Reviews Archives | Vegan Universal

Vitauthority’s SBO Vegan Probiotics + Greens Review

November 19, 2020 By Benjamin Franks Leave a Comment

Probiotics are live organisms which consist of bacteria & yeasts that are beneficial for you, especially for your digestive system. We generally tend to associate bacteria in a negative light, but your body is full of bacteria, both healthy and harmful.

Probiotics are usually called “good” or “useful” bacteria since they assist in restoring organic bacteria and gut flora which help keep our digestive functions healthy.

When most probiotics come from dairy sources (yogurt being one such source of probiotics), Vitauthority’s probiotics come from a 100% natural vegan source: soil.

Why You May Need Probiotics?

With more and more processed food in our diet, our foods don’t offer the good bacteria that they should, making it harder for us to have a healthy digestive system.

By taking probiotics they supplement the bacteria that we’re missing in our everyday diets, and make their way into your gut where they can settle and offer the benefits you expect from a probiotic supplement, such as improved digestion, increased immunity, reduced stomach bloating and improved nutrient absorption.

Further, unlike our ancestors who would have got useful soil-based organisms abundantly from rich & fertile soil ecosystems in the past, modern commercial farming practices have made such organisms scarce which are beneficial to our health making soil-based probiotic supplements a valuable option!

This is why it’s so important to include probiotics into your everyday diet.

What Makes Vitauthority’s Vegan SBO Probiotics + Greens Special?

Product Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (from 277 online consumer ratings)
Number of Servings Per Container: 30

Each serving of Vitauthority’s SBO Probiotics + Greens plant-based supplement contains 50 billion CFU soil-based organisms (SBO).

Soil-based organisms used to refer to a modern and unique class of probiotic supplements which have a higher survival rate with digestive passage, being resilient & stable during digestion.

SBO probiotics are probiotic strains that are found naturally in unprocessed fruits and vegetables. These probiotics are meant to be a part of your diet that are naturally occurring, which means they’re designed to survive and offer benefits without any intervention.

What’s unique about this product is not just the soil based probiotics, but also organic greens blend that is used to supercharge the probiotic effects. In order for probiotic spores to survive in the gut they need prebiotic fiber or fiber to feed off.

This is where the organic greens blend steps in. The organic greens blend of spirulina, broccoli, spinach, and kale not only offers nutrient dense superfoods but also acts as a prebiotic fiber for the probiotic spores.

One of the biggest issues within the probiotic space is that products do not have any ingredients that help feed the probiotic spores, making them not nearly as effective as they should be.

This is where we see the advantages of the organic greens blend in Vitauthority’s SBO Probiotics and Greens offering the fiber needed for the spores, but also containing sources of iron, potassium, and being rich in antioxidants.

Some Key Benefits of The Organic Greens Blend Include:

Spirulina – a powerful antioxidant that is extremely nutrient-rich, shown to be high in B vitamins and iron.
Broccoli – rich in antioxidants, broccoli is also a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and calcium
Spinach – a great source of fiber and is nutrient-rich with iron, folate, and calcium
Kale – rich in antioxidants, and is one of the best sources of vitamin K

On top of that the product has amylase to assist in the breakdown of the organic greens to optimize nutrient uptake.

The product comes in capsules form with the recommended dosage of 3 capsules per serving. The capsules are not too large and easy to swallow.

Although using a capsule for greens does not give you the same level of greens as a powder, the benefit is that you don’t have to deal with the taste of greens powder.

Vitauthority’s SBO Probiotics and Greens are 100% vegan, non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free and have no artificial colors. Vitauthority also tests every lot number for probiotic activity to ensure what’s on the label stays true to the product.

Recommended For:

Vegans, vegetarians or anyone looking for plant-based probiotic supplements to support their gut health
Those who want to optimize and boost their immune system
People who are allergic to dairy or lactose
Those who want to get additional nutrients from organic greens, such as spirulina, broccoli, spinach and kale.

Nutrition Facts:

50 billion CFU’s of Bacillus coagulans soil-based probiotics
Contains 1.4g of green superfoods per serving: organic spirulina, organic broccoli, organic spinach, and organic kale
Only 5 calories per serving
100% non-GMO vegan sources
Zero dyes, lactose / dairy, or gluten
Includes the digestive enzyme amylase to ensure proper breakdown of the greens

Product Quality:

Manufactured in a cGMP facility in the USA
Lab verified

Best Almond Milk Brands Review

October 6, 2020 By Dishan Mendis and Cat Robinson Leave a Comment

Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just curious, almond milk is one of the most popular dairy substitutes for everything from cereals to coffee.

By opting for these vegan almond milk brands instead of dairy, you avoid saturated fat, cholesterol, (saturated fat & cholesterol may increase your risk of heart disease [1]), lactose (many adults have lactose intolerance [2]), risk of prostate cancer [3], antibiotic-resistance, hormones, other milk allergies and of course the animal exploitation & environmental impact you associate with the dairy industry.

What made us select these dairy-free almond milk brands for this review? Nutrition, taste, product quality, consumer ratings, and price.

In ranking these brands we have given more emphasis to nourishment considering that plant milk is something vegans would routinely use, especially the nutrients that one would think of missing when you ditch dairy such as calcium, vitamin D (a vital nutrient for bone health), B12 (a nutrient, vegans should not overlook), and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Besides the nutrients we mentioned, these almond non-dairy milk substitutes are rich in vitamin E as well which is an essential antioxidant.

The two main nutrients that would be lacking in almond milk would be protein (though Orgain Organic Protein Almond Milk in this review has more protein than dairy) and vitamin D3 (most almond milk would have vitamin D2 and you can get free vitamin D3 from sunlight)

Almond milk is also a great weight loss milk alternative if you’re looking to limit gaining weight due to dairy.

