Trusted products from an unbiased culinary critic.  All “nourishing” products have proven health benefits, whether it be high fiber for satiation and digestive aid, maximum antioxidants, or essential vitamins and minerals, these recommendations will help you nourish your body.  You won’t see a product or brand that isn’t tasty, healthy, and environmentally aware. Best of… Ancient Grains: Kaniwa- South American grain, really tasty, super high in iron (60%), high protein and decent fiber too. Quinoa-Another South American grain, same as above, not as much iron (18%). Farro- According to Laura Weiss, Farro originated in the Fertile Crescent, found in tombs of Egyptian kings, and is said to have fed the Roman Legions. There are many varieties of Farro, read more here. Buckwheat- Freekeh- Teff- Amaranth- Oat Bran- Coconut Flour- Healthy Pasta:

1. Racconto Whole Wheat Penne Rigate– This one is the best tasting of the brand.  I’ve had the Bella Terra Organic line of Racconto, (gemelli, fettucini, and rigatoni form), I love those types of pasta, but they taste too sweet with hints of cinnamon so I do not recommend them, unless that is to your taste.
2. Hodgson Mill Organic Whole Grain Fettuccine with Milled Flax Seed – Great nutty, grainy flavor and aldente texture.   , providing 500 mg. of heart-healthy Omega-3 oils per serving. The delicious new Lasagna pasta noodles, like the other varieties, are made from only 100% whole grain durum wheat, are certified organic, preservative and additive free, and contain no added sugar, artificial coloring, flavorings or salt
3. Delallo 100% Organic Whole Wheat Orecchiette, the whole wheat lasagna is also very tasty.
4. Eden Organic Pasta Company– Kamut Ditalini, tasty, great shape and flavor, high fiber and protein.
5. Garofalo Whole Wheat Pappardelle– Delicious nests of fat, satisfyingly scrumptiously fresh whole wheat pasta imported from Italy.
6. Glorioso’s Home Style Whole Wheat Linguini- Fiber, iron, protein oh my! Plus, the taste is wonderful.

Wheat/Gluten-Free Healthy Pasta:

1. Jardin Bio Spaghetti Quinoa Tomate – Outstanding flavor, cooks fast.
2. Tinkyada Pasta Joy Brown Rice Spinach Spaghetti– Delightful.  Takes a bit longer to cook, but so tasty and chewy, it’s worth it! Easy to cook it aldente.
3. Explore Asian Authentic Cuisine– Organic Mung Bean Fetuccine, and Organic Soybean Spaghetti are awesome.
4. Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles– Really nice to mix into soup or other flavorful dishes as a pasta alternative. Kelp are high in calcium and also a source of iron.
5. Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Rotini– Cooks well and tastes just like pasta.
6. De Boles Gluten free Multi-grain Penne– Made with rice, quinoa, and amaranth.  Chewy and tasty, great flavor that isn’t sweet or overwhelming.  I’ve read that the spaghetti falls apart when cooking, but I haven’t tried that variation and I didn’t have any problem with the penne.  Maybe they were cooked improperly…?
7. Nasoya All Natural Chinese style noodles- Made with egg whites, 8g of protein, 15% iron per 1 C serving, really tasty.

Gluten-Free Pizza Crust:

1. Chebe Gluten-free Pizza Flour Crust Mix- Delicious By Nature. Very excellent flavor.

Healthy Whole Wheat Couscous:

1. Bob’s Red Mill® Whole Wheat Pearl Couscous – Awesomely satisfying, high fiber and protein, great texture, tasty when cooked aldente.

Pasta Sauce:

1. Victoria Marinara, all natural 
2. Carmelina Brands® San Marzano Italian Chopped Tomatoes or tomato Puree– Excellent for making fast, fresh sauce with minimal ingredients.  Salt, pepper, basil, delicious.
3. Trader Joe’s has great sauce for very reasonable prices! Try the Tomato Basil Marinara.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough:

1. Angelic Bakehouse- Flatzza, sprouted seven-grain 12″ crust. Two pack with loads of great ingredients and nutrients.
2. Trader Giotto’s Ready to Bake Whole Wheat Pizza Dough- High fiber, protein, and iron.  Low fat.  Delicious.  May be purchased at Trader Joe’s.  Also received a tip to cook it in the oven as you prep ingredients, then add toppings and sauce and then bake to perfection.
3. Wood Grilled Pizza Crust- All Natural Wheat
4. Pastorelli Pizza Crust– Roman pizzeria style pizza crust ultra thin and crispy 100% whole wheat. Iron, fiber and protein, plus only 2.5 grams of fat per serving.

