Udi’s Mighty Bagels Leftover Opened Faced Sandwich

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

One of these products was Udi's Mighty Bagels. During the holidays, there is never a shortage of leftovers. Unfortunately, you can only have Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner reheated so many times before your palate gets tired of eating the same things over and over again. To change things up a bit, consider using Udi’s Mighty Bagels to prepare an open-faced sandwich; it’s quick, easy, and satisfying.

To prepare cut the bagel in half, add mustard or spread of choice, top with a thick wedge of cheddar, a modest slice of ham, and a lite dusting of garlic salt to taste. (Mouth watering yet?) Heat in the microwave or toaster oven until cheese is melted and enjoy. I think my husband looks forward to these open-faced sandwiches more than the holiday dinners themselves.

What's in Udi's Mighty Bagels? The ingredients are as follows:
Water, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, non-GMO canola oil, egg whites, dried cane syrup, tapioca maltodextrin, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar), tapioca syrup, millet seed, flax seed, whole quinoa flour, pumpkin seeds, xanthan gum, yeast, salt, pea protein, cinnamon, cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid (natural mold inhibitor), enzymes.

Price: $6.00 for a 14 oz. (4 count)

My Verdict: These bagels are hearty. They are yummy and have a great texture. It is hard to believe they are truly gluten free. The only downside in my opinion is they contain eggs. So those who have an issue with eggs you are out of luck!

*Udi's did supply me with this product to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 3 comments

Udi’s White and Millet Chia Bread Stuffing

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

Two of these products were Udi's White Sandwich Bread and Udi's Millet-Chia Bread. I decided to make gluten free stuffing out of them for our holiday dinner. This stuffing is my all time favorite stuffing recipe. Your family and friends will never guess it is gluten and dairy free! The best part is it is a cinch to make!

Serves 8

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter (I use Earth Balance dairy & soy-free buttery spread)

1 loaf of Udi’s White or Millet bread (or try half a loaf of both!), cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 12 cups)

2 onions, chopped

4 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Salt and Pepper

2 Granny Smith apples cut into 1/2-pieces

2 cups chicken or turkey broth (you could use vegetable broth here to make this vegan!)

1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped

2 large egg substitution equivalent (I used 2 tablespoons flax + 6 tablespoons warm water)

How to Make It:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a deep, 3-quart casserole dish. Place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden for about 10 minutes. *  Transfer to a large bowl *If you want to skip this step, simply cut bread up a day ahead of time and leave it out to dry out!
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened for about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the apples and cook for 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil.
3. Add the vegetable mixture, parsley, and sage to the bread and toss to combine. Mix in the egg mixture. Transfer to the prepared dish and cover loosely with foil.
4. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden for about 12 to 15 minutes more.
5. Enjoy!

What's in Udi's White Sandwich Bread? The ingredients are as follows:

Udi’s Best Blend (tapioca & potato starch, brown rice flour, modified tapioca starch), water, non-GMO vegetable oil (canola or sunflower or safflower), egg whites, tapioca maltodextrin, evaporated cane juice, tapioca syrup, yeast, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, mono calcium phosphate), cultured corn syrup solids (natural mold inhibitor), enzymes.

Price: $5.00 for a 12 oz loaf.

What's in Udi's Millet-Chia Bread? The ingredients are as follows:
Water, tapioca starch, millet seed, brown rice flour, resistant corn starch, egg whites, non-GMO vegetable oil (canola or sunflower or safflower), chia seed, cane syrup, rice bran, organic inulin, evaporated cane juice, citrus fiber, yeast, flax seed, salt, gum (xanthan gum, sodium alginate, guar gum, carrageenan, locust bean gum), pea protein, dry molasses, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, mono calcium phosphate), cultured corn syrup solids, (natural mold inhibitor), enzymes.

Price: $5.50 for a 14.2 oz loaf.

My Verdict: I liked both of these breads and the combination of the two complemented my dressing nicely. If you are looking for a plain old fashion white bread, Udi's White Sandwich Bread is the one you are looking for. The Millet-Chia bread is a nice ancient grain alternative to your typical multi-grain loaf. Both breads have nice flavor and good texture. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either one and the only downside is they both contain eggs. So if you have an issue with eggs you are out of luck!

