Products – Page 47 – The Celiathlete

July 5, 2013

Indian inspired Spinach Dal another Tasty Bite on a busy day

Product: Tasty Bite Spinach Dal – $3.29+

I lead a very busy life. No, really…I do. There are some weeks that I just never really find a moment to relax. Between my training sessions, my gym time, my yoga, my JOB, life can sometimes spin wildly out of control and just keep me too busy for my own liking. Honestly. I sometimes have to eat breakfast standing up in the kitchen, I can be that busy.

Monday is one of my busiest and most hectic days. Not only does it mean the start of the work week, but it also brings in my fun run. Every Monday night and I hate missing it. This, however, does require bolting home from work, changing into my running gear, and shoveling some sort of dinner down my throat. I have to be particular though…because in less than 30 minutes after that, I’ll be out running. Not hard…but still. Nothing worse than something not sitting right in your stomach before a run (eggs, anyone?).

Normally, a gluten-free (and vegan) grilled cheese sandwich is my go-to option on Monday night. But…I have a lot of “easy meals” in my pantry and I’m attempting to sort through all that craziness. After all…can’t change up the eating habits until the old stuff is out.

One of the best choices in my pantry, however, is a heap of Indian-inspired meals that are ready in 90 seconds. No…really! These little pouches of deliciousness are made by Tasty Bite and I have found them in regular grocery stores and natural food stores. This past Monday morning, I cooked up two servings of jasmine rice, because that’s easy to reheat in minutes when I get in from work. I figured I could grab one of the Tasty Bite pouches from the pantry and serve up a filling, but not going to kill my stomach when I run, sort of meal.

My flavor of choice – Spinach Dal.

For those of you unfamiliar with Indian food, Dal is simply lentils. And I am a huge fan of lentils!! The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal is a blend of spinach, yellow lentils, and spices. Nothing hot. A lot of people just assume Indian food is going to be hot. I wouldn’t want to eat something spicy before a run either. The Spinach Dal is the perfect balance of mild Indian spices with delicious lentils and spinach, cooked down, and served over the rice I made that morning.

And it only takes 90 seconds. Told you…it’s an easy, go-to, and VERY tasty meal.

I actually prefer spice, but the milder choices make for great Monday Run Day meals, I’ve found. The combination of the carbs from the rice and the protein from the lentils is that perfect balance I need to fuel my body for what is always my second run of the day. The spinach was soft and spiced to perfection. The lentils added a nice hit of texture and flavor…and a bit of meatiness to this vegetarian meal. I found the spices to mesh perfectly with the ingredients.

Speaking of ingredients…what all went into this? You’d be surprised at the short list of natural ingredients. This is why I love having these on hand. The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal meal contains simply water, spinach, lentils, tomatoes, onions, sunflower oil, salt, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, sugar, chilies, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, pepper, and spices. I recognize every ingredient on that list. Every single one. And while there are more than the 6-7 ingredients I prefer to see, most of them are spices and I’m okay with that. The less salt and sugar used, the better.

Nutritionally speaking, this is a healthy choice for a meal as well. One pouch contains two 100 calorie servings. Each of these servings also deliver 5 grams of fat to your daily intake. For being a packaged meal, the fact that it only contains 480 mg sodium per serving is awesome. In addition, you get a healthy dose of 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. While sugar is listed on the ingredient list…only 2 grams are found in each serving. The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal is also vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher! Awesome!

Healthy. Tasty. Delicious. You really can’t go wrong with these. If you love Indian food as much as I do…and need something easy to prepare for dinner one night…look no further than Tasty Bite. And, if you aren’t afraid of cooked spinach and lentils…than the Spinach Dal makes for one of the best choices they have. Very delicious! Very…well…tasty!

Tasty Bite Spinach Dal over jasmine rice

June 26, 2013June 27, 2013

Apple Pie Gelato from Pure Gourmet is a scoop of sweet apple goodness

Product: Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato – $5.99+

I think I need to get the roomie to indulge in beer flights more often…especially just before we hit up Whole Foods. Because when the roomie gets tipsy…the grocery budget gets a little bigger. Mostly because I find stuff I’ve been wanting to try…but know the budget won’t handle it. When the Tipsy Wonder is feeling the after affects of a beer flight with dinner, well…suddenly I start getting gluten-free gifts. Yes…this needs to become a tradition.

Why am I relaying this little anecdote? Well…because this happened on Friday night. And as a result, I ended up with quite a few bits of goodness in my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator. One of my new Thinking Outside The Gluten-Free Budget Because Someone Had A Beer Flight™ purchases happened to be a pint of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato.

