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Oats
A Source of: Protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium.
Whole grains should be eaten instead of refined grains as much as possible, because most of the grains' nutritional value is taken away by the refining process. Although all whole grains contain soluble fiber, which is good for lowering cholesterol and possibly reducing the risk of heart attacks, oats have one of the highest levels of soluble fiber. Fiber also helps the body utilize insulin more efficiently, an important asset in controlling diabetes. A diet rich in whole grains has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer. Whole grain diets also improve bowel health by helping to maintain regular bowel movements and promote growth of healthy bacteria in the colon.
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Resources Nutrition Resources
Fruits
Nuts & Seeds
Sweeteners, Spices & Oils
Grains
Chocolate
Egg Whites
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Prune Puree
A Source of: Vitamin C, riboflavin, other B vitamins, antioxidants and potassium.
Prunes are an excellent source of antioxidants, giving them the ability to prevent oxidation of cells! Prunes are also a good source of potassium, which is an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure, heart function, and bone health. The soluble fiber in prunes helps maintain healthy digestion, normalizes blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity, so it can play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
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Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
A Source of: Omega-3, omega-6, monounsaturated fat and vitamin E.
Canola oil was chosen for our products after careful consideration of several options. Its health benefits, ease of use in baking and limited impact on the flavor of the cookies made it stand out as the superior choice. Most concerns from the health field about canola oil are related to the process of making it. Many brands of canola oil are made with a combination of high-temperature mechanical pressing and chemical extraction using hexane, a petroleum-based product, then refined using phosphoric acid and other additives. Our choice of canola oil is Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, also known as "cold pressed", and in contrast is mechanically extracted and uses no heat or chemicals. It is also GMO-free and has zero trans fats. Given the differences, this oil is by far the best oil for our family of products!
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Honey
A Source of: Vitamin B2, vitamin B6, iron, and manganese.
Honey is a great natural alternative to refined sugar, and increases the shelf life of baked goods. In addition to its reputation as nature's nutritive sweetener, honey is also a natural source of carbohydrates making it an energy booster! The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly giving an immediate increase in energy, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. By keeping levels of blood sugar fairly constant, compared to other types of sugar, honey is able to promote better blood sugar control.
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Cinnamon
A Source of: Fiber, calcium, iron, manganese and antioxidants.
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in baked goods which is made from the dried bark of the Cassia tree. Cinnamon's essential oils qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food, giving it the ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi. Recent research is demonstrating that this spice can be used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives. Seasoning foods with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on blood sugar levels, because it slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Adding cinnamon to foods also speeds up your metabolism, helping burn calories and promoting weight loss. It only takes 1.5 teaspoons a day to boost metabolism by 20 percent! In addition to all of its health benefits when ingested, just smelling this spice boosts brain activity.
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Walnuts
A Source of: Protein, fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, manganese, copper, tryptophan, vitamin E, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
There is a lot packed into these little shells! Walnuts are known by some as the #1 nut for heart health, due to findings that they have more and better quality antioxidants than any other nut! Adequate intake of omega-3s, including the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) present in walnuts, has repeatedly been shown to help improve a wide variety of cardiovascular functions, including blood pressure. Given the wide variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients found in walnuts, it's not surprising to see research on this tree nut showing measurable anti-cancer benefits. The antioxidant properties of walnuts help lower risk of chronic oxidative stress, and the anti-inflammatory properties help lower risk of chronic inflammation.
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Almonds
A Source of: Manganese, iron, calcium, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, tryptophan, copper, riboflavin, phosphorus and antioxidants.
This nutrient-dense tree nut has many health benefits. Eating a handful of almonds a day may lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and diabetes. Almonds are associated with healthy heart function and reduced risk of heart disease because they are high in monounsaturated fats, magnesium, and potassium. Further research shows that eating almonds along with a high glycemic index food significantly lowers the glycemic index of the meal and lessens the rise in blood sugar after eating.
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Raisins
A Source of: Iron, potassium, fiber, boron and antioxidants.
Raisins are made by dehydrating grapes. They are full of energy boosting nutrients and are easily packed for life on the go! Through the drying process raisins maintain a unique phenol content. The phenols found in fruit have repeatedly been shown to have antioxidant activity and to help prevent oxygen-based damage to cells in the body. Raisins are also a great source of boron, which has been linked to providing protection against osteoporosis and is beneficial to bone health.
