Excellent Awards + Bread!

Written by on in Breakfast, Reviews, Snacks, Tidbits and Treats

I was so honored to receive the Excellent Blog Award from my amazing friend across the water – Mi of Whole Foods For Whole Me. If you have never visited Mi’s blog, you are in for a treat! Her posts are always insightful and feature amazing recipes – both her own and her cookbook creations – and offer many different perspectives, from the UK to Japan to France! Check it out 🙂 THANK YOU, Mi!!

You all must know how much I love and appreciate your blogs. There would be no eating bender without this entire foodie blogosphere – or flogs, as I recently saw Erin call them! But since I’ve been seeing this award around the blogosphere for a while now and have lost track of everyone who has received it already, I’d like to extend this award to everyone on my blogroll! It’s a lengthy list of worthy winners 🙂 You ladies and gentlemen help make every day more exciting for me – what could be more “excellent” than that? Thank you for providing me with continuous inspiration!

And now, a review I’ve been wanting to do for quite a while! Recently, I was contacted by a representative from Arnold/Brownberry Bread, Rena, who was kind enough to send me samples from their new “Grains & More” line.

I’m sure that many of you have seen these breads around the blogosphere, but I thought I’d chime in and give my $.02 🙂 Here is some information from the company:

“We recently launched a new “Grains & More” line which focuses on maximizing one core ingredient to boost the benefits of every slice while maintaining delicious taste and texture. All of the varieties are made with whole grains, are heart healthy and contain no high fructose corn syrup.

The 4 varieties are:

  • Arnold “Grains & More” Double Protein Hearty Multi-Grain Bread

    • Protein is used to build, maintain and repair body tissue, and provides a source of energy and controls many of the important processes in the body related to the metabolism. Numerous studies show that people feel more satisfied and eat fewer calories after having meals rich in protein.
  • Arnold “Grains & More” Double Fiber 100% Whole Wheat Bread
    • Fiber is essential in maintaining a healthy digestive system. It can assist in weight management by helping you stay satiated longer. A high-fiber diet can lower the risk of developing certain conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes and diverticular disease.
  • Arnold “Grains & More” Double Oat Hearty Oatmeal Bread
    • Plant sterols, naturally found in vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, may help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Oats are the only whole grain recognized to actively lower cholesterol.
  • Arnold “Grains & More” Double Omega Multi-Grain & Flax Bread
    • Omega-3 fatty acids may aid in cardiovascular health. Promising preliminary evidence reveals that omega-3 supplementation might be helpful in coping with depression, improving immune function maturation and reducing joint pain.”

Sounds pretty darn awesome 🙂 So here’s what I thought!

Arnold “Grains & More” Bread

FYI: These breads are now available in the Northeast and Southeast under the Arnold brand name and the Midwest under the Brownberry name.

Double Protein Hearty Multi-Grain Bread

Description:

“100% Whole Grain Hearty Multi-Grain Bread with 19g of Whole Grains, Good Source Fiber, and 14g Protein in 2 slices.”

Review:

Upon opening the bag, this bread smells just like a fresh baked loaf should smell – rich, hearty and mouth-watering 🙂 And the smell of the bread definitely came through in its taste. It had a chewy and grainy texture, with the taste of wheat that many in the blogging world would choose over white any day of the week. I also enjoyed the fact that the slices were thick and quite big in size. I topped mine with a microwaved egg white and reduced-fat Mexican cheese for an easy and absolutely delicious breakfast sammie.

Nutrition (per slice):

  • 110 calories
  • 2g fat
  • 19g carbohydrates
  • 3g fiber
  • 7g protein

~*~

Double Fiber 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Description:

“100% Whole Grain, 100% Whole Wheat Bread, excellent source and 45% daily value of Fiber in 2 slices.”

Review:

As I expected, this bread definitely tasted a lot like the first. But that’s a good thing! I think it’s great that you can find the same taste with each product, and yet get an entirely different nutritional value. While the protein bread obviously focuses on providing energy and perhaps even building some muscle, the fiber version is helping your digestive system and keeping you fuller longer. Whichever version you decide to try, you are getting the same hearty, grainy taste that wheat bread eaters know and love! I topped this slice with almond butter for a quick pre-workout snack.

