Category: Drinks

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Almond Plus Almond Milk – $3.37+

Almond milk is my favorite beverage out on the market.  Since I became lactose intolerant, it has been my non-dairy beverage of choice.  While So Delicious is normally equated to the coconut milk products that have been out on the market for years, this time…they are focusing on those of us who are enamored with almond milk.  But, unlike the other almond milk out on the market, So Delicious has given their product an amazing boost in protein.

Where most almond milk has 1 gram of milk (despite being made from protein-rich almonds), So Delicious Almond Plus brings an astounding 5 grams of protein to each serving.

For me, as a gluten-free vegetarian, the chance to boost my protein intake is something I have been striving to work on.  With the added boost in protein without overloading with sugars, So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Almond Plus finally made it into my fridge.

I say finally because it took some time to get it into stores here.  In fact, I have only seen it at Wal-Mart, where I normally don’t shop, but I had to go in there for some race clothes one day.  While there, I scoped out some products I normally buy elsewhere to compare prices.  And what did I find?  Yep…the elusive Unsweetened Almond Plus from So Delicious.  Needless to say…it came home with me.

And so, my Apple Cinnamon Chex are being dressed, each and every morning, with a healthy serving of Unsweetened Almond Plus.  This delicious take on almond milk is 100% free of soy and dairy.  It also has 9 essential amino acids that the body needs.  As it is unsweetened, this has no sugar added to it.  And each serving (1 cup) is only 40 calories.  Combine that with the extra boost of calcium that almond milk provides in each glass, and I’m sitting pretty each morning.

This almond milk in no way lacks flavor.  It has a great texture and isn’t too thick like some can be.  I found the taste to be “so delicious”…honestly.  I fell in love with it from first sip.  And, I shouldn’t be surprised…So Delicious also provides my gluten-free life with amazing coconut milk and dairy-free/soy-free ice cream goodies.

They have become a go-to brand…and this only solidifies their standing.  I’m once again falling in love…with a beverage.

A healthy…does your body good…kind of beverage.

Silk Fruit & Protein Strawberry Banana – $3.79+

As a vegetarian and an athlete I find that I am often lacking in one essential component for nutrition.

Protein.

And it’s not that I’m not getting any.  I am.  But with all the cardiovascular activity and hard running that I do, often I’m not able to consume an adequate amount of protein each day.  I come closer on some days than others.  And now, on hard workout days, I supply myself with a serving of gluten-free chocolate soy milk, which provides me with 5 grams of protein, as compared to the 1 gram my almond milk supplies.  So, that helps.

Aside from incorporating more beans, lentils, tofu, etc. into my gluten-free vegetarian lifestyle…I’ve been searching for other sources of protein that can provide me with what I need without piling on the calories and fat.

One delicious find has been the latest drinks from Silk.  Silk Fruit & Protein Strawberry Banana was a treat to myself when I had a Silk coupon to use before it expired and a full carton of almond milk in my fridge.  So, why not try it.  I know my friend Jenn raved about the Mixed Berry variety, which I had intended to try when I was last over at her house, but never did.  So, taking her word for it, I grabbed the Strawberry Banana version and took it home.

Last night, after a very hot run, I decided to restore my protein stores with a glass of the Silk Fruit & Protein drink.  I poured myself a glass of it, finding it to be a very sickly shade of pink.  Nonetheless, I lifted the glass to my lips and took a sip.  And then, before you knew it…it was gone.  Completely gone.

Smooth and packed with fruit flavor.  There is no other way to describe it.  It tastes like a delicious smoothie.  Nothing is simpler than the taste of fresh strawberries and creamy banana blended together.  They have always been in perfect harmony with each other.  And here, they once again make a great team.  Not one of them outshines the other.  And the fact that this drink provides me with 5 grams of protein, plus healthy doses of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and potassium is an added bonus for sure.

One cup is the serving size and from that you take in only 120 calories.  I’m a true believer in not drinking your calories.  I’d much rather have real food.  But this is a great supplement on days where I work out and really need the extra nutritional boost that it provides.

Silk Fruit & Protein comes in three flavors.  In addition to the Strawberry Banana, there is Mixed Berry and Mango Peach.  If the Strawberry Banana version is any indication of how delicious these are…then I’m ready to drink down each and every one of them.  Not too sweet, but definitely packed with flavor and nutrients for anyone…and any body.

