Tera's Hunger Control - Satiety Blend - Organic Protein With Fiber and Oat Bran

One afternoon on a waltz through Whole Foods, I noticed some pre-portioned travel friendly packages of Tera's protein powders. One in particular grabbed my attention so I picked up a package of the Tera's Hunger Control - Satiety Blend - Organic Protein with Fiber and Oat  Bran. Since I am a bit of a protein powder snob I decided paying a little more upfront to get a  "sample size" would be cost beneficial in the long run than buying a full container of it (just in case I didn't like it).

 

I've heard rave reviews on some of the Tera's protein powders in the past but hadn't quite jumped on the band wagon because I didn't want to shell over $30 out for a container of protein powder to perhaps not be a fan. The fact that the package stated hunger control sold me because there are time where I feel as though I cannot satisfy my hunger. So any thing with added protein and fiber is the way to go.

 

The protein powder itself is a dark chocolate flavor, which when blended with a bit of frozen fruit, cashew milk and a handful of spinach is actually pretty tasty. The chocolate is rich and flavorful - definitely a show stopper. The flavor is enjoyable and doesn't have any chalky aftertaste that can sometime be present with protein powders.  Satiety wise, I did feel it was filling and satisfying. It curbed my appetite until dinner time so it did the trick.

 

As with any protein powder I'd suggest picking up an individual serving before shelling out for a full container of it just to make sure it suits your taste buds. Secondly, I found this protein powder to vary in pricing on nearly every website I've checked ... so shop wisely friends!

 

A serving, 1 oz, is 100 calories or 2 points plus values.

Arnott's Tim Tam Original

For years people have been raving about Arnott's Tim Tam Original cookies all over the internet. Unfortunately, living in the US, Tim Tam's were not readily available as they were primarily available in Australia.  Considering the sheer cost to ship a package of cookies across the globe I decided I'd perhaps not try the original. Although, this past year, Tim Tam's have landed in the US and are being sold in Target locations.

Tim Tam's are two chocolate biscuits which are sandwiched against an airy chocolate cream. The biscuits are then coated in a thin layer of milk chocolate. The cookie is delicious, it's sweet but certainly not overpoweringly so. The chocolate does melt against your fingertips if you hold it for too long, but that only makes eating it fun. The biscuits provide a subtle bite, but overall I'd say the texture isn't hard, nor is it soft - it's right in the middle. They're quite delicious and I find a single serving is more than enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Now there are a number of ways you can enjoy your Tim Tam's. I find my favorite way is by doing what has been coined "The Tim Tam Slam". A Tim Tam Slam is where you take a beverage of your choice (coffee, tea, milk) and you bite a small corner off each end diagonally across from one another. Dip one bit corner into your beverage and use it as a straw to suck your drink up through the cookie. Don't do this too long because it will crumble and fall into your drink - but you can feel the cookie plumping with liquid. At that point you then want to pop the entire thing in your mouth. What you're left with is a heavenly treat. The biscuits are softened, the chocolate is creamy and it's just so yummy.

What I do know is that this was well worth the wait!

A serving, 2 cookies, is 190 calories or 5 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate Jumbles

When I spotted the Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate Jumbles I was intrigued. They reminded me of pecan turtles ... and since I'm a big fan of Trader Joe's chocolate I decided to give them a whirl.

According to the packaging the candy is a a concoction of "crunchy pecans & toasted quinoa with soft & buttery caramel enrobed in chocolate and topped with Himalayan pink sea salt."  The candy has that classic pecan turtle crunch and softness to it, but this caramel is a lot softer and chewier. The mixture of both chocolate and caramel is a lovely combination, that doesn't cross the bridge into overwhelmingly sweet. The pecan and toasted quinoa create a lovely texture with the caramel. It gives a bit of a chewy crunch to it ... similar to something you'd get with say, broken up rice krispies with caramel. It's definitely a unique texture. The Himalayan pink sea salt is a wonderful addition because it cuts the flavors and gives the taste buds a little pizazz.

