Review

Feature- The Vegan Girls Guide To Life

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Melisser Elliott is the author of the upcoming book “The Vegan Girl’s Guide to Life”, as well as the blogger behind award-winning blog, The Urban Housewife, beauty blog Cruelty Free Face, and the founder of Sugar Beat Sweets bakery in San Francisco, CA. When not at the keyboard, she participates in animal activism, vegan outreach, &
spends time with her husband Ryan, & rescued friends Strummer, Beamish, & Scurvy. She currently resides in Vienna, Austria.

Inspiration behind the book:
I wanted to write a vegan lifestyle book from a female vegan’s
perspective, although it’s certainly not only for a book for women. The book includes not just about the food we eat, but the other things people forget about or may not know about veganism. I wanted to reduce the learning curve for new vegans by showing them how easy it can be, while appealing to current vegans with new recipes and fun crafts. It’s an easy read, but informative, nonetheless.

Q: Who is your target audience? I know that it is the “vegan girls guide” but do you think it applies to men as well?

Melisser: I consider it a lifestyle guide for the vegan curious, as well as current vegans. The book was written from a female’s perspective, but men can utilize it as well. They may find the beauty section less useful though!

In your book you ask many of your featured bloggers questions such as:

Q: What is your funniest vegan moment?

Melisser: It’s hard to pinpoint one, there’s been lots of silly misunderstandings and unbelievable questions I’ve been asked!

Q: What is your favorite accidental vegan food?

Melisser: Hungarian Baumkuchen from Naschmarkt in Vienna!

Q: What do you say to vegan haters?

Melisser: It depends on the situation, but I love to throw out facts to prove them wrong or make them think. Sometimes it’s better to just make a joke back to them, being a hater back is rarely effective.

Q: What is the one thing that you want you readers to get out of this book?

Melisser: Anyone can be vegan, it’s not a lifestyle for a certain type of person, gender, race, or orientation. With a bit of research and strong convictions, you can make the important decision to lead a vegan lifestyle.

Q:I know you are on a big book tour right now where else will you be stopping?

Melisser: I’m in the UK now doing talks in London, but in January I’ll be in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland- dates coming soon!

My Take: I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I received this book for review all I knew was that it as written by Melisser Elliot a very well known blogger (and blog I follow) and had something to do with being vegan (obviously). I finally sat down and started into the book and this is what I came to find:

  • I found a lot of information that I already knew– being a 4 year vegan and a holistic health counselor and a lot of the information regarding food and nutrition I already knew. The information regarding animal welfare, factory farming, ect was all information I am already very informed about.
  • Interviews: There were interviews with bloggers and vegan company owners.  I really loved these because it gave me an opportunity to learn more about the bloggers behind the blogs I read and about the business entrepreneurs of stores that I already shop from, as well as about new bloggers and new places to shop.
  • Besides the beauty info this book is not just for girls. Yes this is The Vegan Girls Guide to Life and is written through the perspective of a girl but the information is really good for anyone male or female- however some men may find that the information about beauty supplies does not apply to them; however if you are like my husband you might take interest anyway.
  • A few recipes. This book was not meant to be a recipe book and you can tell by the lack of vegan recipes, however there are a few and they all sound really yummy.

Overall I think that this is a very well done book and is perfect for those who are vegan curious or  a new vegan.  If you have been around the vegan block a few times on a whole this book probably won’t hold your interest for very long; however don’t be too quick to dismiss it because the recipes, blogger features and vegan store/shopping info is worth reading.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy of this book for  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 or add this to my OpenSky shop in return for a discount on this product.

Grassroots Granookies

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I recently received two flavors of Grassroot Granookies to review, the Apricot Cinnamon and the chocolate chips. Grassroot Granookies are a tasty blend of cookies and granola bars.

They are a good balance of the two as they are chewy and crispy and pack a lot of flavor!  I ate the Granookies on their own and broke them up and put them in my vegan yogurt.  They are delicious, sweet but not too sweet and the chocolate chip Granookies went great with my vanilla soygurt parfait.

