Off the Press #21: Auntie Shelley's Gluten Free Muffins

Great tasting gluten free muffins can sometimes be difficult to find.  Recently, we were connected with Auntie Shelley’s Gluten-Free Muffins, which is an Oakland, CA based a startup that specializes in just that; gluten free muffins.  What sets them apart from the rest is their unique selection of flavors.  These aren’t your typical muffins. 

Last week, I got the opportunity to interview Andrea of Auntie Shelley’s Gluten Free Muffins.  Like their muffins, their story is also unique.  It all started with a friend named Shelley, who was allergic to gluten, and grandma’s tamale recipe.  You might be thinking…Tamale recipe?!  That’s right!  Grandma’s recipe for tamales actually used rice flour instead of wheat flour.  It was one thing that was safe for Shelley to eat.  From there, the recipe was modified and turned into a muffin recipe and the rest is history.  

The one thing that sets Auntie Shelley’s Gluten Free Muffins apart from the rest is definitely their flavors.  Usually, when you think of a muffin, you are probably thinking of flavors like banana nut or poppy seed.  Auntie Shelley’s decided to go the non-traditional route.  They do muffins in tropical flavors like mango, peach, pineapple, orange, and coconut, among others.  This really sets them apart from the rest. 

 

The family has put a lot of care into these muffins.  They spent about 3 years developing the recipe and judging by the product, they have done their homework.   These muffins are handmade from scratch with only high quality ingredients.  Take for example the fruit they use.  All of it is locally grown and all natural.  You won’t find any of the fake stuff in these muffins; that means no preservatives.  Auntie Shelley’s is truly a family business.  They come together on Thursday and Friday nights and bake these delicious gluten free muffins fresh from scratch in a co-op kitchen in Hayward, CA.  The facility is not completely gluten-free however the kitchen that these muffins are baked in is gluten free.  These are muffins that you would feel safe feeding to your family.  

Auntie Shelley’s Gluten Free Muffins  is off to a great start.  They are currently only available on Amazon.com, however, good news, their website launches tomorrow.  As a promotion for their website launch, Auntie Shelley’s Gluten Free Muffins will be offering free samples of their delicious gluten free muffins.  If you’re interested in their muffins, visit their website tomorrow at: www.glutenfreeshelleys.com.  They will be giving FREE samples of their muffins to the first 100 people to like their facebook page:  Auntie Shelley's Gluten Free Muffins Facebook Page

Gluten Free Cookies: Kinnikinnick Chocolate Sandwich Creme KinniTOOS Product Review #115

Gluten Free Cookies: Kinnikinnick Chocolate KinniTOOS

PRODUCT NAME:                   Chocolate KinniTOOS

BRAND:                                  Kinnikinnick

COST:                                     $4.99

SIZE:                                       8oz        

COST PER OZ:                        $0.62/oz    

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Canada

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:
After seeing our review for Kinnikinnick’s Fudge Sandwich Crème KinniTOOS, a friend of ours recommended their Chocolate Sandwich Crème KinniTOOS.  Kinnikinnick was kind enough to provide us with a sample of these cookies for us to review.  Our first thought about them was that they were like Gluten Free Oreos.    So how do these compare?

From the start, you can clearly see that they look just like Oreos.  They have that same white cream sandwiched between 2 dark brownish black cookies.  When seeing the Oreo looking cookie, I was expecting it to taste like an Oreo too.  And my for the most part, my expectations were met.  The cookies used are great.  They have a light chocolate flavor that is very similar to the cookies used in an Oreo.  The cookie is crispy and has great texture.  They are crumbly by nature, just because of the lack of gluten, but Oreos are usually pretty flakey as well.  The cream is also very similar to Oreos.  The minor difference in flavor is that the cream used in the KinniTOOS is that it is not as sweet.  I don’t see this as a negative though.  One thing I will comment on is that the cream is a little pasty.  When you to split the 2 halves apart, the cream splits.  It doesn’t come off clean like Oreos. 

