Review of 'Silver Hills' Steady Eddie (the Low GI Choice)

Silver Hills -- Steady Eddie (the Low GI Choice) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: this bread has a very light salted taste and a warm flavour that's slightly buttery (awesome!). It's sweetened with apples but you don't get a sweet taste at all. The bread is very, very light and soft. After toasting, it gets a crisp crust but maintains a tenderness. The neutral flavour makes for great versatility (e.g. sweet or savoury sandwiches). The ingredients are organic, kept to a minimum, fresh, and wholesome, which is characteristic of this brand. I'm a huge fan of the nutritional profile -- just one slice provides you with 4g of fibre and 7g of protein! If you like to keep it simple with your bread, this one's for you. There are no seeds, spices, or additional flavours -- it's your traditional bread.

Where to buy: Wanigan, Foodland, Fortinos, Costco

Ingredients: organic whole sprouted wheat*, organic whole sprouted rye*, organic whole apples*, vital wheat gluten, organic sprouted whole soybeans*, water, yeast,sea salt, cultured wheat.
*Certified Organic. 
May contain tree nuts, soy and sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 100
Fat: 1g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans: 0g
     Omega-6: .1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 105mg
Potassium: 70g
Carbohydrate: 16g
     Fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 2%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 8%

Well, no one can rag on these ingredients. It's all certified organic and GMO-free! It may seem that 100 calories for only 1 slice is a little on the high side, however keep in mind that these slices are bigger than your typical breads. Even if it weren't quite as big, the nutritional content makes that 100 calories well worth it. There are no empty calories here, with 4g of fiber and 7g of protein! So two slices would yield 8g of fiber and 14g of protein...so good!

It's also super low in fat and has zero cholesterol, so it's simply guilt-free. Also keep in mind how fantastic the 'Silver Hills' brand is and how great it is to support them.

*Visit here for full nutrition facts.

Other 'Low Glycemic Index' breads:

• Mack's Flax (vegan)

Brand:

• Non-GMO
• Certified organic production facility 
• All breads are vegan-friendly
• Sprouted 100% whole grains
• No artificial preservatives
• Read about the Silver Hills Guest House here

Review of 'KIND Healthy Snacks' Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega 3

KIND Healthy Snacks -- Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega 3 (gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: this bar is both crunchy and chewy, which was great. However, I found the chewy aspect (e.g. the dates, honey, etc. blend) to be a bit too stiff and sticky. I would have liked a gooey-er chewy blend that didn't stick to my teeth so much. The nuts were fresh and crunchy and definitely the best part...and they were plentiful as well! The bar wasn't as sweet as what you'd expect (most snack bars are at least medium-sweet), was was disappointing. There's also a subtle tartness to each bite. The nutritional profile is pretty great, with 4g of fiber and protein. Still, I probably won't be buying this flavour again. For 180 cals, I want a sweet snack bar!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Pharma Plus

 



Ingredients: dates, almonds, cashews, honey, non GMO glucose, milled flaxseed (vegetarian omega-3), chicory fiber, natural flavor.

Nutrition Info*
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 180
   Fat Calories: 90
Total fat: 10g
     Saturated: 1.5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 120mg
Total Carb: 20g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 13g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 6%

Check here for complete nutritional info.

The ingredients in KIND bars are pretty phenomenal. They're wholesome, GMO-free, and kept to a minimum. This is why the nutritional profile is so great. It has healthy fats (from nuts), zero sodium (whoo!), and 4g of fiber and protein. I love that last bit, since so many snack foods are low/devoid of fiber and protein.

If only this bar were a bit sweeter and the chewy blend (dates, honey, etc.) were a bit softer and fresher, I'd say the 180 calories were worth it. But...I've simply had other bars that were better tasting with comparable nutrition and calories, so I'll be skipping out on buying this flavour again. If you enjoy more subtle flavours, then I'd recommend it.

