Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Giveaway Announcement and Goldenberry Review



Caramel Vanilla Coconut Almond Latte Oats

(say that 3 times fast)

- 1/2 cup coffee
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 macaroon chocolates
- 1 tsp organic coconut
- 1 tsp almond butter



It was a day full of grains.

Oats for breakfast
, brown rice for lunch (Amy's Bowl):



(I also had some coconut Greek yogurt, and 1 piece of cheese).

And then white rice (blech) for dinner, with sweet and sour meatballs.





I have noticed lately that after eating white rice I am hungry about 10 minutes later. What a useless excuse for a food. I won't be buying white rice anymore. It turns into sugar almost instantly in the body and provides very, very little nutrition. Brown rice only from now on (unless of course sushi is involved)!!

Because I was hungry right after dinner, I had an organic grapefruit (very different from a non-organic grapefruit). The texture is different (softer), the taste is different (more flavour, more juice), even the colour is different. My sister-in-law, who is often skeptical of organic food has mentioned that organic apples taste more like apples. It is true. I love an unadulterated, fresh piece of organic produce.



I was reading Jessica's blog this evening and noticed that she was eating Goldenberries. Then I remembered that I have some that the nice people at Navitas Naturals had sent me to try a while back!!

Since Jessica gave them a good review,
I tore the package open and tried a few.
(I am a poet and I didn't know it).



The taste was reminiscent of a raisin, although a seedier, tarter, tangier, much cooler version of a raisin. The seeds give the berries an interesting crunch, and the strong, tangy taste is very appealing. I have been nibbling on these berries all evening!

Incan Golden Berry (Cape Gooseberry) - A superfruit that is native to Brazil, but has spread to Chile in Peru where it thrives. The tiny seeds are full of nutrients, and the berry is high in protein (compared to other berries). They are a good source of Vitamin P (anti-inflamitory, antioxident, antiviral). The berries are also an excellent source of Vitamin A.

Have you tried Goldenberries?

Canadians can find Navitas Naturals products here.

Giveaway Announcement

As mentioned yesterday, in light of my trip to NY (17 days away!!!) I would like to do a NY inspired giveaway. When I think of New Yorkers, I think of busy people running around the city with giant Starbucks cups :-) Hehe. I read a lot of celebrity magazines.

If you want a chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card just leave me a comment. I will choose a winner randomly on Monday 29th.

This giveaway is open to everyone!

50 comments:

Tra said...

never tried those berries! and i totally feel you on the white rice thing.

Anonymous said...

Maybe it's my end?! I was just looking my old blogger blog and couldn't figure out what to change. Maybe I should switch how I follow blogs. I use IE and when I decide to follow a blog I click on the little orange button that's across from my tabs. When I view your blog it's not orange and it says there's no feeds on this page. I hear everyone talk about google reader so maybe I should check it out.(I don't use WP to follow blogs.) Wish I could be more help but your not the only one I can't follow the way I'd like to.

Anonymous said...

Hey I don't know what happened but that little orange button lit up after I posted that last comment. You're now on my list so expect more comments :-)

Anonymous said...

easy switch. it took me awhile to figure out where, but once you say like upload, it's really quick. i didn't have much on my old site, so it was quicker, but i think it should be okay!

i switched because i felt like blogger was getting kinda annoying, and acutlaly i loked around on wordpress and it seemed so much prettier and the commenting thing was SO NOT A HASSLE!

i don't think you'll lose your blog! (i thought i would lose mine too!)

Anonymous said...

the title of your oats is a real mouthful ;) they sound awesome! hey....white rice is something we all should enjoy sometimes! it's a "fear food" of mine for sure, but i think it's all part of a balanced lifestyle! i do love the taste and nutrition of brown rice, but no food is evil!

Amber said...

I would freaking LOVE a $25 Starbucks card, actually ;) What a wonderful, generous giveaway!!

Yelena said...

Your oatmeal looks out of this world! Really, a Starbucks card? Awesome and cool and fabulous!

I don't eat white rice because I am literally searching for more food in 5-10 minutes!

Katie @ Health for the Whole Self said...

I've never tried Goldenberries but I bet I'd love them because I LOVE raisins!

Alanna said...

Your oats make my oats cower in the corner,hehe. Delish!

What are you looking forward to seeing the most in NY?

Anonymous said...

Let me know if you add anything else to your trip agenda! I'm so excited for you...and for me to win this giftcard!

BEE said...

all that food looks sooo good

Simply Life said...

YAY! Have a great trip! I can't wait to hear all about it!!! Oh and no, I've never even heard of goldenberries!

Suburban prep said...

The berries do look like raisins.
When I make a quick bread I am always putting raisins in them.
Sometimes my quick bread is the only thing my little 3 yr old nephew will eat. Right now his food groups consist of Chocolate and pizza and sometimes bread.

Morgan said...

I always ask for starbucks cards for my birthday, i go there way too often. I'd love to win!

Kat said...

