Reviews

Sunday

The Foodie Bag Review


I was gifted The Foodie Bag in exchange for an honest review. 


If you're a foodie who enjoys taking photos of food - whether it be creations of your own or something on the go then this is the kit for you! The Foodie Bag has everything you need to elevate your photo-taking game to the next level. Learn more about the brand behind the bag - the Paper Bag Company here.

So what's The Foodie Bag all about?

It's a big, lightweight, and limited edition,12oz cotton zip-up bag that has an internal zip pocket and mesh divider. The bag comes with a 5 in 1 pop-up reflector, an 8 postcard set with handy tips, and 4 photographic backgrounds.


The Foodie Bag

The four backgrounds are the perfect size to flat lay dishes and props while adding a burst of life to the background. As my photos depict, The Foodie Bag is not just for food photography - the creative possibilities are endless!

This was my first time using any kind of photographic reflector or diffuser, so I've got some learning to do on my end, but I'd say it was a great first attempt! I'm excited to continue using The Foodie Bag and learn more from the tips on the included postcards.

The photos I've taken are from my phone, but you could use a professional camera if you have access as well.

I love how convenient The Foodie Bag is for pictures on the go and for easy cleanup and storage at home.

Pros & Cons of The Foodie Bag

I really appreciate how big and roomy the bag is. It's able to easily hold everything the kit comes with and more! I was able to fit my Canon Camera, and mini tripod in the bag comfortably. The straps on the bag are made well and sit nicely on your shoulder.

The backgrounds are made of durable paper, which can be wiped clean with ease. I would caution against anything that could leave a residue or ring mark though. The backgrounds do need to be rolled up and stored in the provided tube, which is a pro or con depending on your personal needs and point of view. I found this to be a non-issue since I wasn't taking photos away from home. However, it could be a frustration for on-the-go photo taking. Perhaps this is a challenge to tackle for a future The Foodie Bag.



The pop-up reflector is pretty handy and though I'm still learning how to utilize it properly, I love its portability! It twists and folds down super easily and fits like a charm into the supplied pouch, thus taking up very little room in The Foodie Bag itself. 

An added bonus is the included photo cards with photography tips on framing, lighting, and editing on the reverse side. These tips are courtesy of renowned phone photographer Matt Innwood. I plan on spending some time reading these cards thoroughly and implementing the advice with future photos.


Would I Recommend The Foodie Bag?

I would - It's a fantastic tool for anyone who loves taking flat lay style photos! You can purchase one for yourself (or as a gift for the photo-taking foodie in your life) over at The Paper Bag Company

Green Teapot

#TheFoodieBag sells for £39.95 and is capable of being shipped overseas - Contact The Paper Bag Company for more information here


Give the Paper Bag Company a follow on Instagram



Review: Delicious Without Gluten





I was recently contacted by the folks at Delicious Without Gluten and asked if I would like to review some of their products. They were kind enough to send me a lovely care pack with a variety of their baked goods.

Some quick facts about Delicious Without Gluten

  • Everything is made without gluten, dairy, peanuts and tree nuts
  • They are certified by the Canadian Celiac Association, thus bearing the logo
  • Products are Kosher
  • They have expanded into the Foodservice industry, offering a variety of goods to cafeterias, hospitals, convention centers, and restaurants
  • A Canadian company, based out of Quebec
  • They offer custom orders 
  • You can find their products throughout Ontario and Quebec
  • Everything freezes and defrosts beautifully

So What Did I think?

Full disclosure: I had heard a lot about Delicious Without Gluten and was beyond excited to sample away. One of the first things that I noticed was how fresh everything smelled and tasted. You can really tell that that a lot of thought has been put into creating this product line. 

I'm happy to report that the bread items can be enjoyed without the use of a toaster. That's right, they were light, airy and didn't fall apart. Awards should be given out for gluten-free bread that can be eaten sans toaster. But, if you do enjoy your bread products toasted, they fair well in the toaster as well. Both the bread and paninis make fantastic sandwiches. 

Side note: The Challah Rolls make for some excellent french toast.


 Banana Chocolate Chip Cake


Gluten-Free chocolate chip banana bread
I have a love-hate relationship with banana bread so I went into this unsure of my expectations. What did I think? Well, the Banana Chocolate Chip Cake was pretty wonderful! It had just the right amount of chocolate chips to provide a sweet surprise, but not take away from all that yummy banana. I enjoyed it both with and without a light spread of margarine. Both options are extremely enjoyable.


Chocolate Chip Muffins

 


Look at all of those chocolate chips! Seriously, these muffins were AMAZING. They're fluffy, full of chocolate chips and not at all dry. It's wonderful to be able to eat a gluten-free muffin that doesn't disintegrate into a crumbly mess. These are top of the line in my opinion. 


