Clean Eating – Page 5 – The Celiathlete

April 4, 2016April 4, 2016

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels – $7.25

I. LOVE. BAGELS.

I come by it honestly. As I’ve stated before, I was raised in New York. New York is the birthplace of the bagel, I’m pretty certain. New York is the land of these carby rounds of delicious bread-y goodness. I have loved them for as long as I can remember being alive. And that’s a damn long time.

One of the hardest things for me when I was diagnosed with Celiac was to say goodbye to my bagels. Sure, there were plenty of gluten-free versions out there…but nothing like a classic New York bagel. Some were small like a doughnut. Some were light and fluffy. Some were just…wrong. All wrong. Some were close or came close…close enough at least in flavor. But what I truly missed was that dense, small round that was schmeared with some variety of cream cheese and devoured while on-the-go or at the table or wherever.

That is…until Sweet Note Bakery found me.

Yes…they found me. Through Twitter. And they told me I needed to try their bagels. I shrugged it off the first time, but they came back…and so…I decided to blindly place an order.

It was the best decision of my life.

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.

And today…until they release a new flavor or put that Gluten Free Rainbow Bagel up in their online store…I devoured the last of their four (4) new flavors they released earlier last month. Hey…new bagels means I get out my credit card and buy, buy, buy. With all that being said, I sense that it’s time to place a new order. I don’t like my freezer to be empty of these. It’s nice to have some on hand. So, the four flavors that they released were Tomato Basil, Garlic & Herbs, Salt and Garlic.

Today…was all about Garlic!

I grew up in a family of garlic lovers. Perhaps that’s why we always seem to carry mints with us. Like…all of us. HAHA! Anyway, if my mom was making garlic bread…it was butter and garlic for days. Just heaped on there. And we loved it that way. There is no such thing as too much garlic. So…garlic bagels…right up my alley.

I was both excited and sad to return from spin class this morning and pull the last package of bagels out of my freezer. Sweet Note…be forewarned…an order is coming your way. *cough* Anyway…

GARLIC!!

ALL THE GARLIC!! These bagels have a nice coating of garlic right on top of it, so be cautious of the bagels beneath the one you are removing…and be sure to leave some garlic on them. Mine pulled apart just fine, without stealing any of the garlic-y goodness. I used my current method for perfect defrosting in the microwave…30 seconds on one side, then flip it over for another 30 seconds. Let it sit for a moment and then slice in half. If you’re not into toasting (like a true New Yorker), then go ahead and schmear this bagel up with whatever goodness you like. If you are a true New Yorker (or not) but love a toasted bagel (like me!)…toast it up. If you have a toaster…go to town. If you, like me, don’t own a toaster, simply put these beauties on a baking sheet and into an oven heated to 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. Since my roomie was awake at this point, I went to shower while our breakfast was toasting up. By the time I was dressed and out of the bathroom…it was time to pull them out.

The apartment smelled SO GOOD!! I was practically drooling as I pulled the pan out of the oven and then schmeared some vegan cream cheese over the tops of each half. I served one bagel to my (gluten-eating) roommate and I took the other one. And grabbed coffee…because…I need to be human. HA!

Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels with a schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and Coffee!!

My roomie was already digging in, so I asked what she thought. She muttered something incoherent as she took another bite. So, I took that as a good thing. This was the flavor she had been waiting for…and somehow managed to save for last. I think she was beyond happy with it. And with that…I took a bite.

Oh…yes. Even with the nice coating of garlic on the top of the bagel, this does not overwhelm or overpower. It is a nice balance, especially with the dense bread of the bagel. This would totally make a great base for a bagel pizza…but it’s all about breakfast for me this time. And this…was heaven. I’m contemplating a bagel sammie with the other ones in the freezer…a nice fried egg on the inside…mmmm…

When I’m daydreaming about the next time I eat a product, you know it’s a winner. I loved the crispy crust and soft insides of this bagel. The bread is chewy and perfect, right at that perfect bagel consistancy. This isn’t your average gluten-free bagel. This feels and tastes just like a “normal” bagel…a “regular” bagel. You know…the kind you buy from a corner bagel shop in NYC. There are plenty to choose from. No other bagels on the market live up to that…and I don’t think any others will. Sweet Note Bakery has the magic touch…and the perfect recipe for the ultimate Garlic Bagel. I might have devoured this faster than I intended today.

Record time. The coffee had to wait.

One of the things that sets Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels apart from others on them market is 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. Bagel perfection.

In this case…Garlic Bagel perfection. HA!

Let’s talk about what goes into Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made with love (yep…real ingredient!), white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, and salt. As always when it comes to Sweet Note’s bagels, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. Made with love, indeed!!

As far as the nutritional information goes, these bagels really do stack up to the competition. In fact, with real ingredients, it makes every bit of these even better for you. A serving size is 4.5 ounces (128 grams), or one bagel!! Yep…one full bagel. YAY! This one bagel will serve up 280 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 330 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams of protein. This bagel kept me full all morning, thanks to that high protein and fiber count. YES! Loving it.

If you have been hunting for the perfect gluten-free bagel…or just bagel…you need to turn your attention to Sweet Note Bakery. Their bagels (every single flavor…and I have tried them all) has been amazing. They all are packed with flavor, taste amazing, and give you a true texture and mouthfeel of an authentic bagel. Life is so good…thanks to Sweet Note. Don’t just read my blog though…try it for yourself. If your local natural food stores don’t carry Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels…hop over to their Web site and order from the shop. Keep in mind that the Garlic Bagels, as well as the Garlic and Herb, and the Salt are online exclusive…so get them while you can.

And love breakfast again!

April 1, 2016

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Granola Clusters

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Granola Clusters – $5.99+

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite things to have to eat before heading out to my morning spin class (like 5:30 a.m. start time for class) is something as simple as yogurt, fruit, and a little granola. It isn’t too heavy to make me feel…BLEH (technical term, yes!)…while spinning out to awesome music and getting my sweat on, but it does give me enough fuel in the tank to not pass out or run out of gas during the workout itself. And…it’s refreshing…and delicious.

So, when I randomly bought strawberries this past week at the grocery store (they looked good and I really wanted them), I randomly needed to get granola to go with it. I have an abundance of yogurts (vegan and otherwise) in my fridge for my roomie and I at all times. But granola…not so much anymore. I’ve just been trying other breakfast stuff…like Gluten Free NY-Style Bagels and all that.

