One of the hardest parts of being a new vegan (or even an old seasoned vegan) is trying to keep up with all the new products out there. I must have spent over $50 looking for the "right" vegan cheese my first year being a vegan and I have over 50 vegan/vegetarian cookbooks in my arsenal but not all the recipes are the greatest. I’m the first born so I’m used to being a Guinea Pig and now I’m your Vegan Guinea Pig. So here are my recommendations and critiques. Let me know what you think!

Friday, January 4, 2008

My Ricera Obsession

Back in my vegetarian days strawberry yogurt was a staple in my refrigerator. It was perfect for breakfast with a little granola or a great snack when I got home from work. However when I went vegan my favorite little snack was corrupted by well meaning soyogurt companies. You name it, I hate it. Picture a toddler spitting out everything you put in it's mouth or throwing it on the floor. That's me with soyogurt. Well...there is one exception I love love love Wildwood plain soyogurt in my smoothies, but that's another blog.

When I saw Ricera on the shelf I was, of course, skeptical. But, being the adventurous vegan I am, I bought the blueberry, strawberry and peach flavor to give it a whirl. HEAVEN. The second I tasted Ricera I was hooked! The best part is it helps me with my New Year's Resolution of cutting down the soy in my diet.

And what could be better than getting in more whole grains? Ricera has 1 1/2 servings of whole brown rice in each little cup. It also has 3 grams of protein and is certified organic. Right now it's only available at Whole Foods, local co-ops and natural food stores. Lately I've seen it on sale a lot and since it has such a long expiration date you can stock up for about a month if you catch it on sale. If your local co-op or natural health store doesn't carry this, you must demand they do. It will change you life...seriously. :)
***UPDATE***My Ricera Retraction:
Oh Ricera, Oh Ricera! How I loved thee! Rice based, soy and gluten free, full of whole grain goodness, what wasn't there to love about you? But as is the case with so many relationships, around the one year mark you made a change on me. You went missing from the shelves of my co-op and then from Whole Foods. I asked for you but no one knew where you were. Finally, while back home in California, I found you again. Hanging out at the local Whole Foods. I jumped for joy! My love was back! I scooped you up in my arms and carried you home. And then, the honeymoon was officially over. You changed in your absence. You were no longer that little piece of heaven that I remembered. You've turned into an overly sweet, runny mess. I guess it was inevitable. Not all relationships were meant to last forever. I just thought we had what it took to make it last forever.

5 comments:

  1. Ooh, I hate soygurt too, so I assumed I would hate the rice kind. I am totally trying it now, thanks!

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  2. I've never seen this stuff, I'll have to look for it and give it a try. I only like Silk soy yogurt & generally find the texture of other kinds unappealing. Have you tried the new So Delicious yogurt? I have some in my fridge waiting to be sampled, & I'll probably blog about the results, if you're interested!

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  3. Please do! I saw the So Delicious yogurt today and was tempted to give it another try but I decided then I turned in the opposite direction...quickly. I didn't like it when it was "Soy Delicious" instead of "So" but maybe they've changed their formula. Let me know what you think about it. If you give it the thumbs up then I'll at least try it.

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  4. Thanks so much for the suggestion! Yogurt is the one thing in my way of going fully vegan--I'm just like you in this respect: love the yogurt, hate the soy yogurt. I'll try to get some Rice yogurt ASAP.

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  5. Thanks for the review! I eat dairy & soy free, so I'll have to try some.

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