Rise Buddy

Some of my readers know that I am the Lead Chef at Camp Celiac every summer. One important part of that role is to spend time finding great products to have at camp that campers will love and may not be aware of. I was recently approached by Rise Buddy to try an outstanding snack product.

Rise Buddy is a healthy snack option when your looking for something salty, savory and fun. Its easy to find gluten free crackers on the market but hard to find one that comes in fun flavors and shapes. They taste similar to a normal cracker but are made from whole grain 100% brown rice. They come in four great flavors including sea salt, BBQ, Sour Cream and Onion and my favorite PIZZA!!

Rise Buddy Healthy Snacks Have it ALL:
Gluten-Free
Trans-Fat Free
Over Baked, Not Fried
Education Smart Snack Approved
Whole Grain from Brown Rice

Buy them online today!! Shop NOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confetti Bars

Looking for a fun Halloween treat? Looking for something different? This treat is it. Similar to a rice crispy treat but packed with color and fruity flavor. With fruity pebbles now being labeled gluten-free this is a safe a addition to your next get together or exciting lunch box addition.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons salted butter

26 marshmallows

8 cups Fruity Pebbles Cereal (make sure the box says gluten-free)

Use a large pot because mixing the cereal can get very messy. Start by melting the butter over medium heat in the pot. Once melted, add the marshmallows and continue to cook over low to medium heat. Mix slowly until butter and marshmallows are fully melted and combined. Be careful not to burn or carmalazie the mixture. Once melted, remove from heat and add cereal to pot. Gently combine the mixture. Pour mixture into baking dish and gently press down. Any size dish works depending on how thick you want to cut the bars. Let mixture cool in pan for 45 mins. Finally, cut into bars or fun shapes. Enjoy!!

SUNWARRIOR Review

Shakes have become my healthy meal option on the go. After a good workout or running out the door, my daily routine includes a nutritious shake of some kind. Adding protein to a shake can be difficult since many of the powders on the market are filled with junk and not gluten-free.

Sunwarrior is a clean plant based protein and natural supplement option. Sunwarrior offers a large selection of products with items the are raw, organic or all-natural. Can’t beat an option that is gluten-free, soy free, non-gmo, dairy free and vegan.

Many different options are available:

Classic Protein is made from fermented brown rice. This simple formula is suggested for those with food allergies and our more granola customers.
Warrior Blend is a synergistic combination of pea, goji berry, and hemp proteins with the bonus of medium chain triglycerides from coconut. Warrior Blend has a slightly better amino acid profile and includes the anti-inflammatory power of coconut to speed recovery.

Classic Plus relies on brown rice, pea, quinoa, chia, and amaranth for ancient grain goodness without the gluten or carbs. It has a similar amino acid profile to Warrior Blend, but a slightly different texture and flavor.

Read more about this product or buy online at: https://sunwarrior.com/store/

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Light Buffalo Chick Dip 

With football season in full swing it’s time for some great snacks. Buffalo dip is normally loaded with some calorie heavy ingredients. This version is much lighter and no one with ever know. Give it a try!

Ingredients:

1 roasted whole chicken 

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

8oz light cream cheese (softened)

4oz crumbled blue cheese

3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (look for a brand that is 5 calories a serving)

1/2 cup grated light cheese (Colby jack, mozzarella or cheddar) 

Start by shredding the meat of the whole chicken. Make sure to remove all skin and bones. Place the shredded meat into a large bowl. Add yogurt, cream cheese, blue cheese, buffalo sauce and 1/4 of the grated cheese. Mix together well. Pour mixture into round baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Broil for an additional 1-2 more minutes to make the top golden. Serve hot with celery and carrot sticks. 

  

Simple Silver Dollar Biscuits 

This was my first attempt at gluten-free biscuits. I think they came out great. I cut the rolled dough into small biscuit shapes instead of normal cut-out style which is why they are called silver dollar.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1 tablespoon coconut sugar

1 pinch salt

2 tablespoons butter (cut into cubed)

2 oz cream cheese (cut in to cubed)

1/4 milk

Start by mixing the all purpose flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together. Next, cut the cream cheese and butter into the mix until you have a crumbly mixture. Then, slowly kneed the milk into the mix. Once mixed well, roll into a log about 2 inches in diameter and ten inches long. Slice log into round disks about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place the round biscuits on a foiled baking sheet. Spray tops well with cooking spray or oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 mins. Next, remove and flip them all and bake for ten more minutes. Once done enjoy with honey or jelly. 

