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Yes, I have been a bit under the weather and my real job has kicked into overdrive (which is fantastic) but I am on the mend and now jumping head first back into my alter ego.  Just a quick note to let you all know that I have been busy eating myself silly to bring you some great new product reviews.  I know, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it.  Actually, I am quite excited at the coming rounds of reviews as they are from two companies that I had not yet come across – I love being a trendsetter J. 

There are some really surprising (and delicious) gluten-free products in the mix that I think you will all really enjoy.  So, I have just reserved myself to the fact that an expanded waistline is the new accessory and I carry it proud for all of my gluten-free friends out there.  In all seriousness there are some more waist-friendly and really wholesome option in this round of products.  I am also busy putting the finishing touches on a new Quintessentially New York Gluten Free (QNYGF) locale that surprised even me – if you are looking for upscale dining with a view you won’t want to miss this one.

In the meantime, why not enjoy the smooth stylings of my all-time favorite Diva Italiana – Mina ...Bellissima!
 
 
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I recently had the opportunity to sample some of the gluten-free wares (thanks Heather) from this Denver-based company that also operates cafés in the Centennial State.  I have heard many of my gluten-free friends out there rave about Udi’s but could never seem to locate them in my area (though this has recently changed).  Perhaps what makes Udi’s so unique is that they function as a normal café and caterer but also have a terrific gluten-free line for Celiacs prepared in a dedicated gluten-free facility.  Their products are also dairy-, nut-, and soy-free.

The first product I dug into was their White Sandwich Bread.  This was perhaps the product that carried the biggest buzz among my fellow Celiacs and it did not disappoint.  While there are other good gluten-free breads out there, Udi’s has a very big leg up on the competition – you can eat it right from the bag without re-freshing or toasting and it is SOFT and MOIST.  That’s right my fellow Celiacs, we now can have a fresh loaf on the counter and eat it whenever we fancy.  And eat it I did – for breakfast, lunch, and with dinner.  That bag (which is a good size) did not know what hit it as is quickly emptied.  The bread has the most gluten-like texture and consistency that I have yet come across.  It had that familiar white bread kiss of sweetness that instant transported me back to my pre-celiac days – Bravo Udi’s!  Oh, and for the record it toasts up a dream and made fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches.

Next up was Udi’s Whole Grain Bread.  Like its white counterpart, this too was perfect straight from the bag.  It had a wonderfully complex nuttiness to it that complemented whatever you put between the slices without being too overpowering.  It also toasted to perfection and was robust enough to hold whatever toppings you care to pile on.

On the sweeter side of their portfolio are Udi’s Blueberry Muffins.  These were moist and chock-full of sweet ripe blueberries.  A light coating of sugar added a welcomed crunch factor to the muffins while adding just the right amount of sweetness.  The individual muffins are a good size and one will certainly be more than enough to keep you satisfied.

Udi’s Lemon Streusel Muffins were perhaps my favorite flavor of muffins because I am a sucker for anything lemon.  These came complete with a nice streusel topping that would appease even the most hardened muffin aficionados out there.  These were moist and had just the right amount of sweetness to balance the zesty lemon bite.   I actually just finished one as I wrote this review.  Popeed it out of the freezer onto the counter and in a few minutes was ready to eat – and totally de-lish.

The final product in the tasting line up was Udi’s Pizza Crusts.  Now I have had other gluten-free crusts before and they were okay but they are typically so dense that I find myself full after eating just half of the pie.  Udi’s crusts are actually thin – yes, you read that correctly thin.  All you need to do is top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings and throw it in the oven.  The crust crisps up like you will not believe and does not go all limp and soggy no matter what you top it with.  My non-GF other half also raved about these crusts.  Living in NYC we have great pizza and great GF pizza, but now I can make it whenever I want and have it taste like it was just delivered.

Earlier I mentioned that I had some difficulties finding Udi’s locally but that problem is no more (and my Tri-State friends take notice) as Udi’s is now carried by the fabulous grocery delivery service Fresh Direct here in the City.  I can honestly say that Udi’s has already been added as one of my Favs in my Fresh Direct preferences and there will not be an order that arrives without something from Udi’s.  The best part about Udi’s is their products freeze very well so you can keep them on hand (and fresh) to indulge anytime you like.  Perhaps their tag line says it best, Sit down. Eat up. Be Udiful. 

