Food – Page 20 – The Celiathlete

August 16, 2015

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing + Recipe Bonus

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing – $5.99+

Who says stuffing is just for Thanksgiving? Where is that written? Growing up, I was one of the only people in my family who wanted to have stuffing. My dad wasn’t a fan, so my mom never made it. Everything I needed to know about stuffing, I tasted at my friend’s homes. It was a rare occasion that my mom would make it…and as we never had turkey on Thanksgiving, but enjoyed a delicious shrimp creole instead…well…this was more of a Christmas thing.

When I went gluten-free…stuffing was off the menu regardless…unless I made it myself. In fact, one of the first gluten-free recipes I posted was a Gluten Free Hazelnut Sage Stuffing, which I made with Rudi’s Gluten Free Bread. That was back in 2011…and I’ve made that recipe quite a few times since then. It’s delicious and easy and amazing.

But sometimes, you just don’t want to do all the work yourself. These days, my free time is less and less. I’m recovering from a torn hip labrum, getting back to running, doing all my stretches for physical therapy and trying to maintain only a slight bit of pain when I move, and everything else like work, preparing meals/snacks for work, and maintaining my training/workout schedule. It just isn’t always feasible to pull out a recipe and whip something up.

Well, two weeks ago, I was in Columbus, Ohio, visiting my friend Jenn. And as I was packing up to head home, she handed me a box of Glutino’s Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing. As it was due to expire within the month, I decided I would make this for lunches this week for both the roomie and myself. And, that Sunday evening, I did just that…

I had everything else needed to make the recipe that was supplied on the box in my fridge, ironically enough. I guess I just know what’s good to have on hand, HAHA! Actually, it was just luck that I didn’t have to pick up anything else to make this. All I needed was butter (I used Earth Balance), eggs, vegetable broth, celery, and onion. That was it. I followed the instructions on the box, pulling open the silver package that contained the corn bread stuffing portion of the product, loving the little, crispy, yellow corn bread croutons that spilled out and into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Giving it a good stir, it was prepared and ready to cook.

This stuffing smells amazing as it cooks. I think I was drooling a little every time I walked by the oven. I mean, SO good. And when it was finally done, I pulled the dish from the oven, loving how golden the top had become during the cooking process. I dished it out into 6 Pyrex dishes, tasting a little at the end…and…oh yeah…this was going to be good.

I was wrong, though. This stuffing wasn’t good. It was FANTASTIC!!! Seriously, it was love at first taste. And I was really, really anticipating lunch for the three days that my roomie and I had this in our refrigerator. Seriously…I was sad when we devoured the last servings of it. The cornbread croutons soak in all that amazing flavor from the eggs, sauteed veggies, and the vegetable broth. It doesn’t get mushy though. Not at all. As it bakes, all that flavor bakes inside, making this rich, savory, and addictive stuffing that it’s hard to stop eating. And that top layer gets this nice golden brown, which brings that bit of crunchy texture when you dig into it. My mouth waters just thinking about it again. In fact, I want to see if any of my natural food stores have this on hand. I’m sort of concerned it’s a seasonal product…but I have every intention of stocking up!

So, let’s take a look at what all goes into a box of the Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing, shall we? This product is made up of corn starch, tapioca starch, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: sunflower oil, canola oil, safflower oil), seasoning (salt, yeast extract, sugar, maltodextrin, dextrose, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, dehydrated parsley, expeller pressed canola oil, spice extractive, silicon dioxide), sugar, egg whites, salt, guar gum, glucono-delta-lactone, yeast, pectin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, modified cellulose, iron, niacin, tricalcium phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, and riboflavin.

The Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing mix isn’t a nutritional bomb either. So, it’s not clean eating for sure…but the nutritional facts aren’t so bad. A serving size of this product is 1/2 cup prepared and there are 8 servings per box. This serving will provide you with 120 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 470 mg cholesterol, 20 grams carbohydrates, less than 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugars, and less than 1 gram protein. The lack of fiber and protein would make you believe that it wouldn’t fill you up if eating it as a meal instead of a side, but that wasn’t the case at all for me. I found it filling and amazing.

So…if you want to make this too, here is the recipe I used, which is straight off the back of the box itself:

Recipe: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp of unsalted butter (I used Earth Balance)
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups of vegetable broth
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
l box Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Lightly grease one 8×8 baking pan.

In a heated skillet add the 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter and sautée onions and celery until translucent. Let the vegetables cool.

In a mixing bowl empty package of stuffing mix. Add cooled sautéed onions and celery, eggs, and vegetable broth. Let stand one minute.

Stir until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Place in greased baking pan and pack down.

Cover with foil, bake for approximately 25 minutes. Uncover and finish cooking for an additional 8 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.

~*~*~

This was one of the first corn bread stuffings I have had. And it brought back all those happy memories of the Stove Top Stuffing days of my childhood. I was beyond impressed. So, if you’re a glutton for stuffing, I highly recommend picking up a box of Glutino’s Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing. Even your gluten-eating friends would never guess this was gluten-free. It is that delicious!! ENJOY!

August 14, 2015August 17, 2015

Product Review: Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread

Product: Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread – $4.99+

You know…I’ve been searching for the newer additions to the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery bread selection since they were first introduced back in early 2014. But, it seems that no store in the Louisville area carries anything apart from the traditional three: White, Multigrain, and Cinnamon Raisin. That is all I can ever find around here.

So, imagine my delight upon a stop at my favorite Columbus, Ohio, store – Raisin Rack, and spotting the two missing pieces of my Rudi’s Gluten Free bread dilemma. I could only afford 1 loaf this time around, and after a little back and forth with the roomie, we decided on the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread.

And no soon had I transported it home and put it in my freezer…it was back out again. I’ve been spending a lot of time out on the road, and to save money, and time (because fast food is not exactly easy for a gluten-free vegetarian)…I’ve been packing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to eat for dinner. Yep. That’s how I roll. And while I had two slices of a previous, regular Rudi’s Gluten Free White Bread loaf in my freezer, I delegated that for my roommate’s sammie while I went ahead and tried the Deli-Style.

