Where Have I Been?

Sadly, I've found out that not only am I allergic to gluten but that I am also allergic to corn.

This has put a serious damper in my testing and reviewing. So many GF foods contain corn in some form. Whether its corn syrup, corn starch, corn flour, etc.

Hold tight GF peeps. I'm searching and trying to find stuff that now accommodates my new allergy. But trust I will continue to bring you reviews of awesome GF stuff.


xoxo

GF Yummy

Nature's Path Whole-O's

I have recently been on a cold cereal kick and as often happens a family member "gifted" me this box of Whole O's. I'm always excited to try something new and even more excited to try it when I didn't have to pay for it!

What I really love about this cereal is that its feels like a grown up whole grain O cereal. It's organic, sweetened with cane & pomegranate juice. The flavor of this cereal is amazing. It doesn't taste bland it tastes subtly sweet and I'm guessing the awesome flavor comes for the pom juice. These are really crunchy and stay crunchy in milk. Unlike a lot of GF cereals this crunchy is not "rock tough" crunchy this crunchy is pleasantly crunchy.

Verdict? Yummy

Lucy's Cinnamon Thin Gluten Free Cookies

Let's be honest.

The only reason I picked up this box is because 1) it's pink and 2) its adorable. That Dr. Lucy knows exactly what's she's doing :)

I put the box in my cart because of Dr. Lucy's "bio" on the back of the box. She's just a mom (and an MD) with a kid with a severe allergies. Tired of all the bad tasting gluten free food out there she decided to make her own tasty cookies. Definitely something I can get behind. Plus Jules was just a woman who decided she was tired of bad tasting flour mixes and her flour mix rocks. So really? Dr. Lucy had my vote.

When I got home I checked out the ingredient list. I'm always curious what blend of flours people use - its weird but I think its interesting. Lucy's uses bean flours - which had I noticed at the store I may not have purchased the cookies since I normally do not like the outcome of bean flour. I was now extremely skeptical and Lucy's needed to win me over - since as we all know my opinion and will is what makes or breaks a company /sarcasm.

I held my breath and tasted. It tasted...good. Lucy's also used gluten free oat flour which I think hides the bean flour flavors. The cookie taste like something I ate gluten full but I can't place it. The flavor is good in the cookie and I really like the cinnamon taste. They are light and crispy and I imagine I will be enjoying them again with a nice cuppa.

Verdict? Yummy!

Disappointed

So last week I traced out my saga with Five Guys with you guys.

The horrible event ended on a high note - the District Manager was having a meeting and he promised to follow up with me about the meeting - including whether Five Guys was going to start allowing gluten free bread in their stores.

Well - its been almost a week and I've heard nothing. Nada. Not a peep. I feel like they went out of their way to placate me and planned on absolutely zero follow through.

At this point I have to say that I don't believe that Five Guys takes those of us with food allergies seriously and they have lost my business. I will be removing them from the "Safe Fast Foods" list and I recommend that others avoid the Five Guys restaurants in South Jersey.

My Dad's Cookies Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are my ultimate, all time favorite type of cookies. My grandmother used to make them every single Christmas and they were divine. She would do raspberry, strawberry and apricot filling in the Linzer cookies. I would steal as many as I could before the grown ups got into the cookies. Lucky for me my grandmother was good about spoiling her grandchildren so no one ever told me no :)

Since I was diagnosed with celiac I have not had a single linzer cookie. It's been nearly 7 years since one of those lovely cookies has crossed my lips. 

So you can imagine my joy and surprise when I came across these cookies at my local health store. (sidenote: Seriously, if you live in Southern New Jersey you absolutely have to go to Natural Health in Blackwood - its like Gluten Free mecca.) I had vaguely remembered a friend of mine in NYC telling me about this bakery and I figured if she was happy with the cookies they were absolutely worth a shot. 

As soon as I got home I ripped open the box and tried one. They were good but I felt let down and here's why. I think I've covered this before - a lot of the issues with gluten free foods is that we all have a taste memory of something that we ate before we were diagnosed with celiac/gluten intolerance/wheat intolerance. I believe this makes us more apt to immediately dismiss a gluten free product as "bad" since it doesn't taste anywhere near as good as what we remembered. That was my issue with this cookie. 

I had warm and gorgeous memories of this buttery, jam-filled cookies from my youth. I had to shake myself from that warm memory and review the cookie based on what it is not on what I want it to be. The cookie was good, it was firm and had a good crunch. I do wish that the cookie was more buttery but the filling was delicious. All in the cookie was pretty good. 

Verdict? Yummy

Five Guys Makes It Right

Okay, I am supremely impressed.

The District Manager from Five Guys called me and said that he will be sitting down with the franchisee and management team at the Deptford, NJ store tomorrow and making sure that everyone understands how they treat their customers.