 

Dipping Sauce Fun

As the second post of a three part series, Foster Farms asked me to create a unique dipping sauce to pair with their corn dogs and chicken strips. I came up with two that go great. Give them a try and let me know which you like more.

Spicy Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

2 Tbs Butter

1 1/2 Tbs All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour

2/3 Cup Colby-Jack Cheese

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Sugar

1 Cup Whole Milk

1/2 Cup Salsa (optional)

Start by melting the butter in a sauce pot. Once melted add the flour and stir with a whisk until combined. After this cooks for a few seconds it’s time to add the milk.  Over medium heat whisk the milk and flour until smooth and milk begins to bubble. Now add salt, sugar and pepper. Add the cheese slowly continue to whisk as you go. After a few minutes the cheese will melt and start to mix in well with milk. Keep over low heat and cook until well combined and sauce begins to get thick. Finally, add salsa and mix well. This will not take long but continue to whisk to prevent cheese from burning on the bottom.  Serve hot!

Sweet Chile Ketchup

Ingredients

3 Tbs Ketchup

3 Tbs Sweet Chili Sauce (find in the international section at the grocery store)

Dash of hot sauce (optional)

Mix together well and serve!


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Spicy Watermelon Salad

Watermelon salad is a wonderful side on a hot day. The texture sweetness of watermelon makes it fun to get creative.

Ingredients-

4 cups cubed watermelon
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 jalapeño pepper
1/3 cup goat cheese (optional)

In a large bowl mix watermelon and lemon juice. On the side remove the seeds of the jalapeño and then slice into thin strips. Add half of the jalapeño to the bowl and mix well. Serve cold with optional cheese crumbled on top.

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Oven S’mores

Ingredients:
20 Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Squares
10 Marshmallows
10 Pieces of Chocolate

Places half the graham cracker squares on a foiled baking sheet. Place one marshmallow on each graham cracker. Heat for 3-4 minutes at 400 degrees until marshmallow starts to melt. Remove tray and place one chocolate square on top of each. Return the tray to the oven for another minute so that the chocolate starts to melt. Remove the try and top each one with a remaining gram cracker to complete the s’more. Serve hot.

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Mushroom Salad

I work in Kennett Sq., Pennsylvania, known as the mushroom capital of the world. I have access to all types of fresh mushrooms that are super affordable. This recipe is a nice summer mushroom recipe that goes great with a barbecue.

Ingredients:

1 container mushrooms (button or portobello)
1 tablespoon oil or coconut butter or butter
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 Orange
4 cups arugula

Start by cleaning and slicing all the mushrooms. Next, heat the pan with oil or butter and add mushrooms. Sauté mushrooms over medium heat until they start to brown. Next, add pepper, red wine vinegar and the zest of the orange to the mushrooms. Continue cooking a few minutes and then add the juice of the full oranges. Cook for another min or two until juice begins to reduce and then remove from heat. Please the arugula in a large bowl. Once your ready to serve and mushrooms have cooled, add mushrooms to arugula and mix well. Serve as soon as possible.

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Grain Free Carrot Flat Bread

I am always looking for replacements of common starchy items like breads, pizza crust or pancakes. This recipe can be used for all three. I used it as a flat bread and made an almond butter sandwich. This recipe is paleo friendly with no added sugar or grain.

Ingredients:
1 Jumbo Carrot (or two medium)
1 Egg
1/3 Cup Tapioca Flour

Start by cutting the carrot up into large chunks and steaming. Allow the carrot to cool and dry for about an hour. Next, place the carrot, egg and tapioca in to food processor. Blend ingredients until smooth. Next, oil and heat an 8 inch skillet. Then pour the whole mixture in and spread out evenly. Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Once the bottom is brown, flip and cook the other side for about an addition two minutes. Remove from hot pan and allow to cool.

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