Veggie Bits
Allergaroo Brings Ready-Made, Allergen-Free Cuisine to Your Microwave
Anyone with food sensitivities knows how frustrating it can be to find tasty but easy-to-prepare, allergen-free edibles. Luckily, Allergaroo makes products without wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts. Their shelf-stable, heat-and-eat pastas come in three varieties - Elbow Rice Pasta with Mild Chili Sauce and Pinto Beans, Penne Rice Pasta with Tomato Sauce, and Rice Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce - that will please even the pickiest eaters. At eight ounces per microwavable pouch, these items are ideally portioned to satisfy tweens, but don't be surprised if they become a favorite with other family members as well.
Allergaroo products are available from many retailers, including some Target, Wegman's, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie locations. To find other stores, contact Allergy Friendly Foods at P.O. Box 790, Springfield, MO 65801, or at (417) 799-1875. You can also order from the company's website, www.allergaroo.com.
Gourmet Indian Food at Home
If you're in the mood for restaurant-quality Indian cuisine without the visit to the restaurant, try some vegan entrées from Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods. The Channa Masala combines just the right amount of spices and sweetness, and both this chickpea dish and the accompanying naan heat up in fewer than five minutes. For parties, you may want to pick up a few boxes of Sukhi's Samosas & Chutney. Each package contains 10 miniature potato-filled pastries that crisp nicely in the oven, as well as a cilantro dipping sauce. Other choices from Sukhi's include the Vegan Chili Chicken, with soy chicken and bell pepper slices, and the Matar Tofu, with lentils, tomatoes, and onions. In addition to these frozen entrées, Sukhi's also offers its products in large, food service sizes.
To find a store near you that carries Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods, contact the company at 23682 Clawiter Road, Hayward, CA 94545, or via phone at (888) 4-SUKHIS. In addition, you can visit Sukhi's website at www.sukhis.com. Written by Ashley Boss, VRG Intern.
A New Twist on an Old Favorite
Newman's Own Organics has introduced what might very well be the first line of organic licorice. The company's new Licorice Twists come in 5-ounce packages and offer a generous five links per 130-calorie serving. Of course, there is a traditional, sharp Black Licorice and a fresh, aromatic Strawberry Licorice, but these goodies also come in two of today's trendiest flavors. Make sure that you try the dark, fragrant Pomegranate and the tangy Tangerine, with its strong, yet not overwhelming, citrus taste. Look for this candy at your local supermarket, and hope that most movie theater concession stands start to carry them soon as well!
You can write to Newman's Own Organics at P.O. Box 2098, Aptos, CA 95001, or call the company at (831) 685-2866. You can also visit them online at www.newmansownorganics.com.
Gotta Get These Greens!
Rhythm Kale Chips are the raw, vegan, and gluten-free remedy to boring sandwich sides. Each 2-ounce bag starts out with garden-fresh kale that is mixed with vegetables, cashews, herbs, and spices and then air-crisped at a low temperature. The most addictive variety has to be the Bombay Curry, with hints of cilantro, coconut, and ginger. Still, the Kool Ranch, with its homestyle dressing flavor, and the 'cheesy' Zesty Nacho variety are almost as good.
Contact Rhythm Superfoods, LLC, at P.O. Box 41345, Austin, TX 78704, or at (512) 441-5667. Find more information at www.rhythmsuperfoods.com.
Would You Like Fries With That?
Asherah's Gourmet will revolutionize the veggie burger market with its new organic VeganBurgers. These soy-, gluten-, mushroom-, nut-, yeast-, and sugar-free patties are made from quinoa, flax, and vegetables, and they indeed taste like healthful whole grains and vegetables. No attempts to imitate the flavor of beef here! These 4-ounce burgers are available in Original and Chipotle varieties, and you can purchase them either in boxes of four or in food service packages of 24.
To learn more, write to Asherah's Gourmet Vegan Burgers at 73 Old Dublin Pike, Suite 10, Doylestown, PA 18901, or call (215) 489-9815. Visit their website at www.asherahsgourmet.com.
