Cookies

June 2015: Betty Crocker GF Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

“C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me” -Cookie Monster

Summertime means block parties celebrating the 4th of July. Summertime means weekend trips to the Big Apple and nation’s capital. Summertime means lazy afternoons binge-watching tv shows on Netflix. But summertime also means homemade baked goods. No, those aren’t just for Christmas time and the New Years. Any occasion– summer or winter– calls for a plate of homemade cookies!

Cookies. Such a simple baked good. Just add 1 stick of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 egg to Betty Crocker’s GF Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. Mix throughly– I’d recommend mixing with a spoon or spatula first and then kneading it with your hands– it makes the dough softer. The instructions call for an ungreased cookie sheet, however I’m a fan of using Pam. And I found that if you choose to make smaller, bite-size cookies, you can make approximately 24 cookies from 1/2 the chocolate chip cookie mix. Moreover, only bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake the cookies.Keeping all these tips in mind, this recipe is simple. So simple even a fourth grader could bake these cookies. These are soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. Hands down my favorite chocolate chip cookies!

Also try out Betty Crocker’s GF Brownie Mix! The best gluten-free brownie mix I’ve had thus far. I haven’t been able to get my hands on the gluten-free cake mix yet, but I’m dying to try it. Comment with your favorite gluten-free baking mixes!

Cheers,

Anika

New [Artful] Adventures

URBN. A company that comprises of brands such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, and Terrain. Extremely appealing lifestyle-centric shopping experience. Eclectic. Vintage. Global. Bold. Youthful. Creative. Sensuous. Inspiring.

IMG_5100

This past week I had the great pleasure of visiting and touring the Urban Outfitters Headquarters in Philadelphia. As a loyal Anthropologie customer and Free People enthusiast, this was truly an exciting and special experience. Let me start by saying this is not an ordinary business. Overflowing with creativity and filled with passion, each URBN buildings had its own “quirky” personality. From Buddha statues to a coi fish pond, modern art lining the walls to umbrellas with embroidered Indian fabrics, you can’t help but secretly (or not so secretly) wishing you worked there.

IMG_5096

So this is all wonderful, you may be thinking, but what does this have to do with eating gluten-free? Well the truly forward-thinking atmosphere created here at URBN doesn’t end in the workplace- the cafeteria (also open to public) was health-conscious in every aspect (I’m not kidding– there was even a gym in there).

The cafeteria was divided into 6 stations where you can find everything from a black rice rainbow roll to caprese sandwiches to teriyaki stir-fry. There were signs and labels around the cafeteria marking vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options, and many of the pre-packaged items were “Whole-Foods-like” products. I had a spicy tuna roll, gluten-free peanut butter cookie, and Lima Lemon Bai. Honestly, what more can a girl want?! In addition to the terrific food, the cafeteria also shared the same eclectic architecture and decor that URBN’s brands promote.

So if you’re in the city and have an urge to check out the Urban Outfitters Headquarters, I’d say you can’t leave without eating a meal there as well!

Cheers,

Anika

May 2014: GinnyBakes Coconut Oatmeal Bliss

“Better late than never”

I’d really like to pretend that I’m not writing my product of the month review on the last day of May. Everything about this screams procrastination. Literally it should be my middle name. Now I may be a pro when it comes to the tips and tricks of living gluten-free, but I’m sure as heck an amateur when it comes to managing and budgeting my time! But we all learn with experience, right? At least I like to believe that.

What a month it’s been. A month full of testing. I’m sure we’ve all had it with the abundance of standardized testing, AP exams, and final exams that the glorious month of May brings. All the same, it’s also been a month of celebration. That’s right, today is the last of Celiac Awareness Month. So, wear your green clothing proudly and be happy for the wonderful reality being gluten-free has now become. It didn’t use to be so easy. But with the ever increasing awareness of celiac disease, we have a bright future ahead of us. And that is something to celebrate.

IMG_29611

Bliss. There isn’t a more fitting word in the dictionary. Have you tried any of ginnybakes‘ products? I am relatively new to this company, but I am wholly inspired by their mission and story. They are striving -and have succeeded- at making gluten-free both healthy and delicious- two qualities I have found are scarcely found together. I have only had the pleasure of making the scrumptious coconut oatmeal cookies. This unique combination may be a risk, but it definitely paid off. The oatmeal adds texture to the cookie while the coconut naturally sweetens it. Now, I bought the baking mix for this product, but it is also sold in a box of eleven cookies. I do want to get my hands on a box to compare them to the ones I baked! I also have bought the pre-made chocolate chip love cookies. However I’m waiting until June comes around to try them out (now that doesn’t mean I won’t dig into them first thing tomorrow!) because I’ve had my fair share of cookies this month. From Hope’s Cookies to Betty Crocker’s GF Chocolate Chip Cookies to my recent discover of ginnybakes delightful cookie products, it’s been a cookie kind of month! I most certainly ended Celiac Awareness Month with a bang!

What are your favorite gluten-free cookies? Feel free to comment below!

Cheers,

Anika

Hope’s Cookies

Hope you’ve all been sporting some green in celebration of Celiac Awareness Month! Definitely try some new gluten-free recipes and restaurants this month- take a risk and challenge yourselves! And this is a great place to start… what better way to spread awareness than trying some delicious, gluten-free cookies?! That honestly can’t be too1 much to ask for, right? And the best part is that these store-bought cookies have the same (or arguably better) quality and taste as home baked ones.

IMG_2819

Hope’s Country Fresh cookies resides on Lancaster Ave. on the mainline of Philly. When recently driving by, I noticed the “NEW! Now serving Gluten-Free Cookies!” sign on the bakery eatery cookie-ry. Ever since, I’ve been anxious to try them since Hope’s has quite the reputation preceding it. Honestly, it’s pretty rare for a gluten-free gal to be treated to a soft and chewy, freshly-baked cookie. Typically, the store bought ones that you find in the gluten-free aisle at Wegman’s or Whole Foods are harder, crunchy cookies. They are what I like to call “pantry cookies“. Don’t get me wrong, there are many brands that have excellent gluten-free shelf cookies, but this is a whole different playing field. Anyways, you’ll be pleased to know that I did eventually try Hope’s new gluten-free cookies- when I found a good excuse to indulge, that is, and hence this post came about. (Side note: exams are always a brilliant excuse to eat and do just about anything)

So onto the scrumptious little baked balls of dough… I was treated to two chocolate chip cookies and two ginger cookies. The unique flavors, chewy texture, and hint of sweetness that create the ginger cookie is unparalleled. And it is truly not so often one can describe a gluten-free cookie as chewy in a positive connotation. The last time I described a gluten-free food as chewy was probably Chebe’s pizza crust when it is undercooked and far too chewy. At any rate, in terms of cookies, I typically associate the word chewy with non-gluten-free, wheat-based cookies because gluten-free cookies are usually drier in texture. However, this time, that was not the case! I just want to make it clear that the chocolate chip cookies were wonderful. With the hint of sea salt, the sweet and salty combination was at its A game. More than anything, I think the fact that the ginger cookie’s flavors were more exquisite and unfamiliar made it the more interesting, and therefore better, cookie.

Unfortunately, Hope’s does not have in information regarding their gluten-free cookies online. You can order all of their other varieties online. Hopefully the GF cookies will be added to the site soon, so you can purchase them online if picking up from the store is a trek. What’s more, as of right now, Hope’s only has two GF cookie flavors. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will expand their GF selection and hopefully (hopefully hopefully hopefully!) will make a white chocolate macadamia cookie.

Cheers!

Anika