Wild Planet Foods: Albacore Wild Tuna, Chicken and Wild Sardines #Review #Sponsored by #MomsMeet

 

​​I received the above product(s) free of charge from Wild Planet Foods and MomsMeet. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Finding Tuna anymore that is edible and from a company that practices safe standards, well it is not that easy. I find many canned versions pretty much a “surprise-in-a-can” because you can’t see the product, so you have take that leap of faith that it will look good and not just be minced fish that should have been discarded. I have bought many brands that allege to hold high standards, to just be disappointed or worse, the only difference is the label and price tag, but the questionable source remains the same. I just stopped eating tuna! Not the best answer when I crave a salad or tuna sandwich, but it was my way to not even deal with it. I then heard many people stopped too because like with many industries, we found out how things are made. The pink goop that made nuggets, well call tuna the grey-ish soup that looked or tasted nothing like the fish. I don’t want to hide the fish with condiments, so why bother was my attitude.

Then came Wild Planet. Okay, I was skeptical because I saw the glossy pamphlets, the pretty pictures and read the materials. It sounds really good:

The company is all about sustainable resources and practices. The main part was traceable responsibility when it comes to the foods they distribute. Not only does Wild Planet have high standards when it comes to fishing, but also on the product they deliver to your family’s table. So, pretty much I don’t have to dress up my tuna to hide getting a not so good can. Wild Planet is a control freak! I like that because that is how I shop and how I would want someone picking my food for me. They are involved with all the fish they purchase to ensure quality, flavor and that texture remains as premium as it can be. No over handling, no hiding yucky questionable “flakes” of fish meat in a can, and making sure that if your can states Albacore Tuna, you get what is labeled.

 

Wild Planet also offer many varieties that come in canned, jarred or pouch versions.  You also can pick products that are packed in oil to no salt varieties.  Every selection is just the fish and no water added:

• Albacore Wild Tuna
• SkipJack Wild Tuna
• Wild Yellowtail
• Wild Sockeye Salmon
• Wild Pink Salmon
• Wild Sardines
• Wild Mackerel
• Wild White Anchovies
• and Organic Roasted Chicken

 

You can see the only thing that comes from a farm, is the chicken and that is even held to organic standards. The rest is all wild caught with strict guidelines like no long lines, no nets, no FAD (fish aggregating device) and turtle safe. Founded in 2004, Wild Planet respects the consumer by first showing the same regard to the seafood they catch. We hear about cage free eggs and how that misnomer is used, but there is no funny stuff when it comes to Wild Planet. They are open about the practices they keep and it has become the mantra the company proudly lives by. Wild Planet is based in my home state of California and all their products are part of the Non GMO project. Like I mentioned, there is really finally a company you can trust when it comes to seafood (and chicken).

 

 

Taste Matters: 

Okay, I missed the heck out of Tuna! The fish is fresh and the flakes are large in size.  Think of a fish steak that was kindly packaged in a can with little to no over handling.  You see how the natural fish is shaped and the “breaking of the flake”, that fish meat is up to you.  You want larger pieces for salad, you got that! Want to fork it and make smaller pieces for a sandwich or to enjoy with crackers, again you are in control of that.  I should have tried Wild Planet longtime ago but I did not want to take that leap……take the jump with both feet in and pick up a can, pouch and/or jar.  This is a can packed with fish and not water, oil, fillers or anything.  Just purely good seafood!

 

You can Connect with Wild Planet Foods at:

• Online
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Coupon

#WildPlanetFoods #MomsMeet

 

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Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery Breads Review #SilverHillsBakery

The market is full of breads from sliced, wheat, organic,artisan to non-gluten varieties and much more. Finding the bread is easy, but finding one that has real ingredients and tastes wonderful…….well, not so easy.

In our home, we love “brown breads”. This is what we call the molasses type to wheat breads, and even those seedy ones. As much as I do love baking and I do bake our white breads, I have not hit a satisfactory taste profile when it comes to wheat breads and I also would like to just get a loaf at the store, get home and just bake something else. I do not always have the freedom to do so because I’m the type of person that if I can’t find what I am looking for, I make it!

In comes Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery with their large selection of breads. They all fall into our “brown bread” kind of loaves, but they have everything from bagels, burger and hot dog buns. The breads may share a base color (tan or brown) but at first impression, I was worried they would all have the same base flavor and not really differ much than just what seed selection each bread has. Let us just say don’t judge a loaf by it’s cover!

