This week’s health nut food is one of my absolute favorites because popcorn is a great source of whole grain, yet it always feel like you’re indulging and eating something “naughty”, doesn’t it? Well, depending on your source of popcorn and how you pop it, you actually might be taking in some terrible chemicals. It’s pretty widely known that microwave popcorn could contain carcinogens. A quick Google search and you’ll find many articles and research supporting this. So, this month, we decided to go au naturel. Here’s what we found:

What I love: Stove popped popcorn actually tastes much better and it’s way cheaper than those microwave popcorn bags! I also love that you can “customize” your popcorn, by picking what kind of oil you want to use and what flavors you dust your popcorn with. Having complete control about the amount of salt isn’t all that bad either.

What I don’t like: Let’s face it, microwaves are convenient and quick. No need to wash pots or clean up, since all the mess is contained in the bag. In today’s busy world, this is a definitely plus, but only if you’re not considering your health…

The verdict: I will likely never eat microwave popcorn again and probably won’t ever feed it to my children either. It’s a bit more work, but it’s just way healthier to pop your own and have complete control over the ingredients (minus the kernels). Definitely try popping your own at some point and I bet you won’t ever go back either.

Lärabars are delicious fruit and nut bars that make for an excellent snack or breakfast. If you’ve never had them before, here’s why they’re worth a try:

What I love: These bars don’t have more than nine ingredients, which usually include a type of fruit such as dates or apples, nuts, and spices. They truly are all natural and have no added sugars, high fructose corn syrup, or anything artificial. They are pretty filling and with amazing flavors such as cashew cookie and peanut butter chocolate chip, they are extremely tasty as well. They’re also great for people with food allergies and definitely provide sustainable energy throughout the day.

What I don’t like: Lärabars can get pretty pricey since they’re well over a dollar at most stores. I found the lowest prices for them at Trader Joe’s and Target. Some of the bars can be pretty high in fats as well, although the type of fat is generally the good kind since many of the bars contain nuts.

The verdict: Considering how many junk products are on the market today, I absolutely love the Lärabar and think it’s well worth the price. It’s an excellent healthy snack for those times when you don’t have access to fresh fruit or veggies. It’s also great for a quick breakfast on those days when you just need to run out and don’t have time to put something nutritious together. I would love to hear what your favorite flavors are (mine include peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate chip brownie), so let me know when you try these out!

It’s been a really busy summer for us, but the great thing is that we’ve been eating really well. We’ve taken full advantage of summer produce, which is why I actually don’t have many packaged food faves for the last few months. Here is one that I recently discovered and absolutely fell in love with:

What I love: This yogurt, like many other types of greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein – it’s got as many as 13 grams of it. It’s a pretty good source of calcium as well, is fat free, and has this amazing blend of peaches and mango bits on the bottom of the container. It’s refreshing, light, yet keeps me full for quite a while. Excellent nutrition that tastes fantastic.

What I don’t like: As with many fruit flavored yogurts, the main problem from a nutritional standpoint is the sugar content. A container of the good stuff sets you back 19 grams of sugar, which is quite a bit. The other slight negative is the price, although I don’t mind paying a little extra for organic dairy that not only does the body good, but helps the environment as well.

The verdict: If you’re looking to get the maximum amount of nutrition out of your yogurt, want it to taste fabulous, and want to keep things as natural as possible, this is your yogurt. Extremely refreshing for summer, but bound to be a fall favorite of mine as well. Pack one in your lunch box, I promise you won’t regret it!

Quorn – Naked Chik’n Cutlets

What I love: If you’re a vegetarian or simply want to be a little greener, Quorn products in general are a great way to add high quality, soy-free protein to your diet. The best part is that these naked chik’n cutlets are very easy to prepare and substitute great for chicken. Stay tuned for a nice and spicy Indian quorn & spinach recipe that I’ll be posting shortly! And, for those of you who are wondering: no, there’s no corn in it. Not sure where the name came from, to be honest.

What I don’t like: The price. These cutlets and Quorn products in general are pricy, but if you consider they’re in the range of organic chicken prices, you might not mind the price so much. I have yet to try all Quorn products to see how they measure up to the cutlets.

The verdict: As a great source of protein and having 25% less fat than skinless chicken breast, these cutlets will soon be a common staple in our freezer. If you’re tired of tofu, tempeh, or other soy-based products and need some variety in your meals, definitely try these out. Let me know what creative recipes you come up with!

Almond Breeze Almond Milk

What I love: I started drinking almond milk a few years ago and although I also drink skim or 1% milk on a regular basis (gotta keep those bones strong!), I frequently pick up almond milk because of its silky smooth taste, excellent source of vitamin A, and Calcium. I prefer the regular, unsweetened kind because it doesn’t have an aftertaste and doesn’t give you “milk breath”. Gotta love that.

What I don’t like: There’s really nothing  to like dislike, although I’m going to guess that almond milk might not substitute evenly when baking or using the almond milk in certain dishes. I have yet to try this and will let you know what I find out the next time I try to make a vegan dish.