Pure Gourmet was created by Philadelphia natives, Andrea Perrier, Kelly MacLeod, and Michael MacLeod. The three of them all shared a love for everything natural and gourmet. That’s why they launched their first line of sorbets, using natural, healthy ingredients. Soon after, they launched a line of gelato. Pure Gourmet’s entire concept is built upon the founder’s passion for enjoying pure foods with naturally bold and intense flavor. And all of their products are gluten-free and kosher. Loving it.

So…out of all the flavors to choose from…I grabbed the Apple Pie Gelato. Why? Because it was on closeout. Whole Foods was getting rid of that flavor. Which meant, the other gelato flavors and the sorbets would still be there. But not this one. Not for much longer. And that is how it beat out the Chocolate Caramel Sorbet. Honestly.

Tonight, the power went out (which means I took pictures of the product by the light of my oil lamp…so they are a bit dark…so sorry!). We had some huge storms sweep through the area and I had, thankfully, just finished toasting up my gluten-free veggie quesadilla when the lights went out. I was hoping they wouldn’t be out too long…but alas…my roommate and I managed to eat our dinner in the dark and there was no sign of the power returning yet. In fact, the storm was still raging outside. So…dishes and then dessert would have to be prepared in the dark.

Dessert was something I had been thinking about all day. I tend to think about food a lot. We had been working on a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles, but only one serving (2 cookies) remained. So I came up with the idea of Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles A La Mode. For real. Each of us got one of the remaining cookies in the bottom of the bowl. Then, one small scoop of the Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato and a sprinkling of the cookie crumbs from the bottom of the container and…BAM…easy dessert.

I passed off a bowl to my roommate and went to tuck the gelato back in the freezer, which would remain closed until the return of the power. She dove in immediately and all I heard was, “The gelato is sooooooo goooooood!”

Happy squee time. But I had to find out for myself. I settled in on the couch. The first thing my spoon touched was that gelato. I wanted to see for myself.

She was so right. It tasted like a frozen apple pie. But…creamy and rich and smooth. I loved the apple flavor. And pairing it with a gluten-free snickerdoodle was an amazing combination. It was like having a cinnamon crust on a delicious apple pie. Honestly. And the sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar over the top just gave it that extra little bit. However, this gelato is crazy-good on its own. Trust me. I tried it without any embellishments as well. You can really taste every flavor in this gelato. And it has the perfect consistency too. Creamy and dreamy. Apple pie…taken to the next level. It definitely satisfied the ice cream lover in me. I wish my Whole Foods wasn’t going to stop carrying this variety. It is fresh apple pie meats gourmet ice cream good. Apple pie a la mode…in just the a la mode part. SO good!

Nutritionally speaking, this is gelato…so understand that it’s a dessert. A treat. Treat it as one. Don’t overindulge. Do NOT…I repeat…DO NOT sit down and eat the entire pint in one sitting. I always measure out or weigh my servings so I know exactly how much I am eating. I am very, very good about sticking to the portion-size. And I do everything to make sure this is always the case.

That being said, a serving of Pure Gourmet Foods Apple Pie Gelato is 1/2 cup (or if you prefer to weigh food, like I do…102 grams). This serving will contain a cold helping of 210 calories and 10 grams of fat. This gelato has 21 grams of sugar, 70 mg of sodium, 40 mg cholesterol, 1 gram of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. Remember…this is a treat. You should never feel bad about having dessert. Just plan accordingly.

And as far as ingredients go, this gelato is not only gluten-free but also kosher. It is made from milk, cream, sugar, evaporated apples, glucose, nonfat dry milk, whey, natural green apple flavor, cinnamon, guar gum, lotus bean gum, and carrageenan. So…I recognize most of those. I had to look up what carrageenan was…and for those of you who want to know, it is a member of the linear sulfated polysaccarides that are extracted from red seaweeds and used throughout the food industry for their gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. These are most often used in dairy and meat products due to their strong binding to food proteins.

Good to know.

I guess.

Anyway…if you haven’t found this yet in your grocer’s freezer…and you love gelato…I highly recommend Pure Gourmet. It is delicious and the perfect compliment to any meal. And I highly recommend the Apple Pie Gelato…should you be able to find it. If not, talk to customer service and see if they can order it for you. Trust me…you’ll want to devour this.

A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle — A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle

June 25, 2013

La Pasta offers perfect Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli – $5.99+

Thank you, grocery shopping gods. Thank you for that one day that my roommate and I were at Whole Foods for something specific, but we decided to walk the aisles. Thank you for letting her turn her head at the right time and spot the most epic thing ever in the pasta aisle. Thank you…for La Pasta. And thank you, La Pasta, for your gorgeous Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli.

