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The other evening I found myself in a part of town that I normally do not frequent while attending a theater production.  So I jumped online and did a quick search of restaurants near the theater to get a feel for what was around.  I came across a restaurant that I had heard of before but never tried so decided to head on over to their Web site and look at their menu to see if there was even a remote possibility of me dining there.  I am a huge fan of BBQ.  I like northern, northern, southern, and just about everywhere in between types of BBQ.  Dry rub…check.  Heavily sauced…check.  I was over the moon when I saw that Blue Smoke (the restaurant in question) actually had a gluten-free menu.  Yep, those two magical words appeared larger than most in the word cloud on the restaurant’s site.  I quickly made a reservation as images of my BBQ sauce stained fingers passed before me.

When the evening we’d be dining there finally rolled around, I was, to say the least, giddy with excitement to sample this new locale.  My other half and I had imbibed for an hour or so prior to heading over to the restaurant at one of my all-time favorite bars – The Campbell Apartment.  There is just something about that place that has always drawn me to it.  Not to mention early evenings on weekends are far less chaotic than during the week or later at night so I always try to pop-in for at least one cocktail when in the neighborhood.

So after tying on a few, my other half and I headed on down to Blue Smoke.  What’s nice about this place is that it features a rather good Jazz club on its lower-level (The Jazz Standard) and the restaurant above.  So technically you can binge at the restaurant and then roll yourself down the stairs for some smooth Jazz stylings…but I digress.

The restaurant was hopping when we arrived and we finally made our way to the front desk.  We were told our table was just being set and within a few minutes were seated at our table.  Oh, I forgot to mention that when the host was grabbing the menus I asked for a gluten-free version which first seemed to surprise him but he quickly grabbed a smaller red-framed menu that offered only gluten-free options.

Now I am always a bit leery of restaurants that have a gluten-free menu but are not really gluten-free establishments.  I always wonder how many requests does the kitchen actually get and do they really take it seriously.  Well, Blue Smoke definitely shines in this area.  When ordering I told the waiter that not only was I Celiac, but that I have a severe (read deadly) allergy to shellfish which he repeated to me and noted on the order ticket.  Nice.  I opted for the Baked Chipotle Wings as a starter.  I cannot remember the last time I have anything remotely related to Buffalo wings when dining out.  Not only is the gluten-contaminated oil a factor but most places tend to fry shellfish (and anything else) in a communal fryer.  Disgusting I know, but I learned the hard way when I reacted not once, but twice to shellfish laced French Fries – fool me once…  So the baked wings seemed like such a fantastic option I could not understand why more places don’t offer such an item.  The GF menu noted not to have the bleu cheese dressing.  I ordered the lean Brisket of beef for my main which came with a side of mashed potatoes (sans fried onion topping) and my other half and I shared a side of beets.

When the pile of rather large-sized wings arrived at the table I nearly squealed like a school girl but something caught my eye – a small cup of blue cheese dressing was next to a larger bucket of Chipotle sauce.  I found it strange but simply removed the offending sauce and pretty much inhaled the plate in front of me.  When the waiter came back to clear the dishes, I nicely noted that he may want to tell the kitchen about the blue cheese.  He stated that when the plates are dressed the runners put both sauces on because some people tend to order them for a table vs. themselves and like to share ;-).  Well, me being a greedy guts (I did share two with my partner, who indulged in the bleu cheese, it made perfect sense.

The Brisket arrived next was a HUGE portion.  It was cooked to perfection and the table was filled with a variety of sauces and shakers to accommodate a wide-rage of taste preferences (all of which were GF by the way).  The mashed potatoes were heavenly and beets cooked to simple perfection.  While completely stuffed, I decided to binge even more and have some plain ice cream and coffee for dessert.

When the ice cream arrived, the runner (not the waiter) said “Ooops, sorry, there is a cookie underneath there.  I am sorry, let me get you another”.  I thought that was incredible that they knew what to look out for before it even hit the table.  Also, after we were finished our waiter came by and said he owed me an apology as he heard the first dessert arrived with a cookie.  What?  Are we still in N.Y.C.?  I though that was such a nice move (though unnecessary) on his part because it shows that they take allergies seriously and it is comforting to know you have a line of two or three people looking out for you.

