Clean Eating – Page 12 – The Celiathlete

May 3, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: WB Kitchen Maple Pecan Honey Cookies

Product: WB Kitchen Maple Pecan Honey Cookies – $3.29+

I love seeing what my Cuisine Cube sends to me each month. This month, however, hasn’t been a good one for me to actually dive into my box. Most of the items…okay…all of the items…were in the box up until I returned from the Boston Marathon. We all know from previous posts, leading into that were days and nights of stress and emotional overload…just trying to find out if I was going to get to race or not. And then, afterwards, I was having a hard time moving around, putting things away sounded like a tedious task.

That being said, the six items that were inside my April 2015 (Spring) Cuisine Cube have been put away. And have stayed put away. Up until last night. And that was mostly because I had nothing ready for dessert…

Hooray for convenience!

Of course, first I want to remind you of what Cuisine Cube is and what they do…and why you should consider a subscription with them. Cuisine Cube is a monthly subscription service were a gift box will be sent to your door with goodies inside. These are meal/pantry items that are the full-size products, not little sample sizes. That’s a huge deal, as most of the time these services send you sample products only. You can sign up for a monthly, three-month, or six-month subscription, which begin as low as $29.99 per month. Each box you receive will contain one item from each major meal of the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert. And then, sometimes, you get a bonus treat. Bonus treats are always a nice and welcome surprise. I’ve had Cuisine Cube for over a year now and love, love, love it!

In the April Box, the Breakfast/Snack option that was presented was a package of cookies. Yes…cookies. Cookies for breakfast. You have my attention! The cookies are a product of WB Kitchen. WB Kitchen was founded in 2012 by Chris Feuille and his wife, Anna. Feuille strives to show that businesses can succeed and be profitable while utilizing unconventional methods of operation. WB Kitchen offers natural honey sweets. Fueille believes that our food choices directly reflect the level of conscious awareness we bring into the rest of our lives. When people choose to nourish their bodies with real and harmonious foods, they are more in balance with the community and the planet. By making foods that are Paleo-friendly and use no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and are sweetened simply with maple syrup and honey, Fueille hopes that consumers who eat the foods that mother nature intended will show them how to live a healthier, happier and more vibrant life.

The WB Kitchen Maple Pecan Honey Cookies were the item that Cuisine Cube shared with us in April. And I was really excited about trying them, after looking over the ingredients, and more impressively – the nutrition information. Last night was the ideal day to try them after a big breakfast at my local gluten-free bakery and then movie theater popcorn (just the kid’s snack pack) while seeing Avengers: Age of Ultron. I cooked up a simple dinner…gluten-free veggie burgers with sweet potato fries, to eat while watching the Kentucky Derby (I live in Louisville…that’s what we do one day out of the year). Afterwards, I knew I wanted my palate cleansing dessert. And I felt no guilt in reaching for the WB Kitchen Maple Pecan Honey Cookies. I tore into the package, giving one of the cookies to my roommate and taking the other one for myself. Dessert…and a horse race.

Well, the horse I chose (the names didn’t impress me this year, so I went for the prettiest horse in the field – Frosted!) came in 4th…but dessert…that was definitely winning in my book. The texture, at first, is a little weird. Sort of like a non-date-y Laräbar…soft and chewy…with a lot of emphasis on the “chew.” It wasn’t gummy though. But the flavor…that’s where these cookies totally won. The honey flavor for sweetness is perfect. Not too much…not too little. Just the right amount. And the pecans gave it this nutty flavor and a bit of crunch in each bite. Top it off with one of my favorite things – maple…and you have a recipe that I truly enjoyed. Every bite (which, technically was only three…but…). Just loving the way everything came together. And once that first bite was taken and I was able to adjust to the texture…it was dessert perfection. And no guilt. Cookies without the guilt. Loving that!

So, let’s discuss the ingredients in the WB Kitchen Maple Pecan Honey Cookies. These cookies are made with almond flour, raw unfiltered honey, organic maple syrup, organic pecans, sea salt, organic cinnamon, organic coconut oil, and organic vanilla extract. That’s it. Real. Simple. Ingredients. I recognize everything. Nothing makes me question what I’m about to devour. I love that. These cookies are produced in a dedicated gluten, grain, dairy, and soy-free facility. On top of being gluten-free and vegan, these are also cholesterol free.

Now, I told you I was impressed by the nutrition facts on these cookies and I’m going to share with you why. A serving size is 1 cookie, so there are 2 servings per container. This one cookie will provide you with 68 calories (a cookie for 68 calories!) and 4 grams of fat (mostly from nuts). You will also be taking in 54 mg sodium, 6 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams of sugar, less than 1 gram of fiber and 1.4 grams of protein. They won’t be filling, but they sure make a nice way to end the day.

So, if you’ve been looking for a great, healthy, cookie-type snack/breakfast/dessert…look into WB Kitchen and what they have to offer. Their Web site has other varieties of cookies and bars that make for healthy, nutritious, and clean eating. If maple is your thing…I highly, highly recommend these though. Soft, chewy, and good for you. What’s not to love? Thanks, Cuisine Cube for another wonderful food discovery!

April 14, 2015

Product Review: Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter

Product: Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter – $12.99+

When it comes to food, nothing completes me more than any sort of nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter (technically, not a nut butter…but close enough!), etc. I love them. Give me any flavor (add in honey, chocolate, coconut) too. I love it. It is, perhaps, my ultimate comfort and snack food. When I’m stressed out, I just want a spoon and the nearest container of peanut butter. No joke.

For awhile now, I’ve noticed and heard of a brand of nut butter that contains seven different nuts and seeds. Needless to say, I knew a few people who swore by this stuff. Loved this stuff. And…as chance would have it…I found this stuff at my local Whole Foods Market.

Problem…it was between $12.99 – $17.99 a jar. And, as much as I love nut butters…even I couldn’t justify spending that much on a simple (seven variety) peanut butter. As much as it intrigued me.

Until…it went on sale. Granted, the original crunchy is in the lower end ($12.99) regular price, but it was on sale for $9.99 one day I was in Whole Foods. I still have money on a gift card I received for Christmas (best gift ever!), so I figured…why not? I wouldn’t find it any cheaper. I made my purchase and never felt one iota of remorse. YAY! Expensive peanut butter. Now I’m living large.

So what is it about Nuttzo? Nuttzo is a gourmet nut and seed butter that, each variety, contains seven different nuts and seeds. It is billed as the healthiest and most unique super-butter on the planet. They have three different flavors…available in the crunchy and smooth varieties: original, power fuel with chia, and Peruvian dark chocolate. Said to be, perhaps, the next big next big thing in nut butter. They are easy to spot too…standing upside down on the shelf. Why upside down? Because they are a little “nuttzo.” Heh. Actually, it’s because all the oils that naturally separate in natural peanut butters will now be at the bottom of the jar and not the top. Open it without the mess. YAY! All of the Nuttzo flavors and products are 100% organic, contain no added sugars or oils, are high in healthy fats and protein, contain flax in every flavor for your daily Omega 3 ALA’s, are gluten-free certified, non-GMO certified, and kosher certified.

I love it already. Good to know there are ways for a gluten-free. dairy-free, vegetarian to get those important Omega 3’s.

So, while the price had me doubting my purchase…on Sunday, I needed a light lunch (as I had made an epic breakfast and would be making an epic dinner!), so my roommate suggested open face peanut butter sandwiches. I said, “Should we try the expensive peanut butter?” She said that it had to happen sometime. So…down from the top shelf of the pantry my jar of Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter came. I flipped the jar over, opened it up, looked inside and the chunky, nutty and seedy goodness, and gave it a swirl. I doled up spoonfuls for my roomie and I to “sample” while I put a schmear of it on two pieces of gluten-free toast.

My roomie thought the honey I was going to drizzle on top would make it better. Me…I was quite happy with all the different things going on in the Nuttzo. I love smooth peanut butter, but chunky peanut butter…that’s another level. And this…this is the supreme being…the god of all crunchy and chunky nut butters. You actually have, swimming in this smooth sea of nutty goodness, chunks of cashews and peanuts and the other nuts (which I will get to), not to mention flax seeds and sunflower seeds, just adding to the texture. Happy day. I loved it straight off the spoon. I loved it spread across a toasted slice of gluten-free bread. I loved it driizzled with honey. The only thing I don’t love about it is the steep price tag. But with all those expensive nuts and seeds inside…I can see why that’s the case. It just means that if I decide to splurge on nut butter…it will happen only once or twice a year. This stuff is fantastic…but it is pricey. Like…I could buy 13 individual cups of Greek yogurt for the price of one jar of this nut butter. Is it worth it…yeah. I think it is. I mean, what’s not to love about something that excites your palate and is smooth and chunky and gritty and rich and tasty and just everything you want from a nut butter all in one? Absolute nothing. Except Nuttzo.

Granted…I have a great Vitamix now. I can probably make this myself for a lot less…but sometimes…convenience wins out.

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? With nut butters you usually have 1 to 2 ingredients. Well, if you buy organic and natural, like I do. This is that…but loaded with nuts and seeds. In fact, the Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter is made up of organic peanuts, organic cashews, organic almonds, organic flax seeds, organic brazil nuts, organic hazelnuts, organic sunflower seeds, sea salt. LOTS of flavorful nuts and seeds…all that give it this fantastic flavor, sweetness, and texture. All without adding unnecessary things like sugar. LOVE!!

As far as nutrition information goes, this is one very super-nutritious, high protein, amazing nut butter. One serving, of the Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter is 2 tablespoons. This serving will provide you with 180 calories, 16 grams (healthy) fat, 70 mg sodium, 7 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram sugar, 3 grams fiber, and 7 grams of protein. Like I said…powerhouse. This nut butter, for someone with my dietary restrictions, is definitely worth the cost. Heck, it’s worth it’s weight in gold!!

Love comes in so many different forms. When you’re an athlete with food allergies, sometimes love is as simple as a jar of expensive nut butter called Nuttzo. I might be “Nuttzo” for being willing to pay for said nut and seed butter, but this gives me so many nutrients in just a serving that I think it’s worth it. Bought it on a whim, scoffed a little at the price, loved it when I tried it…now…completely obsessed. It’s hidden so I just don’t take a spoon and eat the entire jar. Because, trust me, it would happen.

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015

Product Review: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix + Recipe Bonus

Neat - A Healthy Alternative to Meat Original Mix — Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix

Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix + Recipe Bonus – $4.99+

I am so excited. And the reason why is simple. I have found the meat replacement, Neat, at a few of my local stores. My Kroger, my Meijer, and even a few of my natural food stores now carry these little pouches of meat replacement goodness. Now, mind you, I’m not one who often will replace meat in a dish. I usually will use something like tofu or mushrooms instead, but there are some recipes (from my childhood, especially!) that just call for using an actual meat replacement. I have a few go-to brands that are gluten-free as well as either vegetarian or vegan. But ever since I received a pouch of the Mexican Mix from Neat in my Cuisine Cube back in October, I was hooked. I just had nowhere in this area to purchase it on my own.

Until now.

Up until yesterday, my pantry held the Italian Mix and the Original Mix. I’m using a few things up in my pantry (I have a bit of an overstock, HA!), so I decided I would go ahead and bake up some of the Moon Rabbit Foods pie crusts that I had from another Cuisine Cube. I could freeze two of them, and then give using the third one a shot in an old family favorite, which I would adjust to make gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix (before adding eggs/egg replacer and water) — Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix (before adding eggs/egg replacer and water)

With a pie crust baked up…it was time to make the filling. As I was using my mom’s recipe, I began to brown the sweet onion while I mixed up the ingredients for the Neat Original Mix. This is really easy. Simply empty the Neat mix into a bowl, add two eggs (or egg substitute) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well. Once the onions had began to soften, I added the neat mixture and cooked it on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes, chopping at it as one would with regular ground beef. It looked and smelled perfect. I added the tomato paste, cooked it a few moments longer and then put it all in the pie crust. On went the topping of Daiya cheese and…into the oven it went.

