A Little Less Talk, A Lot More Action – Florida Style
Again, we haven’t spoken for weeks. I’ve been in Florida for Spring Break with my family. You know, every year we go to watch a few of my sister’s softball games, visit my Godparents, hit the beach, and possibly a park. Since there’s absolutely no way I could cover everything in detail with just one post, I figured you’d enjoy the pictures more anyway.
We left after Momma FF got home from softball practice around 6pm on Friday night. The SIXTEEN HOUR car ride was probably the biggest challenge. Yes, we stopped on the way down to stay overnight in a hotel after driving about 1/2 way.
We slept until Poppa FF felt rested enough to haul us the rest of the way to Florida. Ate breakfast at the hotel,
Annnddd we were back on the road in no time.
Sunday morning I got up to go for a run, showered, and got ready for the day. Poppa & Momma FF graciously treated the family to tickets to Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
Let the magic begin! This year, we were super excited to have two special guys with us on our family trip. JD, my adopted brother, and my amazing fiance, Jarid.
They provided entertainment, laugh, & love throughout the entire trip.
The weather was a bit shaky. It rained on and off almost the entire day, but it didn’t put a damper on our fun!
We breaked for lunch around noon, pretty much in order to get out of the rain. The only place we found inside, was a super swanky restaurant. We had no idea what we were in for when we saw the prices. Literally, all of the entrees were about $35/person. When you’ve got six people in your party, that adds up pretty quickly.
I opted for the $15 cobb salad, as did Momma FF & sister FF. I nixed the cheese, bacon, & eggs and stuck with chopped romaine, turkey, avocado, tomato & chives. I had never eaten a salad that was so finely minced before! It was VERY good…just not $15 worth good 😉
Poppa FF & Jarid each got the stuffed chicken. Not exactly sure of the description. I think it was stuffed with ham & cheese if I remember correctly? The portion sizes weren’t impressive for the price, but it’s to be expected, I suppose. JD got the duck, but I didn’t get a photo.
Regardless of the fact that we were freezing cold and sopping wet, we had a blast perusing the park the rest of the day.
Toy Story
Pirates of the Carribean
Indiana Jones
The set of a special effects action scene
The Wizard of Oz on the Great Movie Ride
The Little Mermaid
Alice in Wonderland costume
I had to!
Beauty & the Beast
Rock N’ Roller Coaster
Star Wars Tours
Jarid in the Tower of Terror
Special effects boat dock set
I was so excited when I found out that there’s a 2nd Tangled movie in the works! Tangled Ever After…cannot wait! haha.
The Muppets Fountain
My cup of no-sugar-added, fat free vanilla that was free of charge from the sweet vendor in the park! Later on, Poppa & Momma FF treated us all to coffee, too! It must’ve been a vanilla kind of day because I ordered mine with sugar-free vanilla syrup then, too! 🙂
House Hunting & 1-Month Engagement Anniversary
I can’t believe it’s already been a whole month since my best friend asked me to spend the rest of our lives together (: I only mentioned it, because Jarid surprised me at work with a bouquet of flowers. When I asked what the occasion was, that was his reply.
Last night, we actually went to walk through a potential home for the two of us!
The realtor was very friendly and knowledgable, which made the experience much more pleasant.
He definitely came prepared.
This one was built in 1988 but just got a new roof in 2006, along with many other recent rennovations.
It had a fireplaces, which I absolutely adored, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and was on about 3 acres of land in a nice development in my hometown.
See the woodstove in the corner?
It was one of my favorite attributes, along with the flooring and the closet space in the master bedroom.
I know sometimes with wood stoves, you have to be careful about carbon dioxide, but the family who previously lived there was always very conscious of it and had detectors placed throughout the entire house.
The kitchen was great, too.
I love the stainless steel fridge and the appliances had been recently replaced.
Excellent cabinet space and well cared for surfaces. It just fit us.
The dining room was a little bit small, but room enough for a little family, which is all we need right now.
The paint color in there created a soft, warm vibe that I was diggin’.
This is where we sat to go over the financing, closing costs, and all that good stuff.
