Vegan Buffalo ArtiHearts & Plant Based Veggie Chips

I've teased a few of you about the mini haul I was able to get this passed weekend but I almost forgot about 2 items I got prior to that.  These Spicy Artichokes AKA Monterey Farms ArtiHearts Buffalo Flavor showed off the vegan "V" on the back of the package.  So I knew I had to try them at least once.  I found these at the Erie Giant Eagle a few weeks ago!  Tonight I put them in a Sun Dried Tomato Wrap and what I couldn't fit in the wrap I ate as-is and dipped in salsa.  Both were tasty but I will say due to their size they were a bit difficult to eat in the wrap.  I think they would be ideal for stand alone dipping or even thrown in a salad!

Next up are Brad's Veggie Chips CHEDDAR.  Again, they feature the "V" we tend to look for on the packaging.  They are also Raw, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, etc.

These are NOT a new product but rather an updated, re-packaged product.

I'm almost finished with these and wanted to share them with you before I move on to other foods and snacks.  It's been a while since I had Brad's.  Mostly because when I do find them they are really pricey.  But the last time I went to the Whole Foods Market they were on sale for at least 2 bucks off so I was surely tempted.

Have you seen the flavored Artichoke Heart yet?  Have you tried them?  What did you think?

Vegan Pupusas & Sauce

A couple of weeks ago when we were in Erie and visited Giant Eagle I saw these 'bad boys' in the freezer section.  I had never seen them before and I don't think I ever had a Pupusas and even if I did they were very memorable so I wanted to try these.

It was 1 of about 3 items I bought that day.  I really appreciate that the ingredient list was so short on these, too! 

Organic Corn Masa (Organic Corn Masa, Trace of Lime), Water, Black Beans, Corn, Olive Oil, Salt...those are the ONLY ingredients!

Of course, you know me...I have to have a dipping sauce.  I didn't have many ingredients to work with in the frig or in the pantry.  

All I did for this was take some leftover salsa and add a little bit of water, garlic, balsamic Vinegar, and about 2 ounces of cashews to my Vitamix and blend until smooth.  I think it turned out pretty good, actually!

And speaking of cashews...I found 2 ounce bags of them at the Dollar Tree so I grabbed 2 bags to tide me over until I can get a pound of them at Aldi's later this weekend.

I have 2 posts today so make sure you scroll down and check out the other one, too!  Question of the day - do you enjoy a dipping sauce for your Pupusas?  If so I would love to hear about it in comments!  CHEERS!

Playing Catch-Up Once Again!

Busy!  Busy!  Sorry for the silence!  I have a lot of back blogging to do!  With my photo heavy last post about my sisters baby shower I knew I was already behind on other happenings so I will start there!  Before I went to my sisters baby shower I volunteered at a local cafe that is operated by volunteers many of them from different churches and faiths.  I just like volunteering so I decided to start helping when they needed me!

They're operational/open for business many days during the week but one of their many outreach/ goals is to have a Community Breakfast that is FREE but some people drop in a donation from time to time.  My first volunteer attempt the weather was pretty bad and we had about 12 to 15 who came in for the breakfast which consisted of fruit, sausage, pancakes, juice, coffee, tea, etc.  The 2nd time I volunteered we had between 40 and 50 attendees. This upcoming weekend I'll be stopping by early to from about 8 to 10am before going to a vendor show for the rest of the day!

The 2nd photo I posted in this blog entry was the regular menu.  There are a few veg items present.  It's actually been a while since I have eaten there myself but I really like the eclectic atmosphere of the place.  As you can see from the first photo we had someone stop by and play his guitar for those who were there.  It was really nice.  All sorts of people in the community stop by - families - seniors looking for those to chat with - some people who are really in need of a meal - others who just want to see what is going on - and everyone in between!

In other news...since I live in a small, rural area I always like to point out when I see neat things happening!  A local store/Deli/Catering place recently added organic items to their shop!  I was thrilled!

Even more exciting was their price on Bragg's Drinks were cheaper than anywhere else I have seen around here!  YAY!

YEARS ago one of our local coffee shops was owned by a girl who had a near all veg menu.  I think she offered 1 tuna and 1 chicken option but everything else was vegetarian.  Unfortunately she sold the business and the coffee shop has since changed hands like 4 times.  BUT...this past year she and her family are back and owning and operating it again!  Here is the massive salad I got from them a while back!

