Kodiak Cakes Review

For our product review this month we choose Kodiak Cakes.  They have so many different flavors out there so they really do have something for everyone.  

My family and I tried out 3 different flavors  including: whole wheat, oat, and honey, dark chocolate, and superfood.  We just tried them all as pancakes and haven't tried them for waffles yet, but maybe we will do that this weekend. 

The whole wheat, oat, and honey one tasted just like any other boxed pancake mix.  I didn't get a lot of honey flavor or anything too different or spectacular with this one.  The dark chocolate was my favorite because it had little chunks of dark chocolate in it.  It was just sweet enough but not overly sweet, even after I doused it in maple syrup.  The superfood pancakes were also good, I liked this one because it actually had some texture to it and a little more flavor than the honey and oat one.  I also felt better about my kids eating three of these for breakfast than just a regular pancake without all of the adding benefits.  My kids tried all of them and 2 out of the 3 liked all of them.  One of my boys didn't care for the dark chocolate one, but when I asked why he didn't like it, he said that he wasn't hungry.   

I will say that the directions on the box said to make with a 1 c. mix to 1 c. water ratio and I thought it was too watery.  I ended up adding more pancake mix to the batter to thicken it up a little.  I would start off with directions on the box and maybe add more mix if you like your pancakes a little fluffier.

All in all I liked the pancakes and will be buying the dark chocolate ones again.  I am also going to try the other recipes on the box for the other breakfast treats.

-Cool

I get pretty excited when a package of new products, well new to me, land in my office and Kodiak Cakes surely increased my giddiness. I was ready to whip up pancakes for family, friends and clients to see if these boxes delivered plenty of yum and good nutrition.

I split up the flavors with Cool (it was hard to give up the chocolate one) and I took the Buttermilk Power Cakes and the Crunchy Peanut Butter Power Cakes. 

What really caught my eye about these mixes were not the flavors but the nutrition. These boxes of mix are packed with 100% whole grain wheat flour, 14 grams of whey protein per serving (3 cakes about the size in the picture above), 5 grams of fiber and a wholesome ingredient list packed with things we all know and can pronounce.  Woo hoo! 

I made the Buttermilk for brunch with friend and topped them with fresh strawberries from the garden. They were gobbled up before I could even get a picture! They were light and fluffy and filling because of the protein and fiber. 

I made the Crunchy Peanut Butter for a class I teach about pre-diabetes. These are a healthy choice for people watching their blood sugars and weight. They loved them and so did I. The best part about this flavor is similar to the dark chocolate one, there are little chunks of peanuts in the mix which adds a nice texture to the finished product. 

With the leftovers, I spread a couple tablespoons of peanut butter in between two of the pancakes and put them in the freezer for a protein-packed grab and go sandwich for when I am in a hurry. 

Their website has a ton of recipes to create even more delicousness like cookies and muffins. For more information go here. 

The Crunchy Peanut Butter will definitely be a staple in my pantry. I also will be sneaking over to Cool's house to try the dark chocolate one too! 

~Crazy

5 Simple, Smart and Satisfying Snacks

Snacking is the latest and greatest food trend. Many individuals are foregoing the strategic 3 meals a day and replacing it with 6 small meals or snacks a day. This is happening for many reasons, with time constraints leading the pack.  People have less and less time to cook at home, less knowledge about how to prepare and cook food and spending more time away from the home. According to recent studies, snacking will probably increase 5-7% over the next 3 years and replace the regular 3 meals a day.  

Just look at these statistics from leading market research firms (www.forbes.com):

• A survey of 1,139 people by Nielsen found that 91% of adults snack at least once a day, including 25% who say they snack 3-5 times a day and 3% who claim to be always nibbling.
• According to a 2013 report from The Hartman Group, 48% of respondents replace meals with snacks at least 3-4 times a week.
• As many as 30% of Americans reported eating a frozen entrée as a snack, according to a 2014 report from Mintel. The report also found 41% of 25- to 34-year-olds surveyed were even more inclined to do so.

This is the alarming matter at hand:  are we replacing healthy meals with more unhealthy snacks?  With many of the quick and convenient snack options coming mainly from the grain group of the MyPlate food guide (think crackers, cookies, candy and chips), this might be a reason snacking may be increasing your waistline. The key to healthful snacking is all about balance. Each time you reach for a snack, you should have 2 of the 5 food groups and 1 of them should always be from the protein group.   Protein helps your metabolism work more efficiently at burning calories and also keeps your blood sugars stable so you do not experience bouts of intense hunger and cravings.

Here are healthier common snack replacements for the higher calorie and fat versions we tend to munch on.  All have less than 250 calories, pack a protein punch of 5 or more grams to keep you fuller longer and all will satisfy a sweet, salty or crunchy craving.

