Products – Page 66 – The Celiathlete

September 22, 2012

Simply Organic makes gluten-free carrot cake a simple pleasure

Product: Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix – $5.49+

My CSA bin sometimes surprises me. Not that I don’t know what I am getting each week. But the fact of the matter is that sometimes what I get is so much more than I expected. For example…this past bin I received was to have organic carrots in it. And they did. Huge. Beautiful carrots.

And I thought to myself…what can I make with carrots?

My first thought…carrot cake. I’ve been craving carrot cake since I went gluten-free. I haven’t had the time nor the ingredients to make one myself. But here I had big, beautiful organic carrots in my hand. I found a recipe for one and had pretty much everything for it. I set out grocery shopping and was beginning to find myself outside of my budget. The thought of creating salads from these amazing carrots just didn’t seem right. But, as I was thinking it…I glanced up at my new favorite grocery store and there on the baking rack was a cake mix. A gluten-free cake mix.

Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix (baked)

Simply Organic’s Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Mix.

Well…right here was the answer to my problem. The mix pretty much did the work. I just had to add water, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of shredded carrots. And I already had all of that back at my apartment. Awesome. I figured I might as well give it a try. Gluten-free baking on a budget is sometimes a necessary evil. I pretty much would prefer to make everything from scratch…but money has been tight recently thanks to the injury to my foot. You work with what you can and do what you can in the budget you have sometimes.

I must say…I had my doubts as to how good a boxed carrot cake could be.

But, determined to make it before my carrots went bad, I stayed up late the other night and gave the Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake a shot. Really easy to put together. Just put eggs, lightly beaten, water, and cake mix into a bowl. Mix together, then fold in the carrots. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake according to the directions on the box. I was milling about in the kitchen as this was baking and it smelled heavenly. So, that was a good start, I thought. When it cooked for 40 minutes, I removed it from the oven, made sure it was cooked through, and let it cool. It felt soft and bounced back like a sponge when I tested it for doneness. Maybe it was possible to get a moist carrot cake from a box.

Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake (topped with Homemade Vegan Light Cream Cheese Frosting)

Once it cooled, I tipped it out of the cake pan and prayed that it wouldn’t crumble and fall apart on me. Much to my delight, it emerged in perfect round cake form. I did a happy dance of joy and then got to work on my Vegan Light Cream Cheese Icing (the cake isn’t vegan, but my icing is). With the cooled cake waiting for me, I spread the icing over the top and then immediately cut into it to try. I didn’t care that it was 10:30 p.m. I really wanted to try it before I put it in the refrigerator.

Let me tell you, I was elated with this mix. I shouldn’t discount all cake mixes…but a fresh carrot cake always is the best option. A dry carrot cake (like what you buy in stores) is not what I like. Well, this was amazing. Very light. Very soft. Moist. Amazing. My roommate doesn’t like carrot cake, but she told me she liked this one. And she ate a very large piece of it for dessert the other night. I had one too. And was quite content to polish off my plate. The cream cheese icing is the perfect compliment to this moist carrot cake.

Simply Organic uses organic ingredients in their cake mixes. To make this one gluten-free, Simply Organic amps up the flavor by using robust maple granules and brown rice flour. It has just a hint of spice, and the delicious flavor of carrot cake. You can’t even tell it wasn’t done from scratch.

I hope to try more of Simply Organic’s gluten-free baking mixes in the future. But this one will definitely find it’s way back into my pantry for sure. I already am craving another slice. Good thing there is one in the refrigerator waiting on me…

A slice of Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with a Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese Icing

September 18, 2012

Warm up an easy Indian meal with Tasty Bite’s Peas Paneer

Product: Tasty Bite Peas Paneer – $3.29+

It’s been awhile since I’ve reached into my pantry and pulled out one of my numerous Tasty Bite Indian meals. But…with my fridge running low on fresh produce (I was out of town last weekend and didn’t get a produce bin), I had to come up with something easy for dinner tonight. I had just finished an intense circuit workout and was definitely ready for some food.

Thankfully, it doesn’t get easier than Tasty Bite’s Indian entrees. Honestly.