If you cannot find Udi’s in your area, fear not.  Just head on over to their Web site and place an order for delivery – they ship throughout the 50 States.
 
 
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Okay, I have been teasing you enough with the product I have spent the last few days eating in order to provide a comprehensive review of almost an entire product line.  The secret product was…Earth Café’s Gluten-Free cheesecakes.  Well, not just gluten-free but raw, vegan, wheat, and cholesterol free as well.  Did that pique your attention?  I know, you are probably thinking gee, that is great that they are basically everything-free but I bet they are free from taste as well.  Au contraire mes amis...that could not be further from the truth.  Well, to be honest, I too thought exactly the same thing when Craig from Earth Café reached out to me and wanted to know if I would be interested in trying them out.  Yes, I was very skeptical because the concept of a dairy free, raw cheesecake just did not seem appealing.  Quite frankly had Earth Café not reached out to me this would have been one of those things that I likely just would not have tried.  I mean let’s face it cheese-less raw cheesecake seems to be a contradiction of terms.

Thankfully I took Craig up on his offer and he and the fine people at Earth Café actually overnighted a sampling from the O.C. on the West Coast to me here in N.Y.C. and everything arrived perfectly intact due to careful packing.  But I digress…I received five of Earth Café’s most popular flavors: Blueberry Thrill; Rockin’ Raspberry; Cali Style Lemon; Cherry Dream; and Peach Passion.  Let’s just say I knew what I would be having for dessert over the upcoming evenings.  Ah, see why this review took a bit longer than usual?

I am, however, only human so I enlisted the help of my non-GF other half so that I could eat one myself and taste a portion of another to better expedite the tasting process.  I started with the Rockin’ Raspberry.  As I took the first bite, I am not sure what I was expecting but it was certainly not the creamy deliciousness that first hit my palate.  I was confused and looked at the container which the slice came in to read the ingredients.  Where was the cream cheese, the butter, the sugar?  Not here and believe me when I tell you NOT missed.  Just twelve simple, vegan ingredients that somehow Earth Café had managed to turn into a rich, creamy, downright delicious cheesecake that’s not a cheesecake. 

The raspberry variety was chock-full of fresh raspberries that packed a welcomed sweet and tart bite.  The “crust” was nothing more than fantastically soaked chopped nuts that added overall flavor and added complexity but did not distract from the filling itself.  The crusts are finely chopped nuts and appear to be cashew, pecan, and walnut mixes.  I say appear because I am going by the ingredient list on the packages but clearly Earth Café are magicians in the kitchen so I am not sure if any of these comprise the body as well or just the crust.  The filling was so complex with the real raspberry taste paired with zesty lemon and cinnamon undertones all in a creamy base from coconut and sweetened with agave nectar.

Now here’s where it gets interesting…my other half is not a cheesecake fan by any stretch of the imagination – but I needed help and was dying to taste the Blueberry Thrill variety.  He was still not quite sold but dug in and all I can say is he now likes cheesecake (well, Earth Café’s).  So if your home is divided by the cheesecake fans and non-believers, these products meet everyone’s needs.  The blueberry pie was just as rich and decadent as the first – just chock-full of fresh blueberries.  It is the fruit in these decadent treats that really helps you to understand the taste benefits of raw eating.  The fruits tasted as though it had just been picked and thrown into the cake right then and there.  I know, you are thinking sure it did but I was as shocked as you will be at how vibrant and flavorful the ingredients were – and they never set foot anywhere near an oven.

The next evening I continued to work my way through the flavors with the Cherry Dream version.  Once again, same fabulous base with wonderfully ripe red cherries that were…wait for it…still crisp to the tooth.  By this point in time I had resolved myself that I needed to just stop wondering how they are able to do this and embrace the concept raw vegan cheese-less cheesecake.  The following evening it was time to crack open the Cali Style Lemon (lemon has always been a personal favorite of mine as flavors go) and it did not disappoint.  We are talking some serious tang here.  This was indeed my personal favorite of the lot – so light and creamy packing a tart punch that still did not take away from the overall flavor itself.