The downstairs bathroom was pretty updated, with tile flooring, a modern looking sink, and new style light fixtures.
This bathroom wasn’t huge, but again, I like the wall color. Many of the muted tones throughout the house were earthy, which I liked.
Not such great lighting, but again, we were a fan of the bedrooms (this is the only one I took photographs of).
I LOVE that we would each have our own huge closet (Lord knows, I’d need one). I even like the doors on each…along with the wall color, again.
That deep green is one of my favorites!
The second bathroom, upstairs, was much larger than the first. Pros? The two sinks. I think I’d like his and hers 🙂 Cons? The carpet flooring.
I think I would be worried about the carpet getting moldy from any potential water getting out of the bathtub/shower. Easy fix, though! The realtor said we could put vinyl in for a few hundred bucks.
Bedroom #2 (from the website)
Again, the colors were fresh and inviting. I could easily see one of our future children taking over this space 🙂
Outside, there is a nice little patio, where I envisioned us having get-togethers and grilling in the summertime.
IT’s got a gorgeous view of the mountain!
Overall, I really loved it. The house was out of our price range, but we’ll see what happens! We are putting our best foot forward and not discounting any of our options! Please say a prayer for us if you think of it that God would show us the perfect place for us! 🙂 WE know it’s all in His hands.
XO.
Wedding Progress.
Lately, life has consisted of a few categorically different things.
Saturday morning, my brain was feasting on knowledge regarding the study of human disesases caused by bacterias & viruses.
Tuberculosis & leprosy were two that we studied during the last lab. I’m finding Microbiology to be totally interesting…The problem is, each exam tests us on a HUGE amount of information! I don’t think it’s physically possible to jam four chapters of the stuff into my brain at once.
After my brain was exhausted from my 8am-1pm class, we went WEDDING dress shopping.
Regardless of what I’ve been told about dress shopping, planning, and all that comes with the goodness of weddings, the process has not been nearly as stressful as it has been fun.
Granted, I probably have the most amazing group of girls in my bridal party…all cousins except one…
Wanna meet ’em? Well, above you’ve got my cousins, Brooke & Brandi (my matron of honor). They’re sisters, and since I was old enough to walk, Brandi & I were inseperable. Maybe you remember my mentioning her a few times in the past? 🙂
Then, there’s my cousin Allison, who couldn’t join us for shopping, since she was away at college…
and Abbie, who couldn’t attend the shopping outting either, but sent me a very sweet text message the morning of, letting me know she was thinking of me 🙂
Then, of course both my younger sisters Myranda & Morgan will be in the wedding.
And last, but certainly not least, my lovely friend from high school & “little sister” from my h.s. basketball team, Lyndsie. She frequently comments on the blog and I love her dearly 😉
The day was filled with excitement and although David’s Bridal, where we had an appointment after my Saturday class, was absolutely packed full of girls trying on prom & bridal gowns, we made the most of our experience.
I not only have picked out my bridesmaids dresses, but I found my dream dress *teaser above*, which I knew was the one, almost immediately.
After the shopping, we headed to Atlanta Bread Company for a nice little lunch together.
So far, here’s what all I’ve got taken care of… the DJ, the church, the reception, the catering, the pastor, the cake baker, the florist, & the photographer.
As far as invitations & save the dates, I’m not sure where to go? Any suggestions from experienced brides out there? I’m thinking possibly Costco? Here’s a little creation that I’ve thrown together on their site…the prices are VERY reasonable if you ask me!
Much love to you all! I’ll apologize in advance for the lack of commenting over the next few days…life as I know it revolves around my 8-4 job, my college courseload, and my amazing fiance who deals with the chaos on a daily basis ❤
xoxo.
Gevalia Kaffe & Giveaway!
