Trader Joe's Chile Mango Fruit Floes

Just another average shopping trip to Trader Joe's revealed a hidden gem I knew nothing about, the Chile Mango Fruit Floes. My first reaction was, "What the hell are those?" and then, of course,  I bought them. Fruit floe doesn't really register with me, but I figured they were some kind of frozen concoction. Well basically it's a popsicle, with a kick!
  

I open the box and see that it's popsicle-shaped, so that's a good sign. I take my first bite and get the sweet hint of mango and then BOOM, the kick of chile! I'm not accustomed to spicy sweets so this is a whole new world to me. Terry Hope Romero just happens to be in town and she loved them. Apparently, these are similar to Mexican paletas. I had to give it a minute or two for my farmer's palate, but now I'm totally on team spicy. A spicy mango vacation in your mouth!

The Laziest Vegans Top Ten Asks Elizabeth Castoria

This month, I'm going to the streets of San Francisco (not really, I wish!) to ask VegNews Managing Editor Elizabeth Castoria what her favorite Vegan convenience foods are. You probably recognize Elizabeth from the front pages of your VegNews, where she writes the Editor's Note every issue. When she isn't busy editing the magazine, Elizabeth is blogging from Cafe VegNews where she reports and takes pics of  her lunch (along with the rest of the VegNews staff). So her love of  food is well publicized, but do you know what her favorite ice cream is?

What is your favorite store-bought veggie burger?
I'm not a big burger eater, but the Gardein Ultimate Beefless Burger is pretty danged great.

What is your favorite frozen dinner?
Amy's Indian Spinach Tofu Wrap is ridiculous.

What is your favorite ice cream?
A) It's really awesome that there are enough phenomenal vegan ice creams for this to be a hard question—we no longer have to resort to Mocha Mix!
B) Shoot, it's a really hard question! Coconut Bliss Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge. Bam.

What is your favorite chip or cracker?
It's a tie between Beanfields Nacho Bean and Rice Chips and Kettle Tias! in Salsa Picante. But also, Wheat Thins.

What is your favorite cereal?
Cap'n Crunch. Or, if I'm trying to pretend like sugar doesn't exist, Quaker Oatmeal Squares.

What is your favorite candy?
Right now, it's Chocolate Decadence's Chocolate Pretzel Bar.

What is your favorite cookie?
I could eat Liz Lovely cookies until I died of cookie.

What three pre-packaged food items would you take to a desert island?
Gardein's Chick'n Tenders, Peanut Butter & Co.'s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, and CalNaturale's Svelte drinks (especially the Cappuccino flavor, but really, I'll take whatever's on hand. On the island.)

Name a product you would like Veganized?
Brie. By the truckload.

What are your favorite local and/or online stores for Vegan products?
In SF, we are super-spoiled to have Rainbow Grocery. It's a freaking wonderland of delight.

And that concludes The Laziest Vegans Top Ten. Thanks Elizabeth!

Obsessive Confection Disorder Easter 'Veggs'

Today is Easter and, yes, I've done Easter candy posts for the past two years (2012 and 2011), but I have just one more left in me. Obsessive Confection Disorder has come up with an adorable candy assortment inside an unused egg carton. Inside the 'Veggs' carton you'll find six caramels (two vanilla, two lavender and two agave lime), six pieces of WTFudge and two salted caramel lollis.


What a cute assortment of candy! WTFudge is buttery, chocolaty and delicious, studded with fun crispy stuff like potato chips and rice krispies. It also has pecans and toasted coconut. Somehow all of the flavors really manage to shine through. It's addictive! I've had the caramels a few times now and as always they're rich, creamy, chewy and tasty.


An up close look inside an egg reveals some delicious WTFudge with some caramel on the side.
Thank you to OCD for coming up with innovative and delicious Vegan treats!

The Laziest Vegans in the World Cookbook!

For the last three years or so, I have been compiling my favorite Laziest Vegans modifications, tricks and secrets, in the hopes of someday sharing them with the world. It's been my dream to create a new genre of Vegan cooking for us lazies. Well that day is finally here. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, The Laziest Vegans in the World Cookbook!

Over 150 of the laziest recipes that use your favorite Vegan convenience foods in creative new ways! Recipes include Amy's Roasted Vegetable Pizza w/ Frank's Red Hot, Vega One Chocolate Ice Cream, Sweet & Sara Peanut Butter S'more Cereal, Tings Burger, Double Fried Twilight Bar, Upton's Carrot Seitan Sandwich and much, much more!!! Veganism doesn't need to be time-consuming or healthy. Press a button on the microwave and you're minutes away from cooking the easiest, laziest Vegan meals in the world. Fun for the whole family!

