Sweet Stuff – Page 18 – The Celiathlete

September 9, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites – $5.99+

Remember those wafer cookies that ever child grows up eating? Those ones that come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry? You know…thin wafer cookies with that thin layer of sugary cream in between layers? Remember those? I do…because I loved them. The strawberry were my favorite. Always my favorite.

Granted, I’m sure those cookies were (and still are…except I can’t eat them anymore and haven’t since I was a child, regardless) loaded with a plethora of artificial ingredients. They were simple, but delicious.

Fast forward to three years since my Celiac diagnosis. While gluten free snacks are everywhere, sometimes finding good ones are difficult. And don’t get me started on how most gluten free products out on the market are snack foods. As in cookies, chips, crackers, etc. Which, is all fine and good. Because, as we all know…I am a snacker…but I’m also an athlete who does try to keep snacks on the healthier scale.

That being said, this doesn’t mean I ban snack foods from my life. In fact, I like to indulge every now and again. And dessert is a necessity in my life. I grew up having a cookie or a scoop of ice cream after dinner. My family loves our dessert. Honestly. And nothing will ever change that. However, I try to either make my own desserts or really choose my treats carefully.

I admit…I didn’t use any methodical choice when I picked up a bag of the Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Cookies. Nope. I didn’t even look at ingredients. They just intrigued me. They were like…a grown-up, bite-size version of those sugar wafer cookies I grew up loving! And I didn’t care, as I put them in my shopping basket, whether they were good for me or not. These were cookies I simply just…wanted!

Cookie monster, remember?

So, tonight, after having a roasted vegetable sandwich for dinner, I pulled out the bag of Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Cookies for dessert. I was really excited about them and my anticipation was evident as the bag pretty much ripped as I attempted to open them! HA! This cookie monster wanted her treat. I got out my kitchen scale and placed a handful on a paper towel, weighing out a serving. I might love my sweets, but I always eat them in moderation and stick to that serving size. It was the perfect amount.

These little bite-size wafer cookies are light and flavorful and fantastic. They are the epitome of the sugar wafer cookies I grew up on…better in that instead these vanilla cookies have a chocolate hazelnut cream layer. And these layers are repeated, making them repetitively delicious. Honestly. The thin layer of cream is just enough to kick up the sweetness level of what would otherwise be a relatively bland vanilla wafer cookie. Absolutely amazing. They were light, so they didn’t leave you feeling guilty or guiltily stuffed. And, most importantly, they were delicious. A grown-up version of those cookies you ate as a child. Each bite-size cookie offered up the right hit of flavor and sweetness without being too much all at once. These cookies are layered in love.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients, shall we? Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites are made from potato starch, cane sugar, coconut oil, hazelnut paste, cocoa powder, soy oil, soy lecithin, salt, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and natural flavor. These cookies are gluten-free and cholesterol free.

But how sinful are they? For cookies…not bad at all. A serving of the Glutino Gluten Free Hazelnut Wafer Bites is 30 grams (which the box says is 7 cookies, but it is actually more!). This serving of little bite-size wafer cookies will serve you 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. This serving also dishes up 45 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. And finally, you will be taking in less than 1 gram of fiber and less than 1 gram of protein. Like I said…they won’t fill you up…except with awesome cookie goodness.

Oh, it’s safe to say that this cookie monster definitely indulged and enjoyed dessert tonight. Glutino hasn’t had a miss yet with one of their products for as much as I have tried them. And this is only a good thing, my friends. They are certainly doing something right. Because, everything so far has been oh…so good! Another perfectly indulgent item! One that I’d buy again in a heartbeat!

September 9, 2014

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix

Product: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix – $10.99

I want to give another quick shout-out to my friend (all the way back through middle school!), Rebecca Fifield, who not only is just an all-around fantastic person, but is also a consultant for Tastefully Simple. She was kind enough to send me a batch of the original four gluten-free mixes that Tastefully Simple were putting out on the market. I have one more to go, and this one isn’t one of them.

The product I am reviewing today, the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix, actually is part of their second round of gluten-free mix offerings, which also brought about a Gluten-Free Coconut Lime Cake Mix. Actually, I am just now realizing that Tastefully Simple sneaked out two more mixes while I wasn’t looking…a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and a Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Pancake Mix. I think I know what I’ll be ordering soon!

Anyway…when Tastefully Simple first released second round of products (Coconut Lime Cake Mix and the Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix), I was determined to buy at least one of them. I would have purchased both, except I was already planning on buying more of the Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix. Hey…that stuff is awesome. So after a little back and forth with myself…I finally chose the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix for this time around.

And last night…I baked it up.

One of the things that makes Tastefully Simple products so appealing is how…simple…they are to make. Normally, they require the addition of 2-3 items, all of which get stirred together and then popped into the oven to bake. Seriously…that easy. I love something that won’t take up too much of my time in the kitchen. Let’s face it…I may love to cook and bake, but I’m a busy girl and I value my time.

