My mom loves this product and can't find it anywhere within 70 miles of her home... great Christmas surprise for her and right on time!
Showing posts with label healthy dinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy dinner. Show all posts
Ozery Bakery Morning Rounds Cranberry Orange Pita Bread, 12.7 Ounce - 6 per pack -- 6 packs per cas
My mom loves this product and can't find it anywhere within 70 miles of her home... great Christmas surprise for her and right on time!
Pure Organic Raw Fruit & Nut Bars (Pack of 12)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Allow me to give you some frame of reference on me: I'm not a vegan or even vegetarian, or sufferer of Celiac Disease. If I fell into either one of those camps, I would instantly raise the rating at least a star. But since I'm not adverse to occasionally ingesting an artificial ingredient or two, I'll give you the straight dope on this very healthy snack bar.The ingredient list is quite impressive, if only for the fact that someone who doesn't have a chemistry degree can understand it. That in itself is refreshing. They've even got a YES/NO breakdown printed next to the ingredients that goes something like this:
YES!: Certified Organic, Gluten-Free, Full Serving [of] Fruit, Organic Protein, Rich in Omega-3s, Good Source of Fiber, Raw, Vegan
NO!: Refined Sugars, Gluten Dairy or Soy, Cholesterol, Trans Fats, Preservatives, GMOs, Artificial Nothin'
WOW! 5-STARS SO FAR! Let's tear this thing open!
At first glance, it looks just like holiday fruitcake that's been mashed with a rolling pin. Mmmmm... Maybe that's why it doesn't need preservatives and the expiration date is almost a full year in the future. Smells a lot like fruitcake, too. I lost my first test subject (my wife) on looks and smell alone. (Minus 1 star for lack of family appeal -I don't count the kids' outright rejection.)
The first bite redeemed the bar. It's tastier than I'd anticipated, full flavored and sweet without being powdery or sugary. I think I might like this.
The second bite lost the other star instantly. I felt like I almost broke a tooth on a rather large fruit pit. Guess I should have paid closer attention to the disclaimer on the wrapper that states, "May contain pieces of nuts, shells, stems, or pits." I found a stem in the other half of the bar.
As good as this fruit bar may be for me, I don't think I should have to strain it prior to eating it. I have enjoyed similarly nutritious bars in the past and not one thought of seeking a dentist.
Though the PURE BAR is EVERYTHING they promise (pits and all), I'll probably do some more "research" (read: taste tests) on other healthy snack bars before buying a case. I will, however, recommend this bar to a family member who needs a Gluten-free diet, because it tastes significantly better than most Gluten-free snacks I've sampled.
Just be careful and take small bites.
When I was searching for a healthier between meal afternoon snack I read a lot of reviews for a lot of products. I wanted something with few ingredients, not "fortified" and with some nuts in it. I settled on the Larabar Fruit & Nut Cherry Pie bars and the PURE Bar Organic Wild Blueberry Living Food Bar. I love cherries and I love blueberries so they seemed like good choices.
The stats of the bars are very similar, weight (both 1.7oz, not 1.8), calories, fat, sugars, etc. The PURE has more protein at 6g vs 4g. The Larabar has no sodium while the PURE has just a bit at 5mg. The Larabar is thicker, the PURE bar is wider. Visually the Larabar appears to have more nuts in it, which doesn't seem to jive with the protein stats. The PURE bar has a grittier texture while chewing so maybe more of the nuts are finely ground.
1st ingredient is dates for both followed by almonds and then cherries for the Larabar and followed by blueberries and various nuts, organic agave nectar, rice protein and lemon juice for the PURE bar. One would think with the extra ingredients in the PURE bar they were added to tweak the flavor or give it a fresher taste, but the flavor of the Larabar is better than the PURE by a pretty good margin. It has a much fresher and lively taste. I have to say the PURE bar is a bit cardboardy tasting to me and has a drier mouth feel. It is not bad, in fact my 2 youngest kids eat them readily, just not nearly as good as the Larabar. I think the tartness of the cherries in the Larabar kick up the flavor vs the milder blueberry flavor of the PURE (maybe the lemon juice add as an attempt to kick up the PURE bar flavor and tartness?). In fairness I should probably review the PURE Cherry Cashew bar but I much prefer almonds over cashews so don't plan on ordering any from Amazon. If I stumble on the PURE cherry in a regular store I will give one a try though. I still get both auto shipped from Amazon for variety sake, but am looking for a better tasting blueberry bar w/ basic ingredients including nuts.
For grins here is a comparison of the Larabar, PURE, Snickers, Hershey's and Maruchan Chicken Ramen noodles in a few categories. Stats are listed in the order I listed them in the previous sentence.
Calories: 190, 190, 280, 210, 380
Total Fat: 8g, 9, 14, 13, 14 Saturated Fat: 0.5g, 1, 5, 8, 7
Sugars: 21g, 20, 30, 24, 0
Protein: 4g, 6, 4, 3, 10
Sodium: 0mg, 5, 140, 35, 1540 !!!
