Health Food Reviews

G.H. Cretors Popped Corn: Addictively Delicious, and No Gluten!

Kettle Corn and Chicago Mix Review

by Joi

G.H. Cretors Popped CornG.H. Cretors Popped Corn: Absolutely Amazing

The wonderful people at G.H. Cretors Popped Corn sent me bags of what can only be described as Popped Corn Heaven.  Although they, in the process, created a couple of brand new addictions in my family, I am forever indebted to them for their kindness, generosity, and stoopidly delicious popped corn.

I guess you can tell that this G.H. Cretors Popped Corn review is going to be a ridiculously positive one.

G.H. Cretors Kettle CornI’m a bit of a Kettle Corn addict, to begin with, so the first bag I tore into was the G.H. Cretors Kettle Corn.  If you aren’t familiar with Kettle Corn, let me lay it on the line for you: Kettle Corn is what all popcorn would be if it had a choice.  Kettle Corn is so additively delicious that you’ll find yourself going at it with both hands. G.H. Cretors has the best Kettle Corn I’ve ever tasted – and, believe me, I’ve been around the Kettle Corn block a million times. Okay, a billion times, but who’s counting?  At times, while deliriously throwing in G.H. Cretors Kettle Corn in, I forget to breath – let alone chew.

I keep reminding myself, “Pace yourself. No one’s taking it away from you.”

At one point, my husband (a new Kettle Corn addict – unaccustomed to its power) handed me the bag and told me, “Put it away before I kill myself.”   Oh I put it away all right.

From G.H. Cretors:

Today we make our Kettle Corn just like Great Grandpa did – with four simple, natural ingredients: popcorn, sunflower oil, cane sugar, and sea salt. That’s all it takes to bring you the perfect combination of sweet and salty – the tastiest fluffiest popcorn – with a little surprise in every kernel. From our kitchen to yours, enjoy!

All Natural…Naturally!

  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • No gluten ingredients
  • We use natural sweeteners
  • We use locally grown Non-GMO popcorn
  • Just four simple ingredients

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix: Popped Cheddar and Caramel CornG.H. Cretors Chicago Mix

Equally delicious is G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn. Hold onto your seat for this one.  This is a delicious mixture of Cheddar Cheese popped corn and Caramel popped corn. My youngest daughter Stephany loves this particular variety so much I seldom see her without a bag in hand.  I can’t blame her, whatsoever, because this mix is out of this world.

Although I’m obsessed with cheese popped corn, oddly enough I’ve never been much of a caramel popped corn fan. For some reason it’s just too sticky for my taste.  I realize that some people live for that sticky caramel texture, but I’m not into it.  I was THRILLED that G.H. Cretors caramel popped corn doesn’t have that traditional stickiness. Somehow it keeps all the caramel flavor without making your teeth feel sticky and weird.

I love it for that.

From the Website:

Today we make our Caramel Corn just like Great Grandpa did- in old-fashioned copper kettles, one batch at a time. Then we mix it up the Chicago way, with our rich, creamy, Aged Cheddar Cheese Corn to create the perfect combination of Sweet and Salty. You don’t even have to come to Chicago to try this special treat. From our kitchen to yours, enjoy!

All Natural…Naturally!

  • We use Brown Rice Syrup
  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • No gluten ingredients
  • Made with fresh creamery butter
  • We use natural sweeteners
  • We use locally grown Non-GMO popcorn

 G.H. Cretors has the following varieties of Popped Corn:

  • Kettle Corn
  • Chicago Mix (Cheddar and Caramel)
  • Cheddar
  • Caramel
  • Caramel Nut Crunch

Each of these varieties should come with warning labels – these people know their popped corn like no one else.

G. H. Cretors Popped Corn is available on Amazon:

In addition to Amazon, G.H. Cretors is available in many stores across the U.S.  We don’t have any such stores in my area, so Amazon will be my source of deliciousness. Click HERE for the store locator.

