Just Audrey

More Vegan Reviews: Chocolate, Stevia, Sprouts, and More

2012-02-26T13:45:00.003-05:00

Theo Chocolate - I tried the Salted Almond Dark Chocolate bar and the Orange Dark Chocolate bar. Both were delicious, and really good sized. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I did love the chunks of almonds in the first bar. Lately I have loved baking with flavored chocolate bars. I used part of the orange one here to make some delicious orange-scented chocolate chunk cookies. But I can attest to the fact that both flavors are also delicious on their own. Another thing I really love about this company is that they are on the Food Empowerment Project's list of chocolate they recommend. You can learn more about what that means here.

Canary Confectionery - First of all, isn't the name and logo for this Chicago-based bakery cute? Everything they make is vegan (of course) and gluten-free. I had never tried any gluten-free cookies or brownies, so I enjoyed getting a chance to sample them. It is great that more and more gluten free stuff is available for people with sensitivities. And of course I love that all of their products are also cruelty-free. I tried the Raspberry Truffles (these practically melt in your mouth!), a Chocolate Chip Cookie, a Sugar Cookie, a Chocolate-Drizzled Raspberry Brownie, and a Chocolate-Dipped Brownie. If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be one of the brownies. I loved how they were dipped in chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, the cocoa flavor of these was really rich and delicious. They also have a beautiful presentation. I also liked how the size of these is also just right. Be sure to check this company out online, or if you are ever in Chicago.

Bumble Bar - Despite the name, these are vegan (and also gluten-free)! Check out this funny video to learn more about what makes these bars unique. I tried the Junior Bars in Amazing Almond, Original Peanut, Chocolate Crisp. They were all really good, but the chocolate or peanut were probably my favorite. These are very seedy bars and they taste a lot like sesame (the main ingredient is sesame seeds). It was a little different at first, but I thought they were pretty good. I also like the fact that they aren't heavily processed and don't include any fake ingredients.

Moonlight Micro-Farm - With spring just around the corner, this the perfect time to plan your garden. This Etsy store has a wonderful array of heirloom and organic seeds. I really encourage you to check out the site if you are a gardener. Everything is beautifully photographed with lots of helpful information provided. You can also visit them on Facebook. If you are impatient for the growing season to begin and are craving something fresh and homegrown, check out the sprouting seeds and kits they offer. That's what I tried out. Sprouting is one of those things that sounds intimidating but really isn't. It doesn't take much work at all, and in less than a week you will be eating fresh, crunchy sprouts! It's also a wonderful feeling in the dead of winter (or anytime!) to see the dormant seeds spring to life with just a little care. My favorite mixes of seeds that I tried were the French Salad Mix and Clover Field. These are both very versatile sprouts that work for a variety of recipes--in sandwiches, on salads, as a garnish on soups, in smoothies or juices, in wraps or stir-fries…I even like them eaten plain! I also sampled the China Rose Radish seeds, a nut milk bag (use to sprout seeds, make your own nut milk, strain vegan yogurt, make cashew cheese, etc.), the Organic Lentil Trio (I just harvested these the other day!), and the sprouting screen (just fit this over a wide-mouth canning jar and that is what you can use to grow your seeds! It's a simple tool that keeps the seeds from falling through when you drain them). So what are you waiting for? Get sprouting! (Or, if sprouting still isn't your thing, check out all the wonderful garden seeds they offer!)

NuNaturals Stevia - NuNaturals has been my go-to stevia brand for a couple years now. I love the variety of products they offer, which makes using less sugar even easier. I like to use the liquid stevia drops for things like smoothies and shakes, where I can add a few drops and then taste. The packets are very versatile and I use them for all kinds of things--from subbing the sweetener in a dressing or soup (sometimes recipes just call for a little bit, and in that case I like to use stevia) to making lemonade. I treat each packet as about equal to 1 T. of sugar, but I'm not sure if that is the exact conversion. I just find it works well for most recipes when substituting. The baking blend is probably one of my favorite products they offer, because it makes baking really easy--just sub one-to-one for sugar! I also like the stevia extract for baking. I find it works great in things like quick breads. I have experimented quite a bit with stevia, and one thing that I have found when baking with it is to mix it with a different sugar or sweet fruit. I do sometimes use all stevia to sweeten my baked good, but usually only if the recipe includes some fruit like dates, bananas, apples or pineapples. I find that this makes it taste better than either would alone. I also will sometimes just sub 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 of the sugar in a recipe for stevia. Doing it gradually like that is a great way to cut back on the sugar without affecting the recipe much. If you are new to stevia, I would encourage you to experiment and see what you like. A great place to start is with the many recipes that NuNaturals offers on their site.

Endangered Species Chocolate - All of their products that I have tried so far have been delicious, but All-Natural Dark Chocolate with Mint bar is easily my favorite. It's such a perfect pairing of deep chocolate and refreshing mint. As I mentioned previously, I have also enjoyed baking with chocolate bars lately. With this bar I made Dreena Burton's Chocolate Mint Melties from her book Eat, Drink & Be Vegan. These cookies actually suggest this bar in the recipe. Let me tell you, they are amazing! I've made them several times already (I make a half batch at a time) and I just love them. I am on a real mint-chocolate kick right now, so it's not surprising that I'm crazy about this bar. I also enjoyed the All-Natural Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Almonds bar. I mean, it's chocolate, cranberries, and almonds…how could you go wrong? Finally, I received their Organic Dark Chocolate bar, which is from a different line and thus smaller than the rest. However, it promises to be perfect for dark chocolate cravings. I haven't tried it yet, but I am actually thinking of doing another baking experiment with it. Quality chocolate can really take so many recipes to the next level. I encourage you to give it a try. Get creative!

Erewhon Cereals - I love freeze-dried strawberries, so the Strawberry Crisp cereal was naturally a favorite. The flakes were just lightly sweetened and paired well with the berries. One thing that most people would probably love about this cereal is that the flakes stay crunchy and hard and don't get soggy from the milk. However, I'm one of those weird people who likes her cereal to get a little softened! But thankfully that didn't stop me from enjoying this cereal. I also received some Corn Flakes, which I have yet to try. I keep meaning to make a dessert of some sort with them--perhaps a vegan version of the marshmallow ones my mom used to make (similar to rice crispy treats)? I have loved all of Erewhon's products so far, so I'm sure these won't disappoint! I love that both cereals are organic and gluten-free, and that they are made with such simple ingredients. For example, the only things in the corn flakes are organic milled corn and sea salt!

Sugar in the Raw - I have used the Sugar in the Raw from this company for years, but just recently have I become aware that they now offer both Agave in the Raw (a wonderful liquid sweetener) and Stevia in the Raw. The great thing about these brands is that they are very readily available. Most big chain grocery stores around where I live now carry these products. The stevia is available both as a cup for cup substitute for sugar and in packets. I love the convenience of both products (the former is perfect for baking and the latter is wonderful for portable or individual sweetening). I look forward to experimenting more with this brand. Next time you are in the store look around for it near the sugar and baking aisle.

Rhythm Superfoods - Everything they make is raw, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. My favorite thing I tried was the kale chips--both the Zesty Nacho Kale Chips and Mango Habanero Kale Chips were incredibly delicious. I loved that they really did have sort of a sour/cheesy flavor and that the habanero ones weren't too spicy. I thought they were pretty near perfect. I now really want to try the other flavors (especially Kool Ranch--that sounds amazing)! These are made with high quality ingredients, and both the taste and the nutrition facts reveal that. Their sweet potato chips--I tried the Hickory BBQ Sweet Potato Chips and Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips--were also very yummy. These are basically just dehydrated, seasoned organic sweet potatoes, so they are really healthy. They are fat free and the whole bag of Sea Salt ones is only 100 calories. Pretty awesome when you compare that to regular old potato chips. As you can tell, I loved trying this company's products. I really recommend checking them out. Especially the kale chips, and especially if you think you don't like kale!

Thank you to all the companies that sent me products to review!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation. These samples were not unsolicited.

Snacks and Treats for Vegans on the Go

2012-02-21T14:29:00.004-05:00

Clif MoJo Sweet & Salty Trail Mix Bars: First up, the White Chocolate Macadamia - VEGAN WHITE CHOCOLATE! Do I need to say anything else? Well, I should probably mention the salty pretzel pieces, and chunks of macadamias and cashews.... In short, these are seriously good! The second flavor is the Chocolate Almond Coconut, which I also loved. It was not too sweet, is low-glycemic, and had great chew and texture from the crunchy almonds and chunks of chocolate. In addition, each bar has 8 grams of protein and is made from 70% organic ingredients. These get two thumbs up from me. :) [Note that not all the MoJo bars are vegan, but these two new flavors are!]

PureFit bars - These were a lot different than I thought they would be. They are soft and chewy instead of crunchy or crumbly--almost like a pasty taffy. I think the Almond Crunch was probably my favorite. I liked all of them okay except the Berry Almond Crunch (it had a fake berry taste that I didn't like). The main feature of these bars is that they boast an impressive amount of protein (18 grams per bar). They are a bit processed, so it's not something I plan on eating a lot, but if you are an athlete or looking to find a convenient and portable bar with a lot of vegan protein, these are definitely for you! They are also gluten-free, use non-GMO soy, have no artificial sweeteners, and no hydrogenated oils.

NuGo Dark bars -These are covered in chocolate so they are almost like a candy bar! I see them more as a treat than an nutrition bar, but they do provide a nice amount of protein. Oh, and they taste delicious! Unlike other protein bar manufacturers, NuGo never uses waxy vegetable fat compounds in place of real dark chocolate. I tried all the flavors except the Mocha Chocolate, and the Mint Chocolate Chip was my favorite. I'm not usually a huge mint-chocolate fan, but something about this bar just made it really tasty. It reminded me of a peppermint patty! It had just the right amount of mint--not too overpowering. The Peanut Butter Cup one must have been near the mint one in shipping, because it also tasted a little like mint (which I don't think it was supposed to!). The Chocolate Pretzel with Sea Salt and Chocolate Chocolate Chip were both really good, and like all the bars they had a nice chocolate flavor and were a little chewy and crunchy.

OCHO Coconut Bar - OCHO Organic Candy Bars so far only makes one vegan flavor, the coconut. I thought this one was really delicious, with a perfect sweetness and lovely coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with the dark chocolate shell. The flavor was really everything you could hope for. These aren't exactly a low-fat or low-calorie treat, but they are probably better for you than the majority of candy bars out there, if you are craving one. Since they got this bar just right, I hope that in the future they will consider making all of their flavors vegan!

Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies - I tried the Chocolate Chunk (vegan) and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk (vegan). Both were absolutely delicious! The cookies are generously-sized, have a nice boost of protein, and are very satisfying. They almost taste homemade. I think the chocolate peanut butter was my favorite, but it's hard to pick. It would be nice if they used all whole grain flour, but at least the oats in them provide some fiber. I hope they add more vegan flavors in the future!

