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Coconut Water by Vita Coco®

Twinkie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:38 +0000

Vita Coco’s an all-natural, super-hydrating, fat-free, cholesterol-free, nutrient-packed, potassium-stacked, mega-electrolyte coconut water!

What is Coconut Water?

Many people seem to get coconut water a little mixed up with coconut milk, but there’s a big difference between the two.

Coconut water comes from inside younger coconuts filled with a clear, electrolyte-rich juice that contains zero fat and zero cholesterol.

Coconut milk is what is produced from grating the coconut meat of older, brown coconuts: a white, rich liquid containing oils and fat, and often used as an ingredient in cooking and baking.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is loaded with potassium (more than two bananas!), which is a great way to keep the body hydrated naturally and prevents cramping.

Coconut water naturally contains more electrolytes than leading sports drinks – without any of the added sugars or processed ingredients. If you would like a refresher on why you need electrolytes, check out my previous article, Electrolytes 101.

Coconut water has no fat, no cholesterol, and low in calories!

Why Vita Coco®?

The reason I love Vita Coco’s coconut water is because they keep it all natural and simple – 100% pure coconut water and Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C). That’s it! Even Vita Coco’s flavored products use only pure and simple ingredients, which is a rare find these days.

Celebrity Buzz

It looks like Vita Coco has become an “it” drink in Hollywood these days. You can easily find pictures of Rihanna, Kristin Cavallari, Dustin Pedroia, Kelly Slater, Ellen Pompeo, and even Madonna drinking the coconut water drink! After reading about the health benefits of coconut water, it’s no wonder that it’s receiving so much buzz these days.

“I love Vita Coco! It’s real coconut water from hand-picked coconuts. It’s delicious and so good for you!” – Rihanna

Rather than consuming electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, I choose to drink coconut water and eat healthy foods that naturally contain electrolytes needed for a healthy body.

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Raspberry Fig Bars by Barbara’s

Twinkie — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:00:39 +0000

If you love fig bars but don’t want to eat all of the added sugars, you should give Raspberry Fig Bars by Barbara’s a try!

Health Benefits of Figs

First, let’s talk about some of the health benefits associated with figs. Figs are full of important nutrients including fiber, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. Figs have been shown to lower triglyceride levels, which helps prevent obesity and heart-related diseases.

Why Barbara’s Fig Bars?

The reason I originally bought Barbara’s Fig Bars is because of the ingredients list at the back of the package. There are only natural fruits and juices to sweeten the fig bars rather than high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and sugar. I checked out the ingredients list of other brands of “all natural” or “organic” fig bars in the health food store, but didn’t end up buying them since they were still full of sugar. Organic sugar is still sugar. I went ahead and tried the Fig Bars by Barbara’s and I have been quite pleased with these yummy fig bars!

Check out the list of ingredients for each company’s fig bars:

Raspberry Fig Bars by Barbara’s

Ingredients: Raspberry fig filling ([fruit juice concentrade (pineapple, pear, apple, and peach), raspberry puree, tapioca starch, apple powder, natural raspberry flavor, vegetable glycerin, locust bean gum, red cabbage (for color)], fig paste, pineapple juice concentrate, natural flavor, citric acid), pineapple juice syrup, whole oat flour, whole brown rice flour, fig paste, whole barley flour, date paste, raisin juice concentrate, soy lecithin, baking soda, salt.

Raspberry Fig Newton’s by Nabisco

Ingredients: High fructose corn syrup, enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B], Riboflavin [vitamin B2], folic acid), sugar, corn syrup, raspberry puree, soybean oil, apple powder, modified corn starch, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, tapioca starch, whey (from milk), natural and artificial flavor, salt, pectin, citric acid, baking soda, soy lecithin (emulsifier), caramel color, sodium benzoate added to preserve freshness, and red 40.

Taste or Health? I Choose Both.

I would have to say that one of the (many) reasons for my website is to convince you of one very important thing: You can still have food that tastes wonderful without sacrificing your health for it.

I encourage you to try the Fig Bars by Barbara’s – I’m sure you’ll love the taste, texture, and even the ingredients on the back of the package. This product is great for a variety of people with specific needs since the Raspberry Fig Bars by Barbara’s is Kosher, dairy free, wheat free (not gluten free), Cholesterol free, low fat, low sodium, 100% natural and Vegan.

I love the Raspberry Fig Bars by Barbara’s – which flavor is your favorite?

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Image Credits: Barbara’s Bakery

Panda Licorice

Twinkie — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:00:34 +0000

I love black licorice, and I’m so happy that I found Panda! It’s the only brand that I am aware of (hopefully not the only one) that makes black licorice that I can eat without the guilt. Other “all natural” licorice that I have found are loaded with corn syrup or other junk.

Panda’s all natural licorice is a great low calorie treat that has no white sugar or artificial ingredients added! The soft texture and delicious taste isn’t anything to complain about either. The only reason someone wouldn’t like this is if they just aren’t fond of black licorice.

Panda has been producing the world’s leading premium quality, soft licorice with real licorice root extract since 1927. Panda Licorice is made from All Natural ingredients. It doesn’t contain fat, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or white sugar. It has the Real Taste of Licorice.

Ingredients:Molasses, wheat flour, licorice extract, natural flavor (aniseed oil).

If you’d like more information, you can check out their website at: PandaLicorice.com

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Creamy Yogurt Dressing by Bolthouse Farms

Twinkie — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:00:38 +0000

Do you sometimes (or all of the time!) have trouble eating your veggies? If you need a little help enjoying your raw veggies so that you actually eat them rather than some greasy chips or french fries, then you have come to the right place!

Bolthouse Farm’s Motto

“At Bolthouse Farms, we believe that the great tasting food should also be good for you. That’s why we were the first to launch an innovative line of dressings with less than 45 calories, crafted with premium yogurt to create a rich, creamy taste in 7 enticing flavors. With at least 75% less fat and 55% fewer calories than other brands, it is a must have for those desiring great taste and a low calorie/low fat combination.” -Bolthouse.com

Creamy Yogurt Dressing: Classic Ranch

I am actually not a big fan of the typical Ranch Dressings that you would find in the grocery store… but this Classic Ranch dressing by Bolthouse is not your typical Ranch Dressing!

The Creamy Yogurt Dressing is full of delicious and fresh flavors that aren’t compromised by preservatives, artificial flavors, MSG, or processed sugars.

Go ahead, read the nutrition label! You won’t be disappointed.

Classic Ranch Creamy Yogurt Dressing Uses

This is a very versatile dressing, where you can use it as a vegetable dip (perhaps my favorite way of enjoying this dressing!), prepare in fresh salads, or even as a marinade!

