or any sort.

And then, at Expo West this past year, I saw images come through from Pamela’s Products that were touting their latest product: Graham Crackers and Mini Grahams…in three (3) flavors: Honey, Cinnamon, and Chocolate. Oh, and also available in two (2) sizes: Graham Cracker Size and Minis.

I searched high and low in my area for these and finally gave up, believing that it would take at least a year for the Louisville area to get them in. But then, randomly one afternoon with a quick stop by my Kroger (of all places)…there two flavors of the mini grahams sat on a shelf. And, yes, I snagged a box of each and took them home with me. I had to have them. I’d been searching for them. It had to happen.

Well, back on Monday, August 10, it was National S’mores Day. And, I didn’t know this until after I used these to make a small dessert S’mores Bowl…but Monday was the day I pulled these off the top shelf of my pantry to serve up for dessert. Coincidence, yes…but perfectly timed. YAY for happy and delicious coincidences.

The Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are little medallions of graham cracker goodness, each cracker being around the size of a quarter, perhaps just slightly smaller. The Cinnamon flavor (which is the box I opened first) looks like the perfect miniature cinnamon graham cracker. Honestly. The little hexagon shapes are one-bite sized and are good for popping if you just want something mindless and easy. But, you know me…nothing can ever be that easy. Although, for the sake of the blog, I may have popped a couple without the rest of the toppings in the S’mores Bowl that I created. The S’mores Bowl is a layer of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips, and then vegan marshmallows, which I then torch with my kitchen torch, successfully melting the chocolate and toasting the marshmallows to perfection. I did this for my roommate and then again for me. And so…we settled in to get our first taste of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams.

Want to bring back the taste of your childhood? Well, these will do it. These miniature graham crackers are everything that is right and good in the gluten-free snack world. I don’t buy many treats like these often…but I had to try these. I was craving s’mores for a long while now…and these gave me a way to make a fantastic dessert with all the flavors of the s’mores without making an actual s’more. Once I find somewhere local with the actual Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Grahams, then I’ll make the real things. But…as of now, I’ve only found the minis. That should change though. Count on it.

The Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are lightly dusted on the top with cinnamon and sugar. This coating brings this nice touch of sweetness to the rich graham and molasses flavor of the crackers themselves. I love the flavors that erupt with each bite. It’s sweet and rich and tastes just like the graham crackers I was guilty of sneaking out of the pantry as a child. I thought they were the perfect base for the S’mores Bowls, easily scooped up with melted chocolate chips and toasted marshmallows. They are bite-sized graham cracker bites of goodness. Perfection. Sheer graham cracker perfection.

Let’s discuss what the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are made from, shall we? This particular treat is made up of a gluten free flour blend (brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, xanthan gum), organic non-GMO butter (salted), brown cane sugar, sorghum flower, gluten-free oat bran, molasses, organic non-GMO honey, gluten-free flavors, cinnamon, grainless and aluminum free baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, potato starch, sodium bicarbonate), baking soda, sea salt, spices, and a topping that is made up of organic sugar and cinnamon. This product is certified gluten-free by GFCO, made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and kosher certified. They are gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, egg-free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, contain no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, and contain no corn syrup.

So…that’s awesome!!

Speaking of awesome, the nutritional facts for the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams aren’t too bad either. A serving size is 10 crackers (29 grams) and there are about 7 servings per box. This serving will provide you with 150 calories, 6 grams fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 23 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Not too bad for a graham cracker, right?! I’m happy with it.

So, go ahead, pop open a box of Pamela’s Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams and crunch, dunk, dip, or pile high with chocolate and marshmallows…and devour. Do whatever it is you want with these little miniature graham crackers. These gluten-free treats are fantastic. And I’m sad I have only about 2 servings left. Time to go pick up more. Just simply put…delicious!

S'mores Bowl made with Pamela's Products Gluten-Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows — S’mores Bowl made with Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows

August 17, 2015

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+

Growing up, my dinner always ended with a little touch of something sweet. Dessert. It was always my motivation to eat most of what was on my plate. My parents had a rule that we at least had to try something. I was never a picky eater, but I had things I liked more than others. I’m still that way. Believe it or not…I am only human. HA!

