Tropically Coconutty Bars

Need a new granola bar recipe?
Are you kidding?!
Who DOESN'T?!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup rice crispies 

1/4 cup cereal (can be anything really~as in grape nuts, granola, shredded wheat, etc.)

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbsp coconut oil 

1/4 cup coconut

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup sugar (sugar substitute works fine)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp juice (like apple juice)

THE DRILL:

-Heat oven to 350*, get a 9x13 pan and cover bottom with parchment paper

-Melt coconut oil, add honey, sugar, salt, soda, vanilla extract and juice... mix well

-Throw together the dry ingredients; flour, oats, crispies and cereal

-Heat in microwave again

-Add the wet and mix well until all the dry is completely covered with gooey amazingness

-Dump into a 9x13 pan, cover with parchment paper and step, yes step on it to press it down completely

-Bake in oven about 10 minutes (edges will be golden)

Oh yum oh yum oh yum

These are slightly sweet. Coconutty and tropical in delicious ways.

Yes, coconutty is a word.

I don't care what the red line under my about to be published blog post says. It is. 

~highly adapted from: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/05/17/quaker-style-chewy-granola-bars/

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!!!

Barlean's Organic Oils

Organic oils huh? Interesting I know... but who knew that 'organic oils' could make amazing smoothies, fruit parfaits, ice cream toppings and granola?!
Not me - until now!

I recently was given the opportunity to sample and review a few of Barlean's products - the omega swirl, coconut oil and chia seed.

WOW! This company really does make stand-up products. But their most interesting, and (in my humble opinion) delicious product is their Omega Swirl.
What is Omega Swirl? Well I'm glad you asked! Because, well, if you didn't my blog post would have ended there, and that wouldn't have been very interesting now would it?

Omega Swirl (according to my experience and the Barlean website) is:
-an omega-3 nutrient supplement that has the taste and texture of a smoothie - Ohhhhh yes it does! It is so smooth, creamy and flavorful! I had the lemon version and it was THE BOMB. Seriously, I added it to my smoothies, fruit parfaits, even on top of ice cream! It gave it an amazingly refreshing lemon-y flavor, and of course-loads of omega-3 goodness!
-Omega-3 fatty acids have oh so many health benefits, such as:
~joint mobility and bone density
~heart health
~skin, hair and nail health
~mental health
...just to name a few!

Here is the nutritional info:

There are so many great flavors available, and now they sell Omega Swirl To-Go! (we all know Kristen LOVES single serve to-go packets!)

So if you're looking for a fun, not to mention DELISH way to bump up your healthy fats - you've got to try some Omega Swirl! It is so easy to incorporate into your life, and heck-if you're feeling lazy, just slurp it right off a spoon! (yes-it is that good)

this would be a smoothie I made (in the dead of winter, obviously) that tasted like HAWAII!!!

It consisted of: vanilla yogurt, milk, barleans omega swirl and frozen pineapple. 

YUM!

*Barlean's only sent me samples to review. All opinions and statements are my own, I received no compensation. 

Coconut Secrets - Product Review

I have a new product review for you readers today!
They are.....
SUGAR AND FLOUR!
Woooooh!

Oh wait, this is a healthy foods blog... what am I doing review sugar and flour?!
That's right, that's right... it's healthy! Yes, you've heard me right, I'm going to tell you about sugar (well, it's kinda sugar) and flour - but it is not your traditional white sugar and white flour.

Enter-Coconut Secret
This company has a beautiful background story about how they are where they are in life right now. They sell a variety of products made straight from the coconut.

The two I reviewed are Coconut Flour and Coconut Crystals

So let's start with Coconut Flour!
If you've never used coconut flour, start now. There are so many reasons to using coconut flour - first, it provides a delicious, sweet and subtle coconut flavor. It also is a great alternative for those that cannot metabolically digest regular gluten-laden flour. But...the biggest reason-HEALTH! Coconut flour has soooo much fiber! 6g for every 2 TBSP! :O Not to mention the 3.5 g of protein for every 2 TBSP. all at around 60 calories.

