Sunday, May 29, 2011

Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins—Using Thrive Products—And a Giveaway!

Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins

When Misty from Shelf Reliance asked me to give the Thrive products a try, I was a bit skeptical about the concept/approach.  However, after reading her blog "Your Own Home Store," and Shelf Reliance's website, I became convinced that the concept behind the Thrive products is sound and I decided to give it a try.

The concept is rather simple.  1) Flash Freeze the food/fruit.  2) Vaporize.  3) Package and Store.

The primary benefit of applying this methodology to food items is an Extended shelf life.  And as I read Misty’s story, while holding this concept in mind, I was so touched by Misty's story and it’s a reality check for all of us, especially with today’s economy (click here to read her full story).  I’m happy that I had the opportunity to try these awesome products.

Thrive Foods offers many variety/types of products, including grains, veggies, fruits, dairy, meat and beans.  Can you imagine using freeze dried ground beef and powder sour cream in your recipes?  I was fascinated by the wide ranch of products they offered.  Don’t worry, I’ll show you a few recipes on how to incorporate Thrive products into an everyday recipes, both savory and sweet.

Thrive Products

I love how easy it was to open the packages on the canned products.  There’s a plastic lid to reclose the can so the unused portion stayed nice and fresh.  The picture below was the freeze dried Strawberry Yogurt Bites.  My kids love eating them as snacks.  These yogurt bits are also wonderful to eat with cereals.  Another way to enjoy them is to reconstitute them by adding water.  (All instructions were printed on the packages and were very easy to follow.) 

Thrive Products

Products in pouches were re-sealable.  I loved the freeze dried fruit.  It was very versatile and easy to use.  In my Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins, I added the freeze dried raspberries in the batter as the way they were (without reconstitute).  Also, I added some crushed freeze dried strawberries in the batter to create the beautiful pink color naturally.  Not only do the muffins turned out beautifully, the freeze dried fruit added a wonderful berry flavor as well.  The freeze dried fruit in the muffins tasted just like fresh berries, if not better.  The freeze dry process really concentrated the flavors of the ingredients and the aroma popped once you open the packages.

Thrive Products

Have you ever ran out of fresh eggs in the fridge while you need a few to whip up some goodies in a recipe?  That happened to me more than once!  It’s frustrating because it’s not always convenience for me to drive down to the store with the kids, especially when that happened in the middle of the night.  Yeah, my nick name is “midnight baker”!  LOL…Anyway, no more knocking on your neighbor’s door to borrow an egg!  Keep a package of the Thrive Whole Egg Powder in your pantry and you’ll always have the eggs you needed!  That’s truly awesome, don’t you agree? 

Thrive Products

These Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins turned out soft, fluffy and moist!  I loved the bursting of berry flavors from each bite.  The tartness from the berries balanced well with the sweetness from the white chocolate.  You’ve got to try this wonderful recipe.  On my next post, I’ll share with you a savory recipe using other Thrive products.  And maybe a bonus sweet recipe after that.  For now, here’s your chance to win some Thrive products and make a batch of these berries goodness in your own kitchen.  Misty was very generous and offered one of the lucky uTry.it readers up to $50 in Thrive products (retail price). 


This Giveaway is now Closed.

Rules for the giveaway:
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (or with a valid U.S. shipping address).  Deadline to enter is June 8th by midnight PST.   

Mandatory entry:
Visit Shelf Reliance’s site, leave a comment and tell me which Thrive product you would like to try the most.

Extra entries: do all or any of the following (please leave a separate comment for each additional entry).

1) Visit Misty’s blog and subscribe to her blog by email or reader, leave a comment to tell me that you did
2) Like uTry.it’s Facebook page (Here’s the link)
3) Subscribe to uTry.it’s blog as a Follower on Google Friend Connect (see right hand side bar)
4) Share this giveaway with your Facebook friends
5) Share this giveaway on Twitter

 Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins

One lucky winner will be selected using Random.org.  Winner will be announced shortly after the deadline of the giveaway.


Good Luck!


**Update**
A Friendly Reminder from Misty: I notice some of you shown interest in purchasing Thrive products.  Please make sure you place the order through Misty's site here (http://yourownhomestore.shelfreliance.com/yourownhomestore) and you'll save 5%-45% off retail price, courtesy of Misty.  Isn't it cool?  If you go straight to http://shelfreliance.com you will end up paying full retail price.  Thank you for the great tip and savings, Misty!


