Tested: Maple Walnut Blondie, Orange Chocolate Cookie, Molasses Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cranberry Oatmeal, Double Chocolate Brownie.

Courser Farm Kitchen a little home based business located about 2 hours north of me in Warner, New Hampshire. I love supporting small local business and though they aren’t super local to me, they are local enough! I will definitely be placing orders in the future for these super awesome treats! They make cookies, brownies, bars, blondies and breads that are all gluten free and vegan! They also take special orders for cakes and cupcakes!

When I got the little box of heaven in the mail from Emma it may as well have been Christmas! I ripped it open and took a few nibbles of a few of the products but found the strength to wrap them back up (well, almost all of them…) and wait for my neighbor to be available to come taste test with me since he is gf. We had a blast eating them. The goodies we got to try were the Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie, Orange Chocolate Cookie, Molasses Cookie, Double Chocolate Brownie and the Maple Walnut Blondie!

I am a sucker for Cranberry Oatmeal cookies so those were definitely my favorite, I just wish they had a little more cranberry in them. But then again, I always almost double the amount of cranberries in the recipe I use… The cookie was nice and chewy and perfectly spiced. The Chocolate Chip was pretty fantastic too, it reminded me of the Cookie Crisp cereal I used to eat when I was a kid. It would have been perfect dipped in an ice cold glass of almond milk. Molasses cookies rock my socks in general so it’s no surprise this one was another winner! Give me chewy cookies or give me death! The dark sweetness of the molasses with the gentle hint of ginger really made me wish I had a whole truckload of these bad boys.

Now, I am very against combining chocolate with fruit flavors like cherry, orange, raspberry, etc etc, but I was extremely surprised at how much I liked the Orange Chocolate Cookie. It is a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips with a touch of orange, which was the perfect amount for me. It actually has me rethinking my hatred (yeah, really) of fruit flavored chocolate. I wouldn’t say that I’m a convert, but I’m going to be more open minded about it. See what a good product can do?! Speaking of good products, Double Chocolate Brownies? Hell to the yes! Fudgy, chewy and wicked chocolatey? The brownie was so good it didn’t last long enough to be photographed!

New England is pretty awesome to begin with, but the fact that we have the best of the best maple syrups makes it that much better. And that is exactly what you get with the Maple Walnut Blondie. New Hampshire maple syrup in a cake like little bar sprinkled with walnut chunks. Are you salivating yet?

(Left: Maple Walnut Blondie. From Top to Bottom: Orange Chocolate Cookie, Molasses Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cranberry Oatmeal. Not photographed: Double Chocolate Brownie. I inhaled it.)

Course Farm Kitchen sells there goods at a few local cafes and farmers markets, if you live in the New Hampshire area, or happen to be passing through, definitely stop by any of the places listed on their to grab some! If you don’t live in the area, get your butt over here and order some! What are you waiting for?!

Pros:

• Homemade.
• Local (sort of to me).
• Delicious!

Cons:

• None. Seriously.

Reviewed by Liz Whitaker

Tested: Coconut Vanilla, Mint Chip, Choco Orange, Lemon Ginger, Choco Chili, Chai Spice & Dark Cacao Flavors

When my little box of goodies from Emmy’s Organics arrived, I thought to myself, “Yay, Emmy’s! Wait, that’s a pretty tiny box! What on earth could it contain?” I had no idea the wonders that awaited me inside the small package, which was full to the brim with small packages of 3 of all SEVEN varieties of their amazing macaroons. And a little bag of raw granola as a bonus! The box was packed with so many small patties of raw coconut-based treats, my head was spinning. I quickly put them all in the refrigerator since I live in Florida and didn’t want them to melt away, though it doesn’t note to store them in any particular way on the packaging. These little babies are raw, gluten free, and vegan, with nearly all organic ingredients as well, and are adorable to boot!

I first checked out the company’s website and found myself totally falling in love with the over-the-top cute New York couple who produces these treats. Their hearts are definitely in the right place and you can tell they have a serious love for plant-based, whole foods. I love to hear about small companies who make it to the mainstream, and these two definitely have a great story. In addition to the macaroons, they also offer raw granola and raw chocolate sauce, as well as gift boxes, apparel, and seasonal specials (the springtime peppermint fudge is seriously calling my name right now).

I decided to test all of the macaroons straight out of the fridge for consistency’s sake and cut small pieces of each to sample each one. Partially this was because they are seriously dense with a lot of calories and fat in one little disc of deliciousness, and partially because I want to make sure I have plenty to savor for a while! A good decision, I must say, now that I’ve tried all of them; they will be enjoyed for some time!

