Products – Page 10 – The Celiathlete

August 29, 2015

Product Review: Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous di Mais

Product: Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous di Mais – $5.00+

Here’s the story…of a lovely lady…who used to always cook with couscous. Then she was diagnosed…as a Celiac…and couscous had to vamoose.

Here’s the story…of this thing called Cuisine Cube…who was packaging up gluten-free products. And in May, the box included couscous…and there was much rejoicing in the land.

*cough*

Sorry…I couldn’t resist. My last name is Brady…so the Brady Bunch theme has pretty much been a big portion of my life. And, for just over a year, I can honestly say that Cuisine Cube was a big portion of my life. I hated to have to give up my monthly subscription, but I had medical bills from this torn hip labrum eating into my budget big-time. But that’s not to say that I don’t miss it. I am in the process of using up the final few things that I have from past cubes…and part of me hopes to jump back into the subscription again soon.

So, first let me recap for you what Cuisine Cube is all about, shall I? Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that delivers 5-6 gluten-free, full-size products to your door for as little as $34.99/month. Inside the cube, you will discover full-size products (not sample sizes) 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? Keep in mind, however, that Cuisine Cube has gone through some changes as of May. No longer do they strictly only offer gluten-free cubes. In addition to their gluten-free option, they now also offer Artisan and Vegan cubes as well. The Artisan cube means that you have no food allergies and foods that contain common food allergens will be included. The Vegan cubes contain products that are dairy and animal free. And, they still have the Gluten Free cubes, which will have products that contain no gluten or wheat. So, if you’re really interested in being introduced to the smaller, lesser-known, artisan companies, give Cuisine Cube a try! It’s like…Christmas…or your birthday…every month! Who doesn’t love that?!

So, as my sing-songy typed up intro to this blog explained…one of the May (Is For Mom) 2015 Cuisine Cube included an 18 ounce box of Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous. I was thrilled…because I used to use couscous all the time in recipes. And now, it wasn’t off limits. Here, right in my clutches, was an amazing box of gluten-free couscous. And I totally get that it took me until the end of August to actually get around to using it, but…wow…was it ever worth the wait.

First of all, the Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous is simple and easy to prepare. Pour one cup of boiling water over one cup of the uncooked couscous. Add a pinch of sea salt and cover, allowing it to sit for about 5 minutes. After the water is absorbed, gently separate the grains with a fork and spoon, add olive oil, and top with your favorite condiments. Which…is normally what I would do. But I went a little CRAZY this last week.

A couple of weeks ago, my roomie picked up some lamb chops at the local farmer’s market for me to cook up. Hey…I have dreams of appearing on Master Chef…so she said I needs to learn to cook all the proteins, even if I don’t eat them. She volunteers for that. So, with the recipe on hand for Honey Balsamic Lamb Chops ready to go, I pulled up a recipe online from Giada De Laurentiis’ couscous cakes…which involved cooking up the Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous Cakes. I just took 2 cups of the cooked couscous (which was made from 1 cup dry), mixing it with fresh basil, 2 eggs, ground coriander, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Place 1/4 cup of olive oil into a pan and pat the mix into little 1/4 cup cakes (it will make 8) and fry them up, draining them on a paper towel.

Of course, with the leftover couscous, I had to try it out. Untouched. And…OH MY GOD…this is really the first gluten-free couscous (I tried 2 others) that really has that real couscous texture. I would have questioned the authenticity of the gluten-free status of this product, but it’s right there in print. Amazing. And, let me tell you, when I combined it with the listed ingredients from Giada’s recipe and made the couscous cakes…the flavor was only elevated. The taste and texture of the Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous was phenomenal. I mean, I was beyond surprised. In fact, I had to double-check the box just to make sure it truly was gluten-free. To say I am blown away is an understatement. This wowed me in every way possible. It paired great with her honey balsamic lamb chops and my honey balsamic portobello mushroom cap. Seriously. So yum!

Let’s discuss the ingredients of Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous. This amazing couscous is made from organic corn flour and water. That’s it. Yep. It’s that easy. Clean eating at its best.

As for the nutritional information, one serving is 1/4 cup of the couscous (about 40 grams). This serving will provide you with 140 calories less than 1 gram of fat, less than 1 gram of saturated fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of sodium, about 0.5 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. Isn’t that fantastic?

So, without a little help from Cuisine Cube I never would have known about Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous. Made from 100% corn, the taste and texture are amazing and honestly…spot on. You would never guess that this was a gluten-free version of one of my favorite grains to cook with. And now, it is back in my life again. You can order Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous from online shops such as The Shop Agora. Trust me, this one is not to be missed!

Honey Balsamic Glazed Portobello Mushroom Cap with Couscous Cakes made from Biatalia Gluten Free Couscous di Mais

August 18, 2015September 15, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams – $4.99+

Graham crackers. They are so simple…so commonplace. They are something that conjure up memories of campfires, toasting marshmallows, gooey chocolate, and sticky fingers. They recall afternoons where you grab a graham cracker (probably a cinnamon one because that dusting of sugar on top made it feel like such a treat) and snack on it while heading out to play with friends before dinner, or settling in with a good afternoon television show.

That was my childhood. That was my adulthood. Well, maybe not the playing with friends thing…but graham crackers had such a prominent part of my life. Especially when bonfires and campfires were involved.

S’mores are one of the best treats in the world. It’s got all the textures, all the sweetness…everything that makes a treat a treat. Who doesn’t love s’mores. The problem being…I’ve only come across a few gluten-free graham crackers since being diagnosed with Celiac. Kinnikinnick was the first brand I knew of that existed, making S’moreables for that graham cracker craving. Then, Schär came out with their Honeygrams, which I have tasted, but never purchased. They are also good. But that was basically it…unless you made your own. I love to bake, but I haven’t tackled crackers yet…or any sort.

And then, at Expo West this past year, I saw images come through from Pamela’s Products that were touting their latest product: Graham Crackers and Mini Grahams…in three (3) flavors: Honey, Cinnamon, and Chocolate. Oh, and also available in two (2) sizes: Graham Cracker Size and Minis.

I searched high and low in my area for these and finally gave up, believing that it would take at least a year for the Louisville area to get them in. But then, randomly one afternoon with a quick stop by my Kroger (of all places)…there two flavors of the mini grahams sat on a shelf. And, yes, I snagged a box of each and took them home with me. I had to have them. I’d been searching for them. It had to happen.

