Gluten Free Granola: Paleo People Apple Crisp All Natural Granola

Gluten Free Granola: Paleo People Apple Crisp Granola

PRODUCT NAME:                    Apple Crisp Natural Granola

BRAND:                                   Paleo People 

COST:                                      7.90 (2-Pack)

SIZE:                                       5oz (Net Weight)

COST PER OZ:                        N/A

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                                N/A

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         California

SHELF LIFE:                             9 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 Paleo People Company is taking it back to the old school with their tasty treats. Inspired by “The Paleo Diet” by Loren Cordain, this diet relies heavily on ingredients that one would find in the cave dweller days. Essentials such as berries, fruits, spices, natural sweeteners, seeds and nuts make up for the bulk of the Paleo People food line. Completely wheat free and gluten free, this company focuses on the need for tasty, healthy snacks for the Celiacs, vegetarians, sport enthusiasts, vegans, and essentially anyone who loves wholesome, delicious food!

I did not know what to expect when I opened this bag of all natural, apple crisp flavored snack. I assumed it would be a crunchy concoction of a dried fruit and nut medley that would crunch and crisp its way through my flavor palate. Oh, how terribly wrong I was! I was surprised to find this snack to be its polar opposite! I opened the bag and was greeted with the flavorful aroma of juicy apples that pleasantly wafted through the air before digging into the bag of soft, moist morsels of apple crisp.

This particular treat has a plethora of ingredients—honey, almonds, pecans, walnuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, pumpkin seeds, dried apples, flaxseed meal, spices, cacao powder, and a natural antioxidant called “tocopherol”.  With 160 calories in each serving, each bite packs a savory mix of fruits and nuts that are chewy, moist, and soft to the touch. 

For more information about Paleo People products, visit their website at: www.paleopeople.com.  This great tasting and healthy snack also comes in a 1oz snack size bag, perfect for a great grab and go pick-me-up snack. 

Taste:  With this company only using the essentials found in cave dweller days, this apple crisp flavor is not your ordinary, sugary snack. The taste of dried apples is prominent on first bite, and since there are no artificial sweeteners to punch up the flavor, the nuts and honey sweetener are allowed to shine through and give the snack its all-natural, wholesome taste. I love the texture of this because it is soft and chewy, but at the same time very flavorful. My jaw was relieved that it would not have to work overtime to get the full experience of the nuts and fruit hidden in every delectable morsel. A great, wholesome snack for those people who do not want to crunch their way to great flavor!

Labeling:  black and green color scheme with product picture and logo on the front with nutritional information and company information printed on the back.  

Packaging:  foil/plastic ziplock bag. Serving size is ¼ cup with five servings in every 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:                     3                             

Value:                    4             

OVERALL:              3.7         

Reviewed by

Allison R.

Gluten Free Snacks: Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps Product Review #114

Gluten Free Snacks: Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps

PRODUCT NAME:                       Baked Rice Krisps

BRAND:                                      Mr. Krispers

COST:                                         $2.99

SIZE:                                           4.2oz    

COST PER OZ:                            $0.71/oz                         

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                       NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Loves Park, IL

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:

All natural…check.  Made with brown rice…check.  Wheat and gluten free…check.  Certified gluten free…check.  These are all things going for Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps.  On a recent trip to the grocery store, we ran across this snack in the gluten free section and had to try it out.  We picked up the Sour Cream & Onion flavor.  These are something like a mix between a cracker and a chip.

Mr. Krispers describes these chips as a fusion between cultures; the flavors of the West combined with the traditional baked rice snacks of the East.  Sour cream & onion is definitely a flavor of the West.  You find it on everything from chips to fresh baked pretzels.  We thought it went great on these Baked Rice Krisps although we thought it was just a little overpowering.  Brown rice has flavor on its own so any flavoring that is added should be to enhance the brown rice flavor, not overpower it.  Other than that, the texture of these Baked Rice Krisps is great.  It is light and airy and extremely crispy.  If you aren’t careful, you can easily kill the entire bag in 1 sitting. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

Mr. Krispers has done a great job with these Baked Rice Krisps.  Rice has a lot of health benefits and is a way to add fiber to your diet.  While these chips aren’t entirely good for you, with how good it tastes, we like to think it is.  The serving size is about 34 chips which seems like a pretty good amount.  Each serving contains 120 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, and 2 grams of protein. The one thing that jumps out at me is the 370 milligrams of sodium.  I think with a little tweaking of the flavoring, they can get that number down a little. 

Overall, we loved these Baked Rice Krisps.  The flavor is great and the texture is perfect.  Our only complaint is that at $0.71/oz they are priced a little on the high side.  If you’re going to base your purchase on flavor and texture alone, these will definitely be at the top of the list.  For more information about this product, visit the Mr. Krispers website at: www.mrkrispers.com. 

Taste: These Baked Rice Krisps taste great.  They have the perfect light and crispy texture with a very nice sour cream and onion flavor.  The seasoning is a little overpowering, so you might want to keep a glass of water handy for when you eat this. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this snack is simple and easy to read.  They give you all the important information in easy to read lists. 