As it was, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix only requires 2 cups of chopped apples (and, hey, my CSA bin gave me apples this week!), 2 eggs (or egg replacer if you are vegan), and 1 cup of chopped walnuts (which are optional, but I always add nuts!). So, I poured the mix into a mixing bowl, chopped up two large Gala apples, broke two eggs into the bowl, and then added the walnuts. I stirred the contents until everything was combined and no powdery mix remained in the bowl. This took a couple of minutes because the only liquid in the bowl came from the two eggs, and for a moment I didn’t think it was going to come together. I will never doubt again, because it all mixed in beautifully. I poured the batter into a greased baking pan and threw it into the oven to bake. This normally takes about 45-55 minutes. Surprisingly, my old oven perfectly baked the cake in 45 minutes.

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix (baked and fresh from the oven)

First of all, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake smells AMAZING as it is baking. We’re in the midst of September, and autumn is coming. This made my entire apartment smell like fall. For real! When it came out of the oven, it took everything in my power to let it cool down before I sliced it up and tried it for myself. I’m not good with self control, but somehow…I managed.

The end result?! One of the most fantastic, moist, and flavorful cakes I have ever had. This is no joke. Not one bit. The apples provide a nice hit of sweetness and texture. The top of the cake gets this nice crust on it, which crumbles as you slice into it. It was a beautiful thing. And the cake itself…aside from being moist, this cake tastes like a flavorful and delicious coffee cake. It has this rich flavor to it, with the cinnamon adding a sweet spice to it that I love and my taste buds crave. I was so surprised with how moist this cake was. I was a bit concerned about it, but I should have known to trust Tastefully Simple. I might be addicted to this cake. Self control is definitely being exercised as I have an entire cake now. It sure does taste like autumn around here.

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients. The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix is made from sugar, rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, salt, cinnamon, and xanthan gum. It is cholesterol free, gluten free and kosher.

The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix isn’t bad for a cake. Remember though, this is for the mix only, but even after everything is added in, the calories and fat all stay in check. A serving of the mix is 1/4 cup, and the mix itself makes 9 servings. This serving will give you 190 calories. It is fat-free and cholesterol free (until you add the eggs, of course!). The mix has only 260 mg sodium and a whopping 29 grams of sugar. But…it’s cake. It’s going to be sugary! The mix itself has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein.

Not bad at all for nutrition of a cake, that’s for sure. I honestly was so pleasantly surprised by this cake. I think it’s going to become a pantry staple in my apartment. Because…wow…I am beyond impressed.

Now, I know you’re dying to try it! You must be. And you should be. So, head over to Rebecca Fifield‘s page and place an order. I promise…you won’t be disappointed.

A slice of Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake (serving size)

September 4, 2014

Product Review: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits

Product: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits – $7.99+

Yep…I found another version of the My Dad’s Cookies brand of gluten free cookies at my local grocery store, Lucky’s. I’ve been more than pleased with the flavor and texture of these gluten-free delights. For sure. So, it seems, as long as they have cookies that I haven’t tried yet, I’ll keep going back for more. Why? Because, it seems, I must EAT. ALL. THE. COOKIES.

What started off with buying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies has turned into a bit of a cookie obsession for me. No joke. The My Dad’s Cookies brand are not a gluten free brand that I had heard of prior to visiting Lucky’s…but now that I know of them, and know how good they are…well…I’m a bit unstoppable. For sure.

So, after trying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies, the Gluten Free Vanilla Grahams, the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti…I went in with a much smaller selection this time around. I keep hoping they’ll restock the Lemon Cookies, but that hasn’t happened just yet. So, from the meager selection remaining, my roomie and I went through the stacks of what was left. And after much deliberation between us, we opted for the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits.

Cinnamon cookies.

Mmmm…two of my favorite things. Cinnamon. And cookies. How can this be a bad thing?

Tonight, I found out. And the answer…it can’t be a bad thing.

My roommate and I often get a little creative with our cookies and with the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits, we thought…S’mores. Nothing beats a delicious s’more, right? It’s even better when I can make it vegetarian (no marshmallows here…just Fluff) with some dark chocolate. Oh yeah. But, I still wanted the cookie to be the star, so I made sure I balanced the campfire favorite flavors to perfection.

The result?

The My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were cookie perfection. The biscuits themselves were sturdy enough to hold up to the additions I sandwiched between them. They didn’t crumble like gluten free graham crackers do and the fluff and dark chocolate squares stayed in place thanks to the sturdiness of these cookies. The texture was perfection. Crispy, but without crumbling, these cookies were a great blend of sweet and spice. The cinnamon adds this nice hint of flavor to the cookies. They reminded me of the crispy bottom of sugar cookies and snickerdoodles. Nothing wrong with that combination, for sure. It was one amazing dessert, for sure. And the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits made these “no way I’m camping to have s’mores” dessert sheer perfection tonight. These are love.

My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits are made from a gluten free flour blend (tapioca, brown rice, white rice, soy, potato starch, and xanthan gum), sugar, water, organic palm oil, cinnamon, agave syrup, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. These cookies are gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, cholesterol free, and kosher.

