Cookbook Review: Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, Quick and Easy by Nicole Hunn

I just received a copy of Nicole Hunn's new cookbook, Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, Quick and Easy 100 Recipes for the Food You Love--Fast! I loved Nicole's first cookbook simply titled Gluten-Free on a Shoestring; her popover recipe rocks!  In her new book there is a recipe for chocolate popovers, which are out of this world... thanks Nicole!  Nicole's new cookbook also has a great recipe for gluten free mini chocolate donuts which I am anxious to try... I even bought my daughters a mini donut machine for Christmas so we can make Nicole's recipe (shhh don't tell!).

About the book...

"People who follow a gluten-free diet—avoiding all foods with even a trace of wheat, barley, and rye in their ingredients—don’t always have the quick and cheap food options that their friends do…until now. Gluten-free guru Nicole Hunn is back with 100 new quick-prep and make-ahead recipes for dinners, yeast-free breads, baked goods, snacks, breakfasts, and more. These unique timesaving recipes take advantage of readily available gluten-free ingredients, low-cost packaged goods, and kitchen shortcuts. Created with the busy family in mind, Hunn shares her secrets to getting a scrumptious meal on the table in fewer than thirty minutes—without breaking the bank. Recipes include Super-Quick Cinnamon Rolls, Yeast-Free English Muffins, Easy Veggie Burgers, Weeknight Chicken Soup, Cheesecake Cookies, Make-Your-Own Yellow Cake Mix, and more."

Gluten Free Holiday Cookies from Lucy's - Limited Edition!

The nice folks at Lucy's are spreading holiday cheer with two limited edition gluten free cookie flavors: Holiday Sugars and Chocolate Merry Mint.  The Holiday Sugar cookies are sprinkle with sparkling sugar and the Chocolate Merry Mint cookies have a hint of delicious mint flavor!

Tuck Lucy's gluten free holiday cookies into lunchboxes or offer them on trays at your next holiday get together.  My kids also love them with a cup of hot cocoa after school for a special treat.  However you decide to serve them, these delicious holiday cookies  are sure to be a hit with the whole family!

Lucy's limited edition holiday cookies will only be available throughout holidays so don't miss them!

Saffron Road Introduces Gluten Free Crunchy Chickpeas!

Have you tried the new Crunchy Chickpeas snacks from Saffron Road?  They are a healthy gluten free alternative to fried, fat-laden snacks, offering 6 grams of protein and only 4 grams of fat per serving.  These addicting little morsels come in 3 yummy flavors to suit every palette: Falafel (my personal favorite), Bombay Spice and Wasabi.

Saffron Road's Crunchy Chickpeas are made with organic chickpeas that are certified Non-GMO.  They are perfect for snacking at home or on the go.  Try putting out bowls of all three flavors at your holiday gatherings... they are sure to stir up some "spicy" conversation.

You can find Crunchy Chickpeas at your local Whole Foods Market.

Lucy's Introduces NEW Gluten Free Brownie Cakes and Snack N’ Go Packs

Now available in stores!

Does your family love Lucy’s gluten-free cookies as much as mine does?  If so, you will be happy to hear that Lucy's has added two new lunchbox-friendly products to its baked goods line... Lucy’s Snack N’ Go cookie packs and Brownie Cakes.  Both products are now available in stores!

I greatly appreciate the convenience factor of Lucy's new Gluten Free Brownie Cakes and Snack N’ Go Packs; being that I pack my daughter a gluten free lunch for school each day it is a blessing when I can quickly add a lunch component that is delicious, pre-wrapped and safe for her to eat.  Lucy's has really hit the taste target with their yummy Brownie packs... my daughter says they are her new favorite gluten free treat!  Of course we are long time fans of Lucy's cookies as well; you can check out my previous Lucy's gluten free cookie review here.

About the products...

Snack N’ Go Packs: Conveniently packaged in a serving of three cookies in individual foil packs (six foil packs per box). Each pack is one serving, ranging from 120-130 calories with 0mg cholesterol and 0g trans fat. Suggested retail price is $5.49.  Available in two varieties: a box dedicated only to Chocolate Chip , and a Combo box, which includes Chocolate Chip, Maple Bliss, and Chocolate cookies (two packs of each flavor). As always, Lucy’s cookies are gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, and made without milk, eggs, peanuts, or tree nuts. 

Lucy’s Brownie Cakes: Four two-brownie packs come in each 8.2 oz box for a suggested retail price of $5.49. A serving size is one brownie, for 120 calories, 0mg cholesterol and 0g trans fat. These rich chocolate brownies are also gluten free, vegan, non-GMO and made without milk, eggs, peanuts, or tree nuts.

