Review – Page 21 – The Celiathlete

February 4, 2015

Product Review: Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies

Product: Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies – $7.49

Oh, my Cuisine Cube had me pegged this past holiday season. Really. Because, everyone pretty much knows that I am a cookie monster. There is nothing better or more satisfying than the perfect cookie. And it has to be absolutely perfect. Crispy…or chewy…chocolatey…or maybe nutty…yeah…cookies are the way to my heart.

Always have been. My mom was known for her homemade cookies when I was growing up. Somehow, the entire neighborhood knew when she was baking. And all the kids would end up at our house and eat them fresh out of the oven.

My love of cookies goes way, way back.

So, yes, I was more than elated when my December 2014 (the HOLIDAY CUBE!) arrived in the mail. It had quite the variety inside. But this was one of those cubes that contained a bonus item. An extra dessert. And since I live and breathe dessert, this was a very happy and welcome bonus! Cuisine Cube is a surprise each month. All I know is that each cube will contain some gluten-free product good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert. December actually had a gluten-free all-purpose flour for “baking.” So, double dessert, and something that doubled as a lunch/snack. Variety is key and they sure do know how to keep me coming back each month for the new selections. Subscribing to Cuisine Cube is easy and starts out as low as $29.99. Not bad for a monthly delivery of gluten-free yummies that comes right to your door for you to devour as soon or as late as you want. If you haven’t signed up for this service yet…just try it for a month. Trust me.

The cookies that were waiting for me inside December Cube were Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies. Aleia’s is devoted to producing superior, hand-crafted, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher products. These products range from cookies to bread crumbs to stuffing to croutons. The company is devoted to provide healthy, delicious options for people who are living a gluten-free lifestyle. The bakery where their products are crafted and packaged is a dedicated gluten-free bakery.

Aleia’s is actually one of the first and finest producers of gluten-free, non-GMO products out on the market. This stemmed from the founder’s (a culinary trained chef) own gluten intolerance and her desire to eat great tasting, handmade goods. Gluten-free doesn’t mean it has to be tasteless cardboard, right? The Aleia’s line includes ten artisan cookies, bread crumbs, panko, croutons, stuffing mixes, and breads.

So, tonight, with the cold weather happening outside, I was reaching for something that wasn’t frozen. Because, despite liking things like ice cream any time of the year…tonight I was feeling…cookies! Save the ice cream for this weekend’s beautiful weather. That’s my plan anyway. So, after an amazing dinner of gluten-free pumpkin gnocchi…I reached into my pantry and retrieved the package of Aleia’s Gluten-Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies, which I had tucked away in there when I was putting away my December Cuisine Cube products. Today was the day for this product to shine. I popped open the packaging, tore into the plastic bag and retrieved two cookies (one for me and one for the roomie!).

A simple and easy dessert, yes? That’s how I like it.

The Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies are about the size of the rim of a juice glass. They are crispy vanilla cookies that are coated with sugar. I took my first bite and immediately tasted the vanilla. The flavor reminded me of something, but I still can’t quite put my finger on what. That being said…they were a delightful, sweet, and crunchy treat after dinner. I told my roomie that I sort of wanted to get down some Smudge (that is nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free Nutella) and spread it across the back of the cookie just to sweeten the deal a little. HA! While sugar cookies have never been my favorite cookie, these were quite tasty. They weren’t hard, but had a good crunch to them. And the sugar coating the outside gave it a little extra zip. Yeah…these definitely made this cookie monster happy!

Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies are made from pure cane sugar, tapioca flour, whole grain sorghum flour, butter, eggs, pure vanilla extract, vanilla beans, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. That’s it! And being that the first ingredient is sugar…remember…these are not just cookies…they are sugar cookies.

How about that nutritional information, right? One serving of Aleia’s Gluten Free Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies is one cookie. This one cookie will deliver 80 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 10 mg cholesterol, 60 mg sodium, and 6 grams of sugar. Yep…only 6 grams in a sugar cookie. A serving also gives you no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. But they are cookies. A treat. Love it.

As I have no store in my area that carries Aleia’s Gluten Free products, I am beyond thrilled that Cuisine Cube was able to introduce me to this brand. I am impressed enough to seek out more. Especially since I see they have Gluten Free Snickerdoodles. And we all know that Snickerdoodles are this cookie monster’s all-time favorite cookie. They definitely must be tried. Thank you, Cuisine Cube and Aleia’s…for your commitment to great products!

February 3, 2015

Product Review: Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers

Product: Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers – $2.99+

I am not going to lie…there are times that I miss certain types of candy in my life. Because, I grew up on some of these famous chocolate bars…enjoyed them as a child into adulthood. Not on a regular basis, mind you, but every now and again, it was nice to indulge a little on…a Kit-Kat Bar. Seriously…Kit Kat Bars were an all-time favorite of mine. You’d think it would be Reese’s with how peanut butter crazy I am, but I would take a Kit-Kat over a peanut butter cup any day. My sister…the exact opposite. But there was just something so addicting about that chocolate coating over that crispy wafer. The sweet meets sweet. The texture, flaky…yet creamy. It was heaven in candy bar form.

I won’t like…to this day I get sad when have to bypass those little Kit-Kat Bars at the grocery store or department stores. Not that I need them…I don’t. And it’s not that I even want them (though, I kind of do!). It’s just that I physically can’t have them anymore.

Enter…what I deemed would be my crave stopper.

I was coming home from seeing The Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Dayton, Ohio…passing right through Cincinnati. And Cincinnati is the home of the most epic grocery store (aka: Foodie Heaven) in the world – Jungle Jim’s. And yes…whenever possible and whenever I have the time while traveling through…I make a point to stop in. They have a rather large gluten-free section (yes…mostly processed foods, but I don’t overindulge in these regularly…so every now and again, I pick something new up to try!)…so I try to find one or five (HA!) products that I’m curious about and haven’t seen anywhere else. On this last trip, I actually behaved myself. With the holiday season in full swing at the time, I was on a very tight budget.

But one inexpensive little treat did catch my eye…and it was because it looked all the world to be a gluten-free Kit-Kat Bar.

YES!! You better believe I shelled out the $3.00 to give this a try. But, I waited…and saved it while I worked through some items I had around longer. But tonight…tonight was the magic night. Dessert…half of the candy bar. Half of what I called a gluten-free Kit-Kat Bar. My only hope was that it lived up to everything I was making it out to be in my head.

