Glutino 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
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
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
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.
What can I say? It wasn’t that I was trying to ignore you. I just…I was worried about trying you out. Gluten-free breads and I have this weird relationship. I either love them…or I don’t. I was so concerned about breaking my budget on another relationship that just goes bad at the very start that, despite you always catching my eye…I never acted or sought you out.
I simply…kept you at a safe distance. Always wondering, but never just going for it.
I deeply regret this now. Because, my dearest Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread…you have caught me off guard. You have wowed me. And now…I never want to let you go.
Call me needy…but I need you in my life from now on.
Love,
Me
Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread
Oh…the wonderful things I get to discover due to my dietary restrictions. Not too long ago, I received a lovely package in the mail from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods. Inside was a mix of some of their most famous products…and even some new ones that were hitting the market. I was elated. Sometimes finding products, old or new to the market, can be difficult in this area. And now…I had the opportunity to see and taste what I was missing out on…due to geography and some lack of variety in local stores.
In this box, I received two loaves of Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Bread. One of these loaves was the Millet-Chia Bread.
Now, perhaps you are like me at first and sort of…turn up your nose at the very thought. Chia…chia…like ch-ch-ch-chia pets. Yes…that sort of chia. But the lesson here is…don’t just a book by it’s cover. Or, in this case, don’t judge a bread just because it contains seeds that usually grow on a pointless head planter on your windowsill. Just sayin’.
Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread is, in a word, awesome. This ancient grain loaf is baked with hearty grains and contains a wholesome balance of nutrients, vitamins, and a unique flavor. Even more unique is the texture of this bread. It’s soft and chewy, but the chia seeds that are throughout the slices give it this nice hearty, crunchy texture. It was love at first taste and first bite. This bread has a fantastic earthy flavor to it, and the blend of omega-rich chia sees with the millet (yes…like the birdseed!) lends to the fantastic play of flavors and textures on your palate. It’s unique. It’s tasty. It’s…different. I loved it.
Bird seed…and ch-ch-ch-chia. It doesn’t sound like a delicious combination…but it is. Not just delicious, but nutritious too. Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread, shall we?
One serving is 2 slices of bread, which will set you back 150 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. That’s not too bad. In fact, it’s better than most gluten-free breads on the market. Especially for 2 slices. In addition, you get 5 grams of filling fiber and a protein punch of 6 grams. That’s awesome. This bread is naturally low in sodium (only 280 mg) and also low in sugar, topping out at 3 grams per serving. This bread is cholesterol free. And, this bread contains 350 mg of Omega 3.
Nutritious…and delicious. And made from something you’d water to grow over a clay head and birdseed, you wouldn’t think there would be anything appetizing about this blend of grains in bread. But the fact of the matter is…the seeds add this great texture. And when toasted, the flavor is even more incredible. My only complaint, as always with Udi’s bread…is that the slices are so tiny. Like…fit in the palm of your hand tiny. At least these pack a huge punch for such a small portion.
Ancient Grains are all the rage…so seek out and try Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread. I think you’ll be as surprised as I was. And perhaps you’ll be inspired to write your own love letter to a loaf of gluten-free bread. Don’t be ashamed. I’m not. Because this bread is truly worth the love.
A gluten-free grilled cheese and guacamole sandwich made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread
Product: DR Delish Gluten-Free Animal Cookies – $2.99+
If you live near a Walgreens…dash out there right this instant.
Well, maybe read this first…then, dash out there and pick up a bag of the DR Delish Animal Cookies. Why? Because the brand name is not meant to deceive you. These cookies are absolutely, positively, 100% one of the best tasting gluten-free cookies out on the market. And they are exclusive to Walgreens.
I actually never would have found these as I do not frequent Walgreens often. And it never would have occurred to me to look for gluten-free items there. I blame this new fascination…this new…addiction, if you will…on my mother. Yes, my MOM!! And I love her for it. I love her for every cookie in that little pouch.
You see…these cookies came to me in the mail. A little surprise gift from my mom. She had been out at Walgreens and had spotted those on the shelf. She knew…she just knew…I had to have them. She was right. Because I think when I pulled these out of the shipping box, I might have started to cry. It had been a rough day for me…nothing in the world seemed right. And then…my mom sends me cookies. Not just any cookies, mind you. But ones shaped like animals. Like the animal crackers I used to devour as a child. I won’t lie…I devoured them as a teenager and an adult as well. Until I no longer could.
You often don’t realize how much you miss something until you can no longer have it. I didn’t realize how much I missed animal crackers until I pulled this bag of DR Delish Gluten-Free Animal Cookies out of a simple USPS box. I was a mess of emotions that day…and at that moment, the note from my mom and the cookies themselves meant more than anything to me.
As I have established before…I have a stash of gluten-free goodies going in my pantry, which I am attempting to work through in some semblance of order. This meant, despite the overwhelming spring of emotions brought on by this gift, these cookies would have to wait their turn in the snack queue.
The wait came to an end…today.
Last night, as I was prepping my lunch, snacks, and breakfast for after my gym workout, I realized I needed a new afternoon snack. The next item up…DR Delish Gluten-Free Animal Cookies. I retrieved the bag from the pantry and tore it open to dish out the serving size (about 10 cookies…but if you weigh your food like I do…it’s 30 grams). I resisted the urge to sneak a bite right then and there, playing it as I always do…and reserving that for my afternoon snack time at the office. I sealed the bag back up and returned it to the shelf.