Let’s check them out!

1) Silk Pure Almond Milk Brand Review

Silk Almond Vanilla Almond Milk

Silk Unsweetened Original Almond Milk

Ratings: 4.8 (from 2308 ratings)
Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
Price: Vanilla: $ 0.07 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Unsweetened Original: $ 0.05 / Fl Oz (as of Oct 2020)
Made in USA

Nutrition:

Provides just 90 calories per serving (less than dairy milk), and is also one of the most nourishing plant-based milk brands out there. Boasts more calcium than dairy milk, besides being a rich source of:

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B2
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin A, and
Zinc

Silk Pure almond milk is free from dairy (and therefore lactose & casein), MSG, gluten, carrageenan, cholesterol, and artificial colours and flavours. It’s also free from soy, making it a good alternative if you have a soy allergy.

Intro

Since 1977, the Silk brand has been making delicious plant-based foods delighting their consumers for over 30 years, whilst striving towards reducing their carbon footprint.

Silk Pure is endorsed by top athletes like Michael Phelps, (widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time with 23 Olympic gold medals to his name!) and Aly Raisman (6 Olympic medals). So it’s no surprise it is one of the most sought-after plant milk brands out there!

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Great as a general-purpose milk replacement, and particularly tasty with coffee and in vegan baking! Let’s check out some of the popular Silk Pure almond milk varieties:

Vanilla

After keeping it chilled and giving it a few shakes (remember to give it a good shake before serving!) we poured into our glasses. It’s a bit darker in colour than regular milk. The sweet vanilla scent is immediately noticeable, and extremely pleasant.

Thoroughly enjoyed drinking it plain, and the taste is somewhat reminiscent of a vanilla shake! Features a nice creamy almond vanilla flavour with a fresh and smooth taste, combined with a perfect drinking texture and rich consistency.

Highly recommended for cereals, or oatmeal mixed with frozen berries where the vanilla flavour adds something extra special.

Use it to make shakes, smoothies, or even blend it with various fruits and freeze to make amazing sorbets. We love using this vanilla almond milk for baking (including cakes, brownies, cupcakes & muffins) or for anything sweet. Do note to use less sugar since it’s already sweetened.

Original Unsweetened

If you’re not a fan of sweet plant milks or trying to reduce your sugar intake, then this unsweetened version is perfect for you.

Although not the best tasting to drink on its own, Silk Pure Unsweetened Almond Milk is quite smooth and creamy, and makes a nice accompaniment for cereals which are already on the sweeter side.

Due to its neutral flavor it is also a good choice for savoury dishes such as mashed potatoes or ‘creamy’ pasta dishes and oven bakes.

Unlike dairy milk it’s low in calories at just 90 calories a cup which is 44% less compared to a cup of dairy milk which comes in at 161 calories. It’s also packed with vitamins and nutrients including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. Exceptional source of calcium, as it contains 50% more than dairy milk.

It is shelf-stable, and can be kept in the pantry until needed. Unopened Silk almond milk has a shelf life of about 12 months from the manufacturing date. We like to chill it before drinking, but we’ll leave that one up to you! Once it’s opened, it needs to be stored in the fridge and used within 7-10 days.

2) Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Almond Milk Review

Ratings: 4.2 (from 183 ratings)
Quality certificates: certified organic, non-GMO project verified
Price: Unsweetened vanilla: $ 0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Lightly sweetened vanilla: $ 0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
Made in USA

Intro

Andrew, the founder of Orgain, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer when he was just 17. During chemo and radiation, he lost his appetite entirely and experienced an alarming weight loss.

His doctors recommended nutrition shakes to help him gain back some of the lost weight, but Andrew was concerned that the only options on the market were loaded with unhealthy and synthetic ingredients. So, he teamed up with his mom to start making their own range of organic shakes at home!

Soon, Andrew’s health was mending and he had been inspired to tap into the power of clean nutrition as he pursued a medical career. Soon he realised that he could actually help many more patients, and reach more people in need, by using his experience to create a genuinely healthy, organic nutrition shake. Thus, Orgain was born!

Nutrition:

Orgain Almond Milk provides 80 calories per serving and has no added sugar. If you’re looking for a plant milk which is rich in protein, then this should be your top choice supplying 10 grams of organic plant-based protein per serving (higher than dairy milk). It is also high in calcium, vitamin D, and iron.

Orgain is non-GMO, contains no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, and is free from: soy, gluten, and carrageenan.

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Orgain Lightly Sweetened Vanilla

While the colour is a little grey, the flavour was impressive! Significantly thicker than normal almond milk, but can still be used as a creamer for hot beverages, and can be used with smoothies!

Because of its thickness we got a slight feeling of a meal replacement. We assume that is due to its added protein making it quite a filling as a drink on its own.

Works well with cereals, and oats, but is a little too thick for use with other products like protein / weight loss shakes – unless you like them that way!

If you like, there’s no reason you can’t dilute your Orgain almond milk with a little water to get the consistency you’re used to, and the flavor should still be good even if you dilute it slightly.

The consistency makes it perfect for no-bake treats, carrot cake, or any baked products where you want something a little thicker than standard almond milk to prevent your mix getting too moist.

Orgain Unsweetened Vanilla

Because it’s unsweetened and quite thick and creamy, this variety isn’t ideal for drinking on its own. It has a slightly bitter taste, which could again be attributed to the extra protein (pea & brown rice protein) it contains, but the hint of vanilla gives you an option to mix it into smoothies.

Can also be used in baking and cooking, even in savoury dishes, and can be a good way to cut back on your sugar intake while still getting the vanilla flavour.

