Sweet Stuff – Page 16 – The Celiathlete

January 8, 2015

Product Review: The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar

Product: The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar – $3.00+

The holiday season is over, and the New Years resolutions have kicked in, right? And so many people place eating better, working out, and losing weight at the top of their list. I am not one of those people. In fact, I don’t ever make New Years resolutions…and I’ll tell you why…I hate not accomplishing a goal I set for myself. I usually just make it a point to live that year to the best of my abilities. That being said, I am doing a little bit of cleaning up when it comes to my diet. And that does mean I am paying attention to ingredients that are in products that I purchase. While I prefer to eat natural and whole foods, there is no escaping the ease and convenience of processed and packaged goods at times.

And thanks to Cuisine Cube‘s Holiday cube (December), my New Year is off to a grand start. Let’s discuss, once again, the benefits and advantages I feel a service like Cuisine Cube offers. Because, if you’ve been reading this, you should be familiar with the service, but perhaps have been wavering on actually signing up. Hesitate no more. Just…DO IT! Cuisine Cube is a mail delivery service that happens monthly, delivering delicious, lesser-known, local, and less-processed gluten-free products right to your door. It’s fantastic. And each month is like Christmas, opening up the box and discovering what goodies are inside. It’s available at different price ranges, depending on how long you wish to order it for…be it month-to-month or a whole year. If you haven’t gone to the site to check it out…do it now. You will not regret it.

Available in each cube is a food that can be used for either a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner, a snack, and a dessert…and sometimes…a bonus. This month…an extra dessert. My sweet tooth stands up and salutes the Cuisine Cube gods and goddesses! But, the product that I tried out this morning was actually the breakfast item that was included.

We all know that I am a huge advocate for breakfast. It is my favorite meal of the day. Honestly. I could eat breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get tired of that kind of food. Never.

This morning was one of those mornings where I would rather stay curled up in bed, hibernating under all my blankets. With a hard freeze warning in affect for my area, my 7 mile speed work run was not happening outdoors today. Nope. So, I had to set my alarm to get up early and go to the gym to run…7 miles…on a treadmill…at varying speeds. UGH! But, when training for the Boston Marathon, you do what needs to be done. You just suck it up, cupcake.

After my run, I returned home for breakfast. With my coffee brewing, I needed something easy and fast. I remembered that I still had some products from my December Cuisine Cube…which included a breakfast bar of sorts.

It is called The YES Bar. Yes…The YES Bar. It was created over three years ago in a home kitchen in Laurel Canyon, California. Creator, Abigail, was faced with some food sensitivities and health challenges when it came to her son. And she found herself constantly having to tell him “no” to the foods he wanted to eat. So, she set to work, collecting all the healthy, delicious, and yummy foods that she could find in her kitchen that were naturally free of gluten, dairy, soy and corn. She started with nuts and seeds…added in honey and maple syrup…then vanilla bean powder…cinnamon…dried fruits…and coconut butter. In went hemp and chia for added nutrition. And then…chocolate. Because chocolate should be in everything. And “chocolate is awesome”…she says on the Web site. It took months to get the recipe down and find the right consistency to make these little portable treats of breakfast goodness. From the first taste, even before they were perfected, Abigail’s son loved them. Her other son loved them. Her friends loved them. Her husband loved them. In fact, her husband started using them for his 50 mile bike rides…and then his cycling buddies wanted them. From there it was parties…then people wanting to buy them…then into local stores…and so on.

The YES Bar is a grain free bar, so if you follow a paleo diet, they work for you. I do not follow a paleo diet, nor am I a fan of said diet. But…every single ingredient that goes into these bars is real food. And that is a sticking piont with me these days. The less processed the better. No weird preservatives or binders or fillers. This is not a glorified candy bar. It is a delicious and 100% healthy bar that you can eat for breakfast, after a run, on-the-go, for dessert, or as fuel for your workout. In fact…The YES Bar makes the following promise on their site: “If it’s in our bar, it’s good for you. And when you eat it, it will be yummy. Like, really yummy.”

So, does it live up to all the Web site hype by the creators?

OMG…does it ever!! This is like a Lärabar on crack. The good kind of crack! HA! The package said to try it chilled, so last night I popped it into the fridge so I could enjoy it this morning as a breakfast treat after my treadmill run. It was fantastic. Sweet and savory and salty and just all around amazing and delicious. I loved the crunchy and chewy texture combination. And it was actually quite filling for a bar…and it should be because it is all real and natural ingredients. There is some sugar, but it is part of the dried fruits and the honey and syrup that is added. It’s not granulated sugar of any kind. Gotta love that. And the flavor…amazing. You do feel like you’re cheating on breakfast with this bad. The chocolate gives it that rich sweetness…the dried fruits add to the texture and sweetness, but the nuts give it a salty and savory feel at the same time. It’s like eating candy for breakfast…but candy that is actually good for you!

Since we’re on the subject of ingredients, let me give you a run down of what all goes into The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar. This bar is made from macadamia nuts, maple syrup, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut butter, pecans, honey, dark chocolate, raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dried tart cherries, shelled hemp seeds, sesame paste, flax seeds, chia seeds, celtic sea salt, cinnamon, and vanilla bean powder. It is certified paleo friendly, certified gluten-free, and does not contain soy, dairy, gluten, or corn. It is also non-GMO! You gotta love all of that, yes?

