Beyond Meat offers new vegan burger

Whether you genuinely like vegan burgers or eat them due to necessity, you may be interested in this new product. 

After loads of research, the Beyond Burger, made by Beyond Meat, is the first burger that will be sold next to actual meat. It's also gluten-free and soy-free, with no GMOs.

Available now only at a Whole Foods Market in Boulder, CO, it will be making its way to other Whole Foods stores in the coming year. 

For more info, check out this link: 

http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=7875&catId=1

I actually enjoy veggie burgers, so I expect that I'll eventually be checking it out. 

Where is my eggnog latte?

I'm waiting (not too patiently, I might add) to get an eggnog latte at Starbucks. 

Someone told me it'd be in this week; I went in to my usual Milford Starbucks on Wednesday and was told something else. It seems they kept getting updates. 

Assuming corporate doesn't change its mind, eggnog lattes should be available no later than Nov. 30. 

In the meantime, I have made my own with Rice Dream Rice Nog,* which was on sale the last time I was at Whole Foods Market  in Ann Arbor. Yesterday, I enjoyed the eggnog latte at Kahuna Coffee, which uses eggnog syrup. (What is confusing about Kahuna Coffee is that most people think of the area it's in as Hartland, but it's Howell mailing. Nonetheless, it's an awesome place, which already has given me the opportunity to sell signed poetry book to people).

For me, perhaps because it uses whole milk eggnog, Starbucks has the definitive eggnog latte. And so I wait. Still rather impatient about it. 

Speaking of Starbucks, today is the last day you can buy one holiday drink and get one free to share from 2-5 p.m. (or 6 p.m. if you have a gold card). 

Tell me: what's your favorite holiday drink? Whether it's coffee-based or not, I'd still like to know. 

Win a 'Pantry Makeover'

Whole Story, the blog for Whole Foods Market, is hosting a contest through Jan. 31, so hurry.

Quote about contest from blog:

"So tell us, what healthy eating changes do you plan to make in 2011? Where do you find your motivation and inspiration? We want to hear it all!



Share a bit about your approach to healthy eating in the comments below by January 31st for a chance to win." You do this in the comments section of the blog contest entry.

Contest winners get a $99 Whole Foods Market card and will be put in touch with one of the store's Healthy Eating Specialist to get a "pantry makeover" that helps them learn how to shop for healthy food at a reasonable price.  

And America's Healthiest Grocery Store Is?

You're probably muttering, "Scrooge" under your breath now, but I'm not going to tell you in a headline who won the title of America's Healthiest Grocery Store by Health Magazine.

I'm not surprised, really. This store has just about everything you could need in terms of organic products, from prepared food to canned goods, baking mixes, toiletries and more. I can easily get lost in there for hours. Note to self: make sure not to get the frozen or dairy goods first. On a recent trip there, I had to buy an insulated bag so they stayed at the correct temperature. Now I just have to remember to take it with me next time!

Yes, I like Trader Joe's, too, and will go there for certain things (especially now that I know the TJ's in Ann Arbor is right down the road from Whole Foods Market, which officially has been named America's Healthiest Grocery Store). One of the things it's touted for is clear labeling of what's in its prepared foods. If you don't know what to do with that tofu or quinoa (pronounced keen-nwah, incidentally), you can get help from Whole Foods' extensive recipe database.  

Critics will say it's expensive; that may be true, but what's your health worth to you?

Product Review: EnviroKids' Organic Koala Crisp cereal

I loved Rice Krispies and Cocoa Crunch cereals as a kid. As an adult, I have become concerned about the preservatives (and other undesirable ingredients, such as corn syrup) that randomly appear where they don't need to be ... such as in my cereal and wanted something that would be a good substitute.

A few years ago, I went through a phase where I did nearly all of my grocery shopping at either Whole Foods Market or Better Health Market. I was trying an elimination diet to see if gluten bothered me, so I was on a mission to find a cereal which didn't include it.

I bought a couple of other cereals with it. The buckwheat flakes weren't a notable success (although they did taste better when I put raisins in the bowl, too). The puffed rice needed serious sugar and milk to be edible. But EnviroKidz Koala Crisp Cereal by Nature's Path Foods was full of chocolaty goodness.
On the website, it's listed as being "Made with love and ...It's a little too good; actually, it's hard to eat just one serving. This fact led to my first major cereal mix in conjunction with the unsweetened puffed rice. (Try it with 2/3 Koala Crisp and 1/3 puffed rice and your choice of milk or milk substitute.)

Organic brown rice flour, organic evaporated cane juice, organic cocoa, natural chocolate flavor, sea salt, organic molasses.

Shopping Review: Whole Foods Market

I have always enjoyed going to Whole Foods Market; it's a shopping experience. I've been to the one in Ann Arbor and the one in Farmington Hills. Probably my favorite one (which is likely by virtue of being the one I know the best) is the Farmington Hills location.

Cheese lovers and wine lovers alike can go wild there. Foodies everywhere drool over the prepared foods, including all-American favorites such as a luscious macaroni and cheese dish as well as Kosher foods, vegan choices, vegetarian fare and a terrific salad bar. I love the place.

That said, I frequently hear (or read) complaints that the chain is pricey. In some instances, that is true, but the biggest downside for me is that it's a megastore; with my penchant for label reading, a small shopping trip will take me at least an hour (usually closer to one-and-a-half hours). So I'd advise getting your perishables last. 

As is the case with many other chains, there are some great loss-leader sales available. If you stick to bulk food section and specials, you can get some bargains, especially in terms of healthier snacks.

I strongly suggest reading the flyer before you start shopping and limiting your purchases of the fabulous premade foods (particularly baked goods) to healthier choices so you too can have a shopping experience that's great for both your waistline and your wallet.