As far as nutrition goes, for cookies, these stats aren’t half bad. A serving of My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits is 4 cookies. These 4 cookies will serve up 150 calories and 6 grams of fat. These cookies also provide 50 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. Not too bad for 4 cookies! And, finally, you’ll be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A sweet treat that won’t fill you up…but it is full of flavor for sure!

My Dad’s Cookies is definitely baking up gluten free deliciousness in cookie form. And these cookies are no exception. I’ve been really enjoying exploring the different varieties I can find at the store. The Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were just the right cookie at the right time. They make a great treat on their own, or doctor them up. Whatever you choose. But don’t miss out on these!

September 2, 2014

Product Review: Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+

I was on a mission one afternoon. I needed to pick up a few supplies at the grocery store. As I was leaving, my roommate told me to splurge a little and pick out a product that I have been wanting to try, but haven’t found a way to justify it. Within reason. Which, knocked out a few options…but I wasn’t without a few choices.

It was a hot summer afternoon, and I found myself wandering around the tiny, but stocked, natural foods area. I ducked over to the freezers and let my eyes peruse some of the options inside.

And then…I saw what could be one of the most epic dessert options in the gluten-free and dairy-free world – Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato.

Gelato…that is dairy free? You bet your lactose-intolerance! The Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato is an almond-based non-dairy frozen dessert. Yes! You read that right…almond-based. Mmmm…almond milk! And, it just happened to be one of my favorite flavors in the entire world – salted caramel. SOLD! And, it definitely fell into the ‘within reason’ addendum my roomie threw into the deal. Happily, I took it to the register, checked out, and came home to store it in the freezer.

That was a little while ago…but I had some cookies and bread and other delicious frozen treats to work through first. I have a system. But tonight, on a story, thundering evening, after eating some gluten-free and vegan mac and cheese…I chose the Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato for dessert.

I dished up two servings of the frozen treat. In fact, certain that the Dream frozen treats would act like coconut milk based treats, I allowed the gelato to sit out on the counter while my roommate and I shoveled our main course into our faces. Okay…we might have been a little daintier than that, but we were hungry and Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville makes some of the best mac and cheese out there for someone like me, with multiple food allergies.

It was the right move. After we finished eating and rinsed the dishes, I got out a 1/2 measuring cup and some bowls and got to work on dishing up dessert. Gelato is usually rich and creamy. While the Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato is definitely rich, the creamy nature gets a bit lost in the almond milk base. Much like coconut milk, it is a little harder and tends to break apart instead of just slipping onto the spoon. But it was delicious…and that was the important thing.

Oh…my sweet Italian dessert. Holy goodness. This was one fantastic, sweet treat. This frozen dessert combines a hint of saltiness with a rich, smooth caramel flavor. The result is a decadent and delicious dessert that is created without the use of dairy. The almond base lends a nice, slightly nutty flavor and gives it a thick texture. Not creamy like I associate with gelato, but still rich and smooth. The dessert melted on my tongue and I savored each burst of flavor. This had just the right amount of caramel flavor and the right hit of salt to make it one of the most perfect frozen desserts in my freezer. It was so hard to keep to that serving size.

So, let’s get down to the bones of it…

The Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is made from filtered water, evaporated cane syrup, almonds, tapioca maltodextrin, expeller pressed oil, brown rice syrup, and contains 2% or less of natural flavors, cocoa butter, soy protein, sea salt, potato starch, guar gum, carrageenan, carob bean gum, sunflower lecithin, soy lecithin, caramel color. This gelato is cholesterol free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher.

As far as nutrition information goes, a serving of the Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. There are 4 servings in the pint. A serving of the gelato will provide you with 140 calories and 6 grams of fat. In addition, you will take in 115 mg sodium and 15 grams of sugar. That is definitely a lot of sugar, but this is a gelato. Finally, you will be consuming only 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Not filling…but totally delicious!

I was blown away by the amazing flavor, rich texture, and the sweet and salty nature Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. Each bite was an icy, decadent treat, for sure. It was so tempting to just polish off the pint, but this means I have one more evening with this dessert. Tomorrow will sure be delicious. If you haven’t tried Dream’s frozen desserts, I highly recommend starting off with the Sea Salt Caramel Gelato. It’s a new favorite. Definitely.

A serving of Dream Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Almond-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

September 2, 2014

Product Review: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies

Product: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies – $5.89+

Cookies! Ooooh…cookies! More gluten-free cookies for this cookie monster to just…devour. Mine…all mine.

I was hanging out in Columbus, Ohio, visiting my friend Jenn, when she took Cathy and I over to her local natural food store, praising them for the huge gluten-free selection that they carried. I was hard pressed it could be anything beyond what we have around here, but I was instantly schooled. She was completely correct…The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, went above and beyond all my expectations for a gluten-free selection. It was huge. And there were items I hadn’t seen in my own area before. Call me one happy girl.