As for nutrition, a serving size is one of The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bars. In this one bar, you will be served up a filling 200 calories and 15 grams of fat. Do not freak out over the fat…because it is the healthy fat that comes from the nuts and seeds that are inside this bar. This bar provides you with 105 mg sodium, 160 grams of potassium, and 9 grams of sugar. That may seem a little high for one bar, but it’s mostly coming from the maple syrup, the honey, and the dried fruits. So, it’s not the bad kind of sugar. To top it off, you will be taking in 3 grams of filling fiber and 4 grams of protein. It makes a perfect on-the-go snack and a great post-workout breakfast. Or…eat it while on your long run for fuel. Nothing should be offensive to the stomach. I might have to give that a try next time as I train up for my upcoming marathons!

I am beyond thrilled with The YES Bar Macadamia Chocolate Chip Snack Bar. And I never would have even known of its existence without my subscription to Cuisine Cube. They really do search for the best quality items to go in each cube. And they definitely hit the mark with this California based snack bar company. Loved this bar from first bite. It was great chilled, but I bet it would be just as good straight out of the package. Another win!

If you can’t find The YES Bar near you…be sure to check out their Web site! Trust me…you do NOT want to miss out on these!

January 8, 2015

Product Review: North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie

North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble - Double Chocolate Brownie and Heath Bar Blondie — North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Blondie

Product Review: North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie – $8.50+

Double your pleasure. Double your fun. Double your dessert.

Trust me…that is not a complaint.

I was surprised with my Holiday 2014 (December) Cuisine Cube when I found two amazing desserts inside. Even better…two of my favorite things for dessert. Cookies (which I’ll nosh and blog about later) and brownies. Not just one brownie…but two brownies. Pardon me whilst I drool a little.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, back in March I signed up for a fantastic gluten-free food delivery program called Cuisine Cube. Each month, I am sent a box of 5-6 different gluten-free products from smaller and lesser-known gluten-free companies. Some…are just from local bakeries…much like the product I am eating today. Cuisine Cube is a fantastic way to broaden your gluten-free culinary and foodie horizons, because, honestly, I never would have even known any of these products existed for the most part. New to me…and I’m loving it. I have already vowed to hit the Stock Up page on Cuisine Cube’s site more than once to get more of a product that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Dessert x 2 this month. As it should be with the holidays. Hey…I’m a runner and I work out. Dessert is not an option; it’s a way of life. I was raised having dessert every night after dinner…and that tradition carries over even now when I am on my own. It’s the best way to wrap up the day. A little treat at the end.

So, the first dessert I reached for was the one that came with two options. Yes. I am talking about North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble. Why “Double Trouble?” Well…inside this little unassuming bag are two decadent looking dessert bats. Yes. North Brooklyn Eats included a Heath Bar Crunch Blondie and a Double Chocolate Brownie.

Before I discuss the dessert bars themselves, let’s discuss North Brooklyn Eats for a moment. The local small town bakery is dedicated to making homemade confections that are gluten-free and “don’t suck.” (I pulled that right off the little info thing online!) It is run by two brothers, Josh and Michael Kimberg out of Beacon, NY, in the Hudson Valley. It is the goal of these two brothers to change everyone’s perception of gluten-free dessert. They specialize in gluten-free cakes and muffins, but, obviously, have other baked goods to offer as well, but desserts are their forte.

And yes…they are knocking it out of the park. A simple Double Trouble Home Run!!

As I believe in everything in moderation, including dessert (even if my sweet tooth says otherwise), I only ate one dessert bar at a time. And I split each one with my roommate (who is not a Celiac and doesn’t have to eat gluten-free). We started with (because I deemed it so) the Heath Bar Crunch Blondie.

The only thing I did to this blondie was that I gave it a quick warm up in the microwave. Desserts are always better when warm (when it comes to things like brownies, bars and cookies). It smelled absolutely fantastic when I removed it from the microwave. I got a knife and sliced through the blondie. Immediately I liked what I could see. The edges had this nice crispy border to them (my favorite part of any brownie!) and the inside was soft and chewy. I gave half to my roommate (Cathy), and kept the other half for me to devour. I tucked in under my snuggie (Hey…it’s cold here!) and dove in.

Holy dessert gods!! I have always loved brownies and enjoyed blondies. This blondie was definitely done up very well. The North Brooklyn eats Heath Bar Crunch Blondie tastes like…a Heath Bar…but in a more rich and decadent form. It’s like a sweet snack transformed into a delicious dessert. And I loved it. The blondie was baked to perfection, golden and speckled with toffee and chocolate goodness. It was a nice play of flavors on the taste buds for sure. I was just casually eating each little forkful, until I just had to pick it up and shove it in my face. Well, maybe not so barbarian and brutishly…but I did give up on the fork method as just getting my fingers on this treat was a necessary pleasure. It was moist and crumbly and just perfect. If heaven were a brownie…it would be a blondie! THIS particular blondie!!

The North Brooklyn Eats Double Chocolate Brownie was up the next night. Meaning…it was totally scarfed up tonight. HA! If you love chocolate…you will totally love this. This brownie…think cake-like, not fudgy, is a rich, chocolatey, delicious treat from the first bite to the last. I love that it isn’t overly sweet. It hits all the right notes. The brownie itself is light and soft in the middle, not heavy and dense. I love that. It makes me feel like I can eat more! The edges had that fantastic crunch to them, but inside was all chocolate and all business. Chocolate brownies with chocolate chips. Yeah…you can’t go wrong with that. Insanely good! Double insanely good.

