Review – Page 18 – The Celiathlete

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp

Product: Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp – $5.99+

Dear Sophie’s Kitchen:

I love you. I love everything about you. I love everything you develop and offer to the vegan and gluten free community. Your products have gone from wowing me to astounding me. Sometimes I go into something thinking that it will end up horribly wrong, but then…everything about it just seems right.

That was how I felt about the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp.

For the record, back when I used to eat seafood (and other meats)…shrimp was my favorite thing in life. However, that being said, I never developed a taste for coconut shrimp. I don’t know why…but that was the case. It disgusted me. So, why, then, was I ever tempted to even purchase a vegan version of a seafood I didn’t like? I have no clue. No answer. Nothing except that I get really excited when I see new products from a beloved and trusted company, and that is the case with Sophie’s Kitchen. I have loved everything from the Fish Filets to the Crab Cakes to the Calamari to the Shrimp and Prawns. Love. Just lots of vegan seafood love. I went into it nervous and a little bit concerned and found out that sometimes, the vegan version from Sophie’s Kitchen is even better than I remember the original and actual seafood version being.

Talk about amazing, right?

So that…my dearest readers…has to be why I picked up a box of the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp. I got new product happy. I couldn’t help it. It was in my freezer for awhile…just begging to be made. And with a little determination to clear out items that I’ve been hoarding in my freezer/pantry/fridge…I made sure that this box of vegan seafood got used this weekend. Enter…Sunday night.

My roommate was craving shrimp po’boys. She told me so. And she reminded me of the box of vegan coconut shrimp in the freezer. I told her that I was a little bit nervous about those as I never liked coconut shrimp to begin with…but she insisted. Po’boys. Besides…one more item out of the freezer. So, Saturday night, I pulled the shrimp out of the freezer and placed it in the fridge to thaw. I finished up grocery shopping (and discovered my local store stopped carrying the gluten-free sandwich rolls…so I had to purchase gluten-free hotdog buns…which are SO not the same!) and came home to a fun afternoon of hanging out with my downstairs neighbors, eating gluten-free lemon chiffon birthday cake (I made it…as my roomie requested it for her birthday and that happened while we were in New York City), cleaning up the apartment, getting laundry done, and taking a nice walk in the beautiful weather. We were both ready for dinner soon after 5 p.m. And Sophie’s Kitchen makes it a breeze.

While my makeshift sandwich rolls (aka: hotdog buns) toasted in the oven, I prepared a sweet chili aoili to put on top of the sandwich itself. I sliced up some grape tomatoes and washed a mixture of various super greens (kale, spinach, arugula). Then, as the hotdog buns were finishing up in the oven, I put a spoonful of coconut oil into a hot pan and gave a quick pan fry to 12 of the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp. I mean, coconut oil just seemed logical to me. I allowed them to cook on one side for about 3 minutes, then flipped them over to find them a perfect golden brown on the side that had cooked through. So, I did the same on that side, then removed them to a paper towel and began to assemble the po’boys. A little Veganaise…the greens, the tomatoes, the vegan shrimp, then the aoili to top it all off. It all came together so well…even if the bread was a bit of a challenge.

Okay…so I ate a bit of the shrimp on its own first. Why? Because I needed to taste it without my drizzle of aoili on it. Guess what? My tastebuds lit up. And I was amazed with how much I loved this flavor. Honestly…the texture was meaty and perfect…with the crispiness of the breading on the outside and the soft vegan shrimp on the inside. There was this nice sweet kick in the breading that I absolutely adored. And sort of wished I was eating these outside of the actual sandwich itself. Both my roommate and I saved a shrimp to eat alone. Sophie’s Kitchen definitely did it once more and let me know that I can, in fact, love coconut shrimp. Either tastes change or, more likely, they just do it better than the real thing. But, I devoured this faster than any other product I’ve tried from Sophie’s Kitchen. Big, big love!!

So…what exactly is vegan seafood made from? Well, the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp is made from water, konjac powder, pea protein, potato starch, coconut powder, rice flakes (from brown rice), canola oil, paprikia, fenugreek, organic agave nectar, sea salt, turmeric, white pepper, alginate (from seaweed), and calcium hydroxide. Is it clean eating…nope. Not even close. But…it’s not too bad as processed, frozen products go. Not at all. These are soy-free, vegan (100% plant based), non-GMO, gluten-free, contain no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors, no MSG, they are free of trans fats, and they are cholesterol free. These also contain no added sugar. Nothing about them is artificial. Nothing.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp is 4 pieces of shrimp. This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 10 grams of fat. This serving also gives you 150 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. A serving will give you 12 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and less than one gram of protein. You’ll feel full, but mostly due to what you pair it with. In this case…I made it into a sandwich…and that definitely gives it a dinner heft that kept me full until the next morning.

Once again, blown away by how much I am loving the products that come from Sophie’s Kitchen. Seriously, if you turned vegan, vegetarian, or are gluten-free and want some breaded “seafood”…I encourage you to seek out Sophie’s Kitchen and try it. Take it from me…you’ll fall in love with the products. If Sophie’s Kitchen can make me fall in love with coconut shrimp…imagine what it can do for you.

I’m so glad to be dining on this once more tonight. Beyond YUM!

Sophie's Kitchen Gluten Free Coconut Shrimp in a Gluten Free Vegan Coconut Shrimp Po'Boy — Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten Free Coconut Shrimp in a Gluten Free Vegan Coconut Shrimp Po’Boy

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips

Product: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips – $6.00

It was in my January 2015 Cube (Happy New Year) that I was introduced to a plethora of new products from my Cuisine Cube subscription. Healthy options to get your New Years resolutions rocking and rolling and to start the year off on the right track. It ranged from gluten-free oatmeal to dark chocolate covered rice cakes (both of which were fantastic). But saddled into the seat for a snack in January was a product that left me overly excited and jumping for joy and eagerness to try.

