Food Find - Crunchy Carob Rise Bar

I love the convenience and portability of protein bars for times when hunger strikes and there is nothing you can or want to eat.

What I don't like however if the chalky taste a lot of them have from the added protein.

Then a few days ago I stumbled across this protein bar at Sprouts and it was amazing.

So far the only flavor I tried was the Crunchy Carob but my mom and I both loved it!  If you've never tried carob you're definitely missing out.  It reminds you of chocolate but is nuttier and less sweet (and contains no caffeine!)

This bar was sort of chewy and dense.  It reminded me of these delicious carob energy nuggets that Whole Foods sells (which are a bit pricey) .

These bars are free of: Gluten, Preservatives, GMOs, Soy, Peanuts + Kosher

They're also pretty light on ingredients.... Almonds, Agave Carob, Powder Whey Protein Isolate, Crisp Rice.

The nutritional Stats are as follows....

Calories - 260

Fat - 15 grams

Carbs - 22 grams

Fiber - 5 grams

Protein - 17 grams

Food Find - Ore-Ida Crinkle Sweet Potato Fries

First I have to apologize for my absence from my blog.  My husband and I bought our first home and moved in almost 2 weeks ago and we still don’t have internet (I’m using internet at my grandma’s house today).  I just had to share something I discovered last night though…the most delicious sweet potato fries you will ever taste!

I have to admit that I do love sweet potatoes, but I’ve tried sweet potatoes in the past and was never a big fan of whatever type of coating they’ve used.  Last night though I was making burgers and saw Ore-Ida Crinkle Sweet Potato fries and picked them up for my mom…but when I tried them I was hooked.

The outside has a very light (gluten free) coating that gives them a small crunch while the inside is incredibly creamy and sweet.  We tried them sprinkled with cinnamon and it was heaven on a plate.  They were like little bits of sweet potato pie!  They were also irresistible sprinkled with sea salt and dipped in ketchup.  There is definitely something about the crinkle as opposed to the straight cut too...it just makes them extra tasty.

They’re gluten free, fairly low in calories, contain no trans fats and are high in beta carotene with a decent dose of fiber too.

The nutritional stats are as follows:

Serving Size – 3oz

Calories – 140

Fat – 7 grams

Fiber – 2 grams

Seriously, you guys must give them a try!  I can see these tossed with cinnamon and sugar (or splenda) for dessert, served with eggs for a fun twist on breakfast, a delicious side to burgers or hot dogs or even something fun with BBQ chicken or pork chops.  They are such a versatile side.

Food Finds - Lundberg Rice Chips & Oskri Sesame Bars

My current obsession is Lundberg Rice Chips.

I love to snack and I love crunchy food.  Unfortunately tons of snacks (especially chips) are high in fat, sodium and calories.  They're also often full of unhealthy ingredients like MSG (and for some of us gluten).

So when I found these chips I was so excited I actually clapped.  These are made with brown rice and corn and are certified gluten free.  They're also 70% organic, kosher, free of gmos, and devoid of any fake and scary ingredients. 

But trust me when I say you do not need to be avoiding gluten to love these chips.  They are definitely heartier than your average tortilla chip for example but they've got a great crunch.  They would be amzing with hummus or some type of dip because they're thicker than normal.

The flavors are also amazing.  The Santa Fe Barbeque is sweet and smokey while the Pico de Gallo has an awesome spicy mexican flair.  I can't wait to try all of these flavors.

On average they've got about 140 calories a serving and 6 grams of fat so definitely a healthy snack.

My other new food find is Oskri Sesame Bars.

These came with three very thin sesame bars in one package.  They're light and crispy and oh so nutty.  I've always loved sesame candy but its not always the healthiest so I was pretty excited when I found these bars. 

These bars are kosher, vegetarian, gluten free and are also free of all refined sugars.  They're actually sweetened with date syrup which makes them less sweet than a traditional sesame candy would be.

I found mine at Home Goods a chain which sells (as the name would suggest) home decor at discounted prices.  They also have a gourmet food section though which I love.  I got a box of 5 of these bars for only 3.99.

