Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Vegan Product Review - February 2019

It's been 5 months so there's a lot of products to get through, I completely forgot to finishing posting this one when I posted the new one so apologies, this is from earlier in the year but you should still be able to find most items! ;)

Well the much anticipate Just Egg was not as great as I was hoping. It was $9, really only 2 servings and I had to mission across town to find a retailer who stocked it. Texture-wise it was spot on, exactly like scrambled eggs but taste-wise it was bland but worse than that had a weird aftertaste, almost chemically. Even black salt didn't help with the after taste. Back to tofu for my scrambles!


I got these Purely Elizabeth GF Vegan oats with crunchy granola in the top from the discount store. I wasn't that impressed. They were very healthy but a bit too bland for anyone in my house to approve.


Not having too much luck with my product reviews this month...These Tofutti All American vegan cheese slices were horrible. Similar to dairy plastic cheese flavor but with a nasty after taste and gritty texture. Binned the lot :(


Hubby brought me this Koia cocoa bean protein drink. It was average, kind of tasted like what it was...healthy chocolate milk.


LOVING L'Occitane's new fragrance just entitled "Rose". Using pure Provencal roses you can really smell the natural botanical. I love the new "Herbae" fragrance as well!


Love these Julie's Organic sorbets in tub and Popsicle form. Kids loved the Blackberry Popsicle while I preferred the creamy mango sorbet in a tub.


Found these No Bull burgers at the NAS Commissary. They were meaty in texture but very lentil in flavor and for $5 for two not so cheap.


Also found these Sol Cuisine Falafel which included a tahini sauce! Very tasty!


This Sonoma Flatbreads GF vegan fire-roasted vegetable pizza was pretty good. Not much competition in the market for GF Vegan pizzas unfortunately!


We found this Oatly chocolate oat milk at the discount store and the whole house went mental. Even my very carnivore husband kept asking me to buy more.


I've mentioned Glutenberg Canadian GF beer before but this is by far the best flavor, if you like stouts of course! Only available seasonally I'm still finding it at Earth Fare luckily!


My love of Violife is real. I will say though the Feta and Parmesan are my favorites. The slices are good but on par with Follow Your Heart and the shred didn't melt well.


Pamela's Biscuit & Scone Mix tasted ok but didn't make the fluffy scones I was hoping for, maybe better as biscuits because the scones were heavy.



This Monteli vegan GF cauliflower crust was so good and stayed firm. Really felt like a regular pizza crust. My hubby bought it for me at Winn Dixie but we have since not been able to find it anywhere. Accordling the Internet it should be at Publix. :(


These Gratify GF Tuscan Herb crackers were another discount store find and they were SO good! I can't wait to find them again!! Reminded me of Ritz crackers.


Got these Jackfruit "crab" Cakes from Trader Joe's, they were pretty good. Didn't really taste like crab cakes but they were decent.


I liked these Luke's Organic Bean & Seed crackers a lot, they tasted neutral, didn't break the second you dip them in your hummus and were a good size for cheese :)


I love these Enjoy Life protein bites, they basically taste like truffles. I tried many flavors now and they are all good! My three year old loves them!


I really enjoyed these Off The Eaten Path Veggie Crisps as a light cracker snack, didn't need anything with them at all!



This mushroom medley from Trader Joe's is great because it has the garlic and herbs already in it so into the pan it goes, great for fry up breakfasts!




Loving these Dark Choc bars from Trader Joes! From Belgium so you know the sugar is most likely vegan ;)


I've been very conscious of buying organic coffee after what i read about the amount of pesticides that are in regular tea and coffee...YUCK! I love buying locally if possible so I was happy when I discovered Sweetwater Organic Coffee Co. from Gainesville FL. So many to choose from and all delicious!!


I'm loving these protein bars;
Raw Rev Glo peanut butter, dark chocolate & sea salt


Pro Bar Superfood Slam not only tastes great it really is like a meal so great for on the go.


I like this Zing choc mint protein bar, tastes like a brownie covered in mint chocolate.



The Hu chocolate was very natural tasting. I liked the ones with the nut butters inside but the plainer ones tasted a bit too bitter for me.

Taza chocolate is done in the traditional style of Mexican chocolate so it is quite raw and grainy but if you can get past that it's very good chocolate. I recommend the chilli chocolate!


This Divine Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle bar was SOO good. Like Ferrero Rocher in a bar!


Vegan Product Review - June 2019

Sorry, it's been a good six months since I've have the time to right a review post so there's a lot here and some maybe more seasonal and not available right now...mea culpa!

I had a few people tell me how amazing Thrive Liquid Lash Extension Mascara is and it was vegan so I thought I'd try it, and at $20 it's averagely priced. I have to say I was not a fan. My lashes weren't extended any more than they are with my normal mascaras and I didn't like the shape of the brush or the consistency of the mascara (very clumpy which is not my preference). I have to say a big thumbs down :(





I don't know why I don't have a picture of the packet so I'll have to steal on from the internet but I LOVE Sweet Loren's gluten free and vegan bake it yourself cookies! I found them in Publix and they were less that $5, which was a vast improvement on the Cappello's ones bought that were $15!! Sweet Loren's has chocolate chip, sugar cookies, fudgy brownie and oatmeal cranberry. I porbably should mention they also sell cookie dough in a jar just to eat...WHAAAA?! Yes, absolutely evil!



