STUFF I LOVE!

The Miracle Noodle

What if you could have as much delicious pasta as you wanted? And what if that pasta not only came carb-free, but calorie-free?

Shirataki Miracle Noodles are my new OBSESSION!!!!

But could these claims possibly be true? Is there really a calorie-free, guilt-free pasta out there for those of us who try to avoid eating too much of the real stuff?

YES! 

The packages arrived in the mail and indeed, the calorie count listed on the back is—amazingly—zero. The noodles are made from konjac yams, processed to be edible but indigestible. You can eat them, but your body extracts no nutrition from them at all. 

Holding the package in my hand, I recognized that they look just like ramen. But the noodles are suspended in a gel pack, heavier than it looks, filled with a thin, clear goo. To prepare them to eat, you pour the goo into a colander and rinse. The smell is faint, but distinctive: a slight hint of shellfish, or dog food. My stomach started to turn—I blasted them with the hose in my sink. As the instructions ordered, I gave them a quick bath in boiling water, and then patted them dry with paper towels. I smelled gingerly. NOTHING!, except for the paper towel smell.

Be prepared though, The only flavor comes from whatever ingredients you add to your noodles, (they have no taste)

But the true test is when I fed them to my 8-year-old son Andon.  He loves noodles with olive oil and Parmesan cheese so I made that!  HE LOVED IT!!!!!  I don't think I'll ever feed my family regular noodles again, (ok, ALMOST NEVER!) :)

GET IT, TRY IT, LOVE IT, GUILT FREE!

PB2

What the HECK is PB2 (powdered peanut butter) and umm.. Why?

I'll let them explain it. (See below the image) Basically, it's peanut butter without all the fat and sugar and crap.. and it's in powdered form so it doesn't go rancid and it's easy to add to shakes, baked goods, etc. I'm planning on using it to 'spice up' smoothies and shakes. Peanut butter and banana or peanut butter and vanilla - yum!

I order mine on AMAZON! 

Nutrition Facts

PB2: Powdered Peanut Butter
Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, sugar and salt.
Serving size: 2 Tablespoons (12 grams)
Servings per container: 15
Amount per 2 Tablespoon serving (when mixed with water):
Calories: 45
Calories from fat: 13

Value and % Daily Value*

Total fat 1.5 g  3%
Saturated fat 0 g  0%
Trans fat < 0.01 g
Cholesterol < 0.01 mg  0%
Sodium 94 mg  4%
Total carbohydrate 5 g  2%
Dietary fiber 2 g  8%
Sugars 1 g
Protein 5 g
Vitamin A < 1%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium <1%
Iron 0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

---

Chocolate PB2
Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, cocoa powder, sugar and salt.
Serving size: 2 Tablespoons (12 grams)
Servings per container: 15
Amount per 2 Tablespoon serving (when mixed with water):
Calories: 45
Calories from fat: 10

Value and % Daily Value*

Total fat 1 g  1.5%
Saturated fat 0 g  0%
Trans fat <0.01 g
Cholesterol <0.01 mg  0%
Sodium 70 mg  3%
Total carbohydrate 6 g  2%
Dietary fiber 1 g  4%
Sugars 3 g
Protein 4 g
Vitamin A <1%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium <1%
Iron 2%

CHIA SEEDS

Ya... those.

Why eat Chia Seeds?

1. If you’re craving, reach for the chia.

Your body is great at telling you something, especially if you’re deficient in certain minerals or vitamins. This can lead to food cravings, (and sometimes we reach for the wrong unhealthy stuff!)

Chia will give you more calcium than if you drank a glass of milk?  It has more boron, magnesium and a host of trace minerals that will help you absorb your essential vitamins and stop those cravings!

2. Feeling sleepy? – It’s your diet! 

If you’re constantly feeling tired and always want to lay down and take a quick nap, you may not be eating the right things. Your energy level is directly affected by what you intake.

Chia is one of nature’s best solutions when it comes to the intake of protein, as it has a complete balance to boost your energy levels. Don’t think that this energy comes in sharp spikes, either, You'll have great energy all day. 

3. Fight the free radicals! 

Antioxidants are very important in preventing damage to our body caused by free radicals. Free radicals can really do a number on our bodies, leading to different illnesses, premature aging and inflammation. We need something to fight off the free radicals and antioxidants have been proven to be effective.

Chia is very high in antioxidants and is not difficult to come across. Chia seeds stay fresh and available to eat for long periods of time when stored at room temperature.

4. Lose the hunger pangs.

For the first time, you can really lose weight without battling those pangs of hunger all the time. The chia seed is just perfect to help you with your battle; when water is added to them they increase in size, as the water forms a gel coating. This action makes you feel full and you will not want to eat, and the effects can last for hours.

Don’t worry about additional calories, the gel is water-based – this amazing seed will help you handle those hunger cravings and not add any calories either.

5. Omega-3! 

Fish, you eather LOVE IT, or HATE IT!  If you avoid fish altogether, you might not get enough omega-3 oil, which is a great supplement for your diet.

The good news is that chia, a plant-based source, is a great place to find your omega-3. Other than its benefits for your long-term health prognosis, it seems that omega-3 can also help you to lose weight. Many studies now show that overweight people significantly help their problem by including omega-3 on a regular basis.

6. Avoid the rollercoaster. 

Do you go through the day up and down with your energy? One second full of energy and the next just ready to go to sleep? This has much to do with your blood sugar and imbalance caused when you eat those naughty sweets and starchy, complex foods.

You need to balance out your food intake as you digest it and the chia seed has been proven to help convert the food into a steady delivery of energy rather than those peaks and valley's.

The seed is made up of soluble and insoluble fiber and when combined with the gelling action that results when you swallow the seed, the processes are balanced out and sugar creation is leveled.

7. Fiber

The outside of the seed, on the other hand has an insoluble fiber that is not able to be digested, so it helps keep food moving down through your digestive tract. Gel coating of the seed helps to ensure food moves easily as it is processed.

****   1 tbsp. serving of chia seeds provides 65 calories.

I get mine at Costco!