Coconut Secret: A Review

Hello all! I hope everyone's 2011 has been off to a great start!

We are settling into the swing of things in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is a lovely place. Lots to do...and well, it's a tad bit warmer than it is in Chattanooga right now and that's just fine with me!! Chattanooga (as many places have been) has seen LOTS of snow, and though I think snow is rad, I don't like it when I can't leave my driveway for too many days. So...the Gulf Coast is proving to be lovely.

I have realized that because I have been without internet for awhile as well as being so busy with life, that I have fallen behind on many of the posts I need to get to. So, I will be playing catch up for some time to come.

One of the areas I have fallen behind and will quickly work on getting caught up is in the area of product reviews. Oh, I love to review products and am kicking myself that I have not been able to get the reviews for the products up quicker. So...on to the review of the day (can't promise a review a day, but it sure would be nice if I had that kind of time lately). ;-)

I gratefully received a package from the fabulous people at Coconut Secret. They sent me three incredible products that I am thrilled I had the opportunity to sample. I will be buying these products in the future when I run out.

First off we have the Raw Coconut Aminos  (left): This was amazing! I used it in stir-fries, on potato wedges, as well as a marinade for tempeh. The flavor is fabulous! I have been a long time user of Bragg's Amino Acids and found that I could easily switch to this instead. Great product!
For more info see HERE.

Next we have the Raw Coconut Crystals  (middle): Yummy! One word says it all! I use this in pancakes and anything else that calls for sugar. It is a much healthier (and much tastier in my opinion) alternative to refined white sugar!
For more info see HERE.

And Finally...we have the Raw Coconut Nectar (right): I used this as I would honey. This is so yummy over oatmeal or overnight oats, as well as in tea! The flavor is very tasty! The possibilities are really endless with this product. I have lots more experimenting to do with this and I am super bummed that it didn't make it in the box to go to Gulf Shores. I will have to make a trip back home sometime to get it, for sure. ;-)
For more info see HERE.

I like how all of these products are raw as well as vegan, and gluten free! Like I said...the box containing a couple of these goodies did not end up in my kitchen here in Gulf Shores, and that makes me sad. I must really do something about that.

Have you tried Coconut Secret products yet? What are your favorites products? Any recipes you'd be willing to share using these products?

Peace & Love,
Kelly

P.S The above products were sent to me free of charge to sample and review for the blog. The opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Potato Angels with a Splash of Green Smoothie Mustache

Hi Bloggies! I'm back...it's been awhile! Oh well, life happens! Life is happening, in fact, in a fast and furious, yet fun fashion!

The hubster and I have busy with the new engineering business...getting company logo all designed from our fabulous graphic artist and friend, Mandy Phillips with  Visual Connections. So next up.. business cards done, company brochures, office fixed up (well, my hubby is working on that). So much to do! Through it all , I truly see how God is leading and blessing us, and I am so very thankful. Things are falling into place....Praise be to God, for sure!

Meanwhile on the home front..I am working on marketing for the company and going to as many Chamber of Commerce meetings as I can. I am enjoying getting out and meeting other adults, and of course working with my hubby to better the business is wonderful. When I'm not doing marketing and trying desperately to keep the house clean (a bit hard to do when little hurricanes aka children keep the house in flip flop shape) I am homeschooling my four year old..we are both enjoying all the preschool lovelies..my youngest is also enjoying the activities.

I am also experimenting with going gluten free as much as possible, as I believe I may be gluten intolerant. Really, the only signs of intolerance I have is that feeling sluggish and overall unwell after eating gluten. As if my digestive system is working overtime. A friend told me I should rule this out.

I do feel so much less zombie like when I keep gluten  out of my system. But, I'm a bit nervous about this endeavor. I can do the vegan thing just fine. I am not allergic to dairy, and I generally do not eat dairy at home, but away from home I may have some and that is fine with me. I do it for health reasons..not for animal's sake..though, I do love animals don't get me wrong.

So, I realize to really test for an intolerance to gluten I will have to take it out of my diet for at least six weeks..this is concerning. Simply because it is going to cost more money and take so much work. I work enough as it is about making sure my family and I eat healthfully..I'll figure this out, but am just a bit apprehensive. Would love any one's input and suggestions. I feel as if I don't know where to start...fortunately, I know of some awesome blogs that are gluten free. Here's my issue..every recipe that looks tasty that I come across I find that I am missing ingredients (expensive ones at that) and of course, I do not know how I would replace the missing ingredient with a substitute. Errr....so frustrated! But, I realize I can do this with God's help and support from family, of course. So, I continue to do research and brace myself for the bumpy ride. ;-)

I love this picture of my youngest after she finished her green smoothie. Green mustache, of course! She was about ready for her afternoon nap at this time. Can you see the tired in her eyes? Now, do you all look so green after downing a magical green smoothie? ;-)

Also, I recently made some Potato Angels and they are delish..I love the name. They are a vegan eggless version of deviled eggs..you must make them. My hubby loves them! This is saying ALOT! Trust me! This is from one of my favorite vegan  recipe websites, VegWeb.com. Click here for the recipe and get to making some angelic food. ;-) THE RECIPE. Let me know what you think!

So, anyone else gluten free? Any fabulous resources you would like to share? Maybe some tried and true gluten free recipes??