Seventy-eight percent organic and certified organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers, this granola as unique, yet enjoyable flavor. According to the website, “Chappaqua Crunch Granolas provide long lasting energy in the form of complex carbohydrates, containing over 20 grams of whole grains and three grams of fiber per serving.” In addition to being wheat-free, several other things are left out of these Chappaqua Crunch’s granolas.  “You will never find trans fats, preservatives, artificial flavors, cholesterol, high fructose corn syrup or other corn sweeteners, genetically modified ingredients.”

Made with organic oats, Chappaqua Crunch doesn’t look like what you might think of as granola.  There aren’t any chunks or nuggets.  Nor is it very sweet.  While I prefer my granola less-sweet, especially since the packages that include fruit, like cranberries and raisins, raspberries, and/or blueberries help add a natural sweetness, others may not. Admittedly, I did not try the granola with milk so I cannot comment on how the texture holds up.

I would buy this granola again, as it was enjoyable as is, adding only spoon in hand.

*picture from the website.

Clif Bar

CLIF Kid™ Twisted Fruit snacks are made from organic ingredients free from pesticides or other body harming chemicals. So much healthier than the artificial fruit snacks, they provide one serving of fruit, are only 70 calories each, low in sodium and sugar, do not have fat, and are certified kosher by Kof-K. With several flavors to choose from, like grape, mixed berry, pineapple, sour apple, strawberry, tropical twist, the natural flavors come from the various parts of the plants.  The end results leave consumers with dense, chewy, and satisfying snack. 

While “CLIF Kid™ snacks give kids fantastic-tasting food with the right kind of nutrition they need for their growing, active bodies,” I also plan to keep a stash myself.  The texture can be a bit tough on the teeth, and some of the flavors are quite intense, like the Sour Apple, but these fruit snacks are easy to grab and go, and just plain enjoyable.

Another opportunity presented itself this weekend.  The kids and I stayed in a Residence Inn, and because of the kitchenette in the room, I brought along a few groceries from the local Kroger, including fruit, sliced turkey, and cereal. When choosing a cereal, EnviroKidz™ made it easy. What better way to get kids to oooh and ahhh over food than with cute animals on the box?  The aisle saw me coming… in the basket went Koala Crisp, Panda Peanut Butter Puffs, and Gorilla Munch.

Walking around the store, I examined the box and tried to find the catch… gluten-free, vegetarian, low sodium and no trans fat. If that wasn’t enough, I learned that “1% of EnviroKidz sales are donated annually to endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids.” Sold! 

The kids loved them! The evidence? The stuffed mouths, crunch sounds, and drops of milk dripping off their little chins.  Little man went straight for the Gorilla Munch’s.  Its round corn puffs resembled Kix-like nuggets and seemed as though they kept their crunch for some time. Pretty girl went for the Panda Puffs.  Peanut buttery goodness! When breakfast was done, I took some extra cereal along with us in baggies for snacking later and they fit the bill perfectly. I couldn’t help but smile as I heard the crunching sounds fill the car. Isn’t the test of a good cereal that it makes the crossover from cereal to snack?

The end result is that I am now a fan of EnviroKidz.  Although the kids have gone home, I will continue to be a consumer of this product, being the grown kid chowing down a breakfast.

For more information on EnviroKidz™, e-mail them at consumer_services@naturespath.com. There is also have a toll-free number: (888) 808.9505.

I grabbed the Classic Vanilla Cake Mix to try. When the time arrived to create my masterpiece, I decided on the pound cake.  It was very easy to mix up, needing 12 Tbsp. butter (I used unsalted), 4 eggs, and some water. My only brain lapse was leaving baking up to chance and not prepping my “non-stick” bundt pan with spray.  Not good, as there wasn’t any slicing this cake.  It was grab-a-spoon-and-dive-in cake. And, that’s what a friend and I did.