I can’t say the overall appearance of the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread looks much different from the other varieties on the market. It doesn’t. BUT…my blonde self (haha!) didn’t quite register that this was a loaf of bread that was definitely geared more toward delicatessen-style sandwiches…like…those with meat in them. And since I don’t eat meat…not exactly a bread that would normally find its way into my freezer. Nope. That didn’t register at all. So, here I was, making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the Deli-Style bread, not even considering that this bread was made to be like a rye bread and that the caraway seeds might add an aromatic anise-like flavor. I just thought it was like the sprouted seeded bread I had been eating recently.

So, you can imagine my extreme surprise when I unwrapped my peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread…and took a bite. NOT A GOOD TASTE!! Nope. The bread definitely had that rye and anise flavor to it, which is all fine and good with a savory sandwich…but peanut butter and jelly is anything but a savory sandwich. This combination did not work at all. I somehow managed to finish off the sandwich regardless…but I was…beyond disappointed.

And then…I remembered one of my favorite foods in life to dine on is avocado toast. And while the Rudi’s Gluten Free Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread was an awful match for PB&J…it was a delightful flavor enhancer for the avocado toast I often toast up for breakfast…and sometimes dinner. When I toasted up this bread and mashed an avocado over it, seasoning it with a hit of bereber…that was so much better. To me, I think when I saw Deli-Style, I was thinking size of the bread. The caraway seed part didn’t even register. So, after an initial taste that went…not so well, the next few times I ate this bread, I ate it in a savory way…and it tasted perfect. The hit of dilliness with the caraway seeds perfectly complimented the avocado and seasoning…and for that, my confidence in this bread was back. So, if you are a fan of rye bread, Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery is bringing it to you…and you can have it back in your life with their Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. My one compliant (as is the case with most gluten-free breads) is that some of the slices had some pretty massive holes in them. Sad face.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery prides itself on using real ingredients…so it is no surprise that this holds true for their Gluten Free Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. This bread is made from water, potato extract, tapioca starch, rice flour, high oleic canola/sunflower oil, inulin, rice starch, psyllium husk, egg white, yeast, sea salt, caraway seeds, xanthan gum, ground caraway seeds, vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, and natural enzymes. It is non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free, kosher, and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.

As far as nutritional information goes, the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread looks amazing in print. The serving size is 1 slice of bread. This slice will provide you with 70 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, 16 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar, and 1 gram protein. It isn’t a very filling bread, a common problem with gluten-free breads…but it sure is delicious. Pair it with the right thing, and you have a very filling breakfast, lunch or dinner.

So, at first bite, I was not in love with the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. Not at all. But I had paired it wrong due to not fully understanding what deli-style bread was all about. Once I figured it out and paired it with the right sort of topping and filling, that was where I learned to enjoy it. It’s all about the food you pair with it. Not recommended for PB & J or something like a french toast…but for any sort of savory sandwich…or even a grilled cheese, it just might work better. So, if you love rye bread, this one is perfect for you.

The ill-conceived Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich made on Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread (note you can see the seeds!) — The ill-conceived Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich made on Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread (note you can see the seeds!)

August 10, 2015

Product Review: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread

Product: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread – $5.99+

I have a bone to pick with gluten free breads. I really do. They are either stiff and crumbly, or they are full of holes. Nevermind just outward appearance, so often, these products are either packed full of fillers or they are made with real ingredients but have no actual nutritional value to them.

When I first had to go gluten free four years ago…I gave up bread. Gluten free breads were too expensive to even factor into my budget. I convinced myself that I wouldn’t miss it anyway. But…sometimes a gluten free sandwich just sounds amazing. So, after about half a year of no bread at all…I gave in and started eating Udi’s…then Rudi’s…and now I’ve tried Aldi’s liveGfree brand and Canyon bakehouse. All the while, another brand was staring at me from the grocer’s freezer…but I paid it no heed. The brand: Food For Life.

I don’t know how or why I continued to overlook this brand…but I have been shown the error of my ways. I was fortunate enough to be sent one loaf of each of the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. These loaves come in Original 3 Seed, Almond, Cinnamon Raisin, and Flax.

As an athlete, active every day in some way, shape or form, it’s important to properly fuel my body and eat wholesome foods. Most products on the market for the gluten-free diet happen to be junk food. It drives me nuts. I hit that gluten-free section of a store and I can find a vast array of cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, and the like. It is one of the biggest pet peeves of the grocery store. Yes, a lot of people with Celiac and gluten intolerance do miss out on some of the finer treats like Oreos and the like, but the shelves are literally overrun with products that aren’t going to feed your body right and healthy.

But Food For Life set out to change that. Through a lot of research and development, Food For Life released the first ever gluten free breads made from sprouted grains, such as quinoa, millet and chia. A majority of gluten-free breads, while satisfying the “gluten free” bread requirement, don’t address the overall health needs of consumers. Without the gluten to give bread the soft, elasticity of regular breads, most manufacturers choose alternative ingredients that mimic the feel of gluten, using egg, milk, and refined starches in order to achieve a softer and chewier texture. But these breads are created from ingredients that you wouldn’t expect to find in natural breads, many of which are devoid of nutrients.

Food For Life stepped up and decided to start a line with four varieties of completely gluten-free breads that were specifically created with the health of consumers in mind. Not only are they gluten free, but they are also vegan and made from nutrition packed ingredients that have been sprouted to maximize nutrition and digestibility.

I have already blogged about the Flax and Almond varieties…so now…the latest from my freezer: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread!

One of my most favorite things to devour for breakfast these days is avocado toast. It’s simple…but delicious…and packed with healthy fats and nutrients. Avocados are one of my favorite fruits in life right now. And I use it often and in various ways. But…simply mashed across a slice (or two) of toast is one of my most favorite ways…with a touch of bereber seasoning or salt or lemon pepper…whatever strikes my fancy. And, as I discovered, the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free breads are perfect vehicles for such cravings. The bread, when thawed, still is a bit stiff and not soft and moist like the likes of liveGfree and Canyon Bakehouse. And a little more substantial (and definitely lacking the holes) that you’d find with Udi’s or Rudi’s. This means these slices of bread are going to hold up to whatever you decide to sandwich between them…or pile onto them.

The Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread is just as fantastic and perfect for whatever your bread craving might be as the two flavors I have tried before. This particular variety was specifically developed using three (3) super seeds that benefit you throughout the day by helping your body perform at its best. What are they, you may ask? Chia, Quinoa, and Millet!

So, I let the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread thaw on the counter overnight. Then, the following morning, after my spin class, I returned home hungry and ready for a nutritious, healthy breakfast. I placed each slice of bread on a baking sheet and then stuck it in the oven while I went to go shower. This was not left unattended. My roommate was awake at this point…so no safety concerns, I promise. I get done with my shower and dressed just as the bread is finishing up in the oven. Perfect timing. I pull it out and get an avocado ready to slice and mash onto the surface of each slice of bread. I loved how this bread smelled…like fresh baked. Really. The aroma just filled my kitchen. Love it when seeds incorporated into the bread toast up and get that rich aroma to them. Ahhhh…refreshing. So, I plated each piece of toast, mashed the avocado on top, seasoned my roomie’s with lemon pepper and mine with bereber…and breakfast was served, with a side of sauteed cheery tomatoes. YUMMY!

This bread is hearty, dense, and the perfect base for a breakfast like this. It works well as a sandwich bread, too, of course. I used it for grilled cheese that very night. But, there is just something about this bread that I could doctor up all day. Rub it down with garlic…top it off with butter, garlic and seasoning…perfect garlic toast. I could make it into a pizza. I could do a lot of things with it, but the very nature that this bread is incredibly perfect to hold a simple smashed avocado and still taste amazing…speaks volumes about this simple, healthy, and amazing loaf. I am beyond wowed by the flavor and texture that this bread delivers. It is definitely best toasted…but would work even without that added step.

I’m hooked.

So, the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Three Original 3 Seed Bread is made from simple, natural, and healthy ingredients. These include organic sprouted quinoa (red and/or white), filtered water, organic arrowroot, organic potato starch, organic sprouted millet, organic tapioca, organic applesauce, fresh yeast, organic safflower oil, organic cactus, organic sprouted chia seeds, organic agave, organic vanilla, sea salt, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulose), and organic psyllium. This bread is high in fiber, vegan, gluten-free, and made with sprouted grains of goodness.

So let’s discuss the nutritional information for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread. Since studying nutrition, first in a basic and now an advanced course, I have learned that there is more to counting calories. Sure, it is important, but it shouldn’t be the focus. It’s all about the nutritional aspects of the food. Avocados are high in fat and calories…but SO much better for you than that chocolate bar with the same amount of fat and calories. See what I mean? A serving size is one (1) slice. In this serving, you will be provided with 110 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 20 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 0 grams sugars, and 2 grams of protein. I was freaked out at first with the high calories per slice, but, again, not all calories are created equal and there is nothing fake going into this bread. It’s all healthy, all good, all nutritious. Making this a fantastic choice.

This past weekend, when I was visiting Columbus, Ohio, I spotted the four (4) different varieties of this bread in the freezer section of the local natural food store, Raisin Rack. I try to go shopping there every time I’m in Columbus because I can find things I normally can’t find here in Louisville. I noticed that these breads were priced at around $10.49 there. For ONE loaf of bread. So, it can be expensive, but I’ve found it at Whole Foods for $5.99. Price shop.

Trust me, this bread is totally worth it. Nutrition and ingredients are two things I key in on, and this bread tops the charts in both. I am beyond impressed, for sure. I will always find a space in my budget and in my freezer for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads. And if you really want a good base to work with…the Original 3 Seed is the way to go. Total yum!

Avocado Toast made with Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread

August 4, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE!!!

They had me at dark chocolate, honestly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 21, 2015August 6, 2015

Product Review: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread

Product: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread – $5.99+

Sometimes a product you never thought about trying serves you up a good reason to keep getting it. And if anything, that is exactly the experience I had with the new line of Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. In particular, the gluten free Almond Bread has really struck a chord with me.

I can’t explain it.

It wasn’t too long ago that I was introduced to a couple of new breads on the market. While the brand name has been producing gluten-free breads for awhile now, it wasn’t a brand that I actively sought out. Yes, I saw it all the time in the freezer section of Whole Foods and other natural food stores, but I had grown accustomed to snagging Rudi’s or Udi’s or (now) the Aldi liveGfree brand or Canyon Bakehouse. Food For Life was there…I just always overlooked it.

And why?

Who knows? As an active (even now, with an on-the-mend injury) athlete, it’s important to properly fuel my body and eat wholesome foods. Most products on the market for the gluten-free diet happen to be junk food. It drives me nuts. I hit that gluten-free section of a store and I can find a vast array of cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, and the like. It is one of the biggest pet peeves of the grocery store. Yes, a lot of people with Celiac and gluten intolerance do miss out on some of the finer treats like Oreos and the like, but the shelves are literally overrun with products that aren’t going to feed your body right and healthy.

I was fortunate enough to be sent one loaf of each of the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. These loaves come in Original 3 Seed, Almond, Cinnamon Raisin, and Flax.

This past week, I decided to reach into the freezer and pull out the loaf of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. Why? Because I was about to make something sweet and savory, and somehow the thought of bread with a hint of almond flavoring just sounded like it would pair well. I mean, do I really need a reason? You see, I was serving this up as a side dish to my Mexican Corn Dip. I had vegan Kite Hill Ricotta Cheese in my fridge and a jar of fig preserves from Charleston, South Carolina. It was an odd side to have with the corn dip, but it actually worked out really well.

I simply preheated the oven and placed two slices of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread on the baking sheet. Into the oven it went to get a nice toast on it. When it was perfectly toasted, I removed the slices from the oven and let them cool slightly. Then, each slice got a schmear of the Kite Hill Vegan Ricotta and then a dollop of the Charleston fig jam. I plated each slice with the corn salsa and dinner was strange…but served.

