(Some of the) Best of 2010

Going out on a limb, here are a few of our Bests of 2010: Best chewing gum--bar none--Orbit Mist from Wrigley. This gum really does last and comes in enough varieties of mint or fruit to keep any avid gum chewer satisfied.  Best product--there really are a  few in this category but the electric Smart Kettle  from Chef's Choice is still going strong and lives up to is promises. We also want to mention Cuisinart's Smart Power Blender, which has un-complicated the art of blending and looks smart, too. For noteworthy foods we have to list Jovial Foods Einkorn Pasta, Morningstar Farm's Riblets and Lasagna, and  Gardein meatless entrees as well as Smart Life's Vegan Hot Dogs and Sausages (vegan) , Amy's Breakfast Burritos, Quorn meatless entrees (vegetarian). Where would we be without Tabasco Sauce to give zest to meals or Rice Select's varieties of couscous and grains or the lovely teas from The Republic of Tea--all make cooking and enjoying a bit more pleasurable.

Amy's Has the Answer

You have decided to eat more natural foods but need to save time and maybe you have special dietary needs. Leave it to Amy's Ktchen to fill the need. Some of their newer offerings include: Gluten Free Dairy Free Mac & Cheese, Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Cake, Rice Crust Roasted Veg Pizza (Single Serve), Light in Sodium Rice & Bean Burrito, Light in Sodium Cheese & Bean Burrito, Light in Sodium California Burger, and their deliciousWhite Pizza, and Four Cheese Pizza. The family-owned and run company received so many requests from consumers for foods that fit with a variety of diets that they added these to their ever-growing list of never-disappointing healthy foods. If you are unable to find what you ae looking for in a store, you might be able to order it online:  http://www.amys.com/buy/buy_online.php

In any case, their website has a lot of interesting information, including the answer to "How is tofu made?" and  a new  Amy's Diet Plan

http://www.amys.com/index.php

Wrap it Up

In a hurry in the morning but don’t want to skip (you know you shouldn’t) breakfast? And maybe you’d like something interesting and portable that you can bite into on the way out the door?

Give Amy’s new Breakfast Scramble Wrap a try. You’ll find these in the grocery frozen foods section. Just heat it, let it cool, maybe add a seasoning-- ketchup, hot sauce or, nothing. This delicious hand-held breakfast is an appetizing blend of Organic Tofu, Vegetables, and Cheese and will satisfy your breaking –the- fast hunger and your taste buds.

You will make it a point to make time for this in the morning.

Have Your Cake

Amy’s Organic Cakes, in Orange or Chocolate. Either way, both are fabulous Vegan, non-dairy, 11 ounces of pure sweet delight. No trans fats, No preservatives-- These cakes taste homemade. The texture, taste and fragrance all add up to a heavenly dessert. There is no aftertaste and no regret. Try both with non dairy topping or fruit or maybe ice cream.

The Orange is delicate and moist, a perfect summertime, anytime treat. The chocolate may not taste like an ultra-rich decadent chocolate cake—the flavor is more subtle and at the same time very pleasing to the palate.

Amy's Orhanic cakes are available frozen and thaw in the refrigerator in about 2 hours. They can be served warmed but taste just wonderful nice and cool right from the fridge.

It is true, like it says on the box, no one will believe it’s not homemade!

Satisfying Soups

The weather is unpredictable, even squirrelly—every couple of days it seems to go through a mini-seasonal shift. But it still is almost officially winter and one food that seems to be a natural in the colder months is soup. California- based Amy’s offers a winter dense variety called Indian Dal—Curried Lentil. Lentil soup is always fitting during these colder months but this particular one, with organic mung dal (Dal= lentils, beans or peas), green lentils and desi chickpeas is especially satisfying. There are no trans fats, no added MSG, No Preservatives, No GMOs, No Bioengineered ingredients and is gluten free. The taste is just piquant enough to be interesting.

But to get back a little taste of warmer climes, try Amy’s Summer Corn & Vegetable. While a lighter meal than the lentil, it is still hearty enough to offer real nourishment and even comfort. Like the Curried Lentil, the Summer Corn & Vegetable has no ingredients you wouldn’t want. This soup contains organic corn, organic potatoes and other tempting vegetables.

To complete the meal add some nutritious breads and cheese or hummus and a beverage.

Pizza My Heart

We are working on a piece comparing some of the healthier frozen pizzas--Amy’s, Kashi, etc with the not-so-healthy kinds—you know who they are.

If you have any suggestions for healthy pizza available in most supermarkets, please let us know