About Dr. Lucy’s LLC...

"Through the brand Lucy’s, Dr. Lucy’s LLC creates and markets delicious, high quality, convenient foods for people with and without special dietary considerations. On the market since December 2007, Lucy’s currently offers seven flavors of gluten-free allergy-friendly cookies—Ginger Snap, Maple Bliss, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Thin, Sugar and Oatmeal packaged in both 5.5 ounce boxes and 1.25 ounce grab & go packs. Now adding convenient Snack’n Go cookie packs, and all new Brownie Cakes. All treats are baked without wheat, gluten, dairy milk, butter, eggs, casein, peanuts or tree nuts. Lucy’s incorporates a three component allergen control program that includes selectively sourcing raw materials, testing for trace allergens in an on-site lab and baking in a dedicated facility."

GIVEAWAY WINNER: Gluten Free Breakfast Kit

And the winner is:

gkuroda (comment #5)

Congratulations! You were e-mailed on 6/13/12; please reply to my e-mail (not this post) within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to the Kellogg Company® for sponsoring this giveaway!

Cookbook Review: Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cooking

As many of you know I am a lifelong fan of all things Betty Crocker.  I love that they have created affordable and tasty gluten free foods in the last few years, especially their dessert mixes and Bisquick.  Now the folks at Betty Crocker have written a gluten free cookbook full of delicious recipes, some using Betty Crocker gluten free mixes and others using regular gluten free flours.  I personally appreciate the recipes that use the Betty Crocker gluten free mixes, as they are time savers for my busy family.

I made a super-easy cherry coffee cake recipe from the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cooking book that utilized gluten free Bisquick and my family loved it!  The cake was moist and flavorful and was a real treat for breakfast or dessert.  You can substitute any flavor of canned pie filling you wish in the recipe with great results; I will definitely make it again.

I am looking forward to making many more of the recipes from Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cooking.  I hope you will enjoy this wonderful additional to your gluten free cookbook library as much as I do!

GIVEAWAY: Gluten Free Breakfast Kit ($70.00 approx. retail value)!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE is One (1) “KELLOGG’S® RICE KRISPIES® GLUTEN FREE BREAKFAST KIT: one (1) nine-ounce box of Gluten-Free Rice Krispies ®, one (1) Kellogg's Rice Krispies® Assorted Mugs, four (4) Linden Street Boston Checks Placemats from JC Penny, four (4) Gerber Daisy White Napkin Rings from Crate & Barrel, one (1) Set of Monogrammed Napkins from West Elm, and two (2) Rice Krispies Snap!™ Crackle!™ Pop!™ Bowls . Total ARV: $70

I have been a fan of Rice Krispies cereal since my childhood; I can still remember putting my ear to the cereal bowl to hear them snap, crackle & pop! Now I enjoy sharing gluten free Rice Krispies cereal with my daughter.  To help gluten free families like mine, Rice Krispies has teamed up with “The Gluten-Free Dietitian” Tricia Thompson, MS, RD to to "de-bunk" the following gluten myths:

Myth One: You always have to pay more for gluten-free products.

"Gluten-free doesn’t have to mean more expensive or a trip to a specialty store. For example, a box of Kellogg's Rice Krispies Gluten Free cereal costs the same amount as Kellogg's Rice Krispies and is sold alongside the original blue box."

Myth Two: All gluten-free snacks for kids require extra attention from mom and dad.

"Not all snacks require a lot of time and preparation. With many favorite products now available in gluten-free varieties, it’s easy to whip up a quick gluten-free snack that the whole family will love, like Rice Krispies Gluten-Free Treats™."

Myth Three: Food that’s labeled “gluten-free” is healthy.

"Not all gluten-free products qualify as healthy. When grocery shopping, look for gluten-free cereals, breads, and pastas that are made with gluten-free whole grains or have been fortified or enriched as they are good sources of iron and B vitamins, which may be lacking in gluten-free diets."  

You can find fun gluten free recipes using Rice Krispies cereal on their website, Facebook and Pinterest pages.

How to enter this giveaway: 

Simply leave (1) comment on this post sharing your favorite way to serve or prepare gluten free Rice Krispies cereal; be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.  Giveaway open to US residents only.  Limit one entry per person.

Giveaway ends Tuesday June 12, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. PST (entries received after this time will not be posted). Winner will be selected by random.org. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected; PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR E-MAIL REPLIES THAT ARE SENT TO ME AND NOT RECEIVED IN MY INBOX FOR ANY REASON. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A PROMPT REPLY BACK FROM ME ASSUME I DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR E-MAIL. RE-SEND YOUR REPLY UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM ME WITHIN 48 HOURS (FROM THE TIME I SENT YOUR WINNER'S NOTIFICATION E-MAIL) OR A NEW WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN. LEAVING AN ENTRY COMMENT ON THIS POST WILL SERVE AS ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS.

