My favorite part of the week is when I get home from work and there’s a box on the porch with my name on it. My second favorite part is when I open that box up and find gluten-free goodies inside. The last box I opened contained Blake’s All Natural Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie and Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie.

I can’t remember the last time I had a chicken pot pie, so you can imagine how excited I was. Also, I’m going to be straight up with you folks – I had never had a shepherd’s pie up until this point, so my taste buds were ready to experience the gloriousness pictured on the front of the box.

Since I was so excited, and it was dinner time, I decided to start the review process right then and there. I took the chicken pot pie out of the box read the cooking instructions.

Once preheated, I put the pie in the oven and set the time for the instructed 30 minutes. I covered the pie with foil while baking, and unfortunately when I took it off, part of the cornbread crust came off right along with it! I don’t know if this is common, but I was very upset that my beautiful meal was tarnished. But, to solve the problem, I simply scraped the piece of cornbread back onto the pie, and put it back in the oven for a remaining 10 minutes (per the instructions).

When the Chicken Pot Pie came out of the oven, I of course announced to my mom, “It’s tiiiime!” and grabbed two sets of silverware, as she often assists me in my review process (a.k.a. she just wants to eat my gluten-free food with me). I took the first bite, and was very impressed with the tenderness of the chicken and taste of the gravy. My mom then tried it and made her signature “mmmhmmm, that’s good” noise. She was really impressed with the cornbread crust, since it has always been one of her favorite types of bread. Blake’s All Natural does a great job at giving us gluten-free’ers a chance to enjoy the corn bread taste everyone knows, loves, and misses.

After eating the rest of the pie, I was very impressed with Blake’s ability to create a chicken pot pie that was hearty, healthy, and gluten-free. It is hard to keep the taste that people want, while keeping the product gluten-free AND healthy. So, after being so impressed with this dish, I was very excited to see what the Shepherd’s Pie would taste like.

A few days later when my tummy started rumbling, and I was looking through the fridge for something to eat, it hit me – I have a ready-made Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie in the freezer! I fetched my pie and checked the cooking instructions. I was very pleased to see that the microwave instructions were a short 3-4 minutes, as when I am hungry I am very impatient. I got a microwave-safe plate out, placed the Shepherd’s Pie on top, entered 3:30, and pressed Start.

When I took the pie out of the microwave, it was very hot and steamy. So I had to let it cool a bit (which was difficult since I regularly burn my tongue due to my impatient nature). I took my first bite and it was the definition of lunchtime bliss.

I’m not a big corn girl, but man, stick it in with organic mashed potatoes and moist ground beef and I’m hooked! My first few bites were sans ketchup, but after that I decided to squirt on some Heinz so I could get some tomato flavor with each bite (as I love, love, love my ketchup). Either way, the Shepherd’s Pie was delicious and filling – perfect for lunchtime!

One of the other great things about the Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie is that it is healthy! The calorie counter in me was pleased to see the entire package was only 240 calories!  That means you are able to treat yourself to a microwave meal without feeling the guilt that usually accompanies frozen, ready-made food.

Since Blake’s All Natural sent me two of each pie, I packed the second Shepherd’s Pie for lunch at work the following week. It certainly was a nice break in my gluten-free turkey sandwich monotony! I even had a few jealous stares in the break room as I was enjoying my gluten-free meal.

As for the second Chicken Pot Pie – it’s in my freezer as we speak. But, I am getting kind of hungry after writing this review, so I think I’m going to go bake that right now!

I recommend Blake’s All Natural Gluten-Free products to anyone who likes a good, home-cooked meal! Share your gluten-free love with Blake’s and follow them on Twitter, @BlakesNatural, or visit their website at www.blakesallnatural.com!

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After receiving a package of gluten-free samples from Just Ask Josh, I was overcome with joy. First because I knew the product would be good, and second because the box looked huge. In this box there were two products, the first being gluten-free brownies and the second being gluten-free cookie dough.

