This, my dear readers, is what we call a splurge purchase.
Seriously.
I was out at the store shopping with my roommate for groceries, and these were just beckoning to me. I checked the food budget (which has been so tight since I had to go gluten-free) and we made an allowance for the chance to try these. I was super excited and just couldn’t wait to dive in at breakfast the following morning.
I warmed the mega muffin (seriously, these things are HUGE) up in the microwave, because muffins are a treat best enjoyed warm. And what a treat this one was. Whatever Udi’s is doing, they need to continue.
This muffin was very soft and light. No easy task when it comes to muffins. The flavor was a lot like a lemon pound cake, where the lemon sort of acts as a flavor enhancer, rather than steal the show. I suppose a little more lemon flavor wouldn’t have gone awry, but the amount in the muffin definitely gave the lemon undertones without being overpowering.
When you pop these out of the package, they feel so heavy, but that’s where the magic happens in the microwave. The warm, soft treat that awaits you after a quick heat is fantastic. Truly, this could be enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or even a dessert. It managed to find a delicate balance between flavor and texture.
Once again, Udi’s hit it out of the ballpark with another of their products. All of their muffins are a delicious treat, but this flavor was so refreshing. The lemon flavor was a great palate cleanser. If I were to change anything about this delicious muffin, I’d only add a touch more lemon flavor. Aside from that…muffin perfection in every gluten-free bite.
Treat yourself to another Udi’s delight next time you’re craving a muffin. I promise, you’ll hoover down a muffin and have to resist going back for another.
But if you do…don’t worry…you can go out and get more at the grocery store. No questions asked. It will be our little secret.
Product: So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk – $3.99+
Minty. Refreshing. Smooth. Chocolate.
Need I say more?
I’ve always been a fan of the mint holiday flavors that are introduced during the holidays to the dairy alternative drinks. This year, however, So Delicious, the makers of coconut milk, released a pair of holiday flavors for fans (and newbies) to try and enjoy. One was Nog (vegan) and the other…Mint Chocolate.
Eggnog has never appealed to me, but mint chocolate…that’s the ultimate combination if you ask me. A couple years ago, I tried out the Silk mint chocolate soy milk and absolutely loved it. So, when I saw that So Delicious unveiled their own version of this holiday favorite, I couldn’t stop myself from purchasing a quart of it.
A quart was not nearly enough. Trust me.
I poured it one evening to enjoy with my dessert (a gluten-free cookie, for those inquisitive minds). And it was love at first sip. This mint chocolate drink is leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors. The coconut milk adds a richness to it, without making it too heavy. And the mint chocolate flavor is so smooth. I literally started off with a sip, then chugged my glass and went back for more. And at only 50 calories per serving, why not go a little crazy? Besides, it’s the holidays. Treat yourself right.
In addition to drinking it straight, or warming it up with hot chocolate, I also used it in my baking. I make a fantastic gluten-free chocolate scone with dark and mint chocolate morsels, so instead of my usual almond milk to mix, I added the So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk to it and it boosted the flavor just enough without it being overpowering. I was in foodie heaven every breakfast where I noshed on one.
It really is too bad this holiday flavor doesn’t stick around all year. I’d buy it up year round. I love mint chocolate and hate that it gets limited time in the spotlight as a holiday flavor.
So Delicious is known for a quality product as it is. But they really stepped it up with their Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk this holiday season. I can only hope that it makes a reappearance in 2012. This vegan drink will have you rushing to the grocery store for more. But good luck…because this year I had trouble finding it and the local grocery stores seemed to have trouble keeping it in stock. It’s no wonder though…it’s amazing!
Treat your taste buds to a mint chocolate treat. Seriously. And get your hands on this product before it disappears until next year. Sadly, this is only in our lives for a limited time.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. I love how versatile breakfast is. Especially around the holidays, breakfast gets made over in such fun and unique ways. The variety adds a little spice to the frantic days leading into the holiday season. We all love to wake up to a fun, tasty treat in the mornings. So, this holidays season, treat yourself and your loved ones to this amazing gingerbread spiced french toast. It’s easy to make…it’s delicious. And it’s completely gluten-free. Thanks to my friends at Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, this recipe has been passed on to me to share with all of you.
Naturally…I had to make it and try it out. Guess what? Despite not being an avid fan of gingerbread…I fell in love with this French toast. I know you will too. Why not whip up a batch yourself for Christmas morning…or any morning!
