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| Taking the bus with Daddy! |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
LUNA Protein Bars Review
Last week, I received some gluten-free LUNA bars in the mail. Marketed specifically for women, the bars have fewer calories than their Clif bar counterparts, and have more nutrients specifically geared to the needs of women.
The line of bars is fairly extensive, including the original bar, the mini, protein and fiber versions. I received 3 flavours of the LUNA protein bar for review: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, and Mint Chocolate Chip.
The Facts: All LUNA protein bars went gluten free in 2011 and are produced on their own dedicated line. The company website states that they source ingredients that are confirmed to be gluten free and that they also test the final product. The website also has an allergen reference table that provides information on the most common allergens ata quick glance. The protein bars are also certified kosher and contain no genetically modified ingredients.
Each bar is under 200 calories, making it a snack bar rather than a meal replacement. They also contain 3g of fiber, and are high in calcium and folic acid. The bars contain between 6-9g of fat each.
The Flavour: I have to admit, these bars were pretty delicious! Most protein bars have a vaguely chalky feel to them and a strange aftertaste, but not these. They were nice and chewy without being hard, and were comaprable in size to some bars that are higher in calories and fat. I eat breakfast at around 7a.m., and I ate a bar each day at around 9:30 at work. The protein kept me feeling satisfied until lunch, which is sometime between 11:30 and 12:30, depending on the craziness level of the day. Considering my increased pregnancy appetite, that's pretty impressive!
The Verdict: On a pure taste level, I love these bars. The flavour is great, I like that the calorie count is reasonable for a snack and that they have a decent amount of fiber and an even better amount of protein. I also love that the ingredients are non-GMO, and that they contain calcium and vitamins that are geared specifically towards women's nutritional needs. The only drawback for me is that each bar is a bit high in saturated fat, at 3.5g per bar. I would prefer that amount to be lower.
Although I don't eat protein bars on a daily basis, these bars taste great and make a great portable snack to have on hand when hunger strikes and gluten free food is nowhere to be found. Their protein and fiber content are satisfying and the flavours make it feel more like eating a treat than a health food bar. I always pack something to tide me over when going out, particularly now that I'm pregnant. These bars are going to become part of my go-to arsenal of portable, gluten free snacks.
The line of bars is fairly extensive, including the original bar, the mini, protein and fiber versions. I received 3 flavours of the LUNA protein bar for review: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, and Mint Chocolate Chip.
The Facts: All LUNA protein bars went gluten free in 2011 and are produced on their own dedicated line. The company website states that they source ingredients that are confirmed to be gluten free and that they also test the final product. The website also has an allergen reference table that provides information on the most common allergens ata quick glance. The protein bars are also certified kosher and contain no genetically modified ingredients.
Each bar is under 200 calories, making it a snack bar rather than a meal replacement. They also contain 3g of fiber, and are high in calcium and folic acid. The bars contain between 6-9g of fat each.
The Flavour: I have to admit, these bars were pretty delicious! Most protein bars have a vaguely chalky feel to them and a strange aftertaste, but not these. They were nice and chewy without being hard, and were comaprable in size to some bars that are higher in calories and fat. I eat breakfast at around 7a.m., and I ate a bar each day at around 9:30 at work. The protein kept me feeling satisfied until lunch, which is sometime between 11:30 and 12:30, depending on the craziness level of the day. Considering my increased pregnancy appetite, that's pretty impressive!
The Verdict: On a pure taste level, I love these bars. The flavour is great, I like that the calorie count is reasonable for a snack and that they have a decent amount of fiber and an even better amount of protein. I also love that the ingredients are non-GMO, and that they contain calcium and vitamins that are geared specifically towards women's nutritional needs. The only drawback for me is that each bar is a bit high in saturated fat, at 3.5g per bar. I would prefer that amount to be lower.
