Imperfect Foods Subscription Box Review

After moving to Seattle, one of the first things I did was re-start my Imperfect Foods subscription box! I had been without it for a few months while in the middle of the move, and I missed it so much! I originally started my subscription in 2017 (read my then review of the box HERE), loved it and been a big supporter of Imperfect ever since! Not only am I getting fresh produce and pantry staples straight to my door, but with every box I am helping to fight food waste.

You see, Imperfect sources produce with minor cosmetic imperfections that would otherwise be discarded by grocery stores as well as other groceries that are short-coded, have a label change, or some other reason they aren't able to be stocked in stores. In providing what most would consider "unusable," Imperfect helps support farmers by helping them sell more of what they grow, helps save product, water, land, and labor from going to waste, advocates that fresh fruit and veggies be affordable and accessible for everyone, and embraces beauty in all shapes, sizes, and colors!

Imperfect Produce Box Review

I recently signed up for my first ever Imperfect Produce box after deciding I wanted to try a produce subscription box to save money and trips to the grocery store. I researched several services offering subscription or CSA boxes in my area, and decided upon Imperfect Produce because they are fighting food waste and supporting a more sustainable industry by offering "ugly" food at a discounted price. This "ugly" food is simply produce that would usually be discarded due to having too much of it or due to imperfections. Rather than just tossing it, Imperfect rescues it from farms and offers it to the public at discounted prices. This way less food is wasted, and people can get nutritious, delicious produce directly from farms in a subscription box for less! How could I not get behind that?

Imperfect Produce offers several sizes and varieties of boxes. You can get organic boxes, veggie-only or fruit-only boxes, or a mix of both, and a variety of sizes is offered for each category of subscription box. You can adjust your box preferences at any time, and with every box you have the option to customize the box and decide the frequency you want to receive it (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly). For my very first box I ordered the small organic box to be delivered weekly, which runs approximately $14 to $19. I was lucky enough to receive a referral discount code from a friend, so I saved money on my first box (if you want to save money, too, here is my referral link which will score you $10 off your first order!).

Food Review: Eureka Baking Company Organic and Vegan Bread

Written by Sarah E. Jahier

Carb queen here to confess I never pass on the opportunity to review (ahem, eat) a good vegan bread! So when the folks at Eureka Baking Company contacted me to review some of their vegan loaves I was very excited! I was especially excited since I go through at least a loaf of bread a week, and that is generally all by myself! I have sandwiches on a daily basis and love toast any time of day, so a loaf doesn't last long.

I received three different loaves from Eureka Baking Company – Seeds the Day, a wheat bread packed with flax, sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and poppy seeds, Grainiac, a loaf made with 12 different grains, and Saaa-Wheat!, a wheat bread. All of these breads are organic and certified vegan.

Restaurant Review: SunCafe in Studio City, CA

Written by Sarah E. Jahier

Last month Mister Spooky and I were having a fun morning at Universal Studios (read all about it and their vegan options), hanging with the Universal Monsters, Beetlejuice and Norman Bates, but we finished up around lunch time and were looking for a nearby vegan place to eat. Lo and behold, just down the street (or down the hill) was a small restaurant called SunCafe, which is a mostly-raw vegan restaurant serving up organic and healthy food. We decided to check it out since it was so close.

The street parking is metered, and they don't have their own parking lot as far as I could tell. We had to park a ways down the street and walk back up, which was no biggie, but I can see parking being an issue, especially on busier days or weekends. When I walked in, the place was pretty packed (it was Friday at lunchtime, so it wasn't surprising), but we were seated quickly and the service was attentive.

We had actually eaten previously at Universal Studios, so we decided to go easy and just order appetizers and drinks. I could not resist ordering their Orange Cremesicle Shake, which is a raw drink containing just fresh orange, pineapple and agave, topped with coconut shreds and goji berries. It was delicious and tasted just like an Orange Julius (confession: I used to get those all the time at the mall as a teen in my pre-vegan days!)! This Orange Cremesicle was dreamy and definitely hit the spot!

SunCafe's Orange Cremesicle Shake

Restaurant Review: Freesoulcaffe in Tustin, CA

Freesoulcaffe

I recently learned of Freesoulcaffe from the awesome Vegan Vagrant, a fellow OC vegan, and couldn't wait to try this all-vegan, organic Old Town Tustin eatery! This past rainy Saturday, Mister Spooky and I made the quick drive over to the quaint Old Town restaurant. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the place was. There is a cute patio with a bubbling fountain outside and inside was very modern and chic-looking. It was also larger than I imagined with ample seating (though it filled up fast!).

 My breakfast - strong coffee and sweet muffin

We arrived in time for breakfast, but were told lunch wouldn't be served until 11 AM. No worries, though, since we decided to try some light breakfast items then come back an hour later for lunch. I had originally intended to order the pumpkin waffles, but the friendly staff had to apologetically tell me those were temporarily discontinued. Oh well, perhaps next time!

 Just look at all those berries ready to burst in my mouth!

Since I needed something light for breakfast anyway, I ordered a Sweet Berry Muffin and a Rude Awakening coffee (I needed something besides the brisk morning air to wake me up). Mister Spooky got a Caffé Mocha Granita. My muffin tasted really fresh and the luscious berries just popped in my mouth! And my coffee was robust and strong...just the way I like it! I tried the granita (when I finally wrangled it away from the boyfriend) and it was quite tasty as well! So far, so good!

 Our big BLT and plentiful salad!

After killing time by walking around Old Town Tustin (cute, but not much to see besides antique stores), we returned to Freesoulcaffe just in time for lunch! I had heard good things about their BLT sandwich, so Mister Spooky and I ordered a "whole" size of it to share. The all-vegan BLT was served on yummy sourdough bread with organic greens and tomatoes. The sandwich came with a large salad on the side too, seasoned expertly with vinaigrette. Both sandwich and salad were satisfying and delicious. The sandwich could have used a bit more "wow" factor, but overall Mister Spooky and I were pleased with lunch. 

 I'm ready for my close-up!

Since they had a bakery case filled with all sorts of delicious-sounding vegan desserts, I couldn't resist ordering a Pumpkin Pecan Cake with Sour Cream Ganache for dessert. I could barely contain my drool! The cake was richly decadent. The chocolate ganache on the outside was divine and the pecans on top added a nice crunch. The pumpkin cake on the inside was soft, dense and "mmmmmmmm"-inducing upon the first bite! 

 OMG...look at all that vegan goodness!

I was sooooo tempted to order one of each...

Freesoulcaffe was a nice treat and I definitely want to go back to try more desserts (pumpkin cheesecake, you are so next on my list!)  and to try their waffles! Their Atlantic sandwich (a vegan "tuna" sandwich) sounds intriguing as well. 

NOM! Pumpkin Pecan Cake with Sour Cream Ganache

I commend the restaurant for using fresh, organic ingredients that make the dishes there all the more unique and delectable. I also applaud them for making everything plant-based and vegan, but also making it so everyone, not just veggies, can enjoy their food! 

Whether you are looking for artisan tea or coffee, some sweet treats or a full-sit down breakfast or lunch, look no further than Freesoulcaffe for good-for-you and good-for-the-planet food!

Restaurant Review: Loving Hut - Huntington Beach, CA

Loving Hut is a vegan chain I’ve been meaning to try for a long, long time. According to their website, "Loving Hut Restaurants are the fastest growing international vegan fast food chain in the world"! Each location has their own unique menu, but no matter where you go they are committed to offering up the very best and fresh vegan dishes. For some reason, though, I'd never made it to one of their SoCal locations before...until last week!

I visited their Huntington Beach location one sunny afternoon and was greeted by a small but bright and clean restaurant with very friendly service. I ogled the menu a bit (doncha wish you could just order one of everything sometimes?) and finally decided on the Pad Thai (I know, tame!) and Thai iced tea (OMG, I haven’t EVER seen vegan Thai iced tea and this was the first time since going vegan that I got to have it! I was stoked…) while Mister Spooky went with the Sweet and Sour Divine. For an appetizer, we ordered the spring rolls. The prices were all very reasonable and the food plus drinks came in at under $25!

The spring rolls tasted very fresh and on a warm day were perfectly refreshing! Mister Spooky and I both loved the peanut dipping sauce that came with the rolls, too. Next were the main courses…my Pad Thai was a huuuuge portion. It had those strange tofu shrimp throughout (my first time trying these…didn’t dig them too much). Besides the odd vegan “shrimp”, the Pad Thai was spicy, flavorful and really hit the spot. Especially when paired with my Thai iced tea (OMG, how much I missed thee!!). My boyfriend's Sweet and Sour Divine (think a vegan version of sweet and sour chicken) was really tasty and while it wasn’t a big portion he said it was still satisfying (and he usually has an insatiable appetite!). 

By the end of the meal, we were both stuffed and even had leftovers to take home. I was tempted to try some of their delectable-looking desserts, but they would have to wait until my next visit. And let me assure you, I will definitely go back to Loving Hut...which may be my new new go-to vegan place! 

Check out my review on YELP!

Restaurant Review: Thuyen Vien - Anaheim, CA

This is a wonderful family-owned business that I just visited for the first time. All of their dishes are vegetarian, with the majority of them being vegan...yay!

Veggie Egg Rolls...we had already devoured two before I took this pic!

I tried the Spicy Soy "Chicken" with Lemongrass, the Curry Thai Vegetable with Pumpkin, Chow Mein with Mixed Vegetables, and, as an appetizer, the veggie egg(less) rolls. The "egg" rolls were absolutely amazing!! They had the perfect crunch and the dipping sauce was soooooo yummy!

Curry Thai Vegetable with Pumpkin

The entrees were equally delicious. The "chicken" was spiced to perfection without being overpowering and the curry was light but filling. The chow mein wasn't as flavorful as I hoped, but it was still very good.

Chow Mein with Mixed Vegetables

I am vegan, but my boyfriend who accompanied me isn't and still loved every single thing we ordered. Also, everyone who worked there was super-sweet and helpful and the atmosphere was very warm.

