Review of 'Sunsweet' Plum Amazins

Sunsweet -- Plum Amazins (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: I enjoyed these. They had a nice chew on the exterior and were tender in the middle. They're great for baking (used them in a fruit cake just this past week). For snacking, however, I do prefer whole prunes. I found that some bits were harder than others...not quite as juicy. There's a nice sweetness, but whole prunes are just jucier and more filling in my opinion. I'd buy these again for cooking (e.g. oatmeal addins) or baking purposes only (not for snacking).

Where to buy: wahh, I don't remember where I bought this...any help would be appreciated!


Photo source: The Professional Palate

Ingredients: diced california dried plums (prunes), sunflower oil.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 100
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 290mg
Total Carbohydrate: 26g
     Dietary Fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 13g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 6%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

On its own, this is actually not a bad snack. It has a decent amount of fiber and if you add it to some nuts, it add some protein and make a nice trail mix. There's no added sugar or preservatives so that's a big plus!

The website has a pretty extensive recipe section (breakfast, entrees, desserts, sides and salads, and seasonals) here. Some dessert recipes include Oatmeal and Prune Cookies, Double Chocolate Plum Cookies, Apple Plum Crumble, and Fudgy Chocolate Cake.

Other Prune products (all vegan):

• Ones (individually wrapped)
• Bite Size Prunes
• Cherry Essence
• Orange Essence
• Lemon Essence
• D'Noir Prunes
• 60 Calorie Pack Prunes
• Whole Prunes
• Pitted Prunes (Dried Plums) (reviewed here)
• Lighter Bake (like a prune butter/puree)

Brand (quoted from Sunsweet):

• Committed to reducing the amount of packaging used in Sunsweet products
• Committed to recycling all packaging waste, glass, PET, fiber and cans
• Committed to utilizing energy-efficient lighting and steam power in our factory facility
• Developing new ways to utilize production bi-products (The bi-products from our dryers use no landfill space as we send about two thirds of it to compost and the balance is supplemental feed for livestock)

Review of 'Stonemill' Sourdough Bread (Italian Sesame)

Stonemill -- Sourdough Bread (Italian Sesame) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Mmm, nicely salted, light, and crispy edged after toasting. It has a nice chewiness to it and works really nicely with smokey flavours (e.g. deli slices) and cheeses. The sesame seeds are a nice addition and actually do add flavour (especially when toasted). The nutritionals are good, comparable to the 'Belgian Whole Wheat' Sourdough (reviewed here), with just a wee bit more calories. I would have liked to see a bit more fibre if I had it my way.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Metro, Sobeys, Costco, Wal-Mart, Longos

Ingredients: wheat flour, whole grain rye flour, water, sesame seeds, yeast, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, cultured wheat starch, sourdough (whole grain rye flour, water, bacterial culture).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 slices
Calories: 130
Fat: 1.5g
     Saturated: .2g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 220mg
Carbohydrate: 25g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 5g
 Iron: 10%

I'm so thankful for Stonemill breads...it's difficult finding preservative-free baked goods these days. Sure, you may have to refrigerate them if you don't go through your bread quickly enough, but it honestly tastes just the same when toasted.

This bread is low-cal and the slices are pretty big. There's a good chunk of sodium, so you may want to track what you choose to put on it (especially if you're opting for salted meats and cheeses). The fibre content is a little low, but the protein is reasonable at 5g. This is definitely one of the healthier breads available, so I'd recommend buying Stonemill over preservative-laden breads (e.g. Rudolph's, Dempsters, etc.).

Other Sourdough flavours:

• Belgian Whole Wheat (reviewed here)

Brand (stonemillbakehouse.com):

• 100% natural ingredients - with no preservatives and additives
•  Baked with 100% Green Power
• 8–point climate solution action plan
• "Stonemill is actively seeking partnerships with Ontario farmers to source locally grown ingredients and to grow grain according to Stonemill specification through low impact and transitional farming."
• "Whenever possible, Stonemill is using raw ingredients that are grown in Ontario."
• "Over the past year Stonemill has reduced its electrical consumption by over 12 per cent."
• "Stonemill’s cleaning products are all phosphate–free.

Review of 'Laughing Giraffe Organics' Pineapple Macadamia Snakaroons (with Coconut and Cacao)

Laughing Giraffe Organics -- Pineapple Macadamia Snakaroons (with Coconut and Cacao) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: what richness! The coconut flavour smacks you in the face immediately. The coconut flakes are juicy with no hint of dryness and it's just a buttery ball of goodness, really. It's got that sweet and salty taste blend down pat. The macadamia and cacao bits, combined with the coconut flakes give a complex and fun texture. I recommend trying these goodies.

Where to buy: Home Sense, Bulk Barn





Ingredients: unsweetened coconut, agave, macadamia nuts, extra virgin coconut oil, lemon, dried pineapple, cacao, himalayan pink salt.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 piece
Calories: 200
Fat: 16g
     Saturated: 12g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 40mg
Total Carbohydrate: 14g
     Dietary fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin C: 2%

Well, this is definitely not an 'empty calorie' snack, that's for sure. Just take a look at the ingredients and you'll see what I mean. It's all very clean and wholesome. Don't be too alarmed by the high saturated fat content. This fat is coming from the coconut ingredients and actually have some great health benefits you can read about here. There are skin-related benefits, benefits for diabetics, etc. But as with all things, moderation is important, so don't go overboard with these treats!

I like that the pieces are compact and not falling apart in chunks. You can actually bite into it and it'll stay together, save for the little crumbs. Ughh why are these so good!? I'm having such a difficult time just having one piece.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Cherry Ginger Granola (with Walnuts and Pecans)
• Goji Cacao & Maca Snakaroons (Energy Snack) (reviewed here)
• Cranberry Orange Granola (with Cacao, Cinnamon, and Raisins)
• Banana Coconut Snakaroons
• Vanilla Almond Snakaroons

Brand:

• Certified Organic
• Raw Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Handcrafted

Review of 'Florida's Natural' Nuggets (Fruit Grove -- Strawberry, Banana, Orange)

Florida's Natural -- Nuggets (Strawberry, Banana, Orange) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: Kids will definitely enjoy these. The packaging is colourful and fun and the nuggets are bite-sized, perfect for little mouths. The flavour itself is *very* authentically strawberry, banana, or orange depending on the nugget. The issue I had was that they were really chewy and got stuck on my teeth a bit too much. I suppose kids don't worry about these things too much though. I'd recommend these candies over other similar types because of the *much* better ingredients.