Other 'KIND Plus Bars' (all gluten free):

• Cranberry Almonds + Antioxidants
• Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + Antioxidants
• Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein
• Blueberry Pecan + Fibre
• Almond Walnut Macadamia with Peanuts + Protein
• Pomegranate, Blueberry, Pistachio + Antioxidants
• Mango Macadamia + Calcium 
• Mini Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants

Brand:

• Part of the PeaceWorks® group (based on a “not-only-for-profit” business model), founded by Daniel Lubetzky
• Non-GMO
• Winner of Men's Health 'Best Breakfast Bar'; Today 'Blue Ribbon for Best Bar'; Women's Health 'Best  Packaged Food for Women'; Time 'Responsibility Pioneer'; and a host of others
• Gluten-free
• Certified Kosher
• 'Do the KIND thing' Mission

Review of 'Stickling's Organics' 12 Grain Bread

Stickling's Organics -- 12 Grain Bread (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: this has great texture. Biting into it, it's crispy (after toasting) and has a hearty chew. There are oat flakes on the crust, but they don't really add that much in terms of texture or flavour. The flavour of the bread is a slightly salty taste but nothing else really pops (no spices or seeds, nada). It's thus a neutral flavour and pairs well with pretty much everything I can think of. A downside is the high calorie count--120 calories for only 1 slice. But hey, it comes in a 100% biodegradable bag

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients:* Organic Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Organic Whole Grain Rye Flour, Spring Water, Organic Whole Grain Mix (Golden Flaxseeds, Cracked Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Cracked Spelt, Cracked Soya, Cracked Millet, Cracked Buckwheat, Cracked Barley, Sesame Seeds, Poppy Seeds, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Yeast, Malt Flour (Barley), Sourdough (Organic Whole Grain Rye Flour, Spring Water, Natural Bacterial Culture).

*These are the ingredients listed on the package and differ slightly from those listed on the website.

Nutritional Facts
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 120
Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .4g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 65mg
Carbohydrate: 21g
     Fibre: 4g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 10%

If you're thinking of switching your regular bread brand, Stickling's is one of your best bets. The ingredients are organic and wholesome and the company is involved in community and environmental initiatives.

This 12 grain bread has some pretty great nutritionals, despite the calorie count (240 calories for two slices--yikes!). It's low in saturated fat, low in sodium, and has ZERO grams of sugar. That's pretty fantastic. The protein content is reasonable as well. Because I'm a bit of a stickler in the way I balance my calories, this particular bread is not for me. I know I can find another one that has 2 slices for similar a calorie count and with comparable nutrition (e.g. Stickling's Light Rye Bread).

Nonetheless, I'd still pick this up from time to time when it's on sale or if it's the best brand available at the grocery store of the day.

Other bread products (all vegan):

• 7 Grain Big Toast
• Red Fife Omega 3 Bread
• Light Rye Bread
• Bountiful Raisin Bread (reviewed here)
• Gluten & Dairy Free Rice Bread

Brand (quoted from sticklingsbakery.com):

• "Our breads, bagels and muffins are dairy and egg free, and are baked with un-modified, organic heritage whole grains..."
• Verified organic
• Certified Vegan
• Supports local farmers
• Certified gluten free products
• Uses alternative energy sources, biodegradable bags
• Supports many community initiatives 
• Supports the Canadian Diabetes Association
• Since 1939

Review of 'So Delicious' Coconut Milk Non Dairy Frozen Dessert (Vanilla Bean)

So Delicious -- Coconut Milk Non Dairy Frozen Dessert (Vanilla Bean) (vegan, gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I thought vanilla bean would be boring (especially since I'm a fan of addins!). This was amazing in its own right -- just pure, rich vanilla flavour. It was creamy and perfectly sweet. My only issue was, like many non-dairy ice creams, it's iciness, Granted, it wasn't nearly as hard or icy as other ones I've had. I only had to let it melt a couple of minutes before it was game on!

Where to buy: Fortinos

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Ingredients: organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, chicory root extract, carob bean gum, guar gum, vanilla extract, natural flavour, vanilla bean specks.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 125 mL
Calories: 160
Fat: 8g
     Saturated: 7g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg
Carbohydrate: 20g
     Fibre: 6g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 1g
Iron: 10%

Don't be afraid of the saturated fats in this ice cream...coconut fats are unique and beneficial! Read more about it here. This line (Coconut Milk) of So Delicious ice cream is my favourite for the nutritional profiles. For a decent calorie count, you get a whopping 6g of fiber! You can thank those coconuts! I'll be buying this again.

