NoGii Bars

Each bar starts with soy protein crisps, then is tailored to meet each group’s tastes:

• NoGii Kids mixes the crisps with marshmallow creme, so it mimics another beloved marshmallow treat. This one, however, contains 8g of protein and Omega-3s to keep kids strong and healthy.
• NoGii High Protein ditches the marshmallow and brings in chocolate and peanut butter for a slightly indulgent meal on the go. The bar contains 230 calories and a whopping 20g of protein, so it’s a good pick-me-up when a real lunch is out of reach.
• NoGii Super Protein adds caramel and a chocolate coating. Each bar sets you back 390 calories but also loads you up on 30g of protein. If you plan on eating one in a single sitting, don’t make it after you’ve already had a full meal.

I received samples of NoGii High Protein and NoGii Super Protein. Placed next to each other, the bars made it quite obvious who they were for. High Protein was slim and portable, with a white and silver wrapper featuring Elisabeth on the front. Super Protein was a massive, hulking bar, with a black wrapper, orange writing, and tire treads on the box.

Nevertheless, I tried both.

The bars were very similar in flavor and texture, save for the gooey caramel and extra layer of chocolate on the Super Protein bar, which made it taste almost like a Twix Bar. They were very soft and chewy, which makes them easy to eat on the go (no crumbly bits to fall mid-bite).  I could have used a few carefully placed pieces of dried fruit to brighten some of the heavier flavors. At the same time, if I’m using it as a meal replacement bar, it’s got the heft I need to feel like I ate something substantial.

NoGii bars are certified gluten-free and available in stores across the U.S. Learn more at NoGii.com.

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As I flipped through the pages of Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes, by Kelli and Peter Bronski, my stomach began to rumble in anticipation. The pictures made my eyes turn bright and my appetite grow. Each picture showed homemade treats made from scratch, with the perfect amount of icing on top and the perfect amount of garnish. I wanted to dive right in, even now as I’m typing.

The book offers 50 delicious, gluten-free and from-scratch cupcake recipes, plus tips for making dairy-free, egg-free, and refined sugar-free versions of them. Eighty-eight color photos provide the baker with a final product that seems obtainable. The style and organization makes it simple and easy to follow along, so baking is a cinch. From Cookies & Cream to Pina Colada, the range of cupcake flavors is endless.

Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes is the Bronskis’ second book – a follow up to Artisanal Gluten-Free Cooking, which was released 2009.

Peter is also one of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness’ (NFCA) Athletes for Awareness, and he happens to be speaking during NFCA’s free Webinar next Wednesday, June 29. He will be discussing active lifestyle changes for anyone diagnosed with celiac disease and nutritious gluten-free foods for maximizing exercise. His new book promotes these things as well, as his gluten-free recipes focus on all-natural ingredients.

Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes sells for $16.95, which I find to be a great price for such a wonderful treat. To order a copy, visit Amazon.com or any major bookseller.

To register for NFCA’s FREE Webinar on June 29, visit NFCA’s Webinars page.

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Elevate Me! Energy Bars come in seven different flavors. All of the flavors contain a base of why protein isolate, date, and organic raisins. Then a variety of additional ingredients are added to make up the different flavors. The All-Fruit Original contains almonds, apples, cranberries, papaya, and mango. This was the one we thought tasted to strongly of dates. The Blueberry Cranberry Gojiberry Boost!, and Matcha Green Tea with Cranberries were my favorites because they were filled with complimentary tangy berry flavors. My significant other appreciated the addition of coca to Chocolate Acai Berry Brownie, Espresso Cocoa Crunch, and Cocoa Coconut Cluster. These tasted more like treats than a healthy protein bar. We both thought the addition of banana flavor in the Banana Nut Bread worked really with the date and raisin base.

No matter which flavor we ate the results were the same. We ended up satisfied and re-energized. The compact bar makes them a great meal on the go. In the case of my other test subject they made and easy quick snack to have when you are running out of energy are hungry and have lots of time till you can stop and have a full meal. The fact that Elevate Me! Bars are gluten free makes them a great option for training or competing celiac athletes (For more on celiac athletes visit NFCA’s Athletes for Awareness blog). However, the fact that they are also delicious makes them a yummy healthy snack for everyone.

To learn more about Elevate Me! Bars visit www.prosnack.com. Till next time, happy and healthy gluten-free snacking!

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