Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Edamame: Snack Review

The other day, I went into Trader Joe's and was looking to try the Dark Choco covered pomegranate seeds but they were out of stock! So I kept my eye open for something else and spotted these

 Dark Chocolate Edamame.

Edamame is basically soybeans before they are taken out of the pod and dried (I believe). I picked up this 10 oz size for around $3.29 (somewhere around there).

They're about the size of a chocolate covered raisin or peanut.

Now for the actual product itself, it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. When I usuall eat edamame at home or at at Japanese restaurant, it's boiled/steamed and soft and nice in texture. I didn't realize these were dried and roasted (I guess they'd have to be to be covered in dark choco-but not necessary..). The soybean inside was very dry but I guess it pairs well with the smoother dark chocolate? I found this really plain and the soybeans themselves really dry and grainy. I ended up not caring too much for it, but my mom loved them, so I think it really is a preference thing.

Overall, I wouldn't repurchase this item. It just wasn't unique/special enough and wasn't up to my expectations.

Have you tried any Trader Joe's snacks/treats? What's your favorite?

Bissinger's Quinoa Agave Crunch 75% cocoa bar: Review

Today's goodie post is on a healthier treat, Bissinger's All Natural Quinoa Agave Crunch Chocolate.

When you have a craving for something sweet or something with chocolate, Dark chocolate is the way to go (especially over milk or white chocolate). The higher percentage of cocoa, the better. Dark chocolate has many benefits to the body including lowering blood pressure, improving cognitive function, controlling blood sugar, being full of antioxidants, etc.

This bar would be a good alternative for those who also like toffee bits in their chocolate bars. This contains agave covered puffed quinoa which gives you that sweetened crunch you are looking for. Quinoa is a true grain high in protein, gluten-free and a good source of calcium. Agave is a sweetener derived from the blue agave plant, however, it is still not as healthy of an alternative as people may believe, but it is still better than regular table sugars and there are only 8gms of sugar in this bar.




You can see the puffed quinoa inside the chocolate

I did indeed receive this at as a sample, but you can buy this on the Bissinger's website for around $5.00. I would also check out more health food related stores like Whole Foods or PCC for this item, and they would probably retail for around $5 too 7 dollars depending on the area (or cheaper).

Healthy Eating: Avacado and Goat Cheese Sandwhich

 

Despite my many junkfood/candy posts, I do eat pretty healthy.

 

Just wanted to share this healthy sandwhich that not only tastes good, but is good for you and fills you up!

 

 

Taking two slices of Dave's Killer Bread (which is much healthier than plain white bread and even wheat bread since it has seeds, whole grains, spelt and sprouted wheat) , spread one side of it with some hummus and spread the other side with some pecan butter. Add two slices of lettuce to it (romain lettuce hearts tastes the best, in my opinion, because they have a slight sweetness to them).

Then add half an avocado to it, sliced, or mashed, however you like, and sprinkle some fresh cracked sea salt and pepper on top of it. Then add some sliced up goat cheese (in a monteray jack or cheddar form) and add some alfalfa sprouts (it may be hard to find some alfalfa sprouts in grocery stores now, so I had to use home grown ones..its really simple and takes no time!).

 

After that, cut in half and enjoy with a healthy beverage! (I decided on Zico's coconut water since I didn't have an actual young coconut).