Nutrition Archives | My Life on (and off) the Guest List

Guilt-Free Snacking: It's Okay to Overindulge on These Healthy Snacks

Guilt-Free Snacking: You’ll Love These Good-For-You Snacks

January 13, 2021/0 Comments/in Food, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Snacks /by Glasgow Skinner

We’re avid snackers. Try as we may to reduce the number of snacks we eat, there’s just no winning the war. Luckily, we’re slowly winning the battle by switching to healthy snacks; all thanks to the fact that they are all freaking delicious and we can enjoy some guilt-free snacking. The guilt and shame we felt ravaging a bag of potato chips, cookies, or a pint of ice cream are dissipating quickly because we’re enjoying healthier options that taste just as good.

Thanks to guilt-free snacking on things like the protein and fiber dense options from Nature’s Path; the wholesome and flavorful handmade crackers from Top Seedz; the protein-packed beef jerky from Old Trapper; and the savory, toasted crackers from Mary’s Gone Crackers. The wonderful thing about these snacks is not only are they beneficial to your wellbeing, they will help you snack better. We have absolutely noticed a change in our snacking habits.

NATURE’S PATH

Granola is a terrific way to give your body the healthy sustenance it needs while keeping the bd away. If regular granola is good for you, Superfood granolas are incredibly beneficial to the body. We discovered this when we were introduced to the Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified granolas, cereals, oatmeal, waffles, and more from Nature’s Path. We had the opportunity to treat ourselves to the Golden Turmeric Superfood Granola, their newest flavor Smoothie Bowl Superfood Granola, and their Golden Turmeric Superfood Oatmeal. Hands down, our absolute favorite (although the other two were enjoyed almost as enthusiastically) was the Golden Turmeric Superfood Granola.

This addictive power snack features invigorating turmeric granola with crunchy cashews and powerhouse ingredients turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, which are known to support anti-inflammatory and blood sugar balancing functions of the body. If you’ve ever had a real Golden Milk then you know that the addition of black pepper magnifies the effects and benefits of Turmeric. Add in its delicious taste and you can’t go wrong. Other reasons we love this are it’s sweetened with low GI coconut sugar (only 5g sugar per 30g serving); is baked with coconut and avocado oil; and it’s snackable clusters with a delicious, cookie-like melt in your mouth texture. We wanted to see how it would taste with milk but not one cluster made it near a bowl. It was straight from the bag to our waiting mouth.

TOP SEEDZ CRACKERS

As of today, with two full containers devoured, we find ourselves addicted to the Kosher certified, vegan, and gluten-free crackers. We have not yet been able to get to the point of putting anything on these delicious, crunchy seed crackers. Available in four flavors, these Top Seedz crackers are so delicious, we’ve been enjoying guilt-free snacking directly out of the package. We will try to resist the urge to gorge on the next flavor of these without topping it with Top Seedz’s recommended toppings. Speaking of, see them below:

6 Seed Crackers: The newest addition, the 6 Seed Crackers are vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free and also include chia and hemp seeds. Pairs well with: Goat cheese and a bit of tapenade; almond butter and golden raisins; hummus
Sea Salt Crackers: The most versatile of the bunch, the Sea Salt Crackers can be your everyday cracker substitute. Pairs well with: Swiss cheese and a slice of dried salami; sliced apples or bananas with your favorite nut butter; smoked salmon with a touch of cream cheese and a sprig of dill.
Rosemary Crackers: With a hint of rosemary, these take your charcuterie board to the next level. Pairs well with: Honey drizzled over baked brie with prosciutto; sliced fig and ricotta; sliced peaches, pears, or plums.
Cumin Crackers: Move from the ordinary with the Latin flavor of the Cumin Crackers. Pairs well with: Black bean dip or a plain hummus; avocado smash and alfalfa sprouts; smoked salmon with fig compote.

