By Summer:
The rage these days seems to center around organic and natural products including food. I’ve never heard a parent say, “I want my family to eat poorly.” You’d laugh, right? But our food has become more processed and a far stretch from its original form. If you’re getting hip on health in the New Year, you might think of streaming these movies on Netflix: Super Size Me (PG-13) (2004) and Food, Inc. (PG)(2008). Lunch Line is another health film I’d recommend and is now in select theaters. These flicks will help you become a dietary advocate for your family if you’re thinking of ways to improve your family’s health in 2011.
Remember, just because an item claims to be organic or natural on the packaging doesn’t mean it’s good for you or better for the environment. Watch out for trick phases and claims as “made with organic ingredients,” as these products are not organic products but may just contain two organic ingredients or may not be certified organic. Look for the USDA Organic seal! Organic foods with the USDA seal are grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or GMOs — genetically modified 
organisms (an example of a GMO is seedless grapes).
One boxed food I’d recommend to help your family improve health and get the whole grains and fiber needed in a day is Kirkland Signature Nature’s Path Organic Ancient Grains with Almonds.
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Path Organic Ancient Grains with Almonds is a granola made from rolled oats, spelt, Kamut® Khorasan wheat, quinoa, and amaranth. No those are not a foreign language … well, they kind of are as these grains have their origins from around the world. These are the grains that make up the 6g of fiber and 31g of whole grain you’ll get in one serving (3/4 cup) of Ancient Grains. I needed to break it down so I could understand this product, and here’s what I found out (if you too need a lesson): Rolled oats are just like your standard oatmeal and originate from the “Near East”. Spelt is a type of wheat grown in Central Europe. Kamut® is a brand name; Khorasan is a region of land called Middle Persia, which was pieces of today’s Middle East; and like its name says it’s wheat. Quinoa pronounced KEEN-wah is a seed native of South America. Amaranth is an African weed which we use for its seeds. However, with all the information and knowledge we now possess in agriculture, these grains are not grown only in their native lands but have been brought to North America for growing and harvesting.
So as I look at the ingredients list the only other thing I was left scratching my head about was inulin. Inulin is an ingredient which is a natural preservative made from root. All the ingredients are natural and/or organic. I was so satisfied to find that I could read the Ancient Grains’ ingredient list! And since it’s only 15 ingredients long, you should have no problem deciding if Ancient Grains is right for your family too.
My husband and I have been using Kirkland Signature Nature’s Path Organic Ancient Grains with Almonds as an add-in to a snack of yogurt. We measure out ¼ cup and stir it into the yogurt. This is very satisfying as a snack; it rejuvenates my energy, sustains my appetite, and offers a sweet taste which I seem to constantly crave.
One last thing I’d like to mention is I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE independent companies. Many brands are owned by parent company and smaller brands sell out to these big corporations to go national, international, or just make the big bucks. Nature’s Path Organic is owned by themselves, Nature’s Path Foods Inc. They started in 1949 and have continued to be independent; their company’s vision since 1985 has been “To be a trusted name for quality organic food in every home; socially responsible, environmentally sustainable & financially viable.” Well, they’ve earned my trust and I hope yours too. Invite them into your home for a healthier 2011.
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Path Organic Ancient Grains with Almonds can only be found at Costco. Check the cereal aisle. Don’t see it? Ask your Costco customer service about it, item #526528. Costco also offers other great Nature’s Path Organic items: Pumpkin Flax Plus Granola, and Toaster Pastry combo boxes of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Frosted and Cherry PomegranTM Frosted.
You can also find Nature’s Path Organic on Facebook and Nature’s Path Twitter @naturespath.
Enter to Win:
A Box of Nature’s Path Ancient Grains with Almonds
To Enter:
Leave me a comment telling me what you think of Nature’s Path Organic and what you would like to try!
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Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends January 10. Summer received products mentioned above to facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.
I’m just starting to become more aware of what GMO’s are and I would love to try the Buttermilk Pancake Mix
I think Natures path Organics is great . i want to try Strawberry Frosted Toaster Pastry
crazyred61 at yahoo dot com
Wow! What a great company! Not owned by huge company, no greenwashing, straightforward, honest,good products, caring about customers… amazing!
I’d love to try the Agave Plus™ Granola… and just about everything else I saw there!
Thanks for bringing this company and their products to my attention!
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/22067974479290368
love the natural ingredients
I love the Blueberry Frosted Toaster Pastry
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
I like Nature’s Path Organic Foods on facebook (Louis Here)
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
following @NaturesPath on twitter @left_the_stars
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
I tweeted your giveaway
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
Google Friends Connect – following your blog publicly as Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
I subscribed to your feed via google reader
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
following you on twitter @left_the_stars
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
I shared on my Face Book
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
I added your giveaway to Google Buzz
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/22403797678555136
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/22745138870620160
we are starting to get into alot more organic food I would really like to try the Buttermilk Pancake Mix
i like them on fb as Amber Lusk MacDonald
i follow them on twitter as Amber01sw
shared on twitter as Amber01sw
http://twitter.com/#!/amber01sw/status/22766891185475584
i get ur emails
i follow u on twitter as Amber01sw
i follow u on GFC as amber01sw
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/23136470365638657
I like that the company does good for others. I’d like to try Buckwheat Wildberry Frozen Waffles.
I would love to try the Agave Plus Granola.
Following naturesplus on Twitter @lotusearthlight
Tweeted giveaway
http://twitter.com/lotusearthlight/status/23207473301168129
Following MomStart on Twitter @lotusearthlight
Following you on GFC as lovelyai
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/23493513018613760
Would like to try the pancake mix…think Nature’s Path is a great company and have found it at my grocery store.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
GFC follower as Melissa O.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
They sound like a honest and good company. I’d love to try the Blueberry Frosted Toaster Pastries.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m an e-mail subscriber.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow through Google Friend Connect.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m a facebook fan of Nature’s Path Organics under username Jennie Tilson.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/23852765696495616
I think their Vanilla Almond Flax Plus Granola sounds wonderful.
I follow Nature’s Path on twitter as MelodicMom
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/MelodicMom/status/23911155512643585
I follow you on twitter as MelodicMom
http://twitter.com/#!/Costana78/status/24209023041540096
Cool site; I would like to try the Peanut Choco Granola Bars!
All of the Nature’s Path Organic food looks really yummy! I’d love to try their Granola.
I “like” Nature’s Path on Facebook (Mandy Peters Kauffman).
I follow Nature’s Path on Twitter (SuperGrover83).
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/SuperGrover83/status/24264836179296256
I subscribe to your RSS feed via Google Reader.
I follow you on Twitter (SuperGrover83).
I follow you via GFC.