Courtesy of MyBlogSpark & Kraft Foods, the makers of Gevalia Kaffe, I had the opportunity to try a new-to-me coffee brand that I’m head over heels for. I can be somewhat of a coffee snob sometimes *cough, Starbies*, but I realized after trying this stuff out, those Swedish folks know good java. With a promise of “rich, never bitter”, Gevalia offers a ton of different options to suit any palate. From intense dark roasts to exotic varietals, Gevalia offers over 40 premium coffees. Carrying on the legacy of Gevalia founder Victor Theodor Engwall, our coffee buyers travel the globe in search of the best beans available. When they journey to the slopes of Mount Hualalai, Hawaii, you can be certain our buyers won’t settle for anything less than the perfect velvety-smooth, mildly acidic Kona bean. And when our buyers visit the Malabar Coast of India, we guarantee they won’t be coming home until they’ve purchased the finest crop of full-bodied Indian Malabar tempered with slight accents of honey and clove flavoring.
All that effort comes together with every cup of Gevalia that you brew. From the alluring aroma that greets your nose as you open the package to each cup’s full-bodied flavor, we’re confident you’ll agree that Gevalia is a genuine premium coffee lover’s delight.
- Gevalia Traditional Roast (ground and whole bean):
Gevalia Traditional Roast provides a perfectly balanced taste every time. Our most beloved blend – made of choice, mountain-grown Arabica beans – this coffee has a distinctive body and flavor with a lighter intensity. (Medium Roast). - Gevalia House Blend:
A Gevalia favorite, House Blend is a robust yet never bitter coffee. This roast has a captivating aroma that is only matched by its exceptional flavor. (Medium/Dark Roast). - Gevalia House Blend Decaf :
Delivering the same rich, never bitter flavor, House Blend Decaf has the same robust taste without all the caffeine. (Medium/Dark Roast). - Gevalia French Roast (ground and whole bean):
Gevalia French Roast is a coffee of impressive richness and dimension, expertly crafted from prized Arabica beans grown in Colombia and Brazil. Hints of aromatic smoke give this dark-roasted French Roast blend an intense, yet uniquely satisfying flavor. (Dark Roast). - Gevalia Colombia:
Grown high in the Colombian Andes, these beans produce a rich, bright and well-bodied Colombian coffee. This single origin classic is world-renowned, which is why we have sourced these beans for decades. (Medium Roast). - Gevalia Espresso Roast:
Gevalia Espresso Roast is made of premium, mountain-grown Arabica beans from East Africa and Central and South America. This roast is bold and full-bodied with a hint of caramel undertones. (Dark Roast). - Gevalia Vanilla:
This rich blend with vanilla flavor notes is crafted from choice mountain-grown Arabica beans, then roasted for exceptional body and flavor. Gevalia Vanilla is a flavorful and balanced experience with a heavenly aroma. - Gevalia Chocolate Mocha:
Gevalia Chocolate Mocha allows you to indulge your passion for decadent flavor. Rich, velvety chocolate flavor is blended with mountain-grown Arabica beans for a sweetly satisfying experience.
This coffee is delicious, and I cannot wait for warmer weather, so I can keep a pitcher of it iced and in the fridge! YUM.
MyBlogspark & Kraft Foods have also generously provided a giveaway for a lucky reader to win the same package that they sent me for the review!
You can win yourself a jumbo coffee mug, complete with Gevalia logo, and two bags of their rich, smooth coffee (one house blend & one french roast).
To enter:
1- Visit Gevalia’s Facebook page & “like” it. Leave a comment letting me know you have.
2- Visit the Gevalia homepage and leave a comment letting me know which variety is most appealing to you.
3-Leave a comment telling me where your favorite coffee spot is!
Pretzel Crisp Additions!
Lately, I cannot get enough salt! I don’t know what’s up with me, because I’m infamous for having an insatiable sweet tooth, but recently, the saltier, the better! One snack that has been a saving grace for me, has been Pretzel Crisps! Which, you can find a $1 off coupon for here.
A big thanks to the company & Jessica for sending me some of their newest flavors to try! Along with the originals, there are three newborns in the family (: Each of these, like the others, has about 110 calories per serving and range from 1-2g of fat.