In other shopping news - my parents are Piping Rock customers - and so am I!  Recently I purchased these items!  Hemp Seeds, Apple Cider Vinegar, Chlorella Tabs, and Pumpkin Seeds!  Their prices are SO LOW!!!  I couldn't help myself!     Since this post is one big blab I will be mentioning the local businesses by name at the close of this post!

Not too long ago I found this individual oatmeal bowl and thought I would try it.  It smelled wonderful and it tasted pretty darn good, too!  I bought this one and another one that happened to be vegan!  They are also Non-GMO, Gluten Free, etc.
I LOVE finding companies that are socially consensus and GIVING!  This company gives one when they sell one!  They even give you a sticker, too!

Below you can see a snapshot of what the finished product looked like!  Nom, nom, nom!

All I did was add hot water.  In 4 minutes of letting it sit I had a nice breakfast at work!

I have been finding a few new-to-me foods and brands and such and I have been SLACKING in the blogging department!  I will certainly try and be better about that.  I was able to find a new (to me) vegan pizza crust!  It was Trader Joe's!  I know I am late to the party - but still...

I have to say I was pretty impressed!  I added just the right amount of spaghetti sauce and Daiya Moz this time!  The secret to this one was the minced garlic and Wildtree seasonings I added!  YUM!

So note to self...every time I go to a Trader Joe's I need to remember their Pizza Dough/Crusts!  They are great!

I also saw another new one at our local Tops from the Brooklyn Brand I posted about not to long ago.  They were mush smaller than the long rectangle ones I blogged about but I haven't tried them - I hope them keep them in stock so I can purchase them soon!  I will let you know if I do!



So...as promised...these are the local businesses mentioned in this post....

* The Crossing in Warren, PA - check out their Facebook for more info!  It's a neat place!  LOTS happening!

* Kondak's Market & Catering in Clarendon, PA - check out the Facebook Page for the organics and other stuff!

* Arbor House Coffee Shop & Tea Room in Warren, PA - again Facebook is the way to go for info on them!

With Arbor House I would LOVE to get a VEGAN OPTIONS HERE Sticker over to them for their door!

Thrown Together Vegan Pizzas!

Another busy week is to blame for my lack of posts but I do have some things to share with you - I'm just a bit behind - that's all!

Last week I found this pizza crust at my local Tops Market that just happened to be VEGAN.  It's also Non-GMO and Organic, too!  They are long and rectangular and they come in two packs!

I was super stoked about these!  I'm NOT a baker - it doesn't matter if it's sweets or bakey type things like crusts - I screw it up EVERY TIME...guaranteed!  So finding these was like the sky parting and the heavens singing!  Even better I was able to use what I had on hand to make the pizzas!  Take a look at the additional photos below!

Starting with the first one...plan and simple...Vegan Cheese Pizza!  Yup!  That's shredded Daiya you are seeing!  I used a simple pizza sauce that was also vegan.  I liked that it only had just a couple ingredients in there, too!  I probably put these in the oven about 2 minutes too long.  They were really crunchy but that's ok because I like them that way.
Oddly - the leftover the 2nd day were even better and actually not as crunchy!

This was the 2nd pizza I did!  I threw leftover spinach, corn, and 2 Daiya Cheeses on there.  You can't really see the last bit of Jack Shreds I used but they are in there.  I was going for more of a Mexican Pizza here and you will see in the next photo how I topped it off!  I also sprinkled some minced garlic over top of this one, too!  It was totally YUMMY!  I enjoyed both but have to say I think this 2nd one was my favorite of the two!

All cut up and ready to eat!  Yup!  That is vegan sour cream you see there!  It was SUPER YUMMY with the Vegan Mexican Pizza!  And the corn really gave it that extra sweetness, too!  I think next time I am going to add some Chipotle Ranch from Wildtree to the Vegan Sour Cream.  I bet that would kick it up a notch, too!

So...what do you think about my thrown together - while using mostly leftovers - Vegan Pizzas - with new-to-me vegan crusts?

I was pretty giddy over all of this to me honest!  It was a nice treat and I was able to eat it for a few meals!

No Nut - No Oil - No Salt Vegan Mac & Cheese & a Few Sunday Buys!

I've had a few people contact me about the many cheesy dips, sauces, etc I have been posting lately and ask for ones without nuts or oils or salt.  HERE is one of those recipes!  I introduce you to the No Nut - No Oil - No Salt Vegan Mac & Cheese Sauce I put on my last rough of elbow mac!