Where to buy: Rexall Pharma Plus, Shopper's Drug Mart

Ingredients:fruit ingredients (concentrated pear puree, concentrated fruit juices (pear, strawberry, ascorbic acid [vitamin C])), cane sugar, tapioca starch, rice syrup, dextrose, apple powder, citric acid (acidulant), natural flavours (orange, banana, strawberry), sodium citrate, pectin, black carrot concentrate, carnauba wax, corn maltodextrin.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 pouch (17g)
Calories: 50
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 10mg
Carbohydrate: 13g
     Sugars: 10g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin C: 40%

So, most similar candies (gummy type candies) have modified ingredients, hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavours and preservatives, or other horrible ingredients. So this is a great option parents looking for healthier snack ideas that are kid-friendly.

Other 'Nuggets' flavours:

• Berrilicious (Cherry, Blueberry, Strawberry)

Brand:

• High in natural fruit content and vitamins
• Gluten free
• Gelatin free 
• Fat free
• Participates in 'Candies for Cause' with the Wildlife Conservation Society to help save wildlife and wild places

Review of 'Natura' Enriched Soy Beverage (Original Light)

Natura -- Enriched Soy Beverage (Original Light) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Oh so very refreshing. This soy milk is super pure-tasting with a faint hint of soy that's actually pleasant (I swear!). It's subtly sweet, creamy, and smooth. I love a glass of this before bed -- it's filling, yet very light. I'll be buying this again and you really can't go wrong with Natura products (great ingredients and nutrition).

Where to buy: Fortino, Freshco, Sobeys, Metro, Food Basics, Rabba Fine Foods, Foodland, Super Wal-Mart, No Frills, Shopper's Drug Mart



Ingredients: FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, EVAPORATED ORGANIC CANE JUICE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOURS, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN (B2), VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12, THIAMINE (B1), NIACIN (B3), VITAMIN B6, PANTOTHENATE (B5).

Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 90
Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2g
          Omega-6: 1.5g
          Omega-3: .3g
     Monounsaturated: .7
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 320mg
Carbohydrate: 10g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 8g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 10%

*Full nutritional profile available here.

This is a great low-calorie beverage that's really delicious. It's has much fewer calories than the Chocolate flavour (160 calories), so if you're watching your calories, opt for the Original Light. It has comparable amounts of good fats, the same amount of protein, fiber, calcium, and iron *and* has less sodium and fewer carbs!

Check out Natura's suggested recipe for this product: Creamy squash apple soup (vegan).

Other 'Soy Beverage' flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Original (reviewed here)
• Strawberry (reviewed here)
• Vanilla
• Vanilla Light (reviewed here)
• Unsweetened
• Cappuccino

Brand:

• All products are certified organic, kosher, and vegan
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans
• Soybeans are grown in Quebec by certified organic farms
• Gluten-free

Review of 'Natura' Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Chocolate)

Natura -- Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Chocolate) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Ah, perfect sweetness and super chocolatey! It's slightly thick and is wondrous in shakes/smoothies *and* in cereals. The creaminess motivates me to try it in my next Chocolate Cake-baking effort. I'm gonna be buying this again for sure, not to drink on its own (too many calories per 1 full serving), but to use in my smoothies.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Freshco, Sobeys, Metro, Food Basics, Rabba Fine Foods, Foodland, Super Wal-Mart, No Frills, Shopper's Drug Mart, Bulk Barn

Coupon available from thehealthyshopper.ca (registration is totally worth it) 

Ingredients: FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, EVAPORATED ORGANIC CANE JUICE, SUNFLOWER OIL, ORGANIC COCOA, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOURS, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN (B2), VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12, THIAMINE (B1), NIACIN (B3), VITAMIN B6, PANTOTHENATE (B5).

Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 160
Fat: 6g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
          Omega-6: 2g
          Omega-3: .3g
     Monounsaturated: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Potassium: 380mg
Carbohydrate: 20g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars:19g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 10%

*Full nutritional profile available here.

Feel free to indulge in Natura's products--they are a non-GMO brand and their stuff is fantastic. The ingredients are organic and the nutritionals are impressive (save for the calorie count). Just one glass carries a hefty calorie count because most people don't consider drinks as 'snacks' even though 1 serving of this drink is comparable to the calorie count of a snack item (e.g. granola bar, serving of nuts, etc).

To offset the high calorie count, I add about 1/4 cup or 1/3 cup in my protein shakes. This preserves the flavour, while cutting back a bit on cals. It makes such a yummy shake!

Check out Natura's suggested recipe: Mocha chocolate crepe tower.

Other 'Soy Beverage' flavours (all vegan):

• Original (reviewed here)
• Strawberry (reviewed here)
• Vanilla
• Vanilla Light (reviewed here)
• Original Light
• Unsweetened (reviewed here)
• Cappuccino

Brand:

• All products are certified organic, kosher, and vegan
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans
• Soybeans are grown in Quebec by certified organic farms
• Gluten-free

Review of 'Madhava' Agave Nectar (Amber)

Madhava -- Agave Nectar (Amber) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: The texture is light, not overly thick or heavy (pretty much like maple syrup). It's nice and sweet, though a wee less so than pure maple syrup and honey. Baking with this is great! I substitute it for sugar all the time to make awesome low-calorie (agave is sweeter than sugar), sugar-free, diabetic-friendly cakes. I buy this on the regular and highly recommend it.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos


Ingredients: 100% pure agave nectar.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 tbsp
Calories: 60
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrate: 16g
     Sugars: 16g
Protein: 0g

Agave comes from the natural juice of the agave plant. It's 100% pure and my favourite part is that it doesn't turn hard or crusty in the bottle!

Check out Madhava's recipe page here. There's a recipe for Chocolate Syrup that I'm hoping to try soon. There's also: Banana Bread, Caramel Apple Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Streusel Coffee Cake!

Brand:

• Certified USDA organic 
• Non-GMO Project verified
• Sustainably farmed in Mexico
• Agave has a low Glycemic Index (GI) (lower than sugar)
• BPA-free packaging

Review of 'Nature's Path' Maple Cinnamon Frozen Waffles

Nature's Path -- Maple Cinnamon Frozen Waffles (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: These waffles are soft and chewy when lightly toasted and gets nice and crispy when toasted a wee bit more. They're fantastic both ways, but I personally prefer them slightly crispy. The maple cinnamon flavour is super strong, both maple *and* cinnamon! I'll definitely be buying this again.

