Nuts – Page 5 – The Celiathlete

September 9, 2014

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix

Product: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix – $10.99

I want to give another quick shout-out to my friend (all the way back through middle school!), Rebecca Fifield, who not only is just an all-around fantastic person, but is also a consultant for Tastefully Simple. She was kind enough to send me a batch of the original four gluten-free mixes that Tastefully Simple were putting out on the market. I have one more to go, and this one isn’t one of them.

The product I am reviewing today, the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix, actually is part of their second round of gluten-free mix offerings, which also brought about a Gluten-Free Coconut Lime Cake Mix. Actually, I am just now realizing that Tastefully Simple sneaked out two more mixes while I wasn’t looking…a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and a Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Pancake Mix. I think I know what I’ll be ordering soon!

Anyway…when Tastefully Simple first released second round of products (Coconut Lime Cake Mix and the Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix), I was determined to buy at least one of them. I would have purchased both, except I was already planning on buying more of the Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix. Hey…that stuff is awesome. So after a little back and forth with myself…I finally chose the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix for this time around.

And last night…I baked it up.

One of the things that makes Tastefully Simple products so appealing is how…simple…they are to make. Normally, they require the addition of 2-3 items, all of which get stirred together and then popped into the oven to bake. Seriously…that easy. I love something that won’t take up too much of my time in the kitchen. Let’s face it…I may love to cook and bake, but I’m a busy girl and I value my time.

As it was, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix only requires 2 cups of chopped apples (and, hey, my CSA bin gave me apples this week!), 2 eggs (or egg replacer if you are vegan), and 1 cup of chopped walnuts (which are optional, but I always add nuts!). So, I poured the mix into a mixing bowl, chopped up two large Gala apples, broke two eggs into the bowl, and then added the walnuts. I stirred the contents until everything was combined and no powdery mix remained in the bowl. This took a couple of minutes because the only liquid in the bowl came from the two eggs, and for a moment I didn’t think it was going to come together. I will never doubt again, because it all mixed in beautifully. I poured the batter into a greased baking pan and threw it into the oven to bake. This normally takes about 45-55 minutes. Surprisingly, my old oven perfectly baked the cake in 45 minutes.

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix (baked and fresh from the oven)

First of all, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake smells AMAZING as it is baking. We’re in the midst of September, and autumn is coming. This made my entire apartment smell like fall. For real! When it came out of the oven, it took everything in my power to let it cool down before I sliced it up and tried it for myself. I’m not good with self control, but somehow…I managed.

The end result?! One of the most fantastic, moist, and flavorful cakes I have ever had. This is no joke. Not one bit. The apples provide a nice hit of sweetness and texture. The top of the cake gets this nice crust on it, which crumbles as you slice into it. It was a beautiful thing. And the cake itself…aside from being moist, this cake tastes like a flavorful and delicious coffee cake. It has this rich flavor to it, with the cinnamon adding a sweet spice to it that I love and my taste buds crave. I was so surprised with how moist this cake was. I was a bit concerned about it, but I should have known to trust Tastefully Simple. I might be addicted to this cake. Self control is definitely being exercised as I have an entire cake now. It sure does taste like autumn around here.

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients. The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix is made from sugar, rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, salt, cinnamon, and xanthan gum. It is cholesterol free, gluten free and kosher.

The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix isn’t bad for a cake. Remember though, this is for the mix only, but even after everything is added in, the calories and fat all stay in check. A serving of the mix is 1/4 cup, and the mix itself makes 9 servings. This serving will give you 190 calories. It is fat-free and cholesterol free (until you add the eggs, of course!). The mix has only 260 mg sodium and a whopping 29 grams of sugar. But…it’s cake. It’s going to be sugary! The mix itself has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein.

Not bad at all for nutrition of a cake, that’s for sure. I honestly was so pleasantly surprised by this cake. I think it’s going to become a pantry staple in my apartment. Because…wow…I am beyond impressed.

Now, I know you’re dying to try it! You must be. And you should be. So, head over to Rebecca Fifield‘s page and place an order. I promise…you won’t be disappointed.

A slice of Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake (serving size)

August 26, 2014

Recipe: Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

It’s no secret…to anyone…that I love pumpkin. And as we head out of summer and into fall, we have reached the “pumpkin flavored everything” time of year. YAY! But, I have to say, I never let pumpkin season go away in my house. Not at all. In fact, I stock up on pumpkin because I will use it in so many things. As it was, I got a little overzealous this past year with my purchasing of Libby’s Pure Pumpkin…so, my pantry has cans of it. I figured it was time to come up with ways to use it up. Last weekend, I made my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles. This morning…yes…during the work week…I baked up a Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding. I love bread puddings…and this one was no exception. Even better…it is so easy to make.

I spotted the original recipe when Schär Gluten Free posted a link to a blog that had utilized their Gluten Free Classic White Rolls in a bread pudding. Made with pumpkin.

They had my full and undivided attention.