Lo and behold, my snack time finally rolled around and I was all too excited to be diving into a serving of animal cracker-like snacks. Just from first-hand glance, these cookies resemble the cookies you’d find under that layer of high fructose corn syrup-y icing. They had the same feel to them too…minus the icing of course.
What came as the surprise to me, however, was the flavor. The taste. How absolutely fantastic and addictive these were. It’s a good thing I did sort these by serving instead of just hauling the entire pack with me. They’d be gone in a New York Gluten-Free Minute! Holy gluten-free cow, Batman…these were amazing. They sort of reminded me of a sugary cake. That was the flavor I got. Less cracker, more cookie-cake-y flavor. They aren’t as airy as the traditional animal cracker, having a density closer to butter cookies or shortbread, but they have this soft crispness to them. And the flavor…out of this world. For real!! They have this subtle sweetness of vanilla and honey with that hit of buttery goodness that just makes them…the perfect cookie in every way. And…they are shaped…LIKE ANIMALS!! Come on! These taste identical…if not better…to the non-gluten-free versions I used to be able to eat before I had to go gluten-free.
I could eat these every day and be one very, very happy girl.
Nutritionally speaking, a serving of these cookies (the very difficult to stick to 10 cookies or 30 grams) will set you back 130 calories and only 1 gram of fat. These also only have a small amount of sugar, topping out at 9 grams. In addition,, you get 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein in each serving. Not too bad. What’s even better is, unlike those regular animal crackers, these cookies do not contain high fructose corn syrup.
DR Delish Gluten-Free Animal Cookies…you are a fun, super delish treat. If I had less self-control…the entire bag in my pantry would be gone right now. Yeah. That good.
Product: Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burgers – $5.99+
Sometimes a product comes along…and it’s intriguing. It sounds like it could be the most amazing thing ever. It’s vegan. It’s gluten-free. It’s a veggie burger that I don’t have to sit there and ponder the contents of the box. It’s all laid out…right on the packaging. No second guessing. No searching the internet for an FAQ on the company. No secrets. Nothing to hide.
That’s what I first loved about Qrunch Foods Qrunch Burgers.
What is a Qrunch Burger, you might ask. Aside from the earlier prelude that this is, in fact, a veggie burger…let me explain a little more. Because this is not your ordinary veggie burger. Not one bit. In fact, it may be the ultimate veggie burger. I’ve eaten every brand of gluten-free veggie burger out on the market that I can find in this area. And while I have raved about many, disliked a few…believe me when I state that the Original Qrunch Burger is…
THE BEST VEGGIE BURGER EVER!
Don’t believe me? Try it yourself. But…trust me…you’ll want to believe me.
Where was I?
Oh yes…what is a Qrunch Burger. The answer to this is simple. It’s a veggie burger that is “powered” by the superfood – quinoa. And, as a gluten-free vegetarian, we all know that quinoa is one of my most favorite things in this world. But the awesomeness doesn’t end there. This burger is also loaded with organic millet and organic vegetables. It is free of virtually all common allergens (gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, wheat-free, egg-free, nut-free) and made in a gluten-free facility. These burgers are made from all natural ingredients and do not contain any artificial flavors, colors or GMOs.
Even better…it’s fantastic.
Being that it is Memorial Day, my roommate and I decided that we would have the customary all-American holiday feast. But for us…that means veggie burgers (as opposed to hamburgers) and hand cut shoestring fries, which I bake in the oven to crispy perfection. I had a box of the Original Qrunch Burgers in my freezer. As I received a CSA bin with plenty of fresh veggies that I could utilize for these burgers. Yep…we were good to go.
Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burger patty
So, after I made fresh guacamole to go on the burgers (trust me…it’s awesome) and I got the potatoes cut, seasoned, and into the oven, it was time to turn my attention to the actual burgers. I pulled out my skillet and got it warming up while I pulled the box of Original Qrunch Burgers out of the freezer. Once my skillet was properly heated, the patties were put on to cook through. This takes about 5 minutes on each side. I went ahead and put a slice of vegan cheese on the patties to go along with the rest of the Memorial Day festivities. Once each side had been properly warmed and browned on the skillet, it was time to dress the burgers.
I didn’t have any gluten-free hamburger buns on hand this week…so I used gluten-free bread. I dressed the bread with a light coating of vegan Sriracha sour cream, then placed the red leaf lettuce down. The Original Qrunch Patty was next, followed by a tomato, red onion, and then a spoonful of my homemade guacamole. I adorned each plate with a healthy serving of my hand-cut shoestring fries. With the burger assembled, it was now time to settle in for the holiday feast.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I took my first bite. I’ve had some pretty epic fails when it has come to taste and texture of veggie burgers. While most have been passable, the gluten-free varieties just don’t seem to live up to the standard other veggie burgers I used to be able to eat (can’t anymore…because they have gluten in them) laid down.
