Gorilly Goods

              You never know what you will find at a food fair.  Awhile back my mom and I went to a non-GMO fair at Metcalfe’s.  One of the vendors we came across was for Gorilly Goods.  They were featuring their small bags of snack mixes which are organic, raw, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free.  There were six flavors available to try and each one had their own unique combination of ingredients along with an interesting name.  I brought home Forest which consisted of dark chocolate, fruit, and nuts.  If you like bananas, this is definitely the flavor for you.  My mother enjoyed Coast which was sweet curry, cashews, and fruit.  The other flavors were Hillside (pumpkin seed and kale), Baja (pumpkin seed, hemp, and cilantro), Trail (nut, goji, and cacao nibs), and Jungle (fruit and nuts).

                While I originally discovered Gorilly Goods at Metcalfe’s, I have also found them at Outpost Natural Foods.  If neither of these stores are in your area, you can go on the Gorilly Goods website (gorillygoods.com) and search to see if they are in a store near you.   

Popchips Ridges

            Well, it’s that time of year again.  Football is in full swing, and out comes the game day food.  It doesn’t matter whether you are watching your university alma mater or an NFL team, there always seems to be food around to munch on.  While shopping recently, I came across a new potato chip to crunch.  It was Popchips Ridges. 

I know we are all supposed to be aware of portion control, but sometimes you have to wonder how the Nutrition Facts label can state that only 6 crackers or 11 chips are the portion amount.  That seems hardly worth the effort to open the bag or the box to eat them.  I am happy to report that the Popchips Ridges flavor I ate (Chili Cheese) had 28 grams, or about 21 chips, to a portion.  That is a great amount.  I also found the Popchip Ridges to be delicious, and I will say right here, I exceeded my portion control amount along with wishing I had some guacamole to go with them.

Popchips Ridges come in four additional flavors: Buffalo Ranch, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Tangy Barbeque, and Perfectly Salted.  All are gluten-free.

I hope you get a change to try Popchips Ridges.  I found them at Woodman’s, but check either the chip or the natural foods aisles at other stores in your area.

popchips.com 

Fiber One Fruit Flavored Snacks

                  For some reason I have always like fruit snacks.  Unfortunately, because of my food allergy, I am not able to eat all those that are on the market.  That’s why I was so excited when I found I could eat Fiber One Fruit Flavored Snacks.  They are just the right amount of sweetness, making them a great snack or even dessert.

                Coming in two flavors, Mixed Berry and Assorted Fruit, these fruit shaped and flavored fruit snacks are also gluten-free.  This, however, is not obviously labeled on the box.  Instead, the words “gluten free” are in very small letters under the ingredients list.  Why this is, I don’t know, but I’m glad I found it.

                Fiber One Fruit Flavored Snacks can be purchased at most major grocery stores.  I purchase them from Woodman’s.     

Special K Protein Shakes

               For many days I wracked my brain as I tried to figure out what to write about for this month.  Somehow nothing felt right.  Then one day, I looked down at the Special K Protein Shake in my hand and saw the words “Gluten Free”.  The words popped right out at me, which is funny, because I have been drinking these shakes for years.  I’m sure I have seen those words on the label before, but for some reason that day they really struck me.  Once I saw the words “Gluten Free” on my Special K Protein Shake, I knew what I was going to write about.

                With 15 grams of protein each, Special K Protein Shakes are great to have along with a snack or on their own.  They are quick shots of protein that are great to have around when you’re not quite sure when your next meal will be.  Currently there are six flavors available: French Vanilla, Strawberry, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Mocha, Vanilla Cappuccino, and Rich Chocolate.  My favorites are Rich Chocolate and Milk Chocolate.  To give myself a break from chocolate, I drink the French Vanilla as well.

                Special K Protein shakes can be found at most major grocery stores.  I have purchased them at Woodman’s and Pick ‘n Save, but I have also seen them at Sam’s Club. 

                 www.specialk.com

Gluten-Free Classic Snacks by Nicole Hunn and Gluten Free on a Shoestring Website

           We are always looking for new gluten free cookbooks.  This time we found one that takes care of all those guilty pleasure treats you may be missing.  It’s Gluten-Free Classic Snacks by Nicole Hunn.  Whether it’s the old-fashioned filled cupcake with a curlicue on top, or your favorite Girl Scout cookie, you will probably find it in this book.  Borrow Gluten-Free Classic Snacks from the library to try it out.  The book is also available for purchase from Boswell Book Company, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. 

              While reviewing this book, I found a mention of Nicole Hunn’s website, Gluten Free on a Shoestring (glutenfreeonashoestring.com). It’s a good site for gluten free information and recipes. Since I am always looking for more recipes, I was glad to see this site had a lot to choose from. 

            I hope you enjoy both the book and the website.

Gratify Gluten Free Pretzels: Sesame Seed Thins

                 The snack market is being flooded with little containers of food that you can take anywhere.  One of our favorites is a pretzel chips and hummus dip combination, but it is not a gluten free alternative for snacking.  Fortunately we have found a solution to this dilemma.

                The solution is Gratify Gluten Free Pretzels: Sesame Seed Thins.  Not only are these pretzels gluten free, but they are also lactose free, egg free, and made from Non-GMO ingredients.  You can pair the pretzel thins with your favorite hummus to create your own pretzels and hummus snack.

                Gratify has gluten free pretzel products other than the Sesame Seed Thins.  They can be found on the company’s website www.gratifyfoods.com.  We found the Gratify Gluten Free Pretzels: Sesame Seed Thins at Woodman’s.

                Happy Snacking.

Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips

               My mother loves chips, so I never know what new chip is going to walk through the door.  Not all of the chips she brings home I will try.  Sometimes this is because of the flavor, other times it is because of the ingredients.  There are certain flavors that no matter who makes the chips I will not eat them.  When it comes to the ingredients, with Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips I have little cause for concern.           

                The makers of Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips take great care in their products.  Not only are they gluten-free, but they are also Kosher.  Many of the chips have been verified as not having GMOs (genetically modified organisms).  These are just a few of the benefits of these chips.  When you look at the bags you will find a lot of symbols letting you know exactly what kind of product you are getting.

                There are a lot of different flavors of these tortilla chips.  I wouldn’t be surprised if there was one to fit every mood.  There are original flavors, cheese flavors, spicy flavors, even pumpkin and kettle corn flavors.  They are all listed at www.foodshouldtastegood.com.  The Cheddar and Olive flavors my household is currently enjoying, amongst others, were purchased at Outpost.