Nutrition (per slice):

  • 100 calories
  • 1.5g fat
  • 18g carbohydrates
  • 6g fiber
  • 4g protein

~*~

I encourage you to check out the Arnold Bread site – if anything to enter in the awesome Name That Sandwich Contest where you could win $2500 for you and $2500 for the charity of your choice! It’s your chance to name their new sandwich thins, yet another product I am eager to try out. I received some samples a couple of days ago and they are waiting for me when I get back to school! Again, a big THANK YOU to Rena for giving me such a great opportunity. Anyone who has followed my blog over time will know how big of a bread fan (can I be called a “breadie?”) I am, so these samples are right up my alley!

~*~

It was great to hear about everyone’s weekend plans 🙂 And I’m loving all of the excitement about voting! Can you believe the election is a little over a week away?! We’ve got Halloween, Election Day… and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I’m really looking forward to the T-giving blog posts 😉 I know, I’m getting way ahead of myself. Time to get back to the present!

Final question: Somewhat random, but for the girls (and, well, perhaps guys? I don’t judge!) out there who style their hair straight – do you have any tips on a good straightening iron? I’ve actually never owned one because when my hair was longer I could simply blow it out straight…but now that I’ve gone and chopped it off, it’s getting a little poofy without a little concentrated heat. Tips are appreciated!

33 Comments

  1. 😀 😀 😀

    i’ve seen that bread everywhere on blogs, and wish we had it in the UK! both types look really fantastic. i love your creation with the egg and cheese 🙂 classic.

    i actually have naturally straight hair, being the japanese that i am, but i am SUCH an unforgiving perfectionist when it come to hair that i can’t stand even the smallest kink – so a couple of times i’ve had my hair straight-permed, which i LOVED and plan to do again – i don’t have to dry it or anything and it was always smooth, shiny and soft! however, right now i use my trusty straightener, made by GHD – http://www.ghdhair.com/uk/ghd-iv-salon-styler

    i actually have the old version of this model, because i got it… i think when i was 16?!?! it’s lasted me a LONG LONG time! and it still looks absolutely fine and good to go for a few more years. it really is very good quality and worth the price – it works wonderfully and never lets me down. hope you’ll post if you purcahse a straighter -i would be interested to see what you get!

  4. Ooh! Those breads sound delicious and I LOVE your review!
    We don’t have Arnold bread in this town, so sad! But that doesn’t stop me from looking for their sandwich thins EVERY WEEK when I hit my stores. 🙂
    Did you just recently cut off your hair? Can we get a picture?
    I can’t wait for the Thanksgiving posts either. When I got my Cooking Light this month I practically squealed with excitement!
    I have to reign it in a little on this crazy holiday. I always overdo it. Once I ate so much that I actually got sick and threw up. Oops! 🙂
    Nice comment, right?!
    Congratulations on the blog award. You’re so special Jenn!
    OH! And I have a straightener that I got from Trade Secret – it’s by Helen of Troy. It’s about 8 years old and still works great!
    ______________

    Erin ~ Argh! Throwing up on Thanksgiving?! Definitely easy to do – but still no fun 🙁 Aw, you’re special too!

  5. HOORAY FOR BLOGGING AWARDS!!!!!! 😀

    Boo to non-gluten-free breads…..

    Haha 😉

    My hair is super-straight (as you know), but it’s natural – no irons or anything. Sorry that I can’t make a recommendation for products!!

    HAPPY SUNDAY!!!

  8. now that my hair is short i’ve been straightening my hair w/ my hot tools flat iron and it is JUST OK… however i heard that the CHI products are amazing (and expensive though!) and well worth it 🙂

    cant wait to find these breads and try them!

  9. CHI straighteners are worth the price! I’ve had mine for years and it still works perfectly. I have an English friend who owns a GHD and that was FABULOUS as well, but I could never find one.

    Congrats on the blog award, you deserve it!