All of the macaroon varieties have the same base of organic shredded coconut, organic agave, organic coconut oil, himalayan sea salt and non-GMO almond flour. They are compressed in to a tight little patty that is firm and not sticky at all. It’s easy to cut or bite off tiny pieces to extend the pleasure of eating these little gems.

Coconut Vanilla:
Easily the simplest, cleanest flavor in the bunch, but also so rich. The vanilla bean flecks instantly drew me to this one, and the warm, sweet flavor of pure vanilla encompasses each bite. This was particularly creamy tasting, which was unexpected due to the dry coconut base. The coconut flavor is not very strong, adding a nice backdrop to the intense vanilla. Loved this.

Mint Chip:
I was impressed by the smell of these, with the crisp scent of peppermint oil hitting me as I opened the tiny package. There is spearmint leaf in there as well, lending a nice soft green color to the patty. Flecked with small shards of cacao, the chocolate taste is surprisingly strong given the tiny amount present. The mint flavor is not overwhelming at all just a seriously pleasant cool sensation. The coconut base flavor is not really present here just providing a hearty texture that played nicely with the mint and chocolate. I ate a full one of these macaroons prior to going snorkeling for a few hours in a beautiful spring, and I didn’t get hungry at all. Easily my favorite of the bunch.

Choco Orange:
Full disclosure, I feel that chocolate and orange should learn to play separately, never crossing paths in my mouth. That said, these have a pleasant orange scent in the package, and the orange is not very overwhelming when eaten. he chocolate is nice and rich, but I still couldn’t get over the orange flavor. For people who dig this combo, it is likely quite good, but I feel I can’t really comment on it due to my predisposition to avoid it.

Lemon Ginger:
Another flavor I wouldn’t normally choose, but this was a pleasant surprise. They have a light lemon fragrance and the lemon flavor is soft and plays well with the coconut. I didn’t detect the ginger much, but that’s probably for the best as too much can turn me off to the dessert. I liked these more than I thought I would, and that’s saying something as someone who generally avoid lemon-flavored desserts.

Choco Chili:
I had a feeling I’d love this one as I have a love affair with the VCIYCJ Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles that has led to me feeding them to so many people it’s a little ridiculous. That said, the chili/chocolate combo is always a little intimidating as I am not that hip to super spicy food and these do contain cayenne pepper. The first bite was filled with an intense chocolate richness that was buffered nicely with a little hint of cinnamon. The cayenne didn’t come in until the aftertaste and was a nice soft kick. A South African friend of mine would call these “cheeky” due to their surprise ending. The spice is a great finish and definitely not too much, complementing the dark chocolate very well. Again, the coconut flavor is not really present due to the intensity of the other flavors but the shredded coconut provides great structure to this one, extending the chocolate and spice for a nice long chew.

Chai Spice:
I thought these would be my favorite of the bunch, as I am a chai fiend, so perhaps I set myself up a little bit. The package doesn’t list the individual spices used, just lumps them in to “spices” which is always a little disappointing for me – I like to know what I’m tasting, I’m weird like that. These are seriously spicy smelling when they come out of the package, with an intense aroma that got my mouth watering. However, biting in to it left me a bit sad. The ginger is overpowering here, and I couldn’t really taste anything else. These little guys have serious potential if the flavors were dialed down just a little bit. The coconut was a good flavor backdrop, but could stand to play a bigger role. If these were just a little less intense with the spices, they’d be my go-to for a good chai fix on a hot summer day.

Dark Cacao:
Dark, rich, dreamy, incredible. These feel so sinful with their dark, almost black appearance, and intense chocolate flavor provided solely by raw cacao powder and offset with a little vanilla. This is reminiscent of a really high quality dark chocolate bar in flavor with that signature firm structure provided by the coconut. The chocolate flavor completely overwhelms any hint of coconut, but that is just fine. The fat from the coconut and coconut oil are perfect in combination with the chocolate, making it actually creamy upon taste. his is the only one of the bunch that felt like a guilty pleasure and I love it for that.

Overall, I am highly impressed by these tiny little macaroons. No more than 3 inches in diameter and an inch tall, they pack some serious flavor in a very small space. They’ve done an excellent job with their flavor profiles, and it’s likely that anyone could find one to love with their wide selection. They retail on their site for $2.95 for three patties, $16.95 for 18, and $32.95 for 36. I haven’t seen these in stores, but the “where to buy” section has numerous listed all over the country. Alternatively, you can order them online and have them shipped. They came to me on a 95 degree day in Florida and were no worse for the wear, so shipping should be a viable option for anyone.

