Qi’a™ Superfood Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not one of those sexy breakfast foods that most people get excited about. Some devotees, like my husband, add fresh fruit, maple syrup, dried fruit, and nuts to make it palatable (he’s not a big oatmeal fan) while others simply sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or brown sugar and a spoonful of walnuts or pecans to add some crunchy texture to a breakfast staple.
But, there is a third option: Qi’a™ (pronounced Kee-ah) Superfood Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal (gluten-free): a blend of seven organic ingredients: rolled oats, buckwheat groats, pumpkin seeds, inulin (a natural fiber and sweetener derived from the root of plants, often chicory), chia seeds, hemp seeds, and cinnamon. That’s it. No added refined sugars, flavors, preservatives, and no artificial colors or flavors. Read more 
Hudson Henry Granola: Maple, Pecans and Coconut
The Hudson Henry Baking Company of Palmyra, Virginia makes an award-winning granola handcrafted with incredible ingredients: rolled oats, maple syrup, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, pecans, brown sugar, organic coconut, sliced almonds, and sea salt.
Awarded the Sofi Gold (the Oscars of food awards), the Hudson Henry (the names of the two sons of the founders of the company) Maple, Pecans, & Coconut Granola is everything you want in a granola: flavor, flavor, and more flavor along with real ingredients, low in sugar (5 grams per serving), low in sodium (65 mg per serving), and high in protein (3 grams per serving). Read more
Vegan Dining Options in Asheville, NC (Part 5)
Asheville has an abundance of dining options including speciality places where plant-based devotees can enjoy a melt-in-your-mouth doughnut or a creamy, rich chocolate truffle, a piece of moist dark chocolate cake, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, chocolate chip cookies, homemade pies, freshly made soft pretzels, and more. Scroll through these culinary destination hot spots and then make some plans to taste the flavors of Asheville. Read more
Frooze Balls
Frooze Balls are plant-powered energy balls that taste amazing, have great ingredients, and are fun to say (“Want a Frooze Ball?”). Created by Jeremy Dixon (in the kitchen of Dixon’s Revive Cafe), a New Zealand-based restaurant owner (Revive Cafes), author (Revive Cafe Cookbooks and Cook:30), and television celebrity chef (Cook:30), Frooze Balls are a wholesome and delicious snack or dessert.
Made with completely plant-based ingredients, Frooze Balls are naturally gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO verified, and kosher with no refined sugars or preservatives, and no processed protein powders. Read more
Navitas™ Organics Power Snacks
When I have a craving for something sweet, Navitas™ Organics Power Snacks – date-based, nutrient-dense, bite-sized squares with no refined sugar, no dairy, and no artificial flavors or colors – fit the bill. With four flavors to choose from, Navitas™ Organics Power Snacks are plant-based superfood that are naturally sweet, chewy, and delicious.
Made with all organic ingredients, these super simple and nutritious snacks can be enjoyed right out of the bag or crumbled on cereal, granola, or a frozen treat. The four flavors include: Read more
Nothing But The Fruit™ Real Fruit Bites
Nothing But The Fruit™ Real Fruit Bites are a new snack option for kids and adults who want something sweet and tangy without added sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
Made of fruit that has been picked, puréed, and pressed into bite-sized pieces, Nothing But The Fruit™ Real Fruit Bites are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. There are no added preservatives, refined sweeteners, waxes, or colors, and yes, the little squares taste great…chewy, sweet, and delicious. Read more
Himalania Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Chia Seeds
Rich in Omega 3’s, fiber, and magnesium, organic and fair-trade Himalania chia seeds are grown in Peru. A popular seed used in cereals, chia seeds are also used as an egg replacement because the seeds when moistened expand into a gel-like texture that helps bind and elevate foods together. But beyond using chia seeds as a nutritional boost, leavening agent, or binder for cereals, puddings and baked goods, chia seeds are also a great tasting snack food, especially when they are covered in rich, dark chocolate. Read more
Vegetable Bean Soup Revisited
Making soup is super easy, especially if you start with Frontier Minnesota Heartland 11-Bean Soup Mix: a blend of dried beans, peas, and lentils along with parsley and a spice packet that contains no added salt, preservatives, or MSG. The mix provides a great foundation for a thick, hearty soup filled with legumes, lots of vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, onion, and spinach), herbs and spices to add flavor, and pasta to make the soup more substantial.
Consider making this soup on a cold afternoon when the wind is blowing and the temperatures are low. Somehow a big bowl of steaming, hot soup is the perfect answer.
Back Roads Granola
After all these years, we are still Crunchy Granola People.
At the southeastern tip of Vermont is a town called Brattleboro where a family-owned bakery of self-described “crunchy granola people” makes some of the most delicious and nutritious granolas on the market.
Using only non-GMO certified organic ingredients, Back Roads Granola is also noteworthy for what they don’t use: sugar, salt, canola oil, and no wheat products (all the granolas are certified gluten-free). Instead, the company uses Vermont maple syrup and honey to add a slight sweetness to the granola along with a touch of sunflower oil. Read more
Cappello’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
If you want to taste the world’s finest (really, truly, honestly) grain-free, gluten-free, and vegan chocolate chip cookie dough, look to Cappello’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – a roll of frozen cookie dough (think Slice and Bake but in a Michelin star sort of way) made with the most high quality ingredients (almond flour, organic Vermont maple syrup, dark chocolate morsels (unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter), arrowroot flour, organic unrefined coconut oil, organic vanilla extract, coarse sea salt, and baking soda. Read more
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