As this is a product from a local bakery in the New York City area…there isn’t any information as to what ingredients they use or the nutrition information. But…they are brownies and blondies…assume it’s a treat. If you’re anything like me…you can split it with a friend or loved one. All the taste, half the guilty pleasure…er…guilt.

Two nights, two desserts, two fantastic dessert bars…all brought to me by the awesome people at Cuisine Cube…as well as the master bakers at North Brooklyn Eats. I’m still dreaming of dessert. If you want the best of both dessert bar worlds…opt for North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie. Enjoy every last bite! And then…go buy more.

January 1, 2015January 1, 2015

Product Review: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Cornbread Mix

Product: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Cornbread Mix – $2.99+

Yep…I still have some items from my original pillaging of Aldi back in May for their new (at the time) gluten-free products. The mixes usually take some time for me to actually use. I just have gotten out of the habit of making things from a simple mix. That’s not a bad thing, mind you, except then my pantry remains very, very full.

Well…the other day I discovered a recipe for a Ethiopain dish that I wanted to try to make for dinner. I didn’t want to serve it with rice. But I knew that I wanted something more than just the black eyed peas and coconut milk mixture (with tons of veggies and spices). When I realized that we still needed a habanero pepper for the dish, I sent my roommate out to the store while I got to work on cooking. It dawned on me that I still had the cornbread mix from Aldi in my pantry.

I figured you can’t go wrong with an African dish served alongside a Southern favorite, right?

Let me start by saying that this is actually a very simple mix to put together. Preheat the oven and then mix together 1 egg, 3/4 cup milk (I used almond milk), and 1/2 cup oil. Add the cornbread mix and beat well for around 2-3 minutes. Place in a greased 8×8 baking pan and allow to stand for 10 minutes. Then, pop it in the oven to bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. For me, it was between 20-25 minutes.

Somehow, my roommate missed the cornbread baking and cooling, although she entered the kitchen a few times. How that happened, I’ll never know. But, when my Black-Eyed Peas with Coconut Milk and Ethiopian Spices was done simmering…dinner was served. And when I handed her a bowl of the curried black-eyed peas, she seemed most excited about the surprise slice of cornbread. She dove right into it.

“It’s really sweet!” she said, as I prepared my own bowl and plate.

She was right. Very right. I settled into my seat and took a bite of my spicy dish Then…the cornbread.

Sweet. Like…cake. Reminds me of the Mark Lowery riff on Southern cornbread. “Do not put sugar in your cornbread. Sugar in the cornbread is cake.” HAHAHA! Ah…funny. *ahem* Sorry. But, yes…this is a sweet cornbread. Not that it is a bad thing…except I grew up in the North…and we don’t do sweet tea or sweet cornbread. That being said, this was the moistest, best tasting gluten-free cornbread from a mix that I have ever made. I’ve even made some from scratch that haven’t baked up this moist and rich. I can overlook that sweetness for the taste and texture that came out of this mix. I am way beyond impressed. Even more impressive…it reheats beautifully, retaining its moistness. Simply amazing. I would definitely purchase this again in a heartbeat. And you certainly can’t beat that price.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into the liveGfree Gluten Free Cornbread Mix. This mix is made up of sugar (yep…first ingredient!), yellow corn meal, white rice flour, potato starch, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, baking powder, natural vanilla flavor, salt, and xanthan gum. This mix is gluten-free, lactose free, nut free, soy free, and wheat free. The mix itself is cholesterol free…but that gets negated when you add the egg.

Speaking of which, how about the nutrition information? A serving size is 1/4 cup of the mix. It makes 12 servings. One serving of the mix is 130 calories and is fat free. One serving will provide you with 360 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. One serving also provides 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Sometimes love can come in the form of a simple gluten-free cornbread mix. I was really happy with the way this baked up, the way it tasted, and the way it all came together. Amazing. I have been more than impressed by Aldi’s liveGfree line of products. And this one is right on top! Highly recommended.

A slice of Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Cornbread

December 14, 2014December 14, 2014

Recipe: Gluten Free Melted Snowman Cookies

It’s my favorite time of year! I love the Christmas holidays. Why? Because I get to make people some of my baked goodies. And I absolutely love doing this and then handing them over. I do this for the people at my bank…the gas station…my neighbors…my adoptive family…and my apartment office. I do it for friends and family. I just love, love, love, love to create something in my kitchen and then bring a little joy and sweetness to the people in my life.

Well, as my roommate and I have made friends with our new downstairs neighbors…we wanted to make some Christmas cookies for them. After asking if their young son had any food allergies (he doesn’t)…I went ahead with my plan to make these adorable Melted Snowman Cookies. I was just crossing my fingers the entire time that they would work out. They did. They require a little work when it comes to the faces…but totally worth it.

Recipe: Gluten Free Melted Snowman Cookies

Servings: 20-28 cookies
Time: Prep 50 minutes; Bake 9-11 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Cup 4 Cup)
1 pound vanilla-flavored candy coating, coarsely chopped
20-28 bite-size chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Mini M&Ms for the face (which I separated ahead of time while the cookies cooled so they were ready to go!)1/4 teaspoon salt1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the cocoa powder and as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

Shape dough into twenty 1-3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are just firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Place cooled cookies on prepared baking sheet. In a medium microwave-safe bowl microwave candy coating on 50% power for 2-1/2 to 3 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Spoon melted coating over each cookie to cover cookie and resemble melted snow. While coating is still tacky, add a peanut butter cup for a top hat and decorate with mini M&Ms or other candies to resemble snowman faces.

