Sweet Stuff – Page 34 – The Celiathlete

July 5, 2013

New gluten-free Ancient Grains Granola Bars from Udi’s makes an easy, delicious snack

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grain Granola Bars – $5.49+

Udi’s continues to expand on its gluten-free product line-up and I couldn’t be happier about it. After all, you have to grow and expand to get anywhere in this gluten-free product explosion that is facing the market these days. Luckily, I do have my favorite brands and, while I do sample others at times, there is no forgetting who is trusted in this market.

Everyone knows Udi’s. Their gluten-free bread was the first I ever tried that I actually liked. I mean, it tasted like bread. Sure, it’s smaller in size…but the texture, the taste…it was all good. It was all just as I wanted it to be. And from there, more and more of their products have made it into my home. And, with only one exception so far (the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls), I have loved everything I have purchased and sampled from Udi’s. I even have my favorites. Some of them…are even on the new products list!

You see, a while back, I was the proud recipient of a box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free, containing some of their old products and a few of their new products. Pure joy in the mail, let me tell you. I enjoyed revisiting some of their classic products, but even better…I loved being able to give their newest products a try as well. This was super exciting to me and I was looking forward to diving into each and every single product they provided for me.

This week, with my gluten-free pantry drying up, I reached in and removed the box of Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grain Granola Bars. Perfect. This would be the ideal snack to have in the late afternoon to get me through to when I could get home and cook dinner. I was really excited about trying these. They are one of the newly introduced products in Udi’s gluten-free snack line. In fact, there are actually three flavors that are out on the market now: Cranberry Almond, Chocolate Chip, and Ancient Grains. All of them sound really good…and if I find the other two varieties in my local stores, I’ll definitely give them a try as well.

As it was, one of these little granola bars came to work with me on Wednesday and at 3:00 p.m. I was ready to give it a try. The blank white wrapper gives no indication as to what awaits inside. Thankfully, the box that this came in was brightly decorated with a larger-than-life depiction of the granola bar waiting behind the mysterious white wrapper.

The Ancient Grains Granola Bar contains gluten-free oats, rice crisp, milled flaxseed, amaranth, and quinoa. These grains provide the structure and base from which the sweeteners, oils, raisins, and nuts are added. To sweeten and bind this granola bar, I note that Udi’s uses honey, brown rice syrup, evaporated cane srup, non-GMO canola oil, inulin, tapioca maltodextrin, palm oil, water, vegetable glycerine, natural flavor and something called Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086. And before you start to panic, that Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6068 is the Probiotics that are added to this granola bar to elevate the health factor. Yep. Probiotics. Good for digestion and all that.

But…what about the texture? The taste? I’m getting there.

Udi's Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (wrapped) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (wrapped)

After unwrapping this granola bar, I took a moment to examine it. You could see the variety of ingredients all mashed together into this granola bar. Nothing was indiscernible, which is always a nice touch. And, upon first bite, I discovered how soft and chewy these were. I guess the box indicates this, but I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking…”WOOHOO! Gluten-free granola bars!” But, that was a nice surprise. I am not a fan of crunchy granola bars. I like to chew them, not crunch them. I like a soft, filling texture and that’s exactly what Udi’s provides. They aren’t overly sweet, thank goodness. They also aren’t a sticky mess and they don’t leave your fingers covered in residue. They are clean, and perfect. Bite-for-bite goodness. I was very impressed with these. They make a great, easy on-the-go snack or something light to chew on to get you through to dinner time or even lunch. It’s the right amount and fills you up just enough. And, wow…the flavor. Without being hidden under a layer of sugar or unnecessary chocolate, the ingredients of these bars speak for themselves. You taste the texture of the grains, get the sweetness from the honey and raisins, get that bit of crunch from the almonds that are added. It is a perfect snack, a good size to tuck away for later without fearing it will be too much.

Nutritionally speaking, an Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar will provide you with 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. One bar will also provide you with 40 mg of sodium and 10 grams of sugar. The sugar content seems a bit high, considering these aren’t very sweet…but with all the sweeteners added, I’m actually surprises it isn’t higher than that. I have definitely seen far worse for granola bars. The Ancient Grains Granola Bar also will provide your body with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not too shabby!

Add this one to the long list of Udi’s Gluten-Free products that I have loved from the start. It’s a very long list. Because with Udi’s…they strive for perfection. They want their food to taste good. And, when consumers spoke out about their cinnamon rolls, they changed the recipe and reformulated them. I haven’t tried the new version…but I’d like to think I’d like them better the next time I do purchase them. I’ll keep an open mind for sure. Because when it comes to gluten-free companies, Udi’s has made a name for itself for the quality and attention they give their products and their customers. And that’s why people keep coming back to them.

Udi's Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (unwrapped) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Granola Bar (unwrapped)

July 5, 2013

The best gluten-free food truck, Sweet ‘N’ Savory, gets Cluster Trucked and changes it up…one night only…

Restaurant; Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck, Louisville, Kentucky

I might have mentioned previously how lucky I am to be in an area that actually has a food truck that is dedicated gluten-free and serving the gluten-free (and non-gluten-free) community amazing food. Sweet ‘N’ Savory is the food truck I speak of, based out of Louisville, Kentucky and run by the most amazing people, Richard and Ashley Giannini, who chose to open a food truck specializing first and foremost in gluten-free crepes, with the additional inclusion of smoothies, gelato, and coffee. They are the first and only place to offer gluten-free crepes to the Louisville area. And, let me tell you, this truck is worth hunting down for those crepes. Both sweet and savory versions are to die for and made to perfection. I was hooked on one bite the first time I was ever able to check them out.