Other 'Coconut Milk' flavours (all vegan):

• Cherry Amaretto (reviewed here)
• Chocolate
• Chocolate Brownie Almond
• Coconut (reviewed here)
• 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
• 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 'Oasis' Orange Juice (without Pulp)

Oasis -- Orange Juice (without Pulp) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: sweeter than some other orange juices that I've had, which have been more strongly tart. This one is a great balance. It's smooth, not too thick, and simply delicious. Because the brand doesn't have any particularly endearing qualities (e.g. socially-, environmentally-minded), I'd prefer to support brands like Kiju, that produce 100% fruit juices and are more impressive on those previously mentioned counts.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Real Canadian Superstore


Ingredients: 100% pure orange juice

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 120
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 20mg
Carbohydrate: 29g
     Sugars: 25g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin C: 120%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

Well, you can't complain about 100% pure fruit juice, right? One serving gets you 120% of your daily vitamin C dose. It's definitely one of the better fruit juices to buy because it is high in vitamin C (e.g. compared to apple juice or grape juice). It does have 25g of sugar, but this is still less than the sugars found in apple juice and grape juice (reference here).

If you're watching your weight, then just because this is natural sugar, doesn't mean much. Remember that natural sugars have the same calories as processed sugar, so be careful with portion control (reference here). One glass should be enough for the day or even half a glass (since it would provide 60% vitamin C and you could get the remainder throughout the day). And remember, sometimes it may make more sense to eat the actual fruit (e.g. an orange) than drink the juice. It will be more filling and you may ingest fewer calories.

Brand:

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

Review of 'Almond Dream' Unsweetened Vanilla Enriched

Almond Dream -- Unsweetened Vanilla Enriched (vegan, gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: there's no real smell to this milk, unfortunately. But, you really do get a strong, deep vanilla flavour and there is a little hint of natural sweetness. The texture is thick and creamy. This is a great milk for a dessert session because it has only a very light sweetness that will balance out the sugar in the dessert, while washing your mouth of that heavy sugary post-dessert feel. I like that it's low in carbs as well, since my cereals tend to be very carb-heavy.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: filtered water, amonds, tapioca starch, natural vanilla flavour, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, carrageenan, and sunflower lecithin.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 40
Fat: 3.5g
     Saturated: .3g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 180mg
Potassium: 190mg
Carbohydrate: 2g
     Fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 4%

Well, I do wish they didn't add quite so much salt. 180mg is pretty high for a milk beverage. Still, it has some great perks -- it's very low-cal, has *no* sugar low in saturated fats and carbs, and has a solid 30% calcium content. So, despite the sodium, I'd still consider buying this again. I really enjoyed the very present vanilla flavour.

Other flavours:

• Enriched Original
• Enriched Original Unsweetened

Brand: Brand:

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

Review of 'Turtle Island Foods' Marinated Tempeh (Sesame Garlic)

Turtle Island Foods -- Marinated Tempeh (Sesame Garlic) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: these tempeh strips make for a very warm, hearty meal. It has a strong, sweet garlic flavour and I love the crispness of it after about 20 minutes in the toaster oven. However. just like the 'Smoky Maple Meatless Bacon' flavour, I find it too salty. I think this sesame garlic flavour is the better bet, though, because it does not contain that controversial 'autolyzed yeast extract' ingredient.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Real Canadian Superstore

Ingredients: organic soybeans, shoyu soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt, bacterial culture) organic evaporated cane juice, garlic, lemon juice concentrate, water, ginger, toasted sesame oil, organic apple cider vinegar, sesame seeds, bacterial culture (Rhizopus oligosporous).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 6 slices
Calories: 140
Fat: 3.5g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 340mg
Potassium: 240mg
Carbohydrate: 14g
     Fibre: 5g
     Sugars: 3g
Protein: 11g
Vitamin C: 2%
Calcium: 8%
Iron: 12%

I'm only realizing now that there's ginger in this...too bad I didn't get that flavour in the slices themselves -- woulda been tasty! For just 6 slices, 340mg of sodium is way too high because you know you're adding these strips to an already sodium-rich meal. I'll pass on buying this again for regular consumption, but I recommend it for the great taste.

Other Tempeh products (all vegan):

• Smoky Maple Meatless Bacon (reviewed here)
• Coconut Curry Marinated Tempeh 
• Lemon Pepper Marinated Tempeh Strips

Brand (quoted from tofurky.com):

• Non-GMO
• "We make our vegetarian products in small batches using only the finest organic and natural ingredients."
• No preservatives, MSG or other artificial ingredients.
• Kosher, vegan, and made with organic soybeans and/or organic tofu.
• Family owned and operated company.
• "Since our founding in 1980 Turtle Island Foods has strived to create delicious, nutritious, vegan soy meat alternatives that are lightly processed using traditional methods."