Creamy Asparagus Chicken 2 (C3)

Creamy Asparagus Chicken 2 (C3)

Modified recipe author: Simmie Sinow 

(after Sabine Bauer modified it as Creamy Asparagus Chicken on this blog)

Makes 3 servings

14-16 oz chicken breast or tenderloin, cubed
1 bunch asparagus
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 medium spring onions
2 Tbsp friendly fat (olive oil)

Suggested spices were: crushed chili, aniseed, cumin, salt

I didn't have some of that, so I used:
1/2 tsp McCormick's Southwest Seasoning
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1/4 tsp Cumin

Sauce:
3 Tbsp reduced fat cream cheese
3 Tbsp Parmesan (I used a Parmesan/asiago mix, which is to die for)
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Chop asparagus into 1" pieces, chop spring onions, slice mushrooms (I also cut them in half after slicing), cut chicken into cubes.

In a frying pan, heat olive oil and spices to taste, stir fry onions, chicken, mushrooms and asparagus; reduce heat, cover and let cook for about 10 mins.

FOR THE SAUCE:
In a small bowl mix cream cheese, Parmesan, and almond milk; zap for about 30 sec in microwave and stir until smooth. Add to chicken and veggies, stir, and let simmer for about a minute.

17 Day Diet Gal's Notes:
I like spicy -- and especially if it's a slow burn that builds with each bite.  The spices that I used fit my requirements -- when I was done eating this, my mouth was a tiny bit on fire and dissipated after about 5 minutes.  If you don't like spicy very much, you can use other spices to fit your taste buds.

I tripled some of the ingredients to make this version that is good for 3 meals (chicken called for 4 oz; sauce requirements were 1/3 less; mushrooms were much less); I had quite a bit of sauce, so next time I will probably only double the sauce.  Even then, we shall see!

If you don't have onions readily available, you can use onion powder (I had to do this the second time I made it).

Enjoy!

Creamy Asparagus Chicken (C3)

Creamy Asparagus Chicken (C3)

Modified recipe author: Sabine Bauer

100 g chicken breast (3.5 ounces)
1 bunch asparagus
3-4 large mushrooms
1 Tbsp reduced fat cream cheese
1 Tbsp Parmesan (I used a Parmesan/asiago mix, which is to die for)
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 medium spring onions
1 Tbsp friendly fat (olive oil)
crushed chili
aniseed
cumin
salt

Chop asparagus into 1" pieces, chop spring onions, slice mushrooms, cut chicken breast into strips. In a frying pan heat fat and spices to taste, stir fry onions, chicken, mushrooms and asparagus; reduce heat and let cook for about 10 mins.

In a small bowl mix cream cheese, Parmesan, and almond milk; zap for about 30 sec in microwave and stir until smooth. Add to chicken and veggies, stir, and let simmer for about a minute.

Bon appetit ;)

I Love NY More Than Ever

I've been trying to get in the zone to write an upbeat, "bubbly" post, but as I always say, ya can't fake the funk.

The past few days have been nothing short of shocking, depressing, and well, depressing. I could not possibly be more grateful that my home and my neighborhood was completely unscathed by Hurricane Sandy, but I know others were not so lucky and my heart truly goes out to them. I can't even imagine how they are coping.

As a New Yorker, I think I will forever relate any disaster to 9/11. The way this city was torn down, and the way we all came together to rebuild. The way strangers were extra nice to you, and the way people genuinely wanted to do everything in their power to help each other. New Yorkers are tough, there's no debate there. It's what gives us our edge, as my mom says. But when the shit hits the fan, that tough exterior melts away and we will throw down for you.

I can't believe that as I look out my window, life looks completely normal. Yesterday we got a shot of sunlight through the clouds and took a walk to see our local Italian pastry shop open and serving their infamous cappuccinos. I never felt more comforted by a little ritual like that. It's the little things amidst the big things that provide feelings of normalcy that we so often take for granted.

But I can't help thinking - why am I okay? Why are other people dealing with such devastation and unfathomable loss? Why did I get spared? I know those thoughts are normal and I know I need to focus that energy in being thankful and helping those who are suffering, and that's exactly what I plan to do. We're going to donate some clothes today and try to look for opportunities to volunteer around our neighborhood.

I don't know where I'm going with this post. I just had to get it out. I have no idea where things stand, no idea when I can go back to work, half our city is underwater and things are far from normal past the clouds outside my little window, but I do know this: I have never, ever been prouder to be a New Yorker. We will get through this. We always do.