If you do start to substitute coconut flour for your regular flour, be sure to find recipes that would be able to handle extra liquid because coconut flour requires much much more liquid than regular flour. You also may have to add more eggs. Just play around with it!
My favorite way to use coconut flour is in smoothies! It gives me extra fiber, protein and coconut deliciousness :)




Moving on... Coconut Crystals

Coconut crystals are a sweet-tasting, sugar alternative that has a low glycemic index. It also has less calories than sugar - at 30 per tablespoon. I have used it in a variety of ways, and I can tell you that even if you don't like the flavor of coconut, you will still like coconut crystals! They don't have much of a coconut flavor, but they do provide sweetness! It can easily be substituted for brown sugar in almost any recipes. *I really like to use it in coffee... shocker huh? :P
Just look at this comparison:

Woah! Right?!
Now I can say - this isn't sugar... it's my multivitamin! How sweet (punny I know) is that?!

I've been experimenting with a lot of different recipes substituting coconut flour and coconut crystals, as well as just creating brand new ones! As soon as they're perfected they'll be up for all y'all!
If any of you have tried either of these products and made so delicious-ness with them, let me know!

Thanks Coconut Secret for the chance to review your great product! I'm also so appreciative of your high standards you set for all your products - as a consumer that is a HUGE factor!

*All I was given from Coconut Secrets was their two products to review. All statements and opinions are strictly my own.

Chef Jay's ...cookies for breakfast!

Yes... you heard me right - I said: COOKIES FOR BREAKFAST! :)

I had the opportunity to review Chef Jay's Tri-O-Plex Snacks (all opinions are strictly my own, the only thing I received from Chef Jay's company was the samples).

Chef Jay has devoted his life to creating extremely healthy (and not to forget-delicious) bars, cookies and brownies. His company sells a wide variety of products, but I had the opportunity to sample his Tri-O-Plex protein cookies. 

The verdict?? Delish! My favorite is the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie flavor (is anyone surprised my favorite was something with peanut butter??)

I thoroughly enjoyed warming these in the microwave for about 10 seconds for a hot out of the oven taste! They were also amazing crumbled up over a bowl of ice cream. 

The nutrition is pretty darn good for a cookie!

The saturated fat is a little high for me... but there are cookies. I was ecstatic with the protein content and iron though! 

Here are the ingredients:

Ingredients

CJ PROTEIN BLEND (SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE), CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVORS), SUGAR, HONEY, PEANUT BUTTER (DRY ROASTED PEANUTS, DEXTROSE, HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED, RAPESEED OIL, AND SALT), PEANUTS, WATER, UNSALTED BUTTER, WHITE WHEAT FLOUR, BROWN SUGAR, NATURAL PEANUT FLAVOR, EGGS, PEANUT FLOUR, VANILLA EXTRACT, BAKING SODA, SALT, POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Not too bad... I wasn't "excited" about the hydrogenated oils in there, but I suppose a little bit of anything never hurt anyone right? 

Overall: Delicious taste! Great protein content! However, they should still be treated as what they are: a treat. They are still cookies, and while they are a great protein supplement for those consumers needing a protein boost, they are cookies-and to be treated as such. 

Thanks Chef Jay for such a yummy treat! I truly enjoyed them :)

Coconut Oil Giveaway Results!!!

So I realize this is a little overdue :S Please, please, please forgive me! :S

You forgave me and are still here? Phew :)

Now down to the real business-the winner of the T.T. Coconut Oil! (review can be seen here) The winner was lucky comment #57~ AB Smith! Woot woot!

Congrats AB-please email me @ bakingblissful@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Thanks everyone for playing... keep coming back to Bliss to check out more giveaways, reviews, recipes and fun! :)

Tropical Chocolate Chip Cookies

As I was saying in my Tropical Traditions Product Review post that can be seen here... Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies-but sometimes they can get a little boring! (shh... don't tell my mother - aka the queen of chocolate chip cookies that I said that!) I decided to jazz up my mother's famous chocolate chip cookie recipe but giving it a little hint of the islands :) 

I don't know about you but I love summer-and everything that goes along with it! Sun, sand, surf (ok...I live in the Midwest and don't see much sand or surf-but it's still fun to dream!) I especially love summery foods... grilling, cold drinks, and sweet treats! This cookie recipe is what happens when Mr. Chocolate Chip Cookie decides to take a vacation to Honolulu!