Inside you'll find 50 amazing photos by Kelly Peloza that will have you warming up that microwave oven right away. Isa Chandra Moskowitz, gives the foreword of her life, sure to move and inspire the entire laziest vegan population. This amazing book will be available on August 19, which is also my birthday! Pre-order now and you will receive the Kelly Peloza arm wrestling DVD free of charge!

Become part of the Laziest Vegans movement today!

Here's what people are saying about The Laziest Vegans in the World Cookbook:

"Who knew you could microwave a burrito? This book will change your life!" -Isa Chandra Moskowitz, author of Vegan With A Vengeance

"John seamlessly transforms vegan convenience foods into pseudo-gourmet fare that will fool even the most staunch advocate of healthy, whole foods cooking. I had the pleasure of sampling the Amy's Roasted Vegetable Pizza with Frank's Red Hot made artfully by the man himself and can wholeheartedly recommend John's take on the lazy culinary lifestyle. Every vegan and their microwave needs this companion book of genius. Swoon." -Kelly Peloza, author of The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur

"What is this shit?" -Bobby Flay, world famous chef and television personality

GT's Synergy Cherry Chia Kombucha

Kombucha is one of those things you either love or hate. Up until yesterday, I dreaded the thought of even trying it. It just has this stigma about it. I've known people who have made Kombucha at their home and the whole process sounded bizarre and gross. Like you have to take this moldy thing and cultivate it, or something. After all that, I couldn't imagine Kombucha tasting good, so I've avoided it at all costs.

That brings us to GT's Synergy Cherry Chia Kombucha. Kelly Peloza, aka The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur dared me to try Kombucha. Kelly just so happens to be in town and pressed the issue, so I agreed to try the Kombucha, but only if she tried Vega. The deal was sealed and the rest is history (video).

Shockingly, I enjoyed it! The consistency was a little slimy, almost like jello. I tried to chew the chia seeds at first and then I realized you are just supposed to drink them. It had a nice smooth cherry flavor, not alcoholic or medicinal like I expected. I would find it a little difficult to eat something while drinking Kombucha, but alone, it's like a self contained meal.

So if you are apprehensive about Kombucha in general, give the GT Synergy Cherry Chia Kombucha a try. It has an easy going cherry taste that most people will enjoy. Once you get past the weirdness of the consistency, you'll be feeling like a champ. Thank you to Kelly for forcing me to drink it!

The Vegan Easter Bunny 2012

It's hard to believe it, but Easter is almost upon us. The Vegan Easter Bunny is all packed up and ready to deliver his basket of goodies. This year I found a couple of new things that, if you act quickly, can be part of your Easter celebration! But let's start with an old favorite...

Sweet and Sara Easter Peepers & Skippers. I'm not sure how you can have Easter without these! Sweet, sugary marshmallow to remind you of your childhood.

Lagusta's Luscious English Cream Egg. A Vegan version of the Cadburry Egg is one of the most requested candies ever. Lagusta comes through with a decadent cream filled organic chocolate egg. The gooey white and yellow center is divine.

Yum Earth Naturals Sour Beans. A delicious new twist on an Easter classic! I'm seriously addicted to these. They remind me of Tearjerkers (which I used to buy in bulk in the early 90's) but in jellybean form. Buy at least two bags, trust me.

Candy Tree Organic Mixed Fruit Toffee. These are some really unique toffees! Flavored by fruit juices and made with organic ingredients, these will be a hit with kids and adults. The five flavors are black current, cherry, lemon, strawberry and orange.

Divvies Super Stars. Mmmm! Little star jellies that have popsicle flavors. I swear, you will think that you are eating orange, grape, lime, cherry or lemon popsicles! So good.

Lagusta's Luscious Chocolate Matzo Toffee. And last but not least, I wanted a treat for all of you that are celebrating Passover. These are off the hook crazy! I've had motzo, but nothing like this. Motzo with toffee and chocolate drippings will make anyone go Jewish!

Lagusta's Luscious Tabby Toffees For The Teal Cat Project

As you may have noticed, I have a Teal Cat Project link on my blog. Isa Chandra Moskowitz started the Teal Cat Project last year to help the feral cat population across the country. Cats are near and dear to my heart so it was a no-brainier to volunteer for the project. One of Teal Cats newest fundraisers is the Tabby Toffee Chocolate Box from Lagusta's Luscious. As you can see, they are super adorable, organic and fair trade! The Tabby Toffees are $20, with $10 going directly to the TCP.

What a cute box! Isn't the Teal Cat Logo by Anna Dorfman adorable?

You get four Tabby Toffies and three Solid Birds. The Tabbies are delicious! The chocolate exterior is phenomenal. Dark, rich and bittersweet, it's the perfect contrast for the sweet caramelly filling.

You can see the gooey butterscotch and milk chocolate ganache inside. So do yourself a favor and buy a box of Tabby Toffees and while you are at it, check out Lagusta's AMAZING Smoky Corn on the Cob Chocolate Bar, it's heavenly!