REVIEW – Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free Cookies And Pasta

We'd love it if you shared it!

Recently I was invited to a product launch from Simply Shari’s. As my son has Celiac Disease and requires a gluten-free diet I was most interested in learning about the brand and the products.  I wasn’t able to attend, unfortunately, but the nice folks at Simply Shari’s were kind enough to send me a sampling of their products.

ABOUT SIMPLY SHARI’S

Simply Shari’s Gluten Free + Fabulous is a premier provider of wheat free, gluten free and GMO free food products that are well balanced, nutritional, and delicious. Simply Shari’s is also in the forefront of educating the public about gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease through a network of expert resources, recipes, ideas and helpful advice.

Simply Shari’s – Gluten Free & Fabulous was originally founded in December 2005 under the name, Gluten Free & Fabulous, LLC., by Shari Cole and her father, Larry Schneider. Like many Gluten-Free entrepreneurs, Shari and her father started the company from a personal understanding of the benefits of living a gluten-free lifestyle. They also recognized that the marketplace was not filling the needs of the celiac and gluten intolerant community – providing gluten-free foods that tasted fabulous. Shari’s daughter was diagnosed with autism at two years old, as well as displayed rashes and other symptoms that had multiple doctors baffled. Her Father, Larry Schneider, who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in his 60’s, recommended putting her on a gluten-free diet. Almost immediately, most of Shari’s daughter’s symptoms were relieved.

Unfortunately, gluten-free products on the market were dreadful, making it hard to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. So, Shari and her father bought some gluten-free flour, and began experimenting with different recipes. Out of these efforts came food that entire families can enjoy – pastas, pizzas, and cookies. In the end, with two major ingredients for success; the personal impact that food intolerances has played in their lives and a passion for great tasting food, what is now known as Simply Shari’s – Gluten Free + Fabulous was born.

MY THOUGHTS

Gluten-free is one of the most undiagnosed medical conditions there is, according to my son’s gastroenterologist. People are becoming more and more aware of the condition, which is caused by the gluten found in all forms of wheat, barley, rye and oats. It can be a tough diet for anyone, but especially a child that doesn’t understand and just wants to eat foods like what everyone else is eating. For many children, favorite foods include things like cookies, mac & cheese and pasta. In the package I received from Simply Shari’s were samples of five types of Simply Shari’s cookies, as well as Macaroni & Cheese and Quinoa & Marinara.

All Simply Shari’s products are wheat free, gluten-free and GMO free and manufactured in the USA in a dedicated gluten-free plant. The baked goods are Kosher Certified. The cookies we received included Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Chip, Shortbread, Almond Shortbread and new Lemon Shortbread. Until now we’d not had many varieties of prepackaged gluten-free cookies, because while the gluten-free market is growing it’s by no means huge. Typically we get chocolate chip cookies, my son’s (and lots of other kids’) favorite. The Simply Shari’s chocolate chip cookies were delicious and my son’s favorite. I myself found them all to be tasty but especially enjoyed the Shortbread. I appreciated that the cookies come in a  resealable bag. The texture wasn’t nearly as grainy as some of the gluten-free cookies that we’ve had. The cookies were closer in taste and texture to mainstream cookies then others we’ve tried, which was a pleasant surprise. We’d not had quinoa pasta before and I have to say it’s pretty tasty for gluten-free pasta, much better than lots of the others on the market that we’ve tried that cook up to be sticky and awful tasting. We were pleased with both the texture and the taste. I prepared it with red sauce and CJ gobbled it right up and immediately asked for more. It’d be super easy to add a meat to this and make a few nights meals to put in the freezer.

We enjoyed the taste of the Simply Shari’s products that we tried, all of which come in attractive packaging. Simply Shari’s also makes pizza, which we didn’t try. I really hope that Simply Shari’s comes to a grocery store in our area so we can buy some more. If you need gluten-free pastas and snacks, I highly recommend Simply Shari’s.

Simply Shari’s products are available at select grocery stores nationwide including Fry’s, Giant, Giant Eagle, Jewel and Kroger, as well as specialty stores and markets as well. To find the store nearest you try the Simply Shari’s product locator.

MORE INFO

Simply Shari’s on Facebook

Simply Shari’s on Twitter

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.