The 5 WORST protein bar ingredients... Do YOUR bars have these?

My Review of Dales Raw Foods Protein Bars These bars are so amazingly good! I was shocked!  I have tried other protein bars that claim to be loaded with proteins and healthy ingredients but they taste awful and upset my tummy. Dales Raw Foods Protein Bars are clean and delicious and VEGAN!  Let's take a look at the ingredients in the average protein bar that is on our supermarket shelves right now: #1 - Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) This is, unfortunately, one of the most prevalent protein sources you'll find in protein bars, especially those marketed to women. This marketing would have you believe that soy is an excellent protein source for women because of the isoflavones found in it. In reality, studies have indicated that these soy isoflavones can actually be TOXIC because of how the soy is processed (fermented soy products such as tofu are fine, just fyi). In addition, SPI was actually considered a WASTE product in soy processing until recently, when it was discovered that money could be made by passing it off as a protein source. It's cheap and definitely NOT a high-quality protein. It should be avoided.  And the final nail in the soy coffin: GMO. A very high percentage of the soy grown in the United States is from genetically modified organisms (GMO). They don't currently have to be labeled as such but if you're buying any sort of processed food, chances are very good you're getting a GMO-sourced product. #2 - High Fructose Corn Syrup This is an easy one to figure out...the adverse health effects of it are well documented (contrary to what the commercials from the Corn Growers Association claim - those are truly among the most annoying commercials in existence, trying to make people who question corn syrup look stupid). It's one of the WORST things you can eat and yet there are still bars that use it as a primary ingredient. #3 - Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil Palm kernel oil is a cheap, unhealthy fat. Unlike plain palm oil, palm kernel oil can't be obtained organically. Instead, the oil must be extracted from the pit with a gasoline-like hydrocarbon solvent. The fractioned form is the most processed...if you see that in the ingredients, you should definitely avoid it. #4 - Sugar Alcohols This includes ingredients like Maltitol Syrup, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Lactitol, Mannitol, and Erythritol. Sugar alcohols are included in bars for sweetness...especially in bars that are "carb controlled". Sugar alcohols don't impact blood sugar as much as regular sugar because they're not well absorbed in the digestive tract...and when things aren't well absorbed in the digestive tract, things happen (if you know what I mean).  In small amounts, sugar alcohols aren't a big problem, but if you start getting into the double digits of grams of sugar alcohol (and many low-carb bars are in the 20 gram range), THEN you can start to see unpleasant digestive issues. #5 - Artificial Sweeteners I won't get into the whole debate about whether artificial sweeteners are bad for you or not and what they turn into in your body, etc. Personally, I'm of the mindset that if it's created by science, chances are good your body won't recognize it and won't be able to metabolize it into something actually good for you. Therefore, I stay away from artificial sweeteners. I find the actual natural flavor of real food to be pretty good :). In Summary... Those are the top 5 worst protein bar ingredients...and you will actually find bars that contain ALL of these ingredients in them.and they are like eating cardboard and chalk. The main problem I have with the vast majority of protein bars today is that at their most base level, they're deceptive. The bars are put forward as convenient, healthy alternatives to food for "on the go" people. Yet when you take a close look at the ingredients, they're actually WORSE for you than most candy bars. Obviously money is the biggest factor...companies that use high-quality ingredients in their bars have to charge more for them in order to stay in business. Hence the brick-like slop sold in bar form that you'll find in the grocery store aisles today. A New Breed of Protein Bar...Raw and Natural~ Dales Raw Foods Yep, that's right! A protein bar made from raw, natural ingredients that's actually GOOD for you and they pack in around 22g of protein. You can eat them after a workout, or as a meal if you are short on time. They're convenient and healthy. They taste EXTREMELY good and the quality of the ingredients is outstanding. For example, here's what you'll find in the Raspberry Hazelnut bars: Organic dates, pea protein, hemp protein, rice protein, almond butter,hazelnuts, coconut nectar, dried raspberries, raw cacao, coconut oil, stevia, water. GREAT ingredients...GREAT taste...I am ordering more !  LOVE THESE Happy Healthy Eating! Pam http://www.mcssl.com/app/?af=1543251

Team Athena Challenge Blog: Sweet Potatoes~ Are you eating them?

Team Athena Challenge Blog: Sweet Potatoes~ Are you eating them?: Hi everyone, it's Pam again and I want to talk Sweet Potatoes! As many of you who follow me, know that I have chosen to eat Vegan ( n...

Vegan Muffins and a case of Hide and Go Seek Doggie Style

As many of you know, I have a baby and her name is Yoshi.  She is a tiny Yorkie full of spunk and is only a little bit spoiled.

(OK, fine, she is totally spoiled.Why walk on a leash when you can get carried right?) She spends her days at my side or on my lap. I wonder how many times a day I say "NO YOSHI"?

I scrambled to get dinner started and on the table as we were running a bit late last night and everyone was starving. In the process my son was working on our electric gate out back so we were careful not to let Yoshi out.  In the hustle and bustle of preparing dinner and getting it on the table, I wasn't even aware that she was not at my feet or trying to get into the trash.

We  sat down to eat and started talking about our day, when suddenly I asked " Where's Yoshi?" "Have you seen the dog?"  Everyone replied "no" . So we got up and went through the house calling her name, checking closets, bathrooms, bedrooms, but nothing. I went outside to ask my son if had seen her and he said no. This prompted and all out search for the missing dog. How could she have gotten outside without us noticing?  My heart was full of panic as I walked though our yard and rounded the corner to where our pool is. It took all of the strength I had to look in the pool and the hot tub to make sure she didn't fall in. ( she fell into the hot tub once while we were in it). A sigh of relief, not in the pool.
We walked the entire neighborhood, alleys, and stopped everyone we seen along the way asking if they had seen her and if they do please bring her home.  My poor Yoshi is lost!!  I couldn't believe this was happening!! Darkness was setting in and still no Yoshi.....
Jim and I decided we would get in the car and drive around to see if we can find her.  I am in tears thinking she is lost out there in the real world or worse, someone has stolen her!  As we back out of the driveway we see my daughter running out of the garage with Yoshi in her arms yelling " I found her!"
We rush in and grab her and hug her. We asked my daughter where she found her and she said.......... wait for it....  
 
THE CABINET!!  LOL

Yoshi had made her way into a small cabinet in the kitchen and could not get out.  She didn't bark or make any noise while we we calling for her in the house. Finally she whimpered and my daughter followed the sound.

YOSHI YOU ARE ALIVE!

She lavished us with doggies kisses and we hugged her tight.. My baby is safe! No more hide and go seek!!!

This called for a celebration!! Blueberry Vegan Muffins!
These are so easy and yummy ( especially fresh from the oven)

VEGAN BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup almond milk or vanilla coconut milk
• 1-1/3 cups whole wheat white flour
• 2/3 cup raw sugar
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, warmed until liquid
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ( I used coconut because I was out of vanilla

Mix cider with milk and set aside.  mix all dry ingredients and then add oil and milk. Mix well and stir in fresh blueberries. 

Line muffin pan with paper cups and fill about half full 

Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean