Health Food Reviews

Caulipower: Quite Possibly THE Best Gluten-Free Pasta

February 1, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Caulipower Linguine with Meat Sauce

Years ago, when I had to give up gluten and wheat (health reasons), the first f0ur things I thought of were…

doughnuts
pasta
fried catfish
pizza

These are four of my favorite things in life and have been since my life began. I was afraid there’d be no hope to enjoy these great loves ever again and, frankly, with doughnuts, my prediction held true. There ARE gluten-free doughnuts, of course, but they are not the ones I remember from bakeries.

Until fairly recently, the pizza and pasta prediction also held fast, but lately, great strides have been made and (as a pasta and pizza fanatic) I couldn’t be more thankful.

However… when it comes to gluten-free pasta, it has always been a case of, “this one is pretty good” or “this one’s acceptable” instead of anything close to, ‘Holy cats, this gluten-free pasta is outstanding and tastes like the pasta I remember!”

Then I found Caulipower’s new gluten-free pastas – let’s just say it’s a GAME CHANGER.

(Review Continued Below….)

Caulipower Linguine

Caulipower is a brand I’ve been familiar with for a while because I buy their gluten-free pizza crusts (Amazon link) and gluten-free pizzas (they’re outstanding and I actually now prefer cauliflower crust to regular gluten-free crust). When my youngest daughter told me they had come out with gluten-free pasta, I’m not even exaggerating… I went to the store immediately. They’re in the frozen section and, while I first wondered about them being packaged frozen, I now LOVE the fact. This allows them to cook in just three minutes!

THREE MINUTES! Simply boil the water, add the frozen pasta, stir, and get ready to plate the deliciousness. The first one I tried was the Caulipower linguine because I’ve had difficulty finding linguine in a gluten-free pasta AND I love it.

For anyone who loves “meal prep hacks,” pasta night doesn’t get any better. Simply make up your pasta sauce (I always add ground beef, garlic, onions, green pepper, and mushrooms) and put it into a container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to make supper, warm up your sauce and cook your three minute pasta!

CauliPower Linguine Pasta

I love that the portion is perfect for two people (with a little left over even) and the fact that it cooks so quickly makes it IDEAL for busy weeknights. The best thing, however, is the fact that it is delicious! I added a little salt to the water like I do with all pasta, then added it to a meat sauce I had made beforehand.

While you could, of course, simply top the pasta with sauce, I thought adding it TO the meat sauce would make sure there was no cauliflower taste to detect. Mind you, I am obsessed with cauliflower, so it would make me giddy if there was a cauliflower taste but my husband is not a cauliflower fan, so I wanted to make sure that IF there was any flavor there, the sauce would mask it.

I tasted the pasta before adding it to the sauce and, even then, it was simply outstanding – no cauliflower taste and, best of all, it had the true consistency of “normal” pasta. Most gluten-free pasta you find in the stores is tough and not remotely “pasta-like” when it comes to the mouth feel. This one is so perfect it nearly brought a tear to my pasta-missing eye.

But it gets better.

If you’re familiar with gluten-free pasta, you know that leftovers are hideous. Gluten-free pasta, after being refrigerated and warmed-up gets even tougher. Not Caulipower pasta! When I warmed it up the next day, it tasted just like I had just made it fresh.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

(Review Wrapped Up Below…)

CauliPower Linguine Pasta with Meat Sauce

Before allowing you to get on with your life, I just wanted to point out two things to let you know just how excited I am about Caulipower pasta and how thrilled I am to have found it:

This is NOT a paid post, NOT sponsored, and NOT in any way associated with the Caulipower brand. I was NOT sent coupons or products to review. This is simply a case of a pasta lover who has to eat gluten-free finally finding the pasta that makes her excited to eat pasta again!
Many times, after I have a food or use a product, I will schedule a time in the future (maybe a week later) to blog about it on the food blog. This particular pasta I tried just last night for supper and just warmed it up for lunch. I was SO anxious to share the good news that I dropped everything to sit down and tell you all about it.

If you have to eat gluten-free, are cutting back on carbs… OR simply want a more convenient and delicious pasta, I hope you’ll try Caulipower pasta as soon as possible. It’s a perfect 10 out of 10 and, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go have a little more.

Caulipower Pasta

Parma! Vegan, Plant-Based Alternative to Parmesan Cheese (Review)

May 23, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Parma! Vegan Alternative to Parmesan Cheese

Okay, first of all, I have to say this: Even if you aren’t a vegan and aren’t actively looking to add more plant-based foods to your daily life… you will want to continue reading and you will most certainly want to try the Parma! products.