Sadly (only because I was now out of slices) the Peach Passion was last in the line-up and it did not disappoint.  The sweet fresh peach taste was crisp and delicious and again paired perfectly with the creamy base and subtle spiciness of the nuts.

If you think raw desserts are going to be boring, I encourage you to give these cakes a try.  I was probably one of the hardest sells but am so glad I gave it a try.  I don’t know how they do it – nor do I question it.  The bottom line is that Earth Café makes a more healthful gluten-free option that tastes, in a word, AMAZING.  My thanks to Craig and all of the folks over at Earth Café for making a believer out of me.

For those of you on the West Coast, you can find their products in many Whole Foods and other markets based on your location.  Check out their Store Locator to find out if they are at a location near you.  If not, there is always mail order.  You can view their online storefront to check out all the delicious options that abound. 
 
 
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Since assuming my alter ego not that long ago, I have had the opportunity to “meet” many great fellow Celiacs from around the world.  I have also been able to learn about great new gluten-free products I might have otherwise not necessarily come across.  Many of these companies have been gracious enough to provide samples so that I can let all of you know about them as well.  It is no secret that I love food.  Yep, love everything about it (sans gluten of course) and having access to new gluten-free treats arriving at a frenzied pace is most definitely a perk is having an effect on my waistlineJ.  Ever the constant perfectionist, I don’t do anything half-hearted.  So, if that means eating every flavor of a particular product to let you know about it, well then, I am going to do it.  I want to make certain that my readers are at the forefront of gluten-free deliciousness.

So what is all this leading up to?  I recently had the opportunity to sample something that I really think the majority, if not all, of you out there are going to LOVE.  The review is being tweaked now and will be live soon right here on my blog.  You will not want to miss this one…trust me.  This was a true first for me.

I suppose I will just have to keep walking to the office and…gasp…maybe hit the gym so I can continue bringing you great new products to maintain my boyish figure, LOL. 

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, a sample from a company does not a positive review make (and they know this).  If something is mediocre, you will hear about it just as fast as a glowing review.  It is interesting though – I have noticed that gluten -friendly or -free companies tend to be, in most cases smaller, and really care about making quality products that taste great.  They are proud of their products and stand behind them, hence wanting to get the word out there about them and I am more than happy to oblige.
 
 
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What better way to start 2010 then with a great new product review for a delicious and original gluten-free flatbread.  Yes, that’s right, I said flatbread.  My friend Gluten Free Dee arranged for me to sample the offerings of Sandwich Petals from Raquelita’s Tortillas out of Denver, Colorado.  I truly enjoy having the opportunity to try products from smaller companies that I might not normally come across.  Now, I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive because I was a huge fan of wraps before my Celiac diagnosis.  Sure, I have since moved on to corn tortillas, which are fine and dandy,  but when I see colleagues indulging in the phenomena that is the lunch wrap – I am left longing for the flavored flour tortillas that are now verboten.

Well, I need not have wrap envy any more thanks to Sandwich Petals.  These petal-like shaped flatbreads not only fill my wrap need – they exceed it.  They are chock-full of healthy ingredients that make regular wraps look like plain old Wonder bread without being heavy on the calorie-side as more traditional wraps tend to be.

So what makes Sandwich Petals so unique?  For starters the company uses a proprietary blend of 10 grains, both whole and milled that includes: corn, flax, sesame, buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum, millet, quinoa, teff, and amaranth.  The petals are also high in Omega 3s and fiber, contain Prebiotics (nice), and low glycemic.  They are also dairy-, egg-, nut-, (tree and peanut), shellfish (though a portion of Omega 3s come from fish oil)-, soy-, and wheat-free.

