Nature's Path Nom Nom's!

Hello friends, and happy Tuesday! Today I had a big bonfire and got our yard cleaned up a bit. Unfortunately I now smell like bonfire. But it was lots of fun! There is nothing quite like a huge column of flames of your own creation! Very satisfying! Plus, I got to tromp around through the Fall leaves in my green boots!

Today's post is kind of breakfasty. Nature's Path sent me some great samples, and I have really been enjoying the new selection! Everything is organic! That's the way to do it! It kind of makes me want to eat breakfast for every meal! So, lets get started, shall we?

The least breakfasty item was this box of granola bars. They should really be called "candy bars"! And I mean that in the best way! They are advertised as "sweet and salty", and they live up to it! They are also slathered in chocolate. Very chewy, just they way I like my granola bars, and I love the texture! Want to know some other great stuff about them? They are low sodium, have no trans fats and are a source of fibre.

 The down side? They should be called candy bars because of the amount of sugar they contain! I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that I won't be downing these every day. They are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and are an excellent treat!

YUM!

This granola was in my box of goodies as well. I had never tried this flavor, pomegranPlus with cherries, but I regularly eat the Nature's Path HemPlus granola, and I LOVE it! This flavor didn't quite live up to my expectations, but was good nevertheless. I really enjoyed the variety in each spoonful, including rolled oats, crispy rice, dried coconut, and red sour cherries. The flavor of pomegranate in my granola took a bit of getting used to, but it totally grew on me!

The down side to this one? I truly was not a fan of the dried fruit in this. It was hard and really stuck to my teeth, plus it didn't really impart any extra flavor. Only a small complaint which is overwhelmed by all of the other goodness! I love that this contains lots of fibre, whole grains, and is vegan!

My least favorite of the bunch? Nature's Path organic Optimum Blueberry cinnamon cereal. Meh. There is actually nothing wrong with this cereal. It's pretty good! I liked the crunch, the different textures, and the freeze dried blueberries. For some reason this just wasn't my flavor. I like cinnamon, and I like blueberries, but evidently not together in my cereal. Oh well.

I was impressed to see that this stuff includes whole wheat meal, wheat bran, flax, puffed kamut, oat bran and other great ingredients! Gotta get those omega-3s in, and your fibre!

The other cereal was Flax Plus maple pecan crunch. Usually maple flavored things make me gag, and pecans are not my favorite. Oddly enough, this was totally my favorite! This stuff is SO good! The pecans add a great light crunch, the maple flavor is perfect, and the little flakes have the perfect texture! YUM! I am totally going to have to buy this one again!

Once again it has high fibre, 0g trans fat, and lots of whole grains. I am actually considering trying to make my own granola bars using this stuff as the base! I think they would be SO good! This cereal would be good as a layer in a parfait too, or over yogurt, or or or...Ok, I think I'll just go have another bowl full!

Want some of your own? Nature's Path products can be found just about anywhere! Most large grocery stores carry their products, and will have most varieties. I actually buy the hemplus granola in bulk at my local natural foods store! I really suggest that you pick up a box of this stuff. It's got a great Fall-y flavor to it. And you guys know that I'm all about Fall-y things! If you can't find their stuff in your store, then order some online! This stuff is seriously worth it! You can also find recipes and other information on their web site!

Well, I think I'll go read a bit and then head to bed! Tomorrow is my double-shift day, so I gotta get my beauty sleep! 13 miles of bike riding and hiking are waiting for me in the morning! Night all!

Christmas in July

Today I went on an outing to Sidney, a cute little ocean side town a short bus ride from the ferry. The weather was gorgeous, so I had to take some island shots. I just love all the little islands scattered around between the mainland and Vancouver Island.

I mostly ran errands in town, went to a hair appointment, spent money I shouldn't have. You know, the usual.

I had a great time browsing and finding new things at the little natural foods store. I brought home quite the bag of loot! I'll show you soon!

Isn't that mist beautiful?!

Sidney has a main street that runs out into the ocean. There are attractive walking paths along the ocean, and a pier. At the end of the pier is a fish market...guess where I went?!

I am beyond excited about my fish! I walked in to the market, and the man behind the counter was in the middle of cutting up some halibut filets. That was EXACTLY what I wanted. It was so incredibly fresh, and a good price to boot!

The fish market was my last stop in town. I made it a short day, and took the 2:20 ferry home. That fish needed to get home fast!

Riding the ferry is such a comfortable and relaxing way to travel! I had a quick snack and read my book.

cinnamon apple chips, and some dried mango. (some of my stash from the market!)

If possible, it was even prettier on the ferry ride home. Sometimes I am still astonished that I actually live here! It's like that Talking Heads song...I look at my [handsome husband], and my beautiful house, and I ask myself; how did I get here?

O.K., so here is the contents of my goody bag from the health store.

I am so stoked about this stuff! Here's the rundown. I got hemp instant oatmeal, liquid Stevia, a few different packets of nutritional supplements for my smoothies, some dried mango, apple chips, two types of Herbamare seasoning salt, granola, cocao nibs, and chia seeds (the latter two of which i cannot wait to try on some oatmeal!). I also got my first copy of Vegnews magazine, which I haven't finished looking at yet, but may be something I get a subscription for sometime soon. Good stuff!

You'd think that all of this exciting stuff would be enough to satisfy me, but NO! I want more! Well, good thing I had ordered a box of Glo Bars a while back! They got here today! I SO cannot wait to try them! Angela, a fellow blogger, has this amazing bakery business where she makes to- die- for healthy treats! Her blog is as wonderful as her food! You should really check it out! I'll let you know which bar is my favorite once I have gone at them Cookie Monster-style. Shouldn't take long ;)

So now I have all kinds of special treats, I got to go shopping, I spent more than I should have, and I received a package in the mail with presents in it! It's Christmas in July!