Product Review: Mom's Place Gluten Free; Caramel Swirl Buns (not sponsored content)

One of my all time favorite breakfast pastries would be caramel sticky buns.  I haven't had any since my diagnosis and going gluten free 6 years ago and, boy do I miss them!  Though I have enjoyed quite a few cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting from my friend, Tina's former Better For You Bakery.  A while back, my friend, Kallie (mile_high_celiac) introduced me to the website momsplaceglutenfree.com and I was almost giddy as I searched through their many gluten free mix options!  WOW!  Was there a lot!  Before the holidays, I kind of went crazy and ordered a large variety of mixes from Mom's Place Gluten Free.  The first one I tried was the Caramel Swirl Buns, as it seemed like the perfect holiday breakfast treat.

I have to admit, I didn't have all of the equipment suggested on the packaging, but I made my own adjustments and it worked beautifully.  I didn't have individual 4" springform bun pans, so instead, I used some gluten free potato starch from Bob's Red Mill sprinkled on parchment paper and rolled the dough to 1/8 inch thickness (see image collage below).  

I sprinkled the brown sugar, cinnamon mixture on top of it and slowly, using the parchment paper, rolled it into a log and then cut 1 inch thick rolls out of it.  They didn't get large, but I was able to get 14 medium sized buns out of the dough!  Enough for me and to share with my non-gluten free husband and mom, who both loved them.

I didn't have a candy thermometer, either, for the caramel sauce, but I let it come to a rolling boil and tested by dropping a small amount into a cup of cold water.  When it is the right temperature, the caramel will form into a firm ball in the water.  It's old school, but it works.

I would have loved to have added pecan pieces, but I discovered that I was all out and I didn't feel like making a trip to the store to get more.  We still enjoyed them without the pecans.

The instructions on the mix were easy to follow and this was a lot of fun to put together.  The buns were light and flaky and practically melted in my mouth.  For 6 years I had to do without one of my favorite breakfast treats.  Now, thanks to Mom's Place Gluten Free, I can enjoy them once again.

Mom's Place Gluten Free Caramel Swirl Buns are not only gluten free, but also non-GMO and preservative free.  If you go to their website soon, you'll be able to purchase this mix on clearance.  While you're there, check out all of the other amazing products they have available.

**This review is not sponsored by Mom's Place Gluten Free or Bob's Red Mill or any other entity.  Siouxland Celiac received no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this product review.  All opinions stated are my own for the purpose of sharing with the Celiac and Gluten Free community any gluten free products I've discovered and where to find them.**

Product Review: S2 Soaps Ltd

I've always had very sensitive skin.  Many store-bought soaps would make my skin break out in awful rashes, so my mom was always very careful in what she bought to use.  If it caused me to have a reaction, she wouldn't buy it again.  I think we'd hoped that eventually I would outgrow the sensitivities, but, sadly that never happened.  I'm very particular in what soaps I use.  In fact, I haven't actually used store-bought soap for my bath soap in several years.  Previously, I'd bought from a local vendor out of Vermillion, SD who sold their wonderful line of soap products under the name of God's Green Earth at our local farmer's market.  Through visiting with the owners of this line, I was able to gain a couple of new friends, as well.  I liked their products because they used high quality ingredients and no gluten ingredients, which is very important to me.  Marije, the creator of these soaps and lotions, also used her own products for herself and her family, so she stood behind her work.

Autumn Equinox soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

But, alas, they moved to the West Coast and I lost my friend and soap supplier.  Though I did purchase quite a lot from her before they left.  I've been looking for a new soaper ever since, though.  Enter S2 Soaps Ltd, an Etsy Shop created and owned by Kallie Smirnov based in Colorado.  Full disclosure - over the past few years, Kallie has become a very dear friend of mine, though we have only met via the internet.  She, however, does not know that I am writing this review of her products, which I have purchased from her Etsy Shop, nothing was given to me in exchange for a review.  Though she is my friend, I do promise to give a completely honest product review.

Christmas soaps from S2 Soaps Ltd cut and curing.  Scented in crisp juniper.

Whipped soaps from S2 Soaps Ltd

Kallie has quite a line of products available.  Items from bars of soap, bath bombs, travel soap kit, jelly soap, sugar scrubs and more can be ordered from her shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/S2Soaps  My first order I placed with her, I purchased bars of the 

Life's a Beach, Pink Flamingo and Coffee with goat milk glycerin soaps, as well as the Wanderlust Collection Travel Soap Kit.  I've used the Life's a Beach bar and have now been using the Pink Flamingo bar.  The fragrances are bold and crisp and really help wake me up in the morning.  While I like the scent of the Pink Flamingo bar, I have to say that the Life's a Beach is my favorite so far.  Every time I walked into my bathroom I could smell this lovely, clean fragrance and it had a calming, soothing effect on me.  Each bar is cut thick so they last a long time.

