Total Health Counseling

Nikki’s Coconut Butter: Locally Made Awesome Eats!

May 25, 2013/in Local, Product, Review /by phiggins

Nikki’s Coconut Butter is an amazing new product made locally in Jupiter, FL. I was given the opportunity to try it out for myself and share with you this new tasty delight.

Disclosure of material connection: Nikki’s Coconut Butter provided me with a free sample of their product to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Coconut is all the rage these days, coconut oil is now widely available in a variety of products for both eating and for topical beauty products. Why is that? Coconut is made up of medium chain fatty acids which are metabolized by the body differently than saturated animal fats. Medium chain fatty acids are not stored as fat, but used readily as energy by the body. This doesn’t mean you can eat unlimited amounts, but it is better for you than saturated fats. Read this article for more reasons to crack open a coconut. It’s also rich and creamy, who doesn’t love that, both for eating and skin care.

Nikki’s Coconut Butter is made with Organic Coconut, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Honey, Vanilla, and Salt. A 2 Tablespoon serving is about 200 calories, 19 grams of fat, 43 mg Sodium (very low), 3 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein. I tried the Vanilla Cake Batter flavor, it’s creamy and quite filling. Delish on just about anything, even plain with a spoon Winking smile

There are 5 total flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie, Honey Pecan Pie, Macadamia Nut Cookie, Midnight Mocha, and Vanilla Cake Batter (pictured below).

I love the Vanilla Cake Batter, I can’t wait to try them all!!

Breakfast bowl of cooked millet with ground flax seed, dried fruit and yummy Vanilla Cake Batter. Nikki’s Coconut Butter added a special touch to my breakfast, delish!!

All I could think of was making some type of dessert, even though it’s so delicious straight out of the jar.

Recipe – 2 servings

Coco Chia Pudding:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Nikki’s Coconut Butter

1/2 cup unsweet applesauce (or small ripe banana)

2 T. cocoa powder

1 T. chia seeds

Method:

1. Melt Nikki’s Coconut Butter in microwave to soften 30-45 seconds in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Stir in applesauce, cocoa powder, and chia seeds until well combined.

3. Let stand 5 minutes to allow chia seeds to expand and thicken up pudding.

4. Place in 2 small servings dishes and share with a friend!

Nikki’s Coconut Butter

http://www.nikkiscoconutbutter.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/NikkisCoconutButter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoconutNikki

Order online or locally at Cross Fit Palm Beach or local Cross Fit events in Palm Beach Florida

Made locally in Jupiter, FL!!

Review: Box Of Goodies From Vitacost.com!

March 18, 2013/2 Comments/in Product, Review, Vitacost.com /by phiggins

It’s a great day when Vitacost.com sends you a box of goodies to sample!! This totally made my day and I am so honored they decided to send me a variety of items to review and share with you.

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Now onto my review of these products:

1) Kathy Smith PGX Program “Get Moving” – Kathy Smith is a icon in the world of fitness. I remember working out to one of her VHS aerobics tapes when I was in high school. I can even remember some of the workout moves. She always inspired me to sweat it out and feel great. I was psyched to workout with her again years later and feel the same inspiration with this workout DVD as well. Kathy knows how to make you work up a sweat, is very motivating, and fun. She explains exercise movements very well so you never feel lost, that is my usual complaint with most workout videos. Her clear instructions and upbeat motivational style has me going back to this DVD often to feel and see tangible results.

2) Orgain “Iced Café Mocha” Protein Drink – I had my husband sample this one due to my dairy intolerance. Milk and I don’t get along Winking smile . This to-go protein drink contains both whey protein and milk protein, studies have shown whey protein to be highly absorbable and great for post workout protein. Heman drank it down and said the flavor did taste like mocha with no after taste. He said it was light and creamy, not thick and creamy. If you prefer light and creamy, this drink is for you. You get a boost of several vitamins and minerals, there is no caffeine in it, despite the mocha name. The sugar count is 13 grams which translates to 3.25 grams of sugar. This is much less than typical sugar content of a drink from a coffee shop and it delivers a high protein count of 16 grams, ideal for post workout. For on the go, this is a good option. I always recommend real whole foods, but it’s good for a stand-by if you’re short on time.

3) Real Salt – I use this stuff everyday! I actually have a large bag in my kitchen cabinet, but the size Vitacost sent me is much easier to sprinkle on food when I’m cooking. This salt is unaltered, so it contains all of the trace minerals that are naturally in salt. It’s sourced from Utah, made in the USA! All of the salt grains are a different color indicating high trace mineral content. The pure white salt most people are used to seeing has been refined and stripped of all trace minerals expect for the sodium chloride. Our bodies do need some salt for electrolyte balance and other functions so your best bet is to use Real Salt.

4) Annie’s White Cheddar Popcorn – This popcorn contains dairy, so my husband happily stepped in to review for me, thanks honey! I did review the ingredients and was pleased to see no artificial colors (no food dyes) or flavors (no MSG), so he has my blessing to go ahead and eat it. He liked the white cheddar popcorn and said it was a solid snack choice.

5) NuGO Slim Non-Dairy Bar, Espresso – This bar had me at non-dairy gluten-free and high protein! The flavor is dark chocolate accented by espresso, winner in my chocoholic book. It wasn’t overly sweet, it was just right in the satisfactory department. The bar only contains 3g of sugar, a huge bonus in my book, I think that’s why it wasn’t super moist because it wasn’t soaking in brown rice syrup or agave syrup. The moisture factor was just right, it wasn’t a dry bar, but you definitely wanted to consume it with water. To me that’s perfect, because you are supposed to drink plenty of water with these type of bars to help with absorption of the protein and nutrients. I would get this for travel and on the go. I rely mostly on real food or bars I make myself, but it’s always good to have a backup you can pack for travel or in emergency ‘gotta have something now’ days. There are no artificial sweeteners or maltitol, which can cause stomach upset for some, me being one of those people.

6) Earthpaste toothpaste – I am on the natural toothpaste band wagon. My go to is Kiss My Face toothpaste, I have never tried Earthpaste, but I was impressed. This actually has clay in it, no coloring of any kind (no neon blue), contains sea salt – which I love too. This is hard core all natural and I like it, there are no questions as to what happens if I accidently swallow, no need to call 911 or Poison Control. Earthpaste has got it right, it’s exactly what we need to clean teeth, nothing more or less. Well done!

7) Alpha Hydrox Diabetic Shampoo and Scalp Care – This shampoo contains wheat and therefore gluten so I again passed it on to my husband. I have sensitive skin and since I also have a wheat intolerance, I do not eat wheat and try to avoid body care products that contain wheat. He said the shampoo left his hair soft and smooth. It has a slight medicine smell, but it’s not very strong, it just doesn’t smell like flowers or perfume. It does contain sodium lauryl sulfate if that is a chemical you choose to avoid, studies show it can irritate skin on some people.

8) Promax Fit Crisp – This snack bar contains whey protein and milk so I had my husband sample it since I am dairy intolerant. He said it was like an apple cinnamon rice crispy treat, however, he felt it had a slight after taste. It does not contain artificial ingredients, so I am not sure where the after taste would come from. Other people may not notice it. It contains 13 grams of protein out of 140 calories. This bar relies on both whey and soy protein, it also contains egg albumin and yogurt powder. This bar is peanut free, so great for those with peanut allergies.

I hope this product review inspired you to try a few new products from Vitacost.com!

Thank you again Vitacost.com for some great products to try Smile

Review: Feel Beautiful With Products From Vitacost.com

January 5, 2013/in Product, Review, Tips, Vitacost /by phiggins

Vitacost.com sent me a few of their new products to review for you. I posted about Earnest Eats and now I’ve got some amazing body care products to share with you!

Healthy eating makes us beautiful on the inside and outside. Allergen friendly lotions and soaps make us feel pretty on the outside too! Winking smile

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Andalou Naturals Clementine Ginger Shower Gel is a glorious shower gel to add to your cleansing routine. It smells just like clementine with a hint of ginger and it lathers easily while rinsing off just as nicely without leaving a soapy film. This is an allergen friendly cleanser, a must for those with sensitive skin, like me. Many commercial cleaners are off limits for me, I typically use Kiss My Face Olive Oil bar soap because it’s ultra gentle and leaves my skin moisturized without irritating it. Andalou Naturals does the same, but it lathers up easier since it’s a gel and smells wonderful, fragranced by natural oils instead of chemicals. It’s also Gluten Free, Cruelty Free, non-GMO, Free of Parabens and Sulfates. It’s important to know that if you need to follow a gluten free diet, your self care products also need to be gluten free. I didn’t know until a few years ago that self care products could contain gluten. Check labels of all products to ensure they are safe for you to use.

As always, please read the ingredients list to ensure you are not allergic to the natural ingredients used to make this product.

After a refreshing shower, a good lotion can help seal in the moisture – lotion up 2 minutes post bathing on slightly damp skin to lock in moisture. Many lotions on the market are full of chemicals and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. BWC: Beauty Without Cruelty, is a line of products that is great for sensitive skin, it’s vegan as well as free of parabens and fragrance. It’s also not tested on animals, so it’s ethically produced – a product you can feel good about using!

BWC lotion blends into skin well and is not greasy. Your skin feels moisturized without that greasy, wait to get dressed feeling. I like to use it at night as well to lock in moisture and replenish my skin on especially dry days. On the bottle, there is a recommendation to add 12 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 ounces of the lotion. I think this is a great idea if you have a favorite essential oil; suggested oils are lavender, sandalwood, rose, or geranium.