Recipe:

1 C Sunflower Seeds, Soaked

2.5 C Water

1 Large Carrot

1/2 T Minced Garlic

2 T Tomato Paste

1/4 C Nutritional Yeast

1 T Lemon Juice

1 T Flour (I used Bob Red Mill's Gluten Free All-Purpose)

Squirt Yellow Mustard

2 T Bragg's Liquid Amino's

1/2 tea Turmeric

I really liked the way this one turned out!  I think the difference being I soaked the sunflower seeds and the addition of the squirt of mustard and the amount of Animo's!  The 'saltiness' comes from the amino's so there isn't any added salt but there is still sodium.  Of course I sprinkled Smoked Paprika on top.  I have been getting a few questions about that lately, too!  YES...I'm a bit addicted to Smoked Paprika lately but there are some other reasons I am adding it to a lot of my stuff.  One of these days I will share that info with you!

I was in Wegmans TWICE in TWO days!  That is rare.  What is even more rare is that I bought very little for myself when I did go there.  Here is one of the things that I did pick up.  This is my first time trying this vegan Tofurky pizza.  It was ok.  I'm not much of a fake meat person but I wanted to try it.  It wasn't bad but I have had others I enjoy more.  I think that if it just had the pesto sauce and veggies with a little more vegan cheese it would have been more my speed.  I eat very little fake meats...I'm just not usually interested in them.  I never liked real meat so why would I like fake meat?

I have yet to try these but I have to say I'm HELLA EXCITED!!!!  In the freezer section side-by-side were these 'bad boys'.  One was Carrot & Potato 'French Fries' and the other is Broccoli & Potato 'French Fries'.  I'm looking forward to the flavor of them stand alone and then I will probably come up with dipping sauces for them, too!  I will surely keep you posted!  They are Gluten Free, Vegan, and Non-GMO!

MyKind Organics Organic Plant Calcium Giveaway!

It's time for another giveaway!  MyKind Organics and Garden of Life is letting me giveaway a bottle of their Organic Plant Calcium!  It's VEGAN and made of organic whole foods!  It gives you an extra boost of Vegan D3, Vitamin K2 (MK-7), and Magnesium!  I have yet to try these myself but I am a fan of MyKind Organics sprays, etc.  I was not compensated for this post but am able to try Garden of Life products in exchange for honest reviews.  I'm just posting this because I want people to know that there ARE Vegan and Whole Food/Plant-Based Supplements out there if you so choose to use them!

All you have to do to be entered to win a bottle of these is to be a US resident, leave a comment, and let me know your email addy!  I will choose a winner on Wednesday and contact the winner via email.

Thanks so much for playing along!  I hope you had a great weekend and have a wonderful Thanksgiving for those who celebrate!

Another Weekend Vegan Giveaway! MyKind Organics Vegan D3 Spray!

Happy Weekend everyone!  I have...Another Weekend Vegan Giveaway from MyKind Organics and Garden of Life!  This weekend they are allowing me to giveaway their Vegan D3 Spray!  How awesome is that?

I wasn't paid for this posting but I wanted to give other people a chance to win a pretty awesome vegan product so Garden of Life will be sending the winner of this contest a bottle of this spray at NO COST!

If you are a US Resident and would like to 'enter to win' all you have to do is comment on this post with your email addy and I will choose a winner at random on Monday.

This product is VEGAN, USDA Organic, Certified Gluten Free, and part of their Non-GMO Project.  This is a vegan form of PLANT Omegas.  It's base is from Sunflower Oil and it's Vanilla Flavored.  Even the vanilla flavoring comes from a organic vegan source!

Grand Prize Day! Have You Commented On ALL 7 Posts?

It's GRAND PRIZE DAY!

Have you commented on ALL 7 Posts?

Here they are one last time...

Garden of Life Raw Fit Marley

MyKind Organics B-12

Garden of Life OPP Vanilla

Garden of Life/Vitamin Code Raw Kombucha

Garden of Life/Raw Organics Flax Seed with Fruit

Garden of Life Raw Fiber

MyKind Organics D-3

CONGRATS to Christine on being the winner of the Flax with Fruit and Ashley for winning the Raw Fiber!  Since yesterday was Sunday I will be drawing a winner for the MyKind Organics a bit later today so there is STILL time to enter!  