Overall, these are completely delicious. I'm a big fan as have been the folks I've shared these with. They're definitely a unique take on making a "healthier" chocolate. These get a raving two thumbs up all around.

A serving, 3 jumbles, is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Chocolite Crispy Caramel Chocolates

I stumbled upon an interesting food find at my local The Christmas Tree Shop: Chocolite Crispy Caramel Chocolates. These are a sugar free brand of chocolate which are advertised as a delicious alternative to regular chocolate. They're also coined to be a good chocolate alternative for folks who follow programs such as Weight Watchers, Atkins or South Beach.

 

The candies themselves I have to say are quite good. They don't taste sugar free or anything different from any average caramel covered chocolate. The only thing that is "different" about them is the caramel is a little chewier and a different texture than your average caramel ... but it really wasn't that bad nor that noticeable. The crispy bits create a nice contrast between the caramel and chocolate giving it a good bite. The chocolate is a good flavor and I found a package with 2 caramels was more than enough to satisfy and curb my sweet tooth.

 

If you are looking for these online, the product is sold by the company Healthsmart Food which is located in Evansville, IN. From a quick Google search I've seen these are sold on a number of websites such as Heathsmart Foods, Amazon, Netrition, iHerb, etc. I found these readily available at my local Christmas Tree Shop (they were in the aisle with the nutrition bars).

 

A serving, 1 piece, is 30 calories or 1 points plus values OR the package if 60 calories and 2 points plus values.

Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle bars

I had heard so much about the new Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle Bars that I went in search for them, for what felt like, ever. Any time I was in Target, I'd make a trip back to their candy aisle and scour the shelves and end cap displays. I'd come up empty handed for the longest time ... until one random afternoon I spotted them at my local Target and snagged a box (they're also available in dark chocolate).

 

From the rave reviews these were getting, I hyped these up to be mind blowingly delicious. I'm a pretty big fan of Skinny Cow treats (candy and ice creams) so comparing them to past favorites I anticipated these to move quickly to the top of that list. Unfortunately, they didn't and fell completely flat. The chocolate itself is a smooth chocolate ... but the "blissful truffle bar" was such a dud. The bar is boring.

 

The truffle bar is airy, which reminded me of that airy chocolate bar Hershey had put out a while back, which was a total flop. The chocolate that covered the truffle bar was boring. The whole thing was such a disappointing fail. So disappointing in fact that I brought the box to work and dumped the contents into my departments candy jar.

 

A bar is 130 calories or 3 points plus values.

Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Cookies & Cream

I spotted the Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Cookies & Cream bars while at Target one afternoon and I popped them into my grocery cart without a second thought. Cookies & cream is one of my all time favorite ice creams and candy flavorings ... so to find a guilt-free version definitely was a two thumbs up moment ... even before tasting it.

The bar consists of a delicate cookies and cream flavored crisp (wafer cookie). The wafers are chocolate crisps with a "cream" flavored cream between them, which is then all coated in a smooth milk chocolate. The flavor is undoubtedly cookies & cream without being overwhelming artificial. The bar itself is sweet, but not overly, and the cookies & cream flavor is there the whole time while also leaving a mild aftertaste. Very reminiscent of good quality cookies & cream ice cream. The chocolate is thin, so just the slightest of a warm touch makes it start to melt and slide around on the fingers easily.

All together it's a scrumptious little treat, which sets it apart from other chocolate bars.

A serving, 1 bar, is 110 calories or 3 points plus values.

Chuao Maple Bacon Chocolate Bar

While making a quick lunch time grocery run I finally spotted the Chuao Maple Bacon Chocolate Bar. I have been looking for this chocolate bar for ages, because it seems like every store that carries Chuao never has the bacon one. I've heard great things about bacon mixed with chocolate (or maple flavoring) so I was quite intrigued.

 

What sold me was the description of the product on the packaging, "crisp bacon, delicate maple sweetness and bonfire smoked sea salt, bathed in milk chocolate". Bacon and chocolate? I mean ... really ... how can one go wrong? The bar itself really did not let me down.

