Product Review: Now Healthy Foods Whey Too Good Brownie Mix
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | 1 Comment
Mmmm, brownies. There is nothing like a gooey, chocolatey brownie fresh out of the oven! I still haven’t found that perfect gluten-free brownie yet. Hopefully this is the one. I found NOW Healthy Foods Whey Too Good gluten free brownie mix for $5.99 at Kanab United Drug, a pharmacy and natural foods store in Kanab. Utah.
To prepare I mixed the dry mix with 3 eggs, 2/3 cup of hot water, and 2/3 cup of oil. After whisking it I placed the batter in a 8×8 pan. I baked it for 25 min in a 350 degree oven. The directions recommend letting the brownies cool for 30 minutes before eating.
I have to admit I did try some before the brownies completely cooled. How could I resist? I tasted some chocolate but the texture was more like cake and it wasn’t outstanding. I tried it again after they were completely cooled and wow, what a difference! The brownie was a lot more chocolatey, and were soft, gooey, with no graininess at all. The only downside was the aftertaste. It reminded me of aspartame, but have concluded that it is the whey protein. It wasn’t too strong, and didn’t stop me from eating another piece. It is not the perfect brownie, but still delicious.
Rating: 4 stars
Pros: great chocolatey, gooey brownie
Cons: slight aftertaste
*review provided by Kristina
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Ingredients: organic turbinado sugar, organized cocoa powder, instantized whey protein isolate (milk, soy lecithin [<1%]), organic golden flax seed meal, guar gum, natural sea salt, organic vanilla extract, baking powder and natural almond flavor
Nutritional Snapshot: 200 calories, 2g fat, 39g carbohydrates, 33g sugar, 7g protein
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Want to try these gluten free brownies?
Use this store finder for a grocer near you, or purchase in bulk via amazon.com:
Product Review: Michael Season’s Popped Black Bean Crisps
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | No Comments
Michael Season’s has done it again. We are big fans of their baked cheese puffs and were anxious to try this new product. They were gracious enough to send us a sample pack to test out and review.
There are three flavors: sea salt, nacho cheese, and roasted red pepper. I tried nacho cheese and sea salt. The black bean crisps are a healthier snack with less fat and sodium than other black bean chips. They are also much healthier than potato chips. I feel better about these crisps because they are made from black beans. There are no preservatives and only contain four ingredients, plus seasoning.
The crisps are about the size of the palm of my hand. They are very light with ridges throughout. When eating I noticed an initial crunch. Shortly after the first bite the crisps mushed in my mouth. The sea salt crisps featured a simple black bean taste. I did not detect any other seasonings or flavors. The taste was not as strong as eating plain black beans, though.
The nacho cheese flavored crisps tasted like chili with a hint of cheese. Along with the cheese flavor I detected spices such as paprika. The black bean taste isn’t as strong, and did not taste oily or fried at all.
I like black beans so I liked these crisps. My 15 month old son who is a very picky eater liked them too. If you don’t like black beans you most likely won’t enjoy them.
The package was quite deceiving, which was disappointing. The bag was a little smaller than most chip bags, and not even filled halfway. My family of three brought a bag of these chips on a picnic, and they weren’t enough as a side dish for us.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Pros: no preservatives, or artificial ingredients, light bean taste
Cons: deceptive packaging, mushy
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Ingredients (sea salt): black beans, rice flour, sunflower oil, sea salt, salt
Ingredients (nacho cheese): black beans, rice flour, sunflower oil, salt, maltodextrin, cheddar/romano cheeses (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), onion powder, buttermilk powder, yeast extract, tomato powder, garlic powder, sugar, paprika, spices, natural flavors, lactic acid, paprika extract (color), citric acid
Nutritional Snapshot (17 pieces): 120 calories, 4g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 1g sugar, 4g protein
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Want to try these popped black bean crisps?
They may be purchased vis the Michael Season’s website HERE or in bulk via amazon.com:
Tags: crackers > gluten free chips > gluten free snacks
Product Review: Udi’s Au Naturel Granola
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | No Comments
I’m excited for all the new granola coming out. This granola is from Udi’s. I tried the au naturel flavor, but there is also vanilla, cranberry and original flavors. I found this gluten free granola at my local grocery store for $4.99.
This is the simplest granola I’ve ever encountered. There are only three ingredients: oats, honey and oil. Even when I’ve made my own granola there have been more ingredients than this!
This granola features no clumps. It appears each grain of granola was cooked separately. I like the clumps so I was disappointed. I like the clumps for snacking, otherwise the granola tends to spill and become messy.
The granola is very simple; because of this I could really taste the nuttiness of the oats, which was nice. Still, it was plain and mild. I added different fruits to jazz it up a bit. I also combined it with milk and yogurt. The granola paired well with all of them. I couldn’t find a bad combination!
