Nuzest Relaunches its Clean Lean Protein Bars and Good Green Vitality Bars in Plant-Based Lineup

 

About Nuzest:

Nuzest was founded in 2012 by Trevor Bolland in Sydney, Australia. Backed by a team of global industry leaders—including naturopaths, doctors, and functional medicine practitioners—Nuzest is a nutritional platform based on efficacy without compromise. Nuzest brings together the best of nutritional science and natural medicine. Nuzest’s unique formulas are some of the most advanced nutritional supplements on the market—every ingredient, and every form of ingredient is backed by a sound scientific rationale. Nuzest offers the award-winning Clean Lean Protein, a line of digestive support products including Digestive Support Protein and Digestive Enzyme Blend, Kids Good Stuff, a tasty multivitamin drink for children, and a line of bars including Clean Lean Protein Bars and Good Green Vitality multivitamin bars. Nuzest products are 100% plant-based, vegan, and free of GMOs, gluten, and common allergens. 

My Thoughts:

Now more than ever it is so important to prioritize our health. If the pandemic taught me anything it was how much more focus I needed to put into what I was eating and how I was caring for my body. I started getting into nutrition throughout 2020 and began trying different protein bars and shakes to add more nutrients to my diet. When I heard of Nuzest I was extremely excited to get a care package of their Clean Lean Protein and Good Green Vitality Bars, as well as their drink mixes. The fact the company is plant-based and vegan made me very happy as someone who has a sensitivity to dairy. 

I have to say I was extremely impressed with everything I tried once the package arrived! It can be hard to find protein on the market that has a full flavor, isn't packed with sugars, and also has a smooth consistency. A lot of products I have tried had a bland taste and chalky texture, both in bar form and in drink mixes. The Nuzest bars were soft, chewy, and tasted delicious! The Peanut Butter & Chocolate fed my candy cravings and gave me a boost of energy. The Vanilla & Almond and Coconut & Lemon flavors I enjoyed with breakfast! During lunch, I added in the Good Green Vitality Bar for a mid day pick me up. Getting more greens in my diet is one of my goals this year, and that bar was a great way to do it! Like the Clean Lean Protein Bars, it also had a soft and chewy texture with a sweet flavor that tasted very hearty and earthy. I really enjoyed it! 

The Clean Lean Protein drink mixes were also very enjoyable! I used my handheld blender to make them before starting work at home. It was a nice addition to my daily nutrition. My favorite flavor was the Rich Chocolate, but the Smooth Vanilla and Real Coffee also didn't disappoint. I added cashew milk to mine. The consistency wasn't too thick but wasn't overly thin either. It had some body to it and I liked how much flavor each one had. They blended very easily too and weren't at all chalky. If you don't have a blender, a shaker cup would work just as well for these too! 

If you're looking to add healthier options to your daily nutrition, I highly recommend trying Nuzest!

Nutritional Information from the Nuzest Website:

Clean Lean Protein Bars:

11G-13G PLANT PROTEIN, 6G-7G DIETARY FIBER, 3MG IRON, 0* REFINED SUGAR.

Clean Lean Protein has always been the purest and most potent source of plant protein. Now we’ve wrapped it up in a deliciously handy bar. Unwrap and snack before and after your daily workout, pop it in your lunch box for your mid-day fuel or keep it in your pocket for an on-the-go treat.

Made by blending our premium European golden pea protein with whole fruits, nuts and seeds, our bars contain up to 13g of digestible protein and 7g of dietary fiber. Includes 0g of added sugar.* 

Available in three delicious flavors – Coconut & Lemon, Almond & Vanilla, and Peanut Butter & Chocolate – they combine pure simplicity with innocent indulgence. Each bar only contains the cleanest ingredients, without any fillers or refined sugar. They’re a great source of iron and contain all nine essential amino acids to support recovery and repair. We’ve raised the bar on protein.

*Not a low-calorie food.