So…this morning…I decided to bake up the recipe that Mama Me Gluten Free originally posted and Schär linked to on their social media site. I made a few changes in the preparation for convenience sake…but in the end…it was just as amazing as the recipe promised.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Servings: 8
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 50 minutes

Ingredients:

15 ounces pureed pumpkin (fresh or canned)
1 1/2 cups milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup organic pure cane sugar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Few small dashes of ground ginger
Few small dashes of ground cloves
Couple of small dashes of ground nutmeg
Package of Schar Classic White Rolls (or any gluten-free bread that is similar in consistency), cubed into 1 to 1-1/2- inch pieces (I let mine sit out overnight to dry out)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top (optional…but delicious)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Place bread in a large bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugars, salt, vanilla paste or extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.

Pour over bread and gently stir until all is covered. Let this sit for about 15 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out with the back of a spoon or a spatula so that it is evenly spread throughout the dish.

Sprinkle pecans over the top, and shake cinnamon and sugar lightly over it all if desired.

Bake for 45-50 minutes.

ENJOY!

~*~*~

A slice of Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Maple Syrup

Oh…oh yes!! This bread pudding is one of the best (and easiest) I have made to date. I served up a wedge of the Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a delicious drizzle of warm maple syrup. If heaven was on a breakfast plate…that would be it. The flavors are amazing. There is the right hint of spice and sweetness to really elevate the savory aspect of the pumpkin. It’s rich. It’s decadent. And the pecans sprinkled with the cinnamon and sugar on top truly lend a great hit of sweetness as well as texture. I am totally going to make this again! But lucky for me, I still have 3 more days worth for eating it.

If you are a pumpkin freak like me…believe me…you’ll want to bake this one up!

August 26, 2014

Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest – Indianapolis, Indiana – August 23, 2014

GF Jules and me at the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This past Saturday, I had the honor of being able to attend the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest up in Indianapolis, Indiana. I love going to gluten-free expos and events and Indianapolis seems to always have one at some point during any calendar year. This year was no exception, and I was thrilled to read about the new location for this year’s event – the Indian State Fairgrounds. With all the vendors and exhibitors I saw listed, I knew this year’s event was going to be HUGE! I was not let down at all.One of the magazines I currently subscribe to, Gluten Free & More (formerly Living Without), was putting on the Living Without Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in various cities this year as a way to show those with food allergies and/or sensitivities that we can live life without deprivation and missing out on delicious food. It was a coming together of the magazine, as well as over a hundred of their favorite exhibitors to celebrate living well. And it was open to anyone who wanted to stop in.

Tickets went on sale and, as a subscriber, I received a free entry, and then received a discount code for another ticket…so I had Cathy taken care of as well. So, on Saturday morning, we ate a light breakfast before climbing into the car and hauling up to Indianapolis. We timed it perfectly because we burned through our breakfast just as we got up there, about 30 minutes after it officially opened.

And…there was already a line waiting to get in.

Oh…that made me happy, indeed.

It was a hot summer day already and standing outside in the blazing sun didn’t sound like too much fun…but it wasn’t going to be a long wait. Just about 5 minutes, at the most. And while standing in line, I got to listen to people who have done expos like this before (like me) describe the events and how things work to the first timers. I even got to geek out over favorite products and the like for a few moments. I love making gluten-free friends!

Before we knew it, we were inside the doors, in the air conditioning, and getting the tickets scanned. We were given blue wristbands to wear (for re-entry purposes and to show we paid!). Cathy and I put them on and headed into the expo proper. We were greeted at the door by people passing out reusable shopping bags from Glutino (a personal favorite!). Perfect for all the samples and products you are bound to pick up and buy.

Trust me, you don’t walk out of these events empty-handed.

Cathy and I decided that we were going to be systematic about our approach to each table/vendor/aisle. We’d start on one side and then work our way up, then come back down the other side. This was a good plan in theory, and we decided to start in the middle aisle to avoid the congestion of the end aisles. We soon found out…no matter what…it was just hopping and congested. People were surrounding tables, getting free samples, trying products, trying local baked goods, and the like. So, we ditched our original systematic plan for the…let’s just see what there is and wriggle into open areas when we can.

We’re pros. HA!

That being said, we began our Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest at the Glutino/Udi’s/Earth Balance booth, which was giving out samples of Udi’s Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Cashew Cookies as well as Glutino’s Gluten-Free Multigrain English Muffins, schmeared with Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread. It was all crazy, crazy delicious. I actually have the Glutino English Muffins in my freezer, I just haven’t tried them yet. Now…I know buying them wasn’t a mistake at all. They were delicious. And that Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread…out-of-this-world good!

And from there…it only got better. We made a point to stop by each vendor’s table and talk to them about their products, if we had tried them. If we hadn’t…we would ask all about them. I made a point of raving to the Pamela’s Product people about the Figgies & Jammies. Because they are awesome and worthy of praise. I talked to the Hodgson Mills representative and when I mentioned being a food blogger he said to reach out to the Hodgson Mills team anytime. I was told the same thing by various other vendors as well. And one local vendor who was selling the most amazing bar-b-que sauce and seasoning (which we purchased) said to tag her on Facebook when I use their products so they can read my blog. I was having a great time.