3) So Delicious Almond Milk Review

Ratings: 4.5 (from 143 ratings)
Certificates: certified vegan, certified gluten-free
Price: Unsweetened: $ 0.07 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Vanilla: $ 0.11 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
Made in USA

Intro

With a 30-year old history, So Delicious has been a top vegan choice for frozen desserts, creamy yoghurt alternatives, decadent cheesy melts and of course plant-based dairy alternatives & creamers for decades. Here’s a little more about the company.

With an initial goal of expanding dairy-free options outside of just the milk aisle, So Delicious has quickly evolved into a brand that strives to do what’s good for people and the planet. As a member of the B Corp movement they’re proud to use their brand as a force for good.

Certified B Corporations must meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, and must aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Nutrition:

Only 25 calories per serving and no added sugar, so a good choice as a weight loss option. Carrageenan free, and contains more calcium than dairy milk. So Delicious is also a rich source of vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin A.

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Unsweetened

Thanks to its clean and subtle nutty taste, So Delicious really outshines other products when used as a coffee creamer – so it’s a must for all the cafeholics out there!

Highly versatile, and recommended for everything from drinking straight to making creamy salad dressings. Great with granola, for use in baking, for making shakes and smoothies, or adding to your favourite hot beverage.

Makes an exceptionally good tea and coffee creamer, and is delicious with shakes, in smoothies, with oatmeal and in cereals.

Vanilla

The taste is really good compared to other vanilla almond milk brands, and makes this product great on its own or with smoothies, protein shakes or cereals.

4) Alpro Almond Unsweetened Drink Review (UK Brand)

Ratings: 4.5 (from 18 ratings)
Quality certificates: Non-GMO By Cert ID
Price: $0.18 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
Made in UK

Intro

Alpro started making plant-based foods way before it became trendy, and have definitely earned their rep as pioneers.

Their story starts in 1980, when the founders wondered if the goodness of soya could be turned into something useful for the planet’s population. Soon after, their first wholesome soya drink recipe was born, together with their appetite for many other plant-based goodies!

In 2012 they expanded their range to include both almond and hazelnut milks, and 2015 marked the publication of their first sustainability report. It featured their pledge to reduce their CO2 emissions and water usage, plus other great stuff like using sustainable natural resources, reducing their products’ sugar and fat content, and working towards local cultivation wherever possible.

In 2018 Alpro joined the ranks of B Corp Certified, joining a community of leaders using business as a force for good and also launched their first plant-based ice cream.

Nutrition:

Low in calories and comes with nourishing nutrients such as vitamin B12, B2, D, E, and calcium.

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Alpro offers both a roasted and unroasted flavour of their almond milk, with each being suitable for different purposes.

We recommend the unroasted variety for drinking plain, or for use in mild drinks like tea or hot chocolate; while the roasted version can blend well with coffee, oats, porridge, or can be used with baking, smoothies, and desserts, or anywhere you want a little extra zest from your almond milk!

5) Almond Breeze Dairy Free Original Almond Milk Review

Ratings: 4.4 (from 471 ratings)
Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
Price: $0.10 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
Made in USA

Intro

When you see “Almond” in the brand name itself, you know you probably can’t talk about almond drinks without them!

After all, this is one of the most popular almond milk brands and they call themselves ‘The Almond People’, while having the credentials and experience to back it up.

As a brand, they support more than 3,000 almond growers, and have been pioneering the ways almonds can be enjoyed for over 100 years. From planting their first almond trees way back in 1850, they’ve been innovating and advancing the science of all things almond.

Even better, their products are certified by the Rainforest Alliance to be beneficial for the environment and local communities and growers.

Nutrition:

Low in calories, each serving provides you with 35% of your recommended daily intake of both calcium and vitamin E.

Almond Breeze is free from soy, gluten, cholesterol, and carrageenan.

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Original

If you’re relatively new to vegan almond milk since you have been drinking high-fat dairy milk in the past and now seeking something closer to cow’s milk, then this is probably the closest you may find (though we always encourage you to appreciate the variety of plant milk flavors on its own merit without comparing it to dairy).

This is certainly a favorite among plant-based foodies, and we’re not surprised Almond Breeze offers a taste guarantee.

Creamy and with a pleasant, ultra-smooth consistency, you won’t get that almondy aftertaste you sometimes experience with other brands.

Works well with cereals, baking, and with tea, coffee, fruit smoothies, and protein shakes.

6) Califia Farms Barista Blend Almond Milk Review

Ratings: 4.5 (from 1449 ratings)
Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
Price: $0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
Made in USA

Intro

Sustainability has been a core value of Califia Farms ever since they started, with over 80% of the almonds they use in their products grown and processed within a 20 mile (32 km) radius of their bottling facility.

In addition, they’re the founders of the exciting Plant Based Foods Association, and are continuously embarking on new initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint.

Nutrition:

Only 70 calories per serving, non-GMO, and higher in calcium than dairy.

Free from:

Cholesterol
Gluten
Carrageenan
Hydrogenated oils
Stabilizers
BPA, and
Artificial colourants

Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:

Original

Califia Farms Almond Milk has a very subtle almond flavour, and really shines when used in coffee, where it adds just a hint of sweetness without overpowering the coffee itself.

Its creamy texture means it blends very well, and doesn’t form any lumps when added to a hot beverage. Besides that, it froths extremely well – so if you’re into your latte art, then this is the almond milk for you!

Also works really well in smoothies, shakes, and desserts, and makes a superbly creamy-tasting oatmeal. Go on and spoil yourself with a decadent coffee cake or a loaded berry smoothie which this plant milk was born for!

