Fruit – Page 6 – The Celiathlete

May 14, 2015

Product Review: Laughing Giraffe Organics Cherry Ginger Snakarola

Product: Laughing Giraffe Organics Cherry Ginger Snakarola – $7.99+

When a product goes by the name “Laughing Giraffe” I take notice. Funny thing though…I’d never heard of this brand before. Trust me…if I had, it would probably have already been a staple in my pantry.

This brand and product came to me courtesy of my monthly subscription to Cuisine Cube. I know most of you, by now, are familiar with this service, but let me give you a quick rundown. For as little as $29.99/month, you can have Cuisine Cube delivered to your door . What this service provides is 5-6 gluten-free, full-size products that are made by local and smaller, artisan companies, rather than those that you can find at the average grocery store. It has introduced me to so many new and delightful products. Each box contains a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert product…and then, sometimes, an extra bonus item. Who doesn’t love a little something extra, right?

So, April 2015’s Cuisine Cube featured Laughing Giraffe Organics Cherry Ginger Snakarola for the Breakfast/Snack item. I was immediately intrigued. Loved the name of the company and the name of the product. And I love a good granola…and this looked like it was quality in a little pouch. So, yeah…excitement.

Laughing Giraffe Organics is a family run business owned by the Gilmour family, based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. They entered the health food business out of a desire to learn about healthy eating and how it could improve their own well-being. Laughing Giraffe Organics mission is to provide quality nutritional snack foods that taste great and only use the purest organic ingredients that are nutrient dense and minimally processed. I am loving this already. Basically, they make foods that they believe will satisfy hunger without detracting from quality of life. This is a company that truly wants you to eat well and live better.

Who can’t get on board with that, right?

It was my 5:30 a.m. spin class day at the gym yesterday. I love my class, but it’s an hour long, and I have to go home, shower, and get everything together to get out the door to work. It makes for a huge time crunch. SO…in order to have something my roommate can eat and that I can take with me to work, it is often something like a Greek yogurt parfait or something of the sort. This was the case this past Wednesday, and so, before heading off to the gym, I made up two bowls of my infamous breakfast parfaits…Greek yogurt, granola, and fresh berries.

I try to keep healthy (ie: low sugar) granola in the house, and since Cuisine Cube had provided me with some, I figured I’d take full advantage on such a chaotic morning. I washed the berries and prepped the to-go bowl and the nice bowl (for the roomie to eat at home) for the actual assembly of the parfaits. I put a small handful of the granola in each bowl, then spooned over the Greek yogurt, then added the berries. Repeat. Then finish off with another handful of granola. It’s a filling, amazing, delicious and nutritious way to start the morning. Of course, I had to try this granola on it’s own, as well as as a mixer with the parfait.

The Laughing Giraffe Organics Cherry Ginger Snakarola is a better granola. It’s soft (like Van’s Granola), and packed with nuts and and tons of flavor. I was a bit concerned with the ginger in the name of the product, but the ginger that is included in the mix isn’t candied or overwhelming. It’s blended in perfectly and offset by the salty-crunchy nuts. Then…to add to the decadence…dried cherries. Honestly, it was a perfect blend for me. Almost like a muesli while still being a granola. It was amazing. And it could be used over dairy-free (or regular) ice cream, in cookies, or eaten straight out of the bag…among other tings. That’s the great thing about a fantastic granola…it can be so versatile. The Laughing Giraffe Cherry Ginger Snakarola is all of that. And…it’s addictive…in a good, healthy, and delicious way.

So, let’s take a look at the simple, basic, organic ingredients that go into each pouch of Laughing Giraffe Cherry Ginger Snakarola, shall we? This granola is made up of organic walnuts, organic pecans, organic agave nectar, organic dried cherries, organic ginger powder, organic vanilla extract (gluten-free) and Himalayan pink salt. This product compliments a Paleo diet, has a low glycemic point, is nutrient-rich and power-packed, is a fantastic source of healthy fats, and is packed with fiber to keep you feeling full. This product is gluten-free, certified organic, raw, vegan and non-GMO.