The best part, those with nut allergies can fully indulge in guilt-free snacking as these are made with seeds, not nuts. Why seeds you ask? Seeds are known for their specific taste, texture, and nutritional benefits, such as protein, fiber, and iron. They’re also known for a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re a great source of energy, they aid in digestion, increase muscle mass, enhance brain activity, and so much more. For those who love everything DIY, Top Seedz has the first-ever bake-at-home cracker kit! Now you can now make your own Top Seedz crackers at home. Indulge in as little or as much of the seed varieties as you want.

OLD TRAPPER BEEF JERKY

If you’re familiar with our adventures, you know we’re not vegan. So we’re taking a brief break from the vegan offerings to highlight the only meat option in this snack feature. While we do enjoy several vegan foods and snacks, we are full carnivores. Naturally, any snack list we share will have our main source of protein, meat; in this case, beef jerky. Sometimes nothing beats the delicious taste of a good cut of beef. For the times when you crave meat protein but don’t want to partake in a full burger, or steak meal, old-fashioned lean pieces of beef jerky will sate your appetite. Old Trapper makes beef jerky the way it was meant to be.

The ingredients behind the company’s 50 years of success are as short as its actual ingredient list: lean high-quality meat, quality seasonings, real wood-fired smoke, and a hands-on manufacturing process. Couple that with an affordable price point and you see why Old Trapper has outlasted the competition.

Old Trapper offers a variety of lean high-quality jerky, including Old Fashioned, Peppered, Hot & Spicy, and Teriyaki flavors. Their last product launch was their quarter-pound bag of jerky, which goes against the current industry trend of giving LESS product in the same size bag. If you’ve purchased any bag of potato chips in the last 2-3 years, you know what we mean. Old Trapper offers delicious ways to give your body the protein it needs. What we loved most, aside from taste, was it wasn’t overall dry and the flavors were perfect.

MARY’S GONE CRACKERS

Mary’s Gone Crackers proves that healthy snacks need never lack in flavor! Focused on impeccable quality and taste, Mary’s products speak for themselves with their delectable, unique texture, and flavor profiles which can only be accomplished by carefully baking whole, organic ingredients to toasted perfection. Crafted with whole ingredients such as brown rice, quinoa, flax, and sesame seeds, each cracker is the perfect pairing of toasty flavor and crunchy goodness. All of Mary’s snacks are certified organic, gluten-free, allergen-friendly, and vegan to fuel active, health-conscious, and epicurean lifestyles with delicious and nutritious snacks. They recently launched 3 new real thin flavors – Olive Oil + Cracked Black Pepper, Chipotle, and Tomato + Basil.

we’d love to hear which of these guilt-free snacking options you’d love to indulge in most.

What’s for Dinner? Verve Culture Thai for Two Cooking Kits

January 2, 2021/0 Comments/in Food, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition /by Glasgow Skinner

One thing we are enjoying about the months-long lockdown is we can experiment in the kitchen. Whether it’s trying a new recipe or a new dish in general. We were not-so-recently introduced to Verve Culture, we previously highlighted their Tortilla Cast Iron Press Kit, and we’re excited to share another of their wonderful products, the Verve Culture Thai for Two Cooking Kits. Prepare easy-to-make meals with these authentic ingredients from Thailand; just add your own protein and vegetables.

There are so many things to love about the Verve Culture Thai for Two Cooking Kits. We love the convenience, the simplicity of preparing, the break from ordering in, the change of basic cuisine, and of course the fantastic taste. The Thai for Two Cooking Kits are available in five varieties – Pad Thai, Organic Green Curry Kit, Organic Tom Kha Soup, Organic Panang Curry Kit, and Organic Red Curry Kit. Naturally, the taste is at the very top but a very close second is how quickly a meal can be prepared. You see, these organic Thai for Two cooking kits take only 7 steps and your meal can be fully prepared in 7 minutes. The numbers increase by one for the Pad Thai making it 8 steps and 8 minutes; they are decreased by 2 for the Tom Kha Soup, making it 5 steps and 5 minutes.