 

I found the chocolate was smooth and creamy while giving that classic milk chocolate flavor. The bacon pieces are very small, almost finely milled crunchy pieces of bacon. It wasn't overly salty or smokey, but it did provide a very subtle flavoring which complimented the milk chocolate. There are not big pieces of bacon that you have to chew through, but the flavor and slight texture from the bacon is there and it's evident.

 

I found that half of a single serving was more than enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. After that I ended up sharing it with 2 other folks for them to experience the maple bacon chocolate treat.

 

A serving is 1.4 oz (half the bar) which is 210 calories or 6 points plus values.

Valrhona LE Lait 29% Cacao Milk Chocolate

Let me take a moment to introduce you to a little gem I found at Trader Joe's one afternoon ... and have since repurchased a handful of times. One day at checkout I noticed some chocolate bars and curiosity got the best of me so I picked one up. Checking out the nutrition facts and being completely wowed, I tossed one in my basket and decided I'd give it a try.

 

Upon giving it a try .. that's when the Valrhona LE Lait 29% Cacao Milk Chocolate became my new favorite candy bar. The chocolate is considered to be gourmet chocolate ... which in my opinion is exactly that. It's smooth, it's creamy, it melts in your mouth ... and it has that rich chocolate flavor that I tend to only find in European chocolates. A bar houses 7 small squares which when eaten slowly is like a delicacy. A delicacy that also feels like it's a lot more loaded with calories/points plus values that it is. It makes for enjoying chocolate to be more of an enjoyable experience over a guilty pleasure.

 

The bar also comes in a dark chocolate variety but since I'm not the biggest dark chocolate fan I stuck with the milk. I do have a bar of dark to try one day ... but so far, the milk chocolate is phenomenal.  Plus for 99 cents per bar, you're getting quite a fabulous bar of chocolate for under a dollar.

 

A bar (which is also a serving) is 150 calories or 4 points plus values.

Chocolate Covered Swedish Fish

I took a trip to Maine this past weekend and since I was with my niece we popped into one of the candy stores in Kittery, Yummies. It's floor to ceiling candy and all kinds - old school, new school and unique finds that one may have never known existed.

 

One of those things I never knew existed were Chocolate Covered Swedish Fish. Now, I LOVE swedish fish ... there's something about that chewy, cherry flavored fish that I've always enjoyed. They're also available in lemon and lime flavor. But when I saw them covered in chocolate I had my doubts. I couldn't quite wrap my brain around how it would taste. But deciding to give it a shot ... I picked it up.

 

These particular ones are the cherry flavored fish which are coated in a smooth layer of milk chocolate. The cherry flavor mixed with the chocolate tastes along the lines of a chocolate covered cherry. The flavors mixed together are out of this world deliciousness. For something that I thought would be gross to try turned out to be a fabulous treat. So fabulous in fact this is going to be one of the treats I make for Christmas to hand out to friends and family!

 

For those Weight Watchers folks - I don't know the points on these, but once I do make them I'll figure out points/servings/etc.

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels

Whenever I'm in a chocolate or candy mood ... I find myself gravitating towards with Trader Joe's has to offer. There's something about the quality of the confection that comes out of the store that leaves my taste buds happy. Since I tend to enjoy caramels I was intrigued when I spotted a bag of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels. So of course they had to come home with me.

 

The bag describes them as "Creamy vanilla caramels covered with premium dark chocolate". Admittedly, I'm not a huge dark chocolate fan ... but what I was buying these for was the caramel, not the chocolate. I cracked open the bag to share with my mother and ate a few and was not impressed. Truthfully, I did not like them. They were what I would call ... power house vanilla (and I like vanilla) while also maintaining a certain level of saltiness. The caramel was very, very soft and not really chewy. It was coated in a semi-thick coating of dark chocolate. My mother enjoyed them, so I happened to give her the whole bag because I had my fair share after a few pieces.