I piled a basket full of goodies…one of which was a box of Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies. While we do carry some gluten-free bunny cookies from Annie’s Homegrown, I hadn’t seen the Ginger Snap variety in my area as of that time. I’ve since found it, of course. But…that’s beside the point.

With a lot of fresh fruit items and other products that were in the pantry that would expire first, these cookies just sort of sat on the shelf. But after having to cancel my CSA bin this past weekend and having worked through everything else, when I was putting lunches and snacks together for today, these cookies were getting their time to shine.

I opened up the box and weighed out the contents to a perfect serving. I snapped a lid on the container and took them to work with me to enjoy for my morning snack. I eyed the little container all morning, glancing at the clock just as often, already anticipating these cute little cookies. When the time finally came…I lifted off the lid and grabbed one of the little bunny shaped cookies.

One bite…and that was all I needed to know that I had hit a jackpot with these cookies. The Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies were very reminiscent of my childhood where I could eat Teddy Grahams and Graham Crackers like they were going out of style. That’s what these little bunny shaped cookies reminded me of. Especially the graham cracker thing. I was a child that didn’t need the peanut butter of the chocolate and marshmallows for my graham crackers. I loved to eat them just the way they were…plain and right out of the sleeve. The initial flavor of the Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies takes me back to that…and then a bit of sweetness from the ginger comes through right at the end. It’s a nice play on the taste buds. I was elated and had to resist grabbing the rest of the little cookies in my palm and just shoving them all into my mouth and chewing for 5 minutes to completely chew them up and safely swallow. Because…it was tempting. But…I took my time an savored. These were fantastic little bites of cookie goodness for sure.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients. The Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies are made from rice flour, yellow corn flour, organic brown cane sugar, palm oil, tapioca starch, crystallized ginger, molasses, soy flour, corn starch, natural butter flavor, organic tapioca syrup, ginger, salt, soy lecithin,guar gum, and baking soda. The ingredients are all grown and processed without GMO’s. These cookies are gluten-free, peanut free, dairy free, egg free, tree nut free, nut free and vegan.

A serving size of Annie’s Homegrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies is 29 cookies (or 30 grams). This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 4 grams of fat. These cookies contain 55 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. Not bad for cookies. Also, a serving will provide 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. You won’t feel very full after eating them, but, boy, they sure are delicious.

These cookies were so amazing, not only because they reminded me of things I grew up eating and used to be able to eat, but because, on their own, they stand out as a tasty, delicious, bite-size cookie treat. The flavor was perfect – not too much ginger, but not too little either. It certainly brought balance to each bunny-shaped treat. I am totally in love with these and will treat myself to them again sometime. No doubt.

September 2, 2014

Product Review: BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf

Product: BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf – $3.00

It was two weekends ago that I was walking around the Indiana State Fairgrounds at the Living Without Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest. I had such a great time going up to the various booths, some from big name and well-known gluten-free companies and corporations. And then…some of the booths belonged to local businesses…bakeries and sauce makers and the like. It was an amazing variety and a great time. I had a blast talking to the various vendors, from local and nationally acclaimed businesses and finding out more about their products and/or company.

One booth that I dropped by was BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery, based out of Noblesville, Indiana. The bakery is owned and operated by Jennifer Wiese, the mother of four teenage boys, the eldest of which is on the autism spectrum. She attended an autism conference a few years ago where she learned about the benefits of a gluten-free and casein free diet in helping to alleviate some of the behavioral issues associated with autism. With a limited amount of good gluten-free and casein free food in Nobelsville, and an 8-year-old with limited patience for being asked to give up some of his favorite foods, Weise decided to get creative. With the assistance of her mother, they eventually were able to put together a winning combination of rice, tapioca, coconut, and potato flours, with corn starch, as a base for her baking.

In the end, the diet had positive effects on her son. And Weise wanted her son to be able to eat at social events, often meaning she had to bake a cake or pizza to be offered alongside the glutinous one that everyone else was eating. When people started complimenting Weise on how good her creations were, she began to get asked to bake for their parties.

With the demand there, Weise decided that starting a business was the next step. So, in 2010, BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery opened. Weise rented out kitchen space in a restaurant after hours and would start baking. After a year, she realized she couldn’t keep up with her orders and grow the business like she wanted to, so she rented a bakery and started producing her baked creations on a larger scale. This meant she could do her baking in the morning while the equipment was freshly sanitized and there wasn’t any wheat flour wafting around the air.

Today, Weise’s entire family has gone gluten-free. Now that Weise has more time freed up for working on business, she is interested in getting BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery carried more widely across the region and expanding her line. She recently even developed a cereal for people on the Paleo Diet, which tends to avoid grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar and processed oils.

So…here the bakery was, participating in a huge gluten-free expo. As I strolled up to the table, they were offering samples of their Warrior Mix (which is a cereal). But, for sale, I noticed one lonely loaf on the table…and it caught my attention for one reason – it was LEMON!

