Fruit – Page 13 – The Celiathlete

September 17, 2013

What I Ate in California – Part 1

Between Disneyland and the little out-of-the-way places that we ducked into for food and anything else…I was well-fed and felt very safe in my food choices while visiting friends in California. In fact, Indy and her hubby, Evan, even went out to Whole Foods and picked up gluten-free cookies and some gluten-free crackers for me to have while staying with them. They are, honestly, the best. Nice to have people take my food allergies and everything else in stride and not totally panic. Best hosts…EVER!

So, I spent a total of three days at Disneyland and then one full day seeing bits and pieces of California. All the while…taking in food and enjoying every single bite. I’m breaking this posting down into two separate posts because…well…the dinner I had at Napa Rose needs its own little post. Honestly. Because it was the best meal I have ever had. (Sorry, Mom…but it’s true!).

So…I guess we’ll start at the very beginning…

Flo’s V8 Cafe – Cars Land – Disney California Adventure Park

Flo's V8 Café, Cars Land, Disney's California Adventure Park — Flo’s V8 Café, Cars Land, Disney’s California Adventure Park

You know…I give Disney props. Both theme parks on each coast do their best to work with people with specific diets and specific food allergies. And this was incredibly clear when I sat down to eat a “light” lunch (I was getting pizza later that evening) while out and about in California Adventure on Saturday. I hadn’t yet made it to the race expo, but I knew I needed a small bite to get through until it was time to eat my required pre-race gluten-free pizza. We were in Cars Land at the moment, so we stepped into Flo’s V8 Café and took a look at the menu board. When we got up to the register, my traveling party (Cathy, Indy & Tawn) all decided they were going to eat elsewhere…which made me not want to eat here…but…I wasn’t sure what there would be outside that would be nutritious and still filling. At the register, I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian so the cashier went to go and retrieve the chef. The chef came out a couple of moments later and I reiterated that I was a gluten-free vegetarian. She said it wasn’t a problem and mentioned the items I could get, including the Citrus Turkey Salad, sans turkey. Actually, none of it sounded like anything I wanted…the side dishes were just…eh…meh. And the salad was…well…a salad. But, I needed something…so I said I would give the Citrus Turkey Salad ($11.49), no turkey, a go!

I paid the cashier and took the receipt up to the counter. And my salad came up…gluten-free roll…but…UGH…the turkey had been placed on the salad. I mentioned that my salad wasn’t supposed to have turkey on it, so the worker at the counter sent it back to the kitchen and spoke with the chef. It took a few minutes, but my new salad came up, gluten-free roll, little dish of dressing, GODZILLA-sized salad, which was a basic mix of mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, and yellow peppers. It came with a citrus-tarragon dressing. And trust me…this salad was HUGE. I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it. But, if anything was certain, I was going to devour that roll. The roll, by the way, looks like the Udi’s gluten-free rolls I can buy at specialty stores around here. I think they were Udi’s. I loved the roll. I loved it to pieces…and pieces…and pieces until it was all gone.

The salad itself was fresh and crisp. And the dressing made a nice flavor addition to the raw vegetables. It was…a general salad, just taken to extreme proportion. I ate about 3/4 of it before I called it quits. It was just a lot of food. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, the dressing was served on the side instead of just being poured over the salad, and perhaps drowning the vegetables. It was good. But…let’s face it…it’s a salad I could have made at home for a lot cheaper.

Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port – Tomorrowland – Disneyland Park

It was the evening before the Disneyland Half Marathon, and Indy and I were in desperate need of some carbs. And it is a requirement…I mean one of those dead-set superstitious athlete requirements for me to eat gluten-free pizza the night before a big race. It has to happen. If it doesn’t happen…I make it happen. Somehow.

Indy knew that this was a must coming into the trip, so she asked around at Disneyland about good places to get a gluten-free pizza. She was directed to Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port, which is a cafeteria-style, quick service joint in Tomorrowland. We got there just before a flood of people and we spoke to one of the people manning the counters about gluten-free and vegetarian options. She said she would go and fetch the chef. I ended up standing there for around 10-15 minutes waiting on the chef, long enough for a couple of employees to ask if I needed help. Indy and Tawn had already gotten their pastas and were now waiting with me. Cathy was waiting because we weren’t sure if this was going to be a personal pizza or one we’d need to split. You just never know.

After the wait continued, I told Indy and Tawn to go and pay and eat while their food was still hot. I didn’t want them to settle in with cold pasta. Gross! So, they finally agreed, and just after they walked away…the chef finally emerged to talk to me. I told him that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said I had two options…a gluten-free personal cheese pizza…or gluten-free rice noodles with a tomato marinara. Night before the race…it has to be pizza. So, I put in my order for gluten-free cheese pizza ($8.99). I was told it would take 10 minutes so to go ahead and pay and then come back to the counter in about 10 minutes. I did just that, grabbed some plastic dinnerware, napkins, and some crushed red pepper packets and went to join my friends. Cathy had gotten one of the pizza slices and some breadsticks and joined them in eating. And I watched them eat for about 5 minutes as it took me awhile to pay. When 10 minutes was up, I got up from my table and made my way back to the counter to, hopefully, get my food. But my pizza wasn’t up yet. There was a group of four ahead of me. And that took about 5 minutes for them to get their gluten-free pizzas served to them. Then…it took another 3-5 minutes waiting on mine. By now Indy and Cathy were done eating. When my pizza was sliced and finally put on a plate…I went to rejoin my friends and only Tawn was still nomming on her pasta.

The pizza was nothing to write home about. It was the same gluten-free cheese pizza I ended up getting while at Disney World in February. Just a small, personal-size pizza on a gluten-free crust (at least the crust was fluffy), with tomato sauce and cheese. It was…okay. I mean, I have definitely had worse…but I have most definitely had better. I seasoned it with some red pepper flakes and just wolfed it down. At that point I was starving and we had World of Color Fast Passes and the clock was ticking. Nothing to write home about. Just…pizza. Eh. Not impressed.

Hungry Bear Restaurant – Critter Country – Disneyland Park

It was the afternoon after I ran 13.1 miles through Disneyland and Anaheim, California. It was just three of us. Indy, who also ran, said she needed to rest and recover. Poor thing. So this meant our new guide for the day was the great, the epic, TAWN!! And she knew all the places to hit. We had a busy and very stressful morning…between race logistics, running, cheering, and finishing…then heading out to the park…

We rode rides and soon we knew we needed to eat something small before we hit the hotel early to rotate through showers and start getting ready for the most epic meal of our lives…courtesy of Indy. But…that gets it’s own post. For now…we focus on what I ate for “lunch” the day of the Disneyland Half Marathon.

I had heard tales and rumors that Hungry Bear Restaurant did gluten-free sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries are one of my most favorite things in the world. Honestly. Sure, fries probably aren’t the best recovery meal…but they were what I wanted. That was it. It was all I needed. Tawn walked me over to Hungry Bear and I headed up to go place my order. I reached the cashier and told her I heard they could do gluten-free sweet potato fries. She confirmed this and said she’d go and get the chef.