I'm bowled over. What an amazing response and what quick action. I sincerely hope that this helps management understand how important it is to help those of us with celiac or gluten intolerance.

I'll keep you guys up to date about what happens next.

xoxoxo

GF Yummy

Avoid Five Guys in Deptford, NJ

I have previously suggested Five Guys as a place safe for celiacs.  After my experience this past Sunday I have to retract that statement.

I have never in my life experienced such rude and surly behavior from someone, let only someone who is a store manager.

I have been told repeatedly that I can bring in a gluten free roll to Five Guys and that they would happily build my burger on it - except for condiments which they would put on the side. When I was first told this I was very happy because anyone who has taken home a Five Guys burger sans bun knows what happens - the burger ends up tasting like aluminum foil by the time you get it home. Not exactly appetizing. I have had many easy transactions with Five Guys with the gluten free bun until this past Sunday.

I went to store 316 which is in Deptford, NJ. I placed my order and pulled my gluten free roll out of my purse in its ziploc bag and handed it to the cashier. I said and would you please place my burger on my gluten free roll. He looked completely confused turned around and looked at a large man and he said "NO." I looked at him, totally confused and said but its gluten free...the only thing you are allowed to accept over the counter is gluten free rolls. Again he says no and asks where I heard this from. I told him at this location from the manager, he says impossible I am the manager. I said well clearly not for all that long and you obviously don't know you're own company policy. He said that company policy was that every single burger had to be put on a Five Guys bun - that was company policy.

I blinked a few times and felt my face getting red. I asked if there was an owner I could speak to, nope. Well then how do I get in touch with corporate? They provided me with corporates number. I asked if this meant that they were not allowed to make my burger without a bun - yup thats what it meant. However, they would make an exception for me. I asked if they would keep the foil open so I could the bun on myself and they agreed. When my food was ready my burger was literally flung at me. I put the bun on and closed the foil. The rest of my food was laid at for me and I had to pack it up. I'm sure if the kitchen wasn't open the manager would've spit in my food.

I am completely appalled at the way I was treated. While it may not be the same at every Five Guys I have to advise anyone near Deptford, NJ who is celiac, gluten intolerant, etc to avoid this Five Guys location.

That all being said, I would be delighted to teach the staff how to handle meal requests from those with gluten allergies. Clearly the staff at store 316 needs some education. Five Guys you can reach me at glutenfreeyummy@gmail.com

Aleia's Almond Horn Cookies

One of my favorite things to do is to slowly browse my local health food store Natural Health in Blackwood, NJ. The place looks smallish but it is packed and its easy to miss new products. I scanned the cookie/snack aisle and my eyes landed on these simple brown bags. I looked at the ingredients - almond paste, sugar, almonds & egg whites - there is no way these won't be insanely tasty. Plus I loved that they were about $4 - got to love that!

At a few holiday parties this season I saw lots of classic Italian cookies and was feeling deeply devastated that I couldn't indulge in almond horns & pignoli cookies - two cookies that were my favorites PCD. Seeing these lovely almond horns made me feel super excited. I was looking forward to making a lovely cup of tea and enjoying my cookies. 

These are truly insanely tasty. I think they taste better then the almond horn cookies locked in my memory. The flavor is intensely almond-y and they are the richest tasting almond cookie I've ever had in my life. They are flaky like a croissant yet have a good density. They are perfection in a horn. 

Anyone who is missing traditional Italian cookies need look no further than Aleia's. They also make a pignoli cookie which I'll have to ask the health food store to order.

Verdict? YUMMY

Happy New Year

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the delay in writing....one of my resolutions is to do at least one review a week look for my newest review later tonight.

xoxox GF Yummy

Kettle Cuisine Roasted Vegetable Soup

I love the flavor of roasted vegetables. I guess who doesn't, right? I've seen many roasted veggie soups for sale but they are usually puree soups. Puree soups really gross me out. The only puree I can handle is tomato soup and that's it. It always seems to me when they puree a ton of veggies together the consistency is always a little off and too thick but still somehow too thin - it just never feels like it works,

This is why I was excited to see that Kettle Cuisine partially purees this roasted vegetable soup. You still get lots of chunks of delicious roasted veggies and get a nice thick soup that tastes smooth and yummy. The base is thickened with potatoes and seasoning is tasty and I could really taste the olive oil (which I loved), I almost feel like this could be good cold and used as a dip for tortilla chips or a toasted gluten free baguette.

Verdict? Yummy!

Kettle Cuisine Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder

Chicken Corn Chowder has somehow evaded me nearly my entire adult life. It was just never a soup that I had. It wasn't until I was in my mid-late 20's that I had it for the first time. I was working at a hedge fund and we would get this amazing catered lunches everyday. One of the places we ordered from would send chicken corn chowder during the winter months. It was the most delicious soup I ever had. It was rich and creamy and full of chicken and veggies but never felt heavy in my tummy. 

