Review – Page 41 – The Celiathlete

February 23, 2014

Restaurant Review: C’est Si Bon Café, Columbus, Ohio

Restaurant: C’est Si Bon Café, Columbus, Ohio

It was about a month ago that my good friend Jenn tweeted at me after eating at a local restaurant not far from where she works. The main thing…crepes. The bigger deal was…gluten-free options.

I told her that when I came to visit in a couple of weeks, that was a requirement. She agreed. And we held each other to our word.

On Saturday morning, after snagging coffee, we headed out to Bexley…and there…not far from my favorite Columbus gluten-free bakery (Cherbourg Bakery), was C’est Si Bon Café. It is a small, quaint, unassuming place. Not very many tables, and a little bar that runs along the side wall for customers to sit and eat. It was bustling that morning and we were grateful to find a place to settle in…stealing a chair from the table in the window so three of us could sit at the table. I held our spot while Jenn and Cathy went to order.

They went for traditional breakfast crepes, each of them getting a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Crepe ($5.95). As for me, I wanted something sweet. I opted for the Gluten-Free Cinnamon and Sugar Crepe ($6.00). Gluten-free crepes are a $1.25 upcharge there, so that’s why mine seems so pricey for such a simple crepe. A regular version of the same crepe runs $4.75. Just an FYI.

It took about 10 minutes for our orders to be filled. No problem on the wait…since they make everything to order. And, mine was a specialty one…being gluten-free and all, so that was important too. They do have a separate crepe stone for the gluten-free crepe orders and the crepes are made from buckwheat flour.

When the order was up…I was so happy. My local gluten-free crepe truck is out of the state for the winter and won’t be back until April. Therefore, I have been crepe-less since the end of fall. This felt like such a treat because I hadn’t had a crepe in so long. My crepe was stunning and huge. It looked really good.

As stated above, the Gluten-Free Cinnamon and Sugar Crepe is made from buckwheat flour. Folded into it is butter, sugar and cinnamon. Simple. Easy. And I was betting tasted a lot like French Toast. And I love French Toast. So this was bound to be the best of both worlds.

I wasn’t disappointed. One bite of the folded, light, crepe and I was in heaven. The sugar and butter gave it this toasty feel…and the cinnamon brought a bit of spice. It was just what I wanted. It was what I really, really wanted. The crepe itself might seem so basic, but the flavors were fantastic. I gave a piece to both Jenn and Cathy and both agreed it was like eating French toast. Count me as one very happy girl.

I’ve already said that C’est Si Bon Café is a must now every time we’re in town. I mean…the menu is extensive and there are both sweet and savory ones that are just begging for me to try them. I already know what flavor I’m going to get next time. Just going to work my way through the ones that interest me greatly.

C’est Si Bon Café definitely is a place that everyone needs to try out. Honestly, I was so impressed, not just with the care and service, but the crepes themselves were OUTSTANDING!! I am one happy crepe-loving gluten-free girl. And I’m already trying to plot a return to the Columbus, Ohio area to visit Jenn and come try out another fantastic crepe creation.

Go…dine…enjoy…repeat.

You’ll want to. Trust me.

C'est Si Bon Café's Gluten-Free Cinnamon and Sugar Crepe — C’est Si Bon Café’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon and Sugar Crepe

February 21, 2014

Product Review: Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac & Cheese

Product: Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese – $3.49+

I haven’t had too much experience with products from Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous. However, I have tried one frozen pizza…and loved it…and a couple of cookies…and enjoyed those. So, that’s a good track record, yes?

I think so.

Which is why when I was shopping at TJ Maxx of all places…when I spotted this macaroni and cheese I figured…why not try it? I mean…it’s a brand I am familiar with and have liked in the past. It’s made from quinoa. HELLO! And..it’s mac and cheese. One of my favorite comfort foods of all time.

With this being a no produce bin week, meals have been cobbled together from things in the pantry, fridge and freezer. While it’s not getting bare…sometimes choices are slim. With that being said, I’m hitting the pantry the hardest this week and digging out some items I purchased and just haven’t cooked up yet. Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese…it’s now your turn to shine.