Click here for the official giveaway rules.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Kellogg Company® has provided me with a Kellogg’s Gluten-Free Breakfast Kit to conduct a reader giveaway. However, my opinions on the product are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards Kellogg Company® or their products.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Is Dominoes Pizza Chain's Gluten Free Crust Safe to Eat?

While the gluten free community is always looking for new gluten free dining options, the first priority is figuring out if the foods offered are safe to eat. The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) has released a statement regarding the release of Dominoes Pizza chain's effort to introduce gluten free pizza crust.  Here is an excerpt from that statement: "While GIG appreciates Domino's desire to offer a gluten-free pizza, we do not feel the effort put forth demonstrates a true commitment toward making a safe environment for producing gluten-free food."  To read GIG's entire statement regarding Dominoes gluten free crust on Examiner.com click here.

I trust GIG's opinion on gluten free restaurant safety; based on their statement I personally will not be purchasing the Dominoes gluten free pizza for my daughter who has Celiac Disease.  I find it unfortunate that Dominoes does not understand the need for adequate cross contamination practices when offering gluten free food to its customers.

Review: Exotic Gluten Free Simmer Sauces from Saffron Road

I enjoy preparing from scratch home cooked meals for my family, but on especially busy weeknights I sometimes use a few prepared foods to help speed up the process.  Prepared foods typically contain less than healthy ingredients, so I opt for all natural products such as the new gluten free Simmer Sauces from Saffron Road.

Saffron Road’s gluten free Simmer Sauces come in four flavors, each a unique taste of world cuisine.  My family had the pleasure of sampling the following simmer sauce flavors, which I am happy to report are also dairy free:

A light sauce with the authentic Thai flavors.  

A slow simmered sauce bursting with exotic flavors. 

Indian flavors in a slightly spicy sauce with peppers and authentic spices.  

My family agrees that Saffron Road's new gluten free Simmer Sauces are delicious and very fresh tasting.  I intend to keep a supply of them in my pantry for quick and tasty weeknight meals!

Note:  Most of Saffron Road’s products are certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), including all four Simmer Sauces.  Saffron Road is proud to offer certified Halal cuisine.

Celiac Awareness Music Video!

Thanks to Kate from the Gluten Free Gobsmacked blog for posting this fun Celiac awareness music video; it's a parody of Simon & Garfunkels song Cecelia. Enjoy!

Consumer Alert/Product Recall: Jelly Belly Deluxe Easter Mix (contains gluten!)

Beware... Jelly Belly Deluxe Easter Mix candies are being recalled due to the fact they were made with undeclared wheat.  The candies are falsely labeled gluten free.  The recalled product was distributed nationwide.

Details:

Assortment of seasonal Peter Rabbit Deluxe Easter Mix “Gluten Free” candies
2.7 ounce bags
UPC number 071567992794
Lot codes of:

11111, with Best Before date of January 11, 2013
111215, with Best Before date of February 15, 2013
Lot code 120120, with Best Before date of March 20, 2013

The Jelly Belly Candy Company of Fairfield, California initiated the recall.  The reason for the recall is that the Deluxe Easter candy mix contains wheat and malted milk balls, which contain gluten.

If you have a question or need more information, contact Jelly Belly Customer Service at 1-800-323-9380 from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm PST (Monday through Friday).

Review: Madrid Coffee Cakes - Naturally Gluten Free!

A small family bakery in Massachusetts called Madrid Bakery had so many customers praising their nutty, gluten free, dairy free, all-natural coffee cakes that they became their best selling item.  In fact, so many of their loyal customers asked if they would ship their coffee cakes to loved ones across the United States that they created Madrid Coffee Cakes to accommodate them!

Madrid Coffee Cakes is a family operation that takes great pride in utilizing traditional European methods and recipes; they actually make all of their cakes from scratch. All of their delicious gluten free coffee cakes are baked to order, to ensure maximum quality and freshness.

Madrid Coffee Cakes are gluten free, "Prepared using special isolated methods and with special care taken to exclude "hidden" Gluten, making any of our coffee cakes appropriate for those eliminating Gluten from their diet for nutritional or intolerance reasons." 

Madrid Coffee Cakes use thousand year old European coffee cake recipes, that just happen to be Gluten Free. This is why they taste so much better than cakes that have been made with revised recipes to try to make them taste like "regular" cake.

