Sweet Stuff – Page 41 – The Celiathlete

February 14, 2013

Lots of love for Love Grown Foods Simply Oats oat clusters

Product: Love Grown Foods Simply Oats Oat Clusters – $4.99+

Love Grown Foods…you are truly amazing. Your foods are obviously baked and created with love because it shines through in even the most simplest of products that you offer. I don’t know what else to say except…BRAVO.

And…

I LOVE YOU.

And it doesn’t get much more tasty or a simple as your Simply Oats oat clusters. Honestly…this is simple, easy, very pure without any additions. No nuts, no fruit…but all the flavor. I don’t even miss them. Not one bit. And another huge deal is that you use honey and agave to sweeten this product, not the refined sugars or artificial sweeteners that most other brands offer. Not. A. Fan.

One thing I vowed to do as my dietary needs have changed (having to go dairy-free and gluten-free as of 2 years ago) was to pay closer attention to the foods that I buy and the actual ingredients that go into them. I started this before I had to change my diet, doing my best to cut out anything that included high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. BLECH! It was a small goal, but it did get me into the habit of really looking at the information that companies put on the packaging and exactly what it is that I am putting into my body.

Now, with the dietary restrictions…reading labels is a must.

So, imagine how much less stressful and how much easier it is to know of a company and brand that I can simply pluck from the shelf at the grocery store and know…for absolutely certain…that what I am getting is made with natural ingredients and will definitely fit into my needs.

That’s Love Grown Foods. And I have to say, I didn’t have high hopes for the Simply Oats variety of their granola…but it wowed me. At first bite…I was wowed. This doesn’t happen normally. I normally need some nuttiness or fruitiness to accompany my granola…despite adding it to yogurt and berries. This one, I would eat on its own…in a flippin’ heartbeat. Honestly. I don’t need the yogurt. I don’t need the fruit. I just love the savory, sweet flavor these oat clusters have. On their own. Without added sugars or preservatives.

Love goes into these products. True love.

The granola is gluten-free and produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Love that. That takes a lot of guesswork out as well. And it means I can trust the gluten-free label that comes with these. As for ingredients…simple, but delicious: Certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, canola oil, sunflower seeds, pure vanilla, milled flaxseed, cinnamon, and sea salt. That’s it. Nine simple ingredients. Nothing chemical about it. Just simple goodness in a simple, unassuming package. And that’s the magic of these products.

Even better is how good they are for you. Nutritionally speaking, a serving is 1/4 cup (or 30 grams). In this simple serving, you get served up only 130 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. Sodium content is crazy low, a serving of Simply Oats granola only having only 35 mgs. This also provides 3 grams of protein and cuts back on sugars that most granola are loaded with. This 1/4 cup serving…only 7 grams of sugar. How amazing is that?! And you don’t even miss it. These stand alone and provide such a great burst of flavor you don’t needed added sugars and artificial sweeteners. They are amazing on their own.

Unprocessed, organic goodness in a simple breakfast or snack…you better believe I’m all over that. Don’t let the name lead you to believe that these are not anything but simple. The complex flavors and amazing taste proves that even if these are Simply Oats…they are still simply delicious. And what more could you ask?

Breakfast Blueberry Parfait with Chobani Fat Free Vanilla Greek Yogurt and Love Grown Foods Simply Oats Oat Clusters

February 12, 2013

KIND-a underwhelmed by KIND Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Bar

Product: KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar – $1.99+

When you think cranberries…you think big, bold, tart flavor, yes? I know I do. Trust me…I’ve eaten my fair share of things with cranberry in them. Even got some fresh cranberries in my CSA bin around Thanksgiving this year and turned them into a fantastic dessert. So…cranberries don’t scare me off. I know they can bring a lot to a dish if utilized properly.

But, that is where I feel something went wrong in this variety of the KIND Plus Snack Bar.

I already had my doubts. Because, while I eat cranberries…they aren’t my most favorite thing in the world. In small doses, yes…that’s fine. But, here…they were sharing the show with almonds…but when you gaze at the bar, you see lots of the sticky redness that would be the cranberries that make up this snack.

I figured, however, I would put my preconceptions of the bar on hold and allow it to speak for itself.