I found this delicious recipe from Bolthouse.com that I am sure you will enjoy!

• • •

Rice Salad With Veggies

2 cups cooked rice

1/2 cup steamed peas

1-2 cup diced Bolthouse Farms® Whole Carrots

1/2 cup corn

1/8 cup yogurt

1/4 cup Bolthouse Farms® Classic Ranch

Salt & Pepper to taste

Step 1) Steam the diced carrots for 5 minutes.

Step 2) Add peas and corn then steam for an additional 4 minutes.

Step 3) Mix vegetables with rice in large bowl.

Step 4) Add yogurt and Classic Ranch Dressing. Serve and enjoy!

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Unsulfured Apricots by Trader Joe’s

Twinkie — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:00:59 +0000

I love dried apricots….you know, the ones that taste like you made them all by yourself in your handy dandy dehydrator. I don’t like the squishy apricots that have plenty of sulfur added, since it ruins the texture, taste, and everything else I love about dried apricots. Problem is, dried apricots with nothing added are hard to come by.

Fortunately for you and me, Trader Joe’s sells Unsulfured Apricots that are quite delicious and reasonable priced!

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Grapeseed Vegenaise® by Follow Your Heart®

Twinkie — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:00:05 +0000

Looking for a mayonnaise replacement that has real ingredients and actually tastes good? You’re in luck! This year, I discovered Vegenaise®, and I think my search for a healthy mayo replacement has finally paid off!

Grapeseed Vegenaise® Ingredient List

Expeller-Pressed Grapeseed Oil, Filtered Water, Brown Rice Syrup, Apple Cider Vinegar, Non-GMO Soy Protein, Sea Salt, Mustard Flour, Lemon Juice Concentrate.

As you can see, this product is Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free.

Benefits of Grapeseed Vegenaise®

First of all, All Vegenaise® products are made up of real ingredients – no preservatives, like most mayo’s out there. Without preservatives, it makes sense that Vegenaise® is very low in sodium!

I specifically choose the Grapeseed Vegenaise® due to the health benefits of Grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil is much more beneficial than canola oils, and it’s a great source of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, which are needed for normal cell maintenance and metabolism. Another perk is that Grapeseed oil is one of the few natural foods know to raise HDL levels (which is a good thing!). Studies have shown that HDL appears to reduce LDL (the bad cholesterol) by loosening it from the arterial walls and carries it to the liver for elimination.

In Addition to Health…

I appreciate products that are healthy, but I love products that are healthy and delicious! I believe this is one of those products! When I first opened up a jar of Vegenaise®, I noticed that it has a bit of a gray tint to it. I thought that was a little interesting, but it wasn’t noticeable enough to give me second thoughts about trying it out. I used my butter knife to spread it across my bread to make a sandwich, and I noticed it had a very thick and creamy texture – not bad at all! I know a lot of you are now wondering about the taste. I don’t blame you for wondering since we’ve all tried some pretty nasty healthy products out there that just weren’t worth the health benefits (so we think). The taste is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! For the first time, I feel like I am actually eating the mayonnaise that everyone else buys, but of course, my mayo is much, much healthier. Who knew such a healthy product could pull off such a feat?!

For Image Credit and for more information, go to: FollowYourHeart.com

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Nutrition For Dummies vs. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition

Twinkie — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:00:29 +0000

I have found that many people would like to learn more about Nutrition and how to eat healthier, but they just don’t know where to start. I am a huge advocate on becoming self-educated, especially when it comes to Nutrition. You need to know how to take care of yourself!

To help you get started with your Nutrition education, I have reviewed the following two books:

-Nutrition for Dummies (4th Edition) written by Carol Ann Rinzler

-The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition (4th Edition) written by Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

I have provided a complete list of the table of contents, and my review for each book. In the end, you make the call on which book would be right for you. I’ll also give you my opinion about which one I would choose!

Table Of Contents – Nutrition for Dummies

Introduction

Part 1: The Basic Facts About Nutrition

-What’s Nutrition, Anyway?

-Digestion:The 24-Hour Food Factory

-Calories: The Energizers

-How Much Nutrition Do You Need?

-A Supplemental Story

Part 2: What You Get From Food

-Powerful Protein

-The Lowdown on Fat and Cholesterol

-Carbohydrates: A Complex Story

-Alcohol: Another Form Of Grape And Grain

-Vigorous Vitamins

-Mighty Minerals

-Phabulous Phytochemicals

-Water Works

Chaper 3: Healthy Eating

-Why You Eat When You Eat

-Why You Like The Foods You Like

-What Is A Healthful Diet?

-Making Wise Food Choices

-Eating Smart When Eating Out

Part 4: Food Processing

-What Is Food Processing

-Cooking And Nutrition

-What Happens When Food Is Frozen, Canned, Dried, or Zapped

-Better Eating Through Chemistry

Part 5: Food And Medicine

-When Food Gives You Hives

-Food And Mood

-Food And Drug Interactions

-Using Food as Medicine

Part 6: The Part Of Tens

-Ten Nutrition Web Sites

-Ten (Well, Okay, Twelve) Superstar Foods

-Ten Easy Ways to Cut Calories

Pros

Cons

Table Of Contents -The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition

Part 1: Time For A Nutrition Tune-Up

-The Dietary Guidelines

-A Close-Up On Carbohydrates

-The Profile On Protein

-Chewing The Fat

-Don’t As-salt Your Body

-In And Out With Fiber

-Vitamins And Minerals: The “Micro” Guys

-Mighty Minerals: Calcium And Iron

Part 2: Making Savvy Food Choices

-Decoding A Nutrition Label

-Shopping Smart

-Now You’re Cooking

-Restaurant Survival Guide

-Trimming Down The Holidays

Part 3: The ABC’s of Exercise

-The Gym Scene

-Sports Nutrition

-Going That Extra Mile: Fluids And Supplements

Part 4: Beyond The Basics: Nutrition And Special Needs

-Diet And Cancer

-Managing Diabetes

-Don’t Eat Your Heart Out

-Food Allergies And Other Ailments

-Going Vegetarian

-Herbal Remedies And More

Part 5: Pregnancy And Parenting

-Eating Your Way Through Pregnancy

-Exercising Your Way Through Pregnancy

-Feeding The Younger Folks

Part 6: Weight Management 101

-Come On, Knock It Off

-Adding Some Padding

-Understanding Eating Disorders

Appendixes

A. Recipes For Your Health

B. Nutrition And Health Directory

C. Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

D. A Closer Look At The Foods We Eat

SkinnyTwinkie.com’s Review

Both of these books are great. They both go over things in a fairly simple and easy-to-understand way, even including pictures on some of the topics, or a health related comic strip.

