Fruit – Page 14 – The Celiathlete

June 21, 2013

Loving the Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake – $6.95

Lemon.

Who doesn’t love lemon. There is just something so refreshing about a dish that is flavored with lemon. It’s crisp. It’s delicious. It’s my favorite flavor to use as a palate cleanser. And…one of my favorite flavors for a dessert. Like I said…it’s refreshing.

Remember that Cinnamon Coffee Cake I picked up at the gluten-free expo I attended in Carmel, Indiana? Well, my roommate got to pick a cake too, and as she is as much of a lemon freak as I am, she went with the Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery. So…here we were…two girls…two cakes…and a freezer. And a time span of a couple months. I knew they were in there…it was just a matter of getting the pantry down to managable levels before hitting up the freezer. My biggest concern was that these cakes would suffer for having spent so much time in the freezer.

They didn’t. Not at all.

As I mentioned previously in my blog on the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Truly Wize Bakery, a gluten-free and allergen-free bakery, is based out of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Their Web site states that their mission is simple: they want to provide delicious, healthy, premium quality gluten-free and allergy-free cookies, cakes, brownies, and other confections without the use of wheat, gluten, dairy, butter, soy, peanuts, artificial colors and flavors. They carry this out by using the finest selection of premium natural and organic ingredients from growers and suppliers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything they make is from scratch in a dedicated gluten-free facility and baked to order so that everything is also fresh. You gotta love that.

The bakery was brought to life by the Chef/Founder Caren Weaver, who was on a mission to create healthier desserts for her children. Her passion for baking kick-started this plan and she finally decided to really only incorporate organic and natural ingredients in her handcrafted, gluten-free products. With the evolution of the gluten-free market, and the fact that one of her friends was a diagnosed Celiac, Caren set out to make gluten-free products that her friend could enjoy. They had to taste great.

So…obviously if my roommate and I sampled the lemon cake…and then bought it…it actually must have tasted great.

The fact was, it had been so long since we had those samples…I couldn’t remember.

Since the cake was frozen, I set it out on the counter while I was at work that day to allow it to thaw. I wasn’t sure what this would do to the cake. It didn’t seem to harm the Cinnamon Coffee Cake I had a few days before…but this actually had icing on it. So, it was a little bit different. That night, after having leftovers for dinner, dessert was just as easy as slicing into the cake and serving it up. The icing survived the thawing process better than anticipated, though it was nowhere near the beauty it was when I originally purchased it. But…it’s one of those little sacrifices. Aside from that, flavor-wise, you’d never guess this cake was frozen…ever!

Luscious lemon flavor explodes across your taste buds with this fantastic cake. It’s that right balance too. Sometimes lemon can take over and just overwhelm your palate. Not in this case. The lemon cake with the lemon icing finds that perfect citrus balance so that it doesn’t cause your eyes to water and your lips to pucker. This cake is incredibly rich and incredibly moist. And I loved every bite of it. I tried not to hoover it and devour it without any thought, but took time to taste…get the full effect of the flavor and the texture.

And, nutritionally speaking, the nutrition facts attached to this cake aren’t so bad. Not for…a cake. The Iced Lemon Cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. It tastes like it should be laden with calories and fat…but thankfully, it’s not. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so refreshing, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. Trust me…you won’t believe it either. But…a healthier option for a dessert is always welcome. And while you do only get a little square of cakey goodness…it’s just enough after a meal. A couple of bites and dessert is done.

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the two cakes I purchased are any indication of how the rest of their products are, then everything is a real treat. A healthier version of a real treat!

I was truly surprised by the products that Truly Wize Bakery offers. The cakes were both fantastic. One was refreshing, the other was sinful. And both were fantastic. I love this lemon cake…because the lemon isn’t too much, nor is it too subtle. It makes that last bite after a meal a truly memorable one. And with it being gluten-free and allergen free as well…even better.

Find their products…or order online. But trust me…this bakery is not to be missed.

A slice of Truly Wize Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake

June 21, 2013

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar a good on-the-go option

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bars – $5.99+

Breakfast bars.

They are tricky. They really are. I have eaten them since I was little…and the one thing is always the same. The fruit tastes fake (because it mostly is), the actual bar is usually dry and rather tasteless, and they just make me thirsty when I eat them.

All of that holds true for Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar, the second flavor I have ever tried from their line up of gluten-free bars, which include apple, cherry, and strawberry. Prior to this, I have only had the strawberry variety. And that was a year and a half ago. Honestly. It was also my first ever taste of a gluten-free breakfast bar.

You know…when you first bite into something that you haven’t had for ages…you tend to get lost in that moment. For me, when I had that first breakfast bar back then, I remembered growing up and eating those Nutri-Grain bars for snack at school.