One bite, and I knew I was in love with this bread. For real! The Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread had the most amazing flavor that I have tasted in bread in a long time. I was blown away with the slight hint of sweetness, making it the ideal vehicle for this spread of ricotta and jam that I topped it off. It was heaven. But this bread doesn’t have to be limited strictly to sweet spreads. In fact, this morning I slathered two slices of it with mashed avocado and it was divine. Honestly, the pairing of the sweet, nutty almonds makes this bread beyond amazing. It makes it a nutritious powerhouse too. The slight nutty flavor compliments anything that you could think to top it off with. I have been impressed each time I have used this bread out of my freezer. And, yes…it was delicious as a grilled cheese sandwich as well. In fact, the nutty flavor with the vegan cheese that I put in my sandwich meshed so well. Delicious any way you slice or slather it. It’s fantastic.

Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread is made with organic almonds for extra flavor, nutrition and to help aid in blood glucose regulation. This bread is specifically developed to help keep you on the go and perform at your best. When you toast it…that rich nutty flavor is released and it is awesome.

So, what all goes into the making of Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread? Well, it’s simple. It really is. This bread is made from organic sprouted quinoa (red and/or white), filtered water, organic arrowroot, organic potato starch, organic sprouted millet, organic tapioca, organic applesauce, fresh yeast, organic almond meal, organic safflower oil, organic cactus, organic sprouted chia seeds, organic agave, organic vanilla, sea salt, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulose), and organic psyllium. Made with sprouted chia, sprouted quinoa, and sprouted millet, this bread is a trio of health. Not only is it made with sprouted grains (which are SO good for you!), it is also vegan, gluten-free, and high in fiber. It is so rare for a gluten free bread to be high in fiber. This is a welcome addition to my freezer.

So let’s discuss the nutritional information for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. Since passing my final exam in personal nutrition for the nutrition course I was taking and moving on to the advanced nutrition,my nutrition course, I have learned that there is more to counting calories. Sure, it is important, but it shouldn’t be the focus. It’s all about the nutritional aspects of the food. Avocados are high in fat and calories…but SO much better for you than that chocolate bar with the same amount of fat and calories. See what I mean? A serving size is one (1) slice. In this serving, you will be provided with 110 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 2 grams of protein. I was freaked out at first with the high calories per slice, but, again, not all calories are created equal and there is nothing fake going into this bread. It’s all healthy, all good, all nutritious. Making this a fantastic choice.

I used to turn my nose up at the Food For Life breads due to the high calories, but I have learned a lot about nutrition since then, and it turns out this is one of the best, nutrition-wise, gluten free breads on the market. If you love a hint of nutty sweetness in your bread, I highly, highly recommend the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. It was truly love at first bite. A bit of a surprise, but this is, by far, one of my favorite gluten-free breads I have ever tasted. I was very fortunate to be sent these loaves. I spotted them in Whole Foods the other day. I’m going to be well stocked for the future.

Vegan Ricotta and Charleston Fig Jam on top of toasted slices of Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread

July 19, 2015

Product Review: Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones

Product Review: Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones – $6.25+

I have been a fan of scones ever since I bit into my first one while visiting Europe in 2003. Scones, after that, became this legendary thing, and something I was determined to enjoy every time I went overseas. At that point I was either living in Birmingham, Alabama or in Louisville, Kentucky…which are not exactly a hotspot for scone making and feasting. Not to say some bakeries didn’t turn them out. As I was going through the initial stages of my Celiac diagnosis, before we really pinpointed it, I was enjoying a homemade, amazing scone from a local coffee shop, which was produced by a local bakery…which I often bought out of their scones and froze at home for later enjoyment.

Then…the gluten-free diet kicked in…immediately…for my health.

So, after a hiatus from my scone indulgences, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had to have them back in my life. So, I got into my kitchen and using what gluten-free flour I had on hand (mostly Pamela’s Products pancake mix) at that point, I began making my own versions and variety of flavors for gluten-free scones. And while they weren’t as good as the ones I had overseas or the ones the bakery made, they were pretty damn good in their own right.

It has been awhile since I’ve made scones. A very long while. But while I was out shopping one day, I ran across a box that was labeled “GLUTEN FREE” and had the word “SCONES” on it. Okay…you have my undivided attention!! The company was Sticky Fingers Bakeries, and they had a line out of gluten-free scone mixes in a variety of flavors: Apple Oat, Wild Blueberry, Meyer Lemon, Original, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Cranberry.

My roommate, knowing me elation said we could purchase one to make…and then grabbed the Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones mix. HA! Should have known. If it is lemon, she wants to have it. So…it came home with us and went into the pantry. Months later, I finally decided it was time to stop putting it off and start baking.

This past Monday night, I did just that, deciding that the scones could be the breakfast we eat post-gym while settling in at work. In fact, I had made my own blueberry jam not too long ago, which would pair nicely with the lemon pastry, if all went well.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries began with a scone…and a dream. Seriously! It was founded in 1987 by fraternity brothers Tom Owens and Ted Vogelman in San Diego, California. It initially began as a thriving retail bakery. The scones, in particular, were selling out every day. When recipe request kept flooding in, they knew they were on to something. Owens and Vogelman got to work on a scone mix that their patrons could purchase and recreate the bakery’s most popular item at home…just by adding water. The mix was a hit…so they kept going…and the company kept growing. Today, their products include their popular scone mixes as well as muffin mixes, an Irish soda bread mix, three brownie mixes, a line of premium fruit spreads (including curds, jams jellies and fruit butters), and now…GLUTEN FREE SCONES!

Sticky Fingers Bakeries prides itself on the quality of their ingredients. None of their mixes contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, trans-fats, or saturated fats.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries carries their commitment to quality over to their gluten-free scone mixes as well. They are made with high quality ingredients that give them the same delicate, crumbly texture with just a touch of sweetness. Even better, this line of their products is produced in a certified gluten-free manufacturing facility.

Baking these are so easy, you will think someone at a bakery did it for you. Simply get out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Then, pull the box containing the Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scone Mix out of your pantry and open it up. Pour the mix into a large mixing bowl and add to it 3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons water and 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Mix everything together with a fork until a sticky dough forms. Then, drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the baking sheet and allow to bake for 13-15 minutes, or until firm and light golden brown. The mix makes 10 scones, but I managed to get 12 out of it. HA! The box says these are great warm, on their own, or with butter, honey, jams of curds.