All in all, if nourishment is your top priority we recommend Silk, Orgain Organic, So Delicious and Alpro, but if taste is what you’re after, then Almond Breeze, Silk, and Califia Farms are the brands that could serve your palate (taste is a subjective matter!).

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10 Vegan Christmas Gifts for Vegans & Non-Vegans (Adults & Kids)

October 21, 2018 By Dishan Mendis Leave a Comment

When Christmas is around the corner one thing comes to mind. “What am I going to gift my loved ones & friends?”

If they happened to be vegan, you may just wonder the kind of vegan Christmas gifts that would bring joy & excitement to them.

This can be other way around as well, you being a vegan thinking of vegan Christmas presents for non-vegans.

So here we have compiled a list of vegan gift ideas for Christmas to make your life much easier.

While most of the gifts listed here can suit vegans, there are some that can be gifted to non-vegans, adults or kids alike giving you plenty of choices.

With thoughtful gifts, not only you’re adding color, exhilaration, and warmth to your loved one’s or friend’s world, your gesture may just inspire them to go vegan or continue as vegans forever!

1) Vegan & Christmas Themed T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies

While vegans cherish ethical values they would also love showing that they’re living proof of them.

This is why vegan t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies are some of the best gifts vegans would love having which enable them to spread a message of compassion and healthy living with style.

2) Books with Vegan & Christmas Themes

We all know the impact books can have on our souls.

Therefore presenting a well-written book with an important message during Christmas can have a lasting impression.

We have listed two highly rated & acclaimed story books for children (many adults have equally enjoyed them as well) and a book for adults.

For Children

Santa’s First Vegan Christmas

This is a beautifully written book with amazing graphics and a story to experience the holiday with love, peace, and compassion!

Now we don’t want to spoil the excitement by telling the story, but in short, it is about a journey by Santa and reindeer Dana who keep it true to the spirit of the season extending freedom & joy for all beings!

It’s a book that will appeal to both children and parents alike!

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.

The protagonists of the story are a little girl named Fern, a little pig named Wilbur and Wilbur’s dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica a beautiful large grey spider.

With well written & highly engaging characters, and wonderful & detailed pictures, it’s a book both kids and adults can fall in love with.

For Adults

Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism by Melanie Joy PhD

In this groundbreaking book, Melanie Joy investigates the invisible system which has greatly influenced the way many perceive meat and how a majority have succumbed to the idea of loving some animals as pets and eat others with no hesitation. She calls this system as ‘carnism’.

What’s special about this book unlike many others is that rather than explaining why we should stop eating meat, it explains why we eat meat and thus how we can be more informed citizens and question the ethicality of our choices as consumers.

3) Vegan Cookbooks for Christmas

Whether someone is new to vegan diets or trying to experiment new recipes these vegan cookbooks are a perfect gift to get seasoned in vegan cooking.

Irrespective of your gift recipient being a vegan or not these cookbooks can always be a good bet, for anyone looking to add variety or healthy meals to their diet.

The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook

This is a large, colorful cookbook with more than 250 recipes divided into 17 festive holidays by the bestselling author Isa Chandra Moskowitz proving that easy, scrumptious vegan food can suit any festive occasion and can be fun to make.

Whether you’re an omnivore trying to please your vegan friends or a vegan trying to cheer your non-vegan friends there are many exciting and flavorful recipes/dishes to make everyone delighted.

The Oh She Glows Cookbook

This New York Times bestseller from the founder of the famous food blog ohsheglows.com comes with over 100 vegan recipes each containing a beautiful full-page image.

It’s a cookbook with so many delicious and wholesome recipes packed with flavor, even non-vegans would enjoy.

After realizing the impact food has on the way we look & feel and the importance of using fresh ingredients with cooking Angela is keen to share her story and recipes she has perfected over the years.

Beware, her cooking style can be contagious!

4) Vegan Lifestyle Boxes/Hampers

These boxes are a great way to introduce your non-vegan friends to the amazing range of vegan products. Even if you’re gifting it to a vegan friend there could be many products which are new to them.

The Vegan Kind Lifestyle Box

Buy from >> thevegankind.com

This lifestyle box comes with eight products*: Cheeky Monkey Peanut Butter Chilli Puffs , Sweetpea Pantry Playful Pizza Dough Mix with Chia & Flax Seeds, Mighty Bee Bananito Dark Chocolate Dipped Solar Dried Banana Bar, Popaball Strawberry Shimmer Bubbles, Tideford White Miso 1 Min Miso Cup, Jealous Sweets Pineapple and Grapefruit Love Bears, The Humble Co. Natural Charcoal Toothpaste , and Dr Will’s BBQ Sauce.

*These are the products as of 04th October 2018 and products may change from time to time

Mystery Vegan Beauty Box

Buy from >> thevegankind.com

Give a surprise with this mysterious vegan beauty box that includes some of the favorite beauty products exclusively selected by ‘The Vegan Kind’ staff.

Grab yours while stocks last!

5) Vegan Snack Boxes

Just because vegans are health conscious that doesn’t stop them from the indulgence of having delicious snacks and giving themselves a treat.

Whether it’s a vegan or a non-vegan there is every reason to enjoy and add cheer to the festive season with these vegan snacks.

Bunny James Deluxe Vegan Snack Gift Box

This deluxe vegan snack box consists of 30 handpicked premium & trending vegan snacks that includes chips, chocolate bars, cookies, jerky strips and much more with a month of snack supply!

Vegan “Snack Attack” Gift Box

Buy from >> thevegankind.com

It has 14 items of vegan chocolates and snacks which are carefully selected to make sure the recipient is delighted.

