The scene outside the Expo before opening on Saturday..not bad!
In all honesty, I almost didn’t go.
I know what you’re thinking.
SASSY! How could you have NOT gone to the Expo? I mean, these are your people! This your place! This is what it’s all about!
And you’re right. I live for the Expo every year and wish there were even more gluten-free/Celiac events. But you know, life does happen. My transportation options are limited, as are finances, not to mention my trip to the ER only days before.
So, I am VERY thankful that I was able to attend and it was truly a great event 🙂
I have to hand it to Margaret Dron, she definitely is learning and growing with each Expo, and this one seemed to have all the prior kinks worked out! No gigantic lines, no people getting turned away (that I know of?), no major traffic congestion. I did not attend the presentations this year so I’m not sure how the volume and seating was there, but I peeked at it and it seemed like it would work well.
And the exhibitors…OH, the exhibitors! The sheer NUMBER of exhibitors was astounding! There was a great balance of new and “old”, and I love when some of the well-known companies launch fun new products. There were also plenty of dairy free, and also corn, soy, nut, etc free options (though if I had a severe nut allergy I might have been nervous, but I’m sure actions were taken to avoid cross-contamination). There was also a blend of super healthy products mixed among decadence and indulgence. And let’s not forget about the great deals!!! I saw one guy pushing a stroller with about four or five full bags of loot hanging off the sides! Lastly, I definitely have to mention the samples. I was getting so full! You get all excited in the beginning and want to try anything, but next time I will seriously pace myself LOL It was nice to see how generous everyone was, though, and I was grateful for any of the samples I was able to take home and enjoy on my own time. 🙂
Here are some of my favorites from this year’s Expo:
RUMBLE: SASSY’S BEST OF SHOW FOR 2014!!!
Can I please be your spokesdmodel? 😉
Most of you know that when I review a product I look at more than just taste. Rumble is one of those products that I could rave about for quite some time, but I’ll try to keep it somewhat concise! First, what is it? Basically, it is a highly nutritious ready-to-drink beverage. But it’s so much more than that. The Rumble backstory is phenomenal. Paul Underhill, born with Cystic Fibrosis and now thriving after a double lung transplant, developed Rumble in his own kitchen out of a desire to optimally fuel his transplant wait, recovery, and his now-active lifestyle. I spoke with him briefly at the Expo and when I mentioned how I’ve been struggling with my appetite lately, Paul said that was a struggle for him, too. I’ve been looking for healthy and easy ways to make sure I’m still getting nutrients when I’m not hungry. The choices are usually Ensure/Boost, which are full of fake stuff, or protein powders which are difficult to choose from and even then I have to add hemp/fish oil, berries, and greens…so we knows that involves heavy blender usage!
The cool thing about Rumble is that Paul and his team made sure to research and use the most highly absorbable and useful protein, which most studies show is whey. Yet, even though they use milk and whey proteins, the drink remains 99.8% lactose-free and is easy to digest even for most people with lactose issues. It contains 20g of protein per servings which is pretty much the perfect amount and is comparable to more than 3 eggs, but with only 10mg of cholesterol. Next, it includes 3100mg of Omega 3’s in the form of flaxseed and walnut/pumpkinseed oil, giving it a desirable 3 : 1 omega 3 to omega 6 ratio that is proven to suppress inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases (wherein, a lower ratio produces a more positive effect and most common diets are far too high in omega 6). I think my favorite part might be that it includes antioxidants and greens in the form of green tea extract (though it’s caffeine-free), pomegranate extract, kale, spinach, and black currant, cherry, and red beet juice concentrates, which adds up to the equivalent of 1 apple, 1.5 cups of broccoli, and 1 cup of berries. And guess what! 8 grams of fibre! That’s pretty rad. Your daily recommended intake is around 20-30 grams and this is in liquid form and does NOT cause stomach upset or flatulence. What it doesn’t contain is gluten, soy, GMOs, or anything artificial, and Dutch Cocoa is nut-free! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, agave nectar, and stevia, it contains only 1g of simple sugars per bottle.
All that, and it comes in a fun resealable, recyclable/repurposeable bottle and…you betcha…it tastes GREAT! It’s super smooth and creamy, yet not overly so, light tasting, refreshing, and comes in Dutch Cocoa and Vanilla Maple, both equally fantastic.
