Grab and go snacks that are truly Elemental.

30% of all children suffer from food allergies which mean they cannot eat at least one of the foods from “The Big 8”, including milk, eggs, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans, fish and shellfish. One in thirteen children suffer from food allergies, meaning that one in thirteen mothers have the daily struggle identifying what to feed their child that is both nutritious and delicious. This is where Elemental Superfood Crumble come in!

Food is an elemental necessity of life, but some children (and mothers) are forced to struggle everyday to find food that is safe, edible, and enjoyable; foods that will delight even the youngest of palates. Ms. Nicole Anderson, whose own daughter suffers from food allergies, explains that “children need to get nutrients every day, which means that many parents must get creative in the meals they prepare. That is why I created four different Superfood Crumbles; now every meal can include some safe and nutritious Superfood Crumble.”

Imagine serving your child a healthy meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, by topping off every meal with an un-processed, organic and gluten-free ingredient treat. Elemental Superfood Crumble is a perfect match for gluten-free pancakes, dairy-free yogurt parfait or smoothie bowl, savory salad, on apples with almond butter, or just a handful of a simple snack on-the-go. It tastes great and is rich in plant-based protein, fiber and omega-3s and omega-6s.

It is great for all moms who need a boost of energy for themselves, and a nutritious, allergen-free addition to their children’s meals. Elemental Superfood Crumble comes in 4 delicious flavors and contain only real, healthy ingredients that are rich in superfoods. Each bag is certified Non-GMO, Raw, Gluten-Free and is made in the USA.

The four flavors of Superfood Crumble include:

Cranberry, Almond + Lucuma Crumble, which features:

• Organic Cranberries, which contain vitamin C, bioflavonoids, ellagic acid and fiber. 
• Organic Lucuma, which contains vitamin B3 as well as other vitamins and minerals, fiber, beta-carotene, niacin, iron, calcium and phosphorus.
• Organic Almonds, which contain vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, & zinc.

Currant, Cacao + Hemp Seed Crumble, which features:

• Organic Currants, which contain Vitamins A, B5, B9, B6, B1, B2, B3, C, E, H and K as well as Potassium and Gamma Linoleic Acid.
• Raw Cacao, which contains magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, protein, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and C.

Dark Chocolate + Peanut Butter Crumble, which features:

• Organic Dark Chocolate - Stimulates endorphin production & contains serotonin. Rich in flavonoids which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals.

 Mulberry, Cacao + Spirulina Crumble, which features:

• Mulberries, which contain vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin K & iron. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, magnesium & potassium.
• Raw Cacao, which contains magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, protein, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and C.
• Organic Spirulina, which contains protein and is a potent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Anderson offers a truly elemental solution to the problems that both parents and children face every day, with her simple, nutritious, allergy-free solution to the struggles of avoiding “The Big 8”.

My Thoughts: 

This year I've been all about eating healthier. I decided to take a nutrition class and educate myself on the best foods for my body. One of the most talked about topics lately is, Superfoods. You hear about it all the time! Even at the hotel my family and I stayed at on vacation this summer, they had a section on the menu dedicated to Superfood recipes. When I discovered Elemental Superfood Crumbles it was very exciting! I could not wait to try them.

I tried three of the four flavors and they were extremely unique. Each one was wonderful, chewy, and filled with nutrients. I enjoyed putting my Crumbles on yogurt, in smoothies, and just as a snack. It was great that in the bag, there were all sizes, so some were perfect for topping off a dish or enjoying as if it was a bar.

My favorite was by far the Dark Chocolate + Peanut Butter. I'm a huge fan of dark chocolate and peanut butter in general, so together these made a fantastic treat together. It reminded me of a healthy cookie. Who doesn't love that?

The Cranberry, Almond, + Lucuma made me nostalgic for the holiday season. I adore eating cranberry goodies during the holiday season, and the mixture of the almond addition made it even better. Wonderful!

Lastly, the Mulberry, Cacoa, + Spirulina was a fantastic earthy flavor. Cacoa is one of my favorite additions to my smoothies. It has amazing benefits for health and it tastes great when mixed with other flavors.

If you are looking for a treat or addition to your foods that is gluten and dairy free, raw, and is filled with omegas and other amazing nutrients, choose Elemental Superfood Crumbles.

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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!

Connect with ELEMENT Snacks:

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Healthy Back-to-School Snack.

The school year is upon us, and once again, parents everywhere will be packing their children healthy and filling lunch bags to get them through the school day. Keep Healthy is the perfect, healthy snack to keep your kids fueled and focused all day long.