As for nutrition information, don’t be frightened. Remember much of this granola is made up of healthy nuts, which, are higher in calories and fats (but healthy…just keep to the serving size or below!). A serving of the Laughing Giraffe Cherry Ginger Snakarola is 1/2 cup. This serving will give you 290 calories and 25 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 50 mg sodium, 13 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams of sugars, 3 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of protein. This granola is cholesterol free.

It was definitely love at first bite with this granola. It wasn’t too sweet, nor was it spicy. It was crunchy without being over toasted. And it was soft and delicious. Filled with the best sort of foods for healthy and fitness…yeah…this was a definite win. Now to get more for my pantry. Perhaps in another flavor. Thanks to both Laughing Giraffe Organics and Cuisine Cube for this fantastic product!

May 11, 2015

Product Review: Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting

Product: Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting – $5.00+

Okay…I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking…what is the gluten-free vegetarian doing with a breadcrumb coating that is meant for making fried chicken?

Well…it all starts with Cuisine Cube.

I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May 2014…and for a year have been receiving a monthly subscription box of full-size products from artisan and smaller gluten-free companies. I love it. You can subscribe for as little as $29.99/month. While you might be uncertain about the quality of the service, let me tell you…you will receive products you may never have heard of and are definitely not readily available stores. You will receive 5-6 products (full-size) each month, each one representing a time when you’d eat: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert. And…sometimes…a bonus! For me, some some products get used faster than others…and some sort of linger in my pantry until I can figure out something to do with them.

That was the case when, in my July 2014 Cuisine Cube, I received a 6 ounce package of Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting. Upon first opening the box, I thought…”I’m a vegetarian…what am I going to do with this?” But, as most of you are well aware, I do love to coat some of my fresh vegetables in different breading (some made out of re-purposed items, and some…from actual gluten-free breadcrumbs) and bake them up in the oven to serve for dinner. And, after almost a year of procrastinating on this product, I thought it was time to move the last of the 2014 products out.

That honor…went to Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting. Grandpa’s Gourmet was founded by a couple – he is a Celiac and she can’t have sugar, making meal planning quite a task. One night, while she was preparing her grandfather’s old recipe for oven fried chicken, her husband gave into the craving and devoured all the fried chicken he could get his hands on. He, of course, braced for the inevitable reaction – which never came. Could it be…they had stumbled upon a recipe that would mean – “One Meal for Everyone!”?

Grandpa’s Gourmet calls their line of products “Encrustings” because they are breading taken to the next level. Typical store-bought breading (or breadcrumbs) you get are genetically modified, unnatural wheat-based products that contain high amounts of sodium, sugar and preservatives. Even most gluten-free breadings are loaded with fat because they are nut based or have a gritty texture as they are rice based. But that’s what sets Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Encrustings apart. Not only are their products all natural and healthy…but they taste great. These encrustings have a non-GMO corn base, instead of rice or potato, giving it a fantastic texture. They are sweetened with natural fruit juice…no artificial flavorings here. And then, they fold in their own custom blend of spices and seasonings that smell amazing as they cook.

Roasted Broccoli over a Wild Rice Blend using Grandpa's Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting — Roasted Broccoli over a Wild Rice Blend using Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting

I don’t eat chicken…nor do I cook meat…but I do a lot with vegetables. Had I thought about it before, the Grandpa’s Gourmet even suggests putting it on vegetables on the front of their pouch. It says, “Also great on: pork, fish, pasta, and vegetables.” VEGETABLES! DUH! So, last night and tonight, it was all about the Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting.

Last night, I roasted up some broccoli that I coated with some olive oil and the encrusting mix. I did the same tonight with green beans, which I toasted up in the oven to get them nice and crispy and good. Let me tell you, Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting is phenomenal. While I liked it well enough on the oven roasted broccoli, it really shined tonight when I put it on the green beans and toasted those up for dinner. WOW. This breading is anything but bland. In fact, it is a fantastic seasoning that would work well even in scrambled eggs. Honestly…I am beyond impressed with this amazing product. And to think, I never would have thought about this product otherwise. It is versatile and amazing.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a pouch of Grandpas Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting. This breading is made from organic corn meal (organic corn meal, organic grape and/or pear juice concentrate, sea salt), cashews, almonds, spices, salt, and orange peel. This encrusting is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, MSG free, and non-GMO.

