Recently I was approached to review UDI’s gluten free baked products. While my family and I do not follow a gluten free diet, my good friend (and talented child photographer) Tammy and her family does. I know they are always looking for new tasty gluten-free recipes and foods so I offered them the chance to review these products.

Here are their thoughts– and Tammy’s amazing photography. Just look at how pretty these bagels and muffins look! 

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I’ve been eating Gluten and Dairy free for about 2 1/2 years. I did this because my son was diagnosed with allergies to Wheat Gluten and dairy, and I wanted him to feel like he wasn’t alone while doing this challenging diet.

The products arrived beautifully packaged in a nice colorful box with a handle for easy carrying.

 I enjoyed the list of witty ways to recycle the box conveniently printed on the back.

I’m using mind for a 2012 receipt box!

The 1st item I was anxious to try was the whole grain bread. Gluten free bread is notorious for being kind of dry and crumbly. When I took out the bread it felt softer than most gluten free breads that I’ve tried. GOOD SIGN! Even better, was it had a great flavor to it. The texture of the bread is similar to a fresh piece of rye bread. I enjoyed making my favorite sandwich and French toast with it.

Udi’s Blueberry Muffins certainly did not lack in the blueberry department. The muffins had a nice taste but were slightly dry. I found that 15 seconds in the microwave or toasting them made a big difference.  Their blueberry muffin made a perfect companion to my morning coffee!

Udi’s Cinnamin and raisin bagels were definitely a big hit. These generous sized bagels toasted up nicely and were packed with raisins.

Next up was the pizza crust. It’s a 9” thin crust, similar to a thin slice of NY pizza. I made a pie that consisted of the crust, sauce and meatballs. Since I don’t eat dairy, I skipped the cheese. Udi’s Pizza crust had overall great flavor and texture, and the 9” size made for a perfect personal size pizza!

And finally– the snicker doodle cookies… yes, I saved the best for last.

Udi’s Snicker Doodle cookies ROCK.  Not many Gluten Free companies out there can boast of having SOFT and CHEWY GF cookies! With just a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar, these cookies had me swooning.

Overall I really enjoyed the Udi’s products. The most important factor is that they all tasted good and the texture was very close to the products I used to eat that contained gluten. I would definitely recommend their products to anyone with allergies to wheat gluten.

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You can find UDI’s baked products at Stop & Shop, Wegmans and Whole Foods as well as various other grocery stores.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. UDI sent the package of baked goods which I shared with the family reviewing the products. All thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.

6 years of parenting and I have never left my kids with a sitter who was not either family or practically family.

This is mind blowing to many Moms I know– especially my work-at-home Mom-friends. And understandably so.

I don’t know how I’ve done it this long.  It’s a tough spot to be in when you are running a business and occasionally need to take meetings outside the home. Sometimes family is just not available. They have jobs, commitments of their own. So whenever I have to go somewhere it is stressful– not to mention frustrating because my husband never has to worry about this when he has to do something for business. As a work-at-home Mother, getting coverage during the week or hiring help is primarily on my plate.

But it’s not just business. It’s date nights too! Sometimes we’d love to just go out for dinner and a movie– or just dinner! And while we have family we can easily ask on the weekends, we end up playing the “When was the last time we asked them to sit?” game because we don’t want to become “those” parents who are constantly asking grandparents and family members to babysit.

Launching Mom has received a tremendous amount of support and I am SO proud to say that on Day 2- we have nearly 100 members!! A BIG *BIG* thank you to all of you who have become a member of the Launching Mom Revolution!

And then  just when I thought it couldn’t get any more exciting– remember that “National Weigh-In Day” event I attended earlier this month?  Well today I received an email telling me that a Special K commercial has gone live– and I am in it!!

It’s not national TV, just Facebook – but really, who watches TV anymore? And I had to sign all these SAG papers. So in my head I am practically a celeb. But please, I beg you– just treat me like a regular person when you see me out in public because I really am just Cori-from-the-block. Fame does not get to my head.

Click here to see the commercial.

I am off to make sure my kids have separated my Skittles properly.

xo

Since launching ComplicatedMama just  2 months after my daughter was born in 2008, I have had the fortunate opportunity to merge my love for blogging and networking with my professional experience, creating my consulting business, Complicated Media. Its an opportunity that both my family and I are grateful for every day, because it allows for flexibility I could not have had working anywhere else. The husband and I don’t have to toss a coin to see who’s calling out when the kids have sick days (of which we have had many lately!) and every day at any given time I can stop work and step into their playroom to witness  their hilarious imagination.

Crazy to think that just 10 years ago, Moms only wished they could land a job working from home and today Mom’s are creating their own opportunities– isn’t it?

Yes, it’s true that running your own business has a constant learning curve and working from home is not always quite as cushy as it sounds. But as I juggle playdates with conference calls and dinner planning (and yes, sometimes breakfast for dinner- *is* a “plan”) I am reminded that although we still don’t have that mythical balance thing figured out- we sure are redefining it. And *that* is empowering to not only Moms but to the children who get to “go to work” with their parents and be part of it every day.

From graphic designers to authors, marketers to photographers and everything in between- today Moms are able to set up offices in our homes with our families.

And so today I’m beyond excited to share with you a new project I am working with the talented Heather Reinhard of ThetaMom who like myself  has also launched her business Theta Mom Media through social media.

If I had a voice right now I’d Squeee with excitement.

Launching Mom is a revolutionary concept that is supportive of Digital Moms and women in business who are dedicated to :

• Following their passion
• Venturing into newfound careers
• Launching their own start-up companies
• Seeking to ignite enthusiasm back into an already existing business or concept
• Generating new ideas for entrepreneurial endeavors

Online the community site will have forums, resources and some fun featured content for Mom-trepenuers.

Offline we will be holding in-person Business Socials that will not only provide networking opportunities but tools for Digital Moms looking to take their business to the next level.

We are thrilled to announce that Rutgers University will sponsoring our very first Business Social Event,  which will be held at their campus on June 8th 2012.

More details on the Launching Mom mission, community and event can be found on the official website.

Whether you are a Digital Mom in business or considering starting up a business, I hope you will take the chance to check it out … and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook too! ;)

As many of you know I kind of have a thing for John Mayer and Photoshop. I can’t help it. Somehow his dating history just always makes for the best blog fodder.

But this time is different.

This time John Mayer and my mad photoshopsillz are brought together by something completely out of left field.

Yes. It’s true. John Mayer visited my playroom. Get the scoop over on The Big Toy Book Blog.