Sweet Stuff – Page 35 – The Celiathlete

June 12, 2013

Two decadent bites of dark chocolate brownie bliss from Udi’s Gluten-Free

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites – $5.99+

Nothing is quite as indulgent, quite as sinful, quite as delicious as dark chocolate. It is, by far, my favorite type of chocolate. And a little can go a long way. Maybe that’s what I love about dark chocolate. It’s rich and decadent and bittersweet…so overindulging doesn’t really come into the equation.

A long time ago…no joke…I spotted Udi’s Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites in my grocer’s gluten-free freezer section. Being the chocoholic that I am…I had to have them. And, my roommate was feeling generous that day and offered to purchase them for me as a treat. I had just baked something for dessert that would last a week or so, so these went back into the freezer upon our return home that day. And there they sat. When I bought them, they were relatively new to the market and one of Udi’s new products. These…these are probably old news to much of the gluten-free world these days. But, seeing as I finally dug them out of the freezer yesterday…well…it’s my turn to taste and tell.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites are beyond amazing. Each brownie is baked inside a mini cupcake wrapper and is about 2-bites per brownie. And these are rich and totally satisfying. I want to take smaller bites just to make them last longer, honestly. The dark chocolate brownie base is like a moist, soft cake. I loved it. And each brownie is infused with fudgy bits of dark chocolate, perfect to melt on your tongue as you savor each sweet bite. Do you realize how difficult it was for me to resist going back for more? If it weren’t for the fact that I know how many servings are in that plastic container, I’d probably be swiping some…constantly…because I love that delicious chocolate flavor. It’s just enough, in each bite, to wake up the palate and keep things interesting. Those dark chocolate chips that are baked into each one…are heaven when you find them. I was in brownie heaven last night. It’s not often I say nice things about pre-packaged brownies…but these were so incredibly moist, soft, decadent, and delicious. They needed to be raved about.

Honestly, I’ve come up with dessert ideas that revolve around these little bite-size brownies of awesomesauce!

We are talking a snack and sweet treat here, so nutritionally speaking…keep that in mind. A serving size is two of these little two-bite brownies. That will set you back 180 calories and 8 grams of fat. A serving also provides you with 100 mg sodium, 16 grams of sugar (it’s dessert…it’s dessert…it’s dessert), 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

Treat these brownie bites as they are intended…as a bite-size treat. The entire container doesn’t need to be consumed all in one or two sittings. It’s best to savor…or…expand on it with little touches of your own. A mini scoop of ice cream, some nuts, whatever your heart desires. Just know that when that chocolate craving hits…whether you are gluten-free or not…these are the little treats you should be consuming…because they are just that awesome. I wouldn’t lie. In fact, I can’t wait to get to dessert tonight. Four bites of heaven. I can’t wait.

June 12, 2013

Freedom Foods Tropico’s brings nothing artificial to the breakfast table

Product: Freedom Foods Tropico’s Cereal – $2.99+

Oh yeah. You read that right.

Nothing. Artificial. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Let me reiterate this once more – NOTHING ARTIFICIAL!

So what exactly is this Froot Loops-like cereal made from…and why am I blogging about them?

Well, I’m blogging about this cereal because it was a new gluten-free item that I spotted at Whole Foods. And it was inexpensive for a gluten-free cereal. And I hadn’t had Froot Loops since I was really, really little. And sometimes, even as an adult…you just want something to remind you of your childhood. The only thing I looked at on the box was the sugar, and it was low for a cereal, so I put it in my shopping basket as I was going to need gluten-free cereal anyway…and away I went.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Normally I equate inexpensive gluten-free foods with disgusting gluten-free cardboard flavor. So, when my current cereal was gone and I popped this box open yesterday…I was almost hesitant to settle in for breakfast. I can be quite adventurous, but I also was on a tight schedule yesterday and not liking my cereal would have put a big crimp in the morning activities and energy level, for sure. But, after my first spoonful…I worried no more.

Not only do these taste better than Froot Loops, but you can tell they aren’t laden down with unnecessary sugar either. The flavors are all natural, because, as I said, Freedom Foods believes very strongly in their products having nothing artificial in them. That means the colors are all natural and the flavors are all natural. So…what does this mean? It means this fantastic fruit flavor is coming from…yep…natural fruit flavor. Imagine that. Getting a fruit flavor from…fruit. And the proof is on the taste buds. While these are definitely not as sweet as Froot Loops, these are definitely packed with great flavor and offer a gluten-free version of that childhood classic. As for the color…that is also all-natural, being drawn from turmeric, fermented rice powder, gardenia flower extract, and sweet potato extract. For real! Sure, the colors aren’t as bold or bright or unnatural as the original Kellogg’s brand cereal…but I don’t need my colors to pop. I need cereals that don’t use artificial dyes and sweeteners. And Freedom Foods is offering that. And these aren’t just for kids…obviously. The fruity flavor is really amazing and I dug in, spoonful after spoonful until it was, sadly, gone.

