Just a few days ago I received a fun mail surprise.  I knew something was on the way, as the Verizon Heath & Fitness Voices bloggers were alerted that a second device was on the way.  We were encouraged to guess what the new device may be.  Most of us agreed that it was most likely a tablet, but we weren’t sure which one.

Fed Ex arrived at my house a little after 1:00 PM EST on Monday with my device.  I could barely contain my excitement while I opened the package to find…

WOOHOO!  A brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1!

The first thing I did when I took my new tablet out of the box was installed my favorite apps so that I could access everything I needed on the tablet.  When I am at work, training clients, I usually play Pandora on my Droid Razr HD, so it will be nice to have another option.  We accept payments via PayPal, so having the tablet with 4G allows me to navigate the site a little easier without having to worry about a Wi Fi connection.

So far I am impressed and excited.  I have been playing around a bit and found an app that I have been having a lot of fun with at home.  The app is called “Peel” and allows me to control the TV and DVR from my tablet.  Hehe…the kids aren’t aware that I can do this, so they are a little confused.  Fun times.

*Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Health and Fitness Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device, FitBit One, Verizon Gift Card, Samsung Galaxy 2 10.1 and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the products.

Mornings are busy and breakfast is often hectic.  Whether it is summer time and the kids are running off to various activities, or the kids are in school, most days breakfast needs to be quick.  Udi’s Gluten-Free has a number of quick breakfast options that help make mornings a little bit easier. 

These granolas are easy to sprinkle over Greek yogurt or they taste great on their own with almond milk poured over top.  I love the combination of blueberries and cashews and may have eaten this straight out of the bag.  The Sweet & Fruity variety has just the right amount of sweetness and tastes great over vanilla ice cream.  Okay, you got me, ice cream isn’t for breakfast, but who says you can’t have granola later in the day? 

Udi’s Gluten-Free offers several different muffin varieties.  The Harvest Crunch is my favorite, while Jon prefers the Double Vanilla, Blueberry, Chocolate or Lemon varieties. 

Cinnamon Rolls are a nice treat and Udi’s Gluten-Free makes it really easy to enjoy a warm, sweet treat any day of the week. 

Simply warm in the microwave and drizzle the included icing over the top.  Enjoy!  Both the muffins and cinnamon rolls can be stored in the freezer and taken out the night before to defrost on the counter.  If you forget to take them out, no worries, simply defrost for 15-30 second increments until defrosted to your liking. 

Muffins and Cinnamon Rolls not your thing?  Try one of the awesome Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagel varieties.  The bagels are offered in Plain, Whole Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, Mighty and Everything.  My personal favorite is the Mighty, bursting with pumpkin seeds, quinoa and dried cranberries. 

Bagels too filling for breakfast?  Try the Cinnamon Raisin bread topped with peanut butter and jelly.

Sleep through your alarm or wake up late?  Grab one of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Granola Bars to get something in your stomach as you run out the door.  They really are “Soft n’ Chewy”! 

If you have a little more time, use the Udi’s Gluten-Free Tortillas to make breakfast quesadillas complete with eggs, bacon and cheese.  They are soft and work well for wraps, too!

There really is no excuse for skipping breakfast, no matter how busy you are.  Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.  I used to be a breakfast-skipper and I will never go back to those days.  I have so much more energy now and can easily make it through the morning awake and alert.  Udi’s Gluten-Free products can be found in health food and mainstream grocery stores across the US or online. 

What is your favorite way to start the day?  Have you tried any of the Udi’s Gluten-Free breakfast options mentioned above? 

*The products mentioned in this blog 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.

I apologize for being MIA the past few days.  I had every intention to get posts up every day last week and it just didn’t happen.  As I mentioned on Tuesday, the lack of sleep I had Sunday night really did a number on me.  I am not sure how I used to only get a few hours of sleep per night when I was younger and then function normally in the days following.  It has been a week and I think I am finally feeling like I am caught up. 

Menu

Sunday – Chipotle <—Yes, I have a problem. Perhaps a frequent flyer card? 

Monday – Baked ziti, fresh steamed green beans, salad and gluten-free sourdough bread

Tuesday – Chimichangas, corn and salad

Wednesday – Leftovers

Thursday – Burgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and salad

Friday – Italian grilled chicken, baked sweet potato puffs and salad

Saturday – Take-out pizza

Skippy Natural now comes in a dark chocolate version.  Think Nutella, but dairy-free and not as sweet.  Booyah!

Review: EO Products <—Love this lotion!!

Back-to-School Gluten-Free

Nationwide Children’s Hospital opens Celiac Disease Center

Have a great week!

Kim

Review to come soon.

Yesterday was one of those days.  You know, those days when you have only slept half of the hours your normally sleep?  One of those days when even the most mundane tasks seem daunting.  It took every bit of energy I had to get to the grocery store for many items that we couldn’t go without.  I was rewarded for my “hard” work with this gem…

Dark chocolate + peanut butter = heaven!  As soon as I put this baby in my cart I knew what I was having for lunch – dessert!  LOL!  No, in all seriousness, I made a PB & J with the new Dark Chocolate Skippy Natural. 

