REVIEW FITNUTZ SUGAR FREE

After some initial problems in getting the Sugar Free Version of the Fitnutz Sugar Free powdered Peanut Butter, I am pleased to say that I finally got to try it, and am impressed.
I emailed FITNUTZ a year or so ago, asking them if they had plans to make a sugar free version, as this would give them considerable advantage in the market. At the time, when they initially replied, I was told that no, they had no plans to do as such, because sugar acts as an agent of preservation. You can imagine my excitement, when I revisited their site, and found out that they had in fact made a SUGAR FREE version! They were the very first company to do so, in a packaged and marketable version. The Sugar Free Version comes in Regular and Chunky.

REGULAR




I absolutely loved this! I love that you can add your own sweetener (from sugar free syrups, to sweet and low, any sweetener, Agave, Yucan Syrup, honey, jam , Stevia etc) or keep it as is for use in savory goods and cooking (Peanut Thai Coconut Sauce!!! Peanut butter Chicken Kabobs etc). I usually just added sweetener, cinnamon, sugar free pancake syrup  or a Sugar Free Syrup like Walden Farms or Davinci, and ate it out of a bowl, on top of GG SCANDINAVIAN Bran Crispbread, in low sugar cereal, in home made protein granola , or store bought  protein granola or homemade peanut butter protein krispie squares, as icing on protein cakes, or mixed into sugar free puddings, yogurts, protein powder puddings, cake mixes  (checkout the Dixie Diner's Line, the Vita-muffin mixes or other low carb mixes or other BAKE MIXES) etc.

This is something I highly recommend. While it doesn't taste EXACTLY like peanut butter from a jar, it is unmistakably peanut butter. It is fantastic with butter cream frosting on a cake, or in smoothies, hot cereals, soups, stir frys, parfaits and sundaes etc.

Unlike other regular sugar filled powdered peanut butter, this has only 25 calories and 0.5g fat per 7g (1TB)

From the company:

FitNutz SUGAR FREE Regular Peanut Butter Mix has the same healthy and all natural ingredients as FitNutz Regular, but instead of using sugar as a sweetener, we've replaced it by using Erythritol, an all natural sugar substitute.
FitNutz Sugar Free comes as a powder for easy use and has an extended shelf life. It is gluten free, contains no trans fat, no added hydrogenated oils, is cholesterol free, and is all natural.

Simply mix with water to your desired consistency and enjoy! Suggested mixing amount is included on package.

INGREDIENTS: Peanut Powder, Erythritol, Salt

I can guarantee that once you get comfortable using this, you will definitely be using more than a couple servings and definitely incorporating it into your daily menus! Whether made into a paste, dip, marinade, dressing, soup, sauce, dessert, pancakes, cupcakes, a spread or frosting, the fact that this is so versatile and customizable will make this a hit with even picky eaters. I find adding it to Chocolate Protein Powder (check out some in my reviews and Store), Walden Farms Sugar Free Pancake Syrup, Walden Farms Chocolate dip, Walden Farms Caramel Dip/Sauce, Marshmallow Dip and adding sweetener, makes it taste rich and amazing. Feel free to add cocoa powder or an amazing Dark Chocolate Belgian Cocoa Spread, mix it into Nutella, ice cream etc.

CHUNKY
Unfortunately, I wasn't sent to the Chunky to sample, but I can imagine how wonderful this would be in all the above suggestions, as well as using it for Panko balls, fritters, truffles, peanut butter homemade cups and dessert, custard, crusted halibut, cereal and adding crunch flavor and texture to muffins, soups, baked items etc. I would love to mix this with protein powder, sugar free honey/pancake syrup and either drizzle it on something, or spread it on crackers \(GG SCANDINAVIAN BRAN CRISPBREAD), on popcorn etc.

The stats are slightly higher due to the whole peanut chunks that reside within it. However at only 60 calories and 1.5g of fat- no sugar, this really is an excellent option.




This is what the company says:
FitNutz SUGAR FREE Chunky Peanut Butter Mix has the same healthy and all natural ingredients as FitNutz Regular, but instead of using sugar as a sweetener, we've replaced it by using Erythritol, an all natural sugar substitute.



FitNutz Sugar Free Chunky comes as a powder for easy use and has an extended shelf life. It is gluten free, contains no trans fat, no added hydrogenated oils, is cholesterol free, and is all natural.

Simply mix with water to your desired consistency and enjoy! Suggested mixing amount is included on package.


INGREDIENTS: Peanut Powder, Granulated Peanuts, Erythritol, Salt

I highly recommend ordering these and trying them! They are so fun to play around with, so versatile, and definitely taste fantastic no matter how you use it! Here is a link to WHERE YOU CAN BUY IT LOCALLY!

