S1:E8 Trader Joe’s Organic and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Granola Bark

Better late than never, Donkey from Shrek, always says.

Hey y’all!

Is anyone else experiencing as much rain as me right now? No worries, when you read this I’ll be sitting under a Palapa with a delicious Marg or sangria, enjoying Cancun’s beachy view (except my vacation ended, and I’m sitting at my boring ol’desk-job). So enjoy the weather Dallas, *mischievous laughter in the background*

If it’s rainy, and gloomy, and you’ve been doing “at-home workouts” because the weather has you wanting to Netflix and chill all day, then this snack is for you. I stumbled upon this blessing the other day while I was doing my weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s (I’m kidding, I don’t buy groceries at Joe’s because I can’t afford it). But I decided to splurge a bit on these because they reminded me of the oh-so trendy brand Bark Thins.

If you had Bark Thins before, you will know they are delicious and a bit addicting. Especially if you’re a fan of chocolate. Trader Joe’s has this limited edition, gluten-free, organic, Pumpkin Spice Granola bark. They are made with 66% cacao dark chocolate and they even have toasted pumpkin seeds. Girl-say-whaaaa …The words pumpkin, granola, gluten-free, and seeds all rattling around in my head.

In my opinion, I feel like Trader Joe’s isn’t as price-friendly as they advertise. But I’m also a recent college graduate waiting to win the lottery. Just sayin’. Nonetheless, they state they bargain with retailers to get you the best prices, and whether that is true or not, doesn’t matter because they honestly have hands-down some of the best products in stock. Like this granola bark, which surprisingly Bark Thins has not come out with yet. And yes, they have the “pumpkin seed” bark but honestly it taste like chocolate with nuts in it. Nothing different from the other six products they’ve come up with. But I’ll just be here sipping my tea, minding my own business like Kermit the Frog.  

Why are these so different? Because they have the word SPICE written on the front of the packaging and because when you bite into it the granola lives up to the expectation. Some of the spice ingredients Trader Joe’s used are nutmeg, Organic Ginger, Organic Cinnamon, Clove and Sea Salt. It also has a hint of Vanilla extract that makes the cacao taste I would use, “less dark”. Very typical but unique because not enough people have experimented Pumpkin Spice with granola yet. It’s honestly really creative. The layers of crunchy and chocolaty are delicious and different from what I’ve tasted thus far.

When I ran my 5K last year, and won first place by the way, I had some Bark Thins as a treats after the race. I’m no nutritionist so I can’t tell you if this was the best choice but nonetheless it was the choice I made. So go to Trader Joe’s this weekend and have some Pumpkin Spice Granola Bark after the 6 mile run you promised yourself you’d run. You’re body doesn’t deserve it but your soul sure does.

 

Xo – Monica H

 

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S1:E5 All Things PS – Fruit and Nut Inspired, Pumpkin Pie LÄRABAR

Top of the morning to you my fellow Pumpkin Spice lovers and addicts!

Today is national taco day according to the Internet, but that is not the reason why today is such a great day. Although tacos are the B.O.M.B. Today is one of the best days of the year, hands down, only because this morning I ate a Pumpkin Pie LÄRABAR. My favorite kind of bar in the entire world! In the entire universe, in the entire galaxy! It is a sweet, satisfying, and pleasant treat made only with natural fruits and nuts and I’m going nuts for them.

I discovered LÄRABAR last year, thanks to a friend, fellow healthy foodie, who introduced them to me during my weight loss journey. I still feel kind of sad when I have to think about all the delicious food I felt like I had to give up when I was trying to lose weight. It is no fun watching other people fill their mouths with pumpkin pie at the Thanksgiving dinner table and not be able to have a piece. Or at least feel like you can’t. But, no worries because Lara Merriken is our hero in this soppy story.

According to LÄRABAR website, the health bar is a “wholesome indulgence” you don’t have to feel guilty about eating. And it is true to the T. LÄRABAR are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-GMO, Kosher, and VEGAN! Hello vegans, where is the applause? The purpose of a LÄRABAR is to keep food in its most natural state so they use a very minimal amount of processed ingredients. Another great fact I’d like to point out is that LÄRABAR is a fair trade company! *Winning*

The main ingredients on this delicious Pumpkin Pie bar are dates, cashews, apples, apples, almonds, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.

OK.