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Recipe: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Gingerbread Spiced French Toast
Rudi's Gluten-Free Gingerbread Spiced French Toast
Servings: 8
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Ingredients for Rudi's Gluten-Free Gingerbread Spiced French Toast
8 slices of Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread
4 eggs
1/2-3/4 cups of milk or milk alternative (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2-3 teaspoons cinnamon
2-3 teaspoons allspice
2-3 teaspoons powdered ginger
Gingerbread men cookies, strawberries, maple syrup, powdered sugar (for garnish!)
Directions:
Combine eggs, milk, cinnamon, allspice and powdered ginger in a shallow bowl and whisk until well blended.
Dip slices of bread into shallow bowl until completely saturated.
Heat oil in a skillet and fry bread on both sides until well browned.
Sprinkle with fun toppings such as gingerbread men, strawberries, maple syrup and powdered sugar!
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As I said, I don’t even like anything gingerbread, and I absolutely scarfed these down like they were going out of style. Amazing flavor. The spices were just enough to compliment and not overpower the French toast. I dusted mine with powdered sugar and then drizzled with maple syrup. Yeah…it was an epic holiday breakfast.
The North End Café is a place I’ve been wanting to get friends to for years now. No, seriously. My first experience there was with co-workers, as it was the place they chose to take me for my farewell lunch on my last day in the office after a layoff. I was thrilled with the company and totally blown away by the food.
I mentioned the place countless times to my roommate and other visiting friends, but the suggestion often fell to the wayside and another restaurant was chosen. But, I was invited to a holiday reception for Louisville’s Colon Cancer Research Project, which happened to be hosted at the North End Café. My roommate accompanied me to the event and was quite excited about the food they offered as appetizers and as part of the meal. She was so enamored that she suggested we dine there for lunch after my upcoming race. And that…is exactly what we did.
A little bit of history on this fantastic dining spot. The North End Café is located on Historic Frankfort Avenue and is considered one of Louisville’s premier restaurants. It’s no secret as to why. The ambiance is fun. In fact, the actual restaurant itself decorated with artwork from Louisville’s own up-and-coming artists. It’s a fun, quirky, yet sophisticated setting. They feature a changing menu, as it is based on what is fresh and in season. And they take traditional items and put a health conscious spin on each dish. Even more exciting is that the restaurant makes a point of buying products from local growers, as well as growing their own fresh vegetables and fresh herbs in their own multi-acre garden in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Not only is their menu versatile, they offer organic, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
What finally won my roommate over in feasting at this restaurant was what she sampled at the reception. But she was truly won over when we ate lunch there. We only had a short 10 minute wait. I love seeing how popular restaurants are. We hit here right at the lunch hour on a Saturday, so a 10 minute wait was nothing out of the norm. We were seated promptly and handed menus to look over. I inquired with our waitress about gluten-free options and she brought me out a sheet of paper with all their gluten-free foods and how to make certain dishes gluten-free. Again, how I wish more restaurants would do this sort of thing.
My roommate settled on the Ribeye Sandwich ($8.99) and I opted for the Garden Burger ($7.99). And yes, this vegetarian patty is completely gluten-free. (Cue the sound of angels singing now!). I, naturally, ordered it without the bread, with the side of fries. The actual sandwich itself is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and guacamole.
We waited for awhile, taking in the local art and the atmosphere (it was alive and buzzing all around us) of the restaurant until our food arrived. I have to say, I loved the look of the food. So, this definitely boded well for the taste. As I wasn’t disappointed on my previous experience, I couldn’t wait to dig in.
So, I sliced up my Garden Burger, dipped my fork into some guacamole, and took my first bite. The burger was done to perfection. A lot of time, vegetarian burgers get dried out by cooking time, but this was far from dry. The cheese was a nice touch and added a perfect hint of flavor to the patty. All the vegetables were fresh, crisp, and ripe. Nothing was soggy, mushy, or not cooked right. The guacamole was creamy and delicious. It had just the right hint of sweetness to it and really complimented the other flavors in the Garden Burger. I was more than happy with my lunch choice. And then…there were the fries. These fries, obviously hand cut, were cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside with a soft center. Oh. My. God. Fries are one of my favorite things in the world and a lot of times, I can’t get them at restaurants due to a shared frier. But at the North End Café, they are on the gluten-free menu. So, yes…I loved being able to indulge and enjoy them!
I polished off my plate and my roommate did the same with hers. We had an amazing meal, within great surroundings, and had great conversation.
The North End Café is a great place to eat. I highly recommend going there and giving their food a try. No one I know has been disappointed yet. And, aside from local eats, they serve up a healthier plate to their patrons. What’s not to love about that? Good, old-fashioned comfort food with a healthy twist. I can get on board with that.
I can’t wait to get back to the North End Café and try something else. It’s delicious. It’s local. It’s one of my highlight dining experiences. If you live in or around Louisville, Kentucky, or might be traveling through, stop in for some food. You’ll be won over too. I guarantee it.
