VEGGIE BITS

All-too-realistically-named, 'pigs in a blanket' were one of those childhood "fun" foods that helped me connect the dots about what I was really eating. So I was particularly excited to discover Mini Vegan Pretzel Dogs by Kim & Scott's. They've teamed up with Field Roast to wrap mini faux franks in soft sourdough pretzels. There are 12 dogs in a box and they take just 25 seconds in the microwave to reach the ideal soft, chewy texture. You can heat up a few for a speedy snack or appetizer, but I recommend surprising your friends on game day by serving up the whole box with a side of spicy mustard. The pretzel dogs contain no meat, dairy, preservatives, trans fats, or hydrogenated oil. Visit www.kimandscotts.com to locate them near you, or to find an online retailer.

We went a little cheese crazy here in the Vegetarian Journal offices when we tried Field Roast's Chao slices, melting them on whatever we could find around the kitchen. Needless to say, we are huge fans. The slices come in three flavors: Creamy Original (tastes just like white American cheese!), Coconut Herb, and Tomato Cayenne. Though they all have distinctively differently flavors, they are versatile enough to work on anything: vegan deli meat sandwiches, veggie burgers, quesadillas, bagels, soup, you name it. We are beyond pleased with their taste, consistency, and melty-ness.

If you're experienced with vegan cheeses, you know that many of them are often nut, particularly cashew,-based. This is a major disappointment for the unluckiest of vegans — those who are allergic to nuts. Chao slices, however, are made from coconut and fermented soybean curd (called chao by the Vietnamese, hence its name).

Look for Chao slices in the natural foods section of grocery stores nationwide. Learn more or locate Chao slices near you by visiting http://fieldroast.com.

The Chinese originally ate spring rolls for luck and prosperity at the start of spring, but rather than lucky, I'm usually feeling dubious when ordering them. "Is there egg in the batter of the wrapper? Was it fried in an animal-based oil? Are you SURE there's not pork in it?" It can be difficult to get answers to these questions, but Lucky Foods frozen spring rolls put my mind at ease right away. They are completely vegan and have no preservatives, MSG, or added sugar. The rolls are stuffed with cabbage, carrots, onions, green peas, bean thread, non-GMO tofu, and seasonings for flavor — either Original, Thai-Style, or (faux) Chicken-Flavored. The shell is light and crispy with a satisfying crunch, and they're low-grease compared to the usual restaurant variety. Each flavor comes with a sweet-and-sour sauce for dipping. They take 14 minutes in the toaster oven, which I bet is quicker than your local delivery option, and with none of the lingering questions. Look for Lucky Foods Spring Rolls in Kroger and in natural foods stores across the country. Visit www.luckyfood.com for a complete listing of where to buy them.

It's hard to come by a vegan ice cream bar that completely satisfies my sweet tooth, but DF Mavens ice cream does. With rich chocolate flavors such as Mint Almond Cookie and Chocolate Almond Fudge, to tropical fruit favorites like Alphonso Mango and Key Lime Crème, DF Mavens is sure to please. The Mint Almond Cookie bar tastes like a traditional ice cream cake with the chocolate cookie crumbles I adored as a kid. The bars are vegan and gluten-free, made from coconut and almond milk. If you crave a rich and creamy dessert and are tired of artificial ice cream, these bars will become your go-to treat! To find a retailer visit: dfmavens.com/retail/. Combo packs consisting of 4 boxes for $31.96 are available online at: dfmavens.myshopify.com.

Mornings often bring cravings for something sweet and doughy, but many traditional options in that category provide little nutrition and have me feeling sloth-like within the hour. Morning Rounds from Ozery Bakery, which have a consistency somewhere between a pita and a scone, are a less guilty option for an easy, sweet, breakfast. They come in four flavors: Date & Chia, Muesli, Apple Cinnamon, and Cranberry Orange. All of the flavors contain whole grains mixed with dried fruits, seeds, and spices, and they leave out artificial ingredients and preservatives. I was surprised how freshly-baked Morning Rounds tasted, even when popped straight from the freezer into the toaster. When topped with a sliver of vegan butter, they instantly become comfort-food heaven. Apple Cinnamon seemed to be the office favorite at Vegetarian Journal, and Morning Rounds proved to be equally enjoyable well after the a.m. hours had passed us by. Visit us.ozerybakeryinc.com/ozery/ to purchase Morning Rounds directly from the Ozery Bakery website, or use the store locator to find them in a Costco, Whole Foods, or natural foods store near you.

Ask any vegan and they'll tell you the hardest thing about switching to a vegan diet was giving up their love of cheese. With Miyoko's Kitchen, vegan cheese tastes better than the real thing! These cheeses aren't your typical processed American cheese slices; they are artisan masterpieces consisting of organic cashews and organic coconut oil as the main ingredients. Some vegan products sound too good to be true, but I can honestly say Miyoko's vegan cheese was the BEST vegan cheese I've ever had. This cheese replicates the most extravagant French cheeses without using any animal products. If the taste isn't enough to get you hooked, the beautiful packaging and presentation will surely win some praise at your next party. With flavors such as Country Style Herbes De Provence, Fresh Loire Valley in a Fig Leaf, and Double Cream Sun-dried Tomato Garlic, Miyoko's Kitchen vegan cheese is sure to please even the most sophisticated cheese eaters. Pair with sliced fruit or a baguette for a gourmet snack. Miyoko's vegan cheese is available in combo packs ranging from $32 - $89. To purchase, visit shop.miyokoskitchen.com.

What's better than smooth, creamy, decadent vegan cheesecake in a variety of fruity (or chocolate-y!) flavors? Having it delivered directly to your doorstep, of course. For your next party, holiday, or other special occasion, consider leaving the dessert preparation to the experts at Earth Cafe and order a vegan, raw, gluten-free, cholesterol-free cheesecake. Each cheesecake is eight inches across, contains eight individual slices, costs $34.99, and can arrive to your home on dry ice overnight. The most difficult part will be choosing a flavor (Cherry Dream or Banana Cream? Pumpkin Spice or Coconut Carob?). I'm partial to the Rockin' Raspberry myself, with bits of fruit throughout and a nutty crust. If picking proves difficult, you have several palates to please, and you're open to a bit of a surprise, consider the sampler pie, comprised of eight different flavored slices. All of the cheesecakes are made with a soaked nut base (cashew, pecan, and walnut) and include fresh fruits and organic ingredients. Visit earthcafetogo.com to order whole cheesecakes, or if you're planning a party for one, use their store locator to locate natural foods stores and restaurants near you that sell individual slices.