One pack of Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers

So, the candy itself is called Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers. Not as catchy as Kit-Kat…but copyrights and all…*wink*. But, just from the image on the box…it looked all the world like my favorite candy bar growing up. I was overjoyed.

The Helwa Company has been family owned and operated since 1953, where Helwa Wafelbakkerij, located in the Netherlands, committed itself and its business to making premium quality cream-filled wafer biscuits. Since then, they have branched out from their traditional crispy, cream filled wafers to release products that are organic, gluten-free, sugar free and all natural. Not only that, they focus on using ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors.

The Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers…

…are LOVE!! They aren’t Kit-Kat’s…but they sure as hell come close. The wafer inside these are lighter and not as crispy as I remember Kit-Kat being (granted, it’s been 3 years since I’ve eaten one…and I’ve honestly forgotten how things taste at times). That being said, I loved the hit of sweetness with the light crispy wafer inside. It was very reminiscent of one of my favorite candy treats…and I devoured these…to the max! SO delicious!!

So, let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Helwa Enjoy Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers are made from milk chocolate 80%, palm oil, sugar, rice flour, potato starch, teff flour, soy flour, skimmed cocoa powder, soy lecithin, coconut oil, free range egg yolk, salt, and sodium bicarbonate. These chocolate coated wafers are suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free and wheat-free.

As far as nutrition goes, I’m not going to lie…for being a candy bar, these aren’t bad statistics at all. The serving size is one pack- there are three in the wrapper – which…is like eating a standard Kit-Kat bar. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 8 grams of fat. These are cholesterol free, but do contain 10 grams of sugar, which, for a candy bar isn’t awful. Not in the slightest. This serving will also dish up 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. It’s candy. It’s sugar. You won’t stay full for long. Trust me.

But…damn…is it ever good!! I don’t eat candy all that often, but when I do, I’m proud of indulgences like that. I can’t remember the last time I got to eat my favorite candy from my childhood and young adult life…but this came so close…it almost brought me to tears. Good things come in little packages!

February 2, 2015

Product Review: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix

Product: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix – $7.95+

It’s time for another rewind as I work my way through my pantry these days. Hard to believe that I’m just now polishing off the very last of the first Cuisine Cube I ever received. But…it’s true. I am. I tend to overlook mixes when I get them because…well…I get distracted by using up the fresh produce that I receive in my CSA bin. And, sometimes…mixes and my pantry become BFFs for awhile. Until, one day, I’m looking for something and see a mix and go…”Oh…I forgot I had that.”

For the past couple of weeks, I have had every intention of using up the last product from the May 2014 (the Cuisine Cube that started it all!) cube. Really. I even took it to a weekend getaway with me, having every intention of baking it up with my friend. But, we had other menu plans and this returned home with me. I kept telling my roomie…”I need to use this mix…this weekend…” And it never happened. I had originally thought to turn it into a pizza crust, but that was going to involve yeast and time that I didn’t have…so I decided to just bake up the recipe on the back of the bag…for the Zema’s Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia.

So…first let me give you a recap of Cuisine Cube and the services that they offer. Cuisine Cube is this great subscription service that will deliver, right to your door, a cube of happiness and goodness, each month. Subscriptions are affordable and definitely worth it. In fact, depending on the service you choose, a subscription to Cuisine Cube can run you as little as $29.99 a month. What a deal, eh? And, for this low rate, you will receive 5-6 products from small and lesser-known artisan companies that offer gluten-free products. It is a great way to cut out the highly processed gluten-free stuff you can find in nearly every grocery store this time. You receive a product that will cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, dessert…and sometimes…a bonus! Seriously…it is fantastic. And I love trying out brands and products I never would have known about before…or even thought about taking a chance and trying, should it be available in my area. And most of these items…are not.

So…yesterday…it was the magic day. I was already cooking up a vegan (yes…you read that right!) shrimp and grits for dinner and as I was about to get started on that, I remembered…”OH…I still have that focaccia bread mix!” To which my roommate said, “Well, make it up and we’ll have some with dinner.” Smart lady, my roommate. So…as I knew that a pizza version and some other recipes (which they have online) involved yeast and rise time…I opted to do the package recipe. And this product was none other than Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix.

Zemas Madhouse Foods is committed to manufacturing gluten-free, ancient grain baking mixes that help support a clean eating lifestyle through the use of minimally processed ingredients that can be safely incorporated into diets that are limited, allergy-free and diabetic. They are committed to keeping their products free of dairy, soy, rice, yeast, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, additives, trans fats, preservatives, and refined sugar. I loved what I was reading already. So, the challenge was going to come with the baking and the tasting. Would it live up to the hype?

Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix (prepared)

The recipe was easy and I had all the ingredients necessary to prepare it. Save for a rimmed cookie sheet. So, instead I baked mine into a pie pan. I figured, if anything, it might just require a bit more cooking time. So, I first combined the wet ingredients: egg whites, water, agave nectar, and apple cider vinegar. After that was all mixed together, I poured in the mix and whisked it together some more. Then, it all went into my round cake pan, which I lined with parchment paper. I topped it off with slices of grape tomatoes and then some dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Then, just a hit of Himalayan salt. Drizzled it with olive oil and…into my oven it went for about 45 minutes. And…the entire time it was baking it smelled AMAZING! When baking time was up, I tested it to make sure it baked through (I was using a smaller baking vessel, so it would be thicker than if I had baked it on a cookie sheet (Note to self: Purchase rimmed cookie sheet!)…and it was. So, it sat to cool slightly while I made the rest of dinner. Once dinner was prepared, I sliced a wedge of the Zemas Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia…and sat down to a hearty dinner.

As I mentioned above…making focaccia bread with Zema’s Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix really made my apartment smell fantastic. My roommate even said, “If that tastes half as good as it smells…” So, I dished up her vegan shrimp and grits first and gave her a side of the Tomato Herb Focaccia and as I went to prepare my plate, I heard her say, “The bread is good…but a little dry.” Focaccia isn’t supposed to be dry…rather have a great outer crust and a chewy inside. So, as I settled down to eat my own dinner, I went for the bread first.

Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia Bread (baked)

Zemas Madhouse Foods baked up a really great looking loaf of focaccia bread. No kidding. It had that golden outer layer, and when I sliced into it…it was a bit softer. However, unlike most focaccia’s that get it’s chewy inside from little pockets of air that get there from kneading and/or beating, this definitely had a more cake-like texture to it. Much denser. No air pockets. I took a bite…and my roomie was right, the Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia, baked form the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix definitely did taste a little dry. Maybe not dry…but heavy and dense. Which was a bit of a letdown. That being said, the flavor…OH MY GOD…the flavor was amazing. When I eat a slice tonight with dinner, I’m going to serve it with some olive oil and herbs de Provence. I think having something like that or a marinara to accompany the bread will only enhance the flavor and maybe take away from the dense nature of the inside breading. I loved the mix, however, especially with the herbs baked right on top. Just fantastic eating. I just wish it had baked up differently. And, perhaps, it was baking it in a cake pan that messed with the end product…but it wasn’t enough for me to ditch the entire loaf and cut my losses. Not at all. Amazing flavor can make up for a multitude of sins, for sure.

So, let’s talk about what ingredients go into the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Mix. This mix is composed of sorghum flour, millet flour, organic flax seed meal, potato starch, tapioca starch, hemp seeds, and contains less than 2% of the following: aluminum free baking powder, organic quinoa, chia seeds, organic rosemary, xanthan gum, and sea salt. This mix is free of trans fats, cholesterol, sugar, and saturated fat.

As for the nutritional information, for the mix itself (not made up into a focaccia bread of pizza dough), the facts are that a serving is about 1-2/3 tablespoon of the dry mix (or about 13 grams). This serving will give you 45 calories and only 1 gram of fat. From this serving, you will be taking in 55 mg sodium and 0 sugars. You will also be consuming only 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. If you were to make the Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia as I did, with the ingredients I listed above, your nutritional information alters slightly. I made it so that the bread would make 16 servings (16 small wedges), which would provide 78 calories per serving and only 3 grams of fat. A wedge would also give you 134 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar (from the tomatoes!). And, finally, one serving provides 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, meaning it’s not a very filling serving, but you won’t be starving either. Definitely pair this with a meal.

I love the idea and mission that Zemas Madhouse Foods has set into place for their business and their foods. And while I was underwhelmed by the texture of the focaccia I baked up from the Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix…it really hit a high note when it came to flavor. I loved the different spices and seasonings and how I could taste all of them. I think I even have another product (that I found when I was out of town) that is part of Zemas product lineup, so I am eager to try it and see how it comes out.

If you’re looking for a healthier way to eat, despite your dietary restrictions, I definitely recommend not only Cuisine Cube, but also products from Zemas Madhouse Foods. I think the texture was more in part of how I baked it and now want to try to do it the way it was intended. That being said, I can’t wait to see how more of Zemas products fair in my kitchen. Thank you Cuisine Cube…for introducing me to this amazing, and forward-thinking gluten-free company that is trying to help us live a healthier and more nutritious life.

A slice of Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia

January 31, 2015

Product Review: SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter

Product: SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter – $5.00+

I am an athlete. I’m also a vegetarian. And this means that I often search for foods that are nutrient dense and provide a good hit of protein, healthy fats, and energy. One of my favorite go-to foods has always been peanut butter. I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to peanut butter. And, thankfully, I do not have a food allergy to nuts. Whew. I grew up eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or fluffernutters. I put peanut butter on celery sticks with raisins. I eat peanut butter pancakes. I love, love, love peanut butter. In fact, I have my own jar which, when I am feeling down, I often raid with a spoon and try to not eat the whole thing in one sitting. It’s happened. It is my favorite comfort food. In texture, taste (sweet and salty)…I have never met a peanut butter that I don’t like.

And, a couple years ago, I went to the good stuff. Yes…peanut butter that is made strictly from nuts. No added sugars, oils, or anything. Yes, this does mean I have to stir the jar when I open it…but then I just flip it upside down and store it in the refrigerator. It’s a great arm workout to say the least and worth it when I churn out gorgeous, creamy peanut butter at the end of it. And, it stays creamy in the fridge without getting too solid to spread. If I am going to have a go-to comfort food like peanut butter, by God, it’s going to have as few ingredients in it as humanly possible.

It just so happened that when Cuisine Cube sent out their September Cube (aka: Back To School), there was a jar of SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter included. I was elated. No…really. This is how much I love nut butters. And, while technically, this is not a nut butter…it’s the same concept. And I was just all awash with happiness because…when it comes to favorite things…nut/seed butters rank right up there in my life. When a little jar of delicious nut/seed butter arrives at my doorstep…you best believe a happy dance ensued.

For those of you new to my blog…let me briefly tell you about the amazing service that Cuisine Cube offers. Cuisine Cube is a service that was developed by foodies, bringing small and local artisan gluten free products to your house. The items we can find in the grocery store are all fine and good, but often so processed and laden with food additives and subpar ingredients. This small group of food enthusiasts set out to find better products for those of us in the gluten-free world. Based out of New York City, a food haven for sure, the ‘little guy’ products can be hard to find and might even require a trip to a specialty store. But not anymore, because these awesome and amazing brands are now being sent to you on a monthly basis, with plans starting as low as $29.99. That’s a great deal, considering you get at least 5 products (a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert) in each cube, and occasionally, you get an extra product thrown in. Seriously…if it wasn’t worth it, I wouldn’t still be doing it. I have experienced so much more from the gluten-free world due to Cuisine Cube…discovering and being introduced to brands and businesses I never would have known about otherwise.

So, when I dug into my Back To School (aka: September) Cube, I was greeted with a plethora of amazing products, that are also very good for people with kids going back to school. I have no children, but that didn’t deter me any. Nope. And, finally this week, when I opened up the Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale (Rice Cakes), I had a perfect vehicle for the SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter. Everything falls into place so nicely, doesn’t it? So, the other day, I dished out 2 tablespoons of the seed butter to take to work with me to spread onto my rice cakes…

…I knew I loved nut and seed butters…but SuperButter just took it to a whole new level. FANTASTIC!! SUPERB!! I fell in love at first taste, which might have been straight out of the jar. And it might have been followed by a few more tastings before I had to give into my willpower and put it away. This is the best seed butter I have ever tasted. And as someone with a nephew who has a nut allergy, I have tried many of the seed butter options out there. They have all been decent enough, but never this fantastic. SuperButter is packed with the best flavor and texture. I credit this to the roasted seeds that go into the making of this butter, and the creaminess that emerges. Silky and smooth. Even with the added sesame and flax seeds for the crunch factor in this variety, it was just smooth. No grittiness. Just…SuperYum! I may sneak tastes out of the jar when I duck into the kitchen. That might not be a maybe…I actually do that. SO amazing and delicious. It has been awhile since a simple product has knocked me for a loop like this, but WOW. I have heard that GNC sells this in their stores. I’m going to have to stop in and find out.

