Gluten Free Cookies: Alive and Radiant Foods Thumbalina Cookie

PRODUCT NAME:                       Thumbalina Cookie

COMPANY NAME:                       Alive and Radiant Foods

COST:                                         $3.00

SIZE:                                           1.5 oz

COST PER OZ:                            $2.00                      

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           Unknown

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Emeryville, CA           

SHELF LIFE:                                 2 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: 

Upon being presented with this item I could only think one thing: To call this product a cookie is quite a stretch. Although Alive and Radiant foods really does give it their all in trying to recreate the relative shape of your standard thumbprint style cookie, that is about the only comparison I can comfortably make. The appearance of this cookie is odd, to say the least. The outer cookie part is the shocking green that, in my time as a health foodie, I can only recognize as being the result of a Spirulina injection. Spirulina, a nutrient rich additive that popular juice companies use to make their green smoothies green, has always had an off-putting texture and taste to me. Perhaps it is the knowledge that it is derived from sea weed but it just plainly reminds me of sludge each time I partake . I believe that a powder form was used for this cookie, as a distinctly chalk like overtone enveloped my mouth as I took my first bite. No matter what the advocates say, Spirulina will never be indiscirnable to me. Its just a fact.

Aside from Spirulina, the “cookie boasts simple ingredients that are full of natural health properties. Almonds, coconut butter, agave, and Goji berries join our slimy seaweedy friend and meld together to create this snack. While almonds, coconut, and agave have all made fairly large health claims, nothing has walloped us over the head quite like the Goji berry. It has the illustrious title of “super food” and many claim that it is the most nutrient dense food on the planet. This little berry has more protein then whole wheat, more vitamin C and beta carotene then oranges and carrots, tons of B and E vitamins, as well as amino acids galore. Basically, the Goji berry is really freaking good for you, and I was excited to partake. With enthusiasm I chomped down and again, my tongue recoiled. Goji berries are sour and they are bitter. There is no real tinge of sweetness to balance the intensity and lord knows the outer cookie wasn’t doing the Goji center any favors. I was shocked at how the almond and coconut (two huge fat sources known to add excellent flavor to most anything) could be totally overpowered. 

 As with Alive and Radiant’s Contrast cookie (which I reviewed earlier this week) there was a texture that was strongly reminiscent of Play-Doh in this product.  All in all, the experience of eating this cookie couldn’t be passed off as remotely pleasurable, even to this vegan, gluten free, sugar free, lover of all things vegetable. My distaste surprised even me.

Labeling

I found labeling of this product to be insufficient. There was no nutrition information and it took poking around the Alive and Radiant website to find out that the product was even organic. Wouldn’t they want to advertise all those health benefits?

Packaging:

Packaging of this product was a thick plastic sealed bag. It seemed sufficient for upholding the freshness of the product.

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:           1

Taste:               1         

Value:              2

OVERALL:        1.3

Reviewed by Lacy D. 

Gluten Free Crackers: Ener G Wheat Free Crackers

PRODUCT NAME:                       Wheat Free Crackers

COMPANY NAME:                       Ener G

COST:                                         $4.99

SIZE:                                           7 oz

COST PER OZ:                            $0.71

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            Israel 

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:

Taste: 

Before I say anything, I gotta fly this banner loud and proud: THESE CRACKERS TASTE LIKE CHILDHOOD! While they aren’t quite as thick as your average saltine, the taste is spot on. I am IMPRESSED- that’s right, enough to use cap locks.

On to the details:

Here we have a cracker brought to you by Ener G. This is a company well known to vegans because they make a product simply titled “egg replacer” that is a starch often used to replace eggs in vegan baked goods. While my experience with this product has been great, Ener G has a bit of a reputation for making sub par gluten free bread items. Because their rice bread in particular has a bizarre texture that makes it more akin to a sponge then a food item I had a lot of hesitation approaching these crackers. Let’s just say that eating them was a great lesson in keeping an open mind.