You see, Louisville is growing in the foodie world and food trucks are starting to emerge in this city. Nothing could make me happier! Honestly. Especially since I can actually eat at one! Food trucks are amazing things, and thankfully Louisville has places and events where these food trucks gather and people come and choose between the offered menus…making an easy and fun way to dine out every now and again. This past weekend, Apocalypse Brew Works hosted yet another food truck gathering…this time called Cluster Trucked.

What is Cluster Trucked? Well, for one night only, the usual menus offered by Louisville’s finest food trucks got turned upside down. What these trucks would normally offered weren’t anywhere on the menu. In fact, they were serving up something unique and different…and it just made for a fun and interesting event.

The usual suspects…the usual menus…then…the Cluster Trucked effect…

Holy Mole – Usually serves gourmet tacos – went to serving chicken wings (Pok Pok – Vietnamese fish sauce wings w/ fried garlic; Korean Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom tongdak) – Korean BBQ fried chicken w/ sesame; Salsa Verde – green jalapeno/cilantro w/ queso fresco-green onion sauce; Spicy BBQ – spicy sweet tangy BBQ sauce wings; Traditional Buffalo w/ blue cheese and celery)
French Indo Canada – Usually serves a banh mi sandwich from Vietnam and the decadent poutine from Canada – went to serving Indian cuisine (Saag Paneer – curried spinach & mustard greens with fresh cheese; Aloo Gobi – curried potatoes and cauliflower; Tikka Masala – grilled chicken served in a spiced tomato cream sauce; Vegetable Pakoras – onion and cauliflower fritters…all gluten-free, mostly vegetarian and half vegan)
Lil Cheezers – Usually serves gourmet grilled cheese – went to serving hot noodle bowls (choice of Hoisin Beef, Teriyaki Chicken or Sweet Chili Pork, or no protein for vegetarian option, served with Udon noodles with bean sprouts, carrots, pickled cabbage and cilantro, or in a traditional Miso Soup broth….with a gluten-free/vegan option of Banh Pho (rice noodles))
Johnny’s Diner Car – Usually serves steak sandwiches and fries – went to serving loaded baked potatoes (“Comfort Food 101” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with clarified butter, covered in pot roast slow cooked in reduction of Old 502 Winery Bourbon Barrel Red with special seasonings, portabella mushrooms, onions, carrots, garnished with house-made roasted garlic sour cream; “The Elegant” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with clarified butter, goat cheese crumbles, truffle oil, fresh chives, served with side of house-made roasted garlic sour cream; “The Old Fashion” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with house-made rosemary/garlic infused butter, fresh grated aged Parmigiano Reggiano, whipped sour cream, fresh chives, and hardwood smoked bacon; “Sweet Potato Sundae” – one pound North Carolina Sweet Potato, clarified butter, special blend of brown sugar, korintje cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground orange peel, cloves, & ginger, toasted pecans, whipped cream and a cherry)
Grind – Usually serves gourmet burgers – went to serving low country food (shrimp & grits, crab cakes, etc) (fresh, never frozen sustainably caught Atlantic shrimp served with cheese grits and a spicy tomato gravy; custom-made Stone Cross Farms andouille sausage with cheese grits and spicy tomato gravy; jumbo lump crab cake served with cheese grits and a spicy tomato gravy with a tangy remoulade)
Sweet ‘N’ Savory – usually serves gluten-free crepes, gelato, smoothies, coffee – went to serving gluten-free ravioli and gluten-free cannoli (Shrimp & Crab Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce; Chicken, Pacetta & Goat Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce; Three Cheese Ravioli with Homemade Marinara)

As stated before…my focus was on Sweet ‘N’ Savory…although I could have easily eaten at French Indo Canada as well. Nice to have the option…but I am loyal to my favorite food truck and it had been forever since I was able to actually eat a hand-made ravioli. Yes…the prepared all their ravioli options from scratch. Impressive, yes? When I placed my order, I got the Three Cheese Ravioli with the Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce (it was the vegetarian option) instead of the Homemade Marinara ($10.00). I spoke with Richard and Ashley for awhile…anticipating my first real (as in not bought out of the freezer section) ravioli since…I had to go gluten-free, honestly. I was practically salivating.

The line was getting longer, so I let them get back to work. I loved seeing their truck flooded with orders. And everything was made to order, which means nothing was done ahead of time, save the actual making of the ravioli. These raviolis were dropped into boiling water to cook until they were soft and ready. They were then finished off in a pan with the sauce. It took a little while, but I was happy to wait. Quality food is always worth the wait. I was watching other orders come up ahead of mine and getting really giddy about the moment they would call my name.