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix: Cheddar Cheese Popped Corn and Caramel Popped Corn: Unbelievably delicious!

 

Kraft Milkbite Milk and Granola Bars

Kraft Just Raised the BAR on Snacks

by Joi

Kraft Milkbite Milk and Granola Bars

KRAFT MILKBITE Milk & Granola Bars: Chocolate and Strawberry

Mad crazy deliciousness.  I had the opportunity to review a couple of boxes of Kraft’s new Milkbite Milk & Granola Bars and my taste buds haven’t stopped buzzing since.  I’ve looked in one of my local stores for them and I’m checking another one for them today. Suffice to say I have every intention of loading up.

KRAFT MILKBITE Milk & Granola Bars are available in Strawberry, Chocolate, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter and Mixed Berry flavors. I was sent the Strawberry and Chocolate (I’m guessing my reputation as a chocoholic is known far and wide).  The bars carried the name KRAFT, so I knew they’d be great – however, I didn’t realize they’d be this great.  Naturally, I went for the chocolate first and, boy, did it not disappoint.

What makes these snack bars different?

• Made with real milk
• 30% daily value of Calcium
• 5g of Protein
• Good source of Fiber and Vitamin D
• No artificial flavor, colors or preservatives
• 7g of Whole Grains per bar

I’d add this to the list: They’re amazingly delicious!

As I said, I opened the chocolate Kraft Milkbite Milk and Granola Bars box first. There’s a code chocoholics live by and I don’t just know the code… I wrote the code.  The first thing I was struck by was how pretty the bar is. It looks like something on a dessert tray.  One bite in told me that it tastes like something on a dessert tray too.  Seriously, it tastes like something that could be behind the glass at Starbucks – but with a lot less calories.

A little later, I returned to the refrigerator to try one of the strawberry bars. Make no mistake about it, I’m exceptionally fond of strawberries and anything remotely strawberry flavored. So, I was anxious to try one of the Strawberry Kraft Milkbite Milk and Granola Bars.

It had me at hello.

I can’t possibly describe to you the amazing strawberry aroma that was released the second I tore open the wrapper. It was like standing in the middle of a strawberry field.  Heavenly.  Yet, even with that intoxicating experience, I was STILL caught off guard when I took a bite. Wow!  It was as though a Strawberry Smoothie and a granola bar had a baby, then drizzled her with a little icing. I’m getting so hungry for another one right now, the store had better have these Kraft Milkbite Milk and Granola Bars in their dairy aisle (where they’re found, incidentally) or they’ll have a situation on their hands.

These healthy and delicious bars are perfect to take along anywhere – walking, a ballgame, hiking, fishing, school, the office, etc. Convenient, healthy, low calorie, and fantastic.  You aren’t going to beat that combination.

You MUST grab a couple of boxes today – the Strawberry one and then another one (you can choose the second one, but you really have to grab the Strawberry first).  Personally, I’m going to grab 1 of the Strawberry, 1 of the Chocolate, and 1 of the other flavors I’ve yet to try. I’ll let you know how great each one is.

KRAFT MILKBITE Milk & Granola Bars

Learn more (and meet Mel Milkbite!) at http://www.kraftbrands.com/milkbite

16 Tasty Year Round Uses for Candy Coated Almonds

Starring Jordan Almonds from Oh Nuts

by Joi

Candy Coated Almonds

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing a bag of Oh Nuts Candy Coated Almonds.  Being a complete nut fanatic, I couldn’t wait for the bag to arrive in the mail. When it did, it took me all of 2 seconds to tear into it. I was probably on my third candy coated almond before the mail carrier was off of our street.

I have no shame when it comes to nuts, coffee, chocolate, or catfish. No shame whatsoever.

My mind has been buzzing over the many uses for these wonderful and beautiful candy coated almonds. I’m afraid that the pictures here just don’t do them enough justice. They’re so bright, shiny, and colorful!

