Snack Attack + Beanitos Giveaway

Saturday how I love you. So in need of this Saturday. After yesterday’s minor freak out at the grocery store (yes, it was rough). That ‘letting go’ just did not happen. I mean I did better than I ever had but I still felt ‘restrained’ to put it. The worst part was is that I left feeling bad, guilty for spending the money. I know it is my money but I hate spending it. Frustrating, aka the worst way to end a Friday. What I did learn… they don’t sell the Oikos Plain (not vanilla) Greek yogurt I like anywhere near me aka it means no greek yogurt for Alex and I tend to buy things in single serving quantities because bulk food still scares me (leaving out a lot of fun food for sure).

On another note…let me say, I like this new approach to Snack Attack. Keeping it a Saturday tradition feels a whole lot better. I am more pumped to share them with you all!

Saturday I am tackling a run, actually going to the weight room to do some strength training (a what?), running some errands if the rain holds off and just doing what I feel like. Got to love those days. I consider it a recovery from Fridays freak fest. I probably looked ridiculous trying to mentally crunch all the price numbers.

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Jelly Belly Sport Beans

Before I jump into the Sport Beans, let me just say my little ode to their Sugar Free Varieties of Jelly Belly products. I am a big fan, BIG fan of their Sugar free Jelly Beans Originals, Sours and something new I found GUMMY BEARS. Oh goodness me. Now, I have to say – some people do have side effects to consuming a large amount of these as in any kind of sugar free product so if you are new to these, I would say try a few and see how you react. Me, I get no side effects just ‘get in my belly faster’ response.

With all my running and training and racing, I get a lot of questions about what I use for fuel. My daily runs, I rarely use fuel unless I am feeling extra tired that morning. However, racing I always do.

At first, I tried the gu’s, the chomps, the stings, the bars. What I ended up with was the dreaded back up burp. Sorry, tmi, but it stunk. I felt worse, not better. My fuel has been dramatically changed since I started using Jelly Belly Sport Beans. It is the ONLY fuel I use now. So convenient, so delicious and heck I feel the impact in my half marathons when I take them. I am a person who can’t eat before running or races unless it is something small. I tend to take some beans before a race and some midway through. Stick them in my little shorts pocket and I am good to go.

These Sport Beans are specially formulated to maximize performance with carbohydrates to fuel, electrolytes (sodium and potassium) to maintain fluid balance, vitamins B1, B2 & B3 to burn carbohydrates and fat, and Vitamin C to protect muscles and cells against oxidative damage. Did I mention their flavors are the bomb? I usually go with the mixed variety because I can never decide but they also have Berry, Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, Orange, Extreme cherry and Extreme watermelon. Personally, I store these in the fridge for best use. That is just me.

For all my athletes or even just exercisers out there, check these out.

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Krave Jerky

Drop everything right now and listen. I was so excited to share this one with you because for the first time, I am getting me some meat. You heard it, this girl who complains about her lack of protein and random cravings of meat yet lack of cooking skills to make some found her new outlet. This will be a new staple in my cupboard.

Let me just read you their introduction; “Krave is jerky elevated – no longer must consumers settle for tough, chemically processed products, but instead can turn to a flavorful, artisanal snack hand-crafted using only high quality ingredients. The meat snack division has long been short on excitement and creativity, crying out for innovation and contemporary alternatives. Enter two passionate men from Sonoma county with culinary, win and hospitality backgrounds to disrupt a static food category with an elevated product that features all natural domestic meats, premium flavor profiles and healthier attributes.” Wait, are we talking about beef jerky here? That product I never looked twice at? Sold in every gas station alive? I am sure am, but not just any beef jerky – KRAVE Jerky.

I was sent samples of their flavors and couldn’t resist sampling all of them. The flavors included

• Krave Curry (Natural Beef) – I liked that kick that hit your mouth after a few chews.
• Krave Lemon Garlic (Natural Turkey) – Oh boy, the girl who puts lemon garlic on everything for flavor was in love.
• Krave Chili Lime (Natural Beef) – One of my favorites hands down. So delicious.
• Krave Pineapple Orange (Natural Beef)
• Krave Basil Citrus (Natural Turkey) – So freaking unique I can’t even describe this punch of refreshing delicousness.
• Krave Smoky Grilled Teriyaki (Natural Pork) – So tender it literally melts in your mouth.
• Krave Garlic Chili Pepper (Natural Beef) – Uh, spicy girl in heaven here.
• Krave Sweet Chipotle (Natural Beef) – Yet again, get me more.

