Archive for the ‘Recently Reviewed’ Category
almond, Chocolate, Coconut Milk, Food, Frozen bars, frozen coconut milk, frozen dessert, non-dairy, organic, So Delicious, vegan
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on July 25, 2014 at 1:07 pm
During the hot summer, there’s nothing our family enjoys more than retiring to the garden after dinner for a frozen dessert. Well, if we’re talking about these frozen dessert bars it’s easy to make any excuse to take a cool break. And since they’re dairy-free, we can all indulge in this treat every now and again.
So Delicious Mini Coconut Almond Bars As soon as we spotted these dairy-free beauties in the freezer section, we grabbed them. On closer examination my daughter noticed the NON GMO and Certified Vegan product labels, and into our cart they went.
PRODUCT NOTES From the first bite, the taste and smell of coconut was unmistakable. No watered-down flavouring here. Simply top-quality frozen coconut milk generously dipped in a crunchy and delicious chocolate-almond coating. They reminded me of my earlier dairy-filled days in terms of flavour but easily top their fat-filled competitors and pack a mere 180 calories per bar. BOTTOM LINE These bars are keepers. An amazing organic, non-dairy treat like this really has no comparison. To be honest, we weren’t really sure we’d like frozen coconut milk but now that we know how good they really are we can’t wait to try other offerings by So Delicious.
Beauty, eyeliner, gluten-free, makeup, mineral, paraben-free, vegan
In Natural Beauty, Recently Reviewed on June 11, 2014 at 2:50 pm
There’s eyeliner and then there’s liquid eyeliner. Yes, this old standard certainly has staying power – real staying power – that’s the one of the reasons for its enduring popularity: It stays on! After all, who wants their eyeliner to melt away before the day is over?
Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner If you’ve never used liquid before, you need a steady hand to master the technique, which can vary from the thinnest of fine lines to the most dramatic cat’s eye look. Raven is Zuzu’s blackest of blacks, which is what I’m looking for when I buy black eyeliner. PRODUCT NOTES This eyeliner is mineral based, vegan, paraben and gluten-free – although who would have thought eyeliner would contain gluten? The brush can be a bit globby despite a fine tip that allows for both minimalist and maximum impact styles. Give it a shake and wipe down the tip quite a bit before applying or you may get more liner than you bargained for. Also, it’s not the fastest drying so if you’re rushing you might get a few unexpected smudges. BOTTOM LINE It’s not cheap, at about $18, but well within the price of similar products. Compared to other liquid eyeliners, it’s easy to remove with water-based makeup removers and it doesn’t leave those black under-eye circles – certainly a bonus. You could use oil-based makeup removers, as they are more efficient in dissolving makeup, but I tend to avoid them as they irritate my eyes.
Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.
Costco, countless benefits, Food, Health, healthy eating, Hemp, Mango Coconut, Natural product, organic, protein, protein bars, Shandiz Natural Foods, super foods, vegan
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on May 28, 2014 at 10:01 am
In case you’ve missed the news on the super foods front, hemp has long been touted for its amazing nutritive value and countless benefits. There are so many products available now — from the original hemp hearts, hemp cereals, hemp milks and many things more. If you’ve been reluctant to try hemp, here’s an easy entry into healthy eating.
True to Nature bars made by Shandiz Natural Foods.
My daughter was the first to spot these bars in the snack aisles at Costco. Since we love anything hemp in our household and we’re big eaters of organic granola bars — we snapped them up to try right away. PRODUCT NOTES It’s hard to believe that something that tastes this good can also be good for you and so rich in protein! With yummy flavours like Peanut & Peanut Butter; Mango Coconut; and Chocolate Banana – who can resist such decadence? BOTTOM LINE Words of warning: can’t stop eating these. Once you try them, you’ll be hooked, too.
Apple, apple chips, Food, Fruit, gluten-free, Natural product, nut free, Ontario, vegan
In Book Reviews, Recently Reviewed on January 24, 2014 at 5:16 pm
We love apples. I prefer them to be firm with lots of crunch. So if they’re a bit mushy, I’m likely to leave them for baking. Perhaps I’m biased, but Ontario grows some of the best apples I’ve ever eaten and although nothing beats fresh I think I’ve found a great off-season alternative in these apple chips.
