Review of 'Fresh Finds' Dry Roasted Edamame

Fresh Finds -- Dry Roasted Edamame
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: very lightly salted, true to the labeling--I like! And, it was very fresh, very crunchy, very tasty. It was a hit with the entire vehicle of travelers over the last weekend's road trip. Would be best if there was some brand info online!

Where to buy: to be determined


Ingredients: soybeans, sea salt.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 130
Total fat: 4g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
     Dietary fiber: 8g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 14g

Well, I'm not sure if the soybeans are organic since I couldn't fund a webpage with product info. However, the ingredients are minimal so we can all appreciate that. The calorie count and nutritional content is pretty great as well--for 130 cals, there's 14g of protein and 8g of fiber. You can't beat that...low in saturated fat, clean protein and fiber.

Brand:

• I couldn't find any relevant info online--assistance is appreciated!

Review of 'Golden Harvest' Whole Wheat Raisin

Golden Harvest -- Whole Wheat Raisin (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: way too dry. It's medium sweet and has plump raisins. If it weren't so very dry, this would be quite good! The website doesn't have specific product information, so what you see here, you will have to trust. The parent company, DIH Ltd is involved in social responsibility activities as well (more info below).

Where to buy: Caribbean countries (e.g. Guyana)



Ingredients: wheat flour, wheat bran, water, raisins, sugar, vegetable shortening, vegetable margarine, salt, yeast, mixed spice.
Preservative: calcium propionate
Emulsifier, Lecithin
Flour Treatment Agents: L Ascorbic Acids

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 4 slices
Calories: 290
Fat: 5g
     Saturated: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 380mg
Total Carbohydrate: 56g
     Dietary Fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 6g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 2%
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 15%

So, as for the ingredients...if they used real whole grains, the protein and fiber content would be richer.

I share the details for 2 slices, since this is a common serving. It would yield 2.5g of Fat, 190mg of Sodium, 28g of Carbs, 2.5g of Fiber, 3g of Sugar, 3.5g of Protein and 7.5% Iron. This is decent, but not impressive. The fiber and protein content isn't up to snuff for me.

Brand:

• Produced by Trisco Foods, division of Banks DIH Ltd.
• Certifications
• Supports Sports
• Social Responsibility

Review of 'Nature's Path' Sunrise Crunchy Maple

Nature's Path --  Sunrise Crunchy Maple
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: mmm, captain crunch corniness, with strong maple scent and perfect maple flavour, this is amazing, it's super crunchy and very sweet; the combo of flavours is exquisite. I highly recommend this product and brand.

Where to buy: Bulk, Barn, Longos, Fortinos, US product locator
 

Ingredients: whole corn meal*, evaporated cane juice*, brown rice flour*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, quinoa puffs*, maple syrup*, flax seeds*, natural maple flavor, buckwheat flour*, quinoa*, sea salt, amaranth*, molasses*, tocopherols (natural vitamin E).
*Organic.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2/3 cup
Calories: 110
Fat: 1g
     Saturated: .2g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: .5g
          Omega-6: .1g
          Omega-3: .2g
     Monounsaturated: .3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 130mg
Potassium: 70mg
Carbohydrate: 25g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugar: 7g
Protein: 2g
Iron: 6%

So, in true Nature's Path form, the ingredients are excellent; no complaints there. The nutritional profile is good--it's super low in fat, has healthy fats, and low in sugar. The only downside is that the fiber and protein content isn't that great. For someone active, this is not ideal. So, I'd likely not make this a regular stock in my pantry.

Other gluten-free cold cereals (all vegan):

• Mesa Sunrise Cereal (reviewed here)
• Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla
• Gorilla Munch Cereal
• Qi'a™ Superfood - Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal Apple Cinnamon
• Qi'a™ Superfood - Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal Original Flavour
• Crispy Rice Cereal
• Whole O's (reviewed here)
• Mesa Sunrise® Flakes with Raisins
• Fruit Juice Sweetened Corn Flakes 
• Qi'a™ Superfood - Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal Cranberry Vanilla
• Panda Puffs™ Cereal 
• Leapin Lemurs (Peanut Butter Chocolate) Cereal (reviewed here)
• Koala Crisp™ Cereal

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 '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