Perfect for those struggling with appetite, people on the go, post-surgery recovery, post-workout recovery, and anyone looking to boost their health. Find it at Thrifty Foods, Choices Markets, and other health food markets near you using the Buy function on the Rumble website.
PLEASE DO ENJOY!
Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Breads: Canyon Bakehouse is definitely the other company that colored me most impressed! I’ve pretty much given up buying gluten-free bread unless it’s from a gluten-free bakery, and even then it’s “iffy”. It tends to only last a couple of days or requires freezing and then toasting and/or it’s often not worth the expense when I still can’t make a darn sandwich!
However, Canyon Bakehouse has renewed my sandwich-eating hopes and I can’t wait to find it!I tried the 7-grain and the “not-Rye” Deli Rye Style…yep, rye taste without the rye! Unfortunately, the exhibitor didn’t seem incredibly familiar with the product or Celiac Disease when I questioned the rye bread, wondering how it could be gluten-free if it was rye, but a quick look at the package itself gave me my answers. With no rye included, I think the addition of caraway seeds definitely assists in the rye-like taste.
I have sometimes found with gluten-free breads that for some reason they are softer and taste better at the Expos than they do when I find them in stores. Sometimes it’s because they are in the freezer section and don’t taste the same once defrosted. The woman wasn’t sure whether they would be in the freezer section or found fresh.
If these breads are as soft and yummy as they were at the Expo, I will happily make the first sandwich I’ve made in a long, long time and will love to add this staple back into my lunch options! Editors Note: Since writing this, I have delightfully found Canyon Bakehouse in the gluten-free frozen section of my local Superstore and have already gone back for more!
Food for Life: I’m not incredibly familiar with Food for Life’s products, but let me tell you, they make an INCREDIBLE English Muffin. Granted, it is the first gluten-free english muffin I’ve tried, but truly was delightful. I can’t even imagine how great they would be as part of a yummy Eggs Benedict! Here are a few tidbits about the company:
“From our pastas and breads, to our cereals, tortillas and english muffins we literally strive to bring you the very best food for your life.
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Our diet-specific products are certified by 3rd parties for peace of mind.
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The majority of ingredients in our products are certified organic.
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We use sprouted grains in the majority of our products .
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Our products are certified kosher.
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We don’t’ use any genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
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We don’t use anything artificial – no preservatives, shortenings or refined sugars.
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We use a unique slow-bake process to preserve the natural fiber and bran benefits of grains.
Being aware and respecting what your body needs and requires is not a stigma, it’s a way of living a healthier more active life – and we are here to support you on your journey.”
Kitchening & Co: Another company that I know little about, but whom I adore! Not just for their absolutely divine and to-die-for gluten-free macarons, but for the people behind the product. I’ve met the Kitchening & Co staff a couple times at Expos and Food Fairs and they are friendly and personable and bubbly and kind! They truly care about their product and the community that simply loves to consume it.
They are true to their claims of being all about community, making the best products, relationships, healthy and balanced living, and supporting local businesses and food sources. They use no artificial colors or flavors in their aesthetically pleasing macarons, which is amazing, because these cute desserts look too good to eat…and yet, I can’t help myself 🙂 Did I mention my birthday is coming up? You could not go wrong with a beautiful gift box of these delectable delights! Available at many places in Vancouver, but stationed in Fort Langley; I’ll be checking out Lee’s Market!
Happy Planet: Soup is pretty easy and inexpensive to make, but it is time-consuming. Yet, finding ready-made and HEALTHY gluten-free soups can prove a bit difficult. Campbell’s still only makes a handful of gluten-free soups and most aren’t crazy healthy. You might know Happy Planet for their delicious juices, but you should really check them out for their fantastic soups! I love that the company was started by two guys and a blender 🙂 They are also local and Canadian! Happy Planet provides mostly organic and while their products are not GMO, they are still working on their GMO certification.
I was excited to see they have even released a new line of locally-inspired soups that includes Chilliwack Broccoli and Cheddar!!! However, the only gluten-free locally-inspired soup is the Chatham Carrot & Ginger…please work on this, Happy Planet! Soup does NOT require gluten! Even so, all their juices and smoothies and 10 of their soups are gluten-free and I invite you to try the Thai Coconut Soup as it is FABULOUS! They’re made fresh and are found in a refrigerator section and your purchase helps support Food Banks across Canada! BONUS!