That is not the case anymore. I took one bite of my Original Qrunch Burger and was in a new happy place. Honestly. What I loved about these was not just the flavor, although it is definitely the best I have had…to date. The texture is awesome. The outside of the patty gets this nice crunch to it. The inside…soft, with that perfect “meatiness” to it that actually makes you believe you are, in fact, eating a burger. I loved how seasoned this patty was. You can even see the organic onion, organic carrots, organic broccoli, and organic spinach in the patty. Nothing fake about these burgers. Seasoned to perfection with garlic and kosher salt. The flavors just popped in my mouth. I was so happy that it took everything in me not to just go into devour mode and shove as much each bite into my mouth at a time. I savored…and I’m glad I did.
Nutritionally speaking, these burgers do rate a little higher on the calorie scale. One patty is 190 calories and contains 11 grams of fat. So…probably not one of the leaner options out there, but not bad as a whole. I’ve definitely encountered worse. Each patty will also supply you with 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Love that quinoa…a protein powerhouse! In addition, these patties are low in sodium, topping out at 150 mg. Loving it.
For a burger that elliminates so many foods and allergens from their line-up of ingredients, what emerges is one of the most amazing veggie burgers I have ever had the simple joy of eating. I don’t think any other burger will find its way back into my freezer. Qrunch Foods has definitely raised the bar with their highly delicious and very tasty Original Qrunch Burgers.
In fact, it seems that other people agree. In a recent taste test done by the Washington Post Food Section, the Qrunch veggie burger came in third on overall merits. And…it was the only allergen-free burger in the top seven. So, it’s not just me. Others agree that Qrunch Burgers are something special.
I noticed these are also available in a Spicy Italian flavor. Oh yeah…I’m going to be trying that out. And very soon.
If you’re looking for a different flavor or a different sort of veggie burger…Qrunch is the way to go. Honestly. Veggie burgers have great potential…but these blew away the competition. No question about it. Qrunch rocks!
A burger made from Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burger and served with homemade hand-cut shoestring fries
Awhile back, Prevention magazine did a profile on Kris Carr. If you’ve never heard that name before, you’d be inspired by this woman. She is a best-selling author, a wellness activist, and a cancer thriver. Yes…thriver. You see, on Valentine’s Day in 2003, Carr was diagnosed with a rare and incurable stage 4 cancer. This diagnosis made her want to feel better, love harder, and enjoy life more fully. She wanted to live life to the fullest…and live it like she meant it.
Part of that journey was changing the way she ate. She went to a complete lifestyle makeover. She switched to a nutrient dense, plant-based diet, began exercising, and found joy and fun in everything.
Really…this woman is amazing and her story was one I remembered from the plethora of magazines I receive each month. I appreciate Prevention for profiling her…because it led me to her book: Crazy Sexy Kitchen.
This book just happened to be on the shelf of my local library. And after flipping through it briefly…I went ahead and borrowed it. Immediately I had recipes I wanted to try…but the one that interested me most is the one I made for dinner tonight…and, believe me when I say, it’s worth the effort to make. I had to make modifications with the ingredients at times, but in the end…it turned into a beautiful dish.
The recipe is below.
Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan “Clam” Chowder
Gluten-Free and Vegan “Clam” Chowder
Serves: 12
Time: Prep 60 minutes; Cook 15 minutes
Ingredients for Cashew Cream:
4 cups whole raw cashews, rinsed under cold water
Ingredients for Kombu Broth:
4 pieces kombu seaweed (I didn’t pick this up, so I used sheets of nori)
2 quarts water
Ingredients for Smoked Mushrooms*:
1 tablespoon small hickory chips
1 heaping cup diced king trumpet mushrooms
*(NOTE: I had 10 ounces of crimini mushrooms on hand and no stovetop smoker, so I improvised…)
Ingredients for Chowder Assembly:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup diced white onion
1/2 cup diced celery (I used diced carrot because I didn’t have celery, but I did have plenty of carrots)
1 cup peeled and diced baking potato
2-1/2 to 3 cups water
1 teaspoon lemon juice, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon Tobasco or other hot sauce, more to taste (I used Sriracha)
2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
Directions:
Prepare Cashew Cream: Put the cashews in a bowl and cover with water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to soak overnight.
Drain the cashews and rinse under cold water. Place the cashews in a high-speed blender (this will need to be done in a couple of batches) and add enough water to cover by an inch.
Purée until completely smooth. If needed, pass the cashew purée through a fine strainer to remove any course bits; the final “cream” should have a smooth, thick consistency of heavy dairy cream. This will make about 3 cups cream (consistency will depend on the amount of water added while blending, and can vary from just over 2 cups to about 3-1/2 cups; thin as desired)
Prepare Kombu Broth*: Combine the combu and water in a medium pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook 40 minutes, then strain. This makes about 5 cups kombu broth, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe. The broth will keep, covered and refrigerated, up to 10 days.
*(Note: I didn’t have kombu on hand, so I used nori sheets, and followed the instructions as if they were kombu. The flavor was probably milder than it would have been…but this worked. I did, however, have to press on the nori to wring out the rest of the broth)
Prepare Smoked Mushrooms*: Prepare a stovetop smoker: Spread the chips in the base of the smoker, directly over the burner. Place the drip pan (if using) over the chips and a rack on top of the drip pan. Place the diced mushrooms on the rack (be sure to use a rack fine enough so the mushrooms don’t fall through) indirectly over the chips (do not place the mushrooms directly over the chips, as this can cause them to oversmoke and turn bitter). Partially cover the smoker with a lid, leaving it open a cuple of inches. (If you do not have a commercial stovetop smoker, you can substitute by using a heavy roasting pan, a cake rack, and heavy duty foil to cover the pan as a lid.)
