Unfortunately, great vegan coffee creamers can be hard to come by, and most carry an invasive nutty flavor and smell that can be a real put off for some sensitive palates.

Luckily, the Califia Farms Almond Milk Coffee Creamer gives you that authentic full bodied, thick consistency to your coffee, without any overpowering nutty flavor.

Unfortunately You can’t just grab Califia Creamers at your local grocer, but they are readily available through online retailers like Amazon and Thrive Market

Article NavigationQUICK SUMMARYWho is Califia Farms?Ingredients and ManufacturingFlavorsPackaging & Shelf LifeVersatility and TexturePricing & AccessibilityIn A Nutshell

QUICK SUMMARY

Texture ✭✭✭✩✩It does have a rich consistency, although you have to add more milk than usual to make really good foamy coffee.

Taste ✭✭✭✭✩It has a faint but pleasant flavor that tastes delicious in your morning coffee blend.

Organic Ingredients ✭✭✭✭✩Califia Farms have gone out of their way to use only organic ingredients to make this creamer, with no harmful preservatives added.

Packaging ✭✭✭✭✭The eye-catching packaging is made from recyclable Tetra-pak and Combibloc. It’s also shelf-stable which means that you don’t have to refrigerate it before opening.

Price ✭✭✭✭✭When it comes to pricing, this creamer comes at a reasonable price. Very friendly on the pocket considering the quality.

WHAT WE LIKE

• It’s fat free and low in calories
• The almond and vanilla flavours, which are the base for this milk, are very slight and delightful, not overpowering at all
• You can use it in coffee and baked goods for a delectable taste and full-bodied consistency
• Not only is it made from organic ingredients, but it’s also certified Kosher and GMO-free

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• Steaming the milk requires you to add a lot more milk than you usually would, especially if you enjoy having a voluminous coffee with a foamy top
• The milk does tend to curdle and even takes on a grainy texture after a few days in the refrigerator
• Can also curdle after being added to piping hot coffee
• You can only buy it in bulk online. It comes in single bottles at grocery stores that carry the brand, which are very few and far between

THE BOTTOM LINE

This milk is perfect for anyone who’s had to eliminate dairy from their diet for whatever reason. It’s made from all natural ingredients, tastes good and makes a decent coffee. It also has a lot of positive reviews, with some customers saying it’s even better than Half and Half. Plus, you can easily use it to replace dairy when making your favorite desserts, baked goods, and savory dishes.

Keep in mind though, that you’ll have to buy it in large volumes, as you have to use quite a lot per usual serving than you’re used to to get the creamy consistency that hits the spot. Other than that, it’s a consciously created and packaged creamer that’s so good that it’ll make you forget its dairy counterparts.

OUR RATING

4.2

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Who is Califia Farms?

Califia Farms was founded on the premise of contributing to the creation of a “healthier, plant-based food system”, and all their products are manufactured to live up to those standards, including their Almond Milk Creamer.

They use locally sourced, organic, GMO-free ingredients with creatively blended flavors to create genuinely awesome plant-based alternatives. They’ve also made a concerted effort to ensure that their business practices and production facilities support the health of the planet, by putting their products in environmentally friendly, BPA-free and recyclable packaging.

Ingredients and Manufacturing

Their barista quality Almond Milk Creamer is a carefully developed blend of pure almonds, water, a dash of sea salt and finally sweetened with a hint of vanilla for a pleasant flavor.

If you’re not into vanilla, other mouthwatering flavors are available too; namely, Hazelnut, pecan nut, caramel, Mexican cacao, Irish cream and dulce de leche as well as an unsweetened version. The water used to blend the almonds into milk is sourced from a well and treated with reverse osmosis to ensure maximum purity.

You’ll also be happy to know that Califia Farms Creamer is USDA certified organic and Kosher, free from harmful additives, stabilizers, and gums.

The almonds are sourced directly from local organic farmers that use progressive and sustainable farming methods. They’re also pasteurized using steam and water powered blancher instead of PPO.

Flavors

As mentioned, there’s a variety of alternative flavors to the Almond Milk Creamer so you can switch it up and enjoy different tastes from time to time. Some of these flavors are so good that it’s enough to enjoy them on their own without adding them to coffee or anything else. So other than the Almond flavor, you can enjoy…

• UnsweetenedOkay, this is not exactly a flavor but the fact that it’s unsweetened allows you to enjoy the authentic flavor of almond milk without any added flavors. It’s ideal for those with sensitive palates, or anyone who just wants to keep it simple.
• VanillaThis is a delicious blend which contains a palpable vanilla flavour. Goes beautifully with coffee and baked treats.
• HazelnutIf you like the velvety taste of hazelnut, then this flavour’s definitely for you. The hazelnut is subtle and not too overpowering, and goes pleasantly with hot beverages. You can also use it to bump up the flavour and texture of your favourite smoothie.
• PecanThis flavour contains delicate hints of pecan and caramel flavours to imbue your coffee with rich texture.
• Pecan CaramelA heady mix of equally hearty flavours makes this a decadent and delicious treat by any standards.
• Irish CreamIf you’re feeling a bit more extravagant, you can add the Irish Cream flavour to your tea for a delightfully spirited flavour.
• Mexican CocoaThis adventurous mix contains a few dashes of cocoa, cinnamon, and cayenne. It’s a yummy and exuberant addition to any hot beverage.
• Dulce-de-LecheThis luxe sounding confectionary flavor will remind you of your favorite sweet indulgences.

