Tasting Thursday (coconut chips)

Back with another tasting today.  My daughter has grown to like this activity.  She asks what the treat is for the week and reminds me when Thursday is coming up.

I picked up another treat from Dollar Tree.  It's not that I frequent the store that often; it's just luck of the draw when I remember to grab something.

I brought up the idea of sampling all the food in the produce section but, she didn't like that idea.

Today we sampled Coconut!  I have used coconut in baking so it's a taste the kids have had.  It's hit or miss depending on how it's used.

These coconut chips were purchased for $1.00.  These coconut chips are by the brand Real Coco.  I bought the original flavor but am interested in what else is available. The bag was 1.43 oz and it was filled!  Might I add it was filled with a lot of air so definitely packed for safety. Plus if you like coconut the smell is amazing.

These little chips are crunchy to be expected but, the flavor is 100% coconut.  The chips sizes vary.  These are not the same size as a potato chips. They are more like shavings but each piece is delicious.

Check out the stats!

Did you know coconut is a good source of fiber?

My kids actually liked this snack. YEAH for their approval! They ate this straight from the bag but, think of the endless possibilities of snacking.  You could sprinkle these on anything or blend them into things. This is  definitely something we will buy again!

What have you snacked on this week? Have you tried anything new?

St. Patricks Day Treat (Chocolate Bark part 2)

  T- minus 8 days till St. Patrick's Day.  Whether your Irish or not its a holiday to have fun with.  Wearing green more then usual or if for the first time this year, a special dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage or looking for the pot of gold or a leprechaun!  I try to have a little extra special fun with the kids!

  Today we started out with bark.  Last year I bought gold sprinkles and spray and  made bark. See last years bark here. 

The ingredients are simple!

White melting chocolate
Green melting chocolate
Sprinkles
Chocolate pieces

  Lucky, for me I had quality control next to me in order to ensure everything was done correctly.

 
  With any bark it's the same steps.  Melt the chocolate first. For this process I use the double boiler method. Water boiling on the bottom, chocolate melting in a bowl on top.

I melted the white first and then the green.

Swirled the two colors together.

Next it was all about the sprinkles.

Green!

Gold!

Chocolate pieces!

After the sprinkles are all added to the bark it goes in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set.

So let the green fun begin.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Do you enjoy the Irish festivities?

Motivation Monday

  We all need a little motivation on Monday!  Regardless of that cup of coffee.

That long weekend!

Or if the kids actually slept in!

Take some time for you! 

Workout!

Paint your nails!

Grab a treat!

Catch a movie!

Or just take a walk!

Just do something for yourself.  It doesn't have to cost money it just needs to give you a break to unwind.  No thinking necessary.  You have 6 more days to do something.  Make it happen and then sit back and appreciate.

Arctic Frozen Desserts Review Part 2

  Yes, there is a part two because I didn't try all the frozen treats at one time.  I had to savor it and spread it out.  So over the weekend we cracked open the other package!

  The other package of cold healthy goodness.  Cake batter flavor dipped in red velvet.  I'm going to give you a minute to think about that!  Ok yep it's as good as it sounds!  Regardless of how many calories it's missing!  The label states the facts and I'm stating a fact. This was delicious. Speaking from a sugar lover.  I don't know what happened or how but, this was good. Lactose, GMO and gluten free! 80 calories leaves you room to sneak something else!

You know you might not even take my word for it so here's  my proof!

Convinced yet?  I didn't have to bribe them to take bites.  I just had to take quick pictures before it was devoured. It's a shame you can't taste mine.

  I was provided this product along with the tubs complimentary and for tasting and review purposes and all opinions shared here were my own.  You can pick up a variety of flavors at a grocery store near you. Catch the sale and pick up more then one flavor!  

Check out their site here for more options!

Arctic Frozen Dessert Review Part 1

   I received a box of frozen goodness outside my door.  I must admit the first delivery was not successful but then I received a replacement box! This frozen dessert was a nice sight in a week of temperatures in the high 90's.

  I the packaging was very sweet to include a handwritten note! A catalog of other flavors and the bow was a nice touch over the cooler.

  In the box were 3 pints of various frozen desserts, a cute heart shaped bowl and a box of cake batter pops!

Let's talk about the flavors!

