Products – Page 71 – The Celiathlete

June 27, 2012

Hodgson Mill bakes up a golden loaf of gluten-free bread

Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Bread Mix – $3.99+

Let’s here it for the power of Hodgson Mill. I have to hand it to this company. When they set out to put out a line of gluten-free products, they really worked hard to get it right. I’ve pretty much enjoyed everything in the Hodgson Mill gluten-free line. I might still be on the fence with the apple cinnamon muffin mix…but for the most part, this company has far exceeded my expectations when it comes to its gluten-free products.

I happened upon a box of Hodgson Mills Gluten-Free Bread Mix at the grocery store awhile back. It was on the Manager’s Special table. The top of the box had been taped together, but the contents inside were not touched nor opened. In fact, the box hadn’t been opened either. It just got a little crunched in shipping. And that’s what happens at my grocery store when that happens. So, with everything still sealed and safely contained, I figured I’d pick it up and give it a go.

That was a very long while ago. And with the expiration date looming, my roommate did a full gluten decontamination on my bread maker to make it a dedicated gluten-free bread maker and I got back into baking bread again. I tried a mix from Pamela’s Products and it turned out really well. Let me tell you…I had a lot of doubts with Hodgson Mills Gluten-Free Bread Mix from the start.

But…looks can be deceiving.

Starting from the original way to make the bread. This involved melting down 1/4 cup of butter while warming up some milk (I used my unsweetened almond milk) to 110 degrees on the stove. Then…once the milk is at the temperature (SO glad I got that kitchen thermometer!), you combine it with the melted butter, two room temperature eggs, and 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar. Mix these contents together and pour into the bread maker. Then add the dry mix and place the yeast packet’s contents on top. Since I do not have a bread maker with a gluten-free setting, I set it for Basic, Medium Crust, and let it run.

At first, the mix was a gooey, oozy, porridge looking mess. I wasn’t impressed at all. No clean dough ball that was being kneaded by the hook. Just a glop of bread mix goo. I was having my doubts, but I let it play on. I mean…why not at this point? I never should have doubted. Within the last hour of baking, the loaf was taking shape. And within 30 minutes of being done, my apartment smelled amazing and the crust was browning to golden perfection. I was beginning to feel better about the situation. The timer ran out and out came a perfect loaf of gluten-free bread.

I allowed it to cool before giving it a slice (because we had to try it, you know…just in case it only looked impressive!). It sliced beautifully. And the crust was a crispy brown delicious coating to soft white bread on the inside. I was already a happy girl. I sliced the end piece in half and my roommate and I gave it a taste. It was really good. It tasted like freshly baked bread. So, that was a good thing. The loaf definitely felt heavy, but the slices of bread weren’t dense or heavy tasting at all.

Tonight, I sprayed a slice with olive oil and seasoned it with garlic powder and salt. I placed it into the oven to lightly toast and out came another round of gluten-free toasted goodness. Seriously. It toasted up so well. The crust got crispy and the inside was now a light golden brown but still soft, but toasted. It was amazing to pair with my gluten-free macaroni and cheese, let me tell you!

Hodgson Mill has a large variety of whole grain bread mixes on the market. So, I should have known to trust this mix as it was baking in the bread maker. This gluten-free variety is formulated with brown rice grain and is composed of a variety of flours including garbanzo bean flour, corn starch, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, fava flour, rice starch, and then some seasonings. It is actually a fantastic option for anyone with a gluten intolerance.

Trust me. I usually can’t have bread so when I do I’m going to be honest with you. It’s really, really good. And so far…this has certainly baked up my favorite yet. SO good.

And don’t worry if you don’t have a bread maker…the box comes with directions for oven baking as well. Gluten-free bread baked right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Takes all the guess work out of whether it’s safe or not. Not only is this mix made on dedicated equipment…it is completely safe. So bake up some fresh bread at home tonight. It can be back on the menu…and you can take credit for it.

Thanks for not letting me down, Hodgson Mill. I love you from the bottom of my gluten-free heart!

