Product: Bake Me Happy Cream-Filled Spongies – $2.25
Ah, Columbus, Ohio. What a strange place to find so much gluten-free goodness. But, let’s be completely honest…I find so many gluten-free goodies there. And one of my primary sources for this is the Raisin Rack, which my friend Jenn, introduced me to once upon a time. Since then, this store has become a staple as far as stops go when I’m in town (others include the gluten-free crepe place and the gluten-free bakery).
On my most recent visit for a fun weekend with my friend, our final stop before heading back to her house was…Raisin Rack. My budget was a bit tighter, so I was only given an allowance of 10 food items to try this time. And after walking around the gluten-free section about 20 times, I started to put in my choices.
At the end of one of the one of the aisles, there was this cooler…and inside were some fun desserts, snacks, treats…whatever. And the ones that really, really caught my attention was these little cylindrical cakes filled with a marshmallow cream.
And…if you see where I’m going…you’ll know that this can only mean…
GLUTEN FREE TWINKIES!
Except Twinkies are trademarked and all that jazz.
So, a local gluten free kitchen created their own take on the Hostess treat…
Cream-Filled Spongies!
Don’t you just love that? Spongies. HA! Just saying it is fun. I bought two of them…one for me and one for my roommate, and we stocked them in my freezer upon transporting frozen stuff in dried ice…all the way back to the Louisville area. They stayed in the freezer up until tonight…
Because I really just wanted a simple dessert tonight. And this was as easy as putting these in the fridge the night before to let them thaw to perfection. I let them sit on the counter, by the way, while I cooked and ate dinner…so they were about to room temperature when it was time to feast on dessert.
Before I get into what I thought of the Bake Me Happy Cream-Filled Spongies…let me tell you a little about Bake Me Happy.
Bake Me Happy is a gluten-free kitchen that believes that dessert should always be delightful. In 2006, Wendy was self-diagnosed with a gluten intolerance and immediately felt relief from a life of digestive issues. The problem she was encountering was that her food choices were lacking in flavor and texture…and her choices of what she could eat were limited. So, Wendy began her foray into the world of gluten-free cooking and baking…eventually taking an immersion course at the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America and began to test recipes out on unsuspecting friends. When her friends and family, who were not even gluten intolerant, began asking for treats for their parties, she knew she was onto something and that her baked goods were ready for the public. And so, Bake Me Happy is the bakery that Wendy and Letha, her partner in gluten-free crime, opened. This bakery is commited to making every bite the most decadent gluten free treat anyone has had since sliced bread. If you have a craving, enjoy a baked good that won’t crumble to dust and leave you feeling like there is no pleasure in food. Because Wendy has to eat gluten-free, she understands why good food is important and works hard to perfect her recipes.
And so…out of one of these recipes came…Bake Me Happy’s Gluten-Free Cream-Filled Spongies.
And these little cream-filled treats had to make their way home with me. And tonight…after a stressful day…I really wanted something different and fun for dessert. The Spongies were the perfect option. After consuming dinner (I made black bean tostadas) and cleaning up the kitchen…dessert was on. The Spongies had come to room temperature for the most part…only a slight chill from the fridge remained. So, I opened up the package, gave one to my roommate and then did the same for myself.
I ate mine standing up in the kitchen.
The Bake Me Gluten Free Cream-Filled Spongies look just like Twinkies. So…nostalgia happiness. I know some people who would turn up their nose at the thought of eating a Twinkie of any sort. But not me. Not when most of these regular goodies that are the norm for anyone aren’t for me. Twinkies are a dime a dozen…until you’re gluten-free. Then…they are a special treat.
The Bake Me Gluten Free Cream-Filled Spongies are golden snack cakes filled with a whipped marshmallow cream. Yep. Just like a Twinkie. And so…I first examined the little cake of cream-filled goodness. It was soft and spongy like a Twinkie…shaped like a Twinkie…and the filling was piped in through three holes in the bottom. I took one bite…
The Spongies cake was soft, but slightly gritty. It had a great flavor to it…that rich buttery flavor that these snack cakes are known for…but the star was definitely the cream that was to fill the treat itself. Sadly, the three holes were the only places the cream made it. it was not piped throughout the entire cake itself…but in three little sections. Which, is a bit of a disappointment. The best part of the Twinkie is the cream. Well, that part was true for the Spongies too. The marshmallow cream was AWESOME. The flavor and texture was fantastic. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more of it. Seriously. It was lacking in cream. The cake to cream ratio was WAY off. But the cream that was there, I wanted to savor and enjoy…forever. And I couldn’t…because there wasn’t enough of it. The grittiness of the cake was a little off-putting, but when teamed with the cream, it worked. But they had to be eaten together. It was a bit of a let-down.
Let’s talk about the ingredients that go into Bake Me Happy Cream-Filled Spongies. The cake portion of these treats are made from a gluten-free flour mix (white rice flour, cornstarch, sweet rice flour) butter (sweet cream, natural flavoring) sugar, eggs, whole milk, baking powder (cornstarch, bicarbonate of soda, sodium aluminum sulfate, monocalcium phosphate, vanilla bean paste (sugar, water, vanilla extract, vanilla beans, gum tragacanth (a natural thickener)), salt, and xanthan gum. The cream filling is made from butter, marshmallow cream (corn syrup, sugar, egg whites and vanilla bean paste [sugar, water, vanilla extract, vanilla beans, gum tragacanth (a natural thickener)]}, confectioner’s sugar (sugar, cornstarch), organic shortening (100% organic expeller pressed palm oil), vanilla bean paste (sugar, water, vanilla extract, vanilla beans, gum tragacanth (a natural thickener)). This product is produced in a gluten-free facility.
As for nutrition, a serving of Bake Me Happy Cream-Filled Spogies is 1 cake (48 grams). This serving will dish up 180 calories, 8 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 45 mg cholesterol, 105 mg sodium, 26 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 15 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Not filling…but it’s a dessert and should just be the icing on the cake…or the filling in the sponge-cake as is the case here. HA!!
I didn’t dislike the Bake Me Happy Cream-Filled Spongies. I just felt a little…cheated by them. The cake was definitely not up to standard…but the cream was some of the best I have ever tasted. So, there is the quandary. I’m not done with the goodies from Bake Me Happy. Not one bit. But I think the cream filling in the Spongies needs a bit more room to shine like the awesome fluffy goodness that it is. That being said…there are other goodies from Bake Me Happy that I’m dying to try. I might have to go by the bakery itself next time I find myself in Columbus!