Like I said before, the taste of these is just exactly like the saltines that I knew and loved as a kid. They are crisp, light, buttery, and have just a hint of a salty edge. There is a no frills simplicity about them that I actually much appreciate. I could imagine them perfectly complimenting a spicy vegan chili or a chickpea rice noodle soup. Additionally, a smear of peanut butter and chopped banana could make an excellent pre or post workout snack. Essentially, the rich flavor provides a strong backdrop for any other flavors or spices introduced. This cracker would add depth to any meal. The texture of these crackers is an excellent addition to the flavor. The rich flavor is completely complimented by the lightness of the texture.

I hate what I am about to say, but I must be completely honest in every review. Despite the complete and total deliciousness of these crackers, I find the calorie content to be fairly ridiculous in nature. The serving size is three crackers and it clocks in at a whopping 160 calories. This breaks down to be about 53 calories per cracker. These crackers are by no means large and so it seems sad that such caloric density exists in each one. Remember that buttery taste I said that I loved? Yeah, there’s a reason it’s so delicious.

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

Packaging:  The design of Ener G’s packaging has always kind of baffled me. The photographs presented always look slightly off color (as if they were taken in the 1980’s and shoved in a desk drawer for a few decades). Despite it making the product not appear actually appetizing, it is a funny little nuance that makes the brand easily identifiable. While the picture doesn’t make me want to eat, it does make me giggle a little, so I’m not complaining. The packaging of this product was a small cardboard box with two plastic wrapped bags of 8 crackers each. I found this to be sufficient for keeping the product fresh.

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

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Snacks: Shakti Sweets of India Cashew Diamonds w/ Saffron

PRODUCT NAME:                  Cashew Diamonds w/Saffron

BRAND:                                 Shakti Sweets of India

COST:                                   $4.99

SIZE:                                     7.5 oz

COST PER OZ:                      $0.66/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:                          2 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: 

Again we are presented with an extremely simple treat-like dessert to review. Shakti Sweets of India has introduced a product simply called “Cashew Diamonds with Saffron”. The ingredient list is extremely short (cashew, sugar, pistachio, cardamon, and saffron) and it tastes just exactly like the sum of its parts. Despite the potential surprises the combination of the aforementioned could present, this product tastes just exactly like a mishmash of those few things sounds like it would. No nuance. No surprise.

Upon first bite, I was a bit excited by the texture. The pistachio chunks were pleasant and the slight grit of it had a very Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (minus the chocolate) feel. On first impact, it flooded my mouth with memories of being a kid and picking the outside of my Reese’s cup off so that I may enjoy the peanut butter-y goodness unadorned. If that isn’t exciting I don’t know what is. Sadly, upon further chewing my delight began to fade. Once a chomp or two takes place on these little treats the grit turns to paste. Although I love the childhood memories, I certainly don’t want to recall Play-Doh while trying to eat dessert.

Because Saffron, cardamon, and pistachio are all very powerful flavors the subtlety of the cashew is a bit lost. Even the little punches of flavor you do get from the spices eventually fall flat due to what seems to be a very high sugar content. All and all, its pretty disappointing. The flavor fizzles out immediately, which combined with a mediocre texture, left me unenthused.

There was no nutrition information presented on the packaging and so I decided to do a little research.  I found out that traditionally these products are called “Kaju Kathli” and are enjoyed after meals in India. Generally they are made of just cashews, sugar, and water. Although it is clear that Shakti was aiming to be a creative with this traditional treat, I almost think a simpler manifestation might be more satisfying. A typical traditional recipe packs about about 68 calories per diamond. As I mentioned this is NOT the officially provided nutrition information but if it is anywhere close (which my experience has lead me to believe it probably is) then its not really worth it. I’d honestly rather eat 68 calories worth of plain cashews!

Labeling: Labeling on this product was not sufficient. I find it unreasonable to not be able to include nutrition information on a product, especially when there are plentiful websites that will calculate a label for free. If I can do it, so can companies selling products! 

Packaging: The packaging of this product was recyclable plastic container. 7.5 ounces is actually quite a few cashew diamonds, and the freshness level declines rapidly. The short shelf life could probably vastly be improved by having smaller packages of a different material. The moisture these diamonds produce makes them prone to spoilage.

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:           2.5

Taste:               2         

Value:              3         

OVERALL:        2.5

Reviewed by Lacy D. 

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. 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 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 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.

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.