Popcorn, Indiana FIT Review

A few weeks ago I was sent free samples of the new Popcorn, Indiana FIT, "a new line of better-for-you" popcorn. Popcorn isn't my usual go-to snack, but I was eager to try these new low-fat and low-calorie snacks which are certified gluten-free.

I was sent all four of the new flavors, but only taste-tested three of the four. My favorite flavor was the Parmesan & Herb. The flavor was good without being overpowering and it was a nice snack for any time of the day. I found the Extra Virgin Olive Oil to have a weird aftertaste which turned me off. Sea Salt tasted just like "normal" popcorn to me so I managed to polish off the entire bag in about two days.

For those of you pre-popped popcorn fans, I would suggest trying this new snack from Popcorn, Indiana. The flavors are light and at only 40 calories or less and 2g of fat per cup, it is a good gluten-free snack. Enjoy!

Popcorn, Indiana Debuts New Snack Line That’s FIT for All!

Category Leader Introduces Tasty New Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Ready-to-Eat Popcorn

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. – January 3, 2013 – Popcorn, Indiana^®, innovator of all-natural popcorn  snacks, today announced the debut of Popcorn, Indiana FIT^tm, a new line of better-for-you popcorn that will be available nationwide beginning in January 2013. Boasting amazing taste, crispy crunch, only 40 calories or less and just 2 g of fat per cup, FIT is ideal for those who are looking to snack smarter (not just skinnier) and don’t want to sacrifice on flavor.

“As people who eat, sleep and breathe popcorn, we pride ourselves in continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to the kernel. Our popcorn chefs worked hard to perfect the pop when developing each of our delicious FIT flavors that are perfect for any occasion,” said Hitesh Hajarnavis, president and CEO of Popcorn, Indiana. “With this new line, snackers can have it all. With every delectable bite, FIT features a fresh and savory taste that puts the fun back into guilt-free snacking.  There is no need to make any compromises.”

Popcorn, Indiana’s chefs, masters in the art of creating delicious high-quality snacks, crafted FIT in four mouth-watering flavors: Sea Salt, Parmesan & Herb, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Onion Dijon.  Two of the flavors, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt, will carry the Non-GMO Project Verified seal.  As with all Popcorn, Indiana products, FIT contains whole grains, is certified Gluten Free by the GFCO and is free of artificial flavoring and preservatives.

Popcorn, Indiana FIT popcorn will be available at leading retailers nationally.  To find a store near you, visit the Popcorn, Indiana website at www.popcornindiana.com.

You're Delicious, Angie's Kettle Corn

I was introduced to Angie's Kettle Corn by Allergic Girl when we went out to lunch in January. She raved about their allergen-free product at lunch and connected me with Angie's Artisan Treats.

A few weeks ago, I received a box of Angie's Kettle Corn and I dove right in. This stuff is absolutely addictive. The bag has 7 servings, I ate the whole thing in about three. Probably not the best idea when I am trying to get ready for a vacation, but I really couldn't stop eating it. The Kettle Corn is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The kernels are big which is really appealing to me; no picking out itty-bitty pieces. Allergic Girl was right, this popcorn is awesome!

In addition to being delicious, "Angie's Kettle Corn is certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization and is produced in an allergen-free environment. Ingredients used in the production of all [their] kettle corn products are free all of the regulated food allergens. [They] do not allow nuts of any kind in our production facility." Angie's Kettle Corn is made with only four all natural ingredients: Popcorn, Corn Oil, Cane Sugar, and Sea Salt. Simple, yet flavorful; it doesn't get better than that.

Angie's Kettle Corn is really delicious and I highly recommend it. This would be a great addition to your Super Bowl spread this weekend. The popcorn is available nationally at stores like Target, Costco and Whole Foods. You can use their website to find out exactly where in your state you can find Angie's products.

ENJOY!

http://www.angieskettlecorn.com
http://www.facebook.com/angieskettlecorn

Making Celiac Awareness Pop

Gluten-free Popcorn Company Spreads Education as It Builds Sales
Posted by Karen Egolf on 07.23.10

What started as a food craving is now fueling a startup business that's not just selling gluten-free popcorn, it's working to raise awareness of an often-undiagnosed illness—celiac disease—with an eye toward achieving a cure.

L&J Popcorn offers gluten-free popcorn in three flavors—kettle, caramel and cheddar—in bags or tins. It's available online and through some Chicago-area food stores.

Debbie Gordon, chief popcorn officer and founder of the Northbrook, Ill.-based company, says she initially wanted to create the business because her daughter, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2002, was frustrated at not being able to find popcorn that was certified as gluten-free. "She's a huge fan of specialty popcorn," Gordon says. "She wanted people with celiac to be able to buy popcorn with confidence."

At the same time, L&J is working to raise awareness of celiac disease as well as funds to help find a cure. It donates a portion of its profits to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, which Gordon says is the premier center for celiac disease treatment, education and research. Its mission is to raise awareness to increase diagnosis rates nationwide. "What we proposed to do is to always donate a portion of our profits to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center," Gordon says.
Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disease that affects one in 133 people—or more than 3 million Americans. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the disease affects the digestive process of the small intestine and is triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Left untreated, celiac can lead to other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes and other problems.

Yet, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, of the 3 million Americans with celiac disease, 97% are undiagnosed. In fact, in a 2003 multicenter prevalence study, 60% of children and 41% of adults diagnosed during the study had no symptoms.

Another problem, Gordon says, is that gluten is in many foods that most people don't think contain wheat or other grains. To ensure that L&G Popcorn is gluten-free, Gordon had it tested by a food analysis company and now does ongoing batch tests to ensure its continuing quality. "Gluten is hidden in a lot of things," she says. "Soy is OK, but soy sauce has wheat in it. But once you get into the hang of it, the diet is not difficult to follow."

As part of its awareness-raising effort, L&J is hosting a fundraiser on July 29 for the Celiac Disease Center at Pinstripes restaurant in Northbrook, Ill., with bocce, bowling and gluten-free appetizers and desserts. The event, which will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., costs $50 per ticket with all proceeds going to the center.

Gordon, who got some marketing help from her father, Joe Rabin, and sister, Michelle Elster, of Rabin Research Co., Chicago—both former presidents of the American Marketing Association—says she became interested in the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center after her daughter was diagnosed with celiac. "The thing about the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center is they have this care-package program," she says. "Anyone who's biopsy-diagnosed with celiac disease anywhere, not just the U. of C., is eligible to get this package.

"It's really the first line of defense for people who are diagnosed," Gordon says. "You're so lost—you have no idea what to eat. And there on your doorstep is this beautiful care package with food and information to help you out."

So far, she says, L&J is meeting its initial goals of sales and awareness. "It's going well. We've had a nice start," Gordon says. "We're selling gluten-free popcorn, and we're supporting the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, too."

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