A loaf of bread made with Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Bread Mix and baked in a bread machine

June 27, 2012

Bob’s Red Mill offers oatmeal alternative with Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal

Product: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal – $4.89+

The name should say it all, right?

I mean, when your product has “Mighty Tasty” in the name, you best deliver on that promise! Bob’s Red Mill does…sort of.

I actually probably never would have purchased this on my own. In fact, I am the owner of two sample packs that I got at the Gluten-Free Expo in Birmingham, Alabama. I just had not gotten around to making them. But that changed this morning.

The cereal itself isn’t difficult to prepare. It’s a simple blend of brown rice, corn, buckwheat, and sorghum. I was making enough for two people…myself and my roommate…so I used halved the recipe that was on the product itself. That wasn’t difficult in the least. Place water and a dash of salt in a saucepan…bring to boil. Add cereal. Immediately turn down heat and stir in until well blended. Cover and allow to cook, stirring occasionally. I did exactly as it asked and what emerged at the end of 10 minutes was a healthy serving of hot cereal…resembling grits.

Thankfully, I had it in my head to make something to put into it. I have organic fresh strawberries in my fridge, so I sliced them up, added them to water, zero calorie baking sweetener, and some cornstarch and made a strawberry compote to pour over the top of it. I added some walnuts as a garnish.

The cereal on its own would have been beyond bland. But with the addition of the sweet berry compote and the dash of nuttiness from the walnuts…it wasn’t too bad. I’ve never been a fan of grits, so the immediate texture took some getting used to…but it wasn’t bad. And, wow, was it ever filling. It kept well while I ate the other portion of my breakfast, so it didn’t clump up or become inedible within moments of being off the heat. That is a good thing.

This hot cereal is loaded with fiber and nutrients that help you stay full and give you energy. As an endurance athlete…this is very important for me. A serving is only 150 calories, so it won’t take up your entire morning of calories either. Love that. Since oats can be tricky for someone who is gluten-free, this is a nice option to have. I do recommend adding something to the cereal though instead of eating it as it is from the pan. Both my roommate and I polished off our bowls this morning quite contentedly…after the first few bites.

If texture of food is an issue or if you don’t like hot cereal, this might not be for you. Bob’s Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal is a good, filling, morning meal. Mighty Tasty on it’s own…I don’t think so. So get creative…add what sounds good…touch it up as you feel is appropriate. And fill up on breakfast again.

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal (prepared), topped with a fresh strawberry compote and walnuts — Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal (prepared), topped with a fresh strawberry compote and walnuts

June 27, 2012

Red Hot Blues from Garden of Eatin’ turn up the heat on blue corn tortilla chips

Product: Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues Tortilla Chips – $3.99+

I knew there was something special about these chips when I gave one to my roommate before I even sampled them. I was waiting for the inevitable scrunching up of the face and waving the hands before her mouth declaring that they were too hot for her. That’s the usual way it rolls in the apartment. But not this time.

When I opened up the bag of Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues and handed her one of the blue tortilla chips dusted in paprika, cayenne pepper, and other spices she took a bite…then finished it off. Then immediately made grabby hands for another. I was shocked. Her reasoning? She said they tasted like the, once again discontinued, Pizza Supreme Doritos. Huh.

Since I was packing them up for my snack at work the following day, I wasn’t going to try one. But now I was intrigued. So I went ahead and took a chip to try. And sure enough…that’s exactly what they tasted like. Even better, despite the “Red Hot” description in their names, these tortilla trips hardly turn up the heat on your palate. They do have a mild kick to them, but I wouldn’t classify them as red hot at all. The flavoring is quite mild for me and it didn’t bother my heat-weary roommate either. So, take that for what you will.

These blue tortilla chips are made from organic blue corn. In addition, the chips are dusted with spices and seasonings that create a very pleasing flavor. Honestly. If my roommate can eat them, anyone can. She doesn’t handle anything with any sort of ‘heat’ to it very well. But these more than impressed her. As this is one of the gluten-free snacks in the house, they belong to me, but I promised next time we were shopping for snacks for her, she could get one too. Never mind that they are gluten-free. I love it when chips are.

