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 brands of 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 had 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 would 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. 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

 

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.

 

 

 

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.