Food Review: Udi's Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

photo credit: milkfreemom

Hey Celiac Warriors! Ready for some more Udi's goodness? Well, have I got a treat for you!

I know I'm not the only one who loves cinnamon rolls. I remember frequenting Cinnabon through the years and indulging in some ooey gooey cinnamon roll goodness. Now that I'm diagnosed with Celiac Disease (diagnosed via blood test and biopsy in September of 2011), places like Cinnabon are kryptonite to my digestive tract.
After my diagnosis, I tirelessly searched for gluten free cinnamon rolls that were as good or better than Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.

Recently, my boyfriend brought me home a package of Udi's Cinnamon Rolls (he's such a keeper). After dinner, I heated one up and put the provided glaze on top. The cinnamon roll smelled so amazing as it was warming up. So I took my first bite, and....

Delish! It was so amazing! The cinnamon roll was nice and soft. You could taste the cinnamon and spices, and the glaze was perfection. Even my boyfriend thought it was amazing (and he isn't gluten free)!
I don't have to tell you that the cinnamon rolls didn't last too long in this house! I pretty much devoured them within 3 or 4 days, LOL!

For those of you tracking your calories, carbs, etc., here is what you need to know:

• Calories: 300
• Fat: 6g (no trans fat)
• Carbs: 56g
• Sugars: 30g
• Sodium: 370mg

Allergen Warning: This item contains Eggs.

I will definitely be purchasing this item again (and again, and again)! It's definitely one sweet treat that I have to have in my freezer!

I highly recommend that all my gluten-free friends try this item. If you have a serious sweet tooth, and need to satisfy it, PICK THESE CINNAMON ROLLS UP! They are so tasty! You can find them in many stores and on Amazon.

Food Review: Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna

photo credit: celiac (dot) com

Good afternoon fellow Celiac Warriors! I have another amazing food item to tell you about!

Recently, I came across Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna while at the grocery store doing my weekly shopping. Me, being the foodie that I am, did not hesitate to pick up a box and see if this lasagna was any good. I've tried so many amazing Udi's products and I hoped that this one would be a winner too.

Well, folks, I was right! This lasagna was very good. The sauce was very rich and the meal was full of flavor!
I don't need to tell you that it is Gluten Free because Udi's is a go-to brand for those of us who are gluten free.

As for the nutritional facts, I was scared that it was going to be a million calories and have a ton of sodium. Nope. Only 370 calories and 290mg of sodium. If you're watching your carb intake, there are only 35 grams of carbs in this lasagna.

This lasagna is pretty filling, but for those of you looking to add a side dish to your lasagna, I suggest steamed veggies that are seasoned and a glass of your favorite wine.

Allergen Warnings: This item contains Milk and Eggs. Those of us who have Celiac disease often have bouts of (or are full blown) lactose intolerance. I HIGHLY recommend taking a lactaid pill before consuming this product. I tend to have lactose intolerance symptoms whenever I have something that is oozing tons of dairy. I make sure my medicine cabinet is stocked with lactaid pills.

Definitely pick up Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna. It's a scrumptious and quick meal that you can just pop into the microwave and indulge in while watching your favorite TV programs.

Thank you, Udi's for making another amazing product! Keep em' coming!

Food review: Gluten free Chex Oatmeal

photo credit: Shauna Silva

I found this item shortly after the FDA ruling went into effect.

At first, I was a little nervous in trying this product, since I have had issues with gluten free oatmeal in the past. I decided to try it anyways. The following Saturday, I made myself my first bowl of oatmeal in over 4 years.

*drum roll please*

While it tastes EXACTLY like non-GF oatmeal, it has a different texture to it. I ended up overcooking it a little and it stuck to my non-stick saucier.
With this oatmeal, you need to keep an eye on it and cook it exactly to the package instructions. I ended up goofing and cooked it according to how I used to cook non-GF oatmeal.

All in all, it was very good. I added some brown sugar and craisins to the oatmeal, which made it even better.

When I was first diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I had a hard time with gluten free oats. Every 6 months or so, I had tried to re-introduce GF oats into my diet to see if I would have any reaction to it. This is the first time since my diagnosis that I haven't had a reaction to it.

Gluten Free Chex Oatmeal is less than $3 and it is whole grain oats. It is NOT certified gluten free, but with the new FDA ruling, ALL items labeled gluten free HAVE to test less than 20ppm. This product hasn't given me problems, but if you are sensitive, I ask that you exercise caution.

This product comes in several delicious flavors, including maple & brown sugar and apple & cinnamon.

If you're interested in trying this product, check out my Gluten Free recommendations store on Amazon. To visit this store, click here. (Items will be on page 3)

Styleite writer attempts gluten free joke and fails miserably

Guys, I tend to think of myself as a relatively open-minded Celiac. I tend to think I have a pretty good sense of humor. I hear a lot of jokes and I laugh.
But, now I feel as if I'm getting to the point where the jokes are just getting a little too old. The gluten free frenzy has been around for quite a few years now, and the jokes just aren't funny anymore. They are just tired, old, and stupid.

Yesterday, a Styleite writer decided to write an article called "5 Foods You'd Never Know Were Gluten Free."
My fellow Celiacs may be interested in knowing what this "Einstein" put in her article:

1. Sandstone (since we're not capable of having pasta)
2. Leaves (since we don't deserve anything else)
3. Air (because we deserve to look stupid)
4. Corn 
5. The internal organs of Celiacs. Yeah, so if people want to go on a gluten free diet, she suggests that the public slip us something in our drink and go to town on our internal organs. Nice, right? So we Celiacs deserve a date rape drug because we got stuck with an inherited, life-long, auto-immune disease that we have to deal with for the rest of our life. After we get slipped the drug, people can go to town on our internal organs, because we're obviously not human. We get to be the sacrificial lamb for those who want perfect skin and a waif-life physique.

That last one is what inspired me to write this article. I almost NEVER respond publicly to jokes like this, but when Celiacs are targeted directly, the gloves will come off.
My other concern is this whole 'slipping us something in our drink' deal. Since when is slipping someone a 'roofie' funny? The sick part is, is a woman wrote the article.

If the woman who wrote the article reads this, I hope she understands that Celiac Disease is a serious illness. People have died from the illness. Would she make a Cancer parody too? Probably, because she obviously doesn't have a heart, or a soul.

If you want to read her article, check it out here.

I highly recommend that the woman who wrote the Styleite article educate herself on Celiac Disease. I can recommend a few books for her. If some of you are wondering about what this Celiac Disease is all about, click on the above picture. You will be transferred to my Amazon store Look to the right of your screen and click on books. Some of the books in there are books that helped me after my diagnosis.

Education is key, people. It is obvious that the Styleite woman is ignorant. As for the rest of the world, the gluten free joke craze is so over. Move on to something else. The jokes aren't funny anymore.

[photo credit: memecrunch.com]