Queen of Oats
Queen of Oats is a health-centric artisan baking company located just outside Charlotte, NC and specializes in foods that matter...creating delicious, nutritious wheat-free* granola, protein bars and breakfast cookies. Founded by Kelli Swick, Queen of Oats was born from her desire and need to have a wheat-free whole food snack option for her middle daughter who had been diagnosed with a severe wheat allergy. Kelly took that passion and her degree in Nutrition to develop a line of products that are both wheat-free* and contain only whole foods.
The Queen of Oats makes three different products; wheat-free* granola in 4 flavors ( Cranberry Pistachio, Breakfast Cookie Granola: GLUTEN-FREE, Currant Almond and Blueberry Walnut), breakfast cookies and protein bars in 2 amazing flavors (Original and Dark Chocolate Coconut). Queen of Oats uses only whole food sweeteners like ground dates, unprocessed honey, and handmade fruit pastes, giving their products the perfect amount of sweetness. They are also low in sodium and saturated fat. The use of whole food ingredients make these making them both nutrient dense and delicious.
We've had the chance to try and fall in love with the Queen of Oats' protein bars. Theses protein bars are whole food meal replacement bars with all natural and organic ingredients and over 10 grams of protein. The bars (both flavors) count for 1 Starch, 1 Fat, 1 Meat, and 1 Fruit each making them a long-lasting source of on-the-go energy. They're a great source of fiber, which studies show can aid in weight loss and lowering cholesterol. These bars can really help to satisfy a sweet tooth, without adding any refined sugars, too. The Queen of Oats' protein bars are available in a box of six and currently come in 2 flavors, Original and Dark Chocolate Coconut. We loved both flavors but the Dark Chocolate Coconut was a huge hit in our house and got 2 thumbs up from both kids.
If you would like to try the Queen of Oats' Protein Bars, we are excited to have these delicious and nutritious protein bars available for purchase in our TNT Online Store. For a clean, easy, healthy meal replacement, Queen of Oats protein bars are a must.
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Recipe: Cream Peanut Dip
We are huge fans of recipes that are not only yummy but also fast and easy! And this Cream Peanut Dip certainly fits the bill. This dip is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack with some slices of apple or pear. The kids will love it for a quick bite after school. And since we are headed into football season...
it is the perfect appetizer to bring along to any tailgating party.
It can easily be doubled or tripled to handle the crowd. Mix up your fruits and even include some graham cracker sticks like those from Back to Nature.
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size: 2 tablespoons sauce and 2 pear wedges
Ingredients
4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (could substitute sunbutter)
2 tablespoon fat-free milk
2/3 cup frozen fat-free whipped dessert topping, thawed
1 medium red or green pear or apple, cored and cut into 16 slices*
1 medium apple, cored and cut into 16 slices*
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter and milk until combined. Gently fold in whipped dessert topping, leaving some streaks of whipped topping. Serve with fruit wedges. Makes 4 (2 tablespoons sauce and 2 pear wedges) servings.
Tip
*Test Kitchen Tip: To prevent fruit from browning, toss cut fruit with a little orange juice or lemon juice. If desired, use some red pear slices and some green pear slices.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving:Servings Per Recipe: 4
PER SERVING: 82 cal., 4 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 42 mg sodium, 10 g carb. (2 g fiber), 2 g pro.
Exchanges: Carbs: 0.5; Fat: 1
Original recipe from Diabetic Living: Creamy Peanut Dip
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10 Health Benefits of Oranges
Who doesn't love a delicious mouthwatering orange for a snack? And because they are easy to eat and provide a burst of energy, oranges are a very popular snack among athletes. Here are 10 more reasons you should grab an orange next time you need a mid-day hunger fix.
1. Helps Prevent Cancer
Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids which has been proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.
2. Fights Against Viral Infections
Research show that the abundance of polyphenols in oranges protects against viral infections.
3. Lowers Risk of Disease
Oranges are full of vitamin C which protects cells by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals cause chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer.
4. Lowers Cholesterol
Oranges are full of soluble fiber which is helpful in lowering cholesterol.
5. Boosts Heart Health
Oranges are full of potassium, an electrolyte mineral is responsible for helping the heart function well.
6. Relieves Constipation
Oranges are full of dietary fiber which stimulates digestive juices and relieves constipation.
7. Helps Create Good Vision
Oranges are rich in carotenoid compounds which are converted to vitamin A and help prevent macular degeneration.
8. Regulates High Blood Pressure
The flavonoid hesperidin found in oranges helps regulate high blood pressure and the magnesium in oranges helps maintain blood pressure.
9. Protects Skin
Oranges are full of beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant protecting the cells from being damage which also protects the skin from free radicals and prevents the signs of aging.
10. Provides Smart Carbs:
Oranges like all fruits have simple sugars in them, but the orange has a glycemic index of 40. Anything under 55 is considered low. This means as long as you don’t eat a lot of oranges at one time, they won’t spike your blood sugar and cause problems with insulin or weight gain.
