Food N Feelings

Five ways to explain "real food" without driving your family insain.

2010-03-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

This morning is going to be a NORMAL post! I have been reviewing so many products here of late! I hope that you don't mind (I know that I don't!).

The weather should be gorgeous today and I cant wait for a beautiful weekend. I plan on getting out and enjoying every moment. My mom is coming to see me this weekend! I am so happy because I can count on one hand how many times she has payed me a visit. I have no idea what we are going to do yet but I know that we will enjoy ourselves. One of the things that is talked about as soon as a day and time is set for her to visit or for me to visit is food. I know that sounds weird but is something that comes up right away. You see, I come from a SUPER southern family and the way that I eat doesn't match the way that they eat (this photo makes my tummy hurt just looking at it). They think that my food is "different". Which is my mom's way of saying "your health food is weird and I don't like it." When I cook a meal (and don't think that when I cook for my family I don't down play every course) I try my best to keep it simple and use ingredients that I are familiar to them.

For example, last time I came home I made dinner. I made something so simple (almost too simple in my book) and they still turned there noses up. What did I make? Brown rice tossed with chic peas, corn and fresh herbs, Feta stuffed Chicken smothered in a red wine marinara sauce with olive oil infused garlic spinach and carrots. Fresh rosemary bread was served as well. This meal to me was so easy, so simple and didn't have really any frill. Yes, it does sound fancy but in reality, it wasn't. I put the meal together and had it ready in less than a hour. They ate it, but slowly and none of them finished it. My sister, grandmother and mother just kinda laughed throughout the meal and made me feel like what I had prepared was some foreign food from another planet. It hurt my feelings but I just shrugged it off.

Do your parents poke at your eating habits? Do they make fun of your exercise regiment?

Mine do.I cant even count how many comments I get a day..."Did you bring your workout clothes?" "can YOU eat that?" "Did you bring your health food with you?" These are all questions followed by laughter and really meant to make me feel like my lifestyle is "weird". I get it at work and at home. Even some of my friends don't get me. I have over the years found ways to get around the questions and allow myself to be comfortable in settings that are not what I like to call "healthy". It took some time and with the heard head that I have on my shoulders. I never settled. I have been know to bring my own food. In fact, you better believe that when I visit home or go on vacation, I have a cooler stacked with goods. My home town doesn't have a health food store so I like to bring my own food. Usually when I get to the house I slip my food in the back of the fridge or a drawer. Once placed out of sight...I feel at ease. If I should arrive and the kitchen is full of people, I just wait. If I were to get the cooler out and start unloading fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, oatmeal, protein powder, raw food bars and probiotics I would get it. Big time. Something else that I am known for is getting a workout no matter where I am. Vacations, holidays or even having guests doesn't stop me. I can always say "do you mind if I take a thirty minute run?" Even when I went to New Jersey to meet my boyfriends parent for the first time I woke up extra early to sneak in my workout before everyone was up and moving. I always get the most flack when I visit home. Holidays are the worse. I always (for the last three years anyway) go for a nice long run. Christmas and Thanksgiving Day to me are two of the best! I love running on those days because it is dead outside and no one is out. I have found myself being "poked" at as I leave the house. "There goes Heather, she's gotta go run off that turkey she is going to have later." Even when I am sitting at the table and having a nice slice of pie or something I hear "Ooopps! Heather just ate some pie. Better go run it off." Then the laughter comes and I loose my appetite. So with all this being said...Food came up and it came up quickly. My mom will be bringing her fiance' with her and I want to make sure that they have a good time. Last night my mom said the dreaded words to me....

"Heather, I want to go to that restaurant that I went to that one time." "What restaurant Mom?" "I think it is called...OUTBACK." AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I paused and calmly said "Well, don't you want to go to a restaurant that you cant go to where you live?" I want to go to OUTBACK, I want a strawberry daiquiri." I didn't know what to say....Outback and strawberry daiquiris are not in my vocabulary...I didn't know what to say. So I just went with my gut. "Mom, I am sorry but I cant eat there." Well, why not?" She asked. I have been poked at, laughed at even yelled at because of sitting at a restaurant with the request "No oil, no salt, no butter please...STEAMED only." I had flashes of sitting at Outback with the two of them with a 10 dollar salad picked apart and bland as hell. Iceberg makes me want to kill myself. The thought of my mom paying 10 dollars for some iceberg makes me want to even more. I could suck it up and just go. Order what she wants me to and literally get sick. I could, but I wont. I said "Well, if we are going to be drinking (which did I tell you my mom can throw em back?) we should just pick a restaurant downtown and then have drinks downtown. That way no one has to drive. This was my plan...My mom is responsible so the thought of me wanting to be responsible I thought would work. I told her "I tell you what...you and I will take a stroll around downtown, look at menus and you can pick any place you want and we will eat there." Most of the restaurants are ok with me downtown so this makes me feel a little at ease. We went back and forth for almost 30 minutes on this idea. Finally I just broke and said "Mom, I respect that you want Outback but the truth is, I cant eat there, it will upset my stomach and I don't want to routine the whole night." "Ok, fine." She was ok with that. I then said "I could cook!" "Oh no....I will pick a place downtown." That got her.

So sorry for the rant but this is my life....This is the stuff that I have to go through when I visit or someone in my family pays me a visit. I get this question about 5 times a day when I go home or get visits "Heather, what can you eat?" "Can you eat this?" It makes me feel at times like I am a outsider. The truth is....I am. Today I have tips for you and your diet, even when you go home to visit Mom....

I have so many friends that when they go home to visit there families, everything goes out the window diet wise. I tend to lean towards my Mom's comfort food myself. I get stressed out and even grab things in the cupboard. If you’ve been making some big changes to your diet recently, a couple things are probably going to happen — you’re gonna struggle with all the food served at big traditional gatherings, and — if you’re anything like us — you’re probably going to be telling people about some of your new approaches towards eating.

This is great — especially if you’ve started to really get in shape, people are going to ask, with legitimate interest: “what have you been doing?”
‘I Have Discovered the World’s Greatest System and You Absolutely Must Follow It’
Yep, there’s one particular problem with this — people often call it the ‘convert’s zeal’, and it manifests itself in a kind of ultra-high enthusiasm for a recently-adopted system — an enthusiasm that can often turn into serious evangelism.
How come? Well, for one thing, it’s difficult to explain all the great changes you’ve been making, both in your eating and in your activity level, without coming across as though you’re selling something, or maybe even being too pushy about it. Usually this happens without you realizing it, either.
With that in mind, we put together 5 ways to help you out this Christmas (and anytime) — with any luck, they’ll save you from going on a 2-hour rant at the dinner table, and hopefully they’ll help you win over a few ‘converts’, too.
#5: Whenever You Can, Take the Positive Route.
This is an obvious point, but no matter how conscious you are, it’s still remarkably easy to forget — people just respond better to positive suggestion rather than negative criticism. Sometimes this requires you to spin your thoughts around in your head, before you speak them aloud.
An example: if someone offers you a Diet Coke, don’t put your hands up, shake your head, and say “no way, I never drink that stuff — it’s full of hideous crap!” Yes. I know it’s loaded with crap, the person offering it to you probably knows the same thing, but in general, this approach doesn’t really stick.
Try something different — less “hell no” and more “no thanks. You know, I read a really interesting thing about diet drinks recently…”
#4: Start Small, Start Small, Start Small.
I have a little theory. Some of these fad diet books gain so much popularity in North America because, lacking the same grounded food culture of many European countries, we’re more susceptible to full-on, 100% revamps of everything we eat.
When you’re unsatisfied/confused with almost everything you eat, the idea of a magic little book coming along (Grapefruit, South Beach, whatever’s popular this year…) and promising to solve the what-to-eat headache is extremely tempting. But the fad diets keep selling because none of them really work, as none of them are really sustainable. The key, it turns out, is starting small — but it’s hard to sell a diet book with that kind of pitch.
And, coincidentally, the philosophy behind the ‘Real Food’ movement is exactly that — if you’re going to start being conscious about the food you put in your body each day, it’s got to be done gradually. The same goes for telling someone else about your exciting new discovery — if you unload 4 hours of information about feedlot beef and processed corn on your poor Uncle Mike over Christmas, is it going to stick?
But if you suggest a couple easy replacements instead, and then follow up at your next family dinner, your new found evangelism will have a bit more staying power.
#3: Be Ready For Skeptics.
The ‘additives are bad’ argument doesn’t always convince everyone — it’s helpful to have a few facts about why eating 15-ingredient bread or crackers isn’t the best idea, as just saying “it’s bad!” can appear somewhat ill-thought-out.
The context of the food, the lack of history when it comes to ‘food-like products’, the way additives change how our body breaks down particular foods — all these things can help you make your case.
#2: Have An Easy, Convenient ‘Way In’.
So — despite all your sales acumen and sly charm, you’ve failed to sell your gathered family on the true benefit of unprocessed, real food. No worries — sometimes we have to rely on tried-and-true pieces of content to make the case for us.
There are four that work wonders. In order of easy digestibility, they are:
Mark Bittman’s TED talk on Real Food (a short online video)
This Time magazine cover story about the food system (a great, clear article)
The wonderful, well made documentary Food, Inc. (a super-watchable film)
Michael Pollan’s fantastic The Omnivore’s Dilemma (a top-shelf book)
#1: Remember — You Can’t Convert Everyone.
Don’t get down if it feels like your pleas are falling on deaf ears. In the end, the evangelism comes after you’ve taken care of your own food needs, and those of your immediate family.
Sure, there’s something about reading this ‘Real Food’ literature, and really starting to learn how the food system works, that is alternately infuriating and inspiring — the perfect recipe for wanting to spread the word. But convincing people of something as big as ‘your entire diet is wrong’ will never, ever be an easy task, so don’t take it personally if your friends & family aren’t rushing to the farmer’s market after your impassioned celebration.
Keep at it, do all you can for yourself, and let the benefits to your body and lifestyle keep making the case for you.

I hope that these tactics help you. It took me a long time to figure it out.

Have a WONDERFUL day and I will see you with the last post of the week!

-Heather

Zadies knows best.

2010-03-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

When Janice Freed started making her own granola she wasn't thinking about starting her own business, she just wanted to eat some granola that was good tasting and good-for-you . Her interest in good- for-you foods is the real thing (you can tell at first bite).

It's always fun to see a passion turn into a profitable business, and that is exactly what Janice and Shelley Freed are doing with Zaydie's Granola.

I was lucky enough to get these two wonderful bags of granola from Zaydie's Granola!

This company makes homemade granola out of Richmond Virgina. I have to say. I got this spoon out and tried the Walnut Cranberry first. One spoon became another which turned into this.

I decided that instead of dipping my spoon into the bag (I knew that if I kept on half the bag would be gone) I would just go ahead and have 1/2 cup of granola with 1/2 cup of greek yogurt. I thought at first "I should add some cinnamon, maybe some fresh fruit to the mix." I didn't and was so glad that I made that decision. It was perfect! Just like the bag says, it was sweet but not too sweet. Just the way I like it. I am totally addicted to this granola. So many times when you see granola you see these HUGE chunks of oats and dried fruit held together by sugar, oil and butter. Not the case with Zadie's! There are plenty of "chunky goodness" it is more of a loose mix. I like that because I could tell that it was just simple ingredients and wasn't they weren't going for a sugar laden cereal of sorts. What I also like about this granola is because it is not so bulky I can use it in more ways that just to top my yogurt. I can make homemade power bars, have it as a cereal, top my yogurt, mix in my pancakes, have on fruit or even eat alone.

I opened the other bag (Blueberry Almond) and of course was just as delighted! After I opened both huge bags of granola I realized..."Heather, you now have two huge bags open and ready for you to eat." Ahhhhh! I was scared for a second (don't leave me with granola...it's gone in minutes). I had a idea though! After a few seconds of thinking I decided, why not put them in a jar so that they could last? Well that is just what I did. As you can see above, I got a jar and filled it with my precious granola. I was going to mix the two together but decided on having two seperate mixes! The more the better, right?

I have been eyeing this granola recipe and decided that I would just make my own using one of my favorite bloggers ideas!

Easiest Zadie's Granola Bars Ever

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 cup Zadie's Granola

- 1 tbsp flour

- 1/2 cup tbsp Agave or Honey

- 2 egg whites

DIRECTIONS:Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until evenly distributed. The granola should stick together but no liquid should pool at the bottom (if there is excess liquid, add another tablespoon of Zadies granola).
Pour the granola out into a small baking pan lined with parchment paper and mold it into the shape you want (I used my fluted tart shell because it was nearly the perfect size, and the fluting wouldnt show through the parchment paper).

Bake for about 35 minutes, or until granola is lightly browned on top and no longer feels wet. Allow to cool, and cut into bars.
I stored these in plastic wrap and it ruined their texture. Eat them within a day or two, or store them in an airtight container, not too close together, unrefrigerated, for up to a week.
Makes 8 small granola bars.

Mine turned out just like hers! I was sooooo excited to make my first batch of the easiest granola bars ever! The best part....knowing that they were made with Agave and had absolutely no added oil or butter! YAY! I used a mix of the Blueberry and the Cranberry Granola and couldn't of made a better batch. I am so happy to that I STILL have some left over for topping whatever I want with the wonderful mix!

Zadie's Granola is amazing. If you want sweet but not too sweet granola that will knock your socks off, you want Zadie's. Please go to their site to see for your self. They have a list of stores that carry their mixes and I would seriously look for them if I were you! You can buy Zadie's Granola here:

abesmarket.com

I give them a 10! Thanks Shelly for being so great and sending me some of the best granola I have ever tasted! You guys totally know what you are doing!

Hope you all have a great day!

-Heather

leathers, granola and sprouted seeds...

2010-03-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about kaia foods: Kaia foods was founded with the belief that our health is best supported by eating an abundance of minimally processed whole foods. We sprout, mix and dehydrate our organic foods at low temperatures so that they remain 'raw.' No baking, frying, bleaching, or weird processing steps!
They keep it simple: That's their philosophy towards food and their philosophy towards life. Eat whole foods for great health. Exercise daily. Laugh and smile often. Hug everyone. Be mindful of your choices and their impact on the earth. The keys to health and happiness are really that simple.

Their story: Kaia foods was born in the summer of 2006 when Nick was hiking in the Weminuche Wilderness of Colorado with his friends Nina and Billy. Somewhere just below the tree line on a sun-drenched day, inspiration struck. I decided to leave behind the world of finance and follow my dream to make minimally processed, truly healthy food more readily available to everyone and have fun doing it. Fifteen seconds later he passed a horseshoe on the trail (no joke!) and he interpreted it to be a good sign for the journey ahead. I loved reading this! People that follow their hearts make me smile. No matter what it is! I am so glad that I found Kaia Foods...I got this in the mail!

