Fancy Food Finds

It’s finally summer, which means it’s time for the Summer Fancy Food show in NYC! Every year this event is held on my kids’ first day of camp. They frolic and play, I eat and schmooze, it’s a win-win! Sometimes I feel like I’m wandering through fields of cheese, chips, crackers, cookies and chocolate. There were several items that caught my eye and made me smile. Here are my favorite Fancy Food Finds for the summer of 2015: (Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any of these specific products at the time of print)

Trend #1: Protein packed snacks:
Perky Jerky: (http://perkyjerky.com/) Yeah, that’s a guy dressed in jerky. Seriously though, the turkey jerky flavors I tasted were super soft and flavorful. They currently have guarana, a form of caffeine, but the product will no longer contain this ingredient in the coming months. Turkey Jerky flavors include: Original, Teriyaki, Hot & Bothered, Jamaican Style and Sweet & Spicy. The original flavor only has 190mg of sodium per serving. That’s the least on the market. There’s also no preservatives, nitrates or added MSG. (There are also 4 flavors of beef jerky, though I’m a turkey jerky girl so I did not try them.) Find more info on the Perky Jerky website!

Perky Jerky

Enlightened Roasted Broad Beans: (http://www.eatenlightened.com/)
With 100 calories and 7 grams of protein per serving, these roasted broad beans are a fantastic, protein and fiber rich snack sure to keep you satisfied. There are 4 flavors including Sea Salt, Mesquite BBQ, Wasabi, Sriracha and Onion & Garlic. They are all gluten free, vegan, non-GMO Project verified and Kosher. Check them out at www.eatenlightened.com.

Enlightened roasted broad beans

San Franola Granola: (http://sanfranolaco.com/) This novel granola is different than any I have ever seen. Each ½ cup serving packs 10 grams of protein, (from whey, oats, flax and chia and not soy like most granolas or bars) and only 6 grams of sugar with 6 grams of fiber. Woot! That’s a filling snack or addition to breakfast that won’t break the calorie bank. Flavors include Cinnamon Almond, Lemon Zest, Toasted Chia, California Raisin and Ginger Snap. There is a GROUPON deal for this granola which comes and goes so try your best to grab one while you can!

San Franola Granola

Trend #2: Unsweetened Teas and Fizzy Drinks
ITO EN: (http://www.itoen.com/) These new organic matcha LOVE teas are delicious and unsweetened! Packed with flavor and no sugar, these combos of matcha and green tea are filled with antioxidants and EGCG which has been known to increase the calorie burn a bit. Most of us can afford to burn a few extra, right? Try the traditional, ginger and vanilla flavors, all perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.

ITO EN Matcha unsweetened teas

Honest Tea: (https://www.honesttea.com/) I’ve always been a fan of Honest Tea’s unsweetened teas, but their new flavors are a game changer! The Cinnamon Sunrise Herbal Tea and Ginger Oasis Herbal Tea are so tasty you would swear they are sweetened. With 0 calories and no caffeine, you can enjoy these absolutely anytime.

Honest Tea unsweetened herbal teas

Republic of Tea: (www.republicoftea.com) I’ve written about this brand before because they have so many amazing flavors of tea, it’s hard to keep track! This time I’m smitten with their new flavors of 100% white tea. The Honey Mango, Cucumber Mint and Orange Blossom were so warm, comforting and tasty, you are sure to enjoy them!

Republic of Tea White Teas

Polar Seltzer: (http://polarseltzer.com/) Continuing on my unsweetened beverage trend, these tasty seltzers contain NO calories, sodium, caffeine, sugar or carbs. Not your grandma’s seltzer, Polar offers flavors like Pomegranate Sangria, Guava Mandarin, Mai Tai, Strawberry Watermelon and Blueberry Lemonade. Which would you most like to try?

POLAR Seltzer

La Croix Sparkling Water: (http://www.lacroixwater.com/)
LaCroix Sparkling Water is carbonated water which is sodium free and contains only natural flavors. Their newer offerings; passionfruit, mango and apricot, are so unique and wonderful. You definitely don’t need soda when you can enjoy sparkling water with these amazing flavors!