Bio-K+: My doctor has told me that I need to always take probiotics. Unfortunately, they are not covered by MediCare and they’re quite pricey if you want good quality. When I want the BEST quality and I can afford it (or can’t afford not to, like maybe during/after my 8 weeks of antibiotics for SIBO), I go for Bio-K+. Listen up, lactose-intolerants and dairy-avoiders because they even have a fermented rice formula that is dairy, corn, gluten, soy, and sugar free. I like that they are used by hospitals throughout Canada and the United States and that proof of results is demonstrated by published clinical studies. I switch probiotics all the time and have yet to notice any difference. However, if I could afford Bio-K+ all the time or get it covered, I think I might notice a difference, and as recommended by the dietitian and consultant at the show, I will be working with my doctor to try to get it covered when he returns.
The Gluten Free Chef: These guys make a great pizza crust, and I’ll let you in on a little secret…I’m pizza-obsessed! I have yet to find a gluten-free pizza that is even close to the type of yummy pizza I used to enjoy in moderation, however, this crust is definitely tasty. I really like the texture. Gluten, nut, dairy, egg, and soy free, they are currently only being sold online and at Expos. I recommend giving SPUD.COM a shot if you’re interested in ordering. SPUD is a sustainable grocery urban delivery service and first time users can get a $40 box (looks like the size of a big apple box) full of seasonal, locally sourced, organic produce delivered to your door for only $20! No delivery fee on this box, and YES, even to Chilliwack! I think that is definitely worth checking out, and I will certainly be doing so for next month 🙂
Enerjive Quinoa Skinny Crackers: I had never seen or heard of these and I was pleasantly surprised! Created after receiving a gluten intolerance diagnosis and having a disappointing encounters with chalky bread, Enerjive is all about “Yummy Health”. I love that they have both savory and sweet options! I’m a savory person; how about you? When I saw the different flavors, I remember saying I wanted to try them ALL. Yet, after trying one I realized I would not be able to do so…they are surprisingly very filling! Which I think is GREAT because I wouldn’t end up eating an entire box. 🙂 The texture is fantastic. They are a hearty, thick cracker that is thinner than a crostini but would hold up to dipping and toppings like a crostini would! Great on their own or with dips, they are gluten, dairy, corn, nut, and GMO free and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. All appear to be soy-free, except for the Chocolate FIX flavor, and contain no artificial coloring, preservatives, or flavoring. Choose from BELLA Savoury Italian, Garlic Cayenne HEAT, Rock Salt CRAVE, Lemon Berry BURST, or Chocolate FIX!
OOGIE’S: Looking for a decently-priced, fairly accessible, and delicious snack from a rad company?! Reach for OOGIE’S! As always, this tasty treat is gluten-free, non-GMO, all-natural, trans-fat and cholesterol free. What’s new from OOGIE’S? Well, they’ve got some new bold flavors like Hatch Chili con Queso; cheesy with a kick…and their first dairy-free flavor: Spicy Chipotle & Lime. And with the big bags they sell at Costco, they are very hard to pass up!
Udi’s: So there’s a bit of confusion surrounding Udi’s lately. I’m still not exactly sure if they’ll be changing the name of their beloved breads or if it is only the Denver-area restaurant, catering, and bakery establishments that will be changing their name…but I’m PRETTY SURE, the brand many have come to love will not be changing. And I know for sure their famous recipes will indeed stay the same. I’m pretty familiar with Udi’s, but for over a year I’ve been on the lookout for some of their new products…specifically, their new “Everything Inside” bagels. Thankfully, the lovely people at Udi’s sent me home with a very special sample, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait! You’ve heard of an Everything bagel, right? Well, the Everything Inside bagel is everything that an Everything bagel is…except all the goodness is baked INSIDE the bagel instead of on top, and is not only delightful, but avoids all the mess! Great job, Udi’s! I do hope to figure things out with their site, though. While I can find the US/Canada site by searching certain items, if I type in udisglutenfree.com it takes me to the UK site. A little bit confusing, to say the least!
Mmmm…Udi’s!