I love, love, LOVE lemon flavored things. And so does my roommate. Which, I immediately pointed the loaf out to Cathy and she nodded her head. I spoke to the guy behind the counter and said that I’d love to take the Lemon Loaf off their hands. He picked it up and informed me it was the last one they had. WOOT! Good timing. Cathy passed over the $3.00 they were asking and we walked away with something lemon and delicious looking.

Upon returning home from our day in Indianapolis, Cathy and I sorted out our stash of free goodies and the items we bought, including ones that needed to be refrigerated. The BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf went into the refrigerator. I had every intention of busting into it before today…but we were working hard on polishing off the banana bread I had prepared from the mix I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. And then…we were heading out of town, and taking my own gluten-free zucchini bread loaves with me to my parents home. So…with all of that finally gone…this morning’s after-gym breakfast had to be simple…and I had nothing. NOTHING. Until I recalled…the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf. Breakfast…was served.

That morning, before we left for the gym, I pulled out the Lemon Loaf and opened it up. The serving size was 1/4 of the loaf, so I cut it in half, then cut that half in half…so that my roommate and I each had a serving. I immediately noted the gorgeous lemon yellow color of the loaf. However, I was a bit uncertain about the white layer of thick icing on the top. I’m not big on frosting or icing…and the sheer amount of it was a bit…overwhelming. But…I placed the slices into a container and we were off to face the cardio machines.

After going to the gym this morning, we hiked over to the office and I removed the two slices (or half of the loaf) from the cooler I bring on gym mornings. I placed each slice on a plate and gave it a small warming (about 15 seconds) in the microwave before handing off one slice to Cathy and settling in at my desk with the other.

I cut through the top part, getting the huge chunk of icing with a little bit of the loaf. I took a taste…and aside from the sweetness of the lemon-flavored icing…the loaf itself was moist, rich, sweet, sour, and just plain…delicious! Yes…delicious. I ended up breaking the icing away and cutting it up so that I could get smaller bits of it with each bite instead of having it just sitting on top. Because…there was a lot of it. By breaking it up like that, it definitely gave the loaf more depth as I got a bit of icing with a bit of bread with each bite. Otherwise, I’d just get the icing and it was far too sugary sweet for a breakfast. More like a dessert. Maybe that’s what this was meant for. Dessert for breakfast…it happens. But…with the volume of icing, it was best eaten this way. Trust me.

I was rather impressed with the texture, taste, density, and flavor that came in the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf. It was light, and airy, not dense and heavy. Like I said, my only complaint is that the ratio of loaf to icing was…way off, in my opinion. It was a little overwhelming with that thick layer of icing on top, but I made it work. Truth is, the loaf would have been just as delicious even without the icing. And probably would make it feel like less of a dessert too. But, to each their own, and this is truly just a personal preference.

The BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf is made from sugar, organic enriched rice milk, corn oil, eggs, white rice flour, tapioca flour, corn starch, organic lemon juice, organic lemon peel, coconut flour, potato flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and sea salt.

As for nutrition, a serving of the the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf is 1/4 of the loaf. In this serving, you will be consuming 250 calories and 11 grams of fat. You will also be consuming 125 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. And finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. It isn’t filling…but it is one sweet treat in the morning.

I love supporting a local business, so I was excited to tear into my BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf this morning. Fantastic flavor and just the right amount of lemon. For my own tastes, I find the amount of icing a bit of overkill, but it does add great flavor to the loaf. I was one happy lemon lover this morning. And this loaf gets another eating on Thursday. Already anticipating.

August 26, 2014

Recipe: Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

It’s no secret…to anyone…that I love pumpkin. And as we head out of summer and into fall, we have reached the “pumpkin flavored everything” time of year. YAY! But, I have to say, I never let pumpkin season go away in my house. Not at all. In fact, I stock up on pumpkin because I will use it in so many things. As it was, I got a little overzealous this past year with my purchasing of Libby’s Pure Pumpkin…so, my pantry has cans of it. I figured it was time to come up with ways to use it up. Last weekend, I made my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles. This morning…yes…during the work week…I baked up a Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding. I love bread puddings…and this one was no exception. Even better…it is so easy to make.

I spotted the original recipe when Schär Gluten Free posted a link to a blog that had utilized their Gluten Free Classic White Rolls in a bread pudding. Made with pumpkin.

They had my full and undivided attention.

So…this morning…I decided to bake up the recipe that Mama Me Gluten Free originally posted and Schär linked to on their social media site. I made a few changes in the preparation for convenience sake…but in the end…it was just as amazing as the recipe promised.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Servings: 8
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 50 minutes

Ingredients:

15 ounces pureed pumpkin (fresh or canned)
1 1/2 cups milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup organic pure cane sugar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Few small dashes of ground ginger
Few small dashes of ground cloves
Couple of small dashes of ground nutmeg
Package of Schar Classic White Rolls (or any gluten-free bread that is similar in consistency), cubed into 1 to 1-1/2- inch pieces (I let mine sit out overnight to dry out)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top (optional…but delicious)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Place bread in a large bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugars, salt, vanilla paste or extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.