WIAW #62: Halloween Edition!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

And happy WIAW. It's that time of the week again!

The time to share some eats, some treats, and some ghoulish fun. I say we do it in that order!

So a recent discovery? Brownies and walnut butter go reallllllly well with roasted kabocha.

Just FYI. And, you know, because I needed another reason to eat brownies. Obviously.

The one in the picture is a Zen Cat Bakery vegan, gluten-free brownie (or rather half of one, since I ate half before coming up with the brilliant walnut butter-kabocha pairing).

And yogurt parfaits never go out of style. Does anyone else like pumpkin seeds better than pumpkin? Anyone?

Freeze dried corn with peanut paste (peanut flour mixed with cashew butter and honey), munched along with a crispy apple = great late night snack.

And, er, it might have been followed by a brownie. Shhhh ;)

Another great late night snack?

Cereal! I never eat mine plain anymore, there's always seeds and dried fruits and cacao nibs, and nut butter and who knows what else mixed in. This bowl as uncooked oats hiding under the raisin brain and granola. And then dried cranberries, dried blueberries, sprouted pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, and a little sugar over everything. Yummy :)

Even though I don't blog about all of them, since I often repeat types, I still have at least 1 or 2 protein bars a day.

What can I say? I'm addicted.

I'm also very well covered on the protein front, since I love beans - especially sweet beans!

Go figure.

Anyway, I'd love to throw in some more food pics, but this three-component post will get way too long and this next treat is too good to miss!

Has anyone heard of Lily's Sweets? They make dark chocolate bars with fair trade chocolate aaaaaand....

stevia!

It's pretty darn hard to find a chocolate bar (or any kind of sweet treat) that's sweetened with stevia. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they might actually be the only chocolate bar company that makes stevia-sweetened chocolate?

Most companies make chocolate with sugar (which is usually fine unless you're diabetic, since sugar isn't the devil - ahem see that very sugary brownie above?). The ones that offer sugarfree chocolate bars tend to use unhealthy artificial sweeteners that are way less healthy than the sugar would have been - chemicals derived from the same ones that clean your public pool, chemicals that are linked to cancer, developmental issues, obesity, and a host of other problems.

But not Lily's.

The folks behind Lily's, Cynthia and Chuck, worked long and hard to create a healthy 55% dark chocolate bar, made with fair trade chocolate, that you can feel truly good about indulging in, even when it's a daily treat and not a small portion (shhhh). It's 100% sugar-free, natural indulgence!

And not only is it a great product, but it does a great thing. Lily's Dark Chocolate was named in honor of a brave little girl called Lily. During her struggle with an aggressive brain cancer, Lily noticed that there was a shortage of electric wheelchairs at her hospital. When she returned home, seven-year-old (that's how old my little sister is!) Lily worked together with her family to raise $9,000 for an additional chair. I encourage you to read about Lily's inspiring story, and her efforts to raise money for other children with cancer, here!

Anyway, Lily's Sweets doesn't just honor Lily in name, but also in a tangible, helpful way. Lily's donates a portion of their profits from every chocolate bar sale to grass roots non-profits that support childhood cancer survivors and fighters. How many chocolate bars do that?

Here's what's in the bars (the ingredients/stats are just about the same for all of them, but pictured below is for the coconut bar).

Considering the low calories, the less than 1g of sugar, the large serving size (it's not one of those deals where they say it's low calorie because the serving is the size of your pinky finger), and the sometimes bitter taste associated with stevia, I wasn't expecting much.

I was wrong.

There is no bitterness whatsoever here. It's creamy, chocolaty, perfectly sweet, and every bit as decadent as its made-with-sugar counterparts!

Even if these weren't healthy, didn't support childhood cancer survivors and their families, and weren't from an all-around awesome company, I would still buy them. They're just that delicious.

The coconut chocolate bar was coconutty and creamy chocolate, the original was perfect for S'mores (or just straight up), the almond one was loaded with fresh-tasting almonds in silky smooth, creamilicious dark chocolate (but note that they're only 55% dark chocolate, so they're not dark-dark and thus kids will like them, too).

The biggest surprise for me was the Crispy Rice chocolate bar.

It's loaded with crispy brown rice that just pairs so well with the creamy dark chocolate. This is 100% crave-worthy and near-impossible to put down. Three words: yum, yum, yum.

Well, that was delicious. 