In addition to be gluten free Madrid Coffee Cakes are also dairy free and "Free of ingredients with "trace" casein. They are prepared using special isolation procedures and are appropriate for those eliminating dairy from their diet for milk allergy and lactose intolerance reasons. and 100% natural, made with no preservatives, artificial colors, or artificial flavors!" 

How do they taste?

I had out of town house guests staying with me and decided to serve a Chocolate Hazelnut Coffee Cake form Madrid Coffee Cakes for dessert.  The cake was packaged in a lovely gold tin with the Madrid Coffee cake logo on it, which made a nice presentation for my guests - they knew they were being served something special. 

The coffee cake was moist, had a wonderful nutty flavor and was not overly sweet, which we all appreciated.  The cake held up beautifully to slicing and didn't crumble. The chocolate chunks in the cake complimented the flavor with out being overwhelming, and we all agreed it was delicious.  So delicious in fact that the next evening there was nothing but crumbs left in the gold tin, thanks to my Dad and his sweet tooth!  My guests are not on gluten free diets and they gave the cake rave reviews, as did my family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review. I received complimentary product for review purposes from the product company and/or their PR agency. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are solely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rudi's Gluten Freebies Giveaway... Cameras, Toasters, & Other Prizes!

Throughout February, you can log on to the Rudi's Gluten-Free Facebook page each day and enter for the chance to win terrific prizes like a Cuisinart toaster, a Kodak digital camera, Rudi’s Gluten-Free products, Crofter’s Organic jams and other awesome prizes to celebrate gluten-free life!

In the meantime, definitely check out the Rudi's Gluten-Free website for information on their delicious gluten free line of bakery products.  You can also check out Rudi's Gluten-Free store locator to find their products at a store near you.

Best of luck!

Review: Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies - Three New Flavors!

Valentine's day is approaching! Instead of spending hours searching for allergy-friendly Valentine's candy for your loved ones, why not consider offering safer sweets with Lucy’s cookies? If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting them yet, Lucy’s cookies are delicious treats that are gluten-free, vegan, and made without milk, eggs, peanuts or tree nuts, but they taste like "regular" cookies! My favorite thing about Lucy's cookies (beside the great flavor) is the airy crunch; these cookies truly hold up beautifully when dunked in your beverage of choice.  

There are seven different flavors of Lucy's cookies to choose from, including the new Chocolate, Maple Bliss and Ginger Snap varieties. I am happy to report that there are only 120 calories for three cookies, so you and your Valentine can ditch the guilt and enjoy these delectable treats together. My favorite flavor is the Chocolate, but I am also quite partial to the Maple Bliss... decisions, decisions. :-)

I feel good knowing that Lucy’s cookies are made in a dedicated bakery where they use the best available testing methods to exclude specific allergens: gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts.

Who is Lucy?  "As an M.D. and mother of a child with severe food allergies, Dr. Lucy Gibney brings understanding and a first-hand knowledge of the importance of strict quality standards and how to achieve them. With clear ingredient and allergen information on our packaging and careful selection of all raw materials, we employ the very best methods for quality control."

Resource: Gluten Free Dog Food from MrChewy.com

When my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I came to the realization that not only did her food need to be gluten free, so did our dog's food; there is just too much chance of cross contamination otherwise.  I discovered that reading the long ingredient labels on dog food packaging and traveling to multiple stores to find gluten free dog food is time consuming and tedious.

Recently I discovered an online resource for gluten free dog food and treats called Mr. Chewy.  Now I can order my pet products from home and they will conveniently be delivered right to my door.  As a bonus, I can purchase other types of pet products that are heavy and cumbersome to tote around retail stores as well, such as cat litter.

My gluten free dog, Maggie.

My first order from MrChewy.com was for Iams Proactive Health Adult Small and Toy Breed Dry Dog Food (it's gluten free!) and Fresh Step Multiple Cat Scoopable Clumping Cat Litter; having it delivered to my home was so convenient that I stocked up and ordered multiples of each.  The best part is that shipping is FREE on any order over $49.00!

Next time I would like to order my little dog Maggie some gluten free dog treats from Mr. Chewy, as I find them difficult to find in most retail stores... I know she will love them!

Gluten Free Resource: Swanson Health Products

If you have never heard of Swanson Health Products let me have the pleasure of introducing you; they are an online resource for over 3000 gluten free items, including supplements, personal care products and food items!  Better yet they offer free standard shipping on orders of $65.00 or more, so if you like to stock up on gluten free items like I do this is a great perk.  Swanson Health Products has been in business since 1969 and is "The realization of one man’s dream of bringing wellness to the world."

I find the Swanson Health Products website a cinch to navigate, especially because they have an easy to find link to their gluten free products in the left hand sidebar on their home page.  I was impressed with the wide variety of gluten free products and had a difficult time choosing between all of the wonderful possibilities!  Finally I decided to order 3 gluten free products from the brand Now Foods: Certified Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Maple Syrup (16 ounces for only $10.13!), and Nutritional Yeast Flakes.  I go through large amounts of Nutritional Yeast Flakes, as I use them to make dairy free "cheese" sauce for my daughter; I am pleased that the prices of the products are all below retail and the quality is excellent.

I recommend that you take a few minutes to explore the healthy gluten free possibilities awaiting you on the Swanson Health Products website; there are many treasures to be had and the awesome savings make it even better.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review. I received complimentary product for review purposes from the product company and/or their PR agency. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are solely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

My Recipe was Published in the Newest Gooseberry Patch Cookbook!

Hi everyone... I am excited to share that my Mustard Thyme Potato Salad recipe was published in the newest Gooseberry Patch cookbook entitled 101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches!  I haven't received my copy yet, but based on the cover art (above) it appears that my recipe is also featured on the cover! Woo hoo! 

I have been a loyal  fan of all things Gooseberry Patch for over a decade and now I am a tiny piece of their history (I am feeling all warm and fuzzy inside right now). :)

If you purchase a copy of 101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches be sure to leave a comment here and let me know how you liked the recipes!

Note:  I can't say how many of the recipes inside are gluten free, with the exception of mine of course, but I would imagine the ones that aren't can be easily modified.

Have a yummy day!

Review: Gluten Free Skin & Body Care from Daisy Blue Naturals

Many people who do not live a gluten free lifestyle think it is all about food choices.  If it were only that simple!  Most people with Celiac Disease believe that anything that has a chance of entering your mouth, even accidentally, should not contain gluten.  Take skin and body care products for example; these products are on our face, bodies and hair; inevitably they are going to be ingested, even in small amounts whether we intend for them to or not.  When you wash your face, the lather from the cleanser will most likely make contact with your lips.  If you apply lotion on your body the residue left on your hands could enter your mouth if the two make contact.  You get the picture!

Because my daughter has Celiac Disease, I seek out only gluten free skin and body care products for our family.  I would hate for cross-contamination to occur via lotion residue on our hands transferring to food we prepare for her and several other {equally undesirable} scenarios.  I have found a solution in Daisy Blue Naturals; they offer skin and body care products that are gluten free, all natural and affordable.  An added plus is that Daisy Blue Naturals use essential oils from plants and flowers as well as a myriad of botanicals in their products.  Essential oils not only smell lovely, they are therapeutic as well.  This means you get natural, gluten free skin care that creates positive change in the skin... a triple win! 

I had the opportunity to sample the Lavender Lotion and Lavender Soap from Daisy Blue Naturals; it is no secret to those who know me that I have an affinity for essential oils, especially lavender.  The Daisy Blue Naturals Lavender Lotion makes me happy the minute I smell it due to the power of aromatherapy.  Lavender is naturally soothing and healing... it instantly calms my busy mind and puts a smile on my face.  I start my day with it after my morning shower and end my day with it before going to sleep.  The texture of Daisy Blue lotion is silky but in no way greasy, it has a quick absorption time and slips easily over the skin with out pulling.  The Daisy Blue Naturals Lavender Soap has the same dreamy scent as the lotion and a rich creamy lather; my skin feels soft and nourished after using it.  My daughter with Celiac Disease loves the Daisy Blue Naturals lavender products as much as I do... we are both huge fans!

I think it is worth mentioning that I am a licensed Cosmetologist who has worked as a corporate product trainer for a major skin care company and I give Daisy Blue Naturals my "pure and effective seal of approval."  These very special gluten free products are formulated and handmade by Daisy Blue Naturals.  Yes, handmade.  Neat, right?

Daisy Blue team member lovingly hand-making soap.

Please note that there are a few products on the Daisy Blue website which have wheat germ oil listed in the ingredients; upon inquiry Daisy Blue informed me that all of the products are now gluten free.  They are in the process of updating the ingredient listing on a few remaining products on their site to reflect this.

I highly recommend Daisy Blue Naturals; it is lovely, effective gluten free skin care that makes me happy every time I use it.

Daisy Blue Naturals is not sold in stores; order directly from the Daisy Blue website or click here, then scroll down to the contact form to find a Daisy blue Consultant in your area.  A Daisy Blue home party is a great option if you want to earn free products! Exciting career opportunities as an Independent Consultant for Daisy Blue are also available.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review. I received complimentary product for review purposes from the product company and/or their PR agency. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are solely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”