If you are fans of the big, fragrant, and creamy flavors of Thai food, the Verve Culture Thai for Two cooking kits will not disappoint. We had the pleasure of trying out the Organic Red Curry Kit and Organic Green Curry Kit, both over rice. For the Organic Red Curry Kit, we added beef as our protein and followed the 7 easy steps and our delicious dinner for two was complete. Each kit comes housed in a black and gold pouch with each ingredient individually packaged and sealed.

The Organic Red Curry cooking kit included: Organic dried herbs, Organic red curry seasoning, Organic red curry paste, and Organic coconut milk. For those who prefer a tamer spice level, you can use 1/2 – 3/4 of the curry paste; for the rest of us, use the entire packet or add some of your own red curry. The above is a deep plate (more of a soup or stew plate), so all our red curry is at the bottom. Nevertheless, we were more than happy with the result and this did not last very long. For the Organic Green Curry kit, we chose salmon as our protein and choose a different mix of vegetables.

Once again, this no-fail cooking kit did not disappoint our tastebuds. If you’re looking to wow your family or just want to spice up your lunch or dinner, these Verve Culture Thai for Two Cooking Kits are what you need. We can’t wait to try the other Thai for Two cooking kits, especially the Pad Thai.

Kindroot Adaptogems: Helping You Survive Holiday and Pandemic Stress

December 9, 2020/0 Comments/in Food, Frontpage Article, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition /by Glasgow Skinner

Are the pandemic, the world in general, and the holiday season stressing you out? If you answered yes, then you need a holiday de-stressing tool. We are happy to introduce you to Kindroot Adaptogems holiday survival kit. Kindroot is a brand of plant-powered supplements that help you de-stress. They are very beneficial to the body; In fact, you will actually look forward to gifting and taking them. Kindroot Adaptogems are the first line of lozenges that include nurturing adaptogenic plants and aromatic, all-natural flavors, blended into silky-smooth little lozenges. Not familiar with adaptogens? If you’ve heard of ginseng, melatonin, reishi (the “immortality mushroom” in traditional Chinese medicine), marine collagen, etc, then you’re already familiar with them.

The Kindroot Adaptogems holiday survival kit, $35.00, is just one way to combat the stress you and your loved ones are feeling during this stressful time. It features 20 snooze plant lozenges for sweet dreams, 20 mood plant lozenges for even-keeled feels, and some fun, cool stickers. The lavender vanilla-flavored snooze lozenges combine the power of melatonin and ashwagandha (an ayurvedic herb that helps you relax and promote calmness) to help you get the restful sleep that you need; while the lychee rosewater flavored mood lozenges boasts reishi and maca root (an adaptogenic root that helps maintain positive levels of energy and mental well-being). Perfect to help you start your day, no matter what it may entail.

We love their Inward + Upward bundle, $65.00 (shown directly above). Along with the snooze and mood plant lozenges, it also contains their glow Adaptogems (peach blossom lozenges that combine marine collagen and ashwagandha to help you “give good face”); and focus Adaptogems (mang’orange white tea flavored lozenges with Schisandra extract and organic lemon balm extract to boost your energy, mental alertness, and cognition). This bundle features 20 focus plant lozenges for balanced brains, 20 glow plant lozenges for lit looks, 20 snooze plant lozenges for sweet dreams, 20 mood plant lozenges for even-keeled feels, and the stickers.

All of Kindroot’s Adaptogems are made from organic ingredients; they are gluten-free, vegan, have only 2 grams of sugar, and are available in delicious, sensory flavors. Could you use some de-stressing during the holiday season?

Must-Haves Kitchen Tools for Your Pandemic Needs

Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Your Pandemic Needs

December 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Food, Frontpage Article, House and Home, Lifestyle, Nutrition /by Glasgow Skinner

If you’re like us, then the time spent in your kitchen has doubled or maybe even tripled. We can absolutely say that this pandemic has us spending much more time in the room we usually spent the least time in; much to the detriment of our refrigerator and groceries. It has also shown us that there are things we desperately needed in our kitchen. Kitchen tools that will make our pandemic lives easier.

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. If it wasn’t before, it certainly is now. We’re sharing kitchen tools from Ambrosia Bag, Verve Culture, and S’well that are sure to make your pandemic kitchen life a little easier. In some cases, a lot more fun.

