Just Almonds Review, Ginger Snap Almond Cookies.

Fun fact about almonds; An almond is not really a nut, it is a drupe. which is technically a fruit. Did you know that? I didn't! If you want to learn more about Almonds visit Just Almonds.

Just Almonds gave me a chance to do a review in exchange for product, I received Almonds & Just Almond Flour. I combined both, and made COOKIES! If you've been following my blogs, you will notice that I love to cook. I have ate Almond products before from Andersons, and Wholefoods, but I had never tried to make cookies myself. Making them yourself is by far less expensive. I baked some cookies for my moms group, I'm always trying to find better, healthier snack alternatives. The cookies were pretty simple, and easy to make. I loved the texture of the Almond Flour. Also it's nice to know that they are grown, and packaged here in the U.S.A. If you are a gluten free, natural family, I advice you to check Almond Flour out.

I felt as if I accomplished something by baking almond cookies. In my honest, opinion, I believe almonds are a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also contains zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Almonds are good for your brain, heart, & skin. You can use almonds to regulate blood pressure, and cholesterol. You can help prevent certain cancers like colon, almonds help to improve the movement through the colon. Diabetics can eat almonds to help control the rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals. Unsweetened almond milk can help reduce weight by mono-saturated fat that is in almonds by satisfying appetite, and prevents over-eating. Also, because almonds are rich in fiber, and full of folic acids, they are ideal to eat during pregnancy to help with constipation. And, a boost of energy.

The Cookies turned out wonderful. The aroma of the spices from the oven made me want to mix up more batches. What else I loved about this recipe with the almond flour was, you didn't have to use your mixer. Just mixing by hand, and rolling the almond flour into balls was fairly simple after the wet ingredients were added. Using the beefree honey made it less sticky, and didn't stick to my hands much.

I thought it looked pretty, all the different colored spices over top the almond flour.

Below is the recipe if you'd like to try to make some yourself. Just Almond sells Almond Flour, Almond Meal, & Almonds by bulk as well.

How To Make The Cookies!

Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Blend all the dry ingredients together

Add the honey and butter to the dry ingredients, and blend well

Create small balls of dough, place about an inch apart

Flatten each cookie with a fork, flatten it one way with the fork, then the other way so it makes a cross over pattern

Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar over each cookie

Add a whole almond to the middle of the cookie

Bake for 15 minutes

Lower the oven to 175, flip the cookies over, and bake for another 15 mins

You know me, I hope I have made you all hungry! Drooling, Vying for the taste of a ginger snap almond cookie on your tongue, & wanting to experiment using Almond Products. This was a delicious review, and yes I ate my cookies warm.

You can find Just Almonds on Facebook, or by JustAlmonds.com. Hope you enjoyed my review, and the fun, healthy facts about Almonds.

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US Only.  Giveaway Begins 12:01 AM 7/19/2012 &  Ends 12:01AM  8/10/12,
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Daiya Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Cholesterol Free, Casein Free, Soy Free, Preservatives Free Cheese Review!

Super easy pizza! Using Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds, and Gluten Free Pizza Crust.  

The cheese is Dairy, Lactose, Casein, Gluten, Soy, and Cholesterol Free.  It doe's melt, and stretch like regular cheese.  It tastes like fresh grated, mozz cheese that was just melted.  I also like the fact that Daiya is 100% preservative free.  

My favorite pizza toppings are: Turkey Bacon, Black Olives, and Red Onions.   

Verdict on Daiya Cheese:  Total Success, equals a happy family.  Everyone enjoyed their slices of Pizza, and I still have enough in the bag to make this meal again.

I had the chance to ask Ashleen from Daiya Foods what her favorites were; She is a fan of the Cream Cheese, and Jalapeno Garlic Harvarti Style Wedge.

The No Bake Cheesecake, using Daiya Cream Cheese, What I like about this recipe is, most of the ingrediants are things we already have in our kitchen.  You can find the receipe for Dairy Free Cheesecake by going to Daiya Foods online.

