the fifth giveaway of christmas.

by Janetha on December 13, 2010

in meals

i have said it before and i will say it again.

i love costco.

the reason for tonight’s declaration of my love for costco has to do with these two amazing products:

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i was giddy in the aisles when i saw that my costco now carries fage greek yogurt. sorry oikos, you’ve been booted as my staple greek yogurt. i’m all about the bulk. (TWSS)

however, this post’s purpose is not to talk about my excitement of buying yogurt in mass quantities.

it is, however, to talk about this lovely box of goodness:

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ancient grains granola with almonds. be still my heart, this could possibly be my new favorite granola.

that is a bold statement. i LOVE granola.

let’s talk about ancient grains.

nature’s path organics and kirkland signature have paired together to bring us this new, unique blend of granola. it is sold exclusively at costco which means, yes, it is sold in bulk. the only thing better than delicious granola is a LOT of delicious granola. am i right? yes, of course i am.

i was fortunate enough to be contacted by nature’s path. they wanted to send me a mondo sized box of granola for review. i quickly accepted the offer, sign me up!

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a bit more about what’s in the box:

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Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Path Ancient Grains Granola with Almonds is made up of high fiber whole grains that have been eaten since ancient times including:

Spelt: considered to be of prehistoric origin, spelt is an early form of wheat which contains notable amounts of iron, amino acids and fiber.

Kamut Khorasan Wheat: Buttery wheat believed to be of Egyptian origin and kept alive by peasant farmers in Egypt and the Middle East.  Kamut contains higher levels of lipids, amino acids and vitamins than durum wheat.

Amaranth: This grain was so important to the Aztecs that Cortez, in an effort to destroy the Aztec culture, declared that anyone growing amaranth crops be put to death.  Thanks to some seeds that were smuggled into Asia, you can enjoy its lively, peppery taste and high quality protein.

Quinoa: Originally cultivated by native people of the Peruvian and Bolivian highlands, quinoa is known as a complete protein, including all the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t make by themselves.

Oats: Crushed grains of oats that have been rolled into flakes, these are an excellent source of iron, dietary fiber and thiamin.

Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Path Ancient Grains Granola with Almonds, a tasty combination of sweetness, cinnamon and almonds, is a good source of protein, an excellent source of fiber and contains 31 grams of whole grains.  Like all Nature’s Path products, it is USDA certified organic, which means it doesn’t contain artificial preservatives, additives, genetically modified organism (GMOs) or synthetic pesticides.

here is a peek at the ingredients:

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as you can see, it is full of organic grains and two of my favorite things: cinnamon and vanilla. also, the ingredients are all natural. nothing crazy here, folks.

here is a look at the nutrition label:

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i always used to get discouraged with how calorie dense granola is. but, when you think about it, a 3/4 cup serving of granola goes a LONG way. i have been eating it every morning and only use about 1/2 cup, which is roughly 170 calories, 6g fat, 4g protein and 26g carbs—these numbers are perfect when paired with a protein packed cup of fat free greek yogurt.

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i am getting excited for breakfast just looking at these photos. i have become a granola fiend ever since receiving the ancient grains granola!

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as you can see, there are so many different textures going on here.

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the grains all blend together perfectly and the result is a crunchy, tasty, perfect granola.

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not exaggerating.

here’s a story.

marshall has been eating this granola faster than i have. that’s how you know it is good. but guess who has been eating it the fastest?

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this guy.

the other day, marshall left the house for about 30 minutes and, SOMEHOW, mister randy pants managed to hoist his short, stalky basset hound body onto the countertop. this ability is beyond me. i want to set up a camera so i can see just exactly how he manages this difficult task. he nabbed one bag of the granola (it comes with two bags) and devoured it—i imagine he ate it so fast that penny couldn’t even get a nibble in. how do i know? well, when one of the dogs gets something, you know who it was. purely based on the look on their guilty little faces.

and randy was guilty as charged.

hey, at least it is nutritious Winking smile

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if you or your dog would like to try a box of the new ancient grains granola, now is your chance!

to enter:

  • for your first and mandatory entry, go to the nature’s path organics website and take a look around. come back here and leave a comment telling me something you like about the company.
  • for a second entry, leave a review or a comment on one of the nature’s path organics products and leave ME a comment with the link (URL) to the comment you left on the nature’s path page.

giveaway ends on wednesday, december 15th at 8:00 PM.

good luck!

xo. janetha g.

please see my FTC disclosure for more information on this product review.

TheNewHealthy December 13, 2010 at 10:46 pm

Oh my gosh, I was so excited to see the huge container of Fage at Costco too!! I love Costco! :)

I pretty much love everything about Nature’s Path. I did a review of the new Granola as well, so I learned quite a bit about the company. Mostly, I love that they are family-owned and that they offer organic products.