Below are just some of the ways I’ve come up with for enjoying these little lovelies.

Blue and White Candy Coated Almonds

  1. Celebrate March Madness with your favorite team’s colors. I bleed UK Wildcat’s blue and white, so it’s little wonder that I chose these two colors! Leave the delicious candy coated almonds in candy dishes, throw them in a bowl with fresh popcorn, or use them to spell out your team’s initials on top of a cake.
  2. Use colorful candy coated almonds in Easter baskets and/or as Easter decorations.
  3. During baseball season, choose the colors of your favorite team. I’d have St. Louis Cardinals’ colors in baskets, candy dishes, bowls, etc.
  4. These beautiful candy coated almonds would make excellent wedding favors. There are countless wedding favor bags and boxes available.  Simply order candy covered almonds in the chosen wedding colors and fill the bags/boxes.
  5. These are perfect for snacks at the office. Keep the bag in your desk drawer and you’ll have healthy snacks readily available throughout the day.
  6. Fourth of July? Red, white, and blue candy coated almonds would be gorgeous on cupcakes, cakes, and cookies.
  7. You could use these almonds as favors at a baby shower, much as you would a wedding.  There are colors available that make me instantly think of baby showers: pink, blue, yellow, white…
  8. Speaking of pink, activities and fund raisers for breast cancer awareness would be a perfect fit for the beautiful pink candy coated almonds.
  9. A bag or two of candy coated almonds would be delicious additions to gift baskets, whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, or Christmas.
  10. Send a few bags to your favorite college student.  We all love to send treats to those we love and, quite frankly, Oh Nuts products are PERFECT for this. Nuts travel well and won’t spoil or get “messy” like a lot of other treats. As a bonus, they’re as healthy as they are delicious!
  11. Use beautiful red and white candy coated almonds in heart-shaped candy dishes as part of your Valentine’s Day decor.  Give some as gifts to your favorite valentine as well.
  12. Choose red, green, white, gold metallic or silver metallic  for Christmas decorating. They’d be beautiful additions to fruit baskets.
  13. Orange and Black Candy Coated Almonds are perfect for Halloween!
  14. St. Patrick’s day cupcakes call for green candy coated almonds.
  15. NFL fans can choose their team’s colors for tailgating snacks.
  16. The metallic colored almonds (see #12) are also ideal for New Year’s Eve AND silver or gold wedding anniversaries.

White Candy Coated Almonds

Health Benefits of Almonds:

  • Since almonds are a plant based food, they contain no cholesterol.
  • Almonds are loaded with protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and other antioxidants and phytochemicals.
  • Studies show that just 3 ounces of almonds a day can actually lower a person’s cholesterol by 14 percent. 14 percent!
  • When we munch on healthy snacks, like nuts, we stay away from unhealthy and harmful snacks like chips. That, alone, makes them worth their weight in gold.

Healthy Grilling!

Organic Ground Beef and Gluten Free Beef Hot Dogs

by Joi

Prescott Frost Ground Beef

I was recently sent some GREAT Prescott Frost Grass Fed Organic Ground Beef and Grass Fed Organic All Beef Hot Dogs to review for the food blog.  I let a little time pass before reviewing these for one reason only: I wanted for us all to get a little closer to grilling season! The weather has been unseasonably nice lately, and my family and I are already thinking of firing up the grill.  There’s nothing quite like grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, so forgive us if we’re rushing things.

However, if you’re like me, you can’t help but be a little concerned about what’s in the food we feed our family – as well as the food we put in our own mouths!  We’ve all heard horror tales and we’ve seen even more horrific stories in the news about bad beef.  When I was contacted about Prescott Frost 100% Grass Fed and USDA Certified Organic Beef, I jumped at the opportunity to tell my readers all about this healthy alternative to most of the ground beef and hot dogs in grocery stores.

