Corazonas© HEARTBAR™ Oatmeal Squares Review + Exclusive Coupon!

They’re back and they have been added to the J&J Snack Foods family of brands! J&J Snack Foods Corp. has acquired the Corazonas© HEARTBAR™ Oatmeal Squares!

Corazonas© HEARTBAR™ philosophy is that food should be both delicious and good for you. Life should be fun! That's why they've created a thoughtful mix of tasty, heart-healthy ingredients that help lower cholesterol while creating a convenient snack that is truly good and good for you.

What makes a Corazonas HEARTBAR both delicious and nutritious?

·         NON-GMO Ingredients

·         Contains Plant Sterols, which helps to lower (LDL) bad cholesterol*

·         Excellent Source of Whole Grains

·         Shelf Stable and small in size which is perfect for grab-n-go snacking

*FDA health claim: Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 2g per day of phytosterols eaten with meals or snacks may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of a HEARTBAR Oatmeal Square supplies between 0.4g and 0.8g of plant sterols.

My Thoughts:

I love breakfast bars for snacks or meals on the go. They are always a tasty treat that can hold me over and provide a boost of energy throughout my day! I was thrilled to try Corazonas HEARTBAR oatmeal squares after reading about all the great health benefits they provide!

The product comes in a variety of unique flavors such as Chocolate Coconut Macaroon, Dark Chocolate Cherry, and White Chocolate Macadamia. There are also great classic oatmeal flavors like Banana Walnut, Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry and Oatmeal Raisin.

They are not just healthy, but the HEARTBARS are delicious too! The consistency of each is quite soft and chewy. I almost felt like I was eating a yummy soft cookie. You can see the hearty amounts of oatmeal and other additional ingredients as you eat them, like for example, chocolate chips or walnuts.

They were very filling and I loved the fact that each bar was packed with whole grains, protein and fiber. The fact they are non-gmo and also were not high in fat and fair in calories was a wonderful plus as well! I truly loved all the flavors! I could see myself enjoying these at any time of day.

Exclusive 10% Coupon for New Age Mama Readers:

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Celebrate Nature's Path 30th Anniversary - Giveaway @EnviroKidz

Nature’s Path wants to celebrate its 30^th anniversary with you! They want to thank you for helping spread the word about the organic future for three decades. As a token of their appreciation, rather than receiving birthday gifts, they’re giving gifts to YOU. Thank you for joining their mission in leaving the earth better than we found it!
 

 Fun Facts:

-          Nature’s Path has been family-owned and proudly Canadian for 30 years.

-          With only $7 in their pockets and a $1500 loan, in 1967 Nature’s Path co-founders opened Canada’s very first vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver, BC. Nature’s Path later started out of the back of their restaurant in 1985. 

 Celebrate with CAKE!

Recipe: No-Bake Berry Crumble Icebox Cake

Had enough of intricate instructions and hot ovens? Baking doesn’t get any better than no-bake. Our first-ever cereal, the original Cornflake, takes the place of a graham cracker crust for a lighter (and deliciously gluten free) dessert. The creamy filling finds a perfect balance between zesty and sweet, and another layer of Cornflakes rounds out the dish with a satisfying crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Makes: 12 servings

Ingredients:

3/4 cup almonds

3 cups Nature’s Path Fruit Juice Sweetened Corn Flakes

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

2 pkg (each 8 oz) brick style plain cream cheese

1/3 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup sliced strawberries

Directions:

Line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.

Add almonds to food processor; pulse until finely ground. Add cornflakes and pulse until ground. Add brown sugar and melted butter. Pulse to combine. Press 2 cups mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Place in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes or until firm. Reserve remaining half for topping.

Meanwhile, with electric beaters beat cream cheese with yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest and vanilla until smooth. Spread half cream cheese mixture over crust. Sprinkle with strawberries, top with remaining cream cheese mixture and smooth top. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cereal mixture. Press lightly until adhered.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours or until firm. To serve, scoop or cut into squares.

