PureFit

This past week, I tried PureFit bars, the all-natural, gluten-free and wheat-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, high in protein, diabetic-friendly bars. I had one for lunch every day and found these bars to be delicious and filling without feeling very heavy. My favorite is Granola Crunch, it smells like a cupcake or pastry straight out of the bakery and the taste is to match. My second favorite is chocolate brownie, a very good bar to have if you are craving sweets or chocolate!! Both were delicious, filling and went very well with my coffee and skinny water! I highly recommend them! A great supplement for lunch or snack before a run!

100% All-Natural Ingredients, 18 Grams of Soy Protein, Non-GMO Soy, Unprecedented Great Taste. This low glycemic, nondairy bar is based on over 20 years of research and was not practical to manufacture until now. It offers:

• NO Hydrogenated Oils
• NO Animal Products - Vegan
• NO Cholesterol or Trans Fatty Acids
• NO Wheat or Gluten
• NO Artificial Sweeteners
• NO Hidden Carbohydrates
• NO Sugar Alcohol

Best of all, these bars are delicious, filling and healthy!

Skinny Water

So I tried Skinny water this past week and I love it! It is one of my favorite beverages now. Skinny Water comes in a variety of flavors with a different “purpose” ranging from energy to detoxification, power, fit and shape. Each Skinny Water uses slightly different ingredients to promote different benefits according to what you are looking for. Some focus on vitamins and electrolytes. But the ones that are supposed to promote weight loss add in ingredients like guarana, ginseng, l-leucine, l-valine, and a number of others like it.

My favorite flavor is Crave Control-Raspberry Pomegranate which is used to help control cravings, aids in weight loss, and includes polyphenol-rich pomegranates, one of the most powerful antioxidants.  Skinny water contains no sugar and no calories which is awesome.

Flavors: Crave Control, Shape, Wake-Up, XXX Detox, Hi-Energy, and Total-V 

Every drink contains: EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), Calcium, and Potassium.

Additionally, each one of these drinks contains other ingredients: Crave Control (SuperCitriMax)

Skinny Water is scientifically proven to help burn fat naturally, block carbohydrates from converting into fat, reduce sugar cravings and boost immunity – all with less than 10 calories packed into each 500ml bottle. The active ingredients in Skinny Water are Super CitriMax and ChromeMate, natural substances which have been clinically proven to play a powerful role in curbing hunger, keeping blood sugar at healthy levels, and maintaining a normal metabolism. I noticed that these beverages did seem to reduce my appetite. I am a fan of skinny water. It's a great product that helps you eat less, burn more calories, and keeps  blood sugar levels where they are suppose to be.

 Rating: ★★★★★

I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Honey + Chocolate + Peanut Butter Substitute

This is a great peanut butter substitute for those who are allergic and cannot enjoy anything made with peanuts! Soybeans are not actually “nuts,” however the term “soynut” has been coined to describe roasted soybeans.  Soy butter is a amazing alternative to peanut butter - both for those who can't eat peanuts, and for those who are looking for a way to add soy to their diet. I tried two flavors-chocolate and honey. This is just as good as peanut butter. You can use it on crackers or celery and it makes a great lunch or snack. SoyNut Butter is available in creamy, chunky, honey, unsweetened, and chocolate. Soy Nut also has 30% less fat than peanut butter.

Honey Creamy- Great taste packed with flavor. This was absolutely delicious. Super creamy, and without an overpowering soynut taste. Perfect balance of sweet with a hint of honey. The texture was excellent. This is a good spread for rice cakes, crackers or toast.

Chocolate-  Yummy blend of chocolate and soy nut flavors. You can taste the soynut but again it was the perfect balance with the chocolate flavor.  A good chocolate spread, works well with fruit: strawberries, crackers, toast and even celery!

Peanut Butter Substitute: Fantastic! Taste just like the real thing! Great taste and texture.

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 Rating: ★★★★★

Better N Peanut Butter!!!

Better N Peanut Butter is a really yummy, all natural peanut butter spread. Not only does it taste great but as a added bonus it is only HALF the calories and has 85% less fat- peanut butter on a diet! Needless to say this is impressive. Better N Peanut butter has two versions-one contains less sodium than the other. The low sodium version is my personal favorite. This is such an amazing treasure. It is made primarily of peanuts (as de-fatted peanut flour and natural peanut butter), tapioca syrup, water, dehydrated cane juice, rice syrup and various thickeners and flavorings.