Emmy’s Organics is an up and coming company who deserves all the kudos that are headed its way. They’ve taken a simple list of ingredients and made a delicious, decadent, yet completely healthy treat that should satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Now if only I could stop daydreaming about these little coconut macaroons that have taken up residence in my fridge…

Pros:

• Delicious, filling, lots of flavor options.
• Easy to break apart to enjoy small pieces here and there instead of committing to a full macaroon.
• Rich and sinful tasting without all the guilt normally associated.
• Raw, whole foods desserts made by people who really care about the diet choices of other people.

Cons:

• May have to order online, check the “where to buy” to see if you can get these locally (or even better, ask your local HFS if they can start stocking them!).
• Significant amount of calories and fat in each patty (see above regarding eating small pieces at a time).
• Addictive.

Reviewed by Danielle Shmalberg

Tested: Macaroni, Coconut Cookies, and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pasta and cookies made from quinoa? And they taste good? I could have never thought up such a product in my wildest culinary dreams! The people responsible for Andean Dream products really are geniuses. I will be honest though, I was a little skeptical, but still excited, when I learned about the products I was going to be taste testing. I didn’t have very high expectations but I was definitely surprised, especially by the pasta. I got to try the Macaroni, Coconut Cookies and the Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Not only does quinoa have a high protein content but it also contains calcium, phosphorous, iron and all eight essential amino acids. In addition to having a great tasting and versatile little grain to eat, you get a nutritional powerhouse. Did you know quinoa has been used for human consumption for about 3 or 4,000 years?! And to think I didn’t knowingly try it until I was 25!

The first product I tried out was the Macaroni and it was love at first bite! You don’t have to cook this particular brand as long as non-xgfx pastas which is great, but you do have to keep an eye on it, I’ve heard quinoa pasta over cooks really easily. Luckily I didn’t have that problem; it came out perfectly tender and had a really great taste as it was. It wasn’t starchy tasting like “regular” pastas and I probably could have just eaten a bowl of it plain. Okay, maybe I did, so what? While the pasta was cooking I whipped up a thick walnut pesto to pour on so if I didn’t like the pasta I would at least have something tasty to smother it in. I now prefer quinoa pasta over other varieties and can’t wait to get my hands on some more!

Onto dessert… The cookies, oh the cookies! They come in portion sized little packages, 2 per bag, and are about 2 bites each but they are adorable! Both the coconut and chocolate chip were really tasty although a little dry and crumbly but I was very willing to look past that because they both reminded me of some pre-vegan childhood favorites. The coconut reminded me of a certain pecan shortbread cookie I used to love but without the pecans. They had a very light coconut flavor and would be excellent crumbled over some xgfx ice cream. The chocolate chip cookies were very much the same as the coconut but with the addition of mini chocolate chips. They reminded me a lot of a certain kids breakfast cereal that made my favorite Saturday morning cartoon commercial. I still have some of the cookies stashed away in a cabinet so nobody eats them on me!

The makers of these excellent products are not only dedicated to providing delicious gluten free products made from quinoa, they are also dedicated to making the world a better place. The individual packaging the cookies come in is vegetable based and recyclable. The products also support 280 indigenous farming families in Bolivia who grow the quinoa for them! Any company, especially the small independent ones, trying to make an environmental and social impact are the kind I truly don’t mind paying a little extra for greatness. Everybody wins!

Pros:

• All vegan. All gluten free.
• The company has made a direct impact on improving the lives of the 280 farming families growing the quinoa.
• 5 different types of cookies and 3 shapes of pasta.
• The best dried pasta I have eaten!!!
• According to an email from the owner of the company these products are not only available on their website but at most Whole Foods Markets as well!

Cons:

• A little pricey ($5.99 for cookies and $4.99 for pasta).
• The cookies were a little dry but dunked in an ice cold glass of your favorite xgfx milk will solve that problem!

Reviewed by Liz Whitaker

eBook Reviewed: Anti-Candida Feast: Holiday And Special Occasion Recipes
Ricki Heller, Diet, Dessert ‘n Dogs

I didn’t know much about the anti-Candida diet, but after following the link to the website (Whole Approach) that Ricki Heller explains outlines her own anti-Candida diet (ACD) in the intro to Anti-Candida Feast, I learned that 1) Candida is a yeast allergen that can exacerbate and even cause many health issues such as depression, arthritis, asthma, and more; 2) a three-stage diet plan exists to fight Candida (or Candidiasis); 3) this diet focuses on whole, minimally processed foods; and 4) normally xgfx ingredients such as nutritional yeast, peanut butter, most vinegars, and mushrooms are to be avoided. Fitting with gluten-free, all wheat products are a no-go. There is a lot more to learn about Candidiasis so I urge all of you who are curious to read up on it.