Plantain Chips.

Oh hell yes!

So, before I trudge further into my review of this little packaged snack of tropical goodness, let me first tell you a little bit more about Cuisine Cube. I discovered Cuisine Cube through a Groupon offering of sorts and from my first box to my current one, I have been hooked. This is a subscription service that sends you a box each month that is loaded down with 5-6 full-size gluten-free products for your foodie tastebuds to enjoy! No joke. These products always include something for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert…and every now and again, you get a bonus item. It’s fantastic. Really. And subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, be sure to skip over to their Web site and check them out. Better yet…try them out.

Why?

Because you will be introduced to products like Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips! Talk about biting into something I wasn’t expecting. I have sampled plantain chips before, but this was the first time they actually snacked like a chip. Usually I find them way too sweet, but with the blend of tropical and robust flavors that Miti Miti Foods adds to these dried plantains, you get a little bit of everything. First of all, each and every trip is crunchy good. I mean…CRUNCHY!! I love that. Chips should be crunchy, even when made out of fruit. They are seasoned with paprika, coriander, and cardamom…giving them an added savory feel. It really cuts down on the sweetness. And that’s where the magic happens.

I LOVED these chips. Seriously. They reminded me of really good french fries. You know…those savory crispy ones…not the mushy, squishy ones. Yep. That’s the flavor they carried. Sort of like a really amazing potato chip. I couldn’t stop eating these. Seriously. I popped one to try. So did my roommate. Her initial thought was that they were “chalky” but I didn’t get that at all. I found greatness. I found something amazing and different. I found…probably one of my favorite snacks to date. I am addicted to them. They are perfectly fried to a golden brown and carry everything my palate wants in a snack. Having the bag in my general vicinity is dangerous…because it is one of those snacks that if I start eating, I can’t stop. Which is why I have to dish out the serving size. With the sweet and savory flavor with that perfect crunch in each bite (the thinner chips are my favorites…but they all are crunchy), I’m beyond addicted to these. I won’t go to rehab either. If I want chips…these are what I want. From now on!

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a bag of Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips. These chips are made from plantains (obviously), a seasoning mix that includes salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, oregano, paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, coriander, and cardamom, spices, canola oil, and garlic powder. This snack is not only gluten-free, but also cholesterol free, sugar free, and vegan.

As for nutritional information…fear not. These equal or might even be better than your standard potato chip. And trust me…you’ll prefer these over a potato chip any day. A serving size is 30 grams (or around 15 chips). This serving will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 120 mg sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar. One serving also gives you 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein, making it a good snack that can take you through to dinner time.

Feel good about snacking again! Don’t feel guilty about a treat in the afternoon or with dinner. Miti Miti Latin American Foods make it so you can feed your snack side with something different and more nutritious than the standard potato chip. Thanks to Cuisine Cube, I am feasting away on Miti Miti Plantain Chips and loving every bite.

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

And so the great kitchen purge continues…

So…let me explain this once more for those just tuning in. At some point, last year, I won an online sweepstakes where the prize was a box of each flavor of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. They arrived in the mail and I dutifully placed them on the shelf of my pantry to enjoy at a later time. As I am currently working on getting a majority of processed foods out of my pantry, desserts for the rest of the month are pretty much covered…with Figgies & Jammies.

Now, I was already aware of these amazing little Fig Newton type cookies from when they first debuted back in 2014. I went searching high and low, but my area just didn’t have them in stock. I eventually found them in Columbus, Ohio at The Raisin Rack…and purchased one (of all four flavors…because I was on a budget) and immediately fell in love with them. Luckily I can pretty much find them anywhere now. But…I won these. And winning things is awesome.

If you’ve been sleepwalking through your own gluten-free journey, haven’t found these, didn’t know about them, or missed it in my previous blog, Pamela’s Products Figgies & Jammies come in four different flavors: Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and Mission Fig.

Tonight…I was all about the Strawberry & Fig.

Prior to the Strawberry & Fig flavors, I have already delved and devoured my way through Pamela’s Blueberry & Fig and Pamela’s Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. I mean, you can’t beat having gluten free Fig Newtons that actually taste good. Trust me…there are a few other attempts at fig stuffed cookies…but none of them have set this level of high standards. And, naturally, it comes from Pamela’s Products. One brand I trust with everything. No exaggeration. And every flavor I like more than the last. So blueberry is delicious, but at the bottom of my list…then raspberry…now strawberry…

…I like this trend.

I also enjoy having a guiltless treat for dessert after a long day and a quick dinner. I believe in dessert. We all have the right to reward our hard efforts of the day, the long hours, the struggle to get through, with some sort of treat. Fruit…cookies…cake…brownies…ice cream…whatever your poison…treat yourself. It’s actually good for you. Good for the soul. Nothing big…just a taste is all you need. And luckily, Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies are a 2-3 bite wonders (which is bigger than traditional fig cookies, for sure! I’m looking at you Fig Newtons!). LOVE.

So…Strawberry & Fig. Strawberry. Fig. Two of my most favorite things in the world. I am obsessed with figs. I am beyond obsessed (and have been for my entire life) with strawberries. So, naturally, this pairing seemed like a match made in heaven. Oh…trust me…it is. One bite…and that’s all I needed to fall in love. Just like the previous two flavors, Pamela’s Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies are moist, spongy cookies that are filled with real fig and strawberry. Think Fig Newton minus the gluten. But not minus the flavor. In fact, I think I enjoy Pamela’s version of these cookies more than I ever enjoyed Fig Newtons. No joke. Even the different flavors. But Strawberry & Fig is definitely bursting with this classic combination of fruit. Blending it with the soft cookie on the outside adds a level of savoriness to the product itself. It’s magic in every bite. I. Am. Truly. Addicted.