High Fiber Whole Grain Breads: Whenever possible, I choose a quality nutritarian bread based on this criteria: ingredients I know, no sugar or sweetener (tough to find), 3 grams or more of fiber and protein, & of course great taste.  If you don’t initially think you like whole grain bread, try a new brand and remember tastebuds can change. 1. Manna Organics Manna Bread Millet Rice– 100% sprouted whole grain, high fiber, 9 grams of sugar, yet no sugar listed in ingredients. 2. Food For Life Sprouted Grain Products:

• Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Tortillas
• Ezekiel Sprouted 7 Grain Bread
• Genesis 1:29 Sprouted Grain and Seed (a favorite)

3. Dave’s Killer Organic Powerseed Bread  4. Racine Baking Company’s Rye Bread 5. The Sprouted Bakehouse Cybros Sprouted Rye 6. Trader Joe’s:

1. Whole Wheat Pita Bread Pockets- Ingredients: whole wheat, water, yeast, barley malt, salt, cultured wheat flour with vinegar.  High fiber, iron, & protein.  Low in calories and fat.  All natural and recognizable ingredients.  Tasty and easy snack ideas: stuff with almond slices, peanut butter, or avocado and salmon for satiation, energy, & stamina.
2. Pumpernickel Pretzels.  Delicious.
3. Sprouted Wheat, & Rye: The best tasting and most economical on the market hands down.  Freshness can at times be inconsistent.
4. Raw Whole Wheat  pizza dough- The best.  Bake for 5 minutes at least prior to adding ingredients for best results.

7. Sanabel Bakery– Fresh Whole Wheat Lebanese Pita Bread, a Chicago company, five ingredients.  Great slightly baked or grilled. 8. Natural Ovens Bakery Sunny Millet Whole Grain– Millet is a super food, this bread has 250 mg Omega 3 per slice, as well as fiber, protein.  The down side: it has sugar listed as the sixth ingredient, contains ascorbic acid and dextrose. 9. Flat out Foldit 5 Grain Flax– Artisan flatbreads, healthy, tasty. 10. 100% Whole Wheat Boboli Italian Pizza Crust (some sugar added) still better than most, good price too. (Target) Whole Foods now has these available, I haven’t taste tested yet. 11. Delba Whole Grain Three Grain Bread- Especially tasty toasted. Great nutritionally. 12. Stone House Bread– The Charnushka Rye is incredibly yummy. 13. Big Sky Bread- Borodinsky Coriander Malt Dark Rye. I love coriander! Best toasted. A little sweet. Tasty Gluten-free Wraps  Rudi’s Spinach Tortilla Wraps (Whole Foods)- Expensive @ almost $7, but nice creamy spinach taste and while they’re filled with nutritious ingredients, they still have some other random ingredients that aren’t great. Healthy, Tasty Wraps Ole Xtreme Wellness, Spinach & Tomato Basil- High fiber; 9g, protein; 5g, and iron; 40%. Zero grams of fat. Sami’s Bakery Millet & Flax Lavash- So tasty and super healthy, check out all of the great ingredients! Best toasted or baked for several minutes in the oven. Engine 2 Plant-Strong- Sprouted Ancient Grains. Organic tortillas Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Tortillas Tasty Gluten-free Tortillas  La Tortilla Factory Hand Made White Corn Tortillas.  Healthy and delicious, not a good source of fiber, but low fat, 5g of protein. Healthiest, Tastiest Snack Bars:

1. gnufoods Fiber Love Banana walnut- so good, low fat 4g, sugar, 8, fiber 9 protein 4. Reiterating the so tasty!
2. Go Macro Granola + Coconut Macrobar– vegan, 7 g. fat, 11 g. sugar, less than many cliff bars
3. Bobo Bars– Tasty, organic, slightly high in sugar, hearty.
4. Pop Culture Probiotics– 1 small bar=110 calories, 2 g. fat, 4 sugars, 6 g. protein, an abundance of vitamins and minerals.
5. Cliff Kids brownie and chocolate chip– A tasty treat (better than oreos), yet still high in sugar with 10 grams, but not as bad as some bars and lower in fat as well.  Satisfying for a sweet tooth after a hard workout. 69 cents at Trader Joe’s.
6. no gii Protein D’Lites– Gluten free and really tasty, lots of sugar on the ingredient list, only 7 g in a serving though.  8 g protein and 4% calcium.
7. Luna Bar Nuts Over Chocolate– Delicious and satisfies chocolate cravings.
8. Entirely Gnu Natural Foods– High fiber and iron.  9 grams of sugar.  Tastes like a brownie.
9. Health Warrior Chia Bar– Chocolate peanut butter. Tasty and mini. 4 grams of fat, 4  grams sugar, protein, and fiber.
10. NuGo Stronger Carmel Pretzel– Oh God. It’s such a great sweet and salty combination. It’s a bit high in fat at 8 g with 25 g protein and it is solid, as in hard to bite into it’s so dense, but once you get at it, it gets chewier. Plus it’s delicious, and things you have to work for are more rewarding in the end anyway.  Gluten free.
11. Monkey Bars– High in sugar, but chocolate is super good. Strawberry was good too.
12. Bonk Breakers Peanut Butter and Jelly- Totally tastes like a PBJ, that you didn’t have to make.
13. Mark Bar Almond Butter Honey- Oo so good! Healthy,unique, totally delicious, and made by a Chicago local.
14. Go Raw-%100 Organic, Banana Bread Flax Bar. So yummy. Real live food!
15. Gnu Foods Fiber Love- Banana walnut flavor is awesome, chocolate brownie was good too.
16.  SMART Detour Bar- Tasty, low sugar, low fat, high protein and fiber.
17. RXBARS– Mint Chocolate. They taste like Girl Scout Cookies and are way healthier and loaded with protein.
18. Simply Square- Local to Chicago, tasty and only 5 simple ingredients. Go for the Rosemary flavor, sage tasted medicinal.

Healthy Cereal:

1. Nature’s Path Organic:  Flax Plus Muti-bran Cereal, Heritage Heirloom Whole Grains, &  Smart Bran with Psyllium and Oatbran.  All are made with organic superfood ingredients.  Low in sugar and fat and high fiber and iron content.
2. Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets– Better than Post Grape Nuts, similar nutrients
3. Farm to Table Ultimate Organic  Whole Grain Oatmeal– Creamy and delicious, high fiber: 5g, and protein: 6g, flax and nuts, yet no sugar!
4. Steel Cut Oats with Flax Better Oats Oat Revolution– Classic flavor, 10 pouches. Delicious!
5. Glutenfreeda Natural Instant Oatmeal- Great tasting and you’ll pay half as much as the Farm to Table brand.
6. Gluten Free Chex Oatmeal- Incredibly delicious.
7. Three Sisters Naked Wheat– Everything a cereal should be, tasty, high fiber, protein and carbs, low fat, 100% whole grain nothing fake added. (Whole Foods)
8. Alpen All Natural Muesli, no sugar added. Tastes yummy.
9. Renaissance Grains Whole Grain Harmony– Oats, Barley, wheat.  Really tasty plain, add to granola, or for cooking/baking.
10. Engine 2 Plant-Strong- Rip’s Big Bowl Banana Walnut. So great, has ground flax seed instead of the whole pieces that can’t deliver the nutrition.
11. Better Oats Raw- Steel cut and regular, individually packed or large, so fantastic and organic.
12. Love Grown Power O’s-  Tastes a little different, but better nutrition; made with beans and brown rice.

Crunchy, Salty Healthier Snacks:

1. Golden Emblem Abound– CVS’s new healthy line. Baked Rice Crisps, sea salt flavor. Tasty snack.
2. Trader Joe’s Pumpernickel Pretzels. Great flavor, dry and salty craving satisfier.
3. Roland Feng Shui Hot Wasabi Rice Crackers 
4. Unique Sprouted %100 Whole Grain Pretzel Splits
5. Lundberg Organic, Gluten-Free, Vegan Rice Cakes (Whole Foods) Delicious with fresh ground almond butter. My favorites are the Sesame Tamari and Lightly Salted Brown Rice.  No GMO!
6. San-J Tamari Black Sesame Brown Rice Crackers – Delicious, unique, gluten-free.
7. Newman’s Own Organics Spelt Pretzels (Whole Foods) Ingredients:  Organic spelt flour, spelt flour, organic sunflower oil, salt, yeast, and sodium bicarbonate. Nutrition information: Serving Size: about 20 pretzels (30g), Calories per Serving: 120, Calories from fat: 10, Total Fat: 1g (saturated fat: 0gm), Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 240mg, Total Carbohydrates: 23g (dietary fiber: 4g, sugars: 0g), Protein: 4g
8. Uncle Jerry’s Whole Wheat Handmade Pretzels– Ingredients: whole wheat flour, sourdough, well water, yeast, soda, salt.  Calories per Serving: 80, Calories from fat: 0, total fat: 0g (saturated fat: 0gm), cholesterol: 0mg, sodium: 260mg, total carbohydrates: 18g dietary fiber: 3g, sugars: 0g, protein: 2g
9. Leksands Multigrain Swedish Crispbread– All natural ingredients, tasty with creative toppings such as avocado and tomatoes.  Extremely satisfying crunch.
10. Trader Joe’s Rye Mini Toasts– Very tasty, pretty pure, has fiber, iron, and protein, plus low fat.
11. Annie Chun’s Roasted Wasabi Seaweed Snacks – Way better than chips, easy to polish of a whole bag and not feel guilty.  Under $2 at Whole Foods.
12. Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snacks– $0.99: Seaweed, canola oil, sesame oil, sea salt.  Calories: 30 Fat: 2g Fiber: 1g Vitamin A: 8% Iron: 2%
13. Lesser Evil Dill Pickle Chia Crisps– Gluten Free, lower fat, higher fiber and protein.  Made with black bean powder and rice flour. Feta and black olive flavor is also outstanding. The Chia Pop Theater Style is super tasty and made with organic Non-Gmo  popcorn!
14. Popcorners– Better nutritionals, flavor and ingredients than chips.
15. Koepsell’s White Rice Popcorn– fiber, salt, and flavor.
16. Finn Crisp Caraway thin crispbread with sourdough rye cracker- Satisfying, healthy, all recognizable ingredients, no sugar.  However, not exactly sure why there is a discrepancy between label nutrition and online nutrition facts.
17. World Peas- Bombay curry– Too good to not eat the entire pack.  All natural greatness.
18. Good Health Natural Foods Half Naked Popcorn– Super tasty and pretty healthy with 4g fiber and 3 g protein, 3 grams of fat for 4 cups as a serving size.
19. Super Seeds Somewhat Spicy– All natural gourmet pumpkin seeds. Be aware, all flavors of this brand are not created equally. The spicy pumpkin seeds.
20. La Panzanella Croccantini– Whole Wheat
21. Suzie’s puffed peppered sea salt spelt and multigrain thin cakes-Tasty, crunchy, fat free.
22. Suzie’s Thin Cakes- Corn, quinoa, sesame. So tasty.
23. Wild Harvest Organic Multi-Seed Flat Breads-Really great flavor and texture, iron and protein content is satisfactory.
24. ak-mak  Sesame Crackers- Made with organically grown whole wheat flour.  Oh so tasty plus a source of fiber, iron, and protein.  Yummy and healthy.
25. The Perfect Snaque- Seasoned Sprouted Lentils. Soooo good.
26. Real Foods Organic Sesame Corn Thins – Delicious. Airy and crispy. Regular organic corn thins, great too.
27. Red Pepper Foods- Corn Chips. Raw, vegan, & yummy. Nutrition for entire bag: 6 grams of fat, 8 fiber, 6 protein, and 40% iron. Serving size is half.  Self-discipline or someone to share with is the answer.
28. Capperi Croccanti La Nicchia Pantelleria– Crunchy Capers! Nice as a salad topping.
29. Enlightened Crisps–  Roasted Sea Salt Broad Beans are so delicious high protein and fiber, low fat. Non-GMO and vegan!
30. Cooking Light Simply Sea Salt Popcorn– Super delicious with 130 calories, 4 g fat, 3 fiber, 3 protein, 6% iron for four cups. THey use canola oil.
31. Baked  Sea Salt Popcorn by Snacks 101– Made with coconut oil, higher fat with 8g per 3 3/4 c 2g fiber and protein, 2% iron.
32. Slim Kim– Made with coconut oil, low fat, high flavor, local IL company.
33. Sea Tangle Snacks
34. Annie Chun Sea Weed Snacks 
35. Cruncha ma-me- Naked and lightly seasoned flavors. Delicious. Eat the whole bag, get 8g of protein and only 4g of fat.
36. Saffron Road, baked lentil chips- yummy, better for you than chips.
37. Barcel Peanuts Salt & Lime– YUM!
38. Foods Alive- Original Golden Flax Crackers. Made with organic flax, 99.5% raw
39. Jilz Gluten Free Crackerz– Paleo and yummy.