So, I think the hardest part of my journey has been not being able to stomach ice cream these days. I used to take a supplement for it, but even that has not helped as of late. So, my cheating with dairy has come to an end. I am completely dairy free…

But it doesn’t mean I’m ice cream free!

Thanks to the frozen dessert gods that brought Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Milk frozen goodness into my life. Now, I’ve had (and loved) a couple of their products before, the Dark Chocolate Bars and the Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. But there was one in particular that I had my eyes set on. It was their version of mint chocolate chip…or, in the Luna & Larry universe – Mint Galactica.

It sounds so sci-fi and space-agey. LOVE IT.

Know what else I loved? This freakin’ ice cream!! Can I call it ice cream if it is dairy free? I’m going to, because it might as well be the full-blown thing. It tastes…awesome!! A little sci-fi and space-agey too. (*WINK*) Okay…so maybe not that far…but it is mint chocolate chip at its minty best. To be honest, there is a local place here called The Comfy Cow that has a signature flavor called Minty Chocolate Chippy. It was one of my favorites when I’d cheat and eat dairy…with a drizzle of hot fudge and it tasted like a Girl Scout cookie. Well…this was just as good…a bit mintier…but just as creamy and delicious as the full-barrel, real deal stuff at my local ice cream shop. And you know what…for an ice cream made out of coconut milk…that’s pretty fantastic, if you ask me! I loved that the flecks of chocolate were just that…flecks. Sometimes the chunks of chocolate get a bit much in a frozen dessert…way too big go comfortably eat. I always do, usually saving it for last to suck on and allow to melt, but this was a nice change of pace and it perfectly flavored each and every bit of ice cream not just with that desired dark chocolate bitterness, but also with a bit of a crunch…a perfect texture for this ice cream. Totally out of this world.

So, let’s discuss what goes into a pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, shall we? This ice cream is made with organic coconut milk (organic coconut, water, organic guar gum), organic agave syrup, organic dark chocolate flakes (orgnaic fair trade dark chocolate [organic fair trade cocoa liquor, organic fair trade cane syrup, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic fair trade cocoa powder]. organic coconut oil), organic coconut cream, organic peppermint extract, and organic vanilla extract. Simple, natural ingredients. This dessert treat is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO, and kosher.

And now…the down and dirty. That nutritional information. This is an ice cream treat, so keep that in mind when you read these off. Every serving is worth every calorie…trust me. A serving size is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings per pint. This serving will dish up 240 calories, 19 grams of fat (most of that is the healthy bit that comes from the coconut…be not afraid!), 16 grams saturated fat (definitely from the coconut), 0 grams trans fat, 0 grams cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 14 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Filling, not especially…delicious…totally!!

Seriously, if you are looking for a cooling, delicious, minty-fresh treat this summer, look no further than Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. It is one of the best mint ice creams out there…and an added bonus is…it has no dairy, making it an option for those out there who can’t tolerate dairy, or choose not to consume it. This would be fantastic with hot fudge melted over the top…but on it’s own…amazing. Totally over the moon for this flavor!

A serving of Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Diary Frozen Dessert — A serving of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Diary Frozen Dessert

August 4, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

Okay, all you lactose intolerant and dairy allergic…listen up! So Delicious Dairy Free has done it…AGAIN! Yes, from the same company that brings you all things deliciously dairy-free comes the latest additions to their line of frozen desserts – with a base of cashew milk.

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, or unless you are new to my blog, you know that my latest obsession, one that I really will pawn off on my readers, colleagues, and friends alike (and have!) is my love of cashew milk. It’s rich, creamy, packed with calcium, and just amazing. And unless you have a nut allergy, I highly recommend switching to cashew milk.

But why stop there? Because So Delicious Dairy Free has a line of five (5) different frozen desserts (ie: ice creams) that use cashew milk for its base. Want to see me do a happy dance? You really don’t want to witness that, but trust me, the first moment I found these in my grocery stores, I did one. I’ll probably turn up on a grocery store Christmas video or something. HA!

But that doesn’t matter. The happy dance that ensued was well worth it. Especially…especially for this particular flavor:

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE!!!