I could not have been happier with the entire experience and highly recommend Blue Smoke to all of my Celiac and non-Celiac friends out there.  Oh, and they mix a mean cocktail, which I can personally attest    to ;-).
 
 
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What better way to ward off those coming April showers than with a fantastic gluten-free cheesecake from my friends at Earth Café.  That’s right you could have one of their fantastically delicious cheesecakes delivered right to your front door – for free. 

It has been a while since I had a little contest so my friends at Earth Café came up with the following contest to give one lucky GFM reader their very own cheesecake – and best of all the promotion runs the entire month of March. 

I absolutely love, love, love these cheesecakes and not only are they gluten-free but also: vegan, dairy-free, wheat-free, sans refined sugars and nasty oils, and free from cholesterol.  Oh, and did I mention they taste out of this world!  There are multiple ways to enter, each offering a different amount of entries.  You can earn a maximum of 10 entries for this promotion.  Best of all you have the entire month to get those entries in.  Oh, and if you know someone who loves decadent desserts feel free to pass this along.

Here’s how to enter:

1.  Write about or link to the contest in your own blog.  Just be sure to link back to this post, forward me the link to your posting, and you’ll receive 5 entries.  Note this method can only be used once.

2.  Fill out this simple entry form for 3 entries.  Note this method can only be used once.

3.  Make a comment right here.  In your comment please include: What flavor cheesecake you want to try.  Be sure to fill out your contact information when prompted.  You can head on over to Earth Café’s Web site to check out their decadent flavors.  GFM loves their Cali Style Lemon and Rockin’ Raspberry flavors.  A simple way to score 2 entries.  Note this method can only be used once.

4.  Become a fan of Earth Café on Facebook.  Just shoot me an e-mail once you do with your name so we can verify.  This will get you 2 entries.  Note this method can only be used once.

5.  Follow Earth Café on Twitter.  Just shoot me an e-mail once you do with your name so we can verify.  This will get you 2 entries.  Note this method can only be used once. 

6.  Tweet the following via Twitter "@glutenfreemike I want a @earthcafe #glutenfree cheesecake! http://bit.ly/bG9ilf ".  This will get you 1 entry.

7.  Friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter for 1 entry.  Just shoot me an e-mail once you do with your name so we can verify.  Note this method can only be used once for Facebook and once for Twitter.

Oh, and if you just can’t wait to try out their cheesecakes, you can get a special 20% discount on your orders by simply entering the promotion code: GFM at checkout.
 
Now here’s the fine print:
Contest is open to legal residents of the United States only.  A maximum of 10 entries can be earned by a single person.  All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on March 31, 2010.  Winner will be chosen from all entries received at random on or after April 1, 2010. 
 
 
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Yesterday found me standing on my Facebook gluten-free soapbox after I noticed that a restaurant I order from regularly via an online service called SeamlessWeb was randomly (and sometimes days later) charging extra for not putting their sandwiches on bread.  Below is the dialogue that transpired.  To view the complete string with other gluten-free and non-gluten-free friends weighing in just pop-on over to my Facebook page.

Excerpted from my Facebook wall:
I have actually seen it all now.   Just found out a regular place I order lunch from online has been adding random charges because I ask for no bread.  Now, I can see if I wanted a special type of bread or perhaps a hero (which they do charge extra for) but removing bread and paying a penalty...not on my watch.  Not only did they charge silly random amounts, I was made to pay tax on those amounts.  There was no rhyme or reason for the charges and there were times when no charge was levied.  I mean I am no stranger to having to pay more for gluten-free preparations or items but being taken for a ride is something I will simply not tolerate.

I heard back from SeamlessWeb that I use for my lunch ordering.  To their credit, they called the restaurant and got an explanation.  Something along the lines of all the staff was not versed in how to handle such a special request.  Fair enough.  They continued that my orders were specially made and actually contained more product that their regular item.  Again, good to know.  Yes, I am still a bit pissed that I was taken for a ride, but here is where it gets good...