Heat the smoker over medium heat just until you see smoke escaping through the opening. Close the smoker entirely and gently smoke just to infuse the mushrooms with smoke flavor, not to cook, 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to oversmoke, or the mushrooms will become bitter.
*(Note: I don’t have a stovetop smoker or anything I could have used to do the makeshift one…so instead I went about this a little differently. After rinsing my mushrooms and cutting the stems even to the caps, I put them in a bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Liquid Smoke (make sure it is a gluten-free brand), a touch of salt, and some kelp granules. I mixed this until everything was coated then placed them on a baking pan and roasted in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes. I then diced them as the recipe called for. It yielded perfect results.)
Assemble Chowder: Heat the oil in a medium-size soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery (in my case, carrots), and potato. Sweat the ingredients, stirring frequently, until softened, 8-10 minutes.
Add 1-1/2 cups each of the Kombu Broth, Cashew Cream, and all the smoked mushrooms. Reduce the heat, and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 10 to 15 minutes to develop and marry the flavors. The Cashew Cream will thicken as it cooks, and you will need to add water from time to time to thin and adjust the consistency. We added about 3 cups of water as the soup cooked.
Season with lemon juice, Tobasco (or hot sauce of choice), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. This makes a generous 2 quarts of soup.
~*~*~
This recipe looks labor intensive at first glance, but I soaked the cashews overnight and making the cashew cream was a synch. As for the broth, I made that ahead as well and let it chill in the fridge. Then, when I needed it, I poured out the amount for this recipe and it was all set to go. All I really needed to do was chop the vegetables and get everything cooking.
And what emerged was a flavorful, creamy, delicious vegan clam chowder. The flavors were awesome. And the texture of the mushrooms after roasting in the oven for that long was just like a clam tasted (back before my vegetarian days and when chowder was safe to eat). I wasn’t sure what to think about this as I started to cook everything together in my big pot on the stove, but the end result was awesome.
I can’t wait to heat up more and enjoy it all over again.
As a side note, this soup is freezer-friendly. So go ahead and freeze the extra if needed and allow it to thaw when you’re ready to have more. Otherwise, the soup does keep for about 1 week in the fridge.
This is TOTALLY going to be made over and over again. Shockingly delicious. But, then again, Kris Carr enlisted the help of Chef Tal Ronnen for this one…so it’s no surprise this soup is packed with awesomeness.
Me after finishing The Glo Run – Louisville, Kentucky
Race: The Glo Run
Place: Waterfront Park, Louisville, Kentucky
Date: May 25, 2013
Time: 22:16* (UNTIMED EVENT)
It occurred to me at the Run For The Berries 5K earlier in the day that I had gotten lost somewhere in this crazy world of road racing. Somewhere along the way, I just sort of expected to win my age division…or at least place. And I hadn’t realized what sort of effect that had on me until I ran one of my fastest 5Ks and didn’t place at all in my division. I was a mess of emotions over that…but mostly disappointed.
And I realized…somewhere along the way…while I still had fun…I was missing out on the fun of just simply running the races. I placed such high expectations on myself, or thought if I didn’t place, I’d let down my family and friends. I was wrong, of course, but it was a nice reality check to have. As I’ve said before, 5K races are not my forte, as speed is not my friend at all. Endurance and I get along a lot better. So, how I lost sight of that is beyond me. But my focus is back…and I have this untimed fun run to thank for it.
Novelty races are all the rage right now. Last year, I was signed up to do the first year of The Color Run when it hit Louisville. But, I tore my plantar fascia in a race just before that one and was on crutches. No running in The Color Run for me. I didn’t care that it was untimed. That was part of the joy of it. It was billed as the Happiest 5K on the planet…and there is a reason. Everyone runs…for fun. There is no stress of trying to PR or beat out the competition. It’s all about getting as much paint on you as possible and just having a blast.
I might have missed out on The Color Run, but when the opportunity came up (and a nice Groupon offer too) for The Glo Run here in Louisville, Kentucky…I knew I wanted to be a part of the novelty race experience. I registered with the Groupon discount and prepped myself for what would be a different experience indeed. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve raced in the black of night…but it was my first untimed novelty race. And that…was part of the experience.
Packet pick-up was at Fleet Feet on Friday. Cathy and I drove over there on lunch to pick everything up. I got my choice of either a pink or yellow florescent shirt for the race. I chose pink. Yellow looks awful on me. I also got two glow sticks and a pair of glow glasses. Fully stocked with glowing goodness, we departed to return to work…then to go home. I was making a homemade gluten-free pizza that night (no eating out this time, despite me having 2 races on Saturday).
