Sweet Stuff – Page 21 – The Celiathlete

July 16, 2014

Product Review: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack

Product: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack – $5.99+

It’s summer…and I’m broke. Why am I broke? Because…it’s been hot…and my air conditioner has been rocking and rolling. Also…food prices are on the rise. And…well…I just have a difficult time living within my meager food budget when I have to eat the way that I do. Being that I am very broke at the moment, I opted not to purchase the extra container of vanilla Greek yogurt this week to make my overnight oats…because I had a box of gluten-free oatmeal waiting in my pantry. No time like the times you have no expendable income to clear out the pantry some, yes?

That’s right!

I don’t remember which store I discovered the Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal in…but I want to say it was either Whole Foods or Earth Fare. One of them. And I don’t know why, after months spent making overnight oats, I really, really had to have hot cereal. I mean…it’s hot outside…

I blame it on my blonde hair. I have to blame something…

But, now I’m glad I sort of made that decision. I get really excited when I see new products, especially ones that I know I’ll eat…eventually. And we all know I eat something oat-y for lunch every day. Well, this week…it’s been Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal…the variety pack…which gives a couple pouches of each flavor out on the market, so you can try it and if you don’t like it, you have maybe one or two more pouches to use instead of an entire box.

The three flavors that are included in the variety pack are: Spiced Apple with Flax, Homestyle, and Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains.

And…wouldn’t you know it…I chose to sample them in that very order.

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal

I started my foray into the Nature’s Path Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal with a bowl of the Spiced Apple variety. Now, I’m quite particular about my hot cereal. I want it at a certain consistency…and it has to wow me with flavor. It has to really win me over. And it has to still maintain the integrity of the product…meaning, I don’t want it laden with sugar. I want something that will stick with me…fill me up…do exactly what a hot cereal is supposed to do. Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal does just that. Made from gluten-free, rolled and uncontaminated whole oats, this blend contains dried bits of apple and a little dash of cinnamon. The glax helps add a bit of fiber to the mix, helping to fill you up and keep you feeling full.

It’s super easy to prepare too. I go the microwave route, because I eat this at work and we have no stove. So, I simply pour the oatmeal into my bowl, add about 2/3 cup water and microwave for around 75 seconds (1 minute 15 seconds). When it emerges, it’s steamy and has this nice creamy texture without having gone all to mush. No one likes mushy, soupy oatmeal. It cooks to perfection. And I love how the apples sort of soak in the water and become reinvigorated. They lend a nice bit of natural sweetness to this variety.

I wasn’t sure about it on the first bite. I thought it might be a little bland…but the next bite brought more flavor…and the same thing with the next. And soon, I had devoured my whole bowl and was spooning at the little bits left in the curves of the dinnerware.

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal include organic gluten free rolled oats, organic evaporated cane juice, organic dried apple, organic flax seeds, organic flavor, organic cinnamon and sea salt. This oatmeal is not only gluten-free but also cholesterol free.

As far as the nutrition information goes, a serving is one packet of the Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Spiced Apple with Flax Hot Oatmeal. This packet will give you 170 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 90 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. It’s sort of on the…iffy on the sugars line as to whether it’s too high or not on that count. In addition, you will be consuming 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. So, yes…it does make you feel full. Gotta love that. I know I do.

Overall…definitely liked this one!

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal

I admit, this was the packet that I was the most leery of when I opened up this box. Why? Because traditional oatmeal and I don’t always get along. Sometimes it can be rather boring and bland. And I was more than a little concerned that would be the case here. Also…I was taking it in on the day that the office was having lunch catered by a bbq restaurant…which was meat and gluten…so not for me. While my boss, that morning, said she’d be happy to purchase something for me from one of the restaurants nearby…even if it was just a salad…I told her I had my oatmeal with me…and that was fine. I sure hoped it was going to be okay…because I was stuck eating it regardless.

AND…I opted not to bring anything to mix into it. No raisins, no berries…not even brown sugar or maple syrup. Nope. I needed to try it on its own…and was definitely rolling the dice on this one.

Same cooking as the other packet…bowl, water, microwave for 75 seconds…enjoy!

For an oatmeal that is nothing but rolled oats…this one amazed me. This one impressed me. It wasn’t bland at all. In fact, it had this tiny hint of sweetness to it, without all the added sugars. The oats were definitely perfect. I didn’t give raisins or syrup or fruit a second thought when I settled into the lunch meeting with my bowl and sent up prayers to the gluten-free lunch gods that I could at least get through this bowl. I had no problems and found myself devouring the oatmeal faster than I intended. That’s saying something!

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal include organic gluten free rolled oats. Yes…that’s all. And yes…it really is delicious. It may seem plain, but there is nothing plain about this variety. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and sugar free. Speaking my language!

As far as the nutrition information goes, one serving is one packet of Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Hot Oatmeal. This packet will serve you 170 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. You will be taking in 0 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be consuming 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein, leaving you feeling full for longer. Yes…just…yes! Trust me…this is really good. Not bland. Not plain. Not lacking in anything but the stuff you don’t need to be feeding your body anyway.

Overall…LOVE!

Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains Hot Oatmeal

Before I really expanded into the hot cereal world, growing up I would add brown sugar to the Malt-O-Meal (something I definitely can’t eat anymore!) my dad would cook up for breakfast sometimes. This was a go-to whenever my mom wasn’t able to make breakfast or was out of town or something. When he was in charge…he opted for his favorite hot cereal. Malt-O-Meal. The thing was…growing up I hated hot cereal. Hated it. I ate my cold cereal dry…no milk. So when I started giving hot cereal a try as an adult…I did it cautiously and started with something familiar. Something with brown sugar.

From there, I expanded to other flavors, but if given the choice…old habits die hard…I always opt for the Brown Sugar variety. I think that’s why I usually save that version for last. It’s just…ingrained in me.

