Posts tagged “dessert”

Natural sweeteners are a common alternative to refined sugar, like white sugar. These are simply food products that are sweetened naturally when it is harvested and undergoes very minimal processing. Several can compare to white cane sugar nicely because they evoke a similar sweetness. Many people choose to opt for natural sweeteners because consuming too much added sugar can lead to increased blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, and more, according to Harvard Heart Health.

Natural Sweeteners

You might be familiar with some natural sweeteners, like stevia, honey, and maple syrup. But have you ever used date syrup, coconut sugar, or monk fruit? Natural sweeteners are an easy way to sweeten a dish without the use of white granulated cane sugar. 

Most people are generally aware of the downsides of using regular sugar. Added sugars like liquid sweeteners, corn syrups and sugar syrups are likely to raise blood sugar and lead to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. That’s why natural sweeteners are a helpful alternative. For more information on how refined sugar impacts your body and health, check out this page by Science Direct explaining the science of it all.

Some sweeteners may appear to be natural, like maple syrup and honey. But they are sometimes modified with additions like corn syrup, which is refined sugar. Next time, be sure to read labels carefully and look out for ingredients that you’d rather avoid.

Pure Maple Syrup 

Pure maple syrup is a go-to natural sweetener in many kitchens. That’s because it’s easily accessible, affordable, and familiar to many people. Just be sure to read the ingredients to ensure it’s pure maple syrup without any additions like corn syrup. In addition to a few other varieties, try one of these pure maple syrups at Tacoma Boys:

• Field Day Organic Maple Syrup
• Coombs Family Farms Organic Maple Syrup
• Stonewall Kitchen Maine Maple Syrup
• Natural Value Organic Maple Syrup

Honey

Believe it or not, all honeys are not created equally! Like maple syrup, some cheap honeys may have been altered with sugar syrup or corn syrup. It’s important to read the ingredients and other labels to make sure you’re getting the right honey for you, like one of these at Tacoma Boys:

• GloryBee Honey
• Bandi Foods Raw Honey
• Oregon Growers Blackberry Honey
• Marie’s Honey Oxymel

Dates and Other Fruit 

Dates are a great alternative to refined sugar because they are naturally sweet with subtle flavor. Any fruit is nicely sweet and can be used as a sweetener. But dates are common because they are generally sold dried and don’t taste too strong in any way. Plus, blending dates can result in a nice, thick, caramel-like substance that is easy to use in place of sugar-loaded caramel. Try these date products and fruit at Tacoma Boys:

• Joolies Organic Date Syrup
• Date Lady Date Sugar
• Delreal Organic Coconut Date Rolls 
• Remlinger Farms Frozen Fruit (berries, apples, peaches)

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is often used as an alternative to white sugar. Think of it as a sweetener to coffee, replacement to brown sugar, or in baked goods. You can use it at about a 1:1 ratio to white cane sugar. You can find these coconut sugars at Tacoma Boys:

• Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Sugar
• Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar
• GloryBee Organic Coconut Sugar
• Big Tree Organic Brown Coconut Sugar

Sugar Substitutes

Other sugar substitutes can include:

• Monk fruit: Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener and Lakanto Simple Syrup. Monk fruit is a fruit native to Asia that is incredibly sweet when ripe and has no calories.
• Stevia: SweetLeaf Stevia Syrup. The well-known sugar substitute comes from the leaves of the stevia plant and is significantly sweeter than white cane sugar.
• Erythritol: Swerve Sugar Replacement. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is calorie free and measures just like sugar. 

Sugar Alternatives 

Some people are not sure how to use sugar alternatives instead of white sugar. It’s not much different sometimes. But other sugar alternatives don’t quite work the same way, and have to be adjusted. Research whatever kind you’re using to understand how it works as an alternative to white cane sugar. In general, try using your sugar alternatives in:

• Coffee and tea
• Baking
• Oatmeal
• Jams and jellies
• Sauces, dressings, and marinades
• Smoothies, cocktails, and other drinks

Cooking With Natural Sweeteners

Baking and cooking with natural sweeteners is not much different than white sugar. Most natural sweeteners can’t be used as an equal replacement to white sugar. But it comes quite close! For example, some people recommend using maple syrup instead of sugar in a 0.75:1 ratio in baked goods. That means that for every 1 cup of sugar used in a recipe, you should use ¾ cup of pure maple syrup. To get an idea of how to go about cooking with natural sweeteners, check out these refined sugar free recipes:

• Tacoma Boys’ own Overnight Oats Parfaits.
• Honey Shallot Vinaigrette by The Peppermill with honey.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies by No Sweat Vegan with coconut sugar and maple syrup.