The Garden of Eatin’ line of chips is pretty easy to find. I’ve stumbled across them not just in specialty stores, but also at my local grocery store. So, just keep your eyes peeled for them.

A serving of these delightfully flavorful tortilla chips is 15 chips (or 28 grams if you weigh out servings like me). That will only set you back 140 calories and 7 grams of fat for the day. Not bad considering these are chips. Even better…you don’t have to have a dip for these chips. The seasoning does, in fact, make you think that you are munching on higher quality Doritos. And I’ll take that any day.

A lot of chips on the market are gluten-free…but don’t carry a lable. Therefore, I don’t buy them. Because Garden of Eatin’ does label their chips, these were quick to come home with me. And I’m very glad they did. One of the best tortilla chips I have had. Honestly. Pardon me while I indulge a little in snack time…

Red hot crunchy goodness…bite-for-bite. Go ahead…bet you can’t eat just one!

June 26, 2012

Pamela’s Products delivers decadent Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Product: Pamela’s Products Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies – $4.39+

Dark chocolate. It’s my weakness. Well, one of them anyway. But if you throw a chocolate option at me…I have never really been in love with white chocolate and milk chocolate just doesn’t really cut it. When it comes to chocolate…I like it dark.

Confession time. This isn’t the first time I’ve eaten these gluten-free cookies from Pamela’s Products. In fact…these were the first gluten-free cookies I bought from the store to eat. I just didn’t have my blog up and running like the machine it is today. And this never was included. Silly me.

To remedy that…I bought a box of these cookies again (darn!). Every delicious product deserve a blog praising it up and down. And when it comes to flavor and texture, Pamela’s Products has this in the bag. The products this company puts out are beyond fantastic. And when it comes to incorporating dark chocolate and organic products into a cookie, well Pamela’s does it up in decadent, delicious, dark chocolate, chunky, perfection. Because when it comes to rich chocolate flavor…these cookies deliver.

The right amount of sweetness combined with rich chunks of organic chocolate in a dark chocolate cookie satisfy any chocolate craving and every sweet tooth. Any more and it would be too much. But, really, I just want to settle in with a glass of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, dunk, and savor. But they are good eaten as a cookie should be as well. The sweet, rich chocolate flavor tingles every taste bud and just really satisfies that chocolate hankering. It’s the ideal treat…any time of the day.

Just blogging about it makes me want to raid my pantry for another one.

So, indulge. A serving is 2 cookies and it only sets you back 170 calories. It’s a treat. And we’re all allowed a sweet treat every now and again, right?

Whether you are gluten-free or not, these cookies will satisfy that chocolate lover in you…hands down. The best chocolate cookie on the market.

June 22, 2012

Udi’s gluten-free granola goes Au Naturel

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods Au Naturel Granola – $6.49+

Eat This Not That named one of Udi’s gluten-free granola the worst granola on the market. For real. THIS granola from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods…is not that granola.

I actually never would have bought Udi’s gluten-free granola…because Eat This Not That scared me. But…given that this pack was on the Manager’s Special table at my local grocery store, and it was not the kind that was hailed as the absolute worst granola on the market, I decided to give it a go. So, I purchased the pouch…and it sat in my pantry…and sat in my pantry…and sat.

I don’t know why I had to convince myself to give this granola a go. But after a lot of sitting, I was determined to give it a fair shake. So…to the grocery store I went for fresh organic strawberries and some Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt. My infamous breakfast parfaits were making a comeback this week and my featured crunch…would be Udi’s granola.

The next morning, I assembled my parfait…granola on the bottom, Greek yogurt, more granola, strawberries, Greek yogurt, granola, strawberries, Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, granola, top off with a strawberry. My non- gluten-free roommate would be enjoying one as well, so I was really interested in her opinion. But…she loved it. And, one of the biggest shockers ever…even liked the Greek yogurt.