SuperButter is available in a variety of flavors, including: Crunchy Original (the one I received), Creamy Original, Creamy Vanilla Bean, and Creamy Chocolate. SuperButter is made from real, whole ingredients, as nothing artificial is permitted. Everything starts with the roasted seeds for the base, then they sweeten the deal with cane sugar, smooth it out with palm oil, and season it up with some sea salt. It doesn’t get much better than that, right? Oh…it might…

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter is made from roasted sunflower, sesame and flax Seeds, cane sugar, palm oil, and sea salt. SuperButter is high in protein, fiber and antioxidants (omega 3’s and vitamin E). They are gluten-free, trans-fat free, and cholesterol free. And, they contain less fat than regular peanut or nut butters. How do you love that? I love that…just from the aspect that I overindulge in nut butters ALL the time. If I can do it without packing on the fat that comes with it…even better.

Made from real, whole ingredients – no artificial anything is permitted. Roasted sunflower, flax and sesame seeds comprise the flavorful base, with a little cane sugar, palm oil and sea salt added for maximum deliciousness!

As for nutrition, a serving of SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter is 2 tablespoons. In this serving, you will be devouring a delicious 200 calories and 16 grams of fat. Don’t worry…this is actually the good kind of fat. Everything in moderation…right? YES! One serving will also provide 65 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. In addition, you’ll be filled up with goodness with the hearty 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein that are provided. And I absolutely love the sesame and flax seeds that are mixed in to bring that crunch factor in. SO good.

I don’t think I ever would have known that something like SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter existed if not for Cuisine Cube. Yet another reason that this is such a worthwhile and amazing subscription service. I am on the hunt for more SuperButter now locally…and if I can’t find it, I am totally hitting up their Web site to order it myself. Because, honestly, no lie…the jar is already almost empty. So much for self-control and willpower!

SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter (on a gluten-free rice cake) — SuperButter Original Crunchy Seed Butter (on Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale (rice cake)

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

Product Review: Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale

Product: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale – $3.60+

Ah…the dog days of summer. August. Welcome to the time of year where cookouts are happening, the last hikes through parks and mountains are going down, get-togethers before school kicks in again are taking place…summer is winding down and life is about to get back into that grind for many people.

I was so excited with the eclectic mix of goodies that I received in my August Cuisine Cube. And, honestly, with the exception of the turkey jerky (no offense to the company Field Trip…but I am a vegetarian. HOWEVER…the people at my office LOVED it and ate it up!), I am rounding out the August cube by using up the very last item that remained from that delivery. Hey…don’t judge…I’m a very busy girl! But…I always get around to everything eventually.

Cuisine Cube, for those of you who are just tuning in…is a fantastic delivery service that brings gluten-free products from small and artisan companies to your door. It’s an amazing service and one that I am proud to be a subscriber to. I started back in May and have loved receiving my cubes of delicious treats each month since. Each month you receive 5-6 products (always something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert…with an occasional bonus product!)…and subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, if you’re as curious as I was…go to their site…sign up…and get hooked.

The final product that was featured in my August Cuisine Cube was their “LUNCH” option…Alce Nero Rice Cakes (aka: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale). It just so happened that I ran out of gluten-free oatmeal this week and needed a lunch option. Sure, I could have hit up my grocery store…but I had things in my pantry that were just begging to be eaten. And the very first thing I reached for, ironically, for lunch today was…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes.

Now, I think I’m an anomaly in life because I actually LOVE rice cakes. I do. I grew up eating these for snacks. Not this particular brand, but my mom had rice cakes in our pantry all the time…and the three of us kids would devour them. Sure, some of them might have tasted a little like packing peanuts…but there was something about that rice flavor and the light hit of salt that just made it…delicious. And my opinion of rice cakes hasn’t changed. It’s one of my favorite snacks to eat…even today. So, I wasn’t at all disappointed to be packing up rice cakes for my lunch. I was actually very excited. I paired it with a product from the September Cuisine Cube (Superbutter Nut Free Seed Butter…in case you were wondering) to make it a little more filling and a bit more of a meal.

At lunch today…I was definitely in for a treat. If you, like me, love rice cakes…then these are definitely for you. These rice cakes were imported from the birth of the rice cake – Italy. They are a good size and thickness. And while they don’t have a lot of flavor, they don’t really need it either. Even when I ate it without dipping it into the spread on top, I thought these were light had the perfect amount of crunch without being annoying. I don’t often buy rice cakes from the store because of the additives that are put into popular brands. The Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made exclusively from organic, whole grain rice. Nothing more. And, yes…they are yummy! And yes…yummy is a technical term.

So, let’s talk ingredients. This is easy…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made from…organic whole rice. These are cholesterol free, sugar free, sodium free, fat free, and gluten-free.

As far as nutrition goes…you will love this. A serving of the Alce Nero Rice Cakes is 3 pieces. This serving will deliver 70 calories, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. Not very filling, but good enough to serve as a lunch, for sure. That’s it. Healthy and delicious!

I love shaking things up and doing different things. It was fun to step away from my daily oatmeal at lunch habit to give the Alce Nero Rice Cakes a try. Low in calories…these are fantastic on their own, but taken up a notch with some nut or seed butter, some jam, or however you want to top it.

To me…rice cakes are nutritious and delicious…and these are some of the best I have ever had. And getting the opportunity to try these was thanks to Cuisine Cube!!

January 29, 2015

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donuts

Product: Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donuts – $6.49

It was a couple of weeks back that I mentioned, to my surprise and delight, that Katz Gluten Free had seemingly put out some new products without me knowing about it. How that escaped my gluten-free radar, I’ll never know. But the fact of the matter was, one morning, I was puttering around and randomly went over to their site, only to be met by not one, not two, but three new flavors in their gluten-free donut line. HELLO!!

When it comes to gluten-free donuts that I can buy commercially (aka: not from a local gluten-free bakery), Katz Gluten Free blows away the entire competition. Better than any of the ones I have ever pulled out of the freezer section at my local grocery or natural food store. I love these donuts. Especially the regular ones…not any that are filled. But, I’ve never been a huge fan of filled donuts anyway. Give me a classic cake or glazed donut and I am a happy girl.