I highly recommend jam. Preferably a homemade blueberry. Blueberry + lemon = AMAZING!

Want to know what else is amazing? These scones, that’s what! The Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones bake up all light and pillow-y on the inside and get this beautiful golden crust on the outside. The scone is packed full of lemon flavor, without it overpowering the baked good itself. I mean, it strikes the perfect balance of flakiness and yumminess and it is sheer perfection. I am so in love with these. I need to try to remember where I bought this box from so I can try to find more. That is how impressed I am with these. I only have 2 left for breakfast after the gym…so now I have to come up with some yummy treat to heat up at the office for a quick breakfast as I settle into work. These were ideal and perfect. But…all good things must be devoured.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones! These scones are made from white rice flour, sugar, potato starch, buttermilk powder, tapioca starch, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), lemon bits (sugar, rice syrup, corn cereal, corn starch, palm oil, natural flavor, tumeric concentrate), natural meyer lemon flavors, canola oil (ascorbic acid & rosemary added to preserve freshness), sea salt, baking soda, xanthan gum, and natural vanilla powder. As mentioned before, these scones are certified gluten-free, contain no artificial colors or flavors, contain no preservatives, contain no trans-fats or saturated fats, are certified kosher…oh…and are amazingly scrumptious!

As for the nutritional information, a box of the Sticky Fingers Bakeries Gluten Free Meyer Lemon Scones makes 10 (but I got 12) scones. The mix itself will give you 180 calories, 5 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 290 mg sodium, 30 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 9 grams sugars, and 2 grams of protein. Do not expect these to be filling, unless you eat two of them…which I do. I also slather mine with a delicious and liberal amount of my own homemade blueberry jam. Hence, the recommendation above.

The Sticky Fingers Bakeries guys sure do have scones down to pefection. And they make it easy for you to make them yourself in the comfort of your own home. Easy to mix, easy to bake, and SO easy to consume. It will be hard not to eat them all at once. They are worth spreading out over a few days…trust me. Phenomenal flavor. Perfect scones. So much love.

July 14, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

So Delicious Diary Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

So, for those of you who know me and who have been paying some sort of attention…I’ve been hooked now, since it was first introduced onto the market, to cashew milk (unsweetened, of course!). Seriously…YUM!! If you are missing a little bit of the thickness of regular milk, switch from that runny almond milk and coconut milk to cashew milk. You will NOT be disappointed. I will never go back to anything else. Nope. Not at all.

With that in mind, and the fact that, of everything in this world that contains dairy, the thing I miss the most isn’t cheese…but ice cream. Good, delicious, cold, satisfying ice cream! I stopped going to my local ice cream place (oh Comfy Cow, how I miss you!) as even the supplements I used to take to help me handle some dairy stopped really having any sort of effect. I think the last ice cream I had was back on my birthday in September.

*SIGH*

But, there are, naturally, non-dairy ice creams out on the market. One of the most notorious for their fantastic products, however, is So Delicious Dairy Free. And, not only are they making ice cream with their soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk…but they have added cashew milk to the mix too! That was an exciting day in the grocery store, let me tell you. I have already tried two of the five (5) flavors they currently have out on the market: Snickerdoodle and Salted Caramel Cluster. A reader (Louise) sang high praises of the Cappuccino flavor. Now, I can understand how this flavor would be out of this world. It combines my love of two things…espresso and ice cream.

And, one day, while I was home baking or cooking or something, my roomie made a last moment dash out to Kroger to pick up some items I needed. And upon her return she presented me with two more of the So Delicious Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts. Yep. Dark Chocolate Truffle and Cappuccino. As the Cappuccino was so highly praised in a comment on my blog…when I polished of a pint of my homemade strawberry coconut milk ice cream…this was next in line.

It’s the perfect time of year for ice cream and cold desserts. While this summer hasn’t been as hot as years past, it still has been enough to make me wilt on occasion. That being said, ice cream makes everything right. So, after I cooked up an easy vegan grilled cheese sandwich for dinner just before my last physical therapy session last night, I pulled out the pint of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert and let it thaw while I made up the sandwiches for my roomie and I, plated them with a serving of Zapps VooDoo Kettle Chips (OMG! YUM!), and devoured the food because it had been a long day and I was hungry. HA! When we had both finished eating and cleaned off the dishes, I got out the ice cream bowls and set to scooping out perfect 1/2 cup servings (yes…I measure…every time!) for each of us.

I handed my roomie her bowl first. See, when it comes to ice cream that is coffee-flavored, Cathy will either love it or hate it. Most of the time, she wrinkles up her nose in disgust and is done. But…she kept on taking spoonfuls. This…boded well. This boded very well. I tucked the rest of the pint back into the freezer, gathered up my own helping and settled in to try it myself.

OH…WOW!! First of all, I appreciate that So Delicious manages to find a distinct and perfect balance. This frozen treat isn’t too strong on the coffee flavor. In fact, it’s more like…a latte if you will…milky with a coffee finish. The nutty flavor of the cashew milk base itself helps to balance out the flavors, keeping the coffee from overwhelming the rest of the product. The flavor is simple, but executed perfectly. I probably could have put this into my coffee cup in the morning and told everyone I was just having my morning coffee…and be content. I might even start a new coffee trend. Forget Starbucks Frappuccinos…I’ll take a scoop of So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert. Half the calories…big on taste. Oh yeah!! You know what I like.

Let’s look at the ingredients that go into the So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert, shall we? This product is made from cashew milk (water, cashews, non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, gum acacia, natural flavor, sea salt, organic fair trade coffee, and cinnamon. This dessert is gluten-free, vegan, cholesterol free, free of trans-fats, and non-GMO.

As far as nutrition goes…aside from being a dessert and an ice cream treat at that, this is actually quite impressive and not half bad as far as the data goes. One serving is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings in each pint. One serving will provide you with 150 calories, 7 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 20 mg sodium, 21 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 17 grams sugars (YIKES!! It is dessert…it is dessert…), and 3 grams of protein.

