Nutcase Crunch - Product Review

I am always on the lookout for new breakfast options to add to my gluten free routine, so I was very excited when two packages of Nutcase Crunch were sent my way to review.  While there are many gluten free cereal options available (like Fruity Pebbles, Rice Krispies, and Chex), none of them do the trick for me; I'm often left feeling unsatisfied shortly after indulging in such treats.

Nutcase Crunch arrived at the perfect time for me, as I've lately been doing a routine of mixing different granolas into yogurt to kick off my day.  Nutcase Crunch fits into both the gluten free and paleo diets and is a welcome addition to my breakfast routine.  I appreciated the taste of Nutcase Crunch while also enjoying the health benefits: it is high in protein and low in sugar.  As the name suggests, the product is mainly made of nuts, namely almonds, pecans, and pine nuts.  Added to the nuts is a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut and you have a great addition to your morning routine, whether you eat it with milk in yogurt or just grab a handful and head out the door.

Nutcase Crunch is a very simple product that is a great way to kickstart your day with a healthy dose of protein.  There are also various recipes on Nutcase's Facebook page which demonstrate how you can use Nutcase apart as a breakfast add-in.

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Nutcase Crunch

Naked Pizza

My friend Eliza and I went to check out a new pizza shop, Naked Pizza, today.  After passing by the shop approximately a billion times in the last few weeks, I was excited when I passed by it earlier today and saw that the shop had finally opened.  Even better is that the shop offers a gluten free crust in a 12-inch size.  I didn't have to twist Eliza's arm too hard to accompany me for our virginal trips to the pizza parlor.

The shop is very clean looking, with a largely white and green color scheme.  It isn't a particularly big place but Eliza and I were able to order and find seating without a problem.  We scanned the menu when placing our order and ultimately decided to split a superbiotic, replacing the onions with sun-dried tomato.  The employees at Naked were extremely friendly and outgoing; I don't think I have ever seen employees that are so nice.  Eliza and I also appreciated the shop's humor, as seen in the napkin in the below photo.  It was our cashier's birthday so we made sure to wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her not to indulge too much in Naked's offerings.

After a few minutes our pizza was brought out to us in a pizza box; I imagine that, because there isn't much seating in the shop, most of Naked's orders will be to go.  Regardless, the pizza was a beautiful sight.

Don't you just want to reach into the picture and grab a slice?  Naked Pizza's crust is thin, like many other gluten free crusts.  My favorite part about eating at Naked Pizza today was the ability to design your own pizza at an affordable price point.  You can check out the menu here to see what Naked offers.  When I lived in L.A. I lived near a pizza shop that made gluten free pizzas exclusively in one (small) size.  The pizza at Naked Pizza, if ordered alone, would have lasted me for days and only cost $16.  It also doesn't hurt that Naked Pizza is very close to my apartment!

I will definitely be checking out Naked Pizza again.  Although Eliza and I didn't fully design our own pizza this time around, I know that next time we'll be more adventurous and take advantage of all of the options that Naked Pizza offers.

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Naked Pizza
150 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003 (Map)

Kesté Pizza

I've been hearing about Kesté Pizza for a long time and I recently had the opportunity to check it out for the first time.  My friend (and college roommate!) Katie suggested that we check it out because of the restaurant's gluten free pizza, served up on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The restaurant is cozy and right across from another gluten free hotspot, Risotteria.  The block holds of a lot of memories for me, as Risotteria was the very first gluten free-friendly restaurant I visited after being diagnosed back in June 2005.  I can't believe that I have been gluten free for more than 6 years now; it's crazy how time flies!

Anyway, upon our arrival we were promptly seated at a tiny table.  I'm still adjusting to the size of many restaurants here in New York after the spacious life in Los Angeles!  The restaurant only has three options on its gluten free menu: Mast Nicola, Marinara, and Margherita.  I was starving when we sat down and quickly placed an order of the Margherita pizza.

Katie and I caught up over wine and were surprised when, after a short time, our pizzas were served at our tables.  I immediately dug in because I was too hungry to resist.  What immediately jumped out to me was the crust; it wasn't crunchy and flavorless like many gluten free crusts but was instead soft and spongy.  It was very chewy and definitely had a consistency which more closely resembled gluten-filled crusts like Domino's.  Had I known how large the pizza was going to be (look at that picture -- it was huge!), I would have suggested that she and I split one.  Instead Katie and I both left with leftovers.

