Trader Joe's Vanilla Cultured Milk

Raise your hand if you like yogurt. Raise your hand if you like coconut milk. Raise your hand if you make impulsive purchases at the grocery store. I raised my hand for all four of those questions, which is how I bought vanilla cultured coconut milk during a recent visit to Trader Joe's.

Technically not yogurt, this vegan, cultured, milk product is sold in the refrigerated section along with milks and butters. It's a quick and easy breakfast when on a vegan kick and craving a creamy yogurt. Combine it with fruit, chia seeds, or even as a base to make vanilla-flavored overnight oats.

How does the vanilla cultured coconut milk hold up in the Sans Soy test?

Quality: Similar to many generic, vegan products sold at food stores, the packaging is great, but the item itself has much to be desired. After initially opening the vanilla cultured coconut milk (not yogurt!), a layer of liquid is present. Not a big deal when stirred into the rest of the product. If not, a coating of vanilla-flavored fluid with a consistency similar to slime is the initial texture to reach the tongue. After mixing, the rest of the cultured milk is runny and gummy, the result, I suppose, of  tapioca dextrose, organic rice starch, and additional thickeners.

Taste: I enjoyed the floral and fragrant taste of this vegan pudding-yogurt-like cultured milk product. Despite it's name, the coconut flavors are barely noticeable and exist more in subdued undertones. The star of the show is vanilla and sugar, baby! I happen to love vanilla flavor, and the intense notes don't bother me. Yet, this stuff is sweetened with cane sugar, and one 6-ounce tub contains 19 grams
of sugar!

Price: One individual container of vanilla cultured coconut milk is not expensive. I can't state the accurate price because I threw out the receipt; I believe it was no more than $1.25, if less.

Overall grade: C. This vegan yogurt, I mean, vanilla cultured coconut milk did not live up to my expectations. The texture and consistency was too gooey and sticky for my preference. Although I found the vanilla flavor to be lovely, it was saccharine sweet. Palatable when paired with a plain grain, I wouldn't recommend it to a friend.

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.

Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies

Once upon a time there was a little blonde girl named Stephanie who was on the quest to find the perfect cookie. Her expectations were high, but she was positive the ideal cookie would be found. She ventured into her local grocery store to search the endless aisles of healthy junk food. "But, these cookies are made with soy," she exclaimed when looking at one box. "And these cookies taste like glorified dog treats," she thought after tasting a sample of other treats. Disappointed, she left the supermarket. 

On her way home she decided to grab a cup of tea at a local coffee shop that also sells food products from small businesses. What did Stephanie find at the coffee shop? She found the cookies that were just right: soy-free chocolate cookies. 

Goldilocks Goodies is a bakery company creating small batches of sweets in Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania. The sweets are a dream for those wishing to avoid allergies as every product is gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, corn-free, vegan, and made with natural, wholesome ingredients. 

Let's see if these cookies would satisfy a particular Goldilocks in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies

Quality: Density is the name of the game with these cookies. As they are gluten-free and dairy-free, the cookies do not contain wheat flour, butter or eggs. To compensate, the cookies are made from a batter comprising finely ground peanuts, almond meal, and almond butter. As a result, the texture is very chewy and the consistency is on the sticky side. Eating a few cookies is a major jaw workout. The chocolate chips are made soy-free from a mixture of chocolate liquor, vegan cocoa butter, and evaporated cane sugar.

Taste: Finely ground peanuts are the backbone of these cookies and replaces the flour used in traditional baked goods. The combination of this with the chocolate results in the cookie version of dark chocolate peanut butter I previously reviewed. Following the nut and chocolate flavors is a strong cinnamon undertone. The visible salt crystals on the exterior of the cookie help to offset the sweetness from the sugar and cocoa.

Price: One pouch of six cookies of about two inches in diameter cost $7.75.

Overall grade: B+. Yes, Goldilocks Goodies Double Chocolate Pecan cookies were just right for a soy-free, vegan, gluten-free treat. An extra effort of jaw power is needed to power through the cookies because they are dense. I feel the cookies are pricey at almost eight dollars for six small cookies. Overall, the cookies are a tasty and somewhat healthy treat that would please even the most food allergy-laden critic.

Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

We are still in the month of February. This time of year seems to move at a glacial pace. Short days, cold weather, and dark winter skies do not assist with the enthusiasm I find myself lacking mid-winter. However, as I keep attempting to eat well and drink hot tea, I have been on the lookout for a soy free, sweet way to cheer myself up from the “blahs.”

One way I like to treat myself without feeling too guilty is by pairing my indulgence with a healthy partner. Yesterday, it was +Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams with a side of fresh, Fuji apple. The chocolate satisfied my sweet tooth, and the apple was fresh. In my book, that is a win-win scenario.

Previously, I wrote about my experience with another Peanut Butter & Co. product, White Chocolate Wonderful. The peanut butter and white chocolate spread performed well in the Sans Soy test, but did its dark chocolate sibling fare the same?

Product: Peanut Butter& Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

Quality: The peanut butter has a consistency that is thick and velvety. A chocolate aroma with peanut undertones quickly fills the air once the jar is opened. As previously noted with the white chocolate spread, this butter does involve extra effort to smear on bread. Unlike more common peanut butter brands, the ground peanuts and oil do not separate to create an unsightly top layer when initially opening the jar.

Taste: Peanuts are detected in this spread, after all, it is peanut butter. However, the shining star is the chocolate. Ever so sweet, and slightly bitter, the chocolate enables the spread to be sweet without rotting teeth. A faint taste of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

Price: One jar of the dark chocolate peanut butter costs $6.00 from the Peanut Butter & Co. online store.

Overall grade: B+. I enjoyed the pairing of dark chocolate with peanut butter. The consistency, even being thick, was easy to blanket my apple slices without fear of slipping off. Also, it would be delicious topping a banana. In line with organic nut butters found at health food stores, the price is reasonable. But, this is not a product made with organic ingredients, which would be an addition I would happily enjoy.

P.S. The Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich at the Peanut Butter& Co. NYC Sandwich Shop looks delicious. A sandwich made with dark chocolate peanut butter, cherry jam, and shredded coconuts? Yes, please! 

Five Soy Free Treats to Enjoy this Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! In keeping with the commercialization theory about the basis of the holiday, here are five, soy free sweets. Though all of the items may not be healthy or organic, none of the items contain soy, and many are vegan! It is the day of love, so why not treat yo self? 

1.  Theo Chocolate Bars: Two Flavors

Just in time for Saint Valentine’s Day, Theo Chocolate has produced two limited edition flavors perfect for the holiday. My Cherry Baby is a 45% milk chocolate bar sprinkled with dried cherries and vanilla bean. Cinnamon Love Crunch is a chocolate bar comprising 70% dark chocolate and the spicy crunch of cinnamon brittle. Both would be excellent to share (if you are generous) or keep for yourself. 

2. Butterscotch Peanut Butter from Mimi’s Cookie Bar

Decadent with a savory side, the Butterscotch Peanut Butter is divine to spread on a saltine cracker, smother an apple slice, or even plop on a bowl of oatmeal. Although the peanut butter is not vegan, it does not contain soy.

3. Fuego Salsa from La Fundidora

Even if Cupid did not add spice to your love life, you can add some pizazz to Valentine’s Day by diving into a jar of salsa. Created with tomatoes, tomatillos and a variety of chiles, the Fuego salsa makes chips, eggs or tacos more exciting.

4. Buddha Chocolate BuddhaCup

Made with love in Brooklyn, New York, the chocolate at Buddha Chocolate is raw and sweetened with coconut palm crystals. No need to feel guilty after consuming a Buddha Cup, each treat is filled with almond butter and surrounded by dark chocolate. What a tasty way to fill up on protein and antioxidants, no?

5. inFUSED Spreads Strawberry Lavender Jam

Perfect to befriend afternoon tea or breakfast toast, this jam contains simple, soy free ingredients: strawberry, sugar, lemon juice and lavender flowers. On an ordinary day, this jam would be great, but why not sweeten up Valentine’s Day by adding it to your mid-afternoon snack routine.

Wasa Sourdough Crispbread

Hello readers! Cold season has arrived in full force here in Washington, D.C. I have been blessed with two monstrous colds in the past month, which has resulted in countless hours in bed, plenty of mugs overflowing with tea, and, sadly, a bland diet of soup. Out of desperation to find a snack with equal amount of crunch and flavorlessness to keep my stomach happy, I found Wasa Sourdough Crispbread. These Swedish babies offer a minimal ingredient list, all which are soy free! The brain baby from the Swedes—people who live in a country much colder than Washington, D.C.—I hoped the crackers could help me kick my colds to the curb.

