Gluten Free Oatmeal: Bakery on Main Apple Pie Instant Oatmeal

PRODUCT NAME:                  Apple Pie Instant Oatmeal       

BRAND:                                   Bakery on Main Gourmet Naturals                          

COST:                                       $5.99                                    

SIZE:                                         10.5oz                                              

COST PER OZ:                         $0.60/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:     GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO                         

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      NA           

VEGAN:                                    NO                                    

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        East Hartford, CT             

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:
One of the things I certainly miss is oatmeal.  The confusing thing about oatmeal is that the oats themselves aren’t necessarily glutinous, but the way they are processed makes them unsafe for anyone that is gluten intolerant.  Most grocery stores do not carry gluten free oatmeal and after awhile I have just stopped looking.  The Gluten Free Grocery in the Dogpatch is starting to carry Bakery on Main products which are all made from gluten free oats!

This week I sampled Bakery on Main’s Apple Pie flavored Instant Oatmeal.  Instant oatmeals are always hit or miss, but this proved to be a good one.  I prepared it on the stove top, boiled my water and poured in the oatmeal.  I always let the oatmeal cook for just about a minute before turning off the heat.  Even though it’s instant, I think a little bit of cooking is good for it’s consistency.  I poured it into my bowl and let it cool and took my first bite.  It was surprisingly thick and textured.  There were chunks of apple in each bite and the overall cinnamon flavor was very nice.  It is a bit sweet, so if you are in the mood for something more savory, this might be a bit much. The consistency is thick and lumpy with the oats, meaning that the whole mixture doesn’t become one homogenized mess.  You can taste all the parts that come together and it’s a really pleasant apple pie flavor.

The oats that this product is made with are certified gluten free.  The mix also contains other grains like chia, flax, amaranth and quinoa so you are getting a nice variety of nutrients along with the essential fiber the oats provide.  Nutritionally, each package is 200 calories with 3 grams of fat.  It also has 6 grams of protein and 19% of your daily fiber.  It also has 11 grams of sugar but instead of using high fructose corn syrup, they use evaporated cane juice, which is a much better sugar for your body to process.  Personally, I don’t eat a lot of sugar and I am really sensitive to it so this was a little on the sweet side for me.  However, I really loved the overall texture, flavor and quantity that the mix made.  I felt really satisfied after eating it and wasn’t hungry for several hours later.  I think it’s a great breakfast alternative as well as something you could certainly eat as an afternoon energy boost.

Bakery on Main is a company in Connecticut that began with modest means.  The owner noticed that gluten free oat products were unavailable to those of us with the intolerance and he decided to do something about it.  They have quite a few different products.  This is the second one of theirs that I’ve tried and I can honestly both of them were delicious.  I look forward to trying their other gluten free oat foods as well.

For more information, you can check out Bakery on Main’s website http://www.bakeryonmain.com/

Taste: sweet apple pie flavor, full bodied cinnamon with chunks of apples

Labeling: clear gluten free description, bright green catchy label

Packaging: cardboard resealable box with 6 packages of oatmeal inside

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

RATING:

Texture:    5                           

Taste:         4                             

Value:        4             

OVERALL:  4.3     

Reviewed by Krisztina L

Gluten Free Hummus: Wildwood Roasted Red Pepper Probiotic Hummus

PRODUCT NAME:                  Roasted Red Pepper Probiotic Hummus

COMPANY NAME:                 Wildwood

COST:                                  $2.99

SIZE:                                    10 oz.

COST PER OZ:                      $.0.29    

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:    No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:     N/A

ORGANIC:                             Yes

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:     USDA organic

VEGAN:                                 Yes                    

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       Unknown

LOCATION OF FACILITY:       Grinnell, IA      

SHELF LIFE:                          3 weeks unopened

*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:  

So, hummus. Everybody loves hummus, right? Maybe I am generalizing here, but it seems to me that this food is not just a staple in the diet of the vegan or the gluten free anymore. Hummus is in the most mainstream of grocery stores these days, and even my mom has tried it. Hummus, the once exotic Mediterranean treat, has now become America’s darling.

Because hummus has become so ubiquitous, it has become a bit challenging to make it notable. While I am quite happy that I am generally able to find this little diamond-in-the-rough even in the tiniest towns it does seem that many versions of this beany, creamy, garbanzo spread are a bit bland, or use canola/vegetable oil to blend with. (I am going to be honest here. Hummus is just *supposed* to use olive oil. It is simply tradition!) Wildwood’s Roasted Red Pepper Probiotic Hummus seems to be trying to jazz it up. While the roasted red pepper flavor doesn’t seem so outlandish- its pretty standard to add such kicks to the beans these days - the probiotics really surprise me. These little enzymes are added to the hummus, supposedly to aid in the promotion of healthy digestion of the product.

