Review

Doi Chaang Coffee

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I was recently given the opportunity to try coffee from the Doi Chaang Coffee Company out of Vancouver British Columbia. This is a very unique company as it is the grower, roaster and marketer of the coffee.

“Doi Chaang Coffee produced by the hillside Akha tribe of Northern Thailand in Doi Chaang is Certified Organic, high altitude and shade grown, hand picked, fresh-water washed, sun dried and in all aspects cultivated with the sustainable farming practices of the 900 family co-operative that owns the coffee growing and processing operations. It is we believe, the only coffee (from anywhere) that from grower to seller is the same entity.”

 

This coffee has received great reviews and on the 100-point review (much like those in the wine and beer industry) conducted by Kenneth Davids it received 90 points on the Medium roast and 93 points on the Peaberry roast. 

 

I received the Single-Origin Signature and the Single-Origin Peaberry roasts.  I have at this time only tried the Peaberry roast and I found that it was amazing.  I was really impressed with the earthy flavor.  I am looking forward to sampling the Signature roast as well. 

Currently the best way to get your hands on this great coffee is to purchase directly through the Doi Chaang website.  However you can find it in select shops in LA & Ojai CA, as well as in various provinces in Canada.  Where to Buy & Online Shop

Nutridel Cookies

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I recently had the opportunity to try Nutridel Gourmet Cookies, which were delicious. Nutridel which was created by combining Nutritious and Delicious has created cookies that are just that. These cookies are cholesterol free, have zero trans-fat, are loaded with fiber and antioxidants, have no refined sugars and are filled with omega 3’s.  Now here is a healthy cookie that you don’t have to feel bad about eating. 

1There are four types of cookies that you can try: Oatmeal, Almond, Flaxseed and Pecan.  I tired the Oatmeal and Almond both of which were delicious.  They are thin crispy cookies with a light sweetness. I really enjoyed both of the cookies but the oatmeal was both my and my husbands favorite. 

You can check out the website for retail locations near you or order online.

Review: Xan Confections

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Xan Confections was kind enough to send me some wonderful chocolate treats from their Jewels Collection and Saintly Sins. I was delighted when I opened the box to these fancy chocolates – the kind you see in chocolatier shops but are never vegan.

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The Jewel Collection  includes 5 non-dairy, gluten free caramels and are delicious. The flavors include Coconut Pecan Caramel, Espresso Almond, Butterscotch Caramel, Ancho Chili Caramel and Chocolate Caramel; all of which are delicious. I have to say my favorite was the Anch Chili Caramel though it has as nice spice that hits the back of your throat.

55The Saintly Sin Collection  are chocolates that have only 29 calories, 1 gram of fat and 5 grams of carbohydrates per piece and are diabetic friendly, gluten free and vegan friendly. How can you not love a piece of chocolate that is only 29 calories and comes in Raspberry Sin, Strawberry Sin and Pineapple sin? I have to strawberry was my favorite and my husband and I didn’t feel bad about sharing all 3 of them in one sitting.

Now you can just jump online and order these delicious treats and don’t forget to check out their Ladybug Truffles, Signature Collection and BigMouth Collections as well. Oh yeah and if you are lucky enough to live in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Michigan or Nevada check out the Xan Confections  site for the retail locations near you.

Review: Ooba

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This sparkling hibiscus drink is full of vitamin c and has a great sweet flavor – not flowery like you’d expect from hibiscus.  There are 6 different flavors of Ooba: Hibiscus and Hibiscus with the following- Lime, Orange, Vanilla, Pineapple and Blackberry.  I tired the original, lime and orange.  Although they are all great, I really enjoyed the lime.  The flavor was sweet but not too sweet like sugary fruit juices (also there is not high fructose corn-syrup or artificial sweeteners).  This drink is actually very refreshing and although I wouldn’t have it every day it was a great replacement for my normal afternoon coffee and actually gave me a lot more energy and didn’t have the 5pm caffeine crash.  

 

I’d really like to try the other flavors, especially the vanilla it sounds very intriguing.  So check out the Ooba sight for more info and check out their adult beverage recipes (I think I might have to try the Ooba Margarita sounds so good.)

Vegan Mofo #7: Chili & Food Should Taste Good Review

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I have been enjoying a variety of Food Should Taste Good Chips and am loving them.   First, Food Should Taste Good has some of my favorite packaging it is simple, clean and  yet eye catching.   Food Should Taste Good makes a great variety of tortilla chips that are all natural, gluten free and lactose free, and GMO free.  Once you have picked up a bag of these flip it over and you will see that there are very few ingredients and all of the ingredients are very common and all natural.  I haven’t tried all of them yet but I have tired Multigrain, The Works!, Sweet Potato, Potato & Chive and Cinnamon all of which are delicious and I am sure the other 6 I have yet to try are just as tasty.  

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Great Pairings:

Mutligran and The Works! go great with savory salsas 

Potato & Chive is yummy with a nice french onion or ranch dip 

Cinnamon would go great with a fruit salsa 

Lastly the Sweet Potato is my favorite and goes amazing with chili, it is a great balance of sweet with a spicy chili.  My favorite chili recipe to go with these chips is:

Ingredients:

  • 1T canola oil
  • 1 Large yellow Onion, diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 T of ground cumin
  • 1 T paprika
  • 1 T Chipotle Chili Powder 
  • 1T Goya Adobo
  • 1T nutritional yeast
  • 1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can of brown lentils, drained and rinsed
  • 1T Pure VT Maple Syrup (inspired by Happy Herbivore)
  • 1T Chalulua Hot Sauce
  • 1/2 cup frozen organic sweet corn
  • salt and pepper to taste

In a heavy bottom pot heat the canola oil on high and add the onions and garlic, sautee for a minute, then turn down to med high and sautee until onions are translucent.  Add the spices (cumin-nutritional yeast) and stir together and cook for 1 min.  Add the tomatoes, beans and lentils and maple syrup.  Stir well and cook on medium for 10 minutes.  Add the hot sauce and corn and cook until heated through.  

This makes a very thick chili so if you like yours thinner then add a little vegetable broth.

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Also checkout this great Zen Soy giveaway contest here http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/soy-i-giveaway-magical-froyo-biscotti/

VEGAN MOFO #5: Product Review: Fruitabu Smooshed Fruit Twirls

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Organic Smooshed Fruit

Organic Smooshed Fruit

First off, I will introduce myself to those who may not be familiar with me.  I am the “lover” from “Cooking for a Vegan Lover, often referred to as the hubby or hubz.  I’ve decided to help by lending a hand in writing reviews for products or restaurants for the blog.  I may even write a summary of what we’ve cooked for the night on those rare occasions that I am the one cooking dinner.

I was always a huge fan of fruit roll ups, fruit by the foot and that “fruit leather” when I was younger.  So, it’s fitting that my first post to this incarnation of Cooking for a Vegan Lover is a review of FruitaBu’s Organic Smooshed Fruit Fruit Twirls.

Fruitabu was kind enough to send us coupons for two free boxes of their products.  I decided to go with the Strawberry fruit twirls to pack in my lunch or bring on our trips with us as snacks.  The fruit twirls had a great taste.  They weren’t too sweet and tasted like real fruit.  The consistency was just what you’d expect for a “smooshed fruit” snack.  It was soft and chewy and did not stick to your teeth like those chewy, plasticy “fruit flavoured” snacks that I enjoyed as a kid.

I am also still a kid at heart, so I definitely enjoyed eating the snack bite by bite as I unrolled it.

Having never had these before, I can definitely say that I will be buying them in the future to bring on my lunches or for hikes.  These are a much healthier alternative as they have no added sugar, contain 1 whole serving of fruit and have just 80 calories.

Check our their website for more information on their products including nutriotional information and information on the company.

http://fruitabu.com/

Vegan Mofo #4: Review- Gnu Bars

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I tried Gnu Bars for the first time and they are good.  Now you can’t go in expecting your standard granola or cereal bar but rather it is a heath bar.  It is filled with fiber which we all know is great for us and is what I like most about these bars.  There are so many different flavors for anyone to enjoy such as peanut butter, espresso chip, cinnamon raisin, lemon ginger, orange cranberry, banana walnut and chocolate brownie.  My favorite is the peanut butter because well it taste the best.