Here's a run down of their product list:

organic buckwheat granola: Made with sprouted buckwheat, sprouted walnuts, sprouted sunflower seeds, sprouted pumpkin seeds, coconut, ground flax seeds, and agave nectar, plus dried fruits and seasonings - our innovative buckwheat granola is delicious as a snack or as a cereal!
organic sprouted sunflower seeds: All we do to our sunflower seeds is sprout, season and dehydrate them at low temperatures instead of roasting them. The nutrients and great taste stay intact and aren't processed away.
organic fruit leathers: To make our fruit leathers we puree whole organic fruits and dehydrate them at low temperatures, without adding sugars or concentrates. Yum!

I they sell a variety of amazing granola. Cocoa Bliss Buckwheat granola was the one they sent me . This bag of granola was dipped into several times once opened.
OMG!!! OH SO GOOOOOOOD!

Check out the nutritional facts:

I like that I can have a whole half cup of granola! Usually a serving of granola is 1/4 cup and has just as many calories. All flavors of the granola look amazing. I am totally going to try the others out.

I also got a variety of sprouted seeds.

Take a salad and sprinkle it with some of these...

Sprouted seeds!

This is a fairly simple wheat berry salad that I saw and knew that the garlic sea salt sunflower seeds would be the perfect topper. I LOVE wheat berries and I LOVED these seeds sprinkled throughout this salad.

Kaia sunflower seeds really turned my simple (sometimes boring) salads into awesomeness! With flavors like Garlic & Sea Salt, Teriyaki, Sweet Curry (my Fave) and Cocoa Molé you seriously can turn something bland into grand. Loved. Them. So. Much.

The sweet curry flavor was amazing with this dinner!!!

When I read the words "sweet curry" for some reason jasmine rice came to mind. Just knowing that sweet curry sunflower seeds were sitting in my cupboard was driving me crazy. It was so cold (where the heck is Spring?) and I thought "I better get all my cozy winter foods out of my system". So to the kitchen I went. With my comfy rob on and knowing that I was in for the night (yes, curry Saturday's alone with a bottle of red is how I roll) I started pulling items that I didnt even know that I had! I used things like coconut oil and coconut milk (mmmmmm). I used a twist with my usual green bean curry and subbed them for okra. I saw this on another site and thought "this could be the answer to my fried okra craving!" I love okra but I must say, picked or fried is usually the only way that I eat it. You have to really know what you are doing in the kitchen to have sauteed okra that doesn't turn into a gooey mess. Luckily, I know my way around. I blenched these to perfection and with crunchy carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, chick peas and sweet curry sunflower seeds. I. was. in. curry. heaven. Curry's make my heart skip a beat (I seriously can make mine hotter than hell) and so very glad to have this meal with the best sprouted seeds ever!

I got two flavors of these sweet treats in the box as well.

Fruit Leathers was a nice surprise!

I had never tried fruit leathers before. I have seen them in stores but never bought one. Kaia Fruit Leathers are like fruit roll-ups but all natural.

Why didn't they have these when I was a kid???
Vanilla Pear and Spiced Apple are the two that I received.
I really thought these were fun! I loved that I could throw one in my bag and have it for a snack whenever I wanted. These will be in my life for sure from now on! Lime Ginger, Spiced Apple, Goji Orange and Vanilla Pear are the flavors that they offer and they all look great.
Pretty good facts if you ask me!

As part of their mission to improve quality of life through proper nutrition they invest 1% of sales in fighting hunger. They currently donate to The Hunger Project and to the United Nations World Food Program. I love it when I hear of a company that gives back! They rock!

PLEASE go to their site!

www.kaiafoods.com

You will want to try something as soon as you click the link ;)

They also have this amazing recipe down loadable booklet!

http://www.kaiafoods.com/simplicity.pdf

I LOVED Kaia Foods and THANK them so much for allowing me to try out their truly amazing products! Heidi, you rock!

You guys get two thumbs up from me!!

-Heather

I had twins....Did you know?

2010-03-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

My stomach has not been feeling very well the last few days :(
I have done some research to find some all natural remedies to ease my upset tummy and found that fennel is extremely good for soothing a stomach ache. I paired three of my favorite ingredients to make a simple but most divine loaf of bread for breakfast or pre-dinner nibbles. The bread itself is 50% whole wheat, so in addition to the figs, the loaves end up packed with fiber and nutrients. With the added health benefits, this combination of sweet figs and roasted hazelnuts is slowly becoming my fruit and nut bread of choice. I will say this. I am not a baker. Nope! I get the itch to bake a pie or a cake every once in a while but honestly I love to cook, not bake. I have a extreme love for all things crusty, pastries and fluffy but I am not one to say "I gotta get my rollin pin out and bake something or I am going to go crazy." I feel at ease if I have some lean meat, fresh herbs, in season veggies and some grain of sort. Salads of course are a forte. I can make a mean salad....Beets, goat cheese, lemon juice, avocado, mango...you name it, I have paired it. Today however is a different day. I wanted to bake and I wanted to bake bad. Bread is something that I dont "do" often as I dont like processed breads and unless I got to the bakery itself and pull the loaf out of the oven myself, it aint goin in me. I want bread and I wanted something that my tummy would thank me later for eating. That is when this baby was born...
Hazelnut and Fig Bread with Fennel Seeds and Rosemary

Ingredients:

whole wheat flour 2 1/2 cups
bread flour 2 1/3 cups

salt 2 tsp

instant yeast 1 tsp
water, room temp 1 3/4 cups + 1 tbsp

fennel seeds 4 tsp
fresh rosemary leaves 4 tsp (2 to 3 sprigs)
hazelnuts 2/3 cup

dried figs, stems removed 2/3 cup

Notes:
You can chop, quarter, or leave the dried figs whole.
Directions:Roast the Hazelnuts
Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°F. Place the hazelnuts
on a sheet pan and roast for 12 to 14 minutes, until
lightly browned. Let the hazelnuts cool completely.
Rub the cooled hazelnuts between your hands to remove
the papery skins.
Mix In a large bowl, whisk together all of the flours, salt,
and yeast. Add the water and mix until the dough is
thoroughly hydrated and a shaggy ball is formed.
Knead 6 to 8 minutes, until the dough is stiff and no longer
sticky. Add the fennel seeds and rosemary towards the
end of kneading and continue kneading until evenly
distributed in the dough.
Add the hazelnuts and figs. Fold the dough over itself
gently until the hazelnuts and figs are evenly
distributed in the dough.
Bulk Ferment #1 60 minutes at room temperature
Stretch and Fold
Bulk Ferment #2 60 minutes at room temperature
Divide 2 pieces
Preshape loose rounds
Rest 10 minutes
Shape tight round or oval loaves
Preheat Oven 450ºF / 230ºC
Final Proof 60 to 90 minutes at room temperature, or until about
1 1/2 times its size
Score (optional)
Steam 1 cup of boiling water poured in a heavy steam pan
(preferably cast iron)
Bake Bake for 20 minutes at 450ºF / 230ºC. Rotate the loaves
and immediately lower the heat to 435ºF / 225ºC. Bake
for another 20 minutes.
Hazelnut, Fig, Fennel Seed, and Rosemary Bread Crust.Oh SO gooood!

Seriously, spread some goat cheese on a chunk of this amazing bread and you have a piece of warm, sweet heaven. I loved this loaf and will be making it again and again. This is the perfect combination if you ask me. Figs are one of my favorite and the fennel will fill your house with the most delicious smell ever. Next time you are thinking about baking. Please try this recipe. You wont be sorry you did!

-Heather

Painted on pants

2010-03-15T05:22:00.000-07:00

I got the most amazing workout gear EVER in the mail the other day...

Gordon sent me these wonderful Sub Zero pants from SUGOi to try! He's the president of Outside PR, which he started in 1995. He began his career in San Francisco as Business Manager of the San Francisco Daily Journal. Prior to starting his own firm, he was vice president of EvansGroup San Francisco, a 45-million dollar advertising and public relations firm. Gordon also served on the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America’s San Francisco Chapter. He is an active surfer, rugby player and adventure racer, having competed in races such as the Cal-Eco Kernville, the Appalachian Extreme and the Hi-Tec Series. I knew that he was not playing around when he said that he was going to be sending me this pair of pants! I love getting something from a active person because there are so many products out there that I have never worn or tried before. These babies really made me feel like a "real" runner/biker...I just loved the way they look and feel.

Built to repel:
By design, the SubZero Tight is intended for cold weather biking, and they are particularly well-suited to this purpose. I’ve used plenty of bike/running pants that absorb sweat like a sponge. Though the SubZero Tight is not waterproof, it is obviously water repellent, far more so than any other tight I’ve used. With the SubZero Tight, sweat was kept at bay.
Base layer or stand alone:
In the same way the SubZero repels road moisture, keeping my legs feeling dry, I also found these tights to be adept at actually wicking away sweat. Given this, the SubZero Tight works perfectly as a base layer when temps are in the serious negative digits. It is almost Spring here but I had no problem wearing these at the gym and outside in about 60 degree weather. I already know that when it gets super cold again these will be my go to tights!

Bottom Line: Great tight warm enough for extreme conditions but lightweight and elastic enough for a high performance fit—a true pleasure to wear. Water repellent fabric make them particularly well suited for sloppy winter biking/ running while wicking action makes them a great base layer choice as well. Very diverse. I LOVED them. I cant rave enough about these pants! I seriously think that Sub Zero pants should be in every one's workout attire. They are super comfortable too!

Go to their site to see all that they offer! You wont be sorry you did!

www.sugoi.com

From shorts to tops, they have it all. I looked at the size chart and when with what they suggested and the pants fit perfectly! Thanks Gordon for changing the way that I will look at running/biking pants again. I have got to get me another pair to rotate in my workout wear. The shorts and tops look amazing!

If you are looking for something new to wear and something that is so comfortable that you wont even want to take them off. PLEASE check them out.

You wont be sorry you did!

***The winner of the Chobani give-a-way is Shelly! Shelly please send me your shipping info and I will let the kind folks at Chobani know!***

Have a great day, I gotta run!

-Heather

On-line shopping at it's finest!

2010-03-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Gluten Free give-a-way is....

PETER! get me your info and the goodies will be on their way!

You already knew that I was getting this new item from Csnstores.com and it came just when I needed it most!

Designed for the way you live. This innovative stick Vacuum Cleaner is perfect for rugs and hard floors, and it features an easy lift off hand vacuum cleaner. Just detach the hand Vacuum Cleaner and you are ready for dust, dirt and crumbs on furniture, counters, shelves, upholstery and drapes. A built-in crevice tools allows you to reach tight spaces in corners, around furniture and along the edges of delicate electronics. A lightweight design lets you move the vacuum cleaner from room to room and up and down stairs. The smart, bag less design is easy to empty. Features:
Stick vacuum cleaner
Bag less design
Converts to a handheld vacuum cleaner
Standard filtration
Standard grip handle
Lightweight easy to carry
Included accessories: Build in crevice tool

I opened the box and had this small, lightweight vacuum put together in 5 minutes flat! I loved how light it was and that I could pretty much store it anywhere. I also love that it is bagless! I hate buying bags for a vacuums. This small unit really did the job. I wish that it had a little more suction but hey....it was 24.95 and what more can you ask for?!? I thought that it was great. It is not something I would solely use around the house but if you are in a hurry and dont have time to sweep, this is the unit for you!

Everything from home bars to shoes, Csnstores.com has it for you. They Are Based in Boston, CSN Stores LLC began in 2002 and has grown rapidly into a Top 3 online U.S. retailer of home and office goods with 400+ employees. See our Facts at a Glance and Industry Associations. Beyond providing unparalleled customer service, selection, and savings to our U.S. customers, CSN Stores has opened its doors to online shoppers from Canada, the U.K., and Germany. Recently named to the Hot 100 List of online retailers for 2009, CSN Stores continues to grow.

With almost anything you can imagine go to the site!

www.csnstores.com

You wont be sorry you did! I loved this site and the customer service was awesome! I was so happy that they let me have the little Dirt Devil. I really needed a small around the house vacuum and this one is perfect. Thanks James for being so great and providing me with a wonderful experience! I give them two thumbs up! If you are a on-line shopper I have no idea why you would shop anywhere else. You can get all your needs in ONE place! Trust me on this one ;)

On to eats! I feel like I have been reviewing non-stop and haven't had the chance to show you my eats for the week. They are different than usual! YAY! I have tried a new dinner menu for this week and I have to say, this one will be making more appearances!

I have been going back and forth with tofu and boneless skinless chicken breasts. Let's face it...If there is a way to cook it, I have done it. On Sunday however I decided that lean fish was going to be on the menu. I made a very interesting dish for my dinners this week (yes, I am single and make one dish and eat it Monday through Thursday at home.) I change it up nightly but what I do is make a "meat" and veggies of some sort so that it is ready to go and I don't have to think about it. It is tough to cook for one...It makes you either eat out all the time (which I cant afford) or eat things like cereal for dinner (which I have been known to do.) I prefer to have a healthy meal so cooking in bulk allows me to no think and just do...

Tonight's (and frankly the whole weeks) meal is:

Grilled Tilapia! I bought a fresh 5 fillet pack and put it to work! I pair the lean fish with black beans, green onion, roasted tomato and quinoa! I added this pesto to the quinoa and OH MY GAWD was it sooooo good! The Living Tree Community has yet another wonderful product! I LOVED this living, raw pistachio pesto! It is so flavorful and a little goes a LONG way!

Simple but packed with protein! I mean this dish has over 30 grams! Can you say muscle building meal?!?

That is the dinner for the week and I bet you can guess the other items that appear on my daily menu:
Greek Yogurt, fresh fruit, egg whites, Manna sprouted whole grain bread, steamed veggies, tofu and Vita Coco! I tell you what...Spring is almost here and I am lovin it!

See you Monday!
xoxoxoxo
Heather

Going nuts for Coconut Water!