Well, back on Monday, August 10, it was National S’mores Day. And, I didn’t know this until after I used these to make a small dessert S’mores Bowl…but Monday was the day I pulled these off the top shelf of my pantry to serve up for dessert. Coincidence, yes…but perfectly timed. YAY for happy and delicious coincidences.

The Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are little medallions of graham cracker goodness, each cracker being around the size of a quarter, perhaps just slightly smaller. The Cinnamon flavor (which is the box I opened first) looks like the perfect miniature cinnamon graham cracker. Honestly. The little hexagon shapes are one-bite sized and are good for popping if you just want something mindless and easy. But, you know me…nothing can ever be that easy. Although, for the sake of the blog, I may have popped a couple without the rest of the toppings in the S’mores Bowl that I created. The S’mores Bowl is a layer of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips, and then vegan marshmallows, which I then torch with my kitchen torch, successfully melting the chocolate and toasting the marshmallows to perfection. I did this for my roommate and then again for me. And so…we settled in to get our first taste of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams.

Want to bring back the taste of your childhood? Well, these will do it. These miniature graham crackers are everything that is right and good in the gluten-free snack world. I don’t buy many treats like these often…but I had to try these. I was craving s’mores for a long while now…and these gave me a way to make a fantastic dessert with all the flavors of the s’mores without making an actual s’more. Once I find somewhere local with the actual Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Grahams, then I’ll make the real things. But…as of now, I’ve only found the minis. That should change though. Count on it.

The Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are lightly dusted on the top with cinnamon and sugar. This coating brings this nice touch of sweetness to the rich graham and molasses flavor of the crackers themselves. I love the flavors that erupt with each bite. It’s sweet and rich and tastes just like the graham crackers I was guilty of sneaking out of the pantry as a child. I thought they were the perfect base for the S’mores Bowls, easily scooped up with melted chocolate chips and toasted marshmallows. They are bite-sized graham cracker bites of goodness. Perfection. Sheer graham cracker perfection.

Let’s discuss what the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams are made from, shall we? This particular treat is made up of a gluten free flour blend (brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, xanthan gum), organic non-GMO butter (salted), brown cane sugar, sorghum flower, gluten-free oat bran, molasses, organic non-GMO honey, gluten-free flavors, cinnamon, grainless and aluminum free baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, potato starch, sodium bicarbonate), baking soda, sea salt, spices, and a topping that is made up of organic sugar and cinnamon. This product is certified gluten-free by GFCO, made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and kosher certified. They are gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, egg-free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, contain no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, and contain no corn syrup.

So…that’s awesome!!

Speaking of awesome, the nutritional facts for the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams aren’t too bad either. A serving size is 10 crackers (29 grams) and there are about 7 servings per box. This serving will provide you with 150 calories, 6 grams fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 23 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 8 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Not too bad for a graham cracker, right?! I’m happy with it.

So, go ahead, pop open a box of Pamela’s Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams and crunch, dunk, dip, or pile high with chocolate and marshmallows…and devour. Do whatever it is you want with these little miniature graham crackers. These gluten-free treats are fantastic. And I’m sad I have only about 2 servings left. Time to go pick up more. Just simply put…delicious!

S'mores Bowl made with Pamela's Products Gluten-Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows — S’mores Bowl made with Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Mini Cinnamon Grahams, dark chocolate, and vegan marshmallows

August 17, 2015

Product Review: Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels

Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels – $7.25

They’re back!! Not just bagels my friend. And not just those crazy poppy seeds that get everywhere, screw up drug tests (or so I’ve heard), and make everything taste amazing. Nope. I’m talking Sweet Note Bagels! If you missed out on my initial fawning over this brand of gluten-free bagel…then you’ve missed out. So it up and pay attention! And if you remember it all too well, welcome back…because they hit another one out of the endzone…or something!

You see, a long time ago in a Twitter-verse far, far away, I posted a blog regarding the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Bagels that I had actually found in my area. Much praise and accolades were given. And then…a highly efficient PR person for another gluten-free bagel company replied to my tweet and told me that if I enjoyed Canyon Bakehouse…then I would love what they were serving up.

I was skeptical, naturally…but found myself clicking on the link to go to their Web site. And lo and behold…a virtual gluten-free bagel bakery awaited my every bagel desire. Well…maybe not every desire…but they had quite the variety. And what was even more important, especially to this former New Yorker and bagel-enthusiast, they were New York style! And yes…New York does have a style for bagels. Smaller and more dense. For such a big and bustling city, you wouldn’t think small and dense would sup up the bagel style. But it does…beautifully.

So, Sweet Note Bagels started in 2012, when founder and president, Michelle MacDonald, stepped up to a challenge. She had been baking ever since she was a child and was very passionate about it. When her grandfather and sister were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she took the first steps on her entrepreneurial journey. Her family really missed a good New York Style bagel. (Hey…I can’t blame them…I know this feeling all too well). So with a lot of experimentation and trial and error, MacDonald perfected the recipe, getting huge approval from her family (also bagel lovers). Gluten-free bagels that taste good?! It was a reality. Sweet Note Bakery’s vision is to make gluten-free options more readily accessible. Those of us who live with Celiac understand how isolating this disease can be, when you can’t have a meal while out with friends and family, be it at a restaurant or a ballpark, or wherever your adventures take you. MacDonald wanted to change that…one gluten-free bagel at a time.

And, as you know, I have already sung the praises of the Plain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, and Chocolate Swirl. Which means…Poppy and Sesame are all that remains. I’d been meaning to place an order with Sweet Note Bakery…but life’s been a bit hectic as of late. It kept slipping my mind, although in the mornings I’d be all “I wish I had bagels.” So, one would think I would take drastic action. But, alas…craziness.

But then I finally made the trip up to Columbus, Ohio, to visit my friend Jenn for a weekend. And, one of my favorite stops to make (and one reason I travel with a cooler) is at The Raisin Rack. It’s a great natural food store with a gluten-free section that blows my mind. And, as I was meandering down the aisle…what should I see in the freezer…but Sweet Note Bagels – Poppy and Sesame variety. The two that I hadn’t tried yet. It was an omen. It was a sign. Yes…both flavors were in my basket, in my shopping bag, in my cooler, and then in my freezer.

And last Monday, I busted out the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels for breakfast. Per the instructions on the packaging, do not thaw these bagels on the counter. Just don’t. Obey the bagel goddesses who are in charge of these fantastic bagel-y treats. They say nuke each one for 60 seconds, until they are soft. Allow to cool slightly (or don’t)…and then slice in half. Toast…in a toaster or, if you’re like me and don’t own a toaster, in the oven at 350°F for about…10 minutes. This gave me time to toss them in the oven and then toss myself into the shower (Hey, Monday morning is spin class…and I had an office I didn’t want to offend with my workout funk!)…and upon my return, I pulled them out of the oven. And they were perfect. I mean…golden brown perfect. Each half got a liberal schmear of the vegan cream cheese that is in my fridge and then my roommate and I dug into the Poppy variety.

DUDE! YUM! The packaging says…“For flavor that POPS…” like Poppy Seeds…get it? HAHA! Well, the fact of the matter is, those little black seeds really are a powerhouse for flavor. And what’s more is that Sweet Note Bakery knows how to properly coat a bagel, prep a bagel, and put out a good quality bagel. Sure, some seeds fleck off, but that’s what happens. That’s life. You simply wet a fingertip and pluck them up, or turn your cream cheese side down and dab at them. It’s all good. The bagel itself…a nice crisp on the outside with that soft, chewy center. It’s amazing what a good bagel can do to start your day off right. And the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel is not a good bagel…it’s a damn good bagel. It’s a happy bagel. A poppin’ fresh bagel. It’s an everything is going to be okay bagel. The poppy seeds bring this nutty flavor and aroma to the toasted bagel. The bread itself is perfection…no airpockets of “WTF WHERE IS MY PRODUCT?” that can happen with gluten-free bread products. It’s…love in a bag. Every flavor I’ve tried has been outstanding. And this one just got added to the list.

So…let’s talk about what goes into the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels, shall we? These bagels are made from LOVE (Yes, that is on the ingredient list), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, poppy seeds, and salt. These bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. LOVE IT!! Vegan and gluten-free…yes, please. More of these! Like for life. Just keep them coming!

Now, let’s look at the nutritional information. A serving size is one (1) of the Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagels. This bagel will provide you with 310 calories, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol, 520 mg sodium, 62 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugars, and 5 grams of protein. Yes…these bagels are filling, and that’s what I love about them. With other gluten-free bagels on the market, I am full for an hour, then hungry again, despite being twice as big. Most others on the markets are made with fillers rather than real ingredeints, and that’ makes a difference by leaps and bounds.

Love. Love is their main ingredient. And love is what I give back. Sweet Note Bagels is doing the gluten-free community a lot of justice by putting out quality, delicious, amazing bagels. If these were served to anyone, no one would be able to tell that they are gluten-free. That is how outstanding these bagels are. With this package polished off, all that remains is the Sesame…before I need to restock. Maybe the Pumpkin Spice will be back by then…

Stay tuned!

Sweet Note Gluten Free Poppy Bagel topped off with a schmear of vegan cream cheese

August 17, 2015

Product Review: GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets

Product: GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets – $8.49+

HOLD. THE. GLUTEN. FREE. PHONE.

Reread that product name…

Go ahead.

YES!! Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets.

FINALLY!!

Bless you GeeFree. Bless you for bringing these into the gluten-free world. Thank you for putting these out on the market. Why? Because I’ve looked at the very complicated and confusing instructions on how to make gluten-free puff pastry at home and it was not something I thought I was capable of producing. Not well. Not at all. And I love to bake and cook. So…THANK YOU!!

It was at Expo West in 2014 that the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets were introduced. I saw the pictures on the various Twitter feeds and Instagrams that I follow of people who were fortunate enough to attend. And I was excited. SO excited. And then…let down at the fact that I have never…ever…seen this brand carried anywhere in my area. I looked though. And it took a trip to Columbus, Ohio…and the natural food store Raisin Rack, before I found these…three weekends ago. Believe it or not…it took over a year. I bet you’re wondering if the wait was worth it.

GeeFree Gluten Free began when Susan Hougui, a veteran of the food industry for over a decade, was visiting with friends while traveling overseas. The family needed to avoid gluten and Susan was served the most delicious puff pastries. Intrigued, as she had never seen anything like it, she tried them and found them to be crispy, yet tender, treats. Excited with this discovery, she called her friend and master baker, Steve Leyva, to help her recreate and perfect the treats that Hougui had been served…and that she knew would be a sensational hit. The first three products to be released in the savory line from GeeFree were Spanakopita, Franks in Blankets, and Chicken Pot Pie. And now…PUFF PASTRY!!

Puff Pastry…for sweet or savory. For desserts or dinner. PUFF PASTRY!! GLUTEN FREE PUFF PASTRY!!

Thank you…GeeFree Gluten Free. Thank you!

So…since I now had the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets in my clutches…and my freezer…I knew immediately the first thing I wanted to make with them. Way back…back before I went gluten-free, I made these amazing Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts, with the aid of a recipe from The Barefoot Contessa, and fell in love with them. This was just before I had to go gluten-free…and so…when it happened, this new favorite recipe was now forever gone. I attempted it a couple of years ago, in 2013, with the Pillsbury Gluten Free Pie & Pastry Dough. It wasn’t the same at all. So…when a recipe that actually calls for puff pastry now can have real (gluten-free) puff pastry, I, naturally, have to make it. So I did.

I put the pastry sheets into the fridge the night before I was going to make this dish, allowing them to thaw from frozen. When I got home from work, I began to work on caramelizing onions for the recipe, slicing tomatoes, giving my homegrown basil a julienne, and then went to snag the pastry sheets from my fridge to prep them. My counter top got a liberal sprinkling of gluten-free flour, as did my rolling pin, and I rolled out the sheet to be thinner before cutting 6 inch circles from it. I used a paring knife to score a ¼-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Then, the center circle was scored with the tines of a fork and given a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, not leaving the border of that second circle. The caramelized onions were placed on top, along with crumbled goat cheese, a slice of tomato, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. I sliced shards of Parmesan to put over the top and went to bake these tarts, praying that this all worked out just as I remembered.