I was too impatient to wait for the bread too cool after I toasted it, so it was more like PB & J toast, or an open-faced sandwich.  I love Nutella, but think it is too sweet for a sandwich.  The new Dark Chocolate Skippy Natural has 60% less sugar per serving than Nutella, making it the perfect choice for breakfast or lunch. 

Dark Chocolate Skippy Natural: Sugars – 8g

Nutella: Sugars – 21g

Dark Chocolate Skippy Natural Ingredients: Peanut Butter Spread (Roasted Peanuts, Palm Oil, Salt), Sugar, Dark Chocolate (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Cocoa.

I really enjoyed the taste of the new Skippy!  I can’t wait to try the new Skippy on apples and bananas!  YUM! 

What is your favorite peanut butter brand? 

What is your favorite way to eat peanut butter?

It is a good time to be gluten-free.  Sure, I would rather not eat gluten-free, but there is no better time.  There are gluten-free options for just about every food you can imagine and there is no need to settle for mediocre. 

Do you see what I see?  Yummy goodness in a small little package.  Udi’s Gluten-Free just debuted these new soft-baked cookies in three different varieties:

Peanut Butter Coconut – INGREDIENTS: TAPIOCA STARCH, DRIED CANE SYRUP, PALM OIL, PEANUT BUTTER (ROASTED PEANUTS), BROWN RICE FLOUR, EGGS, TAPIOCA SYRUP, ORGANIC COCONUT, POTATO STARCH, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, MOLASSES, NATURAL FLAVORS, VANILLA EXTRACT, SALT, XANTHAN GUM, BAKING SODA, CARAMEL COLOR.

Maple Pecan Chocolate Chip – INGREDIENTS: TAPIOCA STARCH, DRIED CANE SYRUP, PALM OIL, ORGANIC DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS (ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, ORGANIC COCOA BUTTER, ORGANIC VANILLA EXTRACT), BROWN RICE FLOUR, EGGS, TAPIOCA SYRUP, PECANS, POTATO STARCH, MOLASSES, NATURAL FLAVORS, VANILLA EXTRACT, SALT, XANTHAN GUM, BAKING SODA, CARAMEL COLOR. CONTAINS: EGG, PECANS

Salted Caramel Cashew – INGREDIENTS: TAPIOCA STARCH, DRIED CANE SYRUP, PALM OIL, BROWN RICE FLOUR, CASHEW PIECES, EGGS, TAPIOCA SYRUP, TOFFEE BITS (RICE SYRUP, PALM OIL, CANE SUGAR, ALMONDS, SALT, AGAR GUM, NATURAL FLAVOR), POTATO STARCH, MOLASSES, SALT, NATURAL FLAVORS, VANILLA EXTRACT, XANTHAN GUM, BAKING SODA, CARAMEL COLOR. CONTAINS: CASHEWS, EGG, ALMONDS

The cookies are shelf-stable and are made with non-GMO cereal grains. 

Oh, how I love these cookies!  Peanut Butter and Coconut is an awesome combination for a cookie – both flavors complement each other so well! The Maple Pecan Chocolate Chip cookie is a rich, delightful circle of heaven.  The chocolate chips are plentiful and are surrounded by a cookie base with a light, maple undertone.  Last, and certainly not least, Salted Caramel Cashew.  I fell in love with this cookie before I even took a bite.  I love all things cashew and the combination of sweet & salty, so there wasn’t much of a chance that I wouldn’t like it.  The sweet & salty flavors are perfectly balanced and the cashew and toffee pieces are like the icing on the cake cookie.

There are 10 cookies in each box and the boxes retail for $5.99/each.  They are not available yet online, but should start showing up with other Udi’s products on the shelves of your store soon.  Anytime you feel like spoiling yourself or someone you love, grab a box of these soft-baked cookies! 

Have you tried the new Udi’s Soft-Baked Cookies?  Which variety are you most looking forward to trying?

*The products mentioned in this blog 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.

I found out just a little over a week ago that Tim Horton’s was going to be offering a gluten-free treat beginning on July 15, 2013.  I stopped by Tim Horton’s yesterday while I was running errands, but didn’t have any luck.  The location didn’t have the new treats in stock yet.  A friend was able to find them at a different location (200 W. Nationwide Blvd./Columbus, Ohio/Arena District). 

Ingredients:

Coconut, powdered sugar, froze egg whites (egg whites, sodium citrate, triethyl citrate, guar gum), water, chocolatey drizzle (powdered sugar, water, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, corn syrup, less than 2% of the following: canola oil, palm oil, vanilla extract, calcium carbonate, dextrose, agar, titanium dioxied (color), salt, monodiglycerides, caramel color), natural flavor, almond flavor.

They taste every bit as good as they look!  The outside is a bit crunchy, but the inside is moist and has a wonderfully sweet, almond flavor.  The macaroons are sold in sealed packages of 2 and are certified gluten-free.  It is so nice to have a small, sweet treat to pair with a cup of coffee, latte or iced tea. 