So, last week, for a wonderful week, I was fortunate enough to spend some time on the two of the Hawaiian islands. The original purpose – to run the Kauai Marathon.
But then…I fractured my ankle.
Trying to start a new trend in footwear, perhaps? This is Bootsie, my new friend for the next 6-8 weeks. MEH!
Yep. Fractured my freakin’ ankle three days before leaving for Hawaii. SUCK!! I tried to put a positive spin on things…I really did. At least I was still going to Hawaii. Yeah…it didn’t really work for me then either…but I was trying. To help make this painful adjustment, I started a Twitter account for Bootsie (the boot I’m forced to wear for 6-8 weeks) to document traveling adventures. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason…so there better be a damn good reason for this. That’s all I’m saying.
The first leg of the trip was flying out to San Diego. This gave us pretty much a full day to adjust to a bit of the time change (West Coast = 3 hours behind EST; Hawaii = 6 hours behind EST) and break up what was already a long ass flight to the islands. We’d depart San Diego before it was bright and early to get to Kauai by mid-morning. It was a plan. The ankle just meant we had to depart from the hotel sooner because I wasn’t moving anywhere very fast. So…my traveling companions, Cathy & Jenn, were both very helpful and very, very patient with me. And, I didn’t complain much. I mean, complaining won’t change the situation. I just apologized…a lot…for being slow.
The first order of business after getting to San Diego and checking into the hotel to drop off luggage was…lunch. Not having prepared for lunch, I ate a protein bar, while my fellow travelers ate tacos from a local taco stand. SO cool. But after that, I required my morning cup of coffee…so we sought out and found a great local establishment called…
Lestat’s Coffee House, San Diego, California
Lestat’s is one of those places that is open 24/7, 365 days of the year. YES…it is always open! Holiday? No worries…they’re open! Lestat’s Coffee House has a few signature drinks on their menu…and as it was pretty toasty in San Diego, I wasn’t feeling the hot coffee that day. Neither were my traveling friends. So, they each got coffee freezes (think blended drinks!) while I opted for one of Lestat’s Signature Drinks done up all refreshing and cold. Jenn got the Winter Raspberry Freeze ($5.25), which is a ice blended raspberry mocha. I took one little sip. WINNING! Cathy had me pick for her, and I choose the Arctic Squirrel Freeze ($5.25) for her, which is an ice blended hazelnut mocha (similar to the Hazelnut Turtle drink she loves at our local cafe…just…blended and cold). As for me…I went with the Iced Arctic Joey ($4.55)…which is coconut, almond and chocolate. I had mine made with coconut milk as well (+$1.00). In essence, it was a liquid almond joy. And it was delicious. There were bits of coconut floating in it. I think I was just starting to get in the Aloha spirit by getting something with coconut. Needless to say…smooth, creamy, delicious. Nothing overwhelmed the drink, and it wasn’t heavy. It was pure liquid gold. And refreshing. And tasty. And in the end, coffee should always be tasty. I was beyond happy with this decision.
Lestat’s Coffee House Iced Almond Joey with Coconut Milk
Upon arriving in Hawaii…after the rental car debacle…wherein we learned…convertible is fun…but not when you have a fractured ankle. We got it sorted…and switched out the fun and stylish convertible for…a Ford Fusion. Yeah…definitely not the way we had envisioned traveling, but it gave us more leg room and some more storage space for our big-ass luggage. LOL! After checking into Pono Kai Resort in Kauai…coffee was needed.
It’s always coffee with me. LOL!
So, we scoped out and fell in love with a local café called Ha Coffee Bar. And we went back every day we were on the island of Kauai…save for Sunday, because they are closed.
Ha Coffee Bar, Lihue, Hawaii
It was love at first “Aloha” when it came to Ha Coffee Bar. I have nothing but warm fuzzies when I think back to every stop at Ha Coffee Bar, each morning, first thing, while on Kauai. It was a bit of a drive from the resort, but always worth it. I tried three different things on the three days we were there that they were open. And, not once, was I ever disappointed in my choice. Ha Coffee Bar is a café that is built to resemble an old-school bar. No joke. Their iced drinks are even mixed in martini shakers. LOVE. This set-up allows them to showcase and sell products and items, such as pour-overs, that might not typically be served at a café. Ha Coffee Bar primarily serves espresso coffee, cold brewed coffee, pour-over and French press coffee. The variety in the types of coffee they serve allows for different origins and price points, which also helps minimize waste as they don’t have coffee sitting and going stale…high quality coffee and flexibility that allows customers to explore different blends, flavor profiles and methods of making coffee. Coffee love. And boy…did I LOVE this. On the first day there, I stayed pretty basic. I got a Salted Caramel French Pressed Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk. I loved that they added the flavor to the steamed milk itself, and then gave me the pitcher of leftover almond milk in case I needed more of it in the drink. But it was perfect the way they gave it to me. And the French pressed coffee…OMG…so good. Jenn got a simple Iced Hazelnut Latte and Cathy got an Iced Peppermint Mocha. So, on the next morning, I noticed they had signature drinks hanging up near the register…so I decided to give one of those a try. I had it narrowed down to two…but opted for their drink the Bee Sting. The Bee Sting is simply Espresso, Coconut Milk, Honey and Cinnamon. I got it iced…as the humidity was killer that morning. Cathy got their take on an Iced Black & White Mocha (Zebra). And it was, absolutely, hands down, my favorite coffee drink of the trip. I wish I could have had it again. I would have gotten it again. The coconut milk gave it this rich flavor, the honey sweetened it, the cinnamon lent a hint of spice…and espresso…got me moving for sure. Simple…yet SO good. SO very good. In fact, on our last day there, this is the drink that Jenn opted to get after trying mine. With Ha closed on Sunday, we had to go elsewhere, but on our last day on Kauai…we were there in the morning and I was getting another signature drink…Liquid Sunshine, which was cold brew coffee, coconut syrup, and coconut milk. DELICIOUS!! Not Bee Sting delicious…but delicious. I was quite happy with it. Not something I can get here…anywhere…so that was most of the draw for this drink in particular. The last morning there, Cathy got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha and a Pineapple Cream Cheese Scone to enjoy for breakfast. I still say it today…back in Louisville, Kentucky…that I miss Ha Coffee Bar. It made that much of an impression.
