Veggie Bits
Cruelty-Free Chick'n
For those days when you want a flavorful addition to your veggies or noodles, Tofurky's Slow Roasted Chick'n will satisfy your cravings. All products in this line are easy to sear or steam and can even be enjoyed cold. If you're looking for something mild to add to your salad, the Lightly Seasoned Chick'n will compliment greens wonderfully. For a sweet and zesty twist to your grains, try the Sesame Garlic Chick'n, or if you're more of a savory and rich spices person, check out Tofurky's version of Tandoori Chick'n. Tofurky Slow Roasted Chick'n is also available in BBQ Style and Thai Basil. These versatile products are great-tasting meat analogs for new vegans like myself, and will be a welcome addition to any vegan's meal repertoire. Visit www.tofurky.com for a store-finder and recipe suggestions.
Written by Navaal Mahdi, VRG intern.
Creative Frozen Asian Meals
If you have a busy schedule like I do, you know how difficult it can be to prepare lunch and dinner on some days. Amy's Kitchen has released new frozen Asian Meals — Chinese Noodles and Veggies, and Thai Green Curry — which are a little over $5 per box. They are gluten-free and made with wholesome ingredients that are mostly organic, so you know you're doing your body a favor when you invest in these meals. I enjoyed the convenience of not having to add anything on top of the pre-prepared Chinese noodles; all of my favorite vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, and edamame were already included, and the cashew cream sauce on top helped to successfully mix the varying flavors in the dish. If you enjoy Thai food, the Thai Green Curry is a winner. The organic fire roasted sweet potatoes are delightful with the other mixed vegetables and tofu. The jasmine rice helps fill you up! You can find these Amy's Kitchen products at most Whole Foods stores, and a complete store list and locator can be found at www.amys.com.
Written by Navaal Mahdi, VRG intern.
Beanfields
You may initially try Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips for the allure of healthy chips, but you'll stay for the addictive, flavorful taste. When stuffing chip after chip into your mouth, it's easy to forget that you're consuming at least 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and 200 mg of potassium per serving. The chips are crispy, and reminiscent of the traditional tortilla chip or Doritos, except with 36% less fat. They come in seven different flavors: Sea Salt, Nacho, Unsalted, Pico de Gallo, Ranch, Salt n' Pepper, and Barbecue. The Salt n' Pepper flavor lives up to its name with a peppery kick, every spicy Pico de Gallo chip seems like a snack of its own, and you could munch on the Unsalted variety forever. All Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips are vegan, corn-free, non-GMO certified, free of the 8 most common allergens, and Kosher parve. You can purchase them in cases of either 12/6 oz. or 24/1.5 oz., which are perfect amounts to store in your pantry or serve at a party. For more information, visit www.beanfieldssnacks.com. They're available at over 4,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Asia, as well as from online retailers such as www.Amazon.com. To locate a store near you carrying these family-owned snacks, visit http://www.beanfieldssnacks.com/store-locator/.
Written by Anna Balfanz, VRG intern.
Lovely Treats
Packaged sweets don't usually cut it for my seemingly insatiable sweet tooth, until now. Liz Lovely has made a perfect, decadent cookie. In fun flavors like Ginger Snapdragon, Cowgirl Cookie (their take on a classic chocolate chip), Chocolate Moose Dragon, and Snickerdudes, these are sure to satisfy your cravings for something tasty and cruelty-free. In addition to cookies, Liz Lovely also carries truffles made by taking the dough from their melt-in-your-mouth cookies and covering it in dark, rich chocolate. Taste aside, these products are certified vegan, non-GMO, kosher, and gluten free! You can purchase them online (all orders are free shipping!) or nationwide at health food stores.
Written by Anne Custer, VRG intern.
Fig Bars
Nature's Bakery Fig Bars are conveniently packaged as two small bars, making them a perfect on-the-go snack. They come in 9 flavors: stone ground whole wheat Raspberry, Blueberry, Lemon, Peach Apricot, Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry, Mango, Pumpkin Spice, and Original Fig. The Blueberry, Fig, and Raspberry flavors are also available as a gluten-free option, and there is a Pomegranate flavor that is exclusively gluten-free. Fig Bars are vegan and free of trans fats and cholesterol. Flavors like Raspberry and Mango will especially be loved by those with a sweet tooth, whereas Apple Cinnamon and Original Fig are great for those who prefer a moderately sweet-tasting snack. Nature's Bakery products are sold at large supermarket chains like Costco and Giant and are also available in natural markets. For more information on Nature's Bakery Fig Bars, as well as to locate where they are sold near you, visit www.naturesbakery.com.
Written by Navaal Mahdi, VRG intern.
Daiya Cheezecake
Rich, creamy, velvety, silky, luscious cheesecake. Drooling yet? You might think that it's difficult to find delicious dairy-free cheesecakes as a vegan, but with Daiya's new "Cheezecakes," you will suffer cheesecake-deprivation no more. These Cheezecakes are unbelievably creamy and rich — the texture and taste is just like (maybe even better than) dairy cheesecake. All four flavors — New York, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Key Lime — are indulgent and satisfying. The New York flavor is classic and simple in its velvety sweetness; the Chocolate is rich and dark in flavor (with a fabulous chocolate crust); the Strawberry is thick, creamy, and bursting with fruitiness; and the Key Lime is tangy and sweet in perfect balance. As an added bonus to being vegan, these Cheezecakes are also gluten-and soy-free. Treat yourself to decadent, dairy-free deliciousness, available at most Whole Foods nationwide.
Written by Myrial Holbrook, VRG intern.
Culture Shock
Probiotics in a burrito? I was a little skeptical of Sweet Earth Natural Foods probiotic Get Cultured Breakfast Burrito. The first bite, however, was a culture shock—literally. Who knew cultured probiotics could actually taste delicious in a savory burrito? This burrito combines seasoned tofu, fermented red pepper, crisp cabbage, vibrant edamame, and fresh ginger harmoniously inside a whole wheat tortilla. The tofu and veggies burst with a Korean-inspired spice that makes the burrito unlike any other I've ever tasted. Hidden amongst the spicy tofu and veggies is a heat-resistant probiotic strain called Bacilius Coagulans GBI-30 6086 that promotes digestive health. So if you're not a huge fan of soy yogurt or kombucha, this breakfast burrito is perfect for you! Pop it in the microwave for a satisfying breakfast or an afternoon snack packed with 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Depending on your taste and dietary preferences, you might want to try one of the other four flavors: Protein Lover's, Get Focused!, Stay Zen, or Lighten Up!. To find out more about Sweet Earth's probiotic breakfast burritos, visit www.sweetearthfoods.com.
Written by Myrial Holbrook, VRG intern.
Super Seedz
Roasting pumpkin seeds fresh out of a Halloween jack-o-lantern is a time-honored seasonal tradition. Now, SuperSeedz are a way to enjoy pumpkin seeds as a year-round healthy snack on the go. Beyond the traditional tossed with sea salt variety, SuperSeedz offers Super Spicy, Somewhat Spicy, Tomato Italiano, Curious Curry, Coco Joe, Cinnamon & Sugar, Really Naked, and Maple Sugar & Sea Salt flavors, all sold in 5- or 1-ounce snack packs. The seeds are dry-roasted without their shells so that you can just pop them in your mouth without chewing on (or trying to pick off) the shell. Each flavor tastes distinctively different, with my favorite flavor being Super Spicy, though beware — this flavor is true to its name! SuperSeedz are sold in national grocery chains and natural foods stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Safeway. You can also purchase them online at www.superseedz.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler.
