Gluten Free Macaroons: Wonderfully Raw Chocolate CocoRoons

PRODUCT NAME:                      Chocolate Cocoroons

COMPANY NAME:                      Wonderfully Raw

COST:                                        $8.25

SIZE:                                           6 oz

COST PER OZ:                           $1.38/oz                     

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          NA

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          NA

VEGAN:                                      YES                             

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            No

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            NA     

SHELF LIFE:                                4 months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.         

REVIEW:

Taste: 

I am not exactly a sweet treat type of person. Sugar freaks me out (HELLO, blood sugar spike and crash), agave nectar has become controversial, honey is of questionable nature in the land of vegans, high fructose corn syrup seems basically akin to the devil, and splenda and aspartame are chemicals that I simply do not do. In steps our friend maple syrup.

For all my uptight food particularities, I cannot seem to find anything wrong with maple syrup. It provides a delightful depth and rich sweetness, it comes from our pal the tree, and it doesn’t seem to mess with my energy the way other sweeteners do. With my structure of rules, you can imagine my delight when Wonderfully Raw’s Chocolate Cocoroons arrived on my desk. A sweet treat without all the drama? Sign me up!

 

Like many staples of my diet, the ingredient list in this treat is extremely short (Dried coconut, almond flour, cacao, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt) but the taste of the sum of its parts is so much more. In fact, it is completely divine. The blend of almond, cacao, vanilla, and coconut creates a beautifully nuanced flavor that hits the tongue in tiers of deliciousness. There is complexity in each bite and as you chew you delve further and further into the bursts of each taste experience. The blend of these flavors is a delightful journey of the senses-one that I absolutely want to go on again and again and again!

Building on the deliciousness of the taste, is the excitement of the texture. The amalgamation of coconut oil and dried coconut gives way to incredible windows of textural decadence. I could not pick a more perfect combo of creamy and rough to dip in chocolate. The hint of sea salt at the end caps the experience off with a hint of mystery. Basically, it leaves you satisfied due to the richness with one little bite.

I very much appreciate the nutrition information of this product. Ive noticed that many raw foods companies avoid taking the extra step to find the information out, and Wonderfully Raw takes on the task head on. In addition to having the information actually available, they have created a product that feels like dessert on an incredibly low calorie scale. Each truffle sized bite is 76 calories, and will curb craving for a good long while. Those who count calories or live their life with an emphasis on health will love these, but even your standard chocoholic dessert addict will enjoy.

Labeling: Labeling on this product was very sufficient. All nutrition information was clear and present.

Packaging: The packaging of this product was a solid Ziploc style plastic bag and it is my one complaint about the product. A compostable, or at least recyclable container seems more in line with the companies views.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:           5

Taste:               5         

Value:              3

OVERALL:        4.3

Reviewed  by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Snacks: Nutty Bean Co. Pepper & Spice Chick Pz

PRODUCT NAME:                      Pepper & Spice Chick Pz

BRAND:                                     NUTTY BEAN CO

COST:                                        $3.75

SIZE:                                          3 OZ

COST PER OZ:                           $1.25/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            SAN JOSE, CA

SHELF LIFE:                               1 YEAR

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
I was very excited to try Nutty Bean Company’s ChickPz Pepper and Spice flavored snacks because I love chickpeas in hummus, on salads, or straight out of the can and I had never tried chickpeas roasted as a snack. Usually, when I crave a protein rich snack, I reach for raw almonds or mixed nuts and ChickPz provides a unique alternative. ChickPz are naturally filled with all the good stuff like protein, fiber, iron, and other vitamins and minerals, so they are very healthy. They are also low fat and convenient to eat on the go.

Nutty Bean Co is a local, bay area company, based out of San Jose and creates chickpea based snacks in a variety of eclectic flavors, from savory to sweet. Although counter-intuitive, the chickpea may function better as a roasted, sweet treat than a savory and spicy one. The Pepper and Spice variety had a great flavor which made me nostalgic for savory, wheat-filled chips like Sun Chips or Wheat Thins, which I am unable to enjoy with a wheat free diet, but was a little too chalky for my taste. While some would find these snacks to be somewhat dry straight from the bag, you can’t go wrong to use them as a protein packed addition to a leafy, raw vegetable salad with your favorite gluten free dressing.
 
Taste: These chickpeas were tasty and slightly spicy, flavored with cumin, pepper, and sea salt.