The next one up in my pantry was the Peas Paneer. I know…at first it doesn’t sound like the most delicious option in there. I mean, it’s peas, paneer cheese, and a sauce. It’s simple though, and sometimes the simplest ingredients can yield the best flavor.

Once again, making this couldn’t have been easier. I immediately got some jasmine rice on the stove to cook. As it was cooking up, all I had to do was tear a 2-inch slit in the bag, place it in the microwave, and heat for 90 seconds. Once the rice was done, this just got poured over it and dinner…was served.

Yep. That easy.

As is normally the case with Indian food…it doesn’t always look the most appealing when it comes to presentation. Let’s face it, the Tasty Bite Peas Paneer is simply green peas and paneer cheese simmered with onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs. When I poured it over the rice, it was this brown liquid with peas and cubes of paneer cheese in it. But…as is the case with many ethnic cuisines…looks can be deceiving.

While I wasn’t expecting spice (and this one is M-I-L-D), I was hoping it would have a little more heat with it. But, the mildness was actually quite good. And the flavor of the entire dish was excellent. The peas were soft, not mushy. The paneer cheese was incredibly soft and absorbed much of the flavors in the sauce. Putting it over the jasmine rice made it a more complete meal.

And…as far as packaged foods go…this one doesn’t hit too hard on the nutrition. A serving is half the container, so splitting it with my roommate made this easy. That serving only sets you back 200 calories and hits you up with 10 grams of protein. Because of the cheese, however, there are 13 grams of fat in this particular one. The sodium level, however, is at a nice 400 mg per serving. So, there are pluses and minuses to choosing this one.

My roommate, a self-professed spice wimp, loved this. She liked how the spices and seasonings didn’t overpower anything else and that every component really got a chance to shine with each bite. She’s absolutely right. And, she also liked how this one wasn’t as spicy as she anticipated. I keep reminding her that just because it is Indian food, doesn’t mean it’s going to hit you up with heat.

Would I buy this one again? Sure…but I have other ones I have tried that I’ve liked a little more. As it stands though…an easy, quick meal after a busy, stressful week. It was the perfect way to wind into the weekend. Keeping it simple…and delicious!

Tasty Bite Peas Paneer over jasmine rice

September 17, 2012

Nothing persnickety about Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Fries

Product: Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries – $3.49+

I buy a lot of snacks when they are on sale…or part of a manager’s special. I rarely ever buy any of my gluten-free goodies at full price. I honestly just can’t afford to.

For awhile, I had been eying the Snikiddy line up of snacks (which include Baked Fries, Cheese Puffs, and the Eat Your Vegetables chips) with big kid eyes…hoping that my store would have a sale on them soon. Well, my prayers were answered one week when I walked into my grocery store and they were, in fact, on sale. I grabbed two of the Baked Fries to try (different flavors) for starters. I still had to remain in my food budget that week…so I started one place and would move to the rest another time.

First…a little bit on the company itself. It was founded in 2006 by a mother and daughter team that wanted to put out products for families that were seeking healthier foods to satisfy their snack cravings. And that’s what they did – creating a line of better for you snacks.

As for the brand name…well, it’s the shortened form of the word persnickety, referring to picky eaters. Who doesn’t know one or perhaps is one? Honestly.

So…good for you snack foods? Well, just glancing at the nutritional information…it does seem possible. A serving (1 ounce) is 130 calories. It will set you back 4.5 grams of fat for the day. These are low in sodium, cholesterol free, vegetarian, gluten-free, all natural, kosher snacks that contain no trans fats or hydrogenated oils. They have 50% less fat than regular potato chips and 35% less fat than Veggie Straws.

Intrigued? Impressed?

I was. But…the big test comes with the taste.

Today was the day that I dished out a serving of these to have at work for my afternoon snack. The first thing I noticed was how light they were. Secondly, even though they are cheddar cheese…they do not leave a residue of cheese dust on your fingers. This means my paperwork remains clean. YAY! So…after careful inspection…it was time for the first bite.