Sweet 'N' Savory's Gluten-Free Three Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce — Sweet ‘N’ Savory’s Gluten-Free Three Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

It happened and I hurried over to claim my gluten-free ravioli and duck out of the warm sun into a shady spot to enjoy. My roomie was already devouring her meal. She opted to go with the chicken wings that Holy Mole offered…and went Korean as an added twist…and was already devouring them. She had sauce all over herself. Which meant she was eating them right. So, with my tummy rumbling and this amazing looking pasta feast in front of me, I was ready to dive in to the eight…yes EIGHT gluten-free ravioli that Sweet ‘N’ Savory prepared.

One bite…and I was almost in tears. The ravioli was, perhaps, one of the most perfect foods I have ever had the option of eating since going gluten-free. The pasta was cooked to perfection. So light, soft, and that perfect al dente that you want. The cheesy filling was melt-in-your-mouth savory goodness. Literally, the ravioli just melted against my tongue. It was the most perfect thing I have eaten in a long time. And holy ravioli, that red pepper cream sauce…I want that recipe because it was the perfect topping for this ravioli. Honest to goodness great food. I gave a ravioli to my roommate to try and she said, “I like your food better!” HAHA!! Victory. We both finished off our meals of choice, me taking my time to just let the various flavors sing across my tongue and taste buds. It was still gone way too fast.

But…there was also mention of gluten-free cannoli ($4.00). Now, I like cannoli and haven’t been able to have it in years. My roommate, however, calls cannoli one of her most favorite desserts to eat…ever. In fact, if we go to an Italian restaurant or any place that offers cannoli…you better believe she’s getting it for dessert. We skittered back over to Sweet ‘N’ Savory and placed an order for two of the cannoli. Ashley got to work on that one as Richard continued to push our the growing number of ravioli orders. Like I said…I love seeing my favorite food truck so busy. This is only a good thing. A short wait later and Ashley was handing over a plate of two fried rolls filled with cream and pistachio, dusted with powdered sugar. They looked…awesome!!

We got out of the way and each took our dessert in hand. This was no ordinary cannoli. The cream on the inside had a fruity flavor…I think it was strawberry. And they had chocolate bits scattered within it as well. Nice touch. It was definitely unexpected. The pistachios on the outside gave a bit more texture and flavor. And then…that sweet confectioners sugar…it was the icing on the cake, as it were. Every bite was just…fantastic. Crunchy, sweet, and bursting with fresh flavors. It was my ideal dessert that night. Nothing could have been better. Not even ice cream.

I loved that this event happened. It was so much fun to come out to a Louisville Street Food Alliance event and see the regular food trucks serving up something out of their comfort zone and norm. It was an absolute blast. And I loved going around and seeing what each truck did to their menu. It was definitely a great time.

Thank you, Sweet ‘N’ Savory…for once again providing this vegetarian and gluten-free foodie a food truck option of amazing, homemade, hand-prepared goodness. Nothing compares to the care, dedication, and love that you put into your business. Your products reflect it. I can’t wait to see you next time!

Sweet 'N' Savory's Gluten-Free Cannoli — Sweet ‘N’ Savory’s Gluten-Free Cannoli

July 5, 2013July 5, 2013

Recipe: Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins

I love to bake. No, really…I do. Just as much as I love to cook. But baking…baking sort of gives you that extra level of difficulty. All measurements have to be precise. Nothing can be off. Not even one bit.

Want to add another level of difficulty to the mix? Try converting a recipe to gluten-free! It’s not always as easy as it sounds. Sometimes measurements have to change. Sometimes other ingredients have to be added.

I had a lot of zucchini due to my CSA bin being laden with it this time of year. I love squash and zucchini. I love playing around with cooking it different ways. And growing up, I was always a huge fan of zucchini bread. No need for that chocolate stuff that gets added to it. Nope. The zucchini and the other ingredients can definitely speak for themselves.

So…every Saturday when I am in town, I have been meeting up with a great group of people to go running. This gets my long run in and I am able to enjoy it with some company…and really focus on the long slow distance (LSD) pace that I am supposed to be practicing. I’m no good at this running slower thing, but I’m learning. It’s important to build up stamina and strength.

That being said, a great group was taking me on a 13 mile run last weekend and I wanted to supply some eats for afterwards. I stumbled across a recipe for Zucchini Muffins in a blog called Eat, Live, Run…so it was maintained by a runner…and it sounded easy and delicious. Plus…I had every ingredient necessary. BONUS. The result? Everyone who took a muffin LOVED it. And so…here is my adapted recipe to make it gluten-free and delicious…and, loved by runners and non-runners alike!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins

Servings: 16
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Bake 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1.5 cups all purpose flour (I used Better Batter Gluten-Free All Purpose)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1.5 cups grated zucchini (about two small-medium sized zucchini)
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract (or, vanilla paste)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon and sugar for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the grated zucchini, eggs, vanilla and oil. Stir well to combine and then gently stir into the flour mixture. Be careful not to overwork this—it will lead to dense muffins!

Fill lined muffin tins about 3/4th of the way up with the batter and then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on each.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden.

~*~*~

These were so moist and delicious. I did feel, however, that the nutmeg almost overpowered the rest of the muffin, so I think next time I’ll do maybe 1/8 tsp nutmeg. Aside from that, these were fantastic. And they keep well too. My roommate and I polished these off this morning after hitting up the gym and they were still as moist and delicious as they were the night I baked them. I received a lot of praise and compliments from my running group on these muffins, so I would say they were a definite hit.