That being said, this was necessary this week, for sure. And while out and about on Saturday doing our very random grocery shopping at at least 5 different stores (NO JOKE!), I was on the hunt for a granola that wasn’t too high in sugars and that would pair nicely with strawberries. I opted for one brand, and then quickly changed my mind when I spotted the Van’s Foods granola in the gluten-free section of said store.

I’ve only had one other version of the Van’s Gluten Free Granola Clusters, but what I loved about it was the soft and chewy nature of it. So, back went the original brand I had scooped up…hello to one of the newest additions to the Van’s Gluten Free Granola Clusters lineup. The flavor…Banana Nut.

I am a runner…a marathon runner. This means I have this special place in my heart for banana. Banana bread (gluten-free of course), banana cookies, bananas with peanut butter, banana chips…and yes…straight up banana. Banana is my pre-long run eats. So, anything banana makes me one happy girl. No question about it…I wanted to try this granola.

And I have been totally devouring it and enjoying it all weekend. Like the other granola clusters that they sell, Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Granola Clusters are…really more one large mass of granola, rather than individual clusters. But that’s fine. The massive chunk of granola does break apart easily, making for easy sprinkling over yogurt or whatever. It also makes for good pinching material for stealing snacks between meals, before eating, or just…because. I love the soft and chewy texture of this granola, because while I do love granola with a crunch, this texture just pairs well with…everything. And I can eat it quietly and not feel like I might wake up my roommate simply by chewing. What I do love about this granola is how the banana flavoring doesn’t overwhelm or overpower the actual granola itself. This makes it perfect for pairing with anything…oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, smoothies, ice cream, etc. Oh yeah…it’s amazing. There are bits of nuts included in the clusters as well. It’s a delicious way to start your day…or end your day…or to have throughout the day. And I don’t feel bad about snacking on this…because Van’s takes pride in the ingredients they use and the nutritional worth of their products. It’s a win either way. Definitely a win when banana is involved.

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that are used in put together the Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Granola Clusters, shall we? As I stated, Van’s uses ingredients that they are proud of. For this variety of their Granola Clusters, Van’s includes gluten free whole oats, brown rice syrup, invert cane syrup, cane sugar, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, unsweetened coconut, pecans, honey, flax seed, gluten free oat bran, almonds, natural flavors, salt, walnuts, vitamin E tocopherols (for freshness). Gluten-free, vegan, and made with whole grains. Gotta love that.

Now let’s look at the nutritional information of the Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Granola Clusters. A serving of this granola is 1/3 cup (30 grams). This serving will provide you with 120 calories, 5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 1 gram polyunsaturated fat, 1.5 grams monounsaturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 25 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 6 grams sugars, and 2 grams protein. Deliciously well-rounded, balanced, and not too bad on the nutrition. I like that this brand keeps added sugar levels low. Some granola has double digit sugars in a serving.

Van’s Gluten Free products have always impressed me and been amazing. I love the soft and chewy texture of their granola clusters. And the Van’s Gluten Free Banana Nut Clusters is definitely a new favorite. This package is almost empty…so I think another trek out to purchase more is a must.

If you haven’t tried Van’s Gluten Free Granola Clusters…make a point to do so. It will change your granola-loving mind forever!!

March 31, 2016

Running For A Cause

allianceforhealthiergen After a year off from running due to a bad hip injury (which won’t ever heal…I’ve just been trained to work with it), there was one thing I made very clear as day after day ticked by and I started to get a little stronger, and live with a little less pain.

I wanted to run again for charity.

You might recall, back when I was training for my first marathon, Chicago 2013, I ran for the charity Action For Healthy Kids, a charity that Dean Karnazes works with, that aims to fight childhood obesity, undernourishment, and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places so kids can have healthier lives.

To keep true to my promise to myself to once again raise money for a cause, I found a great opportunity to do so…this November.

I have signed up to run the Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge at Disney World this November. You see, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon is one of my favorite Disney races, and despite some rather major changes to the race this year, I was still eager to return to this one (I ran it 2 years ago on a broken toe, LOL!). One of the changes made this year was that they added a 10K race the day before the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. So, on Saturday, November 5, at 5:30 a.m., I will be striking out (in costume!) to run the Disney Wine & Dine 10K course. Then, on Sunday, November 6, at 5:30 a.m. (yep…they moved it to a morning race…which is kind of MEH…but what do you do?), I will be running (in a different costume) the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

But the catch is…I’m raising money for a great cause this time!

I chose to run the Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge for Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a charity that also acts as a catalyst for children’s health. As an auntie to 7 (yes…7) nieces and nephews, I know, firsthand, how important it is for children to have a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition and physical activity. Alliance for a Healthier Generation works with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids. After all, childhood obesity is a national epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children (ages 2-19) in the United States is overweight or obese, which puts them at risk for serious health problems. If obesity among children continues at the current rate, this generation could become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents.

Scary, right?

Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and empower children to develop lifelong, healthy habits.

As someone who has extensively studied nutrition, has my own food allergies to contend with, and is a dedicated home chef, and longtime food & fitness blogger, this charity seemed like a perfect fit for me.

My personal fundraising goal is $1000 (and hopefully beyond!). You can help by making a tax deductible donation to the Alliance. Your financial support will turn my efforts into research and programs to develop healthier opportunities during childhood.

If you can, please follow the link below and help support me in my fundraising efforts. No amount is too small or too big. And I appreciate any help I can get to achieving my fundraising goal.

You can help support me here: http://giving.healthiergeneration.org/site/TR/TeamHealthierGeneration/TeamHealthierGeneration?px=1065517&pg=personal&fr_id=1271

I hope to make everyone proud when I head to Disney World to run in November!

March 31, 2016

Product Review: Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpea & Sweet Potato Picadillo)

001 — Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpeas & Sweet Potato Picadillo)

Product: Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpea & Sweet Potato Picadillo) – $4.99+

I love discovering products I might have not seen, might be new, or just may not have noticed in the past when I go grocery shopping. Such is the tale of me and a line of frozen entrees by the company Buen Sabor.

Whole Foods. Freezer section. At least, that was the beginning of this tale for me. Grocery shopping on a budget isn’t easy…but sometimes you just have to make exceptions to the budget rule. Especially when you have events to be at every Tuesday evening (running event) by 6 p.m. I don’t like to turn up late, because then I feel like I need to try to catch up to everyone, and with the current day-to-day status of the injured hip…I just don’t like to take risks.

Taking risks with food that fits into my kind of restrictive diet…that is sometimes worth splurging on and taking a risk.

So, yes…Buen Sabor.

