Real Talk: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bars
Posted: March 1, 2016 Filed under: Food, Health and Wellness, Uncategorized | Tags: chocolate, Food, health and wellness, healthy-living, hemp heart bars, hemp hearts, review, snacks 2 CommentsHelloooo! Happy Tuesday y’all!
Can we talk about snacks today?! I am stopping in today with a quick review for Manitoba Harvest. They recently came out with a new product, their hemp heart bars, and I was lucky enough to get to sample two of the flavors!
*Full Disclosure-Manitoba Harvest provided me with product for review purposes through my relationship with Fit Approach as a Sweat Pink Ambassador. Per usual, all opinions are my own.*
I was excited to test these out as I am a big fan of hemp seeds as a plant-based protein and am always game for trying new snacks.
There are many days when I get caught up at work and do not have time to sit down and eat a real lunch, so I try to keep relatively healthy and filling snacks around. These definitely fit the bill!
I was sent the apple cinnamon and the chocolate to try. While both were good, the chocolate was definitely the winner in my book. I will be on the lookout for the vanilla so I can try all three!
Side note: I know this probably doesn’t matter to most people, but I really like the packaging for these… it’s nice and simple, just like the ingredients.
Speaking of the ingredients, I can pronounce all of them, which if you know me, is very important! You can also see pretty much everything listed!
A quick run down of the bars from the Manitoba Harvest Website:
“Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart bars are crafted with the goodness of hemp and other tasty ingredients too. We’ve whipped up three different delicious flavours to choose from: vanilla, chocolate and apple cinnamon. Each 45 gram bar contains 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of omegas, so whether you grab one for a pre-workout snack or nutrition on the go, these convenient bars are sure to get you through even your busiest day!”
10 grams of protein! I was super thankful to have one of these in my purse the other day… Once again, I hadn’t had time for a real lunch and I needed a quick snack before heading out to meet a friend for a run! It didn’t bother my stomach and kept me satiated through my workout and up until dinner! Winning!
Overall, I would absolutely buy these again. However, I would definitely recommend the chocolate over the apple cinnamon. It’s just…I personally would rather eat an actual apple…but that’s just me…don’t let that rain on your apple cinnamon loving parade!
In other exciting news, Manitoba Harvest is running a wicked cool photo contest! You can find the full details here.
Here are some quick details if you’d like to play along:
- Tag @manitobaharvest #hempheartbar #fuelledbyhemp #sweatpink @fitapproach for a chance to win a box of your favorite flavor of Hemp Heart Bars!
- A winner will be chosen each month!
- Eligibility: open to US and Canada residents.
AND if you’d like to order your own hemp heart bars, Manitoba Harvest is generously offering 15% off your purchase. You can buy them here.
- The discount code hhbarlaunch1015 will get you 15% off! Expires 3/31/2016
A big thank you to Manitoba Harvest and Fit Approach for allowing me to sample out another awesome product!
Lets’ chat: Hemp Hearts-yes or no? Favorite pre-run (or other workout) snack? Chocolate or Apple Cinnamon?
Stuff on My Phone
Posted: February 26, 2016 Filed under: Awkward Moments, Beliefs, Confessions, Fitness, Food, Fun, Life, Uncategorized | Tags: apple, iphone, life update, photos 2 CommentsHi Friends!
Happy Friday! Not gonna lie, it’s been a while! Let’s catch up!
I finally crossed over to the dark side and got an iPhone a couple of weeks ago. In all honesty, I had been thinking about it for a while (since August/September) but my poor old phone was finally on its last legs, so I gave in and made the switch.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to show you some pictures I’ve taken in the 2 weeks since switching phones. I have to say, the camera on this phone is WAY better than my old one and I LOVE that. I also love that I can take screen shots(as you’ll notice!)…I know… I’m like 2341343 years late to the screenshot party. It’s fine.
What you’ll find:
- My friends’ excitement over my finally switching to the iPhone.
