For some reason last night as I went to hit “publish”, I was holding my breath. I’m an avoider, remember? Little did I know the amazing responses I would get from each and every one of you. Your stories, your encouragement, your love were read and appreciated – I probably definitely have the best readers in the entire world.
Just because you all were so kind to me today, I decided to give you a little treat. Okay, you caught me. I was going to give it to you anyways. The holidays are over, everyone’s back in their mid-winter slump, and no one is getting any presents. Boring! Don’t worry friends, I’m coming to the rescue.
Last week, Jessica at Jessica’s Natural Foods gave me the opportunity to try out her granola. I tried to contain myself when I saw my package had arrived, but I just couldn’t. I ripped open the box to find three 12 oz. bags of granola waiting for me to try: Vanilla Maple, Chocolate Chip, and Almond Cherry.
Jessica owns a small company based out of Michigan, my favorite state in the shape of a hand. Her granola is certified gluten free and all natural -no preservatives, no fake ingredients – just what I love and look for in a packaged product.
I could decide which one to try first, so I just did what any normal person would do – I tried them all… maybe in one big handful. But then I realized I couldn’t give a proper review by doing that.
So let’s start with the Vanilla Maple. Have you ever had the Vanilla Granola from Trader Joe’s? I have – and I got sad when I became gluten free… and when I figured out that granola had quite the amount of sugar in it. Lucky for me, Jessica’s Vanilla Maple is even BETTER than Trader Joe’s. It has just the right amount of sweetness and just enough “clusters” to make you squeal whenever you find one (which is very often). The vanilla flavor is more prominent than the maple, but vanilla and maple in the same granola? How can you go wrong?
I cannot believe I went all 23 years of my life without ever eating chocolate chip granola – am I seriously human? I wanted to count how many chocolate chips there were in each spoonful, but then I got impatient and just ate it. You can expect a chocolate chip attached to every piece of granola though. And no, I’m not joking. Jessica’s chocolate chips that she uses are also dairy free (read: amazing) – if you are someone who is highly allergic to dairy though, it is manufactured on the same line as other dairy products. I had no adverse reactions, and if I were to have one, I’d pretend like I didn’t because there is no way I could go the rest of my life without this stuff.
Last but not least, the Almond Cherry granola – and you can see by the photo below that YES there are cherries and YES there are almonds in the granola. This granola is again, sweet, but not overly sweet. It has just the right amount of sweetener to make it delightful. There are almonds in every bite, however, I would have liked to see more cherries. The cherries that are in the granola, though, are huge! It took me about ten seconds to chew one, which is saying a lot.
Jessica’s Granola is a winner in my book. It is so difficult to find gluten free granola on the market that is also corn free (weird, right?). I was thoroughly satisfied with all three of the products, but the vanilla maple won a place in my heart for sure.
In fact, after this intense photo shoot, I actually had to hide the granola from myself. When I say “hide” I really mean put in the pantry instead of the kitchen table where I kept eating it until I ruined my appetite for all meals. Thank you Jessica for letting me try your superb granola!
Oh yeah, I forgot I told you I was going to give you something. One lucky reader will be winning three 12 oz. bags of granola as well: Vanilla Maple, Chocolate Chip, and Almond Cherry. Did I mention this reader will be REALLY lucky? Seriously – jump on this opportunity. To enter this giveaway, you can do one (or all!) of the following:
Edit to add : This giveaway is open to US residents only. I apologize for forgetting to add this originally. When I choose the winner (randomly), I will email that person to make sure he/she lives in the US before announcing it.
1. Leave me a comment telling me which granola you’d like to try the most
2. Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment letting me know you did – @cleaneatingchel is giving away Jessica’s Natural Foods gluten free granola – http://wp.me/p11BDk-11U
3. Link this giveaway back to your blog and leave a comment letting me know you did
4. Subscribe to Clean Eating Chelsey and leave a comment letting me know you did.
This giveaway is open until Thursday, January 13 @ midnight. A winner will be announced Friday. Happy entering!
{ 196 comments… read them below or add one }
The cherry almond sounds de-lish! <3
I’d love to try the vanilla maple!!
Im already subscribed!
Yum! The chocolate chip sounds the best to me — I’m a chocolate girl!!!
I’ve also already subscribed!
vanilla maple!
