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 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. 

#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

Cooking with Sue and Promise Gluten Free - Stuffed French Toast

Are you a French Toast fan? Below is a fantastic video of Sue Jennett, showing how to make Stuffed French Toast with Promise Gluten Free Brioche Bread.

Thanks to @CCACeliac for their effort in creating wonderful Celiac Awareness Month events. 

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

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