- Final grade in the last class I took (So pumped about getting that A!)
- Screenshot of some books I recently added to my Kindle library
- Food (Lots of food)
- Chocolate (the BEST chocolate for baking)
- Farmer Ben (my favorite person) and I freezing our butts off at a youth retreat
- The not-too-shabby view at said youth retreat. Still freezing.
- Screenshot of my workout summary on Map My Run
- Some books I ordered and am excited to dig into (both for class and for pleasure)
- A page I really liked in my reading for the class I just finished.
(Click on the collage to see individual photos)
Enjoy!
That’s all I have for today! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
What are you taking pictures of lately? Screenshots? Let me know! (I’m really nosey like that and am dying to know!)
What’s Been On My Plate? #HempHearts Review & Giveaway
Posted: November 6, 2015 Filed under: Food, giveaway, health, Health and Wellness, Review | Tags: eating well, Food, giveaway, hemp hearts, review, sweat pink 1 CommentHi Friends!
Happy Weekend! Any big plans? Farmer Ben and I are spending our weekend at our district’s ministry retreat.
Today I want to talk about Hemp Hearts!
Have you had these tasty little seeds before? Farmer Ben and I love them! Confession: We put them in everything. And I mean EVERYTHING!
Hemp Hearts are actually the center of the hemp seed (basically, it’s what remains after the seed is de-shelled). They are also super good for you. In one 30 gram serving, Hemp Hearts contain 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of Omegas. They also have more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of chia or flax (AND don’t get stuck in your teeth!). Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts are also Non-GMO Project verified. This is something super important to Ben and me.
I love them because they have a nutty flavor that goes with anything. Seriously, Ben and I use them as a topping for yogurt and salads, a stir-in for smoothies or eggs, filling in meatballs (yes, I’m serious) and muffins. Sweet or savory, these will work! Click the link or the picture below for the muffin recipe. I made these a while back and actually just use all hemp seeds now.
One of my favorite ways we’ve used the hemp hearts is in a veggie packed pasta sauce. We started with Farmer Ben’s homemade marinara sauce, added a splash of wine, threw in some vegan sausage, swiss chard, spinach and mushrooms and let those cook down, then right before we served it, we stirred in some hemp hearts for a little added crunch and flavor (then, to certify our hippie status, we topped it with nutritional yeast and served with whole wheat pasta)
Another way that we love to eat hemp hearts is with plain yogurt and some fresh berries. As you probably know, siggi’s is my go to!
So, long story short, we are huge fans. These little seeds are a staple in our house.
AND! Good News, Manitoba Harvest is generously offering one of you lucky readers the chance to win a package of Manitoba Hemp Hearts to try.
To enter pick any or all options below and leave a comment letting me know that you did it! (1 entry for each)
- Follow @ManitobaHarvest on Twitter
- Follow @ManitobaHarvest on Instagram
- Tweet about the giveaway using @ManitobaHarvest #hemphearts @FitApproach #sweatpink
- Follow @NoellesNotebook on Twitter
- Follow @NoellesNotebook on Instagram
- Leave a comment telling me your favorite way to enjoy Hemp Hearts
The Fine Print:
- Open to US and Canada residents
- One prize per person. If you win this giveaway, and have already won another prize from Manitoba Harvest through another blog, please disclose that you have already won so we can choose another winner.
****Giveaway ends Wednesday, November 11.
Ever had Hemp Hearts? What’s your favorite way to eat them?
*Full disclosure: As a Sweat Pink ambassador, I was provided a free sample of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. * Thank you Manitoba Harvest!
Happy Independence Day
Posted: July 4, 2015 Filed under: Entertaining, Food, Fun, Holidays | Tags: 4th of July, Food, Grilling, Holidays, Independence Day, summer Leave a commentHello!
Just stopping in to say “Happy Independence Day!”
