Paint The Town Chic: Food
Food
Have you ever wondered if the foods you eat affect how you feel? Recently, I've noticed an increase in stomach issues like bloating, cramping and general unpleasantness. I don't have any known allergies, so I knew some of it has to do with my diet. I attributed it to my love of unhealthy snacking. Carbs anyone...

When I was presented with the opportunity to try the York Labs Food & Drink Scan, I had to give it a try! My stomach issues had gotten so frequent, I wondered if it was actually foods that I was eating every day causing this reaction. This at home kit tests intolerances for over 200 food and drink ingredients, such as yeast, cow's milk, wheat and more so I knew it was a good start.
The test itself was so easy to do. York Labs mailed over a kit that that contained everything needed for the test. To take the test, you prick a finger to collect a blood sample, which is then immediately sent to the labs for testing. After mailing my samples, I anxiously awaited my results, which were emailed to me after about 3 weeks.

My results were a bit of a shock. I had 9 ingredients that were in the red zone, foods that were guaranteed to cause a reaction and that I should completely avoid. These ingredients included cow's milk (a common irritant for people), yeast, and pumpkin. Foods in the yellow zone, still to avoid but not as serious as the red zone, included coffee (honestly, I thought this would be in the red zone for me), lettuce, corn and 5 other ingredients.

After talking time to digest these results, I called to make my free 30 minute consultation with a nutritionist. KerriAnn walked me through the test results and what changes I should make. For my red and yellow zone sensitivities, I was told to completely remove them my from diet for 3 months and then slowly reintroduce them back week by week.

During the call, the nutritionist went through each ingredient with me and talked about foods that may contain the irritant. For example, yeast is found in carbs, but also hidden in things like beers/wines, condiments, smoked meats and SO MUCH MORE. It's in so many things. Yeast insensitivities can also indicate a reaction to foods with fungus, like mushrooms and truffles. This goes to show why it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint exactly what causes stomach issues. KerriAnn reiterated always checking labels to see what could be hidden in foods.

Aside from eliminating foods, she also gave me advice on how to better digest foods. Did you know that drinking at least 60 ounces of water also helps with stomach acid regulation? She also mentioned chewing foods completely so that it was less work for the stomach to break it down.

York Labs provided me with additional materials after the call, such as food alternatives to the ingredients I need to avoid. These guides are really helping and list exactly what I should avoid and what I can eat during this 3 month time period.

This test was really eye opening for many reasons. Not only did it pinpoint foods that I should avoid, but was also a great reminder to be more aware of my eating habits. I will definitely be keeping track of how I feel after eating, but also paying more attention to what I'm eating from now on.
Currently looking for food alternatives, and REBBL is one of those. It's dairy-free, non-coffee drink that's so delicious!

It's important to note that if you have any serious issues, you should consult a doctor. I knew my sensitivities were not life-threatening, which is why I opted to try this before asking my doctor.

York Labs tests can be found online, or in-store at CVS and Target. Have any questions about this food scan or my experience? Feel free to comment below, find me on Instagram, or email me!








Thank you to York Labs for gifting me a test to try and share on Paint The Town Chic! All opinions shared above are my own.
July 25, 2019

What A Food Intolerance Test Told Me About My Diet

Have you ever wondered if the foods you eat affect how you feel? Recently, I've noticed an increase in stomach issues like bloating, cramping and general unpleasantness. I don't have any known allergies, so I knew some of it has to do with my diet. I attributed it to my love of unhealthy snacking. Carbs anyone...

When I was presented with the opportunity to try the York Labs Food & Drink Scan, I had to give it a try! My stomach issues had gotten so frequent, I wondered if it was actually foods that I was eating every day causing this reaction. This at home kit tests intolerances for over 200 food and drink ingredients, such as yeast, cow's milk, wheat and more so I knew it was a good start.
The test itself was so easy to do. York Labs mailed over a kit that that contained everything needed for the test. To take the test, you prick a finger to collect a blood sample, which is then immediately sent to the labs for testing. After mailing my samples, I anxiously awaited my results, which were emailed to me after about 3 weeks.