Unless you're vegan, there's no reason to buy a bar (or four) right now - find them in a store near you! I promise, there's no way your Halloween candy will be anywhere near as delicious as these, so it's just fine to supplement your stash a little :)

Okay, last but not least, it's time for some ghoulish fun - a this-or-that survey, Halloween style!

Trick or Treat?

Treat! I never did any of the toilet-papering or other Halloween-y pranks. But I trick-or-treated hardcore every year until I started boarding school in ninth grade! These days, I just dress up and buy my own candy/get candy from friendly TFs and holiday-spirited friends :)

Candy or Popcorn Ball?

Candy! Preferably chocolate. I've just never been the hugest fan of popcorn, it just can't compete with a creamy chocolate bar.

Pumpkin carving or pumpkin painting?

I'm not that into either, but I guess I'd go with pumpkin painting. It's less of a mess and not so hard!

Believe in ghosts or don't believe in ghosts?

Don't believe in ghosts. Though when I'm home alone on a dark spooky night and the house is creaking all over, I do believe in scary stuff.

Give out candy or turn off your lights?

Give out candy! The dressing up, and seeing everyone else's costumes, too, is my favorite part of Halloween!

Buy a costume or make a costume?

I've done both, though I usually make a costume. My mom never saw much sense in buying an outfit that I'd only wear once, so we got pretty creative, instead. 

Except that one year when I went as a ghost. Yes, it was a bedsheet with holes in it. But cut us some slack! It was our first Halloween, since they don't (didn't?) have Halloween in South Africa!

Werewolf or Vampire?

Vampire! Does this really need explanation? I mean, who wants all that hair?

Snickers or Smarties?

Snickers, all the way! I'm all about the creamy chocolate. Though now I kind of wish Lily's was an option, too... :)

Bag or pillowcase?

Bag! I almost always used either one of those standard-issue plastic jack-o-lantern ones or a black witch's cauldron one, as I've always thought (and still do) that pillowcases look tacky.

Choose two or three questions and give me your answers! Or, if you decide to do the survey on your blog, please leave the link here so that I can read your answers, too!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a Ronco Food Dehydrator!

Statin treatment is associated with a higher death rate and a higher risk of heart attack in angioplasty patients

This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine 1994 Nov 17;331(20):1331-7

 

Study title and authors:

Lack of effect of lovastatin on restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Lovastatin Restenosis Trial Study Group.

Weintraub WS, Boccuzzi SJ, Klein JL, Kosinski AS, King SB 3rd, Ivanhoe R, Cedarholm JC, Stillabower ME, Talley JD, DeMaio SJ

Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7935702

This six month, randomized, double-blind trial evaluated the effects of lovastatin in 404 patients who had undergone angioplasty. (Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening narrowed or obstructed arteries). The patients received either lovastatin (40 mg orally twice daily) or placebo.

The study found:
(a) Patients receiving lovastatin had a 200% increased risk of death compared to the patients receiving placebo.
(b) Patients receiving lovastatin had a 177% increased risk of a heart attack compared to the patients receiving placebo.

The data from the study reveals that statin treatment is associated with a higher death rate and a higher risk of heart attack in angioplasty patients.

Record Keeping to Change Your Perspective--And Your Eating

I'd LOVE to eat your food record, but I'm really not that hungry!

“My dog ate my food record.” “Oh, I left it at work.” “I know what I eat, I don’t need to write it down.” And finally, the very honest and most insightful comment I’ve heard, “I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Because if I don't write it down, then maybe it didn't happen." This, perhaps, sums up why, in spite of knowing that food record keeping is recommended, it is often not done. But of course you know I can't just let it go at that! 

First, let me clarify. A food record, generally speaking, is a journal of what you ate including the quantity of food, and when you ate it. A valuable food record also includes some other critical information—your perceived hunger when you begin eating, your thoughts and your feelings—both physical and emotional. Noting where you ate is also quite useful, as we’ll discuss in a bit. Oh, and if food was consumed but eating disorder behaviors followed, that should be noted as well.

And calories? In my view, these have no place in your food record. “But don’t they count and impact my weight?” Absolutely. Yet counting them is not my idea of a healthy way to change your relationship with food and normalize your weight. We are trying to get out of your head—away from your over-analyzing what's acceptable to eat—and into your body, aware of its signals to eat and to stop eating. A goal of record keeping is to help you learn to rely on these signals so you can trust your body—I know you're not there yet—but this is a great way to start.