Trust me. I am not TOTALLY in either of these camps either – although I do enjoy a lot of vegan and plant-based meals and recipes, I do not exclusively eat this way. The more I read about healthy ingredients, however, the more closely I look at the ingredients in everything I buy. When it comes to ingredients, I want there to be as few as humanly possible, I want to be able to pronounce each ingredient, and I want to be able to recognize each one as an actual food.

The ingredients for Parma! Garlicky Green Vegan Parmesan: Nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, garlic, Himalayan salt, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, kelp, basil, oregano
The ingredients for Parma! Chipotle Cayenne Vegan Parmesan: Nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, walnuts, Chipotle (roasted jalapeno pepper), Himalayan salt, hemp seeds, onion, cayenne

If you’re one of the ones who is looking for a vegan and plant-based answer to Parmesan cheese… this is your lucky day. These products are absolutely delicious.

Baked Potato

Since I had to give up gluten and wheat (celiac), I have been very mindful of my eating. Years of eating food I didn’t fully realize were doing harm damaged my digestive tract and (even after 10 years), it’s only recently showing huge improvement. Eating more healthy foods (and keeping a keen eye on ingredients!) has helped.

The simple truth is, the healthier you eat, the healthier you feel and the healthier you are. If you’re interested in health and how what you eat influences it (which I assume you are since you are still reading!), you know as well as I do that oftentimes vegan alternatives and plant-based foods and ingredients can be disappointing. I have bought so many products that sounded like Heaven and tasted like… well you know.

I believe more of us would eat a lot healthier if the healthier was tastier. All indications point to the fact that the people behind Parma! fully, fully get that.

I was a bit nervous about trying these products. They were sent to me in exchange for telling you all about them – completely honest and upfront about whether I liked, disliked, hated or loved them. Before I first tried them, I was actually thinking about how I would be able to write a review about something while saying, “Didn’t care for it, myself, but…”

I guess I just didn’t think it’d be possible to create a delicious alternative to Parmesan Cheese. Here’s the thing: I’m a cheese fanatic! I use Parmesan cheese in and on everything.

Now can you see why I was nervous??

Parma! Vegan Parmesan

Imagine the look on my face when I opened the two bottles, tasted each and literally said, “Wow… Delicious!” after each one. Same script, same words, same shocked and delighted expression.

These are both nutty, delicious, and incredibly flavorful. The Parma! Chipotle Cayenne Vegan Parmesan has a little heat but not (at all) too much. It’s outstanding.

The Parma! Garlicky Green Vegan Parmesan is equally delicious with a subtle and wonderful taste of garlic. I made a potato casserole (pictured below) a few nights ago and, whereas I normally use cheddar cheese, I wanted to try smoked Gouda instead. I added a little minced garlic and some of the Parma! Garlicky Green Vegan Parmesan – it was delicious!

Potato Casserole

I have also used EACH of these products on baked potatoes. My favorite way to enjoy them on a fresh baked potato (white or sweet) is to sprinkle it directly onto the potato, followed by butter and whatever else I’m in the mood for.

Recently, I made baked potatoes and topped them with some of the Parma! Chipotle Cayenne Vegan Parmesan before adding butter, sour cream, chopped scallions, and thinly sliced Romaine lettuce (you’d be amazed how much Romaine adds to a baked potato). The Parma Parmesan gave the potato so much flavor! I’ve since also used the other variety of Parma! on baked potatoes. Phenomenal!

Things I love about Parma! Vegan Parmesan:

The products are gluten-free and are made in a dedicated facility.
They’re dairy free – whether you eat keto fulltime or part-time (like me), the more food you can enjoy that’s keto, the better. Any swap (from dairy to non-dairy) you make counts toward better health.
The products are Kosher.
They’re delicious!

In addition to the uses pictured and named above, I have also loved using these products on popcorn (DELICIOUS!), gluten-free toast, in and on Chaffles, sprinkled on asparagus, on gluten-free pasta, and sprinkled on gluten-free bread… parmesan bread never tasted so good!

These are truly delicious and I hope you’ll try them as soon as possible.

Where can you buy Parma! Vegan Parmesan?

There are stores across the country that carry the wonderful products (none anywhere near me, however!). When you visit their website, you can find use the map to locate the deliciousness near you.
Shop for the products directly from their website!
Parma! is available on Amazon – so if you’re already throwing things hot and heavy into your cart (surely I’m not the only one), throw in a couple of bottles of Parma! and get ready to be amazed. Nutty, wholesome, flavorful, and CRAZY delicious.

To read more about Parma and the CEO (Shannon Schnibbe) behind the deliciousness, click here.

Bee K’onscious Raw Montana Clover Honey… Spectacular!

July 20, 2020 By Joi Sigers

Sunflowers and Bee

Whenever I tell people I grow flowers primarily for the visitors they attract, “… hummingbirds, songbirds, butterflies, bees..,” they inevitably say, “Bees?! You WANT to attract bees?”