Packaging:  The packaging is your typical chip package. 

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:                     4             

Value:                    2

OVERALL:              3.7

Reviewed  4/26/11 by Calvin C. 

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #16: Shelf Life of Gluten Free Products

After you peruse the grocery aisles and take home your favorite gluten-free foods, have you noticed that some of them spoil much faster than their gluten-containing counterparts? Believe it or not, besides being tasty, food is a science. Even though they're sometimes unrecognizable on the label, every ingredient has a purpose. When food manufacturers make a gluten-free version of a food, it changes the entire recipe, and can affect the shelf life as well.

Gluten-free bread is one food that is most susceptible to spoilage. Since bread's main ingredient is wheat flour (i.e. tons of gluten), food producers must use various combinations of gluten-free flour to create breads for the gluten intolerant community. The issue is that these newly substituted flours may spoil faster than wheat flour if they are left in the wrong environment. For example, both brown rice flour and soy flour contain more oil than wheat flour. If more fat is present in the flour, then its chances of going rancid quickly increase. Another flour made from millet is sometimes used in GF breads. This flour won't necessarily go rancid, but it will cause the bread to absorb more moisture if it's left out. Added moisture is one factor that can also make food spoil (think about how long dried fruit lasts).

Usually, gluten-free breads should last about seven to 10 days at room temperature. This shelf life is usually true for other flour-containing GF products, too, like cookies or cakes. If you want your foods to last longer, then place them in the fridge or freezer and only thaw out the serving you need each time. Freezing the bread should extend the shelf life by months.

If you are searching for longer lasting gluten-free foods, then try to shift your focus to foods where no flour substitutions have been made (e.g. not breads). Obviously there are plenty of gluten-free foods that occur naturally. Eat foods like nuts, fruits, lean meats, or dairy products and store the foods as you usually would.

By Julia L.  

Gluten Free Mixes: Sof'ella All Purpose Baking Mix - Product Review #96

Gluten Free Mixes: Sof'ella All Purpose Baking Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                     All Purpose Baking Mix

BRAND:                                    Sof’ella Gourmet Natural Foods 

COST:                                      $5.10

SIZE:                                        16oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.32/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          UKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          CALIFORNIA

SHELF LIFE:                              2 Years                        

*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:

Man, it’s difficult to find good pancake mixes that aren’t gluten free. We’ve reviewed Sof’ella products before, so I was excited to bust open this beautiful box of mix  that they sent to us to try– their chocolate cake was lusciously moist and super satisfying.  The Sof’ella crew got it right again with this all-purpose baking flour, which promises to create everything from fluffy pancakes to cookies to gorgeous muffins.

The brand promises products that are “both rich and moist without the gritty or artificial taste associated with most gluten free flours.” Not to be cheesy, but they’re pretty right on.  I made the amount of batter recommended in the instructions on the back of the box, which turned out to be immense. I proceeded to make one large, fluffy pancake that morning then saved the remaining batter for a family breakfast the next day. The batter managed to feed a family of three multiple pancakes – and I’m pretty sure I could have stretched the batter out even more with a couple of tablespoons of water.

The batter called for one large egg, 1½ cups of water and 1 tablespoon of oil. With an egg substitute or two egg whites, you could have a stack of cakes virtually free of fat, cholesterol and animal byproducts. The batter was thick, and became even thicker overnight, which had an impact, obviously, on the girth and texture of the cake. While I prefer a more hefty meal, some diners requested that the batter be made thinner – simply a matter of personal preference.  In terms of value, the amount of batter was substantial, and there is still enough mix in the bag for another round, though probably not enough for cookies or muffins.

I primed a nonstick pan with butter before doling out a mound of batter. The mix was thick enough that I had to smooth and flatten it into a pancake shape with the spatula. The box recommends that you watch for little bubbles to form on top before you flip, just like normal pancakes, but don’t wait too long. I saw a few bubbles, but not nearly the amount you would see with traditional batter.

Pancakes made with Sof'ella Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix

I simply peeked underneath for that golden brown color, and flipped when I thought it sufficient. All in all, one medium-sized cake took about 3-4 minutes. The butter really soaks in during the cooking process to create a fantastic crunch, so I didn’t add any more once the cake was cooked. A couple tablespoons of jam or syrup, and you’re good to go.  The taste was simply amazing. Sweet hints of vanilla even suggest a faint trace of buttermilk, although there is no such ingredient in the mix. Heck, there isn’t even milk! Even with such a thick pancake, the inside was fully cooked and fluffy as can be. The texture wasn’t gummy or gritty, and it soaked up the syrup perfectly.  Both family members (disclaimer: they are not gluten intolerant and unused to the unique tastes and textures of alternative flours) thought the cakes were “surprisingly good,” and truly enjoyed their meal. When asked if they wanted seconds, both refused, but I prefer to think that two pancakes were more than filling and they just couldn’t eat another bite.