*Udi's did supply me with these products to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Udi’s Cinnamon Rolls, Double Vanilla Muffins, and Harvest Crunch Muffins

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

Three of those products were Udi's Cinnamon Rolls, Udi's Double Vanilla Muffins, and Udi's Harvest Crunch Muffins. With two daughters under the age of three at home and temperatures hovering around freezing most mornings this time of year, it can sometimes be hard to justify bundling everyone up and piling into the car to drive over to our local bakery for a few freshly baked gluten free breakfast muffins or cinnamon rolls. Thankfully, Udi’s line of cinnamon rolls and muffins is a tasty substitute for our local bakery when we just can't make it there. Just pop them in the microwave or toaster oven for a little bit and you’ll have a hot, fresh tasting breakfast the whole family can enjoy at home in their pajamas. 

*For those who like butter, cut a slit into the cinnamon rolls and muffins and add a wedge of butter before warming. Yum!

What's in Udi's Cinnamon Rolls? The ingredients are as follows:
Cinnamon Roll: Water, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, dried cane syrup, non-GMO canola oil, resistant corn starch, egg whites, tapioca syrup, tapioca maltodextrin, yeast, gum (xanthan gum, sodium alginate, guar gum), salt, pea protein, sugar cane fiber, cinnamon, cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid (natural mold inhibitor), baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), enzymes.

Cinnamon Icing: Sugar, corn syrup, water, invert sugar, vegetable oil (coconut, palm), cinnamon, agar, citric acid, mono-glycerides, natural flavor, locust bean gum)

Price: $7.00 for 14.1 oz. (4 count).

What's in Udi's Double Vanilla Muffins? The ingredients are as follows:
Water, dried can syrup, rice flour, whole eggs, palm oil, potato starch, cane syrup, modified food starch, egg whites, methyl cellulose, vanilla bean paste (sugar, water, vanilla extract, vanilla bean specks, tragacanth gum), glycerine, baking soda, salt, cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid (mold inhibitor).

Price: $6.00 for 12 oz. (4 count)

What's in Udi's Harvest Crunch Muffins? The ingredients are as follows:
Water, dried cane syrup, whole eggs, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, resistant corn starch, non-GMO canola oil, dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar), palm oil, flax seed, dehydrated sweet potato, whole quinoa flour, pumpkin seeds, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, mono calcium phosphate), salt, sunflower lecithin, orange zest (orange peel, sugar and orange oil), cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid (natural mold inhibitor), xanthan gum.

Price: $6.00 for 12 oz. (4 count)


My Verdict: They were all very good. The cinnamon rolls were a bit dry but a hint would be to put the cinnamon icing on after warming up the rolls (I put it on before and I think they wouldn't have been so dry if I would have waited). The double vanilla muffins had a wonderful vanilla flavor and the harvest crunch muffins were hearty. They made for a easy grab and go breakfast. Udi's has a large muffin lineup including, Double Chocolate Muffins, Blueberry Muffins (my daughters favorite!), Lemon Streusel Muffins, Chocolate Chia Muffin Tops, Blueberry Oat Muffin Tops and Pumpkin Muffins. So there is bound to be one you like! The only downside in my opinion is they all contain eggs. So if you have issues with eggs you are out of luck!

*Udi's did supply me with these products to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin Bread Reuben Sandwich

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

One of these products was Udi's Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Want a new twist on an old favorite? Consider making your next reuben sandwich with Udi’s Cinnamon raisin bread. When my husband first mentioned it to me I thought he was joking, but after tasting it, I discovered he was not joking and not crazy.

To try this delicious cinnamon, raisinized Reuben for yourself, assemble the following ingredients between two pieces of Udi’s Cinnamon raisin bread: corned beef or hot pastrami, a slice of Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a dollop of Thousand Island dressing. Let me know what you think! 

What's in Udi's Cinnamon Raisin Bread? The ingredients are as follows: Water, Raisins, Potato starch, modified food starch, brown rice flour, dried cane syrup, tapioca starch, egg whites, canola oil, yeast, cinnamon, tapioca maltodextrin, gum (xanthan gum, sodium alginate, guar gum), salt, cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid (mold inhibitor), enzymes.

Price: $5.00 for a 12 oz loaf.

My Verdict: I really like this bread. I ate it in many different ways, the reuben above, toasted with butter, cinnamon raisin french toast, I even made it into bread crumbs to sprinkle over side dishes. It is tasty and has a great texture. In my opinion the only downside to the cinnamon raisin bread is that it contains eggs. So those who have an issue with eggs you are out of luck!

*Udi's did supply me with this product to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Udi’s Ancient Grains Crisps Coated Fish

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

One of these products was Udi’s Ancient Grains Aged Cheddar Crisps. These "crisps" or "crackers" are great for snacking, but have you considered them with fish? When these crisps are crushed up, they make a great crusted coating on mild tasting, white fish like cod or pollock. While I am not normally a big fish eater, adding a crusted layer of crushed Udi’s aged cheedar flavored Ancient Grains Crisps makes my month water. Follow the recipe we use at home below and begin to enjoy eating the bounty from the sea.  

