Katz Gluten Free Hamantaschen

Katz Gluten Free made my daughter very happy this week when they sent a box full of goodies. Our favorite product, and the first up for review is the Katz Gluten Free Hamantaschen in raspberry and apricot flavors.

This gluten free, nut free, dairy free and kosher bakery has introduced a new addiction to my household that will not be leaving any time soon. On to the review!

Ease of Use

Katz Gluten Free Hamantaschen are incredibly difficult to eat. I had to open a box and lift one all the way to my mouth... Okay, sarcasm aside, they were really hard to share. From the first bite I wanted to hide the box in my "private stash" and keep them all for myself.

Appearance

I have decided that, fun though my descriptions are, a picture is worth a thousand words. Starting today, I will provide them whenever possible. One added note, this review covers both the raspberry (above) and apricot flavors. The main difference is that the apricot flavor has a golden filling. They look tasty, don't they?

Taste and Texture

Yummy yum yum! The soft cookie exterior has a soft texture that melts in your mouth. There is just the right amount of filling inside to make the flavors pop and roll in your mouth. The filling is pretty solid, which means there is no drippage on your favorite shirt.

The overall effect of Katz Gluten Free Hamantaschen is fantastic! There is no strange aftertaste or gluten free funk here, only sweet cookie goodness. My daughter, upon her first bite exclaimed, "You know what we have here? Gluten free Newtons!" From her that is high praise indeed.

Versatility

Eat them in the morning, eat them at night, for a snack, dessert... I really can't think of anything they could be used for besides the deliciousness that they are, but that's really all they need to be to make me happy.

Overall Value
Katz Gluten Free Hamantaschen goes for $5.99 a box. With eight in a box that comes out to 75 cents per cookie, they are well worth every penny.

Rating

I love it!

Sandwich Petals

I'm so excited to share this gluten free product review with you today! Mainly because I've been enjoying this product for a week :) I've been hearing about Sandwich Petals (@GFPetals) on Twitter for a long time now, and didn't have a clue what they were.

I was excited to try them until I opened the box and found out they were tortillas (wraps, flatbread). I have only had one other experience with a gluten free wrap and it wasn't pretty. (This was before the days of GFPR, I don't even remember the brand)

Luckily, Sandwich Petals bear absolutely no resemblance to the wrap fiasco of old. On the contrary, they are amazing! I am more than happy to tell you why.

Ease of Use

Gluten Free Sandwich Petals are so easy! You can make a tasty, healthy meal in just a couple minutes.

Appearance

There are three flavors of Sandwich Petals, each with their own color:

• Spinach Garlic Pesto (green)
• Chimayo Red Chile (Dark red-orange) 
• Agave Grain (Light brown/tan)

All three flavors are oval shaped (they look like flower petals!) Each of the flavors has a visible texture. They are very pretty.

Taste and Texture

It's hard not to be enthusiastic, here. Sandwich Petals are awesome! They have a thick texture to them (in spite of being very thin) and are great to bite into. Each one has a blend of seeds and grains that are very hearty and make you feel like you are eating something very healthy (which you are).

The taste is out of this world! Sandwich petals are so good that you believe you are not eating healthy :) Spinach Garlic Pesto was our favorite, which is saying a lot because I am not fond of pesto (and my daughter makes the "yuck" face every time I mention spinach). It has an earthy, hearty flavor that complimented everything we topped it with. Chimayo Red Chile was perfect for our fajitas, and not spicy. Agave Grain has a slightly sweet flavor that reminded me of honey wheat.

Versatility

Sandwich Petals are super versatile. You can use them for anything you can imagine, and the flavors enhance everything.

Overall Value

A variety pack of 36 Petals can be ordered online for $25. They offer free shipping in the Continental U.S. and buy one get one free on Mondays. My initial thought was that $25 dollars is a lot to spend at once, but I broke it down quickly-

1. You only need one Sandwich Petal to have a full lunch.
2. These are so good!
3. They would last longer than the same amount spent on gluten free bread (and in most cases be healthier and tastier).

After the breakdown I decided that they are well worth a measly $25.

Rating

I cannot say enough good things about Sandwich Petals!

Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream

The gluten free product review for today comes to us from Tropical Traditions. You won't be putting this one in your pantry, though. Nope, today I have, for your reading pleasure, Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream.

Ease of Use

Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream comes in an easy open container. It is nice and smooth, making it easy to apply to your face, hands and body. The only problem is that, while scooping out the moisturizer with my fingers, it gets under my nails (which I am not fond of).

It does take a minute or so to soak in. According to the jar this is due to the fact that there is no alcohol in the moisturizer.

Appearance

Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream is smooth and creamy. It is slightly off-white in color.

Scent and Texture

Have I mentioned that Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream is smooth and creamy :) It really is very rich. The texture is great, it feels good to put on.

The scent is very light and clean. Being a big fan of warm scents like musk and vanilla, it wasn't my favorite. My daughter, and review sidekick, on the other hand, loved it! She tends more toward the cool scents and this one was perfect for her.