Now, as I have stated before, I prefer to make my gluten-free mac and cheese from scratch. But it’s a crazy-busy week. I just got back into town on Monday night and I’m heading back out of town tomorrow after work for a weekend with my friend Jenn (who is always willing to try new gluten-free things because she rocks like that). No CSA bin…not a lot of grocery shopping went on. Just the bare necessities. So, very little time to linger in the kitchen, for sure. And for that reason, this little meal was popped out of the pantry. So, if I can’t go homemade, I’ll settle on a box or bag variety. I just prefer real ingredients as often as possible.

Cooking this was a snap. I brought a pot of water to a boil and added a bit of salt and oil, per the directions on the package. Then, in went the gluten-free noodles, which are quinoa, not brown rice. YAY! They cooked up in the boiling water for about 10-12 minutes. It didn’t take long. After that, you drain them, put them back in the pan on low heat, add a teaspoon of butter, 3/4 cup of milk (I used unsweetened almond milk) and then add the package of cheese powder. Stir it…let it thicken on the heat, and then…serve.

Simple.

Now, remember those days of long ago when you’d have that orange powder you’d pour into the Kraft Cheese and Macaroni? (Not macaroni and cheese, always reversed…I remember!). Anyway…this powder had those clumps, so I broke them up as best I could, and continued to stir until it was blended as best as I could manage. Into the bowls they went and dinner…was served.

One bite…that’s all it took. So creamy and tangy and delicious. The cheese actually gets to this rich velvety texture that coats each noodle. The noodles cook up perfectly. And, because they aren’t made completely of brown rice, they aren’t mushy and falling apart either. They held that elbow macaroni shape, even with all the intense stirring that occurred. The small clumpy bits of cheese powder reminded me of my childhood days with the Kraft stuff. I broke up most of them, but a couple lingered. Nothing that took away from the awesomeness of this dish. For real. The cheese was quite tasty. And the meal itself…quite filling.

I was beyond impressed.

Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese is made up of quinoa pasta (made from quinoa, rice and water), powdered cheese (which contains milk, salt, enzymes, whey, beta carotene for color, corn starch and salt). That’s it. Simple…easy ingredients. All of which I recognize. Let’s hear it for simple and basic ingredients! This product is also GMO free as well as gluten-free.

Nutritionally speaking, Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese is on the light side for mac and cheese. A serving is 4 ounces and the package holds 1.5 servings. For two people, it’s more than enough, trust me. This serving will give you 280 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will also be receiving 15 mg cholesterol, 330 mg sodium, and 1 gram of sugar. Not bad. And since I used unsweetened almond milk…no sugar there either. A serving gives you 2 grams of fiber and (the best part!) 18 grams of protein. That is NOT a typo! 18 grams of protein. Thank you quinoa.

So, healthy, creamy, cheesy and wonderful. Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese lives up to its name. Yes. It is…simply awesome!

Simply Shari's Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese (cooked) — Simply Shari’s Gluten Free and Fabulous Quinoa Mac and Cheese (cooked)

February 20, 2014

Product Review: Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola

Product: Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola – $6.50+

Granola.

I love it. I use it every other morning (as in…mornings I don’t go to the gym) in breakfast fruit parfaits or over hot cereal. I love it. And, thankfully, I have found some better choices when it comes to the sugars that are included. And I love finding granola I haven’t tried yet. And Udi’s Gluten Free released quite a few new options recently.

Now Udi’s Gluten Free has had granola out on the market for awhile…but the new varieties bring some extra oomph to the mix. For real.

The variety that I purchased was the Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola.

So…what is it? Simple. It’s a blend of oats that have been toasted and mixed with sweet and salty toppings. What might these be? Raisins, banana chips, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Mmmm…delicious! I love that blend. The raisins and the banana chips bring nice variety in texture, soft and crunchy…and also the sweetness that meshes with the honey toasted oats. The blend of nuts also adds variety as each has a distinct flavor and texture. And it just works! It works well.

The oats are that right level of granola perfect. Kind of soft, but still crunchy. The raisins are plump and sweet. The nuts are amazing…because I love nuts. And the banana chips are a nice addition of sweetness that is a little unexpected but very welcome. The variety of ingredients and flavors really works well over the palate. It’s a fantastic play on the tongue. And I put this over some gluten-free hot cereal and it was really delicious. I mean…YUM!