1 medium fillet of white fish (Alaska Pollock, catfish, grouper, haddock, Pacific cod, etc.)

½ cup crushed Udi’s Ancient Grains Crisps –aged cheddar flavor

¼ cup olive oil

¼ - ½ tablespoon of herb of choice (Rosemary, thyme, or parsley recommended)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat fish dry.

2. Brush both sides of fish with olive oil onto fish.

3. Sprinkle crisp crumbs on fish and place on baking sheet.

4. Bake until fish is cooked through; about 12-15 minutes.

5. Preheat the broiler. Place the fish under the broiler to lightly brown for approximately 30-45 seconds.

Serve immediately and thank me later!

What's in Udi's Ancient Grains Aged Cheddar Crisps? The ingredients are as follows:
Yellow corn flour, water, brown rice flour, non-GMO canola oil, corn starch, seasoning (salt, maltodextrin, sugar, whey powder, cheddar cheese [(pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), buttermilk, whey, salt, disodium phosphate], natural flavors, citric acid), brown sugar, pinto bean grits (pinto beans, sugar), black sesame seeds, baking soda, amaranth, quinoa, sunflower lecithin, onion powder, sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid, beta carotene powder, malic acid, garlic powder, annatto powder.

Price: $3.99

The Verdict: These chips are tasty. I LOVED them as a coating for the fish and will definitely be doing that again. They are also great for a quick snack right out of the bag. They also come in two additional flavors, Ancient Grains Simply Sea Salt and Ancient Grains Jalapeño Cheddar. My only complaint is that even the Simply Sea Salt contains dairy according to the Udi's website so those folks who have issues with dairy are out of luck.

*Udi's did supply me with this product to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Udi’s Cranberry Granola

This holiday season I was lucky enough to have the kind folks at Udi’s send me some of their gluten free products to sample.

One of these products was Udi's Cranberry Granola. There are so many things you could do during the holidays with this cranberry granola. During the holiday season there is never a shortage of parties and family dinners that require you to prepare and bring some sort of dish to these gatherings. Having Udi’s Cranberry Granola on hand makes preparing dishes for these get-togethers easy. Whether sprinkled on homemade brownies or scattered atop streamed brussels sprouts or string green beans, adding Udi’s Cranberry Granola dresses up ordinary holiday food options. So the next time you find yourself in a bind and need to prepare a side-dish quickly for that holiday dinner, think about how your bag of Udi’s Cranberry Granola could save the day.

What's in Udi's Cranberry Granola? The ingredients are as follows:
Certified gluten free oats, wildflower honey, dried cranberries (cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil), canola oil, walnuts.

Price: $6.50 for a 12 oz. pack

My Verdict: The granola was crunchy and tasty. It held up well to milk and did not become soggy, which in my book is a must when it comes to granola. I also sprinkled some onto my morning coconut yogurt and it added a nice crunch and taste to it as well. Overall I was very happy with the cranberry granola. 

*Udi's did supply me with this product to review, however as always the opinions in this post are 100% mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Rudi's Spread the Bread Campaign!

During the month of May, Celiac Awareness Month, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery is giving back to the celiac community by donating up to $30,000 to various celiac organizations, via their SPREAD THE BREAD campaign!

Starting May 2, 2012, you can go to Rudi’s Facebook page and select one of four celiac organizations – Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), Celiac Sprue Association (CSA), Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to receive a one dollar ($1.00) donation from Rudi’s. Visitors will also be able to download a $1.00 off coupon for any Rudi’s product … so basically you will be getting $1.00 for having Rudi's give $1.00 to a celiac organization of your choice!

Rudi’s Spread the Bread campaign is a great way for you to give back to the celiac community, all you need to do is click and choose which organization, and don’t forget to download your coupon!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Domino's New Gluten-Free Pizza

By now I am sure you have all read the headlines Domino's Pizza launched it's gluten-free pizza crust last week. But don't get too excited the news came with a disclaimer, while the pizza crust is certified gluten-free, the pizza itself is still prepared and cooked in oven with gluten filled pizzas. I thought I would write a quick post to give you some of the facts on the new pizza from Domino's. 