2010-03-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

Did you know that coconut water has 15 times more potassium than that found in sport drinks? It's also naturally loaded with the five key electrolytes: potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and calcium. It's what you need to stay hydrated. On a diet? No sweat! Vita Coco is also fat and cholesterol free.
Sure, you may not be a marathon runner, a football player or Tour de France winner, but your every day life is hectic enough—you should be hydrated while you live it. Go ahead, get hydrated and remember that life is a sport! Here is a list of other things coconut water can do for you:
Helps keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
Translation:Now when you get noticed it's not 'cause you're sweaty and gross.
Promotes weight loss.
Translation: You still have to cut back on the fried chicken and hit the treadmill, but we’re there for you to enhance your diet program.
Helps carry nutrients and oxygen to cells and boosts poor circulation.
Translation:See, everyone needs a boost from time to time.
Regulates the function of the intestine, helping promote smoother skin.
Translation: Doing something good for your insides can make you prettier outside! But you still need to wash your face properly, exfoliate and moisturize (don’t forget the SPF).
Helps replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
Translation:Your body needs plenty of fluids after the gym. Fluids free of barley and hops. Go figure.
Helps detoxify your body and boost your immune system.
Translation:Keeps your immune system tough. Grr. And, yells at viruses to back off. "Back off viruses!"
Helps ease stomach pains.
Translation:Calms your stomach, unlike your in-laws' chili cookoff.

Q & A With Michael Kirban
Vita Coco’s "Q&A with…" speaks with Michael Kirban, the co-founder of Vita Coco, and one half of the team responsible for creating the fresh coconut water category in the beverage aisle. Now, almost five years after a breakneck schedule putting Vita Coco onto grocery shelves, he answers a few questions.
Why do you think Vita Coco has been so popular?
MK: It’s an authentic brand that delivers what it promises. Consumers have connected to the simplicity and purity of the beverages, and have seen its efficacy as a hydrator. It all lends to strong word-of-mouth and brand loyalty.
Vita Coco is almost five years old. What’s next for the brand?
MK: We’re still focused on creating drinks in new flavors (we’ve got six, and counting) as well as exploring new food and consumer concepts that incorporate fresh coconut water. In the fall, you’ll be seeing the “beauty” of Vita Coco in a new product! I can’t say much more now.
What’s Vita Coco’s most popular flavor?
MK: Pineapple… still! It’s been our best-selling flavor since we created it. The Acai & Pomegranate flavor is becoming quite popular too, but nothing outsells our original, 100% Pure flavor.
What are the big trends today in beverages?
MK: Consumers want function, flavor and simplicity. This has been the ongoing trend since carbonated beverages peaked a few years ago and we’re still seeing it. Consumers want to know a beverage is good for them, and see the positive results of that goodness. Flavor is personal, of course. Simplicity has been one of the big secrets to Vita Coco’s success and the success of other beverages that have sold well: consumers want cleaner, better tasting beverages with fewer ingredients and additives.
You’re in so many stores now… are you exploring any other channels?
MK: We’re always looking to grow the brand, organically, and sell it or serve it where our consumers “live.” This could mean we sell it in a retail environment, in a restaurant, in a yoga studio or at a resort. We’re a cult brand and want to stay that way, and we always want people to “discover” I tried the coconut water with tangerine! Here is the nutritional info: 70 cals, 17 grams of carbs and a whopping 740 grams of Potassium!
Vitamin A 0%
Calcium 5%
Phosphorous 5%
Vitamin C 230%
Iron 0%
Magnesium 10

I was so happy to read the label on this product.

My initial thoughts on taste were, "this is sweet!" I mean really sweet! Vita Coco only uses green coconuts! Most people don’t realize there is an enormous difference between green coconuts and the brown coconuts we’re used to seeing at the grocery story, and in most pop culture imagery. Green coconuts have all the nutrition and healthful benefits. We harvest green coconuts in the north of Brazil, in a farm near Fortaleza. The average age of the coconut is about 7 months, the best age to extract sweet coconut water that is fat-free (before the coconut ages, turns brown and the water turns to hardened “meat” – fat city!). Vita Coco comes in a ton of flavors! I LOVED the pineapple flavor and look forward to the rest. I will be blogging more about each flavor as I go. It really is the most satisfying drink after a long run! It is SO hydrating and having something sweet but with no sugar added makes you feel like you are having a treat without sabotaging your diet.

I saw some other bloggers making these so I did it as well! Popsicles!!! Man...you know that you are itching for Spring/Summer when you want a Popsicle. When I get this cool craving usually I go buy some grapes and freeze them. Frozen grapes are like mini Popsicles to me and great instead of ice. Well, not anymore! I found my new love! Vitasicles!

PLEASE go to their site! You will love what you see...

www.vitacoco.com

All in all I absolutely loved this product. I did some digging and found that so many celebrities love this stuff too! Madonna drank the water almost every day after a sweaty show. She invested in the company because she loves it so much. Hey...you know how I feel about Madonna. If a woman can look that good at her age, I will take her advice. I am sure at a concert she can shed some sweat and what better way to re hydrate than with Vita Coco! I have already found it at Kroger so it should be available to you at your local grocery store.

Let me know what flavor is your favorite!

Question time! I must say...Your gettin a bit personal! That is ok though just keep it nice and I will continue to answer! Here we go!

This question made me blush...Several times.

How many times have you truly been in love in your life? do you ever act spontaneously and have encounters with people?

4 times I have been in love and yes, I would be open to a spontaneous meeting of sorts.

What is it like to be a twin?

Awesome! I LOVE my sister and have no problem with people saying that we look alike, she's hot! We are completely different though. I mean COMPLETELY different. I think that is one reason why we get along so well!

Ever been sky driving?

Nope and I wouldnt! HA! I am afraid of heights and I just dont take risks like that. Heck, you are talkin to a girl that has never ridden a roller coaster!

Also check out one of my favorite bloggers give-a-way!

http://www.pbandjenny.com/2010/03/pretty-pretty-pumpkin-and-giveaway.html#comments

Ok, that was fun! See you tomorrow!

-Heather

Icelandic yogurt.

2010-03-10T05:38:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't noticed lately I have been eating a lot of greek yogurt. Ok, that is a understatement...I have been eating A LOT. I recently got a TON of greek yogurt from Greek Gods and then Chobani sent me over a 12 pack as well. I was delighted because well...I LOVE greek yogurt and could possibly live off the stuff. I contacted Skyr.com to see if I could try out some of their yogurt since I have been eyeing the pretty package at EarthFare for weeks now. Since I have been trying all this yogurt out, I thought...what is one more? Well, I am so glad that I did go for it. This is what I found.

What is skyr?
Skyr is the traditional yogurt of Iceland. It is made by incubating skim milk with live active cultures. The whey, the water naturally found in milk, is then strained away to make for a much thicker, creamier, concentrated yogurt. So to make just one cup of skyr, with all that water going out, you need 3 - 4 times the amount of milk required to make a regular cup of yogurt. As a result of this process skyr comes out with 2-3 times the protein count of standard yogurt.

The history of skyr:
According to the Sagas, the original stories of the Norse Vikings, Icelanders have made skyr since settlers from Norway first arrived on the island in the 9th century. The word skyr is probably derived from the Icelandic word skera, which means to cut or slice–– a reference to the ideal thickness perhaps? The modern word for regular yogurt, jógúrt, didn’t exist in Icelandic until the 20th Century. Before then, regular yogurt was sometimes referred to as Búlgarst skyr, or ‘Bulgarian skyr,’ because of its popularity in Bulgaria.
Skyr was always, and is still, made from skim milk after the cream had been floated off to make butter. The skim was incubated with cultures and the resulting yogurt strained to take out the whey. Traditionally, the whey that subsequently came off the skyr was then used to pickle various foods in the summer to help last out Iceland’s long, arduous winters. Thus, skyr was part of a process that historically was centered on maximizing the yield and storage time of milk.
Skyr is a big part of the modern diet in Iceland. It has enjoyed a resurgence of kind in the past decades, in particular among athletes and the nation’s prominent musclemen as a highly coveted and convenient source of protein for them muscles!
Today, all Icelandic skyr is made from cow’s milk. Up until the 19th century, however, skyr was made from both sheep and cow’s milk. Siggi’s skyr is made solely from cow’s milk. Look at these ingredients! I decided that I would get blueberry and plain. I LOVED both and in fact want to try out some other flavors, the orange ginger looks amazing! I should have went for a flavor that I have never had before but for some reason good ol blueberry sounded good at the time. Don't misunderstand. I am happy with my choice, it was TRULY amazing. I am just hooked now :)

If you want yogurt like none other with flavors like no others. Go to their site! Just look at all they have to offer! They have a very fine selection of Greek yogurts.Out of all the yogurts that I have tried (and this is saying a lot) they win. So sorry to the others that I have tried recently. I was kind of out to find the best of the best and well...so far Siggi's is it. I will continue to try others out but I must say....YOU had me at first bite.

With only 120 cals and more protein than carbohydrates I was sold. Just by the label. There are so many yogurts out there that is just filled with sugar. Even Greek Yogurt that is known to be higher in protein and lower in the sugar department I have found brands that was not so healthy. It was a hard container to swallow when I looked at the back of one of the companies creamy yogurt to find that it had a whopping 310 cals and over 40 carbs for a cup of the stuff. "I mean...I could eat pasta instead." I thought.

When I looked at the packaging, I was pleased. When I looked at the label, I was pleased. When I contacted them and within four days I had coupons in my hand, I was pleased. Most of all, when I took my first bite, I was pleased.

10 out of a 10 is mt rating! Go to the site, if you don't believe me!

www.skyr.com

Thanks so very much to Virgina for being the sweetest and sending some of this amazing product my way! I am so in love with this stuff and shouting it from the roof tops! I work in a huge place and I have been telling everyone about this yogurt!

If you want food that you can feel good about....the perfect macro nutrients even....Go to Skyr!

Ok three more answers to yo questions:

What is your favorite activity other than the gym?

well, I like to dance. I am a dancing queen actually and LOVE to shake it ;)

How old are you?

28 goin on 29!

What is your favorite time of year?

OMG...you didnt know??? I will answer this as short as I possibly can...My favorite time of year is CHRISTMAS...Whew. Ok I think I was just able to get this sentence out without decorating my desk or caroling. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas. Now...dont misunderstand...I HATE winter but LOVE Christmas. There is a difference. I love the food, I love the decorations, I LOVE the old holiday music and I LOVE family. Simply. I love Christmas. Now if you asked me what my favorite season was I would say Spring/Summer. I love the sunny weather and thrive in it. Watch out though... I am like fire when it gets hot!

What one place would you want to travel to if you could?

This is so easy for me. I would absolutely DIE if you told me that I was going to go to Switzerland. I have wanted to go since I was a little girl. It is a dream of mine and I will get there....one day.

Ok peeps! There you have it!

Thanks for your questions and keep em comin!

-Heather

Gluten Free Waffles Please!

2010-03-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

Hey there!!!
After my french toast craziness I went all out. I got something really great in the mail and YOU will be getting something even greater if you win my give-a-way!!! Oh yes, I am giving a way this sweet package! WHOA WHOA WHOA....What am I doing??? I am getting WAY ahead of myself. Let's back up!

OK...I am fine.

I got a package in the mail the other day that had a bag of Gluten Free Waffle Mix!!! It came from Namaste Foods!

Who are they? Well, I will tell ya!
They are a small (but growing!) manufacturer of fine foods that contain no wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy, casein or nuts. In business since 2000, they continue to strive to be the best at what we do so that you can enjoy all the foods you’ve known and loved all your life. They truly believe Namaste Foods products are the best-tasting allergen-free products on the market! (Be sure to check out their new Pasta Meals in three delicious varieties!)
Their approach has always been very "grassroots" in nature. While they do limited advertising, they have always relied much more on all the wonderful word-of-mouth advertising our customers continue to do for us. It’s the biggest compliment anyone can give us and we appreciate it more than you know.
So, what do they offer you in return for all you do for us? Well, four things come to mind:
Worry-free products – Their facility contains no wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy or nuts. It is their attempt to try to eliminate any chance of cross-contamination so you can enjoy Namaste Foods products worry-free.
A better value – They know that gluten-free products are expensive. In an effort to make them more affordable for you, they try to give you more for your money. You will find that most Namaste Foods mixes have a significantly higher yield than our competitors’. For instance, all their cake mixes make TWO rounds as opposed to one. (Who ever heard of a one-layer birthday cake anyway?!)
You deserve the best – in customer service. So, they invite and welcome your questions and comments about anything that is important to you. If you contact them, they promise to get back to you promptly and offer you outstanding customer service. In addition, your suggestions for new products are always welcome so we know what to be working on next!
Truly delicious food! - That goes without saying yet bears repeating. They work diligently to try to offer you products that make your mouth water and your face smile!

This company really does what they say! I got this in the mail:

Which Became this:

Which ended up like this:

I have never had a fluffier pancake and to think that it was Gluten Free blew me away!!! I give them a 10! Loved. Every. Bite.

So what does Namaste mean?
Many people ask us what the term "Namaste" means. We will do our best to explain it here.
The word "Namaste" (pronounced "Naa-Maa-Stay") is an ancient Sanskrit word with no literal translation. After many hours reviewing all the different translations, we decided we like this one the best.
"The Spirit within me honors and respects the Spirit within you."
The word "Spirit" in this context has no particular religious connotation. You could substitute the word "Heart" or "Soul" if you like. The essence of the phrase is simply that the best part of me wishes you well. And we do wish you well. In seeking to offer you delicious allergen-free foods, we nourish the body. In nourishing the body, we hope to help nourish the mind and the spirit so you can enjoy optimum health.

Go to their site and check them out for yourself!!!

www.namastefoods.com

In fact, if you want to win the give-a-way you have to ;)

The rules of the prize. You have to do two things! Only two my friends! You have to go to their site and tell me which product looks the best to you and you either have to facebook, tweet or link my blog! That is it! If you don't do facebook, tweeter or have a blog yourself that you can link me (who are you and why are you on the Internet???) then you can tell me your favorite Gluten Free Recipe! I will announce the winner on FRIDAY so get them in there!

So there you have it. A chance to win the best Gluten Free Mixes that I have ever tried. I give them two thumbs up and I am so very glad that Sally was so sweet to send me this package. Great customer service and a GREAT product. Try them out, you wont be sorry you did!

Ok now I will start answering some of the "Ask me anything" questions...I have to say. Some of them are interesting ;)
I figure that I would answer a few a day!