I wouldn’t have immediately spotted all of these restrictions just by (virtually) flipping through Heller’s e-book. What I saw was normal foods that I eat all the time (or at least desire to eat all the time!): pâté, mini cupcakes, cookies, salads, pancakes, tofu scramble. The “weirdo” ingredients that are already well known to most vegans include agar, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, chickpea flour, miso, and stevia. I must say, as a gluten-eating vegan, the recipes looked delicious, with the possible exception of the desserts relying on stevia as a sweetener. Some people don’t mind stevia, and I can tolerate it in chai tea, but I find it far too bitter for desserts.

I’m a huge fan of nut roasts (heh), having tasted some excellent ones at restaurants in the UK and long wondering why they aren’t more popular across the pond. So when I saw Heller’s Holiday Nut Roast with Smoky Almond Gravy, I knew we were about to embark on our first anti-Candida feasting adventure.

I’m not wealthy, and I live in an area where food is quite expensive, so in the future I would definitely save the Nut Roast for, as is suggested, a very special occasion. After a costly trip to my health food store picking up elite ingredients such as organic brazil nuts and cashews, I was intent on a truly astonishing roast.

And it was! It sounded more finicky in the directions than it actually was, since it’s essentially just some cooked veg and a bunch of nuts ground up in the food processor. I had worried that it would be dry due to the long baking time, but it was perfectly moist. The gravy, based on Isa Chandra Moskowitz’ Smoked Almond Gravy from Vegan Brunch, (can I just point out how appreciative I am of authors who actually credit a recipe’s inspiration?), was delicious. I’d made the Vegan Brunch version in the past, and despite using raw then toasted almonds rather than the smoked ones Moskowitz calls for, they tasted really quite similar. Altogether, the result was a moist, savory, protein-packed nut loaf smothered in a thick, tasty gravy. I certainly didn’t feel like I was following any kind of special diet or compromising taste and/or essential ingredients.

Heller has a pleasant conversational writing voice, and her recipes are free of typos and skewed instructions. I hope to try some of the other savory dishes; namely the Carrot Paté, Crimson Salad with Pecans and Pumpkin Seeds, and Millet “Polenta” with Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion. I might even take another stab at conquering my stevia trepidation in order to try the Chocolate Pots de Crème.

Pros:

• Nice layout, tempting recipes, solutions for special occasion foods.
• Simple, whole food ingredients. Everything relatively easy to find.
• Full color photos, eco-friendly e-book format.
• Avoidant of most allergens, with the exception of nuts (though they aren’t used heavily).
• Essential information about cooking for the Anti-Candida diet, xgfx-style.

Cons:

• Heavy on the desserts. Not a ton of savory and main-dish recipes.
• Most of the sweet recipes rely on stevia.
• Could use more scintillating photos, but hey, it’s a self-published e-book, stop being so picky!

Tested: Kvass and Salad Dressings

When I was asked by xgfx to write a product review for Zukay kvass and salad dressings, I said “sure!” and then immediately wondered, “What’s a kvass”?

After some cursory googling, I learned that kvass is a lacto-fermented beverage originally made from stale rye bread, which became popular among the peasant population in Russia during the middle ages. Why exactly was the peasant population lacto-fermenting beverages from stale bread anyway? Turns out it was inexpensive, had medicinal and healing properties, was easy to make and safer to drink than water at the time. .. all very good reasons!

Today, there are literally thousands of recipes for kvass that don’t require a rye or wheat base and therefore provide great xgfx options. The folks over at Zukay Live Foods make various types of kvass and salad dressings that, in addition to going through the fermentation process, contain lovely probiotics. If you are wondering why these two things are important, Zukay provides a great overview on their website. All of these products are vegan, gluten-free, contain no preservatives and are raw and unpasteurized.

These are the Zukay products I tested. Did I enjoy them? Let’s find out!

Beet & Ginger Kvass
INGREDIENTS: Water, organic beets, organic ginger, celtic sea salt, live active culture.
This was my favorite kvass flavor. The color was rich and deep, and looked like the end product of a bunch of beets having a fight. I got some on my hand and it actually stained it a little it was that potent. Not surprisingly, it tasted exactly like fresh beets, with a little kick of ginger at the end. I felt like a superstar after drinking this stuff! I’m kind of obsessed with it now.

Carrot Ginger Kvass
INGREDIENTS: Organic carrots, water, organic ginger, celtic sea salt, active live culture.
I liked this flavor of kvass. It tastes like a bunch of vibrant, freshly juiced carrots. Although it contains no lemon, it did have a pretty strong and tart lemon taste, but I couldn’t identify any ginger flavor. Like it’s beet cousin, it has a bright and potent color, so much it almost glows.