Although I don't eat protein bars on a daily basis, these bars taste great and make a great portable snack to have on hand when hunger strikes and gluten free food is nowhere to be found. Their protein and fiber content are satisfying and the flavours make it feel more like eating a treat than a health food bar. I always pack something to tide me over when going out, particularly now that I'm pregnant. These bars are going to become part of my go-to arsenal of portable, gluten free snacks.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan
This week's menu plan was a quick and simple one to prepare, because most of the dishes are simple assembly-type meals that just need to be thrown together in a few minutes. For that reason, there are only 2 photos this week!
Monday: Creamy polenta with spinach tomato sauce. Polenta is cornmeal, and is a common dish in Italian households. It can be made creamy and soft, or it can be baked or fried and eaten like pizza, or topped with various foods. It's gluten free and yummy!
Tuesday: Jamie Oliver's Chickpea and Chorizo Soup This soup is full of flavour. It's a new favourite!
Wednesday: Grilled Chicken Salad with Roasted Red Peppers, Goat Cheese and Toasted Pine Nuts.
All the ingredients are ready to go and just need to be tossed together.
Thursday: Turkey Tacos with Avocado, Lettuce and tomatillo Salsa, with a side Salad of Mozzarella and Tomato
Friday: Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Oven Roasted Tomato and Garlic and Sweet Peppers
Monday: Creamy polenta with spinach tomato sauce. Polenta is cornmeal, and is a common dish in Italian households. It can be made creamy and soft, or it can be baked or fried and eaten like pizza, or topped with various foods. It's gluten free and yummy!
Wednesday: Grilled Chicken Salad with Roasted Red Peppers, Goat Cheese and Toasted Pine Nuts.
All the ingredients are ready to go and just need to be tossed together.
Thursday: Turkey Tacos with Avocado, Lettuce and tomatillo Salsa, with a side Salad of Mozzarella and Tomato
Friday: Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Oven Roasted Tomato and Garlic and Sweet Peppers
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Gluten Free Rice Krispie Squares!
It's only 8:50 a.m. here, but I've already baked up a batch of gluten free Rice Krispie squares with my little one. We've been up for a loooong time, despite the fact that he was up late last night. It doesn't matter when he goes to bed, he never sleeps in.
I'm sure that Kelloggs has an official recipe on their website somewhere, but I just winged it from memory. Hard to believe this will be my son's first time eating a Rice Krispie Square!
Here's what we used:
3-4 tablespoons Becel vegan margarine (my son can't have regular butter)
1 250g bag of regular marshmallows
5 cups gluten free rice krispies
Here's how to do it:
1- Grease a casserole dish for the finished product
2- In a saucepan, melt the margarine over low heat.
3- Add the marshmallows and increase heat to medium-low. Stir until melted.
4- Add the cereal and stir to combine.
5- Press into casserole dish. Let cool and then cut into squares.
The whole process (minus the cooling time) took about 10-15 minutes.
I'm sure that Kelloggs has an official recipe on their website somewhere, but I just winged it from memory. Hard to believe this will be my son's first time eating a Rice Krispie Square!
Here's what we used:
3-4 tablespoons Becel vegan margarine (my son can't have regular butter)
1 250g bag of regular marshmallows
5 cups gluten free rice krispies
Here's how to do it:
1- Grease a casserole dish for the finished product
2- In a saucepan, melt the margarine over low heat.
3- Add the marshmallows and increase heat to medium-low. Stir until melted.
4- Add the cereal and stir to combine.
5- Press into casserole dish. Let cool and then cut into squares.
The whole process (minus the cooling time) took about 10-15 minutes.
 |
| Start with one excited kid |
 |
| Add Marshmallows |
 |
| And margarine |
 |
| Stir |
 |
| Pour in the cereal |
 |
| And DONE! |
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday Five List
The weekend is upon us once again and the weather is still hot, hot, hot! Today also marks the beginning of the third trimester of my pregnancy. 3 months to go!
Here's what's on my mind this Friday:
1- Just finished the last of my gluten free Luna bars today. Look for my review early next week.
2- Getting ready to make gluten free Rice Krispies Squares with my son tomorrow to celebrate the beginning of trimester 3. I'll post the results tomorrow night.
3- My son starts his soccer class on Sunday. I can't wait to see him running around on the field.
