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Gluten Free Food Reviews

A Low FODMAP Dieter’s Dream Come True: Fody Condiments and Spices on Amazon

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Fody Salsa Verde

Fody Salsa Verde (Amazon link) CRAZY Delicious!

If you have IBS, Leaky Gut, or IBD – or simply have a grumpy gut! – you may have heard about the importance (as someone in this group, I would go so far as to call it a VITAL importance) of eating low FODMAP foods.

Those of us who choose this type of diet have to stay loyal to foods and drinks that are low FODMAP and avoid the high FODMAP foods as much as is humanly possible. You can find great charts and lists on low and high FODMAP foods online simply by searching them out.

A word of caution, however, please look for very reputable sources and even search for a particular food more than once. Because my choice to eat Low FODMAP is based on a health issue, I always search for a food three times before “accepting” its fate. I learned this the hard way and hope to spare you the same fate!

For me, personally, the trickiest problem has been avoiding onions, garlic, onion powder, and garlic powder (the powders and salts are actually even worse, it seems, because they’re so concentrated).

I simply replace onions with chives in my cooking and baking and (pinky swear!) I actually prefer the taste of chives. The biggest issue is finding salsa, salsa verde (an obsession), seasoning blends, and condiments without the two popular ingredients. Seriously… onions and garlic are everywhere!

Well… almost everywhere. I found a food brand on Amazon that has been a game changer and sanity preserver for me. Their ingredients are all Low FODMAP and free of any onion or garlic – powder or any type! Best of all, everything I’ve tried has been absolutely delicious.

The salsa and salsa verde (Amazon link) are particularly out of this world. Before I was even halway through the jar of salsa verde, I vowed to  never allow myself to run out of it and I’ve been true to my word. It’s actually better than ANY salsa verde I’ve gotten… with or without garlic and onion. It’s absolutely delicious stirred into rice, on tacos, with tortilla chips, or on a baked potato. It’s ridiculously good. The salsa is a knock out too (come to think of it… I’d better order more soon, I’m down to half a jar!).

I’ve also tried (and loved) their taco sauce (Amazon link). I’m wild about the taste. Like the salsa and salsa verde, I prefer it to anything else I’ve had on the market. Fody’s products are less sweet than other brands and, somehow, manage to taste fresher.

I have other Fody products I’ll be trying soon and will let you know all about them. Obviously, because this is a special needs type of food, the products are pricier. Given that it’s impossible to put a price tag on being healthy, feeling good, and being able to enjoy great food, I almost didn’t even mention this fact. However, I know that if you’re like me, you’ll see the price of these wonderful products and mentally calculate that each is more than you pay for in the grocery store.

Trust me on this, however, after you’re able to enjoy delicious condiments with peace of mind, the price will be the last thing you’ll worry about. All you’ll be thinking about is which product you’ll try next… for me, it’s the BBQ sauce, Ketchup, and Ranch Seasoning. I also have my eye on their snack bars!

I only wish their chips were available individually – as it is, they’re only available in bundles.

Shop all Fody Foods on Amazon! (Amazon link)

GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR YOUR LOW FODMAP PEEPS!

Whether it’s for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because you’re cool like that, Fody foods would make a great gift idea (stocking stuffers or in a gift basket). As I said, they’re a game changer.. and those of us with dietary restrictions often need that game changed up a bit! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Fody Taco Sauce (Amazon Link)

 

Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup Makes VERY Memorable Tea, Matcha, Milkshakes, Smoothies…

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Iced Matcha with Torani Strawberry Syrup

Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup (Amazon link)

If you have tea lovers on your shopping list, a fun, unexpected gift idea is flavored syrup. Torani makes about a gazillion flavors and each is a knockout. Strawberry is a personal obsession, so it’s one of my favorite flavored syrups.

Adding a little Torani Strawberry Flavored Syrup to tea or matcha (whether you’re drinking your tea hot or iced) gives your drink a wonderful flavor, but the possibilities don’t stop there. You could also add a little unexpected zip and flavor to coffee or, if you choose to… hot chocolate. Personally, I wouldn’t dare of adding anything to or taking anything away from a hot cocoa but to each their own!