They had me at dark chocolate, honestly.

The existence of this ice cream is proof that So Delicious loves us and wants us to be happy. Yes, us, the collective group of those who cannot tolerate dairy. Here’s the scoop (see what I did there?)…

I heard about the release of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts but figured it would take awhile for my area to get them in. It didn’t.

For once. Thank the ice cream gods…it didn’t.

Now, prior to noshing on the Dark Chocolate Truffle variety of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts, I had already had the opportunity (thanks to my roomie!) to indulge in three other flavors: Snickerdoodle, Salted Caramel Cluster, and Cappuccino. This is the fourth of five flavors that are in this line. The final one I have yet to buy and try is the Creamy Cashew flavor. But…here I was with this amazing looking chocolate dessert in my freezer. You better believe I was going to dive right in. But I had to wait 10 minutes to let this delicious frozen treat get to a scoopable temperature. I’m sort of used to that. If it’s not dairy…give it 10 minutes on the counter before trying to scoop. It’s the magic number. It works wonders. I just left it out while we ate a quick dinner.

After dinner…I scooped up a serving into our special ice cream bowls, delivering one to my roommate before returning to the kitchen to put the pint away in the freezer and rinse off the scoop. That’s when I hear…”It tastes like Comfy Cow…”

Granted, if you are not from or have not visited the Louisville, Kentucky, area you might not understand that statement. Comfy Cow is our local ice cream place. AMAZING ice cream. Ice cream that I can’t indulge in anymore like I used to. But this statement from my roommate (who can have dairy and eat Comfy Cow ice cream) lifted my spirits. I grabbed a spoon and dug in.

OH…YES!! If you are a chocoholic like me, this is the ice cream that is going to feed your soul. It’s smooth, creamy, rich, and just chocolate to the max…without the overkill. This means…this decadent desert is any chocolate lover’s dream. I love the complex nature of the chocolate flavor, which, by the way, is brought to you by organic fair trade cocoa. So, this creamy, dreamy chocolate base and then So Delicious ups the ante by adding bits of chocolate truffles for texture and flavor? Oh…my…dairy…free…god! I love chocolate, but most dairy-free varieties fall short when it comes to ice cream. Not this one. The cashew milk lends a bit of creaminess that I find almond milk, soy milk, and rice milk bases to be missing. The intense flavor will definitely feed that sweet tooth. You’ll lick the bowl. Oh yes…yes you will!

So, let’s discuss what So Delicious Dairy Free puts into their pints of Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert. Each pint is a gorgeous blend of cashew milk (water, cashews non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, organic fudge sauce [organic cane syrup, water, organic fair trade cocoa (processed with alkali), organic tapioca starch, organic chocolate liquor], chocolate flake [cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), chocolate liquor, natural vanilla flavor], organic fair trade cocoa (processed with alkali), sea salt, gum acacia, and guar gum. It is vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It contains no trans-fat or cholesterol. YAY!

As far as nutrition goes, for an ice cream, you’ll love these stats. A serving of the So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This serving will give you 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, 3 grams saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 24 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 18 grams sugars, and 3 grams of protein. I admit, it’s a bit high on the sugar…yes…but this treat is definitely worth the indulgence.

If you are craving a rich, creamy, decadent, delicious frozen treat…but just can’t handle the dairy…grab a pint of the So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert. Trust me…it doesn’t (and can’t) get any better than this. You’ll feel like you’re committing a sin, but it’s just dessert…it’s okay. The dessert gods forgive you. Just remember…it would be so easy to eat this all in one sitting, so, while I never discourage eating ice cream straight from the carton, it would be way too easy to just not stop in this case. Indulge wisely. And enjoy!

A scoop (serving) of So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels – $8.50

I’ve been burned by gluten-free products in the past. You hear about them via the Internet and you either find them at your local store (grocery or natural food) and you take them home and try them out and you find out all the hype was just hype. It sucks. You’re out a good meal/snack and money.