Same as everything else…empty packet into bowl, add water, nuke for 75 seconds…consume.

This one was good. It was really, really good. Homestyle, I think is still my favorite of the three…but this one is a close second. The sweetness of the brown sugar and maple syrup is a nice way to really perk up oatmeal. The texture on this one was a little soupy…but I might have added a little too much water when measuring it out. Hard to say. But…it sat for a moment and those oats just soaked it up. It was nice and sweet and delicious. And I savored each bite…wondering how it was I used to dislike hot cereal…except when I mixed brown sugar into it. Well…this one is a sentimental favorite for sure…but, honestly, the flavor is nice. Not too sweet, actually…but not bland. The right balance with the right consistency. Impressed.

Ingredients in Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple with Ancient Grains Hot Cereal include organic gluten free rolled oats, organic brown sugar, organic evaporated cane juice, organic rolled amaranth, organic rolled quinoa, organic sorghum flour, natural flavor, and sea salt. It is gluten-free and cholesterol free.

As far as the nutrition information goes, one serving is one packet of Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple Hot Oatmeal. This packet will serve you 160 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be consuming 80 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Don’t let that drop in number hinder you…this one is also very filling. In fact…I felt my fullest after eating this one. Odd!

Overall…really, really like!

So, if you are wanting an easy-to-make and easy-to-eat option for breakfast, lunch or even dinner…I highly recommend Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Hot Oatmeal Variety Pack. You get a little bit of everything to try and you can choose what you prefer when it comes to the flavors out on the market. It’s a great value at a great price.

Beyond impressed. I’m sure this will find its way into my pantry again.

July 13, 2014

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Fudgy Brownie Mix

Product: Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Fudgy Brownie Mix – $11.99

I want to give a quick shout out to my friend, Rebecca Fifield, a Tastefully Simple consultant and friend of mine since middle school. When Tastefully Simple first put out their new gluten-free products, she sent me a box containing said products and asked me to try them out. Sometimes, I get distracted, but I always get around to it. And while I have already reviewed the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix and the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Vanilla Bean Pound Cake Mix, I had yet to get around to the (honestly) most important one…the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Mix.

Why is this one the most important product? It’s not…I just made that up. Why? Because it involves chocolate. And brownies. And second only to cookies…brownies are my next favorite treat in life. Seriously. And while there are plenty of gluten-free options out there for brownie mixes…let’s face it…they aren’t all great.

Well…I don’t know what convinced me that today was a good day to make brownies. It was 97°F outside…I had just returned from Detroit (I was seeing Queen in concert!) and the World Cup Final was about to begin. Of course, brownies seem logical, yes?

Well, the best part about Tastefully Simple is…how simple their products are to make. So, this took me, literally 5 minutes to get ready to go into the oven. Anything that doesn’t require me dragging out my Kitchenaid Mixer and a bunch of different bowls and ingredients is a good thing in my book. And this…required only two additional items to the mix itself – 2 eggs and butter.

That’s it.

Simple.

Tastefully simple.

So, here I was, moments away from kickoff and I’m preheating my oven to 350°F and getting out a large bowl. I empty the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Mix into a large mixing bowl and crack open 2 eggs. I add the melted 1-1/2 sticks of butter to the bowl, grab a spoon, and simply stir it all together. The thick, chocolate batter then is poured into a greased 8×8 baking pan…and into the oven it went. No World Cup missed. And dessert well on its way to being done in 40 undisturbed minutes.

Near the end of the first half, my timer beeps and I get up and pull the brownies out of the oven. I had been smelling them all during the match and my mouth was already watering. They looked amazing…a little crisp on the edges, but crumbly and flaky all throughout the center. I inserted a toothpick to see if it came out clean…and it did. The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Mix was done baking. I placed the pan on cooling rack and got to work on dinner while they cooled.

After dinner, it was time to give my dessert a try. I got out a knife and sliced the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Fudgy Brownies into 16 squres, as the serving is 1/16th of the package. Math is my strong subject. I eased out two squares, one for my roommate and one for myself. As we are coming off of a mega concert high and World Cup excitement, it was time to doctor these up. I got out my gluten-free So Delicious Coconut Milk Cookie Dough Ice Cream and placed a scoop on top of the brownies. Then, topped it off with a drizzle of hot fudge. Gluten-Free Brownie Sundaes done in time for the second half of the final match.

So…here’s the thing…

The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Mix bakes up really rich and fudgy brownies. Oh…my…GOD! These were chocolate heaven. I ended up pushing my scoop of ice cream off the top of the brownie so I could simply enjoy it and all it’s moist, chocolate goodness. Seriously. I wasn’t expecting to fall this in love with this dessert, but Tastefully Simple truly nailed it with these. They have a nice, crisp, outer edge…but the rest of the brownie is ooey, gooey, soft, fudgy goodness. From one bite to the next, I was already anticipating the next rich burst of chocolate. I was just…loving each and every bite and had to stop myself from going back to steal another square. I did, however, pick up all the crumbs from the two pieces I dished up and ate those. Hey…nothing this good should go to waste.

I know, you’re thinking that $11.99 is a lot of money to spend on a brownie mix…but when Tastefully Simple does something…they do it right. And with it being so easy to prepare and bake, you’ll never want to go back to any other brownie mix. Phenomenal flavor…sweet, rich, moist and simply tasty.

Let’s look at ingredients, shall we? The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie Mix is made up of sugar, rice flour, cocoa, potato starch, tapioca flour, and less than 2% of natural flavors, salt, xanthan gum, and silicon dioxide (anticaking). It is gluten-free and can be made vegan by using vegan butter (like Earth Balance) and using an egg substitute.