As always, please read the ingredients list to ensure you are not allergic to the natural ingredients used to make this product.

Feeling beautiful on the outside sometimes means freshening up breath when it feels a little stale. If you’ve got fresh parsley or mint leaves to chew those are great options. They are both antibacterial and antimicrobial to freshen breath. I don’t often carry those herbs in my purse so Vitacare is the perfect option!

I stopped using gum regularly since most of them are made with artificial sweeteners and I’ve made a commitment to avoid those. Vitacare uses Xylitol, a more natural sugar alcohol, which has also been proven to prevent cavities. Too much xylitol can cause digestive upset, a few pieces of gum in moderation should not cause an upset. Vitacare gum also has the added benefit of a few vitamins per 2 piece serving: 20%DV of Vitamins A, C, D, E.

What are your favorite natural products?

Thank you again Vitacost.com, I’m honored you selected me to sample and review these amazing products!

Earnest Eats From Vitacost.com

December 15, 2012/1 Comment/in Product, Resources, Review, Vitacost /by phiggins

Vitacost.com contacted me and asked if I would like to review a few products they recently added to their online catalog. I happily accepted and an honored to share with you my review of the products. I will write a few posts to share my reviews, first up – Earnest Eats!

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

I received the hot & fit cereal and baked whole food snack bar:

Earnest Eats makes a variety of hot cereals, bars, and planks (crunchy bars). I’ve been eager to try this brand, it looks so wholesome, like something you would make at home. The Earnest Eats Hot Cereal is perfect for grabbing and taking to the office or even bringing to the airport. All you need to do is add hot water and you’ve got a hot, wholesome meal ready in a few minutes!

Earnest Eat hot & fit ready to eat! Yummy cranberries and pumpkin seeds jazz up standard oats plus added grains amaranth and quinoa thicken it up and boost the nutritional profile. I love my superfood grains amaranth & quinoa!!

I decided to pump up the protein with my favorite pea protein: Plant Fusion. I had just worked out at the gym so I needed some extra protein for muscle recovery. This was a good grain based breakfast, I like the addition of some dried fruit and nuts to give it a pleasing change in consistency. All you do is add hot water to the cup, stir, and let it stand for a few minutes. You can eat it straight from the cup if you desire, so it’s perfect to grab and take to the office or for traveling.

Earnest Eats snack bar, this one was dark chocolate espresso. All good things in my book! This bar was dense and moist with a rich chocolate flavor and hint of espresso. A great snack, not too light, it’s got some staying power to it. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend for consumption Smile .

I hope you check out Earnest Eats for delicious whole food eats!

Thank you again Vitacost.com for the delicious Earnest Eats products to try.

Great Products From Vitacost.com!

October 14, 2012/2 Comments/in Product, Resources, Review, Vitacost /by phiggins

Vitacost.com contacted me and asked if I would like to review a bunch of products of my choosing. This is a HUGE honor for me, I love Vitacost.com!! I am thrilled to share with you what I selected and my personal review. I hope this helps you determine new products to try. I chose a variety of items from snacks to tea as well as supplements.

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Vitacost Certified Organic Hemp Seeds:

Hemp seeds are nutrient packed little seeds that look like teeny hearts. In fact, they are great for heart health with their Omega-3 fatty acid content. They are an excellent source of Calcium (25%), Iron (25%), Phosphorus (43%), Magnesium (48%), and Zinc (22%). These are important nutrients for your heart, bones, joints, skin, and immune system. I often pair these with dried goji berries or use in smoothies in place of protein powder. I made a fantastic hemp seed pesto the other day with fresh basil I grew on my patio. Hemp seeds can be sprinkled on salads, whipped into hemp seed butter, spread on toast with honey. There are many ways to enjoy these nutritional gems.

Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Dry Roasted:

Pumpkin seeds are a wonderful alternative to nuts. They are rich in Magnesium (50%), Phosphorus (20%), Zinc (15%) and a good source of Iron (10%). A 1/4 cup serving provides 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, no sugar, and 16 grams of healthy fats. I like to make pumpkin seed butter or eat with Annie’s ginger snap bunnies. Women can reach for pumpkin seeds for a dose of magnesium – an essential nutrient for pregnancy, hormonal balance, bone health and heart health.

Freeze Dried Raspberry Crunchies:

These are delicious and simply freeze dried raspberries, no other ingredients! They naturally do not contain any sugar, but do have 3 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup serving along with 20% Vitamin C. Pretty great for 25 calories. The freeze dried method removes water without adding sugar, unlike typical dried fruits which tend to be quite high in sugar. This is great for diabetics or those watching their sugar intake. Great to sprinkle on top of oatmeal, cereal, toss into my favorite bunny mix (see below) or on a fresh salad.