As far as nutrition goes, I am totally impressed with how this all adds up. A serving of Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting is 1/4 cup. There are about 6 servings per container. One serving will provide 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. This serving will also dish up 0 mg cholesterol, 220 mg sodium, 14 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

Honestly, I never would have given Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting a second glance, but thanks to Cuisine Cube, I now have a product I can actively seek out (and order) and indulge in and include in so many dishes. This is one versatile breading…so even if you’re like me and don’t eat meat…you can still enjoy this product. I am definitely in love. Enough that I even ate the breading that flaked off my green beans tonight. A nice salty-sweet treat at the end of a meal. Definitely a new favorite.

Crispy Green Beans made with Grandpa's Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting — Crispy Green Beans made with Grandpa’s Gourmet Gluten Free Citrus Herb Chicken Encrusting

April 1, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mission Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mission Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

If you weren’t born into the world of Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance, you have probably consumed and become obsessed with these little snack cookies known as Fig Newtons. You know, those fig rolls that are made of a pastry dough with a figgy jam filling. They are magical. Fruity and savory all at once. They make the most perfect cookie, for sure.

And I was obsessed with them, growing up and as an adult. But when I was diagnosed with Celiac, this was one cookie I couldn’t find anything that came close to equaling. I totally gave up thinking about it, for fear of just becoming depressed over a snack long gone. Sure, there were a few companies out there that gave them their best shot…but they weren’t the same. Not even close.

Then, back in July, I won a giveaway put on by Gluten Free Frenzy, that meant I won a package of each of the four flavors of the newest attempt at fig cookies on the market. The difference this time was…it was made by a company I was familiar with and trusted. Enter Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. As I mentioned, the cookies came in four different flavors: Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and Mission Fig.

Prior to the giveaway, I had managed to find a couple of the flavors at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, and had to choose one. I went with the blueberry. And I fell in love with them. I mean, they reminded me so much of Fig Newtons that I think I actually teared up when I took my first bite. But there were three other flavors to try…and now…I had all four in my pantry.

These past few weeks, I’ve been going through a big pantry purge…and in doing so, I’m eating some of the products that I have been negligent in actually consuming. Not that they are bad, I just get distracted from the unprocessed foods I have in my freezer and fridge. It happens, friends. It happens. Well, tonight, I tore into the fourth and final flavor of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies.

Tonight…it was all about the Mission Fig.

I had actually wanted to save this flavor for last. And I am so glad I did. Just like the previous three flavors, the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mission Fig Figgies & Jammies are big…larger than any Fig Newton out on the market. Being that I am a cookie monster at heart, the bigger the cookie, the better. The cake-like outer layer is so soft and moist, beautifully encasing the figgy jam on the inside. The fruit itself is full of great flavor. Seriously. Each flavor I ate, I enjoyed it more than the previous one. This held true once more. The Mission Fig is my absolute favorite…mostly because they taste exactly like…if not better than Fig Newtons. And being that it’s been three years since I had a Fig Newton, I turned that judgment over to my roommate. Cathy said they were right up there, if not better than Fig Newtons and Fig Newmans for that matter. It was the cookie I have been waiting for. Soft, delicious, fruity and perfect. Each bite was perfect. I only wish the serving size was more than one cookie.

With that being said, let’s talk about the ingredients that go into Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mission Fig Figgies & Jammies. The cake-y outer layer of these cookies are made from a flour blend that consists of brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch sweet rice flour, and xanthan gum, added into evaporated cane sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt and lemon oil. The jam fruit filling is made up of mission fig paste blend, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, pectin, glycerine, flour base (brown rice flower, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, and xanthan gum), citric acid, sea salt and gluten-free flavor. These cookies are certified gluten-free, egg-free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, no corn syrup, are low in sodium, kosher, and are cholesterol free.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mission Fig Figgies & Jammies is one cookie. This serving will provide you with 90 calories and 2 grams of fat. These cookies contain 40 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. You will also be consuming 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 1 gram of protein. A light, and non-filling snack or dessert. LOVE IT.

And you will love these too. If you are a fan of figs…if you loved Fig Newtons…if you have friends who aren’t gluten-free but love Fig Newtons, then you (and they) will surely love these. Honestly, one of the healthiest, tastiest, best gluten-free cookies on the market. They may remind me of a favorite treat as a child, but they taste so much better…and that is a treat in and of itself.

March 31, 2015

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

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

It was Whole Foods and Cuisine Cube that got me hooked on the amazing and healthy granola that I have more than indulged in since first discovering it in the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods. This granola is Jessica’s Natural Foods. I haven’t met one of her granola’s that I haven’t liked. And the one I am reviewing today is my third variety I have tried.

This speaks very highly of any product when I keep going back to the brand. And let me tell you, when it comes to gluten-free granola, Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right. You’ll want to eat it straight out of the bag. I’ve done it…while sprinkling it on top of my fruit and Greek yogurt parfaits.

As stated above, the granola I chose this time around was the Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products. How can you not love that?

Originally called Motor City Crunch, Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is just what it sounds like. Toasted oats that are loaded with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and hazelnuts. Think…Nutella in gluten-free granola form. Does that peek your interest? It did mine! This was the original flavor that I had wanted to try when my roomie (Cathy) and I first discovered this brand at Whole Foods. It was the flavor she waved at me, then selected a different flavor in the end. Talk about a tease. That wasn’t happening this time. When we needed granola to go with the 2 pounds of fresh strawberries we received from the CSA bin, I said that the Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods would be the perfect match. Cathy couldn’t argue with that.

So…this week’s breakfast…Greek yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits. One of my favorite things in life. For real. Building these is simple. A little granola on the bottom, then some Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey or agave, fresh berries. Repeat. Then top off the last of it with the granola and honey/agave. It makes a filling, fresh, nutritious, and amazing breakfast. Trust me.

And, let me tell you, I was completely right about this granola. It is exceptional. I mean, completely indulgent and sinful. But, it isn’t bad for you at all. The rolled oats are toasted to a great crunchy texture, and coated with chocolate. Hazelnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips are incorporated throughout. And when the chocolate chips hit your tongue, they melt. It is…A-MAZ-ING! I can’t think of a time I fell so in love with the flavor of the granola. But this…this was true love. Love at first bite. Love in a Nutella-like formation. Love for a food might seem strange, but, until you taste what I have, you won’t know the true level of obsession you might develop for a granola. Honestly. The absolute best. THE BEST I have ever tasted. I would eat it in a bowl on its own, on a parfait, over dairy-free ice cream, by the handful, spoonful, or 1/4 cup full. If you love chocolate…this will satisfy your tastebuds. Bite after bite after bite.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. This granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, hazelnuts, ground flax seed, coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is gluten free, cholesterol free, kosher, and non-GMO.

As for nutrition, for being a chocolate based granola…this is actually really, really impressive. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. This granola will provide you with 30 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. That’s amazing for a granola. You will also be consuming 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So, yes…you will feel full after eating it. As this is lower in sugar than most granola, that helps keep you satiated as well.

Love is chocolate. Breakfast love is chocolate for breakfast. Jessica’s Natural Foods totally gets this and understands that sometimes we just want something decadent, but healthy, for breakfast. And that is what you get in Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. It’s a healthy, filling treat that will definitely liven up your breakfast, your snack, your lunch, your dinner, or even your dessert. Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right…and nothing is more right than this Chocolate Hazelnut Granola.

Delicious!

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips

Product: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips – $6.00

It was in my January 2015 Cube (Happy New Year) that I was introduced to a plethora of new products from my Cuisine Cube subscription. Healthy options to get your New Years resolutions rocking and rolling and to start the year off on the right track. It ranged from gluten-free oatmeal to dark chocolate covered rice cakes (both of which were fantastic). But saddled into the seat for a snack in January was a product that left me overly excited and jumping for joy and eagerness to try.

Plantain Chips.

Oh hell yes!

So, before I trudge further into my review of this little packaged snack of tropical goodness, let me first tell you a little bit more about Cuisine Cube. I discovered Cuisine Cube through a Groupon offering of sorts and from my first box to my current one, I have been hooked. This is a subscription service that sends you a box each month that is loaded down with 5-6 full-size gluten-free products for your foodie tastebuds to enjoy! No joke. These products always include something for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert…and every now and again, you get a bonus item. It’s fantastic. Really. And subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, be sure to skip over to their Web site and check them out. Better yet…try them out.