In the past, my best gluten-free pastas have been of the fresh variety. I blogged about the amazing RP Pasta Company’s fresh gluten-free noodles awhile back. I have some fresh gluten-free gnocchi to try as well from Nuovo. That will be next. But…hands down, the best pastas are the ones that aren’t made to be frozen. Gluten-free pasta can be so finicky and can go from perfect to gummy to mushy within seconds.

Yes…seconds.

But, I wasn’t passing up the opportunity to try these out. So, after going out for gluten-free pizza with a co-worker one Friday night and getting the roomie completely toasted on a beer flight, it was time to go grocery shopping. (Note: Grocery shopping with a sorta drunk roommate is the best grocery shopping ever…because I can buy, literally, anything I want). We hit up Trader Joe’s first and behaved, sticking to the list. So…her sandwich bread and some of their potato chips for her lunch. Then…it was Whole Foods time. And I was prepared for my moment of gluten-free grocery shopping glory.

Walk the aisles? You better believe it. Grab whatever I have been wanting to try? You betcha! I had almost forgotten about the pasta but it struck me just as we were about to head for the checkout line. Whew. Close call. We scurried back to the pasta section and had to make the choice between La Pasta’s Gluten-Free Cheese Ravioli or La Pasta’s Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli. The tipsy wonder chose for me, snagging a package of the Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli.

With no plans in the works for dinner tonight, I figured I could use up the rest of the pasta sauce in the fridge if I simply cooked up the package of ravioli for dinner. Perfect. And not very time consuming either. The part that took the longest was waiting on the 4 quarts of water to come to a boil. But, like any good chef, I just slapped a lid on the pot and it happened a lot faster than it would have otherwise.

With the pasta sauce working on the stove, and the water now heated to a boil, I cut open the plastic packaging holding the little pockets of spinach and cheese wonder and poured them into the boiling water, immediately turning down the heat. It came up to a boil and the pasta cooked for about 2 – 3 minutes. BOOM. Done. That simple.

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (cooked)

I drained the pasta and shook out all the excess water. Then, it was already time to serve up dinner. I split the package between us, which worked out to about 12 ravioli each. These were very light and I could see the stuffing through the pasta after I cooked it up. And it smelled absolutely fantastic. The best part was, nothing was sticking together. Each ravioli easily slid from the spoon I was dishing it up with onto the plate. No casualties of war. Not one. I was already impressed and just praying now that I had cooked them long enough. Hey, I cooked as instructed on the packaging…which sometimes works out…and sometimes does not.

I sauced each plate with a serving of the marinara sauce (Classico’s Florentine Spinach and Cheese, for the record) and topped off my roomie’s with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano and hit up mine with some crushed red pepper. Yummy!! Dinner was served.

Moment of truth. One swipe of the fork and I knew I was in for a treat. The pasta was perfection. It cooked up soft, without turning to mush or becoming gummy and sticky. The little pockets of ravioli held the stuffing, the fresh spinach and ricotta cheese, perfectly. And when I took my first full bite, everything just melted together and made the most perfect bite of ravioli I have ever experience since going gluten-free. It was full of flavor, cooked to perfection, and just made for a perfect bite. I was hooked…and sort of wishing I had more of it on my plate.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli is 95 grams. There are 2.5 servings per container. My roommate and I split the entire package. An actual serving of this ravioli will serve up 170 calories and 5 grams of fat. A serving also contains 40 mg of cholesterol and 480 mg sodium. As far as fiber goes, the Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli only offers 1 gram of fiber, but you do get a healthy dose of 7 grams of protein. Loving it.

And as for the ingredient list, it doesn’t get much simpler than a filling made from ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, sea salt, canola oil, olive oil, black pepper, garlic, potato flakes, and nutmeg. As for the pasta itself…that’s a blend of corn starch, whole dried eggs, potato starch, sea salt, tapioca starch, filtered water and xanthan gum. Yep. It’s really that simple. And it tastes like homemade. That’s the very best part. Tender with a cheesy center that just melts…it melts. It’s awesome.

La Pasta…you’ve won my heart…and my gluten-free pasta loving soul.

For life.

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (cooked and sauced)

June 25, 2013June 25, 2013

Udi’s Gluten-Free serves up a dose of protein with delicious Omega Flax and Fiber bread

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

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread – $5.99+

When it comes to gluten-free breads, there is one brand that you will always see at the top of the lists. Consistently. They were also the very first gluten-free bread I ever ate. So they set the standard that all other gluten-free breads were to measure up to. Some have. Some haven’t.