Sweet Healthy Snacks:

1. All organic fruits.
2. Gefen- Roasted chestnuts. Peeled and ripened. Delicious.
3. La Mexicana- Ciruelas, prunes.
4. Tamarind fruit (raw produce) – chewy and tart, fun to separate pulp from the large smooth seeds. (raw)
5. Just Bananas, 100% Natural Fruit & Veggie Snacks, From the Heart of Nature
6. Nature’s All Foods Organic Fair Trade Certified Banana– Sweet, raw, vegan, gluten-free
7. Southern Grove Pitted Dried Plums/Prunes- Found at Aldi, very inexpensive, high sugar, yet lots of potassium  fiber, and antioxidants.
8. Paleo People Cacao Nut- Gluten-Free, super delicious.
9. Milk & Honey Granola– Rick Bayless’s Mexican Mix. A local Chicago buy too!

Fermented Food: Fancy Pants Ferments- Fancy Saurekraut. Produce: Besides farmers’ Markets the best tasting and freshest produce is found at Whole Foods Organic Valley being the creme de la creme; meaning every time I have their eggs, or greens, they taste like they were just laid/picked.  Super fresh!  While Whole Foods does not always have the best prices, organic quality food does make a difference, not only in flavor, but in sustainability practices, and nutritional content of the produce.  For me, the expense can be easily rationalized since as consumers, we are taking a stance by where we allocate our funds. Frozen:  Stahlbush Frozen whole grains, legumes, and vegetables– The best. Saffron Road Chana Saag Chapatti Wrap- Tasty, less fat than most Indian options with 6 grams, high fiber, protein, potassium, iron, vitamin A. Raw Foods- Golden Berries-Organic, loaded with vitamin A, also has iron, and protein. Go Raw Spirulina Chips– 100% organic and satisfies a sweet tooth with a crunch. Red Pepper Foods- Corn Chips. Raw, vegan, & yummy. 6 grams of fat, 8 fiber, 6 protein, and 40% iron if you eat the entire bag, a serving would be half. Himalania Antioxidant Goji Berries Super Foods/ Healthy Cooking Ingredients: Eden Wakame Japanese hand Harvested Sea Vegetable (Whole Foods) Laver Maine Coast Sea Vegetables – Organic Wild Atlantic Nori Nutritional Benefits of Sea Vegetable Soup- Tabatchnick Tuscany Lentil Soup and Black Bean– Of all the flavors from this brand, these taste best. It is delicious and health with no dairy! Comes frozen. Miso ginger broth- Trader Joe’s Brand Alessi Traditional Spaccarelli Sicilian Split Pea Soup– Add extra veggies (cauliflower) to make it even healthier and more filling. Fig Foods– Soup. Yum. Buckeye Beans and Herbs– Nothing but beans herbs and spices. Simple & delicious. Jelly/Jam: Crofter’s Organic SuperFruit– Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s The Gracious Gourmet-Rosemary Pear Spread Protein:  Gluten Free meals- Cooksimple Tibetan Dal– Tasty, fast, easy complete meal when adding fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes. Serve over TJ’s sprouted rye. Vegani Gourmet Eggplant Parmesan– In love with this. Yogurt- Fage Greek Yogurt, Plain is the best in terms of sugar content and adding fresh nutrients (fruit, nuts, healthy granola) Wallaby Greek Low Fat Yogurt– Plain for healthiest choice. It’s the best tasting and they have Kiefer now too! Organic Valley Plain Live Low-fat Yogurt Probiotics & Inulin– Calories: 110 Fat: 2.5 Saturated Fat: 1.5 Cholesterol: 20mg Sodium: 100mg Potassium: 400mg Total Carbohydrate 13g, Dietary Fiber: 2g Sugars: 11g Protein: 8g and many more healthy nutrients. Coconut Yogurt– Plain is so decedent.  High in fat and saturated fat, so better as a treat or monitored within the RDI food plate/pyramid guidelines. Green Valley Organics-Lactose Free low fat yogurt. Delicious. Especially with fresh dipped grapefruit. Nostimo– Plain nonfat Greek yogurt.  Another really tasty brand. Roundy’s Greek Yogurt- From Mariano’s. Super tasty, lowest sugar, and so inexpensive! Veggie Burgers- Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burger with Authentic Indian Spices– Tasty, higher in fat. Sol Cuisine– Mushroom Rice Burger. Tasty.  Especially with spicy ketchup, yellow mustard, and fresh spinach leaves. Amy’s California Veggie Burger– So yummy.  All great organic vegetable and grain ingredients. Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Burgers– California, Bombay (great with Nori paper), and Tex Mex (spicy with great flavor). Hillary’s Eat Well Black Rice Burger– These are the best veggie burgers I know, so delicious, you can tell this company cares about good food and the environment too. Engine 2 Veggie Burgers Cruciferous Crunch Daniel 1:8- YUM!!! Beans- Carmelina Brands® Beans – Great quality, very tasty and lower sodium than most. Baresi Lupini Beans- Best I’ve had. Pacific- Organic, vegetarian pinto beans. Ever so delightful. Peanut Butter- Betty Lou’s Just Great Stuff, Powdered Natural Peanut Butter– 50 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fat in the 2 T. serving size. Cream Nut Peanut Butter- Made with highest grade Virginia Peanuts, great quality,  they taste the best! Parkers Crunchy Peanut Butter– All natural, delightfully tasteful, and nothing but peanuts and salt. Also, it is the cheapest peanut butter at Whole Foods, slightly hidden in the refrigerator section. Better off Spread- Jalapeño Peanut Butter. Ohh soo Good, even has a little crunch to it without being chunky. P2B– 85% less fat than regular peanut butter. No added preservatives. Naturally Nutty-  Pepita seed, flax, chia and oatmeal seed butter. No added sugar and  5 grams less fat than regular. Very tasty. Tofu- Wildwood sprouted tofu- Healthiest I’ve found.  