Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Glow Cookies are Pefect for the Hollidays!
Anyway, Glow Cookies has Gingersnap Cookies and they scream Holidays to me! I eat them with my tea and it makes me feel all warm and cozy! He can eat all of the gluten filled gingerbread he wants, I will take my preservative free, trans fat free glow cookies any day! It is a holiday in my mouth over here. Is that a Christmas tree glowing or is it me? I think these cookies make me happy! I do like Glow products!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Toffee Bars
Toffee Bars
- 1 3/4 Cups Namaste Foods Perfect Flour Blend
- 1 cup Namaste Foods Toffee Vanilla Frosting Mix
- 1 cup Butter or Margarine- softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Heat oven to 350 F
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together (EXCEPT egg white and walnuts)
- Grease a 10x13 cookie sheet and press mixture into the pan.
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg white. Spread over the top of the batter, then spread over the nuts.
- Bake for 28-30 minutes.
- Cut immediately into squares. Remove from pan when cool.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Two of my NEW FAVORITE BOOKS!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Schar's Italian Breadsticks
Friday, September 24, 2010
Italian Summer Pasta Salad
Italian Summer Pasta Salad
- 1 package Namaste Pasta Pisiavera Pasta
- 5-6 table spoons olive oil in all (preferably extra virgin)
- 1 teaspoon white or red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/3 cup sun dried tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced black or green olives or both
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
- Optional: a handful of chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- Set aside the Pasta Pisavera seasoning packet. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done, about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse briefly in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Place the pasta in a serving bowl, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss. Sprinkle the Pasta Pisavera Seasoning Packet over pasta add remaning ingredients and olive oil and toss gently. Garnish with the cilantro or parsley if desired. Dish is wonderful if served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Once refrigerated, rice pasta (like rice) can tend to get a bit crunchy. Either pull the pasta out ahead of time and leave out on the counter for a while or a quick minute or two in the microwave will do the trick. You can add a little bit more oil if needed too. Wonderful additions to this meal could be chopped zucchini, yellow squash, pine nuts, feta cheese, and marinated mushrooms!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Ians GIVE AWAY!
So, just leave a comment on my blog telling me what your favorite Ians item is and join the Super Fit Club!
CONTEST ENDS SEPETEMBER 24, 2010 at NOON (Arizona time)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Gluten Free Pantry French Bread & Pizza Mix
It really sucks when I have high hopes for a product and it lets me down. I cannot tell you how badly I wanted the French Bread & Pizza Mix from Gluten Free Pantry to be delicious but I cannot lie, it sucked. It did not rise well. It was not fluffy like French Bread is, so it did not have the potential to make an amazing sandwich that I had been dreaming up. I was pretty bummed out.
This product will never be purchased again. Ever. I am still on the quest for GF French Bread. Anyone know where I can find that?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Schar's Chocolate Sandwich Cremes & Vanilla Sandwich Cremes
Friday, September 10, 2010
Amy's Indian Matter Paneer
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Nourish
- I have been hating gluten free eating for a while. If you follow me on Twitter, you would know this because I have been doing my share of complaining. I have been finding it hard to eat out or go grocery shopping. Being vegetarian and gluten-free is not always the easiest thing.Last night, I had nothing to complain about!
- Most of my posts on this blog are post-dated. I am a very busy lady, so if I try a food that I want to let you know about, I usually will write about a whole bunch of them all at once.Then,I scatter the posts so you guys wont think I am neglectful. However, I went to Nourish last night for my birthday and I was so amazed that I had to blog ASAP!
The atmosphere is beautiful. The restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery. I did not feel like I was eating in Arizona at all. When we walked in, we were greeted so warmly that I felt instantly comfortable. Then when we were handed our menu, the server asked if we had any food intolerances or food allergies that he needed to be aware of! SCORE! How often are you asked this at a restaurant? Never. I can honestly say that I have never in my life been asked this. At this time, I informed the server that I had Celiacs. I did not get a weird look. I did not get asked questions like, " Can you have cheese? Are mushrooms OK? "Great, let me bring you some bread!" No, this guy knew exactly what I was talking about. I felt like everyone at Nourish would know what I was talking about because they flat out asked me, I never once had to tell anyone.
Also, the menu won my heart. Each item is labeled and it lets you know if it is gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian, or vegan. This made it easy for me to choose my meal. I would look for the symbols and choose accordingly. The menu was also healthy, unique and delicious. I have to go back and try more.
