Grandy Oats

What time is it?! Product Review time!

And today's winner is.... 

Grandy Oats

...oh don't act surprised, it was in the title people :P

Anyways- Grandy Oats was created in 1979 by two friends, and then passed onto another set of friends - Nat and Aaron that now run the company we have today.

They are a certified organic company that sells many 'oat products' as in-

granola

trail mix

roasted nuts

hot cereal

I was grateful to receive some samples of the granola (seen above) 

They were pretty good, I have to be honest with you - this isn't my absolute favorite granola. But it is very good! Don't get me wrong, I just didn't think the texture was crunchy enough for my likings. 

The Honey Apple Crisp was my favorite about of the bunch!

But now onto the Hot Cereal... 

WOAH!

Loved it. 

All you do is add 6-7 ounces of hot water and put the lid back on and let it sit for a couple minutes. 

I was very skeptical about it thickening, but it did! And it was divine! 

I loved how the only real sweetener was the natural sweetness from the dried fruits (there was a little sweetener on the dried fruits, but very minimal) 

Is this any indication of how much I liked it?!

All their products are made with real, wholesome ingredients and therefore have some great nutritional stats! 

If you're looking for a new granola company to try out - definitely give Grandy Oats a try - especially if you don't like the more crispy/crunchy granola and prefer a more chewy texture. 

Also-the little cups of granola are perfect for 'on the go' breakfast - how easy would it be to throw a couple in your suitcase next time you'll be traveling a few days? 

*All opinions are solely my own, I was not compensated in any way - the only thing I received from Grandy Oats was the samples.

Attune Foods - Cereal LOVE

Cereal.

Quick, easy to prepare, delicious, satisfying.

What's left to say? It's the perfect meal.... but is there evil lurking? 

Let's take a look-see!

Hmm... 50+% of its weight is sugar? Cool.

NOT!

Alright alright, so point made-not all cereal is the 'perfect' fuel for your body.

But not all cereal is made to sabotage your attempts at living a healthy life.

Enter, Attune Foods

That's their theory, and I like it!

So they were kind enough to allow me to sample some of their products and let you wonderful readers know my thoughts

I was sent

Uncle Sam Original

Sinner's Raisin Bran

And

Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal (Gluten Free)

Raisin Bran = SUCCESS! 

Why? Well, aside from being tasty, just the right amount of sweetness from the raisins, it also has AMAZING nutritional stats..

Check it-

Yeah Buddy! See that? The sugar? No? 

OH WAIT! That's because there isn't any!

I get soooo annoyed when cereal companies think it is necessary to add sugar... like for reals?! Come on, it is a cereal with raisins- a naturally sweet food-why are you adding more sugar?!

Whatev. I'm over it... (not really)

But anyways - 

This is what the Raisin Bran looks like...

Not huge flakes like you may be expecting-smaller, but still delicious, don't get me wrong!

I added some blueberries on top and devoured that bowl!

So it's no secret I love their Raisin Bran, but what about the others?

Well, the Erewhon Crispy Rice got thrown into my Peanut Butter Granola recipe - and boy oh boy was it a success! Try it for yourself, you won't be sorry!

And the Uncle Sam Original? GREAT!

It had a neutral flavor that allows for you to add whatever kinds of mix-in's you want and have your bowl of cereal perfectly match your taste!

(I enjoy slices of bananas and using strawberry milk, crazy maybe-delicious yes.)

So that's that! 

I'm loving me some Attune Food cereal!

They make delicious products, with minimal-but wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about putting in your body.

No preservatives, no artificial anything, no harm, all yum!

Attune - Simple Ingredients. Simply Made.

(Kristen's addition - Simply DELICIOUS!)

*All opinions are my own, I was not compensated to do this review in any way.

California Suncakes

Guys - I just ate a hockey puck!
Ok, random story... I've been to one hockey game in my life. During that game my mother managed to get hit in the head by a hockey puck! Yes, one of the hockey pucks came out of the ice box during the game and whacked her right in the noggin. Talk about a memorable game!

Anyways, back to my eating of a hockey puck. Alright, so needless to say it wasn't really a hockey puck-but it sure looked like one! It is shaped exactly the same, only this 'puck' is sweet, delicious, and nutritious!

It is actually a Suncake. A huh?! A Suncake.
I'll explain...

California suncakes are a Gluten Free energy bar. Made out of whole grain oats, dried fruits, fruit juices, soy and brown rice flour and syrup that supply around 30-40% of your daily needs for protein and fiber - and taste like a COOKIE!
The company has also expanded now to create 'Heart Thrives' - these little guys are two cakes in the shape of hearts and also contain a good deal of your daily Calcium requirements. They come in 7 flavors: Apricot, Cranberry, Apple, Date, Lemon Poppy Seed (my favorite!), Chocolate Chip and Raisin Spice
The original Suncakes come in 6 flavors; Apricot, Cranberry (soooo yummy!), Apple, Date, Lemon Poppy Seed, and Chocolate Orange. Each Suncake is a 4 ounce "hockey puck" that is actually two servings.