1)How long have you been working out and are you a morning work outer?
I have been working out "hardcore" now (meaning twice a day everyday with a day off occasionally) for almost three years. I "started" working out for the first time EVER at the age of 23. I got engaged and I wanted to look my best. I will admit. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Exercise wise and diet wise. My first approach was "I workout so that I can eat what I want." It worked for a little while but then I still wasn't happy with my body for the amount of effort I was putting into my workouts. I started to watch what I ate and stopped drinking beer altogether. For my wedding day I looked the best that I ever looked in my life. Well, less than two years later I was divorced and pissed. (Sorry, you asked). After the divorce I literally layed around ate tons of food and drank my weight in margaritas. I got fat. I mean it, FAT. After about a year and a half I decided that enough was enough and I changed everything I knew. I did RESEARCH and when I say research I mean I was obsessed. I read and read and read. I tried out everything from counting my macros to every type of exercise routine you can think of. I was a calorie counting machine. I got down to my "feel good weight" and I was really paying attention to everything that I ate. Two years later and now I am maintaining. I am not perfect and I still have some slip up's from time to time but overall I am a intuitive eater. I don't workout in the mornings. I utilize my lunch break and finish what I didn't get done after work. I usually lift weights during the week M-W-F during lunch and then do some sort of cardio after work. T-TH-ST I do the opposite and do cardio during the day and then some low key cardio like walking in the evening. I always listen to my body and when I need a rest I allow it.
2) Do you have a boyfriend? Nope.
3) Where did you grow up? I grew up in WR, GA!
Ok folks! Keep those questions commin!

See you tomorrow!
Namaste.

-Heather

Oh how my days keep getting better!

2010-03-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

I am hopping on the blogging bandwagon and going to participate in "Ask Me Anything" week! I am going to allow you to "ask me anything" for one week! I mean it, you can ask me anything and I will do my best to answer. Of course you have to be nice....I mean it. It starts today so get those questions out there and I will start answering tomorrow (if I get any questions today that is ;)

Today is a great day! The sun is shining, the days are just about to get longer and Spring is on my mind. I am all settled in the new place and feel really good about life. I must say...I haven't been this happy in a long time! I have had some amazing products to try and review. One of which I will will be telling you about NOW! I got a variety pack from CHOBANI Greek yogurt!!! I was SO very happy to get the box and see that I had gotten the yogurt of my dreams. Ok, ok, ok. I will admit. Between Chobani and another company I am in the clear as far as buying yogurt for a couple weeks. Not complaining!

I was siked to open my first little container of Greek yogurt from Chobani. I say little because, I wanted this container to last forever.

Who the heck is Chobani and what do that do? Well, chill out! I will tell you!

They make Chobani Greek Yogurt deep in the rolling hills of Upstate New York. Their expert team is committed to bringing you all-natural products that are not only the highest quality but also taste great too.
Unlike regular yogurt brands who rely on artificial additives to enhance the taste of their products, their secret is not an ingredient but a passion and love for what we do…and a man who goes by the name of Mustafa.
Mustafa Dogan is Chobani’s Master Yogurt Maker. He’s an artisan armed with years of yogurt-making experience and is responsible for crafting the rich, deliciousness that is Chobani.
Mustafa custom blends special yogurt cultures just for Chobani. They add these to the milk that they receive daily from local farms to make yogurt. Then they strain this yogurt to make it outrageously creamy and ridiculously high in protein. Did you know it takes three pounds of milk to make one pound of Chobani?
This unique straining process is what makes Chobani Greek Yogurt “Greek” and full of flavor and health benefits:

All natural. No preservatives. No artificial flavors.No synthetic growth hormones: No rBST-treated milk. Includes 5 live & active cultures, including 3 probiotics.Made with real fruit. Twice the protein of regular yogurts. A good source of bone-building calcium.Gluten-Free and Kosher-Certified.Safe for people with corn, nut and soy allergies.

Now if that wasn't enough to get you excited about this brand of Greek yogurt...how about this (blueberry)! Or THIS! Or how about this (vanilla)! Ummmm or this (plain)! Pineapple yumminess. OK so the food porn is over. When I opened the box I jumped for joy as I knew exactly what was going to happen day after day....Greek Yogurt Messes! Oh yes my friends! Needless to say...I have been eating Greek yogurt and will be eating Greek yogurt almost every day for two weeks! I got a 12 pack so that is Monday-Saturday for me x2! This is going to help out big time as far as lunches go. I love, love, love the flavors of these yogurts! My favorite is the Peach. It totally tastes like peach cobbler. I kid you not!

What’s Greek about Chobani Greek Yogurt?
They get this question a lot! Many people think that “Greek yogurt” refers to where we make our yogurt; however, it’s actually the way we make it that puts the “Greek” in Chobani Greek Yogurt.

Unlike some Greek Yogurt companies that add thickening agents to their yogurts for texture, you won’t find any thickeners, gelatins or stabilizers in our yogurt. Instead we use a centuries-old straining technique to remove excess liquid. This is why Chobani is so ridiculously thick and creamy and packed with two times more protein that regular yogurts. Hail to the Greeks…Greek Yogurt that is!

What are the health benefits of Chobani Greek Yogurt?
There are so many! Where should I start?

Chobani Greek Yogurt is a naturally good for you food. The straining process we use to make it causes it to be packed with twice the protein—34% of your daily value, and naturally lower in sodium (our sodium content is 50% lower than regular yogurts) and carbohydrates.

Chobani Greek Yogurt also contains five types of live and active cultures including three strains of probiotics. Plus, it’s deliciously thick, rich and creamy so it’s an ideal way to satisfy your cravings without derailing your diet.

What are probiotics?
Your body is home to billions of bacteria and other organisms. But don’t worry, these are good bacteria that help maintain balance in your digestive tract and boost your immune system.

However, antibiotics, poor nutrition, surgery, stress, alcohol, smoking, pollution, and aging can impair these bacteria.

Probiotics are living organisms found in certain foods and dietary supplements that help replenish and strengthen the bacteria naturally living in your body.

We add three types of probiotic cultures to Chobani Greek Yogurt: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus, and Lactobacillus casei in addition to the starter cultures, or Live and Active Cultures (see question above), needed to make yogurt.

Go to their site! I wont stop you!

www.chobani.com

They have so many flavors and with a variety pack like theirs you cant go wrong. I loved how creamy and delicious they really were. It held me over for a long time and I love how I get a great portion of protein and healthy cultures which my tum tum likes! I really want to thank Shari for being the sweetest and sending me this pack my way! Greek yogurt is one of my most favorite things in the world and Chobani sure knows how to make a gooooood batch!

As if they weren't the best just to send ME a variety pack, the nice folks at Chobani is willing to send YOU a variety pack (as long as you live in the U.S. that is). If you would like yo win your own 12 pack of the best Greek yogurt ever you can do one, two or all three things to enter a chance to win!!! For every time you do one (and let me know). I will enter you so you have three chances to comment and get in the pot!

1) go to www.chobani.com and tell me which flavor you want to try the most.

2) link me on your blog or facebook page.

3) Tell me what your favorite recipe is to use Greek yogurt in.

Easy Peasy people. If you want you can enter three times! I know you want to! I will announce the winner Next Monday March 8th! Stay tuned...

I give them two thumbs up! I honestly loved every flavor, it didn't taste too sweet and there was nothing artificial about it. Good to the last spoonful!

Thanks Chobani and keep up the good work! Ok ladies and gents, remember this is "ask me anything" week and you have just 7 days to ask me what you want! each day U will try and tackle as much as I can. If I get enough questions I will devote a whole post to them! How fun would that be?!?

-Heather

Xagave

2010-03-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

This is my second bottle of Xgave I have already done a post on this product and gave it a raving review. However, agave has been getting some mixed emotions on the Internet from people. I wanted to set them straight! First let me tell you about Xagave. What is it?

About Xagave:
Xagave brand is Premium Agave Nectar is a wonderful sweetener and food that will help you achieve your health goals, whether it be weight loss, improved digestion, more energy or enhanced immune system. There are differences in Agave nectar's, and not all are created equal. The following should give you a quick overview and understanding of why our blend is so special and different from anything on the market. We believe that it should be the only sweetener in your diet. We are 100% confident that you will taste and feel the difference.

Here are a few facts to help you understand what makes Xagave so special: Premium Blend.Xagave is a unique and special blend of the nectar's derived from Agave Tequiliana (Blue Agave) and Agave Salmiana (White Agave) plants. This proprietary, premium blend provides the best tasting, best cooking qualities, most versatile and healthiest product on the market. No other product has the same concentration of calcium and inulin (a pre-biotic fiber and the only product on the market with a standardized inulin content). Once you have tasted and cooked with Xagave, we are sure that you will agree that no other brand can compare or even come close to the neutral taste and health properties. Truly our nectar is unto a class of it's own. Organically Grown.

Xagave is derived from the Agave Salmiana plant, which takes about 7 to 8 years to mature. The plants are grown under strict guidelines that meet USDA organic certification requirements. The farms and processing facility are part of a co-op of 700 farmers -- we purchase our nectar from farmers that we know -- not in the open market and we believe in fair trade and pay a fair price for the product. We know where our agave comes from and who grows it and the standards utilized.

Agave plants are processed and how our product is stands above as a premium organic and raw product Low Glycemic Index.

Xagave is a very low GI food. Xagave, a low glycemic index food (approximately 30 to 35), does not raise your blood sugar levels and, in fact, the inulin (a soluble fiber), helps to further moderate it. We recommend that you check with your doctor, but a significant number of our diabetic clients have noticed that the consumption of Xagave does not have a significant impact on blood sugar levels and love how they feel after consuming the delicious foods made with Xagave. Just look at the nutritional info here! With only 60 cals you wont believe how good this stuff tastes! It is better than honey in my book any day. I like to drizzle on fruit,coffee, Greek yogurt, PB and bake with it. There are so many ways to use it that I cant even list them all. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT and I LOVE the benefits....What are some of the benefits you ask? I will tell ya!

FROM THIS TO

THIS!

Agave Quick Facts:
Xagave is the Sweet, Satisfying and Sensible choice to sweeten your foods. The following outlines the key benefits of this wonderful sweetener.

Sweeter than Sugar. Xagave is sweeter than sugar. In fact, it is 1.4 times sweeter than sugar so you use less to achieve the same level of sweetness.Saves Calories.Xagave can be used in all of your favorite recipes. Typically, you will substitute 1/2 cup for every cup of sugar called for. Thus, saving between 25 to 40% in carbohydrate calories. In addition, the inulin (a pre-biotic fiber) permits the reduction of fats in baked items which significantly reduces calories even further.

Tastes Delicious. Xagave is a great-tasting, natural sweetener. It is even being used by restaurants in beverages and sauces and is preferred over sugar. The neutral sweet taste does not impart any other flavors to your cooking unlike other nectars and it has even been teenage-tested in Kool-Aid, Zucchini Bread and numerous other recipes without detection or rejection. Finally a sugar substitute without strange aftertastes!

Low Glycemic Index. Xagave is a very low glycemic index food. It is approximately 30 on the glycemic index scale. Anything below 50 is considered to be in the low category, which is recommended for a healthy diet. This low glycemic index rating also make it diabetic friendly.

Contains Inulin, a Prebiotic Fiber.Studies have shown Inulin, a prebiotic fiber, promotes the healthy function of your lower intestine. It has also been shown to promote regularity, boost the immune system, increase calcium absorption and increase bone density.More Satisfying and Great for Dieters.The combination of low GI and inulin make Xagave a very satisfying sweetener. Unlike sugar, honey or high fructose corn syrup, you'll find your blood sugar levels do not spike; thereby avoiding the highs and lows of sugar and corresponding cravings and over consumption associated with roller coaster blood sugar levels.

Versatile and Easy to Cook With. Xagave is highly soluble in hot or cold water, making it easy to work with in the kitchen. It is a wonderful sweetener for coffee, tea and cereal. It is also an amazing sweetener for cooking, canning and baking as evidenced by the highly-rated recipes in our cookbook "Delicious Meets Nutritious" for jams, cakes, breads, salad dressing, desserts, cookies and sauces. In addition, we provide on each bottle, our cookbook, and on our website a Sugar Exchange Table that shows how to use Xagave in any recipe -- it truly is the Complete Sugar Replacement.

Contains Calcium, Iron and other Vitamins and Minerals.Xagave is a natural and organic certified product, derived from the agave plant. The nectar is processed, in order to prevent fermentation, at temperatures that do not exceed 117°F which is considered "Raw" by most standards. It is not derived from an animal and is appropriate for a vegan diet. Due to its raw condition, Xagave retains its naturally occurring vitamins and minerals and has a particularly high concentration of calcium -- 17% of daily requirements in one (1) tablespoon.Go to their site and see for yourself!!! You wont be sorry you did!

www.xagave.com

I totally give this company two thumbs up from me. I LOVE the taste, I LOVE the company and I LOVE the benefits! You can use it for so many things and it is the perfect sugar substitute!

Please let me know what you think once you try Xagave. I also wanted to tell you that I saw it in Kroger just the other day so it should be at your local store. If not ASK for it!!!

See you all Monday with more sweet reviews!

-Heather

Manna Bread

2010-03-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

The other day I left you all with a Question "What is your favorite clean food?" I told you all that I had a new favorite clean food that would be in my life for a LONG time to come. I contacted a company that had some products that I have been eyeing for a LONG time. Every time I was at the health food store I would see this brand and wonder what it was like. I just couldn't bring myself to fork out the cash though to buy the almost 5.00 small loaf of bread. Tsk Tisk because this ladies and gents, has change my life....

I kid you not! I will admit. I had a fear of bread for many years. After the low carb craze I really feared bread all together. I went on bouts of "low carb" breads and even cut out all breads and pasta's from my diet all together. What a mistake. I didnt know any better though. These were the days where I had absolutely no idea what a clean diet was and was filling myself full of artificial crap. Splenda was a HUGE staple and literally caused me to grow a tumor. More on that in another post. I slowly gained knowledge about clean foods and a clean diet. I changed my exercise routine and decided that what I was doing wasn't working so what was the worst that could happen (the question I always ask myself when I want to make a decision about something). Well, the worst that could happen was I tried some new foods, changed my workouts and maybe just maybe found something that actually worked. Well my friends and family, it did just that. Going to a "clean" diet changed me inside and out. Not kidding. My skin cleared up, the tumor (that I had surgically removed 5 times) vanished and I was full of energy and positive moods. I decided if it didn't have a momma or come from the earth. It wasn't going into me. No packaging and only buying things from the outside isles. I seriously go into the grocery store and zip literally around the store. I can proudly say that I dont go down one middle isle! No boxes, no plastic, no preservatives. I have learned to go to the grocery store twice a week, cook my meals in advance and stick to a fresh living diet. Because of this....I feel alive.