I think, though, the best moment had to come at the Freedom Foods table. Because, as many of you are aware, Freedom Foods only makes my favorite gluten-free cereal, Tropic-O’s. NOM NOM! I can’t find this cereal here anymore, since my Whole Foods stopped carrying it, so my parents ship it to me from Birmingham, Alabama. We have a system down. But, recently, they put out a gluten-free, dairy-free, and not-free version of Nutella…which I fell in love with. My local Kroger is the only place that had it…and I bought the last jar of it a few weeks ago. It has never been restocked. So…I stocked up on some Quinoa Pancake Mix, lots of “Smudge” (that’s the Nutella stuff!), and a few other products to try, all the time raving about how much I love their products and how they honestly care about what ingredients go into all of their stuff. It didn’t hurt that the guy at the table had a New Zealand/Australian accent. HELLO! I actually ended up going back to the table before leaving that day and buying 4 more jars of Smudge. I hadn’t opened the one I had at home for fear I would never find it again. Now…it’s on!

I was able to sample some of the best gluten-free Snickerdoodles I have ever eaten. And this pasta that was made from lentils that tasted exactly like regular pasta…but I couldn’t afford the hefty price tag on it. Unfortunately. It was nice to sample it, however. At the very back of the building, for those over 21, was the gluten-free cider/beer tasting area. There was so much food and samples…so I was glad we ate light. And Cathy and I have a system down…where we split a sample so we aren’t filling up on our own. It always works at these events.

However, I have to say the greatest moment ever was when I finally got to meet GF Jules in person. GF Jules (formerly Jules Gluten Free) was one of the first Celiac/Gluten-Free bloggers/recipe makers/amazing people I started to follow on social media after my diagnosis. While I have been to events where she has been present, I have never been able to actually meet her. That changed. We discovered that we were food allergy soul sisters, both of us being vegetarian Celiacs who also can’t handle dairy. Go figure. She was so nice and just so easy to talk with. I picked up one of her cookbooks, which she signed, and she was kind enough to take a picture with me. I might have geeked out a little bit. Or a lot. You know how it goes…

And soon, after a couple hours of tasting, testing, buying, talking, and exploring, our time at the expo drew to a close. We were going to meet our friend, Greg, for lunch that day, so we bid adieu to the fantastic event and made our way out to the car.

This event was probably the best one I have attended so far. Great people, great vendors, great information all around. And I came home with samples and products to try in the very near future. Can’t argue with that, right? Right!

I hope they return next year. I’m already making plans to attend. If one of these events happens near you…I definitely encourage you to go!

August 21, 2014

Product Review: Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix

Product: Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix – $7.49+

I don’t remember where I first heard about Breads From Anna bread mixes…but I discovered it one day at work. I remember messaging my friend, Jenn, on Twitter because the store locator showed that her local natural foods store, The Raisin Rack, carried these mixes. She said that the next time she made it over there, she’d check.

Well, it just so happened that the next time she was over there…I happened to be with her. And my roommate happened to be in a generous mood as far as the food budget, because she handed me a basket and told me to fill it up!

I did. And, lo and behold, in one of the aisles with a bunch of gluten-free baking mixes…I found Breads From Anna bread mixes. Lots and lots of them. The hard part was finally choosing which one to try first. While I love pumpkin bread…in the end I went with the Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix.

Normally I make my own bread, but I have never, ever had a gluten-free banana bread come out right. I figured it was time to call in some help in the form of a mix. When in doubt…try the experts. How did I know that Anna would be an expert? I didn’t. But I had heard things. Good things. And as a celiac and type 1 diabetic, she wanted to make bread that tastes like bread (not cardboard), and as a trained chef, she was able to put her skills to the test and created safe, allergen-free products that would have superb flavor, texture, and taste. When her non-celiac brother first tried her bread…he said it tasted like bread. That was all she needed. Breads From Anna grew from there.

Regardless of what I heard and the creator’s promise on the side of the box…with me…it just has to be baked and tested. Making the batter was easy. After preheating the oven and greasing one bread loaf pan, I mixed together the eggs, the oil, and the 3 bananas, which I had pureed in the food processor. In went the bread mix, and once that was well blended, I went ahead and folded in the optional chopped nuts. Because banana bread plays nicely with nuts. Into the loaf pan and then into the oven for one hour.

Yes. One hour. One hour of sheer torture because after about 20 minutes, you get that amazing banana bread smell wafting out of the kitchen. I was literally doing my hand weight routine and trying really heard not to drool. The aroma was beyond enticing. I peaked into the oven about halfway through and the loaf had risen and puffed up gorgeously and was turning this fantastic golden color. I wasn’t sure it needed the remaining 30 minutes, but kept it in the oven regardless…hoping for the best this time around. When the timer went off, I pulled it from the oven and set it on a cooling rack to now cool in the pan for an hour.

Sweet torture!

But…well worth the wait. After an hour…to the exact moment, I made my way back into the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and you better believe I carved a slice out of it. My roommate, who is non-celiac and a bread connoisseur, was my ultimate test. I handed her a slice of the still warm gluten-free banana bread and waited for her to take a bite. She absolutely loved it. My turn.