After running in the Run For The Berries 5K that morning, then spending most of the afternoon on my feet finishing up grocery shopping and running errands, I knew that this would be a throw-away as it was. I changed into the brightest and craziest running clothes I could conjure up in my wardrobe…which meant my crazy-awesome running shorts with the florescent designs throughout them. My bright orange tech shirt. I chose my bright pink compression socks and, despite the chance for rain, put on my new pair of Nike’s. I got my number pinned on and grabbed a hoodie to take with me. It was currently about 67 degrees out. So it was nice, but when the sun went down…and if they rain moved in…who knew what the weather would be like. Cathy grabbed the glowing goodies and we got in the car at about 8:00 p.m. to head down to Waterfront Park, which would be where The Glo Run would begin and end.
The most difficult part was finding parking. Not only was Abbey Road On The River going on, but so was a Louisville Bats baseball game…and The Glo Run. Parking was not going to be easy. We followed another vehicle into a lot and discovered that it was full. That car had to turn around too, so we got out of the way to allow him to do so. Then we did the same. And on our way out…out of nowhere…a space appeared. We whipped into it and parked the car. SUCCESS!!
Finding the starting line was simple. We followed the masses in The Glo Run t-shirts. I mean, you can’t miss waves of people wearing bright shirts and weird costumes, right? We definitely knew we were in the right place.
The start line area had a DJ spinning tunes and a stage set up. It wasn’t near dark yet, despite us arriving only an hour before the race kicked off. There was plenty to keep us occupied, checking out costumes, looking at what people chose to wear, listening to the music. As it started to get a bit darker…the DJ got the party started, getting people toward the stage to dance, dance, dance.
So, what is the draw of The Glo Run? Well…it’s the fact that you are running a 5K race filled with blacklight stations and tents, special effects (smoke, bubbles, etc) and music. It’s a party while you run. Honestly. And, being untimed, you can really cut loose and just enjoy the experience. I was really looking forward to having just a fun little race to participate in for a change. I think it was just what I needed in the end.
So, with the DJ getting us dancing and moving and shaking, the night was creeping in. Cathy and I cracked the glowing goodies we brought with us. I wrapped the glow necklaces around my calves and wore a few glow bracelets we picked up earlier that afternoon at our novelty store. Cathy put on a red glow stick and had managed to acquire a few glow sticks along the way. Just as it was getting dark…the rain began to fall as well. Not drenching…but a light rain nonetheless. And I didn’t care. It was just fun. And with all the lasers and black lights, the rain looked like glitter in the night. It was SO cool. The professional photographer went up on the pedestrian bridge to snap pictures of the entire crowd, and then we had another dance moment before runners were told to get to the start area. Cathy gave me a hug and told me to have fun. I told her I would definitely do so. They said that all the fast runners needed to line up closer to the front. I went ahead and moved up a bit in the corral, figuring I’d be fast enough, without forgetting to just live in the moment and enjoy this race for what it was. A Glo-ing good time.
The lead vehicle was a guy on a bike carrying a load of glow sticks. We were counted down…and then…we were off.
As I passed under the black light start line, I gave a wave to Cathy and headed out in the front of the pack. I eased into this run, feeling no pressure, and I was smiling. Here I was, wearing glow sticks and bracelets, clothing meant to be bright in the black light stations…and just enjoying every step I was taking. It had been a long time since I ran for the joy of it. This entire race was set to run around Waterfront Park. On the first straight out, I had to hop down off the curb and then jump back up, over-calculating a turn. It was fine though…I was fine. My ankle was feeling this a bit, mostly from me jumping around during the dance party pre-race. Lesson learned. Still…fun was happening and I was enjoying it.
Volunteers were stationed throughout the course holding light-up wands to direct us where we needed to go. And as we ran through Waterfront Park, they were definitely doing their job, keeping us on course and heading in the right direction. I was smiling so big when I hit that first black light station. After all…this tent not only lit up my clothing like a Christmas tree…but it also had bubbles blowing at us. BUBBLES!! I put out my arms and just enjoyed running through, seeing the DJ at the end, pumping the music and encouraging us on. Out of the tent and back onto the path. Oh, this was a complete blast.
I was already anticipating the next station I would get to run through. I had passed a couple of people along the way, and saw the glow of another station ahead. The volunteers directed runners that way. This time…the glowing tent of black light goodness had a smoke machine going. The haze was awesome to run through, and I had to watch it at the end because I almost didn’t see the DJ table there. But I was dancing and pumping my hands and giving time to just dance under the lights and enjoy the moment. I was having a complete blast.
Back to the course, the halfway point was approaching. Cathy and I had spotted this near the start line…and we thought it might be the finish. Nope. But, she had been over there and while I didn’t hear her…she managed to snap a picture of me running through that station. Awesome. Then, I think…we hit the hardest part of the course. Not because it was hilly or anything. Nope. It was because the DJs and music were gone. And we were dashing through this quiet area of the park. Just me and the runners ahead of me and the ones behind me. I passed up a woman I had been behind for awhile…not even trying. It was just…so quiet over in this part, all I could really do was run.
But then, the sound of that finish line DJ came into earshot. I was close. I was very close. The woman I passed kicked it into high gear, as though she were trying to win the Boston Marathon here at The Glo Run. She was missing the entire point of this run. But, then again, she was also wearing her iPod and had her head flooded with whatever tunes were playing over her earbuds. I was taking in every possible moment and just remembering this was to have fun. And I was having a blast.
