100% Pure [love] and Natural Granola

Newest product...

This wasn't necessarily a new find; I had tried Bear Naked Granola a couple of years ago (Pre-Smart Snacker time), we went out separate way and now we have rejoined and it's 100% pure [love] and natural granola!

The Skinny: 1/4 cup: 120 calories, 2.5 gm fat, 10 mg sodium, 22 gm carbohydrates, 2 gm fiber, 4 gm sugar, 4 gm protein

This Vanilla Almond Crunch Bear Naked Fit is a great find! It is low in calories, sugar and sodium which are all factors I like to take into account when purchasing my granola. Often times, I find myself hesitant to even buy granola's because they are as high in sugar as a candy bar! If you have been a frequent follower you know I have even gone as far as making my own grain-ola! Well, I think I have found a faithful product this time folks. So I think they have the right to boast about it's wounderful accomplishments...
- No artificial flavors
- No cholesterol
- No hydrogenated oils
- No high fructose corn syrup
- No artifical preservatives
- No trans fat

Granola lovers rejoice! In several different flavors and types (from flax, protein and fit to trail mix, granola bars and one size serving on-the-go packets) you can find the right one for you and your lifestyle!

I like to have mine with yogurt and berries, sprinkled on oatmeal for an added crunch and natural vanilla flavor and/or as a snack all by it's naked self!

It's a Revolution!

I found this new yogurt at Fresh Market...Cultural Revolution.

I love the name! It's so hip! I couldn't turn it down, the container, the name, the explanation...just irresistible!
Read for yourself...it promises...
is organic yogurt that's naturally sweet and creamy without all the sugar, carbs, calories and sodium like most other yogurts. How is this possible you ask? It's made exclusively of organic whole milk and rich, creamy butterfat that contains vitamins A and D and is gently processed however, never homogenized.
The Skinny: 1-6 oz container: 72 calories, 3 g fat, 2 g satfat, 27 mg of sodium, 9 g carb, 7 g sugar, 2 g protein. 22% Calcium and 2% iron...hiyyo!

I brought it to work originally as my breakfast but it turned into a snack this afternoon. I had 1/3 of the yogurt with fresh strawberries and my [other new item] granola (more on that later).

I was so ready to dive into this yogurt but as soon as I peeled back the lid I got a little turned off. The cream was sitting right on top which hey, that's okay but then it WOULD NOT blend in, I have issues. It mentions on the container enjoy the cream off the top or blend it in- either way it's a pure and natural treat; well as I mentioned, it would not blend! I decided to grin and bear it and just pour some onto my fruit and...I'm still alive (okay, a little dramatic, but seriously)!

So, let's get down to business...FLAVOR PROFILE:

It is a very subtle vanilla flavor (did I mention, I got vanilla?) and tastes very natural which is nice (as opposed to oversweetened with added sugars)...without the fruit and granola I don't think I could just chow down...but obviously, one container will last a while, so it's wallet friendly, waist friendly, it tastes friendly and mixes well with others ; )

Want to read more? go ahead and indulge here 

"Chill it. Don't Spill it."

have I mentioned how much I love this stuffffffff...

Vitacoco Coconut water!! It's all the rage today and if you have been a frequent follower of Smart Snacker, you [and I both] are already aware of this coconut water craze! So, have you tried it since my last post?

Well, if your like me and have trouble finding it or are too busy to get to a speciality market (Fresh Market, EarthFare, etc) than you obviously, haven't tried it yet...so let me relieve your pain by telling you that today I FOUND THE TIME and went ahead and bought it again...this time I am trying a NEW flavor Vitacoco's Coconut Water with Tangerine and will be sure to report my findings!

I have almost tried the whole line up ; )

The tangerine counterpart to the always faithful and delicious acai & pom was a kick to my taste buds! It was exceptionally refreshing and of course, a great way to hydrate naturally. It is a taste that I grew to love more and more as I gulped it down! It doesn't have the same acidity as your orange juice but it still has the strong tangerine taste that overpowers the coconut, slightly. I really enjoyed this one, but if I HAD TO chose I would still pick acai & pom over tangerine!

Tangerine, like it's acai & pom friend, has 2 times the potassium of a chiquita  and an abundance of other great vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium! Boasting above the rest with it's claims of keeping your body properly hydrated and preventing muscle cramping (thanks to it's surplus of potassium) and of course, it's 100% natural!

I am drinking this to rehydrate after cardio and strength training workouts or even sometimes to give me a little pick me up during the day!

The skinny (8.5 fl oz) serving size of 2: 50 calories, 560 mg potassium, 13 gm carbohydrates, and 13 gm of naturally occuring sugar
(to account for the 2 servings, if enjoying the entire tetra pak just multiply each nutrient by 2)!


So, go on and "Chill it. Don't Spill it." -Vitacoco

Re-use!

Having oatmeal every morning can get quite monotonous so why not spice it up and re-use (reduce, recycle!) while we're at it!?

Oh yeah guys, that's my usual morning oats in an almond butter jar! I had SOME almond butter left in the jar but it was too tedious of a task to scrape out [ and it's too good to throw out] so why not let it MELT into my morning oats, right? and then of course, your re-using the jar one last time!

In the jar:

1/3 cup oats
Splash of H2O and skim

Sliced strawberries and blueberries

Sprinkle of flaxseed

Drizzle of agave

Remnants of Justin's maple almond butter

...mmhmm is your mouth watering, yet?!

Complex carbohydrates, satisfying fiber, sweet berries and stick to your ribs-delicious almond butter filled with healthy fats!

National Culinary Day!

What a better way to celebrate today's, National Culinary Day but to get in the kitchen and start cookin'!? What chef inspired dish will have you baking, broiling, sauteeing or steaming?

Having trouble finding a recipe to start with? Real Simple is my usual "go-to" source for recipes! They are healthy, quick and have all different difficulties from the at-home chef to the top chef in all of us.

Well, get in the kitchen already and let's get cookin'!