My Love Affair

Y’all know I love me some Thrive Market, even when I thought I wasn’t going to! There are just amazing finds for so cotton pickin’ cheap.  I typically shop with Thrive once a month and I always try something new and so far I have not been disappointed. Since there are so many great products they offer, I wanted to share my 7 favorite food finds.

1. Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise

This is one of my most favorite products EVER! Years ago, I discovered that your traditional mayonnaise contains soybean oil, sugar, natural flavors (whatever that means) and weird preservatives. It was a bit disheartening. I was changing my diet and wanted to get rid of all of those ingredients so I was left with making my own. I didn’t mind making my own, but I am so glad I have the option to buy it! Certain seasons in life just require a bit more convenience! These are the ingredients in this mayo: Avocado Oil, Organic Cage-Free Eggs, Organic Egg Yolks, Organic Vinegar (From Non-GMO Beets), Sea Salt, Rosemary Extract. I literally use this everyday and am so thankful that this puppy was created! What’s even more fabulous? Thrive is giving away a free jar of it right now! (Shipping is $1.95) STEAL CITY!

2. Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

Go Raw Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds is another item from Thrive that I eat everyday. The only ingredients are sprouted organic pumpkin seeds and celtic sea salt. My sister introduced them to me (good job sis!) and they taste so good that I normally just eat them as a snack straight out of the bag but you can also use them in salads, DIY granola or trail mix and a variety of different ways. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of healthy fats, zinc (so chomp on these when you are dealing with a cold) and magnesium. Yum yum in the tum tum!

3. Paleo Coconut Flakes Cereal

This would be one of my daughters favorites! I love it too but woo wee that girl loves this stuff. The Paleo Coconut Flakes Cereal really helps change up the morning breakfast routine.  I would even dare say that most children wouldn’t bat an eye if you gave it to them. They really wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between your normal, run of the mill cereal and this guy. The only ingredients are coconut meat, coconut water, and palm starch. I don’t know how it tastes so good, but it does!

4. Paleo Wraps

So when you eat a gluten free, grain free, dairy free, sugar free lifestyle there are some things you miss. Although I make paleo bread, muffins, cakes and cupcakes that taste divine, I’ve always been a fan of the wrap. Random side anecdote. I use to work for Mercedes-Benz in my former life and traveled all over the nation. One time while I was in Queens, lunchtime approached and I didn’t want to move my car in fear of losing the space, so I did the New Yorker thing to do and walked. I ended up walking right into this lunch place called, “It’s A Wrap!” and I was greeted by several people. I was the only one in the place and they all exclaimed that they just opened their door for business and I was the first customer! The small, family run business gave me a shirt and my meal was free. SCORE! I bet they loved that their first customer was a Southern California native!! Anyhoo, all of that to tell you that me and wraps go way back. I have missed them but alas Julian Bakery has created these awesome Paleo Wraps. The ingredients are only *Coconut Meat, and *Coconut Water, *Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil (*Derived From Organic Coconuts) which makes me happy and they end up giving me a jolt of energy due to its medium-chain fatty acids. We love them in our house so much that my daughter and I bargain with one another about who will get the last one!

5. Organic Coconut Aminos

Chinese food. Mmmm mmmm mmm. I love me some Chinese food. Since soy is a no go for me, organic coconut aminos is my sub for soy sauce and I really wish I had discovered it sooner. We use coconut aminos in any way that you would use your typical soy sauce. We use it for marinades, on top of cauliflower rice and I make a kick butt lettuce wrap dipping sauce with it. This is a staple in our house and Thrive has the best price by around 3/4 of the price of Amazon and retailers. Coconut Aminos is made with coconut sap that is aged and sun-dried sea salt. It is loaded with amino acids, is a very alkaline food and is low on the glycemic scale. I truly treasure this stuff. It helps me fulfill my Chinese food cravings.

6. Avocado Oil

So oil. Here’s a quick oil run down. Olive Oil= Great for making dressings and using to lightly sautee veggies due to its low smoke point. Coconut Oil=I use it for everything under the sun but in regards to cooking it has a medium smoke point which makes it great for sauteeing and for baking. Avocado Oil=This oil has a very high smoke point of 520 degrees which makes it an ideal oil for roasting, frying, grilling, searing, baking and it’s also a great base for salad dressings. It has a really mild, smooth, nutty flavor and it is one of the oils we use the most around the house. We love this brand (same as the mayo above) and the price through Thrive is staggeringly cheaper.

7. Organic Tomato Basil Tomato Sauce

I have been on the hunt locally and online for a sugar free tomato sauce. No luck. Since we have tomato sauce quite a bit in our house, it was really important to have an option that ditched the sugar. Fortunately, Thrive Market’s house brand tomato sauce is where my search ended. It has a great flavor and the ingredients are organic whole peeled tomatoes, organic fresh onions, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic fresh garlic, sea salt, organic black pepper, organic fresh basil. We use this in our “zuschetti” (most of the world calls is zucchini noodles), we also use it as our tomato sauce base for our homemade pizza. I’m so grateful that there is a healthy, good tasting, sugar free tomato sauce option. Thanks Thrive!

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So now that I’ve run down my fave’s, what are yours?