Why all the fuss about keeping a food record? Why do Dietitians like me recommend it and why do so many struggle against doing it? 

Accountability, compassion and shifting perspective

If you know that someone is going to be looking, you certainly think twice about what you eat. Now you may think that you already are painfully aware of what others think about your eating. And that recording only makes you obsess more about what you're eating. But writing it down in the way described below does something different. It allows you not to hyper focus on the meal you overate or the fact that you ate when you think you didn't need to. Rather it allows you to look at the bigger picture. Truthfully, this is where having another set of experienced eyes makes all the difference. 

Just saw this in NYC--can you imagine?!

Most of my clients find that my perspective on their eating  helps them to be less critical of their eating. They see that their overeating followed too long a span of time, or that their recurring hunger makes perfect sense, given the large volume of food devoid of adequate calories they were consuming.

Recording allows you to distinguish between physical hunger vs other eating triggers. Recognizing that you weren't hungry helps you to realize that something else contributed to your eating. Seeing that you were hungry but didn't eat, forces you to ask yourself what your intentions of restricting were.

Recording the food you've eaten also takes it out of the closet, so to speak. It legalizes eating. And hearing someone like a Dietitian react not in the way you'd expect—rather, acknowledging how delicious the brownie might have been, or that you only had 3 versus the whole package of cookies, or that you seemed to have needed to eat when you did and it was great that you entitled yourself to do so—get the idea? These messages help to counter the negative assumptions you have about your eating, and may help you feel more justified to eat in a balanced way. No, not the way you think you should be eating—full of restrictions and deprivation, but a more human way of enjoying food.

Would you sleep or do other things on your kitchen table?
(Ok, you don't need to answer that.)

Identifying the location you eat in is also quite important. Do you only eat when driving—where no one can see—not even you? Do you do a lot of eating in your bedroom late at night? Must you eat your food alone, out of the watchful eye of family members?

And what do you choose to eat? Do you limited your selection to diet foods, light in calories and in satisfaction? Do you include a range of nutrients including fats, carbohydrate and protein—or tend to shy away from one or more of these groups? Do you allow yourself to really eat what you like—not just to eat it, but to see it and take it in with all your senses?

Sure, there are some of you that feel so overwhelmed that recording feels like just another chore—which it is. And some of you feel you just can't get organized to remember to write things down. But largely most readers may prefer not to know—not to see it, not to acknowledge what you've eaten—at least on the days you didn't think you ate as you should have—and so you don't record.

If you're serious about shifting your relationship with food, get yourself a notebook you can keep in the kitchen. Or do you live with your smart phone at your side? Check out a fabulous free app, Recovery Record, which leaves off the nutrition details common to so many apps, but appropriately includes the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that so influence your eating, and how you feel about yourself. Then get started. And be sure to share this info with a professional experienced in this area—not the gym trainer who may have a slightly different way of seeing things.

And do start by moving your scale out of site. It is much more challenging to begin to trust yourself when you are being jerked around by that object on your bathroom or bedroom floor constantly.

Thoughts? Comments? I'd love to hear from you.

Halloween Fashion Inspiration: Mean Girls

First: Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a Ronco Food Dehydrator and my other one to win 3 taster bars of organic, fair-trade Madecasse Chocolate!

Second: happy (almost) Halloween, everyone!

Do you remember the Halloween party scene in Mean Girls, where Halloween is described as "the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

Walking back from a babysitting job on Halloween my freshman year, I realized just how true that was. There were girls in various states of undress all over Harvard Square and then a group of giggling girls dressed in literally bras and panties got out of a cab and proudly informed me that they were Boston University students visiting for a final club party.

Some stereotypes die hard. Especially when so many work to reinforce them.

Anyway, here's an outfit that's about 5 on the skanky scale, with 0 being a big purple Barney costume, complete with the head and everything, and 10 being those girls in their lacy underwear. As always, no individual piece is over $50. Enjoy!

Halloween by livelearneat featuring platform shoes

Long maxi skirt
$25 - etsy.com

Platform shoes
$48 - lulus.com

Kate spade jewelry
$38 - couture.zappos.com

REGENCY glove
$32 - etsy.com

Steampunk Costume,Steampunk Clothing,Steampunk Corsets,Steampunk...
$40 - costumesofnashua.com

Persuasion Womens Masquerade Mask with Feathers and Trim
$28 - successcreations.com

Black Lace Fan
$5.99 - totallycostumes.com





I've also been enjoying this not-so-spooky snack:

 Wallaby Organic Low-Fat Greek Yogurt is super creamy and smooth. My favorite flavor is the strawberry, which tastes the most authentic to me and is really yummy with the tart greek yogurt. Yum!

