Cuisine Cube – Page 4 – The Celiathlete

February 16, 2015

Product Review: Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps

Product: Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps – $4.99+

The pantry is being hit up hard this month, and this is only a good thing, my friends. This means I’m finally not dragging my feet anymore and attempting to clear things out that I’ve been ignoring over time. When I get busy…things get pushed further and further to the back and I get lazy and just put things in front of it and grab for that stuff first. I’m human…it happens.

But I’m making a total effort in my attempt to reorganize my home…my kitchen…my life…and my schedule…to get the older stuff out and make some room on these shelves. I’m also using more fresh produce, so sometimes the boxed and packaged stuff just falls to the wayside.

But, I’ve been making a concerted effort to combine the packaged items I’ve been ignoring with the fresh produce I get from my local CSA. It’s a good way to compromise. And this past week, my roommate and I have eaten dinner at home every night, packed up healthy lunches and snacks, and incorporated fresh produce into healthy breakfast options to eat while busy and on-the-go. And it’s been awesome and amazing. And even though it was tempting to say, “Screw this, I’m going to Shalimar for some Indian food!” tonight…we didn’t. We came home. I got out some items and I used the last of last week’s produce to create…dinner.

Awhile back I made Crispy Broccoli, and homage to Red Lobster’s Fried Calamari appetizer that is served with amazing fried broccoli and red peppers. When I had to go gluten-free…the fried plate of deliciously bad for me things was off the plate. I used another product in my pantry when I made this the first time. And yes, much like this time around, it was a Cuisine Cube item.

Cuisine Cube, as I am sure all of you are aware by now (but if not…pay attention!), is a great service that provides amazing gluten-free products from small, artisan, and lesser-known companies, delivering them right to your door each month. You get 5-6 items in each cube (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert…and sometimes…a bonus). They scour the gluten-free foodie world finding the highest quality, not-found-in-the-grocery-store products to send to you to try. I have found so many amazing products I never would have known about because of Cuisine Cube. Even better, plans start as low as $29.99 a month. If you haven’t checked them out yet…hop over to their site and do so. You will not regret it.

In my November (Thanksgiving 2014) Cube, I had a package of Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps. And yes…these little crisps are just what they sound like – little discs that are made entirely of aged Parmesan cheese. Oh…that peeked your interest, didn’t it? It certainly grabbed my roommate’s attention…because she is a cheese fanatic. So, a snack chip that is made only of cheese…that’s her dream come true!

Kitchen Table Bakers was created by Barry Novick, who at the age of 55, left his every day job as a hospital administrator and began to learn the ins and outs of starting his own business. With a lot of help and encouragement, he set out to make these little wafer crisps made completely of cheese, just like the ones they began making in their own kitchen. The first All Parmesan Gourmet Wafer Crisp was created in the summer of 2003, and soon they were in such demand that larger batches had to be made. Their goal, since beginning the business, was to create a gourmet product that would satisfy even the most discerning palate while meeting diverse nutritional requirements. They are always careful to use only the highest quality of aged cheeses and seasonings. The wafer crisps can stand on their own, be used as a chip for dipping, as a base for a canapé or with a fine glass of wine. Even those this endeavor has moved beyond their own humble kitchen, they believe in keeping the integrity of their products to reflect the true beginnings of the company.

Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps are little wafer crisps made out of aged Parmesan cheese…with each crisp being about the size of a quarter. They (as with all of Kitchen Table Bakers products) are wheat free, gluten free, trans fat free, sugar free, rich in calcium and protein, and naturally low in calories and carbs. I was using mine as a coating for broccoli which I was going to crisp up in the oven. But, I naturally had to try one of the crisps on their own. One bite…and I kind of felt bad crushing these up in a food processor…because it reminded me of that crispy edge of cheese you’d get on pizzas. I mean…exactly in taste. It was one of the most amazing snacks I ever popped into my mouth. Rich, buttery, seasoned to ignite each and every taste bud on my tongue. These little crisps were just…fantastic. And, being that they were made completely of cheese, I wasn’t sure how they would work as a coating for my broccoli…whether I would get that crispy effect or whether I would just have a cheesy mess. But there was only one way to find out. So…I ground them up, coated the vegetables, and let it all bake.

They did not become that much of a cheesy mess. But it did layer on this crispy, amazing layer of flavor to every bite of broccoli or red pepper. Seriously…it was amazing. The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps were fantastic. Next time…I’m just keeping them as a snack and not re-purposing them. SO rich and delightful. Like eating a bit of the best part of the pizza in each bite. I was beyond blown away. Cruncy, caramelized goodness, but also very light and flakey. It was the perfect bite…all in one little cheesy wafer.

The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Crisps come in 8 flavors: aged Parmesan, sesame, garlic, rosemary, Italian herb, everything, flax seed, and jalapeno.

I want to try them all. That is how much I loved these.

So, let’s talk about ingredients. So easy here. The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps are made from aged Parmesan cheese. That’s it.

As for nutrition, a serving of the Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps is 15 crisps, with there being about 3.3 servings per bag. One serving will provide you with only 80 calories and 6 grams of fat. One serving will dish up 15 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, and 0 grams of sugar. So healthy. And, finally, you will not be taking in any fiber, but these mini crisps do give you 7 grams of healthy protein. WOW!

Yet another fantastic product introduced to me by Cuisine Cube. If you haven’t signed up yet…stop hesitating and start doing. And, hop over to Kitchen Table Bakers and see about locating these in your area and/or ordering from them online. Trust me…you will not regret it.

You outdid yourselves this time, Cuisine Cube!

Crispy Broccoli made with Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps with a side of homemade Gluten Free Tomato Herb Foccacia Bread

February 9, 2015

Product Review: Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal

Product: Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal – $4.99

January has come and gone, but some of us are clinging tightly to our New Years Resolutions. There are so many new members at my gym that it’s virtually impossible to get a machine unless you arrive at 5 a.m. Granted, this happens every year…but it can still be quite the gauntlet to run for about 2-3 months. Along with exercise come vows to eat better and to diet, diet, diet. Now, I’m not one to technically diet. I try to mind what I eat (although I have my weaknesses…like anything creamy like a nut/seed butter) all throughout the year, but it seems when everyone around you is dieting, you become a bit more mindful of what you’re eating as well.

Leave it to Cuisine Cube, then, to put together the perfect cube for January 2015. Enclosed inside were some really fantastic gluten-free products…that had a healthy edge to each and every one of them. I have already dined on the gluten-free white chili mix. And while I have plenty left in this cube, this past day, I realized I was out of my little pouches of oatmeal for lunch…so therefore, I needed something to feast on at work. Since oatmeal is my thing…I remembered that Cuisine Cube had included a package of oatmeal in the latest delivery. I went and dug it out of the box and took it into the kitchen to see about getting it ready for the following day at work.

