Quick and Easy Superfood Breakfasts

Posted on October 29, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Superfoods are all the rage right now but why shouldn’t they be? They are super after all, super at making your body feel spectacular. In a world of fast food, we’re all in need of healthy heros like Sambazon!

The brand Sambazon focuses on fair trade, non GMOs and sustainability of the cute lil acai superberry. We recently tasted two of their acai breakfast (or any time of day, for that matter) options and simply swooned over their hunger pang crushing powers.

The first sample was the chocolate, almond and coconut milk protein smoothie. Lactose issue folks and vegans can rejoice over this tasty drink containing 8 grams of vegan protein to get the day started. We are a big fan of coconut milk as it adds a rich touch that makes the drink feel decadent.

The second option, Acai Berry Superfood Smoothie Packs, breaks down to the bare essence of the superfood, fair trade organic acai berry pulp, in a convenient frozen ready to blend serving. We love to make green smoothies to get a pop of spinach or kale in the morning and incorporated the pack into our easy and quick green recipe with coconut water, spinach and blueberries.

Monica & Kate’s Super Samba Greenie:

Take 1 cup coconut water (like Zico or Vita Coco) and put in a magic bullet or blender.
Add a smattering of blueberries, handful of spinach and half a superfood smoothie pack and viola!

Your not too sweet not too sour SUPER green smoothie has been created!

Like the Sambazon Protein Smoothie but wanna make your own version?

Monica and Kate’s Fake Out Samba Protein Smoothie:

1 cup Coconut-Almond blend milk
1 packet Samanazon Acai superfood smoothie pack
1/2 cup frozen banana
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (like Ghirardelli)

Voila! 3 breakfast options to break from your egg and granola routine. Ready to get in touch with your inner champion? You can find Sambazon at oh so many retailers like Marianos, Jewel-Osco, Whole Foods, Walgreens and even (*gasp*) Walmart! They are everywhere :).

Spring Tea Time Treats

Posted on April 28, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

We’ve jumped from winter to winter to oh my, is that spring we see? There was that one blissful 60s weekend and the tulips have somehow managed to peek out of the ground and stretch their leafy arms. What’s best way to enjoy the promise of such weather? With a break, of course. A very classy wafel break. We Americans have been doing our break all wrong, you see. We’ve been missing the stroopwafel, a cookie made of two thin Dutch waffle-like wafers with gooey caramel in-between. When we first received a sample box from Rip van Wafels, we screamed in delight. The presentation of the monthly coffee/tea & stroopwafels was cuter than a bucket of bunnies cuddling puppies. Numi Breakfast Blend tea, the featured beverage, was packed in a handle mason jar with two legions of individually wrapped wafels on each side. Numi is a perfect partner for Rip Van Wafels with it’s focus on fair trade and organic products. First things first, we didn’t follow the suggested directions of placing the stroopwafel over a steamy beverage to warm the ooey-gooey caramel loveliness inside. After about 4 days of mindless wafel munching (Kate received and commandeered the wafels at her house), Monica closely examined the packaging and realized the delicacies of this Dutch tradition, koffietijd, or a mid morning coffee and wafel break.

Heating our wafels up with Numi Tea

Subscribers to Rip van Wafels will get a new coffee or tea in each box as well as sturdy traditional stroopwafels or their fanciful cousin, the cocoa filled wafel. We are curious to know how the cocoa filled wafel would stand up to our Chicago micro-roasting coffee companies. Yumm, delicious collaboration could be on the horizon!

Picture courtesy of Rip van Wafels

So what say you America, shall we start a mindful revolution of stroopwafeling and mid morning time outs? We say let’s import the Dutch tradition and while we’re at it, let’s bring back the old school kindergarten nap time to the adult work world too!

Brunch Bunch at Public House Chicago

Posted on March 28, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Sigh…there is nothing better than a weekend brunch. That’s only 1 reason (although a compelling one) why we gleefully accepted an invite from Chicago Food Bloggers to network at Public House, a spot we’ve been clamoring to check out. We rushed out, delayed as always, to River North to meet blogger pals and try the new morning grub.

Public House did not disappoint. The space had rich wood undertones and felt roomy. Our group was treated to a buffet style breakfast where we could snag whatever breakfast treats we liked. It was slightly meat and sweets heavy, but the manager gladly accommodated a request for a savory veggie option, a modified meatless breakfast sammich with arugula, scrambled eggs, tomatoes and shaved red onions on a toasted sourdough boulet.

The presentation of the sweet breakfast options made us drool. The healthier option, a parfait pint (we got pint sized version of the pint) was layered with fresh berries, greek yogurt and crunchy granola. The doughnut french toast also featured berries but we found it a little too deep fried for our tastes. Our top contender, however, was a warm gooey sticky bun with the perfect balance of a soft bun, drizzled vanilla icing and nuts. Our waitress was kind enough to sneak us another one after the buffet had been ravaged.