Life's a Beach by S2 Soaps Ltd

Coffee with Goat Milk glycerin soap and Pink Flamingo soap by S2 Soaps LTD

One of the things I hate about store-bought soaps is that so often, they tend to leave a soapy film on your skin that feels like you can never get completely washed off.  Ugh, I absolutely hate that feeling!  With the products from S2 Soaps Ltd, I don't have that.  My skin feels clean and soft after use.  That is saying a lot because of my extra sensitive skin.  While the prices for homemade soap products are more expensive than store-bought soaps, in my opinion, the quality is worth the price.  I know that high quality ingredients have gone into these products and, for me, it is a relief to be able to shower and know that I'm not going to break out in a rash from my soap.

Pink Flamingo soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

On a recent overnight trip I took with my mom to attend a high school musical performed at my old high school, I had my first opportunity to use the Wanderlust Collection Travel Soap Kit.  Yes, hotels most often provide small bars of soap for their guests, and this hotel we stayed at is no exception.  It's always bothered me, though, the waste of the majority of even a small bar of soap.  The majority of the bar of soap gets thrown away.  Not to mention, that I never know if it is a soap that my skin will react badly to.  So, this time I used one of the slivers of soap you get with the travel kit.  It was the perfect size for a single time use!  I had enough for my shower and the small bit that was left wasn't enough to use a second time - minimal waste!  I love that.  I had never heard of this kind of travel soap, but I think it is a great idea.  It worked nicely for me.  The Prospector travel soap that I purchased is an unscented soap by S2 Soaps Ltd.

Prospector unscented single use travel soap in the Wanderlust Collection by S2 Soaps Ltd

I've just recently placed a new order that I am excited to receive.  I'd never heard of jelly soap before, so I decided to try the Jack Frost Jelly Soap this time.  I've also ordered one of the White Tea Pear bath bombs, the Basil Activated Charcoal soap and a bar of the Autumn Equinox soap.  I enjoy that she includes seasonal scents in her product line.  She has new scents coming out soon for Hanukkah and Christmas!  I will add to this review once I receive my next order and use the jelly soap and bath bomb.  

Basil Activated Charcoal soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

White Tea Pear bath bombs by S2 Soaps Ltd

Jack Frost Jelly Soap from S2 Soaps Ltd

Hanukkah soap by S2 Soaps Ltd

I'm very proud of the creativity of my friend and the high quality of her products.  I hope you'll check them out.  In addition to her Etsy Shop link posted earlier in this review, you can also find her on Instagram @s2soaps

11/20/19 I received my latest order from S2 Soaps Ltd today!  I think I like th Autumn Equinox fragrance even more than the Life's a Beach!  Looking forward to using these!!

Recipe: Grandma's Peach Cobbler

When I was a little girl my favorite dessert was my Grandma Orris's peach cobbler.  Truth be told, it remains my favorite dessert!  Flaky pie crust on top of sweet, tender peach slices - this is my ultimate comfort food.  Not only does it taste wonderful, but it transports me back to my childhood and happy memories with my grandma and then my mom, who also made this recipe a lot through the years.

💚🎉 Read all the way down for a special Giveaway contest!🎉💚

Since my Celiac diagnosis and going gluten free I've learned to adjust many of my favorite recipes from gluteny to gluten free by substituting, often just one ingredient.  There are many great cup for cup gluten free flour blends out there that you can use.  I'm fortunate to have some of my friend, Tina's flour blend from her former brand, Better For You Bakery still in my freezer.  While this brand is no longer available, there are many other baking and all-purpose gluten free flour blends out there that work well.  Any of them could be used for this recipe.  It is a simple recipe with tasty results.

Gluten Free Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:

Filling:

2 cans or  jars of sliced peaches in natural juice (Grandma's recipe used the cans with syrup)

Cobbler:

2 C gluten free all purpose or baking flour blend (use a cup for cup brand)

1 tsp salt

2/3 C + 2 T shortening (solid coconut oil would work well for this, also)

1/4 C water

Sugar or Splenda

Mix gf flour blend and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl.  Cut in shortening.  Add water, 1 T at a time, mixing with fork until flour is moistened.  Add sugar or Splenda to taste to sweeten slightly.  Take dough and pat into approx. 2 inch round patties and approx. 3/4 inch thick.  Place peaches along with the juice in a 9 x 13 baking dish, evenly distributed.  Top peaches with the cobbler patties.  Cobbler recipe can be doubled if more of the cobbler is desired.  Bake at 350° until cobbler is golden brown on top, approximately 35 - 40 minutes.  Check if cobbler is baked through by poking with a toothpick.  Toothpick should come out clean.  Cooking time depends on how thick the cobbler patties are.  Serve warm topped with your favorite ice cream, whipped topping or just as is.

Gluten Free Flour Blends:

Gluten Free Mama

Bob's Red Mill

King Arthur Gluten Free Flour Blend

Pamela's Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend

Namaste Foods Perfect Flour Blend

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes and I'm so happy to be able to share it with you.  It is a great recipe for fall.  To kick it up a notch, you could add a pinch of cardamom in the cobbler dough or maybe a bit of nutmeg to the peaches to really give it an Autumn taste.

I'm teaming up with my friend, Kallie at S2Soaps for a special Fall giveaway!