Packaging & Shelf Life

The creamer is packaged in BPA free and recyclable Asceptic Tetra-Pak Combibloc cartons which you can dispose of through your local recycling program. The packaging is shelf stable, so the milk can stay in your pantry until you open it, or until the expiry date. Once opened, the creamer can stay fresh for 7 to 10 days when kept in a refrigerator.

Versatility and Texture

With Califia Farms Almond Milk Coffee Creamer, you can create barista quality coffee with exquisite latte art from the comfort of your home. The creamer stretches well, with the thick consistency of full cream milk and the aromatic flavor of vanilla.

This creamer is so versatile that you can add a dash of it to your favorite savory dishes to give them that hearty and satisfying texture, using the same amount in recipes as you would with cow’s milk. It’s been known to add a fluffy and luscious consistency to baked goods too, and it can easily enhance your OJ for a richer taste.

Pricing & Accessibility

Califia Almond Milk comes at a very reasonable price point without compromising on quality, and it’s accessible.

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in the California region where some of the grocery stores carry this creamer, you’ll have to order it in bulk through their online store or Amazon. This means that you cannot buy the creamer as one bottle unless you’re purchasing it from a physical outlet.

But if you’re already sold on this creamer as many are, then you’ll be happy to know that Califia Farms also runs a monthly subscription service, where you’ll be able to get the creamer delivered to your doorstep every month. The subscription is flexible so you can easily change the number of cases you order from month to month, or you can even skip a month if you so prefer.

In A Nutshell

Whether you’ve had to sacrifice dairy due to a medical condition, or willingly through adopting a vegan lifestyle, there’s no doubt that with Califia Farms Almond Milk Coffee Creamer you won’t miss that dairy based creamer one bit.

​From the variety of flavors to the organic ingredients and flexible shopping options, Califia Farm Milks will make a great addition to your plant-based grocery list. Plus, you can rest assured that your purchase from Califia Farms is contributing to the sustainability of our planet, as their product packaging is 100% BPA-free and recyclable. What more can one ask for?

The post Califia Farms Almond Milk Creamer Review appeared first on Urban Vegan.

In reality, I should have bought an Instant Pot ages ago! Pressure cooking is an ideal solution for busy vegans. It’s a great way to get whole, plant-based foods on the table in a fraction of the time of traditional cooking methods.

I’ve been cooking with my Instant Pot for about a year now, and I spread the “good news” of this handy machine to every vegan I know. I purchased the 7-in-1 DUO60 model, which is the one I recommend to my friends and loved ones (and anyone who will listen).

Considering the Instant Pot for your kitchen? Read on to learn about this kitchen essential and decide whether or not it’s the right appliance for you.

Review NavigationQUICK SUMMARYGetting To Know The Instant PotWhat’s In The Box?SafetyFeaturesCleaning UpThe Appliance ReplacerMeal PreppingEnergy EfficiencyThe Learning CurveFavorite Instant Pot RecipesWHAT I LIKEWHAT I DIDN’T LIKEFrequently Asked QuestionsLong Story Short

QUICK SUMMARY

How Did the Instant Pot Stack Up?

Value: ✭✭✭✭✭This is a no-brainer for me – the Instant Pot is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. The unit saves us more money per year than the amount I paid.

Consistancy: ✭✭✭✭✭Every time I use the Instant Pot, I get consistent, delicious results. No more dealing with rice that’s gummy one time or overcooked another – there’s no variation in the cooking cycle from time to time.

Easy to clean: ✭✭✭✭✩Considering the part of the Instant Pot that most comes into contact with food is dishwasher-safe, it’s super easy to clean. However, the lid must be washed by hand, and the silicone gasket can hang on to stronger smells as you continue to use it.

Ease of use: ✭✭✭✭✭I love the “set it and forget it” aspect of my Instant Pot. Once you get a handle on how the unit works, you can set foods to cook overnight or while you’re at work – the keep warm function will keep them piping hot when you come home.

Flexibility:✭✭✭✭✭There is literally nothing you can’t cook with this thing. I’ve made everything from rice to cooked whole beets to soy yogurt in this thing, and every day I’m finding food that’s cooked easier in this fantastic little machine.

WHAT I LIKE

• It saves us money in the long run.
• There are tons of safety mechanisms in place.
• It makes it quick and easy to cook whole, plant-based foods.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

• Strong-smelling foods linger in the device
• Steamer rack only good for larger vegetables – small items fall through the cracks
• Not quite as “instant” as the name would have you think

THE BOTTOM LINE

The short version? Everyone needs an Instant Pot. Yes, NEEDS!

Even with the few dislikes listed above, my Instant Pot is my favorite kitchen appliance. It’s already replaced my slow cooker and rice cooker, and I often joke that it could replace my stove as well.

