I’ve been in food sales for about 10 years now, although at one point I took a 3 year break. I really enjoy being on the road and spending time in my car roaming around to existing customers and prospecting new customers as well.

Last month I started a new job and at the same time I made a resolution to try and bring snacks-from-home to nosh on during the day. I’m motivated to spend less $$ and to watch my waistline too.

So every morning before I head into my car (which is really my office) I slice up some veggies, grab some almonds, and a few rice crackers too and stick them into little containers.

However I always seem to grab a coffee somewhere during  the day and with that coffee I want/need a “treat’ but I want a wholesome treat!!  Therefore I’ve been gravitating towards these two products to go along with my coffee.

Good & Simple Bars which are available in three flavours: Cranberry Orange + Flax , Walnut + Grains
or Blueberry Oatmeal

I’m also a fan of the Good & Simple Muffins which are also available in three different flavours:  Fruit + Fibre (with Blueberries and Cranberries), Banana Bran or Chocolate Chip Oatmeal.

Good & Simple Muffins and Bars are delicious fresh-tasting baked goods that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.  For me, this means I’m enjoying them in my car!

Made with real ingredients such as blueberries, cranberries, bananas, walnuts, chocolate chips and flax seeds, each Good & Simple Muffin and Bar is made with whole grains and with no artificial flavours or colours. The combination of ingredients creates a wonderful texture and flavour experience which I’m really enjoying.

These wholesome snacks are individually wrapped making them perfect for on-the-go snacking. Once again, this is perfect for my situation as I’m on-the-go more than the average person.

You can find Available at the in-store bakery at Metro and Freshco grocery stores.

Now that my car is fully stocked with snacks, I’ve been less tempted to spend $$ and be more mindful of the snacks I’m selecting.  As for the job….it’s been a great month in that respect too! Promise to blog more about exactly what I’m selling in the near future. Promise.

For more information:

Facebook; www.facebook.com/GoodandSimpleCA/

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own

 

I like to snack.

Don’t we all?

How do I satisfy my cravings throughout the day? Well there’s a few snacks that certainly do help.
For example, Prana, is a Canadian food company that specializes in delicious 100% organic, gluten-free and gmo-free snacks.

Recently they have launched two new products that are helping me with those cravings! (yay)

ProactivChia is an exclusive blend of probiotics and organic chia seed, with each serving providing 4 billion live probiotics – the perfect 2-in-1 solution for busy people!

Nothing beats a quick chia pudding snack ,which I make by adding my favourite dairy-free beverage and some chia seeds. Bingo – I’m not hungry anymore.

Another new product is Prana’s coconut chips. These crunchy and tasty snacks are a great alternative to traditional potato chips! They can be enjoyed in: Charleston (BBQ flavour), Hula (Salt + Pepper), Jive (Spicy Chili) and Classic (Original).

I was so excited about this product, that I decided to incorporate it into a recipe which involved three steps.

1. I took some firm tofu and diced it up and then fried it till golden.

2. Then I basted it with some BBQ Sauce.

3. For the final step, I took some Prana BBQ Coconut Chips and sprinkled it over the tofu. It was so delicious that I ate the whole thing.

However, under normal circumstances I  would package it up into small containers and snack on it.

There’s also Machu Pichu  – Nut & Fruit Mix which contains almonds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, goji berries, white mulberries and goldenberries. Yum, Yum and more Yum.

FYI – this product is in my car as I seem do to do a lot of snacking in my car. Anyone else out there have this problem?

What’s even cooler? All Prana products are certified organic, vegan, kosher, preservative-free, sulfite-free and, above all, free of compromise.

For more information about Prana please click here.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own.

The school year is coming to an end and I swear I’ve finally perfected the “what’s-going-into-the-lunch-box” syndrome.

Here’s the options:

a) FRUIT: This is the easiest part, as there’s always fruit hanging around. (apple, orange, banana, strawberries, blueberries etc). On the occasion, I will mix it up and include a kiwi or starfruit or something exotic.

b) VEGETABLES: Again  – kind of easy as there’s always veggies hanging around in the fridge (cucumber, red pepper, baby carrots)

c) THE MAIN COURSE: Seeing as my kitchen is dairy. I can’t send meat sandwiches to school. So I send: veggie hot dogs wrapped in a  tortilla, tuna sandwiches, smoked salmon/cream cheese on whole wheat bread, pasta in a thermos, rice/veggies in a thermos. For special occasions, I will send party sandwiches (which are always a hit)

d) YOGURT: These drinkable yogurts are bought on a regular basis.

e) SNACKS: Lately I’ve been including Sabra Hummus in the lunchbox. This is a new addition to the lunch box and I’m all too happy to add it in there. No joke – my daughter can tell the difference between Sabra and other brands. Hands down, Sabra is her favourite brand. (specifically the hummus with roasted pine nuts)

True Story: I still remember that my mom put Frito’s in my lunch when I was a kid. I can’t remember what else was in my lunch bag but I remember those small bags of Frito’s.

For more information about Sabra and their wide range of products, , please click here.