I sampled all three of their varieties: Spinach Garlic Pesto, Chimayo Red Chile, and Agave Grain.  The Spinach Garlic Pesto was up first.  I had some cold cuts left-over from a week full of hardcore entertaining and decided to make myself a petal sandwich.  The petals are best when re-heated which makes them highly pliable but, strange as it seems, I always liked the firmer, unheated tortillas and wraps.  For my sandwich, I simply folded over a petal to break it evenly in half.  I then spread some spicy English horseradish on opposing sides.  I then topped each half with some fresh local cheddar, turkey, and a bit of mesclun greens and married the halves together to make the perfect sized petal sandwich.  Let’s call it the English Rose J.  Now I have to admit, I was not sure if one petal would hold me but it was so filling that one indeed was the perfect size.  The petal itself is wonderfully flavored with the perfect balance of spices.  You can really taste the spinach, garlic, and basil but these flavors do not overpower whatever you decide to fill them with – nice. 

Wanting to get my review out to my readers I would, over the next couple of days, try each variety of petals in a variety of different ways.  Oh, the lengths I go to for my readers.  Next up was the Chimayo Red Chile.  It was a cold day so I thought why not make a hot and spicy quesadilla.  I took a petal and gently heated it in a pan (as instructed) – literally under a minute on a low flame once the pan is warm.  I then added some shredded chicken breast that I mixed with a bit of fresh salsa and placed it on the petal.  I added some shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, place another petal on top, let the cheese melt and viola – the perfect quesadilla.  I served it with some sour cream and was in absolute heaven.  I cut the petal into vertical strips which made for a unique  presentation – no triangles here.  The petal itself was quite flavorful but again, the spices were perfectly balanced so as not to overpower but rather compliment the fillings.

Finally I made my way to the Agave Grain which really is something you have to try yourself in order to understand this flavor.  I was not sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised as it is like a blank canvas just waiting for you to dress it up any way you like.  The subtle sweetness of the agave is paired with the nuttiness of the grains that go into each petal.  The flavor is so complex that you really need to try this one to fully appreciate it.  How did I serve it?  I heated up my petal to make it more pliable, then spread (well piled) on some caramelized onion hummus and rolled away.  I then sliced the petals into pinwheel shaped bites that made for the perfect pre-dinner snack.

Raquelita’s says that these are versatile and they are not kidding.  They even mention using the petals for lasagna which I am totally going to try with the Spinach Garlic Pesto variety in the very near future.  I also think some enchiladas will be making their way into my menu rotation as well.  This is a no fuss, ready to go ingredient that I am so pleased to have found.

I also love, love, love a company that gives a little bit back and each month Raquelita's Tortillas donates 1% of sales of their Sandwich Petals to gluten free food banks.  What a great cause to get behind and you can know that your purchase is help affecting change for Celiacs – every little bit helps.  For the month of January, Raquelita’s is offering a special on Monday's from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. MST where Sandwich Petals are BOGO – so you get 2 boxes of 36 Petals for only $25.  That is a fantastic deal and I know when I am ordering.  Just as soon as I work my way through my current inventory – in other words, next Monday.

To keep abreast of all Sandwich Petal happenings and for some great recipe ideas, why not follow them on Twitter or join their fan page on Facebook.
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I just wanted to wish all of my readers a very Happy New Year.  When I started this site and blog six months ago, I had no idea how quickly it would take off and I could not be happier.  Living gluten-free, though becoming much easier compared with when I was first diagnosed, is still challenging.

I am thankful for all of the great people and companies I have come across since starting the site.  Not only have I been able to share my experiences but more importantly I have learned so much from all of you out there to truly put Celiac disease in a global perspective.

So what does 2010 hold for Gluten Free Mike?  Well, hopefully lots of great global gluten-free experiences that we can share together.  This week alone will see the newest addition to my Quintessentially New York Gluten-Free series paired with some great new product reviews.  I look forward to continuing to share my gluten-free journey with you and hope you will come along for the ride.  Oh, and if we are not connected on Facebook or Twitter please feel free to click on the links to the right and follow my gluten-free escapades in real-time.  I love getting to know fellow Celiacs (and those that love them).

Here’s wishing you and yours a fabulous and delicious gluten-free 2010.