If you don’t live by a Trader Joe’s, I am so sorry! I also hope you are campaigning to get one! It really is life changing.
Vegan Product List
http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/Vegan.pdf
Gluten Free Product List
http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/NoGluten.pdf
Vegetarian Product List
http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/Vegetarian.pdf
Kosher Product List
http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/Kosher.pdf
Fat Free Product List
Hands down the best snack there is. As Dr. Oz says, they are the perfect snack because ”nuts are high in fiber and protein, they’ll satiate you so you’ll never be hungry.”
I keep a bag in my car and it keeps me from doing something “more damaging” when I am running late and starving! A handful of almonds will get you through! My kids love them to!
I like them as is, but you can toast them, add spices, or even soak them in water for a few hours (to bring out a sweeter flavor, or add them to shakes).
A handful is about 1 ounce. If you don’t trust yourself to eat only about 1 oz at a time try the ones Trader Joe’s sells pre-packaged in handy little 1 ounce snack bags. Genius!
Sometimes the best things are so simple we tend to forget about them. A few weeks ago we were graciously invited to a Halloween party! Michael had been gone all week on the East Coast and come Halloween day I was BEAT STREET! All done. Now normally, (especially given my incestuous love for this Haunted Holiday) I would have come up with a fabulous, Halloween-oriented appetizer…but again, I was tired and over it! (God Bless you single Moms! Really.)As I sat pondering what I could throw together easily I came up with two great app’s that are slam-dunks every time, and honestly I think because they are so darn easy I just forget how good they are. Nothing inventive here people, but wow…easy, somewhat healthy (for a party app) and always gobbled up! A trip to the store and about 20 minutes to put together. DONE. (I would also like to add both the shrimp and the meatballs were gone within about 15 minutes of our arrival).
Now remember you are looking for frozen, cooked with the tail ON that have been farmed in the U.S.A (see All the Fish are Swimming post for guidelines)
Take a large round serving dish, fill with ice, place dipping bowl of Cocktail Sauce in the center, then place prawns and slices of lemon in whatever presentation makes you the happiest
Assemble when you arrive. Bring ice in a ziplock. Shrimp in a ziplock. Lemon slices. Cocktail sauce. Your serving bowl. Cocktail Sauce bowl.
Obviously you can use any kind of meatball you wish! Beef/pork and/or turkey will work too. But if you are eating leaner, healthier…why not contribute this way of life to the event you are attending? The Chicken Meatball’s I love are from Costco (Aidells Meatballs), and even with nothing on them they are a home run. My friend Kelley just heats them and sets out some toothpicks. (BTW this is how my kids get them and they INHALE them).
For a party I prefer to take it just one easy step further and add the Sweet ’n Sour Sauce, and pineapple chunks.
Now the meatballs have been cooked, but to heat they need about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. I like to arrive at parties and be able to simply put the dish out (not bothering the hostess with needing things…especially his/her oven) so I put these in the oven about 30 minutes before we will be leaving. Right before we go I dump them into a stove-top pan and place the lid on. This makes them easy for transport and keeps them warm.
Upon arriving I place them into the serving dish and place some toothpicks next to it!
The Sauce: Prior to eating a cleaner, healthier way of life I SWORE by World Harbors Maui Mountain Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce. It really is wonderful! But this time when I went to Safeway I decided to check the organic section for options and I found Acadia,Roasted Red Pepper Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce & Marinade. I was intrigued because the bottle was the exact same shape and size as the Maui Mountain/World Harbors brand. When I compared the two I couldn’t help but smile because sure enough they were/are the same parent company. The price was pretty close to the same too. The main difference is the Acadia brand has no High Fructose Corn Syrup, and no Preservatives. So this is my new Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce of choice! But, like the meatballs, I would venture any Sweet & Sour will be a sure-fire hit.
My friend Stacie has never been a big meat-eater, but she loves her dairy. In trying to come up with some snacks that are not dairy, but had some protein, Stacie asked me what I snack on during the day.
I totally get what she is struggling with. You can’t run all day on cucumbers and carrot sticks, you need something with some protein to fill you up and keep you from thinking about food! I think most of us can agree we tend to screw-up our eating when we are not prepared, and find ourselves STARVING! So I love Stacie’s question and today is her Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACIE) and in honor of that I am going to throw out some easy, on-the-go protein options!