That’s what these taste like. Exactly.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (wrapped)

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar is actually really good. It was the first sample of a bar I ever had, at a Gluten-Free Tasting Fair at a local natural food store. One bite and I was in heaven. I had to buy my own box, and that was when I went with the strawberry variety. I ended up with the Glutino Blueberry Breakfast Bars, however, because my mom had purchased a box of them for me while I was in town last time, running a race and visiting the family. I never was home enough to eat them…so, she told me to take them with me. I’m not one to turn down free food.

I’ve had a lot to work through in my pantry, but these were now getting their time as my afternoon snack.

Glutino doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hitting tastes and textures for their snack foods and their products. Honestly, they are a name I trust. When it comes to gluten-free foods, Glutino really focuses a lot on the taste, flavor, texture and how people perceive their product. That is a big deal because if it isn’t good…if it tastes bad or is tasteless, no one will purchase it, right?

Well, the Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar…is good. I mean…when you need something fast or on-the-go, it’s handy to have around. They slip right into a bag or purse without any problems…and that’s important. You want ease when you’re an on-the-go sort like me. The bar itself does have that dry breakfast bar flavor…the one that every breakfast bar has. But, the fruit puree in the middle is packed with flavor. These bars are soft, easy to chew, and yes…they are good. Tasty. Not perfect. Not wonderful. But…good.

Amazing how the more products you eat, the more gluten-free foods you work through, the more you change the way you eat, the less fantastic something seems when you return to it. Like I said…these bars are good.

I’ve always been a label reader when I go shopping, but never really payed too close of attention to the ingredient lists on certified gluten-free foods. With the way I am shifting my diet, per my sports nutritionist, I am actually really saddened by the amount of unnatural ingredients that go into these. It’s a bit of a turn-off. While it does contain actual blueberries, they aren’t listed until 5th on the list. The first ingredient is, sadly, sugar. And the blueberry portion of this bar is a mix of that sugar, with some chemical ingredients I can’t pronounce, a blend of fruit and vegetable juices (white grape, carrot, blueberry, and pear) as well as a raisin paste, more sugar (fructose), and the pastry-like casing seems to be a mix of chickpea flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. While I admire that they do, in fact, use real blueberries and blueberry juice, I just wish there were more of that and less of the chemicals in these bars.

That being said…in a pinch…these would be a good option to grab.

Nutritionally speaking, these bars provide you with 140 calories per bar and 2 grams of fat. So, they are a healthier choice than some things out on the market. These contain only 60 mg of sodium and are cholesterol free. In addition, you are provided with 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A little low, but leaving you feeling satisfied after eating it. You won’t be starving in the next couple of hours after consuming this bar. So, as far as the numbers go…not bad.

As far as the flavor goes…very reminiscent of the breakfast bars I ate growing up, before I had to go gluten-free as an adult. If you’re in a pinch, these are a good option to have on hand to take with you, in case hunger strikes.

Nicely done, Glutino.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (unwrapped)

June 18, 2013June 18, 2013

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Splits

So…my sports nutritionist is working on getting me in the best shape for my upcoming marathon. That being said, she is moving me towards a Clean Eating diet. Less processed foods. I’m going to really embrace this, although I have a pantry to work through before I can really set onto this path. So, it will be a slow move in that direction, but I’ll get there.

That being said, today I decided to give a “Clean Eating” breakfast a try. After hitting up the gym for some cross training (it’s cross training day) and some strength training, I came into work and prepared what is known as a Breakfast Banana Split. The concept came from Clean Eating Magazine…but I substituted cottage cheese (BLECH!) for Greek yogurt (YUM!). Let me tell you…it’s awesome!

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Split

Servings: 2
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

2 medium bananas
1 cup Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons all-fruit strawberry jam
Fresh pineapple, chopped
2 Tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

Peel and cut each banana in half lengthwise.

Place 2 banana halves in a shallow dish or bowl (or a deep traveling container if you’re off to work).

Place 1/2 cup of the Greek yogurt over center of banana and top with 1 1/2 tablespoons jam, 1 tablespoon peanuts and a pinch of salt.

Repeat with remaining ingredients to assemble 1 more Breakfast Banana Split.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

Yes…it really is that simple. Basic, real ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied and good about your breakfast. I loved this and can’t wait to make it again! The flavors are perfectly matched. And the Greek yogurt gives you that hit of protein to go along with the fruits and the nuts that you are pairing with it. It’s like having dessert for breakfast. And it tastes…oh…so good!

Dig in.