So, imagine how it felt for me to pour some money into a company that found me via my Twitter feed, when I was talking about the new Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels (plain and everything). They reached out to me, and didn’t say they had a better product, just that if I enjoyed those, I’d love theirs. They did it twice…and with me…this shows persistence and a great belief in the product they have. I had already made my way over to their page upon the first contact and was intrigued by what I found. The second time, they had me convinced I just needed to pull the trigger and place an order.

And this is where my love affair with Sweet Note Bakery and their New York style gluten free bagels began…

Sweet Note began in 2012, when founder and president, Michelle MacDonald, stepped up to a challenge. She had been baking ever since she was a child and was very passionate about it. When her grandfather and sister were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she took the first steps on her entrepreneurial journey. Her family really missed a good New York Style bagel. (Hey…I can’t blame them…I know this feeling all too well). So with a lot of experimentation and trial and error, MacDonald perfected the recipe, getting huge approval from her family (also bagel lovers). Gluten-free bagels that taste good?! It was a reality. Sweet Note Bakery’s vision is to make gluten-free options more readily accessible. Those of us who live with Celiac understand how isolating this disease can be, when you can’t have a meal while out with friends and family, be it at a restaurant or a ballpark, or wherever your adventures take you. MacDonald wanted to change that…one gluten-free bagel at a time.

No buyer’s remorse happened either after I checked out of their online store. A couple of days later, a box arrived bearing my bagels. I made room for them in my packed freezer until it was time to crack into them. So far, they have wowed me with the Plain, Everything, and Cinnamon Raisin varieties. These are all commonly found as flavored with other gluten-free bagels on the market…

But Sweet Note really knows how to sweeten the deal. And this chocoholic jumped at the chance to try their latest flavor…

Chocolate Swirl.

Chocolate for breakfast? Hell yes! In fact, I am no stranger to incorporating sweet chocolate into my breakfast. I’ve made chocolate gluten-free hot cereal. My mom grew up making chocolate chip pancakes for my friends and I. And sometimes, I throw chocolate chips into my overnight oats or my breakfast parfait. We all deserve a little something sweet sometimes.

Per instructions on the packaging, in order to get your bagels done right, do NOT ever let them thaw to room temperature. This goes against how I prepare anything gluten-free from my freezer, but there is a reason for this. So…do it. Pop these into your microwave for about 1 minute, until they are soft. Cool slightly, and then the slice and toast. If you’re like me and you don’t own a toaster, pop them in an oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. They come out perfect.

Let me tell you, this bagel has everything working for it. Everything. It satisfies your sweet tooth without taking it too far. I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate for breakfast? The best part is…the Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels keep the chocolate subtle so that it doesn’t become more of a doughnut or cake, than a bagel. It is smoothly swirled into the bagel, creating this gorgeous pattern when you slice into the breakfast treat itself. And, let me tell you, nothing makes your morning better than the aroma of chocolate as it toasts in the oven (or toaster if you have one…I don’t!). My mouth was watering as it was being thawed in the microwave for a minute. This is more than a bagel. This is everything you want in a breakfast – savory and sweet – crunchy and chewy. Amazing. Just all-around amazing.

Want to know what else is amazing? The old-school style that these gluten-free bagels are produced in. They hit that traditional New York Style, not only in size, but in texture too! And, yes, I am 100% certain these are gluten free!! You wouldn’t believe it to taste it for yourself, but it’s on the packaging and a big part of the business. The authentic nature of all of the gluten-free bagels from Sweet Note Bakery is that they take you back to the classic 3-inch size of the traditional bagel. No mega-bagel here. You don’t need it. Instead of a 6-inch monstrosity, you’re chowing down on real, natural ingredients that will leave you feeling full and content. Trust me. And, with the way these are constructed, you get an amazing crispy outer crust and that warm, chewy middle that New York bagels are known for. Sweet Note, you’re doing it all right.

And by adding chocolate to create your very own (and unlike any other gluten-free bagel on the market) Chocolate Swirl Bagel, you’re taking it to the next level. All of us with a sweet tooth, or who enjoy a little treat in the morning, are dancing a happy dance. I happened to top off my Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels with some of my own homemade strawberry jam. Let me tell you…it was magical. Yep. I said magical. Because if you love chocolate-covered strawberries, imagine how amazing strawberry covered chocolate is. Yep…it’s amazing. And these bagels were the perfect vehicle to showcase my own hard work in the kitchen with fresh, local berries. Ah, the joys of being a foodie.