There's also no food coloring or high fructose corn syrup, so there's no reason to be spooked ;)

I'm such a kid sometimes, I got entirely too much of a kick out out the separately partitioned flavoring and getting to dump my own mix-ins in. :P

Do you celebrate Halloween?

What's the coolest Halloween costume you've ever seen?

What are your Halloween plans?

Increasing dietary saturated fat is associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk

This study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology 1992 Dec 1;136(11):1327-37

 

Study title and authors:

Diet in the epidemiology of postmenopausal breast cancer in the New York State Cohort.

Graham S, Zielezny M, Marshall J, Priore R, Freudenheim J, Brasure J, Haughey B, Nasca P, Zdeb M.

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, State University of New York 14214.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1336931

The study investigated the association of dietary fat consumption with the risk of breast cancer. The dietary histories of 18,586 postmenopausal women were analysed over a seven year period.

Regarding saturated fat consumption, the study found that for every 10 gram per day increase in saturated fat there was a 10% reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

Orange Chicken with a Twist (C1)

Orange Chicken with a Twist (C1)

Recipe Author: Brittany A Simpson

Cube some chicken breast and marinate in the following mixture for a few hours:

1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp soy sauce (reduced sodium)
1 Tbsp reduced sugar ketchup
1 Tbsp sugar free orange marmalade jelly
1/2 tsp Truvia or sweetener of your choice

Season with:
dried onions
salt
red pepper

Cook the pepper in 1 Tbsp of olive oil for about 5 to 10 minutes, then add the chicken to it and cook until done.

Oasis Hommus - Middle Eastern Delight!

CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELED AT HARVARD FOR THE DAY!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I've been basically dancing around in delight since the lovely news was broken last night, when Massachusetts declared a State of Emergency. Okay, so that might not be lovely news, but...this is just like the snow days of childhood! Come on, don't tell me that you're not a little happy if you live in the affected area and have no school/work today?

That's what I thought.

Anyway, isn't it the perfect timing for a little escape? One day may be too short for a real vacation, but it's not too short for a tastebud trip!

I've never been to the Mediterranean, even though I love traveling. I also don't have much experience with Mediterranean cuisine, though I do admit that stuffed grape leaves can be quite nice now and then.

And are falafel Mediterranean? I'm not sure, but they are delicious! Anyway, Mediterranean cuisine has gotten a lot of attention over the years for its healthfulness, but it has just never really appealed to me that much, since I'm not a huge garlic fan.

Hummus is such a great dip, salad topping, or sandwich spread, especially for someone who's stomach doesn't do too well with cheese. But since my taste buds don't do too well with garlic (blech, especially to the mouth odor afterwards), I hadn't found a variety that I really liked.

Oasis makes a variety of Mediterranean food products, including all-natural hommus (does anyone know why it's sometimes spelled with a 'u' and sometimes with an 'o'?).



I got to try three of their flavors - their classic Baba Ghannouj, classic Roasted Red Pepper, and zero fat Mediterranean Medley hommus.



I tried the Baba Ghannouj first. For those of you who aren't as familiar with it, it's an eggplant and chickpea based spread. And the Oasis version is not only free of preservatives and additives, but also gluten-free.

It's creamy and rich, with really strong eggplant flavor. 

Some Baba Ghannouj spreads go light on the eggplant and heavy on the chickpeas, so that it's just a lightly eggplant-flavored spread, but this one made it clear that eggplant was the star. Unfortunately (for me) garlic was also one of the stars, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have without the garlic. Garlic fans would love it, though!

The Roasted Red Pepper spread was also rich and creamy, with red pepper as the featured flavor (and it  was a really great, strong flavor) but the same thing went for the garlic level. There was A LOT of garlic. Garlic is really healthy, but that darn after taste...

And I definitely don't need garlic breath when I'm backstage getting my make-up done this evening (poor makeup artist, right? I wouldn't do that to anyone).

The last one that I tried was the zero fat Mediterranean Medley Hommus, which I was very skeptical of. After all, hommus meant to have a good amount of fat!