Let's see how Wasa Sourdough Crispbreads performed in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Wasa Sourdough Crispbread

Quality: Initially, I was unsure what to expect prior to opening a package of Wasa crackers. I am ignorant about Swedish culture and foods; I insultingly think a main food group must be meatballs as a result of the meals available for purchase at IKEA. Dark brown in color, each rectangular cracker had a light dusting of leftover baking flour. Crisp and crunchy they were, almost reaching the staleness state. Nary a grain of salt was present on the crispbreads. However, when paired with a bowl of hot soup, the dry and crisp cracker was perfect for absorbing the simmering liquid without becoming a pile of mush.

Taste: True to its description as a sourdough crispbread, a small amount of tang is present in every bite. The tang, however, is the only exciting attribute possessed by the crackers. There is a lack of salt, spice or anything else nice, and the crackers are best enjoyed when supporting a decadent dip. I cannot help but dream of using a crispbread as the backbone for a goat cheese and smoked salmon tartine.

Price: One package of crispbreads cost me $2.98 at my neighborhood grocery store.

Overall grade: C+. Lacking flavor with questionable freshness, these crispbreads are the perfect accompaniment when unable to fathom much food. However, what the sourdough crackers lack in flavor, they make up by serving as a supporting character with soup, creamy spreads, or a sinful dip looking to be in the spotlight.

Palais des Thés: Thé du Hammam

J'aime bien la France. Immediately following my college graduation, I moved to France to teach English in a lycée.  The weather turned cold and dreary, and I spent a lot of time defrosting in salon des thés, or tea houses. Choosing une tasse from the large selection of herbal loose leaf teas soon became one of my favorite activities to do when escaping the frigid temperatures.

A few days ago I was feeling nostalgic for my time in France, and decided to attempt to relive it by drinking a warm cup of flower-infused liquid. Reading the tea ingredients was when my walk down memory lane turned sour. Rosehips. Magnifique! Hibiscus. Génial! Orange peel. Merveilleux! Soy lecithin. What the oh la la?! Oui, soy lecithin is commonly used as a binding agent in herbal teas. Quelle horreur!

Luckily, I bought a tin of flavored tea from the French tea house, +Palais des Thés , on a recent trip abroad. The tea is soy free, but how does the Palais des Thés green tea, Thé du Hammam, perform in the Sans Soy test?

Product: Palais des Thés green tea: Thé du Hammam

Quality: The tea is a simple blend of green tea, rose, green date, berry and orange flower water. A blossomy aroma first hits the nose with notes of rose and orange. Individual dried rose petals are prevalent throughout the blend. Once combined with hot water, the tea turns the liquid a light brown color with warm green undertones.

Taste: Slightly sweet and floral, the flavor is delicate much like a diluted aromatherapy candle. A sip warms the belly while tasting like an edible flower. A steep time of three to four minutes is all that is needed to make the floral notes sing, and any longer creates a bitter taste.

Price: Purchase loose leaf or sachets of the tea from the Palais des Thés Web site. Prices range between $13 and $19. This may sound pricey, but one tin of loose leaf tea lasts months, and the quality is top-notch.

Overall grade:  A. I have many good memories with not just the Thé du Hammam flavor, but with many other Palais des Thés teas. The teas are some of the most flavorful filled with quality ingredients to make pleasurable tea-drinking experience. My only criticism is that I wish Palais des Thés was sold in the United States. Does anyone know of any place where I can find this brand in the U.S.? Maybe I will have to move back to France.

**Update: Palais des Thés has informed me that there are two shops selling the tea in New York.

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.

Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Wonderful

When I grocery shop I try to be organized. I attempt to plan ahead and make lists. But, when I enter the doors of my local grocery store, I become a marketer's dream as catchy advertisements and labels distract my well-organized intentions from reaching their final destination. Hence, I rarely come home with all of the items I meant to buy and a few newbies have appeared in my shopping cart. That is how I ended up discovering a new peanut butter brand: Peanut Butter & Co.