I crossed the finish line and paused my Garmin. Yes…I decided to time myself for the hell of it. And I rocked out a great 22:16 time on this fun run, even with the dancing and boogie time under the black lights. That’s awesome. I was laughing and just smiling the entire time…and even at the finish that didn’t stop.
Cathy told me I was the third female to finish. Of course, no awards are given at these races…and that’s fine. We walked around the finish area for a few minutes and decided we would slowly start making our way back to the car. This race had a finish line party afterwards, but it was late and I had a 9 mile run to do on Sunday morning. So…it was best if we headed back home.
Of course, the parking lot we managed to find a spot in was actually part of the course. So, we ended up standing around, cheering on runners, watching the variety of costumes go by. My favorite was this group of guys walking through and some girl jogged by and said, “Why are you walking boys?” And one of the men shouted back, “I pulled my gluteus muscle!” It made me laugh. A lot.
With it still sprinkling lightly, we decided to at least go sit in the car until we could leave. This probably took about 20 minutes. But soon there were enough gaps in the runners and walkers that the police officer directing traffic was beginning to let some vehicles out. We managed to get backed up and in line to head home. And after about another 5 minutes, we were on our way.
Novelty runs are a great way to break up the monotony of racing. Seriously. Sometimes we, as runners, get so focused on besting ourselves and others that the fun gets sucked out of each race. This race was just what I needed that night…because I needed to remember what it felt like to just run for the fun of it. Now I remember. And I hope to never forget again.
If The Glo Run or The Color Run make it to your area, I encourage you to join it and just take a spin around the course. Bring friends or make new ones while you’re there. Leave your Garmin at home. Just run because you can. Run and enjoy every bit of the experience. Forget about personal bests and setting new records on the course or of yourself. Sometimes…that’s the best way to improve…because it really does put the life back into your running, without even making it seem like work.
Just make sure you sign up for one of the official novelty runs. These are often imitated, but they are never quite as amazing as the ones that started them all. Do your research. Sign up. And go have a fun run. Cross that finish line without the heavy weight of expectations weighing you down. Get covered in paint or lit up by black lights. Dance to the music. Forget about time. Just soak it all up, drink it all in, and have fun.
Me crossing the finish line of the Run For The Berries 5K – Starlight, Indiana
Race: Run for the Berries 5K
Place: Starlight, Indiana
Date: May 25, 2013
Time: 22:19
There is nothing more satisfying than diving into a bowl of fresh strawberries after a short little 5K race through the ups and downs and twists and turns of Starlight, Indiana. I should know. This is the third time that I have endured this race.
There are certain races I would never miss if possible. The Run For The Berries 5K is one of them. I mean…it’s at a local strawberry festival. The fact that it involves strawberries is enough to get me to return time and time again. After all…strawberries are one of my favorite foods. I could eat them by the gallon and not get sick of them. Strawberries are love. And running for strawberries is pure bliss.
A lot of things were different this year as compared to last year. For one thing, it was about 25 degrees cooler this year. Last year, the race kicked off in 72 degree temperatures. This year, it was 47 degrees on Saturday morning. Big difference. Also, packet pick-up wasn’t ready when I arrived. In fact, I had actually arrived earlier than normal…but getting to the festival was easy this year. So, I had more time than usual to kill. The reason packet pick-up wasn’t ready was that the guy who had all the t-shirts and race bibs had to return home for something, so the volunteers were waiting on him.
In the meantime, I figured then was as good a time as any to settle into a chair in the hall where packet pick-up was happening and go ahead and eat the thinkThin Crunch bar that I packed. No fun to run while hungry, and I had gotten up early and that meant an early breakfast of just cereal and a cup of coffee prior to leaving for the race. That would be a full 2 hours before the start of the race, and from experience, I knew I’d be hungry if I didn’t pack something else to nosh on. I wasn’t sure how the Caramel Chocolate Dipped Crunch Bar from thinkThin would do with my stomach before a run, but it was the only one I had that wasn’t primarily chocolate. I figured it was the safest choice.
I snacked, and just as I finished it up, the man with the t-shirts and race bibs arrived. As I mentioned last year, this race uses recycled bibs from previous races. This year…mine was from the 2010 Fast Freddie Five Mile Foot Feast. Awesome! I received my t-shirt (they went back to the tech-shirts this year, thank GOD!) and went to let my roomie pin me up. Once I was properly pinned, I went to duck into the bathroom before heading outside to at least start to acclimate to the cooler temperatures that moved in during the night. I’d been running in 60 degree weather in the mornings, and now I was back down to the 40s. I was bitching about it quite loudly and often. Just ask Cathy. I do better in the heat, amazingly enough…even if I do tend to wilt. Cold weather and I do not get along. So, I did some of my measly cold weather half-ass stretching for a little while, before deciding to finally get a bit more serious about it. After all, the week prior to this my ankle had been bothering me and that meant slowing down my runs, taking a couple days off, icing and foam rolling. Even compression socks weren’t helping. I had to do what was best for me…and that currently means making sure everything is loose and not hurting. With my first marathon coming up this fall, I do not have time to be injured and that means…I listen to my body. That also means…I stretch…whether I want to or not.