When I saw that Kettle Cuisine made one I knew I had to try it. Kettle Cuisine was awesome enough to send a box my way. I am happy to say I was not disappointed. This is a soup that requires some serious cornbread on the side. You will want to soak up every drop of the luscious broth. It is full flavored with the taste of sweet corn and has a little bit of kick from cayenne pepper. 

Verdict? YUMMY

Main Line Baking Co Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Well hello there new friend. 

I was on the hunt today for a pre-made gluten free dessert that I could bring to Thanksgiving. I checked out all of Whole Foods offerings and settled on a pecan pie. While rounding the corner I noticed packs of cupcakes and muffins from a vendor I've never heard of before. I stopped to look. 

Chai Tea Cupcakes?

SNICKERDOODLE CUPCAKES?

Who says all desserts have to end up at Thanksgiving dinner, amiright?

I picked these bad boys up and brought them home. I tore open the package and pulled out one cupcake. The cupcake felt light and the cake was very moist - no dry, heavy, crumbly crumb here! The flavor is ridiculous. It is so cinnamon-y and tastes just like a snickerdoodle! The icing was a little sweet for me but the cake more than made up for it. The cake was the right balance and not too sweet. 

I'm now going to have to pick up some Chai Tea cupcakes and maybe trek out to the bakery itself to pick up the Margarita flavor (!!!!)

These are not available at all Whole Foods locations. However you can visit their website and order directly. 

Verdict? YUMMY!

Kettle Cuisine Tomato Vegetable Soup

As I have mentioned before, I am extremely obsessed with Kettle Cuisine soups. I was having a hard time finding this one and Kettle Cuisine SENT IT TO ME! I was so ridiculously excited. Sure, I love getting free stuff but its even better when its this soup!

I love tomato soup. Always have. There is something so comforting about it. I think that almost everyone can recall warm childhood memories of having tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on a cold winter day. Tomato soup doesn't just warm your belly, it warms your soul.

I usually like smooth and creamy tomato soups. If a tomato soup is going to have chunky tomatoes it better deliver big time. This soup from Kettle Cuisine has big chunks of tomatoes, squash, celery, carrots and green beans. The vegetables taste garden fresh and the soup is amazingly delicious. I also thought it would be amazing tossed with pasta and would be a nice pasta primavera.

OH! I almost forgot there is also little tiny tube gluten free pasta in the soup. At first I wasn't sure what it was and when I realized it was pasta I was even more thrilled with this soup.

I seriously do not understand how this soup tastes so fresh. Kettle Cuisine peeps are geniuses because whatever they are doing is working 100%.

Verdict? YUMMY

FDA's New Dietary Ingredient Guidance

If you are anything like me, you take a boat load of supplements. Most celiacs have to even if they really, really, really hate swallowing pills. Most (if not all) of us have damaged intestinal tracts which means that our bodies don't always absorb all the nutrients from the foods we eat leaving us vulnerable to malnutrition. Which makes supplements mandatory to our daily regimes.

Like a lot of celiacs I also have other medical issues that I choose to treat holistically - I'm just am not a big fan of big pharma. So needless to say I take A LOT of supplements which is why this new I'm very concerned about the FDA's New Dietary Ingredient Guidance.

Basically what this thing say is that all supplements will require pre-approval of any supplement that contains a new ingredient added after 1994.  Yes, you read that right - if any supplement you take changed its formulation in the past 17 years it will be subject to this new hoop jumping  - even if the product has been proven to be 100% safe.

The NDI will:

-Require notification and de-facto pre-approval for all products with even a minor ingredient change
-Reduces or eliminates product choices and suspends research and new product development
-Ignores the proven safety record of dietary supplements and vitamins
-Increases prices due to unnecessary testing and paperwork

Other possible implications:
-Some products becoming available through prescription only at a much higher cost
-Questions the additions of non-active ingredients in products that have no other product changes
-The closing of your favorite health food stores and nutri-product manufacturing companies triggering the loss of thousands of health product industry jobs.

So what can you do?

- Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your Senators and Representatives that you oppose the FDA's New Dietary Ingredient Guidelines
- Ask for Congressional Oversight on the FDA's attempt to circumvent the law
-Send an action alert to your Congressman www.anh-us.org

Enjoy Life! Chewy Bars

These tasty little bars and perfect in so many ways. 

First - the flavors are delicious. My two favorites are up above. The caramel apple tastes sweet but isn't overwhelming. Sunbutter Crunch tastes lovely and creamy. There is also Very Berry and Choco Loco flavored bars. The Very Berry is tasty and you get a nice taste of fruit in the bar. The Choco Loco is super rich and very chocolately. 

