The Vegan and Vegetarian Secrets Blog …

Kale is one of my personal favourite foods to be honest with you, I can’t get enough of it since I discovered it a few years back. I have to have it every single day, in my fresh fruit & veggie juices, in my salads or basically on anything. It’s one of those remarkable tasty highly nutritional foods that is the top of my list and is so versatile. And now thanks to Loving Earth in Australia – I can snack on this yummy green stuff with yet another option for my palate.

Now if you don’t know much about this awesome food check this out:

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the Brassica family, a group of vegetables including cabbage, collards and Brussels sprouts that have gained recent widespread attention due to their health promoting, sulfur-containing phytonutrients. It is easy to grow and can grow in colder temperatures where a light frost will produce especially sweet kale leaves.

Kale is rich in minerals, antioxidants and vitamin rich greenfood that offers many health benefits… it’s a rich source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  And for example one cup of cooked kale with no added salt contains 2.47 grams protein, 36 calories and 2.6 grams fiber. Nice! But even better when consumed raw foodie style…

And so here’s the tastiest way to get your greens – by snacking on ‘Loving Earth’s Yellow and Red Kale Chips’ are some of the healthiest and tastiest snacks you are sure to find any where!

Loving Earth uses certified organic Kale with the blend of yellow capsicum and cashews in the Yellow Kale Chips which is what gives them their “cheesy” flavour. Cashews are a rich source of copper and magnesium while yellow capsicum is rich in vitamin C, by the way.

Yellow Kale Chips are suitable for vegans and free from gluten, soy and dairy. It takes 200g of fresh kale to make 55g of dehydrated Kale Chips. This makes it a concentrated source of nutrition for anyone wishing to up the anty and get a super fuel into their bodies easily.

I love these chips – health food at it’s finest is all that is left to say here folks!

Try them for yourself at any good health food stores or visit www.LovingEarth.net for direct orders.

The testing began… and the verdict is in…

I’m officially IN LOVE with ‘Go Max Go Foods’ new Candy Bars, bugger finding myself a handsome vegan prince to kiss (well at least right at this very nano-second anyways, lol)… this gal’s got it sorted on those cool Aussie nights with her new favourite friend and self-proclaimed vegan product of The Year.

Drum-roll please… The vegan version of a ‘Snickers Bar’.

Let me start by saying that unlike men, these babies won’t ever make me cry, unless they disappear off the market that is (*No offence guys, I love you, but until I have the honor of actually being kissed and swept off my feet by the veggie prince of my dreams I guess I’ll be reveling with my alternate Beloved a little while yet… ‘Vegan Chocolate’ (giggles) cause these candy bars make me VERY HAPPY. Infact I think they send me into some kind of psychedelic vegan trance they are that Wickedly Good.

“Thanks Go Max Go Foods” you’ve made my heart sing so very much louder with these Spectacular Chocolate Creations! But don’t take my word for it folks, read more about them below and discover just how tempting they truly are then go out there and get your veggie rocks off with these sinfully luscious treats.

I’ll see you on the other side of my self-induced-vegan-snickers-coma. So if I don’t come out alive you’ll know I’ve died a very happy lil vegan munchkin!

These Candy bars will literally ROCK Your World…

‘Go Max Go Foods’ candy bars are covered with their signature-recipe rice-milk chocolate. Light and lovely, it makes dairy-milk chocolate positively passé. Four fantastic chocolate flavoured bars to choose from, this will get your senses drooling…

If your idea of the perfect candy bar is layers of dry roasted peanuts, buttery-tasting caramel, and rich peanut nougat, sweetly wrapped in a delicious chocolately coating, then smile BIG because, the Jokerz™ bar is the one for you – a vegan Snickers bar that is extraordinarily tantilizing, better than the real deal from what I remember of my carni days and as I said before my new best friend. It’s more-ish people, you’ll love it (unless you don’t… in which case I can’t help you anymore and you may need to stop reading this post now and go get test’s done to see if your taste-buds are in correct working order). 

Next up is the Buccaneer™ bar which is rich, fluffy, chocolately nougat covered in a creamy chocolately coating, and it’s the vegan version of a ‘milky way bar’. The kids will love this one, I did and I’m a big kid so just take my word for it okay!

