Specialty Foods Sunday # 3

Today I am highlighting these:

Made by the "Almond People", they are a crunchy, gluten-free, low-calorie alternative to chips or other crackers.

Other benefits:

• Gluten-free & wheat-free (for those with an allergy to wheat)
• 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, & 1 gram of fiber for 17 crackers!
• 0 mg cholesterol, and low sodium! 

Allergen Warning (Contains):

• Tree Nuts (almonds)
• Milk
• Processed in facility that manufactures Soy, other Treenuts (pecans, hazelnuts), & also Wheat (however tested safe for acceptable gluten-free)

Here is an up-close picture:

They do look a little like tortilla chips, but a little thicker.

Now how do they taste?  They are great if you are craving a crunchy snack, but a little cardboard-y if you eat them plain.  I got them to eat with a spinach-artichoke dip, which made them perfect.  They also come in other flavors like cheddar cheese, country ranch, and smokehouse almond, which I haven't tried yet.

Overall, I think definitely a good snack if you are looking for something low-calorie & gluten-free, or just something crunchy, but I do recommend having something to go with them!

*This is strictly my opinion only as a consumer.  

Specialty Foods Sunday # 2

I know I had planned on every Sunday posting about a "specialty food", but so far, we are at #2.  I guess the holiday season can get in the way of plans!  Anyway, today the "specialty food" I am highlighting is this:

The variety I have is the Cage-Free brown, because that is what my store carries (they also have Organic).  Here is what they look like cooked:

See, looks like regular eggs!  Those were for my daughter, because she LOVES "eggies" as she says.  And with these, I don't feel guilty giving her more than the recommended "3 yolks per week".


The "hens" are fed a diet of "healthy" grains, canola oil, and supplemented with rice bran, alfalfa, sea kelp, and Vitamin E ("all-natural and all-vegetarian") without animal products, recycled, or processed food, & certified by the AVA (American Vegetarian Association). Their food is also free of hormones, antibiotics, & steroids.  To be "cage-free", the hens are free to roam (pretty self-explainatory, huh?)

What Makes Their Eggs Healthy? 
Because of the "special diet" the hens are fed, the nutritional quality of the eggs can be manipulated.  Here is what they boast (as compared to regular eggs):

• 10x more Vitamin E
• 115 mg Omega 3 fatty acids (from canola oil and flax seed in feed) 
• 25% less saturated fat
• 200 mcg Lutein (helps with eye health)
• 175 mg cholesterol per egg vs. 215 mg in the standard egg (American Heart Association or AHA recommends less than 300mg per day of cholesterol- more info here)      
•  4x more Vitamin D (20% DRI for Vit D)
• 75% more Vitamin B12
• 50% more Vitamin A 
• 15% more Riboflavin 
• 10% DRI of folic acid  
• Gluten-Free

* Yearly testing confirms consistency

Potential Allergen Alert

• Egg (duh!)
• Soy (hens are fed soybean meal)
• Rice (rice bran is component of feed)

Going Green?

• The plastic egg carton is 100% recyclable & made entirely from 100% recycled materials (recycled soda bottles).
• The manufacturer grinds its plastic waste in its own plant and sells it back to the plastic supplier, so that it can be re-melted into sheets of PET plastic.  PET can be re-manufactured to produce polyester fiber which is used in carpets, insulating fleece for clothing and containers. 
• All egg case shipping cartons  are Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified.  For more information on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program click here.

Still Not Convinced to Buy Them?

• Egg-Land's Best is "Pink" (Read the press release here about their partnership with Susan G. Komen)

You can visit their website here: Egg-Land's Best.  It has lots of nutritional info about their products, and even recipes.  


*Note: I have not received any compensation for endorsing these products, I just want to help those following special diets become aware of and make informed decisions for the many specialty & functional foods on the market today.

Specialty Foods Sunday # 1

I thought I would try something new, & dub Sundays "Specialty Foods Sunday".  I will review a "specialty food", and provide feedback. "Specialty Foods" can include any type of food or beverage that has been developed & marketed for a specific population or for a specific dietary need. There are many people now that have food allergies (both children and adults), and celiac disease is on the rise.  Not only is following a gluten-free diet/lifestyle a necessity for those with celiac disease, it has also increase popularity as a "fad diet".  Therefore, the available GF food products have skyrocketed.
*Note: I have not received any compensation for endorsing these products, I just want to help those following special diets become aware of and make informed decisions for the many specialty & functional foods on the market today.

The first product I have chosen to review is relatively new from Silk, a company known for their soy milk.  But no, there is no soy to be found in this product, so those who cannot tolerate soy protein, rejoice!  Silk Pure Almond comes in unsweetened (35 calories per 8 ounce glass), vanilla (90 calories), dark chocolate (120 calories), and original (60 calories) varieties.  Visit www.silkpurealmond.com for more info, recipe ideas, product locator, & to print a coupon.

I have tried both the vanilla (excellent on cereal!) & dark chocolate varieties as you can see.  They are available in the grocer's refrigerated section near the other non-dairy milks.  The flavors available depend on the store.  Personally, I prefer this brand over the other brand of almond milk I've tried (ah-hem, Almond Breeze), but, in a pinch, that one is acceptable also.

Why almond milk? 
If you have an allergy to milk protein or soy protein, this is an appropriate substitute for drinking, in cereal, and for cooking/baking (make sure to use the original or unsweetened for this purpose).  It also is great in coffee or tea.  Hello vanilla chai latte!  Almond milk is also beneficial for those with lactose intolerance, & is vegetarian/vegan-friendly. If you don't have a medical or personal reason to try almond milk, try it for the taste!  Yummy!

The Health Benefits of Almond Milk: 

• Provides a source of antioxidants (vitamin E)
• Calcium & vitamin D-fortified (providing more or equal to cow's milk)
• Cholesterol and saturated fat-free (great for those following a Heart-Healthy Diet!)
• Made from non-GMO almonds, and other "natural" ingredients such as evaporated cane juice

Potential Allergen Alert!  

May contain coconut, and does contain tree nuts

If you prefer a more natural or homemade version of almond milk, or just prefer to be in the kitchen, you can make your own.  It also is more economical & green.  

Here is an easy recipe:

1) Soak 1 cup of blanched almonds in a bowl of water overnight (make sure almonds are completely covered with water, & don't soak for more than 12 hours).

2) Place soaked almonds + 3 cups water into a blender or food processor.

3) Blend on high until smooth.  

4) Flavor as desired- some ideas that are milk & soy-free: Dutch-process cocoa powder, carob powder, real vanilla (such as Mexican vanilla, beware most extracts contain alcohol), or sugar.  Pureed fruit or fruit juice can also be used to flavor, as can cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or other spices.  If you prefer a sugar-free version, it can be flavored with Splenda or Stevia.  Also consider sugar-free flavored coffee syrups. 

5) Strain through sieve or cheesecloth into another container, squeezing as much "milk" as you can from the pulp. Pulp can be reserved to use in cooking or baking for flavoring & to increase fiber content.

6) Refrigerate in closed container for up to 5 days. 

For those that have a food allergy, almond milk may be a necessity.  For me, I am not a big fan of cow's milk, both for health reasons and because I just don't like the taste.  For everyone else, don't be afraid to try something new, you may be surprised!  Enjoy!