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Review: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Brownies

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 2 Comments

Since today is Valentine’s Day, I felt the need to stock up on all things chocolate when I was shopping earlier this week at Trader Joe’s. To be completely honest, I was in the check out line waiting to pay when I spotted this:

Chocolate Chip Brownies?  Yes, please!  These brownies are huge and only $2.49 for a package of 2.  I knew that these would brighten Jon’s day.

The brownies are made in a facility where products containing wheat, peanut and tree nuts are made, but knowing Trader Joe’s and their practices regarding gluten-free foods, I felt safe purchasing and consuming these.

IMG_5110When Jon came home from school he noticed the package of brownies sitting on the island in the kitchen.  He asked if the brownies were for him, and I told him they were as long as I could have a bite.  I opened the package and cut off my bite right after I took these photos because I knew once Jon began to eat the brownies I wouldn’t have much time to get my taste.  I love that the brownies are packaged individually to help keep them fresh.  These brownies were every bit as good as I imagined they would be!  They were on the dense, fudgy side with bits of chocolate chip scattered throughout.  Jon agreed that they were awesome and he now wants me to purchase them every time I am near Trader Joe’s.

I am pleased to see that while Trader Joe’s has discontinued one of my favorite gluten-free products, they are continuing to expand their gluten-free product line.  The philosophy of the company is to provide food and products by purchasing in volume directly from suppliers and only keeping those products that do well on their shelves.  Click here to see the Handy Product lists, including foods that are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and Kosher.

Have you spotted or tried the new Chocolate Chip Brownies?  What did you think?

Review: Trader Joe’s Flourless Chocolate Cake

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 7 Comments

I am not going to beat around the bush here.  I have been living in my own little world and ignoring one of the best products on the market for the past couple of years.  This product has literally been right under my nose, yet I never purchased it before.  Sure, I thought about it, but I didn’t want to part with $6.99 for something I hadn’t heard much about.  I am not sure why that held me back, I have forked over just as much money, if not more, for other gluten-free products.  If you really think about it, this serves 6, so $6.99 isn’t bad at all.

The label should have been my first clue “True Decadence”.  Did I really ignore that?  Perhaps I should have my head examined.

IMG_5111The label is fairly simple, and though it says there are 6 servings, I would say more like 10-12, as this is really dense.  I am not known for small dessert portions, especially when it comes to chocolate, but trust me when I tell you that you don’t need much of this cake to be transported right to heaven!

I fell in love at first bite!  I have found a new go-to dessert that requires nothing more than a trip to Trader Joe’s.  Both Jon and Hannah agreed that this cake is phenomenal!

Trader Joe’s has locations across the US and maintains a list of gluten-free items they offer in their stores that is frequently updated.

Have you tried Trader Joe’s Flourless Chocolate Cake?  I see on their gluten-free product list they also have Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies.  I need to find those.  STAT!

Sex and the Celiac: Dating Tips for the Gluten-Free

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner even though it just seems like Thanksgiving was just yesterday.  There are some very important things to consider when dating gluten-free, especially if your date isn’t gluten-free. The NFCA (National Foundation for Celiac Awareness) has generously provided the following tips to help keep you safe.

When you have celiac disease or another gluten-related disorder, dating can be fairly tricky. With so much focus on restaurant outings, movie theater snacks and the post-date kiss, people with a gluten-related disorder have a lot more to think about than just finding the perfect outfit.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) shares these 5 tips for navigating the dating scene while staying gluten-free.

Pick the restaurant yourself. Suggest a few restaurants that you trust will serve safe gluten-free food. Do some research to find a few different options so your date can have a choice, too. If you’re not comfortable picking the place or bringing up your gluten-free diet on the first date, why not cook at home? You can always pack a picnic basket for lunch or dinner at a local park so you don’t have to bring up your diet right off the bat.