As for nutrition? Well…they are brownies. So…remember that. A serving of the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies is 1/16th of the package. So that’s about a 2-inch square, I think. This serving will give you 130 calories and 0.5 grams of fat. It is cholesterol-free. You will be taking in 60 mg sodium and 20 grams of sugar. Yep…it is high in sugar, but it’s also the first ingredient on the pouch and…it is BROWNIES! Dessert. Hello! This mix also provides 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Thank you Rebecca for introducing me to Tastefully Simple and their gluten-free line. I have a few more products to review, but so far, everything I have been able to try has gone above and beyond all expectations. I think the Fudgy Brownie Mix will never leave my pantry. Ever. Simple and delicious. That’s Tastefully Simple. And they make some of the best gluten-free products I have ever been able to easily make and try.

Make sure you head over to Rebecca Fifield‘s Tastefully Simple page and order some for yourself! You will not be disappointed.

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownie (serving size)

July 12, 2014

Restaurant Review: Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria, Troy, Michigan

Restaurant: Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria, Troy, Michigan

Welcome to Michigan. My roommate and I ventured up this way this after my long run this morning because Queen (yes…that Queen) is performing in Detroit this evening. And as her birthday present, Cathy had two tickets to the show. So…here we are. Ready to rock and roll.

But not before we got eats.

My friend, Kelsie, is from Detroit and sent me some options for food and places to check out while here in the area. I love her for this and all her help. And, for some reason, even though I had pizza on Thursday night…I felt pizza had to be done again. Why? I don’t know…I love pizza. I really, really do. BUT…neither Cathy nor I had eaten since we left Louisville (thank you Go Picnic), and we were hungry. And my Find Me Gluten Free app directed us to a dedicated pizzeria in Troy, Michigan…which happened to be on our way to Auburn Hills.

Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria is located in a little strip mall area. They are a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free establishment. Their windows declare a simple sentiment, that is echoed on their menu as well: “I Can’t Believe It’s Gluten Free!”

Cathy and I stepped inside and we were greeted by Alexis, a 20-something waitress with amazing blue and purple hair. I complimented her on her hair…and mentioned how when I dyed my hair purple, it washed out in 2 days. She gave me tips for next time I go for a wild color…so, now I know…and knowing is half the battle. We chatted a bit, about our trip up here…about gluten-free places…about Kentucky…it was fun. She went to get our drink orders (I got an unsweetened iced tea and Cathy went with a Diet Coke…because caffeine is good before a show…especially when you’ve been up before the ass crack of dawn (because…that’s when all runners get up).

She let us browse the menu and when she returned with drinks, Cathy inquired about the size of the calzones. Because…honestly…who does gluten-free calzones? Alexis said the calzones were small, so not big enough to split. So, Cathy and I decided to each get one. And we each built our own. Cathy went with a calzone stuffed with mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, spinach, tomatoes, and portobello mushrooms ($8.99) inside hers.

As for me…my calzone was going to be stuffed with Teese (vegan cheese of AWESOME!), banana peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach ($11.99 [$8.99 + $3.00 for vegan cheese]). I was sort of back and forth on whether to do banana peppers or artichoke hearts…but I never get banana peppers on anything like pizza or something since Cathy is that picky. So…I went with that. She will do artichoke hearts. And that was the deciding factor.

Order in.

We were watching the World Cup pregame on ESPN for the Brazil v. Netherlands match when Alexis returned to the table and said the pizza chef was new and he…kinda made the calzones larger than usual. Like…by a lot. Not the small, individual size she described originally. Well…what do you do?

Well, she wasn’t kidding. Cathy caught sight of them as they were going in to cook and went, “Holy cow!” HAHA!! Well…we figured that we’d eat what we could and take the rest with us to the hotel and place it in the refrigerator. No biggie. We did get to hear the chefs discuss how they were going to tell the vegan calzone from the regular one with cheese, and finally they realized that Cathy’s would have the Parmesan cheese on top of hers. Brilliant.

And soon…the gluten-free calzones were making their way to the table.

Renee's Gourmet Pizzeria's Gluten-Free & Vegan Calzone (made with Teese, portobello mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, and banana peppers) — Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria’s Gluten-Free & Vegan Calzone (made with Teese, portobello mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, and banana peppers)

Yeah…huge was right. But the crust was not thick. In fact, it was a nice, light, and thin crust. I love that because with calzones it should be all about the fillings, not the crust. I only require a nice, crisp crust. Don’t give me a soggy calzone. They didn’t. This crust was beautifully crisp and golden on the bottom. The top remained crispy and I, being quite hungry, took my pictures for the blog and then dove in.

First of all…I have missed being able to eat calzones. And part of the magic from this was it was my first taste of something that I hadn’t had in more than three years…nor can have…anywhere. That’s why I went calzone instead of pizza. I can get amazing gluten-free pizza in Louisville…and, if I’m lucky, elsewhere as well. This…I’d never seen gluten-free calzones before. And let me tell you…I fell in love with this calzone. As I said, the crust was nice and thin, so it wasn’t heavy or too filling too fast. I love that about gluten-free pizzas as well. And inside, the Teese vegan cheese melted gorgeously and didn’t taste like plastic (as Daiya sometimes can…). The vegetables were so amazing. Seriously amazing. The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, the spinach wilted beautifully, the tomatoes were ripe and sweet, and the banana peppers…adding that little bit of acidity that just punched up the flavor. It came with a bit of marinara for dipping. The marinara…nice touch. Packed with flavor and seasoned to perfection. I was beyond impressed. So impressed that both Cathy and I ended up eating our calzones in their entirety. I have a feeling we won’t need food again until tomorrow morning.

Another reason for that…we got dessert.

Yep. You gotta treat yourself every now and again and since the calzones were actually light…we had the room. And I, being the observant one I am, realized they had a few dessert options…like cookies and a cake roll…and the option we went with…cinnamon sticks.

Gluten. Free. Cinnamon. Sticks.