Let stand until set.

~*~*~

These cookies are not only adorable but they are amazing too! Lots of flavor. And they are so easy to make, but it looks like you spent hours in the kitchen making them. The difficult part is letting that candy coating cool so you can package them up. HA! If you are looking for a cute Christmas cookie idea…I highly recommend these!

Happy gluten-free baking, sweeties!

December 10, 2014

Product Review: Envirokidz Cinnamon Jungle Munch Cereal

Product: Envirokidz Cinnamon Jungle Munch Cereal – $4.99+

So, recently, Envirokidz (owned by Nature’s Path) put out two brand new gluten-free cereals in the Envirokidz line of cold cereals. And yes, I have no shame in eating a “kids” cereal. I mean, come on, my parents send me Freedom Foods Tropico’s in the mail so I can get my “Froot Loop” fix. Yeah…kids cereals are often more delicious than the grown up versions anyway. And who puts an age limit on which cereals you eat? My dad could polish off a box of Coco Puffs on his own…and did on numerous times…even though the cereal was bought for the three kids in my family.

Go figure.

Let it be said that when I saw that one that had the word “cinnamon” attached to it…I immediately knew that I needed to try it. Honestly. I mean, my favorite cookie is a snickerdoodle…cinnamon and I are, like, BFFs…or something. Sure, the other one was chocolate…but my eye was drawn to the box with the happy elephant on the cover. Cinnamon Jungle Munch.

I first spotted this cereal while out of town…and not in a place where I could just bring it home with me. So, when it turned up soon after at one of my local natural food stores, I added some wiggle room to the food budget and picked it up. It’s been a couple of weeks, but I needed to get caught up on blogs before opening a new cereal.

That happened…Monday.

My anticipation was high as I popped open the box and tore into the little plastic bag thingie that keeps everything fresh. I measured out a serving, dumped on some almond milk, and took a bite.

And hated it. I mean, seriously hated it. Not enough to spit it out or not polish off the rest of the box (although it’s really hard to convince myself to eat it now). I don’t know…it’s lacking a bit of sweetness. The cinnamon just sort of overwhelms everything. It’s more spicy than sweet. The little corn puffs are coated in this and it just doesn’t work for me. It just tastes…off. And I am, sadly, not a fan. I love the crunch, but the flavor is just…eh…not right. Too much cinnamon, not enough to balance it out. So…I’m stuck with cereal for at least a week that I dislike. Yay.

The Nature’s Path Web site describes Envirokidz Jungle Munch as a cereal with the “delicate sweetness of cinnamon.” They also claim kids will love it. Maybe kids will. But this adult is giving it a hefty and loud…NO!

Let’s talk about ingredients! Envirokidz Cinnamon Jungle Munch Cereal is made from organic whole grain corn meal, organic corn meal, organic brown sugar, organic molasses, organic cinnamon and sea salt. That’s it. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, vegan, non-GMO, and made with whole grains.

As far as nutrition goes…a serving of Envirokidz Cinnamon Jungle Munch Cereal is 3/4 cup. In this serving, you are taking in 120 calories and less than 1 gram of fat. A serving also gives you 80 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. I admit, that’s good for sugars in a cold cereal. And you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, you won’t feel full, but you won’t feel like you haven’t eaten either.

Cereals are not a one-size-fits-all sort of thing. What I dislike, others may think is the greatest thing. But this cereal really failed to impress me. Which is too bad, because I was practically bouncing off the walls wanting to try it, once I was aware that it existed. So, if you like cinnamon, you may or may not like it. This cinnamon lover…definitely didn’t like it. Maybe next time I’ll stick with the chocolate one.

November 25, 2014

Product Review: Cup 4 Cup All Natural Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix

Product: Cup 4 Cup All Natural Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix – $5.99+

YES!! FINALLY!! At long last, I am trying out one of the Cup 4 Cup baking mixes. I have been dying to do this since these products emerged on the scene back in 2012. I had eyed the Cup 4 Cup Original Flour Blend back when it was exclusive only to Williams-Sonoma and online purchases. The problem was, I couldn’t fathom paying the $20+ dollars to try a flour blend that was being touted as the best on the market. I wish I could have made room in the budget for it, but I live paycheck to paycheck with very little wiggle room most weeks. Especially having to eat gluten-free.

So, when I was in Columbus, Ohio at The Raisin Rack, and my roomie told me to fill up a basket with products I wanted to try…I knew, immediately, that I wanted one of the Cup 4 Cup baking mixes. The problem was choosing which one. The other one on the shelves at the time was the Pizza Crust Mix…and I have so many pizza crusts here just waiting to be made, the pancake mix seemed like the most obvious choice. And so…it has the honor of being the first product by Cup 4 Cup that I have tried.

So, if you aren’t familiar with Cup 4 Cup or why I’m so enthusiastic about this product, you must take into consideration that I am a food and chef junkie.

This brand of gluten-free flour and baking mixes was created by Chef Lena Kwak, while serving as Research and Development Chef in the famed French Laundry in Yountville, California. Her mentor, Chef and Owner Thomas Keller, knew they had stumbled upon something amazing when a guest at the restaurant tasted Lena’s gluten-free brioche and cried because she hadn’t tasted bread in years. It was then that they knew they needed to share this product with the rest of the world. Cup 4 Cup is not just great-tasting gluten-free flour, but it’s great-tasting flour for everyone. The name comes from this brand’s ability to substitute all-purpose flour in traditional recipes, cup for cup, making it easy to translate some past favorites into a gluten-free version. And no one will be the wiser. Basically, Cup 4 Cup allows you to not only create, but also enjoy all the foods that you always loved…but now makes them gluten-free so that you can love them again.