Sorry for the rant but it is true! Anyway, back to my intial thought. BREAD. I started with a double fiber, splenda laden , low carb bread that was thin and left me ALWAYS hungry. Splenda (aspartame really) made me nothing but hungry all the time. After doing research I went to Ezekiel and Rudis Bakery breads. It took some getting use to but after a while I loved the sprouted hardy grains. I will admit...Once winter hit Georgia I went from my toast to oats. Well, now I am back on the bread kick. Not just any bread....

MANNA BREAD!

What is Manna bread? It is a cake-like, sprouted bread, free of salt, no oils, no sweeteners, no leavening agents. Also known as bible bread, sport bread. Manna is a moist and delicious, high in protein and fiber. Available in 9 delicious flavors in your favorite health food store, and most Whole Foods markets, in the USA and Canada.

MANNA BREAD..."moisten your wheat, that the angel of water may enter it…and the blessing...will soon make the germ of life to sprout... then crush your grain and make thin wafers as did your forefathers..." — Essene Gospel of Peace.

Markus from Manna sent me the most generous package. He was so sweet in his e-mail and even said that he loved the blog!"Growing up in Bavaria, I’ve come to enjoy wholesome and tasty sourdough bread, freshly baked daily. We have decided to bake these unique bread in our organic certified bakery.
Timing and some characteristics of these breads is similar to Manna bread. The dough has to ripen over time. It takes just about three days before it can be turned into bread. This slow process ensures a highest quality bread, easier to digest, packed with nutrients - with loving labor going into each and every loaf.

There is no need for yeast, baking soda, dough conditioners, preservatives or flavors in these breads as well, just like Manna bread.

The 3 types of bread have a mild sourdough flavor, come pre-sliced, taste amazing and smell delicious. The loaves stay fresh for many days.
All ingredients used are pure and simple: Certified organic whole rye and whole wheat flour, filtered water, organic sea salt, organic seeds and bread spices. Nothing else – nothing artificial!"
Thanks Markus! You gotta love it when the founder himself contacts you! That is awesome customer service. When I opened the box I found both the Manna breads and their new sourdough collection! This is the list of the Manna Breads:

Banana Walnut Hemp Manna Bread, Carrot Raisin, Cinnamon Date, Fig Fennel Flax, Fruit and Nut, Millet Rice, Multigrain, Sunseed and Whole Rye.

Here is the list of the Sourdough breads:

Multigrain Flax Sourdough, Bavarian Rye Sourdough and Sunny Sourdough.

One thing that I love about this company is that you can build your out carton of breads! You can choose between 7 different variety's or 4 for the Sourdough and 8 different for the Manna Breads. That is so great because I bet when you go to their site you will want to try out several.

When I got the box filled with amazing breads I could SMELL the goodness. I was more than excited to try it out. The hardest part, deciding which I would try first.

What the heck...why not two!

I tried the banana walnut and the Sunseed. I couldn't wait for my first bite! This bread has 7 servings and one slice should be 3/4 inch for 1 serving. That is nice slice! Yay! I love that the nutritional info looked like this on the Banana Walnut loaf!

INGREDIENTS: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic dried banana, organic walnuts, organic flax seeds, organic hemp seeds. This is about as clean as you can get for bread! I couldn't believe it! I mean, you cant say a darn thing bad about a product that you can literally read every ingredient. Here are all the ingredients for all the Mana Breads!

MANNA BREAD® VARIETIES:
BANANA WALNUT HEMP: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic dried banana, organic walnuts, organic flax seeds, organic hemp seeds
CARROT RAISIN: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic carrots, organic raisins
CINNAMON DATE: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic dates (organic cinnamon, organic oat flour as coating)
FIG FENNEL FLAX: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic black mission figs, organic flax seeds, organic fennel seeds, organic poppy seeds, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic sesame seeds
FRUIT & NUT: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic raisins, organic dates, organic almonds, organic cashews, organic hazelnuts, organic cinnamon, organic nutmeg, organic oatmeal (this one is my all time favorite).
MILLET RICE: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic millet, organic brown rice
MULTIGRAIN: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic brown rice, organic barley, organic millet, organic flax seed, organic rye kernels, organic soy beans, organic rolled oats, organic oat bran, organic cornmeal
SUNSEED: Sprouted organic wheat kernels, filtered water, organic sunflower seeds, organic sesame seeds, organic flax seeds, organic millet, organic poppy seeds, organic caraway seeds
WHOLE RYE: Sprouted organic rye kernels, filtered water

Most of these loafs have a whopping 5 grams of fiber AND 5 grams of protein one slice filled me up for three whole hours. I had my first slice with 2 egg whites and a 1/2 banana. This gave me a 230 cal breakfast with less than 50 grams of carbs and 15 grams of protein. I was really excited! I of course tried out two of the breads, that's how I roll. The sunseed was amazing as was the banana walnut! This is what happens when you have way too many amazing loafs of Manna Bread in your freezer. You have "bread plates" for breakfast, lunch or dinner." Don't hate!

I went in for the Sourdough Variety's next! WOW! These are just as great! I love how moist these breads really are and the best part is that they keep up to a year in the freezer! YAY! I also like that you can actually SEE the grains, seeds and dried fruits in the slices of bread. They are not kidding! They are LOADED with great ingrediants. The Fruit and Fiber loaf was my absoulte favorite and I swear there wasnt a bite that didnt have nuts and fruit in it. You warm it up just a bit and you have the most moist delicious bread of your life.

If you want to order some of the best bread that I have ever tried go straight to their site!

www.mannaorganicbakery.com

You will not be sorry you did! MANNA BREAD is remarkably simple and wholesome, made entirely from sprouted organic grains, seeds, fruits & nuts. It contains no salt, leavening, yeast, oil, or sweeteners. By fully germinating our grains, we convert the starches into easily digested natural complex sugars, similar to those found in fresh fruits, hence the sweetness. The sprouts are ground and hand-shaped into loaves, baked at a low temperature, then packed and frozen to preserve shelf life, without any chemical additives.

All in all this bread without saying get 4 stars from me!!! I LOVE what I have tried so far (Fruit n Fiber loaf, Banana Nut, SunSeed and two variety's of the Sourdough). I will continue to be blogging about each one that I try as I open the loafs. I am going to savor each slice! Let me know if you have ever tried Manna Bread and what variety is your favorite!

Thanks again to the folks at Manna, you rock!

What a great way to start MARCH!!! I am in awe of the new place and the begining of this new month. I cant tell you how happy I am to welcome Spring!

Have a wonderful day!

-Heather

Traverse Bay Farms

2010-03-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

Hi There!
I have to say....It is so good to be back! I love being able to catch up with you all. As much as I love to blog...I LOVE reading your blogs even more! It is something that I have been doing now for years and really feel like I have to at very least read one every few days. This morning was a tough one. I was running around the house trying to get ready in time and I was a mess. I rarely have any issues with getting out of the house and to work on time....this morning was the exception. It seemed like if it wasn't one thing, it was another. I didn't lay my clothes out the night before and I think that is what started it all. Do you pick your clothes out for work the night before? I never had this habit until I worked in a business environment. When I got hired for my position and found that business attire was a must I wanted to take the guess work out of my morning routine. I would find myself standing in front of my closet staring into the clothing void. One night I just picked out what I wanted to wear the next day in two seconds flat and right then I knew...my mornings would never be the same. If I pick out what I want to wear the night before all I do it just throw them on and run out the door. Try it next time if you find yourself in a morning rut!

After finally getting out of the house I jumped in the car and off I went! When I arrived at work I got caught up on all the things that I left for myself yesterday. I day dreamed most of the day. Have you ever been productive but juts not really there? Thinking about other things but still managing to get things done? Story of my life! I was thinking about dinner that I made the night before. I have to say, it was one of my best! I used a few products that blew my mind. I love it when that happens! I found out about some health benefits from a little friend...

I read that cherries are just the latest proof of the health benefits of going for color when choosing produce. The brighter/darker/richer/more intense the color, the better something is for you. Spinach, blueberries, broccoli, raspberries… all contain loads of nutrients. They also contain powerful cancer-fighting, heart-protecting or fat-reducing properties. And it’s not just a coincidence. According to the article Carolyn sent from The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s EurekAlert! [how's that for a cool name for an online global news service about science?], studies suggest that these “colorful plant compounds may be responsible for cherries’ anti-inflammatory properties and other health benefits.”

The EurekAlert! story reports that according to a study by the University of Michigan, “New research continues to link tart cherries, one of today’s hottest ‘Super Fruits,’ to lowering risk factors for heart disease.” The study, presented in Chicago this week at the American Dietetic Association annual meeting, found that, in addition to lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation, “a cherry-enriched diet lowered body weight and fat—major risk factors for heart disease.” Most exciting, it significantly reduced hidden or deep-belly fat, known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Tart cherries get their bright red color from powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins. Research suggests these red compounds can also ease the pain of arthritis and gout.
As their name implies, tart cherries deliver an almost puckery punch when eaten raw [although after the first bite or two, they're an addictive snack]. When cooked, their tartness is toned down, and they add a lively sweet/tart tang to savory dishes. After seeing that another blogger was on the cherry train I decided that I would hop on too and make a recipe that looked to die for! I used Traverse Bay Farms dried cherry's for this dish and OH MY! They were oh so goooood! Dried Tart Cherries are always delicious as a snack or mixed with nuts for party treats. But did you know that they are also a great source of antioxidants? Cherries not only taste great, but they're good for your body in many different ways! I have been taking the tart cherry joint capsules and they have been helping me tremendously! I love this product more than anything and I will be buying some as soon as I run out. I told you on a earlier post that I would update you more on it once I had been on it for a few weeks....Well, I love it! If you have any joint pain...you need this product. Ok, so on to the recipe!

Roast Pork Tenderloin with Tart Cherries Serves 4 to 6

1-1/2-pound pork tenderloin [or 2 1-pound tenderloins] salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary needles, plus 2 sprigs [see Kitchen Notes] 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup apple cider [or 1/2 cup dry white wine] 1 cup dried tart cherries.

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Pat pork tenderloin dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with rosemary needles. If necessary, cut tenderloin into 2 pieces to fit in large ovenproof skillet. Pork tenderloins often are separate pieces of meat formed together; their favorite pastime is coming apart when you handle them for cooking, so I tied the one I cooked in a few places with kitchen string.
Heat the aforementioned ovenproof skillet [which should also have a lid] over a high flame. Add oil and brown tenderloin[s] on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer meat to a plate and reduce heat under the skillet. Sauté onion until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 seconds or so. Add broth, cider and cherries to skillet, stirring to combine.
Return meat to skillet, turning to coat with broth mixture. Cover skillet and transfer to oven. Roast tenderloin until just cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should register 150-160ºF. With most pork produced in the United States, a little pink inside is okay. Transfer meat to platter or cutting board and tent with foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice into medallions and serve, with cherry sauce spooned over them.

I decided that since I had two cherry products from Traverse Bay farms I would use the BBQ sauce that I got as well! If you are looking for something truly unique, you have to try their red raspberry BBQ sauce. Enjoy an amazing culinary experience with every bite of their red raspberry BBQ sauce.

I wanted to make sure though you got the original recipe that I saw so I didn't add the BBQ to the recipe. After I did all the steps above I used a brush and brushed the BBQ sauce on top of the pork and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until cooked. What did it look like? This is before the sauce...After, was another story!

Holy Yum!

I this BBQ sauce could be used for so many things. I would use it as a dipping sauce, a marinade or a mix. Seriously, delicious!

If you are looking for food with amazing benefits and great taste to boot go to their site please!

www.traversebayfarms.com

This site has so many wonderful healthy products! Please check them out. I love that they have a monthly delivery option as well! I give them a 10! I have tried many products from them and every one that I have tried has been fantastic!

Now that I told you about the dinner that I have been day dreaming about it is now time for me to eat some left overs! :)

Hope you enjoy your day! Let me know if you try this recipe or any of these products!

See ya tomorrow!

-Heather

CSN Stores

2010-03-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Atttention, Attention I have some Exciting News!

I am going to get to use this baby!

From "home bars" bar stools to oven mitts, CSN STORES have it all! The kind folks are sending me my vacuum and I just couldn't wait to tell you all. I will be doing a review next week just as soon as I try out this little Dirt Devil...In the meantime please checkout

See you sooner than later!
-Heather

I wanna be Greek.

2010-03-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

WHOOOO HOOO! I got one of my favorite things in the mail just a few days a go!!! GREEK YOGURT!

I found this company called Greek Gods and I just knew that I had to ask for some samples. I mean with a name like that, they had to know what they are doing right?

RIGHT!

Q: Who are THE GREEK GODS?

A: Besides the mythological gods of the Greek era, The Greek Gods consist of (3 Greek friends) that have a passion for authentic Greek foods. Located in the great Northwest, The Greek Gods TM formed their company in 2003 with the understanding and burning desire to deliver authentic Greek style products to the market. All of our products possess a certain "distinct profile" and embody those flavors found on a Greek dining table. We truly care about our traditions, and the amazing foods found in the Mediterranean. Yasou!!! Please enjoy!

Q: What is Greek Yogurt?

A: Traditional Greek Yogurt is typically made with cow's milk or goat's milk and usually contains between 9%-10% milk fat, whereas typical whole milk varieties of yogurt found in your local grocer generally don't exceed 3.5% milk fat. The higher milk fat makes for a much smoother body, and creamier mouth appeal that you won't find in traditional yogurts. Our Greek Yogurt or "yiaourti" embodies all of these characteristics and more with our signature Greek Gods Greek style added technique.

Q: How do I purchase your products?

A: The Greek Gods brand is quickly expanding throughout the United States and Canada. You can find the closest location to you by utilizing our locations finder. Unfortunately due to our rapid growth, not all of our stores are listed, and it's recommended to call your local retailer and ask if the Greek Gods line is available. If we're not available in your area, submit a request for our product to sales@3greekgods.com. One of our sales partners will respond to you quickly. Our goal is to have product placement in all 50 United States, and beyond shortly! Your support and assistance with your local grocer is greatly appreciated.

Q: Are your Greek yogurts rBST/rBGH free and/or Bovine Growth Hormone Free?

A: All of our Greek yogurts utilize dairy that is "From cows not supplemented (or treated) with rBST/rBGH", although "No difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-supplemented (or treated) cows and non-supplemented cows".

Q: Are your Greek yogurts Kosher?

A: Yes, our yogurts are certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU)

Q: What is the *Inulin ingredient and what is it for?

