Proof that consumer demand affects change at the grocery store!

It’s been over 5 years since I’ve grabbed a last-minute snack in the check-out lane at the grocrey store because there really are no options that I can eat (or would even want to eat for that matter). The candy bars that used to call my name as I unloaded my groceries no longer even register in my mind as “food.” I really don’t even notice them anymore.

But the goodies in the check-out lane pictured here sure did catch my attention recently, so I thought I’d share! Click the photo to enlarge for a better view! (If you live in Omaha, NE….this selection was spotted at the Hy-Vee store on 132nd & Dodge Street.)

This check-out lane features none of the typical candy bars and chewing gum varieties. Instead, a selection of nuts, trail mix, fruit leathers, granola bars and Larabars greets shoppers here. (Not to say that all of these are perfect options, either, but it’s definitely a start!) And, yes, that is FRESH FRUIT you see in the bins at the top! Wild, huh? Something I can actually eat!

I first spotted this delightful check-out lane about 5 or 6 months ago. And, when I inquired (because, of course, I did!), I was told that it was something new they were “trying out” at this Hy-Vee location. It’s just in the one check-out lane (for now), but at least they are doing something! And the fact that this display is still standing all these months later…well, hopefully that means something, as well!!

What changes have you noticed that indicate some things are heading in the right direction with our food situation these days? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below! Or if you have pictures or other details you’d prefer to send in, please email us! We’d love to add your ideas to this article!

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(“Healthier-than-Caramel”) Candy Apple Dip Recipe

CHECK OUT OUR RECIPES PAGE FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!!!

This recipe is dairy-free and, unlike making caramel dip, you won’ t even have to cook (i.e., risk burning) anything!

The texture shown here can only be achieved in a powerful blender like a VitaMix or Blendtec. (If you don’t own one of these machines, see the “Blender Note” at the end of the recipe.) Consider yourself warned, you are going to have a love/hate relationship with this recipe – you’ll love how it tastes, but hate that you can’t stop eating it! Seriously, I don’t advise trying the recipe until you have plenty of other folks around to share it with….or you may give yourself a stomachache 😉

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix the following together in a powerful VitaMix or Blendtec machine:

1/2 cup grapeseed oil (I’ve seen this available even at the most basic grocery stores in my town)

1 1/2 cups unroasted/unsalted cashews (may need to get from a health store or health food section; often found in bulk bins)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 – 2 lemons)

1/3 cup raw honey

6-8 pitted dates

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

You can eat it right away, but we prefer to let it chill completely in the fridge first. Store extra (if there is any) in the fridge, as well.

YIELD: 2 cups

This tastes great eaten straight out of a bowl with a spoon, too!!! Who needs the apples?! LOL!

(Psst….If you enjoy this recipe,  be sure to get yourself a copy of our additive-free cookbook & grocery shopping guide, “Eating Additive-Free“! It’s stuffed with 150+ more tasty recipes!! Your satisfaction is guaranteed…or your money back!)

BLENDER NOTE: While the gooey texture of this dip is best achieved using a  high-powered blending machine, it is possible to make this recipe in a  food processor. Just substitute three-fourths of a cup of cashew butter for the  cashews, and reduce the amount of grapeseed oil from a half of a cup to a fourth  of a cup. The dip will taste great, but it won’t be as smooth and  gooey as it is when using a high-powered blender. However, because a food  processor won’t heat up the dip as much as a high-powered blender, the dip is  generally cool enough to enjoy immediately when made in this fashion.

CHECK OUT OUR RECIPES PAGE FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!!!

 

 

 

Homemade “candy” with just ONE ingredient!

Needless to say, candy is full of garbage!!! Dried fruit is a GREAT alternative; at least it contains some nutrients! And once you try this recipe, you’ll never buy those (yucky) banana chips at the store again! We love chowing on these while watching movies – you could even sneak your own into the theater to help you resist buying the processed junk they sell there!