And it had its chance on Sunday…when I tore into it prior to a 9 mile long run for training. I split this in half with my roommate, because I always value her opinion and we were going for brekkies after I ran…so it would be a light breakfast for both of us, but still give me enough energy to at least get through 9 miles of indoor running hell (it was raining…so it was dreadmill (treadmill) and track time for me!). BAH!

So, before my first bite, this bar did have some things going for it. For one thing…the addition of antioxidants, brought about by the inclusion of numerous vitamins (A, C, & E…of which I think would come from the cranberries. In fact, KIND’s Web site claims that this bar contains 50% of the recommended daily intake of these three vitamins, which help fight free radicals and help maintain the immune system and healthy skin. Well…that is, indeed, a plus.

Aside from that, this KIND Plus bar is a blend of almonds, dried cranberries, macadamias, honey, non-GMO glucose, crisp rice, chicory root fiber, and sunflower oil. I mean…that doesn’t sound offensive at all. And, in fact, my co-worker ate this one the other day. She said it was pretty good, and she doesn’t like cranberries…but also said…it wasn’t that great and that she wouldn’t get it again if given the option.

So, Sunday morning, I had my own taste.

And I agree with my co-worker.

I really, really wanted to like this one. I mean, my co-worker and I spent good money on this box…I want to like every bar inside of it. But the fact of the matter was…this one was just…bland. Yes! BLAND! A bar with cranberries in it…was bland. The flavor was totally lacking, which was a huge disappointment for me. If I am eating something, I want to taste every component of it. But I didn’t get much of anything with this one.

And, unlike the previous one I had the day before, this one was very sticky and chewy, which is okay…but I prefer to be able to hold it without needing a napkin or a good wash of my fingers afterwards. Just sayin’.

With all of this in mind, let’s give a little nutritional walk through of this bar. An entire bar only serves up 190 calories, so it’s great for a snack of quick on-the-go breakfast. The bar contains 13 grams of fat, which most of which would come from the nuts…so at least it is the healthy kind. With the inclusion of the nuts, you also get a fair amount of fiber (3 grams) and protein (4 grams), which helps your body feel full. And, for being a snack bar, the sodium level is low, sitting pretty at 25 mgs. With only 11 grams of sugar, this really is a healthier choice than many of the snack bars out there.

It’s just…lacking in the flavor aspect. And if something doesn’t wow me at first taste…I’m not going to bother with it again.

So, from the KIND box…I’ve had one bar that I’ve really enjoyed and one that I’ve not enjoyed. So…we’re half and half so far.

If you like cranberries…this bar might be for you. I’m not a huge fan of cranberries, but I do eat them…and surprisingly, it was the lack of cranberry flavor that I disliked most. Where I expected tart…I got sweet…and not even enough of that to really satisfy. I know there are always bound to be flavor duds in a combo pack. Sadly, for me, it was the KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar. Disappointed? Totally. And definitely not going to seek this one out to buy on its own.

KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar (unwrapped)

February 10, 2013

Low sugar, a hint of spice, and everything nice in KIND Bar’s Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar

Product: KIND Madagascar Vanilla Almond Nuts & Spices Bar – $1.99+

You know what’s awesome about KIND Bars? How filling they are. And a lot of that stems back to the ingredients that go into each bar. Now, I’ve sampled a few of these, but a Groupon came over not too long ago and my coworker and I decided to split the difference and get it. So, we ended up purchasing the KIND Cube, which included 16 bars…2 of a variety of flavors.

When it arrived, we each took our share and she began to sample a different one each day. As I go to work with my snacks already planned, I decided to hang onto mine for important mornings…such as race mornings.

Today…was a race morning.

The Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler was running in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday morning, and after downing some cereal and a cup of coffee at home (along with some water for hydration), my roommate and I set out to hit Cherokee Park in time to find parking, get my packet, get stretched out, and get running. But, with most race mornings, I normally find myself starving at the start or during it if I don’t eat something at least an hour beforehand.

As we arrived at the park, I was already tearing into the KIND Bar she chose to split that morning. It was the Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar. Very intriguing. I wasn’t sure what to make of it…but none of the ingredients sounded offensive to my senses…so…I tore off the wrapper and had her take a picture of it (she needs to work on how close she puts the camera, LOL!). And then, I broke it in half, gave her a share of it…and we headed toward packet pickup, happily noshing on the bar.

And we both agreed…YUMMMMMMMMY!

The Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar is actually more than just almonds…so if you are allergic to other nuts, but not almonds, be aware…this one actually has more than the name lets on. In fact, the bar is composed of a blend of almonds, peanuts, cashews, and walnuts, mixed with honey, non-GMO glucose, chicory root fiber, crisp rice, Madagascar vanilla, and soy lecithin. Okay, so some of the ingredients don’t sound as appealing when listed out like that…but trust me…when they are all put together, KIND Bar magic happens.

The Madagascar Vanilla Almond Bar is part of KIND’s Nuts and Spices collection. And here is the best part…it is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. My biggest concern leading up to my first bite was that it was going to be way too sweet. And something sweet is good…but doesn’t always sit right just before a race. Thankfully, the vanilla didn’t overpower the bar itself. It complimented the mix of nuts and crisp rice. The honey helped bind it all together. This bar wasn’t terribly sticky so nothing felt like it was catching in my teeth or getting my fingers too sticky to put my gloves back on. It was really balanced and really, really delicious.

Nutritionally speaking, KIND Bar’s are a perfect way to go…especially for protein and the like. In the Madagascar Vanilla Almond variety, the entire bar contains 210 calories and 16 grams of fat. If that seems high, keep in mind that this fat is brought about by the nuts, so it is actually the healthy sort. The sugar content in this bar is very low, sitting nicely at 4 grams. And the protein is awesome, with this bar offering 7 grams of it. Awesome. With 15 mg of sodium, this makes for a healthy choice for breakfast or a snack. And with 5 grams of fiber, it will keep you feeling full.

And…just eating half this bar about an hour before a very chilly run…I can attest that this is true. I wasn’t hungry before or during the run at all. My appetite only began to kick in after I ran, waited in the cold for awards, and finally hopped in the car to get brunch at my favorite allergen-free bakery.

KIND Nuts & Spices bars are part of a line of bars that are crafted from the highest quality of whole nuts and some of the best spices found in nature. These bars are an indulgent treat, providing natural protein, fiber, and only 5 grams of sugar (or less) in each bar. There is nothing artificial in any of these bars. Even better, all of KIND’s products are gluten-free and produced in a certified, dedicated gluten-free facility. Love that!

So…next time you are in need of a delicious, nutritious, filling snack that is portable and just as yummy as ever…reach for a KIND bar. I highly recommend the salty-sweet taste of the Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar. I would purchase this one again in a heartbeat.

KIND Madagascar Vanilla Almond Nuts & Spices Bar (unwrapped)

February 6, 2013

Gluten-Free brownies that are fudgy and cake-like perfection by Better Better Fudge Brownie Mix

Product: Better Batter Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie Mix – $7.99+

Better Batter.

Why? Why did it take me so long to actually try you out?

You blew me away…like…totally blew me away the first time I used your Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour. I never stopped raving about you. I never bought you…because you are expensive. But, now I understand that you are completely worth the cost. Every. Single. Dollar.

Because not only did you manage to wow me with your Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (which I received as a complimentary box at a gluten-free expo I attended in Birmingham, Alabama), but you have blown me away with the taste, texture, and all around chocolatey goodness of your both fudgy AND cake-like brownies. And there is something so magical and fantastic about finding that perfect level of balance when it comes to brownie perfection. Even more…the difficulty that comes with having to be gluten-free.

But somehow, my dearest, beloved Better Batter…you did it.

After having amazing results making cookies using your Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, the other box that my roommate and I got for free at the expo was…the Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie Mix.

Now, I love brownies. I am not big on cake…but offer me brownies and I am your friend for life. Thus…brownies were the obvious choice for me.

However, I had a lot of gluten-free brownie mixes to go through. And while some have been…good…others…great…yours, Better Batter…yours were AMAZING!! Yours are the ones that I will rave about until the day I go to my gluten-free grave.

And here’s why…

Better Batter Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies (baked)

While I am not a fan of cake, I prefer the cake-like brownies over the heavier fudge versions. So, I did the version with three eggs, not two. I mixed together the water, oil, eggs, and the mix as directed by the box, then poured them into my pan and baked…all the while, that rich chocolate scent was filling my apartment. I couldn’t wait to pull these out of the oven and let them cool. And when they were cooked through, I let them sit while I ran a few errands and returned home…ready to treat myself to them for dessert.