4- Going to start a baby name list. This is how you know I'm not in my first pregnancy. The first time around I was picking names the second the test came back positive. This time I feel like there's still plenty of time before I need to settle on names!
5- I'm hoping to get to the library in the next few days. A friend of mine has recommended a couple of good cookbooks that I want to check out. New recipes! Speaking of recipes, the Weekly Menu Plan will go up as usual on Sunday.
Whatever yor plans are for the weekend, I hope it's a great one!
Here's what's on my mind this Friday:
1- Just finished the last of my gluten free Luna bars today. Look for my review early next week.
2- Getting ready to make gluten free Rice Krispies Squares with my son tomorrow to celebrate the beginning of trimester 3. I'll post the results tomorrow night.
3- My son starts his soccer class on Sunday. I can't wait to see him running around on the field.
4- Going to start a baby name list. This is how you know I'm not in my first pregnancy. The first time around I was picking names the second the test came back positive. This time I feel like there's still plenty of time before I need to settle on names!
5- I'm hoping to get to the library in the next few days. A friend of mine has recommended a couple of good cookbooks that I want to check out. New recipes! Speaking of recipes, the Weekly Menu Plan will go up as usual on Sunday.
Whatever yor plans are for the weekend, I hope it's a great one!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Random Thoughts on a Tuesday
For some reason I've been feeling like there's some big activity that I've been putting off.....although I can't really put my finger on what that activity is. I think the problem is that I have so many little, disconnected things that I've been meaning to get done that no matter what I accomplish I never feel as though I've accomplished enough.
This weekend I got the vegetable garden sorted and planted, which is no simple feat when you're almost 7 months pregnant. I'll pot some pics when things get growing!
Our garden this year is fairly simple, for obvious reasons. We're growing:
-Early girl tomatoes in the ground, and I'm experimenting with cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket
-Blue Bush Beans
-Bunching Onions
-Garlic
-Herbs: Sage, Coriander, Lemon Balm, Thyme, Basil, Parsley and Rosemary
-Peas
-A variety of hot peppers: Thai Dragon, Portugal Hot Peppers, Habanero, Ring of Fire, etc.
The herbs are easy because they're just pick and go, and the rest are pretty straighforward. With a baby due in August, I didn't want anything too labour intensive.
You'd think that would be enough to give me a sense of accomplishment, but the to-do list in my mind is still a mile long, and there's always something ready to take the place of any item I manage to cross off.
I think part of it is that I remember how busy I was after my son was born, and I want to get stuff done before the next one arrives. All those things that I know I won't get around to later I'm trying to get done now, and the list keeps growing!
Next up- decorating the baby's room. And maybe choosing some names...
This weekend I got the vegetable garden sorted and planted, which is no simple feat when you're almost 7 months pregnant. I'll pot some pics when things get growing!
Our garden this year is fairly simple, for obvious reasons. We're growing:
-Early girl tomatoes in the ground, and I'm experimenting with cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket
-Blue Bush Beans
-Bunching Onions
-Garlic
-Herbs: Sage, Coriander, Lemon Balm, Thyme, Basil, Parsley and Rosemary
-Peas
-A variety of hot peppers: Thai Dragon, Portugal Hot Peppers, Habanero, Ring of Fire, etc.
The herbs are easy because they're just pick and go, and the rest are pretty straighforward. With a baby due in August, I didn't want anything too labour intensive.
You'd think that would be enough to give me a sense of accomplishment, but the to-do list in my mind is still a mile long, and there's always something ready to take the place of any item I manage to cross off.
I think part of it is that I remember how busy I was after my son was born, and I want to get stuff done before the next one arrives. All those things that I know I won't get around to later I'm trying to get done now, and the list keeps growing!
Next up- decorating the baby's room. And maybe choosing some names...
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan
Monday: Frittata and an avocado and endive salad
(Want the recipe? Click HERE)Tuesday: Steak and potato salad
Thursday: Orchard Chicken Pie with Scalloped Potato Crust
Friday: Stuffed Eggplant with Tomato, Onions and Raisins Friday, May 18, 2012
Friday Five: Ideas for the Long Weekend
It's Victoria Day weekend here in Canada, and that means a three day weekend for most. The weather forecast is a dream, with warm teperatures and sunshine forecast for the entire long weekend. So, whether you're heading to the cottage, going camping, or just hanging out at home, here are my five ideas for making your long weekend great!