Now imagine that same rich, fluffy, chocolately nougat topped with a layer of thick, buttery-tasting caramel all wrapped up in a very creamy, rice-milk chocolate coating. If this gives you sweet dreams of traditional ‘Mars Bars’, then the Twilight™ bar is what you need to sink your teeth into (it’ll blow your mind back to your liquid meat dairy-eating days that’s for sure but without the foul aftertaste of pus filled dairy milk that is left behind – Cruelty Free all the way here folks – how sweet the song).  

And last but not least if you crave a gently sweetened moist and tender coconut candy bar topped with three whole dry roasted almonds and covered in a luscious chocolately coating… hang out in your own Heavenly bliss with this veganized version of a ‘Bounty Bar’ called the Mahalo™. It’s absolutely sublime and fit for the Gods.

Hmmm, I’m getting delirious just writing about these vegan prodigy’s, but before I go and succumb to more of my chocolate filled fantasies let me finish up by saying that I highly recommend you taste your way to Paradise with all four of these seductive sensations. Enjoy BUT be WARNED however as all of these babies are feverishly ADDICTIVE, so tread carefully if you so choose and don’t send yourself to hospital from a vegan chocolate overdose (hehe), but then again I might just see you in the waiting room cause I think by the time I’m finished with these naughty little treats myself I’ll be up for a doctors appointment to recover and bring me back to reality from my own cosmosis anyways.

So as you can see, I’ve unashamedly been totally Seduced by the simple things in life yet again and to be frank I’d gleefully let ’Go Max’ hitch a ride on the back of my scooter anytime, at this point infact I’m hoping and praying that Max will add more treats to the selection in the future. I for one can’t wait for the next climax to arrive!

Peace and Happy Indulgence to You,
Rebecca

PS> And yes in case you are wondering, I’ve given up and surrendered ‘My Vegan Prince Charming’ fantasy for Go Max, he’s got me hooked and today that’s good enough for me.

Manufacturer: www.GoMaxGoFoods.com

Grab yours in Oz from: www.CrueltyFreeShop.com.au

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I have never seen a better guide for struggling vegans. Check this information out now at:

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‘Sun Warrior – Raw Vegan Protein Powder’

Dislike soy or other protein powders which just taste damn yuck?

Then give the perfect protein powder from ‘Sun Warrior’ a try. At 85% protein, Sun Warrior Protein Powder is the Highest (non-soy) raw whole grain sprouted vegan protein on the market. It has 98% Correlation rate to Mothers Milk and a 98.2% digestion efficiency making it one of the highest digestibility and efficiency ratings of any other protein sources (compared to whey and soy). Created with a Low Temperature natural Enzyme process that does not use any chemicals or acid hydrolysis (like most proteins do). Naturally Rich in Vitamins and Minerals. Sun Warrior Protein contains high amounts of antioxidants Tocopherols, and Tocotrienols and other essential nutrients — such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous, iron and potassium. Increases efficacy and absorption of vitamin and minerals. There has been a direct correlation between the use of Sun Warrior Protein and the absorption of vitamins.

With All Natural Ingredients it comes in three flavours: Natural, Vanilla and Chocolate.

It’s smooth with a great taste and perfect for body builders, athletes, vegans and health enthusiasts alike plus at an ideal 15 grams of protein per scoop it could be the best vegan suitable protein powder with a great taste on the market to date.

PS> It was also Voted the Editors Choice ‘AWARD’ for Best New Protein by NaturalNews.com

(US Manufacturer)  www.SunWarrior.com
Australian Distributor: www.edenhealthfoods.com.au

Okay I have to admit it we are HUGE vegan cupcake fans here at VS HQ’s, so without rambling on too much here’s the scoop on places to get some scrumptcious vegan cupcakes made to order within Australia.

The Cupcake Parlour does a fab selection of scrumptious, flavorsome, delicious, lip smacking, mouthwatering, thirst quenching cupcakes … and Yes they are VERY happy to make Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Vegan cupcakes for all those veggies out there in Aussie-land who may not actually feel the need to put on their aprons and get cooking in the kitchen to make home-made cupcakes all the time!

At the Cupcake Palour they actually specialize in creating You the Ultimate Cupcake – now that’s what I call Heaven! Check these flavors on for size:

• Lemon Sorbet
• After Ate
• Fuffy Bunny
• Cookies & Cream
• Fairy Floss
• Green Apple
• Mocka Motion
• and many more 

Based in Brisbane QLD, they have a storefront at: Shop 5/60 Vulture st, Westend where you can indulge in cupcakes & coffee from Tuesday till Saturday – 8am till 6pm and they can also deliver (within reason) to you directly (but you need to call them to find out the fineprint)

And for all the Sydney goers out there Viva Cupcakes is the online cupcake place for you. The cupcakes are Vegan, Dairy and Egg Free.  They can make cupcakes to order that are decadent and will suit your every need, whether it’s a staff brunch, kids party, bridal shower, Easter or Christmas they are most happy to work with you on whatever you wish to endulge in.