Why?

Because you will be introduced to products like Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips! Talk about biting into something I wasn’t expecting. I have sampled plantain chips before, but this was the first time they actually snacked like a chip. Usually I find them way too sweet, but with the blend of tropical and robust flavors that Miti Miti Foods adds to these dried plantains, you get a little bit of everything. First of all, each and every trip is crunchy good. I mean…CRUNCHY!! I love that. Chips should be crunchy, even when made out of fruit. They are seasoned with paprika, coriander, and cardamom…giving them an added savory feel. It really cuts down on the sweetness. And that’s where the magic happens.

I LOVED these chips. Seriously. They reminded me of really good french fries. You know…those savory crispy ones…not the mushy, squishy ones. Yep. That’s the flavor they carried. Sort of like a really amazing potato chip. I couldn’t stop eating these. Seriously. I popped one to try. So did my roommate. Her initial thought was that they were “chalky” but I didn’t get that at all. I found greatness. I found something amazing and different. I found…probably one of my favorite snacks to date. I am addicted to them. They are perfectly fried to a golden brown and carry everything my palate wants in a snack. Having the bag in my general vicinity is dangerous…because it is one of those snacks that if I start eating, I can’t stop. Which is why I have to dish out the serving size. With the sweet and savory flavor with that perfect crunch in each bite (the thinner chips are my favorites…but they all are crunchy), I’m beyond addicted to these. I won’t go to rehab either. If I want chips…these are what I want. From now on!

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a bag of Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips. These chips are made from plantains (obviously), a seasoning mix that includes salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, oregano, paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, coriander, and cardamom, spices, canola oil, and garlic powder. This snack is not only gluten-free, but also cholesterol free, sugar free, and vegan.

As for nutritional information…fear not. These equal or might even be better than your standard potato chip. And trust me…you’ll prefer these over a potato chip any day. A serving size is 30 grams (or around 15 chips). This serving will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 120 mg sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar. One serving also gives you 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein, making it a good snack that can take you through to dinner time.

Feel good about snacking again! Don’t feel guilty about a treat in the afternoon or with dinner. Miti Miti Latin American Foods make it so you can feed your snack side with something different and more nutritious than the standard potato chip. Thanks to Cuisine Cube, I am feasting away on Miti Miti Plantain Chips and loving every bite.

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

And so the great kitchen purge continues…

So…let me explain this once more for those just tuning in. At some point, last year, I won an online sweepstakes where the prize was a box of each flavor of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. They arrived in the mail and I dutifully placed them on the shelf of my pantry to enjoy at a later time. As I am currently working on getting a majority of processed foods out of my pantry, desserts for the rest of the month are pretty much covered…with Figgies & Jammies.

Now, I was already aware of these amazing little Fig Newton type cookies from when they first debuted back in 2014. I went searching high and low, but my area just didn’t have them in stock. I eventually found them in Columbus, Ohio at The Raisin Rack…and purchased one (of all four flavors…because I was on a budget) and immediately fell in love with them. Luckily I can pretty much find them anywhere now. But…I won these. And winning things is awesome.

If you’ve been sleepwalking through your own gluten-free journey, haven’t found these, didn’t know about them, or missed it in my previous blog, Pamela’s Products Figgies & Jammies come in four different flavors: Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and Mission Fig.

Tonight…I was all about the Strawberry & Fig.

Prior to the Strawberry & Fig flavors, I have already delved and devoured my way through Pamela’s Blueberry & Fig and Pamela’s Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. I mean, you can’t beat having gluten free Fig Newtons that actually taste good. Trust me…there are a few other attempts at fig stuffed cookies…but none of them have set this level of high standards. And, naturally, it comes from Pamela’s Products. One brand I trust with everything. No exaggeration. And every flavor I like more than the last. So blueberry is delicious, but at the bottom of my list…then raspberry…now strawberry…

…I like this trend.

I also enjoy having a guiltless treat for dessert after a long day and a quick dinner. I believe in dessert. We all have the right to reward our hard efforts of the day, the long hours, the struggle to get through, with some sort of treat. Fruit…cookies…cake…brownies…ice cream…whatever your poison…treat yourself. It’s actually good for you. Good for the soul. Nothing big…just a taste is all you need. And luckily, Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies are a 2-3 bite wonders (which is bigger than traditional fig cookies, for sure! I’m looking at you Fig Newtons!). LOVE.

