Category Archives: Food

Food, Going Healthy, Going Reviews, Promo

6 Natural Coffee Brands You’ll Love and 1 You Won’t

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This post contains affiliate links in which I will earn a few cents in commission if you click on them and make a purchase. There’s no extra cost to you, it just helps me buy this natural coffee that keeps me ‘going’ every day.

We are natural coffee connoisseurs in our house and, like most parents, depend on it maybe a little too much. Dependencies-schemendencies I say, it’s the true black gold and we’ll continue brewing it for years to come.

Of course, we won’t settle for just any coffee put in front of our face. If it’s from a doctor’s office, car service waiting area, McDonald’s, etc., we have zero issue with avoiding the beverage. Besides, those places usually only offer styrofoam cups which I refuse to touch for the environmental aspect as well as the plethora of health problems it’s linked to. Especially when it is used for hot liquids!

But I’ll save my soapbox speech on the damaging effects of styrofoam for another day, because today is all about my favorite brands of natural and/or organic coffee. Plus, there’s one kind of coffee (Hint: it’s not for drinking) you most likely will not love unless you’re into that type of thing. If you are, more power to you, just not something I care a-latte-bout. 🙂

1. WealthPreneur Coffee Co. – It’s organic, shade-grown and Fair Trade. This coffee is a potent medium/dark roast that, unlike many darker roasts, maintains a high level of caffeine by using a thicker blend of organic oils when roasting so the actual bean does not get as burned. Usually, the longer (i.e. darker) the roast, the less caffeine. It smells wonderful to anyone who loves coffee, and the flavor is intense and certainly gets your day started full of energy.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

2. Death Wish Coffee – Organic, Fair Trade, and just has a cool name! This is another darker roast coffee with a super high caffeine content. Good for some, bad for others, but either way, drink up and prepare to tackle the day! I bought it for the name alone, and because it’s organic, and would definitely buy it again.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

3. Kimera Koffee – It’s not organic, but is sourced from a single estate in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic and is grown under ideal conditions for top notch beans. But quality coffee beans is just the start, what sets Kimera Koffee apart is the added nootropics that not only boost your energy, but improve focus, concentration and athletic performance. It’s a smooth brew with a pleasant aroma and slightly nutty flavor. Here’s their description of the added nootropics….

The Kimera Blend is infused with 725mg of premium grade Nootroopics per serving to help you sustain a healthy mind and body. Alpha GPC: Natural choline compound found in the brain and can be found in soy, meats and fish. Improves memory, enhances mental focus and increases power output. Taurine: An organic acid commonly found in eggs that delays cognitive decline due to aging, fights oxidative stress, reduces fatigue, and helps boost fat metabolization. L-Theanine: Tea extract that balances daily anxiety, improves sleep patterns and helps prevent cholesterol-related damage. DMAE: Choline molecule found in fish that boosts mental performance, increases energy, improves oxygen efficiency and promotes red blood cell function.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

4. Via Bom Dia 100% Naturally Flavored Coffee – I typically don’t go for flavored coffees as that usually means added sugar and chemicals, but that’s not the case here. It is organic coffee with natural flavors like real cacao nibs, cinnamon, and even chipotle. No chemical flavors, just the actual spices, and this coffee is the brand that does this. We have only tried the Cinnamon Chocolate Cacao and absolutely love the aroma and flavor. You can actually see the chunks of cinnamon stick mixed with the beans, I love it! They have 6 flavors to savor; Dark Chocolate Cacao, Cinnamon Chocolate Cacao, Chipotle Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Lavender, & Dirty Chai. Choose any or all for a special treat without the need of artificial flavors or sugar.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

5. Kicking Horse Coffee – No crazy highly caffeinated brain boosting brew here, just a simple medium roast organic and Fair Trade Coffee. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity though, this stuff is smooth, very little acidity, and easy to drink any time of day. This is our current go-to blend and it hasn’t let us down yet.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

6. The Good Java Company – The last one is another simplistic blend with a darker roast. Certified organic and Fair Trade, it’s just a “good java” to keep around and brew a cup for yourself and any guests. Being a dark roast, it is a slight earthy, full-bodied brew that just feels right on a rainy day or anything I’m looking for something a little more intense.

natural coffee, organic, healthy, caffeine, drink

And for the one I suspect most of you will not love. The beans are certified organic, but not meant for drinking. The brand is called Purelife Enema Coffee, and if the name doesn’t give it away already, these beans are meant specifically for coffee enemas. Yeah, it’s a thing, and apparently it’s actually quite healthful, but I’m perfectly happy with only putting coffee in one hole called my mouth. At least it’s free of mold, fungus, and pesticides!

organic enema coffee, coffee enema

Have you ever tried any of these coffees?

Ever hear of or try a coffee enema?