I am, of course, speaking about Udi’s Gluten-Free.

Not too long ago, I received a very generous shipment that included not only some of their classic products, but also a few new ones as well. I was elated. And as I work through them, I am having fun discovery items I hadn’t tried yet…and rediscovering the ones I fell in love with originally.

While Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread has been out on the market for awhile, I had not found it in my area, nor had I had the opportunity to try it. As it was one of the loaves of bread included in my big box of gluten-free goodness, I was ecstatic to be able to finally try another variety, besides the three classic standbys – white, whole grain, and cinnamon raisin.

The other loaf of bread was the Gluten-Free Millet-Chia variety, which I absolutely fell in love with when I first sampled it. So, with that in mind, I couldn’t wait to dive into the Omega Flax and Fiber bread. Yesterday…was that day.

It was Monday, which means my dinner has to be quick and easy…because I have to meet up with my running group after a full day at the office by 6:00 p.m. This means, I hurry home and make a vegan and gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich before changing into my running clothes, hurrying to my car, and hoping I beat the traffic into Louisville to make it to the running store in time to run with the group. These are manic Monday’s indeed. But this is my pattern every week.

Last week I polished of the loaf of Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia bread, so while I was at work, I thawed out two slices of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread. It was perfect and ready for me to toast up with some vegan cheese sandwiched inside when I got home. And, guess what…I fell in love with this variety too.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread is made from naturally gluten-free ancient grains. The Omega Flax and Fiber bread contains a blend of Omega 3, 6, and 9, is packed with protein, full of antioxidants, and has a good serving of filling fiber as well. And that…is a wonderful combination! This bread is flavored with chia seeds, which supplies a healthy dose of nutrients and contributes to the unique and tasty flavor that each slice contains.

Yes…I said tasty. Because this bread is fantastic. It tasted really good without being toasted, but once I set it in that skillet, it just transformed into the most perfect specimen of gluten-free bread. The omegas, chia seeds, and flax seeds lend this nutty flavor to the bread. I loved how well it held up. Despite having been frozen and thawing in a plastic bag all afternoon, this bread didn’t crumble at all when I spread it with a little hot mustard and put a slice of cheese and some onion slices inside to grill up. This bread held up to the butter that I cooked it in. And it didn’t crumble or fall apart when I flipped it over. Too often I find that gluten-free breads can be quite delicate and brittle. But Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread worked perfectly. I loved the flavor and the texture of it. What’s even better about both this and the Millet-Chia bread was that with the additional fiber and protein in these slices, I don’t feel hungry immediately after eating. Most gluten-free breads don’t leave me feeling satisfied, but that’s not the case with Udi’s new Ancient Grains line. I got through my run and wasn’t starving immediately after. That’s a big change from my usual Monday night.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread is 2 slices of bread. One serving will provide you with 150 calories (not bad at all!) and 6 grams of fat (UGH!). I think my biggest complaint with gluten-free products is how many of them have more fat in a serving than the normal equivalent of said product has. It’s a burden I have to bear though, because there is no other way I can eat. In addition, this bread contains 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Loving that. No wonder I didn’t immediately feel hungry. I also love that this bread is low in sodium (260 mg) and has only 3 grams of sugar. It is definitely one of the healthiest gluten-free bread options out on the market.

Once again, Udi’s is proving why they continue to win awards and accolades for their gluten-free products. This bread was fantastic. Taste, texture…everything was spot on. As usual, my only complaint is with the size of the slices. They are so small…I feel like I’m eating half the sandwich my roommate eats. It sort of looks like I am too. Regardless…Udi’s is definitely serving the gluten-free community products that are top of the line. I only hope we continue to get more great additions to the gluten-free product line-up as time goes on.

A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi's Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices — A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices

June 25, 2013

Mighty taste and mighty flavor make Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels a mighty breakfast food

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

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels – $6.49+

I spent all of my childhood growing up in New York. One thing that New Yorkers know is their bagels. Bagels are famous, especially in New York City, and can be found pretty much on every corner and in every bakery. Bagels, when done right, care the most amazing carbohydrate-filled breakfast out there. Especially when toasted, warm, and given a light schmear of cream cheese.

Are you drooling yet?