But I’ll get to that soon enough. Let me first talk about Cuisine Cube. Cuisine Cube is a mail delivery service, starting at a cost as low as $29.99, which delivers amazing, local, small artisan gluten-free products and foods to your doorstep each month. Encased in each box you will find 5-6 products that are free of preservatives and chemicals that you are likely to find in the more common gluten-free product brand names on the shelves of your grocery store. When I first signed up for this, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I’m hooked. And I love the surprise I get each month when I open up the box and dig out what they included this time. It is truly like Christmas every month. And I have liked and loved pretty much everything that that have included. Not always…but they have a good streak going this far.

Well, with all the promises to get fit and stay fit, it seems Cuisine Cube was prepared. For the breakfast item in the January 2015 cube, they included a pack of Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal. This is not the first time Fiona’s Natural Foods has been a part of my Cuisine Cube. I’ve had the opportunity to try (and love) a granola that was included in the very first Cuisine Cube I received (May 2014). This made me very excited to give the oatmeal a try. Fiona’s Natural Foods’ mission is simply to offer consumers an organic, gourmet product that is superior in taste, texture, quality, and nutritional value. They commit themselves to this mission with each product they have on the market. In my January Cuisine Cube, it was the Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal.

The first thing I did was scan the packaging for the instructions on how to prepare it. They had a few options…stove top, microwave, or cold. I love overnight oats, and it’s so much easier to do for work than try to fit into the line for the one microwave we have for the 18 people that work in the actual office. So, that’s what I did. There weren’t many instructions, just to combine the oatmeal with milk and let it sit overnight. There were no measurements, so I went with the measurements for the warm version of this cereal. 1/4 cup of the oatmeal – 1/2 cup of milk (I used Silk Unsweetened Cashew Milk). I put it in a mason jar and set it in the fridge overnight. There was a lot of liquid, but I was hoping that the oats would soak most of it up as it sat overnight. It didn’t. Not really…but it was no bother to me.

That following afternoon, around noon, when I usually take my lunch, I went to the kitchen at the office where I stashed my jar of milk and oats in the fridge and brought it back to my desk. I took one bite…and was amazed. The crazy amount of flavor and texture that comes with each bite is fantastic. I will definitely have to give this a try warm in the next few days…but cold it was soupy (so much milk), but amazing. The European-style oatmeal is a hearty and wholesome blend of dried fruits, oats, nuts and seeds. There was no added sugars, no added oil. Nothing that shouldn’t be in there. Extra love just for that. So, I carefully brought a spoonful of the chilled oats and cashew milk up to my lips and tried it.

I am beyond in love with this blend. First of all…the flavors that come out of having no sweeteners or spices included in the ingredients is fantastic. The seeds and nuts make each spoonful take on a fantastic and intriguing texture. I loved the variety. The raisins and tart cherries plumped up sitting in the milk overnight and were sweet and sour all at once. It was fantastic. In fact, today I made it up for my roommate as well. Remember, Cathy doesn’t have to eat gluten-free or vegan or vegetarian…but she does in the apartment. And, guess what? She LOVED the oatmeal. In fact, she said her favorite part was how plump and ripe the bits of raisin and cherry got. Yeah…it’s a total win. Super delicious. I would make this for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a total heartbeat!

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal is made from certified gluten free rolled oats, certified gluten free steel cut oats, raisins, flax seeds, dried sour cherries, pecans, and sunflower seeds. Yes…that is it. It is raw, wheat free, vegan, soy free, salt free, gluten free, and amazing!! Just pure and simply amazing.

As for nutrition, a serving of Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal is 1/4 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. You will also be provided with only 3 grams of sugar. Isn’t that fantastic. This oatmeal is cholesterol free and sodium free. Finally, you will be consuming 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which will help make you feel full once you finish your serving. It truly is one of the most fantastic oatmeal combinations I have ever eaten.

I can’t find Fiona’s Natural Foods products here in my area, so when I get something like this, it truly does make me want to place an order for more. And that will certainly be happening as the way this oatmeal plays across your taste buds and excites your palate is really unmatched by anything else I have eaten. Truly a fantastic food in and of itself. Hot or cold…you’re going to want to devour the Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal. I know it won’t last long in my pantry.

Another brilliant product brought to me by the amazing Cuisine Cube. I am forever in their debt.

Overnight Oats made from Fiona's Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal — Overnight Oats made from Fiona’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Cherry Pecan Oatmeal

February 9, 2015

Product Review: Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix

Product: Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix – $7.99

I’m still working my way through some of my older Cuisine Cube products that have just been set aside. Not that I haven’t been dying to try them…because I have. I’ve just been so busy lately and have hardly had time to bake/cook/devour my way through every product in the span of a month. And when a new box arrives, I get so excited that things just get pushed to the back of the pantry. Well…no more. I’m making a very dedicated and very focused attempt to get through some of the products I have neglected since signing up for this amazing service.

First of all…let me once again highlight what it is the Cuisine Cube does. Cuisine Cube is a service that is offered by foodies who have sought out better and lesser-known (often times local) gluten-free products and foods. So, if you, like me, are a gluten-free foodie…this service will be just perfect for you. With delivery plans starting as low as $29.99, each month you will receive a box of delicious gluten-free goodness. Inside are 5-6 items that are from smaller artisan companies. Sometimes I have heard of them, or even tried them, but more often than not…the product is new to me and I discover a company that prides itself on better-for-you ingredients than the highly processed gluten-free foods you’ll find on the shelves of your local grocery store.

So, back in July 2014, I received an amazing box from Cuisine Cube. One of the products that seriously caught my eye was the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix. First of all…DONUTS! Hello!! Secondly…lemony goodness. Enough said. I was thrilled to have this. Not only do I own mini donut pans and regular donut pans, but I love anything lemon flavored. And so does my roommate. Even more…we are donut fanatics. I have pretty much tried every gluten-free donut in the grocery store and beyond. As far as packaged varieties at my local stores, Katz Gluten Free are, hands down, the finest. I love the ones that my local allergy-free bakery makes and the ones that Babycakes NYC produces down at Disney World and in NYC. But, aside from that…I’ve been less than impressed. Seriously, I grew up in the land of Dunkin’ Donuts and then moved to the land of Krispy Kreme. Before being diagnosed as Celiac…I loved an occasional donut treat. But afterwards, nothing seemed to live up to the donuts I had been able to feast on up until that point. Talk about a disappointment.

And, yes, I have even attempted to make my own, with some success…but mostly failure. Let’s face it…when you bake donuts, they are best fresh from that oven. Especially gluten-free versions.