My results were a bit of a shock. I had 9 ingredients that were in the red zone, foods that were guaranteed to cause a reaction and that I should completely avoid. These ingredients included cow's milk (a common irritant for people), yeast, and pumpkin. Foods in the yellow zone, still to avoid but not as serious as the red zone, included coffee (honestly, I thought this would be in the red zone for me), lettuce, corn and 5 other ingredients.

After talking time to digest these results, I called to make my free 30 minute consultation with a nutritionist. KerriAnn walked me through the test results and what changes I should make. For my red and yellow zone sensitivities, I was told to completely remove them my from diet for 3 months and then slowly reintroduce them back week by week.

During the call, the nutritionist went through each ingredient with me and talked about foods that may contain the irritant. For example, yeast is found in carbs, but also hidden in things like beers/wines, condiments, smoked meats and SO MUCH MORE. It's in so many things. Yeast insensitivities can also indicate a reaction to foods with fungus, like mushrooms and truffles. This goes to show why it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint exactly what causes stomach issues. KerriAnn reiterated always checking labels to see what could be hidden in foods.

Aside from eliminating foods, she also gave me advice on how to better digest foods. Did you know that drinking at least 60 ounces of water also helps with stomach acid regulation? She also mentioned chewing foods completely so that it was less work for the stomach to break it down.

York Labs provided me with additional materials after the call, such as food alternatives to the ingredients I need to avoid. These guides are really helping and list exactly what I should avoid and what I can eat during this 3 month time period.

This test was really eye opening for many reasons. Not only did it pinpoint foods that I should avoid, but was also a great reminder to be more aware of my eating habits. I will definitely be keeping track of how I feel after eating, but also paying more attention to what I'm eating from now on.
Currently looking for food alternatives, and REBBL is one of those. It's dairy-free, non-coffee drink that's so delicious!

It's important to note that if you have any serious issues, you should consult a doctor. I knew my sensitivities were not life-threatening, which is why I opted to try this before asking my doctor.

York Labs tests can be found online, or in-store at CVS and Target. Have any questions about this food scan or my experience? Feel free to comment below, find me on Instagram, or email me!








Thank you to York Labs for gifting me a test to try and share on Paint The Town Chic! All opinions shared above are my own.
This post is sponsored but all opinions shared are my own.

Getting my new apartment situated has been quite a journey (but more on that later!) I still have a ways to go until I show it off here, but I'm so excited to have a cute new place in the city! To celebrate, I wanted to have a few of my girls over and I was thrilled to treat them to a mini fiesta thanks to Qdoba!
If you are a fan of Mexican eats, then catering your next event with Qdoba should be an easy decision! They offer everything from appetizers (chips and dips) to desserts (like chocolate chip cookies). But what they excel at is a make-your-own bar of your choice of burrito bowl, tacos, nachos or all of the above!

The only negative of my experience was placing the order. Based on the website, I assumed the catering specialist was available to speak with until 11 pm. That is not the case, so even after leaving a message after-hours on their machine, I had to go out of my way to follow-up and get my order placed. Just make sure to get a confirmation to know your order is placed!
My food was delivered by my requested time and everything was so tasty. I was a big fan of the dips and toppings! There was so much food and my guests had a great time at the dinner. The next time you're looking for catering, make sure to check out Qdoba!
No party is complete without a little decor! I had the cutest plates, cups, and napkins from Jollity & Co Party Boutique! This set is from the Mod About You collection!
I heard multiple compliments on these cookies, so highly recommend them as an add-on! Have you tried Qdoba catering?

June 27, 2019

Housewarming Fiesta With Qdoba Catering

This post is sponsored but all opinions shared are my own.

Getting my new apartment situated has been quite a journey (but more on that later!) I still have a ways to go until I show it off here, but I'm so excited to have a cute new place in the city! To celebrate, I wanted to have a few of my girls over and I was thrilled to treat them to a mini fiesta thanks to Qdoba!
If you are a fan of Mexican eats, then catering your next event with Qdoba should be an easy decision! They offer everything from appetizers (chips and dips) to desserts (like chocolate chip cookies). But what they excel at is a make-your-own bar of your choice of burrito bowl, tacos, nachos or all of the above!