June 12, 2013

Freedom Foods Tropico’s brings nothing artificial to the breakfast table

Product: Freedom Foods Tropico’s Cereal – $2.99+

Oh yeah. You read that right.

Nothing. Artificial. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Let me reiterate this once more – NOTHING ARTIFICIAL!

So what exactly is this Froot Loops-like cereal made from…and why am I blogging about them?

Well, I’m blogging about this cereal because it was a new gluten-free item that I spotted at Whole Foods. And it was inexpensive for a gluten-free cereal. And I hadn’t had Froot Loops since I was really, really little. And sometimes, even as an adult…you just want something to remind you of your childhood. The only thing I looked at on the box was the sugar, and it was low for a cereal, so I put it in my shopping basket as I was going to need gluten-free cereal anyway…and away I went.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Normally I equate inexpensive gluten-free foods with disgusting gluten-free cardboard flavor. So, when my current cereal was gone and I popped this box open yesterday…I was almost hesitant to settle in for breakfast. I can be quite adventurous, but I also was on a tight schedule yesterday and not liking my cereal would have put a big crimp in the morning activities and energy level, for sure. But, after my first spoonful…I worried no more.

Not only do these taste better than Froot Loops, but you can tell they aren’t laden down with unnecessary sugar either. The flavors are all natural, because, as I said, Freedom Foods believes very strongly in their products having nothing artificial in them. That means the colors are all natural and the flavors are all natural. So…what does this mean? It means this fantastic fruit flavor is coming from…yep…natural fruit flavor. Imagine that. Getting a fruit flavor from…fruit. And the proof is on the taste buds. While these are definitely not as sweet as Froot Loops, these are definitely packed with great flavor and offer a gluten-free version of that childhood classic. As for the color…that is also all-natural, being drawn from turmeric, fermented rice powder, gardenia flower extract, and sweet potato extract. For real! Sure, the colors aren’t as bold or bright or unnatural as the original Kellogg’s brand cereal…but I don’t need my colors to pop. I need cereals that don’t use artificial dyes and sweeteners. And Freedom Foods is offering that. And these aren’t just for kids…obviously. The fruity flavor is really amazing and I dug in, spoonful after spoonful until it was, sadly, gone.

Freedom Foods is free from gluten, wheat, nuts, dairy, sesame, soy, and eggs. As I mentioned before, the colors and flavors are all natural. This cereal is low in salt, a great source of fiber, and completely preservative free. No BHT here. You’ll find it in Froot Loops though. You’ll find soy, wheat, and hydrogenated oils in Froot Loops too. Oh…and artificial colors. Why eat something artificial when you can eat something that comes from natural ingredients. That’s how food should be made. It’s even better when the food is as delicious as this turned out to be.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving is 1 cup of Tropico’s cereal, which will set you back 130 calories and only less than 1 gram of fat. This serving will also provide you with a scant 40 mg of sodium, 8 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. While Kellogg’s Froot Loops variety has fewer calories, it has a little more fat, definitely more sodium, and 12 grams of sugar. I think I’ll take the 20 extra calories for something that is all natural and has less sugar in it. Thank you very much.

Freedom Foods Tropico’s is just one cereal that I found. There are quite a few others lining the shelves. And, according to the Web site, some other options as well that Whole Foods might not have yet. That being said, I am looking forward to trying another type of their cereal because they have completely wowed me with this one. Maybe I’m still a kid at heart, but this is a cereal parents can feel confident giving to their children and adults can enjoy as well. It’s all natural…and all good.

June 12, 2013

A crispy outside with a soft inside means The Pure Pantry mixes up a perfect old fashioned pancake

Product: The Pure Pantry Organic Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix – $6.79+

What does a runner love to eat…probably as much as bananas, pasta, and pizza. If you said pancakes…you’d win the jackpot. And, even before I became a runner, pancakes were one of my most favorite breakfast foods to have. And my mom was a pro at making them. In fact, her very own recipe in the cookbook she put together for all of the kids in the family actually has them titled “The Best Ever Pancakes.” I think we called them that once or twice…or always.

But…going gluten-free sort of took the fun out of pancakes. So often, the batter would be runny, or the pancakes would have no lift to them. They were dense, not light and fluffy. Or the flavor was all wrong. There are so many factors that go into creating the perfect pancake. And none of them ever achieved “Best Ever” status like my mom’s.

And while none of the mixes have duplicated that perfection…a few have come close. And, while this remains on the lower end of my favorite pancakes, The Pure Pantry Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix has achieved something that no other gluten-free pancake and baking mix has managed. It managed to get that perfect golden crust on the outside of the pancake, so that you get that initial crispy texture, followed by the soft, hot center.

Yes…it might just be gluten-free pancake nirvana.

