Thursday

Merry Christmas





Saturday

JK Gourmet - Review

Recently, I received a package of items to review from JK Gourmet which is  a Canadian company that was started in 2001. They are devoted to making all natural foods which taste as good as they are healthy. Visit their website to view the impressive variety of products available.

Fig & Apricot Granola





I love that this granola is completely grain free! That's right, no oats either. Just nuts, seeds, dried fruit and honey. It offers the perfect amount of crunch and is sweet without being too sweet. I found the granola to be really hearty and a fantastic way to liven up a salad. It's also quite filling on its own. I can see this granola being a great addition to a variety of recipes.



Fig & Apricot Granola


GG Bites




These are pretty great. Again, JK Gourmet does an excellent job of providing a sweet product without going overboard. I really enjoy how crunchy these are. As I am a snacker, GG Bites are great as they are quite filling. They remind me of something you would eat to refuel while hiking or camping.



GG Bites


Almond & Cherry Chocolate




As a self-proclaimed lover of chocolate, this really hit the mark. There is something really special about dark chocolate and fruit. This particular chocolate is sweetened with honey and has almonds and cherries in it. It looks quite pretty right out of the package. I nibbled a wee bit right away (couldn't help myself) then did as the directions suggested - I cut it into chunks and placed in the fridge. The result was even better. This is the only item which I did not offer to share with anyone. Can you really blame me though?  It's that good, I promise you.


Almond & Cherry Chocolate


Overall, I think that JK Gourmet is really on to something. All three items were great. They filled the need for sweet, without being excessive. That is a total plus in my opinion. Anything that can be indulgent and healthy is golden!

You can find these items in both the USA and Canada. If you live near or will be visiting Toronto, you can also place a pick up order here.


Sunday

Celiac Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas


Looking for gift ideas for the gluten-free foodie on your list? Create the ultimate Celiac friendly gift basket using the widely available options below. If you live in an area where gluten-free items are not very prominent, explore online shopping with my post Online Gluten-Free Groceries Canada.



Gluten Free Baking Mixes



Gluten-free baking mixes go a long way. They are an asset to any foodie and are time savers, especially during the holidays. 


Gluten Free Cook Book


The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen is a great choice. I own this and I love how much insight it provides about the science technical differences behind gluten free. It's widely available in the US and Canada. You can view detailed information on the book here.







Something Fun



Personalized aprons are adorable and useful. Check out the CafePress website to see the one above and more.




New tools and gadgets can inspire some kitchen fun. It's the little things, like whisks, muffin cups, spatulas and bowls that go a long way.




     Gluten Free Magazine



    There are many magazines which center around gluten-free living. Most of them can be found in local grocery and book stores. Another option is to purchase a gift subscription for that special person on your list.


    Awareness Items


    Pretty Little Celiac sells some really cute headbands, bracelets, and shirts. These items are cute, and they promote awareness of Celiac Disease as well. I personally own 2 of the headbands, a rubber bracelet, and a stretch bracelet.




    Zazzle offers up a variety of unique gluten free and Celiac awareness items.You can check out the options here.




    Top off the gift basket with a set of  Gluten Free Labels. They are super handy have a wide variety of uses. I have a set and love them!










    Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick








    The cold weather is here to stay, bringing with it the longing for comfort food. I have created the recipe below, as part of the Hidden Valley Gluten Free Challenge. These Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick, are a great addition to any meal. They are also a perfect little snack, which will warm you right up.




    Ingredients


    • 1 boneless chicken breast
    • 4 Roma tomatoes, halved
    • 1/3 Cup Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing
    • 1 Tbsp gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce
    • 1/4 Cup crumbled, already cooked bacon
    • 1/4 Cup diced green onion
    • 1 Tsp Olive Oil
    • 1/2 Cup sour cream
    • 1/3 Cup grated, Marble cheese
    • Shredded lettuce to garnish

    * Always read labels to ensure ingredients are gluten free



    Directions


    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. Heat 1 Tsp of Olive Oil in a pan, over medium heat. Add chicken to pan and cook each side for approximately 10 minutes. Chicken should no longer be pink. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken has safely cooked to an internal temperature of 165F-170F.
    3. Let chicken rest for about 5 minutes.
    4. Place chicken in a bowl. Hold chicken steady with one fork and use another to pull or tear the chicken apart.
    5. Add Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch, gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce, crumbled bacon and green onion to the shredded chicken. Stir ingredients together until well incorporated. Set aside.
    6. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and juices of tomatoes. Fill tomatoes with chicken mixture and place on baking sheet.
    7. Add cheese to top of the now filled tomatoes
    8. Bake for 15 minutes. Tomato skins will be blistering slightly when done.
    9. When tomatoes are finished baking, top each with a spoonful of sour cream. Place shredded lettuce (as little or as much as you like) on top to complete dish and serve.



    Hidden Valley Ranch Products and other promotional consideration were received in exchange for providing the above recipe as part of a submission in a contest sponsored by Hidden Valley Ranch.



    Promise Gluten Free Double Chocolate Muffins - Review

    Promise Gluten Free sent me a Free Product Coupon so I could review one of their products. I chose the Double Chocolate muffins. Because, let's face it - CHOCOLATE.






    I was super impressed with how moist and flavourful these muffins are! Promise Gluten Free provides chocolaty goodness without the dense grittiness, that is all too often part of Gluten Free baked goods. Muffin number two remained in the package for a mere 24 hours before I devoured that as well. Safe to say I am a fan!







    I think it would be a wonderful advantage to see single packages of these muffins available for purchase at Tim Hortons locations across Canada. How cool and convenient would that be?! If Dunkin Donuts can sell pre-packaged gluten free donuts and muffins in America, I'll bet there is nothing stopping Timmie's from doing the same, here. Especially so when there is a fantastic product, like this to team up with.



    The Double Chocolate muffins are sold two to a pack, for $3.99  and can be found at Metro stores. Not sure if your store carries the Promise Gluten Free line? Check out their store locator.



    For more information on all things Promise Gluten Free, visit their Facebook page here and give them a follow on Twitter: @PromiseGF




    I am looking forward to exploring the rest of the product line. Have YOU tried Promise Gluten Free? If you have, feel free to comment with your thoughts.





    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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