The only negative of my experience was placing the order. Based on the website, I assumed the catering specialist was available to speak with until 11 pm. That is not the case, so even after leaving a message after-hours on their machine, I had to go out of my way to follow-up and get my order placed. Just make sure to get a confirmation to know your order is placed!
My food was delivered by my requested time and everything was so tasty. I was a big fan of the dips and toppings! There was so much food and my guests had a great time at the dinner. The next time you're looking for catering, make sure to check out Qdoba!
No party is complete without a little decor! I had the cutest plates, cups, and napkins from Jollity & Co Party Boutique! This set is from the Mod About You collection!
I heard multiple compliments on these cookies, so highly recommend them as an add-on! Have you tried Qdoba catering?

Changing habits is NOT easy.  I'll be honest - I started 2019 with visions of eating healthier and going to the gym way more than has actually happened in the last 2 weeks.  Last week I was invited to an event hosted by Change Bites author, Marissa Costonis, and I was curious to hear what tips Marissa had for creating a healthier lifestyle.
This first tip I'll share is that fresh juices make a great mixer for cocktails! Yum!
What I liked about Marissa's advice was that change doesn't happen tomorrow.  It takes time to change habits and she shared ways to ease into that mindset.  Another tip I'll leave here is more action, less talk.  If you're serious about making change, it's best to just go about making it happen rather than just talking or thinking about it.  She lists how to do this and more in her book, which I've been going through!
The event was held at P.S. & Co, Philly's only vegan, organic and gluten-free restaurant which also piqued my interest!  Every single thing I tried was amazing.  However my favorites were the Organic Imperial Rolls, Organic Salt Baked Cauliflower Meatball Pizza and the Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie and I cannot wait to go back for them!
Tulum (green) and Mohegan (red) fresh juices - both were delish but I loved the spicy kick of the Mohegan
Organic Avocado Nori Rolls - any sushi lover would love this vegan alternative
Organic Imperial Rolls - this was my favorite dish of the night! Cannot say enough about how relish these egg rolls are! 
Organic Cheese Board - If you want to give vegan cheese a try, this is the place to go!
Organic Veracruz Tacos, Organic Japanese Sweet Potato Fries and Organic Salt Baked Cauliflower Meatball Pizza - the pizza was so so good! I was a fan of the mushroom meatball and the gluten-free sweet potato millet crust!

One thing I took away from both Marissa and P.S. & Co is adding more veggies into my diet.  While I do incorporate veggies into my meals, I'm inspired to find new recipes like the ones I tried at dinner.  I would love to know your healthy living tips or goals!









Thank you to Marissa Costonis for having me at her event.  All opinions shared above are my own!
January 20, 2019

Change Bites - Healthy Eating Discussing at P.S. & Co

Changing habits is NOT easy.  I'll be honest - I started 2019 with visions of eating healthier and going to the gym way more than has actually happened in the last 2 weeks.  Last week I was invited to an event hosted by Change Bites author, Marissa Costonis, and I was curious to hear what tips Marissa had for creating a healthier lifestyle.
This first tip I'll share is that fresh juices make a great mixer for cocktails! Yum!
What I liked about Marissa's advice was that change doesn't happen tomorrow.  It takes time to change habits and she shared ways to ease into that mindset.  Another tip I'll leave here is more action, less talk.  If you're serious about making change, it's best to just go about making it happen rather than just talking or thinking about it.  She lists how to do this and more in her book, which I've been going through!
The event was held at P.S. & Co, Philly's only vegan, organic and gluten-free restaurant which also piqued my interest!  Every single thing I tried was amazing.  However my favorites were the Organic Imperial Rolls, Organic Salt Baked Cauliflower Meatball Pizza and the Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie and I cannot wait to go back for them!
Tulum (green) and Mohegan (red) fresh juices - both were delish but I loved the spicy kick of the Mohegan
Organic Avocado Nori Rolls - any sushi lover would love this vegan alternative
Organic Imperial Rolls - this was my favorite dish of the night! Cannot say enough about how relish these egg rolls are! 
Organic Cheese Board - If you want to give vegan cheese a try, this is the place to go!
Organic Veracruz Tacos, Organic Japanese Sweet Potato Fries and Organic Salt Baked Cauliflower Meatball Pizza - the pizza was so so good! I was a fan of the mushroom meatball and the gluten-free sweet potato millet crust!