Be prepared to quickly and simply explain your gluten-free diet. You shouldn’t be embarrassed by your gluten-free diet (yes, this even applies to the men out there). If your date involves food, you can quickly explain that you can’t eat gluten for medical reasons and if you do, you’ll become very sick. Don’t feel pressured to give all the details on the first date, and focus on what you can eat. For example: “I can’t split the cake with you, but this place makes fantastic homemade ice cream. How about we each order a scoop?”

Skip the food. Who says a first date has to be all about food? You can go on a hike, head to a museum or show off your ice skating skills at the nearest rink. This way, you don’t have to worry about finding safe options on the first date and can just have fun and enjoy the company.

Be mindful of that kiss. Use your discretion when it comes time to lean in. Did your date just finish a bowl of pasta? It’s a good idea to hold off, at least until your date can find his or her way to a toothbrush. If you both shared a day of gluten-free meals, then you should be all clear for that smooch.

Relax! Your mind can do incredible things – including make yourself sick from worry. So relax, have a good time and plan ahead so you can enjoy the moment!
For more Dating Dos and Don’ts, see NFCA’s article in GREAT U.
Want more information about Sex and the Celiac? Register for the upcoming free webinar “Sex and the Celiac: A Focus on Reproductive Health” on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. PST.

For more information on Celiac Disease and the gluten-free diet, check out the many different resources on the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness website.

Do you have any tips to add to this list?

Recipe: Pulled Pork and Roasted Veggie Salad

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Making batches of food on the weekend to eat from during the week has saved me a lot of time recently.  I can’t tell you how much nicer it is to have food already prepared in the refrigerator, ready to heat up and eat in 15 minutes or less on busy week nights.  Some of my clients have moved to early evening sessions, so I don’t have the time I used to have to prepare meals, but that is no excuse for eating take-out more frequently.

Two foods that I have prepared in advance recently are pulled pork and roasted vegetables.  The kids and Aaron will eat BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, so preparing a pork loin in the crockpot not only takes care of my food, but feeds the family as well.  Roasted vegetables will keep for a week in refrigerator and can be added to a simple dinner salad, stir-fry or gluten-free burrito.

IMG_4769My latest combination: Pulled Pork & Roasted Veggie Salad

  • Mixed greens
  • 3-4 oz pulled pork (can toss with BBQ sauce if you like)
  • Roast veggies (this week’s combination was beets, butternut squash, sweet potato, zucchini and carrots)
  • Walnuts
  • Raisins
  • Simply Dressed Marzetti Pomegranate Balsamic

See how yummy this looks?

How do you simplify busy nights and meals?

Best Gluten-Free Cold Cereal

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

GFreek.com is just starting to release the results of the 3rd Annual Gluten-Free Awards.  I love reading through the results to see how some of my favorites did.  I wanted to see what you guys thought about the results in the “Cold Cereal” category.  I love cold cereal, but usually not for breakfast.  I usually eat cold cereal as a snack or by the handful when I am trying to decide what I am going to make for lunch.  I have my favorites, but I’ll share those down below.

GFreek.com’s results name Honey Nut Chex as the winner for the second year in a row.  Some of the runners up are:

  • Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise Cereal
  • Holy Crap Cereal by HapiFoods Group, Inc
  • Cinnamon Chex
  • Marshmallow Pebbles
  • Fruity Pebbles
  • Cocoa Pebbles
  • Chocolate Chex

I have heard of and tried all of the above on the list except for Holy Crap cereal, which has now piqued my curiosity.  I need to see if I can get my hands on some to give it a try.  I was surprised that none of the Envirokidz cereals were mentioned – they are lower in sugar, but still very tasty, than several of the others on the list.

I really enjoy Nature’s Path Sunrise Cereals – the Vanilla and Maple versions in addition to the Mesa Sunrise.  I also really like Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free Muesli cold with almond milk for a fast snack after a hard run or workout.  What is your favorite gluten-free cold cereal?  Do the ones chosen in the GFreek.com Annual Awards seem to be in line with the way you feel?