Another Favorite of her's was the jalapeno garlic Havarti style wedge.  We absolutely love spicy foods, and I am looking forward to trying the Wedges.  I have some tips! Straight from insiders source about the Cheese "is that less is more. You don’t really need as much as you would use dairy cheese so start out with small amounts if using Daiya on a pizza or quesadilla."  

unfortunately my Local Grocer did not have a vast line up of products so I had to request them at Customer Service. Keep in mind, if your store doesn't carry something.. always Request the Product!  Most major chains will want the product, because they want your buisness.

Check out other Daiya Food Products by going to www.daiyafoods.com, and Finding Daiya on Facebook, Daiya on Twitter.

Disclaimer: I received coupons to facilitate a review.  

Easy Stuffed Gluten Free Chicken Breast Recipe! Check it out! Plated with Raw baby leaf spinach, and spaghetti squash.

for 4 large boneless chicken breasts you will need,

4 large boneless chicken Breast

1 pack of Neufchâtel Lite Cream Cheese

1 pack of Uncured Apple Wood Bacon

Green Onions

Step 1, Start to cook your bacon.  

Step 2, Half cook all but a few slices of bacon 

(The all the way crispy pieces are for the Cream Cheese Stuffing.)

Step 3, Set aside the half cooked bacon 

(You use these to wrap the chicken with later, so do not cook them all the way.)

Preparing the Cream Cheese Stuffing,

Step 4, Dump the Cream Cheese into a bowl,

Step 5, Cut some Fresh Green Onions Up (I use cooking scissors for everything like this.)

Step 6, Take some all the way Bacon you cooked first, and cut into little pieces, and add to the bowl too

Step 7, Add some salt, pepper

Preheat Oven to 375,

Preparing the Chicken

Step 8, Add some salt, pepper, and a little bacon grease into a glass baking pan

(This is what the Chicken will be baking in.)

Step 9, Make sure your tooth picks are out and reachable without having to stop, and wash your hands.

Step 10, Take thawed Chicken Breast and flatten between Wax Paper starting from the center out with the flat side of a meat mallet. 

Step 11, Take the flatten chicken breast, and rub both sides into the salt, and pepper in the glass bowl, then place  it breast side down.

Stuffing the Chicken

Step 12, Split the Cream Cheese Stuffing up between all four breasts, right in the center of the flat breast.

Step 13, Hold the chicken breast together, and wrap a piece of bacon around it with a tooth pick. Add as much bacon as you want, and as many tooth picks as you want.  I like to over stuff, so I used a few at the end and folded the chicken in to make like an envelop.

Cooking the Chicken,

Step 14, Oven should've already been preheated to 375.  Bake at 375 for 30 Minutes.

Step 14, After 30 minutes, Broil it for 5 minutes.

I plated mine with Fresh, raw baby leaf spinach.  And a side of Spaghetti Squash.

It's so delicious, and easy to make.  I think next time I'm going to buy more uncured apple wood bacon (My 3 year old loves that stuff, so I had to keep cooking it for him, lol.) So next time I am going to get 2 things of Cream cheese, 2 things of bacon (I get the thick cut.) to make 8 Stuffed Breasts.

Apple Bread using Rice Flour.

Preheat Oven to 350F,

3 Granny Smith apples
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon juice

How to make the Bread:

2 1/2 cups Rice flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons coconut oil

First take the apples, peel and core them.  Cut into thin slices.  Add Sugar, Cinnamon, and Lemon Juice. Bake in a glass dish for 15mins.

While the Apples bake,
Start your bread.  If you are wheat free, check out Rice Flour.

Mix the Rice Flour, Sugar ( I like mine sweet, so I use a full cup of sugar. Use Stevia, or whatever else you like to substitute.) Instant Year, salt, warm water, and I like to melt coconut oil, and mix into the bread mix.

Kneed into a ball, and work it into a thin sheet onto parchment paper.

I use parchment paper that way it's easy to bake.

Take your apple filling that should be cooling off by now, and add to the center of your flattened bread.  Fold the sides over.  And cut slices onto the top.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just slice where ever!