A: Inulin is a naturally occurring carbohydrate which is extracted from chicory root. Inulin is a dietary fibre and is believed to activate beneficial good bacteria in the digestive tract. The activation of these bacteria is thought to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Inulin is a soluble form of fibre. *Each serving provides 2g of inulin, a natural dietary fiber that has been shown to increase calcium absorption. (This claim can be found on most of our Greek yogurt products)

Q: Do Greek Gods TM Greek Yogurts contain live and active cultures (including probiotics)?

A: Yes, all of our Greek yogurts contain the following "5 Live and Active Cultures"(including probiotics). Live and Active Cultures (S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidobacerium, L. Casei). Q: How do I contact The Greek Gods with comments or questions?

A: We look forward to all of your comments, suggestions, and questions submitted to us daily. The best way to contact the Greek Gods is via email at info@3greekgods.com. We will respond quickly to address your most important needs.

In recent years, there have been numerous scientific studies examining the health attributes of cultures and probiotics. Live and active cultures are beneficial bacteria that naturally reside in your digestive tract and improve intestinal function, promote good digestive health, and lead your body's defenses against a number of ailments. A key contributor to the delectable flavor and creamy texture of Greek Gods yogurt is the balance of live and active cultures. Greek Gods contains 5: S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidus and L.casei. LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUSL. bulgaricus is the 1st of 2 cultures that are commonly used to produce yogurt. L.bulgaricus is named after Bulgaria, the country where it was first used. The bacterium feeds on milk and produces lactic acid which also helps to preserve the milk. L. bulgaricus helps with the digestion of milk products and other proteins; production of natural antibiotic substances; effective immune enhancement; maximum effectiveness of waste disposal; and colon cleansing without disrupting beneficial flora. STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUSS.thermophilus is the 2nd culture commonly used to produce yogurt. Clinical studies have shown that this culture enhances digestibility, increases absorption of vitamins and minerals, and promotes intestinal lactose digestion. LACTOBACILLUS-gets its name from lacto- meaning milk, -bacillus meaning rod-like in shape, and acidophilus meaning acid-loving. is a probiotic bacterium that has been shown in clinical tests to guard your small intestine, replenishing the bowel with good bacteria that may be depleted by the use of antibiotics, the consumption of caffeine and processed foods, and the exposure to life?s daily toxins. It has also been said that L.acidophilus boosts the immune system, and decreases the frequency of vaginal yeast infections. Some people report that it provides relief from indigestion and diarrhea may also help inhibit growth of viruses, and of some cancers. BIFIDOBACTERIUM is a probiotic bacterium that protects your large intestine, deterring harmful bacteria or yeast from robbing the body of valuable nutrients and acting as an anti-viral agent. This probiotic has also been shown helpful in hindering the colonization of Salmonella and E. coli. LACTOBACILLUS CASEIL. casei is a probiotic culture that is known to improve digestion and reduce milk intolerance and constipation. Some studies have shown strains of Lactobacillus casei have the ability to stimulate the immune response in the intestinal tract and it assist in the propagation of desirable bacteria.

I know that this post is packed with a lot of facts but who knew that something as simple as Greek yogurt could have so many benefits! I couldn't wait to try one out to see what I thought. I tried the "fig" flavor first. Greek God's Fig Yogurt is made with fresh pasteurized milk and cream to produce a velvety smooth and creamy textured yogurt infused with fig. The fig is one of the most ancient of all fruits, dating back at least to 5000 B.C. It is commonly believed that figs were among the first cultivated crops, discovered just north of ancient Jericho.

WOW! This one was amazing (and actually my favorite out of them all.) It was creamy, sweet and oh my gawd good! I mean, usually I have to sweenten my greek yogurt with stevia and load it up with fruit and granola. Not this brand baby! It is so good by it's self! My favorites in order...

1:Fig

2:Honey

3:Plain

4:Pomergrante

5:Vanilla

I loved all of them and honestly it was hard to even place them. I have to say though...the fig is out of this world (wish I had a BIG tub of it!) and the honey was amazing! I love the fact that the honey didnt have a fake taste to it. I have another brand that I eat sonetimes and the "honey" flavor doesnt taste like honey at all. Greek God's knows what's up! I LOVE their yogurt! But wait!!! Did you know that they dont only offer yogurt??? I wish more than anything that I could review the next two things that I am about to let you in on...

Did you know that they make ICE CREAM (Krema really) too??!!!?? I didnt until I took a closer look at the website. Greek Gods Baklava Pagoto Ice Krema is a tantalizing treat to the senses. It combines a Honey cream base with a mixture of walnuts, almonds and cinnamon, to recreate the flavors found in Greek Baklava. Ok, ok, ok all you have to say is Baklava and I am foaming at the mouth. I am going to have to go out and get some of this tonight! It also comes in Honey Fig and Chocolate Pomegranate. Doesn't this sound out of this world!!!

They also (and if this wasn't enough) make a product called. Kefir Cheese is food rich in tradition and custom, enjoyed for centuries throughout the old world. Once again, The Greek Gods bring another traditional delicacy to your table. Our Lebni is thick and creamy, includes cultures and probiotics and is made with Grade A milk and all natural ingredients. A staple of every Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meal, Lebni can be eaten the traditional way, by drizzling olive oil over it and dried mint, and scooping it with pita bread, Add spices to make it a great dip for chips and vegetables, or utilize it as a healthier alternative to domestic sour cream. The possibilities are endless. That is so true about keifer. I use it all the time and for so many things!

This company rocks! I LOVED everything about it. The website is awesome, the customer service was amazing and the yogurt was out of this world! PLEASE check them out for yourself.

You wont be sorry you did!

www.greekgodsyogurt.com

Thank you so much Heidi! You rocked my world with this new addiction. I hope you know that I am hooked! I was at work the other day (I work at a bank by day) and has a little tasting party! I bought in three different flavors and wanted their input. Everyone here was oooooing and ahhhing about how creamy and delicious it was! I was so happy to be able to tell everyone that the Co Op down the street carried it! YAY!

If you would like to have keifer, ice cream or yogurt that will knock you off your socks go to their site or hunt them down in your local health food stores! They have so much to offer and with all the benefits listed above, why not!?!

I hope you all have a wonderful day and if you have already tried Greek God's products which is your favorite product/flavor?

See ya soon!

-Heather

In!

2010-03-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hello blogging friends! I made it! I really made it! I was able to move myself out of the house and into the apartment. Of course this wouldn't have been possible without two of my most dear friends ever but I was able to get it done and pretty quick! I started on Thursday and unpacked my last box yesterday (Monday). I was trying my hardest to get the house unpacked before going back to work Tuesday. I snapped these shots quickly yesterday. I promised that I would let you see it so here we go!

BEFORE

AFTER!

Here are some other photo's of the new place! I FINALLY got in there and so happy that it all worked out!

Kitchen Living room/dining area. This is the living room/dining area over looking the kitchen. It is a small place but I do love it. My things fit just perfectly! The bathroom is so cute!

My bedroom is very dark but I actually like it now. I was worried that it may be too dark for my liking but I just used brighter accents and it really made the room pop. I gotta say, it wasn't easy getting all my things up those stairs but I did it! I am so glad that K and Pete was able to lend me a hand. Karen and I did the bulk of it on Thursday and I have to say....that girl is a bad ass! Sorry for the language but that is the only word that I can think of that describes her right now! Pete is a fast moving machine and if it weren't for him it would have taken me days to get my clothes over to my house. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart! I love you guys!

I cooked both of them dinner and had drinks for their helping hands.

I am sorry that this is a short post. I am getting back to work for the first time in four days and trying to get completely settled in. It is a adjustment but one that I am taking well. Having my own place is better than my dreams led me to believe it would be. I couldn't be happier!

-Heather

Be Back on Tuesday!!!

2010-02-26T05:26:00.000-08:00

The final count down....

2010-02-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

Hellooooooo!!!!

I am in a great mood today and I will tell ya why. I will be packin it up and movin out! I know that I sound like a broken record by now but I am so excited. It seems like I have been waiting for months for this to happen....wait! I have! Have you ever had a event, vacation or occasion that you just couldn't wait to happen? It is like Christmas for me today. I bet you I wont even be able to sleep tonight (yeah right!). I am going to be waking up super early and getting started with boxes first. I have a friend that will be letting me borrow her van for about a hour at 4:30 and I am even going to be able to move the furniture tonight!!! Since I will be moving all of my belongings up 17 stairs and will be going up and down them a million times...I figure, that will be my workout for the day.

That means my friends that Saturday morning I will be waking up in my own place! I will be making my breakfast and taking a shower in the apartment that I have been dreaming about for the last two months! Lucky me! I already know what will be on the celebration menu!!! I plan on having FRENCH TOAST! Yes, you read right. French toast is one of my very favorite things in the world but never ever make it. Usually I am in a rush and want eggs and toast. Saturday morning however, will be french toast. I cant wait! I will be using MANNA BREAD to make it so it will be the best french toast in the world! I love using agave as syrup and that is what will be topping off the toast along with fresh fruit. I know what you are thinking..."Heather, YOUR eating unhealthy french toast. That is so unlike you!" Well...I have a secret...I know how to make it HEALTHY! The best part is, it tastes amazing. Wanna know how? Well, come along.

Easy Peasy, Healthy, French Toasty:

That title is WAY too cutesy...sorry, I just had to.

I used the Banana Nut Manna Bread variety.

Ingredients:

2 large slices of bread

4 egg whites

1/4 cup of Vanilla Unsweetened Almond milk

Cinnamon, nutmeg and Allspice

2 table spoons of chopped walnuts

1/2 banana chopped

First you get a bowl and add the egg whites and almond milk together. Then you whisk together. Add the spices and chopped walnuts and whisk more. Take each slice of bread and soak each side in the mixture. Once soaked place on pre-heated pan. Cook until brown on each side. Then you place your chopped banana on top and drizzle agave on top! That is it!

I like to use egg whites instead of eggs (you save over 200 cals here) and agave instead of maple syrup (another 200 saved!). Adding the spices really kick the taste up a notch. You can add vanilla extract or any other fruit to it to really make it the french toast of your dreams. I like mine fairly simple so I just stick with the banana. I also add peanut butter sometimes and have banana and Pb french toast. So good you barely need any agave! I did however put a big dollap of Greek God's vanilla greek yogurt on top (review on the 3rd of March!). I love french toast and after I have it again, I know that it will be made again soon. That is one of the great things about my new place. The kitchen! I can go in there and make whatever I want, whenever I want and don't have to worry about what my roommates will be doing. Cooking is one of my absolute favorite things so I am going to be in heaven! Yay!

I hope you dont mind but I gotta run. I have a million things to do! I didnt know that I was going to tell you about the french toast recipe but it just came out! I like it when that sort of thing happens!

I will have a wonderful review about the bread that I mentioned earlier so please come back Monday morning. I am going to start the first day of MARCH right! I can not beleive that we are just days away from March and weeks away from Spring. Thank goodness! I am ready.

Have a wonderful weekend! I cant wait to be able to report on Tuesday that I am in and settled!

xoxoxoxox!

-Heather

Spring is near!

2010-02-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

Good morning my friends! I got some much needed replies last night and I appreciate it from you all! I don't know what I would do without you guys ;)

I am so excited because I am getting some amazing products in the mail soon. Things like GREEK YOGURT (one of my favorite things in the world) and MANNA BREAD. Prepare yourself for some great reviews. I already know that I am going to LOVE these products!

I wanted to let you all know that I may be M.I.A. for a few days during the move. Don't fret though, I will be back and so much better. I haven't figured out the Internet thing just yet and I am hoping that maybe the other person in the house will want to split the Internet with me. I will see. with this all being said, don't expect a post from me more than likely Saturday-Tuesday. You already know that I don't post on the weekends so you will really only be missing two posts! That is, if I can stay away! I like to get my reviews in as soon as I try the product out! That way it is fresh in my mind as far as what I think.

This morning I started out with a HUGE cup of coffee and this for my a.m. breakfast!

I had 3 egg whites with two slices (ok, ok, ok maybe 2.5) of Alvarado's multi grain sprouted bread with the Living Tree's (my all time favorite company) Coconut, Mango, Persimmon butter and a little Pb2 on top. Sorry no picture. I ate this so quickly that it was gone before I knew it. It was amazing. What I have been doing lately is 1/2 a banana with PB2 on one slice of toast and 3 egg whites. This week it will be ONE (not two slices like today) with the CMP butter/PB2 mix on top (this is at about 9:30 am). It is to die for!

Is there anything that The Living Tree makes that isn't good? NO! I answered for you!

About an hour before the gym (12:00) I ate these. Trader Joe's makes individual packages (you know I cant be trusted with nuts of any kind) that is only 200 cals. Karen being the sweetest person in the world picked me up a bag when she was in Atlanta. This is the perfect amount. I love RAW nuts (cashews being my fav).

I went to the gym on my lunch hour as usual and focused on legs and got a great workout in today. I tell you what, there is no better feeling than being productive on your lunch break. Especially because I sit most of the day. When I get back from the workout I eat my packed lunch at my desk and I am full of energy and really feel like I wipe the slate clean. This something that I will be continuing to do for the rest of my life. With the gym being around the corner it is perfect. I get about 45 minutes of intense work done.

After cooling down and all I sat plopped down and had some lunch. I love tofu! I have to say. I am really trying to eat soy protein once a day and animal protein 2 times a day (my egg whites in the morning and then 1/2 a boneless skinless chicken breast with dinner). That is it. The rest of my calories come from fruits and veggies. This was a good lunch!

I saw these ingredients and knew that this salad was to be made for the week. I didn't know that 1/2 a block of tofu had 22 grams of protein! Go me!

It is filling and wonderful to come back to the office and have a cool lunch. I have been eating a salad for lunch for two years now and I am glad that I do. I like something light for lunch and think that it is important to get some fast digesting protein in right after working out. This was perfect.

Of course I had to have two pieces of dark chocolate after my meal. I don't know what it is but I have got to have something sweet after my meals.

I went home and went for a walk with my roomie. When I got home. I showered and sat down to a big ol bowl of butternut squash soup. I topped off this simple soup with steamed chicken (1/2 only) breast and veggies. I LOVE this dinner and honestly (hope your not tired of it yet) but have been eating this for dinner almost the whole winter. It is just that good. I use a different base but always add the seasonal veggies and chicken. The butternut squash is so far my favorite.

I plan on having some hot coco before bed and not eating anything else. I am really trying my best to cut out the snacking. Spring is just around the corner and I got a little taste of it yesterday. I want to buckle down now.

Ok, so that is my post for today! I will be in and out this week but you better believe when I come back Wed I will have some wonderful news about the move and the new products that I tried. No worries though! I will be here tomorrow!

xoxoxoxo

-Heather

Where has this month gone?

