Review: Julie's Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

I was amazed to recently discover on Twitter that gluten free ice cream sandwiches exist and are sold at Whole Foods. The packaging is a very unique can, so it is easy not to confuse these with Julie's gluten ice cream sandwiches sold in a box. The organic vanilla ice cream is sandwiched between two thick Glutenfreeda's organic chocolate cookies.

I actually like these better than gluten ice cream sandwiches because they are thicker sandwiches and not at all messy. There is no wafer stuck to your hands when you are done eating these. The only downside is the price: approximately $5.30 for four sandwiches.

This satisfying treat contains 220 calories and 11 grams of fat. They didn't last long in my freezer. I ate them all before my daughter even had a chance to try them, so I'll update this post later with her comments.

Kinnikinnick Major Store Announcement

Here is some great news for Giant and Stop & Shop customers.

"In what is one of the biggest gluten free product placements ever in a major main line grocery chain, we are pleased to announce that 14 Kinnikinnick frozen products are now or will shortly be available in 375 Stop & Shop & 180 Giant Food stores. These stores are located throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, DC, Virginia, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The products available will include:
White Sandwich Bread
Brown Sandwich Bread
Italian White Tapioca Rice Bread
Pizza crusts
English Muffins
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Chocolate Dip Donuts
Vanilla Glazed Donuts
New York Style Bagels
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Hamburger Buns
Hot Dog Buns

The number of products carried by each store will vary depending on store size. All of these 14 products will be available to all stores so if the store is not carrying an item you want, you may be able to get the store to bring it in for you. Talk to the store manager."

Kinnikinnick products are now carried in nearly 3500 stores. They have also upgraded their store finder.

A Funny Review: Trader Joe's Frozen Pancakes

Trader Joe's gluten-free and dairy-free frozen pancakes received positive reviews from some bloggers, so I was eager to try them. I decided to even purchase two boxes after hearing rave reviews from a store employee. The price is only $2.99. The pancakes are wrapped in four packages, each containing three pancakes.

I followed the instructions on the box and microwaved three pancakes in a stack. I couldn't believe that they could be so doughy! Next, I followed the instructions to microwave only one pancake and was able to roll it into three balls to make a snowman. Finally, I tried toasting two pancakes. The box lists toasting as the preferred method. Toasting still produced a very doughy pancake, which I rolled into a ball.

The pancakes can also be cooked in the oven, which I didn't try. I recommend these only for a gluten-free art project!

A Special Update: My Daughter’s Letter to President Obama

The new summer issue of Gluten-Free Living magazine has an article about my daughter’s letter to President Obama. We were so happy to see her picture on page 10 and read the great article. It has been so exciting for my daughter to have her letter published in a book, appear in two local newspapers, and now a national magazine. So, how did she end up in Gluten-Free Living?

Amy Ratner, the associate editor of Gluten-Free Living, follows my blog and read my post, Celiac Disease Mentioned in Kids' Letters to President Obama. She emailed me and wanted to do a story about it. Amy interviewed my daughter by email. Of course, she could not include all the information from the interview, so I thought I would share with you some of the questions and answers that don’t appear in the magazine. I encourage you to buy the summer issue. It is full of great useful information, and I especially enjoyed the review of Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s book.

What gluten-free food do you think President Obama would like if he tried it?
-Shabtai Gourmet brownie bites

How does it feel to have a book with your name in it?
-I feel very special and proud to be in a real chapter book! When I found out I was going to be in the book, I was so happy and excited.

Where do you keep your copy of the book?
-I keep it in my room with my other books and my Mom is keeping one in a special place.

What did you friends at school and your teacher think of you having your letter in the book?
-I read my letter and some of the other letters in the book to my class, the principal, and the librarian. Everyone loved it and said congratulations.

Thank you Amy for doing this special article!

Video: Oikos vs. Chobani Greek Yogurt

Oikos (made by Stonyfield Farm) and Chobani Greek yogurt are both gluten free. Both are high in protein, fat free, and have a different texture and taste than regular yogurt. Oikos is more expensive than Chobani. In Maryland, Whole Foods sells Oikos and Giant sells Chobani. Watch this video to see which one is better. What is your opinion?