Product Review: Chobani Flips

Remember how in this post I said I wanted to try the new Chobani Flips?

Well, I guess it's my lucky day, because Cho was awesome enough to send a case of their new Flips my way!

I think this is a really great idea. New, delicious flavors of yogurt that are accompanied by a side of extra mix-ins. Raspberry puree, graham crackers & white chocolate, and toasted almonds are just a few of the available options.

Right away, I thought my favorite would be the Key Lime Crumble, with graham crackers and white chocolate mix-ins. And while this was a delicious flavor, my favorites were actually the Raspberry Choco Fix and Almond Coco Loco. Talk about scrumptious. And the Raspberry Choco Fix actually came with fresh raspberry to mix in! This was my favorite for that reason alone. I expected to be mixing the chocolate chips into raspberry yogurt.

As for the Almond Coco Loco, I loved the coconut yogurt. It was like being on a beach. The crunchy toasted almond and chocolate chips really made this yogurt a winner in my book.

All of the other flavors are great as well, and I highly recommend trying them all. I think this is a really creative idea for yogurt (having mix ins), and Chobani, as usual, executed the idea well. 

Whether you are a fruity or non-fruity yogurt person, Chobani has something for everyone. Grab a Flip before they all fly off the shelves!

The Power of Prayer

If I had to pinpoint one thing that really impacted me the most this semester, it would be prayer. 

I always heard people talk about answered prayers and I'd heard stories about people praying very specifically for things and them happening, but I never really had those experiences for myself. Over the past school year, I can honestly say that prayer has never had more of an impact on my life. 

The power of prayer - that's what I've learned. 

One thing I felt God telling me to do, very specifically, was to wait. Whether I was praying about a friendship, healing, a possible relationship, or a job, God's answer was always to wait. Considering how impatient I am, this was not easy. 

The cool thing that comes from waiting is the relationship you develop with Christ during the waiting process. I can also watch my long-term prayers being happened every day. It's like a snowball effect. If I make a point to look for God, I see Him in everything. It's been amazing. God has been working in life like I never expected.

One of the hardest things was when God provided multiple job opportunities for me in the business and sales world - some in which I would eventually make $100 grand - and I felt I wasn't to accept any of the offers. Imagine turning down a job where you could make that much money! However, I didn't feel like that was where God wanted me to be, so I turned the offers down. And now I am back to waiting. 

I know God will provide for me - He always does and He always will. I just need to follow what He tells me to do. 

Today has been a wonderful day, and it has only begun. Today I am joyful - and I have God to thank for that. 

Product Review: Way Better Snacks

Who doesn't enjoy snacking on chips and salsa?

Chips & salsa reminds me of a dance party I recently went to at my friend's house. I went early to help him set up, and one of the snacks were was chips & salsa. I was charged with the task of keeping his dogs away from all the food. I'm not sure why this stuck out to me - possibly because I don't eat much of either item. Regardless, there is something about the snack that is comforting and makes me want Mexican food.

I recently stumbled upon a great new snack: sprouted chips. I'll admit I was a little nervous at first, because the word "sprouted" makes me think of raw foods, of which I'm not the biggest fan. Don't get me wrong, I love me some baby carrots with ranch or cauliflower florets with hummus, but sprouts are not my thing.

When asked to try Way Better Snacks new line of sprouted chips, I was excited but unsure. When they arrived on my doorstep, I changed my mind: I was ready to dive into the six huge bags of crunchy goodness!

There are six flavors: Simply Sweet Potato, Simply Sunny Multi-Grain, Simply Unbeatable Blues (blue corn with salt), Simply Beyond Black Bean, No Salt Naked Blues (blue corn), and Simply So Sweet Chili.

Right away, I knew my favorite would be the Simply So Sweet Chili. 

Sweet, spicy and a bundle of crunchy goodness, these chips are yummy. I love the unexpected spice that sneaks up on you. 

The favorite among my roommates was the Simply Sweet Potato. 

These had just a hint of sweet potato flavor and wasn't too overwhelming. 

Way Better Snacks are Certified Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Certified 100% Whole Grain, Kosher, Vegan, an excellent Source of Whole Grains, Low Sodium, and a Good Source of Fiber. Also, they contain no trans fats, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

They are the first of its kind to use sprouted ingredients like flaxseed, chia seeds, quinoa, black beans, broccoli seeds and daikon radish seed. Weird, right? But yummy!

There wasn't a flavor that my roommates and I simply didn't like. I think the least favorite were the Simply Beyond Black Bean because they tasted... well... like black beans, and that was unusual. But they were still good! 

So, the next time you want nachos, give these chips a try. Yum. 