I usually try to find both positives and things which can be improved upon when I do a review, but I honestly loved everything I sampled. The only downside I can think of is that Delicious Without Gluten is not widely available on store shelves across the country. To that I say, if you enjoy their products, contact your local grocery stores and ask them to carry DWG products. 

You can find out where to buy Delicious Without Gluten products by searching their store locator.


Keep up with Delicious Without Gluten on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram



Thursday

Review: Red Apple Lipstick

I received free product for review purposes. Opinions are entirely my own.


As someone who eats gluten-free due to Celiac disease, it's important that my cosmetics are free from gluten as well. Let's be honest, if it's on your face then it's easily ingested. It can be overwhelming to read cosmetic labels all the while trying to decipher hidden gluten sources. Often the ingredients are listed in the worlds smallest fonts, making reading those scientific terms all the more difficult.

Are there any Gluten-Free Makeup Brands?

Enter Red Apple Lipstick. They take serious pride in using only the finest, highest quality ingredients to create their products. On top of being certified Gluten-Free, Red Apple ingredients are Vegan, Soy Free, Paraben-Free, Lead-Free and Vitamin E Enriched. All products are created in small batches to ensure freshness.



Gluten Free Makeup
Exfoliate Stick and Magic Momint Lipgloss

I tried out a lipgloss and an exfoliate stick.

This was my first experience with an Exfoliate Stick so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It comes in an elegant lipstick tube and has coarse-grained bits all throughout the product. The coarse grainy bits are what scrub the dry patches from your lips. Using it is quite simple and not messy at all. Just apply like you would lipstick and then wipe off with a small cloth or some water. The creamy texture is really enjoyable and I adore the cooling mint flavor - so refreshing! As someone who regularly endures chapped lips, the Exfoliate Stick has earned a fan in me! 


Cost: $17.00

Cosmetics
Next up, I tried the Mint 2 Be lipgloss - Magic Momint

I tend not to wear lipgloss often as I find it to generally be a thick goopy mess that ends up drying out my lips. So no fun there. On a happy note, Red Apple Lipstick has exceeded my expectations with their lipgloss formulation. Magic Momint feels airy and light when applied. It has a very satiny feel and a luscious spearmint aroma that is a pure winner. The pigment is so darn gorgeous! It goes on slightly sheer and allows for easy to control intensity by applying a lot or just a little. A big highlight is that the colour lasts for a long time and feels silky and conditioning on the lips.

Cost: $18.50


Gluten Free Lipgloss


For more information on Red Apple Lipstick, check out the following social media links:






Tuesday

Product Review: GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Pasta


One of my go-to meal solutions is pasta. It's hearty, healthy and versatile. Another plus is how quick and easy it is to make. When GoGo Quinoa asked me if I'd like to give their new Super Grains Fusilli Pasta a try, I had to say yes! Let's talk about what has this pasta standing apart from the crowd - the ingredients.


Ingredients:

Organic sorghum flour, organic white quinoa flour, organic amaranth flour, organic chia flour.

Nutritional Values:

The pasta is a good source of fibre and Iron with 25%  of iron and 24% of fibre per portion (1 cup). 



What IS Sorghum Flour?

GoGo Quinoa’s sorghum is grown in Bolivia. This small grain is an edible hull which is rich in antioxidants. Sorghum is very nutritious, packed with carbohydrates, fibre, iron, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Eating it can help maintain a healthy balanced diet.


What Did I think?!

I had never tried Quinoa pasta before so I  was quite curious to see what it was like. Although I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, I went into the experience with an open mind. Taste and texture is a big deal - no one likes mushy pasta or an aftertaste. The Super Grains Fusilli Pasta came through, big time! It holds up really well and does not fall apart after cooking. Plus, no aftertaste! I always make enough to ensure there are leftovers and reheating them has been a success. That's a big plus in my book. The pasta has a nice hearty bite to it and there is zero aftertaste with it.


GoGo Quinoa Pasta




With school back in session and Fall weather upon us, I decided to cook up a little comfort dish with the GoGo Quinoa Super Grains Fusilli. 


Butternut Squash Autumn Supergrains Pasta

You will need:

GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Fusilli Pasta


1 Butternut Squash
5 strips of Bacon 
3 stocks of Celery 
a handful of Chives

1/4 Cup Milk
Handful Grated Parmesan
3 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Paprika
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
Salt & Pepper to taste

Pasta Cooking Instructions: Bring 3-4 litres of water to a boil. Add salt if desired. When the water is boiling well, add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes for an Al Dente texture while stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse promptly with cold water. Serve immediately with your favourite sauce and condiments. 