For those not in the know, probiotics are actually bacteria, but not the kind that makes you sick. These little buggers are healthy and help line your intestinal walls in order to aid in proper nutrient absorption and digestion. Probiotics are found in fermented products naturally. This is one of the reasons that yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and kimchi have a reputation for keeping us well.

I am a tad thrown off by the probiotic addition to Wildwood’s hummus, as it seems an effort to stand out on the shelves that I am not totally convinced by. That being said, (probiotics or not) the hummus is a cut above many of the others out there. It does use canola oil instead of olive, but the amount used adds to a perfect creaminess that is almost velvety. The red pepper zing adds just a touch of pep to the flavor and nicely compliments the more base-flavors of tahini and bean. I did notice that tomato puree was present in the hummus, ostensibly to make it redder in a way that is cheaper then using more red pepper. Like the inclusion of probiotics, I am a bit suspicious of this move, but it doesn’t seem to affect the flavor so I suppose its okay.

A few other nice things about Wildwood’s hummus: I found it literally in the middle of nowhere when I desperately needed a healthy and protein-y treat. It cost me 2.99, which is drastically lower then many of the hummuses out there that tend to hover much closer to five bucks then three. A two-tablespoon serving is sixty calories, which is in the moderate range. Adding the dip to salads, sandwiches, and rice cakes enhances the flavor of these things as well as making them sate hunger for a bit longer. While I am not totally sold on the motives of the folks at Wildwood, I would say my tub of hummus was still a pretty solid investment.

Labeling:

Labeling of this product was clear and concise. It was quite adequate in displaying information about the nutrition of the product.

Packaging:

This hummus came in a recyclable plastic tub, which seemed appropriate for 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:       5

Taste:           3

Value:          4

OVERALL:    4

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Raw Cookies: Go Raw Lemon Super Cookies

PRODUCT NAME:                   Organic Lemon Super Cookies   

BRAND:                                  Go Raw by Freeland Foods         

COST:                                     $5.49                                    

SIZE:                                       3 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $1.83

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      GFCO               

ORGANIC:                              YES                        

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      Organic Certifiers       

VEGAN:                                  YES                                  

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Mountain View, California        

SHELF LIFE:                           8 months                                

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

REVIEW:

I really have a taste for raw food.  I often threaten that one of these days I’m just going to plunge into eating totally raw.  But my perception of the work it takes to do all of the research and prepare a complete raw diet keeps me from going whole hog.  That’s why delicious products like Go Raw Organic Lemon Super Cookies are so fantastic.  I can get a raw pick me up with the protein and nutrients from the organic coconut, the sprouted sesame seeds and the organic dates that are packed into each cookie.  The lemon flavor comes from organic lemon oil, which gives the cookies a sweet citrusy zing and the lemon smell that delightfully fills your nose whenever you open the bag.

The cookies themselves are really yummy.  They have a nice crunch to them because of the sesame seeds, but they are also chewy due to the coconut and dates.  It’s a really nice texture combination.  The lemon isn’t a potent sour flavor, but a sweet citrus that picks up the hints of the other ingredients and they all blend together really well.  The cookies are small and bite-sized.  They are surprisingly filling, which is good, because you can’t really finish off the whole bag in one sitting.  They are a nutrient dense healthful snack, something that I would keep in my purse on a busy day or in my desk at work when I need some extra brainpower. 

Go Raw Organic Super Lemon Cookies are 160 calories for 18 cookies, so not quite 10 calories each.  It does have some fat grams but that’s mainly because of the sesame and coconut, which are high in fat that is good for you.  They naturally have some calcium and iron in them as well.  The sprouted sesame seeds mean that they are alive.  Eating raw and live food helps your body become more alkaline and less acidic.  Less acid in your body is healthier and your body is able to get rid of environmental toxins much easier.  Incorporating even a little bit of raw and live food in our diet helps our bodies cope better with stress and if I can do that and eat yummy lemon cookies, sign me up. 

These cookies are available at the Gluten Free Grocery along with all sorts of other gluten free delicacies and staples that are certainly worth a try.  Enjoy! 

