Pick up this budget friendly salad at Whole Foods

Just a quick note...

I found this gorgeous salad at my local Whole Foods for $2.50.  It is a nice portion and comes with a cilantro/lime dressing.  The dressing is delicious and is just enough for the portion size.  This is definitely a great deal for what you get. 

What is in it?

Romaine lettuce

Red bell pepper

Green bell pepper

Black Beans

Tomato

Cheese

Red Onion

Raw Organic Coconut Water by Harmless Harvest

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

During my recent visit to Whole Foods there was a nice lady handing out samples of Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Coconut Water.  I am no stranger to drinking green coconut water right out of the coconut.  I was pleasantly surprised at how this coconut water had that SAME taste.  You may find that many of the different brand coconut waters are very sweet.  If you have not had fresh green coconut water then you may not realize there is a BIG difference in the taste.  After tasting this coconut water I was sold and grabbed a couple bottles.

This product is from young, fresh, coconuts that are grown on small organic farms in Thailand.  The coconut trees grow over 100 feet high.  A harvester will climb up a ladder and lower the coconuts down with a rope to a canal.  A gatherer will load the clusters of coconuts into a small boat and deliver them to a truck which in turn takes them for processing. 

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

During processing thousands of pounds of pressure is applied to the product.  This process is used to kill harmful bacteria without the need for heat.  This end product is 100% organic coconut water with only 56 calories per bottle.  Coconut water has electrolytes, magnesium, potassium and calcium and is a great way to get rehydrated. 

I highly recommend Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Coconut Water.  I believe it is the best tasting coconut water that you can buy.

Pineapple Cucumber drink by It Tastes RAAW

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

When I stumble upon a cucumber drink I have to try it.  I purchased It Tastes RAAW's Pineapple Cucumber drink for $2.99 at my local South Florida Whole Foods.  It Tastes RAAW strives to create unique fruit and vegetable juice blends.  The ingredients that make up this drink are pineapple juice, cucumber puree and apple juice.  The drink is 100% natural and no water, sugar or preservatives are added. 

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

I expected the drink to be much sweeter than it actually was.  Upon first sip I tasted more of the apple juice than the pineapple juice.  I could certaintly taste the cucumber puree as well.  This product has the right blend to give it the refreshing cucumber flavor I expect from a drink like this.

It Tastes RAAW's Pineapple Cucumber drink has 120 calories and there are about 1 and 1/2 servings per bottle. Although the bottle reads "very perishable" I found that this keeps longer than other natural juices I have tried.  The expiration date on this bottle is August 2nd.  Also, just a side note that this product is gluten free, kosher and vegan friendly as well.  

It Tastes RAAW has other unique juices such as Cranberry Ginger and Raspberry Lemongrass.  You will find a complete list of their other flavors here.

 

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

Meatless Sloppy Joes by Gardein

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

Gardein has introduced their All American (meatless) Sloppy Joes.  The packaging advertised "ready in minutes" and "easy."  I grabbed a pack of the meatless sloppy joes, some buns and headed home.  The package suggests to microwave the soy, but you can saute it if you prefer.  I tried the microwave option.  There are two servings in the pack at 190 calories per serving.  As you will see below each serving is packaged separately.  I emptied the soy crumbles and sauce into a microwave safe bowl, stirred and cooked on high for 2 minutes.  Voila!  Stir the mixture again and place on a bun.  Wow that was quick, but do the sloppy joes taste good?  Yes, Gardein got the flavor and texture that you would expect with sloppy joes right.  The sauce is more sweet than tangy and the soy had good texture and flavor.  Too easy!

Gardein Sloppy Joes are $3.99 at my local South Florida Whole Foods.

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

 

Kennesaw 100% Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Photo by ThatSillyGirl

Kennesaw Orange Juice is 100% fresh squeezed, but does it really have that "fresh squeezed" taste?  What makes it different from other brands of orange juice? I purchased a 16oz bottle from Whole Foods.  There are two servings per bottle with 120 calories per serving. It has the taste that I would expect from fresh squeezed orange juice.  This juice has a high pulp content with no preservatives, no fillers and is not overly acidic.  Kennesaw uses oranges from their own groves which are hand sorted.  The juice is cold processed to ensure a fresh squeezed flavor. Other brands use a standard pasteurization which means a longer shelf life, but the juice looses the fresh squeezed flavor.  Kennesaw advises that there will always be a variation of flavor with the juices.  They use Florida oranges year round with some California oranges added at certain times of the year to maintain sweetness.  Be sure to check the expiration date on these because they expire quickly, 17 days from extraction to be exact.  A sign of fresh squeezed juice is the natural separation of juice and pulp.  Shake well and enjoy.    