I love peanut butter and because of the high calories, I never get to enjoy it as much as I would like to and this actually allows me to enjoy it more often. I can have my favorite treat more often now without guilt. I can use this as spread on my Kavli crackers (35 calories) and this makes the perfect coffee snack. It's easy to assume because a product has fewer calories it can't match the real thing however this is not the case at all with Better n Peanut Butter. Most popular "real" brands of peanut butter contains peanuts, sugar, molasses, salt and FULLY HYDROGENATED oils. These solid oils are harder for the body to get rid of and will raise bad cholesterol. Better n Peanut butter is not only good for you but delicious as well! So if you want to have some peanut butter without the guilt and still enjoy the great taste we have all come to love, I say try Better n Peanut Butter because it's peanut butter but better!

THE FACTS:

85% Less Fat 40% Less Calories No Cholesterol No Preservatives

No Refined Sugars Natural Soy Lecithin Non GMO Peanuts

Regular Creamy Nutrition Facts Serving Size 2 tbsp (32.0 g) Amount Per Serving Calories 100 Calories from fat 18 % Daily Value* Total Fat 2.0g 3% Sodium 190mg 8% Total Carbohydrates 13.0g 4% Sugars 2.0g Protein 4.0g Fiber 2.0g Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 8% Calcium 4%-Iron 2% •                        * Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Low Sodium Nutrition Facts Serving Size 2 tbsp (32.0 g) Amount Per Serving Calories 100 Calories from fat 22  % Daily Value* Total Fat 2g 4% Sodium 95mg 4% Total Carbohydrates 13.0g 4% Sugars 2.0g Protein 4.0g Fiber 2.0g Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 8% Calcium 4% /Irons 2%  •

Ingredients: PEANUTS (AS DEFATTED PEANUT FLOUR AND NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER), TAPIOCA SYRUP, PURE WATER, DEHYDRATED CANE JUICE, RICE SYRUP, VEGETABLE GLYCERIN, SOY FLOUR, SALT, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATURAL FOOD FLAVORS, PAPRIKA & ANNATO, CALCIUM CARBONATE, LECITHIN, VITAMINS E & C (ANTIOXIDANTS).

Rating ★★★★★

Pro Crunch Lite Peanut Butter Goodness.

I'm new to blogging and just trying to get my head around it and after some careful consideration,  I've decided that this blog from now on will be focused towards something I am obsessed with... food! Specifically, low calorie snacks, treats and beverages as well as other colorful culinary delights. I still want to have a venting location for my personal life so I will be creating a secondary blog for issues surrounding that. Having two separate blogs geared and focused towards two very different purposes will help me maintain some structure. I’m not as efficient and productive as I would like to be as a blogger so my hope is that this blog enables me to achieve that goal.  Having two blogs also gives me a chance to write everyday and practice writing. I read the key to consistent, efficient, productive blogging is very similar to getting into the habit of exercising so since I am a creature of habit and I thrive on keeping a routine, my expectations are hopeful.

First a little background on me, when it comes to food, I am as calorie conscious as you can get. There are certain foods that I have listed as off limits which I will never consume and there are some that I consider "safe" which I swear by. I'm the type of person that always notices the calorie counts posted in New York City fast-food restaurants.  I probably know the calories in any random food off the top of my head and I work out almost everyday.  I am clearly bent toward perfectionism. I try to keep what is inside my body pure and clean.

I have been fixated on protein bars lately. Generally, I look for at least 10 to 15 grams of protein or more, and maybe no more than 20-30 grams of total carbs and I try to make sure it's not packed with sugar.

There is nothing worse than buying a protein bar that is no different than your average candy bar and to that I say thanks but no, thanks! There's different types of bars all contain varying levels of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar, depending on their intended goal.Yesterday, I tried GNC's Pro Crunch LITE in peanut butter. My ultimate favorite flavor in protein bars.  These are good tasting bars for a great price that aren't very chalky but are light yet deliciously filling and flavorful without being heavy.They are perfect for quick energy before a workout.

Rating ★★★