Absolutely! I love them with a passion. Not only do they serve a great purpose in life as we know it, they’re responsible for one of my favorite culinary loves in the world – honey!

I have been a honey fanatic since a very early age. Most kids would put syrup or jelly on their peanut butter sandwiches, but my favorite thing was honey. Honey and Peter Pan made a most excellent couple.

As an adult, I’ve found that cooking with honey makes just about everything tastes better. But here’s the thing… there’s almost always a thing, isn’t there??… not all honey is created equal. Some honey is so fantastic and out of this world that it makes other honey seem like sticky, slightly sweet thick water.

I have always, always known that, most of the time, you get what you pay for. The delightfully cheap honey in bear shaped plastic bottles will serve its purpose UNTIL you taste what honey is actually supposed to taste like. There’s truly no comparison and I was recently reminded of this.

Bee K’onscious Honey

I am often sent food, drinks, tea, coffee, and similar products to review on my food blog as well as my tea review blog, Crazy Tea Chick. Very often, the products I’m sent are so good, I regularly buy them as a result. I was recently sent a jar of Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey and will darn sure make certain I never run out of it!

Now, keep in mind, I am a lifelong devoted and fiercely dedicated honey lover. I’ve bought them all it seems – so when I tell you that this is the best honey I’ve ever had, you can rest assured it is extraordinary honey.

Here’s what Bee K’onscious Honey’s website says about the Montana Raw Clover Honey:

Montana Clover. Many consider clover honey to be the standard by which all other honeys are measured. The mild, sweet flavor like a sugary treat with hints of cinnamon and vanilla makes this a top favorite for honey lovers and not. The color ranges from white to light amber. The texture is thick and creamy with a very pleasant aroma. For any delicious treat add this to some yogurt or fresh bread with ricotta cheese. How about pancakes topped with berries and then lathered on top with a spoon full of honey? There are many folks that simply spread this on toast and say it tastes like a cinnamon roll.

Nailed it!

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey

I’ve used the Montana Raw Clover Honey the following ways and have been completely blown away each time…

Drizzled on freshly fried chicken tenders. Tossing a little red pepper flakes onto the honey makes a delicacy.
In smoothies to add a little guilt-free sweetness.
On gluten-free toast – either with cream cheese, ghee, or butter, it is a knock-out.
In tea… this honey is now an addiction for excellent evening tea!
On sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes (all potatoes, if we’re being honest) are a great passion of mine. I’ve always baked them, then added butter and a combination of brown sugar and cinnamon. The most recent time I made them, I also added B’konscious Honey – phenomenal! By adding the honey, I was able to add less brown sugar than I normally do. The honey provides the sweetness naturally.
One of my favorite ways: Each night, after supper, my husband and I have a small “dessert” that I schemed up a while back. It’s a good way to get good fat (healthy) and daily dark chocolate (healthy, healthy) – We take a small square of dark chocolate and spread some ghee on top, then top that with a little pink Himalayan salt. Lately, we’ve been adding a touch of Montana Raw Clover Honey and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to the other way! It adds so much extraordinary flavor that I look forward to the after-dinner treat pretty much all day.

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey has an impressive list of health benefits, but my favorite has to do with allergies. I suppose this is simply because I have the worst seasonal allergies in the world! I have noticed that, while I’ve been fiercely enjoying B’konscious honey, I have had to use my Benadryl (or as I call it, Liquid Zombie because it makes me feel like the walking dead!) far less often. Given that I use honey so often, something tells me that the benefits of honey are superior when the honey, itself, is superior.

Honey is also beneficial for great sleep as it promotes the release of serotonin. The body converts serotonin to melatonin, which regulates quality and duration of sleep. Maybe that’s why I’ve been sleeping so soundly lately. I’ve been entering a deeper sleep because my dreams have been pretty darn entertaining. Seriously, nothing out of Hollywood could even hope to compare.

Other Health Benefits of Honey From B’konscious Honey’s Website:

Anti Microbial: Honey is a natural antibiotic. Honey has been used for centuries to remove bacteria from cuts and burns.
Superfood: Honey contains many life sustaining substances – enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and water.
Boosts energy: With 17 grams of carbohydrates per serving, its unprocessed sugars enter the bloodstream quickly giving extra energy.

You can buy this exceptional honey directly from the B’konscious Honey website. You’ll find all of their gorgeous products, recipes, health benefits, and more.

On The Go Edamame Tropical Fusion Snacks: Gluten-Free, Low in Sodium, and Delicious

February 13, 2019 By Joi Sigers

I recently received samples of a delicious new snack I know you’ll love as much as I do. These are On The Go Edamame Tropical Fusion Snacks. In addition to Tropical Fusion, these Edamame Fusion Snacks are also available in Berries Fusion and Goji Berry Fusion.