These are great alternatives to mainstream granola bars and cookies as they are fun, healthy and convenient.  They are a great source for fiber, complete proteins, amino acids and more!  To top it all off, they are dairy free, soy free and nut free as well which is great for those with food allergies or sensitivities.

Now it is your chance to win your own sample of Grassroot Granookies!  Entries will be accepted until October 12th at 8pm.  To enter you can do any (or all) of these: Please leave individual comments for each entry.

  1. Tell me what inventive way you will enjoy your sample of Granookies.
  2. Become a fan of Granookies on Facebook
  3. Become a fan of Cook.Vegan.Lover. on Facebook
  4. Follow Cook.Vegan.Lover. on twitter
  5. Subscribe to my newsletter

The Winner is JENNA

Ayala’s Herbal Water

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Ayala’s Herbal Water recently sent me samples of their Herbal Water, a water that has been infused with organic herbs to create a wonderfully tasty water. The flavors are different than most flavored waters and taste great. At first I as as bit apprehensive and expecting this water to taste like all the other flavored waters that I have tried, which is basically like an empty juice bottle was filled with water. This product was nothing like that, the flavor was strong but not over powering. It also was extremely refreshing.

The flavors hubz and I tried were:

  • lemongrass mint vanilla
    • My husband described this perfectly “it taste like your drinking a fresh roll” and it did – the flavor was fresh and cooling and we both loved it.
  • lavender mint
    • at first I didn’t know what to expect with this considering lavender is not something I generally eat or drink but the flavor with the mint was really nice
  • ginger lemon peel
    • this was one of my favorites it almost reminded me of a iced ginger tea it was delicious
  • cinnamon orange peel
    • another favorite of mine (who am I kidding I pretty much loved all of them) this one was different than the other because the cinnamon actually had more of a savory warming taste
  • cloves cardamom cinnamon
    • this was similar to the cinnamon orange peel in that the flavors were warming and reminded me of the fall
  • lemon verbena geranium
    • I liked this one but it was the only one that I didn’t love. I think it was the geranium flavor it was a bit too much floral tasting for me.

Overall these were a hit at my house.  After one bottle my husband was asking where we could buy more because he loved it.  This is my new favorite go to drink when I’m looking for something refreshing that isn’t just plain water.

All of the flavors are now available in my OpenSky shop hope you enjoy them!

“At Herbal Water™, we make our beverages by infusing organic culinary herbs in pure water. We use no artificial sweeteners, no preservatives, and no additives of any kind. Culinary herbs have been prized for centuries, for their calming, stimulating and aphrodisiac qualities, and are the natural way to flavor and enhance any food or drink. You’ll find Ayala’s Herbal Water a delightfully refreshing, mellow yet complex aromatic drink that’s 100% good for you!™. Enjoy our taste of the garden, with fresh spring breezes in every sip.”source

Disclaimer: Alaya’s Herbal Water 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.

On The Rise and an Earthlust Giveaway

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Hubby was running late at work tonight and since we were starving we decided to go to On The Rise in Richmond VT (finally).  We have wanted to try it forever but have never seemed to be able to make it there.  The menu is so vegan friendly there is even a vegan pizza! We ordered a small vegan pizza, a deluxe salad with marinated tofu, and a chocolate macaroon.  The food was delicious, fresh and amazing.

Now onto the giveaway: Earthlust sent me one of their stainless steel water bottles and guess what the sent me an extra one just for one of you lucky readers. EarthLust bottles are hand made from high quality #304 (18/8) food grade stainless steel, which is naturally safe unlined. They use non-toxic paints and BPA-free safe polypropylene #5 caps. I received one of the 13oz bottles and it is the perfect size to take every where with me.  I am thinking about investing in a 1L bottle for trips and such but the smaller bottle is great for everyday use.  I also love that they are unlined, unlike Sigg bottles which have a weird lining and make your water taste funny. Additionally, their bottles have some really great designs. So now it’s your chance to win this bottle (see below) isn’t it so cute?

Disclaimer: Earthlust 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 to Enter: Please leave individual comments for each entry. Entries will be accepted until April 17th at 8am.