I’d love to try the vanilla maple! They all sound amazing.
i’m already subscribed to you
I’m already subscribed
I just posted about your giveaway!
vanilla maple sounds DELISH!!
Id LOVE to try the chocolate chip granola! I have a slight obsession with chocolate chips and add them to most every meal
I had my eye on the Maple Vanilla before you even described it!
I subscribed
I’d love to try the vanilla maple!
I’m already a subscriber too.
Def the chocolate chip…yummy chocolate!
I’m already a subscriber
I’d go for vanilla maple- which is surprising considering how big of a chocolate fiend I am… lol
And you know I’m a subscriber.
VANILLA MAPLE!:)
I’m already a subscriber
Tweet tweet!
As much as I am a chocolate chip lover, I’d have to say vanilla maple! But ssh, don’t tell Mr. Chip that.
I’m a sucker for cherries so I think the cherry almond sounds delicious!
I’m also already a subscriber of your awesome blog!
The vanilla maple sounds amazing!!
Umm all of them? Haha I think I’d like vanilla maple the best!!
tweeted atcha
anddd i subscribe to your blog on my reader!
Chocolate Chip would be heaven!
Awesome!
1. I would looove to try the chocolate chip.
2. I am already subscribed.
3. I will link on my blog tomorrow morning!
Chocolate chip! Chocolate chip!
Cherry Almond = YUM!
I subscribe!
They all look yummy, I’d love to try the Vanilla Maple.
Cherry almond sounds goooood!
I’d love to try the Vanilla Maple, but they honestly all sound delicious!
I’ve already subscribed to your blog!
I would LOVE to try the vanilla maple, but they all sound so good! AND how could they not be when made by a fellow Jessica?
I love granola!! I’d want to try the cherry almond flavor.
p.s. I love the Hippocrates quote in your about me section!
I would really like to try the chocolate chip but since you say the vanilla is amazing, I’ll trust you on it.
I also tweeted you!
And I’m already a subscriber!
I would love to try the vanilla maple because I tried to make GF granola yesterday (vanilla cinnamin) and it didnt turn out so great!
your already in my google reader!!
I’m not sure I’d be able to pick a favorite flavor, but if I really HAD to, I guess I would pick the maple vanilla! Yummy!
And I have been one of your subscribers for a while
And I quickly tweeter this delicious giveaway!
Cherry almond sounds delish!
Really hard decision, but I choose Chocolate Chip to cure my sweet tooth
the vanilla maple sounds and looks amazing!!!
and I just subscribed yesterday
The chocolate chip sounds yummy! Maybe it’s because I am about to head to my kitchen to make chocolate chip cookies?
oh yummmmm! I love the stats. Chocolate chip or vanilla maple sound delicious. I bet it would be good in coconut ice cream!
LC
I tweeted the giveaway!
I don’t think I’ve ever really met a granola I don’t love but these look sensational. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever had Chocolate Chip Granola either so this would be my first choice. All of them look fantastic though!
Ooh I want to try the vanilla maple!
Tweeted @the_vegster
I would love to try the chocolate chip flavor!
I’m already subscribed
All three have my tummy growling but I think the Almond Cherry stole my heart!
vanilla maple is my jam! but just like you ive never had chocolate chip granola so im kind of imagining the taste… mmmmm!
tweeted! @katyshotoflife
I’d like to try the chocolate chip- I’ve never had chocolate chip granola either… genius!!!
and I’m already subscribed because I love your blog
This granola looks amazing! Thanks for hosting yet another great giveaway Chelsey
I’d LOOOVE to try both the vanilla maple and the cherry almond. I can’t decide which I’d most like to try!
….aaaand I think I’m subscribed. Is that the same as having you in Google reader?
chocolate chip! I’m a chocoholic and that stuff would be dangerous…would love to try it!
I also posted a link to this giveaway on my latest post!
I’d really like to try the Vanilla Maple the most, but how can I not want to try the Chocolate as well? I love chocolate!
I’d like to try the cherry almond.
Thanks.
The cherry almond.
I also tweeted your comment from my twitter name courtneymaida (and began following you on Twitter! =))
I want to try them all!!! But the vanilla maple would probably be my favorite ; )
Mmmm chocolate chip for sure
Chocoholic is my middle name!