Veggie Medley Kvass
INGREDIENTS: Organic tomatoes, water, organic cucumber, organic carrots, organic cabbage, organic celery, organic kale, organic parsley, celtic sea salt, live active culture.
This medley, packed with seven kinds of vegetables, was magnificent. Unlike the beet and carrot variety, this kvass was clear, but still had a wonderful depth of flavor. Cucumber was the most dominant taste, and it contained none of the acidity of the other two. It was light, refreshing and had a little fizz to it—I was kind of sad taking the last swig! I would strongly recommend all three of these juices.

On to the salad dressings!

Tomato Olive Salad Dressing
INGREDIENTS: Organic tomato, water, kalamata olives, organic garlic, celtic sea salt, herbs de provence, pepper, live active culture.
I really like the simplicity of this dressing. It reminds me of a fresh tapenade. The kalamata is the clear star here, while the tomato and garlic make brief appearances here and there. I really loved this dressing and wouldn’t change a thing about it. It was my favorite Zukay dressing.

Sweet Onion Basil Dressing
INGREDIENTS: Organic sweet onion, water, organic turnip, organic garlic, celtic sea salt, basil, pepper, live active culture.
When I first popped open this dressing, I immediately smelled a rich and pungent scent of sweet onions. You can actually see and identify most of the ingredients in the dressing when you first pour it out. The texture works well in a salad—it also provides a good tang at the end. On the bottle, Zukay suggests adding your own olive oil to make a vinaigrette, which I did. This totally transforms the flavor and texture. I actually like the addition of olive oil better than the plain dressing. It just adds a little more body and rounds it out a bit.

Red Pepper Cilantro Dressing
INGREDIENTS: Organic red pepper, organic tomato, water, cilantro, organic garlic, celtic sea salt, pepper, live active culture.
This reminded me of a Bloody Mary. It had a rich tomato flavor and a little zip at the end. I’m not sure that this would taste great on a salad—the taste is very dominant and would overpower instead of compliment a salad. I did enjoy the very slight hint of cilantro and this dressing fills the room with a wonderful aroma upon opening it.
Where to find Zukay products and how much $$$ it will cost you:
I am from Boston and I have never seen these products anywhere, which is a shame, because I do enjoy them! I did a ?store locator search on the Zukay website and found out I’d have to travel 20 miles to West Concord (the closest location to me) to find their products. But because I am lazy and gas prices are high, I’ll just shop online. You can get a 6-pack of kvass for $30, which includes shipping. Salad dressings run from 7.50-9.00 a bottle, which also includes shipping fees.

Pros:

• Delicious and simple— unique products and flavors
• Healthy and fresh

Cons:

• A bit pricey
• Products are hard to find in certain regions

Reviewed by Erin Wysocarski

Tested: Gluten Free Brownie Mix

One year ago, my husband Dayv and I were on our honeymoon in Greece. We traveled the islands, climbed to the top of the Acropolis, and spent time venturing through Athens. On one of our excursions we climbed to the highest point in Athens, Lycabettus Hill. On top of the hill was a bell tower, a church, and a cafe. Not just any cafe, a very expensive cafe. I ordered nothing, seeing as though there was absolutely NOTHING gluten-free vegan on their limited menu. However, Dayv, the non-gluten-free-vegan at the time, ordered a $16 brownie sundae. Now, I’m all for being a little frivolous with money while on vacation, but I even thought this was a little extreme. But my husband loves brownies, and since he was in a land with food he was unfamiliar with and didn’t want to eat, he picked the one thing he knew would make him happy.

Fast forward a year. Although Dayv isn’t in the foreign land of Greece, he’s in the foreign land of Gluten-free Vegan, and has been for the last seven months. He is still hesitant to try new foods, and sticks with things he knows he likes. And what does he often request? Brownies. Although I’ve gotten progressively better at making xgfx baked goods to please his sweet tooth, I had yet to try brownies. So when I saw that Namaste Foods had a gluten-free brownie mix, I knew I had to give it a try.

Whole Foods carries Namaste Products, and this particular mix runs $5.99. All of the ingredients in the mix are familiar to the xgfx baker- evaporated cane juice, sweet brown rice flour, cocoa, tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, salt, and xanthan gum. According to the nutritional facts, one serving size, or 1/24th of the package prepared, is 190 calories, with 12% daily value of fat and 20 grams of sugar. I suspect the numbers dropped slightly for me, considering the fact that I used a flax-egg in place of the egg it calls for. These nutritional facts seem fair for what you’re eating, perhaps even a less than a regular brownie!