Ha Coffee’s Salted Caramel Cafe Au Lait with Almond Milk, Iced Bee Sting, and Iced Liquid Sunshine
Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream, Lihue, Hawaii
I have KONG Radio to thank for the discovery of Skinny Mike’s. As we were driving the island of Kauai on Saturday, just enjoying beaches and the like…an advertisement for Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream came on. And it advertised ice cream, sorbets, and vegan ice cream. They had my attention, and the attention of both Jenn and Cathy too. I looked them up…and took note of where it was located. And we vowed to go there and check them out. At least once, yes?
And so, Saturday evening, after splitting a gluten-free pizza at a local chain…we headed over to Harbor Mall, where Skinny Mike’s is located. We parked and marched up the stairs to the little shop. Online I had taken a peak at the flavors, and sort of had my heart set on the Pineapple Cream. However…they didn’t have that flavor. So…I was left to look over the offered flavors while Jenn & Cathy made their choices. We each got regular scoops ($3.49) of our flavor choices. Cathy went with the Mint Chocolate Chip as it is one of her favorites…anywhere. Jenn won with their signature flavor…a local classic…Macadamia Nut. Hers was so good, we went back the last night there and each got a scoop of the Macademia Nut. That’s how good that was. For my first trip there, without the Pineapple flavor being available…I went with the suggestion of Coconut Cream. The Coconut Cream ice cream was the perfect level of coconut flavor. No bits of raw coconut…just the flavor infused in a creamy scoop of ice cream goodness. It was delicious. Smooth. And melted fast. Ah…coconut based things…I didn’t mind though. Not one bit. I eat frozen desserts rather quickly regardless. LOL! We were so impressed with the ice cream there that, as I said, we all went back to get the signature Macadamia Nut flavor on our last night on Kauai. Worth it. That was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Just…delicious. I miss it. I want some more of the Macadamia Nut flavor…it’s a craving that hits now. Now that I know it exists…but can’t get it anywhere else…but there.
What happens when your favorite Hawaiian coffee stop on Kauai is closed on Sunday? You have to find a new place to get that caffeine hit. And this was what we were left to do on Sunday morning. Sunday. When I should have been running a marathon. When, instead, I was hobbling around Kapaa in search of coffee. The stop at the little food truck-like coffee place was…not going to work for everyone. No one was really happy with the menu options…so…we backtracked to a spot that Jenn spotted and had looked up online. It wasn’t far from the resort. It was a worthwhile stop in the end. And, in the end, we all ended up with a bit of breakfast with our coffee as well. How? Because this place had some gluten-free options on the menu and in the bakery case. SCORE! This meant we could have something a little more substantial at the start of the day, instead of the meager protein bars or yogurts back at the resort. It would mean eating better now and not making poor choices later. And so…Jenn got one of the bars from the bakery case…the Aloha Bar ($3.75), I think. For her caffeinated goodness that morning, she got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50). Cathy went for the Breakfast Burrito ($10.50), which includes eggs, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese, which she got with the mango-chipotle salsa. For her drink, she got the Iced Hazelnut Mocha ($4.70). She at hers there at the café as she was the driver. As for me…they had gluten-free English muffins. HELLO! So I ended up getting the Gluten Free English Muffin with Cream Cheese ($3.95), which they kindly toasted for me…looks like in a pan…no cross-contamination. And for the drink, I got the Iced Macanut Latte ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). Jenn and I had ours to go and I happily noshed away on a Glutino English Muffin with a light spread of cream cheese. The Macanut Latte…macadamia nut flavor…espresso…nutty goodness. And it was just the perfect drink that morning. It was supposed to be marathon morning…and I needed a distraction. This food, while simple and basic…was just what I needed. The drive along the coast helped too!
Java Kai’s Gluten Free English Muffin (with Cream Cheese) and Macanut Latte with Almond Milk
Hanalei Bay, Hanalei, Hawaii
We visited a lot of beaches while visiting Hawaii. I mean, that’s part of the point when you visit an island, right? But, I think, above all others, my favorite one we stopped at, and spent the most time at, was Hanalei Bay. This beach is stunning. A beautiful 2-mile long crescent of white sand, nestled beneath a breathtaking range of mountains. The water was relatively calm that day, with some small waves crashing against the shore. Despite my new friend…Bootsie…being on, we were determined to get away and enjoy the day. Anything to keep my mind off the fact that I should have been running. Hanalei Bay is a great beach for walking and body surfing. Calm waves, lifeguards, and a great coast line. I managed a few solo ventures along the waterline of the beach, just needing to at least move a little…minus the boot. I took it off for beach time. Strange tan lines were not on the agenda. I was very careful of where I stepped and the movement of the sand…and would pause if a wave came up and rolled over my legs…because that undertow could be a bit strong and throw me off balance. It was here that I realized my surf lessons the following day were not going to happen, as much as I wanted to give it a try. It was just not going to be physically possible for me to get up on a surf board. I was brokenhearted over this…but shrugged it off as no big deal. These were the cards I was dealt. Suck it up, cupcake…you’re in Hawaii!
Me and Bootsie at Hanalei Bay
After some walking and some laying on the beach…we got dressed and headed off for the next venture. Which tunred out to be a good thing. Heavy rains started soon after we had changed…and soon, Jenn and I realized just how sunburned we had gotten. I don’t think Jenn slapped on any sunscreen. I had…but the burn was in those places where clothes met skin or that strings were located. I was trying to avoid strange tan lines…and yet…that is what I ended up with in the end.
That being said…for a moment, I forgot about the ankle…and the boot…and I just enjoyed the perfect afternoon at the perfect beach.
JoJo’s Shave Ice, Hanalei, Hawaii
I have my good friend Harry Cooke to thank for the journey, while in Hanalei, to JoJo’s Shave Ice. He had mentioned it to me in a message on Facebook…and we were right there!! And with the rain pouring down now, it gave us a good excuse to not sit in a car and try to avoid the flooding roads. It gave us some time to hope the rain would pass and we could do more exploring. The rain didn’t pass. It was with us the rest of the time on the North Shore. However, after a bit of a short (hobbling, for me) spring from the rental car to the little storefront that the Hanalei JoJo’s Shave Ice operates out of…we knew we were in for a treat. The original JoJo’s began in Waimea in 1992, the same year that Hurricane Iniki landed on Kauai. That store is stil there today and still has the original JoJo’s sign. The goal of JoJo’s…to offer the ultimate in Shave Ice on Kauai…which is a true Hawaiian treat. When they expanded into Hanalei, they took the JoJo’s traditions and secret recipes along…and introduced the smaller “junior size,” which closely matches the normal serving size of other shave ice venues throughout Hawaii. JoJo’s doesn’t use commercially made syrups. They, instead, carefully make up their own syrups, with a lot less sugar and more flavor than the commercially used ones by other shave ice businesses. And…no corn syrups either. They also have upgraded all their locations with the best ice machines on Kauai, making for an unmatched, fluffy shave. LOVE. The three of us each got the Junior Sizes ($4.50). And they let you choose up to 4-5 flavors. I don’t remember what Jenn got…but it had cherry…and perhaps lime? I can’t recall. Cathy got Root Beer, Lemon and Grape Shave Ice. And I opted for two of my favorite flavors…Watermelon and Strawberry Shave Ice. Of course, now looking back, I wish I opted for something more…local…like mango or something. Next time. But the shave ice at JoJo’s was huge…filling…and amazingly packed with flavor. I can see why it’s been open for 23 years.