I can’t rave more about these. I seriously was in shock at how you can elevate the normal beef jerky which I already do like. I swear drool was rolling down my mouth when I just opened the packets. If I could ask you which snack I will be buying regularly, this is it. You heard it from the horse’s mouth. They have Jerky of the Month Klub where you get 5 bags of your choice each month. Sign me up baby!

Again, get at their website and like them on Facebook and follow on Twitter. I am a loyal fan as of now.

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Cruncha ma-me Edamame Snacks 

Ooh boy I am on a protein roll here. I know edamame is a big food in the healthy living world. Honestly, I had never had it before. But freeze dried vegetables and fruits are like my favorite thing. I heard about this company and could not wait to try these little freeze dried pods. 

Edamame are delicious young soybeans with many organic compounds and amino acids essential for good health. They use non GMO edamame with only all natural seasonings to make these snacks the highest quality. They are freeze dried with 5-8 g of protein (equivalent to an egg), 3-5 g of fiber (equivalent to a large apple), only 80-90 calories, up to a full serving of vegetables, no preservatives and vegan, gluten, dairy and nut free. It has crunch in the name, that is my snacking heaven.

I was able to sample their lightly seasoned, naked, sea salt & black pepper, and veggie medley. My favorite was the veggie medley because it had corn and green pepper freeze dried in the mix. I have to say though, I kind of dug all of them. I just wanted more! They had this salty but overly seasoned freeze dried crunch that was satisfying and delicious. The packs are super convenient and portable. I think I was just converted to edamame people. Freeze dried form of course. 

I know many of you may have not heard of them but seriously check them out on their website, Facebook and Twitter. I am ordering more for sure.

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Erewhon Organic Cereal

Gluten free cereals are less tough to come by these days, but finding ones that actually a high quality ingredient list is a little tougher. Erewhon’s belief is that ‘if what you eat is good, and pure, and true to its source, all else will follow’ – a motto that shapes their line today. None of their cereals have dairy, soy, peanuts or tree nuts with varieties that are both gluten free and non gluten free. They are made in facilities that are peanut free, tree nut free, egg free and dairy free. All allergy friends can I hear an amen?

Erewon cereals have no synthetic additives or preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, no hydrogenated or solvent extracted oils, no refined flour or sugar and no complicated cereal production process. These cereals use natural sweeteners and pure ingredients to get the best cereal around.

They have seven gluten free flavors (Crispy Brown Rice, Crispy Brown Rice no salt added, Crispy Brown Rice with mixed berries, Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice, Rice Twice, Corn Flakes and Strawberry Crisp) and two non gluten free flavors (Raisin Bran and Crispy Brown Rice).

I was able to try Rice Twice, Corn Flakes and Crispy Brown Rice no salt added. Can I say I kind of loved them? I was expecting, no offense, something that was bland and tasteless. I mean, here is the girl who loves her sugar. But boy was I surprised when the cereal was actually sweet and crunchy. I have become so accustomed to buying all the puffed cereal because it is gluten free so this texture was a refreshing surprise. What I liked about the Corn Flakes, was that it had smaller flakes, not the massive ones you normally find. It made the cereal more filling and satisfying. Rice Twice was so unique and this one really did win me over on all the features it had in it. Some pieces were crunchy, some puffier but all delivered on taste. Even the Crispy Brown Rice no salt added was freaking good, I could have eaten it by the handful.

If you are looking for better quality cereal, look no further. Check out their website, follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

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Yogavive Fruit Snacks

I have and will always be a fan of freeze dried fruit and vegetables over the dried kind. I actually hate dried fruit, it is way too sugary and hurts my stomach so much. Freeze dried however, is one of the best inventions I have seen. These Yogavive fruit snacks did not disappoint.