When I first got my hands on the product the first thing I noticed was the fact that you have the option of making one 8×11 or two 8×8 pans. This made me happy because I prefer making smaller batches of treats for Dayv in case he doesn’t like them, and also so they have less time to go stale. The second thing I noticed, and liked, was that all I needed to add were oil, “eggs”, and water. This was definitely convenient for me considering that I often bake in the middle of the week after the end of a long day, and sometimes I’m not up for a 2 hour baking extravaganza complete with 10 different ingredients. I was sold.

When I made the brownies, I substituted the eggs for flax-eggs, and was pleased that the batter was in the oven in less than 15 minutes. The cooking time was 30-35 minutes, and it took my brownies the full 35 minutes for the toothpick to come out clean. After they cooled, I went to cut the first brownie out and was faced with immediate irritation. Even though the brownies were fully cooked and cooled, they were very difficult to remove from the pan. Not because they were stuck, but because they easily fell apart when removing. I had to first cut the brownie out, making sure to also run the knife against the pan. Then I used a fork to wedge underneath the brownie and very slowly remove it. I felt like I was doing surgery!

Namaste Brownie topped with So Delicious Mint Chip Ice Cream, Chocolate Syrup, and Dandies!

Pros:

• One serving prepared is 190 calories with 20 grams of sugar, which is on par, or even less, than other brownies.
• You have the option of making one 8×11 or 2 8×8 pans.
• They only require three additional ingredients.
• The batter is ready in 15 minutes or less.
• Ooey, gooey chocolaty goodness.
• Tastes just like a non-xgfx brownie!

Cons:

• Very difficult to remove from pan, even after cooled.

Reviewed by Caitlin McGrother

Kale chips, raw chips…..oh you wonderful, delicious chips! If you’ve yet to make your own or pick some up you’re truly missing out on so much tastiness. Not only are kale & raw chips packed with all kinds of amazing nutrients, they come in some amazing flavors and flavor combinations that will make your tummy sing. If you haven’t the time to make your own, the resources to do so, or you simply just don’t wanna there are a multitude of options to choose from. Check out the varieties at your local natural food store or poke around on the interwebs and suss some out. It’s a sea of yum out there just waiting for you to dive in and make your mouth most happy.

Brad’s Raw Chips

Tested: Kale, Red Bell Pepper, Naked (Plain Vegan Cheese), Vampire Killer (Garlic & Vegan Cheese), Nasty Hot (Jalapeno & Vegan Cheese) Flavors

I’m a busy mom, who also prides herself on eating and cooking healthy. Let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to do. We all know the challenges of finding healthy, vegan and gluten-free items on the go. Then Brad’s raw chips appeared on my doorstep and healthful snacking got a whole lot easier. Not only are all of his snacks vegan and gluten-free, they are also raw, which means you can truly snack guilt-free. All of Brad’s products are dehydrated at low temperatures to retain healthy, active enzymes and nutrients. The flavor comes out naturally, rather than from flavoring agents and chemicals.

Brad’s products are mostly vegetable based and the remaining ingredients are healthy nuts and seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt. His products are loaded with Iron, Vitamins A & C and have a good amount of protein and fiber as well. They are a great snack for a breastfeeding mama like myself who is constantly hungry and can feel “depleted” quickly. I need to snack all day long to maintain my energy, vigor and milk supply. The iron, calcium and protein in these snacks are just what I need to keep up with my daughter and her schedule.

I’ve been vegan for a long time, but a couple of years ago I was reading a lot about the rawfood lifestyle and decided to give it a try. For 45 days I ate entirely raw and I felt amazing. The only thing that kept me from maintaining it full-time is my love of salty snacks, especially tortilla chips. At that time, there was nothing on the market that satisfied my salty, crunchy chip craving. There were raw crackers, yes – thick, flax overloaded crackers, but they weren’t the same. Had Brad’s chips been around, I think I could’ve maintained the raw diet even longer. I especially love the red pepper flavor. They are light, crispy, crunchy, a little sweet and a little savory. They are flavorful enough to eat on their own, but would be great dipped into hummus, guacamole or raw pate as well. I only wish they were organic! Brad does pride himself on using local ingredients, which I commend. They are a little spendy, but you can’t put a price on health, my friend. Well, maybe you can if you own your own dehydrator (like I do) and grow your own Kale (like I do) and make your own Kale chips (like I have.) But, if you don’t have these things going for you, or if you’re out and need a quick, healthy snack, I highly recommend his products. My daughter is not old enough to eat nuts, but they would be a great snack for a toddler or teen.

Brad offers 9 flavors of chips and 3 flavors of Leafy Kale snacks to satisfy almost any palate. I was invited to experience the Kale and Red Pepper flavored chip, the red pepper being my favorite and the naked (vegan cheesy), vampire killer (vegan cheese & garlic) and nasty hot (jalapeno & vegan cheese) flavored Leafy Kale. All three flavors rocked my world. If you or someone you know has trouble getting their greens in, this is a nice option for them. If you just love healthy, tasty gluten-free, vegan and raw foods, then they are a must try.