Well, as it happened, my running group was getting together this past Saturday to run a very hard and hilly 10 miles together. Afterwards, we all get together to eat snacks and just hang out and talk. This happens once a year. And a few of my running group do eat gluten-free (although they are not Celiacs and can cheat a little, which I can’t do!), so I figured this would be a good time to see what this product can do. I decided, for fear of the donuts being…MEH…the following morning, to make these into mini muffins. I had a back-up plan (gluten-free Madeleine cookies) should the mix not work out to my liking. But…pink lemonade mini muffins sounded beyond delicious. I hit up the store in hopes of finding the strawberry juice. And being that it is not prime strawberry season, I didn’t want to buy strawberries and puree them, so when the strawberry juice hunt turned out nothing…I picked up blueberry juice and decided to roll with it. That night, I started to get everything together to bake up these mini muffins.

Bumbalooza strives to find the, often difficult, balance between nutrition and taste, while still managing food allergies and sensitivities. But with Celiac disesase and the public’s increasing consumption of chemically modified ingredients, it’s no wonder food allergies have exploded in society. Bumbalooza prides it’s products on being made from only all-natural ingredients and as many whole grains as possible. They use less-refined sugars and produce each mix on dedicated equipment, ensuring that their products are produced and remain completely gluten-free. Bumbalooza creates mixes in hopes of getting parents and their children back into the kitchen together. In fact, each recipe on the box includes steps that the kids can help with in the preparation process.

Since I have no children…this was all about me…and my runners. But…I was the only one baking…so…

Despite owning donut pans, for the sake of the product I would be bringing to the event Saturday morning, I opted for mini muffins. And I was calling them Blue Lemonade Mini Muffins…as I used blueberry juice. But, hey, close enough. Preparing the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix was super easy. In a mixing bowl, you simply beat the butter, add the eggs, lemon zest and berry juice and beat it again. Then add the mix and combine. Fill the donut pans (or in my case, mini-muffin tins) and bake in a preheated 325°F oven for about 20 minutes. Once the muffins (or donuts) are cooked through (you can check them with a toothpick), you place them on a wire rack to cool and, should you choose, glaze them. I made a light lemon glaze for mine, taking confectioners sugar and lemon juice, then spooning it over the top of each muffin. It made the perfect zippy way to kick them up a bit.

How were they? AMAZING!! Say it with me. AMAZING!! These were very light and fluffy. I loved that the lemon didn’t overpower the rest of the muffin itself. In fact, the blueberry flavor shined through with the lemon hitting you in that glaze. I loved that these weren’t heavy or dense. They were soft and bouncy and just…WOW!! I mean WOW!! And, the rest of the group who had to or at least ventured into the gluten-free goodies seemed to like them as well. Even my roommate is a bit addicted to them. We have only a few leftover…but…yeah…SO good. Now I kind of which I had used the mix to actually make donuts. I bet they would have been out-of-this-world. Next time. Trust me…there will be a next time!!

The ingredients that go into making the Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix are: white rice flour, evaporated cane sugar, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, millet, coconut palm sugar, aluminum-free baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt. That’s it. This mix contains no gluten, no GMOs, no soy, no dairy, no nuts, and no refined white sugar.

As for the nutrition facts…this box will make 24 servings. In that serving, this mix provides 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. This mix contains 180 mg sodium and only 10 grams of sugar per serving. And, these are small and fluffy for a reason, as you will not fill up on just one. Each one only has 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Depending on how you prepare the mix…these will change. I figured up the nutrition info on MyFitnessPal and figured that each mini muffin was 164 calories, 4 grams of fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 181 mg sodium, 13 grams sugar, 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Which, I do find pretty high for a two-bite muffin (or one bite if you aren’t a delicate princess like me). Regardless…I don’t indulge in muffins or donuts much…so I’ll take it!

Bumbalooza has a great sounding line of gluten-free products that go beyond the Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix. These include Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gooey Oatmeal Bars, Sugar Cookies, Bumba Bakers Cookies, Banana Bread, Cookies & Cream Cake, and Chocolate Pudding. All of which I am now DYING to try. Seriously. I want it all.

And to think, without Cuisine Cube…I never would have even known of the existence of Bumbalooza. I now want to get another box of the Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix and make actual donuts. Because now I see how amazing this mix bakes up, I don’t think the donuts would lose their integrity if not eaten straight away. So, a huge win from both Cuisine Cube and Bumbalooza. If you are curious and want to check them out yourself…follow the links and place an order. You will not be disappointed.

Blueberry Lemonade Mini Muffins made from Bumbalooza Gluten Free Pink Lemonade Donut Mix

February 4, 2015

Product Review: Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies

Product: Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies – $7.49

Oh, my Cuisine Cube had me pegged this past holiday season. Really. Because, everyone pretty much knows that I am a cookie monster. There is nothing better or more satisfying than the perfect cookie. And it has to be absolutely perfect. Crispy…or chewy…chocolatey…or maybe nutty…yeah…cookies are the way to my heart.

Always have been. My mom was known for her homemade cookies when I was growing up. Somehow, the entire neighborhood knew when she was baking. And all the kids would end up at our house and eat them fresh out of the oven.

My love of cookies goes way, way back.

So, yes, I was more than elated when my December 2014 (the HOLIDAY CUBE!) arrived in the mail. It had quite the variety inside. But this was one of those cubes that contained a bonus item. An extra dessert. And since I live and breathe dessert, this was a very happy and welcome bonus! Cuisine Cube is a surprise each month. All I know is that each cube will contain some gluten-free product good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert. December actually had a gluten-free all-purpose flour for “baking.” So, double dessert, and something that doubled as a lunch/snack. Variety is key and they sure do know how to keep me coming back each month for the new selections. Subscribing to Cuisine Cube is easy and starts out as low as $29.99. Not bad for a monthly delivery of gluten-free yummies that comes right to your door for you to devour as soon or as late as you want. If you haven’t signed up for this service yet…just try it for a month. Trust me.

The cookies that were waiting for me inside December Cube were Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies. Aleia’s is devoted to producing superior, hand-crafted, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher products. These products range from cookies to bread crumbs to stuffing to croutons. The company is devoted to provide healthy, delicious options for people who are living a gluten-free lifestyle. The bakery where their products are crafted and packaged is a dedicated gluten-free bakery.

Aleia’s is actually one of the first and finest producers of gluten-free, non-GMO products out on the market. This stemmed from the founder’s (a culinary trained chef) own gluten intolerance and her desire to eat great tasting, handmade goods. Gluten-free doesn’t mean it has to be tasteless cardboard, right? The Aleia’s line includes ten artisan cookies, bread crumbs, panko, croutons, stuffing mixes, and breads.

So, tonight, with the cold weather happening outside, I was reaching for something that wasn’t frozen. Because, despite liking things like ice cream any time of the year…tonight I was feeling…cookies! Save the ice cream for this weekend’s beautiful weather. That’s my plan anyway. So, after an amazing dinner of gluten-free pumpkin gnocchi…I reached into my pantry and retrieved the package of Aleia’s Gluten-Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies, which I had tucked away in there when I was putting away my December Cuisine Cube products. Today was the day for this product to shine. I popped open the packaging, tore into the plastic bag and retrieved two cookies (one for me and one for the roomie!).

A simple and easy dessert, yes? That’s how I like it.

The Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies are about the size of the rim of a juice glass. They are crispy vanilla cookies that are coated with sugar. I took my first bite and immediately tasted the vanilla. The flavor reminded me of something, but I still can’t quite put my finger on what. That being said…they were a delightful, sweet, and crunchy treat after dinner. I told my roomie that I sort of wanted to get down some Smudge (that is nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free Nutella) and spread it across the back of the cookie just to sweeten the deal a little. HA! While sugar cookies have never been my favorite cookie, these were quite tasty. They weren’t hard, but had a good crunch to them. And the sugar coating the outside gave it a little extra zip. Yeah…these definitely made this cookie monster happy!

Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies are made from pure cane sugar, tapioca flour, whole grain sorghum flour, butter, eggs, pure vanilla extract, vanilla beans, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. That’s it! And being that the first ingredient is sugar…remember…these are not just cookies…they are sugar cookies.

How about that nutritional information, right? One serving of Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies is one cookie. This one cookie will deliver 80 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 10 mg cholesterol, 60 mg sodium, and 6 grams of sugar. Yep…only 6 grams in a sugar cookie. A serving also gives you no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. But they are cookies. A treat. Love it.

As I have no store in my area that carries Aleia’s Gluten Free products, I am beyond thrilled that Cuisine Cube was able to introduce me to this brand. I am impressed enough to seek out more. Especially since I see they have Gluten Free Snickerdoodles. And we all know that Snickerdoodles are this cookie monster’s all-time favorite cookie. They definitely must be tried. Thank you, Cuisine Cube and Aleia’s…for your commitment to great products!

February 2, 2015

Product Review: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix

Product: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix – $7.95+

It’s time for another rewind as I work my way through my pantry these days. Hard to believe that I’m just now polishing off the very last of the first Cuisine Cube I ever received. But…it’s true. I am. I tend to overlook mixes when I get them because…well…I get distracted by using up the fresh produce that I receive in my CSA bin. And, sometimes…mixes and my pantry become BFFs for awhile. Until, one day, I’m looking for something and see a mix and go…”Oh…I forgot I had that.”

For the past couple of weeks, I have had every intention of using up the last product from the May 2014 (the Cuisine Cube that started it all!) cube. Really. I even took it to a weekend getaway with me, having every intention of baking it up with my friend. But, we had other menu plans and this returned home with me. I kept telling my roomie…”I need to use this mix…this weekend…” And it never happened. I had originally thought to turn it into a pizza crust, but that was going to involve yeast and time that I didn’t have…so I decided to just bake up the recipe on the back of the bag…for the Zema’s Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia.

So…first let me give you a recap of Cuisine Cube and the services that they offer. Cuisine Cube is this great subscription service that will deliver, right to your door, a cube of happiness and goodness, each month. Subscriptions are affordable and definitely worth it. In fact, depending on the service you choose, a subscription to Cuisine Cube can run you as little as $29.99 a month. What a deal, eh? And, for this low rate, you will receive 5-6 products from small and lesser-known artisan companies that offer gluten-free products. It is a great way to cut out the highly processed gluten-free stuff you can find in nearly every grocery store this time. You receive a product that will cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, dessert…and sometimes…a bonus! Seriously…it is fantastic. And I love trying out brands and products I never would have known about before…or even thought about taking a chance and trying, should it be available in my area. And most of these items…are not.

So…yesterday…it was the magic day. I was already cooking up a vegan (yes…you read that right!) shrimp and grits for dinner and as I was about to get started on that, I remembered…”OH…I still have that focaccia bread mix!” To which my roommate said, “Well, make it up and we’ll have some with dinner.” Smart lady, my roommate. So…as I knew that a pizza version and some other recipes (which they have online) involved yeast and rise time…I opted to do the package recipe. And this product was none other than Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix.

Zemas Madhouse Foods is committed to manufacturing gluten-free, ancient grain baking mixes that help support a clean eating lifestyle through the use of minimally processed ingredients that can be safely incorporated into diets that are limited, allergy-free and diabetic. They are committed to keeping their products free of dairy, soy, rice, yeast, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, additives, trans fats, preservatives, and refined sugar. I loved what I was reading already. So, the challenge was going to come with the baking and the tasting. Would it live up to the hype?

Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix (prepared)

The recipe was easy and I had all the ingredients necessary to prepare it. Save for a rimmed cookie sheet. So, instead I baked mine into a pie pan. I figured, if anything, it might just require a bit more cooking time. So, I first combined the wet ingredients: egg whites, water, agave nectar, and apple cider vinegar. After that was all mixed together, I poured in the mix and whisked it together some more. Then, it all went into my round cake pan, which I lined with parchment paper. I topped it off with slices of grape tomatoes and then some dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Then, just a hit of Himalayan salt. Drizzled it with olive oil and…into my oven it went for about 45 minutes. And…the entire time it was baking it smelled AMAZING! When baking time was up, I tested it to make sure it baked through (I was using a smaller baking vessel, so it would be thicker than if I had baked it on a cookie sheet (Note to self: Purchase rimmed cookie sheet!)…and it was. So, it sat to cool slightly while I made the rest of dinner. Once dinner was prepared, I sliced a wedge of the Zemas Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia…and sat down to a hearty dinner.

As I mentioned above…making focaccia bread with Zema’s Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix really made my apartment smell fantastic. My roommate even said, “If that tastes half as good as it smells…” So, I dished up her vegan shrimp and grits first and gave her a side of the Tomato Herb Focaccia and as I went to prepare my plate, I heard her say, “The bread is good…but a little dry.” Focaccia isn’t supposed to be dry…rather have a great outer crust and a chewy inside. So, as I settled down to eat my own dinner, I went for the bread first.

Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia Bread (baked)

Zemas Madhouse Foods baked up a really great looking loaf of focaccia bread. No kidding. It had that golden outer layer, and when I sliced into it…it was a bit softer. However, unlike most focaccia’s that get it’s chewy inside from little pockets of air that get there from kneading and/or beating, this definitely had a more cake-like texture to it. Much denser. No air pockets. I took a bite…and my roomie was right, the Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia, baked form the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix definitely did taste a little dry. Maybe not dry…but heavy and dense. Which was a bit of a letdown. That being said, the flavor…OH MY GOD…the flavor was amazing. When I eat a slice tonight with dinner, I’m going to serve it with some olive oil and herbs de Provence. I think having something like that or a marinara to accompany the bread will only enhance the flavor and maybe take away from the dense nature of the inside breading. I loved the mix, however, especially with the herbs baked right on top. Just fantastic eating. I just wish it had baked up differently. And, perhaps, it was baking it in a cake pan that messed with the end product…but it wasn’t enough for me to ditch the entire loaf and cut my losses. Not at all. Amazing flavor can make up for a multitude of sins, for sure.

So, let’s talk about what ingredients go into the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Mix. This mix is composed of sorghum flour, millet flour, organic flax seed meal, potato starch, tapioca starch, hemp seeds, and contains less than 2% of the following: aluminum free baking powder, organic quinoa, chia seeds, organic rosemary, xanthan gum, and sea salt. This mix is free of trans fats, cholesterol, sugar, and saturated fat.

As for the nutritional information, for the mix itself (not made up into a focaccia bread of pizza dough), the facts are that a serving is about 1-2/3 tablespoon of the dry mix (or about 13 grams). This serving will give you 45 calories and only 1 gram of fat. From this serving, you will be taking in 55 mg sodium and 0 sugars. You will also be consuming only 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. If you were to make the Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia as I did, with the ingredients I listed above, your nutritional information alters slightly. I made it so that the bread would make 16 servings (16 small wedges), which would provide 78 calories per serving and only 3 grams of fat. A wedge would also give you 134 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar (from the tomatoes!). And, finally, one serving provides 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, meaning it’s not a very filling serving, but you won’t be starving either. Definitely pair this with a meal.

I love the idea and mission that Zemas Madhouse Foods has set into place for their business and their foods. And while I was underwhelmed by the texture of the focaccia I baked up from the Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix…it really hit a high note when it came to flavor. I loved the different spices and seasonings and how I could taste all of them. I think I even have another product (that I found when I was out of town) that is part of Zemas product lineup, so I am eager to try it and see how it comes out.

If you’re looking for a healthier way to eat, despite your dietary restrictions, I definitely recommend not only Cuisine Cube, but also products from Zemas Madhouse Foods. I think the texture was more in part of how I baked it and now want to try to do it the way it was intended. That being said, I can’t wait to see how more of Zemas products fair in my kitchen. Thank you Cuisine Cube…for introducing me to this amazing, and forward-thinking gluten-free company that is trying to help us live a healthier and more nutritious life.

A slice of Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia

January 31, 2015

Product Review: SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter

Product: SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter – $5.00+

I am an athlete. I’m also a vegetarian. And this means that I often search for foods that are nutrient dense and provide a good hit of protein, healthy fats, and energy. One of my favorite go-to foods has always been peanut butter. I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to peanut butter. And, thankfully, I do not have a food allergy to nuts. Whew. I grew up eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or fluffernutters. I put peanut butter on celery sticks with raisins. I eat peanut butter pancakes. I love, love, love peanut butter. In fact, I have my own jar which, when I am feeling down, I often raid with a spoon and try to not eat the whole thing in one sitting. It’s happened. It is my favorite comfort food. In texture, taste (sweet and salty)…I have never met a peanut butter that I don’t like.

And, a couple years ago, I went to the good stuff. Yes…peanut butter that is made strictly from nuts. No added sugars, oils, or anything. Yes, this does mean I have to stir the jar when I open it…but then I just flip it upside down and store it in the refrigerator. It’s a great arm workout to say the least and worth it when I churn out gorgeous, creamy peanut butter at the end of it. And, it stays creamy in the fridge without getting too solid to spread. If I am going to have a go-to comfort food like peanut butter, by God, it’s going to have as few ingredients in it as humanly possible.

It just so happened that when Cuisine Cube sent out their September Cube (aka: Back To School), there was a jar of SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter included. I was elated. No…really. This is how much I love nut butters. And, while technically, this is not a nut butter…it’s the same concept. And I was just all awash with happiness because…when it comes to favorite things…nut/seed butters rank right up there in my life. When a little jar of delicious nut/seed butter arrives at my doorstep…you best believe a happy dance ensued.

For those of you new to my blog…let me briefly tell you about the amazing service that Cuisine Cube offers. Cuisine Cube is a service that was developed by foodies, bringing small and local artisan gluten free products to your house. The items we can find in the grocery store are all fine and good, but often so processed and laden with food additives and subpar ingredients. This small group of food enthusiasts set out to find better products for those of us in the gluten-free world. Based out of New York City, a food haven for sure, the ‘little guy’ products can be hard to find and might even require a trip to a specialty store. But not anymore, because these awesome and amazing brands are now being sent to you on a monthly basis, with plans starting as low as $29.99. That’s a great deal, considering you get at least 5 products (a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert) in each cube, and occasionally, you get an extra product thrown in. Seriously…if it wasn’t worth it, I wouldn’t still be doing it. I have experienced so much more from the gluten-free world due to Cuisine Cube…discovering and being introduced to brands and businesses I never would have known about otherwise.

So, when I dug into my Back To School (aka: September) Cube, I was greeted with a plethora of amazing products, that are also very good for people with kids going back to school. I have no children, but that didn’t deter me any. Nope. And, finally this week, when I opened up the Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale (Rice Cakes), I had a perfect vehicle for the SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter. Everything falls into place so nicely, doesn’t it? So, the other day, I dished out 2 tablespoons of the seed butter to take to work with me to spread onto my rice cakes…

…I knew I loved nut and seed butters…but SuperButter just took it to a whole new level. FANTASTIC!! SUPERB!! I fell in love at first taste, which might have been straight out of the jar. And it might have been followed by a few more tastings before I had to give into my willpower and put it away. This is the best seed butter I have ever tasted. And as someone with a nephew who has a nut allergy, I have tried many of the seed butter options out there. They have all been decent enough, but never this fantastic. SuperButter is packed with the best flavor and texture. I credit this to the roasted seeds that go into the making of this butter, and the creaminess that emerges. Silky and smooth. Even with the added sesame and flax seeds for the crunch factor in this variety, it was just smooth. No grittiness. Just…SuperYum! I may sneak tastes out of the jar when I duck into the kitchen. That might not be a maybe…I actually do that. SO amazing and delicious. It has been awhile since a simple product has knocked me for a loop like this, but WOW. I have heard that GNC sells this in their stores. I’m going to have to stop in and find out.

SuperButter is available in a variety of flavors, including: Crunchy Original (the one I received), Creamy Original, Creamy Vanilla Bean, and Creamy Chocolate. SuperButter is made from real, whole ingredients, as nothing artificial is permitted. Everything starts with the roasted seeds for the base, then they sweeten the deal with cane sugar, smooth it out with palm oil, and season it up with some sea salt. It doesn’t get much better than that, right? Oh…it might…

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter is made from roasted sunflower, sesame and flax Seeds, cane sugar, palm oil, and sea salt. SuperButter is high in protein, fiber and antioxidants (omega 3’s and vitamin E). They are gluten-free, trans-fat free, and cholesterol free. And, they contain less fat than regular peanut or nut butters. How do you love that? I love that…just from the aspect that I overindulge in nut butters ALL the time. If I can do it without packing on the fat that comes with it…even better.

Made from real, whole ingredients – no artificial anything is permitted. Roasted sunflower, flax and sesame seeds comprise the flavorful base, with a little cane sugar, palm oil and sea salt added for maximum deliciousness!