Food, Going Healthy, NuttZo

Sugar Free Chocolate NuttZo Protein Brownies

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a few cents if you make a purchase using the links. There’s no extra cost to you, so please make a purchase! 🙂

sugar free chocolate nuttzo protein brownies, recipe, healthy, treat, dessert, cooking

Do you like brownies nice and gooey in the center or fluffy like a cake? I prefer the gooey version, making me feel like I’m indulging in something that packs 500 calories into each tiny square. That’s not hard to find, just go to Starbucks or any place selling brownies and their uber-rich baked goods are sure to all be around 500 calories for one serving. Luckily, these brownies offer all of the tastebud pleasing flavor with lower calories.

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Maybe calories are what you’re after, but it’s best to get them from more nutritive sources like fresh fruits, veggies and lean protein. The gobs of refined sugar and oil used for most baked goods won’t do much for your body besides put you on the fast track to diabetes-ville.

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Instead, satisfy your sweet tooth and support a healthy body with these decadent and guilt-free brownies.

Sugar Free Chocolate NuttZo Protein Brownies

Ingredients:

 The easiest directions ever:

  • Add all ingredients to large bowl, blender, or food processor and blend well.
  • Pour into 7x11in brownie pan lined with parchment or greased with coconut oil
  • Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Stick a butter knife in the center to see if it comes out clean. If not, let bake another 5 minutes but watch it closely!

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Include your kids by having them mash the bananas and help measure ingredients. When kids participate with healthy food prep in the kitchen it’s almost a guarantee that they will want to eat that healthy food!

Do you avoid turning on the oven when it’s hot outside?

How do you like your brownies; moist in the middle or crumbly and baked through?

Food, Going Healthy, Pinterest Picks

Pinterest Inspiration: Homemade Fermented Food

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Fermented foods offer a host of benefits including blood sugar stabilization, aiding in digestion, and high in several B vitamins. But, go to any store to pick up a jar of kimchi, and you’ll see most store-bought fermented foods are not cheap!

A few weeks ago I developed a strange craving for kimchi even though I’ve never tried it, so I figured I’d buy a jar next time I went shopping. After recovering from sticker shock, I bit my lip and made the purchase for a small 8 oz. jar just to see what it’s all about. I loved it!

Crap, now what? I can’t afford to buy these small jars for close to $8 when I go through the stuff in two days! My stay-at-home dad income is not monetary, and I would never trade Avery’s smiles (my form of currency) for jars of kimchi, so I took to the internet for recipes.

I found an easy kimchi recipe (you’ll see it below) and went to work.

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It wasn’t the “easiest” thing to make, but really not difficult either.

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As soon as 4 days had passed, I couldn’t resist the bubbly goodness and had to try. It was great! Very pungent, as Going Mom let me know every time I opened the jar, but great nonetheless. Now I’m hooked and am currently eating fermented baby carrots and garlic cloves.

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I currently have three jars in the fermentation process with different foods organically grown by one of G-Ma’s neighbors. Cucumbers in one jar, green beans and jalapenos in another, and giant okra too. All have garlic cloves and I’m anxious to try! Update: The giant okra was a giant fail! Unlike pickled or fresh okra I’m used to, these were basically like chewing cardboard. Whomp-whomp.

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Pinterest contains numerous recipes for all sorts of fermented foods just waiting to be made. Many recipes call for a “starter” like whey (the liquid you see on the top of yogurt) or a vegetable starter.

These can be purchased online or at most stores, but I’ve only used a salt brine so far and don’t have a problem yet. If you can, just use water and a good quality sea salt for your first try just to get a feel for things. Or, if you have yogurt, pour out the liquid whey that builds up and use it.

1. Figured the best way to start this list is with a……. list! Just a few benefits to motivate you to try making your own fermented goodness!

2. Here’s an easy one to get started….pickles!!

3. Sauerkraut is another simple homemade solution to spending wayyyyyy too much at the store. Tastes better too! Our daughter begs me to give her some of my homemade sauerkraut for dinner every night. #ProudDad

4. Basic essentials to get started making your own ferments. This is good to read if you are a little skeptical or worried about trying for the first time.

5. I’ve never heard of pickled avocados until now, but I’ll be trying soon!!

6. Beets; I can’t get enough of them, and fermented beets sound incredible!

7. If you haven’t heard of or tried kombucha yet, I highly suggest trying at least once. Just beware of some store-bought versions having more sugar than necessary to feed those gut-healthy guys in the drink. I like Synergy’s brand, but making my own is always preferred.

8. This wouldn’t be a good parenting blog if I didn’t include a way to involved the kids. Like mentioned, Avery enjoys trying almost everything I ferment. My wife, on the other hand, not so much. :/

9. Kimchi!!! The recipe that started it all for me! Hey, I rhymed!

10. Salsa is a staple food in our home, and I use it on my salad as dressing every day. I’m pretty pumped to try this one soon.

I hope this list of fermented food recipes and info has inspired you to give it a try in your kitchen. Like most things, once you actually take the time to try something new, you’ll be surprised at how much you can do.

 

Do you enjoy fermented foods?

Have you tried making your own before?