The texture reminds me a lot of Funyuns. And they taste cheesy (as anything that is Cheddar Cheese flavored should) without being overly done. They weren’t greasy like potato chips either. And…for what it was worth, I’d take these over french fries any day. And I love french fries!! But these were just as satisfying, without all the fat. They are light so while they will take away the afternoon hunger pangs, they won’t fill you up before dinner either.

Perfect snack. Perfectly delicious.

I can’t wait to try the other flavor.

When snack foods are done right…they are worth buying again. These will certainly be bought again. I was impressed.

September 12, 2012

Forget a boring bowl! Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones bring a little joy back to ice cream

Product: Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones – $3.99+

I never, ever thought I would miss ice cream cones. I mean…they often get soggy, and sometimes can be a bit messy. So, it’s always a bowl for me. And when I’m out at an ice cream shoppe or a fro yo place, that’s the way it has to be. Gluten-free isn’t offered just anywhere. And around here…it’s practically non-existent. At those kinds of places…it’s all about the bowl, cup, or whatever it is served in.

No cone.

And I never thought anything about it.

But then my local grocery store was running a closeout on their gluten-free aisle. Which, immediately sent me into a panic. What if they were getting rid of all of this? What if I’d have to really just start shopping at the expensive natural food stores (I would do it…but my food budget is already crazy!)? What if all of this was going away never to be seen again? I literally grabbed a cart and my roommate and I began piling things inside. Whatever we felt we would most definitely like to try, already knew we liked, and just were curious about.

One of the boxes that made the gluten-free closeout cut…was Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones.

Now, growing up my mom used to buy ice cream cones and would scoop up some amazing ice cream into it. And we, as a family, would enjoy this for dessert. During the summer months in my small town, a little restored barn up the way sold ice cream (soft serve) and we would always go down there for dessert. They knew our order and had it ready when our car turned in. It was a treat. And we are an ice cream loving family. Despite lactose intolerance…I still am very much this way.

So, yeah…while I never thought I would miss that crunch of an ice cream cone…I discovered…I did.

With some So Delicious Dairy-Free Ice Creams in the freezer, last night I was looking for something easy for dessert. It could have been ice cream…or cookies. But, I have been craving ice cream. And I had a bad day, and my roommate mentioned ice cream. And I knew there was no getting to The Comfy Cow on a weeknight, so…ice cream at home it was. But…then it dawned on me that we had those gluten-free ice cream cones as well. So as I finished up my dishes, I asked her to go grab them. It was going to be an ice cream cone night!

Out of the freezer came So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream (OMG YUM!!!). And I carefully opened up the box of Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones.

They looked like every ice cream cone my mom ever bought for us growing up. They looked like the standard kids cones you would get at an ice cream parlor these days. The only thing was…these were gluten-free. So…I could eat them!! I dished up a serving of the rich, decadent chocolate ice cream into each done (one for me; one for my roomie) and we settled in for a true treat indeed.

As with any cone, it takes a moment to get down to it. First you have to devour the ice cream piled on top. I did that, lick-by-lick, savoring, and anticipating that cone. And when I got there…I discovered it was worth the wait. First of all, these cones did not get soggy. At all. They held their shape and their crunch as I worked my way through it. Second of all…the flavor was just as good, if not better, as the ice cream cones I grew up eating, at home or at the ice cream parlors. Honestly. And the best part is…these cones only set you back 12 calories. Yes. 12. Twelve. 1-2. They are fat free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan! In other words…my dream ice cream cone.

They taste sweet without being too sweet. In fact, it is more of a compliment to the ice cream that is stuffed inside. The crunch is fantastic…not too soft and not too hard. But it adds that bit of texture to the ice cream experience. Man…I was one happy girl sitting on my couch enjoying a good old-fashioned vegan ice cream cone with vegan ice cream.

If the little things in life are what make people happy, then a simple gluten-free ice cream cone brought me one of the happiest moments of my life. And I had another one tonight. I’m not ashamed. In fact, I’m hooked. I don’t think I’ll ever not have ice cream cones in this house.

Thank you, Edward & Sons…for such a simple treat that even the gluten-intolerant can once again enjoy.