My first loaf I purchased at Sprout’s Market and it was in the refrigerated section and the store had some issues like over stuffing the open fridge, so the loaves in the back were partially frozen. I opted on a fresher date, so that meant a semi-frozen loaf. I picked “The Big 16” variety and took it home and because we carry coolers when we shop, I figure I keep the same environment going and put it in the cooler. We got home and the following day we just tried a slice out of curiosity. Even though the loaf had been stressed because I later found out at Target they just keep it out with no refrigeration, this was an entire different playing field when it came to quality. The bread retained it’s moisture but most of all, it has everything I ever wanted in a wheat style bread. The ingredients are simple and understandable, plus as a baker it would be products I would use to make my own breads at home. The wheat is flavorful without those odd bitter notes and aftertaste you experience with most “brown breads”. I find companies use sugars and sweetened syrups to cover up both the bitter off flavors, but to keep the texture satisfactory, and let’s be realistic…….to try to extend the life span of the bread. Not Silver Hills Bakery!!! They let the bread do all the talking on it’s own and I dropped my favorite all time favorite Milton bread over this loaf. This was after just one bite of a naked slice. Nothing else and I already knew I had a winner.  I also like that each slice is around 100 calories and did I mention organic and Non-GMO ingredients?  Plus, vegan and non-Dairy ingredients too.  they make a non-Gluten variety and nothing is loaded with sugars or any unwelcoming (so not necessary) ingredients. I went down the list on their website of all the breads they make and over and over I kept say, “I’d eat that”.

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I go out shopping and because the first loaf was so welcomed, I buy another variety but at Target this time. It’s called the Squirrely Bread and I see it has exactly what I look for in a bread of this type, down to the sunflower seeds. Again, we bring it home and this is when I found out that the breads from Silver Hills Bakery are all each their own. This one tasted nothing like the loaf before! It even tasted better and my Husband remarked you gotta buy this one again, plus I want to try the Little Big Bread they carry. Yup, I’m taking orders now of what loaf to pick-up because even my family knows that this is now our “go-to” brand.

 

I feel bad that I never noticed Silver Hills Bakery Breads before but I now not only have made them a part of my permanent grocery list, I now get to share them with others. I am not the only one that enjoys these breads because two Targets on different days and each one was out of the Little Big Bread. The tag was there, so I know they carry it but I will catch it when it’s back in stock. I’m on a mission! I also have added the conquest to get my hands on those bagels they make and why not the hamburger and hot dog buns too! It’s nice to go into a store and pick-up bread like a normal person again 🙂 Make your taste buds sing and try something that is new, different and better…….get your hands on a loaf of Silver Hills Bakery bread and just one slice will make you a believer! You just have to promise to leave the last Little Big Bread loaf for me.

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Connect with Silver Hills Bakery Bread and find a loaf or two at:

• On-line
• Store Locator (they make it easy to find)
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• #SilverHillsBakery   #MomsMeet

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Veri Soda: Organic Soda drinks in Orange, Cola, Lemon-Lime, and Ginger Ale

We rarely drink sodas and it’s not just because of the unwanted ingredients alone, but most of the times it’s so sugary that it drowns out whatever you are eating. I usually drink cranberry juice mixed with water, lemonades or just plain water. I miss sodas sometimes and especially when we are have a nostalgic meal like pizza or burgers, but what I miss is the “old sodas”. When ingredients were less scientific, less harming and having a soda did not make me feel like a Humming Bird that just found a bucket of nectar to call their own!

When we received the parcel from Veri Soda, I had a nervous moment because it was a 4-pack of each flavor and for people who maybe drink 1 soda every few months, that’s a year’s worth and most times I throw out sodas because they expire (yes, it can happen) and we really just keep them around for guests. I was happy to see many things that separated Veri from the common brands and that was the shortest list of ingredients I saw on any type of cola drink…..ever! Then I noticed the USDA Organic seal, non-GMO, Caffeine free and 60 calories for one can and no playing games with the servings, one can in total is broken down and remains a simple 60 calories. That is like less calories than my 1/2 juice and 1/2 water drinks I have with dinner. Next, came the flavor test and I popped two open to go with our burger night and two other flavors to go with pizza night.

• Veri’s Cola Soda Flavor:

In my home cokes were for special occasions or a weekend get together, while my Husband when I met him drank cola and more cola. Water was just for washing things! It drove me nuts and especially when it was Summer and I was so thirsty but everything had sugar and more sugar. I quickly learned just bring a big water bottle when you visit. I was an RC cola drinker when I had any of the caramel colored drinks but it was hard to find. Being that I did enjoy the cola here and there, I then moved to Coke Zero thinking at least when I have it, the penalty will be less but I was never satisfied with how quickly it changed in flavor.