Yes…I am a nutrition freak. And yes…donuts are definitely not a nutritious food. But, I also believe in everything in moderation. When I start telling myself I can’t have something…that’s when cravings and unhealthy eating habits kick in. Allowing myself a little treat here and there is all part of finding balance in life. So…you better believe I ordered all three flavors of the new varieties. Last week, my roommate (for those of you who are tuning in, the roomie is not a Celiac and does not have to eat gluten-free) and I delved into the world of the new Katz Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donuts. And, man…were they ever amazing. Very reminiscent of my Dunkin’ Donut days…the Munchkins…the chocolate ones. That’s what they tasted like. It was enough to just…make me happy. And, let’s face it…the food you eat should make you feel happy…not guilty. Donuts included.

That being said…this morning, after doing some strength training at the gym, we both headed into work with one of the other flavors of Katz Gluten Free donuts tucked away for breakfast. This time…it was going to be one of my favorite flavors…the Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut.

Now, pumpkin flavored anything can either be perfect or it can be too much. Sometimes…even too little. I wasn’t sure what to expect from these donuts when I pulled them out of my freezer to let them thaw. I just knew it had the word “pumpkin” on it…so therefore I was one happy girl. I don’t need it to be fall to have some pumpkin in my life. So, they stayed out overnight to thaw and I packed them up that morning to have after strength training. Because…why the hell not? HA! Upon getting out of the gym and over to the office…I went into the kitchen and sliced up my grapefruit to have with the donut. I then microwaved both of them for about 20 seconds, letting that glaze get all gooey again…like it was fresh out of the bakery. And breakfast was that easy. And at that point, I was totally ready to sit down and eat.

It only took one bite of the Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut for me to declare my undying love for it. No joke. First of all, this isn’t a heavy or dense donut at all. It is light…and airy and fluffy. And I love that, because too often I have to settle for heavy and dense baked goods when everyone else has these amazing treats that are soft and melt-in-your-mouth. AH…that’s what this donut does. It melts in your mouth. Each warm, moist, soft bite is fantastic…packed with all that pumpkin spice flavor that you love…without it overwhelming your palate. It literally is like eating pumpkin pie…without it actually being a pumpkin pie. Which, is good. Because while I love things pumpkin flavored, I have never liked pumpkin pie. I think it’s a texture thing. But I digress. The texture is just rich and soft and amazing. I loved the glaze, giving it that extra hit of sweetness without being too cloying. And…just…it’s one amazing breakfast bite for sure. I am in total love with these. I kind of don’t want the box of 6 to end. Just…fantastic.

Of course, that’s what I have come to expect from Katz Gluten Free.

Let’s discuss some of the chemistry that goes into these, shall we? The Katz Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spiced Glazed Donut is made from a gluten-free flour blend containing corn starch, tapioca starch, and white rice flour. These donuts also are made form water, palm oil, confection sugar, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, canola oil, baking powder, vanilla, xanthan gum, agar, calcium carbonate, calcium slufate, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, mace, and allspice. They are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and nut-free.

As far as nutrition goes…well, it’s a donut. But this isn’t bad for a donut. Honestly. A serving is, of course, just one donut. So try to stick to it. If I can do it – so can you!! This one donut will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. This soft little morsel of pumpkin goodness will also provide 10 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, and 9 grams of sugar. Which…isn’t bad considering we’re talking about a donut here. This serving will give you no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. No…it will not make you feel full for hours after eating it. Pair it, as I did, with something like an orange or a grapefruit or some apple slices. That should help…and helps bring balance. Donut…fruit. Perfect.

I can’t get over how amazing these donuts were. I have tried so many gluten-free donuts and nothing ever compares to the way Katz Gluten Free makes theirs. I continue to be impressed by what they put out in the gluten-free market. These donuts are love. I definitely have a new favorite flavor. So good. Don’t take my word for it though…go order some and see for yourself! You don’t have to be gluten free to love the products (and especially the donuts) from Katz Gluten Free!

January 28, 2015

Product Review: New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola

Product: New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola – $6.49+

I don’t know why…but I have turned into a granola freak over the past couple of years. I absolutely love the stuff. And it can be eaten on its own, on top of Greek yogurt, put over ice cream, mixed with fruit, etc. I love granola and love trying new versions that I find out in the markets. When it comes to the gluten-free options available in my area, I think I’ve pretty much tackled them all. Every brand. Every flavor. I’ve got it covered.

So, when I take a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit my family, one of the required stops I make is to a natural foods market called Organic Harvest. It was on one such trip that I stopped in and spotted some gluten-free granola I was unfamiliar with on one of the shelves. Therefore, I put it into the “Organic Harvest Budget” and made it one of the items I brought home with me. I try to aim for things I don’t see in my area…so this fell right into that category.

The brand was New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola. There were a few flavor options on the shelf from New England Naturals…but this had a few things working for it…the word unsweetened…the word coconut…and the word berry. I happily snagged the white and pink package off the shelf and dropped it into my basket. After a little more shopping…it was time to check out. And, when I left Alabama, this bag of granola made the journey with me.

And then sat, dormant, as I wasn’t doing anything in the mornings with granola. Until recently. Because I’m really changing up not only workout plans, but also the diet. And some mornings…a fruit, yogurt and granola parfait are on the menu. YAY! Finally getting things back on track. And I have been working my way through the packs of granola that I have acquired over the past few months. Some I have liked more than others. But now…it was time for the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Coconut Granola to either wow me or underwhelm me.

Yesterday…was the first chance it had to shine. I had picked up some strawberries at the grocery store over the weekend, along with some Greek yogurt. So, I began building the parfait…starting with a small hit of the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola…then yogurt…honey…fruit…repeat…top with a handful of granola…drizzle honey…enjoy! Simple. And one heck of a breakfast if you ask me. Nutritious, filled with great nutrients, and hearty thanks to the granola.

I loved quite a few things about this granola. For one thing, the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola wasn’t clumpy. No large clusters to break apart. It was just every little piece stood on its own. Which means to me that this is not loaded with sticky sugars and syrups that would cause things to bind together. YAY! Second of all…because it is unsweetened, the flavors that are in the bag are what you get. If a granola can’t stand on its own when it comes to flavor…then…I feel it is failing to do its duty. The freeze dried blueberries and raspberries really bring out the tangy nature of this granola. The coconut chips add a depth of flavor. And the oats…they bring the texture. I felt all the components really worked well together and when put into one bite did make for…a perfect bite. Subtle flavors…but just enough to accentuate, not detract from the rest of the dish.

What I love about New England Naturals is that they believe that gluten free products should be delicious and have nutritional value. What a concept!! So often, a gluten free product is a calorie and fat laden mess, making up for the lack of gluten in the product. It is great to see a company striving for better health in gluten free goods. This is something I can totally get behind.