If you want basic Nutrition information, “Nutrition For Dummies” by Carol Ann Rinzler is the book for you. She does a great job of going over the basics of Nutrition, which is a great resource in helping others have a better understanding about what they are putting into their body.

I personally have an extra appreciation for “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition” by Joy Bauer. As the title says, it’s “complete”. Not only does it go over basic nutrition that everyone can benefit from, but it also talks about the importance of exercise, how to specifically lose weight, eat and exercise during pregnancy, how to go Vegetarian (if you choose to do so), and so on.

As always, I want you to decide which book is right for you, but if I had to choose to read just one of these books, I would buy and read “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Total Nutrition” by Joy Bauer. As you can already tell just by the table of contents, these books are packed with valuable information and whichever book you decide to get for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

I Read A Nutrition Book…Now What?

After you read the book, I encourage you to make whatever positive changes you need to make. Stop drinking soda, start eating your fruits and veggies, and stop making excuses about skipping the gym.

Knowledge isn’t power, unless action is taken. Now that you have learned something, act! Today is the best day to better yourself, so don’t wait for tomorrow.

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Coconut Spray Oil by Spectrum®

Twinkie — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:00:18 +0000

I love spray oils for a lot of reasons. With spray cans, you end up using less oil. It’s great for greasing pans. It’s easy, and you don’t need to use any extra utensils.

The problem with spray oils? A lot of spray oils available on the market today use vegetable oil. You know how I feel about that, right?

I recently found Spectrum’s Coconut Spray Oil, which is made with organic refined coconut oil and is naturally expeller-pressed from organically grown coconuts. This is fantastic news because I love coconut oil! This spray oil has a clean and natural flavor, and it’s great for multiple uses. Need to cook eggs? Just spray the pan! Need to bake muffins? Spray the little tin cups!

This is a wonderful find, and I hope you are as excited as I am!

(I seriously wish I got paid for reviews like this…geesh! haha)

More information at: Spectrum® Organics Website

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“Must See” Educational Shows

Twinkie — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:00:14 +0000

There aren’t a lot of shows that I feel is a “must see”, since I feel most of the shows out there are a complete waste of time. True story.

I am very passionate about health education, and the following previews will introduce you to some enlightening shows that provide information about the food industry and your health that I feel you need to know as a consumer. The following shows I consider a “must see”, and I encourage you to make it a priority to education yourself on topics when it concerns your health and well being. After all, your health is the most valuable thing you have.

Burzynski: Cancer Is Serious Business

Food, Inc.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

Supersize Me

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Olive Garden’s Healthy Salmon Dinner

Twinkie — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:00:33 +0000

Sometimes, it’s just nice to enjoy a dinner without having to worry about all of the cooking and cleaning. It’s also nice to enjoy a delicious dinner that isn’t full of empty calories and guilt.

If you are planning on a dinner at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, you may want to consider trying the Herb-Grilled Salmon.

The dinner includes a salmon fillet that is seasoned with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil. It also comes with seasoned broccoli.

Calories: 510

Total Fat: 26 g

Sodium: 760 mg

Carbohydrates: 5 g

Fiber: 2 g

This is a low calorie dinner, and one of the much healthier options to choose from when eating at the Olive Garden. I am not worried about the fat content, since Salmon and Olive Oil are full of very healthy fats that are actually good for your heart. This dish is a little high in sodium, which is due to the Italian herbs used to season the salmon. If you would like, ask if the amount of herbs used on the salmon can be reduced. It’s not a guarantee that the restaurant will be able to accommodate, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

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Image Credit: olivegarden.com

deluxe honeydrop™ Products

Twinkie — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:03 +0000

I am so excited to introduce to you healthy beverages that are new on the market! Since learning about the company’s origins, USDA Certified Organic products using simple yet beneficial ingredients, and learning how I can make my own adorable custom “bee tee”, I have recently become obsessed with this fabulous new company! The company is called deluxe honeydrop™, and I’m sure you are going to fall in love with their products as much as I have.

How it all started…

Cancer survivor David Luks developed deluxe honeydrop™ during cancer treatments at Sloan Kettering two years ago where he learned about the benefits of an organic lifestyle. With that knowledge, he decided to create a drink from the land, not the lab.

I got the idea for honeydrop in the wake of having survived cancer. One day, my nutritionist handed me an article about honey and honey’s many health benefits. The article explained that honey is a naturally sweet byproduct of pollination that contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Like many of us, David realized that the brands that were promoting their use of honey in products were actually using mostly refined (white) sugar. This of course, defeats the purpose of trying to have a healthy beverage.

Luckily for you and me, David decided to create these healthy and delicious beverages for us – without adding sugar, corn syrup, or artificial products.

Healthy Beverages

Currently, deluxe honeydrop™ includes two organic honey infused organic juices and one organic tea. These beverages are comparable to drinks like Vitamin Water – except these are actually good for you. The beverages contain only 40 calories per serving (2 servings per 16.9 oz PBA-free, recycleable bottle) and each bottle has a spoonful of real honey from Brazil.

The flavors include:

Bee Calm – Chamomile, Tea & Honey

Bee Strong – Blueberry & Honey

Bee Alive – Blood Orange & Honey

Benefits of Honey

Honey protects against obesity and hypertension; it is lower on the glycemic index (64) relative to sugar (100), making it a more ideal sweetener for diabetics.

Honey is also a great alternative for athletes since it contains glucose and fructose; glucose burns slowly for lasting energy, and fructose burns fast for instant energy and performance.

Honey also naturally helps alleviate sore throats, and contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

I seriously wonder why anyone would anyone want to use processed sugar over honey!

Where to Buy

This is still a relatively new product, so you will want to make sure that you find or request honeydrop™ beverages at your local grocery or health food store!

Right now, there are 125 Whole Foods stores across the country carrying deluxe honeydrop™ beverages, with more expansion planned in 2011.

Enjoy the delicious low calorie beverages, and let me know which one is your favorite – I know, hard to choose which one, right?!

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Image credits: honeydrop.com

Just Fruit™ Spreads by Crofter’s

Twinkie — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:57 +0000

Most jams available on the market probably have more sugar in them than the fruit named on the front of the jar. Luckily for you and me, I have discovered Just Fruit™ Spreads by Crofter’s.

Why Just Fruit™ Spreads?

Besides the fact that these delicious spreads aren’t full of processed sugars, they are delicious and only made with the most simple of ingredients.

My favorite is the Strawberry Just Fruit™ Spread, which only has 5 ingredients: Concentrated Organic grape juice, Organic Strawberries, Apple pectin, Ascorbic acid, and Citric acid.

