WIAW# 23 Artisana Nut Butters Review and Giveaway: My New Summer Staple

I just noticed my past two WIAW posts were number 21, oops….so now I’m back on track at 23.

It seems like everyone else in the foodie blog world has tried and loved Artisana Organic Nut Butters, and I am just now experiencing their awesomeness! I have seen the Artisana Coconut Butter in stores, but never committed to purchasing some.

Artisana was kind enough to send some samples my way for review, so I had no excuse not to try all of their amazing butters, spreads, and oil. I have tried other nut butters before, and they’re all good to me, but the coconut butter and oil were both new to me. I love coconut, and now I have fallen in love with coconut butter!

If you love Artisana or have been wanting to try it, keep reading and enter for your chance to win some for yourself.


I love the site of a freshly opened food package!

Straight from the jar, their raw coconut butter transforms all of my worries into happy thoughts and delights each one of my taste buds. Sounds far-fetched (unless you’ve tried it too), but I’m serious! I used the coconut oil in smoothies, baking, and microwave egg dishes all with great success in the taste department. I even added 1 tablespoon to my Microwave Protein Cinnamon Bread recipe using the Macadamia, Pecan, and Cashew butters to see what made the best flavor.

Conclusion? They will ALL be made again, but the cashew butter makes a deliciously dense bread I enjoyed most. Not to be left out, I used the Almond butter to make my favorite Overnight Oatmeal Crisps with great results.  I have to only bring a few to work for snacks each day, otherwise I'd eat them all in one sitting!

Kelley had a tasty surprise in the daily protein smoothie I made her when I added coconut oil to the mix. If you have been using coconut oil and butter for a while, do you remember being overwhelmed with pleasure with your first taste?

So, obviously, I have sampled Artisana’s coconut products and have become a major foodie fan. Although these weren't my Summer Staples in the past, they will become my year round staples. For this reason, I feel this review ties in perfectly with August’s Summer Staples theme.

About the other samples Artisana sent, I really enjoyed each of the squeeze packs for easy, satisfying snacks at work. Just open the pack, squeeze on spoon (or in mouth), be happy and healthy! Although some have a mix of two nuts for better consistency, the main ingredient really stands out and you can distinguish its flavor. So, if you are a fan of walnuts, you’ll be a fan of their Walnut Butter.

My favorite thing to do is mix the coconut butter with vanilla protein powder and pumpkin puree for the best spread, icing, or dip I’ve ever had. Really, just mix a tablespoon of coconut butter with a scoop of protein powder and a 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and you’re ready for a party! In your mouth, at least; I wouldn’t want to share this food treasure with anyone else!

A big thanks to Artisana for providing delicious samples for review. I will happily go to the store for more; soooo good. To any foodies who haven’t tried Artisana’s nut butters, I highly suggest you do soon; trust me. Look below to win some for yourself!

Lets try and move on to have a look at my eats now. As always, thanks to Jenn and Peas and Crayons for putting this super fun and fantastic event together every week!

Happy What I Ate Wednesday!


Breakfast
Overnight Oatmeal Crisps with Artisana Almond Butter (pictured above); baby carrots with Artisana Walnut Butter; two bags of unsweetened black tea

Lunch
Slow-cooker salsa chicken with veggies and brown/wild rice blend; dehydrated okra; 2 bags of unsweetened green tea plus 2 bags rooibos tea on ice;

Dinner
Spring mix salad with brussels, mushrooms, homemade salsa (for dressing), mustard, and lots of herbs and spices; whey protein smoothie with ginger and nutmeg (maybe some bourbon too) and microwave protein bread cooked with Artisana nut butters; Chobani Pumpkin Protein Yogurt with Artisana coconut butter and plain CHO on top.

Think I used Artisana products enough? I don't; this stuff is good!  I went a little overboard with the coconut in Kelley's smoothie, so beware if making something for others! But it was no problem, I added some unsweetened cocoa powder and peanut flour for a quick fix that she liked. Phew! #husbandsave

I don't know why I did that hashtag thing, I don't do it a lot, but I keep seeing it and now it's catching on.  Oh well, makes me laugh.........a little......on the inside.

In the fitness department, I am still following the Supreme 90 day videos exactly as laid out.  In addition, the Olympics have inspired me to practice the Olympic lifts like snatch, clean, and jerk, so I've been slowly adding weight to the barbell and doing this twice a week. And, b/c I can't escape, I will go for a random run in the heat just for a good sweat, mow the lawn with a reel mower while wearing a 20lb vest (today), and do swim sprints.  It very varied and fun!

Before I part with you, would you like to know how you can win your own Artisana to savor and secretly hide from share with friends and family? You can enter up to 6 times by doing each of the following action items and leaving a separate comment for each:

1. Tell me your favorite Artisana product and how you do or would use it.
2. Follow Artisana Foods on Twitter
3. Like Artisana Foods on Facebook
4. Follow Just Add Cayenne on Twitter and Tweet the following – "I entered to win creamy Artisan nut butters from @ArisanaFoods with @I_Love_Cayenne! Enter for your chance too!  "
5. “LIKE” Just Add Cayenne on Facebook. If you already “Like” Just Add Cayenne, leave a comment letting me know.
6.  Help support Just Add Cayenne and subscribe to my blog. Just post a comment if you are already subscribed.

The winner will have their choice of any 8oz. jar of Artisana spreads/nut butters and an assortment of their wonderfully convenient squeeze packs. Please make sure to leave some way for me to contact you if you are the winner.

The contest will end Friday, August 17, 2012 and I will choose a winner at random and announce on Monday, August 20, 2012. Winner must be from the U.S. in the lower 48 states. 

This contest has ended. Congrats to Christy at Chocolate Covered Diamonds for winning!

Hope you all have a wonderful day and good luck!

Q:  Do you have any new foodie finds that will become a staple in your diet? It's all about coconut butter for me!

Q2: Have the Olympics inspired you to take on something new? If so, what?