Review: Blueberry Chex

It was just a couple of weeks ago when I found out that General Mills added a new variety to their Chex cereal line-up. The new variety is….

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I was excited about the new Blueberry Chex because I am a huge fan of anything blueberry. I don’t eat a lot of breakfast cereal, but it is nice to know that there are more and more gluten-free options available every day. I didn’t waste anytime breaking open this box and eating a few handfuls of cereal. Very blueberry-y! Kind of sweet for my taste, but excellent with some unsweetened almond milk and fresh blueberries to dilute the sugar a bit. Surprisingly each serving only has 6 grams of sugar, which is less than I expected after tasting the cereal. 

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Check out the recipe below for a fun twist on an old classic. 

Blueberry-Lemon Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

  • 1 box Chex™ blueberry flavored cereal
  • 1 1/4 cups white vanilla baking chips
  • 1/4 cup butter or margarine
  • 4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups powered sugar

Steps

In large bowl, place cereal.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, butter, lemon peel and lemon juice uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour lemon mixture over cereal; stir until evenly coated.

Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; gently shake until well coated. Spread evenly on parchment paper or waxed paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Tips

Cooking gluten-free? Always read the labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is gluten free. Products and ingredient sources can change.To make ahead or for crispier Muddy Buddies™ omit butter.

*This box of cereal was sent to me free of charge for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

Review: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bread

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery introduced two new gluten-free breads in January. These breads can be found outside of the freezer section, in the baked goods or bread aisles in grocery stores across the US. More about the new breads:

  • Found in a store’s bread aisle or baked goods area, outside of the freezer section. No more defrosting!
  • Still has the incredible taste and fluffy texture gluten-free fans love from Rudi’s
  • Provides 5 grams of fiber per two slice serving
  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • Certified to 10ppm or less gluten per serving by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO)
  • Sweetened with a hint of golden honey, a fact made sweeter because Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery™  has donated to the Xerces Society to protect the bees that make it all possible

The new breads come in two different varieties:

Original – INGREDIENTS: Water, brown rice flour, rice starch, potato extract, bamboo fiber, sorghum flour, Non-GMO and expeller pressed canola oil, cane sugar, dried whole egg, honey, yeast, dried egg whites, chia protein, xanthan gum, sea salt, distilled vinegar.CONTAINS: Egg

Multi-Grain – INGREDIENTS: Water, brown rice flour, rice starch, potato extract, bamboo fiber, sorghum flour, Non-GMO and expeller pressed canola oil, cane sugar, dried whole egg, honey, yeast, millet, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, dried egg whites, chia protein, xanthan gum, sea salt, distilled vinegar.CONTAINS: Egg

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In addition to being free of gluten, these breads are also dairy-free and Non-GMO. The ingredients are easy to recognize and pronounce, which isn’t always the case with gluten-free breads. 

I decided to dig into Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread first. I needed something quick to eat after my Saturday long run before I took Hannah to ice skating. I decided that a PB & J would hit the spot and could be taken with me, if need be. I was disappointed that when I took two slices of bread out of the bag they didn’t seem to be sturdy enough to make any kind of a sandwich. I switched my thinking over to PB & J toast and tossed the bread into the toaster. I wanted to only lightly toast the bread, but it was almost falling apart, so I put it back into the toaster. This is what I ended up with…

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Too dark and still not sturdy, one piece falling apart. 

Today I tried a different approach using the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Original Bread. The bread seems a little sturdier and I lightly toasted it so that I could spread PB & J on it. Pre-toasting…

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Post-toasting with PB & J…

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This worked much better, though they bread still isn’t super-sturdy and I’m not sure it would stand up to anything but light sandwich fillings. The bread is also very small, so I probably could have eaten 4 slices of PB & J toast if I hadn’t had a large bowl of fruit along with this. I hate to be so negative about this bread because it really does have a great taste to it, but it doesn’t seem to be functional. I am going to see about using it to make French Toast. Eating the bread with a fork may be the best option. 

Have you tried the new Rudi’s Gluten-Free Breads? Did you have better luck with it? 

*The products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

Review: Cedarlane Quinoa & Vegetable Enchiladas

Sometimes eating gluten-free when you are crunched for time can be a challenge. Cedarlane helps to make those times a little easier with their gluten-free frozen meals. This new meal is especially appetizing and contains 12 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, and under 400 calories.

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Since I can no longer eat dairy, I had a local gluten-free friend sample these for me. She was kind enough to write her thoughts down for me to share with you all once she was done. 

I have enjoyed several frozen meals by CedarLane, since they have a nice selection of gluten free options. These enchiladas were no exception. Like many busy people, I don’t have time to prepare and pack my lunch every day. In a pinch, I grabbed enchilada meal on my way out the door for lunch at work. I followed the microwave instructions to microwave on high for 3 ½ to 4 minutes. I felt like the meal was still slightly cool, so I added another 30 seconds of time. The sauce was very creamy and tasty with a touch of spiciness. The enchiladas were filled with quinoa, roasted corn and black beans, which I found to be a nice blend of flavors. 

Look for Cedarlane products can be found in mainstream and health food stores across the US. It is important to note that not all of their products are gluten-free, but those that are will be clearly labeled. 

Have you tried any of the Cedarlane gluten-free meals? If so, what did you think? You can find reviews on some of the other Cedarlane gluten-free products here. 

Review: Honey Stinger New Gluten-Free Products

I have been a long-time fan of Honey Stinger Gels and Chews. I use them before or during my runs or long workouts. Many friends recommended the Honey Stinger Waffles as well, but they weren’t gluten-free at the time. Now Honey Stinger has introduced Gluten-Free Honey Stinger Waffles along with a new flavor of Gel and a brand new product: Honey Stinger Protein Chews

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There are three different varieties of Honey Stinger Gluten-Free Waffles (also dairy-free):

  • Organic Salted Caramel Waffle 
  • Organic Cinnamon Waffle 
  • Organic Maple Waffle

I immediately fell in love with these and don’t know that I can live without the Organic Salted Caramel Waffle. This may be my new go-to fuel for workouts. I can’t thank Honey Stinger enough for making these gluten-free! *It is important to note that not all flavors of the Honey Stinger Waffles are gluten-free. The gluten-free waffles are clearly labeled

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I have liked all of the previous Honey Stinger Gell varieties and this one is no different. The Mango Orange Gel is smooth and not overly sweet or too thick or thin. It is a nice addition to the line-up of gels. All of the Honey Stinger Gels are gluten and dairy-free. 

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The new Honey Stinger Raspberry Protein Chews are the first of their kind. The previous Honey Stinger Chews didn’t have added protein. These new chews are made with organic pea protein, so they are also free of dairy in addition to gluten. They contain 5 grams of protein per package. There are two more flavors debuting this month:

  • Cherry Lime Protein Chews
  • Juneberry Protein Chews

The protein chews are tasty, though I was able to detect a slight pea protein taste. This didn’t detract from the product for me, but wanted to mention in my review. I will definitely be buying these again in the future along with the GF Honey Stinger Waffles.You can purchase Honey Stinger products in select retailers across the US or online directly from their website

*The products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything. 

Review: Arbonne Protein Shake Mix

A couple of months ago I shared a list of all of the foods that I cannot eat. The list is lengthy, and while it is frustrating, I am trying to focus on the foods that I can eat. Since I run 4-5 days a week and lift weights 2-3 times a week, it is imperative that I am fueling properly before, during and after my workouts. It is also important that what I am using to fuel my body is not upsetting my stomach or gastrointestinal system. After a lot of trial and error, I have finally found a product that agrees with my body: Arbonne Protein Shake Mix

Arbonne Protein Shake Mix comes in two different flavors:

More about the Protein Shake Mix:

Provides 20 grams of vegan protein, plus more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals per serving, delivering a 100% amino acid score. Clinically tested and certified to have a low glycemic index, which has little effect on blood sugar levels and does not cause a spike in blood sugar.

The best thing about Arbonne products is they are gluten-free, vegan and kosher certified. I have had issues with so many different similar products on the market, but have had zero issues with this product. The taste is great, the texture is smooth, and the powder mixes well with water or almond milk in a protein shaker. I have also used the Protein Shake Mix in a smoothies and have fallen in love with this Pumpkin Smoothie. The Protein Shake Mix is sold in a 2 lb 15.6 oz package for $69.00. While that does sound like a lot, it is comparable to similar products on the market, but is sold in a larger, re-sealable bag. 

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The Arbonne Protein Shake Mix is also sold in individual packets and Ready-to-Drink Shakes

In the spirit of full disclosure, while I do purchase the Arbonne products I reviewed in this post, I am now a consultant for Arbonne. I became a consultant just a little over two weeks ago because I believe strongly in their products. You will begin to see some posts in the future about different Arbonne products that I now use and why I use them. I am happy to answer any questions you many have. If you would like to order the Protein Shake Mix, or any other Arbonne product, you can do so by contacting me through the “Get in Touch” button on this page or by ordering through the links posted throughout this post. 

===> Order Arbonne Protein Shake Mix Vanilla

===> Order Arbonne Protein Shake Mix Chocolate

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