Yes, Domino's, the world's largest delivery pizza chain jumped on the $6.2 billion dollar gluten-free bandwagon along with the likes of Frito-Lay, Subway, Anheuser-Bush, and P.F. Chang's (*more about them below), boldly stating that "they are the first national pizza delivery chain to offer a gluten-free option". 6% to 8% of the US population are on some kind of gluten-free diet, according to Alice Blast the president of the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness.

Domino's press release states,

“While Domino’s new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino’s and the NFCA do not recommend it for those with celiac disease. Domino’s and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino’s cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten.”

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) states,

“Please be advised all of Domino’s menu items, including pizza made with Gluten Free Crust, are prepared in a common kitchen. While the Gluten Free Crust contains no gluten ingredients, there is a risk of gluten exposure. NFCA supports the availability of Gluten Free Crust at Domino’s, but CANNOT recommend the pizza for customers with celiac disease. Customers with gluten-related disorders other than celiac disease should exercise their own judgment in consuming pizza made with Gluten Free Crust."

Jump on over to the NFCA's FAQ page regarding Domino's new gluten-free pizza to find out more information. Here are a few interesting bits but I highly recommend you check out the entire FAQ if you are sensitive to gluten and are thinking of ordering up Domino's new crust.

• The Gluten Free Crust is stored in a separate area of the walk-in cooler until it is ordered.
• The Gluten Free Crust pizza is made on the same pizza screen and uses the same makeline, ingredients, and utensils as all other pizzas.
• Employees use the same pizza peel and pizza cutter on the Gluten Free Crust pizza as all other pizzas.
• There is no airborne flour in the store. Domino’s® ingredients that contain gluten and should not be added to a Gluten Free Crust are, Philly meat, Alfredo sauce, and Cheddar sauce.

So what are the facts that we know at this time? The crust is indeed certified gluten-free, however each pizza will be prepared and cooked along side non-gluten-free pizzas, and the pizza is not intended for folks who are extra sensitive or have celiac disease. Oh and by the way, just like every other gluten-free product, it will be $3 dollars extra.

According to Domino’s, the pizza is safe for people with a mild gluten sensitivity. Personally, I feel like it is geared towards people who have gone gluten-free as a part of a fad diet.

It's not surprising that Domino’s would jump on the fad bandwagon, like I stated above it's a $6.2 billion dollar industry, but I will say I'm a little disappointed that they don’t have more regard for those who need to eat gluten free for medical and health reasons and are not willing to go the extra step to insure their pizza's are safe for the entire gluten-free community. 

To read more facts and questions about Domino's new gluten-free pizza crust head over to Domino's gluten-free FAQ page. 

What is your opinion on Domino's new gluten-free pizza crust? Will you be trying it?

*P.F. Chang's currently has 25 gluten-free dishes and just added seven more to its menu, including Gluten-Free Caramel Mango Chicken and Gluten-Free Asian Tomato Cucumber Salad. P.F. Chang's also uses gluten-free soy sauce. 

Frito-Lay, has begun to label more than a dozen of their packages with a special "GF" icon or a statement on the back of the bag on their gluten-free products.

Subway has been testing gluten-free products, bread and brownies, in four key markets since early 2011. Oregon being one of them look for my review coming soon! 

Anheusher-Busch launched Redbridge in 2006 which was the first nationally available gluten-free beer and will also begin to roll out Michelob Ultra Light Cider in the coming months.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 2 comments

Healthy Crumbs Week: New Product Thursday: Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

HEALTHY CRUMB: NEW PRODUCT THURSDAY

Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

I recently found pretzel sticks by Snyder's of Hanover. I couldn't wait to get them home to try them. The Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks are GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization, a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)) certified, which means they are tested and certified to contain less than 10-ppm of gluten (5 ppm gliadin). They are also dairy-free, casein free, and egg free!

So, what's in them? Here are the ingredients as listed on the bag: 

• Corn Starch
• Potato Starch
• Tapioca Starch
• Palm Oil
• Carboxymethycellulose
• Baking Powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, mono-calcium phosphate)
• Salt
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Citric Acid
• Yeast
• Soy Lecithin
• Soda

How did I think they tasted? Great! The first thing I noticed was how crunchy they were. I know it has been a while since I have eaten gluten filled pretzels but If memory serves me correct, they tasted the same, if not better! I didn't notice any weird taste or after taste at all that you can sometimes get from gluten free products. They would make a great snack to eat by themselves or to dip in a sauce like pesto. So next time you are at your local grocery store pick up a bag of Synder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks! To find a store in your area that carries Synder's pretzel sticks click here. (I found mine at my local Whole Foods!)

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 9:30 AM 3 comments

Healthy Crumbs Week: New Product Thursday: New Genius Bread by Glutino!

