Almond Breeze Almond Milk
A friend of mind suggested I try this when I had to avoid soy milk. I really like it and have found it to be quite versatile. It doesn't have a strong flavour like soy milk does. The only downside I've found is that it isn't fortified or enriched with calcium, which as a milk-hater, I need. It comes in unsweetened and sweetened, original, vanilla, and chocolate. I stick to the sweetened versions and don't find them too sweet. These are yummy.
Can be found at most major supermarkets and natural stores
McCormick's Vegetable Bouillon
For years I had trouble finding a nice vegetable stock cube that was vegetarian. Then I had trouble finding one without wheat. Then I found these. While they're not certified gluten or wheat free, I don't have a problem with them. Compared to other cubes, I like these the best. I could made stock from scratch, but I doubt I ever will.
*A call to the company says that all McCormick stock cubes do not contain gluten.
Paper Tea Filters
For a while when I was in university I discovered loose leaf tea. It was nice to have tea that was a little more fresh or authentic than a regular teabag. Don’t get me wrong, I love many teas that come in bags, but there’s just something about having loose leaf tea. It’s just different. Maybe it’s the presentation or ceremony of it – you can’t rush it whereas I often will drink tea (bagged) with the bag still in it. My only complaint was emptying the strainer. I never got all the tea out and it seemed like a waste of water rinsing it. But then I found paper teabags. These things have changed my world and now I drink loose leaf tea much more now than I used to. And to save my conscience about using paper, I toss them into the composter when they’re done. They come in different sizes, for cups or pots, different materials (new or recycled), and different styles. I often use the open-top sachet at home and the fold-over-envelope for packing some up to take to work.
These can often be found at your local tea shop here in Ottawa. I recently found some at Rainbow Foods for a really good price. The envelopes were found at Domus in the market, but I was told to purchase what I needed as they may not be getting them again. I've also seen them at a few of the Bulk Barn stores in the area.
President's Choice Splendido Olive Oil
There are many reasons I like this olive oil. The price is right, it has a nice flavour, and it can be used in anything. And believe me, I use it in everything except my baking. I'm not an olive oil connoisseur as I will use others, but I always come back to this one.
Taste of Nature snack bars
I discovered these bars a while ago and they are awesome. I’ll tell you why. They taste good and are fairly good for you. Looking at the list of ingredients makes you happy knowing what everything is and that you can pronounce it all. To top it off, there are under a dozen ingredients. The nice thing is, the majority of fat that comes from these appears to come from the nuts and seeds in the bars. How nice is that?! I picked up a bunch of these 1) to try the different kinds; and 2) because they’re gluten free. Ya that’s right! And not just gluten free, but also certified vegan and organic. Now you know you’re onto something good. I find these perfect for keeping in my bag/purse for when I’m stuck and don’t have any veggie or gluten free options. They are a nice tie-over till lunch or dinner, unlike other snack bars where you may need to have a few.
I first came across these at Bulk Barn on Merivale Rd for around $2.50. I also saw them at the Natural Pantry for just over $3. Most recently I saw them at the Metro in Barhaven for .99¢ each. Needless to say I bought the box (my apologies if you went in and couldn’t find any).
An afterthought: Some of the bars don’t have the gluten-free symbol on the wrapper even though there aren’t any gluten products listed in the ingredients. Those may depend on your sensitivity.
www.tasteofnature.ca
Gluten Free Waffles
I really enjoy these. I know nothing beats a freshly cooked waffle, but seriously, am I going to make one? No, so these are good enough for me and my toaster. Van’s come in a variety of flavours and Kinnikinnick are plain. Both have a nice taste to them. You would’t know they’re gluten-free if it wasn’t on the box. To jazz them up a bit, slice up some fruit to put on top and pour on the maple syrup.
These can be found in the freezer section at most grocery stores that carry gluten free products, as well as Rainbow Foods and The Natural Pantry. They are comparable in price to regular frozen waffles.
http://www.vansfoods.com/
Nature’s Path Sunrise Cereal
I usually have one cereal that I love to have, and since my old fave’s have gluten, my new favourite cereal is Crunchy Maple. It’s got flavour, it’s got crunch, what more could you ask for? Nature’s Path is a Canadian company out of B.C. and everything they make is vegetarian friendly and now many of their products are gluten free. I’ve been able to find these cereals all over the place: Loblaws, Metro, Rainbow Foods, Bulk Barn (really, everywhere!). The nice thing too is that they’re not overly priced. Depending on the cereal, they are between $4-5, which seems comparable to other good cereal products and I stock up when they’re on sale. For the plainer cereals like the Os and flakes, I usually add in some sliced or dried fruit; I need more flavour (but I do it with the regular ones too).
