A Healthy Nut-Free Snack [Review]

Healthy and filling snack foods always catch my eye. When I came across Tiger Nuts, I was curious what these "nuts" were all about. Nuts are a big part of my family's snacks because they are nutritious, healthy, and delicious! Tiger Nuts are actually tubers (a root or something that grounds underground). When they dry, they resemble chickpeas in size and look. Tiger Nuts are a low-calorie, healthy, nut-free snack food that can help with weight loss.

Tiger Nuts                  
Tiger Nuts Flour       

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Healthy snack food
Portable
High in fiber, keeps you full

Let's talk about what Tiger Nuts actually are. They are tubers, not nuts. If you are looking for a nut-free snack or a nut-free gluten-free flour, then this is the perfect product for you. Tiger Nuts are raw and dried. They are high in fiber, which keeps you feeling full longer and helps aid in moving food through the digestive tract. Tiger Nuts also act a prebiotic to stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

One ounce of tiger nuts (~50 pieces) contain 120 calories, 10g of fiber, and 7g of fat. Compared to other nuts, Tiger Nuts are a great low calorie, low fat, and high fiber snack.

I received a package of peeled Tiger Nuts and a package of Tiger Nuts gluten-free flour. Tiger Nuts are a great on-the-go snack and the package is portable. They are raw nuts (tubers) that have been dried and look like chickpeas. They are slightly chewy, in a satisfying kind of way. Tiger Nuts have a sweet and nutty flavor. My toddler and I have enjoyed snacking on these. The size is just right for him to be able to grab and chew on, though the package does caution not to give to young children. We eat a lot of nuts and I have really liked the change up.

Tiger Nuts Organic Gluten-Free flour was intriguing. We have done some gluten elimination diets and I have some gluten-sensitive friends, so I like to keep a variety of gluten-free flours on hand. Additionally, I like to cook and bake with gluten-free flours to change things up a bit.

Tiger Nuts flour was a new flour for me. The flour is made from ground up tiger nuts, so it has the same great nutritional benefits. The flour is milled finely. I read some reviews that mentioned the flour being gritty. I did not find this to be case when I baked Buckwheat Bites (recipe coming soon!) with tiger nut flour. I would not equate the tiger nut flour to a powdery flour like coconut flour or millet flour, but it is more fine that stone ground whole wheat flour. I really like the sweetness and heartiness that it added to my Buckwheat Bites.

If you are looking for a new nut-free snack or are diving into the gluten-free world, give Tiger Nuts a try. They are delicious and can be used in a variety of ways.

Disclosure: I received a sample of the product to facilitate this review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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BruJoy and Citrus Squeezer [Giveaway]

How about some kitchen gadgets to get you going in the kitchen? A lemon and lime squeezer is one of my most used kitchen accessories. Though I do not have a milk frother, I do love my latte breves, so I am sure I would make use of that kitchen accessory. Enter below for a chance to win both of these products!

Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews

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1 Lucky Winner will receive their own BruJoy Double Citrus Press and a BruJoy Milk Frother.

Open To US

9/04   TO  9/18

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Organic Vanilla Bean Powder for Alcohol-Free Gluten-Free Baking [Review]

Healthy baking is one of my passions in life. I love trying to new healthy recipes and I also love taking tried and true recipes and substituting healthy ingredients. Sometimes the recipes turn out well. Sometimes, I am the only one eating "healthy muffins." My new favorite ingredient is Organic Vanilla Bean Powder. Vanilla Bean Powder gives you the true, natural vanilla taste, without the carrier liquids such as alcohol or glycerin.

Sunny Day Organics Organic Vanilla Bean Powder      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% raw and organic	Price on the expensive side
Fair Trade
Packaged right after grinding
Package seals tight

Sunny Day Organics Organic Vanilla Bean Powder comes in a 4.23 oz bag. This size might seem small, but you only need a little bit of the vanilla powder, so a little goes a long way. I have been using about 1/2 - 1 tsp each time. The bag contains 30 teaspoons. For the price point, this is on the expensive side, so I would probably be conservative with when I use the vanilla powder and with what foods.

A vanilla bean is the dried seed pod of the vanilla plant. The sun-dried seed pod is ground to make vanilla bean powder, which is a beautiful dark brown color. The powder is a pretty fine consistency, but not super powdered like powder sugar. It mixed well with other items and is not distinguishable. When baking or cooking with it, the vanilla flavor comes through once the items is baked or cooked.

Usage: Vanilla bean powder can be used for just about any culinary use. Of course, you could also use it for body products, but at the current price point, I recommend using it for culinary uses so you can gain the benefits of the vitamins and minerals in this raw product. Vanilla bean powder can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract. Substitute ratio: 1:1.

My Usage: Sunny Day Organics recommends adding a teaspoon to ground coffee before brewing, but I added 1/4 teaspoon to my already brewed coffee cup. I whisked it in with a fork. The powder does not dissolve all the way, but I also did not notice it in the coffee. The vanilla bean powder gave the coffee a really rich and creamy taste, but not overpowering. I usually drink my coffee with 1/2 tsp of grass-fed butter whisked in. The vanilla bean powder on top of the butter was delicious! I have also used the vanilla bean powder in smoothies. For smoothies, I had to add more (1 tsp or more) because the flavor got lost in all of the other flavors.