Healthy Crumb: New Product Thursday

New Genius Bread by Glutino!

I am very excited to share with you the new Genius Bread by Glutino!  I was lucky enough to be able to sample this wonderful new bread by Glutino before it hits U.S. shelves.  Glutino has partnered with the UK"s popular Genius Gluten-Free to add a delicious bread to Glutino's already overflowing gluten-free portfolio. Genius by Glutino is a sandwich-ready loaf of bread that is available in both White and Multigrain Sandwich varieties. It becomes available nationwide beginning in August. 

What is in the new Genius Bread by Glutino?
The White Sandwich Bread ingredients are: Water, potato starch, corn starch, canola oil, tapioca starch, dried egg whites, rice bran, cellulose powder, yeast, inverted sugar, sugar, salt, modified cellulose, xanthan gum, calcium sulfate, and enzymes.
The Multigrain Sandwich Bread ingredient are: Water, potato starch, canola oil, corn starch, tapioca starch, dried egg whites, rice bran, molasses, cellulose powder, yeast, inverted sugar, sugar, modified cellulose, sugar beet fibre, salt, xanthan gum, calcium sulfate, and enzymes. 

So what did I think of the new Genius Bread? It tastes absolutely wonderful!  It comes in a pre-cut, normal sized loaf. Yes, that's right, I said normal sized. Each slice is the size of a normal glutinous loaf of bread! I was able to try the White Sandwich Bread variety and it tasted so yummy. I tried it multiple ways, not toasted, toasted, as sandwich bread, as cinnamon toasted bread, as garlic bread…there are so many possibilities; the options are endless! It tasted great every way I tried it. I can only imagine the multigrain variety will taste just as delicious. The White Sandwich Bread I tried made a normal sized sandwich any gluten eating person would be jealous of, including my husband. I am pretty sure I could have passed it off as regular bread and no one would have been the wiser. Yep, it's that good!

So come August, run, not walk, to your local grocery store and try the new Genius bread by Glutino. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. To locate a store near you that carries Glutino brand products click here.

As a side note, for those of you who are allergic to eggs this bread DOES contain dried egg whites.

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 11:17 AM 2 comments

ZEVIA All Natural Soda

Okay, to be honest, when I was asked by Mambo Sprouts to participate in a product review for ZEVIA All Natural Soda I was a bit spectacle. Honestly, I don't drink soda except on a very rare occasion, because, let's be honest, soda is not all that great for us. So how is ZEVIA All Natural Soda any different? That's what I wanted to find out. ZEVIA uses stevia, a 100% natural sweetener. Stevia is an herb in the sunflower family primarily found in subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. The extract from the stevia leaf has no calories, no effect on blood sugar levels, and is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. ZEVIA contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes nor any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives found in other sodas. ZEVIA is 100% natural, has zero calories, zero net carbs, zero fat, and very little sodium. ZEVIA comes in 12 varieties, Cola, Ginger Root Beer, Dr. Zevia, Twist, Ginger Ale, Black Cherry, Orange, Grape, Cream Soda, Caffeine Free Cola, Mountain Zevia, and Grapefruit Citrus.

Recently, I was able to try 6 of the varieties: Cola, Caffeine Free Cola, Mountain Zevia, Grape, Grapefruit Citrus, and Cream Soda.

Ingredients for each ZEVIA variety I tried:

• Cola: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, carmel color, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, caffeine (45mg/12fl), and natural flavors.
• Caffeine Free Cola: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, carmel color, tartaric acid, turmeric acid, and natural flavors.
• Mountain Zevia: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, citric acid, beta carotene, and caffeine (55mg/12fl).
• Grape: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, citric acid, and white grape juice concentrate.
• Grapefruit Citrus: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, citric acid, natural flavors, and medium chain triglycerides. 
• Cream Soda: carbonated water, stevia, erythritol, citric acid, caramel color, and natural flavors.

Like many of you, I have no idea what these ingredients were when I first read the side of the soda can, so I did some research and found out what they were.