Before I talk more about the original mix, let me tell you a bit about Neat. Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients. It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians. At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it. And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat. Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form. All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water. Then, you just cook it in a skillet, as you would ground beef, for about 7-9 minutes. It’s really easy…and really delicious too.

Neat - A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix (prepared) cooked with onion and tomato paste — Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix (prepared) cooked with onion and tomato paste

So, a vegetarian and gluten-free Cheeseburger Pie…that was what this was used for. When I sliced through the pie crust and the filling, I was just anticipating the crumbling and falling apart. But Neat surprised me. Much like my mom’s recipe (which used real meat as I wasn’t a vegetarian at that point), this all stuck together and made for a perfect slice. The Neat seemed to be the meat replacement I was looking for. And it was the perfect choice for this recipe for sure. I dished up two slices of the Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie and handed one to my roommate and settled in with mine. My roommate took the first bite and said that it tasted dead-up like a cheeseburger. That’s good. She’s not a vegetarian, nor is she dairy-free or gluten-free like me. But this impressed her. It impressed her a lot. The most disappointing aspect of the dish was the pie crust and that was a whole unrelated product, and it still worked out well in the end.

The Neat Original Mix is fantastic. I mean, it is so close to the real thing. As I said, I don’t often do meat replacements, but sometimes when revisiting old recipes I grew up with, it is necessary. I don’t think any other replacement for beef will come close to what Neat does for these dishes. This is the second time I have used a Neat product and both times I have been beyond impressed. The taste and texture are phenomenal. Even meat eaters won’t realize they aren’t really eating meat. That’s the wonder and the glory of this product. Anyone can have it (unless they have a nut allergy) and enjoy it. It was, for the second time, love at first bite. And it was wonderful to be able to adapt an old family favorite to fit my dietary needs.

A slice of Cheeseburger Pie (gluten-free, dairy free, and vegetarian) made with Neat - A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix — A slice of Cheeseburger Pie (gluten-free, dairy free, and vegetarian) made with Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix

Let’s now take a look at what goes into the Neat Original Mix. This product is made up of pecans, garbanzo beans, gluten free whole grain oats, organic whole grain gluten free cornmeal, garlic, onion, sea salt and spices. Simple. Delicious. Clean eating! It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

As for nutrition, the Neat Original Mix is a powerhouse. A serving is 40 grams and there are 4 servings per pouch. One serving will provide 190 calories and 15 grams of fat. You will also be getting 232 mg sodium, 11 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 4 grams of protein. It is filling, so it makes a fantastic substitute for meat. But there is that added bonus of protein from the nuts that are blended into the mix.

It really did make a great addition and the perfect substitute for actual ground beef in the following recipe…

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie

Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix
2 organic cage-free eggs
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 gluten-free pie crust (either made from scratch or bought at the store)
2 cups Daiya Mozzarella Cheese Shreds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pour the Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix into a medium bowl. Add two eggs (or egg replacer if vegan) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the Next Mexican Mix and onion. Cook until vegetables begin to soften and the Neat can be chopped into a meat texture. Add the tomato paste and stir well. Allow it to heat through for a few minutes to marry the flavors together.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and top with 2 cups of Daiya cheese shreds. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and pie crust is browned (with any luck). Slice and serve.

~*~*~

I have fallen head-over-heels for Neat. It is, without a doubt, the healthiest replacement of meat out on the market. I am thrilled that it is more available in my area. In fact, with so many places carrying it, I’m guaranteed to be able to pick it up at one place or another when I need it for a dish.

Neat…you are by far my best find and my favorite substitute in old family recipes. Nothing else can do what you do! So much love.

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015

Product Review: Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix

Moon Rabbit Farms Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix — Moon Rabbit Foods Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix

Product: Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix – $8.79+

So, for awhile now, I’ve been wanting to revamp another one of my mom’s famous recipes. Making it not only gluten-free, but also vegetarian. Oh…and dairy free too…but that’s pretty much a given when it comes to me, right? The actual dish is her delicious Cheeseburger Pie. Normally, the crust of this amazing meal is made from crescent rolls from the grocery store fridge area zone. You know, that place I hardly visit these days.

Sadness.

But…then I got to thinking…what if I cooked up a pie crust and used that instead. Sure, it wouldn’t be the flaky crescent roll shell that this meal was known for, but I was already going to get rid of the whole meat thing (using a meat substitute) and use Daiya cheese for the cheese. So…why not give a different sort of crust a try?

The problem is…pie crusts and I have never really gotten along. We are anything but BFFs. Then…lo and behold…the Thanksgiving (November 2014) Cuisine Cube arrived in the mail. And inside was Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix. Everything in the November Cuisine Cube could have been used for Thanksgiving itself…but I wasn’t allowed to host this year so most of it was used at my own discretion. Well, the final product is up now…but first…

Cuisine Cube is run by a small group of foodies who have put together a completely gluten-free box of goodies and then sends them to your doorstep each month. These boxes contain 5-6 full-size products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…mostly local…some not as local. Some you may even have heard of before, but most will be new to you. I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May and have never looked back. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99…which is a great price and great incentive to sign up for this subscription box service and try out some gluten-free products you have been too nervous about purchasing yourself or, perhaps, didn’t even know existed.

Such as Moon Rabbit Foods. Never head of this brand before in my life. Moon Rabbit Foods follows a philosophy of choosing the finest ingredients and using the latest techniques of the craft of baking to give those living a gluten free lifestyle (like me!) a rare opportunity to enjoy delicious refined pastries and baked goods. Their baking and pastry blends provide a source for hard-to-find gluten-free products, allowing customers to enjoy that high quality at home, and even allowing them to add their own inspirational touches. So, here, in my clutches was a pie crust mix. I had no reason to make a pie. No one ever wants desserts at the family dinners. I usually do because I never really get to eat much of what is offered (part of why I love to host). But, I also hate being the only person to eat dessert, especially when I’m the one providing it. So, instead of going sweet, I opted to go savory and attempt to recreate a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian version of my mom’s Cheeseburger Pie recipe.

Cross your fingers…

This mix makes 3 9-inch pie crusts. I went ahead and cooked them all up because…well…I could freeze the rest of them instead of just letting the mix sit and having to haul out all the equipment (a food processor, really) and ingredients (only 3) to do whenever I felt the need to make a pie. Because if I did that, it would only get used this one time. Therefore…all or nothing. So, I took 1 cup of the pie mix and mixed it with one stick (4 ounces) of butter (or vegan butter) and pulsed it until it looked like cornmeal. Then, in went 3 tablespoons of cold water and I ran the food processor until it all came together. I formed the dough into a 6-7 inch disk and then put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then I rolled it out and fit it into a pie pan. It fell apart at some points because pie crusts hate me, but I managed to get it into the pie pans and into a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Out come the par baked crusts…and there you have it. Use it as you will.

For the rest of the recipe, I used NEAT original mix and prepared the recipe from my mom’s cookbook as it would have been prepared regularly. YAY! That recipe will go in the review for NEAT. So stick with me here. Let’s talk about how the pie crusts cooked up and the rest of that important stuff.

A slice of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie on the pie crust made from Moon Rabbit Foods Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix

First of all, I think I sort of expected them to be a little more golden. They cooked, but they were still a pale white color. I poked it to make sure it wasn’t still dough. Then I figured it would get more golden as it cooked with my filling of Neat, tomato paste, onion, and vegan cheese…but it still remained a pale shade of…pale. It was cooked…it just didn’t look that way. It was a bit disconcerting. It tasted good though, so I guess that’s the important thing. It may look underdone, but it is quite a good pie shell. I was actually happy to have a pie crust that didn’t incorporate sugar into the mix as I was using it for a savory dish. This made this a great substitute for the refrigerated croissant rolls that used to make this light, flaky crust for this dish. Being a thinner crust also helped as well. So, once again, looks can be a wee bit deceiving. It’s all in the taste, when it all comes down to it.

So, what exactly is in the Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix? According to the package, this mix is made up of potato starch, cassava flour, rice flour, sea salt, unrefined cane sugar, and xanthan gum. That’s it. Small list and all recognizable ingredients makes me a happy girl. This crust is gluten-free and vegan. It is also cholesterol free and fat-free until you add the butter…

As for nutrition, the Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix has around 24 2 tablespoon servings in the package. A serving will provide 60 calories, 115 mg sodium, 16 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber and no sugar or protein. No sugar or protein is added to the mix so…it remains that way in the end. When it’s prepared, all of this changes depending on your ingredients and the like.

If you need an easy pie crust, I highly recommend Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust. Yet another product I never would have even know existed (and, hence, never would have made my mom’s Cheeseburger Pie (albeit vegetarian and dairy free)) if not for Cuisine Cube. Loving this service and the new products and companies that it introduces to me.

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit

Product: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit – $4.99+

It was the start of a new year. Yes. January 2015. And what happens at the start of a brand new year? New Year’s Resolutions! WOOO!! I am proud to say that I don’t make resolutions, because I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I do, however, try to make each year a good one and try to improve on some things.

Like…eating better.

Well, my New Year 2015 (January) Cuisine Cube, took a lot of the work out of that by providing a box of 6 healthy choices for food/snacks. YAY! So, as you all are pretty much aware, Cuisine Cube is a delivery subscription service that brings smaller, lesser-known, artisan products from the gluten-free food world to your door. Yes, some of them I have heard of…but most I haven’t. And that’s the beauty of this service. Without it, I’d have no idea that some of these products or companies even existed. And, subscriptions start for as low as $29.99/month. It’s a great deal and a great service. If you haven’t tried it or have been meaning to give it a try…do it. You’ll end up loving it as much as I do.

So, January was all about healthy products it seemed. And the product that was packed inside for the Lunch option was this great little Indian spiced meal kit from Jaali Bean. It was the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit. It sounded beyond delicious as I am a huge…and I mean HUGE…lover of Indian food. Around here, I can find a plethora of the Tasty Bite Indian meals, but this was the first time I ever heard of Jaali Bean. Already, I was intrigued.

Jaali Bean was created by Brian and Molina Junkins, a husband and wife team who shared a passion for food, family, and healthy living. They also had a passion for helping people discover the amazing flavors and tastes that are incorporated in Indian cuisine. They challenge everyone to toss aside their preconceived notions about preparing Indian cuisine at home, because they make it all happen within minutes with these great little kits they put together. It is super easy and the are just loaded with all-natural ingredients and all the spices that make you fall in love with Indian food.

They really do make it easy. The Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit comes with two packages attached. Inside is the brown rice and lentil mixture. In the smaller pouch…the spices. Simply set a pot on medium-high heat and heat up 1 tablespoon of oil. Put the spice packet in and stir for about 40-50 seconds. You’ll know when it’s done when you get that amazing aroma out of the spices. Do not burn them. Add 2-1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and give it a stir. Let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. All the extra liquid will get absorbed. Trust me. It works. You are left with a fantastic pot of moist and creamy looking rice that smells as amazing as it looks.

But the true test is always with the taste.