Where to buy: Metro, Fortinos



Ingredients: water, whole wheat meal* and/or flour*, granulated sugar cane juice*, soy oil*, baking powder, maple syrup*, oat bran*, natural flavour, cinnamon*, soy lecithin*, sea salt.

*Organic. Contains soy and wheat.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 waffles
Calories: 180
Fat: 6g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 230mg
Potassium: 150mg
Carbohydrate: 28g
     Fibre: 4g
     Sugars: 6g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 10%

All wholesome and organic ingredients give a really nice nutritional profile, especially for waffles! Two waffles are only 180 cals, low in fat, fairly low in sodium for 1 meal, and have a good amount of fibre and protein. This is actually a really great breakfast, especially if you pair it with a nut butter and some fruit! You could seriously skip the maple syrup since it's included in the ingredients and the flavour is strong. Try agave syrup!

Other waffle flavours:

• Homestyle Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Chia Plus™ Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Buckwheat Wildberry Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Ancient Grains Frozen Waffle
• Hemp Plus Frozen Waffle (reviewed here)
• Flax Plus® Red Berry Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Flax Plus® Fig & Flax Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Flax Plus® Frozen Waffle
• Mesa Sunrise Gluten-Free Waffle (reviewed here)

Brand (quoted from the Nature's Path website):

• Family-owned and operated
•  Certified non-GMO and organic; non-GMO Project verified
• Fairtrade certified
• "We source all our ingredients as locally as possible to our production plants."
• "...over 78% of the weight of ingredients we purchase comes from organic farmers in North America."
• "Some of the ingredients we have committed to purchasing are Fairtrade Certified cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices." 
• Gardens for Good Project

Review of 'Camino' Almonds

Camino -- Almonds (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Nice! This chocolate is soft, not at all brittle. It's got such a great sweetness to it and the bits of almonds throughout really enhance the taste. I would have enjoyed some bigger chunks of almonds, however. The darkness of the chocolate translates to a faint bitterness that's really nice. I highly recommend this bar.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, buy online from Camino

Ingredients: cacao mass*, golden cane sugar*, cacao butter*, crushed almonds (10%), whole cane sugar*, ground vanilla beans*.

*FAIRTRADE CERTIFIED.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 40g
Calories: 230
Fat: 16g
     Saturated: 9g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrate: 20g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 16g
Protein: 2g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 25%

Other flavours:

• Orange (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Panama extra dark (vegan)
• Raspberries (vegan)
• Milk with sea salt
• Caramel Crunch
• Coconut (vegan)
• Milk
• Bittersweet (vegan)
• Dark (vegan)
• Mint (vegan)
• Espresso (vegan)
• Minis

 Brand (quoted from lasiembra.com):

• Certified organic
• Fairtrade certified
• A Canadian co-op
• "... first registered importers of Fairtrade Certified cocoa and sugar in North America."
• Many awards
• Many vegan and kosher products
• Works with family farmers
• Environmentally committed

Review of 'Yves' Veggie Ham

Yves -- Veggie Ham (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: mm, this has a strong smoky flavour that I loved -- it's very good! It's flavourful and juicy and the texture is authentic -- it looks, tastes, feels *and* smells like meat. The only downside is the high sodium content, the use of 'hydrolysed soy protein' and the fact that Yves isn't quite clear on the GMO status of their ingredients. For these reasons, I wouldn't buy it again and wouldn't recommend it for health reasons.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: water, wheat gluten, soy protein, wheat protein product, natural flavours (contain wheat and soy), wheat starch, canola oil, spices (contains mustard), evaporated cane juice, yeast, salt, natural liquid smoke, citric acid, carrageenan, yeast extract, beetroot powder, potassium chloride, hydrolysed soy protein, vitamins and minerals (thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, calcium pantothenate, ferric orthophosphate, iron oxide, zinc oxide, dimagnesium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, wheat starch).

Contains soy, wheat and mustard.

Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 4 slices
Calories: 100
Fat: 1.5g
     Saturated: .2g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 490mg
Potassium: 200mg
Carbohydrate: 7g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 15g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 25%

*Full nutrition facts available here.

The ingredients are all okay, save for the inclusion of the 'hydrolysed soy protein'. It's often the case with hydrolysed proteins that they are used to produce MSG to enhance flavours. This probably explains why this product is so deliciously smokey. It sucks.

The nutrition profile is quite good, however. It's low-calorie, low in fat, has no cholesterol, and has a really good amount of protein. However, the sodium content is way too high when you add 2 slices of bread and condiments.

Other flavours (all vegan): Other 'Quick Meals' (all vegan):

• Beef Veggie Tenders
• Chicken Satay Veggie Skewers 
• Chicken Souvlaki Veggie Skewers
• Chicken Veggie Tenders 
• Meatless Deli Turkey Slices (reviewed here)
• Meatless Deli Bologna Slices (reviewed here)
• Meatless Deli Salami Slices (reviewed here)
• Teriyaki Chick'n Tenders
• Veggie Cajun Chick'n Slices
• Veggie Chili (reviewed here)
• Veggie Corn Dogs
• Veggie Meatballs Frozen
• Veggie Nuggets with Whole Grain Breading
• Veggie Pizza Pepperoni Slices (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Uncertain GMO status
• Kosher
• Preservative-free
• Free of artificial colours and flavours

Review of 'Coconut Dream' Unsweetened Original

Coconut Dream -- Unsweetened Original (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: I like this milk in cereal or in baking. It doesn't really have a distinct flavour, so I use it just use it for its creaminess. It works best in cereal because the sugars in the cereal compensate for the bland flavour of the milk. It's not great for teas/coffees because it doesn't easily give colour. It doesn't work well in shakes or smoothies because it doesn't add any sweetness, so it'll only work if you're looking for something to give creaminess. I probably wouldn't buy this again because I'd prefer a distinct flavour. It's good for diabetics and those looking to curb their sugar intake.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: water, coconut cream, inulin, carrageenan, gellan gum, sea salt, natural flavour, xanthan ggum, guar gum.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 60
Fat: 5g
     Saturated: 5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 160mg
Carbohydrate: 3g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: .5g
Iron: 2%

Other Coconut Dream flavours (all vegan):