The Verdict: If you’re living with a lactose intolerant person, chances are that you have already given this a try. But, if not, branch out a bit and see how you like the Almond Breeze brand. You can purchase either the refrigerator packs or the ones on the grocery shelves, but I tend to like them both better than other brands I’ve tried. My favorite way to drink this: chilled, in a tall glass, with 2 tablespoons of Ovaltine Rich Chocolate powder mixed in. Yum!

Bisquick Gluten Free

What I love: Gluten free Bisquick mix is made primarily from rice flour. Because of this, the foods made from this mix don’t feel nearly as heavy as foods made from regular pancake / biscuit / waffle mix. The waffles made with this mix come out nice and crispy on the outside, and really light and fluffy on the inside. I would say that they come out even better with gluten free Bisquick mix compared to regular Bisquick mix!

What I don’t like: The only problem with this mix is the fact that it is quite pricey, compared to regular Bisquick mix. It also comes in a 16 oz box, instead of the regular 40 oz box that the other Bisquick mixes come in, which means that you’ll need to replace  it rather quickly as well.

The verdict: If you want to eat lighter without losing taste, texture, or flavor, I would highly recommend using gluten free Bisquick for your next batch of pancakes or waffles. I promise that you’ll brunch will feel a lot less heavy and you’ll feel a bit healthier as well.

Get Clean – Herb Tea for Detoxing

What I love: This caffeine-free red tea is fantastic for detoxing your body. It’s an herbal tea that stimulates your kidney and really does feel like it cleanses out your system. You can drink it pretty much anytime of the day and feel great after you’ve had a heavy meal. The best part is that it tastes great as well! It’s got a slightly sweet taste to it, so you don’t even have to add sugar.

What I don’t like: Although I love everything about the product, including the packaging, it is a bit pricey and definitely more expensive than other teas. Because of this, I don’t drink it every day, but definitely reach out for it on days when I feel like I could use something warm and refreshing at the same time.

The Verdict: Definitely give this a try the next time you’re looking for an herbal tea. I bought this at my local Fresh Market, but it can also be found at other grocery stores. Although I haven’t tried it yet, this tea could possibly make for an excellent iced tea as well – perfect for spring and summer!

NewTree Dark Milk 51% Cocoa Chocolate

What I love: Ok, so everyone knows that eating too much chocolate too frequently can’t be good for our health. But, eating a square of dark chocolate a day might actually be beneficial to your health since dark chocolate contains a good amount of antioxidants. Although NewTree’s dark milk chocolate probably doesn’t have enough cocoa to really be able to claim antioxidant benefits, it does claim to have 3 times more fiber and 30% less sugar than regular milk chocolate. But, the best part to me is still the taste – it’s absolutely delicious and a square or two of this chocolate equals the perfect dessert to me.

What I don’t like: As with any chocolate, you’re still taking in a bunch of calories and fats, so there is a need to watch how much of this you’re taking in. As with any candy, you do need to eat this chocolate in moderation.

The Verdict: Definitely check this chocolate out if you’re looking for something different. It’s not only delicious, but is certified 100% CO2 neutral and the company also contributes to the Amazon Rainforest. If you need one more reason to be convinced, I’ll give you another one: it’s Belgian chocolate

What I love: This juice is low on sugar and calories, due to the fact that it’s mixed with coconut water. This also causes it to be a bit thinner than regular acai berry juice and makes it easier to drink. It’s got a good dose of vitamins B6, B12, Folate, and Biotin, which most of us don’t get enough of on a daily basis. It’s also got your full daily dose of vitamin C. Can’t get much healthier!

What I don’t like: You might have to get used to taste of this juice. If you’ve never had acai berry juice before, you’ll notice that it can be slightly bitter and a bit thicker than regular fruit juices. However, this particular brand does a good job of making it more drinkable. The taste will most likely still have to grow on you, though.

The verdict: Give this a try if you like to drink your key vitamins. I can’t guarantee that you’ll love the taste, but your body will thank you for the boost of antioxidants and vitamins that you’ll get out of this. A lot of people swear by acai berry juice in the morning since they claim that it gives them a ton of energy. I have not been drinking this for long enough to confirm this, but will let you know when I do!

Trader Joe’s Mulling Spices

If you’re looking for a warm, fat free dessert, this is going to be one of your new fall favorites!

What I love: These mulling spices lend the perfect amount of sweetness, warmth, and flavor and can turn either apple cider, apple juice, or red wine into warm (or cold, if you prefer that) fall treat. I heated these spices in warm apple juice and they were just amazing. The apple juice was not only very soothing, but made the entire house smell fantastic as well. I want another mug just thinking about it!

What I don’t like: There’s really nothing to like here. If you don’t have a muslin bag or cloth, you will have to add the spices to your drink, which means that some of them will float, some of them will hang out at the bottom of your mug or cup, and you might accidentally bite into a clove, which has a very strong flavor. However, I actually enjoyed chewing on the small pieces of lemon and orange peel, so did not mind this at all.