And, let me tell you…Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Rice Kit cooks up an amazing taste of India. Better than Tasty Bite…and as close to authentic restaurant quality as possible at home. Amazing. I grew up eating Indian food, thanks to my neighbors up the way, who were from India. The cuisine has always resonated with me. And I know what is good and what isn’t. Jaali Bean is delicious. Seriously…delicious. The rice cooks up rich and creamy, seasoned to perfection. It’s mild in flavor, so add a kick of your own heat if, like me, you like things a little spicier. I think my only complaint was that there wasn’t enough peas for my liking. How’s that for a complaint, eh? Seriously, perfectly seasoned and it cooks up beautifully. Nothing else I have had packaged has come close to tasting this close to the real deal. I am beyond impressed.

So…let’s discuss what all goes into the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit, shall we? This kit is a combination of par boiled long grain brown rice, orange masoor lentils, peas, spices (which include cumin, mustard seeds, coriander, dried red chili powder, and amchur powder), salt, cane sugar, tomato granules, and nutritional yeast. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, vegan, and non-GMO.

As for the nutrition information in regards to Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit…I was very impressed. A serving is 1 cup and there are 4 servings per package. Each serving will provide 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, 380 mg sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 6 grams of protein. Healthy, filling, and delicious. You can’t go wrong.

Honestly, I’ve never seen Jaali Bean products around here, so without my subscription to Cuisine Cube, I might still be in the dark. With that being said…these products are now on my radar and I know how to get my hands on them via the Internet, if I can’t find any here. And that, my friends, is a very good thing. I’ll definitely keep these on hand for a quick and easy go-to meal.

On a side note, this product wraps up my January 2015 cube. The only product I didn’t get to blog on was the Budi Bar, because somehow I missed the note on freezing it and it got all fuzzy and moldy. I was sad when I had to throw it away. But…perhaps I’ll run across them somewhere around here. Or, I’ll just order one online. We’ll see.

Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit (prepared)

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015

Product Review: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini + Recipe Bonus

Product: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini – $5.99

There are probably a few things that you know about me by now. These may include the fact that Cuisine Cube has revolutionized my life in introducing me to products I never would have known about or thought to seek out. Another fact may be that I am a pasta-holic. Yep. I love pasta. I know…that whole athlete who loves pasta thing is pretty cliche (hey…my pre-race night of carb loading doesn’t include pasta…always gluten-free pizza!). But, ever since I was a child and could eat my first plate of spaghetti…I was hooked. I love any and all pasta and sauces. And while my options for pasta and their sauces have narrowed after first becoming a vegetarian and then, a year later, being diagnosed with Celiac…well…I haven’t let it hinder me from devouring one of my favorite food groups in the world. Yes…pasta is a food group. It…it just is.

But, before I go into detail about this new-to-me brand of gluten-free pasta, let me share with you some information about the people who brought it into my life. Cuisine Cube is run by a small group of foodies who have put together a completely gluten-free box of goodies and then sends them to your doorstep each month. These boxes contain 5-6 full-size products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…mostly local…some not as local. Some you may even have heard of before, but most will be new to you. I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May and have never looked back. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99…which is a great price and great incentive to sign up for this subscription box service and try out some gluten-free products you have been too nervous about purchasing yourself or, perhaps, didn’t even know existed.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini (cooked)

So…Pastabilities. Yes…you had me at the name. I love the play on words. And I was beyond excited to pull a gluten-free pasta out of my March 2015 Cuisine Cube. Pasta + me = LOVE. Seriously, we are a match made in carb heaven. We are BFFs for life. And it will always be this way. One of the first things I staked out when I had to go gluten-free was good gluten-free pasta. While there are uncountable varieties out there on the market…the key word there was good and not all of them fall into that category. I want a gluten-free pasta to be like real pasta. I don’t want it to fall apart or turn to mush. I want it to cook through and have that perfect al dente bite to it. I want it to reheat well if I cook too much of it and need to eat some for lunch the next day. I want it to pair well with a variety of sauces and I want it to stand out.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini does exactly that. Tagliolini is a long, flat ribbon-shaped pastsa that is similar to linguini or fettuccine, and is traditionally from the Northern regions of Italy. This brand is crafted from high quality ingredients. Even better, the actual pasta itself is manufactured in Italy using bronze dies that give the pasta a matte look and makes the surface rough…which is perfect for sauces. We all want sauces to stick to our noodles, not fall away like water. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is also made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

YAY!

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is fantastic. Seriously. This pasta is made with a blend of 70% corn and 30% rice, which makes it cook up within 8-9 minutes to a perfect al dente texture. And the taste…amazing. It isn’t gummy and it isn’t mushy. It has that “real” pasta feel. Like it was just made fresh for you. Completely gluten free to boot. As a connoisseur of gluten-free pasta, this ranks right up there as one of the best. It is fantastic. These ribbons of pasta held their own with the arrabbiata sauce, which makes me one happy pasta lover. Nothing worse than going to take a bite of pasta and having it fall apart and needing to chase it around on your plate. Pastabilities is, honestly, gluten-free pasta done right. And it really is amazing.

Let’s talk about ingredients. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is made from corn flour and rice flour. That’s it. Simple. Perfection.

As for nutrition, this is phenomenal for a gluten-free pasta. A serving of the Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is 2 ounces. In this serving, you will be consuming 200 calories and 1 gram of fat. You will also be taking in 1 gram of sugar. This pasta is cholesterol free and sugar free. And, trust me…it will fill you up just like “real” pasta as it packs 45 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein!

So, what do I do? I go for a traditional approach to pasta in an nontraditional way. I cooked up the pasta as I normally would…but served it in tacos instead of in a bowl. Yes…spaghetti tacos.

You see, my roommate has apparently led a very sheltered life and had never indulged indulged in the Italian/Mexican infusion that is…Spaghetti Tacos. It’s a traditional iCarly treat…one that my friends have raved about and that I have eaten myself. And no one should ever miss out on spaghetti tacos. So, below is the easy and delicious recipe for Spaghetti Tacos featuring…Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini!