I, naturally, had to test out the granola on its own. The Udi’s Gluten-Free Au Naturel Granola is a clean, crisp granola. Honestly. It has a light caramelized flavor that brings out just enough sweetness without overpowering the gluten-free oats themselves. Local Colorado honey (Udi’s is based in Denver) is the source of the sweetness in the oats themselves. The granola isn’t sticky or heavy. In fact, it has this lightness about it that only something that goes au naturel would.

That brings me to the ingredients and nutrition. The ingredients list is uncluttered and simple – gluten-free oats, honey, canola oil. As for the nutrition…this one isn’t bad when it comes to granola. A serving size is 1/4 cup. In that serving, you get 120 calories, only 4 grams of fat, and the sugars…are down at 7 grams. That’s impressive. Most granola is loaded with sugar. When paired with the Greek yogurt, the 3 grams of protein gets an added boost. And the crunch and flavor is fantastic.

I don’t know why I let this sit for so long. But as far as granola goes on the market, this truly is one of the best ones out there. So eat it on its own, pair it with yogurt, or add it to a recipe. However you like to serve it…Udi’s Gluten-Free Au Naturel Granola is one of the finest offerings on the market for the gluten-free…and beyond.

I am a believer.

Breakfast parfait featuring Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt, fresh strawberries, and Udi's Gluten-Free Foods Au Naturel Granola — Breakfast parfait featuring Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt, fresh strawberries, and Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods Au Naturel Granola

June 20, 2012

Mega Nuts for the original Picky Bar…for the allergic athlete

Product: Picky Bars Lauren’s Mega Nuts – $3.00

Thank you, Lauren Fleshman.

No…really. THANK YOU!!

Picky Bars are my new favorite bar of choice when it comes to my intensive training days for my runs. I have you to thank for bringing these allergy-friendly bars into my life. You…and the running store I purchased them at in St. Louis, Missouri. I am completely over-the-moon with not only the texture and flavor but the overall nutrition these bars provide. Most are laden with sugar and it sort of kills the whole ‘healthy’ aspect of the workout in the first place.

After my first sub-2 hour half marathon, I refueled with the Nutless Wonder Picky Bar. But this time…I had the only other one I had purchased of the limited selection the running store carried (which were…the two varieties I bought). It was the original.

Lauren’s Mega Nuts Picky Bar.

It was Saturday morning and I was preparing myself to head out for a long run. That morning, I ate my cereal and needed to find something to give me some carbohydrates and protein. My option…Lauren’s Mega Nuts Picky Bar. I hate half of it with my cereal and saved the rest of it for post-run.

I absolutely loved the flavor and texture of this bar. It is a generous mix of organic dates, organic peanut butter, raw honey, organic rice cereal, rice protein, organic apricots, cranberries, organic almonds, organic pumpkin seeds, organic walnuts, pistachios, organic cashews, chocolate chips, cinnamon, kosher salt, and canola and sunflower oil. Recognize every ingredient? Yep…me too. And that makes me enjoy these bars even more. Too often, protein and energy bars are chemicals and preservatives. But not Picky Bars. Picky Bars contain real food and provide real nutrition. Don’t believe me? It’s all in the science.

Picky Bars clock in at 198 calories, 7 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat, and 28 carbs. What this provides is the ideal ratio of calories to protein (4:1) which helps with recovery and maximizes the absorption of nutrients. And these are packed with a powerhouse of good stuff. Peanut butter, fruits, nuts…all of it mashed together to create this perfect little protein bar…that I love…and will have to order because none of the running stores in my area carry it.

You can literally taste the ingredients in these. The nuts, the fruits, the chocolate chips…they are all evident. And they all work together. I loved not only the taste but how this little bar could help me recover better from a long weekend run. Even more…it seems this bar was designed for me. Both dairy-free and gluten-free…this bar ideally fits into my often challenging diet. Being a vegetarian doesn’t make getting the right amount of protein easy when I’m running 10 or more miles. That’s a lot of protein to take in. This is a step in the right direction.

