Product Review ~ Perfect Foods Bar

Normally, when I think of a protein bar or energy bar, I think of something people who exercise frequently must eat to benefit from their work-outs (even though they are not very tasty or natural). Perfect Foods Bars are very different. They are delicious and good for you! Click here to read more about the creation of these whole foods bars, started by a family passionate about good health and nutrition.

I sampled 4 of the 5 flavors: Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cranberry Crunch Lite, and Fruit & Nut. My favorite was the Almond Butter, but all of the flavors were delicious. They tasted like yummy, chewy cookies. These are great for on-the-go breakfasts as a source of energy and protein or snacks for road trips (or, of course, before/after a good work-out).

Health & Nutrition Facts for each bar:

• Between 199 and 309 calories
• Between 10 grams and 18 grams of protein
• Made of organic nuts and honey
• Free of preservatives, soy, refined sugar, and gluten
• Contains other essential nutrients, such as Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, Niacin, and Copper
• Good source of fiber to aid in digestion
• High in Omega-3s

BUY IT! Perfect Foods Bars can be purchased through their website or any of these retailers. A box of 8 bars is just $19.50 - $21.50, depending upon the flavor.

You can 'like' Perfect Foods Bar on Facebook or 'follow' on Twitter to keep up with the latest news and information.

* I received the aforementioned product for free to review. The opinions expressed are honest and provided without monetary compensation.

Pregnancy and Weight Gain (Day 2 of 30)

Day 2 of my 30 posts: Pregnancy and Weight Gain. Last pregnancy, I gained 47 pounds. For my not-so-in-shape body, that was too much! I had horrible back pains starting around 18 weeks. I had difficulty breathing during the 3rd trimester. I was eating a lot of unhealthy foods, like French fries, potato chips, etc. I was also a pescatarian, so I didn't eat any meat. I chose to eliminate some foods that I probably could've eaten in moderation, like canned tuna and other fish. Basically, in an attempt to do what I thought was right with my diet, I was making poor choices. In the end, I was healthy (with the exception of an Iron deficiency I took supplements for), and Lydia was a nice healthy weight, so it wasn't so bad...or was it? The one thing I sacrificed was my self-esteem. In some ways, permanently. I didn't feel healthy or happy weighing so much, but beyond that I had tons of stretch marks that I still have to this day. It was only after I hit 30+ lbs that they really started. They are on my sides and straight down the middle of my abdomen. Also across my upper thighs. They make me very self-conscious, but what I've learned more than anything else, is that they were avoidable!  It angers me to some extent now, but not much I can do about it now other than learn from my mistakes from my first pregnancy.

So what's different this pregnancy? Well, a million things, but in terms of my diet, I have made so many changes! I started eating meat last fall. In small portions at first, but now I will eat meat as an entree. I try to shop the perimeter of stores, avoiding almost all processed foods (with the exception of maybe one box of crackers, canned beans, brown rice, and some boxes of pasta). Everything else is fresh fruit, veggies, dairy, protein, and some bakery items. I get the staples, like the canned beans and pasta, at Publix and the proteins/dairy at Whole Foods usually. Around this time last pregnancy, I was at 30+ pounds. This time, I've gained 16 pounds living a much healthier lifestyle. The great thing is that I am also cooking better for my family, especially since I started doing a weekly meal planner each weekend. It saves us money, too, because I only buy what I need at the grocery store - much less waste.

Planning Meals

I hate wasting food. This is one of my biggest pet peeves, especially when I spend good money on it. I also don't want to get bored with the foods that I prepare, so I decided this week to plan out 7 meals (and 2 desserts). I may eat them as lunch or dinners, but at least I have an idea of what ingredients I need (not just impulsively want). I tried to combine different proteins, veggies, fruits, and grains. I looked through cookbooks to get inspired to cook a variety of dishes.