And speaking of there being still time to enter...make sure you commented on all 7 contests - even if we drew a winner for the daily prize!  If you were a winner of a daily prize you may still be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE....or it may be a completely NEW Winner, even!  Winners must have a US Shipping address, please.  Now for the GRAND PRIZE...the photo above will give you a visual but there's a list of what's in the actual prize pack...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

What I LOVE about these products is...not only are they VEGAN but they are part of Garden of Life's No-GMO Campaign!  That's right...they are GMO free!  Non-GMO is wonderfully and clearly marked on each product!

So...if you want to win this HUGE Prize Pack be sure to comment on ALL 7 posts listed above.  Of course comments are welcome on this post, too!  And be sure to subscribe to my site for future contests and giveaways and posts!  I will be having one later this week for some tasty treats from Medicinal Foods!

7th Day of VEGAN Giveaways! MyKind Organics D3 Spray

Today's the LAST DAY of the 7 days of vegan giveaways!  If you want to win TODAY'S Prize of what you see above leave me a comment but please keep reading, too, because I will be drawing a grand prize winner that will get 7 different products next week!

What I really LOVE is that these products are ALL on Garden of Life's No-GMO List! To learn more about their Non-GMO Project - click HERE.

AND...The grand prize that I will be choosing a winner for will take place after Monday, July 13th. The grand prize includes the following...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you would like to win TODAY'S PRIZE leave a comment below and I will choose one winner! 

*If you don't have a blogger profile please remember to leave me your email addy in the comment, too* 

If you would like to win the GRAND PRIZE - the Prize Pack - leave a comment on all 7 daily contests and I will choose a winner for the prize pack next week!  U.S. Shipping addresses only, please. AND YES...you are still eligible to win the prize pack if you won an individual prize! GOOD LUCK!

Day 6 SATURDAY'S Vegan Prize - Raw Organic Fiber!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!  I have 2 more prizes to give away!  One TODAY which is this huge TUB of Raw Fiber and tomorrow I will be giving away MyKind Organics D3 Spray so make sure you check back tomorrow for that!  If you want to WIN keep reading!!!

What I really LOVE is that these products are ALL on Garden of Life's No-GMO List! To learn more about their Non-GMO Project - click HERE.

AND...The grand prize that I will be choosing a winner for will take place after Monday, July 13th. The grand prize includes the following...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you would like to win TODAY'S PRIZE leave a comment below and I will choose one winner! 

*If you don't have a blogger profile please remember to leave me your email addy in the comment, too* 

If you would like to win the GRAND PRIZE - the Prize Pack - leave a comment on all 7 daily contests and I will choose a winner for the prize pack next week!  U.S. Shipping addresses only, please. AND YES...you are still eligible to win the prize pack if you won an individual prize! GOOD LUCK!

Vegan Giveaway - Day 3 - OPP Vanilla

Hello lovelies!  It's Day 3 of our vegan contests/giveaways!  I want to THANK everyone commenting and participating!  REMEMBER...even if I've already chosen a winner on the previous prizes and posts PLEASE comment on them to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE next week!  Those who comment on ALL 7 posts will be eligible for that 'drawing'.

Today the prize at stake is Garden of Life's OPP (Organic Plant Protein) - Vanilla Flavor and it's WONDERFUL!  I LOVE the way it smells!  It's funny because I never really liked vanilla scented or flavored things growing up but the older I get the more I like them!  Here's a smoothie I made using the Vanilla OPP...

I threw in Frozen Strawberries, Frozen Bananas, Dates, a bit of Nut Butter, and the Vanilla OPP.

So....YEAH!  Today's winner will receive a bag of Garden of Life's OPP Vanilla!
HOW TO WIN IS BELOW

Before I get to that I wanted to let you know of some of the things I have in the works!  I ended up purchasing a GoPro Hero 3.  I got it for a great price.  I have to say it's VERY different from a simple camera, cam-corder, or iPhone.  I'm still tinkering with it.  As some of you know I have been testing the waters with a YouTube Channel and I would LOVE for you to subscribe to my channel.  I will be doing more videos and giveaways over there down the road, too!  I have also gotten into a few more YouTubers as well and I will be sharing some of their videos in the near future.

Work has been crazy and it is just going to get crazier!  I have been writing and writing and writing with more writing on the way!  To see what I have been up to visit The Raw Food World NEWS Site's RECIPE Section, The Sororitea Sisters Site, and you can always follow me on Instagram I post nearly everyday on there, too!

NOW...on to more goodies!  The winner of yesterday's B12 Spray was Jacky!  CONGRATS!