You know how much I love cinnamon, yes? Of course you do. So, when I saw they had gluten-free cinnamon sticks ($5.99), I knew I needed to consume them. I wanted to consume them. So…order in. And after a short weight while they made them up for us (loving that freshness with each order), they were brought out to the table. And I think I began drooling immediately. They looked fantastic. I picked one up and broke off the end, dipping it into the icing that came with it…and took a bite.

HELLO!! Cathy described it as “really tasty fair food that is actually good!” I describe it as…donuts taken to the nth degree. This was one party in my mouth. The sweet heat from the cinnamon and sugar with the light doughy sticks that were fried to perfection. Honestly. They had that nice crispy outside but were all soft and hot and steamy in the center. The icing was a nice, cooling, sweet addition. It was no joke how fast these disappeared. I fell in love. One bite…lead to me devouring 3 of the 6 sticks in the order.

Happy place! This is a happy place. The service was fantastic. The atmosphere is very much “strip mall establishment” but…when you serve up that kind of food…it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter anyway. The chefs did a fantastic job getting our order done right and to perfection. The food was fantastic. The company of the staff, who were discussing Queen, World Cup, and the food with us…was like being among friends. And we left with happy, very full tummies.

I regret nothing!

If you find yourself driving through Troy, Michigan…make a point to stop in at Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria. You, honestly, won’t believe that everything there is gluten-free. The food is, honestly, outstanding. I hope this little pizzeria is along for a very long time. Next time, should I ever be this way again…I’ll actually order a pizza. And those cinnamon sticks again!

Renee's Gourmet Pizzeria's Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sticks — Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sticks

July 11, 2014

Product Review: Pamela’s Gluten-Free Blueberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Gluten-Free Blueberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

So, I mentioned back when I reviewed the Jovial Gluten-Free Fig Fruit Filled Cookies, I mentioned how much I missed having something like Fig Newtons in my life. Sadly…the Jovial cookies didn’t live up to expectations. They were dry and just…a let down.

But then…one of my most raved about and most trusted brands (go back to the beginning of this blog, you will find Pamela’s Products ALL over it!), put out their own version of the Fig Newtons that I grew up eating. By the package. For real. Figs and I are BFFs. I’ve just always loved them. So Fig Newtons were my ideal snack. When I had to go gluten-free…these fell out of my life and it was mega devastating. Especially when your roomie can and does still get Fig Newtons (and sometimes Fig Newmans) for snacks.

*sigh*

Pamela’s Figgies & Jammies came out on the market this past year and I went on an immediate search for them. Naturally…nowhere around here carried them at the time. That’s typical. In fact, I never saw them out in the grocery store wild until I was visiting my friend Jenn up in Columbus, Ohio and she took me to her natural food store, The Raisin Rack. They have an amazing gluten-free section, in case any of you are passing through. Check them out. Raisin Rack had all four of the flavors. And I squeaked and squealed and maybe did a happy dance of gluten-free joy in the aisle.

I also, somehow, managed not to buy all the flavors. I decided to try one to start. Just one. The problem was choosing a flavor.

Pamela’s Figgies & Jammies are available in Mission Fig, Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, and Strawberry & Fig. It took much debate and much thought, but I finally…after picking up one, then another, then another…decided on the Blueberry & Fig. Whew. That was a tough decision…and I was hoping that I made the right one.

Now that I’m working my way through my pantry of gluten-free snacks and stuff…these were up next! And I cracked them open yesterday to have as a snack at the office. They are BIG! You know when you get that pack of Fig Newtons at the convenience store that has just one large Fig Newton in it. Thing that size. They outer cake part is a very light shade of tan. And you can see this gorgeous filling on the inside. They didn’t look or feel dry in the slightest, so they were already ahead of Jovial.

At snack time…I was excited to try this out. And I couldn’t have been happier. FINALLY! FINALLY!! I should have gone straight to Pamela’s when I was seeking out this kind of snack goodness. These light and moist snack cakes are OMGSOGOOD! Mmmm…I loved this at first bite. DELICIOUS! The cake is light…the filling tastes fresh and fruity. You get that nice blend of blueberry and fig…perfection. They have a nice soft texture to them, not dry and hard like Jovial and (sometimes) Fig Newtons. These tasted much lighter than Fig Newtons too. I just found the flavors to be amazing and I thought Pamela’s once again outdid themselves on a treat. I will be buying EVERY flavor next time.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we?

Pamela’s Gluten-Free Blueberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies are constructed and created from the following…

The cake portion is made from a flour base (brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, xanthan gum), natural evaporated cane sugar, organic palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice, whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, sea salt and lemon oil. The jam portion is made from a blueberry paste, fig, and citric acid. These cookies are gluten-free, egg-free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, no corn syrup, are certified kosher and certified gluten-free (and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility).

As for nutrition…for a cookie, these stats aren’t bad at all. A serving of Pamela’s Blueberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies is one cookie. Yes…just one. And trust me…it is hard to limit yourself to that. This one cookie will give you 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be taking in 25 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. You will also be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

I am thrilled that these are out in the market and that NOW I can even find them around my area. I’ve spotted them at a few of my local natural food stores. YAY! Because these are going to have a permanent place in my pantry. Each flavor. Because, you know, I have to try them out.

Thank you for always being awesome, Pamela’s.

July 11, 2014

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns

Product: Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns – $5.99

I am going to admit it…cop to it right now…put this out there. I am a chocaholic. There. I said it. If it’s chocolate…I’m going to eat it. Seriously. Especially if it’s dark chocolate. And, quite honestly, being the cinnamon roll fan that I am, I had no intention of even purchasing something else with those on my last order from Katz Gluten Free.

But…then…chocolate happened.