Fairly priced.  Best Cholesterol Free Vegan Cheese Alternatives:  Almond Jalapeno Jack Style- Healthy cheese alternative. Low fat, cholesterol, GMO, preservative and lactose free. Super tasty. Daiya pepper jack shreds Go Veggie! Mozzarella shreds Kaas Soy Mozzarella Flavor Soy Block– Sweeter than normal cheese, but melts well and is very creamy and satisfying. Real Cheese: Coltswold English Cheese- Made with onion and chives for a fantastic flavor, this one is worth every bad for your bite. Recommended for friends and special occasions. A second reference, just because I like this cheesy site. Protein Drinks: Shakeology.com/fastlane2health An all natural protein powder that is loaded with superfood ingredients.  The shakeology founders researched and visited the places and people from which each ingredient was derived.  They have a vegan flavor now too.  They taste delicious.  I combine the chocolate shakeology mix with my oatmeal in the morning and it tastes like I’m eating a fudgey brownie!  The green berry flavor, when mixed with oatmeal, tastes like a fruity, kid-like dinosaur oatmeal I have tried as a child.  I never eat the flavorful oatmeals on the market due to their abundance of artificial flavoring, coloring, and sugar.  Shakeology has 1 gram of fat and only 9 grams of sugar while being protein, nutrient and fiber rich.  Check out the nutritious shakes page for other creative recipes! Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein- Cake Batter Flavor– The best flavor, some questionable ingredients. Svelte Cappuccino Flavor Muscle Milk light chocolate flavor Vega One Nutritional Shake– Tasty when combined with Shakeology and has probiotics. Almased– Synergy diet. Tastes great adds protein. Dairy Free Coffee Drinks- Califaia Farms- Black & white cold brew with almond milk, unsweetened. Preserved Items: Del Destino Hearts of Palm– So buttery and delightful. Great superfood addition to salads and even fun to just snack on plain. Gia Russa Hearts of Palm-YUM. Another great brand. Carmelina e’ San Marzano- Organic, chopped, and whole peeled. Delightful even straight out of the can. Preservative free. No added sugar or salt. Authentic Italian tomatoes. Chef preferred. The most legitimate company of all the tomato brands, ask anyone who knows about this topic and the competitors. Benjamin Twiggs- Sweet Cherry Salsa tastes great on a sandwich! The Black Bean and Corn Salsa was really good as well. Hydration: Water: Fred’s h20– Love it, especially the flask-like bottle. Green Sheep H20- Caring about the environment and giving 5% back to charity. US company and sourced water. Save the Earth Natural Spring Water Project 7– Evolve H2O Coconut Water: 1. Fresh young virgin coconuts- Aroma Young (Whole Foods) 2. H.J. Harvest Juicery- Unpasteurized coconut water. Chicago based using local and organic ingredients. Yummy. 3. Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Organic Coconut Water– The best, identifiable by it’s neon green cap. 4. Real Coconut Water/Pulp and Real Coco Aloe– Taste Nirvana Brand.  Delicious tasting and has real yummy chucks of young coconut in the water for an added bonus. 5. Chicago RAW- Coconut water. YUM. 6. Naked Coconut Water, it’s okay, if none of the above are available. 7. Cocoa Via– This cocoa extract is fantastic! Plenty of plant based flavanols provide beneficial phytonutrients for health. Healthy Nectars: Lily of the Desert Aloe H2O– Mango peach. Delicious. 6 grams of sugar. Made with aloe water. Cactus Water by Cailwater– Prickly Pear Superfruit. Good & unique flavor. 7 grams of sugar. Small percentages of Potassium, calcium, & iron. Bragg- Apple cinnamon vinegar and vinegar ginger were lowest sugar and super tasty. Tea: Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company Organic Chamomile  Mighty Leaf Green Tea-Tropical  Tea Gschwendner Japanese Green Coconut Traditional Medicines Organic Peppermint  Capitol Teas– Roasted Almond flavor is ever so delicious. Coconut Oolong tea Tea Forte Single Steeps- Skin-Smart antioxidant amplifier- Superbly fresh and unique flavors. Gold Kili- All natural ginger tea- Super fresh and even cream and spicy from the fresh ginger Revolution Tropical Green Tea- Yum! Fermented Tea: GTS Classic Organic RAW KOMBUCHA– All flavors are low sugar and delicious, especially the green tea and the ginger variety. Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drink -Daily Cleanse Lemon Cayenne, love it. The Mojito is also fabulous.  I want to get this on tap. REED’S Culture Club– Hibiscus Ginger Grapefruit Kombuch Organic and Raw: YUM! Indulgences, use in moderation- Dark Chocolate Indulgences (that have proven health benefits of course! ) 70% dark and above and only in moderation. Read more: Healthy justification for dark chocolate.