The recipe is super easy…and super delicious. Each muffin has only 136 calories in it

June 26, 2013June 27, 2013

Apple Pie Gelato from Pure Gourmet is a scoop of sweet apple goodness

Product: Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato – $5.99+

I think I need to get the roomie to indulge in beer flights more often…especially just before we hit up Whole Foods. Because when the roomie gets tipsy…the grocery budget gets a little bigger. Mostly because I find stuff I’ve been wanting to try…but know the budget won’t handle it. When the Tipsy Wonder is feeling the after affects of a beer flight with dinner, well…suddenly I start getting gluten-free gifts. Yes…this needs to become a tradition.

Why am I relaying this little anecdote? Well…because this happened on Friday night. And as a result, I ended up with quite a few bits of goodness in my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator. One of my new Thinking Outside The Gluten-Free Budget Because Someone Had A Beer Flight™ purchases happened to be a pint of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato.

Pure Gourmet was created by Philadelphia natives, Andrea Perrier, Kelly MacLeod, and Michael MacLeod. The three of them all shared a love for everything natural and gourmet. That’s why they launched their first line of sorbets, using natural, healthy ingredients. Soon after, they launched a line of gelato. Pure Gourmet’s entire concept is built upon the founder’s passion for enjoying pure foods with naturally bold and intense flavor. And all of their products are gluten-free and kosher. Loving it.

So…out of all the flavors to choose from…I grabbed the Apple Pie Gelato. Why? Because it was on closeout. Whole Foods was getting rid of that flavor. Which meant, the other gelato flavors and the sorbets would still be there. But not this one. Not for much longer. And that is how it beat out the Chocolate Caramel Sorbet. Honestly.

Tonight, the power went out (which means I took pictures of the product by the light of my oil lamp…so they are a bit dark…so sorry!). We had some huge storms sweep through the area and I had, thankfully, just finished toasting up my gluten-free veggie quesadilla when the lights went out. I was hoping they wouldn’t be out too long…but alas…my roommate and I managed to eat our dinner in the dark and there was no sign of the power returning yet. In fact, the storm was still raging outside. So…dishes and then dessert would have to be prepared in the dark.

Dessert was something I had been thinking about all day. I tend to think about food a lot. We had been working on a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles, but only one serving (2 cookies) remained. So I came up with the idea of Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles A La Mode. For real. Each of us got one of the remaining cookies in the bottom of the bowl. Then, one small scoop of the Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato and a sprinkling of the cookie crumbs from the bottom of the container and…BAM…easy dessert.

I passed off a bowl to my roommate and went to tuck the gelato back in the freezer, which would remain closed until the return of the power. She dove in immediately and all I heard was, “The gelato is sooooooo goooooood!”

Happy squee time. But I had to find out for myself. I settled in on the couch. The first thing my spoon touched was that gelato. I wanted to see for myself.

She was so right. It tasted like a frozen apple pie. But…creamy and rich and smooth. I loved the apple flavor. And pairing it with a gluten-free snickerdoodle was an amazing combination. It was like having a cinnamon crust on a delicious apple pie. Honestly. And the sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar over the top just gave it that extra little bit. However, this gelato is crazy-good on its own. Trust me. I tried it without any embellishments as well. You can really taste every flavor in this gelato. And it has the perfect consistency too. Creamy and dreamy. Apple pie…taken to the next level. It definitely satisfied the ice cream lover in me. I wish my Whole Foods wasn’t going to stop carrying this variety. It is fresh apple pie meats gourmet ice cream good. Apple pie a la mode…in just the a la mode part. SO good!

Nutritionally speaking, this is gelato…so understand that it’s a dessert. A treat. Treat it as one. Don’t overindulge. Do NOT…I repeat…DO NOT sit down and eat the entire pint in one sitting. I always measure out or weigh my servings so I know exactly how much I am eating. I am very, very good about sticking to the portion-size. And I do everything to make sure this is always the case.

That being said, a serving of Pure Gourmet Foods Apple Pie Gelato is 1/2 cup (or if you prefer to weigh food, like I do…102 grams). This serving will contain a cold helping of 210 calories and 10 grams of fat. This gelato has 21 grams of sugar, 70 mg of sodium, 40 mg cholesterol, 1 gram of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. Remember…this is a treat. You should never feel bad about having dessert. Just plan accordingly.

And as far as ingredients go, this gelato is not only gluten-free but also kosher. It is made from milk, cream, sugar, evaporated apples, glucose, nonfat dry milk, whey, natural green apple flavor, cinnamon, guar gum, lotus bean gum, and carrageenan. So…I recognize most of those. I had to look up what carrageenan was…and for those of you who want to know, it is a member of the linear sulfated polysaccarides that are extracted from red seaweeds and used throughout the food industry for their gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. These are most often used in dairy and meat products due to their strong binding to food proteins.

Good to know.

I guess.

Anyway…if you haven’t found this yet in your grocer’s freezer…and you love gelato…I highly recommend Pure Gourmet. It is delicious and the perfect compliment to any meal. And I highly recommend the Apple Pie Gelato…should you be able to find it. If not, talk to customer service and see if they can order it for you. Trust me…you’ll want to devour this.

A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle — A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle

June 24, 2013May 11, 2015

Remembering just how much Udi’s rocks Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies – $5.99+

Want to win me over?