Tonight I am going to Ruby Tuesday for my mom's belated birthday, but starting tomorrow morning, I am going to attempt to avoid eating in restaurants for one week. I think this will save us money but also ensure that we are making good dietary choices. If I find this to be successful, I will probably structure 2 meals a day. This week, we spent a little over $100 at Whole Foods, and we were able to purchase all of the fresh produce and proteins needed to prepare the meals I planned. (Although last week we spent over $200 at Publix, but that was mainly because we were missing a lot of staples, including paper towels, toilet paper, and other household products.) So here's the list:

Seven-Day Meal Planner

Queso flameado with flour tortillas and guacamole

Monte Cristos  with raspberry jam and a salad

Chicken Paillard with arugula and grape tomato salad, crostini with tapenade

Blackened snapper with pineapple salsa and cold orzo salad

Chicken cordon bleu with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli

Turkey vindaloo with chana masala and brown rice

Pasta Bolognese (w/pork and turkey) with grilled caprese salad

Desserts:

Lemon cheesecake

Oatmeal cookies (from dough we prepared earlier in the week)

 

I hope my family truly enjoys the food that we prepare together. Lydia loves looking in the pots, pans, bowls, and cutting board. Richard has been really into preparing high-quality food lately, like nice steaks on the grill. Properly nourishing my family is so important, and I think we can find success in planning meals ahead of time.

Hydroponic Strawberry Pickin' and an Intro to ANDI

While the rest of the country experiences snow days, winter coats, and lots of hot chocolate, we get to do some strawberry picking! We went two weekends ago to a place in Coconut Creek that grows strawberries, greens, tomatoes, peppers, and other fruits, veggies, and herbs. Here are a few pictures!

 

This year, Lydia was able to help us pick some. We just had to show her which strawberries were ready to be picked...oh, and stop her from eating all of them before we paid :-) We went home and baked a chocolate cake, layered with buttercream and strawberries. It came out a bit too sweet for me, but still yummy!

Last week was my 3rd of 4 meetings for the Whole Foods Ambassador Club. This month, they launched their Health Starts Here program. The program is based on 4 pillars:

1. Eat whole, unprocessed food.

2. Eat a colorful variety of plants.

3. Eat healthy fats.

4. Eat nutrient dense food.

For me, the most interesting pillar is actually the 4th one. Basically, our bodies want to eat. We want to feel full...but why fill our bodies with foods that we can't actually use? In order to help customers to choose foods that are more nutrient-dense, they created the ANDI (aggregate nutrient density index) scoring system. There are large signs throughout the store displaying the top 10 most nutrient-dense foods in each department.

I decided that I do not eat enough leafy greens (besides just lettuce and spinach). The speaker from Whole Foods who taught us about the Health Starts Here program suggested adding one new nutrient-rich food to your diet weekly. Two weeks ago, I tried Swiss Chard. I made homemade whole wheat pasta with some bacon, onion, garlic, pecorino romano, and swiss chard. It was delicious! 

 

A few days ago, I made a kale and cannelini bean soup. Also very yummy!

I also want to add that I tried one of the most delicious cheeses EVER recently!! It's a triple cream from Cowgirl Creamery. So delicious served room temperature with some crusty bread.

So my new years resolution? Continue to enjoy, appreciate, and cook delicious, healthy food.

So I'm a Recovering Vegetarian

My friend Ryan (who is quite the carnivore) has given me this title: Recovering Vegetarian. Let me explain what this means to me. November 2006, I visited Gainesville, my old college town. Gainesville is pretty progressive when it comes to a variety of dietary options. The town caters to the "I'm trying to do my own thing" college student who decides to be vegan or vegetarian. Lots of local, independently-owned restaurants, grocers, and fast food joints. Being in North Florida, it's also a great place to visit local farms, farmer's markets, and the like.

I've always been somewhat of a foodie. I have fond memories of watching The Frugal Gourmet on PBS when I stayed home sick from elementary school. I remember how he taught his viewers to curl their fingers under when chopping and how cool his garlic press looked. When I was in middle school, I used to love going over my best friend Alicia's house, looking through her mom's old Betty Crocker cookbooks, shopping for the ingredients for our chosen recipe, and cooking together. Our favorite was beef stroganoff. I used to watch World Class Cuisine on Discovery Channel in the early 90s until my cable company got Food Network. I love all things food - cooking, baking, eating, shopping, watching others cook.

So November 2006, while driving to the pohdunk town of Waldo, FL, Richard and I stopped at a Hardee's. If your not familiar with Hardee's, it's a very low-end, horrible-quality fast food joint. Think Krystal Burger if that is more familiar to you. I ordered the sausage biscuit...and the meat was the texture of canned dog food. It was inedible. I can't even tell you what animal I was consuming. I threw it in the garbage and thought "I don't want an animal to die to create something that is so unappetizing." I decided to try going a few weeks without eating meat... and this was the start of over 4 years as a pescatarian. I strive to eat only wild fish (as often as possible). My thought is that when it is wild, it has a chance to be free. It is not just bred (under poor conditions) to die.

