Vita Cost, which has all manner of organic yummies, sent The Frugal Diva some breakfast cereal from TeeChia for review.

The time has come when every calorie has to be nutrient packed or things get out of balance very quickly. I was delighted with the heavy duty grains and slight sweetening without sugar. You can either have it with hot or cold water. My suggestion-only use hot water.  The texture does not work with cold water if you are eating it as cereal. Usually, I’m ready for a snack by about 10:30 however before I had a chance to notice it was lunch time and there had been no nagging need to raid the refrigerator.  This product works well with coconut milk, yogurt, or would be a great addition to a gluten free muffin mix.

•  Chia, Flax, Quinoa, Amaranth, Ramon & Pumpkin
•  Gluten Free
•  6 g Fiber
•  1100 mg ALA Omega-3 Fatty Acids
•  No Sugar Added
•  26 g Whole Grains
•  Antioxidant-Rich Seeds & Fruits

Other Ingredients: Gluten-free organic rolled oats, organic quinoa seeds, dates, organic zante currants (currants, sunflower oil), organic milled chia seeds, organic milled flax seeds (golden and brown), organic amaranth seeds, Oregon pumpkin seeds, dried blueberries (blueberries, apple juice infused), organic raw ramon seeds, natural blueberry flavor, freeze dried blueberries. Packaged in a facility that also handles tree nuts.

The Frugal Diva had never heard of ramon seeds and decided it was best to find out about them. The ramon tree is a member of the fig family, which also includes mulberry trees. At 130 feet tall, ramon trees are part of the forest canopy in Central American rainforests and frequently are cut down for lumber. Ramon seeds are actually the seed of the ramon fruit. They have zero fat, are very high in potassium, fiber and tryptophan, the amino acid that helps calm stress and anxiety plus they are gluten-free.  You have to love something that reduces stress and provides nutrients.

Frugal Divas need their coffee and it better be good and fresh. Now we don’t need all that expensive equipment. A blender and a coffee maker will get you to the same place as a $2000 super duper coffee making machine. Frankly my car isn’t even worth that much.

Jennifer Moss of Babynames.com, gave me this great tip on becoming a coffee diva with home ground beans.  Maybe you don’t have counter space for a grinder and don’t want to shell out the money for it.  Jennifer says “Then use your blender!”  Most coffee grinders are mini-blenders with the same kind of blades at the bottom of them. Fill the blender half way with coffee beans and choose the setting, just like you would on a grinder: for example chop=course grind, frappe = fine grind. Don’t fill it more then half way, or it won’t grind all the beans. And here’s an added benefit: you won’t get all that “coffee dust” that you get with a grinder!

Cleanup: just run hot water in the blender carafe until there are no more coffee grounds. Make your coffee in any drip or press and you will have the best for the least amount of money.

And how about a little something to start your day, make fresh oatmeal or an egg on a muffin. Take a small microwave safe container and crack a raw egg into it. Place a paper towel over the container. Microwave anywhere from 25 to 50 seconds depending on your microwave and the degree of firmness that you prefer. At the same time slip an English muffin in the toaster. When it pops up, slip the egg into muffin, add a piece of cheese if you like and you have a nutritious and satisfying breakfast.

You have all the choice and save about $4 a day. Multiply the savings, subtract the extra calories and you have a great financial and nutritious benefit to being a Frugal Diva.