In addition to adding a little fun personality to tea, I love the idea of adding a little flavored syrup to milkshakes or smoothies – especially in the winter when you have to use frozen fruit. They need the extra flavor a great syrup brings.

I’ve also used flavored syrup to sweeten homemade whipped topping for iced matchas and iced coffee drinks.

You can find Torani’s complete line of extraordinary syrups – and more! – on Amazon (Amazon link to Torani products). You can even find Torani Flavored Syrup with dispensers (Amazon link)!


As Simple as it Gets Japanese Broth Soup (The Possibilities are Endless)

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Japanese Broth Soup with Maifun Rice Sticks

Japanese Broth Soup with Maifun Rice Sticks

When I had to start eating gluten-free years ago (Celiac made the decision, not me), one of the things I missed most was Japanese food. Sushi, salad, and soup at one of my favorite restaurants became something I “used to enjoy.” Over the years I’ve looked for different options but it’s been pretty much one disappointment after another (gluten-free Japanese food is a wide-open field if any company wanted to pave the way!).

I always, always, always scour the Asian section at my favorite supermarkets for new products. Recently the magic words (“gluten-free”) caught my eye when I spied a box of Simply Asia Japanese Inspired Ramen Chicken Broth.

Into the cart it went! I envisioned rice noodles or rice sticks and green onions in what was going to be a quickly thrown-together lunch, so I grabbed a package of Dynasty Maifun Rice Sticks (Amazon link). I use these QUICK and easy noodles in so many cold salads and hot soups!

I came home and heated the broth, placed the rice sticks in warm water for about 10 minutes, then added them and some chopped green onion to the broth to simmer. I wish I had grabbed some Shitake mushrooms at the store, too, because very thinly-sliced mushrooms would have been amazing.

This broth is PHENOMENAL and the possibilities are honestly endless.

Check your favorite grocery section for the Simply Asia Japanese Broth (Amazon link) or click through and grab some on Amazon. The flavor will blow your mind.

Simply Asia Ramen Broth and Maifun Rice Sticks

The Makings of a Ridiculously Quick & Easy Japanese Soup (Gluten-Free!)


A Couple of Delicious “Healthy Snack” Finds

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Genuine Coconut Chunks and Luna Bar

Healthy Snacks On Hand – Half the Battle!

As I’ve talked (and talked, and talked, and talked…) about before, the Pandemic served as a wakeup call to all of us. The healthier you ARE, the better your chances will be when something frightfully unexpected comes along. When we’re at a healthy weight and have our vitamin levels where they should be, it gives us the edge we need when it comes to fighting off viruses. Obviously, anyone can get sick.. BUT when you’re in the best health you can be, your chances of recovering quickly and completely are much better.

I mean, a lot of it’s just good old-fashioned common sense, isn’t it?!

I’ve seen more healthy snacks and foods over the past few years and I think it’s outstanding. I wish fast food restaurants would follow the healthy-eating trend and offer better meals and sides. It’s all but impossible to eat a completely healthy meal in a fast food restaurant and that’s a real shame… and Heaven help you if you have to eat gluten-free! I mean, McDonald’s doesn’t even offer side salads anymore and another of my favorite restaurants (Culver’s) puts croutons right on their pre-packaged salads. I would LOVE if they’d stop that madness and just made their gorgeous looking salads available, safe for all of us to eat.

While we can’t (obviously) control everything a fast food (or sit down) restaurant offers, we can absolutely control what food we have in our own kitchen. Not only do I want to, personally, eat healthier, I want my entire family to eat healthier – including my grandbabies (ages 2, 3, and 4). Keeping healthy foods that are also delicious is something I spend a lot of time thinking about and striving for.

While favorites like bananas, apples, strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, carrots, celery, cucumbers, and salad-makings are always on hand, I also like to have tasty new things for all of us to enjoy. Let’s face it, snacking IS going to happen – whether it’s while watching tv, coming in from work (or school), or simply a case of, “I’m a little bit hungry… let’s see what’s in the kitchen..” snacks are both okay and expected – we just have to be smart about them!

Within the past two weeks, I have come across three different healthy snacks and wanted to tell you about them.

First off, Luna Mash-Up Bars – they come in  Lemonzest + Raspberry (pictured above) and Lemonzest + Blueberry and they’re outstanding. I buy both regularly (Kroger and Target carry them) and even my grandbabies love them.

Another healthy snack I’ve found is Genuine Coconut Coconut Chunks (Amazon link).  These are so delicious, it’s absolutely unreal. They’re basically like someone has taken a fresh coconut and cut the deliciousness into convenient little squares for you. While I enjoy mine straight out of the bag, they’d also be ridiculously good in a smoothie bowl or bowl of oatmeal.

I found these coconut chunks at Kroger – I haven’t seen them in any other stores, yet.

The Genuine Coconut Coconut Chunks (Amazon link) are also available on Amazon – in fact, they’re available in several different flavors (I’ve only seen the one above in stores around here). As for the Luna Mash-Ups Lemonzest + Raspberry Bar pictured, I can’t find it on Amazon, but they DO have another delicious variety, the Luna Mash-ups Lemonzest + Blueberry (Amazon link). It’s every bit as delicious as the Raspberry flavor.

All Luna bars and products are outrageously delicious but these new mash-ups may just be their best item yet. Seriously, I’m addicted!

Review: New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka HoneyNew Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

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New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

Are you familiar with Manuka honey? If you’re as obsessed with honey (and for that matter, bees) as I am, I’m sure you have heard of this delectable honey before – whether you’ve had the opportunity to try it or not.

When I was contacted about reviewing Manuka Honey from the New Zealand Honey Co. in exchange for telling my readers all about it, I absolutely jumped at the change, with my cup of tea in hand. I use honey many ways in my kitchen (literally every day) and stirring it into a cup of hot tea is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. I also combine it with my chocolate obsession on the daily as well – more about that in a minute.

The New Zealand Honey Co. is a wellness company that considers my beloved worker bees a key asset to their company. Manuka Honey is so rare, it is only able to be harvested for two to eight weeks each year!  In fact, The Manuka Honey UMF™ 26 is considered one of the rarest superfoods in the world.

You can absolutely taste the exclusive goodness.

From New Zealand Honey Co.

The brand has a complete line of Manuka Honey, a complex and high-strength raw honey from the native New Zealand Manuka tree. As the bees gather nectar from the tree’s flowers, they’re helping bring a vital superfood  to the lives of thousands who love what goes into their bodies to boost immunity and overall wellness. Plus, it tastes sweetly delicious!

The result is an end product bringing pure goodness to consumers worldwide. It tastes great, is a terrific natural sugar alternative, and delivers amazing health benefits (gastrointestinal, immune support, skincare, haircare, first-aid, wound care, and oral health). Even dogs and other animals benefit from Manuka Honey.

(Review Continued Below…)

Manuka Honey and Giant Sunflower

New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

The Manuka Honey I was sent to sample is pictured here (with tea, chocolate, and one of my beloved “giant sunflowers” from my sunflower bed this summer… the jar of honey is not small, the flower is simply enormous) and I can 100 percent say this about it: It is extraordinarily delicious and so completely unlike any honey you will find in the store. Not only in taste, but in nutritional value as well.

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has far superior antibacterial strength than other honeys. While honey is a healthy food, when it’s Manuka honey, it’s basically a superhero. Manuka honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant superpowers.

People actually use manuka honey to treat wounds, it’s that potent. It’s also said to improve your oral health, soothe a sore throat and treat ulcers. I used some a few days ago when allergies had given me a sort of annoying cough. Just half a teaspoon of the deliciousness chased the ticklish cough away faster and more effectively than any cough drop.