The chef emerged a few minutes later and said that fries could certainly be done gluten-free. I said that was all I wanted and went ahead and put in the order – gluten-free sweet potato fries ($3.99). I was sent up to the counter and I passed off the receipt and was told it would be a few minutes. I politely stepped aside, knowing this would be the case. But a few minutes turned into 5. Then 10. Soon the staff was shouting back to the kitchen about the gluten-free sweet potato fries because it had been on order for 15 minutes. The manager came out to apologize to me, saying that there had been a mix-up in the kitchen and it would be a few more minutes. He offered me a free dessert, but none of their desserts were gluten-free so I passed. After just over 20 minutes, my one little serving of sweet potato fries came up and I snagged them, went to grab some ketchup and finally went back down to meet Tawn. She had been waiting a long time. We had left Cathy at a table with her lunch, and it was long gone by the time we returned. Tawn went off to find herself something to eat and I finally dug in.

To their credit…the sweet potato fries were perfect. Crispy on the outside, soft in the center. Warm. Hot. Seasoned well. And just what I wanted. They were phenomenal. Definitely better than the oven baked ones that I make at home. I mean, I love making my own, but there is something so fantastic about sweet potato strips that are literally fried to perfection, seasoned well, and served up piping hot and fresh. So, while I think I aged a little standing in line waiting on an order the kitchen at Hungry Bear Restaurant forgot about…it was well worth the wait.

Tiki Juice Bar – Adventureland – Disneyland Park

The Tiki Hut, Adventureland, Disneyland Park — Tiki Juice Bar, Adventureland, Disneyland Park

DOLE. WHIP. Need I say more? Let me say it one more time. DOLE WHIP! I love Dole Whip and ended up coming to the Tiki Juice Bar twice during my 3-day stay in Disneyland.

The second time I contemplated getting a Dole Whip Float…but wasn’t sure I had enough money for one. So, both times I ended up getting the standard Soft Serve Dole Whip ($3.69). LOVE.

It’s pineapple goodness in a cup. One that I will always take time to indulge in whenever I roam at Disney. Yeah…Dole Whip is an experience. One that shouldn’t be missed. EVER!

Carnation Café – Main Street, U.S.A. – Disneyland Park

The only other request that I made for while the four of us were all at Disneyland was simple. I needed gluten-free Mickey waffles in my life. So, Indy, as always being the rockstar, sought out a place that served them. She’s awesome like that. So, after a late night and an early morning (for me…as I went running for 7 miles for my marathon training), we headed into Disneyland for our last meal together as a group of four. Tawn was leaving that afternoon to head back to Fresno.

We arrived at Carnation Café just ahead of our reservation time. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside or inside. It was such a gorgeous morning that day that we chose to sit outside, as long as we were somewhere shady. The hostess found us the perfect spot and we all settled in and started to look at the menu.

When our waitress came over to the table, she explained that we actually had a different server, but he was on his break so she’d be taking care of us until he returned. We went ahead and told her that I couldn’t have gluten, something they were already aware of because Indy mentioned this when she made the reservation. Of course none of this was an issue. She said she’d go to get the chef and he would go over some options with me. He did emerge a few minutes later and asked what I was interested in having for breakfast. I gave him the hopeful eyes…Mickey waffles? He said he wasn’t sure they could make gluten-free Mickey waffles due to the surface they were cooked on…but he might be able to do regular pancakes (not Mickey shaped). But he said he’d go double check. He returned after everyone else placed their orders and said that he could make me gluten-free mini Mickey waffles safely. I was a happy girl, because I really, really wanted Mickey waffles while at Disneyland. Dreams really do come true.

I went ahead and ordered gluten-free Mickey waffles ($10.49) with fresh fruit instead of the sausage or bacon side…since I am vegetarian. They were happy to make that substitution for me. I also had this with fresh brewed Joffrey’s Coffee ($2.99).

The coffee was really good. Not too bitter. I sweetened it with real sugar…as my coconut sugar was left back in Indiana. After a short wait…out came our food. Only Tawn and I kept with the plan to get waffles. Indy ended up getting the Huevos Rancheros and Cathy got the All-American Breakfast.

My mini waffles were…delicious. Definitely not the golden crispy goodness that Tawn got out of her Mickey head waffle. But…the miniature Mickey waffles tasted amazing. I poured a little pure maple syrup over them and dug right in. I was given four Mickey waffle heads and ate all four of them without any shame or guilt. The fruit was gone in a flash. I am a fruit monster. They were able to accommodate me and get me the item on the menu that I truly wanted. Carnation Café was made of win.

So were the waffles…for the record. Epic…gluten-free…WIN!

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – Disneyland Resort Area – Disneyland Hotel

Trader Sam's Enchanted Bar, Disneyland Resort Area, Disneyland Hotel — Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Disneyland Resort Area, Disneyland Hotel

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is like no other bar you have ever experienced. The food they serve is unique bar food. The drinks they serve are fun. The manner in which some drinks are served are SUPER fun and invoke chanting and lights flashing, ships going down, all of that. It’s a place you have to go to grab a drink. And, as this was our final day in Disneyland…we chose to do just that.

Food choices, for me, were rather limited. But, Indy was telling me about this amazing Green Papaya Salad ($?.??) that they served. We inquired with the bar tender about the ingredients and he went to check with the chef to see whether it was gluten-free and vegetarian. Turns out…it was. So, while Cathy and Indy split the Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans, I was served up a refreshing and quite delicious Green Papaya Salad.

No trip to Trader Sam’s is complete without having one of their famous drinks. As I’m always iffy and careful with alcohol…I decided to go with one of the non-alcoholic beverage specials served at the bar. My choice of Sam’s No Booze Brews was the Jungle River Sunset ($4.49) which is a mix of orange juice, falernum, and hibiscus grenadine, all topped off with soda water. And, yes…I ate my garnish.

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – Paradise Pier – Disney California Adventure Park

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Pier, Disney's California Adventure Park — Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Pier, Disney California Adventure Park

It was getting late and our plan to see Fantasmic that night was about to be put into action. That being said, our appetizers from Trader Sam’s were long gone and we were definitely ready to eat some food. We ended up coming to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta…because we were just really wanting Italian or something. Because originally I was going to get something else, but when they kept mentioning the pizza and pasta place…it just sounded better.