Refined Sugar Free Treats at Tacoma Boys

Find these refined sugar free goods, plus much more, at your local Tacoma Boys market:

• Keto and Co Chocolate Keto Cake Mix: This cake mix and other mixes by this brand include sugar alternatives like monk fruit.
• Eating Evolved Chocolate Bars and Keto Cups.
• Lily’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Swing by Tacoma Boys for a selection of natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, monk fruit, dates, and more. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Love the idea of a quaint picnic in the shade on a breezy summer day, but not sure how to make that dream a reality? Here’s a handy how-to guide to give you great ideas and help you navigate the do’s and don’ts of your perfect summer picnic!

For us, picnics come with the mental picture of a slow, warm summer day full of happy moments with loved ones spent on a red and white checkered blanket eating a delicious four course meal. What you don’t see are all the thoughtful preparations it took to get to that mental image, let alone a how-to guide for achieving it. So how do you keep your picnic from devolving into a puddle of unmet expectations? Let us help! While reality might never live up to the idealistic version in your head, picnics can be a blast! All it takes is little planning. We at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have compiled a simple list of tips and tricks to help make your summer picnic absolutely perfect. Or at least not a total disaster.

How to Make Your Summer Picnic (Almost) Perfect

1. Lower Your Expectations

This is the easiest and probably the most important step! Sometimes we miss the best moments in life because we’re too busy looking for “perfect.” Our suggestion? Let it go, and have some fun. Keeping your expectations loose and low will guarantee you have a great time, even if your blanket isn’t checkered (or is actually two towels you had in the car because you forgot the blanket), the ants move in, or the weather is terrible. If the point of the picnic is quality time and making memories with the people you love, a little rain won’t hurt (it could actually help!)

2. Keep It Simple

Speaking of reasonable expectations, it’s good to keep in mind there can be some complications when it comes to eating outdoors. Especially when you have to carry the meal TO the outdoors. Because of this, a picnic is not the time to overreach with your choice of fare. Your best bet is to keep it simple with the classics. At a loss? We have some ideas you can try:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

When was the last time you had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? No time like the present to give that blast from the past a try! But classic doesn’t mean boring. Quality ingredients will take your meal from thrown-together to alfresco gourmet. Consider checking out Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce’s vast array of local jellies and natural peanut butters for ideas. We recommend Maury Island Farms Red Raspberry Jam and Wild Friend’s Classic Creamy Peanut Butter (or Sunflower Butter if you’re working around a peanut allergy). Bonus: Wild Friend’s is female founded and based in the PNW! You’ll love biting into this childhood favorite with grown-up ingredients.

Charcuterie “Board”

When packing a picnic, it’s probably best to leave behind the actual board, but the idea is the same. Meat and cheese and crackers in any combination are perfect for picnics! Just slice, cube, and cut everything into bite sized pieces back at the house to save you from the struggle once it’s chow time. Then, toss everything in a reusable container and you’re on your way! Feel free to check out our cheese selection for new favorites, but you can’t go wrong with Beecher’s Flagship Cheese. And have you tried Hellenic Farms’ Fig Salami? Completely vegan, their Pistachio Pepper flavor is a must have for your perfect summer picnic. Additionally, Delreal Organic Medjool Dates from our produce are a great no-mess option for your picnic charcuterie. Pack some toothpicks and let everyone make their own mini kebabs!

3. Make sure it travels well.

There’s nothing quite so disappointing as opening your picnic basket to discover a mashed and mangled mess. To avoid this, be sure to include foods that can be packed easily into locking containers or that won’t be ruined if they get a little jostled. We recommend this recipe for Chicken Pesto Pasta by Damn Delicious. Just be sure to secure the tupperware lid! Or, make a dish sturdy enough to handle the ride in a Ziploc bag. For example, these Ham and Cheese Sandwiches with a gourmet twist from Delish. Again, quality ingredients are everything. For this recipe, in lieu of making your own honey mustard, try AJ’s All Natural Walla Walla Sweet Onion Mustard from our condiment section! AJ’s is local, and they source the majority of their ingredients right here in Washington state. And add Tacoma Boy’s Sweet Pickle Chips rather than plain old dill pickle slices. You can’t go wrong with either the Chicken Pesto Pasta or the Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. Both will look as great coming out of the basket as they did going in!

