These are a few of my favorite things.

Since I haven't been posting food pics these days, I figured I should at least put together a semi-visual post of my current favorite products and recipes. So I present to you, in no particular order, some Stretch Jean Incident world-rockers:



1. Naturally More Peanut Butter.

My relationship with peanut butter hasn't always been the best. It's definitely proven to be binge trigger food for me, but it's also a perfectly healthy source of protein, fat and fiber, so I've been determined to repair said relationship so I can enjoy it in moderation and still reap the benefits.

Well, I think Naturally More is helping me do just that. It has flax seeds and egg whites added in, thus boosting it's fiber, protein and omega-3 content. In fact, it has the most protein per serving (10g) I've seen out of all the nut butters I've tried so far. Impressive!

Aside from the natural flavor, it's got a thick and seedy/slightly crunchy texture and somehow, that seems to keep me from wanting to binge on it. I'm not sure how to explain it... I genuinely enjoy this peanut butter, but I'm not obsessed with it to the point where I want to just start eating it out of the jar uncontrollably. I still get my PB fix, but feel satisfied afterward, not frazzled or anxious.

My favorite way to consume? In a wrap with cinnamon, mashed banana and maybe a little drizzle of honey or light maple syrup. (Totally had that for dinner last night and might have to repeat for lunch; definitely my version of a Happy Meal these days!)



2. Naturally Nutty Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter.

While we're on the subject of butta, another favorite is this variety by Naturally Nutty. It's another one that's been repairing my relationship with nut butter. It also has flax seeds added, as well as hemp seeds, so that means more protein and fiber! Although I love this product, I probably won't buy it too much in the future because of the price. I only tried it through a super-awesome online promo a few months back and was able to snag 2 jars for really cheap.

If you browse their store, you'll notice a crapload of awesome flavor combinations though, so who knows, I might have to break down and try some more when I have the disposable income.

Favorite way to consume? Also in a wrap or with a banana, carrot sticks or an apple. It's not super-sweet, so it goes well with sweeter fruits/veggies.

3. Chocolate-Banana Protein Muffins.

Namaste Mari is a new favorite blog of mine and yesterday I tried her recipe for these muffins. (You can view my adapted version of the recipe, along with nutritional stats here.)

These became an instant favorite. With chocolate chips and banana though, how could they not?! I made my version into a loaf though, not muffins. They turned out ok, but I think next time, I need to add more flour and increase the baking time (ah, the joy of baking at higher altitudes). Some spots were just too soggy, but the flavor can't be beat. Just like a piece of hearty chocolate cake.

Favorite way to consume? As is, with a hefty teaspoon of Peter Pan's Whipped Peanut Butter on top. That was my breakfast this morning and it was pretty much heaven. (And although I'm not giving it an official spot on the list, you can check out more info about the whipped peanut butter here. For the Colorado Springs peeps, the only place in town that carries it is Big Lots.)



4. BANANAS!

I've been buying the shit out of these lately, ever since I discovered the act of freezing them. Yes, this practice is probably old news to many of you, but I finally caught on and it's made a world of difference. They're so cheap and make most things better (oatmeal, PB wraps, Green Monsters, etc.), so I'm all about keeping a regular stock these days. And of course, they're great on their own, too.



5. Santa Fe Tortilla Wraps.

Apparently these are the official wrap for the South Beach Diet, so that's the site I linked to; the company's website is pretty much empty...

Anywho, new favorite healthy tortilla option right now. I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club and haven't seen them in any other grocery stores, so best of luck in your search for these babies...

They're the perfect size for big wraps or burritos, are only 100 calories and loaded with a good amount of protein and fiber. And though they're wheat-based, their texture is more like that of a white flour tortilla, which gives them mega bonus points in my book. I've tried lots of different tortilla products over the past couple of years and it's been a challenge finding one that is the right size, texture, not loaded with fat/calories and contains respectable amounts of fiber & protein. Santa Fe Tortilla Company has pretty much nailed it with these wraps.

So there ya have it, my current Top 5. I'll try to make an effort to do more posts like these in the future, since I'm always going out of my way to try new things (or at least re-visit some old favorites).