Spicy Soy "Chicken" with Lemongrass

Another positive...their prices are really reasonable! I was surprised at how cheap most of their items are, not to mention how extensive their menu is! I cannot wait to go back and try more from this wonderful and inviting place!

My review on YELP!

Panzanella - Tuscan Bread Summer Salad

Growing up, my dad made this amazing bread salad from Tuscany called panzanella. It was the perfect summer salad - cool, refreshing and crisp. I always get a hankering for it during the hot days of summer and luckily it's really simple to make! Traditional Tuscan cooking calls for minimal ingredients and usually uses leftovers, so it's ideal for people on a budget or who are lazy (like me!).

Ciao bella!

Ingredients:

1 loaf of day-old crusty Italian peasant bread like ciabatta, cut into cubes
1 lb. of tomatoes (Roma, chopped up, or alternatively cherry tomatoes)
1 cucumber, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 red onion, diced
1 bunch scallions, diced
1 generous handful of shredded fresh basil
Equal parts extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dressing
Dashes of salt and pepper to taste

Soak the cubes of bread in cool water for about one hour (make sure your day-old bread is dried out enough to ensure it soaks up enough water without becoming mushy - if you don't think it's dry enough pop the bread cubes in the oven on 300 degrees for roughly 10 minutes). Make sure the bread is completely submerged.

While you are soaking the bread, chop up your tomatoes, cucumber, onion and scallions and tear the basil into small pieces.

Once the bread has soaked long enough, strain all the water out and squeeze each individual cube of bread (ewwww squishy!!). Then throw everything - bread cubes and veggies - into a big bowl. Dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. If desired, stick in the fridge for an hour or so to allow the flavors to develop. This dish is best serve chilled.

The result is a rustic and filling salad that is perfect for the dog days of summer.

Mangia, mangia!

Spicy Tofu Tacos

My boyfriend made the yummiest spicy tofu tacos the other night and I just couldn't wait to share the recipe with you all!

Doesn't this just make you salivate:

The picture doesn't really do it justice!

Ingredients:

1 package extra firm tofu
1 small can Mexican hot style tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 white onion, diced
1 green jalapeño, chopped
1/2 cup cooked black beans

Drain tofu and press it for a few hours. We usually wrap drained tofu in paper towels, place it on a plate and stack a heavy bookend on it to expel as much water as possible out of it.

When you are done pressing the tofu, crumble it into chunks and marinate it in the hot tomato sauce for as long as possible (up to 24 hours) to give the tofu a chance to absorb all the flavors.

 We use El Pato Mexican Hot Style Tomato Sauce

Bonus: It's only about 50 cents a can!

Heat the olive oil in a pan, then lightly saute the diced onion and chopped up jalapeño until slightly cooked (do not brown). Toss in black beans and tofu, including any leftover marinade; cook until heated through, about 8 - 10 minutes.

Serve on a bed of romaine lettuce on corn tortillas and top with fresh tomatoes and salsa or hot sauce, if desired.

Gratuitous close up:

Purple Monster Acai Shake

Summer has finally hit SoCal and it's been hot, hot, HOT these past few days. Luckily, I've been keeping cool with a shake I've dubbed the "Purple Monster". This cool, re-energizing shake boasts a healthy mix of acai (I love saying this word..."ah-SIGH-eeeee"!), banana, strawberry and a splash of rice milk.

Lately I've been obsessive over acai and I found these handy smoothie packets to conveniently make my own shakes! I found mine at Henry's, but you can probably find them in the freezer section of your local health food/grocery store.

For this smoothie I took one packet of the acai, one banana, a handful of chopped up strawberries, a few splashes of Rice Dream, some ice cubes and threw everything in a blender. Sometimes I like to top it with some granola and fresh fruit (as shown above) to make it a meal. Easy-peasy, just the way I like it!

The result is a yummy, acai-strawberry-banana shake that is chock full of antioxidants and vitamins! This shake is a sure-fire way to perk me up any time of day, and the acai smoothie packets make it that much more convenient!

Acai Bowl at Milk + Honey in Costa Mesa

Milk + Honey might sound like a weird place for a vegan to hang out in, but when I recently had the opportunity to visit this specialty drink and food place in Costa Mesa, California at The Camp, I was pleasantly surprised!

Though they serve a lot of non-vegan items (frozen yogurt, ice cream, non-vegan food items like sandwiches, breakfast items, etc.), they also offer several vegan options. Of these, I decided to try their acai bowl.

Perfection at Milk + Honey in Costa Mesa, CA

Filled with blended acai and topped with granola and loaded with fruit, this tasty dish not only looked pretty but was absolutely delicious!

Though a little pricey at around $5 - $6, I would definitely come back to Milk + Honey just for their acai bowls, but would also be interested to try their other vegan options. They make everything fresh, and though this might make the wait a little long, it's well worth it for the quality of food.

Also, their tiny shop is absolutely adorable and they have a cute open air patio filled with plants and succulents where you can spend a lazy day lounging around!

They don't have a website, but you can check out Yelp for more info!