  Rocky Road Trip first off was this gorgeous chocolate flavor with chunks of almonds and marshmallows.  Sadly this one was not my favorite.  I dug into it first anticipating chocolate and didn't taste it as much as I wanted.  Aside from that it was hearty and full of chunks. There were bits in every spoonful.

  Peanut Butter swirl was a combination of peanut butter and white chips swirled in vanilla.  I enjoyed this one and although I would have liked more swirl; the flavor was there.  You could  visible see tell peanut butter and chips so again you were getting spoonfuls but this one was more appetizing to me.

  I finish with Cherry Chocolate Chunk. Another chunk dessert.  Similar to the first flavor with big pieces mixed in.  I liked this flavor the best.  The cherry flavor combined with burst of chocolate was delicious.  Even if you managed to get a scoop without the chocolate it was still good.

  What I love about Arctic Zero frozen desserts is there is a whole variety of flavors as well as the healthier choice aspect.  These desserts are not only gmo free, gluten free, lactose free and but have between 75-80 calories.  So after a hard work out or a week of eating right this makes the best treat!

Part 2 my review of the Cake Batter pops to follow shortly.  

  I received this awesome box complimentary for my tasting and review pleasure.  All opinions are my own.

Chocolate and Strawberries in a Muffin

  It is with great pleasure that I can introduce to you recipe number 13! Chocolate covered strawberries in muffin form.

  Of course I am focusing on the red berry part of the deal but chocolate is a nice compliment to the berry so why not make a recipe with both of them.

  I had made a few things from Sallys Baking Addiction so she's got my seal of approval to try another recipe!

  Tonight with the help of the teen is Chocolate Covered Strawberry Muffins.  I followed the recipe except exchanged the sour cream for two flavors of yogurt. I wasn't instructed to flour the strawberries for the muffins either, yeah!  One less step in the way of snacking.

All ingredients are mixed together in one bowl for the most part.  All ingredients are items you should already have on hand anyways (except I didn't have sour cream because we have been eating a lot of Mexican theme food this week and it seems to make a great condiment for these dishes).

  These muffins were delicious.  The chocolate chips and strawberries are visible and in every bite.  They were moist and it was fun to drizzle the chocolate on top.  The teen was very amused at her muffins tonight!

Here's to my 13th strawberry item on my strawberry monthly challenge!

Check out the recipe here: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/07/29/chocolate-covered-strawberry-muffins/

A Granola Bar with Strawberries

  First time recipe today.  (A lot of my recipes are but sometimes I am a little more concerned with some then others).  A strawberry banana granola bar! Yes a homemade granola bar with fruit in it.  I will let you know that these little healthy bars are super easy to make and they taste good to.

  This recipe takes minimal ingredients and I think the cook time is longer then the prep time.  So if you need a snack for your child's lunch in a hurry this would absolutely work.

  Grab those strawberries because all the recipes I'm sharing this month involve those!

  Honey, coconut oil and a banana.

  Oatmeal.

  Blend all your items together with some milk (which you can easily substitute for a nondairy)

  Then add the beautiful berries!

  I cooked the granola for the minimum  time of 15 minutes and was easily able to cut them in squares.  This recipe produced a soft chewy granola bar.  You do taste the sweet, juicy bits of strawberries but cannot taste the coconut and I didn't taste the banana either.

Overall delicious granola bar with fruit in it.  Dare I try to get crazy and change the fruit to ahh peaches?  I make a few different granola bars and this will be added to those options.

Check out the recipe here:http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/01/20/strawberry-banana-granola-bars/

Strawberry Treat

  Here we go with another healthy, quick, strawberry recipe!  Yogurt is what the recipe I used is calling it.  I guess it could be that based on the smooth creamy texture.  However maybe even sorbet would fit the description.

  This recipe only calls for 2 ingredients.  Strawberries and honey.  Blending strawberries gives you a spoonable treat just like bananas.  Adding the honey to the blended strawberries cuts the sweetness a bit.  Lol, I did try it without the honey and preferred it with the honey!

  I made a smaller portion because I was only making it for myself but I still got the concept of the recipe and like the taste very much so that I could see making this again.

Strawberries.

Blend.

After you have blended for a bit the results are delicious looking.

A bowl of simple strawberries.  That's all this basically is.  Add your own sugar substitute and make it healthier for you!

Check out the recipe here: http://www.thegarlicdiaries.com/2-ingredient-5-minute-strawberry-frozen-yogurt/