Review

Product Review: Perfected Foods Soy Jerky

14 Comments

And The Winners Are:

Jessie: “Yum, the Cajun flavor sounds awesome!”

Gina- “YUM! The Sweet BBQ sounds so good :D“

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"Perfected Foods strives not only to improve the quality of food, but improve the quality of life. Our Soy Jerky is all natural, cholesterol free, vegan, packed with protein and made right here in the United States." Source

Perfected Foods sent me a few samples of their vegan jerky to try. They sent me one of each of their flavors Mesquite, Hot Wing, Cajun, or Sweet Barbecue flavors. Although these products are all natural, cholesterol free and vegan I didn’t find them to be my favorite vegan jerky. They were really dry and tough to chew. I have to say I really like the creative flavors that they have. Now I am not a huge fan of jerky myself so others might like these more than I did. I am going to give 2 of you a chance to try Perfected Foods vegan jerky out for yourself.  This giveaway will end March 9, 2010 at 8am.

To Enter:

  1. Visit the Perfected Foods website and let me know which flavor you’d like to try.

Additional Entries:

  1. Follow Cooking For A Vegan Lover on Facebook (leave a comment)
  2. Follow cookveganlover on twitter (leave a comment)
  3. Tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover Perfected Foods Vegan Jerky http://wp.me/ppaTI-ug” (leave a comment)

You can also send a photo of yourself with a pack of Perfected Foods to info@perfectedfoods.com and they will post it on our site. ONE LUCKY PERSON A MONTH WILL WIN A FREE CASE OF SOY JERKY!!!!!

Disclaimer: Perfected 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.

New Restaurant: Mint

3 Comments

The hubz took me out for a spontaneous date night to the new vegetarian restaurant and tea lounge Mint in Waitsfield, VT. The small restaurant is all vegetarian and focus primarily on natural, organic whole foods and ingredients. They try to source all of their ingredients locally when possible and are 95% organic. The restaurant is quaint and has a really relaxing atmosphere. The food menu is small but has a number of really tasty sounding dishes. Although their food menu is small their tea list is extensive and is even broken down into types of teas such as dessert and evening teas. We opted for a glass of organic wine instead of tea but I’d like to try one of their teas on our next visit.

After spending awhile looking over the menu hubz and I finally decided on what we would order. I ordered the Sproutada:

Sproutada: toasted corn tortilla with brown rice, black turtle beans, chili sauce, soy mozzarella, topped with tahini dressed greens, snowpea sprouts, shredded carrots, fresh avocado and homemade salsa

and the Hubz ordered the Flavors of Mint Special:

Flavors of Mint Daily Special: roasted tempeh and asparagus over citrus braised greens and a peanut dipping sauce (their description was a little better but I forget what is actually said)

The food was delicious! Although the prices were slightly high you are paying for what you get which is not only delicious organic & local whole foods but a great experience. I also must say that although the plates looked small the food was filling and we left satisfied with our meal. We can’t wait to go back!

Also don’t forget to enter the Bodum French Press giveaway that ends March 5, 2010 at 8am.

Review: Chocolate Inspirations

6 Comments

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.

Giveaway & Recipe: Coconut Red Curry Peanut Stir Fry

63 Comments

Coconut Red Curry Peanut Stir Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup firm tofu, diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 5 cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1.5 cups frozen edamame
  • 1T coconut oil
  • 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:

  1. In a wok over medium high heat melt the coconut oil and coconut peanut butter together.
  2. Add in the red curry paste and stir fry together for about a minute.
  3. Add in all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the peanuts and cook for 7-10minutes until the vegetables are soft.
  4. 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.

Additional Chances to Enter

  1. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions email Sales Newsletter here:http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/subscribe_for_special_sales.cfm(Leave me a comment saying you did)
  2. 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)
  3. Follow me @cookveganlover on twitter (Leave a comment saying you did)
  4. 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.

Giveaway Winner is:

hihorosie // February 24, 2010 at 6:32 PM | Reply (edit)

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!

Review: Caffe Ibis

1 Comment

 

Click to Visit Caffe Ibis Website

Caffe Ibis, located in Logan Utah, was great and sent me four samples of their organic coffees. The four coffees I tried were:
1. Organic Mayan Sunrise Blend- I really loved this coffee it was a great morning coffee that is a blend of dark and light roasts.
2. Organic Aztec Blend- what I loved about this coffee was that it is smooth, sweet and spicy.
3. Organic French Roast Blend- this coffee is rich caramelly, and smooth.
4. Organic Highland Sumatra Dark- This is my absolute favorite of the 4- it is a light french roast that is full bodied and has light acidity.

I drink a lot of coffee and I loved these coffees. The other thing that influences my coffee purchases are the companies ethical practices. Caffee Ibis has great ethical practices that are both socially and environmentally responsible:

Caffe Ibis Mission

“Our mission for thirty years has been to be “unbeatable for quality and freshness, while supporting social and environmental responsibility.” Caffe Ibis endeavors to:

1. Provide customers with mountain grown and mountain roasted specialty arabica coffee with unbeatable quality and freshness.
2. Provide due respect and fair compensation for the people whose labor brings us our exceptional organic coffees.
3. Respect and safeguard the environment that provides the extraordinary growing conditions true specialty organic coffee requires
4. Utilize buying practices that support shade grown and organic coffee, a sustainable coffee future, and social and environmental responsibility.
5. Honor and respect our partners in this endeavor, and the employees and customers of Caffe Ibis Coffee.

We believe that by adhering to the above principles that we will show returns that justify the costs incurred in presenting our goods and services along with the additional costs of future growth.” Source

To find out where you can get yourself Caffe Ibis Coffee you can visit their website or you can order direct from their website. 

Disclaimer: Caffe Ibis 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.

Giveaway & Review: Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

56 Comments

 

 The winner is Averie from Love Veggies and Yoga!  

Congrats! 

Tropical Traditions sent me a jar of their Virgin Coconut Oil to sample- it is also organic.  What is great about the gold label brand is that it is made by hand unlike other coconut oils. I love coconut oil and this stuff is great.  I use coconut oil to make a number of raw dishes – my favorite way to use it is in raw macaroons.  I also love to use it in stir fries instead of peanut or canola oil because it gives the stir fry a really great flavor.  Yesterday I actually heated it up and sprinkled it on my kabocha squash before I roasted it and it was delicious.  

Tropical Traditions Giveaway- Please Enter by 8am on January 31, 2010

To win your own jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil 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. 

Additional Chances to Enter

  1. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions email Sales Newsletter here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/subscribe_for_special_sales.cfm (Leave me a comment saying you did)
  2. Tweet about this giveaway – “I want to win @Troptraditions Coconut Oil from @cookveganlover http://wp.me/ppaTI-sA” (Leave me a comment saying you did)
  3. Follow me @cookveganlover on twitter (Leave a comment saying you did)
  4. Visit Tropical Traditions Free Coconut Recipe website http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/ and leave a comment telling me what your favorite recipe is.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h6eycjf29M&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Referral Program:

Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5611571. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.

Here are some easy to use directions for your referrals:
1. Add the items you would like to purchase from the order form linked to Tropical Traditions. Visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm

2. You’ll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website. You do not have to be a member or purchase a membership to buy from Tropical Traditions. Membership in the Healthy Buyers Club allows you to purchase in bulk amount at club member discounts if you choose to join. If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club please order under the heading “Retail Sale Items”. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.
3. Select the items you would like to purchase.
4. When you are ready to check out please click on the “Continue” link which will take you to your shopping cart.
5. Review your order and then click on the “Check Out” button from your shopping cart.
6. Fill in your account information as directed. In the box: “How did you hear of us?” you must select: “Referred by a friend” on the drop down arrow. When you make this selection, a box for your sponsor’s User ID number should appear if you are a first time customer.
7. Enter your sponsor’s User ID number 5611571.
8. To complete your order click on “Save and Proceed to Checkout” at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions through the checkout process. You will receive an order number when you have successfully placed your order.
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.

Review & Giveaway: Theo Chocolate

26 Comments

The winner is:tanyaviola “We always have chocolate in our household! My husband has a small piece everyday and I have one about every 3 days…I must eat up my one lone vegan chocolate bar very slowly. So it’d be great to get more chocolate :)”

p.s. i used random.org to pick my winner

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 I know I have been M.I.A. for the past few days with my blogging and I apologize. I spent all yesterday afternoon working on soup recipes for my upcoming interview at the Cafe at my husbands work. I am lucky that my husband has the weekly menus for the cafe so I can see what sorts of things they make- mostly soups, salads, sandwiches and then “entree” sort of dish. Anyways I have been super busy with that- but now back to what this post is all about and that is CHOCOLATE!

Theo Chocolate sent me some of their bars a little while back and I have slowly been trying all of them (except one). They make really great dark chocolate bars and my hubby and I like treating ourselves once and awhile with a small piece (or 2) of dark chocolate and this hits the spot. Theo’s entire “Classic Combination Bars” (with the exception of one) are all VEGAN/DAIRY-FREE (except for the milk chocolate bar) AND SOY-FREE.

Click to View Theo Chocolate Website

 

Now I know how much you all like chocolate and so I saved my last bar to share with you. If you would like a chance to win this bar then please leave a comment by January 25th at 8am. 

For a second chance to win tweet about this giveaway directing it @cookveganlover AND remember to post another comment letting me know you tweeted.

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