Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats!

Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats!  It's real!  Kellog's has come through.  Beware, not all supermarkets carry this gluten free cereal that you can easily turn into the most delicious gluten free treat.  Make sure you speak with managers, fill out requests for Kellog's gluten free rice crispy cereal, and even write to headquarters offices - it's worth it. 

Zonin Creates a Magical Italian Culinary Experience

Casa Vinicola Zonin paired up with the Ritz Carlton at Miami Dade's Culinary Institute and created an Italian Culinary Experience.  It was a lot of fun, and a lot of great Prosecco and wine.  All courses were not gluten-free - Celiac's were not the intended audience, it was more about the decadent wine pairings and Ritz showing off their chefs capabilities to the audience. 

Check out this layout, Miami-Dade offered their awesome venue, the kitchen was the main stage, and all attendees had our own sinks and a great view. 

Rudi's Gluten-Free Tortillas!

Rudi's  gluten-free bakery has outdone itself, again.  Now, Rudi's is making Tortillas!!!  There are 3 delicious flavors: Plain Tortillas, Spinach Tortillas and Fiesta Tortillas, each with 5 grams of fiber per serving, at $5.99.   To get the gluten-free community excited about these Tortillas - Rudi's is giving away awesome prizes - check them out on Rudi's facebook page here - Prizes end on August 31.  And... there's a $2 coupon from Rudi's waiting for you!

Here's how Rudi's describes their delicious Tortillas ...

Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks!

Pretzels are no longer a snack of the past for Celiac's.  Snyder's of Hanover has 3 certified gluten free products, including pretzel sticks, mini pretzels and tortilla chips. 

Best Gluten Free Snack Chip??

  

Lundberg Family Farms^® is a family-owned and operated business that is committed to producing the finest quality rice and rice products since 1937.   Lucky for us Celiac's, many Lundberg products are gluten free!

I went to a friends house for wine and cheese (is there a better combo?!) and was pleasantly surprised when my amazing friend advised she cautiously picked the chips and all were gluten free, especially for me!

Ginny Bakes - And I'm SO Glad She Does!

Ginny Bakes - who knew it all started in Miami Beach - where I am from?!

Ginny is a mother of four and states that she is "passionate about home cooked meals that are delicious, nutritious, whole and organic and [she feels] strongly feel that dessert should be no exception. The perfect dessert should be light- delicious, nutritious, whole and organic."

Ginny takes her baked goods seriously!  Check out the variety of products she makes here.

Ginny's baked yumminess doesn't come cheap.  This package of double chocolate happiness is $7.99 at Fresh Market, $9.99 at Epicure!  The box comes with 8 cookies.

The real question is... are Ginny's baked goods worth the hefty price tag??

Betty Lou's Just Great Stuff, Yes, it's Gluten Free!

Every time I go into a health food store, I look for gluten free products I have not yet tried. I want to know what's out there, especially if it's good!  I picked up a "Just Great Stuff" bar - Strawberry Acai flavor -- how could I go wrong??  I love both!

I have to admit, it is Just Great Stuff.

 

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough You'll LOVE

It's true. It exists. It's even frozen. I swear. I wouldn't lie about something so important. I've been searching the GLOBE for delicious chocolate chip cookies. I've found good ones. Nothing like my pre-Celiac days. That would be a difficult, if not impossible feat. Well... Keep reading!

Garden Lites, Healthy & Delicious?

Garden Lites does it all. You can taste the fresh ingredients used.  Their tag line says it all:

I'm by no means a fan of healthy cuisine. It has to taste good!  Chocolate on the other hand, I'll never discriminate against.  It takes a lot for me to eat some veges.  One would typically think something frozen, especially a vege souffle, just can't be good.

Healthy? Oh yes it is. Check out the nutrient facts and see for yourself!

Glutino Pizza Crust - Yum, Yum, Yum

Glutino makes a wide variety of gluten free products, including gluten free baking mixes, frozen meals, snacks, breads, bagels and even donuts!!  I was excited to try their gluten free pizza crust.  I've found making my own pizza is always much better than heating up a frozen pizza - this was no different.  Glutino's pizza crust was great.  

Gluten Free Ice Cream CONES!!!

When's the last time you were able to enjoy an ice cream cone???

I was overcome with excitement when I found gluten free ice cream cones at Publix!!!  I personally can't remember the last time I was able to enjoy a delicious ice cream cone.  I recall delicious waffle cones covered in chocolate (after all, my first job ever was at Ben & Jerry's, where I made yummy waffle cones daily, good memories!).

This isn't a waffle cone, but, it is a great tasting ice cream cone.   Being able to enjoy an ice cream cone is a really cool new reality for Celiac's!

Mini Pops - Gluten Free With NO HULLS!!

Mini Pops was kind enough to send me samples of their product to try. For those of you, like me, that hadn't heard of Mini Pops, no, its not popcorn, its popped sorghum!