UPDATE Nov 11, 2009 PURE has changed this bar.
I got my regular shipment and noticed the bars came in a newly shaped box and new packaging. Total fat went from 9g to 8g and they eliminated all sodium. Total carbs edged up to 26g from 25g. Protein remains 6g and calories at 190.
The BIG CHANGE is that "Organic Wild Blueberries" drops from the 2nd item listed on the ingredients list to the 5th! Blueberries are now after not only dates but walnuts, cashews and rice proein concentrate. Bumping up the nut content would not be a bad thing, but since the total fat actually decreased and carbs increased, I think the nut quantity actually decreased along with the blueberries, but the date quantity increased. This seems to basically be a date bar w/ nuts now and some minor blueberry content. I'd love to see the actually quantity of blueberries in this bar. Ironically, I can actually see blueberries scattered in the new bar, whereas the old bar was more of a dense blended mush. The bar is noticeably lighter in color now (and density)...more tan than blue. The new packaging implies a longer slimmer bar shape, but oddly the actual bar is shorter, wider and a tad thicker...package marketing? The total weight is unchanged at 1.7oz. I'm still looking for an alternative blueberry bar...I imagine cost is a big factor in blueberry content. My 2 kids will still eat these but they noticed the change right away and are not impressed.
Buy Pure Organic Raw Fruit & Nut Bars (Pack of 12) Now
This bar is the closest thing I've ever experienced to eating a brownie fresh from the oven in a packaged food. I have no idea how the folks at Pure Bar managed to make a chocolate bar that tastes so much like baked goods, using only raw and living ingredients, but it's wonderful that they have, and I mean to buy several more cases. Any of the store bought brownies you've had won't satisfy you like this will Entemanns and Hostess are not nearly as delicious and warm-tasting, and the health food and energy bars I've had that are chocolate flavored always end up tasting like wheat germ or oats. It's easy to carry, one bar fills me up, and as a chocolate fan, I am happy to see that Pure Bar uses raw cacao powder the real deal, and not carob chocolate substitutes. You can definitely taste the difference. This particular Pure Bar product makes for the best tasting snackfood or dessert I've ever eaten out of a wrapper, and unless you're on a completely raw vegan diet, it's going to be better for you than whatever meal you ate just beforehand! If you like chocolate like I do, you're going to love this. It's a soft, gooey brownie, pure and simple, walnuts and all.Read Best Reviews of Pure Organic Raw Fruit & Nut Bars (Pack of 12) Here
The best part about this bar is that (unlike most others) I cannot taste the dates. They're a little sweet, but not too much so; the tartness of the cherries helps balance things out. I take these with me for breakfast or a snack to classes, and it helps fight off any hunger while I get some protein. I've also found that it is more filling if I drink it with something (juice or a bottle of water) and can make a quick meal. I'm new this whole raw food thing, so these have been life-savers for when I'm tired of eating whole foods and salads.Want Pure Organic Raw Fruit & Nut Bars (Pack of 12) Discount?
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program As a person who is more involved with health and nutrition than the average person that has also purchased raw food bars before, I was happy that this was offered though the Amazon Vine program and I glady ordered the sample. It tastes good and it claims to contain "nothing cooked, nothing processed," but that is not the simple truth. The bar contains "agave nectar" which does not occur naturally. It is not unprocessed and it is in fact, a highly cooked and processed sweetener. It is derived from processing and cooking the core of the blue agave plant for many hours in order to break down its starches into sugars. Agave nectar was originally touted as a "healthy alternative" to table sugar, but it is potentially much worse than table sugar on your body. It is essentially a super high fructose syrup, just like high fructose corn syrup, but with a much higher fructose content. Typical high fructose corn syrup used in soft drinks is about 55% fructose while agave nectar contains a whopping 85-90% fructose. First of all, I don't understand why they thought they needed to sweeten this "raw" bar, and second, they used "agave nectar" which sounds good to the uninformed, but it is not a raw ingredient and it has a very high fructose content. I think they used "agave nectar" to hide the additional fructose (or sugar) on the label. There is controversy, but fructose and particularly agave nectar may be bad for you.You can research for yourself, google "agave nectar bad"
and look for entries from "foodrenegade," "nourishedkitchen" and "living-foods"
You can also google "fructose bad"
check out the hits from "about" and "the american journal of clinical nutrition"
Fructose and in particular, High Fructose Corn Syrup are the subjects of much controversy today. There are studies that conclude that there is no appreciable difference between sucrose and fructose to our bodies (and of course, fructose is a component of sucrose). There are also studies that indicate fructose may be problematic. Regardless of which camp you're in, "agave nectar" is a hidden source of fructose in this bar and it is not raw. The fact that the manufacturer of this bar claims "nothing cooked and nothing processed" is nothing short of fraud.
Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk - 4.4 lbs
If indeed this is a 4.4 pound box, it's $11.99 in the grocery stores on the west coast.....