Ingredients are basically already listed above…with a few additions. Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Oats are made from certified gluten-free oats, wildflower honey, canola oil, raisins, banana chips, walnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachio nuts. I love, love, love it. Clean eating…right here!

As for nutrition…this isn’t bad either. A serving size is 1/4 cup of granola. This is actually a rather large amount believe it or not. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 6 grams of fat (of which, much is the healthy variety from the nuts). This granola is cholesterol free and sodium free. A serving also provides 7 grams of sugar, which is amazing in a granola. This serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

I am wowed!

No, for real. This is one of my favorite granola I have had to date. And trust me…I have eaten a lot of granola. Why I never purchased this before, I don’t know. But I’m sold. The different textures, tastes…it works. It works magic, whether you top something off with it or eat it straight from the bag. You won’t be disappointed either.

Now…excuse me…there is an open package of this in my pantry calling my name…

A serving of Udi's Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola — A serving of Udi’s Gluten Free Crunchy Original Granola

February 19, 2014

Product Review: Food Should Taste Good Harvest Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Product: Food Should Taste Good Harvest Pumpkin Tortilla Chips – $2.50+

Pumpkin.

I am obsessed with it. Not just in the fall, either.

ALL. THE. TIME.

No joke! I look forward to all those delicious pumpkin flavored coffee drinks in the fall. I love to cook with pumpkin and bake with pumpkin and eat pumpkin seeds…

Pumpkin is like my BFF for life.

And now…it’s a tortilla chip.

Yes. A tortilla chip.

Now, some of you may not think this sounds appetizing at all. But trust me…it works. It actually works.

The brand is Food Should Taste Good, which has never made chip I haven’t liked. And while I don’t consume chips often, my roomie spotted this at the grocery store and brought them home for me as a surprise. She knows my obsession with pumpkin well…and…I thanked her for them. I had other treats to devour first, but with my lack of a CSA bin this week and a tight food budget…it was bare necessities time. And with that came…dig through the pantry to find your snacks this week.

Enter Food Should Taste Good Pumpkin Harvest Tortilla Chips. Confused? Don’t be. The basic premise is that this chip is pumpkin flavored, kissed with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. The pumpkin flavor actually sweetens the chip, which still has that corn tortilla texture and underlying flavor. But the sweetness isn’t too much, as the spices sort of tame it and make it…an interesting but delicious bite. They would be really awesome with a guacamole or hummus. But I like to eat them on their own. I love the soft crunch, the sweet notes in each bite, and that little hint of fall spice. It’s like eating a crunchy pumpkin pie…without the overwhelming pumpkin flavor and that nasty texture that pumpkin pie has (yes…I am a pumpkin freak but SO dislike pumpkin pie).

I. AM. IN. LOVE.

Let’s look at ingredients, shall we? What I love about Food Should Taste Good is that they use real ingredients. Nothing unidentifiable; nothing unpronounceable. No chemicals or preservatives. Just sheer awesome and real ingredients. The Harvest Pumpkin Tortilla Chips are made from stone ground corn, high oleic sunflower oil and/or safflower oil and/or canola oil, cane sugar, dried pumpkin, pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, sea salt and clove.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of the Food Should Taste Good Harvest Pumpkin Tortilla Chips is 28 grams (I always dish up servings by weight)…or about 12 chips. This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. This serving will dish up 80 mg sodium and only 2 grams of sugar. LOVE that. Low sodium…low sugar. YES! You will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. These chips are cholesterol free and gluten-free.

And they are made of pumpkin-y love. And I am hooked on them. It’s a good thing I’m insistent about dishing out proper serving sizes and NOT eating out of the bag. It is only for that reason that I still have some chips in my bag in the pantry. Might have to try these with some hummus or guac. Hmmm…

Anyway…don’t be afraid. They are actually rather amazing to bite into and enjoy. If you are a fan of pumpkin…you’ll be a fan of these. If you aren’t a fan of pumpkin, don’t count these out. They won’t overwhelm you with their pumpkin flavor. Just a hint of sweetness before that salty corn tortilla undertone kicks in.

I am in love with these chips. For life.

February 18, 2014

Product Review: Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie

Product Review: Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie – $2.99+

The cookie monster has struck again.