Mini Pops has a column on its bags dedicated to educating its customers about what Sorghum is! If you can't read below, sorghum is the 5th most harvested cereal grain on the globe. In the USA, over 8 million acres of land is devoted to sorghum farming which happens to require far less water to grow than corn.

Popcorners! A Healthy, Tasty Gluten Free Snack

Popcorners, all natural, and all gluten free! I've recently found these delicious treats, and must say, I'm pleasantly surprised. As you know, finding delicious gluten free snacks can be a difficult feat. Popcorners comes in 5 flavors, white cheddar, kettle, butter, sea salt, and cheesy jalapeno. Thus far, I've tried the kettle and sea salt and do love them both. I was thrilled to receive Popcorners as an option on a Jet Blue flight, and am equally excited to see that AM theatre's is now offering a healthy snack option, including Popcorners, a bottle of water, a trail mix bar and fruit chips.

As you'll notice, every package notes that it's Gluten Free right on the front of the bag!

It's like a popcorn and a chip united and a popcorner was born. It's like no other chip you've tried. Closest to a corn chip, but, so much tastier.

Addictive, and thankfully, healthier than alternative chips. Try them and let me know what you think!

THUMBS UP for POPCORNERS!!!!

Gluten Free Chicken Tenders That Plain & Simply ROCK!

S' Better Farms, a family owned company, makes wheat free, gluten free, KOSHER and absolutely delicious chicken fingers. The chicken is not fed hormones, and is able to roam - isn't caged.  It's remarkable, they taste just like I remember them tasting - when they weren't gluten free. You don't taste a bite and say, ehh - they're ok, I still feel like I'm missing out. You say, seriously, did I just cheat on my gluten free diet??

Had to share them with you because I was so excited to finally get to try them. They were difficult for me to find. (As you can see here, they are only available in a few U.S. states - they are also available online here - but, beware of astronomical shipping costs).  Also exciting to note, is they make gluten free beef CORN DOGS and four other types of chicken.  My local publix only carries Bell & Evans gluten free chicken tenders/nuggets - which are great, but... not kosher.  For those of you in Dade or Broward County in Florida --Aroma in Coral Springs has them.  



They look like the real thing, and taste like the real thing, YUM

All ready, add ketchup and enjoy!

I am SOO happy when I find quick meal ideas.  For those of us that are exhausted coming home from work, and have no desire to cook - delicious frozen meal ideas are a great fix.  I'm happy to have found S'Better Farms, and hope it helps you as well!

THUMBS UP!!

Goya, Gluten Free Crackers!

I was REALLY pleased to see 75 year old Goya foods presenting Gluten Free Maria Cookies! It's always awesome to see a well known, renowned company jump on the gluten free bandwagon. Best of all, I found these cookies at Publix.
When I went to Goya's website to learn what other products were gluten free, I was a bit surprised to note that my gluten free searches were fruitless. Although they spent the time and money advertising Gluten Free on the box, they aren't doing the same on the website.

Goya is known for its latin foods, rice, beans, seasonings, etc. I never associated them with Gluten Free, but, was really pleasantly surprised to see these cookies.

These are corn based cookies, and are really delicious. A great snack for the afternoon - after lunch, around 3-4 p.m., I'm always hungry - I've pulled these out and have had my hunger quenched. They're filling and tasty.

Thumbs Up for Goya - I hope to see more "Gluten Free" on your labels!

The Gluten Free Expo Review, What YOU Missed!

The Celiac Disease Foundation of South Florida sponsors a Gluten Free Expo in West Palm Beach. This year, the expo took place in the West Palm Beach Fairgrounds to accommodate the larger crowd with an interest in gluten free foods. Last year, over 1,300 people attended, this year, I would definitely venture to say there were much more than 1,300.

The scene was intense, it was a free for all, samples everywhere, people crowding every booth waiting for the next heated sample to get on plates, and into our mouths.

I was most interested in products I had not yet heard of -- and below are some of my top picks. If you've been eating GF for some time, you've heard of of tried the products I've already wrote blogs on - Kinnickinnick, Rudi's, French Meadow, Schar, Glutino, Nana's, Katz's, etc. Below are products that were new to me, so I hope I can show you something also new to you!

I didn't realize Whole Foods had its own gluten free bakehouse... I now know why, all of these products are not in every store! Like everything in life, if you want it, you need to fight for it with corporate. Check out the listing of all of the products they make, impressive, huh?

Smooze makes really yummy fruit ice, its a great snack, and best of all, its shelf stable. You can freeze them, unfreeze them and freeze them again, and they remain slushy and yummy. I tried the mango and was pleasantly surprised.

When's the last time you had a quesadilla? I had one on Saturday, thanks to French Meadow. This tortilla really tasted like what I remember tortilla's are supposed to taste like. It was great! Of course, I haven't yet seen this product in my local Publix -- another one I'll need to fight for!