Martin’s Crispy Apple Chips It’s been a while since I’ve bought apple chips. We discovered these ones over the holidays thanks to an extended family member.
PRODUCT NOTES Fantastically crisp and delicious. I love that they’re grown locally in Ontario with no sugar or preservatives added. Maybe that’s why they taste so good. They’ve even got some great recipe suggestions online if you find you have any left once the bag has been opened. BOTTOM LINE Even if you’ve never had apple chips before I’m pretty certain you’ll love these. Our bunnies really like them, too!
Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.
Beauty, Home, Natural product, paraben-free, SPF, sunscreen
In Natural Beauty, Recently Reviewed on December 4, 2013 at 11:28 am
With the first major snowfall this year already fallen and melted away (at least here in Toronto), we’re reminded of the breathtaking wonder and beauty of the season – not to mention how much more of it lies ahead! Breathtaking to be sure, as while we enjoy walking in a winter wonderland as much as anyone else, it’s the whipping winds we could do without! If you have sensitive skin like I do, then you know how our puffy, reddened faces suffer following these outdoor adventures.
Cliniderm Gentle Protective Lotion.
Believe me, you still need sunscreen in winter and here’s a family of products I can hardily recommend. The Gentle Protective Lotion with SPF 45 is one of my year-round staples but I have also used the protective hand cream and my daughter loves the soothing lotion – especially after a walk on a cold winter day. PRODUCT NOTES First and foremost, these products are free of parabens, dyes, perfumes, lanolin, formaldehyde and proteins. So there’s no scent to any of the lotions. The sunscreen is a bit thicker than most you’ve probably tried so it’s not to be used as a moisturizer. BOTTOM LINE Well priced and worth every penny. Now if only they were organic…
Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.
Cheese, Dairy, dairy-free, Daiya, Daiya Cream Cheese, Food, gluten-free, Gluten-free diet, Home, Lactose intolerance, organic, soy-free, vegan
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on November 20, 2013 at 11:08 am
Giving up dairy has been a journey in itself. At first, we went all organic and lately have tried to go entirely dairy-free. Sure we all love cheese in our family and didn’t think we could go without. Funny though, I thought I could still have a bit of cheese now and again – after all, I was the only one in our family who wasn’t lactose intolerant. And who can resist the occasional slice of pizza? Well I’ve been surprised to discover that dairy doesn’t agree with me now – after eating it, I suddenly suffer anything from congestion to stomach cramps, thank you very much.
Daiya Cream Cheese style spread. 
I’d heard about Daiya products from other vegans, so I when I saw this dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free cream cheese style spread, I thought why not give it a try? The chive and onion flavour is our favourite particularly on fresh bagels (yes, some old habits die hard). We tried the strawberry one but it got a definite thumbs down from my daughter for being too sweet. PRODUCT NOTES Looks and tastes like the real thing. Regular cream cheese eaters will be surprised how realistic it is. BOTTOM LINE Some fake cheese products have a funny aftertaste and people I know have complained about headaches after eating them. So limit your intake, and don’t go overboard. As my Grandfather used to say, “everything in moderation.”
Chickpea, Falafel, Food, Food and Related Products, gluten-free, Hummus, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, organic, Pita, Tahini, vegan, Vegetarian
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on October 3, 2013 at 10:51 am
While I’ve always enjoyed eating falafels, some friends have said that when they have falafel, they feel awful. Not so with these tasty little bites. So grab a pita or wrap and assemble your favorite salads, dips or stuffings together, and get ready to enjoy a lovely Mediterranean meal.
Sol Cuisine Organic Falafel
We’ve tried many different varieties of falafel over the years – from the mix your own kits to the pre-made variety. So far, these are the best we’ve found plus they’re organic. Perhaps it’s because they use organic ingredients they taste better! PRODUCT NOTES They look more like little pucks than veggie balls but have an authentic taste and include an organic tahini sauce – something you don’t see everyday. Having a bake option also means they’re far less greasy than the fried ones. BOTTOM LINE As a busy mom, I can’t stress how great it is to find quality organic foods you can keep in your freezer. It’s a wonderful convenience to be able to whip up a nutritious meal quickly and easily that you know your family will enjoy.