Calories per serving: 344

Fat 23g

Cholesterol 59mg

Sodium 179mg

Carbohydrates 29g

Fibre 2g

Sugar 20g

Protein 7.5g

Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Nature’s Path 30^th Anniversary Gift set that includes:

-          Limited edition 30^th anniversary cereal and granola (including Nature’s Paths’ Fruit Juice Sweetened Corn Flakes used in the yummy Berry Crumble Icebox Cake recipe below).

-          Sweetened Corn Flakes

-          1 year free subscription to the new Organic Life magazine

-          3 Nature’s Path free product  vouchers 

 Winner eligibility: Contest is open to Canadian and US residents only. US or Canadian shipping address must be provided.  To enter, simply fill out the giveaway tools  form below.  Giveaway will end  6/29/15. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Nature's Path  for offering this fantastic prize. Prizes may vary from image shown.

Entry-Form

ThinkThin Protein & Fiber Hot Oatmeal

While making breakfast plans with the talk show host may prove to be difficult, thinkThin, known for its nutritious and delicious high-protein, low-sugar bars, is heating up mornings with the debut of its ThinkThin Protein & Fiber Hot Oatmeal.

Made with a super grain blend of whole rolled oats, steel cut oats and quinoa, thinkThin Protein & Fiber Hot Oatmeal is sold as a multi-pack box of six packets or a single serving bowl for a convenient, nutritious option that can be enjoyed just about anywhere. It is available in four enjoyable flavors: Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble; Madagascar Vanilla, Almonds, Pecans; Original Sprouted Grains (box only) and Honey Peanut Butter (bowl only). Each serving contains 10g of protein, 5g of fiber and is 200 calories or less. They are available at select grocery stores and online now.

My thoughts:

I love thinkThin Hot Oatmeal.  I have tried three different flavors, and my favorite is Farmer's Market Berry Crumble.  It is loaded with berries in every bite.  Although I do like the other flavors also.  My daughter and son also like to eat one before school.  Which is a great jump start to their day.

If you are looking for a great, healthy nutritious breakfast, this is it.  So easy to make.  Just pull back and take off the top.  Fill water to the half cup, than microwave forty five to sixty seconds.  Let stand to cool down, and than eat and enjoy!

Review & #Giveaway: Morning Pep's Coconut Flour and Almond Flour

Nutrition for the Mind and Body

 Guaranteed

Have you ever wanted a weight loss solution that would help you achieve your ideal weight, while at the same time keep you healthy and fit? Well, with Morning Pep, you have to weight no longer! We have the best solution for you that will not only help you start your day much brighter, it will also aid in you becoming your healthiest and happiest self.

What Makes Us Different

Our weight loss products have been tried and tested, providing you with solutions that no other weight loss solutions will provide to you. Our supplements are made from the most natural and high quality ingredients that are safe to consume and therefore work in the best possible manner. The best part is that our products are available at ideal prices that are much more affordable than any other such products out there. The prices combined with the quality of our products is what makes Morning Pep stand out!

Morning Pep has been growing on a consistent basis ever since it has been established, and is now a leader in the industry. We focus on building long lasting relationships with our clients by offering them products that are high in quality and services that are far superior than the rest.

Our Products

Start your mornings with our amazing products that offer proven benefits in the most natural way. Our product line includes:

Almond Flour

Chock full of protein and dietary fiber, Almond Flour works well with many recipes while giving you a Limited amount of carbohydrate intake. Aside from being gluten free, our Blanched Almond Flour provides a savory flavor, richness and smooth texture.

Coconut Flour 

Coconut flour is high in fiber with more than 20% protein, and low in sodium, cholesterol, and digestible carbohydrates.

Goji Berries

Goji berries contain the all essential amino acids, dietary fiber, and the highest concentration of protein versus any other fruit. They are renowned as the most nutrient rich super-fruit on earth.

