HEY KIDS – STAY COOL!

Here’s are some of the things that I’m eating and loving and some other parts that are making this summer 2015 awesome!

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Pops are finally in my neighborhood and that makes me really happy. Might I suggest the Dark Chocolate made with chocolate, banana, and sugar. Only 60 calories a pop!

I know, I know, you expected me to put down So Delicious’ new Cashew Frozen Dessert, but I just stumbled upon their greek style coconut yogurt and I’m really loving it at night time when I want to eat nothing but cookies.

Glutino’s animal crackers are pretty awesome. You’ll see another post about this soon. There are the original (more vanilla-like) flavor and the graham style flavor. I like either, and I can eat one bag in a sitting so watch out when these are around me.

You probably know Bare Snacks from their apple chips, but I was one of the first to sample their newest crunchy banana chips and I dig ’em! I’ve always loved bananas, but I like bananas more when I can dip them into peanut butter like chips ‘n salsa!They’re baked – no oil!

Tea is my summer jam. I’m loving tea so much. I really like TK Hibiscus teas, and Little Miracles tea. I’m basically obsessed with iced team. Yes, even Starbucks (stop rolling your eyes).

My treat after a good workout is Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Coconut Water. I go on a search in my Whole Foods refrigerated section to find the most pink one possible. Love love love these, but you’ve got to admit, the taste is…unique.

I’m loving Follow Your Heart new line of cheeses. Garden Herb, Provolone, and American Style – all rock my world. Really excited about these guys for those of us who are dairy free!

Banza chickpea pasta has rejuvenated my love of alternative pastas. It’s got so much protein, I don’t feel like I have to have meat with dinner (perfect for Meatless Mondays or those trying to cut down on meat consumption because it’s better for you/the planet/animals).  I’m really diggin’ pastas made with beans or lentils. Power Pasta is another awesome brand – but you’ve got to order online. I can’t get enough of Al Dente Gluten Free Pasta to. I received it to taste test for Gluten Free & more magazine and I was very impressed! Combining these pastas with veggies like chopped zucchini, sautéed spinach, etc. makes for a great complete meal. I’ve also been using my Ninja Kitchen food processor to make homemade pesto with kale, basil, olive oil, and garlic – adding soaked cashews for more protein if desired.

FINALLY – Nada Moo! frozen dessert from Austin, TX is here in Arizona. The Cookies & Creme flavor is amazing – mostly because of the GF sandwich cookies hidden inside. But the ice cream is so creamy! I know this because I ate all the cookies out of one of the pints and non-GFBF was left with just the ice cream and he was like “this is so good!” Unbeknown to him, it’s even better with the cookies inside.

I received a few bags of these avocado oil popcorn bags from Lesser Evil and they’re really good. The avocado oil adds a unique taste and adds healthy fat to the popcorn while keeping it a delicious snack. We powered through these bags. The Himalayan Salt version is also very good. Buy these bags when you see them, but don’t eat a whole bag by yourself – it’s easier than you think.

I was really impressed with Schar’s new artisan baker multigrain bread. It’s a new recipe and I’m loving how SOFT this bread it. The multigrain is quite tasty. I just made tuna melts with the new white bread last night. I’m never a superfan of white bread, but this was really good. Definitely pick this up next time you see it.

Here are some NON-FOOD things that are keeping me happy this summer!

Pure Barre is where I go to lift, tone, and burn this summer. I’m trying to go 5 days a week, but most of the time, it’s four days a week – still impressive in my book! Really loving the change that it’s done to my body, despite sweating more than I thought was possible for so little movement.

 

Um, have you tried Unpinkable yet folks? Red Apple Lipstick created a killer line of lipstick and lipglosses this season. If you’ve seen me out, you’ve probably seen me rocking a few of my favorites from this line. Check out my affiliate link here, and remember to use the code CATB for orders over $50 to save!

What are YOU loving this summer?