For reference (of how bad my photography is LOL)...


Found these Pamela's Ambition Bars at the discount store and they are organic, vegan and GF! I particularly liked the cold brew one, especially since it has caffeine in it!



At the discount store again, for the win, I found Saverne dill & garlic sauerkraut, SO GOOD!!! For those who like dill and also sauerkraut lol


Tried the Follow Your Heart Sour Cream. I'm a fan of their cheeses and dressings but honestly the sour cream was no different from Tofutti. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing special.


I found this Truth Bar in Winn Dixie and OMG it tasted exactly like a Bounty bar. So good. Not all are vegan but this one was!



So I always forget about Schar brand for GF because some of it isn't vegan but some of it is (including no sugar) so I tried this pizza crust and LOVED it! 



I am IN LOVE with Violife's Feta! It tastes more like goat's cheese to me but it still perfect for any feta related dish. I made an amazing Palak Paneer and Feta Watermelon Salad with it. Also very good just on crackers ;)


Saw these No Bull burgers and thought I'd give them a try! They very bean/legume heavy so don't have a "meat" consistency but more like a veggie lentil burger. Still good though!


I was suitably impressed (as I usually am) with Sol Cuisine's Falafel PLUS tahini sauce! So good!


I did really like Cappello's chocoalte chip cookie dough mix but not enough to pay $12 again. Sorry guys but as one of the easiest vegan GF things to make, this is a little much! I love that they have fresh pastas too but I'll have to wait for a big pay day for those!



I picked this Oatly! Chocoalte milk from the discount store and it was SO GOOD! Even my husband who literally hates everything vegan keeps asking when I'm going to buy more LOL


Sir Kensington's Fabanaise is a vegan chipotle mayo I found and thought I'd try since Just Mayo has seemed to be AWOL for quite some time now (what's going on there??) It was pretty good, on par with most of the leading brands but have a great selection of flavors!


My hubby bought me these Belvas belgium vegan chocolate truffles online and they are so delicious! They taste like Nutella truffles. 


I found expensive coffee for cheap at the discount store and of course I had to get it! I love trying new organic coffees because I'm VERY picky about my coffee (I drink it as espresso so I need it to taste good!). This Patriot Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Koke organic and fair trade coffee wasn't bad but I still haven't found one that beats Sweetwater Organic Coffee! Plus the Patriot brand is around $15 which is maybe more than I want to spend on coffee.


Chocolate Ripple...always a win! Had never tried Califia Pumpkin Spice Latte though, pretty delicious...even kids kept asking for it. Sorry I got it couple months ago so may not be available till Pumpkin Spice season!


Veggie Straws are all create equal right? Well not exactly but pretty much, they all taste fairly similar...these Organic ones from The Daily Crave were good though, my son sure loved them!


I'm seriously in love with Vegan Rob's everything. The Jackfruit Puffs are so good, my favourite I think is the Probiotic Cauliflower Puffs, taste like cheesy puffs!



Some Enjoy Life Chewy Bars are so good and others are hit or miss. These  Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed were definitely a miss with the kids, even I wouldn't eat them. The carrot cake ones were ok but of course the chocolate and blondies remain old faithfuls!


I'm a pretty big fan of Kite Hill, so far it has none but impressed me and this was no exception, Chive cream cheese (insert Homer Simpson drool noises). This was so good just to dip but I had to make cucumber sandwiches and boy did they hit the spot! Reminded me of my grandma's Hungarian cheese spread.


I got this Coconut body butter from The Body Shop when they were closing down in a mall near me and everything was 70% off...lucky they have so many vegan products! This was definitely my favourite of the things I bought and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. It was very rich and nourishing, definitely felt moisturized all day, and smells amazing. 


I love me some coconut and was excited to find some vegan mineral sunscreen by Sun Bum that was vegan and in spray form for the kids but I have to say I was a little disappointed with the consistency. It sprays on very thick and white and very difficult to rub into the skin, I ended up taking it back :(


I am loving this Pickle flavored popcorn from Trader Joe's. I love dill potato chips and these have that same flavor but healthier, right? I'm pretty sure they are healthier :)


I can't remember where I got this Nelly's Organics Caramel Nougat bar but I think it was Earth Fare. It was pretty damn good too, you get the chocolate bar hit but you can definitely taste the raw ingredients.


I love a sweet salsa and when I saw this Peach Salsa at Trader Joe's I assumed it would have sugar and therefore likely not vegan but to my wonderful surprise it had evaporated cane juice for the win! And second wonderful surprise, it was really good!!


