Bakery on Main - Part Oatmeal

Product Review time people!

I'm so excited to share with you what I have been eating loving these past few days...

oatmeal !

Yes, I have previously fallen in love with oatmeal, but this is different.

Why you ask?

Well, it's instant oatmeal-which I usually do not appreciate. But this... this I can handle :)

Bakery on Main is the company I am reviewing for and let me tell you about their set-up...

They started as a small bakery in Connecticut and through a series of events, became the great company we know today. They are passionate about creating gluten free foods that taste just as good (in my opinion -better!) than most gluten-containing counterparts. 

They still make in small batches, which comes through in the amazing, homemade flavors.

So now onto the oatmeal! 

YUM.

We could really just leave it at that. It really sums it up-but for the sake of being informative I'll continue :)

Their oatmeal is so thick... usually instant is thin and watery, I actually had to add 1 cup of water (the package says 2/3 cup) 

(the strawberry shortcake, alongside a big ole glass of strawberry milk! ...overkill on strawberry? NEVER!)

I also feel as though you are getting way more bang for your buck with their oatmeal as well. Most instant oatmeal's do not satisfy my hungry stomach... But this definitely did-without weighing me down! 

(I topped the carrot cake flavor with pecans, but it would have still been delicious without!)

The flavors are also incredible! 

They have four flavors out now:

Traditional

Apple Pie

Strawberry Shortcake

and Maple Multigrain

....all amazing people. All amazing!

YUM Blueberry!

...some bananas added for my enjoyment!

I was also lucky enough to get to sample their two newest flavors as well that aren't on the shelves yet-

Blueberry Scone

and Carrot Cake

OH. MY. 

Serious deliciousness up in there. 

The blueberry scone honestly tasted like dessert. And so did the carrot cake! There were even little bits of blueberry and carrot in their respected bowl! 

We all know how much I LOVE that addition of texture and flavor!

We should probably touch on the nutrition facts...
On average-one packet contains around 200 calories, 35g carbs (5g fiber!) and 6g protein.
What do I say to that? Nice.
They also have 10% of your iron needs. Double Nice.
And to top things off-like I mentioned earlier they are gluten-free if you have Celiac disease and require that!

...They also have chia seeds in them! WOOOO for Chia!!! (...so that's why it is so much thicker than Quaker...makes sense now)

...if you want to know the honest truth... right now I'm downing the Apple Pie flavor... so if my grammer is a little off or spelling is less than par, it is because I am far more focused on the deliciousness entering my mouth right now!

Thank you Bakery on Main for such a delicious product that is filling my tummy right now!

~Look for the next Bakery on Main product review coming soon!

*All opinions were completely my own, I was given no compensation for this review.

Cinna-Blueberry Rolls

Do the blues have you down? 

No. Not those blues - these blues definitely shouldn't have you down, they should have you up!

(can you use the literally term to act as an opposite to the hypothetical term?)

Need a way to mix up your regular cinnamon roll?

Enter: the blueberry cinnamon roll. 

Yes, a traditional cinnamon roll (well healthier than 'traditional') with a blueberry bursting filling. 

So let's get down to business - anyone else have the Mulan song stuck in your head now?

(p.s., don't be afraid to do half the rolls in with a traditional cinnamon filling if you're leery about whomever you may be serving not appreciating the mix-up of blueberry)

Make your dough

For a delicious, whole-wheat recipe, look here-

it is done in the bread machine and ubber easy! 

As your bread is mixing up/rising, you can get started on the blueberry compote.

For that:

Turn stove on to medium/high

Add 1 1/2-2 cups blueberries (if using for complete 12 roll recipe, use close to two cups)

+ 3/4 cup water

Heat while mashing a little to aid in the process

Then add:

+ 2tsp. lemon juice

+ 2 TBSP. sugar

+ 2 tsp. cornstarch (or xanthum gum works well!)

Continue to cook until thickened

Keep about 1/2 cup whole blueberries, set aside

Spread the slightly cooled blueberry mixture on the dough, after rolling it out to a ~12 x 16 inch rectangle

Sprinkle with cinnamon, sugar (if you wish) and the remaining blueberries 

It's also about the time you want to be pre-heating your oven...

just sayin'

Now time to roll up the dough/filling...

And cut into cute little rolls

Lovingly place them in a greased 9x13 pan and introduce them to your oven that should be preheated if you listened to be about 2 steps ago...