From Prescott Frost:

The Frost Family Farm Heritage
Prescott Frost, great-grandson of the American poet Robert Frost, continues a centuries long tradition of family farming. Passionate, educated and articulate, Prescott is seeking real answers to today’s farming challenges.
By combining the finest in farming traditions with modern organic and sustainable practices, he is creating a system that allows the farmer to thrive, the animals to grow naturally and the land to be enriched. Certainly this is the more difficult path, but also deeply rewarding. As part of today’s organic farming community, Prescott is committed to changing the way we raise our food.

I found the Prescott Frost Grass Fed Organic Ground Beef and Grass Fed Organic All Beef Hot Dogs to be exceptionally delicious.  A lot of people immediately balk at the idea of ordering meat online (to be honest, I used to). But think about it: The hot dogs and frozen meat we buy in our favorite grocery stores were shipped to them.  It may seem like you’re going an extra step or two to shop for your family’s meat, but I don’t have to remind you that they’re health is more than worth it.

My mouth is watering at the thought of Prescott Frost’s Ground Beef and All Beef Hot Dogs coming fresh off the grill. By the way, if you follow a gluten free, you’ll be glad to know that Prescott Frost’s hot dogs are gluten free. Another reason to love them!

I used some of my own ground beef in Spaghetti sauce and it was simply outstanding. Not only did the flavor seem superior to normal ground beef, it felt better to put something on the table that was healthy.

I used the rest of the ground beef in chili a few nights later and served the hot dogs (GREAT hot dogs!) on buns with onions and shredded cheddar.

I completely and totally recommend Prescott Frost and hope you’ll visit their website and do a little healthy shopping for your family.  Load up for grilling season, because it’s just around the corner….. I can smell it!

Oh Nuts!

Cyber Monday Equals Free Shipping

by Joi

Pecans

I’ve got nothing but big love for Oh Nuts.  Big, huge, colossal love.  For one thing, I’m the biggest nut lover in the world and for another, they recently sent me two huge bags of walnuts and pecans to review for the food blog. Seriously, if they ever come up with a word that means bigger than big and larger than large – it’ll describe my love for Oh Nuts.

These people know all there is to know about nuts and the proof is in the pudding… rather the proof is in the nuts.

My favorite nut happens to be the Heavenly pecan, but I’ve never met one I didn’t like.  I’ll be adding a few nut-licious recipes to the blog over the coming days – all in honor of my new buddies at Oh Nuts.  The first one stars my much beloved pecans, but I’m sure you saw that one coming.

When you purchase 1 lb bags of walnuts or pecans from Oh Nuts, you’ll flip over the convenient bag they come in almost as much as you do the delicious nuts. Almost.  The bags are great looking, for one thing, and for another they’re extremely easy to get in and out of…. which is a GREAT thing for snackers like me!  I knew I wanted to use the nuts for holiday recipes, but I found myself repeatedly getting into the bags for convenient, delicious, healthy snacks.

Today is Cyber Monday, as you probably know, and if you place a $50 order or more on Oh Nuts today, you’ll get FREE shipping.  There’s nothing about that I don’t love.

Oh Nuts actually has more than just nuts. A LOT more.  You could, literally, do the majority of your Christmas shopping on this one website – and do it today for free shipping. Below are just some of the great things you’ll find on Oh Nuts:

  • Nuts (you didn’t think I’d leave them out, did you?)
  • Candy
  • Dried Fruit
  • Chocolate
  • Baking Supplies
  • Baking Goods
  • Gift Sets
  • Gift Boxes
  • Ice Cream
  • Ice Pops
  • And more!

See Oh Nuts for more information. Trust me, they’ll blow you away.

So, just how healthy are nuts? Read what Real Age has to say about these delicious treats:  Health Benefits of Nuts (The link will open in a new window.)

Readers: It’s Time to Get Naked!