Ambrosia Produce Bags

We love fresh vegetables but for some reason, they seem to go bad quickly once they enter our refrigerator. Granted, it may be because we overbuy and can’t use everything all at once and we end up having to throw a lot away. Our asparagus purchase tends to suffer the most. Thankfully the Ambrosia Bag came into our lives and solved our issue. This sustainable bag is the solution to all of your food-wasting problems! Say hello to the eco-friendly fix to keeping your food fresh in the fridge. Say goodbye to the waste and guilt of spoiled fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs! These flax linen vegetables and fruit bags are a godsend to those of us who have gardens and for the rest whose fridges seem to be the place where vegetables go to die. The Ambrosia produce bags come in four varieties – Vegetable, Berry, Mushroom, and Herb. They range from $24.00 – $30.00 and can be purchased at www.ambrosiabag.com.

Tortilla Press Kit – Red Cast Iron with Servilleta

Everybody loves tortillas! They seem to be the perfect snack or meal. Whether you’re cooking for just yourself or feeding an entire family, nothing pleases a crowd (or a single), like a delicious tortilla; you’re probably craving one right now. Well, Verve Culture has the perfect kit for you when those tortilla cravings hit – the Tortilla Press Kit – Red Cast Iron with Servilleta, $45.00. You are sure to wow the crowd, whether they be your family or your friends on Zoom with your street tortilla skills. Instead of searching for the perfect tortilla, you can just make them. Our favorite thing about the Verve Culture Red Cast Iron press? It’s made in Mexico from old Singer sewing machines and other recycled irons. It will last you forever and gift you with perfect tortillas every time. What’s not to love! Plus it also makes an amazing gift. Get one or more now on www.verveculture.com.

S’well Eats

More cooking means more leftovers. And while you can bury yourself under a cupboard full of plastic storage food containers (if you can find the covers), we’re got a more stylish alternative. Savor your leftovers the next day with S’well Eats sustainable containers and bowls. Whether working from home or on the go, these handy, insulated containers are perfect for storing food and look great in any kitchen. Available in two handy sizes, these fashionable, reusable containers are the perfect storage for both hot and cold food. These 16oz and 20oz containers keep food cold for 12 hours or hot for 7 hours. Get your favorite color and design for $40.00 – $50.00 on www.swell.com.

We’d love to hear what kitchen tools have become essential to you during this pandemic.

More Than Hydration: These Beverages Do More Than Quench Your Thirst

November 26, 2020/0 Comments/in Drinks and Beverages, Frontpage Article, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition /by Glasgow Skinner

If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we have to take care of ourselves. 2020 is the year when selfcare and our wellbeing are at the forefront of our minds. Everything we do from now on has to be to the benefit of our health. That includes protecting ourselves with face masks, being careful in common areas, boosting our immune systems, and of course, keeping our bodies hydrated. It’s always been said that hydration is essential to life; however, with this pandemic, we need to do a bit more. Today we’re highlighting a few beverages that do more than just hydrate your body and quench your thirst. These beverages are here to help to keep your body in the most optimal of health.

Whether you need alkaline water to neutralize the acid in your body, a beverage to help you get better sleep, or need to boost your immunity, these drinks from Perfect Hydration (pH), Som Sleep, ROAR Organics, and Hydralyte are exactly what you need to be at your healthiest.

1. Perfect Hydration (pH) 9.5+ pH Alkaline Water

Alkaline water boasts two very important minerals, Calcium, and Magnesium; both of which our body needs and uses. It is a powerful antioxidant, neutralizes acidic levels of the body, and helps in ridding the body of toxins. Both high acidic levels and toxins can be detrimental to your overall health. With its detoxing capabilities, Alkaline water boosts the immune system, an essential aspect of combating the coronavirus. Simply put, without proper hydration, your cells cannot function at their best.