So, we entered Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and it was another counter service sort of thing. I went up and mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they sent for the chef. He was out in no time. Honestly. And when I told him I was a gluten-free vegetarian, he immediately mentioned the two standbys that the Italian restaurants have on hand at Disneyland…a personal-size gluten-free cheese pizza or rice noodles with a tomato marinara sauce. I’ve done the pizza. It’s the same as always…and not really worth the repeat. So, I went with the Gluten-Free Rice Pasta with the Tomato Marinara ($9.49). He said it would take about 10 minutes. And when he went back behind the counter, he immediately changed his gloves to start preparing my food. I breathed a sigh of relief. Cathy ordered a regular Spaghetti With Meatballs and Indy went with the Five Cheese Ravioli. They were both made to order, but Cathy’s came up way ahead of ours. We sent her outside to get us a seat. About 5 minutes later, my spaghetti arrived. And this serving was HUGE. We’re talking the King Kong of spaghetti dishes. Holy crap!! I figured I’d get maybe halfway through it and be done. Indy’s was the last to come up…so she was the last to join us at the table. Cathy had already started eating…I was just starting…so we had timing. At least none of us were left without food when all was said and done.

The rice pasta was really al dente. Not bad…but not as soft as normally rice pasta would be. The tomato sauce was rich and delicious and really made the dish, in my opinion. The spaghetti really would have been lackluster and disappointing without it. I sprinkled a bit of crushed red pepper onto the pasta to give it that slight kick that I like. Me and spicy food make for a loving relationship. Honestly. I like it hot. So, the spaghetti, like the quick service pizza, was…just okay. Nothing to really write home about…or go on any longer in this blog.

Indy’s Egg Scramble of Awesome

When you have fresh ingredients in your garden…what happens? You make your husband and your friends one of the most epic egg scrambles ever. Honestly…this was amazing. So delicious. So yummy. I still think about it. That’s why a homemade dish is being put into my blog. None of you, unless you also know Indy, will be able to taste this dish. None of you will get to enjoy it for the low cost of FREE…at her kitchen table…while drinking fresh and really delicious coffee. It’s just not going to happen.

She cooked and diced and sauteed potatoes in coconut oil, added fresh vegetables from her garden, and then scrambled up some eggs. Simple…but highly, highly delicious. One of my favorite breakfasts I’ve ever consumed. And it was filling. Perfect way to start off a day that took us to many glorious sandy locations!

The Local Peasant – Sherman Oaks, California

This gastropub has no sign hanging up outside. There is no neon flashing the name of the pub. This is one of those places that if you didn’t know it was there, you would walk right on past it. Thankfully, it turned up on Find Me Gluten Free…and it just happens to be one of Indy and Evan’s favorite dining spots in their area. And I picked it. All by myself!

It was our last night in Los Angeles, and it was also Indy’s birthday. So, we went out to eat…although she told me to find somewhere. I was mainly focused on finding Cathy a place to have some fish and chips, so I focused on that first. The menu for The Local Peasant had not only vegan options marked, but also gluten-free options marked. And my requirement to eat something with avocado while in California would definitely be fulfilled.

It was a special night, so I went against my usual abstaining from alcohol for training purposes…mostly because it was Indy’s birthday and we were celebrating. But, they also had Green’s Quest Gluten-Free Triple Ale ($15.00). I’m not a beer drinker…at all…but it was a celebration. And, besides, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees was at the table next to ours. I needed something to take the fangirl edge off.

Where there is beer…there is also food. Our waitress just happened to also be gluten-free (in fact, her entire family is)…so she was a huge help. But…as I said…I had my heart set on something with avocado in it. I had to eat avocado while in California. It had to happen. So, when it came to dinner, my choice was obvious…the Edamame Vegetable Salad ($11.00). Why was that obvious? Because this salad was composed of edamame, corn, jicama, green beans, roasted peppers, avocado, toasted pepitas, and cashews with a rosemary and ginger vinaigrette.

It sounded like no salad I have had anywhere else. It had avocado on it, and really…it just sounded awesome. When it arrived, it was in a huge bowl…and I happily dug in. The vegetables were so fresh and awesome. I loved the texture the cashews and pepitas gave the entire dish. The green beans still had that nice, fresh crispness to them. The edamame is always one of my favorite things…and it was super good. Loved the depth the roasted peppers gave. The avocado, however, gave it this amazing creaminess. It was topped off with that really flavorful vinaigrette that really just brought everything together. It was the meal I needed to have. It was the last thing I would eat in California. It was…fantastic.

I’d go back to this gastropub in a heartbeat. And I hope to…the next time I find myself in California!

~*~*~

So…there it is. What I ate in California. I didn’t blog about the fries from In-N-Out Burger…because I did that back in 2011. But I did go there…and their frier is dedicated to just potatoes and makes their fries completely safe for me to eat. Part 2 will be all about the fantastic dinner that Indy treated our party to at Napa Rose. Trust me…that was a dining experience I wish I could relive over and over again. But you’ll read about that in the next blog…

September 14, 2013

Product Review: Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters

Product: Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters – $4.99+

Gluten-free granola is becoming a staple in my apartment. Why? Because it is so versatile…and personally, I love the texture and flavor that it adds to my morning breakfast parfaits. Honestly. The most important part, for me, however, is to find one that is more nutritious than it is indulgent. Indulgent is all fine and good, but I’m trying to cut down on sugars in a lot of goods…and my breakfast shouldn’t be just a wash of sugar. I’ll burn through that in no time and then need to snack more. So, I’m very particular about the granola that finds its way into my pantry.

That being said, I have always…always trusted Love Grown Foods when it comes to their Oat Clusters. I find that they use real ingredients and cut back on things like sodium and sugar and still manage to put out one of the most fantastic products on the market.

I’ve reviewed quite a few of their products before…but somehow had never blogged on their Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. What’s up with that? I mean…HELLO…chocolate for breakfast?! Yes please. Even better when you don’t feel bad about what you are eating. And when it comes to the products that Love Grown Foods puts out on the market…I never feel guilty.

And when I am able to pronounce every ingredient on the package…well…it’s a safe bet that I’ll feel comfortable putting it in my body. At Love Grown Foods, founders Alex and Maddy create delicious foods that are full of nutritional benefits that everyone can enjoy. Everyone. Even someone like me…who is gluten-free. In fact, they believe that kids (and adults) should have access to a healthy, wholesome breakfast…and that belief is what helped them create Love Grown Foods…a company with a passion to make true change when it comes to making changes in the food world and, in the bigger picture, improving kids’ nutrition.

As I am running the Chicago Marathon for Action For Healthy Kids, a non-profit charity organization that emphasizes nutrition and exercise to children, you can see how passionate I am about this cause. Love Grown Foods hits on the exact thing I am running for next month. It’s a worthy and important cause. Children are our future and so many of them go without good nutritious food, nor are they learning about proper nutrition. Processed and unhealthy foods (fast food, etc) is cheaper and more affordable…and that’s what these kids are growing up on. That…and game systems, computers, and anything that makes them live a more sedentary lifestyle. It needs to change. And thanks to the options provided by Love Grown Foods…it’s happening.

With that being said…let’s talk about chocolate for breakfast! Mmmm. Doesn’t sound very nutritious does it? Sort of sounds like the complete antithesis of what I just rambled on about. But, guess again. We’re talking about Love Grown Foods here…and they actually get their Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters a healthy dose of important nutrients. And with the subtle, sweet flavor of real dark chocolate…kids will be eating healthy and thinking they are totally getting dessert for breakfast.

I thought that too when I opened up my bag of Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. For real. Sweet, indulgent chocolatey goodness was inside. I had to try some on its own for the sake of the blog. But after a couple of pinches, I knew it was time to build my breakfast parfait. And I was making a new one. With PB2, vanilla Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, fresh slices of banana, and now…Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. With the initial tasting…I knew this would be one epic breakfast parfait. And it didn’t disappoint.

Here’s the fantastic thing about this granola, aside from being made from real ingredients, Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness is a sweet indulgence that you don’t feel bad about eating. Not one bit. Yes…it is chocolate. But who doesn’t like chocolate for breakfast? I live for chocolate for breakfast. And this is a much better and healthier way of doing it than say…chocolate chip pancakes or a high sugar chocolate cereal. These oat clusters are little chunks of gluten-free oats that have been sweetened with agave and honey instead of refined sugars or (even worse) artificial sweeteners. To hit the sweetness right on the money, 63% dark chocolate chips are added to the mix. So, with no junk this is really a guilt-free chocolate indulgence that you can feel good about eating. So…it’s sweet, but it comes by it honestly and naturally. And it isn’t “give-me-a-cavity-with-each-bite” sweet either. It’s subtle…savory…and decadent without being too much. And that’s a very fine line when it comes to chocolate. Trust me…I’m a chocoholic. I could eat this straight from the bag (and have!) and not need it with anything else. Seriously…it is that super good. Mixed in with the contents I chose for the parfait and it was a nice, rich, and deliciously filling breakfast treat.

Ingredients are simple and understated. Nothing is processed and everything is real and something you would recognize if you were walking down the aisles of your grocery store. Certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, expeller pressed canola oil, coconut, 63% chocolate, sunflower seeds, pure vanilla, milled flaxseed, 100% pure cocoa powder and sea salt. Ten simple and recognizable ingredients and you get BIG flavor and epic deliciousness without feeling bad about taking a little more than intended.

Now…down to the nutritional nitty-gritty! A serving of Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters is 1/4 cup. In this small, but filling serving, you will receive 130 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. In addition, you will be served up a scant 35 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. These chocolatey oat clusters also provide you with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not bad at all!!

We all like a sweet indulgence every now and again. With Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters you can indulge all you want and never, ever feel guilty. Love Grown Foods serves up nutritious and delicious products with a whole lot of love.

And that’s why I keep buying the brand. I believe in what they are selling and the mission they have set out for their company and products. I’m a believer. And I’m totally hooked.

“Chunky Monkey” Breakfast Parfait made with Greek Yogurt, PB2, banana, and Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters

August 13, 2013May 11, 2015

Recipe: Gluten-Free Peach Almond Muffins

Every Saturday ushers in my long run. Some weeks I go longer than others. It all depends on my training plan. Usually, whenever possible, I like to treat the runners from my Saturday morning clan, to something rewarding at the end of their efforts. We all, as small groups, run different mileage, or different paces, so I usually have my roommate over at the coffee shop we meet at afterwards with their treats.

As I had four beautiful, amazing peaches from my CSA bin this past week, I really wanted to make something with them. And it just so happened, that the week prior, I stumbled across an amazing looking recipe from one of my favorite blogs – Two Peas & Their Pod.

All I had to do was modify it to make it gluten-free. Not so hard when you have a fantastic gluten-free all-purpose flour. So, later than planned, on Friday night, I turned on my oven, got out the KitchenAid mixer…and got to baking.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Peach Almond Muffins

Servings: 18
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Bake 20 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

2-1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Better Batter)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground all spice
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup buttermilk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1-1/4 cups diced peeled peaches

For the Almond Streusel Topping:

1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Better Batter)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Line 14 muffin cups with paper liners or grease the cups. Set pan aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside.In a small bowl, whisk together egg, canola oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and almond extract.Pour liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix gently with a spatula. Mix until just combined.

Gently stir in the peaches.

To make the almond streusel topping, in a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Mix with your hands until you have a crumbly mixture. It is ok to have pea size chunks of butter. Mix in the sliced almonds.

Pour muffin batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.

Sprinkle the almond streusel topping on top of the muffins.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let muffins cool to room temperature and serve.

~*~*~

These little muffins did surprise me. Because when I snagged one fresh from the oven…split it in half…and taste tested it…I couldn’t really tell that it had much flavor. So, I wasn’t exactly sure that they won me over. My roommate said she really thought it tasted good and encouraged me to go ahead with the plan to package them up and share with my running group.

I am so glad I did, because everyone had high comments on them. I was part of the last group getting back (I ran 16 miles, but the heat and humidity were killer…so it took a little longer), and everyone was finishing up their coffee and post-run refueling. And I saw quite a few muffin wrappers on the plates. Everyone thanked me for them and said they were delicious! Hmm…

Fact is, I do think these muffins are even better on the following day. Give all the flavors a chance to sit and soak into the muffin itself. Because when I had mine…it was fantastic. A little denser than I usually like my muffins, but the streusel topping was awesome and the peaches were really complimented by the different spices that were mixed throughout.

I’d make this again in a heartbeat.

So, if you love peaches and you love muffins…I encourage you to give this recipe a try. Super delicious. Runner approved.

August 11, 2013May 11, 2015

Recipe: Gluten-Free Blueberry Maple Refrigerator Oats

As part of trying to do more of a Clean Eating diet, per the recommendation of my sports nutritionist…I have decided to attempt to make my usual oatmeal for lunch habit continue…but with me making the oatmeal. This way I have more control over the nutritional value. And, especially, the amount of sugar that goes into each helping.

While I love my Bakery On Main gluten-free oatmeal and the multitude of amazing flavors…it is super expensive. So, it also wracks up my grocery shopping budget. But thanks to Pinterest…I found a way around that. And…especially with the hot and humid summer days here…an even more refreshing way to enjoy my oatmeal in the afternoon. Of course, this would be good any time of day…but oatmeal for lunch is my thing.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Blueberry Maple Refrigerator Oatmeal

Gluten-Free Blueberry Maple Refrigerator Oatmeal (Overnight Oats)

Servings: 1
Time: Prep 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats (I used Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Rolled Oats)
1/3 cup skim milk (I used unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt (I used vanilla Greek yogurt)
1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds (I didn’t have these…so I didn’t use them)
2 teaspoons maple syrup (more or less to taste)
1/4 cup blueberries (or enough to fill jar)

Directions:

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds (if using), and maple syrup.

Put lid on jar and shake until well combined.

Remove lid, add blueberries and stir until mixed throughout.

Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.