Farafena: Farafena (which means Africa) offers several natural and organic products and is committed to developing sustainable agro businesses, collaborating with local entrepreneurs, women’s cooperatives, and family-owned businesses in the Sahel region of Mali. I didn’t actually have the pleasure of sampling their product, but they offer a gluten-free flour from a grain I have never heard of. Fonio is supposedly tasty, light, easily digestible, and is low on the glycemic index. I’m curious how it performs in recipes! They also offer things like shea butter, dried mango, and something called Moringa powder, a superfood that is said to improve energy levels and general health. I’m not exactly sure where to find their products, though some are sold on Etsy, and you can email/phone them for more information.
Judy G: Here’s my bottom line with Judy G gluten-free pizzas…I tried their Roasted Mediterranean Artichoke pizza at the Expo and I didn’t even NOTICE that there wasn’t any CHEESE on it!!! I’m a total cheese monster, and after months and months of lactose-free, my gut has healed to a point that I can (and do) enjoy it in moderation, so I normally wouldn’t even BOTHER with a dairy-free pizza. So to be impressed by a dairy-free, cheeseless pizza is truly saying something, in my eyes 🙂 Judy G provides frozen crusts and prepared pizzas that are free from most common allergens, including crusts free from gluten, soy, egg, and dairy/lactose, and a Lactose-Free Cheese Trio that is topped with organic lactose-free cheese! As I do still limit my dairy consumption, I would definitely like to give this one a try! Her two meat-containing pizzas are even free of sulphites! I’m still on the lookout for these and will likely have to request them in my area, however they should be available at Marketplace IGAs throughout BC, as well as Sobeys/Thrifty Foods throughout Western Canada…I’ll be printing off the request form if I still can’t find them!
Explore Asian: I’m pretty excited about this product and I know some of my American fans have already found it and love it 🙂 Explore Asian offers several products, but I am currently most interested in their gluten-free Organic Bean Pasta! With four varieties, including mung bean, soybean, black bean, and adzuki, these unique pastas are chock full of PROTEIN and FIBER with less carbs than other pasta…that’s a win in my book and for anyone who is regulating their blood sugar. Also great for vegetarians looking for a fast protein source that might be a bit tastier than a bowl of beans! The black bean variety reminds me of soba noodles that I once loved and can be served warm or cold. While I don’t often do soy, they also have soybean noodle soups which would be great on the go and since they use 100% organic soybean, at least it’s non-GMO soy. These are also high protein and fiber, and even high in iron…though, I might avoid the “salt sachet” as it contributes an additional 606mg of sodium (that’s somewhat expected of an instant noodle soup and at least you have the option). In BC, you can find Explore Asian in select Vancouver stores, or order online from Low Carb Canada. I was under the impression that they are currently expanding, so be on the lookout!
Glutenberg: While I did not get to sample this new gluten-free beer due to, you know, the law…I really would like to give it a try! I like that there are several options: Blonde, American Pale Ale, Red, and Belgian Double! Yummy! I’ll see if I can get a sample of these for review for you guys 🙂 And even though I didn’t get to try these, I had to mention them and post this photo because, let’s face it, this guy’s moustache is RAD! 🙂
hOMegrown Living Foods: With the emphasis on “OM”, this is my kind of company. Not just gluten-free, but grain-free, sprouted, raw, no added sugar, low GI, organic, and local! I didn’t get to try a lot of their product, but this is definitely something I would snack on. They have kale crisps, cookie-type snacks, and they even had these neat skinny little bagels that were good on their own but would be good with some sort of nut butter or hummus-like spread. And it’s all sprouted and dehydrated at low temperatures so it remains RAWesome 😉 And here’s a tasty scoop for you: Visit their online store and receive 25% off your first purchase with coupon code HGSHOP ! Enjoy!
So, there you have it! There were plenty, PLENTY more companies and products and awesomeness, but these ones really stood out for me. I hope this review encourages you to search for and try out some new products and maybe find some new favorites for yourself! Much thanks to Margaret Dron for a wonderful, fully gluten-free Expo that gets better each time!
And lastly, a special mention to Kathy Smart, award-winning author and amazing all-around person, who was the lead guest speaker at the Expo: While my energy and pain levels didn’t allow me to stick around for your talk, speaking to you was one of the highlights of my YEAR 🙂 The lovely things you said about me to my mother were so kind and thoughtful and you inspire me to keep going with my blog even when it’s super difficult! Thank you for those words, which I will never forget, and I can’t wait to see you again and maybe even hang out one day 🙂 xoxo
My mom might have been a little shaky taking the photo…OOPS!
Sincerely,
Sassy
Sassy Celiac 