Ingredients (Makes over 7 dozen cookies) :

-2 cups coconut oil

-1 cup white sugar

-2 cups brown sugar

-4 eggs

-2 tsp. baking soda

-1 1/2 tsp. salt

-2 tsp. vanilla

-1 cup chocolate chips

-1 cup coconut flakes (optional-but very delicious!)

-6 cups flour (can use whole wheat pastry flour)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350* 

2. Mix all ingredients (except flour and chocolate chips) in a large mixer

3. Slowly add flour and chips

4. Place teaspoon size dough balls onto a greased cookie sheet

5. Bake around 10 minutes (cookies should not be browned at all!)

Soft, chewy, moist, sun-kissed goodness!

Mmm! Just when I thought nothing could beat a chocolate chip cookie this little tropical treat comes along!

Be sure to sign up for my contest to win some Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil here!

Coconut Oil-Product Review & GIVEAWAY!!!

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/

Who loves chocolate chip cookies? That's what I thought-everyone! Chocolate chip cookies are by far the most popular cookie in America... but don't we sometimes need a little bit of excitement to our chocolate chip cookie? Not to mention a health boost? 

Coconut Oil

I was given a sample jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try and review so I teamed up with coconut oil to jazz up my chocolate chip cookies and used their health benefits to my benefit! What health benefits you ask? Well- I can't make any healthy claims (FDA/FTC guidelines) I'll give you a few minutes to check it out yourself...done? Ok good! Now back to your regular programmed blog! Woah! With all those benefits I didn't feel one stitch of guilt devouring the cookies I made with my coconut oil (or the sweet potato hash I also made using coconut oil)

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil is amazing! As soon as I opened the jar I was overcome with a delicious, strong coconut aroma... The oil melted amazingly well, but was nice and stiff before it hit the microwave (perfect if you're going to use it in its solid state). It had a great flavor both in the cookies and hash-a subtle, yet noticeable coconut accent. If you're looking for coconut oil-Tropical Traditions is the way to go! For more information-check out these links:

•       Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil page (http://www.

tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_
coconut_oil.htm)

•      Video on Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=4h6eycjf29M

•       Tropical Traditions Home Page (http://www.

tropicaltraditions.com/)

So I bet you're a little jealous right now that you don't have your own Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil aren't you? Well have no fear! I'm here to help! Tropical Traditions is generous enough to sponsor a product giveaway right here on my site! There are just two steps you must take to be entered for this giveaway!

1. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter right here -> Newsletter 

2. Become a follower of bakingblissful.blogspot.com

~If you'd additional entries to increase your odds of winning:

3. Leave a comment telling me what you'd make with your coconut oil

4. Pin one of my recipes to pinterest 

5. Become a follower of my twitter account ( @bakingblissful ) and/or pinterest account

-Just let me know in the comment box which of these you did!-

Contest ends August 7th! Good luck! *Be sure to subscribe to email under the comments section so I can notify you if you win!*

 Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

If you'd like to buy some of this amazing coconut oil for yourself check this out: 

Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label - 1 pint

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses ofcoconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

UPDATE* -the winner was post #57-AB Smith! Congrats-please email me your info so we can get you your prize!

Sweet Potato Hash

I love hash! Just saying the word makes me smile... but maybe that is due to the fact that it is such a funny word, especially for a meal...but nonetheless-hash is one of my favorite meals! It can be done in so many ways... In fact, when I was in elementary school we had a breakfast hash every once in a while and I would be soooo excited for days leading up to it! It was dreamingly delicious! But back to the sweet potato hash...

I came up with this recipe due to the overwhelming amount of leftovers in my frig and no desire to eat them as-is. I also had some coconut oil from Tropical Traditions that I wanted to experiment with. A clean frig, 20 minutes and one saucepan later-I was greeted with an amazing new meal that is going to have to find its place in my meal time rotation!

I love how versatile this recipe is-depending on your mood, time of year and leftovers in the frig-you can make many different types of hash... Let my recipe just be your guide-use your creativity and let your imagination flow! And then let me know what great hash variations you have created!

