NoOodles -Review and Recipie-

NoOodles are a product that contains no gluten, no carbs, no calories, no Soy, no Fat.  Basically they are made of Glucomannan flour or as most would call it Yam Flour.  This is what makes the noodles so strange. The web page for the NoOodles says that the item is "uniquely textured noodles are thin, chewy, translucent, gelatinous with almost no flavor by themselves."

Semi-Homemade Gluten Free Cobbler

I was in the mood for Strawberry Rhubarb recently.  Only issue with that is that it is the wrong time of year.  Knowing this I found that it was a fantastic time to pull out my gluten free grocery guide and look around for pie fillings that are gluten free.  After I located a few it was off to the store. 

Carolina Cupcakery - Review

I was recently offered an amazing chance by Carolina Cupcakery.  I was able to view the kitchens, try out the power tools, Meet Dawn Eskins and try some fantastic products.

Let me start at the beginning, Dawn Eskins started the Carolina Cupcakery with her two daughters in Camden NC; she is also the baker for it.  Many of you are now wondering why I am doing a post on a place that sells Cupcakes.  The reason being is that Carolina Cupcakery makes gluten free products.  Including gluten free doughnuts, gluten free cupcakes, gluten free lemon bars ECT.  She has an amazing list of Gluten free products, as well as Kosher, sugar free, Vegan, and allergy friendly products.

Vigilant Eats Superfood Cereal-Review

Recently I was asked to review Vigilant Eats, Superfood oat-based cereal.  The claim is that this is a convenient, on the go cereal that is organic, gluten free, vegan, non GMO, high antioxidant, and low glycemic index cereal that offers superior nutritional integrity. It is convenient in that it is prepackaged and all you need to do is add liquid to it and it is ready to eat.  It also comes with its own spoon so it is grab and go ready at all times. 

The box arrives and I am excited to do my review.  I open up the box and was less than overwhelmed by the cereals’ packaging.  Let’s hear it for a basic scientific drawing, on an orange and white background, with what the food stands for.  However, I have learned the package does not make the product.  I received the Goji-Cacao flavor.  I read the top of the container and it suggests cold water, milk, or hot water.  Since I was only provided one package to review, I ended up splitting the contents of the container into three separate bowls.  I tried it each way and quickly discovered a preference. 

While this can be eaten as a cold cereal, I found that it works much better as conveniently packaged hot oatmeal.  Because that is what it tasted like.  However, it was really good oatmeal and I am not knocking that.  The plain water tasted like cold oatmeal and adding the milk made it a little too creamy for me since they already added hempmilk powder to it. Also, getting the right amount of liquid into the cereal was a challenge.  There is no marker on the inside of the cup and it can get pasty if the liquid is too little.  I have no idea what it would be like if the liquid was too much. 

Good stuff:

It has good flavor for oatmeal and I don't feel bad eating it.
I am getting great nutrition and only 300 calories per container.
It is convenient and that is hard to find in gluten free items.
It is ‘Vegan Certified’, and while this is not something that I personally follow I know that it is huge for some people
This is ‘Non GMO (genetically modified)’, meaning that I am eating food the way it should be.
This is also allergy friendly; it has no soy, no dairy, no additives, no preservatives, and no refined sugars.
There were a lot of antioxidants for an easy meal or snack.
It had a good texture.  I really liked the cacao nibs and goji berries.
Even the packaging is completely recyclable.

Undecided:
The price per container is $4.00-$5.00.

Bad stuff:
I didn't like this cereal cold, but that is a personal view.
The packaging does nothing to attract my attention other than the color.
The included spoon is good, but had a tendency to fold on you if you held it wrong.
The liquid amount is a question; there is no indicator to a suggested level.

Overall, I think the good outweighs the bad on this product.  It tends to be a little more expensive than what one would want to pay for a quick meal.  However, it is not so bad when you take a look at current fast food prices.  This is a whole lot better for you than most fast food menu items.

For more information please feel free to visit Vigilant Eats.

Question of the day, at what price does good for you foods become too expensive? 

