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#NOWgetfit Immersion and Giveaway

By the way I’ve carried on over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, you probably already know I went on a blog “field trip” last week that was all kinds of awesome. I, and some of my fellow Fitfluential Ambassadors, were invited to NOW Foods, in Bloomingdale, IL, for an immersion event. That’s code for we went behind the scenes to find out what exactly makes this company so awesome.

NOW welcome

What is NOW Foods, you ask? It’s a family-owned nutrition company that was founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard. NOW is a pioneer in the natural products industry and uses only the finest ingredients in everything they make. They have a strict non-GMO assurance process that includes stringent quality standards, documentation and testing.

  • 100% of NOW’s food brands are non-GMO.
  • 75% of NOW’s supplements are non-GMO assured.

NOW has been my go-to company for sports nutrition for as long as I’ve been a distance runner….that’s 8 years and counting in case you were wondering. I don’t talk much about supplements here because that is a personal choice and we should each find what works for us, but NOW is the brand I recommend to my coaching clients. If you can get the nutrients you need through your food, more power to you. Personally, a combo of supplements and eating nutrient-dense foods helps me perform and recover better. Something that has been increasingly important as I make my way through middle age.

NOW Mission

I wish I could take credit for discovering NOW Foods, but I’ve gotta give that one to the Caveman. As a power lifter, he’s all about making the most of his workouts and recovery. He’s also a stickler for top quality and purity, and NOW Foods quickly became his go-to brand, since their supplements are non-GMO, free of artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners.

NOW Pantry

A quick pantry sweep netted this assortment. We are NOW groupies, obviously.  

What I didn’t know is that NOW Foods is much more than a sports nutrition company. In addition to Sports Nutrition and General Wellness products, they have a Personal Care category and a Foods Category. I’ll describe those in more detail later.

NOW Jim Emme

NOW President,  Jim Emme welcomed us and shared the company’s history, mission and vision. 

We kicked off the immersion by shuttling from the hotel to a delicious dinner at Glen Prairie in Glen Ellyn, IL. The excellence of the food was eclipsed only by the interesting company history and stories told by NOW Foods executives as they shared the company mission and vision.

To provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.

Our group was off to an early start the next day. After a spin and yoga workout, we headed to the NOW Foods Labs, where we enjoyed a fascinating plant tour led by Nutrition Education Manager, Neil Levin.

NOW labcoats

It was then that I witnessed the extraordinary lengths NOW Foods goes to to ensure premium quality and purity of their products. We donned lab coats, hairnets and goggles before being admitted to observe countless labs where raw materials undergo rigorous testing.

NOW lab sign

This sign outside one of the labs explains what’s going on far better than I can. 

NOW lab

While most other supplement manufacturers outsource much of this testing, NOW Foods has invested millions of dollars to bring all of these functions in house.

NOW supplements

After the rigorous testing is completed, we headed down to the plant where NOW products are manufactured.

NOW Omega

Here’s some of my beloved Omega-3’s now!

NOW oil

Did you know olive oil isn’t the best for high-heat cooking? Try avocado oil instead.

After the plant tour, we moved on to the corporate offices for an oil tasting (part of NOW’s gourmet Ellyndale line), enjoyed a green smoothie followed by lunch and a presentation on Wellness by Dr. Wendy Bazilian.

NOW wellness

After lunch, it was time to head to the NOW Foods Innovation Kitchen where we teamed up and baked cookies using healthy NOW ingredients.

NOW kitchen

I had to keep reminding myself to slow down as this was not Cupcake Wars.

NOW Suzy

Chef Suzy Singh heads up the Innovation Kitchen and let me tell you she is a star!

I MUST share the cookie recipe our team baked because they are nothing short of amazing. Other great recipes are available on the NOW Foods website.