Bake for around 20 minutes

Remove from oven, and...

DEVOUR! 

Impact Foods

Alright, so usually I wait until I've tried all the samples a company has given me before I write up a review. But this CANNOT WAIT! I have got to tell you guys about this company-it is quickly become one of my favs and for GOOD reason!

We know that I have a little problem with granola, love-hate relationship really. I love how it tastes, but sometimes hate its nutrition. More like a candy bar in the sugar and fat realms if you're smelling what I'm steppin' in! Which irks me to say the least.

I also hate how much I love some of the 'big name' companies granola... like Special K, or Quaker - I just feel like they are so disconnected with the consumer, and I don't like that!

So what is all this ranting for? Well... I've found a granola company that cares. Cares about you, about me, about nutrition, about taste, about using whole foods, but most importantly - about hungry children around the world.

Enter: Impact Foods

Yes, these are the founders - and they created this amazing company that not only feeds hungry-granola-loving gals like me, but also helps fight the war against hunger worldwide, especially for children.

They're promis is simple. Buy one bag of granola-feed one child. 

Amazing, no? I can see how God is working through them, their creativity, talent and drive to make a difference in this world! I am so impressed!

I got my box of samples and literally screamed with joy!

They have 3 flavors:

Maple Oat, Vanilla Almond and Blueberry Honey

AHHHH!

Dug right on in!

This isn't the type of granola that is full of chunks, it has a smooth, even consistency but with add-ins like seeds and nuts, coconut and freeze dried berries! 

I first tried the Maple Oat and immediately fell in love!

So delicious in a big bowl with milk... I may or may not have had more than one serving...

:/

Oops! :)

But, then again, I'm not sorry At. All. It was delicious! 

And the nutritional facts are pretty good overall. 

1/3 cup has between 130 - 150 calories, 2g fiber and about 3g protein. 

It was sweet, hearty, and had a texture that I don't even know how to describe! It was crunchy but literally fell apart in my mouth, so good. 

Impact Foods - thank you for being such good people. Honestly, it is great to find a company that I can feel good about supporting, both in my heart and my mouth! 

Luke 3:11, And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

I pray God continues to work through you and through all of us, to fulfill His plans. 

Now go get some Impact Granola people!!!

Jamba At Home Greek Yogurt Smoothies

I love smoothies! I mean.... that came with saying, errr typing, but it is a good leeway into this product review :P

I have the opportunity to sample and review the new 'Jamba' at home Greek Smoothie. They are a "ready to blend" mix of superfruit and Greek yogurt. I had the Acai Super-Antioxidant and Pomegranate Pick-Me-Up. Both were DELISH!

Now, I'm not a huge one for 'ready to make' smoothie mixes. I like to have the ability to add exactly how much of what fruit and yogurt I like. But daaaaang these were good! The Greek yogurt didn't add as much tang as it usually does for me, which in my opinion is a good thing!

All you have to do add 8 ounces of the liquid of your choice - I used milk (but you can also add juice, soy/almond/rice milk, etc.), and mix in a blender.

The only issue I had with these smoothie mixes, was that they were a little off the mark in terms of serving size for me...
The picture above is a full drinking glass full, and that was 2 servings of the smoothie mix-with only one 8 ounce serving of the additional liquid. This was mainly because I like a thicker smoothie... Not that the nutritional value is horrible if you have both servings - it ended up being about 230 calories, but had a 15 grams of protein, 7ish grams of fiber and lots of vitamins!

Overall - these were delicious and made for a quick and easy nutritional smoothie. I will probably still stick to making my own smoothies, but that is purely a personal choice-along with a consideration placed on price and availability of these smoothie kits - each one is around $3.29-$3.89. However, if you enjoy smoothies and want an easier way to make them in no time at all - pick some of these bad boys up!

*Thank you, Jamba Juice, for allowing me to sample and review these products - all opinions were purely my own and the only thing I received was the sample smoothie kits.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Wafflewich

Who loves waffles?! 

ME! ME! ME!

oh and you too? Good deal!

Glad we can all be waffle loving friends here. 

Now as much as I love waffles (and believe you and me-I do!) Today I decided I wanted to try using my waffle maker for something else... something different, but still delicious... hmmm...

A WAFFLEWICH! 

*Waffle maker + sandwich = the best sandwich = the best sandwich ever!

Yessiree-I put two pieces of bread, with delicious ingredients stuffed inside, into a hot waffle iron and let the magic begin! 

