Mail Time: Graze Box #2!

What's in my box this time!?

LITTLE FIGGY WENT TO THE MARKET:  Figs are not for everyone.  Suuuure, we all like them heavily processed with sugars in the center of a famous fig cookie, but dehydrated or pure?  I like them, buuut, I will admit to not being crazy about the smell.  I don't know what it is, they just have a funny smell to me.  In this little package, dried figs, apples and cranberries are dusted with rice flour (to keep them from sticking, but also adds a touch of sweetness).  It's a delicious combo, and it's packed with carbohydrates to keep you on the move.

BOOSTER SEEDS:  As soon as I saw this in my package, I knew that I wanted to save them.  I just finally got a blender/processor, and have a dehydrator, and have plans to use these to make raw crackers.  It's actually pretty hard to not tear them open and eat them plain because I know how insanely nutrient rich these are, and I have been very ill since Saturday, but I have bigger plans for these babies.. they deserve it.

DARK ROCKY ROAD:  This is awesome.  I am a huge fan of chocolate, I'm not going to lie, so anytime you put chocolate in something, as long as the chocolate is good, the rest will be good to me.  The Belgian dark chocolate buttons melt in your mouth and aren't waxy, and layered with the pecans and cranberries?  Oh, hello heaven.

HABAS TAPAS:  You may have been fooled into thinking I was the most excited about the chocolate in the box this time, but you are wrong, sir.  I love, love, LOVE barbecue anything.  Habas Tapas has jumbo chili corn, roasted corn and chili broad beans.  In my brain, chili and barbecue go hand in hand, so this little package got my taste buds fired up.  The flavor in this is amazing considering the smell would lead you to believe it was going to taste bland.  I can't say I'm crazy about the dried bean texture, but it's sure as heck not keeping me from eating it.

Want to try Graze?  Here's a friend code here, here, and if those are gone, they created a unique code for my readers; BETHSNACK.

Mail Time: Graze Box!

I heard about Graze through the lovely Mo, or as many of you know her, the owner and operator of Madd Style Cosmetics.  Mo & I love sharing our favorite things we find, so I knew if she was mentioning Graze, it had to be amazing.


What's in my box?

TROPICAL DAIQUIRI:  This was bizarre.  The lime was pronounced with each piece you ate, but it wasn't overwhelming.  I'd gladly get this again, but I put them on my try list.

FRUIT & SEED FLAPJACK:  These were better than expected.  I wasn't sure what to expect out of this one, but I was happy when I tried them.  They seem less processed, and more like a snack bar you'd make at home.

BBQ CORN:  This reminded me of corn nuts, without tasting overprocessed and full of fillers.  These were delicious!  These are on my love list.

SOUR CREAM & ONION CASHEWS:  These were pretty good!  Anything that is vegan "dairy" tends to have some sort of artificial flavor, but with these it wasn't distracting.  I love cashews and I haven't had anything sour cream and onion in a decade, so these were a welcome treat.

Want to try Graze?  I have a limited number of friend codes right here to try your first box free!

Edit:  Want to try Graze but all of the codes above were used up?  Graze created a special code just for my readers!  Use code: BETHSNACK

Vegan, Semi-Raw Meal Ideas

I eat try to eat around five 300 calorie meals a day.  Maybe what I meal, you would call a snack.  Either way... here are two examples of what I eat in a meal; both of these are around 300 calories, give or take.

greens mix with Goddess Lite dressing, dehydrated sprouts and jicama;
two kinds of hummus with carrots and corn chips my roommate had, haha.
Total calories: 373; 19g fat; 44g carbs; 12g protein

1/4 c of mixed nuts, freshly ground chocolate almond butter, one apple
I didn't log this, apparently, so I don't have the breakdown.

Workout Pudding Recipe: Chocolate & Coconut

The idea of recovery & workout puddings is something that I learned by reading Branden Brazier's book Thrive.  Although this is a fantastic powerhouse of nutrients and protein, this is also tasty and a good dessert.  The texture will be unusual to anyone not used to eating chia seeds.  There is no photo of this because it looks like chocolate goo.  It's not cute.  The next time I make it, I'll take a picture.  Seriously though, it looks like goo, and you're not missing out by this post not having a picture.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c milk (I used Almond Plus Milk from So Delicious) OR 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2 tbsp Spectrum Decadent Blend Chia & Flax Seed with Coconut & Cocoa
• 1/2 scoop RAW Protein Powder in Chocolate (or any chocolate protein powder)
• 2 tbsp chocolate almond butter (I get mine fresh ground at Whole Foods)

Directions:
Combine half of the milk (or coconut water) with the Spectrum Decadent blend and let sit for 10-15 minutes.  Alternatively, you can use a food processor or blender.  I just used a fork & a bowl.  After it has coagulated, add the remaining ingredients & combine until thoroughly blended.

This is a pretty generous portion and could easily be divided into two servings.  This would also be delicious with a banana mashed into it.  Nom!

Nutritional Info (as prepared):
Total Calories:  315
Fat:  20
Carbohydrates:  19
Protein:  19

Hail Merry on sale?!?

I LOVE Hail Merry products.  I have never had one I didn't instantly add to my favorite treats list.  The fact that they're raw, vegan, and made with all good fats means I don't feel guilty treating myself.  I first tried them in a Conscious Box and it was love at first bite, no joke.  I've had them many times since, and even had a tart on my birthday in place of a birthday cake.  Not kidding; I LOVE HAIL MERRY.

And the best news?  They're local to me since I moved to Dallas AND they're on sale right now at my local Whole Foods!  $1 off each?  Heck yes I'll take two!!

Zucchini Jerky!

I bought a dehydrator nearly a week ago and hadn't gotten to use it until last night because of work.  I've never dehydrated anything before, though my mom did have one when I was a kid.  I couldn't decide what to make, but I wanted to start easy.  I was flipping through Rawsomely Vegan! by Mike Snyder, and decided that his Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Jerky was the way to go.  I had some of the ingredients, but I picked up my raw apple cider vinegar (Bragg's brand) & raw agave nectar (Whole Foods 365 Organic brand) at Whole Foods.  I couldn't find lucuma powder anywhere, so I had to skip that, and I think I should have cut down on the oil because of that.  If you don't have Rawsomely Vegan, raw eater or not, you need it!  The recipes are, well.. awesome!

Garden of Life RAW Meal Energy in Yerba Mate!

I get most of my produce and fresh foods at the local supermercado, but Whole Foods is right next to my work, so I frequent it for my specialty items, my bulk foods, and occasionally a slice or two of traditional vegan pizza when I'm feeling naughty.

My few visits ago, I saw containers of a new RAW Protein Energy from Garden of Life in the decompression zone of Whole Foods.  Of course my interest was sparked!  It came in two flavors, Marley Coffee or Guayaki Yerba Mate.  I debated momentarily, but picked up the Yerba Mate for it's lower caffeine and acidity.

But wait.. that says RAW Meal!