So, yes, Lauren Fleshman…my hat is off to you. My long run days are far more delicious now that these bars have entered into my life. So…thank you for providing something that the allergic athlete can eat…when most other protein/energy bars out on the market are off limits. Delicious. Nutritious. Science.

Picky Bars Lauren's Mega Nuts (unwrapped) — Picky Bars Lauren’s Mega Nuts (unwrapped)

June 20, 2012

For the allergic athlete…nutrition meets science for athletes with Picky Bars Nutless Wonder

Product: Picky Bars Nutless Wonder – $3.00

You know…it is so tough to maintain good athletic health at times and properly fuel pre- and post-race or run. Here’s why. A lot of those protein bars that athletes swear by…have gluten and/or dairy in them. Yep. And that just won’t work for this girl.

Enter to the scene Lauren Fleshman, US champion runner. She was down with an injury and set out to create a gluten-free and dairy-free energy bar for her husband to take on his long bike rides. The one key…it had to taste good.

What emerged from this initial idea, and after lots of trial-and-error, were Picky Bars.

I don’t actually have these in my area. I bought these when I was in St. Louis and stopped in at a running store. They had them on the counter and I admit…I was totally intrigued.

The basic concept that Lauren came up with was that she wanted the 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ration. In addition, she wanted slow releasing carbs for level blood sugar, minimal soy content, and healthy fats making up 25% of the calories. Oh…and it had to taste good too.

Picky Bars were the result of that brainstorm and the downtime she had from injury. And they come in a variety of flavors. I decided to use mine as a post-run fuel after running in the Minneapolis Half Marathon on June 3. After crossing the finish line in my first ever sub-2 hour half marathon, I downed a gluten-free/vegan protein shake and then tore into my first of two Picky Bars I bought in St. Louis.

I chose the Nutless Wonder because I was going to be in a house with children in it with nut allergies. And in case they had stumbled upon my stash, I wanted to make sure that they would be safe. Thankfully, it was just a precaution and the kids were good about staying upstairs. Now, after my half marathon…I was starving. And I brought along an energy bar last half marathon and ended up throwing it away.

Not the case with my Nutless Wonder Picky Bar. I actually downed this bar faster than anticipated. I happily tore into the package and began to chow down. It tasted great. And it should. There is nothing in these bars that I don’t recognize. The Nutless Wonder is a simple blend of organic dates, organic sunflower butter, raw honey, organic rice cereal, rice protein, organic apricots, cranberries, organic pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, semisweet chocolate chips, cinnamon, kosher salt and a mix of canola and sunflower oil. Yes…that’s it. Recognize everything? I do. And that really puts my mind to ease.

Even better…I enjoyed it bite-for-bite. These are really good. So, I think I might be making an online order just so I can have some here for my long run mornings and the like. And each bar clocks in at under 200 calories so I don’t feel like I’m going stupid on the calories either, despite having just done a long run. I appreciate that.

If you can find these in your area and you are an athlete who needs to fuel properly pre- and post- activity…I recommend Picky Bars. They are the perfect way to properly fuel your body with a perfect ratio of carbs to protein. Oh…and they taste fantastic. Find them. Order them. Enjoy them.

June 19, 2012

Food Should Taste Good adds a barbeque flare to their sweet potato chips

Product: Food Should Taste Good Barbeque Sweet Potato Chips – $3.29+

One of the first gluten-free chips I ever ate and fell in love with were from Food Should Taste Good. I was in Los Angeles a year ago and we were picking out snacks for a pig-out in front of the television and just be four crazy girls night with my besties. That, by the way, is an official night…for any ladies who get together after four long years of being apart. Reunions make the best excuses to cut loose…even with food.

The flavor I selected…Sweet Potato. Why? Because I love sweet potatoes. Any way you cook them…I’m in love with them.

So, flash-forward to almost a year later and a couple more Food Should Taste Good chips under my gluten-free foodie belt. I’m in Denver, Colorado visiting a good friend and checking out a convention. Snacks and food are necessary, so we go grocery shopping. And the roomie spots…something we have never seen before. A new product from Food Should Taste Good. And they involve sweet potato chips.