The base of these bars are made from dates- a superfood that is high in fiber, packed with antioxidants, and that has anti-inflammatory benefits. Other than dates there are a few additional ingredients, but don't worry, they are all ingredients that you're body will recognize and will be able to pronounce. Free of gluten, dairy, and Gmo's, Keep Healthy is proud to share these bars with you!

My Thoughts:

Dates are one of my favorite super foods! They're so filling, and give you that extra boost of energy and sweetness without any harm to your body. Hearing about Keep Healthy's line of bars made me excited to add them to my daily routine. With so many varieties, anyone can find a fit for them! Keep Healthy sent me a variety of flavors and also types of their delicious and nutritious bars.

I first tried their New York Date Bars. They have a awesome sweet taste with a variety of healthy options. My favorite had to be the Apple Walnut. It was sweet, savory, chewy with just the right amount of crunch from the walnuts. Keep Healthy also has a unique variety called, Fruitskies. It's like a healthy dessert for your cravings. On the back there is a quote that says "Have a fruitkie, not a cookie". I personally loved the Mango Almond one, but there were so many great choices! Some even have chocolate covering.

There are also a variety of Keep Healthy protein and low glycemic bars. Many of the original date bars that include raisins can be a bit high in sugar (although it is natural sugars). I actually loved the low glycemic bars just as much. The Sea Salt Brownie flavor tasted just like a traditional brownie with some added coconut. The sweeteners were organic coconut nectar and almond butter. The protein bars were alright, but not really my thing. I would have liked the consistency to be a little less chalky and the taste more flavorful. However, they give you a great boost of energy. I could see them being perfect for athletes on the go.

Thank you Keep Healthy for sending me so many wonderful products to try! I would highly recommend them.

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The Perfect Summer Travel Snack- Walkers Shortbread Review and Giveaway!

Summer is meant for spending time in the sun, road trips and just enjoying the outdoors. Walkers Shortbread makes for the ideal addition to your packing list: The “World’s Finest Shortbread” comes in mini, re-sealable packs, perfect for on-the-go—especially when you have hungry kids in tow.

Made with just four simple, all-natural ingredients (flour, butter, sugar and salt), Walkers Minis will satisfy that sweet tooth craving without spoiling appetites. They’re also the perfect dessert addition to any picnic (for diners of all ages)! Walkers also offers a (truly delicious) new Gluten Free Shortbread portion pack that will satisfy any dietary needs for the road.

My Thoughts:

The smell and taste of a delicious shortbread is something that always brings back childhood memories. My grandparents loved them and we always enjoyed a few together, especially around the holidays. Walkers variety of shortbreads bring me right back to that place. Read my review below of the three flavors Walkers was so kind to share with me and for you all through a giveaway.

Gluten Free Pure Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread: 

As a chocolate chip lover, these shortbreads hit the spot. There are two in each individual pack. The texture is soft yet with a light crisp. They may be gluten free, but going off of taste alone, you'd never know. The chocolate chips are always melty and rich, and in addition you get a nice hint of butter. These will make any day a little more sweet! 

Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread: 

A classic flavor with a gluten free twist, this treat will have you remembering the good old days when you had your very first shortbread. They are crunchy, thick and oh so buttery! You can enjoy them without the guilt.  

Pure Butter Mini Shortbread Fingers:

These may be mini but there is nothing small about their taste! These little shortbread fingers are delicious and addicting. You can never have just one. I was guilty of putting my hand in the resealable bag a couple times through the day. They have a light crisp and just the right amount of buttery flavor. 

I am now a true fan of Walkers Shortbreads! They are a fantastic treat to get you through the day! When they arrived, my family was quick to give them a try and each one of us enjoyed! My dad loved to take these to work for lunch and share with his coworkers. If you love shortbread treats as much as me, you will love these, whether you are choosing to go gluten free or not.

                            Connect with Walkers Shortbread: 
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The Giveaway:

Entry-Form

New Product News: Justin’s Snack Pack.

JUSTIN’S SNACK PACK DIPS INTO THE SNACKING

SCENE NATIONWIDE

Confection and Nut Butter Brand Offers Latest, Great Tasting

Product Innovation to Consumers Everywhere

 Boulder, CO. (March 2016) – Justin's, maker of naturally delicious, high-quality nut butters, nut butter snacks, and organic peanut butter cups, announced today that its latest product innovation, the Snack Pack, will debut on shelves nationwide starting next month. Available in three delicious nut butter and pretzel combinations, the Snack Pack provides convenient nutrition for kids and adults alike with 4-6g of protein for just 180-190 calories per pack.

