Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder -- A Must Have Pantry Staple + Recipes and #Giveaway

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Have you heard of peanut powders, or used them in your cooking?  I, for one, hadn't heard of them...that was until the kind folks at Santa Cruz Organic sent along two packages of their peanut powders for me to try out.  Thankfully, they included an easy to make Apple Peanut Granola recipe card, as I had no idea when I first saw the peanut powder what to do with it.

If you are unfamiliar with peanut powder like I was, here is some background on this new must have pantry staple...

Available Size(s) 6.5 OZ

Gluten Free

85% less fat than organic natural peanut butter

65% fewer calories than organic natural peanut butter

7g protein per serving

Nutritional Information

Serving Size 3 Tbsp (15g)  Servings Per Container About 12

It’s time to shake off those winter blues and get ready for the warmer days ahead. In honor of the season, Santa Cruz Organic has created a new spin on a pantry staple with Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder. Peanut Powder gives you classic peanut flavor without the fat for a lighter version you’ll love.

Available Size(s) 6.5 OZ

Gluten Free

80% less fat than natural organic peanut butter

65% fewer calories than natural organic peanut butter

2g fiber per serving

6g protein per serving

650mg ALA Omega-3 fatty acid per serving

Nutritional Information

Serving Size 3 Tbsp (15g)  Servings Per Container About 12

Try these tips for a lighter, brighter spring:

·         "Don’t buy – DIY. This recipe for homemade Apple Peanut Granola provides a nourishing breakfast that doubles as an easy and portable snack. No mystery ingredients here!

·         Practice sustainability for a spring that’s good for you and for the planet. Try to incorporate one new habit each month, whether it’s recycling, conserving water or increasing your home’s efficiency.

·         Substitute Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder for traditional peanut butter in your smoothies and favorite recipes. With at least 80% less fat and 65% fewer calories than natural organic peanut butter, it’s a great way to lighten up your diet. Each serving of Peanut Powder also has 6g of protein."

In addition to whipping up a batch of Apple Peanut Granola, which I was surprised the two picky eaters in my house ate it right up and kept asking for more, I have tried hand at homemade smoothies, as a way to cut back on sugary drinks I consume in a day.  Now I would never be one for a peanut butter shake...I am more of a fruity girl...I have to say the tropical green smoothie with Chia (the recipe is included on the back of the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder with milled chia seeds package) was my favorite, with the peanut banana smoothie (recipe found on the back of the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder from roasted peanuts package) a close second.  

Get the Peanut Banana Smoothie recipe

In addition to using this powder in recipes for smoothies and granola, I have found many other uses including muffins, hummus and sauces.

Here is the Apple Peanut Granola recipe I mentioned earlier I was sent and tried out.  If you get a chance to pick up Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder on your next shopping trip, this is one recipe you will want to try.  It is great for on-the-go snacking, breakfast, or a quick mid-day pick-me-up.

Apple Peanut Granola

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup pecan halves, broken
• 1/4 cup brown cane sugar or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup Santa Cruz Organic® Apple Sauce
• 1/4 cup Santa Cruz Organic® Peanut Powder with Milled Chia Seeds
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Combine oats, pecans, brown cane sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
2. MICROWAVE apple sauce, peanut powder, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla in small microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 30 seconds. Stir until combined. Pour over oat mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Spread evenly on 2 (15 x 10 x 1-inch) baking pans, breaking up any clumps.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to large bowl. Cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe, abt 1/2 cup
Calories Per Serving: 250
Total Fat Grams: 11g
Calories From Fat Grams: 100
Saturated Fat Grams: 2g
Saturated Fat Grams Percent Daily Value: 10%
Sodium: 140mg
Sodium Percent Daily Value: 6%
Carbohydrates: 34g
Carbohydrates Percent Daily Value: 11%
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Dietary Fiber Percent Daily Value: 20%
Sugars: 13g
Protein: 5g
Calcium Percent Daily Value: 2%
Vitiman C Percent Daily Value: 6%
Iron Percent Daily Value: 10%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

My husband loves chia seeds, so I knew the Peanut Powder with milled chia seeds would be the first one he reached for.  Like me, he had never heard of peanut powder before.  He opened the bag and took a sniff.  "Wow," he says, "This smells great."  And, that night, he surprised me by whipping together the Peanut Butter Hummus with Chia that he served up with pita chips and tortilla chips.  Amazed that he was making something in the kitchen, I gave it a try.  This recipe made me a fan of Chia.  I couldn't get over the rich nutty flavor you get with this powder.  But, the best part of the whole experience next to seeing my husband in the kitchen was reading the nutritional label and finding out that this organic peanut powder has less fat than other natural organic peanut butter.  

When I decided to get in better shape this year, I took a look at my diet and tried to eliminate foods that were high in fat. Peanut butter, although a favorite of mine, had to be cut out...well, at each I cut down on my consumption, as I wanted to steer clear of the fat.  But, now that I know about peanut powders and know how great they taste and their many uses, I am making a point to stock up on Santa Cruz Organic peanut powders to have on hand in the pantry.  You never know when you crave a peanut banana smoothie or want to a nutty flavor to your muffins.

To learn more about these two peanut powders from Santa Cruz Organic and see their nutritional facts for yourself, visit http://www.santacruzorganic.com/products/peanut-powders.

If you have trouble locating Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder or their other product offerings including apple sauce, use their handy store locator available on their website.  This will help you locate in your area that carries Santa Cruz Organic. Locate a store now -- http://www.santacruzorganic.com/locator.

--GIVEAWAY--

Thanks to the kind folks at Santa Cruz Organic, one lucky Inspired by Savannah reader will have a chance to try out this new peanut powder, while also scoring some neat swag from the vendor.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form.  One winner will be randomly selected to win a  package of Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Powder, along with some cool blogger swag.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Santa Cruz Organic: As a pioneer organic brand, Santa Cruz Organic® was the first to have a wide range of organic, 100 percent juices and blends and the first juice processor to use all organic fruit sourced from growers certified by an independent, third-party certification organization.  With a history of developing innovative products, Santa Cruz Organic currently offers more than 60 organic items ranging from organic fruit juices and lemonades to organic fruit sauces, chocolate syrups, peanut butters and fruit spreads. Visit www.santacruzorganic.com for more information.

All Santa Cruz Organic products are Certified USDA Organic Non-GMO Project® Verified.

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.