Second - The bars are perfectly portioned. They are small but pack a mighty punch, It's the perfect size to satisfy a sweet tooth without any guilt!

Third- They are all either 110 or 120 calories which is perfect for those who don't want to eat a big snack. 

I love these! I think I have about five of them currently in my purse. There are the perfect thing to grab when you are out running around and realize that you haven't had anytime to eat. They stop me from doing what I normally do which is grab something junky. With these bars I can have a candy bar taste with absolutely no guilt!

Verdict? YUMMY!

Rudi's Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread

I am so crazy happy that I took a roll of the dice on Rudi's products.

I think I felt safe with Rudi's because it seemed so close to Udi's and I think we all know of my obsession love of all things Udi's.

The first time I bought Rudi's bread I noticed the cinnamon raisin but I didn't want to get too invested and have it turn out that the bread totally sucked so I figured I would just wait.

This was definitely worth the wait.

I swear to God that Rudi's is not really gluten-free the bread it is too good! Their frozen bread tastes bakery fresh and has the most amazing consistency. The cinnamon raisin bread is perfectly cinnamon-y and toasts up perfectly.

Verdict? YUMMY!

Sorry for the Delay

Hi Lovely Yummy Readers!

I'm so sorry for the delay in new posts. I was in a pretty hairy car accident a few weeks ago. This is the first week where I was no whiplash pain and sitting at a computer feels okay. I have lots of reviews to write and I'm hoping to get some up this weekend.

xoxo

GF Yummy

Rigoni di Asiago Nocciolata

I don't know where this has been all of my life. I can't believe all of the years I've wasted not consuming chocolate hazelnut spread on a regular basis. This is hands down, honest to goodness the best tasting thing I have eaten in my entire life. 

I'm trying to think why I never felt compelled to try a spread like this before. I remember as a kid I had a friend whose parents were big time travelers and they always had Nutella in their house. I vaguely recall thinking that it was disgusting and I guess I just carried that opinion throughout my life. 

However, I'm pretty sure that this stuff blows Nutella out of the water. First of all, this stuff takes a full 24 hours to create. This one little jar gets some serious TLC before its ever even packaged and on its way to your friendly local grocer. The ingredients are high quality organic and you can definitely taste the quality. 

I can't repeat this enough - this is the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. I want to find a thousand ways to utilize this spread in baking because I can't imagine that it would do anything other than make everything 1000 times more delicious. 

Verdict? Yummy! Please go out and get this and enjoy the yummy - it is amazing. 

Rigoni di Asiago Organic Fruit Spreads

Gluten is a clever little minx.

It hides in the most innocuous of places.

Following a gluten free diet is much like a weird game of "Where's Waldo?"

Once place I never thought could be a problem was jams, preserves, fruit spreads and jelly.

I typically only eat organic and natural fruit spreads because I don't like all that artificial junk. Rigoni di Asiago takes it all one step further and basically (my theory) shoves exceptionally fresh fruit into a jar and slaps a label on it and calls it a day. Not only are they certified organic but they contain 3 POUNDS OF FRUIT PER JAR.  No sugar - except those that natural occur and since its so super fresh it contains 30% less calories then other spreads.

The freshness and purity of the fruit spreads is unbelievable. I've never tasted a fruit spread that tastes like biting into the fruit that the spread is made of.  The orange tasted like biting into a fresh, sun drenched orange - unbelievable.

I've sampled the blueberry, mixed fruit, orange and peach and was equally impressed with each flavor. The blueberry has whole, tiny blueberries which ups the flavor quotient big time. The peach is fresh and sweet and took me right back to summer. The flavors in all of the fruit spreads is big and bright and really makes a piece of toast a pretty exciting thing to eat.

Verdict? YUMMY!

*Rigoni di Asiago did send me samples to review. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review. As always, my reviews are my opinions. Yummy doesn't sell out :)

Happy GF Halloween!

When I was a kid the only thing I had to worry about was crazed strangers shoving razor blades and/or poison into my Halloween candy. As an adult I have to worry about crazed candy companies shoving gluten into all sorts of candy nooks and crannies.

I've been scouring the web to find a good comprehensive GF candy list. I haven't found one that is super comprehensive - ultimately your best bet is to throughly educate yourself about what's safe BEFORE your little buddy goes out Trick or Treating. Now that the disclosure is out of the way here are the lists I've found:

http://celiacfamily.com/gluten-free-halloween-candy/

This one I found a bit confusing - it says things like "fun size only" when I know that the full size bar of that particular candy is totally GF.

http://surefoodsliving.com/2011/10/gluten-free-halloween-candy-quick-list-2011/

I feel like this list is better and seems more comprehensive. It's a good "at a glance" kind of list.

Everyone have a safe and fun Halloween!

Happy Halloween -

xoxox GF Yummy