Moist. Light. Definitely delivering on the flavor, the texture, and the overall feel of banana bread. This bread isn’t heavy and dense. It isn’t overly banana. It’s moist, but without being wet. It’s perfection. Honest to goodness bread goodness. I wish I could claim I made this from scratch. This loaf of bread puffed up to this gorgeous loaf with a nice golden outer crust. Inside, you get this fantastic banana and walnut flavor. And this loaf does bake up big. Like…better than any other bread I have made, whether from scratch or from a mix. Never before has it turned out like this one did. I’m hooked. I want to buy all the Breads From Anna Mixes and just get into that kitchen and test them all out.

Totally worth it.

So, down to the science of things. The Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix is made from powdered honey, tapioca starch, arrowroot, millet four, potato starch, chia flour, chickpea flour, pinto bean flour, navy bean flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, xanthan gum, and sea salt. This bread mix is gluten-free, yeast-free, corn-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and rice-free. For a bread that is yeast free…it sure did rise up beautifully. This mix is also kosher parve and non-GMO.

Nutritionally speaking, the Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix contains 14 servings. One serving of the mix on its own is 80 calories. The mix is fat free and cholesterol free. Just the dry ingredients alone, you will be taking in 270 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

I. AM. IN. LOVE.

With a bread mix. Thank you, Anna Sobaski…for creating this fantastic mix to make gluten-free baking, which is an art and science all itself, easy for someone like me. This bread is one of the best I have ever cooked up in my kitchen. I am happily, happily noshing away on this delicious loaf. And with all the flavor, texture and taste of “real” banana bread…no one would have a clue that they were eating gluten-free.

Thank you.

August 4, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy Free Frozen Dessert

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

I scream. You scream. We all scream for…

NON-DAIRY COCONUT MILK ICE CREAM!

Or…at least I do. Especially when it’s from So Delicious. And…even more so…especially when it’s Vanilla Bean.

Why Vanilla Bean?

Because when you have vanilla as your base flavor…you can do whatever you want to it and make it your own. Or, if you’re traditional…you can eat it strait and it has a flavor that is uniquely…vanilla. I love vanilla. It’s like the blank canvas of ice cream flavors. Seriously. Which is why, tonight, after a disappointing attempt at squash chips (they burned…dammit!), and after polishing up a delicious gluten-free yellow tomato sandwich with some homemade guacamole on the side (and served with gluten-free tortilla chips I had on reserve)…I was ready for my dessert. I earned it. After all, it’s Monday…and we should always have dessert on Monday especially! (Garfield logic!)

I actually wasn’t prepared for ice cream dessert, so when we decided that was the way we would go…I pulled the pint out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter top for about 10 minutes. My roommate and I amused ourselves by watching Chopped All Stars until my timer beeped and I got up to start dishing up dessert. While I was scooping, I got some caramel sauce working in the microwave to top off the flavor. WOOHOO!! I also figured…why not go all out…and pulled down some chopped walnuts as well. Gotta have those omegas, yes? YES!

So, with each serving size scoop in our ice cream bowls, I drizzled each scoop with caramel, topped it with nuts…and it was time to dig in. I settled in and started up Chopped again, and took my first bite…which was just the vanilla on its own. Purist here…gotta taste it without the accessories first.

Holy Vanilla Bean, Batman! First of all, I think this is the first time in coconut milk dessert history where I can call it…CREAMY!! It was silky smooth, packed with flavor, and just…light and fluffy and delicious. This was just like eating freshly churned ice cream. This is a lactose intolerant ice cream lover’s dream here. The vanilla flavor is amazing, not too much…but not too subtle either. The coconut milk creates this solid, yet creamy base, flecked with the insides of the vanilla bean. It is just delicious. Topping it off with caramel and nuts was the icing on the cake, but I could have grabbed a spoon and dug into the pint and been just as happy without playing dress up with dessert. Seriously. Fantastic. So Delicious definitely knew what it was doing. And…you would never in a million years be able to tell that has no added sugar. Seriously, it is just as sweet and just as perfect as any ice cream or ice cream like dessert should be.

So Delicious…YOU ROCK THE VANILLA WORLD!!

With all that high praise and excitement, you know we have to hit on the scientific stuff. Because nutrition and ingredients are all part of what makes a food great. And this wasn’t just great. This was…life changing.

The So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy Free Frozen Dessert is made from organic coconut milk, gum arabic, vegetable glycerin, chicory root extract, erythritol, vanilla extract, natural flavors, sea salt, locust bean gum, guar gum, carrageenan, monk fruit extract, and vanilla bean specks. This frozen treat is gluten-free, cholesterol-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO! No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean So Delicious Dairy Free Frozen Dessert is…AWESOME!!

But how awesome are the nutritionals? Well…a serving size of the So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy Free Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This 1/2 cup portion will provide you with only 100 calories and 8 grams of fat. I know you’re thinking that the fat seems high, but it’s the healthy fats found in coconut…so don’t freak out over that…it will be okay. In addition, you will be taking in only 70 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. LOVING IT! And, finally, you will be consuming 10 grams of filling fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Oh, So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy Free Frozen Dessert…I would devour you every day of the week if I could. I can’t be happier with this flavor and all that it represents. Thank you, So Delicious, for sending me a pint of goodness which came on a day where I just needed something simple, elegant, and yet…amazing. That’s this flavor for sure!

I can’t help falling in love with So Delicious over and over again. Their products really are tops!