Good Green Vitality Bars-

20+ VITAMINS & MINERALS, 20 PLANT FOODS, 4BN CFU PROBIOTICS, 3G DIETARY FIBER.

How can something so small make such a big impact on your daily nutrition? We’ve packed all of this natural goodness into a deliciously handy pocket-sized bar. Good Green Vitality Bars are the perfect way to satisfy your hunger and make a serious contribution to your daily nutrition.

Like all our products, this new addition to the family contains only the best ingredients with zero bad stuff. This means each bar is packed with plant-based ingredients, essential vitamins and minerals, pre and probiotics, superfoods, adaptogens, and more. Everything you need to support better digestion, healthier-looking skin, a more robust immune and nervous system, and a healthy lifestyle full of vitality.

With over 20 vitamins and minerals in every bite, Good Green Vitality Multivitamin Bars provide an all-in-one nutritional super-boost for when you’re on the go. They’re easy to enjoy, daringly delicious, and perfect for everyone in your family. Green means Go!

Clean Lean Protein Drink Mixes-

20G PROTEIN, 1G CARBS, 0G SUGAR, 100% PLANT-BASED DRINK MIX

Made from the highest quality European golden peas, Clean Lean Protein is the environmentally friendly choice. 

From seedling to shop floor, we use the cleanest growing, flavoring, and manufacturing methods available – meaning no chemicals, no additives, and no preservatives. 

Clean Lean Protein is regularly tested for safe microbial activity, allergenic substances, and heavy metals. Our products are certified gluten-free and GMO-free. 

Clean Lean Protein is free of all common allergens, tastes great, and is a plant-based drink that’s suitable for everyone! High in protein, but low in fat, it supports vitality and muscle health, so you can get back to doing the things you love. 

Complete with all nine essential amino acids, it is a natural source of iron, tasty, and easily digestible resulting in less bloating and a happier tummy. Vegan, raw, and suitable for a paleo diet, Clean Lean Protein is perfect for anyone from busy parents to professional athletes.

+  18-21 grams of protein per 25 gram serving 

+  Less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving 

+  Suitable for most diets: Vegan, Soy Free, GMO Free & Gluten Free

+  No added sugar (less than 1/4 gram naturally occurring).

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Banza Mac and Cheese Review + Giveaway! #DressUpYourMac

Mac & cheese is a kids’ classic and what could be more fun than eating it? Creating it!

Recently, Banza debuted their campaign, #DressUpYourMac, in partnership with Whole Foods, inviting mac & cheese lovers everywhere to add their own special twist and make a unique mac & cheese dish with personality – fun toppings, hot spices, and pops of color.  

What can you do with your Banza mac & cheese? 

Let the family get creative and crazy this whole year through, then share your mac-sterpiece pics with @eatbanza using #DressUpYourMac.   

Naturally nutritious – Banza has 2x the protein, 4x the fiber, and 40% fewer net carbs per serving than traditional pasta (it's also GF and non-GMO) – fans are taking this simple comfort food and adding their own extra health-ified flair – spinach, asparagus, cayenne pepper, sriracha … you name it!

My Thoughts: 

I was able to try the three of the varieties of mac and cheeses that Banza offers. Each was unique in it's own way, leaving a perfect match for whatever type of mac and cheese you desire. 

The first flavor I tried was the Deluxe Rich and Creamy Cheddar Elbows. The box contains a wrapper filled with soft cheese that you squeeze out and mix with the milk and butter. It came out extremely rich, thick and cheesy. Yum! The box said not to rinse the pasta after it was done, so the consistency was a little starchy for my taste. However, it had a wonderful flavor. The pasta was perfectly al dente. This would be a wonderful type of mac and cheese to bake in the oven with some bread crumbs as a topping! That's my personal favorite way to doctor up my cheesy pasta!  