Vegetarian Times 2012 Foodie Awards: Vote!

Help Vegetarian Times choose what vegetarian products are on top for their 2012 foodie awards.  Go to the VT site and fills out a short form.  After voting you will be entered to win a $250.00 Whole Foods gift card.
The survey took me less than five minutes to complete.

Glaser Organic Farms: Raw Vegan Mango Salsa

Of all the mango salsas out there, this one by Glaser Organic Farms is by far my favorite.  Glaser Organic Farms is a certified organic grower based in Miami, Florida.  Glaser has a line of organic raw vegan foods.  I purchase their salsas at my local South Florida Whole Foods.

Photo by: Thatsillygirl

Glaser's mango salsa is a little spicy and I could taste the jalapenos from the first bite.  I am not one for spicy foods, but the salsa was not too spicy.  After a few more bites I could taste the layers of flavors.  Glaser uses organic ingredients which include red onion, cilantro, sea salt, pepper, lemon juice, jalapenos and of course mangoes to make this salsa.  The mango salsa is fresh and incredibly good.

Photo by: Thatsillygirl

Naked 100% Juice Smoothie: Blue Machine

I have seen Naked brand juice smoothies at Whole Foods and at my local Starbucks.  I decided to try the Blue Machine smoothie. Naked Boosted 100% Juice Smoothies are natural with no added sugars.  If you are trying to get more fiber into your diet the Blue Machine has 13 grams.  High fiber foods keep you feeling full longer.  This smoothie has 170 calories per serving and the bottle holds 2 servings so that is 340 calories total. Blue Machine is packed with vitamins. Naked has reduced calories smoothies as well.  

Photo by: ThatSillyGirl

The taste test...I was concerned that the smoothie would taste chalky. This was not the case at all. The Blue Machine juice smoothie was not too thick and perfectly sweet. Upon my first sip I tasted the blueberries and bananas. I enjoyed the smoothie for breakfast and it kept me feeling full until lunch time. This was a nice change from my usual breakfast of Greek yogurt or oatmeal.  I have since then tried the Green Machine which is very tasty and I am excited to try the other flavors.

Photo by: ThatSillyGirl

Veggie Express: Local Food Truck

I decided to check out a local food truck called Veggie Express.  Out of the many options on their menu I ordered the Veggie-Saurus burger, a vegan friendly burger, with a side of yuca fries.  The burger came with greens, tomato and a pickle on the side.  A nice portion of a vegan spread was served on the side as well.  The wheat bun held up nicely considering this was a hefty veggie burger and more importantly the burger did not fall apart as some do.

Next the yuca...yuca is a root vegetable that when fried is similar to a french fry.  I have found that many places overcook yuca.  Veggie Express prepared the yuca nicely and served it with a side of garlic oil/sauce.  It was crispy, but needed a little salt.

Overall, the food was good and the service was fast.  I will visit the Veggie Express food truck again. 

Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer

I had been looking for a primer type product and was excited to try Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer.  The Photoready Perfecting Primer smooths pores and fills in lines and wrinkles.  The bottle explains that you can use it alone or under foundation.  This primer is an odorless, slightly pink cream and goes on almost invisible, but giving a matte look. 

I start with a clean face and apply a moisturizer first.  If you have dry skin like me a moisturizer is important or this product will highlight any dry patches  Next, I apply the primer all over as I would foundation.  Be sure to spread it on fast because it dries quickly.  It is light and I cannot even tell I am wearing it once its applied.  I then apply concealer under my eyes and powder.  That is it - no foundation needed for me since the primer smooths and covers.  Also, my concealer does not end up highlighting under eye wrinkles because the primer fills these in. 

Overall, this primer does what it claims to do and works on my dry, fair skin.  If you have underlying redness to your skin you may want to try the Photoready Color Correcting Primer instead.

www.revlon.com