30 ounces of Watermelon and Strawberry flavored goodness from JoJo’s Shave Ice
Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café, Kalaheo, Hawaii
I know that technically Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café should have gotten a full review, as it was our place to catch a bite for lunch…on Monday afternoon. However, it was a hot day…and the humidity was really doing a number on me. And while there were a few options for a gluten-free vegetarian on the menu, what sounded really, really good was the Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad ($10.95). And the reason that this didn’t warrant a Restaurant Review post was…it was a salad I could have made at home. Honestly. But this was what I wanted. The Spinach and Kauai Greens Salad is a blend of fresh grown Kailani Farm greens, served with crisp spinach and topped off with strawberries and candied pecans. I kept the feta cheese and held the side of warm flat bread for obvious reasons. It came with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. And it was delicious. Light, but filling. And cooling. And just flat-out what I was really wanting that miserably humid day. But…it was a salad I could make…and therefore…it garners a mention here…but the restaurant itself is cozy and has a lot of great, fresh-made, delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, etc, to choose from. And I loved sitting in there, listening to runners who had run the day before discuss the marathon and half marathon…looking at the different food items coming out of the kitchen to each table. Beautiful setting, beautiful food…and tasty too. For the record, Cathy got the Hot Pastrami Sandwich, which contained grilled onions, mushrooms, and melted Swiss cheese on toasted bread. She got it with the much raved about Garlic Cilantro Fries…which after seeing her and Jenn devour…made me really wish I could have had those. Not safe though…not for me. Darn it.
Kalaheo Coffee Company & Café’s Spinach & Kauai Greens Salad
USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii
This was one ONE place that I had to visit while in Hawaii, and the main and primary reason we even island hopped over to O’ahu instead of just hanging tight on the beautiful island of Kauai. Honolulu is definitely a hopping city and much more urban…think LA and NYC. But this…this stop was…important. To all three of us. The USS Arizona Memorial is the number one visitor destination in Hawaii, drawing millions of people from all over the world to see where World War II began for the United States on December 7, 1941. Visitors are free to explore the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center, which was recently expanded from the original 3 acres to 17 acres, and is now operated by the National Park Service. Admission and parking is free to all visitors. Over 2000 tickets are given out free per day on a first come, first serve basis. We had to check our bags before entering the historic site, so Jenn and I did that while Cathy went to get the tickets she reserved online for us. We were set for the final shuttle out, at 2:45 pm. It was the hottest day in Honolulu…and with all the metal and concrete, we were literally melting out in the sun while walking around the ground. We ducked into the museum, but it was even hotter in there. Bottles of water were purchased and Cathy and I downed ours before we were put on an earlier shuttle, the 2:30 pm, to head out to the memorial. A US Navy boat taxied us out to the USS Arizona Memorial, which is built over the remains of the sunken battleship, the final resting place of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. The memorial itself was relatively quiet upon disembarking and walking over to it. You can still see the oil leaking out of the actual ship that is buried beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor. It is moving and touching. And the memorial is beautiful and humbling. And I am so glad that we went.
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Dole Plantation, Wahiawa, Hawaii
Two words…
DOLE WHIP.
DOLE FREAKIN’ WHIP!! That was the primary reason to venture out to the Dole Plantation in Wahaiwa. It was a bit of a journey…a long drive, but well worth it. The Dole Plantation originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, before opening up to the public as “Hawaii’s ‘Pineapple Experience'” in 1989. Another one of O’ahu’s most popular visitor attractions, the Dole Plantation provides activities for the entire family, including the Pineapple Express ($8.25/adult), the Plantation Garden Tour ($5.00/adult), and the Pineapple Garden Maze ($6.00/adult). None of which we did…due to the cost that was associated with each one and the warm, humid weather that made us want to stick to the air conditioning. What we did do, however, was shop at the HUGE gift shop, which carries a wide variety of Dole Plantation Gifts, local favorites, foods, and refreshments…including DOLE WHIP!! You can even purchase a fresh pineapple to take home. I wish I had. The pineapple in Hawaii is freakin’ incredible. I did some shopping, buying a few minor things like Dole Pineapple hard candy and a magnet. Easy to transport and all. And then, we went over to The Plantation Grille to purchase a bowl each of the world famous Dole Whip ($5.25). It was a large serving, which I loved, and devoured enthusiastically. Better than Disney, which is one of the few places Dole Whip is available. This was…amazing and I wish I had gone back for seconds. Dole Whip, by the way, is vegan and gluten free. LOVE!! It’s just pure frozen treat love.
Dole Whip from The Dole Plantation’s Plantation Grille
Panalu’u Beach Park and the Random Pineapple Roadside Stand, Hauula, Hawaii
Welcome to two of the most random stops we made on our trek around the North Shore of O’ahu. Panalu’u Beach Park is located on O’ahu’s windward coast and has this strip of narrow, sandy beach. The nearshore ocean bottom is shallow and has a reef, so swimming conditions here are poor. This was a clam day at this particular beach when we pulled over to check it out. Cathy went wading…and the water looked so refreshing (another humid and hot day!), that I took off Bootsie and kicked off my flip-flop to go wading in the surf myself. My friend Jenn snapped my favorite picture of me on this entire trip here…with the gorgeous blue water and the white sand on the beach. As I said on my Instagram…”Make only memories…Leave only footprints…Kill only time…”
Me on Punalu’u Beach Park (THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!)