Here is a link providing various uses of the Powdered Peanut Butter that customers have submitted: http://fitnutzbutter.com/uses.html

I would like to THANK Ember At Fitnutz for so kindly sending me the Sugar Free Version to try and review!

Health Nutrient Rich Rainbow Bowl of Cheesy Comfort

Comfort food is always something we lean towards, regardless of what we are encountering in our lives. Recently, I have been craving salty and sweet bowls of warm and easy to eat comfort, without putting my heart and health at peril. This recipe can be done MANY ways, from the "cleaning out the fridge-kitchen sink" method, to a more planned one, to a thematic take on a culture and cuisine. I have eaten variations of this most days for the past week, and I have yet to grow tired of it (due to the variations one can incorporate).

I have tried this recipe with various cheeses (from fat free Kraft singles, laughing cow, cottage cheese, ricotta, Gruyere, Asiago, Gouda, cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, Havarti, and homemade Alfredo, feta, baker's cheese, to vegan takes on all the above) and they have all been amazing.

The essential aspect of this amazing meal comes from the variety of tastes and spices you add to it. I find that adding green onions to it (fresh) give it a distinct and Divine taste, while bell peppers and tomatoes provide color, sweetness, vitamins and Lycopene!

Regardless, this bowl ends up being a cornucopia of nutrients and comfort. From the anti-cancer properties of the cabbage/cauliflower/broccoli Rainbow Salad base, to the veggies and spices you choose to add. For a Middle Eastern take, I recommend adding Curry and lots of Turmeric (also potent antioxidant, anti cancer and anti bacterial/inflammatory benefits), cauliflower, goat cheese, and chick peas.

My favorite variation thus far have utilized green onions, tomatoes, orange and red bell peppers, Mann's Rainbow Salad (Broccolislaw can be used as a substitute), baby carrots, cauliflower,wax and green beans,  crisp romaine, Low Sodium Soy,hot sauce, and Kraft fat free singles in Cheddar/Mozzarella, and Shirataki noodles, whole wheat pasta, fresh linguine/fettuccine (brown rice/soba/quinoa pasta , and gluten free pasta all work well!), or Fiber Gourmet. The key is to douse the Rainbow Salad with either Walden Farms Asian/or theirBBQ or Soy Sauce, and microwave for approx 10min. Season with any spice you like (I used Johnny's Seasoning). In the meantime, chop up your veggies and drain/dry your shirataki noodles and any other add ins (for a Hawaiian take, add pineapple/papaya or Davinci SF Pineapple Syrup and for Mexican, add plum or Roma tomatoes, salsa, and crackers/tortilla's at the end- guiltless gourmet and especially falafel chips are great alternatives-SEE REVIEW ON FALAFEL CHIPS HERE). Next, add Shirataki noodles to the Rainbow Salad, seasoning, add marinade or dressing, baby carrots and microwave for another 5 or so minutes (until carrots are soft). Add as many slices of cheese as you want (I ripped about 4-5 up and made sure to distribute them throughout the bowl). Cottage cheese works great, as it will melt nicely and cover the items in the bowl. Microwave until cheese is either melted or bubbling.
Add fresh veggies to bowl and mix.

For Mexican add tortillas, salsa, lettuce, onions, ground turkey or veggie crumbles/tofu. You can also make your own tortilla chips by browning/crisping tortillas/wraps such as Mama Lupe's, La Tortilla, or any of the healthier Low Carb wraps or Flat out wraps/pitas/lavash out there. Feta, Garlic, Lemon, Tomatoes and Onions and Olives give it a great Greek spin, with Olive Oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano. Asian, add sweet peas, snap peas, baby corn, water chestnuts, mung beans, bok choy, onions and mushrooms.
Adding Squash/Zucchini, Garlic is fantastic as well. I always add GG Scandinavian Crisp Bread to my bowl, and douse the entire bowl with more Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy, and any dressing I feel like at the moment.

I then pour a bowl of my famous Salsa/Mustard dip, grab about 20 sheets of Nori Sushi Seaweed, which I then tear up into 4ths, and wrap the contents of the bowl in the Nori (like mini wraps). Delicious. Adding Mushrooms and Basil/Oregano are highly recommended!

Besides tasting like something out of a 5 star restaurant (souffled type flavor- even better when broiled in the oven if you have time), it is quick and easy to augment and prepare. This is a great way to get your veggies in, clean out your fridge and get some added nutrients and fiber into your diet. Above all, it is satisfying, warm, delicious and comforting! Perfect for winter or anytime!
I recommend serving and eating this from a huge glass bowl- the colors are beautiful!