It’s Monday! As one of my friends says, you don’t have to wait until the New Year to try something, there is always another Monday. So, here we go. Cooking resolution #2 for 2013 is to try some new foods for myself and my family. I am a fairly adventurous eater and will always give something a go and I am thrilled that Tomato is the same. But, I do fall short in giving some of the healthier items a try. So, here are my challenges and goals for the year.
#1 Chia Seed and Flax Seed
At the tail end of 2012, the fine folks at Nature’s Path sent me such an amazing basket of foods to try and the beautiful breakfast tray that accompanied it gives me a touch of elegance in the morning. I almost feel like I live at Downton Abbey when I use it. Many of these foods include flax seed and chia seed. I know that they are “superfoods” and that I should be including them in my diet, but I just didn’t know how to approach them before. I’ve already started sampling some of these and I had the Organic Flax Plus Maple Pecan Crunch Cereal
#2 Coconut Oil and Hemp Oil
I won this Nutiva package during a GMO-food labeling Twitter Party and I didn’t really know what to expect when I won. The prize pack included coconut manna, hemp seed, hemp oil and Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
#3 Stevia
Prior to talking with the folks from Pyure at the National Products Expo East, I knew nothing about stevia. But, when greeted with a calorie-free, organic, natural sugar alternative, who wouldn’t want to give it a try? They sent over these items for us to try in some baked goods and the Pyure Stevia All Natural Sweetener Packets
So, the challenge is on. Can we take our organic foods up a notch by adding some of these ingredients to our recipes? I look forward to discovering the answer.
What new foods or ingredients do you want to try in 2013? Are there any superfoods that you hadn’t tried, but will now incorporate in your diet?
Disclosure: Some of the items featured above were provided for review. All opinions above and those to come as I share my cooking results are my own. Any affiliate links are helping to buy some yummy and organic ingredients to combine with the foods above.
Connecting today with: Motivation Monday
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Stopping by from Motivational Monday 🙂 I have been debating chia seeds. My daughter is allergic to eggs and we substitute with flax a lot. I’ve recently been hearing that chia is even better for you! I love the idea of food challenges! Especially since there is always another Monday 🙂
I am anxious to give it a try and figure out how we can use it best in our foods.
We are going to try a taste test between sugar and other alternative (some all natural) sweeteners soon. Would love to hear your reactions to the taste of stevia.
Thanks,
Jon
I am really enjoying the Stevia in my coffee!
I tried growing stevia a few years ago and the plant did quite well for a while. And then I had no idea what to do with it, lol.
I wouldn’t know where to begin with the plant, either. But, the Pyure Sweetener has been excellent so far!
I’ve been wanting to try Stevia – I can’t use *any* artificial sweeteners because I’m allergic to them, but I’m thinking Stevia might be the perfect replacement to regular sugar. I’ll be curious to see how you like it! 🙂
We Are Young Chasing The Sun so we’ll Live While We’re Young because It’s Time to Undo It and Turn On The Radio Good Girl!
It’s nice to use so little of it to reach the taste that sugar used to have in my coffee.
I can’t wait to see what you think about stevia and baking! Honestly, I haven’t tried it yet and don’t know much about it. Last year, I saw that you could buy the seedlings of it at our nursery, but wasn’t sure what to use it for…now I need to do some research!
I look forward to trying out the brownie recipe on the bag that they sent to me. I will definitely be posting about it!
The Nature’s Path gift basket looks divine. Good to know they are non-GMO!
They are at the forefront of getting GMOs labeled. Fantastic company!
Nice care package! I need to get back at eating quinoa! Love it as breakfast cereal!
I am looking forward to trying it out. How do you prepare it for breakfast, Noelle?
Is nature’s path gluten free? I love using stevia. It is so great just to add a little sweet(and even flavors with sweet sometimes) to your drinks.
They do have gluten free options. http://us.naturespath.com/healthy-foods/controlling-your-diet/gluten-free
I love Natures Path foods! The box you won from the twitter party looks great too! This post is making me hungry!
I am definitely loving the Nature’s Path cereal so far. What other products of theirs have you tried?
Gotta be careful with the Stevia…heard it’s super sweet! We use all this stuff, but not so much the chia. It has, shall we say, cleansing consequences?? For my daughter at least…
I’ll keep that in mind, Gina! 🙂
I enjoy a lot of these on a regular basis and I would guess you’ll enjoy using them. The only one I have no experience with is the hemp oil. Looking forward to hearing how you like that one!
Several of the recipes that they included use the hemp oil. It’s nice to know how diverse it is.
I love coconut oil. We use the flavored and unflavored. In fact, dh just made steak fries last night in the unflavored, and of course, I didn’t grab a picture.
Thanks for linking up at Motivation Monday!
I look forward to trying it out.
Chia and flax seeds and coconut oil and manna are staples in our kitchen. They are great immune boosters and they are so easy to add into things when you’ve got a few ideas (smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, and I also make chia pudding and chia tea which is incredibly soothing).
Have fun!
The chia pudding sounds delicious!
I also want to give chia seeds a try. I’ve used flax seeds in the past and have heard great things about chia. I’d be interested to see how you use them.
How did you use the flax seeds, Leah?
I’ve been wanting to try some non grain flours (like almond or coconut). Maybe 2013 is the time to do it!
Go for it, Nicole!
I have tried Stevia and Coconut Oil,and keep hearing great things about Hemp Oil. Looks like that may be on my next shopping list.
What have you done with the coconut oil, Staci? I am curious to learn more about what we can do.
Stopping by from Motivation Monday and I’m kind of late. I hear two versions on coconut oil and cholesterol, the AHA says no and other experts say yes. I would like to know, what is the truth.
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