Veggie Bits

Dole exposes mushrooms to ultraviolet light to increase their natural amount of vitamin D. By drying these mushrooms and grinding them into their Portobello Mushroom Powder, Dole has created a concentrated source of vitamin D2, the vegan form of vitamin D. One teaspoon of the powder provides 600 IU of vitamin D, which meets recommendations for those 70 and younger (11/3 teaspoons supply 800 IU, the recommendation for adults older than 70). Add the powder to soups, grain dishes, salad dressings, and sauces, and it will lend a mild mushroom flavor. However, the mushroom taste was highly evident in the High “D” Hummus Dip (recipe available at ), which was delicious but tasted more like a mushroom-and-onion spread than hummus.

The limited-supply, vitamin D-rich Portobello Mushroom Powder can be ordered online at www.doledepot.com in 2- and 3.5-ounce bottles. To learn more, visit www.dole.com, or write to Dole Food Company, One Dole Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362-7300.

Snacks for People on the Go

Great for hiking, outdoor trips, or just a snack when you're on the go, Mareblu Naturals' Crunch Bags and Crunch Bars are vegan, gluten- and wheat-free, kosher, and made without any peanut products. The Crunch Bags are full of nuts, fruit, and natural sea salt, melded together with organic cane juice, and come in a convenient resealable bag. The Crunch Bar is a 1.2-ounce bar version of the Crunch Bag, making it easy to grab when you are in a hurry. The Cranberry Pomegranate variety of the Crunch Bags is the most delicious, with the subtle fruit flavor mixing well with the nuts. The Almond Crunch Bar is also tasty, and with other unique flavors like Mango Pome-granate and Pistachio, Mareblu Naturals will certainly leave you satisfied.

Contact Mareblu Naturals at 1150 N. Red Gum Street, Suite C, Anaheim, CA 92806-2609 or via phone at (866) 959-NUTS (6887). All Crunch Bags and Crunch Bars can also be purchased on their website, www.180snacks.com.

You've probably seen Quorn mock meats at your local market, but until recently, all of the European company's products contained eggs and/or dairy derivatives. Now, Quorn has introduced Vegan Burgers, made from wheat, potatoes, onions, and other savory ingredients. These soy-free patties are easy to prepare in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, and on the grill, but no matter how these burgers are made, they give off an enticing aroma that will make even the most adamant meateater's stomach rumble!

Quorn's Vegan Burgers are available nationwide at stores such as Giant, Stop & Shop, and Whole Foods Market. For more information, write to Quorn at P.O. Box 5013, Westport, CT 06881, or send an e-mail to customer service at [email protected]. See www.quorn.us for details.

Better Than Butter!

Bursting with a tropical taste, Earth Balance's Organic Coconut Spread is a lactose-, soy-, and gluten-free spread made with extra-virgin coconut oil. A vegan substitute for butter or margarine, this delicious product is a great topper for fresh baked goods or vegetables. Plus, you can stir this spread into recipes, and it is an unbeatable ingredient for almost any of your cooking or baking efforts.

Write to Earth Balance at 7102 LaVista Place, Suite 200, Niwot, CO 80503, or call (201) 421-3970. You can also go to the company's website at www.earthbalancenatural.com.

The VRG is introducing a new Visa® Platinum Rewards Card! This credit card comes in four attractive, vegan-friendly designs. In addition, the bank sponsoring this credit card will make a $50 donation to VRG upon card activation as well as ongoing contributions to The VRG that help support the organization's outreach, scholarships, and more! Visit www.cardpartner.com/app/vrg to learn more about this opportunity and to apply!

Move Over, Lean Cuisine! The owners of renowned New York City vegan restaurants Candle Café and Candle 79 have introduced Candle Café Frozen Meals, a new line of organic, gourmet vegan frozen dinners. With low-calorie entrées like Ginger Miso Stir-Fry, Seitan Piccata with Lemon Caper Sauce, and Tofu Spinach Ravioli, Candle Café Frozen Meals are not only healthful, but they're also super satisfying! Candle Café Frozen Meals: compassionate, convenient, and delicious!

These products are available nationwide at some Whole Foods Markets. To learn more about Candle Café, visit the restaurant's website at www.candlecafe.com.

Never again will you have to search high and low for the perfect body products! LUSH is a 100-percent vegetarian company that sells earth-conscious and animal-friendly personal care products. The company, which began in Britain, now has 700 locations worldwide, including 95 in the United States.

LUSH products are made from fresh fruits and vegetables, essential oils, and safe synthetics, and nearly all their products, except for those with honey, are vegan. Their highly diverse lines of products include bar soaps, shower gels, bottled and solid shampoos, henna hair dyes, shaving creams, deodorants, powders, lotions, toothpaste tablets, lip balms, and much more!

LUSH is opposed to animal testing and requires that all of their products' ingredients come from cruelty-free vendors who have not tested on animals for any reason. The company also runs several ethical campaigns for animals and the environment, including one against seal hunting in Canada. As an added bonus, LUSH products use little to no packaging, so they are almost as good for the environment as they are for your body.

To learn more about LUSH, go to www.lush.com. You can call (888) 733-5874, or write to LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, 8365 Ontario Street, Unit 120, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5X 3E8.