Ingredient descriptions as found on the  ZEVIA website: 

• Carbonated Water: ZEVIA uses triple filtered carbonated water for all sodas.
• Stevia: Stevia is a natural botanical native to South and Central America. For centuries, Native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil called it "sweet leaf" and used it to sweeten native foods. Stevia is used as a food additive in China, Japan, all of South America, and in the United States. The extract from the stevia leaf has no calories, no effect on blood sugar levels, and is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. It's a perfect sweetener for diet soda. 
• Erythritol: Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables, has no calories, and has no effect on blood sugar levels. 
• Citric Acid: Citric Acid is naturally concentrated in oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, lemons and limes and a perfect complement to the taste buds and personal diet. Natural citric acid adds to the refreshing flavor to any soda.
• Caramel Color: Natural caramel color that makes it look as delicious as it tastes. 
• Tartaric Acid: Tartaric acid occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds; it is also found in wine. Most colas use cheap, harmful phosphoric acid for flavor. Phosphoric acid is used in fertilizers and detergents. It erodes tooth enamel and has been linked to depletion of calcium, a contributing factor in osteoporosis. Safe, natural tartaric acid enhances the soda's zesty, tangy flavor.
• Fumaric Acid: Fumaric acid occurs naturally in flowers and mushrooms. It contributes to the soda's flavor.
• Caffeine: Most diet sodas use artificially produced caffeine, but the natural caffeine in ZEVIA comes from coffee and tea. 
• Natural Flavors: Lime, Lemon, Cassia and Nutmeg oils are used in the colas, while grapefruit, lime, lemon and orange oils are found in the grapefruit flavor soda.
• Beta Carotene: A natural compound in many fruits and vegetables. 
• Medium Chain Triglycerides (MTCs): MTCs are found in milk fat, palm oil and coconut oil. MCTs provide quick energy as well, but since they are a fat and not a carb, they don't stimulate insulin, and you don't have the problem with weight gain. MCTs do stimulate thermogenesis, which is the process where your body produces heat by increased burning of fat. This is a good thing for people who are trying to lose fat. People who suffer from epileptic seizures have been shown to benefit from a diet high in MCTs. They also tend to lower blood sugar slightly, which may be beneficial for some diabetics. They have been shown to be antioxidants and have anti-coagulative effects, which can help with heart disease.

Two ingredients immediately caught my attention and brought up a red flag for me, "caramel color" and "natural flavors". Both of these ingredients are ingredients that may contain gluten in them. So I contacted the company to find out if their sodas are indeed gluten-free. I got this friendly response back from them in a matter of minutes! 

"We're excited about your interest in Zevia!

We take great care in choosing ingredients that are the healthiest for all of our consumers, especially those who have special diets.  You'll be happy to know that, since we began in 2007, all Zevia soda’s are gluten free. Including the caramel color in some Zevia flavors, [which] does not come from corn [and] is vegan, wheat and gluten-free."

So there you have it, ZEVIA sodas are vegan and gluten-free!

Now, how does ZEVIA taste?  All of the six flavors I tried tasted great. ZEVIA flavors have their own spin on your favorite versions from other big name brand sodas, but are light and crisp, not at all syrupy tasting. Since I don't drink soda very often, I did take notice of a unique after taste when drinking the soda; perhaps my palette wasn't use to the exotic Stevia sweetener taste or the flavor combinations and carbonization used in Zevia's sodas. Let me know what you think! So next time you find yourself needing a soda fix, why not reach for a healthier alternative, ZEVIA.  To find where ZEVIA is sold near you, click here. And right now if you "like" ZEVIA's Facebook fan page you can get a coupon for $1 off a six pack of ZEVIA!

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 4 comments

Healthy Crumbs Week: New Product Thursday: PJ's Organic Chicken Enchilada Meal!

HEALTHY CRUMB: NEW PRODUCT THURSDAY

During New Product Thursday I will highlight and review different allergen-free products.  If you've heard of an allergen-free product you would like me to review and highlight on the blog, please feel free to leave a comment or email me the details and I will be happy to highlight it on a New Product Thursday!  And trust me between me - the picky eater and my husband - who eats everything and anything, you will get a wide variety of opinions! 

Healthy Crumb; New Product Thursday: PJ’s Organic Chicken Enchilada Meal ☺

One evening not so long ago, I had a bit of a meltdown. Now if you know anything about me, you know, meltdowns occur if I don't eat on a regular schedule. So there I was, at the grocery store no less, having a full blown meltdown and at a compete loss for something to eat. How could I be at a loss for something to eat at a grocery store you might ask? (Something my husband asks me all the time.) Well, try having sensitivities to gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy, then get back to me. (My husband rolls his eyes after that comment.) Yes, yes, there are always fruits and vegetables right there at my disposal and I could have grabbed an apple, orange, peach…some type of fruit for a quick fix, and in fact I did because I needed something to tide me over until I could think of something more to eat, like an actual dinner.  