So…now that I’ve raved about the flavor, let’s take a look at what goes into Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. The cake-y cookie on the outside is made from a gluten-free flour blend of brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, and xanthan gum, in addition to evaporated cane sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, and lemon oil. The jam filling is made from strawberry paste, fig paste, and citric acid. These cookies are gluten-free, egg free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no corn syrup, no cholesterol, are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and are kosher certified.

As for nutrition…well…these are cookies. But I am not ashamed to eat one of these cookies. They really have fantastic stats for being a treat. A serving is 1 of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. This one cookie will provide you with 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be taking in 25 mg sodium, 11 grams of sugar (it is a cookie…so I try not to panic!), and 18 grams of carbohydrates. Finally, you will be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. A treat that won’t fill you up, but is just enough to satisfy. You gotta love that.

Once again, beyond impressed with the standard, quality, and amazing flavor that I find in every Pamela’s item I try. The gluten-free community no longer has to fear missing out on some of their favorites or having their version taste flat and boring. With Pamela’s…that won’t happen. Flavor, quality…and just sheer awesomeness in every bite. Total win!

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne – $3.99+

I am a do-it-yourself kind of girl these days when it comes to pastas. Not so much making my own gluten-free pasta noodles (I haven’t gotten to that level yet), but I prefer to make my own pasta meals instead of buying the boxed stuff…just because I get some say into what goes into my meal. That being said, sometimes…I make exceptions to this rule.

Such an exception came to pass awhile back, when on a rare trip to Walmart, I discovered that Van’s had come out with a small line of gluten free pasta sides (or meals in my case). Seriously! I think I knew that the gluten-free pastas were around, I had just never seen them in my area out in the wild. Apparently, braving Walmart does have it’s advantages. I won’t lie…my Walmart has a rather extensive and impressive gluten-free section. So it was really no wonder I found these there. I just never go to Walmart…so it was a nice coincidence in the end.

Prior to this one, I reviewed the Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta, which I dished up to not just my roommate, but my good friend and roomie’s sister – Amanda. Now, Amanda doesn’t get exposed much to gluten-free foods…unless I subject her to them. And she loved the Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta when we enjoyed it for dinner one night. That left two other gluten-free pasta dishes in my pantry from Van’s. And last night, after a long week, I just wanted a brainless meal to prepare and enjoy. Something warm and comforting, as it was a rainy night to boot. I went to the pantry and spotted the remaining two boxes of Van’s Gluten Free Pastas: Ultimate Cheddar Penne and Rotini and Red Sauce. I had my roommate make the final decision…and knew before I even asked that she would go cheese. When I ask her anything and one items involves cheese…that is the one that will be selected. No problem though. Totally game.

Van’s Gluten Free choices have never disappointed me. Never. Never ever. That’s a lot to live up to, mind you. But Van’s puts a lot of love and care into their packaged foods. And Van’s does believe that nutritious is delicious and that’s why they make their gluten-free pastas with whole grain brown rice, delivering more than a full serving of nutrient dense whole grains. The cheese sauce over a perfectly cooked pasta…that’s love to me. Seriously. And, you can always add in some vegetables or chicken (if you eat meat…which I don’t…) in order to bulk it up. But as my roommate and I take something that serves three and split it between the two of us…it’s the perfect amount in the end.

Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne is a breeze to prepare. Seriously. Simply boil 6 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Add the pasta and allow it to return to a medium boil for about 8-9 minutes, until it is al dente. Stir occasionally though, so that it doesn’t stick to the pan. Very important. Oh…and DO NOT overcook the pasta. Rice pasta can go from perfect to mush in a moment. So keep an eye on it. Drain the pasta and give it a rinse. In the pan you cooked the pasta in, add 3 tablespoons of fat free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk) and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (I used Earth Balance), and allow it to melt together over a low heat. Then whisk in the cheddar powder until it is smooth. Then, add the pasta back into the pan and stir them together. Serve.

Oh…this was good. Think Kraft Mac & Cheese…but better. WAY better. The pasta cooked up perfectly. It didn’t take too long, but it had that right bit of al dente-ness to it. I think I just made up a word there…but go with it. The sauce though…that’s where the magic happens. No…this sauce is not vegan. Yes…it has milk in it…but by using the dairy alternatives for the butter and milk, I cut back on the dairy I was consuming. It worked. The lactose intolerance was there, but it was mild because there isn’t a lot of dairy in this little box of cheesy pasta goodness. I know, my homemade gluten-free (and dairy free) mac and cheese rocks, but when I don’t have time to do all the prep work and baking that goes into it…this is a definite contender to have on hand in my kitchen for nights where I want a big bowl of comfort food in a snap. Deliciously creamy, cheesy noodle-y goodness.

One thing that Van’s proudly states is that they use only ingredients that they are proud of. And that is definitely evident when I read over the list of ingredients they use for the Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne. These ingredients are gluten-free penne pasta (brown rice flour, white rice flour), aged cheddar cheese seasoning (cheddar cheese nonfat milk, salt, shey, sugar, buttermilk, rice flour, natural flavors, annatto extract (for color). Nothing too spooky or weird there, right? That’s right. Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne is gluten-free, kosher, egg free, contains no trans fats, and has no artificial flavors.

So, how about the nutritional value of a big bowl of gluten-free cheesy pasta noodles? Actually…not too bad. Not at all. Before it’s prepared, the with butter and milk (of your choice), a serving (with 3 per box) contains 210 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. A serving also has 5 mg cholesterol, 520 mg sodium, and 3 grams of sugar. One serving will also give you 48 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein. It will be filling, even as a side.

Once again, Vans Gluten Free has lived up to its standards and name. These little boxes of pasta are not only convenient, but easy to make and delicious too. No one would guess they were gluten free if you didn’t tell them. Yep…when I am in a pinch, these might be my go-to meals. Super impressed once again!

March 23, 2015

Product Review: Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken

Product: Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken – $6.49+

Ever since I discovered Sol Cuisine vegetarian and vegan protein products, I have been hooked. Seriously. I’ve tried falafal, burgers, and sausage from this fantastic company. One thing that really caught my attention was how Sol Cuisine focuses on organic, non-GMO Kosher, halal, wheat-free, gluten-free, nutritious and delicious ingredients that aren’t loaded with fillers and chemicals. Yes…they are actually healthy and good for you!

Now, I used to do these “faux-meat” replacements all the time when I first went vegetarian. This came to an abrupt end (for the most part) when I was diagnosed as a Celiac. Most meat-replacement products out on the market contain vital wheat gluten or wheat protein to “give it better texture” and other such excuses. Very few companies have made the leap to both vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free for their protein products.

Some have and have failed. Some have and been successful.

Sol Cuisine…has definitely been successful. This was not the first product I have tried from Sol Cuisine, and it certainly won’t be the last. That being said, this was the first of the frozen meatless chicken meals that they put out last year. I have had this in my freezer for a long while, just begging to be used. I have gone to focusing on more natural and fresh ingredients, especially since I get a CSA bin delivered to my door each week. When I leave town though…my bin gets canceled and when I return, I usually try to make the most out of what I have in my freezer, fridge, and pantry.

I returned from New York City this past Monday with very little in my fridge. I wanted to still keep it nutritious and healthy, but really was on a tight budget after the trip. So, I managed to get enough to pick up a few necessities (kale, tomatoes, and some other necessities)…and said the rest could be done through pantry/freezer picking. And that’s when I discovered (all the way in the back) the packet of Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken that I picked up at my local Whole Foods…a bit ago. I kept saying I was going to make it…then never did. No excuses this time. Tuesday after work…this is what came out of my freezer.

Sol Cuisine’s Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken incorporates an authentic recipe from Cuernavaca Mexico and brings it to your home – vegan style. I was hoping for something rich and spicy and saucy and yummy. I even served it up as it suggested on the package, but taking my gluten-free corn tortillas and rubbing them down with some oil and toasting them in the oven for some homemade tostadas. Seriously. So easy and can be done while the meal is cooking. You can get tostadas already made, but why? They don’t take much time to make…just a warm oven and a timer so you don’t burn them and remember to flip them. HA!

As I was having a busy week, trying to make up the entire day I missed with delayed flights out of NYC, I needed easy, but healthy dinners this week. And the Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken definitely fit the bill. It is so easy to prepare. Simply open the package and remove the sauce packets. Place into a bowl of hot water for about 4 minutes to thaw out.

Then, you can either cook the meatless chicken on the stovetop or in the microwave. I find these things work best on the stovetop…so that was the method I used. To cook on the stovetop, simply place the frozen strips into a lightly oiled skillet and sauté over medium heat for about 3-6 minutes. Then add the sauce and stir until heated through. SO EASY! The microwave technique is super-easy as well and just involves pouring the sauce over the strips in the bag it came in and microwaving the open bag for about 3 minutes on medium…allowing it to rest for 1 minute before serving. Stovetop worked for me and it yielded an amazing end product too. The sauced and cooked chicken was placed on my homemade tostadas over some kale and spinach and arugula. And…dinner…was served.

Now, I’ve had plenty of meat replacements since becoming a vegetarian. Since then, I’ve found a few meatless chicken products that are also gluten-free. This is one of the first times that I haven’t gotten that fake soy/tofu/weirdness that I often do with such products. Not one bit. It tasted amazing. The strips of meatless chicken had a great texture too, chewy without being too chewy or rough. It was amazing. The sauce was spicy with just enough heat that I knew my roommate could tolerate it. I was right…she said it was the perfect level of heat. Meaning…there wasn’t too much of a kick. Not, at least, to the level I like it…but it was really good. And the sauce coated the chickenless strips perfectly, without watering down everything. It was thick and rich and perfect. Pairing it with the greens and the tostada brought nutrients and a great bit of texture and crunch to the dish. I loved it! Every bite of it.

Let’s look at ingredients, shall we? The Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken Strips are made from filtered water, soy protein isolate and concentrate, okara, a vitamin and mineral blend (potassium, magnesium, rice flower, iron, B3, zinc, B12, folic acid, Copper, B1, B6, and B2), expeller pressed sunflower roil, yeast extract, tapioca starch, sea salt, and spices. The sauce is made from filtered water, tomato paste, onion, cane syrup, sunflower oil, garlic, lemon juice concentrate, sea salt, chipotle pepper, turmeric, natural flavor and spices.

As for nutrition, I loved what this offered per serving. A serving size is 1/4 of the package. One serving of strips dishes up 60 calories, 2 grams of fat, 110 mg sodium, 190 mg potassium, 2 grams of carbohydtrates, 2 grams of fiber, no sugar, and 10 grams of filling protein. The sauce dishes up 30 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 120 mg sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, no fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. So, all-in-all…AMAZING!! And it tastes amazing too!!

My roommate and I actually split the entire package between the two of us…and it was so amazing and guilt-free!!