When I first heard about these snacks, I was completely intrigued. When I’m on the receiving end of snacks, gluten-free food, seasonings, etc., my emotions usually run the gamut from excited (when I just KNOW something will be delicious) to dubious (“How is this going to taste??“). However, this is the first time I can honestly say I was simply “intrigued.”

One of the reasons why is that I am the world’s biggest edamame fan. Seriously, I am addicted. I always have at least one bag of frozen edamame on hand – usually two. I love it popped in the microwave, salted, and set right in front of me….. and I really don’t like to share.

I also LOVE edamame in tossed salads and pasta salads. Crazy delicious.

But… in a snack mix???

Like I said, it had me intrigued. Probably like the first time Popeye heard about Green Smoothies. Intrigued.

As soon as they came, I opened the box, quickly took pictures of the packets, and tore into one. Nevermind the fact that I was in the middle of cooking lunch – I had to know what they tasted like.

Suffice to say I nearly ruined my lunch by eating a packet at once.

Every single bite is delicious and nutritious.

I (obviously) love that they’re gluten-free – but that’s just one of the many things to love.

{Continued Below….}

Edamame Infusion Snacks Are…

Preservative Free
Gluten-Free (worth mentioning twice)
Sulfur Free
Good Sources of Protein
Good Sources of Iron
Good Source of Fiber
Perfect for Lunch Boxes or Backpacks
Ideal to keep in the desk door for snacking

Since I’m one of those people who has low blood sugar, I always keep a snack in my purse – just in case I find myself in need of something to eat before I drop to my knees. Carrying snacks in handbags, pockets, lunchboxes, or backpacks can be tricky. Chocolate melts, cookies crumble, granola bars… well, let’s be honest, sometimes I’d rather deal with dropping to my knees. Snacks such as this are always fresh and delicious. They won’t crumble, melt, or taste like cardboard doing an imitation of oatmeal.

I’m a huge fan of granola bars, could you tell?

Visit On The Go Snacks to learn more about their different snacks – this particular one is completely out of this world.

Where to Buy: You can find On The Go Edamame Fusion Snacks on Amazon (Amazon link). I’ve linked to the Tropical Fusion variety, but the others are there as well.

PBfit Review: Healthy and Delicious for the Whole Family

October 4, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Delicious PBfit – All Natural, Vegan, and Gluten-Free

While I’m normally the class clown, I want to be somewhat serious for a minute.

I guess that’s somewhat of a benefit to being the person who’s never serious, when you ARE serious, people know it’s… well… serious.

Think back to when you were in grade school. If you’re a parent or grandparent, odds are you have trouble thinking of overweight kids or even teachers. I can, honestly, remember the names of the overweight kids because they were so few.

Today, sadly, things are much, much different. You cannot go to the store, it seems, without seeing precious children who are already dealing with weight as an issue – at an age when they’re only “issue” should be homework or keeping their little brother from snitching on them!

I don’t have to tell you how unhealthy and dangerous carrying extra weight is. I won’t insult your intelligence with any diabetes statistics. You know that there is an epidemic in our country – with children and adults. An epidemic that HAS to be confronted head-on with better nutrition.

Chocolate PBfit Smoothie with Apple and Banana

The problem is… kids have incredible appetites! They’re growing and busier than any self-respecting Type A bee, so that’s only natural. Starving them is most certainly NOT the answer. Fun activities and healthy food are the answers needed and, fortunately, healthy food couldn’t be easier.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, too. It’s delicious! In fact, eating healthy is so delicious – and makes you feel so much better – that the entire family will benefit.

PBfit is one of my family’s newest obsessions and it will surely become one of your family’s as well. With 87% less fat than traditional peanut butter and 1/3 the calories, all natural PBfit makes meals and snacks healthier and even more delicious than ever.

You simply mix a little water with the PBfit mixture and… badabing!… delicious and creamy peanut butter. You only make the amount you need for the moment, so it’s always fresh and fantastic. If you want to add a little chopped peanuts or even a mashed banana, have at it. While the options are endless, it’s never better than when it is in its simplest form – good old fashioned peanut butter.

Chocolate PBfit Peanut Butter

It’s wonderful spread on bread, toast, or English muffins (with or without banana slices – YUM!) but I actually prefer dipping apple slices into the peanut butter. I also love making smoothies with the traditional PBfit as well as the Chocolate PBfit (it makes outstanding peanut butter, too… very reminiscent of Nutella).

When making your favorite smoothie, simply toss in some PBfit for extra protein and flavor. It is absolutely perfect in chocolate and banana smoothies. I usually throw an apple in, too, for good measure.

After all, an apple a day and all that…

There are a lot of excellent sounding PBfit recipes on the official website. I’m slowly but surely going to workmy way through each of them. Seriously, this is outstanding – you are going to love each of these – Chocolate PBfit, Organic PBfit, and the Original PBfit.