The next variety I tried was the Classic Cheddar. Like traditional boxed mac and cheese, this comes with powered cheese. The flavor had a sharp and tangy taste. If you are a person who loves sharp cheddar, you will adore this! The cheese was nice and creamy. Like the previous Banza mac and cheese, the pasta was nice and al dente. I did rinse off this pasta to see how the consistency would be. It was much less starchy that the previous one. If I were to think of a way to dress this dish, I think some freshly shredded cheese and bacon would go perfectly, or some broccoli!    

My favorite out of the group has to be the White Cheddar! It was thick with a light cheddar flavor at first, while the after taste had a nice bite. The strong flavor of the chickpea pasta was outweighed a bit by the cheese flavor, making the mixture of both fantastic! I felt this one was probably the closest to traditional mac and cheese flavor. This variety would go great with almost anything to be honest. If you are a spicy lover, perhaps a little hot sauce on top, or for my seafood lovers some lump crab or lobster meat! 

If you are someone who enjoys chickpea pasta and/or are looking for a healthier alternative to a life long favorite, I would highly suggest giving Banza's variety a try! With it having 40% less cards than traditional pasta, as well as being gluten free and non-gmo, this is a great guilt free food for you and your family to enjoy! 

The Giveaway:   

Thanks to Banza, one lucky reader will have an opportunity to try these delicious varieties of mac and cheeses. Thank you so much Banza for this awesome opportunity and for also allowing me to try them!   

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Trying to cut down on sugar this year? Here are items you need on your shopping list!

The average American consumes 150-170 pounds of refined sugar in one year alone! Shocking, right? Luckily this year many are embracing, Sugar Awareness Week, a 5-day challenge to reduce sugar intake. I welcome you to try the challenge any week you please to take a step in the right direction of your health all year round.

Sugar consumption has recently blown up in the news surrounding the ongoing sugar tax roll-out, lowering children’s sugar intake, and more. With that said, here are some great products below that are sugar-free/low-sugar to help you get started on your year of cutting down sugar! I have tried each of them and will write my thoughts.

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AquaBall – You might think that drinks labeled “fruit juice” are a great option for your child, but the truth is some boxed juices can have upwards of 15 grams of sugar per serving, almost the same amount as a can of soda. Instead, try an AquaBall, the healthiest children’s beverage on the market. Zero-sugar, zero-calories and zero preservatives, AquaBall is available in four flavors, Fruit Punch, Orange, Berry Frost and Grape, and features fan favorite characters from Disney’s Frozen, Disney Princesses, Disney Classic Characters and more. AquaBall is the easy solution to finding a beverage that both kids and parents will love.

My Thoughts: I loved the variety of flavors that AquaBall provides. Working with young children as a camp teacher, sometimes all they want is a juice box. Of course they want me to take part, so I also sip on one as well during snack time. However, when I took my first sip of each AquaBall, it was such a surprise that this was not a traditional juice drink. Never did it have an off taste like some low or no sugar drinks do. They tasted just like their flavor, were refreshing, and had the sweet aroma that kids (and yes even adults sometimes) love. Having Disney characters on the front is a sweet treat too! I can see myself and my students enjoying these year round! 

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The Little Kernel “Miniature” Popcorn - For a better-for-you snack, try a delicious, gluten-free flavored popcorn, like The Little Kernel. Available in flavors like Truffle Sea Salt and Pink Himalayan Salt, this "miniature" popcorn is popped with 100% pure olive oil, and is also non-GMO, dairy-free, kosher and certified whole grain.

My Thoughts: My little brother is the popcorn expert. He has tried a variety of different brands, so I knew he would be the best judge of this product. He loved it! The kernels are tiny and adorable. Yet, they pack quiet a crunch and are bursting with flavor. Each one is unique in it's own way. The sweet and salty variety was almost gone in a day at my house. It was a hit. Plus, without all the added ingredients in other brands, The Little Kernel is the ideal product to enjoy a classic treat in a healthier way. 