The Fruit spreads come in Strawberry, Wild Blueberry, Superfruit, Raspberry, Black Currant, Blackberry, and Apricot.

Be sure to check out all of the delicious flavors that are available, and make sure you always choose the jams that don’t need processed sugar to taste wonderful.

There’s no need to sacrifice flavor for your health, right?

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon

Calories: 35

More information at: Crofter’s Organic

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Veggie Slices by Galaxy Nutritional Foods

Twinkie — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:06 +0000

Healthy and Tasty Alternative

I was looking for a healthy alternative to Cheddar Cheese slices, and I came across the Cheddar flavored Veggie Slices by Galaxy Nutritional Foods. I have tried them cold in deli sandwiches and warm in grilled cheese sandwiches and even on top of eggs. Every time I use these Veggie slices, nobody can tell the difference between them and real cheddar cheese slices!

More good news…

•Only 40 calories per slice (compared to 60-80 calories per slice)

•No Cholesterol

•Lactose Free

•Gluten Free

•Comes in a variety of flavors: Cheddar, Pepper Jack, American, Swiss, Smoked Provolone, and Cheddar with Jalapeños.

Wow! These Veggie Slices are delicious and a lot healthier for you than regular cheese!

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Nuts about Berries: Large vs. Half size

Twinkie — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:06 +0000

Anyone who is lucky enough to live in an area with a Cafe Zupas, knows that an all time favorite specialty salad is Nuts about Berries. As much as I love food for its taste…what about the nutrition and calories involved? I can only estimate, but I wanted to give an approximate calculation on what the calories were in the Large and Half sized salad.

I have picked this salad apart with the ingredients involved, and I give you some pretty good estimates on how many calories are in this salad – the Half and Large size.

Nuts about Berries: Half Size

4 cups Romaine Lettuce = 32 calories

1/2 cup Mixed Berries = 50 calories

1 scoop Cinnamon Honey Almonds = 38 calories

1/4 cup Poppyseed Dressing = 254 calories

Total Calories: 374 calories

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Nuts about Berries: Large Size

5 cups Romaine Lettuce = 40 calories

1 cup Mixed Berries = 100 calories

2 scoops Cinnamon Honey Almonds = 75 calories

1/2 cup Poppyseed Dressing = 507 calories

Total Calories: 722 calories

Now that you know how many calories are in your salad, you can be sure to make a wise choice with your next trip to Cafe Zupas. My main concern comes from the Poppyseed Dressing. Something I have done to help with the calories in the Poppyseed Dressing is to use only half of the amount of Dressing provided. Soon, I hope to master a healthier (homemade) version of the Poppyseed Dressing to add to my salad.

Take it easy with the amount of Dressing you use, and enjoy your Nuts about Berries Salad!

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All Natural Yoghurt by Mountain High

Twinkie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:24 +0000

Health Benefits

There are many benefits to yoghurt, and it is important that you get it from the right source. What I mean by that, is that there are plenty of yoghurts out there being marketed as “healthy” or a “weight loss food”. Be sure that you are not being fooled by marketing campaigns, and actually reading the back of the label for the truth.

The yoghurt from Mountain High is labeled as “All Natural”. That wasn’t what sold me on it. What attracted me to this yoghurt was the ingredients: No sugar added! What a lot of people don’t know is, the added sugars takes away from the health benefits you would have otherwise received from the yoghurt, which is the good bacteria such as live, active, and probiotic cultures (acidophilus is the most commonly known, which is said to help lower cholesterol). Those who are lactose intolerant should actually be able to eat yoghurt, but because of the added sugars in most yoghurts, they will have a hard time digesting it. If you are lactose intolerant and want to eat yoghurt, you might want to get a plain yoghurt with nothing added. And when I mean nothing added, No artificial growth hormones, no sugar, aspartame, etc.

This yoghurt is also high in calcium and protein. As stated on the Mountain High Yoghurt website, “Adequate daily dietary calcium intake over a lifetime can prevent osteoporosis. New research also indicates calcium may help in the prevention of heart attacks, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), and colon cancer.”

Taste

As far as taste goes, the plain flavor is a little bit of a mix between bland and tart all at the same time. Not quite sure how to explain this one. If you are used to the fruity and sugary yoghurts, it may take you a while to get used to the taste, but I can’t say it tastes bad necessarily, just different

Preparation

No preparation needed. You can eat this yoghurt as-is. If the taste is a little too bitter for you, you can try adding fresh fruit, agave, or even honey. You can also just add yoghurt with frozen berries and make a shake out of it. Use this yoghurt in any recipe that calls for yoghurt as one of the ingredients.

Serving Size: 1 cup

Calories: 120

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Image Credit: mountainhighyoghurt.com

Antiplaque Toothpaste by Tom’s of Maine

Twinkie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:00:09 +0000

Health Benefits

This is a natural and healthy toothpaste that contains Xylitol to prevent plaque, Propolis and Myrrh for a clean and healthy feeling, and is a Fluoride-Free toothpaste.

From what I have studied about Fluoride, I have come to find that it is nothing more than a toxic waste that was added to toothpaste with the intent to build bone health, but this is something that has never actually been proven. Excessive Fluoride has been proven to cause Fluoride Poisoning, also known as “Flurosis”, which can cause Osteoporosis, Bone Spurs, Chronic fatigue, and can even be deadly. I believe you can properly clean your teeth without having to risk your health.

Side Note: If you shouldn’t have fluoride for your toddler’s toothpaste, why would you allow it in your own toothpaste?

Taste

This is flavored with Fennel, which reminds me of the taste of an all natural licorice! Since I like black licorice, I don’t mind the taste at all. It is not a very strong taste, so even those who are not a big licorice fan shouldn’t have a problem with it. They do have other flavors if you feel the taste might be an issue.

Additional Information

To learn more about Tom’s of Maine products and information, feel free to visit tomsofmaine.com

Image Credits: Tom’s of Maine.

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Panda Licorice

Sorbet Bar-Organic Blackberry by Julie’s Organic

Twinkie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:00:23 +0000

This sorbet bar is absolutely amazing, and I have nothing but good to say about this frozen dessert!

First of all, it tastes great. And not only does it taste great, but it has great a great texture (almost like a fruit smoothie, but thicker since it is a sorbet bar). I bought this Sorbet Bar for an event, and people were shocked that this was not only Organic, but actually Healthy! For some reason people have this horrible misconception that Healthy Food has to taste bad. This is another reason why I started this Blog. I want to raise awareness to others to let them know about great tasting products that are actually good for you (or at least better than the competitor!).