One thing I took away from both Marissa and P.S. & Co is adding more veggies into my diet.  While I do incorporate veggies into my meals, I'm inspired to find new recipes like the ones I tried at dinner.  I would love to know your healthy living tips or goals!









Thank you to Marissa Costonis for having me at her event.  All opinions shared above are my own!
Happy National Cookie Day! I wanted to try something a little different here on Paint The Town Chic and share a recipe that I tried out today to celebrate one of my favorite sweet treats!

I've made oatmeal raisin cookies before using the recipe found on Quaker Oats containers but I modified it to create something a little new this time.
Oatmeal Coconut Toffee Crunch Cookies 

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups toffee chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1/4 chopped almonds (optional)
1-2 scoops Wellness Please Collagen (optional, more on this below!)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl mix butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth.  Beat eggs in individually, then add vanilla extract, milk, cinnamon and Wellness Please collagen.  Mix in flour, all-purpose flour and salt. Then stir in oats, coconut, toffee chips and almonds.

3. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. I recommend flattening them into more of a cookie shape rather than balls because they do not expand much.

4. Bake for 10-14 minutes.

5. Let cool and enjoy!

That's it.  These were so easy to make and you can modify this recipe to your liking. You can add or take away the chocolate, nuts and coconut!
As mentioned above, I also added in some scoops of Wellness Please Collagen to my recipe.  Why is collagen important? It can help strengthen keratin, increases skin moisture content, increases muscle strength, improves circulation, aids in controlling high blood pressure and so much more. There is no taste and it's so easy to incorporate into your diet.

This was my first time using the collagen so I wanted to test it out, but after reading up on the benefits of collagen and finding that it didn't alter the taste of my food, I will definitely be using it daily.
I'm now off to enjoy more of my cookies!  Let me know what kinds of recipes you'd like to see more of!








I received a complimentary sample of Wellness Please Collagen to try and share. All opinions shared above are my own.
December 04, 2018

Oatmeal Coconut Toffee Crunch Cookies Recipe

Happy National Cookie Day! I wanted to try something a little different here on Paint The Town Chic and share a recipe that I tried out today to celebrate one of my favorite sweet treats!

I've made oatmeal raisin cookies before using the recipe found on Quaker Oats containers but I modified it to create something a little new this time.
Oatmeal Coconut Toffee Crunch Cookies 

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups toffee chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1/4 chopped almonds (optional)
1-2 scoops Wellness Please Collagen (optional, more on this below!)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl mix butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth.  Beat eggs in individually, then add vanilla extract, milk, cinnamon and Wellness Please collagen.  Mix in flour, all-purpose flour and salt. Then stir in oats, coconut, toffee chips and almonds.

3. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. I recommend flattening them into more of a cookie shape rather than balls because they do not expand much.

4. Bake for 10-14 minutes.

5. Let cool and enjoy!

That's it.  These were so easy to make and you can modify this recipe to your liking. You can add or take away the chocolate, nuts and coconut!
As mentioned above, I also added in some scoops of Wellness Please Collagen to my recipe.  Why is collagen important? It can help strengthen keratin, increases skin moisture content, increases muscle strength, improves circulation, aids in controlling high blood pressure and so much more. There is no taste and it's so easy to incorporate into your diet.

This was my first time using the collagen so I wanted to test it out, but after reading up on the benefits of collagen and finding that it didn't alter the taste of my food, I will definitely be using it daily.
I'm now off to enjoy more of my cookies!  Let me know what kinds of recipes you'd like to see more of!








I received a complimentary sample of Wellness Please Collagen to try and share. All opinions shared above are my own.
As a foodie, one of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants whenever I can.  And right now I'm all about the full experience, not just food - and the Opry City Stage definitely offers a taste of the south from the moment you step into the venue.  I recently stopped by with my sister to check out this hidden gem.
Located in the midst of Times Square, the Opry City Stage is the first venue of its kind outside of Nashville, offering live country music performances and serving up the most delicious Southern dishes!
Opry City Stage offers 4 levels of entertainment, starting with the gift shop on the main entrance.  The restaurant and stage are located on the top levels!