Bake on 350 for 20 minutes.

Mix melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar.  And rub on top the baked bread.

Put back in the oven to brown some more.

Bake for another 5 minutes.

Easy Gluten Free Meal, Spaghetti Squash!

Today my hubby made an Easy Spaghetti Squash Recipe for dinner,

Preheat Oven to 375 F, 

Preparing the Squash is as easy as cutting the Squash in half (It looks like an oversized Squash) Cut the tips first, then cut it in half using the rock back and forth method.  It also cooks quicker this time then whole.

You take the seeds, and pulp out.  You can also bake the seeds, and eat those if you want.  We didn't this time.

Before baking, add a little salt, garlic, pepper, and coconut oil, the flip it so it's Rind Side up to bake.

Bake for 35 minutes. 

When done baking, just take a fork, and scrap the insides out in a down ward movement.  It comes out looking like Spaghetti.

Other ways to cook:

Bake rind side up about 30 to 40 minutes at 375 F.
Microwave 6 to 8 minutes (let stand for a few minutes afterwards)
Boil 20 minutes or so.

Add whatever toppings,  We did a tomato, Tuscan veggy mix ontop.

Try it! Even just the Spaghetti Squash with salt, pepper, and butter tastes delicious on its own.

Werthers Original Mommy Party, with Gluten Free Caramel Cheesecake Bites Easy Recipe. #WerthersBakingBash

I wanted to do a fun, and easy recipe for my Werthers Original Baking Bash Mommy Party! In my Mommy Party kit I received bags of the New Werthers Original Baking Caramels.  I decided to make Mini Caramel Cheese Cake bites.  The bites were a huge success among Adults, and Children.  I gave bags away as Door prizes too.

I try to think outside the box when it comes to snacks like this. My husband is Wheat Free, and I found delicious GF Graham Crackers.

I am a huge believer in life does not have to be complicated.  Parties should not be complicated.  The food served at my parties are always delicious, and my friends thought I was kidding when I told them how easy Werthers Original Baking Caramels were to use, and even more blown away that this had absolutely no wheat in it either.

Honestly, All I did for this Recipe was,

Crunched up Gluten Free Graham Crackers,

Added Butter, and Cinnamon Sugar to the Crust Mix.

Packed down the Crust Mix into the Mini Cupcake wrappers.

Baked on 350 for a few minutes.

Purchased Cheesecake filling (Yes, like I said EASY.)

Packed cheese cake filling into the Cupcake wrappers overtop the Crust.

It's starting to look like mini cheesecakes by now.

Baked in the oven again for a few minutes on 350.

I found it convenient that once they cooled off some, they made their own indent.

This is the fun part,  The melting of the Werthers Original.  Once, again, I used the microwave. Aint' no shame in my Lazy game.  Once the Caramel was melted (It melts super fast.) I used a spoon, and just made a dot of caramel in the middle of the bite.

To set the Bites up, I placed them in the Fridge, and this is the finished product.  Seriously, everyone at the party thought I had bought them.  The baking pan I have, makes 24 mini's.  I know some people are all, I would've made the cheesecake filling from scratch, blah, blah, blah blahgaedy, blah, but you know what? They were still good, and I really don't care! I'm no Rachel Ray, and I have no time to stand pretty in the kitchen. 

Everyone was happy, happy.

Disclaimer, Greenvics.com received an Werthers Original Baking Bash Mommy Party Kit for free, to try, and share! Sharing is caring, All photos are my own. Hope you enjoy my #WerthersBakingBash Party Photos.

Barts Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway! Plus, My own Barts Cookies Gluten-Free White Chocolate Chip with Macadamia Nuts, and Chocolate Chip Review.

Enter to win your own World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Dozen!

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Disclaimer: I received product to facilitate a review, and giveaway. U.S. Only. Giveaway begins 10/25/13 12:00AM Est, Ends 11/08/13 12:00 Est Time. Winner is chosen at Random Via Raffle Copter, Prize Est Value, $17.95, Winners choice of Cookie Dozen! GreenVics.com, and affiliates are not responsible for prize fulfilment. Prize is mailed directly from the sponsor! Winner has 48 hours to verify email once winning email has been received.