I think every kitchen could benefit from an Instant Pot. As a busy couple, my husband and I love the Instant Pot because it allows us to prepare big batches of food to eat throughout the week. Families that are constantly on the go would also see the same benefit.

However, I think the Instant Pot is also the ideal appliance for people who just plain don’t like to cook, or who don’t have access to a full kitchen. I wish I’d had one of these appliances when I was living in a college dorm!

OUR RATING

4.8

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Getting To Know The Instant Pot

Every food blog and Instagram account raves about the wonders of the Instant Pot – but what exactly is it that makes this appliance so special?

The Instant Pot can be described as a “multi-cooker” – it is a single product that can perform the functions of seven kitchen appliances and tools.

The DUO60 model works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, warming pot, and yogurt maker. I don’t know about you, but in my Philadelphia rowhome, there’s certainly no storage space for separate appliances that would carry out all these processes.

You can use one of the 14 pre-programmed “smart programs” on your Instant Pot to make things like dry beans or rice with the push of a button. If you prefer to have complete control over the cooking process, you can use the “manual” function to override the appliance and cook your food however you like.

The Instant Pot uses a stainless steel inner cooking pot that’s safe to put in the dishwasher. The pot is food grade 304 stainless steel without a chemical coating, so you don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaching out into your family’s dinner. The pot has a 3-ply bottom for even heat distribution – no need to worry about food burning to the bottom!

What’s In The Box?

In addition to the unit itself, the Instant Pot comes with several accessories for all your cooking needs.

The accessories include:

• Stainless steel cooking pot
• Stainless steel steam rack
• Rice paddle & soup spoon
• Measuring cup
• Condensation collector
• Recipe book and user manual
• Quick reference guide and ownership registration

Stainless Steel Cooking Pot

Stainless Steel Steam Rack

Rice Paddle and Soup Spoon

Measuring Cup

Condensation Collector

Recipe Book and User Manual

Quick Reference Guide and Ownership Registration

While they aren’t necessary, you also have the option of purchasing many products that can help make the Instant Pot experience even easier and more streamlined.

Here are some of my favorite products that I bought to accompany my Instant Pot:

• No products found.
• Silicone Mitts
• Folding stainless steel vegetable steamer basket
• Instant Pot Tempered Glass lid

While these extras certainly aren’t required to enjoy your Instant Pot, I find that they enhance my cooking experience and make things a little easier.

Safety

I had been intrigued by pressure cookers for a long time, but the idea of indirectly making a bomb in my kitchen always intimidated me.

The safety of the Instant Pot was ultimately the deciding factor that led me to purchase the unit. As opposed to traditional pressure cookers, the Instant Pot has 10 safety mechanisms, including things like lid close detection and an anti-blockage vent. With these features, there is almost no room for human error during pressure cooking. You’d have to try really hard to make the Instant Pot dangerous!

The only area where human error can still present a problem is the steam release. While there are safety mechanisms in place, the Instant Pot is still a pressure cooker. Escaping steam can cause burns if you keep your hands near the vent.

On the whole, though, the Instant Pot is a much safer alternative to traditional pressure cookers. I feel comfortable letting it cook, even when I’m out of the house.

Features

There are a few options for Instant Pots, but I went with the Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 model. This version of the Instant Pot comes with a whopping 14 smart programs: soup, meat/stew, bean/chili, poultry, saute/simmer, rice, multigrain, porridge, steam, slow cook, keep warm, yogurt, manual and pressure cook.

In the year I’ve owned my Instant Pot, I mostly use the saute and manual settings. In most cases, I’m sauteing onions and garlic, then using the manual function to cook the rest of my ingredients.

However, I do like having the other options and use them from time to time. You can make dairy-free yogurt in this machine, and I use the steam function frequently for veggies. While you could do much of this on your cooktop, I like the Instant Pot because I set it up and go do my own thing – the Instant Pot takes care of everything.

Another “set and forget” element of the Instant Pot is a “keep warm” setting. I like being able to set up rice or chili and head out to do errands – when I get home, my food is still piping hot and ready to eat.

Instant Pot Control Panel Functions

Cleaning Up

My husband will be the first one to tell you; I’m not a neat person – especially when it comes to cooking.

Before my Instant Pot, a single meal prep – or even a regular weeknight dinner – resulted in a sink full of dirty dishes. At a minimum, I’d need a skillet to saute veggies, a pot or Crock Pot for grains, and a pot or pan for “vegan” protein like beans or tofu.

The Instant Pot cuts down on my dishes because of how many one-pot meals I can make with it. The unit itself is also extremely easy to clean – the stainless steel liner can go right in the dishwasher, and the lid and gasket just need to be cleaned with warm soapy water.

You’re simply more likely to use an appliance that’s easy to clean. Whether you opt for the dishwasher or hand washing, you’ll find the Instant Pot simple to keep clean.

The Appliance Replacer

I was drawn to the Instant Pot because of how many functions a single unit could do. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that my Instant Pot replaced a lot of my other kitchen appliances.

Need to cook rice? The Instant Pot can do it! No need for a rice cooker.

​Looking to steam veggies? Toss them in the Instant Pot for a few minutes!