Two years ago, I was in search of the most perfect gluten-free bagel. I tried so many brands, before finally spending a few extra dollars and purchasing the Gluten-Free Plain variety from Udi’s Gluten-Free. I swore I would never find a more perfect bagel than what Udi’s offered then. And, since that time, they have expanded their bagel selection from just the Plain, to offering Whole Grain and Cinnamon Raisin, and expanding it even more this past year with the addition of the Everything Inside Bagel and the Mighty Bagel.

I was thrilled to receive both the Everything Inside and Mighty Bagels in a nice box that Udi’s Gluten-Free sent to me. While I had thoroughly enjoyed their bagels, I hadn’t made it a habit to purchase them. The reason mostly being that I am on a tight budget and while the craving for a good gluten-free bagel (they don’t get better than Udi’s) hit every now and again, I had too much stuff at home to really justify another purchase. Especially when it comes to breakfast food. Because I am a breakfast girl. Anyway, the box was a true treat as it contained some of their classic items they are best known for, as well as a smattering of their newest products out on the market. It struck a nice balance. And the box definitely made me smile.

Well, the craving for bagels could now be satisfied. And, finally, at long last…today I could truly cave to that craving.

After a 6 mile training run early, early, early this morning, I returned home to hop in the shower and then start getting everything together for breakfast. I had no plans and no idea what to make. I just knew I was running behind more than usual, so something easy would be best. I opened up the freezer and there they were…shining at me like the beacon of gluten-free goodness that they are…Udi’s Gluten-Free Everything Inside and Mighty Bagels. Eenie meenie miney mo…the Mighty Bagels won the draw this morning.

I went ahead and put the bagels into a plastic bag to thaw out while I heated up my oven to toast them (when I was diagnosed as a Celiac, I had to get rid of the toaster as my roomie loves her wheat bread and we had definitely used the hell out of that toaster when I was eating bread too). My roomie was going to experience her first gluten-free bagel. I had no idea what a Mighty Bagel included, but I could see what I thought were chopped nuts hovering on the surface…so now I had to give the package a good perusal.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels include dried cranberries, quinoa flour, sunflower seed, pepitas, millet seeds, and flax seeds. I hadn’t realized that. I just thought they were called “Mighty Bagels” because they were bigger than the original. This is what happens when you don’t read the packaging. No nuts, but plenty of amazing goodness packed into a bagel, that’s for certain. I was really excited about these, because the ingredients reminded me a lot of the Harvest Crunch Muffins that I had back when I first received the Udi’s Box of Awesome.

The moment of truth came about 5 minutes after these were popped into the oven to toast. I put a light schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese over the halves and served one bagel to my roommate and did the other one up for me. Given that Cathy is not a bagel person…she devoured this. In fact, I was still putting the vegan cream cheese on my bagel as she was nomming away, and I asked…”How is it?” I was awaiting…”It’s okeydokey.” Which usually means, “I’m not a fan, but I’m being nice.” But…she said, “It’s really tasty!” SCORE!

My turn. I settled in for breakfast with my bagel, my fresh watermelon slices I cut up earlier that morning, and a cup of coffee. Now fully nestled in my breakfast spot, I took a bite…and it is definitely gluten-free bagel nirvana. Mighty tasty. Just amazing and awesome and delicious. They toasted up to perfection. And the generous scattering of the different seeds and the cranberries is evident…and totally delicious. It definitely added a nice hint of flavor to the bagel. Plain is all fine and good, but this definitely turned up the volume by mighty proportions.

And on the nutrition front…these do okay. They are a bit high in calories, but what bagel isn’t. I guess that’s why I simply paired it with a bowl of watermelon. Anyway, one serving is one Mighty Bagel. This bagel will provide you with 300 calories and 11 grams of fat. Welcome to the gluten-free world. (*SAD FACE*). You get served 3 grams of fiber and an amazing 8 grams of protein. Loving those berries and seeds. These bagels are cholesterol free, low in sodium (370 mg) and contain 9 grams of sugar. For a bagel…not bad. For a gluten-free bagel…definitely not bad.

Once again, Udi’s proves how they remain on top of the gluten-free products lists time and time again. Taste, texture, flavor, even the size of the bagels all compare to the regular (gluten-filled) bagels I ate growing up and into my early adulthood…before gluten and I became mortal enemies. I am thankful to have a company that I can turn to and know they keep their standards high when it comes to their products. You can tell, because more often than not…they hit it out of the park. They certainly won me over with the Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels. Welcome to my freezer…you’ll be there often.

Udi's Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels (one halved, one full) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels (one halved, one full)

June 24, 2013May 11, 2015

Remembering just how much Udi’s rocks Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies

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

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies – $5.99+

Want to win me over?