Now, let’s talk ingredients for a moment, shall we? The Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels are made from water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, vanilla extract, salt, chocolate chips (evaporated cane juice, natural chocolate liquor (non-alcoholic), and non-dairy cocoa butter). As always, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, and peanut & tree nut free. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels are a little more expensive because they have to go the extra mile to add allergen-free chocolate to the mix. It’s worth it. Vegan, gluten-free goodness in every delicious bite. Trust me…you don’t want to miss out. This little bagel company is going places. BIG places.

As far as nutirtion goes, for bagels, this hits the sweet spot. A serving is 1 bagel (4.5 ounces or 128 grams). There are four servings per package. This one serving will give you 310 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 280 mg sodium, 4 grams fiber, 18 grams sugars, and 4 grams of protein. See why you’ll feel full? Fiber-rich and packed with protein. Gotta love it!

Trust me, if you can’t find these in stores in your area, pop over to Sweet Note Bakery’s Web site and place an order. They need to be in your gluten-free life, stat!! And then, talk to your local natural food store, or Whole Foods, about stocking these. They would sell like hotcakes (or bagels) in an instant. Trust me. These are not to be missed. Sweet Note Bakery offers eight (8) different varieties of their NY style bagels: plain, everything, cinnamon raisin, sesame, poppy, chocolate swirl, snickerdoodle, and pumpkin spice. Their Web site says a Spinach Garlic is in the works. HELLO!! Want that. So, if you are a bagel lover like me…and gluten-free bagels have left you feeling cheated…get the real deal. And, if you like a little treat in the morning, twist up tradition with the Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels. They are not to be missed.

And this, sadly, concludes my stash in the freezer…so I guess it’s time to try out the other four flavors!

Sweet Note Gluten Free Chocolate Swirl Bagels topped off with my own homemade strawberry jam

May 26, 2015

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Sorbet

We all know that two of my favorite things in life is ice cream and chocolate. Well, unfortunately, real ice cream and I don’t get along, so I’ve taken to exploring other avenues, such as frozen desserts made out of coconut milk, almond milk, or even sorbets. Even better…I have an ice cream maker and often do a lot of experimenting on my own. Sometimes it works brilliantly. Other times…not so much.

But…HELLO PINTEREST! While browsing through my Pinterest one afternoon, I ran across a recipe from King Arthur Flour for none other than a dark chocolate sorbet. WOO! I had every intention of making this sooner rather than later, so I went home that night and started chilling the bowl for the ice cream maker. I prepped the actual recipe and let it chill overnight in the fridge.

My roomie and I were having her mom over for dinner the following night, so that morning, I went ahead and made the ice cream up to freezer. It was brilliant…

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Sorbet

Servings: 10
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Chill 8-12 hours

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
pinch of salt
2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional, but it really does enhance the chocolate flavor)
1/2 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
2 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Peppermint Mocha Kahlua, regular Kahlua, or vodka, (optional, but it keeps the sorbet from freezing solid)

Directions:

Combine the sugar, cocoa, salt, espresso powder, chocolate chips, and water in a saucepan set over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until the chips and sugar are dissolved.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the vanilla and Kahlua or vodka. Transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled; overnight is best.

Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’ll remain quite soft; freeze for several hours before serving, to firm up.

~*~*~

This was a rich, decadent treat. The Peppermint Mocha Kahlua was the perfect touch. Not only did it lend an amazing flavor to the recipe, but it honestly does help prevent the ice cream from becoming hard as a rock. LOVE. This was one of my favorite treats I’ve made in my ice cream maker.

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

God bless So Delicious! Because after swearing off the regular ice cream I used to indulge in each weekend (I miss my local ice cream parlor, but the dairy was too much for this stomach, even with supplements to help with the lactose intolerance), I can now have my indulgence back. Yes…yes I can. And in so many different varieties for a base. Soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk…they have a little bit of everything.

