Review of 'Pacific Foods' Rice Non-Dairy Beverage (Vanilla)

Pacific -- Rice Non-Dairy Beverage (Vanilla) (vegan)
Overall rating: 4/5
Summary: nice light scent, perfectly sweet, medium thick, but doesn't work well in tea/coffee as a creamer (but I use it anyway because it adds sweetness without added sugar). It has a very pleasant flavour--vanilla rice...kind of like a light dessert flavour. The product is non-GMO verified, however do be aware that there is some controversy over the use of carrageenan, linked to higher rates of colon cancer in animal studies.

Where to buy: Fortino's

 

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Brown Rice, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Natural Vanilla Flavor with Other Natural Flavors, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carob Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 130
     Calories from fat: 20
Total Fat: 2g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Carbohydrates: 27g
     Fiber: 0g
     Sugars: 14g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 6%

Again, save for the carrageenan question, the ingredients are no problem. The nutritional info paints a not-so spectacular profile. For 130 calories, it has no fiber and only 1g of protein...pretty sad. The only boon is the low fat and vitamin/mineral fortifications. To me, it's just not enough. I enjoy this product, but probably won't buy it again. I would opt for a non-dairy beverage with more nutritional value (e.g. more protein).

Other non-dairy rice beverages:

• Rice non-Dairy Beverage (Original) (reviewed here)

Brand:

• All natural and organic
• Certified to the Source
• "At our founder's family farms that supply Pacific Natural Foods the milk for our delicious creamy soups, you'll find healthy cows fed an organic, vegetarian diet with room to roam in open pasture."
• Cows are fed 100% an organic, vegetarian die, not given antibiotics or synthetic hormones, and reared humanely and under stress-free environments
•  Awarded for sustainability initiatives
• Engaged in Wetlands Conservation
• Top donor to the Oregon Food Bank
• Supports local community

Review of 'Clif Bar' Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch

Clif Bar -- Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: this bar is nice and chewy, it's dense and filling, medium sweet, it actually has a good amount of chocolate chips, unlike many products that tend to be stingy with the add-ins. The only qualm I had, as a huge nut fan, was that the peanut butter flavour should have been more pronounced and rich. Still, I'd buy this product again, without a doubt and I do recommend it.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, Shopper's Drug Mart, Costco



Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice Syrup, ClifPro® (Soy Rice Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Barley Malt Extract], Organic Soy Flour, Organic Roasted Soybeans), Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Cane Syrup, Organic Peanut Butter (Organic Peanuts, Salt), Chocolate Chips (Dried Cane Syrup, Unsweetened Chocolate‡, Cocoa Butter‡, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Peanut Flour, Peanuts, ClifCrunch® (Organic Oat Fiber, Apple Fiber, Inulin [Chicory Extract], Organic Psyllium, Organic Milled Flaxseed), Organic Date Paste, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt.

‡Rainforest Alliance Certified

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
     Calories from fat: 60
Total fat: 7g
     Saturated fat: 1.5g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 200mg
Potassium: 230mg
Total carb.: 41g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
          Insoluble fiber: 3g
     Sugar: 21g
     Other carb.: 16g
Protein: 10g
Vitamin A: 30%
Vitamin C: 90%
Calcium: 25%
Iron: 10%

Full nutritional profile available here.

Okay, I defy you to find an issue with any of these ingredients...other than the fact that peanut butter should have been a bigger ingredient. The nutritional profile is very good. For 250 calories, you get 10g of protein and 4g of fiber--that's great. There's also a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. The sodium is a bit high, but for a protein bar that's filling and this nutritious and wholesome, I easily have no issue there.

Other Clif Bar flavours (all vegan, baby):

• Apricot
• Banana Nut Bread
• Black Cherry Almond (reviewed here)
• Blueberry Crisp
• Carrot Cake
• Chocolate Almond Fudge (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Brownie
• Chocolate Chip (reviewed here)
• Coconut Chocolate Chip
• Cool Mint Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Crunchy Peanut Butter (reviewed here)
• Gary's Panforte
• Iced Gingerbread
• Maple Nut (reviewed here)
• Oatmeal Raisin Walnut (reviewed here)
• Peanut Toffee Buzz (reviewed here)
• Peppermint Stick (reviewed here)
• Spiced Pumpkin
• White Chocolate Macadamia

Brand:

• Each Clif Bar is 70% organic
• No high-fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils
• No artificial preservatives or trans fats
• No artificial colours, sweeteners or flavours
• 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 Anna's 'Almond Thins'

Anna's -- Almond Thins (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: glorious aroma, very cinnamonny. I love the thinness of the cookies and they are super crunchy and fresh every time I buy them. Perfectly sweet. These cookies are serious business. The flavours in these cookies never cease to amaze me. It's a harmonious collection of ingredients. The only downsides of the brand are: (1) the lack of info on GMO status and (2) lack of nutritional value in the cookies. Needless to say, I still indulge every so often.

