Wanna know what it looks like when your mom works for a natural foods company and she gets to go to a semi-local city, Baltimore, for an expo (i.e., she can drive back as many bags of swag as she pleases....no suitcases or airline limits involved)?
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| ...good gracious. |
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| Not sure these pictures even do this gathering justice. |
I win.
(Because I...WIN!)
This is what happens when I casually ask her to check out a few specific booths and bring back some samples. Overkill? Perhaps. But I certainly do not mind reaping the benefits. ;)
Some of the goods I am most excited about:
SunWarrior Raw Protein Powder samples (Chocolate AND Vanilla), TONS of all-natural, many gluten-free snackeroos like hummus chips and popcorn, different kinds of bars to try (no Larabars, my top booth I wanted her to check out, but she DID get to taste them while she was there), BLK water (Real Housewives of NJ, represent!!!), gluten-free brownie mix (I am not gluten-free, by any means, but I DO love me some brownies), different dried spices and herbs, lots of doggie treats for Koda and Ginger, and Virgil's Root Beer (<this was SO yummy).
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| BLK Water launch! I'll try your water, Albie. (Source) |
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| Fancy! And delicious. |
Like these snacks today: Blue Sky Free Stevia Soda, Lemonade flavor, and a Banana Walnut ReBar.
The naturally sweetened lemonade was pretty good, and a much better option than my usual Diet Pepsi (I know, so bad...but I am an addict). Plus, I love anything carbonated.
As for the ReBar...it reminded me of the consistency of a Larabar, and at 170 calories and 8 (!!!) servings of fruit 'n' veggies, it was a good supplement to my lighter (and nearly veggie devoid) lunch.
Listen to the ingredients list on this gluten-free, organic, vegan baby:
Apple, Raisin Paste, Vegetable Blend (carrots, beets, spinach, cabbage, and bok choy), Walnuts, Brown Rice Syrup, Banana, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavour.
Whoa.
And did you spot the random prickly pear she threw in one of her SIX huge bags?
Coop and I killed a package of chocolate-covered Goji berries and an entire bag (whoops) of Hippie Chips while we sifted through all of the items, picking out ones we wanted. It was like Christmas morning!
And Kodes loves his new Zuke's bandana. See?
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| How BIG does his head look there? |
There were a few questionable items (male AND female...ahem....enhancement supplements?! Mom.....you're funny, but really?), but mostly, these products are great and I cannot wait to try them!
So pumped to refill my snackage drawer at work.
In line with my recent pumpkin fever, this morning started off right with some crumbled pumpkin bread (recipe to come, perhaps later tonight...this is especially tasty) in some 0% Plain Fage Greek Yog, sweetened with honey ('cuz otherwise it tastes like sour cream!!!). Also, some of that Natural Products Expo East swag...Adagio Pumpkin Spice Tea. Yes, please.
Also made some crab pasta this weekend. Man, I have a lot of recipes to gather on here. This crabby veggie-filled pasta, the killer pumpkin bread with a secret ingredient, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, and Shrimp, Black Bean, and Avocado Quesadillas (with Chipotle Cilantro "Sour Cream"!!!). Lots goin' on in the kitchen, lately!
Also, finally some new drawings on here this week! I've been a busy bee. So coming this week...recipes, reviews, and DRAWINGS!
Here is another preview of the drawing I am finishing up today in my downtime:
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| Almost doooone! |
xoxoxo
Oh my goodness, your mom's loot looks like the best Trick or Treating spread EVER. I wish I could have attended expo east!
ReplyDeleteWhere do your mom work?
I know, right? It's amazing!! I definitely want to go next year.
ReplyDeleteShe works at Chelten House, they make a lot of dressings like Annie's and all kinds of sauces and marinades. They get fresh-off-the-assembly-line vodka sauces, four cheese marinaras, tomato and basil sauces....so. Good. They were even on How It's Made a few times, once for their organic ketchup. They sell their products to Whole Food, TJ's, Wegman's, etc.