But I’m currently on the biggest cashew milk kick. Seriously. It’s the companion to my cereal in the morning…a creamy addition to my overnight oatmeal…a key component to my dairy free (and creamy) gluten-free and vegan macaroni and cheese. I love it more than soy milk, more than coconut milk, more than almond milk…and it seems to be holding true for the frozen items as well.

Then again, So Delicious has yet to really disappoint me with any product I have ever ventured to try of theirs. It is one very trusted brand in my book.

So, with temperatures soaring outside this weekend, my roommate and I were cooking in and treating dessert as our cool down. So, Saturday evening, after a simple and delicious dinner (after a long day of shopping and buying groceries and other such weekend sundries), I pulled the pint of So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert out of my freezer. It was the other flavor of the new cashew milk frozen desserts that my roommate and I splurged on one day while out grocery shopping. I already reviewed the Snickerdoodle flavor. While we ate, I allowed it the 10 minute defrost time, which is common with non-dairy frozen treats, so that it was scoopable. Then, after clearing and washing dishes up…it was time to unveil the ice cream that awaited us.

I eased off the lid and pulled back the white plastic that sealed in the freshness. I saw an amazing looking white ice cream, speckled with dark chocolate chunks and swirls of golden caramel. I got out the ice cream scoop and easily dished up two servings into the ice cream bowls I had dug out of the cabinet. Delivering one to my roommate, I returned to the kitchen to tuck the pint back into the freezer. By the time I took up my own bowl, Cathy had already taken a taste of hers.

“How is it?”

“Mmmmmm.”

Well…that was all I needed to hear. MY spoon touched the scoop in my bowl, dug in, getting a little bit of everything, and then was introduced to my taste buds. It tasted like a smooth, creamy, rich…butter pecan (minus the nuts) base with a burst of amazing sweetness from the dark chocolate covered cashews. Those, I think, were my favorite part. But this ice cream definitely enhanced all the taste senses. Salty and sweet, it was a perfect blend of flavor and richness. I loved how the caramel ribbons were soft and accented the cashew milk base and the dark chocolate covered nuts that were scattered throughout the pint. They were little bites of joy, for sure. And I happily devoured each bite. My only complaint, and this is a personal one, was that there weren’t enough of the dark chocolate covered cashews for my liking. If these “clusters” are going to be significant to the name of the ice cream, be sure you load your pint down with them. It was a hide-and-seek game with the scoop…but I managed to get these tasty morsels into each serving for both myself and my roommate.

Let’s talk about what So Delicious Dairy Free puts into their Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, shall we? This ice cream flavor is made from cashew milk (water, cashews non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, chocolate coated cashews [coating (cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), chocolate liquor, natural vanilla flavor), roasted cashews (canola oil, safflower and/or sunflower oil, salt)], caramel sauce [organic tapioca syrup, water, molasses, pea protein, natural flavors, organic cocoa butter, sodium citrate, salt, pectin], natural flavor, sea salt, fair trade vanilla extract, gum acacia, and guar gum. It is gluten-free, vegan, cholesterol free, free of trans-fats, and non-GMO.

As far as nutrition goes…aside from being a dessert and an ice cream treat at that, this is actually quite impressive and not half bad as far as the data goes. One serving is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings in each pint. One serving will provide you with 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, 130 mg sodium, 18 grams of sugars (YIKES…but then again…ice cream!), 24 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

As tempting as it is to devour the entire pint in one sitting, definitely savor it and eat only the serving. It’s okay to treat yourself to a nice, cold, delicious treat and when you do…if you can’t handle dairy like me…then So Delicious has you covered for sure. And…I am a HUGE fan of the new cashew milk frozen desserts. I can’t wait to try the three other flavors!

BIG YUM!

Oh…yeah…it was polished off Sunday night. Didn’t last long. Never does.

