PB2

I have avoided buying this product because of the price. It is steep. As I watch my calories I find I need to cut out certain things, but I love peanut butter. It is a calorie hog. Rarely can a person just eat a little bit of peanut butter. I like a big heaping spoon full usually with chocolate syrup on top (don't judge). I wanted to add Peanut Butter to smoothies and protein shakes without killing the caloric bank. I decided to try the little packets. I loved it. I decided to buy a jar. The smallest jar was still pretty steep at $5.99 when a jar of regular natural peanut butter was less than that cost wise and a bigger container. I found as long as I only used it for my morning oats and used 1/2 serving it has lasted a couple weeks. It is well worth it for the price and lower calories.

Chia Seeds

How did I not know about these amazing little seeds? I had seen the commercials for Chia Pets, but never considered eating the seeds. They are super healthy...who knew?! They are pricy little buggers, but so worth it. They basically absorb liquid and make you feel full adding some texture to foods at the same time. I have used these little gems daily for the past month. They work well at making you "regular" sorry TMI. They do not really have a taste.

I have used them in Yogurt and I now use them daily in my Overnight Oats. LOVE THEM!

The people of the ancient Aztec and Incan empires revered chia seeds as vital nourishment.These mighty non-gluten seeds, packed with Omega-3, protein, rare antioxidants, and fiber, are making a strong comeback in the 21st century. Enjoy them on yogurt or oatmeal or in baked goods or smoothies. Try soaking 2 Tbsp of chia seed for 5 minutes in 3-4 oz of water to produce a nutritious chia gel that can be added to hundreds of recipes. There is no need to grind chia

Nature's Valley Protein Bars

As more and more companies try to align their products with the needs of the gluten free community I am at times thrill and at other times completely skeptical. I used to love Nature's Valley granola bars as a child. I loved that they were sweet and healthy, but they were so crumbly and hurt my stomach I rarely ate them. Fast forward to my adult gluten free years and now they have created a gluten free Protein bar that is kept in the "normal food" section with other granola bars. I love this product. I enjoy the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter one the best, but enjoy the salted caramel one too. I have found this product in large sized packages at Sam's club too. Realize they have a lot of products that contain gluten, so you still must always read the label to make sure the product will fit your needs.




 Nature Valley

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Puffs

Welcome to the Gluten Free world Pepperidge Farms. I have not tried this product yet, but was emailed from the Celiac group that they had found these products at local Walmart and Fareway stores. As always check the product label to ensure that you are getting the gluten free version. Goldfish Puffs

Cytosport Monster Milk Protein Powder

I emailed them and they were good enough to send me a free sample. Thanks Cytosport!! I didn't mind the flavor of the protein, the mix-ability isn't as good as my Nectar Protein. It was pretty chunky. I mixed it with a small hand mixer. I mixed it with Vanilla Almond Milk. I wouldn't be as likely to buy this as the pre workout drink. I did like that. I had a stomach ache after having it, so I'm not sure if it was the protein power or a bug.

Nature's Path Gluten Free Granola Bars

I buy these at Target - they are reasonably priced for Granola bars. They are not big bars, but enough to hold you over if you are between meals. I like both version they have a peanut version and dark chocolate chip version. I tend to buy the Dark Chocolate one more often. They are tasty and great to throw in my gym bag for an after workout snack to hold me over til my next meal. I have been known to eat one with my coffee for breakfast too.

EVOL Products

I just tried the chicken burrito for lunch. I got a bunch of stuff at Target today, they have really stepped up when it comes to gluten free frozen meals. The chicken burrito was tasty. It fell apart just like a brown rice tortilla always does, but the flavor more than made up for it. I would definitely buy them again. It will make it easy to take to work.

Check out their site for more product info:

EVOL

Cafe Indigo

Gotta give my favorite breakfast spot a little moment in the sun...they have gluten free toast now. Ohhh how much I love the breakfast here. I love that everything is made fresh to order. I love that I am never rushed for ordering or finishing my coffee. When you eat here expect to spend a bit extra time, but know your food will be totally worth it.

I like lunch and dinner there too, but breakfast is my favorite.  They have gluten free options at every meal, just let them know your needs. If you are planning in advance give them a call so they can make sure you are well taken care of when you visit.

Cafe Indigo

Gluten Free Pre-Workout Drink

I emailed Cytosport and asked them for some free samples. They hooked me up! So far this is the only product I have tried. I normally use a different pre-workout drink that I love.  I had the pomegranate berry flavored drink.  It was a very mild taste. It mixed well in a regular water bottle. I liked it. It was something I would buy.

Ganson's Gluten Free Bakery

This place rocks. They now have a certified gluten free facility and  you can find their products at many local stores in the QCA. They have amazing cakes and goodies. Oh so yummy. If you have a chance stop by their cafe in Rock Island, you won't be disappointed. Have the cake...no really...have it! You won't regret it.