A very simple, well done granola that is sure to please.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Pros: Simple, all natural granola, minimal ingredients, versitile
Cons: no clumps
*review submitted by Kristina
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Ingredients: certified gluten free oats, wildflower honey, canola oil
Nutritional Snapshot (1/4 cup): 120 calories, 3.5 g fat, 19g carbohydrates, 7g sugar, 3g protein
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Want to try Udi’s granola?
It may be purchased via the Udi’s website, or in bulk via amazon.com:
Tags: breakfast foods > gluten free granola > Udi's
Product Review: Kind Granola- maple walnut and dark chocolate & cranberry
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | No Comments
Kind, which formerly only made gluten free fruit and nut snack bars has branched out and is now making gluten free granola. The flavors available are vanilla almond clusters, peanut butter, cinnamon oat clusters, oats and honey clusters with toasted coconut, maple walnut clusters, and dark chocolate with cranberry clusters. I purchased two flavors to try from my local grocery store for $5.49 each.
If you follow this website you know how much I love granola. I am always willing to try new granola. Kind’s new granola is no exception. I tested maple walnut clusters, and dark chocolate & cranberry clusters.
Each bag was 11 oz, and lasted about two weeks. The granola came with large clusters, smaller clusters, and individual oats. I liked this because the clusters were perfect for munching while the individual grains are better for breakfast with milk or yogurt. The granola featured with multiple grains: gluten free oats, brown rice, millet, amaranth, buckwheat, and and quinoa. This was a fantastic for me, because I find it hard to get a variety of grains in my diet. A big bonus was all the grains besides the oats were hardly visible. For someone like me this isn’t a big deal, but for my husband who won’t go near quinoa with a ten foot pole, this was a plus. There wasn’t much flavor besides the dark chocolate and maple walnut. This made the granola very mild, and not over-flavored.
The bag was reclosable which kept the granola fresh and was very convenient for on the go snacking. I first tried the maple walnut clusters with chia and quinoa. The maple flavoring seemed very light, hardly distinguishable, and I hardly saw or tasted any walnuts. The granola was still delicious tasting, but plain. It was almost the same with the dark chocolate and cranberry clusters. There was a slight chocolate flavor, but I did not taste the cranberries at all.
If you’re looking for a robust, flavorful granola I suggest you go somewhere else. If you want a multi-grain granola with a light flavor you’ve found it.
Rating: 4 stars
Pros: multi-grain, variety of flavors, variety of cluster sizes
Cons: mild flavor
*review submitted by Kristina
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Ingredients (dark chocolate and cranberry clusters): whole grains (gluten free oats, brown rice, millet, gluten free oat flour, amarenth, buckwheat, quinoa), evaporated cane juice, dark chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, spy lecithin), canola oil, chicory root fiber, cranberries, sugar molasses, sea salt, naural vitamin E, sunflower oil
Ingredients (maple walnut clusters with chia and quinoa): whole grains (gluten free oats, brown rice, gluten free oat flour, amaranth, millet, quinoa, buckwheat), evaporated cane juice, canola oil, chicory root fiber, walnuts, chia seeds, maple syrup, molasses, natural maple flavor, sea salt, natural vitamin E
Nutritional Snapshot (1/3 cup): 130 calories, 3g fat, 23g carbohydrates, 7g sugar, 3g protein
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Want to try Kind gluten free granola?
Use the Kind store locator HERE to find a grocer near you, or purchase online at vitacost.com or in bulk from amazon.com:
Product Review: Dr. Praeger’s Potato Crusted Fishies
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | 3 Comments
This is another product geared toward my son who is a VERY picky eater. I am lucky if he eats anything other than peanut butter sandwiches. When I saw these gluten free “fishies”, a gluten free version of fish sticks, I thought why not give it a try. I found Dr. Praeger’s Potato Crusted Fishies at my local grocery store for $4.59.
The company is run by a cardiac surgeon who set out to create healthy foods that are kosher. He has other products, two of which are gluten free: fish sticks and fish fillets.This product is specially made with children in mind, hence the fish shape and small size.
To prepare, they direct to either cook in a 425 degree oven for seven minutes on each side, or fry in vegetable oil. I opted to bake them in the oven. I poured my desired amount on a cookie sheet and placed it in the oven. Once they were done, I noticed that they browned nicely on each side forming a crisp crust. After letting them cool I gave them a try. The crust had a nice flavor of light potato and a bit of salt and pepper. It did not overpower the filling at all. However, I felt disappointed with the filling. The texture of the filling reminded me of mashed potatoes. It was creamy, and not at all what I expected. I was hoping for a mini-fillet in the middle, not a fish mash. The fish taste was light, which I suppose works well for children.