It is a pretty high standard and tall order to hold yourself up to. But you have to trust products when Thomas Keller is involved. Really!

On Friday, last week, I had made the decision to finally break into the Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix and make some pancakes. This was going to be a little time consuming, as I rush home after my 5:30 a.m. spin class on Friday’s to shower, change, and eat something for breakfast. But, the roomie and I had no real rush, so…I just had everything that I could prep ahead of time done and ready with all the rest of the ingredients out and waiting…with the glass mixing bowl. I showered. I changed. I went into the kitchen, preheated my skillet, and got to work.

Making the Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix is easy. Even when I doctored the mix up. You see, I asked Cathy if she wanted just straight-out pancakes, or if she’d like the Lemon Poppy Seed version that was mentioned on the back of the pouch the mix was in. She said, “You can’t throw lemon poppy seed at me and expect me not to want that!” So, one quick trip to the grocery store very early that morning to get lemons…I zested and juiced them before heading to the gym so that I just had to melt the butter and mix things together before scooping it out onto the skillet.

Nothing could be easier. With the skillet preheating, I poured the contents of the pouch into the mixing bowl and added milk and 1 egg to it. I stirred this together, then added the melted butter and (optional) vanilla extract. Then, I added the additional stuff to make it the Lemon Poppy Seed variety…1/4 cup sugar, the zest of 2 lemons, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds. With everything incorporated, I scooped 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle and repeated the process again. With two pancakes cooking, I noticed that they were getting those perfect bubbles around the edges after a couple of minutes. Time to flip the pancakes!

As I did, I noticed the gorgeous golden color on the other side. These were not only properly crisping, but they were fluffing up to these gorgeous, thick, and light pancakes. I was beyond pleased with the look of them. And they smelled amazing. That lemon scent was so refreshing. I checked the skillet side, and noticed it was now golden too…so they were moved to a plate and a new batch was started. These got a light treatment of butter and some delicious maple syrup. Breakfast was served.

Gluten Free Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes made from Cup 4 Cup All Natural Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix

Cathy got the first two pancakes that morning and when I saw her finish her first bite, I had to ask how they were, since mine were still cooking. She immediately cut another piece and began to devour it. “YUMMY” she said, with a mouthful of lemon poppy seed pancakes and maple syrup.

Mine finished up and I ate them in the kitchen while I prepared pancakes from the rest of the mix to have at a later time. In fact, four of them are coming out of the fridge tomorrow for our post-gym breakfast at the office. So, it will be interesting to see how they do on a microwave reheat.

That being said…these pancakes did have that perfect golden crust, giving it that amazing golden flavor and initial crunch as your fork slides through it. These pancakes were not dense or heavy at all. In fact, I found them rather light and airy in comparison to other pancakes I’ve made from baking blends. The lemon flavor was incredible…and at just the right level. Any more and it would have been too tart. I was glad I left the vanilla extract in, despite it being an optional addition. I just think it added to the flavor in the end. Overall, I devoured these in record time, cleaning my plate of every last remnant of the pancakes.

In the end, I ended up making 12 pancakes from the mix itself.

So, let’s talk ingredients. The Cup 4 Cup Pancake & Waffle Mix is made from cornstarch, white rice flour, sugar, brown rice flour, milk powder, tapioca flour, baking powder, potato starch, salt, and xanthan gum. It is gluten-free…but trust me…you’d never know it. No one would. And these pancakes were definitely diner-style and diner quality.

As for the nutritional information…a serving of the Cup 4 Cup Pancake & Waffle Mix is 1/4 cup of the mix. This serving provides 140 calories and is fat free. It is also cholesterol free. This serving also will provide 440 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. One serving has less than 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Of course, all of that changes when you prepare it with the rest of the ingredients. I used almond milk in mine, for the record.

Beyond impressed with Cup 4 Cup All Natural Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. On a busy morning, breakfast was still simple to make. And these really are some of the best pancakes I have had since going gluten-free. I think having a product that was developed by chefs for consumers helps keep up the integrity. And we all know that nothing that Thomas Keller touches would be sub-par.

I’m hooked. I sort of always want to have these in my pantry. Forever.

November 25, 2014

Product Review: Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin

Product: Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin – $3.50+

Many of you know by now that back in May, I signed up for this amazing delivery service that sends a box of gluten-free goodies to my doorstep. All for a very reasonable fee. The company is Cuisine Cube, and the seek out lesser-known gluten-free companies and the products that have to offer. It’s great, because I know that a lot of us hang onto the same brands and are hesitant to branch out and try something new and different. Cuisine Cube totally takes the guess work out of the equation and each month is like Christmas, opening up this box and seeing what products await you inside.

It’s my favorite delivery day.

Well, it is the end of November, and while I was away at Walt Disney World, running in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, my cube arrived. Never fear, it was waiting for me upon my arrival home. A special box this time…all Thanksgiving themed. I loved pulling out the variety of items and tying it back to the Thanksgiving table…which now will provide plenty of options for me! However, I knew one particular product that was included inside wasn’t going to survive long around me.

Three of my favorite words: Pumpkin. Pecan. Muffin.

HELLO!!

