Whole Foods 365 Vanilla Almond Milk

Wow. Can you believe it is the end of September? I can't. It seems like yesterday that sandals, swimming, and sunscreen were a common denominator of the season. Now, autumn decorations are for sale, pumpkin-flavored everything are in grocery stores, and leaves are changing. Here's a fun fact. Did you know the color of which leaves change is based on the amount of sugar found in each tree? The next time someone comments on fall foliage, you can whip out that tidbit like the boss you are.

Speaking of fall and sugar, it's time for warm beverages to replace the cold. Why not use some vanilla almond milk to knock your tea up a notch? It's full of calcium, tasty, and makes you feel good when you talk about how healthy you are with friends. Because, who still drinks cow's milk? That is so old school. Just kidding, I still love getting a latte created with bovine milk, organic, of course.

Let's see how the generic brand of almond milk from +Whole Foods Market , 365 Vanilla Almond Milk, performs on the Sans Soy taste test, shall we?

Quality: Compared to cow's milk, the almond milk is thick with a yellow tinge. The thickness and texture is not as smooth and lustrous as premium brand almond milks such as Silk or Pacific Foods. This almond milk is sweetened with organic cane sugar, and it is necessary to shake the box before pouring to ensure the  contents are properly mixed. Nobody would like a glob to plop out into their newly brewed tea, would they? The liquid easily combines with others. When added to chia seeds, it makes a great vegan pudding. The emulsifying ingredient is sunflower lecithin, not soy lecithin.

Taste: This almond milk is sweetened and enhanced with vanilla extract. It is delicious, and will give you a slight sugar high if you drink too much. However, who says that is bad thing. I find the sweetness to be just right, yet others I know believer it to be too much. A one cup serving contains 15 grams of sugar.

Price: I can't say the price of this almond milk because I took it from my mother's pantry. What? Sharing is caring, people. However, I suspect it costs around $2.00 based on the price of other generic brand non-dairy beverages.

Overall grade: B. Yes, this almond milk was good. Will I buy it again? yes. Why doesn't it deserve an A? Well, the thickness and texture could be better. I would like the almond milk to have a rich texture that adds a creamy element lacking in the Whole Foods 365 Vanilla Almond Milk.

Whole Foods Greens With Envy Juice

Welcome to spring! According to the Spring Vernal Equinox, the season arrived on March 20, 2014 at 12:57 p.m. EDT. Even though my calendar says it is spring, and I should be basking in warm sunshine while frolicking through daffodil meadows, the reality differs. In Washington, D.C., it is still overcast, cold, and even a chance of snow in the near future! SNOW! Join me now as I grimace, "ew."

Trying to get in the spring mindset, I cleaned my apartment (i.e. light dusting while watching Parenthood) and I have been detoxing. Since green juices are all the rage now, I joined the party by picking up a cold-pressed raw Greens With Envy juice from my local Whole Foods Market. Boasting six juice blends, Whole Foods prepares in-house raw juices to maintain vitamins that are lost during the pasteurization process.

How does the Greens With Envy juice blend perform in the Sans Soy test?

Quality: Just thinking about the consumption of this bright emerald green juice makes you feel healthy. Drinking it makes you feel robust and complacent with your life choices, like you should be featured on Gwyneth Paltrow's website, Goop. The juice is not thick, and has been expertly strained to remove any little pieces of pulp that may squeeze through in the filtering process. As with all fresh and raw juices, consumption closest to the juicing date ensures the freshest liquid.

Taste: It may be hard to believe, but the Greens With Envy juice blend has a fresh, sweet taste with slightly bitter undertones. But, this is bitter in a "wow-I'm-so-healthy-for-drinking-a-raw-juice" way and not at all in a "this-tastes-really-gross-but-I'm-trying-to-be-healthy-and-trendy" way. Comprising kale, parsley, spinach, broccoli, cucumber, pear, pineapple and lemon, this juice tastes clean and is best drunk cold for a richer palatableness.

Price: One 16-ounce bottle costs $6.99 at Whole Foods Market.

Overall grade: A. This raw, cold-pressed juice receives Stephanie's gold star of approval. A plethora of vitamins are in one bottle that is reasonably priced considering the amount of fresh produce in each vessel. In addition to the health benefits of raw juices, any product that would be a stellar edition on Goop is worth trying in my book.

Cava Mezze Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Have you ever wondered how hummus became popular with a cult following in the last few years? It seems it is on every menu, a staple party food, and coveted work snack. In fact, there is even this Buzzfeed article explaining hummus obsessions, and I relate to many of the claims.

Pureed chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice and a healthy dose of tahini paste are the building blocks of hummus. But the opportunities for the spread creations are endless. Cilantro, roasted garlic, and jalapeno are the tip of the hummus-ingredient-choices iceberg.

Similar to most people, I, too, have a slight obsession with hummus. There is something about the creamy and satisfying texture that I love. It is satiating without feeling heavy, velvety without using dairy, and zesty without using synthetic flavorings. Although, I do recommend reading ingredient labels because some generic hummus brands sneak in soybean oil, those cheats!

