Tag: Product Review

Gringo Bandito was started over twelve years ago by Dexter Holland, singer for the multi-platinum punk rock band The Offspring, more as a hobby than a business.

“I just thought it would be cool to have a hot sauce,” says Holland. “I gave away the first batch as Christmas presents to my friends.” The response to this new hot sauce was so overwhelming that Holland decided to put it out commercially.”It started small but it has just kept on growing.” After several years and almost a million bottles later, Gringo Bandito hot sauce has garnered a worldwide audience and a loyal following. “We’re not the most well-known hot sauce out there,” says Holland, “but once people try it, they’re hooked.”

With so many hot sauces on the market today, what sets Gringo Bandito apart is that it is one of the healthiest sauces around. Gringo Bandito has 70% less salt than other major competitors and contains no preservatives, is paleo friendly, gluten free and all natural.

Gringo Bandito is available in three flavors: red, green and mouth-burning hot sauce. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from the lead singer of a band. Each sauce has a nice flavor and you can taste the difference between the three flavors. These hot sauces are the perfect condiment to spice up a boring dish or take a meal to the next level.

You can find Gring Bandito in over 500 restaurants, 7000 supermarkets and online on Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

I am sure you have seen the exciting news online – Enjoy Life Foods has added three new flavors to their Baked Chewy Bar line! The three new flavors include: Caramel Blondie, Carrot Cake, and Lemon Blueberry Poppyseed.

The need for free-from snacking keeps growing and Enjoy Life is meeting the demand with these three tasty new flavors.These three new snack bars are 15% larger and more flavor-packed than the classic Chewy Bars you are used to. All bars are not only free from the top 8 allergens, but they are also certified non-GMO, Kosher, Halal and made without artificial ingredients.

Here’s a look at the three new labor additions:

Caramel Blondie: made with bits of dairy free caramel and mini chocolate chips, this bar is a decadent dessert when your sweet tooth cravings hit!

Carrot Cake: made with shredded carrots, California raisins and roasted pumpkin seeds this snack bar is a twist on one of my favorite desserts.

Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed: This bar tastes like a breakfast muffin! I love the combination of tart lemon and sweet blueberries.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

With warmer temps upon us and summer around the corner, I want to introduce a healthy and all-natural cocktail option perfect for Summer Parties and BBQs.

Crafted Cocktails, an all-natural line-up of cocktail mixers and Shrubs, uses pure agave, resulting in a low-calorie cocktail with a natural flavor profile. Mixer flavors include Piña Colada, Margarita, Spicy Watermelon, Gimlet and Bloody Mary. All you have to do is add your alcohol of choice or simply mix with club soda and ice to create a drink that is sure to quench your thirst and keep your body looking great on a hot summer day.

The Bloody Mary Mixer is great. It’s hard to find gluten free pre-made Bloody Mary mix, but Crafted Cocktails has created one that delivers. This tangy blend of savory flavors is tasty! This healthy party-boosting cocktail is infused with natural flavors of tomato, horseradish, celery and Worcestershire. Bloody Mary is so incredibly versatile it pairs perfectly with ALL your favorite spirits.

Recently, Crafted Cocktails’ Bloody Mary Mixer won a Gold Medal from Tastings.com and a Silver Medal from the San Francisco International Spirit Competition, winning based on outstanding quality and taste. If a Bloody Mary doesn’t fancy your taste buds, the Pina Colada Mixer or Strawberry Shrub is sure to be a refreshing and unique alternative.

Last weekend we made these awesome Bloody Mary’s with Crafted Cocktails Mix and everyone loved them!

All products are made with 100% real agave, contain no preservatives and are gluten free.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

What could be better than an ice cold refreshing drink on a hot summer day? Today, I am going to share a few of my new favorite, thirst quenching, perfect-for-summer beverages with you!

BRUCE COST GINGERALEis made from whole, 100% fresh ginger, unlike competitors who use artificial ingredients like “ginger oil”. You can actually SEE the ginger pieces in each bottle, and it’s recommended that drinkers “shake gingerly” before twisting off the cap and enjoying! Naturally sweetened with pure cane sugar and locally crafted in Brooklyn, Bruce Cost GingerAle is currently available in seven flavors – Original GingerAle (bottle and can); “66” (66 calories with monk fruit); Jasmine Tea; Ginger Beer; Pomegranate with Hibiscus; Passion Fruit with Turmeric; and Blood Orange with Meyer Lemon. (Available on Amazon.)

BROOKLYN ORGANICSare perfect for those looking for a sugar free option as all the line of USDA Organic-certified sodas are gently sweetened with plant-based Stevia. All varietals are non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten Free, Caffeine Free and Vegan. Each contains a bold fizz in a svelte package, made with ingredients that are good for you and for the planet. Brooklyn Organics flavors include: Classic, Cola, Acai, Coconut & Guava. While I find these sodas very sweet on their own – from the stevia – they pair well with alcohol for a low calorie cocktail. (Available on Amazon).