Perfect Hydration (pH) 9.5+ pH alkaline water is designed to support your body’s natural pH of 7.4 to achieve a healthy, internal pH balance. Not only does it help your body achieve balance for health, but another great benefit is also glowing skin. Purified to its cleanest form by a 9-stage filtration process, pH water also includes electrolytes for premium hydration and has a delicious, crisp taste in every bottle. Available in 20 oz and 1-liter bottles, Perfect Hydration (pH) 9.5+ pH Alkaline Water can be purchased on www.amazon.com.

2. Som Sleep

The stress of the pandemic has made it very difficult to sleep. During these turbulent times, we definitely need sleep for more than just beauty rest. A restful night of sleep can boost our immune system, restores and energizes our bodies, helps improve our overall health, and increases our tolerance for pain. The Som Sleep Formula helps support a healthy sleep cycle. Whether you can’t fall asleep or have trouble staying asleep, Som Sleep will help you sleep better, feel better, and do better.

The berry-flavored combines both sleep and relaxation ingredients that are naturally found in your body and found in a healthy diet. It boasts melatonin to help maintain a normal sleep cycle; magnesium and Vitamin B6 provides nutritional support for biosynthesis; Gaba and L-theanine help promote relaxation. Som is a safe, effective, and drug-free solution for those who suffer from insomnia and have difficulty falling and staying asleep. With Som Sleep, all you have to do is drink a can 30 minutes before bed. Isn’t it about time you “get Som Sleep?” Get the original and Zero Sugar formulas in a 12-pk and 24-pk on www.getsom.com.

3. ROAR Organics Electrolyte Infusions

ROAR Organics Electrolyte Infusions is unique to its category in the beverage industry. In addition to being USDA-certified Organic, it offers an array of in-demand attributes – electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins A, B3, B5, B6, C, and E, no preservatives, and boasts only 2-3 grams of organic cane sugar and 20 calories per serving. ROAR boasts a proprietary blend of organic coconut water and sea salt for healthy hydration and refreshing recovery. It is caffeine-free so it can be enjoyed all-day, has zero artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

The beverages are also Non-GMO, Vegan friendly, Gluten-free, and come in 100% recyclable, BPA-Free 18 oz bottles. All that goodness comes in four delicious and refreshing flavors:  Mango Clementine, Cucumber Watermelon, Blueberry Acai, and Georgia Peach. You can find ROAR Organic Electrolyte Infusions for $1.99 to $2.49 nationally at 7-Eleven, Wegman’s in the East, Albertson-Safeway in the West, Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, King’s, Gelson’s, Bristol Farms, and Mother’s Market.

4. Hydralyte Plus Immune System Boost

Technically Hydralyte isn’t in liquid form but once you add it to water, this on-the-go hydration powder becomes your immune system’s best friend. Most people don’t realize but by the time you experience dry mouth, irritability, and lack of energy, you’re already dehydrated. Hydralyte’s science-backed rehydration formula drink will not only rehydrate your body but also supercharge your immune system at the same time.

Hydralyte Plus Immune System Boost contains 7 key electrolytes for rehydration. It is also infused with 1000mg of Vitamin C and 300g of nature’s super fruit, Elderberry. It is scientifically formulated with the right ratio of glucose and electrolytes to hydrate you more effectively than sports drinks or coconut water with far less sugar. Hydralyte Plus Immune System Boost has 75% less sugar and 4x the electrolytes of a sports drink. The on-the-go, immune-boosting solution can be found at www.hydralyte.com.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to work towards a strong and healthy immune system during this pandemic. We’re losing too many of our loved ones. We hope you stay well.

Sweet Holiday Treats: Sugar Plum Delectable Holiday Gift Baskets

November 17, 2020/0 Comments/in Food, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Shopping, Snacks /by Glasgow Skinner

Are you ready for the sweetest part of the holiday season? We’re talking holiday gift baskets, the perfect gift for those with a sweet tooth. We’re not talking about boring popcorn tins or fruit baskets with one or two pieces of chocolate, we mean one-of-a-kind, sugar rush goodness. The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in something sweet and Sugar Plum has everything you need to add more sweetness into the world.