From there, we went hunting for a shrimp place, Romey’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp, that the lady at Enterprise told Cathy about after we first arrived in Honolulu, when she mentioned we would be heading up to the North Shore. Along the way, I had been hunting for mangos and we found a stand that advertised them. We pulled into this dodgy little roadside stand, only to learn that they were out of mangos. The weather had ended the season early. I was bummed. BUT…we did purchase a fresh pineapple there, so we purchased one for $5.00, and watched as this little old lady had it peeled and sliced in less that 2 minutes…bagged…and ready for us to take away. We wasted no time, after climbing into the car, trying it out. So fresh…so juicy…so amazing. Hands down, the best pineapple I have eaten in my life. Anywhere. And I’ve had a lot of pineapple. We did find Romy’s…and Jenn and Cathy split a plate of the Garlic and Butter Shrimp. They ate that and I ate a good 2/3 (if not more) of the pineapple. They helped a little after they were done with their fresh seafood.
Best. Pineapple. Purchase. EVER!
BEST PINEAPPLE EVER from a random roadside stand along the North Shore of O’ahu! They peeled and chopped it right there!
Chief’s Luau, Waimanalo, Hawaii
Okay, again, this would generally get a blog of its own, despite not being a restaurant. I couldn’t go to Hawaii and not do a luau, even if it is one that is so tourist-y…it’s funny. We chose Chief’s Luau ($82.00+) due to the fact that it is the best ranked luau on O’auh AND that it had an allergen menu on their Web site. And, yeah, it’s tourist-y, but I actually had a lot of fun at the luau. I finally got a lei (made of shells as we had the cheapest package), had my picture taken with Chief…learned how to hula dance, watched Cathy throw a spear (rather poorly), watched Cathy make a coconut leaf headband (which she left behind), listened to great music, enjoyed the history of the dances that are native to Hawaii…and just…kicked back, laughed, and enjoyed my final night in Hawaii…with a Mai Tai and everything. Aside from the free drink…the luau package also included dinner…and as a gluten-free vegetarian, this left only a few things for me to pick from. Cathy was there for the meat…the pork…cooked in the ground with banana leaves…but for someone like me…I got the food that was catered in. And that’s fine…but because it was catered, I didn’t review it. I was left with the Seasonal Fruit Salad (more pineapple!), the Poi (GROSS…it looked like Barney’s (the purple dinosaur) snot…kind of gelatinous and goopy and YUCK. I didn’t want to try it, but peer pressure had me at least take a taste. NEVER AGAIN!), the Steamed White Rice and (my personal favorite) the Sweet Potatoes. My first plate of food was not really full, and as this was all you can eat, I ventured back for more of the DELICIOUS sweet potatoes and the fruit. Because…fruit and sweet potatoes are actually two of my favorite foods in life. For real. The Mai Tai’s were delicious…and I had a great time at the luau. If you are in O’ahu and want to go to a luau…go to Chief’s. They are #1 for a reason!
Seasonal Fruit Salad, Poi (GROSS!), White Steamed Rice, and Sweet Potatoes – my gluten free and vegetarian dinner at Chief’s Luau
Barista, Portland, Oregon
The flight we took back to the mainland went through Portland, where we disembarked and stayed an entire day, so we could explore. Cathy and Jenn had Voodoo Doughnuts for breakfast. We hit up the food pods for lunch, we did a gastropub for dinner. But after the stop for doughnuts, it was vital that we got caffeine. And I chose Barista, out of all the different coffee shops in Portland. I chose wisely…of this I am certain. Being a former barista, myself, I not only liked the name, I liked everything I read about them. Barista was established by coffee legend, Billy Wilson, who now has four (4) Barista cafés open in the Portland area. Let me tell you, this cofee delivers!! Barista is one of the first multi-roaster shops in the Portland area, showcasing Heart, Coava, and another roaster on bar for espresso or drip. Barista is known for serving exceptional coffees from the world’s finest roasters, prepared by the most skilled baristas in the Portland area. No joke. Jenn skipped out on this amazing experience, but both Cathy and I partook of the opportunity to try the coffee at the Downtown Barista location. Cathy ordered the Semi-Sweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50). I went for the Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha ($4.50) with Almond Milk (+$0.75). It was delicious. Strong…but smooth. There was this perfect balance of chocolate and espresso that just…melted together. The milk softened up the bite of the espresso itself, cutting through the dark chocolate. OH MY GOD…one of the best coffees I have ever had. If you are in Portland and love coffee…you are missing out if you don’t swing by one of the Barista locations. For real. I loved every sip. Even better…finally a coffeeshop that gives me an 8 ounce cup of coffee for a small!! THANK YOU!
Barista’s Bittersweet Valrohna Mocha with Almond Milk
And that was it. It was Portland to Vegas to Louisville from there. And my 10 day vacation came to an end. Back in Louisville, it’s hard for me to ignore Bootsie. It’s a depressing reminder of everything I’ve had to cancel for the upcoming weeks leading into November. I tried not to fuss much over it on the trip. And, I ate whatever I wanted…whenever I wanted…as long as it fit into my dietary restrictions. And despite limited mobility and really lack of much movement at all…while continuing to stuff my face with local eats…I lost 3 pounds. I’ve put it back on since coming home though…so no worries. LOL!
It was a beautiful trip to paradise…and I’m already dreaming about my return. Next time…to actually run the Kauai Marathon!!
There are few things in life as perfect as a bagel, right? All my New Yorkers, let me hear those cheers of agreement. They are crispy, and soft and chewy and…just amazing little morsels of bready goodness that actually due fill you up and keep that motor running all the way through lunch time. Bagels and I have been BFFs for years.
Well, we were breakfast besties until I was diagnosed with Celiac. Then the bagel and I had to break up. Yep…because I just couldn’t find a decent one out on the market. Which…sucks. Yep. Sucks. The closest I came to bagel perfection was Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels (now available in a variety of flavors) and also Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels (Plain & Everything), which were just released this past year. They weren’t perfect…but they were the best out there. Most of the other ones I tried were wrong in texture, taste, or everything. Katz Gluten Free offered some good ones…but again…not anything like the bagels I grew up consuming.
And then, one day, that all changed…
I had just posted on Twitter about trying the new Canyon Bakehouse bagels, when I was tweeted at by the PR person at this random gluten free bagel company, called Sweet Note Bakery. I was, naturally, intrigued. So…I did find myself scoping out their Web site and seeing all the amazing bagel flavors they have to offer. Their bagels not only looked amazing, but sounded amazing too. To top things off and really sweeten the deal for this former New Yorker and bagel-enthusiast, they were New York style! And yes…New York does have a style for bagels. Smaller and more dense. For such a big and bustling city, you wouldn’t think small and dense would sum up the bagel style. But it does…beautifully.
