My favorite new products of 2013 -- Bai5 Antioxidant drinks.

Back in the fall, I received a sample shipment of Bai5 Antioxidant drinks, including the new Molokai Coconut. I'd been drinking another low-cal antioxidant drink for a while now, and I have to tell you, this blows them out of the water. 

They sent me a sample of the product, but I love it so much that I have it on automatic refill from Amazon. The Dragonfruit and Blueberry flavors are my most favorite.

I was even more thrilled a few weeks ago when I found out that Bai5 is now being sold at Target. I order mine by the case every month from Amazon (it gives me about a drink a day). I've started adding it to my juices (from my new juicer). It's really become a part of my life. 

The one thing about Bai5 is it contains coffee fruit. It's the berry part of the coffee bean -- and Dr. Oz and lots of others talk about its antioxident power.  This link explains the good, bad and ugly about it. What I like most about it (non-GMO, fair trade, etc) is it adds a small boost of caffeine.  Just enough for me....

Here's the history from their website:

Here's their lovely Press Release about the Coconut flavor:

PRINCETON, N.J. (March 8, 2013) – A taste of the tropics is now part of the Bai 5 family of 100% natural Antioxidant Infusions™. Bai Brands, LLC today announced the introduction of Molokai Coconut, the brand’s first coconut beverage and its first flavor to boast electrolytes. The new flavor is expected to be in stores by June 1st and will initially be offered as a summer thirst quencher, the first in a line of Bai 5 seasonal varieties.
“Molokai Coconut brings remarkable coconut taste to the coconut beverage experience,” says Bai Brands Founder and CEO, Ben Weiss. “Coconut waters provide excellent hydration but none of the pleasant, tropical refreshment one would expect from the name,” he says. “Molokai is the first product in the natural beverage space to deliver hydration, low calories, electrolytes and satisfying delicious flavor all in one.”
The newest Bai 5 is infused with antioxidant-rich coffeefruit and lightly sweetened with organic stevia and all-natural erythritol. Molokai Coconut is gluten-free, low-glycemic, Kosher, vegan, GMO-free and soy-free. Since each BPA-free bottle is aseptically filled, the antioxidants and electrolytes in Molokai remain potent. The brand’s first-ever seasonal release provides refreshment for health-conscious consumers, sports enthusiasts and everyone who craves a cooling yet healthy drink for hot summer days.
“Molokai Coconut arrives in a marketplace crowded with coconut waters but thirsty for coconut taste,” says Bai Brands Vice President of Sales, Ken Kurtz. “This category is expected to reach the $1 billion mark by 2014, but until now it has struggled to deliver a taste profile that could appeal to the mainstream. Bai 5 Molokai Coconut changes all of that with a product that delivers great taste in an all-natural, 5-calorie format.”
About Bai Brands LLC:Bai Brands, LLC, makers of Bai 5-Calorie Antioxidant Infusions, is a Princeton-based company founded in August, 2009 by entrepreneur and coffee industry pioneer Ben Weiss.  Bai 5-Calorie Antioxidant Infusions are 100% natural, only 5 calories, infused with coffeefruit and flavored with exotic fruit juices. They are naturally sweetened, gluten free, Kosher, vegan, soy-, BPA- and GMO-free. For more information about the line of eight Bai 5-Calorie Antioxidant Infusions and the brand named by Beverage World among the “Breakout Brands of 2012”, visit drinkbai.com.

So go to Amazon or Target and try it.  You will love Bai% -- I sure do!

Much love, Ging

Proud new member of the Cabot Cheese Board

I am a proud new member of the Cabot Cheese Board!

My favorite cheese recipes always taste better with Cabot Cheese. I especially like the extra sharp cheddar, which brings a sharp tangy taste. Gluten-free pasta is very bland, and Cabot cheese really makes it taste great!

Here's one of my favorite recipes I make with two blocks of Cabot extra sharp cheese:

Scott Peacock's Macaroni and Cheese
10 Servings

Recipe Ingredients
1 3/4 c Small elbow macaroni (use your favorite regular or GF version) cooked in well-salted water
1 1/4 c Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
(5 oz) -- cubed (I use a brick of Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese)
2 2/3 tb Brown Rice Flour
1 1/2 ts Salt
1 1/2 ts powdered mustard
1/4 ts Ground pepper
1/8 ts Cayenne
1/8 ts Ground nutmeg OPTIONAL: I hate nutmeg
1 1/3 c Half and half
1 1/3 c Whipping cream
2/3 c light Sour cream
2 large Eggs (or egg substitute)
3/4 ts Worcestershire sauce (I use a GF variety)
1 1/4 c Packed extra-sharp cheese (5
Oz) -- grated (again, I use a brick of Cabot Extra Sharp Cheese).


Recipe Method
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly butter 9x13x2-inch glass baking dish. Cook
macaroni in lg saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still
firm to bite. (If you use Tinkyada, use the energy saving method and drain at about 10 minutes.)
Drain pasta. Transfer to prepared dish. Mix in cubed cheese.

Whisk flour, salt, mustard, black pepper, cayenne pepper and nutmeg in
medium bowl until no lumps remain. Gradually whisk in half and half, then
whipping cream and sour cream. Add eggs and Worcestershire sauce; whisk to blend. Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to blend. Sprinkle grated cheese
over.

Bake macaroni and cheese until just set around edges but sauce is still
liquid in center, about 30 mins. Remove from oven; let stand 10 mins to
thicken slightly (sauce will be creamy).

Recipe By : Scott Peacock, formerly of Horseradish Grill, Atlanta

Happy Cheesy Day!

Much love 

Ging

There is nothin' like Valentine PEEPS

I'm thrilled that PEEPS have such a broad selection of candies for Valentines Day. I admit it -- I love PEEPS.  I have to have them for every holiday.

But this year, there are some really special PEEPS out there -- I've found them readily available at the local Mega Mart, CVS, and grocery stores. The wonderful makers of PEEPS sent me a beautiful selection to try. I've been carefully hoarding them for Friday (and since we're in the throes of an ice storm, they will come in handy).

• Sugar-free PEEPS: Crunchy and meltable, these don't spike blood sugar or cause gastric distress. For me, a major PEEP lover, these are a special treat. It means I have a Valentine's basket for myself!

• Beautiful dark-chocolate dipped PEEPS. Raspberry dipped in chocolate. It's going to be a treat in my Valentine's basket!

• Lovely big hearts, lovely little chocolate mousse bears. Such a yummy treat.

Here's a description from the maker of PEEPS:

Strawberries, Cherries and Chocolate can always be improved with marshmallows! Valentine’s Day will be here and what better way to show your loved one that you care then with some adorable and fun PEEPS® marshmallow candies. Your Valentine’s heart will flutter since PEEPS® are low in calories, gluten-free and come in a variety of flavors. PEEPS® Valentine’s Day treats can serve as a token of affection for your loved ones or adorable accents to baked good for your sweetheart. Try one or all of the seasonal varieties and express your PEEPSONALITY®!
PEEPS^® Valentine’s offerings include:

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Crème Flavored Chicks (3 ct)

• Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Bears (6 ct)

• Cherries Drizzled and Dipped in Chocolate (3 ct)

• Marshmallow Hearts (2 and 6 ct)

• Chocolate (milk or dark) Covered Raspberry Flavored Hearts (individually wrapped)

• Strawberry Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts (9 ct)

• Vanilla Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts (9 ct)

• Sugar-Free Marshmallow Hearts (3ct)

Visit the home page at www.marshmallowpeeps.com.

Happy Valentine's Day and much love!

Ging