Freedom Foods is free from gluten, wheat, nuts, dairy, sesame, soy, and eggs. As I mentioned before, the colors and flavors are all natural. This cereal is low in salt, a great source of fiber, and completely preservative free. No BHT here. You’ll find it in Froot Loops though. You’ll find soy, wheat, and hydrogenated oils in Froot Loops too. Oh…and artificial colors. Why eat something artificial when you can eat something that comes from natural ingredients. That’s how food should be made. It’s even better when the food is as delicious as this turned out to be.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving is 1 cup of Tropico’s cereal, which will set you back 130 calories and only less than 1 gram of fat. This serving will also provide you with a scant 40 mg of sodium, 8 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. While Kellogg’s Froot Loops variety has fewer calories, it has a little more fat, definitely more sodium, and 12 grams of sugar. I think I’ll take the 20 extra calories for something that is all natural and has less sugar in it. Thank you very much.

Freedom Foods Tropico’s is just one cereal that I found. There are quite a few others lining the shelves. And, according to the Web site, some other options as well that Whole Foods might not have yet. That being said, I am looking forward to trying another type of their cereal because they have completely wowed me with this one. Maybe I’m still a kid at heart, but this is a cereal parents can feel confident giving to their children and adults can enjoy as well. It’s all natural…and all good.

June 12, 2013

A crispy outside with a soft inside means The Pure Pantry mixes up a perfect old fashioned pancake

Product: The Pure Pantry Organic Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix – $6.79+

What does a runner love to eat…probably as much as bananas, pasta, and pizza. If you said pancakes…you’d win the jackpot. And, even before I became a runner, pancakes were one of my most favorite breakfast foods to have. And my mom was a pro at making them. In fact, her very own recipe in the cookbook she put together for all of the kids in the family actually has them titled “The Best Ever Pancakes.” I think we called them that once or twice…or always.

But…going gluten-free sort of took the fun out of pancakes. So often, the batter would be runny, or the pancakes would have no lift to them. They were dense, not light and fluffy. Or the flavor was all wrong. There are so many factors that go into creating the perfect pancake. And none of them ever achieved “Best Ever” status like my mom’s.

And while none of the mixes have duplicated that perfection…a few have come close. And, while this remains on the lower end of my favorite pancakes, The Pure Pantry Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix has achieved something that no other gluten-free pancake and baking mix has managed. It managed to get that perfect golden crust on the outside of the pancake, so that you get that initial crispy texture, followed by the soft, hot center.

Yes…it might just be gluten-free pancake nirvana.

And it all came to light on Monday morning. I had just come in from my first official marathon training run. Five easy miles…while hydrating and fueling. All on the orders of my sports nutritionist. But now it was time to recover and get some carbs and protein working in my diet. So…at the request of my roomie the previous night, and to celebrate my first run toward my ultimate goal of 26.2 miles…pancakes just seemed right. But not just any pancakes will do when you are marathon training. Nope. They have to be special. Fit with the theme.

So…I took this mix and doctored it up with some PB2, a tablespoon of melted Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator Peanut Butter, and a chopped banana. Does that not sound like the ultimate recovery breakfast? It’s a runner’s dream come true. Protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. I served mine up with a homemade raspberry syrup (the “jelly” component)…which gave me some antioxidants from the fruit. Oh yeah…I was feeling good. The only thing I worried about was how the mix would do when I altered the ingredients that went into it.

I should have known better than to worry. This is actually an easy mix to blend together. To the 1-1/3 cup of pancake mix, you simply add one lightly beaten egg, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1-1/3 cup almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice) and blend. But I didn’t stop there. Nope. I had to go further with the peanut butter and banana. Because that’s a winning combination. You gotta admit. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out in the end…but my fears were put to rest after I scooped the first 1/4 cup serving of batter onto the hot skillet and started the first batch cooking.

Within moments, the edges of the pancakes were getting bubbly, just like real pancakes do…but gluten-free pancakes don’t often achieve. I was feeling good about this already. I flipped the first round, almost squealing with happiness when I saw the perfect golden hue on the cooked side. Nothing done halfway. No light areas. Perfectly golden and…even fluffy. They were FLUFFY!

With the first batch done, I went to prep those for breakfast consumption that morning, warming up my homemade raspberry syrup, and making a Brown Sugar Agave Butter to schmear over each pancake. With the next batch cooking on the griddle and one set ready to eat, I served them up to my roommate and ended up standing up over the skillet while eating mine and cooking up the rest of them.

