Odds and Ends ...

Good evening, Gnawers!  Well, there has been very little cooking going on at my house today with all the leftovers I have from the cooking I did over the weekend!  So, tonight I would like to tell you about two products I have found and love.  Before you turn your noses up at these suggestions, give them a try.  Seriously.  Maybe you will like them and maybe you won't.  But, you won't know unless you give them a shot.  I can tell you that I definitely avoided these products in the past.  Maybe it was their names or maybe it was how I imagined they would taste (which was not good seeing how I was hooked on the processed crap).  Whatever it was, I steered clear of them at the grocery store.  Now, I am much more open and trying all sorts things.  Funny thing is ... I LOVE them.  They are not just some nasty substitute that I can stomach if I have to ... No, these are BETTER than the original.  Yeah, that's right ... you heard me.  BETTER.  Again, you may or may not agree, but what will it hurt to give it a shot?  Also, keep in mind that I have no ties whatsoever to any of these brands or companies.  These are just products I have found on my own and love!  Okay, okay ... enough preaching ... let's get on with it! ;)


Genesis 1:29 Sprouted Grain & Seed Bread

Made by Food for Life, Genesis 1:29 bread is magnificent!  I have always been one to love breads full of seeds and grains... the more the better.  So, this bread was a natural fit for me!  It toasts well, works great for sandwiches ... really anything you would want to do with bread.  So why choose this bread over your regular bread?  Let me count the ways.  


The Food for Life Website states, "The unique combination of Organic Grains & Seeds in Genesis 1:29® Sprouted Grains and Seeds Bread provides a naturally good source of nutrition not found in ordinary breads. 19 Grains & Seeds from 13 lands, there is nothing like this Bread! Moist, nutty, delicious and satisfying."  The site also explains that Genesis 1:29 bread has all of the following super nutritious ingredients from around the world:

• Teff from the highlands of Ethiopia
• Black Quinoa from the mountainous regions of Peru
• Barley from the ancient Holy Land
• Brown Rice and Spelt from the Far East
• Amaranth and Chia from Central and South America
• Soy from China's past
• Flax and Rye from Northern Europe
• Corn from Old Mexico
• Kamut from Ancient Egypt
• Millet and Sorghum from the plains of Africa
• Sesame Seeds from the Near East
• Pumpkin Seeds from the Mediterranean
• Spring Wheat and Unprocessed Bran from Montana
• Sunflower Seeds from the Dakotas

The website also states, "We discovered when these six grains [wheat barley, beans, lentils, millet, spelt, and legumes] are sprouted and combined, an amazing thing happens. A complete protein is created that closely parallels the protein found in milk and eggs. In fact, the protein quality is so high, that it is 84.3% as efficient as the highest recognized source of protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids. There are 18 amino acids present in this unique bread – from all vegetable sources – naturally balanced in nature."  Furthermore, this bread is organic, preservative free, high in natural fiber, high in nutrients and minerals, and without added fat.  What else could you ask for?

I suppose you could ask for flourless bread ... Food for life makes that too with their more popular bread, Ezekiel 4:9 bread.  I have not tried that yet, so I can't review it.  I will once I do!  The company also makes several gluten-free products that you may want to check out.


Vegenaise

So this is one of those products that worried me before I tried it.  I have always loved mayonnaise, and the idea of someone trying to make a healthier version of it conjured up stomach turning taste tests of fat-free mayo and other similar products.  My thinking was that you just shouldn't mess with mayonnaise.  Well, the more I learn about all of these processed foods and health benefits of clean eating (and vegan eating), the harder it has been for me to allow myself to even think of eating my beloved mayo.  I figured I would give this a shot and chuck it if I hated it.  I was VERY pleasantly surprised when I took my first bite of this mayo-rific goodness.  I can't believe I am going to say this, but I like it better than real mayo!  It has a richer, smoother taste that far exceeds regular mayo ... and I didn't think that was possible.  So why switch?  Vegenaise is great alternative for vegans as it is free of all animal products.  It is eggless, making it cholesterol free!  It is also free of any hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils, or transfats.  Vegenaise is also gluten-free and low in sodium.  It is also free of any genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs).  Give it a shot, people.  It is good stuff!  Vegenaise comes in several varieties: organic, reduced fat, grapeseed (made with grapeseed oil), and soy free.  See the Follow Your Heart Website for more info or pick it up at your local grocery store.  I got mine at Publix (which for those of you not in the southern US is just a regular ole' grocery store).  Just make sure you look in the organic section as Vegenaise is sold in the refrigerator section.


I will also share two quick smoothie recipes I came up with in the past few days.    


Sweet Mornin' Green Smoothie


Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 2 cups greens (I used spinach)

Blend and enjoy! Don't let the color get to you ... I promise this is so good and you will not taste the greens!  

Peanut Butter Delight

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons raw peanut butter
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 frozen banana 
• 1 handful of ice cubes

Blend and enjoy when your sweet tooth kicks in!  You can also add a tablespoon of cocoa of cacao if you want to make it chocolatey.  :)  

*Disclaimer:  I am not claiming to have "created this recipe".  There are plenty of PB Smoothie recipes floating around the internet.  I have not come across any exactly like this one though.  That being said, I did not "create" this, but I also have no source to cite.  I'm not trying to get sued over a smoothie! ;)  Feel free to add a source should you find one*


And to think I thought I had nothing to blog about tonight.  Guess I was way off on that one!  Anyway, I hope you are all off to a great start this week.  Until next time ... We got this!  Keep up the great work!