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Explore Cuisine Pulse Pastas - White pasta is filled with sugar – swap it for lentil-based pasta. Explore Cuisine’s Pulse Pastas are vegan, organic, gluten-free, high in protein and a good source of fiber—changing the landscape of the pasta in grocery aisles. The Pulse Pasta collection includes: Red Lentil Penne, Green Lentil Penne, Chickpea Fusilli, Red Lentil Spaghetti, Chickpea Spaghetti, and Green Lentil Lasagna Sheets.

My Thoughts: Pasta is one of my household's favorite dinners. We love all kinds from spaghetti to ziti. This was one product I was curious about. I have heard a lot of people raving abut vegetable pastas, so this was something I was excited about, yet on the fence with. I have to say, I was impressed. I tried the Chickpea spaghetti and the Lentil penne. Both of them cooked to a perfect al dente consistency. I can't say they taste exactly like traditional pasta does. The chickpea had a bit of a strong flavor. However, once you allow your pallet to adjust to the difference, it tastes very good. I enjoyed my meals with both. 

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Viki’s Granola: Viki's Granola is made with 100% all natural ingredients, gluten-free and baked with love. Unlike other granolas with hard clusters, Viki's has a fresh, soft, chewy texture and no artificial aftertaste. It is also cholesterol free, sodium free, dairy free, and contains ZERO trans-fat. Available in five delicious flavors, Viki's Granola is great to enjoy on its own or mixed in yogurt, and are even available in snack packs to take on-the-go. ($5.49/12 oz. bag $11.99 / (10) 1.5oz bags) www.VikisGranola.com.

My Thoughts: Granola is one of my favorite treats. I mix it in with greek and low fat yogurt, parfaits, smoothies, and sometimes I even eat it right out of the bag. The downside of a lot of granola on the market is that it is packed with hidden sugars. When I realized that last year while browsing at my local grocery store, I decided I wanted to try something new and healthier. Viki's Granola is by far one of my favorite brands. It is low in sugar while containing no cholesterol, sodium, trans-fat or dairy. Yet, Viki's Granola is high in flavor. Honestly, I could not even taste the difference from traditional granola. I tried the apple cinnamon and original. Both were so delicious. One suggestion I will make though is that if you are mixing the apple cinnamon into yogurt or a smoothie, watch out for the apple pieces. They're very chewy. Once they have a little soak in your treats, they'll be ready to go with a softer consistency.  

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Sparkling Ice® essence of sparkling water, which is free of sweeteners, contains zero calories, no artificial colors or preservatives, and delivers a refreshing essence of natural flavors. The new product line, developed in response to consumer demand for healthier carbonated beverage alternatives, offers four skus: a non-flavored sparkling water and three lightly-flavored versions featuring essence of lemon lime, essence of peach and essence of tangerine.

My Thoughts: I was impressed with Sparkling Ice. I'm new to sparkling waters, but have enjoyed drinking flavored waters in the past. Sparkling Ice has quite a few choices of flavors. I tried lemon lime and peach. Lemon lime reminded me a bit of soda actually. It was not an overly abundant flavor, yet it was just enough to be enjoyable. Peach was also a refreshing change up from my usual water routine. If you're looking for a way to enjoy a carbonated beverage without the guilt, I would suggest giving Sparkling Ice a try! 

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Gaea Olive Snack Packs: Gaea’s Olive Snack Packs are a low-calorie and 100% natural snack, containing zero additives or preservatives and very low salinity. Packaged in handy re-sealable packages, without liquid, and allowing the convenience of easy snacking, Gaea’s Olive Snack packs are available in three flavors: Pitted Green Olives Marinated with Chili and Black Pepper, Pitted Green Olives Marinated with Lemon and Oregano, and Pitted Kalamata Olives, 100% Natural and Sun Ripened. At only 67 or 150 calories per pack, Gaea’s Olive Snack Packs are a healthy, low-calorie snack to nosh on. $2.49, available at retailers nationwide and www.gaeaus.com.

My Thoughts: Never have I seen olive snack packs, but Gaea has their olives packed at the perfect time of pure ripeness to enjoy. My mom adores olives. She could eat them every day. These were such a treat for her, especially since there is no liquid to rummage through. If you love olives, these are for you! 

Holiday Gift Guide - Review: Viking Pressure Cooker with Steamer

 

The Viking Pressure Cooker uses a simple non-slip lock knob to easily and securely clamp the lid down on the vessel. Set the lid on in any direction you wish, then just turn the knob to create a pressure safe seal and you are ready to cook.

• Open & Close the Lid with the Turn of a Knob
• Can Be Used on any Cooking Surface, Including Induction
• Energy Saving – Reduces Cooking Time by Half or More
• Pressure Release Dial Allows You to Easily Adjust the Pressure
• Durable Stainless Steel Construction
• Pressure Indicator Identifies when the Cooker has Reached Full Pressure
• Stay Cool Handles

The commercial cooking technology and innovation once reserved for only restaurant kitchens is available for your home; only from Viking. To make it even better, Viking is now infused with a new culture from Middleby under which are continuously striving to ensure that their products, quality and service are the best available.

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Our Thoughts
I love to cook. And it's a good thing, given my son's special dietary needs.  I plan my days around what I want to make for supper and the time it takes to make it.

Did you know a pressure cooker can cook 3 - 4 times faster than conventional methods? That does tend to make life a little easier . . .

Viking sent me their fabulous 8 Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker for review and I have made quite a few meals in it already - veggies, roasts, dessert.  I detest cheap cookware and the Viking Pressure Cooker is very nicely heavy duty - no cheap thin walls, no hot spots. It even has measurements on the inside of the pot.

Really, a pressure cooker is pretty easy to use.  Put your food mix in, put the lid on, set the pressure to whichever setting the dish needs, and turn the top knob to close the lid tight.  Turn the heat to high until the little red pressure indicator pops up (indicating the pot is now sealed), then turn the heat as low as you can without the pressure indicator falling back down (if it does, just turn the heat back up again for a bit until it re-pressurizes). You need to make sure you have enough liquid in there, and the heat (once pressurized) needs to be set to the minimum in order to retain the pressure.  Upon mentioning I had a new pressure cooker to try out, one of the first things someone said to me was to be careful because someone they knew blew two of them up! 

First up was turkey thighs with an assortment of veggies - onion, celery, and parsnips. First I fried the (skin covered) turkey thighs in oil and salt & pepper, then removed the thighs and cooked the veggies a little bit in the oil.  Then add the thighs back in, cover, and pressurize for a quick fully cooked meal. For this dish I used the recommended amount of water based on the manual that comes with the cooker, and by the time the food was done, it looked more like turkey thighs resting in veggie soup.  But, I just pulled out the thighs, set them aside, and strained the veggies, which had melted down into a nice textured dish. Now, I figured the veggies would rather be turned to mush if I cooked them the entire time with the meat, and they were. The interesting thing was that I had spiralized the parsnips and the time in the pressure cooker actually riced them for me.  The (fried) turkey skin was understandably soggy. I think doing skinless meats would be better in the pressure cooker - either that, or you'll need to oven roast the meat to crisp up the skin once it's finished in the pressure cooker. Time in pressure cooker - about 30 minutes, but I think I could have done a little less.  Oven roasting takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Hinging on that outcome, next up I decided to make riced parsnip pudding.  I have always loved rice pudding, but as we are grain & dairy free now, I needed to come up with a new dish.  Parsnips are delicious with coconut milk, cinnamon, and sugar - have done that mashed quite a few times, sometimes adding pears and/or apples.  Since using the pressure cooker on spiralized parsnips turned them to a riced consistency in the first dish, I figured I'd try spiralizing them again and let the pressure cooker do the work that my little food processer is really too small to do.

I added as much water to the mix as I thought I'd need, because parsnips absorb A LOT of water, especially by the next day in the fridge. I wasn't sure how long to cook them to get the right consistency, so after about 10 minutes in, I de-pressurized the pot and checked on them.  They were still very watery (although delicious!!) so I added in some arrowroot to thicken and re-pressurized, cooking for another 5 - 7 minutes or so.  In actuality I should have just riced the parsnips first to get the texture just right (but again, I need a bigger food processor), but the whole dish was unbelievably delicious with a thicker, creamy-smooth sauce, just like one would expect with rice pudding.

Next up was a fresh venison roast.  Venison can be tricky to cook, and if you don't do it right it dries out and is pretty much like eating shoe leather. I have found that cooking a venison roast slathered in coconut oil with some salt & pepper for 4 hours on low in a crock pot makes for a nice tender roast.

First I braised the venison roast in coconut oil and salt & pepper.  Then I threw in a little onion, garlic, rosemary, with more salt & pepper, and added some water.  This roast . . . was OMG tender.  I mean OMG OMG OMG DROOL DELICIOUS tender!!  Now, I know from years of experience that sometimes it's more the cut of meat and less the cooking method, so I need to try another venison roast to see if I get the same results but I have high hopes. The packages are just stamped "Venison Roast" so I don't know which roast packages are which cut.  But this has me soooooo encouraged to try it again, and if all my venison roasts turn out this tender and moist, this pressure cooker will be my #1 go-to method for venison roast. Time in pressure cooker: 25 - 30 minutes since it was a small roast. Did I mention the crock pot takes 4 hours??

Next up was a cow tongue - one of my absolute, hands-down favorite cuts. My husband hates the texture of tongue - it is a bit spongy - but he loves the texture of brisket and I can't stand it. LOL.  Anyway, more tongue for me!

Cooking tongue in the crockpot has always been my best way to get the tongue skin to peel off, but it invariably always has some dried out spots that are tough to peel, so I end up fileting it off.  In the Viking pressure cooker, the tongue came out as delicious and tender as I expected and as a bonus, the steam made the whole thing incredibly easy to very quickly peel it. Time in pressure cooker: 25 minutes.  Crock pot - 6 - 8 hours.

Last dish for this review is lamb shanks.  I was SO excited to find lamb at our local big box store - I raw feed my dog and so I'm always browsing the meat aisle for cheap cuts of meat for her and they're one of the few places that sell a good selection of offal.  And right next to where the cow offal was, I found the lamb shanks.  Two $10 packages later, I had supper all planned.

Normally I oven roast this dish with lamb steaks or chops, but shanks are much thicker and have the large bone inside of them.  I usually use the crock pot for lamb shanks, but here again, I wanted to try using the pressure cooker because it saves so much cooking time.

I did manage to set off the smoke alarm while braising them (oops!) but they braised up beautifully.  I pulled them out, set them aside, and then added in my veggies (zucchini, mushrooms, garlic, & rosemary) and a little sweet cherry wine & balsamic vinegar.  Stirred them to coat, and added the shanks back to the pot.  Added a little more balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper to the meat, put in some water - not too much, knowing zucchini are very watery, and pressurized the pot. I still ended up with quite a bit of liquid from the zucchini and the meat but the whole dish was so delicious.  I love lamb.  I hate sharing lamb.  LOL.  Time in pressure cooker: 45 minutes.  Crock pot takes 6 - 8 hours.

Now the funniest part of this whole pressure cooker experience was the dog.  Bella is an 11 month old Rottweiler and she just did not know what to do about the noise the pressure cooker makes as it releases little bits of steam while cooking.

First she had to inspect this new noise-maker:

Then she laid down in front of the stove and quietly woo-wooed at it until the food was done.

Overall, the Viking Pressure Cooker is incredibly easy to use.  There are tons of recipes online, and you'll also find a couple in the manual. It comes with a steamer basket too. I am a big fan of high-quality cookware, and most of my cookware is vintage because it's better quality than the cheap stuff you can buy at big-box stores.

The only thing I wish was a little different about this pressure cooker is that it's tall and narrow, and I have an easier time with the more squatty pots.  Just something for me to adjust to.  5 stars!!