1- If a campfire is an option, gluten free S'mores are a must! With a little imagination, perfectly edible S'mores can be made without an open fire too. Graham wafers (I use Kinnikinnick), marshmallows and good chocolate combine in a heavenly treat that perfectly welcomes the beginning of summer.
2- Get outside! Go for a walk, play in the park, work in the garden or just sit outside with a cool drink. I'm going to get some gardening done, and my son and I have a date for a picnic in the backyard.
3- Check out some fireworks. This is one of my favourite activities. We live near an amusement park, which means that we get a great view from our driveway. The neighbours all bring out some lawnchairs, the kids run around, and we enjoy a million dollar view. When I was a kid, we used to go to a local school yard where the fire department put on a display. I'm sure that they were less elaborate than the ones I see now, but it didn't matter. The excitement of staying up late and watching the show were enough to make any kid happy.
4- If the great outdoors isn't your thing, catch some sports action on T.V. NHL playoffs are on, Champions League Soccer finals, tennis, etc. Better yet, watch some sports on your laptop while sitting outside with a cold drink.
5- Relax and enjoy something that makes you happy but that you never seem to have enough time for. Read a book. Take a long bath. Catch up with an old friend. Spend some family time playing games. Whatever makes you happy!
My weekend hopefully will look a little something like this:
Tonight, to bed early with an advance copy of a book I got at the conference I attended a few weeks ago.
Saturday, my son and I have some plans in the backyard- some gardening and a picnic in the morning, soccer finals in the afternoon, followed by some outside activity.
Sunday, the menu plan cooking first thing in the morning, and then my mom is coming over to hang out for the day, capped off by fireworks when the sun goes down. I've left Monday open. Maybe we'll spend the day relaxing, or decide to take a drive somewhere new.
1- If a campfire is an option, gluten free S'mores are a must! With a little imagination, perfectly edible S'mores can be made without an open fire too. Graham wafers (I use Kinnikinnick), marshmallows and good chocolate combine in a heavenly treat that perfectly welcomes the beginning of summer.
2- Get outside! Go for a walk, play in the park, work in the garden or just sit outside with a cool drink. I'm going to get some gardening done, and my son and I have a date for a picnic in the backyard.
 |
| Some of the herbs and peppers I'll be planting |
 |
| Some of my early spring daffodils |
 |
| My garlic, and some of the empty space where my hot peppers and herbs will go |
3- Check out some fireworks. This is one of my favourite activities. We live near an amusement park, which means that we get a great view from our driveway. The neighbours all bring out some lawnchairs, the kids run around, and we enjoy a million dollar view. When I was a kid, we used to go to a local school yard where the fire department put on a display. I'm sure that they were less elaborate than the ones I see now, but it didn't matter. The excitement of staying up late and watching the show were enough to make any kid happy.
4- If the great outdoors isn't your thing, catch some sports action on T.V. NHL playoffs are on, Champions League Soccer finals, tennis, etc. Better yet, watch some sports on your laptop while sitting outside with a cold drink.
5- Relax and enjoy something that makes you happy but that you never seem to have enough time for. Read a book. Take a long bath. Catch up with an old friend. Spend some family time playing games. Whatever makes you happy!
 |
| Take a dip... |
 |
| or just hang out with those you love... |
My weekend hopefully will look a little something like this:
Tonight, to bed early with an advance copy of a book I got at the conference I attended a few weeks ago.
Saturday, my son and I have some plans in the backyard- some gardening and a picnic in the morning, soccer finals in the afternoon, followed by some outside activity.
Sunday, the menu plan cooking first thing in the morning, and then my mom is coming over to hang out for the day, capped off by fireworks when the sun goes down. I've left Monday open. Maybe we'll spend the day relaxing, or decide to take a drive somewhere new.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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