The best part about this treat, is that it is pretty much guilt free. It is made with real fruit, and it is cholesterol free. For those who are lactose intolerant, this is also labeled as non dairy. Also, a very obvious comment is that it is certified organic.

Anyone who is on a diet, this is a great suggestion considering it is well under 100 calories. This is something you can enjoy with out feeling deprived as well as something you will not feel guilty for indulging.

Enjoy!

Serving Size: 1 Bar

Calories: 60

Where to Buy: Health Food Stores, Grocery Stores, or visit juliesorganic.com

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Organic Flax Plus Maple Pecan Crunch by Nature’s Path

Twinkie — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:00:08 +0000

This cereal has wonderful ingredients to truly benefit from, such as rolled oats, wheat bran, pecans, flax, brown rice flour, sea salt, cinnamon…you name it! As many of my readers know, I am a huge fan of Organic products. I know and appreciate the nutritional value of Organic products, and this is a certified USDA Organic cereal.

What is this cereal missing? Well, it does NOT include things like Trans Fat (which are formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats…not so good), it has Zero Cholesterol, and if you are a Vegetarian…you are in luck! This cereal doesn’t have any ingredients that come from meat, such as fish, fowl, or eggs, which you can thank the wonderful founders for, since it agrees with their personal beliefs and lifestyle.

So this cereal has a lot of healthy “stuff” in it. So the next important question is, “Does this cereal even taste good?” Let’s put it this way. This is seriously one of my favorite cold cereals right now. It has all of Nature’s love packed into one cereal! You will actually look forward to eating breakfast again! This cereal tastes great, and is something you will truly enjoy!

Serving: ¾ cup

Calories: 220

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Organic Lip Balm by Dr. Bronner’s

Twinkie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:28 +0000

Throw away your Chapstick, because I am going to introduce to you a new way to keep your lips hydrated and healthy.

Is Chapstick bad for you?

Chapstick, Smackers, SoftLips, Vaseline, Carmex, and other popular brands out there are actually something you may just want to avoid. Why? They contain Mineral Oil and Petroleum, which actually dries up your lips rather than helping them. If Chapstick causes addiction, it would be better for you to avoid it rather than keep using it.

Alternative

What I love about Organic Lip Balm by Dr. Bronner’s, is that is actually helps heal your lips, without causing an addiction, or a constant need to keep using it over and over again. If my lips ever feel chapped, I can use this Lip Balm a couple of times, and then that’s it. I can go weeks without feeling like I have to need to use the Lip Balm, which is the way it should be- not a constant application.

What’s in Organic Lip Balm by Bronner’s?

In the Peppermint “flavored” Organic Lip Balm by Bronner’s, the ingredients include the following; Organic Avacado Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, and Natural Tocopherols. That’s right, no Mineral Oil or Petroleum.

Avoid Chapped Lips Naturally

If you need a quick and instant fix, I definitely recommend this Organic Lip Balm. If you want to prevent and really take care of chapped lips, the best thing you can do is hydrate your body with lots of water. Never underestimate the powerful effects of drinking enough water.

Whether it is the Winter cold or Summer heat – you are now ready to take on any season with chap-less lips!

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Real Salt by Redmond

Twinkie — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:23 +0000

Why Real Salt?

Let’s start at looking at the competition. Table salts, or “iodized salt” has gone through intensive bleaching and refining processes, and then on top of that, many have undergone a heat processing and even include additives and chemicals.

Real Salt by Redmond is carefully taken from deep within the earth, crushed, screened, and packaged to stay all natural. It has a pink coloring, which is from the 50-plus trace minerals that weren’t stripped away by any refining/bleaching process.

Taste

Yes, Real Salt by Redmond actually tastes different than other processed and refined salts out there. Good news is, when I say “different”, I mean that it actually tastes better. It is not so different that you don’t think you are tasting salt, but I believe there is just so much more flavor to it, that you will actually enjoy your salt that much more! Nice.

Health Benefits

Salt is good for you- if you have the right kind of Salt. Some of the benefits of Salt, are as follows; Salt helps regulate the body’s metabolism, food digestion, necessary for proper function of nerve fibers, keeps the water balanced correctly around your tissues and cells in your body, and Salt even helps your heart function, or beat, properly.

For those bloggers out there who believe salt is bad for you, or believes that salt does not have a lot of health benefits is either A) talking about processed and bleached iodized salt, or B) does not know what they are talking about. Yes, you need moderation in all things, but to flat out say Salt is not beneficial is just not logical when you really do your research and list the facts.

I recommend going to Real Salt’s website to read their testimonials. Not only will you find that I am not the only one who thinks it tastes better, but you will actually come to find how many switched to Real Salt to lower their high blood pressure, among other things.

Many of you may think “well…it’s just salt!”, but remember that each step you take to become healthier, it makes such a difference for your body! Yes, it is salt. You can now throw away your cheap salt you bought at the grocery store (and not feel guilty about it), and replace it with an all natural salt that is actually beneficial for your body.

Now, you are one step closer to a healthier you.

For more information, you may visit realsalt.com

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Cafe Zupas anyone…?

Twinkie — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:48 +0000

Looking for a new place to eat out for lunch or dinner? Sometimes, we eat things that are not too healthy or good for us when we are pressed for time, want something quick on the go, or have a lunch meeting or what not. I have discovered Cafe Zupas. They have Salads and Soups- gourmet style (They have panini sandwiches too, but I haven’t personally had them).

Salads

I usually tend to lean towards geting the “Nuts about Berries” salad. At first, I wasn’t too sure if I would like berries in my salads since the salads I usually make for myself are an all-veggie type of a salad. If you are a salad lover, you are seriously going to love this Salad. It tastes great with the added fruit, with a bit of sweetened nuts for a crunch texture, and they have this amazing poppy seed dressing goes perfectly with the rest of the salad. I am not sure what is all in the dressing, but my guess is that you might not want to put too much on your salad for health and calorie purposes.

Soups

If I am getting the soup, the Thai Lobster is one of my favorite. It just has this different taste to it (probably the curry?), and if you want to try something that is a little bit of out of the ordinary and not just your average plain soup, I say it’s worth a try. With this soups esquisite tastes, you will feel like you are dining in a deluxe restraunt- without the high price tag attached.

This is just touching the surface of what they have. My only “warning” is, it tastes really good and you might just get addicted. Also, just because it is salad and soups, you still need to watch out for portion control and calories. The great thing about Cafe Zupas, is that I dont feel guilty when I am done with my meal.

If you want to check out the company’s site for the menu and locations: www.zupas.com

If you have tried Cafe Zupas, any other recommendations?

*Sorry all, no official serving size or calorie count on these dishes, but here is my estimates on how many calories are in the Nuts about Berries salad.

