Vitacost Is YOUR Supplier for Natural Foods! (review and giveaway)

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received these products, free of charge, from Vitacost, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about them.

After having watched the Genetic Roulette movie and read the Salt, Sugar book (reviewed yesterday), I really started thinking about the amount of processed foods we, as a family, intake. Primarily the problem is convenience foods- you know, when you're in a hurry and want something sorta homemade, but quick. Then there was the matter of snacks. Ugh, process, aka FAKE, heaven!

SO when I had the chance to review some natural food items from Vitacost, I knew it was a great opportunity to introduce some to the family!

We are flat out peanut butter fanatics! Recently I had switched to buying natural peanut butter. Did you know that the major brands have their own, with only FOUR ingredients? Yup- roasted peanuts, oil, sugar and salt. But what if you could get it without the oil?

You can!

PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter is the solution! By taking out the oil, you get 85% less calories. yes you heard me right! AND you would be amazed at the many uses for it! Peanut butter is protein. Pure and simple. Put some in a shake to give you added energy in the morning, put it in a dessert before bed and you will sleep better. By adding protein to your diet, you won't be as hungry and will be more satisfied in what you are eating. I've used it in cooking, baking and as an ice cream topper! I generally am using half the normal serving, so I am really saving on the calories! It is super easy to get it into 'normal' looking peanut butter- you just add water. Easy peasy. 

Look at this picture and tell me which one looks less processed and better?

And honestly it once you start eating it, the regular peanut butter will see WAY too sweet! Craving chocolate and peanut butter? PB2 also comes in chocolate flavor! Problem solved! 


And what goes with peanut butter?

Right, jelly! Or in this case, jam!

St. Dalfour All Natural Fruit Spread Red Raspberry and Pomegranate- A delicious fruit spread made in France by an old recipe.  By gently cooking in the tradition of the French countryside, the natural flavor of the fruit is kept. The jam contains only red raspberries, pomegranates, concentrated grape juice and fruit pectin. No cane sugar. No preservatives. No artificial flavors or colors. Period. 100% yummy. Even Miss Grace declared it great!  The brand is a family tradition, that we had gotten away from, as it was hard to ffind out in our neck of the woods. Now I can order from Vitacost and get all the great flavors, like this one. Yippee! The jam/spread is SO delicious on toast, biscuits, and pancakes! I want to grab another bottle and melt it down for pancake syrup!


Of course chocolate is chocolate. The darker the better for you. so I was happy to see that Vitacost carries the Chocolove brand!

Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar with Almonds and Sea Salt-Belgian chocolate with 55% dark processed cocoa. At first bite, crunchy almonds release their flavor in a swirl with chocolate, then the sea salt crystals continually reset your sweet taste buds and make a tantalizing taste combination that keeps you wanting more. I adore dark chocolate with sea salt- it's the perfect combo for me, and I always only need a small piece! This bar is thick and rich, and you'll find yourself savoring each bite and falling a little in love with it with each bite! Chocolove understands that love- each bar features a love poem inside the wrapper!

AND now since it's recipe weekend, how about a recipe that includes 2 of these items?

Oatmeal Chocolate No Bake Bars

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup  PB2

½ cup (plus 2 tbsp.) coconut oil

2 cups oats (not instant)

1 ¼ cup mini-chocolate chips or 1 bar of Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar with Almonds and Sea Salt, chopped

¾ cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan, melt together PB2, honey and coconut oil.

2. Remove from heat and add oats, chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

3. Stir until combined and chocolate chips/chunks are melted.

4. Spread into a 9 x 13 pan. Refrigerate until hardened, about an hour.

5. Amaze yourself at how well our kids love these bars! Note: Store in refrigerator.

And how about a $25 Vitacost gift card giveaway so you can experience all the great natural, healthy foods at Vitacost?


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for reading this post and entering the giveaway!