Kids will get a huge kick out of “making” their own peanut butter and you’ll never have to let them know how much healthier it is for them. Heck, even I get a kick out of “making” my own peanut butter and my qualification for “kid” expired quite a while back!

Each of the three varieties is IDEAL for smoothies and even milkshakes. They smoothly incorporate into the other ingredients – seemingly even better than traditional peanut butter does. I’ve actually been surprised just how smooth and creamy my smoothies are.

Below is a recipe from PBfit that’s a perfect example of the options when it comes to smoothies.

PBfit & Jelly Smoothie

1 cup frozen blue berries
4 tbsp pbfit
1 scoop vanilla protein
1 tsp low carb sweetener, monk fruit
3/4 cup milk of choice
*** optional, 1 tsp goji berry powder for color added nutrients

Blend and enjoy!

Find more recipes, nutrition information, and a lot more on PBfit.com.

PBfit sent me the samples in the picture above in exchange for telling my readers about their product. They also graciously shared the PBfit & Jelly Smoothie recipe (and photo below) with us. The raving words and opinions are all my own, of course (as are the rest of the pictures). I was blown away by PBfit – I honestly had no idea how delicious it would be, for one thing, or how many different ways it could be used for another.

You can find PBfit in most grocery stores as well as on Amazon (Amazon link). I hope you’ll check it out – you and your family will absolutely love this.

If You Don’t Like Ghee, It’s Only Because You Haven’t Had the BEST Ghee: Ancient Organics

January 4, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link)

When I first tried ghee, I thought it was horrifyingly bad. So bad that I was certain I’d never touch it again.

Fast forward to today…. I am, now, a complete and total Ghee addict.

So how did I get from point A to bullet point B? I tried a different ghee!

I read a lot of Paleo articles, use Paleo cookbooks, and stalk the Paleo crowd on social media. While I don’t follow the Paleo diet exclusively, I do incorporate it into my cooking and eating. Paleo cooking uses A LOT of ghee, so I figured it’d be worthwhile to simply try a different brand rather than completely throw ghee out the back door (something that my store-bought ghee had me tempted to do).

My husband ordered a jar of Ancient Organics Ghee on Amazon and, as soon as it came, we tested it out.

What a difference a label makes! Seriously, I cannot even begin to figure out how Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link) gets it so deliciously right when other ghee get it so frightfully wrong.

Maybe the description below will give us a little insight…

Product Description from Ancient Organic’s Amazon Page:

Ancient Organics Ghee is a premium cooking oil celebrated for its taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal qualities—it is unlike any other ghee on the market today. Our Ghee is hand-crafted over an open flame and made in small batches, ensuring you will always get the freshest Ghee. With an uncompromised commitment to quality and an obsessive attention to detail, we guarantee you won’t find a more pure, better tasting Ghee. Ghee is the complete distillation of butter— the end result of a long, slow, careful clarification process that removes all the moisture, lactose and casein, making it completely shelf stable AND a perfect choice for people who are lactose intolerant. The difference between Ghee and clarified butter lies in their flavor and shelf stability: Ghee is superior on both counts Ayurveda recognizes ghee as an essential part of a balanced diet and is considered to be the very best oil one can eat. It has been used for centuries as a digestive and elimination aid, for energy, sexual vitality, skin and eye health, as a lubricant for the joints and for alkalizing the blood. Comprised of full spectrum short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids, Ghee contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids along with vitamins A, D, E and K. Our Ghee is one of the highest natural sources of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) because we use only the highest quality organic butter of pastured cows. Our golden Ghee has a delicious caramelized and nutty taste that will enhance the flavor of any culinary creation. It has one of the highest flash points (485ºF) and it is simply the best choice for high temperature cooking. Substitute our Ghee for olive oil, butter or vegetable oil in or on anything from soups, potatoes, rice and vegetables, with eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, smoothies or popcorn—the possibilities are truly endless. Try it—you will love it!

What is Ghee?

Ghee is a healthy alternative to cooking – far better than vegetable oil. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, recognizes Ghee as a very important part of a healthy diet. It also considers ghee to be the best fat one can eat.

Ghee is as easy to implement in your cooking and eating as it gets. Use it in place of olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter. Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link) is so delicious we even have an after-dinner routine we’ve followed for over a year. We spread a little ghee on a small square of dark chocolate, then sprinkle Pink Himalayan Salt on top.

It is outrageously delicious. Trust me.

Eggs fried in ghee are also out of this world good. The high-temperature quality of ghee performs beautifully in sautés and stir fries.

I’ve even added a little ghee to soups and oatmeal and found that it gives a rich flavor that brings out the best in every other flavor.