Recipe: Gluten Free Spaghetti Tacos

Spaghetti Tacos made with Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini

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

Ingredients:

4 Gluten-Free Hard Taco Shells (I used Trader Joe’s)
4 ounces Gluten-Free Pasta (I used Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini)
1 cup Gluten Free Pasta Sauce (I used BonGiovi Arrabbiata Sauce)

Directions:

Cook gluten-free pasta according to directions on the package. Don’t overcook it. Get it to the perfect al dente texture.

While the pasta is boiling, start warming up the sauce.

Preheat the oven to 425°F and toast your crunchy taco shells for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven.

Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Allow the noodles and sauce to cook together (this is for flavor).

Spoon the pasta and sauce into the taco shells. Top with your favorite pasta toppings (cheese, red pepper flakes, etc).

Devour.

~*~*~

If you haven’t tried the wonder of Spaghetti Tacos…remedy that. It has revolutionized my roommate’s world. I mean, savory good pasta inside a crunch tortilla shell…yeah…that’s good eats right there. And thanks to Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini…I had the perfect pasta to introduce this meal to my friend with. It doesn’t get any better or fun than this.

Don’t miss out on amazing products like this one. Hop on over to Cuisine Cube and sign up today for a subscription. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

March 31, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola – $6.99+

It was Whole Foods and Cuisine Cube that got me hooked on the amazing and healthy granola that I have more than indulged in since first discovering it in the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods. This granola is Jessica’s Natural Foods. I haven’t met one of her granola’s that I haven’t liked. And the one I am reviewing today is my third variety I have tried.

This speaks very highly of any product when I keep going back to the brand. And let me tell you, when it comes to gluten-free granola, Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right. You’ll want to eat it straight out of the bag. I’ve done it…while sprinkling it on top of my fruit and Greek yogurt parfaits.

As stated above, the granola I chose this time around was the Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products. How can you not love that?

Originally called Motor City Crunch, Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is just what it sounds like. Toasted oats that are loaded with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and hazelnuts. Think…Nutella in gluten-free granola form. Does that peek your interest? It did mine! This was the original flavor that I had wanted to try when my roomie (Cathy) and I first discovered this brand at Whole Foods. It was the flavor she waved at me, then selected a different flavor in the end. Talk about a tease. That wasn’t happening this time. When we needed granola to go with the 2 pounds of fresh strawberries we received from the CSA bin, I said that the Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods would be the perfect match. Cathy couldn’t argue with that.

So…this week’s breakfast…Greek yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits. One of my favorite things in life. For real. Building these is simple. A little granola on the bottom, then some Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey or agave, fresh berries. Repeat. Then top off the last of it with the granola and honey/agave. It makes a filling, fresh, nutritious, and amazing breakfast. Trust me.

And, let me tell you, I was completely right about this granola. It is exceptional. I mean, completely indulgent and sinful. But, it isn’t bad for you at all. The rolled oats are toasted to a great crunchy texture, and coated with chocolate. Hazelnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips are incorporated throughout. And when the chocolate chips hit your tongue, they melt. It is…A-MAZ-ING! I can’t think of a time I fell so in love with the flavor of the granola. But this…this was true love. Love at first bite. Love in a Nutella-like formation. Love for a food might seem strange, but, until you taste what I have, you won’t know the true level of obsession you might develop for a granola. Honestly. The absolute best. THE BEST I have ever tasted. I would eat it in a bowl on its own, on a parfait, over dairy-free ice cream, by the handful, spoonful, or 1/4 cup full. If you love chocolate…this will satisfy your tastebuds. Bite after bite after bite.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. This granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, hazelnuts, ground flax seed, coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is gluten free, cholesterol free, kosher, and non-GMO.

As for nutrition, for being a chocolate based granola…this is actually really, really impressive. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. This granola will provide you with 30 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. That’s amazing for a granola. You will also be consuming 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So, yes…you will feel full after eating it. As this is lower in sugar than most granola, that helps keep you satiated as well.

Love is chocolate. Breakfast love is chocolate for breakfast. Jessica’s Natural Foods totally gets this and understands that sometimes we just want something decadent, but healthy, for breakfast. And that is what you get in Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. It’s a healthy, filling treat that will definitely liven up your breakfast, your snack, your lunch, your dinner, or even your dessert. Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right…and nothing is more right than this Chocolate Hazelnut Granola.

Delicious!

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips

Product: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips – $6.00

It was in my January 2015 Cube (Happy New Year) that I was introduced to a plethora of new products from my Cuisine Cube subscription. Healthy options to get your New Years resolutions rocking and rolling and to start the year off on the right track. It ranged from gluten-free oatmeal to dark chocolate covered rice cakes (both of which were fantastic). But saddled into the seat for a snack in January was a product that left me overly excited and jumping for joy and eagerness to try.

Plantain Chips.

Oh hell yes!

So, before I trudge further into my review of this little packaged snack of tropical goodness, let me first tell you a little bit more about Cuisine Cube. I discovered Cuisine Cube through a Groupon offering of sorts and from my first box to my current one, I have been hooked. This is a subscription service that sends you a box each month that is loaded down with 5-6 full-size gluten-free products for your foodie tastebuds to enjoy! No joke. These products always include something for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert…and every now and again, you get a bonus item. It’s fantastic. Really. And subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, be sure to skip over to their Web site and check them out. Better yet…try them out.

Why?

Because you will be introduced to products like Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips! Talk about biting into something I wasn’t expecting. I have sampled plantain chips before, but this was the first time they actually snacked like a chip. Usually I find them way too sweet, but with the blend of tropical and robust flavors that Miti Miti Foods adds to these dried plantains, you get a little bit of everything. First of all, each and every trip is crunchy good. I mean…CRUNCHY!! I love that. Chips should be crunchy, even when made out of fruit. They are seasoned with paprika, coriander, and cardamom…giving them an added savory feel. It really cuts down on the sweetness. And that’s where the magic happens.