These brownies are packed with chocolate flavor. I mean, packed. So if you are a chocoholic like me…you will love this. Every bite is rich, decadent, moist and…just awesome. Yep…awesome. There is no strange aftertaste from the gluten-free mix. It’s all about flavor. Good, amazing flavor. My roommate doesn’t even have to eat gluten-free…but she devoured these as fast as me. Seriously…these are the top-of-the-line when it comes to brownies. I know I raved about my Bob’s Red Mill…and they are my second place…but these…these are reigning supreme!

If heaven were encapsulated in brownie form…it would look and taste like these. Despite being cake-like brownies, these have that rich fudgy flavor of the fudge brownies…without the heaviness. That’s the best part. They are so light…so it’s always tempting to go back for more. And being a chocoholic…this is not easy to stop myself from doing. So far, however, I have managed.

So far.

Nutrition-wise, these are…brownies. So moderation is key. You get 20 servings out of one box…so make sure you cut it up in the proper portions. The mix itself has 110 calories in it…then add the oil and eggs to it and it bumps it up a little more…but still in the 160 calorie range. Remember…this is a treat and you should always treat it as one. Even if you do want to go and eat the entire pan…as I often do. Restraint and moderation.

Better Batter…I love you. I can’t even put into words how much I love you. You entranced me with your basic All-Purpose Flour…and you won me over with the fantastic taste and texture and flavor of your Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies. I am one happy gluten-free girl.

And now…yes…I will shell out the money for your mixes. I can’t wait to try what other products I can create from your plethora of mixes and tasty treats.

Back to the grocery store I go for more of your gluten-free goodness in a box.

Can’t wait!

A serving of Better Batter Gluten-Free Cake-Like Fudge Brownies (I was out of plates...dont judge!) — A serving of Better Batter Gluten-Free Cake-Like Fudge Brownies (I was out of plates…dont judge!)

February 5, 2013

XO Baking Co mixes up perfect Gluten-Free Banana Bread

XO Baking Co. Gluten-Free Banana Bread Mix

XO Baking Company Gluten-Free Banana Bread Mix – $7.99+

It happened once upon a time…back a couple years ago when I was instructed by my doctor to adopt a gluten-free diet. I attempted, from scratch, to make banana bread. And…it failed. Miserably. It was dense, heavy, and…WET! And I disliked it enough to throw it away. And from that moment on…I never attempted it again. Never. I designated any over-ripe bananas to another cause.

And then, while out shopping one afternoon and randomly stopping into a Home Goods store, I stumbled across their gourmet food section. Danger, Gluten-Free Will Robinson, Danger!! They actually had quite a good selection of gluten-free foods and products. And I…just had to try them. The one that seriously caught my eye, however, was the XO Baking Co’s Banana Bread Mix.

I mean…it had been forever since I had had good banana bread. I was craving. For real!

So, it and a few other items made their way into a basket I ran back to the door to get and soon I was checking out with a plethora of new gluten-free goodness. Or…at least I hoped.

And then, because my pantry is overflowing with gluten-free goodies…this had to sit and wait…and wait…and wait…and wait…

…and then I realized that the expiration date was approaching…so I dug it out and intended to make it over the weekend. Without reading the back for ingredients, I went grocery shopping for my regular items…and then came home to get to work on my bread (which would serve as breakfast for the entire week!)

It was only then that I realized that I required three large overly-ripe bananas for the bread mix. DUH! I don’t know why I assumed this would magically taste like banana on its own. So, my roomie and I dashed back out to the grocery store. And NONE of the stores had any overly ripe bananas. In fact…they were all very green. I mean…GREEN!

What to do? We finally discovered a couple at Target…but needed one more. So, we grabbed on that wasn’t quite as green as the rest and decided to just run with it. When you are handed under-ripe bananas…you attempt to do your best to make banana bread.

Back at home, mixing this together was easy. I mashed the bananas then put them into my Kitchenaid mixer. To that, I added eggs, oil, and almond milk. That got beat together until just combined. Then, in went the bread mix straight from the package. A little more mixing and it was done. As I’m working on shrinking the amount of items in my pantry, I added the rest of the chopped pecans (about 1/2 cup) and then put in 1/4 cup of Reeses peanut butter chips and 1/4 cup chocolate chips. I folded these into the batter, poured them into the pan and baked for about an hour.