For Those Who Miss Seafood...
The founders of Sophie's Kitchen have come up with their own vegan alternatives to fish and crustaceans! Using a starch made from the Asian plant konjac's roots, they have created fried Vegan Calamari, authentic-tasting Breaded Vegan Shrimp, and Vegan Squid Rings, all of which make inspired foundations for appetizers. They also offer small, gluten-free Vegan Shrimp that can liven up your favorite fried rice recipe, as well as larger Vegan Prawn to top salads and pastas. And be sure to try their Breaded Fish Fillets, made not from konjac but from textured vegetable protein (TVP).
Contact Sophie's Kitchen at 1590 Cunningham Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472, or at (877) GO-4-0- SEA. In addition, find out more at their website, www.sophieskitchen.net.
Vegan Macaroons Debut, Just in Time for Passover
We never thought we'd see commercially produced macaroons made without eggs, but thanks to Emmy's Organics, these chewy coconut confections are finding their way to store shelves. Classic varieties include the Coconut & Vanilla and the ultra-rich Dark Cacao, but more adventurous types should give the Chai Spice, Choco-Orange, Lemon-Ginger, and Mint Chip flavors a try. Whichever kind you choose, you won't go wrong!
Write to Emmy's Organics at 707 Hancock Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, or call the company at (607) 319- 5113. Their website is www.emmysorganics.com.
Not Just Cute Illustrations
Peter Rabbit Organics is a London-based company that has introduced something great for your little ones! Their yummy Fruit Snacks are 100 percent puréed organic fruit in squeezable, no-spill pouches with antichoke caps. In addition, these products don't need to be refrigerated, making them perfect for the parent on-the-go! Each 3.5-ounce pouch features a sweet image of Peter Rabbit with the fruits that make up its kid-friendly flavor combo - Apple and Grape; Mango, Banana, and Orange; or Strawberry and Banana.
To learn more, e-mail Peter Rabbit Organics at [email protected] or visit www.peterrabbit organics.com. Written by Ashley Boss, VRG Intern.
Wow! A Soy-Free Vegan Yogurt!
Turtle Mountain has expanded its So Delicious product line to include Coconut Milk Yogurts. The items are truly unique in that they are made without dairy, soy, or gluten and offer a generous dose of vegan-friendly B12. These sweet, creamy yogurts come in nine varieties, including Blueberry, Passionate Mango, Plain, Raspberry, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, and Vanilla. However, you'll have a hard time resisting the decadent Chocolate or the Pina Colada with real pineapple bits.
To learn more about So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurts, write to the brand's parent company, Turtle Mountain, LLC, at P.O. Box 21938, Eugene, OR 97402. You can also call Turtle Mountain at (541) 338-9400 or visit www.turtlemountain.com.
Perfect for Spring Cleaning
If it's time to start uncluttering your closets and shaking out those dusty rugs, then it's time to reach for Bon Ami! This company has been around since 1886, and their products were non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable long before it was popular to 'go green.' Their newest items draw on this eco-friendly heritage while effectively cleaning modern kitchen counters and bathroom fixtures. The All-Purpose Cleaner spray works wonders on most surfaces, while the Dish Soap tackles grimy pots and pans quite well. Likewise, the Powder Cleanser and the Liquid Cleanser earned a standing ovation for cutting right through stubborn tub stains and finally taking the mildew off those shower tiles.
To find out more about Bon Ami, you can contact the company at 1025 W. 8th Street, Kansas City, MO 64101-1200, or call (816) 842-1230. You can go to www.bonami.com for further info.
A Refreshingly Fruitful Endeavor
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is an international non-profit dedicated to planting orchards that alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, and strengthen communities. Each year, the organization co-sponsors the Communities Take Root program, which donates trees, organic soil, equipment, and a volunteer workforce to begin orchards at public schools, at city parks, in low-income neighborhoods, at animal sanctuaries, and elsewhere. To apply for this year's round of orchard donations, visit www.communitiestakeroot.com.