No…I mean it. For real. If you want to win me over…completely…heart, body, mind, soul, and spirit…then there is one key ingredient that you need to wave before me.

A gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie.

Go ahead. Scoff. Laugh. Mock me.

The fact of the matter is, growing up, my mom used to make the most fantastic snickerdoodle cookies. They were sweet with that little kick of spice from the cinnamon. To me, the perfectly balanced cookie. Sugar and spice…and everything nice. My mom made the best snickerdoodles. The absolute best.

I miss her cookies.

I miss snickerdoodles.

Back in November 2011, I picked up a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies. For a long while now, I had been reading about the epicness of these little bite-size cookies. I was intrigued. Surely they couldn’t measure up to my mom’s. Nothing is as good as mom’s cookies, right? Well…they may not have been my mom’s cookies…but they were close. They came really close.

So, why am I revisiting these cookies? Well, Udi’s sent me a delicious box of some goodies awhile back. Some old products; some new products. I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to not just revisit some of the classic products, but also get a taste of what Udi’s is bringing to the market that is new to their already expanding product line. And what a line-up it is too!

Of the classic products, I was delighted to see a container of the Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies among the other products. I might have hugged it as I lifted it out of the box. There were no witnesses, so no one can know for sure.

Were they as good as I thought they were back in 2011? After all, I was quite new to the gluten-free world back then. And after being deprived of many things, sometimes things just taste…amazing…due to not being able to have them.

Well, tonight I was on a mission to find out. I retrieved the container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies from the pantry after eating dinner. I allow myself a small dessert every night, because we all need to treat ourselves. And I was feeling cookies. Snickerdoodles. How I resisted ripping that container open before now I will never know.

Anyway…two cookies. That’s the serving size. These cookies are three-bite cookies. Meaning…in three bites, they are gone. They aren’t big, but given that you get to devour two of them, it’s like eating a full-size cookie. I settled in, watching the second series of BBC’s “Sherlock” with dinner and finishing it up with dessert (appropriate, yes?).

I can attest that my love for Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies remains high and perched atop a throne of gluten-free glory. These are just as good as I remembered them. Sweet with that kick of cinnamon, lending just the right amount of spice. Oh, and chewy. So soft. Moist. They are so easy to eat. And snickerdoodles are supposed to be a soft cookie. These practically melt in your mouth. They just have that right hit of sweetness from the cinnamon and sugar combination, mingled with the soft cookie texture. It makes for the perfect way to round-off any night. A soft-baked chewy delight of cookie monster glory.

I am still smitten.

Udi’s cookies are made from evaporated cane juice, Udi’s blend of flour (a mix of tapioca, potato starch and brown rice flour) butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, xanthan gum, non-gmo vegetable oil, and baking soda. Nothing unfamiliar or chemical sounding there…which makes me a happy girl. I love a product that I recognize every single ingredient that goes into it.

Nutritionally speaking…these cookies are a dessert and a treat. So, don’t be too shocked at these stats. As I stated, the serving size is two cookies. From these two cookies, you will be taking in 200 calories and 8 grams of fat. Each serving only contains 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein, so these will do little to fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied. Save for the fact that they really do satisfy that sweet tooth. And they should…as these cookies contain 16 grams of sugar per serving.

So, remember that these are a dessert, a snack, a treat. Not something that you should sit down with the entire container and devour while mindlessly watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Sherlock on the BBC network series. Not that I would do such a thing…

*AHEM*

What it boils down to…is everything in moderation. Unfortunately, many gluten-free foods get laden down with more calories and fat and these cookies seem to fall into that category. But, treating them as what they are…a treat…it’s a nice way to round off a day. And the fact that they are super-yummy does help ease the blow of the calorie and fat content…somewhat. Focus on the fact that you are taking six delicious bites of amazing soft and chewy gluten-free snickerdoodle cookies. Then go for a walk. You won’t feel as guilty.

Or…indulge. They are, after all, the most amazing gluten-free snickerdoodles I have treated myself to. Udi’s…you continue to rock my cookie-loving world.

Udi's Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies — Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

June 21, 2013

Loving the Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake – $6.95

Lemon.

Who doesn’t love lemon. There is just something so refreshing about a dish that is flavored with lemon. It’s crisp. It’s delicious. It’s my favorite flavor to use as a palate cleanser. And…one of my favorite flavors for a dessert. Like I said…it’s refreshing.

Remember that Cinnamon Coffee Cake I picked up at the gluten-free expo I attended in Carmel, Indiana? Well, my roommate got to pick a cake too, and as she is as much of a lemon freak as I am, she went with the Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery. So…here we were…two girls…two cakes…and a freezer. And a time span of a couple months. I knew they were in there…it was just a matter of getting the pantry down to managable levels before hitting up the freezer. My biggest concern was that these cakes would suffer for having spent so much time in the freezer.

They didn’t. Not at all.

As I mentioned previously in my blog on the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Truly Wize Bakery, a gluten-free and allergen-free bakery, is based out of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Their Web site states that their mission is simple: they want to provide delicious, healthy, premium quality gluten-free and allergy-free cookies, cakes, brownies, and other confections without the use of wheat, gluten, dairy, butter, soy, peanuts, artificial colors and flavors. They carry this out by using the finest selection of premium natural and organic ingredients from growers and suppliers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything they make is from scratch in a dedicated gluten-free facility and baked to order so that everything is also fresh. You gotta love that.

