Reviews & Giveaways!

Hey guys!

Life, as usual, has been crazy busy. I have a feeling I won't be posting much until summer hits, when hopefully I will be able to post more! I am a bit behind on some product reviews I have, so this post will be putting three reviews into one. But first, a brief update on what's be going on with me!

Running still has not been happening, and my first 5k is on April 28. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to end up winging it and hoping for the best, alternating between running and walking. I tried to to run over Easter break and just ended up with a painful shin, so that didn't work. At least I ran a mile before getting the shin pain and painful stomach cramps.

My role as Editor-in-Chief has been going well and has been keeping me busy. I absolutely love it! It's a tradition that each year the old Editor-in-Chief buys their replacement a Louisville Slugger baseball bat - and I got mine on Thursday. It was bright pink! And it had my name engraved on it. Check it out:

Isn't it awesome?! I have to give a huge amount of thanks to Jake (who I'm replacing) - he has done a great job training me and I really, really appreciate everything he is done. 

I'm also currently looking for a part-time summer job. Seasonal jobs are so hard to find anymore. My mom doesn't believe me when I tell her that no one is hiring only seasonal and they want people who can work through the school year. Hopefully I'll be able to find something! 

I was recently sent a few pretty awesome new products to try out. First up, Rush Bowls. 

I gotta tell ya, I'm a huge fan of these. They are so neat. They come frozen, and each bowl is filled with pureed fruit and some sort of liquid (could be green tea, soymilk, etc), as well as a package of granola topping. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge and grab one for breakfast in the morning! They are so easy. And they taste like sorbet - who doesn't want to eat sorbet for breakfast? 

They are vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free, nut free, wheat free, dairy free, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial anything! And not too high in calories. Overall, I loved these. I thought all of the flavors were delicious: Acai Beach Bowl. Gluten-Free Beach Bowl, Power Bowl, Yoga Bowl, and Oasis Bowl. I tend to have a thing for the tropical flavors. You can learn more about the specific bowls here! 

The Daisy Rating

4/5 daisies

Next: Bee-Free Honee! 

When I first discovered this product, I was a little surprised; I mean, vegan honey? How do you make that? It turns out this delicious stuff is made from apples! 

Although it does taste kind of like condensed apple juice, this is really delicious and definitely feels like honey. I put it on a banana, and I thought it was great. I absolutely love it! If you're a vegan who misses traditional honey, this is a great alternative. I highly recommend this. It pours like honey, looks like honey, but smells like apples. It is tart and delicious. Yum.

The Daisy Rating

4.5/5 daisies

Finally: Zevia! 

I love this company because they make it possible for me to drink pop that is healthy and calorie free. How much better can it get? 

Zevia is a Stevia-sweetened soda that tastes like all of your favorite mainstream sodas: Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, etc. I was lucky enough to be sent six of their flavors to try: Grapefruit Citrus, Mountain Zevia, Dr. Zevia, Cream Soda, Black Cherry, and Grape. They also have 3 new flavors available: Strawberry, Lime, and Cherry Cola. 

Although all we tasty, my favorites were Mountain Zevia and Cream Soda. They definitely tasted like the originals! My least favorite my Grape, but that is simply because I do not like grape flavored things. Definitely a personal preference. 

All of the sodas were yummy. They were very fizzy and had strong flavors that were easy to enjoy. These are the perfect substitute for high calorie, sugary sodas!

The Daisy Rating

4/5 daisies

GIVEAWAY

What to try some Zevia for yourself? One lucky PD reader will win a coupon for a 6 pack of their own Zevia to try! Here's how to enter! Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

MANDATORY  - tell me which Zevia flavor you most want to try and why.

Extra entries:

-Like Zevia on Facebook and follow them on Twitter
-Like Passing Daisies on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
-Tweet about this giveaway and tag @cityxlights13
-Subscribe to PD by email (3 entries)
-Post about this giveaway on your own blog and provide the link

-Follow PD on GFC (Google Friend Connect)

Giveaway ends on April 21st at midnight.
OPEN TO USA RESIDENTS ONLY.


