Product Review: Goody Good Stuff

Goody Good Stuff was kind enough to send me four sample bags of their vegan candies (not all are vegan - just these guys - but the rest are vegetarian).

Before I start my review, I'd like to point out all the great things this product has to offer! They are: fat free, soy free, nut free, kosher, meat free, dairy free, egg free, halal, alcohol free, gelatine free, gluten free, lactose free, GMO free, wheat free, cassein free, and tree nut free.

The varieties that are not vegan, but vegetarian, contain wax in them. The candies have a 24 month shelf life.

Sour Mix and Match: There are a couple of flavors in this bag including grapefruit, lemon, and raspberry. They kind of have the texture of a candy drop with sour mix on top. I didn't care for the grapefruit, but loved the lemon!

Sour Fruit Salad: These have the consistency of like peach slice candies - that gummy sort of quality. I really liked the lemon in these too.

Cola Breeze: These guy have a cinnamon hint to them. They are similar to Coke bottle candies with the sour mix on top. Definitely my favorite!

Summer Peaches: This candy seemed artificially peachy in flavor. They weren't bad, but not my flavor!

Out of the four vegan varieties, my favorite was the Cola Breeze, followed by the Sour Mix and Match, then Sour Fruit Salad, and lastly the Summer Peaches.

You can buy these candies online on Amazon or in Whole Foods. Check it out for a taste of childhood again (that's vegan)!

Product Review: PureFit Bars + Raffle!

A few weeks back, PureFit nutrition bars approached me to review their line of vegan protein bars. I was very much obliged! I tried all five of their flavors for breakfast over the last week or so. 

Before I talk about each bar, I'd like to point out all the great things that each of the nutrition bars offer: high in protein, will not melt, no wheat, diabetic friendly, non-GMO soy used, gluten-free, all natural, kosher, vegan, nondairy, low glycemic, no hidden carbohydrates, no artificial sweeteners, no trans fatty acids, and no hydrogenated oils used.

Personally, I thought this product was absolutely perfect for a quick boost before working out. I had one before going to the gym one morning and it was awesome! If you are in a rush in the morning and can't sit down for breakfast, PureFit nutrition bars are a lovely to-go meal as well. The texture of all these bars isn't like say a granola bar where it is crumbly or mealy, but more cohesive and like your general protein bar.

Almond Crunch: This bar tasted a lot like almond extract to me in a way. If you really love that strong almond-y taste, this is your bar. It was probably my second favorite of the bunch. 

Berry Almond Crunch: If you are a fan of that tart berry taste, this would be your bar. I think I liked this bar the best. I'm one of those berry folks! 

Chocolate Brownie: Now, if you want to sneak some chocolate into your protein bar, this one is for you. I'm not a huge chocolate or sweets person to begin with, so the whole bar was a bit much for me. I had to save half for later!

Granola Crunch: If you are thinking this bar is like a granola bar, you're wrong. It's still definitely not grainy. You can still taste that nutty, oat-y flavor, though!

Peanut Butter Crunch: For you peanut butter fans out there, this one is for you! This is like a peanut butter explosion. I liked this bar a lot. Definitely a great one before your work out!

For a complete nutritional guide to each bar with ingredients, please see the PureFit website.

Vegan Miss readers!: You can use the code VEGANMISS during checkout when you purchase PureFit Bars online and receive 25% off!

Raffle: Enter in this raffle and receive a 15 count box of any flavor of PureFit bars of your choice!

How to enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog post with which flavor you'd like and your email address
• Like PureFit on Facebook
• Follow PureFit on Twitter 

Winner will be announced on Monday of next week (6/11/12). Please leave me a way to contact you in order to receive the box of goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Review: Candle Cafe Frozen Meals

Candle Cafe is a well-known vegan restaurant chain in NYC. I've been hearing rave reviews about this place for years, but I've only been to NYC very briefly. When I first heard they were releasing their new line of vegan frozen meals, I was pretty excited. Amy's, Kashi, and other brands only go so far after you've had them a few times. As a student, I live off a lot of frozen food (hellloo Gardein and Boca). My local Whole Foods had all 4 types they have released: Seitan Piccata with Lemon Caper Suace, Macaroni & Vegan Cheese, Tofu Spinach Ravioli, and Ginger Miso Stir-Fry. 