The bakery was brought to life by the Chef/Founder Caren Weaver, who was on a mission to create healthier desserts for her children. Her passion for baking kick-started this plan and she finally decided to really only incorporate organic and natural ingredients in her handcrafted, gluten-free products. With the evolution of the gluten-free market, and the fact that one of her friends was a diagnosed Celiac, Caren set out to make gluten-free products that her friend could enjoy. They had to taste great.

So…obviously if my roommate and I sampled the lemon cake…and then bought it…it actually must have tasted great.

The fact was, it had been so long since we had those samples…I couldn’t remember.

Since the cake was frozen, I set it out on the counter while I was at work that day to allow it to thaw. I wasn’t sure what this would do to the cake. It didn’t seem to harm the Cinnamon Coffee Cake I had a few days before…but this actually had icing on it. So, it was a little bit different. That night, after having leftovers for dinner, dessert was just as easy as slicing into the cake and serving it up. The icing survived the thawing process better than anticipated, though it was nowhere near the beauty it was when I originally purchased it. But…it’s one of those little sacrifices. Aside from that, flavor-wise, you’d never guess this cake was frozen…ever!

Luscious lemon flavor explodes across your taste buds with this fantastic cake. It’s that right balance too. Sometimes lemon can take over and just overwhelm your palate. Not in this case. The lemon cake with the lemon icing finds that perfect citrus balance so that it doesn’t cause your eyes to water and your lips to pucker. This cake is incredibly rich and incredibly moist. And I loved every bite of it. I tried not to hoover it and devour it without any thought, but took time to taste…get the full effect of the flavor and the texture.

And, nutritionally speaking, the nutrition facts attached to this cake aren’t so bad. Not for…a cake. The Iced Lemon Cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. It tastes like it should be laden with calories and fat…but thankfully, it’s not. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so refreshing, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. Trust me…you won’t believe it either. But…a healthier option for a dessert is always welcome. And while you do only get a little square of cakey goodness…it’s just enough after a meal. A couple of bites and dessert is done.

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the two cakes I purchased are any indication of how the rest of their products are, then everything is a real treat. A healthier version of a real treat!

I was truly surprised by the products that Truly Wize Bakery offers. The cakes were both fantastic. One was refreshing, the other was sinful. And both were fantastic. I love this lemon cake…because the lemon isn’t too much, nor is it too subtle. It makes that last bite after a meal a truly memorable one. And with it being gluten-free and allergen free as well…even better.

Find their products…or order online. But trust me…this bakery is not to be missed.

A slice of Truly Wize Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake

June 21, 2013

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a Truly Wize splurge

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake – $12.95

Oh, great Gluten-Free Expo that I attended back in October…I returned with so many fond memories…and some great items that I either was given to sample or purchased to try. That was a good time. And I came across vendors, brands, and foods that I didn’t even know existed. And that’s saying something being that I have been a member of the Celiac club for over two years now.

But, these tasting fairs and expos are great experiences and a good way to learn about other brands, other companies, local businesses, restaurants, and the like who do cater to the gluten-free community. This particular expo was taking place up in Carmel, Indiana. It was the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo…and unlike the last expo I attended in Indianapolis, this one was HUGE. It filled a banquet hall from end-to-end, rows and rows of vendors, grocery stores, local bakeries, not-so-local bakeries, restaurants, etc. filled the space. I was happily overwhelmed.

My roommate and I took our time, walking the aisles, taking samples, talking to the people at the tables. We wanted to really soak in the experience and not feel rushed like we normally do at these events. We even made some splurge purchases. There are so many great deals at these expos…prices on products you can find in stores that you’ll never get anywhere else. Like I said…we splurged a little.

One such splurge came from a bakery that was giving out samples of some of their cakes. I love cake. And two of these weren’t frosted. Even better…since I don’t like frosting. My roommate and I stepped up and spoke to the nice woman at the table. She offered samples of either the Chocolate Decadence Cake, the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, or the Iced Lemon Cake. Cathy immediately jumped on the sample of the lemon cake. Me…I went with the cinnamon one, as cinnamon is one of my favorite things in the wold.

Moist. Delicious. OMGSOGOOD!

Splurge purchase. We bought two of the three cakes…the two we sampled. SOLD…with one little bite. That’s how you know you’re doing something right.

The bakery is actually based out of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. And it is Truly Wize Gluten-Free Bakery…which is a gluten-free and allergen-free bakery. Their Web site states that their mission is simple: they want to provide delicious, healthy, premium quality gluten-free and allergy-free cookies, cakes, brownies, and other confections without the use of wheat, gluten, dairy, butter, soy, peanuts, artificial colors and flavors. They carry this out by using the finest selection of premium natural and organic ingredients from growers and suppliers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything they make is from scratch in a dedicated gluten-free facility and baked to order so that everything is also fresh. You gotta love that.

Well, that mission was definitely a success.