These gluten free fishies were hit and miss with my son. At times he liked it, other times he threw it on the floor.
Rating: 3 stars
Pros: crisp potato crust, light fish taste, all natural ingredients
Cons: the filling is more a fish mash then real fish fillet
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Ingredients: minced pollock (wild) potato flakes, potatoes, potato starch, expeller pressed canola oil, eggs, salt, garlic, brown sugar, black pepper
Nutritional Snapshot (3 fishies): 80 calories, 4g fat, 7g carbohydrates, 4g protein
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Want to try Dr. Praeger’s gluten free fishies?
Check the frozen food section of your local grocer or visit glutenfreemall.com
Tags: *Frozen Foods
Product Review: Puffins Honey Rice Cereal
Posted on | June 16, 2012 | No Comments
I have noticed the recent expansion of gluten free cereals. There are smaller companies like Envirokidz Organic cereal, and now Kelloggs has jumped on the bandwagon. I am interested in trying this new to me cereal. I purchased this cereal from my local grocery store for $3.99.
The size and shape of Puffins Honey Rice cereal is comparable to Cap’n Crunch. The texture however is slightly different. Puffins is mostly smooth with slight grooves. The cereal has a slight crunch when eaten dry, and is moist but not soggy in milk.
Puffins cereal is sweet, but not sugary. However, the flavor reminded me of cotton candy, and not honey. This was okay by me, because I don’t like honey anyway! Although it reminded me of cotton candy it was not overly sweet. It gave me just enough to taste, but not so much that I felt like I was eating a sugary cereal.
My son and I like this best dry as a snack. I would put some in a bag when we would run errands and it was perfect. They are the perfect size for his 14 month old hands. It gave my picky eater enough sweetness that he would keep on eating it, but not so much that I felt guilty about it.
This company does not soley make gluten free products, but it is tested to make sure it has less than 20 ppm of gluten.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Pros: perfect size for snacking, sweet but not sugary
Cons: doesn’t taste like honey
Review provided by Kristina
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Ingredients: whole grain brown rice flour, dehydrated cane juice, fructan (nutraflora natural dietary fiber), expeller pressed high oleic oil (canola and/or sunflower), honey, calcium carbonate, salt, natural flavor, natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols to maintain freshness)
Nutritional Snapshot (3/4 cup): 120 calories, 25g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 6g sugar, 2g protein
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Want to try Puffins cereal?
Check your local grocery store or purchase in bulk from amazon.com:
Tags: breakfast foods > gluten free cereal
Product Review: Schar Cheese Bites
Posted on | May 31, 2012 | 2 Comments
Schar is a European company who makes gluten free foods. I first saw them when I lived in Russia, and it was a sight for sore eyes. They only had noodles, but they were delicious. I was so excited to see them here in America! I saw these crackers with other Schar products at my local grocery store, and purchased them for $4.99.
I was excited for this specific product because I have a son who is 15 months old. Until recently he has eaten completely gluten-free in hopes that he won’t develop Celiac disease later in life. It has been diffiuclt finding kid friendly gluten-free foods. Sometimes a kid just wants a goldfish cracker! This is the closest packaged product I have found to them.
These crackers come in three shapes: circle, square and rectangle. They are the perfect size for my son’s chubby, little hand. He wasn’t tempted to stuff many in his mouth at once. I liked that the crackers are a light yellow color, and that it is not coated with artificial cheese flavoring.
The crackers are crisp. The first ingredient is corn starch which is evident by the way the cracker broke down in my mouth. It crumbed very fine, so fine in fact that the fine granules stuck in the crevices on my teeth. It has a light cheese taste that is evident but not overpowering.
My family and I loved these crackers and can’t wait to buy more!
Rating: 5 stars
Pros: crisp cracker with light cheese taste
Cons: none that I could find
*review provided by Kristina
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Ingredients: corn starch, corn flour, vegetable oils (palm oil, coconut oil, canola oil), cheese (cheddar powder), lupin flour, sugar, salt, ammonium bicarbonate, baking soda, sodium citrate, natural flavor (cheese), mono- and diglycerides, citrem, citric acid
Nutritional Snapshot (33 pieces): 140 calories, 5 g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 2g sugar, 2g protein
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Want to try these gluten free cheesy crackers?
Use THIS store locator on the Schar website to find a grocer near you
Click HERE to visit Schar’s online store
Or order in bulk via my fave, amazon.com:
Product Review: Svelte sustained energy protein drink – chocolate, cappuccino, french vanilla and spiced chai
Posted on | May 31, 2012 | No Comments
I have to be honest, when Svelte send me these samples, I wasn’t in a hurry to try them. I tend to be less than enthusiastic about energy drinks ( unless it is chocolate Muscle Milk Light
) because they often have a gross aftertaste or don’t provide the boost I’m hoping for. Boy was I wrong.
