VEGGIE BITS

Marvelous Mock Meats

Vegetarian Plus has introduced one of the most diverse families of meat-free entrées yet! Their gourmet, soy-based, frozen products line features some true originals, like Vegan Black Pepper Steaks, Vegan Half Chickens, Vegan Shrimp, and Vegan Tuna Rolls. In addition, the VRG staff became instant fans of the aromatic Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala, the spicy Vegan Kung Pao Chicken, and the Vegan Lamb Vindaloo, which would complement any cooked grain perfectly.

Contact Vegetarian Plus' parent company, Vege USA, LLC, at 1425 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. You can also call (888) 772-8343 or visit Vegetarian Plus online at <www.vegeusa.com>.

Looking for a Great Snack for When You're on the Go?

Try Bobo's Oat Bars! These vegan, organic, and non-GMO snack bars each contain 6 to 9 grams of protein for that extra energy boost you need for a long school day, that mid-afternoon slump, or an all-day hike. Bobo's Oat Bars are only around 180 calories and come in 14 flavors, including Cinnamon-Raisin, Chocolate, Cranberry-Orange, gluten-free Peach, and Peanut Butter. They are available from Nordstrom, Smoothie King, Whole Foods, and other retailers. Happy snacking!

Write to Bobo's Oat Bars at 4725 Nautilus Court, Suite 1, Boulder, CO 80301, or call the company at (303) 938-1977. For more info, visit <www.bobosoatbars.com>. Written by Jessica Friend, VRG Intern.

Get Ready to Garden!

Amateur and professional horticulturists alike can bid farewell to conventional chemicals and animal manure! The Happy Gardener makes easy-to-use, vegan, and often organic garden care products that don't harm insects, birds, or the environment. Among their offerings are soils, plant foods, fertilizers, weed and pest control formulas, lawn care items, and garden containers. Additionally, they carry unique items such as plant root solutions made solely from organic sea vegetables and birdhouses created from recycled plastic bottles.

Contact The Happy Gardener at 11030 Richardson Road, Suite B-1, Ashland, VA 23005, or at (804) 798-9280. Their website is <www.thehappygardener.info>.

Coconut Beverages, Creamer, Ice Cream, and Much More...

Turtle Mountain Foods has a ‘So Delicious’ brand that offers a wide variety of dairy-free coconut milk products, including beverages, coffee creamer, ice cream, sorbet, and other mouth-watering desserts. For example, the So Delicious Coconut Milk has a unique, fruity flavor. Available in Original, Vanilla, and Unsweetened varieties, it is delightful as a beverage or with your favorite cereal. I highly recommend blending it with the So Delicious Cookies 'N Cream coconut milk ice cream to create a dairy-free milkshake with just the right amount of sweetness. Check out the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl coconut milk ice cream, which tastes similar to — if not better than — dairy ice cream. Also, make sure to try the So Delicious Hazelnut Coconut Milk Creamer in your morning coffee.

To find a store that sells So Delicious products near you, go to <www.turtlemountain.com>. You can also write to Turtle Mountain, LLC, P.O. Box 21938, Eugene, OR 97402, or call (866) 388-7853. Written by Rita Pruzansky, VRG Intern.

All About the Lip Service

Sprout is a small, Brooklyn-based, all-natural skin care company, and one of its premier products is Vegan Lip Balm! This chap reliever is made from only organic cocoa butter, organic coconut and essential oils, and candelilla wax. You can buy the Cinnamon, Citrus, Cocoa, or Peppermint varieties individually or order the Vegan Lip Balm Flight, which has all four.

To learn more, call Sprout Skin Care at (347) 719-1848 or visit <www.sproutskincare.com>.

Help VRG With Every Purchase!

The VRG is introducing a new Visa® Platinum Rewards Card! This credit card comes in four attractive, vegan-friendly designs and helps the user earn points for free airline tickets and merchandise. In addition, the bank sponsoring this credit card will make ongoing contributions to The VRG that help support the organization's outreach, scholarships, and more! Visit to learn more about this opportunity and to apply!

The First Almond Milk Yogurt!

Family-owned dairy company Cascade Fresh has introduced the first almond milk yogurt to reach market shelves. Amande Cultured Almond Milk Yogurt is a dairy-, gluten-, and GMO-free ‘custard-style’ yogurt and is a perfect alternative for anyone with a soy allergy. These 6-ounce, fruit juice-sweetened yogurts come in eight flavors, including Cherry, Coconut, Peach, Raspberry, and Vanilla. Amande's can be found in Wegman's, Whole Foods, and many other natural markets.

Contact Amande's parent company, Cascade Fresh, at P.O. Box 33576, Seattle, WA 98133, or at (800) 511-0057. Visit their website at <www.cascadefresh.com/amande>. Written by Jessica Friend, VRG Intern.

Tandoor Chef Continues to Expand Vegan Product Line

Tandoor Chef's latest additions to its family of Indian cuisine will have you sprinting to the closest frozen foods section. The gluten-free Masala Dosas rival the fresh versions available at many Indian restaurants and were a huge hit at the VRG offices. The Kofta Curry features hearty dumplings in an intriguing, spicy sauce with sides of chickpeas and basmati pilaf, while the Vegetable Pad Thai provides a generous portion of rice noodles, ground peanuts, tender tofu strips, and veggies. Plus, there are those robust Masala Burgers, laden with potatoes, corn, green beans, and bell peppers.

Write to Tandoor Chef's parent company, Deep Foods, Inc., at 1090 Springfield Road, Union, NJ 07083, or call the company at (800) 468-6499. Also, you can visit them online at <www.tandoorchef.com>.

VRG's Online Restaurant Guide

The next time you find yourself on vacation or attending a business conference out of town, take a look at VRG's Online Restaurant Guide. Thanks to VRG staff member Sonja Helman's dedicated work, you can search for vegetarian and vegan restaurants throughout the United States and Canada at <www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php>. Also, don't forget to let VRG know when a new veggie restaurant opens in your community or if one has closed its doors!