So, Sweet Note Bagels started in 2012, when founder and president, Michelle MacDonald, stepped up to a challenge. She had been baking ever since she was a child and was very passionate about it. When her grandfather and sister were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she took the first steps on her entrepreneurial journey. Her family really missed a good New York Style bagel. (Hey…I can’t blame them…I know this feeling all too well). So with a lot of experimentation and trial and error, MacDonald perfected the recipe, getting huge approval from her family (also bagel lovers). Gluten-free bagels that taste good?! It was a reality. Sweet Note Bakery’s vision is to make gluten-free options more readily accessible. Those of us who live with Celiac understand how isolating this disease can be, when you can’t have a meal while out with friends and family, be it at a restaurant or a ballpark, or wherever your adventures take you. MacDonald wanted to change that…one gluten-free bagel at a time.
And, as you know, I have already sung the praises of the Plain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, Chocolate Swirl and Poppy. Which means…Sesame was the last holdout. I’d been meaning to place an order with Sweet Note Bakery…but life’s been a bit hectic as of late. It kept slipping my mind, although in the mornings I’d be all “I wish I had bagels.” So, one would think I would take drastic action. But, alas…craziness.
But then I finally made the trip up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my friend Jenn for a weekend. And, one of my favorite stops to make (and one reason I travel with a cooler) is at The Raisin Rack. It’s a great natural food store with a gluten-free section that blows my mind. And, as I was meandering down the aisle…what should I see in the freezer…but Sweet Note Bagels – Poppy and Sesame variety. The two that I hadn’t tried yet. It was an omen. It was a sign. Yes…both flavors were in my basket, in my shopping bag, in my cooler, and then in my freezer.
With Poppy long gone, and a hectic and even more stressful week this week than originally planned…the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels made their debut in my kitchen (and my belly) yesterday and were polished off today. Let me tell you…these were completely worth the wait. I pulled the sleeve of Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels out of the freezer yesterday morning, just as I was about to make them. Why? Because the bagel goddesses in charge of the Sweet Note Bagel Empire instruct per the packaging that you should not let these bagels thaw to room temperature…and instead, microwave them to perfect softness for about 60 seconds. Allow to cool (or don’t) and slice in half. Toast these bagel halves to perfection, either in a toaster, or, if you’re like me and don’t own a toaster, in the oven at 350°F for about…15-20 minutes. What emerges is sheer toasty bagel perfection, all golden brown and ready for their liberal schmear of the vegan cream cheese that is in my fridge. Time to dig in.
I love anything with sesame seeds on it, honestly, and these get a nice toasting, making the flavor really…pop. I was hooked at first bite, for real!! The Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are what sesame bagels are meant to be like. Perfectly coated, because bagel perfection is what Sweet Note Bakery is all about. They hit up the top with a nice layer…and speckle that bottom. No plain bottoms here. No way! Every bite gives you that sesame flavor that you love. The bagel itself…a nice crisp on the outside with that soft, chewy center. It’s amazing what a good bagel can do to start your day off right. And the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagel is not just a good way to start your day off on a sweet note (heh…see what I did there?), it’s a great way! This bagel is everything you love about that sesame flavor, without having to go to your favorite Asian bistro at 5 am. They aren’t open. But your freezer is open 24/7…365 days a year. So stock happy bagels in your happy freezer…whichever flavor makes you happiest. But trust me, a good sesame bagel…no…a great sesame bagel like the one from Sweet Note…is a happy place and a happy food. Even better, the inner bread, that soft, chewy part, is perfect. No holes or airpockets, like those you can find in the gluten-free bagels in the supermarket. You know what I’m talking about…so you don’t have that “I paid for holey products!” moment and feel like you wasted your money and you’re not getting your fill. Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are, like all their bagels…love in a bag. Every flavor has now been consumed with eager anticipation and foodie amazement…and everyone has left me satisfied. Bagel perfection…in a gluten-free, New York-style way. It doesn’t get any better than this!
So…let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels are made with LOVE (and you can tell!), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, sesame seeds, and salt. These bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan and gluten-free…yes, please. I also love that their ingredient list is all real food. No weird chemicals and preservatives. Just real…tasty…perfect ingredients.
And now…here is where we discuss the nutrition facts of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels. A serving size is 1 bagel (128 grams), and there are 4 bagels in a sleeve. This one bagel will dish up 310 calories, 5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Seriously…this is a great choice for breakfast as it does keep you energized and full throughout the entire morning. So much love. Oh yes…a sesame coated love-fest for sure.
And guess what? This is not where my Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagel journey comes to and end. Nope. For one thing…I intend to always have some of these delights in my freezer. I’d be missing out on life if I didn’t. BUT…more importantly…it is September and that means they have just released their limited time fall flavor…PUMPKIN SPICE!
And you know me…I love PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! As my birthday is in 19 days…I think I’m going to have to celebrate by ordering some of their Pumpkin Spice bagels. I mean, I’ve earned it, right?
If you are a bagel aficionado like me…and if you have to eat gluten free (or not…because you really won’t care. These are awesome and my gluten-loving roomie LOVES these!), hurry over to their Web site and place an order. OR…check your local natural food stores, as they might carry them. Me…I still have to do the online order…but they ship fast and get here in amazing condition. I am so glad that they pinged my tweet about my blog or I’d never know the goodness of a perfect gluten-free bagel.
Sweet Note…I am definitely a #CrazyBageler!! Proud flag waver and supporter of your crazy-good, crazy-tasty, crazy-flavorful, crazy-that-they-are-gluten-free New York Style Bagels!! Love is all I have, which works…because love is what you give us! Thank you!
Sweet Note Gluten Free Sesame Bagels topped with a schmear of vegan cream cheese
They’re back!! Not just bagels my friend. And not just those crazy poppy seeds that get everywhere, screw up drug tests (or so I’ve heard), and make everything taste amazing. Nope. I’m talking Sweet Note Bagels! If you missed out on my initial fawning over this brand of gluten-free bagel…then you’ve missed out. So it up and pay attention! And if you remember it all too well, welcome back…because they hit another one out of the endzone…or something!
You see, a long time ago in a Twitter-verse far, far away, I posted a blog regarding the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels that I had actually found in my area. Much praise and accolades were given. And then…a highly efficient PR person for another gluten-free bagel company replied to my tweet and told me that if I enjoyed Canyon Bakehouse…then I would love what they were serving up.
I was skeptical, naturally…but found myself clicking on the link to go to their Web site. And lo and behold…a virtual gluten-free bagel bakery awaited my every bagel desire. Well…maybe not every desire…but they had quite the variety. And what was even more important, especially to this former New Yorker and bagel-enthusiast, they were New York style! And yes…New York does have a style for bagels. Smaller and more dense. For such a big and bustling city, you wouldn’t think small and dense would sup up the bagel style. But it does…beautifully.
