Review

Coffee Review: La Bean and the Perfect Cup

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Today I finished the last of my La Bean Coffee, and it was a sad day as this was some great coffee.  I tired the Bali and the Dark Knight Blend (pictured below) both were great although I must say I preferred the Dark Knight Blend which is a rich dark blend.  

One of the great features on the La Bean website is how to brew the perfect cup which is easier than you might think.  I prefer to use a French Press over a drip as I find it has the best flavor, trust me switch from your old coffee maker to a french press and you’ll taste the different and love it.  Below is how La Bean suggests brewing their coffee to make the perfect cup:

“Brewing the perfect cup of coffee is not that difficult, in fact it is quite easy, it just requires the right ingredients and the right measurements.

Grind your coffee just before brewing and use filtered water.

We recommend using a French Press. It may seem like a hassle but we assure you it’s worth it. Use ½ cup of whole beans for a one liter press. Grind the entire ½ cup on a coarse setting. Use water that is just about to boil (never pour boiling water on coffee grinds) and steep for 4 minutes. Press and enjoy.

If you prepare your coffee in a Drip Coffee Maker, set the grinder to medium and use 2 large tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water.

If you use a cone filter (pour over) grind your coffee fine and use the same ratio of 2 large tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. ” Source

Click to View the La Bean Coffee Website

Blogger Disclosure: Cooking For A Vegan Lover received these products at no cost from the company for review.

Review: Green Smoothie Revolution

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In the past 2 years I have really gotten into the raw foods diet and although I do not practice it as much in the winter I still try to get in at least one raw meal a day (we live in VT and produce is not so great in the winter).  Somedays this means just keeping it simple and having a green smoothie usually for breakfast, sometimes at lunch.  The recipe book  Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko has been a great resource for making some delicious green smoothies as well as providing a ton of information about green smoothies in sections such as The Importance of Rotating Greens in Your Smoothies and Food Combining in Green Smoothies. 

Click to View on Amazon

 

The second part of this book features:

  • Tips and Tricks for Smoothie Preparatoin
  • Green Smoothies for Beginners
  • Supergreen Smoothies
  • Savory Green Smoothies and Soups
  • Green Smoothies for the Adventurous Souls
  • Green Puddings
  • Green Smoothies for children
  • Green Smoothies for Pets
  • Green Smoothies for Body Care

So far I have been mostly playing around with recipes from Green Smoothies for Beginners, Supergreen Smoothies and Green Smoothies for Children however I am interested in trying some green soups and puddings soon.  The great part about this book is the variety of recipes there are, 200 to be precise, that are all fun and different.   The recipes use a variety of greens to keep things interesting as well as a number of great fruit and veggie combinations.  My favorites (so far) have been the Medallion Melon which is simple cantaloupe and romaine- simple and delicious.  However, my absolute favorite and so far go to smoothie has been the Winter Green Smoothie which is berries, spinach, water and ginger- soooo good.  

Over all this is a great book for those interested in raw foods, green smoothies and healthy new ways to get greens into ones diet. 

Blogger Disclosure:  Cooking For A Vegan Lover received this book at no cost from the publishing house for review.

Cookbook Review: Vegan Fusion

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I have been doing some cooking from Vegan Fusion World Cuisine by Mark Reinfeld , who also wrote The 30 Minute Vegan and Bo Rinaldi.  This cookbook features recipes from the Blossoming Lotus Restaurants.  Recipes in this book are inspired by European, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. This cookbook features live recipes as well as cooked just like the Blossoming Lotus Restaurants.  Since I won’t be heading to Hawaii to visit Blossoming Lotus anytime soon I’m glad I can cook up their recipes at home.

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I made the Radical Roasted Red Pepper Hummus which was delicious.  I brought this to my work holiday potluck and served it up with some carrots and crackers.  We have been feasting on the leftovers at home with pretzels. My favorite recipe however is the Conquering Lion Cashew Cheez:

 

Product Review: FlaxMatters

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Lately I have been making a number of raw dishes using Milled Golden Flax from FlaxMatters, such as the raw onion crackers I made the other day using this great milled golden flax.  Flax meal (and seeds) are called for in many raw recipes and is great to keep on hand.  You can also use milled flax as an egg replacer in baking, however I would recommend only using it in breads, cookies and other baking items that have more of a granola taste or texture such as oatmeal cookies or banana bread. 

Lastly milled flax is great as an addition to smoothies, cereals and oatmeal.  I love to mix it in my favorite smoothie of chocolate hazelnut milk, banana and frozen Maine blueberries.  Also great mixed in oatmeal with almond butter, banana and stevia. FlaxMatters also sent a Blueberry Milled Golden Flax and this is great to add to baked goods, smoothies and oatmeals.  The blueberry isn’t overpowering but gives a great subtle flavor.

Product Review: Zico

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Zico has quickly become my beverage of choice for workouts and when I’m feeling hungry.  I first received this sampler pack of Zico Natural, Passion Fruit and Mango. I loved the Mango it has a great flavor and is so refreshing.  The Passion Fruit is my next favorite and is flavored with orange peel as well.  Lastly is Zico Natural not my favorite but is greatly refreshing.  

Since I quickly drank up all my samples I finally bought myself a case of the passion fruit flavored.  Now each day I get home and either jump on the elliptical or do some Wii-Fit plus and sip on it while I workout.  This drink is great sports drink and is not filled filled with all the sugar of the other sports drinks….you know the ones I”m talking about.   These are fat free and have no sugar added.

Cookbook Review: The New Vegan

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Brussels Sprouts and Udon Noodles in Miso Sauce

 

I have been testing out some recipes from The New Vegan by Lorna Sass who is also the author of The New Soy Cookbook.  This book is a great introduction to vegan recipes, the first chapter features how to stock your vegan pantry.  The best thing about this cookbook is that there is a photo to go with almost every recipe.  For those of who have been cooking for years pictures are not so important but being a new cook or new to vegan cuisine it is great to have a photo reference to go with a recipe. 

I made the Brussels Sprouts and Udon Noodles in Miso Sauce from the book and it was delicious.  I love that this book features recipes from various cuisines in a way that is approachable for anyone.  This book although called the “New Vegan” is great for any level of cook and anyone interested in veganism/vegetarianism. 

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Coffee Review: The Roasterie

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Click to go to The Roasterie website

 I was saddened this morning when I went to make my morning coffee and all of my Ethiopian Organic coffee from The Roasterie was all gone.  This quickly became my absolute favorite coffee of the moment and if you know me I try lots of coffees but nothing (so far) has compared to this one. The coffee has this great flavor that I have never tasted with any other bean, I think that it’s because of the way it is roasted and the quality of beans that are used. 

QUICK FACTS About The Roasterie:

 

  • The Roasterie imports only 100 percent Arabic Specialty Grade coffees from more than 25 different producing countries.
  • Each coffee bean purchased by The Roasterie has been picked by hand.
  • The Roasterie is a strong advocate for Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic, Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certifications and more.
  • The Roasterie supplied freshly roasted specialty coffee to an estimated one million customers in 2007.
  • The Roasterie has received more No. 1 ratings on CoffeeReview.com than any other roaster in the nation.