No…I mean it. For real. If you want to win me over…completely…heart, body, mind, soul, and spirit…then there is one key ingredient that you need to wave before me.

A gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie.

Go ahead. Scoff. Laugh. Mock me.

The fact of the matter is, growing up, my mom used to make the most fantastic snickerdoodle cookies. They were sweet with that little kick of spice from the cinnamon. To me, the perfectly balanced cookie. Sugar and spice…and everything nice. My mom made the best snickerdoodles. The absolute best.

I miss her cookies.

I miss snickerdoodles.

Back in November 2011, I picked up a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies. For a long while now, I had been reading about the epicness of these little bite-size cookies. I was intrigued. Surely they couldn’t measure up to my mom’s. Nothing is as good as mom’s cookies, right? Well…they may not have been my mom’s cookies…but they were close. They came really close.

So, why am I revisiting these cookies? Well, Udi’s sent me a delicious box of some goodies awhile back. Some old products; some new products. I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to not just revisit some of the classic products, but also get a taste of what Udi’s is bringing to the market that is new to their already expanding product line. And what a line-up it is too!

Of the classic products, I was delighted to see a container of the Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies among the other products. I might have hugged it as I lifted it out of the box. There were no witnesses, so no one can know for sure.

Were they as good as I thought they were back in 2011? After all, I was quite new to the gluten-free world back then. And after being deprived of many things, sometimes things just taste…amazing…due to not being able to have them.

Well, tonight I was on a mission to find out. I retrieved the container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies from the pantry after eating dinner. I allow myself a small dessert every night, because we all need to treat ourselves. And I was feeling cookies. Snickerdoodles. How I resisted ripping that container open before now I will never know.

Anyway…two cookies. That’s the serving size. These cookies are three-bite cookies. Meaning…in three bites, they are gone. They aren’t big, but given that you get to devour two of them, it’s like eating a full-size cookie. I settled in, watching the second series of BBC’s “Sherlock” with dinner and finishing it up with dessert (appropriate, yes?).

I can attest that my love for Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies remains high and perched atop a throne of gluten-free glory. These are just as good as I remembered them. Sweet with that kick of cinnamon, lending just the right amount of spice. Oh, and chewy. So soft. Moist. They are so easy to eat. And snickerdoodles are supposed to be a soft cookie. These practically melt in your mouth. They just have that right hit of sweetness from the cinnamon and sugar combination, mingled with the soft cookie texture. It makes for the perfect way to round-off any night. A soft-baked chewy delight of cookie monster glory.

I am still smitten.

Udi’s cookies are made from evaporated cane juice, Udi’s blend of flour (a mix of tapioca, potato starch and brown rice flour) butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, xanthan gum, non-gmo vegetable oil, and baking soda. Nothing unfamiliar or chemical sounding there…which makes me a happy girl. I love a product that I recognize every single ingredient that goes into it.

Nutritionally speaking…these cookies are a dessert and a treat. So, don’t be too shocked at these stats. As I stated, the serving size is two cookies. From these two cookies, you will be taking in 200 calories and 8 grams of fat. Each serving only contains 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein, so these will do little to fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied. Save for the fact that they really do satisfy that sweet tooth. And they should…as these cookies contain 16 grams of sugar per serving.

So, remember that these are a dessert, a snack, a treat. Not something that you should sit down with the entire container and devour while mindlessly watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Sherlock on the BBC network series. Not that I would do such a thing…

*AHEM*

What it boils down to…is everything in moderation. Unfortunately, many gluten-free foods get laden down with more calories and fat and these cookies seem to fall into that category. But, treating them as what they are…a treat…it’s a nice way to round off a day. And the fact that they are super-yummy does help ease the blow of the calorie and fat content…somewhat. Focus on the fact that you are taking six delicious bites of amazing soft and chewy gluten-free snickerdoodle cookies. Then go for a walk. You won’t feel as guilty.

Or…indulge. They are, after all, the most amazing gluten-free snickerdoodles I have treated myself to. Udi’s…you continue to rock my cookie-loving world.

Udi's Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies — Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

June 23, 2013

Udi’s wins on size and flavor, but falls short on texture with new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas

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

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (large) – $5.20+

Mmmm…food in taco form is always a good thing. I love tacos. I love burritos. I love breakfast wraps. I love just about anything you could possibly think about wrapping up in a tortilla. Seriously. As long as it fits into my diet, I’m all about it. And I definitely love Mexican-inspired dishes. The problem with that is that sometimes it’s hard to find full-size tortillas to work with the dish you have in mind.