Chilis, soups, and stews? The Instant Pot can do it in half the time of my Crock Pot.​

I’ve joked with my husband that we could probably get rid of our stove and oven and get by with just the Instant Pot, if we had to.

In the time I’ve had the Instant Pot, I’ve given away my rice cooker and slow cooker (we kept the stove, though). This has freed up space in my kitchen cabinets and allows us to consolidate our ever-growing collection of kitchen gadgets.

Meal Prepping

Like a lot of you probably are, I’m busy! With all my responsibilities, I like having a fridge of home-cooked, healthy foods to grab throughout the week. That way, I’m not tempted to opt for unhealthy, overpriced lunches near my office.

It was this desire that got me into meal prepping – the practice of cooking several servings of a meal at once, usually on the weekend. I spend a chunk of my Sunday afternoon preparing and cooking big batch meals to eat throughout the week.

The Instant Pot has played a huge role in my vegan meal prep! Before the Instant Pot, I used to rely on my rice cooker and Crock Pot, and the prep would take several hours. If I needed to make ingredients like dry beans from scratch, it became a multi-day prep.

The Instant Pot has totally changed that. Rice and baked potatoes are done in just minutes, and I can steam a whole pot of veggies in no time at all. Chilis and stews, cooked with dry, unsoaked beans and raw root vegetables, finish cooking in less than an hour. As a result, my time-saving meal preps have become even more time-saving, which means I’m free to do the things in life I love to do, rather than slaving over the stove.

I recommend the Instant Pot to anyone who’s looking to get into meal prepping – vegan or otherwise!

Energy Efficiency

Another small wonder of the Instant Pot is the energy efficiency. This is especially apparent when I’m making something like oven-baked potatoes.

For potatoes, I’d have to put my oven on a high temperature and cook the potatoes for nearly an hour to get them soft throughout. Similarly, soaked beans would take at least an hour on my stovetop with the gas range on the entire time.

By using pressure cooking in the Instant Pot, foods cook much faster, so I’m saving energy in the long run. My electric and gas bills have decreased noticeably since I started cooking foods in my Instant Pot.

This would also be a great alternative for camping and RV trips, where you might have a generator and need to conserve energy.

The Learning Curve

WARNING: You’re going to have to go through the manual with this machine. It’s just something you can’t avoid…

While the Instant Pot is, overall, easy to operate, it does have a bit of a learning curve. When I first took mine out of the box, it spent several days sitting on my counter while I stared it down.

Where you might be able to take a blender or a microwave out of the box and start to use it, the Instant Pot has a slight learning curve. It’s a necessary evil to really work your way through the instruction manual and get a sense of how the Instant Pot works. Once you understand the baseline functions, the Instant Pot is super easy to use.

In addition to the manual that comes with the Instant Pot, I’ve found YouTube to be an invaluable resource for learning to operate the appliance. While reading the resources that came with the appliance was helpful, I learned the most about my Instant Pot by following directions for basic recipes and making my own tweaks.

The video below is quick start guide from the company itself…

Favorite Instant Pot Recipes

The Staples

For vegans, the true power of the Instant Pot comes in making plant-based staples in no time at all. I always knew cooking beans from dry was considerably cheaper than canned, but it was the process of making beans from scratch that kept me shelling out for the canned stuff.

The first step of cooking beans in the traditional stovetop style? Soak them yesterday. Well, that doesn’t help me much if I want to eat beans today!

My Instant Pot takes cooking time-consuming staples like dry beans and potatoes from multi-hour (or multi-day) affairs to about an hour from start to finish. That’s even quick enough for a weeknight dinner!

Here are my tried-and-true methods for my diet staples:

1. Cooked Chickpeas

1. Look your chickpeas over and take out any small rocks or stones (sometimes they make it in there!)
2. Add 1 cup dry chickpeas and 2 ¼ cups water to the Instant Pot
3. Place the lid on, turn the knob to “sealing”
4. Press the “Manual” button and use the + key to set the time to 40 minutes
5. After the chickpeas cook, allow the pressure to release naturally
6. Store in the fridge and use in your favorite recipes

2. Baked Potatoes

1. Add 1 cup water to the Instant Pot
2. Place the steamer rack in the Instant Pot. Place up to 5 pounds of potatoes on the rack – you can use chopped or whole, but make sure they are roughly the same size
3. Close lid and turn the knob to “sealing”
4. Click the “Manual” button and use the – key to reduce the time to 10 minutes
5. When potatoes are finished cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally
6. Eat as is, or use in your favorite mashed potato recipe. If you want a crispy skin, bake in the oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes

3. Brown Rice

1. Add 2 cup of brown rice and 2 ½ cups water to the Instant Pot
2. Close the lid and turn the knob to “sealing”
3. Use the – key to reduce time to 22 minutes cooking time
4. When the cooking cycle finishes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then twist the knob to “venting” (watch your hands!). Eat warm from the pot or store in the fridge

Best Meals in the Instant Pot

In addition to cooking the basics like beans, potatoes, and rice, I like making big-batch meals in my Instant Pot. I’ve tried lots of recipes, but these are my top three – I come back to these time and time again, especially for meal preps.