Frozen chicken tenders are a big favorite of mine. I really did like these. I must say Bell and Evans is still my favorite, but, these were good.

Drum roll please.... My favorite item of the day..... ONION RINGS!!! Yes, you heard me, ONION RINGS are possible!

 Ian's Onion Rings, 12-Ounce (Pack of 6)

Ian's makes delicious onion rings, and the sample we had were out of a portable oven, imagine in a deep fryer!!!

I have to say, it was truly AWESOME to have various vendors let us gluten free folk sample their creations. The feeling of knowing you can try EVERY sample in the room and not get sick (and not have to ask is this GF) is incredible!!

If you couldn't make it this year, I strongly suggest you make the drive next year, THUMBS UP!!

Rudi's GF Bread - Am I Dreaming??

Rudi's gluten-free bakery was kind enough to educate me on their products and send me a loaf of gluten-free multi grain bread to sample. Rudi's bakery has been at it 30 years and now has a gluten-free line, and for that, I am thankful!! Rudi's makes white, multi-grain and cinnamon raisin gluten-free bread.

Important to note, is Rudi's charitable side. For every dollar coupon downloaded on Rudi's website, Rudi's will donate one dollar (up to $20k) to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). Did you know there are an estimated 3 million people in the U.S. that have Celiac disease, but, only 160,000 diagnosed?? Alarming, huh? Thrilled there are socially conscious businesses, like Rudi's, that care to help make a difference...

On to the bread!

Let's just say WOOHOO!!! This multi grain bread, plain and simply R-O-C-K-S!! I have been searching for great gluten-free bread since I was diagnosed in 2010.

Best of all, it's kosher as well!

The texture feels like regular bread. Best of all, toasted with butter, it REALLY does taste like REAL bread!!! I've had non-Celiacs take a stab at this bread, and the conclusion is the same it tastes like real bread!!

Rudi's also shared some great recipes with me, that I'd like to share with you! For Gourmet Grilled Cheese and Bread Pudding, enjoy!!

I can't say enough about how thrilled I am to come across this product, thanks, Rudi's. I've already placed my recommondation to my local Publix to carry Rudi's gluten-free. Once you try it, you'll agree!

HUGE THUMBS UP FOR RUDI'S!!

Great Gluten Free Alternative to Beer - Have You Tried Woodchuck Cider??

Just because your diagnosed with Celiac disease, doesn't mean you can't have the food and beverages everyone else has - you just have to find great companies that can accommodate, GF style!

I used to love beer, at least I now know why I was so sick after having it now. Now, I LOVE cider. Woodchuck Draft Cider has lots of great flavors. My two favorites are the amber and pear, pictured below.


Woodchuck's Cider is a perfect drink when watching a football game, I bring it to tailgate parties and occasionally drink a pear one and add some blackcurrant juice just because...

It's a great drink, the amber cider tastes very similar to beer, I call it bubbly beer, its great to have the beer taste, without the gluten!

HUGE THUMBS UP for Woodchuck!!!

By Far, My FAVORITE GF Snack!!

Hello, my name is Jen, and I am a Pirate's Booty junkie. I cannot open a bag without finishing the WHOLE bag in one sitting... it's bad. I know... There really should be a support group for this.

Luckily, Pirate Brands makes healthy, DELICIOUS, snacks (so it's not that bad when you kill the bag in one sitting - and they make smaller snack size bags for junkies like myself!). Pirate's Booty and Smart Puffs (Real Wisconsin Cheddar) are my two favorites of Pirate Brands products.

For those that can't have dairy, Pirate Brands makes a vegan chip - original tings, crunchy corn chips. I have not tasted a Pirate Brands product I don't love. Look how delicious Pirate's Booty looks! You don't have a yellow dye on your hands for a week after eating it, just a nice cheese coating that you can happily lick off your fingers in seconds, with no residue.

Pirate's Booty is PERFECT, Pirate Brands gets a HUGE THUMBS UP!!!

Blueberry Muffins

Kinnikinnick makes AMAZING donuts (as I wrote in my Donuts!! Oh Yeah!! post) and has a wide variety of other great GF products. The products I have tried thus far have all been frozen, and you must microwave them before eating - which is supposed to also help the full flavor of the product come to life... (so I hear)...

In this case, I purchased the blueberry muffins above. I LOVED muffins (before Celiac disease) and really missed them, and my advise is this... If you know life as a gluten eater, frozen muffins just wont cut it. They can't, its just not possible. There are barely enough blueberries, they're small muffins, they just wont be as moist when frozen. It stinks. It's disappointing, just don't do it! I was so excited when Betty Crocker came up with a mix for brownies - they are awesome -- I hope muffin mixes that rock are next. If you know of some, let me know, please!!!!

It's an eh, thumbs sideways... When a muffin craving comes along, I'll pull one out and zinc it in the micro, it'll be months before I get through my 6 pack (oh wait... it already has been)... I'll stick to the donuts!