Cooking for my daughter made me think about what kind of diet I want for my family. My husband is a definite omnivore. Basically, he eats everything. I knew that I wanted Lydia to eat real food. At 6 months, I made purees for her. By 8 months, she was eating cut-up grown-up food. At my sister's birthday party (when Lydia was just about 8 months) she ate a big bowl of chopped up rigatoni with peas. I am fortunate to have a child with a diverse palate at a young age...who just likes to eat a lot. Ironically, she's in the 5th percentile now for weight (started out at the 90th percentile when born). I just wonder if it is because I feed her so much healthy food...and she's being compared to kids who eat McD's and hot dogs all the time. Who knows?

Back to my family's diet...I recently realized how important it is for my family to eat meat. I started to learn more and really think about how I felt about my diet. I went to a great lecture last spring about the Weston A Price Foundation. The ideas are a bit extremist for me, but the basic principles are logical -- the healthiest diet is a traditional diet: fresh fruits/veggies, whole grains, animal products, raw dairy, nuts, beans, healthy oils (like olive oil and coconut oil), etc. Basically, remove processed foods from your diet. I definitely can see how that makes logical sense, but it's not realistic to avoid all modern conveniences. From a Darwinian perspective, our teeth are omnivore teeth and our species has survived because we do eat animal products. When you think about limiting your diet to mostly grains, fruits, and veggies, you must also think about all of the land that is taken away from animals to plant all of these things. I try to buy organic, but when you buy conventional (which I often have to do due to budgetary restrictions), you must also consider all of the animals that die due to pesticides. Being a vegetarian does NOT stop you from killing animals. We aren't scavengers picking random berries from a forest.

But the big question is... Was I ready to incorporate meat back into my diet, and if so, how? Most importantly, I needed to do so responsibly. I think meat should be eaten in small quantities. The conditions under which the animals are bred and raised should be close to those created by nature - animals should be free to roam their environment. They should not be overfed or given hormones to make them larger and meatier. They should not be given antibiotics because there are too many confined to a small space and they are all getting sick. And as my husband just added...they should not be butchered production-line style like they are cars.

Last Spring, we visited Crones Cradle Conserve in Citra, FL. It's a small farm in the middle of a forested area. They work with other nearby farms by growing different products on each farm and sharing with one another. One of the employees there was a woman about my age. She talked about how she raised a few pigs at a time, treated them well, fed them well, and when it was time, shot them with a rifle between the eyes and they died instantly. She said her son is getting older now (maybe 4 or 5 years old), and it was hard for him to really understand why he had to lose his pet...but that child will learn to respect and appreciate what he eats so much more than children who think meat comes from a drive-thru window.

While we can't all keep pigs and chickens in our yard (although I would love to one day if possible!), I want my family to remember that we are so lucky that animals give up their lives for us to be healthy. I have actually started to say "thank you" to the animal that is a part of my dinner ("thank you, pig, for allowing us to enjoy this bacon" kinda thing) so that am I reminded not to take this for granted.

Although we are the most intelligent and evolved mammals (take one lap around Walmart and this would be questionable), we cannot separate ourselves from the food chain. We just need to make wise, responsible choices using the logic we are fortunate enough to have.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

A month or two ago, I completed an application at the local Whole Foods to be a Whole Foods Ambassador. I found out last week that I was chosen. The Ambassador Club is basically about 10 people who are selected to provide the managers with feedback regarding products, customer services, improvements/renovations, and any other recommendations.

When I arrived to Whole Foods Plantation, I was directed to a small store next door that is the Whole Foods Bakehouse. I had to walk up a flight of stairs to a conference room. Each participant received a reusable shopping bag, some snacks, and a $25 gift card. Cookies and fruit were on the table.

We began by doing introductions. Each person had a reason for being there... one woman had a daughter with autism, so she followed a gluten-free, casein-free diet. One woman's husband was on a sugar-free diet. One woman was vegan. There were two men who frequently shopped at Whole Foods. Here's the surprising part -- when I looked around at the 9 participants, myself included, 6 were obese (some morbidly obese). They was also minimal ethnic diversity. Now, obviously, our weight and our ethnicity were not asked about on our applications... but it definitely did not seem to be an accurate cross-section of Whole Foods customers.