1. High Carb Hannah’s Enchilada Bean & Corn Chili

I love love love HCH’s chili! It’s delicious, oil-free, and doesn’t use any special or hard-to-find ingredients. This is my go-to meal for my weekend meal preps – it’s super cheap, so my husband and I eat lunch all week for just a few dollars. This chili is fantastic with rice or over romaine lettuce.

High Carb Hannah has a great cookbook out there for vegans looking to harness the power of the Instant Pot. You can pick up Epic Vegan Instant Pot cooking at No products found..

2. Jill McKeever’s Teriyaki Chickpeas

Aside from being a totally hilarious host, Jill McKeever has a collection of delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based Instant Pot recipes. Her teriyaki chickpeas are a weeknight staple in my house!

I make a big batch of chickpeas in the Instant Pot over the weekend (see cooked chickpeas recipe above) to use in this recipe. During the week, I use the Instant Pot to make the sauce, then serve this tasty goodness with rice and steamed broccoli. A great alternative when you’re craving takeout!

3. McDougall Style Spicy Beans and Rice

There’s a reason rice and beans is such a staple food around the world – it’s easy, cheap, and provides a source of plant-based complete protein.

This recipe from Stimacsays is a perfect Instant Pot beginner recipe. It’s affordable and low-effort, not to mention versatile. I love this recipe for taco or burrito filling, over greens, or served with a side of vegan cornbread.

This is also a great option for people who need to eat lunch on the go, such as drivers or healthcare professionals. It’s delicious hot or cold!

WHAT I LIKE

✓ Saves Money Long Term

Ever the bargain hunter, I love that the Instant Pot ultimately saves us money on our grocery bills. The investment in the unit itself winds up saving us money on our dishes. This is perfect for any vegan on a budget.

When you buy convenience foods like canned beans and processed foods, you’re ultimately paying your hard-earned dollars for that convenience. Generally, buying dry goods in bulk is a great way to save money. Let’s look at a quick breakdown of canned vs. dry beans.

Canned beans: $1.19/2 cups cooked beansDry beans: $1.99/8 cups cooked beans​

From there, it’s easy to see the savings:

Canned beans: $0.60/cup cookedDry beans: $0.25/cup cooked

Ultimately, that’s a saving of $0.35 per cup of cooked beans. While it probably doesn’t sound like much, think about how much this adds up – especially for vegans, who tend to eat a lot of beans. For example, my average weekly chili uses a whole pound of beans in each batch. That’s 8 cups of beans, or a savings of $2.80 per week versus using canned beans.

If I make a pot of chili every week, that’s $145.60 saved every year – our Instant Pot pays for more than itself, just on our lunch chili alone!

This extends to many other dry goods, like using steel cut oats and brown rice instead of minute or parboiled rice. In addition to the nutrients, it’s cheaper and less wasteful than buying convenience foods.

✓ It’s Super Safe

The collection of safety mechanisms made me confident enough in the Instant Pot to buy it. I had never tried a traditional pressure cooker because of the horror stories I’d heard from user errors. Somehow, cooking beans from dry wasn’t worth blowing a hole through my kitchen ceiling.

Unless you’re going out of your way to make the Instant Pot dangerous, it’s virtually impossible to mess up. The locking lid and variety of other mechanisms in place make me 100% confident in the safety of this appliance. I feel comfortable leaving it on while I’m out of the house, and have never had an issue with the product.

I’m not generally a risk-taker (hence never using a traditional pressure cooker), and I felt the company put a lot of thought and research into making this product super safe.

✓ It’s Quick and Easy to Make Nutritious, Whole Foods

Probably my favorite thing about the Instant Pot is just how easy it is to make nutritious foods from dry ingredients in this thing.

In addition to cooking a lot faster than traditional oven or stovetop methods, I like that I don’t have to stand over the Instant Pot – the pre-programmed buttons mean I can set it up and do my own thing while the unit takes care of my food.

When I used to make rice on the stove, I had more than one occasion where it would boil over and make a huge mess, or I’d have inconsistent results – sometimes my brown rice came out gummy, other times it came out crunchy and undercooked.

I love that my Instant Pot is like an independent assistant in the kitchen – I can go off and do errands or chores around the house, and get consistent results every time I use it.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

× Strong Smells Tend to Linger

I make a weekly chili in my Instant Pot for us to eat for work lunches. However, despite cleaning the lid thoroughly after every use, my Instant Pot seems to always smell like chili.

I haven’t found that the flavor/smell transfers to dishes I cook in the Instant Pot, like rice or potatoes, but having the whole unit smell like chili when you’re trying to steam broccoli isn’t ideal. It more makes me wonder why than anything else. It’s possible that the silicone gasket hangs onto the smell, but I haven’t gotten to a point where I need to replace it.

If you’re sensitive to smells, you may notice this as well. However, it doesn’t affect the taste of food (at least not in my experience).

× Steamer Rack

While the unit comes with a steamer rack, I opted to buy my own after using the included model a few times.