*Disclaimer: I received the free samples for the purpose of this review and I am not compensated in any way to write this post.  All comments and opinions are 100% my own.











Very Berry White Chocolate Muffins (with Thrive ingredients)

Makes 14

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cake flour
1/2 cup Thrive Freeze Dried Strawberry
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup Thrive Sour Cream Powder
2 tablespoons Thrive Whole Egg Powder
1 cup warm milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Thrive Freeze Dried Raspberry
1/2 cup white chocolate chips, plus more to melt and drizzle on baked muffins


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 14 paper liners in muffin pans.

In a plastic zip log/sandwich bag, crush freeze dried strawberries with a rolling pin until they turn into powder.

In a large bowl, slightly whisk together sugar, cake flour, strawberry powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream powder, and egg powder until well combined. In a measuring cup, combine warm milk, melted butter and vanilla. Slowly add into the dry ingredients while whisking. Whisk/beat until all ingredients are incorporated, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gentle fold in the raspberries and chocolate chips with a spatula and make sure the batter is completely mixed.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each cup 3/4 full. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.


95 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up to this week's Themed Baker's Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. P.S. These products look awesome! I would love to try em!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very merry berries! What adorable packages.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love to try the Shortening Powder, I find that very interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amazing products Amy! And, as always, a beautiful recipe and photo!!!
    Hope you are enjoying the Memorial Day week-end!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to try the freeze dried blackberries.

    ReplyDelete
  7. sounds delicious, i would love to try it...but first i wish there are thrive products here on my other side of the world! anyway, have a great day! -PinayMum - Mommy's Life Around...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have been your follower for a whole now :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, that is one big web site they have! Lots of good stuff! I would like to try their blueberry pancake gift basket!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think the sour cream powder would be awesome to have on hand, for those midnight baking nights (like you) and to find out your recipe calls for sour cream and you don't have any. The orange yogurt bites sound delicious too! Your muffins look and sound delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm really fascinated by this whole concept. I saw you on another blog and wanted to come and check this out. I'm really intriqued with the pre-assembled Providence kit...but all the fruits sound interesting, too.

    I'd love to be entered into your giveaway. This really sounds like a product that would be fascinating to try.

    Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment. Your site is lovely and I'm so glad to know about that egg powder. I could sure use that. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway, and I'll probably end up buying some, too, since I know about it now:) Have a great Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. these would be great for my husband while hes deployed! i would like to try any of the yogurt bites! theres so much to choose from!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I could definitely go for the freeze dried blueberries.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I shared your giveaway on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm following you on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'd love to try the freeze dried blackberries or blueberries. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. omg i am so excited abut this giveaway because i am a huge fan of freezedried foods, we camp A LOT!
    i want to try teh icecream sandwiches!mmm

    ReplyDelete
  19. i subscribe via gfc to u try it
    bryanandmikki@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i shared this on facebook
    bryanandmikki@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's beautifully displayed. Such a great product. I would love to try.
    Come & Play: Thursday Two Questions

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would like to try the Bacon TVP. I hate cooking bacon and there are so many recipes that call for just a little. Sounds ideal.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Amy, thanks for this. Your review is wonderful and as always your pictures and recipes are incredible. Thanks for working with me, it has been a privilege.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I found your blog by chance and after reading about the giveaway spent some time browsing through your earlier posts. I'm glad I did that. You've created a neat and helpful spot for your readers to visit and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  25. This sounds like a great pantry must. I believe in having a stocked pantry. My husband and I have had to depend on our antry to get us through hard times in the past. I visited Shelf Reliance and I would love to try a lot of their products. I really like the grains being offered in cans. Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What interesting products! I'm most intrigued by the shortening powder, so would like to try that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow, wonderful products! I wanted to follow you, but didn't find the link. Thank you for the give away and recipes. I love baking and love your recipes.
    Have a nice M.D.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  28. These cupcakes look so good! Great giveaway, too!

    ReplyDelete
  29. @ Misty: You're very welcome and it's been a pleasure working with you as well. I really love using the Thrive products and had so much fun creating new recipes.

    @ Fabby: The follow button is located on the right hand side bar right below "Followers". The session where you see little thumbnail pictures of people who already followed. :) Thank you for your interest to follow my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've heard of flash frozen food, but never seen the products in our market yet. The frozen whole egg is intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. These muffins look scrumptious! I love the dried fruit and sour cream powder. And I'm your latest follower. Thanks so much for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd like to try any of the dried fruits the most! Maybe the freeze-dried blackberries...