The mystery product – Food Should Taste Good’s Barbeque Sweet Potato Chips.

Now, I love a good barbeque chip as much as the next person. But, these were the first sweet potato chips I have ever seen in that flavor. We didn’t need them…but we bought them. And they sat there the entire time we were gone, because we bought too much food (our usual problem). So, I packed them in my carry-on for the plane trip back to Louisville, and they survived. At home…other foods expired sooner, so these got pushed to the back of the pantry.

Until this week.

I cracked open the bag this week to begin taking them to work with me as my afternoon snack. The barbeque scent the moment I opened the bag made me smile. They smelled fantastic. So, I could only hope that they tasted as good as they smelled. That afternoon, I happily opened up my serving size (about 14 chips or 28 grams if you prefer to go by weight…and I do). One crunchy bite…and I had to pause to contemplate the flavor.

In the end, the consensus was that I liked them. A lot. I just had to get my taste buds to register all the flavors. There were a lot of them packed into each bite. The sweet potato base is one flavor all itself. The fact that these chips are kettle cooked already makes them a sweeter variety of chip. And then, top it off with the smokey bite of molasses, tomato, and spices to give it that barbeque flavor. That’s a lot for the palate to comprehend at times. But once it gets it…you’ll find yourself popping these one after the other (which is why it is important to dole out that serving size and put the big bag up).

Food Should Taste Good gets another stamp of approval from me. These chips contain no preservatives, are gluten-free, kosher, cholesterol free, trans-fat free, low in fat, and low in sodium. A serving will set you back 150 calories and 8 grams of fat. Not great, but for chips…that’s really damn good. And just the flavors alone are enough to make this snack worth it in the end.

I support companies that do great things with their products. The pride that Food Should Taste Good puts into each bag of their variety of chips is evident. I have fallen in love with another one of their products. And this one is sweet, savory, and spicy all in one. If that isn’t food love…I don’t know what is.

June 16, 2012

NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar a protein packed, healthy, on-the-go snack

Product: NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar – $3.29+

You know what’s hard?

Being gluten-free and traveling. Especially when the tummy rumbles hit while sitting at an airport. There are few, if any, gluten-free options as far as restaurants go…except, perhaps, a salad. Maybe. If it’s not pre-made with bits of pita or croutons in it. A fruit cup, perhaps. But that’s not going to fill you up.

Well, the hungry belly hit me at the airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota when I was killing some time before my flight back home left. I was already thirsty, so my roommate and I trolled the terminal until she spotted a Quiznos to grab some fountain drinks from. I stood and watched the luggage and when she returned with some cold caffeine, she handed me a NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar that she purchased at the register. She was going to find a nibble at one of the shops, but wanted me to have something of some nutritious value without having to down a Snickers bar.

Dark chocolate and nuts…I was okay with that.

But there was more to this bar than just that. Oh yes. After obtaining a snack for her, we returned to our gate and settled in to have our bite before heading to Chicago O’Hare to meet our connection. I tore into the wrapper and revealed a standard looking granola bar. However, what this bar contained was nothing like those granola bars, which are normally packed with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. None of that here. The NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar was a delicious combination of rice protein crisp, organic brown rice crisp, real dark chocolate, almonds, tapioca syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, chicory root fiber, dried cranberries, rice protein, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, water, acacia gum, flaxseed oil, water, salt, walnuts, and baking soda. That’s it. Every ingredient something I recognize. No chemical names. Nothing that screams cancer-causing badness either. Just wholesome good food…wrapped up in a vegan and gluten-free treat.

Now, I’ve had my fair share of these bars. Some have been completely amazing. And some have really failed to impress me at all. So, where does the NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar stand?

I devoured it if that is any indication. Honestly…amazing flavor. Every bite had a little bit of salty-sweet to it. It kept the palate interested. And I kept going back for another bite…savoring…yet devouring. It was the perfect snack.