Pour over bread and gently stir until all is covered. Let this sit for about 15 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out with the back of a spoon or a spatula so that it is evenly spread throughout the dish.

Sprinkle pecans over the top, and shake cinnamon and sugar lightly over it all if desired.

Bake for 45-50 minutes.

ENJOY!

~*~*~

A slice of Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Maple Syrup

Oh…oh yes!! This bread pudding is one of the best (and easiest) I have made to date. I served up a wedge of the Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a delicious drizzle of warm maple syrup. If heaven was on a breakfast plate…that would be it. The flavors are amazing. There is the right hint of spice and sweetness to really elevate the savory aspect of the pumpkin. It’s rich. It’s decadent. And the pecans sprinkled with the cinnamon and sugar on top truly lend a great hit of sweetness as well as texture. I am totally going to make this again! But lucky for me, I still have 3 more days worth for eating it.

If you are a pumpkin freak like me…believe me…you’ll want to bake this one up!

August 26, 2014

Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest – Indianapolis, Indiana – August 23, 2014

GF Jules and me at the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This past Saturday, I had the honor of being able to attend the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest up in Indianapolis, Indiana. I love going to gluten-free expos and events and Indianapolis seems to always have one at some point during any calendar year. This year was no exception, and I was thrilled to read about the new location for this year’s event – the Indian State Fairgrounds. With all the vendors and exhibitors I saw listed, I knew this year’s event was going to be HUGE! I was not let down at all.One of the magazines I currently subscribe to, Gluten Free & More (formerly Living Without), was putting on the Living Without Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in various cities this year as a way to show those with food allergies and/or sensitivities that we can live life without deprivation and missing out on delicious food. It was a coming together of the magazine, as well as over a hundred of their favorite exhibitors to celebrate living well. And it was open to anyone who wanted to stop in.

Tickets went on sale and, as a subscriber, I received a free entry, and then received a discount code for another ticket…so I had Cathy taken care of as well. So, on Saturday morning, we ate a light breakfast before climbing into the car and hauling up to Indianapolis. We timed it perfectly because we burned through our breakfast just as we got up there, about 30 minutes after it officially opened.

And…there was already a line waiting to get in.

Oh…that made me happy, indeed.

It was a hot summer day already and standing outside in the blazing sun didn’t sound like too much fun…but it wasn’t going to be a long wait. Just about 5 minutes, at the most. And while standing in line, I got to listen to people who have done expos like this before (like me) describe the events and how things work to the first timers. I even got to geek out over favorite products and the like for a few moments. I love making gluten-free friends!

Before we knew it, we were inside the doors, in the air conditioning, and getting the tickets scanned. We were given blue wristbands to wear (for re-entry purposes and to show we paid!). Cathy and I put them on and headed into the expo proper. We were greeted at the door by people passing out reusable shopping bags from Glutino (a personal favorite!). Perfect for all the samples and products you are bound to pick up and buy.

Trust me, you don’t walk out of these events empty-handed.

Cathy and I decided that we were going to be systematic about our approach to each table/vendor/aisle. We’d start on one side and then work our way up, then come back down the other side. This was a good plan in theory, and we decided to start in the middle aisle to avoid the congestion of the end aisles. We soon found out…no matter what…it was just hopping and congested. People were surrounding tables, getting free samples, trying products, trying local baked goods, and the like. So, we ditched our original systematic plan for the…let’s just see what there is and wriggle into open areas when we can.

We’re pros. HA!

That being said, we began our Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest at the Glutino/Udi’s/Earth Balance booth, which was giving out samples of Udi’s Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Cashew Cookies as well as Glutino’s Gluten-Free Multigrain English Muffins, schmeared with Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread. It was all crazy, crazy delicious. I actually have the Glutino English Muffins in my freezer, I just haven’t tried them yet. Now…I know buying them wasn’t a mistake at all. They were delicious. And that Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread…out-of-this-world good!

And from there…it only got better. We made a point to stop by each vendor’s table and talk to them about their products, if we had tried them. If we hadn’t…we would ask all about them. I made a point of raving to the Pamela’s Product people about the Figgies & Jammies. Because they are awesome and worthy of praise. I talked to the Hodgson Mills representative and when I mentioned being a food blogger he said to reach out to the Hodgson Mills team anytime. I was told the same thing by various other vendors as well. And one local vendor who was selling the most amazing bar-b-que sauce and seasoning (which we purchased) said to tag her on Facebook when I use their products so they can read my blog. I was having a great time.

I think, though, the best moment had to come at the Freedom Foods table. Because, as many of you are aware, Freedom Foods only makes my favorite gluten-free cereal, Tropic-O’s. NOM NOM! I can’t find this cereal here anymore, since my Whole Foods stopped carrying it, so my parents ship it to me from Birmingham, Alabama. We have a system down. But, recently, they put out a gluten-free, dairy-free, and not-free version of Nutella…which I fell in love with. My local Kroger is the only place that had it…and I bought the last jar of it a few weeks ago. It has never been restocked. So…I stocked up on some Quinoa Pancake Mix, lots of “Smudge” (that’s the Nutella stuff!), and a few other products to try, all the time raving about how much I love their products and how they honestly care about what ingredients go into all of their stuff. It didn’t hurt that the guy at the table had a New Zealand/Australian accent. HELLO! I actually ended up going back to the table before leaving that day and buying 4 more jars of Smudge. I hadn’t opened the one I had at home for fear I would never find it again. Now…it’s on!