Rest assured, the rest of this pint was polished off tonight. No more of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cappuccino Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert…for the moment. But, trust me, that one is in the rotation for keeps. So delicious (no pun intended!). I loved it from the first bite to the last, and had to keep myself from stealing spoonfuls from the frozen pint for all the moments in between. That is the mark of a quality ice cream for sure.

Coffee lovers heaven…in a dairy free package. Enjoy!

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015

Product Review: SweetieBeans! Rise n’ Shine Pancake Mix

SweetBeans! Rise 'n Shine Pancake Mix — SweetBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix

Product: SweetieBeans! Rise n’ Shine Pancake Mix – $7.49+

Sorry about not having a retail price for you on this product I am about to review. I just guessed as the link on the actual Web site for the company itself leads to an error and I can’t find anywhere else to draw a price from. I’m guessing here. My apologies.***

**Updated with actual ordering price**

BUT…now let’s cut to the chase.

When it comes to breakfast foods, you can’t quite beat the perfect pancake, right? Hell, I eat pancakes for dinner sometimes. Done that since I was a kid. We always loved when my mom made breakfast for dinner, and the tradition carries on still in my family. We are a breakfast-loving bunch, let me tell you!

When it comes to mixes out there for gluten-free pancakes, I have hit on the entire spectrum. I have had the amazing. I’ve had the so-so. And I’ve had the horrible. I absolutely love pancakes (they are so versatile…with what you put in them and what you put on them), and I feel that pancakes should turn out perfectly…every freakin’ time. So, why is it that some gluten-free products get that right, and some…just don’t come close.

Pancakes are all about texture. You want them to be hearty, yet light and fluffy. This is a very difficult balance to reach. And I definitely have my go-to favorites when it comes to the gluten-free pancake mixes that are out on the market. I thought I had covered them all (or at least the wide-spread ones) until my February (Happy V-Day) 2015 Cuisine Cube tossed another one my way.

So, first let me recap for you what Cuisine Cube is all about, shall I? Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that delivers 5-6 gluten-free, full-size products to your door for as little as $34.99/month. Inside the cube, you will discover full-size products (not sample sizes) that are made by local and smaller, artisan companies, rather than those that you can find at the average grocery store. It has introduced me to so many new and delightful products. Each box contains a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert product…and then, sometimes, an extra bonus item. Who doesn’t love a little something extra, right? Keep in mind, however, that Cuisine Cube has gone through some changes as of May. No longer do they strictly only offer gluten-free cubes. In addition to their gluten-free option, they now also offer Artisan and Vegan cubes as well. The Artisan cube means that you have no food allergies and foods that contain common food allergens will be included. The Vegan cubes contain products that are dairy and animal free. And, they still have the Gluten Free cubes, which will have products that contain no gluten or wheat. So, if you’re really interested in being introduced to the smaller, lesser-known, artisan companies, give Cuisine Cube a try! It’s like…Christmas…or your birthday…every month! Who doesn’t love that?!

So, the February box arrives and I uncover this large pouch of SweetieBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix. SCORE!! Pancakes are amazing. I was quite excited about them. And after tucking all that month’s products away in their proper places, I had every intention of making pancakes with this mix. And then…I got hurt. And life got busy. Very, very busy. And it was left to sit on the pantry shelf with some random bread mixes and other baking/breakfast items that I have yet to delve into.

But, my good friend, Harry, brought me some amazing local, and freshly picked (by himself!) blueberries on Friday and I knew that blueberry pancakes had to be made. I’d been craving them, but I keep eating all the blueberries like candy instead of baking/cooking/making things with them. Hey, give me a fruit and I’ll devour it…even if I just pop them from the bag and nosh. Seriously. That’s how much I love fruit, particularly berries.

So, after my Monday morning spin class, I came home and retrieved the SweetieBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix from my pantry, mixed 2 cups of it with 1-3/4 cup water and stirred it up. Added these amazing blueberries and it was time to make the pancakes.

Sweetie!Beans is a true labor of love. Several years ago, through a series of health related unfortunate events, the creator’s family became aware that they had food allergies and were going to have to make a few dietary adjustments…which meant completely excluding wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy, casein, peanuts, walnuts, food dyes, pesticides, and yeast. Because it was a health matter, the entire went cold-turkey on their allergy elimination and found that within a few months they were feeling much better. The food, however, for people who were considered “foodies” was lacking now. The items were lackluster, back in the day when cakes tasted like cardboard, fried foods were soggy, and cookies were incomprehensible. The father of the family took matters into his own hands and got into the kitchen. This didn’t happen overnight, but through years of trial and error, he found the perfect blend. Word spread, and soon people were asking him to bake cakes for their special occasions, and all went over well, despite that they were vegan and gluten free. Talk about winning! And with that, SweetieBeans! was born…the company named after the nickname he gave the love of his life, his wife, back when they were 17 years old.

As for the SweetieBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix…the batter combined with all the ingredients to form this slightly thick, but smooth, consistency. It was ideal. I got out my 1/4 cup measure cup and dropped the batter onto the skillet to begin to cook. So often, gluten-free pancakes don’t get that amazing golden crust on the outside, but these did. And it didn’t take long for the batter to get there either. I started to see the edges begin to bubble and firm up, so I went ahead and went to flip the first batch over. Perfection. So, this made me feel really good about the way these would taste when all was done. And while these didn’t get overly fluffy in size, but they weren’t flat either. These had the perfect amount of lift to them. They weren’t heavy, nor were they particularly filling. I ate mine while cooking up another round of them and ended up hoovering the two I had plated for myself. Seriously. They were gone almost as soon as I poured my Sohgave Blueberry Syrup over them. I think, because of the name, my roommate thought these were made with bean flours, so she had said that she was surprised they didn’t taste like bean. I told her it was just the name and nothing to do with the blend of flours that were used to create the pancake mix itself. She, a lover of pancakes like me, also enjoyed these. She said they cooked up well and had good volume to them. So, since she isn’t a Celiac or gluten-free…this is a great endorsement. Were they the best we’ve had? Nope. But they rank right up there! I was pleasantly surprised, honestly.