Buen Sabor was created by Sarah, who grew up on an organic farm in Maine. With the help of her mother, she used to cure, can, freeze, and dehydrate almost everything they ate. The family freezer became an invaluable asset to a busy family that wanted to enjoy humble foods that tasted great. When Sarah became a new mom in 2008, she delved into the quest to solve the “busy persons” food dilemma once again. And, with all that she learned growing up on the farm, she harnessed that knowledge and started Buen Sabor. The team at Buen Sabor is passionate about offering simple, crave-worthy foods that…yes…come from the freezer.

In fact, Buen Sabor actually wants you to become a “freezer believer.” One thing freezer meals have going for it is convenience. But another thing is…given the right ingredients…they can actually be a clean eat. Buen Sabor is deeply committed to creating the best possible (and super convenient) food. All of the sauces are made from scratch, their vegetables are picked and cooked at the height of their freshness, and the proteins are cooked just right and then frozen immediately to preserve the dishes most naturally. Don’t knock delicious frozen meals…simply put, freezing food is nature’s pause button…it is, literally, the most natural preservative there is. Frozen foods are nutritious, have real nutritional value, are convenient, and naturally preserves foods.

Buen Sabor aims to build a business that creates as many happy customers possible, who are able to spend more time doing the things they love. They want their products to exceed all expectations as far as quality, focusing on freshness, flavor, and nutritional value.

But do they achieve this?

Well, I picked up one of their vegan and gluten-free meals at Whole Foods that afternoon, to keep in my freezer for those rushed, hurried, “I need to go run hill repeats” Tuesday nights. Leave work, rush home, eat, change, out the door to drive over the river to meet with a group who simply…runs up a hill…jogs down…repeats it for some set amount of time. It means Tuesdays are rather stressful and rushed. So I grabbed the Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpea & Sweet Potato Picadillo) for me and my roomie opted for one of the meaty dishes…the Arroz Con Queso Y Trocitos De Chorizo (Savory Chorizo-Seasoned Rice With Cheese).

Super easy to warm up. I made Cathy’s first, simply by cutting a slit into the plastic on top of the tray and warming it up for 5 minutes. It sits for 1 minute and then…ready to eat. It doesn’t LOOK amazing like it does on the box…but it smelled good. And when Cathy ate it, she said it was good…for a frozen meal.

Okay…

So, needless to say, I wasn’t feeling too optimistic about the Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpea & Sweet Potato Picadillo). Just like with the meaty one, the vegan one also had the plastic film sliced through to allow everything to steam. Into the microwave for about 4-5 minutes. I let it go for 5, because I have an old microwave. Peel back the film and stir, letting it stand for one minute.

And…much like Cathy’s…upon taking it out of the microwave and pulling back the plastic, the meal really doesn’t look appetizing. It looks…like a frozen microwave meal. The picture on the box is GORGEOUS…but this is just sort of…one tone…one note…brownish. LOL! Over rice. That being said, once I stirred it up, it looked…slightly more appetizing.

Looks aside, I decided it was time to test the frozen meal waters myself. And, you know what? I was actually really surprised. I mean, packed with flavors. Just loaded with a hint of spice, fresh vegetables, and rice that ended up cooking to perfection. I was expecting something bland, perhaps tasting as unappetizing as it looked. But I was blown away by the flavors. The chickpeas and potato reheated gorgeously. Nothing got mushy And I love that quinoa is included for a bit more of a protein boost. Picadillo translates into “little (savory-yummy) chopped things. And the aim of Buen Sabor with the Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpea & Sweet Potato Picadillo) was to deliver “a delightful dance of flavors with roots in the Caribbean and Spain.” I might have devoured mine long before Cathy (who had a headstart on hers) finished hers. A little spicy, but I have an iron stomach for the most part, and I knew this wouldn’t bother me while running hard up some hills in a local park. SO tasty. So good. And really good for you too! I loved the spice and the bit of heat that each bite brought. And I love that brown rice is used instead of white. YES!! This company is speaking my language. None of the vegetables were mushy or soft. Everything had great texture and heated through perfectly. All-in-all…a dinner win! A convenient, easy dinner win.

Speaking of being really good for you, let’s take a look at the ingredients that Buen Sabor puts into the Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpeas & Sweet Potato Picadillo)! One thing that Buen Sabor prides itself on is that they don’t add any hormones, antibiotics or preservatives to their food. Their products are 100% natural. Pure and simple goodness. The Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpeas & Sweet Potato Picadillo) is made from brown rice, onions, quinoa, chickpeas, water, sweet potato, tomatoes, red peppers, poblano chili peppers, olive oil, spice, sea salt, garlic, corn starch, and smoked sweet paprika. All real ingredients. Nothing fake. Nothing that has me questioning my dietary choices. I love that. This particular meal is gluten-free, vegan, contains no added sugar, and has no trans fat.

Now, let’s discuss nutrition, shall we? A serving of the Buen Sabor Picadillo De Garbanzos Y Camote (Chickpeas & Sweet Potato Picadillo) is 1 cup (159 grams) and there are 2 servings per container. Except, if you’re making it an actual meal…you’ll eat the entire thing like I did. No worries, nothing bad or outrageous with these stats. For one (1) serving, however, you will be taking in 160 calories, 5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 570 mg sodium, 25 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams dietary fiber, 3 grams sugar, and 5 grams protein. LOVE IT. Even after running 8 miles of hill repeats, I still felt full. And the heat didn’t bother my system at all. Good food to fuel a tough run that day.

Check your local natural foods stores for the Buen Sabor products. Honestly, you won’t regret it. Freezer section. Good stuff. Very good stuff. I think I might have to pick up a few more…at least until this group stops meeting…which, sadly, happens in a couple of weeks. But, it’s always good to have a quick meal on hand…because you never know when time might get away from you or something might come up! Buen Sabor…has your back!

March 28, 2016

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels

001 — Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels – $7.25

It was just over a year ago when I was in NYC, not able to run the New York City Half Marathon, and hurting pretty much with every step I took. I was bummed, but I was going to enjoy my trip regardless. And that meant hitting up all the gluten-free bakeries I could manage in the weekend.

Believe it or not, one of the first places I made it to was Jennifer’s Way Bakery, which is owned and operated by Jennifer Esposito. She makes bagels there. And the morning that my roommate and I wandered in, we were hoping there would be bagels. None were currently out, but they had just opened. And when we inquired…we were told they were in the oven and if we didn’t mind waiting 10 minutes, she’d have them out to us (not Esposito, but the nice lady working the counter, LOL!).