As for nutrition, a serving of SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter is 2 tablespoons. In this serving, you will be devouring a delicious 200 calories and 16 grams of fat. Don’t worry…this is actually the good kind of fat. Everything in moderation…right? YES! One serving will also provide 65 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. In addition, you’ll be filled up with goodness with the hearty 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein that are provided. And I absolutely love the sesame and flax seeds that are mixed in to bring that crunch factor in. SO good.

I don’t think I ever would have known that something like SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter existed if not for Cuisine Cube. Yet another reason that this is such a worthwhile and amazing subscription service. I am on the hunt for more SuperButter now locally…and if I can’t find it, I am totally hitting up their Web site to order it myself. Because, honestly, no lie…the jar is already almost empty. So much for self-control and willpower!

SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter (on a gluten-free rice cake) — SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter (on Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale (rice cake)

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

Product Review: Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale

Product: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale – $3.60+

Ah…the dog days of summer. August. Welcome to the time of year where cookouts are happening, the last hikes through parks and mountains are going down, get-togethers before school kicks in again are taking place…summer is winding down and life is about to get back into that grind for many people.

I was so excited with the eclectic mix of goodies that I received in my August Cuisine Cube. And, honestly, with the exception of the turkey jerky (no offense to the company Field Trip…but I am a vegetarian. HOWEVER…the people at my office LOVED it and ate it up!), I am rounding out the August cube by using up the very last item that remained from that delivery. Hey…don’t judge…I’m a very busy girl! But…I always get around to everything eventually.

Cuisine Cube, for those of you who are just tuning in…is a fantastic delivery service that brings gluten-free products from small and artisan companies to your door. It’s an amazing service and one that I am proud to be a subscriber to. I started back in May and have loved receiving my cubes of delicious treats each month since. Each month you receive 5-6 products (always something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert…with an occasional bonus product!)…and subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, if you’re as curious as I was…go to their site…sign up…and get hooked.

The final product that was featured in my August Cuisine Cube was their “LUNCH” option…Alce Nero Rice Cakes (aka: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale). It just so happened that I ran out of gluten-free oatmeal this week and needed a lunch option. Sure, I could have hit up my grocery store…but I had things in my pantry that were just begging to be eaten. And the very first thing I reached for, ironically, for lunch today was…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes.

Now, I think I’m an anomaly in life because I actually LOVE rice cakes. I do. I grew up eating these for snacks. Not this particular brand, but my mom had rice cakes in our pantry all the time…and the three of us kids would devour them. Sure, some of them might have tasted a little like packing peanuts…but there was something about that rice flavor and the light hit of salt that just made it…delicious. And my opinion of rice cakes hasn’t changed. It’s one of my favorite snacks to eat…even today. So, I wasn’t at all disappointed to be packing up rice cakes for my lunch. I was actually very excited. I paired it with a product from the September Cuisine Cube (Superbutter Nut Free Seed Butter…in case you were wondering) to make it a little more filling and a bit more of a meal.

At lunch today…I was definitely in for a treat. If you, like me, love rice cakes…then these are definitely for you. These rice cakes were imported from the birth of the rice cake – Italy. They are a good size and thickness. And while they don’t have a lot of flavor, they don’t really need it either. Even when I ate it without dipping it into the spread on top, I thought these were light had the perfect amount of crunch without being annoying. I don’t often buy rice cakes from the store because of the additives that are put into popular brands. The Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made exclusively from organic, whole grain rice. Nothing more. And, yes…they are yummy! And yes…yummy is a technical term.

So, let’s talk ingredients. This is easy…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made from…organic whole rice. These are cholesterol free, sugar free, sodium free, fat free, and gluten-free.

As far as nutrition goes…you will love this. A serving of the Alce Nero Rice Cakes is 3 pieces. This serving will deliver 70 calories, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. Not very filling, but good enough to serve as a lunch, for sure. That’s it. Healthy and delicious!

I love shaking things up and doing different things. It was fun to step away from my daily oatmeal at lunch habit to give the Alce Nero Rice Cakes a try. Low in calories…these are fantastic on their own, but taken up a notch with some nut or seed butter, some jam, or however you want to top it.

To me…rice cakes are nutritious and delicious…and these are some of the best I have ever had. And getting the opportunity to try these was thanks to Cuisine Cube!!

January 25, 2015

Product Review: Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheese Kale Chips

Product: Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips – $3.99+

I love kale. You might even hear me say “I heart kale” because…well…I do. I fell in love with this amazing and versatile green a few years back. And my life has never been the same. I use it it practically everything. But, far above and beyond everything else, one of my most favorite things to do with kale…is to make kale chips!! I love, love, love, LOVE kale chips. It’s a healthy relationship…because kale is loaded with amazing nutrients and good stuff (technical term), ranging from being low in calories, high in iron, high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants, high in vitamin K, an anti-inflammatory, high in calcium, and loaded with vitamin C and A…this is one super food…or, as it is referred to in the foodie world…a Superfood. Big S. Like Superman…but with less man and more food.

HA!

So, needless to say, kale chips have been on my radar for awhile, from the first time I made them to store bought versions. I rarely buy them, as they are, by far, cheaper to make yourself, but my mom always had some on hand when I traveled home for visits. And both she and I would just devour them.

I’ve tried a few brands on the market. Some have been okay. Some have been…really good. But in my Non-GMO Cuisine Cube (which has been in my blog a lot…so if you are paying attention…that was October’s cube), I was delighted to pull out a bright white package with a lucha libre wrestler on the front. In bold letters, the unassuming package declared: REBEL WITH A CAUSE ORGANIC & GLUTEN FREE NACHO CHEEZE KALE CHIPS! Okay…you have my full and undivided attention now! Thank you!

Before I go any further…most of you by now know about how great of a service Cuisine Cube is…and have either considered subscribing or have decided to subscribe to this fantastic service. Quick little run down, though, in case you are new to my blog or have a memory like Dori from Finding Nemo. Cuisine Cube is a monthly delivery service that brings fantastic gluten-free products from lesser known brands made by small artisan producers (instead of those bigger name brands you can find in virtually every grocery store these days) to your door. Not only are you supporting small businesses, you get the opportunity to try products that you may not have heard of before…or would have ever heard about if not for Cuisine Cube. Some products are from local businesses…and some you might be able to find in a store like Whole Foods…but it’s not guaranteed. Let’s face it, shopping for gluten-free products is hard enough…trying to convince yourself to purchase a product you’ve never heard of or tried…is a challenge. Cuisine Cube takes that pressure off, and with subscriptions starting around $29.99, it’s an affordable service for sure.

So, last night, I was making soup from some items out of my CSA bin. Soup is great on its own…or served with something. I didn’t want to make vegan grilled cheese sandwiches, because I was prepping dinner for tomorrow as well (stay tuned for that blog). The soup recipe wasn’t hard, but with virtually every burner on my stove being used and my Vitamix whirring away…yeah…sandwiches were not sounding like a good option. I knew I had some Cuisine Cube snacks still in my pantry so…I went browsing.