2010-02-22T05:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

I have 5 days and counting before I am in the new place. Ahhhhh! It is like Christmas or waiting to go on a vacation. I find myself lying in bed decorating my new place. Isn't that funny?

Anyway, this morning is a NORMAL post! No reviews! I just wanted to connect with you all again and let you know what and how I have been doing. Besides working and working out I have been great! I feel great and I am looking forward to Spring more than ever. Life is always better for me when the weather warms up! I am a Spring/Summer girl, for sure. I have decided that a new hairdo is in order! I am excited because I have no idea what I am going to get done to it yet but I am thinking about it a lot. What do you think? The pictures on the blog are pretty current (except the fat one!) so let me know if I should go shorter or let it be. I will not be changing the color really, I decided a long time ago that your natural color looks best! After all, it is what you were born with so work with it. Right?

This morning I woke up after a weekend of packing and more packing. I was a little sore honestly. Bending over can put a strain on your back. I decided that I should pair down my clothes before moving (one less thing to move) mostly folding clothes and hauling bags to donate to my local thrift store. After hours of packing and errands I was pooped! This morning I could feel it. I got up and stretched. A few minutes of moving around and I was back in action. When I got to work this morning I was COLD. I knew that one thing could help me warm up.... OATMEAL MADNESS.

1/2 cup of organic oats

1/2 chopped granny smith apple

2 tablespoons of dried cranberries

1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk

a dash of cinnamon and allspice

This was just what I needed. I was so thankful to be the first one here and enjoy my amazing breakfast. Of course two hours later my stomach was talking to me. Does this happen to anyone else? I always eat a big breakfast and then within a few hours I am STARVING. Oh well...I went for these when the tum started to groan at me. Karen bought me a bag of Trader Joe's "Just a handful of raw almonds" for V-day

I also had a few squares of Orange and Spice Green and Black dark chocolate and read this blog.

After a few more minutes of work work work. It was errand time for the boss and then I headed to the gym for my lunch hour workout. I killed it today! I focused on Shoulders, quads and abs. I did about 40 minutes of intervals until I just couldn't move any more. Here is what my workout looked like. I do three sets of 20 reps.

Warm up for about 5 minutes before

Sumo dead lifts with bent over rows

runners lunges

stiff leg dead lifts with rows

runners lunges

Inner thigh machine

for taps

shoulder press

blurpee's

pull ups

side kicks

stretch!!!

This is what I did and I kicked my own butt. I was dripping with sweat when I was done. Luckily I was able to have some time to cool down and get myself together before heading back to the office. I ran in the door, clocked in and changed clothes. I knew one thing...Lunch was needed!!!

Protein baby, was on my mind. I went for a super simple steamed chicken salad. It was amazing. Something that I am giving up for Lent is salt. I have gotten back into the habit of adding salt to my foods (especially my salad) and I am not going to anymore. I figure once a month of this habit and I will be back in the clear! I never use to add salt and then I got this amazing pink Himalayan sea salt and I have been hooked ever since. Special occasions will call for the pink salt but not a daily occurrence anymore. It takes some getting use to.

I ate a few more pieces of dark chocolate and then was done for the day. Work wise that is...

When I got home I went on a nice long walk with K and jumped in the shower. Hot showers after a cold walk is heaven. By the time I get out I am ready for dinner and to crawl in bed. I ate a un-pictured bowl of butternut squash soup packed with more steamed chicken (I try my best not to eat meat twice a day but it happens) and veggies. After that was consumed hot coco went on the stove and was ready by 9:00. I LOVE to put a ton of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice in my coco.

I got this package of hot cocoa mix (reviewed it here) and i must say...It rocks. I will be so very sad to see it go. It came to me all the way from Jacksonville Florida and it is so amazing. With 13 cals and only 2 carbs I can drink this cocoa with some stevia and feel like I am having the most decadent hot cocoa ever! Yummmm. It doesn't hurt that it is hot either. The weather here is COLD and this is the best thing to lull me to sleep.

Well folks!

There you have it, my day and my workout. I am so very glad that I was able to check in with you all. I hope you guys had a great weekend, let me know what you did! I want to leave you with a question...

What is your favorite clean food? I have been on a "clean" diet now for two years and it has changed my life. I have a new favorite clean food! I will not be sharing it with you though until later this week though. HA! Sorry but I am going to do a review of it and want it to be a surprise. I wanted to hear your thoughts though first. This new favorite will be on the blog and in my diet for a LONG time!

See you tomorrow ;)

-Heather

You're only as old as your connective tissue.

2010-02-19T05:46:00.000-08:00

Goooood Morning. I am feeling great this morning and I think that it is partly due to something special I got in the mail! Check this out!

Intu-Flow® produces pain-free, energized results faster than you ever thought possible! Referred to variously as ‘yoga in motion,’ ‘tai chi without the fluff,’ or ‘hi-tech Qigong’, Intu-Flow® is a powerful Key, unlocking the door to:
-Deep Relaxation
-Whole Body Tension Release
-Increased Focus & Concentration
-Heightened Sensory Awareness
-Enhanced Joint Mobility
-Superior Athletic Performance
-Bio energy Amplification
As an easy to perform meditation, Intu-Flow® is available to everyone, young and old, men and women, without years of arduous study or injury producing excess. These exercises have helped thousands of busy people, from all walks of life, get Intu-Flow® every day.
A flowing, intuitive harmony of basic, biomechanically efficient movement, structural body alignment, and simple breathing, Intu-Flow® is an exquisite synergy of modern scientific health research and ancient somatic wisdom; an easy to learn, do-it-at-home, playfully fun way to superior health that does not involve weekly classes or regular expenses, year after year. The results are both immediate and profound; once experienced, Intu-Flow® helps you feel so good, your day will not feel complete without it.
Getting Intu-Flow® is easy, but far from superficial. Simple and user-friendly, nothing fancy or complex, it teaches you to maximize your health, throughout your day, with each breath. Combining the best from both Eastern and Western traditions, Intu-Flow® is a delightful daily journey into pain-free movement and healthy longevity. More often than not, the most effective approach is the simplest approach.
Intu-Flow® produces pain-free, energized results – without struggle, and with only a few minutes a day.
You’re as old as your connective tissue!

With this description I couldn't wait to watch these DVD's. I have suffered from multiple injuries and become extremely stiff and sore the next day after a workout if I don't do at least 30 minutes of yoga a day. When the package arrived at my door I couldn't wait to pop it in the DVD player. So after changing clothes and mentally prepared, I turned on the T.V. and was ready to get started. 2-DVD set
Running time: 125 minutes

I loved these! I did one DVD on Weds and One this morning. It was amazing. When I was done I felt energized and ready to take on the day. It was really great because there were moves that I had never done before (which is hard for a girl that has done just about every exercise ever!). I was able to do the entire workout with ease and the time flew by.

This companies has an array of books and DVD's. Check out their site!

www.rmaxi.com

I really appreciate Gary sending this my way. Part of the reason why I seeked out this company was because I want to try and focus a little more on companies around my area. This company is based out of Atlanta! Yay! I am so glad that I am able to report that this system really works and I look forward to going home today and doing it again. In a nutshell, Intu-Flow (two DVD set) is the joint health and mobility program that with daily or frequent practice enables one to"clean the slate" i.e. begin to overcome the effects of use, over-use,age & mileage that life and we ourselves inflict on us. Once you have the basics of the program, it takes from 15 to 20 minutes a day, is a great wake-up and way to prime yourself for the day, or for a workout. I feel so much better and really want the "Free to Move" book.

If you have any joint pain, movement issues, stiffness, soreness or just a active person that wants to PRESERVE their joint health and well being, You have got to get these DVD's. The site like I said has a ton to offer and a ton of information to back it up as well. I love a companies that has testimonial's and facts to back up why their system is better than the others. Believe me when I say....I love this system and could feel it right away.

Thanks RMAX! You guys rock!

If anyone has already tried this DVD let me know what you think!

Oh now on to even more exciting news!!!! I have a winner for the Seventh Generation Prize....Drum roll please for the random generator number.....

Sonja Keins!!! You won! E-mail me your info and I will let the kind folks know at Seventh Generation know which package you want!

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend! It is my last roomie weekend and I am going to pack and enjoy it! I am going to be back Monday morning counting down the days to the new move. What will I do when I don't have to move to stress out about??? I am sure that something will come up!

See ya!
-Heather

Holey Moley!

2010-02-18T05:33:00.000-08:00

I got a sweet surprise in the mail the other day! When I say sweet I mean SWEET!!! The kind folks of Holey Donuts really went all out! They sent me some of their favorites which quickly became mine!

Back in 1958, my father was literally one of the first franchisees with what is today the world’s most successful donut chain. Spending my childhood in the back of a donut shop eventually led to me running and owning my own donut shops. Always having a love for donuts, I set out to create a donut like no other; something that would elevate donuts to a new level; something more high-end, more gourmet, and really just the best donut you could make. Then one day, I walked away from the deep fat fryer and began to actually cook my donuts in a different way. Then at first bite, I said "HOLY $#!%, these are really good!" Thus, the name Holey Donuts!

Having a feeling that these donuts had to be very low in fat, we sent samples off to an FDA approved lab for testing… low and behold, they had less than 3 grams of fat. Wow, we were just amazed at the light, fluffy taste, texture and light color (which is the way donuts actually look before they are fried in that same dirty oil over and over again). From there, it was a story of dedication and perseverance to do whatever it took to succeed and bring these great tasting, guilt free treats to the world. After all, the Wall Street Journal put it best when they said "Food companies have been able to take most of the fat out of everything from cheese to Twinkies. But no one has succeeded in designing a marketable low-fat doughnut."

I got a box of three different assortments and I couldn't wait until I tried them. I am not kidding when I say that. The box was un opened for about 3 minutes before I couldn't take it anymore! The first one that I tried was:
Jumbo Reduced Fat Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls!!!!

They begin by mixing their batter, then two bakers roll large pieces on our baking tables, roll out the dough, cut the pieces, hand fold in the apple filling mixture, then apply a generous amount of the finest imported ground cinnamon. After these decadent looking cinnamon buns go through our special computer controlled cooking process, each cinnamon bun gets a coat of rich, fat free glaze, then a delicious ribbon of homemade vanilla frosting is elegantly draped over the top of each hand crafted, fresh baked treat. Finally they flash freeze our cinnamon buns to lock in that homemade goodness and just baked fresh flavor, before we hand pack and ship them to you in our special thermal coolers via FedEx.

Jumbo Reduced Fat Gourmet Cinnamon Buns have 80% less fat and fewer than half the calories of the 700 to 1100 calorie ones you
find at those sweet smelling shops at the mall. Holey Donuts! Jumbo Reduced Fat Gourmet Cinnamon Buns not only taste delicious and
wonderful, but have only 5 grams of total fat compared to the 24 to 50 grams of fat you could be wearing home after a "traditional"
cinnamon bun snack at the mall! Many people actually cut our Jumbo Reduced Fat Cinnamon Buns in half because they are so large, which
would give you a snack with less than three grams of total fat.

Check out Holey Donut's Cinnamon Rolls Vs Cinnabon

What is the best way to serve and eat the donuts once they arrive?

Answer: We want you to love our donuts as much as we do. Please follow our suggestions so that you have the best possible Holey Donuts! experience. Place in freezer upon arrival and keep frozen. Do not refrigerate or leave donuts exposed to open air for long periods of time. Our donuts are best served slightly warm and moist.

These were amazing! I LOVE blueberry and I have to say. It wasn't that fake blueberry taste that you get with most pastries. No way...It was a real blueberry taste that was divine! I popped mine in the microwave for about 1 minute and it was the sweet warm bedtime snack that I needed. I couldn't help myself the next morning and open the next box:

Low Fat Cinnamon Strudel Assortment #14
Price $11.95

Cinnamon is a close second favorite for me. I literally eat cinnamon on about three different things a day. I love it in my soups, yogurt and hot coco. This was like a cinnamon coffee cake. It too warmed up a bit was heaven. Thankfully I had some friends over for the weekend and on Saturday morning I surprised them with these! I love to share my gifts and they were so happy to see what was inside the white box when I opened it. Even I was a little surprised to see how pretty these donuts were!

In the box:
Reduced Fat Fudge Boston Cream

Reduced Fat Raspberry Vanilla Truffle

Reduced Fat Caramel Apple

Reduced Fat Blueberry Crumbcake

Reduced Fat Lemon Graham Cracker Low Fat Vanilla
Price $11.95

I had the Lemon graham cracker and the rest was had by roomies and friends. I asked them to give a brief description on what they thought. Here are some of the answers!

"These taste like they were just baked this morning..."

"Oh my GAWD, these are good!"

"So moist and light, I can tell these are way better for you than D&D or Krispy Kreme."

"I think that I am in love!"

This were just a few comments but you better believe that they kept on coming. I had a ton of questions like "where do I buy these?" I told them where to go and even posted it on my facebook so that they would all know right where to go. If you would like to know where you can experience the Holey Grail of Donuts, please go to their site!

www.holeydonuts.net

Holey donuts get a 10 from me and I have to say, BEST DONUT EVER! I am enjoying every last bite! I hope that they keep me on their list of bloggers to send new flavors! I am in love with these and it does not hurt that it is a donut that I can actually feel good about eating. I am so happy to tell you about them and hope that you will get a box for yourself. They have so many to choose from. I bet you wont be able to decide on just one flavor. Please tell me what you think about these if you order them for your self and if you tried a flavor that I have yet to taste. I am interested in the others!

I wanted to remind you all about my give-a-way!!!

http://www.foodnfeelings.com/2010/02/new-generation.html

I am announcing the winner on Friday morning so you better get on it!

See you all tomorrow....By the way...I have just 9 more days before I move into my very own place! I am so excited!

-Heather

V-Day re-cap.

2010-02-17T04:17:00.000-08:00

I spent V-day with my best friend Karen. I tell you what. A girl knows how to treat a girl on Valentines. We went to our favorite restaurant and I must say totally went all out. Ceviche, ginger seared scallops, Spanish cheeses with french bread, fried plantain chips, sangria and CAKE. What more could I have asked for? MMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

We decided to get all dolled up and this is the outfit that I chose. I know it is a little over the top but when will I ever get away with wearing a red velvet dress and gold belt? Only on Valentines (maybe Christmas) can you get away with this ensemble! I loved Karen's sparkling dress too! I haven't had a better V-day in years. It was low key and no pressure. If there is only holiday that makes a couple stressed out it is Valentines. Not the case for us! We just sat back and relaxed.
I just wanted to give you a re-cap on my Valentines, I hope you all had a special day as well. See you tomorrow! I have a sweet review that you will not want to miss! By the way....you better get on the give-a-way bandwagon....I will be announcing the winner on Friday morning!!!
http://www.foodnfeelings.com/2010/02/new-generation.html
-Heather

Died and gone to heaven...