Before we delve into how the products looked and tasted like I first have to tell you why these products were immediately great. A large issue I have when making gluten-free brownies is that it requires making it from a mix and takes a little bit of work. The brownies from Just Ask Josh are pre-cut brownies packages that require a little bit of heating, although you can eat them straight out of the box. They are much simpler to make and easier than any other brownie product I’ve found. The brownies actually look and taste delicious. They come in these tins that make it easy to cut and eat or serve. The brownies when heated taste delicious.

I give fair warning when I say that they do not taste like brownies made from a mix; they taste like brownies you can buy from a store. The brownies are soft in the middle, very chocolaty and crunchy at the ends. The brownies are so versatile, they can easily be used for everything from a quick snack to the base of a brownie sundae – which, might I add, is a delicious use of the brownies.  Although not yet available online, the brownies will soon be available at the Just Ask Josh website. They are also available at many stores.

The pre-packaged, pre-cut cookies are alike in many aspects. They are easily made, taste delicious and are very versatile. The cookies come in frozen circular mounds that are quite large. The beauty of this product comes from how easy it is to make. Unlike many other cookie mixes Just Ask Josh’s cookies are pre-cut and require very little work to make. They take a couple of minutes in the oven to be a delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookie.

The gluten-free cookies taste very much like normal gluten-filled cookies. The only real issue is that, unlike many other cookies, if you do not eat the cookies a couple of days after baking them, they get very hard. Considering the fact that the cookies are really delicious, I do not think that will be an issue. There will probably be no more cookies left after you bake them. Just like the brownies, you can buy the cookies online very soon on Just Ask Josh’s website.

Both products are certified gluten-free and kosher. These products are a very good treat to keep at home for a quick snack after school or work and go perfectly with any dessert.

Related Content:

Gluten-Free Hot Products review: Immaculate Baking Co. Gluten-Free Cookie Dough

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If you have a big family or, in my case, live with a very hungry boyfriend, leftover s don’t always happen. So what to do then? You reach for a handy-dandy soup or microwaveable meal. Most recently, I gave a few gluten-free heat-and-serve options a whirl offered by The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.  It was all part of my ‘research’ for our “Thrill of the Choice” campaign going on over at our main NFCA website. Visit the Thrill of the Choice webpage.

Imagine® Natural and Organic Soups:

These soups aren’t your standard chicken noodle. They come in a variety of flavors like Organic Creamy Acorn Squash and Mango Soup and Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup, and they’re packaged in resealable cartons, not cans.  I find that the cartons store nicely in the fridge, so you can eat what you want and save the rest for later. The soups don’t require any water or add-ins, but I like to beef mine up with some spinach (store a bag of prewashed leaves in the fridge). The leaves cook down as the soup heats, so you’re left with a nice texture and an extra punch of nutrients.

Gluten-Free Café® Frozen Entrees:

I’m pretty skeptical of entire meals that can be made at the push of a button, especially ones that involve gluten-free pasta. Nevertheless, I popped a Gluten-Free Café® Pasta Primavera in the microwave and zapped it for 3 minutes.  Immediately, an enticing smell filled the office. Another 3 minutes, and it was ready.

The pasta is actually a rice noodle, so they get a little gummy after heating through. However, this didn’t deter from the flavor. The sauce was creamy and buttery, with plenty of veggies that added a soft crunch and freshness to the dish. I could actually taste the flavor of zucchini and green beans when I bit into the vegetables, which was a refreshing change to the floppy, shriveled vegetables I’ve found in other frozen entrees.

Now the real test: the nutrition facts. The bad news? 4.5g of saturated fat. The good news? The dish has 4g of protein, 4g of fiber, tons of vitamins, and a reasonable 260mg of sodium. Considering that I’ve seen sodium counts in the 600s on other microwavable foods, this is a big plus.

Overall, a great lunch option, especially when it means you can make your co-workers jealous by heating up something scrumptious. Imagine Soups and Gluten-Free Café entrees are available at grocery stores across the country. Visit GlutenFreeChoices.com to find a location near you.

Gluten-Free Giveaway!

