Traditional Medicinals tea contacted me a few weeks ago to try out some tea. They make a variety of herbal teas like their popular throat coat, laxative, relaxation, and detox teas.

 I was very excited to [...]]]>

This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! The winner is Renita, Congratulations!

Traditional Medicinals tea contacted me a few weeks ago to try out some tea. They make a variety of herbal teas like their popular throat coat, laxative, relaxation, and detox teas.

 I was very excited to dig into the box of goodies they sent me and I started with the throat coat tea, which was perfect for my slightly sore throat. I love that their teas are all-organic, kosher, and non-gmo and made from high-quality herbs.

Want to win some tea for yourself? Enter below to win a box of assorted herbal teas, a ceramic mug, and a reusable bag.

This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! The winner is Renita, Congratulations!

Traditional Medicinals Tea Giveaway:

Giveaway ends in one week, February 7th, 2013. 

There are numerous ways to enter, please leave a separate comment below for each entry please:

 Required: 1. Tell me about your favorite types of teas and how you drink them.

2. Follow me via Twitter @SugarFreeAlex

3. Like my Facebook page

4. Follow me on Pinterest

5. Follow me on Instagram @SugarFreeAlex

Good luck to all!

Happy New Year Everyone!

What better way to start 2013 off right than a giveaway?

Tropical Traditions offered me to review and giveaway a 32 oz. jar of Virgin Coconut Oil to one of [...]]]>

This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! The winner is Angela T, Congratulations! 

Happy New Year Everyone!

What better way to start 2013 off right than a giveaway?

Tropical Traditions offered me to review and giveaway a 32 oz. jar of Virgin Coconut Oil to one of my readers. I use virgin coconut oil for all my baked goods because of the high smoke point, and because I love the sweet, coconut flavor. Here are some of my favorite recipes that use coconut oil:

Get Up and Go Muffins                                                  Oatmeal Raisin Bizookies

Butter Cups                                                                 Raw Coconut-Iced Bark

Grain-Free Lemon Poppyseed Muffins                      Lavender Orange Hazelnut Scones

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review:

I liked this coconut oil because it had a strong coconut flavor. Coconut oil’s flavor can vary from brand to brand, some having strong coconut scent and others having barely-noticeable coconut scent. This brand may not be for those who are not huge coconut fans.

This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! The winner is Angela T, Congratulations! 

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway:

Open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Giveaway ends in one week, January 10th, 2013. 

There are numerous ways to enter, please leave a separate comment below for each entry please:

1. Required Entry: Subscribe to Tropical Traditions email sales newsletter here.

Optional Entries:

2. Follow me via Twitter @SugarFreeAlex

3. Like my Facebook page

4. Follow me on Pinterest

5. Follow me on Instagram @SugarFreeAlex

Good luck to all!

Disclaimer: Tropical traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. 

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil: http://www.youtube.com/embed/4h6eycjf29M

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

It has been a long absence from my site, and I am sorry! College has been whizzing by quickly here, but I am really enjoying myself. With midterms finally out of the way I thought I’d sit down for a few minutes to write a quick post. While I [...]]]>

Hello faithful readers and Happy November!

It has been a long absence from my site, and I am sorry! College has been whizzing by quickly here, but I am really enjoying myself. With midterms finally out of the way I thought I’d sit down for a few minutes to write a quick post. While I wish I had a bunch of tasty, quick recipes to share with you, the truth is I don’t! Not enough time or equipment in my little dorm. Instead, here are some recipes I’ve been day-dreaming over:

What I wish I could make if…

I had time, equipment, an actual kitchen, a Whole Foods, money, personal chef, my dog<–wait, what?

Creamy CrockPot Risotto from Tasty Yummies

Indian-Spiced Sweet Potato Patties from Soni’s Food for Thought

Salt and Vinegar Veggie Chips from eBakerie

Portobello Orzo with Vegan Lemon Mint Cream Sauce from Healthful Pursuit

Grain-Free Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from Real Sustenance

Grain-Free Peanut Butter and Bacon Truffles from Katie Did

Chocolate-Covered Pumpkin Fudge from Purely Twins

Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola

This is actually a recipe of mine I made last year. I want to make it again because it screams fall!