• Original
• Chocolate (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Kosher
• Vegan and vegetarian options
• Gluten-free
• No artificial preservatives, colours, flavours
• Non-GMO (as per Organic Buyer's Group)

Restaurant Review: 520 Sushi (formerly Akita)

520 Sushi (formerly Akita)
Location: 252 Queen Street East, Brampton, ON
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: Overall, the restaurant is clean and decorated nicely. The service was okay, a little inattentive at times, but I'd rather inattentive than over-bearing. The staff were very polite and that's a big plus for me. The food wasn't anything outstanding and the selection was limited. The food didn't taste very fresh and items that should have been hot, were warm or cold.
Price: I believe it was between $11-13 for lunch


Photo source: Nishiki, Roata-Yaki Bar







Order:

• Seaweed salad: your typical seaweed salad; it was good
• Edamame: not hot and fresh at all; disappointing
• Sweet potato roll: this was really good, but I wish they would have indicated that it had tempura in it; perhaps label it 'Sweet Potato Crisp Roll'
• Vegetable udon stirfry: very good, but a bit on the oily side
• Deep fried vegetable ball: it was okay; I was happy that it was hot!...The only hot thing served...

Service:

• For buffets/all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants, I do prefer ordering on paper (e.g. at 168 Sushi Buffet -- reviewed here), rather than having the staff take the order. There's less room for errors and it's easier for them to ascertain when you are ready to order (simply place the order sheet at the end of the table and voila!).

Review of 'Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss' Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge

Coconut Bliss -- Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (vegan)
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: I wanted to love this dessert. Take a look at the ingredients -- they're all organic and very clean. Unfortunately, the 'ice cream' was very bitter, but not in a subtle, delicious way. Despite being chocolatey and fudgy, it tasted kinda diluted. There are a lot of hazelnut chunks, which is great!...however, it just doesn't make up for the bitterness. It has swirls of fudge, which is probably the best part, but it's too miniscule to make this an enjoyable dessert. I didn't even have a full serving because it doesn't feel like I'm even having a dessert :( ...I wouldn't recommend this.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary (updated): something purely magical has happened...I decided to finish the remainder of this dessert yesterday and...all of a sudden...it was absolutely delicious! The flavours did NOT taste diluted -- they were rich and deeply intense. The bitterness was NOT overwhelming -- instead, it complemented the sweetness and added depth to the chocolate flavour. And...not only would I recommend you try this, I'd buy it again. I'd still have preferred a slightly sweeter version with more fudge swirls, but life's not perfect!

How could I go from giving this a 2.5/5 to a solid 4/5?? Well, here's what I think happened: I actually ate two Country Choice Organics Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (reviewed here), which are notoriously sweet...I mean, these cookies are ridiculously sweet. And I dug in to the ice cream directly after, without thinking about the priming effects of the cookies! So, I sincerely believe that my initial assessment was unfair and that this updated rating is a much more accurate appraisal of the dessert.


Where to buy: Fortinos, Shoppers' World Nutrition Centre



Ingredients: Organic Coconut Milk (Organic Coconut, Water, Guar Gum*), Organic Agave Syrup, Organic Chocolate Fudge (Organic Agave Syrup, Water, Organic Fair Trade Cocoa [processed with alkali], Organic Vanilla Extract), Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Fair Trade Cocoa (processed with alkali), Organic Vanilla Extract.

Certified Fair Trade ingredients. Kosher.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 240
     Calories from fat: 130
Total fat: 15g
     Saturated fat: 11g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 10mg
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
     Dietary fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 16g
Protein: 3g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 10%

The ingredients in this product are just too great to give up on the brand. I'm hoping that the next flavour I try will be a [bigger] hit. The nutritionals are actually so good, that this makes for a really great snack! For 240 cals, you get some healthy fats, a nice portion of fiber, and a decent amount of protein. I know the 11g of saturated fat may scare some people off, however coconut milk's saturated fats are actually linked to heart health and superior to vegetable and animal fats (read more about the benefits of coconut milk here). Moderation, as always, is key.

Coconut Bliss desserts are sweetened with agave syrup, which has a very low glycemic index, so is likely a safe for individuals with type-II diabetes. You can check with your Doc to make sure!

Check out the Coconut Bliss blog here and their recipe page here.

Since I'm *very* impressed by the brand's ingredients, nutritionals, and philosophy, I'm gonna try to make this work in my protein shakes tomorrow. I'll report on how it goes.

Update: no such protein shake  will be made, since I greedily mashed the leftovers into my head last night.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Lunaberry Swirl
• Chocolate Walnut Brownie (US only)
• Ginger Cookie Caramel (US only)
• Mocha Maca Crunch
• Naked Almond Fudge (US only)
• Pineapple Coconut
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Naked Coconut
• Dark Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Vanilla Island
• Mint Galactica (US only)
• Cappuccino
• Cherry Amaretto

Brand:

• USDA Organic
• Certified by the Non-GMO Project
• Gluten-free
• No Cholesterol
• All but 3 flavours are kosher (Mint Galactica, Chocolate Walnut Brownie, and Ginger Cookie Caramel)
• Recyclable containers
• BPA-free
• Cacao grown by fair trade certified cooperative in the Dominican Republic
• The xantham gum in the two cookie flavors (Ginger Cookie Caramel & Chocolate Walnut Brownie) is derived from corn.
•  Ecologically- and ethically-minded
• Read about community and sustainability initiatives here

Review of 'Nature's Path' Flax Plus Multibran Flakes

Nature's Path -- Flax Plus Multibran Flakes (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Gotta admit, I didn't think this would be so delicious when I read the label. This cereal is super fresh, light and crunchy and filling. It's perfectly lightly sweetened. I actually didn't add in anything (e.g. raisins, fruit, nuts), but I imagine it would be scrumptious and also add some nutrition. I'd definitely buy this again -- you really can't go wrong buying Nature's Path :)

Where to buy: Fortinos, Longos, Bulk Barn




Ingredients: whole wheat flour*, wheat bran*, evaporated cane juice*, flax*, oat bran*, barley malt extract*, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E).