With that in mind, let’s discuss what goes into the SweetieBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix, shall we? This mix is a blend of sorghum flour, rice flour blend (rice flour, rice bran), white rice flour, sugar, tapioca starch, and contains less than 2% of each of the following: baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, corn starch, potato starch, potato flour, natural flavor, xanthan gum, sea salt, monocalcium phosphate, magnesium carbonate. This mix is gluten-free (obviously), vegan, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, casein-free, peanut-free, walnut-free, free of food dyes, free of pesticides, and yeast-free. Loving it? I know I am!!

As for nutrition, a serving size of SweetieBeans! Rise ‘n Shine Pancake Mix is 1/3 cup of the dry mix. This serving will give you 170 calories (remember, unless you add some chocolate chips or berries or peanut butter…all you put into this mix is water…so this amount remains the same!), 1 gram fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans-fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 410 mg sodium, 2 grams fiber, 8 grams sugar, and 3 grams of protein. So, it will fill you up, but it won’t make you feel ridiculously full.

For me, I loved this mix at first bite. To say that I was surprised is an understatement. After being burned with pancake mixes promising me the best gluten-free pancakes and ending up with anything but that, it was nice to have a product actually deliver. In fact, I look forward to reheating the other batch I made while devouring mine like they were going out of style this morning. Some foods I just can’t savor. Not when it had been so long since I had something taste that amazing. Pancakes should be simple and delicious. SweetieBeans! gives you this and more.

I’m a fan! Trust me…you will be too. But first, we need to figure out how to order more!

(Thanks to Tim’s comment below, you can order this mix and the other SweetieBeans! mixes at this link: https://gourmetfoodland.com/products/mixes/gluten-free/

July 14, 2015

Product Review: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Italian Mix

Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement for Meat Italian Mix – $4.99+

I am so glad that Neat exists in the world. I really, really am. Because, it is sometimes hard to find a good protein base when you are not only a vegetarian (or perhaps a vegan), but also gluten-free. Trust me…the struggle is real…FOR REAL!! Most of the vegetarian/vegan faux-meat products out on the market have some sort of vital wheat gluten or glutenous substance inside (for texture purposes, I’ve been told). I don’t need faux-meat in my life, but sometimes it’s nice to step away from the mushrooms and whatever else I get creative with and use something that is already prepared.

And that…brings me to Neat – A Healthy Replacement for Meat. Ever since I became a subscriber to Delight Gluten Free magazine I noticed ads for this vegan meat replacement called Neat. I was beyond intrigued and immediately went on the hunt in my local natural food stores. Sadly, but not surprisingly, no one in my area carried this product. At least not yet. I said I’d get online and see if I could order it, but, naturally, I forgot to do that. Story of my life. But after a pouch of the Mexican Mix turned up on my Cuisine Cube, I started finding it on the shelves of my local Kroger stores, my natural food stores. I was getting Neat where I could purchase it when I suddenly decided to make something spontaneous for dinner.

YAY!

So, what exactly is Neat? Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients. It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians. At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it. And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat.

Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form. All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water. Stir all the ingredients together and throw it into a skillet over medium heat. Or…if you happen to have the Italian Mix and want to make meatballs…well…you just change it up a little.

I wanted meatballs to make vegan meatball subs and some vegan spaghetti and meatballs for lunch the following day at the office. SO…I took the mix from the pouch and poured it into a bowl, adding 1 egg, about 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast (although now I think I should have gone for the full 1/3 cup (which was the amount of Parmesan cheese the recipe said to add), and 1 tablespoon of water and gave it a mix. Then, with clean hands, I ended up rolling 12 meatballs (you normally would do 8 larger meatballs, but I had multiple meals planned for these…this way my roommate and I each got 3 in each dish I prepared). Then, into an oven at 350°F for about 18 minutes, turning them over once. That simple.

Near the end of their cooking time, I began warming up some marinara sauce on the stove. And when these meatballs came out of the oven, into the sauce they went. I gave the sauce a stir and just coated the meatballs the best I could. I was using an open jar of sauce, so I had a little less than I wanted, but I figured the entire point of the meatball sub was the meatball itself. So…with any luck, I didn’t screw those up. Into the gluten-free hotdog buns they went (no one around here seems to carry the Schär Gluten Free Sub Rolls anymore). I topped them with a bit of the sauce, then some Daiya mozzarella style shreds then placed them back in the oven under the broiler for about a minute to get the vegan cheese as gooey as I could manage.

Then…dinner was served.

Given that this was my first attempt at the “neatballs,” I was quite happy with them. As I said, I should have done a perfect swap for the Parmesan cheese with the nutritional yeast, but I didn’t want to overkill it. My oven is old, so I set it a little higher in temp, and baked these for the full 18 minutes, instead of maybe just 15…so they were slightly dry, but the texture was very meaty and very dense, like a meatball should be. I thought these were amazing in both the subs and the pasta I cooked up for the following work day. While I might have overcooked them slightly, it didn’t make me dislike what emerged from the oven and saucepan. I loved biting into a vegetarian meatball sub and having it feel like I was actually eating a sub. That was a nice treat. I loved forming these meatballs to cook, because it’s like making it yourself instead of pulling them from the freezer (for the record, I know of only 2 kinds of vegan/gluten-free meatballs…Franklin Farms (which I can’t find anymore) and Beyond Meat (which I haven’t found here) which are both kept in the fridge/freezer. So, this was a bit more rustic and a bit more like you were putting in the work yourself to make the protein base for your meal. It was messy, but quite fun and quite satisfying.

Let’s first delve into the nitty-gritty ingredients and nutrition of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Italian Mix. The Italian Mix version of Neat is made from pecans, garbanzo beans, organic whole grain gluten free oats, garlic, onion, sea salt, and spices. So, where this is meat-free and dairy-free, and also gluten-free…it is NOT nut-free. So, if you have a nut allergy…this product is not for you.

As for nutrition, a serving of Neat Italian Mix is 40 grams and each pouch contains 4 servings. This serving will give you 190 calories, and 15 grams of fat (healthy fat as it is coming from beans and nuts), 1.5 grams saturated fat, 218 mg sodium, 12 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 4 grams protein. These meatballs will fill you up. Seriously. I really appreciate when a faux protein is made with filling, real foods that won’t leave me feeling hungry an hour or so later. Trust me, that isn’t a problem with Neat.