Heck, it even takes popcorn up a couple of notches. Last summer I popped some popcorn for an afternoon baseball game. Instead of melting butter, which I’ve done for popcorn for 112 years, I reached for the ghee and melted a tablespoon of it. OMG. I have not used butter on popcorn since.

But here’s the thing – it has got to be Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link). Has. Got. To. Be. The rest I’ve tried are nowhere near as good. I can’t explain it but I can darn sure taste it. This particular brand occasionally runs out on Amazon (which tells you all you need to know about how great it is). Before we learned to stock up, we’d every now and then find “not available” or “In stock on… (insert later date)” on the Amazon page. This led to the need to order other brands and/or experiment with store-bought ghee.

Seriously – they don’t even taste like the same thing!

I hope you’ll try as soon as you can. You’re going to love it. If one size is temporarily sold out, buy the other size. If you get a “In stock on..” message, throw it in your cart and wait!

Yes, it’s costlier than some other ghee, but it is infinitely worth it.

EDIT: I have, since doing this review in 2018, literally searched for a comparable ghee so I could come back to this ghee review and give another option – even if it was a “close second” brand. I can’t find one! This remains the absolute best there is and I honestly can’t even find a close second. Trust me, I wish there WAS a comparable ghee that was readily available on the store shelf but, sadly, there is not. ~ Joi (3/12/2022)

Montana Mex Avocado Oil: Review of a Complete Obsession

October 17, 2016 By Joi Sigers

A while back on the food blog, I wrote a glowing Montana Mex Seasoned Salts review. I still use them daily and love them wildly. If you aren’t familiar with these world-rocking salts, read the review – then try them for yourself. They’re found, conveniently, on Amazon.

It turns out Montana Mex has more than just badass seasoned salts. They also bottle their badassery. Because I’m one lucky food blogger, I received a bottle of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil to review. I will also be reviewing a few of their other better-than-they-have-a-right-to-be condiments in a follow up post.

But let’s stick with this addictive, smooth and flavorful EVOO for now – as it deserves our full attention. See the picture above? If you see a photo of something I’ve reviewed, pictured alongside the product I bought on my own, you know it was a huge hit. I ordered my own bottle before my review bottle even ran out!

Montana Mex Avocado Oil is a 100% natural, cold pressed, extra virgin avocado oil with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Not only is it (naturally) gluten free, it’s non-gmo verified and kosher certified to boot. See the words “… with high levels of antioxidants” on the front of the bottle? Yeah, I’m crazy wild about that.

‘Cold pressed’ simply means that all the goodness is still inside. It has not been treated or heated. The avocados are simply handpicked, mashed and then pressed to give you nutrient rich avocado oil.

Simply delicious and deliciously simple.

Roasted Asparagus and Carrots with Montana Mex Avocado Oil

My Favorite Ways to Use the Montana Mex Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Avocado Oil

It is ideal for frying eggs – which I then season with one (or a combo) of the seasoned salts (Chile Seasoned Sea Salt, Sweet Seasoned Sea Salt, Picante Seasoned Sea Salt). I have always loved a mixture of butter and EVOO when frying eggs. The butter brings the flavor to the party, while the EVOO keeps the butter from embarrassing itself. This beautiful Avocado Oil doesn’t need any butter, thank you very much, as it has plenty of flavor on its own.
I also love this Avocado Oil for sauteing onions and other vegetables. It gives them an extra subtle flavor that brings out their best.
One of my favorite ways to cook chicken strips is to marinate them in a mixture of Italian Dressing, honey, and lime juice for a few hours. Then I fry them in an iron skillet with a little olive oil. Montana Mex’s Avocado Oil gives these strips even more flavor. Somehow the lime and honey (two of my personal culinary obsessions) work with the avocado oil in a way they don’t work with any other oil. The flavor combo is like a match made in culinary Heaven.
Vinaigrettes – This is a fun and tasty new way to add excitement to your tired old vinaigrette recipe.
Drizzled on top of vegetables before roasting, it gives them an extra layer of flavor.
When I made a huge taco salad a few weeks ago, I drizzled a little Montana Mex Avocado Oil in a dish and added a little lime zest and fresh black pepper. It made a delicious dip for heated tortillas.

Basically, I use it anywhere I typically use EVOO. The above are just a few that come to mind (because I make them so often).

Why I have this review listed under “Christmas Gift Guide Ideas”

Foodies and cooks get a special kind of excited when we receive gift baskets filled with new ingredients, foods, condiments, etc. Placing something unique and extra cool like Montana Mex Avocado Oil (as well as their salts and condiments) in a bag with colorful dishtowels or a great looking set of salsa bowls is thoughtful… heck, it’d give you hero status. Trust me.

Visit Montana Mex‘s Official Website for more information and read more about their delicious Avocado Oil here.