Nutrition Facts & Ingredients

Kinnikinnick puts a lot of care into their products.  Since 1991 they have been producing great tasting gluten free food that is also dairy free and nut free.  All of their products are produced in a dedicated gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, peanut free and tree nut free facility.  Comparing it to regular Oreos, the nutrition facts are about the same.  These Kinnikinnick Chocolate Sandwich Cream KinniTOOS have 50 calories, 1.5g of fat, 5mg of cholesterol, 20mg of sodium, 4g of sugar per cookie.  I wouldn’t consider these cookies healthy so be sure to eat in moderation. 

Overall, we thought these Chocolate Sandwich Cream KinniTOOS were great.  They weren’t quite the real thing, but they came pretty close.  Many people probably wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference.  If you’ve been craving Oreos, this is probably as close as you’ll get.  For more information about these cookies, visit their website at: www.kinnikinnick.com.

Taste: These cookies are pretty much the gluten free version of Oreos.  The only differences are that the cream is a little different and they don’t taste as sweet.   

Labeling:  The picture of the cookie on the front is sure to catch your attention.  The text is also easy to read and important information like the fact that they are dairy free, gluten free, and nut free are all enlarged or used as a seal. 

Packaging:  Just like the other Kinnitoos we reviewed, these cookies feature your typical cookie tray in a plastic package.  I would like to see a resealable package in the future because it states on the bag that it doesn’t contain any preservatives so it should be stored sealed in a cool dry place. 

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:                     4.5         

Value:                    3

OVERALL:              3.8

Reviewed 4/28/11 by Calvin C.   

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. 

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries - Product Review #113

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries

PRODUCT NAME:                        100% Organic Strawberries

BRAND:                                       Crunchies

COST:                                         $4.89

SIZE:                                           1oz        

COST PER OZ:                            $4.89/oz                  

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           USDA

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             California

SHELF LIFE:                                18 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:

If you’re looking for a quick way to get your fruit fix for the day, look no further than these Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries.  They are freeze dried strawberries that taste just like the real thing, only crunchy.  Each of these packages contains 5 servings of fruit, which is what the USDA recommends you eat daily.

Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries are made with real strawberries so you get real strawberry flavor.  Seeing these, I had high expectations for these strawberries.  I’ve had freeze dried fruit before and I am a fan.  The strawberries are cut into pieces before they are freeze dried so what you end up with are light and crispy pieces of fruit that taste just like the real thing.  There are no added sugars so the flavor is all going to depend on the flavor of the fresh strawberries that are being used.  Some will be sweet and some will be sour.  In the beginning, I was eating the pieces 1 at a time, but then I tried eating a handful at a time and it tasted even better.  You get more strawberry flavor and the blend of sweet and sour pieces blend together for a great strawberry taste. 

Nutrition Facts

Under ingredients, all you will see is 100% Organic Strawberries, so these are good for you.  The serving size is the entire package.  With just 98 Calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 1mg of sodium, 12g of sugars and 2g of protein this is definitely “Nature’s Ultimate Snack Food.” 

Overall, we liked these Crunchies 100% Organic Strawberries.  I wish the fruit was a little sweeter, but that’s just going to depend on the fresh strawberries they use.  Another tip, if you’re going to split these up into several different sittings, make sure the bag is completely sealed.  We might have left a crack open and when we went to eat them again, they weren’t as crispy as the day we opened them.  My other complaint is that these are pretty expensive.  $4.89 for a 1 ounce package would mean that these are going to be only an occasional snack rather than an everyday snack.  For more information about the Crunchies line of snacks, visit their website at: www.crunchiesfood.com

Taste: With these Crunchies, you get real fruit flavor in a crunchy chip.  There are sweet pieces and sour pieces so it is best to eat these a handful at a time. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this package is just like on their other packages.  It is colorful to attract your attention and the clear window in the package lets you see exactly what you are getting. 

Packaging:  The fact that this package is resealable is a big plus however, you have to eat a good amount of it before you can use that resealable strip.  If you reseal it for storing, make sure you zip it up all the way or you will end up with soggy pieces. 

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:                    1

OVERALL:              3

Reviewed 4/25/11 by Calvin C.   