I was so happy with these.

The Pure Pantry’s Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix is perfect for anyone following a gluten-free/casein-free diet. These pancakes can also be made with dairy-free rice, almond or soy milk. I love a mix that can work with dietary needs. Regardless of the milk you add, the pancakes don’t just fill the kitchen with that homey, Sunday morning brunch aroma, but the product that emerges off that skillet is a testament to the quality and standards of The Pure Pantry.

With the unique and versatile blend of organic, gluten-free flours, this mix is meant for more than just pancakes. In fact, it can be used to replace flour in any regular baking recipe. Gotta love that. This mix contains a blend of organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour, organic potato starch flour, organic corn flour, organic tapioca flour, baking soda, aluminum free baking powder, xanthan gum, and organic sea salt. I will once again point out that this is another fine example of using ingredients that aren’t chemicals or unpronouncable. These are real ingredients which helps produce the very delicious product as a result.

Nutritionally speaking, these pancakes will set you back 150 calories and only 1 gram of fat. Yep…you read that right! These have no cholesterol and are low in sodium (280 mg). However, it would be best to add something like peanut butter and some fruit to these as the fiber level sits at 1 gram and the protein is a scant 2 grams before any sort of doctoring happens to the mix. So…if you make them as-is…you will probably feel hungry shortly after.

However, what you do get is a perfect specimen of gluten-free pancakes the way they should come out when cooked. I hadn’t yet achieved this level of pancake perfection until now. And I have The Pure Pantry and their amazing Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix to thank for it. I…am sold.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes made from The Pure Pantry Organic Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix

June 8, 2013

Still nutty for the original Nut Goodies candy bar

Product: Pearson’s Original Nut Goodies Bar – $0.99+

I blame nostalgia.

No…really. Because if it hadn’t been for my aunt pulling down boxes of old pictures from when my family would come to Minnesota from New York each summer to spend two weeks with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins…I wouldn’t have even remembered what a Nut Goodies bar was. Honestly. It had been blocked from my memory until we unearthed an old photo of my mom, dad, brother, sister and myself sitting on the back porch of my grandparent’s lake cabin…all eating Nut Goodies bars.

The family that eats candy together…is awesome!

Well, it was a day or two later that my roommate and I ventured out to the Mall of America on our last day in Minneapolis. And while in one of the stores that specializes in things from Minnesota…I spotted the Nut Goodies bars. As in…they had a Sea Salt Caramel one too. Well, I had to have that because Salty Caramel things are one of my great loves in life. But…I couldn’t not get the original bar. And, as the label clearly read that there were gluten-free…I allowed the splurge and went ahead and picked up one of each flavor, so that my roomie and I could split them and savor.

These made the journey back to the Louisville area with me…in my often crowded and heavy carry-on bag. But…they survived and were in tact. Yesterday…I broke out the Sea Salt Caramel one for dessert…per the request of my roomie. She started with the new flavor…not the original. Interesting. So tonight…that meant we were having the treat of my childhood. The Original Nut Goodies bar.

After we ate dinner…it was time for our tasty dessert treat. I went to the kitchen and snagged the Original Nut Goodies bar from the pantry and tore into the wrapper. I easily sliced the bar in half, giving her one half and keeping the other half for me. I almost didn’t want to eat it. Well, I did…but there was so much nostalgia going on in that moment…

My roomie wasted no time. She bit into it and said…”It’s like a Snickers on crack!” Which, I took as a good thing. So, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes…and took my first bite in ages.

And I immediately remembered that flavor. It was sweet. Crunchy. Smooth. Creamy. Dreamy. DELICIOUS! I mean, it doesn’t get much better than a creamy maple center that is coated with real milk chocolate and unsalted Virginia peanuts. Nope. It really doesn’t. Forget Snickers…this candy bar is much, much, much better. I fell in love with it all over again. It took me back to those childhood days. One bite. I was there. And then, before I knew it…my half of the candy was gone. I licked my fingers clean. No crumb was wasted. Now…I want more.

Pearson’s Nut Goodies candy bar hit the scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota back in 1912. Over 100 years later and the candy is still being made. Minnesota is famous for them. And I guess that’s why my family would devour these whenever we headed that way to visit. It wasn’t like we could find them in New York. Trust me…we couldn’t.

Now…given that this is, in fact, a candy bar…don’t expect great nutritional information. This is…a treat. My roommate and I split our bar in half…but an entire bar would serve you up 240 calories and 12 grams of fat. Thanks to the nuts being unsalted, one bar only has 85 mg of sodium. Not too bad. The nuts also help to provide the 4 grams of protein in each bar. That being said, you will be feasting on 28 grams of sugar. But…like I said…it’s a treat.

