I swear your body starts to naturally get you ready for the lack of sleep that is on the horizon when you are in the last stages of pregnancy. Yes, the frequent waking to go to the bathroom, but then also just random wake ups. So there I was last week, lying awake for almost two hours in the middle of the night and of course my mind just started going…
I decided it would be fun to share my favorite food and drink finds from 2018, so here you go!
Favorite Food and Drink Products of 2018
- Superfood Shot (use code: ASHLEY50 for 50% off your first subscription)
This is a company that is local to us in the Kansas City area. We have been drinking the Balance Superfood Foundation Shot for a couple years. My son actually made it on their social media last year. Isn’t he cute!?!
This year they came out with a turmeric anti-inflammatory blend which is just as good!
Also, super exciting news – they just released a third blend, Immunity, YESTERDAY! If you are interested in trying that one, use the same code above (ASHLEY50) and you can try as a ONE TIME purchase, instead of a subscription. Keep in mind the Immunity is a pre-order so only available to the first 50 customers.
Why I love: These shots are organic, non GMO, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, no preservatives, no added sugar, packed with superfoods and antioxidants! The 2 oz bottle is considered half of your daily fruit and veggie serving intake although I personally don’t consider this a serving of fruits or vegetables in my daily total. More of a bonus on top of what I try to consume daily. Best of all they taste great and my kids love them too!
2. Vital Protein Collagen Creamer
We started using collagen powders in our smoothies last year, but a few months ago my husband started having some foot and joint issues. While I was developing a ‘program’ for him, that I was hopeful he would entertain, I knew I had to find things easy for him to add into his day. I found the same company that makes our collagen protein powder also makes a powdered coffee creamer. I tend to be more of a tea drinker, but have tried this as well and love it. When I do have coffee, this definitely gets added!
Why I love: Collagen is amazing for not only your gut health, but also your joints, hair, nails, skin, bones and overall health. Your body naturally makes collagen but as you age, production decreases. I have seen some reports saying this decrease in production can start as early as 25!
3. Simple Mills Sprouted Crackers (new version)
Our family loves all things Simple Mills. We have tried pretty much every single one of their products including muffin mix, bread mix, pizza dough mix, crackers, etc. This is one company of gluten free processed foods that I don’t feel guilty about eating. They have two types of crackers, almond flour and sprouted seed, which both come in a variety of flavors. The sprouted seed crackers did though often come crumbled. That is until…they reformulated them this year! My favorite flavors are jalapeno and everything.
Why I love: They are gluten and grain free and made with real recognizable ingredients, which most gluten free processed foods can’t say. They contain no artificial ingredients, fillers, gums, or emulsifiers ever. I believe all are soy and corn free as well and most are dairy free.
**One disclaimer, they do not currently sell directly on Amazon, so the sprouted seed crackers specifically found on Amazon may or may not be the new variety. I find most grocery stores are carrying their products now so check there to be sure.
4. Paleovalley Meat Sticks (use code: EMBRACEWELLNESS15 for 15% off)
These meat sticks are a great on the go snack or added to a meal for some easy protein. They come in a variety of flavors to accommodate everyone’s taste. They have beef sticks that come in original, jalapeno, summer sausage, garlic summer sausage and their newest flavor teriyaki (not pictured). If beef is not your jam, they also have some turkey sticks that comes in original and cranberry orange. Jalapeno and the new teriyaki are my favorite!
Why I love: Their beef sticks come from grass fed and grass finished beef and the turkey sticks come from pasture raised turkeys, which increases the nutrient content. They both use organic spices and are preserved using natural fermentation (instead of encapsulated citric acid like most meat sticks) leaving the end result full of gut healthy goodness!
5. Hint Water
This water is my new favorite water. With this pregnancy I didn’t love the carbonated flavored waters because they left me too full and gasey :). Hint water comes in a ton of flavors such as blackberry, watermelon, pineapple, cherry, apple, peach, strawberry kiwi, mango grapefruit, raspberry, pomegranate, blood orange, honeydew, pear, lime, and cucumber. I personally buy ours on Amazon and just get a variety pack. If you like the bubbly, they do have a variety with carbonation as well but I have not personally tried them.