I need to stop finding all these different brands of gluten-free cookies. Wait…no. No, I don’t. Because I forever will love cookies. Especially a good cookie.

I have actually spotted Nana’s No Gluten cookies at a local natural food store. However, I never really thought to stop and purchase one and give it a try. Why? I don’t know. I must not have been thinking clearly. Or, perhaps I was actually obeying my budget. Or…was overwhelmed by the amount of sheer awesome gluten-free goodies at that store. Whatever the case may be…that changed. But while I was visiting my family in Birmingham, Alabama.

My roomie and I stopped by the organic store my mom took us to the last time we were in town. It’s called Organic Harvest and their gluten-free selection is mesmerizing. For real. On the very bottom shelf, my roommate spotted the Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie. Because if lemon is involved, she’s going to find it. Trust me. So, it didn’t take much pleading to make that one of the purchases we made while there. Good thing too, because when we drove home, we had nothing really left for dessert. So…guess what was dessert last night?

Now, I love a soft, chewy cookie. I really do. And Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie looked very soft and very chewy. I opened up the package and was greeted with the best smell of lemon citrus flavor. YUMMY! I only hoped that the lemon flavor wouldn’t overpower. I split the cookie in half and gave half to my roomie and kept the other half for me. She dug in immediately, as lemon is her favorite flavor, and I asked her how it was. She liked it. I asked if it was too lemony and she said that it was right on the edge. It was perfect. I hoped she was right. I settled in to my own half, took a bite and…WOW!! Super soft, for one thing. Love that. Moist. You’d never believe that these were vegan (no dairy, no eggs, and an added bonus of no refined sugar). The lemon flavor was at the right level for sure. Any more and it would have been too tart. But the sweetness of the cookie actually perfectly balanced out the tartness of the lemon. I was beyond impressed. I devoured the half of a cookie in record time. The texture was a hybrid of a shortbread cookie and a moist, dense molasses cookie. Right in between. No joke. It was melt-in-your-mouth nom-a-licous. Honestly. And I love that the cookie is sweetened by fruit juice. Amazing.

So, let’s talk ingredients, shall we? Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie is made from brown rice flour, white rice flour, fruit juice (a combo of pear, apple and grape), rice dextrins (a natural and unmodified starch), non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, white rice crisp, tapioca flour, lemon, baking soda, non-aluminum baking powder, natural flavoring, natural vanilla extract, xanthan gum, salt. As far as ingredients go, not too bad. Not great…but not too bad either. Better than some I have eaten (and loved).

Nutritionally speaking, a serving is half the cookie. Yes…half. Not the whole cookie. Just half. In this half of a cookie, you will be consuming 180 calories and 7 grams of fat. This half of a cookie also contains 85 mg sodium and 10 grams of sugar. For a cookie, 10 grams of sugar isn’t bad, specially when it all comes from fruit juice. You also get 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, don’t expect this cookie to fill you up.

The light, fresh, moist, delicious taste of this cookie is so amazing and enticing. I was sad that we only bought one. Honestly, one of the best gluten-free cookies on the market. I’m already hoping to try more of Nana’s No Gluten Cookies…even if I have to order them online. Delicious! If you love cookies and you are a fan of lemon…you won’t want to miss out on this treat. Trust me.

I’m already craving another one.

Nana's No Gluten Lemon Cookie (unwrapped) — Nana’s No Gluten Lemon Cookie (unwrapped)

February 18, 2014February 18, 2014

Product Review: A Taste of Thai Peanut Noodles Quick Meal

Product: A Taste of Thai Peanut Noodles Quick Meal – $5.49+

Love Thai food?

Me too. We have a great authentic Thai place not too far from where I live. It isn’t even in Louisville. It’s in Jeffersonville, Indiana. I love that place. I haven’t been there in ages, but I contacted them awhile back and they said they could make anything gluten-free for me. That’s the joy of Thai food…it is easy to accommodate.

That being said, when a sale is happening…my roomie and I tend to go a little crazy at the grocery store. No lie.

A long time ago in a far away (or perhaps local) grocery store, we encountered a sale on A Taste of Thai products. We picked up two of the Peanut Noodle Quick Meals (they serve 2 in each box) and a Pad Thai for Two…which we have yet to make as well.