  10. Wow… I’ve never heard of CHI products. I have an old Vidal Sassoon one that I basically begged my friend to give me (well we traded). Basically, hers worked WONDERS and I went out and bought a later model and it wasn’t the same at all. So ya…I’m not a big help. I’ve found that ceramic is the best though. Maybe I’ll look into CHI? Too bad I’m SO CHEAP….so to me, investing in a 200 dollar straightner is well…..not something I’ve ever done! Now that I think of it though… it’s probably worth it….as both my curler and my straightener are going on 5 years +! Let us know what you get though! HAHA and review! Or post any other research you’ve found!…. kind of makes me want to go google hair tools right now. HA oh Jenn, you have gotten my procrastination started first thing in the morning. Yes, I’m blaming you!

  11. Congrats on the award. You are an excellent blogger!

    Thanks for the review on the bread. I saw it at Stop & Shop yesterday! Maybe I’ll get some next time.

    Have a fun Sunday!

  13. THE CHI! I love it, I have it for awhile now:) You should get one! The bread looks great you did a great review, I think it’s called Orowheat out here in Cali?

  14. I’m with bobbi on the Chi 🙂 even though i have straight hair they used it once when I got my hair cut and i couldn’t believe how awesome it made my hair look!!! I only use it in the winter, though, cause my bathrooms have been too small to contain such heat in the summer… have a great sunday!

  15. I agree with everyone with their recommendations of a CHI. They are pricey but worth it, and they last. I know that you can get them at Target, not just online.

  16. Hi Jenn!
    $$$ hair straighteners are definitely worth the money. I got mine from a kiosk in the mall and I was sold on it becuase it straightens AND curls.
    I just learned a trick to use when straightening your hair. Get a fine toothed comb and put it in front of the iron and have the iron follow the comb down the hair shaft. Does that make sense? It makes your hair a lot smoother with less frizzies and flyaways.

  18. I’ve recently discovered your bloggy and it’s no surprise you’ve received that excellence award! Fit Bottomed Girls- I was SO thinking the same thing. Arnold, combine the two:)
    _______________

    Kailey ~ Thanks for reading 🙂 Arnold should totally combine the two!

  20. your hair looks beautiful! my hair is SUPER curly and my little chi is the only thing that can tame the beast. thank goodness i didn’t have to pay full price for it- my mom’s a hair stylist so she gets that stuff wholesale.
    congrats on the award- you certainly deserve it!
    and thank you again SO much for the sweet comment you left on my blog this morning. you always cheer me up 😀
    that bread sounds delicious! i sent arnold’s an email about possibly getting some samples and all i got was a response telling me where i can buy it. bah! the bread fairy wasn’t feeling generous to me, haha
    hope you have a wonderful sunday!
    _______________

    gina ~ Your comments always make ME cheer up! Thank you 🙂

  22. I love Arnold’s products! I buy Arnolds bread almost every week (or those new yummy sandwich thins)! Loving the review. PS Check out my bloggy I gave you a shout out tonight!

  24. congrats on the award! well deserved. your microwaved egg looks so neat and beautiful. how do you do it? mine always come out sloppy looking!
    _______________

    lauren ~ Haha, I just stick it in a small bowl so that it takes on the shape!

  25. I love Arnold bread! How awesome that you got some freebies!!

    I would go with a CHI flat iron … they are quite pricy, but worth the investment. Try checking out the selection on eBay. Maybe it could be an early xmas present?!

  26. I have the best hair straightner! It’s a Paul Mitchell one, and it costs about $125 – but it is totally worth the money!

  28. Hey girl. I have gone through 2 CHI irons during the past few years, and thought they were the best. That is, until the girl who cuts my hair recommended the Croc Turboiron.

    Wow–There is no comparison! It, too, is pricey. But it is SO worth it. It has digital settings so that, for example, you can use higher heat for healthier sections of your hair and less heat for finer hair like in your bangs. My somewhat dry hair glides through this iron way easier than through the CHI. And with the Croc, you don’t necessarily need to use a hot iron spray to avoid frying your ends.

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