From cookie-making advent calendars to chocolate covered cookies, chocolate-dipped logs, and everything in between, Sugar Plum is here to make your holiday sweet, merry, and delicious.

1. Cookie Making Advent Calendar, $65.00

One of our favorite things to enjoy during the holidays is Christmas cookies. The moment the whole house smells like fresh baked cookies is a magical one. Whether you’re home with your family or by yourself, a fresh-baked, warm delicious cookie can also erase all sadness. Sugar Plum gives you the opportunity to indulge in that warm feeling with their wonderful Cookie Making Advent Calendar. Give the gift of yummy goodness; this supersized 25-day advent calendar is filled with ingredients and tools to make everyone’s favorite holiday cookies. Each of the 25 individual pockets is filled with one component needed to make six different varieties of holiday cookies; these include recipe cards, ingredients, cookie cutters, and kitchen tools!

Enjoy a variety of recipes including Peppermint Mocha Cookies, Stained Glass Cookies, Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, Hot Chocolate Cookies, Christmas Tree-shaped Gingerbread Cookies, and Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies. The Advent Calendar is available now for $65.00, exclusively at www.uncommongoods.com.

2. Chocolate Pretzel Passion Gift Tray, $49.00

You may have seen the video of the above chocolate goodness on our Instagram and we’re still salivating over its sinful deliciousness. Chocolate covered pretzels have brought joy to many for decades and you can see why. Sugar Plum’s Chocolate Pretzel Passion Gift Tray includes a variety of twenty-three pieces of chocolate-dipped logs covered in chocolate candy pieces, chocolate sandwich cookie logs, double chocolate chip pretzels, and pretzels dipped in our signature milk, dark, and white chocolates with even more chocolate drizzled on top and finished with sprinkles. Once you put this out, don’t expect it to last for very long.

3. The Signature Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Cookie Sampler, $26.95

Cookies are absolutely delicious. Chocolate is ironically delicious. Combine those two and you have absolute heaven. When it comes to chocolate-covered treats, perhaps nothing is more delicious than the idea of chocolate-covered stuff. The Signature Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Cookie Sampler includes nine (9) total chocolate-covered sandwich cookies, including one (1) each of Sugar Plum’s renowned milk, dark, and white chocolate-covered sandwich cookies. The sampler also includes 6 additional cookies, including Milk Chocolate with Ground Cookie, White Chocolate with Cranberry, Dark Chocolate with Toasted Coconut, Milk Chocolate with Ground Toffee, White Chocolate with Peanut Butter Chips, and Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Chips.

4. Wine Truffle Box Assortment, $35.00

For those that want to be a little more fun with a truffle assortment; look no further than Sugar Plum’s Wine Box Truffle Assortment! It features a 12-piece assortment of Sugar Plum’s incredible handcrafted chocolate truffles all beautifully laid out in a wine bottle-shaped box that will set the mood for a fantastic day and holiday night. each set comes with truffle varieties that include Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Black Raspberry, Chai Tea, Cappuccino, Crème Brulee, Tiramisu, Pomegranate, Lemon Merengue, Champagne, Rum, Coffee Caramel, Caramel Pecan, Strawberry Cheesecake, Coconut, Kahlua/White Russian, and Irish Crème.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these decadent Sugar Plum holiday gift baskets. Let us know, which would you give and which would you love to receive.

Crofter’s Organic Delivers More Fruit & Less Sugar in Every Jar

October 21, 2020/0 Comments/in Food, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Snacks /by Glasgow Skinner

We’re welcoming the fall season with lots of deliciousness. The cooler season brings to mind harvest time and when we think of harvests, we’re reminded of the jams and fruit spreads that are ready to eat. While we can’t go traipsing through orchards or have access to farmer’s markets, we have the next best thing; delicious jams we’ve enjoyed since we were first introduced to them six years ago – Crofter’s Organic Jams and Fruit Spreads.