While stretching, I had the opportunity to hang out with Matthew and Dawn, who I often see at my races. I love talking with these two. They have inspired me in my marathon pursuits, whether they know it or not. Definitely two of the most awesome people I have met through running in this area. They are so easy to talk to and make me focus more on enjoying my run than trying to outdo someone or something. They just are so encouraging and just so much fun to be around. Ah, I love how my circle of friends has grown since I took up running…and how many great people with different goals and different pursuits I have met along the way.
With race time approaching, it was time to head to the starting line. This run is not chip timed. Most of the races put on by this group are not. I wish they would be though…but I can see how this would definitely be easier to deal with. Still…there is something I appreciate about chip timing. Anyway…the starting line for the Run For The Berries 5K is a green spray painted line on the street. All of the runners sort of clustered as close as they figured they needed to be, while the walkers, as requested, stayed further back in the pack. We had about 5 minutes to run time. The final announcements were made…and soon…the horn was sounded…and we were off.
One of the challenges of this race is just how hilly the area is. I don’t mean gentle rolling hills. Nope. Some of these are rather steep. The rolling hills hit within the first mile. I remember at the start line, one of the runners just behind me said his buddy told him the first hill that we could see ahead was the worst of it. I laughed and said just wait until you hit the hill just after Mile 2. I can say that…because I have cussed that hill out the past two years I have run in this race. It’s evil. It’s steep. It sucks!
But…I’m getting ahead of myself here.
The first mile has its fair share of hills and the like…but nothing too major. I ran what was comfortable, feeling as though I was actually moving quite slow for a race. I was still near the front of the group that went out though…so that was fine. As we rounded a corner and hit the marker for Mile 1, a woman right behind me asked, “Anyone know the pace on that?” A man running next to me called it back to her. I hate knowing my pace. While I wear a watch, I try to not obsess over such numbers because it just stresses me out and I tend to run…poorly. It’s so much better for me to just run and look at the pace and numbers after I’m done. It turns out I run better doing that.
From there, it was on to the second mile. This mile always seems the easiest. I guess because I know that as I hit Mile 2, I’m hitting Hill Road (yes…that is the actual name of that street), so anything seems easier than that. Heading into Mile 2, there are a couple of turns onto various streets…and this year the added joy of loose gravel in a turn that had the road pretty torn up. Thankfully they had a volunteer there to wave us through. The water stop is at Mile 2…and then…that’s when you see it…
THE HILL!! I won’t lie…this hill is steep. And I see a lot of people walk it. I always have pushed myself to get up that hill, even if it slows me down. It always does, but I have never walked it. Never once. And I wasn’t about to start. I pushed myself to get up that incline as fast as I could manage, because I was in the last mile and now was the time to push. Right? Right! I could see a few other women runners ahead of me, and I thought I might be able to catch up to them, but after pressing up that hill, my legs were feeling beyond tired. I gave it my all though. And as I rounded back onto the main road, I could almost taste that finish line.
It was ahead. I knew that much. I thought, for some reason, I had one more turn to go, but I was wrong. It was straight on through to the finish line. The crowd was cheering and I could hear Cathy screaming, “GO TWIN!! GO TWIN!” I pushed as much as my tired legs would allow, thankful that they were just tired and not sore. And I crossed the finish line…not beating my Throo The Zoo gun time yet…but I came close. I came very close. I was handed a card to fill out with my name, bib number and time. My card said I was the 8th female to cross the finish line. Not too shabby.
Me about to devour the best part of this race…a heaping bowl of sliced strawberries!
Cathy came over to give me a hug and we walked over to where I could grab some water. I drank it down before heading into the building to fill out the card I was handed and drop it into the proper spot. I stepped out and went back for more water, taking time to sip on it this time. We moved around a little, just giving my legs some time to stretch out. Then went to find a spot on one of the hay bales to sit. Cathy took my water cup and told me to do some light stretching. I knew she was right…so I did just that. Then went for a slow jog down to the end of the blacktop and back. After that, we walked over to the Strawberry Freeze booth and got a Strawberry Banana Freeze to split. Nothing tastes as good as fresh banana and fresh strawberry packed into a blender with ice and a bit of water…after a race. It doesn’t matter if it’s chilly out…it just tastes good. We had toyed with getting hot chocolate…but we were at the Strawberry Festival. Strawberries had to be on the menu.
We split the freeze and around 9 a.m., I meandered over to my favorite booth of all. The build-your-own strawberry shortcake. Now, I can’t have the shortcake or the whipped topping, but I sure as hell can pile up strawberries in a bowl and fast on those. That was going to be the remainder of my breakfast that day. This was always worth running for. This is something I treated myself to after the race the past two years I have ran in it.
The awards ceremony started just as Cathy returned with her breakfast (cheese fries…what else?). I was feeling really good about it this time. I was caught off guard last year by winning my division…and I ran this race over 2 minutes faster. I was feeling confident that I at least placed.
So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that every woman that came in ahead of me either placed in the top 3 overall, or were in my age division. I walked away from this one empty-handed despite having run this course better this year as opposed to last year. Maybe weather does have an affect on running. Some do better in the cool air…some do better in the heat. While I ran faster…I wasn’t fast enough. And the woman who beat me in was just a few steps in front of me at the finish. SO close.