Last night, Farmer Ben and I practiced our right to grill and had a pretty delicious meal of chicken hot dogs, vegan beer brats (I’ve been really digging Tofurky brand sausages lately-Ben thinks I’m such a weirdo!), zucchini, radishes, scallions and hot sauce-dipped pineapple.
Everything was delicious… but we probably went a bit overboard for two people (We also had cheese and baguette).
Luckily, I have lots of leftovers to eat while Farmer Ben is feeding the masses today. I may have eaten some for breakfast, paired with some iced mango-black tea I found at Trader Joe’s earlier this week.
Honestly, I can’t complain about this day one bit… it started with delicious food and some quiet time before doing some work. That feels like a total win!
Anyway, remember to take a moment to thank those who serve and protect our freedom today!
Have a safe and happy holiday!
What are you doing to celebrate the 4th?
(Food) Scenes from a Christmas Weekend
Posted: December 31, 2014 Filed under: Food, Holidays | Tags: Christmas, Christmas scenes, life update, random, weekend Leave a commentHi Friends!
Hope you had a lovely holiday… I know that I did, in spite of still having this pesky cough! I didn’t capture a lot of photos…
Here’s a quick recap:
We continued our tradition of Chinese food on Christmas Eve paired with some wine (thanks Uncle Mike & Aunt Terry!)
The Christmas day menu was as follows: delicious leg of lamb, along with spanakopita, tabouleh, a marinated mushroom salad and a roasted root vegetable soup on Christmas Day. Basically, we ate all day long…which is totally fine! Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling up to baking so we didn’t have any desserts other than a few cookies (thanks Ben & Ashley!) and some chocolate. And that was really okay with us.
Even though I was really missing the family this year, it was really nice to sleep in and just relax—I ended up reading a book and a half (the half a book being really long!) and sipping on hot toddies for the long weekend.
Other than some major relaxing, we went to see Into the Woods with a couple of friends. Who knew Chris Pine could sing?!
On Saturday, we drove over to Burlington to pick up a few essentials (like siggi’s and coffee) and skipped over to Trader Joe’s… I LOVE that store.
We also discovered a new pizza place which was delicious…and we may have eaten all but two slices of the pie on the drive back across the lake… Whoops!
I made a batch of almond butter and a chocolate peanut butter (sweetened with stevia) in the ninja. Note to self: Next time either soak or roast the almonds first.
Sunday was spent doing a lot of running around and church. Not gonna lie, it felt like a long day.
Monday we had small group and wound up at the bowling alley. Have I ever discussed my bowling skills? Yeah, I don’t have any. My friend Ashley tried bowling with her left hand and ended up tossing the ball into the next lane… it was probably the funniest thing I have seen in 2014!
Tuesday, I started my morning at the DMV…after work I went home and went to bed early!
And here we are on Wednesday…At the moment, we don’t have any plans for New Year’s Eve… which is okay. Ben is working for part of the evening… we will probably pick up some wine and snacks and call it all good! I’m hoping this cough goes away.. It is so last year!
What about you? Any NYE plans? Most embarrassing bowling experience?
Maple Rum Granola
Posted: December 23, 2014 Filed under: Food, Handmade | Tags: diy, granola, homemade, maple syrup, rum 1 CommentCan we talk granola today? WHY don’t we make it ourselves? It’s ridiculously easy and totally adaptable. (and if you’re looking for a last minute/budget friendly gift for the people in your life, this granola will make you a rock star. Can you say Pinterest-Mason jar win? Huzzah!). I forget how much I actually enjoy making it…until this weekend.
I like my granola to be interesting, and by “interesting,” I mean that it should have as much stuff as I can find to throw into it. Texture is huge.
This granola has a wonderful rummy undertone…because I can’t leave well enough alone and made it boozey.
The recipe below makes a pretty big batch if you want to share it, and if not granola will last for quite some time in an airtight container. Breakfast on the run or purse snacks, anyone?