So, Sweet Note Bagels started in 2012, when founder and president, Michelle MacDonald, stepped up to a challenge. She had been baking ever since she was a child and was very passionate about it. When her grandfather and sister were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she took the first steps on her entrepreneurial journey. Her family really missed a good New York Style bagel. (Hey…I can’t blame them…I know this feeling all too well). So with a lot of experimentation and trial and error, MacDonald perfected the recipe, getting huge approval from her family (also bagel lovers). Gluten-free bagels that taste good?! It was a reality. Sweet Note Bakery’s vision is to make gluten-free options more readily accessible. Those of us who live with Celiac understand how isolating this disease can be, when you can’t have a meal while out with friends and family, be it at a restaurant or a ballpark, or wherever your adventures take you. MacDonald wanted to change that…one gluten-free bagel at a time.
And, as you know, I have already sung the praises of the Plain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, and Chocolate Swirl. Which means…Poppy and Sesame are all that remains. I’d been meaning to place an order with Sweet Note Bakery…but life’s been a bit hectic as of late. It kept slipping my mind, although in the mornings I’d be all “I wish I had bagels.” So, one would think I would take drastic action. But, alas…craziness.
But then I finally made the trip up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my friend Jenn for a weekend. And, one of my favorite stops to make (and one reason I travel with a cooler) is at The Raisin Rack. It’s a great natural food store with a gluten-free section that blows my mind. And, as I was meandering down the aisle…what should I see in the freezer…but Sweet Note Bagels – Poppy and Sesame variety. The two that I hadn’t tried yet. It was an omen. It was a sign. Yes…both flavors were in my basket, in my shopping bag, in my cooler, and then in my freezer.
And last Monday, I busted out the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels for breakfast. Per the instructions on the packaging, do not thaw these bagels on the counter. Just don’t. Obey the bagel goddesses who are in charge of these fantastic bagel-y treats. They say nuke each one for 60 seconds, until they are soft. Allow to cool slightly (or don’t)…and then slice in half. Toast…in a toaster or, if you’re like me and don’t own a toaster, in the oven at 350°F for about…10 minutes. This gave me time to toss them in the oven and then toss myself into the shower (Hey, Monday morning is spin class…and I had an office I didn’t want to offend with my workout funk!)…and upon my return, I pulled them out of the oven. And they were perfect. I mean…golden brown perfect. Each half got a liberal schmear of the vegan cream cheese that is in my fridge and then my roommate and I dug into the Poppy variety.
DUDE! YUM! The packaging says…“For flavor that POPS…” like Poppy Seeds…get it? HAHA! Well, the fact of the matter is, those little black seeds really are a powerhouse for flavor. And what’s more is that Sweet Note Bakery knows how to properly coat a bagel, prep a bagel, and put out a good quality bagel. Sure, some seeds fleck off, but that’s what happens. That’s life. You simply wet a fingertip and pluck them up, or turn your cream cheese side down and dab at them. It’s all good. The bagel itself…a nice crisp on the outside with that soft, chewy center. It’s amazing what a good bagel can do to start your day off right. And the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel is not a good bagel…it’s a damn good bagel. It’s a happy bagel. A poppin’ fresh bagel. It’s an everything is going to be okay bagel. The poppy seeds bring this nutty flavor and aroma to the toasted bagel. The bread itself is perfection…no airpockets of “WTF WHERE IS MY PRODUCT?” that can happen with gluten-free bread products. It’s…love in a bag. Every flavor I’ve tried has been outstanding. And this one just got added to the list.
So…let’s talk about what goes into the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made from LOVE (Yes, that is on the ingredient list), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, poppy seeds, and salt. These bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan and gluten-free…yes, please. More of these! Like for life. Just keep them coming!
Now, let’s look at the nutritional information. A serving size is one (1) of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels. This bagel will provide you with 310 calories, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 520 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Yes…these bagels are filling, and that’s what I love about them. With other gluten-free bagels on the market, I am full for an hour, then hungry again, despite being twice as big. Most others on the markets are made with fillers rather than real ingredeints, and that’ makes a difference by leaps and bounds.
Love. Love is their main ingredient. And love is what I give back. Sweet Note Bagels is doing the gluten-free community a lot of justice by putting out quality, delicious, amazing bagels. If these were served to anyone, no one would be able to tell that they are gluten-free. That is how outstanding these bagels are. With this package polished off, all that remains is the Sesame…before I need to restock. Maybe the Pumpkin Spice will be back by then…
Stay tuned!
Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel topped off with a schmear of vegan cream cheese
Bless you GeeFree. Bless you for bringing these into the gluten-free world. Thank you for putting these out on the market. Why? Because I’ve looked at the very complicated and confusing instructions on how to make gluten-free puff pastry at home and it was not something I thought I was capable of producing. Not well. Not at all. And I love to bake and cook. So…THANK YOU!!
It was at Expo West in 2014 that the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets were introduced. I saw the pictures on the various Twitter feeds and Instagrams that I follow of people who were fortunate enough to attend. And I was excited. SO excited. And then…let down at the fact that I have never…ever…seen this brand carried anywhere in my area. I looked though. And it took a trip to Columbus, Ohio…and the natural food store Raisin Rack, before I found these…three weekends ago. Believe it or not…it took over a year. I bet you’re wondering if the wait was worth it.
GeeFree Gluten Free began when Susan Hougui, a veteran of the food industry for over a decade, was visiting with friends while traveling overseas. The family needed to avoid gluten and Susan was served the most delicious puff pastries. Intrigued, as she had never seen anything like it, she tried them and found them to be crispy, yet tender, treats. Excited with this discovery, she called her friend and master baker, Steve Leyva, to help her recreate and perfect the treats that Hougui had been served…and that she knew would be a sensational hit. The first three products to be released in the savory line from GeeFree were Spanakopita, Franks in Blankets, and Chicken Pot Pie. And now…PUFF PASTRY!!
Puff Pastry…for sweet or savory. For desserts or dinner. PUFF PASTRY!! GLUTEN FREE PUFF PASTRY!!
Thank you…GeeFree Gluten Free. Thank you!
