Review of Piroucrisp Caramelized Biscuits

Piroucrisp Caramelized Biscuits (vegan)
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: cinnamon flavoured, super duper crunchy, traditional Belgian biscuits. These were just okay in my opinion. The cinnamon were present, but I prefer Anna's Ginger Thins (reviewed here), which taste similar but better! I wouldn't buy it again nor would I recommend it. There's also very little going on on their website on environmental or social contributions.

Where to buy: buy online



Ingredients: wheat flour, sugars, vegetable oils and fats (palm, rapeseed), candy syrup, raising agent: sodium hydrogen carbonate, salt, cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 cookies
Calories: 119
     Calories from fat: 39
Total fat: 4g
     Saturated fat: 2g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 88mg
Total carbohydrate: 18g
     Fiber: <1g
     Sugars: 8g
Protein: 2g
Vitamin A: 20%
Vitamin C: 20%
Calcium: 15%

The ingredients are not great at all. Not whole wheat flour, no whole grains, palm oil is not certified sustainable (palm oil is a major driver of deforestation in Indonesia), and I have no idea what candy syrup is.

The nutritional profile is okay, only because of the added vitamins A and C and calcium. Other than that, there's very little fiber/protein content.

So, I say...don't bother.

Brand:

• Very little of interest to note

Review of 'Annie's Homegrown' Honey Bunny Grahams

Annie's Homegrown -- Honey Bunny Grahams 
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: mmm, mild honey flavouring, mild sweetness. I actually had this as a cereal with soymilk and man, it was delicious. It's a nice low-calorie snack that is relatively filling. I definitely recommend this brand and product. The Brand is committed to non-GMO sourcing and contributes to society through its sustainability initiatives (see end of post for more info).

Where to buy: Fortinos, Costco, Metro, Whole Foods



Ingredients: Organic Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Organic Wheat Flour, Organic Cane Sugar, Expeller-pressed Sunflower Oil, Honey, Organic Corn Flour, Organic Graham Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavors (vanilla and graham cracker), Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Natural Vitamin E (to protect flavor).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 31 cookies
Calories: 140
     Calories from fat: 40
Total fat: 4.5g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 125mg
Total carbohydrate: 23g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 7g
Protein: 2g
Calcium: 20%
Iron: 4%

The ingredients are awesome; all organic and wholesome. The nutritional profile is good. It's low-calorie, and has a solid 2g of fiber and protein and 20% calcium (very useful as a vegan).

Other Annie's cookies varieties:

• Bernie's Farm Animal Cookies (vegan)
• Chocolate Bunny Graham Crackers (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Organic Cinnamon Graham Crackers
• Organic Honey Graham Crackers
• Honey Bunny Graham Crackers
• Bunny Graham Friends (vegan)
• Cinnamon Bunny Grahams (vegan)
• Chocolate Chip Bunny Grahams (vegan)
• Gluten-free Snickerdoodle Bunny Cookies (vegan)
• Gluten-free Ginger Snap Bunny Cookies
• Gluten-free Cocoa and Vanilla Bunny Cookies (vegan)

Brand:

• Non-GMO
• No artificial flavours, synthetic flavours, or preservatives
• Sustainability Reports
• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship!

Review of 'Grains of Truth' Mango Passion Whole Grain Snacks

Grains of Truth -- Mango Passion (vegan)
Overall rating: 3/5
Summary: This brand has a knack for really infusing authentic flavours. I tried the Coconut Banana some months ago and loved it. Although I am a fan of passionfruit and mango, I preferred the butteriness of the Coconut Banana flavour. However, this one is still nice and fresh; crunchy, airy, and medium sweet. I would definitely recommend this brand and only wish there were a website!

Where to buy: Amazon



Ingredients: whole grain cereals (wheat, rolled oats, sorghum, brown rice), raw cane sugar, passionfruit juice concentrate (flavor), dried mango (flavor), rice bran oil, salt, vitamin E, rosemary extract.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 14 pieces
Calories: 120
     Calories from fat: 20
Total fat: 2g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total carbohydrate: 23g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 7g
Protein: 2g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 4%

I've no issues with these ingredients. Simple. The  nutritional profile is decent, with 2g of fiber and protein, low sodium, no cholesterol, and low calories. I would recommend this to those lovers of passionfruit and mango.

Other varieties (all vegan):

• Berry Blast
• Coconut Banana (reviewed here)
• Vanilla

Brand:

• Sadly, there's no website with brand info

Review of 'Lance' Salted Peanuts

Lance -- Salted Peanuts (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: nice, fresh, though a bit too salty for me. Nevertheless, I can't recommend this brand when there is no demonstration of interest in social or environmental initiatives. Also, Lance uses monosodium glutamate in some products, which has demonstrated adverse health impacts.

