Foodie Friday: Dr. Lucy’s Cookies

Calendar April 1, 2010 | Posted by techHT
extra-fat-weight
(Getty Images)
By Mara Betsch
Need an afternoon treat? These hearty gluten-free cookies are a delicious nibble.

The product: Dr. Lucy’s Cookies ($5–$6 for a 5.5-ounce box of 15 cookies; available at Starbucks and grocery stores nationwide)
The taste factor: Crispy and subtly sweet. Dr. Lucy’s cookies are closer in texture to an English biscuit, with a slight crunch in each bite. If you’re a fan of fresh out of the oven, gooey cookies, these may not ease you sweet tooth. But since my cookie cravings hit mid-afternoon, these spice-infused treats made the perfect addition to a hot tea. I loved the subtle cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla flavors that satisfied me without sending me into a sugar coma.
The health factor: Three cookies will cost you only 130 calories, 5 grams of fat (2 saturated), and no cholesterol. And for anyone with food allergies, these are a dream come true. All cookies are baked without wheat, gluten, milk, butter, eggs, casein, peanuts, or tree nuts, and they’re vegan and kosher.
Editors’ pick: With four flavors—Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Thin, Sugar, and Oatmeal—there’s plenty to choose from. The chocolate chip cookies were an overall favorite, although a few staffers complained the chocolate chips were sparse. A close second goes to the cinnamon, which had sweet spice in each bite.

Why we love it: If you like crispy cookies, you’ll love these lightly sweetened desserts. These are an easy way to serve sweets without unwanted stress—especially if you have family and friends with food allergies.

Previous posts Foodie Friday posts:

Foodie Friday: Breyers YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs
Foodie Friday: Naked Juice Smoothies
Foodie Friday: McCormick Recipe Inspirations

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Foodie Friday: Naked Juice Smoothies

Calendar March 25, 2010 | Posted by techHT
berry-veggie-juice
By Mara Betsch
I normally try to avoid extra calories in drinks, but Naked Juice’s Berry Veggie Machine and Orange Carrot smoothies are so rich in nutrients (and taste), that I may have to change my mind.

The product: Naked Juice Berry Veggie Machine and Orange Carrot smoothies ($3.29 for a 15.2-ounce bottle; available in grocery stores nationwide)

The taste factor: Absolutely delicious. The combination of fruits and vegetables left an invigorating flavor that tasted fresh and packed with sweetness. After reading the back of the labels, I was skeptical (carrots, bananas, and oranges—together?) but both drinks blended the flavors together perfectly. The drink has a slightly thicker texture than fruit juice, and drinking half of the bottle (one serving) got me through my morning meetings without grabbing an extra cup of coffee or a granola bar.


The health factor: The Berry Veggie Machine contains cherry, sweet potato, strawberry, plum, sweet corn, apple, and chickpea purees, plus purple carrot, red beet, and lemon juice. The Orange Carrot contains carrot, apple, orange, and lemon juice, as well as mango, apple, and banana purees. Because they’re so stocked with fruits and veggies, both are great sources of vitamins C and A.
One 8-ounce serving contains 120–130 calories and no fat, which is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up when you’re tempted to get a soda. And because the Berry Veggie Machine contains chickpeas, you gain an added boost of protein.
However, what impressed me most was the lack of artificial flavors. Though these drinks do contain a good amount of natural sugar, you’re not getting high fructose corn syrup, honey, or any added sweeteners. But the combination of fruit is so delicious, you won’t miss them.


Editors’ pick: I prefer the Berry Veggie Machine’s slightly tart flavors, while our other assistant editor was an advocate of the Orange Carrot. It probably depends most on your food preference.

Why we love it: Sometimes it’s really hard to sneak extra servings of fruits and veggies into your hectic lifestyle. Not everyone can carry a mango or sweet potato around in her purse! You won’t get as much fiber (a lot of fiber is in the skin), but they add to your intake of vitamins and minerals. And though they’re not calorie-free, they’re a smart sip as an afternoon or mid-morning snack.

Previous posts Foodie Friday posts:


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