 

A bag is a serving, which is 270 calories or 7 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Rolled Oats & Chocolate Chips Fiberful Granola Bars

Since I enjoyed the peanut butter version so much, I decided to pick up a box of the Trader Joe's Rolled Oats & Chocolate Chips Fiberful Granola Bars. What I like the most about these bars is that they're chalk full of fiber (9g) and protein (5g). This simply means that while having a snack that feels indulgent .. it's going to stay with you and satisfy your hunger.

 

The bars are a decent size and feel worth the points/calories. The bottom of the bar is coated in a thin layer of chocolate, while the top is drizzled with chocolate. Each bar is also mixed with chocolate chips which definitely have a present in each bite taken. The bars are chewy, tasty and undoubtedly satisfying. These would be perfect for a chocolate lover because it's definitely a chocolate kick. Admittedly, I enjoy the peanut butter bars more but that's just because of preference!

 

A bar is 120 calories or 3 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Organic Milk Chocolate Truffle

I've seen an array of new organic chocolate bars but the one thing that swayed me away from them was the fact most are dark chocolate and/or they have dark chocolate in them. I'm not a huge dark chocolate fan so I was hesitant to try. On one trip, I finally decided to give it a go, so I picked up a bar of the Trader Joe's Organic Milk Chocolate Truffle.

 

The description on the back of the wrapper reads: "this milk chocolate bar is made with special caramelized milk, resulting in an extra creamy smooth texture. Rich milk chocolate surrounds an intense, velvety smooth dark chocolate truffle center. A sumptuous bar with a classic taste."  I stand firm in my belief that Trader Joe's provides some of the best chocolate. I have to say, this chocolate bar doesn't sway me from that belief what-so-ever.

 

The milk chocolate is smooth and creamy, while does give off a buttery/caramelized flavor to it. The truffle is a smooth rich dark chocolate which gives the bar an added softness. I enjoyed this and would recommend allowing this to melt on your tongue rather than just chewing it. Allowing it to melt the flavor categories come to life more-so.

 

The bar is sweet and I found 3 squares to be more than enough, otherwise it can be a bit too rich on the taste buds. Even though the dark chocolate truffle helps cut back at the natural milk chocolate sweetness, this is one of those candy bars I'd recommend sharing with a friend or two. Whether that being to share the chocolate love ... or to avoid eating the whole thing on your own.

A serving, 5 squares, is 250 calories or 7 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate Filled with CaramelTrader Joe's Milk Chocolate Filled with Caramel

I'm a firm believe that Trader Joe's and Aldi sell the best chocolate around. It's also because of these two stores chocolate products that I'm now a self proclaimed chocolate snob. Why? Well, I'm starting to find regular name brand candy to not be so tasty any longer. I was in the mood for something sweet last time I was shopping so I picked up a Trader Joe's Milk Chocolate Filled with Caramel bar because they're at the checkout and they're only 99 cents.

When I was a kid I loved caramel chocolates (more importantly, Cadbury's Caramello bars) ... so I had a strong inkling that I would enjoy this. Opening the bar up it's 6 little squares which all linked together as a bar. The chocolate "shell" is firm, yet soft and can crush in your fingertips if you're trying to break a piece off.  The chocolate itself is smooth, velvety, delicious milk chocolate while the caramel is soft, gooey, and sweet yet not overly. I don't find this to be so sweet that it leaves your taste buds overwhelmed ... it's milder in sweetness to satisfy but not sicken. It's perfect to share ... or if you're in a chocolate mood to enjoy on your own.

A bar is 220 calories or 6 points plus values.

Trader Joe’s Petite Cocoa Batons

I picked up a box of Trader Joe’s Petite Cocoa Batons when at TJ’s a little while ago and had the box tucked away in my closet. I initially purchased them, just because I happened to see the little picture of the product on the side of the box. Admittedly the box is rather plain and not attention grabbing.

But as they say … good things come in small packages.

The box describes the snack as “delicately crisp wafers filled with rich cocoa cream.” After opening them … I’d say I agree with the description, although I’d add some blurb about “crispy little puffs from heaven.” The wafers are small little bites, which are crisp and hallow with the inside filled with a little smearing of rich chocolate cocoa cream. I’d compare the cocoa cream to nutella. They’re a perfect snack – sweet, crunchy and just utterly delicious. They are addicting … but they can become overly sweet and overwhelming if you are to overindulge.