Of course I was willing to wait for a fresh bagel. They had a few options as far as flavors went. My roommate got the Garlic Bagel and I went with the Salt. Because I wasn’t feeling plain or anything else that day. We waited and they were brought out to us. Not your standard fat and fluffy, dense bagels…but more like the way mine turn out when I make them from hand. A little flat and really impossible to cut in half. Regardless…the Gluten Free Salt Bagel was amazing and delicious. And I don’t think I blogged on it…because I can’t seem to find it anywhere…

Anyway…it was my first ever Salt Bagel…and I loved it. I’m usually more of a sweet person (hence why Cinnamon Raisin is often my favorite thing when it comes to bagels) but this was a nice change of pace.

SO…you can only imagine my glee when Sweet Note Bakery announced that they were releasing four (4) new flavors. I ordered all of them right away. And I’ve already given my thoughts on the Garlic & Herb and the Tomato Basil varieties. Well, my friends…we have come to the Salt variety now!

Do you remember what an amazing soft pretzel tastes like. All dense and chewy and salty and amazing, yes? Well…that’s pretty much what a Salt Bagel is. And Sweet Note is doing it absolutely perfectly.

002 — Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel with a Schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (and coffee).

Prepping one of Sweet Note Bakery’s amazing New York-style bagels is super easy. Always keep this precious cargo frozen. Do not thaw it to room temperature. They advise against it. I advise against it. Just simply pull from freezer, place in microwave for 1 minute (I go 3o seconds on one side, and then flip it over for 30 seconds on the other side), and then cut in half. A true New Yorker would stop there…because real New Yorkers don’t eat bagels toasted. I am a real New Yorker, but I prefer to toast my bagel, thank you very much! As you know by now, I do not own a toaster anymore. I toast everything in my oven. So I preheated the oven to 350°F and popped the bagels in this morning. I had just gotten in from my first (of 2) spin classes for the day, so I went and hopped in the shower while the bagels lightly toasted. When I returned to the kitchen, they were ready for a schmear of…something. Today, I opted for the Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese that was hanging out on the shelf of my fridge.

I served one to my roomie…and I took care of the other one. And by take care, I mean I settled in, bagel in one hand, coffee in the other, morning news on TV, and began to take my first bite.

YES! Nailed it!! The outside of the bagel, when toasted, gets slightly crispy, but that center remains all doughy and dense and chewy and…awesome. But with the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel…you also get the added bonus of a hit of salt. Or, as their Web site says, an “a-salt on your taste buds.” Puns are funny. Bagels are delicious. There you have it. If you love a little kick of salt with each bite, or if you are a fan of soft pretzels…then this bagel variety is for you. 100% guarantee that you will be hooked from the first bite. My roommate wasn’t too sure about these, wanting to go right to the Garlic (which she has been eager to try)…but I had my heart set on Salt. And I’m glad we went that way. It’s the best of the breakfast and snack worlds…combined into one sweet, or in this case, salty bite. A good schmear of anything, really…be it nut butter or chocolate, or butter, or jelly, or frosting…or even cream cheese (vegan or not)…works with this sort of a flavor. You want salty and sweet…Nutella or Smudge or some chocolate nut spread. Oh yeah…now we’re talking. Or, keep it real and simple with cream cheese. With the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagel…you have an open canvas and plenty of options.

But trust me…you’ll hoover this down like it’s going out of style.

So, let’s talk about what ingredients the crazy bagelers at Sweet Note put into their Gluten Free Salt Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made with love (yep…that’s a listed ingredient!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, yeast, and salt. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Pretzels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan & Gluten Free bagels are now ready to be delivered right to your doorstep! And when it comes to the Salt variety of the Sweet Note bagels…you can only get them online.

As far as nutritional information goes, you’ll want to eat these up. A serving size of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels is one (1) bagel (4.5 ounces (128 grams)), and there are four (4) bagels per pack. This serving will provide you with 300 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 530 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams protein. With the high fiber and protein, you’ll feel full and satisfied long after your bagel is gone.

Real ingredients, amazing nutritional facts, amazing bagels. Happiness is round and salty and gluten-free. Trust me, you’ll love to love Sweet Note Gluten Free Salt Bagels.

But, as I mentioned, these are on online exclusive, so if you want to try them out yourself, head over to their online store and place an order!

You won’t regret it. Order one of everything while you’re at it. You’ll thank me later!

March 28, 2016

Easter Treats

Last weekend I was out of town and was on the go the entire time (not a bad thing!), so sitting down and sharing some of the high points of my week was not an option. And while I’ve been pressed for time this week…and with the fact that it’s Easter and I spent much of my morning doing meal prep for the week, and the afternoon over at Amanda & Richie’s for dinner with the family…it has left me with little time to really plot out my blog.

This week has been a big hot mess of fatigue. My trip to New York City was amazing, but I was dead on my feet. I got in well after midnight on Tuesday, and still hauled myself out of bed early to get to my 5:30 am spin class on Wednesday morning. I was exhausted, but I was glad I went. Early mornings and late nights followed, trying to make up some time and work from being out of the office for 2 full days…and it all got done in the end, but it was some really busy, long days.

All that being said…there is plenty to be happy and thankful for this week. And being tired due to having the opportunity and ability to go out of town and see places and do things…is more than enough. It makes the overwhelming fatigue that I felt yesterday worth it. In the end.

So, here are a few treats to share this Easter that just made me happy this week.

1. NEW YORK CITY

Me running through the 10K mark of the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon – New York, New York

Cathy, Me and Marisa after a great evening of celebration at Red Rooster Harlem.

It was my first actual distance race back after returning to running after over a year. A half marathon. It was one that I had to defer last year because of the hip labrum (which we didn’t even know was the issue at that point). The chance to run it this year had me feeling nervous and excited and happy all at the same time. The weather was bitter cold and super windy (what’s new, NYC?!), but every mile was magical for me. I felt good. And definitely surprised myself when I came in to the finish line well ahead of what I thought I was capable of.

But this was more than just the race. I got to meet up with my friend Ellen (who was also running) the day before the race. And…I got to see my friend from high school, Marisa, not once, but twice. I love seeing Marisa when I am in the city. She knows all these great places to check out and has suggestions about things to see when we are in various areas. I drank in every bit of NYC…enjoyed amazing food…great company…and yeah…went on a little run.

Finishing the race was a gift in and of itself…finishing it faster than I thought I was capable of…a surprise…being uninjured at the end and able to wander around NYC for the rest of the day…a blessing…hanging out with good people who make my life better…priceless.

Can I go back now?