I had heard such great things about Loma vegan tuna so I got a couple of different flavors online (since I can never find them where everyone says they buy them!) and I was a bit disappointed. It didn't taste like Tuna or have the texture or tuna. Even after adding vegan mayo I couldn't eat it :(


I love the Zing chocolate mint bar so when I saw the peanut butter one was vegan I thought I'd try it and it was ok but a bit too dry. I definitely liked the mint better.



I bought this Fruit + Greens Larabar because it was on sale and it's become my favorite one! It reminds me of a strawberry tart or something, so good!






Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Paperless Post

I am loving the Paperless Post
Not specifically vegan related although it saves paper usage so great for the planet, but you know I love aesthetics so sometimes I just have to share! 

Paperless Post are a company that design customizable online stationery and have partnered with several world famous designers such as Kate Spade NY, Oscar de la Renta and Jonathan Adler. They have so many different designs and for different occasions in the medium of cards, flyers and invitations! Just gorgeous, I can't wait for my next occasion to use their services!




I love that they've partnered with companies such as our local Floridian favorite Rifle Paper Co. to get such a great selection of styles!




Friday, 7 June 2019

Kale & Pineapple Salsa

This salsa is so refreshing and the pineapple can easily be replaced by peach or mango to substitute the sweetness. The spice of the fresh garlic could also be replaced or added to with a fresh chili!


Kale & Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple
1 cup kale
1 garlic clove
1/4 red onion
2 tbls cilantro leaves
1/2 cup tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Salt & pepper to taste
squeeze of lemon/lime juice (around 1 Tbls)


Method

Add ingredients together or separately to a food processor and pulse until nicely chopped but not liquid.
Add in any extra seasoning or juice and stir though.
Tastes great if you leave it in the fridge for a few hours so the flavours can mingle!

Sticky Date Pudding

A little known dessert in the US but very popular in Australia and the UK (known there as Sticky Toffee Pudding), the Sticky Date Pudding is a simple but impressive and deliciously decadent dessert! Original recipe from Alternative French Girl.


Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients

Pudding
300 g Pitted dates, I used medool.
250 ml boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup GF baking flour
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
2/3 cup unrefined vegan sugar
1/2 cup vegan margarine at room temperature.

Caramel sauce
130 ml canned coconut cream
2/3 cup unrefined vegan brown sugar
2 tbsp vegan margarine


Method

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C and grease you square baking tin (5.5cm deep / 17*17cm). I used a mini bundt tray (made about 8 mini bundts). I think the hole is perfect for pouring in the sauce!!
In a small bowl, add the dates, boiling water and baking soda and let the dates soak for 10/15min until they are softened. Keep the water!
In larger bowl, add the flour, baking soda, sugar and softened margarine.
Pour the liquid from the dates with the flour and keep the dates aside.
In a food processor, add the dates and pulse until they’re finely chopped, then add the dates to the other ingredients.
With an electric beaters, beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 45 min or until a knife comes out clean when poked into the centre. It took about 35-40 minutes for the mini bundts.
To make the caramel sauce, add in a saucepan on high heat, the 3 ingredients and bring to boil while whisking. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 to 15 min.
You can have it just like that hot and thin or put it in the fridge to get a thick cool sauce.
I made it earlier in the day and left it in the fridge, then took it out when I started making the cake to bring to room temperature.
Allow the cake to sit for 15min before you generously pour your caramel sauce on top.
Serve with vegan vanilla ice-cream!

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

Rise 'N Shine



The wonderful people at Rise 'N Shine sent me some lovely vegan products to try! And I'm so happy they did! It's so great to be introduced to this natural brand. Their concept is simple - To use only premium and natural ingredients for improving overall health through the skin. You can really feel how natural the products are when you use them. I can smell the orange in the Vitamin C Facial Toner. The Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid which stimulates collagen was so soothing on the skin. I can smell the Dead Sea mud in the Dead Sea Mud Mask which sounds gross but is actually very earthy because it's full of so many minerals which are amazing for your skin! I loved all three of these products honestly.

When I first got back from my trip my skin around my chin had broken out because of travel stuff, you know how it is. I started using the products exclusively (other than my regular cleanser) and my skin was all clear with in a couple of days. To top it off over the 10 days which I used the products my skin got clearer and more even toned plus I even had a comment by someone about how my skin was glowing so that was nice!

Usage wise I was using the toner followed by the serum morning and night and then three times a week I used the mask. I will also say the value is huge - you get a lot of product for your money. The 8oz toner is $15.99 (my regular toner is 6oz for $24), the serum is 4oz for $29 (my regular serum is 1oz for $60)!

I can say without a doubt I will return to this brand to try some other vegan products!**

**The only product that is not vegan is the Retinol Moisturizer which contains a bee byproduct.

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Thousand Island Dressing

One of my favourite salad's dressings growing up - always the way to get me to eat lettuce. This vegan version comes care of Kitchen Treaty.




Thousand Island Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (
2 teaspoons finely diced onion (I use onion powder also)
1/4 teaspoon finely minced garlic (I've used garlic powder also)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
2-3 dashes Tabasco sauce (optional)


Method

Whisk all ingredients together and serve!