The bad…the puff pastry didn’t puff up around the edge that was not scored. So, if you are looking for that flaky, layered, soft crust that puff pastry produces when it puffs in the oven…this didn’t happen. The puff pastry remained completely flat…like a pizza crust.

The good…it tasted phenomenal. And even though I baked it at a higher temperature (per the recipe I was using, as opposed to the box directions), it didn’t burn (like the Pillsbury pastry dough did), and it did have that light texture you expect from a puff pastry…just without the lift. And that’s fine. It got to this gorgeous golden color. And it worked as a great base for the tart I was making. So, it wasn’t like the one I used to be able to eat…it sure tasted like it. Looks aren’t everything. And this didn’t look bad, it just didn’t get puffy. The flavor, buttery, crispy, soft, amazing…yeah…it was worth the wait for over a year to actually try this stuff. And I think next time I’m going to try it in one of their suggestions online…like a fruit tart…or a vegan version of a pot pie. Hmmm…that might be what I do actually. YUM!!

Let’s discuss what goes into the making of the GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets. These pastry sheets are made from potato starch, butter (sweet cream, natural flavorings), water, canola oil, eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, flaxseed meal, whey protein concentrate, inulin (chickory root), guar gum, baking soda, citric acid, and annatto.

Each package contains two 9×7 frozen puff pastry sheets. This box is meant to serve 6 people. A serving size is 1.5 ounces of a pastry sheet. This serving will provide you with 150 calories, 9 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 25 grams cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 0 grams of protein. Not extremely filling…but definitely full of delicious flavor and texture.

I am impressed with the innovation of gluten free puff pastry sheets that can be bought at the store in the freezer section instead of having to go through the quite labor-intensive way of making it from scratch. GeeFree Gluten Free took all the hard work out of the task and simplified it into puff pastry sheets that are there for your convenience. I am one happy little baker and chef right now. Oh yes…so very happy. If you can find the GeeFree products, get the Gluten Free Puff Pastry and create some puff pastry goodness. Just…amazing that it has happened.

Gluten Free Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart made with GeeFree Gluten Free Puff Pastry Sheets

August 17, 2015

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+

Growing up, my dinner always ended with a little touch of something sweet. Dessert. It was always my motivation to eat most of what was on my plate. My parents had a rule that we at least had to try something. I was never a picky eater, but I had things I liked more than others. I’m still that way. Believe it or not…I am only human. HA!

So, I think the hardest part of my journey has been not being able to stomach ice cream these days. I used to take a supplement for it, but even that has not helped as of late. So, my cheating with dairy has come to an end. I am completely dairy free…

But it doesn’t mean I’m ice cream free!

Thanks to the frozen dessert gods that brought Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Milk frozen goodness into my life. Now, I’ve had (and loved) a couple of their products before, the Dark Chocolate Bars and the Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. But there was one in particular that I had my eyes set on. It was their version of mint chocolate chip…or, in the Luna & Larry universe – Mint Galactica.

It sounds so sci-fi and space-agey. LOVE IT.

Know what else I loved? This freakin’ ice cream!! Can I call it ice cream if it is dairy free? I’m going to, because it might as well be the full-blown thing. It tastes…awesome!! A little sci-fi and space-agey too. (*WINK*) Okay…so maybe not that far…but it is mint chocolate chip at its minty best. To be honest, there is a local place here called The Comfy Cow that has a signature flavor called Minty Chocolate Chippy. It was one of my favorites when I’d cheat and eat dairy…with a drizzle of hot fudge and it tasted like a Girl Scout cookie. Well…this was just as good…a bit mintier…but just as creamy and delicious as the full-barrel, real deal stuff at my local ice cream shop. And you know what…for an ice cream made out of coconut milk…that’s pretty fantastic, if you ask me! I loved that the flecks of chocolate were just that…flecks. Sometimes the chunks of chocolate get a bit much in a frozen dessert…way too big go comfortably eat. I always do, usually saving it for last to suck on and allow to melt, but this was a nice change of pace and it perfectly flavored each and every bit of ice cream not just with that desired dark chocolate bitterness, but also with a bit of a crunch…a perfect texture for this ice cream. Totally out of this world.

So, let’s discuss what goes into a pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, shall we? This ice cream is made with organic coconut milk (organic coconut, water, organic guar gum), organic agave syrup, organic dark chocolate flakes (orgnaic fair trade dark chocolate [organic fair trade cocoa liquor, organic fair trade cane syrup, organic fair trade cocoa butter, organic fair trade cocoa powder]. organic coconut oil), organic coconut cream, organic peppermint extract, and organic vanilla extract. Simple, natural ingredients. This dessert treat is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO, and kosher.

And now…the down and dirty. That nutritional information. This is an ice cream treat, so keep that in mind when you read these off. Every serving is worth every calorie…trust me. A serving size is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings per pint. This serving will dish up 240 calories, 19 grams of fat (most of that is the healthy bit that comes from the coconut…be not afraid!), 16 grams saturated fat (definitely from the coconut), 0 grams trans fat, 0 grams cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 14 grams sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Filling, not especially…delicious…totally!!

Seriously, if you are looking for a cooling, delicious, minty-fresh treat this summer, look no further than Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. It is one of the best mint ice creams out there…and an added bonus is…it has no dairy, making it an option for those out there who can’t tolerate dairy, or choose not to consume it. This would be fantastic with hot fudge melted over the top…but on it’s own…amazing. Totally over the moon for this flavor!

A serving of Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Diary Frozen Dessert — A serving of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Mint Galactica Non-Diary Frozen Dessert

August 16, 2015

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing + Recipe Bonus

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing – $5.99+

Who says stuffing is just for Thanksgiving? Where is that written? Growing up, I was one of the only people in my family who wanted to have stuffing. My dad wasn’t a fan, so my mom never made it. Everything I needed to know about stuffing, I tasted at my friend’s homes. It was a rare occasion that my mom would make it…and as we never had turkey on Thanksgiving, but enjoyed a delicious shrimp creole instead…well…this was more of a Christmas thing.

When I went gluten-free…stuffing was off the menu regardless…unless I made it myself. In fact, one of the first gluten-free recipes I posted was a Gluten Free Hazelnut Sage Stuffing, which I made with Rudi’s Gluten Free Bread. That was back in 2011…and I’ve made that recipe quite a few times since then. It’s delicious and easy and amazing.