There is an option to send the box directly to the recipient as a gift as well

6) Vegan Christmas Chocolates

You know how difficult it is to sweeten Christmas without chocolates, right? But it’s even sweeter when it’s cruelty-free and vegan.

Gift these luscious vegan chocolate truffles to your loved ones or friends and show them that there is no compromise on indulgence, luxury, and ethics!

Booja Booja Dairy Free Vegan Chocolate Truffles

These multi award-winning handmade organic vegan chocolate truffles come with sweet roasted hazelnuts.

It really feels great with its rich taste, melt and the crunch with hazelnuts.

Just warn them, it can be so addictive!

7) Vegan Wine

Well, folks, we all know the tradition. Wine for Christmas is always a winner and no one is gonna whine about that.

But there are some wine brands which are not vegan, filtered through fish bladder, bone marrow and egg whites.

No worries, you can still do it elegantly with these premium vegan wine brands and toast to a memorable holiday!

Meiomi Wine

Website: meiomi.com

Meiomi wine is one of the most decadent wine brands produced in California. The winemaker behind this brand is Melissa who has an extensive background with California’s top wineries bringing us wines which are rich, bold, and harmonious coming from the best fruit of the counties.

They have four varieties to choose from; pinot noir, chardonnay, rosé, and sparkling which are available at a variety of wine shops.

Varner Wine (Varner + Foxglove)

Website: varnerwine.com

This wine brand is produced by the highly esteemed Varner twins, Jim Varner and Bob Varner who are dedicated to the production of handmade wines.

So enjoy the season with your family & friends with glasses of Varner wine in hand!

8) Candles Gift Set

Candles are one of the best gifts to set the mood for the Christmas season to fill the spaces with comforting aromatic scents.

Still, it could be quite difficult to find candles which are vegan since some are produced with beeswax and stearic acid (from animal fat)

But you can still make holidays cozy with these vegan candles.

Strong Scented Candles Gift Set Made With Natural Soy Wax & Floral Essential Oil

9) Spa Bath Bombs

Christmas bath bombs are cute & simple gifts your loved ones & friends would find comforting for the holiday season!

They provide an excellent way to relax after hectic & long days to pamper themselves.

“Merry Christmas” Spa Bath Bombs Gift Set

10) Movie DVDs with Vegan & Environmental Themes for Christmas

Last but not least, isn’t it time for the movies? Christmas being a season of love & compassion if you can have fun watching a movie with a message that reinforces the true spirit of Christmas that’s even better!

Thus we listed all-time classics with a vegan or an environmental message to watch with your family and friends.

Chicken Run

Theme: how chickens feel (yes, they’re sentient) being confined to farms, destined for slaughter and how they fight to change their fate.

101 Dalmatians

Theme: the cruelty of fur industry

WALL-E

Theme: environment and also one of the best romantic movies!

We hope our list of vegan Xmas gifts was helpful in making your loved ones and friends happy!

Any other vegan presents you think we’ve missed to include in our list for Xmas? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Best Bread Makers Review 2018 (Top Choice by Consumers!)

August 29, 2018 By Dishan Mendis Leave a Comment

For this review, we have selected the best bread makers out there on the market to discuss product quality (including taste & quality of bread), features/specs, versatility, while showing consumer ratings, warranty, and many more details.

No doubt, that these advanced multi-tasking bread makers are some of the best things since sliced bread!

Out of these three top brands, Zojirushi has a specific program to make vegan bread though you can easily make vegan bread or veganize baking with other two brands as well. After all, bread is supposed to be vegan in its original form. If you’re also looking for gluten-free settings, Zojirushi and Breville can give you that option.

Besides baking bread, these machines can also make pizza & pasta dough, jam, cakes, and much more!

These bread makers being the best rated & high end, they’re on the expensive side where you get what you pay for. One thing is for sure, these multi-purpose bread baking machines are stable & durable and you may save money in the long run other than getting healthy, tasty & better quality bread at home which far exceeds your average store-bought bread.

1) Zojirushi Bread Maker Review (Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20BA)

Since 1918, Zojirushi has been manufacturing products for a century to enhance the quality of life providing convenience, comfort, and value to people around the world.

Whether you’re a novice or a professional baker, Zojirushi has been the top brand of choice and it has stood the test of time. With a rating of 4.5/5 from 1745 consumers speaks volumes!

Technologically advanced and loaded with many menu settings to provide you great versatility, Zojirushi comes with two blades (for thorough dough kneading), a removable nonstick bread pan, a vegan & gluten-free program and produces a loaf with a size & shape similar to a store loaf.

Get to know the quality of bread and everything you need to know about the machine from the details we’ve listed below.

Avg. Rating

4.5 out of 5 (from 1745 consumer ratings)

Bread Quality & Taste Test

When your kitchen is permeated with the aroma of fresh bread you know what to expect. That was a moment to cherish and our anticipation was sky high!

As expected the freshly looking bread had a firm crispy crust with golden brown color, and the browning of the bread was consistent on all sides.

This even baking was understood due to its unique two-way heating mechanism (added heating element under the lid).

Inside the texture was consistent, soft, moist, and the air bubbles were spread evenly. It was firm enough making it much easier to cut.

We were able to cut really thin slices without a lot of crumbs or any damage to the texture. There were no awkward holes at the center as well which can create wastage. With any bread maker, you will have to wait for 20-30 minutes before slicing, since it’s not easy to cut bread when it’s freshly baked.

The taste was heavenly & excellent. It had a lovely crunch and not overly chewy. Great aroma, perfect looking standard sized loaf, and fantastic taste, what more you can expect? Words cannot describe the feeling when you see fresh healthy bread made at home in your own kitchen. Kudos to Zojirushi!

We also tried a loaf with added raisins. The raisins were well mixed evenly throughout the bread. Another delicious loaf with added sweetness of raisins!

Bread Sizes & Shapes

Available loaf sizes are: 1, 1-1/2, & 2 lbs (2 lb good for 4 people).

Zojirushi makes rectangular shaped loaves which are similar in shape & size to your store-bought loaves. Thus the slices should easily fit your bread slicer and toaster.

Custom Program Settings

Number of Courses: 15

Types of Custom Settings

White
Whole wheat
Multigrain
European
Gluten-free
Salt-free
Sugar-free
Vegan
Rapid white
Rapid whole wheat
Dough
Sourdough starter
Cake
Jam
Homemade (3 homemade memory settings to customize)

The knead
Rise
Bake times

Custom Settings for Different Diets

Vegan
Gluten-free baking
Salt-free
Sugar-free

Average Baking Time

Standard bread = 3 hours and 20 minutes (depending on the settings you select)

Rapid bread = 2 hours and 25 minutes

Delay Timer

This feature allows you to set the time you want the baking to begin. For an example, if you want the bread by the time you wake up at 7 a.m. you can put the ingredients before you go to sleep and set the delay timer to start baking at 3.30 a.m. Same feature can be used to keep the bread ready when you come home from work.

Zojirushi has a 13-hour delay timer.

Crust Settings

Crust control gives you three crust colors: light, medium, or dark

Automatic Dispensers (for fruits, nuts, and yeast)

Zojirushi doesn’t have automatic dispensers for fruit/nut and yeast, but it indicates with a beep to make the additions and you can add nuts, fruits, raisins, chocolate chips or any other ingredient.

Bread Pan Quality & Maintenance

Baking pan is nonstick coated for easy cleaning and removal of bread.

Pan Dimension

5 x 8 3/4 x 5 inches

Kneading Blades

Comes with double kneading blades to knead dough thoroughly. Kneading blades are removable and have a nonstick coat making it easier to remove the bread and clean.

Other Features

Dual heaters on the bottom and under the lid for even baking and browning
Automatic pause to stop the kneading blades when the lid is opened and restarts when closed
Keep-warm setting can be used to keep the bread warm for 60 minutes
Large viewing window on top allows you to view the kneading, rising and baking of your bread

LCD Display

Easy-to-read LCD display shows the remaining time in which the bread will be completed and you can see the program setting codes on lid to select the type of baking.

Noise and Stability

This is one of the quietest bread makers and no pounding or wobbling on the counter

Housing Material

Stainless Steel

Country of origin

Japan

Warranty

I year

Electrical Ratings

120 volts

Motor & Heater Power

Heater: 600W Motor:100W

Machine Dimensions

10.5 x 18 x 12.88 inches

Weight

24 lbs

What Comes with the Package

Bread maker, liquid measuring cup, nested measuring cups, measuring spoon, instruction manual, recipe book and DVD

2) Panasonic Bread Maker Review (Home Bakery SD-BMT1000-T)

With 34 pre-programmed settings, we really doubt there could be any other bread machine that can provide more variety than this bread maker. It’s a baker’s dream come true and its compact size doesn’t require much space which can fit even a small kitchen!

The freedom you have with this machine to choose a wide range of baking, types of dough and other options such as to make compote and chocolate is remarkable!

You can also make pasta, brioches, and scones or you can even surprise your guests with a marble bread by adding instant coffee, green tea or chocolate.

It is one of the fastest bread makers as well which can bake a bread in an hour!

The only minor issue is that the control panel and original user manual is in the Japanese language. So you will have to use the Google Translate App available on smartphones (available on Android and iPhone). This app uses the camera on your phone to translate a language which appears on your screen.

You can find the closest English manual (PDF) which is available to download here (manual of the product made for the Hong Kong market)

Once you paste the English labels on the control panel as described in the English manual it will be much easier to operate.

In spite of that minor inconvenience, there are many customers who are really satisfied with the versatility and performance of this machine!

Avg. Rating

4.6 out of 5 (from 39 consumer ratings)

Bread Quality & Taste Test

Again it was wonderful to see a perfectly baked bread and get ourselves filled with its aroma. So appetizing and the baking was consistent, covered with its light golden color.

The bread had all the good characteristics you would expect from a quality well-proofed bread. A crispy crust, firm texture on the outside and a nice soft texture inside. It was very easy to cut into slices after keeping it for 30 minutes, and we didn’t find any weird holes.

Tasty and obviously way better than the bread you would find in supermarkets.

Bread Shape & Size

Produces a 1 pound (good for 2 people) vertical loaf

Custom Program Settings

Number of Pre-Programmed Settings: 34

Types of Custom Settings

Pain de mie
Yudane pain de mie
Chiffon pain de mie
Bread
Soft bread
Rapid bread
60 minutes bread
Rice bread
French rice bread
French Bread
Rye bread
Whole wheat bread
Brioche
Marble bread
Pineapple bread
Red bean bread
Half bread
Rice Flour Bread
Bread dough
Pizza dough
Dumpling skin dough
8 minutes dough
Natural yeast bread
Natural yeast bread dough
Natural yeast fermentation
Scone
Cake
Vegetable Cake
Chocolate
Jam
Compote
Red bean
Mochi
Udon/Pasta dough

Bread Pan

Removable non-stick pan

Kneading Blades

The Panasonic comes with two types of removable blades. One for the bread and the other for noodles/mochi.

Average Baking Time

Standard bread = 4 hours

Rapid bread = 1 hours and 55 minutes

60 minutes bread = 1 hour

Crust Settings

You can set the crust color as light, standard or dark

Automatic Dispensers (fruits, nuts, yeast)

There are two dispensers, one for fruits & nuts and the other for yeast. These dispensers automatically release fruits, nuts, raisins, and yeast at the right time.