  1. Visit the Earthlust website and tell which bottle is your favorite. (Leave me a comment)
  2. Follow me on Twitter (Leave me a comment)
  3. Tweet about this giveaway (Leave me a comment)
  4. Become a fan on Facebook (Leave me a comment)
  5. Follow my blog in a reader (Leave me a comment)
  6. Blog about this giveaway (Leave me a comment)

Product Review: Pirate’s Booty

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Ahoy! As as kid I remember I always wanted those electric orange cheese puffs, you know the ones that were horrible and looked radioactive? Well as an adult I have come to realize that things that are florescent colors are probably not that great for you, okay they are horrible for you. No don’t fret there is an alternative to those nasty finger staining “cheese” puffs because Pirates Brand has come out with a variety of yummy snacks that are all-natural and low calorie.

Pirates Brand sent me a bunch of their Booty and some Tings to try and I was pumped when I saw the Barbeque however to my disappointment I read the ingredients and saw that honey was listed, boo! They also sent me some of the Aged White Cheddar Pirate’s Booty, which I can tell you was  a favorite of mine when I was a vegetarian but of course they are not vegan so I gave them to my parents who loved them.  As for the other two flavors that were vegan:  Pirate’s Booty Veggie and Original Tings I loved them both.   Now with the veggie booty how can you NOT love it? It’s green which is fun and is crafted from puffed rice, corn and a medley of veggies including spinach, kale, carrots and parsley.   Lastly there are the Tings which are crunchy, salty and the perfect snack to munch on.

Now for those of you who didn’t know Pirates Brand has a bunch of new flavors (since I last checked there site like a year ago) which I am really excited about. As for vegan treats they have:

  • Pirate’s Booty- Veggie
  • Potato Flyers- Original
  • Potato Flyers- Homestyle Barbeque (I wish they had sent these I heart BBQ)
  • Original Tings

What is your favorite product from Pirates Brand?

Disclaimer: Pirates Brand 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.

Product Review & Giveaway: Namaste Foods

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The winner is: Ashlei

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Namaste Foods small manufacturer of fine foods that contain no wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy, casein or nuts. Most gluten free products can be pretty expensive however Namaste Foods has created a number of meals and mixes that are GF and inexpensive.  Their products include mixes for muffins, waffles & pancakes, flour mixes, cookies, cakes & desserts, pastas, bread & pizzas.  As you can see there are a number of great products for anyone who is looking for GF products.

Namaste Foods sent me a sample package of their Pasta Pisavera Pasta Meal to try. This product is easy to make in ready in about 15 minutes. Just boil this veggie brown rice pasta, drain, and add the delicious Italian Seasoning packet to make 4 side portions.  I decided that I wanted to make 4 entree portions from this so that we could have dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day.  I added steamed cauliflower, black beans, onions, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts to make it a hearty meal.

Namaste Foods has decided to give you all a chance to try their products.  You can enter to win a “Namaste Tote with perhaps a pasta mix and a Pizza crust which may be better for the vegan diet, along with a Living Without magazine, recipe cards, coupons and assorted goodies!”  If you would like to enter please visit the Namaste Foods Website and let me know which product you are interested in trying. Please enter by March 22nd at 8am.  (Sorry this is open to US residence only.)

For Additional Chances to win:

1. Follow me on twitter @cookveganlover (come back and leave a separate comment)

2. Tweet “I want to win the Namaste Foods Giveaway @cookveganlover http://wp.me/pFVWo-zk” (come back and leave a separate comment)

Disclaimer: Namaste Foods 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.

Product Review: HURRAW! Lip Balm

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I recently posted a review for Crazy Rumors vegan lip balm.  I have found another great vegan lip balm, HURRAW! a great all natural, vegan  and made from premium raw and fair trade ingredients.  One thing that I love about this lip balm is the shape, it’s oval versus round which helps to coat the lips better.  I loved the Cinnamon Tinted Lip Balm; it was a great flavor and gave my lips a nice pink tint. My hubby loved the Vanilla Bean Lip Balm and he was also a big fan of this stuff. It’s great to find not only a vegan but also raw lip balm. I would definitely recommend these to any raw foodist or vegan looking for a new lip balm.

Disclaimer: HURRAW! 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.