OK, I have TWO “go-to” protein snacks, I love;
1) Grande Soy Latte is my ON THE GO protein snack that I can grab just about anywhere. Now this is not an everyday snack, but it does the job when I had to bolt out of the house without my snacks! 170 calories/9g protein/1g Fiber…40% calcium, 15% Vit A and 8% Iron
I try to have these items with me in my car to make for a quick, easy snack ;
2) Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein shake and a few almonds (1/2 0z or about 10 almonds). 220 calories/27g protein/5g fiber
or
Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and 1 Tbl of peanut butter (a spoonful). 220 calories/28g protein/3g fiber
or
Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and a handful of pumpkin seeds. 260 calories/27g protein/2g fiber
MY 411 on Protein Shakes
Peanut Butter, I use Costco’s Kirkland Organic Brand. Cheap, and good for you, no extra junk in it (like High Fructose Corn Syrup)!
Almonds. Trader Joe’s sells Almonds already packaged in 10z servings, called “Just a Handful of Almonds”, can’t overeat this way, can ya?
Pumpkin seeds. Davids. You can buy them in most gas stations, convenience stores, or your local grocery store. The small bags are 2 servings, so eat half a bag!
Snack list (all great sources of protein, all items I enjoy)
This is hands-down one of my favorite finds, and favorite products. I found Wellesse Vitamin D last year at Costco and have been a die-hard believer since! (I have also seen it at our local Walgreens.)
It is estimated that 70% of all Americans (kids too) are deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial to our being. Experts believe we need around 1,000 units of vitamin D a day.
Dr. Oz has said that “Vitamin D is critically important for preventing cancer and critically important for reducing heart problems. It’s linked to multiple sclerosis, to juvenile diabetes. It’s one of the best ways of reducing infection rates. It’s got a ton of things that it does for you to make your immune system function the way you want to function.”
There are also studies showing Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, osteoporosis, and many other chronic conditions.
You can get Vitamin D naturally through sunlight, you need about 10 minutes a day of direct sunlight, but if you live in the Northern portion of the USA this might be near impossible. I know in Seattle it is not even a consideration. So if you are not taking a Vitamin D supplement you are probably deficient. A simple blood test can tell you your Vitamin D levels.
Many multivitamins have vitamin D2 not vitamin D3 - which is the preferred & recommended form, and found in this product. Wellesse is clear and tastes GREAT! I just add it to my water bottle in the morning. For the kids I put it in their water or juice. It has a yummy berry taste and in no way taste like medicine! Just 2 teaspoons (how easy is that) does the trick!
Here is the 411 on Wellesse
I haven’t tried the Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 liquid yet but my guess would be this is a sure thing too!
Whole Foods, Ginger Carrot Soup
I know as well as anyone how important eating every 2 – 3 hours is, yet even I skip meals, or go to long between meals given my busy schedule! Lunch seems to be the one meal we busy Women tend to let slip by. I know this is true for my friends who work, as well as those of us that work from home or as Stay At Home Moms. The day just gets away from us, and frankly I think if you don’t have an easy, healthy option it is really easy to just “skip it”.
I have taken to buying pre-made soups and keep them on-hand for an easy, quick, healthy lunch. You can add half of a sandwich, a small salad, or just grab an apple and VOILA – lunch is complete! This was actually an afternoon snack for me today and it really amazes me how a few ingredients (easy to pack to the office to) can make you feel like you just went out and got served in a restaurant.
I am on a Ginger Carrot soup kick, and Whole Foods makes this stuff with just the right consistencey…not too clumpy, but still some texture! One cup has 70 calories, so Ican have 2 cups of a yummy, filling soup and a small piece of fruit and be in the 250 calorie range…perfect for a small meal, getting me from lunch to dinner without breaking a stride.The prep time on this is however long it takes your microwave to get your soup hot!
I add a few bits of feta cheese, a dollop of a sundried- tomato paste, and pepper! (feta would be easy to take to work as well in a littl contianer or ziplock – no excuses!)
Steamed Lentils, Ready to Eat Warm or Cold
Serving Size 1/2 Cup
Calories =120
Fat =0
Cholesterol=0
Sodium = 120mg
Fiber=8g
Sugar=2g
Protein=9g
10 MultiGrain Chips & 2 Tbl Hummus
(both available at costo)
MultiGrain Chips
(10 CHIPS)
Calories = 140
Fat = 6g
Fiber = 3g
Sugar = 1g
Protein = 3g
Hummus
(2 Tbl or 2 big spoonfuls)
Calories = 60
Fat = 4g
Fiber = 1g
Sugar = 0g
Protein = 2g
Total Calories 200!!! 4 Grams of Fiber!!! 5 Grams of Protein!!!
If you don’t think you like hummus LEARN to! Hummus is Garbanzo beans, olive oil, and tahini….all are heart smart and good fats for your brain! “Google” it and see for yourself!
A freebee…..you can also add salsa to this snack for 10 or so more calories!
MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods
