The Snack Report: Nature’s Path ‘Love Crunch’ – Apple Chia Crumble

You’re all familiar with the TV Trope, the ‘granola girl‘ (or granola guy, if you will), are you not? If no, you can read up, but it’s essentially just our modern day incarnation of what hippies used to be, decades ago. Preaching love and happiness, exploring counter culture, an affinity for mother nature, etc… You get the idea.

Interestingly enough, with Meg and I’s newfound love for yoga, actual granola, and gardening, you could probably classify the two of us as a granola girl/granola guy. Interestingly especially with me, since anyone who grew up with me knew I was a major league cynical asshole in high school and college. But hey, people grow up, right? I’ve already come to grips with the fact some people consider me a hipster, so what the hell. Bring on the granola. (Though admittedly I still have no idea how to play a guitar).

103_1614

Read the rest of this entry

The Snack Report: Simply Nature Pumpkin Seed Tortilla Chips

We’re in the heart of fall, which means everything we review must be pumpkin. I kid, of course. Not everything has to be pumpkin. It just so happens that a lot of the stuff we’ve been reviewing lately is pumpkin. But that’s because most of the limited edition snacks and beverages out now are pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavored. Today’s pumpkin offering is, I think anyway, one of the more unique pumpkin items available this year: pumpkin seed tortilla chips. We found them when we were wandering around Aldi looking for appropriate snacks for our fall party. Unfortunately Simply Nature is an Aldi exclusive brand, so if there isn’t an Aldi store near you you’re going to have to sit this one out. Or have a friend or family member who does have a local Aldi go and buy it for you. Without giving away too much of the review before the “read more” cut, I will say that they’re worth the effort.

DSCF7611

Read the rest of this entry

Pizza Lab #35: Twix Pizza or Chocolate Caramel Cookie Pizza

A few weeks ago I was at work on the docks of Fire Island, and I saw some kids eating Starburst. Though “eating” is a really generous way of describing it, since they were all shoving like 3 or 4 pieces at a time into their shitty middle school mouths. It really made me think to myself for the first time ever, like, “Man, candy is frigging disgusting.” Just another thing reminding me that I’m getting older, I guess. But nonetheless, I will fully admit that with Halloween fast-approaching I will still probably partake in some consumption of the aforementioned sugar trash, guiltily.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate all chocolate and confections, per se, but rather the cheap and sad excuses for chocolate designed for impulse buying at every store on planet Earth. Real chocolate, decent quality chocolate is delicious, and the same goes for caramel and other sugary treats. As with everything, if you concoct your own creations at home with fresh ingredients, it’ll taste better and be better for you. That brings me to my next point… Twix Pizza.

DSC_2436

Read the rest of this entry

Quick Recipe: Apple-Stuffed Baked Apples

A couple of weeks ago we were trying to think of desserts to serve at our fall party that were simple, but yummy. We’d served our Apple Crisp Pizza last year and felt like we should mix it up a bit. Baked apples seemed like a good choice. But we didn’t want to just fill them up with brown sugar and call it a day. So what better way to get the most apple-y apple dessert? Put apples inside the apples of course! Add some pumpkin spice, and bam! Super fall dessert. This recipe is super yummy, and really easy. It’ll impress your friends without stressing you out. And it’s great to serve at fall parties, though you could totally just make some for yourself if you want (which you probably will).

DSCF7456 (2) Read the rest of this entry

The Snack Report: 1911 Pumpkin Hard Cider

Another week in October goes by, and so the world grows more and more orange. That’s cool though, save for a few idiotically cold days last weekend, it’s been a really awesome Fall so far. Continuing from last week’s snack report which covered Woodchuck’s Private Reserve, this week we take a look at a lesser-known brand, 1911 Hard Cider.

103_1596

Read the rest of this entry