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Apples
A Source of: Fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.
An apple a day to keep the doctor away! This common phrase is proving to have a lot of truth. Apples are packed with nutrients that have cardiovascular benefits, help regulate blood sugar and control appetite, protect against cancer, and safeguard the lungs. Research has found that when an apple is included into a daily diet, the combination of the water-soluble fiber (pectin) and its mix of polyphenols reduce total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. An apple's polyphenols also work to regulate blood sugar levels, helping to prevent spikes. The strong antioxidant composition of apples provides us with protection from possible oxidation of fats (called lipid peroxidation), including fats found in the bloodstream (like triglycerides) or fats found in the membranes of cells linking our blood vessels. Many of these healthy nutrients are found in apple skin, so don't peel, eat whole foods!
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Molasses
A Source of: Manganese, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and selenium.
Blackstrap molasses has a bittersweet flavor and is used in many baked goods. It is made from the third boiling of sugar syrup and is the concentrated by-product left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. This molasses is a sweetener that in moderation is actually good for you! It is unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates. Molasses is a very good source of calcium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and magnesium, which are all very important to the development and maintenance of an overall healthy body.
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Dark Chocolate
A Source of: Serotonin, phenylethylamine and antioxidants.
Dark chocolate comes from the cacao bean, which is a seed from the Theobroma cacao tree. Dark chocolate has been shown to improve heart health, blood pressure, reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol, increase HDL "good" cholesterol and increase blood flow to the brain when eaten as part of a healthy lifestyle. It may also improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, reducing diabetes risk, and even help with depression and stress. The health benefits of chocolate come from flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found in the cacao bean, as well as in fruits, vegetables, tea, wine and coffee. The more cocoa a chocolate product contains, the richer its health-promoting content. Generally, 65% - 75% is the ideal amount of cocoa to consume in a chocolate product to enjoy its health benefits. Natural, non-alkalized dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain as much or more antioxidants as acai berry, blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate. Dark chocolate can even help you control your appetite and eat less during the day. Look for chocolate that doesn't contain milk products or partially hydrogenated oils to avoid harmful types of fat. Eat a small square of plain dark chocolate, about an ounce, each day to reap the heart-healthy benefits.
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Sea Salt
Sea Salt is a natural unrefined version of salt, which is different from your everyday refined table salt. Sea Salt is formed by the natural evaporation of ocean water. In contrast, refined table salt is dried at over 1,200° Fahrenheit, which alters the natural chemical structure of the salt. What remains after ordinary table salt is "chemically cleaned" is approximately 97.5% sodium chloride, an unnatural chemical form of salt that your body recognizes as something completely foreign. In comparison, unrefined salt is approximately 84 percent sodium chloride, and 16 percent other naturally occurring minerals, including many trace minerals like silicon, phosphorous and vanadium. In addition to helping the brain send communication signals to your muscles, a balanced salt complete with natural elements is needed for your body to function properly.
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Egg Whites
A Source of: Protein, folate, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and riboflavin.
Egg whites are used in many healthy baking recipes! They are a great alternative to using a whole egg, which contains higher levels of cholesterol. Using only egg whites one is able to add protein to baked goods without the unwanted cholesterol which is found in the egg's yolk. Egg whites are also very low in calories, with only 16 calories per egg, and contain no fat.
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Inulin (Vegetable Fiber)
A Source of: Fiber, potassium, vitamin C and protein.
Inulin is a natural soluble fiber derived from a variety of plant roots, namely chicory, agave, and Jerusalem artichoke. Including inulin into a healthy diet will help improve potassium levels in the body, which will help with reducing blood pressure. It is also good source of fiber and probiotics, both aiding in digestive and liver health. Recently, research has shown that the ingestion of inulin significantly increases the absorption of calcium in the diet, which benefits in improving bone density and reduces the occurrence of osteoporosis.
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Natural Peanuts/Peanut Butter
A Source of: Maganese, tryptophan, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin E, folate, fiber, copper, protein and antioxidants.
Peanuts are not actually nuts; they are legumes, making them a part of the bean family. However, this complex plant food offers great nutritional benefits similar to other nuts! Peanuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, which decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, a phenolic antioxidant which is a plant chemical touted as an aid against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer and aging. Peanuts are also great for reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol because they contain phytosterols and fiber. Practical Tip: To lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, enjoy a handful of peanuts or other nuts, or a tablespoon of nut butter, at least 4 times a week!