Pearson’s created a divine, premium candy bar back in 1912. The fact that they maintain their high standards and still produce an amazing, delicious product is even more impressive. I think Nut Goodies bars will forever be on the ‘bring home with you’ list when I visit Minnesota. And if you happen to spot one out in the wild…trust me…you want one. You want one BAD. So go ahead…treat yourself to one. Or you’ll be missing out on a Minnesota classic.

Pearson's Original Nut Goodies Bar (unwrapped) — Pearson’s Original Nut Goodies Bar (unwrapped)

June 7, 2013

Nutty for Pearson’s Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar

Pearson's Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodie Bar — Pearson’s Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar

Pearson’s Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar – $0.99+

It’s a Minnesota classic. Something I ate when I was a kid…whenever I visited Minnesota, my parents would treat us to one. There are pictures of my family sitting on the back porch of the lake cabin in Minnesota, chowing down on the infamous Nut Goodies Bar.

Ever have one?

If not…you need to change that.

So…as it goes, I was in Minnesota last month to run a half marathon. On my final day in Minneapolis, my roomie and I hit up the Mall of America, where I made a few random purchases. One of which were two varieties of Nut Goodies Bars. What are Nut Goodies Bars? They are AWESOME, that’s what they are. But seriously, Pearson’s Nut Goodies Bars are a Minnesota classic. The company started in 1909, and the Nut Goodies Bar released to the market in 1912 as a premium 5¢ candy bar. These candy bars contain a creamy maple center that is covered with real milk chocolate (and still is today…unlike many of today’s candy bars) and fresh unsalted Virginia peanuts. What you end up with is this nice blend of sweet and salty…which is only one of my favorite combinations…EVER!

But…in honor of their 100 year anniversary, Pearson’s went a bit off the beaten path and released it’s first ever permanent line extension by introducing the Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies.

Salted Caramel. Please excuse me while I drool for a moment. Because I. LOVE. SALTED. CARAMEL.

I spotted it while at a store full of Minnesota goodness at the Mall of America. I went ahead and grabbed one of the Sea Salt Caramel and one of the Original Nut Goodies Bars. For old time sake. After all, the labels clearly stated that they were…wait for it…GLUTEN FREE! Happiness and joy!

So, they traveled back to Louisville with me in my carry-on luggage. And survived without getting too crushed under everything else I had jammed in there. And since the cookies are winding down in my pantry of gluten-free gorging…I decided tonight my roomie and I would split one of the Nut Goodies Bars that came from the land of 10,000 Lakes and Awesome Chocolate Candy. I told her to choose between the Original and Sea Salt Caramel. I expected her to start with the basic…the bar that started it all…but she chose Sea Salt Caramel. So tonight, we split the Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar.

This candy bar is basically a new take on the Original. Instead of the maple center, however, there is a center that is made up of delicious sea salt and caramel…then coated with the infamous real milk chocolate and Virginia peanuts.

These are your basic Turtle candies taken up to the ultimate level. I absolutely loved having my half of this candy bar for dessert. I mean…it doesn’t get much better than something sweet with a hint of something salty. The caramel portion is soft and chewy. Which I love. No one likes hard caramel in their candy bar. The nuts are fresh and crunchy…and being unsalted, you get that nice earthy taste with them. The chocolate is sweet and rich. I love that. And the addition of the sea salt brought the right hint of salty to this otherwise sweet treat.

Now…being that this is a candy bar…let’s remember that this won’t be nutritious…but I don’t like to keep the facts out of my blogs. My roommate and I split this to cut down on the hit the entire bar would give us. And, really, you just need a taste. But Pearson’s Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar will set you back 250 calories and 12 grams of fat (some of that is the good fats from the nuts). Given that this is a sea salt variety, the sodium is a little higher, set at 220 mg per bar. And each bar has 3 grams of protein (thank you peanuts!). As for sugar level…yeah…sugar rush on the way with this topping out at 26 grams. So, remember, this is a treat…but you can also split it with friends and family.

I also love that Pearson’s clearly labeled this Gluten-Free. No questions. No guessing. It’s right there.

And I am clearly falling back in love with a treat from my childhood. Memory lane…taking down a new flavor path. YUM!

Pearson's Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodie Bar (unwrapped) — Pearson’s Sea Salt Caramel Nut Goodies Bar (unwrapped)

June 7, 2013

Glutino’s sweet take on gluten-free Strawberry Pop Tarts is even better than the real thing

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastries – $5.69+

My favorite thing in life…

Strawberries.