Tonight, after a long day of travel from Birmingham, Alabama back home…and with no CSA bin this week, I needed a quick and simple meal. Trust me, I haven’t been in the mood to get creative with the food. And, honestly, after sitting all day in the car and being the sad sot that I am right now (injured runner…stand back!), I didn’t really want to whip up something from scratch that might take…ages.

Thank goodness for these meals in the pantry.

So easy to make too. Remove all of the envelopes that contain coconut milk powder, the peanut sauce, peanuts and noodles. Place a cup of water into the box and then add the sauce, the coconut milk, then the noodles. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir. Microwave again for another minute. Then, let stand for 1 minute. Afterwards, add the peanuts. Stir and then serve.

Simple. Easy. And ready in 5 minutes. Gotta love it.

Packets inside A Taste of Thai Peanut Noodles Quick Meal

So, how was it? Better than I expected. For one thing, the “sauce” packet was a powder, which threw me off for a moment. So was the coconut milk portion as well. But those both go in the water first and they mix in all proper like. The noodles actually do soften up in the 4 minutes of heating and 1 minute of resting. I promise. No hard noodles were found in the consuming of this product. And the flavor was awesome. Not as awesome as real Thai food, but as close to awesome real Thai food as one can get without being at an authentic Thai restaurant…or in Thailand. I swear. There was a little bit of heat…just enough to keep the flavor interesting. The peanuts gave a nice texture to the overall dish. The noodles were perfect. Not crunchy. Not mushy or sticky. Perfect. And the sauce…it was delicious. I might have licked my bowl. Maybe. A little.

So, how does this stand up nutritionally?

Let’s look at ingredients first. The sauce contains: sugar peanuts, chili powder, kaffir lime leaf powder, lemongrass powder, modified tapioca starch, salt, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, dextrose, tricalcium phosphate (to prevent caking), yeast extract, malic adid. The coconut milk powder is made up of coconut maltodextrin, mono and diglyceride (an emulsifier), dipotassium phosphate (a stablizer) silicon dioxide (to prevent caking). And the peanuts contained peanuts and silicon dioxide (to prevent caking). The rice noodles were simply made from rice flower, water, and modified food starch. Do I like all those modified ingredients. Not one bit. I bought these back before I was paying attention to that. Kind of shocking when I look at it and type it up.

As for nutrition…this box contains 2 servings. In one of these servings, you will consume 340 calories and 10 grams of fat. Not bad for a saucy noodle dish, I think. You will be taking in 320 mg of sodium and 13 grams of sugar. The sugar is a bit high, but I believe that is from the sauce. You get 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. It is cholesterol free, gluten-free, and preservative free.

So, while it is not the cleanest of eats, it was quick and easy. I do dislike the modified ingredients. Not a fan. But I am a fan of the taste, flavor, spice, and texture. For an every-now-and-again dinner, not a bad choice at all.

February 17, 2014

Product Review: Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar

Product Review: Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar – $2.49+

Yep.

Amy’s Kitchen does more than just organic cakes now for dessert options. In fact, as I am typing this from a hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, I have since discovered that Amy’s Organic Kitchen also does ice cream now…dairy free ice cream. No joke. I saw it at the a little natural foods store and the Earth Fare and Whole Foods down here. No joke. Where have I been living?

What I did know is that Amy’s Kitchen put out candy bars not too long ago. Yep. Organic candy bars.

Trust me, I know…slapping the word organic on the label of something that is chocolate coated, packed with gooey caramel and nuts and…honestly…candy…does not make it healthy or any better than a Snickers. Save that it is made from organic ingredients and not…well…hydrogenated soybean oil (Snickers, I’m looking at you!), it’s still candy. I understand this. I get this. It doesn’t mean I didn’t pick it up off the shelf at the grocery store when I spotted it and keep it for dessert.

Because…I did.

HA!

Let’s first talk about why Amy’s Kitchen began producing candy in the first place. According to the Web site, Amy’s father, Andy, loves candy. He was the son of a candy maker and spent his childhood sampling chocolate morsels and chewy caramels from his father’s kitchen. To honor Amy’s Organic Kitchen’s commitment to provide great flavor and pure organic ingredients, Andy’s Dandy Candy was created. Andy was the tester for the flavors and when he was satisfied with the outcome…the candy bars were put on the market.

Currently, there are four different varieties: Crispy, Crunchy, Chewy, and Creamy.

I picked up Chewy.

Why Amy’s Organic Kitchen Chewy Candy Bar? Well, it was described, on the package, as soft, chewy caramel with pecans that were coated in chocolate. That sounds like heaven to me. Pecans are one of my favorite nuts. WIN!

Amy's Organic Kitchen Andy's Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar (unwrapped) — Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar (unwrapped)

As I was out of dessert options this past week before heading out of town, the roomie and I each had one of the two mini bars that are inside the package of the Amy’s Organic Kitchen Chewy Candy Bar. Yes…one for you and one to either keep for later or share. I highly encourage sharing. Because the more you share, the more these will sell…and they are SO worth it.

One bite…and it was like eating a hybrid of a Snickers (with less nuts) and a Rolo. There it is. It was amazing. The caramel was soft and chewy. The chocolate was a nice sweetness. And nothing pairs better with caramel than chocolate. Yum. The pecans were actually quite sizable and prevalent throughout the candy bar itself. It added a nice salty element…so each bite was perfection. I was one happy girl. And this girl doesn’t eat candy, let alone candy bars, all that often. Even Cathy was a fan.

So, let’s talk ingredients. Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar is made from organic milk chocolate, organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, organic pecans, organic nonfat dry milk, organic grade AA butter, filtered water, organic palm oil, organic vanilla extract, sea salt, organic soy lecithin. It is deliciously organic, made from Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, gluten-free, and contains no high fructose corn syrup, preservatives or GMOs.

Nothing too off-putting, right? Right.

As for the nutrition facts…a serving size is 1 of the 2 mini bars that are included in the pack. One bar will provide you with 100 calories and 6 grams of fat, which is actually good for a candy bar, I think. This little bar has 5 mg of cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, and 9 grams of sugar. 9 grams of sugar for a candy bar is actually not bad at all. A snickers of comparable size has 24 grams of sugar, twice the calories and way more fat and sodium. One serving of the Chewy bar also gives you no filling fiber and only 1 gram of protein. But…it’s candy.

Yes…candy. Indulgent treats that I actually do treat myself to every now and again. But, when choosing a candy…choose something a little bit better for you. Less sugar. Less fat. Organic ingredients. No high fructose corn syrup of hydrogenated oils. For me…Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar is a fantastic option for when the sweet tooth hits.

Try it for yourself. And as soon as I can find the other varieties…I’ll give those a try too.

Happy indulging.

Amy's Organic Kitchen Andy's Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar (halved) — Amy’s Organic Kitchen Andy’s Dandy Candy Chewy Candy Bar (halved)

February 16, 2014

Restaurant Review: Village Tavern, Birmingham, Alabama

Restaurant: Village Tavern, Birmingham, Alabama

I’m so disappointed.

I know…any blog that starts with those three words can’t be good, right? Right.

And, sadly enough, that’s the way of it when it comes to Village Tavern in Birmingham, Alabama.

First of all, finding a restaurant in the South for gluten-free food is not always easy. There are some, but when you are craving gluten-free pizza…when you require it…well…things can get a bit tricky.

But, after a little research, Cathy and I found Village Tavern in Birmingham, Alabama for the recent journey down there. I was going to have a great dinner out with my sister, her youngest son, and a great friend of mine…Michelle!

The company at dinner was great. I hadn’t seen Michelle since I left Alabama eight years ago. She hasn’t changed a bit. She’s still bubbly with the best laugh ever. And my sister…well…she really made it a fantastic night tonight. I always enjoy my time with my sister. There isn’t enough of it in my life. But…tonight…I got her and her youngest son and that was awesome.

So, the five of us total were seated and given our drinks. We all had water. Hydration, friends. Always water. Then…after a little back and forth, we were ready to order. My sister opted for the Chicken Quesadilla ($7.95), which came with a salsa and a dipping sauce as well. She got my four year old nephew the kids Cheese Pizza ($4.95)…which is HUGE for a child, honestly. He loved it. Even said it was the best pizza he ever had. Adorable.

Michelle got the Spring Rolls ($8.95), which she seemed to like. They weren’t what I was expecting honestly. But they sure did look good. With that she got a side Mixed Greens Salad ($4.95).