Funky Monkey Snacks - These are really fun snacks made from 100% freeze-dried fruit. My favorite was the "Applemon" (Apple Cinnamon). I loved how sweet/tart and crispy/chewy they were! I shared these with my brothers, sister, and mom and they all thought they were really good. My one brother LOVES fruit so he was crazy about these. I thought this was a really fun snack, and it's definitely something that kids will love. There is no sugar added, no preservatives, no coloring, no flavoring, and they are a raw food and non-GMO! It looks like some flavors are organic, but not all.

Everyday Gourmet Vegan Bakery - Both cookies I tried were diabetic-friendly, meaning that they are sweetened with agave, xylitol, and/or coconut sugar. I really like the fact that this bakery uses alternative sweeteners. That's not something even most vegan bakeries do! They are also wheat-free (not gluten free). These cookies were huge, too. Even though these are made with more wholesome ingredients, I'm not sure I would consider them healthy. But I'm sure they are way better for you than processed, commercial, non-vegan treats. They do pack a lot of calories and fat, but it's okay to indulge once in awhile. It's good to know that when you do, you aren't harming humans (they use fair-trade ingredients) or animals (they're vegan, of course)! The rest of their stuff looks amazing, too (especially the cakes!).They ship anywhere in the U.S.! The Fudge Stripe Cookie was dense and cakey. Like I said, these cookies are really big and satisfying. The bottom of this one has a layer of fudgey chocolate, too, and then the top is striped with the same fudge. These kind of reminded me of those other fudge stripe cookies I used to have when I was a kid, except these are WAY better! Chocolate Chip Cookie: I think the one I tried was diabetic-friendly, but I can't seem to find that listing on their website. It might be new. This had a terrific flavor, and the taste and texture is really everything I could hope for in a chocolate chip cookie. Diet Enhance: "Diet Enhance, offered in a convenient shaker bottle, is a patent pending blend of organic algae and carotenoids." I wasn't really sure to expect with this (the name is kind of vague), but it's basically just a green powder. It doesn't taste great on its own, but a sprinkle here and there on soups, smoothies, salads, and casseroles would be sure to up the nutrition and I think it would blend in more subtly with the other flavors.

Desiderio Chocolates - They sent me some of their Caramellas (All Natural Vegan Caramels), which are actually chocolate-covered caramels. Yum! These look beautiful and taste amazing. The chewy caramel is firm at first but it softens as it melts and there are nice notes of dark sugar and a touch of salt. Absolutely delicious! As you can tell, these really impressed me. They were unique yet completely mouth-watering. I would love to try their other treats!

Sun Chlorella - I tried the Sun Chlorella tablets and granules. The tablets did get stuck in teeth a bit, eaten plain, but I think they would be great for throwing in a smoothie. They taste a little grassy and also a bit like seaweed. I found that I liked the granules a lot better. The individual packets are really handy and I actually think it tastes kind of refreshing mixed with water. This company also sent me some Sun Eleuthero tea and tablets, which I had never heard of. I haven't tried these yet, but they sound intriguing! In addition, I also received a few other products, including the Pet Sun Chlorella and Sun Chlorella Cream. I didn't use the latter because I was a bit iffy on some of the chemicals it contained. If you've never heard of chlorella before, there is a great post on Choosing Raw that explains more about it.

Thank you to all the companies that sent me products to review!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation.

Reviews of Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar and Fresh and Fast Vegan

2012-02-11T13:04:00.006-05:00

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero -
This wonderful little book is jam-packed with mouthwatering vegan cookies. There is something here for virtually every occasion, from classics like Deluxe Cocoa Brownies and Peanut Butter Crisscrosses to sophisticated originals like Chocolate Chip Chai Spice Shortbread and Macadamia Ginger Crunch Drops. There are also vegan makeovers of old favorites like Nutter Betters Sandwich Cookies and Lazy Samoas. Whatever you choose, you really can't go wrong. The book is compact, includes 100 recipes, and has plenty of photos. Recipes aside, this book is fun to read because of the authors' witty writing. For example, on page 8 when describing different gluten-free flours (they provide suggestions for how to make many of the recipes gluten-free!) they write: "The tastes and textures of these flours are so interesting and yummy that sometimes we go gluten-free just for fun. But, ya know, we also organize our spice rack for fun, so take that with a grain of salt." That's just one example, but it gives an idea of the style. So far, I have made the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (75), Chocolate Chip Cookies (35), Lemon Bars (141), Citrus Glitters (70), Caramel Pecan Bars (111), and Fruity Oat Bars (101)…and I have a bunch more that I want to try. This book is one of the indispensable guides for vegan baking.

Fresh and Fast Vegan: Quick, Delicious, and Creative Recipes to Nourish Aspiring and Devoted Vegans by Amanda Grant -
For some reason this book just didn't catch my fancy. The cover is bright and inviting, but there are no photos in the book at all. This is a major turnoff for me because I am a very visual person. I would say that these recipes are for a more sophisticated palate than mine. I'm sure the dishes probably taste amazing, but none of it just really sounded like food that I would make in my kitchen. For some reason I just found it very unapproachable. I do appreciate that they include the nutrition facts for things, but unfortunately a lot of the dishes are really high in oil. The menus in the back were a nice touch and would be helpful if one was looking to prepare an impressive meal for guests. I would classify this book as gourmet vegan fare. It would be a perfect gift for adventurous foodies.

Disclaimer: I received these books free from Da Capo Press in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way and all thoughts expressed are my own. Please not that I have not read these books cover-to-cover.

Reviews of Blissful Bites and Everyday Happy Herbivore

2012-02-06T10:23:00.000-05:00

BenBella Books recently sent me two beautiful cookbooks to review. I've spent the last several months happily trying out many of the recipes they contained, and today I'm going to share my thoughts on them. Just so you know, I haven't actually read either of these volumes cover-to-cover, but I've spent quite a bit of time flipping through, reading sections, and trying out the recipes.

Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet by Christy Morgan - The first thing that caught my attention about this book was the beautiful photography and design. The colorful aesthetics just drew me right in. The arrangement of the book is also really well-thought out: before each section there is a list that divides the recipes up into seasons, there is a very helpful index, LOTS of pictures (this is a major plus for me), inspirational quotes, helpful tips, and more. The recipes incorporate a wide variety of tastes and preferences--there are options for gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free, raw, etc. There are also lists of the chef's and testers' favorite recipes, which is a fun feature. The recipes themselves include both comfort classics and unique creations. These are the ones I tried: Mac 'n' Cheese Kale Salad (100), Pan-fried Tofu with Carrot-Orange Sauce (198), Goddess Mint Dressing (88), Spring Kale Salad with Sweet Miso Dressing (88), Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie (41), Zucchini "Pasta" with Mint-Cashew Pesto Sauce (92), Barley Malt-Glazed Tempeh (195). I had mixed results with the recipes themselves, but most of them I found to be quite creative and flavorful. There were a few that I really didn't care for, but I imagine that everyone has different tastes. The great thing about this book is that there is really a great variety of recipes, so there something that will appeal to just about everyone. I definitely have a bunch more that I plan on making! There are some recipes that call for unfamiliar ingredients (at least to me), but I actually really enjoy trying new things. It's one of my favorite aspects of cooking. There are also a lot of flavor combinations that I never would have thought of. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to mix-up their everyday cooking routine, wants ideas of how to cook more seasonally...or just loves delicious vegan food! (P.S. There is a bit of new-agey type stuff in this, but nothing too distracting.)

Everyday Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Quick-and-Easy Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes by Lindsay S. Nixon - This cookbook has really grown on me since I first got it. At first I flipped through it and saw the lackluster photography and simple recipes and thought "meh." But then I actually tried some of the recipes. In fact, I made quite a few of them: Pineapple Sponge Cake (256), Chickpea Tenders (182), Tropical Bliss Smoothie (14), Garlicky Spinach (222), Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie (157), Cajun Chickpea Cakes (188), Lemon Jam Biscuits (61), Rainbow Greens (235), Granola Bars (23), Butter Bean Cookies (241), and Sweet Potato Dal (114)…and I have to say, for the most part I really liked them. There were a few that were a bit "blah," but none that I really disliked. In fact, there were even a few that surprised and impressed me. I think the fat-free baking is something that I am still kind of warming up to. The baked goods I tried from the book are very different than regular ones, but none of them were inedible. :) I do eat fat, but I think that most of us probably don't have trouble getting more than enough of it. For that reason, it's nice to try recipes that are lighter, but still full of flavor. It's the kind of food that I feel good about eating. Several of the recipes are very simple, but there is a nice mix, and I even found some of the dishes that sound really simple to be quite creative and delicious. There are also lots of helpful tips sprinkled throughout, and I thought the section on making one's own Sauces & Gravies to be quite useful. It's nice to have a handy source to reach for when I need to mix up my own Cajun Seasoning, for example. Over all, I think the book has a very unintimidating and approachable feel. It's perfect for the cook with simple tastes who is craving some fast and healthful food.

Disclaimer: I received these books free from BenBella Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way and all thoughts expressed are my own.

Reviews: Truffles, Spirulina, Soups, and More

2012-02-05T16:33:00.001-05:00

Energy Truffles - The presentation on these is great, and even comes with a little card to identify each flavor. These definitely aren't your typical truffle--they deliver lots of good stuff like hempseeds, chia seeds, nuts, and other whole foods. The inside is kind of like an energy bar (thus the name, I imagine!) with differently flavored chopped nut fillings. My favorite flavors were probably the Orange, Salted Fudge, and Cinnamon. The Coconut was also good (it had a nice buttery coconut flavor), and the Cayenne was surprisingly fun (not too spicy; just right). All truffles are vegan, gluten-free, and made with 100% organic or wild crafted ingredients.

Pinkies Vegan Sweets - This Etsy shop sent me quite a few things to try. My favorite of the bunch was the Vegan Chocolate Caramel Corn. It was amazing! Imagine really good caramel corn drizzled with white and semisweet chocolate, and sprinkled with peanuts and almonds...and that's what you get! Sweet, salty, crunchy…mmm! I found the Vegan Snickerdoodles to be a little doughy, but if you like super soft cookies you will love these. They tasted incredibly "buttery"...I wish I knew the baker's secret! The Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge was sweet, peanut buttery, and kind of addictive. Plus, it's made with all organic ingredients! My family loved the Vegan Whoopie Pies. Their favorites were the the mint one and the chocolate one. My mom said she would give the Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars a ten. She even asked me, "Are you sure these are vegan?" My little sister replied, "Mom, some vegan stuff is GOOD." :)

Spirulina Energy Bites

Green Tara Spirulina - Spirulina is incredibly healthy and a wonderful food to add to your diet. The Spirulina Energy Bites-- made of organic bananas, organic sesame seeds, organic coconut, organic dates, and spirulina--make it easy to get a boost of green power on the go. These are bite-sized and mostly taste like banana and coconut with a little crunch from the sesame. Green Tara also makes Spirulina Crunchies which, as the name implies, are crunchy little spirulina pieces. These would be great for sprinkling on cereal, yogurt, or salads, or blending into smoothies. All products are non-GMO, vegan, raw, and use no preservatives. (P.S. I'm a little confused by the packaging; the image is kind of strange.)

Cusinart Handheld Blender - I reviewed this handy device for Wayfair. I thought it would be good for blending soups, salad dressings, and other small jobs that don't require getting the big blender or food processor out. I love how easy it is to use and to clean, and that it comes apart for easy storage. However, I found that it was very tippy when using the plastic blending jar. The cord also seemed to really get in the way. As for performance, just as I hoped, it works great for dressings, soups, and even some smoothies. The chopping attachment is also very handy.

Kettle Cuisine Soups - Not all of Kettle Cuisine's soups are vegan, but a few of them are. I recently tried two of the vegan flavors-- the Roasted Vegetable Soup and the Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables. Both soups were delicious and so handy to have in a pinch. They are rather low in protein, though, and the first one is also a bit higher in oil then I would use if making at home. I added some nutrition by bulking them up a bit with extra beans, greens, and veggies. This made for a very satisfying bowl of soup and also stretched them a bit more. (I didn't try the other vegan flavor, the Three Bean Chili, but I imagine that has more protein than the other two.) Over all, I would definitely recommend these for a healthy meal in a pinch. I know that I was sure glad to have them waiting for me in my freezer.

Thank you to all the companies that sent me products to review!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation.

Vegan Chocolates and Sweets for Valentine's Day

2012-02-01T13:45:00.002-05:00

From salted caramels to coconut truffles, it's time for a round-up of some great places to find vegan chocolates and sweets this Valentine's Day. Whether you buy them for your valentine or for yourself, you will definitely want to check some of these companies out.

Feed Your Face Vegan Caramels - Vegan caramels? Oh, yes! I sampled a bunch of different flavors and they are delicious! My favorites were the sea salt, mulled apple cider, maple, eggnog, carrot cake, green tea chai…well, I liked a lot of them. They also sell really unique flavor combinations, like pomegranate balsamic. These aren't skimpy portions, either. Each piece is big and chewy and melts in your mouth (unlike those hard caramels that stick to your teeth). I loved having a chance to try these. Be sure to check out the Etsy shop and order some as a gift or for yourself! You don't want to miss these!

Fine & Raw Chocolate - This stuff is delicious--smooth, rich, and dark without being bitter (there is the perfect amount of sweetness). They are made without refined sugar, dairy (obviously), or additives. I tried the Two Piece BonBons, the Sea Salt bar, and the Cacao & Coconut Chunky BonBon. I think the bonbons were my favorite--I loved how the firm shell enclosed a toothsome silky center. In the coconut bonbons a hint of coconut was perceptible but not overpowering. Also, extra props for fun packaging!

Go Max Go Vegan Candy Bars - Go Max Go manufacturers vegan candy bars that are free of hydrogenated oils and made with “nothing artificial.” That said, they contain palm oil, corn syrup, and other things which I consider less than ideal. But… everyone needs a treat once in a while, and these are certainly a delicious alternative to most candy bars out there! The peanut butter cups were probably my favorite thing that I tried. I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter but I found the filling to be a little greasy and having a weird mouth-feel. The flavors were spot on, though. It was just a consistency issue. These candy bars are perfect if you are missing the not-so-vegan kind. I found them to be a bit over-sweet for me personally (even though I don't like bitter chocolate, I think there is a happy medium between the two extremes), but still pretty delicious. I am really impressed with how they can get the nougat and caramel so perfect. These are great if you miss milk chocolate, because they are made with rice milk chocolate!

Taza Chocolate - If you are looking for a chocolate that is unique, but still incredibly tasty, you definitely want to check Taza out. I honestly was not sure what to expect. Sometimes I can find dark chocolate to be bitter or boring. This chocolate is neither. The packaging is creative, the texture is unique, and the flavor is great. It's not your dull old chocolate. This stuff has a delicious, almost fruity chocolate flavor and because of being stone ground, it has a grainier texture than most chocolate (but grainy in a good way!). There's really no way to describe it; you just have to try it for yourself. When I first read the flavors they didn't really excited me, but having tried it, I can see how things like Salt & Pepper and Guajillo Chili could really complement the unique method of processing. I tried the Cinnamon (slight but not overpowering hint of cinnamon spice), Salted Almond (my favorite of the three I tried--nutty, delicious), and Vanilla Bean (fruity, not a very present vanilla flavor). This was so fun and different than I expected! I now want to try all the flavors! I also really appreciate the company's commitment to quality ingredients and ethical practices (you can learn more about these things by visiting their site). They are also 100% USDA certified organic!

Birdcrumbs - If you are looking for something quirky, original, and epicurean, check out this Etsy shop full of creative offerings. I sampled the: Raw Organic Lavender & Lemon Macaroons (My favorite of the three, these have a delicious fresh lemon flavor and an appealing but subtle hint of lavender. They are rich, but not too sweet and with just a pinch of salt to balance everything out. I didn't think I was a fan of lavender sweet treats, but these changed my mind!), the Organic Vegan Apple Maple Bacon Bits (Wow, really unique. Would be great on a salad), and the Organic Raw Apple Kale Pecan Bits (What a creative combination--a little sweet and a little savory. The kale is not overpowering.). As a bonus, this company has really cute packaging. The box I got was even wrapped up in brown paper, so it was like opening a present!

Vegan Delights - This is another great Etsy shop that makes vegan baked goods and candies. My favorite thing that I tried was the Chunky Monkey Cookies. These bite-sized cookies have the perfect texture--chewy but not gummy--and the combination of banana, walnuts, and chocolate chips is a definite winner (there is also peanut butter in them but I didn't really detect that). So good! I was worried that the banana would be over-powering, but it was not. I also tried a Gluten-Free and Raw Coconut Candy (this was different, but good. It was small--about the size of a large marble, buttery from the coconut, and very soft and fruity.), a Peanut Butter Corn Flakes Cookie (I loved this. I am a big peanut butter fan and that coupled with the crunchy flakes made for a delicious sweet treat.), and a Chocolate Granola Bomb (a chocolate-covered ball of granola. Definitely creative!).

UliMana - Everything I've ever tried from this company has been really outstanding. I was recently blessed to sample the Goji Cherry Truffles (These were my favorite. They are soft and sweet like fudge inside, but crunchy from cacao nibs on the outside. The goji and cherries also make them a little chewy. YUM!), Dark Cacao Raw Truffles (These were rich and dense with a wonderful deep chocolate flavor), Mayan Raw Truffles (I thought these were really unique. They are sweet from the cinnamon and spicy from a hint of cayenne!). Everything I tried was also raw, vegan, dairy free, organic, and agave sweetened. These truffles would make the perfect gift to pamper your favorite chocoholic! These were one of my favorite things mentioned in this post.

Righteously Raw - These are not very sweet and I found the chocolate a little strong for my taste. My favorite was probably the Lucuma Caramel (fun filling), with the Maca (earthy with a slight saltiness) being a runner-up. The Goji had a little crunch from the seeds and it and the Acai was okay. I was not at all a fan of Maqui Rose. I wasn't really too crazy about any of these, but if you love really dark chocolate and enjoy trying exotic superfoods, then these are probably for you! These are certified organic, kosher, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, include no refined sugars, and are made in a nut-free facility.

Coco Confections - The flavors and texture for these were spot on, and they are really pretty with cute packaging. However, I found them a bit lacking in sweetness. The chocolate isn't really bitter, though, it's just kind of a more "pure" chocolate taste. If you love things that aren't too sweet but are still healthy treats with terrific flavor, you will love these! I sampled the Coconut, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Almond truffles. As an extra bonus: everything is organic!

Hippie Cakes - Another great Etsy find. I love this business' motto: "Always vegan. Mostly organic. Definitely tasty." Hippie Cakes is 100% vegan, purchases most ingredients from local retailers, and accommodates food allergies--including filling custom requests. I sampled the Peanut Butter Cups (Absolutely delicious! They were very good sized and had just a hint of pleasant crunch from the finely chopped homemade graham crackers. Note that they also make a gluten-free version.) and the beautiful Vegan Fruit Crèmes (These come in a variety of flavors. I sampled the cherry, coconut, banana, orange crème, and rootbeer. Each one was individually wrapped in a corresponding color of bright foil. The exterior was a rich chocolate shell and the filling was a very sweet fruity crème. I thought the rootbeer was such a fun flavor, and the banana reminded me of those Laffy Taffy candies...but I enjoyed them all! I didn't know what they would send me, so I think I kind of squealed a little when I opened the package and bit into one of the crèmes…and then again when I realized they were each a different flavor! It reminded me of those chocolate sampler trays that get passed around during the holidays. I wish I knew if they used natural colors and extracts, though.) The package as a whole was really fun to open. I know that I keep mentioning packaging--and maybe I'm the only one who notices stuff like that--but it's always fun to know what looks impressive if you are planning on giving it as a gift. These came wrapped up really prettily, and I could just tell that everything was made with love!

I would also like to point out that three of the companies I reviewed today (Taza, UliMana and Righteously Raw) are on the Food Empowerment Project's list of chocolates they recommend. You can learn more about what that means here.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation.

Review of Vegan for Life

2012-01-28T10:44:00.005-05:00

I have found Ginny Messina's site to be a really helpful resource in learning about vegan nutrition, so when I heard she was co-writing a book with fellow nutritionist Jack Norris, I knew that it would be one I would want to check out. I'm so glad I did!

Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diethas the same honest, fact-based approach to vegan nutrition that I have come to appreciate from the authors' respective sites. There is a focus on making vegan diets healthy and nutritionally balanced, but they also seek to present veganism as something that is doable. I appreciate that they don't resort to extravagant claims or anecdotal evidence. At the beginning of the book there is a section on the different types of research, and every fact they state is backed up with scientific studies (all of which are cited at the end of the book).

The first third to half of the book covers all of the nutrition needs of humans, and how those can be best met on a plant-based diet. There are chapters on calcium, fats, protein, and more. I will admit that some of this information was confusing to me, but there is a really helpful section called "The Vegan Food Guide," which quickly summarizes and condenses the main things to remember from the more detailed previous chapters. The rest of the book deals with putting it all into practice: raising vegan children, sample menus, tips for transitioning to veganism, veganism for special diets (like food allergies, pregnancy, athletes, etc.), a chapter on soy foods, health benefits of a vegan diet, how to prevent and manage disease, and a final chapter on the reasons for being vegan. So while there is some heavy nutritional stuff, the rest of the book provides tips for practical application for all of that information.

There is a big focus on making vegan seem easy, and I appreciate that. With so many conflicting voices in the health community it is nice to read a book like this that lays things out so simply. That said, I sometimes felt like there was a bit too much focus on convenience products and shortcuts that maybe aren't the healthiest. I understand where they are coming from in trying to make veganism convenient (and it's not like I think packaged food is evil; I enjoy Daiya cheese as much as the next person!), but I've heard a lot of different information about things like isolated soy protein (for example). Another example: there was also no mention of trying to get BPA-free canned goods (many recommendations were made for using canned products). Like I said, I can see where they are coming from in trying to keep things simple, but I can't help wishing that some of those things would have been addressed. Perhaps that would have made the book too long, though?