Buy Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk - 4.4 lbs Now
This dry milk is super easy to mix. My kids will drink it in a cup, on cereal or in baked goods. Great product for the money.Read Best Reviews of Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk - 4.4 lbs Here
First, for all of you who have been looking for this product, Nestle's had a problem with their production. It will not be available until they get their act together.Second, I have tried many instant, non-fat powdered milk brands and this is still my favorite. I bought the Saco brand at Christmas, and while it was good, it is a bit different than the Carnation brand.
Third, I don't think it's over-priced. Dairy has risen and will continue to rise because they are using corn for fuel instead of feeding it to the cows. I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and I don't believe I have ever seen a box this big even offered in any of the stores I frequent. This size combined with free shipping--I think it's a great bargain.
If you keep it in your freezer and take it out as you need it, it will have a better flavor than leaving it on the shelf. This goes for all powdered milks. I even keep my homemade hot chocolate mix in the freezer for the same reason.
I hope it becomes available soon! Amazon, thanks for offering it for sale!
Want Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk - 4.4 lbs Discount?
Carnation has always been the American dry milk choice, but this price is way high! Check out Nido, which is dry whole milk: Nestle Nido Milk Powder, Imported, 14-Ounce Cans (Pack of 3) and also is a great (good fat) coffee creamer and makes awesome bread and mashed potatoes!
Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -- 16 Bars
Excellent taste, and great for a pre workout meal or small lunch. I love that larabar does NOT use GMO ingredients too.
Buy Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -- 16 Bars Now
These are a great alternative to kids granola bars, which are loaded with sugar. I really like that my kids get some natural fiber and a serving of fruit with these bars.Read Best Reviews of Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -- 16 Bars Here
This Larabar food bar comes in the yummy flavor of chocolate chip cookie dough, with a pleasing chewy texture. The bars contain cashews, dates, and chocolate chips, along with cocoa and vanilla flavoring. At 210 calories, they are a good source of energy and fiber, and are gluten free. Recommended.Want Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -- 16 Bars Discount?
these bars are good. I like them and i eat them. the bars work for a breakfast. and they have a short ingredient list. if you are watching your sugars. remember these are not for you cause dates are a sugar. I like the bars. what more is there to say?Save 23% Off
Earth's Best Junior Baby Food Organic, 6 Ounce Jars (Pack of 12)
My girls loved this although it did take getting used to the texture. The texture is thicker and chunkier than other stage three foods and is perfect for transitioning to solids. I fed them this until they were 15 months old. Now they are 19 months old and from time to time somebody still goes in the cabinet and brings me a jar to feed them. Better than I expected!
Buy Earth's Best Junior Baby Food Organic, 6 Ounce Jars (Pack of 12) Now
Who knew that my 1 year old would love broccoli this much???I'm thrilled that he likes this puree of broccoli, zucchini, peas, and couscous. It's a chunkier style than many other purees, so it's definitely something to try once your baby does well with the stage 2 foods. It doesn't have the big chunks like the chicken & stars meal or the carrot & corn one, but it's got a "bumpy" texture because of the broccoli and the couscous, so your baby needs to be OK with that thicker texture.
This particular blend is difficult to find, so we buy in bulk whenever it's available.
Read Best Reviews of Earth's Best Junior Baby Food Organic, 6 Ounce Jars (Pack of 12) Here
I like Earth's Best baby foods, but this is one of the most watery varieties that I have tried. My son likes the taste, but sometimes I have to mix it into other foods to get a thicker consistency.Want Earth's Best Junior Baby Food Organic, 6 Ounce Jars (Pack of 12) Discount?
My son loves all of the Earth's Best organic baby foods. They are great and I feel good knowing they are organic without any harmful pesticides. You can't go wrong!
Bakery On Main Gluten Free Granola, Apple Raisin Walnut, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)
I purchased this product in the last week from a local store and was so suprised at 1.) How good it tastes and 2.) How much the texture is like real oat granola. I had seen the GF granola before but did not get it because I thought the flakes would make it more like flake cereal. I was definitely mistaken. Not only does it satisfy my texture cravings, it has some great ingredients like flax seeds and dried fruit. It actually had a good ratio of fruit to nuts and other contents, rather than having one or 2 pieces of fruit in the whole bag like some other manufacturers like to do. In all, I totally loved this product and now that I see buying in bulk from Amazon will save me $2/bag, I will be sure to buy it here next time!
Buy Bakery On Main Gluten Free Granola, Apple Raisin Walnut, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6) Now
It's a toss-up whether I prefer Bakery On Main's GF Apple Raisin Walnut or the Cranberry Maple. Both are delicious. Have good crunch factor and none of the aftertaste that some GF products have. The cereal is good with milk (I use almond milk) or by itself as a snack.This is the best gluten free granola on the market! I have tried all five flavors and haven't found one I didn't like. The portions are small but calories are high. It is the only kind I buy. To try it is to love it.Want Bakery On Main Gluten Free Granola, Apple Raisin Walnut, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6) Discount?
For 2-1/2 years, since I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I searched for a good tasting and healthy gluten free cereal. This is one that I really like. Crunchy and tasty. Try it, you'll like it.