Happymomblogger

In our family, we do our best to eat healthy every day, make healthy living choices, and be conscious of our planet Earth and our environment. In order to accomplish all of these feats, choosing the right foods and the right companies are extremely important. To make a conscious effort to do better for your health and our precious Earth may not be easy for everyone, but it can be accomplished – even in small steps. One way of starting is to evaluate what you eat on a daily basis and determine if the foods you eat are detrimental to your health, or beneficial. I chose to be a vegetarian mainly for health and ethical reasons as are with most vegetarians and vegans, but I also know a few vegetarians who do not eat as healthy. And although these junk food vegetarians eat a meat-free diet, they prefer to dine on salty, fried french fries and foods made with hydrogenated oils and other unhealthy additives. But if we were to look at the common American diet in the United States, we’d see a lot of people eating foods cooked with artificial food coloring and flavors, and food that will eventually ruin their health. And although we can’t truly blame those who eat a lot of junk, because after all, junk food is prominent in the US, we can as individuals, make the right decisions when it comes to eating the right kinds of food.

Cooking your own food and buying organic ingredients as often as possible is a surefire way of eating healthier. And when you buy packaged foods, it’s extremely important to read the labels. I’ve been a label reader for many years now mainly because I was aware of how eating foods ladened with unhealthy ingredients were affecting my health. I’ve even gotten most of my family and friends to read labels on the foods they buy and it has helped them a great deal. So when I see a product that contains natural and organic ingredients and ingredients that also enhance my health I’m doubly excited. That’s why when I discovered a company called Earth Balance I was very intrigued. Earth Balance (http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/) is an all-natural food company that makes organic and natural soymilk, spreads, dressings, nut butters, baking sticks, coconut, and soy nog. All of Earth Balance foods are made without any genetically modified ingredients, are plant-based, vegan, without any artificial ingredients or hydrogenated oils, and do not contain gluten, lactose, and eggs. We are particularly nuts over their spreads and nut butters and can easily polish off an entire jar or bottle in less than a week. Yes, they’re that good! And I feel better knowing that when we eat Earth Balance foods, I am actually giving my loved ones something better and healthier. And Earth Balance is an environmentally-conscious company too. They strive to make the world a better place for both people and the planet.

You may have heard of Earth Balance. You can see their products in most natural grocery stores as well as conventional supermarkets who carries their Smart Balance brand. Earth Balance makes a great amount of better-for-you everyday food that definitey beats the conventional nut butters, spreads, and soymilk. Their nut butters are smooth, creamy, and intense in flavor and their soymilk are refreshing and easy to mix into your dessert recipes. We particulaly enjoy Earth Balance’s Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter Spread because there’s just something unique and unusual about coconut and peanut butter. If you’re a fan of coconuts, then you’ll enjoy their robust coconut flavor and if you’re fairly new to coconuts, then you’ll be surprised at how delightful the blend of coconuts and peanuts can taste. I like to spread their Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter on bread of course, but it’s also really tasty on crackers and graham crackers. I’m sure you can also use them to make Rice Crispies and I’ll have to try that soon.

Earth Balance began when a need for more natural, wholesome, and plant-based foods arised. With so many overly processed foods nowadays, and foods ladened with unnecessary additives, it’s no wonder that more and more people are trying to make smarter choices in the foods they purchase and eat. It’s not hard to avoid unhealthy foods – just don’t buy them. And yes, sometimes that may be hard to accomplish, but if you start somewhere and you keep at it, then eventually your refrigerator and pantry will be stockful of healthier foods. It’s always better to buy fresh produce whenever possible, but we aren’t all Martha Stewarts in that we can’t make our own butter or soymilk or dressings all of the time. So if you’re going to go for convenience and practicality, then it’s important to buy those items that are made with natural ingredients and at best, organic ingredients. With Earth Balance products, I can clearly see the ingredients listed, and I can certainly taste the superb quality of them too. Although I’d love to make my own mayonnaise and butter eventually, right now, I can stick with products that I know contains at least the same ingredients I might use if I were to make them from scratch.

So if you’re in the market to try something different, and that isn’t made from unknown ingredients, then you’d have to give Earth Balance a try. Currently their lineup of products include Soymilk, which comes in flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, and Unsweetened; Spreads, which come in flavors such as Olive Oil, Whipped, and Soy Garden (and all of their spreads come in a base of Palm Fruit, Soybean, Flax, and Olive); Dressings which are made from canola oil; Organic Soy Nog; Nut Butters with flavors including Creamy Coconut, Creamy Peanut, and Creamy Almond; Baking Sticks which also includes Vegan Baking Sticks; and Coconut Spreads which can be used in place of regular butter. All of Earth Balance’s products are made without any genetically-modified or engineered ingredients and they source their coconuts and palm fruit responsibly and ethically.

Earth Balance had kindly sent me coupons to pick up and try any of their products for review. The products I tried were: Soymilk in original flavor, Olive Oil and Original Spread, Organic Dressing, and Creamy Coconut Nut Butter. We really liked their spreads and dressing and nut butters and although I’m a constant soymilk drinker, I wasn’t overjoyed by their original-flavored soymilk. To me, it tasted really strong, unlike the soymilk that I’m used to, so perhaps I will have to try their Vanilla or Chocolate flavor next to see if I notice a difference in taste. All of the products I tried can be easily incorporated into your daily meals whether as part of the meal, as a supplement, or as an addition to a recipe. In fact, if you’re looking for some good recipes using their products, please visit their website: http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/recipes/.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. 

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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