Kitu Super Coffee is a delicious blend of real ingredients for all day energy. It’s sugar free, lactose free, soy free, and gluten free, with 10 grams of protein.

Jordan DeCicco, founder of Kitu, created Super Coffee in his dorm room. As a tired college basketball player seeking refreshment, he found only sugary bottled coffees and energy drinks at his school.

Not wanting the empty sugar calories, he brewed a better-for-you energy blend following the ketogenic diet nutritional approach known. He incorporated healthy fats and protein for fuel, rather than carbs and sugar.

Now a successful brand with national distribution, Super Coffee can be stored at room temperature, but is best enjoyed refrigerated, over ice, or heated up for two minutes in the microwave.

The line is gluten free, GMO free, lactose free, and soy free. While it was designed as a functional food (one with benefits beyond its normal purpose), it is equally attractive to people who drink sweetened bottled coffee but would like it without sugar or dairy.

The main ingredient is organic Columbian coffee, 200mg of natural caffeine per bottle. Others include:

 
There are four flavors:

 
Kitu also makes similarly-enhanced creamers for coffee and tea in Original and Vanilla.

GET YOURS AT KITULIFE.COM.
Here’s a store locator.

[2] Super Coffee creamers for your home-brewed coffee or tea. Both photos courtesy Kitu Life.

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*MCTs (medium chain triglycerides are an energy source that is metabolized very quickly, providing a fast-acting, sustained energy boost without the crash. They have been shown to stabilize blood-sugar levels, suppress appetite, lower cholesterol, improve brain function and increase nutrient absorption.

†Phosphorus forms strong bones, and you need potassium aids in proper nerve and muscle function.

‡Whey protein (milk protein) adds creaminess along with a boost of amino acids. It is known to help maintain lean muscle and suppress appetite. Whey protein concentrate is lactose free, but not vegan.
 

[2] PB Crave Choco Choco Peanut Butter. Both photos courtesy PB Crave.

There are only two basic ingredients in this tasty snack from PB Crave peanut butter.

We’ve added a suggestion of mix-ins to make it your own.

You can buy pre-popped popcorn if you like.
 
 
RECIPE: PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN

Ingredients

 
Preparation
1. POP the kernels in a large saucepan, and place them in a large bowl.

2. MICROWAVE the the peanut butter for 30-40 seconds, stirring at intervals, until melted.

3. DRIZZLE the peanut butter over the popcorn and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Spread on wax paper to dry.

4. MIX in any other ingredients and serve.

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*Four ounces of kernels makes 16 cups/1 gallon of popped corn.

For lovers of candy canes and chocolate, here’s an elegant upgrade to peppermint bark: The Candy Cane Bar from Éclat Chocolate.

Inspired by the classic candy cane, and bark with chipped pieces, this bar lovely bar is almost too pretty to eat.

There’s a top layer of white chocolate with a red stripe, a bottom layer of dark chocolate, and crunchy peppermint candy cane pieces in both layers.

A 2.2-ounce bar is $9.50.
 
GET YOURS AT ECLATCHOCOLATE.COM.
 
 
ABOUT ÉCLAT CHOCOLATE

Christopher Curtin, founder of Éclat Chocolate, spent more than two decades to achieve the title of Master Chocolatier.

He set out from Madison, Wisconsin to the House of Les Compagnons du Devoir, the premier guild for pastry chefs in France. He then studied in Cologne, Germany, and became the first American to be awarded the honor of German Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier.

White striped chocolate on top, dark chocolate on the bottom and candy cane pieces throughout (photo courtesy Éclat Chocolate).

If you’re near West Chester, Pennsylvania (19382), stop by the store and factory for bars, bonbons, caramels, mendiants and more.

[2] Some of the line: A set of four flavors.

We have been fans of Horseshoe Brand hot sauce since it became a Gift Pick two years ago.

The line has superior, handcrafted, artisan flavor, made to perfection from the finest ingredients.

Since then, the brand has grown into 10 varieties of hot sauces, plus two barbecue sauces.

Caribbean Hot Sauce the latest, made for the heat seeker craving island flavors.

The sauce is made from fiery Caribbean scotch bonnet chiles, a blend of tropical fruits mustard, and spices.

The company likes Caribbean Hot Sauce for chicken, grouper, pork, and rice and beans.

At $6.99 per bottle, the whole line offers great stocking stuffers or party favors; or put together several for a larger gift.

The line currently includes:

 
Plus:

 
GET YOURS AT HORSHOEBRAND.COM

Introducing Kween Granola Butter, a slightly-sweet spreadable made with granola’s rolled oats, maple syrup and cinnamon. It’s non-GMO and contains no refined sugars.

And you can give it as stocking stuffers or small gifts.

There are currently three flavors of Kween Granola Butter:

 
The wholesome ingredients are wholesome:

 
Per serving, these power-packed ingredients contain 4g of protein in Original, 7g of protein in Original With Collagen Peptides, 5% DV of fiber from golden flax, healthy fats and under 3g of sugar.
 
 
HOW TO USE GRANOLA BUTTER

Use it like any nut butter or non-nut butter.

 
 
WHAT ARE COLLAGEN POLYPEPTIDES?

Collagen peptides are a cold-soluble, easily digestible and highly bioactive form of collagen.

Although they are not exactly the same as gelatin, both originate from collagen and are proteins made of amino acids. Here’s more about them.
 
 
GET YOUR GRANOLA BUTTER

One 10-ounce jar is $12.95, with discounts for multiple jars.

Head to Kween.co.

[1] Kween Granola Butter, in Original and Original With Collagen Polypeptides for more protein. All photos courtesy Kween.

[2] Bake banana bread, bars, cookies, and make Rice Krispie Treats and Granola Butter Cups (like PB Cups).

[3] Whisk some into vinaigrettes, dips and sauces.