Let me first confess how I did not want to share any of these with my family after tasting Barts Cookies Gluten-Free White Chocolate Chip with Macadamia Nuts.  The cookies are Thiiiiiiick, and just these perfect round balls of moist, chocolate chip spheres. What I found refreshing about Barts Cookies is what you see is what you get.  The photos aren't photo shopped, the cookies really do taste/speak for themselves.

My hubby has been Gluten-Free for over a year.  It's a nice treat to find treats like Barts Gluten-Free Cookies that he can still have a cookie with the family.  I tricked my hubby.. I said "it's Gluten Free," he ate it.. and loved it.  I then said, "SUCKAAAH I lied, its not," and he freaked out thinking I had played a mean trick on him.  After I confessed, yes, it's GF, he didn't believe me and I had to show him the bag. Haha. Evil, vile, rotten wife. I just wanted to see if his opinion changed at all on the flavor.  He thought it was TOO good to be GF.

My son and I received Barts Cookies Milk Chocolate Chip.  They were moist, and jam packed with Chocolate chips.  I am a total snob when it comes to my sweets.  I like bakery quality treats.  I usually get Cannoli's, personal mini boston creme pies.  Hey.. If I'm going to splurge on a sugary treat, it better be worth the sugar, and the cinnamon pills I'll be taking later!  These cookies pass my sweet test. 

My 2 year old also enjoyed a couple of the cookies.  They are the perfect individual treat size too.  He called it a Cookie Ball.  These would be perfect for his Birthday in December!  

I also wanted to show you all how perfectly the bottom of the cookies are a light brown.  I can't stand my cookies being overly baked, and just hard as a rock with not moistness left, and these were right on in texture.

The best way I can think of to describe Barts Cookies are to, think of a cookie with 5 layers of cookies stacked ontop, but while still perfectly baked.  

If you'd like to find out more about Barts World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, goto, www.bartscookies.com,

Find Barts Cookies on Facebook,

http://www.facebook.com/bartscookies

and, Barts Cookies on Twitter,

https://twitter.com/bartscookies

Pulse Roasted Chickpea Review & 4 WINNER Giveaway!

What do you think of, when you think of Chickpeas?

Chickpeas aren't from Chickens, or even from peas.  A Chickpea is actually full of fiber, protein, and can even help regulate blood sugar.  Chickpea cultivation goes as far back as the Bronze Age, 3000BC. Click here to find out more on the history of Chickpeas, and what other nutritional value they process.  Promise you'll learn something! And, exactly what a Chickpea is!

Recently I tried the Pulse Roasted Chickpeas Variety 4 pack.

• Original
• Spicy Lemon Zest
• Sea Salt & Garlic
• Balsamic

Since the Chickpeas are roasted, there is this earthy, full of taste crunch to them.  They aren't hard to bite like you normally get from overly dehydrated snacks.  I really enjoyed that they were roasted instead.  All of the flavors were great, but the Spicy Lemon Zest was my absolute favorite of the Variety Pack.  I usually like spicy, or sweet (Or combined.)

Cooking with Chickpeas.

I wanted to mention that these roasted Chickpeas are great to add to rice with dried onions & dried garlics in a Rice Maker.  The rice absorbs the Roasted Chickpea taste, and becomes soft.

We add Chickpeas to just about everything.  Even Mac & Cheese to trick the little ones. Pulse left the Mac & Cheese with a delicious Sea Salt & Garlic Taste.  The Chickpeas do soften up some, I don't add them til I am putting the butter, and cheddar slices in the noodles to melt after the noodles have already been drained.

Pulse makes it more convenient to add the extra fiber, and protein to snack time, and meals.

You can find out more about Pulse Roasted Chickpeas At www.pulseroastedchickpeas.com, Pulse on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

There will be FOUR WINNERS For Pulse Roasted Chickpeas! Enter below!