Labeling: The graphic design was cute and presented these snacks as healthy and natural. There was a label on the back containing the ingredients, allergen information, and nutrition facts. Although these snacks are safe for celiacs, there was no obvious statement or seal proclaiming the ChickPz as a gluten free snack.

Packaging: The ChickPz were in a plastic zip-lock style bag with three, 100 calorie servings inside.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                2

Taste:                    3

Value:                   4

OVERALL:             3

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Cookies: Blessing's Alive & Radiant Foods Mega Chai Raweo

PRODUCT NAME:                 Mega Chai Raweo

BRAND:                                Blessing's Alive & Radiant Foods

COST:                                   $3.50

SIZE:                                     3OZ

COST PER OZ:                      $1.17/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:    NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:     N/A

ORGANIC:                             YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:     N/A

VEGAN:                                 NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:      YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:      EMERYVILLE, CA

SHELF LIFE:                          6-8 MONTHS

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Blessing’s Alive & Radiant Foods sent us another great flavor of their Raweo cookies. Like the a classic sandwich cookie, The Mega Chai Raweo featured two cookies made of dehydrated cashews sandwiched with a creamy, soaked almond filling in the middle. Infused with Chai Essence and made with all organic ingredients like coconut and honey, these large cookies would be suitable as a small meal on the go. 

Soft and flavorful, the Mega Chai Raweo is packed with 3 grams of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, making these tasty cookies an incredibly healthy alternative to an Oreo cookie. If you are on a low-calorie diet, watch out! This cookie has a whopping 360 calories. According to the nutrition facts, which are available on their website, a serving size is a third of a cookie. However, I found it difficult to stop eating the cookie until it was fully consumed because it was so sweet and delicious. It also made me feel really good and full of energy after snacking, even though I ate beyond the recommended serving size.

While, the name Raweo is a cute, and clever pun (and boy do I love puns!), the name Raweo may be a misnomer, because the consistency and moistness reminded me more of a coconut macaroon than an Oreo cookie. A really healthy, power packed coconut macaroon. Alive and Radiant Foods is a really nice business and the products they create meet every check on my list of ideal companies which I am proud to support: they are strictly gluten free, vegetarian, organic, and local to the bay area.

For more information about Blessing’s Alive and Radiant Foods’ unique products, visit their website at http://www.blessingsaliveandradiantfoods.com/

Taste: Aromatic and fresh, these cookies tasted delicious and had a similar consistency to a macaroon cookie.

Labeling: The label did not have as much information as I would have liked. While they stated their ingredients and an allergy warning, they did not provide Nutrition Facts. However all of this information was available on their website.

Packaging: The single cookie was packaged inside of a plastic bag.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:           4

Taste:               4

Value:              3

OVERALL:        3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Snacks: Nutty Bean Co. Dark Chocolate Chick Pz

PRODUCT NAME:                     Dark Chocolate Chick Pz

BRAND:                                    Nutty Bean Co.

COST:                                       $3.75

SIZE:                                        3oz (Net Weight)

COST PER OZ:                         $1.25/oz 

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO 

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        NA 

ORGANIC:                                NO 

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         NA

VEGAN:                                     NO          

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          NO 

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          SAN JOSE 

SHELF LIFE:                             12 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

The deliciously understated chickpea has been given a makeover with Nutty Bean Co’s Chick Pz snacks.  These unique snacks were the result of a husband and wife team trying to create a snack that was both healthy, full of flavor, and a fusion of different elements from many cultures around the world. They discovered that roasted chick peas were already a popular snack in the Mediterranean, India, and Latin America. After figuring out how to roast chickpeas themselves, they were also challenged with the task of creating recopies that would make these crunchy snacks flavorful and healthy. From the encouragement of family and friends that were  the initial guinea pigs to these unique snacks, Nutty Bean Co. launched in early 2010.

With the company still in its infancy, each package is hand-made, and served in small portions. The mission of the Nutty Bean Co. is to, “provide the healthiest all natural products by using the freshest highest quality ingredients that meet or exceed the needs of today's health conscious consumer”. I fully believe this is a testament they hold true, as their products are simple, yet high in quality which makes for a delicious and nutritious snack.

Taste:  The dark chocolate flavor has to be my favorite of the bunch. There are only two ingredients in this particular recipe—dry roasted chickpeas and a semi-sweet chocolate glaze that is made from sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin, and natural flavor. The soft, sweet chocolaty exterior is the perfect introduction to the palate before hitting the smoky, dry toasted chickpea interior in each bite. On first taste, the dark chocolate melts to reveal another unique layer of flavor to this one of a kind snack that makes it adventurous and enjoyable. I like how the texture changes from a soft and chewy outside to a hard and crunchy inside, as each piece provides flavors that are able to complement each other. It’s also a bit easier on the conscience because even though these snacks look more like candy than a healthy, nutritious alternative, it is defiantly a better choice.

Labeling:  Sticker with logo and product name on front, sticker with nutritional value on the back.

Packaging:  small, clear plastic ziplock bag. Serving size is 1oz with 3 servings per bag. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                3                             

Taste:                    4                             

Value:                   4             

OVERALL:             3.7             

Reviewed by

Allison R.

Gluten Free Snacks: Nutty Bean Co. Honey Roasted Chick Pz

PRODUCT NAME:                       Honey Roasted Chick Pz

BRAND:                                      Nutty Bean Co.  

COST:                                         $3.75

SIZE:                                           3oz (Net Weight)

COST PER OZ:                            $1.25/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO        

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A       

ORGANIC:                                   NO                        

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A       

VEGAN:                                      NO                        

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            NO        

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            SAN JOSE            

SHELF LIFE:                               12 Months         

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.            

REVIEW:
The deliciously understated chickpea has been given a makeover with Nutty Bean Co’s Chick Pz snacks.  These unique snacks were the result of a husband and wife team trying to create a snack that was both healthy, full of flavor, and a fusion of different elements from many cultures around the world. They discovered that roasted chick peas were already a popular snack in the Mediterranean, India, and Latin America. After figuring out how to roast chickpeas themselves, they were also challenged with the task of creating recopies that would make these crunchy snacks flavorful and healthy. From the encouragement of family and friends that were  the initial guinea pigs to these unique snacks, Nutty Bean Co. launched in early 2010.

With the company still in its infancy, each package is hand-made, and served in small portions. The mission of the Nutty Bean Co. is to, “provide the healthiest all natural products by using the freshest highest quality ingredients that meet or exceed the needs of today's health conscious consumer”. I fully believe this is a testament they hold true, as their products are simple, yet high in quality which makes for a delicious and nutritious snack.

For more information about Nutty Bean Co. products and locations to buy this delicious snack, visit www.nuttybeanco.com.

Taste:  The honey roasted flavor has the taste and texture comparable to that of a honey roasted peanut.  With only dry roasted chickpeas, sugar, honey, corn starch, sea salt and xanthan gum as the ingredients, this snack offers a healthy solution that is also appetizing. The chalky consistency provides the right amount of earthy, savory flavor to balance out the sweet coasting of honey and sugar used to season the snack. Though not as crunchy or hard in texture like that of a peanut, these chickpeas provide an alternative to such when snacking. For the adventurous ones that do not want to stray too far from the popular honey roasted flavor used in various nut medleys, these chickpeas are a great substitute. 

Labeling:  Sticker with logo and product name on front, sticker with nutritional value on the back.

Packaging:  small, clear plastic ziplock bag. Serving size is 1oz with 3 servings per bag. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                3                             

Taste:                    4                             

Value:                   4             

OVERALL:             3.7             

Reviewed by

Allison R.

Gluten Free Pasta: Annie's Homegrown Gluten Free Rice Pasta & Cheddar

PRODUCT NAME:                      Annie’s Rice Pasta & Cheddar

BRAND:                                     Annie’s Homegrown

COST:                                        $2.99

SIZE:                                          6 oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.49 per oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         NA

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         NA

VEGAN:                                     NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           California

SHELF LIFE:                              1 Year   

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese is a staple, wonderful and delicious comfort food.  Not going to lie, I lived on the stuff before my doctor informed me that a bunch of my health problems were due to a gluten allergy.  Mac and cheese was one of those things that I very bitterly gave up.  Well, no fears!  This Gluten free Macaroni and Cheese is AMAZING and just as satisfying as I remember the original being.  Hallelujah!

The instructions are the same: boil pasta, drain, mix in milk and cheese, stir and enjoy.  Personally, I cannot do too much dairy so adding a ¼ cup milk was a little bit scary, so instead, I decided to try it with some almond milk that I had in the fridge.  I even had my gluten/dairy-eating roommate try it and we both agree that it was a delicious alternative.  The texture of the rice pasta is good, but like with all rice pastas, be careful not to over-cook it.  The noodles are substantial and hold up well without being rubbery or mushy.  The cheese is creamy and binds to the pasta really well and overall makes for one tasty dish where I certainly don’t feel like I am sacrificing taste, aroma or texture to be gluten free. 