Coconut Sugar

Morning Pep Coconut Sugar made from 100% organic coconut palm that is a rich source of potassium, calcium, zinc, iron and B vitamins, contributing to a well balanced diet.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that tastes and looks exactly like real sugar. The product is also extremely safe for people with diabetes. It consists of far lesser carbohydrates and calories, and there is no aftertaste whatsoever. The product is also free from allergens. All of our products can conveniently be purchased at your local health food store or on Amazon.

So, what are you waiting for?

Have a perfect start to all your mornings with the help of our amazing supplements, and you will start noticing the difference in yourself immediately. When your body is feeling great, you will automatically start feeling happier and look even more radiant than ever.

Visit Morning Pep online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.  Purchase Morning Pep's products on Amazon!

Our Thoughts

I've been eating paleo for almost 5 years now and my most requested recipes for those making the transition to healthier eating are baked goods.  I use almond, coconut, and arrowroot flours in most of my baked goods. Morning Pep sent me various-sized bags of both their coconut and almond flours to try out. 

First up was the coconut flour in a banana pancake.  This recipe doesn't really require any special ingredient amounts - just mash up a banana with an egg, a wee little bit of salt, and add enough coconut flour to thicken the batter as desired.  Cook low & slow so as not to burn the pancake. :) (For a little extra deliciousness, add some fresh lemon zest and blueberries!)

Morning Pep's Coconut Flour is lighter in color and slightly drier (less clumpy) in texture than what's available to me in our local grocery stores.  It has a very pleasant coconut aroma upon opening the bag which goes nicely into recipes where you want the coconut flavor to shine.

Next up was using both the Almond Flour and Coconut Flour together for making my Nuffins. Now, for my Nuffins, I don't want the coconut flavor to overwhelm, so I use a ratio of 3/4c almond to 1/4 coconut, sometimes 7/8 almond to 1/8 coconut - just depends on the resulting flavor you want.  Coconut flour is great for absorbing moisture, so if you want a thicker batter, you can always add just a wee bit more coconut.  Coconut flour can burn easily, which is another reason I use it in conjunction with almond flour.

I love baking with almond flour, it's one of my favorite flours because of it's mellow flavor - goes with anything! Now, the Almond Flour says super finely ground on the package.  This I will disagree with - Morning Pep's almond flour has the texture of almond meal, which is less finely ground than the almond flour available in our local grocery store.  Does this make a difference in baked goods?  Depends on what you're making.  If you're baking cookies, you can use almond meal or almond flour interchangeably.  If you're making cakes or muffins (or in my case, LOL, Nuffins), you will notice a  slight texture difference - it has a somewhat grittier texture than a perfectly soft cake - not much of a difference, but if you compare bite to bite you'll notice.

With these two together, I made a batch of Apple Cinnamon Nuffins and my Perfect Paleo Brownies and we enjoyed both at a family dinner last weekend - they didn't last long!

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive the Crystal Wash set to try for themselves.To enter just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Open to the US only. Giveaway will end 4/25/15. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Morning Pep for offering this fantastic prize.

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Garden Lites® New Kid-Friendly Snacking Options

Garden Lites Muffins launches new kid-friendly snacking options with the help of two popular Nickelodeon characters: Garden Lites Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Power Muffins and Garden Lites SpongeBob SquarePants Chocolate Krabby Square Muffins. These new products allow parents to leverage their child’s adoration of Nickelodeon characters while reinforcing healthier eating habits.  These fun muffins come in a pack of six and are 1oz each. Garden Lites Teenage Mutant Ninja Power Muffins are made to mimic their famous tortoise shells and are individually packaged with a different character on each wrapping. Your child will be so thrilled to share their snack time with Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael. Garden Lites Muffins are the perfect snack for finicky eaters because they taste surprisingly delicious yet have vegetables as the first ingredient. They also boast great attributes including gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, low calories, high fiber, rich in whole grains, and Kosher.