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Isagenix® IsaLean Shake

Twinkie — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:43 +0000

Whether you choose Vanilla or Chocolate, either way, you are making the right choice by having an Isagenix® IsaLean Shake (Side Note: My favorite is Vanilla!)

The Isagenix’s IsaLean Shake is a complete meal replacement that is actually healthy for you. The reason I say “actually” is because there are so many weight loss shakes that have nothing but sugar as the first ingredient (just look and see!), and added vitamins – though they may be low in calories, they aren’t healthy for you. If you are going to try to lose weight, you should be healthy while doing so.

Nutrition

The IsaLean Shake has high quality Whey from New Zealand, Fiber, Calcium, Vitamins, Casein protein that is from grass-fed cows with no added hormones or antibiotics, Ionic Alfalfa™ (Isagenix’s proprietary blend of 70 super-charged minerals, trace minerals and alfalfa juice), and active enzymes to help maximize the absorption of key nutrients.

Health Benefits

May support your body in burning fat*
May support increased energy*
Highest quality of amino acids
Exclusive source of whey and casein protein
Supports digestive health*
Low lactose
Zero Trans Fats
No artificial flavors
Gluten-Free
Wheat-Free

The Isagenix IsaLean Shake has nothing but ingredients to help benefit and feed nutrition to your body…your body will thank you.

Feel free to watch an informational video on the Isagenix® IsaLean Shake

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Spinach Pancakes by Dr. Praeger’s

Twinkie — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:00:46 +0000

These aren’t just any pancakes…these are perfect for Lunch and Dinner for someone who wants something fast and easy, healthy, and tastes good.

Nutrition

There are very few ingredients to this wonderful pancake, which is Spinach (of course!), Potatoes, Onions, Egg Whites, Oat Bran, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Arrowroot, Salt, All Natural Vegetable Gum, Garlic, and Black Pepper. So what are these pancakes missing? They are “missing” all of the bad stuff! These pancakes are not only low calorie, but they don’t have Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Trans Fats, processed Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners.

Taste

I have good news, and possibly bad news. Good news…if you don’t like the taste of Spinach, you will love these pancakes because they really don’t taste like Spinach. Bad news…if you were hoping these Spinach Pancakes actually tasted like Spinach. They don’t taste like Spinach, sorry.

Either way, these pancakes taste Amazing. I was a little reluctant at first because I just didnt know what to expect from them. Yes, they are green, but they don’t taste like they should be. I ended up cooking more just because they tasted so great!

Preparation

The Spinach Pancakes come in a box, and they are each individually wrapped for freshness. The cooking part couldn’t be easier. Preheat your oven to broil, then cook at broil for about 8 minutes. That’s it.

Serving Size: 1 Pancake

Calories: 80

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Hand Sanitizing Spray – Organic Eucalyptus by EO Products

Twinkie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:00:01 +0000

My hands are so sensitive to the average hand sanitizer, and my hands would usually come out with dry, cracked, and sometimes even bleeding hands. Hmm…that can’t be good. Naturally, I went out looking for another (safer) alternative. At 62% Alcoholic (non-GMO), this Hand Sanitizing Spray is plant based, and is a great alternative to the chemically drenched competition out there.

I bought this Hand Sanitizing Spray, and to my luck, haven’t had a problem with sanitizing my hands since! It’s conveniently small and I usually carry this spray in my purse. If I need to clean my hands but don’t have soap and water nearby, I can spray this on and feel good that not only are my hands cleaner, but I am not going to hurt my hands either.

Nice.

Where to buy: Health Food Stores, or you can visit: eoproducts.com

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Maximum Living Nutrition Bites

Twinkie — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:00:51 +0000

Nutrition

These Nutrition Bites are made with GMO Free soy protein that is fortified with fat-reducing enzymes and essential fatty acids. They are packed with protein, which make them an ideal snack in between meals if you don’t have raw fruit or vegetables available to you.

The Nutrition Bites are sweetened mostly with honey, and secondly with brown rice syrup. No processed sugars or sweeteners have been added!

The Nutrition Bites come in three flavors; Chocolate Fudge, Vanilla Nut, and Peanut Butter. After trying all of them, my favorite flavor is the Vanilla Nut!

Why Nutrition Bites?

I like to have two of these before my workouts in the morning, that way I am not exercising on an empty stomach or having to create a meal that may be too heavy right before exercise.

I also try to carry a couple of Nutrition Bites with me at all times, so if I get hungry when I am out running errands, I can have a healthy snack that will help satisfy my hunger before my next meal.

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Image Credits: valleynaturals.com

Lose Weight with your iPhone!

Twinkie — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:00:25 +0000

I recently got an iPhone for my Birthday (Yes, I am spoiled), and I soon discovered it’s many wonderful iPhone applications that are helpful with Health and Weight loss.

The reasons why I love the “Lose it!” App for the iPhone

1) You can easily set up your weight loss goals. You enter in your current weight, your goal weight, and set up a time line on when you can realistically expect to achieve your goal weight. You can do this by setting up a realistic plan of losing anywhere from “maintain current weight” to “lose 2 lbs per week”. Once you decide on what you want to commit to, it will give you a date of when you will be at your goal weight. The more weight you lose each week, the sooner you will be at your goal weight (do not lose more than 2 pounds a week!). Now you have a date of when you will have reached your goal, and I feel it makes it even more exciting and real.

2) Easily tracks your exercise each day. It has a database of common exercises that people participate in, gives an estimated calorie burn for how long you were exercising, as well as for the intensity of the exercise. For example, the Elliptical machine at “Vigorous” for 30 minutes estimates that you have burned about 257 calories. I have tested this many times, and usually the estimates are quite accurate. Normally, I am within about 5 calories from what my machine at the gym said, versus what my “Lose it!” applicate says I burned. If the applicate seems to be way off on it’s calculation, change the intensity level until you have found the right level of what you have participated in.

3) Easily tracks Food you have consumed each day, and breaks it down in Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks. You can find common foods in a database, or you can add your own foods in, and it remembers it for later use.

4) When you add in your current weight, weight loss goal and timeline, and you add in your exercise and food…it let’s you know if you are on track or not on track for your goal weight by providing you a calorie budget. This is a nice high-tech food journal, with all the extra perks!

5) “Lose it!” is a FREE Application.

Remember when you are trying to lose weight, you should focus on your overall health! Yes, you are allowed so many calories a day, but be sure that you are feeding your body the nutrition it needs to function and live.

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creamy butternut squash soup (organic) by Pacific Natural Foods

Twinkie — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:00:02 +0000

Butternut Squash as a Soup? You bet! I recommend this for those who want the health benefits of butternut squash without the texture of this squash. Actually, I recommend it to anyone whether you like this squash’s texture or not. Though, this soup is great to have year round, I would recommend this as a new holiday favorite. With its touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, it will fit right in.