Seriously. That’s all it takes to make me happy. Hand me a big bowl of organic strawberries and I will EAT. THEM. ALL. For real. I have no self-control (and really, who needs it) when it comes to those delicious red berries. I’ve always loved fruit and growing up I sampled whatever my mom brought home. And, let me tell you, she brought home some crazy things to enjoy at dinner as our fruit portion (she always made us a balanced meal from every food group!). And, for the most part, I loved everything she gave to us. There were some I preferred over others. I think mango was the only one I really didn’t care for. I’d eat it though. I just wasn’t happy about eating it.

Where was I? Oh yes…strawberries.

Strawberries…and gluten-free toaster pastries.

Yep. GLUTEN. FREE. TOASTER. PASTRIES.

I know I mentioned in an earlier blog my complete elation at spotting boxes of Glutino’s new gluten-free toaster pastries (in two flavors: apple cinnamon and strawberry) while out at Whole Foods one afternoon. I literally ran up and down the aisle dancing a jig of joy. The stock boy just sort of stared at me. I’m fairly certain that I’ll make the annual Christmas party security video reel of laughter. But I don’t care. Because one of my gluten-free prayers had finally been answered. Only a couple months after the release into the wild…I found Glutino’s new product. And I was overjoyed (obviously).

It took me a couple of weeks to use other items in my pantry up first, but on gym days this week…these made their debut. And after the awesomeness of the Glutino Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries I enjoyed on Monday, I was really, really, really looking forward to the Glutino Strawberry Toaster Pastries. My wait…was over.

Much like how it ran on Monday, I got to the office and turned on the toaster oven. To keep any sort of cross-contamination at bay, I toasted these up on my own plate, setting them under the broiler setting for about 5 minutes. This got them toasty hot and nice and golden in color. I dropped one off with my roommate and I settled in at my desk with my own.

An individual packet containing a Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry

And from her cubical, I hear: “It’s TASTY!”

That was a good sign. Upon my own investigation, I couldn’t agree more. The Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastries are a little sweeter than the Apple Cinnamon variety. That’s okay. Strawberries are usually sweeter than apples anyway. I loved the unique flavor, which I believe comes from the filling being a blend of apple powder, strawberries, white grape juice, and black carrot juice (for color). It is pretty sweet and the pastry that enfolds it crisped up perfectly and was still flaky and amazing when I took a bite. I loved the flavor and the texture of these. Beyond delicious. These were phenomenal. These weren’t just reminiscent of Pop Tarts…these were better than Pop Tarts. And…a whole lot healthier too.

In fact, I decided to do a side-by-side comparison between Glutino Strawberry Toaster Pastries with Unfrosted Strawberry Pop Tarts and the Strawberry Toaster Strudels from Pillsbury.

Glutino, by far, offers the best options when you look at it from a nutritional standpoint. A serving is one Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry which clocks in at 160 calories and 5 grams of fat (the Pop Tarts…which are wrapped up with 2 per packet, though the serving size is only 1 has 210 calories per pastry with 6 grams of fat and the Pillsbury variety has 170 calories and 7 grams of fat). Glutino’s strawberry variety offers 4 grams of fiber (Pop Tarts have less than 1, as do the Toaster Strudels). Now, Glutino does have more sodium than the other two versions…I won’t lie. But…this is a prepackaged food…so sodium content does tend to be a bit higher. A huge, huge kicker for me though is that Glutino does not have high fructose corn syrup anywhere in it’s ingredients. None. The other two versions totally do. And…Glutino is gluten-free. These do have eggs, so if you are a vegan or sensitive to eggs, just be aware that they are in the ingredients.

What I love about Glutino’s Gluten-Free Toaster Pastries is that you can eat them right out of the box. Just unwrap each individual pastry and nosh. Or, you can microwave them for a few seconds to warm them. Or toast them. However you want, however you like. That’s what makes toaster pastries so amazing. And now…the gluten-free community not only benefits from Glutino’s latest product…but we can boast that ares are even better than those fancy, name-brand varieties out in the market.

I have only been able to find the Glutino Toaster Pastries at Whole Foods…so head out to your local Whole Foods and find them. Buy them. Enjoy them. They are totally worth any means you need to take to get them. Even if you have to order them online. Do it. Do it now.

Because they are, simply put, simply amazing…simply better for you…and simple to eat. I’m loving it.

A toasted Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry

June 7, 2013June 7, 2013

Natural Nectar Choco Dreams Rice Sticks didn’t wow me…but, hey…cookies!

Natural Nectar Gluten-Free Choco Dream Rice Sticks

Product: Natural Nectar Gluten-Free Choco Dreams Rice Sticks – $3.69+

I guess this was Natural Nectar’s throwback to those Pirouettes rolled wafer cookies that you can find, usually, around the holidays, that are filled with a chocolate (or other flavor) cream. That’s what the image on the box reminded me of, anyway.