Obesity really is a serious issue in this country. I think I may have written about it before, but my generation is supposed to be the first generation with a shorter life span than our parents' generation...and that is due to obesity. One woman stated that it is very important that her children eat healthy food, to the extent that she does not allow her kids to eat food with any dyes because of the hazards, but she herself does not eat that way. The "do as I say, not as I do" attitude about food just doesn't work for me. Clearly, if your child has food restrictions based on allergies or textural issues, then your child may need to eat something different than you. But how do you expect your children to be healthy eaters if you are not modeling that behavior yourself. I don't always eat healthy -- but I make a genuine effort to eat well. I eat a somewhat diverse diet. I like foods from all different cultures, I prepare hot meals, cold meals, simple dishes, complex. I introduce Lydia to everything that I prepare (sometimes I make hers less spicy, but it's the same basic flavors). So when I saw that these individuals represent a small group in terms of personal choices and ethnicity, their opinions became slightly less valuable to me.

So what did we talk about? I offered up several ideas:
1. When I go to the milk section at Whole Foods, I get very overwhelmed. I know that dr's tend to recommend almond milk nowadays and different yogurt drinks, but then there is also pasteurized milk, ultra-pasteurized milk, milk from cows that are grass fed, goat's milk, rice milk, coconut milk, etc. I suggested some information outlining the different types of milk, similar to what they do in the cheese section.

2. Speaking about the cheese section, I suggested they check all their cheeses daily, as I have found cheese that is moldy and handed it over to the person working in that section. I also suggested that they redesign the cheese section as it is somewhat scattered/disorganized.

3. I thought the signage was good, especially as it relates to upcoming events.

4. I suggested they start carrying at least one or two brands of cloth diapers. They are pretty limited in their diaper options. I am not impressed by Seventh Generation and Earth's Best.

5. Often times I want to purchase prepared foods. There is always an ingredient list posted by the prepared foods, and at the bottom of the list, it says "This item contains the following" and it lists potential allergens (e.g. soy, nuts, wheat), but it does not state whether or not it contains meat. Products such as stocks, bases, and broths are in a lot of rice dishes, soups, etc. so it would be easier if it was listed at the bottom so I don't have to read 20+ ingredients to figure that out.

6. Sometimes I want to purchase a small quantity of their baked goods, but often you have to purchase a large package (one dozen brownies, 20 cookies). I suggested they sell smaller packages, 2 brownies, 4 cookies.

Other people offered all different types of suggestions. Some were a bit out there for me, but some were valuable. It's nice to know that even chain grocery stores value their customers' opinions. I think this is a great program, and I hope they really consider our suggestions to make some improvements. It's just too bad that I feel like the sample of participants is somewhat limited. The next meeting is December 8th. I look forward to contributing more ideas and discussing issues that directly impact the variety and quality of food available to my family.

Yumnuts Giveaway - 4/30

On a recent trip to Whole Foods, I came across a delicious-looking snack: Yumnuts. As a pescatarian, my protein sources are limited, and nuts are a great source of protein. Instead of just snacking on crackers or potato chips which are basically empty calories and take a whole lot to feel satisfied, nuts offer me a filling, healthier snacking alternative.

Yumnuts are flavored cashews. I got to sample the chocolate, toasted coconut, sea salt, and spicy cajun (but they also carry lime and honey). They are amazingly delicious! Sometimes cashews have a greasy feeling to them. These are dry roasted and crunchy. They are so well-seasoned, and yet the cashew flavor comes through.

As a treat, my husband and I sometimes prepare a nice cheese plate for dinner. I can imagine the cajun Yumnuts paired with some good olives and a nice sharp cheddar. Yum! For a treat, the toasted coconut Yumnuts would probably make a great ice cream topping.

According to their website...Our philosophy is simple: nuts are nature's perfect snack. Nuts contain the protein, smart fats, like oleic acid, and essential minerals to help us perform at our best. We use the best natural ingredients to create a product with a simple ingredient statement that is both healthy and yummy. We start with premium jumbo cashews and use a special flavoring technique to add a delicate dose of delicious seasonings that ensures that every Yumnut, in every batch is truly yum.

BUY IT! You can find Yumnuts at your local Whole Foods or on their website. For $19.96, you can purchase a Variety Pack - 4 packs of 5 oz each, which will allow you to try four of their delicious flavors.

WIN IT! One lucky reader will be chosen to win a sample of Yumnuts cashews! 

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Yumnuts website and tell me which flavor sounds absolutely scrumptious!