The authors provide some really great answers to commonly asked questions. For example, in response to the question, “Is a vegan diet natural?” they write:

“We agree that it just doesn’t matter whether a vegan diet is our historical way of eating or not. The fact is, it makes sense now to choose a vegan diet. And whose diet is really natural, anyway? The assumption that there is one natural prehistoric diet, which can be approximated today and would be optimal for modern humans, is dubious at best.” (35)

They also debunk the “Top Ten Myths About Vegan Diets,” which I thought was really interesting. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and this does a good job of making sense of everything. For example, I just came across a site the other day where a popular cookbook author wrote that she doesn't take any supplements and gets everything she needs from food (they counter this kind of thinking more in the book). In some cases, like regarding vitamin B12, that can be a dangerous position to take. B12 in particular is one that the book outlines as being essential to supplement:

“Based on our current knowledge of vitamin B12 requirements and sources, supplementation is not a subject for debate. Vitamin B12 supplements or fortified foods are an essential part of a well-balanced vegan diet at all stages of the life cycle.” (36)

Lest you think that veganism is endlessly fussy, remember that omnivores have to monitor a lot of this stuff, too (including things that vegans don't have to worry about over-consuming--like cholesterol). There are unique needs and challenges in any diet, and this book just specifically addresses those of vegans.

I’m also glad they included the “Why Vegan” chapter. It’s always good to remember why we do all of this, even though it's really sad to read about the horrible abuse that goes on. This excerpt in particular stuck out to me as a reminder of why veganism is such a powerful choice:

“By far the most effective way to end factory farming is to eliminate demand. And the only way to do that is to adopt a vegan lifestyle. While it’s sad to think about the plight of animals on factory farms, it’s empowering to know that we can choose not to contribute to their torture—and that this choice can prevent animal suffering and threaten the very existence of animal agriculture.” (234)

Further on in the chapter they briefly outline some animal rights philosophies. Some of this was new to me and it definitely made me think about where I stand. I’m not sure that I completely agree with the “argument from marginal cases." I do believe that causing another creature to suffer is wrong and brutal in the deepest sense, but I also believe that as humans we have a soul and this makes us different from animals (animals don’t have souls, right?). However, I think the very fact that we are superior creatures to them gives us a greater responsibility to treat them with kindness. They have no voice and are completely helpless. It is an exercise of the best part of our strength as humans when we defend the helpless. In this way, I think caring for animals is really just an extension of my pro-life beliefs. People are first, yes, but all life is sacred. Even that of a nameless, suffering animal.

I think this book is a must read for any vegan--new or old--or anyone thinking about going vegan. It is as transparent about both the joys and challenges of veganism as it is passionate about the underlying convictions for this lifestyle. It provides the information one needs to thrive on a vegan diet and reminds us why, ultimately, being vegan is so completely worth it. Over all, I feel like this book provides a really balanced, sane, and common-sense approach to vegan nutrition. I highly recommend checking it out!

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Da Capo Press in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way and all thoughts expressed are my own.

P.S. If you follow me on Goodreads, I posted this review on there as well.

My Thoughts on Anne of Green Gables

2012-01-22T12:54:00.002-05:00

I just finished Anne of Green Gables (as part of the L.M. Montgomery Reading Challenge going on this month) and I loved it!

It was fun to get a better insight into the characters and to soak up all the things that the movie omitted or changed. I greatly enjoy L.M. Montgomery's writing here--the touches of humor (some parts were VERY funny!), descriptions of nature, and her ability to understand and express the facets of people and emotions. She just captures it all beautifully. There are so many little insights that really resonated with me.

I also found the book Anne to be different than the movie one. In fact, I find her more likeable in the original source than on screen. I really do love the movie, but sometimes in that she comes off more haughty. In the book she seemed more earnest and endearing.

I also feel like the book lays a better foundation for understanding Marilla's personality. Mainly this is because we are privy to her thoughts here in a way that the movie couldn't convey. (I also thought it was interesting how several of Anne’s “mistakes” are actually Marilla’s—the raspberry cordial and liniment episodes were both just Anne following Marilla’s directions!)

I'm not extremely fond of the Gilbert of the movie, but I LOVE him as portrayed in the books. I am looking forward to reading the next book!

This book is really quite timeless. (Well, despite a few passing maybe-racist remarks. Apparently the residents of Avonlea did not think well of foreigners. I also didn't like the part about that gruesome haunted wood. But, really, those things were so minor they're almost not worth mentioning. Over all, there was very little I didn't like.) The story still feels very fresh, even though it was written over a hundred years ago. I'm so glad that I finally read this and discovered that Anne and I are perhaps more "kindred spirits" than I previously thought.

I am looking forward to re-watching the movie now and comparing it to the book!

I'm so glad this challenge motivated me to finally read this! Thanks, Carrie, for hosting it.

P.S. This review was also posted on Goodreads, although I changed a few things.

L.M. Montgomery Reading Challenge 2012

2012-01-06T16:05:00.002-05:00

For the month of January I will be participating in the reading challenge hosted by Carrie of Reading to Know. This challenge focuses on the work of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the Anne of Green Gables series, The Story Girl, and many other well-loved books. When I was younger I read her Emily series and all of the Anne books except the first two. Having watched the two movies starring Megan Follows countless times, I thought that reading Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea would just be boring and repetitive. It wasn't until last year that I actually realized how different the movies (especially the second one) are from the book. Plus, the books are classics, and it was really quite silly of me to skip over them.

So, all that to say that this month I plan on reading Anne of Green Gables for the first time! I originally thought that I would not participate because of the inopportune timing with all of the other books I have lined up to read first. But then I remembered that I could listen to it on audio book. So we'll see how that goes!

I also plan on watching some of the TV series Road to Avonlea. I've seen a few of these episodes before, but I have never started at the beginning of the show, which is what I plan on doing this month.

If you would like to participate in this reading challenge, head over to Carrie's blog to find out more.

More Reviews: Farmhouse Culture Kraut, Pure Bars, and Beanfields Chips

2011-12-01T16:28:00.010-05:00

I'm back again with some more reviews!

Pure Bars - These are one of my very favorite brands of energy bars (in fact, they might be #1). The ingredients are wholesome, the nutrition is great, the flavors are delicious, and the packaging is cute (because that matters, right?). My favorite flavor is the Orange-Cranberry. This tastes just like a cranberry-orange muffin in bar form. It is delicious! I also really like the Apple Cinnamon; it's sweet and chewy with the perfect amount of cinnamon. I would never turn down the other flavors, but these two are my top picks. If you are a fan of Pure Bar, be sure to check out their Twitter, Facebook, and newsletter. They often do giveaways on the first two, and the newsletter is a great source of information for all kinds of things relating to natural living. During the holiday season they also have a special fundraiser going on for the Lunchbox Fund. For every Facebook "like" or Twitter follow (see links above) that the Pure Bar gets, they will donate a lunch to a child in need. So head on over to their pages!

Farmhouse Culture Kraut - If the only kind of sauerkraut you've ever had is the soggy kind that comes out of a can, you are in for a treat. This stuff is crunchy, tangy, and delicious! Since this kraut is raw (and it's also organic!), it contains the beneficial natural probiotics that the pasteurized varieties lack. Farmhouse Culture has created an array of innovative flavors, but the three I got to sample were the Classic Caraway (perfect for vegan reubens!), Horseradish Leek, and Smoked Jalapeño. All of them were delicious! I was originally afraid that the jalapeño would be too spicy (I like a little heat, but not a lot), but it was perfect. I also have to mention the great packaging: they come in glass jars with a screw-on lid, and the label is biodegradable. I enjoyed this kraut on sandwiches, salads, in wraps, and by the forkful. The kraut will keep for several months in the refrigerator--great to know if you plan on stocking up.

Beanfields Chips - I really like these! They are made from beans and rice (complete protein!) and have a delightful crunch to them. I think they are good on their own, but they would also complement a variety of dips or spreads (hummus, guacamole, salsa, cashew cheese…the options are endless). I sampled four different flavors: Naturally Unsalted, Sea Salt, Pico De Gallo, and Sea Salt & Pepper. The Pico De Gallo and Sea Salt were my favorites. The Sea Salt variety might benefit from a little more salt, in my opinion, but they are still really good (and my favorite flavor for multi-purpose use). The Pico De Gallo has a strong cumin/taco-y flavor profile and this makes them delicious to snack on alone or with Mexican food. The Sea Salt & Pepper was my least favorite--they were just a bit too peppery and salty. But if you love other brands of salt and pepper chips, you will probably enjoy these. The Naturally Unsalted would be great for dipping, or any use when you don't want saltiness to overwhelm the other flavors. I actually don't mind eating them on their own, though, as they still have a good deal of flavor. It's also worth mentioning what the representative I emailed said about their chips, when I double-checked to be sure they were vegan: "All our products are all Vegan, by design, not by coincidence!" They are also corn free, gluten free...and delicious! I further contacted them about a question I had regarding the "yeast extract" ingredient in the Pico De Gallo chips (none of the other flavors have this). They were very prompt and nice about answering my query, which I really appreciate. I won't bore you with the details of our exchange, but it is always nice to know that there are companies that care about quality ingredients and satisfying their customers. I think all three companies that I highlighted today do that, and I am delighted that I was able to share these products with you all!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation.

Zevia Giveaway! This Contest Has Now Ended

2011-11-27T12:23:00.004-05:00

The people at Zevia have offered to do a giveaway for one reader to get a coupon for a free 6-pack of soda! While I am not much of a fan of the Mountain Zevia, I do like many of their other flavors. The Dr. Zevia and Ginger Root Beer are my favorites of the ones that I have tried.

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only and will run until Saturday, December 10, 2011. I will then come back and update this post with the winner. I will also privately contact the winner, so please make sure your comment includes some way to contact you (preferably through email).

Here are a few facts that Zevia passed along to me:

Our website is located at www.zevia.com

Our Facebook page is located at http://www.facebook.com/ZEVIA, and you can follow us on Twitter @Zevia. We are very active with our social media, always doing contests, giveaways, and just chatting with our fans!

When sampling Zevia keep it cold! We always say cool is not cold enough! We recommend that you drink it out of the can. It gets warm and flat in a cup!

~~There are three ways you can enter this contest. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.~~

~~Comment on this post with your favorite Zevia flavor, or the one you would most like to try.~~
~~Post about this giveway on Twitter (remember to leave a comment saying you did so!)~~
~~Post about this giveaway on Facebook (remember to leave a comment saying you did so!)~~

~~You can enter in any or all ways listed above.~~

Keep in mind that I cannot enter you in this giveaway unless you include a way to contact you in your comment. Twitter, email or blog is fine...just make sure that there is a way you will be able to find out if you win!

***This Contest Has Now Ended***

The winner is "Dee Dee Jones" Please email me at justaudrey [at] live [dot] com to claim your prize. Thank you everyone for entering!

Food Reviews!