Edward & Sons Let's Do...Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream — Edward & Sons Let’s Do…Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream

September 10, 2012

Chocolate Velvet from So Delicious Dairy Free means rich chocolate soy milk ice cream treat

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream – $6.99+

There is nothing more satisfying after a bad day then to treat yourself to something that might make it better. Some people turn to drinking. Not me. Nope.

When I have a bad day…I turn to chocolate. More often than not…chocolate ice cream.

But wait…I’m lactose intolerant.

It’s okay…because there is amazing, rich, decadent, smooth non-dairy ice creams out there. Sure, they cost a lot more than regular ice cream, but…they can be just as amazing. And it is really fun to play around with the base and check out the differences. I mean, there is ice cream made from almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc.

Well…it had been a bad day. I went for a run to work off some steam, clear my head, and came home for dinner. But I still felt wound up. What I needed was chocolate.

And thanks to a sale at my local grocery store a couple of weeks back, I just happened to have some So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in my fridge. In other words…soy milk ice cream.

Now, I really enjoyed the So Delicious Dairy Free Neapolitan Ice Cream I tried awhile back, so I had an idea that this would live up to the “so delicious” part of the brand. Little did I know how much it would live up to it.

Some women would blame the quickness of which I ate this on stress. Not me. I’ll be honest…while I was still stressed, despite a run and relaxing at dinner, one bite of the Chocolate Velvet and I was unstoppable. That was all it took. Hoovering now in process. My only saving grace was that I put it on a gluten-free ice cream cone (because bad days mean you get ice cream in a cone!), which meant I had to at least eat a little slower and savor it a little.

So, I did manage to do that. Here’s the thing…So Delicious can put that brand on their products because they always live up to it. In fact, I would wager to say that the Chocolate Velvet goes beyond being So Delicious into So Epically Mind Blowing Delicious. It’s rich. It’s smooth. And it has the same texture of ice cream. So, it’s like indulging in the stuff I crave…only better for me. Perhaps not calorie-wise (1/2 cup is 130 calories, and 3.5 grams of fat), but it’s far better than some decadent chocolate ice creams out there, which can top over 200 calories per 1/2 cup serving.

This soy-based non-dairy dessert tastes like a rich, sinful ice cream you would get at a parlor. It’s like frozen fudge…with all it’s creamy, chocolate taste. Yeah…I think I have a new favorite. Now, the difficult part will be not raiding my freezer when a chocolate craving hits. After all…it’s a dessert…a treat. I shall treat it as that.

As with many of So Delicious Dairy Free frozen treats, this non-dairy dessert is gluten-free, vegan and kosher. It is non-GMO certified and completely organic. It doesn’t taste or feel heavy. In fact, for an ice cream…it’s on the light side and after a meal, you want a light dessert just to cleanse the palate. This…is an ideal one.

If you are a chocoholic and want to try a new frozen dessert…try something out of the norm (or, like me, in the norm). Go dairy free and try on So Delicious for size. Honestly…once you taste the Chocolate Velvet…you’ll want to grab the quart and a spoon and go to town.

So Delicious Dairy Free Chocolate Velvet Soy Milk Ice Cream on an Edward & Sons Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone

September 7, 2012

Say “Hello” to Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars

Product: Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars – $3.99+

It was a manager’s special at my local grocery store that compelled me to pick up these frozen treats as a dessert option. One thing that caught my attention immediately was the 6 grams of protein boasted about on the box. As a gluten-free vegetarian…protein is important to me. And Greek yogurt is often packed with it. Turn that Greek yogurt into a frozen yogurt bar and…the potential for deliciousness is elevated.

With these yogurt bars, you get one nutrition packed dessert. That’s another great thing about these bars. For one thing, these rather large frozen bars pack only 70 calories and, as mentioned before, 6 grams of protein. They are all gluten-free, fat-free, and all natural. The dairy portion is made with rBST-free milk. This makes these bars an amazing source of calcium. In addition, these are kosher certified and contain no corn syrup. How is that for some accolades?