Happy entering!
Much love,

Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats

Hey everyone! 

So, I've noticed there is currently an overnight oats craze going on in the health blogging world. I've always been intrigued and wanted to try them, and a few nights ago I realized I had everything I needed to make overnight oats in my dorm room. So what did I do? I tried them for the first time! 

Oats before thickening overnight

These were actually pretty good, although I think next time I'll experiment a bit more and use different flavors or yogurt and toppings. I would love to try making a key lime pie, banana cheesecake, or apple cinnamon variety!! Give this recipe a try for yourself and let me know what you think! 

Oats the next morning!

Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
Based off of this recipe from Peanut Butter Fingers 
Makes 2 servings
1 6oz. container Whole Soy & Co. cherry yogurt
2 T. cacao nibs
2 T. chia seeds
2/3 c. oats
1/2 c. vanilla flax milk + 1/4 c. for morning add in
Honey for topping

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients (except honey and 1/4 c. flax milk) in a large container. Cover and place in fridge over night.
2. The next morning, stir in 1/4 c. flax milk. Drizzle top with honey and enjoy!

Calories per serving: 364 (without honey)


Happy eating!

What is your favorite kind of overnight oats?
Much love,

Vegan MoFo #24: Mango Coconut Pancakes

Why hello there :) 

This recipe is based on my original Cinnamon Coconut Pancakes, and I thought it turned out super well ! I just re-vamped it a little bit by using Stevia instead of evaporated cane juice, two kinds of flour, and adding some unsweetened coconut flakes. Delicious! 

And the mango topping.... oh boy. 

So sticky and sweet, this is the perfect topping to send you into tropical heaven. Drizzle everything in agave nectar and enjoy a delicious and blissful meal.

Cinnamon Coconut Pancakes (Re-vamped!)
Based on Kim Barnouin's Maple and Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Makes 8 pancakes

1/2 c. unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. Stevia
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1 c. almond milk
1 t. vanilla
2 T. Earth Balance Coconut Spread, melted
3 T. unsweetened coconut flakes
Very SMALL amount of oil for frying

Mango Topping
2 mangos, diced
4 T. agave nectar

1. In a medium bowl, combine flours, Stevia, baking powder, baking soda, salt, coconut flakes, and cinnamon.
2. In a smaller bowl, combine milk, vanilla, and melted EB coconut spread.
3. Combine the two mixtures and whisk until batter is smooth.
4. Heat a SMALL amount of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. To do this, you can just lightly wet a napkin with oil and rub on the bottom of the skillet.
5. Using a 1/4 c. measure or a large ice cream scoop, pour batter into heated skillet, making only one pancake at a time.
6. Cook until you see bubbles forming on the top of the batter, then carefully flip pancake and cook until the other side is golden brown.

For the Mango Topping:
1. Place mango and agave in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Let cook until agave has evaporated, leaving the mango sticky and sweet and golden brown. 
3. For added flavor, allow the mango to cook until caramelization starts to occur. 

Assembly:
Take a pancake, drizzle with agave, place a spoonful of mango on top, and sprinkle with more coconut flakes. Yum!

Nutritional Info

Servings: 8
Calories: 168

Carbs: 31g

Fat: 5g

Protein: 2g

What is your favorite kind of pancakes?
Much love, 

Quinoa Cherry Almond "Oat"meal

I came up with this recipe a while ago in an attempt to make quinoa "rice" pudding, but it turned out a bit like oatmeal instead. This recipe is great for breakfast because it is only slightly sweet and uses a lot of healthy fruits and veggies. Plus, quinoa has TONS of protein.

Quinoa Cherry Almond "Oat"meal
2 c. almond milk (unsweetened)
1. c quinoa
1/2 c. fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
1/4 c. raw slivered almonds
1 t. lemon zest
2 T. lemon juice
1/2 t. stevia
1 banana, mashed
1/4 t. sea salt

1. Bring almond milk to a boil, add quinoa, and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until soft and ready to eat.
2. Mix in remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined.
3. Eat up!!!

Serves 4, each serving approximately 206 calories.