Cathy and I chose to split a Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza ($8.75), which is a 10-inch pizza. Usually that’s the standard for a restaurant. And she got the Tavern Salad ($8.50) to go with it as she hadn’t had any vegetables all day. I opted for a side of the Broccoli ($4.00). And that was that…orders in. We had the chance to sit, talk, catch up and all of that while we awaited the arrival of the food. And when it came…it smelled fantastic.

Problem:

The waiter knew Cathy and I were splitting the gluten-free pizza…and yet…no extra plate was brought out. Secondly…the waiter forgot about Cathy’s salad. In fact, he didn’t even put it on the ticket. So…yeah…that had to be corrected.

But the greatest problem…the biggest offense…

My gluten-free pizza dough was RAW! Like…gooey…uncooked rawness. I was beyond disappointed.

While I was waiting on a plate, Cathy went ahead and started on her half of the pizza. When my plate finally was brought to the table, well…it took two tries. First one was a small plate…which was fine. But soon after that was left for me…a larger, must better suited plate arrived at the table. Fantastic. Thank you. Cathy dished up my half of the pizza and I picked up my fork and knife to slice through what I was expecting to be a crispy crust. This was that infamous gluten-free cracker crust that all gluten-free pizzas have. But there was no crunch. No crispness. Mushy…soggy…still stretchy doughiness. Yes, doughiness is a word…because I used it in a sentence. The disappointment on my face must have been evident because my sister and Michelle both were like…”Is it not good?” I held up a piece of the dough and said…”It’s not cooked!”

The best part of the pizza was the crust on the edge…because that actually WAS crispy and cooked through. I know with cracker crusts there is a fine line between crispy and burnt…but this was on a fine line of being fresh from the package and undercooked. The toppings weren’t even that impressive. The pizza was just REALLY disappointing overall. I was not impressed. Not happy. And just MEH about the whole thing.

At least I had good company and good conversation.

I had it in my head to return to Village Tavern with my parents the following night, but I was so unhappy with that pizza, that I’m judging the rest of their gluten-free options based on that…and will find somewhere else to eat. I don’t think I’ll ever be back.

Village Anchor's Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (doughy disaster) — Village Anchor’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (doughy disaster)

January 28, 2014

Product Review: The Pfunky Griddle Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

Product: The Pfunky Griddle Gluten-Free Pancake Mix – $7.99

Awhile back, on a return trip from visiting my family in Birmingham, Alabama, my roommate and I were hungry. Very hungry. And I got onto my Find Me Gluten-Free app to find somewhere in Nashville, TN, where we might be able to safely grab a bite to eat. My app never steers me wrong…and it threw a few options at me. But…we were very intrigued by The Pfunky Griddle. And after a quick read of the reviews, I felt confident I could eat there and not get sick.

Breakfast food! YES!! They serve salads and sandwiches as well, but if you’re going to The Pfunky Griddle…you’re probably seeking out something to put on the griddle. And that was what we did, splitting an order of the gluten-free pancake mix and topping them off with our toppings of choice.

While we were waiting on a table, however, I spotted my danger zone. They sell their pancake mixes. Seriously. And one of the options they offered was their gluten-free pancake mix. After eating the pancakes at the store, I wanted some to take home. And after working through the plethora of gluten-free pancake mixes (I seriously LOVE pancakes)…I finally got to this one today.

And…you know I can’t do anything simple. The actual making of the batter is easy. Add to mix 2 eggs and 8 ounces of milk. I used my unsweetened almond milk. That was actually the easy part. I made 4 pancakes (1/4 cup of batter each) just plain…just the batter…so I could get an unadulterated taste of it. Then, I made 4 pancakes with blueberries added to them. And then, finally, I made 4 pancakes with white chocolate chips added to them. One batter…3 servings of different pancakes. I was excited, because from what I recall, I loved this batter when I ate at the restaurant.

