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Cha Dao – Yin Yang (Tea & Coffee)

June 28, 2009 in food reviews by me | 3 comments

I discovered The Cha Doa Tea Company Yin Yang Black Tea and Coffee drink this weekend while searching for a lightly sweetened caffeinated beverage to cure my caffeine headache. While, I’m not usually the type to mix coffee and tea I decided to give the Yin Yang flavor a try. When opening the bottle my nose was great with a nice scent of tea, but then coffee, then tea, then coffee. My nose was very confused, but shortly after my palette was delighted by the subtle taste of finely brewed black tea followed by a light coffee taste. As far as sugar goes I would say it’s faintly sweetened as opposed to lightly sweetened. The drink only contains 36 calories/9g of sugar per serving. The sugar adds the sweetness that we all crave, but doesn’t over do it. The organic cane sugar only enhances the flavor of the fine tea and organic coffee.

Cha Dao’s Yin Yang is the perfect drink for a hot sunny day.

Tags: NO HFCS, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Coffee, organic tea

HotLips Soda: Boysenberry

June 11, 2009 in food reviews by me | 1 comment

Hotlips Pizza is one of the coolest pizza joints in Portland, OR. They produce scrumptious pizza, and they are now producing their own fruit flavored sodas. I found this bottle of HotLips Soda, while hanging out at New Seasons Market.

Boysenberry was once a major caneberry cultivar, but due to it’s harvesting difficulties other berries won out. However, today HotLips is bringing the flavor back to live with it’s Boysenberry Soda. This soda packs a punch. It has as much pulp as it does flavor, and it will make your mouth tingle with delight. I had a hard time keeping all the saliva in my mouth with this soda. It’s certainly one of the most unique sodas I’ve had in a long time.

As you can see from the ingredients, there’s nothing fake about this soda. It’s simply fruit, sugar, and carbonated water. The best part is that it’s a Northwest produced and bottled product. I think I’ll try the HotLips Strawberry Soda next.

Tags: Boysenberry Soda, Hot Lips Pizza, HotLips Soda, No HCFS, No HCFS Soda

Fruitabu – Smoooshed Grape

June 3, 2009 in food reviews by me | 1 comment

Fruitabu is labeled as being “organic smoooshed fruit,” and well that’s exactly what it is. Fruitabu is a fruit leather made by the Grapeview, WA based Stretch Island Fruit Co.. Fruitabu is a nice handy on the go snack, that is organic, kosher, and contains no added sugar. All the sugars are found naturally in the fruit that has been pureed and dried. Although, the flavor I chose stated it was grape flavor you’ll notice a little asterisk. The grape version is actually made of organic apple and organic grape puree concentrate. My guess is that it would be hard to get enough pulp out of the grapes for make the fruit leather. That being said it was a great little treat with lots of flavor. After, eating my Fruitabu I noticed that the best by date was July 31, 2008. I guess that’s why they were on sale at the store. My guess is the Fruitabu would taste even better if the best by was in the future rather than the past.

Tags: Fruit Leather, Fruitabu, Smooshed Grape, Stretch Island Fruit Co.

Fentiman’s – Curiosity Cola

May 28, 2009 in food reviews by me | Permalink

Fentiman’s Curiosity Cola is a strong candidate for my favorite cola ever. I have only been able to find it at Metropolitan Market in Tacoma. This cola is made using a “botanically brewed” 7-day brewing that creates a very flavorful beverage. The soda is indeed dyed brown, but of course the liquid didn’t make it home. Hints of Ginger and Cinnamon make this a unique cola indeed. Originally brewed in the UK, the Fentiman’s Company has opened a brewing facility in Canada. I’m now on the look out for the other flavors they offer.

Tags: botanically brewed, Curiosity Cola, Fentiman's, NO HFCS, soda, soft drink

Bumble Bar- Tasty Tropical

May 28, 2009 in food reviews by me | 2 comments

Why oh why did it take me so long to pick up a Bumble Bar? I’m usually not a big fan of the processed energy bar type foods. Luna , Nectar AKA Cliff Bar as they tend to be date based.

Of course, previously I didn’t read the package carefully enough to notice that it was a whole food sesame seed based product. I love sesame seeds, but I don’t like sesame paste. Go figure.

So, while browsing the isles for a snack at the Olympia Food Co-op I came across the Bumble Bar products. I reached for a packet of the Tasty Tropical Bumble Bar to read the ingredients: Organic agave syrup, Organic sesame seeds, Organic pineapple, Organic almonds, Organic flaxseed, Organic coconut, Sea salt, Natural Vitamin E for freshness, Processing agents: Organic safflower and/or sunflower oil

Nothing weird with those ingredients, plus the bars are made in Spokane. I’m glad I gave this product a shot. The bar is a flat layer of seeds and dried fruit held together by agave syrup. The seeds, syrup, and fruit are heaven. This is a perfect treat for those interested in whole food eating, but want something quick and easy. You don’t have that processed, mushy feeling that you get with other so call “energy bars.” Best of all these bars are organic, vegan, and gluten free. I think I’m going to order one of their variety packs.

