product review: Harvest Snaps

The wife and I are snack-a-holics. We eat more small things throughout the day than actual prepared meals so when I got the offer to sample six flavors of The Harvest Snaps. It was kind of a no-brainer. I used to purchase a similar variation of these at Earthfare, but they were only offered in the plain salted kind.

Harvest Snaps formerly known as Snapea Crisps offer more variety, all which are pretty tasty. The Snap Pea crisps flavors come in lightly salted, caesar, wasabi ranch, and black pepper. The Lentil Snaps offer tomato basil and onion thyme. I barely got to try the Lentil Snaps because my wife, Jenna, enjoyed them so much. Harvest Snaps Product Review

Harvest Snaps are a great way to replace some of your greasier potato chip options without sacrificing flavor. Their light, airy and shatter in your mouth upon first bite, and I think the kids might like them. Snapea Crisps are derived from naturally dried peas which accounts for 70% of the product. And the Lentil Snaps are 65% dried lentils and contain 5g of protein and 13% of your daily fiber. Not to mention, these bad boys are baked, not deep-fried which makes them lower in fat and sodium. Score!Harvest Snaps Product ReviewAlso, Harvest Snaps are gluten-free which put a huge smile on Jenna’s face. If you know anyone who lives a gluten-free lifestyle then you know how hard it is to find a good snack. And if you want to get creative; I believe Harvest Snaps would be a great alternative to croutons for your salad topper or even a crunchy addition on top of a bowl of soup. If you’re craving these like I am now, head over to their Facebook page, and like them for a BOGO coupon. You won’t regret it.

Have you had these before? If so, what’s you’re favorite flavor and how do you incorporate them into your weekly snack plan?

Gluten Free Biscuits

You might remember me telling you about my wife being gluten-free due to post-transplant wackiness. As we continue to explore the gluten-free world I intend on sharing some of our favorite recipes along the way.

When you can find substitutions for southern classics that are still delicious, it’s a plus in my book. I don’t desire to live without biscuits and nor should anyone because of celiac disease or a lifestyle change. Gluten free biscuits: recipe by The Local Forkful

Biscuits are a southern dinner table staple that I don’t believe will go away anytime soon and why would you want them to? The crispy, flaky skin encasing that fluffy pillowy center can do all but solve world hunger. But then, again, it might be worth a try so bake away friends. Lets show the world what they’ve been missing.Gluten free biscuits: recipe by The Local Forkful

I recollect biscuits being a regular fixture at our dinner table as kids growing up and they all differed depending upon whose house you visited. At my grandmothers you would be greeted by the lard and butter combo biscuits that just barely met the top of the cast-iron skillet. You know the ones holding on to so much grease that they have a light sheen on the top. If you ventured to our home you could easily be met with a sheet pan of Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits. Which I was okay with. But if my mom wasn’t putting in twelve-hour days at the hospital then you might be lucky enough to find grandma’s recipe on the range.Gluten free biscuits: recipe by The Local Forkful

Ingredients

2 cups Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup chilled butter cubed
1 medium egg
3/4 cup almond milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375. Place the first five ingredients in to a bowl. One large enough so that you don’t lose the ingredients. I like to lightly whisk all of my dry ingredients together.
2. Create a well in the center of the mixture and add cubed butter. Using both hands, pinch your butter and flour together until get grainy pea size balls forming.
3. Slowly add in your almond milk until dough begins to form. You should be able to use most of the milk. The mixture should be able to hold together.
4. Pull mixture onto floured surface. Roll your dough out into 1/2 an inch thick and cut your circles. if you don not have a biscuit cutter a mason jar or both ends of a canned food item will work fine. Just be sure to sprinkle some flour on it.
5.Let your biscuits bake for 15-20 minutes. They only took about 16 minutes my oven which runs higher. So gauge for yourself, no two ovens are alike.

Side Note: The wife and I enjoyed these biscuits with pepper gravy and they were delicious. But because this recipe is slightly sweetened, but not overwhelmingly so. These biscuits will also be great for dessert with some macerated fruit and Chantilly cream.Gluten free biscuits: recipe by The Local Forkful

Giveaway: thinkTHIN Crunch Bars

Hey friends! If you’ve been following me on twitter. Then you might know that some of our eating habits have changed in the past few months. My wife, Jenna, as a post bone-marrow transplant recipient typically has crazy things happening with her body. And well, the Dr.s think she may be developing a gluten and dairy allergy (bummer). This revelation has led us to find new and creative ways for her to enjoy the things she loves while keeping me sane as I try not to eat the things she can’t have in front of her…The things we do for love. So when thinkTHIN approached me with a giveaway for their bars. It was a no-brainer.  There’s something for everyone and the you can find them in a dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher format! Score! thinkTHIN Coconut Crunch Bars

     They’re giving a complete Wellness Box which includes: a box of thinkThin® Creamy Peanut Butter high protein bars (with 0g sugar), one box of thinkThin® Blueberry Mixed Nuts Crunch Bars (with 8g protein and 70% less sugar than leading fruit and nut bars), and one box of thinkThin® Coconut Chocolate Mixed Nuts Crunch Bars.thinkTHIN Peanut Crunch Bars      Did I mention that thinkThin Crunch is non-GMO?  (genetically modified organisms) thinkThin is working closely with Whole Foods to find and develop readily available sources of non-GMO proteins, connect them with their current suppliers and get them on the path.  Thanks to Whole Foods, a new economy will be created around non-GMO that even mainstream brands can sustain on.

     We discovered the bars doing the ‘I don’t know what I’m looking for stroll’ down the aisles of Whole Foods. And we stumbled upon the coconut chocolate bars. Now, you might look at the bars and think decadence in a health conscious format. But, that’s not the case. The thinkTHIN bars are mildly sweetened and make a great pick me up before lunch or dinner. And what better way to start that summer workout regiment or begin a new chapter in your eating habits? Also visit thinkproducts.com for some recipe ideas using their bars.

    Congratulations! Our Winner of the thinkTHIN Wellness Box is Dee from the fitty.tumblr.com. Send us your address and we will contact you for your prize instructions!

A winner will be chosen at random and posted here on Wednesday 29. Be sure to come back and Check! You will have until Friday 31, 9am to claim your prize before a new winner is chosen. thinkTHIN Blueberry and Mixed Nuts