Weekend Edition Hot Off the Press #20: Coconut Flour

When you embark on a gluten-free diet, you discover the world of substitutions: cornstarch for thickening instead of flour, homemade marinades in place of soy sauce, and grits instead of oatmeal. One ingredient that often pops up on labels to replace wheat flour is coconut flour. It certainly sounds delicious if you're a coconut fan, but what's it all about?

Coconut flour is made by removing moisture and fat from the flesh of a coconut, then milling the flesh into flour. It is often a byproduct when producing coconut milk or Virgin Coconut Oil. The coconut meat is pressed for oil and the defatted coconut (referred to as "residue") is then ground into a powder.

Then benefits of coconut flour are numerous. According to Bob's Red Mill's website, the company's coconut flour contains 36% fiber, 14% fat, and 14% protein. Coconut flour is revered because of its high fiber content. It has about 10 times as much dietary fiber as plain white (wheat) flour. It's also a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Even though coconut flour is delicious, gluten-free, and healthy, it does have some downsides. The flour tends to be more expensive and sometimes harder to find if your grocery store lacks variety. Also, most recipes do not directly substitute this flour for wheat flour. Coconut flour sucks up a lot of moisture and dries out batters, so it is often used in smaller quantities in recipes. Additional types of flour will need to be used if you are baking a cake or preparing bread, for example. Coconut flour also has 12.8% more calories than white flour, according to USDA.

But don't let all these negatives deter you. Coconut flour has been a great development for the gluten-free community. It's found in many gluten-free products and can easily be ordered online if your supermarket doesn't carry it. The health benefits alone are enough to give this unique flour a try.

By Julia L. 

Gluten Free Snacks: Bhooja King Rice Murkoo - Product Review #112

Gluten Free Snacks: Bhooja King Rice Murkoo

PRODUCT NAME:                      Rice Murkoo

BRAND:                                     Bhooja King

COST:                                       $4.50

SIZE:                                         7oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.64/oz 

CERTIFIED GLUETEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     YES

WHEAT FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Hayward, CA

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:

When you look at these Southern Indian treats, you might think that they are sea horse tails.  What you will find is a hidden gem of a snack.  They are extremely crunchy, and slightly salty.  These are great crumbled into your favorite soup, eaten with dip, or just simply eaten by itself.  We chose to eat it on its own and they were very tasty. 

These Southern Indian treats are perfect to snack on.  They have a ton of flavor and are very crunchy.  The flavors are very strong and may not be for everyone.  The flavor starts off mellow, but right at the end, the strong spice kicks in.  So if you’re a fan of spicy food, you will probably be a fan of these.  The texture of this snack is great.  It is extremely crunchy.  If you have sensitive teeth, you might want to be a little careful with these though as they are a little hard.

Overall, we liked these Rice Murkoo a lot.  They had a nice spicy flavor and a great crunchy texture.  If you’re a fan of spicy food and a fan of crunchy savory snacks, this is the one for you.

Taste: These little crunchy curls taste great.  They are a little on the hard side, so if you have sensitive teeth, you might want to stay away, but if not, snack away! 

Labeling: The labeling is very simplistic and consists of only a sticker on the front.  One thing missing from this package was nutrition facts.  There were no nutrition facts on this package. 

Packaging: Non-recyclable plastic packaging.  The packaging is pretty brittle so it will tear pretty easily.  These were so good that we finished them in 1 sitting, but if you want to keep it for several snacking sessions, I would recommend moving it to a resealable sandwich 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:                    3

OVERALL:              3.3

Reviewed 4/22/11 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies Corn Snack - Product Review #111

Gluten Free Snacks: Crunchies Corn Snack

PRODUCT NAME:                       Corn Snack

BRAND:                                      Crunchies

COST:                                         $4.89

SIZE:                                           3.25oz  

COST PER OZ:                            $1.50/oz                             

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           GFCO

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             California 

SHELF LIFE:                                18 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:

Crunchies has come up with what they call “Nature’s Ultimate Snack food.”  Crunchies are a line of freeze dried fruits and vegetables.  In the free drying process, water is removed in a refrigerated vacuum, which preserves all of the enzymes and nutrients and leaves you with a product that is crunchy.  A few weeks back, Crunchies sent us some samples of their products to try, including these Corn Snacks.