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Banana Puree
A Source of: Vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, potassium, fiber and manganese.
Bananas are a great, natural, portable snack! Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. The average banana contains 467mg of potassium and only 1mg of sodium, so eating a banana a day may help prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. Studies have confirmed that eating high fiber foods like bananas helps prevent heart disease and may also promote bone health. Bananas can also help promote weight loss, since an average size banana only contains 105 calories, has less than .5g of fat and a low glycemic index. Bananas are known for their antacid effects, protecting against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage, while also helping the digestive tract function normally.
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Pumpkin Puree
A Source of: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B, vitamin E, fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, beta-carotene and antioxidants.
Pumpkin Puree is a great way to add nutrition and flavor to baked goods! Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, which helps support cell reproduction, vision health, immune function, bone health, healing and fetal development. Pumpkin puree also provides vitamin K to help with blood coagulation and potentially protect against osteoporosis. One cup provides more than 500 mg of potassium, more than you get in one banana, keeping mineral and fluid balance in check to promote proper heart rhythm and muscle function. Other minerals found in Pumpkin support muscle contraction, immunity and nervous system function. Pumpkin's orange color is a clue to its high antioxidant content. Pumpkin's antioxidants, including lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene, and vitamins C and E support vision health, tissue repair and immunity, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as fight disease-causing free radicals in the body.
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Sour Cherries
A Source of: Vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, folate and antioxidants.
Sour cherries, also commonly known as tart cherries, are not sour at all—this sweet cherry imparts a tangy, meaty bite. Including sour cherries in your diet gives you a big boost of vitamin A, which plays a critical role to your immune system. It helps to make up white blood cells that fight infections and destroy bacteria and viruses that can harm your body. Sour cherries also serve as a good source of vitamin C, also helping to boost your immunity, making sour cherries an excellent option when you are ill. Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits—from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body's natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process. A growing body of science reveals sour cherries have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. Recent research notes that 1 1/2 cups of sour cherries increases antioxidant levels significantly, protecting your body from free radical damage.
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Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup is a natural alternative to refined table sugar and artificial sweeteners. It has a relatively low glycemic index rating, coming in around 25 compared to 64 of refined table sugar and 96 of pure glucose; meaning that it takes your body longer to burn. The slower absorption of the sugars allows you to maintain your energy helping to prevent the negative effects of sugar including fatigue, irritability and the desire for more sugar. Brown rice syrup does not have the same adverse effects on the bloodstream as other sweeteners because of its high concentration of maltose and soluble complex carbohydrates. Unlike refined table sugar, which causes your body to work harder to absorb the sucrose, brown rice syrup is able to provide your body with fiber, as well as 3 percent of your recommended daily intake of sodium and potassium.
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Wheat Flour
A Source of: B-vitamins, calcium, folacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
Flour is a key ingredient in baked goods. The complex carbohydrates in grain-based foods provide essential fuel the body needs. Grains are a major source of iron, a key nutrient in the production and release of energy to the body. Different types of flours range in color, texture, taste, and nutrients. Thorough testing of white and wheat flours showed that unbleached wheat flour, due to taste, texture, and shelf life, was the best choice for the Breakfast Cookie. This was a difficult decision to make! Although whole wheat flour is the healthiest choice, its grainier, moisture-heavy texture wasn't a good fit for our products.
Not only has unbleached wheat flour helped increase product shelf life significantly, it is healthier than bleached white flour because it is enriched with nutrients and is not exposed to chemicals. White flour is lightened and brightened by using chlorine gas or benzoyl peroxide, while unbleached flour is bleached by oxygen in the air, making it off-white in color. The enriched unbleached wheat flour in Breakfast Cookies has iron and 4 major B-vitamins (thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid) added in amounts equal to or exceeding that in whole wheat flour. These 4 added major B-vitamins help maintain a healthy nervous system and increase energy production, which may help lower cholesterol. Folic acid, in particular, is an important enrichment, because it helps reduce birth defects such as neural tube defects, and may improve memory function and decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer.
We are committed to baking the healthiest product possible, and the Breakfast Cookie still remains the freshest, healthiest single serve cookie on the market, available nationwide. As flour milling technology advances, millers are creating whole wheat flours which are more palatable and perform for shelf stability. We are committed to improving our products as better ingredients become available!
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Ginger
A Source of: Potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, vitamin B6 and antioxidants.
Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to our Gingerbread Limited Edition Breakfast Cookie. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). It can not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. Ginger is also very effective in reducing all symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating, making it a natural alternative to over-the-counter drugs. In addition, women going through pregnancy have found ginger's anti-vomiting action very useful in reducing nausea and vomiting. Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger. These substances are able to help relieve pain for people with arthritis and have also been known to protect against Colorectal Cancer. Ginger extracts have been shown to have both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects on cells. Due to high concentration levels of active substances, you don't have to use very much to receive its benefits. For nausea, ginger tea made by steeping one or two 1/2-inch slices of fresh ginger in a cup of hot water will likely be all you need to settle your stomach.
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Coconut
A Source of: Vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, manganese, selenium and potassium.
Coconuts are the fruit of the Cocos nucifera tree. The high saturated fat content of coconut and coconut oil has led to the perception that consuming them will increase cholesterol levels; however, their medium-chain saturated fatty acids are metabolized differently than long-chain saturated fatty acids found in meat and butter. They do not aid in the synthesis or transport of cholesterol. Instead, they are metabolized in the liver to be used as energy. Medium-chain saturated fatty acids, such as those in coconut and coconut oil, have been shown to have favorable effects on total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Coconut and coconut oil also contain lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. The body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which is a monoglyceride that has antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal properties to enhance immune system function.
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Ground Flax Seed
A Source of: Omega-3 fatty acids, manganese, dietary fiber, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus and vitamin B6.
The scientific name for flaxseed describes the versatility and nutritional value of this tiny seed, Linum usitatissimum, meaning "most useful." Although you can eat whole flax seed, we chose to use ground flax seed because the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body. Ground flax seed is used in all of our Granolas to add texture and nutrients! Flax seeds are rich in alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fat that is essential to our bodies; it can help reduce the inflammation that is a significant factor in conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis. This omega-3 fat has many other health benefits contributing to bone health, heart health, reducing LDL cholesterol, combating prostate tumor growth, and reducing the risk of colon cancer by protecting the cells from cancer-causing toxins and free radicals. Flax seeds are also a good source of magnesium, which helps to reduce the severity of asthma by keeping airways relaxed and open, lowers high blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. It also generally promotes relaxation and restores normal sleep patterns. Flax seed is particularly rich in lignans, which affect the way estrogen is handled in postmenopausal women in such a way that protection against breast cancer is offered, but will not interfere with estrogen's role in normal bone maintenance. In addition to lessening a woman's risk of developing cancer, the lignans abundant in flaxseed can promote normal ovulation and extend the second, progesterone-dominant half of the cycle helping restore normal hormone balance.
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Cranberries
A Source of: Vitamin C, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin K and antioxidants.
Cranberries may be small, but they pack a powerful punch! These little red berries are very well known as a great source of vitamin C, but their amazing phytochemicals are what puts them at the top of the list of healthy fruits. The majority of phytonutrients present in cranberries has been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. The synergy of these phytonutrients working together is what makes cranberries so good for you, so whenever possible eat them whole and fresh!
Many women know cranberries provide increased protection against UTIs from their proanthocyanidin (PAC) content. The PACs in cranberries have a special structure that makes it more difficult for certain types of bacteria to latch onto urinary tract linings, leading to a decrease in infections. The phytonutrients in cranberries also provide important anti-inflammatory benefits for many parts of the digestive tract and cardiovascular system, including decreasing blood pressure. Cranberries also provide cardiovascular support by helping us lower our "bad" LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol, while simultaneously helping us increase our level of "good" HDL-cholesterol. Because of their unique array of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, cranberries are now being researched for anti-cancer properties. As you can see, this little berry is truly amazing!
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Evaporated Cane Juice
A Source of: Riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, fiber, protein and potassium.
Evaporated cane juice is a healthy alternative to refined sugar. Since it is not as heavily processed as refined sugar, it still contains more of the nutrients found in sugar cane. It is also called dried cane juice and direct consumption sugar. Replacing refined sugar with less-processed forms of sugar cane may help stabilize diabetes and boost the immune system.
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