I don’t remember where I got these…or when. I just remember that my roommate spotted them, nudged me, and said that she found straw cookies that I could eat now. Of course, this made me happy, as I was a huge fan of Pirouettes back when I could eat them. I mean, the rolled wafer filled with this delicious, sweet creamy center (normally chocolate). Yeah…it’s all good.

So…I knew then and there that I needed…yes needed to try this version from Natural Nectar.

But…I had (and still have) a plethora of gluten-free cookies looming in my pantry. I can’t help it! I’m a cookie monster!! Don’t judge. So…even though I was thrilled to have these…there were other products that needed to be devoured…eaten…enjoyed…or thrown away first.

That changed…last night.

Last night, after eating a delicious meal, I went to retrieve dessert. We had just polished off the last of my homemade gluten-free strawberry pie, so it was on to the next goody. And that just happened to be Natural Nectar’s Gluten-Free Choco Dreams Rice Sticks. I was pretty stoked about opening this box. They just…looked so fantastic on the packaging.

I had to take pictures for the blog though, so once that was done, I opened the tab on the box and removed two individual white packets. Each packet held two of the little rice stick cookies. Totally excited, I put the box away and tore open the pouch, ready to see how these compared to the Pirouettes of my pre-gluten-free life.

Well…one bite…

…and I was underwhelmed. They aren’t bad. They aren’t even horrible. They actually taste okay. It’s just…they weren’t what I expected.

Let me explain.

These rice sticks are definitely filled with a sweet cocoa spread. That spread is my favorite part. Unfortunately, the cookie part that wraps up that sweet spread is much thicker than the wafer-thin rolls of the Pirouettes. In fact, this cookie is overwhelming in comparison to the delicious chocolate that it is wrapped around. That being said, the rice stick cookie portion does have a great sweet, vanilla flavor that meshes well with the cocoa spread…if you can taste it. The cookie part is very crunchy…without being crumbly. That’s good…except I miss that soft, but crispy, thin wrap that the Pirouettes had. I understand these aren’t the same sort of cookie, but it’s the closest comparison that I have.

These aren’t bad…but if given the choice, I would probably choose a different gluten-free cookie to snack on instead.

Nutritionally speaking (for cookies), these are on the better side of the guilt meter. One packet of two Natural Nectar Choco Dreams Rice Sticks contains 115 calories and 4 grams of fat. Not too bad for cookies. Two cookies at that. And these aren’t just small little rolls of cookie and cocoa. These are quite substantial. With a sugar content of 10 grams, these aren’t too bad for a sweet treat. A chocolate stuffed sweet treat at that. I’m sort of impressed by how low that number is. These are also cholesterol free, which is a nice touch.

Like I said…Natural Nectar gave it a good try with these cookies. And the Choco Dreams Rice Sticks are decent enough. They just didn’t wow me like I had hoped. And they were definitely not the gluten-free throwback to Pirouettes that I had anticipated. Perhaps I had just gotten my hopes up a little too soon. If you like a crispy vanilla cookie with a touch of smooth chocolate…these cookies might be for you. I found them a little unbalanced…but ultimately…tasty enough to continue to nosh on after dinner.

Natural Nectar Gluten-Free Choco Dream Rice Sticks (unwrapped)

June 5, 2013

Glutino rocks my world with new Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries – $5.69+

GLUTEN.

FREE.

TOASTER.

PASTRIES.

Go ahead…read those four lines again. I’ll wait…

Do you understand the ramifications of this sort of invention? It had been well over two years since I last had a Pop Tart of Toaster Pastry of any sort. Going gluten-free but the kabash on that rather quickly. Every time I’d walk down the grocery asile, despite knowing they are laden with high fructose corn syrup, I would stare in deep want of those damn, evil Pop Tarts. I knew I couldn’t have them. But…oh…there were days that was all I wanted.

Then, last year, a company known as Eco Planet announced they were releasing gluten-free toaster pastries. I was ecstatic. I was so excited. I checked out the Web site and they had stopped taking orders for them as they couldn’t keep up with the demand. As soon as they were released…I looked everywhere for them. Still can’t find them in stores. Can only order by the case online. What if they were awful? What if I didn’t like them? Then I was stuck, not just with a box…but an entire case. I couldn’t risk it, no matter how badly I wanted to have one. So once again…I was left to stare longingly at the aisle in the grocery store and wish…just wish.

Enter my saving grace…once again. Glutino to the gluten-free rescue!

Glutino announced earlier this year the release of two brand new products: Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries and Strawberry Toaster Pastries.

I think I did a happy dance of joy with the announcement, hoping, praying that these would be easier to find. They weren’t. They eluded me for months after the initial release. Then…one day, I was scoping out the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods…spotted them on the very top shelf, and ran around the aisle, dancing, flailing, hooting and hollering…just celebrating this little victory in my gluten-free life. Glutino Toaster Pastries had arrived at my Whole Foods. And now…they were all mine.

