Natural Foods - Parenting Healthy

Protein2O plant-based, vegan protein water is my go-to morning beverage

I keep track of my diet in a food app and I struggle to eat enough protein. I have tried many protein shakes and with added sugars and some are too sweet or chalky to want to drink too much of, I could never find one that gives me the added protein I need and enjoy it at the same time. I was introduced to Protein2O waters and now it is my morning go-to beverage. I always grab a protein water on my way out the door to work and either drink in the morning or have it for later in the day to get me through meetings or errands when I need to fill up.

Protein2O is plant-based and vegan and very refreshing with 11 fruity flavors. I tend to crave the flavors of bottled protein water most, but love ending my night with canned beverages and the flavors like Key Lime Coconut, so if I have not met my protein intake I can end the day with the Protein2O waters in great flavors by can over ice for a refresher.

I love that they are available in many grocers and drugstores, but was very excited to find them at a great bulk price at my local Costco. I love these fruit-flavored waters much better over sweet shakes and bars. I am so excited this is a protein option. They take pure whey protein isolate and filter it through reverse osmosis to get rid of impurities and we get 15g of protein that is easily digestible.

Look for Protein2O as your source of daily protein! Visit Protein2O to learn more and find a retailer near you.

Food, Natural Foods

Top Seedz Crackers offer the goodness of seed energy

March 27, 2021July 10, 2023 Erin Sluka

When you are craving a crunchy snack, these Top Seedz crackers will satisfy. They are just seeds, but blended together to bring a ‘cracker’ full of flavor and ready to eat plain, with dips or in recipes. They will bring you the seed energy as a snack meant to keep you going in your day.

Top Seedz has a few crackers flavors and this delicious Maple Magic Roasted Seeds. These are great as a granola in salads, yogurt and oatmeal. I have even grabbed the container and ate them plain on the couch for a salty, crunchy snack. These are vegan and gluten free and contain sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, olive oil.

Top Seedz crackers are great on their own or in a dip. I have even crushed them as a salad topping. Seeds offer protein, fiber and iron as well as a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

They can go with anything and are so much better for you than many traditional crackers. 1 serving is about 7 crackers and each serving is about 150 calories and no sugars or added sugars. You can find Top Seedz at some health grocers, some Whole Foods and online at TopSeedz store.

Food/Beverage, Natural Foods

Sovány sparkling water is made with organic fruit juice

December 29, 2020December 30, 2020 Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for this feature. I am happy to partner with this brand. There may be affiliate links contained within the article. Thank you for visiting.

If a cleaner diet is a goal for you in 2021 then Sovany is a brand I want to introduce you to. I have come to enjoy flavored sparkling waters and it seems like every few months there is a new brand on shelves so I assume I am not the only consumer switching to these beverages over sugary pops and juices. However, some like to share shelf space with better beverage options like sparkling waters but are anything but better! Using sweeteners and not taking care in where they source their ingredients.

Sovany Sparkling Water is everything you want in a clean label and responsible producer of beverages. They use organic, Non-GMO ingredients and have a fair trade and sustainable production method. You get a clean label and they taste much better than most brands I have discovered – because you are tasting fresh organic fruit juices and nothing else.

These kosher and gluten free organic fruit juice flavored sparkling waters come in 4 flavors in a BPA-free can. Simply Sparkling Water is a great plain flavor with zero sugars and the Ingenious Apple, Brilliant Orange and Remarkable Raspberry are only sweetened by the fruits used. The Ingenious Apple is my favorite. They make great low calorie mixers too! You can find Sovany in certain markets nationwide or on the Sovany website.

Food, Healthy Living, Natural Foods

GO Buddha Dairy Free, Gluten Free, and Vegan Friendly Prepped Meals

December 28, 2020February 23, 2021 Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for this feature. I am happy to partner with this brand. There may be affiliate links contained within the article. Thank you for visiting.

GO Buddha Dairy Free, Gluten Free, and Vegan Friendly Prepped Meals

As we head into 2021 it appears more people want to focus on health and cleaner eating. Many brands have come a bit further in understanding the need for healthier ingredients. Yet, if you find it hard to read a nutrition label or ingredient list it is so easy to be fooled into a healthy food item when it is anything but healthy! If you love pre-packaged meals and sides that are ONLY made with REAL ingredients, GO Buddah Vegan Friendly Prepped Meals is for you!

Go Buddha is a pre-packaged meal service that will ship fresh made-to-order buddha bowls, as well as seasonal side dishes, functional desserts, and healthy beverage options or you can pick up in the Rocky River, Ohio area.

I wondered if perhaps they add less healthy preservatives or ingredients to make it shipping-worthy, but there is no nonsense in their foods! I can go directly to the GO Buddha product pages to get the ingredients and I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned you don’t have to know anything about reading ingredient labels to know you are getting only real plant-based meals and sides.

I tried a few of their dishes and my tween devoured them also. We decided to choose our two favorites and we loved:

BBQ Jackfruit Buddha Mac (Ingredients: Red Lentil Penne | Cashew Nacho Cheez Sauce | Young Unripe BBQ Jackfruit | Cashew Parmesan Crumble | Green Onions)

Walnut Taco Bowl (Ingredients: Walnut Taco Meat- Power Greens- Cilantro Brown Rice- Grape Tomatoes- Bell Pepper Corn Relish- Spicy Black Beans- Shredded Red Cabbage- Chipotle Cheez Sauce)

My son devoured these two – we made both and put it together on one plate for dinner. My husband travels (more outside of COVID times) and when he is out of town I tend to do easier meals so these are great for a healthy alternative to quick prep meals especially now that I know my 12 year old will actually eat a healthy bowl (I was a bit surprised he liked these as they are a far cry form the quick meals he tends to grab)!

The jackfruit made the mac a bit sweet – it had texture so similar to a shredded beef and the jackfruit in a BBQ mac creates a sweet BBQ flavor. The taco salad was so full of flavor and despite shipping even the greens were crisp and fresh!

All GO Buddha dishes are vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. Some meals may contain walnuts and peanuts. Some meals are also soy-based. The ingredients are something they can be proud of as a plant-based meal delivered that arrives fresh and cold. Visit GO Buddha to order some bowls, sides or desserts today. Once they arrive they can stay refrigerated 3-5 days.