Why I love: Does anyone drink enough water? I drink a ton and still find myself dry and needing more. This is a tasty way to get extra water, instead of drinking plain ol H20. It is a great for kids with no sugar, preservatives or calories. I reached out to the company to see what they use to flavor and their response was “natural essence from plants”.
This a local company to the Kansas City area as well. Previously named Cozy Leaf, now know as Leaf Logic, they makes small batch, natural, organic and preservative free teas. The baby blessings tea is one I drink just about daily and is full of great things like raspberry leaf, nettle leaf, dandelion leaf, rose hips, and oat straw, which are great for women during childbearing years.
Why I love: There is a lot of research out there on the herbs in this tea blend and the benefits for women during childbearing years. According to their website, “These herbs come together to aid the body in uterine support as well as alleviating nausea, calming the digestive system, soothing heartburn and many other benefits! Raspberry Leaf brings many benefits to this tea including soothing leg cramps, easing morning sickness and acting as a uterine toner. This tea has a strong focus on the raspberry leaf with added benefits from the rose hips, oat straw, nettle and dandelion.”
7. gimMe Teriyaki Seaweed Snacks
Don’t knock them until you have tried them! Sea vegetables are great for you but I would say 95% of the population aren’t incorporating these into your diet. This is a great way to add them in and are kid approved! They are little crunchy paper like snack sheets made from red algae or nori seaweed and our personal favorite is the teriyaki flavor.
Why I love: They are organic, gluten free (which most teriyaki is not gluten free) and minimally processed. According to their website “Seaweed offers the broadest range of minerals of any food on the planet, containing 10-20 times the mineral concentration of land plants, plus it’s high in protein and fiber. That’s why a serving can be only 25-100 calories and packed with flavor and nutrients. Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine and vitamin K and a very good source of folate, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Seaweed also contains measurable amounts of vitamins C and E, which help the absorption of all the other good stuff.”
8. Glee Gum
My kids love gum! Honestly, it is a form of entertainment and if they have gum they aren’t constantly asking me for food, so this mom loves gum too! A lot of gum on the market isn’t great quality though and while I have quickly learned over the years you can’t go crazy about trying to find the best of the best of all products, we try when we can. Gum is one of those things. If we have a better option, we do it but not always and don’t stress about it. This is a gum I found this year and have incorporated it into our home. My youngest son even got a gum dispenser for Christmas this year.
Why I love: Glee gum is free of preservatives, artificial flavorings, colorings, or sweeteners and is gluten free and non GMO verified. It is also a more natural product using chicle (sap from a tree) as the base instead of an artificial synthetic base like most other gums and using xylitol as the sugar free sweetner, which comes from birch and beech bark, instead of aspartame that most others use.
9. Primal Kitchen Chipotle Mayo and Unsweetened Ketchup (use code: embracewellness10 for 10% off)
I love just about every product Primal Kitchen offers and I plan to do an entire post showcasing some of our favorites soon, but for now I will introduce you to two of our new favorites: Chipotle Lime Mayo and Unsweetened Ketchup. The mayo is a little warm for my kids, but my husband and I love it on a wrap or mixed in with some tuna or canned salmon. The unsweetened ketchup is an amazing one of a kind product, with only 1 g of sugar (0 g added sugar), which most other ketchups on the market can’t say.
Why I love: Made with all recognizable ingredients, including avocado oil in the mayo which is a great fat source for your body. Most all condiments on the market these days have added sugar so this is a huge win for me because what kid doesn’t love ketchup!
10.Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray
We use a lot of avocado oil in our home because it has a high cooking temperature and also is a great source of fat. There are times though that we don’t need actual oil, just a little spray to coat a pan or on top of a food. This has been a great addition to our kitchen.
Why I love: ONE ingredient, avocado oil, and it is free from all chemicals and propellants that most other conventional oil spray products have in them.
What are your favorite products from last year?
**Some of these links may be affiliate links. Embrace Wellness LLC is a participant in various affiliate programs designed to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to products they trust and recommend. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same and in some cases less, but Embrace Wellness may receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain this work!