GAEA, the leading Greek food company specializing in authentic Mediterranean products such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olives (Snack Packs, Pouches and Jars), is breaking into the cocktail mixer industry with Dirty Martini Juice – a natural fit considering olives are at the core of their business. With only two ingredients per flavor, Gaea Dirty Martini Juice is the perfect mixer to accompany vodka and gin. Gaea Dirty Martini Juice for Vodka contains red pepper stuffed green olives brine with hot red pepper, while Gaea Dirty Martini Juice for Gin contains green olives. Cheers to that!

Looking for something for your kids? AquaBall is the only zero-calorie, sugar-free and preservative-free children’s beverage currently on the market. The naturally flavored water is available in four flavors: Berry Frost, Fruit Punch, Grape and Strawberry Lemonade, and features fan favorite characters from Disney’s “Frozen”, Disney Princesses, Marvel’s “Avengers,” and Disney Classic Characters. AquaBall is the simple solution to finding a beverage that both kids and parents will love.

Which beverage do you want to try most this summer? Leave a comment below!

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Now more than ever before, people with food allergies, on specialty diets, or those who just want to eat healthy are looking for products that are not only good for you but TASTE GOOD, too. A few years ago I was introduced to Zemas Madhouse Foods, a line of ancient whole grain baking mixes, and met the founder Jill when I was living in NYC. Since then, Zema’s has come out with a new product; mini cookies!

Zemas recently launched a new product crunchy, free-from, bite-size cookies! Zemas bite-size cookies are clean, simple and packed with better for you ingredients like nutrient-rich ancient whole grains and a superseed trio of chia, hemp and flax meal.

chocolate chip: This classic childhood cookie just got a nutritional boost. To be honest, this was the only flavor I did not really enjoy.

While I really liked the sweet potato spice cookies and oatmeal cranberry, I wasn’t a big fan of the other two flavors. But, my sister’s boyfriend LOVED the double chocolate so I gave him the rest of the box! These cookies are good for when you need sweets but don’t want all the sugar and other ‘bad’ ingredients that come along with it. While they do not taste like your ‘typical’ cookie, they will satisfy your sweet and crunchy cravings!

Not only are Zemas products made from ancient whole grants, all products are free from the top 8 allergens. Zemas products are not only certified top 8 allergen free, but also Kosher, Vegan, GFCO and Non-GMO Project Verified and made without refined sugar.

You can purchase Zema’s cookies on Amazon (free shipping for Prime members!) and in grocery and health food stores across the country, including Legman’s and Price Chopper. Click here to find a retail location nearest you.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Family-owned snack brand RW Garcia is one of my go-to brands. They offer several lines of artisan chips and crackers that have a clean ingredient deck, are Non-GMO Project Verified and certified gluten-free, giving everyone peace of mind to eat freely and enjoy.

Their crackers and chips are so versatile and can be eaten on their, turned into appetizers or incorporated into entrees.

RW Garcia MixtBag combines two delicious flavors in one bag! Quality tortilla chip selections into one bag for a snack the whole family will love. Available in three varieties, Yellow/Blue corn tortilla chips, Yellow/Red corn tortilla chips, and new Veggie corn tortilla chips (there’s 3 different chips in this bag!), the MixtBag offers a great snack that is completely wheat and gluten free, contains no Trans Fats and is made with all non-GMO ingredients.

I love chilaquiles and have tried many different corn chips in this recipe. The MixtBag tortilla chips held up nicely to the sauce and made for a delicious and crunchy base for the shredded chicken and fresh cilantro. This super simple recipe is easy to make yet delicious!

You can purchase RW Garcia products at Shaw’s and Star Market. Click here to find a retail location nearest you.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! National Chocolate Day is July 7, which means it’s time to celebrate one of the world’s best sweet treats: chocolate. Nobody needs an extra reason to eat chocolate, but if you and your family are particularly passionate about the cocoa confection, then you’ll want to celebrate!

This year I am celebrating with Lily’s Sweets; premium chocolate bars and baking chips. Lily’s stevia-sweetened chocolate has all the indulgence you crave but with a lot fewer calories. They use only the finest non-GMO ingredients, including genuine, Fair Trade certified cocoa. All Lily’s bars and baking chips are certified gluten-free.

What sets Lily’s apart?