Once again, Sol Cuisine has astounded me with its flavorful and delicious (and healthy) options for a gluten-free vegetarian. I am in love with this meal. And now I want to try the other varieties in my Whole Foods freezer…which are Ginger Lime Teriyaki Meatless Chicken and Tangy Korean BBQ Meatless Chicken. Both sound intriguing and amazing. And I’ll definitely pick up the Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken again too! SO DELICIOUS!

Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken (prepared), served over fresh greens and an oven-baked tostada

March 23, 2015

Product Review: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Dr. Praeger's Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes — Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Product: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes – $4.99+

You might be able to tell that I’m on a bit of a sweet potato kick. And who can blame me? Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses. I mean, this one food is an excellent source of B6 vitamins and potassium, but in addition to that, you will be provided with over 400% of your daily needs for Vitamin A and 37% Vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, which has been shown to reduce risk of developing certain types of cancer, offers protection against asthma and heart disease as well. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite plant powerhouses when it comes to foods I consume often.

While I love to incorporate baked sweet potatoes into recipes or stuff them with healthy avocado and some onion and eat them fresh out of the oven…I recently found my stash of frozen sweet potato pancakes in my freezer. I knew they were there, I just made no effort to actually pull them out to eat. Go figure. But with a lack of fresh produce coming in from my bin these last couple of weeks, I have been doing some slimming down on what I have in my pantry and my fridge and freezer. Last week, I ate a different variety of sweet potato pancakes, more like the familiar pancakes I would settle in to at breakfast.

And that’s one of the first things I noticed about the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes from Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods. They look more like hash browns than your breakfast pancakes. Which, is fine by me, for sure. While I liked the Julian’s Recipe version, I found that they tasted a bit…odd. But that wasn’t the case with the ones from Dr. Praeger’s.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods began in 1994, when a New Jersey cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Peter Praeger, and his medical partner, Dr. Eric Somberg, helped keep a family business alive by purchasing Ungar’s Gefilte Fish, a popular kosher food company within the Jewish community. The two doctors set out on a mission – to introduce people to nutritious food that actually tasted great. They opted to keep the Ungar’s brand, but also developed Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods to include all natural and convenient (and wow…they are convenient!) frozen products that could appeal and draw in a wider consumer based. This family owned and operated company has grown into a leader in the all-natural, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher frozen food categories, with products ranging from veggie burgers to home-style veggie cakes, to breaded fish items, and veggie-packed goodies for children too in their “Kid’s Littles” line, and many more options. The Dr. Praeger’s items are found in the frozen or ethnic foods section of most retailers, but certainly in most natural food stores.

I’m quite familiar with the Dr. Praeger’s brand. In fact, I have enjoyed some of the Kid’s Littles (hey…I’m a kid at heart!) and have tried the veggie burgers as well…and have loved everything I have tried. But, I won’t lie…I was beyond intrigued by the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes when I spotted them at Whole Foods awhile back. This morning, as I was packing like a wild woman to head out to New York City for some birthday shenanigans with my roommate (her birthday is tomorrow), as well as a possible race (depending on my hip), I needed something that would be filling, yet easy to prepare. I hit up my pantry, but all the mixes just seemed time consuming. My freezer was next, and the final bit of breakfast-like food (hey…pancakes are pancakes…even if they are savory!) caught my attention when I spotted the white box for Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. SCORE!

I pulled out four of the individually wrapped pancakes (think of a large hash brown, and you get the basic size and thickness of these pancakes) and placed them on a baking sheet. I put them into an oven set at 450°F and baked them for about 5 minutes before turning them over and baking them for another 4 minutes, or until they began to brown. Simple and something that I honestly didn’t need to babysit. I just had to check in every few minutes to make sure I wasn’t burning them. That gave me some time to throw things into a suitcase…HA. Granted, I should have done that the night before…but I was busy watching Star Trek – The Original Series. Priorities.

So…first of all…these aren’t your typical pancakes that you might imagine drowning in maple syrup and devouring for breakfast. Nope. They aren’t thin and light and look like something you cooked up in a skillet that morning. Like I said…these will remind you of a hash brown. And they are hearty and thick just like hash browns too. Seriously. These are amazing. I loved these more than the previous round of sweet potato pancakes (savory and more of the breakfast pancake type) that I had last week. These are actually perfect for a healthy snack, a light meal, or a side dish. Honestly. But mine…mine were going to be breakfast for my roommate and I. And after I had them baked up, I served them up with some marshmallow fluff (which I toasted with my kitchen torch) and some roasted almonds on top. I served them up and settled in for breakfast before finishing up my packing that morning.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes are AMAZING. Hearty and healthy is one thing, but these also tasted amazing. These are made from real food and real ingredients, so nothing tasted off or weird when I dove into these. I sort of wish I cooked them up with some scrambled eggs and topped them off with a bit of ketchup, but I still have two more pancakes in order to do that with. So it’s all good. These have great sweet potato flavor and tasted really good the way I dressed them up. But when I sampled a piece on its own, that amazing sweet potato flavor just came through. And that was what I wanted. Honest. Real. Healthy. Food. A sophisticated hash brown masquerading as a pancake. I LOVE IT! And I loved these. I sort of want to stock my freezer with them for future use. Seriously. If you want an easy and go-to option for your clean eating diet. THIS…would be my suggestion.

Let’s discuss ingredients. Real ingredients and real food is what you’ll find in Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. These delightful disks of goodness are made from sweet potatoes, egg whites, potato flakes, expeller pressed canola oil, brown sugar, arrowroot, and salt. That’s it. Amazing. Clean eating in your freezer! These potato pancakes are gluten-free, kosher, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, and free from saturated fat and trans fats.