Annie’s HomeGrown Gluten Free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies:

These gluten free ginger snap mini bunnies are crunchy and have a light ginger flavor. I like to eat a handful of these for crunch alongside a creamy green smoothie. They are also great to create what I call bunny mix with pumpkin seeds or nuts with dried fruit or freeze dried fruit. Bunny mix is a great snack to bring on the go when running errands or when you travel. These bunnies are gluten free, made with rice and corn flour. No artificial ingredients or preservatives are added and the bunnies are made in a peanut free and tree nut free facility for those with allergy concerns. These are not whole grain, there is only 1 gram of fiber per serving, that’s why I like to pair with seeds and dried fruit or smoothies. They are also great to sprinkle of top of oatmeal or coconut milk ice cream Winking smile .

Bunny Mix: Annie’s Homegrown GF Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies, Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds, and Freeze Dried Raspberry Crunchies!

Betty Lou’s Gluten Free Fruit Bars:

These remind me of old school Nutri-Grain Bars I used to eat as a kid. However, Betty Lou goes the extra mile and uses a lot of real fruit – it’s bursting at the seams with blueberry filling! What this lacks is artificial flavors, food dyes (Red 40 and Blue 1), and corn syrup (most likely GMO), which makes me happy. Gluten free oats and gluten free flours along with blueberry filling made with real blueberries along with apples and sweetened with fruit juice concentrate deliver a moist and delicious fruit bar. It’s low in fat and contains 5 grams of fiber. The sugar count is a little high at 23 grams, mostly from the fruit juice concentrate, blueberries, and apples. This is a wonderful treat for afternoon tea or after dinner dessert. You could even enjoy for breakfast with a handful of nuts or nosh on pre-run. I loved the blueberry, I’m sure the other varieties (apple, apricot, strawberry, cherry) are just as divine.

George’s Aloe Vera Water:

Aloe Vera Water typically has a very bitter taste, but George’s Aloe removes the components of the plant that are bitter for a smooth more pure flavor. George’s Aloe is great for cooling the body, reducing inflammation, and calming stomach acid and reducing reflux. You can enjoy 2 ounces in the morning and 2 at night. This is especially great in the summer time or when you are experiencing high stress. I like to add a couple drops of liquid Chlorophyll for an enhanced alkalizing effect.

Country Life Omega-3:

We are all encouraged to eat more fatty fish for the healthy Omega-3 fats. These days there are many concerns about the sources of fish and what contaminants we may be ingesting along with our fish dinner or perhaps you don’t eat fish often enough. Country Life brand delivers 1000mg of Omega-3 fatty acids: 180mg EPA and 120mg of DHA. This is a moderate dosage, recommendation ranges are based on each condition. Fish oil is beneficial for many conditions including: high blood pressure, ADHD, stroke, kidney problems, osteoporosis, and menstrual pain.

This product is molecularly distilled and third party tested so you can feel confident about the purity and safety of this supplement. Country Life Omega-3 is GMP Certified and Gluten Free. No wheat, corn, yeast, gluten, milk, preservatives, or artificial flavors are added to this product. As always, please discuss with your doctor before taking any supplements. Do not take if you are allergic to fish.

Alvita Dandelion Tea:

I consider myself a tea drinker and Alvita brand teas are my favorite. Dandelion tea has a rich flavor, similar to coffee, so if you want to cut back on coffee, give Dandelion tea a try. This tea is caffeine free, so no jitters and is also beneficial for your kidney and liver. These two organs are responsible for cleaning house so anything as easy as drinking healthy tea to strengthen the kidney and liver is a great idea. Dandelion Root is rich in several vitamins and minerals as well.

Alvita Ginger Root Tea:

Ginger Root tea is great for calming the stomach. Most people reach for ginger ale soda if they have upset stomach, but ginger root tea has a higher concentration of this beneficial herb and does not contain high fructose corn syrup like most sodas. You can add a teaspoon of local honey to warm tea after meals or in between. It has a pleasant ginger flavor that is soothing and enjoyable!

Many thanks to Vitacost for this wonderful opportunity to review some of my favorite products and a few new ones to share with my readers!

Disclosure of material connection: Vitacost provided me with free samples of these products to review. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

Information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or serve as a substitute for advice from your own physician or medical provider. I encourage you to seek medical attention from your doctor and do research on conditions specific to you. I appreciate you reading my blog posts!

Nikki’s Coconut Butter: Locally Made Awesome Eats!

Review: Box Of Goodies From Vitacost.com!

Review: Feel Beautiful With Products From Vitacost.com

Earnest Eats From Vitacost.com

Great Products From Vitacost.com!

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