The business that is responsible for bringing these into my life is Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro, which is Long Island’s first certified gluten-free bakery. How about that?! And to think, I was in New York City back at the beginning of the month to run in the TCS New York City Marathon…and I didn’t even know this place existed. Trust me…this knowledge has now been filed away for my eminent return to the Big Apple. A little bit more on Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro though…

Jac’s was opened back in 2009 by owner, Jac, who was diagnosed with Celiac disease and then, later in 2010, an egg allergy. Being a professional bakery, Jac had to now find new ways to prepare the same foods she already loved…now sans gluten. After years of trial and error, she perfected her recipes and opened up a 100% gluten-free bakeshop and bistro on Long Island. All of her products are natural, 100% whole grain, use no refined sugars (only organic sugars), are 80% organic, and, according to her Web site, 500% extraordinarily scrumptious. In addition to the items she sells in the shop itself, she also offers cooking classes. That is super cool.

In this vacuum-sealed pouch, inside the November Cuisine Cube held what looked like the biggest, most amazing pumpkin muffin I have ever seen. Literally, it fit into the palm of my hand. It was epic. And…honestly, two of my favorite ingredients are pumpkin and pecans. And in the fall, I really do want ALL THE PUMPKIN FOODS AND DRINKS. I mean…it’s that time of year. And these things are only available during certain times of the year. So when a muffin turns up…a muffin I can eat that I didn’t have to make myself and is ginormous…oh yeah…I take immediate notice.

Which is why this treat inside my Cuisine Cube has already been devoured. Obviously. I’m blogging on it, right?

It was…of course…a gym morning. I mean, what better time to indulge in things than after hitting the gym, right? Hey…I’ve been out of town…it happens. Anyway, I brought the Pumpkin Pecan Muffin to work with me and sliced into the packaging. A bit of the top layer came off the crown, but, all in all, the muffin traveled well and held up. I set it down on my plate and gave it a short warm-up in the office microwave. Then, I returned to my desk, muffin ready…and settled in with my fork to take my first bite.

Oh…wow. This muffin hit all the right notes at all the right time. The pumpkin flavor was perfect. It wasn’t too much, nor was it overly spiced. The nutty flavor came through as well, and gave the muffin a bit more texture and kept it from being “squishy-soft.” It was perfect. And I am particular about the amount of moistness in a muffin. Whatever Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro does when they bake their muffins, they need to keep doing it. I was loving each and every bite, savoring it as much as possible. I am certain I was consuming more calories than I should, but it was perfect from the first to last bite, and when you’re enjoying a baked goodie for breakfast…just enjoy it. Let go of the calorie count for one meal. If it’s delicious, it’s worth it. I can’t tell you the nutrition information on this product as none was provided…but it was GOOD (yes…caps lock good!).

The Pumpkin Pecan Muffin from Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro is made from almond milk, applesauce, organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice flour, oat flour, arrowroot, organic almond flour, organic coconut flour, golden flax meal, guar/xanthan gum, eggs, organic coconut yogurt, baking soda/powder, vanilla, pumpkin, and pecans.

Trust me…whatever amount of calories and fat may be inside this muffin, you won’t care. I don’t care. It was scrumptious!

So, yet again, my Cuisine Cube brought a product that I otherwise would never have known existed into my life. From there, I learned more about the business, and have every intention of getting over to the actual shop the next time I am in New York City (*crossing my fingers for March*). I love that this particular muffin not only engaged my taste buds, but also my curiosity. And that’s the wonderful thing about Cuisine Cube.

As for Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro…you wowed me at first bite. And now…I only want more!

Jac's Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin (unwrapped) — Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin (unwrapped)

November 25, 2014November 25, 2014

Product Review: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Product: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie – $2.75+

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for one of the most epic products ever to arrive in my box. No…this is for real. Because in September, my cube included a cookie. But this cookie was not there for dessert. Nope. It was clearly the item intended for breakfast.

A cookie.

For breakfast.

Being that I am a cookie monster, this totally made my day…my week…my month…perhaps even my year!

And, after running in the New York Marathon and then the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon, I was running out of food in my apartment. And it was a gym morning. And grocery shopping had yet to happen. To much travel time (not time travel, LOL!). Okay, there really isn’t such a thing, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to go to work and get the much-needed grocery shopping done. And this was a morning I was at a loss as to what to have after hitting up the gym.

And then I remembered the cookie I had toted around with me to both New York City and Disney World…just in case I needed something to eat at some point. I never had to break into it on the go…but it was just the thing I needed when I returned home. Go figure.

The Lisa Harris Pantry‘s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is literally what it sounds like: a cookie intended to eat…for breakfast. I love being an adult. HA!

After getting in a good cardio session that morning, I ambled into work and was ready to settle in with something to eat before really beginning my day. This cookie was so convenient. It required no toaster oven, no microwave, and no hassles. All I had to do was open up the wrapper and enjoy. And that’s exactly what I did. The cookie was actually quite large, about the size of a small mason jar lid. And it’s thick too – a perfect drop cookie. I could see the bits of diced apples and the flecks of cinnamon throughout the entire cookie. It looked like a great balance. I also expected these cookies to be hard. But, while they had a crispy-ish outer edge, the center was soft and chewy and amazing. For real. It was, however, very sweet…due in part to the apples, apple flavoring, and the agave. So, I almost wish I had something savory to pair with it because it was borderline almost too sweet. But, it is, after all, a cookie. I thought the flavor was amazing though. I loved seeing the ingredients in the cookie. And I loved the boost of protein that came from the quinoa. As we know, I am always watching my protein intake due to my dietary needs (gluten-free/lactose free/vegetarian). And being so active…protein is a vital part of my diet. So, that was a huge win with me. I loved the texture. It wasn’t dry at all. Had the sweetness been tampered down even slightly, I think it would have been the new breakfast of champions. That being said, I would love to try the other flavor of breakfast cookies that are offered by Lisa Harris Pantry. Because, every day should start with “dessert first.”