1. Himalania– Dark Chocolate Hemp Seeds and Goji Berries.
2. Dagoba Dark Chocolate chili and superfruit, and xocolatl with chilies & nibs flavors with 74% cacao percentages were ohh so tasty. (Whole Foods)
3. Equal Exchange Organic & fairly traded extra 80% cacao dark chocolate from Panama– Delicious.
4. Nib Mor 80% Dark Chocolate with Nibs organic and fairly traded. Delightful with a perfectly textured crunch.
5. Pacari® Ecuadorian Organic Chocolate– 70% cacao, great texture from incorporated andean blueberry crunch.
6. Endangered Species Organic 72% Dark Chocolate– Cranberry & almond and blueberry were tied for best flavor. (Whole Foods)
7. Kopali Organics-Organic goji, cacao, mulberry, pistachio  mix & Dark Chocolate covered goji berries.
8. Devine Dark Chocolate– 70% delicious
9. Venchi Roma Fave- Cioccolatini assortiti Assortimento A. Best tasting chocolate ever.  Great balance of fresh bittersweet dark that is light and airy yet densely intense and smoky. When in Rome.
10. Teuscher Dark Chocolate Sea Salted Chewy Caramel
11. Indulgence Chocolatiers- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cocoa Mix & Bars are great. They even have s’mores kits. This is a #1.
12. Madecasse Sea Salt & Nibs– Fair for Life from Africa.
13. Theo Sea Salt Dark Chocolate– I love that the World Bicycle Relief is their partner  too.
14. Veruca Chocolates– So decadently delightful. Dark chocolate sea salt and sea salt carmel.  Melt in your mouth, sorry M&M’s.
15. Lake Champlain Chocolates– Spicy Aztec 57% cocoa & Dark Chocolate 70% cocoa. YUM.
16. Vosges– Coconut Ash & Banana. This is the best chocolate and it is local. 🙂
17. The Seriously Good Kiwiana Chocolate Co.- Made in New Zealand with Manuka honey. Super delicious. Mmm. Unique flavor and best served in a warm climate so the consistency is softer.
18. Alter ECO Chocolate Truffles- Dark chocolate and sea salt are delightful. Love the good cause.  It seems to make indulging more rewarding.
19. Shaman Organic Dark Chocolate with Coconut- Pretty tasty with proceeds sending Huichol Indians to college and supporting Shaman people. Check out the story.
20. Righteously Raw
21. Santosha Chocolate