Find more about Go Raw organic Super Lemon Cookies on their website: http://www.goraw.com/

Taste: citrus sweetness with a lemony zing, slight coconut and date flavor in the background

Labeling: bright yellow label clearly marked with organic, raw, gluten free, etc.

Packaging: plastic bag with re-sealable top

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 L

Gluten Free Dumplings: Feel Good Foods Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

PRODUCT NAME:                    Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

BRAND:                                     Feel Good Foods

COST:                             $8.40

SIZE:                                           10.75 OZ 

COST PER OZ:                           $0.78             

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                      NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         NEW YORK, NEW YORK

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:

After several dumpling dinners my friends have enjoyed and I have had to sit out from, I was excited for my chance to enjoy safe, gluten free shrimp dumplings at home. Feel Good Foods makes their handmade shrimp dumplings with a wrapper made of a blend of sweet rice flour, rice flour, potato starch, and corn starch, these dumplings were savory, chewy, and not too filling. Since my celiac diagnosis, I have been taking steps to wean myself off of an eight-year long vegetarian diet so I can have more food choices instead of less. I am still a bit squeamish about eating any meat or fish, and I found Feel Good Foods’ Shrimp Dumplings not overwhelmingly fishy. They combined the shrimp with vegetables and herbs, like carrot, green onion, ginger, garlic, and cilantro to make a savory, well balanced filling. The provided dipping sauce tasted like tamari with a bit of a kick. It was dressed up with a little added ginger, garlic, and black pepper to dress it up a little bit.

My only gripe with this product was the instructions for preparation. It says the dumplings should be placed in a non-stick pan with 3/4 of a cup of boiling water (which will turn milky in color and texture as the dumplings cook) where they would sit and steam with a lid on, for approximately 13 minutes. The water was supposed to evaporate. However, when I prepared the dumplings, the water never evaporated; instead it turned into a thick, white, glue-like paste. Upon second glance of the directions, I noticed this note, in small font below the instructions:

“For best results dumplings must be prepared in a non-stick pan.”

I was using my perfectly seasoned, slick cast iron frying pan, which I cook everything in. I grabbed a Teflon-coated pan from my cupboard, and scooped the dumplings, which had turned into gooey blobs, into the new pan. I fried the dumplings on all sides until they were golden brown, and managed to salvage the meal. I wish Feel Good Foods had explicitly instructed me to use a Teflon pan instead of a cast iron, because I consider my cast iron to be non-stick.

Taste:   These dumplings were salty, chewy, and flavorful. The filling, made of shrimp and vegetables was not too fishy or dense. I found these dumplings to be a perfect appetizer or main course.

Labeling: The front of the package stated that these dumplings were made with all natural and gluten free ingredients. The back has a symbol indicating that Feel Good Foods is part of the Celiac Spure Association, and the package is created with wind power. There is also information about the company, preparation instructions, an ingredients list, and nutrition facts.

Packaging:  

Eight dumplings were inside of a plastic bag housed inside of a cardstock box.

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

RATING:

Texture:      3

Taste:           5

Value:          3           

OVERALL:    3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Rice Cakes: Lundberg Tamari with Seaweed Rice Cakes

PRODUCT NAME:                  Tamari with Seaweed Organic rice cakes

COMPANY NAME:                  Lundberg

COST:                                    $3.49

SIZE:                                      8.5 oz

COST PER OZ:                       $0.41                            

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      Unknown

ORGANIC:                              YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      USDA organic

VEGAN:                                  YES                            

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:       Richvale, CA  

SHELF LIFE:                          1 year +

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

REVIEW:

Taste: 

Lundberg rice cakes have come to be a staple in my life.  Originally I discovered them when I was sick. My stomach had turned to a churning mess, and almost every food item that I could possibly conceive of made me feel terrible to recall. I needed sustenance and I needed it bland. I tapped all my resources and after thinking long and hard they all came to one conclusion: rice cakes.

I hobbled over to my local health food store and grabbed a (surprisingly dense!) bag of tamari and seaweed flavored brown rice treats. Paired with a hearty vegetable soup I popped them in my mouth, one by one. It seemed no coincidence that the grumble in my gut calmed exponentially and that my taste buds suddenly seemed to smile.

Stereotypes had taught me that rice cakes were gross little hockey pucks, nothing to get excited about. Lundberg seems to have single handedly changed all that. I mentioned before that my rice cakes were surprisingly hefty in weight and there is a reason for this. Lundberg’s website reveals that they imbue each tasty little cake with about double the amount of rice that one might find in your average rice cake. The result is a crunchy and airy denseness that does much more to satisfy a craving for something substantial.