I’ve got to trust you on this one and say I want to try vanilla maple the MOST but I agree..they all sound amazing
Also..I’ve subscribed to ya!
I would love to try the chocolate chip granola….you can’t go wrong when something has chocolate in it
I tweeted!
all of them sound DELICIOUS!
vanilla maple please! yum!
Definitely maple vanilla. Hands down.
oh boy the vanilla maple sounds amazing! that would be my first choice… but the other two would come in a close second.
I also subscribed to your blog last night after another twitter friend shared your post last night. I am looking forward to reading more
I’ve been searching for a gluten free granola that wasn’t just plain!! I would LOVE to try the Vanilla Maple. I’ve missed great granola since having to go gluten free
chocolate chip!!!!
Mm! I would love to try the almond cherry! and i tweeted it!:) and I just subscribed!
Oh, I would love to try the vanilla maple!
But all of them sound delicious! Plus I love the company name 
I would absolutely love to try the chocolate chip granola!
chocolate chip por favor!!
Oooh, I would love to try the chocolate chip! they all sound so good though.
Totally wanna try the vanilla maple!!
You can warm up the granola in some almond milk…might be a break from your oats…or wait…just do all three.
(0:
I love granolas that are simple without funky ingredients! I’d love to try the cherry almond!
tweeted!
I’m a subscriber! Still SO glad to know about your blog now!! <3
wow, I just came to post a comment and tell you that I just found your blog and am officially in LOVE
and I’m adding you to my blogroll. But I didn’t expect to be scrolling down for five minutes to reach the end haha.
But really, your site is great. Can’t wait to read more
Adina
Your review make choosing just ONE so difficult! I’d have to go with maple vanilla though.
Vanilla maple sounds wonderful!!
tweeted!
@squigglemefloey
I want chocolate chip!!
I follow!! (and love it)
I would love to try the Chocolate Chip granola! The Vanilla Maple sounds pretty good too though…
and I subscribed (two days ago) does that still count!? haha
I’m tied between vanilla maple and chocolate chip. Although I’ve never had a chocolate chip granola, so I guess I’d pick that one! Mmh. Great giveaway!!
chocolate chip!!! mmm
i tweeted! wildchildchelz2
i linked back!
i subscribed!
Vanilla Maple, hands down!
The vanilla-maple sounds delish
)
Liz
I subscribed
and I tagged it on my blog!!
choco chip!
tweeted and following you now!
I’d love to try the chocolate chip.
the vanilla maple sounds divine!
Defo a very VERY hard decision between the choc chip and vanilla maple, but I’m gonna go with the vanilla maple granola! x
I would love to try the cherry almond!
I’d love to try the chocolate chip, because we all know chocolate makes everything delicious!
I’d love to try the vanilla maple!
And I’ve subscribed to you too! x
Ahh I wish I lived in this US! This granola looks awesome!
I just subscribed!
I love your blog!
I would try the Almond Cherry. Thanks!
vanilla maple = mmmmmmmm!
Vanilla Maple for sure! Looks like it is definitely a favorite!
I’d love to try the Chocolate Chip! I have never had chocolate chip granola, and being gluten-free, I’m just starting to add granola back to my diet. Would love to try this. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to try the vanilla maple!
I usually rarely ever eat granola due to the fact that it’s hard to find quality, non-junky, great tasting granola around where I live! But I wouldn’t mind me some choco chip granola :0)
I’m a sucker for anything vanilla, so it would be the vanilla maple flavor – but all 3 sound delicious!
Definately the chocolate chip. I too have never had chocolate chip granola, and now you are making me want to see what all the fuss is about!
the chocolate chip granola sounds uh-may-zing.
I would really like to try them all, but chocolate chip wins.
vanilla maple sounds delightful!
mmm vanilla!! silly but i like vanilla because then i can pair it with fruit
you are linked in my sidebar
i subscribe via RSS
Dried cherries rock my socks!
Dried cherries + granola = I died and went to heaven
vanilla maple? oh, yeahhh
I have to pick just ONE flavor?? They all sound amazing, but I think I have to opt for the vanilla maple– unless the chocolate chip one is also soy free in which case, definitely chocolate chip!
yumm- all of them sound delicious. vanilla maple sounds divine though!
All of those sounds ridiculously good but considering my maple addiction I’d definitely have to choose the vanilla maple.