You can also follow Montana Mex on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Review: Harmless Harvest Coconut Water: Pretty (and Delicious!) in Pink

June 17, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Raspberry, Peach, and Coconut Water Smoothie (Recipe Below)I’ve been obsessed with all things coconut for as long as I can remember. In fact, I remember when I was a little girl my mom would have to buy two bags of coconut when she was making a coconut cake – one for the cake and one for me.

I can still taste the coconut as I retrieved it from the bag! One little handful after the next.

So it’s no wonder that coconut water is one of my favorite things in the history of favorite things. Not only is coconut water insanely delicious, it’s healthy. One of the healthiest things it does for you, of course, is it keeps you from reaching for soft drinks!

It’s also excellent for upset stomachs. Whenever I’ve accidentally digested gluten or wheat, coconut water comes to my rescue. I can’t explain WHY but it makes my gluten-ed up stomach pain much better.

Not surprisingly, I’ve found ways to work coconut water into my daily life. Harmless Coconut Water makes this as easy as it gets – Not only is their coconut water fresh and delicious, the bottles are designed in a “hand friendly” way that makes them ideal for carrying on walks or hikes.

I love when drink companies think things through.

Actually, they’ve thought a lot of things through at Harmless Harvest. It’s as though the phrase, “Doing things the right way” was invented for them.

Harmless Harvest envisions a world where nutritious, clean, organic and healthy food and beverages are the standard rather than the exception; where all people involved in creating the product are treated with fairness; and the planet is treated harmlessly. – Read more of the Harmless Harvest Story…

Harmlessly.

{Review Continued Below….}

Harmless Coconut WaterWhen you buy a bottle of Harmless Coconut Water, you might find that the water is actually pink. It’s completely natural and, if you ask me, pretty cool. What can I say? It wears it well.

Since I am nowhere near a scientist and couldn’t sound remotely scientific if I were paid to, I’ll let Harmless Harvest explain the “Pretty in Pink” phenomenon: Coconut water contains naturally occurring variations in levels of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, that can turn pink. All of our coconut water is clear when bottled; however some bottles turn pink with time when the antioxidants interact with light. Darker pinks are usually associated with a higher expression of PPO (polyphenol oxidase), one of the many active enzymes in our water. A higher PPO count can be due to the particular crop, season, etc. Read More…

Harmless Coconut Water: Oh So Pretty in PinkObviously, a coconut fiend like me is going to love her coconut water straight from the bottle – I’m so hardcore like that – but my favorite way to enjoy Harmless Coconut Water is actually in smoothies. It has a more intense, nutty flavor than other coconut waters on the market which makes it perfect for smoothies.

When it comes to smoothies, part of the fun is choosing your own fruits and “extras,” but the recipe below is my go-to smoothie recipe of the moment. Sometimes I’m a little more heavy-handed with the frozen raspberries than the peaches and other times I flip it and go nuts with the peaches.

Chia Seeds are one of my favorite “extras” for smoothies. They’re delicious, very nutritious, and… let’s face it… they look mah-ve-lous.

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water and frozen pineapple (as you’d imagine) also make knock-out smoothies. While I’m deathly allergic to them, personally, I’d imagine that mangoes would also rock in a Harmless Coconut Water smoothie.

Raspberry, Peach, and Coconut Water Smoothie

16 oz Bottle Harmless Harvest Coconut Water
1 TBS Raw Honey
2/3 Cup Soy Milk or Coconut Milk
2 TBS Chia Seeds
8 Frozen Peach Segments
1/2 Cup Frozen Raspberries

Blend. Get Comfortable. Enjoy!

I will be experimenting with a lot more Harmless Coconut Water Smoothies and will post the recipes on Get Cooking. It’s that time of year when I just can’t get enough smoothies and Harmless Harvest Coconut Water has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

Look for Harmless Coconut Water in your grocery store. I’ve found them at Meijer’s and Kroger. They are found in the refrigerated section, hanging out with other delicious and healthy food. See the Locator page for more information.

Connect with Harmless Harvest:

Raspberry, Peach, and Coconut Water Smoothie: Beautiful!

I was sent coupons to try Harmless Coconut Water in exchange for telling you all about them. The review, recipe, opinions, and photos are straight from me.

Review: Gluten Free Wraps from BFree (Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free, and Egg Free)

March 30, 2016 By Joi Sigers

This will wrap up my reviews of delicious BFree gluten free breads, bagels, and wraps. You can find links below to my reviews of each BFree product I’ve enjoyed.

BFree’s breads, wraps, and bagels aren’t just gluten free and wheat free, they’re also dairy free and egg free – meaning they’re perfect for A LOT of different people.

This review is for their two amazing wraps – the Quinoa & Chia Seed Wrap and the traditional white tortilla style wrap. Both are outrageously delicious and, because they’re very pliable, the possibilities are endless.