2 Lucky Winners will Receive a Pulse Variety Pack, (Retail Value $19.96 per Variety Pack.)

1 Lucky Winner will Receive a  Pulse S.W.A.P Box. (Snack With A Purpose, Retail Value $20.00.)

1 Lucky Winner A Combo Of The Apple Raisin & Vegan Dark Chocolate,(Retail Value $7.59.)

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Giveaway is open to the U.S. Only. Giveaway begins, 9/9/13 12:00AM Est, Ends 9/23/13 12:00AM Est. Winners are choosen at Random on RaffleCopter. Prizes are mailed directly from the Sponsor.  Good Luck! Disclaimer: I received product to facilitate a Review. Life According To GreenVics (www.greenvics.com.) is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 48 hours to verifiy address in winning email. So please check your emails.

Evol Foods has Gluten Free Bowls, and Burritos!

I don't cook as much as I used to, as in full meals since I'm on my diet.  My husband however is completely Gluten Free.  He has lost over 60 Lbs now since going Gluten Free.  Instead of bread we both eat Corn Tortilla Wraps.   So I was blown away when I saw EVOL Foods has Gluten Free Bowls, and Gluten Free Burritos now!  When he gets home from work later, He will be so happy to have a Chicken Enchilada Gluten Free Bowl, and A Side Salad.   I'm a fan of EVOL too!  It's full of protein, and fiber.  The Truffle Parmesan Mac & Cheese is on top for a reason..  

Don't forget to check out my Grilled EVOL Burritos Review by clicking Here,

I can completely do this again, grill some fruits, and vegetables up with the burritos, and still stick to my diets guide lines.  I know my family will be happy,  winter is gone, and I'm feeling the mood to grill some burritos. There were days that the husband couldn't eat dinner with us and I had to prepare something separate since he's Gluten Free.  With the new Evol Gluten Free Burritos I don't have to worry about that.  LOVE EVOL!

I received these to sample for my open, honest opinion.  I was not paid, or told what to say.  All images are my own.

Win a Huge Gift Basket Full Of Betty Lou's Natural Gluten Free Snacks!

Looking for better alternatives? Enter to win a gift basket by Betty Lou's Inc.  Included in the Gift Basket are a variety of Betty Lou's Snacks.  Estimated Prize Value $75.00. 

This would be ideal for Easter! Or, just because, it's delicious.  My family enjoyed Betty Lou's.  My 2 Year old's favorites were the Fruit Bars.  My favorites? Everrrrything.  Especially the Angell White Chocolate Organic Candy bars by Betty Lou's.  

Click the above image to read my Full Review for Betty Lou's.

Enter Below for a chance to win!

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Giveaway is open to the US Only.  Begins 3/14 12:00AM Est, Ends 3/24 12:00AM Est.  Winner will be chosen at random via rafflecopter.  Life According To GreenVics is not responsible for shipment of prize.  Prize is mailed directly from sponsor once the winner has confirmed.  Good luck!

{ Review } The Swiss Colony Gluten Free Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Life According To GreenVics, Holiday Gift Guide! 

The Swiss Colony, Gluten Free Raspberry Linzer Cookies.

Buttery sugar cookie with Raspberry filling.  

Recently I received a LB of Gluten Free Raspberry Linzer Cookies to sample for review.  Let me just tell you that these cookies are perfection!!!!!!!! The cookie literally melted in my mouth.  Some people think just because things are "Gluten Free" that it means they are flavor free, when in all actuality that is so not the case.

A lot of people are gluten free.  Some just because they don't want the added preservatives, and others because their bodies can't process wheat like others.

Baby Sy approved, he was pointing to try!

Whatever the reason may be, these Gluten Free cookies would be a great Holiday Gift for those Gluten Free families!!!! 

I also reviewed the Sugar Free Holiday tower from Swiss Colony, and yes! There is a giveaway for that tower.  Go here to read my other review, and enter the giveaway. (Giveaway begins 12/06/12, Ends 12/13/12)

Just because ones diet restricts certain ingredients does not mean they still can't indulge in gourmet sweet treats!