Naked Juice, That Is...

by Joi

Naked JuicesNaked Juices are better than you think they’ll be and better than they have a right to be.

Like most of you, I try hard to serve my family healthy foods and want, very much, to provide the healthiest alternatives possible for each one of them.  I’ve found that, especially when it comes to younger family members, your best bet for getting fruits and vegetables through the lips and gums is for it to be in liquid form.  Mind you, it has to be delicious, but they think they’re simply drinking something tasty, they’re all in.

I was sent some amazingly delicious Naked Juices a little while back and, even though I LOVE healthy foods and drinks, I cautiously opened my first bottle.  My taste buds were anxious and curious but they’d recently been through an ordeal, so they were also a little apprehensive.  Turns out, I’d recently tasted a healthy fruit juice from my local grocery store that left me spewing in the parking lot.  It may not have been a pretty sight, but the thought of that ickyness being in my mouth any longer was out of the question.

So, when it came time to taste Naked Juices, it took a while to coax my taste buds out of hiding.

Once I took a sip, though, my eyes nearly bugged out of my head (admittedly not a pretty sight either, but whatever).  I tried the Reduced Calorie Citrus Lemongrass juice first and was completely blown away. You know how it is when you try something that really and truly shouldn’t be as good as it is? You do a double-take and wonder if you’re in some alternate universe or something.  There’s NO WAY anything that begins with “Reduced Calorie” and ends with “Lemongrass” should be as delicious, but it is completely Heavenly. Completely.

Can you imagine if someone had walked in and seen me deliriously drinking something, smiling ear to ear.

“What are YOU drinking?!”

“Reduced Calorie Citrus Lemongrass.”

And yet.  My taste buds were completely back in the game.  So much so that I couldn’t wait to try the other varieties.  I finished off the amazing ones they sent me and I’ve bought more because, frankly, I’m hooked.

Look for Naked Juices in your store.  Look for them online.  Look for them in your neighbor’s refrigerator.  They are healthy, nutritious, delicious, and highly addictive.  Your entire family will love each flavor, trust me.  Read more about Naked Juices on their website by clicking the link.  I just noticed they now have 100 percent pure Coconut Water. Seriously? I’m all about Coconut water!

 

Good Health is Built Upon Good Decisions

Here are Delicious Building Blocks for the Process

by Joi

Dr. McDougall's Right Foods Ready to Serve Roasted Pepper Tomato SoupWhen’s the last time you got excited, really excited, about soup? Unless you’re a soup fanatic like me, your answer could lie somewhere between, “Been awhile” or “You’re kidding, right?” This health food review – a review of Dr. McDougall’s Soups – is for all of us, soup addicts and soup newbies, alike. Those of us who eat soup pretty much on a daily basis have a  deliciously healthy new soup to enjoy and those who don’t eat soup regularly are about to gain a new incentive to do so. 

This health food and soup loving junkie had reason to do a happy dance across the kitchen floor about a month ago. I was sent a box filled with Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods ready to serve soups. In fact, I had one last night for supper, the delicious Ready To Serve Black Bean Soup – Gluten Free. I heated the soup and served, filled our bowls, then topped it off with a little sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Delicious!

I built the entire meal around this healthy, hearty, and delicious soup. Make no mistake about it, it was the star of the show.  Each soup I’ve tried has been exceptional and each time I’m left thinking, “This tastes like soup you’d get in a restaurant, not one that’s waiting for you in your pantry.”  They’re that outstanding.  Even better, they’re incredibly healthy.  A bowl of one of Dr. McDougall’s soups, along with a tossed salad or bowl of cottage cheese and fruit is a beautifully healthy, filling, and delicious lunch.

Can you even imagine how much better this meal would be for you than a burger and fries?!?!

Not only is it the right way to eat for you and me… it’s the right way to feed our families. If healthy food tastes good, kids (and husbands!) will eat it.  End of story.  Our mission, if we choose to accept it, and we do, is to find the healthy foods that have as much taste going on for them as they do nutritional value.

