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Review: Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Chex

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

I have been stalking the shelves of my local grocery store ever since I discovered that Chex cereals had introduced a new gluten-free flavor – Apple Cinnamon. I am a fan of all things Chex, so I was very excited to try the new variety! I wasn’t able to find the cereal in my local stores, so I ordered a box online.

The apple cinnamon variety joins five other gluten-free varieties of Chex cereals. Some more information on Chex:

IMG_1851Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans aren’t getting enough whole grain? Chex® cereals makes it easy to start your day the whole grain way! Whole grain provides plant nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber that work together to help keep you healthy.

Simply Nutritious

With an irresistible flavor and a hearty crunch, Chex® is a great way to get more whole grain in your diet!

  • Rice Chex®
  • Corn Chex®

Simply Delicious

If you like your Chex® sweet, but not too sweet, try one of our sweet flavors. All with less than 10 grams of sugar per serving!

  • Honey Nut Chex®
  • Chocolate Chex®
  • Cinnamon Chex®
  • Apple Cinnamon Chex®

All Chex® cereals provide at least 8 grams of whole grain
per serving; at least 48 grams recommended daily.

I should have started a timer from the time the Apple Cinnamon Chex entered my house until the time I broke down and opened the box. I was nowhere near hungry, but how could I not just grab a handful to see what was waiting inside?  Then I could brainstorm about what I would make for breakfast tomorrow using the cereal.  I was not disappointed!  I loved every bite of this cereal!  It reminds me a lot of cinnamon toast with a hint of apple.  Hot cinnamon apples is one of my favorite fall toppings for waffles or oatmeal, so this was kind of like a cereal version.  I can see this cereal being a wonderful addition to plain Greek yogurt, crushed up and used as breading for French toast or in a Chex mix of the caramel apple variety.  I found a recipe for a Caramel Crispy Chex Mix that calls for rice and corn Chex. Sub the new Apple Cinnamon Chex in place of the rice or corn and cut back a bit on the sugar that is called for in the recipe. These Apple Almond Bars also sound like they would be fantastic with the new cereal.

Ingredients:

  • Whole Grain Rice, Rice, Sugar, Canola Oil, Apple Powder, Salt, Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Molasses, Natural Flavor. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), BHT and Sodium Sulfite Added to Preserve Freshness.
  • Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.

Apple Cinnamon Chex should be arriving on grocery store shelves across the country in the very near future.

Have you had a chance to try the new Apple Cinnamon Chex?  What is your favorite variety of Chex gluten-free?

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for Dogs and Cats

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 4 Comments

It never really dawned on me that it would matter or not if the household pet was gluten-free. This is most likely because we don’t have any pets. The more I think about it, though, the more it makes sense, especially if younger children living in the house are gluten-free. If a household is 100% gluten-free, it would seem that feeding dog or cat food that contains gluten could be a potential for cross-contamination.

I received an email from Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for dogs and cats yesterday that made me begin to think more about this.  Read more about Grain Free Buddy Biscuits below:

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for Dogs and Cats!

Perfect for Pets on a Grain Free Diet

San Luis Obispo, Calif. (June 18, 2012) – Cloud Star, an all natural pet product company, is pleased to announce the Buddy Biscuits dogs have loved for more than a decade are now available in a grain free variety for both dogs and cats. Grain Free Buddy Biscuits are 100% grain free, gluten-free and an option for gluten-free households with pets.

“We wanted to offer pet parents who prefer a grain free diet for their pets a delicious treat with wholesome and easily digestible ingredients,” says Jennifer Melton co-founder of Cloud Star. “Pets on a grain free diet deserve delicious treats too, and as a parent with a young child who is sensitive to gluten, the Grain Free Buddy Biscuits are a great option for gluten-free households like ours.”

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits dog treats are available in both oven baked and soft and chewy varieties, with recipes including Smooth Aged Cheddar, Rotisserie Chicken, Homestyle Peanut Butter, and even Slow Roasted Beef.  Themanufacturer’s suggested retail price is $6.95 for the 14 oz. box of Grain Free Oven Baked Buddy Biscuits as well as the 5 oz. Grain Free Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits.  Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for Cats are packaged in a 3 oz. resealable bag with an MSRP of $3.95.  They are available in Savory Turkey & Cheddar, Tender Chicken and Tempting Tuna.