I have never tried grapefruit...but I hear its really good for you. I think I am going to pick some up friday and see :) I have never tried Goldenberries or any other products from them, but Id like too!!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of chocolate in oatmeal!

Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday said...

i couldn't say no to $25 at starbucks! that'll cover a coffee date for me and my best girlfriends.

Kacy said...

I've never tried goldenberries but you make them sound great!

What a great idea for a giveaway. You just can't beat free coffee :)

Kyle and Darci said...

how fun! sign me up!

Christine @ Grub, Sweat and Cheers said...

I am the exact same way with white rice! Must be the lack of fibre. I have found a really good brown rice at Superstore that has instructions for baking it rather than boiling. Had never done that before but it makes the nicest rice ever.

I've never heard of goldenberries but love anything tart...hope I can find them in my local organic shop.

Alaina said...

Are those cape gooseberries like they often have on dessert plates as garnish? The fresh ones I mean... That look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis

I like Starbucks! I have always wondered how celebs are able to drink so many Frappuccinos and still stay thin.

NSGIRL said...

Those oats look sooo good! You know I will be trying them soon!

Pam said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jocelyn said...

hurrah..I Love starbucks..but generally too poor to have it all the time :D:D Love your morning oats!

Navitas Naturals said...

YUM! That bowl of oats looks delish. Thanks for the awesome review on the Navitas Naturals goldenberries; FYI we've got a whole collection of goldenberry recipes for you to have fun with on our site. Enjoy!
http://www.navitasnaturals.com/recipes/golden-recipes.html

Mrs. M said...

New follower! I am going to go searching for those goldenberries now at the local organic store!

http://plmassing.blogspot.com/

Anais said...

Starbucks is my FAVE. Like seriously, I think it's close to an addiction. Not even just the coffee either: I love their mugs and by them all the time!

I can't wait for you to go to NYC you're going to LOVE it!!! Don't forget to try Pinkberry frozen yogurt ;)

Gina said...

I like coffee:)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on the white rice - such a waste of tummy space!
Awesome giveaway!!

Anonymous said...

I love starbuck's but not so much for the drinks because I don't like coffee but for their pastries. Yum!

Mom on the Run said...

You are going to have such a great time in NYC. Please let me know of any meetups as I would love to come down and meet you.

I love the Navitas Naturals acai powder!

rebekah said...

hey lady -
i love reading your blog because it never fails that i stumble across something i LOVE but forgot to eat! i'm like "OH YEAH!!! i love that! I gotta eat it tomorrow!"

in the same vein, i love starbucks... but i'm poor, so i don't go (college kid. enough said.)

keep it up girl!
- rebekah

Carly said...

You know, I've been wondering about goldenberries - I had them as a little kid, and couldn't remember if they were awesome or awful.

Glad to see it was the former!

Anonymous said...

I just stumbled on your blog AND there's a giveaway?! Sweet! I love goldenberries, by the way. I have to ration them whenever I get a bag or they're gone in two days. :)

Sharon said...

I actually haven't seen organic grapefruit, but now I'm intrigued to look for it.

JC said...

Amy's Bowl looks so good!

And I hear Starbucks, thank you!

tcarolinep at gmail dot com

Pam said...

Your oats look scrumptious and I LOVE Starbucks!

Great giveaway and what a fun trip you have planned...enjoy!

xoxo

ha Jolene...maybe this is a better post...lol!! Thank you!

Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty said...

I would LOVE a starbucks card!!!!!!!

Thanks for the shout out!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) You're fabulous!!

How were the treats that I sent? Have you tested them out yet?

Anonymous said...

Just in case our little feed exchange didn't count I thought I'd say I'd like to enter. If I win I'm giving it to my mommy because I don't drink coffee :-)

emily said...

I sort of thank God that there wasn't a Starbucks on my commute when I lived in the city, it feels very "New York" to me too!

Mandiee said...

a starbucks card is definitely nyc-ish. i can't even count how many times i visited 'bucks while in nyc this winter to warm me up. i literally would have frozen otherwise.

have a lovely day! xox

Shaheen said...

This is so generous of you and a GiveAway that Open to Everyone, EVERYONE did you say. Well I am in.

Thanks for the intro to goldenberries, totally new to me.

Nisha said...

I want that $25 starbucks gift card!!! Hope I win!

Have a lovely day! Thanks for your comment on my blog Jolene!

Daenel T. said...

Hmmmm I've never heard of Goldenberries, gonna have to hunt them down.

Jessica @ The Process of Healing said...

How fun!!! I LOVE Starbucks!

Anonymous said...

I used to get a Venti Non-fat Chai Latte everyday for 3 months. I don't know how I stopped but I'm glad I did. Now I just get starbucks straight up coffee every now and then.

I'd get my chai latte with this giftcard for sure!

Tricia said...

great giveaway!

enjoy your trip!

Christina said...

Those oats look amazing! I would love a $25 card to starbucks! I LOVE coffee!!


xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Jo, this blog is amazing. So impressed!!
Enjoy your trip! I look forward to the photos!