Where to buy: Western Canada (see stores here), Sobeys in Atlantic Canada, and online



Ingredients: wheat flour, vegetable margarine (palm oil, palm kernel oil, canola oil, water, salt, vegetable monoglycerides, citric acid, flavor), sugar, invert sugar syrup, almonds (2%), leavening (sodium bicarbonate), cinnamon, flavor.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 6 cookies
Calories: 133
     Calories from fat: 48
Total fat: 5g
     Saturated fat: 3g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 139mg
Carbohydrate: 19g
     Fiber: 0.4g
     Sugars: 9g
Protein: 1g
Iron: 1%

Yeah, so this nutritional profile is pretty empty. For about 130 cals, you get mostly fat and sugars. There's next to no fiber and only 1g of protein and 1% iron...really, really not worth eating, in my opinion...other than to satisfy a craving, of course! I can't recommend this cookie for nutrition, only for occasional indulgence!

Other 'Thins' flavors:

• Ginger Thins (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Mint Thins 
• Orange Thins (vegan)

Brand:

• Manufactured in Sweden
• No artificial flavorings
• Uncertain GMO status

Review of 'Coco Natura' Coconut Sweetener (All Natural Pure Coconut Sap)

Coco Natura -- Coconut Sweetener (All Natural Pure Coconut Sap)
Overall Rating: 5/5
Summary: deep, rich, luxurious, complex flavour...wow. In coffee...wow! I highly recommend this brand and product. It's sustainably-minded and the product itself is wholesome and delicious.

Where to buy: Home Sense, Good Health Mart (Bramalea), Bulk Food Mart (Mississauga), Healthy Planet (Brampton), 5 Elements Yoga & Pilates (Brampton), Nutrition House – Heartland (Mississauga), Nature’s Source Inc (Mississauga), Whole Foods Market (Mississauga)


Ingredients: 100% pure coconut sap.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 packet
Calories: 20
Fat: 0g
Potassium: 65mg
Carbohydrate: 5g
     Sugars: 5g
Protein: .1g
Vitamin C: 2%

I can't believe that 1 packet actually manages to perfectly sweeten a full cup of coffee (at least for my tastebuds, anyway). It adds such a delicious flavour that I can't go back to the thinness of regular cane sugar. It's also super low calorie, given that I only use 1 packet per cup of coffee.

Check out the other Ecoideas Health Foods here.

Brand:

• Ecoideas is a manufacturer of Natural Health Products
• Supports fair-trade and business practices that promote job creation and sustainability in countries where resources are found
• Certified Organic
• Additive-free
• Nutrient rich
• Low GI
• 100% Natural Sap from the Philippines
• Sap from budding flowers (not tree trunk)
• The original coconut sweetener

Review of 'Kashi' GOLEAN Crunch! Honey Almond Flax

Kashi -- GOLEAN Crunch! Honey Almond Flax 
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: really crispy and well-textured (almond slivers, rice crisps, honey, etc.); medium sweet; and delicious. I had this with unsweetened soy milk and it was still perfectly sweet. I could have used a bit more almond slivers, though. And, I think toasted almost slivers would have been even better. Note that not all Kashi cereals are non-GMO. This cereal is not. I probably won't buy it again, but you can check out the list of their non-GMO cereals here.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Shopper's Drug Mart



Ingredients: Kashi Seven Whole Grains & Sesame Blend (Whole: Hard Red Wheat, Brown Rice, Barley, Triticale, Oats, Rye, Buckwheat, Sesame Seeds), Soy Flakes, Brown Rice Syrup, Dried Cane Syrup, Chicory Root Fiber, Almonds, Whole Flax Seed, Whole Oats, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Honey, Salt, Natural Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols For Freshness.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 200
     Calories from fat: 45
Total fat: 5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2g
     Monounsaturated: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Potassium: 350mg
Carbohydrate: 35g
     Fiber: 8g
          Soluble fiber: 4g
          Insoluble fiber: 4g
     Sugar: 12g
Protein: 9g
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 8%

So, despite the great ingredients, it is a GMO product, whatever that is worth to you. After all, not everyone is on board with boycotting GMOs and on board with a blanket labeling of all GMOs as bad for your health. The nutritional profile is great! For 200 cals, there's a good amount of healthy fats, super high fiber and protein and a nice dose of iron. Added with some milk, and you have a boost of calcium, etc. It's a great breakfast.


