Whole30 compliant coffee "creamers" and "milks"

I've mentioned before that discovering cashew milk at someone's recommendation after my first Whole30 was a game changer for me in my coffee drinking on future Whole30s.  Before that, I was drinking my iced Americanos black with a sprinkling of cinnamon or with a splash of Nut Pods.  See, almond milk is not my thing, and neither is coconut milk.

However, I really enjoyed Nut Pods -- which I discovered on my first Whole30 (back in January 2017!) -- which are made from coconuts and almonds.  Go figure!  My first Whole30 I went with hazelnut (one of my all time favorite coffee flavors), and since then I've tried the plain and the French vanilla.  The hazelnut is hands down my favorite of the three!  Since then, they've come out with a seasonal flavors: pumpkin spice and peppermint.  And now they have limited edition flavors: chocolate, caramel (now a staple flavor and no longer limited edition), and cinnamon swirl (also available as a 3-pack with one of each flavor).

Nut pods to me are like a creamer -- not a milk -- and therefore I use it sparingly both in volume and frequency.  But they're a great option for me when I want something a little more creamy and indulgent, but am on Whole30.  I have yet to try the limited edition flavors, but they're hanging out on the counter right next to my Nespresso machine, waiting for their moment to shine!

And if you're looking for an acceptable Whole30-complaint milk alternative, besides the MALK unsweetened cashew milk that I swear by and the New Barn unsweetened almond milk that I mentioned in the same post, I've been digging Trader Joe's Unsweetened Cashew Almond Macadamia Nut Beverage in my coffee.  I've also used it in the occasional smoothie when I want a creamy texture.

When it comes to coffee, are you a "milk" or "creamer" person?  Or, do you drink it black?  While I can drink black espresso, I cannot stand black coffee!

Some of my favorite Whole30 finds (Part 2)

I love Whole30 because I spend my time and energy preparing and eating whole, delicious foods without fillers.  I also find myself cooking even more than I usually do because that way I know what’s going in my food.  But sometimes I feel the need to simplify my life a little, and purchase something that’s been made by someone else.  

Cashew Butter.

I bought it years ago, before Whole30, and was decidedly unimpressed.  It had no taste or flavor.  It was $8.99 down the drain (thanks, Whole Foods!).  But then at work recently, someone had salted cashew butter.  I thought I'd hate it, but figured it was worth a try since it was a nice Whole30 compliant nut butter (the ingredients are cashews and salt).  Frankly, my mind was blown!

Dang Lightly Salted Coconut Chips (Unsweetened).

I bought these while on my first Whole30, and frankly I'm not sure why I haven't bought them since.  They're crispy, slightly salty, and have a little natural sweetness from the coconut.  No sugar added.  Just salt and coconut.  I'll be honest with you, I eat these straight from the bag.  They'd also be good as a topper for smoothies, salads, or soups!

Rind Snacks.

I mentioned these in a recent post, but figured I'd mention them again here.  I bought these online on a whim to try.  Something about dried kiwi sounded interesting.  I was a little perturbed by the rind on some of the dried fruits (kiwis, oranges, pineapples) but not the others (apples, persimmon, peaches).  I have to say that (although I've only tried 2 of the three varieties), the kiwis were surprisingly my favorite.  I love the tanginess of the kiwi with the crunch of the seeds.  I can't explain it entirely.  But I do recommend these.  They come in three varieties: kiwi, orchard (peach, persimmon, apple), and tropical (kiwi, pineapple, orange).

Everything but the Bagel Seasoning.

A Trader Joe's exclusive (I'll have a homemade version posted soon).  I LOVE it on my hard boiled egg whites or on top of avocado.  I'm sure it would be great on a baked potato with ghee or even on some proteins.  Gives a punch of flavor without any added sugar and very few calories!