Review: Pamela's Product Whenever Bars

Back in July at the Fancy Food Show in DC, I got to sample some of the Whenever Bars from Pamela's Products.  I've been meaning to get a review of them up since then, but as my work load increases at my day job, there is less and less time for reviews and blog posts.

Based on the many products from this line that I love, it's no surprise that the bars are very tasty!  Since I'm not the biggest fan of bars in general (unless they taste like dessert), I was pleasantly surprised by the Whenever Bars.  I tried two flavors -  Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut and Oat Raisin Walnut Spice. They are both really good, but the Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut tips the scale as the best of the two in my book.  I actually had one of the bars for breakfast on the last day of the DC trip as my airport shuttle pick up was at 5:30 am and breakfast service started at 6 am - ouch!

Pamela's Products uses certified gluten-free oats in the bars, of course.  They are pretty high in fiber with 10% of the RDA per bar.  The bars are somewhat filling compared to the dessert-type bars I usually have - almost like a meal replacement bar for me anyway.  You can learn more about the healthy bars here.    

Review: Cedar's brand of hummus

Since I've been gluten-free, I have grown to LOVE hummus!  I doubt I even ate any before I was 40, but now I hate to go a day without it.  It's one of the most healthy spreads around and with so many flavors to choose from, there is something for everyone!

While checking out the hummus offerings at Whole Foods recently, I came across a couple of flavors from Cedar's that I've not seen before.  I picked up both the Spinach Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper 'hommus' as they call their product.  Both are clearly marked gluten-free right on the top of the lid.

The Spinach Artichoke flavor was okay, but not one of my favorites.  I love spinach artichoke dip so this was quite surprising.  The Roasted Red Pepper hummus was right up my alley.  It's bursting with wonderful flavor and is simply delicious!

Cedar's gluten-free items bear the GFCO symbol.  The Gluten Free Certification Organization is a division of GIG.      

Killer gluten-free cupcakes in Greenville, SC!

Greenville, SC is really coming up in the world in terms of gluten-free offerings.  When I found out my in-laws were moving there, I was concerned that I might be hard pressed to find many places in the area that would float my gluten-free boat so to speak.  While I've only dined out up there once so far, at Larkin's on the River (which was beyond amazing!!!!), there are more gluten-free friendly places than one might think would be the case.  I hope to get to try more places in the area eventually!

For now, I can happily share that I had one of the best gluten-free cupcakes I've had at any bakery at The Chocolate Moose in downtown Greenville.  While checking out the cute shops on main street, I went into the bakery to inquire about gluten-free offerings just for kicks.  I had no idea that the place had gluten-free cupcakes on Tuesdays and Saturdays and was shocked - and tickled - that they had gluten-free chocolate chip cupcakes that day, served with my choice of frosting.

For some odd reason, I chose  key lime frosting just because I could. Admittedly, this combination wasn't the best I've had, but both the cake and the frosting were excellent on their own and interesting together!  The cupcake was actually so moist and tasty that I started thinking maybe they gave me a gluten treat by mistake. My husband tasted it and thought the same thing.  I found out a couple of hours that in fact, the cupcake was 100% gluten-free!

It's super easy to bake your own amazingly delicious gluten-free cupcakes at home, but I find that this treat at bakeries can be hit or miss. The places that do it right make the gluten-free cakes first thing in the morning which might be at 3 am.  By the time I have one at 2 pm, the cake part can be dry depending on how and where the cupcakes are stored.  Whatever The Chocolate Moose is doing is what every bakery should be doing!  All I know about their flour blend is that among other things, it contains millet which is a very healthy grain.

From now on, our first stop in Greenville (if we arrive on Saturday) will be The Chocolate Moose - no doubt!

   

Get the Fall issue of Delight at the ATL Vendor Fair

Next Saturday is a big day in the ATL. The annual gluten-free vendor fair, which is hosted by GIG of Atlanta, is sure to be the best one to date!  For full event details, please visit the group's website.

Everyone who buys a subscription to Delight Gluten-Free at the fair will get a FREE copy of the Fall issue of Delight (shown left). It includes over 60 gluten-free recipes, a gluten-free Montreal travel article by yours truly and tons of other helpful and fun stuff!

You'll find the Delight Gluten-Free table in the media hallway on the way into the main ballroom.  

Awesome chips from Late July!

It seems that Late July introduced a line of gluten-free chips last fall, but I just found them at Natural Foods Warehouse in Duluth last week. Even though there are some flavors of Doritos that are gluten-free, they contain MSG which I avoid in addition to gluten.

The Dude Ranch Organic whole grain chips from Late July are like a Dorito - only better!  The flavor is wonderful and the crunch factor is perfect.  The multigrain chips are certified gluten-free and they are delicious. I will be trying the other flavors very soon!

Mini reviews and gluten-free news

To say my new job at Delight Gluten-Free has been nothing short of amazing is an understatement.  When I dreamed of building a new career (seemingly out of thin air) in the gluten-free market, I never imagined my path would lead to where it has today.  As always, I must thank every person who's read my work either once or for the last couple of years for your support.  It means more to me than words could ever fully explain.

For obvious reasons, I don't have much time these days for in depth product reviews or lengthy articles.  My hope is to jot down quick product reviews as often as possible on this blog.  For in depth reviews and gluten-free news articles, please visit Celiac-Disease.com - an excellent site for anyone on a gluten-free diet!   

And yes, it's true...Apple finally listed the Delight apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod in iTunes!  Just search 'delight gluten free' on your preferred Apple device to download the apps for free.  Then purchase digital issues  - complete with videos and podcasts - for only $3.99!