Chocolate Inspirations sent me a few samples of their toffee and brittles to review. The great thing about Chocolate Inspirations is that a number of their chocolates can be made sugar-free and vegan and they taste amazing. Among the flavors that I was sent to try were:
Vegan Cashew Brittle- This chocolate was delicious mix of brittle, chocolate and nuts.
Vegan English Toffee- this was my favorite of all the samples and it was great because I haven't had toffee in years (I don't count the xmas I attempted to make my own and set the stove on fire). This was creamy, caramel and delicious.
Vegan Coconut Brittle- this one was really tasty with it's creamy coconut taste and toasted coconut topping
Vegan Coffee Toffee- this was my hubby's favorite - he loves chocolate and coffee together and this was a great combo especially with the chopped pecans.
Overall this chocolate was amazing and my hubby and I can’t wait to order more of it. I think we will definitely be ordering some chocolate from here soon. Did I mention there are vegan caramels cups? I am sure they are to die for.
Disclaimer: Chocolate Inspirations provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
1T coconut peanut butter (can substitute half coconut butter/half peanut butter or just use peanut butter)- win your own Coconut PB below
1T red curry paste
2T soy sauce, tamari or shoyu
1/2T vegetarian oyster sauce
1T arrowroot powder mixed with 1/4 cup of water
1t garlic powder
1/4 cup of dry roasted peanuts
Directions:
In a wok over medium high heat melt the coconut oil and coconut peanut butter together.
Add in the red curry paste and stir fry together for about a minute.
Add in all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the peanuts and cook for 7-10minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Add in the peanuts at the end. Serve with your favorite rice or noodles.
To make this recipe I used Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil and Coconut Peanut Butter. The coconut peanut butter is rich and creamy tasting and works really well in this dish. The peanut butter flavor is not overwhelming but is rather great combined with the coconut. I found that this is not an easily spreadable butter but is great on warmed foods such as oatmeal, stir fries, noodles, and sweet potatoes.
“Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is made from organic peanuts and organic coconut. Two ingredients: nothing else! No fillers, no binders, no sweeteners, and no preservatives. The peanuts are 100% organic Valencia peanuts grown organically by family farmers in New Mexico and Texas. Grown in the dry climate of the southwestern United States, these peanuts are certified organic and free from aflatoxins. The dried coconut is certified organic coconut meat from the Philippines from coconuts that are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides. This premium dried coconut contains no additives or preservatives, and is not sweetened. Unlike most dried coconut on the market, our dried coconut products are not treated with sulfites to keep them white. Together, these premium organic roasted peanuts and the premium organic dried coconut are ground together to make a delicious and nutritious spread!” soucre
Tropical Traditions Giveaway- Please Enter by 8am on February 26, 2010
To win your own jar of Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter visit the Tropical Traditions website and take a look around- leave a comment on my blog telling me something you’ve learned or about a product that interest you.
Tweet about this giveaway – “I want to win @Troptraditions Coconut Oil from @cookveganlover http://wp.me/ppaTI-vQ (Leave me a comment saying you did)
Follow me @cookveganlover on twitter (Leave a comment saying you did)
Visit Tropical Traditions Free Coconut Recipe websitehttp://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/ and leave a comment telling me what your favorite recipe is.
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
How can one ever go wrong when there’s coconut involved? But there are a couple of recipes that catch my eye: coconut ice and Coconut Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa. YUM!
My first impression of Skinny Bitch was that the name was just really not appealing as my husband and I are not ones to use the term “bitch” and I find it has just a negative feeling. I decided to over look this and give the book a chance since everyone has been reading it. I must say that the book has a lot of great information. It is just as it says on the cover “a no-nonsense, tough-love guide” and that is exactly what it is. The book is filled with important information about the foods people eat from animal products, sweeteners and coffee. However if you are easily offended this may not be the book for you.
View on Amazon
Following the release of Skinny Bitch a new book came out Skinny Bitch In the Kitch . This book is filled with a variety of recipes for the girl (or guy) who wants to be a skinny bitch (or bastard). The recipes are all vegan and are easy yummy recipes for anyone- you can check out some of the sample recipes on the Skinny Bitch website.
Rory and Kim came up with some kick-ass recipes for every craving there is:
Bitchin’ Breakfasts
PMS (Pissy Mood Snacks)
Sassy Soups and Stews
Down Home Cookin’
Grown-Up Appetizers
Happy Endings (Desserts)
Lastly, my favorite SB book is Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven a “no-nonsense guide for pregnant gals”. This book is great for any pregnant mom to be and especially those who are vegan or vegetarian. For many vegan and vegetarian women there is a concern about eating properly during pregnancy and this book can help get you on the right track and give you great ideas. The book starts out much like the first SB book and then adds in things that are important for pregnant gals to know.