So…Strawberry & Fig. Strawberry. Fig. Two of my most favorite things in the world. I am obsessed with figs. I am beyond obsessed (and have been for my entire life) with strawberries. So, naturally, this pairing seemed like a match made in heaven. Oh…trust me…it is. One bite…and that’s all I needed to fall in love. Just like the previous two flavors, Pamela’s Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies are moist, spongy cookies that are filled with real fig and strawberry. Think Fig Newton minus the gluten. But not minus the flavor. In fact, I think I enjoy Pamela’s version of these cookies more than I ever enjoyed Fig Newtons. No joke. Even the different flavors. But Strawberry & Fig is definitely bursting with this classic combination of fruit. Blending it with the soft cookie on the outside adds a level of savoriness to the product itself. It’s magic in every bite. I. Am. Truly. Addicted.

So…now that I’ve raved about the flavor, let’s take a look at what goes into Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. The cake-y cookie on the outside is made from a gluten-free flour blend of brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, and xanthan gum, in addition to evaporated cane sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, and lemon oil. The jam filling is made from strawberry paste, fig paste, and citric acid. These cookies are gluten-free, egg free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no corn syrup, no cholesterol, are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and are kosher certified.

As for nutrition…well…these are cookies. But I am not ashamed to eat one of these cookies. They really have fantastic stats for being a treat. A serving is 1 of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. This one cookie will provide you with 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be taking in 25 mg sodium, 11 grams of sugar (it is a cookie…so I try not to panic!), and 18 grams of carbohydrates. Finally, you will be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. A treat that won’t fill you up, but is just enough to satisfy. You gotta love that.

Once again, beyond impressed with the standard, quality, and amazing flavor that I find in every Pamela’s item I try. The gluten-free community no longer has to fear missing out on some of their favorites or having their version taste flat and boring. With Pamela’s…that won’t happen. Flavor, quality…and just sheer awesomeness in every bite. Total win!

March 10, 2015

Product Review: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice

Product: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice – $2.49+

There are quite a few brands and companies out there that I entrust my gluten-free lifestyle to. These are the ones that I can find on a regular basis…the few, the proud, the ones carried in most, if not every, grocery store or department store with a food section. One such brand is Hodgson Mill…who has brought quite a few different products to the gluten-free folks that make up a good percentage of the population these days, whether for medical or dietary reasons.

We all have to have these go-to brands that we can hit up in a pinch. So, when I find new products by such brands, I don’t really hesitate to purchase them. They go into my shopping basket (if the budget allows) and then into my pantry. That’s the circle of my gluten-free foodie life.

While at Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, awhile back, I stumbled across a couple of packets of Hodgson Mill products that I hadn’t seen around my area. These were for their new Quinoa & Brown Rice sides, which come in five flavors: Lemon Pepper, Garlic & Herb, Italian, Mediterranean, and Spicy. I normally would have immediately lunged for the Spicy version, but as this is something I’d be sharing with my roommate (who is a self-professed spice wimp), I opted for something else. As she is a connoisseur of all things lemony…the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice Side seemed like a win to me.

And so…it came home…and sat in my pantry. Until tonight. Because of having no CSA bin delivery for the past two (going on three) weeks, I’ve been trying to make due mostly with what I have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. As these next couple nights are going to include me packing for my upcoming trip to NYC, for my roomie’s birthday, some Broadway shows, and the NYC Half Marathon, I needed foods that wouldn’t demand too much of my time, but still be healthy and filling.

Instead of reheating some of the risotto I made last weekend, I decided to save that for tomorrow and plucked the package of Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa and Brown Rice out of the pantry. Instead of serving it as a side, we’d simply split the entire package and have it as a meal. We do that a lot with sides. I mean…why not? If it has the nutritional value to double as a meal for two people…might as well go for it.

