Packaged Food Reviews
In a perfect world we would all grow and make our own food because it'd be ultra healthy and eco-friendly. But since we don't always have the education, resources or time, so we reach out for convenient packaged food. Unfortunately many products are loaded with overly processed ingredients like salt, oil, sugar, additives and preservatives and are wrapped in unsustainable materials. Not to fear: Whitney is here to help you make wiser decisions by reviewing the cleanest and greenest companies on the market.
Polska Food’s Mushroom Cabbage Pierogi is Easy, Vegan Comfort Food
Product review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
For some, pierogies taste like childhood. Others look at it and think it's an oddly shaped ravioli. Then there are people who have never heard of pierogies. Whatever camp you find yourself in, Polska's Mushroom Cabbage Pierogi is pure comfort food. Filled with sauerkraut and cremini mushrooms, these Polish dumplings are flavorful, to say the least.
When Hunger Strikes, Reach for NudeFood’s Nutrient-Dense Bars and Breakfast Boosts
Product Review by EvG team member Lauren Stewart:
Everyone could use a healthy, raw snack they can feel good about. When hunger strikes on the go, it's nice to pull food out of your bag and quickly refuel without sacrificing quality ingredients and nutrition. That's where products like NudeFood are handy.
Quick, Easy, On the Go Breakfast: Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods’ Oatmeal
Product review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
Everyone knows it's important to eat a healthy breakfast, but sometimes our lives feel too busy to bother. For days when a green smoothie is just not realistic, there are always oatmeal cups. Full of fiber and vegan protein, Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods' oatmeal cups make it quick and easy to eat something satisfying all while using real ingredients.
Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods sent me four of their many flavors to try:
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ZEGO Bar: A Soy-Free and Protein-Packed Bar to Stash in Your Bag
Product review by EvG team member Lily Trahan:
I've grown up with many food sensitivities, the main one being sugar which tends to give me acne. So needles to say, food bars are not a big part of my diet. Most of them are just candy bars disguised as health food. I decided to give these give ZEGO bars a whirl because I figured that if any bars worked for my system, these would have to be it. In the end, I found myself pleasantly surprised on many levels.
Mix Up Snack Time With a Bag of CrispRoot Cassava Chips
Product review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
Chips are a food staple for many people and everyone has their preferences. Some people like their chips simple with salt while others favor zingy barbecue. Some prefer to deviate from the typical potato chip and go for sweet potato chips or carrots chips or even beet chips. Despite the vast array of chip options out there, I'd never heard of cassava chips, and considering that I love cassava I found this surprising. Similar to potatoes, carrots, and beets, cassava is a root vegetable and lends itself perfectly to a crispy chip. CrispRoot is a gluten-free company that boasts less fat and twice the fiber as traditional chips.
Is Seaweed the New Kale? Try Ocean’s Halo’s Seaweed Chips and Sea for Yourself
Product review by EvG team member Kelly O'Brien:
Four dads and a desire to feed their kids healthy, nutritious snacks has resulted in the salty, tasty goodness of Ocean's Halo Seaweed Chips! I've been snackin' on four fabulous flavors: Sea Salt, Chile Lime, Hot & Spicy, and Korean BBQ. What I love about this snack is that it is so versatile. What came to mind was tossing them in your child's lunchbox, a picnic to the beach, as a side for lunch, snack between meals and the list is endless (goes on). What we feed ourselves and our children truly matters and I raise my hat to these guys for all of their hard work creating this brand.
Kick Back with a Glass of Vegan Wine: A Review of Pizzolato Moscato
Product review by EvG team member Courtney Rasbach
I am not a fan of white wine. However, the La Cantina Pizzolato Moscato is amazing! It is made with 100% organically grown White Moscato grape, fermented with vegan-friendly yeasts, is Non-GMO project verified, and it tastes incredible. This is a perfect wine to serve to your guests at a dinner party or to pair with dessert. It also would go great with a bubble bath after a long day at the office.
Healthy, Organic Bars for On-The-Go by Taste of Nature
Product review by EvG team member Amanda Shea:
I am always on the look out for new healthy, great tasting bars, though as a gluten-free vegan, it can be difficult finding some that taste great. More often than not bars are full of preservatives and high in sugar. Thus, I was excited to hear learn about Taste of Nature, because all of their bars are vegan, gluten-free, and organic! Could I ask for more? Oh yeah, they're also made without additives, artificial flavors, or preservatives! Here's what I thought of them:
Beanfields: Delicious, Non-GMO, Healthy Alternative to Doritos
Product review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
There are some things we miss when going vegan, and then there are some things that we don’t realize we miss. At first I didn’t realize I missed Doritos, and then suddenly my appetite for cheese-flavored chips came rushing back. Fortunately in 2014 there truly is a plant-based option for virtually everything. And bonus: the product line I'm about to tell you about is also gluten-free, corn-free and non-GMO.
PASCHA: Organic, Fair-Trade, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate
Product review by EvG team member Amanda Shea:
I am somewhat of a chocolate aficionado. I love chocolate, so of course I was excited to review PASCHA. The entire line is free of the eight major food allergens: nuts, dairy, soy, eggs, fish, wheat, and gluten. All the chocolate this company produces is vegan, and bonus it's organic and fair trade. The prices of the bars are reasonable: for a full size 3.5 oz. chocolate bar it costs $5.00. Some people may think this is expensive compared to other brands but when it comes to chocolate you truly get what you pay for - the cheaper the chocolate, the more likely its been overly processed leaving out the richness of cacao.
Tofurky Artisan Sausages Make for Tasty and Satisfying Meals
Product review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
When I first received Tofurky’s Artisan Sausages in the mail, I knew immediately that I wanted to do something special with them. Why would I just eat them all on a bun when I could slice them up and put them on a pizza? Rather than treating them like the meal themselves, I set out to use them as an ingredient, just as I would with a sweet onion or bitter greens.