With that being said, let’s go ahead and take a look at the ingredients that go into the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola, shall we? This granola includes organic gluten free oats, organic expeller pressed canola oil, organic coconut, organic raisin puree, organic corn meal, organic flax seed, organic freeze dried raspberries, organic freeze dried blueberries, organic vanilla flavor, and salt. This granola is non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free trans fat free, and cholesterol free. It is a great source of iron as well!

As far as nutrition information goes, a serving of the New England Naturals Organic Gluten Free Unsweetened Berry Granola is 1/2 cup. That’s a lot of granola. I use half of that in each parfait. But, if you were to eat an entire serving, that would provide you with 250 calories and 12 grams of fat. Much of that fat count is going to be provided by the oils, seeds, and the coconut. With the exception of the oil, the rest of it is a healthy fat. A serving of this granola will also dish up 60 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. How amazing is that? So often, granola is just laden with sugar and I have to really pay attention to it as I’m trying to cut back on processed sugars. But with this being left unsweetened, that sugar count stays low. Love that. And, finally, you will be taking in 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein, making this not only nutritious, but also filling. I love eating a gluten-free food and not feeling famished only an hour or so later. No artificial fillers here either. This is naturally filling and it lasted me through the morning for sure.

If you like granola, but are tired of the sugar-fests out there, I highly recommend the New England Naturals brand. With less sugar and still packed with flavor, you really can’t go wrong. I am definitely enjoying using it this week on various morning dishes. Breakfast is definitely being done right. I hope I can locate some of this granola in my area…or else I’m stocking up next time I’m down visiting my family! Without a doubt…one of the best low sugar options out there.

January 25, 2015

Product Review: Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheese Kale Chips

Product: Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips – $3.99+

I love kale. You might even hear me say “I heart kale” because…well…I do. I fell in love with this amazing and versatile green a few years back. And my life has never been the same. I use it it practically everything. But, far above and beyond everything else, one of my most favorite things to do with kale…is to make kale chips!! I love, love, love, LOVE kale chips. It’s a healthy relationship…because kale is loaded with amazing nutrients and good stuff (technical term), ranging from being low in calories, high in iron, high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants, high in vitamin K, an anti-inflammatory, high in calcium, and loaded with vitamin C and A…this is one super food…or, as it is referred to in the foodie world…a Superfood. Big S. Like Superman…but with less man and more food.

HA!

So, needless to say, kale chips have been on my radar for awhile, from the first time I made them to store bought versions. I rarely buy them, as they are, by far, cheaper to make yourself, but my mom always had some on hand when I traveled home for visits. And both she and I would just devour them.

I’ve tried a few brands on the market. Some have been okay. Some have been…really good. But in my Non-GMO Cuisine Cube (which has been in my blog a lot…so if you are paying attention…that was October’s cube), I was delighted to pull out a bright white package with a lucha libre wrestler on the front. In bold letters, the unassuming package declared: REBEL WITH A CAUSE ORGANIC & GLUTEN FREE NACHO CHEEZE KALE CHIPS! Okay…you have my full and undivided attention now! Thank you!

Before I go any further…most of you by now know about how great of a service Cuisine Cube is…and have either considered subscribing or have decided to subscribe to this fantastic service. Quick little run down, though, in case you are new to my blog or have a memory like Dori from Finding Nemo. Cuisine Cube is a monthly delivery service that brings fantastic gluten-free products from lesser known brands made by small artisan producers (instead of those bigger name brands you can find in virtually every grocery store these days) to your door. Not only are you supporting small businesses, you get the opportunity to try products that you may not have heard of before…or would have ever heard about if not for Cuisine Cube. Some products are from local businesses…and some you might be able to find in a store like Whole Foods…but it’s not guaranteed. Let’s face it, shopping for gluten-free products is hard enough…trying to convince yourself to purchase a product you’ve never heard of or tried…is a challenge. Cuisine Cube takes that pressure off, and with subscriptions starting around $29.99, it’s an affordable service for sure.

So, last night, I was making soup from some items out of my CSA bin. Soup is great on its own…or served with something. I didn’t want to make vegan grilled cheese sandwiches, because I was prepping dinner for tomorrow as well (stay tuned for that blog). The soup recipe wasn’t hard, but with virtually every burner on my stove being used and my Vitamix whirring away…yeah…sandwiches were not sounding like a good option. I knew I had some Cuisine Cube snacks still in my pantry so…I went browsing.

These sounded like the best pairing (in fact…they are vegan cheese flavored), so out of my pantry came the final product from my October cube…the Snacos Libre Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips. This one pouch is a serving, but I was splitting it with my roommate because she likes a little something with her soup too! When the soup was on its finally simmer, I busted open this bag of mighty kale goodness and dished up small bowls for the two of us.

The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips look like clusters of kale Doritos. Honestly. Each leave was coated in this great layer of orange goodness. The chips were crispy and clumpy and just smelled awesome. Because, let’s face it, kale chips smell as awesome as they look. Especially flavored ones. This particular flavor is actually vegan. Yep. That’s part of the reason for the misspelling of the world “cheese” I am guessing. Who needs tortilla chips when you can reach for this healthy and awesome super snack?

Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are actually dried…not fried. So, already, you’re winning the battle of the bulge. The company that makes them, Kaia Foods, based out of Oakland, California, invites eaters to “overthrow the tyranny of processed foods and to rise up against empty calories.” It’s a clever and fun take on healthy snacking, and it definitely had my attention. This specific flavor of kale chips actually does taste like a nacho cheese chip. I mean, you don’t get that corn flavor and that crispiness of a tortilla chip, but they have just as much amazing flavor. And they have their own kind of crunch. After all, these chips are dehydrated to preserve the nutrients and enhance the flavor of the chip itself. I loved them from first bite. I literally popped one of the nacho green leaves and went…”Mmmmm!” And my roommate, an avid lover of all things Doritos, had the same reaction. Snack love. Crispy, packed with flavor, and totally healthy. My kind of snack.

The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are made from raw, organic, gluten-free ingredients that are good for you. Don’t shy away from products that are good for you. Good for you doesn’t mean they taste like cardboard. And these kale chips are a prime example of doing healthy snacks right. The Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips are made from kale, cashews, carrots, chickpea miso, lemon juice, red onion, celery, red bell pepper, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, onion powder, chili powder, garlic, sea salt, coconut water, paprika, mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne, turmeric, and chili flakes. All of these ingredients are listed as organic, save the nutritional yeast and the sea salt. Color me impressed. This snack food is gluten-free, vegan, cholesterol free, and free of trans fats.