Katz Gluten Free introduced a slew of new products a little bit ago…and as soon as the announcement came, I was online and ordering. Because…it’s Katz Gluten Free. It has to be good. Honestly…it was really a “OMG, THEY HAVE CINNAMON ROLLS NOW I MUST GET THEM OR I WILL DIE FOR REAL!” sort of moment. That’s no exaggeration. I feel that strongly about gluten-free cinnamon rolls. They aren’t very common…and not something I can just go to the store and purchase. So, yes…I do get a little overzealous when it comes to things like…gluten-free cinnamon rolls. Especially from Katz Gluten Free.

Because…they have never really let me down when it comes to products. So, I was getting the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns into my cart online…and then…and then I saw them:

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns.

Oh. My. Chocolate.

So, yeah…they ended up in the cart. No accident. Don’t believe me if I ever say something chocolate ending up in my clutches was an accident. It most likely was my female brain kicking in and saying…”EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE!” So…that’s how I ended up with Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns in my freezer. (Yes…I giggled at that last line too…)

So, without my bin or much time to bake something this week…I’m living out of my pantry and fridge/freezer. And on my gym morning, I needed something easy to prepare at the office so I can eat after getting my sweat on and not spend a lot of time doing so. After all…I’m at work and should be working. With the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns already having been devoured, my roomie and I were about to take a leap of faith and give the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns a try.

Super simple. I took the buns out of the freezer the night before and put them in the fridge. After working out and arriving at work, I went into the break room and heated up each of the Gluten Free Chocolate Buns for about 25-30 seconds in the microwave. I served…with clementines. Because…in my world, if you’re going to devour a treat, you gotta have something healthy with it. Adds balance, yes? Breakfast was good to go. And we both settled in at our desks and went to devour (because after a good cardio session at the gym, I’m in starvation mode!) our brekkies.

So…the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns are like…cinnamon rolls on chocolate steroids. Take out the spice aspect of the cinnamon and instead substitute dreamy, rich chocolate with a heap of chocolate glaze. That…that deliciousness is exactly what I was biting into. It was sweet, but it struck a nice balance, regardless of not having some cinnamon to add a bit of spice. It was flaky and crusty and gooey in the middle. I actually found the Chocolate Buns to be less dry than the Cinnamon Buns had been. Which was a surprise, but one that made me happy. Dare I say that I actually preferred them over Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns?!

*collective gasp*

So, now that I’ve gotten you drooling…let’s talk ingredients and nutrition, shall we? Because it should be done…even on breakfast pastries.

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns are made from a gluten-free flour blend (potato, tapioca, sorghum, white rice, brown rice) trans-fat free margarine, water, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, confection sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract, dry yeast, honey, xanthan gum, cinnamon, salt, corn syrup, baking powder, sunflower lecithin, emulsifier, nutmeg, and canola oil. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.

As for nutrition, a serving is 1 of the Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Buns. This one roll will provide you with 310 calories and 15 grams of fat. I know…that’s high…but this isn’t something you really eat every day. It’s a breakfast treat. Key word…treat. In addition to that, you will be taking in 25 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, and 17 grams of sugar. Which…is a lot of sugar. But…it’s a treat. And finally, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein…so you will definitely feel like you’ve eaten.

I have so much love for the products that Katz Gluten Free has out. I am definitely going to pick up more of the Gluten Free Chocolate Buns in the near future. Honestly a delicious and sweet way to start the day.

July 7, 2014

Product Review: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams

Product: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams – $7.99+

After the joyous introduction to My Dad’s Cookies with the Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies, which I reviewed last month, I was back at my new grocery store, Lucky’s, and wanting more. Wanting to see what else My Dad’s Cookies had to offer. Since it seemed Lucky’s carried every single product that this cookie company produced…I wanted to give something else a try and see if it won me over as much as the Gluten-Free Black & White Cookies had recently. As I perused the table which held the offerings, I narrowed it down to two choices…the Vanilla Grahams or the Lemon Drop Cookies.

It was a tough decision…and had the budget been able to stretch a little more, I would have just purchased both. But, as it was…only one could make the journey home with me.

Ultimately, I went with the Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams.

After polishing off the vegan ice cream in my freezer, it was time to put this new kind of cookie from My Dad’s Cookies to the taste test. And that’s what I did one evening last week. It was, literally, all I had in the apartment for a nice dessert. So I doled out a serving of square cookies with a chocolate drizzle on top to both my roommate and I. She got to eating hers first…as I was doing some minor kitchen clean-up after the dinner I had prepared. She took a bite…and when I asked what she thought…I noticed a shoulder shrug and got the dreaded, “Eh…it’s okeedokee.”

Uh oh.

Did the cookie monster voodoo of finding awesome cookies fail me? Did I choose unwisely? I was in a panic…so I grabbed one of my Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams and popped it into my mouth. Yes…the entire thing. Yes…I am capable of doing that.

While the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams aren’t awful…they weren’t great either. I felt my heart sink, actually, upon eating this. I loved the chocolate drizzle on the top as it provided some much-needed flavor, but the rest of the cookie just seemed dry…and bland. It didn’t even have that vanilla flavor that I expected. It was sweet…but not packed with flavor. It was crispy, but seemed…a bit dry and a bit…of a let down. Seriously. I’m a cookie monster. I love cookie things…even graham cracker cookie things. Man…I can eat the hell out of some gluten-free graham crackers. But these were, by far, bland…just bland. With the texture of a cross between shortbread and Nilla wafers…it was just an odd mix. I have decided that the remaining cookies will be doctored up some…using the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams as the graham portion of homemade s’mores. Which will be on the menu in a couple of days for sure. I can’t wait to stuff them with a slab of dark chocolate and some Fluff…which I will then toast with my kitchen torch. Perhaps this will get the much desired effect the Vanilla Grahams failed to deliver the first time I ate them.

Meh.

