KIND Healthy Grains Clusters and A Food Gal Giveaway
Dark Chocolate & Cranberry Clusters by KIND.
I admit that when I open a bag of granola, I pick out the prized big clusters to eat first.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this.
In fact, KIND Healthy Snacks knows most people do the same. That’s why the New York company makes a line of Healthy Grains Clusters. Think granola — but with big chunks throughout the bag — some as large as 2 1/2 inches across.
They come in six varieties: Peanut Butter Whole Grains Clusters, Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds, Cinnamon Oat Clusters with Flax Seeds, Maple Walnut Clusters with Chia & Quinoa, Dark Chocolate & Cranberry Clusters, and Oats & Honey Clusters with Toasted Coconut.
Recently, I had a chance to try some samples.
The clusters are made with whole grains, including amaranth, quinoa, oats, millet, buckwheat and brown rice. As a result, they have a very hearty flavor, and a natural, toasty nuttiness from all the grains.
They’re not super sweet, either, like so many other granolas on the market. Even the Dark Chocolate & Cranberry one is just sweet enough, thanks in balance to the slight bitter, earthy edge of the chocolate. The Oats & Honey one tastes almost like a crunchy oatmeal cookie. The peanut butter one has a salty, savory quality, along with peanut halves sprinkled throughout. My favorite might be the Maple Quinoa because the maple flavor compliments the grains so well.
The Healthy Grains Clusters come in convenient, resealable bags.
A one-third cup serving has about 120 to 130 calories, depending upon the variety.
An 11-ounce bag is about $5 and available at GNC and Walmart.
It’s perfect for sprinkling on top of yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal for added texture. Or just eat it out of hand, as clusters are so made for doing.
CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win three bags of KIND Healthy Grains Clusters. Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST Nov. 23. Winner will be announced Nov. 25.
How to win?
Just tell me about a random act of kindness you performed lately. Most memorable answer wins.
Here’s my own reply:
“It was a small gesture. But we as women can relate, I’m sure. I was trudging down the stairs at the gym after a work out, when I noticed that the woman walking in front of me, dressed very nicely in a chic skirt suit ensemble, had the belt of her jacket totally twisted behind her. When we got to the staircase landing, I tapped her on the shoulder and told her about the mishap, offering to fix it for her. She accepted. So I un-bottoned the back belt of her jacket, turned it around and re-buttoned it the right way. She gave me a wide smile and a gracious thank you before we went our separate ways. It made me feel better than any endorphin-inducing workout ever could.”
WINNER OF LAST WEEK’S CONTEST: In the previous Food Gal contest, I asked you to tell me what you most look forward to feasting on at this time of year. Best answer will win “A Feast for Merry Treats” collection of artisan sweets from Gift A Sweet.
A four-tiered gift of sweet treats from Gift A Feast.
Congrats to:
Grace, who wrote, “I’ve always been one to use the dinner plate for my desserts and the dessert plate for my dinner. Whose idea was it to make dessert plates so small? nonsense.”
Just recently I had driven to a fast food drive through and ordered a large meal(I guess I was extra hungry that day). On my way home, I was stopped at a stop light and saw a homeless man walking by near my car. I gestured him to come over and asked him if he was hungry. He said yes so I gave him my meal. He looked a little confused at first but then smiled at me and thanked me. Its not much, but I think that made his day.
I only started eating granola with my yogurt about a year ago. I know people bake their own but I feel it’s sometimes cheaper in the long run to just buy the ones at the stores. … My random act actually just happened on Saturday at the Grand Lake Farmers Market. The adjacent parking is always crowded, as you can imagine, and it’s still paid parking on Saturday. In Oakland, you enter your stall number, the amount of time you want to buy, and you have a receipt that shows when your time expires. I went to the gym and the market so I put in 2.25 hours of time and paid more than $4. After my workout and browsing the market, I still had 45 minutes left. So as I walked out, I waited for a car to come up behind me and handed them my receipt so they could take advantage of the 45 minutes. The woman was excited, not just to get a parking slot during the peak of the market, but for a few free minutes!
What a great contest idea! Whenever I cross the bridge (Bay or Golden Gate), every third or so time, I pay the toll for the car behind me. I never know who it is, but I figure that it’s a nice treat and pick-me-up to save a few bucks and hopefully it inspires them to pay it forward. I’ll say that it does strike inspiration, because twice I’ve had the bridge toll paid for me by the driver in front of me!
I always take this boot camp class at the gym and it is often if not overly crowded and full. People are intense and super adamant about getting a spot often because the class is popular and a great work out. Because of this they sometimes forget their manners and are even rude to each other about weights etc. Anyhow, last week a regular face I often see came in late and there was no longer any room for another step box, I offered her mine and were able to share the space and workout together with no problem. Its easy to forget why we all come to the group exercise classes in the first place, to practice healthy habits “together” so why not sacrifice a tiny bit of space?
I do like Kind bars. These look like great treats.
Hehe you’re not the only one! I go for the clusters! Same with chips! 😀
My recent gesture of kindness was more or less an act of mutualism in my eyes but it meant a lot to my neighbors. The leaves have been falling and the elderly couple across the street have been unable to care for their yard. She has been in and out of the hospital and he has been caring for her day and night. My sons and I spent the evening raking their yard and hauling off the leaves. The benefits I received was not only the exercise but teaching my kids invaluable life lessons that will help mold them into proper gentlemen.
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