Well, awhile back, I received a nice box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods, containing a mix of some of their new and some of their classic products. I was overjoyed to see quite a few of the items in that box and have definitely fallen in love with them…or fallen back in love with some of the classics I had ages ago and haven’t yet worked my way back around to purchasing again. Let’s face it…when it comes to taste and texture, Udi’s is constantly one of the front runners in the market.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large)

One of the new products that was included in this box of Udi’s goodness were the new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas. Udi’s recently came out with these tortillas that look and feel like regular flour tortillas. Honestly. I was simply amazed when I went to use these in a recipe. I mean…wow. It was just like those days when I didn’t have to worry about eating a flour tortilla. I was so excited about putting my vegan shrimp taco fixings on this tortilla too.

I was sent the package of the larger varieties of these tortillas. Awesome. They also come in smaller, taco-sized tortillas as well. So you get your pick. I was ready to have a soft-shelled taco again in my life. And these were such a different feel than the ones I’ve had from Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing how they worked with my fillings of choice.

I’ve cooked these tortillas up two different ways, and I have to say…while I do enjoy the flavor and the taste of these…I’m having a hard time with the tortillas themselves. They are definitely delicious…but the texture is off.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large)

The first time I made up my vegan shrimp tacos, I prepared the tortillas using the microwave method. This means I wrapped the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaved them for the recommended time. Then, these tortillas were piled on with the fillings, lettuce, onion, vegan shrimp, avocado, and some vegan Sriracha sour cream (my invention). I carried a plate of one tortilla stuffed with taco goodness over to my roommate…and sadly…the tortilla crumbled. It just…fell apart. Mine was the same way. So, I ended up grabbing for a fork and we finished off our meal that way.

Last night, I decided to do the warm in a dry skillet technique, hoping for better results. Crossing my fingers, I heated up my large skillet on the stove and placed a tortilla on it to warm before flipping it over and doing the same on the other side. I repeated with the second tortilla. I once again loaded up all the delicious fillings form my Vegan Shrimp Tacos and carried one plate over to my roommate and enjoyed the other for myself. This time, I found that I could pick up the tortilla, however the texture was a bit gummy. So, while my first attempt had the perfect texture, it crumbled…and my second attempt had held up to the toppings, but the texture was off.

I’m at a loss.

I have two more of the 6 toritllas that are included in the pack to go through. I think it will be interesting to see how my third attempt making something with these tortillas turns out. I think I might go classic quesadilla this time and see if that works out in the end. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, because I haven’t read about anyone else having such issues with these tortillas.

I will say this…if you want the feel and the flavor of a flour tortilla…probably something you’ve been missing, this is the tortilla that will fulfill that craving. It is spot on!! However, so far…my attempts at utilizing them for eating has been an epic fail. I love Udi’s…but when I want to eat a taco…I want to pick it up and eat it like a taco.

Yeah…I think the quesadilla thing is next. Hopefully it will have a better result.

Nutritionally speaking, Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas aren’t don’t fare too bad. Not really. One tortilla serves up 170 calories and 4 grams of fat. In addition to that, you get served 5 filling grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. They are relatively low in sodium for a processed food (330 mg) and they are cholesterol free. NICE! You can fill them, stuff them, fold them, and do whatever you like to bring them to life and (hopefully) have good results. My attempts have been an epic fail thus far, but I’m not giving up. Not yet.

I have faith in Udi’s and stand behind their products a lot. However…checking the ingredients…not sure how I feel about modified potato starch being on that ingredient list. Gluten-free foods…should be healthy and not laden with excessive calories or fat. For the most part, Udi’s follows this. But…modified foods, I do have a problem with. So, hopefully they will begin working that out of the ingredients in the future.

So, as far as tortilla love goes…I love certain aspects of this product…but other parts of it don’t work for me. You will feel like you’re eating a real flour tortilla…and that is something no gluten-free tortilla that has come before it has managed. If I can just figure out that perfect cooking procedure and get the product to either not crumble or have a gummy texture…we’ll be in business.

I’ll let you know how those quesadillas turn out.

For now…on the fence with these. It’s not love/hate…but it’s love/like/dislike at the moment. So, there is room for improvement. And hopefully…improvement will happen.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream

June 21, 2013

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

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

Lemon.

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

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

They didn’t. Not at all.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A slice of Truly Wize Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake

June 21, 2013

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a Truly Wize splurge

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake – $12.95

Oh, great Gluten-Free Expo that I attended back in October…I returned with so many fond memories…and some great items that I either was given to sample or purchased to try. That was a good time. And I came across vendors, brands, and foods that I didn’t even know existed. And that’s saying something being that I have been a member of the Celiac club for over two years now.