My Thoughts: The vanilla powder straight out of the bag has a strong vanilla taste, creamy and rich. I tasted a little on my finger because I read some reviews that the raw vanilla powder does not have any taste. My batch had a prominent vanilla taste. In coffee, smoothies, and baked goods, it adds a delicious flavor. My favorite way to use the vanilla powder has been in coffee. I love that I can taste the vanilla flavor. Mostly likely, I will use the vanilla bean powder for small culinary uses like whisking into coffee, sprinkling on top of yogurt, or in simple flavored baking goods. I have yet to try this powder in baked good (have been on a baking hiatus lately).

Here are some of the ways I used the powder and the results:

1. Straight out of the bag on my finger - moderate vanilla taste after a few seconds
2. Whisked into coffee with a fork (1/4 tsp) - moderate vanilla flavor; can definitely tell it is in there (might be good to have a fat like dairy/butter for it to bind with); no gritty taste
3. Added to smoothie (1/2 tsp) - no vanilla flavor; got lost among the other strong flavors
4. Mixed into yogurt (1/4 tsp) - very faint flavor, could not really taste
5. Added to banana pancakes (1/2 tsp) - could not really taste

While in some uses, I could really taste the vanilla flavor, in other uses, the flavor was masked by the other ingredients and did not come through as expected. In those cases, I would probably add more of the powder.

Organic vanilla bean powder is a great substitute for traditional vanilla extract that is usually in alcohol or glycerin. If you are living a gluten-free life or you would like to avoid giving items with alcohol to your child, then Sunny Day Organics vanilla bean powder is perfect for you!

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Morning Pep Almond Flour [Review]

Every few months, I dabble with vegan, gluten-free baking. Since I have been doing several elimination diets with my son to understand why he has outdoor allergies and was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease (aka child asthma), almond flour has become my new best friend. No only is almond flour great for gluten-free baking, it can add softness and moisture to make baked goods taste even more delicious. Morning Pep Blanched Almond Flour is made from non-GMO pasteurized skinless almonds that have been ground to a fine powder.

Morning Pep Blanched Almond Flour     
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Made with non-GMO ingredients	Almonds are pasteurized
Plastic bag reseals well	Not Certified Organic
Finely ground

Morning Pep Almond Flour is a super fine grind, white flour made from pasteurized non-GMO skinless almonds. I like that the almonds are non-GMO, though I would prefer they were Certified Organic to ensure there are no pesticides or toxic chemicals sprayed on the plants. Since almonds grow in thick shells and the shells are removed during processing, any pesticides would be removed through during the processing.

I have been making almond flour myself by grinding dry roasted or raw almonds (skin on) in the food processor. I can usually get a pretty good almond meal, but it ends up being a coarse ground. For some baked goods, a fine almond flour is needed so that the texture does not change considerably. For baked items such as pastries, a blanched fine almond flour is required. For items like banana bread, a homemade almond meal can be used.

Usage: Almond Flour can be used in just about anything, from baked goods, to quick breads, to sauces and toppings for oatmeal and yogurt. I have primarily been using the Almond Flour to make healthy muffins and scones.

Results: For items that require a super fine texture, Morning Pep Almond Flour works very well. For items that have more of a coarse texture, like the scones I usually made, I prefer a homemade almond meal that is coarser in texture. Overall, I am very happy with the taste, the texture, and the resultant baked good.

Like mentioned above, I would love to see Morning Pep Almond Flour be made with Certified Organic almonds. In the mean time, I would purchase their product and would recommend it. I really like that it comes in a 2 lb (32 oz) bag and a big 5 lb (80 oz) bag. I did quite a bit of baking one weekend and almost went through the whole 5 lb bag.

Disclosure: I received some of the products to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Stainless Steel Lemon Squeezer [Review]

Kitchen accessories and tools can save so much time during food preparation and cooking. I look for kitchen accessories that are sturdy and made of heavy duty material that will last quite some time. Most plastic kitchen accessories and utensils usually break or rip, so I mostly look for stainless steel and wood materials. Kitchen Frontier premium stainless steel lemon squeezer is jumbo sized, heavy duty and will last indefinitely (with proper use and care).

Kitchen Frontier Lemon Squeezer     
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Made from 100% stainless steel	Doesn't extract all of the juice, some stays inside
Large size suitable for lemons and limes
Ergonomic handle

Kitchen Frontier Premium Lemon Squeezer is made from 100% stainless steel with a polished mirror finish. The size is jumbo, which means that it can be used for lemon and limes. The lime squeezer can also be used for mandarin and oranges, if you cut the orange into quarters. Stainless steel is one of the best materials for durability and longevity because it is easy to clean and will not rust or stain.