I snagged a box of each, purchased them without any regret, and took them home.

Where…I was afraid to open the box. Most people would try these out immediately. I don’t know why I let them sit in my pantry for a couple of weeks. Perhaps I was just being stubborn. Or was afraid to not like them. Or maybe I had other perishable items to have for breakfast before getting to these. Or maybe a combination of it all. The fact is…yesterday marked the debut of the gluten-free toaster pastry into my life.

A individual packet containing a Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastry

And I started my breakfast journey…after a cardio and strength training workout at the gym…at my place of employment…with the aid of my own plate and a toaster oven (which I toasted these on my plate, not the rack…no cross contamination!). And this all started with the Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon flavored toaster pastry.

Peeling back that silver wrapper and placing the toaster pastry on the plate was…euphoric. I took a moment to just look at it. It definitely resembled an un-frosted Pop Tart. YES! It smelled like…apples and cinnamon. That is only a good thing, friends. Into the toaster oven it went for a few minutes under broil, just to get that nice golden color on it. I watched it carefully, not wanting to burn my first toaster pastry in years because I wandered away. No way!! That wasn’t going to happen. Not on my watch.

I removed the hot plate from the toaster oven and took it back to my desk…ready to savor. I was already practically drooling. It toasted to perfection. The center was gooey and soft and just smelled…awesome. I was never more ready to sink my teeth into something than I was at that very moment.

And. OH. MY. GLUTEN. FREE. GOD!!!!

Divine. Heaven. It was like eating a flaky toaster pastry that resembled a Pop Tart. I was…doing my best not to just shove every inch of it into my mouth. I wanted to savor it. I wanted every bite to last. I ended up hoovering it though…because it was that good. The crust is flaky and awesome. The filling is soft, packed with flavor and…awesome. Glutino…once again…proves that they are AWESOME! Yet another Glutino product that has wowed me. I haven’t had a bad experience yet with any of the products they have out on the market. And this…this was something I had been seeking, needing, and desiring. And they bring it to me…via the shelves of Whole Foods. If life is but a dream, I hope to never, ever wake up from this one.

These are far tastier than I ever remember Pop Tarts being. Yeah…I just said that. And I meant it.

So…how are they nutritionally speaking? Who cares??! They are gluten-free toaster pastries!! But, if you really must know…

A serving, much like Pop Tarts, is one pastry. Yeah…Pop Tarts tricks you by putting two in their wrappers. Glutino keeps theirs individually wrapped with 5 delicious pastries per box. Glutino’s Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries contain 160 calories per pastry and 5 grams of fat. (For the record, Pop Tarts Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon pastries have 210 calories per pastry and 8 grams of fat. They don’t have an apple cinnamon flavor anymore). The Glutino Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastries also provide 4 grams of fiber. Yes…these do have 12 grams of sugar, but it’s a toaster pastry. These are also low in cholesterol and sodium. Loving it.

If you can’t find these toasty pastries of awesome at your local Whole Foods, get online and order them. They are totally worth having in your kitchen. Please note that they do contain eggs, so if you have a problem with eggs or are vegan…these might not be right for you. I love eggs…and LOVE these in turn. Oh…and no high fructose corn syrup went into the making of these fantastic little breakfast sweets. I’m loving that even more.

The gluten-free world is free to heat up toaster pastries again. Thank you, great Glutino…for bringing such a large amount of joy…in such a small package.

I’m still smiling…and looking forward to trying the Strawberry variety tomorrow.

A toasted Glutino Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Toaster Pastry

June 5, 2013

Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola a step above the rest

Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grains Granola Cereal

Product: Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal – $6.99+

Flavor. Texture. Taste. Ingredients.

Everything that goes into a granola has to be spot on. Because a good granola will not be laden with sugar. If you are currently consuming a granola with a high sugar content…STOP! Just stop…now. There are better, healthier, more filling options out there that give your body the proper balance of nutrients it needs…instead of filling you up (briefly) with sugar.

One such brand…is Purely Elizabeth.

I originally tried the Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig granola a couple months ago…and fell in love with it. I was a bit leery about it…but it surprised me. Even more, the fact that it wasn’t laden down with chemicals, sugars, and unhealthy things made it all the more enjoyable to consume. Flavor was top of the line. It is one of the more expensive gluten-free granola on the market…but it’s worth it. Trust me.