Instead of Cookies, try Apple “Cookies”

Shop:  Apple, peanut butter (or other nut butter), mini chocolate chips, old fashioned oats

Snack:  Slice the apple and circle out the core (usually you will get around 5-6 slices from a medium apple). Divide 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of oats and 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips between the slices.

Serving:  5 slices

 

 Instead of Potato Chips and Onion Dip, try Homemade Corn Chips and Dip

Shop:  Corn Tortillas, non-stick cooking spray, salt, 1 small container of plain fat-free Greek yogurt, salsa.

Snack:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 3 tortillas with a pizza cutter into 4 pieces for a total of 12 chips. Lay flat and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until desired crispiness. Meanwhile mix small container of yogurt with 2 tablespoons of salsa.

Serving:  12 chips and 1 cup of salsa dip

Instead of Cereal Snack Mix, try Power Snack Mix

Shop:  Shelled pistachios, unsweetened coconut flakes, raisins

Snack:  Combine 1 ounce of pistachios (about 50 nuts), 2 tablespoons of coconut and 2 tablespoons of raisins.

Serving:  ½ cup 

Instead of Crackers, try Flavored Popcorn

Shop:  Popcorn kernels, olive oil spray, Italian seasoning blend, garlic powder, roasted sunflower seeds.

Snack:  Air pop popcorn kernels, while warm, lightly spray with olive oil and sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning blend, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ cup of sunflower seeds.

Serving:  2 cups

Instead of a High Sugar and Fat Filled Latte, try a Craving Crusher Latte

Shop:  Coffee, fat-free milk, vanilla whey protein powder

Snack:  Brew and cool coffee. In a blender bottle, mix coffee with ¼ cup of milk and 1 scoop of protein powder. Shake until well blended.  

Serving:  8-10 ounces

~Crazy

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Go Green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  My friend Cool is taking the day off to celebrate like a handful of my other friends (for some reason think this is THE holiday of the year). Today I am going to celebrate with you by sharing why green fruits and vegetables are powerful foods that you should be eating every day. 

I start my day each with a green smoothie. I am not going to lie, I am not the best with my green veggies and this past year, I made myself a promise that I would have at least 2 servings of green vegetables a day. Smoothies have been my life saver to achieve this goal. 

Why should you eat green?  And did you know there is more to green fruits and vegetables than kale, spinach and collard greens? 

KIWI

One medium kiwi provides about 60 calories, 100% of daily vitamin C needs and more potassium than half a banana.  Kiwis also make a smart snack choice—just cut, scoop and eat. I love them because 2 are a serving size and I get 4 grams of fiber.

AVOCADOS

Avocados contain monounsaturated fat, a good heart-healthy fat. This fruit is ready to eat when slightly soft, and can be added to dishes for its fresh and creamy flavor. Add to your favorite entrées, use as a substitute for your favorite condiment or even add to smoothies.

GREEN BELL PEPPERS

One pepper has only 30 calories, and delivers a day’s worth of Vitamin C, supporting healthy immune function.  Peppers are great sautéed in entrée dishes, or make a delicious crunchy snack with a dip. This is truly my go to vegetable at lunch time.

BROCCOLI

One cup of broccoli provides an excellent source of Vitamin K, supporting bone health.  Broccoli also contains as much Vitamin C as an orange, and is a good source of fiber to help with weight control and healthy digestion.  Besides being eaten raw or cooked, broccoli can be added to soups, stews and casseroles for a health kick.

ASPARAGUS

This nutrient-dense vegetable contains folic acid, helping the body make healthy new cells and prevent birth defects during pregnancy.  Need new ideas for asparagus recipes?  Try Roasted Asparagus Salad with Citrus Dressing.

KOHLRABI

This unfamiliar vegetable is a member of the cabbage family.  It has a sweet, juicy texture that tastes similar to broccoli stems.  Enjoy raw, roasted, steamed or add to a favorite soup.  I like them sliced and topped with freshly ground pepper. These are a family favorite!

CUCUMBER

Cucumber is best eaten raw or barely cooked, leaving the skin on for added fiber benefits.  Store up to one week in refrigerator; use leftover cucumber for a personal spa day.

Crazy's Morning Kickstart Shake 

1 kiwi fruit, roughly chopped

1/2 avocado, roughly chopped

1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped 

1 cup milk (skim or vanilla almond)

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Put in blender and purée to the consistency you like. Add ice if you like it more frothy. I also freeze my spinach and my chopped kiwi for the week so it's ready to go and it serves as my ice. 

Cheers to you today! 

~Crazy