2. Gluten Free Easter Treats

My allergen-free bakery is at it again for the Easter holiday. They often do up a good number of Easter treats, and this year they had some new ones to indulge in. You better believe I ordered some of everything. Two egg sugar cookies, 2 chocolate bunnies, and 6 sunbutter chocolate truffles. I’ve already indulged more than a little. As always, Annie May’s Sweet Cafe makes the most delicious treats. They go all-out for these holidays and I’m proud to support them and indulge myself in the amazing goodness they put out on a daily basis. If you are in Louisville, Kentucky…you need to stop in. Their gluten-free pizza, soft pretzels (only on Wednesday) and all their standard goodies…are fantastic. You can even order some of their stuff online. DO IT!!

3. Back On Track With Home Cooked, Fresh, Vegan Meals

While I am never one to deny myself good food and treats while I am on vacation…often the week I get back, I’m living off the stuff in my fridge and my pantry. This morning, I enjoyed spending 3 hours of my time prepping healthy, plant-based meals for the rest of the coming week. I have soups, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and some rice dishes planed. All healthy. All vegan. All completely and totally YUMMY! It feels good to get back to cooking my delicious and healthy foods up again to enjoy for (sometimes) breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the week. Easy to enjoy as I do all the work ahead of the time. Makes those crazy hill repeat days and spin class days and just…hectic days that much easier. Cooking is love. Eating is fun. And this kind of food makes me feel better about myself and how I am fueling and feeding this body.

4. Zootopia Dress and Officer Judy Hopps

While in NYC, Cathy wanted to buy me a present for finishing a great NYC Half Marathon race. So…I thought about getting the stuffed animal from the Disney Store in Times Square of Officer Judy Hopps in her uniform. She is apparently very popular…they kept selling out. Judy is apparently very popular. So, we ended up getting her back in our Disney Store in Louisville. Super happy. I love her.

And then, later on that day while making a random stop at Target, I noticed a dress in the girls section of Zootopia. It was totally adorable. It was also an XL. And I held it up and thought…”I wonder if this would fit me.” Well, I took it to the dressing room, so ready to be disappointed…but…IT FIT!! So, I bought it. Yep…I’m 35 years old and shopping in the girls section. Seriously…I wore the dress today with some leggings. TOTALLY adorable. So much love for Zootopia.

5. Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt

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I love my downstairs neighbors. They’re the best. They are also moving…(seriously…this bums me out!). Not far…but they won’t just be a staircase away anymore. Anyway, they invited Cathy and I out for a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt on Friday night. I had SUCH a blast. So much fun. I’m so glad they thought to have us out so we could hide and seek eggs with them, and their adorable and awesome son as well. Yep…it’s going to be hard to let them leave. But, we’re already talking about all the get-togethers we’ll still have. And girls nights. Those are important too. It just will involve some drive time. We’re totally making this work. Anyway…glow in the dark anything is awesome. Easter egg hunt…a total blast. Even in the cold night air.

6. A New PR

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It was one of those runs that I end up running faster than I feel I am running. The Papa John’s 10 Miler felt so EASY to me. The hills are always hard…but I climbed them. I beat them. And I had so much left in me at the finish line. AND…I had a new 2 minute PR…in a race I was just running as I felt. I wasn’t trying for a PR or trying to run fast. It just happened. Even with the hip protesting for 8 of the 10 miles. I am shocked and surprised. But what a feeling. I hope, one day, to feel comfortable to push like I used to. Right now, running what I feel has shown me that I still have more in me. One day I’ll harness it. I’m just not ready yet. But a new PR is a new PR. And I’m proud of it and happy to have it.

Life is sweet…and hopefully only getting better!!

How was your Easter week?

March 25, 2016

Product Review: Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers

20160324_172756 — Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burger

Product: Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burger – $6.99+

There is just something so amazing and comforting about a good veggie burger. The problem that I find, thank you Celiac Disease, is that most veggie burgers on the market use some sort of vital wheat gluten or gluten-containing binder to give them their “meaty” texture. It sort of takes all the veggie burger eating fun out of it for the gluten-free.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many gluten-free veggie burger options in the freezer sections these days. I’ve pretty much tried them all. And they’re a wide range of amazing perfection to…eh…it’s alright.

And just when I think I have pretty much sampled them all, my roommate finds a new one to try. The Brand…Luna Burger.

Not familiar with Luna Burger? Neither was I at the time. But there it was (only one gluten-free variety among the various Luna Burger line), in the freezer section of Columbus, Ohio’s very own natural food store, Raisin Rack. I. LOVE. RAISIN. RACK. It’s required shopping whenever I go to Columbus. No joke. It really is. Grocery budgets are planned around the Raisin Rack visit.

Anyway, I digress. So, here was this small, unassuming box containing two (2) veggie burger patties…by Luna Burger. Luna Burger is actually based out of Columbus, Ohio. This company makes artisan veggie burgers with Ohio-grown ingredients. How amazing is that? The only gluten-free option they have is the BBQ Burger, but their vegan line-up includes Classic, Garden Thyme, Farmhouse Chili, Peanut-Cilantro, and Kickstart Sausage Patties. I wish I could try all of them, but, alas…the BBQ Luna Burger is it for me. Luna Burgers are available at many of Central Ohio farmers’ markets, as well as stores and restaurants throughout Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. They can also be ordered for delivery through Green B.E.A.N. Delivery (which I have and use) in certain markets. And, yes…these can also be ordered online.

This past week, since returning from New York City, it’s been a live out of the pantry/fridge/freezer week. Use up some things and not spend money on more groceries. HA! I am on a very tight budget these days thanks to a raise in rent..and those constant medical bills. BLARF! So, yesterday, I was digging around for something to have for dinner and I remembered that I had a box of the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers in my freezer. I had just picked up some Allergen Free Sandwich Buns from my local allergen-free bakery (Annie May’s Sweet Cafe), and had some greens, tomatoes and onions that needed some using up. I also had some Alexia Fries in my freezer too…so it turned into a burger and fries night.

I love burger and fries night. Not going to lie. The problem is finding a decent gluten-free veggie burger that doesn’t squish out of the bun or crumble with the first bite. It is nearly impossible. Not only that, I don’t want something that is flavorless or tastes like cardboard…or worse. Been there, experienced that. I want something that makes me feel like I’m eating a real burger. I was hoping that the Luna Burgers would live up to my own high gluten-free veggie burger expectations!