Tim Horton’s offers many gluten-free drink options and has locations across the US and Canada. 

Have you tried the new macaroons yet?  Please let me know once you do and what you think of them!

This weekend is sure to be an exciting one in Columbus as the Jazz & Rib Fest runs from Friday, July 19th through Sunday July 21st.  The Jazz & Rib Fest was born in 1979 as Music in the Air launched “Jazz in July”, a series presented at various Columbus parks and facilities.  In 1980 Music in the Air presented the first Riverfront Jazz Festival which has evolved over the years to what is now known as the Jazz & Rib Fest.  The event is Columbus’ largest free outdoor music festival and one of the nation’s largest rib cook offs. 

BBQ ribs straight from my grill

Food festivals can be intimidating for those following the gluten-free diet.  I have always just avoided them as I have no interest in suffering a gluten reaction in a festival setting, if you know what I mean.  A fellow gluten-free friend tipped me off to some exciting news for the Columbus gluten-free community…gluten-free options at the 2013 Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest. 

We reached out to the 2013 rib teams regarding gluten free items. The following teams have responded:

• Armadillo’s – ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken breast and all sauces
• Bad Wolf BBQ – all meats and coleslaw
• BBQ Masters – everything
• Big Boned BBQ Co. – ribs, pork, brisket, chicken, beans, coleslaw and all sauces
• Butches BBQ – all sauces and rubs
• Desperado’s BBQ Co. – all products except cornbread
• Just North of Memphis – Sweet Kristy’s sauce and dry rubbed ribs
• Mojo’s Rib Shack – ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken breast and all sauces
• The Swhinery– pulled pork with no sauce

DISCLAIMER:

The Jazz & Rib Fest has undertaken considerable research from our rib teams to provide gluten free options for our attendees. While we try to ensure that these items are gluten free, Jazz & Rib Fest does not accept any responsibility whatsoever if such products contain traces of gluten.

(source)

I am not sure I am going to be able to attend, but I may try a little harder now that I know I can indulge in some goodies!  Have you had success eating gluten-free at fairs or festivals?  Do you research in advance?

Columbus, Ohio is a great place to live.  Columbus is often a test market for new food and drink items and also happens to have a wonderfully diverse selection of restaurants that accommodate the gluten-free diner. 

(source)

Bareburger will be joining that diverse selection later this year at 463 North High Street, across from the Columbus Convention Center.  More about Bareburger:

Bareburger restaurants offer mouth-watering organic burgers and sandwiches, fresh salads, delicious shakes and sharable snacks in environmentally sustainable, eco-friendly locations. Our belief is that organic food tastes better and is better for you, and that sourcing our ingredients locally benefits our communities. Our menu features a variety of meats, including traditional beef, chicken, turkey and lamb; exotic options such as elk, bison, ostrich and boar; and mushroom, veggie and black bean burgers for our vegetarian and vegan guests. Bareburger also offers a number of savory and sweet salads, organic beer and wine, and kid-friendly cubby meals for the littlest diners.

Does Bareburger offer gluten-free options?

Yes! All of our meats and poultry (except our panko and buttermilk chicken) are gluten-free, as are our salads, sauces, and French fries. We carry a gluten-free tapioca rice bun for our burgers, or they can be prepared in a gluten-free lettuce wrap. We also offer a number of ciders for customers looking for a gluten-free adult beverage with their meal, and a number of our desserts – including our flourless chocolate cake – are gluten-free, as well.

Here is a picture of that flourless chocolate cake with amarena cherry compote:

(source)

Sounds good, huh?  After checking out the menu, I can’t wait for Bareburger to open later this year!  Some menu items that I need to add to my “must try” list include:

• Bison burger, though I am curious about the elk, wild boar and ostrich
• Poached pear salad
• Pickled beet and goat cheese salad
• Numerous shakes, including a Hot Honey Milkshake
• Flourless chocolate cake

Just like any restaurant that isn’t 100% gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination.  The best way to minimize the risk of cross-contamination is to communicate with the restaurant staff, including the manager and chef, when you arrive. 

The new Columbus Bareburger will be one of the first locations outside of New York.  Have you eaten gluten-free at Bareburger?  Please share your experience with us if you have!

I just hit the 500 mile mark with my Fitbit One this morning and received this awesome badge, and reminder of a great song (and movie – Benny & Joon). 

And if you don’t already have the song in your head, check this out. 

In all fairness I haven’t really walked all of those miles, I have run some of them.  I started wearing my FitBit One on April 8, 2013 and with the exception of a couple of days spent at the pool, I have worn it habitually.  After some quick calculations, I figured out that I have run 246 of those 500 miles, nearly 50% of them!  Pretty cool, huh?  Here are some of the other badges I have earned:

Earning badges can make things a little more competitive.  I use my FitBit One more for tracking activity, but if I needed motivation, badges or friendly competition with friends would definitely help!  There is a community of FitBit users for help, motivation, etc that is easy to join right from the FitBit Dashboard. 

*Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Health and Fitness Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device, FitBit One, Verizon Gift Card and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the products.