These little guys are sweet, chewy and full of flavor! They're obviously extremely portable so they make for a great grab-and-go snack! 

* A word of warning: since these goodies are made out of whole, natural ingredients and no preservatives, you should keep them in the freezer if you won't be eating them all in a week or two, but honestly-good luck keeping your mits of these delicious treats! 

Thanks California Suncakes for a chance to review your great tasting product! (all opinions were completely my own, the only thing I ever received for California Suncakes was their sample)

Chewy Oat Bars

I recently received some Newman's Own Organic product to sample and review. One product I absolutely loved was their dried fruit! - Newman's Own Organic Dried Fruit I decided I would use this amazing product to make a new recipe! Chewy Oat Bars

If you've ever had an 'Oatmeal to Go Bar' from Quaker, you will be extremely pleased with these chewy bars! They taste very similar, but without all the nasty preservatives and other fillers that Quaker decided would be fun to through into my breakfast bar! While they aren't an exact match (but have no fear..I'm still working and will be until I get a perfect match because I am in LOVE with those Oatmeal to Go Bars... :( but my bank account isn't!) anyways-while they aren't identical, they certainly fit the bill for a soft, chewy, wholesome breakfast bar that is quick and simple to prepare and perfect for rushed mornings!

Let's get it started!

I use 'raisins' very loosely! As you can see from my first picture I used NOO's dried berry blend and craisins, until recently I've basically only used raisins so that is just what I have a tendency to call all dried fruit!

Ingredients:

Wet

-1 TBSP. butter/margarine

-2 TBSP of each:

-honey

-sugar (or sugar substitute)

-maple syrup (can be sugar free)

-applesauce

-1/4 cup raisins~soaked in 1 cup water

Dry

-2 cups oats (or any dry, rolled grain-i.e. barley, rye)

-1/4 cup flour

-1/4 cup coconut

-1/4 cup add-in's (i.e. flax, chia, wheat germ)

-1 tsp. baking powder

-pinch of salt

Directions: 

1. Mix wet ingredients and microwave to melt butter

2. Heat raisins in 1 cup water for about 1 minute in microwave

3. Let raisins sit 10 minutes in water

4. Mix dry ingredients together

5. Drain raisins, reserving water and chop finely

6. Mix raisins with wet ingredients, add in raisin-water

7. Slowly add in dry ingredients 

8. Spread into greased pan

9. Bake at 350* for about 35 minutes (until edges are browned)

10. Cut into bars and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes

11. Remove bars from pan and cool on rack for another 10 minutes

12. Grab and enjoy a healthy-quick snack, breakfast, treat!

Broccoli Raisin Salad

As I was beginning to write this recipe post, I kind of felt bad... I don't really understand why this salad has always been called 'Broccoli Raisin Salad' ..what? Did the other ingredients get the short straws and not get the recipe named after them? (I am aware this is extremely neurotic-but still!) I mean, the cashews are probably my favorite part, and the cauliflower is awesome too! So I think they should get a part in the name, but alas...since most people know it by this name I will keep it!

Alright, on to the actual recipe-I am a HUUUUGE fan of this amazing salad... but I pulled up the first recipe I found when I googled 'Broccoli Raisin Salad' and the nutritional stats were jaw-dropping! 1 serving had 447 calories and 33 grams of fat!!! :O I couldn't believe it, I mean I know salads aren't always the figure friendly food some people assume them to be but really... calling something a salad and then having over 400 calories in it?! That should be a felony somewhere!

So I set off to create something a bit more "Blissful" on the nutritional front-and not to brag, but Boy Oh Boy did I succeed! This salad really does have it all: crunch, sweetness, creamy, and just a hint of salty flavor... and the best part- not even 100 calories per serving (and believe me, it's a BIG serving!)

If that wasn't enough to get you to make this, it also has over 130% of you recommended intake of vitamin C, some fiber and a healthy dose of protein!

What are you waiting for?! Go make this delicious side dish!

and there ya have it! Simple, delicious and healthy... what more could you ask for?

Ingredients:

Dressing:

-1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

-1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

-1 TBSP. vinegar

-1 TBSP. Ranch dressing mix

Salad:

-6 cups broccoli/cauliflower (chopped)

-1/4 cup cashews

-1/4 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Mix dressing ingredients in a large bowl

2. Chop broccoli, cauliflower and cashews

3. Add chopped veggies, cashews and raisins to your bowl with dressing and stir to coat

4. Let refrigerate at least 2 hours for dressing's flavors to mature

~Makes 6 (GOOD sized) servings

Nutritional Info (about 1 cup)

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)