NFCA is giving away a gluten-free prize pack from The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. valued at $100.  Enter to win »

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BOLD Organics just joined NFCA’s GREAT Business Association, and they sent a few samples so we could get to know their gluten-free products. The pizza is available in four types: Vegan Cheese, Vegetarian, Meat Lovers and Deluxe – all gluten-free, dairy-free and individually boxed, with 2 servings per pie. Knowing that my boyfriend thinks a day isn’t complete until he’s had meat, I reached for the Deluxe, which is topped with sausage, pepperoni, and (thankfully) vegetables.

The pizza was easy to prepare. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, place pizza directly on oven rack, and bake for about 20 minutes. A quick broil to crisp up the top, and you’re ready to eat.

When the pizza was cooked, the vegetables looked a little soggy. A result of the frozen veggies thawing directly on top of the pizza, and an outcome that befalls many frozen entrees. I feared that the pizza crust suffered the same fate, but not the case. In fact, the crust was quite good: crispy on the bottom, with a slighly doughy bite. No chemical aftertaste, either. The meat was tasty with a nice amount of salt, though my boyfriend said he would have preferred a more rustic cut of sausage, instead of the mini meatball shapes.

Most surprising was the sauce. It was sweet and tomato-y, but with a knock of spice – the kind that sneaks in between the corners of your mouth. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have a sensitive palate, but it’s a great addition that sets the pizza apart.

As for the dairy-free cheese, I had no qualms with it, but my boyfriend could tell that it didn’t melt the same way as a traditional mozzarella. Even with that criticism, he gave the pizza a thumbs up, plus bonus points for the tasty crust.

BOLD Organics Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizzas are just starting to hit stores. Visit the company’s website to find out if they’re available near you.

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I got a sneak preview of the egg rolls at Natural Products Expo East last September. Feel Good Foods is a member of NFCA’s GREAT Business Association, so I stopped by to ask Vanessa and Tryg what was new. At this point, I had already spent a few hours browsing and sampling, and my stomach was ready for a break. Yet, when I smelled the Gluten-Free Egg Rolls, I couldn’t resist trying one.

The egg rolls could easily rival their Chinese takeout counterparts. They were crispy and crunchy on the outside, with that warm combination of cabbage, carrots and ginger on the inside. Pair them with a gluten-free dipping sauce (Thai Kitchen Pineapple & Chili Dipping Sauce works great), and you’re good to go.

I haven’t had a chance to cook them yet, but given my success with the Gluten-Free Dumplings, I think Gluten-Free Egg Rolls will be a cinch. I’ve also heard that they’re microwaveable, for all you non-cooks.

Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Egg Rolls are beginning to hit store shelves. Look for them at your local Whole Foods Market and specialty food stores. For more information, visit Feel Good Foods online.

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Though Amy’s Organic Sandwich rounds are thin they are surprisingly sturdy and versatile. They arrived frozen and can be thawed in the fridge or by toasting them directly out of the freezer. Thawed in the fridge or very lightly toasted they are extremely soft and fluffy and make a great gluten-free option for kid favorites like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Toasting them a bit longer and they become much stronger making them a perfect base for open face sandwiches and pizzas. Since Amy’s Organic Sandwich Rounds are vegan friendly they can also be used as a bun for your favorite veggie burger.

The flavor of the Sandwich Rounds alone, without anything added, is pretty simple and reminds me of slightly starchy and spongy potato bread. However, when combined with sandwich ingredients or toppings  the flavor becomes extremely complimentary. With Thanksgiving only a day away I’m looking forward to testing Amy’s new Organic Sandwich Rounds on my traditional leftover Turkey sandwich.

If you would like to learn more about this product or about the many other products offered by Amy’s visit www.Amys.com.

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That’s the impetus behind Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Cupcakes. The cupcakes are free of wheat, soy, eggs, gluten, dairy, nuts, casein, refined sugars, honey, seeds and apples. They’re also made in a dedicated allergen-free facility to avoid any cross-contamination risks.