Manuka honey is also a natural source of energy.. and who couldn’t use a little more energy in their days (says a MiMi to three boys all under 5 years old!). For more health benefits of Mauka Honey, as well as MANY creative and wonderful ways to use it, please see New Zealand Honey Co.’s excellent resource, 176 Ways to Use Manuka Honey.

(Review Concluded Below…)

New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey and Chocolate and Ghee

New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey and Chocolate and Ghee

How I’ve Been Enjoying Manuka Honey:

  • Even a tiny amount stirred in hot tea is excellent. It pairs especially well with citrus tea!
  • I’ve been using it as part of one of my favorite “good fat” treats. I take a square of dark chocolate and add a little great-quality ghee (Ancient Organics Ghee is BY FAR the best I’ve ever had), a little honey, and either flaky sea salt or pink Himalayan salt on top. The combination of flavors will blow your mind.
  • Another healthy snack I’ve always loved is a sliced banana, topped with either peanut butter or almond butter with a drizzle of honey. Manuka brings even more flavor and health benefits than my regular “go to” honey.
  • I’ve also enjoyed a little manuka honey added to Vanilla Greek Yogurt.
  • I love to add a little, along with butter, to my gluten-free oatmeal.
  • 176 Ways to Use Manuka Honey has many, many, many other uses and recipes… easy homemade beauty products, recipes, pet uses, hair masks, throat lozenges made with manuka honey (saving this one for cold and flu season, y’all).

Yes, Manuka honey is more expensive than regular honey – but, the good thing is, you can taste the difference and it is absolutely worth it.

For more information, please visit their wonderful website: New Zealand Honey Co. When you arrive on the website, you’ll even be given a chance to receive a discount on their extraordinary products. This wonderful honey would make a VERY thoughtful gift idea this Christmas!

Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey

Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder: Delicious, Nutritious, and So Easy to Enjoy (Review)

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Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder Review Pic

Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder

I have an extraordinary new discovery in my world of smoothies, shakes, and smoothie bowls, but first a few words about why this “world” exists in the first place. I have always loved smoothies – even BEFORE “green smoothies” became a thing. When smoothies took off in popularity years back, I kept thinking, “What? Y’all are just now discovering smoothies? Where have you been?”

I can be pretty judgmental when it comes to such things.

For as long as I can remember, a smoothie is as big a part of my mornings as coffee and cats. I love the convenience, the taste, and the ease of digestion after my digestive tract’s long night off. With both Celiac and a hiatal hernia, I like to make things as simple on my insides as possible. Keeps all of us happy.

I made a few adjustments to my smoothie ingredients a few years back when a little thing called a pandemic blindsided all of us and reminded us that our health is not something to be taken for granted or something to be taken lightly.

Yes… absolutely anyone can get covid (or the flu or cancer…) BUT the healthier we are going IN greatly determines the story we have to tell when we come OUT. Healthier individuals and those with their weight under control simply fare better with diseases – in fact, many diseases won’t even show up on their doorstep. I switched from regular milk to using either almond or coconut milk and began experimenting with healthier forms of sweetening. I also began adding healthy ingredients into the smoothie and found that flaxseed and chia seeds are as delicious as they are healthy.

Not even diseases, truth be told. How about falls and other injuries? I hate to brag but I’m a ridiculously accident-prone individual. My best guess is that it’s because I mind and feet go 99 mph, regardless of the speed zone. Last summer, on a rainy afternoon, I fell on a slope while feeding my outside cats. I happened to fall on my ribs on the edge of a steel bowl. The bowl didn’t give an inch and one of my sons-in-law and I could literally HEAR my ribs crack.

Accidents happen all the time in life (I mean, I don’t hog ALL of them), and like facing down diseases from the common cold to cancer, the odds of winning GREATLY swing in our favor when we are as close to “fighting shape” as we can get.

We’re all human, we can all get sick – even athletes get sick – but think of it as a zombie attack. If zombies attack a particular town (before you laugh, consider the news headlines we read every day!), who are the individuals that stand the best chance of surviving?

The ones who can run away (preferably without falling and cracking their ribs)! If thinking about diseases and falls don’t inspire you, maybe the brain eaters will. I’ll try anything to keep you healthy.