I’ve used each for sandwich wraps and they blew me away with their pliability. I’ve come to expect “issues” with gluten free wraps – and by “issues” I mean that the whole shebang ends up on a heap in the middle of my plate, creating a kind of unattractive wrap salad.

My favorite ways to enjoy the traditional style wrap:

Rice, Tomato, and Eggs Breakfast Bowl (pictured at the top)
Black Beans, Cilantro, Cheese and Rice Bowl – top with guacamole or salsa and it’s HEAVEN!
Peanut Butter & Jelly “Wedges” (make “sandwiches,” then cut into triangle shapes)
Cream Cheese & Chive “Wedges”

My favorite ways to enjoy the Quinoa & Chia Seed Wrap:

They’re all but made for chicken salad and tuna fish wraps!
Peanut Butter & Honey “Wedges”
Cream Cheese “Wedges”
Wraps with different combos of veggies and bean sprouts or alfalfa sprouts.

{Review continued below…}

BFree Gluten Free Wraps - Quinoa and Chia Seed

BFree Quinoa & Chia Seed Wrap – Knock Out with Chicken Salad and Tuna FishBFree wraps are as excellent as every other BFree product I’ve had. There’s little doubt in my mind that soon… very soon… BFree will be a household name in every gluten free, vegan, and dairy free kitchen in the country.

To find BFree Products, see the store locator on their website.

BFree Gluten Free Wraps – Delicious!

Also on the Food Blog:

BFree Gluten Free Bagels Review

BFree Gluten Free Sandwich Bread Review

BFree Gluten Free Rolls Review

More Gluten Free Food Reviews!

Delicious Free for All Kitchen Brownie Thins

June 22, 2015 By Joi Sigers

Free for All Brownie Thins: Crunchy and Delicious

Before I get to my review of my newest favorite gluten free snack, Free For All Brownie Thins, I just want to give a huge shout out and thank you to all companies like Partners (the makers of these delicious Brownie Thins) who are making eating gluten free totally painless, beautifully easy, and completely delicious.

Now for the review…

I was sent a couple of bags of the Free for All Brownie Thins to review on Get Cooking. Like all of the gluten free food reviews I do on the food blog, the opinions and images are my own. No one even suggests what I should or should not say. So, when I say that this chocoholic’s world has been rocked and rocked but good, know this – these are my own words, straight from my own lips and my own feelings, straight from my own heart.

Brownie Thins – a New Favorite Gluten Free Snack

These delicious Brownie Thins do not taste like some gluten free snacks – you know the ones, the snacks that taste as gluten free as their name. Free for All Kitchen’s Brownie Thins do not have one single ounce of flavor that even whispers gluten free. The flavor screams CHOCOLATE with echoes of DELICIOUS!

The crunchiness of these brownie thins makes them as fun to eat as they are yummy – it also makes them a dream come true with a glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

Free for All Kitchen Brownie Thins with Milk

Brownie Thins with Milk (Perfect!)

The light dusting of sea salt just adds to the addictive mojo of these little beauties. When you think about the most prominent ingredients – Dutch Cocoa, Buttermilk, and Sea Salt.. is it any wonder these Gluten Free Brownie Thins are so uncommonly delicious?

One of My Ceramic Pigs is Getting Ideas…

In addition to eating these brownie thins with coffee and milk, I’ve also put peanut butter on them, which is outstanding. Another favorite spread is good old fashioned, always delicious cream cheese.

Fantastic!

I have also made tiny little ice cream sandwiches with them by placing a spoonful of vanilla ice cream between two – out of this world good on a warm afternoon. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed ice cream sandwiches until I took a bite. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

I can also see using the Free for All Brownie Thins to build a great truffle with layers of brownie thins, whipped topping, and vanilla pudding. Throw raspberries on top and you have a dessert fit for any get together or party!

Free for All Brownie Thins with Peanut Butter – YUM!

Basically, the options and ideas are limitless because these little guys are so delicious. I was going to experiment with them by crunching them up in my food processor and making a pie crust with them, but, alas, I could not stay out of them and have eaten them all.

Hey, don’t blame me… they’re the ones that taste so addictive and delicious!

They’re delicious, crunchy, and perfect and there’s no wrong way to enjoy them, but when all’s said and done, my favorite way to eat these brownie thins is right out of the bag. One after the other after the other…

Which is why they are gone.

No problem, though.. I can order more any time I want to. So there’s hope for that chocolate pie crust after all.

I 110 percent urge you to check these brownie thins out for yourself. You will be blown away – they are just do darn good! Click HERE for all the information you need and to order your own sweet new chocolate addiction.

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On The Go Edamame Tropical Fusion Snacks: Gluten-Free, Low in Sodium, and Delicious