North End Café's Garden Burger (no bun) with fries
I haven’t always been intolerant to gluten. It’s been about 10 months since I was told to go on a gluten-free diet. Sometimes that means I miss some of the treats that I used to eat. And sometimes it means I find better products that are reminiscent of my childhood…but way better in the long run.
When it comes to the Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars by Envirokidz…the latter is true.
While at my grocery store one day, the manager’s special table was piled high with Envirokidz products. I picked up cereal and a couple kinds of snack bars while the prices were slashed in half. I love a good gluten-free deal. Despite not having any idea what the products would taste like, I threw caution to the wind and went with the deal. In my book, if it’s gluten-free and fits my vegetarian diet as well…and if it is on sale…then it has to be bought. Otherwise, my food bill gets stupid.
The other day at the office, I finally cracked into the box of snack bars. It’s nothing fancy to look at. It looks like an elongated chocolate Rice Krispie bar. Already, I see nothing wrong with this. And then, upon the first bite, I was definitely transported back to the ages of those easy Little Debbie snack days in school. Because, honestly, these snack bars taste dead up like Star Crunch cookies. You know…those little chewy cookie that were topped off with caramel and crisp rice then layered with a coating of fudge? Oh, I was addicted to those. Hadn’t had them in ages, but one bite of the Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice bar and…yeah…memories.
Nature's Path Envirokidz Chocolate Cripsy Rice Bar
The Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars are amazing. Full of chocolate flavor. Soft. Chewy. Completely made of yum. No, honestly. When one snack bar can make me think back to a prepackaged, sporadic snack cookie from my childhood, it has a good thing going.
But here is the good news. While Little Debbie’s products tend to be high in calories, fat, and all those nasty non-decipherable and unrecognizable ingredients, Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars are quite the opposite. These little treats contain only 110 calories (as opposed to Star Crunch’s 150 for the small and 290 for the large). In addition, only 2.5g of fat are in each treat, whereas the smaller Little Debbie snack contains 6g and the large…12g. More importantly, the sugar in the Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice Bar is 8g as opposed to the dentist-inducing 13g in the Star Crunch smaller cookie and 25g in the larger version.
For the same, if not even better, taste, I know what I’m reaching for. Envirokidz products are tailored to children, but they are just as exciting and delicious for adults to snack on as well. Not only that, every ingredient on the package is recognizable. I don’t have to sit there and try to guess what might be lurking in my food. I don’t like eating things that I don’t immediately recognize. It creeps me out.
Additionally, Envirokidz is notorious for their initiative that 1% of sales from each Envirokidz purchase are donated to species and habitat conservation or education programs for kids. How can you not like that?
If you’re craving a delicious chocolate hit and want something a little more nutritious than those candy bars, or, God forbid, a Little Debbie snack cake/cookie, reach for Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars. Of all the ones I’ve tried, these are my favorite so far. I can’t wait to get my hands on another box. Not only are you putting some money toward a good cause, you’re bettering your snacking ways as well.
So eat up…and enjoy!
Nature's Path Envirokidz Chocolate Crispy Rice Bar (Unwrapped)
Bakery on Main Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Instant Oatmeal
Product: Bakery on Main Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+
There was a time in my life when I hated oatmeal. Hated it. Everything about it. Then, as I became a runner, I discovered the benefits that came with eating a bowl of this hot breakfast. In fact, oatmeal is my lunch day in and day out on work days. The difficult part these days is finding a brand that doesn’t contain gluten. There are some out there…and I’ve definitely sampled a few that were just bland and not up to par.
Granted, I understand the healthiest choice is a plain bowl of oats, dressed up however you choose with fruit and nuts, jam, or whatever else you might add. Most instant versions with flavors are laden with sugars for added flavor.
While out at my natural food store, I spotted a new product on the shelves. Being a new connoisseur of oatmeal, it was a treat worth splurging on. Bakery on Main just released a line of instant oatmeal in three flavors: apple pie, maple multigrain muffin, and strawberry shortcake. My rule is…if strawberries are involved…it wins.
So, I left the store, rather unexpectedly, with a box of Baker on Main’s Strawberry Shortcake flavored oatmeal. And since I was behind on the blog, it sat for a couple weeks in my pantry without a second glance. But, then…as I ran out of my other brand of oatmeal, the time to give this new brand a try came around. So, I opened up the box, pulled out a packet, and headed to the office that day.
A packet of Bakery on Main Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Instant Oatmeal
As lunchtime rolled around, my stomach began giving me the tell-tale signs of the rumblies…so off to the kitchen I went to dump the contents of the packet into a bowl, add 2/3 cup of water, and warm it up for 90 seconds.