“Crafting the perfect snack pairing is an art, and we knew we wanted to create the finest nut butter and pretzel masterpiece,” said Justin Gold, founder of Justin’s.  “We’re lucky to have such amazing consumers that provided the feedback we needed to produce the best possible Snack Pack experience. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share this one-of-a-kind duo with snack lovers everywhere!”

Made with delicious, quality ingredients, this all-in-one pack is a unique offering to the snack set. One side Justin’s nut butter and one side delicious, wheat pretzels, it contains no hydrogenated oils and nothing artificial. Available in three mouthwatering varieties – Chocolate Hazelnut Butter and Pretzels; Classic Almond Butter and Pretzels; Maple Almond Butter and Pretzels – the Snack Pack is perfect for tossing in your bag or simply enjoying at home, providing a great tasting and convenient, protein-packed snack for all.

An isolated launch of the Snack Packs in 2015 validated the concept and allowed Justin’s to enhance the product to improve the overall snacking experience. Justin’s Snack Packs will hit thousands of grocery store shelves nationwide beginning in Spring 2016. The Snack Pack was custom designed for retailer ease with stand-up, peggable merchandising, and will be available for an SRP of $1.99.

                   

About Justin’s

Justin’s makes naturally delicious, high-quality nut butters, nut butter snacks and organic peanut butter cups that deliver great taste, unique texture and convenient nutrition. Established in 2004 in the home kitchen of health enthusiast Justin Gold, Justin’s supports an on-the-go lifestyle and was the first nut butter brand to market nut butters in single-serve squeeze packs. Justin’s peanut butter cups are USDA-certified organic and are made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. The nut butters are finely crafted with Justin’s one-of-a-kind grinding process to create an exceptional texture and flavor experience. All seven varieties offer a fiber-rich source of protein perfect for snacking anytime of the day. Justin’s Snack Packs are perfect for dipping, scooping and devouring and are available in three delicious nut butter and pretzel combinations.

My Thoughts:

Thanks to Justin's, I was able to try each individual Snack Pack they have listed above. All of them were rich and delicious! If you are an almond, hazelnut and nut butter lover like me, these will be ideal for your snacking needs! In addition to the wonderful flavors and choices, each variety is kosher and vegan as well. They will give you an energy boost and sweet yet healthy treat to make your day even more enjoyable! Upon opening, give each butter a good mix with your pretzels to get the natural oils mixed in. It will create a nice smooth product. I will attach pictures of each below, as well as my thoughts! 

 Justin's Maple Almond Butter: 

Justin's Maple Almond Butter gave a sweet surprise to the classic hearty almond butter flavor. This had very small almonds in it, while the wheat pretzels gave a nice crisp crunch. The pretzels were lightly salted and picked up the almond butter perfectly. If you love maple flavor or are just craving something sweet, this is the perfect snack for you! With only 190 calories and 5 grams of protein, you can't miss this!

Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter:

I'm a little bit of chocolate hazelnut fanatic, so I instantly opened this sweet treat up, as you can see from my pictures. This Snack Pack did not disappoint! The hazelnut butter was rich, creamy, and very flavorful! This is a fantastic choice for anyone who adores chocolate. The pretzels were a wonderful touch. It's like eating chocolate covered pretzels without the guilt! This Justin's Snack Pack is 180 calories, 4 grams of protein, and unlike other chocolate treats, only 6 grams of sugar. Embrace those chocolate cravings! 

Justin's Classic Almond Butter:

You can never go wrong with a classic! Justin's Classic Almond Butter is rich, flavorful and very tasty! Almonds are my personal favorite in the nut family and I enjoyed the addition of the pretzels to savor with it. This Snack pack has 190 calories and 6 grams of protein. After a good mix, it's ready to enjoy! Yum!

Connect with Justin's:

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Sweet Organic Box

I love trying out healthy snacks, but let's face it...not all of them are going to be a fit for every person. When you buy organic products, they are more expensive than most store brands, so you want to make sure it's worth the purchase price before you buy.  Sweet Organic Box offers a unique subscription service that allows you to sample a variety of all-natural, earth friendly, and organic products each month. For as little as $45 a month, a new selection gets shipped to your door, allowing you to sample some of the best organic products on the market and see which ones you enjoy the most. 

I received a Sweet Organic Box to try out and I was pretty impressed with the selection. The package is about the size of a shoe box, and it's packed with tons of tasty treats. This month's box included the following products:

Late July Organic Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
Pure Organic Chocolate Brownie Bar
Organic Choco Chews
Ocho Caramels
Clif Kid Organix Z Bar
Nib More Mint Drinking Chocolate
Cranberry Orange Dark Chocolate Bar - Full Size!
Hillside Candy Organic Cherry Hard Candies -Full Size Bag!
Raven's Brew Holiday Blend Coffee - Full Size!