Ingredients:

-1 small sweet potato

-1 small onion

-2 tsp. coconut oil

-a few stalks of asparagus

-a handful of chopped carrots and snap peas

-around 4 ounces of cooked steak

Directions:

1. Melt coconut oil in a small sauce pan

2. Chop all your veggies/protein into small chunks or julienne (peppers and onions)
3. Saute your onions and potatoes (and peppers if using)
4. When those have browned to your liking add the rest of the veggies and protein pieces and cook until all is warm (veggies should be crisp tender)

5. Can be eaten as is or in a variety of creative ways-my favorite is in a whole wheat wrap!

So let me know-what is your favorite leftovers to make into a new meal? I'm always looking for double duty meals with leftovers! :)

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

A few days ago I posted a new recipe for Energy Bites. I hope by now you have already tried them, loved them, and reveled in their deliciousness! If by some reason you are already bored of the original flavor, I have concocted a new and completely unique flavor! This way you can continue to enjoy the simplicity and convenience of Energy Bites but give your taste buds a wake up!

I don't know how many of you out there are obsessed with peanut butter... As hard as it is for me to believe it, I realize there are a few people out there that aren't as completely heads over heals for peanut butter like I am... in fact.. there may even be some of you that don't like peanut butter (I shudder at this thought!) For those of you who love it like myself-you'll love this new recipe... For those of you who don't (really, could there be anyone who doesn't like peanut butter?!) just bear with me during my peanut butter recipes!

These little spheres of peanutty goodness are filled with nutrition in each bite! Healthy fats, some fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. etc.... these guys have it all!

Ingredients:
-3/4 cup peanut butter
-3/4 cup oats
-1/4 cup nuts (any kind will work-use peanuts for an even more distinct peanut butter taste!)
-1/4 cup shredded coconut
-1/4 cup all bran cereal (i.e. bran flakes)
-1/4 cup wheat germ
-1/4 cup ground flax seed (you have to grind flax seed to ensure your body will absorb its nutrition)
-7-8 dried prunes (or any dried fruit will suffice)

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth

The mixture should resemble something like this...

Roll into desired shapes/sizes

I got about 24 good sized bites

Nutritional Info:

Energy Bites

 You're stuck for time, rundown on energy, and STARVING! What do you do? You could:

A. Not eat anything and continue feeling tiresome and hungry

B. Scarf down whatever thing that looks remotely edible that crosses your path, which is bound to be something unhealthy
C. Eat something that is nutritious and delicious

Wait what?! Choice C! Choice C! Pick choice C!

I know, I know, you're probably thinking choice C is unattainable, only a figment of my imagination right? WRONG! The Blissful Baker is here to help! Read on to see how to make an unbelievably healthy and delicious snack bite that will curb your hunger and provide you with enough energy to make it through the day!

Ingredients:

-1 cup almonds

-20 dates

-1/2 cup raisins

-12 dried apricots

-1/4 cup coconut
-1/4 cup flaxseed

-1 tsp. cinnamon

-1/2 tsp. allspice

-1/4 tsp. ginger

-1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

These little beauties taste like oatmeal raisin cookie dough-but ten-thousand times healthier!

Nutritional Info (1 energy ball)

Sweet Vanilla Compost

Want a healthier heart? Lower cholesterol? More energy?
I have your answer right here! NUTS!
Eating nuts are a simple way to improve your health-and with this recipe you will enjoy doing it! Who would think something so sweet and so addictive could also be so good for you?!

These sweet little treats are extremely easy to make and smell divine! :) The entire house will smell like vanilla-y goodness, you will hardly be able to wait for them to come out of the oven...but don't I repeat DO NOT eat them as soon as you take them out of the extremely hot oven! It will burn your mouth so badly you will not be able to enjoy these little beauties. Also, be aware that when you take them out of the oven they will not be crispy and crunchy...just give them a few minutes to cool-they will crisp up nicely and be absolutely delectable! Enjoy! :)

Ingredients:
-1 egg white
-1 tsp. vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1/2 cup sugar substitute
-1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
-4 cups nuts (Here I used 3 cups almonds, 1 cup pecans-but any variation will work)

Directions:

 Step One:

-Preheat oven to 350*

-Beat the egg white and vanilla extract

Step Two:

-Add almonds to wet mixture and stir to coat

-Slowly sprinkle in the coconut and be sure it gets fully covered with egg white mixture as well

Step Three:

-Combine the cinnamon, salt, and sugars

Step Four:
-Combine with wet almond mixture

Step Five:

-Spread on a greased/parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer

Step Six:

-Bake for 20 minutes

Nutritional Information (Makes 18- heaping 1/4 cup servings):