Jalapeño Jack
These guys are the perfect accompanyment for salsa, black bean dip, & guacamole. It’s got a bit of heat added to the crunch with Spicy jalapeño combined with smooth jack cheese flavor sprinkled right on top of each crisp! Any spicy food lovers out there will adore this flavor. It reminded me of Mexican food! In fact, they would be delicious crumbled over a “mexican themed” salad instead of croutons…I can see it now…shredded lettuce, warm seasoned black beans, chopped onion, pico de gallo, pretzel crisps, and topped off with plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream! Mmm.
Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Seasoning (Salt, Whey, Buttermilk [Cream], Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Monterey Jack Cheese Powder [Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzyme], Jalapeño Powder, Spices, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Parsley, Lactic Acid, Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate, and less than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added to prevent Caking), Soybean Oil, Sugar, Salt, Malt Syrup.
Buffalo Wing, ladies (and gentleman?) was my personal favorite.
UGH. So yummy. I can’t tell you the last time I ate hot wings, or that I’m really a huge fan, but I can tell you, that these will knock your socks off. They’re not burn-your-mouth-off hot. They’ve got a kick, though, and taste amazing with Laughing Cow Cheese Light Blue Cheese wedges! Try it! Another winner as a topper for this flavor, was plain greek yogurt mixed with a Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet…hellooooo, creamy (HEALTHY) Ranch dip.
Annnnd, we’ve got baby #3 in the Pretzle Crisp household, Chipotle Cheddar.
It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what these reminded me of…I want to say, the SPICY version of cheetos? The best part is, none of these pretzels really NEED a pairing. They’re delicious all on their own, but it’s fun to mix & match pretzels and toppings. I made little sandwiches with turkey lunch meat using this version…It was like the cheese slice was built right into the bun! 😉
Thanks again, Jessica! Make sure all of you snackers out there take advantage of the $1.00 off coupon I mentioned earlier! The Pretzel Crisp Facebook page always has perks 😉
XO,
Back-to-Back♥
Last year’s college basketball team that I was apart of left some pretty big shoes to fill. We were State runners-up, 1st place EPCC champions, and 1st seed in the tournament.
There were some trying times for me this season, but ultimately, I was praying a lot that God would help me be patient and TRUST Him. He had it all under control all along.
The team we were playing on Sunday was a team that had beat us once, during the season, and we had beat once…both very close games. Since we were first seed, we were able to host the tournament, which was nice so that more family members & fans could be there.
The game was physically and mentally rough. The kind where you feel as if your team is playing against not only the other team, but the referees as well. It was truly a test of what kind of people our team was made of. We had nothing in our favor, except one another. We endured everything from one of our starters fouling out, to one of our other post players practically breaking her already weak ankle…She finished the game, unable to walk. Literally.
In the end, we prevailed and had a glorious time celebrating.
From the HACC website:
“Congratulations to the HACC Women’s Basketball Team who captured the EPCC Tournament Championship by defeating Lehigh Carbon in a 69-64 down to the wire victory. Coach Michele Kieff was named EPCC Coach of the Year. Catherine “CC” Webster and Kira Jaroszewski were named to the All Tournament Team, and Sami Cox was named Conference MVP for the second year in a row. The Hawks also picked up the honor of finishing first in the EPCC this year.”
I couldn’t imagine my college basketball career ending any more wonderfully. I’m so thankful that I got to be a part of something so special and I can’t express enough appreciation to the coaches and the girls enough for their support and friendships. In high school, my junior & senior year, we won our league championships & senior year I was named League MVP. Now, in my freshman & sophomore college years, we won back-to-back Conference championships and I was named EPCC MVP both years. God is so good to me…I owe every talent, ability, victory, and success to Him.
Along with my parents, Jarid, family & friends, I’d like to thank each and every person who has encouraged me along the way. Your confidence in my abilities has meant the world to me, and I couldn’t have gathered the courage to maintain a college courseload, pursuing my dietetic degree, played college basketball, and kept up with my full-time job in human resources.
❤
Naked Hands.
First off, thank you all for the incredible amount of congratulations on Jarid & my engagement! 🙂
We are eccstatic and cannot wait to start the rest of our lives together. For now, my hands are feeling naked, though.
Not only have I neglected to paint my nails for the past week, but I had to send my ring back to be resized. It was a 7 and I need a 5, unfortunately. Hopefully, I’ll have it back before I know it!