La Croix Sparkling Water

Trend #3: Powdered Peanut Butter
I’m secretly addicted to this trendy but not guilty pleasure. With about 1/4 the calories of regular peanut butter, you can add powdered peanut butter to smoothies, sauces, soups, yogurt or as a substitute for the higher calorie staple. Simply add water and stir until you achieve your preferred PB consistency- thinner to drizzle over fruit or oatmeal, thicker to spread on your favorite whole grain bread or crackers. There are many companies offering this versatile product, check them out for the different flavors they offer:

Montebello Chai flavored: (http://www.montebellokitchens.com/) I discovered this new find at the National Peanut Board booth. What a cool flavor combo! Can you imagine how great that would be in a soup, sauce or salad dressing? YUM!

Montebello Chai Powdered PB

Peanut Butter and Co: (http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/) Try all 4 flavors with 5-6g of protein, 1.5g fat and about 50 calories per 2 Tablespoon serving! It’s available in original, vanilla, flax & chia or chocolate. Can’t wait to try them all!

Peanut Butter & Co. Powdered PB

PB2 plain and chocolate: (http://www.bellplantation.com) This is the product I’ve been using the longest, and it’s available in original and chocolate flavors with 4-5g protein and 45-50 calories per 2 Tablespoon serving.

PB2 by Bell Plantation

Trend #4: Great Grains:

1. Sorghum as an ingredient:
   If you read my blog, you know that the Sorghum Checkoff is a client of mine. While I generally work with the whole grain sorghum as an ingredient to develop recipes, I’m always happy to find it popping up in products from brands I already know and like.
   Snikiddy SmashPop Popcorn Crisps: (www.snikiddy.com) These unique crisps feature sorghum as well as corn, rice and potato flours, making them gluten free. The cool part? There’s also tomato, spinach, carrot and beets. Shhhhh, don’t tell the kids 🙂 With no additives or preservatives, non-GMO grains and no MSG or high fructose corn syrup, they are a healthier lunchbox addition than many other snacks. Try them in Sea Salt, White Cheddar and Sweet & Salty flavors.
   

   Snikiddy SMASHPOP Popcorn Crisps

   Cook Simple Meals: (www.cooksimplemeals.com)
   These products are what I call the “healthiest hamburger helper you can imagine”. Full of gluten free whole grains, veggies, beans, herbs and spices in ready to make pouches, dinner couldn’t be easier or more nutritious. You’ll have a one pot, family sized meal in no time at all. Find sorghum in the Chipotle Sorghum Pilaf and Ancient Grain Salad. All the varieties start off gluten free and many are vegan. The ingredients are non-GMO and are awaiting certification. Each box comes with suggestions for add-ins to make complete meals. Have fun “cooking simple”!

   

   Cook Simple Meals

   2. Ozery Bakery: (http://us.ozerybakeryinc.com/ozery/index.php) Their Morning Rounds are toastable fruit and grain buns which come in 4 flavors: muesli, date and chia, apple cinnamon and cranberry orange. Good luck keeping these in the house. Prevention Magazine voted them one of the 100 Cleanest Packaged Foods with no artificial ingredients, and they are Non-GMO Project verified. My favorite is the Date and Chia which is whole grain and absolutely delicious. Top it with ricotta and figs for a to-die-for breakfast.

   

   Ozery Bakery

   3. Good Groceries: Suzie’s THIN Cakes: (http://www.goodgroceries.com/) These are my go to when I don’t want bread. My two favorites are Corn, Quinoa, Sesame and Spelt & Flax Seeds. With only 38-48 calories for 3 “cakes”, these are crunchy and satisfying with only a few whole ingredients. Top them with cream cheese and smoked salmon, avocado and sriracha or salsa, tuna and tomato, powdered peanut butter or anything you would put on a rice cake.

Suzie’s THIN Cakes

Wow, that’s a lot of products to review. What sounds the most interesting to you? Which one are you most likely to purchase, and have you already discovered some on your own? Please share in the comments below!