Veri’s cola is perfect and you get super bubbly water that is flavored like sodas we use to drink but even better. I like having things that surpass my memories and this one sip let me know I can have a soda and it won’t overwhelm my taste buds or waistline. The cola flavor has a perfect balance of sweetness and you are not just trying to poorly substitute a “coke”, the flavor profile is seriously better than any of the other brands out there. I loved it and I’m not a cola lover. My Husband was blown away and very few things that I get to test do this but he even checked out the price and what other flavors they carry at our local Sprout’s market because like he said it, “this I can do and actually like”.

Ingredients- Sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic lemon juice from concentrate, organic caramel, organic flavors, and organic stevia leaf extract.

• Veri’s Lemon-Lime Soda Flavor:

I have abandoned my lemonade mix at times for the Lemon-Lime kick. I then discovered that if I have lemon juice or lime juice, I can make one citrus kick drink by adding this version of Veri’s soda to 1/4 cup of either fruit drink. It’s light and crisp like you would want from a clear drink of this kind. The sweetness and tartness is well balanced and Veri just made another version better of what I had before. I don’t miss the past drinks of this kind and I can’t wait for the warmer weather to hit and just enjoy a sandwich with this flavor!

Ingredients- Sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic lemon juice from concentrate, organic flavors, and organic stevia leaf extract.

• Veri’s Orange Soda Flavor:

I use to enjoy as a child a soda that “Crush”ed others because they had fruit flavors.  I always navigate towards fruit drinks and of course it started early.  I just disliked how my phlegm would thicken with flavors like orange and don’t even get me started on grape, because it seems my grape world tasted different from every purple dyed drink out there. A orange soda by the pool was something I just like having and especially ultra cold.  I figured it was a forgotten beverage until Veri came and let me tell you, their orange soda is smacking good.  Your taste buds will be drowned (but in a good way) with real orange flavors that are sweet but the lemon extract not only intensified the citrus notes, but mellows the sweetness.  You get tang and that nice orange twist taste but again nothing bad to ruin the party.  Your tongue may not turn orange in color but it will be happier when it comes to what you just tasted.

Ingredients- Sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic orange juice from concentrate, organic lemon juice from concentrate, organic carrot juice from concentrate, organic flavors, and organic stevia leaf extract.

• Veri’s Ginger Ale Soda Flavor:

I was sick last year and could not find a Ginger Ale that had actual ginger in it. I know, so odd. I would think it can’t be called Ginger anything if it does not contain it but they found the artificial flavor highway to get around that. My Husband drove to 4 stores until he located a soda that had the root and was simple in ingredients, but sadly it was a little too sweet for my taste, so thankfully he just bought the 1/2 sized cans. I love Ginger Ale no matter if I am well or ill, so when I saw this flavor of soda in the box Veri sent, I got happy! The soda contains the perfect amount of ginger extract to give it that snap but not overwhelming. Love the sparkling water base that all their sodas are made from because that base really has a nice clean taste and like always, you taste the flavors and not just the sugar.

Ingredients- Sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic lemon juice from concentrate, organic ginger extract, organic flavor, organic caramel color, and organic stevia leaf extract.

Final Thoughts:

I really just thought Veri was just going to be a company that uses better ingredients but that the final product would be lacking in flavor or just really not resemble a soda.  Sort of like I can’t find a non-gluten bread to date that tastes….well, like real bread.  I underestimated and need to apologize to Veri for clumping them with companies that spit out versions of something that does not even resemble the real thing.  Veri is a real soda company that has their “game on” when it comes to crafting a good quality beverage that you will enjoy.  The rest is just a bonus when it comes to ingredients because I never thought a soda could still be called a soda unless it had something that was only created in a lab environment.  You know those proprietary blends of who-knows-what and lets us not forget the coloring and dyes because for some reason we need markers in our food supply!  Veri really said it best, “they said it could not be done”…….but they did and they did it good!  I just want more flavors like a Root Beer or a Cream Soda, or even a Pineapple soda….hey, Veri you started this and now that I know it can be done, do it! (pretty please) 🙂

Connect with Veri and let your taste buds wake up to what real sodas should taste like at:

• On-line
• Store Locator
• Sign-up for Coupons, Sweepstakes and their Newsletter
• Coupon for $1.00 off to try Veri Soda
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Veri Soda.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.