In other news, we are proud to announce that we have officially named Bowman as our ring bearer. Check out those baby blues! They get me everytime. His Momma, Bran, and my childhood BFF (cousin) & matron of honor, has already been a great deal of help with wedding planning. We are totally going to pump this event out in six months.
I got an awesome email the other day from Kashi, and I really wanted to share it.
I love it when companies make it SO easy to help out people in need. Seriously, please go “like” their page. Starving kids will be benefitting from something SO simple that you can do in less than 30 seconds.
Speaking of starving…you’d think I was when I downed this plate of salad topped with roasted vegetables.
Butterleaf lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red peppers, roasted kale, roasted parsnips, with light ragu for dippage.
I offered some to my fiance, but he was busy with his noodles & grilled cheese, courtesy of Momma FF.
To play a little catch up, I’ll show you these beautiful flowers that Jarid sent to my workplace for Valentine’s Day. 
He ALSO gave me a Freckled Foodie customized apron, a memory book that he made, & energy truffles! 🙂 That guy is amazing, I’ll tell ya.
For HIS Valentine’s gift, I made him a scrapbook, too, and had ordered him a pair of awesome looking Sperry’s that he picked out while we were shopping together one time.
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along with baking him this No Sugar Added Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Mix, which Sans Sucre sent me for review. For the record, when it was done baking, I totally sampled it…DELICIOUS! (Official review coming soon!)
The directions say that you need water & oil, but I subbed 2 tbsp. of canned pumpkin for the oil and added red food dye to turn it a nice hot pink color…much more festive.
I wish I had taken a picture, but I actually baked it in cake form and then used a heart shaped cookie cutter to make individual little cakes 🙂 They were pretty cute if I say so myself.
Oh yeah, and he LOVES Nebraska (college football), so I snagged him this tee from American Eagle online.
Valentine’s Day was on a Tuesday, but that didn’t stop us from celebrating…after my basketball practice from 3:30-5:30pm, he met me at school (I used the locker room showers – yuck!), we went to the Pita Pit, got dinner for $7 (it was $3 pita Tuesday!), and he took me to see The Vow.
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I have wanted to see it since the first time I saw a preview. Nicholas Sparks is a genius, amen? I think I almost cried approximately 5 different times throughout the movie. LOVE Rachel McAdams.
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There’s another NS movie in the works that we saw a preview for, too, which I’m excited about called “The Lucky One” with Zac Efron, who is also growing on me as an actor.
Anywho, how was your Valentine’s Day?
Xo.
Love & Basketball.
Yesterday was the last regular-season home basketball game… 2.7.12…it was also a day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
A bunch of family members & friends (My Aunt Teena, Momma FF, Momma Snyder, Uncles on my Dad’s side of the family, the surrogates, & co-workers) were in attendance at the game, since they didn’t know if they’d ever get to see me play again.
After coming back into the gym from our half-time locker room talk, the team started shooting around to warm up for the second half of the game. I headed for the bench, where my water bottle was, to get a quick drink when Jarid made his way to the floor from the bleachers.
He had flowers in his hand, which I assumed were in recognition of my last game…I was wrong. When he finally got to me, He got down on one knee. At this point, everything around me completely disappeared and I forgot where I was. Honestly, the only thing that mattered was he & I. Not the score, not the team, not the fans. He said, “Sami Alyssa Cox, you are my best friend and soulmate. I met you on a basketball court and fell in love with you, now I’m asking you to marry me on a basketball court“…
I, of course, said YES!
It all happened SO quickly. But don’t worry, we reinacted it when the game was over.
When we got home from the game, we got some dinner & Poppa FF brought home some bubbly to celebrate!
I can’t wait to start our life together! We are thinking about aiming for September 15th, 2012 as a wedding date. What do you think? Can we pull it off in 6 months? 🙂
I can’t wait to be Mrs. Snyder ❤
xoxo,
All About The Chocolate…or Energy Truffles, Rather.