That’s why I”m so excited about these soups, they have it all going on.  I even love that they don’t come in cans!

Prevention Magazine had this to say about the Black Bean Soup: “This hearty blend of black beans, vegetables and organic brown rice kept testers full for hours. There’s just the right amount of spice and cilantro adds great flavors” and Better Homes and Gardens called the vegetable soup “…one of the best store-bought vegetable soups we tasted.” If it was just “one of,” I’m dying to know what the others were!

About Dr. McDougall
Dr. John McDougall, M.D. is one of the founding fathers of natural wellness. A best selling author and board-certified internist, he has been writing and speaking about the effects of nutrition on health for over 30 years. His guiding principle, and ours, is that people should feel great, and enjoy the best possible health for a lifetime. As the founder and medical director of the nationally renowned McDougall Program, Dr. McDougall has helped thousands improve their health and their quality of life by teaching people about the benefits of a plant based, heart healthy diet rich in good starches like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta and legumes. To find out more, visit www.drmcdougall.com

Making good, healthy choices today (again, for ourselves as well as the people we love to distraction) means healthier tomorrows.   One day last week I found myself having what I thought was a “burger craving.”  I even considered running to the nearest drive through and ordering the biggest burger they had.  Instead, I walked to my pantry, and invited Dr. McDougall’s Organic Tortilla Style Soup to lunch.  I ate my bowl of DELICIOUS soup with with a green onion, a glass of iced green tea, and a smile.

That’s pretty much what better health is: Making one really good decision after the other.  Many times what we think is a craving for something unhealthy is a craving for something hearty and filling.

Where to find Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods Ready to Serve Soups

Unfortunately, none of the stores near me carry Dr. McDougall’s products, but that’s not really such a problem. I happen to LOVE shopping online and all of these healthy and fantastic soups are just a click away. Not only can you buy cases of these great soups online, you can buy his other equally great food products. I’m anxious to try the Asian Entrees.

You may be in luck, though. There are many stores that do carry Dr. McDougall’s healthy foods – click HERE to see if stores near you carry these great products.

There’s nothing about these soups that I don’t love and I’m hoping you’ll click through the links I’ve given you and read more about Dr. McDougall and his products. It might just be the smartest thing you do all week!

Dr. McDougalls Right Foods Black Bean Soup Review

Fullbar Lets You Eat Less

Without Your Stomach Wanting to Eat Itself

by Joi

Lose Weight with Fullbar

I was recently sent a batch of Fullbars to review on the food blog. Since I’m a HUGE fan of nutritional snack bars, and health food in general, I jumped at the chance. Shown above are the Fullbar Peanut Butter Crunch Perforated Box, 6 – 1.59 oz bars, but just about every conceivable flavor and flavor combination is available.  It may seem odd, given my intense obsession with chocolate, but my favorite Fullbar might just be the Cranberry Almond. I’m hooked on it like you wouldn’t even believe.

Fullbars were developed by Dr. Michael Snyder, a renowned weight-loss surgeon.  His vision was for everyone to be able to have access the keys to successful weight-loss. Inspired by the principles of bariatric surgery, fullbar helps you feel full with less food, causing you to eat fewer calories.  Eating fewer calories, of course, leads to weight loss!

When you use fullbar products, your stomach fills up on less food, causing you to feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food, so you consume fewer calories during meals, helping you lose weight. – From Fullbar.com

The way they work is this, you eat a Fullbar 1/2 hour before lunch and dinner everyday, with a glass of water. When mealtime rolls around, you’ll eat less food than you normally would – consuming far fewer calories.

The best way for you to become familiar with Fullbars is to visit their website and learn the facts about Fullbar.  You’ll find videos, news, success stories, and a lot more information – including how you can actually get free Fullbars.  You can also read about their new protein shakes. They sound as delicious as the bars.