Crunchies Corn Snacks are freeze dried corn kernels.  This snack is very similar in form to Corn Nuts, except they are a little easier on your teeth.  The freeze drying process, if popped correctly, leaves you with a popped corn kernel that is light and crispy.  I will say that there were a few kernels in the bag that didn’t pop and were pretty hard.  So if you have sensitive teeth, stick to the popped kernels in the bag.  The taste of this snack is very similar to that of popcorn.  It is slightly salted and has a very nice corn flavor.  Be careful though because they get addicting. 

Nutrition Facts

There are many ways you can enjoy this snack.  Some suggestions are eating it as a snack as-is, topping your salads with it and mixing it into trail mix.   The calorie and fat content in these snacks is about the same as Corn Nuts, at 130 calories (52 from fat) and 7 grams of fat (1g saturated).  One category Crunchies is much better in is the sodium at 85mg per serving.  While these values aren’t outrageous, you should still practice portion control and pay attention to your overall daily values.  It even comes in a resealable pouch so you can split it up into separate servings and still keep it fresh. 

Overall, we liked these Crunchies Corn Snacks a lot.  They tasted great, they had pretty good texture and they are something a little different from the norm.  If you’re a corn fan, this is the snack for you.  The only real downside I see to this is the price tag.  They are priced at $4.89 per 3.25oz bag.  For more information about this product, visit the Crunchies website at: www.crunchiesfood.com.  

Taste: These Crunchies Corn Snacks pack a great salted popcorn flavor in a light and crispy package.  They are great on their own, but would go great in a salad, in soup or in trailmix. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this package is very colorful.  They use bright colors to attract your attention.  The clear window in the package lets you see exactly what you are getting. 

Packaging:  Great packaging on this product because it is resealable, which allows you to keep the corn snacks fresh over the span of your snackings.   

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:                    2

OVERALL:              3.3

Reviewed 4/21/11 by Calvin C. 

Gluten Free Chips: Boulder Canyon Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips - Product Review #110

Boulder Canyon Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips

PRODUCT NAME:                         Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips

BRAND:                                        Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

COST:                                           $23.88 (12-Pack)

SIZE:                                             5oz        

COST PER OZ:                              $0.40/oz         

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              Boulder, CO

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:

When it comes to chips, potatoes are king.  They come in different shapes and sizes and it’s all about what you like.  We were at the supermarket last week and came across these Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips.  We have had Boulder Canyon chips in the past and they are great, so we knew we had to give these a try.  Like their other chips, these are also all natural and gluten free.  These chips come in Honey BBQ, Sour Cream & Chive, Totally Natural, and Salt & Cracked Pepper.

If you’re a potato chip purist, you will love these chips.  Take one bite into them and you can really taste the potato, especially in the Totally Natural variety.  The chips are light and crispy and are the perfect consistency.  The waves add strength to the chips, which is great for dips.  If you decide to enjoy these chips with dip, the waves will help hold the dip. 

These chips are simple.  The totally natural is contains potatoes, vegetable oil and salt and the other varieties are similar, but with flavor additives.  The Totally Natural variety contains just 150 Calories, 7g of fat, 135mg of sodium, and 2g of protein.  Comparing this with similar chips on the market, these are pretty good values.  The other varieties have similar nutrition facts, but slightly higher sodium content (200mg range). 

Overall, we loved these chips.  They had great potato flavor and had the perfect texture and consistency. It is the perfect chip for a potato chip purist.  For more information about these Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Canyon Cut chips, visit their website at: www.bouldercanyonfoods.com

Taste: These chips are great.  They are perfectly seasoned and have a great light crunch. 

Labeling:  The labeling is very simple.  These are all natural, gluten free and delicious.

Packaging:  On the packaging, they have a Green Energy label.  They purchase renewable energy credits to cover 100% of their products.  They chips come in a chip bag made of a mixture of plastic and paper. 