Stevia-sweetened (less than 1g of sugar per serving)

Fair trade

Gluten free

Non-GMO

Vegan (select products)

Available in chocolate bars, snack bars and baking chips/bars

Cynthia and Chuck named Lily’s Sweets after Chuck’s niece, Lily, an inspired – and inspiring — young lady and childhood brain cancer survivor. Since being diagnosed at age 7, Lily has been raising money for other kids battling cancer, and Cynthia and Chuck are proud to honor Lily’s bravery and commitment to aiding others by contributing a percentage of profits each year to non-profit organizations that provide services to children with cancer and their families. As for Lily, she is now in her teenage years, has celebrated her 5-year anniversary of diagnosis and remains cancer-free and dedicated to helping others in need. In addition to supporting children’s cancer causes, Lily’s Sweets is further committed to operating ethically and sustainably.

You can find Lily’s Sweets online at Amazon as well as hundreds of retail locations across the country including; Whole Foods Market, Star Market, and Stop and Shop.

Healthier chocolate from a company with a heartfelt mission – indulgence has never tasted this good!

But why restrict yourself in celebrating Chocolate Day? If you eat good-quality chocolate or chocolate treats in moderation, then any day can truly be Chocolate Day, even while you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. For those who are true lovers of chocolate, the celebration of Chocolate Day knows no bounds.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Keli’s Sauces is a line of gluten free Asian and Hawaiian inspired sauces. They are a female owned and operated company and since starting in 1992, they’ve been making the best Polynesian style sauces in the U.S.and all of them are naturally gluten free, vegan, nut-free, low fat, no MSG, and 50% lower in sodium than most teriyaki on the market!

Gluten free teriyaki is not easy to find and when you do find it, it is loaded with sodium. Keli’s Sauces include:

Polynesian Sweet-N-Sour

Hawaiian Ginger Garlic Teriyaki Glaze

Spicy Hawaiian Ginger Garlic Teriyaki Glaze

Pineapple Hawaiian Luau Teriyaki Marinade

Pele’s Fire Hot Teriyaki

I was thrilled when Teresa – Keli’s daughter – reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in trying their sauces. Jeremy and I went on our honeymoon last month to the French Polynesia and I was excited for the opportunity to taste some of those flavors again.

The sauces are great for marinading and glazing, grilling, stir frying and can even be used as dipping sauces.

The Polynesian Sweet-N-Sour is my favorite! It’s not too heavy and it has a great flavors it reminds me of being in the islands! I’ve used it on shrimp and tofu and I can’t wait to try it with more dishes.

Currently, you can purhase Keili’s sauces online and in select retail locations in Hawaii, Washington and Oregon.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Wellaby’s has launched a new savoury snack. Simple Bakes is the first wholegrain snack that will tantalise your taste buds from the very first crunch, while being completely free from most common allergens.

Simple Bakes are baked to a light, crispy and bubbly perfection – bringing new meaning to the word ‘moreish’! Whether you’re celiac, gluten intolerant or simply want to avoid gluten in your diet, you can rest easy because Wellaby’s has you covered! They produce Simple Bakes in a gluten free dedicated facility and operate strict control over incoming ingredients to ensure products are 100% free of gluten.

Simple Bakes are also free of nuts, eggs, dairy, and GMO’s, and are lower in calories and fat than potato crisps.

Simple Bakes are so moreish and tasty, yet only have 6% fat and less than 110 Kcal per serving.

The snacks are available in 3 flavors, including:

Pinch of Sea Salt & Pepper – A delicate pinch of salt will wake up your taste buds from that first crispy bite. The freshly milled pepper gives it a slight kick. Perfect for dipping with hummus!

Spicy Chilli – A fusion of fiery warmth and tasty tanginess that pack a punch without being too hot to handle.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.

Steel cut oats are a complete protein, meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids. They are also high in fiber, making you feel fuller longer, and full of calcium, iron, magnesium, B-vitamins and antioxidants. Steel cut oats also Contain high levels of Beta-Glucans, which help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, are low in unsaturated fats and sodium, and can also help regulate blood sugar levels and enhance immune defense.

Made with 100% whole grain steel cut oats, Grainful all-natural frozen entrées are the perfect quick and healthy lunch or dinner. The frozen entrees are great tasting and convenient. Bring them for lunch or heat them up for the whole family for dinner. Grainful chef-crafted recipes inspired by bold flavors from around the globe will leave you wanting more!

Jambalaya

Meal Kits can be used as a side or transformed into a full entree by simply adding vegetables and/or protein. These chef-crafted blends of steel cut oats, spices and vegetables are transformed into a delicious meal with the addition of meat, seafood or extra vegetables. With Grainful Meal Kits, the opportunities are endless.

Flavors include:

Tomato Risotto

Homestyle Cheddar

Madras Curry

Jambalaya

All products are gluten free certified, contain no GMO ingredients or perservatives, and almost all are vegan.

It’s simple. Clean ingredients and bold flavor profiles.

You can find Grainful products at Wegmans, Safeway, and natural food stores across the US. Click here to find a store location nearest you.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I was not paid to write this review.