Eat chilled.

~*~*~

It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s SUPER delicious. I loved taking bite after bite of this. The chia seeds definitely would have made it less soupy…but I don’t have any on hand and I wasn’t going to go out and buy some specifically for this. Maybe next grocery trip if the budget allows. It worked out just fine without them, however. Lunch was very nutritious and I knew everything that went into my oats. And wow…was this every filling!

My little jar of goodness had only 185 calories and 2 grams of fat. It also had 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein in it. How’s that for a powerhouse meal?! There are lots of other recipes available via Pinterest and especially from The Yummy Life blog, which is where the pin takes me when I click on it. I can’t wait to try other versions! Total win!

August 4, 2013August 5, 2013

Annie May’s Sweet Café packs up delicious take-home treats for every sweet tooth

Annie May's Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Cinnamon Rolls and Allergen-Free Blueberry Muffin — Annie May’s Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Cinnamon Rolls and Allergen-Free Blueberry Muffin

Products: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Cinnamon Rolls – $3.00; Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Blueberry Muffin – $2.00; Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bar – $2.00

I can’t stop myself. It’s an addiction. It’s a routine. But every time I am in town on Saturday…I head over to Frankfort Avenue to Annie May’s Sweet Café, where, depending on what time I hit there (which is often dictated by how long my Saturday run ends up being), I indulge in amazing gluten-free and allergen-free breakfast offerings, or the most amazing gluten-free pizza in the area. Hands down. Either way, I’m a happy girl on Saturday mornings because I know it means a trip to Annie May’s!

There was only one difference this past weekend when I went to get my gluten-free doughnut and gluten-free vegan sausage and “cheese” breakfast sandwich. I was going straight home afterwards. And, Cathy…the best roomie ever…told me to pick a couple of items from the case to take home to have for breakfast and dessert on the following day.

I was thrilled!! THRILLED!

The hard part was choosing.

As I am a cinnamon roll lover, I did opt to get two of their allergen-free cinnamon rolls that were on display. They looked fantastic, with their cinnamon and sugar goodness and even given a drizzle of icing. I was trying hard not to drool, because…cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. And I don’t get them very often. Now, I’ve gotten the Take-And-Bake variety from Annie May’s Sweet Café before, but these were already made and ready for consumption. The fantastic looking blueberry muffins were calling my name. Blueberry muffins are my absolute favorite muffin to make and devour. And hers looked golden and moist and had this amazing sugary crust on the top. Oh yeah…that was a must. We got one that we decided we would split between us. And then my roommate spotted the Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Cheesecake bars in the case…and we decided to get one of those to split as well. Done. Kenna was delightful and boxed everything up for us and we left with some delicious looking baked goodies from our favorite little eatery/bakery in town.

Fast forward to a late morning wake-up. I rocked out a second 13 miles this morning for my Sunday run, and returned home. After showering, I went to wake up Cathy, knocking on her door. She was sleeping later than usual because we had been up in Indianapolis rocking out with Maroon 5…and didn’t get in until around 2 a.m. My run took place later…her wake-up call came later. It all worked.

But breakfast was going to be a cinch! And it was. I simply opened up the signature pink box with the Annie May’s Sweet Café sticker on it and pulled out the spoils of our shopping on Saturday. Two allergen-free cinnamon rolls and one ginormous blueberry muffin. I simply decided to slice the muffin in half and then warmed that half up in the microwave with the cinnamon roll, individually.

Let’s start with the Allergen-Free Cinnamon Roll ($3.00). These were fantastic. Even having sat on my counter all day and night, it was still cinnamon-sugar perfection. The roll stayed together so well. It had that heft of a cinnamon roll without being super dense and hard to eat. It was crusty and flaky and sweetened to ultimate perfection. I also liked how the icing was simply drizzled across the top, ensuring that the icing didn’t overtake the awesomeness of the cinnamon roll itself. These cinnamon rolls contained no dairy and no gluten (of course) and they were awesome. I hope they keep these in the case more often because I will make a habit of eating them whenever possible.

Now…one of Annie May’s muffins was a new choice for me. Where I had the cinnamon rolls in a take-and-bake format before (but never from the case already done), I had never purchased a muffin. So, this was a first for me. The Allergen-Free Blueberry Muffin ($2.00) was huge. And hugely moist too. Yes…even after it had an entire day to sit in a box, it was still super moist. I mean, I sliced into it and it was just…awesome. I could tell it wasn’t dry at all, and this made me happy. One of the little joys of these muffins was the sugar coating on the top. It gave the muffin this nice bit of texture and sweetness…and I loved the crispness that it gave and the sound it made when my knife glided through the baked goodie to half it between my roommate and I. And the taste…melt-in-your-mouth blueberry muffin perfection. Moist. Light. Not at all dense or overdone. The sugar struessel on top was the perfect touch to keep each bite sweet and interesting. I am in love with these blueberry muffins. And blueberry muffins are my most favorite thing when it comes to muffins. So, I hope to see more of these in the very near future.

This leads us to dessert tonight…and the ever-epic sounding Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bar ($2.00). Completely gluten-free. It was described by Annie May’s Sweet Café as some crazy cinnamon roll brainchild. Okay…I was definitely intrigued! Because, as we all know…CINNAMON ROLL FREAK HERE!! So, dessert tonight had to be epic and awesome. It just had to be. After dinner, I went and retrieved this morsel of gluten-free goodness from my fridge and sliced it in half…ready to see if it lived up to its epic sounding description.

It was creamy, smooth, and it honestly did taste like some sort of cheesecake-cinnamon roll hybrid. You can only imagine my joy upon first taste. The crust was crunchy and delicious…held up perfectly overnight in the refrigerator. As for the cheesecake portion…I loved that it wasn’t overly sweet. Cheesecake can run too sweet, but this one was perfect. The caramel and cinnamon that were swirled into it gave it the right amount of flavor without taking away from the cream cheese and the crust. Perfectly balanced. And not heavy at all. Sometimes cheesecake can just be too much. Here, it was just perfect. Especially when the bar was cut in half to split with my roomie. She enjoyed it too, especially the swirled caramel and cinnamon topping on the cheesecake itself. We were both overly delighted with our dessert tonight.

And I think anything that tastes like a cinnamon roll should applauded. This was well done!!

Continuing on the trend of her amazing products, Annie May’s Sweet Café provided the perfect way to start my day…and the perfect way to end it as well. The cinnamon rolls and the muffin were both perfect and not too filling…just filling enough to get me through to lunch, when ended up being later in the day from the norm. And dessert…that cheesecake bar was the perfect ending to a day filled with perfect food.

Compliments of Annie May’s Sweet Café. Whether you need to eat gluten-free or have food allergies or not…Annie May’s is the perfect place to pick up a baked item, grab a bite to eat, or even place a special order for one of her breads, cakes, cookies, whatever it is you desire. Her standards are high and her food reflects it.

Always.