    Meredyth
    meredythhaas@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to try the Thrive Whole Wheat Flour

    bamagv at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would like to try the dried blueberries.
    Mimi
    Mimi's Kitchen
    epsteinrr5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would love to try the berries. Any of them. What a interesting product!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mmm...freeze dried berries! Very cool products!

    Amy @ A Little Nosh

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love to try the banana chips! Thanks for the entry!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Nice Products! Thanks for visiting as always!

    ReplyDelete
  39. The cheese blend looks so practical. I can see adding it to many dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would like to try the sour cream. I have been very curious about Thrive products.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I became a follower of your blog. :-) Thanks for letting me know about your great giveaway. I have my fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to try those strawberries, Amy. What a neat concept....Christine

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love the berries, and the eggs. I seem to always run out of eggs. It would be nice to have them on hand. So many products:)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ooo! I would want the blackberries. Those would be fun to abke with!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Your cupcakes look great Amy! What a fun give-away, I'd love to try the raspberries, can you ever have enough of them? Thanks:@)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Sounds like a great group of products. the recipe sounds great. many blessings marlis

    ReplyDelete
  47. These sound awesome! Thanks so much for linking up at Muffin Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'd love to try the Macaroon Cookies. YUM! The eggs intrigue me! LOL! What a neat concept! Thanks so much for entering me!
    Stacie
    savingmama at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I Like uTry.it’s Facebook page (Stacie Dennis Frost). Thanks for entering me!
    Stacie
    savingmama at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I tweeted about this giveaway! Thanks for entering me!
    Stacie
    savingmama at live dot com
    http://twitter.com/#!/savingmama42/status/76678131938889728

    ReplyDelete
  51. I think I subscribed to Misty's Home Store with Google Reader. (I was having some problems, but I think I did it! LOL) Thanks for entering me!
    Stacie
    savingmama at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would probably get freeze dried blueberries, mangos, and apple chips....
    cgies25 at homtail

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi Amy,
    Your Very Berry White Chocolate Muffin recipe looks very good. I like the combination of flavor for the recipe. Of course you always make everything look amazing! Thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I would like to try the Baked Potato Cheese Soup

    kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  55. I Like uTry.it’s Facebook page(kelly D)
    kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  56. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/Kellywcu/status/76763819644424192

    kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'd like to try the double chocolate chip ice cream bar!
    mannasweeps
    (at) gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I like on FB - Marianna Sweeper Ballard

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wow! This is pretty amazing products...I think the raspberries look yummy!
    Thanks for this giveaway.

    Blessings & Aloha!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi, I'd love to try the Hearty Beef Stew - Full Meal.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  61. I subscribe to Misty’s blog via RSS feed.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  62. I like uTry.it’s Facebook page (FB name: Maddie Brubaker).
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow your blog publicly via Google Friend Connect as shala_darkstone.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  64. I shared this giveaway on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/shala.darkstone/posts/170818372978621
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  65. These products really do look like a great idea. I'd love to try the sour cream powder. And any of the fruits. Those muffins are making me drool. :)

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love your blog!! I am definitely going to be your new follower :) I would love it if you followed me to @ for-the-luv-of.blogspot.com that would be great :) I am just starting out, but I am excited to share new recipes, crafts, and makeup.. And Giving away giveaways on mineral make-up!

    ReplyDelete
  67. I would like to try the Freeze-Dried Mango the most. altern147 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I subscribed to Misy's blog by email. altern147 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I'd like to give the freeze dried onions a try. I hate chopping them, so I rarely use onions, but I miss the flavor!

    ReplyDelete
  70. The blueberries would be great.
    elizabeth.d.Copeland@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. oh man, I really want to try out these products! The onions would be really handy as I use it a lot in my cooking and hate chopping them.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would love to try any of the freeze dried fruits or veggies. amanda.senentz@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow you on Facebook. :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. i would get a first aid kit!

    florentina.tase@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. Thank you for this giveaway offer. I would like to try one of the rice and meat entree dishes... maybe chicken and rice.

    ReplyDelete
  76. I subscribed to misty's reader!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like'd it on my facebook too.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I 'like'd u try it on facebook too.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I am a follower of u try it here too...love this blog.

    ReplyDelete