When I was contacted about trying one of the Naked Shake Vegan Protein Powders in exchange for telling y’all about it, I jumped at the chance (and, no, I didn’t fall down).  As a card-carrying chocoholic, I chose the chocolate flavor to review.

(Review Continued Below…)

Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder Smoothie with Oat Milk

Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder Smoothie with Oat Milk

I have enjoyed using Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder in smoothies and smoothie bowls (simply thicker versions of smoothies with your nuts, fruit, and seeds alongside the goodness rather than blended in). I’ve used coconut milk, almond milk, and oat milk and honestly can’t decide which one is best.

While 12 oz of the milk of your choice and one scoop of the protein powder is easy enough in a blender, it’s especially simple if you have a blender bottle (Amazon link) – I mean, really, does it get any simpler than pouring in the milk, adding a scoop of chocolate goodness, shaking it like you’re on American Bandstand (just aged myself, didn’t I??), and getting on with your day?

If you go the blender route, you’ll find that it’s a lot of fun experimenting with ingredients – though, make NO mistake about it, there’s plenty of chocolate deliciousness without adding anything. I love adding a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter, especially when I’m making smoothie bowls.

(Review Wrapped Up Below…)

Blender Bottle

Blender Bottle

While, as a cook and foodie, I’m concentrating primarily on the fun and deliciousness of the Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder, I do want to emphasize the best thing about this product is the fact that it contains ONLY the necessary ingredients – simple ingredients. Pure ingredients. Healthy ingredients. There are no artificial sweeteners or additives. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy free, and vegan… so it is about as easy to digest as it gets.

I could go into further detail about the purity of the ingredients and the health benefits of Naked Nutrition products, but frankly.. I’d rather get you on their website for yourself! I very much want you to see their story and to see how they can greatly benefit your story.

Where can you buy Naked Shake?

You can find the wonderful Naked Shake products (as well as all of the Naked Nutrition products) on their website, in many stores (including Wal-Mart and Target), and Amazon (Amazon link).

Here are a few pages of their website I know you’ll especially enjoy:

Naked Shake Smoothie Bowl Recipes

Foods that Naturally Increase Collagen (because we all want to look good, right??)

Keto Friendly Collagen Coffee Cake Recipe

Naked Shake Supplements

You’ll find so much information, great articles, and amazing recipes on their website, I hope you’ll visit them right away. And don’t forget to check out my new obsession… the Naked Shake Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder!

**** I’m happily experimenting with different smoothies and smoothie bowl recipes and will add them to the food blog as I hit upon my favorite combinations!


Rule Breaker Blueberry Lemonade Bites: Plant Based Snack Full of Flavor

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Rule Breaker Blueberry Lemonade Bites

If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for healthier snacks, not just for the children in your life, but for yourself and other adults as well. Unfortunately, it can be a bit of a challenge finding snacks that are guilt-free and healthy, without tons of sugar, salt or other ingredients synonymous with snacks. Snacks you WANT to eat, ENJOY eating, and actually look forward to having again.

The frustrating thing is the addictive snacks (the ones we enjoy so much and look forward to again and again) usually have addictive ingredients like sugar and/salt. Sure, healthy snacks without tons of sugar and salt exist, but they’re usually are SO lacking in flavor that you don’t want anything to do with them. In fact, they’re often so bad, you worry that they’ll turn the kids in your life completely against “healthy food” all together!

When I was asked if I’d like to sample the healthier snack alternative, Rule Breaker, in exchange for telling my food blog readers about it, I jumped at the chance. I’m always interested in healthy snacks for myself AND even more so, for my three grandbabies.

I believe that one of the biggest reasons we have such a problem with diabetes and with overweight children and adults in America can be traced back to most of us developing somewhat of a sugar addiction very early in life. That’s why I want so VERY much for my grandbabies to start eating healthy snacks today so they’ll enjoy them tomorrow.