The verdict?  We’ve had better cake.  Fairly sweet, there was also a strong salt taste in its aftertaste.  The texture was more like cornbread than a cake.  Now this is my first gluten-free cake, so I don’t have a point of reference to which to compare the Classic Vanilla Cake Mix.  While I might not get this particular flavor again, the other mixes looked interesting… chocolate cake, brownie mix, frosting mixes.  We’ll see what my next trip to the market brings!

While walking through HomeGoods several weeks ago, I came across the cutest lunch box by Lunchopolis. I admit, I was a bit girly upon my first bit of excitement, loving the fun polka dots and thinking the name was catchy. But the “in there” moment that prompted me to buy the lunch bag was the green factor and the provisions that help make prep and clean up simple with the containers and drink bottle included.

Sure, you can use a different lunch box, along with your local grocer brand plastic Tupperware, but isn’t it a little aggravating when the container you prepare is a smidge too large for the carrier? That won’t be the problem here.  These garbage-free lunch carriers were developed “to help eliminate the 3.5 billion pounds of lunchbox garbage generated every year. [So, they] include a lead-free, insulated lunchbox, four brightly tinted containers and a drinking bottle so you can pack a fresh, healthy, planet-friendly lunch with lots of variety.” Imagine how much money you’ll save not buying sandwich bags, foil, cans and/or juice boxes, etc.? 

Wait… do I sense you’re wondering about what to put in those lovely, colorful food containers?

Lunchopolis thought you might be wondering too, and that’s why they have a recipe page. Red quinoa with peas and pesto sauce?  Steak sandwich with whole grain mustard?  Someone at Lunchopolis‘ test kitchen has one heck of a palate!

Sold?  On your way to the store to buy a Lunchopolis lunch box?  When you’re there, be sure to swing by the book section and pick up The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Your Carbon Footprint (detailed here).  It is packed with eye opening information and sensible tips we can all use to do our part in helping our environment.

An interesting and easy read, the two hundred twelve pages and eleven chapters between the covers of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Your Carbon Footprint present logical facts about the connection between energy use and carbon emissions, or our “carbon “footprint.” I approached the book as if I were asking students to complete the review and took on the role of an active reader, which was easy with Grant’s presentation of facts and ideas. 

First, Grant offers opportunities to preview, stimulating an intelligent insight and presenting definitions used in the guide’s text. The connect enters through the identification of important relationships within and throughout the atmospheres, and how we have both positive and negative roles.  Data, statistics, and trend data lends to thought provoking, and sometimes troubling, predictions.  The predictions rouse questions that cause you to wonder what we have done to nature.  How we can start the repair process?

• Energy usage:  “One study showed that, on average, about 50% of energy use within our homes is for heating and cooling, about 30% for appliances and lights together, and about 20% for heating water.” (pg. 41) 
• Water conservation 
• The humidity: “Changing humidity of the air affects the way we humans perceive the temperature.  Removing humidity from your indoor air makes it seem cooler, even though the real temperature is higher.” (pg. 45) 
• Clarification appears with feasible answers. 
• Recycling 
• Alternative fuels/making sure vehicles are maintained properly 
• Public transportation/carpool 
• Lighting – using timers/sensors 
• Add small parks and open green spaces in the city to increase air circulation 
• Bear with weeds/brown spots 
• Decrease your consumption of meat
• If safe, drink tap water instead of buying bottled water
• Buy local/in-season fruit and vegetables (or grow your own!).  Avoid out of season produce, as they may have been flown in
• Organics 

Grant’s summarizing brings your attention to this important crisis full circle, not only throughout the text, but in the end with the 5 Rs of conscience living, detailed at the end: Renew, recycle, reuse, reduce, and rethink. 

With the gas prices and increased food costs, and the need to proceed with our eyes open without trepidation, The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Your Carbon Footprint by Nancy S. Grant is a book that should be in every home library, K-12 classroom, doctor’s office waiting room, and wherever else it can be visible to a diverse sample of readers.