And it all came to light on Monday morning. I had just come in from my first official marathon training run. Five easy miles…while hydrating and fueling. All on the orders of my sports nutritionist. But now it was time to recover and get some carbs and protein working in my diet. So…at the request of my roomie the previous night, and to celebrate my first run toward my ultimate goal of 26.2 miles…pancakes just seemed right. But not just any pancakes will do when you are marathon training. Nope. They have to be special. Fit with the theme.

So…I took this mix and doctored it up with some PB2, a tablespoon of melted Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator Peanut Butter, and a chopped banana. Does that not sound like the ultimate recovery breakfast? It’s a runner’s dream come true. Protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. I served mine up with a homemade raspberry syrup (the “jelly” component)…which gave me some antioxidants from the fruit. Oh yeah…I was feeling good. The only thing I worried about was how the mix would do when I altered the ingredients that went into it.

I should have known better than to worry. This is actually an easy mix to blend together. To the 1-1/3 cup of pancake mix, you simply add one lightly beaten egg, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1-1/3 cup almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice) and blend. But I didn’t stop there. Nope. I had to go further with the peanut butter and banana. Because that’s a winning combination. You gotta admit. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out in the end…but my fears were put to rest after I scooped the first 1/4 cup serving of batter onto the hot skillet and started the first batch cooking.

Within moments, the edges of the pancakes were getting bubbly, just like real pancakes do…but gluten-free pancakes don’t often achieve. I was feeling good about this already. I flipped the first round, almost squealing with happiness when I saw the perfect golden hue on the cooked side. Nothing done halfway. No light areas. Perfectly golden and…even fluffy. They were FLUFFY!

With the first batch done, I went to prep those for breakfast consumption that morning, warming up my homemade raspberry syrup, and making a Brown Sugar Agave Butter to schmear over each pancake. With the next batch cooking on the griddle and one set ready to eat, I served them up to my roommate and ended up standing up over the skillet while eating mine and cooking up the rest of them.

I was so happy with these.

The Pure Pantry’s Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix is perfect for anyone following a gluten-free/casein-free diet. These pancakes can also be made with dairy-free rice, almond or soy milk. I love a mix that can work with dietary needs. Regardless of the milk you add, the pancakes don’t just fill the kitchen with that homey, Sunday morning brunch aroma, but the product that emerges off that skillet is a testament to the quality and standards of The Pure Pantry.

With the unique and versatile blend of organic, gluten-free flours, this mix is meant for more than just pancakes. In fact, it can be used to replace flour in any regular baking recipe. Gotta love that. This mix contains a blend of organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour, organic potato starch flour, organic corn flour, organic tapioca flour, baking soda, aluminum free baking powder, xanthan gum, and organic sea salt. I will once again point out that this is another fine example of using ingredients that aren’t chemicals or unpronouncable. These are real ingredients which helps produce the very delicious product as a result.

Nutritionally speaking, these pancakes will set you back 150 calories and only 1 gram of fat. Yep…you read that right! These have no cholesterol and are low in sodium (280 mg). However, it would be best to add something like peanut butter and some fruit to these as the fiber level sits at 1 gram and the protein is a scant 2 grams before any sort of doctoring happens to the mix. So…if you make them as-is…you will probably feel hungry shortly after.

However, what you do get is a perfect specimen of gluten-free pancakes the way they should come out when cooked. I hadn’t yet achieved this level of pancake perfection until now. And I have The Pure Pantry and their amazing Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix to thank for it. I…am sold.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes made from The Pure Pantry Organic Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix

June 7, 2013

Glutino’s sweet take on gluten-free Strawberry Pop Tarts is even better than the real thing

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastries – $5.69+

My favorite thing in life…

Strawberries.

Seriously. That’s all it takes to make me happy. Hand me a big bowl of organic strawberries and I will EAT. THEM. ALL. For real. I have no self-control (and really, who needs it) when it comes to those delicious red berries. I’ve always loved fruit and growing up I sampled whatever my mom brought home. And, let me tell you, she brought home some crazy things to enjoy at dinner as our fruit portion (she always made us a balanced meal from every food group!). And, for the most part, I loved everything she gave to us. There were some I preferred over others. I think mango was the only one I really didn’t care for. I’d eat it though. I just wasn’t happy about eating it.

Where was I? Oh yes…strawberries.

Strawberries…and gluten-free toaster pastries.

Yep. GLUTEN. FREE. TOASTER. PASTRIES.