Check out their menu here:

Ganson's

Pizza Crust - Gluten Free

Thank you Pillsbury for jumping on the wagon...their new crust is fabulous. You can find it in the refrigerator section in the Health Market at West Kimberly Hy-Vee. We enjoyed it. It was easy enough to flatten out thin and the crust tasted like normal pizza. My gluten eaten family enjoyed it as much as I did. The worst part is deciding what toppings you want to enjoy on it.

Chebe - still holds the top notch with my husband. He is a gluten eater, but enjoys this crust since I refuse to make separate crusts. My son prefers the Pillsbury over Chebe. I'm torn between the two. I enjoy both of them.

New Kind Bars

There are new flavors people...new flavors indeed.

I was given the Dark Chocolate Chile flavor to try and enjoyed it. Wasn't too spicy, just enough of an after burn to taste awesome with the dark chocolate. I would buy this bar.

I also tried the new apple pecan flavor, while not my favorite, it was still decent.  Because I'm particular to my favorites I wouldn't purchase this one over the other three top pics I have which are: Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and the Dark Chocolate Chile. Sensing a trend yet?


They can get you thru any hunger phase that gets you buy til a meal. I eat them as an afternoon snack or before/after a workout (not both).

There are so many to try I'm sure you can find a favorite. I buy mine at Hy-Vee on West Kimberly, but you can get them anywhere it seems including health food stores, Walmart, and on amazon. I like the open selection Hy-vee has so I can buy individual bars instead of  whole case (they will sell a whole case).

Chicken Breast Hot dogs...WHAT?!

In honor of National Hotdog Day my family decided to eat hot dogs for dinner. I am not a big hotdog fan, but my son loves Cheese Hotdogs. I picked up these new hotdogs from Oscar Mayer Selects - Chicken Breast hotdogs. Well guess what...they are fantastic! I will absolutely buy them again! I loved them and only 80 calories. You should absolutely buy this product!

Rawxie's Cookies

I tried these today for the first time. They weren't something I would personally buy, however they weren't bad, they just weren't my type of "sweet treat". I tried the chocolate mint ones. The mint flavor didn't hit until after the cookie was eaten. It wasn't overly chocolaty and the consistency was more like a Lara bar (not my favorite).

Try them - you might enjoy them.  You can find them at Hy-Vee W Kimberly Rd in Davenport, IA

Pillsbury Gluten Free Cookie Dough

OMG! That pretty much sums it up. This never made it into the oven for an actual cookie. It barely made it out of the container on a spoon. I could have just eaten it with my fingers out of  a container like an animal. It was fantastic. It's in the refrigerated section at Hy-Vee W Kimberly's Gluten Free/Health Market Area. Completely worth every cent for a real tasting gluten free chocolate chip cookie...dough.

Try it you won't be disappointed. I have their pie crust and pizza dough to try this week. I will post on it soon

Quest Bars

I tried them again. I liked the strawberry cheesecake bar much better. It did have a slight after tastes and weird consistency, but it did taste better than the brownie bar I tried a month ago.

Homemade Refried Beans

I recently made these - they are amazing and simple. I love that you can pronounce everything in the dish. It was made in the crock pot. They taste so great. I also made them yesterday with black beans and lime juice. Both versions were fabulous. This will be a weekly dish.

I dish some out - top it with cheese and Ortega Taco Sauce and it taste yummy like Pintos n' Cheese from Taco bell, but healthy!

Homemade Refried Beans

Promax Energy Bar

I tried this for the first time today. I tried the Chocolate Peanut Crunch bar. It was not horrible. It tastes like a power bar, but not quite as bad consistency wise. I would buy these. They are higher in calories and carbs than I normally eat, but as a meal replacement would suffice.

Schar Hot dog Buns

I was disappointed in these buns since I liked their deli bread and their french breads I was sure I'd like them. They had a drier consistency than the Udi's hot dog buns that are frozen. While the taste wasn't bad at all I would be more likely to buy Udi's buns vs. Schar just for consistency purposes. Priced around the same $5ish for 5-6 buns my money will go to Udi's.

West Kimberly Hy-vee - another Perk Gluten Free Cooking Class!!

Gluten Free Cooking Class offered by our Chef Elizabeth, this coming Tuesday, May 28.

Cost of the class is $20.00.   Chef Elizabeth has conducted several classes and created delicious

treats at her in-store cooking events.  

Hy-Vee, 2200 W. Kimberly Rd, Davenport. 

If you're eating gluten-free, you know how difficult it can be to create healthful meals that taste good. Let Chef Elizabeth teach you a few of her favorite gourmet recipes that are simple, unique, and of course delicious. First we will start out with an appetizer that uses fried plantains instead of bread to create a canapé and some sips of our chefs favorite ciders. After that our chef will take the mystery of some gluten-free grains, like buckwheat and quinoa as she shares recipes she makes at home, including: stir-fried buckwheat and a tasty quinoa salad. We'll top that with potato encrusted salmon a GF and healthy way to get a crisp crust. For dessert enjoy a chewy chocolate chip cookie!

Contact customer service ASAP to reserve your seat.563-391-0213.   Class size is limited and cost $20 per participant.