While we were seated, Kirstin Carey, the owner, came and chatted with us. She was so impressive, I was blown away with her kindness and her willingness to talk to me. She cannot eat wheat. We discussed her kitchen and how it is a gluten free kitchen. We talked in depth about what processes she utilizes to keep it from being cross contaminated with the breads they do serve. By the way, they serve amazing gluten free bread. The picture above was my dinner. It was delicious. I ordered the Optima and I would have never known the bread was GF.
I know I will go back. I know that I will never have to fear cross-contamination there and that my service will always be amazing. Cheers and success to my new favorite restaurant!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tandoor Chef: Vegetable Pad Thai
Friday, August 27, 2010
Kinnikinnick S'moreables!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Schar's Chocolate- Dipped Chookies
I was super excited about trying out Schar's Chocolate Dipped Cookies. Schar's products are number one in Europe, I thought eating them would make me feel fancy. However, the first bite was so buttery that I thought Paula Deen snuck her Southern ass all the way over to this dedicated gluten free kitchen. This light buttery taste found its way into every bite of each cookie. But, the gluten that I am still devoured the whole box. Because, well, I liked the cookies...but they were not my absolute favorite.
The Stats:
Serving Size: 3 cookies
Calories 150
Total Fat 7grams
Total Carbohydrates
Sugars 6grams
Protein 1grams
Monday, August 23, 2010
Namaste Foods Taco Pasta!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Amy's Spinach Rice Crust Pizza
That does not look the same does it? So, I had to spruce it up! Once I loaded it up with cheese I was a happy camper! If you want a pretty yummy spinach pizza, try this one!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tropical Banana Blondies
Tropical Banana Blondies
- 1 package Namaste Foods Blondies Mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- medium overripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup flaked coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1 (6 oz) package dried pineapple chunks, chopped coarsely
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 9x13 pan with non-stick spray.
- Combine eggs, bananas, and water. Add Blondie mix, coconut and pineapple. Mix well.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes. Blondies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan on cooling rack for 15 minutes. Run knife around edge of pan before removing.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Kinnikinnick Personal Size Pizza Crusts!
I had a friend come over for dinner that was not gluten free and she told me she would pick this pizza over a "traditional" pizza any day! It made me smile from ear to ear!
Here are my two favorite ways to make this pizza!
Cheese and broccoli:
Pizza with three types of cheese:
Have you tried this yet? What would you put on your personal pizza?
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix
I have become a snob.A pancake/ waffle mix snob that is. I was stoked when I saw this on the grocery shelf and I was dancing in the kitchen when I was cooking this because Bisquick diving into the gluten free foods world is good for the community...or so I thought. However, when I tried the mix, I realized what a snob I have become...I hated the mix. It isn't that it is horrid but I have had better. Betty Crocker and General Mills are all companies that are now known for entering the gluten free market with good tasting products, I expected the same of Bisquick. There are amazing companies that are soley GF that do it better!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
What I made using Bob's Red Mill Quick Cooking Oats..
These oats are so yummy. If you have not discovered them, I suggest you go out and purchase them because they are simply amazing. I was eating this for breakfast for a while with blueberries and brown sugar. It was so incredible that my mouth is salivating just thinking about it.
I loved these Bob's Red Mill oats so much that I started thinking about what else I could use the oats for. Then I was reminded of a recipe that my Grandma would make for me. I searched for it and I found it online, here.
Amazing. Even better than the run of the mill oatmeal for breakfast! Everything is better when you add chocolate and peanut butter to it!
Have you guys ever made these cookies? What did you think? Do you like Bob's Red Mill products?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sweet Health Cookies!
I have to be honest, as a total sugar addicted glutton, I was nervous to try these. I LOVE sugar. I love sugar too much. I have been struggling with my love of sugar actually. I have been cutting back on my sugar intake lately because I have diabetes in my family and my Aunt who has diabetes has shown me what it can do to if one does not take care of it properly. But, it makes me aware. It makes me aware to treat my body with respect. So, I now try to only eat badly if I am reviewing products for the blog or if I really want to treat myself.
Luckily, Sweet Health Cookies are healthy. They are not only gluten free but also casein free. As I mentioned, they are diabetic friendly too! I tried two varieties, the Snickerdoodle and the Lemon Bliss. I liked the Lemon Bliss more than the Snickerdoodle. They also use organic products. I feel not only confident in their products but also like I am not cheating on my diet when I eat them. I would feel happy taking a bag of these to my Aunt and not feel like I was taking her something that was harmful to her health.
I highly recommend these! Especially the Lemon Bliss!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Kinnikinnick Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Homestyle Waffles
You will be pleased to know that these do in fact taste yummy. Top them off with your favorite fruits and perhaps some flax seed and you have yourself a winning meal to start your day off right! Especially because these Kinnikinnick waffles have no preservatives!
