Hi Everyone,
I totally have spring fever! I think I need to take work off and return in the Fall. I have had spring and summer produce on the brain. I went to the Framers Market this past weekend and you know what they had? Fresh tomatoes! Oh my gosh, they smelled heavenly! The farmer said, smell this, I said put it in my bag! I also picked up some cucumbers and onions and you know what I made when I came home? Today’s flash back recipe Cucumber and Tomato Summer Time Salad. I just love this salad and it is soooooooo easy to make! Just add some veggies and make an easy homemade vinaigrette and eat! I love this salad. I also fixed the photos so they look so much nicer than before. You can check out the recipe here.
I also have a few new items that I have tried, so I thought I would share my reviews with you.
First on the list is Pacific Beach Signature Peanut Butter! Oh my gosh, amazing! I kid you not I ate this whole jar with the cute spoon they gave me. Pacific Beach contacted me and asked if I wanted to sample there peanut butter, ummm, yes please! The peanut butter would make for an excellent raw cookie or on a PB & J sandwich, but like I said I ate it with a spoon. As you can see from the picture some of the PB is missing (he he). Pacific Beach is a relatively new company that is trying to get their name out there and I think they are going to do very well. The peanut butter is slightly crunchy and has a buttery, toffee taste and get this only 152 calories for two tablespoons. I know I will be ordering a jar because I am flat out!! They actually sell it in tubs! You can check out Pacific Beach Peanut Butter and there other flavors like CinnaYum Peanut Butter Spread, Chocolate Raspberry Peanut Butter Spread, Butterscotch Peanut Butter Spread, and White Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread, among a few others. You can go here!
Glutino Chocolate Covered Pretzels – I was smart and brought these to work for good reason, they are highly addicting! The chocolate is rich, creamy and not cheap tasting like other chocolate covered pretzels. These didn’t even last two hours in the office and that was between 4 people. The pretzels are gluten-free and super crunchy too, which I love!!! The calories are 140 for 9 pretzels, but honestly, I could so eat the bag in a sitting! That’s why they made it to the office. You can find these in the gluten-free section of the grocery store or you can go here.
Since I am a member of the Glutino family, they also sent me there newest product sandwich bread. This bread is gluten-free and found in the bread section of the grocery store. I love that it is not frozen. It’s soft, delicious and only 80 calories a slice. I kept it on the counter for a couple of days, then froze what I didn’t eat! This is good bread! It is so hard to find a gluten-free bread that is actually edible. So if your gluten-free, look for this bread next time you’re at the grocery store, I think you will be pleased with it! You can check it out here.
Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops – I was given a little sample pack of Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops to see how I like them. These little drops are made from stevia and have 0 calories and come in 17 flavors. They are perfect for adding flavor to a smoothie, yogurt or even water. The flavors I tried were Valencia Orange, Vanilla Creme, Hazelnut, Lemon Drop, Watermelon and Cinnamon. I love the Lemon Drop and Watermelon in my water and I used the Vanilla Creme in my coffee, it adds the perfect sweetness. You can find Stevia Leaf Sweet Drops in the health food section of the grocery store or you can check them out here to see if there is a location near you!
Morning Star Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Patties – These are really good and make for a quick dinner. I bake mine in the oven, but you can also microwave them. The patties are about the size of a 1/4 pound, and are 130 calories and contain 7 grams of fiber. They taste pretty good, I topped mine with salsa and avocado, but you do get a big garlic after taste. So I don’t recommend having these before a date night. lol I bought the Morning Star Patties at Target. I think I paid just under $3.00 for them.
Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Battered Halibut – My Husband and I love these! I buy a box of these weekly for a quick dinner. I serve them with spicy sweet potato fries. You can fry them or bake them, I choose to bake them. They are light, crispy and have the perfect fish taste without being to fishy. They are 170 calories for two pieces. I do find that three pieces are more filling. If you like battered fish, I highly recommend them. I think I paid $5.99 for a box. They are cheaper than the Regular Beer Battered Halibut that TJ’s carries.
The last item is my new love! Dannon Light & Fit Caramel Macchiato Yogurt! Oh my gosh! If you love caramel macchiato coffee, you will love this yogurt. I normally don’t buy flavored yogurt, I like to make my own flavors, but I couldn’t resist! One bite and I fell in love! Each container is 80 calories and contains 12 grams of protein. I add a dollop of whip cream to it and have it as dessert. They only come in a four pack, so you can’t buy one to sample it. I bought them at Target for $3.79. You can usually get them on sale for less, so keep your eyes open. I highly recommend it!
Well that’s it for Yum Yum Wednesday edition!
Have a great rest of the week!!
Toodles,
What a seriously lovely salad! Yummy!
Thank you so much Jocelyn! 🙂
Fresh tomatoes already?! Jealous! This salad does have summer written all over it!
I was shocked when I saw fresh tomatoes at the Farmers Market! I can’t wait to grow mine!
I love this salad Jennifer, I could eat this everyday. It’s so fresh looking and the colors are gorgeous!
Ahhh, thank you Chris! I love these kind of salads, so simple and so loaded with flavor!
So many yummy goodies! This salad looks so fresh and delicious!!
Thank you so much Kristie!
Hi Jennifer, I aman insulin dependent diabetic and have to inject insulin for ALL carbs I eat. Do you have nutritional values / information to go with your delicious looking salads and blueberry bread. If there are tips for ways I can lower the carbs, I’d appreciate you help. I find myself looking at foods that I just can’t have. I have put on 50+ pounds since I started taking insulin since 2008. I have a 3:1 ratio ( 3 carbs for for 1 unit of insulin) so you can imagine how I look at foods as “Is it worth it, or is it not. I was impressed when I seen bottles of flavorings for desserts .Please come to my rescue if you can !!!!!!
In my garden we already have early spring tomato. So we can call it “spring time salad”. Good idea for side dish.
Cheers!!!
Thank you! It rained all weekend here, so no gardening, but next weekend for sure!!