The first meal I tried was the Ginger Miso Stir-Fry. It was just kind of your average frozen stir-fry. I wouldn't call it anything terribly special. I enjoyed the tofu that was added to it so it wasn't just all vegetables and rice. The portion is rather small, so I would say if you are having this for dinner, to eat something else with it or have it as a light lunch.

Next, I tried the Seitan Piccata with Lemon Caper Sauce. I really enjoyed this one. The lemon caper sauce is fantastic with a great lemony, tang taste. It compliments the rice and seitan very well. The seitan reminded me a lot of Match Meats, though. If you've ever had their chick'n or crab and you try this frozen meal, you'll see what I mean. That would be my only complaint for this one.

I split the Macaroni & Vegan Cheese with a friend one night as a snack. I was very surprised to see what looked like to me as Daiya on it. I checked the ingredients and then read the ingredients on my bag of mozzarella Daiya and found they were the same. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it is Daiya. This was really disappointing for me because I was excited to try a "new" product. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it melted kind of the way Daiya does too - not in a "creamy" fashion, but more of a lumpy fashion when you just pour some shreds over whatever you are cooking. This really isn't the most desired effect you want for mac 'n cheese. My opinion is just go for Amy's vegan mac 'n cheese if you are going to buy a frozen variety. For me, Amy's has a more creamy taste and despite it also has Daiya in it, it works better. If you are concerned about calories, though, Amy's does have more so opt for Candle Cafe.

Lastly, there is the Tofu Spinach Ravioli. I loved this one too. It also has what looks like to be Daiya on it, but that's okay as it is not meant to be creamy like a mac 'n cheese. The ravioli's were tasty and the marinara with cheese complimented them very well. I would definitely pick this one up again for a light dinner.

Overall, I enjoyed the Seitan Piccata and the Tofu Spinach Ravioli the most. I would buy these guys again. The other two, I was not that impressed by. Also, all three are pretty low in calorie content (200-300 calories) so they do make for a good lunch or small dinner.

Product Review: Earth Balance Original Mayo

Earth Balance released their new vegan mayonnaise lines recently. The company is mostly popular for their array of vegan butters. With other products such as Vegenaise and Nayonaise out there, it didn't surprise me that the company wanted to add more products. Personally, I hate Nayonaise. It has an awful aftertaste. I refuse to use it unless I can mask the taste of it somehow (then what is the point of really using that brand, right?). So, for many years now, I have sworn by Vegenaise.

To keep pledging my allegiance to Vegenaise or to branch out and try a new vegan mayonnaise? Well, I can't resist new vegan products. I'm like a very excited child when I get to the grocery store and I find a company has released something new.

Nutritionally speaking, Vegenaise and Earth Balance match up. For one serving, 14 oz., each is 90 calories. The total fat is also the same. Earth Balance does have a little less sodium, 70 mg versus Vegenaise's 85 mg. The only real difference in the ingredients is that Earth Balance uses "pea protein" while Vegenaise uses "non-GMO soy protein".

Overall, I found out that I enjoyed Earth Balance's original mayonnaise very much. Even better that Vegenaise (shock and horrors!). It has a tangy taste (which I prefer - I have a very sour taste palate). I think this would be great for dressings like making homemade ranch or caesar dressing. If you want a more plain taste of "mayonnaise", I would still go for Vegenaise. I haven't tried the Earth Balance on a sandwich or bread yet, but some people may not care for the tangy taste it holds. I give the Earth Balance mayo a 4.5/5 stars! I leave off half a point just in case someone doesn't care for the tang.