I want to try to cherry almond! YUM!!
I love any and all things chocolate so I would love to try the Chocolate Chip granola.
I would definitely try the chocolate chip… no questions about it!
The vanilla maple looks like a perfect addition to a morning bowl of yogurt!!
Yummy!!! I would love love love to try the chocolate granola. I have never even though about that! Weird I know but wow what a great idea!
I’m a sucker for the classics…Vanilla Maple?…Yes Please!!!
You are the cutest ever!! I just love vanilla so vanilla maple! I have been subscribed for a long time! Hope you are having a great day teaching!
P.S. Your scale post was amazing! I tried to comment on it from my phone but I don’t know if it worked. Just wanted to let you know I think you are absolutely amazing and such an inspiration!
the cherry almond sounds delicious! i’d love to try that!
I really want to try the Vanilla Maple and well, ALL OF THEM! Haha, I can’t believe it’s gluten free, that’s awesome!
hands down, chocolate chip. is that even a question?
The maple vanilla sounds orgasmic!! And trying all three at once… umm, heck yes!
I would have had to do the same exact thing
I would love the chocolate chip!
I’d LOVE to try vanilla maple!
I’d love to try the chocolate chips, never had vegan chocolate chips!!
I’ve also tweeted you and linked your giveaway in my most recent post
Where is Jessica’s granola based out of? I’m also from MI!
i’d love the cherry almond!
Oh its hard to choose-they all sound good! I’m going to go with maple vanilla.
I tweeted. I am @butterjessfly
I would love to try the Chocolate Chip!
Linked!
Vanilla Maple would be amazzing! I can’t imagine a better combo!
I would LOVE to try the vanilla maple! How could you go wrong with that flavor combo?
I actually thought I was already subscribed, but I wasn’t! Oops! Got it now!
I really want the Vanilla Maple and the Chocolate Chip!
Chocolate Chip because I love me some chocolate!!!!
I’ve already subscribed to your blog
And I would LOVE to try any flavor! I’ve been gluten free for my entire life- and only recently have gluten free oats/granolas been on the market! I’d LOVE to try Jessica’s!
Oh, why not. I think I subscribed, but in the event that I didn’t, I would probably most like to try the chocolate chip granola, since I, too, have never partaken in any delicacy of that particular variety!
Plus, how can you go wrong with adding two delicious things like granola and chocolate chips together?
I am already subscribed!
I would love to try all of them! I would say the chocolate chip would probably be my first choice!
I would love to try the almond cherry — I’ve had that flavor in other granolas before and it’s just out of this world!
I tweeted too, Here’s a link: http://twitter.com/Natcatty/status/25220012570583040
I subscribe to Clean Eating Chelsey via RSS feed with google reader already!
I’d love to try the chocolate!!! it would be so yummy over greek yog.
This granola looks so yummy! I’d love to gobble every flavor up, but my 1st choice would be the vanilla maple.
I am subscribed to your blog. I look forward to rading it everyday!
I would love to try the Cherry Almond, but they all sound amazing!
I now subscribe to your very cool blog
Though they all sound amazing I think the chocolate chip with some hot soy milk would be devine and almost help me forget the beauty of pregluten free days
Definitely vanilla maple!!! I am so addicted to maple syrup, I was tempted to drizzle some on my roasted brussels sprouts today. My bottle of maple syrup is now hiding behind a carton of juice. Out of sight, out of mind!!
Chocolate chip, but the vanilla maple sounds reallyyy good too!
definitely the chocolate chip for this self-diagnosed chocoholic
i want to try the maple vanilla–looks scrumptious.
im already subscribed
, love it!
oh and i’m already subscribed… love your blog!!
You just can’t go wrong with vanilla & maple. Of course, I already subscribe to you. Your quirky, witty, funny, touching posts…make my night.
I linked the giveaway to Twitter (KatieLLR)!!
Id like to try the choco chip!
Chocolate Chip…hands down!
i subscribe
I would love to try the chocolate chip!
I subscribed to you!
Normally I’m a chocolate girl, but the Vanilla Maple sounds delicious! I’m gluten-free, so I’m excited to hear about good wheat-free granola!!!
yumm.. all three look great!!! I think I would go for the cherry almond (then I would add some vegan choc chips!!!)
All three sound great, but I really want that choco. chip!!!
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