*Organic. Contains wheat. Produced in a facility that uses peanuts or tree nuts.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 3/4 cup
Calories: 110
Fat: 1.5g
     Saturated: .2g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1g
          Omega-6: .4g
          Omega-3: .3
     Monounsaturated: .3g
Sodium: 135mg
Potassium: 125mg
Carbohydrate: 23g
     Fibre: 5g
     Sugars: 4g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 15%

No worries! Don't even bother looking at the ingredients -- it's all organic. The serving size states 3/4 cup, but the calories are so low, that 1 cup is a better bet. With 1 cup, you'd get a little over 5g of protein and a little over 6.5g of fibre, which is so great for a low-cal cereal. It's super low in fat...I mean *super*.

This is easily one of my favourite cereals (okay okay, I might have quite a few favourites...). It's so strange because it has such little sugar, yet I love the taste. It's sweet and just so fresh and crunchy mmm...

Other Flax Plus Cereals (all vegan):

• Flax Plus® Maple Pecan Crunch
• Flax Plus® Raisin Bran Flakes (reviewed here)
• Flax Plus® Pumpkin Raisin Crunch
• Flax Plus® Red Berry Crunch
• Flax Plus® Flakes with Cinnamon - ECO PAC
• Flax Plus® Pumpkin Flax Granola
• Flax Plus® Pumpkin Flax Granola - ECO PAC
• Flax Plus® Vanilla Almond Granola

Brand (quoted from the Nature's Path website):

• Family-owned and operated
•  Certified non-GMO and organic; non-GMO Project verified
• Fairtrade certified
• "We source all our ingredients as locally as possible to our production plants."
• "...over 78% of the weight of ingredients we purchase comes from organic farmers in North America."
• "Some of the ingredients we have committed to purchasing are Fairtrade Certified cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices." 
• Gardens for Good Project

Review of 'Stonemill' Sourdough Bread (Belgian Whole Wheat)

Stonemill -- Sourdough (Belgian Whole Wheat) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Typical of Stonemill breads, this new product (not yet listed on the official website) is very fresh and soft. It's not overly dense, yet it's very filling. It has a hearty flavour and a nice, crisp crust after toasting. The nutritional profile is great and there are no preservatives. I'll definitely be buying this again, especially since it's a great brand to support (see brand info below).

Where to buy: Fortinos, Metro, Sobeys, Costco, Wal-Mart, Longos

Ingredients: whole grain wheat flour, unbleached wheat flour, water, whole rye flour, wheat bran, yeast, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, cultured wheat starch, sourdough (whole grain rye flour, water, bacterial culture), durum semolina.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 slices
Calories: 140
Fat: .5
     Saturated: .1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 220mg
Carbohydrate: 27g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 5g
Iron: 15%

Yay, no preservatives :) This does mean I have to keep it refrigerated, but that doesn't bother me in the least. Most people go through breads very quickly anyway, so preservative-free breads shouldn't be a hassle (maybe a little more expensive, though).

The nutritional facts are great -- I'm happy with the 5g of protein and there's zero cholesterol and almost no fat. The fibre content is a little low, however I've been making an avocado spread (avocado + honey blend), which adds about 5g of fibre.

Check out Stonemill's Healthy Recipes.

Brand (stonemillbakehouse.com):

• 100% natural ingredients - with no preservatives and additives
•  Baked with 100% Green Power
• 8–point climate solution action plan
• "Stonemill is actively seeking partnerships with Ontario farmers to source locally grown ingredients and to grow grain according to Stonemill specification through low impact and transitional farming."
• "Whenever possible, Stonemill is using raw ingredients that are grown in Ontario."
• "Over the past year Stonemill has reduced its electrical consumption by over 12 per cent."
• "Stonemill’s cleaning products are all phosphate–free.

Review of 'Natura' Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Vanilla Light)

Natura -- Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Vanilla Light) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Well it really is vanilla 'light'. The vanilla flavour is subtle and lightly sweet and it works. It's a fresh, smooth and creamy soy milk and works realllly well in coffee. I will definitely buy this again and I recommend it!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Freshco, Sobeys, Metro, Food Basics, Rabba Fine Foods, Foodland, Fortinos, Wal-Mart Superstore, No Frills

Coupon available from thehealthyshopper.ca (registration is totally worth it) 

Ingredients: FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, EVAPORATED ORGANIC CANE JUICE, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOUR WITH PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOURS, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN (B2), VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12, THIAMINE (B1), NIACIN (B3), VITAMIN B6, PANTOTHENATE (B5).

*Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 110
Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2g
           Omega-6: 1.5g
           Omega-3: .3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 290mg
Carbohydrate: 13g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 10%

*Full nutritional profile here.

Yay for organic. These ingredients are great and as is the nutritional profile. For 110 calories, a glass will provide healthy fats, a nice amount of potassium, and 7g of protein (sweet!). I'm also really happy with the 30% calcium, since (as with many women), I'm usually relying on daily calcium supplements.

Check out their recipe for Spiced Rice Pudding! It looks really yummy.

Other 'Soy Beverage' flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Original (reviewed here)
• Strawberry (reviewed here)
• Vanilla
• Original Light
• Unsweetened (reviewed here)
• Cappuccino

Brand:

• All products are certified organic, kosher, and vegan
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans
• Soybeans are grown in Quebec by certified organic farms
• Gluten-free

Recipe: 'Gluten-free Dark Chocolate Chunk Coconut Cake'

GF Dark Chocolate Chunk Coconut Cake
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: This cake turned out so great, especially considering it was an experiment! The cake is very light, fresh, and super chocolatey. The chocolate chunks are big, so each bite hits you with a whole lotta flavour. The frosting is super sweet...okay, the whole cake is super sweet! What about the coconut? Well, I'm pleased to say that the coconut flavour was actually very present and complemented the dark chocolate verrry well. This is one of my favourite desserts that I've personally made myself and I'll definitely be making it again.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/8 c. buckwheat flour (find at Bulk Barn)
• 1 c. chocolate chunks (I used Lindt Swiss Classic Gold Surfin)
• 1/2 c. coconut oil (I used Edro Virgin Coconut Oil) instead of butter
• 3/4 c. brown sugar (I used Demerara Gold Brown Sugar)
• 1/4 c. coconut milk (add as needed for a moist consistency; I used Globe Brand)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans (or any nut of your choice)

Directions for the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees C
2. Grease cake pan
3. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda; whisk
4. Beat egg and sugar on high with electric mixer until fluffy
5. Add coconut oil and extract to egg mixture and mix on high for about 30 seconds
6. Combine egg mixture, dry mixture, and enough coconut milk to get a moist, thick, cake batter
7. Stir in chocolate chunkss and pecans
8. Pour into cake pan and use a spatula to press the batter into the bottom (you'll need to do this because the batter will be thick)
9. Bake 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake
10. Cool.