2010-02-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

So you all already know how I feel about The Living Tree out of California right??? Well, if you are new to the blog let me tell you about one of the most fantastic companies that sells the most fantastic products that I have ever had IN MY LIFE. Not kidding. Not at all. I have already tried out a few items and if you remember....I freaked out! Over and Over and Over about the things that I have tried from them. Jesse Schwartz is the nicest man ever! Never in all my years of blogging (since 2006 mind you!) have I gotten a direct phone call from the President of a company just wanting to chat...No reason other than to "say hello" and find out more about me! I felt honored to say the least and when he told me that he was going to send me some more goodies I freaked. If you click on one of the links above (I think the second Over) you will see that the evening I spoke with him was shall we say, not the best. I was so stressed about the health of my mother, moving and it was one of the coldest rainiest days I had been through. I was not feeling well at all and then the phone rang. After speaking with him and just knowing that some really really amazing things were coming my way I perked right up. I thought right then and there "there is abundance!" It is so funny to me because the day that I got the package was not exactly one of the best days of my life either. I was feeling d0wn. I felt drained and honestly when I pulled up into my driveway I felt like I could barely make it in the house. I did though and when I arrived. I was surprised!!! I got a box with some things that would knock my socks off. Literally!

I did just that. I came in opened the box (gasped) and went straight to my room, changed into my pj's and decided that my day was done. No running around, no exercise, no more work. I wanted to play with my new products! I knew what I was going to try first. You know I LOVE chocolate so this was a no brainer.

Dream of Paradise:

By combining raw cacao with lavender flowers, mint leaves, honey, agave nectar, Living Tree Alive Olive Oil, sun dried raisins, nutmeg, cardamon and cayenne we have brought you a uniquely sophisticated taste.The Macao is for energy and the dash of Royal Himalayan Pink Crystal salt gives it a clean finish. I put it to the test!!! For real! How in the world could I not try out a product that said "Dream of Paradise"on it first??? I mean, really? I saw this and knew that I had to replicate, with the Paradise Dreams! 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup ff cottage cheese, 1/2 a banana, cinnamon, flax, pecans & and the most amazing chocolate spread ever!!! It was paradise in a dreamy state.

I didn't stop there, no way.

I put it on some whole wheat fresh baked bread just like another blogger as well. You know...you gotta try this spread on different textures right? Yeah, that is what I was telling myself. The truth was, I couldn't stop eating the stuff. I put this little piece in the oven to warm it up a bit. It was divine!

Needless to say...Once I start with chocolate...why stop? I immediately saw them when I opened the box but I honestly wanted to see what was in the jars I got! Pitty me now...After indulging in the Paradise Dreams spread I had to stop for a little while...Chocolate covered things was my dinner and when 8:00 p.m. rolled around I wanted more... It was a little weird. Usually when I have a bite of what I crave it goes away. These products are addicting, be warned. Anyway, I pranced to the kitchen and grabbed one of the truffles out of the fridge (I saw that you should keep them cold for them to keep their life!) When I pulled it out I thought..."these are HUGE truffles!!!" I was going to just dig in but because of the paradise fest I had earlier I thought "Ill have a half of one." I cut it in half and off I went back to my room to nibble at the truffle while on the computer. While walking to my bedroom I already couldn't contain myself and started eating it. It kind of crumbled in my hand as I but into it so I basically had to pop almost the whole half in my mouth. I started to chew it and realized..."This is no ordinary chocolate." It tasted like nothing I have ever had. It was bold. It was not overly sweet. It was well, freakishly amazing. I was actually on the phone when I decided to go for the truffle and by the time I got back to my room and swallowed the truffle....my head was spinning. Seriously, I got this BURST of energy, my cheeks turned red and I was talking like crazy. My friend was like "are you on something??? You are wired..." I said "Ummm, I ate this Maca filled chocolate spread earlier and just had this 100% cocao truffle from California..." Silence on the other end...Then he said, wow...Maca gives you a ton of energy and 100% cocao is amazing for all sorts of things including energy too. I got up and walked (hazy and flushed) to the fridge to get the package out and read it. This is a bit about the truffles.

They began with their black sesame tahini. They introduced it in 2003 at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim,California.(Others have attempted to copy it. Let them try!) they then added 100% raw cacao, carob, vanilla, mesquite, lucuma, sun-dried Medjool dates, sun-dried raisins, cacao butter and alive honey. They have also added maca for energy. Most raw chocolates out there use sugar in one form or another. I’m glad to say that instead of sugar they use honey. Alive honey has powerful antibacterial properties and is even effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria. It is a complex substance containing over 800 compounds, little understood by conventional science. They hand-craft these alive chocolate halvah truffles in Berkeley, California. It is a wellspring of the human spirit. It has a rich tradition of Americans who have dared to stand up and speak their truth. It is a center of original and creative thinking, over 21 Nobel Prize winners have taught here.For best flavor, please keep refrigerated.

Ok, so I kid you not....I got high off of this food. It made me energized and felt like I was floating! I have yet to eat something from this company that didnt make me feel amazing right away.

I should be more careful next time gulping down seriously fine crafted alive foods. Tisk, tisk. This is not to scare you....This is to make you go to the site right now and ORDER ANYTHING FROM THEM. You can profusely thank me later ;)

www.livingtreecomminuty.com

Needless to say, I was done for the night. A few days later I was itching to get this jar open and try it out. I now am savoring every single bite of all the foods from now on. Sorry, but a girl has gotta learn some how!

All the ingredients came together for your happiness: alive pistachios grown by family farmers in the rich, alluvial soil of California's great Central Valley, sun-dried black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, sesame, aromatic spices and herbs and sea salt, all blended with Living Tree Alive Olive Oil- unfiltered, unheated, UNPRESSED.
Serve on freshly, crunchy vegetables or crackers. Mix one TBS per serving with your favorite pasta, alive soup or finely shredded zucchini or carrots. Go ahead--surprise, delight, and nourish yourself!
We are delighted to bring to you this, our newest and original creation.
The pistachio is the most nutrient dense of all the nuts, containing high quantities of B essential nutrients, thiamine, vitamin B6, potassium, and lutein, an antioxidant for eye health. The pistachio is an anti-oxident powerhouse, containing more cholesterol-lowering phytosterols than any other nut (and more than a cup of green tea!). Pistachios are also among those nuts with the highest fiber--supplying 12% of the daily recommended amount in just one ounce--which aids digestion and management of blood sugar levels. In addition to all these benefits, the pistachio is a low fat and low calorie food compared to other nuts, containing just 3 calories each--and you won't be able to eat too many since each one must be shelled.

I was going to make pasta but I wanted to make a little appetizer for some friends and share this love. After all, I am out to spread the word of The Living Tree Community here in GA myself if I have to. When I love and believe in something, just go ahead and call me crazy.

One by one, I called my friends over to watch a movie. While watching, we ate these! I did have other snacks but who cares! These were in the spot light! I mixed the pesto with some goat cheese and wow they were amazing. Honestly, I wish I would have never even messed with the stuff. I will not next time. It needs nothing at all. In fact, I am glad that I had my friends over because this jar would have been half gone. I know that I would have just dug in with a spoon! I can not wait to have it with whole wheat pasta!!!

Oh wait....I DID!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!~!

How could I not? I love this shot because you get to see all the little pieces of nuts and how wonderful this pesto truly is alone, this is a great representation of as close to the "real thing" as possible.Of course you would have to actually be at my house (or go to the site to try it yoruself) to get the whole experience. I added absolutely nothing to it and it was p.e.r.f.e.c.t. I can not believe that a little jar is packed with so much flavor. I can have a simple whole wheat pasta or bread and turn it into a fancy Italian fest!

Do I even need to rate this company? Do I?

Well if you insist....10! If I could, I would sell their products door to door (don't worry, I already have a appointment with our Co Op here in Athens to get these products in the store a.s.a.p!). If you want some ALIVE, organic, vegan products that are so good for you and made with so much love that you can FEEL. Go to the site now. Once again!

www.livingtreecommunity.com

Mr.Schwartz, thank you again for completely blowing my mind! I am sharing them with the folks here in Georgia! I am spreading the word! You should be proud of what you are doing. I am!

Hope you all return tomorrow to read more. You know that I will be talking more about The Living Tree in my upcoming posts. I have some recipes that I am dying to try out with the Paradise Dreams!

See ya!

-Heather

A new generation.

2010-02-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I got a box full of things that I NEEDED so badly. You wouldn't believe it! I got a box filled with just about everything that I need for my new place as far as cleaning supplies!!! I am so happy to report that Seventh Generation came to my rescue and sent me some amazing goodies to get me started! You had no idea SG but I am moving into my own place in a matter of days and boy did you just save me, big time. The only problem is....now I will never be able to buy just any cleaning/detergent....I am truly hooked! Let me tell you a bit about the company that saved my butt some cash! You know, you forget how the little things to get you started in a new place can really add up! I am so grateful (and you might be too if you read the whole post ;)

Here we go!

About Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world's most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home. For 20 years, the closely held Burlington, Vermont-based company has been at the forefront of a cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics.
One of the country's first self-declared "socially responsible" companies, Seventh Generation is a business that operates according to a new and different set of principles and values that in many ways are a marked departure from those long considered "traditional." Its business practice is focused on offering people avenues to express their idealism, passion, and commitment to causes larger than themselves at every point along its supply chain—from suppliers and partners to shareholders, customers and its own staff.
The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.
Educating This and Future Generations:
Seventh Generation is committed to helping consumers make informed choices.
Seventh Generation provides information in several formats: on packaging, on this Web site, in 7Gen News (look in the upper right corner on any Seventh Generation web page to sign up) and in booklets and presentations by Chief Inspired Protagonist Jeffrey Hollender, company co-founder and Executive Chairperson as well as other members of our community.
A complete line of non-toxic household products:
Seventh Generation brand-name products include: non-chlorine bleached, 100% recycled paper towels, bathroom and facial tissues, and napkins; non-toxic, phosphate-free cleaning, dish and laundry products; plastic trash bags made from recycled plastic; chlorine-free baby diapers, training pants, and baby wipes; and chlorine-free feminine care products, including organic cotton tampons.
Our donations program:
We dedicate 10% of our profits to non-profit community, environmental, health, and responsible business organizations working for positive change.

I am going to go straight down the list of products that I got and tried. 1 being hated and 10 being LOVED it. Ok, ok, ok. Get ready to see the word LOVE a lot. You knew it was coming! I love green company's and this one rocks! First up,

Free and Clear Glass Cleaner:

Cleans without streaks and uses no harsh chemicals. Excellent for effectively cleaning glass, mirrors, chrome, and other hard surfaces around your home. Truly free and clear of fragrances, dyes, and masking agents. Loved it, give it a 10. Totally did exactly what it said!

All purpose cleaner:

Effectively cleans and degreases hard surfaces both inside and outside your home. Excellent for wet mopping. Not recommended for use on wood floors. Truly free and clear of fragrances, dyes, and masking agents. Gave this product a 10! Loved it! I really liked the scent. I know that it is unscented and all but for some reason I felt like it really had a super light clean smell. It could just be me....I will always have this stocked for sure!

Natural Dish Liquid:

Our new improved formula cleans more dishes than ever, and comes in a new 25oz bottle made from 90% post-consumer recycled plastic. Everyone can pitch in on the dishes thanks to our safe, non-toxic formula. Loved it! 10, 10, 10. Didn't dry out my hands and made my dishes sparkle. Gosh, I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record but seriously, loved it!

Natural Laundry Detergent:

A unique combination of plant-derived cleaning agents and enzymes to power out even the toughest stains. Truly free and clear of fragrances, dyes and masking agents. Again, I know that it says no fragrances (even my roommate said that she could smell nothing) but I still feel like it has the best light clean smell. Loved it. 10.

100% Recycled Paper Towels:

Buying products made from recycled paper helps reduce the need for virgin wood pulp, which means more trees are left standing. These hard-working paper towels absorb spills quickly, even when wet. Our white paper towels are now available in Right-Size half-sheets, so you can match the towel with the job. I liked that it was obvious that it was recycled! I like the brown color and feel of these paper towels. They were way sturdier than I has expected for sure.

All in all, well you already know what I am going to say. I GIVE THEM A 10! I don't always rate companies and their products a 10. I don't say that I LOVE something unless I truly do. I am honest. Truth is...I am the one contacting most companies so it is hard not to love the things that I have already heard such great things about. I want you to go right now to their site and just look at all the products that they have to offer. They have an abundance of wonderful things. Even for baby!

www.seventhgeneration.com

If my review is not enough to make you skip right on over to their site I bet you this will be....

Seventh Generation is willing to give one of my readers a change to win one package of their choice!!! How sweet! If you win you can have your pick of:

LIVING HOME STARTER KIT
Glass Cleaner - Grapefruit
All-Purpose Cleaner - Green Mandarin
Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Emerald
Shower Cleaner - Green Mandarin
Tub & Tile Cleaner
Kitchen Cleaner
(2) Natural Paper Towels - 120 Count
Reusable Tote
FREE & CLEAR STARTER KIT
Free & Clear Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
Free & Clear Natural All Purpose Cleaner
Free & Clear Natural Dish Liquid
Free & Clear Natural Laundry Detergent, 50 oz
(2) Natural Paper Towels - 120 Count
Reusable Tote
NATURAL BABY STARTER KIT
1 package of diapers/training pants - DESIGNATE SIZE….
Tub Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes
Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes Refill
Natural Baby Laundry Detergent
Reusable Tote

Ok so they are the best right??? How do you win the chance to try out some of the best cleaning products around? Well I will tell you! There are three things that you can do to earn a point. If you do all three you get three points entered in the drawing.

1. post a facebook link to my blog.

2. Link my blog on your blog

3.Go to their site and tell me which one of their products (of more if you want) that looks appealing to you!

Easy peasy! You better hurry, this contest will end on February 19th!

A special thanks to Meghan for being just the sweetest person in the world and get me started at my new place with products that I can trust. If it wasn't for Seventh Generation, who knows what my pantry would be stocked with until I could save up! You guys rock and now I am hooked!

Ok guys and gals, get to commenting, facebooking and linking. Ready. Set. Go!

-Heather