Gluten Free Doughnuts Semi-Homemade

Glazed with sprinkles

I have been having a killer craving for doughnuts recently and almost nothing was making it better. All of the store bought GF doughnuts are disgusting, so instead of feeling sorry for myself I decided to bake.  At 10pm at night I start making doughnuts.  I did break down and buy a doughnut pan on black Friday so at least I have the right tools, now to find a way to make the darned things.  I look for many online recipes and found that they all require a doughnut maker, something I will admit that I am currently too poor to own.  OK so I can't do that and I am having issues finding any recipes, especially ones that are semi-homemade and gluten free.  I ended up putting together those doughnut maker recipes and coming up with one that is close the recipe on my doughnut pan. 

Batter

Ingredients
Full box Gluten free yellow or chocolate Cake Mix
2 large eggs (or substitute)
1 stick melted butter (or substitute)
1 cup milk (Almond milk works)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease doughnut pan
Mix eggs, butter and milk with the cake mix
using a mixer or by hand beat until the batter is smooth
pour batter into the doughnut pan almost filling the cup.  (I used an icing bag for this)
Bake for 14 minutes.

Plain

For a fantastic icing stolen from my cinnamon roll recipe.

Cream Cheese Icing:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

 

Mix together, then melt slightly to put onto the doughnuts.  

 

 

 

 

Almond milk icing:

3/4 c powdered sugar

1 Tbsp almond milk

1/4 tsp vanilla

 

Mix

 

Powdered sugar

You can also use cinnamon and sugar, or powder sugar in a plastic bag (just put the doughnut in the bag when it is hot) Top however you desire.  Next time I am making blueberry doughnuts.  Yumm

A Gluten Free Cook Book for Free!

 I ran across something that I had to share. But before I do I need to mention the level of sexy that I have managed to achieve.  I am currently wearing neon Halloween socks, a light blue and monkey printed pajama bottom, a pink t-shirt, a light cream bathrobe and a Betty Boop pink hoodie with my hair in a low pony tail.  The reason for this is that it is cold and I am lazy but I thought I would let you know, this was mentioned since it was a great amount of fun to those living in my house.  Thanks guys, I love you all so much.

Cookbook Ebook by Enjoy Life Foods

Now for the important part a free gluten free cookbook, this cookbook had a lot of fantastic recipes and I can't argue with the price.   I am looking forward to making doughnuts, and Whoopie Pies, the picture I am using is from the cookbook. The good news is that if you have other allergies you can still use this cookbook.  It accounts for seven other major allergens.   This means if you have an allergy to Gluten, Wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, nuts, tree nuts, fish, shell fish and oats then you can use this book.  Personally I will be using this for candy making for the holidays as well as a few other great ideas.  There are recipes in here that I will have to make my own version of and see how well they turn out.  I really want to thank Enjoy Life Foods for putting this out for everyone who has these types of allergies.  Even if some of the recipes do call for their products.  You can find this free cookbook by clicking the link Enjoy Life Foods. I wonder what you will make first.

Is eating out Gluten Free really safe?

Eating out Gluten free can be fun however; it can also be getting you into trouble.  You know everything you can and cannot have, however if the restaurant is not gluten friendly you could still be getting sick.

 I have explained about cross contamination at home.  However, can be a bigger issue in a restaurant.  Even if you order nothing with gluten in it they can still touch your food to other surfaces that contain gluten. 

If you want to eat out there are a few tips to follow.  If you can find a gluten friendly restaurant then that is the best option.  If they have a separate preparation area then you have a smaller chance of getting sick. 

A lot of restaurants offer gluten free food but are not gluten friendly.  These restaurants are for the people on the gluten free diet and not to be confused with allergy friendly restaurants.  One such example is Domino's.  They offer gluten free pizza delivered.  However it is not made in a separate area and should not be eaten by those with celiac or any sort of gluten sensitivity. While the pizza may be labeled as gluten free the end product is not. 

 Things to keep in mind when picking a restaurant is how ready they are to accommodate your needs, Are they allergy friendly, do they have a separate preparation area? Do they understand what you mean when you say that you need the items gluten free? 

Eating out gluten free is not as easy as knowing what you can and cannot order but with a few minutes on the internet you can make sure that it is still an enjoyable experience.