But sometimes, you just don’t want to do all the work yourself. These days, my free time is less and less. I’m recovering from a torn hip labrum, getting back to running, doing all my stretches for physical therapy and trying to maintain only a slight bit of pain when I move, and everything else like work, preparing meals/snacks for work, and maintaining my training/workout schedule. It just isn’t always feasible to pull out a recipe and whip something up.

Well, two weeks ago, I was in Columbus, Ohio, visiting my friend Jenn. And as I was packing up to head home, she handed me a box of Glutino’s Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing. As it was due to expire within the month, I decided I would make this for lunches this week for both the roomie and myself. And, that Sunday evening, I did just that…

I had everything else needed to make the recipe that was supplied on the box in my fridge, ironically enough. I guess I just know what’s good to have on hand, HAHA! Actually, it was just luck that I didn’t have to pick up anything else to make this. All I needed was butter (I used Earth Balance), eggs, vegetable broth, celery, and onion. That was it. I followed the instructions on the box, pulling open the silver package that contained the corn bread stuffing portion of the product, loving the little, crispy, yellow corn bread croutons that spilled out and into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Giving it a good stir, it was prepared and ready to cook.

This stuffing smells amazing as it cooks. I think I was drooling a little every time I walked by the oven. I mean, SO good. And when it was finally done, I pulled the dish from the oven, loving how golden the top had become during the cooking process. I dished it out into 6 Pyrex dishes, tasting a little at the end…and…oh yeah…this was going to be good.

I was wrong, though. This stuffing wasn’t good. It was FANTASTIC!!! Seriously, it was love at first taste. And I was really, really anticipating lunch for the three days that my roomie and I had this in our refrigerator. Seriously…I was sad when we devoured the last servings of it. The cornbread croutons soak in all that amazing flavor from the eggs, sauteed veggies, and the vegetable broth. It doesn’t get mushy though. Not at all. As it bakes, all that flavor bakes inside, making this rich, savory, and addictive stuffing that it’s hard to stop eating. And that top layer gets this nice golden brown, which brings that bit of crunchy texture when you dig into it. My mouth waters just thinking about it again. In fact, I want to see if any of my natural food stores have this on hand. I’m sort of concerned it’s a seasonal product…but I have every intention of stocking up!

So, let’s take a look at what all goes into a box of the Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing, shall we? This product is made up of corn starch, tapioca starch, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: sunflower oil, canola oil, safflower oil), seasoning (salt, yeast extract, sugar, maltodextrin, dextrose, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, dehydrated parsley, expeller pressed canola oil, spice extractive, silicon dioxide), sugar, egg whites, salt, guar gum, glucono-delta-lactone, yeast, pectin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, modified cellulose, iron, niacin, tricalcium phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, and riboflavin.

The Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing mix isn’t a nutritional bomb either. So, it’s not clean eating for sure…but the nutritional facts aren’t so bad. A serving size of this product is 1/2 cup prepared and there are 8 servings per box. This serving will provide you with 120 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 470 mg cholesterol, 20 grams carbohydrates, less than 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugars, and less than 1 gram protein. The lack of fiber and protein would make you believe that it wouldn’t fill you up if eating it as a meal instead of a side, but that wasn’t the case at all for me. I found it filling and amazing.

So…if you want to make this too, here is the recipe I used, which is straight off the back of the box itself:

Recipe: Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp of unsalted butter (I used Earth Balance)
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups of vegetable broth
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
l box Glutino Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Lightly grease one 8×8 baking pan.

In a heated skillet add the 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter and sautée onions and celery until translucent. Let the vegetables cool.

In a mixing bowl empty package of stuffing mix. Add cooled sautéed onions and celery, eggs, and vegetable broth. Let stand one minute.

Stir until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Place in greased baking pan and pack down.

Cover with foil, bake for approximately 25 minutes. Uncover and finish cooking for an additional 8 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.

~*~*~

This was one of the first corn bread stuffings I have had. And it brought back all those happy memories of the Stove Top Stuffing days of my childhood. I was beyond impressed. So, if you’re a glutton for stuffing, I highly recommend picking up a box of Glutino’s Gluten Free Corn Bread Stuffing. Even your gluten-eating friends would never guess this was gluten-free. It is that delicious!! ENJOY!

August 14, 2015August 17, 2015

Product Review: Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread

Product: Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread – $4.99+

You know…I’ve been searching for the newer additions to the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery bread selection since they were first introduced back in early 2014. But, it seems that no store in the Louisville area carries anything apart from the traditional three: White, Multigrain, and Cinnamon Raisin. That is all I can ever find around here.

So, imagine my delight upon a stop at my favorite Columbus, Ohio, store – Raisin Rack, and spotting the two missing pieces of my Rudi’s Gluten Free bread dilemma. I could only afford 1 loaf this time around, and after a little back and forth with the roomie, we decided on the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread.

And no soon had I transported it home and put it in my freezer…it was back out again. I’ve been spending a lot of time out on the road, and to save money, and time (because fast food is not exactly easy for a gluten-free vegetarian)…I’ve been packing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to eat for dinner. Yep. That’s how I roll. And while I had two slices of a previous, regular Rudi’s Gluten Free White Bread loaf in my freezer, I delegated that for my roommate’s sammie while I went ahead and tried the Deli-Style.

I can’t say the overall appearance of the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread looks much different from the other varieties on the market. It doesn’t. BUT…my blonde self (haha!) didn’t quite register that this was a loaf of bread that was definitely geared more toward delicatessen-style sandwiches…like…those with meat in them. And since I don’t eat meat…not exactly a bread that would normally find its way into my freezer. Nope. That didn’t register at all. So, here I was, making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the Deli-Style bread, not even considering that this bread was made to be like a rye bread and that the caraway seeds might add an aromatic anise-like flavor. I just thought it was like the sprouted seeded bread I had been eating recently.

So, you can imagine my extreme surprise when I unwrapped my peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread…and took a bite. NOT A GOOD TASTE!! Nope. The bread definitely had that rye and anise flavor to it, which is all fine and good with a savory sandwich…but peanut butter and jelly is anything but a savory sandwich. This combination did not work at all. I somehow managed to finish off the sandwich regardless…but I was…beyond disappointed.

