Kale Chips, Grocery Store Finds, Product Reviews

How are you doing today?  Friday, at last!  I thought it would never come!
Today I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned.  I go to the dentist 3 times a year for cleanings.  I know that may sound a little excessive, but I like to keep my teeth scrupulously clean, and I’ve never had a cavity!  It was my first time going to this dentist because it’s my first dental visit here in Phoenix since moving from San Diego.  It was fine but not super friendly or even that thorough so may have to keep shopping around.  Has anyone ever moved to a new city and you find yourself either getting lost on simple trips to the post office because you don’t know where anything is?  Or feeling clueless when it comes to health care practictioners like new dentists and doctors? 

Saturday morning I am going to do yoga, specifically the Primary Series, with my guru and teacher who’s supervising me with my 500 Hour Teacher Training that I had mentioned I embarked on!  I have been certified since 2001 at the 200 hour level, and have been teaching since 2001, but just as a personal mission, I wanted to reach for the highest level and that’s why I embarked on my 500 hour training program!

I’m glad the Raw Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Donut Holes sound good to you!  Thanks for all the great compliments and feedback!

And I pity the poor soul who doesn’t like peppermint because this week has been super minty on my blog…

Vegan Creme de Menthe Bars

Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

And yesterday’s Raw Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Donut Holes.

But I think I’m done with Mint.  For now.

Today’s eats included a fresh batch of kale chips. (that’s the big batch of kale chips link, and then there’s a link to a smaller sized batch)

For detailed and step-by-step kale chip recipe instructions, check this post out.

Making the Coating for the Kale

Slathering it On and Getting ready to put the kale chips into the Magic Box

Close Up Before Dehydrating…And Note: Many readers have successfully made kale chips without a dehydrator.  200F oven, check and flip, check and flip, every 15-20 minutes.  Try it!

And then smelling the savory delights of cashews, red peppers, and nooch wafting though my house.  I finally got to remove the kale chips from the Magic Box and indulge.

 

Perfection.

 

Love these things!!!!

Get a load of that cheezy noochey goodness baked right in.  (For all new readers: nooch = nutritional yeast.  See WF or Health Food Store for your next Must Buy Item)

Skylar begs me for kale chips.

We are the cloth napkin using, re-usable stainless steel non-BPA sippy cup drinking, yoga doing, crunchy kinda crowd…

…that stuff our faces with kale chips!

Also found a few new products at the grocery store.
Pina Colada Gum.  Oh yeah baby!  Wonder if there’s any rum in it?  After my beloved Sangria Fresca is no more, the Pina Colada is an awesome find!  Tastes just like I am drinking a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic, and I mean that in the best possible way!

Mary’s Crackers in Black Pepper Flavor.  Normally I get the Originals, so this was a nice treat.  That’s not full of onion & garlic, two flavors I happily do without.

I also love to do without my Sun Dried Tomatoes coming to me in jar vat of oil or loaded up with sodium.

I was stoked to find these at a new grocery store I checked out.  No oil, only a trace of sodium.  Perfect.

And this bar, we’ll do without these in the future.  A Think Thin Bar from TJ’s.  I was attracted to the 20g of protein and the Gluten-Free Status.

But the ingredient list is a mile long…

….and the taste.  Well, it’s dry, chalky, super fake, bland, and generally not so hot.

Never fear, there’s no shortage of bars around here.  And these bars are awesome!!!!!!!  I was Thrilled Beyond Belief to find a care package from Bora Bora Foods!

4 of their bars

An organic t-shirt

And this tiki-man mug.  Who’s face looks like mine if I can’t get to my coffee in the morning.   Grrrr!!!

Things that rock about Bora Bora

And a certified Vegan symbol.  Right next to the Gluten/Wheat-Free and the Organic Symbols.  Is that not cool, or what?!!  Thanks Bora Bora for the great stuff and the early field report is that the taste of the bars is awesome, two Tiki Torches Up!

So after all those kale chips, all that grocery shopping, and my lovely post office surprise, this green plate included: mustard greens, cukes, tomatoes, brock, and cauli.  Slathered with my Vegan Slaw Dressing.

This green plate was mixed field greens, cukes, tomatoes, red peppers, dulse flakes and dressed with my Holiday Orange Spice Vinaigrette Recipe

And for dessert, medjool dates stuffed with dark chocolate chips and TJ’s sunflower seed butter which I pop in the freezer a half hour before spreading it.  Thickens it up perfectly.

And then a couple Raw Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Donut Holes.

And More Kale Chips.  I kid you not.

Yoga today is Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Angle Stretch)
This is a very active pose.  As you are folded over your straight, strong front leg, make sure to keep your quads engaged, and your back leg strong and engaged, too.  Chin to shin.  Drop your neck.  No tension in the head, neck, and shoulders.  Looks like you’re just flopped over, but there’s alot more going on.  Enjoy the deep stretch!

Tip of the Day: My Kay’s Natural’s Give Away for 2 Lucky Readers!!!!  

 

And My Chocolate Amazing Grass Give Away!!!!!

Go Get Entered, Now!!!!!!!!!!  This is an awesome Give Away, and Santa is definitely coming early for someone!!!!

Are you going to brave the malls this weekend and do any holiday shopping?  Are you planning on purchasing gifts?  Or will you be cutting back at all this year?  Or, are you a smart kiddo and doing your shopping online?  I am not going to be doing any holiday shopping other than a few online gifts this year but sadly I need to brave Target this weekend for random items.  What’s on the weekend agenda for you?  Shopping, or not so much?

Stay Tuned For A Weekly Recap of Recipes & Highlights…