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits are naturally flavored and are free of grain, gluten, wheat, corn, soy and egg.  They are available at www.cloudstar.com and at health food and pet supply stores nationwide.

Cloud Star Corporation, located in San Luis Obispo, California, has been dishing up their products to canine connoisseurs since 1999.  Their extensive product line includes a wide variety of wholesome and natural dog treats, grooming products, and a line of “Wag More Bark Less” merchandise. Simple, easy to read ingredient statements resonate with pet parents and thrill dogs with even the most finicky palate or sensitive skin.  Cloud Star’s dog treats are made with the same types of ingredients used in human food, and are suitable for dogs with allergies. The company offers treats that are free of corn, soy, dairy, artificial colors, artificial flavors, byproducts, and preservatives. To view Cloud Star’s full product line or find a retailer near you, please visit www.cloudstar.com or call 1-800-361-9079.  As part of Cloud Star’s commitment to giving back, the company donates at least 10% of all net profits to non-profit organizations that benefit animals, women, children, and the environment.

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for dogs come in two different varieties: Oven Baked and Soft & Chewy.  The Oven Baked variety comes in three flavors:

  • Smooth aged cheddar
  • Rotisserie chicken
  • Homestyle peanut butter

The Soft & Chewy variety comes in four flavors:

  • Slow roasted beef
  • Smooth aged cheddar
  • Rotisserie chicken
  • Homestyle peanut butter

Grain Free Buddy Biscuits for cats come in three flavors:

  • Savory turkey & cheddar
  • Tender chicken
  • Tempting tuna

Review: Poptillas Popped Tortilla Chips

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

Who likes chips? I do! I come by it honestly, I swear! My mother ate Dorito’s while she was pregnant with me and those are still my favorite, though I can’t eat the original flavor because they aren’t gluten-free. No worries, I have found plenty of chips that I like to occupy my taste buds. The newest chips on our block are these Poptillas popped tortilla chips made by Classic Foods.

I sampled a few of their Baked Classics last year and really enjoyed them, so I had high hopes for the Poptillas.

    • All Natural
    • Made with Whole Grain
    • gluten-free
    • No MSG
    • No Cholesterol
    • No Trans Fat
    • No Preservatives
    • No High Fructose Corn Syrup

There are three varieties of the Poptillas:

Yellow Corn: A new way to enjoy an old favorite. Lightly salted and ready for dipping.

Nacho Cheese: Incredibly cheesy with a hint of spice.

Salsa Verde: Spicy, zesty and tangy. It’s your favorite salsa on a chip!

I brought these on vacation with us, as they arrived right as we were leaving.  I knew that we needed some chips to snack on in the car because with my kids boredom = hunger.   I can’t say enough good things about these chips!  They have such a unique flavor and texture – I can’t seem to put the bag down!  My favorite flavor is the nacho cheese, though the salsa verde and yellow corn are good, too.  The yellow corn is great for dipping in salsa, hummus or even using in a taco salad.

The new Poptillas can be purchased online for a special introductory price of $6.95/box + shipping for 4 bags.

(source)

*These chips were sent to me free of charge for review purposes.  The opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

Review: Orchard Bar

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

If you like to snack, boy have I found a great new snack for you to try! Orchard Bars are all-natural, vegan and gluten-free bars that are loaded with nuts and fruit, sunflower and flax seeds. The bars are rich in antioxidants (vitamins A & C), low in sodium, high in Omega-3 and a good source of protein.

I love to keep snacks like these on hand for quick refueling after a workout or something to hold me over until my next meal when I am out running around.  More about Orchard Bars:

NEW from Washington State’s orchard country, our all-natural Orchard Bars are loaded with real fruit, heart-healthy nuts, nutritious seeds, and protein-rich soy nuggets. No date paste filler, no peanuts, no strange substances from the lab. Just all-natural energy from fruits, nuts, and seeds.

There are five different varieties of the Orchard Bar:

Blueberry pomegranate & almond – fruit [fruit juice from concentrate (organic apple, blueberry, pomegranate), blueberries, pomegranate powder, organic apple flake], organic evaporated cane syrup, organic tapioca syrup, almonds, seeds (sunflower, flax), soy protein nuggets (soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt), fruit pectin, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, Vitamin E (to preserve freshness). CONTAINS ALMONDS & SOY.