When bags of Rule Breaker Blueberry Lemonade Bites came in the mail, I anxiously tried one. After all, the flavor combination is one I’ve been hooked on for ages – blueberry/lemon tea, blueberry muffins with lemon zest, blueberry/lemon smoothies, etc.

The first bite was a knockout of flavor – the lemon and blueberries battled one another for dominance and it was a pleasure to be caught in the middle.

  • These would make ideal snacks for kids to take to school with them.
  • Perfect for the office – they don’t need refrigeration. Simply keep them handy for a quick bite whenever the need arises.
  • Great, healthy afterschool snacks.
  • Great for kids to take to band practice, sports activities.. anyplace a healthy boost could serve them well.

The next day, I anxiously gave one to each of the two grandbabies who were with me (Jacoby, 2, and Maddox, 4). I’ll be completely honest with you (as always)… the four year old, at first, refused to take a bite. When I convinced him to at least try one, he wasn’t a fan. In all fairness, though, he can be a really particular eater.  He loves blueberries and the taste of lemon, however, so I thought he might buy into these.

So far not only has he not bought into them, he won’t eve lease one! I plan to try again really soon. I think he may have been expecting more of a blueberry muffin and it simply isn’t muffin-like.

His little brother Jacoby, however, loves them! He ate the one I gave him, the other half of Maddox’s, and then asked for more. He wasn’t expecting a muffin, so I think that worked to his advantage.

The flavor is a perfect 10, even if their appearance isn’t lmao… they simply aren’t terribly yummy-looking. The texture and “mouthfeel” are different from most things kids are used to (I really think this is where Maddox got tripped up), but if we can get kids to become more familiar with healthier food, these things won’t seem so unusual to them.

That’s the mission!

There are other flavors and varieties of Rule Breaker Snacks on Amazon (Amazon link) and I think most of them would be a big hit with kids (though I’m absolutely sure most adults will love these Blueberry Lemonade Bites as much as me and the two year old do!) and adults. Chocolate, Birthday Cake, Pumpkin Spice, Mint Chocolate Brownie, and Chocolate Chunk Brownie are the exciting flavors. All are wonderfully gluten-free and vegan.

True story: Jacoby just walked up to me at the computer while I was working on this review. He looked at the picture below, recognized the bag, and said, “My want some, MiMi!”

So… MiMi is off to give her adorable Jacoby a snack we both feel good about. I think I’ll even see if Mr. Picky Pants will give them another try!

Rule Breaker Blueberry Lemonade Bites

Rule Breaker Blueberry Lemonade Bites

Feeling ALL Kinds of Salty: Why You Need Cornish Sea Salt Company Salts in Your Life

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Freshly Cut Avocado with Cornish Lemon & Thyme Sea Salt 

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I am an Amazon addict. Not complaining. Not bragging. Certainly NOT looking for intervention… just merely and merrily stating a fact. There are many reasons for this happy addiction (I love buying things for my large family, I’m an avid reader, I collect old movies on dvd…) but the main thing I use Amazon for these days – as in right up there with books – is for salts, seasonings, and other food items I can’t get in stores.

Seriously, using Amazon for food-related goodies is one of the absolutely most enjoyable rabbit holes you’ll ever find.

It’s all in keeping with something I’ve always preached, to be a good cook…

  • You need a passion for it.
  • You need to practice regularly – and, not only with food(s) you’ve never made before, but with those you regularly make. You can always find new tricks, tweaks, and tools to make regular meals more enjoyable and maybe EVEN tastier.
  • Get creative! Never be as boring, predictable, or stale and for crying out loud, never be average.
  • Your food will only be as good as the tools you surround yourself with. Make sure your knives, pans, pots, blenders, mixers, etc are all in tip top shape.
  • Use the best ingredients you can afford. Some items are simply WORTH paying more for – garlic powder and vanilla come to mind.
  • Life (and a kitchen) without seasoning and spice is BORING!

The outrageously delicious and crazy fun salts I want to tell you about today tick off quite a few of the aforementioned requirements. They’re also very affordable and, if I can get super girly for a hot minute, they look amazing sitting on the counter.