While the pasta is boiling: puree a butternut squash and add it to a saucepan.
Then add 1/4 cup of milk, 3 Tablespoons Butter, 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 2 Tablespoons Paprika,1 Teaspoon Nutmeg and Salt & Pepper to taste. After giving everything a good stir,  add some diced celery (3 stocks) and some finely chopped bacon (5 strips). Give everything another stir and add in the pasta.Then add a handful of grated parmesan cheese and gently incorporate the pasta into the sauce. Once plated, top with some fresh chives.




GoGo Quinoa Pasta



You can find GoGo Quinoa Supergrains Pasta in Costco stores across Canada. 






Thursday

Le Marché Émilie: Review


While vacationing in Quebec, I found what I consider to be a hidden gem - Le Marché Émilie and it will pleasantly surprise you. The store itself is a beautiful old post office building which has been converted into a colorful and vibrant gluten-free cafe and grocery shop. It is located in Pointe-Claire and within walking distance of the breathtaking St. Lawerence river.


Gluten-Free Grocery Store
Le Marché Émilie

What's So Special?


The entire store is 100% gluten-free! That's right - grocery staples, desserts and hot food, ALL gluten-free. It's not often a Celiac finds a "safe" place to eat, let alone one that is completely dedicated to gluten-free. They serve freshly made pizza and have a pretty magical ice cream bar. On top of that, the store also sells both frozen and shelf stable gluten-free groceries.


Gluten-Free Shop
Eating area


Right away I was in awe of the shops colour palette. It gives off a really fun vibe. Although not large in size, the layout makes for a spacious and enjoyable atmosphere. Everything about Le Marché Émilie is absolutely darling. Including the people who work there. I was greeted the moment I walked in, with a friendly "Bonjour!" If you're not versed in French, don't worry - Pointe-Claire is a pretty bilingual area and the staff at Le Marché Émilie speak fluent English. Most of the signage is also in both English and French.


Pointe Claire Quebec
Groceries


We looked around the shop and discovered lots of product which is not available in Ontario. So much so that I will dedicate a future post to it. Since we visited Le Marché Émilie on our way back to Ontario, I decided to do a little souvenir grocery shopping in the freezer section. My husband was able to purchase a bag of ice at the convenience store across the road so I took a chance and bought about a hundred dollars worth of frozen food. I'm happy to say that all of the frozen food held up during our 6-hour drive home!


Just look at that pizza


Gluten-Free Pizza
Pizza


I ordered the personal size marinara pizza with 3 toppings. It cost me around eight dollars or so. The pizza base is focaccia, which was light, pillowy and filling. Portion size was generous in and in my opinion very worth it. Something else to make note of is that the pizza is dairy free on top of being gluten-free. Normally I can spot dairy free cheese a mile-a-way, but not the case here. The cheese was soft and velvety.


We need to talk about the Sundaes


Gluten-Free Ice Cream Shop
Ice Cream Menu



There are several varieties to choose from and they range from basic to extreme. I ordered the "Kid In A Candy Shop" sundae. It's vanilla ice cream which is coated in milk chocolate, m&m's, sprinkles, strawberry sauce and topped off with cotton candy. All for $5.95 plus tax. There is so much going on in this dessert and it all works perfectly together! I had no idea ice cream and cotton candy could make such an enticing combination. Much like the pizza, serving size is ample and you won't be disappointed.


Gluten-Free Sundae
Kid In A Candy Shop Sundae


Final Thoughts



I absolutely adored Le Marché Émilie and plan to stop by during future Quebec trips. It's the type of place I could see myself visiting on the regular had I lived closer. Cost wise, I was happy. They charge a fair price and don't gouge the way some places do.

If you will be visiting Quebec, please stop by and give them some well-deserved love! The Celiac community needs more dedicated gluten-free shops like Le Marché Émilie.

You can follow them on social media below:






Disclosure

This policy is valid from 23 February 2013

This is a personal blog written and edited by me. All opinions are that of my own. I am not a healthcare professional or an expert. All information presented in this blog is purely that of my own experience and or opinion. Please consult a medical professional before making any changes to your diet.

I write this blog as a hobby that I am passionate about. From time to time, I may receive monetary compensation for a sponsored post. I only work with brands that I trust and would use in my own home.

This blog accepts complimentary products for review. The opinions I have of a product will never be swayed by a company sending me an item(s) for free. I take into consideration the opinion of family members who are gluten-free due to Celiac Disease and I also value the opinions of non-gluten free family members. Taste is a matter of personal opinion so please use your own discretion and don't take my opinion as a gold standard.

Any ingredient or gluten-free claims should be verified with the restaurant/manufacturer as things can and do change.

For questions about this blog, please contact: sandra@glutenfreedoll.com

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