2011-11-27T11:59:00.002-05:00

Vegenaise - I got some coupons from Follow Your Heart, one for vegenaise and one for their vegan cheese. The vegenaise was definitely my favorite product of the two. I've tried at least one other vegan mayo and I was not a fan. I never was huge on mayonnaise in general (even when I was an omnivore, something about it just grossed me out), but this stuff doesn't bother me as much. I'm still not about to go slathering it on bread or eating it plain, but I find that it complements a variety of recipes. So far with the jar I got I have made a chocolate mayonnaise cake, blueberry cobbler, Chesapeake tempeh cakes, waldorf salad (from Peas and Thank You), tempeh salad, and tzatziki sauce (from Peas and Thank You). While I preferred some of these recipes over others (and I did alter some of them a bit), I think the blueberry cobbler wins the award for most creative use of vegan mayo. I've also seen a recipe for cinnamon buns using vegenaise; I might have to try that next. I know it sounds gross, but if you think of using it in place of Earth Balance or sour cream it takes on new possibilities.

Sjaak's Candy Bars - Sjaak's sent me a sampler back of their Eli's Earth Organic (and vegan!) Candy Bars. I really wanted to like these, but they just weren't my favorite. The bars were really hard, all except the one that had a lot of peanut butter in it (I don't remember which one it was) and that one almost had TOO much peanut butter. The chocolate didn't have a great flavor and was a bit waxy. I found the bars very sweet without a lot of authentic flavor (and the peanuts tasted stale). I hate knocking a product like this--maybe I just got a bad batch?--because I really wanted to like them. But I do try to give my honest opinion. These weren't awful, though, and I didn't have to suffer to much to eat them! : ) I just couldn't help thinking that they could be so much better. But maybe they just didn't appeal to me.

Mountain Zevia - Zevia (naturally sweetened soda) recently sent me a pack of Mountain Zevia to review. This is not a flavor I would've chosen, as I never liked regular Mountain Dew. Consequently, I wasn't too crazy about this. The color (like Mountain Dew) just unnerves me and I found it had a weird aftertaste. Plus, it's way too sweet for my taste--almost syrupy. I will drink it, but it's definitely not my favorite. That said, if you like Mountain Dew, you might like this.

Navitas Natural - Navitas send me some of their new Organic Raw Power Snacks, in Cacao Goji and Citrus Chia. I think I like the cacao flavor a little better than the citrus. Both are quite good, though. They are pretty filling and not too sweet. I found they made for a good snack. The flavor isn't amazing at first, but there is something subtly delicious about them that kept me coming back for more. They also sent me a Cacao Lip Balm. Unfortunately, this has beeswax in it! I will probably use it up because it would be wasteful to throw out, but it's definitely not something I would buy or support. On another note, Navitas wins my admiration for their attractive marketing and packaging. (For some reason I always notice stuff like that!)

I hope you enjoyed these reviews!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation for these reviews.

Links and Ideas for a Vegan Thanksgiving

2011-11-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

Thankful for vegans {Source}

Why not make this Thanksgiving turkey-free? It sure would give the turkey something to be thankful for! Here are some great ideas to plan a vegan feast:

And here is some food for thought:

Excerpts about Thanksgiving from Eating Animals (which I reviewed here)
The truth about Thanksgiving turkeys
Nutritionist Ginny Messina's article about kindness and Thanksgiving

A New Site for Betsy-Tacy Fans!

2011-11-01T11:36:00.003-04:00

You may remember that earlier this month I hinted at a project that I was hoping to complete and unveil soon. Well, now that the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge is drawing to a close, I think it's the perfect time to share this news with you--just in case you haven't quite gotten enough of the world of Deep Valley.

I've been mulling this idea over in my brain for awhile but I put it off because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to stick with it/I wouldn't be any good at researching, etc. But I finally just plunged in and did it!

So, without further ado, here is the link for The Betsy Tacy Encyclopedia.

I can't promise that I will keep up posting forever, or even that my posts will all be great, but I do hope it will be a fun site for Betsy-Tacy fans. The site is still very new, so please excuse any kinks (and let me know if you have any ideas of how to improve the site). If/when I get more followers, I would love to make it more interactive with guest posts, questions, quizzes, and polls. Please let me know if you have any ideas or would like to guest post something. I would love to hear any and all suggestions!

Three Reviews with One Thing in Common (Chocolate!)

2011-10-28T20:24:00.001-04:00

Hi! I'm just stopping by to share a few products that I have recently sampled.

First up, Artisana nut butters. I'd heard a lot from the blog world about their coconut butter and Cacao Bliss, and this stuff did not disappoint!

Both products were a lot grittier in texture than I thought they would be, and it was kind of annoying how hard they got, but the taste was terrific! My favorite, by far, was the Cacao Bliss. This stuff is good enough to eat by the spoonful. I also like the coconut butter, but I think I would like to try some recipes with it, as I'm not really sure how to use it plain.

I also received some samples of several of their other nut butters, which are also good. The Cacao Bliss was the clear winner for me, though.

I also had a chance to try some of the Zing bars. Three of their flavors are vegan: Chocolate Coconut, Cashew Cranberry Orange, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. (The other flavors are not vegan, so make sure you read the ingredients!) All of the Zing bars are wheat, gluten and soy free. They are also high in protein and naturally sweetened. I really like having these as an option for when I want a bar with more staying power. I imagine they would be great for traveling or hiking--any time one needs a convenient source of energy. I hope that they open up even more vegan options in the future. Zing was kind enough to offer readers of this blog an online discount code for 15% off! This coupon starts on Oct. 28 and goes until Nov. 30. Here is the code: audreyzing

And last, I had the chance to sample some delicious Salazon chocolate bars. This company specializes in making dark chocolate with sea salt. It's a great combination, and I think my family really enjoyed sampling with me. :) Their chocolates are organic and rain forest certified (I am a little confused as to why they aren't fair trade. The response to that question here just confused me. In any case, it seems that they at least attempt to make measures to ensure fair working conditions. Which is more than most chocolate and coffee brands can say.) They sent me four bars--all organic:

original dark chocolate with sea salt
dark chocolate with sea salt and turbinado cane sugar
dark chocolate with sea salt and cracked black pepper
dark chocolate with sea salt and crushed coffee

Their chocolate is 54% dark and to me, this was really the perfect combination of richness without bitterness. My favorite flavor was probably the original, but I loved them all. The only one that seemed a bit odd to me was the one with cracked black pepper. It's not something I think of as going with chocolate. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't my favorite. The other three flavors were absolutely delicious, though.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were sent to me free of charge for the purpose of reviewing on this blog. I received no monetary compensation for these reviews.

MHL Reading Challenge: Reviews of the First Four Books

2011-10-21T21:28:00.001-04:00

As promised, here are my reviews of the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series. I pretty much just copied and pasted the very same review I posted on Goodreads, though I did add some quotes and pictures.

BETSY-TACY

A delightful book that celebrates the innocence and imagination of childhood. This book is written for a very young audience and makes a perfect read-aloud. When I was little, all I wanted was a friend like Tacy. :) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: growing up is okay, but nothing compares to the magic of childhood—when simple things can become most adventurous and exciting. This book is the first in a series of ten books about Betsy (plus two books about other characters in which she is mentioned). The reading level and plots DO increase as the books progress and the characters mature. So don’t give up on the series if you are an older reader and find this one boring. (Though I still think it is charming!) This is a series that no childhood should be without.

"We'll have lots of fun," said Betsy. "You and me and Tacy. Lots of things will happen." And so they did.

BETSY-TACY AND TIB

** spoiler alert ** I think I like this one even more than Betsy-Tacy. Maud's descriptions are balm to my soul. For example:

It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside. (p. 4)

Such a beautiful turn of phrase. I also really love all of her descriptions of wildflowers and sunsets. :)

For some of the things they did, like the flying (Chapter 2 and 3), I thought that it seemed a bit odd that eight-year-olds wouldn’t know that you can’t fly. But perhaps they were just really innocent and had not ever been told otherwise. Maybe kids today are a bit more cynical because of the media and so many other outside influences? I don’t know.

Poor Tib! I kind of dislike that her dad says she can’t be an architect. There’s nothing at all wrong with being a housewife, but I just feel sorry for her that that option was imposed on her at the exclusion of any other career ambitions (p. 49).

The "Everything Pudding" story (Chapter 5) is fun but am I the only one who cringes at the waste of food? (p. 64) Haha, I'm such a miser. I still love the story, though. I feel kind of the same way about the haircutting thing. I can relate to their mothers’ reactions on that one! They all have such beautiful hair. But…I actually did something very similar when I was little (cut off half my hair—just one braid), but for decidedly different reasons. My plan was more premeditated and not at all sentimental; I just really wanted a haircut!

I thought it was interesting that the girls liked to talk about God. It did bother me a little that their view of faith was so, well, depressing. There is truth in what Betsy and Tacy say (that we are “born bad" (p. 100), etc.) but they don't mention the hope in Jesus’ redemption! Christianity is not a dour religion. I wish the girls understood that more. They seem very receptive to things of a spiritual nature, and I think that is true of a lot of children. I just wish that instead of deploring their bad actions, they had tried to do GOOD things and reward those. But, I suppose the whole story about the stones (Chapter 8) wouldn’t be quite as entertaining that way. :) I understand that, but I also think that kids have a great potential—an underestimated one—to really do good and be holy. I think the sentence at the end of Chapter 8 really expresses this:

In silence the three of them looked at the sunset and thought about God.

I find that really beautiful and sweet. :)

It's interesting to first read these as a kid and then come back many years later and read them when I am older. And guess what? I still love them! (Though I may be over-thinking some things here a little.) Children's books or not, this is one of the most delightful series you could ever hope to read.

BETSY AND TACY GO OVER THE BIG HILL

** spoiler alert ** My enjoyment in rereading this series is increasing exponentially as I continue. I really think the books just get better and better. :)

Poor Tib gets left out in this title, though she is still very much part of the story. The information at the back of the book says that Maud's original idea for a title was "Betsy-Tacy and Tib are Ten", but her publisher disagreed.

I love how Tacy and then Tib move in to defend Naifi when all the boys are so cruelly teasing her (Chapter 5), and Mrs. Muller's response to the incident (p. 75). I wonder what ever happened to Naifi? I don't recall her being mentioned in subsequent books.

The friction of Julia and Katie versus Betsy, Tacy, and Tib is a big part of this book. I feel like Maud portrays the younger sister/older sister relationship very realistically. Even though the story is told from the younger girls' perspective, we can see Katie and Julia's side, too:

Julia and Katie were good big sisters, as big sisters go, and Betsy and Tacy were no more exasperating than other little sisters. (p. 78)

I also find the part when they all finally make up to be really sweet.

Another favorite incident is when the girls are collecting votes for who will be queen. It is interesting to peek into the homes of so many Deep Valley residents. I had forgotten about "the deaf and dumb family" (p. 93) and I thought the mention of them, and that they taught Betsy, Tacy, and Tib sign language, was really neat. I would've loved to learn more about them. Oh, and it's fun how at the end of that chapter I felt perfectly furious at Katie and Julia sitting there eating their cake and ice cream after getting all those votes at the Ice Cream Social. :)

I also wondered: did the King of Spain write to them in real life? It seems a little improbable, but I suppose it could happen.