And then…I remembered one of my favorite foods in life to dine on is avocado toast. And while the Rudi’s Gluten Free Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread was an awful match for PB&J…it was a delightful flavor enhancer for the avocado toast I often toast up for breakfast…and sometimes dinner. When I toasted up this bread and mashed an avocado over it, seasoning it with a hit of bereber…that was so much better. To me, I think when I saw Deli-Style, I was thinking size of the bread. The caraway seed part didn’t even register. So, after an initial taste that went…not so well, the next few times I ate this bread, I ate it in a savory way…and it tasted perfect. The hit of dilliness with the caraway seeds perfectly complimented the avocado and seasoning…and for that, my confidence in this bread was back. So, if you are a fan of rye bread, Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery is bringing it to you…and you can have it back in your life with their Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. My one compliant (as is the case with most gluten-free breads) is that some of the slices had some pretty massive holes in them. Sad face.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery prides itself on using real ingredients…so it is no surprise that this holds true for their Gluten Free Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. This bread is made from water, potato extract, tapioca starch, rice flour, high oleic canola/sunflower oil, inulin, rice starch, psyllium husk, egg white, yeast, sea salt, caraway seeds, xanthan gum, ground caraway seeds, vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, and natural enzymes. It is non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free, kosher, and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.

As far as nutritional information goes, the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread looks amazing in print. The serving size is 1 slice of bread. This slice will provide you with 70 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, 16 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar, and 1 gram protein. It isn’t a very filling bread, a common problem with gluten-free breads…but it sure is delicious. Pair it with the right thing, and you have a very filling breakfast, lunch or dinner.

So, at first bite, I was not in love with the Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread. Not at all. But I had paired it wrong due to not fully understanding what deli-style bread was all about. Once I figured it out and paired it with the right sort of topping and filling, that was where I learned to enjoy it. It’s all about the food you pair with it. Not recommended for PB & J or something like a french toast…but for any sort of savory sandwich…or even a grilled cheese, it just might work better. So, if you love rye bread, this one is perfect for you.

The ill-conceived Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich made on Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread (note you can see the seeds!) — The ill-conceived Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich made on Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Deli-Style with Caraway Seeds Bread (note you can see the seeds!)

August 10, 2015

Product Review: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread

Product: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread – $5.99+

I have a bone to pick with gluten free breads. I really do. They are either stiff and crumbly, or they are full of holes. Nevermind just outward appearance, so often, these products are either packed full of fillers or they are made with real ingredients but have no actual nutritional value to them.

When I first had to go gluten free four years ago…I gave up bread. Gluten free breads were too expensive to even factor into my budget. I convinced myself that I wouldn’t miss it anyway. But…sometimes a gluten free sandwich just sounds amazing. So, after about half a year of no bread at all…I gave in and started eating Udi’s…then Rudi’s…and now I’ve tried Aldi’s liveGfree brand and Canyon bakehouse. All the while, another brand was staring at me from the grocer’s freezer…but I paid it no heed. The brand: Food For Life.

I don’t know how or why I continued to overlook this brand…but I have been shown the error of my ways. I was fortunate enough to be sent one loaf of each of the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. These loaves come in Original 3 Seed, Almond, Cinnamon Raisin, and Flax.

As an athlete, active every day in some way, shape or form, it’s important to properly fuel my body and eat wholesome foods. Most products on the market for the gluten-free diet happen to be junk food. It drives me nuts. I hit that gluten-free section of a store and I can find a vast array of cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, and the like. It is one of the biggest pet peeves of the grocery store. Yes, a lot of people with Celiac and gluten intolerance do miss out on some of the finer treats like Oreos and the like, but the shelves are literally overrun with products that aren’t going to feed your body right and healthy.

But Food For Life set out to change that. Through a lot of research and development, Food For Life released the first ever gluten free breads made from sprouted grains, such as quinoa, millet and chia. A majority of gluten-free breads, while satisfying the “gluten free” bread requirement, don’t address the overall health needs of consumers. Without the gluten to give bread the soft, elasticity of regular breads, most manufacturers choose alternative ingredients that mimic the feel of gluten, using egg, milk, and refined starches in order to achieve a softer and chewier texture. But these breads are created from ingredients that you wouldn’t expect to find in natural breads, many of which are devoid of nutrients.

Food For Life stepped up and decided to start a line with four varieties of completely gluten-free breads that were specifically created with the health of consumers in mind. Not only are they gluten free, but they are also vegan and made from nutrition packed ingredients that have been sprouted to maximize nutrition and digestibility.

I have already blogged about the Flax and Almond varieties…so now…the latest from my freezer: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread!

One of my most favorite things to devour for breakfast these days is avocado toast. It’s simple…but delicious…and packed with healthy fats and nutrients. Avocados are one of my favorite fruits in life right now. And I use it often and in various ways. But…simply mashed across a slice (or two) of toast is one of my most favorite ways…with a touch of bereber seasoning or salt or lemon pepper…whatever strikes my fancy. And, as I discovered, the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free breads are perfect vehicles for such cravings. The bread, when thawed, still is a bit stiff and not soft and moist like the likes of liveGfree and Canyon Bakehouse. And a little more substantial (and definitely lacking the holes) that you’d find with Udi’s or Rudi’s. This means these slices of bread are going to hold up to whatever you decide to sandwich between them…or pile onto them.

The Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread is just as fantastic and perfect for whatever your bread craving might be as the two flavors I have tried before. This particular variety was specifically developed using three (3) super seeds that benefit you throughout the day by helping your body perform at its best. What are they, you may ask? Chia, Quinoa, and Millet!

So, I let the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread thaw on the counter overnight. Then, the following morning, after my spin class, I returned home hungry and ready for a nutritious, healthy breakfast. I placed each slice of bread on a baking sheet and then stuck it in the oven while I went to go shower. This was not left unattended. My roommate was awake at this point…so no safety concerns, I promise. I get done with my shower and dressed just as the bread is finishing up in the oven. Perfect timing. I pull it out and get an avocado ready to slice and mash onto the surface of each slice of bread. I loved how this bread smelled…like fresh baked. Really. The aroma just filled my kitchen. Love it when seeds incorporated into the bread toast up and get that rich aroma to them. Ahhhh…refreshing. So, I plated each piece of toast, mashed the avocado on top, seasoned my roomie’s with lemon pepper and mine with bereber…and breakfast was served, with a side of sauteed cheery tomatoes. YUMMY!

This bread is hearty, dense, and the perfect base for a breakfast like this. It works well as a sandwich bread, too, of course. I used it for grilled cheese that very night. But, there is just something about this bread that I could doctor up all day. Rub it down with garlic…top it off with butter, garlic and seasoning…perfect garlic toast. I could make it into a pizza. I could do a lot of things with it, but the very nature that this bread is incredibly perfect to hold a simple smashed avocado and still taste amazing…speaks volumes about this simple, healthy, and amazing loaf. I am beyond wowed by the flavor and texture that this bread delivers. It is definitely best toasted…but would work even without that added step.

I’m hooked.

So, the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Three Original 3 Seed Bread is made from simple, natural, and healthy ingredients. These include organic sprouted quinoa (red and/or white), filtered water, organic arrowroot, organic potato starch, organic sprouted millet, organic tapioca, organic applesauce, fresh yeast, organic safflower oil, organic cactus, organic sprouted chia seeds, organic agave, organic vanilla, sea salt, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulose), and organic psyllium. This bread is high in fiber, vegan, gluten-free, and made with sprouted grains of goodness.

So let’s discuss the nutritional information for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread. Since studying nutrition, first in a basic and now an advanced course, I have learned that there is more to counting calories. Sure, it is important, but it shouldn’t be the focus. It’s all about the nutritional aspects of the food. Avocados are high in fat and calories…but SO much better for you than that chocolate bar with the same amount of fat and calories. See what I mean? A serving size is one (1) slice. In this serving, you will be provided with 110 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 20 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 0 grams sugars, and 2 grams of protein. I was freaked out at first with the high calories per slice, but, again, not all calories are created equal and there is nothing fake going into this bread. It’s all healthy, all good, all nutritious. Making this a fantastic choice.

This past weekend, when I was visiting Columbus, Ohio, I spotted the four (4) different varieties of this bread in the freezer section of the local natural food store, Raisin Rack. I try to go shopping there every time I’m in Columbus because I can find things I normally can’t find here in Louisville. I noticed that these breads were priced at around $10.49 there. For ONE loaf of bread. So, it can be expensive, but I’ve found it at Whole Foods for $5.99. Price shop.

Trust me, this bread is totally worth it. Nutrition and ingredients are two things I key in on, and this bread tops the charts in both. I am beyond impressed, for sure. I will always find a space in my budget and in my freezer for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads. And if you really want a good base to work with…the Original 3 Seed is the way to go. Total yum!

Avocado Toast made with Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Original 3 Seed Bread

August 4, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

Okay, all you lactose intolerant and dairy allergic…listen up! So Delicious Dairy Free has done it…AGAIN! Yes, from the same company that brings you all things deliciously dairy-free comes the latest additions to their line of frozen desserts – with a base of cashew milk.

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, or unless you are new to my blog, you know that my latest obsession, one that I really will pawn off on my readers, colleagues, and friends alike (and have!) is my love of cashew milk. It’s rich, creamy, packed with calcium, and just amazing. And unless you have a nut allergy, I highly recommend switching to cashew milk.

But why stop there? Because So Delicious Dairy Free has a line of five (5) different frozen desserts (ie: ice creams) that use cashew milk for its base. Want to see me do a happy dance? You really don’t want to witness that, but trust me, the first moment I found these in my grocery stores, I did one. I’ll probably turn up on a grocery store Christmas video or something. HA!

But that doesn’t matter. The happy dance that ensued was well worth it. Especially…especially for this particular flavor:

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE!!!

They had me at dark chocolate, honestly.

The existence of this ice cream is proof that So Delicious loves us and wants us to be happy. Yes, us, the collective group of those who cannot tolerate dairy. Here’s the scoop (see what I did there?)…

I heard about the release of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts but figured it would take awhile for my area to get them in. It didn’t.

For once. Thank the ice cream gods…it didn’t.

Now, prior to noshing on the Dark Chocolate Truffle variety of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts, I had already had the opportunity (thanks to my roomie!) to indulge in three other flavors: Snickerdoodle, Salted Caramel Cluster, and Cappuccino. This is the fourth of five flavors that are in this line. The final one I have yet to buy and try is the Creamy Cashew flavor. But…here I was with this amazing looking chocolate dessert in my freezer. You better believe I was going to dive right in. But I had to wait 10 minutes to let this delicious frozen treat get to a scoopable temperature. I’m sort of used to that. If it’s not dairy…give it 10 minutes on the counter before trying to scoop. It’s the magic number. It works wonders. I just left it out while we ate a quick dinner.

After dinner…I scooped up a serving into our special ice cream bowls, delivering one to my roommate before returning to the kitchen to put the pint away in the freezer and rinse off the scoop. That’s when I hear…”It tastes like Comfy Cow…”

Granted, if you are not from or have not visited the Louisville, Kentucky, area you might not understand that statement. Comfy Cow is our local ice cream place. AMAZING ice cream. Ice cream that I can’t indulge in anymore like I used to. But this statement from my roommate (who can have dairy and eat Comfy Cow ice cream) lifted my spirits. I grabbed a spoon and dug in.

OH…YES!! If you are a chocoholic like me, this is the ice cream that is going to feed your soul. It’s smooth, creamy, rich, and just chocolate to the max…without the overkill. This means…this decadent desert is any chocolate lover’s dream. I love the complex nature of the chocolate flavor, which, by the way, is brought to you by organic fair trade cocoa. So, this creamy, dreamy chocolate base and then So Delicious ups the ante by adding bits of chocolate truffles for texture and flavor? Oh…my…dairy…free…god! I love chocolate, but most dairy-free varieties fall short when it comes to ice cream. Not this one. The cashew milk lends a bit of creaminess that I find almond milk, soy milk, and rice milk bases to be missing. The intense flavor will definitely feed that sweet tooth. You’ll lick the bowl. Oh yes…yes you will!

So, let’s discuss what So Delicious Dairy Free puts into their pints of Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert. Each pint is a gorgeous blend of cashew milk (water, cashews non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, organic fudge sauce [organic cane syrup, water, organic fair trade cocoa (processed with alkali), organic tapioca starch, organic chocolate liquor], chocolate flake [cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), chocolate liquor, natural vanilla flavor], organic fair trade cocoa (processed with alkali), sea salt, gum acacia, and guar gum. It is vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It contains no trans-fat or cholesterol. YAY!