Versatility

Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream is as versatile as a moisturizer can get. It's light enough to use on your face, yet moisturizing enough to beat the winter dryness on the rest of your body.

Overall Value

A 4oz. jar of Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream will set you back $14.50. This is a little pricey for my budget, but not bad for an all natural beauty aid.

Rating

I really like this moisturizing cream and recommend it to people who enjoy cool, fresh scents.

GIVEAWAY!

Tropical Traditions sent me the Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream to try. I was under no obligation to give a good review or sponsor a giveaway......
But why wouldn't I??? I LOVE giving things to my readers!

So, to enter to win your own 4oz. jar of Tropical Traditions Baby Silk Moisturizing Cream:

1. Sign up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.
2. Leave a comment below telling why you could use a bit of tropical pampering. (Be sure to include a URL where you can be reached)
3. Winner will be chosen at random from the comments below on March 3, 2010. The winner will be contacted for information about prize delivery.

This giveaway has been completed, Thank You! 

Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust

The product on the table today (pun definitely intended) is gluten free pizza crust from Udi's. It can be found in the freezer section of a growing number of grocery stores. There are two in a package, meaning one for you and one to share (right...)

Ease of Use

Udi's Pizza Crusts are very easy to use. Just top them with your favorite toppings and bake for ten to fifteen minutes. I piled mine pretty high, and the baking times were accurate.

Appearance

Udi's makes their gluten free pizza crust super thin! You can tell they have been prebaked, which is good because they won't be doughy inside.

Taste and Texture

Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crusts make some tasty pizza! The crusts are delicious. There is no weird taste or smell to deal with.

As for texture, we had two very different results in my house. I baked my daughter's pizza for ten minutes. It came out gooey on top with a soft bottom crust. The edges had a slight crisp to them. It was exactly the way she likes it.

I baked my pizza for fifteen minutes. The cheese on top was golden brown and the bottom crust was firm. The crust was crispity crackly on the edges- Just the way I like it!

Versatility

You can top Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust with anything your heart desires. Try brushing it with olive oil and sprinkling with garlic powder and parmesan for a tasty big crouton:)

Overall Value

A two pack of Udi's Pizza Crust is available through their online store for $5. That's a good price!

Rating

Yummy Yummy, Pizza Pizza....Enough said.

Tefflecake Mix from Be Free Bakers

Te gluten free product review for today comes from a local bakery just getting it's start. Be Free Bakers tries hard to blur the lines between health food and tasty treats. Tefflecake Mix is a good representation of this goal.

Tefflecakes get their name from the teff flour that is used to make them. They are actually whole grain pancakes with a super cute name.

Ease of Use

Making the Tefflecakes was an adventure for my daughter and I. The directions were not as clear as I would have liked.

For instance, the directions called for 2-3 eggs. We debated for awhile whether two or three would be better. In the end, we decided to use two eggs (should've gone for three).

It took a couple more debates and a little finagling, but we managed to produce a usable batter.

Appearance

Once mixed, the Tefflecake batter was thick and dark brown. After they were cooked, the Tefflecakes themselves were a deep chocolate brown. They looked thick and fluffy.

Taste and Texture

Tefflecakes turned out to be worth the work. They were light, fluffy, sweet and delicious. They had a whole grain flavor and texture that I have been missing.

We used vanilla soy milk to make the batter. That, combined with the vanilla extract called for created a heavenly smell.

Versatility

There is plenty of room in the directions themselves to make different kinds of Tefflecakes. Other than that, I would need to experiment more before stating all of the things that Tefflecake Mix can be used for.

Overall Value

You can order Tefflecake Mix from Be Free Bakers online for $8. The mix will make about 30 pancakes.

Rating

I enjoyed my Tefflecakes. They were a refreshing change of pace :)

Kinnikinnick Foods Ginger Snap Cookies

I am happy to share this gluten free product review with you today, my friends. As I write this, I am sitting at my computer, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying Kinnikinnick Foods Ginger Snap Cookies. Maybe I haven't made the healthiest choice for lunch today, but I can't stop eating them :)

Ease of Use

So easy that your two year old and your great grandmother could enjoy them together with no effort exerted between the two of them.

Appearance

These little gems are brown and about two inches in diameter. I really wish there were more to say here...moving on!

Taste and Texture

Kinnikinnick Foods Ginger Snap Cookies are what every gluten free cookie should be! They are sweet and spicy, even leaving a tad bit of heat in your mouth. The texture is even better than the flavor! They are light and crisp, without being hard. They are pure joy to eat.

Versatility

Kinnikinnick Foods Ginger Snap Cookies are great for ice cream sandwiches and pie crusts! When pumpkin season comes around again they will definitely be making the base for my pumpkin cheesecake! (They're really good to eat at the computer with a cup of coffee too)

Overall Value

Kinnikinnick Foods Ginger Snap Cookies come in a 24 pack for less than $4. I pronounce them a good value!

Rating

Since I am now out of cookies, I can honestly tell you that I'm thinking about buying a new package. I love them! (By the way, I didn't eat the WHOLE package today. They actually lasted a few days)