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.

Review of 'Odwalla' Berries GoMega

Odwalla -- Berries GoMega (vegan)
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Summary: very fresh-baked, tender texture, SUPER blueberry flavour, medium sweet, has pockets of crisps and is a very hearty and filling bar with REAL whole berries. I am impressed. I highly recommend this bar.

Where to buy: US (Harris Teeter)/Canada



Ingredients: Brown Rice Syrup, Ground Golden Flax, Organic Rolled Oats, Date Puree, Dried Sweetened Cranberries (Apple Juice Concentrate, Cranberries, Sunflower Oil), Organic Oat Flour, Fig Puree, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Soy Butter (Organic Soybeans, Organic Soy Oil, Sea Salt), Whole Dried Sweetened Blueberries (Apple Juice Concentrate, Whole Dried Blueberries, Sunflower Oil), Plum Puree, Oat Bran, Raisins, Natural Flavors (including Coconut), less than 2% of: Calcium Carbonate, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Dried Strawberries, Dried Raspberries, Baking Soda, Beta Carotene, Vitamin E (D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate) and Folic Acid.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 210
Total fat: 6g
     Saturated fat: .5g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 3g
     Monounsaturated: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 210mg
Potassium: 210mg
Total carbohydrates: 36g
     Fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 16g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 25%
Iron: 8%

Wow to these ingredients...no issues to report, just really delicious-sounding ingredients. For the 210 calories, you definitely get your nutrition's worth. There's a good amount of good fats, no cholesterol, 5g of fiber and 5g of protein. That's great! If that wasn't enough, there's 10% vitamin A and 25% calcium. The sodium is a tad high for me, but I'd definitely recommend this bar and likely buy it again, myself!

Other Odwalla bars:

• Apple Toffee Pistachio (vegan)
• Banana Nut (vegan)
• Blueberry Swirl (vegan)
• 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 'Kiju' Organic Apple Juice

Kiju -- Organic Apple Juice 
Overall Rating: 5/5
Summary: deliciously cool and refreshing. Perfectly sweet. Highly recommended. Do buy this. Great brand, great product.

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



Ingredients: organic apple juice (from concentrate), ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 250ml
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 15mg
Carbohydrate: 27g
     Fibre: 0g
     Sugars: 25g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin C: 100%
Calcium: 2%

Other flavours (all vegan):

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