A B-Udi-ful Product for the Gluten-Free

A few weeks ago, I received what I've been calling "a box full of love" from Udi's Gluten Free Foods, a Gluten-Free Bakery in Denver, Co. My lil bro Gluten Free Steve, who lives in Denver, has been taunting me with tid-bits about Udi's for a year or so now. Finally, I got my chance to try this product.

And for three weeks, I have been savoring every last morsel of food from this box. I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with Udi's, so much so that I want to move to Denver so I can camp out on their doorstep. Seriously.

Yes. It's bread that is THAT good. Muffins that are luscious and delicious. Pizza crust crispy and hearty.

Nirvana. Manna. Heaven on a plate. And no, I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean every letter of every word.

Yea, I know. I'm gushing. But here's why. Udi's products taste like they're not gluten free, which to me is the whole point.

My first sample was the blueberry muffin. Now, as you know, I'm a baking slug. I am too lazy to make even something simple like muffins (from a mix, no less). But this muffin....well, three things about it. Great crumb, moist and delicious, no after taste. Moderate carb content, so it didn't spike my blood sugar. And great shelf life -- four muffins for me lasted four days (thank you God Randy doesn't like muffins. Of course, I threatened his life if he ate one. But I did share with him....I promise). I love that these sat on the counter for a long weekend and didn't go stale or get moldy. WOW.

Aren't they B-Udi-Ful? Yeah, that hole is where I pulled out a blueberry the size of my thumb. Ahhhhhhhhhh!



Test two: A sandwich. Randy and I made sandwiches for lunch the next day. I made my one-slice wonder tomato sandwich on the Udi's bread, and I thought I was eating a gluten-filled bread. And Randy couldn't tell the difference. The white bread is like what good white bread should be -- and it, too had a shelf life of about three days. Of course, that's how long it took me to eat the whole loaf, two slices at a time, as a carb serving on my diabetic diet. It's perfect. IT IS THE BEST PACKAGED GLUTEN-FREE LOAF BREAD. I love that sold fresh it is ready to eat, but that it thaws to freshness and doesn't have to be retoasted or heated to taste good, too. Amazing.

I just wish I could buy it around here. Sigh. Every time I frequent a gluten-free food purveyor, I ask them to carry it. Honestly.



But I also want to add a couple of things. First, I've NEVER seen anything but a positive review of Udi's bakery and products. NEVER. Like this rave by the Denver Gluten-Free Examiner. Or this support by my lil bro Gluten Free Steve,

They're also on Twitter at @udisglutenfree. Follow, people! Follow!

And while I'm here, let me mention this. @GlutenfreeDee, the Twitter face of Udi's, is one of the nicest people I've ever met. (Here's her website.) She has become a virtual friend to me -- I can't wait til I get to Denver next summer! Gluten-Free Steve is going to take me to meet her. What a joyful day that will be! (and I can't wait to see my carry-on luggage on the trip back from that one...) I hear there are cinnamon rolls to die for there....

The Udi's site has all the details for purchase, but let me reiterate: You can find Udi’s Gluten Free foods in participating King Soopers, or ask for us in the bakery department at your grocer’s. Their dedicated gluten-free bakery is located at 101 E. 70th Ave (corner Broadway) in Denver, CO 80221 (303)657-1600. Café patrons can watch as our bakers work to get you the best gluten free product on the market.

Like I said. B-Udi-Ful!

Much love, especially to you, @GlutenFreeDee
Ging

Skipping along with Nature's Path

Not long after we got back from vacation, I got a box full of love from Nature's Path, the organic, and-- importantly for me -- careful with gluten-free products company.

I'll admit it. I'm addicted. Their products -- from Mesa Sunrise Cereal to the yummy EnviroKidz to Honey'd Corn Flakes to the Crispy Rice Bars, well, they're a fave.

But in addition to the product, I also fell in love the company, what it stands for, and especially, its excellent products.

Take for instance, its minifesto: First, from its website:

At Nature’s Path, we live for healthy, great-tasting organic foods. It’s why we get up in the morning. But we are also a company that wants to do more than just sell breakfast foods.

But this made me actually PROUD to be a customer of the company.

"We aspire to advance the cause of people and planet, along the path to sustainability. And we like to think we put our money where our mouth is. Or rather, where our heart is. Because growing organic, healthy foods in a sustainable way is our passion—the cornerstone of our family company. It’s where, and how, it all began.

But we also know that when it comes down to it—no matter what kind of a difference we want to make as a company, and no matter how much you share those values—if our food isn’t delicious and exciting, we’re not living up to our fullest potential.

Healthy foods don’t need to be boring and tasteless. Which is why we spend our days and nights dreaming up new recipes, tracking down exotic new ingredients, and researching the latest (or most ancient) superfoods. We know you’ll be pretty impressed when you read our labels. But we hope you’ll be even more impressed when you take your first bite."

Admittedly, it has taken me a long time to make this post, because my new diabetes concerns has caused me to have to significantly limit my cereal intake. For me, 3/4 a cup means 3/4 a cup -- most of us wouldn't recognize portion control like that voluntarily...I admit it.

Ok, so on to the product review. I give it THREE YUMS UP! I didn't try a single thing I didn't like and could not make, in a moderated portion, a part of my gluten-free/diabetic/gastroparesis diet.

For the kid in me -- EnviroKidz is yummy, slightly sweet, and crunchy. I especially like the Cereal Bars I like that I can buy both of these brands at my local Kroger. With a cup of vanilla-flavored almond milk, it's yummy for a bedtime snack!

And honestly, I keep one of the Crispy Rice Bars in my purse in case of a blood sugar low. It also makes a great snack that DOESN'T spike my blood sugar AND for some reason, I don't have an adverse reaction to it.



But perhaps my favorite was the Honey'd Corn Flakes. They're GREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAATTT! OK? Get it?



I admire and respect the company, and I'm happy to share this product with you in the gluten-free world. Many of you already know it, but I hope with this post, you'll appreciate even more what the lovely selections from Nature's Path Has to offer us in the gluten-free world.

Much love, and crunch crunch!

Ging

Help Moondance make it to Whole Foods!

Perhaps you remember my blog post about Moondance Heavenly Desserts, Shelley Ritchie's wonderful bakery.

Shelley is in the middle of a campaign to have her delectable products carried by Whole Foods, and we can help.

Please go to this page of Shelley's website and click on the letter link on the left.

Or, you can use this copy here.



I'm heading to Whole Foods in Atlanta next weekend, and I plan to take TWO copies of the letter -- one for each store!

You should, too. We all need a little more heaven in our lives!

Much love, and I can't wait til I can buy these in the south!
Ging