Based out of New York City, Peanut Butter & Co. has a slew of different peanut butter flavor from which to choose, all made without soy! Yipee! Less than ten total, natural ingredients compose the nut butter, one of which is an emulsifier that is derived from sunflowers. The particular flavor I picked up is a combination of white chocolate and peanut butter. Sounds interesting and decadent, right? Let's see how +Peanut Butter & Co.  White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter performed in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Wonderful

Quality: My first impression is how smooth is the peanut butter. The consistency resembles common peanut butter brands like Jif and Skippy. Nevertheless, the spread is thicker than the latter peanut butters, and would require some light elbow grease and attention to spread evenly on a piece of bread such as white Wonder slices.

Taste: A strong peanut butter taste with a decadent underlying flavor from the white chocolate is present. The white chocolate taste is not overpowering, but exerts enough oomph to notify the eater that it is sweet, buttery and means business. I appreciate the fact that it is not too sweet, and would be delicious smeared on a banana or an apple slice.

Price: At six dollars a jar, this is on the pricey side of peanut butters.

Overall grade: B. The peanut butter was very smooth, but it was thick. I liked, but not loved, the white chocolate flavor, however, this is personal preference. I would like to taste other flavors; The Bee's Knees, Mighty Maple and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl look tempting.

Shiloh Farms Spelt Pretzels

Ah, the pretzel, a beloved snack that serves as a perfect accompanist to a midafternoon break,  watching Netflix, and parties. For me, it is the crunch that makes the pretzel a satisfying and enjoyable bite. Shiloh Farms creates handmade pretzels made from spelt flour. There is no soy or soy byproducts in any of the ingredients, which are organic spelt flour, yeast, soda and salt. Let's see how the spelt pretzels performed on the Sans Soy test.

Product: Shiloh Farms Spelt Pretzels

Quality: Exceeds expectations. Looking at the pretzels through the transparent packaging, it is is clear these pretzels are an artisanal products and are not produced in a factory. Each pretzel is unique with different widths and thickness. A nice crispy crust was present on each pretzel.

Taste: The first detail I noticed when first munching on a spelt flour was the texture. The pretzels are denser than a typical baked good made with all purpose flour. In addition, the spelt flour created a bit of an earthy, excess flour taste that took a little time to acclimate my taste buds. A liberal sprinkling of fat, white salt grains on top of the baked goods was a welcome detail.

Price: Excessive. One bag containing 10 pretzels set me back $4.99 (plus tax).

Overall grade: B. The spelt pretzels had a taste that was unusual and, at times, was seemed as if too much flour was made. However, I appreciate the individuality of each pretzel because they made me feel as if they were homemade in a friend's kitchen. The price is on the pricier side of baked goods, which would limit how often I purchase a Shiloh Farms product. But, I would certainly consider buying more if I am feeling generous with my spending   their sprouted grains are tempting me!

Restaurant Review: Chipotle

Spicy, fresh salsa? Check. Cilantro-herbed rice with lime? Check. Freshly made guacamole? Check. Decent vegetarian options? Check. Free range meats and cheese created from animals raised without the use of synthetic hormones? Check. Olé-tastic atmosphere? Check.

Have I made it clear that I am a fan of Chipotle? That is why it saddens me to write that not all of the food options at the Mexican joint are suitable for those with soy allergies.

After enjoying a meal at Chipotle, I have frequently experienced a flare up of symptoms which I have come to associate with soy consumption: swelling, water retention and headaches, to name a few. I decided to look around on their website, and found an informational chart listing common allergens found in Chipotle meal components.

Chipotle does a superb job maintaining the honesty about its ingredients. In fact, Chipotle proudly states the belief, “food with integrity is our commitment to finding the very best ingredients raised with respect for the animals, the environment and the farmers.” That, in my opinion, is a refreshing statement to read from a company once owned by McDonalds.

Here is a list of which ingredients contain soy or soy byproducts:

• soft flour tortilla
• cilantro-lime rice (white & brown)
• fajita vegetables
• chicken
• steak
• sofritas
• vinaigrette

Saddened? Yes, me too. However, Chipotle has taken the initiative to communicate which foods contain soy, allowing customers to choose something that better suits their dietary needs. This is a step further than several other common restaurants.

Overall grade: B+. Although not the healthiest food to eat, Chipotle it delicious, cheap and fresh. Displaying food allergens in an easily accessible place makes it easier for customers to enjoy their Chipotle visit without having unfortunate adverse allergy reactions. Olé, indeed! 

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.