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert

August 3, 2014

Product Review: CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar

Product: CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar – $1.49+

Today…was one of those days where I just never take a moment to settle in and eat something in the middle of the day. Always on the go. After hitting up the pool this morning for some laps, I was ready to get my shopping on. So, after returning home and taking a nice shower, it was off to the brand new factory outlet store that opened up in the Louisville area. Retail therapy…it’s great for what ails you and stresses you out.

So is the pair of Tommy Hilfiger skinny jeans I bought too…but that’s beside the point.

What is my point?

My point is…there are days that I just don’t get to sit down and settle into an official “lunch.” I am very good about eating breakfast and often make it the bulk of my daily meal. I hit up good protein sources, healthy carbs, and those healthy fats (HELLO AVOCADO!). Dinner is always a must, but it’s usually something very light and easy, unless it’s a weekend where I have some time to prepare an actual dinner…like a casserole or something…where I freeze the leftovers and keep them for those days where life is just spiraling out of control and the very thought of cooking a meal from scratch is too much to bear.

But lunch. Lunch sometimes consists of oatmeal or overnight oats, especially during the week. It’s something light but filling. But on a day like today, where you’re trying to beat the crowds and actually find a parking spot at a brand-spankin’-new outlet mall…you grab and go. And that’s what I did, pulling open my kitchen drawer of “run snacks” and retrieving the next protein bar in the lineup.

Today…the CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar. It was easy to transport and I figured I liked the blueberry one well enough, why not? So, my roommate grabbed her snack and we were out the door and hitting the road to check out the shops. On the way, it was time to fortify ourselves for what would be at the very least an hour and a half at the outlets. At least. She dove into her snack…and I broke into my bar.

Once again, I have to make the fair comparison between these bars and the KIND bars. They are loaded with dried fruits and nuts, and you can see each and every ingredient right there. To give it some added bulk, CLIF also mixes in rice crisps…which you can also see. I was hungry from my time in the pool…so I took my first bite.

YES!! CLIF one again hits the flavor combination on the head. In fact, I want to say it tastes a lot like the fruit and seed mixtures that are included in a few of the Go Picnic box meals every now and again. You know…the kind that Enjoy Life produces. That’s what this bar tastes like. It tastes like a sweet snack victory to me. It was chewy…yet not overly so. In fact, this one was a bit more solid than the blueberry, but I think some of that was due to the fact that it had been warm…then in my cool apartment…so it solidified. Nonetheless, I was loving each and every bite of this bar. It had that tangy zing from the cranberries and that hit of salt from the almonds. The rice crisps brought something chewy. And it was all bound together in this outrageously tasty bar. I had to keep myself from just shoving the entire thing in my mouth and chewing for about 10 minutes. I savored…and I’m glad I did. This bar hits all the right notes at all the right times. Amazing.

So, let’s talk ingredients. CLIF is proud to use non-GMO ingredients in their Mojo bars. And…about 70% of the ingredients are organic. In the CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar, you will find the following ingredients: organic almonds, cranberries, organic tapioca syrup, organic rice crisps, organic roasted soybeans, organic inulin, organic sunflower oil, sea salt, citric acid, and natural vitamin E. This bar is gluten-free, cholesterol free, low glycemic, and high in fiber.

Nutritionally speaking, this bar definitely stands up to those that are similar to it. And in some cases, the stats are even better. A serving size is one bar. One CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar will serve up 180 calories and 10 grams of fat. Don’t panic over the fat. Most of that is derived from the almonds, making it a healthy fat. This bar also will give you 110 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. The sugar is higher than I like it, but I’m guessing some of that actually does come from the cranberries. And, you will also be consuming 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. So, you definitely will feel full after eating it and it does a good job of sticking with you.

I’m finding a lot of great flavor, great textures, and great nutrition from the CLIF Mojo Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bars. The two that I have tried thus far have blown me away. The flavors just blend so well and pop in your mouth. I guarantee that you’ll enjoy these bars. And…for that price…go ahead and stock up. I know next time I hit the store, I will be doing just that!

CLIF Mojo Cranberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar (unwrapped)

July 29, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

There is a short list of treats that I forever want in my life. Seriously. This ranges from my local gluten-free bakery (Annie May’s Sweet Café) vegan chocolate chip cookies to my gluten free lemon chiffon cake…to ICE CREAM!

The thing with ice cream is…as much as I love ice cream, being lactose intolerant means that sometimes…the ice cream doesn’t love me back. This means that it’s better for me to skip it all together…or find something that is equally as delicious…and just like that rich, creamy, amazing dairy-filled treat that I grew up eating…year round!

The answer, my friends, is no further than your grocery store freezer.

The amazing and wonderful people at So Delicious Dairy Free sent me a few pints of their new Gluten Free and No Sugar Added frozen dessert offerings. Yes…their coconut milk ice cream, if you will. And me, being the ice cream lover that I am…am thrilled to try these flavors out. I’ve already reviewed the Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert and the Gluten-Free Cookies ‘N Cream Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert.

Tonight…it was on to the No Sugar Added (and still gluten-free) flavors. I asked my roomie to choose a flavor from the ones that are in the freezer. Without any hesitation she immediately chose…

…the So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert.