The Garden Lites Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Power Muffins are a delicious twist on your standard chocolate chip muffin with just a hint of caramel, and they are made with fresh zucchini and spinach! You’ll find Garden Lites Muffins in the freezer section of your favorite grocer. They thaw quickly, in under two hours at room temperature, for easy enjoyment on-the-go or in a lunchbox; or defrost them in the microwave for 20 seconds per muffin and you’ll have a warm healthy treat for your little one on these cold wintry days. They will be full with “Turtle Power” in no time!

If your child is a SpongeBob fan, then the Garden Lites SpongeBob SquarePants Chocolate Krabby Square Muffins are an ideal choice! You won’t believe these rich, chocolate muffins are made with fresh zucchini and carrots! Square-shaped, just like SpongeBob himself, these muffins come six to a package and are sure to satisfy after school cravings while leaving kids feeling anything but crabby.

New Garden Lites Nickelodeon Muffins are available at select retailers. The muffins come in a box of six with an SRP of $3.49. Both can be found in the frozen section of stores nationwide, including: Target, Publix, and ShopRite. For more information on Garden Lites products, visit www.GardenLites.com and be sure to “Like” on Facebook and Follow on Twitter!

My Thoughts

Getting kids to eat vegetables is always a struggle. I thought it would get easier as they got older, but my fourteen-year-old is just as stubborn as the three-year-old when it comes to getting her to eat anything green or healthy.  The Garden Lites Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Power Muffins and Garden Lites SpongeBob SquarePants Chocolate Krabby Square Muffins  are the perfect way to sneak some wholesome vegetables into their meal without them knowing because these yummy muffins taste so good they'll  never know they're also good for them.

We received a few packages of muffins and they were a bigger hit than I could've possibly imagined. Each muffin comes in tasty flavors, but in addition to the fruits and chocolate, there also contain a serving of vegetables, not to mention a healthy helping of fiber. They're even gluten free!  The pictures of Sponge Bob and turtles were all the encouragement my kids needed to give them a try.

My kids absolutely loved the muffins. They are packed with flavor and you'd never know the veggies were there.  I also love the convenience of the Veggie Muffins. You can let them sit out to thaw for a on-the-go snack or toss one in the microwave for 35 seconds and they're ready to go. They make giving kids a healthy breakfast fast and easy.

Kick-Start the School Day with Umpqua Oats On-the-Go Super Premium Oatmeal

Umpqua Oats are the on-the-go super premium oatmeal that is a quick, satisfying and fun breakfast choice, making mornings a breeze for parents and giving even the choosiest eaters variety. 

Launched in 2008, the company was founded by two moms who were looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to the typical instant oatmeal packets. Each single serve, portable portion of Umpqua Oats super premium oatmeal takes only three minutes to make with hot water and is packed with custom milled rolled oats, fruits or other all natural ingredients.  Umpqua Oats can be purchased nationwide at grocery and club stores, and is also available nationally at local coffee shops or through the company’s website.

Connect With Umpqua

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My Thoughts

Oatmeal is one of my kids' favorite breakfasts, but when I have four children to prepare for school, there's not much time to make it from scratch. I've used instant oatmeal before, but they were too sugary and just didn't taste like the real thing. Thankfully,  Umpqua has come up with a delicious instant oatmeal that's easy to make, tastes amazing, and is packed with all the nutrients kids need to get a healthy start in the morning. 

 What makes the Umpqua Cups really unique is that it's fast and easy.  Just add water, and in mere seconds, you'll have a hot cup of oatmeal that's the perfect texture every time. Its chock full of fruits, and real oats. The result is an amazing breakfast that tastes like homemade oatmeal every time. The only difference is, there are no pots to scrub when you're done! Send your kids off to school right with Umpqua Oats On-the-Go Super Premium Oatmeal today!