That being said, when I found myself laden with fresh fruits and berries in my CSA bin this week…I picked up some Greek yogurt and figured breakfast parfaits would be an amazing addition to my favorite meal of the day. But…I’d need granola. And while there is a wide variety of gluten-free options out there, I was biding my time while hitting the various grocery stores that I haunt week in and week out. On my very last stop, I decided I would just go with whatever was there. And what was there were quite a few options…but imagine my joy at seeing the bags of Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola Cereal on the bottom shelf. I didn’t hesitate for a moment. Well…one moment…but that was just because I needed to choose a flavor. Only two remained…the Pumpkin Fig, which I had already tried previously…and the Blueberry Hemp.

Blueberry Hemp won and found its way into my shopping cart…then in my shopping bag…then in my pantry.

It was opened up and tried the very next morning.

A serving of Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

Let’s start with the basics of this variety and brand. The Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola is made with all natural, organic, and gluten-free ingredients that include quinoa, amaranth, chia seeds, and raw virgin coconut oil. What these ingredients impart on the cereal is a nutritious blend of protein, b vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, energy-providing fatty acids, as well as anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. It sounds like a lot of technical mambo-jumbo, I understand. But it boils down to…you aren’t getting any GMO ingredients, any refined sugars, no artificial colors, some good-for-you fats, and lots of overall vitamins and good stuff for your body. Not. Just. Junk.

The evidence is in the ingredients: organic certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut palm sugar, organic raw virgin coconut oil, dried blueberries, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic sunflower seeds, organic hemp seeds, organic chia seeds, organic cinnamon, sea salt.

Anything you don’t recognize? Exactly my point. If you can honestly say you know what everything in a product is…I’d say that product is safe to consume.

But…that big looming question awaits…

How does it taste?

There aren’t enough words…but it is SUPER delicious. AMAZING. Really YUMMY! It is, perhaps, my favorite gluten-free granola I have bought yet. I mean…the texture is really good. Crispy, with a hint of sweetness from the coconut palm sugar. The dried blueberries give it an added boost of sweetness that ties in so wonderfully with the ancient grains and seeds that help give this granola its fantastic, crunchy texture. This…is granola with the volume turned up to 11. It’s, by far, the best one I have ever eaten…and trust me…go back through my blog…I have sampled quite a few.

Nutritionally speaking…a serving of Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola is 1/3 cup. With this serving, you are consuming 140 calories and 6 grams of fat, much of which is the healthy fats your body uses for energy. Loving that. This serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. As for that sugar content…only 6 grams in a serving. That’s awesome from a granola. This granola is also cholesterol free and low in sodium (only 110 mg).

Granola that supplies your body with nutrients and not sugar…I’m perfectly okay with that. Even better…it’s not only good for you…it tastes great too. SOLD!! Go ahead…find it at your local stores and try it. Believe me…it’s worth the price tag. So…so worth it.

Fresh Fruit and Greek Yogurt Breakfast Parfait with Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

June 3, 2013

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

If I have time on Sunday morning…as in I am back from my long(ish) weekend run before my roommate rises and shines, I sometimes like to take a moment to prepare a hearty breakfast for the two of us. If she’s awake…I throw together something a little quicker and with less preparation and thought. So, the mornings I get my run done and come home to a still-quiet apartment are some of my favorite mornings. I’ve just finished running…and now I get to spend some time, some stress-free moments, in the kitchen…making my favorite meal of the day!

Breakfast!

Don’t get me wrong, breakfast food can be eaten at any time during the day…but I love a good, hearty, and healthy breakfast to get my day off to a good start.

This morning…I made up Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries…which I based my version loosely off of Giada De Laurentiis’ recipe. I say loosely because mine is gluten-free…mine uses raspberries (not oranges) and I sweetened my gluten-free bread with lemon zest…not orange zest. My syrup is raspberry based instead of orange based.

Pain Perdu, by the way, is French Toast. So…it’s easy to make and, ultimately, delicious. Here is the recipe for mine:

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pan Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

Gluten-Free Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Raspberries

Servings: 4
Time: Prep 45 minutes; Cook 12 minutes

Ingredients:

French Toast:

4 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 slices of gluten-free bread (I used Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread) (If not gluten-free, use slices of whole grain bread or country white bread, preferably 1 day old)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Syrup:

4-5 ounces raspberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur (Chambord) or raspberry fruit juice/fruit juice blend
2 star anise pods
1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (about 6 ounces) fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions:

For the toast: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, orange zest, and cinnamon together until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch casserole. Add the bread slices in a single layer. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes, turning once.

For the syrup: Place the raspberries into a small saucepan. Add the sugar, water, raspberry liqueur or raspberry juice, if using, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Remove the star anise pods and cinnamon stick and discard.

Preheat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter. Using a spatula, remove the bread slices from the egg mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drain. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes each side. Place on 4 serving plates and drizzle with the raspberry syrup and fresh raspberries. In a small bowl, toss the blueberries and mint together and spoon on top of the French toast. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.