Other 'GOLEAN® Cold Cereals':

• GOLEAN® Cereal Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble (vegan)
• Cereal Crisp! Cinnamon Crumble (reviewed here)
• Kashi -- GoLEAN Crunch! (reviewed here)
• GOLEAN® Cereal Original

Brand:

• "Nine of our foods are now officially Non-GMO Project Verified including Autumn Wheat, Cinnamon Harvest, Island Vanilla, Strawberry Fields, 7 Whole Grain Flakes, 7 Whole Grain Puffs, 7 Whole Grain Pilaf, Simply Maize and Indigo Morning." (kashi.com)
• Phasing out GMOs: "That's why today Kashi announced a big initiative to increase the company's availability of organic and Non-GMO Project Verified foods. By the end of 2014, all existing Kashi® GOLEAN® cereals and Kashi® Chewy Granola Bars—representing Kashi's biggest offerings—will be Non-GMO Project Verified. Beginning in 2015, all new Kashi foods introduced into the market will contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and will also be Non-GMO Project Verified" (read article here).
• "The soy in Kashi cereals comes from soybeans that have had a gene inserted to protect the soybeans from the herbicide Roundup, which kills, weeds," according to USA Today (read article here).
• Kellogg, which owns Kashi, contributed $600 000 against the non-GMO proposition 37 (read the Huffington Post article here)

Review of 'Odwalla' Blueberry Swirl

Odwalla -- Blueberry Swirl
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: amazing blueberry aroma as you rip open the packaging; tastes incredibly fresh; the blueberry flavour is *strong*, there are big whole blueberries that are just perfection, and the swirl frosting is actually prominent and not just there for show; it is medium sweet and I highly recommend this bar! It's actually quite filling and makes for a delicious and convenient snack.

Where to buy: US (Harris Teeter)/Canada



Ingredients: Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Rolled Oats, Whole Dried Sweetened Blueberries (Blueberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil), Organic Oat Flour, Date Paste, Oat Bran, Soy Coating (Organice Invert Cane Syrup, Fractioned Palm Kernel Oil, Soy Flour, Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Extract), Plum Puree, Organic Cane Juice Syrup, Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Raisin Paste, Oat Fiber, Crisp Rice (Rice Flour, Rice Bran, Rosemary Extract), less than 2% of: Calcium Carbonate, Sunflower Oil, Soy Lecithin, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Baking Soda, Salt, Citric Acid, Beta Carotene And Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 200
Fat: 3g
     Saturated fat: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 125mg
Potassium: 135mg
Total carbohydrate: 41g
     Fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 19g
Protein: 3g
Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 10%
Calcium: 25%
Iron: 6%
Vitamin E: 50%

You can see for yourself how great these ingredients are. I love that the third ingredient in whole blueberries and you can actually see and taste that in the bar...they're everywhere, plump, and flavourful (and sweetened with apple juice). The ingredients are all clean and wholesome, all natural. The nutritional profile is great as well. For 200 calories, it's very low in fat, has 4g of fiber, 3g of protein, and a good amount of vitamins and nutrients for these types of bars. I highly recommend this product and this particular flavour. I definitely have these in my pantry on a regular basis.

Other Odwalla bars:

• Apple Toffee Pistachio (vegan)
• Banana Nut (vegan)
• Berries GoMega (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Choco-Walla (vegan)
• Chocolate Almond Coconut
• Chocolate Chip Peanut (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Chip Trail Mix (vegan)
• Chocolate Peanut Butter (reviewed here)
• Dark Chocolate Chip Walnut (vegan)
• Lemon Ginger (vegan)
• Orange Cranberry (vegan)
• Strawberry Pomegranate (vegan)
• Superfood (vegan)
• Super Protein (reviewed here)
• Sweet & Salty Almond (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Sweet & Salty Peanut (vegan)
• White Chocolate Macadamia

Brand (quoted from odwalla.com):

• "...more than 98% of all our trash is recycled."
• "...30% of our electricity needs have virtually zero emissions, which significantly reduces our carbon footprint."
• "Odwalla has made multi-year donations to the Organic Farming Research Foundation and Conservation International to help with sustainable agriculture."
• "Odwalla contributes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation^® to help fund breast cancer research worldwide."
• Non-GMO
• "To help Haiti recover from its devastating 2010 earthquake, we donate 10 cents from every 12 oz. Mango Tango smoothie to the Haiti Hope Project."

Review of Stacy's Pita Chips (Simply Naked)

Stacy's -- Pita Chips (Simply Naked) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: perfectly huge crunch factor; lightly salted; fresh-baked and you can tell; light, but filling as a snack...I'm a fan! It would work very well with hummus and other salsas, dips, etc. My only qualm is the enriched wheat flour used; whole wheat would have been ideal. Nevertheless, it's a good eat! I would recommend it.