But…as always I have to at least fill you in on what these cookies are made from, right? Of course. The My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams are made from gluten free flour blend (tapioca flour, brown rice flour, white rice flour, soy flour, potato starch, xanthan gum), sugar, water, organic palm oil, chocolate dip (sugar, soybean oil, cocoa, chocolate liquor, salt, vanilla extract), vanilla extract, cinnamon, agave syrup, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. These cookies are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free and nut-free.

Nutritionally speaking, these cookies are pretty awesome as far as serving size and calorie/fat content. A serving of the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grams is 3 cookies. From this serving you will be taking in 150 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will be consuming 45 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. That’s not bad for cookies! None of that is. And finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. These are not filling. These are a treat. A dessert. A snack.

After all the praise I gave to the My Dad’s Gluten-Free Cookies Black & White Cookies, these were more than a bit of a let down. My only hope is that by adding some dark chocolate and marshmallow fluff to the center, I can bring out bolder flavors and maybe just turn the flavor profile up a bit on the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free Vanilla Grahams. I so wanted to love these…but I just couldn’t. Not one bit. I like them…but not enough to purchase them again. I hope the next gamble I take with the next product from My Dad’s Cookies Gluten-Free products is a better one.

June 30, 2014

Product Review – Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread

Product: Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread – $3.99+

I absolutely LOVE Nutella. I love it. There is something so amazing about that flavor combination of chocolate and hazelnut. And while sometimes Nutella and I get along like old friends…there are other times I have a reaction to the dairy that is in it…and then…we don’t get on so great.

So…I stopped with the Nutella. As much as I could. Every now and again…I would risk that small bit of dairy. I don’t get it with me and dairy. Sometimes…a little bit doesn’t affect me. Other times, even the slightest bit of it does. Ah, food intolerance. So much fun! *dripping with sarcasm*

As it was…I would gaze longingly at the Nutella at the grocery store…thinking…maybe…just maybe it would be okay this one time. But, then I would recall how I would feel afterwards and…well…it wasn’t worth it. While naturally gluten-free Nutella does contain skim milk, whey, and soy. I don’t always get along with those ingredients. So, bummer.

Until…until that blessed day I was grocery shopping at my local Kroger and came to the gluten-free end cap that usually holds the same products it has held since…they first put it up. But there was something different. Something…exciting. Foods from my beloved Freedom Foods. I am hooked on their Tropico’s cereal, which my parents have to mail to me. We have a few of their products here now. And, while I didn’t spot it, my roommate did. And she picked it up off the shelf and went…”NUTELLA!”

Sure enough! This little jar of cocoa goodness goes by the name Smudge. Smudge. I love it. It’s so…cute!

And since everything I have tried from Freedom Foods has been delicious, this was a splurge I was willing to pay for. Splurging on Smudge. That’s my life. That had to be done!

So, for an entire week it sat on my pantry shelf with nothing to be spread on. That is until my roomie went grocery shopping and found Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagels on a “huge stupid sale” at one of our various grocery stores we frequent every week. So…bagels!! And I know that Nutella and Nutella-ish spreads are amazing on bagels. Like…dessert for breakfast. So, this morning after my spin class…I came home and put the bagels in the oven to toast while I took a shower and got changed for work. By the time I was out, the bagels were ready. It was time to schmear the Smudge!

This spread was a rich, dark chocolate color and very smooth. It smelled like bittersweet chocolate and happiness. Because if happiness was a smell, it would smell like chocolate. Trust me. It was so easy to spread over the toasted bagel, a tablespoon to each half. I did a test for my roomie, putting the Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread on one of her halves and Nutella on the other half. Just for comparison reasons. She liked both, but I noticed she saved Smudge for her last bite. So when I asked, she said it was good…less sweet than hers. Nice.

As for my thoughts…Holy Chocolate Goodness, Batman!! Freedom Foods just won my heart, my stomach, and the rest of me. If there is a pleasure switch when it comes to taste, this one flipped it. It was just as smooth as it spread on the bagel. It was chocolatey, without being too much. It wasn’t hot fudge chocolate, but perhaps chocolate syrup chocolate. And now I can imagine drizzling this over a scoop of dairy-free ice cream. Oh, Freedom Foods Smudge is one happy spread, bite-for-bite-for bite. You’ll want to lick your fingers clean. I did. And maybe my plate too. This is Nutella without the nuts and the dairy and the soy. This is Nutella on happy steroids for people like me…suffering from food allergies and only being able to pass by the product in the store and think about what could have been.

Smudge…makes it all better. Smudge…makes life better.

I seriously could eat the entire jar with a spoon. I am going to attempt to not do that. No promises though…

Freedom Foods is an Australian company that takes great pride in their products they put out on the market. Since they say something is “free from” something…they mean it. And, they adhere to the Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand, keeping their products free of anything genetically modified. In addition. All of their products are free from nuts and gluten. And, in addition, they use no artificial colors or flavors. All natural. All good!

So, what makes up Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread? Simple. This chocolatey spread is made from vegetable oils, maltodextrin (maize), raw sugar, cocoa (10%), tapioca starch, inulin, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), vegetable gums (locust bean, xanthan), flavors, sweetener (steviol glycosides), sea salt. Not 100% clean…but still…YUMMY!! This product is gluten-free, nut-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and lactose-free.

As for nutrition, a serving of the Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread is 2 tablespoons. This serving delivers 210 calories and 12 grans if fat. So…yes, eating the entire 9.2 ounce jar with a spoon is probably not recommended. A serving also serves up 35 mg sodium and 12 sugars. This product is cholesterol free. Two tablespoons will also provide you with 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. In the long run – not filling. That’s why you put it on a carby, fiber-filled bagel. Mmmm…

Trust me on this one…it is amazing. So…it’s not Nutella. For someone like me…it’s so much more than Nutella. And, honestly…I like it better. Thank you, once again, Freedom Foods…because of you Smudge is my new go-to spread. I am in chocoholic heaven!

