Vegan Reviews-- Pangea and FFAC

I was lucky enough to a win a 50 dollar certificate to Pangea Vegan Shop from Factory Farming Awareness Coalition. Unfortunately when you live in Canada, you tend to be shocked by extremely high shipping costs, this was the case here but it was a prize so I can't complain too much. I'd love to order from places like Pangea more often but it's just not worth it with the costs.

I decided to get a few things we not only can't find in Canada but also stuff I've been wanting to try and also indulge a bit in some snack/sweet type items. The shipping was as much as the items themselves, so it seems like a small amount for 50 dollars but that's unfortunately why. I decided to try Go Max Go's bar Thumbs Up!,  Phoney Baloney's coconut bacon, Earth Balance's PB Popps and JJ Sweets Cocomels. I also got Grateful Grahams but those will be reviewed at a later date since I haven't tried them yet, saving them for smores. :) 

 Go Max Go-- Thumbs Up: For some reason I had it in my head that the Thumbs Up was like a Twix bar but to my surprise it was actually a Butterfinger style bar. I admit, it threw me off at first but it was still incredible. Delicious crunchy peanut butter center smothered in delicious milky vegan chocolate. All their bars are decadent and would make any non-vegan think twice about ever touching the "real" ones again. The Vegan Peach gives the Thumbs Up, two giant happy vegan thumbs up.


Phoney Baloney's coconut bacon: To be perfectly honest, I haven't liked bacon in many years, including when I still ate meat. Even vegan bacon grosses me out a lot of the time because of the smell alone but I really wanted to try coconut bacon since I'm a huge coconut NUT. I couldn't imagine how coconut could take on not only the smell but flavour of bacon. When I opened the bag, I got a whiff of a smoky baconish scent. I was a little apprehensive tasting it and admit, it was actually really bacony tasting, I couldn't believe it. It was okay but still a little too strong for a non-bacon fan. I decided to top my salads with it and that was awesome. It's perfect as a bacon bits type topping, adds crunch and flavour and I love that it still has a bit of coconut aftertaste.


Earth Balance's PB Popps: These are basically popcorn bites smothered in peanut butter and oats with added peanuts in the bag. Reminds me a lot of a Crunch and Munch type thing. The first couple bites I took, I wasn't all that impressed. Thought they were a little bit blander than expected, but the more you eat, the more you can't stop. I love that they are light, sweet but not too sweet and crunchy. Really an awesome snack and perfect for the popcorn and peanut butter lover, like myself.


JJ Sweets Cocomels: Where do I begin? I have always been a huge caramel and toffee fan but since going vegan, I haven't had the chance to really find vegan caramels. I tried the original and vanilla flavours, both tasted fairly similar to me but so incredibly delicious. They melt in your mouth with just the right amount of chewiness (no sticking to your teeth) and as mentioned above, I'm a huge coconut fan and these have this awesome burst of coconut flavour. One happy vegan right here!



All and all I am very happy with my choices. My only wish is that more stores locally and all over Canada will start carrying more of these incredible products. Vegan Canadians love you too!

Earth Balance Products Overview

I thought it was about time for me to write about my love for Earth Balance, especially with more new products being introduced. In Canada, we basically only have the butter replacements, spreads, shortening and peanut butter and I keep wishing the other products will show up on the shelves but no such luck. I have been lucky enough to try a lot of the products while visiting the States, however.

Earth Balance uses only sustainable palm oil and also have no GMO's in their products. All their products are gluten-free, lactose-free, egg-free and animal product free, which means 100% vegan and delicious. They are also organic as much as possible.

Now let's review what they have available.

Spreads: They offer several varieties of butter replacements and spreads. The round tubs pictured are actually changing over to a new square container. The buttery spreads are available in original, soy-free, olive oil, omega 3, soy garden and organic whipped. I have personally only tried their soy-free, organic whipped and original, I prefer the whipped as it's easier to spread but any of them work perfectly for baking or cooking. They taste much like butter or margarine does and are perfect for those with food allergies as well. They also offer sticks for baking in original, soy-free and shortening.

Their culinary spreads can be used just like their normal spreads but I know more people use them as a topping for their toast in the morning and such. They have 3 available in organic coconut, organic sweet cinnamon and organic garlic and herbs. I have used the coconut and really enjoy it as a cooking tool.

Soymilk: This is one product I have not had from Earth Balance, again, I have never seen it or the mayo in Canada. The soymilk comes in 4 varieties: original, unsweetened, chocolate and vanilla.

Mayo: It comes in 3 varieties: original, organic and olive oil. I have tried the original once but don't remember the taste other than enjoying it. I am fussy with vegan mayo so if I liked it, that's a good sign. 

 

Nut Butters: I have not tried their nut butters yet but actually noticed the coconut and peanut spread last time I was at the grocery store and plan to purchase it in the near future. Coconut and peanut butter are two of my favourite things. :) They offer it in both crunchy and creamy, as well as a plain peanut butter in creamy and crunchy. They also offer almond butters for those with peanut allergies.

Snacks: Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Earth Balance comes out with a whole snack line featuring some amazing vegan versions of old favourites. Vegan buttery popcorn,  aged white cheddar popcorn, aged white cheddar puffs and peanut butter popps. I have tried both the aged white cheddar puffs and popcorn and they are incredible. I also have some peanut butter popps on the way which I am super excited to try. 

And now they've just announced new squeezable tubes of peanut butter as well as a new line of kettle chips in sea salt, cheddar and sour cream & onion. I am insanely excited about the sour cream & onion as those were always my favourite chips and I haven't seen any vegan ones.  

Earth Balance is taking over in the vegan community and I am happy to be one of their supporters. They make amazing unique products and I want everyone to get on the EB train!