Cacao- Health Works International Harvest- Go Chocolate- Organic, raw sun dried cacao powder

Super Food: A way to classify food that has more nutrients and antioxidants than most standard food.  Super foods also taste great!   Try adding super foods to you diet.  Find out how much better you feel.  Listed here are some super foods with the nutritional justification.  Super food classifications are best supported by the research done to provide ANDI scores. ANDI score on a scale from 1-1000 and are figured based on evaluating micronutrients such as: vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxident capacities, and more.   The food and scores are listed below by grocery store department as developed by Whole Foods and Eat Right America. Green Vegetables

1. Mustard/ Turnip/Collard Green…1000
2. Kale…1000
3. Watercress…1000
4. Bok Choy/Baby Bok Choy…824
5. Spinach…739
6. Broccoli Rabe…715
7. Chinese/ Napa Cabbage…704
8. Brussel Sprouts…672
9. Swiss Chard…670
10. Arugula…559

NonGreen Vegetables

1. Radish…554
2. Bean Sprouts…444
3. Red Pepper…366
4. Radicchio…359
5. Turnip…337
6. Carrot…336
7. Cauliflower…295
8. Artichoke…244
9. tomato…190
10. Butternut squash…156

Fruit

1. Strawberries…212
2. Blackberries…178
3. Plum…157
4. Raspberries…145
5. Blueberries…130
6. Papaya…118
7. Orange…109
8. Cantaloupe…100
9. Kiwi…97
10. Watermelon…91

Beans

1. Lentils…104
2. Red Kidney Beans…100
3. Great Northern Beans…94
4. Adzuki Beans…84
5. Black Beans…83
6. Black-Eyed Peas…82
7. Pinto Beans…61
8. Edamames…58
9. Split Peas…58
10. Chickpeas (Garbanzo)…57

Nuts and Seeds

1. Sunflower Seeds…78
2. Sesame Seeds…65
3. Flax Seeds…65
4. Pumpkin Seeds…52
5. pistachios…48
6. Pecans…41
7. Almonds…38
8. Walnuts…34
9. Hazlenuts…32
10. Cashews…27

Whole Grains

1. Oats, old-fashioned…53
2. Barley, whole grain…43
3. Wild Brown Rice…43
4. Brown Rice…41
5. Barley, pearled…32
6. Wheat Berries…25
7. Cornmeal, whole grain…22
8. Quinoa…21
9. Millet…19
10. Bulgar…17

Meat

1. Bison, top sirloin…39
2. Bison, chuck roast…36
3. Pork tenderloin…34
4. Flank Steak…27
5. Chicken breast…27
6. Turkey, light meat…25
7. Turkey, dark meat…24
8. Pork Chops…24
9. Ground beef, 85%-90% lean…20-23
10. Beef, top round

Fish

1. Tuna…46
2. Flounder…41
3. Sole…41
4. Salmon…39
5. Mahi Mahi…39
6. Shrimp…38
7. Swordfish…38
8. Trout…36
9. Snapper…35
10. Haddock…35

Cheese

1. Feta…21
2. Cottage Cheese, low fat…18
3. Mozzarella, part skim…16
4. Ricotta, part skim…16
5. Swiss…15
6. Parmesan…15
7. Mozzarella, whole milk..14
8. Gouda…13
9. Provolone…13
10. Gruyere…13

Refrigerated Dairy Case

1. Tofu…37
2. Nonfat Skim Milk…36
3. Soy Milk…33
4. plain Nonfat Yogurt…30
5. Egg Substitute…30
6. Egg White…29
7. Low fat 1% milk…28
8. Egg…27
9. Hemp Milk…27
10. Tempeh…26