And that’s not far from the truth. This particular bar only packed 190 calories into it, but provided 9 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat. Low fat and protein packed? It’s this runner’s dream come true. This bar was also low in sodium…even with the nuts and seeds included. I loved that too. It was a treat and didn’t spoil the athlete’s diet either.

I have one more of these bars, a different flavor, tucked away in my running snacks drawer at home. And now…I can’t wait to rip into it and see how it compares. I was completely won over by the delicious, natural flavors that were packed into this bar. NuGo Free…you have definitely won me over with this bar. Thank you for getting rid of my airport hunger, for getting me to O’Hare where I had a couple more options (although I ended up eating Garrett Popcorn…I admit it!), and for showing me how delicious your brand is. Nutritious, delicious, and allergen friendly. I’m sold.

NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar (unwrapped)

June 13, 2012

Gluten-free cookies that WOW you…especially at the airport

Product: WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie – $1.50+

It was bound to happen at some time.

I thought I was well prepared for the inevitable, but then…the longer delays began to happen and my gluten-free snacks I packed disappeared sooner than I anticipated.

Airports are difficult enough to navigate when it comes to food choices. Add being a gluten-free vegetarian on top of it and it can be nigh on impossible to find something to eat at times.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case (completely) at Chicago O’Hare. I was stuck there for five hours. Prior to that, I was delayed getting out of Louisville. And as I had intended to eat lunch at O’Hare, the delay meant I was hungry. I had packed a breakfast bar and some raisins in case, and they were consumed along with an expensive fruit cup prior to boarding the delayed flight. Hey…you can’t change the weather.

After delays, a cancelled flight, and then a new flight, five hours later, I knew lunch at O’Hare was now going to become dinner at O’Hare. And so…it had to be. Originally, my roommate and I thought to splurge a little and sit down to eat at either Wolfgang Puck or Macaroni Grill. But upon inquiring about gluten-free vegetarian options and being told I could have a salad (overpriced, of course), we decided instead to just grab something else and sit in the food court to eat. Save some money.

Thankfully, O’Hare has these little shops called CIBO Gourmet Market, which carry foods that are appropriate for vegans, vegetarians, the gluten-free, and meat options as well in the form of deli sandwiches and salads. I stopped in to take a look around and opted to grab one of their Strawberry Fields Salads (a mix of greens, strawberries, walnuts, and feta cheese). My roommate was convinced that wouldn’t be enough to hold me, so I ended up reaching for a WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie to enjoy post-salad. I admit, I still paid an arm and a leg for my meal, but it wound up being cheaper than the sit-down places in the end.

So…with the salad eaten, my roommate and I split the cookie for dessert. Let me tell you…WOW Baking Company makes one terrific and delicious gluten-free peanut butter cookie. It was like biting into a fresh peanut butter cookie. Honestly. It had that crisp outside for the initial bite, but each chew was soft and delicious.

Even better…the ingredient list had nothing funky or strange listed on it. The WOW Baking Company Web site even indicates that their cookies are made from all natural ingredients without the use of any preservatives. This means you can’t just hang onto the cookies or they will lose their freshness. I bought this at the airport and it was really, really fresh tasting. Their peanut butter cookie is made with natural, crunchy peanut butter, lending it a bit of crunch throughout. Epically delicious. I was WOW-ed. No really. I remember finishing a bite, looking at my roommate and saying, “Damn…these are good.” Peanut butter cookies bring a bit of salty-sweet to the taste buds and mine totally appreciated the taste and texture of these!

These cookies are available in some retail locations including Fresh Market and Whole Foods. You can check their Web site for stores in your area that may carry these delicious cookies. Remember…one cookie is two servings, so eat half and save the rest for later…or share with a friend. It’s tempting not to, but it’s all about portions, friends.

Want a delicious cookie that is free of gluten and wheat? I highly recommend trying the cookie options that WOW Baking Company bakes up. It’s magic in cookie form. And now…I’m hooked.