The ingredients are simple and there is no horrific amount of calories or salt or anything you need to be too worried about for eating a comfort food.  The value is pretty good too, but considering the regular mac and cheese is a dollar less, I take that with a grain of salt.  $2.99 is still not that bad.  Regardless, this is certainly something I am going to continue to keep in my cupboard for those evenings where mac and cheese is the only things that fits my needs.  This is also something that can be shared with gluten-eating friends as well as it is just as creamy and delicious as the original. 

Check out Annie’s website for other flavors and more info:  www.annies.com

Taste:  good solid noodles and creamy cheese.  Delicious.

Labeling:  clear Gluten free label with recognizable Annie’s logo

Packaging: blue box with individual packet of cheese amongst the dry noodles

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5                             

Taste:                     5                             

Value:                    3             

OVERALL:              4.3         

Reviewed by

Krisztina Lazar

Gluten Free Cookies: Cookies Con Amore Amaretti Cookies

PRODUCT NAME:                       Amaretti Cookies

BRAND:                                     Cookies Con Amore

COST:                                        $5.99

SIZE:                                          6oz

COST PER OZ:                           $1.00oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

VEGAN:                                     YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           VISTA, CA

SHELF LIFE:                              3 MONTHS

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Cookies con Amore, which translates to Cookies with Love, produces unique cookies based on old, Italian recipes passed down from generation to generation. Using only fresh quality ingredients and time tested recipes, they make delicious, traditional Italian treats. Unlike many gluten free products on the market, the Amaretti cookie is not a newly created wheat free alternative, it is, and always has been made without gluten. 

Amaretti is the Italian word for macaroon, but is unlike the macaroon cookies that I am used to eating. I usually think of a macaroon as a cookie made from coconut, egg whites and honey, but these cookies were not like that at all. Amaretti cookies are more like the original macaroon, which refers to an airy, baked treat usually made with ground almonds or coconut. Crisp, but not hard, these Italian cookies reminded me of biscotti and are traditionally served with a dessert wine. Due to egg whites and powered sugar as prominent ingredients, the amaretti cookies were light and fluffy with a strong almond-y taste and had crunchy sugar crystals on top. The folks at Cookies con Amore add extra amaretto and orange extracts to bring out the flavor of the ground almonds. These unique cookies made without preservatives are crisp on the outside and relatively soft on the inside.

I found these cookies to be a delicious, unique treat. I was surprised by their rich flavor and relieved that they weren’t too hard, heavy, or filling. However, if you have severe allergies, beware! Cookies con Amore makes traditional Italian sweets, which means that the other cookies they produce contain gluten-rich ingredients, and cross contamination is a definite possibility. 

Taste:  Almond-y, light and sweet, these cookies were a delicious snack. The ingredients they contain are minimal, but unique which attributes to its rich taste and makes these sweets more of a delicacy than your average cookie.

Labeling: A big, obvious label is posted on the outside of the package stating that these cookies are non gluten and have no cholesterol. There is a label that gives information about the cookies, their Italian authenticity, nutrition facts, and ingredients.

Packaging: The cookies are packaged in a clear plastic, clam-style box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:          3

Taste:              5

Value:             3

OVERALL:       3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Snacks: Nutty Bean Co. Sesame Crunch Chick Pz

PRODUCT NAME:                        Sesame Crunch Chick Pz

BRAND:                                       Nutty Bean Co. 

COST:                                          $3.75 

SIZE:                                            3oz (Net Weight)

COST PER OZ:                             $1.25

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            N/A

ORGANIC:                                    N/A

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            N/A

VEGAN:                                        NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             San Jose

SHELF LIFE:                                12 Months

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

The deliciously understated chick pea has been given a makeover with Nutty Bean Co’s Chick Pz snacks.  These unique snacks were the result of a husband and wife team trying to create a snack that was both healthy, full of flavor, and a fusion of different elements from many cultures around the world. They discovered that roasted chick peas were already a popular snack in the Mediterranean, India, and Latin America. After figuring out how to roast chick peas themselves, they were also challenged with the task of creating recopies that would make these crunchy snacks flavorful and healthy. From the encouragement of family and friends that were  the initial guinea pigs to these unique snacks, Nutty Bean Co. launched in early 2010.

With the company still in its infancy, each package is hand-made, and served in small portions. The mission of the Nutty Bean Co. is to, “provide the healthiest all natural products by using the freshest highest quality ingredients that meet or exceed the needs of today's health conscious consumer”. I fully believe this is a testament they hold true, as their products are simple, yet high in quality which makes for a delicious and nutritious snack.