Butter Pecan just happens to be her mom’s favorite ice cream flavor. Fact. Now you know.

After a very long, and somewhat stressful day…I made dinner upon getting home and after we devoured that….dessert was up. As usual, I tend to pull the pint out of the freezer while we eat dinner to allow it to soften up. Because it is made without the dairy, it sometimes gets a little more frozen than regular ice cream, so the time sitting on the counter while we dine means that it’s ready to scoop when dessert time rolls around. I was pretty stoked myself, having always enjoyed a great butter pecan ice cream. It’s one of those oddball flavors that I so rarely get, that I only remember how much I love it when I actually get it.

I dished up two bowls of ice cream, with the proper serving all measured out. I served it up and we dug in while watching Food Network (because…we love our Food Network!). One bite. That was all I needed to fall in love with this frozen treat. Honestly. WOW! First of all, the texture is perfect. Creamy, light, not gritty. Pure ice cream perfection. You’d never guess this was made with coconut milk. It is that perfectly balanced. But, my rave doesn’t stop there. FLAVOR! Holy cow. The flavors incorporated into the So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert stand up and just dance with your taste buds. Dance. Maybe a tango. Maybe the conga. vanilla with butter and pecans…oh…it’s so good. You can really catch all those rich and amazing flavors. And the pecans bring this great crunch and texture to the creamy ice cream. And all of this…without any added sugar. You can’t argue with that. My roommate actually licked her bowl clean. I think this is her new favorite so far!

So, what all goes into the So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert? Well, it all comes together using organic coconut milk, pecans, gum arabic, vegetable glycerin, chicory root extract, erythritol, natural flavors, sea salt, locust bean gum, guar gum, carrageenan, and monk fruit extract. This dessert is organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan. It is also cholesterol free.

And with that, you know we have to take a peek at the nutritional information. A serving of the So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. In this serving you will be taking in 140 calories and 13 grams of fat. Don’t panic over that fat content. It’s derived from coconut milk, which means that’s the healthy fats. A serving dishes up 65 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. LOVE THAT! And finally, you will be taking in 10 grams of filling fiber and 1 gram of protein.

LOVE! That’s what this ice cream is all about. A dairy-free twist on a classic flavor! The So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert is truly a pint of love. The flavors and texture are fantastic and amazing. And I am totally in love with it. It will take all my (currently non-existent) self-control not to devour the entire pint right out of the carton. It would be worth it though…

So Delicious…keep on making these amazing treats…because you certainly got my attention. No sugar added just proves that sugar free doesn’t mean flavor free. I am totally in love with you, my So Delicious people. Thank you!

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free No Sugar Added Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

July 28, 2014

Product Review: CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar

Product: CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar – $1.49+

As an active and extremely busy on-the-go girl, I often find myself in places where I need something to eat, and given my dietary restrictions…that’s not always a simple thing. I always…always…have some form of a snack bar or protein bar on hand. And while my usual go-to’s include KIND, Lärabar, and Luna Protein…I have since been expanding on my protein bar options.

Leave it to my roommate then, to head out to the grocery store on an errand and return with some gluten-free bars that were on Manager’s Special. This is always a nice treat to find gluten-free anything market down at the grocery store…usually by half price. The bars were the CLIF Mojo Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bars…of which she grabbed one of each variety that were on the markdown.

I went out of town this past weekend, and while I knew I’d have plenty of options in the Columbus area (and my friend Jenn is awesome at keeping gluten-free stuff around for me!), I wasn’t so sure if I’d need something to eat on the journey home. So, as usual, I threw a couple of bars into the food bag we haul with us everywhere…and I was so so glad we did. About the time we hit Columbus, my delicious breakfast had been burned through and my stomach was starting to grumble that it was hungry. We were trying to race bad weather (that never hit!) home, so stopping somewhere wasn’t an option. Besides, there are only a couple of places I have been to and would trust in Cincinnati…and we weren’t anywhere near them at that point. As we didn’t go to Dayton to hit up Sinfully Gluten Free, nor did we go to Cherbourg Bakery while in Columbus, there were no gluten-free baked treats begging for devouring.

But…we each had our bars. So, at the first chance I had, I dug through the bag and found Cathy a bar and then dug around more, pulling out the first CLIF Mojo Fruit and Nut Trail Mix Bar I could find.

It just so happened to be the Wild Blueberry Almond Bar.

Sounded yummy as I am a huge fan of both blueberries and almonds. It was like it was made to make me one happy girl at that point.

I unwrapped it, making immediate note as to how the CLIF Mojo Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bars looked a lot like the KIND bars that I love. That was definitely a good sign, for sure. I snapped pictures for the blog, then broke off my first piece to taste. I was hoping it was as good as the KIND bars I rave about constantly.

Guess what? It was amazing. Huge flavor, partially because the fruit part of this bar is from real, organic, wild blueberries. Seriously…you can see the berries when you bite into or break off pieces of the bar. They are one of the most prominant ingredients too. With almonds being the second. And since the bar is the CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar…I suppose it better be full of blueberries and almonds. You won’t be disappointed. The blueberries bring this amazing sweetness to each bite, and the almonds counter it with that little crunch and that saltiness. It finds perfect balance between both tastes and makes for one fantastic bar to eat on the go. I was won over by the first bite. And I’m super excited that I have three other flavors left at home in my running snack drawer to try. But the CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar is one fantastic bar. Serious flavor without a serious amount of calories.