Enter, PJ's Organic Chicken Enchilada Meal. Now, normally I never buy frozen dinners because honestly they are expensive and we are a no microwave household which means, frozen dinners are not necessarily fast dinners in the toaster oven. I could make the same thing from scratch for about the same amount of time and a lot cheaper. But as it happened, PJ's Organic Chicken Enchilada Meal was on sale and the grocery store had a microwave in their dinning area for customers to use. So my quick, healthy dinner was decided.  

PJ's Organic Chicken Enchilada frozen meal features a healthy-portioned Chicken Enchilada, accompanied with organic brown rice and black beans. It only takes 5 minutes to cook in the microwave, so it’s a perfect choice for lunchtime or when you need a quick meal. All of PJ’s Organics products are made with USDA-certified organic ingredients, and contain no GMO’s, pesticides or preservatives.

Although I haven’t tried them yet, PJ’s Organics also makes a few other gluten-free items including, Beef Enchilada Meal, Deluxe Chicken Taquitos, and Traditional Chicken Taquitos. And if the other gluten-free meals are anything at all like the Chicken Enchilada Meal, you can bet I'll be trying one in the very near future.

Have you tried any of PJ's Organic Meals?  Please feel free to share how you liked them!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Betty Crocker's Baker's Challenge: Gluten Free Recipe Contest!

Hold the gluten, grab your apron and start your ovens! Betty Crocker is hosting its first-ever gluten-free recipe contest, the Baker's Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest! Baking in a gluten-free world poses its own challenges - as well as sweet rewards - so here is a chance to show off the creative solutions and tasty treats you've created for your family and friends.

Now through June 30th, visit www.glutenfreely.com/bakerschallenge for the chance to win a Grand Prize of $5,000. The grand prize winner will also have the chance to be featured on a Betty Crocker® Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick® Gluten Free baking mix package and/or be featured in a Betty Crocker publication! 

All you have to do is submit an original gluten free holiday-themed appetizer, bread or dessert recipe, using any Betty Crocker Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix.

Recipes will be judged on five key categories: taste, creativity, ease of preparation, consumer appeal and appearance. 10 finalists will be selected and will receive a Betty Crocker Gluten Free Baking gift basket filled with baking items and Betty Crocker Gluten Free mixes. Finalists' recipes will be featured on www.glutenfreely.com/bakerschallenge and voted on by the Gluten Freely community to determine the $5,000 Grand Prize Winner!

Gluten Freely is offering now through the end of June, 20% off the purchase of any of the five Betty Crocker Gluten Free mixes. Visit www.glutenfreely.com/ourstore to buy yours today or click here to find out where Betty Crocker's Gluten Free mixes are sold in your area. 

So grab your favorite Betty Crocker Gluten Free mix and get to baking your best holiday-themed appetizer, bread or dessert recipe for your chance to win Betty Crocker's Baker's Challenge!

❀❀❀ And remember, we are cooking up something new here at Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! We are excited to be starting something new and exciting this month! Be sure to check back later this week for more details and information! ❀❀❀

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:49 PM 0 comments

Mambo Sprouts Gluten-Free Giveaway!

There is still time to enter! As a way of celebrating May- Celiac Awareness Month, Mambo Sprouts is hosting a Gluten-Free Giveaway! By commenting on one of the participating sponsored brand pages below you can win a Gluten-Free gift pack of samples, coupons, and goodies!  

Barbara's Bakery

Rudi's Gluten-FreeBakery

Cocomama

Nature's Path

San-J

thinkThin

Udi's gluten Free Foods

Crunchmaster Crackers

So hurry and start commenting today for your chance to win!  A total of 10 winners will be selected!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:00 AM 0 comments

Barbara's Bakery Puffins Cereal

To help celebrate Celiac Awareness Month I was asked by Mambo Sprouts to participate in a product review of Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Multigrain Cereal! I had already tried a couple of Barbara's cereals and loved them, so of course I jumped at the chance at trying this one! If you don't know much about Barbara's Bakery, it was founded as an organic bakery in 1971. Barbara's is committed to providing great tasting, all-natural products, free of artificial colors, preservatives, and additives. Barbara's also strives to make a positive contribution to the world with donations to national and local non-profit organizations involved in environmental, hunger, and children's issues, such as Petaluma's School Teaching Gardens, Audubon's Project Puffin, and Chef Ann Cooper's The Lunch Box Project through Barbara's for a Brighter Future program. And to support its commitment to the environment, all of Barbara's cartons feature 100% recycled carbon neutral Green Choice cardboard!