If you like Sesame you really have to try these bars!  Only 217 calories for the entire package as well which is great for a product containing sesame since those can be very calorically dense.  They're crispy, nutty and slightly sweet and oh so satisfying.

New Look & Food Find

In honor of my recent re-commitment I felt like the blog needed a fresher brighter look.  I have to say I love it.  Thoughts?

Also, I wanted to share one of my recent food finds - Ole Xtreme Wellness Tortillas.

These tortillas are low carb, high fiber and actually taste good!

The Stats are as follows (for one entire tortilla):

Calories - 71

Fat - 2 grams

Carbs - 17 grams

Fiber - 12 grams

Protein - 8 grams

I would definitely reccomend heating these up first as they do taste a touch gummy right out of the package.  i like to crisp mine up on the stove.  So far I've made a turkey and avocado roll-up and an egg burrito and they were so good!

I found mine at Walmart for around 3.00 so definitely budget friendly and waist friendly!

Food Find: Praeventia Dark Chocolate Cookies

 Today's food find is Praeventia Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

I must confess I've seen these on the shelf for awhile and never tried them but was dying for cookies and something chocolate today and finally took the plunge and tried them, and I am so glad I did.  These cookies are seriously delicious!  They're crispy and have such an intense chocolate flavor.  They're also heart shaped which just makes them seem all the more fun.

The nutritional stats are quite good:

Fat: 6 grams

Carbs: 21 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Protein: 2 grams

They're made with 70% cocoa and red wine extract as well as pre-biotic fiber in the form of inulin.  Who knew cookies could be decadent and nutritious all at once.  I also love that they come in single serving bags because I am so bad at portion control.

I got a box (with 7 individual bags) for 2.98 at Walmart so not only are they good for you and incredibly yummy, they're also surprisingly affordable!

Food Find: Two Degrees Food Bars

I will be the first to admit that despite my best intentions I don't always eat the healthiest I can.  Whether its because of time, convenience, money, or taste.  Sometimes though, we find foods that are not only easy and convenient but incredibly wholesome.  That's the case here, and not only are these food bars good for you, they're good for the world too.

I was lucky enough to be able to get a sampler box of the Two Degrees Food Bars in the mail, which my mom pickedup from onse of those websites that spotlights weekly or daily deals.  Initially we were thrown off by the cost (you all know I'm pretty frugal).  That is until I looked at exactly what the company stood for and how they're helping our world.

The bars come in three flavors...

The bars are all natural, gluten free, vegan and low sodium.  The ingredients are all sustainably sourced (and local when possible).  The wrappers are made from 100% recyclable polypropylene and our boxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard.

And I didnt mention one of the most amazing parts...for every single bar you buy, Two Degrees gives a hunger pack to a child in need.  Never before has eating delicious and wholesome food been so easy or done so much good both for yourself and for others.

The bars are made with quinoa, millet and chia.  If you've never tried chia before the first bite might be a little different because the seeds have a bit of crunch, however they're really delicious.  The bars are made with real fruit, wholesome grains and toasted nuts and seeds.

I was able to try the cherry almond and the chocolate peanut last night and from the first bite I was hooked.  The almond butter and cherries are sweet and satisyfying, and the chocolate peanut had just the right amount of decadence while still feeling healthy.  They're pretty soft from all the fruit, with a bit of substance and crunch from the nuts and seeds, as well as a decent amount of fiber from the grains.

The bars can now be found online, in all Whole Foods locations and at Select Retailers.

I can't say enough how yummy I think these bars are, and how amazing I think this company is.  Definitely give them a try if you've got the chance!

Food Find: Torani Sugar Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup

Torani makes a wide range of both regular and sugar free syrups.  They are fantastic for flavoring smoothies, protein shakes, pudding, jello, coffee, cocoa, milk, snow cones, etc...  The wide range of flavors truly makes the possibilities endless.

Of course there are some flavors that only come in regular, so I'm always on the lookout for brand new sugar free flavors.  So when I came across this new Autumn inspired flavored at Cost Plus World Market yesterday I had to buy it. 

I added a tsp. to my morning latte and it was delicious!  I actually think I could've used a smidgeon less because the flavor is very strong. This would be great in coffee, tea or cocoa on a chilly morning or for an afternoon treat.