Living Nutz Product Review

I recently had the pleasure of receiving a box of Living Nutz samples. These are raw nuts that have been soaked, coated in deliciousness, and dehydrated. They have several flavors, some sweet, some more savory. My favorite is the "Tahitian Vanilla Bean Coconut Creme Walnutz". They just melt in your mouth and are the perfect snack. Other flavors include "I Love Vegan Cheesy Almonds", "Bodacious Banana Bread Walnutz", "Passionate Pesto Walnutz" and several more. Admittedly, I'm more of a sweet than savory, but there is definitely something for everyone here. These are the perfect snack to carry in your purse for when you just need a little something on the run. You can order these nuts at Living Nutz website.

Have you tried Living Nutz? 

Coconut Secret: Chocolate Bars Product Review

Recently I received a package from Coconut Secret, asking me to review their new line of chocolate bars. Since chocolate and coconut and two of my favorite things, I readily agreed. The bars come in 4 flavors, Coconut Macaroon Bar, Almond Coconut Bar, Mint Chocolate, and Classic Coconut. All all vegan, except the Macaroon bar, and they are also all gluten free. These bars have very little sugar, and of course the sugar used is coconut sugar. I decided to try the Mint Chocolate bar first and all I can say is.....DIVINE. Real mint flavor with real coconut, raw chocolate, my taste buds were tingling with all the different flavors coming my way. To say I loved this bar would be an understatement. I also found the bars to be filling in just a few bites, and decided to save the rest for later. I think you could easily eat off one bar for a week, just savoring each bite. I highly recommend checking these out. I imagine they are available at Whole Foods, and if not, ask your local Whole Foods or nature store to carry them.

I also requested to try the Coconut Flour. I found a brownie recipe that uses Almond Flour and just switched it out. Delicious! The one thing about using the coconut flour, is that you either have to mix with other flours, or if used on it's own the recipe must include eggs. I plan on getting a book on coconut flour recipes so I can make more deliciousness.

Coconut Flour Brownies

Ingredients(Makes 1 8 x 8 pan):

• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules(optional)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 7oz baking chocolate, divided OR 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  Method:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix together the almond flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder and set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, melt together 4 ounces of chocolate or a scant 1/2 cup chocolate chips with the butter.
  4. White the chocolate is melting, beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and coffee granules if using.
  5. Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter into the egg/sugar mixture while whisking until fully incorporated. Don’t go too fast so that the raw eggs don’t cook upon contact.
  6. Pour the chocolate mixture in with the dry ingredients and mix completely.
  7. Pour the batter in an 8 x 8 pan.
  8. Sprinkle the top with the remaining chocolate and gently press it into the batter.
  9. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let these cool completely before cutting in.
     
     
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