20160324_172952 — My amazing veggie burger & fries night made possible by Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers

So, I popped the fries into the oven for the 16 minutes it would take to cook them. Then, I got out my skillet and turned on medium heat. Opening up the box, I found two thick (yes…THICK) four ounce (4 oz) patties ready to hit the heat. I placed each one on the skillet and began to slowly cook it per the instructions on the box. When I flipped the fries and set the sandwich buns on the baking sheet to toast lightly, I flipped the burgers too. A few pieces flaked off, but for the most part, the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers held their own in the cooking process. I was actually impressed. No trying to piece burgers back together. That was a nice change of pace for sure. When the fries were done, I began to layer up the sandwich buns to build a huge…hefty…but amazing veggie burger. Bun…mustard…greens…Luna Burger patty…tomato, onion, avocado…more mustard…and the other half of the sandwich bun. Oh…I was already trying to figure out how I was going to get my mouth around the entire thing. It was a beautiful thing for sure.

But the big test always comes with that first bite. And this burger delivered. I was really impressed with how the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers cooked. But I was even more impressed with how they held up when being handled and eaten. Honestly, most gluten-free veggie burgers crumble and fall apart with each bite. They squish out of the bun and lack that “meaty” texture that you want…even with a veggie burger. The opposite was the case with the Luna Burger BBQ Veggie Burger. I loved the texture. It was soft, but got that nice crust on each side, giving it this great burger texture. It didn’t fall out of my bun or crumble when I picked it up and took large bites. I was beyond impressed with the myriad of flavors that came in this burger as well. I don’t know if I got that smokey BBQ flavor that, but I did get a little bit of heat and sweetness. And it definitely made for an amazing and interesting (in a good way) flavor profile. Totally hoping somewhere around here carries these, because I would LOVE to have them in my freezer again. Delicious!!

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into the Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers. These burgers are made from brown rice, black beans, onion, brown rice flour, carrots, tomatoes, peaches, sunflower seeds, kale, molasses, garlic, jalapeno peppers, apple cider vinegar, salt, ground mustard, and black pepper. This burger is gluten-free, wheat-free, corn-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free, and contains no extra oils.

As far as nutrition goes, Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers live up to their healthy packaging. A serving size is 1 burger (114 grams) and there are two (2) burgers per box. A serving will provide you with 170 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 310 mg sodium, 31 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 3 grams sugars, and 7 grams of protein. This is a filling, healthy, completely vegan product that makes you feel good about eating it. I mean, Luna Burger uses locally sourced fruits, grains, vegetables, and herbs. LOVE it.

The Luna Burger BBQ Pure Plant Veggie Burgers definitely rank up there in gluten-free veggie burger options. Not my #1 choice, but definitely close. Perfect texture, flavor, and so satisfying. You can’t go wrong. Need to treat yourself to some comfort food…turn to Luna Burger for your veggie burger needs.

But remember…only the BBQ variety is gluten-free and vegan!

March 25, 2016

Product Review: Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze

003 — Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cream Cheeze

Product: Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze – $7.99+

Not surprisingly, one of the things I miss the most is real…actual…cheese. My lactose intolerance has not only gotten worse over the past year, but it makes indulging in things like cheese…virtually impossible anymore. The same goes for ice cream, but, I sometimes try and pray that the lactase enzyme supplements help (sometimes they do…more often than not…they don’t). But cheese and I don’t really get along at all these days.

Which sucks.

Mightily.

But then…by magical happenstance (perhaps rainbow unicorn pixie dust)…one day while “just browsing” at Whole Foods, I stumbled upon Heidi Ho Organics, which was apparently featured on Shark Tank and has really made a name for itself in the vegan cheese market. I figure there must be a vegan cheese markets. Vegans love cheese too…they just don’t eat it. But, obviously, they want to…because vegan cheese is made. And consumed. A lot.

Heidi Ho was created by Heidi K. Lovig, a fanatic about farm-to-table dining, sustainability, seasonal menus, and buying local. This vegan chef honed in on her skills during her time living on the Big Island of Hawaii in a sustainable community where she managed an eco hostel and farm. She trained with vegans and raw foodies from around the world, thus developing a deeper connection to the ingredients she uses in her cooking. Lovig moved to Portland a few years ago and began training at Le Cordon Bleu to obtain her degree in Culinary Arts. With a focus on local, organic, and sustainable practices, she turned her attention to the environmental issues humans have created due to food supply structures and our current system of distribution. At her side is Lyssa M. Story, “the Boss” at Heidi Ho. She runs the show and is the brains behind every facet of its operations. From HR to business plans and projections, to law, licensing, accounting, banking, money, organization, and keeping Chef Heidi on track. Story has an extensive background in the food and beverage industry, and attended the Western Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu, where she received an Associates degree in Occupational Studies – Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Story was raised on the standard American diet, which, over time, jeopardized her health. At the age of 22, she began a plant based and whole foods diet.

So, these two ladies set out to create delicious plant-based cheezes using ingredients that are healthier for their consumers…as well as the planet. Hedi Ho is the future of cheese – aiming to be the cheese that creates change. They take great pride in the values they uphold in their company and products. They sell cheeze that is superior in flavor and quality over the rest on the market.

Guess what…they succeed. The introduction of this plant-based comfort food is a game changer for vegans out there. They say on their Web site that their Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is “a delicious live culture cashew cheeze made from simple plant-based ingredients. It’s like goat cheese without the goat.” In fact, Ne Chevre means “No Goat” in French. So…that’s really straight forward. HAHA!

IMG_20160325_071501[1] — Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze on a Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagel

The Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Cultures Cashew Cheese is a fantastic spreadable cheese that would be perfect for crackers, or sprinkled over salads, or even just spread across a savory gluten-free bagel (which is what I did with it! Oh, and then later did it again, topping it with marinara and dried basil for bagel pizzas…oh yeah!). Who needs vegan cream cheese when you can spread a non-goat goat cheese over something packed with tomato and basil flavors, right? A great product to pair with white wines, grapes, walnuts and spicy jams, this is a versatile and crazy-good spread. I loved the texture (creamy, not gritty) and the wow-power of the flavor (not as strong as goat cheese, but bringing this powerful flavor that mimics goat cheese). Seriously, this would be good in just about anything. Maybe even subbing it for ricotta cheese in lasagnas or such. I know, for me, it upped my bagel game to 11. Heidi Ho Organics may have created the Spinal Tap of vegan cheese here. I honestly loved the sharp, tangy and creamy mouthfeel that came with each bite of this cheese. It had a bit of a salty flavor, but it didn’t distract from the flavor of the cheese itself. Beyond impressed!! No surprise though, as I fell in love first with the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Lava Cheeze (which I thought I reviewed, but didn’t), and the Heidi Ho Organics Creamy Chia Cheeze Sauce and the Spicy Chia Cheeze Sauce (also didn’t review that one…what is wrong with me??!)