Taste:  The sesame crunch flavor is sweet and crunchy on the outside, with a burst of roasted chick pea earthiness on the inside. Since the sesame seeds are toasted and the chick peas are roasted, they provide a smoky layer of flavor to the sweet honey and sugar. These opposing characteristics to the spectrum of flavor complement each other very well, and provide a unique flavor that will keep your taste buds on their toes.

Labeling:  Sticker with logo and product name on front, sticker with nutritional value on the back.

Packaging:  small, clear plastic ziplock bag. Serving size is 1oz with 3 servings per bag. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:               4                             

Taste:                   4                             

Value:                  4             

OVERALL:            4             

Reviewed by Allison R.

GFR Grocery: Miglet's Cupcakes Now Available!

Let's have a PARTY! MIGLET'S is here!  GFR Grocery now offers delicious, scrumptious, gluten free + vegan Miglet's Cupcakes in 2 sizes, mini and regular.  They are perfect for your gluten free party!  Call us to order!  We offer home delivery too!

Gluten Free Cookies: Caveman Bakery Alpine Caveman Cookies

Gluten Free Cookies: Alpine Caveman Cookies

PRODUCT NAME:                       Alpine Caveman Cookies

BRAND:                                      Caveman Bakery     

COST:                                         $5.45

SIZE:                                           3.4 oz (6 cookies)

COST PER OZ:                            $0.62 per cookie

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   NO     

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            New York, NY

SHELF LIFE:                               1 Year

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.            

REVIEW:

Today, we have Alpine Caveman Cookies up for review.  They are hearty little snacks made of honey, hazelnut meal, almond meal and toasted ground carob.  That’s it!  Hurray for simple, good and tasty ingredients with no hidden unhealthy additives.  Being Caveman snacks, the website promotes a “paleolithic” diet, which according to them means, simple, natural basic ingredients.  I’m all for it.

Nutrition Facts

The cookies are a half ounce each so they are pretty small, but they are certainly satisfying.  They are surprisingly filling too so they make a great grab and go snack.  These Caveman cookies are pretty healthy cookie alternatives, packing a respectable 1.5g of protein and 4.5g of fat, .25g saturated, per cookie.  I am a fairly healthy eater and if I am going to splurge on something sweet, I try to get things with simple ingredients.  These definitely fit the bill .

These little cookies make a great sweet pick-me-up snack to get you through the day.  I recommend spreading peanut or almond butter on them for an extra protein kick.  They have a really nice hazelnut flavor that blends well with the carob.  It reminds me of Nutella without the chocolate.  I’ve found some things with carob to be a little pasty and this is definitely not.  It is smooth tasting with a nutty, slightly chunky texture.  They come in individually wrapped packaging that is easy to throw in a purse or gym bag for whenever you need it. 

Check out the website for other flavors and more info:  www.cavemancookies.com

Taste:  Simple, tasty, Nutella-like with nutty chunks

Labeling:  Cute Cavemen logo

Packaging: Simple brown paper bag with catchy caveman label.  The cookies are individual plastic wrappers.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:               3.5                         

Taste:                   4                             

Value:                  2             

OVERALL:            3.2         

Reviewed by

Krisztina L.

Gluten Free Granola: Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters & Love

Gluten Free Granola: Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness

PRODUCT NAME:                    Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters & Love

BRAND:                                   Love Grown Foods

COST:                                      $4.99 

SIZE:                                       12oz (Net Weight) 

COST PER OZ:                         $0.42oz            

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       YES 

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        GFCO

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                    N/A

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         COLORADO

SHELF LIFE:                             6 Months        

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.            

REVIEW:

The Love Grown Foods Company is all about making delicious foods that will inspire or supplement a healthy lifestyle. Their belief is that the consumer should be able to pronounce every single ingredient in a product and that the food will taste amazing. Love Grown Foods strives to only use the purest products and wholesome ingredients that are delicious and affordable.  They also take great pride in their recipes and even claim they are made with love (hence the company name) and reflect the importance of a wholesome diet along with an active lifestyle.

With several flavors in the Oat Clusters & Love line, Cocoa Goodness is one of the flavors on the sweeter side. The front of the bag boasts five ingredients in this particular mix—gluten-free toasted oats, honey, agave, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate. However, when looking at the back of the bag there are a few added ingredients such as canola oil, sunflower seeds, and sea salt. Still all natural ingredients, so rest assured they are not sneaking anything strange inside the bag.

