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Every day I’m on the lookout for new products that can take my (and your!) kitchen fun to the next level. I’m always testing and comparing my finds to make sure that I present to you only the best ones. Now I will be sharing my top finds with you in monthly “Breakfast Criminals Faves” roundup including the most delicious, clean, good-for-you food and health-related products.
1. Sprout Living Chocolate Maca Protein, $50 for 2.2 lbs
Available on amazon.com
If you’re looking for a clean vegan protein powder that’s actually good for you, Sprout Living is your #1 choice!
Foods that make it into my kitchen have to be made from whole foods, not lab-produced ingredients and “natural-like” substitutes. The word “natural” is abused heavily by the food industry, and it’s simply a way for brands to get away with making their food-like products sound like they’re good for you. With protein powders, the truth is that most of them aren’t as clean as good for you as they claim to be. A lot of them are full of soy, gluten, animal by-products, lab-created additives and flavors. If you want more factual info, take a look at this chart that compares all major vegan protein powders on the market.
Sprout Living, however, stands for using only only plant-based, organic, kosher, non-gmo, whole-food ingredients that are soy and nut free. On top of that, their flavor combinations are the bomb, bringing together proteins from plant sources like sprouted brown rice, peas, pumpkin and cranberry seeds, with superfoods like lucuma and maca. I love raw cacao, and the Sprout Living Chocolate Maca Protein has taken over the Breakfast Criminals kitchen, having me crave a bowl of satisfying chocolate protein smoothie bowl goodness after workouts (protein meal + dessert in one heart bowl).
How to use: Blend with your smoothies and smoothie bowls, mix into oatmeals, or simply mix with water for a quick post-workout fix.
2. Gigi’s Remix Superfood Granola, $8
Available on granolabitch.com
Raw, superfood, crunchy and so delectable (on top of being gluten free, added sugar free and dairy free), this granola homemade by Gina Ragnone (a.k.a. Granola Bitch) is my new favorite crunch. I love it when I know every ingredient in my granola, and it’s a rare case.
How to use: Sprinkle on smoothies, porridges, or bring with you as a snack straight of the bag.
3. Go Raw Sea Salt & Vinegar Coconut Chips, $8.99
Available on amazon.com
I’ve been a sucker for coconut chips ever since Trader Joe’s started carrying them a couple of years ago. But then it became a trend, and so many brands now offer this heavenly snack. My initial reaction to Sea Salt & Vinegar chips was surprise, but as soon as I tried this unexpected flavor combo, I was hooked. They’re much lighter than the sweet coconut chips options, and create a party in your mouth when paired with dark chocolate ice cream (when I’m in for a treat, I go for coconut-based ice cream).
How to use: Sprinkle on top of smoothies, smoothie bowls, oatmeals, or eat as a snack straight out of the back. Killer combo: sea salt & vinegar coconut chips and dark chocolate coconut ice cream.
4. Life Equals Vitamins, $25.49 monthly (plus my 75% off discount!)
Available on lifeequals.com
I was never good at taking vitamins – who would think it’s necessary when I’m already getting so much nourishment from whole foods. But my healer recommended I give it a go – and guess what, a few months later my nails started growing like they haven’t since I was 12. I was so happy! I did a lot of research on vitamins because just like with protein powders, there’s a lot of chemical crap out there (just read this article), a lot of it has gluten, soy and processed additives.
I’m now (thanks to my holistic health pro Abbi Miller) a passionate advocate for Life Equals – not only they have the cleanest vitamins (with added digestive enzymes!), but also for each bottle you buy they give one to malnourished kids through Vitamin Angels. I mean, really? It’s like Tom’s Shoes but more important, because it goes inside of your body and becomes you.
My friends at Life Equals was also kind enough to give you all guys a sweet discount of 75% with code “breakfastcriminals75” on www.lifeequals.com. Every single morning when I take my vitamin dose, knowing that someone in need might be taking the same thing at the same time, and that I am a catalyst in it, warms my heart.
How to use: Two capsules twice a day, with or without food.
5. MoreMoringa Superfood, $25 (1 lb.)
Available on moremoringa.com
When my friend Deanne Ziadie gave me a bottle of green superfood that said LOVE on it, I was sold. Superfoods and love? That’s what breakfast criminals are all about. It wasn’t until Dee made me tea from fresh picked Moringa during my visit in Miami, that I really learned about the healing powers of what is known as “the miracle tree” and fell in love with its slightly spicy flavor.
Moringa Oleifera is a tree native to India that has been used in Ayurveda for over 5,000 years. Even though the entire tree is used by natural medicine doctors to support the human body, the earth and animals; the moringa leaf is where the powerhouse of nutrition is contained. Moringa leaf is packed withessential vitamins, phytonutrients, amino acids, and antioxidants, and has no recorded negative side effects to date.
More Moringa is run by a lovely couple Juan and Ana in Miami, and for them it’s part of a bigger vision: Ana is pursuing a masters degree in sustainable design only for one purpose, and it’s to build a sustainable community made out of bamboo construction around Moringa trees. Their dream is to create an educational and retreat facility that will teach people to live a healthy life in connection with nature. How beautiful is this? And by buying Moringa, you can support those two beautiful souls making a difference.
How to use: Start by adding 1/2-1 teaspoon to your smoothies, oatmeals and pancakes, use in baking (green banana bread recipe to come) make Moringaroons, or sprinkle on top of oatmeals instead of mixing in (like in the Superfood Galaxy Blueberry Oatmeal).
6. Philosophie Berry Bliss Coconut Butter, $12
Available on thephilosophie.com
Remember the avocado meme, where one half tells the other, “But I said you’re the good kind of fat!” ? That’s exactly how it goes when it comes to coconut butter. I’ve been familiar with coconut butter for a while, but once I discovered the Berry Bliss Coconut Butter, it changed the game–once and for good. Consisting of all organic coconut and a berry superfood blend (acai, goji, brown rice sprouted protein, pomegranate, camu camu, mangosteen and maca), it’s currently my favorite beauty snack.
Not only a perfect addition to oatmeals, smoothies and toast, but also is a dangerously yummy snack.
How to use: Blend in smoothies, mix into oatmeals, spread on toast (and sprinkle cacao nibs on top), or eat straight out of the jar. Lesson learned: if you’re carrying your Berry Bliss coconut butter around, remember to bring a spoon with you!