As far as nutrition goes…the Rebel With A Cause Nacho Cheeze Kale Chips provide 1 serving per package. This serving dishes up a low 90 calories and 5 grams of fat. Most of that fat will be a result of the cashews. How’s that for awesome? One serving will also provide 240 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. And, finally, a serving (which, as I said, is the entire bag), will give you 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, making this a healthy, and semi-filling snack for sure. Lots of health benefits in a very healthy snack.

Love is a snack food that is good for you, but you don’t know is good for you. I feel like both Cuisine Cube and Rebel With A Cause really got it right with this snack. Amazing flavor, great texture, and…no guilt. None whatsoever. Here’s a time where it’s okay to open up a package and devour the entire thing. It’s expected.

I encourage you, my loyal and new readers, to head over to Cuisine Cube‘s site and take a look at this fantastic service. Again, there are so many products I have been introduced to thanks to this amazing team of foodies who take food allergies into consideration and seek out amazing products that are lesser known, local, and amazing. If you find something you really like, often you can purchase more from their Stock Up page. Seriously…try it for a month.

As for Rebel With A Cause Kale Chips…I will definitely be stocking my pantry with more of these chips in the future. In fact, they offer other varieties, ranging from Sea Salt to Spicy Superfood to Sriracha Lime…in addition to the Nacho Cheeze variety that was provided in my cube. Amazing snacks, if you ask me. I think if you are new to the world of kale, this would be a great way to introduce yourself to the food. Healthy snacking can be delicious. The proof is in this bold little package. So impressed.

And, with that, I finally managed to polish off every product in a cube (October – Non-GMO Month). Thank you, Cuisine Cube!! I’m loving every bite!

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread

Product: Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread – $3.99+

Sometimes…the world is made for more than just gluten-free sandwich bread. The problem is…not only is a good and delicious gluten free sandwich bread sometimes hard to come by…so is an alternative. For some, gluten-free isn’t just a dietary choice, it is a necessity. No cheating allowed or bad things happen. Very, very bad things.

Back before my initial diagnosis, however, I had found a new love for making wraps. Yes…wraps. And one of the best options out on the market were these low-calorie wraps called…Sandwich Thins. Ah, the days of making sandwiches and pizzas and other things using Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps. I loved them. I used them a lot. But, when I was diagnosed as a Celiac, at first I refused to spend an ungodly amount of money on sandwich bread…and when I finally decided I couldn’t live my life without sandwiches…I had to find a good one to use. When I narrowed that down to a few different brands to choose from (since one would usually be on sale at some point at one of the 9 stores I would visit)…I resigned myself that if I wanted anything apart from regular sandwiches…I’d have to use gluten-free corn tortillas. And that…just seemed wrong.

Since then, however, a few companies, including Rudi’s Gluten-Free and Udi’s Gluten-Free have released tortillas and wraps that make great substitutes. But, they just weren’t the same as my Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps from my past. It was sad for this gluten-free foodie, for sure.

But then, I took a journey to Boulder, Colorado and just happened to be killing time on a Sunday morning, waiting for some stores to open, perusing the aisles of a local natural food store. I wasn’t planning on shopping for food items. After all, these had to make the journey back to Indiana with me. But, alas…when I’m not looking is when I find something. And this time, this something was – SANDWICH PETALS! In three flavors, even. These reminded me so much (in shape and feel) of the Flat-Out Sandwich Wraps I had given up…that I had to have them. So, all three flavors were purchased and made the journey home. The Spinach Garlic flavor was the first to disappear.

This time…as I was making a simple vegetable wrap for dinner, I opted for the “original” version…the Agave Grain flavor of Sandwich Petals.

Sandwich Petals are aptly named because, well, they are shaped like a flower petal. Or a football. Or, perhaps, a combination of the two. Regardless, they are oblong, narrower at the top and slightly wider around the middle. They are easy enough to prepare too. Just prep your filling, and then wrap a single Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petal in damp paper towels. Microwave for 30 seconds. And you’re good to go. When you first take the petals out of the resealable package, they are rather stiff and stale feeling. But when you warm them up in the damp paper towel, they do get slightly more pliable and flexible. Enough that you can roll them up and make them functional to say the least. So…it would do. I warmed mine up, gave each petal a schmear of sun-dried tomato hummus, then packed it with kale, spinach, greens, yellow peppers, sliced onion, carrots, and a bit of avocado. Do not attempt to actually be able to roll these up into a wrap if you do fill it like an actual wrap should be filled. That doesn’t work with these wraps. But, you can go “taco-style” with them. It will be messy…but it works. And that’s exactly how it was for the past two nights.

The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals were actually sweet. Which…was weird when paired with the vegetables. At least I thought so. A little bit of sweetness is fine, but this was an odd sweetness that just didn’t work in tandem with the rest of the insides. This one, as I found out this morning when I paired this wrap instead with a banana, some melted peanut butter, and a bit of gluten-free chocolate chip granola, worked best as a dessert base, or wrap for something with a bit more sweetness. While not off-putting, it was just…different. But, ah well. If you warm up the Agave Grain Sandwich Petal and don’t build and consume your wrap immediately, leave it within the damp paper towel…or your wrap does stiffen up and harden back up a little. While it still is good, it’s just not as nice as a soft and pliable wrap that sandwich wraps are associated with. These were good…but not “knock-my-socks-off” fantastic. I don’t know if I would seek out this particular flavor again…unless wanting to make a sweet wrap or something that included cinnamon and sugar and chocolate and all that stuff. The sweetness just seems to work better with that sort of a filling. Not bad. But…not my favorite either. I reserve the right to be a bit picky when it comes to the short supply of gluten-free options out there. Wow me! That’s how you win me.

Hummus and Veggie Wrap made with Sandwich Petals Gluten Free Agave Grain Flatbread

The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, egg free, non-GMO, and diabetic smart. These flatbreads are made with 10 gluten free ancient grains, contain omega 3’s, prebiotics (which aid in a healthy digestive system – very important for Celiacs, indeed!), are versatile, don’t have to be frozen, are virtually allergen free, and are heart healthy! The Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals are made from GluTenFree Gluten-Free Proprietary blend of milled and whole grains (including: corn, flax, sesame, buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum, millet, quinoa, teff, and amaranth), water, organic agave nectar, tapioca starch, raisin juice, molasses, short chain fructooligosaccharides, xanthan gum, dicalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, fumaric acid, sodium propionate, and sorbic acid. I know…those last few sound rather…processed, yes? Yeah…I agree. But…gluten-free flatbreads/wraps are important to at least try! Even if you’re trying to do more clean eating.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of the Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Petals is 1 wrap. This 1 petal will provide you with 100 calories and only 1 gram of fat. Theses petals do not have any trans fat or cholesterol. One of these wraps will give you 120 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. Considering these are sweeter than the other version I tried, I think that’s not a bad number on the sugar. One of these wraps will also serve up 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, yes…they are filling, but they won’t leave you feeling like a glutton or as though you have eaten too much. Even when stuffed full of whatever fillings you want, be it sweet, savory, a protein, or just vegetables.