Some of these brands I received I was familiar with and a few I've even reviewed on this blog, but the flavors were varieties I hadn't had a chance to try yet. Other brands I never heard of before getting my Sweet Organic Box. One of the new items were Ocho Caramels and those chocolate covered delights were really delicious. There was really something for everyone in my family. My daughter loves the Latefully Orrganic Peanut Butter Crackers and my son devoured the Choco Chews.  There were even several full size products included inside the box.  There wasn't anything in this batch that someone didn't enjoy and I know I'll be looking for some of these brands in my local stores or online.

If you're looking to try out some new snacks that you can feel good about giving to your family and you want to make healthy choices without a lot of guess work, you should definitely give Sweet Organic Box a try. Getting one of these boxes in the mail makes it feel like Christmas every month! To learn more about Sweet Organic Box and all they have to offer, visit their website. To keep up with new items, be sure to follow them on social media.

Connect with Sweet Organic Box 

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Review: Justin's Nut Butter & Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs

For an extra punch of protein, take-with-you Justin’s squeeze packs come in a variety of flavors, such as Classic Peanut Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, Vanilla Almond Butter and more! Packed with around 6g of protein each, these squeeze packs are a must-have!

 

It all started with a jar. With the help of a simple food processor and the highest quality ingredients available, Justin revolutionized the world of nut butter to create products driven by a passion for delicious taste, unique texture and quality ingredients. First, he created them for his adventures. Now, he makes them for you.

As a health conscious athlete, Justin still felt there was something missing. He realized that gel packs and energy shots filled with sugar were not the most nutritious snack. Why, he thought, had no one ever packaged a clean protein such as nut butter in an on-the-go squeeze pack? With this, came the next game-changing idea: the squeeze pack. The squeeze pack provided a portion-controlled and convenient source of protein to take cycling, put in a lunchbox, and use for sampling Justin’s different flavors:

Peanut Butter

Classic

Honey 

Almond Butter

Classic

Honey

Almond

Vanilla

Maple

Chocolate

Hazelnut Butter

Chocolate

As the first nut butter brand to market protein-packed nut butters in single-serve squeeze packs, Justin’s provides a convenient source of nutrition for an active lifestyle. Give your favorite nut butter a squeeze anytime, anywhere and on anything.

Check out Justin's online on their blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Purchase Justin's at major retailers like Target and your local grocery & natural food stores: check to see where Justin's is sold in your area!

Our Thoughts
I was introduced to Justin's a couple of years ago when my mom & I found something rather decadent in one of her local grocery stores: Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter.  Healthy eating is very important to us, so to find something with chocolate and hazelnuts that wasn't loaded with dairy, high fructose corn syrup or other high amounts of sugar, and artificial flavors - and still tasted not only delicious, but beyond delicious . . . now that's a product we'll buy again and again.  "What it will taste like is a delicious combination of premium hazelnuts and organic chocolate for an addictive, skip the bread and eat it with a spoon delicacy." You got that right, Justin!

Justin's offers not only jars of nut butters (which is how I first found it) but squeeze packs and now peanut butter cups!

You can spread the nut butters on just about anything - also great to use in baking or just for a quick snack with a spoon. Mom has used Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter and rolled it into balls with crushed hazelnuts and other assorted natural ingredients, then refrigerated for delicious dessert poppers. 

Seriously, go buy yourself some of this!

The squeeze packs are perfect to toss in your pocket, lunch box, purse, diaper bag, cycling shirt pockets - wherever you go, you can take them with you!  My husband likes to take super long bicycle rides and food on the go can be a problem when you need to travel light.  Justin's sent me 8 different samples in the squeeze packs to try.  Out of them all, besides the chocolate hazelnut which just tops any list I have - the chocolate, maple, vanilla, and honey almond butters were my favorites.
 

Then there's the chocolate peanut butter cups:  offered in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.

The dark chocolate and milk chocolate peanut butter cups are absolutely delicious and a much better alternative to the unhealthy commercial ones, but I will admit I didn't care for the white chocolate one.  But then again, I don't like white chocolate, so no big surprise for me there. 

What we really need . . . are you listening, Justin?  We need chocolate hazelnut cups.  Oh yeah.  Really. :)

Peanut Butter Cups

What’s more perfect than peanut butter and chocolate? By blending his artisanal peanut butter with high quality chocolate, Justin created a better-for-you alternative to the conventional peanut butter cup. 100% organic, Rainforest Alliance-certified, gluten free and delicious. Yup, it’s how a peanut butter cup should taste.