More Vegan Options From Mainstream Candy Shows & Back To Basics!

I have more to share with you from a not-so-long-ago Candy Show.

Eventho I wasn't the person to attend 'said Candy Show' I was lucky enough to get my hands on some of the vegan products thanks to my lovely parents!

First up - today - are these wonderful Matcha Snakaroons from Laughing Giraffe.  I have had a half dozen flavors from this company before and am a fan but I have to tell you these top my list!  YUM!  Since they are a Matcha product I might even review them for the Sororitea Sisters Blog, too!

You have probably seen Nature's Bakery's FIG BARS nearby.  This is the FIRST time I have seen their Brownie Bars and WOWZA are they TASTY!  As you can see I was lucky enough to try their NEW Double Chocolate Brownie!  Yippeee Skippy...these are VEGAN!

My parents said that this year was WONDERFUL for vegan products and many of them shined bright during the show!  This is a annual, national candy show that he's attended for YEARS, too!

Up next are a few different flavors of breakfast and/or snack bars from Orchard Bar.

These are a mix of fruit and seeds but the thing I want to point out right away is that these are MOIST.  The fruit "jelly" surrounding the whole bar is quite gooey and fresh!

I can't say as I have had another bar quite like it!  It was memorable for that fact.  Secondly - the fruity flavors never failed to pack a powerful tarty punch and blast of flavor in your mouth!

Here's one of the other flavors I had recently.  I can't tell you which one I liked better.  They were both good!

I'm also liking that more and more companies are stating that the product is vegan.  Regardless I am still a label reader - but - it's great to have it identified right away and SEE the word VEGAN if you know what I mean!?

This next product I am hot and cold about.  I'm happy that it clearly states Maple Bacon Flavored Almonds VEGAN on the label.  And the label itself is pretty cool if you are into label EYE CANDY like I am.

BUT...I didn't think these really tasted like bacon.  Not that I ever liked bacon even before going veg.  Therefore, I personally don't care that they weren't closely bacon-esque anyways.  However, if you are a 'bacon person' and looking for a TWIN of bacon-with-out-the-bacon...I don't know if this would fit the bill.  Having said that...a co-worker who is NOT veg in anyway really liked these so I guess that is all that really matters!

That about does it for the Candy Show wrap-up!  But I have more to share with you in today's post...so here goes...This next photo is my new Positively Posh Easy Peasy Big Bath Chunk Bar.  I realized eventho they aren't a vegan company they do have many vegan beauty care product options!  That I am thankful for!  This Sweet Mint Lemonade flavor smells AMAZING!  It certainly lives up to it's name, too, it's so large of a bath bar that you might need two hands to hold it.  The retail price for this specific bar is $9.  Yes...that IS pricey...but I didn't make any other purchases this past weekend and haven't bought any pampering products as of late so I thought I would treat myself!

Monday I stopped in a Wegmans while traveling to have some lunch - which I will show in the next photo - but - also spotted these two 'rays of light'.  That's RIGHT...I was FINALLY able to get my hands of Daiya Dressings locally!  I bought Home Style Ranch and Blue Cheeze.  I will already say I am a fan of BOTH.  I have made my own vegan ranches at home before and some where better than others but this VEGAN Blue Cheese...OMG!  Winner!  Winner!  Tofu Dinner!!!!  It's out of this WORLD!  Yum!  Because these are priced at $3.99 each this was another 'once in a blue moon' type of purchase for me but I will certainly be buying them again I just have to pace myself!

And finally this last photo of this post...my lunch that day!  It included: corn, watermelon, roasted yams, raw mushrooms, HUGE Blackberries, celery, and I think that is about it!

It was a solid lunch!

I have a confession to make...not so much in the last month...but..prior to that for a few months I was being LAZY.  I was consuming beer on a weekend sometimes.  I was falling back on pastas and had a little bit too much bread, I think.

Well, I think the beer, bread, and pasta caught up with me.  Eventho I was rather bloated this past week I can FEEL that I have gained a notable amount of weight back and just seemed to realize it.  Therefore, I think it might be time for a reboot!  I've already started this reboot and plan on continuing with it for a while...at least a month...maybe more.  What I am doing is this...MOSTLY juicing, smoothies, salads.  I will fill in holes from time to time with other things such as raw veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds.  I think my cheats for the most part will be with my dressings.  The dressing may or may not be store bought...and/or if I make them at home may or may not be higher in fat.  But with me cutting back on so many other foods I shouldn't be that concerned about the higher fat in a dressing once a day.  Another thing I may do once or twice a week is include blended soups I make at home, myself, too!  Years ago I did this in the summer months...June, July, August...I believe...and for the most part this worked well.  What non-veg people might not understand is that - when I do a salad - I do a salad!  I throw all sorts of stuff on my salads!  I hope to post most of them here!  Stay tuned for some REALLY FUNKY salads, and salad dressings...not to mention dips and/or spreads.

These are the type of recipes you will be seeing from me in the very near future!  So it's Back To Basics for me!!!

Also...I don't have a code for MIDWEEK MUNCHIES but let me know if you participated this week in comments!  I would LOVE to see them!