The verdict: If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, you must look for these in the tea section! With autumn flavors such as lemon and orange peel, cinnamon, all spice, and cloves, you can’t go wrong. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, you can always try making this yourself or trying the mulling spices at other grocery stores. I believe Williams-Sonoma has these as well. Give it a try, I promise you’ll love it =).

Van’s Waffles

Who doesn’t like a warm, slightly crispy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside waffle? If you’re an Eggo fan, keep reading! I recently discovered Van’s and might not go back. These frozen waffles are ready in less than 5 minutes (in the toaster) and super quick and easy to consume, even when on the go.

What I love: These waffles (I buy the “Lite” version) are fairly small, but big on taste! They also 97% fat free, made with whole grains, contain no artificial ingredients, and at 70 calories per waffle, you can easily eat 3 for a nutritious and satisfying breakfast.

What I don’t like: They can be addicting! Especially when you eat them with some peanut butter and jelly on top. Keep in mind that these are a little pricier than regular waffles, but well worth the chemical-free ingredients that they’re made of.

The Verdict: Try them for breakfast with some fruit or maple syrup on top. Then, let me know if you’re still missing your Eggos J.

Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt

This new line of Greek yogurt by StonyField Farms is definitely one of my new favorite foods! Yogurt really makes for a fantastic snack anytime of the day, and girls, if you don’t like drinking milk, yogurt is a great alternative to get your daily dose of Calcium in.

What I love: This Greek yogurt is much creamier and richer than regular yogurt. It also has 0% fat, less carbs, and about twice the protein of regular yogurt. It tastes great, is quite filling and because it’s organic, there’s no worry about hormones or chemicals in your yogurt either!

What I don’t like: It’s quite pricey, up to $1 more compared to regular Stonyfield Farms yogurt. I wouldn’t mind paying a little less J.

The Verdict: Definitely give this a try and compare it to regular yogurt to see which one you like better. My favorite flavor is the regular Greek yogurt with honey on the bottom – simply divine!

Smucker’s Organic Peanut Butter

Ok, who does not have a peanut butter craving from time to time? Lately, I’ve definitely been on a peanut butter kick. My favorite way to consume peanut butter is on a pure, plain, and simply peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Nothing beats it. Nothing.

What I love: Smucker’s Organic Peanut Butter (I buy the creamy kind) has just two ingredients: peanuts & salt. If you take any of the regular peanut butter types, you can be stuck with high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, hydrogenated oils, and other ingredients which simply take away from the goodness and flavor of natural of organic peanut butter. I love the fact that this peanut butter is creamy, not too salty, and perfectly natural.

What I don’t like: The fat and calorie content still tends to be quite high, which is true for just about any peanut butter you’re eating. Stick to a tablespoon or two a day and you’re in the clear.

The Verdict: Have some real, natural, organic peanut butter and get a good dose of monosaturated fats (the kind that lower the “bad” cholesterol LDL), antioxidants, and protein as an added side benefit!

Trader Joe’s Sesame Soba Noodles

This is an excellent example of a great, wonderful, and nutritious lunch or other meal-on-the-go. All you need is a microwave and you’ve got yourself a tangy, aromatic Asian meal.

What I love: These noodles are so delicious and filling! They literally keep me full for hours after I eat them. Soba noodles tend to be low in calories as well and this dish doesn’t contain more than 250 of them! The noodles, tofu, and veggies have a wonderful, tangy, sesame flavor that I definitely crave from time to time.

What I don’t like: The only drawback here would be that one bowl of these noodles does contain 25% of your daily sodium allotment. In addition, it is a frozen, not fresh meal, so as addictive as these may be, try to switch things up and eat some fresh foods as part of your meal as well.

The Verdict: Definitely give these a try! As I mentioned, you can find them at your local Trader Joe’s, in the freezer section. They are decently priced as well (under $3.00, I believe), so this makes for a great, cheap, and tasty lunch when you’re on-the-go.

Kashi Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert, look no further! These bars are a great way to keep calories in check while satisfying your sweet tooth.

What I love: CHOCOLATE! I’ll eat pretty much anything even remotely related to chocolate, but the down side of that is that the calories tend to pile up quickly. This Kashi fruit & grain bar contains only 120 calories in addition to 4g of fiber and 4g of protein. It’s also free of preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors.

What I don’t like: I can’t believe I’m typing this, but sometimes these can get a little TOO much in terms of sweetness. One of them is definitely enough, but that’s probably a good thing anyway =).

The Verdict: Toss one in your lunch bag or have one for dessert. It’s a lot more satisfying and definitely healthier than some of the other desserts you could be having. Once in a while, you’ve got to indulge, but Kashi makes it easy to do so, even when it feels like you’re being bad. Check out some of their other (less dessert-like) flavors as well.