Directions for the chocolate icing:

1. Melt chocolate with coconut milk until you get a thick consistency that you like (measurements at your discretion based on how much icing you want and how thick you prefer it)
2. Cool and frost cake

I'm not on a GF diet, but I'm happy to try new ingredients and flavours, so voila, a Chocolatey Coconutty miracle (considering I'm pretty new to the baking world...okay, new to the kitchen in general).

Review of 'R.W. Knudsen' Just Black Cherry

R.W. Knudsen -- Just Black Cherry (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: This juice has a lovely dark colour. The juice tastes very rich and heavy, very much like POM Juice.  It's sweet and has incredible depth of flavour. The cherry taste comes through clearly and it's just really nice. I'd definitely recommend this and I'd buy it again. It seems like it would  be a great juice to serve for the holidays.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Coupon available on Mambo Sprouts as of November 19th 2012.



Ingredients: JUICE FROM RIPE, WHOLE BLACK CHERRIES.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 240mL
Calories: 160
Total fat: 0g
Sodium: 10mg
Potassium: 550mg
Carbohydrate: 37g
     Sugars: 25g
Iron: 6%

Well, it doesn't get much simpler than that for ingredients. The nutritional profile seems pretty bare, especially for 160 calories but the potassium dose is great and there are a number of benefits to drinking black cherry juice that are not apparent in the profile. Black cherries are a source of antioxidants (choosecherries.com) and actually has been found be anti-inflammatory and effective in relieving arthritis pain. Read more about the health benefits of black cherry juice at livestrong.com.

Check out R.W. Knudsen's recipe for Black Forest Cherry Smoothie.

Other 'Just Juice' flavours (all vegan):

• Just Black Currant
• Just Cranberry
• Just Blueberry
• Just Pomegranate
• Organic Just Concord Grape
• Organic Just Cranberry
• Organic Just Pomegranate
• Organic Just Tart Cherry

Brand (quoted from rwkudsenfamily.com):

• 100% natural, without any added sugar, preservatives, or artificial colors.
• "...pursuing verification by the Non-GMO Project to certify our R.W. Knudsen items as non-GMO which will further expand our consumer offerings"
• Since 1961.
• "...natural flavors do not contain refined sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors, petroleum derivatives or monosodium glutamate (MSG)".

Review of 'Coconut Dream' Chocolate

Coconut Dream -- Chocolate (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: I was actually expecting a thicker consistency, more like a smoothie, but it was actually a thinner texture (still a heavy enough consistency though). It's smooth and creamy, however the actual chocolate flavour seems very diluted and not really rich and deep. It's very lightly sweet, but it's actually bland as you're drinking it and the chocolate flavour comes in the aftertaste. I wouldn't buy this again...I don't recommend it either unless you're really craving a chocolate beverage and you're looking for a healthy blend.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: water, coconut cream, evaporated cane juice, inulin, cocoa, carrageenan, gellan gum, sea salt, natural flavour, xanthan gum, guar gum.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 110
Fat: 6g
     Saturated: 5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Carbohydrate: 12g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 9g
Protein: 1g
Iron: 4%

So the ingredients are pretty clean, but the profile isn't all that impressive to warrant buying this rather bland beverage. For 9g of sugar, I would have expected a sweeter drink, but I guess they should have opted for another sweetener. Who knows!

I don't even think this would be good in a smoothie or shake because the flavour would just get lost in the blend...unless you're using it for a thicker, creamier consistency.
 

***Update***
So I tried this in my post-workout smoothie and hey, whaddya know, it worked out pretty well! I used 1/2 cup with 1 scoop of Vega Performance Protein (Vanilla), 3/4 cup water, and 1/2 cup blackberries. Pretty dang yummy!

Other Coconut Dream flavours (all vegan):

• Original
• Original Unsweetened (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Kosher
• Vegan and vegetarian options
• Gluten-free
• No artificial preservatives, colours, flavours
• Non-GMO (as per Organic Buyer's Group)

Review of 'Nature's Path' Hemp Plus Frozen Waffle

Nature's Path -- Hemp Plus Frozen Waffle (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Now this is what you call a great breakfast meal! Not only is it a versatile breakfast item, it's super nutritious as well. The lightly fruit-sweetened waffles go well with sweet (e.g. syrup/jams) as well as salty spreads (e.g. peanut butter, salted butter). The waffles are light and crisp. The only issue I had was that they were slightly icy and this made them soggy on some parts. This meant I had to retoast until the soggy areas were properly toasted. I would definitely buy this again -- it's the best waffle I've had in terms of taste, ingredients, and nutrition.

Where to buy: Metro



Ingredients: water, whole wheat meal* and/or flour*, soy oil*, evaporated cane juice*, flaxseeds*, baking powder, pear juice* concentrate and/or grape juice* concentrate, soy lecithin*, hemp seeds*, oat bran*, rice bran extract*, sea salt.

*Organic.
Contains soy and wheat.

Nutritional Facts
Serving size: 2 waffles
Calories: 200
Fat: 8g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 5g
          Omega-6: 3.5g
          Omega-3: 1g
     Monounsaturated: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 290mg
Potassium: 170mg
Carbohydrate: 30g
     Fibre: 5g
     Sugar: 5g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 13%     

As is expected with Nature's Path, the ingredients are organic and simple. The resulting nutritional profile is excellent. For 2 waffles, you get a healthy dose of essential fats (good fats!), zero cholesterol, 5 grams of fibre and 5g of protein. This is hands down the most wholesome profile of any waffle I've tried. Normally, I find that these frozen breakfast meals have mostly empty calories.

If you add some healthy spreads (e.g. nut butters, fruit), you'll further boost the nutrient content. Get creative! -- make a waffle sandwich? You could go 'savoury meat and cheese' OR dessert-based with a 'waffle ice cream sandwich' (with nuts, fruit, or whatever addins you like). You *know* that's gonna be yummy!