Need something quick and healthy for you and the family? This is easy to prepare. Just open up the container, put it on the stove, and within just a couple of minutes on a mid-range heat, your soup is ready to serve. (Don’t recommend using the microwave)

This soup is low in calories (less than 100 per serving), low fat, low in sugar, and no cholesterol. This is a high fiber food, which is a good thing. One thing I am not too fond of, is that I feel like it is a little high in sodium (550mg, or 23% of daily value on a 2,000 calorie diet), but I still feel like it is much healthier for you than most other soups without sacrificing the taste.

If you want more information on the health benefits of squash, check out my post on it under the Nutrition category.

Serving: 1 cup
Calories: 90

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Xylitol Gum by Epic™

Twinkie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:24 +0000

Epic™ provides a healthy gum that doesn’t have any sugar or artificial sweeteners. Find out why this gum is so special.

Sugar Free Gum

You may think that there is nothing special about having a gum that is sugar free, but did you know that sugar free gum replaces the sugar with harmful artificial sweeteners?

I dare you to look at all other gum on the market and try to find something without any Sugar, Cane Juice, Aspartame or any other artificial sweeteners.The fact that Xylitol Gum by Epic™ has no sugar or artificial sweeteners, and this truly is a rare find.

Where to Buy

I found this gum at my local grocery store and my health food store. If you don’t have it available, you can visit their website and buy it directly from the company.

Once you try out several flavors, let me know which one is your favorite. I personally love the Natural Spearmint and Natural Peppermint Flavors!

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Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl by Amy’s Kitchen

Twinkie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:00:10 +0000

Need a yummy and healthy dinner, but don’t feel like cooking? You are in luck!

Nutrition

The Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl is made with Organic Pasta Shells and Vegetables, such as Broccoli, Spinach, Onions and delicious Tomato puree. This dish comes out to be 73% Organic- the more the better! For those with allergies, this dish is Corn-Free,Tree Nut-Free, Soy-Free, and Certified Kosher.

This dish is high in protein (19 grams), Vitamin A (40% DV), Vitamin C (40% DV), Calcium (40% DV), and Iron (15% DV), and is low in Sugar, and has Zero Trans Fats.

Taste

The Stuffed pasta Shells Bowl tastes delicious- no question about it. You will probably feel like you are eating Lasagna at a high-end restaurant, without all the bad stuff that you just don’t need to put into your body.

I personally can’t go out and buy store bought lasagnas (my stomach just can’t handle them), so finding the Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowls from Amy’s Kitchen has been an amazing find for me. I am sure you will enjoy them as well!

Serving: 1 Bowl (3 Jumbo Stuffed Pasta Shells)

Calories: 310

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Hashed Browns (Organic) by Alexia

Twinkie — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:51 +0000

Taste Test

These are comparable to the good ‘ol fashioned home-made version you might have been lucky enough to grow up with.

Guilt Free

Not only is this the best frozen hashed browns I have ever had, and lucky for you and me, it is USDA Organic, fat free, gluten free, and fairly low in calories. Let’s just say, you don’t need to hesitate about buying these when looking for convenience and taste, and this is something that will go great with your chicken and apple sausages, eggs, and home made orange juice. Hey, I believe there is a way to not only eat healthy (or at least healthier than the average Joe), but also enjoy some great taste all at the same time.

Preparation

This is pretty quick to make, just brown it on a frying pan or skillet. If you cook this with butter on the pan, just know you will be adding calories to this dish, so be careful with how much you add. A Great alternative to butter, is to use coconut oil, which is a safe oil when heated and cooking your foods.

Serving: 3 oz (about a 1/2 cup)
Calories: 80

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Mini Whole Grain Sandwich Cookies by Late July

Twinkie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:49 +0000

These cookies have it all –Better Nutrition, a Worthy Cause, and Great Taste!

Nutrition

What I like about these cookies, is that they are a good source of whole grains (8 grams per serving), calcium (10% of Daily Value), and they are USDA Organic. This product does not have Trans Fats or Cholesterol, they are low in sodium, made without any artificial sweeteners, and they do not have any High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Yes, there is sugar in this cookie. Remember, it is supposed to be a treat, not a meal. Keep in mind, this treat is not “healthy”, but considered a much healthier alternative when compared to other cookies on the market.

Worthy Cause

The Mini Whole Grain Cookies have the “Good For All” Seal, which is Dr. Jane Goodall’s seal for ethically produced products. Ten Percent of Profits from these Mini Cookies are being donated to the Jane Goodall Institute, which raises awareness for Endangered Animals such as the Leatherback Sea Turtle, Red Wolf, Chimpanzee, Sumatran Rhino, Pygmy Rabbit, Black-Footed Ferret, and the Giant Panda. Know when you are buying these cookies, not only are you getting a great treat, but you are also supporting a wonderful cause.

Taste

From Late July’s products, expect nothing but the best. Not only is health and nutritional value important, they don’t sacrifice taste in any of their products. Mini Whole Grain Cookies are no exception to the rule, and they taste great! There are two flavors to choose from, which is “White Chocolate” and “Milk Chocolate”. I can’t decide which one is my favorite- both taste great!

Serving: 10 cookies

Calories: 140

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Breakfast Sausage chicken & apple by Applegate Farms

Twinkie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:00:29 +0000

“Yum!”

That’s where I am going to start off about this little breakfast sausage. I like to eat healthy, or at least have the healthier alternative, but I also think food should taste great all at the same time. Possible? Yes.

Sausage that isn’t bad for you?

I usually try to stay away from anything that says “sausage”, usually because there is a higher fat content involved amongst who knows what else. I like the idea that this breakfast sausage is gluten-free, casein free, and there are no nitrates (natrual or added)! There are only a handful of ingredients in this product. That is a good thing, since that means it doesn’t have all of these artificial and harmful filler products included. The chicken that is used was never given any antibiotics or animal by-products.

This is no ordinary breakfast sausage. It is something you won’t feel guilty eating, doesn’t take long to cook (already cooked, so you are just warming it up) and again… it actually tastes great!

Serving: 3 Sausage Links
Calories: 140

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Twinkie’s Favorites

Twinkie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:00:54 +0000

New to health food? Maybe you are starting to get sick of eating the same healthy food all the time because you don’t know what else is out there?

I like to try new things. When it comes to food, I get bored easily. I just can’t seem to eat the same thing over and over again. So, as I am grocery shopping (something I just love to do), I take my time looking at what products are out there. I come home with new things all the time to just try it out, and hopefully find something new my husband and I will both love. Some things I have brought home haven’t been so successful. I have thrown away some food because of this (not something I am proud of), but I am hoping by posting about some of the more successful finds, it will help you find something you too will enjoy.