I know I mentioned in an earlier blog my complete elation at spotting boxes of Glutino’s new gluten-free toaster pastries (in two flavors: apple cinnamon and strawberry) while out at Whole Foods one afternoon. I literally ran up and down the aisle dancing a jig of joy. The stock boy just sort of stared at me. I’m fairly certain that I’ll make the annual Christmas party security video reel of laughter. But I don’t care. Because one of my gluten-free prayers had finally been answered. Only a couple months after the release into the wild…I found Glutino’s new product. And I was overjoyed (obviously).

It took me a couple of weeks to use other items in my pantry up first, but on gym days this week…these made their debut. And after the awesomeness of the Glutino Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries I enjoyed on Monday, I was really, really, really looking forward to the Glutino Strawberry Toaster Pastries. My wait…was over.

Much like how it ran on Monday, I got to the office and turned on the toaster oven. To keep any sort of cross-contamination at bay, I toasted these up on my own plate, setting them under the broiler setting for about 5 minutes. This got them toasty hot and nice and golden in color. I dropped one off with my roommate and I settled in at my desk with my own.

An individual packet containing a Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry

And from her cubical, I hear: “It’s TASTY!”

That was a good sign. Upon my own investigation, I couldn’t agree more. The Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastries are a little sweeter than the Apple Cinnamon variety. That’s okay. Strawberries are usually sweeter than apples anyway. I loved the unique flavor, which I believe comes from the filling being a blend of apple powder, strawberries, white grape juice, and black carrot juice (for color). It is pretty sweet and the pastry that enfolds it crisped up perfectly and was still flaky and amazing when I took a bite. I loved the flavor and the texture of these. Beyond delicious. These were phenomenal. These weren’t just reminiscent of Pop Tarts…these were better than Pop Tarts. And…a whole lot healthier too.

In fact, I decided to do a side-by-side comparison between Glutino Strawberry Toaster Pastries with Unfrosted Strawberry Pop Tarts and the Strawberry Toaster Strudels from Pillsbury.

Glutino, by far, offers the best options when you look at it from a nutritional standpoint. A serving is one Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry which clocks in at 160 calories and 5 grams of fat (the Pop Tarts…which are wrapped up with 2 per packet, though the serving size is only 1 has 210 calories per pastry with 6 grams of fat and the Pillsbury variety has 170 calories and 7 grams of fat). Glutino’s strawberry variety offers 4 grams of fiber (Pop Tarts have less than 1, as do the Toaster Strudels). Now, Glutino does have more sodium than the other two versions…I won’t lie. But…this is a prepackaged food…so sodium content does tend to be a bit higher. A huge, huge kicker for me though is that Glutino does not have high fructose corn syrup anywhere in it’s ingredients. None. The other two versions totally do. And…Glutino is gluten-free. These do have eggs, so if you are a vegan or sensitive to eggs, just be aware that they are in the ingredients.

What I love about Glutino’s Gluten-Free Toaster Pastries is that you can eat them right out of the box. Just unwrap each individual pastry and nosh. Or, you can microwave them for a few seconds to warm them. Or toast them. However you want, however you like. That’s what makes toaster pastries so amazing. And now…the gluten-free community not only benefits from Glutino’s latest product…but we can boast that ares are even better than those fancy, name-brand varieties out in the market.

I have only been able to find the Glutino Toaster Pastries at Whole Foods…so head out to your local Whole Foods and find them. Buy them. Enjoy them. They are totally worth any means you need to take to get them. Even if you have to order them online. Do it. Do it now.

Because they are, simply put, simply amazing…simply better for you…and simple to eat. I’m loving it.

A toasted Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry

June 5, 2013

Glutino rocks my world with new Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries – $5.69+

GLUTEN.

FREE.

TOASTER.

PASTRIES.

Go ahead…read those four lines again. I’ll wait…

Do you understand the ramifications of this sort of invention? It had been well over two years since I last had a Pop Tart of Toaster Pastry of any sort. Going gluten-free but the kabash on that rather quickly. Every time I’d walk down the grocery asile, despite knowing they are laden with high fructose corn syrup, I would stare in deep want of those damn, evil Pop Tarts. I knew I couldn’t have them. But…oh…there were days that was all I wanted.

Then, last year, a company known as Eco Planet announced they were releasing gluten-free toaster pastries. I was ecstatic. I was so excited. I checked out the Web site and they had stopped taking orders for them as they couldn’t keep up with the demand. As soon as they were released…I looked everywhere for them. Still can’t find them in stores. Can only order by the case online. What if they were awful? What if I didn’t like them? Then I was stuck, not just with a box…but an entire case. I couldn’t risk it, no matter how badly I wanted to have one. So once again…I was left to stare longingly at the aisle in the grocery store and wish…just wish.

Enter my saving grace…once again. Glutino to the gluten-free rescue!