Well, they do.

Using different salts, peppers, seasonings, oils, vinegars, and sauces is a huge passion (obsession) of mine. I just counted and we currently have 12 salts in our kitchen. TWELVE! If I were to use full disclosure, there are about to be thirteen (more about the one on the way in a minute).

I recently came across a company who really knows their salt and they have a fan for life. I first spied the Cornish Sea Salt Company on Amazon about a month ago when I was (as I can often be found doing) shopping for fun salt blends.

(Salty Conversation Continued Below…)

Cornish Sea Salt And Pepper Pinch Salt

Cornish Sea Salt Company Salt & Peppery Blend

The first one of their blends I saw and ordered is pictured above, the Salt & Peppery blend (Amazon link). The Cornish sea salt is accompanied by four wonderful peppers and the result is a beautiful and delicious thing. I’ve used (and loved) this blend on burgers, eggs, bacon, chicken, baked potatoes, fried potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, pinto beans… basically anyplace I’d add regular salt and pepper together, this allows me to add them at once in a knock-out blend that brings even more flavor to the moment. Used as a finishing touch, it adds a great deal to the food’s presentation – in addition to tasting fantastic.

When I saw that they had another blend, Fresh & Zesty: Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt (Amazon link), I ordered a tub immediately.

The tubs may look small, but these salt blends last a really long time. The flavor is so concentrated, it hardly takes any at all to make a big impact.

I knew the minute I smelled the Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt blend that I had another winner on my hands. I’ve used this one on pasta, garlic toast, hummus, salmon (it’s amazing in salmon patties!), shrimp, and other fish. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is also one of the simplest, on freshly cut avocado. The flavors it brings to the avocado party are unbelievable.

Remember when I said I currently had 12 different salts in my kitchen and they were about to be joined by salt number 13? Well, we can blame the Cornish Sea Salt Company for this one, too! They have another blend that sounds as wonderful as these two… Cornish Roasted Garlic Sea Salt (Amazon link) and it is sitting in my Amazon cart as we speak. 

I honestly cannot wait to get creative with this one. I mean, are you kidding me? Garlic!? The possibilities are endless.

I hope you’ll give these salts a try – they’re outstanding! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Cornish Sea Salt Fresh and Zesty on Avocado

Fresh & Zesty: Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt (Amazon link)


Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese…. Delicious!

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Stouffer's Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

While it’s no big secret that homemade macaroni and cheese is superior to anything out of a box (if, that is, the cook is good at what they do), many times you simply want a fast, easy, simple way to add macaroni and cheese to your day. It’s times like these, I’m thankful for quite a few really good gluten-free macaroni and cheese brands on the market. When it comes to box varieties, Annie’s (Amazon link) and Kraft (Amazon link) make outstanding gluten-free macaroni and cheese.

I recently saw something in the frozen food aisle that jumped out at me… it jumped with such precision that it landed right in my cart… Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese. I have to admit, while I was anxious to try it, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it is. Another brand (one that makes MANY outstanding frozen gluten-free products) has a gluten-free macaroni and cheese on the market and it is ghastly.

I’m very pleased to say that Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese isn’t the least bit ghastly – what it is is extraordinary. I have already bought more. They make for a delicious (and quick and easy) side for just about anything.

I’ve been known to simply slice a tomato and have this macaroni and cheese as my entire lunch. When a co-star is this good, it slides over from the role of side, right into the spotlight.

A Greta Garbo move if I ever saw one.

If you’re unable to find this deliciousness in your local supermarket (or Wal-Mart, Target…), you might check Amazon. They carry so many grocery products these days, they may just have it.


Caulipower: Quite Possibly THE Best Gluten-Free Pasta

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CauliPower Linguine Pasta with Meat Sauce

Caulipower Linguine with Meat Sauce

Years ago, when I had to give up gluten and wheat (health reasons), the first f0ur things I thought of were…

  • doughnuts
  • pasta
  • fried catfish
  • pizza

These are four of my favorite things in life and have been since my life began. I was afraid there’d be no hope to enjoy these great loves ever again and, frankly, with doughnuts, my prediction held true. There ARE gluten-free doughnuts, of course, but they are not the ones I remember from bakeries.