So, after a long, frustrating, and tiring day at the office…I came home and immediately put 1-3/4 cup of water onto the stove to bring to a boil. I emptied the contents of the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice packet into the boiling water, covered it, and lowered the heat to allow it to simmer and continue to cook…which took about 15 more minutes. Once the water was absorbed, it was done. I took the pan off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. While all this was cooking, I was able to put together everything I needed for lunches and snacks for both my roomie and I, which freed up some additional time for me later on. Love that. When the five minutes ticked past, I fluffed the mixture with a fork and served it up between the two of us. We settled in for dinner.

I want to say, this mix cooks up to the perfect texture. The quinoa and brown rice are a perfect match for each other, making a filling, and satisfying dish (whether a meal or as a side). However, that being said, the seasoning was definitely lacking. In fact, my roomie and I actually had to add some salt (which we never do) and even gave it a hit of berbere. Because, hey, why not? But, once we had everything properly seasoned, this was really delicious. I think Hodgson Mill took extra precaution not to overwhelm the mix with the lemon and pepper flavor, but that’s really what I want when I purchase something that boasts a lemon pepper flavor. So, while the taste was a little bland, this was a really great dish. Easy to prepare…just season it when all is said and done.

As far as ingredients go, the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice side is made from organic whole grain prewashed quinoa, whole grain parboiled long grain brown rice, organic garlic, organic onion, organic herbs, organic carrot, organic black pepper, organic bell pepper, organic tomato, organic red pepper, organic spices, organic orange peel, organic lemon peel, and citric acid (contains mustard). This blend is gluten-free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, all natural, and kosher.

Nutrition-wise…this isn’t a bad choice to serve as a side or as a main dish. There are 3.5 servings per pouch, with one serving being 1/4 cup. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 45 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. You gotta love that. One serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. God bless quinoa!

If you are looking for a healthy side or a hearty dinner without breaking the bank and without having to spend a long time in the kitchen, Hodgson Mill has you covered. Just make sure you check the seasoning when you finish cooking these up. You’ll also get a nice protein kick from the quinoa…and the brown rice is a great addition to add a bit of bulk and body to the dish. Lacking the lemon…that’s my only complaint. Otherwise…a nice product!

March 4, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

At some point, last year, I won an online sweepstakes where the prize was a box of each flavor of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. They arrived in the mail and I dutifully placed them on the shelf of my pantry to enjoy at a later time. As I am currently working on getting a majority of processed foods out of my pantry, desserts for the rest of the month are pretty much covered…with Figgies & Jammies.

Pamela’s Products Figgies & Jammies come in four different flavors: Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and Mission Fig.

On a previous occasion…I bought and devoured the Blueberry & Fig version of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. These are made of so much wow, awesome, and YUMMY! I fell in love with the Blueberry & Fig version at first bite. No lie. They were even better than the Fig Newtons I used to devour all the time. The cake was moister and spongier…and the fruit filling was more flavorful and brighter. Ah, I simply love it when more thought and care goes into a product. They were so good, even one of my coworkers who will find something wrong with everything gluten-free, had not one bad word to say about it. Not one.

So, this past week, my roommate and I went ahead and devoured the Blueberry & Fig package, to save a blog. But…that lasted for 5 days. This meant…a new flavor needed to be broken into for dessert tonight. And I decided it was going to be the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies.

The best thing about these cookies is that they are HUGE. They are the extra large of good-for-you cookies out on the market. Now, I’m not promoting devouring cookies like I do, as an admitted cookie monster, but…when you compare them to other options on the market, they are definitely a better choice.

Aside from that…let’s talk about the Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies in partiuclar. The pie-like cookie portion is soft and tender…and wraps the amazingly flavorful fruit portion in the perfect amount of sweet and savory. The cookie is chewy, but not at all crumbly. Just…wow. And the fruit. Oh…wow! I thought the Blueberry & Fig cookies were amazing, but these…these are even better. The Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies just explode with bright, sweet fruit flavor. It brings the perfect balance to each nibble or bite. I was beyond impressed. I was hooked. These cookies are..perhaps just slightly bigger than the standard Fig Newton. But way more tasty and just so much better.

The cake part of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies is made from a gluten-free flour blend that includes brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour and xanthan gum, as well as evaporated can sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, and lemon oil. The jam is a raspberry paste made from cane syrup, brown rice syrup, apple powder, rice starch, dried cane syrup, glycerin, water, raspberry juice concentrate, pectin, natural flavor, citric acid, red cabbage extract for color, fig paste, and citric acid. These cookies are gluten-free, egg free, low in sodium, and all natural. They have no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, no cholesterol, and no corn syrup.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies is 1 cookie. This one cookie will give you 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. One cookie will serve up 25 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. These cookies are cholesterol free. This one cookie will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Not bad!

