VEGGIE BITS
Earth-Friendly Wipes
The idea of disposable wipes has always been appealing, but I've stayed away due to the obvious waste factor. But Pacifica's Underarm Deodorant Wipes are biodegradable, and it turns out that they are my new favorite product that I never knew I needed. The thin, flexible pack of 30 premoistened towelettes fits nicely into a purse, backpack, or glove box and does not disappoint with it's odor-nutrilizing abilities. You can use it as your morning deodorant, or take with you for a mid-day freshen-up when showering is not an option. This summer, I used them while camping, after yoga, and after a stuffy, hot bus ride and instantly felt good as new. These wipes do not include any animal ingredients or harmful parabens or dyes. The subtle coconut smell is gender-neutral and dissipates quickly without leaving any residue on your clothing or skin. You'll just feel fresh and clean. You can find Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes at Target, Ulta, and at www.pacificabeauty.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler
Crabless Cakes
The Vegetarian Journal is based in Baltimore, which means that we can't go around recommending just any old crabless cake. Gardein's new Mini Crispy Crabless Cakes, however, will be the guest star at any cocktail party — though in Baltimore, you'll need to dust them with a sprinkling of Old Bay Seasoning before serving. They are quick to make (just 8 minutes!), crisp up beautifully, and have a distinct ocean-like taste. They are suitable as bite-sized hors d'oeuvres, perhaps with a side of vegan tartar sauce, for parties or as part of an entrée, atop a salad, or even stuffed in a wrap with crunchy veggies. Keep them on hand for last-minute guests or add them to the dinner repertoire. You can find Gardein Crabless Cakes at many major supermarkets, such as Kroger and Safeway, as well as Target, BJ's, Whole Foods, and more. Visit www.gardein.com to use their store locator.
Written by Samantha Gendler
Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet
There are many tasty vegan icy treats on the market these days, but Sorbabes made us stop and truly say, "Wow!" at how creamy, icy, sweet, satisfying, and irresistible they are. We could not get enough of Sorbabes' vegan varieties of their Gourmet Sorbet: Pistachio with Sea Salt Caramel, Juicy Orange Passionfruit with Lychees, Tart and Juicy Lemon with Candied Zest, Organic Peanut Banana with Chocolate Fudge, and Raspberry with Dark Chocolate. You can really taste the farm-fresh ingredients, and the chunks spread generously throughout offer tasty and unusual surprises. One of my unexpected favorites was the very tart Passionfruit with chunks of sweet lychee throughout. Look for Sorbabes in gourmet markets and Wegmans or use their store locator at gourmetsorbet.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler
Tio Gazpacho
Move over smoothies, there's a new liquid lunch in town, and it's satisfyingly savory instead of sweet. Tio Gazpacho offers three flavors of chilled vegetable soup in 12-ounce bottles that contain only organic vegan ingredients, no bowl required. Gazpacho Clasico, which includes vine-ripened tomato, green pepper, and cucumber, is the most familiar of the three, with the bright tomato-y punch most people associate with gazpacho. Gazpacho Verde offers something more adventurous, with a fresh and spicy kick of mint, jalapeño peppers, and cumin in a kale and spinach base. My personal favorite, Gazpacho de Sol, offers sweet and creamy comfort food made from yellow tomatoes, carrot juice, and yellow bell peppers. All of the varieties have the simple ingredients listed clearly on the back with icons, so you know exactly what you're tasting. You can order packs of Tio Gazpacho on their website, www.tiogazpacho.com, and they'll be delivered the next day, in cold packs, straight to your door. Some natural markets on the east coat also carry them in the cold case.
Written by Samantha Gendler
Banza Pasta
Pasta sometimes gets a reputation as a carb-heavy indulgent meal and isn't typically known for its nutritional value, but Banza pasta with chickpeas has changed the game. This pasta takes a new spin on gluten-free pasta, which is quinoa, by making their noodles with chickpeas. The outcome is a wonderfully-crafted product that cooks and tastes the same as regular wheat pasta but has more nutrition. By using chickpeas, the product is naturally higher in protein and lower in refined carbohydrates. Use this chickpea pasta in any recipe you would typically reserve for regular pasta. I used my box to make a vegan mac 'n cheese and a pasta primavera. Several different shapes — rotini, macaroni, penne, and shell-style noodles — are available for purchase online at www.eatbanza.com and nationwide at some natural foods stores and Wegmans.
Written by Anne Custer, VRG Intern
Louisville Vegan Jerky
As soon as I opened my bag of Sriracha Maple Louisville Vegan Jerky, I was hit by a powerful, delicious smell. This jerky tasted as flavorful as it smelled — the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy. This flavor does pack a bit of spice, but Louisville Vegan Jerky Company makes three other flavors as well: Bourbon Smoked Black Pepper, Bourbon Smoked Chipotle, and Sesame Teriyaki. The texture is chewy, but slightly soft, making it easier to chew than other jerky. I shared the bag with vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters, and all of us greatly enjoyed the snack. This jerky can be eaten alone, or added to another dish (such as salad) to add a flavorful kick. Louisville Vegan Jerky can be purchased on Amazon, or use their store locator to find it near you: www.louisvilleveganjerkycompany.com/store-locator.html.
Written by Alexa Zmich, VRG Intern
Sweet Note Bagels
Lucky for us, bagels are very often vegan. Gluten-free bagels, however, often rely on egg whites for texture, which makes it difficult for gluten-free vegans to enjoy this favorite breakfast staple. Sweet Note Bagels has created a bagel that checks all the boxes: they are egg-, dairy-, gluten-, and even nut-free, in case you're allergic. The bagels come in Plain, Everything, Poppy, Sesame, Cinnamon Raisin, and sometimes specialty flavors like Tomato Basil, Snickerdoodle, and Garlic & Herb. These bagels are smaller, chewier, and more dense than most bagels you're probably familiar with, similar to original New York-style bagels from 20 years ago. They have a crunchy crust, chewy center, and are delightful when popped in the toaster for a few minutes and topped with vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, or jam. Find Sweet Note bagels near you by using their website's store locator at www.sweetnotebakery.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler
Almond Milk Yogurt
There is a very specific taste, texture, and mouth-feel that I associate with real yogurt, which was a lunchbox staple for me as a child. I've tried many tasty vegan yogurts — sweet, creamy, and fruity — but it wasn't until I tried Kite Hill's new Artisan Almond Milk Yogurt, which has the exact same 'zing' I remember, that I felt like I had found a substitute that I would buy regularly and savor every bite. It comes in Plain, Vanilla, Peach, Blueberry, and Strawberry. I liked Blueberry the best and love having it with a sprinkle of vegan granola for a satisfying snack. And though I've never been a fan of eating plain yogurt, well, plain...the Plain flavor would make a wonderful substitute in recipes that call for sour cream or buttermilk, or to make a creamy Indian raita or korma. To produce their yogurt, Kite Hill ages probiotic cultures with their house-made almond milk during production. It's a fantastic addition to their non-dairy lineup. Find Kite Hill Almond Yogurt near you by visiting www.kite-hill.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler
