Choomi Cookies
Years ago, I would buy a French cookie called a Croquant Noix de Coco which means ‘crunchy coconut” made by a company called Bonne Maman which my daughter tells me means “nice mom.” Put together, the words somehow convey “crunchy coconut cookies” that nice moms give their kids (or eat themselves, as was the case with me). Read more 
Quinoa, Black Bean and Avocado Salad
On a sunny Spring afternoon, I came home to find a bowl of Quinoa, Black Bean and Avocado Salad on the countertop. My daughter, a devout vegan decided to create one of her favorite lunch dishes with quinoa – a grain like seed that contains high quantities of the B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc and lysine (an amino acid) – vegetables (California avocado, sweet red peppers), fruit (sweet grape tomatoes, lime juice), legumes (black beans), herbs and spices (cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper), and a small amount of olive oil. The result is a refreshing colorful salad that has the perfect balance of flavors: Read more
Spelt Flour
Flour isn’t a product most people get excited about because the threshed or hulled grains are not exactly eye candy but if looks are deceiving, flour is at the top of the list because flour is the staff of life and the key ingredient in so many of the foods we rely on every day for nourishment. Read more
Jade Pearl Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is one of those old-fashioned desserts that can always be made in a pinch because most people have rice, sugar, vanilla, and milk on hand. A creamy and delicious comfort food, rice pudding is easy to make and can be dressed up with berries, nuts, or plump juicy raisins. But when a member of the family is vegan and milk is no longer an option, the challenge is to figure out a way to make this much-loved dessert just as flavorful and creamy as the traditional version but without the dairy ingredients. With plant-based “milk” – soy, almond, rice, and coconut – widely available at grocery stores, making vegan rice pudding is not only possible but easy and convenient. Read more
Dorset Cereals
Dorset Cereals hail from Poundbury, a small village on the southern coast of England in the county of Dorset. “Honest, Tasty, and Real” is how the company describes their muesli cereals made with simple ingredients: oats, flakes, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Wholesome, delicious, and true is how I would describe these special breakfast cereals. Blending natural and wholesome ingredients together results in a tasty cereal full of whole grains high in fiber and protein. With no added sugar or salt, Dorset Cereals are a nutritious and delicious breakfast served with milk, yogurt, or fruit juice. Read more
Kakawa Chocolate House
On a local street that winds around the historic district of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a small chocolate store called the Kakawa Chocolate House – an ode to all things chocolate and Santa Fe. Well known in warm drink circles as the place to go for hot chocolate, the store serves a variety of this rich intense elixir made from recipes that date back hundreds of years.Equally famous for their chocolates – truffles, caramels, mediants, and Chili d’Arbols, Kakawa is also known as an artisanal chocolate source where the chocolatiers make their own blend of 80% dark chocolate. Nary a milk chocolate in site, which is how the artisans dedicated to balancing tradition with cutting edge want it. Read more
Food Allergies? Try the Tasterie
For people with food allergies or parents struggling to find nutritious and tasty snacks for their kids with food sensitivities, allergies or special diets, consider the Tasterie, a company whose mission is to find delicious and healthy food and snacks for a wide variety of dietary needs. Read more
The Excalibur Fruit and Vegetable Dehydrator
My daughter turned 17 recently and when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she replied “an Excalibur” meaning a food dehydrator, not the sword (big sigh of relief). Dried fruit is a favorite snack in our home but finding dried fruit without additives, sugar, or preservatives is difficult and often expensive. An Excalibur Food Dehydrator is the Cadillac of home dehydrators with the three attributes every dried food enthusiast wants: sufficient cubic space, a timer, and accurate temperature control. Read more
On the go? Go Picnic
We all need a meal to go from time to time but often sacrifice taste and nutrition for convenience. No more. A company – Go Picnic – has finally created a boxed shelf stable meal to go that is nutritionally balanced, tastes great, and is easy to tote along. The ingredients are impressive and within each box are recognizable high quality foods that contain no trans fats, high fructose syrup, MSG, or artificial flavors or colors – just real food that tastes good. The boxes require no refrigeration, heating, or preparation and fit into a briefcase, backpack, or purse for an easy meal on the go. Read more
Asian Cole Slaw
Cole slaw is always a tasty side dish but every once in a while, you need to shake things up. Consider making Asian Cole Slaw – a variation on the old standby that doesn’t compromise the flavor of the freshly chopped vegetables or the delicious dressing that pulls the salad together. Start with fresh raw vegetables – Chinese cabbage (Napa), zucchini, carrots, cucumber, scallions, and golden beets – add a light peanut dressing, chopped peanuts, and lots of fresh green cilantro – and the result is Asian Cole Slaw – a refreshing tasty salad with lots of crunch and flavor.
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