Glutino announced earlier this year the release of two brand new products: Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries and Strawberry Toaster Pastries.

I think I did a happy dance of joy with the announcement, hoping, praying that these would be easier to find. They weren’t. They eluded me for months after the initial release. Then…one day, I was scoping out the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods…spotted them on the very top shelf, and ran around the aisle, dancing, flailing, hooting and hollering…just celebrating this little victory in my gluten-free life. Glutino Toaster Pastries had arrived at my Whole Foods. And now…they were all mine.

I snagged a box of each, purchased them without any regret, and took them home.

Where…I was afraid to open the box. Most people would try these out immediately. I don’t know why I let them sit in my pantry for a couple of weeks. Perhaps I was just being stubborn. Or was afraid to not like them. Or maybe I had other perishable items to have for breakfast before getting to these. Or maybe a combination of it all. The fact is…yesterday marked the debut of the gluten-free toaster pastry into my life.

A individual packet containing a Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastry

And I started my breakfast journey…after a cardio and strength training workout at the gym…at my place of employment…with the aid of my own plate and a toaster oven (which I toasted these on my plate, not the rack…no cross contamination!). And this all started with the Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon flavored toaster pastry.

Peeling back that silver wrapper and placing the toaster pastry on the plate was…euphoric. I took a moment to just look at it. It definitely resembled an un-frosted Pop Tart. YES! It smelled like…apples and cinnamon. That is only a good thing, friends. Into the toaster oven it went for a few minutes under broil, just to get that nice golden color on it. I watched it carefully, not wanting to burn my first toaster pastry in years because I wandered away. No way!! That wasn’t going to happen. Not on my watch.

I removed the hot plate from the toaster oven and took it back to my desk…ready to savor. I was already practically drooling. It toasted to perfection. The center was gooey and soft and just smelled…awesome. I was never more ready to sink my teeth into something than I was at that very moment.

And. OH. MY. GLUTEN. FREE. GOD!!!!

Divine. Heaven. It was like eating a flaky toaster pastry that resembled a Pop Tart. I was…doing my best not to just shove every inch of it into my mouth. I wanted to savor it. I wanted every bite to last. I ended up hoovering it though…because it was that good. The crust is flaky and awesome. The filling is soft, packed with flavor and…awesome. Glutino…once again…proves that they are AWESOME! Yet another Glutino product that has wowed me. I haven’t had a bad experience yet with any of the products they have out on the market. And this…this was something I had been seeking, needing, and desiring. And they bring it to me…via the shelves of Whole Foods. If life is but a dream, I hope to never, ever wake up from this one.

These are far tastier than I ever remember Pop Tarts being. Yeah…I just said that. And I meant it.

So…how are they nutritionally speaking? Who cares??! They are gluten-free toaster pastries!! But, if you really must know…

A serving, much like Pop Tarts, is one pastry. Yeah…Pop Tarts tricks you by putting two in their wrappers. Glutino keeps theirs individually wrapped with 5 delicious pastries per box. Glutino’s Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries contain 160 calories per pastry and 5 grams of fat. (For the record, Pop Tarts Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon pastries have 210 calories per pastry and 8 grams of fat. They don’t have an apple cinnamon flavor anymore). The Glutino Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries also provide 4 grams of fiber. Yes…these do have 12 grams of sugar, but it’s a toaster pastry. These are also low in cholesterol and sodium. Loving it.

If you can’t find these toasty pastries of awesome at your local Whole Foods, get online and order them. They are totally worth having in your kitchen. Please note that they do contain eggs, so if you have a problem with eggs or are vegan…these might not be right for you. I love eggs…and LOVE these in turn. Oh…and no high fructose corn syrup went into the making of these fantastic little breakfast sweets. I’m loving that even more.

The gluten-free world is free to heat up toaster pastries again. Thank you, great Glutino…for bringing such a large amount of joy…in such a small package.

I’m still smiling…and looking forward to trying the Strawberry variety tomorrow.

A toasted Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastry

June 5, 2013

Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola a step above the rest

Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grains Granola Cereal

Product: Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal – $6.99+

Flavor. Texture. Taste. Ingredients.

Everything that goes into a granola has to be spot on. Because a good granola will not be laden with sugar. If you are currently consuming a granola with a high sugar content…STOP! Just stop…now. There are better, healthier, more filling options out there that give your body the proper balance of nutrients it needs…instead of filling you up (briefly) with sugar.

One such brand…is Purely Elizabeth.

I originally tried the Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig granola a couple months ago…and fell in love with it. I was a bit leery about it…but it surprised me. Even more, the fact that it wasn’t laden down with chemicals, sugars, and unhealthy things made it all the more enjoyable to consume. Flavor was top of the line. It is one of the more expensive gluten-free granola on the market…but it’s worth it. Trust me.

That being said, when I found myself laden with fresh fruits and berries in my CSA bin this week…I picked up some Greek yogurt and figured breakfast parfaits would be an amazing addition to my favorite meal of the day. But…I’d need granola. And while there is a wide variety of gluten-free options out there, I was biding my time while hitting the various grocery stores that I haunt week in and week out. On my very last stop, I decided I would just go with whatever was there. And what was there were quite a few options…but imagine my joy at seeing the bags of Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola Cereal on the bottom shelf. I didn’t hesitate for a moment. Well…one moment…but that was just because I needed to choose a flavor. Only two remained…the Pumpkin Fig, which I had already tried previously…and the Blueberry Hemp.

Blueberry Hemp won and found its way into my shopping cart…then in my shopping bag…then in my pantry.

It was opened up and tried the very next morning.

A serving of Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

Let’s start with the basics of this variety and brand. The Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola is made with all natural, organic, and gluten-free ingredients that include quinoa, amaranth, chia seeds, and raw virgin coconut oil. What these ingredients impart on the cereal is a nutritious blend of protein, b vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, energy-providing fatty acids, as well as anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. It sounds like a lot of technical mambo-jumbo, I understand. But it boils down to…you aren’t getting any GMO ingredients, any refined sugars, no artificial colors, some good-for-you fats, and lots of overall vitamins and good stuff for your body. Not. Just. Junk.

The evidence is in the ingredients: organic certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut palm sugar, organic raw virgin coconut oil, dried blueberries, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic sunflower seeds, organic hemp seeds, organic chia seeds, organic cinnamon, sea salt.

Anything you don’t recognize? Exactly my point. If you can honestly say you know what everything in a product is…I’d say that product is safe to consume.

But…that big looming question awaits…

How does it taste?

There aren’t enough words…but it is SUPER delicious. AMAZING. Really YUMMY! It is, perhaps, my favorite gluten-free granola I have bought yet. I mean…the texture is really good. Crispy, with a hint of sweetness from the coconut palm sugar. The dried blueberries give it an added boost of sweetness that ties in so wonderfully with the ancient grains and seeds that help give this granola its fantastic, crunchy texture. This…is granola with the volume turned up to 11. It’s, by far, the best one I have ever eaten…and trust me…go back through my blog…I have sampled quite a few.

Nutritionally speaking…a serving of Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola is 1/3 cup. With this serving, you are consuming 140 calories and 6 grams of fat, much of which is the healthy fats your body uses for energy. Loving that. This serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. As for that sugar content…only 6 grams in a serving. That’s awesome from a granola. This granola is also cholesterol free and low in sodium (only 110 mg).

Granola that supplies your body with nutrients and not sugar…I’m perfectly okay with that. Even better…it’s not only good for you…it tastes great too. SOLD!! Go ahead…find it at your local stores and try it. Believe me…it’s worth the price tag. So…so worth it.

Fresh Fruit and Greek Yogurt Breakfast Parfait with Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

June 3, 2013

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

If I have time on Sunday morning…as in I am back from my long(ish) weekend run before my roommate rises and shines, I sometimes like to take a moment to prepare a hearty breakfast for the two of us. If she’s awake…I throw together something a little quicker and with less preparation and thought. So, the mornings I get my run done and come home to a still-quiet apartment are some of my favorite mornings. I’ve just finished running…and now I get to spend some time, some stress-free moments, in the kitchen…making my favorite meal of the day!

Breakfast!

Don’t get me wrong, breakfast food can be eaten at any time during the day…but I love a good, hearty, and healthy breakfast to get my day off to a good start.

This morning…I made up Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries…which I based my version loosely off of Giada De Laurentiis’ recipe. I say loosely because mine is gluten-free…mine uses raspberries (not oranges) and I sweetened my gluten-free bread with lemon zest…not orange zest. My syrup is raspberry based instead of orange based.

Pain Perdu, by the way, is French Toast. So…it’s easy to make and, ultimately, delicious. Here is the recipe for mine:

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pan Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

Servings: 4
Time: Prep 45 minutes; Cook 12 minutes

Ingredients:

French Toast:

4 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 slices of gluten-free bread (I used Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread) (If not gluten-free, use slices of whole grain bread or country white bread, preferably 1 day old)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Syrup:

4-5 ounces raspberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur (Chambord) or raspberry fruit juice/fruit juice blend
2 star anise pods
1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (about 6 ounces) fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions:

For the toast: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, orange zest, and cinnamon together until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch casserole. Add the bread slices in a single layer. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes, turning once.

