Cheerios

                I swear I could live on Cheerios.  For awhile I practically did.  With so many flavors to choose from it’s hard not to fall in love with one of them.  Now that many are gluten-free, it’s even easier.       

                Cheerios has come out with five flavors that are gluten-free: Original (Yellow Box), MultiGrain, Honey Nut, Apple Cinnamon, and Frosted.  The great thing about these flavors is they will always be gluten-free.  Just as with Chex, there will not be any comparing of boxes to determine which one is gluten-free and which one is not.  Every single box of these flavors will have a seal declaring it gluten-free.  There is one warning, though.  These boxes with the gluten-free seal are fairly new so some of the old ones may still be on the shelf.  While in the end you won’t have to compare boxes, for now make sure you see the seal before purchasing.

                Since going gluten-free is a new endeavor for Cheerios, they have put a great informational section on their website (www.cheerios.com).  In animation they explain the entire process from the farm to the cereal box of how they were able change their product to make it gluten-free.  At various points through this explanation, you can click on different videos to get further information on certain topics.  There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom.

                Cheerios are a product that can be purchased practically everywhere.  Most grocery stores and stores with grocery sections (such as Target) carry them.  I have purchased Cheerios at Pick ‘n Save, Sendik’s, Woodman’s, and Sam’s Club.

Pancakes at North Avenue Grill

               There is something about breakfast.  No matter what time of day, breakfast food always seems to work.  This is probably why so many restaurants offer their breakfast menu throughout the entire day.  While I don’t know what the most popular breakfast item is, I would suspect, based on the commercials, it is pancakes.  All the time I see commercials promoting a new topping, flavor, or combination.  However, I don’t recall any commercials about restaurants with gluten-free pancakes.  I’m not saying they don’t have them, I just don’t remember it being advertised.

                One restaurant that does have gluten-free pancakes is North Avenue Grill in Wauwatosa.  I know this not because of a commercial, but because I have been to the restaurant and saw them on the menu.  I tried the regular pancakes with the apples and cinnamon topping one time.  Then I came back and tried the gluten-free with the strawberry topping.  While there was a difference in taste, as often happens when comparing regular and gluten-free foods, both were very good.  Even though I do not need to be gluten-free, I would definitely have the gluten-free pancakes again.

                For more information on North Avenue Grill, visit www.northavenuegrill.com.    

Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels

                    Recently my mom asked me what my favorite bagel is.  My answer was it depends on what spread is available.  Some work better with peanut butter while others I prefer with cream cheese.  Even the flavor of cream cheese can make a difference.  Our conversation got me thinking, have I ever seen a gluten free bagel?  I thought I had, but I was not 100% sure.

                On a recent trip to Woodman’s I found Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels in the refrigerated section.  Then I remembered I had seen the bagels at Whole Foods as well.  I even called to double check.

                          Udi’s has five different kinds of bagels: Whole Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, Plain, Mighty, and Everything Inside. To figure out which one you would like to try, visit udisglutenfree.com. 

Bisquick Gluten Free

             Bisquick is a pantry staple in many households. Whether you use it for pancakes or biscuits, now you have a gluten free option. I originally found it at Woodman’s, but it can also be purchased at A Gluten Free Frenzy and (believe it or not) it can be ordered from Amazon. Is there anything you can’t get on Amazon?

Chex Cereals at Pick ‘N Save

              You have probably seen the commercials about the flavors of Chex Cereals that are gluten free.  I am here to say don’t just see them as something to eat with milk, try them as a crust.

                I use them for crumb crusts.  Look at survivingtheallergylife.blogspot.com to see how I used Chocolate Chex on my June 15, 2013 post.

                Chex Cereals can be found at all major grocery stores.

Puffins Cereal at Outpost Natural Foods

            Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  So try Barbara’s Puffins Multigrain Cereal.  These tasty squares are great for breakfast but can be eaten as a snack.  I bought the cereal at Outpost Natural Foods but I have also found it at Whole Foods.

Toaster Pastries at A Gluten Free Frenzy

                 For a long time my mom and I looked everywhere for gluten free toaster pastries.  It appears to be the most missed food for those who live gluten free lives.  I do not know how often my mother and I have heard them talked about.  They were even mentioned during a gluten free dinner at a local restaurant.  One of the presenters brought the subject up.  That is how popular toaster pastries are.

                After an extensive search, and attempts at making our own, we finally found gluten free toaster pastries.  We walked into A Gluten Free Frenzy, located on Bluemound Road in Brookfield, and there they were.  Made by Eco-Planet, their Gluten Free Frosted Toaster Pastries come in three flavors: Brown Sugar & Cinnamon, Blueberry, and Strawberry.  The first day we saw them, at least one flavor was sold out.  It may have actually been two.  That is how happy people were to have toaster pastries back in their lives.  They did not even stay on the shelves.

                As I have never eaten one myself, I cannot tell you how the toaster pastries taste. But if you, or someone you know, have missed toaster pastries, I suggest going to A Gluten Free Frenzy and giving them a try.