I LOVED these chips. Seriously. They reminded me of really good french fries. You know…those savory crispy ones…not the mushy, squishy ones. Yep. That’s the flavor they carried. Sort of like a really amazing potato chip. I couldn’t stop eating these. Seriously. I popped one to try. So did my roommate. Her initial thought was that they were “chalky” but I didn’t get that at all. I found greatness. I found something amazing and different. I found…probably one of my favorite snacks to date. I am addicted to them. They are perfectly fried to a golden brown and carry everything my palate wants in a snack. Having the bag in my general vicinity is dangerous…because it is one of those snacks that if I start eating, I can’t stop. Which is why I have to dish out the serving size. With the sweet and savory flavor with that perfect crunch in each bite (the thinner chips are my favorites…but they all are crunchy), I’m beyond addicted to these. I won’t go to rehab either. If I want chips…these are what I want. From now on!

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a bag of Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips. These chips are made from plantains (obviously), a seasoning mix that includes salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, oregano, paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, coriander, and cardamom, spices, canola oil, and garlic powder. This snack is not only gluten-free, but also cholesterol free, sugar free, and vegan.

As for nutritional information…fear not. These equal or might even be better than your standard potato chip. And trust me…you’ll prefer these over a potato chip any day. A serving size is 30 grams (or around 15 chips). This serving will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 120 mg sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar. One serving also gives you 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein, making it a good snack that can take you through to dinner time.

Feel good about snacking again! Don’t feel guilty about a treat in the afternoon or with dinner. Miti Miti Latin American Foods make it so you can feed your snack side with something different and more nutritious than the standard potato chip. Thanks to Cuisine Cube, I am feasting away on Miti Miti Plantain Chips and loving every bite.

March 23, 2015

Product Review: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Dr. Praeger's Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes — Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Product: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes – $4.99+

You might be able to tell that I’m on a bit of a sweet potato kick. And who can blame me? Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses. I mean, this one food is an excellent source of B6 vitamins and potassium, but in addition to that, you will be provided with over 400% of your daily needs for Vitamin A and 37% Vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, which has been shown to reduce risk of developing certain types of cancer, offers protection against asthma and heart disease as well. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite plant powerhouses when it comes to foods I consume often.

While I love to incorporate baked sweet potatoes into recipes or stuff them with healthy avocado and some onion and eat them fresh out of the oven…I recently found my stash of frozen sweet potato pancakes in my freezer. I knew they were there, I just made no effort to actually pull them out to eat. Go figure. But with a lack of fresh produce coming in from my bin these last couple of weeks, I have been doing some slimming down on what I have in my pantry and my fridge and freezer. Last week, I ate a different variety of sweet potato pancakes, more like the familiar pancakes I would settle in to at breakfast.

And that’s one of the first things I noticed about the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes from Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods. They look more like hash browns than your breakfast pancakes. Which, is fine by me, for sure. While I liked the Julian’s Recipe version, I found that they tasted a bit…odd. But that wasn’t the case with the ones from Dr. Praeger’s.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods began in 1994, when a New Jersey cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Peter Praeger, and his medical partner, Dr. Eric Somberg, helped keep a family business alive by purchasing Ungar’s Gefilte Fish, a popular kosher food company within the Jewish community. The two doctors set out on a mission – to introduce people to nutritious food that actually tasted great. They opted to keep the Ungar’s brand, but also developed Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods to include all natural and convenient (and wow…they are convenient!) frozen products that could appeal and draw in a wider consumer based. This family owned and operated company has grown into a leader in the all-natural, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher frozen food categories, with products ranging from veggie burgers to home-style veggie cakes, to breaded fish items, and veggie-packed goodies for children too in their “Kid’s Littles” line, and many more options. The Dr. Praeger’s items are found in the frozen or ethnic foods section of most retailers, but certainly in most natural food stores.

I’m quite familiar with the Dr. Praeger’s brand. In fact, I have enjoyed some of the Kid’s Littles (hey…I’m a kid at heart!) and have tried the veggie burgers as well…and have loved everything I have tried. But, I won’t lie…I was beyond intrigued by the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes when I spotted them at Whole Foods awhile back. This morning, as I was packing like a wild woman to head out to New York City for some birthday shenanigans with my roommate (her birthday is tomorrow), as well as a possible race (depending on my hip), I needed something that would be filling, yet easy to prepare. I hit up my pantry, but all the mixes just seemed time consuming. My freezer was next, and the final bit of breakfast-like food (hey…pancakes are pancakes…even if they are savory!) caught my attention when I spotted the white box for Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. SCORE!

I pulled out four of the individually wrapped pancakes (think of a large hash brown, and you get the basic size and thickness of these pancakes) and placed them on a baking sheet. I put them into an oven set at 450°F and baked them for about 5 minutes before turning them over and baking them for another 4 minutes, or until they began to brown. Simple and something that I honestly didn’t need to babysit. I just had to check in every few minutes to make sure I wasn’t burning them. That gave me some time to throw things into a suitcase…HA. Granted, I should have done that the night before…but I was busy watching Star Trek – The Original Series. Priorities.