The Stats:
(PRE-SYRUP, FRUIT OR ANYTHING ELSE YOUR HEART DESIRES ON THESE YUMMY WAFFLES)
Serving size: 1 waffles
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 3.5 grams
Total Carbs: 18 grams
Sugars: 3 grams
protien: 1 gram
Monday, July 19, 2010
Gits: Matar Paneer
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Glow Cookies & Sweepstakes!
These flavors are both so scrumptious that I cannot decide which I like more!
Glow Cookies are sadly not carried in every state yet, so if your state does not carry them, order them! Or, you can enter this amazing sweepstakes through Rachel Ray!
I highly suggest that you try Glow Cookies! They are not only gluten free but also dairy free and also free of trans fats! Eating them is a healthier alternative that will simply make you glow!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Can new packaging really help a product?
Well, it was functional in the bag because the donuts were contained but the donuts were touching and they got stuck together. When they are frozen, this becomes a total hassle.
Kinnikinnick then repackaged and I am so pleased!
No more donuts melted into each other! The donuts look so put together and this box fits much nicer into my freezer. The product always tasted great but the improvement on the packaging has made me love it so much more!
The Stats:
Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 229
Total Fat: 9 grams
Carbs: 37
Protein: 4 grams
The Winner Is....
Saturday, July 10, 2010
My favorite snack at the moment...
What is your favorite snack to eat at home?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Kinnikinnick Bagels
I love bagels and I have to tell you, my first experience with this bagel was not love at first bite. I took the bagel out of the freezer, microwaved for 15 seconds, cut the bagel in half and toasted the bagel in my GF toaster. Then I loaded the bagel with cream cheese and I expected a taste explosion in my mouth...instead the bagel was still slightly cold on the inside and lacked "WOW" factor I associate with Kinnikinnick products.
I didn't give up, I figured this was error on my part and I was right. On my second try, I microwaved for 20 seconds, cut in half and toasted twice! Much better. The bagel was still not as delicious as a non-gluten free bagel but I am thankful for the Kinnikinnick option.
What do you guys think? Have you tried the Kinnikinnick bagels?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Namaste Foods: Chocolate Cake Cupcakes & My First Giveaway!
The cake mix itself is very easy to make. I made cupcakes...of course...with homemade lemon frosting.
The mix made a ton, about 30 of them! I was in cupcake heaven. I didn't expect to be wowed though, like I said, I have made a lot of cakes in my day. But, I was WRONG. This gluten free cake did not even taste gluten free. I easily was able to pick it up with out the cupcake crumbling in my hands. The taste was airy and moist. I took some of the cupcakes to my Boyfriend's house to serve and didn't tell anyone they were gluten free and no one even knew. That is how amazing these are!
The amazing folks at Namaste are hosting a giveaway right here on the blog! So, if you want to try the mix for yourself, please enter! You will not be disappointed...
The GIVEAWAY!!!!
How To Enter:
1. Follow my blog if you are not all ready a follower. You can follow by clicking on the top of the screen where it says follow!
2. Leave me a comment on the blog, email (littleblognotes@yahoo.com), or Twitter (shelovestoblog) that states what your favorite gluten free food is to make. Also, please look at the Namaste Website and tell me what item you would be most interested in trying.
3. For an extra entry, please re-post my contest on your blog if you have one! Just let me know about it :)
4. Make sure you leave me a valid email address to contact you!
Applicants Must be US residents only. If you win, I will contact you. Please no P.O. Boxes. I will relay your information to Namaste Foods and they will send out your winnings!
Ends 7/12/2010 at Midnight AZ time! Good luck!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Fourth And A GF Road Trip Love Story...
SECOND- It is my anniversary with my Non Gluten Free BF. This is us last 4th of July!
THIRD- I wanted to share a story with you all about a gluten free road trip that Steve and I took last August because I had been craving eclairs and we finally found a place that carried them (thanks to my BFF Stephanie).
This is what I wrote on my other blog (now private) about the road trip...
Steve and I went to Fountain Hills to get gluten free eclairs. Yes, that is right...we were willing to drive miles and miles so I could get the food that I have been lusting after for over a year now. I have to say thank you to Stephanie for telling me about Nature's Finest because they carry the eclairs!
Anyway, Steve is always playing awesome music for me. Today we listened to Looner, a really good band and they are also friends of his. You guys should check them out because they are really good!
When we got there, we meant business! We went straight to the health food store!
Steve...being observant...of the fountain...and the hills!
FOURTH- I would like to add... that Nature's Finest did have a bunch of Gluten Free Products. So, if you are ever in the Fountain's Hills area, you should check them out!
