The 32nd Annual Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, MD was a thrill to be at, with more than 1,500 brands including 451 first-time exhibitors! Brands large and small showcased products soon to hit markets that center on health, wellness, and sustainability.
Here are my Best of the Best dairy free and vegan finds. Look for these coming to stores soon and if you don’t see these unique and innovative products tell your store manager to get them on shelves.
Best Apple Cider Vinegar
Vermont Village – Apple cider vinegar products are a hot food trend at Expo East and my favorite are the portable shots from Vermont Village – travel with these, take them in your purse, to the gym, ANYWHERE.
Never be without your healthy shot of AC Vinegar !
BEST BREAKFAST
Follow Your HeartRocket Cakes – Dairy free pancakes in a pourable container -how great is that! Never miss a pancake craving with this in your refrigerator!
The Soulfull Project – Not only is this oatmeal delicious and comes in easy to carry oatmeal cups, but for every oatmeal bought The Soulfull Project provides oatmeal to food banks across the country. Eat well and do good at the same time – can’t beat that!
Miyokos Kitchen – Hands down the best Vegan cheese you will ever eat! The newest additions are Pub Cheeses and Cream Cheese –both come in a variety of flavors and are oh so delicious! At Miyoko’s Kitchen the goal is simple; to make the very best artisan vegan cheese available worldwide, and spread it everywhere! It’s Handcrafted with love in California — for the animals, the planet, and your health.
Nuttin’ Ordinary– Cultured Cashew Cheese that is delicious spread on a cracker or even served warm on pasta. This is a great addition to the plant-based cheese market. Definitely ask your local grocer to carry it.
BEST CHOCOLATE
BEST DRINKS
Cusa Tea – The best instant tea you will ever taste! This is a tea game changer! Made from organic ingredients with no additives, fillers or sugar and ready in 3 seconds – hot or cold!
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee – the most unique drink I found at Expo East! Mushrooms carry amazing health benefits and Four Sigmatic makes it easy to harvest the health of mushrooms with its mushroom coffees , blends and elixirs. The drinks have an earthy unique taste. I feel in love on my first sip!
BEST ENERGY BARS
Dharma Bars – Made with all organic, non-GMO , plant based ingredients, vegan and gluten free — these bars have excellent taste and texture and are not filled with sugar like most bars.
BEST FROZEN
Hilary’s Millet Medleys – This new product from Hilary’s makes dinners easy – Top8 Free and filled with whole grain gluten-free millet, carrots, peas, fresh herbs, and more! Look for all 4 varieties – you will love them all!
Winner Best New Frozen Product: Hilary’s Millet Medleys
BEST DAIRY FREE ICE CREAMM
Nada Moo Vegan and gluten free made from coconut milk and coming in a variety of fun flavors — look for my favorites Lotta Mint Chip, Maple Pecan and Java Crunch
BEST JUICE
Zavu –A truly unique and healthy juice from organic caju, acerola and cupuacu fruits harvested and pressed in Brazil . These fruits are loaded with vitamin c , calcium, potassium and antioxidants so they’re super healthy. Make sure your grocer knows to get this awesome juice on store shelves.
Repurposed Pod – 100% virgin cacao juice providing magnesium,
Zen Basil – Basil Seeds, rich in fiber and vitamins ,are used to produce a clean, delightful drink full of health benefits . Coming in a variety of flavors, each has just 5 ingredients or less and contain no added sugars, agave, flavors or gums. Naturally vegan and gluten free too!
BEST MEAT REPLACEMENT
Good Catch Foods– You will never know this is vegan tuna, and neither will anyone else! You’’ll be hooked on your first bite – product launches in 2018 – definitely watch for it !
Winner Editors’ Choice Food: Good Catch Fish-Free Tuna
No Evil Foods – Protein, plant based meats that offer a delicious alternative to meat. Watch for a Jerky coming out in 2018. Note: these products do contain gluten .
Winner Best New Packaging Innovation: No Evil Foods Comrade Cluck
BEST NUT MILK
Elmhurst – Hailing from my neck of the woods in Upstate New York, Elmhurst makes the best tasting nut milks . No stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickeners or protein powders are used which means the the milk tastes clean and not gritty or gummy.
Winner Editors’ Choice Beverage: Elmhurst Milked Plant-Based Milks
BEST NUT/SEED BUTTERS
88 Acres –Can you say Pumpkin Seed Butter? Hello – it’s certainly what dreams are made of! You’ll love the other varieties too! Use as a spread on bread or mix into smoothies and oatmeal, add to soup for extra creaminess and even in baking. The pumpkin butter is rich and creamy and oh so delicious! And all 88 acres products are made in a food allergy safe facility. These seed butters are another huge win for this Brand.
Barney Butter – New to the lineup : Barney Butter Pods! So great for eating on the go and traveling too! Yeah I’m a Barney Girl and I love the entire lineup of their almond butters ! I highly suggest you get on the Barney Butter bandwagon and try them all.
BEST PASTA
Banza – My favorite pasta made from non-GMO chickpeas now adds more unique shapes to the lineup. My favorite : Wagon Wheels – somehow reminds me of my child hood! This pasta is full of fiber, protein and goodness!
BEST PROTEIN SOURCE
Vegetarian Traveler – Convenient, plant-based protein that provides health and good nutrition as a snack or on-the-go protein. Eat as is or add to salads, soups, cereal, yogurt, really anything! Especially good for travelling or dinners out where vegan items may not be plentiful.
BEST SNACKS
Gorilly Goods –Organic, raw, vegan snacks perfect for athletes and weekend warriors. I loved all of the mixes but especially the Baja mix of pumpkin seeds, hemp and cilantro and the Coast Mix.
Raw Food Central – Raw, organic, vegan snacks that are never baked or fried. From kale chips to flax crackers to my favorite, onion
rings – you can be assured of the best quality ingredients used every time.
Watusee Foods –Chickpeas are a hot superfood again this year and Watusee adds Popped Chickpeatos to the lineup! Great as a snack right out of the bag , or as a topper on salads and soups – eat up without hesitation because these chickpeas are good for you!.
BEST SWEETENER
The Maple Guild – From a variety of maple syrups to its Maple Cream, you can’t beat the maple products from The Maple Guild in Vermont. The Maple Guild is Certified Organic and non-GMO, and is a sustainable industry by lovingly taking care of its trees so they grow strong and healthy and produce the best maple sap.
BEST TREATS/DESSERT
Rule Breaker Snacks –These amazing brownies and blondies are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free , soy-free, kosher, and non-GMO. And are they ever DELICIOUS! What more could you ask for? How about a treat you don’t feel guilty eating because they are not bad for you- here’s the secret these treats are made from beans!
BEST VEGGIE BURGER
Qrunch Organics – Veggie Burgers made from organic Quinoa, millet, veggies and coconut oil that are dairy free, gluten free , corn free . Also free from soy, egg, nuts, MSG – includes only the good stuff and delicious too!
BEST YOGURT
Forager Project – Forager seeks to make the world a better place by making organic, plant based, delicious food we all can believe in and believe me, the yogurts from Forager are the best. The yogurt is made from cashews and all products are certified organic,
non- GMO, free of lactose, gluten and soy and are kosher.
Which of my faves are you most excited to try? Tell us your choices in the Comments Section!