Usage: For lemon and limes, cut the citrus fruit in half along the widest part. Place one half in the lemon, cut side down, into the squeezer and press handles together. I usually use both hands to start the squeezer. The juice comes out of the bottom. The lemon and the seeds stay inside. Open the lemon squeezer and discard the citrus fruit (lemons and limes should not be composted).

For bigger citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruit, cut into four or more pieces. For orange, cutting into fourths works the best. Place each fourth into the lemon squeezer and squeeze.

Clean the lemon squeezer after use by rinsing with water and letting air dry. Every once in a while, I will use some soap on the lemon squeezer.

Results: I love the large size of the squeezer because that means I can use it for just about any citrus fruit. Over the past few weeks, I have been using it to squeeze orange juice for smoothies or to give my son freshly squeezed orange juice. The oranges were quick to squeeze and I was able to extract a lot of juice from them, though not all of the juice because some stays inside. The handles are ergonomic and were comfortable to use.

Lessons Learned: One thing to be aware of is that the juice sometimes squirts out of the side of the squeezer (between the top and bottom parts). Also, after squeezing, I like to tilt the lemon squeezer to pour any juice inside out of the side. I can usually get a good amount of juice to pour out of the side.

I really like the light weight of the lemon squeezer, yet the durability of the stainless steel design. The lemon squeezer is easy to use and easy to clean. I would purchase this lemon squeezer again and would recommend it. With proper care, this premium lemon squeezer will last a long time and will be used for many different uses.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Have You Heard of Yacon Syrup? [Review]

When I was pregnant and reading about pregnancy nutrition, I realized the harm that granulated sugar does to our body. I avoided sugar (granulated, cane, etc.) throughout my pregnancy, using more natural forms like honey. When my toddler started eating solid foods, I also limited the amount of sugar he eats. The only white sugar he consumes is organic cane sugar that I add to healthy muffins and cookies in a reduced amount. Otherwise, I use raw honey or organic maple syrup as a natural sweetener. Yacon Syrup is a great natural substitute for sugar or molasses and is full of prebiotics and fiber.

Organic Yacon Syrup     
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Pure and concentrated	USDA Certified Organic seal not present
Natural sugar alternative	Comes in a plastic bottle

What is Yacon Syrup? Yacon Syrup is a natural sweetener that is extracted from the yacon plant that grows in the Andes Mountains. This plant and its sweetener were originally used by the Incas. Today, people in Peru eat yacon for its nutritional properties: low calorie and low sugar contents. Yacon syrup is extracted from the roots of the yacon plant. The syrup contains 50% fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which do not increase blood glucose. The syrup is made with an evaporator, similar to how maple syrup is made. Yacon syrup is thick and dark in color, having a taste of molasses and caramelized sugar. The syrup does has a rich, sweet taste to it, so a little goes a long way.

Yacon Syrup is great for those who are eating a vegan diet and are avoiding honey and cane sugar (which might not necessarily be vegan if not grown in vegan soil). I recommend reaching out to Peak Fusion to ensure the yacon plant is grown in vegan soil.

The description states that the syrup is organic, though there is no USDA Certified Organic seal nor is there a certifying agent stated. I hope Peak Fusion gains this certification and adds it to the label.

Usage: Yacon Syrup can be substituted for most, if not all, sweeteners. Granulated sugar (whether white or brown sugar) has a specific role in some baked goods and recipes, so you might want to experiment with the substitution. Otherwise, I can see replacing granulated sugar, natural liquid sugars (like honey and maple syrup) with yacon syrup. Yacon syrup is pretty concentrated, so start out with a little bit and build up. For baked goods, it might take some experiments to determine the right substitution amount.

I have not yet tried yacon syrup in baking, but plan on using it as the molasses substitute (1 tbsp) in my healthy muffin recipe. Yacon syrup is about the consistency of molasses, especially out of the refrigerator. Yacon syrup is also sweeter than molasses, so I would start off with 1.5 tsp.

Results: I used yacon syrup to sweeten tea, yogurt and oatmeal. Just 1 teaspoon was enough sweetener for one medium cup of tea, 1 cup of yogurt, and 1 cup of cooked oatmeal. I try to limit how much sugar, even natural sugar, I consume, so 1 teaspoon was more than enough sweetness for me. The syrup melted well into the hot tea and hot oatmeal. It also mixed well into the yogurt, but I had to try to drizzle it so I avoided a big glob of syrup.

My Thoughts: Yacon Syrup is okay. The syrup is a good substitute for sugars and other sweeteners and I like that it does not cause a spike in glucose. The flavor is pretty strong when taking 1/2 tsp by itself (I did try that!). The flavor is not as prominent when mixed in with other items. In the end, it is a sweetener and made from 50% fructose, so consuming it in small moderation is best for health.

I received some recipes for the yacon syrup. The marinade recipe caught my eye, though once I read how much yacon syrup would be required (3/4 cup), I realized the marinade is a little expensive for my taste. The bottle comes in size 8 oz, which means I would use almost all of the bottle to make a marinade that would mostly not be consumed. I will probably stick to using this syrup in small amounts since an 8 oz bottle costs almost $20.

If you are comfortable with the cost, give the yacon syrup a try!

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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