Nut Butter & Jelly Smoothie and A Giveaway!
Attention, THIH readers! Giveaway at end of post.
I regularly receive offers to review products and services, and up ’til now, I’ve always turned them down. I’d consciously decided not to give reviews in exchange for products because, well, I didn’t want to bother. I’ve had a couple of giveaways on THIH before (years ago now, yipes), but only with products I bought myself and/or enjoyed. You see, I’m not a fan of negativity. I’m also honest. Those two traits don’t always comfortably sit together.
For example, the following internal dialogue might occur if Peter makes something less than ideal. Like the caramel he burned just a teensy bit about an hour ago.
Negativity anti-fan: Well, it’s not THAT bad …
Honest J-Bard: Yes. Yes it is.
When Bestowed contacted me to ask for a review, my fingers were already typing out the “thanks, but no thanks” when I decided to check out the website. That’s when I discovered (a) this company is a newest-products-of-the-month delivery service, and (b) was founded by a registered dietitian, Heather Bauer.
All right. I’m hooked. Besides, aren’t I always saying I need to pay more attention to what’s hot in the food and nutrition world?
The facts: Bestowed offers a monthly subscription for the newest in healthy foods delivered to your door for $19/month.
My box arrived promptly and was packed to the brim with goodies. Check it:
And the haul:
In the box, in absolutely random order: GimMe Seaweed Cheddar Cheese Roasted Seaweed Crumbles, Bakery on Main Coconut Cashew True Bar, Herban Essentials Towelettes, Zico Coconut Water, Artisana Acai Berry Nut Butter, Roots Veggie Blend, and coupon for something from Dr. Praeger’s. One of the reasons this post is so overdue was I wanted to try everything before I wrote it. I didn’t quite succeed, but I got close.
This review is for the subscription (fast and fun! I’d imagine looking forward to a box of goodies every month is like having a birthday twelve times a year) and not necessarily the products inside. Still, I have to show you some of this deliciousness:
My absolutely favorite thing in the box were these cheddar seaweed crumbles. I used to eat a lot of seaweed snacks when I was a kid, and these crumbles brought back delicious memories. I ate most of it straight out of the container, but I did save a few to sprinkle over one of Peter’s spicy noodle soups.
I already knew I’d like the Truebar; that also disappeared faster than a batch of Peter’s chocolates.
The next item I tried was the acai nut butter. Reader, I didn’t like it. I’m a fan of plain peanut butter, and this one was too sweet for me.
But, then! Inspiration.
This blueberry-veggie blend caught my eye immediately. Why not combine it with the acai nut butter?
Behold: The Nut Butter & Jelly Smoothie.
I blended 1/2 a packed of acai nut butter with the veggie packet, yogurt, banana and frozen blueberries. Topped with chia seeds and a few Barbara’s squares. Fantastic. I’m already planning a repeat with the other veggie packet.
The last item I tried was the Herban Essentials wipe. These essential oil wipes come in different scents and are easy to carry around. I used the lavender one and it was quite soothing. This was on a day when I had back-to-back meetings that turned me into the THIH Hulk, so … yeah. Much appreciated.
Now, it’s your turn! If you’d like to try Bestowed, enjoy $5 off using code 5OFFBSTOWED01.
And, the giveaway: Bestowed is also offering one THIH reader a free box, delivered right to your door! (US only, please 🙂 ).
To enter, leave a comment letting me know the last new product you tried. Giveaway runs until Friday 6 am Central.
You, too, could have a box of goodies to try 🙂
Enjoy your week, dear reader!
The last new product I tried was those new Green Giant sweet potato chips. I had the sea salt variety, but I’m more excited to try the BBQ flavor next!
Ok, so, I got the same box. I’ll tell you what, I hated those seaweed things!! OH man, I rarely spit food out, but….I had to spit it out. I think what happened was it reminded me of the last time I got sick (you know how when you eat something, then get sick, you have an aversion to that food for a while? Well, that’s me and seaweed for now). Anyway, everything else was great, but I haven’t tried the coconut water yet. I may just have to whip up this creative smoothie of yours!
I think a lot of people agree with you! And I know what you mean about food aversion. I hope you like the coconut water – still haven’t tried mine yet!
Seeing as how I eat PB+J for breakfast every day, it would be so fun to eat it in smoothie form! Love this idea!
These boxes look so cool! I think the most recent product I have tried was the chobani for kids yogurt in a tube haha I had a coupon….they weren’t bad but were a little too sweet for me
I recently tried ethnic gourmet’s chicken tikka-it was delicious!
It will take me a while to try and get used to eating seaweed. Cultural differences here… but the acai butter and blueberry jelly sounds an interesting combination. A very purple one I guess 😀
Also the smoothie reminds me, I finally, finally, started eating shredded wheat squares with my yoghurt and it’s so much better! Delicious and filling! This is no entry to the competition, as I don’t have a US post code, I just wanted to tell you. I thought you’d be a proud R.D. , as I first saw it in your olde breakfast posts! 😛
Yay! I’m so glad you like your breakfasts! That’s music to my ears 🙂
The last thing I tried was BBQ Kettle Kernels from Naturebox. They were like Corn Nuts, but actually good. Not too salty and nothing artificial. I loved them!
The last thing I tried was whole wheat brownies made with King Arthur flour – yum!
The last new thing I tried was Octopus packed in a can. It took me a few weeks to be brave enough to open the can and try it.
Wow, octopus in a can! I’m super impressed!
The last new product I tried was coconut creme from Artisana.
Tamari almonds! Absolutely delicious and a nice upgrade from my usual cinnamon nut mix. Loved the umami taste of the tamari.
I want to try that smoothie!
The last new product I tried was Justin’s single serving almond butter in the squeezable packet! Yummy!
I just tried the new Vega bars. I really like them! I have been having one after my morning run.
Newest product I have tried was Brads Raw Foods Chips! YUMMM!
I would love to win! Thanks for the chance 🙂
Last new product I tried was some Manitoba Hemp Hearts on my lunch salad. Was good too. Thanks!
Hmm. I most recently tried Silk’s Pure Coconut milk….tastes decadent with cereal in the morning.
I just tried coconut milk ice cream and it was much better than I expected!
Tried Brad’s Raw Kale Chips for the first time! Divine! Thanks so much!
The last thing I tried was Q’ia Superfood from Nature’s Path. It’s delicious and it’s helping me incorporate more grains into my diet.
You’re a great gardener! I seem to kill all of my plants that aren’t ridiculously low-maintenance. It’s heart-wrenching.
Last week for a party I bought hummus with olive tapenade on top, and Wheat Thins cracker chips to go with it. Two wins.
So, what town is Awesome Street in? Superville?
SuperMAN-ville, Marie 😉
I tried energy tablets made with green seaweed.