I would definitely visit Kesté again but do have to mention that the meal was a bit expensive, totaling about $25 on my end.  While I left with some food for the next day, Kesté may have to remain an infrequent treat.

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Kesté Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014 (Map)
212.243.1500

"Should We All Go Gluten-Free" New York Times Article

I'm a bit late to post this article, but in case you haven't seen it the New York Times Magazine had an article titled "Should We All Go Gluten-Free?" this past Sunday.

It took me a few days after seeing the article to find the time to read the entire piece, but after doing so I can say that the title is definitely a misnomer for the article's contents.  The article doesn't suggest that everybody would be better off on a gluten free diet; instead, it chronicles the explosion of gluten free products available for gluten free consumers.  The article primarily focuses on General Mills, the food conglomerate that creates Rice Chex, Bisquick, and the website GlutenFreely.com.

The article is interesting and perhaps worth the read if you are new to being gluten free.  While it has some interesting data about the increasing number of Celiacs in the United States, the most important takeaway for me from the article was that major food companies are committing to the gluten free diet.  It's important to see large food manufacturers take on these issues as Celiac Disease becomes a more common diagnosis. Hopefully General Mills' focus on gluten free products will complement small businesses who are committed to providing gluten free consumers with safe products.

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"Should We All Go Gluten-Free?"
By Keith O'Brien
New York Times 

Check In with Gluten Freeways on Foursquare!

Since getting my iPhone I've implemented a new feature for Gluten Freeways: checking in on Foursquare. You can check out my page here or feel free to add me as a friend if you are also using Foursquare to check in.  I'll use it to broadcast when I am visiting a gluten free establishment.  I think it is a great way to let readers know some of my favorite spots around New York City and in assorted vacation spots.  You can see where I check in by visiting my Twitter page, too.

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Gluten Freeways
Gluten Freeways on Foursquare (Link)
Gluten Freeways on Twitter (Link)
Gluten Freeways on Facebook (Link)

Gluten Freeways Does New York

Well it's official: I am a New Yorker (again). I know this is big news for you readers used to my posts about the latest and greatest gluten free spots in Los Angeles, but I hope to be shuttling back and forth enough to continue posting about L.A.

It was a difficult decision to move back to New York, but ultimately it seemed like the right one. Who knows -- perhaps I will move back to L.A. After one New York City winter! In the meantime, tell any New York based friends you have that I've made the jump -- I'm excited to continue building my readership and am looking for new ways to connect with my readers. Please also keep sending in your tips, whether they are in New York, Los Angeles, or somewhere in between -- I am always on the lookout for great gluten free eats.

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Crunchmaster Crackers

I am so delayed on this post -- sorry!  A long time ago Lisa sent me a great package with some Crunchmaster products and I am just getting around to blogging about them.  Chalk that up to me squirreling these away in my house so nobody else would eat them and then forgetting that I, myself, had to try them.

Anyway, I can now report that I have tried Crunchmaster's products and am happy to say that they are great!  I received the company's 7 Ancient Grains - Hint of Sea Salt cracker along with the company's White Cheddar flavor.  I'm generally not a big fan of cheddar so, while I enjoyed the cheddar chips, the Hint of Sea Salt chips were definitely my preferred snack.  The chips are great, with a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the company's name.  They are terrific for dipping, which was the most common way I ate them (with some great, newly gluten free Sabra hummus).  The Hint of Sea Salt crackers are just that -- crackers with a hint of sea salt.  All too often I'll try products that have a "hint" of something but that "hint" becomes an overwhelming flavor.  Crunchmaster's crackers avoid that and are a great addition to a dip.  I'll definitely serve these crackers alongside a hummus or dip the next time I entertain company.  They are also pretty low in calories -- for 15 chips there are only 130 calories.  That's a lot of chips!  It's a snack that you don't have to feel guilty about eating.

Even better, I've been noticing the proliferation of Crunchmaster's products in grocery stores.  Before the company contacted me, I had not heard or seen the products on the shelves.  Now, I'm seeing them everywhere.  Perhaps it is because I didn't pay attention before, but now I certainly will be.  Crunchmaster's crackers are a great addition to your gluten free diet!

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Crunchmaster