Of course I had checked out the menu before stopping by and was excited to pick out some items to sample, starting with a cocktail of course, I definitely recommend the Hibiscus Margarita.
I always love picking out appetizers, and yes, I am partial to carbs.  I knew I had to start with the Biscuit Basket with Cinnamon Honey Butter and they were just as amazing as I thought they would be.
The Buffalo Cauliflower had a little kick and was so good as well.
For dinner my sister and I tried the Shrimp and Grits and the Chicken & Waffles!  As a lover of anything spicy, the hot chicken was perfection and paired perfectly with the waffles.  I don't eat grits often, but they were good too (as a staple Southern dish, we had to try it.) We ate the chicken too quickly to get a photo!
No meal is complete without dessert and we tried the Chocolate Rocky Road Pudding.  It was light and rich at the same time, the perfect blend!
The service was great and everyone was really nice, which added to the dining experience.

The night I went, the band on stage was The Nashville Attitude.  They are a staple at the venue and they were amazing.  The band even made visits to the audience in between sets and they were really nice.
The venue truly celebrates the magic of the Grand Ole Opry.  It features one of a kind decor and memorabilia throughout the venue and even live streams performances from Nashville in between live musical performances.  Nashville has been on my list of places to go, but even more so after visiting the Opry City Stage.

This is such a fun spot to go to with a group of friends, especially for happy hour!  The food was amazing and so was the entertainment.  Whether you're a visitor or New Yorker, I highly recommend giving Opry City Stage a visit!








Thank you to the Opry City Stage for the complimentary dining experience.  All opinions shared here are my own.
July 15, 2018

NYC Hidden Gems: Opry City Stage

As a foodie, one of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants whenever I can.  And right now I'm all about the full experience, not just food - and the Opry City Stage definitely offers a taste of the south from the moment you step into the venue.  I recently stopped by with my sister to check out this hidden gem.
Located in the midst of Times Square, the Opry City Stage is the first venue of its kind outside of Nashville, offering live country music performances and serving up the most delicious Southern dishes!
Opry City Stage offers 4 levels of entertainment, starting with the gift shop on the main entrance.  The restaurant and stage are located on the top levels!

Of course I had checked out the menu before stopping by and was excited to pick out some items to sample, starting with a cocktail of course, I definitely recommend the Hibiscus Margarita.
I always love picking out appetizers, and yes, I am partial to carbs.  I knew I had to start with the Biscuit Basket with Cinnamon Honey Butter and they were just as amazing as I thought they would be.
The Buffalo Cauliflower had a little kick and was so good as well.
For dinner my sister and I tried the Shrimp and Grits and the Chicken & Waffles!  As a lover of anything spicy, the hot chicken was perfection and paired perfectly with the waffles.  I don't eat grits often, but they were good too (as a staple Southern dish, we had to try it.) We ate the chicken too quickly to get a photo!
No meal is complete without dessert and we tried the Chocolate Rocky Road Pudding.  It was light and rich at the same time, the perfect blend!
The service was great and everyone was really nice, which added to the dining experience.

The night I went, the band on stage was The Nashville Attitude.  They are a staple at the venue and they were amazing.  The band even made visits to the audience in between sets and they were really nice.
The venue truly celebrates the magic of the Grand Ole Opry.  It features one of a kind decor and memorabilia throughout the venue and even live streams performances from Nashville in between live musical performances.  Nashville has been on my list of places to go, but even more so after visiting the Opry City Stage.

This is such a fun spot to go to with a group of friends, especially for happy hour!  The food was amazing and so was the entertainment.  Whether you're a visitor or New Yorker, I highly recommend giving Opry City Stage a visit!








Thank you to the Opry City Stage for the complimentary dining experience.  All opinions shared here are my own.

If there's one meal I ALWAYS look forward to, it's brunch.  When I was invited to check out Spin Philly and sample some of their bunch offerings, of course I had to check it out (to report back here of course!)  Spin is a fun event venue with ping pong tables, lounge areas/restaurant seating and amazing artwork created by local artists.


Look at that delicious menu!  But more to come on that below...


The only way to start off a brunch is with a drink.  Spin had an amazing make your own Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings!