As for the name? Yasso is derived from the Greek word Yassou, which means “hello.”

Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bar (wrapped)

The only flavor available on manager’s special at the grocery store was the Raspberry flavor. While raspberry isn’t my roommate’s favorite, we both decided that these would certainly be worth a try. So…we put them in our cart, checked out, and placed them in our freezer.

After working through some of the desserts ahead of these, we finally cracked these open yesterday to try.

These bars are actually a really good size for an ice cream treat. Honestly. Most of the time a 70 calorie treat is itty-bitty. Not these. These were the size of a regular ice cream bar, but these are enjoyed without any guilt. I mean…did you take in all those nutrition stats I listed above? The flavor is all there. And the thickness of the Greek yogurt is prevalent without. But all this meant to me was that I got to savor the frozen treat a little longer. And that’s what I did.

Nothing wrong with savoring that sweet treat at the end of the meal for a little longer, right? These are available in three flavors: Raspberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry.

I enjoyed the taste of these bars. The thick Greek yogurt makes an amazing frozen treat and the raspberry flavor is the star. It really tastes like raspberry. I was blown away. And no funky Greek yogurt aftertaste either.

If I’m craving something sweet without the guilt…I would totally pick these up again. Highly recommended if you are looking for a nice treat to beat the heat…without losing that bathing suit body!

Yasso Raspberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bar (unwrapped)

August 30, 2012August 30, 2012

Squeeze in fresh fruit with Jolly Llama Banana Coconut Real Fruit Sorbet Squeezeups

Jolly Llama Banana Coconut Real Fruit Sorbet Squeezups

Product: Jolly Llama Banana Coconut Real Fruit Sorbet Squeezeups – $4.99+

I’m going to be honest…what really caught my eye at the natural food store with this product was the name: Jolly Llama. Why? Well, my roommate, Cathy, is nicknamed Llama, so it sort of stood up and waved as if to say, “Take me home!” The only flavor lurking in the freezer section was banana coconut. Now…I’m nuts over banana…but coconut…it usually needs to be mixed in with something before I can truly enjoy it. I figured…it’s a frozen goodie…I’ll deal.

Besides…the company that makes them is named Jolly Llama.

Banana Coconut just happens to be one of the newest flavors in the Jolly Llama line-up of real fruit sorbet squeezeups. Other flavors include mango, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and the other new flavor on the block – peach. All of these fruity frozen goodies are fat free, save for the banana coconut, which has naturally occurring fat in the fresh ingredients.

Oh…yes…there is that little bit too. Every ingredient that goes into these sorbet squeezeups are made with only the healthiest, highest quality ingredients. It’s the belief of the founder, Scott Jacobson, that desserts don’t have to be loaded down with ingredients that are unhealthy or not up-to-par. A quick inspection of the ingredients in the banana coconut variety shows this. You don’t question anything listed on the box. Natural. And that’s how I like my treats.

Jolly Llama Banana Coconut Real Fruit Sorbet Squeezeup

In addition, these frozen goodies from Jolly Llama are allergen free, fat free (save for the naturally occurring fat in the banana coconut), dairy free, non-GMO certified, kosher, and have no artificial ingredients. How can you go wrong with that?

Well, tonight I found out that there really isn’t a way to go wrong with that combination. When I opened up this pack after dinner tonight for dessert, my roommate and I were both a little nervous. Not because we didn’t think it was a good product. It was the flavor we had. With no other option, and neither of us too big of a fan of coconut…we weren’t quite sure what to expect.

Let me tell you this…expect the best because that’s what these sorbet squeezeups deliver. Honestly. The banana coconut version tastes like a frozen banana. It was so delicious. I was in pure heaven, as bananas are one of my favorite fruits out there. The coconut isn’t even really in the flavor at all. This is made to perfection too. It’s cold without freezing your entire mouth off. This means you can easily bite into it without setting off those sensitive teeth. Love that.

