What a beautiful overcast day. Somedays it is nice to have a gloomy day with cool weather. Am I preparing for fall, you might ask? Perhaps, but there is this sense of peace and quiet solitude especially when one is by the lake.
We are really blessed to have great friends who have opened their homes to us when we make our trek from Lansing to Holland. It is a good 1.5 hour drive one way and sometimes our rehearsals go until 10pm, so it is not an ideal drive getting back home.
Yes. The time is here when the Holland Chorale comes back in session. Ryan has been in meetings, auditions, and hearings for the new year and I could already sense the excitement! I had my audition, singing one of Dvorak’s pieces from his song cycle called the Biblical Songs. I also had to try out and be placed for a small chamber choir that Ryan directs. It was all pretty fun because as you know, I have not done tons of singing this summer. It has been a pretty busy one. I do have a voice lesson tonight so I am looking forward to that!
Anyway, while we are in Holland we get to stay with friends from the choir and usually we get to stay with a couple that live very near Lake Michigan. Last night we went for a boat ride after dinner. I had had a walk prior to dinner so it was nice and relaxing to putt putt around the lake. Nothing to rough though!
There was some nice wildlife on our way back from our ride too!
Being here has allowed me to relax in the way I should even though I have PLENTY on my mind. I have been working on a to-do list and I have been getting things off my list too! One of smaller things is having my nails done. This morning my friend’s granddaughter was nice enough to paint mine just in time for the opening MSU game on Friday. How fun is that? Thanks Ellie!
So how about this review? I was able to sample some delicious and wonderful goodies by my friend at Gone Pie Bakery. We have met several times and even when she came to visit her family in Michigan. Gone Pie Bakery has been in business in the New York area for over 25 years specializing in vegan and gluten-free baking.
What started as a storefront business quickly evolved to an on-line / wholesale business catering to those with specialized diets. I know for a fact as well that many businesses around the area carry her products too! Gone Pie has also shared recipes on her blog and really keeps her readers updated on seasonal goodies that are being baked in her kitchen.
What did I get to try? Oh my goodness, where do I start? I think I should start with the Ginger Cookies. These are probably the most delicious ginger cookies I have eaten. They melt in your mouth and have a really fresh and natural ginger flavor that no other ginger cookie has been able to deliver. It is soft and very moist and perfect with a cup of tea.
The beauty of this is that the ingredients are shared with the buyer. How great is it to know what you are ordering especially when you know everything is nautral! The best! YUM! Here is a sample of the ingredients:gluten-free flour blend (organic brown rice flour, tapioca flour, potato flour, gafarva four, sorghum flour, organic coconut flour, organic buckwheat flour, organic quinoa flour, organic amaranth flour), organic vegan sugar, organic apple sauce, organic coconut oil, Gone Pie vegan organic crystallized ginger, organic brown rice syrup, organic lemon, organic coconut milk, organic vanilla, spices, n/a baking powder, baking soda, sea salt.
My next favorite were the Vegan and Gluten-free Coconut Brownies. Yes…let’s take a moment to digest this. Imagine the smell and the flavor….ok. Do you have a sense?
This has got to be the moist decadent and moist brownie I have ever eaten. It took me a while to finish the pan because I cherished each bite. There was not a single dry crumble. It is amazing to be able to eat something so delicious and natural that tastes so good but does not leave you wanting or craving more. This I think is a sign of natural baking not lacking in flavor! Here are those ingredients: organic brown sugar, gluten-free flour blend (sorghum flour, organic rice flour, garfava flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, organic buckwheat flour, organic coconut flour), dates, organic coconut milk, gluten-free chocolate chips, chocolate liquor, organic coconut, canola oil, organic tahini, organic unsweetened/non-dairy cocoa powder, organic coconut oil, n/a baking powder, spices.
If you are a coconut lover, these should definitely be your pick, even though the shop has other brownies options to choose from.
My last and most favorite of the three goodies I received were the Vegan Peanut Butter Cups. I used to eat the occasional Reese’s peanut butter cups but I was always left with a lingering sore throat because of all the refined sugar and processed chocolate.
I took my sweet time eating these beauties because not only were they ginormous but they were decadent and satisfying. If I could only make them multiply! Here are the simple ingredients for this gourmet treat: vegan bittersweet chocolate, organic peanut butter, organic agave nectar, organic coconut flour, organic coconut oil
Do you know what is the plus about these treats? You can order them on-line and choose from a slew of other goodies that Gone Pie Bakery offers.
Please consider trying these reviewed products or even ordering some of the seasonal items under Special Treats a pan of their vegan Fruit Bars. Have I tantalized you enough?
Thanks Barbara for having a great business and wonderful products!