I love all of Barbara's Puffins Gluten-Free Cereals, including the Honey Rice and Brown Rice Crisp varieties. And now the new Multigrain Puffins are just as delicious! Aside from tasting yummy, they are nutritious as well containing a full 8g of whole grains and 3g of fiber per serving. As an added bonus, they don't get soggy sitting in the milk while you eat them! But the best part is they do not contain any species of the grains, wheat, rye or barley! Although the Multigrain Puffins do contain oats, they are certified to be gluten-free. The Multigrain Puffins are great straight out of the box as a quick snack or in a bowl with rice milk in the morning as part of a complete, balanced breakfast. You can also make a yummy trail mix with Barbara's Multigrain cereal, raisins, nuts, and a few dairy-free chocolate chips! So the next time you are looking for a gluten-free, healthy cereal, why not give Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Cereal a try. They not only taste great, but they are nutritious too! Oh, and I almost forgot, right now you can save $1 on any of Barbara's delicious products by downloading and printing this coupon!

If you would like to learn more about Barbara's Bakery or find a store near you that carries Barbara's products, check out their website at www.barbarasbakery.com. 

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 3:41 PM 0 comments

Celiac Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. It is a great time to spread the word about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. 

What is Celiac Disease you might ask? Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disorder in which the consumption of foods containing gluten (a form of protein found in some grains e.g. wheat, barley, and rye…) triggers an autoimmune response which damages the small intestine. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients from food, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folic acid, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other problems such as diarrhea, weight loss, and weakness, that those with celiac disease are all to familiar with.

In the United States, the exact number of people who have Celiac Disease is unknown. Recent screening tests have shown that as many as 1 in every 133 people, or 3 million people in the U.S. alone, may have the disease. Suporting research shows that an additional 17 million Americans are "gluten sensitive." Many of those people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions that have similar symptoms. The only cure for celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet. 

There are many websites with a wealth of information about celiac disease. Here are a few for you to check out if you would like more information on celiac disease. 

http://www.celiac.com/

http://csaceliacs.org/

http://www.celiaccentral.org/

http://celiac.org/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/

Looking for a ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease? Here are a few for you to choose from:

• Try out a new restaurant where they have a special gluten free menu or where you have heard they are responsive to special dietary needs. A few of my favorites are; Outback Steakhouse - http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/glutenfree.pdf, Chili's - http://www.brinker.com/gr/allergens/Chilis%20Allergen.PDF, Old Spaghetti Factory - http://www.osf.com/menu/gluten-free-menu.html, Olive Garden - http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/gluten_free/, and the Melting Pot - http://www.meltingpot.com/our-menu/gluten-free-menu.aspx. Be sure to check out their menus before you go and always talk to your server about any allergies and intolerances that you may have. 

• Bring your favorite gluten free treats to your work to share with co-workers. Share with others just how delicious gluten free can be! Here are a few of my favorite treats you can try: Super Yummy Cinnamon Rolls, Divinely Rich Mocha Chocolate Cake, and Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or if you don't have time to bake something from scratch, try out one of my favorite packaged mixes from The Cravings Place. Their delicious all natural baking mixes include; Ooey Gooey Chocolatey Chewy Brownie Mix, Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix, Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie and Muffin Mix, Peanut Butter Cookie Mix (does NOT contain peanuts, tree nuts or nuts of any kind!), Raisin Spice Cookie and Cake Mix, Cinnamon Crumble Coffeecake Mix, and Dutch Chocolate Cake Mix. All of these baking mixes are gluten, wheat, nut, dairy, and egg free.

• Host a gluten free party with your friends and family and only serve gluten free foods and beverages. One idea is to have a gluten free beer taste testing party. Taste test different brands of gluten free beer served along with some of your favorite gluten free appetizers. Some gluten free beers to look for and try are; Redbridge Beer, Bard's Tale Beer, New Grist Beer, Spreecher Brewery- Mbege and Shakparo Beers, Schnitzerbrau Gluten-Free Beer, New Planet Beer, Green's Gluten-Free Beer, St. Peter's Gluten Free Beer, Estrella Damm Daura, and Ramapo Valley Honey Beer. Bon appetit! 

What are some of your ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease during celiac awareness month?

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 2:58 PM 0 comments

Daiya Cheese!

My new favorite find is Daiya vegan cheese. Daiya cheese does not contain many of the common allergens including; soy, dairy (casein or lactose), gluten, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts (excluding coconut). It is made of entirely plant based ingredients. It melts, stretches, and tastes great. It comes in two yummy styles, cheddar and mozzarella. I have used it on everything from pizza and sandwiches to pasta; it really is great. It is the best cheese alternative I have found! Check it out for yourself! http://www.daiyafoods.com/index.html

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:28 PM 1 comments