Brad’s Raw Chips, Kale Flavor
Net Wt. 3 oz.
$6.99

Pros:

• Crunchy, Crispy, Chip like texture.
• Would be great for dipping because they have a neutral flavor and not much spice/salt.
• Great healthy snack alternative to fried chips or for people with corn allergy.
• Low in saturated fat, High in fiber, High in Vitamin A and Iron.
• Dehydrated and raw to maintain high levels of nutrients.
• A very satisfying raw chip.
• The most chip-like raw food I’ve found for sale.

Cons:

• Definite noticeable Kale flavor, but could be saltier/spicier.
• Would probably not eat alone, but rather paired with a nice dip.
• Not organic.
• Price $$

Brad’s Raw Chips, Red Bell Pepper Flavor
Net Wt. 3 oz.
$6.99

Pros:

• Crunchy, Crispy, Chip like texture.
• Great flavor and sweetness from the bell pepper.
• Flavorful enough to eat alone.
• Great healthy snack alternative to fried chips or for people with corn allergy.
• Low in saturated fat, High in fiber, High in Vitamin A and Iron.
• Dehydrated and raw to maintain high levels of nutrients.
• Satisfies the crunchy chip craving when on a raw diet.
• The most chip-like raw food I’ve found for sale.

Cons:

• Not organic.
• Price $$

Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale, Naked (Plain Vegan Cheese) Flavor
Net Wt. 2.5 oz.
$7.49

Pros:

• Great, cheesey flavor.
• Light and crunchy.
• Dehydrated at low temperatures to maintain healthy, active enzymes and nutrients.
• Great source of Protein, fiber, Viamins A & C, calcium and iron.
• Raw!
• Would be great as a snack or sprinkled on salad.

Cons:

• Not organic.
• Contain cashews, so not suitable for persons allergic to tree nuts.
• The pieces are kind of small (may have crumbled in shipping), which is great for salad, but harder to eat as a snack.
• The packaging is a large, recyclable plastic tub. I would prefer to see them in compostable packaging.
• The price is a little steep considering they are not organic and they are so light, I could eat a tub in one sitting.
• Price $$

Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale, Vampire Killer (Garlic & Vegan Cheese) Flavor
Net Wt. 2.5 oz.
$7.49

Pros:

• This is my kind of flavor! Garlic & cheese. How can you go wrong!
• Light and crunchy.
• Dehydrated at low temperatures to maintain healthy, active enzymes and nutrients.
• Very satisfying savory raw snack.
• Great source of Protein, fiber, Viamins A & C, calcium and iron.
• Raw!
• Would be great as a snack or sprinkled on salad.
• Tastes like pizza.

Cons:

• Not organic.
• Contain cashews, so not suitable for persons allergic to tree nuts.
• The pieces are kind of small (may have crumbled in shipping), which is great for salad, but harder to eat as a snack.
• The packaging is a large, recyclable plastic tub. I would prefer to see them in compostable packaging.
• The price is a little steep considering they are not organic and they are so light, I could eat a tub in one sitting.
• Price $$

Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale, Nasty Hot (Jalapenos & Vegan Cheese) Flavor
Net Wt. 2.5 oz.
$7.49

Pros:

• Spicy, if you like it!
• Light and crunchy.
• Dehydrated at low temperatures to maintain healthy, active enzymes and nutrients.
• Very satisfying savory raw snack.
• Great source of Protein, fiber, Viamins A & C, calcium and iron.
• Raw!

Cons:

• Not organic.
• Contain cashews, so not suitable for persons allergic to tree nuts.
• The pieces are kind of small (may have crumbled in shipping), which is great for salad, but harder to eat as a snack.
• The packaging is a large, recyclable plastic tub. I would prefer to see them in compostable packaging.
• The price is a little steep considering they are not organic and they are so light, I could eat a tub in one sitting.
• The spice overtakes the cheese flavor in these, but if you prefer spice, these are for you!
• Price $$


Reviewed by Katie Kunze

King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Baking Mixes

Tested: Gluten Free Flour, Pizza Crust, Cookies, Brownies, Chocolate Cake, Muffins, Pancakes, and Bread Mixes

Even the experienced baker occasionally loves a bit of convenience. When I received a huge box from King Arthur Flour I was beyond excited just thinking about the prospect of easy baking. The company has 8 new gluten-free mixes on the market: pizza crust, cookies, brownies, chocolate cake, gluten free flour, muffins, pancakes, and bread. Each one is made with their special flour blend, which seems to be a combination of tapioca starch and brown rice flour.