I was a little nervous that this would end one of three ways:

1. The waffle machine wouldn't be able to handle it and not close and therefore not waffle-ize my sammie

2. The waffle machine would be overwhelmed and lash out at me for working it too hard by starting my house on fire

3. Become one of the most amazing, decadent (yet surprisingly healthy) breakfast/dessert sandwiches to ever enter my palate

...my oh my was I thankful it ended in #3!

To bump up the nutrition factor in this wafflewich-I used 2 slices whole wheat bread, and neufchâtel cheese-which is a lowfat cream cheese

patience really is a virtue... and if you practice it here you will be rewarded with this ~

worth it huh?

~Warm, gooey, creamy cream cheese with bursts of juicy blueberries throughout! I had my plain with just a dollap of whipped topping-but it would be sooooo delicious in a variety of ways: 

Such as...

-smoothered in maple syrup

-cut into 'wafflewich sticks' and dipped in a peanut butter sauce, honey, or fruit preserves sauce

-topped with a little ice cream or froyo as a dessert

-the list really could go on-but I'm sure you are chomping at the bit waiting to go make this... so off you go! 

Blueberry Muffin Bread

What's better than blueberry muffins? Obviously not too much since they are pretty much the most popular type of muffin ever! It's true...I googled it! Wiki Answers confirmed my previous statement! And really-what's not to trust about a website that allows anyone and their dog to answer complete strangers questions!? Yeah, that's what I thought :)

But nonetheless-Bluberry muffins are an American tradition! But sometimes I just don't want to get out the muffin tins and liners...because in my kitchen they are in a whole nother cabinet that is too high for me to reach without going and getting a step-stool...and the step-stool is ALL the way in the garage... (see where this is headed?)

Lucky for you-this laziness is what created the amazing recipe for a loaf of bread I like to call -Blueberry Muffin Bread! ...but if you'd rather-you can just call it, "That Amazing Bread that Kristen from the Blissful Baker Made and Now I Love Her More than Life Itself Bread" -ya know-whatever you feel like calling it...

No matter what you call it though-everyone you share it with will call it delicious! And call you amazing for making it! So let's get down to business!

Ingredients:

-6 ounces Greek yogurt (can be plain, vanilla, or blueberry)

-1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

-1 egg

-1/4~1/3 cup milk (may vary depending on weather & flour used...)

-1/2 tsp. salt

-1/2 tsp. baking soda

-1 tsp. baking powder

-1/3 cup sugar (or any sugar substitute will work just fine)

-1 1/2 cups flour (can you any-even 100% whole wheat will turn out ok!)

-1 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*, Cream all ingredients from yogurt down to sugar

2. Gently fold in flour only until everything is incorporated

3. Even more gently-fold in your blueberries*

4. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and then coat with flour

5. Pour bread batter (will be VERY thick) into pan

6. Bake for about 45 minutes (will vary) 

-Loaf will be golden brown all over and you can always use the toothpick test! :)

Want to eat some with your eyes?!

Soooooo delicious with a smear of cream cheese! :) Ahhhh-so this is what heaven tastes like!

*For blueberries that don't bleed in your bread-freeze blueberries at least a few hours before baking bread, remove from freezer before adding to bread and toss with a little flour. This way they won't sink to the bottom or bleed blue everywhere!

Blueberry Banana Bread Pancakes

What do you get when you cross my blueberry banana nut bread with my banana bread pancakes?

 +

=

Blueberry Banana Pancakes of course!!!

These breakfast treat are delicious! I may even like them more than my original banana bread pancakes! :0 Crazy... I know...

They are so simple-the recipe is basically the banana bread pancake recipe but with blueberries (obviously) and few flavor additions here and there... The result? A warm, gooey breakfast (or anytime of the day) treat that is sure to please any tummy!

 Ingredients (makes 2 servings) :

-1 ripe banana

-1/3 cup dry oats

-1/4 cup cottage cheese (or yogurt)

-1 egg white

-1 tsp. vanilla

-1 tsp. almond extract (optional)

-1 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients except blueberries in a food processor/blender

2. Fold in blueberries

3. Cook on a hot griddle

To answer your question-no, I do not eat my breakfast on the grass! But don't the bright pancakes go perfectly with the sunny morning bouncing off the gorgeous green grass?!

DIG IN! I didn't even need any maple syrup with mine... the juices from the hot blueberries just exploded as I cut into the pancakes!