Don’t be scared to trying new things…you never know what you will discover.

Bon Appetit!

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Animal Crackers (Organic) by Kirkland Signature

Twinkie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:45 +0000

Taste

I am an adult. Just because I am an adult, doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy Animal Crackers, right? I don’t know what it is about these animal crackers, (maybe the vanilla?), but these are just exceptional, and dare I say…addicting?

Health

These are better for you than a candy bar, but still remember that these aren’t a meal or a basic food group. It’s a cracker. Something to get you by to the next meal, or something to munch on instead of something much worse for you. Either way, it tastes pretty good, and it is at a very reasonable price- comparable to something that wasn’t even organic. I am a huge fan of organic products, and the fact that I can buy this delicious snack in such a big container is exciting. I have found that a lot of people enjoy these crackers, and good reason too- feel free to give them a try!

Serving Size: 13 crackers
Calories: 120
Purchase: Costco Warehouse (Requires a membership)

Image Credit: Costco.com

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Grape-nuts by Post Cereal

Twinkie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:16 +0000

Taste

I actually like this high fiber cereal-every once in a while, It’s not so bad! If you are bored with the high carb/fiber taste, you might want to mix in some fruit, dried fruit, or maybe even some honey to add a little flavor to it. Grape-nuts is great since you don’t need to eat a lot of it, and you still end up getting full. You might want to try eating this slowly, since this does seem to expand in your stomach.

Health and Nutrition

The reason I like this cereal is mainly how impressive it’s Iron content is. For just one serving, you get 90% of your daily value of iron (based on a 2,000 calorie diet). Iron is something a lot of women are low on, and this is a great cereal to add some Iron to your diet. I was low on iron, and I couldn’t handle anymore Sugar Snap peas or Pumpkin Seeds, so I tried Grape-nuts! Of course, you don’t want too little or too much Iron, so please keep that in mind as well. It is all about balance.

Serving: 1/2 cup

Calories: 208

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Fruit and Nut Food Bars by LÄRABAR®

Twinkie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:54 +0000

I try to have a healthy snack available to me at all time, which pays off when I least expect it. If I am ever hungry, I don’t have to come to the point of desperation where I would have ended up eating something I would have later regretted. I like to carry a delicious LÄRABAR® with me, and I will tell you why.

LÄRABAR® Beats the Competition

Most food bars that are marketed as healthy are actually full of processed ingredients or lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

The only way to know for sure if any food bar is healthy, would be to check out the label – ingredient by ingredient. I encourage you to check out the ingredients in a Fruit and Nut Food Bars by LÄRABAR®, and you will soon see the difference between these bars and other food bars.

Flavors and Ingredients

I was shocked to find out how delicious these food bars are, once I realized how few of ingredients were involved in making them. When you have flavors that reference a pie, you would think that they would be comparable to junk food rather than raw food.

Check out my favorite LÄRABAR® flavors, and the ingredients that they contain. The only way for you to know how delicious they are, would be to try them for yourself.

Pecan Pie – dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon.

Cinnamon Roll – dates, walnuts, almonds, raisins, cashews, and cinnamon.

Coconut Cream Pie – dates, unsweetened coconut, almonds, cashews, and extra virgin coconut oil.

Peanut Butter & Jelly – dates, peanuts, unsweetened cherries, and salt.

Lemon Bar – dates, cashews, almonds, lemon juice concentrate, and natural lemon flavor.

Apple Pie – dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon.

Serving: 1 bar
Calories: 200 or less

You can buy the Fruit and Nut Food Bars by LÄRABAR® at your local grocery store, health food store, or at LaraBar.com

Image Credits: LaraBar.com

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Liquid Aminos by Bragg

Twinkie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:48 +0000

Nutrition

Liquid Aminos by Bragg is a Certified NON-GMO liquid protein concentrate. Liquid Aminos by Bragg is not fermented or heated, Gluten-Free, no preservatives, no artificial colors, no alcohol, and no chemicals . This product does have a small amount of naturally occurring sodium, and no table salt is added.

Health Benefits

Liquid Aminos by Bragg comes from healthy soybeans, and it contains Essential and Non-essential Amino Acids in naturally occurring amounts.

16 Amino Acids included in this product: Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine, and Lysine.

There are 20 amino acids, and this product has 16 of them! So what is so important about Amino Acids? Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins, and you need sufficient protein intake for healthy muscles, nails, hair, ligaments, tendons, organs, glands, and even most body fluids. Amino Acids also help with metabolism. Simply put, the chemical properties of Amino Acids control just about all cellular processes- which is why they are known as being “essential”.

Consider this, Protein takes up the next largest part of our body weight (next to water), and your body’s health is directly related to your body’s need for healthy protein.

Taste and Uses

This product taste similar to Soy Sauce, which is exactly why I use it as a Soy Sauce replacement. You can add Liquid Aminos to stir-fry for a much healthier alternative, soups, dressings, salads, tofu, jerkey and other meat seasonings- the list goes on. You can add Liquid Aminos by Bragg to just about anything you could (or would) add Soy Sauce to, or you can always be more creative and use it for other things as well.

Your body doesn’t store extra Amino Acids, so it is something you need to get every single day in your food. I believe you too will benefit from this product since it helps you with 16 of the 20 amino acids that are so helpful for your body.

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Açaí organic berry pureé by Sambazon

Twinkie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:56 +0000

When I first saw this product in the grocery store, I can’t begin to explain to you how excited I was.

First of all, this product is Açaí in organic form and the most pure form I have personally found available in stores. Açaí is becoming increasingly popular, and everywhere I turn I see Açaí somehow mixed in with any and every other filler product out there (reminds me of cranberries…geesh!). To finally find a product with just plain Açaí is amazing.

Açaí is known to be a superfruit, claimed to help people on many different areas. Some of those areas would be to help lower cholesterol levels, improve heart health, improve digestion, has a high antioxident content, weight loss, etc. It has many health benefits, and again is another reason why it was quite exciting to see this berry in pure form.

The product was conveniently sold frozen in little individual packets. You take a packet out of the freezer and let hot water run on it for about 30 seconds. Open the package with scissors, and you can put it in a protein/health shake. Blend and serve. I personally don’t think that this Açaí berry pureé has too strong of a taste, so you can add other fruits to your shake for added flavor. I still think it tastes great as the main flavor of my shake as well.

Serving: 1 packet

Calories: 75

Where to buy: Check out the retailers at http://www.sambazon.com/

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