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that go into the Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie. This flavor cookie is made from organic rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, quinoa flour, gluten free rolled oats, agave, egg whites, organic diced apples, lecithin, non gmo canola oil, milled flax seed, xantham gum, cinnamon, natural apple flavoring (whole foods compliant), salt. All ingredients are non-GMO. And this particular cookie is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, high in fiber, high in protein, and low in sugar. YES…a cookie that is low in sugar.

While on that subject, let’s go ahead and tackle that all-important nutrition information, yes? A serving of Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is one entire cookie. And trust me…these thick and moist cookies are definitely filling. One cookie will give you 245 calories and 8 grams of fat. They are cholesterol free. Each cookie has 69 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be getting filled up with 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein! These are definitely hunger satisfying, naturally energizing and perfect for any time of the day, not just breakfast. But the slow-release carbohydrates will definitely keep you going for hours without even the slightest bit of hunger.

I didn’t believe for a moment that a cookie could fill me up, particularly on a gym morning when I tend to be ravenous. But it did. If it weren’t for the sweetness, I think this cookie would be the perfect way to start the day. I mean, who doesn’t like dessert for breakfast? I definitely want to check out the other gluten-free options (not all of the products at Lisa Harris Pantry are gluten free) now. And without Cuisine Cube, I never would have even know these existed!

Another great product brought into my life thanks to Cuisine Cube!

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

November 23, 2014

Product Review: Zena’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Homestyle Cookies

Product: Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies – $5.49+

Cookie Monster is back with a vengeance.

My good friend, Jenn, knows me and knows that I love to try new gluten-free cookies. So, for my birthday, in my little bag of delicious birthday goodness, she provided me with three kinds I hadn’t tried before. Just after heading to New York City…and just before leaving for Walt Disney World…my roommate and I broke into the second brand she provided for me to try.

This time…it was Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I had never heard of this brand before, so I was a little excited to try it.

Okay…a lot.

Why? Two words: Chocolate Chunk!

HELLO!!

Do you see where this is headed? Because who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie, right? It’s the most basic of drop cookies out there. It’s a classic. It’s the go-to cookie of choice. I mean, you’ve reached for a cookie before and bit into it thinking it was chocolate chip only to be disappointed that it was oatmeal raisin, right? It’s happened to all of us. There is something that is so simple, yet so magical and incredibly comforting about a chocolate chip cookie.

But these weren’t just chocolate chips, yeah? These were…chocolate chunks!

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies come in a box containing 8 individually wrapped cookies. Open box…open wrapper…enjoy. Simple and satisfying.

The thing was…I wasn’t completely sold on these at first bite. Here’s why:

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies were…bland. If you didn’t happen to get a bite with the sweet chocolate chunks in it, then the cookie itself couldn’t carry it as a delicious dessert. While I found the cookies to be a great soft texture, the sweetness was just…wrong. The base of the cookie should be able to stand alone, but this was seriously lacking unless you got a bit of the chocolate in that bite. And, unfortunately, the chocolate chunks weren’t scattered well throughout each cookie. A lot of times, these chunks were just focused in the center, making it seem like the cookies were scooped and…whoops…forgot the chocolate part. They weren’t bad…we enjoyed them enough to eat the entire box (not in one sitting, but over the course of four days, HA!), but they aren’t a cookie we would actively seek out again.

As for the science of things, the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies are made from soy flour, palm oil, dark chocolate chunks, sugar, brown sugar, canola oil, potato starch, egg whites (frozen), natural flavors, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar, ammonium bicarbonate, Ganaden BC30, and salt. I admit, I had to look up what Ganaden BC30 was…and it is a natural probiotic. These cookies are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and are kosher. They are also cholesterol free!

Now, let’s look at the nutritional value of the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies. They are…cookies…so don’t expect great things here. A serving size is one cookie. This cookie will provide you with 130 calories and 8 grams of fat. One cookie will also give you 70 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. You will also be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not bad for a cookie, but there are other cookies I’d rather have over these.

So, while Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies weren’t bad…they weren’t great either. They made a good enough dessert for the few days I was home between the New York City Marathon and the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon…but they won’t be a brand that I rush out to purchase again.

November 23, 2014

Restaurant Review: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

Via Napoli - Italy Pavilion - Epcot — Via Napoli – Epcot – Disney World

Restaurant: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

It was Epcot Day! YAY! I love Epcot Day. I don’t know why…because so much of it features the World Showcase…which during the Food & Wine Festival…features foods from all over the world. Even the regular pavilions that are standard in the showcase don’t offer much for a gluten-free vegetarian. But I still love Epcot Day.

Since we were in Epcot, on our final night, we wanted to go somewhere in the park for dinner. It took a little bit of back and forth, but we finally decided on Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. It had gluten-free pasta on the menu, so we were good. Something I could eat. Which, definitely was important on Epcot Day…as our morning actually started at the Magic Kingdom…where we at Dole Whip for breakfast. Pictures were taken for proof. I am not ashamed.

But…let’s fast forward.