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 4/20/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Snacks: Kay's Naturals Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks - Product Revie #109

Gluten Free Snacks: Kay's Naturals Pretzel Sticks

PRODUCT NAME:                       Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks

BRAND:                                       Kay’s Naturals

COST:                                          $19.00 (12-Pack)

SIZE:                                           1.5oz 

COST PER OZ:                             $1.05                                                    

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            NA

ORGANIC:                                    NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            NA

VEGAN:                                        NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             USA

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:

Kay’s Naturals has a whole line of natural gluten free snacks and cereals that are packed with protein.  A few weeks back, they sent us some of their gluten free products to try.  Among those were these Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks, which is part of their Better Balance line. 

The Better Balance line of snacks is meant to help maintain a balanced diet.  All of the snacks that fall into this category are made with all-natural ingredients, contain 10g of lean soy protein per serving, contains 3g of fiber per serving and contains no trans fats.  These pretzel sticks have 120 calories, 5 grams of fat, 150mg of sodium, 9g of carbs and an impressive 10g of protein per serving.  Seeing these values, I can see these being a great snack alternative. 

One of Kay’s Naturals’ mottos is “Manage your weight without giving up taste.”  They definitely got the taste part right.  The first thing that came to mind when we tried these chips was one of my personal favorite childhood cereals… Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  These Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks have a great cinnamon sugar flavor.  The texture is good too.  It isn’t exactly what you would expect a pretzel to be, but it’s close.  They are firm and give a good crunch when you bite into it.  Our only complaint is that it leaves your mouth feeling a little powdery and because of the sugar, it is sticky and can get stuck between your teeth, but these issues can be easily remedied with a nice glass of water. 

Overall, these pretzels were good.  They had good flavor and pretty good texture.  If you have severe allergies, you might want to be a little careful with these as they are manufactured on the same production line has products containing soybeans, dairy, tree nuts, and wheat.  For more information about these Pretzel Sticks or Kay’s Naturals’ other products, visit their website at: www.kaysnaturals.com.

Taste:  These pretzel sticks have a great sweet cinnamon sugar flavor much like Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.  The texture is good too; nice and crunch, but it does leave a powdery feeling behind after you eat them. 

Labeling:  The labeling on the packaging was easy to read and important information was listed out for easy reading. 

Packaging:  Individually packed in 1.5 servings. 

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:                    2

OVERALL:              3.3

Reviewed 4/19/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Chips: Late July Multigrain Snack Chips - Product Review #108

Gluten Free Chips: Late July Multigrain Snack Chips

PRODUCT NAME:                         Multigrain Snack Chips

BRAND:                                        Late July

COST:                                           $3.39

SIZE:                                             6oz        

COST PER OZ:                              $0.57/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            GFCO

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            QAI

VEGAN:                                        YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              USA

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:

On a recent trip to the supermarket, we ran across Late July Organic Snacks’ multigrain snack chip in a flavor called Sea Salt by the Seashore.  Seeing that it was certified gluten free, we knew that we had to try it.  Digging around on their website, we found out that these chips are organic, certified gluten free, 100% whole grains, has 280mgs of omega-3s, contains no GMOs, no trans fats, and no artificial colors or preservatives.  On top of that they donate 10% of their profits to summer camp scholarships.  What more can you ask for?

Looking at the chip, the first thing that came to mind was that these were tortilla chips.  Take one bite into them and you will quickly see that it is more than that.  They may be in the shape of tortilla chips, but they are so much better.  These chips are made with a mix of seeds and a blend of whole grains like ground whole corn, quinoa and brown rice.  They taste great.  They are very light and crispy and have a nice light flavor.  The variety we purchased was just seasoned with sea salt so you can really taste the flavor of the grains.  The sea salt flavor was very mild and is not something we would eat on its own, but it would be great with your favorite dip. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

These chips have a lot going for it.  They taste great, have great texture and they’re actually pretty good for you.  We had the Sea Salt by the Seashore variety and the serving size for these chips is about 13 chips.  Those 13 chips contain 120 calories (40 from fat), 4.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, just 70mg of sodium, 2 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of protein.  These are pretty good numbers considering many of the alternatives on the market have much higher values.  Combine that with the fact that they are certified gluten free and peanut and tree nut free, and you have yourself a great snack

Overall, we liked these chips a lot.  They are light, have good natural flavor and are pretty healthy for you.  It’s the perfect snack to enjoy with your favorite dip.  These chips are also available in Mild Green Mojo (green chilies with cheese and a hint of lime) and Dude Ranch (tangy sour cream and a perfect blend of herbs and spices).  These are definitely a snack we would buy again.  For more information about these chips or about Late July Organic Snacks, visit their website at: www.latejuly.com. 