Officially t-minus 7 days until the most romantic holiday of the year. Along with flowers, everyone knows, Valentine’s Day = Chocolate…even National Geographic.
An estimated 47 percent of U.S. consumers will exchange Valentine’s Day candy, according to the retail federation survey—adding up to a sweet billion dollars in sales, the National Confectioners Association says.
About 75 percent of that billion is from sales of chocolate, which has been associated with romance at least since Mexico’s 15th- and 16th-century Aztec Empire, according to Susan Fussell, a spokesperson with the association.
As a healthy living blogger, I used to think that clean eating meant absolutely no indulgences. For the record, I was very wrong. Unless you’re allergic or inhuman, I think it’s safe to say that EVERY girl loves chocolate…especially on this festive holiday 😉 So, you want to know my choices? Some are healthier than others, but all-in-all, they can each be part of a balanced, healthy diet.
My favorite forms of chocolate in no particular order:
1 – Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Protein Bars. The chocolate varieties, of course.
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Each bar has somewhere from 190-200 calories, 20-21g of whey/soy protein, and a total of 3-5g of fat. The best flavors, in my humble opinion, are Cookie Dough, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Coconut! I usually order them from iherb.com or buy them at Wegman’s.
2 – New Tree Belgian Biscuit Chocolate Bar
It’s 65% cocoa, Dark Chocolate encrusted with little golden flax seeds to give you 3x the fiber, -30% sugar, and is a great source of Omega-3’s. Huge, HUGE fan. The nutrition facts aren’t bad either! It’s 170 calories per serving with 3g protein and 6g fiber! Buy it here. I used to be able to find them at Target, but I think they stopped selling them. Boooo.
3 – No Sugar Added Dutch Chocolate Turkey Hill Ice Cream
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The boy & I just ate this last night. It is so delicious. Creamy, milky, and you’d never know there’s no sugar added. Sweetened with Splenda, it’s got great stats, too. 70 calories per 1/2 C. serving, 3g protein, and 6g of dietary fiber…mmmm.
4 – Adora Calcium Discs
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Just ONE disk at 30 calories, provides you with 62% of your DV Vitamin D, 50% of your DV Calcium, & 10% DV Magnesium. These are great if you have issues with portion control, because they’re individually wrapped little pieces. They come in milk or dark chocolate. Typically, I’m a dark chocolate kinda girl, but I think I prefer the milk chocolate version of these. You can buy these online, but they also have them at Wegman’s!
5 – Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate
I think I’d enjoy some of the other Chocolove varieties as well, but this one in particular was a hit. The 55% cocoa content was a great salty/sweet combo with the almonds & sea salt.
6 – Sjaak’s Individual Organic Fair Trade Vegan Almond Butter Bites
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Organic Dark Chocolate (organic cocoa butter, organic sugar, organic cocoa paste, organic vanilla, organic soya lecithin) organic almonds, organic powdered sugar, organic almond oil, sea salt. Do you see those ingredients? Holy yum. Best part? They’re only 65¢ a piece and you can order them here.
7 – Coco-Zen Truffles-To-Go
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Each tin contains 8 bite-sized truffle cups. All of their chocolates are made from organic & Fair Trade Certified ingredients. You can see on their website that they come in a several varieties, but this trio would be my pick:
–Chocolate Chai Spice
-Chocolate Latte
-Peanut Butter
$8.00 isn’t bad either, for these little specialty treats! If you order by 9pm tonight & choose priority mail shipping, you can still get them by 2/6 for the big day!
I saved the BEST for last. Yes, they’re the most expensive, but they are absolutely fabulous…hand-made, too!
8 – Energy Truffles
Our truffles are made from a unique combination of nuts, seeds and superfoods. Energy Truffles were inspired by ancient civilizations that used these foods for thousands of years due to their tremendous dietary value and healing power. These unique truffles are a delicious way to introduce amazing, nutrient dense foods into our diets.
Superfoods contain natural concentrated levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, good fats and oils, essential amino and fatty acids and other nutrients. Thus, Superfoods help us to embrace our wellbeing, providing health benefits far beyond their recognized nutritional value.