I am proud to have won these cookies in an online sweepstakes and to have the opportunity to try every flavor. So far, I have enjoyed every bite of the two flavors I have tried. Stay tuned as the other two will be coming up in the very near future. I promise…these are so good, you don’t have to be gluten-free to enjoy them.

February 20, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters – $3.99+

I. HEART. VAN’S.

Honestly…best gluten-free waffles you can find in the freezer section of the grocery store. For real. Best gluten-free French toast sticks too. Some of the best boxed gluten-free pasta meals. Amazing gluten-free crackers. Yes…Van’s has impressed me each and every time they have put out a product for the gluten-free market.

I won’t lie. I have a bit of a Celiac crush on them.

Shhhh.

So, this past week, I was out and about at Target, spending all my money on all the seasons of Game of Thrones (my newest obsession!) on Blu-ray, when it occured to me that my roomie and I didn’t have any gluten-free granola in the house. Considering at least twice a week I make delicious breakfast parfaits that require said granola, this had to be fixed. And, wouldn’t you know it, Target recently started carrying a good amount of gluten-free breakfast things. Technical term…things. So, the two of us meandered over to the grocery section to see if we spotted anything we liked.

Our eyes immediately went to the KIND brand and we snagged a bag of it and then prepared to move on. But my wandering eyes spotted something else. Van’s…granola?! What was this? I didn’t even know that existed. I didn’t know it was out in the wild! And now I really, really wanted to try it. Why? Because Van’s Gluten-Free = OMGYUMMY!

So, without any hesitation, the pack of KIND granola we settled on was back in place and the bag marked NEW carrying that infamous red flag that reads: VAN’S…now made its way into our little shopping basket. Game of Thrones…granola. Do we know how to party or what?!

So, one morning this week, I got everything geared up to make big, big breakfast parfaits. I had the new granola to try…I had kiwi fruit from my CSA bin…I had Greek yogurt. So…the assembly began…but not without me first sneaking a taste of the granola.

Bad idea.

Very, very, very bad idea.

Because one taste of the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters and I was beyond hooked. Holy Moses and the Gluten Free Gods! I mean…think of the most fantastic Rice Krispies treat you have ever had…then multiply it by at least ten. Maybe more. This soft baked granola is exactly what that tastes like. Trust me. I used to devour Rice Krispies treats whenever possible. This is a little bit sticky, very soft and chewy, packed with sweetness, with a hit of the dried fruit and the savory nuts to bring it balance and amazing texture. I wanted to eat the entire bag and not share. Not even put it in a parfait. It was sheer perfection the way it was…straight out of the bag. So much love. One big gooey clump of granola…one very happy Celiathlete. Beyond amazed. Beyond impressed. Simply put…I was blown away. This is one of the only granola I now will have in my pantry.

One of those reasons is how much Van’s actually cares about what they put into their products. And the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters are no exception. They even put on their label: “Ingredients: (That we are proud of!)”. WINNING! So, what goes into the Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Granola Clusters? Glad you asked! This granola is comprised of gluten-free whole grain oats, brown rice syrup, walnuts, invert cane syrup, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, dried blueberries, cane sugar, unsweetened coconut, honey, flax seed, gluten free oat bran, almonds, vanilla extract, sea salt, and mixed tocopherols for freshness. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, cholesterol-free, kosher, made with whole grains, and contain no artificial flavors or colors.

As far as nutrition goes…loving the stats on the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters. One serving is actually a whopping 1/3 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 130 calories and 5 grans of fat. You will also be provided with 30 mg sodium and only 6 grams of sugar. This serving will also dish up 2 grans of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

And, trust me…you’ll just eat it straight out of the bag. You won’t want to stop. You’ll wish you had dished out a portion size. And then you won’t care. Because…just wow!! WOW!! Another winner in the Van’s Gluten Free product line up. I’m going back for more of this granola this week. Because, yeah, we polished it.

February 9, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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