Supermarket RD’s Picks: Crispy Green Freeze-Dried Fruit

Grocery Store Finds

August 21, 2015 by Chef Julie RD

Looking for a healthy snack that you can keep in your work desk drawer, throw into a lunchbox, or just grab as you are running out the door? Crispy Green freeze-dried fruit with simply just one ingredient, fruit, is this week’s Supermarket RD’s Pick.

In high school, I developed my own terminology to determine if a snack was able to make it through the school day. It’s called the “backpack test”. If a snack passed the “backpack test”, it was able to last in my backpack all throughout the school day with it getting shuffled around, squeezed between books, tossed in a locker, etc. without getting crushed, mushy, or basically destroyed.

Does your afternoon snack pass the “backpack test” This week’s #SupermarketRD Pick @CrispyGreen does!

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Some fruit like a banana had to be eaten early in the day, because by the time the bell rang, it did not make it. Bars, trail mix, and other non refrigerator items survived the best, but I always craved fruit at the end of the day, especially before field hockey, basketball, or softball practice (depending on what season it was).

I wish Crispy Green was invented when I was in high school. Now instead of passing the “backpack test” they pass the “workbag test”. Crispy Green are a freeze-dried fruit that contain only one ingredient, fruit! They are different then dried fruit, which often leads to overly crunchy or chewy texture. Their freeze-dry process removes the water from the fruit, leaving behind the fruit’s true essence in a light and crispy texture.

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They are great to bring to school, since they are allergen friendly, being peanut and tree nut free and gluten free, while additionally being free of additives and preservatives, fat free, cholesterol free, non-gmo project verified, and kosher certified.

My favorite flavors are mango, pineapple, and asian pear! I’ve crushed them up and mixed them into yogurt, added them on top or salads or even dipped them into peanut butter (that works best with the apple and banana crispy green!).

Have you tried crispy green before? What is your favorite flavor?

Disclosure: Crispy Green did not sponsor this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own to share healthy items found in your grocery store to RDelicious Kitchen readers.

Supermarket RD’s Pick: KIND Bars

Grocery Store Finds

March 6, 2015 by Chef Julie RD

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Walking down the granola bar aisle in the grocery store can be a little intimidating. Don’t fear anymore, KIND bars are a KIND-a awesome snack you can feel good about grabbing at your next trip to the store. See why they are #RDapproved and this week’s Supermarket RD’s Pick.

First off, I just like their packaging. It gives you a sneak peak of what you’re about to bite into. And what you can see is REAL ingredients.

KIND bars are nutrient dense, using nuts as the base, fruits and whole grains. They have a shorter ingredient list with words you can actually pronounce.

Since KIND bars use whole food ingredients, they have a great combination of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein, and is a snack that will keep you fueled when you need that perfect pick me up in the afternoon, mid morning, or even part of a meal.

You’re not you when you are hungry .. Go grab yourself a ~~snickers~~ KIND bar.

A few may shy away from the higher caloric count with about 180-210 calories per bar. Let’s just think about where those calories are really coming from, real food! I’d rather have a high caloric bar coming from real food, than a 90 calorie granola bar with a laundry list of weird ingredients that won’t even satisfy my hunger for more than 30 minutes.

#SupermarketRD Pick: KIND bars – try a #kindawesome for that afternoon pick me up @KINDSnacks

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I often look for a sweet snack, but they did recently come out with a savory line that I just cannot resist! With a little extra boost of protein from nuts and seeds these flavors will hit the spot. My personal favorite KIND Strong flavor is the honey mustard. It reminds me of these honey mustard pretzels I used to eat when I was in elementary school.

I learned from their website that when they first launched in 2004 they only had 8 bar varieties and have now expanded to over 22. Plus, their other product lines of healthy grain bars and healthy grain clusters.

It’s kind-a awesome they have grain bars and grain clusters too. We will get to those another time 😉 Have you tried them yet?

Disclosure: KIND snacks did not sponsor this post. As a Supermarket RD, I like to share my favorite picks from the aisles. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Supermarket RD's Pick: SuperSeedz

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October 3, 2014 by Chef Julie RD

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My Supermarket RD’s Pick of the week are SuperSeedz!! Have you ever tried SuperSeedz before?
It’s all about pumpkin this time of year, but don’t count out the nutritious seeds in a pumpkin. SuperSeedz are all natural, dry roasted pumpkin seeds. They come in all different flavors.

Through a work event I was fortunate to meet Kathie, the creator of SuperSeedz. She is so wonderful and so passionate about her product and her company.

So what is so super about these seedz? I love that they are all made with real ingredients – no weird additives or ingredients you can’t pronounce. They are a perfect snack for kids to bring to school, since they are allergy friendly. Plus, naturally pumpkin seeds contain a great source of protein.

I love all the flavors, but the Coco Joe is just a whole different level. If you are a chocolate and coffee lover like me, you will be just as addicted as I am! I like to sprinkle them on yogurt, oatmeal, added to a trail mix or just simply on their own.