Cava Mezze brand does not use soybean oil in its hummus, and it is delicious. How does the roasted red pepper hummus perform in the Sans Soy test? Let's see.

Quality: In case the bright orange color did not alert you, the thick texture and garlic aroma make an authoritative stance to show this hummus means business! Tiny, crimson specks of roasted red pepper swirl around the dip. Moister than competitor's hummus, the spread is dexterous, and does not fall off carrot sticks or slip out of a makeshift tortilla.

Taste: As a result of the roasting procedure, the red peppers create a delightful sweet undertone. This perfectly complements the fiery garlic presence. As the main ingredient in hummus is a garbanzo bean, hummus may have a tendency to have an earthy undertone. Yet, this hummus is vibrant.

Price: One 8-ounce tub of hummus costs $3.99 at my local Whole Foods Market.

Overall grade: B+. This is a great hummus, and I enjoyed dipping, smearing and sandwiching it between bread. Although I liked the sweet, roasted red pepper flavor, the intensity of the flavor could be a bit much after awhile. Bonus points are given because Cava Mezze has local restaurants in the D.C., area, and are always wonderful to grab some nibbles, a glass of wine and catch up with friends.

So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk

A colleague of mine is on a vegan kick. She tells me about her latest meat-, dairy-, and egg-free adventures and recipes. The creation and innovation that goes into making some vegan foods amazes me. Although I am not a vegan, I do appreciate the lifestyle and oftentimes find myself eating without any animal products at all. From time to time we, my colleague and I, share vegan treats. To get in the holiday spirit, I bought a nut milk, So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk, that was sworn to taste like liquid peppermint patties. The selection of So Delicous products were on sale at the time, and, in addition to the coconut health benefits of fewer calories and fat, it seemed like the perfect nondairy treat for Christmastime. The name sounds impressive, but how did the So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk do in the Sans Soy test?

Product: So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk

Quality: The milk is thick and even has a beautiful, creamy brown color. Initially, I did not adequately shake up the beverage before pouring which led to a translucent khaki-colored liquid to dispense. However, I shook the carton with more vigor and all clear liquid disappeared. When I sniffed the milk, I scented a peppermint explosion—the smell was strong! I was unsure of what to expect about the texture of the coconut milk, however the liquid was smooth as silk. 

Taste: Peppermint is a powerful component of the coconut milk’s taste, quickly followed by chocolate. The two flavors work well together, creating a harmony without overpowering the other. Added sugars made the milk to be saccharine and syrupy on its own, most likely due to the use of stevia. Yet, the sweetness was excellent when combined with some coffee to make a holiday twist on the traditional mocha drink.

Price: The mint chocolate coconut milk is available in the size of one quart. On sale at my local Whole Foods Market, I paid $2.99 for one carton.

Overall grade: B. The flavored coconut milk did not hit the ball out of the park in my book, but this is due to personal taste bud opinions. The texture was not bad, but not outstanding, either. I recommend giving the bad boy a hardy shake prior to each use. Once opened, the milk turns sour in seven to ten days.

Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate: Chocolate Chocolate

The cold, arctic air has returned to Washington, D.C. Within the past week, work and school delays have been common. Wool hats, chunky scarves and heavy, waterproof boots have been pulled from hibernation and now serve their primary purpose: warmth retention. When the weather turns as is, despite my best efforts to stay warm and snug, I find myself drinking more hot liquids than one would find in a hot spring.

After sweaty gym workout which resulted in a very frosty walk home, I needed a warm drink to defrost and remind myself that I am a warm-blooded human. A steaming hot chocolate did the trick. Not only was the drink toasty, the new mix from Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate was a home run. Silly Cow Farms sells hot chocolate in an array of flavors to include Marshmallow Swirl, Peppermint Twist and Chocolate Chocolate. Not all of the flavors are soy-free, however the ingredients are clearly labeled. Now that I have thawed out, let's see how Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate performed in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate: Chocolate Chocolate

Quality:  The cocoa is finely ground to create a tawny mound of powder. Tiny granules fragments of granulated sugar are mixed in with the cocoa. After stirring a spoonful or two into a mug with warmed milk, the cocoa mix quickly dissolves, leaving only the faintest trace of chocolate at the bottom of the cup when all consumed.

Taste: The flavor of this hot chocolate mix has a deep and rich piquancy with a slight hint of vanilla. Along with coffee undertones, there is a meager whiff of bitterness from the cocoa. Although this may sound unpleasant, it helps to complement the sweet taste.

Price: One bottle of the hot chocolate may be purchased here for six dollars. I bought mine from Whole Foods for around the same cost.

Overall grade: A+. Congrats, Silly Cow Farms, on being the first brand examined by Stephanie at Sans Soy to receive a top note! This hot chocolate mix was high quality, outstanding in taste and reasonably priced for the amount received. Extra points given for an array of soy-free flavors from which to choose, and the adorable and eco-friendly packaging that is a short glass milk jar helps to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals transferred to food.