Nutritious.  Delicious.  Fruity.  Wonderful.  Silky and rich.  Yeah…I’ll have another.

Product: Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk – $3.49+

The life of the lactose intolerant doesn’t have to be ruled by lactose-free milk.  There is such a variety out there these days that sometimes choosing what to get while out at the grocery store is the difficult part.

As most of you know…I’m more than slightly obsessed with milk alternatives.  From coconut milk to rice milk to hazelnut milk to almond milk, I have tried a wide variety of products.

This time, I returned to one of my favorite brands for almond milk, and gave their Unsweetened Vanilla flavor a try.  And now, I have to wonder what took me so long!

The great thing about the unsweetened varieties of these various milks is that no sugar gets added to it.  I don’t think “milk” should be laden with sugar, so when I buy, I go unsweetened.  Always.

Low in calories and with no saturated fat, almond milk is a great milk substitute.  The only thing it really lacks is a protein punch.  The vanilla variety is flavored with natural vanilla flavor.  With the lack of (unnecessary) added sugar, this means the beverage isn’t too sweet, nor too overpowering.

It’s fantastic poured over cereal in the morning, or warmed and mixed into a hot chocolate, or even to bake with.  I’ve done all of them with fantastic results.  Almond milk rocks my world.  Add a little vanilla to it, and it’s like manna from heaven.  Honestly, Blue Diamond is doing something very right when they make their Almond Breeze drinks.  Enough to make me want to go back for glass after glass.  And with only 40 calories per serving…why not?

Indulgence never tasted so good!

Product: Green’s Gluten-Free Triple Blonde Ale – $5.29+

I shouldn’t be doing this review.  I admit it.  It’s handicapped from the very start.  And it’s all because of one reason:

I. HATE. BEER.

Honestly, I just don’t like the drink.  Never have.  Not even during my college days was I a beer drinker.  A sip here, another there, and it always resulted in that wrinkled up nose expression and me passing the glass or bottle to my alcohol dispenser of choice that night (probably some guy friend of mine who actually likes beer).  Even when I went to Ireland, I gave Guinness and Murphy’s a try…hated both…stuck with Bulmers Cider (which is gluten-free!).

So, why review it then?

Because I used it when I cooked.  And what was left, I sampled.

Here is what Green’s Triple Blonde Ale has going for it.

It has a clean, crisp taste to it.  More like fruit than like…nasty beer taste.  But, it just didn’t float my boat, you know?  I liked that it had a light taste to it, wasn’t overly hoppy, and might have passed for cider if not for that beer taste.  As far as beer’s go, however, this one wasn’t bad.

But it was even better to cook with.  I bought it for the sole purpose of using it in a gluten-free Chile Con Queso, which was fantastic.  So, while I didn’t care for Green’s Triple Blonde Ale on its own, it really added a nice flavor to my queso dip.

Verdict then is this:  If you are a beer lover and are looking for something crisp, you’ll love this.  If you are a gluten-free beer drinker, you’ll love the fact that this doesn’t contain any gluten in it.  If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll love knowing that Green’s uses only natural tannins, so this is suitable for your dietary needs.  If you are not a beer lover, however, it’s probably not for you.  But it would be amazing to cook with.  My queso’s flavor was awesome with this as one of the ingredients.

So whether you are a beer connoisseur or not…Green’s has something to offer you.  Gluten-free to boot!

Bottom’s up.

Product: Blue Diamond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk Coconutmilk – $3.99+

So…here is the long and the short of it.

Okay…just kidding.  Just the short of it.

I love both almond milk and coconut milk.  Honestly.  They pair well with a variety of things and when you can’t handle dairy, well, they rule!  I can’t say I love one more than the other, just that I love them each for different reasons.

So, one day while I was mulling around in the natural foods section of my local grocery store, I looked up and spotted a new product from the makers of the best unsweetened almond milk on the market – Blue Diamond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk Coconutmilk Blend.  Best of both worlds, yes?

Yes!

Without adding unnecessary sugar, this blend provides the natural sweetness of the almonds with a splash of coconut flavor, creating a smooth, creamy, rich taste that actually blends perfectly.  I admit…I was a skeptic despite the obvious awesomeness of the combined flavors, but once again, Almond Breeze proved that they know what they are doing when it comes to their products.

I’ve enjoyed this product each morning poured over my bowl of cereal.  At only 45 calories per serving, it’s definitely worth indulging in.  And for those who are lactose intolerant, like myself, a delicious alternative to dairy.  I bet this would be amazing to bake with.  Might have to try that.

So, if you love almond milk and you love coconut milk…why choose between them?  Why take sides?  Enjoy both easily with this amazing hybrid from Almond Breeze.  Check for it in your grocery store.  If it’s not there yet…give it time.  It will be.

Product: Silk Mint Chocolate Soy Milk – $2.99+

Do you know what’s worse than falling in love with a product?

Falling in love with a product that is only around once a year.

That’s what happens every holiday season when the various ‘seasonal’ beverages hit the grocery store.  Yes…I’m looking at you mint chocolate milks, nogs, and pumpkin spice.

Of course, out of all the options out there, mint chocolate is the only one I ever indulge in.  Why?  Because it’s mint.  It’s chocolate.  It’s epic yum!

Last year was the first time I ever had Silk Mint Chocolate.  I bought it to make some vegan mint chocolate truffles.  And it was love at first taste.  Not just used in the truffles, but all the leftover had to be consumed.  Nothing goes to waste in this household.  So, it was a nice treat for the couple of days it remained in my fridge.  But it was gone too soon.

This delectable seasonal beverage is a fantastic blend of chocolate (right there…it wins) and peppermint.  It’s the perfect balance too.  Not too rich, and not to overpowering with the mint.  It’s ideal to bake with as well as stir into coffee, or warm up and enjoy as a hot chocolate.  Oh…it’s good cold too.

I really, really hate seeing the seasonal drinks go away once the holidays are over.  Mint chocolate is good any time of year…not just between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.  Trust me.  It’s one of the best combinations ever invented.  I fell in love with this drink a year ago and gave the section a hug when it reappeared this year during the holidays.  Yes…I was that excited about it.  I guess part of the novelty is it is something you have to look forward to getting every year.

So, I encourage all of you mint chocolate lovers to give Silk Mint Chocolate Soy Milk a taste.  You might have to wait until the holidays roll around again…but it is a wait worth enduring.  Trust me.

And stock up.  It’s good advice.  Trust me.  I have three more cartons in the fridge.

Product: So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk – $3.99+

Minty.  Refreshing.  Smooth.  Chocolate.

Need I say more?

I’ve always been a fan of the mint holiday flavors that are introduced during the holidays to the dairy alternative drinks.  This year, however, So Delicious, the makers of coconut milk, released a pair of holiday flavors for fans (and newbies) to try and enjoy.  One was Nog (vegan) and the other…Mint Chocolate.

Eggnog has never appealed to me, but mint chocolate…that’s the ultimate combination if you ask me.  A couple years ago, I tried out the Silk mint chocolate soy milk and absolutely loved it.  So, when I saw that So Delicious unveiled their own version of this holiday favorite, I couldn’t stop myself from purchasing a quart of it.

A quart was not nearly enough.  Trust me.

I poured it one evening to enjoy with my dessert (a gluten-free cookie, for those inquisitive minds).  And it was love at first sip.  This mint chocolate drink is leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors.  The coconut milk adds a richness to it, without making it too heavy.  And the mint chocolate flavor is so smooth.  I literally started off with a sip, then chugged my glass and went back for more.  And at only 50 calories per serving, why not go a little crazy?  Besides, it’s the holidays.  Treat yourself right.

In addition to drinking it straight, or warming it up with hot chocolate, I also used it in my baking.  I make a fantastic gluten-free chocolate scone with dark and mint chocolate morsels, so instead of my usual almond milk to mix, I added the So Delicious Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk to it and it boosted the flavor just enough without it being overpowering.  I was in foodie heaven every breakfast where I noshed on one.

It really is too bad this holiday flavor doesn’t stick around all year.  I’d buy it up year round.  I love mint chocolate and hate that it gets limited time in the spotlight as a holiday flavor.

So Delicious is known for a quality product as it is.  But they really stepped it up with their Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk this holiday season.  I can only hope that it makes a reappearance in 2012.  This vegan drink will have you rushing to the grocery store for more.  But good luck…because this year I had trouble finding it and the local grocery stores seemed to have trouble keeping it in stock.  It’s no wonder though…it’s amazing!

Treat your taste buds to a mint chocolate treat.  Seriously.  And get your hands on this product before it disappears until next year.  Sadly, this is only in our lives for a limited time.