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

May 8, 2015May 8, 2015

Product Review: Pretzel Perfection Salted Caramel Clusters

Product: Pretzel Perfection Salted Caramel Clusters – $4.99+

One thing that most everyone who knows me knows about me is that I have this huge crush on anything salted caramel. If it’s salted caramel, I want it in my belly. Seriously…there is no better flavor combination that something that is rich and sweet and salty and yummy and…

I’m making myself hungry again…

So when my Spring (April 2015) Cuisine Cube hit my doorstep this past month, I was really excited about pulling out a little 3 ounce pouch of probably the most perfect snack food in history. But, before I go into that, a quick recap on what Cuisine Cube is all about. You see, Cuisine Cube is a gluten-free subscription box that specializes in pantry/meal items. The best part being, you get full-size products, not just sample sizes. Each month, you get 5-6 items (a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert, and sometimes a bonus!) inside your little box of wonder from smaller artisan companies that specialize in some gluten-free goodness. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, if you haven’t yet…hop on over to their site and check them out.

Anyway, what I was getting to just before that was that in my Spring cube, the most perfect dessert option arrived. Sure, it was only 3 ounces of goodness, but everything about this treat screamed for me to just EAT IT ALL RIGHT THERE AND RIGHT THEN. I didn’t. I resisted…because I’m a blogger and I need to take pictures…but I now had a new product in my clutches!

The product – Salted Caramel Clusters from Pretzel Perfection. First thing that won me over…the words SALTED CARAMEL. The next thing…the delightful photo of these chocolaty covered pretzel things on the front of the pouch. Chocolate covered pretzels have always been (and will always be) one of my favorite snacks/treats/desserts in the world. I mean, the salty and sweet with rich and crunchy all rolled into one…HELLO!! That’s perfection right there. As the founders of this company must know given the name “Pretzel Perfection.”

Pretzel Perfection was created by Amy Holyk and actually began as a one-person operation in a converted garage. Since then, Pretzel Perfection has grown into an expanding and thriving business, with focus on treats that are made of real food. This company creates products that consumers can trust in and are committed to providing products that are of a higher quality, all-natural, and gluten-free. They take great pride in the fact that they do not use any artificial flavors, colorings, or preservatives.

So…yeah…they had me with pretzels…dark chocolate…salted caramel. They were already winning without me even tasting them yet. But…this was the night. These little bundles of pretzel goodness were my dessert tonight. So, after a healthy dinner…it was time to indulge a little.

The Pretzel Perfection Salted Caramel Clusters are in their line of gourmet pretzel treats. These treats are gluten-free pretzel clusters wrapped with caramel, coated in dark chocolate, and then sprinkled with sea salt and dark chocolate chips. What’s not to love about that, right? EXACTLY!! They look like something I’d make to take into the office…which I love. And I dove right in. First of all, the dark chocolate is a nice bittersweet note to blend with the saltiness of the pretzel and the sea salt that adorns the top of the cluster itself. The dark chocolate chips make for a nice compliment and an added burst of sweetness. The pretzels are crunchy…I mean…dark chocolate coated to perfection. The little square of caramel holes it all together and is the magic in the middle of this cluster. Honestly…if heaven exists…it is inside this bag. I am doing all I can not to raid it and eat the remnants. Seriously.

My roommate and I devoured these in record speed. I had a feeling I was going to like these…even love these…but I LOVE these. Caps lock love. That’s real love right there.

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Pretzel Perfection Salted Caramel Clusters are made from dark chocolate, caramel, gluten-free pretzels, dark chocolate chips, and sea salt. Yep. that’s it. They are gluten-free and kosher.

As far as nutrition goes…dark chocolate pretzels aren’t going to be good for you in the long run, but…these really are worth a bit of a splurge. A serving size is 1 ounce (about 2 pieces), and the pouch holds 3 servings. One serving will give you 130 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 420 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 11 grams of sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Delicious…and…compared to some desserts…a healthy and delicious option. Or, as they say on their Web site: ” Life is simply too short to not have fun with your food.” Amen.

Seriously…everything about Pretzel Perfection Salted Caramel Clusters is…perfection. The taste, the texture, the ccare and love that goes into the products they make. Oh yeah…I’m a fan. I have seen that these might be sold at Target. You best believe I’ll be on the lookout for them and the other flavors that Pretzel Perfection makes.

Hop on over to Pretzel Perfection‘s web site and check out the products they offer and…if you’re feeling a little crazy…ORDER SOME!! Seriously. All my love and praise to Cuisine Cube for doing dessert oh, so right this month!