Like I said…this expo took place back in October, so the cakes that we purchased have been taking up space and residence in my freezer. But, with this past week being so crazy and I needed a break from the pre-packaged cookies I’ve been going through in my pantry of gluten-free doom…I reached into the freezer and grabbed the Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I put it on the counter while I was at work to allow it to thaw out. I wasn’t sure how this would affect the cake…but I went with it. Hoping for the best.

Returning home, I had a busy night, including a circuit workout and a dinner to make. I’ve been very pressed for time lately as my schedule is getting kind of crazy and hectic. But…I do get by. With an already hectic day behind me and a super-busy evening, the fact that dessert was ready and waiting for me on my counter made my night. Honestly. I’m a dessert girl…it’s something I always treat myself to. Nothing big. Just a little palate cleanser after a meal. I have to have it.

So, after devouring dinner…it was time to give Truly Wize Bakery’s Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a try. The expo where I first sampled the cake was so long ago, the flavor memory had left me. I pulled off the top of the eco-friendly packaging and sliced into it. I expected it to be dry from the months it sat in the freezer. Quite the opposite. This cake was moist and soft. I was already elated. I scooped out a slice for my roomie and then one for me. We settled in for dessert…

…and…there it was. The reason I purchased this cake in the first place. Amazing. Moist. Flavorful. Not heavy or dense. This coffee cake is light. Airy. Perfection. The reason I was blown away by it at the expo was just how fantastic it tasted. Texture was better than any coffee cake I had ever had. The balance of cinnamon and coffee…perfection. The crumble on the top…pure decadent heaven. I mean, who doesn’t like a good cinnamon-sugar crumble?! It really just added to the already awesomeness of the cake. This cake was moist. If you pressed your fork to it, it would spring back without any crumbling. Cake perfection. Truly one of the best gluten-free cakes I have ever tasted. That’s saying something. You can tell that only the best ingredients go into this product because it is so damn good!

And…nutritionally speaking…they do provide a healthier option as far as baked goods go. According to the attached nutrition info on the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, the cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. Especially when it tastes like it should have at least 300 calories in it. Not kidding, peeps. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so sinful, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. LOVING IT!!

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake is that foodgasmic…then the rest of their stuff has to be just as good, if not more amazing.

Truly Wize Bakery definitely surprised me…wowed me…and won me over. Proof, once again, that allergen-free and gluten-free doesn’t mean taste-free. My local bakery proves that time and time again…and here is another bakery doing the exact same thing.

This is a trend I would love to see continue.

So, if you haven’t tried anything from Truly Wize Bakery…either visit Pennsylvania and stop in…or…trust me when I say their products, especially their cakes, are worth ordering online. So hop over to their site and place an order. You’ll thank me for it. Trust me!

And…I highly recommend the Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Seriously. To. Die. For. (In a good way!)

A slice of Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake

June 21, 2013

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar a good on-the-go option

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bars – $5.99+

Breakfast bars.

They are tricky. They really are. I have eaten them since I was little…and the one thing is always the same. The fruit tastes fake (because it mostly is), the actual bar is usually dry and rather tasteless, and they just make me thirsty when I eat them.

All of that holds true for Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar, the second flavor I have ever tried from their line up of gluten-free bars, which include apple, cherry, and strawberry. Prior to this, I have only had the strawberry variety. And that was a year and a half ago. Honestly. It was also my first ever taste of a gluten-free breakfast bar.

You know…when you first bite into something that you haven’t had for ages…you tend to get lost in that moment. For me, when I had that first breakfast bar back then, I remembered growing up and eating those Nutri-Grain bars for snack at school.

That’s what these taste like. Exactly.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (wrapped)

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar is actually really good. It was the first sample of a bar I ever had, at a Gluten-Free Tasting Fair at a local natural food store. One bite and I was in heaven. I had to buy my own box, and that was when I went with the strawberry variety. I ended up with the Glutino Blueberry Breakfast Bars, however, because my mom had purchased a box of them for me while I was in town last time, running a race and visiting the family. I never was home enough to eat them…so, she told me to take them with me. I’m not one to turn down free food.

I’ve had a lot to work through in my pantry, but these were now getting their time as my afternoon snack.

Glutino doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hitting tastes and textures for their snack foods and their products. Honestly, they are a name I trust. When it comes to gluten-free foods, Glutino really focuses a lot on the taste, flavor, texture and how people perceive their product. That is a big deal because if it isn’t good…if it tastes bad or is tasteless, no one will purchase it, right?

Well, the Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar…is good. I mean…when you need something fast or on-the-go, it’s handy to have around. They slip right into a bag or purse without any problems…and that’s important. You want ease when you’re an on-the-go sort like me. The bar itself does have that dry breakfast bar flavor…the one that every breakfast bar has. But, the fruit puree in the middle is packed with flavor. These bars are soft, easy to chew, and yes…they are good. Tasty. Not perfect. Not wonderful. But…good.

Amazing how the more products you eat, the more gluten-free foods you work through, the more you change the way you eat, the less fantastic something seems when you return to it. Like I said…these bars are good.