Jell-O Simply Good: New Product Launches with #DelightfullyHonest Campaign!

Jell-O has officially introduced a new product line to the family: Jell-O Simply Good! Inspired by kids and their unfiltered honesty, new Jell-O Simply Good pudding mixes are made with real ingredients like banana, cocoa and vanilla bean. The new gelatin mixes are flavored with real fruit juices. New Jell-O Simply Good contains no artificial flavors, dyes or preservatives. Since kids inspired Jell-O Simply Good, the brand invited them to try the new product and their candid, unscripted reactions are the basis for the Jell-O Simply Good campaign. Dubbed ‘Delightfully Honest’, the campaign features video of real kids providing unfiltered, surprising and sometimes hilarious reactions to a variety of topics including their impression of Jell-O Simply Good.

My Thoughts:

Jell-O is a classic treat enjoyed by all generations. Whether it be their puddings or fruity gelatin, it is something that can bring a whole family together for a good time. I was excited to try out the new line of Simpy Good products. Hearing that they were now made with natural ingredients was something I was curious about in terms of flavor and consistency. When the products arrived the first thing I noticed was the adorable new packaging. I then read how to make each and saw that it was surprisingly simple, no pun intended, just like the traditional recipes. 

I decided while boiling the water to make the gelatin, I would begin a couple flavors of pudding. I started with two of my families favorite flavors, Banana and Vanilla Bean. The recipe called for 2 cups of cold 2% milk which was to be whisked for 2 minutes. It stated that any non-dairy alternative would not set. After whisking the mix and milk, you allow the pudding to set for 5 minutes. Make sure to refrigerate the leftovers.  

The pudding was about done by the time the water had been brought to a boil. I grabbed a bag of Simply Good Strawberry and poured 1 cup of boiling water into a measuring cup. Afterwards, I followed the recipe and mixed the gelatin contents into the water, whisking for about 2 minutes until all of it was dissolved. Afterwards, it instructs to add 1 cup of cold water, then refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. 

Overall, I was very impressed with the Jell-O Simply Good line! Everything was very delicious that I tried. I noticed that the flavor of the puddings were much more rich after letting them set in the fridge for a few hours, getting cold. They were good once made, but I got maximum flavor after allowing them to sit. The Vanilla Bean even had little pieces of black specks you could see. I did wish that one was a bit more sweet since it was made from cane sugar. However, I adored the Banana! All you need is a few vanilla wafer cookies and you will have the ultimate dessert! Each pudding was rich and creamy. The gelatin was ready at about 4 hours like the instructions suggested. It was very flavorful, soft and thick! You could taste the natural fruit juice which made it such a treat. I was pleased it still had the consistency of the traditional Jell-O gelatin. My family loved it! 

I would highly recommend this line for any parents and families looking for a wholesome, yummy dessert that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

   

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Thrive GoMacro's New Line of Plant-Based Bars #GoMacro. @GoMacro #Giveaway

GoMacro is a family owned vegan company that was started by a mother-daughter team on their organic farm in Southwest Wisconsin. While you may be familiar with their original MacroBars, they have launched a delicious new line of plant-based bars called, Thrive. 

Thrive are made up of a superfood ancient grain blend, are all less than 200 calories, and provide plant-based protein, essential fatty acids, and prebiotic fiber to fuel your body and mind.

Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods in October 2016.

***Discount Code***

Use code Thrive30 for 30% off of their purchase for Thrive at GoMacro's online store: http://gomacro.com/shop/product-category/thrive/. 

My Thoughts:

Thrive is a delicious way to enjoy the fuel your body needs on the go. As a working college student, I do not always have the time to make a nutritious meal or snack. That is why I am so grateful to GoMacro for creating a healthy alternative that packs all the goodness needed to keep your body balanced and happy. It is hard to find good, wholesome health food on the market now that is not packed with added sugars or fats. With Thrive, you can enjoy your food in confidence that it is organic, kosher, gluten free and vegan. It is also only 200 calories while still providing the proteins our body needs from plants on a daily basis.