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What do you wish you had time, money, equipment, etc. to make? (links welcome)

The one food I can usually always rely on having around when I travel is bananas. Hotels, grocery stores, and even convenience stores usually sell bananas. They are also cheap-perfect for the college student’s budget. I always grab one or two more bananas before I leave the cafeteria, so I have a nice [...]]]>

The one food I can usually always rely on having around when I travel is bananas. Hotels, grocery stores, and even convenience stores usually sell bananas. They are also cheap-perfect for the college student’s budget. I always grab one or two more bananas before I leave the cafeteria, so I have a nice little pile in my room for snacks or for making new recipes.

Here’s why you should eat more bananas:

• Rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. Perfect for when you have a big exam to study for!
• Helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body.
• The perfect form of quick-energy. It even has it’s own packaging!
• It also contains tryptophan to help relax you and lift your spirits. We all get stressed at college, eat a banana.

Easy college banana recipes: 

Besides simply eating it plain or with a dab of peanut butter, here are some easy-to-make banana recipes that you can make in your college dorm.

Fluffy Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies          Chocolate Covered Monkey Tail Oatmeal

Magic Banana Ice Cream                               If Elvis Liked Chocolate Bites

You can also put them in smoothies and pancakes. Freeze them if they turn brown!

I have a new “college cookie” recipe that uses bananas. My roommate and I have gone through about 5 batches of cookies so far. Hopefully I can get the recipe written down by next week and take a few photos.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What are your favorite ways to eat bananas? Do you have a go-to snack?

My magic bullet is a must-have college cooking device. It’s small, portable, doesn’t take up space, easy-to-clean, and makes a lot of different recipes for me so I won’t get bored! Any type of small blender would work, too, but the magic bullet is the only one I have [...]]]>

My magic bullet is a must-have college cooking device. It’s small, portable, doesn’t take up space, easy-to-clean, and makes a lot of different recipes for me so I won’t get bored! Any type of small blender would work, too, but the magic bullet is the only one I have experience with (please note that they are not paying me to write this post).

For today’s Healthy Eating College Tip Thursday, I will be highlighting a few of my favorite recipes with the mini blender. They are all easy and quick to make with minimal ingredients. Perfect for the typical college student!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites       Chocolate Almond Cookie Dough Bites

Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookie Dough Bites                   High Protein Cookie Dough

Simply Hummus                                                     Raw Bloody Mary Flax Crackers

Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Sundae                      Magic Banana Ice Cream 

Healthy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting                      Healthy Orange Julius

All of the above are no-bake, and are easy to make in a college dorm.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What is your must-have kitchen appliance?

Also, do you have any favorite mini-blender recipes? Please share below! (links welcome)

Many of you might be wondering how in the world I survive in the college dining halls with my dairy, gluten, and sugar sensitivities. While I do supplement with a lot of snacks, I also have a meal plan to eat in [...]]]>

Many of you might be wondering how in the world I survive in the college dining halls with my dairy, gluten, and sugar sensitivities. While I do supplement with a lot of snacks, I also have a meal plan to eat in the dining halls. It has been really great so far because I talked with the director of the Dining Services  to tell her about my food allergies. She worked with my food allergies and actually already had a few other gluten-free students for whom she bought gluten-free breads, pasta, and pizza crusts for.

Simply call or email your director of dining services.

Talk with them! Their email and number can usually be found on your school’s website. Set up an appointment to discuss what kinds of options they have for those with food allergies and special diets. You might find that they will feed you even better food than what they have at the cafeteria!

Here are just a couple of meals I have had from the cafeteria:

Breakfast of an egg white and veggie omelet with plenty of fresh fruit.

Turkey sandwich with hummus on gluten-free bread with a side of vegetable soup. 

 (These above photos were taken from my instagram. Follow me @SugarFreeAlex)

 Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

How do you eat at cafeterias, restaurants, etc. if you have a special dietary need?

I don’t want to sound like your mother, but it really does help! Many college kids stay up late cramming for papers, which in the end doesn’t produce a very good project anyway.

I’m sorry that I am rather late for Valentine’s Day. (Or extremely early depending on how you look at it).

Will you except my apology with some homemade brownies made with love?

Who am I kidding-I’m not sorry. These brownies are wonderful. If you consider beets love, then yes, they are [...]]]>

I’m sorry that I am rather late for Valentine’s Day. (Or extremely early depending on how you look at it).

Will you except my apology with some homemade brownies made with love?

Who am I kidding-I’m not sorry. These brownies are wonderful. If you consider beets love, then yes, they are made with love.

(Beet Puree)

I had a can of beets on hand, no flour, lots of unsweetened chocolate bars, and a craving for fudgy, dense, chewy, chocolate brownies. Combine these together and you get beet brownies.