Allie @ Healthy Balance, Healthy Life December 13, 2010 at 10:46 pm

I love CostCo, too! I got ancient grains on my last trip and LOVED it. The guy who was sampling them out to people was laughing as everyone was grabbing the boxes for their carts because, as he said, “this stuff sells itself!”.

Meghan December 13, 2010 at 10:47 pm

I am a fellow granola freak (addict, connoisseur, whatever word you wanna use) and I agree with you that the Ancient Grains granola is the best ever. Although I already have a box in my kitchen that I’m trying to keep my hands out of, I wouldn’t turn down another one. ;) I love how Nature’s Path cares about the environment.

eatingalot.com December 13, 2010 at 10:48 pm

Definitely the Hemp-Plus Oatmeal

Leah December 13, 2010 at 10:50 pm

I wish our Costco sold plain Fage! They do sell the variety pack of Chobani which is fantabulous but no Fage.

I LURVE Nature’s Path. They have the best granola.

Jess December 13, 2010 at 10:50 pm

I like that they are investing in renewable energy!

Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) December 13, 2010 at 10:52 pm

learned “We make organic food because we believe deeply in sustainability”

maria @ Chasing the Now December 13, 2010 at 10:54 pm

I love that they are such a high-quality brand, but I can find their products in my regular grocery store. That’s important to me.

Emily December 13, 2010 at 10:56 pm

I like that they sing at meetings!

Kayla December 13, 2010 at 10:56 pm

I love that they are environmentally friendly.

purplebirdblog December 13, 2010 at 11:09 pm

I have been eying this granola at Costco for a while now but haven’t taken the plunge!

I like how they package their granola in smaller boxes for less waste!!

purplebirdblog December 13, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Tara K. December 13, 2010 at 11:12 pm

I’ll be making a Costco run tomorrow so I’m excited to hear they have the large Fage!
I love that the granola has no preservatives or HFCS!

penny December 13, 2010 at 11:14 pm

I have been wanting to try the Flaxplus Granola but, they all look good!

hannah December 13, 2010 at 11:15 pm

The pomegrain looks good.

Tay December 13, 2010 at 11:17 pm

I LOVE the fact that they don’t use high fructose corn syrup or obscene amounts of sugar in their granolas. LOVE LOVE their granola so much. And I’ve seen this at Costco and want to try it!

Tay December 13, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) December 13, 2010 at 11:28 pm

I go through those tubs of Fage SO quickly…like 1 a week at the very least. It’s so cheap at Costco too. Way cheaper than individual cartons that’s for sure. I love NP and their environmentally friendliness.

Jennifer December 13, 2010 at 11:33 pm

I love how all of their products are vegetarian friendly!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) December 13, 2010 at 11:35 pm

I love Nature’s Path the pumpkin granola they have at Costco is one of my favorites. I haven’t seen the Ancient grains granola yet! I want to try it.

My favorite thing about Nature’s Path-The Gluten-free Maple sunrise cereal. It is addicting!

Stephanie Berg December 13, 2010 at 11:41 pm

I am gonna be making a trip to Costco tomorrow for sure! I love granola but always feel like there is more junk than good stuff in it. This one is packed full of goodness.
After looking at the website I am impressed with the efforts towards sustainability and all organic products! Great company.

Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather December 13, 2010 at 11:47 pm

Love costco too! It’s cool that they don’t use HFCS and the limited amount oh ingredients.

Heather December 13, 2010 at 11:55 pm

i love the quote, “Treat the earth well, treat the people well, and in return they will treat the business well.” i completely believe in that statement and am so glad they do too!

Mama Pea December 13, 2010 at 11:56 pm

Granola is my downfall.

I hate to deprive Randy, but I’d like to win it.

Dayna December 14, 2010 at 12:23 am

I love greek yogurt as well! I like that the company is environmentally friendly- every little bit helps.

glidingcalm December 14, 2010 at 1:20 am

I LOVE GRANOLA! Would loveeeeeeeee to win! I love that they offer organic products!!

actorsdiet December 14, 2010 at 1:26 am

i love that they’re mostly organic! me and julius really wanna try this granola. i guess abe could have some too.

Hannah @ Hannah Lives December 14, 2010 at 1:31 am

I love that they’ve developed and initiative to “Do Good”, and encourage doing good in the communities. They lead by example. Everything from Project sunlight, to a Packaging reduction program! It’s amazing!

Hannah @ Hannah Lives December 14, 2010 at 1:43 am

All of their products look delicious. And they also have such interesting flavors!! I wish I had a costco membership so that I could get me some :-(

http://www.naturespath.com/products/whole-grain/ai-apple-granola#comment-2359

janetha @ meals & moves December 14, 2010 at 7:55 am

Hannah, the only one sold exclusively at Costco is this one. The others can be found in the natural section at your grocery store. :)

amy baily December 14, 2010 at 2:11 am

Ah I love costcos! I havnt been since summer, I’ve been missing it soo much, but I’m going their today infact :) can’t wait to scan the aisles for goodies! And that granola is a goodie I am looking to find :),
Have a lovelly day!
xx

kayla December 14, 2010 at 3:50 am

i think the food compost at the nature’s path office is a cool idea!

carly71722 December 14, 2010 at 4:29 am

I love that they stick to natural, healthy, organic ingredients. I also love that they partnered with Costco on this granola because… 1. I love costco as well, and 2. they care about their customers (i.e. huge box of granola for not a huge price)

squigglefloey December 14, 2010 at 4:41 am

I looove granola, esp. this one since they don’t use a lot of random sugar. It seems all natural, just like how my mom makes it! :)

Nikki December 14, 2010 at 4:55 am

1) I’m in love with their products (mainly oatmeal!) and I’m so excited to try some of the recipes they’ve suggested. The Heritage Lentil Loaf caught my eye. Dinner tomorrow? I think yes :)

Nikki December 14, 2010 at 4:55 am

2) http://www.naturespath.com/products/whole-grain/variety-pack-oatmeal#comment-2360 << link to my comment about their oatmeal variety pack

Naomi(onefitfoodie) December 14, 2010 at 4:59 am

yes!! i love the big containers of greek yogurt! they also don’t last as lng as you’d think in my house since i have some everyday! I do love granola but hate thats its so calorie dense like you said :( BUT when you put it into perspective 1/2 c is a great size serving and looks so delicious!! i would throw some PB on there too!!

i bet randy enjoyed every last bite! it so scary how fast dogs can eat!!!

Lauren December 14, 2010 at 5:46 am

I love Nature’s Path Food so much! Honestly, there is not one single product I have tried I have yet to love. Not only is their food delicious and nutritious, they have an entire philosophy to DO GOOD in the world. I love natural food companies that give back to the world. :)

runyogarepeat December 14, 2010 at 6:04 am

I love their Pumpkin Flax Granola…I got it at Costco too!

hayleycepeda December 14, 2010 at 6:14 am

I am very impressed by those ingredients!! I’d try to win the box but I don’t trust myself at all with granola around the house. Somehow when I purchase a box it tends to disappear within about 2 days…I have NO idea how that’s happening… ;)

You do such great product reviews – no wonder companies contact you and send you free loot!

JW December 14, 2010 at 6:31 am

I love that they don’t use HFCS and are all Vegetarian friendly.

movesnmunchies December 14, 2010 at 6:45 am

oh my gosh look how creamy that fage looks with that granola!! gahh that looks super tasty!

Rebecca December 14, 2010 at 6:48 am

i actually saw this granola at costco and wasn’t sure i should commit to such a large box, but now i know it’s totally worth it! from the NP website i learned about their new cereal bags that are replacing boxes…”The new Eco Pacs provide an option that uses less packaging and saves precious resources, in addition to offering cost savings to the customer. The Eco Pacs save valuable resources with 66 percent less packaging than traditional cereal boxes and use no cardboard.” Honestly, I couldn’t be happier about this since I get really frustrated when a cereal box is too big to fit in my cabinet and then you have to awkwardly put it on its side and mess up the whole organization of the cabinet!

Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 14, 2010 at 6:56 am

I love Nature’s Path!! I actually got invited to a dinner with them in October and it was great- love how small and family-oriented the company is!!

Laurel December 14, 2010 at 7:25 am

I like how Nature’s Path is teaching communities how to be sustainable by growing their own food.

atastelife December 14, 2010 at 7:26 am

Yummmm. I love Nature’s Path Garden’s for Good effort. I work for the local government doing childhood obesity prevention and one of our efforts is to have more community gardens.

Laurel December 14, 2010 at 7:26 am
atastelife December 14, 2010 at 7:28 am
Erica December 14, 2010 at 7:34 am

Oh my gosh- that story about Randy is hilarious. What a sneakster! I <3 granola…..but I can be dangerous around it. Not sure how I'd do with a container that large :)

melissadishes December 14, 2010 at 7:37 am

I like that I can actually buy their products in a store and don’t have to order them online :-)

Kelsey December 14, 2010 at 7:48 am

FlaxPlus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch cereal just looks too delicious to be true…but woh, woh, woh, FlaxPlus with Figs WAFFLES?

Sign me up! I also enjoy how between their main office and three distributing locations, they only have around 400 employees. Small operation, big impact!

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