NOW Ultimate Organic Oatmeal and Goldenberry Cookies

 

Ultimate Organic Oatmeal and Goldenberry Cookies
4.7 from 3 reviews
Print
Recipe type: Cookies
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 dozen
Ingredients
  • 1C NOW Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
  • 1C NOW Real Food Organic Turbinado Sugar
  • 1C NOW Real Food Organic Coconut Sugar
  • 2 Large Organic Eggs
  • 2t Ellyndale Organic Vanilla Extract
  • 1C NOW Real Food Goldenberries, chopped
  • 2C Organic All Purpose Flour
  • 1C NOW Real Food Organic Rolled Oats
  • 1t Baking Soda
  • 1t Baking Powder
  • 1t Sea Salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine coconut oil, turbinado sugar and coconut sugar until the mixture is fluffy.
  3. Add 2 large eggs and vanilla extract and mix until you have an even consistency.
  4. Fold in all dry ingredients, including goldenberries and oats until you have a homogenous mixture.
  5. Form ½" balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake 10-15 minutes.
  7. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes before serving.

 

It was an amazing couple of days to be sure. While I’d been a fan of NOW Foods before, the lengths they go to test each and every product and every single ingredient that goes into them impressed me even more. In an industry that is often under fire because it is not regulated by the FDA, NOW Foods is doing an impressive job of demanding and maintaining the highest standards of purity and quality, all at a reasonable price. Find NOW products online and at Whole Foods, GNC, Fruitful Yield and other health food stores. Use this store locator to find a store near you.

NOW fitluential group

So, let’s get to the giveaway. One very lucky reader will win a motherlode of NOW Foods products. Pay attention: The next three pictures will show you ALL of your prize. You may want to sit down.

NOW Sports

First, an assortment from the Sports Nutrition Line. This includes 3 different kinds of plant-based protein, probiotics, recovery supplements and so much more.

NOW Personal Care

Next, this assortment from the Personal Care Line. I’ve already tried the shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser, toner, toothpaste and body lotion and they all rock not to mention smell amazing! Such great peace of mind knowing I’m not putting things on my skin that are going to mess with my hormones.

NOW Foods CollageAnd finally, this assortment from the Specialty Foods line. Kids these products are stars. Seriously. I’ve already sampled the Honey-Roasted Pecans, Avocado Oil and the Better Stevia. I cannot wait to get into the rest.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of NOW Foods.

Comments

  2. Sounds like a very interesting and fun visit. I must admit that the “non-GMO” craze is very annoying to me, just read a very interesting article about it the other day. However, good to see the quality control and manufacturing processes in place here and the recipes sound amazing. Thanks for sharing!

  3. I’m interested in the body care line, especially the shampoo and conditioner.

  4. Looks AMAZING – love the pics in the lab wear 😉

    I would love to try the health and beauty line. I have never seen them and have been trying to clean up my act in that area, too!

  7. Wow this looks like it was so much fun! I actually use NOW supplements but would be happy to try anything from their sports line!

  12. HM warning… I need to disagree with #8 in that person’s slideshow… I’ve found a few products where it’s not listed in the bold print at the bottom “CONTAINS:….” so you think it’s safe, but then you see the allergen listed within the ‘paragraph’ of ingredients. Frustrating! Based on how health-conscious this company sounds I am sure this would not be the case with their labels, I just saw that slideshow pic and had to disagree… (always causing drama here) 😉

    Anyway. I definitely will attempt to make those cookies at some point. They looked awesome on IG (and here)! So glad you got the recipe!!

  13. I’d love to try any of their sports recovery products………I ran out of ZMA a few months ago, and I’m sure NOW Foods’ ZMA is of really good quality!

  16. I am most interested in NOW’s MCT oil, calcium lactate and their protein powders

  17. I haven’t seen the brand here yet. I always like to learn about healthy options! What a great little field trip you got to take 🙂
    The cookies look amazing! Made me hungry lol

  22. Hands down, I love the picture of you all in the lab coats! What a fun field trip. I would love to get into that kitchen and play like that. and would love to try avocado oil!

  24. Wow, your blog commenting interface looks different!

    Anyway, I should say the supplements…but let’s be honest…I want to try the baking mixes!

  30. How much fun is this!! I’ve used their supplements before and really like them, but didn’t know they had a entire line of ‘stuff’!!!