4. Have a little something on the side.

Now that you’ve figured out the main fare, it’s time to pack the bonuses! This is like stockings after the big presents are unwrapped. So, make it good! The easiest choice is fresh fruit. Peruse our produce aisle for the freshest fruit in the PNW. Look for great deals on local Rainier Cherries (Can you think of a more quintessential picnic food?) or our sweet and juicy plums (in season right now, and so delicious).  For another great healthy side option, try this recipe for Avocado Tomato Salad. Tacoma Boy’s Corn Relish would go great in this scrumptious side dish! Again, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just make it something you’ll be excited to pull out of your basket. 

5. Don’t forget dessert!

Nothing will make your perfect summer picnic complete like topping it off with a little something sweet! For a less messy take on strawberry shortcake, grab a Strawberry Log from Magic Flavors (a small business in Kent, Wa) from our refrigerated section. Enjoy as is, or top with additional strawberries and/or whipped cream. For a gluten-free homemade option, try Bob’s Red Mill Brownie Mix in our GF section. Or simply grab a package of Olivia Superfree Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes–also gluten free, and vegan! As you’re savoring the last morsels of your dessert, don’t be surprised if you find yourself in a moment that feels as good as you imagined it would. 

All In One Basket at Tacoma Boys

We’re confident your perfect (ish) summer picnic is just around the corner, and we would love to be part of it! You’ll find everything you know you need (and probably a few pleasant surprises) at your local Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce. From the basics to those specialty items that will keep your picnic fresh and unique, we’ve got you covered. Stop by today and fill your basket with high quality local products to make your summer picnic absolutely almost perfect!

Do your dietary restrictions always make you feel like you’re missing out? Have no fear! Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce’s wide selection of certified gluten free foods will have you packing snacks that’ll make your friends jealous, for a change.

According to a recent study, the number of people choosing to avoid gluten in their diets has tripled since 2009. People making this choice include those with a severe gluten allergy and those who report they simply feel better without it. Nevertheless, if you find yourself on a gluten free journey, we’re sure you’ve already noticed: it’s a tough trail to trek down. Going gluten free in a wheat filled world is not for the faint of heart, and it can be hard to find foods that fit into your diet, let alone ones that are actually tasty. We have good news! Our gluten free aisle is packed with a huge selection of certified GF brands and products, so you’re sure to find a snack or two to love! Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.

Tacoma Boys Guide to Going Gluten Free

Wake Up to a World of Gluten Free Breakfast

Breakfast is a veritable minefield of flour-packed foods–cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and waffles…the list goes on. While this may make most people’s mouths water, it can leave those seeking a gluten free life in a lurch longing for something tasty of their own. Luckily, we have just the things you need to start your day off right and keep living free. 

Van’s Waffles

Wake up to waffles with this buttery, syrupy childhood favorite. Out of the box, into the toaster and onto your plate, you’ll love being a kid again. With flavors like Ancient Grains, Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry, Van’s Waffles are a gluten free favorite the whole family will love. 

Geefree’s Breakfast Pockets

Think Hot Pockets, but without the gluten. You’ll find these sausage, egg & cheese filled packets of lava hot deliciousness in our GF freezer section. All the fast, easy convenience of a microwave breakfast with none of the gluten. 

Purely Elizabeth Nut Butter Granola

A snack perfect for on the go, hiking with a friend, or in a bowl with milk, Purely Elizabeth’s certified GF Nut Butter Granola is the way to go. We carry both original and maple almond butter flavors. Layer with fruit and yogurt for a healthy GF breakfast to fuel your day. 

Sweet Treats Without the Wheat

Tired of the endless effort it takes to prepare gluten free desserts for yourself or a GF loved one? Constantly monitoring ingredients and nutrition labels is no simple task. So we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite GF desserts to make your life a bit easier and to help you live free. 

Munk Pack Protein Cookies 

These cookies are packed with 16 grams of plant based protein, without soy, egg, dairy or gluten. With flavor options like Coconut White Chip Macadamia Nut, Snickerdoodle, Double Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin Spice, you’ll be sure to find your new favorite pre-workout snack. 

PNW Cookies

PNW Cookie Company makes gluten free, soy free and vegan cookies right here in the PNW! Choose from Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, Molasses, Oatmeal & Raisin, Peanut Butter, and Snickerdoodle and feel great about supporting local business. 

Olivia Superfree

Olivia Superfree is also a local company, based right here in Washington. From dinner rolls to apple pie, they’re experts at creating food that actually tastes good. In addition to being gluten free, they also avoid other common allergens found in most foods. In our freezer section, you’ll find their cupcakes (Double Chocolate and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough), muffins (Blueberry Lemon), fudge brownies, and pie (Dutch Apple and Blackberry), all certified gluten free, all ready to serve at your next summer gathering! 

