HELP: Flamous Organic Original Falafel Chips

Check out the other HELP posts here.

I was hesitant to try these (they came in my March Vegan Cuts box) because I just could not imagine how chips could taste like Falafel.

Well, I was WRONG!

These are actually really good.  They taste like dehydrated Falafel.  Maybe a little 'plain', but not everyone probably likes their Falafel spicy like I do.

Listed Nutrition Facts (for package)

Calories   197 

Fat:          9g     81     39%

Carbs:      27g   108   51%

Protein:    5g      20     10%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 209.)

The ingredient list is READable so that's a plus.

- Organic non-GMO corn

- Organic non-GMO whole beans (chickpeas, fava beans, black beans, pinto beans)

- Organic oils safflower/sunflower

- Organic 13-spice Falafel blend (including turmeric)

- Organic dehydrated vegetables (onion, garlic, spinach, carrot, red bell pepper, tomato, green bell pepper)

- Sea Salt

My conclusion is they are still chips, but do have some protein.  That fat content is still a little high though.

HELP: Restaurant (Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint)

Not the most colorful meal, but it was delicious.

Whole wheat crust, tomato-basil sauce, mushrooms, black olives, and tofu...and sprinkled with red pepper...yummy!

HELP: Clif Bar Crunchy Peanut Butter

Clif Bar: Crunchy Peanut Butter

I'm not going to post much about this, since it is seriously close to the review I did on the Clif Bar: Chocolate Chip.

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:     240

Fat:             6g     54      21%

Carbs:        40g    160    62%

Protein:       11g    44     17%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 258.

I don't know that I would describe this one as 'crunchy', but I guess some of the peanuts in it give you an occasional crunch.

It's good, pretty balanced, and filling though.

HELP: Mott's Medleys Peach Apple

Mott's Medleys Peach Apple Applesauce

Post in HELP series, click here for info

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:     60

Fat:             0          0     0%

Carbs:         14g     56    100%

Protein        0          0     0%

(Percentages shown are based on 'actual' calories of 56)

100% carbs?!  Atkins lovers would die!

It's fruit!

Ingredients

- Apples

- Water

- Carrot Juice Concentrate

- Clarified Carrot Juice Concentrate

- Cucumber Juice Concentrate

- Natural Flavors

- Green Bell Pepper Juice Concentrate

- Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrates (for color)

- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

- Lemon Juice Concentrate

Short, sweet, and READable ;)

Oh, and it's super yummy!

HELP: Clif Bar Chocolate Chip



Clif Bar: Chocolate Chip

Post in HELP series, click here for info.

Listed Nutrition Facts

Calories:          230

Fat:                  4.5g     40.5     16%

Carbs:              43g      172      68%    

Protein:            10g      40        16%

(Percentages shown are based on ‘actual’ calories of 252.5) 

Based on ratio of 50-30-20, this bar is pretty balanced.  Perhaps a little high in carbohydrates, but it IS called an energy bar.

Ingredients

· Organic Brown Rice Syrup

· ClifPro

   o Soy Rice Crisps

     § Soy Protein Isolate

     § Rice Flour

     § Barley Malt Extract

   o Organic Roasted Soybeans

   o Organic Soy Flour

· Organic Oats

· Organic Toasted Oats

   o Organic Oats

   o Organic Dried Cane Syrup

   o Ascorbic Acid

   o Natural Vitamin E (Antioxidant)

· Chocolate Chips

   o Dried Cane Syrup

   o Unsweetened Chocolate

   o Cocoa Butter

   o Soy Lecithin

   o Vanilla Extract

· Organic Cane Syrup

· ClifCrunch

   o Organic Oat Fiber

   o Apple Fiber

   o Inulin (Chicory Extract)

   o Organic Milled Flaxseed

   o Psyllium

· Organic Date Paste

· Organic Soy Butter

   o Organic Roasted Soybeans

   o Organic Soybean Oil

   o Salt

· Organic Sunflower Oil

· Molasses Powder

· Sea Salt

· Natural Flavors

· Cinnamon 

Now, that is way more ingredients than I would normally recommend, but you can actually READ them all, and KNOW what they are.

So, it’s relatively balanced and has a decent ingredient list (for a processed food), and it tastes good.  There’s the real reason, it tastes good.

Hi, my name is Leslie, and I have texture issues so I am going to try to describe it for you.

It’s very similar to a chewy granola bar, minus the crumbly part.  It’s pretty gooey (for lack of a better word) and stays together.  This makes it a perfect on-the-go choice if you don’t want crumbs all over you (or the car).

Remember, the flavor is Chocolate Chip, and it is pretty sweet.

So, the conclusion for me is:

·                     It’s Vegan

·                     I like it

·                     It’s a great ‘convenience’ food that’s relatively healthy

Have you tried this particular energy bar before?  What did you think?

HELP

HELP (Healthy Eating and Leaving Pleased) 

Okay, remember back when I posted the March Vegan Cuts and I said I was going to start reviewing?

Well, obviously THAT didn't happen, and now I've already gotten my box for April Vegan Cuts.

Reviewing is something that I've wanted to do.

I love reading reviews, but never return the favor.  I want to do it for products, for restaurants...whatever.

I decided that I must start somewhere...so, why not start with breakfast?!

I know, I know...don't judge me!

Anyway, there is a post to follow.

I've decided to categorize these reviews as HELP (Healthy Eating and Leaving Pleased) because as much as I propose healthy eating, if it's not good...I'm not eating it.  Food should be pleasurable as well (which tends to include unhealthy eating sometimes...again, don't judge).

Keep me accountable!!