Whole Foods 365 Hot Cocoa

The holiday season is quickly approaching in conjunction with cold Arctic air in the Washington, D.C., area. Crisp and frigid weather is indicative of the arrival of heavy, wool coats, fluffy blankets and warm drinks to stay toasty and snug. What better way to relax on a grey weekend afternoon than with a cup of piping hot cocoa? Other major brands of hot chocolate contain synthetic, ‘natural’ flavors, hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, and oftentimes, soy. However, the store brand from Whole Foods, 365, contains organic ingredients easily pronounced by those who have yet to obtain a Ph.D. degree in agrochemistry. Will this affect its performance in the Sans Soy test?

Product: Whole Foods 365 Hot Cocoa

Quality:  Upon opening a packet of this hot cocoa mix, I first noticed a pale powder with a smell more natural than a traditional hot chocolate mix loaded with fake flavorings and sugars. In fact, closer inspection of the contents revealed small, square sugar crystals. No synthetic sweeteners in my hot cocoa! The mix dissolves well in a pan of warm liquid, leaving little chocolate residue behind.

Taste: In one word, I describe this hot cocoa mix to be comforting. It is thick and luscious and sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth without causing a toothache. Although rich on its own from nonfat dried milk in the mix, I like to be extra naughty by combining the hot chocolate mix with warmed milk. The result tastes like liquid chocolate velvet.

Price: Currently, a box of 10 organic hot chocolate packets is on sale for $3.99 at my local Whole Foods market.

Overall grade: A. The superb quality and deep chocolate flavor are quite impressive for a dry ingredient hot cocoa mix. Real sugar cubes, plus all organic ingredients allow a cold weather beverage to be enjoyed without the worries of food chemicals. Brownie points for a reasonable price and all organic ingredients.

P.S. Check out Whole Foods' awesome hot chocolate smackdown comparison. 

MaraNatha No Stir Raw Maple Almond Butter

Smothered between two pieces of bread, spread on an apple slice or eaten straight from the jar, I love nut butters. It is the perfect snack or even small meal when in a pinch. Nut butters also deliver a slew of healthy fats, vitamins and protein. Unfortunately, many common nut butter brands use soybean oil as an ingredient.

At health foods stores, an assortment of nut spreads made without soy are available to purchase. But how do these fare in the Sans Soy test?

Product: MaraNatha No Stir Raw Maple Almond Butter      

                             

Quality: The jar of almond butter looked less than appetizing on the grocery store shelf. The oil had separated from the remaining contents which resulted in a white layer on top. However, I decided to try it because almond butter is healthy, right?! After some vigorous stirring of the contents inside the jar I noticed there was a substantial amount of thick almond paste at the bottom of the jar which was similar to that of crunchy and old flax meal. The almond butter was too liquid like and runny at the top of the jar, but too dry and clumpy at the bottom.

Taste: Surprisingly, the almond butter taste was not bad. The maple syrup gave it a hint of sweetness. Once stirred for a few minutes, there is a mostly uniform consistency that does not require excess chewing or lip-smacking to swallow.

Price: A jar of this almond butter was a bit on the pricey side. At 12 ounces, the same size of an average soda can, the almond butter costs $11.79 from the MaraNatha website. However, in comparison to other almond butters lacking soy, MaraNatha rests on the inexpensive side.

Overall grade: C+. An awful lot of stirring preparation was needed for a brand that maintains ‘no stir’ on its label. Also, the inconsistent texture of contents made the snacks made with the dry butter at the bottom of the jar less tasty. Bonus points for glass jar packaging as this helps limit exposure to harmful BPA and other chemicals, and is environmentally friendly, too. 

Theo Pure 45% Milk Chocolate

Chocolate is sweet commonly containing soy as emulsifying agent soy lecithin. Although there are chocolate brands which do not use soy in their products, there appears to be few from which to choose. Even searching high and low at my beloved Whole Foods grocery store only has a handful of soy-free chocolates for purchase.

One of these chocolate brands is Theo, a chocolate company based in Seattle, Wash., boasting organic, non-gmo and fair trade ingredients. How did Theo make out in the Sans Soy product review?

First victim, I mean, test product: Theo Pure 45% Milk Chocolate

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Quality: Upon opening my chocolate bar, I noticed the chocolate to be smooth and shiny. Separated into breakable rectangles by five thin, horizontal lines, the entire bar was a bit thinner than a ubiquitous Hershey’s candy bar. This chocolate resembled a artisanal chocolate similar to that of Vosges or New Tree brands.

Taste: Creamy and silky was the chocolate. As it melted in my mouth subtle flavors became more apparent. Faint, earthy flavors made a cameo appearance.

Price: A bar of Theo chocolate costs the average price of organic competitors. I purchased my bar from Whole Foods, and I paid around four dollars. To put this into perspective, a bar of Whole Foods’ generic brand (with soy!) organic chocolate is around two or three dollars depending on flavor.

Overall grade: B+. Chocolatey goodness without a grainy texture. Bonus points for non-gmo and fair trade company policies. I can't wait to test another Theo chocolate bar.