Delay Timer

13-hour delay timer

Other Features

Large LCD display
There is no window on top, but you can open the cover anytime during the baking process

Noise and Stability

It’s relatively quiet and stable on the countertop

Country of Origin

Japan

Warranty

1 Year

Housing Material

PP Resin

Dimensions

13 x 10.3 x 14.4 inches

Weight

14.95 lbs

Electrical Rating

100V

Motor & Heater Power

430W

What Comes with the Package

Bread maker, instruction manual, recipe book, removable bake pan with two kneading blades, measuring cup and measuring spoon

3) Breville Bread Maker Review (Custom Loaf BBM800XL)

We’re all fond of our smartphones but if you’re looking for a smart bread maker then Breville BBM800XL is the one you’re looking for. It is also one of the sleekest & elegant looking bread makers that looks hi-tech with aesthetic appeal.

Once you make the selection via the interface the machine computes temperature and baking time while a simple ‘turn & confirm dial’ lets you get a recipe done.

Breville also comes with a larger bright & clear LCD display showing custom settings, cycles and other selections.

Avg. Rating

4.3 out of 5 (from 221 consumer ratings)

Bread Quality & Taste

The loaf looked quite big & plump with a nice even golden crust. It had a beautiful color and both the inner & outer texture looked great and enticing.

We sliced the bread after letting it cool for about 20 minutes. Though Zojirushi is still our top pick when it comes to best looking & tasteful bread we have no complaints against Breville. The bread was fresh, appetizing and tasty.

Bread Sizes & Shapes

4 loaf sizes: 1.0-pound, 1-1/2-pound, 2.0-pound (family size) and 2-1/2-pound

Breville produces horizontal bread which is quite similar to the loaves at the store.

Custom Program Settings

Number of Automatic Settings (Courses): 13

Types of Custom Settings

Basic
Basic rapid
Whole wheat
Whole wheat rapid
Gluten free
Crusty loaf
Sweet
Yeast free
Dough – bread
Dough – pizza
Dough – pasta
Bake only
Jam

Bread Pan

Non-stick bread pan with handle

Pan Dimensions

5.5 inches deep, 5.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches long

Kneading Paddle

Removable single collapsible paddle with non-stick coating (automatically collapses before the ‘bake’ phase to minimize the hole at the bottom of the baked loaf)

Average Baking Time

Standard = 3 – 3 ½ hours (depending on the settings you select)

Rapid = 2 ½ hours

Delay Timer

13 hours

Crust Settings

3 crust colors: light, medium or dark

Automatic Dispensers (fruits, nuts and yeast)

Automatic fruit & nut dispenser releases ingredients at the right moment during the kneading phase to evenly incorporate within the dough. No automatic yeast dispenser.

LCD Display

Breville comes with a larger smart intuitive LCD screen with progress indicator, custom settings, remaining time, etc.

Other Features

Unique collapsible kneading paddle blends ingredients and then before the baking phase starts the paddle collapses to reduce the hole at the base of the loaf
If there is a power outage for 60 minutes or less, the ‘power failure protection’ will automatically resume the cycle when the power is back
Keep-warm setting: can keep bread warm after baking for 60 minutes
There is a window on top & interior light to check the loaf without opening the lid. You can also pause it and open the lid if required.

Noise and Stability

Fairly quiet and stable, but can have a slight shake while it kneads. Not as heavy or quite as the Zojirushi. Make sure to keep it on a dry, level and clean surface and don’t keep it near the edges.

Country of Origin

China (made according to Breville’s specifications & standards)

Warranty

1 year

Housing Material

Stainless Steel

Dimensions

9.6 x 16.4 x 13.3 inches

Weight

16.85 lbs

Electrical Rating

110V

Motor & Heater Power

830 Watts

What Comes with the Package

Bread maker, instruction booklet, collapsible paddle for bread & dough, and fixed paddle for jam

Conclusion

No matter which brand you select out of the above bread makers, it’s highly unlikely you will be disappointed since these have already proven to be the favorites among the consumers.

If you don’t want to trade bread quality, taste, loaf size and shape for anything besides having vegan & gluten-free options then no doubt, Zojirushi is the brand we would highly recommend (well it’s the Vitamix of bread makers).

If you’re willing to pay for a machine that gives you the liberty of baking with variety and make a few more recipes while having the convenience of dispensers and express baking, yet compromise on loaf size and shape then go for the Panasonic.

Fine design, modern interface, custom settings with pleasing bread quality & taste are your requirements, then you may opt for Breville.

Best & Healthiest Vegan Bread Brands Review 2018

August 2, 2018 By Dishan Mendis 4 Comments

Well, it’s time to have your real bread & butter (vegan butter of course)!

Since bread is a staple and such a convenient food for vegans, you might as well buy the healthiest you can, so that your body gets all the nourishment it deserves on a regular basis.

In this review, we show the best vegan bread brands and discuss bread quality, nutrition, taste, texture, and other related details.

If you ask a few tips to choose the best & healthiest vegan bread, that would be,

No ingredients from animals
100% whole grain
Good source of protein & iron
Minimum of 2 grams of fiber per slice
No artificial preservatives & ingredients
Ideally 70 calories per standard slice
No more than 4 grams of sugar per slice
Minimum sodium (less than 200 milligrams per serving)
Zero trans fat

But we feel below vegan bread brands have gone even further. Let’s see what they have to offer!