Our product is vegan, gluten free and made with 100% organic or wild crafted ingredients. We are a family owned business located in Southern California and greatly appreciate your support.
Carla, from the company, kindly sent me one of these indescribably delectable box of 9 different truffles – one mint, one orange, one cayanne pepper, one cinnamon, one salted fudge, one peanut butter, one berry, one vanilla and one coconut truffle.
What did I think? Phenomonal. Check out the fabulous ingredients:
| Chocolate Coating | Our Chocolate coating comes from an amazing company on the island of Grenada called the Grenada Chocolate Company. Please visit this link for more information. |
| raw organic walnuts | Walnuts contain high levels of antioxidants and are an excellent source of manganese, copper, and omega 3’s. They are also high in magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, iron, calcium and selenium. Walnuts contain excellent levels of vitamin B6, thiamin (B1), pantothenic acid, very good levels of vitamin E, niacin (b3) and riboflavin (b2). |
| raw organic almonds | Almonds are incredibly rich in minerals like Manganese, Magnesium, Copper, Phosphorus, Iron, Zinc, Potassium and Selenium. Almonds are a powerhouse of Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Niacin and Folate. Good amounts of Vitamin B6 and Pantothenic Acid are also found. |
| raw organic pecans | Pecans are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and an excellent source of antioxidants. They are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Pecans are also an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gama tocopherol. |
| raw organic brazil nuts | Brazil nuts are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like palmitoleic acid and oleic acid. They also contain exceptionally high levels of selenium. They also contain very good levels of other minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc. |
| raw organic hazelnuts | Hazelnuts contain magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium and selenium. They also contain vitamin K in the form of phylloquinone, ascorbic acid, folates, thiamin, alpha-tocopherol and niacin. Furthermore, hazelnuts contain the amino and fatty acids leucine, arginine, aspartic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. |
| raw organic cashews | Cashews are packed with soluble dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals. They are very rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Cashews are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1). |
| raw organic chia seeds | For such a little seed, Chia is a powerhouse in nutrition. Chia seeds contain 8 essential amino acids. They are high in vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, B17, C, D, E, K, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA. Minerals found in Chia are boron, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, sodium, strontium, sulphur, zinc, amylose and electrolytes. Chia has a very good ratio of omega-3 oil to omega-6 oil; with 20-30% protein, 35% oil, 25% fiber. |
| raw organic pumpkin seeds | Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. They are also a good source of other minerals including zinc, iron and copper. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and vitamin K. |
| raw organic hemp seeds | Hemp is a high protein seed containing all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce. Hemp is nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid. Also, contains vitamin E , trace minerals and is an excellent source of fiber. A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3. Hemp is the richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. |
| raw organic cacao powder | To the Aztecs, the cacao bean was the food of the gods. Cacao is extremely high in antioxidants (oligomeric procynanidins, resveratrol and the polyphenols) as well as magnesium. Cacao also contains high levels of potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, vitamin C and omega 6 fatty acids. |
| raw organic cacao nibs | Out of all the whole foods that contain antioxidants, raw chocolate is the highest in the world. |
| raw organic buckwheat groats | Buckwheat Groats (a seed) contain vitamin E, several B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium. These groats also have some of the trace minerals selenium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. They’re full of good-for-you phytochemicals and have both soluble and insoluble fiber. Because they are in the raw state, they have the highest nutritional value of all forms of groats. They are digested very slowly, which reduces the glycemic load and makes them quite filling. |
| raw organic dates | Dates are valuable as medicine for their tonic effect. Being easily digested, they are very useful for supplying energy and repairing waste. Dates are a laxative food and are highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation by stimulating sluggish bowels. |
| raw organic coconut oil | Coconut oil includes antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that stem from the existence of capric, caprylic and lauric acids. Coconut oil improves calcium and magnesium absorption in the body, which in turn is greatly beneficial to dental an bone health. |
| raw organic coconut | Shredded coconut contains a rich amount of vitamins and minerals, iron, vitamin C, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6. It also contains folate and pantothenic acid. Other trace minerals include manganese, copper, potassium, selenium and zinc. |
| raw organic agave | One of the most favorable aspects of agave is its glycemic profile. Its sweetness comes primarily from a complex form of fructose called inulin. The carbohydrate in agave nectar has a low glycemic index, which provides sweetness without the unpleasant “sugar rush”. |
| raw organic golden Berries | Goldenberries contain many nutrients like vitamin P (bioflavinoids-anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, antihistamine and anti-viral properties), pectin, phosphorous, protein and vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B6. |
| raw organic goji Berries | Goji berries are stuffed full of many beneficial properties. A few known benefits are that this berry is very high in antioxidants, full of essential minerals and amino acids, some of which the body is unable to produce on its own. It also contains 4 unique polysaccharides. |
| raw organic mulberries | Mulberries are an excellent source of vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K and iron. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes and red wine, has been heavily publicized for its positive health benefits. |
| raw organic acai | Acai is a rich source of anthocyanins and other phenolics and phyto-nutrients. Acai berries are amongst the most nutritious foods of the Amazon, rich in B vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Acai also contains oleic acid (omega-9). Potassium is the mineral most abundant in this berry. Acai is also rich in copper, and unusually high in manganese. Only a small portion supplies far more than the body needs of this ultra-trace mineral. |
| raw organic camu camu | Camu-Camu contain nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin C, niacin, phosphorous, leucine, serine, iron, flavanols, riboflavin, valene, thiamin and amino acids. Camu-camu is highest known source of Vitamin C on the planet, more than 50 times the Vitamin C found in oranges. |
| raw organic macadamia nuts | The fat contained in macadamia nuts is monounsaturated fat and one of the healthier and more beneficial forms of fat. They are high in selenium (a natural antioxidant), they are a great source of fiber, rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. |
| organic peanut butter | Peanuts are a legume, not a nut. Peanut butter has a high level of monosaturated fats and resveratrol. Peanut butter (and peanuts) provide protein, vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, arginine, and high levels of the antioxidant p-coumaric acid. |
| pink himalayan salt | Himalayan salt is millions of years old. It is a pure form of salt, untouched by many of the toxins and pollutants that pervade other forms of salt. Known in the Himalayas as “white gold,” Himalayan Crystal Salt contains the same 84 natural minerals and elements found in the human body. |
Here’s a bit about my favorites. Yes, that’s plural. You can’t tell me you actually expected some decisiveness on my part when you give me a BOX full of nine different truffles, did you?
Salted Fudge – need I say more?
This guy will literally melt in your mouth. The creamy, fudgy middle is totally indulgent. I’ve come to the conclusion that sweets are BEST accompanied by salt. Plus, did you know that sea salt contains more than 100 minerals?!
Ingredients: *Dates, *Macadamia Nuts, *Agave, *Cacao Powder, Sea Salt, Organic Vanilla Extract. Chocolate Coating: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Fresh Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Beans.
* denotes raw and organic
Coconut Chocolate – puts an Almond Joy to shame
Coconut & chocolate are one of those power duos. You know, like peanut butter & jelly…Coconut contains a rich amount of vitamins and minerals, iron, vitamin C, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6. It also contains folate and pantothenic acid. Other trace minerals include manganese, copper, potassium, selenium and zinc.
Ingredients: *Almonds, *Coconut Oil, *Shredded Coconut, *Dates, *Brazilian Nuts, *Agave, *Cacao Powder, *Pumpkin Seeds, *Hemp Seeds, *Chia Seeds. Chocolate Coating: Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Fresh Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Beans.
There aren’t any nutrition facts for these truffles, but honestly, I’m not worried. They’re made of all healthy, wholesome ingredients, so there’s nothing to be scared of. Sure, they’re a TREAT, so don’t go ahead and eat the whole box at once, but logically, Carla said each would have probably about 180 calories. I’d venture to bet that there’s a little bit less, depending on the variety.
You can order some Energy Truffles through the website. Some Whole Foods Stores carry them, too.
So there you have it. My picks for Valentine’s Day 2012 chocolates.
Indulge & enjoy! In moderation, of course 😉
XOXO.
The Freckled Foodie 