As far as nutrition goes…these are little pancakes of power. The nutrition stats on the Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes wowed me and they will wow you too. A serving is 1 pancake, but my roommate and I each had 2 this round as it was breakfast. One pancake will serve you up 80 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. One sweet potato pancake will also give you 120 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. One serving also provides you with 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so filling without being too filling. Double it to two pancakes, and you’ll be full until lunch time. Trust me. I know I am.

I was completely impressed with and blown away by Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. I’m not kidding when I saw these will find their way back into my freezer. Honestly, they were beyond what I anticipated and totally captured my attention and the attention of my taste buds. Delicious. Healthy. And amazing. You can’t beat that. If you haven’t tried them…do it now. Next time…ketchup!

March 10, 2015

Product Review: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice

Product: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice – $2.49+

There are quite a few brands and companies out there that I entrust my gluten-free lifestyle to. These are the ones that I can find on a regular basis…the few, the proud, the ones carried in most, if not every, grocery store or department store with a food section. One such brand is Hodgson Mill…who has brought quite a few different products to the gluten-free folks that make up a good percentage of the population these days, whether for medical or dietary reasons.

We all have to have these go-to brands that we can hit up in a pinch. So, when I find new products by such brands, I don’t really hesitate to purchase them. They go into my shopping basket (if the budget allows) and then into my pantry. That’s the circle of my gluten-free foodie life.

While at Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, awhile back, I stumbled across a couple of packets of Hodgson Mill products that I hadn’t seen around my area. These were for their new Quinoa & Brown Rice sides, which come in five flavors: Lemon Pepper, Garlic & Herb, Italian, Mediterranean, and Spicy. I normally would have immediately lunged for the Spicy version, but as this is something I’d be sharing with my roommate (who is a self-professed spice wimp), I opted for something else. As she is a connoisseur of all things lemony…the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice Side seemed like a win to me.

And so…it came home…and sat in my pantry. Until tonight. Because of having no CSA bin delivery for the past two (going on three) weeks, I’ve been trying to make due mostly with what I have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. As these next couple nights are going to include me packing for my upcoming trip to NYC, for my roomie’s birthday, some Broadway shows, and the NYC Half Marathon, I needed foods that wouldn’t demand too much of my time, but still be healthy and filling.

Instead of reheating some of the risotto I made last weekend, I decided to save that for tomorrow and plucked the package of Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa and Brown Rice out of the pantry. Instead of serving it as a side, we’d simply split the entire package and have it as a meal. We do that a lot with sides. I mean…why not? If it has the nutritional value to double as a meal for two people…might as well go for it.

So, after a long, frustrating, and tiring day at the office…I came home and immediately put 1-3/4 cup of water onto the stove to bring to a boil. I emptied the contents of the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice packet into the boiling water, covered it, and lowered the heat to allow it to simmer and continue to cook…which took about 15 more minutes. Once the water was absorbed, it was done. I took the pan off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. While all this was cooking, I was able to put together everything I needed for lunches and snacks for both my roomie and I, which freed up some additional time for me later on. Love that. When the five minutes ticked past, I fluffed the mixture with a fork and served it up between the two of us. We settled in for dinner.

I want to say, this mix cooks up to the perfect texture. The quinoa and brown rice are a perfect match for each other, making a filling, and satisfying dish (whether a meal or as a side). However, that being said, the seasoning was definitely lacking. In fact, my roomie and I actually had to add some salt (which we never do) and even gave it a hit of berbere. Because, hey, why not? But, once we had everything properly seasoned, this was really delicious. I think Hodgson Mill took extra precaution not to overwhelm the mix with the lemon and pepper flavor, but that’s really what I want when I purchase something that boasts a lemon pepper flavor. So, while the taste was a little bland, this was a really great dish. Easy to prepare…just season it when all is said and done.

As far as ingredients go, the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice side is made from organic whole grain prewashed quinoa, whole grain parboiled long grain brown rice, organic garlic, organic onion, organic herbs, organic carrot, organic black pepper, organic bell pepper, organic tomato, organic red pepper, organic spices, organic orange peel, organic lemon peel, and citric acid (contains mustard). This blend is gluten-free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, all natural, and kosher.

Nutrition-wise…this isn’t a bad choice to serve as a side or as a main dish. There are 3.5 servings per pouch, with one serving being 1/4 cup. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 45 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. You gotta love that. One serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. God bless quinoa!

If you are looking for a healthy side or a hearty dinner without breaking the bank and without having to spend a long time in the kitchen, Hodgson Mill has you covered. Just make sure you check the seasoning when you finish cooking these up. You’ll also get a nice protein kick from the quinoa…and the brown rice is a great addition to add a bit of bulk and body to the dish. Lacking the lemon…that’s my only complaint. Otherwise…a nice product!

March 10, 2015

Product Review: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Qrunch Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables — Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Product: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables – $3.99+

Ah…back to one of my favorite things to talk about.

No. Not food. Although I do like to talk about food.

Nope. What I’m about to introduce you to is yet another way that being Celiac/gluten-free doesn’t have to detract from what options are out there for breakfast. Aside from the natural gluten-free goodness of real foods, such as eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits…there are a plethora of gluten-free breakfast mixes that can help you bake up pancakes, muffins, and scones. There are frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast sticks, bagels, muffins, cinnamon rolls…the list is endless.

But what really caught my eye a couple of months ago when I randomly dropped into my local Meijer was a new product from a company that I trusted. The company being Qrunch Foods. The product – something they call Toastables.

Qrunch Foods set out with a mission, and have since worked hard to carry it out – to create great-tasting, gluten free foods.

Those of us who have made our way through the gluten-free foods out on the market know that gluten-free foods have come a long way. No longer do you need to fear something tasting like cardboard or wood pulp (although…there are instances this still holds true). But finding something that stops you in your tracks and makes you go, “Damn…I’d never guess this was gluten free!” is a rare find at times.

Qrunch Foods came out with their line of Toastables back in 2013. Prior to this, you might have seen and tried (and loved, like me!) their gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian Qrunch Burgers. LOVE me those Qrunch Burgers. So, that’s why I didn’t hesitate to pick up one of the two varieties (of four!) of the Qrunch Foods Toastables from my grocery store. A trusted brand can speak volumes.

My choice: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are made from ancient whole grains (organic quinoa, organic amaranth, and organic millet) which provides a unique and filling breakfast. They are, as always, 100% natural and 100% gluten-free. The idea behind the Toastables is that they are lightly sweetened and go great with any sort of breakfast topping you might enjoy…from syrup to honey to nut butters to jellies to cream cheese. Whatever floats your breakfast boat. They look like a mix between a cereal-coated French Toast stick and a hash brown. I’m okay with this. And making them is easy too.

Simply pop these into your toaster for a couple of cycles and they are ready to eat. I was eating these after going to the gym and heading into the office. This meant that I didn’t have a gluten-free toaster to use. Other options include cooking over medium-high heat in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per side…except I didn’t have a stovetop. Luckily, my office does have a taster oven, so I baked these for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees until they were nice and warm throughout. I served these up with a little bit of maple syrup. Yummy.

I bet you’re wondering how they taste. Well, they were nothing like I anticipated. I loved the crunchy outer shell that I got from baking it (and you would too if you baked, used the skillet, or toasted it in the toaster). If you microwave it, you will lose that aspect of the Toastable itself. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastable had a grittiness to it, which comes from the various grains that are used to comprise it. I’m on the fence on whether I liked that aspect or not. It tasted a little dry…but the maple syrup I topped it off with helped with that. The flavor was subtle, but I could definitely catch hints of the cinnamon and vanilla that were incorporated into the Toastable. It was a quick bite, but quite filling. Sort of like a dry, crunchy French toast or waffle…which isn’t a bad thing. I just sort of expected a little more tenderness on the inside. Although, overall, not bad. Not bad at all. Thank goodness for maple syrup!

Let’s discuss ingredients. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables are made from water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic refined coconut oil, organic arrowroot starch, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, organic vanilla extract, sea salt, organic cinnamon, and organic non-GMO canola oil. They are not only made with ancient whole grains, but also 100% gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and corn-free.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving is 1 of the Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables. There are four Toastables in each box. This one serving will give you 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. This will also give you 135 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. These are cholesterol free and free of trans fat. You will also be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So don’t let the size of them make you think they won’t fill you up. These will hold you for the morning.

So, not an astounding find, but one that does make for a different and tasty breakfast for sure. It’s easy to prepare…just takes a little time if you are toasting it up in the toaster oven or toaster, but as long as you aren’t famished, that’s not a problem at all.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are available in four flavors: Cinnamon-Vanilla, Blueberry-Lemon, Rich Maple and Original. Look for them in your grocery store freezer.

Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables (toasted)

March 9, 2015

Product Review: Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with Quinoa

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with Quinoa – $2.99+

One of the healthiest and best diets out there these days is the Mediterranean diet. There is little question as to why. Largely plant-based and focused on seafood and lean proteins, the Mediterranean diet offers a whole lot of health benefits without giving up delicious tasting foods.

But I am no Greek and the Mediterranean diet seems almost Greek to me when it comes to figuring out foods to prepare and the best way to do it. That being said…thankfully there are shortcuts out there. One such shortcut is to pick up a box of Nature’s Earthly Choice falafel varieties. I have previously tried some quinoa products from Nature’s Eartlhy Choice, so trying out falafel (which I love and ate a whole hell of a lot of before going gluten-free) seemed like the next step. I purchased a box of Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel from The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio…quite a bit ago. This once again fell prey to my use of my fresh produce rather than processed and packaged goods…which is not a bad thing. But this past week and this week ahead, I have no CSA bin for my fresh produce, and trying to keep the budget in check, I am using up foods that I have in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. Out with the old…and hopefully not replacing the highly processed foods with more in the future.

That being said, Nature’s Earthly Choice is not a bad option when it comes to foods that come packaged. In fact, Nature’s Earthly Choice was created in 2005 and founded on the principles of creating healthy products. Originally, this company launched products that were made of quinoa (for the gluten-free), farro and wheat berries, with the expectation of living up to their mission to provide healthy and wholesome products to the public and consumers. Since then, they have added wild rice, chia, hemp, basmati rice, a continent grain blend, and other grains to their list of products, continuing to maintain the healthy aspect of their foods and expand their line to allow for new and delicious items. Their products are easy to prepare and hassle free as far as cooking. No matter the dietary needs (they offer products that are gluten-free, rich in omega 3’s, high in protein, offering alternative grains), Nature’s Earthly Choice is passionate about the products they create and are committed to delivering the best tasting and highest quality products to support everyone’s unique healthy lifestyle.

So with my past love of falafel, I decided finding a mix for a gluten-free falafel, a flavered one at that, would be something worth checking out. It takes time for me to get around to these things at times…but I do get there. And tonight, after yesterday’s long ride home from Birmingham, Alabama, and my upcoming trip on Thursday to New York City…I needed something easy and something delicious to cook up for dinner. This week was going to be a short, but busy one. My meals needed to fit into my time…I didn’t have time to linger in the kitchen over a hot stove, babysitting something that needed constant stirring and such.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel was so easy for me to make after a long day of physical therapy appointments and work. Seriously. I came home, poured the mix into a bowl, mixed it with 3/4 cup water and let it sit for 10 minutes. After it has sit (make sure not to let it sit too long), I formed it into 10 patties and set it in a skillet with 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Giving each patty a chance to cook for about 4 minutes on each side, letting it brown up evenly and beautifully and get crispy on the outside. I served mine with lemon hummus…because I had it in my fridge, believe it or not.