No Time Like Snack Time

Looking for snacks to grab for your next road trip or movie night? There are times when you just want to kick back with a convenient snack without all the label scanning, and we have you covered with these great GF snack time favorites. 

Bobo’s Oat Bars 

Great for an afternoon snack when you need something to tide you over until dinner, Bobo’s oat bars are a baked oatmeal snack bar that won’t disappoint. They come in flavors like Apple Pie, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Raisin. This snack is great dipped in milk or all by itself.

Milton’s Baked Crackers

A favorite for all, including those in the non-GF world, you won’t believe the satisfying crisp and bold flavor of Milton’s GF Baked Crackers. Try them in Crispy Sea Salt, Fire Roasted Vegetable, Multi-Grain, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, and Everything flavors. Great with cheese and pepper jam! You won’t regret eating these straight out of the bag or adding them to your next charcuterie board. 

Kinnikinnick Graham Crackers and Animal Crackers

For the kid in your life or the kid in your heart, Kinnikinnick has all your childhood favorites. In the mood for smores? Try their S’moreables Graham Style Crackers. Or fill a bowl with their Kinni Kritters Animal Crackers (Vanilla, Chocolate and Graham) and dunk them in a glass of milk for a truly nostalgic moment. 

Get Back Into Baking!

One of the trickiest areas to navigate sans gluten is the baking world. If you’ve been at this a while, maybe you already have a tried and true favorite brand or flour combination. Or maybe you’re new to the GF life and need a good jumping off point. Either way, Tacoma Boys and H&L produce are sure to have what you need. 

Namaste 

Free from the top 8 allergens, you can’t go wrong with Namaste baking mixes. We carry their Waffle & Pancake Mix, Bread & Roll Mix, and Pizza Crust Mix. So instead of starting your next baking project from scratch, make life a little easier with one of Namaste’s baking mixes. 

Bob’s Red Mill

For a bolder approach, you can make it from scratch with Bob’s Red Mill. Whether you need Casava, Amaranthe, Arrowroot Starch, Corn, Teff or Garbanza and Fava Flour, Bob’s Red Mill makes it, and we sell it. Try their brownie, chocolate cake, or chocolate chip cookie mix. Mix, bake, and enjoy!

The Main Course, of Course

And finally, our list wouldn’t be complete without some highlights from our heartier, less sweet dinner options. While dinners can be easier to navigate (since there’s typically a meat and/or veggie component), there are still those sides and convenience dinners you’re bound to miss after some time eating gluten free. Well, we’ve thought of that too. 

Daiya Deluxe Cheezy Mac

Of all the things you have to do without when you go gluten free, macaroni and cheese might be the deepest cut. Lucky for you, Daiya Deluxe Cheesy Mac comes in cheddar and Alfredo flavors. And both are gluten and dairy free. Serve up some Daiya Cheezy Mac as a side at your next get together and enjoy the cheesy goodness you know and love. 

Jovial GF Pastas 

With a wide range of GF pastas, Jovial has what you need. Whether your next Italian dish calls for Farfalle, Fusilli, Caserece, or Manicotti, your food allergy won’t limit you anymore. Keep calm and noodle on. 

Evol Single Serve Bowls

After a long day at work, you don’t want to cook, but you still have to eat. Since the invention of microwave meals, your non-GF counterparts have had the option of reaching for a single serve meal to enjoy in minutes, and now you do too. Evol is committed to putting real food in frozen meals. So your Smoked Gouda Chicken Mac & Cheese, Uncured Bacon Mac & Cheese, or Chicken Enchilada Bake Fire Grilled Steak Microwave Meal will taste the way food is supposed to taste–delicious, real, and real delicious. 

Our Commitment to Helping You Live Gluten Free

So whether you’re a GF pro with all your favorite brands as familiar as the back of your hand, or you’re just looking for some option that have less gluten in them, Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce are your one stop shop for GF foods that are healthy, tasty, and often locally made! Stop by today and browse our gluten free aisle or ask one of our friendly store associates about our many gluten free options and see the many ways we’re committed to helping you live healthy, happy, and free. 

Ketogenics is so popular in the culinary and dietary world, and for good reason. Aside from the science of ketosis, this eating plan challenges you to eat more fat, and cut carbs. So, in essence, you lost the pasta and bread, but you get the bacon and avocados! But there’s more to be enjoyed with keto than a simple two-item menu, and Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have everything you need.

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No summer dining experience is complete without a refreshing dessert or two to be shared. So here are some ideas for finishing off that summertime dinner party.
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