Disclosure: I was provided with product, however all opinions are my own

Did you know that May is Celiac Awareness Month? It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to learn what gluten and gluten sensitivities really are, and how they impact many Canadians.

Let’s start by defining Celiac Disease:

Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten. This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health. (source: www.celiac.ca)

Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten. This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.

I once thought I was gluten sensitive but it turns out I was lactose intolerant instead. I’m not kidding, but I know MANY people who are one or the other!

As you know I’m a big fan of flavour and good quality products. Gluten avoidance should not mean compromising taste. Agreed?

A good example of a product that is Certified gluten-free by the Canadian Celiac Association is Crispy Minis Rice Chips. They are the perfect example of a gluten-free snack that comes in a variety of delicious flavours.

 

As a sales rep who is often in her car and looking for snacks during the day, Crispy Minis did the trick!

I would now like to share a brief interview with a long time childhood friend who suffers from Celiac Disease. Her name is Shirley Plant and she’s a nutritionist, speaker, writer, cookbook author, recipe creator and wellness activist.

1. When were you diagnosed with Celiac Disease? I was diagnosed when I was 42 with Celiac Disease. This what quite a shock as I had been told to avoid wheat years earlier as allergy testing showed that I had a wheat intolerance. I was eating barley, rye and spelt,( they all contain gluten) it made sense why I was still sick and struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome, tummy issues and anxiety.

2. How did it make you feel when you got the diagnosis? I was really glad to know because I had been struggling with chronic illnes, chronic fatigue, anxiety, tummy problems and adrenal issues for years and depsite changing my diet, eating healthier, I still didn’t feel very well. It was a puzzle for sure and that was when I started to study nutrition and be my own activist

3. Has it effected your lifestyle? It certainly affected my lifestyle as I already was dealing with some food allergies and sensitivities so what I ate was limited. At that time I was not able to eat eggs, dairy, wheat, corn, soy, peppers, pork, chicken and apples. Add gluten to the list and it gets a bit more tricky and limited. Now that I have changed my diet and eaten a more whole foods diet I have been able to add back in organic apples, organic pork, organic chicken and tomatoes.

4. Whats the biggest challenge for those who have Celiac Disease? Making sure they do not get exposed to or ingest gluten.  Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition that creates inflammation throughout the whole body so even ingesting a small amout of gluten can make someone with Celiac Disease very ill.

5. What advice would you give to someone who has been recently diagnosed with this disease? To know what they can and cannot eat. For me it’s about what I can eat. It’s important to know all the foods that may contain gluten like soy sauce, malt, hydrolyxed protein, modified starch.

Bonus Question: How will you be celebrating Celiac Month? By writing a blog post about how to avoid gluten and along with one of my yummy tasty gluten free recipes.
You can check out my blog about Celiac Awareness here https://www.deliciousalternatives.com/celiac-awareness-going-gluten-free-really-means/

For more information about Crispy Minis Rice Chips, please click here. You can also follow them on twitter: @CrispyMinis

For more information about Celiac Awareness Month, please click here.

Here’s to snacking without compromising taste of quality!!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own

 

There are some people who have 3 complete meals and never snack and there’s other people who have 3 meals and snack throughout the day.  I fit into the latter category.

So when I’m shopping at No Frills, I’m always on the hunt for ingredients for my meals AND my snacks. Not sure if you know this but PC Plus is now available at No Frills (hooray).

In the event you are wondering what’s PC Plus..…here’s your answer: It rewards customers with points toward dollars off your grocery bill. I don’t know about you…but I ALWAYS want to save money on my grocery bills. ALWAYS.

I now have the PC Plus app so it’s super easy for me to see weekly offers and to continue to save money. A Win Win if you ask me!

Here’s what I usually find myself snacking on: 

1. PC GREEK YOGOURT: I usually add some berries (raspberries, blueberries or blackberries) and before you know it …I’ve got myself a nice healthy snack that fills me up. Note: When those berries are out of season, I will use frozen berries.

2. SLICED TOMATOES:  One tomato goes along way. Sometimes I add some avocado on top and other times I add cheese. The end result is a healthy snack that looks oh-so-pretty! (don’t you think?)

3. SOUP: I know it seems weird but I adore soup and often find myself having a bowl in the middle of the day. It fills me up and it’s not expensive to make at all. Last week I noticed that canned tomatoes were on sale.  Naturally I ran home and made some soup: 1 tin of tomatoes, added 1/2 a boiled potato, a bit of fried onion and whizzed it up in my beloved Blendtec with some water. I had 4 cups of soup for less than $1.50 TOTAL.

4. Popcorn: To be perfectly honest…I want to snack on chips but it’s really not healthy for you. ARGHH. However popcorn isn’t a bad option. Therefore popcorn (air popped) has become a great alternative that in my opinion is “cheap and cheerful”.

None of the above snacks hurt my bank account and are pretty healthy…wouldn’t you agree?

I really wish I was one of those people that didn’t snack as much but I do. I try to be mindful to make sure that I’m not snacking cause I’m bored but that’s a whole separate blog post!!

The good news: No Frills and PC Plus…. helps me find the right snacks at the right prices! YAY PC Plus points…I love collecting them and love redeeming them too!