FIFTH- Road trips for GF food with the one you love makes the GF food taste much sweeter.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
How to make homemade pancakes fluffier & my thoughts on a mix..
Buttermilk. It is a good way to make pancakes fluffier and I think yummy. I just started doing this and I totally notice a difference. When a mix says milk, I substitute low fat buttermilk and I think it helps!
Now, for my thoughts on this mix...I could take it or I could leave it. It is a good mix but there isn't a WOW factor. I think I prefer the Trader Joe's Mix to it actually.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Rugelech
My only complaint is with the serving size and this I have noticed with all of Katz's products. The serving size is 1 oz. That is very hard to tell if you are eating these out of the house or if you do not have a scale in the house. There are 6 servings per container but still. I am a foodie and a total over eater...I need clear food boundaries with yummy products...give me clear rules or I will eat something this delicious in one sitting. So, if I am struggling this hard to find something hard to say about Katz then I guess it is good :)
Stats:
Serving: 1oz
Total Fat: 5 grams
Calories: 120
Carbohydrates: 18 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Sugar: 7 grams
Monday, June 28, 2010
Trader Joe's Gluten Free & Dairy Free Homestyle Pancakes
I have been on a total pancake/ waffle kick with my son. I think my obsession is mainly based because I can load up pancakes with berries, bananas and raisins and we are starting our day off right. My new favorite is not a mix but a box with makes it totally easy because sometimes I don't have time in the morning to deal with the hassle of mixes. Trader Joe's has a GF and Dairy Free box available in their freezer section. My favorite part is that they come wrapped already packaged according to serving size. The picture shows the serving size (3 pancakes with syrup and raspberries) This breakfast is awesome!
The stats (pancakes only)
Serving size: 3 pancakes
calories: 230
total fat: 4.5
carbohydrats: 41 grams
sugars:
protiens:5
Friday, June 25, 2010
Glutino: Cinnamon French Toast
I got so excited when I saw these at my grocery store! I have been longing for french toast for a while and I love Glutino products so I knew that I had to pick these up. It was the first time ever that my son and I both ate French Toast at breakfast together!
While I did really enjoy the product, it was slightly rubbery at first so I had to add more syrup to it and then it was perfect!
If you guys are hankering for french toast, pick up Glutino Cinnamon French Toast!
Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sorry that my picture is not wonderful but that is no reflection on the cookies whatsoever. These are hands down the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies I have had. When they ship to your door (how easy is that?) you freeze them till you are ready to enjoy them. All you have to do is thaw them... I have to be honest; I was hesitant of these cookies because I was worried that they wouldn't taste good because they were frozen. Some frozen foods do not that taste as good when they are freshly baked. Do not let that throw you off, I was mistaken. These cookies taste like soft baked cookies! I could not stop eating them and now I am dying for more! I love soft bake cookies and I have not been able to find them since I have gone GF. I am not sure if they are meant to be soft bake tasting or not but I love these cookies!
These cookies are not just gluten free but also dairy free and nut free too! Katz Gluten Free sure knows how to make amazing gluten free chocolate chip cookies.
The Stats:
Serving size: 1oz
Total Fat: 8 grams
Total Calories: 150
Carbohydrates: 18 grams
Sugar: 1o grams
Protein: 1 gram
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Kinnikinnick Tapioca Rice Cinnamon Buns
I put the extra frosting on and heated these for 20 seconds in the microwave and I indulged in amazing cinnamon bun goodness. These totally hit the spot! Thank you Kinnikinnick for helping me get my fix!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Peas Of Mind: Baked Carrot Fries
As a Mom, I am constantly looking for healthier versions of my son's favorite foods. When I spotted these Carrot Fries by Peas Of Mind, I jumped for joy! One bag has NINE servings of vegetables and it is a wonderful source of Vitamin A...now that sounds like a real winner.
When I made these for my son for the first time, I was worried he would notice these were not like the fries I had purchased before, but he ate them up. Frankly, so did I.
Have you tried Peas Of Mind products? What do you think of them?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kinnikinnick: Kinni Kritters Animal Cookies
Do not let the name fool you, these do not taste like average animal cookies. They have a light vanilla flavor that makes these more sophisticated than the animal cookies that I ate during my youth and the animals look cooler too. My best friend and fellow GF Blogger, GF Steph, LOVES these too! In fact, she got me hooked on them!They are so delicious that I sometimes take them in the car with me in case I am in a jam and there is no gluten free food options for me.
Aside from being GF, they are also nut free and dairy free!
The Stats:
Serving Size: 8 cookies
Calories: 90
Total Fat: 1.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 17 grams
Sugar: 2 grams
Protein: 1 gram