I usually have one cereal that I love to have, and since my old fave’s have gluten, my new favourite cereal is Crunchy Maple. It’s got flavour, it’s got crunch, what more could you ask for? Nature’s Path is a Canadian company out of B.C. and everything they make is vegetarian friendly and now many of their products are gluten free. I’ve been able to find these cereals all over the place: Loblaws, Metro, Rainbow Foods, Bulk Barn (really, everywhere!). The nice thing too is that they’re not overly priced. Depending on the cereal, they are between $4-5, which seems comparable to other good cereal products and I stock up when they’re on sale. For the plainer cereals like the Os and flakes, I usually add in some sliced or dried fruit; I need more flavour (but I do it with the regular ones too).
According to their website, the oats they use cannot be certified as gluten free. So if you see one of their products and it doesn’t seem like it has gluten, it may have oats. To be on the safe side stick with their GF label.
FreeFrom
The Free From lines are becoming quite common in the UK, and I’ve been lucky enough to try many of them during visits there. The Sunstart Bakery line has a variety of products and this is the first gluten free one I’ve seen here (I’ve had their wheat free cookies and they’re wonderful). The bars are sweet and hit the spot and one usually does it. The bottom resembles shortbread with sweet caramel and topped with chocolate.
I’ve found them at Rainbow Foods and Loblaws in Barhaven.
Pasta
Being gluten intolerant can be pretty easy, except for the bread and pasta part. I love pasta and had phased it out because I couldn’t find good gluten-free pasta anywhere. Many have come onto the market in recent years that are wonderful – they have a similar texture and taste. The prices are pretty reasonable considering it’s a ‘specialty product’. These are ones that can be found in my cupboard.
They can be found at different locations: some Italian food shops, Bulk Barn, Metro, Loblaws, Farm Boy and the health food stores such as Rainbow Foods & Natural Pantry.
http://www.molinodiferro.com/
Pizza Crust
Natural Pantry used to be my favourite pizza crust and while I still like them, I’ve found some that I like better. Kinnikinnick and Glutino make a great tasting pizza crust that hold the topping well and brown nicely. They also stay firm and crunchy, unlike others I’ve tried that get either rock hard or really soggy.
The crusts can be found at health food stores such as Rainbow Foods, Natural Pantry as well as Metro, and Loblaws. Prices vary from $7-10 for a box of four depending on the store.
Nickel Brook Sorghum Beer
This wonderful stuff has a permanent place in our wine/beer fridge. It’s the most beer-like beer I’ve had (and that I can find in Ontario). It has great flavour, is thirst-quenching, and is perfect for when nothing else will do.
These tall cans run between $2-3 and can be purchased individually at the LCBO.
Nickelbrook.com
These tall cans run between $2-3 and can be purchased individually at the LCBO.
www.williamcider.com
Currently, these can be found not just at health food stores, but also in the freezer section of many of the Loblaw's chain and Metro. Even my teeny tiny Metro store go them in. I’ve also heard that Sobey’s in Kanata now carries it. A loaf is usually $6-7.
William Premium Cider
A nice little Canadian Cider that isn’t your crazy-North-American-sweet-type. This is a nice cider – not too sweet and not too dry, and not yeasty. It’s just right.
These tall cans run between $2-3 and can be purchased individually at the LCBO.
www.williamcider.com
Udi’s
Udi’s bread is something I’ve never tasted in a gluten-free bread. Although I like my own French-style loaf, Udi’s is wonderful and delicious – and it doesn’t need to be toasted. When I’m travelling around I pick this up as it can withstand being bumped and squished, and it can be eaten right out of the bag. The multi-grain also reminds me of rye bread, and I mean true rye bread, the kind you find in Eastern European bakeries.
www.udisglutenfree.com
Salmon Patties
For those days I have forgotten to pick something up for dinner or I’m not in the mood for what’s in the fridge I can always find something in the freezer. I always have a few boxes of salmon patties and they are relatively quick and healthy and taste just as good cooked in a skillet as on a BBQ. Both Jane’s and Irrestibles are gluten-free, aren’t full of crazy stuff, and Jane’s comes from sustainable fishing.
Irrestibles is the store-brand for Metro and I usually find Jane’s there too. When they are sale (and that’s when I usually buy them) they are $5-6 for a box of four.
Conte’s
Pierogies & Ravioli
Nothing ever beats
fresh, but when you can’t find the real thing, these will do. Other than being
a little thick with the pasta, these pierogi and ravioli taste pretty darn
good. While the ravioli can be boiled (like usual), the pierogies need to be
boiled before they are fried.
Even my mom thinks they’re alright – and she grew
up on homemade.
