Product Review: Way Better Snacks

My family loves snack foods but most are full of chemicals, fat and empty calories.  I look for tasty snack options that are not only gluten free and dairy free but also healthy and delicious.  Way Better Snacks not only meet, they exceed all of my snack food criteria.   There are six varieties of Way Better Snacks to choose from and my family loved them all!

Check out a few of the many benefits these super-snacks have to offer due to the use of germinated-nutrient dense grains and seeds:

- Certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization, and all are processed on machinery that that does not process any items with gluten. To learn more, visit www.gfco.org

- Increased Vitamins & Minerals

- Increased Digestibility

- Increased Nutrient Absorption

- Non-GMO ingredients

- Vegan

To find a store near you that sells Way Better Snacks use their store locator.

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!