I have a past obsession with tortilla chips and although in my current life I eschew the deep fried I do sorely miss the pizzazz of a crunchy treat. Lundberg rice cakes are baked, which works in delivering that crunch I so sorely miss. While baked chips will simply never do it for me (blech!), these rice cakes tap into a snack-y goodness I thought I had long left behind.

On to the flavor; I mentioned that I was searching for a bland treat, but I simply couldn’t resist the call of tamari and seaweed. Since going gluten free I have truly missed soy sauce’s salty tang and anything with tamari (the gluten free equivalent) peaks my interest. Each cake is gently kissed with the deep rich flavor of tamari and sprinkled with seaweed. The even and careful hand of seasoning provides a bit of nuance without overpowering the earthy flavor of the brown rice. While seaweed and tamari both have the potential to dominate, Lundberg’s careful application is perfect for subtly adding a little something special to each bite.

Calorically, rice cakes are a dieters dream. At sixty calories a piece they are not necessarily as low-cal as one would guess but despite this fact, the density and volume of them fills a belly up at about three maximum, so it becomes nearly impossible to over eat. While I could shove deep fried and heavily caloric chips into my mouth all the live long day, Lundberg’s rice cakes satisfy much more quickly.

Labeling:

Labeling of this product was clear and concise. It included all the nutrition facts, some benefits of brown rice, and a little company history for a consumer to sink their teeth into.

Packaging:

Lundberg rice cakes are wrapped in plastic and then put in a plastic bag. Although it is not the most environmentally sound way to wrap these treats, it seems appropriate for 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:         5

Taste:             4

Value:            4

OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed  by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Frosting Mix: Pamela's Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                   Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix

BRAND:                                  Pamela’s Products

COST:                                    $4.49

SIZE:                                      12 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.37/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

ORGANIC:                               NO                        

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

VEGAN:                                  YES                                        

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO, but Dedicated Machinery   

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Ukiah, 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:

Frosting mix is always a good thing to keep around because in a pinch, and we know that that pinch inevitably occurs more often than not, it’s there, it’s quick and it’s a no brainer.  Pamela’s Dark Chocolate Frosting mix would be my mix of choice.  It is delightfully rich and chocolate-y.  It is a pretty sweet frosting, but has a hint of the bittersweet in there.  It is what a good dark chocolate should be and has the intensity of true cacao flavor.  Its texture is creamy and spreads really well.  A big plus with this mix, is that you can control how thick the frosting is by how much liquid you add to it.  It’s nice to have the flexibility as some recipes might be better with a slightly thinner frosting while others require a dollop of thick chocolate goodness.  Also, it doesn’t leave that pasty texture on your tongue like a lot of mixes do. 

The recipe for the mix is right on the back of the bag and couldn’t be easier.  You add butter or margarine and some water and voila!  I used soy-free dairy-free butter and it worked great with that too.  One of the great things about a good frosting mix is that it becomes the base for a lot of different kinds of frostings.  You can manipulate this mix into many different styles of frostings by just adding cream cheese, sour cream or milk, if you do dairy, or you can opt for the vegan versions of any of these if you don’t.  One bag can be the go-to base ingredient in whatever you might need it for and it is this versatility that I like keeping in my cupboards.

The bag has a lot of extra recipes printed on it that you can add to the frosting to take it to the next level.  They suggest mocha frosting, chocolate orange frosting, chocolate raspberry frosting to name a few, and they all sound really delectable.  I am planning on trying the chocolate orange frosting next time myself and baking some caramelized orange cupcakes to go with it.  Should be a nice treat for the gorgeous fall weather we’ve been having.

There are 12 servings in the bag, each of which is about 180 calories if you prepare it the way they suggest.  That’s quite a heavy dose of calories, but this is more of a treat than anything.  Just remember…everything in moderation.   Pamela’s is a local company here in Northern California, which I love to support.  They have a really great website with all kinds of recipes as well as detailed product information if you want to find out more about their line.  All in all, this is a great frosting mix with a wonderful chocolate flavor and one I would recommend to keep in the cupboards when you need a good chocolate frosting.  For more information about this product or any of Pamela’s other products, visit their website at: www.pamelasproducts.com.  You can find this and many other Pamela’s products at GFR Grocery. 

Taste: sweet with hints of cacao and bittersweet chocolate

Labeling: Bright colorful packaging with clear gluten free labeling

Packaging: simple bag with mix inside.  Not a lot of packaging which reduces waste

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 by

Krisztina L