Ok, let's take a closer look at some of my favorite dishes of the day...


Cap'n Crunch French Toast
This was by far my favorite dish.  I'm a sucker for sweet brunch foods and french toast ranks high on my list.  This was so tasty without being overly sweet.  This french toast is a Spin speciality and was a big hit among the group.  I highly recommend this.


Zeppole
Staying with the sweet brunch dishes, I loved these little bites.  I can't find them on the menu, but I hope they offer them because I'd love to get these again.


Fritatta
Eggs...cheese...mushrooms...more cheese...what else could you want?  This Fritatta was delish!


Rock Shrimp
This is always one of my go-to dishes.  Nothing unique or special, but still very good.


No blogger event is complete without a few photo opps, especially among the really cool artwork!


Cheers to conquering brunch!  I'm already looking forward to the next one!

January 29, 2018

Conquering Brunch at Spin Philly


If there's one meal I ALWAYS look forward to, it's brunch.  When I was invited to check out Spin Philly and sample some of their bunch offerings, of course I had to check it out (to report back here of course!)  Spin is a fun event venue with ping pong tables, lounge areas/restaurant seating and amazing artwork created by local artists.


Look at that delicious menu!  But more to come on that below...


The only way to start off a brunch is with a drink.  Spin had an amazing make your own Bloody Mary bar with all the fixings!

Ok, let's take a closer look at some of my favorite dishes of the day...


Cap'n Crunch French Toast
This was by far my favorite dish.  I'm a sucker for sweet brunch foods and french toast ranks high on my list.  This was so tasty without being overly sweet.  This french toast is a Spin speciality and was a big hit among the group.  I highly recommend this.


Zeppole
Staying with the sweet brunch dishes, I loved these little bites.  I can't find them on the menu, but I hope they offer them because I'd love to get these again.


Fritatta
Eggs...cheese...mushrooms...more cheese...what else could you want?  This Fritatta was delish!


Rock Shrimp
This is always one of my go-to dishes.  Nothing unique or special, but still very good.


No blogger event is complete without a few photo opps, especially among the really cool artwork!


Cheers to conquering brunch!  I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Over the holidays, I may have overindulged with the snacks, so now I've been wanting to get back on track with my eating!  Healthy snacks can be the hardest to find, but Brookside sure makes snacking a little easier. 


There are 4 different varieties (I have yet to get my hands on the blueberry!) but I was able to sample the newest addition, the Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters, through Crowdtap.   


And they are addicting.  In fact, I went through the first bag so quickly, I didn't get a chance to take any photos so I had to get another bag.  Just a few clusters satisfy my sweet tooth without making me feel guilty about the calories!  I also love the crunch that this flavor adds.  The dark chocolate also pairs nicely with red wines, but I'm loving it as a trail mix with almonds and other nuts as a mid morning pick me up!





If you haven't tried Brookside yet, just give it a chance and you'll be hooked too!  My family enjoyed it and I'll be sharing this second bag with my friends and coworkers.  Now that I have the snacking figured out, I have to get back on the workout plan!









* A Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters sample was provided by Crowdtap, but all opinions shared above are my own.
January 20, 2015

Healthy Snacking with Brookside Chocolates

Over the holidays, I may have overindulged with the snacks, so now I've been wanting to get back on track with my eating!  Healthy snacks can be the hardest to find, but Brookside sure makes snacking a little easier. 


There are 4 different varieties (I have yet to get my hands on the blueberry!) but I was able to sample the newest addition, the Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters, through Crowdtap.   


And they are addicting.  In fact, I went through the first bag so quickly, I didn't get a chance to take any photos so I had to get another bag.  Just a few clusters satisfy my sweet tooth without making me feel guilty about the calories!  I also love the crunch that this flavor adds.  The dark chocolate also pairs nicely with red wines, but I'm loving it as a trail mix with almonds and other nuts as a mid morning pick me up!





If you haven't tried Brookside yet, just give it a chance and you'll be hooked too!  My family enjoyed it and I'll be sharing this second bag with my friends and coworkers.  Now that I have the snacking figured out, I have to get back on the workout plan!









* A Brookside Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters sample was provided by Crowdtap, but all opinions shared above are my own.

@paintthetownchic