I have yet to find Sandwich Petals anywhere in the stores I live near or in this area of the country. However, if you are curious about them, you can order them on the Sandwich Petals page…here! I was certainly a bigger fan of the Spinach Garlic version of these gluten-free tortillas, but the Agave Grain version wasn’t too bad itself. If these were readily available in my area, I would definitely consider using them in other ways. If you like a kick of sweetness in each bite…or are looking for a dessert wrap of some sort, this would be the wrap for you. These wraps, I will say, do not distract from whatever filling you do put inside, though. Even if it has a sweetness in the aftertaste. I love having different options when I’m preparing a sandwich without making a standard sandwich with gluten-free bread. While the Gluten Free Agave Grain Sandwich Wraps were not my favorite of the two versions (of three) that I have tried…they weren’t horrible either. Just choose your use wisely with these. To me…until this morning’s breakfast creation…these ones just fell a bit…flat.

Breakfast Banana, Peanut Butter, and Granola Wrap using Sandwich Petals Agave Grain Flatbread

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola – $6.99+

On some very rare occasions, a product that arrives in my Cuisine Cube is actually something I am familiar with…or…perhaps…even might have tried before. When it comes to the Non-GMO Project cube, which arrived in October, I was actually surprised to encounter a brand that I had already tried. Albeit, this was not a flavor I had tried from this brand, but it is readily available at my local Whole Foods! Like I said…this doesn’t happen often…but sometimes it’s a comfort to find a small brand that you have familiarized yourself with before.

This product…was the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products.

Prior to this Cuisine Cube…I had picked up a pack of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola. My Cuisine Cube stepped it up a notch by including one of my most favorite things…chocolate! Chocolate chips to be exact.

With all the time that I’ve spent traveling and racing these past couple of months…and the holidays taking over life in general…I haven’t had much time to explore some items from some of my Cuisine Cubes. That being said, I’m making a push currently to polish off most of the products that have made a home in my pantry. I need to be more pro-active about these products…and that’s not a bad thing. It is definitely getting me to branch out and try some things I had been content to let sit for awhile.

This past week, after a long weekend away in Charleston, South Carolina (I was marathoning)…I was looking for a delicious, and more nutritious way to enjoy breakfast. I knew I had a few granola options tucked away on the top shelf of my kitchen pantry…so, I grabbed a stool (I’m short…I can’t help it!) and dug around. I had two to choose between and both sounded great. But the Jessica’s Natural Foods variety had one thing that won me over…

CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Yep…the sweet-tooth, chocaholic emerged with a vengeance upon seeing that in the name. WIN! That morning, I darted out to the grocery store to pick up a few necessities that were needed for the coming week and ended up picking up a big container of Greek yogurt, some fresh organic blueberries, and a few other fruits and vegetables to use for the various meals I needed for the week. Breakfast…lunch…dinner. You name it. But, I hadn’t made many of my fruit & yogurt breakfast parfaits for a long while, and I knew this was a delicious and nutritious way to start the morning. With some granola at home, it was just a matter of choosing the fruit. I had thought to get strawberries, but the organic ones didn’t look too good. We are, after all, out of season. But, the blueberries looked big and ripe and therefore…came home with me. That morning, I assembled two breakfast parfaits, making use of the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola, vanilla Greek yogurt, local honey, and the fresh organic blueberries. I just layer these up and top it off with more granola and…voila…breakfast was served.

Jessica’s Natural Foods gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is, without a doubt, one of the best granola’s I have had since going gluten-free. The gluten-free oats were toasted and golden to perfection. Adding to the sweetness were the melt-in-your-mouth bits of semi-sweet chocolate chips. It feels like you’re cheating, but in reality, you are eating something that is good for you. Mixing these delightful spoonfuls with a thick and delicious Greek yogurt and bursts of fresh fruit juice from the little blueberries…this made a perfect breakfast with each bite. The granola brought this fantastic and light texture to the entire dish. And, if left with a bag of this and no supervision, I could easily eat the entire bag in one sitting. The clusters with the chocolate were my favorite part as they would melt upon hitting my tongue. This made handfuls of this granola a great treat…if not addictive. Seriously…one of the best parts of any breakfast I have ever eaten in my entire life…this granola is amazing. And I don’t feel bad indulging in it, because the ingredients are natural and the nutritional information is rather good!

Granola can become a calorie-laden sugar-fest, so it’s always good to take a look at ingredients and nutritional information. For Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola…this is what the company strives for. The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is free of cholesterol and trans fats. It is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Granola is 1/4 cup. Trust me…this may not seem like much…but it is an amazing and filling 1/4 cup. Mmm…chocolate by the quarter-cup. In this serving, you will be consuming 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. Not bad for granola. Not at all. In this serving, you will also be taking in 30 mg sodium and only 7 grams of sugar. Yes…only 7 grams. That’s amazing. So often, the gluten-free granola I find is laden with heavy sugar. Not these. Naturally sweet more than anything. And finally, this 1/4 cup serving gives you 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Not too filling, but filling enough, especially when paired with nutrient dense Greek yogurt and fiber-filled fresh fruit.

Oh yes…it’s a rare thing when Cuisine Cube sends me something I am already familiar with, but in a way, it’s also quite satisfying. If you have yet to join the happy consumers of Cuisine Cube…just go over to their Web site and check out your options. Every month is like Christmas as you open up your box and discover what products have been selected for you. These monthly deliveries start at $29.99…and are so totally worth the investment. I have yet to regret making this choice to enjoy these monthly deliveries. Seriously…give it a month and you will want to keep going! It’s because of this service that I am able to try foods like Jessica’s Natural Foods, a less-processed and lesser-known product than some of the brand name gluten-free granola out on the market. I much prefer to support the smaller businesses who put a lot more thought and care into their products and the making of their products. I feel that way about Jessica’s Natural Foods…so check them out too! If you can’t find these bags of granola goodness at your Whole Foods…get online and place an order! Stop hesitating…and just do it!