If you need to watch your fat intake and you're already getting plenty of fat from other sources, however, this is a good option. They didn't use a fake fat source, but stuck to all natural flavorings like spices to keep it yummy. It's still creamy, but not rich in the way that the other two dips were (as expected, as fat is what lends richness to a dish).

For me, the best thing about this dip was that it wasn't heavily flavored by garlic! Garlic was not nearly as predominant in this hommus as the other two.

There wasn't as much veggie flavor as I would have liked, though, it was mainly just the chickpeas. Perhaps I was just spoiled at that point by the veggielicious intensity of the other two?

With a squirt of mustard (because y'all know I'm addicted) it made a really tasty filling for the groove of a celery stick I found in my chiller. Those ridges are just perfect for filling up with hummus or peanut butter!

Do you like garlic?

Do you spell hummus with a 'u' or an 'o'?

Is there any food aftertaste that you can't stand?

Don't forget to enter my giveaways to win a Ronco Food Dehydrator and to win 3 taster bars of organic, fair-trade Madecasse Chocolate!

Statins double the risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease

This study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 1993 Nov 15;119(10):969-76

Study title and authors:
Coronary angiographic changes with lovastatin therapy. The Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study (MARS).

Blankenhorn DH, Azen SP, Kramsch DM, Mack WJ, Cashin-Hemphill L, Hodis HN, DeBoer LW, Mahrer PR, Masteller MJ, Vailas LI, Alaupovic P, Hirsch LJ; MARS Research Group.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8214993

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study assessed the effects of lovastatin in patients with coronary artery disease. The trial included 270 patients, 37 to 67 years old who received either 80 mg/day of lovastatin, or placebo.

The study found that the patients receiving lovastatin had a 104% increased risk of death.

Fun Costumes and Fun(ner) Food

Since it's the week of Halloween (!) we'll start with a few fun costumes before moving on to a tasty treat you might consider handing out for a (healthy) Halloween!

If you like your Greek methology, how about going as Medusa?

Maybe you're more into the Flintstones? I remember liking the Flintstones quite a bit.

She looks pretty fab, I'd like that costume (and the hair)! But it doesn't even look like a tough one to recreate. 

Also, I'm clearly not the only one who loves ice cream.

But if you're more into cupcakes, you're not alone either.

This next one (designed by Kelly Bui) is more a piece of high fashion than it is a costume. But what's the difference?

And for the little ones, there's Jules's Mad Hatter.

Isn't that adorable? Okay, it's treat time!

Matt's Munchies premium fruit snacks are an all-natural, organic, no-sugar-added alternative to Fruit Rollups!

And no, I don't mean they're fruit leather. Fruit leather is definitely tasty and it's definitely a healthier alternative to Fruit Rollups, but the fact is that fruit leather just doesn't have the same fun stretch-and-peel effect that had all the kids on the block running to the house with the Fruit Rollups or Fruit By the Foot when I was a kid.

Matt's Munchies, on the other hand, do. The shape is different than regular fruit roll ups (these are squares) but there are stacks of them in each (single serving!) pack and they're fun to peel off - it's kind of like edible stickers! Kids would love them :)

Aaaand they taste like candy.



There are a bunch of different flavors (including a few chocolate ones, which are the only ones that have any added sugar at all) and they're all made out of simple, healthy ingredients - organic fruit. It doesn't get much better than that!



I thought all of the ones that I tried were absolutely delicious, so I couldn't pick a favorite. But I do want to point out that there are some cool spiced varieties that adults will really enjoy!

Like Mango Acai.

I haven't had acai in a long while, but it's a really yummy superfruit and pairs well with mango!



The Ginger Spice one (based on mango) was an absolutely delightful fall treat. It's definitely a fall flavor and a great light snack with a cup of chai tea. Mmmm.



And the Island Mango is a real tropical treat! It really tastes like it has to be full of sugar, it's completely indistinguishable from candy. And the coconut flavor is strong, since it has coconut puree and shredded coconut!

Believe it or not, they're all under 50 calories per pouch. This makes them great as either an extremely light snack or a good addition to a snack. A pack of Matt's Munchies and a baggie of nuts of would make a great on-the-go snack!

Did you prefer Fruit Rollups or Fruit By the Foot as a kid?

What's your favorite fall flavor?

What song have you been enjoying lately? Am I allowed to admit that I've been listening to Christmas music daily for the past four weeks now? Or is that bad?

Don't forget to enter my giveaways to win a Ronco Food Dehydrator and to win 3 taster bars of organic, fair-trade Madecasse Chocolate!