As far as nutrition goes, for an ice cream, you’ll love these stats. A serving of the So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This serving will give you 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, 3 grams saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 24 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 18 grams sugars, and 3 grams of protein. I admit, it’s a bit high on the sugar…yes…but this treat is definitely worth the indulgence.

If you are craving a rich, creamy, decadent, delicious frozen treat…but just can’t handle the dairy…grab a pint of the So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert. Trust me…it doesn’t (and can’t) get any better than this. You’ll feel like you’re committing a sin, but it’s just dessert…it’s okay. The dessert gods forgive you. Just remember…it would be so easy to eat this all in one sitting, so, while I never discourage eating ice cream straight from the carton, it would be way too easy to just not stop in this case. Indulge wisely. And enjoy!

A scoop (serving) of So Delicious Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Truffle Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert

July 21, 2015August 6, 2015

Product Review: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread

Product: Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread – $5.99+

Sometimes a product you never thought about trying serves you up a good reason to keep getting it. And if anything, that is exactly the experience I had with the new line of Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. In particular, the gluten free Almond Bread has really struck a chord with me.

I can’t explain it.

It wasn’t too long ago that I was introduced to a couple of new breads on the market. While the brand name has been producing gluten-free breads for awhile now, it wasn’t a brand that I actively sought out. Yes, I saw it all the time in the freezer section of Whole Foods and other natural food stores, but I had grown accustomed to snagging Rudi’s or Udi’s or (now) the Aldi liveGfree brand or Canyon Bakehouse. Food For Life was there…I just always overlooked it.

And why?

Who knows? As an active (even now, with an on-the-mend injury) athlete, it’s important to properly fuel my body and eat wholesome foods. Most products on the market for the gluten-free diet happen to be junk food. It drives me nuts. I hit that gluten-free section of a store and I can find a vast array of cookies, crackers, chips, pretzels, and the like. It is one of the biggest pet peeves of the grocery store. Yes, a lot of people with Celiac and gluten intolerance do miss out on some of the finer treats like Oreos and the like, but the shelves are literally overrun with products that aren’t going to feed your body right and healthy.

I was fortunate enough to be sent one loaf of each of the Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Breads from Food For Life. These loaves come in Original 3 Seed, Almond, Cinnamon Raisin, and Flax.

This past week, I decided to reach into the freezer and pull out the loaf of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. Why? Because I was about to make something sweet and savory, and somehow the thought of bread with a hint of almond flavoring just sounded like it would pair well. I mean, do I really need a reason? You see, I was serving this up as a side dish to my Mexican Corn Dip. I had vegan Kite Hill Ricotta Cheese in my fridge and a jar of fig preserves from Charleston, South Carolina. It was an odd side to have with the corn dip, but it actually worked out really well.

I simply preheated the oven and placed two slices of the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread on the baking sheet. Into the oven it went to get a nice toast on it. When it was perfectly toasted, I removed the slices from the oven and let them cool slightly. Then, each slice got a schmear of the Kite Hill Vegan Ricotta and then a dollop of the Charleston fig jam. I plated each slice with the corn salsa and dinner was strange…but served.

One bite, and I knew I was in love with this bread. For real! The Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread had the most amazing flavor that I have tasted in bread in a long time. I was blown away with the slight hint of sweetness, making it the ideal vehicle for this spread of ricotta and jam that I topped it off. It was heaven. But this bread doesn’t have to be limited strictly to sweet spreads. In fact, this morning I slathered two slices of it with mashed avocado and it was divine. Honestly, the pairing of the sweet, nutty almonds makes this bread beyond amazing. It makes it a nutritious powerhouse too. The slight nutty flavor compliments anything that you could think to top it off with. I have been impressed each time I have used this bread out of my freezer. And, yes…it was delicious as a grilled cheese sandwich as well. In fact, the nutty flavor with the vegan cheese that I put in my sandwich meshed so well. Delicious any way you slice or slather it. It’s fantastic.

Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread is made with organic almonds for extra flavor, nutrition and to help aid in blood glucose regulation. This bread is specifically developed to help keep you on the go and perform at your best. When you toast it…that rich nutty flavor is released and it is awesome.

So, what all goes into the making of Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread? Well, it’s simple. It really is. This bread is made from organic sprouted quinoa (red and/or white), filtered water, organic arrowroot, organic potato starch, organic sprouted millet, organic tapioca, organic applesauce, fresh yeast, organic almond meal, organic safflower oil, organic cactus, organic sprouted chia seeds, organic agave, organic vanilla, sea salt, vegetable gum (xanthan, cellulose), and organic psyllium. Made with sprouted chia, sprouted quinoa, and sprouted millet, this bread is a trio of health. Not only is it made with sprouted grains (which are SO good for you!), it is also vegan, gluten-free, and high in fiber. It is so rare for a gluten free bread to be high in fiber. This is a welcome addition to my freezer.

So let’s discuss the nutritional information for the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. Since passing my final exam in personal nutrition for the nutrition course I was taking and moving on to the advanced nutrition,my nutrition course, I have learned that there is more to counting calories. Sure, it is important, but it shouldn’t be the focus. It’s all about the nutritional aspects of the food. Avocados are high in fat and calories…but SO much better for you than that chocolate bar with the same amount of fat and calories. See what I mean? A serving size is one (1) slice. In this serving, you will be provided with 110 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, and 2 grams of protein. I was freaked out at first with the high calories per slice, but, again, not all calories are created equal and there is nothing fake going into this bread. It’s all healthy, all good, all nutritious. Making this a fantastic choice.

I used to turn my nose up at the Food For Life breads due to the high calories, but I have learned a lot about nutrition since then, and it turns out this is one of the best, nutrition-wise, gluten free breads on the market. If you love a hint of nutty sweetness in your bread, I highly, highly recommend the Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread. It was truly love at first bite. A bit of a surprise, but this is, by far, one of my favorite gluten-free breads I have ever tasted. I was very fortunate to be sent these loaves. I spotted them in Whole Foods the other day. I’m going to be well stocked for the future.

Vegan Ricotta and Charleston Fig Jam on top of toasted slices of Food For Life Sprouted For Life Gluten Free Almond Bread