Also…it’s fun to say schmear of Smudge. HA!

Freedom Foods Nut & Dairy Free Smudge Cocoa Spread (on a gluten-free bagel)

What are our products free from, and just how ‘free from’ are they?

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• If our box states the product is nut free, that means no peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts can be detected. (While we’d love to test for every single type of tree nut, there’s just not an approved test available just yet. We’ll get there.)

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

• While other leading snack brands sneak artificial colours and flavours into their foods, we don’t. You won’t find a single artificial colour or flavour in any of our products. And trust us, you won’t miss them.

Genetically Modified Ingredients

• We’re proud to say that all Freedom Foods products are free of genetically modified ingredients. We adhere to the Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand, if you’d like to learn more about our standards.
How can we guarantee our foods are free from all of the above? Check out How We Do It.

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.8SjjxHU5.dpuf

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

Genetically Modified Ingredients

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.k7reomFu.dpuf

For us, what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put in. When we say a product is ‘free from’ something, we make sure it really is.

Nuts

• All Freedom Foods cereals and bars are made in our Stanbridge factory, which does not use, and tests rigorously for, the presence of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

• We also work with our raw material suppliers to ensure anything we bring into our factory hasn’t been exposed to nuts.

• Please note: A few of our products are made in other factories that may have nuts, so always check the packaging before you buy or give us a call.

Gluten

• Our Stanbridge factory is completely free from wheat, rye, barley and triticale and we also make sure the oats we bring on site are not contaminated with wheat.

• As for testing, every batch of our finished product is tested ensure no gluten is detected.

Artificial Colours & Flavours

Genetically Modified Ingredients

– See more at: http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/what-were-free-from#sthash.k7reomFu.dpuf

June 29, 2014

Product Review: Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly

Product: Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly – $2.39+

This was it. The final Quest Bar that I picked up on my excursion to Jungle Jim’s back in April. I have been more then…ehhhh…on these bars. Which, honestly, makes me sad because I heard so many people talk them up. I had such high hopes for them. And from the first one (too chewy)…to the next one (still hurt to chew so much)…to this…the last one…I stick with my initial assessment.

The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly was my post-run protein this weekend. I’m really short on money right now…so catching a bite out was not happening. Ice cream didn’t even happen this weekend. Yeah. And it was a miserably humid weekend. Ice cream would have been the best thing ever. But…budgets are budgets and have to be lived with. So…following my run, this…was my breakfast.

As mentioned before, I’m on the fence. I don’t know whether I like these or loathe them. And this one in particular…kind of has me perplexed more than usual. Because…as with the previous one…it tastes just like the wrapper describes it. It tastes…like peanut butter and jelly. More like jelly…strawberry jelly…but it has that peanut butter flavor in there as well. So, the taste and flavor are totally there.

But that chewy texture. That overly chewy texture that makes my jaw ache after having to chew it down to some semblance of something I can swallow…that’s what is offputting on these. Otherwise, I’d be all about them. But, the fact that all three of them, some more than others albeit, have brought about an ache in my jaw from the amount and intensity of chewing I have to do in order to get it down…speaks volumes. It tells me…that these bars are not worth the money.

Sure, flavor-wise, they are spot on. All three have tasted like what they are advertised to taste like. This one, especially, does a great job with the flavor profile. That being said, I just can’t handle this thick, tough bar. After I run, I have the runchies and am rungry. The last thing I want to do is go to battle with my food. Usually I don’t want to chew all that much either…so…yeah…this, while great nutrition-wise after a long run, not so great as far as actually being able to consume it easily. My jaw should not feel like it has run a marathon.

I have read, however, that if you microwave these bars, they get soft and that almost-gooey consistency of a fresh-baked cookie. I don’t travel with a microwave, however, and as these are meant as meal replacements or supplements, I don’t think a microwave should even factor into the equation. Fine if you’re at a gym where there is one that is accessible. That isn’t the case at my gym…because I use these on days my gym is the open road that goes on for miles. Many…many…many miles!

Too bad. I was so excited about the Quest Bars.

Let’s talk ingredients in this bar. The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly is made from a combination of protein blend (whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate), isomalto-oligosaccarides (prebiotic fibers derived from plant sources), peanuts, almonds, water, sea salt, lo han guo, sucralose, and natural flavors. Where the jelly flavor comes from…I couldn’t even tell you!

Nutritionally speaking, a serving size is one bar. One bar contains 200 calories and 10 grams of fat. Much of that fat is from the almonds and peanuts that are involved. Those are healthy fats. This bar contains less than 5 mg of cholesterol, 320 mg sodium, and only 2 grams of sugar. That low sugar is one of the things that drew me to these bars. This bar has 17 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein. FILLING! Too bad it wasn’t filling and delicious.

So…I think this is where Quest Bar and I part ways. Sadly. I was so excited to try these, and then they went and let me down…in a big way. They were just a disappointment to me. And I was just expecting so much more from them. The Quest Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly…was the last bar in my drawer…and will be the last Quest Bar in my drawer. On to trying something else that is new and different…

I gave it a shot…but these aren’t all they are cracked up to be.

June 28, 2014

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars – $5.99+

Maybe it was my non-existent trip to the Comfy Cow today…because that happens every weekend. But I’m broke. And I’ve been craving chocolate. Like…totally craving chocolate. Ice cream always sounds amazing, but it sounds phenomenal on a hot, humid June day too. The problem was…it was not even 2 p.m. when the chocolate craving hit. I also knew…I crave chocolate a lot…so the craving would remain all day until I finally got dessert.

It’s WORLD CUP, baby! And lately I’ve been having this thing with serving up “pub grub” type meals while we watch the matches. Tonight…it was a gluten-free and vegetarian bar-b-que “chicken” pizza. Because pizza is bar food…HA! It’s also delicious. I never turn down gluten-free pizza (especially when I get to piece it together at home…on top of an Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan & Gluten-Free Crust)!