For the syrup: Place the raspberries into a small saucepan. Add the sugar, water, raspberry liqueur or raspberry juice, if using, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Remove the star anise pods and cinnamon stick and discard.

Preheat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter. Using a spatula, remove the bread slices from the egg mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drain. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes each side. Place on 4 serving plates and drizzle with the raspberry syrup and fresh raspberries. In a small bowl, toss the blueberries and mint together and spoon on top of the French toast. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

May 16, 2013May 16, 2013

Lemon zings every bite of fantasic Lemon Shortbread from Simply Shari

Product: Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free and Fabulous Lemon Shortbread Bite Size Cookies – $4.29+

LEMON!!!

Lemon is one of my most favorite flavors in this world. Honestly. There is something so refreshing and revitalizing about not just the scent, but that taste of lemon. And everyone who knows me is quite aware of this fact.

Especially my friend Jenn…who is as much a connoisseur of lemon-flavored lemony things as me. And she is the person I have to thank for bringing Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free and Fabulous Lemon Shortbread Bite Size Cookies into my life. For freakin’ real. She has been one of the most understanding and adapting of my friends when it came to me having to go gluten-free. I show up at her house at times and she showers me with goodies that she has found while out and about. AND…she keeps a “gluten-free” section in her pantry for me as well. Good friends like Jenn are AWESOME and meant to be praised in blogs like this one.

So…awhile back she gifted me with a bag of gluten-free goodness that I asked her to pick up for me since the items were on sale. And when there is a gluten-free sale, even in another state, I jump at the chance to take advantage of it. Well, she threw in a couple of extra things she spotted…and one of them was these little bite-size lemon shortbread cookies.

Simply Shari’s was one of those brands I just sort of accidentally happened upon way back when this gluten-free thing was new to me. I was in Frankfort, Kentucky for the Black Cat Chase 5K…and my roommate and I dropped into the Kroger on our way out. And one of the Manager’s Specials was on a frozen gluten-free pizza from Simply Shari’s. We ended up purchasing it…and eating it a few nights later…and loving it. The Almond Shortbread was next…and we both were enamored with that as well.

So…lemon goodness had to abound from these, right? I knew it was a sure thing because Jenn had picked up some for herself and told me that they were super yumtastic. Those weren’t her exact words. I’m loosely quoting here.

Well, being as it is National Chocolate Chip day…and I don’t have anything chocolate chip in the apartment…I settled on the next best thing for dessert. Yes…lemon cookies. Because nothing says celebrating chocolate chips like lemon shortbread. I never do anything normal or simple. This is my norm.

So, after a delightful dinner and after scouring all the dishes…my roommate and I were definitely ready for a small bite for dessert. That’s one thing I love about these cookies from Simply Shari’s. They are bite-size. So you aren’t getting this huge cookie that is packed with all these fillers that will make you feel more stuffed than you already are. Nope. Not these.

Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free and Fabulous Lemon Shortbread Bite Size Cookies (for being bite size…that’s a mouthful, yes?) are awesome. No exaggeration there. One bite and it was hard to keep myself from simply devouring the other two that were held in the palm of my hand. Honestly. Lemon at its best. Shortbread at its most awesome.

Yes…you still have that buttery and crumbly texture that is associated with shortbread. It’s sweet and savory all at once. But then…add in that fantastic lemon flavor and you totally turn of the volume on these cookies…all the way up to 11. They don’t skimp on the lemon flavor, nor do they throw it in your face either. It’s not subtle but it won’t leave your taste buds feeling assaulted by lemon. That’s the tricky thing about lemon…you can easily make it too lemony so easily. Not Simply Shari’s. And that lemon flavor…it was the perfect match with the buttery taste of the shortbread. So impressed.

These cookies are made with simple ingredients. Rice flour, brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, potato starch, xanthum gum, water, baking soda, modified corn starch, guar gum, baking soda, and, naturally, lemon fruit pieces. These candied lemon pieces are the star of these cookies, bringing them to life with their stunning lemon flavor. And these crumbly, delicious shortbread cookies are rather impressive nutritionally too…as far as cookies go.

One serving is three bite size lemon shortbread cookies. These three cookies will set you back only 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not bad for shortbread. Not bad at all. Even better, the sugar content in these cookies is definitely on the low side – only 9 grams. These gluten-free cookies are also non-GMO, which is always appreciated.

Simply put…Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free and Fabulous Lemon Shortbread Bite Size Cookies are amazing. I am so glad I have a second pack of these in my pantry as well. I’m addicted and hooked and loving the lemon and buttery goodness in a simply delicious and simply fabulous bite-size package. It’s hard to keep that serving down to just three.