While the Instant Pot’s steamer rack is great for foods like potatoes and beets, the slats are much too far apart for smaller pieces of food. When I try to steam broccoli, snow peas, or sliced carrots in the IP’s steamer rack, they fall through the cracks and come out waterlogged.

I find a foldable, flower-shaped steamer to be much better for steaming. It’s a cheap investment, but it can be frustrating not to be able to use the rack that comes included with the Instant Pot.

× Not so “Instant”

A lot of Instant Pot ads and reviews will talk about how unbelievably fast food cooks. Things like “rice in four minutes!” and “beans in half an hour!” are all over the internet.

While the Instant Pot cooks foods more quickly than traditional methods, these time estimates refer to the cooking time only. The Instant Pot needs time to build up the pressure, the amount of which is determined by the type and weight of the food. It also takes time after cooking to come down to normal pressure.

Depending on how dense and heavy your food is, the machine coming up to/coming down from pressure could add 10-20 minutes onto your cooking time. It’s much quicker (and easier) than alternate methods, but don’t expect the results to be…well, instantaneous.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the PSI of the Instant Pot?The IP has two pressure cooking modes, high and low. The high setting cooks at 10.2-11.6 PSI (70-80kPA) and the low setting cooks at 5.8-7.2 PSI (40-50kPA).
• There is some steam escaping from the pin. Will this affect my cooking?This is an entirely normal part of Instant Pot cooking. When you use the manual mode, the Instant Pot needs to come up to pressure. Once it’s ready, the lid will pop closed, and you won’t see any steam escaping until the cook cycle has finished.
• Can I use the Instant Pot for canning?While the Instant Pot is ideal for pressure cooking, it is not a pressure canner. The IP is not suitable to use as a canner, and foods you try to pressure can in it will not be safe for consumption. If you’re looking to pressure can your foods, you’ll need to purchase a separate pressure canner.
• Where is the Instant Pot made?The pot itself is manufactured in China. The company headquarters are located in Ottawa, Canada.
• How loud is the Instant Pot?The unit is extremely quiet, except when the timers go off at the beginning and end of cooking. The steam release also creates some noise, but not enough to bother neighbors in an apartment building. The cook cycles are almost entirely silent.

Instant Pot IP DUO60

Long Story Short

If I were stuck on a deserted island, I would take my Instant Pot and a way to generate electricity for it. From the long-term savings to the ease of use, I don’t think there is a single person who wouldn’t benefit from having this handy machine in their kitchen.

I think that vegans need to steal the Instant Pot from the pulled chicken/Paleo spotlight – the real power of this machine is its ability to cook plant-based foods that have traditionally long, labor-intensive cooking times.

With all the safety mechanisms in place, there’s no reason not to add this handy appliance to your kitchen collection.

Like me, you may even find that the Instant Pot starts to replace your other appliances and kitchen gadgets. My Instant Pot is my new best friend in the kitchen, and I hope yours is too!

The post Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 User Review appeared first on Urban Vegan.

Vegan subscription boxes have been a godsend for me as I explore the world of vegan personal products! Instead of standing in a drugstore aisle trying to decide between ten kinds of foundation, I have a curated box of cruelty-free goods sent right to my doorstep.

I was excited to give the Love Goodly box a try!

Not only is the company completely vegan and cruelty-free, but they’re also eco-friendly and committed to providing high quality, socially conscious products.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of Love Goodly’s business model is that it uses only full-size products in each shipment. It can be frustrating to get sample sizes of products in other subscription boxes, so I really liked that I got regular-size items to try in this shipment.

Overall, I thought the Love Goodly box was a great value, and I would definitely recommend it to my friends. It’s ideal for exploring good-for-you products, a treat for yourself, or a gift for a vegan friend or loved one.

Want to know more? Keep reading for the juicy details, and the contents of the April/May box!

​Love Goodly was nice enough to give our readers an exclusive coupon code. Just enter URBANVEGAN when you check out here, to save $5 off your first box.

Article NavigationAll About Your Love Goodly BoxWhat Came in The Box?Value of Combined ContentsWhat I LovedWhat Didn’t Wow MeThe Bottom Line: Is Love Goodly Worth It?

All About Your Love Goodly Box

While some people appreciate customization in a box, I liked how simple and streamlined the Love Goodly experience was.

The company offers one option when it comes to their subscription box. Each box costs $29.95, and is shipped bi-monthly to your doorstep – so you get a box for April/May, a box for June/July, etc. Each box contains 4-5 full-size vegan, cruelty-free, and non-GMO products.

Doing good doesn’t stop with just your purchase, either. 5% of the purchase price of the box is donated to support a cause. This allows you to impact change even after you shop.

So you’ve got the background of the box, now let’s get to the fun part – what’s inside!

What Came in The Box?

1. 100% Pure Mascara

I use traditional waterproof vegan mascara in my beauty regimen, but I’ve wanted to switch to a natural alternative for a long time. This mascara gets its color from antioxidant-rich black tea.

I was really happy with this mascara! It noticeably darkened and lengthened my lashes, but was gentle on my eyes. It lasted all day without flaking or smudging but was easy to remove at the end of the day.

I’m definitely going to add this mascara to my makeup bag!

