Oat Bars
One of the challenges of eating a plant-based diet is finding ways to make desserts with little or no oil and no refined sugar. But, the challenge is deeper than that because a truly nutritious treat is also about what is included. Ideally, ingredients that stand alone as nutritious and delicious.
I started with a recipe called Pumpkin Seed and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars by Dreena Burton and adapted the ingredients to come up with a recipe for Oat Bars that contain whole grain oats, whole grain oat flour, seeds, nuts, spices, date syrup, dark chocolate chips, and non-dairy milk. Basically, these bars are whole-grain and plant-based with no dairy, no oil, no refined sugar, and no eggs.
Oat Bars have a base of rolled oats and oat flour whose flavor is enhanced with what I call “the big 3” – pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and dark chocolate chips. The big 3 are simply three wholesome ingredients that are super tasty together. But, if you find raisins, walnuts, and sunflower seeds more to your liking, make a substitution. Read more 
Consider Brandless™
Brandless™ is a relatively new company launched in July, 2017 that focuses on better access to better quality (i.e. Non-GMO, organic) goods at a more competitive price.
Instead of relying on grocery stores for common household goods (i.e. beans, ketchup, mustard, maple syrup, tomato sauce, jam, dried fruits and nuts, grains, rice, peanut butter, and more), consumers can buy directly from Brandless™ – a company that sources their goods directly from suppliers.
There are no distribution costs, wholesale to retail markups, shelf stocking fees, breakage and settlement costs, and no retail marketing costs because the supplier is linked directly with Brandless™ who delivers the goods directly to the consumer, for free (orders over $39 are shipped free, otherwise shipping is a flat rate of $6). Read more
Qi’a™ Superfood Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not one of those sexy breakfast foods that most people get excited about. Some devotees, like my husband, add fresh fruit, maple syrup, dried fruit, and nuts to make it palatable (he’s not a big oatmeal fan) while others simply sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or brown sugar and a spoonful of walnuts or pecans to add some crunchy texture to a breakfast staple.
But, there is a third option: Qi’a™ (pronounced Kee-ah) Superfood Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal (gluten-free): a blend of seven organic ingredients: rolled oats, buckwheat groats, pumpkin seeds, inulin (a natural fiber and sweetener derived from the root of plants, often chicory), chia seeds, hemp seeds, and cinnamon. That’s it. No added refined sugars, flavors, preservatives, and no artificial colors or flavors. Read more
Shiloh Farms Organic Grain Flakes
Look no further than Lancaster, Pennsylvania where organic, non-GMO whole grain flakes are packaged for Shiloh Farms.
Spelt, barley, and kamut flakes look remarkably similar to rolled oats but have subtle nutty flavor differences which can liven up and energize a variety of breakfast and snack foods. Delicious alone or combined with each other and oats, whole grain flakes make a nutritious and delicious hot cereal or mid-morning pick-me-up. Simply cook according to the package directions (5-20 minutes) or add as is to a homemade muesli recipe (click here for a fantastic not too sweet muesli recipe). Read more
Erick’s Rolled Oats
Oats may seem like a simple food and they are but there are a few things the consumer should know about organic and conventional oats. Grown primarily on large farms in the midwest and midwestern Canada, oats are either steel-cut (where the groats have been cut into 2-3 pieces), rolled, or instant with the difference being how much the groat is processed. Read more
Twelve Superstars
Today is Election Day. Many of us will flock to the polls and cast our votes for the candidates we want to represent us. Although the really big election day is a year away, the essence of leadership is heavy on many people’s minds with all the presidential debates. As we make our choices today and in the future, let us not forget about the people who are making a difference by making this world a better, healthier, and more compassionate place. Read more
Our Daily Eats Granola
Our Daily Eats Granola is unlike any granola you’ve ever had with a complexity of flavors that makes breakfast a meal to look forward to. Made with extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup, the granola is packed with oats, nuts, and seeds, depending on the variety. But, what makes Our Daily Eats Granola different from other brands is the addition of wholesome and natural ingredients that add bursts of flavor: orange and lemon peel, raspberries, coconut, unsulfured dried fruit, cinnamon, honey, brown sugar, sea salt, and green tea. Read more