Crofter’s is the #1 organic jam in North America. The jams and fruit spreads are made with specific and heritage fruit varieties chosen for their superior flavor. They are certified organic, Non-GMO, vegan, and vegetarian, allergen-free, and have no added color or high fructose corn syrup. Crofter’s uses fair-trade sugar from the Green Cane Project to sweeten and support soil restoration; they support 8,500 acres of sustainable organic farmland; uses their own wastewater treatment plant to reduce water consumption by over 85%; and recycle 99% of raw materials’ packaging.

This small, family business has been tantalizing the palates of families since 1989. We’ve enjoyed Crofter’s Organic jams and fruit spreads in many ways: on crackers and bread but our favorite is with a spoon, right out of the jar. You see each of their scrumptious Premium and Just Fruit spreads features 33% less sugar than your average jam, so you can experience the full flavor, aroma, and health benefits of their specially selected varieties of organic fruit.

Crofter’s offers a vast offering of flavors of organic spreads, twenty delicious flavors to be exact. Out of those twenty, there are three superfruit offerings. Blueberry Blast and Pomegranate Power from their Premium Spreads, all bursting with more antioxidants than a bottle of red wine; and their original Superfruit Spread from their Just Fruit range. The rest of the offerings are a variety of organic spreads that includes Mango, Morello Cherry, Peach, Raspberry, Black Currant (our favorite), Strawberry, Blackberry, Apricot, Seville Orange, and Wild Blueberry. Fair warning, one taste, and you too will be reaching for a spoon to eat right of out the jar.

Crofter’s Organic products can be purchased online, as well as retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, and more!

Bokksu Box Brings Unique Japanese Snacks To American Consumers

October 16, 2020/0 Comments/in Food, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Shopping, Snacks /by Contributing Writer

Anyone who loves to travel knows how easy it is to fall in love with a different country’s food. You discover all kinds of snacks and goodies while you’re there, helping make your trip feel truly special. When you get back on your shores, however, you’re left feeling a deep disappointment after you realize that none of those treats are in the international aisle at your grocery store.

Danny Taing had this exact experience after living in Japan for many years. He fell in love with Japanese delicacies, as well as the community that formed around them. When he returned to America and could no longer enjoy those tasty treats and the culture surrounding them, he became one of the 400 million entrepreneurs around the world by starting a monthly subscription box for Japanese snacks.

Taing’s company is called Bokksu and its tight-knit team curates a box of gourmet Japanese snacks every month. Bokksu sources these snacks from artisan makers in Japan, so when you get a Bokksu box you know that you’ve supported local businesses in Japan and not international corporations. The company even partners with the artisans in Japan to create new Japanese snacks exclusively for its customers. This authentic touch, combined with the deliciousness of the snacks, has spurned the success of Bokksu, which sold half a million snacks to customers in more than 75 countries in its first two years of business.

To give customers a wide diversity in flavor and experience, the snack box revolves around a different theme every month. When a customer orders their first box, however, the team at Bokksu will handpick a variety of snacks that represents the four seasons in Japan so that you can get an authentic taste of the country.

Japanese snacks are made with high-quality ingredients. This is unlike many common American snacks, the unhealthy and processed ingredients in which have contributed to obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are among the leading causes of preventable death. The high-quality, richly-flavored ingredients make the treats you can find in a Bokksu box ranging from traditional Japanese desserts, known as wagashi, to modern confections.

When you open up a Bokksu box, you’ll find a variety of sweet and savory treats. These include mochi, edamame senbei, red bean doughnuts, matcha chocolate stick cakes, rice crackers, and so much more. If you find a snack that you can’t get enough of, you can shop a la carte items at the Bokksu Market so that you can stock up on your favorites.

You have a few different options when it comes to choosing a plan for your Bokksu Japanese snacks subscription box. You could do a monthly rate, a 3-month rate, a 6-month rate, or a yearly rate. Whichever you choose, you can rest assured that your financial information is secure. Although researchers believe that 4 billion records were exposed in data breaches in the first half of 2019 alone, Bokksu keeps your sensitive information safe in their secure e-commerce platform. Invest in local Japanese businesses while getting a taste of authentic cuisine by signing up for your first Bokksu Japanese snacks today.