I’m already looking forward to breakfast on Saturday this coming week…

Annie May's Sweet Café Gluten-Free Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bar — Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bar

July 28, 2013July 28, 2013

Bakery on Main packs a fiber punch (but no crunch) into every serving of Triple Berry Granola

Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola – $5.99+

Oh…Bakery on Main. Maker of amazing granola and delicious oatmeal. Whenever someone inquires about gluten-free oatmeal…I immediately point them in your direction. After all, I’ve been doing the gluten-free lifestyle now for two years. I know what is good. I know what is great. And I know what is worth raving about. You are a fantastic company that does great things for the gluten-free community by offering quality products. Even better though…you back up your quality products with a statement that says if the customer is not 100% satisfied…a refund will be given.

How many companies do that? I can tell you…not many. Not these days. And I love how strongly you believe in your company, your products, and your standards to put that out there. Amazing.

A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for a long road trip from the Louisville, Kentucky area up to Utica, New York. I was going to be participating in the Boilermaker 15K. Being an athlete with food allergies, I always pack snacks for long trips. I mean, you just never know when you might get hungry and all that is available is establishments you don’t feel comfortable dining in, or the possibility of not having options at all. It has happened to me before, and I wasn’t going to let it happen again.

As fueling up properly before a race is important, I packed a variety of items. Raisins, vegan (and gluten-free) jerky, gluten-free granola and protein bars, and finally…granola. I had hit up the grocery store early one morning in search of easy items that would travel and pack well. None of these were my specialty stores, but thankfully this particular grocery store had a few different gluten-free granola options in the natural food section. After deliberating between two different companies…I finally settled on Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola. I had already had the other company’s granola…and loved it. But this flavor…this one from Bakery on Main…was new to me. And I was curious. After all, I already am a huge fan of granola. Now we’re tossing in some freeze-dried raspberries, strawberries and blueberries…can you say heaven?

As it happened, I didn’t ever break into the granola on the road trip…however, I am famous for my breakfast parfaits, consisting of gluten-free granola, Greek yogurt, and fresh berries. As my roommate and I had polished off our last granola, this now because the crunchy portion of the parfait. Way to default, yes?

As always, though, I make a habit to try the granola on its own. Because I want a clear taste of the product before it gets added to fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.

The first thing I noticed was that this granola didn’t have the crunch I expected it to have. In fact, while it is baked well, with flavors infused properly, I found this particular variety to lack the crunch that toasted oats usually have. The flavors were all there, although the freeze-dried berries are few and far between the sea of oats. They didn’t taste soggy…but they definitely didn’t add the desired texture I had hoped for in my breakfast parfait. But…it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but I find it edible. The flavor is there. The texture is just not what I expected. But it works. And, in the grand scheme of things, that is a minor fault.

So, let’s talk nutrition, shall we? Well, the Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola is a great choice for people on a gluten-free diet. Why? Because often we lack in consuming enough fiber throughout the day…so this is a great way to balance it out. A serving, which is 1/2 cup, dishes up 240 calories. I know that seems like a lot…and it is…but this is for 1/2 cup, while most granola stops at 1/4 cup serving size…so it actually balances out in the end. With the 24o calories, you also will be taking in 6 grams of fat. The sodium in this granola is low, topping out at 50 mg per serving. This granola actually has only 7 grams of sugar, which was why I chose it over the other brand there at the store. In addition to that, the Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola has 9 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving. You have to love that, right?

Of course.

So, while I wouldn’t call the Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola by Bakery on Main a success…I would say that it is passable. I mean, honestly, are there better options out there…yes. But was this granola unpleasing in any way? Of course not. If only it had some crunch in each bite…

Ah well…

If you have been searching for a good way to get more fiber into your life…this is a good choice. A fantastic choice, actually. Look past the soft oats, enjoy the intermittent bursts of sweetness from the freeze dried berries, and simply savor.

Greek yogurt and fresh berry breakfast parfait made with Bakery on Main Fiber Power Triple Berry Granola

July 27, 2013

Dark Chocolate Dream adds sweet raspberry to vegan dark chocolate bars

Product: Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar – $3.59+

Dark chocolate. It is, honestly, my favorite thing in this world. Honestly.

I mean…it has this rich, deep flavor. And the bittersweet taste means you don’t really overindulge. That’s the beauty of dark chocolate. It sort of provides a serving size, because it can be rich…so a little goes a long way.

Now…enter the realm of the vegan dark chocolate bar. Yes. You read that right. VEGAN!

Okay, so vegan chocolate really isn’t anything new. But…the problem I have with vegan chocolate is that it can be hard and chalky…instead of smooth and rich like regular dark chocolate. So, vegan chocolate bars can be disappointing.

Enter…Dark Chocolate Dream. Aptly named, mind you. Dark Chocolate Dream is the chocolate bar segment of the umbrella company responsible for Rice Dream rice milk, Almond Dream almond milk, Soy Dream soy milk, and so on…

I think you get the picture. Now, I’ve many products from Imagine Foods, the company responsible for the “Dream” products. And I love them. Even the Almond Dream almond milk was good. In fact…it was really, really good. So, this company is no stranger to vegan products that focus on ingredients. I like when a company takes pride in the products they put out on the shelf.

But chocolate? Dark chocolate? Dark chocolate candy bars? That are also vegan?

Oh yes…and this one in partucular has an added burst of sweetness because the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar adds a hit of sweetness from freeze dried raspberries to the bittersweet chocolate that forms the rest of the bar. And…honestly…dark chocolate and fruit always pair well. Dark chocolate with some sort of berry…even better.

The Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar is fabulous. It really is. No fake and unpleasing raspberry gel inside. Nothing sticky or unappealing. Just real ingredients. The pieces of fresh raspberries that are freeze dried and added to the dark chocolate just elevate this particular candy bar to the next level. Bittersweet meets sweet…and it just works. It meshes together well. Even better, this vegan dark chocolate bar doesn’t have that chalky flavor. And it isn’t tough to bite into. It’s smooth. It’s sweet. It’s very pleasing to the palate. And the chocolate is rich, and melt-in-your-mouth good. No strange aftertaste. A dark chocolate lover’s dream…

Let’s talk about ingredients and nutrition. First of all, keep in mind this is a chocolate bar. Just because it’s vegan and gluten-free doesn’t mean that it is better for you than other chocolate out on the market. It’s not. A serving of the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar is 1/2 of the bar. This will set you back 240 calories and 15 grams of fat. YIKES, right? Luckily, this bar comes in break-away squares of 8. This means, you can certainly just take a square (trust me it’s enough) and get 8 days worth of treats. That’s what I’d do. But I’m frugal like that. Anyway…in addition to the calories and fat, you are ingesting 15 mg of sodium and then a whopping 24 grams of sugar. YIKES! Half of the candy bar contains 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

As far as the ingredients that go into this dark chocolate bar, this list is short and recognizable. The ingredients in the Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar are: evaporated cane juice, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, freeze dried raspberries, roasted soy flour, soy lecithin, and pure vanilla extract.