Yogavive is organic popped fuji apples that come in both perfectly portioned pouches and larger bags. These snacks are made with the highest quality USDA organic fuji apples. They use a two part drying system where first the apples are baked then popped to give that 100% fat free apple taste. They come in five flavors – Original, Apple Cinnamon, Peach, Caramel and Strawberry.

Two things that really set this brand of freeze dried apples apart were the size of their crisps and the taste. Size wise, they are not full pieces, not little bits or round nuggets. These are actual slices of apples giving it a more satisfying crunch. Flavor wise, the flavors that they have you can actually taste and come through quite prominently without overshadowing the apple-ness of it.

If you haven’t already, check out their website, Facebook and Twitter.

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Food Should Taste Good

These bad boys have been floating around so I bet you have heard of them. But have you tried them? With their new Sweet Potato chip line I think it is time you take a dive in.

In case you are not familiar, their products are all natural chips made from real, simple ingredients. Their chips varieties are all free of cholesterol, preservatives and trans fat. They are certified Kosher and gluten free, lower in sodium and are a good source of dietary fiber. Currently, they have 16 flavors in their 5.5 oz line: Multigrain, Sweet Potato, Olive, Jalapeno, Lime, Cantina, The Works!, Chocolate, Blue Corn, Cheddar, White Cheddar, Toasted Sesame, Hemp, jalapeno with Cheddar, Hatch Chile and Kettle corn. Their brand new line of Kettle Cooked Sweet Potato Chips come in Original, BBQ, Salt & Pepper and Salt & Vinegar.

You guys know me, I have my criteria for snacks. They have to be crunchy, satisfying and full of flavor (no skimpy I claim I am Cheddar but taste nothing like it going on!). While I did not get to try all of these, I need to share some highlights. I need you all to get your hands on the Jalapeno with Cheddar. My god it was good. So each chip you literally see the cheddar just sitting there.Were you one of those kids that looked for the chip or cracker that had the most visible flavor? I certainly was but with these they all had that even coating (on both sides) of yummy cheddar. Plus the spice and cool of the jalapeno and cheddar was so unique, pretty hard to describe my love. But what sold this brand for me, was the Kettle Cooked Sweet Potato line. These chips were crunchy, oh so crunchy and no greasy mess you sometimes see. I have never really been a kettle cooked fan fanatic until now. They just had so much freaking crunch and flavor. I highly highly highly recommend them.

Are you drooling now? Because I am just thinking about them. Check out their website and like them on Facebook.

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Beanitos

When it comes to snacking, I do really appreciate the companies that not only make single serve size snack packs but also pack a punch to their nutrition in their snacks. Beanitos does just that, again a product I had never tried but am so glad I did.

These bean chips were created in 2010 in the midst of trying to create a delicious tasting snack with a low glycemic index. “Beanitos are loaded with non-GMO vegetable fiber (20% of the daily value in just 10 chips, that’s 5 grams!), 4 grams of complete protein and are rich in Essential ALA Omega 3s (600mg in Pinto Bean and Flax) all which are packed into one great tasting serving!”

All of their chips are free of corn, wheat, soy, potato, trans fat, cholesterol and verified non GMO.  Adding on they are Gluten free and Kosher. Just taking a look at one of these beans, you can see the mighty legumes that pack these chips. Even better, these chips have 6 g of fiber and 6 g of complete protein trumping the normal chip varieties that have around 1.5-2.5 g per serving. A clear winner.

I was sent a trial of their snack packs that included their original Black Bean, Pinto bean, Chipotle BBQ, and Cheddar Cheese. For starters, I loved the size of each snack pack. Perfect for a salty craving but not too much to make you overly full. Now the flavors were freaking bomb! I could not get enough of the Chipotle BBQ – I do warn you though they have a nice punch to them only spicy lovers would adore. The Cheddar Cheese was a remarkable cheesy bite that left me licking my fingers.

Even better news? Beanitos wants to send some bean love your way- a snack pack attack with all the varieties to try. The giveaway will close this Monday night (August 27th) at 8 pm. To enter

• MANDATORY: check out their website and tell me what intrigues you most about this chip
• ADDITIONAL: Like them on Facebook
• ADDITIONAL: Follow them on Twitter and follow me (@shabesa)!

Three ways to enter! Get your bean on!