If you are a big fruit lover…I highly recommend checking out your grocer’s freezer section for Jolly Llama. I found mine at our natural food store, but I’ve also seen them at Whole Foods. So, that is a good place to start. And, honestly, when your dessert is made from fresh fruit and sugar levels come from the fruits and the evaporated cane juice…well it makes your dessert or treat feel that much better for you. I say indulge in these and try every flavor possible. I hope to find more flavors to try…but I’ll never, ever turn down one of the banana coconut ones. Very delicious. For the record…there are four in a box. So…savor…and enjoy.

August 30, 2012August 30, 2012

A new take on lactose-free cheese with Galaxy National Foods Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds

Product: Galaxy National Foods Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds – $4.69+

Normally, when it comes to non-dairy cheese, I don’t reach for the rice-based variety that are out there. I normally go for Daiya or Veggie Shreds. However…on this occasion, I specifically needed non-dairy mozzarella for a recipe…and the only variety the store I was in had was Galaxy National Foods Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds.

So, what’s the difference between Rice Shreds and Veggie Shreds (both made by Galaxy National Foods)? The answer is simple. Veggie Shreds are soy-based. Rice Shreds are rice-based. See…it really is that simple.

I was actually a bit unhappy when I had to buy these, but I didn’t want to make another stop when I was out grocery shopping. I already go to enough stores as it is and I was making a conscious effort to not do that for once. So, I went with what was on hand and just hoped for the best.

Tonight, I cooked up some gluten-free, vegetarian meatballs in a tomato sauce to put on gluten-free sandwich bread…and I decided to break out the Rice Shreds and see how they went with my homemade veggie “meat”ball sammie.

I tasted a pinch of the Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds on their own. And, surprisingly enough, I found they tasted a lot more like mozzarella cheese than I expected. So, that was a good start. With a little sprinkling of the rice shreds onto my vegetarian sandwich, I tossed it into the microwave for 30 seconds, not expecting much of a melt to happen.

I was presently surprised when the microwave beeped and I removed the plate. The cheese had actually melted down. Better than Daiya and Veggie Shreds. I was impressed. And it tasted really good. Sometimes the non-dairy variety can have a bit of a plastic flavor to them. But not these. These were soft, and flavorful. I was beyond impressed.

What’s more, these are a fantastic source of calcium and contain no cholesterol, trans fat or lactose. YAY! I’d even be willing to say I’d try the other flavors available in the Rice Shreds line. And actually might even try the Rice Slices to see how they compare to the Veggie Slices I use in my gluten-free grilled cheese.

Yeah…I was pretty surprised and quite happily impressed. I can’t wait to top off a pizza with these!

A vegetarian "meat"ball sandwich topped with Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds — A vegetarian “meat”ball sandwich topped with Mozzarella Flavor Rice Shreds

August 30, 2012

Envirokidz Amazon Frosted Flakes are gluten-free and GRRRREAT!

Envirokidz Gluten-Free Amazon Frosted Flakes

Product: Envirokidz Organic Amazon Frosted Flakes – $3.99+

No Tony the Tiger here. Sorry, cereal lovers.

Instead, however, you find something so much better. Instead of loading up on 11 grams of sugar in the morning (which is what you’ll do with Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes), try something that tastes just as good, if not better than the original with a fraction of the sugar content.

Thanks to Nature’s Path Envirokidz Line, those sugary-sweet cereals made by the big corporation are getting a run for their money. Envirokidz version of Frosted Flakes are simply called Amazon Frosted Flakes. Instead of being made with milled corn, sugar, salt and malt flavoring…this variety offers a lot of the same flavor with better ingredients and better nutritional standings.

Envirokidz Amazon Frosted Flakes are made from organic corn meal, organic evaporated cane juice and salt. That’s it. The sugar content in this cereal is only 6 grams per 3/4 cup serving. That’s 5 grams less sugar than the same size serving of Frosted Flakes. I love good cereal but I don’t like to be powered by high sugar content. What Envirokidz Amazon Frosted Flakes does is pack all the amazing flavor of Frosted Flakes into a gluten-free cereal. I might even like it better. Granted, it has been since I was a kid since I really sat down to a bowl of Frosted Flakes, but I remember really liking them. When I had to go gluten-free, I had to give up a lot of the cereals I used to eat or might have gone back to eating…and was left with the gluten-free line-up in grocery stores.