The entire time it baked, I couldn’t help but return to the kitchen to steal another whiff of the bread. It smelled fantastic as it cooked up. And when it emerged, it was a beautiful golden color on the outside. I allowed it to cool in the pan before turning it out and setting it to cool the rest of the way.

The big test came the following morning when I sliced it up to make some French toast with it. O.M.G. No…for real.

I didn’t do anything fancy to the French toast batter. Just egg, a little light coconut milk, vanilla and cinnamon…dunked the bread and put it on my skillet. Flipped it once it got golden, then served it with a bit of hot maple syrup (homemade and delicious from my friend Erica).

This bread is packed with flavor. Even done up as though it were French toast (which definitely was preferred to the usual gluten-free sandwich bread I use). The nuts, the peanut butter chips, and the chocolate chips really compliment that banana flavor. The texture isn’t too dense or heavy. In fact, it seemed perfect for this kind of loaf of bread. I was enamored with the variety of flavor that hit my palate. BUT…to be fair, I needed to taste it without dressing it up too much. So, the following morning, I just gave the bread a light toasting in the oven to warm it. Then a small schmear of vegan butter and a drizzle of honey…and BAM. Banana bread perfection. The sweet honey worked well with the nuts and different flavor chips that were baked in.

Oh…this is a definite must have for your gluten-free pantry. If you can’t make a good banana bread from scratch, then you should totally give this mix a try. The guess work when it comes to what flour to use and how long to bake is taken out of the equation.

This mix is created using a gluten-free flour blend (which includes cassava flour, unmodified potato starch, organic coconut flour, and xanthan gum). Brown sugar adds a nice hint of sweetness to it. Baking powder gives it that necessary lightness to rise, baking soda, sea salt, and organic vanilla flavor. That’s it.

As for the nutrition standing…the mix contains 110 calories for 1/12 of the loaf. I went ahead and sliced mine into 12 slices so that I was certain of the servings when I began carving into it. That’s not bad. Not bad at all. This mix is also completely all natural, rice-free, trans fat free, gluten-free, wheat-free, and soy-free.

And in the end, you are left with a delicious, moist, banana-flavored bread that you can dress up however you like or just leave with simply bananas. Any way you slice it…it is AMAZING! XO Baking Co. is off to a good start and winning me over already.

January 30, 2013

Recipe: Gluten-Free Lemony Lemon Brownies

When your CSA bin hands you a bunch of lemons…

…make lemon brownies?

Okay…it sounds a bit esoteric…perhaps a little strange. Maybe even weird. However, don’t judge a recipe by its cover. No…these are not chocolate brownies (although when I first mentioned making them to my roommate, she thought they were with lemon in them. All I can say is…EW!). These are brownies that are made with an all-purpose flour…and instead of cocoa…you add lemon juice and lemon zest…creating this mellow lemon base which then gets topped off with two layers of lemon glaze…which makes this entire recipe SING!

Trust me.

I discovered this recipe (shock!) on Pinterest and it originally comes from Becky Charms. So glad I ran across it because I never would have imagined making lemon “brownies” before this.

If you love lemon…make some lemon brownies tonight.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Lemony Lemon Brownies

Servings: 16
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Bake 25 minutes

Ingredients for “brownie” batter:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used Better Batter Gluten-Free All Purpose)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Ingredients for tart lemon glaze:

1 rounded cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoon lemon juice
8 teaspoons lemon zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease/Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with butter/cooking spray and set aside.

Zest and juice two small/large lemons; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined. Pour into the flour mixture and beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before glazing. Do not overbake, or the bars will be dry (even with the yummy glaze).

When brownies are cooled completely, make the glaze.

Sift the powdered sugar, add lemon zest and juice, and whisk together all three ingredients.

Spread 1/2 the glaze over the brownies with a rubber spatula. Let glaze set. Spread the remaining glaze over the bars, and let it set. This glaze does not harden like most. Cut into bars, and serve!

~*~*~

Lemony, lemony goodness. These are definitely not the brownies you’re used to having. Nothing brown about these. But what they are are lemony-fresh, delightful on the palate, and just really, really damn tasty. They are very easy to make and all the effort pays off in the end…because it was love at first bite with these. I am a lemon fiend and these totally filled my lemon-lover craving.

I made mine gluten-free…but you can certainly use any all-purpose flour instead. I will totally make these again. In a heartbeat.

January 24, 2013

Überly Nuts over Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Bar

Product: Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll – $1.99+

You know…I’m a nutty person. No…for real.

So, it should come as no surprise whatsoever that I fell completely head over feet in love with the Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll fruit and nut bar. I mean…honestly…what’s not to love?

Confession time – today was not the first time I ever ate one of these. Honestly, I was in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania at a convenience store/gas station…and in desperate need of a snack. Aside from a fruit cup, I was finding very little that this gluten-free girl could eat. And then…I spotted a stash of the Roasted Nut Roll Lärabar Über’s…and I grabbed it.

Like I said…I was a hungry girl in the middle of nowhere, so no pictures were taken. But…this bar ROCKS!! I loved it then…and I loved it even more today as I settled in for my 3 p.m. snack time.

It’s sort of nice to come into snack time on a new snack and know, for sure, that it will be delicious. I have been burned a few times by sub-par gluten-free products. But Lärabar is a name I trust. Every flavor I have ever had has been good…some great…quite a few more delicious…but this one…this one is pure awesomeness.

What I think makes this bar so amazing is that perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Even more…I think it’s the fantastic inclusion of so many varieties of nuts that gives it that super nutty flavor. The Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll contains a fantastic mix of roasted almonds, cashews, roasted peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts. YUM!! It’s like a Planters Mixed Nut blend…but healthier…and sweeter. Why sweeter? Because in addition to the nuts, the bars also contain brown rice syrup, dates and honey. Add a dash of sea salt…and what you get is über perfection. The perfect blend of sweet and salty. Honestly…it was hard not to just shove the entire bar in my mouth and chew it until it was gone.

I think you can pretty much guess how I feel about these. And as far as nutrition facts go…these bars contain 220 calories per bar and 16 grams of fat. So…definitely not the healthiest of options…but still amazing and good. They have 5 grams of sugar and only 7 grams of sugar, which is awesome. At least the fat in this bar comes from the nuts…which means it is at least they are healthy fats.

Oh yeah…these are just yumminess personified. Trust me…buy these. Buy these now.

Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll (unwrapped)

January 23, 2013

Forget Krispy Kreme – Katz Gluten Free brings glazed donuts to the gluten free masses

Product: Katz Gluten Free Glazed Donuts – $6.99

Were you like me and once upon a time used to be able to eat what everyone else does?

If so, you might recall one of life’s simplest, sweetest, most divine treats – a simple glazed Krispy Kreme donut.

Sure…a donut is a donut, right? Or…you might think that until you have to give them up. Trust me…no matter how healthy you are or how good you are trying to be…everyone appreciates a good donut every now and again.

Problem: when you are gluten-free…a good donut isn’t always easy to come by. Even more difficult…finding one that is reminiscent of the ones you used to be able to savor.

Now…I absolutely love donuts. And I’ve tried out quite a few different gluten-free ones. While the ones in stores are all fine and good…the only brand that has really made me sit up and remember what eating at Dunkin’ Donuts after swim class was really like…has been Katz Gluten Free. Yes, once again I am lifting upon high the fantastic products that Katz Gluten Free puts out on the market. Why? Because they truly are worthy of such high praise. I have yet to find something I have tried that I haven’t liked.

A couple weeks ago, I received an e-mail regarding new products from Katz Gluten Free. One of the items listed was…glazed donuts. So, upon returning to my desk at the office, I went ahead and ordered some…because they looked absolutely scrumptious in the announcement. They arrived two days later and I skipped to the freezer at the office to store them, brought them home and put them in my freezer, then…could hardly wait a week before I was pulling them out to use as breakfast after hitting up the gym.

Yes…hard workout at the gym = gluten-free donut (with some fruit…give me some credit!) for breakfast at the office.

Anyway…I got to the office and went into the kitchen with the donuts. I pulled out a plate and set one in the microwave, giving it a very quick nuke for 10 seconds. With it and some freshly chopped pear from my CSA bin, I took the first one to my roommate at her desk. Then, I returned to the kitchen to repeat the process for me.

As I settled in at my desk, I started on the pear. My roommate came over to show me something and I asked her how the donut was. She lifted her eyebrows, looked at my untouched one, and simply said…”Take a bite.” Who am I to argue when a gluten-free glazed donut is sitting right there waiting for me to devour it.

I lifted it up, drawing in that amazing scent of sugar from the glaze. It smelled like all those donut shops and bakeries that seem to torture me now. I savored that aroma for one moment more…then took my first bite.

WOW! No…honestly…WOW!! While these are definitely not as light and fluffy as the famous Krispy Kreme donuts…these are just as delicious. And I don’t mind the extra definition to the donut. I like that it has a little heft to it. Honestly…these were melt-in-your-mouth-Krispy-Kremeish-fantasticness. Yes…that really is an adjective. Trust me.

I couldn’t believe how much I fell in love with this donut. It was like, the moment I had a bite…I had to have another one. Every donut I ever ate before my diagnosis seemed to pale in comparison. This…was one fantastic glazed donut. And for the first time ever, I lost myself in the taste and texture of this little treat. I don’t even care that the office has Krispy Kreme’s and other donuts on occasion now…because I have Katz Gluten-Free Glazed Donuts. They…are even better, in my opinion.

Dear Katz…if you keep expanding your donut line…I might just love you even more. Especially if they keep getting better and better…like these.

I love you.

No really. I do.

Looks like it’s time to order more donuts…

January 15, 2013January 15, 2013

Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix makes moistest, softest gluten-free brownies

Product: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix – $5.99+

Moist. Soft. Delicious.

These aren’t words that normally people would think of when someone says the “dreaded” words gluten-free. And trust me…people can be that finicky when it comes to whether or not they try a dish or not. Believe me…I see it happen every time I bring in food to my office. There are very few people willing to give something a try. It’s sad…because one always hopes that people will at least try something you bring in.

That being said, I have a lot of baking mixes in my pantry and I finally used up the last of my Swiss Colony Chocolano cookies that I ordered before Christmas. (For the record, those are amazing and you totally get more than the 16 cookies they list on the container. Would order those again in a heartbeat!). So…a new dessert was needed for this week.

After a quick consult of my gluten-free pantry list, I noticed that Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix was the next sweet treat up for baking. Now, I’ve had so much luck with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free items that I didn’t even hesitate when it came to making these up. Honestly. Nothing I’ve cooked up from a gluten-free mix from Bob’s Red Mill has done me wrong. Nothing.

And mixing this up was super easy. With my new Kitchenaid handheld mixer, I blended together the mix, warm water, melted margarine, and an egg. It was that simple. And what emerged was a creamy, thick batter just begging to be poured and spread over a greased 9×13 pan. But…there’s more. I could have stopped there, but I have a pantry of goodies as well and I figured why not add some dark and mint morsels to the mix? Minty brownies?! Yes, please! So, I folded in about 1/4 cup of the morsels and then poured the brownies into the pan.

Into my oven these went for about 23 minutes. And when the timer went off, I was fully prepared (as usual) to test it with a toothpick and have to put it back into the oven for another few minutes, check again, and repeat until the toothpick was clean. Except, Bob’s Red Mill’s Gluten-Free Brownies were actually done…right on time. My toothpick I inserted right into the center came out clean on the first try.

When I pulled these from the oven, I found that the surface was shiny and they smelled awesome. I let them cool for about 45 minutes and then just had to try one. So, my roomie and I decided to cut a piece and split it.

Verdict: We both stood there with this super-moist, light, soft brownie, chewing slowly, savoring…

This is the best brownie mix I’ve used so far since going gluten-free. Sure, I’ve liked the Hodgson Mill and even the Betty Crocker…but they weren’t as moist and soft and light as how Bob’s Red Mill’s Gluten-Free mix baked up. Honestly. I took a bite, feeling the moist crumbs tumble across my tongue and went, “Oh. My. God.” Then…devour mode was switched on. And that was a bite that didn’t even have the added dark and mint morsels!!

My roomie, who can eat any brownie she wants, also declared these as amazing. She loved the taste and texture as much as I did. And that rich, creamy, chocolate flavor was so amazing. It’s rich, without being too much. And the softness of each brownie just makes you crave more. As much as I raved about the previous brownies I made up with gluten-free mixes…they don’t even begin to compare to the way these turned out.