These sounded like the best pairing (in fact…they are vegan cheese flavored), so out of my pantry came the final product from my October cube…the Snacos Libre Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips. This one pouch is a serving, but I was splitting it with my roommate because she likes a little something with her soup too! When the soup was on its finally simmer, I busted open this bag of mighty kale goodness and dished up small bowls for the two of us.

The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips look like clusters of kale Doritos. Honestly. Each leave was coated in this great layer of orange goodness. The chips were crispy and clumpy and just smelled awesome. Because, let’s face it, kale chips smell as awesome as they look. Especially flavored ones. This particular flavor is actually vegan. Yep. That’s part of the reason for the misspelling of the world “cheese” I am guessing. Who needs tortilla chips when you can reach for this healthy and awesome super snack?

Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are actually dried…not fried. So, already, you’re winning the battle of the bulge. The company that makes them, Kaia Foods, based out of Oakland, California, invites eaters to “overthrow the tyranny of processed foods and to rise up against empty calories.” It’s a clever and fun take on healthy snacking, and it definitely had my attention. This specific flavor of kale chips actually does taste like a nacho cheese chip. I mean, you don’t get that corn flavor and that crispiness of a tortilla chip, but they have just as much amazing flavor. And they have their own kind of crunch. After all, these chips are dehydrated to preserve the nutrients and enhance the flavor of the chip itself. I loved them from first bite. I literally popped one of the nacho green leaves and went…”Mmmmm!” And my roommate, an avid lover of all things Doritos, had the same reaction. Snack love. Crispy, packed with flavor, and totally healthy. My kind of snack.

The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are made from raw, organic, gluten-free ingredients that are good for you. Don’t shy away from products that are good for you. Good for you doesn’t mean they taste like cardboard. And these kale chips are a prime example of doing healthy snacks right. The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are made from kale, cashews, carrots, chickpea miso, lemon juice, red onion, celery, red bell pepper, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, onion powder, chili powder, garlic, sea salt, coconut water, paprika, mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne, turmeric, and chili flakes. All of these ingredients are listed as organic, save the nutritional yeast and the sea salt. Color me impressed. This snack food is gluten-free, vegan, cholesterol free, and free of trans fats.

As far as nutrition goes…the Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips provide 1 serving per package. This serving dishes up a low 90 calories and 5 grams of fat. Most of that fat will be a result of the cashews. How’s that for awesome? One serving will also provide 240 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. And, finally, a serving (which, as I said, is the entire bag), will give you 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, making this a healthy, and semi-filling snack for sure. Lots of health benefits in a very healthy snack.

Love is a snack food that is good for you, but you don’t know is good for you. I feel like both Cuisine Cube and Rebel With A Cause really got it right with this snack. Amazing flavor, great texture, and…no guilt. None whatsoever. Here’s a time where it’s okay to open up a package and devour the entire thing. It’s expected.

I encourage you, my loyal and new readers, to head over to Cuisine Cube‘s site and take a look at this fantastic service. Again, there are so many products I have been introduced to thanks to this amazing team of foodies who take food allergies into consideration and seek out amazing products that are lesser known, local, and amazing. If you find something you really like, often you can purchase more from their Stock Up page. Seriously…try it for a month.

As for Rebel With A Cause Kale Chips…I will definitely be stocking my pantry with more of these chips in the future. In fact, they offer other varieties, ranging from Sea Salt to Spicy Superfood to Sriracha Lime…in addition to the Nacho Cheeze variety that was provided in my cube. Amazing snacks, if you ask me. I think if you are new to the world of kale, this would be a great way to introduce yourself to the food. Healthy snacking can be delicious. The proof is in this bold little package. So impressed.

And, with that, I finally managed to polish off every product in a cube (October – Non-GMO Month). Thank you, Cuisine Cube!! I’m loving every bite!

January 22, 2015

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

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

On some very rare occasions, a product that arrives in my Cuisine Cube is actually something I am familiar with…or…perhaps…even might have tried before. When it comes to the Non-GMO Project cube, which arrived in October, I was actually surprised to encounter a brand that I had already tried. Albeit, this was not a flavor I had tried from this brand, but it is readily available at my local Whole Foods! Like I said…this doesn’t happen often…but sometimes it’s a comfort to find a small brand that you have familiarized yourself with before.

This product…was the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip 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.

Prior to this Cuisine Cube…I had picked up a pack of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola. My Cuisine Cube stepped it up a notch by including one of my most favorite things…chocolate! Chocolate chips to be exact.

With all the time that I’ve spent traveling and racing these past couple of months…and the holidays taking over life in general…I haven’t had much time to explore some items from some of my Cuisine Cubes. That being said, I’m making a push currently to polish off most of the products that have made a home in my pantry. I need to be more pro-active about these products…and that’s not a bad thing. It is definitely getting me to branch out and try some things I had been content to let sit for awhile.

This past week, after a long weekend away in Charleston, South Carolina (I was marathoning)…I was looking for a delicious, and more nutritious way to enjoy breakfast. I knew I had a few granola options tucked away on the top shelf of my kitchen pantry…so, I grabbed a stool (I’m short…I can’t help it!) and dug around. I had two to choose between and both sounded great. But the Jessica’s Natural Foods variety had one thing that won me over…

CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Yep…the sweet-tooth, chocaholic emerged with a vengeance upon seeing that in the name. WIN! That morning, I darted out to the grocery store to pick up a few necessities that were needed for the coming week and ended up picking up a big container of Greek yogurt, some fresh organic blueberries, and a few other fruits and vegetables to use for the various meals I needed for the week. Breakfast…lunch…dinner. You name it. But, I hadn’t made many of my fruit & yogurt breakfast parfaits for a long while, and I knew this was a delicious and nutritious way to start the morning. With some granola at home, it was just a matter of choosing the fruit. I had thought to get strawberries, but the organic ones didn’t look too good. We are, after all, out of season. But, the blueberries looked big and ripe and therefore…came home with me. That morning, I assembled two breakfast parfaits, making use of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola, vanilla Greek yogurt, local honey, and the fresh organic blueberries. I just layer these up and top it off with more granola and…voila…breakfast was served.

Jessica’s Natural Foods gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is, without a doubt, one of the best granola’s I have had since going gluten-free. The gluten-free oats were toasted and golden to perfection. Adding to the sweetness were the melt-in-your-mouth bits of semi-sweet chocolate chips. It feels like you’re cheating, but in reality, you are eating something that is good for you. Mixing these delightful spoonfuls with a thick and delicious Greek yogurt and bursts of fresh fruit juice from the little blueberries…this made a perfect breakfast with each bite. The granola brought this fantastic and light texture to the entire dish. And, if left with a bag of this and no supervision, I could easily eat the entire bag in one sitting. The clusters with the chocolate were my favorite part as they would melt upon hitting my tongue. This made handfuls of this granola a great treat…if not addictive. Seriously…one of the best parts of any breakfast I have ever eaten in my entire life…this granola is amazing. And I don’t feel bad indulging in it, because the ingredients are natural and the nutritional information is rather good!

