New on the Shelf

by C. Morse

Most off us know that marshmallows are almost always made with animal ingredients. Now, VeganSweets brings us Vegan Marshmallows, which are gelatin-free and contain no animal ingredients. The 10 oz. bag includes a recipe for “Crisped Rice Marshmallow Treats.”

Other new sweets on our shelves include Caramel Cups from Newman’s Own Organics. Sunspire offers Peanut Butter Chips (“featuring Maranatha Peanut Butter”) and White Chocolate Chips. The company encourages consumers to visit their website (www.Sunspire.- com) to learn about their practices that support cocoa farmers.

Sweet Thai Delight from Yogi Tea is “an exotic blend of coconut, rooibos & spice.” Virgil’s, an awardwinning beverage, brings us Special Edition Bavarian Nutmeg Rootbeer, imported from Bavaria. Also new to beverages (though not necessarily sweet) are Luvli juices, 100% natural vegetable juice blends (from concentrate) in Zingy Carrot, Spicy Tomato and Smashing Tomato flavors.

Tasty tapenades and other toppings

The Meditalia company brings us tapenades (Eggplant & Tomato, Black Olive, and Roasted Red Pepper) to “spread on crusty bread or crackers, brush on chicken or veggies, and [put] on sandwiches.” A product from Israel, “5% of profits go to OneVoice, a movement that empowers moderates at the grassroots.” (Learn more at www.peaceworks. com). Terra (known to many for their gourmet chips) offers Roasted Red Pepper Tapas and Grilled Vegetable Tapas, low in fat and carbohydrates (as are Meditalia’s).

Organic Tartar Sauce is now on our shelves, from Natural Sea. Another intriguing new product is Ian’s Panko Breadcrumbs — Japanesestyle breadcrumbs made mainly from wheat flour. Each variety (Original Style, Whole Wheat and Italian Style) features a recipe idea on the package. Bove’s has added Basil flavor to its line of pasta sauces, the sales of which benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Last in the category of tasty toppings is Organic Maple Syrup and Organic Maple Butter, produced in Canada by Shady Maple Farms.

Soup’n’Crackers

From Fantastic Foods comes “just add water” soup mix in Creamy Potato, Vegetable Barley and Split Pea. Each package yields eight servings and cooks up in 20–25 minutes. Oyster Crackers from Olde Cape Cod — “the restaurant crackers you love!” — are “GMO free, Trans fat free, low in salt, [and] low in fat,” among their other listed attributes. Lastly, more bunnies now populate Annie’s line: Bunny Grahams “all natural graham snacks” in honey, chocolate or cinnamon.

HaBA: Health and beauty aids especially for winter

Source Natural brings us Wellness Formula Herbal Defense Complex, voted the #1 immune formula (2003 Vity Award). This product is designed to support the immune system, respiratory system, stress response mechanisms and antioxidant defense. Wellness Herbal Resistance Liquid “is a unique and powerful cold weather blend that features the prime winter immune herbs, echinacea and goldenseal [and] also contains the famed Yin Chiao Chinese herbal complex, plus uncommon winter botanicals from around the world.” Wellness Herbal Kids liquid formula and Mega-Kids Chewable Multi-Vitamins are also offered.

Finally, on our shelves but not yet noted in this column is Aubrey Organics’ Men’s Stock products in spice island shave cream, after-shave, face scrub and after-shave balm. The line is made with an essential oil blend of bay rum, patchouli, black pepper, nutmeg and vetiver — a warming blend for winter.

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