Other waffle flavours:

• Homestyle Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Chia Plus™ Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Buckwheat Wildberry Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Ancient Grains Frozen Waffle
• Maple Cinnamon Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Flax Plus® Red Berry Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Flax Plus® Fig & Flax Frozen Waffle (vegan)
• Flax Plus® Frozen Waffle

Brand (quoted from the Nature's Path website):

• Family-owned and operated
•  Certified non-GMO and organic; non-GMO Project verified
• Fairtrade certified
• "We source all our ingredients as locally as possible to our production plants."
• "...over 78% of the weight of ingredients we purchase comes from organic farmers in North America."
• "Some of the ingredients we have committed to purchasing are Fairtrade Certified cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices." 
• Gardens for Good Project

Review of 'Country Choice Organic' Sandwich Cremes (Vanilla)

Country Choice Organic -- Sandwich Cremes (Vanilla) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Ooh boy, Country Choice doesn't disappoint! These cookies are creamy, fresh, and super sweet. The cream filling is really rich and soft (not stiff at all)...everything just tastes so so fresh! It's perfectly crunchy and not crumbly and messy. The only downside is the high calories for a mere 2 cookies...but I justify this to myself by acknowledging the healthy fats provided (mono- and polyunsaturated fats).

Where to buy: Fortinos


Ingredients: Organic Wheat Flour, Organic Powdered Sugar With Organic Corn Starch, Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Organic Sugar, Organic Oat Flour, Organic Molasses, Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Organic Vanilla Extract, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor.

Nutritional Facts
Serving size: 2 cookies
Calories: 130
     Calories from fat: 50
Total fat: 5g
     Sat. fat: 1g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated fat: .5g
     Monounsaturated fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 120mg
Total Carbohydrate: 19g
     Fibre: 0g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 1g
Iron: 2%

Organic ingredients make me feel a lot better after having about 8 of these last night. It also helps that 4.5g of fat are healthy fats that I actually need in my diet. I suppose this kinda makes up (a little bit?) for the ZERO g of fibre and mere 1g of protein :/

I would normally be dying to try the Chocolate flavour next...but I'm really curious about the Ginger Lemon flavour...never seen that in sandwich cookies! It actually sounds like it might be a hit. Based on Country Choice's track record so far, it'll be awesome.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate
• Ginger Lemon
• Duplex (reviewed here)

Brand (quoted from countrychoiceorganic.com):

• No refined sweeteners
• Certified organic
• "To the best of our knowledge there are no GMOs in any of our products."

Review of 'So Delicious' Coconut Milk "Ice Cream" (Cherry Amaretto)

So Delicious -- Coconut Milk "Ice Cream" (Cherry Amaretto) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: The texture was slightly icy so I let it sit for a few minutes every so often. I find that when there's iciness, it really detracts from the flavour (dilution) and creaminess. Despite the faint coconut taste, the flavour didn't 'wow' me at all. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was okay...I personally wouldn't buy this flavour again, but if you're a big cherry fan, go ahead and try it. I'd prefer the So Delicious 'Purely Decadent' line, which has a Cherry Nirvana flavour that's great! Read the review here.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: ORGANIC COCONUT MILK (ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM, WATER, GUAR GUM), ORGANIC AGAVE SYRUP, CHERRIES (BLACK CHERRIES, FRUCTOSE, ASCORBIC ACID, CHERRY CONCENTRATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, CULTURED DEXTROSE, CITRIC ACID), CHICORY ROOT EXTRACT, CAROB BEAN GUM, GUAR GUM, NATURAL FLAVOR.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 125mL
Calories: 180
Fat: 7g
     Saturated: 6g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5g
Carbohydrate: 32g
     Fibre: 9g
     Sugars: 15g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 6%

Note: These Canadian nutritionals will differ from those on the official website.

Well, I do really like the ingredients in this dessert -- organic ingredients and nothing too scary. The Coconut Milk line is great one because it offers a lot of fibre! NINE grams of fibre per 125mL is excellent. Coconut is also a source of healthy fats and is nutrient-rich, so I'm thrilled that I can call my weekend dessert fests a "healthy" indulgence :) More on coconut milk here.

I found the cherry flavour to be unimpressive in this ice cream. The bits of cherry do help improve the rating by giving some interesting texture, but even these addins weren't particularly impressive. I was happy that the coconut milk flavour did make a subtle appearance, but it just wasn't enough to make this a hit.

Other 'Coconut Milk' flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate
• Chocolate Brownie Almond
• Coconut
• Coconut Almond Chip
• Cookie Dough
• Cookies 'n Cream
• German Chocolate
• Green Tea
• Mint Chip
• Mocha Almond Fudge
• Passionate Mango
• Peanut Butter Swirl (reviewed here)
• Pomegranate Chip
• Turtle Trails
• Vanilla Bean
• No Sugar Added Butter Pecan
• No Sugar Added Chocolate
• No Sugar Added Mint Chip
• No Sugar Added Toasted Almond Chip
• No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean

Brand (quoted from purelydecadent.com):

• None of the containers and lids that our products are packaged in contain Bisphenol-A (BPA's)
• All of our coconut based products are Non-GMO certified by the NonGmo Project. For more information, go to www.NonGMOProject.org. All of our other products are internally verified to be GMO free.
• None of our products contain MSG, yeast, yeast extract, or autolyzed yeast.
• The natural flavors in our products are flavor analogs that come from botanicals and extracts from natural sources. Care is taken to utilize components from the original substrate when possible.
• None of our products contain the food preservative, TBHQ, either as direct ingredients or sub- ingredients.
• None of our products contain the food preservative, BHT, either as direct ingredients or sub-ingredients.
• None of our products contain the food preservative, BHA, either as direct ingredients or sub-ingredients.
• Some of our products contain flavors which include of a small amount of ethyl alcohol as a carrier. The amount of ethanol in these products is so small that there is no physiological impact. There is no gluten in the alcohol.

Review of 'Luna Bar' Nutz Over Chocolate

Luna Bar -- Nutz Over Chocolate (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: This bar has a great texture because of the rice crisps and the very thin but discernable layer of crisp, hardened chocolate on the bottom. It's perfectly sweet but, alas, I found that the peanut flavour was lacking. I do personally prefer the denser, chewier cookie/brownie-texture bars, but this was yummy overall and I'd recommend it!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos


Ingredients: LunaPro ® (Soy Rice Crisps Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour], Organic Toasted Oats [Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Dried Cane Syrup], Organic Soy Flour, Organic Flaxmeal), Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Coating (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Organic Cocoa, Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla), Inulin (Chicory Extract), Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Peanuts, Salt), Organic Peanuts, Organic Peanut Flour, Natural Flavors, Organic Oat Syrup Solids, Vegetable Glycerine, Sea Salt.

*Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 190
Fat: 6g
     Saturated: 2.5g
     Trans: 0g
Polyunsaturated: 1g
     Linoleic acid (omega-6): 1g
     n-3 linolenic acid  (omega-3): .1g
Monounsaturated: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Potassium: 340mg
Carbohydrate: 25g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 9g

*Full nutritional profile available here (may differ from the Canadian nutritional I've provided).

All the ingredients are organic and clean. The nutritional profile is good -- it has a solid 9g of protein (though I'd prefer a minimum of 10g for a 190 calorie protein bar like this). It's a great source of healthy fats and a plethora of other nutrients and vitamins. Check out the full nutritional profile if you're thinking of buying this bar and you'll be sold!

Oh man, how good does that 'Peanut Butter Cookie' flavour look!? mmm...I'm so weak for peanuts...which is why I'm bummed that I didn't get the flavour in this bar. Booo

Other flavours:

• Blueberry Bliss (vegan)
• Caramel Nut Brownie (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Chunk (vegan)
• Chocolate Dipped Coconut (vegan)
• Chocolate Peppermint Stick (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Raspberry (vegan)
• Iced Oatmeal Raisin (vegan)
• Lemon Zest (vegan)
• Peanut Butter Cookie (vegan)
• Peanut Honey Pretzel
• S'mores (vegan)
• Toasted Nuts 'n Cranberry (vegan)
• Vanilla Almond (vegan)
• White Chocolate Macadamia (vegan)

Brand (quoted from clifbar.com):

• "...free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup; artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives; and ingredients sourced from GMOs."
• "LUNA provides the nutrients women often lack, like folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals..."
• "LUNA contributes to the Clif Bar Family Foundation, which donates 1% of all product revenue to organizations that support and improve environmental, social and cultural needs, from our local to our global community. 
• Non-GMO
• Clif Bar Family Foundation
• Commitment to Zero Waste
• Climate Action Approach
• Partnerships with American Forests and Trees for the Future
• Organic farming strategy
• Certified Sustainable
• Community involvement (e.g. collaboration with other businesses, volunteering, sharing products, philanthropy)

Review of 'Yarl Foods' Cashew Crunch

Yarl Foods -- Cashew Crunch (vegan)
Overall Rating:4.5/5
Summary: It looks like it's gonna be a crumbly, crunchy mess, but it's a soft bite through to the other side. It's chewy and actually kinda gets stuck on my teeth. The nuts are crunchy and fresh and it has a medium sweetness that tastes very light and healthy.

Where to buy: Oceans (Shopper's World)

Ingredients: cashews, brown sugar, malt, water.

Nutritional Facts
Serving size: 1 piece (1 package)
Calories: 110
Fat: 7g
     Saturated fat: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrate: 9g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 5g
Protein: 3g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 6%

These ingredients are fine by me -- nothing to worry about here. Sure, it's a small bar for 110 calories, but again, these mini snacks are basically a sweet treat. And it's probably one of the better ones out there because the ingredients are clean and simple. It has a nice dose of your healthy 'cashew' fats and 3g of protein. I'd definitely recommend this.

If you're not a fussy eater, the stickiness on your teeth won't bother you...just flex those tongue muscles and tidy yourself up. I'm looking forward to going to Ocean's again so that I can pick up the rest of the flavours.

Other flavours:

• Blueberry Bar (reviewed here)
• Pumpkin Seeds Brittle (vegan) (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Website is under construction, so I couldn't gather much intel.

Review of 'Weston's Première Fournée' Hearty Grains

Weston's Première Fournée -- Hearty Grains
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: This has a flavourful, nutty, thin crust with added oat flakes and sesame and sunflower seeds. The bread is soft and fresh with *no preservatives* (this is so rare). It has a beautiful neutral flavour that's punctuated by that awesome sunflower seed taste mmm. I'd definitely recommend switching over to this preservative-free bread.

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: unbleached wheat flour, water, sesame seeds, oats, millet, sunflower seeds, browns flax seeds, rye flour, honey, whole wheat flour, salt, cultured wheat starch, yeast, malted barley flour.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 slices
Calories: 150
Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .4g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 240mg
Carb: 26g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 2g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 10%

I'm so happy I was able to find a replacement for our former every-day bread, Rudolph's Multigrain Bread. I just recently realized that it has whey powder and a potentially harmful preservative (read the review here). This Weston's Première Fournée bread has great, clean ingredients and a really great nutritional profile. For a mere 150 calories, 2 slices will yield 5g of protein and is lot in fat. I am a bit bummed at the sodium content just because if I decide to make a deli sandwich, I know it'll add up really quickly.

Check our their recipe section here.

Other breads:

• Stonemilled Wheat
• Rustic White (vegan)
• Light Rye (vegan)

Brand:

• Official supplier of breads and baked goods for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Review of 'Kuohua Trading Company' -- Green Tea Rice Cake

Kuohua Trading Company -- Green Tea Rice Cake (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: The green tea jam is finely grainy (which I really liked) and creamy. The texture of the outer layer is awesomely chewy and glutinous and the powder is a great addition. Flavour-wise, you can definitely taste the green tea, but it's subtle. I'd give it a 3.5 overall if I weren't wary of the controversial ingredients and clueless about the brand (virtually no info online about the brand).

Where to buy: Seasons

Ingredients: grean tea jam (white bean paste, maltose, sugar, soybean oil, green tea powder), maltose, sugar, glutinous rice powder, green tea powder, potato powder, brilliant blue FCF, tartrazine.
Food additive: preservative (sorbic acid E200)

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 piece
Calories: 130
Fat: 130
     Saturated: .1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 15mg
Carb: 31g
     Fibre: 0g
     Sugars: 6g
Protein: 1g

Oh man, the ingredients are something I'd rather not think about...it's got added sugar, controversial food colourings, and just doesn't offer much to the body...at all! It's basically empty calories so I wouldn't really recommend this product *unless* you're a huge green tea buff, you don't need to worry about counting calories, and you're not planning to make this a staple in your cupboard.

I prefer the Peanut flavour -- it has fewer controversial ingredients and tastes richer and yummier!

Other flavours:

• Peanut Rice Cake (vegan) (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Product of Taiwan
• Packed by: Komei Enterprises Co., LTD.
• Canada Distributor: Kuo Hua Trading CO., LTD.