I received a copy of this book for review however I already own it myself so I am giving you a chance to win a copy of Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven. If you would like to win a copy of this book you can:
1. Leave me a comment letting me know why you’d like to win this book.
2. Tweet “I want to win SB Bun in the Oven @cookveganlover http://wp.me/ppaTI-vx”
Please enter to win by February 23, 2009 @ 8am
Blogger Disclaimer: Running Press provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
Vegan lip gloss is one of those beauty items that I think most vegans have a hard time finding. I don’t know how many times i’ve read the ingredients list on the label of a tube of gloss and see that the only non-vegan ingredient is bees wax. Well vegans do not fret there are some great vegan lip balms out there and Crazy Rumors is one of them.
Crazy Rumors kindly sent me a variety of the all natural vegan lip balms in a variety of flavors and even colors. You can choose from 6 different types of flavors: HibisKiss- Hibiscus Inspired Lip Colors, Fresh Squeezed- Citrus Inspired Lip Balms, A La Mode- Ice Cream Inspired Lip Balms, Gumball- Bubble Gum Inspired Lip Balms, Perk- Coffee Inspired Lip Balms, Brew- Tea Inspired Lip Balms, and Candy Cane- Peppermint Infused Lip Balms. Crazy Rumors sent me four of their different flavors:
HibisKiss - Breeze: I really loved this lip balm as it gave my lips a nice tint and moisture but wasn't as heavy as a lip stick.
Brewed- Peppermint Lemongrass: this one was my favorite! The flavor is incredible and kept my lips moist for long periods.
A La Mode- Orange Creamsicle: This wasn't my favorite flavor but my husband sure took to it fast- yes this lip balm is great for me as well as women!
Fresh Squeezed- Limeade: this was my second favorite and it was a really nice refreshing flavor.
Blogger Disclaimer: Crazy Rumors provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
My first impression of this book was that it seemed slightly morbid for a children’s book, however as I began to think about it there really is no easy way to explain to children why it is that we don’t eat animals. Although this book is slightly morbid for children it depicts accurate images of life for animals on factory farms, in the sea or in the rainforest in a way that children will understand. I think that the graphics are amazing in this book and that they are the closest thing to real photos of factory farms without actually having to show children such graphic pictures.
This book starts by introducing the idea that we are all Earthlings and explains what a Vegetarian and a Vegan is. The book is set up in a way that starts with the most familiar animals to the least familiar to children. The first section is about pets which is a great place to start because pets are the animals that children have the most exposure to whether in their own house or at friends/families. Following pets are farm animals from birds to pigs and cows. These pages explain what life is like for the animals when they are free to roam on their own and how life is dramatically different for farm animals when they are placed in factory farms. The last sections of the book are dedicated to ocean and rainforest life. Both of the animals and other living organisms are the least familiar to the average child that would be reading this book (at least in North America).
One of my favorite features of this book is the very last page that list ideas on what you can do to make a difference and learn more. I think that this was a great addition to the book as it gives children and parents ideas on what else to do after the book is done. I also have to add that this book is not only a great tool for teaching your kids why they are vegetarian or vegan but also to teach adults and others why it is important not to eat meat.
Overall this is a must have book for any vegetarian or vegan bookshelf.
Blogger Disclaimer: The publishing house provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
We had originally intended on having dinner at Pure Food and Wine for our Valentine’s Day dinner but after some time to think it over we decided that it’s a little too pricey for our budget right now. We were however on a mission to make our way to One Lucky Duck at the Chelsea Market . When I saw the Mallomar waiting in the cooler I made a bee-line to it. My husband also picked up one of their Valentine Truffles for me, it was good but not really worth the $3 for the tiny treat. However the $6 Mallomar was amazing and wish we had both got our own because it was that good.
The most delicious thing during our whole day in NYC the One Lucky Ducky Mallomar!
Five Star Foodies generously sent me a few samples of their products to try out. Five Star Foodies sent me their Artichoke Burgers, Gourmet Meat-less Grillers, Vegetarian Sloppy Joe and Tofu Egg Salad. They also have a few other products that I have yet to try which include Vegetarian Harvest Roast, Vegetarian Gourmet Gravy, Save a Chicken Salad and Ginger Cider & Hibiscus Cider.
I ate the egg salad with some crackers and veggies and it was amazing. Honestly one of the best tofu egg salad I have ever had. I honestly was a bit skeptical at first since it came frozen but it thawed out fine and had amazing flavor.
These were my absolute favorite of all the items. There is no need to have a bun around this burger rather top with with some sautéed onions and mushrooms and a little mustard. These are amazing!
This was delicious, topped some toasted whole wheat bread with this and it was delicious.
I also loved these and with only 100 calories they are great. I are these with a bun, mushrooms, onions and mustard, so good. These had a grilled taste without have to get the grill out.
Blogger Disclaimer: Five Star Foodies provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.