A serving is 17 pieces (31g) which are 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups

I had seen the new Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups posted different places online … so I decided to give it a try when I spotted them at CVS. I’m a Reese lover and was intrigued to see how this paired up against Reese’s and even the classic Butterfinger.

When I think of Butterfingers, I think of a classic chocolate coated crunchy peanut butter flavored bar. Butterfingers aren’t a huge love of mine, I like them, but typically if I’m in the mood for chocolate I go toward my favorites.  The packaging describes the cups as a smooth and crunchy treat.  The cups themselves have a classic smooth chocolate coating and the peanut butter filling is a very unique mixture of smooth and crunchy. It’s got that classic Butterfinger flavor that has small little flakes of the original Butterfinger crunch throughout the smooth peanut butter. It’s definitely a very unique and delicious mixture of the two.

If you’re expecting a Reese’s you won’t love these, but if you enjoy Butterfingers and Reese cups this is a perfect marriage of the two. It’s delicious, chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness which I would repurchase again.

A pack (2 cups) is a serving which is 230 calories or 6 points plus, or you can have 1 cup for 115 calories or 3 points plus values.

Wendy’s Frosty Alternative

This is the end result of what I call “Facebook made me do it.”

Browsing Facebook I saw a friend posted a Frosty alternative recipe. Going over the recipe I was intrigued but decided I was going to make it with a few tweaks to make it more my “style” if you will. The original recipe had really no sweetness to it (as told by the ingredients and those who tried the recipe comments).  I knew I wouldn’t enjoy it as it was originally, so I opted to tweak it a bit. I have to say, the end result came out pretty well. It’s not an exact Wendy’s frosty replica, but it’s a healthier alternative. The only thing missing was my small fry on the side.

I didn’t go into making this expect it to be creamy and smooth. It’s got the classic frosty flavor, with a hunt of banana in the background, but texture wise it’s icier (to be expected) but nonetheless it was an enjoyable treat.

Serves 1. 1 Points Plus Values.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used vanilla)
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar free chocolate syrup
• 1 packet Equal
• 1 banana
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 15 ice cubes

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and ice is all chopped up.

Serve in your favorite glass.

Raspberry Peanut Butter Balls / Buckeyes

This year I decided to make cookie trays for family and friends. Initially peanut butter balls weren’t on my list of things to make, but when my original idea using my PBCrave Razzle Dazzle Peanut Butter didn’t fit the bill, I decided to whip up a quick batch of these “test run” peanut butter balls.

Truth be told they were SO good, I made a second batch two days later and ended up incorporating these delicious desserts into my trays … and they were one of the show-stopper desserts. They’re your classic peanut butter ball but with a unique twist which makes them truly remarkable.

In case you’re not aware, Razzle Dazzle is sold and made by PB Crave.  The peanut butter itself is a natural peanut butter, which is a blend of red raspberries, wild honey, white chocolate and a delicious dark chocolate flavor.  Unlike typical natural butters this one is actually relatively thick and doesn’t need to be stirred together to reincorporate the oils into the butter.

The points plus/calories associated with each ball truly depends on the amount made. The first batch I got roughly 45 balls, whereas the second batch I made, I got over 60.

Serves 60. 3 Points Plus Values.

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz. jar PB Crave Razzle Dazzle
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup butter, softened at room temperature
• 2 tbsp Crisco
• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl add in butter and the full jar of Razzle Dazzle peanut butter. Using a handheld mixer, beat the mixture together until smooth and fluffy.

Drizzle in vanilla and add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Blend until the mixture forms a thicker batter.

Line a tray with wax paper, pick up a large rounded teaspoon amount of mixture and roll into a ball. Place the balls on the wax paper and repeat until all mixture is incorporated into balls.

Place the tray into the refrigerator to harden for at a minimum 1 hour.