As for how it tasted…well…I’m ambivalent. On its own, I wasn’t impressed. It was bland and a little…dry(?), I suppose. There was a small hint of garlic flavor, but nothing that really stood out. Now, when I paired the Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with the lemon hummus…magic. It worked. The hummus brought it out. True falafel…nope. Nowhere near it. A passing acquaintance…definitely. Would I purchase it again…eh…probably not. It wasn’t bad…it just didn’t blow me away. It didn’t make me reminisce about the days of falafel from the nearby Mediterranean restaurant. It just made me long for those days all over again. It just wasn’t everything I hoped it would be.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel is made from fava beans, chickpeas, quinoa, potato starch, garlic powder, spices, onion powder, and salt. This mix is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and dairy-free. There is also an option for baking the falafel, but I always find a pan fry seems to work best on such products.

A serving of Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel is 1/4 cup dry mix, or about 2.5 small falafel patties. As I was making a dinner out of this, my roommate and I split the entire box, making 5 falafel patties for each of us. One serving, however, would give you 150 calories and 1 gram of fat. A serving will also provide you with 150 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. One serving will give you 8 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein, making this a very filling and long-lasting meal choice. You won’t be hungry immediately following your meal. Trust me.

While this ended up being quite a filling meal, the lack of taste and proper texture just sort of left me half empty. When paired with a dipping sauce or spread…this was amazing. But on it’s own, there was nothing that stood out or made me wish I had more boxes of this in my pantry. Decent…but not a favorite.

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage

So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Beverage — So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage – $9.99+ (4 pack)

Dairy-free (and gluten-free) coffee lovers…REJOICE!! So Delicious has done it again. No surprise…because they are awesome. Now…this is not new news to any of my fellow So Delicious and coffee lovers…but back in mid-2014, So Delicious Dairy Free put out a small line of shelf-stable coconut milk coffee beverages that are intended to be chilled and then enjoyed by the vegan and lactose intolerant (and even those dairy-lovers) alike.

And, my friends over at So Delicious were kind enough to send me a 4 pack of one of these new coffee beverages! I. LOVE. THEM.

Anyone who sends me a dairy-free coffee beverages (especially a latte) WINS in my book. So…even more love to So Delicious!

With every intention of devouring them around the time I got them…life happened. And when life happens, the best laid plans often don’t happen. So, this amazing pack of four sat in my pantry…and sat…and I’d think, “I’m traveling this weekend, I need to bring those…” And then I didn’t.

BUT NO MORE!

For the first time in forever, I took steps to remember to bring these little gems on the road with me, by setting them aside with other items I knew I needed to pack up for the journey from Indiana down to Birmingham, Alabama to visit my family. They made the trip with me (finally) and I put them in my parent’s fridge that evening so they could chill, and the four ladies who were venturing out that morning for some shopping could have a caffeine hit before facing that challenge.

The plan worked like a charm. That morning, after a good breakfast, my mom, my sister, my roommate and I each grabbed one of the So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverages from the fridge, gave them a shake to mix, and were on our way.

I was the first to crack mine open.

I was the first to down a bit of it.

I was the first to say, “Holy crap, that’s amazing! So good!”

I should have said, “So delicious!” HAHAHA! (Oh, the ways I amuse myself).

So, here is the lowdown. I have grown to love coffee ever since I was a Starbucks barista. When I started at Starbucks, I hated coffee. Everything about it. But suddenly…I it was my world. I smelled it. People asked my opinion on it. So…slowly…I grew more accustomed to it. First…the frou-frou blended drinks…then the mochas…then the lattes…then coffee. Now, I brew a cup for myself at home…no cream…no sugar. It took YEARS to get there…but that’s where I am. But when I’m away from home…café au laits and lattes are all that I want from the local and chain shops I find along the way.

The So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage has that pure coffee goodness that people who drink lattes want. You drink mochas if you don’t like the taste of coffee…you drink lattes if you do. I was, actually, the first in the car to polish mine off (my mom was done first, but I really don’t think she drank hers…just sayin’) because it was just that good. This bit of coconut milk based coffee goodness is not too sweet and not too overwhelming on the coffee flavor. My sister loved hers as well. My roommate said that it was alright, but she’s not a fan of cold coffee (which she says…then orders cold coffee at times…so…yeah…). It was convenient to have, amazing to try, and delicious in the end. Totally would buy these and stock my pantry with them for those busy mornings where I just don’t have time to wait on my coffee to brew. Super tasty!

Now, let’s talk ingredients. The So Delicious Dairy Free Cococcino Latte Chilled Coconut Milk Coffee Beverage is made from organic fair trade coffee, organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, organic vanilla extract, natural flavor, sea salt, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, organic guar gum, xanthan gum, and monk fruit extract. True…there are some…not-so-natural sounding ingredients making these not-so-much a clean eating staple…but definitely a splurge every now and again. These coffee beverages of coconut milk awesomesauce are always certified dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

And now…nutrition. Hang onto your knickers, friends. Because these 11 ounces will fill you up with fewer calories than anything you could get at Starbucks that even remotely resembled this. A full serving is one single-serve (11 ounce) container. This serving will give you 130 calories and 4 grams of fat. This serving also provides 150 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. That…is high, I know. This drink is cholesterol free. And, finally, you’ll be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Like I said…coffee lovers rejoice. You don’t have to be gluten-free or dairy-free to love these little boxes of coffee goodness. You just have to be someone who loves coffee and a little variety. As for me…I’m definitely smitten.