Food Notes

Healthy Foodie Favorite Products of 2009 from Heather Eats Almond Butter

We asked some of our favorite food bloggers to share with us their 5 Favorite Food Products of 2009.

Heather is a fellow Auburn alum (War Eagle!!) whose blog, Heather Eats Almond Butter is about balancing wholesome nutrition and sensible exercise. Heather has lost over 100 pounds over the years, and she says, "I keep coming back to my whole grains, lots of veggies, and some meats and seafood. It works for me."

Heather's favorite food discoveries for 2009:
• Jay Robb rice protein powder. Due to some dairy and soy intolerances I have, I was beyond excited when Jay Robb, producers of my favorite whey protein powder came out with a sprouted brown rice protein powder earlier this year. It's the best tasting rice protein I've found.

• Mountain Mint Wild Bars. These taste exactly like one of my favorite treats from when I was younger, Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies! I honestly don't know how an all raw bar packed with hemp and blue-green algae can possibly taste so good.

• Nuttzo Omega 3 Multi-Nut Butter. Filled with many of my favorite things including almonds, flax seeds, and chunky hazelnuts, Nuttzo was my most exciting nut butter discovery of the year.

• Xanthan and guar gums (really two discoveries, but I always use them together). These gums changed my life. They make all of my smoothies so thick and creamy, homemade salad dressings will never be the same, and I can now make ice-cream right in my blender without needing to use an ice-cream maker. LOVE the gums!

• Blanched almond flour. Although I am not gluten free, I love experimenting with gluten free recipes. Blanched almond flour works great in recipes, it's high in protein and low in sugar, and it makes amazing pancakes ... and if ya don't know,, I LOVE my pancakes!