Taste: These chips pack a great natural whole grain flavor in a light and crispy chip.  These would be perfect for dipping. 

Labeling:  The graphics on the package were very bright and fun.  The text is easy to read and all of the certification labels are on the bag. 

Packaging:  Sealed chip 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:                 5             

Taste:                     4             

Value:                    3             

OVERALL:              4

Reviewed  4/15/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Crackers: Doctor in the Kitchen Flackers - Product Review #107

Gluten Free Crackers: Doctor in the Kitchen Flackers

PRODUCT NAME:                        Flackers Flax Seed Crackers

BRAND:                                       Doctor in the Kitchen

COST:                                          $5.99

SIZE:                                            5oz        

COST PER OZ:                             $1.20/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            NA

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            MCIA

VEGAN:                                        YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              USA

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:
Doctor in the Kitchen, created by Dr. Alison Levitt, makes a line of flax seed crackers called Flackers.  Everything is based on her motto “Good food is wise medicine.”  She developed Flackers for herself and her clients as a way to get the nutritional benefits of flax seed in a great tasting cracker. 

Let me first start off by saying that we are not raw food eaters.  We have had a few raw products in the past and were not fans of them.  That has all changed with these Doctor in the Kitchen Flackers.  These crackers are made of organic flax seeds that are formed into sheets about the size of a business card and are flavored with organic spices.  The flavor is great.  You can really taste the nutty flavor of the flax seed, which is enhanced by the organic spices that they add to it.  The texture is great too; nice and crispy.  I would consider it a little complex though because they start off crispy and end up chewy.  They get stuck in your teeth too so if you have sensitive teeth, you might want to be a little careful. 

The Flackers come in 3 varieties: dill, rosemary and savory.  Dill is made flavored with organic apple cider vinegar, organic dill, and organic red chili peppers.  Rosemary is flavored with organic apple cider vinegar, organic rosemary and organic sage.  Savor is flavored with organic apple cider vinegar, organic garlic, organic onion, organic chili pepper and organic basil.  These are all flavors that go great with the nutty flavor of the flax seeds.  These crackers are very flavorful and can be eaten plain, but they are great with cheese and dips as well.  It’s a great healthy alternative to traditional crackers. 

Nutrition Facts for Rosmary Variety

Flax seeds are a great source for nutrition.  They are a good source for omega-3 fatty acid, fiber, antioxidants, protein, plant lignans, vitamins and minerals.  These Flackers are raw too so that means that they are dehydrated at low temperatures.  The manufacturer claims that this helps preserve the omega-3 fatty acid.  With 100-110 calories, 7 grams of fat, 75-90 milligrams of sodium and 5 grams of protein per serving of 3 flackers, this is a great alternative to traditional crackers. 

Overall, we were very impressed by these Flackers.  We never knew raw could taste so good.  Doctor in a Kitchen has combined great taste and snack that is good for you too.  For more information about this product, visit the manufacturer’s website at: www.drinthekitchen.com. 

Taste: The Flackers have great flavor.  You can really taste the nutty flavor of the flax seeds.  The flavoring is perfect too; seasoned with organic herbs and spices. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this product is very clean and elegant.  The labels are easy to read and go into detail about what it is that makes them stand apart from the rest. 

Packaging:  The Flackers come in a plastic bag, but be careful opening them as they are one of those tricky bags that end up ripping easily.   The plastic package is placed in a 100% recycled paperboard 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:                 4             

Taste:                     4             

Value:                    3

OVERALL:              3.7

Reviewed 4/14/11 by Calvin C.