However…today…I was way less enthusiastic about it. Not that it was bad; it wasn’t. It just…it isn’t able to compare to some of the other mixes I have used in between eating at the restaurant and making them myself at home. The pancakes actually cook up beautifully. Thin little cakes, toasted evenly on each side to a gorgeous golden brown color. The issue, I found, was that they actually tasted…gritty. Now, sometimes gritty is good, but not with pancakes. I was feasting on the plain pancakes this morning…my roommate said hers were pretty good. Which, sometimes means she likes them…and sometimes means that she is just being polite. I should learn not to ask her sometimes…

But, yeah…gritty. Gritty is not a good thing when it comes to pancakes. The batter was well mixed together…so it wasn’t an error on my behalf. And it didn’t have a horrible flavor either. Don’t get me wrong there. They taste like delicious pancakes, but that gritty texture is a little…off putting. In fact, I was happy to down these quickly and then finish off breakfast with my coffee instead of my usual vice-versa finish. My biggest hope is that the pancakes with the added fruit or sweet white chocolate chips offset a bit of that odd, gritty texture. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t notice it at the restaurant…because I was adding blueberries and bananas to my batter on the separate griddle pan.

The Pfunky Griddle Gluten-Free Pancake Mix is a blend of brown rice flour, corn starch, potato starch, salt, sugar and baking powder. Not bad on the ingredients. I managed to get 12 pancakes out of the mix. And they were all of a very decent size too.

So, they weren’t bad…but I just wasn’t as impressed with them at home. The gritty texture was a little…off for me. But, the flavor was good. I’ll give them that. However, I probably wouldn’t buy this again, even if I do stop in at the restaurant for breakfast/brunch again.

Pancakes made from The Pfunky Griddle Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

January 26, 2014

Product Review: Tasty Bite Garlic Brown Rice

Product: Tasty Bite Garlic Brown Rice – $2.49+

As so many of you know, Tasty Bite is my go-to prefabbed food of choice when it comes to needing something quick and on-the-go. I mean, honestly. It doesn’t get much easier than a 90 second nuke in the microwave. The food tastes fresh…like it wasn’t pre-packaged or sold on the shelf of your local grocery store. All-natural…real ingredients help make this a healthy and better choice than other options out there.

Known for Indian and Asian cuisine (the Asian dishes are NOT gluten-free), these are little packets of amazingly flavorful food. They are affordable, don’t take up much space in the pantry, and so easy to prepare. If you haven’t jumped on the Tasty Bite train yet…what are you waiting for?

For those familiar with my blog, you might have read about the past few Tasty Bite meals being…rice. Simply price. I had one with lentils and one that was just plain brown rice. And they were fantastic. Still moist. Still seasoned perfectly. No need to add anything else. Just…sheer, tasty perfection.

The rice trend continues. This time with Tasty Bite Garlic Brown Rice. First of all, I’m a total fan of brown rice. I have been for ages. I actually prefer it to the ultra-refined white rice. I think the texture is better and I love that light, nutty flavor that comes with it. Mmmm. But Tasty Bite, this time, stepped it up. They gave it an extra flavor boost with garlic.

And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE garlic!

FOR REAL!

So…brown rice…garlic…how can you go wrong? You can’t. Tasty Bite seasoned and flavored this rice with the perfect balance of spices and added vegetables. It made for one interesting and flavorful bite after another. Seriously. I served this with some sauteed baby bok choy. I’m not joking. As I sauteed it up with some garlic…it was a nice match. But I kept them separate on the plate because I wanted to enjoy my rice on its own if I chose. And a few bites…that is exactly what I did. The rice is amazing. It microwaves to perfection…still soft…still moist and fluffy. The flavors melt right into each grain and make it one of the best rices that are pre-made. Seriously.

And look at these ingredients: water, brown rice, carrots, corn, spinach, sunflower oil, garlic, salt, celery, sugar, cumin, chilies. Real ingredients. Recognizable ingredients. What more could you ask for?

Nutritionally speaking…we’re talking good numbers here. A serving is half of the pouch. In this serving, you will be consuming 220 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s amazing. And you do get a lot of rice in that serving. You will also be treated to a cholesterol-free meal that contains only 420 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Finally, you will be provided with a filling 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.

Healthy. Packed with flavor. Fluffy. Light. Delicious.

TASTY!

If you have yet to try any of the Tasty Bite meals…I encourage you to do so. And if you aren’t brave enough to go for Indian cuisine, give the rice a try. The Garlic Brown Rice is amazing. So if garlic is your thing…it won’t overpower, but it will add plenty of flavor to the rice. Enjoy!