The entire day was spent doing a few rides and exploring the World Showcase. My friend, Jenn, was having a difficult time on the last day. Her feet…her poor feet…had blisters in places I didn’t know one could get blisters. It was a slower moving day, but I was fine with that. Take in the showcase. Stop and watch the new Lumberjack Show. I miss Off Kilter though…I’m not going to lie. Cathy snagged a lunch in Morocco (she had to have her lamb shawarma!), while Jenn and I toddled over to Brazil for the (naturally gluten-free) Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread). I later had one of my protein bars and half of a clementine (Jenn had the other half) because dinner reservations weren’t until 7:45 p.m. Late.

But, we made use of our time…checking out different things along the way, resting when Jenn needed to get off her feet, exploring the different countries, and shopping. Of course. We got in line for the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros at the Mexican Pavilion…and that sort of ate up (see what I did there?) the rest of the evening down time before food. It was a bit of a stroll back to Italy in Epcot…but Jenn was a trooper…and she got there.

I went up to the hostess desk in the very crowded lobby and let her know we were there for our reservation. She asked me some questions, it was hard to hear her over the din of the lobby. But we got it worked out. And, of course, my food allergy thing. So, there was a short wait…but after about 5 or so minutes, the lobby was emptying and we were up next. The really nice hostess took us all the way to the back for a table with a bench and two chairs. Cathy and I sidled up on the bench. Jenn took the chair this time.

We. Were. Starving.

I perused the menu and noted that, yes, gluten-free pasta was the only option for me. The downside…none of the listed pasta dishes on the menu were vegetarian. Yikes. As I was just starting to look at the menu, the customer liaison came over to speak to me about my food allergy. He noted the gluten-free and pointed out that they do not have gluten-free pizza but any of the pasta can be done gluten-free. And then he was off.

Which left our poor waiter to be the one who would have to seriously help me out. Not that he minded. And as I am the tricky one…I ordered first. And my first statement was…

“Well, I am a gluten-free vegetarian…so…”

He came over to my side of the table to look at the pasta dishes. “Gluten-free…it’s easy,” he said. “The vegetarian…” He looked at all the pasta options again and finally said, “I tell you what…we will have the chef prepare some mushrooms and vegetables with our marinara sauce.”

Works for me. Order in.

Jenn opted for the Lasagne Verde, which is a white lasagna that is stuffed with spinach, parmesan, ricotta, and a besciamella sauce ($22.00). Cathy went for her go-to when we first go to an Italian restaurant…the Spaghetti e Polpettine, which contained hand-crafted veal meatballs in a tomato sauce ($21.00). I have to say, I usually giggle a little when Jenn orders something with cooked spinach or vegetables in it…because most of those veggies get tossed to the side of the plate. But…she is Italian…and she knows her Italian food.

We waited for a bit…no gluten-free rolls or any bread at all at the table. We watched a woman at the table next to us devour an entire pizza on her own, while her dining companions watched her. And as she was taking her last few bites, their food arrived. It was weird. We couldn’t figure out if they were just there to watch her eat (like some crazy Disney World food challenge or something)…but…who knows. She then got to watch all of them eat so…turn around is fair play…or something?

But, soon our attention turned to our own food as our dishes arrived and were delivered before us.

Pasta with Veggies and Marinara — Pasta with Veggies in Red Sauce

I have to say, my bowl of pasta was beautiful. A good helping of marinara sauce (which would have been awesome with a gluten-free bread product of some type!) with a variety of vegetables cooked in. I spotted zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms immediately. And the gluten-free pasta was fusilli…so twisty and perfect for capturing delicious sauce. I will call this dish…”Pasta for the strange gluten-free vegetarian at the table in the back.” Or…more simply…Pasta and Veggies in Red Sauce ($22.00).

Now, this is the second Italian restaurant I have visited at Disney World. Normally we just head over to Hollywood Studios and enjoy our food (complete with gluten-free dinner rolls and gluten-free dessert!) at Mama Melrose’s. But since were were in Epcot…we figured it would be easier to eat there than park hop.

I sort of wish we park hopped…

It’s not that Via Napoli was bad. It wasn’t. The food was actually quite good. It was just…average though. The pasta in my dish was actually cooked to perfection. A lot of gluten-free pastas, especially when crafted from rice flours, tend to get gummy and fall apart. These were a perfect al dente and held up to the marinara and the vegetables. But…there was a lot of pasta in that dish and I ended up picking out the veggies at the end and leaving the noodles alone. I ate about 3/4 of the dish…and that was it. I was done. The marinara had a lot of flavor to it. And the vegetables were a nice touch and I appreciate the chef at Via Napoli for doing that to accommodate my dietary needs. I just…had better. Elsewhere.

Jenn enjoyed her lasagna…after she picked out most of the spinach. And Cathy made sure to eat all of her meatballs. They were much smaller than what she normally gets in a spaghetti and meatball dish, so she appreciated that too. But she too had to soldier on and leave some of her pasta noodles behind.

No dessert here for us…we had plans. Cathy wanted her chocolate cannoli from one of the gelato carts in the World Showcase, and I headed to France to get some Salted Caramel Gelato from an ice cream shop there. Yummy!

So, as it stands, Via Napoli put out good food. I can’t think of anywhere at Disney where I have had bad food. It’s just…Mama Melrose’s had more options for me…and a bit more to offer. So next time…I think I’ll return to Mama Melrose’s. But, thank you, Via Napoli, for the fine cuisine. A little taste of Italy never goes wrong with me.