Bakery on Main’s oatmeal is a blend of certified gluten free oats, amaranth and quinoa. What emerges from the microwave is a hearty bowl of oatmeal. No joke. Comparing the texture when I stirred this to the other brands I have tried, this definitely cooks up thicker. It smells amazing as you give it a stir, releasing that aroma of strawberries from the freeze-dried bits that are included in the packet.
The taste…fantastic. I was so busy enjoying my food at my desk that I completely ignored my work for a moment to just savor the texture and taste. It didn’t taste like strawberry shortcake, but the flavor had that tinge of strawberry goodness and the thickness of the cereal itself meant that I wasn’t starving an hour down the line, like I am sometimes with other brands. This was a fantastic treat to have for lunch, one that warms me up (my office is a frozen tundra, especially in the winter months) and fills me up. Not to mention, it smells so good as it cooks up. I love walking past my co-workers with it and having them go, “What smells so good?” It’s life’s little joys!
Check out your local natural food store if you are seeking some certified gluten-free oatmeal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrients. It is a hearty, wholesome bowl of awesome, spoonful after spoonful. So, warm some up in your microwave and within seconds you can enjoy a nice bowl yourself, packed with flavor, and completely delicious.
Bakery on Main…your products win my oatmeal loving soul. Now, to try those other delicious sounding flavors…
A bowl of Bakery on Main Strawberry Shortcake Flavor Instant Oatmeal
What’s better than chocolate? Double chocolate. Oh…and these cookies are amazing. The recipe is adapted from one that I saw prepared by the Barefoot Contessa. Curse you Food Network for making me crave. Then again, after making up a batch myself (which, I admit, I used three different kinds of chocolate chips…white, semi-sweet, and dark), I can’t curse the network that showed these to me. They are fantastic. A bit of crunch with a soft core. Yeah…epic yum.
So, here’s the gluten-free version…for your chocolate cookie lovers out there.
Recipe: Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Almond Cookies
Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Almond Cookies
Servings: 52 cookies
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Bake 1 hour
Ingredients:
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour)
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened to room temperature (I used Smart Balance)
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark or light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup white chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup almonds, chopped
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the butter and sugars. Add the egg and vanilla and mix together. Add the flour mixture and continue mixing until just combined.
Add the chocolates and almonds and mix until combined. Using two tablespoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop the dough two inches apart on sheet pans lined with parchment. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets. The cookies should be very soft when they are removed from the oven. They will firm up as they cool.
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These cookies are sinfully delicious! Seriously. I took one bite and was blown away. LOTS of chocolate flavor. The almonds add a little salt to tamp down the sweetness. They are everything any chocolate lover would want in a cookie. Go ahead…bake up a batch. You’ll LOVE them.
Product: Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Crème Cookies – $5.99+
Oreos are a fantastic cookie. You can twist them apart. Eat the cookie part, lick the cream, then eat the other chocolate half. You can dunk them. You can hold them under in milk until they just get soggy enough and then devour the chewy goodness (but don’t linger too long or your cookie ends up at the bottom of the glass). This is what I loved about Oreos…when I could eat them.
And then my diet had to change and so many of my favorite things were now off limits. It’s a sad reality that you do get used to, but it doesn’t mean the cravings go away.
While out at our local grocery store, my roommate decided to treat me to a gluten-free treat of my choice. I love these little moments where I get to stare at the meager selection and think about what I really, really want to try. I spotted the sandwich cookies (there were two brands, Glutino and Kinnikinnick. I studied both brands…weighed the options…and then finally went with Glutino’s version.
Oh. My. God.
I opened these up two nights ago because I really, really wanted to make a gluten-free version of cookies ‘n cream fudge (the recipe is in my blog) and it required sandwich cookies (Oreos). Well…I just happened to have a gluten-free variety of sandwich cookies. But I couldn’t exactly pour these into a vat of melted chocolate and marshmallow fluff without trying them. I mean…what if they weren’t any good. I’d spoil the fudge with crushed sandwich cookies that were sub-par. So…it was quality control time.
One bite was all it took to win my cookie monster heart. Honestly. I think these are even better than Oreos. The chocolate cookies are crunchy and full of rich cocoa flavor. And the cream in the center…ohhhh…the cream in the center is like a little soft, sugary pillow of goodness just asking to be licked out. These cookies are fantastic. Truly fantastic. I wish I had been able to indulge in more than just one (I needed the rest for the recipe). I bet they would be fantastic dunked in a glass of unsweetened almond milk and taken to that level of just soggy enough…
Yeah…I think I need to hit up the grocery store for another pack. And immediately.