Baking, Cake, Chocolate, Confectionery, Cookies and Cream, Cream filled, Cupcake, Food, Lavendar, nut free, organic, Vanilla, vegan
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on September 16, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Sweets from the Earth has done it again by adding their own vegan offerings to the plethora of choices out there in the current cupcake rage. Beautifully decorated, these cupcakes could easily sit beside any bakery version but are ideal for anyone wishing to avoid nuts, dairy, eggs and all the other additives found in many mainstream baked goods.
Sweets from the Earth Nut Free Cupcakes The variety package of four caught my eye as I was perusing the dessert section in the freezer of my local health food store. PRODUCT NOTES Although the combinations vary each cupcake has distinctly different flavours: Lavender packs an unexpected lavender punch in the icing atop a chocolate cupcake (personally I prefer my lavender in soap but it was surprisingly good); Cookies ‘n’ Cream tasted more like mocha coffee but was delicious nonetheless; Cream Filled features a dense chocolate brownie-like cake with an equally lovely glaze; Vanilla was the plain Jane of the bunch but not without its merits. BOTTOM LINE Although a bit on the sweet side for my liking, they certainly are less sugary than confections you’ll find elsewhere and definitely made with higher quality organic ingredients. Definitely splurge and special-occasion worthy. Invent an excuse.
breakfast, cereal, chia seeds, Costco, Cranberry Vanilla, Food, Genetically modified organism, GMO, Hemp, hemp seeds, Natural product, Nature's Path, organic, Shopping, superfood, Vegetarian
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on July 9, 2013 at 1:02 pm
We’re big cereal eaters in our home and have come to enjoy many of the organic and non-GMO varieties that Nature’s Path makes. And anytime we see something new and organic at Costco, we’re quick to snap it up, as it’s often less expensive than at the health food store.
Qu’i Superfood – Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp cereal in Cranberry Vanilla by Nature’s Path $15.49, Costco. 
Hemp and chia seeds have already made their way into our home, as we continue to discover their many uses, so we were eager to see how this cereal measured up. PRODUCT NOTES As soon as you open the bag, a wonderful waft of vanilla greets your nose. The cereal itself is just as flavourful but you have to wait and let the seeds soak unless you want to crack a tooth. BOTTOM LINE My picky teenager absolutely loves it mixed with almond yogurt while I like to use it as a cereal topping since the recommended amount seems a tad skimpy to me for a proper breakfast on it’s own. But if you’re looking for quick convenience and are the type who rushes each morning in a mad dash to get out the door, you might find this cereal a bit hard to chew.
Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.
cancer, Food, Food study, Genetic engineering, Genetically modified food, Loblaws, organic, Shopping, Shortbread, tumors
In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on June 25, 2013 at 12:08 pm
There was an article from across the pond about a study on genetically modified (GM) foods that included horrifying photos of rats that got cancer tumors as a result. Not sure why we never saw the story over here but it only served to reaffirmed my resolve to continue avoiding these items and to encourage other people I care about to do the same.
But for those people who haven’t quite embraced a lifestyle that includes organic products, here’s an easy switch. Now I’m not an advocate for eating cookies every day, as easy as it would be to do but I have to admit my weakness for shortbread and other biscuits alike.
Walkers Organic Shortbread Fingers While this certainly isn’t a vegan or gluten-free snack, for those of us who occasionally indulge in a buttery treat, this traditional shortbread cookie is definitely splurge-worthy. They would also make a great gift. PRODUCT NOTES There’s little chance you would guess you were eating an organic biscuit if you didn’t see the packaging. These fingers are so like the original famous variety (perhaps even better), I challenge anyone to try serving them up for tea as I doubt anyone would even notice the difference. BOTTOM LINE With products this good, it’s easy to see how little steps can add up to bigger ones. Even your most skeptical guest will find these most palatable.
Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.
old sage hands 