That’s it. It’s nice to see such a short list when it comes to ingredients.

If you love the taste of raspberries. If you love dark chocolate. Then I encourage you to find and try Dark Chocolate Dream Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar. It’s a sweet bite of rich, smooth, vegan dark chocolate. So…break off a piece…and devour! Then take a moment to savor. Trust me…you’ll thank me later.

Dark Chocolate Dreams Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar (unwrapped)

July 10, 2013May 11, 2015

Kind Healthy Grains lights up the taste buds with Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds

Product: Kind Healthy Grains Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds – $4.99+

I could eat granola forever. It travels well. It is healthy if prepared right and made with the right ingredients. And it is downright delicious. I’ve made my own in the past, but sometimes…sometimes life gets crazy. And these past weeks have brought a lot of craziness and road time. And that means not a lot of time at home nor in the kitchen. Bummer.

So, when I needed a granola to top off my fruit and Greek yogurt breakfast parfaits, I looked no further than some of my favorite, cleaner choices. Low in sugar, natural ingredients. That’s the key.

My favorite brand wasn’t available at the store where I was shopping, but my another favorite brand was thankfully on the shelf. I love Kind products. Kind Bars are one of my go-to granola bar choices because they are gluten-free and really on the better end of the nutrition scale. And…a little bit closer to clean eating when you can’t make your own. Kind products have always been ranked high for me and I’ve had one other of their granola choices…and so many flavors of their Kind Bars. I felt confident choosing one of their bags of Healthy Grain clusters when I needed a granola.

A good friend of mine, who I run with, brought me some fresh blueberries that he picked. I was thrilled to have them, as blueberries are one of my favorite fruits. I’ve been putting them on top of my breakfast banana splits after hitting the gym and this morning, I threw them into my fruit and Greek yogurt breakfast parfaits. Because…they are the best blueberries ever. And, as luck would have it, the version of Kind Healthy Grains I chose at the grocery store was the Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds. It was almost destiny.

A serving of Kind Healthy Grains Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds

I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would. First of all, because they don’t have a high sugar content, these clusters of whole grains (gluten free oats, brown rice, gluten free oat flour, buckwheat, amaranth, millet, quinoa) aren’t overly sweet and won’t dominate your palate nor the dish you are using them in. The vanilla flavor is subtle, without being lost. The berry flavor, according to the ingredient list, seems to be a combination of blueberry puree, apple puree, plum puree, and a bit of apple juice. In addition to that, the sweetness comes from the use of evaporated cane juice, vanilla, and molasses (which also helps as a binder for the clusters). And thanks to the inclusion of the flax seeds, additional nutritional value is added to a simple sweetened granola.

Like I said, I adored the subtlety of this flavor and variety from Kind Healthy Grains. And for me, a gluten-free vegetarian, the fact that the flax seeds brings a healthy dose of Omega-3 is an added bonus. These are crunchy, and just add great texture to whatever it is included in. Even on its own, this granola is fantastic. Nothing needed to dress it up or add to it. I could eat it by the handful and be happy.

Nutritionally speaking, I love how the ingredients are all natural. A serving size of this granola is 1/3 cup. In that serving, you get served 120 calories and 3 grams of fat. Not bad at all!! In addition, to being cholesterol free, this granola is very low in sodium (only 20 mg) and contains only 5 grams of sugar. Love that! A serving of the Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds also provides 5 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein. It is a really fantastic choice for granola. One that you definitely won’t feel guilty about eating or tossing over your yogurt, fruit, or whatever else you desire.

When it comes down to healthy choices, sometimes granola can be tricky. So often it is just laden with sugars that make it an unhealthy, calorie-laden snack. But, thanks to companies like Kind Products, a healthier choice is available. If you are looking for a hint of vanilla sweetness and a bit of fruity goodness, I highly recommend the Kind Healthy Grains Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds. Honestly…one of the best choices out on the market today. Available in regular grocery stores too. Trust me…you’ll want to try this one!

Kind Healthy Grains Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds over fresh blueberries and Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt

July 9, 2013

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza comes to my gluten-free pizza rescue while out of town

Restaurant: Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Indianapolis, Indiana

So, I’m in Indianapolis. That morning, I ran 10 miles for training. My lunch was a gluten-free cookie and an orange. It was after 6 p.m. and I was starving. I had just finished up a string of back-to-back panels at a local sci-fi convention in Indianapolis, the entire reason I was in Indianapolis in the first place. My initial thought was a gluten-free sandwich from Jason’s Deli, but that would require leaving the convention hotel, driving out to the restaurant, which wasn’t nearby, and sitting and eating. And I honestly just didn’t have the energy.

So, my roommate and I hijacked the computer in the business center and started surfing Find Me Gluten Free.

And pizza…that’s not only convention food…it just sounded really, really, really good.

The most highly recommended place on the search was a local place called Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza. We pulled up the Web site, and…there it was…a 10 inch gluten-free crust. Awesome. We wrote down the number and checked the delivery area. And we were just a block or two outside of the delivery region. Cathy decided it was worth a try to ask if they would deliver to us, as they weren’t that far away. So, she called. And they were more than happy to accommodate. That was awesome.

We placed our order…one gluten-free pizza with mushrooms, red onion, and pineapple ($14.00). It just sounded…really good. With the order in, we were told it would be about 35 minutes, as it was a Saturday. So, we decided to keep ourselves occupied until we got the call that they were nearby. We’d meet the delivery guy in the lobby. We walked around and talked with some people while we waited and when they asked where we ordered pizza from, and we said Jockamo…they all melted and practically salivated on the spot. If that is any indication of what we were in for…I was beyond excited. And really, really hungry to boot.

It felt like no time had passed at all when Cathy’s cell phone rang. We skittered to the front lobby and had only a few minutes to wait before the delivery guy walked through the door and tracked us down. The pizza was handed over and we paid him, extra tip for coming outside of the delivery area. And then…no waiting, we hurried back to the hotel room to dive in and get some food in our stomachs.

I flipped open the pizza box and found the typical pizzeria gluten-free pizza. A cracker crust topped with red sauce, our toppings of choice, and cheese. I snapped a picture and then it was game on. We were starving and the pizza smelled fantastic.

So…we dove in. And devoured the pizza in less than 10 minutes, if that is any testimony as to how good it tasted. And this wasn’t just the “OH MY GOD I AM SO HUNGRY I WILL EAT WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF ME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT TASTES GOOD OR NOT” sort of hungry. It honestly tasted really, really good.

Let’s start with the crust. The thin crust was cooked almost to perfection. Almost. It had a really good flavor, but it just didn’t have that golden crustiness that I prefer with my pizza crusts, which meant, it came across as being a little soggy. Of course, some of that could be a reflection of the fact that it was cooked, packed in a box, put in a car and delivered to us. So, I’m not saying the crust was bad at all. It just didn’t have that crunch to it when I bit into it. The red sauce was fantastic. I’m not just saying that. The tomato flavors were rich and bold and seasoned to perfection. The toppings we selected were fantastic. The mushrooms, onions and pineapple were all cooked to perfection, the pineapple’s sweetness being a nice contrast to the umami flavor of the mushrooms and the bite of the onions. And then…the cheese. A nice hit of saltiness that the pizza needed…creamy and gooey and just…the entire package was phenomenal. Yep. I was impressed.

Like I said…we devoured that pizza in less than 10 minutes, each of us getting three slices each. No holds barred. It was gone as quickly as it had arrived and we were left licking marinara off our fingers and happily discussing how every bite of that pizza was beyond delicious. We were now fortified for the long evening ahead of us.

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza really surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect, just that all the locals were salivating whenever we mentioned where we ordered pizza for our dinner. And that was enough testimony to put my mind to ease. If we had scrolled a bit further through the menu, we also would have discovered that they also offer gluten-free cookies, made by Deihdre Alltop. I didn’t know about these…but now that I do…next time I’m in Indianapolis and order from Jockamo (there will be a next time…YUM!), I think dessert will have to happen as well. Because with a choice of three different gluten-free cookies…you just can’t go wrong.

Needless to say, the service at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, their willingness to come just outside of the delivery area and deliver to us at the convention hotel, spoke volumes of their service. Their food…especially that house made marinara…did the rest of the talking. Honestly, one of the best sauces I have ever encountered on a pizza. It was cooked up really well…the toppings were fresh and complimented the sauce, the crust, everything. I was beyond impressed.

If you are in the Indianapolis or Greenwood area, go by Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza and get a pizza. Dine in, take out, have it delivered. Just trust me…you really want to try it. I was one happy gluten-free pizza loving girl, let me tell you. And I’ve had a lot of gluten-free pizza in my life. This one…is definitely near the top of the list.

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza's Gluten-Free Pizza with Mushrooms, Red Onion and Pineapple — Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza’s Gluten-Free Pizza with Mushrooms, Red Onion and Pineapple

July 5, 2013

New gluten-free Ancient Grains Granola Bars from Udi’s makes an easy, delicious snack

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grain Granola Bars – $5.49+

Udi’s continues to expand on its gluten-free product line-up and I couldn’t be happier about it. After all, you have to grow and expand to get anywhere in this gluten-free product explosion that is facing the market these days. Luckily, I do have my favorite brands and, while I do sample others at times, there is no forgetting who is trusted in this market.

Everyone knows Udi’s. Their gluten-free bread was the first I ever tried that I actually liked. I mean, it tasted like bread. Sure, it’s smaller in size…but the texture, the taste…it was all good. It was all just as I wanted it to be. And from there, more and more of their products have made it into my home. And, with only one exception so far (the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls), I have loved everything I have purchased and sampled from Udi’s. I even have my favorites. Some of them…are even on the new products list!

You see, a while back, I was the proud recipient of a box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free, containing some of their old products and a few of their new products. Pure joy in the mail, let me tell you. I enjoyed revisiting some of their classic products, but even better…I loved being able to give their newest products a try as well. This was super exciting to me and I was looking forward to diving into each and every single product they provided for me.

This week, with my gluten-free pantry drying up, I reached in and removed the box of Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grain Granola Bars. Perfect. This would be the ideal snack to have in the late afternoon to get me through to when I could get home and cook dinner. I was really excited about trying these. They are one of the newly introduced products in Udi’s gluten-free snack line. In fact, there are actually three flavors that are out on the market now: Cranberry Almond, Chocolate Chip, and Ancient Grains. All of them sound really good…and if I find the other two varieties in my local stores, I’ll definitely give them a try as well.

As it was, one of these little granola bars came to work with me on Wednesday and at 3:00 p.m. I was ready to give it a try. The blank white wrapper gives no indication as to what awaits inside. Thankfully, the box that this came in was brightly decorated with a larger-than-life depiction of the granola bar waiting behind the mysterious white wrapper.

The Ancient Grains Granola Bar contains gluten-free oats, rice crisp, milled flaxseed, amaranth, and quinoa. These grains provide the structure and base from which the sweeteners, oils, raisins, and nuts are added. To sweeten and bind this granola bar, I note that Udi’s uses honey, brown rice syrup, evaporated cane srup, non-GMO canola oil, inulin, tapioca maltodextrin, palm oil, water, vegetable glycerine, natural flavor and something called Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086. And before you start to panic, that Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6068 is the Probiotics that are added to this granola bar to elevate the health factor. Yep. Probiotics. Good for digestion and all that.

But…what about the texture? The taste? I’m getting there.

Udi's Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (wrapped) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (wrapped)

After unwrapping this granola bar, I took a moment to examine it. You could see the variety of ingredients all mashed together into this granola bar. Nothing was indiscernible, which is always a nice touch. And, upon first bite, I discovered how soft and chewy these were. I guess the box indicates this, but I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking…”WOOHOO! Gluten-free granola bars!” But, that was a nice surprise. I am not a fan of crunchy granola bars. I like to chew them, not crunch them. I like a soft, filling texture and that’s exactly what Udi’s provides. They aren’t overly sweet, thank goodness. They also aren’t a sticky mess and they don’t leave your fingers covered in residue. They are clean, and perfect. Bite-for-bite goodness. I was very impressed with these. They make a great, easy on-the-go snack or something light to chew on to get you through to dinner time or even lunch. It’s the right amount and fills you up just enough. And, wow…the flavor. Without being hidden under a layer of sugar or unnecessary chocolate, the ingredients of these bars speak for themselves. You taste the texture of the grains, get the sweetness from the honey and raisins, get that bit of crunch from the almonds that are added. It is a perfect snack, a good size to tuck away for later without fearing it will be too much.

Nutritionally speaking, an Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar will provide you with 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. One bar will also provide you with 40 mg of sodium and 10 grams of sugar. The sugar content seems a bit high, considering these aren’t very sweet…but with all the sweeteners added, I’m actually surprises it isn’t higher than that. I have definitely seen far worse for granola bars. The Ancient Grains Granola Bar also will provide your body with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not too shabby!

Add this one to the long list of Udi’s Gluten-Free products that I have loved from the start. It’s a very long list. Because with Udi’s…they strive for perfection. They want their food to taste good. And, when consumers spoke out about their cinnamon rolls, they changed the recipe and reformulated them. I haven’t tried the new version…but I’d like to think I’d like them better the next time I do purchase them. I’ll keep an open mind for sure. Because when it comes to gluten-free companies, Udi’s has made a name for itself for the quality and attention they give their products and their customers. And that’s why people keep coming back to them.

Udi's Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (unwrapped) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (unwrapped)