For additional entries, you can do any of the following (one entry each):
1. Become a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect.
2. Become a fan of Yumnuts on Facebook.
3. Follow Yumnuts on Twitter.
4. Follow me on Twitter.
5. Become a fan of Abi's Place (the non-profit organization where I work) on Facebook.
6. Grab my beautiful new button, and tell me where I can find it!

Be sure to include your email address with each entry so that I know how to find you. This giveaway and all my other Blogmania giveaways end on 4/30 at 11:59 pm EST. If you are the winner, you will have 48 hours to respond before I choose another winner. Good luck!

**The winner of this giveaway is Jennifer. Thank you to all who participated!**

My NEW Blog

Although I already have several blogs, I believe this to be the most important one (at this time in my life anyway). I guess I'll begin with an introduction to who I am. My name is Carrie Wells. I work for a non-profit organization in South Florida -- Abi's Place. We provide educational and therapeutic services to children with disabilities. My role there is somewhat complex and not easy to define. Last year I was the school's lead teacher, but after going on maternity leave, I became the school's grant writer. I am starting to come back to fill many director-type roles, such as evaluations, paperwork, school tours, interviews, mentoring, etc. I am also a graduate-level instructor through the University of Phoenix.

A year ago, I felt very defined by my career. I am also a wife to a wonderful husband named Richard, a pescetarian (and foodie), and a huge fan of MAC Cosmetics. But then something amazing happened... something that changed so many of my beliefs about life and love. I gave birth to my beautiful, healthy, happy daughter Lydia Marie on September 2, 2009.

People always told me that having a child changes you. And while at the core I am still the same dorky girl who got picked last for kickball in elementary school...and the middle-schooler with braces...and the pseudo-goth college freshman at UF, I have been transformed. My mom's friend used the word "softened." I'll take that.

I have always been critical of others, one of my downfalls. But I have learned how to take the idea of being a critic, and make it into something that is meaningful for my family. Becoming a mother has made me think about every moment of my life. Is this the BEST thing I could be doing right now? Am I eating what I should be? How could this conflict have been avoided? Could this be reused/recycled? What can I accomplish today that is meaningful to myself, my family, my community? I hope this blog can be just that.

I became the mother I never knew was in me. Here are some ideas that I very surprisingly have 'attached' myself to:

*Breastfeeding - 6 months already, another 6+ months to go!

*Co-sleeping - I always thought parents who allowed their children to sleep with them were suckers. And for some parents who co-sleep, they are suckers. They do it because they don't want to 'deal with' their child crying or having to get out of bed during the night. I do it for what I believe to be the right reasons - simply put, Lydia is my family. She's a part of me, and I would like to have her by my side until my husband and I feel she's ready to transition to her crib.

*Holding - When Lydia was first born, I used to put her in the car carrier a lot. This is what I had seen other people doing, and she seemed to be sleeping comfortably, so I thought this was okay. But then I thought about this...car carrier. Shouldn't that be left IN THE CAR?! That's when I realized the importance of holding her. Whether using my arms or some other carrying device, I want her close to me. Why push her away now? She has her whole life to gain independence. Now is the time when it's okay to keep her close as often as I believe to be appropriate.

*Organic flow - As an adult, I became very scheduled, mainly for two reasons: 1. I like to believe I am organized, and this aids in my organization. 2. Children with autism are very routinized. They are taught to follow schedules, they tend to be rigid in their thinking and avoid change, and they thrive when provided with consistency. Being around this population for many years, I think I began to cling to some of their tendencies. As a parent, I have made a conscious effort to avoid real scheduling. Of course, we have doctor appointments, I work part-time, I make 'dates' with my friends...but when it comes to sleeping and eating, I like to allow Lydia to let me know when she is ready. Again, she has her entire life to follow rigid schedules...why should she now? Our bodies tell us when we're hungry and sleepy, and we should learn to listen to them. It's when we're deprived of those two things that we generally don't function as well as we could be.

*Healthy eating - This is something I have always tried to do. Yes, I am guilty of eating the occasional frozen meal or big pile of french fries, but I make a good effort to shop at farmer's markets or Whole Foods or Fresh Market or the local fish store. I want to buy organic produce and wild seafood.  I want to know that what I am putting into my body (and the bodies of those who I love) is fresh and flavorful and good for us. Cooking has always been a passion, but I think this has become even more important to me now that I am a mother.

So, that's a little about me. From this point forward, I will probably post more about events I attend, stores or websites I visit, maybe some recipes, and anything else that seems worthwhile and relevant.