The Waiting Game

I think one of the hardest things to do is wait. 

A common theme in my life recently has been waiting. Just have patience, God says. I will provide.

It's easier said than done.  Especially for me, who is very impatient. 

I've recently been on the hunt for a full time job. Which, when looking for journalism and public relations in Cincinnati, is nearly impossible. I've applied for multiple jobs, and I still haven't heard back from any. It's also hard when a lot of available jobs require X amount years of professional experience, which, as a graduating college student, I don't have.

It's frustrating. I really need a job by the time I graduate so that I can afford to live with my friend in Norwood in August. I feel strongly that this is something I'm supposed to do - that God wants me to do. Without a job, I won't be able to do this. And I'm impatient - I want a job now. I want that assurance. 

But it's not always that simple. God has his own timeline, which is not the same as mine. I have to adjust my timeline to match His. 

Just wait, I will provide.

It's hard for me to have no control over how something works. I want to get things accomplished as best and efficiently as possible.  It's hard for me to say, God, take control of this situation. I'll wait and trust in you. 

Is this hard for you guys, too?

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him.

   Psalm 37:3-7

Trust and commit your ways to God and He will give you the desires of your heart. How cool is that? The hard part is the waiting that is involved!

The other hard part for me is deciding what exactly I want to do. Although my major is in public relations and english, is that really what I want to do? I dont think so. 

I found myself in college. I've had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of negative experiences, but those experiences shaped me into who I am. And although I had a lot of really bad experiences, I also had some really, really positive experiences. 

My time spent with Navigators has shown me a lot, and I think it has helped me decide that I want to somehow be involved in ministry in my future. Whether that is becoming a worship leader, doing service, working with the Navigators or other campus ministries, I'm not sure. But I know I want to lead by example, like 1 Timothy 4:12 says:

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, faith and purity. 

So I guess I have to accept that I simply don't know what the future holds for me. I have to rely that God will provide a job and that I'll be able to move to Norwood. All I have to do it wait. 

Side note - happy 22nd birthday to my roommate, Abby! You're the best, and I hope you enjoyed the red velvet cupcakes! 

Product Review: Banana & Pear Cho

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love Chobani. 

 

Funny story: I used to hate yogurt. Of pretty much any kind. Especially Greek yogurt. When I did eat yogurt, I would buy the bad-for-you  kind by Yoplait with high fructose corn syrup and other gross things. Not to say I've been eating incredibly healthfully recently (I haven't been), but now that I've tasted Chobani, that's pretty much all I buy.

I have to give Chobani props. They are the brand that first made me enjoy Greek yogurt! 

On that note - Cho has two new flavors - which they sent me to review (aren't they the best?): Banana and Pear. I received 6 of each flavor, as well as this nifty spoon with a cup of Cho engraved on the handle and "#tastereal" on the back. It was super high quality spoon too, made form heavy metal. Coolest. Spoon. Ever. 

Much like other Cho flavors, these weren't incredibly strong in taste. The pear was the strongest, and thus my favorite - crisp and sweet, with a strong pear flavor and crunchy pear pieces. The banana, which I expected to taste like banana pudding, was very subtle. If I hadn't known this was banana, I would have guessed it was plain or possibly vanilla. Nevertheless, it was good. 

My only criticism lies with the pear yogurt. The first one I tried was perfectly thick and creamy, but the rest were watered down and tasted like they expired (my roommate questioned if they had expired, when in fact, they hadn't). It just did not look appetizing and ended up being thrown away. I'm not sure what to attribute this too, other than pears are a naturally pretty juicy fruit, but I don't think that's the reason for this Cho turning out the way it did. 

Banana, however, was consistently thick and creamy with pieces of real banana. It was a win all across the board. 

I would highly recommend digging through Pinterest for a banana bread recipe that uses Greek yogurt or sour cream (there are a million) and trying it with this banana Cho instead. I think it would work really well! 

 

Cho has really been on a creative kick recently, coming out with a bunch of new flavors. Check out their new products here. Have you seen Chobani Bites? Those little, 100-calorie, 4 pack yogurts in fun flavors like Caramel with Pineapple, Raspberry with Chocolate Chips, Fig with Orange Zest and Coffee with Dark Chocolate? Those look incredibly divine. 

There is also Chobani Flips, which I haven't actually seen in stores yet. These, by far, look the best to me. Especially the Key Lime flavor - it starts with a base of key lime yogurt, and you "flip" part of the package to mix in graham cracker and white chocolate pieces. Sounds yummy, right?!

Aside from the rather watery pear yogurt, I am still impressed with the quality products that Cho always puts out. Thanks, Cho, for another great experience. 

What do you think about Cho's new products? What do you want to try the most?