Those are just a few of my favorite parts of this book, though I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story.

They soon stopped being ten years old. But whatever age they were seemed to be exactly the right age for having fun.

BETSY AND TACY GO DOWNTOWN

** spoiler alert ** Another perfectly delightful volume in the Betsy-Tacy series. This book might be my favorite of the first four, though I really don't know how I could ever choose.

I have SO many favorite scenes in this book: Betsy writing in the maple tree, when Betsy gets her desk, Betsy going to the library, window shopping, bobsledding, "Flossie's Accident" (at first I thought it was weird but now I find it hilarious), Mrs. Poppy's party, Christmas morning, the reunion with Uncle Keith...etc. there is basically not a part of the book that I don't love. The wintery parts in this story are especially cozy. :)

This book serves as a perfectly toned bridge in the series. Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are starting to grow up: Betsy can go downtown on her own, Tib gets an important role in a play, and even shy Tacy admits that she finds Herbert Humphrey cute. While Betsy has always wanted to be a writer, in this book she first starts to take steps to make that goal happen. Despite the fact that the girls are now twelve, they are not too old to annoy Julia and her beau, invent elaborate stories, or try to hypnotize the impish Winona.

I get such a kick out of Betsy. She's flawed but wonderful. I love how she is such "a talker."

Betsy liked to talk. Her father always said she got it from her mother, and her mother always said she got it from her father. But whomever she got it from she was certainly a talker. (p. 112)

I have a great fondness for most of the main characters in these books, though--right down to Miss Sparrow! Maud has such a matter-of-fact, yet tender, insight into human nature, and I always feel refreshed after spending time with the town and people she wrote about.

With the recently re-reprinted Betsy-Tacy Treasury, all four of these books are available in one volume. (Just so you know, I'm not paid or rewarded in anyway for mentioning that.)

This post is part of the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge.

Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge: One of My Favorite Scenes

2011-10-20T21:44:00.004-04:00

The MHL Reading Challenge continues! This week's prompt for the giveaway was to write about a favorite scene or character from one of Maud's books. Since I have about 40 favorite scenes (per book, that is) I am going to pick a scene from one of the books that I recently re-read, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. This scene takes place in Chapter 6. What I love about it is how encouraging Betsy's family is of her writing. I also always enjoy the interactions between Mr. and Mrs. Ray. (Mr. Ray, in particular, is a favorite of mine. :))

"Betsy's mother was a great believer in people having private places."

This particular moment takes place one evening after supper. That afternoon, Mrs. Ray had helped Betsy find a writing corner:

"Your father and I are very proud of your writing. We want you to keep at it. You ought to have a desk but we can't afford one yet. I'll find a place for your things, though."

Mrs. Ray loved to fix things up around her house. And when she got started, Mr. Ray often said, she didn't let any grass grow under her feet.

I wonder if part of the reason that Betsy's parents are so supportive of their children's ambitions is because they saw how Uncle Keith (Mrs. Ray's brother) was not encouraged in pursuing his talents? [If you haven't read this book, you will learn more about this in the story.]

"Well, Betsy," he [Mr. Ray] said, "your mother tells me that you are going to use Uncle Keith's trunk for a desk. That's fine. You need a desk. I've often noticed how much you like to write. The way you eat up those advertising tablets from the store! I never saw anything like it. I can't understand it though. I never write anything but checks myself. "

    "Bob!" said Mrs. Ray. "You wrote the most wonderful letters to me before we were married. I still have them, a big bundle of them. Every time I clean house I read them over and cry."
    "Cry, eh?" said Mr. Ray, grinning. "In spite of what your mother says, Betsy, if you have any talent for writing, it comes from family. Her brother Keith was mighty talented, and maybe you are too. Maybe you're going to be a writer."
    Betsy was silent, agreeably abashed.
   "But if you're going to be a writer," he went on, "you've got to read. Good books. Great books. The classics." (pp. 89-91)

Mr. Ray then proceeds to tell Betsy a plan he and Mrs. Ray have devised to allow Betsy to go downtown twice a month to check out some books from the library (and get her lunch in town, too). Betsy is elated at this exciting news and Julia shares her joy.

Julia was as happy as Betsy was, almost. One nice thing about Julia was that she rejoiced in other people's luck.

I noticed that in this book Julia and Betsy start to get along a lot better, though their interests are not very similar at this point.

I also love how Betsy reacts to this news--even talkative Betsy needs to be alone sometimes! [And if you want to know what the mention of "Rena's novels" is about, you'll have to read the book!]

Betsy was so full of joy that she had to be alone. She went upstairs to her bedroom and sat down on Uncle Keith's trunk. Behind Tacy's house the sun had set. A wind had sprung up and the trees, their color dimmed, moved under a brooding sky. All the stories she had told Tacy and Tib seemed to be dancing in those trees, along with all the stories she planned to write some day and all the stories she would read at the library. Good stories. Great stories. The classics. Not Rena's novels.

I meant to just quickly mention this scene, and now I am starting to analyze the book! I am thinking about posting my reviews that I put up on Goodreads for these four books, though I will probably flesh them out with some photos and quotes. So stay tuned for those! I just wanted to make sure to get my post up for this week as soon as possible so I don't forget to enter the giveaway. Again, if you do join the challenge, please mention that I referred you, if you'd like, as this will earn me an extra entry in the giveaway! Thank you again.

Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge: How the Betsy-Tacy Books Influenced My Childhood

2011-10-09T23:05:00.007-04:00

"From this lofty retreat Betsy had a splendid view"

It's difficult to think of a time when I was not acquainted with Betsy-Tacy. (See what I did there.* :)) As I mentioned in my last post, these books were very much a part of my childhood. It's only in looking back that I see just how much they influenced me.

I am not as outgoing as Betsy is (in that respect I'm much more of a Tacy or an Emily), but I think if I belonged to a Crowd like she did, I very well could be. I have a lot of similarities to her in other ways, though: I've won essay contests and had my poetry published (that sounds a lot more impressive than it really was, I assure you!). Through my childhood I also imitated a lot of the scenes from the books:

For a time, I tried using a trunk for a writing desk. I never liked it much, though, because I found it uncomfortable to write at an angle and not be able to get my legs under it. (Chapter 6, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown)

I climbed up in a tree to write (sans cigar box), and--at least once--I got stuck up there, because I was too afraid of heights to jump down! (Chapter 1, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown)

I tried dyeing sand with the leftover Easter egg dyes, but I think the sand I had was too dark and the dyes too wet. It ended up rather muddy looking. (Chapter 9, Betsy-Tacy)

As I re-read the first four books this month I am sure I will find even more things that I did and have forgotten about.

I love the Betsy books because they celebrate the wonders of childhood and accurately portray the uncertainties of growing up. I love Maud's appreciation for family, simply every day joys, friendship, faith, nature, values, and a good adventure--even if it takes place in one's backyard.

I found kindred spirits and dear friends in Betsy and crew. In fact, I think a great deal of my childhood aspiration of becoming a writer came from Betsy…and Anne, and Jo. But most of all, from Betsy, as those were the books I was acquainted with first. Most of this desire probably stemmed from the thrill of creating, the imagined joy of seeing my name in print, and the deep connection I felt to the literary characters of my youth. I've always been captivated by the idea that I could string together words to create characters and worlds as vivid as the ones that I would escape to in my imagination. I don't think I ever really had any great or original ideas, but I felt things deeply, and I loved to act out my stories--with my dolls, my brothers, or just by myself.

I'm not a writer--yet--and I honestly don't know if I will ever be, but I still consider Betsy, Tacy, and Tib to be my dear friends.

*Footnote for the uninitiated: "It was difficult, later, to think of a time when Betsy and Tacy had not been friends." is the opening sentence of Betsy-Tacy, the first book in the series.

It's not too late to sign up for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge! Head over today and enter to win the Betsy-Tacy Treasury. If you do join the challenge, please mention me as referring you (if you choose) as this will earn me an extra entry in the giveaway! Thanks. :)

The 2011 Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge!

2011-10-04T13:24:00.002-04:00

It's time! This year's Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge is finally here. This is my first year participating, though I have been a lifelong fan of Lovelace's work. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom reading aloud to me from Betsy-Tacy on long summer afternoons. So needless to say, I'm very excited about this!

In honor of the upcoming reprinting of The Betsy-Tacy Treasury, which includes the first four books of the series, I will be rereading all of these early books. I just reread the volumes in the later half of the series this spring, so I thought getting reacquainted with younger Betsy, Tacy, and Tib would be a perfect way for me to participate!

I also have a related project that I've been working on. If I get enough time to work on it, I will unveil it this month. It's nothing huge, but I think it will be fun. : )

If you would like to participate in this challenge, which will go throughout the month of October, head over to A Library is a Hospital for the Mind to sign up! If you've never heard of this series, Sarah also has a lot of past posts that will help clue you in on all things Maud Hart Lovelace. Which reminds me: a special thanks to Sarah for hosting this and for all the work she puts into it. : )

7 Quick Takes Friday – 9/23/11

2011-09-23T16:15:00.000-04:00

It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? It’s good to be back! Here are this week’s ‘Quick Takes’. I was supposed to post this two weeks ago but I was unable to due to Internet problems. :( So here it is now.I have been making this smoothie a lot lately. I make it just as the recipe states except I don’t have guar gum so I leave that out. I also like to really be able to taste the peanut flavor so I sometimes throw in an extra tablespoon of peanut flour. Speaking of peanut flour, it’s such a great ingredient! It gives this smoothie such a nice nutty taste and added protein and fiber. (I purchased mine from iHerb, though I’m sure you can get it from other online retailers as well.) I also like to add some protein powder to this (1-2 tablespoons). Mine is sweetened so it eliminates the need for extra stevia (though I’ve made it with no protein, just stevia and it is still good). I’ve tried this smoothie with a mix of different berries: strawberries + blueberries, strawberries + tart cherries, and just strawberries. I think I like the plain strawberry one best but feel free to experiment. The name might sound gross but it is really delicious. Give it a try!I recently had the chance to review the Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks and they are good! I tried them out in some baking and they have a wonderful rich flavor (semi-sweet chocolate is my favorite!). I also loved the bigger size—a sophisticated change from boring chips. Plus, they are vegan, nut free, kosher, gluten free, and soy free! If they weren’t so pricey I would probably buy these often. [Full disclosure: this product was sent to me free of charge for my honest review.] I love the idea of using computer passwords to foster gratitude! The article also has some other helpful tips on being more thankful. I have a bit of a fascination with the past and this article, about what the experts of 1900 predicted the world would be like in the next century, really intrigued me. Some observations proved to be quite true (e.g., seedless melons, television), others might have been a bit too optimistic (e.g., free college education, that we would all be very fit), and some were rather odd (e.g., food delivered in “pneumatic tubes” [whatever those are]). In any case, it’s a fun read.
I love this idea of making a Dream Jar. Someday I need to do this. I’m honestly kind of scared to make one know because I feel so uncertain that I will ever be able to do anything…but someday. :)

There was an interesting article in The New York Times about the influence Kate Middleton is having on runway fashions this fall. Such refreshing news for those of us tired of sloppy styles! Here are some quotes from the piece:

Kate’s advent is timely nonetheless. Her unflagging graciousness, guileless manner and nonthreatening good looks are viewed by admirers as a tonic, the sparkling antidote to excess. “There’s nothing trashy or vulgar about her,” said Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue, which has featured the duchess several times. “She dresses her age and never looks out of place.”