There are a variety of flavors that Thrive provides such as Almond Apricot (pictured above), Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry Lavender, Caramel Coconut, Chocolate, Nuts and Sea Salt, as well as Ginger Lemon. Each were soft, chewy, packed with flavor and they had just enough crunch from the seed blend. Some like Caramel Coconut had nuts such as cashews and almonds. Each bar gave me a nice full feeling and a boost of energy after eating them. Knowing that all of the bars were made from real ingredients made it even more enjoyable. As a chocolate lover as well, it is always nice to know I can get my sweet fix without the guilt from the flavors like Chocolate, Nuts and Sea Salt, as well as Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. Each flavor was a unique and tasty blend that always hit the spot!

If you are someone looking for a healthy treat on the go that is rich in flavor and still just as nutritious, I would highly recommend Thrive by GoMacro!

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The Giveaway:

GoMacro was kind enough to offer one lucky reader their own assorted box of Thrive! Each box will include their variety of delicious flavors. Thank you so much to GoMacro for this wonderful opportunity!

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ELEMENT Snacks: You are What you Eat.

The phrase, “you are what you eat” is literally true. Nutrients from the foods you eat food provide the foundation of the structure, function, and integrity of every little cell in your body, from your skin and hair to your muscles, bones, digestive and immune systems. You may not feel it, but you’re constantly repairing, healing and rebuilding your body. This is why it is important to make sure only the best you are digesting only the best ingredients; this is why ELEMENT snacks should be everybody’s shopping list.

ELEMENT is the ultimate guiltless dessert snack that can be a quick on-the-go bite for anyone on the move.

Available in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mint, strawberry yogurt, and vanilla orange, ELEMENT achieves the ultimate balance between health and delectable taste.

Health-conscious individuals can now embrace the dark chocolate flavor as it does not contain any animal products or byproducts and are never tested on animals. ELEMENT lies on the foundation of deriving its ingredients from the basics of nature and looking toward the future with an organic, fresh mission statement. Made with pure Italian chocolate and yogurt and organic rice and corn, ELEMENT cakes are made under strict EU regulations, ensuring the product is all natural and providing an amazing sensory experience with every bite.

ELEMENT Snacks are GMO-free, gluten free, yeast-free, cholesterol free and BPA free, use no preservatives, yeast, artificial flavors, corn syrup, trans-fats or milk hormones and are made without preservatives, artificial flavors.  They have no trans-fats, cholesterol or BPA. The dark chocolate is also certified vegan and Non-GMO Project verified. 

ELEMENT snacks are available nationally at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Albertsons, Basha’s, EarthFare, Tops, Balducci, and many more, as well as online, at airports and in schools. The rice cakes come in a variety of flavors including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet vanilla orange, and strawberries and cream. Element snacks are available for purchase by the box containing 32, 36 or 72 cakes, ranging in price from $27-$54 USD.

My Thoughts:

ELEMENT has created some of the best guilt free treats for your sweet tooth! They sent me a few different flavors of their full sized and mini rice cakes. I loved each of them! Not only do they give you a nice crunch, but the amount of chocolate and/or yogurt topping is thick enough to be just as tasty as the rice cake itself. My favorite was the dark chocolate. I enjoyed it so much, I actually ordered some more to enjoy as a daily snack.

Each flavor is rich and the rice cakes are hearty. They fill you up quick! My mom adored the milk chocolate flavor, and my brother enjoyed the Vanilla Orange and Strawberry'N'Cream flavors. They actually do resemble the taste of an ice cream treat. The best part? The ingredients are all natural, GMO, gluten, BPA, trans-fat, and cholesterol free, low calorie, and low in sugar. What could be better?

I will admit I have never been that much of a rice cake fan until I tried these, and I'm so glad I did! Thank you Element Snacks for introducing me to my new go to healthy sweet treat!

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