Maple Rum Granola
What you’ll need:
10 cups oats
1 ½ cups pecans, coarsely chopped (I just broke apart with my hands)
1/2 cup hemp seeds
1/3 cup ground flax seed meal.
1 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted)
2 cups coconut flakes (unsweetened)
1 cup cocoa nibs
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sea salt
1 ¼ cup maple syrup
1 cup olive oil
1/3 cup dark rum
1 splash vanilla
Dried cranberries-to your taste- I threw in a few handfuls.
What to do:
Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Pre-heat oven to 325.
Combine all dry ingredients except cranberries in a large bowl. Note: Don’t have a big enough mixing bowl? A giant soup pot works really well!
Heat maple syrup, olive oil and dark rum in a sauce pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low boil for about two minutes, stirring occasionally. Then turn off heat. Let cool slightly and stir in vanilla.
Add your maple mixture to dry ingredients and toss until evenly coated.
Pour granola onto 3 lined baking sheets and bake in pre-heated oven for about 50 minutes or until granola is golden brown, taking out once to toss (so your oats don’t burn).
Allow granola to cool completely, then mix in dried cranberries and store in an airtight container.
Happy eating!
#elf4health & #holidaysweat Week 4 Recap
Posted: December 22, 2014 Filed under: Food, Health and Wellness, Holidays | Tags: challenges, elf4healtg, Food, health and wellness, holiday sweat Leave a commentHi Friends! Happy Monday! And happy-almost-Christmas!
Yesterday was the last week of the #elf4health challenge and another week of #holidaysweat. Overall, I did pretty well! Let’s take a look!
Big thanks to Elle & Lindsay for organizing the #elf4health challenge again.
#elf4health:
Monday-Read, Write or Meditate: My small group is going through The Purpose Driven Life and with the chapter-a-day approach, this was the perfect book to read today. It’s very timely for Farmer Ben and I and so far I’m enjoying it (even though only reading a small chunk at a time is a challenge in and of itself).
Tuesday-Push-Up Challenge: I really meant to do this, but I failed.
Wednesday-Share your expertise: I didn’t do this but I did share a few recipes last week… let’s call it even!
Thursday-Veggies with breakfast: I had a smoothie with Skoop and spinach, paired with a carrot pear muffin.
Friday-What You Love About You: I didn’t do this, but I did share some life updates and discussed some recent acceptance of life happening. Again, let’s call it even.
Saturday-New Fitness Goal: I shared my 2015 fitness goals in my last post. Check it out here.
Sunday-Make a donation: Hmm… On Saturday, I volunteered to help with our youth Christmas party at church… this included making a RIDICULOUS amount of mac and cheese and hanging out with the some teenagers. Boom. Done!
#holidaysweat:
You know how last week I said I was starting to feel better? Well, I lied. I’m still sick. Therefore it was more walking, some stretching and not much else.
BUT, I’m still on my freggie and H20 a-game, so that’s something!
Let’s chat: How is your December eating/fitness? Favorite kind of Christmas cookie?
#Elf4health and #HolidaySweat weeks 2 & 3
Posted: December 17, 2014 Filed under: Confessions, Food, Gross But Necessary, Health and Wellness, Holidays | Tags: challenges, Elf4Health, freggies, health and wellness, holidaysweat Leave a commentHi friends!
My apologies for being a bit behind on these updates… let’s catch up! Full disclosure: my participation has only been so-so.
#elf4health
I’ll come right out and say that Weeks 2 & 3 were kind of a bust. I’ve been pre-occupied with work and had an awful cold that has kicked my butt for the last two weeks… but here we go:
Monday-12/1-Handwritten note: I still need to do this and try to make a point to do this on a somewhat regular basis.
Tuesday-Eat the rainbow: Yes, Done. I’ve been really good about eating my veggies lately.
Wednesday-Go Makeup Free: this is most days, so it wasn’t really a challenge for me.
Thursday-Buddy Workout: Fail. Nothing more than walks lately.