Catherine is, in Mr. Burstell’s term, “the anti-Kardashian,” a bracing antithesis to the strident style and manner of many Hollywood celebrities, who “look so phony by comparison,” he said, “with their paid endorsements and brand-ambassador deals.” Diane Von Furstenberg, whose dresses the duchess has worn, said that she represents a craving for a proper alternative to the “housewives,” a reference to the popular television reality series.

I really dislike using plastic water bottles and was considering purchasing one of these. Since I try to be as frugal as possible though, I decided to put an empty kombucha bottle to use for the same purpose at a fraction of the cost. Just carefully peel off the label, wash well and fill! It would be great to keep a few of these in the fridge for when you are running out the door in a hurry. They are breakable but so far I have managed to keep mine in one piece. I’m thinking of sewing a little jersey knit case for it to make it easier to carry. In the photo there is fresh mint (from our garden!) that I sometimes add for its refreshing flavor. The downside is that I’m afraid I’m going to chip my teeth on it!

**As always, 7 Quick Takes Friday is hosted by Jennifer at Conversion Diary**

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“Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms …”
– St. Frances de Sales

Review of Eating Animals

2011-08-07T16:45:00.000-04:00

I’ve never been an animal person. As a child, I was afraid of even cats and dogs (and to a certain extent, I still am). I grew up on a farm, and to me, this meant that animals were smelly and dirty creatures that stared at me out of blank-eyes and behaved in an aggressive and unpredictable manner. I didn’t hate animals, but I was scared of them.

It may be surprising to some then to hear that I am a vegan. Even if I don’t have any desire to cuddle a kitten (*shudder*), or have a dog sleep at the foot of my bed, I do feel that animals are important and worthy of our protection. As stewards of the earth, it is our job to care for all of God’s creatures. I do believe that humans are superior to animals, but I think this gives us an even greater responsibility to care for them—the vulnerable. I believe in treating animals as animals. Not as humans. Not as clothes. Not as food. As animals—worthy of our respect and protection.

I picked up this book because I wanted to better understand the reality of animals and factory farming today. But after reading it, I also appreciate and understand—and yes, maybe even love—animals a little more. I’m still scared of them. I still find them dirty and unpredictable. But I do believe, now more than ever, that they are deserving of a life and death free of suffering and abuse.

Before I begin sharing my thoughts on the book and some quotes, I want to make it clear that I don’t dislike anyone for not being a vegetarian. It wouldn’t make much sense to be compassionate to animals and mean to humans! :)

I greatly appreciated that this book is entirely fact based. The author actually hired professional fact-checkers to go over the book before it was published.

The one aspect of the book that I disliked was some rather coarse language (particularly the prevalence of a four letter word for excrement). I realize that not everyone is as sensitive to language as I am, but I would’ve appreciated a bit more delicacy in the matter. It’s one of the few things that would keep me from recommending this book to friends and family, as I know for some it would be an automatic turn-off.

It was extremely interesting to learn how intelligent some animals (that I had previously thought of as 'stupid’) really are. For example, did you know that fish have “significant long-term memories, are skilled in passing knowledge to one another through social networks, and can also pass on information generationally” (p. 65)? Likewise, chickens “‘have cognitive capacities equivalent to those of mammals, even primates” and “they also deceive one another and can delay satisfaction for larger rewards” (p. 66).

I do like the way the book is presented. It is not yelling and preaching. Although there are some points made that the author obviously feels strongly about, the tone as a whole is one of exploration and education, not indoctrination. Interspersed with the facts and figures are stories about his family and musings on food in general. Though they do help to humanize the story and make the author relatable, sometimes the order and placement of these anecdotes confused me. As a whole, though, I liked this personal aspect. (Though I’m still wondering why his female dog is named George!)

I could quote just about every page. There is so much information in this book. Things that will have you thinking “why didn’t I know this?”, “why does this continue?”, and “why don’t more people care about this?” It is so clear and it makes so much makes sense, yet most of us have just never given thought to it before.

Here are some quotes from the book. I know this seems like a lot, but there is just so much worth noting! I broke the excerpts down by subject with titles so it would be easier to follow or to glance through.

FACTORY FARMING

“More than a set of practices, factory farming is a mind-set: reduce production coasts to the absolute minimum and systematically ignore or ‘externalize’ such costs as environmental degradation human disease, and animal suffering. For thousands of years, farmers took their cues from natural processes. Factory farming considers nature an obstacle to be overcome.” p. 34

“In the world of factory farming, expectations are turned upside down. Veterinarians don’t work toward optimal health, but optimal profitability. Drugs are not for curing diseases, but substitutes for destroyed immune systems. Farmers do no aim to produce healthy animals.” p. 188

FISH

“For every ten tuna, sharks, and other large predatory fish that were in our oceans fifty to a hundred years ago, only one is left. Many scientists predict the total collapse of all fished species in less than fifty years—and intense efforts are underway to catch, kill, and eat even more sea animals. Our situation is so extreme that research scientists at the Fisheries Centre of the University of British Columbia argue that ‘our interactions with fisheries resources [also knows as fish] have come to resemble … wars of extermination.” p. 33

“…bycatch refers to sea creatures caught by accident—except not really ‘by accident,’ since bycatch has been consciously built into contemporary fishing methods. Modern fishing tends to involve much technology and fewer fishers. This combination leads to massive catches with massive amounts of bycatch. Take shrimp, for example. The average shrimp trawling operation throws 80 to 90 percent of the sea animals it captures overboard, dead or dying, as bycatch. (Endangered species amount to much of this bycatch.)” p. 49

“Trawling, almost always for shrimp, is the marine equivalent of clear-cutting rain forest.” p.191

POULTRY

“Most male chicks are destroyed by being sucked through a series of pipes onto an electrified plate. Other later chicks are destroyed in other ways, and it’s impossible to call these animals more or less fortunate. Some are tossed into large plastic containers. The weak are trampled to the bottom, where they suffocate slowly. The strong slowly suffocate slowly at the top. Others are sent fully conscious through macerators (picture a wood chopper filled with chicks). Cruel? Depends on your definition of cruelty.” pp. 48-49

“Pathogen-infested, feces-splattered chicken can technically be fresh, cage-free, and free-range, and sold in the supermarket legally.” p. 61

“According to a study published in Consumer Reports, 83 percent of all chicken meat (including organic and antibiotic-free brands) is infected with either campylobacter or salmonella at the time of purchase.” p. 139

“ ‘Every week…millions of chickens leaking yellow pus, stained by green feces, contaminated by harmful bacteria, or marred by lung and heart infections, cancerous tumors, or skin conditions are shipped for sale to consumers.’” p.134

“…chicken factory farms—well run or poorly run, ‘cage-free’ or not—are basically the same: all birds come from similar Frankenstein-like genetic stock; all are confined; none enjoy the breeze or the warmth of sunlight; none are able to fulfill all (or usually any) or their species-specific behaviors like nesting, perching, exploring their environment, and forming stable social units; illness is always rampant; suffering is always the rule; the animals are always only a unit, a weight; death is invariable cruel.” p. 136

PIGS

“Today’s factory farm pig breeds, by contrast, have been so genetically altered that more often than not they must be raised in climate-controlled buildings, cut off from sun and seasons. We are breeding creatures incapable of surviving in any place other than the most artificial of settings. We have focused the awesome power of modern genetic knowledge to bring into being animals that suffer more.” p.159

“Piglets that don’t grow fast enough—the runts—are a drain on resources and so have no place on the farm. Picked up by their hind legs, they are swung and then bashed headfirst onto the concrete floor. This common practice is called ‘thumping.’ ‘We’ve thumped as many as 120 in one day,’ said a worker from a Missouri farm.” p. 187

CATTLE

Often, cattle go through the process of slaughtering while improperly stunned, and quite alive. This is just inconceivable that so many animals have their flesh literally ripped off of them and their bodies dismembered while still conscious!

“It isn’t hard to figure out why the beef industry won’t let even an enthusiastic carnivore near its slaughter facilities. Even in abattoirs where most cattle die quickly, it’s hard to imagine that any day passes in which several animals (tens, hundreds?) don’t meet an end of the most horrifying kind.” p. 229

HEALTH

"…excess animal protein intake is linked with osteoporosis, kidney disease, calcium stones in the urinary tract, and some cancers. Despite some persistent confusion, it is clear that vegetarians and vegans tend to have more optimal protein consumption than omnivores." p. 140

“The highest rates of osteoporosis are seen in countries where people consume the most dairy foods.” p. 147

“Scientists at Columbia and Princeton Universities have actually been able to trace six of the genetic segments of the (currently) most feared virus in the world directly to US factory farms.” pp. 142-43

CHANGE

“We care most about what’s close to us, and have a remarkably easy time forgetting everything else. We also have a strong impulse to do what others around us are doing, especially when it comes to food. Food ethics are so complex because food is bound to both taste buds and to taste, to individual biographies and social histories.” pp. 31-32

I found the parts about how food as part of our cultural heritage, and about rewriting that heritage, to be really well done. It’s an aspect of veganism/vegetarianism that is not always considered.

“Of course, something having been done just about everywhere just about always is no kind of justification for doing it now.” p. 26

“How much do I value creating a socially comfortable situation, and how much do I value acting socially responsible?” p. 55

Think one vegan or vegetarian can’t make a difference? …

“On average, Americans eat the equivalent of 21,000 entire animals in their lifetime” (p. 121).

“We know, at least, that this decision will help prevent deforestation, curb global warming, reduce pollution, save oil reserves, lessen the burden on rural America, decrease human rights abuses, improve public health, and help eliminate the most systematic animal abuse in world history.” p. 257

SUFFERING

“Whether we’re talking about fish species, pigs, or some other eaten animal, is such suffering the most important thing in the world? Obviously not. But that’s not the question. Is it more important than sushi, bacon, or chicken nuggets? That’s the question.” p. 193

REACT

“However we obfuscate or ignore it, we know that the factory farm is inhumane in the deepest sense of the word. And we know that there is something that matters in a deep way about the lives we create for the living beings most within our power. Our response to the factory farm is ultimately a test of how we respond to the powerless, to the most distant, to the voiceless—it is a test of how we act when no one is forcing us to act one way or another.” p. 267

“I’ve restricted myself mostly to discussing how our food choices affect the ecology of our planet and the lives of its animals, but I could have just as easily made the entire book about public health, workers’ rights, decaying rural communities, or global poverty—all of which are profoundly affected by factory farming. Factory farming, of course, does not cause all the world’s problems, but it is remarkable just how many of them intersect there.” p. 260

“Whether we change our lives or do nothing, we have responded. To do nothing is to do something.” p. 38

7 Quick Takes Friday – 7/29/11

2011-07-29T10:09:00.006-04:00

I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift, but I love this retro-inspired photo shoot she did for TeenVogue.I absolutely loved this article from The Modern Mrs. Darcy about what Eleanor Roosevelt can teach us about blogging. It includes so many points that I need to be reminded of frequently!Speaking of blogging, I’ve been thinking (more) about the direction my blog has been going. I know in the past I’ve sometimes let it be a space for my rants and an outlet for my frustrations. Well, I believe in keeping it real, but I also want this to be a upbeat and positive space with content that I can be proud of. I can’t always change my situation, but I can change my attitude! I have gone back and deleted a lot of my old posts, and will probably do more in the future. It’s not that I think journaling like this is bad—sometimes it really does help to get those frustrations out—but publishing it is a different matter. I think writing depressing things only drags others down, and that’s the last thing I want to do. Like I said, I won’t put on a false-front or be something I’m not. I’ll still talk about things that are hard, but I don’t want to do it in such a downbeat way. It’s taken me awhile to see this, but I am really excited about this new direction I’m taking! I want to bring goodness, beauty, and truth to the world. I don’t want this to be a quagmire of negativity or mediocrity.

I’ll be honest, I am having a hard time right now even as I write. But I’m not entirely sure how to share these things without sounding downbeat.

I also think that the things I blog about are still evolving. For awhile I kind of floundered around somewhere between a food blog and a personal blog. Oftentimes, I would just post for the sake of posting, and the content really wasn’t that great (those are the posts I’ve been deleting). Even if my posts are fewer in between, I want to post because I genuinely have something to say (or share, as the case may be).

I recently had the chance to sample some Raw Crunch Bars [full disclosure: they were sent to me free of charge for my honest review], and I really enjoyed them! As the name would imply, they are very crunchy—but not in a hard or break-your-tooth way. The flavor is pleasantly nutty from the variety of seeds, and they are fairly low in sugar. Be aware that these do contain honey. This was an interesting take on what it’s like to be both a faithful Catholic and a homosexual. What an inspiring witness, and a great reminder to pray for each other as we all deal with our own particular crosses.

Have you heard that Banana Republic is launching a line of clothing inspired by the television show Mad Men? I don’t watch the show, but I am a lover of vintage and retro-inspired fashion! I like what I’ve seen so far, though I admit to hoping that it would be a little less contemporary, and a more vintage looking. I guess ‘inspired by’ is the key phrase. The men’s wear looks more authentic than the women’s. Like the shoes, for example, don’t seem to be a genuine ‘60s silhouette. What do you think? I definitely love the idea, and some pieces are really great. This was a helpful article from Faith & Family about managing stress. I especially liked the “Picture it” and “Read and write” ideas.

**7 Quick Takes Friday is hosted by Conversion Diary**

Have a great weekend!

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"Perhaps to be able to learn things quickly isn't everything. To be kind is worth a great deal to other people...Lots of clever people have done harm and have been wicked." — Frances Hodgson Burnett (A Little Princess)

I am Grateful

2011-07-20T12:02:00.001-04:00

After yesterday’s pessimistic post I feel the need to balance things out by being more cheerful.

So, here are some things that I’m thankful for…

my mom killing spiders for me at 11:30 p.m. last night [If I ever live alone I will definitely need to hire a live-in exterminator!]
also, my mom collecting my laundry…and washing it…and emptying my wastebaskets…and doing the dishes…and never complaining during any of it, despite the heat. My mom is pretty amazing.
a basement to stay cool in
electric fans (what did people do without them in the olden days?)
the fact that it gets cool[er] at night
the beautiful zinnia that my sister planted and picked (pictured below)
libraries
movies
my computer
my family
clean sheets
ice cold water
being able to read and write
blogs
my faith
veggies and fruits that keep us healthy
podcasts
when things work out
moonlight
running water
clean air, shelter, and enough to eat
hair-ties to pull my hair out of my face
health
books to read
getting up earlier
being able to fall asleep
God still loving me, despite all my flaws and imperfections.

I am grateful.

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“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – G.K. Chesterton

Hot and Tired

2011-07-19T21:40:00.001-04:00

It’s hot as Hades here and there’s no sign of it letting up. Tomorrow is supposed to have a high of 93. That might not sound bad to some of you, but I’m a Northern girl, used to long snowy winters. To put it lightly, I do not do well in the heat. I think they need to have a medical term for ‘suicidally hot’, because that’s basically how I’ve felt over the past few days. We don’t have air conditioning, and I don’t know how much longer I can take this. Tomorrow I’m hoping to escape for awhile to the library where it is COOL. But…I don’t drive so that means finding someone to take me. I think my mom might. My will to live is pretty much zapped at this point. I’m trying to take refuge in our basement—and that does help a little—but I still feel pretty down (um, no pun intended?).

Most of all I feel tired. I just can’t deal with anything. Every little hardship or inconvenience just makes me want to cry. Life is so hard, and I KNOW—my rational brain knows—that as far as hardships go I have it pretty easy. I have it very good, in fact. So why does it have to feel so darn hard? It just makes me feel guiltier for feeling this way and that makes me feel worse.

I’m tired of writing depressing posts like this. I don’t like reading this type of thing myself, so I’m not sure why I write them. I guess I have to get it out somehow—when it gets to the point that I feel like the pressure inside of me is just going to burst; when every noise and aggravation feels like it’s pounding on my head, scrambling up my nerves. Right now my brothers are, for some reason, pounding their feet on the hall above me. It’s grating on what little sanity I have left, and I can no longer contain the sobs welling up inside of me.

I’m tired of not being the person I want to be. This isn’t me. The real me is very different, or so I would believe. I feel like any potential I have (or once had) is stifled. I don’t know where it went, but it feels very gone.

I’m tired of not being witty, or smart, or pretty, or good at anything. Some things I used to be, but I’m not anymore: I used to be happy. I used to feel like my life had direction. I used to have a lot of hope and anticipation for the future. I used to be a good student. I used to be thin. I’m not really sure what I am anymore. Even if I want to do something, sometimes the thought or effort of it makes me body ache and my head feel like it’s going to explode. Really. For example, I want to read great books, or even not great books…just books that are a little heavier in subject matter. So I pick a topic I’m interested in—there are so many things I wish I knew more about—but I can’t seem to understand anything. The words just swim before me on the page. This is why I came home from college. It makes studying rather impossible.

I’m tired of feeling like this blog is not good enough. I didn’t like the layout, so I changed it. But there are so many things I don’t know how to do that even after spending many frustrating hours on it, it’s still not perfect. I wish I knew more about this kind of thing. I just flounder, really. Plus, I took a peak at my archives today and they seem to be formatted weird now because of the new design. I also am embarrassed and annoyed at some of my own posts. It’s hard to describe just what I dislike, but I feel so very critical.

I’m tired of going to doctors that aren’t able to help me. I’m tired of just going in and being handed a new prescription (I’m soon to start my seventh medication—if I counted right; I’m actually starting to lose track). Why can’t anyone help me? Four (or is it five?) years seems like a long time to figure this out. And I’m not getting any younger. Isn’t this supposed to be the prime of my life and all that?

There are a lot more things I’m tired of—our slow Internet, worrying about everything, living on a farm, how dirty everything seems (I actually think I’m getting progressively more OCD as the years go on. But that’s another topic for another day)—but I had better stop here.

If anyone even reads this, I’m really sorry that it’s not happy and cheerful. I’m sorry for sounding like this. I want to be better and I hope someday soon I can feel that way. I hope I can look back on posts like this and say “wow, I felt that bad?”. I’m just really frustrated right now.

Praying for a cool spell,

P.S. I just checked the weather (for like the sixth time today) it looks like it may cool down a bit next week. Praise God!
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“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.” –Victor Frankl

7 Quick Takes Friday — 7/8/11

2011-07-08T12:48:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed the new blog design (I wish I would’ve thought to do before and after screencaps!). I thought it was time for a change but since I am basically the least tech-savvy person ever, it still has a lot of kinks to work out. (Though some of those I might just have to live with because I’m not sure how to fix them! Well, knowing me I’ll keep trying to make them perfect…and probably just get really frustrated! Ergh. I wish I had more expertise in this area!)

I also feel like the tone and content of the blog has shifted a little. No, I still don’t really have a well-defined tone and subject matter for this space, but I definitely know that my writing style has changed a bit in the past two years. Looking back on some of the things I’ve written honestly makes me cringe! I’m not sure if this is just a own-worst-critic thing, but I want to hide my head in shame and embarrassment after reading my old ‘about’ page, for example. It just sounds really corny and tacky to me. :P I also don’t really like the title of the blog. “Just Audrey” sounds either narcissistic or exclusive, I think. But I haven’t been able to think of a better name (any ideas). So, until I do, it remains.

But enough griping over first world problems! I can across this on Tumblr a while ago and found it to be a powerful and humbling reality check:

This article about G.K. Chesterton and his wife, Frances, appealed to the romantic in me. :) Imagine receiving poetry like that!

I have really been enjoying following the Duke and Duchess’ recent tour of Canada. In particular, I’ve loved seeing what Kate wore. Here are some of my favorite looks of hers from the trip so far…

It was also fun to read about how she visited Anne of Green Gables. PEI is definitely on my bucket list of places I’d like to visit!

I celebrated my (20th […scary!]) birthday a few weeks ago and made a lemon layer cake with fresh berries and fluffy lemon frosting. It was SO good! My family really liked it too, and there were no complaints about it being vegan. (They could’ve just been being nice for my birthday, though…?). I absolutely love the fresh, summery combination of lemon and seasonal berries! I used this recipe for the cake but it was a tad dense. I had better luck with this one (just make the cake part. I also added 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract because I like a lot of lemon flavor). The frosting was this recipe (it makes a lot!). I also put a fresh raspberry filling between the layers, but you could just use the frosting (or lemon curd…or a strawberry filling. I think I might do one of those next time). I topped the whole thing off with fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries—plus a final sprinkle of lemon zest and a sprig of mint for garnish. Delicious!

Sorry about the low-quality photos. Also, don’t spread on the frosting until cake is totally cooled. I made that mistake and, as you can see, the frosting got a little runny. It still tasted great, though. :)

I really want to learn more about photography. It’s something I enjoy and have been wanting to explore further for a few years now. I just love finding the beauty in the simplest and most everyday things. As you can see by the above photos, I need some work. But even if my skill and equipment isn’t that great, I do think (if I may say so) that I have ‘the eye’ for it. I just need to learn some technique. I’m thinking about pursuing some classes, but I’m kind of scared.

I’ve been working my way through the Beany Malone series (as you might see in my Goodreads sidebar widget). Written in the 1940s-1960s, these books are very light but nonetheless entertaining reading. Even if some of the characters are a bit one-dimensional and the plots sometimes predictable, they are a lot of fun. It’s nice to be able to escape to that simpler world. I’m not at a point where I want to read a lot of heavy or dramatically depressing books, so these are perfect!

Have you read any good books lately?

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“In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.”

— Edith Wharton, A Backward Glance

Just Audrey

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I am Grateful

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