Pineapple coconut & macadamia -fruit [fruit juice from concentrate (organic apple, blueberry, pomegranate), blueberries, pomegranate powder, organic apple flake], organic evaporated cane syrup, organic tapioca syrup, almonds, seeds (sunflower, flax), soy protein nuggets (soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt), fruit pectin, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, Vitamin E (to preserve freshness). CONTAINS ALMONDS & SOY.

Strawberry raspberry & walnut -fruit [fruit juice from concentrate (organic apple, strawberry), strawberries, raspberries, organic apple flake], organic evaporated cane syrup, organic tapioca syrup, nutmeats (walnuts, almonds), seeds (sunflower, flax), soy protein nuggets (soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt), fruit pectin, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, Vitamin E (to preserve freshness). CONTAINS WALNUTS, ALMONDS, & SOY.

Cherry almond crunch – New flavor with ingredients not listed on website yet (I tossed my wrapper already!)

Banana mango & macadamia – New flavor with ingredients not listed on website yet (I tossed my wrapper already!)

These bars were filling and had a great flavor and texture.  My only complaint is that they were a little too sweet for me for a snack, as I am used to eating bars with no added sugar (organic evaporated cane syrup and organic tapioca syrup).  That being said, I would eat these for a healthier dessert option.  I loved the pineapple coconut macadamia bar – it was like being transported to a tropical island!  The other flavors were all very good and I liked the combination of fruits and nuts.

Orchard Bars can be purchased in select stores and online.  There is a sample offer where you can try 2 bars for just $2.50 including shipping and handling.

Have you tried Orchard Bars?  What did you think?

(source)

**These bars were sent to me for review purposes.  The thoughts and opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

Gluten-Free Memorial Day

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

As we gather around to remember those that have given up so much for us to have the freedoms that we have, there is often food involved. Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff of the summer grilling season and many times that includes food and drinks that contain gluten.   Fortunately for those in the gluten-free community, there are plenty of gluten-free choices out there these days to satisfy everyone.

Of course the buns are the first thing that come to mind when thinking of food that could possibly contain gluten at a cookout.  There are some great gluten-free hamburger and hot dog bun choices that can be found in mainstream grocery stores across the US:

After you have taken care of the buns, make sure that any marinades that may have been used for chicken, shrimp, etc are gluten-free.  Some marinades may contain soy sauce, which is sometimes brewed with wheat, so please double check before ruining your holiday weekend.  If you are attending a cookout away from home, consider the surface that your food is being cooked on.  Will there be anything else on the grill that contains gluten?  Is it possible to cook yours first or in a dedicated location?  I realize that sometimes these options aren’t possible, but I find that most hosts are more than willing to help make sure your food is safe.

There are many gluten-free hot dogs and brats on the market.  Some of the most popular brands are:

Of course some people don’t consider a hot dog complete without all kinds of toppings.  Sauerkraut, cheese, ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, etc should all be gluten-free, but remember to check the source if you are dining away from home.

Side items like vegetable trays, fruit bowls, green salads, potato salad and baked beans are often safe.  Just be cautious of any dips or additions that may have been made to the baked beans or potato salad.

Now onto the fun stuff.  Drinks and desserts.  First drinks.  Wine is gluten-free, as are many other alcoholic beverages, including hard ciders, Mike’s Lite Hard Lemonades (only certain flavors)  and a variety of gluten-free beers that are relatively new to the market. Some of those beers are:

  • Redbridge
  • New Grist
  • Bard’s Tale
  • Estrella Damm Daura
  • New Planet
  • Green’s
  • Omission
  • Dogfish Head Tweason’ Ale
  • Glutenator

Last, but certainly not least, dessert!  Many ice creams, sherbets, sorbets, popsicles, and Italian ices are gluten-free, but again, you need to check the source.  Fruit is naturally gluten-free and is a wonderfully refreshing dessert on a hot day.  If you are looking for a fun, easy dessert for the Memorial Day weekend, try this out:

Brownies & Berries Dessert Pizza

Not only are berries easy to find now in stores, but the red, white & blue colors on the top of the pizza really tie in with the Memorial holiday theme.

How do you plan to spend your Memorial Day weekend?  Parade? Cookout?