Where to buy: Metro


Ingredients: enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sunflower oil and/or canola oil, sea salt, whole wheat flour, and less than 2% of the following: organic cane sugar, yeast, malted barley flour, rosemary extract, and ascorbic acid.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 oz (roughly 13 chips)
Calories: 130
     Calories from fat: 45
Total fat: 5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: .5g
     Monounsaturated: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 270mg
Total Carbohydrate: 19g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: less than 1g
Protein: 3g
Iron: 4%

Well, the ingredients aren't bad. The enriched wheat flour is unfortunate, but this is a pretty great brand in terms of using minimal and natural ingredients. The nutritional profile is good--good fats, low-calorie, with 3g protein. It's not too good on vitamins or fiber, but hey, that's what salsa, guacamole, etc. are for, right?

Other Pita Chip flavours:

• Cinnamon Sugar (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Multigrain (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Parmesan Garlic and Herb
• Italian Harvest (vegan)
• Garden Veggie Medley (vegan)

Brand:

• 0 trans fats
• Non-GMO
• Nothing artificial or synthetic
• No MSG

Review of 'Kiju' Pomegranate Cherry

Kiju -- Pomegranate Cherry
Overall rating: 4/5
Summary: fresh, sharp and distinct flavour; it's medium sweet; and the pomegranate flavour is slightly more distinct than the cherry. I buy this juice on the regular--it's that great. The brand is more progressive than most (socially and environmentally)--more on this below.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Wal-Mart Supercentre #3, Metro, Sobeys #707, Price Chopper #7949, Freshco #9708



Ingredients: organic apple juice (from concentrate), organic pomegranate juice (from concentrate), organic cherry juice (from concentrate), organic natural flavor, ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 250ml
Calories: 90
Fat: .2g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 20mg
Carbohydrate: 22
     Fiber: 0g
     Sugars: 22g
Protein .3g
Vitamin C: 100%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 4%

Now this is a great brand and great product. The ingredients are natural and clean with no sugar added. The profile is great--low in calories, low in sodium, and a solid 100% vitamin C. I definitely make Kiju a regular in my fridge.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Grape Apple
• Lemonade 
• Organic Apple (reviewed here)
• Organic Mango Orange (reviewed here)
• Cranberry Pomegranate Blueberry

Brand (quoted from kijuorganic.com):

• Organic
• No added sugar
• Recyclable packaging
• "We make every effort to buy as local as we can, but the majority of our fruit comes from organic farms all over North and South America."
•  Involved in the community (more info here)

Review of 'Dan-D Organic' Rolled Oats

Dan-D Organic -- Rolled Oats (vegan)
Overall Rating: 5/5
Summary: Hands down, this is the best tasting plain oats I've ever tried. It has a fresh, sweet (yes, sweet) scent that I can't explain, since there's nothing added! I paired this with an unsweetened soy milk and it was simply delicious. I normally add sugar, but I refuse to ruin this perfection. More pluses, it's a Canadian brand and supports community development.

Where to buy: Costco, Longos, Oceans, Seasons



Ingredients: Organic Rolled Oats.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 150
     Calories from fat: 25
Fat: 2.5g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrate: 27g
     Fibre: 4g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 6g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 15%

Listen, no need for me to evaluate the neither the ingredients nor the nutritional profile. Rest assured that both are clean and wholesome. Highly recommended.

Brand:

• Founded 1989 in Richmond BC, Canada
• Dan-D Foods Group Global operates its business in six countries
• Monitored by internal quality control department, as well as external organizations, including CCOF, ISO, BC Kosher and Orthodox Union
• Commitment to community: support of food drives

Review of 'Oasis' Fruits etc. (Deliciously Purple)

Oasis -- Fruits etc. (Deliciously Purple)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: Grapey, but I'm not a big grape juice fan. It's very sweet. If you're a grape fan, go for it! The brand isn't overly-impressive, but the ingredients aren't bad, so it's definitely a good choice for folks looking for lunch options for their children.

Where to buy: most grocery stores (e.g. Freshco, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore)



Ingredients: fruit and vegetable juice from concentrate (water, concentrated apple and/or grape (sulfites), beet, eldeberry, lemon, red bell pepper, purple carrot juices), plum purée, natural flavour.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 250ml
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 20mg
Carbohydrate: 28g
     Fiber: 0g
     Sugars: 26g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin C: 25%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

Well, the ingredients are all fine and dandy, no harm will be done. However, the nutritional profile is pretty bleak, comprised mostly of sugars and only 25% vitamin C. I'd much rather eat the actual grapes--I find them tastier than the juice and I'd get more nutrition out of it. Still, it's one of the better boxed juices for your little ones.

Other Oasis 'Fruits etc.' flavours (all vegan):

• Deliciously Red
• Deliciously Orange
• Deliciously Yellow (reviewed here)

Brand:

• No added sugar
• Made by A. Lassonde Inc.