So…now that I’ve went on and on and on with how (honestly) fantastic the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is…let’s take a look at what makes it that way. I absolutely adore an ingredient list that has ingredients that I, not only recognize, but also can pronounce. The Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is made from organic cashews, water, sea salt, organic lemon, live cultures, nutritional yeast, and citric acid. All Heidi Ho vegan cheeses are organic, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, low in sodium, and low in fat (although they taste like they are SO fattening…so you gotta love that little added bonus!).

Speaking of which, how about these nutritional facts?! A serving of the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze is 1 ounce (28 grams…or about 1 tablespoon). This serving will provide you with 80 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 4 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 3 grams of protein.

I have now tried (but apparently need to blog about two of them) the four (4) versions of Heidi Ho Organics products that my Whole Foods currently carries. And I am absolutely enamored with them. They are a bit pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Heidi Ho Organics definitely delivers a delicious, amazing, and high quality product. I’m beyond impressed.

Also…it’s already gone…

I am not ashamed.

March 25, 2016

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels

Sweet Note Bakery Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels – $7.25

I just got home from New York City. When you’re in New York, you eat bagels. It’s what you do. Fortunately for me, there are a lot of places that offer gluten-free bagels throughout the city. Most of the bagel shops use a store brand version (like the one I went to…Tompkins Square Bagels), but at least I got to indulge. BTW…if you go to Tompkins Square Bagels, they have a variety of tofu cream cheeses (for people like me who don’t handle dairy well), which makes the bagel experience that much more authentic. For the record, I got a plain gluten free bagel there which I had them load up with the tofu veggie cream cheese. It was mighty good.

But…you can tell when a bagel is a store brand.

Tompkins Square Bagels could really benefit from picking up bagels from a company that does New York-style bagels right!

SWEET NOTE BAKERY!

You want to talk about an appropriate bagel…you look to these ladies (and gentleman).

What’s even more exciting is that Sweet Note has expanded their flavor profile on their bagels. While they are getting rid of the Sesame Bagels (due to allergen concerns with sesame seeds now), they have added 4 new varieties to their already sought-after, highly delicious, amazing bagel lineup.

I think I have stumbled upon my new favorite from their latest creations. Seriously…i should have ordered 10 packs of these…

While I have already reviewed their new Garlic & Herb Bagels a few weeks ago…today I stepped it up, reached into my freezer, and delivered to my oven the epitome of every gluten-free bagel out there. Seriously…no comparison…nothing could live up to the flavors, texture, and sheer awesomeness of every bite of the brand new…

…wait for it…

SWEET NOTE GLUTEN FREE TOMATO BASIL BAGEL!!!!!!

Before I begin to wax rhapsodic about this bagel…let’s start with the basics. Keep these frozen . Do NOT thaw them out to room temperature ahead of time. It’s on the instructions on the packaging and in the box they arrive in. Do not ever think you know best. Simply place in the microwave for a minute to begin to thaw bagel from frozen. I have found that if I start with 30 seconds, then completely flip the bagel over for the remaining 30, they thaw out evenly and perfectly. If you eat a bagel in true New York fashion…stop here. If you, like me (despite being a New Yorker), like to toast up that bagel a wee bit…then stick it in your toaster (or if you, like me, do not own a toaster, get that oven going at 350°F and place on a baking sheet…toasting for about 15-20 minutes or less). My roommate was awake at this point, so I let them toast lightly while I went to shower, since I had just returned from my Friday morning spin class.

Timing is everything…and that just seems to be the perfect toasting time for these bagels for me. I don’t get them to the crispy on the inside point, but do get a nice, light, golden color to them. My apartment smelled frickin’ awesome this morning while these were working.

Since Tomato Basil is a bit more of a savory flavor, I opted for something different than your standard cream cheese. Because…why do anything normally? This was a brand new, exciting, culinary adventure. LIVE IT UP! I had a container of Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Pure Live Culture Cashew Cheeze. I used that! I’ll review Heidi Ho in a little while..but this is some of the best plant-based cheese I have ever had!! Goat cheese without the goat!! OH HELL YES!! On a tomato basil bagel…now I’m just out of control!! Somebody stop me!!

Or don’t…because…

HOLY GARDEN OF EATING!! Let me just say…the Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels are like eating a pizza first thing in the morning. It’s a bagel..that tastes like pizza. In fact, if I wanted to make bagel pizzas like I used to…this bagel would be the ideal base. No joke…packed…just loaded…overloaded…full of flavors. It has this rich tomato flavor to it, but the herb-y nature of the basil keeps the flavor profile balanced and just…awesome. Yep. Awesome is now a flavor profile descriptor. There are no other words to describe how life changing just one bite of this bagel was. If you are into savory flavors…THIS bagel will blow your culinary mind! Your taste buds will applaud each and every bite you take…whether you savor it (I tried…I tried…) or mow it down on the go (I might have power ate mine…a little…). If you’re a pizza freak (she’s a pizza freak…pizza freak…so hot and cheesy)…like I am…this bagel is calling your name. Loud and proud, my friends. I am in total and absolute love and now needing to go and buy at least 5 more packs of these. I will not rest until my freezer is properly stocked. Just…WOW!! Wow-factor…off the scale…off the chart…OFF THE CHAIN!!! Pairing it with a more “cheezy” spread was a wise decision I think too. While regular cream cheese would work just fine…this…highly complimented every bite. It was…virtually…pizza for breakfast. Just like when I was in college…ah…those good ol’ days.

Gluten Free and Vegan Pizza Bagels made with Sweet Note Bakery Gluten Free Tomato Herb Bagels

And…if that wasn’t enough, I went back for more. YES…MORE!! I came home from work and toasted up another round of these bagels. This time, along with the Heidi Ho Organics Ne Chevre Cheeze, I topped it with marinara and some dried basil…making bagel pizzas for dinner. And they were BEYOND fantastic. They were superbagelfragalisticexpizzalidocious! Blew me away. Pizza bagels…now that really did bring back some memories, LOL!! You’d think I was carb loading or something. But I’m not. I’m just LOVING these bagels.

If I don’t have your attention yet…then you’re not reading a thing I’ve written. But in case you need a little more…let’s talk about all the good things that go into the Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels, shall we? Real ingredients for starters. And it all starts with…LOVE. Yes…that’s an actual listed ingredient. Everything that makes these amazing New York-style, gluten-free bagels is listed here: Love, water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, salt, tomato paste, and basil. Nothing fake or processed…just high quality, real products to make a high-quality real product. Eating a clean breakfast just got so much tastier. Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan & Gluten Free bagels are now ready to be delivered right to your doorstep!