Izzi B’s namesake hails from the founder’s daughter, Isabella, who was diagnosed with an egg allergy right before her 1^st birthday. The diagnosis sparked the idea for a cupcake that all kids could enjoy, regardless of food allergy needs.

The cupcakes are baked fresh and then frozen for shipping, so you can order them in advance and keep them in the freezer until the big day. They’re best enjoyed at room temperature, so I immediately set our samples out to defrost. Within about 2 hours, the mini cupcakes were ready for eating. (Thank you to Izzi B’s for including a list of very clear instructions with the delivery. It makes all the difference!)

First up, we tried the assortment of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla and chocolate frostings. The cake is dense, so it’s important to make sure the cupcakes are completely defrosted; they become much spongier as they thaw. The frosting is applied in a series of little peaks, giving the cupcakes a whimsical flair. Flavor-wise, the frosting is very sweet, like a sugary buttercream. While I’m usually a vanilla-vanilla fan, the chocolate frosting won me over, mostly because of the little non-dairy chocolate chips on top.

My favorite, however, was the Pumpkin Spice Cupcake with Maple Frosting. They look similar to the vanilla cupcakes, but when you take a bite, it’s clear that something seasonal is going on. I couldn’t quite put my foot on it at first, but the flavor has that hearty, pumpkin-y element that balances the sweetness of the frosting. A lovely treat for your allergen-free Thanksgiving table.

In the true spirit of the holidays, Izzi B’s is participating in a Gingerbread competition at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Their entry is “Izzi B’s Dream Bakery: An Allergen-Free Holiday Gingerbread Tribute Because Everyone Deserves a Cupcake,” and it features gingerbread people bearing the logos of food allergy and intolerance advocacy groups – including NFCA! You can help them take home the prize (and spread awareness) by voting for their entry now through Dec. 18.

Vote for Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Gingerbread House

To order Izzi B’s cupcakes, visit www.ibcakes.com

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You can find them exclusively at your local Whole Foods Market in the gluten-free freezer section along with other frozen gf bakery options. They are sold in packs of two and are priced similar to many of the gluten-free pie crust mixes found in the same store. The price seems very reasonable when it is for a pre-made gluten-free pie crust.

The crust themselves are very thick and the overall flavor was pretty close to what you might expect from any pre-made frozen pie crust. Though they don’t brown as easily as a traditional pie crust, they do taste a bit buttery and are plenty flakey with out breaking apart too much, so I can’t really complain. I thought they worked perfectly as a pie crust for sweet fruit pies; though I have read a few reviews that indicated using the pie crust for non-dessert purposes may result in a slightly saltier or crust flavor sweeter depending on the ingredients used. With autumn right around the corner and the holiday season trailing right behind it, these easy and relatively affordable gluten-free pie crusts will definitely come in handy.

To learn more about Whole Foods Market and the Gluten Free Bakehouse visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

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Kim & Scott’s, a traditional soft pretzel maker, must have heard the call. The company announced its new Gluten-Free Pretzel a few months ago, and I was lucky enough to get a sample.

The pretzels arrived 2 in a box, slightly thawed from the shipment process. I put one to the side and tossed the rest in the freezer for future snacking.

The pretzel was easy to make: simply zap it in the microwave for about 40 seconds, and enjoy. There was even a packet of salt crystals to sprinkle on top. As someone who’s not a big fan of salt, I was happy the pretzels didn’t come pre-loaded.

My pretzel was warm and chewy, with a golden appearance and slightly baked flavor, which I’m sure would be even more enhanced if I went the conventional oven route. There wasn’t a crumble or flake in sight, and it stood up well to a dip in my favorite mustard. The pretzel did get hard as it cooled, so I recommend eating swiftly rather than savoring the twist for too long.

According to a representative from Kim & Scott’s, this is the just the start of their foray into gluten-free. The company plans to expand its gluten-free line to include more pretzel varieties. Kim & Scott’s retail location, Café Twist, is also making gluten-free pretzel sandwiches, with a designated station for gluten-free food prep.

To purchase Kim & Scott’s Gluten-Free Pretzels online or find a local retailer, visit www.kimandscotts.com.

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