I LOVE these, and I discovered they sell them at my local Harmons grocery store. I’m hooked on these soy milk-based drinks. They are great for a breakfast substitute or a mid afternoon pick-me-up. Why are these so great?
1) I love the flavors! They are true, full, with no aftertaste. The chocolate tastes like chocolate milk. The spiced chai reminds me of fall and Thanksgiving with warm spices. The french vanilla reminds me of the flavor of french vanilla ice cream. The cappuccino is bound to please the pickiest of coffee drinkers with it’s pure flavor.
2) The texture is velvety and smooth, with no grit or lumps. I like how it has body to it, without being thick and coating your mouth. Watery drinks are gross, thank goodness this isn’t on of them.
3) These drinks keep me full for at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I am not a huge breakfast eater, so this type of drink fits the bill for me. Each drink has 260 calories, 16 g of protein, 10 g of fat, 5 g dietary fiber and only 9 g of sugars.
4) Each drink is a large 15.9 ounces and can last quite a while if you sip it over a period of time.
5) These drinks aren’t too sweet and don’t taste sugary, which I love. They are sweetened with dried cane syrup, rice syrup solids and stevia.
Rating: 5 stars
Pros: great flavors, texture, nutrition
Cons: pricey ( around $2.50 per drink)
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Ingredients ( chocolate): organic soymilk (filtered water, organic soybeans), organic rice syrup solids, erythritol, organic cocoa powder, organic dried cane syrup, natural flavors, organic inulin vitamin and mineral blend (vitamin A palimate, vitamin D2, vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Vitamin B2, calcium carbonate and zinc), organic gum acacia, organic guar gum, xanthan gum, sea salt, REB A (stevia extract)
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Want to try Svelte for yourself?
Use THIS store finder, or they may be purchased in bulk from amazon.com:
Product Review: Guiltless Gourmet Crunchies – cashew and almond
Posted on | May 20, 2012 | No Comments
Guiltless Gourmet provided me these all natural Crunchies nut snacks to try out. These cube shaped nut snacks are packaged in a 4.25 ounce resealable bag and retail for $4.50.
I am a fan of nuts as a quick snack, because they are filling and so tasty, so these gluten free and vegan Crunchies were right up my alley.
I tried both the almond and cashew flavors, and both tasted pretty yummy, Each nut cluster, or cube, has a subtle sweetness from pure cane sugar and tapioca syrup. However, is isn’t overwhelming and actually compliments the nuts, especially the cashews, which have a natural sweetness to begin with. I love snacks that features savory, salty and sweet, and this nut snacks does so perfectly.
Rating: 5 stars
Pros: tasty! Nice crunchy snack with a touch of sweetness
Cons: On the pricey side
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Ingredients ( cashew flavor): dry roasted cashews, pure cane sugar, tapioca syrup, inulin ( chicory root fiber), sea salt, natural flavor
Nutritional Snapshot ( 6 piece serving): 150 calories, 9 g. fat, 190 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 1 g. fiber, 7g. sugar 4g. protein
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Want to try Crunchies for yourself?
Use the Guiltless Gourmet store finder by clicking HERE to locate a grocer or store near you.
In the News: Chuck E. Cheese offering gluten free pizza and cupcakes
Posted on | May 17, 2012 | 1 Comment
Gluten free pizza has been in the news lately, and Chuck E. Cheese, which is famous for it’s games, rides, and dining entertainment for children, has been part of the hoopla. But unlike negative press surrounding Domino’s gluten free pizza crust, Chuck E. Cheese is the real deal. This makes me so happy for the little ones out there if they want to have a birthday party, or even attend one there. Now they don’t have to be left out!
In Minnesota, they are test marketing a truly gluten free personal size cheese pizza produced by Conte’s Pasta in a gluten free facility. The pizza’s are shipped frozen and baked in the sealed bag until opened table side and sliced with a personal pizza cutter. It’s the same situation with chocolate fudge cupcakes produced by Fabe’s all natural bakery that are sweetened with fruit juices and vegetables. The cupcakes are packaged and sealed individually until opened at the table to ensure cross contamination is not an issue. If this test market performs well, they hope to offer gluten free birthday parties and options at more locations outside of Minnesota.
I used to take my children to Chuck E Cheese from time to time, and I would have loved to have a pizza of my own while they enjoyed their gluten pizza. I see this as a great option for both parents and children. Bravo Chuck E. Cheese! I think they set a great example for serving the Celiac and gluten free community.
Youtube video: Chuck E Cheese gluten free options
Tags: Chuck E Cheese > gluten free birthday parties > gluten free cupcakes > gluten free pizza
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