But, these tasting fairs and expos are great experiences and a good way to learn about other brands, other companies, local businesses, restaurants, and the like who do cater to the gluten-free community. This particular expo was taking place up in Carmel, Indiana. It was the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo…and unlike the last expo I attended in Indianapolis, this one was HUGE. It filled a banquet hall from end-to-end, rows and rows of vendors, grocery stores, local bakeries, not-so-local bakeries, restaurants, etc. filled the space. I was happily overwhelmed.

My roommate and I took our time, walking the aisles, taking samples, talking to the people at the tables. We wanted to really soak in the experience and not feel rushed like we normally do at these events. We even made some splurge purchases. There are so many great deals at these expos…prices on products you can find in stores that you’ll never get anywhere else. Like I said…we splurged a little.

One such splurge came from a bakery that was giving out samples of some of their cakes. I love cake. And two of these weren’t frosted. Even better…since I don’t like frosting. My roommate and I stepped up and spoke to the nice woman at the table. She offered samples of either the Chocolate Decadence Cake, the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, or the Iced Lemon Cake. Cathy immediately jumped on the sample of the lemon cake. Me…I went with the cinnamon one, as cinnamon is one of my favorite things in the wold.

Moist. Delicious. OMGSOGOOD!

Splurge purchase. We bought two of the three cakes…the two we sampled. SOLD…with one little bite. That’s how you know you’re doing something right.

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

Well, that mission was definitely a success.

Like I said…this expo took place back in October, so the cakes that we purchased have been taking up space and residence in my freezer. But, with this past week being so crazy and I needed a break from the pre-packaged cookies I’ve been going through in my pantry of gluten-free doom…I reached into the freezer and grabbed the Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I put it on the counter while I was at work to allow it to thaw out. I wasn’t sure how this would affect the cake…but I went with it. Hoping for the best.

Returning home, I had a busy night, including a circuit workout and a dinner to make. I’ve been very pressed for time lately as my schedule is getting kind of crazy and hectic. But…I do get by. With an already hectic day behind me and a super-busy evening, the fact that dessert was ready and waiting for me on my counter made my night. Honestly. I’m a dessert girl…it’s something I always treat myself to. Nothing big. Just a little palate cleanser after a meal. I have to have it.

So, after devouring dinner…it was time to give Truly Wize Bakery’s Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a try. The expo where I first sampled the cake was so long ago, the flavor memory had left me. I pulled off the top of the eco-friendly packaging and sliced into it. I expected it to be dry from the months it sat in the freezer. Quite the opposite. This cake was moist and soft. I was already elated. I scooped out a slice for my roomie and then one for me. We settled in for dessert…

…and…there it was. The reason I purchased this cake in the first place. Amazing. Moist. Flavorful. Not heavy or dense. This coffee cake is light. Airy. Perfection. The reason I was blown away by it at the expo was just how fantastic it tasted. Texture was better than any coffee cake I had ever had. The balance of cinnamon and coffee…perfection. The crumble on the top…pure decadent heaven. I mean, who doesn’t like a good cinnamon-sugar crumble?! It really just added to the already awesomeness of the cake. This cake was moist. If you pressed your fork to it, it would spring back without any crumbling. Cake perfection. Truly one of the best gluten-free cakes I have ever tasted. That’s saying something. You can tell that only the best ingredients go into this product because it is so damn good!

And…nutritionally speaking…they do provide a healthier option as far as baked goods go. According to the attached nutrition info on the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, the cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. Especially when it tastes like it should have at least 300 calories in it. Not kidding, peeps. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so sinful, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. LOVING IT!!

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake is that foodgasmic…then the rest of their stuff has to be just as good, if not more amazing.

Truly Wize Bakery definitely surprised me…wowed me…and won me over. Proof, once again, that allergen-free and gluten-free doesn’t mean taste-free. My local bakery proves that time and time again…and here is another bakery doing the exact same thing.

This is a trend I would love to see continue.

So, if you haven’t tried anything from Truly Wize Bakery…either visit Pennsylvania and stop in…or…trust me when I say their products, especially their cakes, are worth ordering online. So hop over to their site and place an order. You’ll thank me for it. Trust me!

And…I highly recommend the Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Seriously. To. Die. For. (In a good way!)

A slice of Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake

June 21, 2013

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

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

Breakfast bars.

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

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

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

That’s what these taste like. Exactly.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (wrapped)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nicely done, Glutino.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (unwrapped)