SeamlessWeb has now put the "platter" option that I order as a standard option (at a standard price) for this restaurant (which has multiple locations throughout NYC).  I am so pleased that they took it seriously and now Celiacs have at least one more option here in the City.  Yes, it seems like a small thing but it really resonates with me.  The Web site was really not at fault because they simple act as an intermediary between consumer and restaurant.  They also previously had a Gluten Free category that contained gluten-filled options. When I pointed it out, they removed it.

Okay so that is my rather long-winded way of saying if you feel like you are getting less than average service because you are a Celiac...SAY SOMETHING.  The only way things are going to change is if we take control of our condition and help educate others about it -- remember it is a two-way street.  We can't expect every locale to have a firm understanding of our condition but we can expect to be treated fairly. It is on us to (politely) explain what we can and cannot have and why when need be.  A little education goes a long way.  Remember it is not about a DYKWIA attitude, it's about us collectively joining together to educate others about our condition -- and I don't care if you are in NYC or Nome, Alaska.

So, it might be one small step in the broad scheme of Celiac disease but at least it is a step forwin the right direction.
 
 
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I have to apologize for the little break I took from my blog.  GFM has been swamped between work and travel but these activities have become fodder for some new postings.

I recently was in North Carolina for the Christening of my two (absolutely adorable) identical twin nieces.  Not having children of my own yet (the operative word being yet) I like to live vicariously through my brother’s children – the two twin girls and a 4 year-old nephew who is equally as cute.  There is just something magical about hearing “Hi Uncle Mike” that makes me so proud to be an uncle.  Also, because they are not my own children, I can spoil them as much as I like which is what uncles are for, right?

Anyway, the North Carolina coast seems to be scattered with every conceivable chain restaurant that is currently in existence.  Yes, there is the occasional independent-type restaurant but they tend to be few and far between – or, given the proximity to the ocean specialize in seafood, which for me is a no-go given my severe allergy to all things from the sea.  I am, needless to say, glad to be back in the land where chains are the exception rather than the rule.

Also of note while I was away…

Yours truly was featured on Fab Grandma’s blog which is a really good gluten-free read.  I was honored to be the first in her series Gluten-Free and Loving It.  You can read all about my Celiac experience or just peruse some of her recipes, reviews, and musings.  She leads a really interesting life as a full-time RV’er that offers some great travel insights as well.  Definitely head over to www.fabgranma.com and check it out.

So, I am jumping headfirst back into my site and have some really interesting product reviews in the pipeline.  Dorothy definitely had the right idea as there is no place like home.
 
 
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My friends at Health Flavors recently sent me a fantastic box of Orgran and Candy Tree samples so that I could give their products a go (Thanks Josef).  In all honesty, until the package arrived, I had never heard of or tried any of their products so this was a very welcome opportunity.  Orgran is an Australian brand that makes a side-range of gluten-free products and one of their importers/distributors, Health Flavors, is located just north of New York City in Westchester County.

The products I sampled included: (Orgran-branded)Essential Fibre Rice and Corn Pasta; Corn Pasta (Penne); Rice and Corn Pasta; Buckwheat Pasta; Molasses Licorice; Toasted Corn Crispibread; Vanilla Cake Mix; and Multi-Grain O’s with Quinoa.  From the Dutch company Candy Tree came Organic Strawberry Vines.

Needless to say, it took me a bit of time to work my way through all of the products I received but in the end I was beyond pleased with quality and, more importantly the taste of the products.  So onto the reviews…

First up was the Molasses Licorice.  Yes, that’s right you read that correctly an honest to goodness gluten-free licorice.  You are probably thinking that’s all well and good but it can’t possibly taste like the real deal.  Wrong!  I am a self-confessed licorice junkie and I have missed my sweet little dark morsels since being diagnosed with Celiac.  This was the first time in many, many years that licorice has crossed these lips and in one word it was HEAVEN.  First of all, there is no way you could even tell that this was gluten-free.  It was so wonderfully soft in texture and the taste!  It was mildly sweet (as a good licorice should be) but had the wonderful licorice bite to it that exploded onto your palate with just the right amount of spiciness.  Trust me, I know my licorice and this is quite possible the best (gluten-filled or gluten-free) that I have ever come across.  It comes in a great resalable pouch that keeps the candy nice and soft.  The licorice pieces do stick together but isn’t that half the fun – pulling them apart as the anticipation builds?  If you love licorice like I do, do yourself a favor and give this a try.