AGAIN...today's prize is shown at the top of this post and is the OPP Vanilla from Garden of Life!

What I really LOVE is that these products are ALL on Garden of Life's No-GMO List! To learn more about their Non-GO Project - click HERE.

AND...The grand prize that I will be choosing a winner for will take place after Monday, July 13th. The grand prize includes the following...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you would like to win TODAY'S PRIZE leave a comment below and I will choose one winner! 

*If you don't have a blogger profile please remember to leave me your email addy in the comment, too* 

If you would like to win the GRAND PRIZE - the Prize Pack - leave a comment on all 7 daily contests and I will choose a winner for the prize pack next week! U.S. Shipping addresses only, please. AND YES...you are still eligible to win the prize pack if you won an individual prize! GOOD LUCK!

Vegan Contest DAY 2 - MyKind Organics

It's Tuesday and that means it's the 2nd Day of my 7 days of giveaways!  First...let's get to the winner of YESTERDAY'S Contest which was Jennifer over at One Sonic Bite.  Congrats!  Jennifer I dropped you an email if you want to let me know your shipping info for your prize!

Next up...TODAY'S Contest/Giveaway!  Above you will see that today I'm giving away a bottle of MyKind Organics B-12 Spray!  I have tried this and do really like it on those days were I'm traveling and not sure about food intake.  I also like to use this about a week before 'my time of the month'.  I've tried to up my intake of B Vitamins since I was a teenagers around that time of the month it seems to help with stress and emotions for me personally.

What I really LOVE is that these products are ALL on Garden of Life's No-GMO List! To learn more about their Non-GO Project - click HERE.

AND...The grand prize that I will be choosing a winner for will take place after Monday, July 13th. The grand prize includes the following...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you would like to win TODAY'S PRIZE leave a comment below and I will choose one winner! 

*If you don't have a blogger profile please remember to leave me your email addy in the comment, too*  

If you would like to win the GRAND PRIZE - the Prize Pack - leave a comment on all 7 daily contests and I will choose a winner for the prize pack next week!  U.S. Shipping addresses only, please.  AND YES...you are still eligible to win the prize pack if you won an individual prize! GOOD LUCK!

A VEGAN Giveaway A Day...Day 1

Happy Monday everyone!  I have some exciting news!  Each day this week I will be giving away at least 1 prize to those who comment on my blog!  At the end of 7 days I will choose 1 winner to win the grand prize of 7 products!  

But before we get to the grand prize - what you see above is today's prize!  It's a tub of Raw Marley Fit!  As you know I LOVE the Marley products that Garden of Life offers and I will be choosing a winner from the people who leave a comment on this post.  U.S. Shipping Addresses ONLY, please.  Come back tomorrow to see what I will be giving away tomorrow.

What I really LOVE is that these products are ALL on Garden of Life's No-GMO List!  To learn more about their Non-GO Project - click HERE.

AND...The grand prize that I will be choosing a winner for will take place after Monday, July 13th.  The grand prize includes the following...

* Dr. Formulated Organic Fiber

* Perfect Food Wheat Grass Powder

* Raw Meal - Spiced Chai

* Chia Seeds

* Organic Plant Calcium

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Chocolate

* OPP (Organic Plant Protein) Energy

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you would like to win TODAY'S PRIZE leave a comment below and I will choose one winner!  If you would like to win the GRAND PRIZE - the Prize Pack - leave a comment on all 7 daily contests and I will choose a winner for the prize pack next week!  YES...you are still eligible to win the prize pack if you won an individual prize!  GOOD LUCK!

Happy Mail ~ 7 Non-GMO Products To Try!

HEY there!  Today I share with  you 7 Non-GMO Products from Garden of Life!  Special Shout Outs to Rhonda and Ursula!

3 of the Vitamin Code Products are featured in the beginning of this video and 4 of the Raw Organics Products are towards the end.

In case you were wondering about the fruit in the one flax seed product here it is...

This premium RAW Certified Organic Golden Flax Seed is grown for us in North Dakota on pristine and virgin soils. The family farmers have been growing flax for generations. The flax goes through a unique five step cleaning process that gently filters all impurities, leaving behind only the PUREST, FRESHEST, Certified organic Golden Flax Seeds. The nutrition flax is sweetened with RAW Certified Organic fruits: blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries, plus delicious apples and tropical favorite’s bananas, and mangos - all NON-GMO, pesticide free, and with no added sugar or preservatives.