Until fairly recently, the pizza and pasta prediction also held fast, but lately, great strides have been made and (as a pasta and pizza fanatic) I couldn’t be more thankful.

However… when it comes to gluten-free pasta, it has always been a case of, “this one is pretty good” or “this one’s acceptable” instead of anything close to, ‘Holy cats, this gluten-free pasta is outstanding and tastes like the pasta I remember!”

Then I found Caulipower’s new gluten-free pastas – let’s just say it’s a GAME CHANGER.

(Review Continued Below….)

CauliPower Pasta

Caulipower Linguine

Caulipower is a brand I’ve been familiar with for a while because I buy their gluten-free pizza crusts (Amazon link) and gluten-free pizzas (they’re outstanding and I actually now prefer cauliflower crust to regular gluten-free crust). When my youngest daughter told me they had come out with gluten-free pasta, I’m not even exaggerating… I went to the store immediately. They’re in the frozen section and, while I first wondered about them being packaged frozen, I now LOVE the fact. This allows them to cook in just three minutes!

THREE MINUTES! Simply boil the water, add the frozen pasta, stir, and get ready to plate the deliciousness. The first one I tried was the Caulipower linguine because I’ve had difficulty finding linguine in a gluten-free pasta AND I love it.

For anyone who loves “meal prep hacks,” pasta night doesn’t get any better. Simply make up your pasta sauce (I always add ground beef, garlic, onions, green pepper, and mushrooms) and put it into a container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to make supper, warm up your sauce and cook your three minute pasta!

CauliPower Linguine Pasta

CauliPower Linguine Pasta

I love that the portion is perfect for two people (with a little left over even) and the fact that it cooks so quickly makes it IDEAL for busy weeknights. The best thing, however, is the fact that it is delicious! I added a little salt to the water like I do with all pasta, then added it to a meat sauce I had made beforehand.

While you could, of course, simply top the pasta with sauce, I thought adding it TO the meat sauce would make sure there was no cauliflower taste to detect. Mind you, I am obsessed with cauliflower, so it would make me giddy if there was a cauliflower taste but my husband is not a cauliflower fan, so I wanted to make sure that IF there was any flavor there, the sauce would mask it.

I tasted the pasta before adding it to the sauce and, even then, it was simply outstanding – no cauliflower taste and, best of all, it had the true consistency of “normal” pasta. Most gluten-free pasta you find in the stores is tough and not remotely “pasta-like” when it comes to the mouth feel. This one is so perfect it nearly brought a tear to my pasta-missing eye.

But it gets better.

If you’re familiar with gluten-free pasta, you know that leftovers are hideous. Gluten-free pasta, after being refrigerated and warmed-up gets even tougher. Not Caulipower pasta! When I warmed it up the next day, it tasted just like I had just made it fresh.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

(Review Wrapped Up Below…)

CauliPower Linguine Pasta with Meat Sauce

CauliPower Linguine Pasta with Meat Sauce

Before allowing you to get on with your life, I just wanted to point out two things to let you know just how excited I am about Caulipower pasta and how thrilled I am to have found it:

  1. This is NOT a paid post, NOT sponsored, and NOT in any way associated with the Caulipower brand. I was NOT sent coupons or products to review. This is simply a case of a pasta lover who has to eat gluten-free finally finding the pasta that makes her excited to eat pasta again!
  2. Many times, after I have a food or use a product, I will schedule a time in the future (maybe a week later) to blog about it on the food blog. This particular pasta I tried just last night for supper and just warmed it up for lunch. I was SO anxious to share the good news that I dropped everything to sit down and tell you all about it.

If you have to eat gluten-free, are cutting back on carbs… OR simply want a more convenient and delicious pasta, I hope you’ll try Caulipower pasta as soon as possible. It’s a perfect 10 out of 10 and, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go have a little more.

Caulipower Pasta

Caulipower Pasta