Viva Cupcakes has Decadent, Themed and Classic cupcakes for you to choose from so you will never go hungry or be disappointed with such varieties like:

• Rocket Queen
• New York Doll
• Ziggy Stardust
• Sticky Fingers
• Rebel Rebel
• Instant Karma
• Dark Side of the Moon
• and many more  

Now I for one will be keeping an eye on these places into the future and eventually taste-testing all the vegan varieties personally especially considering we are Cupcake Deviate’s ourselves here at VS.

P.S.> Here’s some of our own creations from a recent party.

I love this stuff! Spoil me raw vegan ice cream is made from 100% plant foods a fusion of delicious raw organic ingredients that brings us closer to healing ourselves and the planet. This stuff is dairy, soy, wheat & gluten free, has no preservatives, thickeners, fillers or unnatural sugars and is handmade in small batches. 

Rich and creamy purely decadent ice cream makes you forget you are eating something good for you (afterall it’s raw).

The base of the vegan raw ice cream is made from organic raw cashews, organic coconut meat extracted by hand, organic agave nectar, vanilla bean and organic coconut oil.

The flavours available include Vanilla, Chocolate, and Chocolate Chip in 500ml tubs.

So all those raw foodies or vegans living in these areas of Queensland, count yourself lucky that you have access to such a delightful treat. Check out these stores to grab yourself a tub today: Mrs Flannerys – Robina, Logan Home, Woolongabba, Chermside, Wrays – Palm Beach & Broad Beach, Sun& Earth Whole Foods and Celtic Organic Wholefoods.

Experience the deliciously smooth taste of Sweet William’s new White Chocolate! We got a few samples delivered to us for review a few days ago and well – this is one sweet treat indeed. We love Sweet William Chocolates as it is, so now to add their smooth creamy dairy free white chocolate to the range is so very exciting for all the vegans and lactose intolerant people out there.

But that’s not all . . . Sweet William have also added a few more great tasting goodies to their ever increasing 100% dairy free, vegan, nut and gluten free range of chocolates including: ‘Not Nuts’, Chocolate Chips and Buttons for cooking (in both white and original flavours) plus a Carob Deluxe bar.

Click here to find out more about the whole range of vegan goodies, and be sure to grab yourself a try of the new White Delight Dairy Free Bar soon.  Grab them from Woolworths/Safeways and Franklins as well as from selected Health Food stores. And from May onwards you will also be-able to get the bars from Coles Supermarkets Australia wide.

We’ve been lucky enough this week to get sent a sample of a brand new ’marshmallow making kit’ to review that’s coming onto the market some time in the near future, and I must say it is simply FABULOUS!

I’ve never really made my own homemade marshmallows, but there’s a first for everything - so last night we rolled up our sleeves and got to it.

The kit contains instructions and specialist ingredients you need to make approx 50 or so homemade fluffy cruelty-free vegan marshmallows.

And the Verdict for these little white blobs of stuff is . . . ‘Superb’! They are soft, fluffy, tasty and oh so yummy I’m not sure how long they will last around my place? I must say I’m highly impressed with this homemade vegan marshmallow making kit.  It has very easy to follow instructions included and doesn’t take as long as I would have thought it would normally take to make such delicate little sweets. This will be one of those great stables to keep in the pantry cupboard (in case one needs an emergency supply of marshmallows or just a simple sugar hit). Whatever the reason, I’m all for the world having even more Vegan Marshmallow options out there, cause as us vegans already know they are few and far between. 

Here is a picture of our results . . . (of course we had to coat them in toasted coconut for a perfect treat). 

Voting is now open for the 2008 aduki awards: celebrating Australia’s vegan community.

And we here at Vegan Secrets have the honor of being nominated under the ‘Best Aussie Vegan Website/Blog’ Category . . . Please keep us in mind when voting   

To vote, click here and you will be in the running to win an aduki voter prize pack (one entry per person only).

*Voting closes midnight on 25 April 2008 with winners to be announced on 1 May 2008. The winners will receive a trophy of recognition from aduki independent press and be profiled on aduki online.