Where to buy: store locator (US only)



Ingredients: Peanuts, Peanut Oil and/or Cottonseed Oil, Salt.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 package
Calories: 230
     Calories from fat: 150
Total fat: 16g
     Saturated fat: 3g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total carbohydrate: 11g
     Fiber: 5g
     Sugar: 1g
Protein: 10g

I like that the ingredients are nice and simple. The nutritional profile is really great, with lots of fiber and protein and no cholesterol.

Other Lance Nuts and Seeds:

• Honey Toasted Peanuts
• Mesquite BBQ Peanuts (vegan)
• Peanut Bar (vegan)
• Hot & Spicy Peanuts (vegan)
• Star Bites (vegan)
• Boston Old Style Peanuts (vegan)
• Sunflower Seeds (vegan)
• Sunflower Kernels (vegan)
• Triple Nut Bar (vegan)
• Cashews (vegan)
• Premium Dry Roasted Almonds (vegan)
• Premium Pistachios (vegan)
• Premium Fruit and Nut Mix 
• Premium Whole Cashews (vegan)

Brand:

• Honestly, there were no progressive/interesting/unique health-related/environmentally-oriented/socially-minded facts on the company website that was worth posting.
• Lance continues to use MSG in products

Review of 'Blue Diamond' Strawberry Flavor Almonds

Blue Diamond -- Strawberry Flavor Almonds
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: This is super strawberry-flavoured and sweet like candy. The smell is amazing! It smells like candy and I could eat a whole bag in 1 sitting. They were super fresh and crunchy. I know the almonds are non-GMO but unsure of the other corn-based ingredients. It's a pretty wholesome and filling snack, with a good amount of fiber and protein.

Where to buy: United States only as far as I know; online store



Ingredients: almonds, sugar, natural strawberry flavor with other natural flavors, corn maltodextrin, modified corn starch, strawberry juice concentrate, sea salt, color (titanium dioxide, red cabbage juice), citric acid, rebiana (stevia extract).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 24 nuts
Calories: 160
Calories from fat: 110
Total Fat: 12g
     Saturated fat: 1g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 25mg
Potassium: 170mg
Total carbohydrates: 9g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 6g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 6%

Other Fruit Flavoured Almonds varieties:

• Raspberry
• Blueberry (reviewed here)

The ingredients would be better if all were certified organic/non-GMO. The nutritional profile is quite good, however. Healthy fats, no cholesterol, 3g of fiber and 5g of protein.

Brand:

• Soy-free
• No MSG
• Non-GMO
• All refrigerated products are kosher
• Gluten-free
• No artificial flavours
• No BPA in packaging
• Almonds are grown by a growers cooperative

Review of Mott's Snack & Go (Original Pouch)

Mott's -- Snack & Go (Original Pouch)
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: fresh, nice apply pureed texture; appley; decent flavourwise. However...this is super sweet because of the high fructose corn syrup (terrible for health). The nutritional profile is not great either, with mostly sugars and only 1g of fiber. For me, it's 70 calories of sugar and I don't recommend this product.

Where to buy: Walmart, Fortinos, Metro, most grocery stores



Ingredients: APPLES, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C).

Nutritional Facts
Serving size: 1 pouch
Calories: 70
Total fat: 0g
Sodium: 5g
Total carb: 18g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
          Soluble fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 17g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin C: 20%
Potassium: 65mg

Other Snack & Go flavours (all vegan):

• Cinnamon (reviewed here)
• Natural
• Strawberry (reviewed here)
• Mixed Berry
• Granny Smith
• Mango Peach

Brand:

• Still uses high fructose corn syrup in some products
• Since 1842
• No preservatives
• "Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Sued Over Mott’s For Tots Immunity Claims" (read article here)
• "Coca-Cola, Gerber, Hain Celestial & Mott’s Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Lead Contamination In Certain Products" (read article here)

Review of 'Mariani Honeybar' (Trail Mix)

Mariani Honeybar -- Trail Mix (not vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: This is quite good. The sunflower seeds are prominent...my favourite part. It's super nutty and fresh. I loved the honeyed chew and plump, juicy raisins. It's very sweet because of the honey and raisins...perfectly so. It's a very filling snack bar, relatively low-calorie, and high in protein. Healthy, simple ingredients...I recommend and would buy this again.

Where to buy: US store locator; Canada (Sobeys, Loblaws); order online

Ingredients: Peanuts, Honey, Raisins, Sunflower Kernels, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 190
     Calories from fat: 110
Total fat: 12g
     Saturated fat: 1.5g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated fat: 4g
     Monounsaturated fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Total carbohydrate: 18g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 6g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 6%

6 all-natural, nutritious ingredients = guilt free

The nutritional profile is good, with lots of healthy fats from the nuts and natural sugars. There's no cholesterol and 0 sodium (although I'm not sure this is accurate; it is from the website). There's a solid dose of protein, which I love. It is a really good start to the morning. Filling!

Other Honeybar varieties:

• Apple Cinnamon Honeybar 
• Cranberry (reviewed here)
• Granola Honeybar 
• Sesame Honeybar (reviewed here)
• Sweet & Salty Honeybar

Brand:

• Vegetarian, Wheat and Gluten Free, Kosher Certified, Preservative Free, Free of Artificial Flavors, Cholesterol Free, All Natural
• Only one product contains wheat (Cinnamon Raisin Bread Raisins)
• The Mariani Family is in its fourth generation of ownership

Review of 'belVita' Soft-Baked Breakfast Bar (Mixed Berry)

belVita -- Soft-Baked Breakfast Bar (Mixed Berry) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: This was just okay. I found it a bit crumblier than other Belvita breakfast bars I've had. I also found it a bit drier as well. It is very sweet, which I admit, I liked. However, it definitely needs more berries and more moisture. Bitter pockets.There is a hint of bitterness here and there. I would not buy this again nor would I recommend it. The brand does not seem committed to social or environmental responsibility, which is something I look for when deciding to make a Brand a "regular" in my kitchen.

Where to buy: Walmart, Target



Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN BLEND (ROLLED OATS, RYE FLAKES), ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, REDUCED IRON, NIACIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID], CANOLA OIL, INVERT SUGAR, INULIN, SUGAR, RAISIN PASTE, GLYCERIN, DRIED CRANBERRIES, CORNSTARCH, DRIED BLUEBERRIES, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN, SALT, DRIED RASPBERRIES, NATURAL FLAVOR, GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE (IRON), NIACINAMIDE, BLUEBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1).

 CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 biscuit
Calories: 190
     Fat calories: 60
Total fat: 7g
     Saturated fat: .5g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated fat: 2g
     Monounsaturated fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Potassium: 75mg
Total carbohydrate: 33g
     Dietary fiber: 5g
     Sugars 10g
Protein: 3g
Iron: 10%

The ingredients are not too bad...I've seen worse! There's no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenation, and no weird names. The nutritional profile is not bad at all. For 190 calories, there's low saturated fat, no cholesterol, low sodium, and a really nice dose of fiber and protein.

I found it quite filling as an average sized biscuit. It usually keeps me going for a few hours in the morning.

Other 'belVita' soft-based breakfast biscuits:

• Oats and Chocolate
• Cinnamon (vegan)
• Banana Bread (vegan)

Brand:

• Nationwide voluntary recall by Mondelez Global LLC, East Hanover, NJ of belVita Breakfast Biscuit products, apple cinnamon and chocolate varieties. The recall was issued due to the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh caused by a faulty screen at the company's facility (read here)

Review of 'Califia Farms' Barista Blend Almondmilk (vegan)

Califia Farms -- Barista Blend Almondmilk (vegan, gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: I like, I like. It has a subtle nutty flavour, a nice light creaminess to it, is only mildly sweetened...very nice, cool, refreshing. I am recommending and will definitely buy this again. The ingredients are simple and the nutritional profile is great. The brand is also environmentally-minded and health-conscious (read more about Califa Farms at the bottom of the page).

Where to buy: store locator



Ingredients: Almondmilk (Filtered Water, Almonds), Pure Cane Sugar.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 8 fl oz
Calories: 80
     Calories from fat: 35
Total fat: 4g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 170mg
Total carbohydrates: 9g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 8g
Protein: 2g
Vitamin A: 20%
Calcium: 45%
Vitamin D: 25%

You really can't beat 2 simple ingredients + low calories + 0 cholesterol + 45% calcium + a hefty dose of Vitamins A & D. Paired with cereal, it's fantastic. I also use it in my coffee every morning. I love it...doesn't curd either!

Other Almondmilk flavours:

• Unsweetened (vegan)
• Vanilla (vegan)
• Original (vegan)
• Coconut Almondmilk (vegan)
• Chocolate Coconut Almondmilk (vegan)
• Unsweetened Vanilla (vegan)
• Chocolate Protein
• Vanilla Protein

Brand:

• BPA free
• All products certified non-GMO
• A California company
• Sustainable practices (box reuse, Rainforest Alliance certified coffee, heat recovery system, reduced lighting/waste, bee biodiversity, etc.)
• Lactose-free Non-GMO Project Verified whey protein that is sourced from cows that are not treated with rBGH
• Almondmilk is Kosher. Products are Pareve, and Orthodox Union is the Rabbinical Certifier
• Products are not organic, but there are plans to develop organic versions of some products in the future