VEGGIE BITS
3 in 1 Vegan Make-Up
With this 3-in-1 make-up from LaJeanell, you can clear plenty of space in your cosmetics kit. Available in five shades—Autumn Leaves (peachy/orange), Shirley (neutral pink), Spring Blossom (medium pink/mauve), Summer Breeze (dark pink/wine), and Winter Holly Berries (red), this collection was designed to serve as blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick. The pigments are rich and long-lasting. They are easy to blend on your skin using a make-up brush or your fingers, so custom colors for any skin tone is doable. Even as lip color, it lasted through a meal and evening out—never looking dry or cracked. Also, not much product is needed to complete an application, so the container lasts longer than other vegan make-up brands. It's great for travel; packing one or two small tubes versus an entire set of blushes and shadows is a true space-saver. LaJeanell cosmetics are cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Buy online at www.lajeanell.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Nutty Snacks
Munching on seasoned almonds can be fun. Daily Crunch sprouts and then dehydrates their nuts for a truly unique and airy chewing experience. The effect is different from the traditional roasting process, as the almonds seem lighter as you eat them. Available in Cacao, Cherry Berry Nut Medley, Cinnamon Java, Coffee + Coconut, Nashville Hot, Original, and Turmeric. Testers loved the smoky fire of the Nashville Hot almonds, and the Coffee + Coconut was just like crunching on your daily cuppa joe. If you prefer a milder or sweet snack, try the Cherry Berry Medley. Daily Crunch snacks are gluten-free and non-GMO. Available at some CVS stores and online in 5-ounce bags or 1.5-ounce minis. Find info at www.dailycrunchsnacks.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Creamy Chickpea Yogurt
As vegan options expand, versatile chickpeas are now getting in on the act as smooth, creamy yogurt. Meet CHKP, a company creating silky Blueberry, Plain, Strawberry, and Vanilla probiotic-rich yogurts from legumes. As unexpected as it sounds, this dairy-free yogurt really holds up. Testers found them delicious as a stand-alone snack or light breakfast, and they worked well in smoothies and dolloped onto vegan granola. Plain was great for recipes: stir it into your favorite dip, use it to top soups and stews, or add in baking applications, such as muffins and cake, for moisture. CHKP yogurts are gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, and soy-free. Available at some Whole Foods and other grocers, or online. Learn more at www.chkpfoods.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Gourmet Sriracha with Black Truffles
Spicy food fans always are ready to pour on the hot sauce, and this sriracha from New York-based Trufflin is sure to please even the most sophisticated palate. Sriracha is a traditional Asian condiment and used for dipping sauces (like spicy mayo), noodle dishes, soups, and even cocktails/mocktails. Fermented chili peppers, savory spices, garlic, white wine vinegar, and hibiscus flower are infused with savory and exotic black truffle mushrooms. It's just hot enough to be flavorful, allowing the black truffle taste and aroma to come forward, and finishes with the classic sriracha bite. Trufflin sriracha was outstanding on simple pan-seared tofu, as well as splashed over oven-roasted vegetables. Testers also loved it stirred into hummus and as a popcorn flavoring. Trufflin sriracha is gluten-free with no added sugar. Find info at www.trufflin-nyc.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Mustard Goes Wild
Elevate your next lunch with an artisan spread from Wilder Mustards. Simple ingredients combine in this chef-created condiment collection to refresh the classic mustard, resulting in Dijonish, Horseradish, Jalapeño, and Sweet & Hot varieties. Each flavor is unique with unexpected complexity and can easily be enjoyed by itself with crunchy hard pretzels or soft, warm pretzels as dippers. Try any of them on a loaded veggie burger, with roasted vegetables, or on the side of a vegan cheese board. The Dijonish made an elegant sauce over asparagus, and the spicier Horseradish made a flavorful vinaigrette for simple salads. All are gluten-free and organic. Available online at www.wildercondiments.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Hearts of Palm Noodles
Grain-free, low-calorie pasta is a reality, and Ecuadora makes it from hearts of palm. Hearts of palm are harvested from the core or growing bud of certain palm trees in tropical regions. Ecuadora ethically grows and harvests their hearts of palm. The flavor is very mild to neutral, and the texture is delicate with enough firmness to endure usual sautéing or baking. However, none of these require cooking&151;you can drain the water and use them directly from the can. Toss your favorite sauce over the Linguine for a speedy lunch. The Lasagna can be layered with tofu ricotta, fresh basil, tomato sauce, and some veggies for dinner with minimal fuss. And the Hearts of Palm themselves are tasty sliced into a salad, stir-fry, or tacos. Gluten-free, kosher, low-sodium, and organic. Available nationwide at Whole Foods, or online at
https://store.edwardandsons.com/collections/native-forest-vegetables/products/organic-hearts-of-palm
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Hug in a Mug Soup
Pacific Foods' website calls these soups "a hug in a mug," and really, that's exactly what they're like. The organic oat milk collection of broths and soups includes Creamy Garden Tomato Oat Milk Soup, Cumin Carrot Oat Milk Soup, Herb & Roasted Garlic Creamy Broth, and Zesty Ginger &Turmeric Creamy Broth. Each one wowed testers with complex flavor and a rich, smooth texture. The Cumin Carrot Soup was subtle with just enough spice to lift you into the exotic. Any rainy, cold afternoon will surely be remedied with a cup of the Creamy Garden Tomato, paired with a vegan grilled cheese. The broths are sophisticated with surprising layers of flavor. Really, you can make a luscious homemade soup with them by just adding some chopped and roasted vegetables. It will be done in minutes but taste like you've cooked all day. Available nationwide at major grocers, including Walmart and Whole Foods, or at https://www.pacificfoods.com/products-creamy-soups/
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
Who says vegan baking is difficult? The Vegan Knife's chocolate cupcake mix is one of the easiest mixes I've ever used. The cupcakes are soft and moist, and the mix works for cake, too. Like the package says, it only takes 20 minutes to prepare, and you don't have to be an experienced baker. Simply stir three ingredients into the mix, and bake for 19-24 minutes. After cooling and a quick round of frosting, they're ready, and you look like a vegan baking rock star! This would be a great option to share at a party! Additional mixes include vegan birthday cake (vanilla with sprinkles) and doughnuts. Gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Shop online at www.theveganknife.com
Ruby Sturm/VRG Intern