On the flip side, the cookies were the perfect match for my fudge. Everyone at my office really enjoyed the fudge and left only high compliments on it. I wonder how many of them realized those were gluten-free cookies. And would it have mattered (it does sometimes with people…they turn up their nose without giving it a fair shake)?
The fact of the matter is…Oreos can step aside because my gluten-free Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Crème cookies just took over my cookie jar. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
Mmmm…fudge! And this is no ordinary fudge. It combines the amazing power of white chocolate, marshmallow fluff (keeping it vegetarian, friends!), and gluten-free sandwich cookies. Yes…it really is as awesome as it sounds. You know those Hershey’s Cookies ‘N Cream candy bars? It’s like that…in fudge form.
If you aren’t in need of a gluten-free diet, then you go ahead and use Oreos. But, for me, I grabbed the Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Crème Cookies. Those, by the way, blow Oreos out of the water. I’m just saying…
So…give this recipe a shot if you have a craving for some fudge…or just something sweet!
2 (12 oz.) packages white chocolate morsels (I used Ghirardelli)
1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream
3 cups coarsely chopped gluten-free sandwich cookies (I used Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies) (about 25 cookies), divided
pinch of salt
Directions:
Line a greased 9″ square pan with aluminum foil; set aside.
Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add white chocolate morsels, marshmallow cream, 2 cups crushed cookies, and salt. Stir until morsels melt.
Pour fudge into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cookies over fudge, gently pressing cookies into fudge. Cover and chill until firm.
Lift uncut fudge in aluminum foil from pan; remove foil and cut fudge into squares.
Enjoy!
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Normally, the folks at the office are a bit weary about trying the food I make because it’s…weird. Well, they devoured the fudge this morning and I heard nothing but good things about it. I take that as a win!
So, go ahead…whip up a batch and enjoy! It’s fudge season…so indulge a little.
Vegetarian/vegan meat-replacement products that are additionally gluten-free are not easy to find. In fact, it’s nigh on impossible at times to find one. Most contain gluten as companies claim it gives the right texture to their products. Of the varieties I have been able to find, I say that these companies need to rethink this as those that I’ve tried that are gluten-free are amazing.
To add to my slowly growing list of vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free faux meat…Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo.
First of all, my area finally got a Trader Joe’s. I had been wishing and hoping and praying for years now that we would get one. The supermarket gods finally smiled upon me and one opened at the end of October in Louisville, Kentucky. So, a short drive into Kentucky and I’m a happy grocery shopper. On my first trip there, I spotted the Soy Chorizo immediately. The first thing I noticed was the symbols showed it to be not only vegan…but also gluten-free.
It was like it was made for me.
I had some Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pizza Crust mix sitting in my pantry, so it was time for pizza night. With that in mind, I made sure I picked up some of Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo for my toppings.
Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo crumbled onto pizza
Here’s the interesting part of this product. It is in a casing. Yep…just like real sausage meat. So, I sliced off what I was going to use of the Soy Chorizo and did as instructed by the package…removed it from the casing. I had every expectation that I would be slicing this up to put on the pizza, but it crumbled instead. No problem…I just gave it a scattering over my crust, topped it with my vegan cheese, and boshed it in the oven for 20 minutes to allow it to bake up to perfection.
I was so excited about this product and my expectations were not let down. Trader Joe’s offers a fantastic product here. The Soy Chorizo is fantastic in texture and taste. In fact, the hit of spice is not overwhelming at all. In fact, it’s provided a pleasant kick that other faux meat products haven’t offered. Take that all you glutinous vegetarian products!
Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo is a hit in my books. No strange aftertastes, not too hot, and the perfect filler for any taco, burrito, or topping for a pizza. Honestly. The heat element was at the right level. The way it blended with the other toppings on my pizza (in this case, mushrooms and Daiya vegan cheese) meant that it didn’t steal the show from either the crust or what it was paired with. It was a nice hit of spicy deliciousness for my first attempt at homemade, gluten-free pizza (done vegetarian style!).
I can’t wait to try the Soy Chorizo in other dishes now. I have a feeling a taco night is in the future and I will definitely brown some of this up to include as a filling for mine. Absolute spicy goodness! Thank you Trader Joe’s…for catering to the gluten-free vegetarian with this amazing product. Proof once again that gluten-free is delicious and that vegetarian/vegan options are not at all hindered by being gluten-free. To me…this is a vast improvement over other options I’ve seen on the market.
You won my heart, Trader Joe’s.
Gluten-free pizza made with Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo (with mushrooms & Daiya vegan cheese)
The Celiathlete 