When consumed straight from the bag, this chocolaty oat cluster assortment is a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. The back of the bag suggests adding it to a trail mix or paring it with milk to make it a sweet morning treat. I have yet to try it with milk, but I assume since there are morsels of dark chocolate tossed around with the oat clusters, the milk itself would turn into an additional sweet cocoa beverage to finish off post-cereal consumption.

Taste:  I love oat clusters in general, and this particular flavor from Love Grown Foods did not disappoint. There is often a need to add chemicals or sweeteners to other chocolate flavored oat medleys I’ve tried, and this is where things can get a bit too sweet. The cocoa goodness oat clusters, however, have the perfect blend of cocoa powder and toasted oats. The 63% dark chocolate morsels add the right amount of sweetness and do not overpower the palate while crunching away at the oat clusters. Overall, I liked this product by itself, but I could see how it would be a perfect addition to trail mixes or plain yogurt. I never knew chocolaty snacks could be so delicious and healthy at the same time!  

Labeling:  brown and white color scheme with product logo on the front and nutritional information and company information printed on the back.

Packaging:  clear, plastic ziplock bag. Serving size is ¼ cup with eleven servings in each bag.   

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:               4                             

Taste:                   5                             

Value:                  3             

OVERALL:            4             

Reviewed by Allison R.

Gluten Free Baking Crumbs: Kinnikinnick Graham Style Crumbs

Gluten Free Baking Crusts: Kinnikinnick Graham Style Crumbs

PRODUCT NAME:                    Graham Style Crumbs

BRAND:                                   Kinnikinnick

COST:                                      $5.29

SIZE:                                       10.5oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.50/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO     

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          ALBERTA CANADA

SHELF LIFE:                             UNKNOWN 

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Kinnikinnick Foods has been continuously providing delicious gluten free alternatives to celiacs and gluten intolerant individuals for the last fifteen years. As one of the first widely distributed gluten-free companies, Kinnikinnick specializes in creating delicious baked goods similar in texture, taste, and appearance to forbidden, but greatly missed foods like Oreo-style sandwich cookies, pancake mix, and donuts. Kinnikinnick’s dedicated gluten free facility offers a variety of safe foods that help improve, instead of degrade the health of celiacs.

Kinnikinnick has created yet another great tasting alternative for at home cooks with Graham Style Crumbs. These crumbs work great as an ice cream topping, pie crust, or as a cheese cake crust, which is how I enjoyed them. I made the subtly lemon infused cheesecake from the recipe on the back of the box and it was as delicious as I expected. I have tried Kinnikinnick’s products before, namely their KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies, which were so yummy that I ate the entire package in one sitting.

Nutrition Facts

The Lemon Cheesecake was beyond decedent, with ricotta cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese as well as fresh squeezed lemon juice and lots of lemon zest. Topped with fresh whipped cream and raspberries this cake was served with coffee and made a great dessert following a light meal.  Kinnikinnick’s excellent graham style crumb crust was buttery and caramely. I would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a wheat-filled graham cracker crumb crust and this alternative. Made with natural flours, starches, and sugars like pea and potato starch, rice flour, brown sugar, and molasses this crust was not only tasty, but also whole grain. It contains no preservatives, so make sure to store any uneaten crumbs in a cool and dry place. The package had enough crumbs to make one crust with a little less than a cup left over, perfect for topping an ice cream sundae.

Having a strict gluten free diet can often times be tough.  When I am presented with cheesecake, I would have to reluctantly scrape the cake from the crust, being careful not to take the pesky (and poison) glutinous crumbs with it.  The last time I attended a birthday party where cheesecake was served, a gracious friend made me a couple mini-cakes with no crust.  Kinnikinnick’s Graham Style Crumb crust made it possible for me to happily enjoy the entire cake, crust and all without risk of contamination.

Taste: These graham style crumbs tasted just the way I remembered the originals tasting. They were crumbly, buttery and rich and kept their taste and consistency well after the cheesecake was baked and cooled.

Labeling: The box is minimally designed and clearly labeled with dairy free, nut free, and gluten free on the front of the package. It has a picture of a cheesecake on the front, and a recipe for the cake on the back as well as nutrition facts, ingredients, and a little bit of information about the company.

Packaging: The crumbs are stored inside a plastic bag within a cardboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:          5

Taste:              5

Value:             3

OVERALL:       4.3

Reviewed by Jennie L.