And for dessert…chocolate. It has to be chocolate. Because I have wanted chocolate all day. Thankfully…I remembered that I had received a free box of Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars from my local Earth Fare during one of their great deals that came over my app one day. Spent $5 and get free frozen dessert box. Heck yeah…I’ll take advantage of that deal.

I have heard about Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss frozen desserts for years. They have won numerous awards for their ice cream treats. All of which, mind you, are dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. Award winning ice cream in numerous magazines and food awards? Yes…I needed these in my life. And by getting a free box of them at Earth Fare…I totally could finally justify it. Now…it was time to see what all the fuss was about…

OH. MY. FROZEN. GOD.

Seriously. Let all others go. (See what I did there?) This was one of the most delicious, rich, decadent, non-dairy treats I have had the wonder of feasting on. And feast, I did! It’s a high-class fudgsicle. The dark chocolate and coconut milk is the perfect blend. No coconut aftertaste. Just really fantastic frozen goodness. This is a treat to be enjoyed. I polished mine off and it took all of my will power not to go grab another one from the freezer. Yes…these are seriously that amazing. I was blown away. Rich, chocolate flavor…just the right amount. Sweet, but not too sweet. And a major serious yum factor.

Ingredient-wise…the Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars are made up from organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic fair trade cocoa, and organic vanilla extract. Clean eating dessert right there. LOVE IT!! And these frozen delights are free of dairy, soy, and gluten…three things that can and do mess with my system! Could this BE any better?

Nutritionally speaking…a serving size is 1 bar. This one little dark chocolate treat will serve up 170 calories and 11 grams of fat. Don’t freak out…these are made from coconut milk. It’s a healthy fat. These bars also will dish out 10 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. These are cholesterol free. And, finally, these bars provide your body with 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Mmmm…dark chocolate filling frozen dessert bars. *licks lips*

After finishing the Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bar, I turned to my roomie, who was finishing hers off as well, and said, “Now we need a pint of their ice cream!” She totally agreed. So next time I have some room in the budget…a pint of the Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss ice cream is coming home with me. It will happen because this was a taste of frozen heaven. For real! Coconut bliss for sure!

Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bar (unwrapped) — Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bar (unwrapped)

June 25, 2014July 7, 2014

Product Review: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies

Product: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies – $2.49

COOKIE!

The Cookie Monster is back with an in budget, delicious, fantastic, soft-baked, cinnamon-y, sweet, three-bite treat. Oh yes. I discovered that in Aldi’s liveGfree line, they have Soft Baked Cookies. And one of said cookies only happens to be my most favorite flavor in the entire world…

SNICKERDOODLES!

I’ve said it before…and I’ll say it again…nothing will ever be as good as the Snickerdoodles that my mom used to bake, usually around Christmas. They were my go-to cookie. Something about that sweetness with the little bit of heat from the cinnamon. Ah…it’s cookie perfection if you ask me. Seriously. When done right…soft, chewy, cinnamon-sugary Snickerdoodles are honestly the best cookie in the world.

That being said, when I noticed that one of the boxes of gluten-free items currently being stocked by Aldi in their liveGfree line was Snickerdoodles…there was no hesitation. These were totally coming home with me.

Well, tonight was the night I busted these out. For me…the most difficult part of having Snickerdoodles in the apartment (especially good ones) is not eating them all in one go. And with cookies that are soft baked and about two to three bites in size…that’s not always an easy task. But, I’ve trying to behave. I binge on peanut butter more than I should already…

But I digress…

Let’s focus for a moment on the important things…

COOKIES!

Gluten-free Snickerdoodles.

Soft-Baked Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles.

Ah…life is good. I can say that because, following the trend, the liveGfree version of a Snickerdoodle (which I suspect is being made by Enjoy Life as these are so similar) is really delicious. It’s the right amount of cinnamon for that little kick of spice, with the hit of sugar to bring some sweetness. The cookie is soft, chewy, and amazing. The texture is perfect. The flavor is all right. Everything hits the right note…from the instant you open the box and fish out a serving, to the time you lick the cinnamon off your fingertips. These cookies are sheer Snickerdoodle perfection. If anything…they’re too small for my liking. But…I don’t mind two small cookies instead of one big cookie.

As I said, these cookies parallel the Enjoy Life Soft Baked version…but the ingredients are actually slightly different. Not by much. The Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies are made from sorghum flour, brown pure canse sugar, date paste, expeller-pressed vegetable oil, juice concentrate (grape, apple, pear), natural rice dextrin, golden flaxseed, soda, xanthan gum, salt, vanilla, ground cinnamon, and rosemary extract. Not completely clean eating…but not as bad as some cookies out on the market…gluten-free included. At least I recognize everything in this brand. Aldi’s liveGfree brand proudly declares that it uses all natural ingredients and “no artificial anything.” These cookies are certified gluten-free and also cholesterol free! In addition, they are also egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and wheat free. LOVE IT!!

As for nutrition…for cookies…these aren’t so bad. Honestly. A serving size of the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies is 2 cookies. These two three-bite cookies will dish you up 120 calories and 5 grams of fat. You will be taking in 100 mg sodium and 10 grams of sugar (not bad for cookies!). And finally, you will be provided with 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. These…are meant as a treat and not something that will fill you up.

I continue to be impressed by Aldi and the products in their liveGfree product lineup. I sincerely hope that Aldi continues to stock and carry these gluten-free products. It is so rare that I can go into a store, buy one of almost all their gluten-free products and spend less than $30. And that’s what happened when I purchased these products from Aldi at the beginning of May. It was one of the most worthwhile stops and shopping trips I have made.

Aldi’s liveGfree line is making living gluten-free a whole lot more affordable…and delicious!