Next  up was the Toasted Corn Crispibread.  This was quite unexpected indeed.  I suppose I was expecting something similar to a Wasa Crisp flat bread-type cracker but while this had the same shape it was far better tasting.  Think naked cheese doodle because that is exactly what it tasted like.  A large, flat, cheese-doodle without the dreadful orange powder that gets all over your hands.  I really enjoyed these and topped then with everything from cream cheese, to dip, to brie and the held up extremely well.  What is nice about these is because they are plain you can pretty much pile anything on top without having to worry about combating flavors.  I even snacked on these plain as they make for a great tasting treat that is terrifically crunchy.

The next product in my gluten-free tasting frenzy was the Multi-Grain O’s with Quinoa.  Now I was not sure what to make of these at first.  I was thinking, hmmm, these look too healthy to actually taste good.  I have always been a fan of quinoa so was intrigued by these O’s.  They also contain psyllium fiber which is great and not something you see everyday in a breakfast cereal.  So how did they taste?  Well, they are quite plain and actually reminded me of plain Cheerios – and is quite frankly the closest we Celiacs will get to them.  If you are restricting your sugar intake for whatever reason then these would be a perfect option.  What I really liked about their plainness was that I could mix them into other cereals or add a bit of sweetener without ruining the taste and more importantly without overloading it with sugar.  If you are looking for a sugary sweet breakfast option then look elsewhere because that is not what these are about. 

The pastas were enjoyed during a pasta marathon I decided to have.  I prepared a small amount of each of the pastas I received (Essential Fibre Rice and Corn Pasta; Corn (Penne); Rice and Corn Pasta; and Buckwheat).  I topped them all with same sauce to get a feel for how they not only tasted, but more importantly held up when loaded with sauce.  The Essential Fibre and Rice and Corn pasta was very good as was the Corn penne and Rice and corn (mix) pastas.  All cooked perfectly to al dente and tasted like pasta should with a wonderful hint of graininess that really made them taste like the real thing.  Perhaps the biggest stand-out was the Buckwheat variety.  It was one of those things I just never bothered to try – quite frankly because I just didn’t think it would compare to more traditional grains in taste.  Well, I will be the first to admit I was wrong.  The Orgran Buckwheat spirals was quite possibly my favorite out of all the pastas sampled.  It had a great (and delicious) nuttiness to it that really paired well with my sauce of choice (creamy white) and held the sauce perfectly.  It had a truly complex flavor that, while pronounced, did not take away from the sauce – and I can see this being a truly diverse pasta able to compliment any sauce you top it with.

Back to the candy front, I was eager to try the Candy Tree Organic (yes, organic) Strawberry Vines.  These were produced in the Netherlands (on of my all time favorite destinations) and were really very, very good.  These were far more subtle in flavor than the Molasses Licorice I raved about earlier but still full of flavor without being too sweet.  The small vine shapes are like mini-Twizzlers and I really enjoyed these as well.

Finally to the pièce de résistance of the products…the Vanilla Cake Mix.  This was the last item I needed to prepare so that I could give a comprehensive overview of the Orgran products I received.  This past Saturday I finally found some time to bake a cake.  Well, I didn’t really need a large chunk of time as the mix was really simple – just throw in eggs, margarine, water, and mix.  Simple.  While mixing the magnificent aroma of vanilla emerges and I could tell that I was going to be in for a treat.  30-35 minutes later I pulled a perfectly brown, well-risen cake from the oven.  I of course sneaked a slice in the middle of the day and was truly amazed at the amazing taste.  It was truly full of fragrant vanilla but not too sweet so that you could really appreciate the complexity of the flavors all melding together to make a fabulous vanilla cake.  My non-GF other-half raved and raved about how good this cake was and we found ourselves sneaking pieces various times throughout the day.  Ultimately the cake only survived until Sunday evening and I now have to place an order for some additional boxes J. 

Overall I was really impressed with the Orgran products and it was good to see a company that clearly tries to provide healthful, great tasting options to Celiacs.  You can view the complete gluten-free product line on their Web site.  You can find their products at a variety of online retailers that carry gluten-free products.  If you are on Facebook, why not become a fan of Orgran Natural Foods USA?
 
 
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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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