Granola can become a calorie-laden sugar-fest, so it’s always good to take a look at ingredients and nutritional information. For Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola…this is what the company strives for. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is free of cholesterol and trans fats. It is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is 1/4 cup. Trust me…this may not seem like much…but it is an amazing and filling 1/4 cup. Mmm…chocolate by the quarter-cup. In this serving, you will be consuming 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not bad for granola. Not at all. In this serving, you will also be taking in 30 mg sodium and only 7 grams of sugar. Yes…only 7 grams. That’s amazing. So often, the gluten-free granola I find is laden with heavy sugar. Not these. Naturally sweet more than anything. And finally, this 1/4 cup serving gives you 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Not too filling, but filling enough, especially when paired with nutrient dense Greek yogurt and fiber-filled fresh fruit.

Oh yes…it’s a rare thing when Cuisine Cube sends me something I am already familiar with, but in a way, it’s also quite satisfying. If you have yet to join the happy consumers of Cuisine Cube…just go over to their Web site and check out your options. Every month is like Christmas as you open up your box and discover what products have been selected for you. These monthly deliveries start at $29.99…and are so totally worth the investment. I have yet to regret making this choice to enjoy these monthly deliveries. Seriously…give it a month and you will want to keep going! It’s because of this service that I am able to try foods like Jessica’s Natural Foods, a less-processed and lesser-known product than some of the brand name gluten-free granola out on the market. I much prefer to support the smaller businesses who put a lot more thought and care into their products and the making of their products. I feel that way about Jessica’s Natural Foods…so check them out too! If you can’t find these bags of granola goodness at your Whole Foods…get online and place an order! Stop hesitating…and just do it!

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Hardbite Lightly Salted Parsnip Handcrafted Chips

Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips (aka: Eat Your Parsnips)

Product: Hardbite Lightly Salted Parsnip Handcrafted Chips – $6.00+

As many of you know, back in May, I decided to give something new a try. With this step, I subscribed to this fantastic service called Cuisine Cube. With Cuisine Cube, you receive 5-6 gluten-free products from small and/or local businesses…those products and companies that you won’t find at your local grocery store. It’s amazing the food that I have discovered. And, the cube is generally well-rounded in that it includes an item for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert. And then, sometimes…a bonus! And this service starts at $29.99, depending on how frequently you want this box of goodness delivered to your door. If you’ve been reading about it in my blog and putting it off, hesitant to try something like this out…just take action. I promise, you will not regret this purchase.

That being said, my life has been really busy as of late with so much traveling going on. I feel like I am rarely ever home. However, these past few weeks have given me the opportunity to work through some of the products from previous Cuisine Cubes that I didn’t have the chance to get to before. This has been quite an amazing couple of weeks.

Now, let’s ask a serious question here…

Who likes potato chips? Plain? Sweet potato? Lightly salted? Barbeque? You name it…but there is something so addictive and amazing about potato chips. From their light feel to their crispy and salty texture. Mmmm. They are the ultimate pig-out snack. And by that, I mean if you eat out of a bag, sometimes it is really hard to stop…and before you know it…the entire bag is gone. We’ve all been there and done that. Don’t worry…we’re human…and that’s normal. This is also why I do not ever eat out of a package anymore. I portion out things I could mindlessly eat…such as chips.

Back in October, when they mailed off the Non-GMO Project box, Cuisine Cube included a bag of Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips, with the grand title of “Eat Your Parsnips.” I love chips made from parsnips. I often find gluten-free variety chip bags (like with beet chips, sweet potato chips, parsnip chips, and regular potato chips) and have always loved the little bit of extra flavor that parsnips bring to those mixes. But this bag…this bag was dedicated to the often misunderstood parsnip.

If you are unfamiliar with what a parsnip is…it is a root vegetable…resembling a cream-colored carrot. In fact…this vegetable is sort of a cross between a carrot and a potato, if that tells you anything. What the people at Hardbite did was reinvent the parsnip by turning it into a light and crunchy snack. I mean…who doesn’t like potato chips, right?

Well, a parsnip is different from a potato. It’s sweeter, for one thing. And that’s the first thing I noticed when I took my first bite into one of these long, lightly salted chips. The sweetness does take a moment to get used to, but, thankfully, the lightly salted exterior helps to tame it. Salty and sweet. Who doesn’t love that? In addition, these chips definitely bring the crunch factor. From a company that calls themselves “Hardbite,” I would expect nothing less. And, let’s be honest…it just sounds so much healthier to eat chips made from parsnips than from potatoes, yes? I mean, our starchy potatoes are amazing and wonderful…but they do get a bad rap. If you are a fan of light chips with a big crunch and a sweet and salty flavor…these are definitely for you.

Hardbite was founded by a potato farmer based out of British Columbia. In fact, this is the only potato chip manufacturing plant based out of British Columbia. It was founded 12 years ago when, Pete Schouten, the owner, founder, and a farmer was on a quest to perfect the potato chip. I know that doesn’t sound like much of a quest, but it was enough to get Schouten to start up Hardbite Potato Chips. When the opportunity arose, he grabbed at it and became an owner in this local company. It all started with a single frier and a desire to make the very best chip on the market. Hardbite is picky about what goes into their chips and make their chips with ingredients that are free from GMOs, trans fat, gluten and cholesterol. They use the finest and freshest ingredients and dress their different flavored chips with aromatic, natural seasonings. All chips are cooked in small batches to give Hardbite chips that defining crunch. The Hardbite product line now consists of seven unique flavors for all snacking occasions!

So…interested yet?

Let’s talk ingredients. The bag of Eat Your Parsnips…also known as Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips…is made from parsnips, non-hydrogenated sunflower oil and/or non-hydrogenated canola oil, sea salt. Yes…that is really it as far as ingredients go. Three ingredients…big flavor.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips is 28 grams (or about 16 chips). This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 13 grams of fat. In addition you will be consuming a light 105 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. Finally, these chips give you 1 gram of fiber and less than 1 gram of protein. Not filling, but chips never are. They do make for a nice snack though in between meals…or paired with a veggie burger or sandwich, for sure.

Real ingredients…real attention to what goes into their food. This Canadian made chip is a healthy and great alternative to the standard potato chip. They can be a little sweet, but if you like that sort of thing, you will definitely fall in love with these chips. And if you are a sucker for a crunch…these definitely bring it.

Yet another brand I never would have even known about or tried if not for Cuisine Cube. Because of this monthly service, products like these chips from Hardbite, make their way to my kitchen and then…I can go and find out how to get more if they strike my fancy. Great service. Great products. Great food. Thank you, Cuisine Cube!