Friday-Operation Beautiful Note: Nope. I did send some encouraging emails/texts though!
Saturday-= Pantry Purge: This is an on-going process in our house. Farmer Ben and I have a lot of food in our house, but we’ve been making a conscious effort to clean out our cabinets. Some things have been tossed, some given away and we’ve been baking/cooking up a storm to give ourselves some cabinet space.
Sunday-20 things gratitude list: Okay, I didn’t physically write out a list, but I did get to share so much that I am thankful for at my book club last weekend, so I’m counting this as complete.
Monday 12/8-Fastest Mile Challenge: To be totally honest, I haven’t done much running as of late, so this is on the to-do list.
Tuesday-Pay it Forward: I took care of something for a friend of mine. I can’t say what because I don’t want to be found out.
Wednesday-Pack a Healthy Snack: I typically bring some kind of healthy snack every day. I don’t remember what it was on this day…probably energybits or something with my homemade nut butter.
Thursday-Take Some You Time: I had an unexpected snow day (seriously, this NEVER happens at my place of employment) so I ended up having breakfast with Farmer Ben, going for a walk and grabbing lunch with two friends. Then I went home and spent the evening with Farmer Ben. Win all around.
Friday-Circuit Workout: Fail. I barely made it to work on time and then I spent the rest of the day prepping for my book club meeting. After a hot toddy, I fell into bed.
Saturday-3 food groups per meal: Yes, I did this. My book club meal was (hand-grated!) mac and cheese with whole wheat pasta, veal chorizo, mushrooms, onions and red peppers, a big salad and roasted pumpkin with a maple chipotle & fig balsamic vinaigrette. This was on repeat for dinner.
Sunday-12/14-Clean Out Your Closet: As Farmer Ben and I only have one closet in our new place, this has already been done a few times over… I also did some frantic cleaning before my book club on Saturday.
#HolidaySweat:
As I mentioned above, running hasn’t happened much lately as I have been under the weather (and, okay, I admit, lazy). I’ve done some walking, which is something, but I know it’s NOT enough. This week is my week to get back on track…I’m finally starting to feel better and can almost breathe normally again.
However, I have hit my freggie (fruit and veggie) and water goals almost every day.
Pumpkin Smoothies
Let’s Chat: How’s your fitness/health this season? Doing any challenges?
Current Obsessions and Farmer Ben
Posted: December 17, 2014 Filed under: Confessions, Food | Tags: diy, Farmer Ben, homemade, recipe, skoop, vanilla, whiskey Leave a commentHi Friends!
Hope you’re having a great December! I wanted to stop in with some randomness today….
I have a lot of obsessions. Does that mean I have an addictive personality? Probably.
Here are some (mostly food related) things I’m too into right now.
1. Homemade Vanilla. I took a cue from Joy the Baker and starting making my own (the first batch was bourbon vanilla). A while back, we had picked up a bottle of fancy-schmancy bourbon vanilla at Homegoods or TJ Maxx…last night, I happened to glance at the price tag-$12 and the normal price was $17 for an 8 oz bottle! Gah! I just started a batch of Jameson Vanilla… the whole bottle of Jameson is somewhere around $25 and vanilla beans are around $1 a piece. Plus, if you get cute little bottles, these would make perfect presents for the foodie in your life (Note: there is a 6 week infusion period, so if you start a batch now, it would be perfect for Valentine’s Day!)
Freshly bottled
2. Maple Syrup. Yes, I live in Upstate NY, so I’ve always appreciated (real) maple syrup…but lately, I have really taken the plunge. I’ve been using it as a replacement for regular sugars in recipes (like these carrot muffins) and adding it in my coffee smoothies or hot tea.
3. Ninja Blender… Farmer Ben and I got a Ninja Blender as a Christmas/house-warming present (did I mention that we moved in November?) and I cannot tell you how much I love it. We’ve had it just over a week and I have used it almost every day. I’ve made two kinds of nut butter, pumpkin smoothies, carrot muffins… the possibilities are endless!