Envirokidz does it right every time. With no extra additives or preservatives, what you are getting is the purest form of the cereal. Nothing unnecessary. I also loved that I left this cereal to swim in a bath of unsweetened almond milk while I finished cutting up a peach this morning and when I finally took my first bite, the texture and crunch were there. They didn’t get soggy and leave me with a bowl full of mush flakes. This made me beyond happy.

The sweetness of the cereal is brought out by the evaporated cane juice. It isn’t too much, but it doesn’t leave you reaching for a sweetener either. It’s perfection in a box. I found the taste and texture to be a complete win.

Gluten-free breakfast cereal doesn’t have to taste like cardboard. Nor do you always just have to stick with Chex. What Nature’s Path has done with the Envirokidz line is make amazing, healthy cereals that are free of gluten and just as delicious as the corporate counterparts of my childhood. In some cases, such as this one…even better.

Sorry, Tony the Tiger.

August 30, 2012

Jennies swirls up gluten-free dessert with Marble Pound Cake Minis

Product: Jennies Gluten-Free Marble Pound Cake Minis – $6.79+

You know…it’s the law of averages. You find a product that you absolutely love…but it isn’t available in any store near you nor does the company Web site provide a way of ordering it. In fact, while Jennies site has plenty on their infamous macaroons, the baked goodies such as the pound cake minis are mentioned…but follow the link and you are told that there are no products to list in that category.

But…they do exist. The mere fact that I have them in my pantry is proof enough. However, in order to get my hands on these, I had to go through Milwaukee. I was in town and stopped off at the Gluten-Free Trading Company and they happened to have Jennies pound cake minis on their shelves, in both classic and marble flavors. Both varieties are Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Peanut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Casein-Free, Trans Fat-Free and Kosher Pareve.

Jennies Gluten-Free Marble Pound Cake Minis (individually wrapped)

Well, the classic variety was way better than I ever even anticipated. Those savory hints of vanilla, mixed with a light, sweet taste of pound cake. It was hard to keep myself to just one individual cake (I did though…because 130 calories per cake and 4.5 grams of fat isn’t bad…but you can overdo it easily.

So, I was ready to give the other box a shot soon after I worked through the classic variety. Jennies Gluten-Free Marble Pound Cake Minis are just like their classic sisters…except it’s vanilla and chocolate cake swirled together. It smelled just as amazing as the regular ones when I opened up the individual packet…that amazing vanilla scent just wafting out to greet me and prep my senses for my dessert.

As I did with the classic minis, I gave the marble ones I little warming in the microwave before topping it off with Fat Free Cool Whip and fresh strawberries. Mmmm. And just as I did with the classic, I fell in love with these at first bite.

Jennies Gluten-Free Mable Pound Cake Mini

Maybe it’s the addition of the chocolate, but these taste sweeter than the classic. They do not look as perfectly swirled as they do on the box, but all the flavors are there. The chocolate and vanilla combination is a winning one, any way you slice it, and these individual cakes bring that flavor balance together in one personal-size treat.

I love, once again, how these are both taste-wise and texturally. They aren’t dry or dense. In fact, these are rather light and quite soft. I love how as my fork glides through it, the cake crumbles perfectly with each bite. It holds any topping without growing soggy. But it also has that perfect lightness to it. It isn’t hard at all. Quite soft on the inside. Very reminiscent of strawberry shortcake the way I do mine up. Except…swirled with chocolate.

And we all know…chocolate make things awesome. I don’t know if I can taste the actual chocolate in these, but I definitely detected a bit more sweetness. And that’s fine. Everything else remained as perfect and amazing as the classic version I originally tried.

So, if the people who run Jennies Gluten-Free Bakery would get these up on their Web site…I would love to place some orders. Until then…I guess if I happen to be in Milwaukee…I’ll get my fix there.

These are certainly a delicious treat though…and one that should be savored and tried.

Jennies Gluten-Free Marble Pound Cake Minis topped with Fat Free Cool Whip and fresh strawberries