I am so in love with the two mixes I have picked up from Neat – A Healthy Replacement to Meat. I still have the Breakfast Mix and the Original Mix to try so I’ll be picking those up soon. They also make an Egg Replacer as well, which I’d love to try. So far, there isn’t anything bad I can say about Neat. So, if you haven’t tried it and you, perhaps, have been missing your spaghetti and meatballs or meatball subs…you gotta try this!! Order online if you can’t find it in your stores. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Spaghetti & Neatballs and Neatball Sub made with Neat - A Healthy Replacement for Meat Italian Mix — Spaghetti & Neatballs and Neatball Sub made with Neat – A Healthy Replacement for Meat Italian Mix

July 9, 2015

Product Review: Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar

Product: Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar – $2.50+

Ever see one of those products that intrigues you…but you just can’t get up the nerve to purchase one to actually try it? That is the relationship I have had for a few years with Bobo’s Oat Bars. I spotted these first at my natural foods store, Rainbow Blossom, on an endcap. Not all flavors are gluten-free, but there was quite a variety. I really wanted to try one, and, for a gluten-free bar…the price isn’t so bad. I just never could actually talk myself into it.

Lo and behold, my May (Is For Mom) 2015 Cuisine Cube brought Bobo’s Oat Bars to me, instead. It was like a “if you build it, they will come,” moment, save more of a, “if you covet it, someone will send it to you.” HA!

In the May 2015 box, there were quite a few snacks/candies/sweets packed in. It was the Mother’s Day cube, that’s how it should be. And for the Breakfast/Snack option, the people at Cuisine Cube sent me a much coveted, highly anticipated, Bobo’s Gluten Free Oat Bar. The flavor – peach.

Now, peach for me can be hit or miss, honestly. You either get it right, or you get it wrong. As a huge fan and connoisseur of peaches (fresh, tinned, frozen…you name it!), peach is one of those flavors that either wins me over or loses me. So, peach was the risky flavor of bar to send from the gluten-free line, I think. It’s not a common favorite, but, honestly, it is one of the most refreshing and summer-inducing flavors around.

Bobo’s Oat Bars was founded by Beryl Strafford in 2005. This Boulder, Colorado, based business is still headquarted there today. These bars are named after Strafford’s eldest daughter, who she has affectionately called “Bobo.” These bars were developed out of a simple mother-daughter baking tradition, and soon grew to become a sought-after snack bar that are enjoyed by families, athletes, and healthy minded people everywhere. Strafford wanted these bars to embody two of her highest values in life: being a mom, and living an active and healthy lifestyle. Bobo’s Oat Bars are baked from scratch using only the finest organic ingredients, with no additives or artificial sweeteners. These bars are not only convenient, but a wholesome snack choice that are convenient for the busy kids, students, athletes, and adults in life. Not all of Bobo’s Oat Bars are gluten-free, but they have a core selection of flavors that are, including: peach, maple pecan, lemon poppyseed, chocolate almond, apple pie, and peanut butter and jelly.

Cuisine Cube shared probably the flavor I would have picked up last, due to my love-hate relationship with peach flavored items. I am either going to love it or hate it. And after 2 months of not quite getting around to trying the much-coveted Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar, my roommate and I split it tonight as our dessert.

First of all, I loved the texture of this bar. It was substantial, yes, but it was soft and chewy…like an elite granola bar of sorts. The oats were stunning and each bite was chewy and wholesome. I love that these are made with natural ingredients. I love that very little sugar is in these bars. I loved how 1/2 of this bar (which is the serving size) was filling enough to double as a meal. Yes…I loved all of that. What fell a little short for me, however, was the flavor. When something declares that it is peach flavored, by the taste gods, bring me that bold, sweet, amazing peach flavor. At the very edges of this bar, I found it to be very bland. The center part, still bland, but had more of that peach flavor that I was hoping for. At least the flavor didn’t taste fake…there just wasn’t enough of it there. The Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar was filling, for sure, but not all that flavorful. A little bit of a let-down, but not enough to make me not want to try the other gluten-free flavors out there.

So, with that in mind, let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bars! These bars are made from organic gluten free rolled oats, brown rice syrup (brown rice, filtered water), Earth Balance [natural oil blend (palm fruit, canola and olive oils), filtered water, pure salt, natural flavor (derived from corn, no MSG, no alcohol, no gluten), sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy, derived from sugar beets) and colored with annatto extract], organic sucant (non-refined cane sugar), dried peaches, natural peach extract, and xanthan gum. These bars are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and now certified kosher!

As for the nutrition facts of Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bars, these stats are pretty fantastic. Do keep in mind, however, that each bar is 2 servings, so cut that baby in half and save the rest for another day. One serving, or half of a bar, will provide you with 180 calories, 6 grams fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 20 mg sodium, 28 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams dietary fiber, 10 grams sugars, and 3 grams of protein. Is it any wonder with that low sugar, and the higher protein and fiber that this bar feats more like a meal than a snack?! Fantastic.

So, the jury is still out for me. While I wasn’t completely blown away by Bobo’s Gluten-Free Peach Oat Bars, I didn’t dislike them either. In fact, the texture, chewy, yet substantial, was amazing. I loved that. I just wish it was more peachy, given theat it is the peach bar. However, I’m not counting them out yet. Next time I’m at my natural food store, I’m going to snag a different flavor and see if it smacks my taste buds around a little more.

For what it is worth, Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar is a great, healthy snack or meal for the busy and on-the-go type of person. It will leave you feeling full, and with it being made from natural ingredients, keep you feeling full. Your body won’t burn right through this bar, as it would many protein, granola and/or snack bars out on the market. The lower the sugar, the happier I am.

If not for Cuisine Cube, I don’t know if I ever would have convinced myself to purchase one of Bobo’s Gluten Free Oat Bars. That being said, I’m glad that this was shipped to me so I could get a taste of what is out on the market, and what I love and might not love as much about new bars. I’m a marathoner, I’m always looking for new fuel and recovery items. This…is off to a good start.

Bobo's Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar (unwrapped) — Bobo’s Gluten Free Peach Oat Bar (unwrapped)