But this was also a nice lesson in humility and a reminder that running isn’t about winning and placing. Yep…I was totally disappointed. Actually, when they started announcing my age group, I was all set to hop up for first place. And then my name wasn’t called. So I prepped myself for second. And my name wasn’t called. Surely to God I at least got third, right? Wrong! I felt my heart sink and this extreme welling up of anger and disappointment at myself. Never mind that I just ran one of my best 5K times yet…I was disappointed not to walk away with a glass pint glass this year.
Cathy helped put it all in perspective, telling me I didn’t need another glass anyway.
What I discovered here was a humbling reminder that winning and placing doesn’t make or break my race. I love running this race. I was hanging out with great people, eating strawberries, enjoying a beautiful morning in the sun. And I had been upset for not placing? Well…it was time to shake that off and suck it up. I might have run better, but there are always better and faster people out there. That Saturday morning…they ran better and faster than me.
Strawberries were my award…and I smiled and finished eating my heaping bowl of strawberry goodness as they started giving away door prizes. My name was called toward the last few. I was left to choosing between coupons for Subway or Chick-Fil-A. But…I’m a gluten-free vegetarian, so none of these were good choices for me. I grabbed one of them, and ended up giving them away. At least they would get used and appreciated that way.
Final results have not been posted yet…nor do I know if and when they will be. But, as it stands…I finished the Run For The Berries 5K in 22:19. I was the 8th female to cross the line and came in 4th in my division. If the official results ever get posted…I’ll update this accordingly.
I can’t wait to try again next year…and this time I’ll enjoy the journey more. Lesson learned.
thinkThin Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar – $1.99+
Oh, I just can’t stop singing the praises of thinkThin and the amazing, gluten-free, delicious, and nutritious bars that they have out on the market. I have reviewed quite a few along the way, as I often use these as a protein pick-me-up, or even a pre-race or post-race snack. They are portable…and…even more importantly…impressively filling and delicious.
One of the newer bars out on the market are their line of thinkThin Crunch bars. They have a few varieties out there. Previously, I tried out just the regular Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar…and absolutely devoured it and sang its praises along the way.
Well, my roommate loves a good deal…and while I sent her out to grab something from the grocery store one day when I was in the kitchen slaving away over dinner, she returned with gifts. And one of these gifts was a new flavor of thinkThin Crunch bars.
Happiness. I love new products. Especially by companies and brands that I trust.
Enter…the morning of one of my races. For longer races, I usually dine on a delicious banana about 40 minutes prior to the run. For shorter races…it’s whatever I can grab. Banana works then too…but I haven’t been keeping bananas recently. Sad…I should start doing that again. But, in a rush to get out the door, it was find something quick from the drawer of race morning snacks. I didn’t want something with a lot of chocolate…because I don’t think my tummy would handle that well before a run. The only option, then, that I currently had…was the thinkThin Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar that Cathy brought home for me. It still had a small amount of chocolate in it…but far less than the other options in the drawer. It would have to do.
We ended up being way ahead of schedule to the race…but the guy with all the packet stuff was running late that morning. It was a little earlier than I liked, but as we were sitting around waiting on someone before anything else race related could be done…I figured I’d go ahead and eat my bar, giving my body some time to work on digesting not just the bit of chocolate, but the nuts as well.
I unwrapped the bar and took a bite.
It reminded me of something…and I still can’t seem to put my finger on it. But…it was something I used to eat…often. So, trust me when I say…this bar is yummy! It is packed with a blend of peanuts, almonds, and cashews. All of the nuts are bound together and sweetened with a hint of honey, then the bottom layer is dipped in a decadent blend of caramel and dark chocolate. Together, the salty-sweet mix is the perfect blend for any palate. Who doesn’t love a hit of sweetness with salty things? It’s why I loved eating chocolate covered pretzels before I had to go gluten-free (but Glutino makes fantastic gluten-free chocolate covered pretzels)…that combination of salty and sweet just does it for me. And this bar combines everything I love about that combination…into one healthy and satisfying bar.
Nutritionally speaking, when it comes to bars of this nature, this is one of the best you can choose. One bar will only set you back 190 calories and 11 grams of fat. Yes…the fat content may seem high, but most of that is from the nuts, and those are healthy, belly-flattening fats. This bar is low in sugar, topping out at only 6 grams, which is 70% less than most leading fruit and nut bars. In addition to that, a healthy dose of 9 grams of protein (that’s 80% more than leading fruit and nut bars as well) and 4 grams of fiber will help keep you feeling full and satisfied long after this bar is eaten. I ran a hard, hilly 5K race and I wasn’t even starving afterwards like I usually am.
Replace candy bars with this wholesome Crunch bar from thinkThin and you’re right on track to delicious, nutritious snacking. I absolutely loved the flavor combination and that this bar is so healthy on top of it. thinkThin has done me proud in the past…and once again…they live up to the high standards they set. I continue to buy bars from thinkThin because they continue to put out a product worth buying. The crunch bars will replace your sugar-loaded candy bars or granola bars…and give you added nutrients in the process.
Smart thinking, thinkThin.
thinkThin Caramel Chocolate Dipped Crunch Bar (unwrapped)
The Celiathlete 