I was able to sample some of the best gluten-free Snickerdoodles I have ever eaten. And this pasta that was made from lentils that tasted exactly like regular pasta…but I couldn’t afford the hefty price tag on it. Unfortunately. It was nice to sample it, however. At the very back of the building, for those over 21, was the gluten-free cider/beer tasting area. There was so much food and samples…so I was glad we ate light. And Cathy and I have a system down…where we split a sample so we aren’t filling up on our own. It always works at these events.

However, I have to say the greatest moment ever was when I finally got to meet GF Jules in person. GF Jules (formerly Jules Gluten Free) was one of the first Celiac/Gluten-Free bloggers/recipe makers/amazing people I started to follow on social media after my diagnosis. While I have been to events where she has been present, I have never been able to actually meet her. That changed. We discovered that we were food allergy soul sisters, both of us being vegetarian Celiacs who also can’t handle dairy. Go figure. She was so nice and just so easy to talk with. I picked up one of her cookbooks, which she signed, and she was kind enough to take a picture with me. I might have geeked out a little bit. Or a lot. You know how it goes…

And soon, after a couple hours of tasting, testing, buying, talking, and exploring, our time at the expo drew to a close. We were going to meet our friend, Greg, for lunch that day, so we bid adieu to the fantastic event and made our way out to the car.

This event was probably the best one I have attended so far. Great people, great vendors, great information all around. And I came home with samples and products to try in the very near future. Can’t argue with that, right? Right!

I hope they return next year. I’m already making plans to attend. If one of these events happens near you…I definitely encourage you to go!

August 21, 2014

Product Review: Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix

Product: Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix – $7.49+

I don’t remember where I first heard about Breads From Anna bread mixes…but I discovered it one day at work. I remember messaging my friend, Jenn, on Twitter because the store locator showed that her local natural foods store, The Raisin Rack, carried these mixes. She said that the next time she made it over there, she’d check.

Well, it just so happened that the next time she was over there…I happened to be with her. And my roommate happened to be in a generous mood as far as the food budget, because she handed me a basket and told me to fill it up!

I did. And, lo and behold, in one of the aisles with a bunch of gluten-free baking mixes…I found Breads From Anna bread mixes. Lots and lots of them. The hard part was finally choosing which one to try first. While I love pumpkin bread…in the end I went with the Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix.

Normally I make my own bread, but I have never, ever had a gluten-free banana bread come out right. I figured it was time to call in some help in the form of a mix. When in doubt…try the experts. How did I know that Anna would be an expert? I didn’t. But I had heard things. Good things. And as a celiac and type 1 diabetic, she wanted to make bread that tastes like bread (not cardboard), and as a trained chef, she was able to put her skills to the test and created safe, allergen-free products that would have superb flavor, texture, and taste. When her non-celiac brother first tried her bread…he said it tasted like bread. That was all she needed. Breads From Anna grew from there.

Regardless of what I heard and the creator’s promise on the side of the box…with me…it just has to be baked and tested. Making the batter was easy. After preheating the oven and greasing one bread loaf pan, I mixed together the eggs, the oil, and the 3 bananas, which I had pureed in the food processor. In went the bread mix, and once that was well blended, I went ahead and folded in the optional chopped nuts. Because banana bread plays nicely with nuts. Into the loaf pan and then into the oven for one hour.

Yes. One hour. One hour of sheer torture because after about 20 minutes, you get that amazing banana bread smell wafting out of the kitchen. I was literally doing my hand weight routine and trying really heard not to drool. The aroma was beyond enticing. I peaked into the oven about halfway through and the loaf had risen and puffed up gorgeously and was turning this fantastic golden color. I wasn’t sure it needed the remaining 30 minutes, but kept it in the oven regardless…hoping for the best this time around. When the timer went off, I pulled it from the oven and set it on a cooling rack to now cool in the pan for an hour.

Sweet torture!

But…well worth the wait. After an hour…to the exact moment, I made my way back into the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and you better believe I carved a slice out of it. My roommate, who is non-celiac and a bread connoisseur, was my ultimate test. I handed her a slice of the still warm gluten-free banana bread and waited for her to take a bite. She absolutely loved it. My turn.

Moist. Light. Definitely delivering on the flavor, the texture, and the overall feel of banana bread. This bread isn’t heavy and dense. It isn’t overly banana. It’s moist, but without being wet. It’s perfection. Honest to goodness bread goodness. I wish I could claim I made this from scratch. This loaf of bread puffed up to this gorgeous loaf with a nice golden outer crust. Inside, you get this fantastic banana and walnut flavor. And this loaf does bake up big. Like…better than any other bread I have made, whether from scratch or from a mix. Never before has it turned out like this one did. I’m hooked. I want to buy all the Breads From Anna Mixes and just get into that kitchen and test them all out.

