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?

Surprises!

Check out this review...featuring...my kids!!

Epic Mickey 2 Review on BerryRipe!

Monday

Second week on a new job
Driving in the dark
Arrive at the same time as always
Elevators didn't get the memo on the time change any better than my body did
Security has to help you get to your floor

Yep, Mondays exist everywhere!

January Vegan Swap

I received my package from Erica very promptly on January 22nd ;)

Unfortunately she seems to have no blog for which I can share :(

So, here it is January 30th, and I'm looking back over that picture I took when my package first arrived, and the seaweed is now gone (my absolute favorite, I eat it everyday!), the chocolate crisps are halfway gone (those are great with coffee btw), and the garlic dressing has been used as well.  I will confess I was curious about the pumpkin butter and opened it to smell...and it was heaven...but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've always been VERY curious about Primal Strips, but was hesitant...but now, I have no excuse...I'm gonna try them!

BIG thanks to Erica for putting a fantastic Vegan box together!

Also, a BIG thanks to Cat for doing all of this!  This has been really fun!

You should sign up here and join us in the next exchange!

:)

Vegan faux meat products

I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here...

My friend Maria, you remember her, right?!...

Well, if you're ever craving something 'meaty', check out this post:

i can't find that fancy vegan shit... well, try may wah! 

I'm telling y'all...Maria is fabulous!  You should tell her so ;)

October Vegan Swap

This month, my package came from Julie Manfredi over at The Singin' Vegan

I must Congratulate Julie on the fact that...I have not had ANY of these items before.  That's pretty cool!  We do not have a Trader Joe's where I'm located, so she made me want to go even more!

The only thing I've tried so far is the hot sauce...love it!

This swap has been so fun!  If you wanna participate, register here.  Yeah, I know the holidays are coming, and life is busy...and so does the organizer Cat.  We're taking a break for November and December for that reason!

It's that time again...Flu Shots...

Does anyone have an internal battle about flu shots?

I did some research one time and wrote this article:

The Flu Shot: To Get or Not to Get

My job changed a bit, and it is supposedly required for me.

This article matched what went through my head:

Vaccinated

...and now it's that time again.

Ugh!

So, do you get a flu shot? Why or Why not?

Meditation ;)

Beautiful Quote

Day 20--Vegan MoFo

Love!

Whole wheat bread
Vegenaise
Smart Bacon
Pickles
Romaine

Day 19--Vegan MoFo

Remember that Cantina Bowl I told you about?!

Yeah, it happened again ;)

Day 18--Vegan MoFo

In the spirit of random...my day:
Tired
Thankful
5th birthdays
Grateful
Facebook findings
People with drama
Thankful
Long training classes
Prayers for patience
Thankfulness
Children with cancer
Working late
Hating work
Needing work
Thankful for work
Bullying discussion/suicide
Loss of classmate
Thankfulness
Disappointment
Loss of opportunity
Thankfulness
Contentment
Rest
Thankful


Leslie
www.eat4health.webs.com
Sent from my iPhone

Day 17--Vegan MoFo

Day 16--Vegan MoFo

Restaurant Vegan eating?

Do you do searches as much as I do for Vegan dining options...or frantically searching websites for information on ingredients?!

I do this A LOT, but you know what...I never share those results.

I don't know why?!  I read reviews on EVERYTHING, but don't post reviews myself?!

Weird, I know...and I'm gonna try to do better!

So, today the kids wanted (well Bryson really) to go to Taco Bell.  You know Fresco Style Bean Burritos are not the most appetizing thing ever, and I wanted something different.

I talked to the staff there, and did a quick Google search to find out that...

Veggie Cantina Bowl at Taco Bell (sans Cilantro dressing) is Vegan!

...oh, and delicious!

Taco Bell adding black beans to their menu is awesome!  No more mushy beans for me!

Now, I need to catch up on my MoFo reading...I've been slacking! 

Feel free to link up a favorite post in the comments if I've missed something fabulous ;)

Day 15--Vegan MoFo

Attention readers!! Recipe here!!

Halfway there, right?!

I started out strong and motivated...then life...well you know, it happens!

I have made my Vegan Veggie Soup a couple of times...I'm so ready for cooler weather and crock pot cooking! Lots of people ask about it, so...figured I'd change things up a bit and share my recipe!

Vegan Veggie Soup

Ingredients:
1/2 pkg frozen Mirepoix soup mix (celery, carrots, onions)
1/2 pkg frozen chopped spinach
1 pkg frozen beans of choice (crowder or speckled butter beans are my fav)
1/2 pkg frozen sliced carrots
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 c. veggie broth

I put the leftovers from the ingredients in a gallon ziplock bag and put it back in the freezer for the next batch of soup.

I literally dump all veggies in crock pot, pour in tomatoes, fill the tomato can up with water (to get the rest out too) and pour in, pour two cups of broth (I love Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base) in, and fill with water if any other liquid is needed.

I cook mine on low all day (probably about 12 hours) and serve over sticky rice.

Tastes great and is a great way to get the family to eat spinach!

Enjoy!

Leslie
www.eat4health.webs.com
Sent from my iPhone