I decided to try out the bread and cookies first. I immediately noticed that the packaging boasted of being processed in an allergen-free facility, but almost every single mix called for eggs and dairy with no suggested substitute. This was a real bummer because I had to decide on my own which egg replacer would work best for each mix. I went with Ener-G egg replacer for the bread and ground flax for the brownies. The bread turned out great! Nice, crisp crust and a tender inside. It was perfect for sandwiches, toasting, and even French toast. The brownies, on the other hand, were a pile of goo! It was seriously disheartening because the batter had tasted so good before it went into the oven. It even looked perfect when I took it out, but it liquified as it cooled. From that point, I scratched flax from the egg replacer list.

Next, I went with the cookies and muffins. The great thing about these mixes is that they can definitely be personalized. There is an option for mix-ins listed on the back of each box. When it came to egg replacers, I used Ener-G for the cookies and a yogurt/cornstarch combo for the muffins. The cookies were extremely delicate straight out of the oven, so I waited 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling sheet. They were perfectly fine when refrigerated, but went back to a delicate texture when left at room temperature. The flavor was a tad on the salty side, which I gather had to do with salt in the mix, egg replacer, and margarine I used. The muffins were really good, but maybe just a touch too moist and delicate. After this baking day, I decided to stick with yogurt or Ener-G for the mixes.

Next up was pizza! The crust was really quick and easy to make. I used Ener-G, and it came out perfectly. Crisp and hearty. Perfect for piling on the toppings. I would definitely buy this mix again.

After pizza, I was craving some dessert. The chocolate cake was something I wanted to love, but the combo of using yogurt as the egg replacer and following the mixing instructions (overmixing much) made the gummiest cake I’ve ever eaten. I tried to fix it up, but it was too much for me to handle. I could only get one piece down. Seriously, the mixing instructions for this seemed ridiculous. Way too long for cake.

As for the gluten free flour mix, I substituted it in my favorite pancake recipe. It was splendid! The pancakes came out a little flatter, but they were crisp on the outside and still very fluffy! In a side by side comparison, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. This flour mix would work great as a substitution for regular flour in recipes, but steer clear of using this in yeast breads.

My final thoughts on this product: purchase at your own risk. The egg replacer thing is a bigger deal than I thought it would be. Ener-G gave consistent results, but it resulted in a saltier taste. Non-dairy yogurt held up well but made everything extremely moist. I have a feeling that a yogurt/Ener-G combo would be perfect. It’s just a lot of trial and error with these mixes.

If you are still feeling risky, you can buy these at stores that sell King Arthur Flour products or online. The mixes run between $7-8.

Pros:

• Pizza crust and bread are super good.
• Brownie, cookie, and muffin mixes allow for personalization with mix-ins.
• Quick and easy.

Cons:

• Expensive for boxed mixes.
• Calls for eggs and dairy with no suggested substitution for vegans or people with allergies.
• Pretty inconsistent results if you don’t use the right kind of egg replacer.

Reviewed by Mo Martin

Crazy Rumors - Lip Balm

Tested: Peppermint Lemongrass, Orange Creamsicle, & HibisKiss

*** Through the month of May Crazy Rumors is offering all you awesome xgfx readers a 15% discount. Use coupon code XGFX

Sometimes finding good xgfx lip balm can be a little tricksy. Everything’s got beeswax, or it’s tested on animals, or it’s full of funky ingredients. I have even heard tell of lip balm containing wheat-germ oil. Well, I received some samples from Crazy Rumors the other day that are vegan, not tested on animals, all natural, contain lots of organic ingredients, and just so happen to be xgfx.

The samples I got were Peppermint Lemongrass, Orange Creamsicle, and their HibisKiss lip color in coral. All of their products are flavored, so if you’re looking for a Plain Jane, you’re out of luck. They also contain a little stevia, so they’re slightly sweet. After using them for a couple weeks, I‘m hooked. They glide on silky smooth, and my lips are feeling pampered and soft. They really do taste good, and they smell good too. The coral HibisKiss has a pretty color, but if I apply it too heavily it feels like there’s a dried oily residue on my lips. Use it sparingly though, and this isn‘t an issue. My favorite of the bunch is the Peppermint Lemongrass. It tastes good and leaves your lips all tingly.

You can order directly from their site www.crazyrumors.com and there are a lot more flavors to choose from (coffee and chocolate looks really good). The lip balms are $3.49 and the lip colors are $4.99.

Pros:

• Tastes and smells great
• Glides on smooth
• Long lasting
• Lots of flavor choices

Cons:

• No unflavored option
• Lip color gets funky if you overindulge

Reviewed by Jenny Wren