© OLD SAGE HANDS

Posts Tagged ‘organic’

, , , , , , , , ,

This Cookie Crumbles – And Melts in Your Mouth

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.

walkersWalkers 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.

, , , , , , , , , ,

Veggie Ground to Keep Around

In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on June 18, 2013 at 10:32 am

I’ve finally found an organic ground beef substitute! When I stumbled upon this non-GMO-verified version from Sol Cuisine, I couldn’t wait to try it in my usual recipes such pasta sauces, stir fry’s and Sheppard’s Pie.

Sol Cuisine Organic Veggie Crumbles, $4.99, Loblaws . vegground

We eat a lot of soy products, so I try to find organic ones wherever possible since I discovered that soy is one of the most genetically modified (GMO) foods out there. This ground is also vegan and gluten free. PRODUCT NOTES Looks and tastes as good, if not better, as the other veggie grounds we’ve used in the past. My family devoured the spaghetti sauce I made. Not even a speck of it was leftover for lunches the next day. BOTTOM LINE Lately, I haven’t been able to find this product in my regular supermarket although I noticed they do carry other Sol Cuisine products. I’ll have to shop around, as it’s too good to pass up. More importantly, we don’t want the GMOs that you get in regular soy products or other foods for that matter.

, , , , , , , , , ,

Another Day, Another Dessert

In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on June 4, 2013 at 10:01 am

cookiesIf you’ve ever eaten any desserts from Sweets from the Earth, you know how rich and delicious they are. So you can imagine how excited I was to see frozen cookie dough in the freezer section of my local health food store. In our shopping flurry, I grabbed the gluten-free chocolate chip dough and later lamented it wasn’t nut free. We checked their website though and noticed they offer both types – too bad they don’t make a dough that is both gluten and nut free. Plus there are other varieties – so we’ll just have to soldier on and try them all!

Sweets from the Earth Gourmet Cookie Dough, $5.99, Qi.

doughIt’s amazing to finally find products that include quality organic ingredients just like you would use at home. Why did it take so long? PRODUCT NOTES The dough looks and performs as well as any frozen cookie dough you might have used in the past but is certified vegan. The only thing we didn’t like is that it didn’t include a suggested yield – we made 24 mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies. And they certainly didn’t last long. BOTTOM LINE Stock your freezer! You never know when you’ll be in the mood for some freshly baked cookies. Bonus: If you’ve got kids, they’ll need no coaxing at all to whip up this quick treat without using every bowl, measure and utensil in the house.

, , , , , , ,

Lemon Zinger Leaves Sour Note

In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on May 9, 2013 at 11:07 am

As you might have noticed, I’m always interested in trying out new products particularly if they are organic. Some of the places where I shop know this too, so staff will even make the effort to point out recent arrivals. This was one of them.

chutneyDown To Earth Organic Lemon Chilli Chutney , $4.49, Sanko.

Indian food has become a staple in our family and thus we’re keen to find authentic additions to our menus. PRODUCT NOTES Now I like lemon but this is way too lemony even for me and there’s very little chili flavour. BOTTOM LINE Doubt I’ll get this one again unless I find a really good use for it because used on its own as a relish or chutney, we didn’t really enjoy it. Perhaps I’ll try mixing it into a sauce, dressing or marinade.

, , , , , , , , , ,

Ritzy Rice Salad

In Food, Glorious Food on April 19, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Easy rice and quinoa salad

Easy rice and quinoa salad

If you don’t already own one – buy a rice cooker! It will make your life so much easier, unless of course you like watching and waiting for water to boil. TIP: Always wash or rinse rice before cooking to remove less than pristine grains and starch. Rice requires equal parts water to rice but quinoa and basmati rice usually need more (half a cup extra water for every cup rice). This quick and easy salad uses whatever items you have on hand. If you have more time, by all means julienne or fancy cut your vegetables and make your own salad dressing.

Ingredients
2 cups                        truRoots Sprouted Rice & Quinoa blend
1 can (19 oz)            chickpeas
2                                 organic green onions
1                                 organic carrot
1                                 organic yellow pepper
Culinary Treasures Lemon Ginger Sesame dressing (optional)

Method
Wash rice and cook according to instructions or use rice cooker adding 5 cups water. Meanwhile rinse chickpeas, dice or julienne vegetables and place in large mixing bowl. Once rice is cooked, cool 5 minutes and fluff. Place in mixing bowl and combine with vegetables. Add salad dressing to taste. Serve warm or cold.