  32. I’m very curious about the Sprouted Brown Rice Protein and Pea Protein as all I’ve tried is whey. I am sure I’d find several favorites in this pack though!

  35. Look at all those sweetners and oils and teas! How cool that your were already a fan and product user to get to spend time with the company like that! Rockstars you all are! What a giveway! I will be honest I have never seen this brand but I don’t go into the GNC store much, I just don’t like the GNC brand so I stop going. Interesting tour, kudos!

  37. Wow! I’m definitely going to have to made those cookies or a version of them anyway — NOM NOM NOM!!! And what a serious giveaway — super generous of NOW!! I would be stoked to try any of those items in the photos. I’ve really only tried a couple of their supplements — oh and maybe the toothpaste.

  38. It’s great to hear about a company who provides real foods which aren’t full of chemicals. A lot of the supplements over here are basically lab-produced and personally I’d rather go with something where I recognise the ingredients.

  40. Very interesting! I had no idea what the brand of these supplements were as I started reading your post and then saw the picture with the bottles and branding and thought “ohhhhyeaahhhh” lol. I see it all the time at Vitamin Shoppe and my grocery store. Good to know they are non GMO!

  43. I’m excited about the skin care and tea!!! I use their supplements and protein shakes and really like both!

  44. I’d like to try out coconut sugar and freekeh. I’ve heard a lot about both products, but have yet to give them a try.

  46. Oh I’m between the avocado oil and the plant protein complex – but honestly I want it all – fingers crossed, hope I win!!!!! I love Now foods – I have used their pea protein for 5 years – its the best!

  52. that looks like such an interesting tour! I’ve never heard of them before – I’ll have to take a look!

  56. Looks like you had an incredible tour. Thank you for introducing me to NOW foods. I would love to learn more about the specialty food line!

  58. all the products look interesting.. but the oils would be the first I tried

  59. I would love to win. I’m most interested in the glutamine because I’ve heard it helps workout recovery as well as digestion.

  63. I would love to try coconut sugar and I already buy the slender sticks and I love them.

  68. I’d really love to try the vanilla toffee pea protein, the cookies & cream or vanilla toffee fudge whey protein isolate, the coconut stevia, or the agar powder. Everything on this site sounds great, to be honest!

  70. Wow! What an amazing opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at one of your favorite brands. I’ve never heard of NOW until this post, but I will definitely be doing some research – always looking for fun new things to try. Avocado oil, maybe?! Thanks for sharing!

  71. The organic chocolate fudge brownie mix and the teas sound really good! I would love to try them!

  72. I would love to try any of their supplements or oils, especially avocado oil! Love the cookie recipe!! I will have to try this brand soon!!

  74. Ahhh, that’s so cool that you got to bake cookies in there! (I think I definitely would’ve gone down the Cupcake Wars path! 😛 ) The cookies look super good!

    I’d love to try their health + beauty line!

  78. I’d be excited to try products from the specialty food line since I love healthy baking. I’m also very interested in the personal care items.

  80. i’ve tried NOW brand pea protein and LOVE it! i’d like to try the goldenberries or avocado oil the most ….there are a lot of other products that look great too!!

  82. I just— like last week– picked up some NOW Foods instant soy milk powder. I’d special-ordered it from my food co-op because I want to make non-dairy white chocolate. The soy milk powder and a big block of virgin cocoa butter await that project. My co-op (PCC) stocks a lot of NOW products in its health and beauty section.

  85. The Coconut Sugar interests me because I love sugar and I love coconut — so that’s why I’d like to try it! I’ve never heard of this product and love to try new things.

  92. I’d love to try the Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix. Thanks for the opportunity.

  94. Those oils all sound so GOOD! I want them all, lol! (I am for serious.)
    Such a wonderful opportunity for you and I love seeing all the pictures and learning what goes on “behind the scenes.” THANK YOU for sharing!!!

  105. I have lots of the NOW essential oils, and I love them. I’m really intrigued by their protein powders, though. I’ve long been searching for my perfect protein powder, and maybe this is it!

  107. a lot of it looks awesome but the toothpaste interests me the most. My dentist just recently suggested something similar

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