You can find Fullbars in a lot of grocery and department stores.  I’ve seen a lot of the varieties in Wal-Mart.  They are also available on Amazon, just click Here to see the many different Fullbars available.  Each one I’ve tried has been delicious, but there’s something extra delicious about the Cranberry Almond.

Quinoa is More Than Just a Pretty Face

The Most Fascinating Food You've Never Eaten

by Joi

Edamame Corn and Quinoa Salad

I recently saw a recipe for an Edamame, Corn, Quinoa Salad that I simply HAD to try.  It looked so delicious, colorful, healthful and adventurous – how could I resist?!  The recipe is here and the picture of my creation is pictured at the top of the post.  The night before, I’d had Bruschetta Chicken – heavy on the basil, so I left the basil out of my version of the Edamame Corn, Quinoa Salad. However, earlier today, I traipsed out to my herb garden, grabbed a little basil (the beautiful aroma catches me off guard every single time).  I added some to the leftover salad that had been chilling in the fridge and it’s a delicious addition.

I honestly can’t say if I prefer it with or without basil.  This salad is especially scrumptious after the flavors have gotten acquainted overnight.  SO GOOD!  Trust me, you’ll want to click the link above and try a copy of this recipe asap.

If you’re new to Quinoa, like I was, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. I’d seen the boxes in the health section of my favorite grocery store (Kroger) before, but since I had no unearthly idea what to do with them, I left them and turned my attention to more familiar territory: Coconut Milk, Soy Milk, Greek Yogurt, and Organic Eggs from UNCAGED chickens (all caps because it matters to me).

Ancient Harvest Quinoa

Lacey, the Sweet Pea Chef (and creator of the Edamame, Corn, and Quinoa Salad) points out that Quinoa is pronounced “keen-wa.”  I won’t even tell you how far off base I was on that.  Between my Kentucky accent and the highly unique spelling of the name, it was an embarrassing attempt.  Thanks be to God that I never said my 3 syllable version aloud.  Quinoa is 100 percent whole grain (I just realized that I’m still, mentally pronouncing it the same old way? Hard head.).  This grain has an impressive history. It dated back to the Inca culture.  They referred to it as the Mother Grain.

Here are a few really interesting facts about Quinoa:

  •  Quinoa contains more high quality protein than any other grain.  The National Academy of Sciences calls Quinoa “One of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom.”  High praise, much?
  • Quinoa contains NO gluten. If you follow a wheat-free/gluten free diet, Quinoa could become your new best friend.
  • Quinoa is light, tasty, and easy to digest.
  • It has a delicious nutty flavor.
  • Quinoa is quick and very easy to prepare.  It can be served as a side dish, in soups, in salads, as a nutritious warm breakfast cereal, and as a pilaf.

Below is a recipe from the back of my box of Quinoa, Ancient Harvest Quinoa.  Voila, they even spell out the pronunciation on the front of the box.  KEEN-WA.

Quinoa Pilaf Recipe

1/2 cup carrots, diced
1/2 cup green onion, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup green pepper, diced
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
6 cups Quinoa, cooked according to basic directions on box
1/4 cup butter or olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup almonds, sliced
1/4 tsp oregano
salt to taste

Saute vegetables in butter or olive oil until crisp; stir in oregano.  Add sauteed vegetables to cooked quinoa, mix well. Salt to taste.  Add almonds.

Yield: 6 Servings

No matter how you pronounce it… the way it SHOULD be pronounced or the way it comes out of my mouth… Quinoa is pretty amazing.  It’s healthy, delicious, and a lot of fun.  We get the most out of cooking (and our families get the most out of eating) when we keep things fresh, fun, and fantastic. Try new foods and get creative with old favorites.  There’s nothing at all wrong with having favorite standbys – they’re called comfort foods for a reason, after all.  But never get stuck in a rut and never, ever half-ass it!