Check out this GREAT tip we found on Jewel Pie for peeling an orange...how did I not know this before???
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Handy Dry to Liquid Sugar Substitute Chart
Have you ever wanted to replace honey for white sugar in a recipe? Do you substitute equal parts or make an adjustment? Well this little chart from The Gracious Pantry will certainly come in handy next time you are in the kitchen!
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Making Half a Recipe Chart
Here is a handy little chart and EVERYONE needs to have in their kitchen...
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4 Things You Should Know Before You Eat Your Next Avocado
Many of us don't need to be sold on the health benefits of avocados. But did you know studies show that people who eat avocados are over-all healthier than their counterparts? Maybe this research will give those non-avocado eaters incentive to cross over and give this nutrient-packed green fruit a second look!
The avocado is considered to be one of the healthiest foods around because they contain over 25 essential nutrients, including vitamin A, B, C, E, & K, copper, iron, magnesium, phosporus, and potassium. The avocado also contains more natural fiber than any other fruit and contains protein, and several beneficial phytochemicals such as beta-sitosterol, glutathione and lutein, which may protect against various disease and illness.
So we wanted to share 4 Things You Should Know Before You Eat Your Next Avocado
1. TO CHOOSE: Lush California Hass (right) packs a wallop of healthy monounsaturated fat. A Florida avocado (left) has less flavor and less fat.
2. TO HALVE: Cut avocado in two lengthwise around its pit. Twist halves in opposite directions to separate them, and then pull apart.
3. TO PIT: First, thrust the blade of a sharp paring knife into the pit. Then twist the knife gently to loosen the pit, and lift it out.
4. TO PEEL: Pull the skin off the flesh in strips with your fingers. When the fruit is very ripe, you can often remove the skin in one piece.
You can read the complete article here in Prevention Magazine.
What is your favorite way to incorporate avocado into your diet?
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Win a FREE sample of TNT's IMPACT Pre-Work Supplement :) Good luck!
After years of Research and Development Total Nutrition Technology is proud to announce the most advanced Pre-Workout Formula ever made! Although even the most casual workout enthusiast will benefit from this formula it was designed with the Athlete in mind. If you are looking for a quick energy boost that makes your skin itch and then has you crashing 1/2hr later then this is NOT the formula for you! The exact combination of ingredients with a time release agent will not only increase your energy level and intensity, but most importantly will sustain for over 2 hours! This product is perfect for those individuals that want and/or need a to keep a high level intensity for their entire workout without having to worry about crashing energy levels associated with sugary "Energy" supplements.
- Boosts Energy Significantly
- Sustains an Increased Energy Level for long Duration
- Intensifies Workout
- Increases Concentration
Total Nutrition Technology is offering you the chance to win a sample packet of IMPACT Pre-Workout and take YOUR workout to the next level. Here are the details....
Giveaway Details:
- 10 Readers will win a IMPACT Pre-Workout sample packet.
- Open Worldwide (where prohibited).
- Winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter..
- Giveaway ends August 29 at 11:59pm.
- Winner will be notified by email.
- Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
- Must be 18 years or older to enter Rafflecopter.
- Entering the Rafflecopter means you agree to the terms above.
Disclosure: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are in no way associated with this giveaway. Prize fulfillment and shipping will be handled by Total Nutrition Technology.
The Best, Most Practical Post-Baby Body Advice You Are Going To Get (Part 3)
Did you miss DAY 1 on Accepting yourself for being beautiful just the way that you are? Read it here.
Did you miss DAY 2 on Practical tips to get your body back? Read it here.
Today is Day 3…
4- Eat like you are worth it, too!
Why on earth do we think we’re not important enough to feed ourselves like champions, too? You made a human being! You’re amazing! Besides, your kids will only keep eating what you tell them for so long before they need to see you doing it, too. You really want them to be healthy? Lead by example. And don’t forget, you’re seriously worth it, too.
5- Hydrate yourself
Clichés are such for a reason: because they’re usually right. Drink water. Stop complaining, and drink it. Your skin will stop breaking out, yourstretch marks will fade, your muscles will heal faster, your skin will tighten back up, and the toxins in your cells will hitch a ride down to sewer town. There are so many countless reasons that it just doesn’t make any logical sense that if you have a health goal of any kind, that you’re not drinking water.
So what worked for me? Two things:
Two things:
This opened my eyes to the bajillion and one options available for flavoring my water without getting bored or having extra calories. Because let’s face it – I might be a Health Educator, butI. Hate. Water. My favorite blends for my water bottle are lemon and rosemary, butorange mint is a close second.I also really like cucumber and basil, and bell pepper and cilantro! I could seriously write an article just on these combos, but that’s not what this is about.
2) I learned that everyone has a way they’ll drink lots of water.
I will drink double if not triple the water from a cup with a lid and straw. So I use my TNT bottle now when I’m running around (so it won’t spill everywhere) and my straw cup when I’m at home/work. None of the hard work I put in for points 1-4 can happen without enough water to get things where they need to go. So drink up!
~ Stacey
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