Tags: Bumble Bar, Bumble Bee, gluten-free, Organic, Spokane, Tasty Tropical, Vegan

China Cola

May 7, 2009 in food reviews by me | Permalink

China Cola is one of the staples of any natural food store cooler. It’s a refreshing beverage in it’s own right, but I’ve found this to an awesome substitute for transitioning from mainstream HFCS colas to a non-HFCS colas with no caffeine.
China Cola‘s herbs have a bit of a bite upon initial taste, but if you take it slow and drink in small sips you’ll appreciate the flavor. One other tip, don’t drink it warm, as I think some of the flavor gets lost.

Tags: China Cola, NO HFCS, Reed's

Q.Bel – Crunchy Crispy Wafer Rolls

May 2, 2009 in food reviews by me | Permalink

I’m on a mission to cut HFCS from my diet, and thus it’s been hard to find a good quality candy substitute. While at New Season’s Market a few weeks ago I found these lovely little Q.Bel Crunchy Crispy Wafer Rolls, which are made without HFCS, Hydrogenated Oils, Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives.

I couldn’t wait to try the Q.Bel Crunchy Crispy Wafer Rolls. I opened the packet and found 2 crisp candy rolls covered in the most delectable smelling chocolate. The first bite was heavenly. I liken the candy to that last bite of a Drumstick Ice Cream Cone, only better chocolate and waffle crisp. Imagine a whole candy like that, and you have the Q.Bel Crunchy Crispy Wafer Rolls. They are simply wonderful. Sadly, I have to wait another few weeks to get my hand on another one.

Q.Bel products also come in Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate flavors, and they’re made in the US. You can’t go wrong with a company who values good quality products, honesty, truth and good.

Tags: Chocolate, Crunchy Crispy Wafer Rolls, Food Review, NO HFCS, Q.bel

Crayons Natural Fruit Drinks – Super V

April 29, 2009 in food reviews by me | Permalink

While searching for any non-HFCS beverage choice at my local 7-11 I ran across the Crayons FUNctional Super-V. I almost passed it by due to the colorful can, and Crayon name. I assumed that it was some dye loaded super sugary kids drink. I went back to the case and picked up the little 8 oz. can, and read that it contained NO-HFCS, No Artificial Colors, used organic evaporated cane juice, allergen and gluten free. I decided to give the Crayons FUNctional Super-V Kiwi-Mango a shot.

I was pleasantly surprised by this little drink. It was super sweet with a tangy kick. I found the 8oz. can to be the perfect serving size. The Crayons FUNctional Super-V Kiwi-Mango is fortified with vitamin A, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, Ca, and contains only 90 calories per serving. I can see this being a perfect treat for kids or adults looking for a sports drink.

Crayons Drinks is a local Bellevue, WA based company found by 3 Dads who wanted to bring a better refreshing drink alternative to the market. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Crayon Drinks products or you can purchase Crayons Drinkson Amazon.

Tags: All Natural, crayons, crayons drinks, Crayons FUNctional Super-V Kiwi-Mango, Fruit Juice, FUNctional, NO HFCS, Organic Cane Sugar, Super V

Pepsi Throwback

April 23, 2009 in food reviews by me | Permalink

Pepsi Throwback was finally procured yesterday in Tacoma! I mentioned Pepsi Throwback in my Pepsi Natural Review. Pepsi Throwback is the original flavor of Pepsi made with real sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup. The taste is smooth, sweet, and everything I expected.

bevreview has an excellent indepth review of Pepsi Throwback. This product is only available for a 8 week period. So, stock up.

Tags: pepsi, pepsi throwback, review

Sweet Swag!

April 18, 2009 in food reviews, writing by me | 1 comment

April from Sweet Leaf Tea was kind enough to contact me after reading my review of Original Sweet Leaf Tea. She said she would send me a few little items, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a hand written note, 6 coupons to try other flavors, a button and some stickers. This little treat made my day. I’ve already used two of the coupons to try the Pomegranate Green Tea and Mint/Honey Green Tea. The distribution has increased over the last few weeks. The first bottle I found was at the local 7-11, then Top Foods, and now it’s even at Safeway.

Thanks April, and everyone else at Sweet Leaf Tea for the personal contact. It means a lot to me. I can’t wait to try more flavors of your wonderful product.

Tags: Swag, sweet leaf tea, Thanks!

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