Before removing the peanut butter balls from the refrigerator, in a microwave safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and Crisco. Microwave in 30 second intervals, blending the mixture together with a spoon in between.  I found after 3 trips into the microwave, my chocolate mixture was perfectly melted.

Using a toothpick, pierce the balls and dunk in the chocolate. Return the ball to the tray – repeating until all balls are coated. You can use another toothpick to smooth over the pierced holes or you can leave as is.

Return the tray filled with dipping peanut butter balls to the refrigerator to harden. Allow to harden for a minimum of 1-hour.

Swiss Miss Limited Edition Candy Cane Hot Cocoa

While making a quick run through the grocery store I noticed they had a display up for the new winter flavored Swiss Miss. I figured since it’s getting frigid cold out I’d get a box of Swiss Miss Limited Edition Candy Cane Hot Cocoa to try out.

My boyfriend is more of a mint flavored drink/dessert guy over me. I’m more of a peppermint hard candy girl. One night it was sooo cold I decided to boil a kettle of water and make myself a hot cocoa. Opening the package up, you wouldn’t quite be able to tell its peppermint (aside from the red and white striped marshmallows). After adding the water, I was awarded with a noticeable peppermint scent. The flavor is undoubtedly chocolate with a peppermint infused flavor in it. It’s definitely more peppermint than I’d say the marshmallows gave off. But nonetheless it tastes like Christmas.

An envelope packet is 90 calories or 2 points plus values.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite Swiss Miss flavor?

Twix Gingerbread

Around the holidays, I like scoping out the new and interesting flavors companies come out with.  Needless to say when I spotted Twix Gingerbread at Wal-Mart, they found a temporary home in my shopping cart.  Since these are “fun size” they’d be perfect in the candy dish in the living room, so they’d inevitably be eaten, especially during the holidays.

The other night I was in the mood for a little sweet, so I cracked open the bag. Peeling it, it looks like your plain ole Twix.  After the first bite, I wasn’t impressed – my initial reaction was “Gingerbread? There’s no gingerbread!” But after the second bite I found the gingerbread flavor … and I found it to be strange. Twix are chocolate, cookie and your classic caramel, so having a gingerbread flavor in it, takes it to a whole new level. I admit I’ve had gingerbread cookies, muffins, etc., but I’ve never had gingerbread meet chocolate or caramel.  These aren’t gross, but I feel they’re “meh”. Nothing to truly write home about… or run out to buy, but if you enjoy gingerbread and chocolate you may truly enjoy these.

A serving is a cookie bar, which is 80 calories or 2 points plus. If you can’t stop yourself at one, you can have 2 for 160 calories or 5 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Have you tried any of the Twix Gingerbread candies?

Lay's Wavy Original Potato Chips Dipped in Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate potato chips … truly the ideal best sinful desserts known to man … or at least, known to me. That sweet/salty combination is truthfully a taste I enjoy, especially when I want something crunchy, or even when I’m in the mood for something sweet. Killing two birds with one stone is sometimes the way to go.  But there are times when killing said bird can rack up a little more calories/points than rather “necessary”. With that thought in mind in walks … Lay's Wavy Original Potato Chips Dipped in Milk Chocolate.

I’m not sure if these are limited edition or if these are a permanent addition to the Lays line.  The chips themselves are your classic wavy potato chips which are dipped in chocolate, primarily on one side. The one side of chocolate truly gives your taste buds that salty and sweet taste. The chocolate makes the chips “heavier” than regular potato chips, which I feel is expected. They’re delicious and sweet, so a serving is truly enough.

A 1 ounce serving (roughly 4 covered chips) is 160 calories or 4 points plus values.  Sure, this may seem like a lot for the amount you get but I figure if I were to eat a candy bar with a bag of chips (even single serve) I’d be spending a lot more calories and points.  So this was well worth it to me.

BTW I have only seen these for sale at Target locations.  Again, I’m not sure if this is a limited edition or even Target specific product.

QUESTION:

Have you tried the Lays Wavy Chocolate Covered Potato Chips?