And, for the ultimate test, I took one of these brownies into my teammate at work. She has a very discerning palate, and she took one bite and said that the consistency was perfect. The flavor was awesome. And she enjoyed it as much as the roomie and I did. That, my dear friends, is a huge SCORE!!

Bob’s Red Mill once again for the win.

So what makes these brownies so spectacular, rich, deep and intense? Well, they have a moist, cake-like texture…which I love. I prefer cake brownies to fudge brownies any day. And Bob’s Red Mill uses Ghirardelli cocoa to coax out that rich flavor. Delicious. No wonder they are a decadent treat!

As for nutrition facts…these make 16 brownies…but I found those would be rather large for my liking. I love dessert, but small bites are usually enough. So I managed 24 brownies from my pan. This, naturally, changes the nutrition facts. If you make 24 brownies out of the mix though, your fudgey, moist brownie treat will only set you back 145 calories and 7 grams of fat. Less than that if you don’t add the baking chips to the mix. That’s about perfect for a dessert and you still get a really decent sized square of brownie without it being too much. Let’s face it…dessert comes after a meal…you really just need a couple of bites.

I’m already looking forward to sinking my teeth into another brownie tonight after dinner. These are the gluten-free brownies that dreams are made of. Even if you aren’t gluten-free…you’ll love these. You’d never know the difference. Trust me.

Gluten-Free Brownies with Dark & Mint Chocolate Morsels made with Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix — Gluten-Free Brownies with Dark & Mint Chocolate Morsels made with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix

January 13, 2013

Lärabar brings a taste of cherry cobler to Über line

Product: Lärabar Über Cherry Cobbler – $1.99

Who can argue with a snack that tastes like a classic summer dessert? You won’t find a lot of people complaining about that. Least of all me. As we all know…I love dessert. Love it. I could skip a meal if it mean a bigger dessert (that would be the trade-off). Of course, getting dessert isn’t easy for the gluten-free vegetarian…so I take what I can get.

With that in mind…I found myself awake on a race morning, having just eaten my cereal and knowing that I was going to need a little more closer to race time to see me through the race. If I don’t fuel about 30-40 minutes before a 5K, I normally find my stomach growling at the start of the race or halfway through. Nothing can throw you off your running mojo like hunger in the middle of a run. And with a 5K race, GU and Sports Beans are a bit excessive. It’s 3.1 miles…it’s not a half marathon.

That being said, I tend to come prepared for such things with my snack bars and protein bars. This particular morning, I found myself busting open a box of Lärabar Über that I picked up at the grocery store on Manager’s Special. I mean…the Über line is completely all natural, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, have no added preservatives, fillers, colorings, and no added sulfites.

LOVE that.

So, about 40 minutes before I was to start off on this 5K jaunt Saturday morning, I broke out my fuel, being my Lärabar Cherry Cobbler Über. My roomie (who was up and there to cheer me on) decided we would split it. So, I broke it in half and she took a bite. Being that she’s not big on cherry anything, the fact that she kept eating it was a good sign.

My turn.

Oh. Yeah.

This fruit and nut bar is hearty, made with chunks of fruit and nuts, rather than having it all ground together like the standard Lärabars. I love being able to see the full bits of dried cherries, raisins, and dates mixed with the almonds, cashews, and pecans. I love the rich flavor that the brown rice syrup, the salt, and the honey bring to the bar itself. When you take a bite of this bar, you actually get the illusion that you are eating an actual cherry cobbler. That’s exactly what it tasted like. And with the blend of fruit and nuts, nothing is too overpowering. Nothing at all. It is a nice balance of sweet and salty and one that settled perfectly into my stomach before a hard run on hilly roads.

I love how nutritious these bars are as well. Despite tasting like a dessert, the Lärabar Cherry Cobbler Über bar will only set you back 190 calories and 12 grams of fat, most of which is provided in the healthy form from the nuts. This particular variety offers of 14 grams of protein and no cholesterol. Yeah! Despite the addition of salt, the brown rice syrup, the dried fruits and the nuts, there is only 135 mg of sodium in each bar. That’s amazing. And while this does have 12 grams of sugar, I’m relatively certain that mostly comes from the dried fruits that are used and the brown rice syrup and honey that help bind the bar together.

In the end, what you have is a tasty bar that actually satisfies your hunger, keeps you going, and is nutritionally sound. And…it tastes like dessert. What could be better?