So…first of all…these aren’t your typical pancakes that you might imagine drowning in maple syrup and devouring for breakfast. Nope. They aren’t thin and light and look like something you cooked up in a skillet that morning. Like I said…these will remind you of a hash brown. And they are hearty and thick just like hash browns too. Seriously. These are amazing. I loved these more than the previous round of sweet potato pancakes (savory and more of the breakfast pancake type) that I had last week. These are actually perfect for a healthy snack, a light meal, or a side dish. Honestly. But mine…mine were going to be breakfast for my roommate and I. And after I had them baked up, I served them up with some marshmallow fluff (which I toasted with my kitchen torch) and some roasted almonds on top. I served them up and settled in for breakfast before finishing up my packing that morning.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes are AMAZING. Hearty and healthy is one thing, but these also tasted amazing. These are made from real food and real ingredients, so nothing tasted off or weird when I dove into these. I sort of wish I cooked them up with some scrambled eggs and topped them off with a bit of ketchup, but I still have two more pancakes in order to do that with. So it’s all good. These have great sweet potato flavor and tasted really good the way I dressed them up. But when I sampled a piece on its own, that amazing sweet potato flavor just came through. And that was what I wanted. Honest. Real. Healthy. Food. A sophisticated hash brown masquerading as a pancake. I LOVE IT! And I loved these. I sort of want to stock my freezer with them for future use. Seriously. If you want an easy and go-to option for your clean eating diet. THIS…would be my suggestion.

Let’s discuss ingredients. Real ingredients and real food is what you’ll find in Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. These delightful disks of goodness are made from sweet potatoes, egg whites, potato flakes, expeller pressed canola oil, brown sugar, arrowroot, and salt. That’s it. Amazing. Clean eating in your freezer! These potato pancakes are gluten-free, kosher, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, and free from saturated fat and trans fats.

As far as nutrition goes…these are little pancakes of power. The nutrition stats on the Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes wowed me and they will wow you too. A serving is 1 pancake, but my roommate and I each had 2 this round as it was breakfast. One pancake will serve you up 80 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. One sweet potato pancake will also give you 120 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. One serving also provides you with 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so filling without being too filling. Double it to two pancakes, and you’ll be full until lunch time. Trust me. I know I am.

I was completely impressed with and blown away by Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. I’m not kidding when I saw these will find their way back into my freezer. Honestly, they were beyond what I anticipated and totally captured my attention and the attention of my taste buds. Delicious. Healthy. And amazing. You can’t beat that. If you haven’t tried them…do it now. Next time…ketchup!

March 10, 2015

Product Review: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Qrunch Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables — Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Product: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables – $3.99+

Ah…back to one of my favorite things to talk about.

No. Not food. Although I do like to talk about food.

Nope. What I’m about to introduce you to is yet another way that being Celiac/gluten-free doesn’t have to detract from what options are out there for breakfast. Aside from the natural gluten-free goodness of real foods, such as eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits…there are a plethora of gluten-free breakfast mixes that can help you bake up pancakes, muffins, and scones. There are frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast sticks, bagels, muffins, cinnamon rolls…the list is endless.

But what really caught my eye a couple of months ago when I randomly dropped into my local Meijer was a new product from a company that I trusted. The company being Qrunch Foods. The product – something they call Toastables.

Qrunch Foods set out with a mission, and have since worked hard to carry it out – to create great-tasting, gluten free foods.

Those of us who have made our way through the gluten-free foods out on the market know that gluten-free foods have come a long way. No longer do you need to fear something tasting like cardboard or wood pulp (although…there are instances this still holds true). But finding something that stops you in your tracks and makes you go, “Damn…I’d never guess this was gluten free!” is a rare find at times.

Qrunch Foods came out with their line of Toastables back in 2013. Prior to this, you might have seen and tried (and loved, like me!) their gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian Qrunch Burgers. LOVE me those Qrunch Burgers. So, that’s why I didn’t hesitate to pick up one of the two varieties (of four!) of the Qrunch Foods Toastables from my grocery store. A trusted brand can speak volumes.

My choice: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are made from ancient whole grains (organic quinoa, organic amaranth, and organic millet) which provides a unique and filling breakfast. They are, as always, 100% natural and 100% gluten-free. The idea behind the Toastables is that they are lightly sweetened and go great with any sort of breakfast topping you might enjoy…from syrup to honey to nut butters to jellies to cream cheese. Whatever floats your breakfast boat. They look like a mix between a cereal-coated French Toast stick and a hash brown. I’m okay with this. And making them is easy too.

Simply pop these into your toaster for a couple of cycles and they are ready to eat. I was eating these after going to the gym and heading into the office. This meant that I didn’t have a gluten-free toaster to use. Other options include cooking over medium-high heat in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per side…except I didn’t have a stovetop. Luckily, my office does have a taster oven, so I baked these for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees until they were nice and warm throughout. I served these up with a little bit of maple syrup. Yummy.

I bet you’re wondering how they taste. Well, they were nothing like I anticipated. I loved the crunchy outer shell that I got from baking it (and you would too if you baked, used the skillet, or toasted it in the toaster). If you microwave it, you will lose that aspect of the Toastable itself. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastable had a grittiness to it, which comes from the various grains that are used to comprise it. I’m on the fence on whether I liked that aspect or not. It tasted a little dry…but the maple syrup I topped it off with helped with that. The flavor was subtle, but I could definitely catch hints of the cinnamon and vanilla that were incorporated into the Toastable. It was a quick bite, but quite filling. Sort of like a dry, crunchy French toast or waffle…which isn’t a bad thing. I just sort of expected a little more tenderness on the inside. Although, overall, not bad. Not bad at all. Thank goodness for maple syrup!

Let’s discuss ingredients. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables are made from water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic refined coconut oil, organic arrowroot starch, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, organic vanilla extract, sea salt, organic cinnamon, and organic non-GMO canola oil. They are not only made with ancient whole grains, but also 100% gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and corn-free.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving is 1 of the Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables. There are four Toastables in each box. This one serving will give you 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. This will also give you 135 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. These are cholesterol free and free of trans fat. You will also be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So don’t let the size of them make you think they won’t fill you up. These will hold you for the morning.

So, not an astounding find, but one that does make for a different and tasty breakfast for sure. It’s easy to prepare…just takes a little time if you are toasting it up in the toaster oven or toaster, but as long as you aren’t famished, that’s not a problem at all.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are available in four flavors: Cinnamon-Vanilla, Blueberry-Lemon, Rich Maple and Original. Look for them in your grocery store freezer.

Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables (toasted)