As is the truth with most things in life, we get OUT of it what we put INTO it.   Always give it your all, fellow foodie friends.

Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil

A Fresh, Fun Ingredient to Introduce to Your Cooking!

by Joi

Kelapo Virgin Coconut OilI was sent a bottle of Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil to review on the food blog and I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun I’m having coming up with new ways to use it.  Coconut is one of my absolute favorite flavors, as well as scents – the smell of coconut alone sends me to far away, exotic places.

Below are my favorite uses for my beloved Kelapo Virgin Olive Oil:

  • In smoothies (I’ll add a few recipes today)
  • On toast – just replace butter for a wonderful flavor.  Add a little blackberry jam for extra kicks.
  • On popcorn, instead of butter. YUM!
  • If you use coconut oil to “grease” your cookie sheet, cake pan, or cupcake tins, you’ll add a little coconut flavor – which for a coconut fanatic like me, is a beautiful thing. Coconut cake would get an extra boost by greasing the pans with coconut oil.
  • In recipes calling for butter, use coconut oil instead.
  • Use a silicone brush to brush the coconut oil onto a panini press before making the panini.  The extra flavor is outrageous!
  • Asparagus, broccoli, snap peas, red pepper strips, squash, and just about any vegetable you can think of is extra delicious when sauteed in coconut oil.  If you (for reasons that completely escape me) wanted less of the coconut flavor, heat the oil longer.

Benefits of Coconut Oil:

Virgin coconut oil is comprised of medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs, that you could say are the proprietary secrets of plant based saturated fats.  The most recognizable of all the MCTs is lauric acid.  Besides virgin coconut oil, lauric acid is found in breast milk. Rich in antioxidants, lauric acid and other MCTs, coconut oil helps the body absorb important nutrients and minerals, eliminate harmful bacteria, and fight the signs of aging.

Professional athletes have long been using coconut oil as fuel to build lean muscle.  Additionally, adding coconut oil to a smoothie, can increase your feeling of fullness and stabilize blood sugar for longer periods of time.  Some people have even reported the ability to burn more fat and achieve greater weight loss after the use of virgin coconut oil.

Mediterranean diets receive lots of attention but the people of the Mediterranean are not the only ones with a healthy diet.  In tropical countries where coconut oil has been consumed daily for hundreds of years, there are fewer cases of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses, than reported in the US.

Lastly, scientific research is further looking into the connection between virgin coconut oil and brain function.  Over time, glucose inhibitors can limit the amount of energy to the brain, causing a decrease in cognitive function.  Consuming regular amounts of coconut oil however, can lead to ketone production, where ketones take over when glucose is not present, and help restore brain activity.

100% organic and all-natural, Kelapo™ Virgin Coconut Oil, should be enjoyed as a delicious part of a healthy lifestyle. – From Kelapo’s Website

A delicious, fast, and impressive-looking snack using Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil:  Wash plum, beautiful strawberries, leaving their green caps on.  Dip the bottoms (about halfway up) into Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil, then roll in one of the following:

  • shredded coconut
  • toasted shredded coconut
  • granulated sugar
  • Truvia or Stevia

Delicious!  You don’t get an oil-y taste WHATSOEVER, only wonderful coconut flavor.

As far as I know, Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil can only be bought on Kelapo’s website, so be sure to click the link and take a closer look.  Also, notice that they also offer Vegetarian Coconut Oil Softgels.  Kelapo also sent me a couple of these to try and all I can say is, yummiest Nutritional Supplements ever!  I guarantee I’d never forget to take one of these each day.

It just occurred to me, I can’t wait for the next time I make coconut cake, coconut shrimp, pineapple upside down cake, Macaroons… I’m going to have to really stock up for making Halloween candy and Christmas baking.

Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil Review

One of the many pigs in my collection beside a new kitchen staple, Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil!  As you’ve probably noticed, I almost always put one of my pigs into the “scene.” Well, what can you expect? They’re camera hogs.

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