So, let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar is made from: almonds, organic currant raisins, organic tapioca syrup, organic wild blueberries, organic cashews, organic rice crisps, organic roasted soybeans, organic inulin, organic sunflower oil, sea salt, citric acid, natural flavor, and natural vitamin E. This bar is gluten-free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, and is low glycemic.

A serving of the CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar is one bar. In this one bar, you will be provided with 160 calories and 8 grams of fat. Do not panic over that fat count through, most of that comes naturally from the nuts, and is a healthy fat. You will also be taking in 110 mg sodium and 12 grams of sugar. Yes…the sugar does seem high…but I’m hoping a lot of that is naturally occurring in the fruit. In addition, you get 210 mg potassium, 4 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. Yes…you will feel full after consuming this bar. And that’s the whole point of a bar like this. You don’t want to eat it and feel hungry an hour later. You want something that will stick with you for awhile. And the CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar does just that.

Super delicious!! If you haven’t tried the gluten-free CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bars, I highly encourage you to head to the grocery store and pick some up. I can definitely recommend this flavor. Just a burst of sweet and salty in each bite, making this one epic bar…any time you like. Trust me…you won’t be disappointed.

CLIF Mojo Wild Blueberry Almond Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Bar (unwrapped)

July 28, 2014

Product Review: Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars

Product: Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars -$4.99+

While I have only spoken ill of a couple of the snack bars/breakfast bars that I have tried going gluten-free…I believe my quality standards have been raised. I love Glutino to death, I do…but, while I don’t dislike their snack/breakfast bars, they are a little bit…tasteless when compared to the amazing bars I have had the chance to devour this past week.

And I owe this all to Van’s. Yes…Van’s. Van’s who makes the best gluten-free waffles. Amazing gluten-free cereal. And have since branched out into other products, such as gluten-free crackers, chips, granola, pasta, and yes…snack bars and granola bars. And some of my local stores have started to carry some of these other products from Van’s…and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Usually during the day, I have two snacks because I eat a good breakfast, a light lunch, and a sensible dinner. I snack in between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. Yes…even when I’m not running. But I am generally very specific about what I choose to snack on. Currently, however, I am attempting to whittle down some of the products I have accumulated in my freezer and pantry. So, by checking out expiration dates, I began to go in order. And this week I finally cracked open my box of snack bars from Van’s Gluten Free.

While the store I purchased these snack bars at had many to choose from, I selected Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars because…I’m addicted to peanut butter for one thing…and I love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Seriously…it’s one of the simplest pleasures in life. And not one that I indulge in too often as gluten-free bread is stupid expensive. But…I figured this might be a good way to enjoy one of my favorite things to eat.

This past week…I got to see for myself.

Wednesday morning…around 10:30 am, I tore into my little wrapped snack bar. It looked like a slap of peanut butter with a jelly middle…sort of like a sandwich minus the bread. I was intrigued. I could see the oats rolled into that peanut butter layer and really couldn’t wait to take a bite. A picture for the blog had to come first though…despite wanting to rip into it. It smelled amazing…like peanut butter and jelly…so it was already living up to its name. I snapped a quick picture and then tore off a corner to take a bite.

WOW! This bar is truly like eating a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The strawberry filling is sweet without being too tart or too strong. It just is this layer of sweetness that totally works with the savory peanut butter that encompasses it. The rolled oats give a great texture, making it seem like a real sandwich. Each layer of texture and flavor brings a whole new level of deliciousness to this bar. They are soft and chewy, just like a sandwich should be. And none of that “like cardboard” outer crust that a lot of snack/breakfast bars have. Every bite brings 10 grams of nutrient-rich whole grain oats and real peanut butter…which definitely makes each bar a nice and filling snack. Honestly, I’m rarely ever starving when lunch time rolls around, and I find myself delaying it slightly because this little mighty bar of peanut butter and jelly goodness has done it’s job as a snack. Beyond impressed.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients and nutrition information when it comes to Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars.

As far as ingredients go, the Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars are made from gluten free oats, invert cane sugar, peanut butter, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, sweet rice flour, strawberries, apple powder, fruit juice concentrate (pineapple, pear, apple and peach) tapioca starch, rice bran, peanut flour, peanut extract, glycerin, natural flavor, citric acid, pectin, locust bean gum, sea salt, red cabbage extract and annatto (for coloring), and baking soda. These bars are gluten-free and dairy-free. In addition, Van’s, as always, states that these are ingredients that they are proud of. I can totally see why!

As for nutritional information, a serving size of the Van’s PB & J Strawberry Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bars is 1 snack bar. One bar has 160 calories and 6 grams of fat. Don’t worry, much of that comes from the peanut butter…and that is a healthy fat. These bars are cholesterol free, contain 115 mg sodium, and a (rather high) 14 grams of sugar. I guess that has a lot to do with the fruit and fruit juices that are inside each bar. A little high in sugars, but the 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein help make up for it, making it more than a sweet treat, but a filling snack. Honestly…your appetite will be satiated.

Big kudos, once more, to Van’s for another amazing gluten-free treat. It just goes to prove that when you use quality ingredients (that you are proud of) you always put out a quality product. And that…that is what it is all about. The PB & J Gluten Free Snack Bars come in two flavors, currently: strawberry and blueberry. I’m a huge fan of the strawberry…so I can’t wait to get my hands on the blueberries. And the other snack bars and snacks that Van’s has to offer. It is definitely a name I can trust.

If you love peanut butter and jelly…then you’ll definitely LOVE these.

Van's PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bar (unwrapped) — Van’s PB & J Strawberry and Peanut Butter Gluten Free Snack Bar (unwrapped)

July 20, 2014

Product Review: Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Snack Bar

Product: Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Snack Bar – $2.49

As you know, I am always on the lookout for more and different protein bars, as I am an athlete on the go! I usually consume a protein bar on weekends away, or perhaps before a race (with time to digest, of course), and sometimes after I hit up the gym for my weights sessions.

I have my go-to brands…Lärabar, thinkThin, and KIND to name a few. All of them are certified gluten-free and carry a good portion of protein to help rejuvenate me after or before a hard workout. When I’m traveling, they also make fantastic snacks and/or food options when nothing else is available.

So, imagine my surprise and my joy when my June Cuisine Cube showed up in the mail and it included an energy bar as a mid-day pick-me-up snack option. Not just any energy bar…one that was two of my favorite things…Chocolate Peanut Butter flavored! The Cuisine Cube, as I explained before, tends to include products for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and a snack. And every now and again…a bonus. In June, the bonus was the energy bar. And it sounded amazing.

I had never heard of Grab the Gold before, and was quite curious as to what their version of an energy bar would be like. I’ve had some good ones in my time and some really, really bad ones. But, I have come to trust my Cuisine Cube and the choices of products that go inside. I had a run and some weights to do this morning, and my breakfast beforehand was simply cereal. Delicious cereal, but by the time I finished up at the gym, I was ready for something to eat.

I packed my roommate and I each a protein bar. She had her favorite Lärabar (ALT Lemon Pound Cake…in case you were wondering!). I decided to give the one I received in my Cuisine Cube a try. So, that was what emerged from my bag in the car to eat on the way to her family’s house to sort out some (who am I kidding…TONS) of items in the garage. I was going to need reinforcements. So, I unwrapped the gorgeous golden foil wrapper and unveiled an unassuming round bar. Little flecks of oats and chocolate chips were visible. I broke off a piece for my roomie to try and then I took a bite.

You know those amazing no-bake cookies? Yeah…that’s what this bar tasted like. A fantastic no-bake cookie. Talk about a treat! Great texture and taste too. It was chocolatey without being too candy-like. It had that nice hit of peanut butter. The oats gave it that cookie-like texture. The chocolate chips were that little burst of flavor in each bite. And the round shape made for a nice change of pace from other bars on the market.

A little bit of history…the Grab the Gold Protein Snack Bars were created by 16 year old Danielle Ontiveros, who didn’t like typical breakfast food growing up and preferred something lighter in the mornings, since she was never hungry. This was the end of the 80s and there weren’t a lot of choices for protein bars. Most were expensive and didn’t taste good, so Ontiveros told her mother she wanted to make her own bars. She pulled out items from the cupboards and began measuring, mixing, and recording what she was doing. She began to market the bars to friends, family and neighbors and soon her business was born. The reason these bars are round is that Ontiveros was concerned with fairness and equality and wanted to be sure everyone got the same size bars. Cutting them into squares never yielded uniform bars in size and thickness. Then she got the idea to weight the batter into equal parts and put them into a muffin tin. The perfect, uniform, and round bar was born.

So, now that we know how these were made and why they are so good…let’s look at the nitty-gritty stuff. Yep…nutrition and ingredients.

The Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Snack Bar is made from organic oats, peanut butter, soy nuggets (soy flour), glucose syrup, cane sugar, semisweet chocolate chips, fruit juice, brown rice dextrins, canola oil, soy lecithin, natural cocoa powder, and vanilla. This bar is gluten-free, cholesterol free, dairy free, vegan, contains no high fructose corn syrup, contains no preservatives, contains no trans fats, and is a sort of high fiber.

As fur nutrition, the Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Bar is right on par, if not better, than other bars on the market. One serving is one bar. This bar contains 193 calories and 5 grams of fat. One bar also provides73 mg sodium 345 mg potassium, and 12 grams of sugar. I admit, it is high in sugar…higher than I normally like. Might be why it tastes like a cookie. But DAMN…it’s worth it. Yum! One bar also gives you 7 grams of filling fiber and 11 grams of protein. You actually will feel full after eating this bar. Trust me!

So, Cuisine Cube sent me another winner! I hope to order some of the Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Snack Bars in the near future, if I can’t find any in local stores. As I have never seen or heard of these before now, it’s more likely I’ll be ordering online or from Cuisine Cube’s store. But…I am now completely and forever hooked on these. Like having dessert for breakfast…but one that will last you for a couple of hours.

Well done!

Grab the Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Snack Bar (unwrapped)