🎉🎉To enter this giveaway:🎉🎉

1. Follow @siouxlandceliac AND @s2soaps on Instagram
2. Like the post about this blog and giveaway on Instagram
3. Tag a friend

**Only those in the continental USA are eligible to enter.  Unlimited entries.  Each tagged friend counts as a separate entry.  All entries must be submitted no later than midnight November 1st. Winner will be announced with my November 2nd blog post.** 

Product Review: Heartland Gourmet brand Funnel Cake Mix

My mom and the daughter of a friend who was visiting from college at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa

When I was growing up in Northwest Iowa, county fair time was one of my favorite times of the year.  My hometown of Spencer, Iowa is the home of the renowned Clay County Fair, also known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair”.  So many fun rides, interesting vendors, concerts and, of course, fair food!  Attending the fair each year, my favorite fair treats were Tom Thumb Donuts and funnel cakes!  Who could resist the sugary fragrance that called to you from across the fairgrounds and pulled you to their kiosks to purchase the warm, doughy bites of heaven?

Tom Thumb Donuts at the Fair

Just a few months before I finally got my diagnosis of Celiac Disease, my mom and I attended the fair, which always falls around her birthday.  We went to the concert that night, which included a hometown boy, Casey Muessigmann who appeared on Season 3 of tv’s The Voice.  Casey is also the son of a high school classmate of mine, which made the show that much more fun.  The headliner was Scotty McCreery, whom my mom and I had enjoyed watching and rooting for on tv’s American Idol.  When we arrived at the fairgrounds, our first stop was at the Tom Thumb Donut kiosk to purchase a couple of bags of the mini donuts to munch on while we walked around the fair.  We purchased two more bags before the show and then after the show we ran into a couple of high school classmates and friends of mine, who told us that the kiosk was actually still open.  So, we purchased two more bags before heading to our hotel room.  Neither of us have over-indulged like that before, but when I got my Celiac diagnosis a few months later and realized that was the last time I would ever be able to enjoy one of my favorite treats I didn’t feel so bad about that particular over-indulgence.  We stopped by the fair the next day before heading home and split a large funnel cake with whipped cream and strawberries.

For nearly 6 years I thought that I would never get to experience either of these special treats again.  Then I found a gluten free funnel cake mix made by Heartland Gourmet.  This is a local company based out of Lincoln, NE that offers a variety of mixes, including organic mixes and gluten free mixes.  And I LOVE to support and promote local companies that do gluten free right!  To start out, let me tell you that this is not a sponsored review.  These are products that I have purchased with my own money, so I didn’t receive any free product or any other compensation in exchange for my review, though I have done that in the past and probably will again in the future.  This, however, is not sponsored content. 

I have used many of the Heartland Gourmet mixes, including their cornbread, red velvet and

carrot cake mixes.  None of them have disappointed, so I assumed that my experience with the funnel cake mix would be the same.  The mix couldn’t be any easier to prepare.  All you need to add to it is 2 cups of water.  Heat 2 cups of canola oil in a deep pan, I used a pasta pot that I had to prevent splattering and it worked just fine.  Now, I have never made funnel cake before, so mine didn’t turn out pretty.  The only funnel I had on hand was too small to be useful and the pastry bag I had was an inexpensive one that didn’t work out very well, either, so I did a makeshift “funnel” and put the batter in a plastic sandwich bag and cut a hole in one corner to squeeze it out into the oil.  I didn’t do a very good job with shaping it, but in my defense, again, this was my first time.  The entire process, though messy because I didn’t have the right tools, was easy and fun.  My mom was there helping me with it because she loves funnel cake and, though she doesn’t have Celiac Disease and isn’t gluten free, she enjoys trying my gluten free cooking and baking.  And, I wanted to have the opinion of someone who doesn’t have to be gluten free, as well as my own.  

The texture and flavor of the funnel cake was just how I remembered regular funnel cake tasting like.  It was light and just the right amount of doughy in the center.  I think you could even use this batter to make mini donuts and they would not disappoint, either!  My non-gluten free mom and hubby both liked it.  My mom said she thought it tasted even better than funnel cake at the fair!  My husband, Dave, had never had funnel cake before.  Really!  I know - shocking, right?!  He tried it and asked if there was more, which is a very good sign!

Heartland Gourmet is a family operated business in Lincoln, Nebraska.  As stated before, they offer many mix options, including organic mixes and gluten free mixes.  According to their website, they’ve also just teamed up with Gluten Free Mama and have added her line of gluten free products to their company.  I’ve used many Gluten Free Mama products in the past few years, as well and can speak to the high quality of those products. 

If you are in the Sioux City, Iowa area, the Hy Vee on Gordon Drive sells Heartland Gourmet gluten free mixes in their Health Market section.  The mix prices are comparable to other gluten free mixes also sold there and the quality of these mixes is worth every penny.  I dare anyone, gluten free or not, to be able to taste the difference between the Heartland Gourmet gluten free products and their non-gluten free counterparts.  If you can’t find their mixes in a grocery store near you, you can order directly from their website here.

Until next week, happy baking!