I’m going to stop right here because this bar is made out of at least 6 of my favorite ingredients. Literally. Basically, my life is complete and I can die in peace. RIP

MY TAKE ON THIS BAR

But no seriously, discovering LÄRABAR has been a gift from heaven. I lost 52 pounds eating these as in-between-meal snacks, cheat-day treats, post-workout snacks, and as a small on-the-go breakfast. Most basic fitness gurus probably steer away because the sugar content (it scares them), but when you are eating a wholesome, almost all natural food, why feel guilty. A single apple has the same if not more grams of sugar as the bars. Why avoid it? Though, I do want to point out that it is not a meal replacement snack, if that is what you’re thinking.

My take is that this bar is the best thing that God has inspired to be created, on a mountain top. Because it has the allspice, ginger and cinnamon, the spice is the strongest flavor second to the dates, which are always the main and most prominent ingredient in all LÄRABARs. And if you’re familiar with the original flavors, they have a very chunky and sticky texture, nothing like RX bars, though. I’m surprised the bar wasn’t named Pumpkin Spice Pie since the nutmeg and allspice really gives it a strong punch of a flavor.

Imagine being blind-folded while sitting in an empty room with no windows, just a table right in front of you. Someone tells you to eat what is in front of you and for some odd reason you do it.  Guess what? It tastes like pumpkin pie. That is exactly what it would be like, eating this bar. The pumpkin in it is really good it taste more natural and less sweet than other PS items I’ve tasted so far.

Another great factor than can maybe persuade you to taste and fall in love with the Pumpkin Pie LÄRABAR  is that it’s good for your body and you don’t have to waste your time digging around the small isle of protein and energy bar options. I cannot stress it enough, if you are trying to lose weight or trying to stay healthy or you are just craving something fall-ish, this is your snack! Don’t go around looking for any other, you have hit the jackpot, cash out, go home, and enjoy the gift from above.

I encourage you to pick one up, from Amazon or the Target near you (all linked below) and if you have tried them already and like them please comment below what your experience was!

 

 

Xo – Monica H

Target Pumpkin Pie LARABAR

Amazon Pumpkin Pie LARABAR

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S1:E4 Central Market H-E-B Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies

Hello fellow pumpkin spice eaters. Its cheat day!

I have a great delicious sweet treat for you this morning. I know you’ve been working hard at the gym trying to get that summer body back in shape. But what for if its fall season NOW?! Just kidding, stay healthy.

Like I said, you’ve been working hard and now you deserve a sweet treat. Therefore, I have two questions for you today.

Do you like all things pumpkin spice? YES. Do you like Oreo cookie? YES. If you answered yes to these questions like I did, then these cookies are going to be the best option for you on your cheat day. They are a great combo – Oreo cookie meets Pumpkin Spice.  I am OBSESSED. SHOOK.

This morning I paired my cookies with an almond milk double shot espresso iced beverage. The box advertises it with milk. Your choice! But I will warn you, these cookies unfortunately do contain milk, wheat, and soy products. They are not vegan and they are also not labeled “healthy” on my radar. They are delicious nonetheless and taste like all things pumpkin spice.

So what makes this cookie better than any other? I would say, the cookie part of this treat is crisp, almost like a wafer, but not. The cookie wafer has the cinnamon and nutmeg spices while the cream cheese filling has the pumpkin flavor. Compared to like the Oreo’s seasonal version of the pumpkin spice cookie, this one is best because it is not all blended together and confusing to your taste buds. Many reviews show that the Oreo sandwich cookie is on point with the pumpkin but missing a lot of the spices.

H-E-B’s Central Market really did a number on this one, it doesn’t have the too-sweet taste that can be overpowering at times. And the best part is that two small cookies is all you need. They are actually pretty filling considering most small, sweet indulgences leave you feeling empty and unsatisfied. For those who are watching their figure, I would say this is the best cookie option for you this fall. You can even dip it in almond milk and let the cookie soften if you wish. At least, that is what I love to do with these.

This post is going to be pretty short. I’m not sure how much I can sell this cookies to you. They are great, delicious and actually have the pumpkin spice taste we are all seeking to find in this blog. You truly need to try one or two if you have an H-E-B Central Market in your area. You can also click on the link below to find other pumpkin spice sandwich cookies at other grocery stores. Don’t forget to like and comment down below and tell me your take on them.

Xo – Monica H

Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies

Central Market PS Sandwich Cookies

Oreo Seasonal PS Sandwich Cookies

7- Eleven Pumpkin Spice Cookies – not available online

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