Finished coconut peanut butter
4. Healthy Skoop products. Remember when I did that review for their B-Strong protein powder? Well, I liked to so much that I decided to become a skoop retailer. Did you know that for every serving of Skoop sold, a serving of fruit and veggies is donated to a school lunch program? Pretty awesome, right? You can check out my shop here. AND, if you use the code cheers25 you can get 25% off your entire order from now until January 4.
5. Homemade deodorant…I sweat a lot… And a lot of natural deodorants don’t really work. But, I’m determined to find one that does. I used this recipe (is that the right word when applied to deodorant making?) I’ve only been using it for a couple of days, so I will keep you posted on the pit situation. To date, no crazy rashes or burning, and Farmer Ben doesn’t mind sitting next to me, so that’s a good sign!
Speaking of Farmer Ben, he turns 32 today! Happy birthday Darlin’, I love you!
Ragnar ADK 2014
Your turn: What are you obsessed with (eating) lately?!
Oatmeal (Bourbon) Scotch-Scotch-Scotchies
Posted: December 16, 2014 Filed under: Confessions, Entertaining, Food, Holidays, Recipe | Tags: bourbon, butterscotch, Christmas cookie, coconut sugar, cookies, oatmeal scotchies, recipe Leave a commentOh hey… we’re doing another recipe post… That’s okay, right?
As I mentioned yesterday, Farmer Ben and I did some baking on Sunday!
I realize that I am going to lose almost all of my “healthy baking” street cred by admitting this… but one of the best cookies I make is the oatmeal scotchie… You know, with those artificial-everything-butterscotch chips? Yeah, those… I only make these cookies a few times a year, but when I do, they are a huge hit. I’ve tried to track down a better butterscotch chip, but have you seen the price on some of the alternatives?! Woof! No thank you. Any suggestions on a better brand that isn’t $100/lb?
Anyway, because I’m already using something unhealthy, I’ve made a few tweaks to the classic recipe.
1. Whole wheat flour
2. Less sugar/all brown-sugar. 2a. Coconut sugar-it’s got a lower glycemic index than regular sugar and trace minerals (just make sure no one has an allergy if you bring these to a party).
3. Flax seed meal. It adds a layer of nutty-ness.
4. Bourbon… not healthy, but doesn’t bourbon make everything better?
Again, these are pretty tasty. And, because the recipe yields around 4 dozen cookies (depending on size), they are great for a crowd (I usually keep a secret stash at home for Farmer Ben). No, these are not the prettiest cookies… but once people taste them, it’s tough to stay away.
Farmer Ben struck again....
Oatmeal (Bourbon) Scotch-Scotch-Scotchies
Adapted from the Nestle Butterscotch Chip Bag.
What You’ll Need:
· 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
· 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
· 2 Tbsp. flax seed meal
· A pinch of salt
· ½ tsp. cinnamon
· 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
· 1 tsp. baking soda
· 2 sticks butter, softened
· 1 scant cup coconut sugar
· 2 large eggs
· 1 tsp. Vanilla
· ¼ cup bourbon
· 3 cups oats
· 1 package (11 oz) Butterscotch Chips
What to do:
· Preheat oven to 375 degrees. *
· Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
· In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar (I use a pastry blender, but can also be done with a mixer).
· Stir in eggs, vanilla and bourbon (I switch to a rubber spatula at this point).
· Slowly stir in your flour mixture.
· Mix in oats and butterscotch chips.
· For a super bourbon taste, cover mixing bowl and place in fridge for a few hours (*if doing this, wait to preheat your oven).
· Spoon dough onto un-greased cookie sheets and bake for approximately 9 minutes, 11 minutes if you like a crisper cookie.
Enjoy!
What’s your favorite Christmas Cookie?
Noelle's Notebook 