Totally worth it.

So, down to the science of things. The Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix is made from powdered honey, tapioca starch, arrowroot, millet four, potato starch, chia flour, chickpea flour, pinto bean flour, navy bean flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, xanthan gum, and sea salt. This bread mix is gluten-free, yeast-free, corn-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and rice-free. For a bread that is yeast free…it sure did rise up beautifully. This mix is also kosher parve and non-GMO.

Nutritionally speaking, the Breads From Anna Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix contains 14 servings. One serving of the mix on its own is 80 calories. The mix is fat free and cholesterol free. Just the dry ingredients alone, you will be taking in 270 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

I. AM. IN. LOVE.

With a bread mix. Thank you, Anna Sobaski…for creating this fantastic mix to make gluten-free baking, which is an art and science all itself, easy for someone like me. This bread is one of the best I have ever cooked up in my kitchen. I am happily, happily noshing away on this delicious loaf. And with all the flavor, texture and taste of “real” banana bread…no one would have a clue that they were eating gluten-free.

Thank you.

August 19, 2014

Product Review: Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn

Product: Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn – $2.25+

Popcorn.

When done right, popcorn can be one of the healthiest snacks out there. I gave up microwave popcorn ages ago (for the most part…sometimes…it’s the only option), and have been using the hell out of my air popper.

Truly, it is almost a nightly tradition to enjoy some air popped popcorn, seasoned with herbs and a little drizzle of olive oil (healthy fat that is also a belly flattener). Usually enjoyed while watching a Gordon Ramsay show or Torchwood or Dr. Who or…American Ninja Warrior! Something. I don’t watch much TV…but I usually unwind at the end of a long day with some sort of television show on Netflix or Hulu.

And I grew up feasting on popcorn while watching a movie at home or winding down at night. And every Sunday…it was my family’s dinner. Honestly. Popcorn has always been a favorite food in my family…and I carry that tradition with me today.

I was actually really excited when my July Cuisine Cube arrived and I pulled this bag of popcorn from the box. For one thing…the words popcorn were enough to entice me. But toss the word “lemon” in front of it…and you have a really happy girl. Lemon is one of my favorite seasonings and often do a lemon pepper popcorn at home as one of my seasonings. This…had it done for me.

The item I received was a bag of LIttle Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn. Little Lad’s is a small family restaurant in Portland, Maine. Their mission was to create a place where people could bring their families and friends and enjoy a restaurant quality meal that focuses on bold flavors and high nutrition. One of the creations that this restaurant created was an herbal popcorn that their customers raved about and couldn’t get enough of. This was no dull popcorn either. And the Lemon Herbal Popcorn version is one take on this popular product.

Little Lad’s Herbal Popcorn is made from organic lemon and fresh herbs. Yes. Organic and fresh. Bet you didn’t see that coming. This variety of popcorn doesn’t use any animal products and is gluten-free. And, the Lemon Herbal Popcorn is made with whole grains! According to the package, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this popcorn goes towards health education in Africa.

Like I said, I usually air pop popcorn at night, but last night, I was feeling lazy. Master Chef was on and, for once, I didn’t want to drown it out with my air popper. So, I went to my pantry and pulled out the Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn, pouring it into two bowls and giving one to my roommate while I settled in with the other one to watch the show.

Here’s the deal…packaged popcorn is either going to be amazing or fall flat. I knew the moment I opened the Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn bag that it smelled fantastic. That was a good start. I popped one of the popped kernels into my mouth…and it was settled. This popcorn definitely fell into the good side of packaged popcorn. In fact, what it reminded me of was day-old movie theater popcorn (movie theater popcorn tastes the best a day later, seriously!) with lemon flavoring. Seriously. You may not think that sounds appetizing, but, honestly, it does. The balance of lemon flavor and savory herbs is perfection. You get this great sweet and sour take on the seasoning, which plays well on the palate. And the lemon doesn’t take over and completely overpower the product. There is never too much lemon and too little to counterbalance it. And that is a difficult balance to find. One that I’m still working on when I make my lemon pepper popcorn at home. So, I was quite content snacking on Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn last night. It was refreshing and delicious.

So, how wholesome and nutritious is Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn? You know I was going to get to that.

Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn is made from non-GMO popcorn, organic evaporated cane juice, organic lemon, herbs and spices, non-GMO soybean oil, and sea salt. This popcorn is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and vegan.

As far as nutrition goes…it’s pretty outstanding. A serving of Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn is 30 grams (or half of the 2 ounce package). This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 7 grams of fat. A serving will give you 45 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. And, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

Not bad for a snack last night, right? That’s right. I’ll never stray from my air popped popcorn, but having this option last night was a delicious, easy treat. Thank you, again, Cuisine Cube, for your continued success in bringing me products I had never hard of before…would probably never hear of without these deliveries…and that actually taste amazing. Another winner from my monthly selection.