Hope you get a chance to sign up for PC plus soon. It’s easy and rewarding…what more could you ask for?

For more information:

Website: www.pcplus.ca

Twitter; #PCPlus

Disclosure: I am a blogger who is participating in a PC Plus No Frills program and have received compensation for my participation. However all opinions are my own.

 

On a recent day trip to Niagara On the Lake, I decided to quickly to jump over to Buffalo seeing I was SO close. When the border guy asked me “what’s the purpose of the trip”. The answer is always the same…”to go grocery shopping and to go to Target”.

Here’s what I bought at Tops (ps Im now a proud card member of Tops AND Wegmans). I must admit Tops has an advantage as it’s right next to Target on Niagara Falls Blvd.

1. Jell-O Party  Molds. It was free when you buy 6 small packets of Jell-O. How could I resist?

2. Jell-O so I could make the Cocktail Bites and use the mold. #staytuned. Can’t wait to serve these and find out which flavour is the best.

3. Heinz Ketchup with Balsamic. I’m all about flavour and curious to see how this tastes.

4. Snacks….can’t find these flavours here (I think. LOL). Actually I’m pretty sure I can’t find these here!

At Target I bought this flight of beer ($3 for the board, $1 for each glass). I’m going to sample 4 different bottles of Innis & Gunn STAT using this new server. I’ve been a long time fan of Innis & Gunn not to mention I love ordering flights of beer in restaurants. Now I can sample different beers in the comfort of  my own apartment.  #score.

 Fall shoes had also arrived at Target and I scooped up two pairs (of course). But will save that for another blog post about Fall Fashion!!

By the way, getting home was not pretty at each bridge. Oh well…it was still worth it.

Happy Shopping.

I made kale chips a few times last year but seeing as I’m on this no carb diet..I’ve kicked it up a notch and have been making Kale Chips on a regular basis. I will be honest with you…I MISS real potato chips and I miss my relationship with popcorn. However I know that eating Kale Chips is a much healthier option for me and my body is saying thank you in a different way!!

First step: Please go to a Farmers’ Market and buy your kale. Any Farmers’ Market will do. The stuff at the grocery store is OK but not nearly as beautiful as the kale you will see at a Farmers’ Market.

2. Step Two: Wash the Kale and dry it really really well. Seriously..this is important. PS I’m not good at this step and rushing thru it but I really shouldn’t it.

3. Step Three: Take scissors and clip the leaves from the stem. This was a brilliant tip I picked up somewhere and makes your life A LOT easier when making Kale Chips

4. Step Three: Lay the kale on a baking pan. Sprinkle with salt  and drizzle with olive oil. Someone on twitter (oops I forgot who this was) suggested I try sesame oil and tamari sauce. I did and I liked it but I think I prefer just the salt and the olive oil recipe

5. Step Four: Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 8 minutes. Open the door and move the leaves around with a spatula. Close the door and continue to bake for another 3-5 minutes.

6. FINAL PRODUCT:

I’m already to watch the last few days of the Olympics..I’ve got my snacks and my low carb beer. What more could I ask for? LOL

 

What do you crave…sweet or savoury snacks?

I think about this question a lot. I also think about these questions:

• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like chocolate?
• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like potato chips?
• have you ever met someone who doesn’t like ice cream?
• have you ever met a child who doesnt like pizza?

I absolutely know that I crave more savoury foods than sweet foods.

My top savoury foods:

• potato chips (jalapeno, black pepper….)
• popcorn with parmesan cheese
• nachos with fresh salsa (not the jarred stuff))

My top sweet foods:

• butter tarts
• rum ball (strange, I know but I love this treat)
• Greg’s roasted marshmallow ice cream with hot fudge sauce

But if you ask me “When was the last time I had a butter tart, or a rum ball or Gregs Roasted Marshmallow ice cream…the answer would be MONTHS AGO.

See what I mean? I really do prefer savoury snacks. It’s even better when there is a combination of both. For example, take Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Granola Bars.

That type of item is perfect for me!! Perfect. Congratulations to General Mills for understanding my needs!!

What do you prefer to snack on? Sweet or Savoury? Tell me.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

 

How many cereals are in your pantry? Take a peek…Let me know. I am facinated by this question (and the answers). I am convinced that most households have over 3 different varieties. Am I right?

My household consists of two adults, 1 teenager, 1 tween. The adults enjoy certain cereals (think; ahem – FIBRE), while the teenagers and the tween have requests too.

We enjoy cereal for breakfast, for after school snack, and for late nite snack too. It’s such a versatile food. One has to like it.

A few years ago, I went to a cuzins house and saw this brilliant cereal dispenser that they bought at the dollar store. They knew I loved it so I received a few as a dinner gift one year and we love it. It dispenses ONE cup of cereal. (which is always smaller than I anticipate)

I’m not kidding…I will even go to the States and bring back cereal that you cant find here like this gluten free chocolate chex.

So bring it on..how many cereals do you have in your pantry. I seriously am interested to know.

Disclosure: I am part of the LMD Connector Program and I receive special perks as part of the affiliation with this group. The opinion on this blog our my own.