Not that I’m a calorie counter, but I loath to eat heavy breakfasts. To me, eating heavily in the morning slows things down for the entire day. Plus, I like food so much and I prefer to spread meals out into several delicious encounters throughout. So, my favorite part of Sof’ella’s pancakes have to be the ingredients. The mix itself contains zero fat and only 200 calories per 8-inches of prepared pancake. With a small amount of butter and a bit of jam, this is a piping hot, delicious breakfast that I can whip up quickly without feeling weighed down.

Pancakes are no longer a Sunday-only meal! Batter can even be prepared the day before and refrigerated overnight. With a slather of peanut or almond butter and a drizzle of honey, this might just be a new pre-workout ritual.

Check out www.sofellafoods.com for recipes and high altitude baking tips. 

Taste: Fabulous crunch on the outside, with a fluffy center. The batter contains just the right traces of vanilla and buttermilk, which is strange because buttermilk is not on the ingredient list.

Labeling: Beautiful photo of all the potential baked goods one could make from this base on the front of the box: pancakes, muffins, waffles and cookies. While I have only tried the pancakes, I do believe all things are possible with this sweet flour. Ingredients and directions are easy to read. Their Web site is also super navigable and highly recommended for tips and

Packaging: Paper bag in a cardboard box. Both are recyclable and the bag is easily sealed with a clip, ready for later use.

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:                  4

OVERALL:            4.7

Reviewed 3/24/11 by Mallory L.

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #13: Certified Gluten Free

As you gather more gluten-free favorites (from our reviews), you may notice that a few have seals that certify them as “gluten-free” by different organizations. Since buying gluten-free products can have its risks, these organizations want to make shopping easier for people with gluten intolerance.

The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is probably one of the more well-known groups out there. It’s a certification program run by the Gluten Intolerance Group, which is a non-profit that supports people who are sensitive to gluten. The GFCO put its “GF Certification Mark” on products that meet a certain sets of requirements. Companies can start the GFCO certification process by first applying. After being accepted into the application process, the Gluten-Free Certification Organization will go to the manufacturing plant to inspect it and test for gluten in the environment. Then the product is tested and it must contain less than 10 ppm gluten. In order for the company to maintain the gluten-free seal on its product, it must agree to random product testing and plant inspections. The company and GFCO also have to renew this agreement annually.

The GFCO is just one program that was established to certify gluten-free products; there are also other gluten intolerance support groups that have set up their own certification programs. One such group is the Celiac Sprue Association (CSA), a large non-profit celiac support group that was started in 1977. The CSA has much more stringent requirements than most other groups. Testing, done at the lab of the University of Nebraska Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, must show that products contain less than 5 ppm gluten. That is less than a quarter of the gluten level proposed by the FDA (20ppm). The Celiac Sprue Association also reviews the ingredient list and their sources, especially harder-to-trace ingredients like vinegar or vanilla extract. They check how the product is being processed, the manufacturer’s plan to keep allergens out of the food, and even the materials being used in the packaging.

These seals and certifications aim to make eating and grocery shopping easier and less stressful for consumers with gluten intolerance. Next time you’re in the store, check out a few of your favorite products to see if they are sporting any of these seals!

Gluten Free Cake: Shabtai Gourmet Raspberry Roll - Product Review #86

Gluten Free Cake: Shabtai Gourmet Raspberry Roll

PRODUCT NAME:                         Raspberry Roll

BRAND:                                        Shabtai Gourmet

COST:                                           $7.29

SIZE:                                             12oz                      

COST PER OZ:                              $0.61/oz        

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              New York

*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:
Recently, Shabtai Gourmet sent us some treats to try.  One of them was their Gluten Free Raspberry Roll.  It came freshly baked sealed in plastic to keep it fresh.  Shabtai Gourmet’s Raspberry roll consists of yellow cake with raspberry filling which is then rolled in coconut. 

There is a lot going for this Raspberry roll.  It is gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, soy free, casein free, lactose free, corn free, certified kosher and contains no preservatives.  It’s just about all the things a health conscious person looks for in a product.  Those of you with severe allergies, you will be happy to hear that all the ingredients that enter their facility are gluten free, casein free, lactose free, soy free, and dairy free. 

When I think of a raspberry roll, I imagine a roll that is moist and spongy with a sweet filling.  Shabtai Gourmet did a great job with the filling.  It was sweet and sticky just like I expected it to be.  As for the cake, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.  It was powdery and flakey and just a tad dry.   

Shabtai has a lot to offer.  They have put a lot of care and effort into their baked goods.  If you have a sweet tooth and you like a healthy product you can count on, this is the product for you.  For a full list of retailers, visit Shabtai Gourmet’s website at: www.shabtai-gourmet.com

Taste: The filling was nice and sweet and the cake was powdery and flakey and just a little dry.  The moisture from the filling helped the overall texture to come together.  The coconut sprinkled over the outer layer was also a nice touch.  

Labeling:  The labeling was very simple however the font was not very clear and a little small. 

Packaging:  Shrink wrapped roll placed in a plastic bakery container. 

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:                    2

OVERALL:              2.3

Reviewed 030911 by Calvin C.