I’ve always been a label reader when I go shopping, but never really payed too close of attention to the ingredient lists on certified gluten-free foods. With the way I am shifting my diet, per my sports nutritionist, I am actually really saddened by the amount of unnatural ingredients that go into these. It’s a bit of a turn-off. While it does contain actual blueberries, they aren’t listed until 5th on the list. The first ingredient is, sadly, sugar. And the blueberry portion of this bar is a mix of that sugar, with some chemical ingredients I can’t pronounce, a blend of fruit and vegetable juices (white grape, carrot, blueberry, and pear) as well as a raisin paste, more sugar (fructose), and the pastry-like casing seems to be a mix of chickpea flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. While I admire that they do, in fact, use real blueberries and blueberry juice, I just wish there were more of that and less of the chemicals in these bars.

That being said…in a pinch…these would be a good option to grab.

Nutritionally speaking, these bars provide you with 140 calories per bar and 2 grams of fat. So, they are a healthier choice than some things out on the market. These contain only 60 mg of sodium and are cholesterol free. In addition, you are provided with 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A little low, but leaving you feeling satisfied after eating it. You won’t be starving in the next couple of hours after consuming this bar. So, as far as the numbers go…not bad.

As far as the flavor goes…very reminiscent of the breakfast bars I ate growing up, before I had to go gluten-free as an adult. If you’re in a pinch, these are a good option to have on hand to take with you, in case hunger strikes.

Nicely done, Glutino.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (unwrapped)

June 20, 2013

Purely Elizabeth keeps it simple but tasty with Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal

Product: Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal – $6.99+

Pure. Simple. Original. Natural. Organic. Gluten-Free.

That is a love letter of goodness if you ask me. Because this only proves that you don’t need to dress up something to make it taste good. You can let the pure, simple, clean ingredients speak for themselves. And that is exactly what Purely Elizabeth brand Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal does. Let me tell you, I could eat this stuff by the handful, without anything to top it off or add flavor. Honestly…it’s amazing on its own.

But I tend to use granola in my infamous breakfast parfaits, teaming it with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit of some variety (whatever may have been in the CSA bin that week). So, if it works well on its own, chances are it will be brilliant when paired with something else of equal deliciousness. And Greek yogurt and fresh fruit…is definitely winning!

So…let’s start with the basics of this very basic (but highly impressive) granola. The Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal is a blend of organic certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut palm sugar (for sweetness), organic raw virgin coconut oil, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic sunflower seeds, organic chia sees, organic cinnamon, and sea salt. I think I spy some organic, all-natural ingredients. Not one chemical or preservative is listed. This is the real deal and it’s packaged to be as clean and as healthy as possible. This granola is non-GMO project certified, free of refined sugar, soy-free, loaded with good-for-you fats, sweetened with organic coconut sugar. It is certified vegan, contains no artificial colors or flavors. All of it is hand baked and obviously made with love.

Don’t let the fact that it isn’t paired with dried fruits or something to bring it extra flavor deter you from this variety. This version doesn’t need it. Honestly, it is full of amazing flavor all on its own. The oats, puffed amaranth, quinoa flakes, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds are perfectly coated with the right amount of sweetness, pulled from the organic palm sugar. The hint of cinnamon adds a little bit more flavor. And all of it, the taste, the texture, the fantastic flavor…it is just rockstar. I can’t even imagine going back to other granola after continuing to be impressed by each variety of Purely Elizabeth granola cereals that I have tried.

So…nutritionally speaking, a serving of Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal is 1/3 cup. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 6 grams of fat. There are 2 grams of fiber in each serving and 4 grams of protein. In addition, this granola is cholesterol free and low in sodium (110 mg). So…delicious and oh, so good for you. Loving it.

If I were to purchase only one brand of granola from here on out…Purely Elizabeth would be the brand I would choose. It’s addictively good…and good for you. Give it a try…you won’t be disappointed. And don’t think Original means plain. There is nothing plain about this version of the granola. Simply put…it’s purely delicious.

Fresh Strawberry and Greek Yogurt Breakfast Parfait with Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

June 18, 2013June 18, 2013

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Splits

So…my sports nutritionist is working on getting me in the best shape for my upcoming marathon. That being said, she is moving me towards a Clean Eating diet. Less processed foods. I’m going to really embrace this, although I have a pantry to work through before I can really set onto this path. So, it will be a slow move in that direction, but I’ll get there.

That being said, today I decided to give a “Clean Eating” breakfast a try. After hitting up the gym for some cross training (it’s cross training day) and some strength training, I came into work and prepared what is known as a Breakfast Banana Split. The concept came from Clean Eating Magazine…but I substituted cottage cheese (BLECH!) for Greek yogurt (YUM!). Let me tell you…it’s awesome!

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Split

Servings: 2
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

2 medium bananas
1 cup Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons all-fruit strawberry jam
Fresh pineapple, chopped
2 Tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

Peel and cut each banana in half lengthwise.

Place 2 banana halves in a shallow dish or bowl (or a deep traveling container if you’re off to work).

Place 1/2 cup of the Greek yogurt over center of banana and top with 1 1/2 tablespoons jam, 1 tablespoon peanuts and a pinch of salt.

Repeat with remaining ingredients to assemble 1 more Breakfast Banana Split.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

Yes…it really is that simple. Basic, real ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied and good about your breakfast. I loved this and can’t wait to make it again! The flavors are perfectly matched. And the Greek yogurt gives you that hit of protein to go along with the fruits and the nuts that you are pairing with it. It’s like having dessert for breakfast. And it tastes…oh…so good!

Dig in.