As far as nutrition goes, I LOVE that these bagels keep calories and fat in check. Honestly! A serving size is one (1) full bagel (not a half a bagel, but a full)…which is about 4.5 ounces (or 128 grams) of bagel-y goodness. Each pack of bagels comes with four (4) bagels inside. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Tomato Basil Bagel will deliver unto you…290 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 5 grams of protein. We are talking about the ultimate powerhouse of nutrients in a delicious carby package. Mmmm…carbs. With the high fiber and protein, you’ll feel full and satisfied long after your bagel is gone.

This flavor is not an online exclusive, but in case your local stores don’t carry Sweet Note Bagels or have yet to get their hands on the new flavor…you can order this (and go overboard, for real!) in their ONLINE STORE!

There is nothing better than taking your first bite of breakfast and being blown away by the intense, amazing flavors that touch your palate. This was the ideal way to start my Friday. Definitely sets the standard for the rest of what I consume today…which is in no way as interesting as my breakfast. For real. I mean, a gluten-free peanut butter & jelly sammie just isn’t the same as a gluten-free tomato basil bagel with a schmear of ne chevre cheeze. When you hear the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day…believe it…and make it epic.

Sweet Note Bagels will definitely take you above and beyond that epic level. Don’t wait any longer if you haven’t tried these yet. DO IT!!

March 16, 2016

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels – $7.25

You know, I’m already one of those “crazy bagelers” that your parents warned you about. I’m a girl who grew up in the capital of bagel country. New York. If you are from New York, you better know how to get your bagel on.

Bagels, while they get a bad rep, are one of my most favorite things in life. Mmmm…carby goodness for sure. They are filling, crunchy, chewy, and slathered with some sort of delicious schmear of goodness…making it both an epic morning breakfast and a treat.

And while the gluten-free market is becoming inundated with gluten free versions of bagels…none have really had that authenticity…that dense, chewy, but crispy on the outside authenticity of a true New York-Style bagel.

Until…Sweet Note Bakery…

Now, Sweet Note and I have a really fun history. It all began with a simple tweet. Yep. The Twitter is what brought them into my life. I had reviewed Canyon Bakehouse’s new bagels and Sweet Note chimed in with how if I liked Canyon Bakehouse…I’d love their stuff. So, I took the bait…went to their Web site…and found a plethora of gluten free and vegan bagel goodness. It took me awhile to talk myself into ordering anything…but when I did…it was the start of something good. Now, my freezer is never without some variety of Sweet Note Bagels.

And, with winter finally leaving and spring warming our hearts and bodies, Sweet Note decided to spread a little spring fever as well…with the introduction of not one (1) but FOUR (4) new bagel flavors.

I must have died and gone to gluten-free bagel heaven. The four flavors are Tomato Basil, Salt, Garlic, and Garlic & Herb. The last three are exclusively available ONLY online in their shop. When the release date for the bagels came…I immediately placed an order and got all four new flavors. When it comes to bagels, I don’t mess around. They arrived on Thursday of last week…so this week…I’m starting to try them out.

I asked my roommate what flavor she wanted to try first, and, without any hesitation, she said, “Garlic & Herb.” I had a feeling that would be the case, though. Anything with garlic makes her happy…throw in some herby goodness…and she’s in food heaven (or coma…depending…).

Yesterday was the big premier. After my 5:30 am spin class, I came home and pulled the Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels out of the freezer and pulled 2 from the packaging. I thawed them for a minute (I have discovered that if you do 30 seconds on one side, then flip it over and do 30 seconds on the other, you get the perfect thaw) in the microwave and sliced each one in half, placing it on a baking sheet and prepping it for some toasting while I took my shower. Into the preheated 350°F oven it went.

I showered, I dressed, I came out of the bathroom and noticed that the aroma in the apartment was crazy goodness. It was like I stepped into an Italian Trattoria or something. Roasted garlic and those powerful herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano…plus others) just invaded the apartment…and it was enough to set my mouth to watering. I couldn’t wait to get these out of the oven and tried them. If they tasted as good as they smelled…these could be dangerous indeed. A few more minutes (between 15-20 total) in the oven, and I pulled the bagels out, noting the light toast on the cut side and the golden color of the crust…a perfect bagel toasting if I did say so myself. Each half got a hearty schmear of Daiya Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Style Spread and…breakfast was served.

bagels2 — Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels with a schmear of Daiya Onion & Chive Cream Cheese Style Spread

I didn’t wait to even sit down before taking a bite of mine…

The Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels…are bagels at their finest. Rich with powerful flavors and packed with hearty and healthy herbs (that can come straight from an herb garden!), this bagel was one of the most delicious things I have put into my mouth. And, as a marathon runner, I eat a lot. HAHA! The garlic was a strong flavor, but it was tampered down and kept in balance by the earthy and robust flavors of the herbs that were incorporated into the batter. I loved the intense, but subtle flavors each bite brought. I love how Sweet Note Bakery makes their bagels in the proper New York-style. Not the size of a steering wheel, but smaller…denser…thicker…yummier. Hey…I know a good bagel when I bite into one. These toasted up to perfection. These tasted of perfection. The ladies (and gentleman) of the Sweet Note Bakery team hit this one out of the bagel ball park. MVB (Most Valuable Bagel)…right here. SO GOOD!

So…let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels. These bagels are made from LOVE (yep…that’s an ingredient!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, brown sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, garlic, salt, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil and oregano. As always when it comes to Sweet Note’s bagels, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!!

As far as nutrition goes, I love how all four of the new flavors are under 300 calories per bagel. One full bagel (not half a bagel…but a full bagel) with under 300 calories. Yep…speaking my language. The Sweet Note Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Bagels come with four (4) bagels per package. The serving size is one (1) bagel. This one bagel will deliver unto you 280 calories, 3.5 grams fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, 60 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 4 grams of protein. POWERHOUSE of nutrition…especially for the endurance athlete. And the higher fiber and protein content will keep you fuller longer!

This flavor is only available in their ONLINE STORE!

I am so thankful for Sweet Note for bringing authentic bagels to the gluten-free world. No fillers…just real ingredients. That’s one reason their bagels are so amazing. Making them in the classic New York-style also helps. So, my dearest friends at Sweet Note…keep making these awesome breakfast goodies…keep exploring new flavors…and keep bringing only the best…because it is companies like you…and products like this…that make the this gluten-free girl rise and shine in the morning. Your Garlic & Herb Bagels are a ray of sunshine…schmeared with a healthy dose of awesomesauce!