So…since I now had the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets in my clutches…and my freezer…I knew immediately the first thing I wanted to make with them. Way back…back before I went gluten-free, I made these amazing Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts, with the aid of a recipe from The Barefoot Contessa, and fell in love with them. This was just before I had to go gluten-free…and so…when it happened, this new favorite recipe was now forever gone. I attempted it a couple of years ago, in 2013, with the Pillsbury Gluten Free Pie & Pastry Dough. It wasn’t the same at all. So…when a recipe that actually calls for puff pastry now can have real (gluten-free) puff pastry, I, naturally, have to make it. So I did.
GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheet
I put the pastry sheets into the fridge the night before I was going to make this dish, allowing them to thaw from frozen. When I got home from work, I began to work on caramelizing onions for the recipe, slicing tomatoes, giving my homegrown basil a julienne, and then went to snag the pastry sheets from my fridge to prep them. My counter top got a liberal sprinkling of gluten-free flour, as did my rolling pin, and I rolled out the sheet to be thinner before cutting 6 inch circles from it. I used a paring knife to score a ¼-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Then, the center circle was scored with the tines of a fork and given a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, not leaving the border of that second circle. The caramelized onions were placed on top, along with crumbled goat cheese, a slice of tomato, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. I sliced shards of Parmesan to put over the top and went to bake these tarts, praying that this all worked out just as I remembered.
The bad…the puff pastry didn’t puff up around the edge that was not scored. So, if you are looking for that flaky, layered, soft crust that puff pastry produces when it puffs in the oven…this didn’t happen. The puff pastry remained completely flat…like a pizza crust.
The good…it tasted phenomenal. And even though I baked it at a higher temperature (per the recipe I was using, as opposed to the box directions), it didn’t burn (like the Pillsbury pastry dough did), and it did have that light texture you expect from a puff pastry…just without the lift. And that’s fine. It got to this gorgeous golden color. And it worked as a great base for the tart I was making. So, it wasn’t like the one I used to be able to eat…it sure tasted like it. Looks aren’t everything. And this didn’t look bad, it just didn’t get puffy. The flavor, buttery, crispy, soft, amazing…yeah…it was worth the wait for over a year to actually try this stuff. And I think next time I’m going to try it in one of their suggestions online…like a fruit tart…or a vegan version of a pot pie. Hmmm…that might be what I do actually. YUM!!
Let’s discuss what goes into the making of the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets. These pastry sheets are made from potato starch, butter (sweet cream, natural flavorings), water, canola oil, eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, flaxseed meal, whey protein concentrate, inulin (chickory root), guar gum, baking soda, citric acid, and annatto.
Each package contains two 9×7 frozen puff pastry sheets. This box is meant to serve 6 people. A serving size is 1.5 ounces of a pastry sheet. This serving will provide you with 150 calories, 9 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 25 grams cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 0 grams of protein. Not extremely filling…but definitely full of delicious flavor and texture.
I am impressed with the innovation of gluten free puff pastry sheets that can be bought at the store in the freezer section instead of having to go through the quite labor-intensive way of making it from scratch. GeeFree Gluten Free took all the hard work out of the task and simplified it into puff pastry sheets that are there for your convenience. I am one happy little baker and chef right now. Oh yes…so very happy. If you can find the GeeFree products, get the Gluten Free Puff Pastry and create some puff pastry goodness. Just…amazing that it has happened.
Gluten Free Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart made with GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets
Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+
Growing up, my dinner always ended with a little touch of something sweet. Dessert. It was always my motivation to eat most of what was on my plate. My parents had a rule that we at least had to try something. I was never a picky eater, but I had things I liked more than others. I’m still that way. Believe it or not…I am only human. HA!
So, I think the hardest part of my journey has been not being able to stomach ice cream these days. I used to take a supplement for it, but even that has not helped as of late. So, my cheating with dairy has come to an end. I am completely dairy free…
But it doesn’t mean I’m ice cream free!
Thanks to the frozen dessert gods that brought Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Milk frozen goodness into my life. Now, I’ve had (and loved) a couple of their products before, the Dark Chocolate Bars and the Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. But there was one in particular that I had my eyes set on. It was their version of mint chocolate chip…or, in the Luna & Larry universe – Mint Galactica.
It sounds so sci-fi and space-agey. LOVE IT.
Know what else I loved? This freakin’ ice cream!! Can I call it ice cream if it is dairy free? I’m going to, because it might as well be the full-blown thing. It tastes…awesome!! A little sci-fi and space-agey too. (*WINK*) Okay…so maybe not that far…but it is mint chocolate chip at its minty best. To be honest, there is a local place here called The Comfy Cow that has a signature flavor called Minty Chocolate Chippy. It was one of my favorites when I’d cheat and eat dairy…with a drizzle of hot fudge and it tasted like a Girl Scout cookie. Well…this was just as good…a bit mintier…but just as creamy and delicious as the full-barrel, real deal stuff at my local ice cream shop. And you know what…for an ice cream made out of coconut milk…that’s pretty fantastic, if you ask me! I loved that the flecks of chocolate were just that…flecks. Sometimes the chunks of chocolate get a bit much in a frozen dessert…way too big go comfortably eat. I always do, usually saving it for last to suck on and allow to melt, but this was a nice change of pace and it perfectly flavored each and every bit of ice cream not just with that desired dark chocolate bitterness, but also with a bit of a crunch…a perfect texture for this ice cream. Totally out of this world.
So, let’s discuss what goes into a pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, shall we? This ice cream is made with organic coconut milk (organic coconut, water, organic guar gum), organic agave syrup, organic dark chocolate flakes (orgnaic fair trade dark chocolate [organic fair trade cocoa liquor, organic fair trade cane syrup, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic fair trade cocoa powder]. organic coconut oil), organic coconut cream, organic peppermint extract, and organic vanilla extract. Simple, natural ingredients. This dessert treat is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO, and kosher.
And now…the down and dirty. That nutritional information. This is an ice cream treat, so keep that in mind when you read these off. Every serving is worth every calorie…trust me. A serving size is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings per pint. This serving will dish up 240 calories, 19 grams of fat (most of that is the healthy bit that comes from the coconut…be not afraid!), 16 grams saturated fat (definitely from the coconut), 0 grams trans fat, 0 grams cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 14 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Filling, not especially…delicious…totally!!
Seriously, if you are looking for a cooling, delicious, minty-fresh treat this summer, look no further than Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. It is one of the best mint ice creams out there…and an added bonus is…it has no dairy, making it an option for those out there who can’t tolerate dairy, or choose not to consume it. This would be fantastic with hot fudge melted over the top…but on it’s own…amazing. Totally over the moon for this flavor!
A serving of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Diary Frozen Dessert
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!)
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
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
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.
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 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
The Celiathlete 