1) Ezekiel 4:9 Organic Sprouted Vegan Whole Grain Bread

Store locator

This seems like a whole grain bread dedicated to vegans with no compromise on nourishment! So vegans rejoice!

Not only it has grains such as wheat, millet, barley, and spelt, but legumes such as soybeans and lentils too.

The beauty about this combination of sprouted grains and legumes is the complete protein it creates. Besides having all the 9 essential amino acids, you get 18 amino acids coming from all the plant sources in this bread.

Being a rich source of protein, iron, and calcium, you’re assured of vital nutrients as a vegan.

They also use a unique slow-bake process, which helps in preserving the natural fiber and bran benefits of grains.

Benefits of Sprouted Whole Grain Bread vs. Regular Whole Grain/Whole Wheat Bread

1) Phytic acid or phytates found in grains are known to be a mineral blocker or enzyme inhibitor. Sprouting breaks down enzyme inhibitors and minimizes the presence of phytic acid. This helps in bread digestion and increased absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc [1]

2) Sprouting converts starches in grains into simple sugars aiding in digestion and nutrients such as proteins which take more energy to digest can become more digestible.

3) Sprouted grains are typically higher in soluble dietary fiber, total protein, vitamin C, vitamin B2, B5 & B6, total phenolic contents and their antioxidant capacities [2]

Product Details

They use certified freshly sprouted organically grown grains which are verified by USDA authorized certifying agencies
It is free of flour, hence you avoid all the cons of enriched, or refined flour such as increased risk of diabetes, constipation (lack of fiber), and a tendency to eat more (due to a lack of protein and fiber)
Free of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and anything artificial (no preservatives or shortenings)
Source of complete protein, zinc, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus
Excellent source of fiber which would keep you filled giving a great start to your day. According to The American Heart Association dietary fiber when combined with an overall healthy diet, may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes [3].
No cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat

Nutrition

1 slice (34g):

80 calories
4g of protein (macronutrient)
15g of carbs (macronutrient)
3g of fiber
4% of iron
4% of vitamin B6

Taste Test

We tried it toasted. It had a very pleasing aroma while toasting. We liked the texture and straight away noticed that it’s quite solid compared to some flimsy whole wheat bread.

No falling apart after toasting and much easier to apply almond butter. It was crunchy, had a nice nutty flavor to it, and delicious keeping us fuller. Though the bread was refrigerated it still tasted fresh!

Do note that since it’s free of preservatives you may find Ezekiel loaves in the frozen food section. Make sure you thaw it before trying to separate the slices as the slices can be a bit brittle being frozen.

Product Life:	Frozen	(0°F)	12 months
	Refrigerated	(45°F)	2 weeks
	Fresh	(75°F)	5 days

Ingredients

2) Dave’s Killer Bread Organic 21 Whole Grains and Seeds (Thin-Sliced & Vegan)

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Store locator

Another best-selling bread brand for vegans with loads of healthy goodness and it really is a killer and ready to rock your world! Loaded with 21 grains & seeds and packed with protein, carbs, fiber, iron, and omega 3.

All of the nutrients, quality & hearty flavor of this bread come without adding extra weight gaining calories to you where each light & thin slice has only 60 calories.

Dave’s Killer Bread is USDA certified and Non-GMO Project Verified which mean all ingredients are free of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ionizing radiation, and food additives.

Product Details

USDA organic & Non-GMO Project Verified
Simple ingredients with no artificial or chemical preservatives and ingredients
Great nourishment with 21 whole grains & seeds
No high fructose corn syrup
No cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat

Nutrition

1 slice (28g):

60 calories
3g of protein (macronutrient)
12g of carbs (macronutrient)
3g of fiber
12g of whole grains
130mg of omega 3
4% of iron
2% of vitamin B6

Taste Test

There was no issue for us to eat it plain, but we made toasts. We had it with peanut butter and it was crispy, rich in flavor and delicious. The dense consistency, grainy texture, the fiber & protein made us feel fuller which lasted for a long time compared to other common commercial bread.

What’s special is that all the hearty filling and boost come with minimum calories which help maintain weight. What a perfect bread to start your morning!

Storing

Dave’s Killer Bread can be stored at room temperature but can be kept up to 3 months longer if you store it in a freezer wrapped in a second bag. Prevent exposure to direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Ingredients

Best Gluten-Free Vegan Bread Brand

3) Bfree Gluten-Free, Vegan, Wheat-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sandwich Bread

Store locator

BFree soft white sandwich loaf is a product of Ireland and it’s free from gluten, wheat, soy, nuts, dairy, and eggs, making it suitable for vegans, celiacs or anyone with sensitivities to wheat, soy or nuts.

While being free from all major allergens, there is no compromise on taste, texture or nutrition being a good source of proteins, carbs, fiber, calcium and iron with no cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat.

It is also a great choice for weight watchers since each slice comes with only 70 calories making it gluten free & guilt free!

Product Details

Certified gluten-free (GFCO) which means wheat free, spelt-free, rye-free, and barley-free.
It’s dairy-free, lactose-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free making it free of major allergens
All the ingredients are non-GMO
Loaded with high fiber, protein, and high in antioxidant vitamin E
It’s low fat, no added sugar and only 70 calories per slice!
No cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat
Shelf life: 12 months

Nutrition

1 slice (30g):

70 calories
3g of protein (macronutrient)
13g of carbs (macronutrient)
3g of fiber
2% of calcium
2% of iron

Taste Test

Since our taste with regard to gluten-free bread was usually bland and tasteless, our expectations were pretty low on taste. But this brand was no disappointment. The texture was moist, soft and the taste was so real, quite delicious, and there was no cracking and crumbling.

No doubt, one of the best tasting vegan gluten-free bread brands!