I was aiming for a “red velvet” brownie, but I wanted it extra chocolate-y. Therefore, the extra cocoa powder took away from the gorgeous red color. If you want to keep the red, though, omit the cocoa powder.

Health Benefits:

• Chocolate: Click Here for a post I wrote about the benefits of chocolate. 
• Oats: Oats contain loads of vitamins and minerals to keep you full and energized throughout the day. They can lower cholesterol, burn fat, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, regulate bowel movements, reduce blood pressure, reduce risks of cancer because of oat’s phytochemical, and reduce the risk of heart disease. 
• Beets: The rich red color of beets shows the wonderful antioxidant content that helps the body fight free radicals. They contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains L tryptophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, and they can lower your blood pressure.

If you follow me on instagram (@SugarFreeAlex) you might have seen this lovely mess over the weekend: leftover brownie scraps and a glass of ice cold almond milk. A perfect end to my Saturday.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

Have you ever added vegetables to unsuspecting dishes?

Some of my favorite ways to “sneak” veggies is by adding spinach to smoothies, pureed carrots to burgers, or pumpkin to pancakes.

I should [...]]]>

As mentioned in my last post, I am starting a new series of posts called HECTIC, which stands for “Healthy Eating College Tip Thursdays.” I know the acronym doesn’t fit exactly, but HECTIC relates to my life and sounds a whole lot better than HECTIT or HECTT.

I should be publishing a page soon in the Header for HECTIC, so please be sure to check back there soon.

In college, you are mainly eating and cooking for one. Therefore, you may not eat fruits, vegetables, and other perishable products as quickly. These will go bad, so it is important to have a well-stocked pantry full of non-perishable (or foods that don’t perish as quickly) items. In a dorm this may be a large storage bin or bucket.

I bought this bin from Target for $10 to place all my pantry items in. (pic source)

Peanut Butter

(pic source)

This is on the top of my list because I eat it almost everyday. Not only does it taste delicious, but it is packed with protein, healthy fats, and minerals. Eat it by the spoonful or spread on crackers, fruit, or chocolate!

 Unsweetened Chocolate

(pic source)

You may not be a fan yet, but try it a few times and you will! It has intense chocolate flavor for true chocoholics. Full of antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats. Read more here.

Bananas

(pic source)

Bananas have a great outer layer to protect them, and they don’t require refrigeration. Eat with peanut butter or make cookies! If they start getting too brown for your taste, freeze or make into a smoothie.

Canned Goods

(pic source)

Canned items last a very, very long time. I like stocking up on all-natural soups (Amy’s brand sells a lot of vegan and dairy-free products), beets for snacking, and beans for topping salads or making cookie dough.

Nuts

(pic source)

Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, cashews, and hazelnuts. Great for snacking on-the-go and a good source of minerals, protein, and healthy fats. They can help make you satisfied longer, too. Try making my Roasted Chili Lime Nuts.

Chia

Chia is a great superfood (you can read more about it here). I like keeping them on hand to throw in my oatmeal, make chia pudding, put in water for hydration, or simply add a handful to any recipe.

Oats

Oats are cheap. Perfect for college students. I have a lot of recipes for oatmeal (Oatmeal Raisin Bizookies pictured above), but they are also great to cook up a comforting bowl of creamy oats after a long day at school. They are also extremely healthy!

Rice Cakes

(pic source)

Gluten-Free and made with whole grains. I like to spread a bit of peanut butter and maybe a smashed banana on these for an easy sandwich. Make sure you look for the brown rice, no-sugar added kind.

Popcorn

 (pic source)

Popcorn is a whole grain filled with fiber. Make your own with an air-popper or on the stove to avoid nasty chemicals and oils. I like using extra-virgin coconut oil to pop mine, and I sprinkle it with Himalayan sea salt and nutritional yeast for an extra punch of vitamin B.

Spices

(pic source)

This is not a must-have pantry item for the college dorm, but I thought I’d throw it in here because spices are packed with flavor and antioxidants. Did you know one teaspoon of cinnamon has the same amount of antioxidants as a cup of blueberries? I like to keep my own black pepper, Himalayan sea salt, cinnamon, cocoa powder, liquid aminos (gluten-free soy sauce), vanilla, and peppermint extract on hand to add flavor to bland foods.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

Am I forgetting something? Tell me what your pantry must-haves are!