2. Love Springs Eternal Youth Preservation Serum

Youth serums aren’t generally something I include in my beauty routine, so this product was entirely new territory for me. This serum uses plant botanicals and marine ingredients to keep skin supple.

I haven’t been using this product long enough to see any reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, or skin quality, but overall I like this product. It has an extremely light scent and dries quickly, so I’m not left with a sticky residue on my face.

If you like serums as part of your beauty routine, this is a good addition! But I’ll have to use this longer to decide whether or not it’s worth the full price. However, thanks to the full-size product in Love Goodly’s box, I’ll have a long time to decide!

3. Pure SOL Konjac Cleansing Sponge

I had never heard of a facial cleansing sponge before getting one in my Love Goodly box. This sponge uses activated charcoal to clear acne and rosacea from the skin while improving the overall skin quality.

After experiencing these through the box, I’ll be adding them to my beauty routine – the good news is that they’re reasonably priced so I can keep them in my routine.

After using the sponge, my skin felt noticeably softer, and there was definite brightness, as though the sponge had cleansed away the dead skin cells.

I thought this product was a good balance between gentle and exfoliating. It didn’t irritate or inflame the redness in my face, so it’s a good option for those with acne.

4. 100% Pure Bright Eyes Mask

This “mask” is really two masks – two little kidney bean shapes that go right under your eyes. This came in such fun packaging – I loved the brightly colored shapes in jelly-like packaging to keep them moist.

I used these first thing in the morning when my eyes were the puffiest. While I don’t generally suffer from dark circles, these really cut down on the puffy, red skin I get when I’m first getting out of bed.

While I saw a definite difference in my skin’s appearance, these masks need to be left on for 15-20 minutes. As you need to be laying down when you apply them, they’re not exactly a quick fix. However, they’re ideal for those rare opportunities you have to indulge yourself – and are fantastic for puffy skin.

Value of Combined Contents

• 100% Pure Black Tea Mascara: $25.00
• Love Springs Eternal Youth Preservation Serum: $75.00
• Pure SOL Konjac Cleansing Sponge: $9.00
• 100% Pure Bright Eyes: $7.00

Overall, the value of this month’s box came out to a whopping $116! Considering I only paid $24.95 for this box, this is an incredible value.

As a frugal shopper, I’d never shell out $25 on a mascara I had never tried – what if I didn’t like it? By getting it as part of the Love Goodly box, I was able to try it out. If I hated it, I was out less than half the retail price of the product, and if I wound up loving it, I could buy it at full price with confidence.

What I Loved

Overall, I really liked the Love Goodly box, but a handful of things stuck out to me as especially wonderful.

• Beautiful Packaging

The box has a luxurious feel from the moment you open it. From the choice of paper to the calligraphy, there is clearly no detail about the box that has not been considered. The whole thing feels very feminine and well-designed.

Additionally, the small addition of things like paper confetti makes this box feel like opening a gift when you get it. I appreciated the extra mile the company went to to make this subscription box feel more like a present than something I had ordered myself.

• Amazing Value

I still can’t get over how great of a deal this subscription box is. I got over a hundred dollars of goods for nearly a quarter of the price, which to me is what the power of group and subscription buying is all about.

Any person can put together a collection of products for a particular price, but getting items at a steep discount is something you can only get from a service like this.

The products from Love Goodly’s box were things I could never have gotten for the price of what I got in the box, and that made me feel like a subscription would be worth every penny – and then some!

• Quality of Products

I appreciate that all of Love Goodly’s products are certified vegan, cruelty-free, and made from safe, natural, non-GMO ingredients.

It’s one thing to treat yourself, but it’s an entirely another thing to have those treats be something good for you and your body.

I like that Love Goodly puts purpose right up there with profit – they make sure that people can make better choices about the ingredients that go in and on their bodies, and I love being able to support a company that sticks to their values.

What Didn’t Wow Me

These are two of the downsides to a Love Goodly subscription box, but honestly, they wouldn’t keep me from maintaining a subscription with the company. These are slight irks/things that could be better – not necessarily deal breakers.

• Sparsity of Shipments

Love Goodly boxes only ship once every other month. This means that you’re stuck waiting for a long time, and if you place your next order immediately after a shipment goes out, you’ll have to wait awhile before your next shipment arrives.

Having a monthly subscription box arriving each month can give you something to look forward to, so having to go two months in between each delivery can be frustrating for some people.

If having a box delivered each month is important to you, Love Goodly may not be the subscription service for you.

• Lack of Custimization

Love Goodly, as good an experience as it is, is a one-size-fits-all subscription service. No matter your personal preferences, you have to go with the regular box option – 4-6 products, once every other month.

Additionally, you don’t get to tell Love Goodly about the types of products you like. You might get a food item, some makeup, or a piece of jewelry – it varies from month to month.

If you have certain food allergies, or you don’t wear mascara, there’s no way to let Love Goodly know. There’s a chance you’ll be shipped an item that you can’t use, or don’t like.

The Bottom Line: Is Love Goodly Worth It?

Even with these small cons, I believe a Love Goodly subscription is worth every penny. The ability to try natural, vegan-friendly products at a steep discount is well-worth the subscription fee.

I also found the products to be high-quality and well-curated. I would consider extending my own subscription to this service, or gifting a box or two to a friend or loved one.

Trying to transition your makeup and personal products to vegan-friendly alternatives, but don’t know where to start? Consider treating yourself to a Love Goodly box so you can try discounted products before dropping a lot of cash.

​Remember​ that Love Goodly has provided our awesome readers with an exclusive coupon code. Just enter URBANVEGAN when you check out here, to save $5 off your first box.

The post Love Goodly Subscription Box Review appeared first on Urban Vegan.

But a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be limited to those with unlimited budgets. It’s possible, easy, and convenient to stock your pantry and cleaning closet for less money and time.

How to do it? Enter Thrive Market.

THRIVE SPECIAL: Get 25% off your first order, plus a 30-day trial and free shipping!

Review Navigation2 MAJOR CONCERNS WITH THRIVEWHAT IS THRIVE MARKET?THRIVE’S SOCIAL MISSIONTHE MEMBERSHIPPRODUCTSSELECTIONABILITY TO EXPLORETHRIVE MARKET HIGHLIGHTS✓ The Savings!✓ Free Shipping Over $49✓ Worry-free Return PolicyTHRIVE MARKET DOWNSIDES× Search Filters× Savings Depend on Where You Shop× Delivery Time× Membership Fee WoesTHE VERDICT

2 MAJOR CONCERNS WITH THRIVE

Before we get into the meat of the review, I felt it was important to go over the major concerns most negative reviewers are having with Thrive.

1. ​I didn’t know there was a membership fee
2. I had a hard time cancelling​

It seems that in some of Thrive’s marketing they are offering up a freebie and a 30-day trial without making the membership auto-charge bold and clear.  

This is unfortunate, to say the least.

I can’t speak to ​their marketing because I haven’t had a bad experience with the auto-charge – I knew what I was getting into.

That said, throughout this review, you will see the membership mentioned many times, and I try to make it as obvious as possible.

I’ll also talk about the cancellation process and the best way to go about it. It is possible to cancel without any problems, it’s just not as easy as it should be, which is why I’ve included it as part of the “Downsides” of Thrive Market (see below).

Most people judge Thrive on these 2 points alone (fair enough), but this review is going to give you insight into the entire experience, which for me, has been good.

So, if you are reading this and you already have a bad taste in your mouth, I wouldn’t even continue reading as Thrive isn’t going to be for you.

But if you are aware of these 2 points before going into you’re free trial, you’re experience will be good, even if you choose to cancel your membership before the trial ends.

Let’s continue…

WHAT IS THRIVE MARKET?

Imagine a blend of Costco and Whole Foods – a retailer that offers healthy, Earth-friendly foods at affordable prices.

One of the biggest complaints about going plant-based is that, at first glance, it can get expensive! Between supplements, vegan alternatives, and organic and non-toxic foods and goods, your grocery bill can take a hit if you don’t know where to look.

Thrive Market is an online retailer that offers members natural, organic, non-GMO, and non-toxic goods at wholesale prices. The company uses a membership-style setup to provide customers with access to an expansive product selection that’s easily searchable by category and dietary need.

I love Thrive for its vegan selection, but it’s also a resource for people who are Paleo, raw, gluten-free or looking to make better choices for their baby.

THRIVE’S SOCIAL MISSION

In addition to always providing non-GMO, fair-trade products whenever possible, the company also employs a “Thrive Gives” social mission.

For each Thrive Market membership purchased, the company provides one membership to a low-income family, teacher, veteran, or student. Thrive also provides educational content and grocery stipends to Give members.

This benefit is crucial – every year, 80 percent of low-income families opt for food they know isn’t healthy to make ends meet. Similarly, approx. 20-30 million Americans live in “food deserts”, which are low-income neighborhoods that lack access to healthy foods.

This contributes to a variety of illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and more. These conditions ultimately cost hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare costs and compromises the quality of life for those suffering from those illnesses.

Since you’re already doing your grocery shopping, it’s great to be able to give back to the community with no added cost or effort from you. The more people who have access to healthy food, the more our society benefits and grows!

THE MEMBERSHIP

To make purchases from Thrive Market, members pay a yearly membership fee of $59.95. This breaks down to about the cost of one fancy Starbucks latte per month – a little under five dollars. I find that I make the cost back in savings in 2-3 orders.  I generally place an order about once a month, so it’s well worth it for me.

Plus, each membership comes with a free 30-day trial period that begins with the first order, so you can cancel if you don’t love the service.

Thrive’s brand partners extend a 25-50% discount on all products to the company. The membership fee allows Thrive to pass those savings on to the customer, offer the product selection at wholesale prices, and donate a free membership to Americans in need.

PRODUCTS

Simply put, Thrive Market is a vegan paradise. Not only do they offer a wide array of vegan-friendly, non-GMO products, but it’s also super easy to navigate their website.

By using the “Shop Values” option, your search is immediately restricted to vegan products. There’s also the option to search by “raw,” but take care when using this option – the “raw” section includes products like honey.

SELECTION

I’ve always been impressed by Thrive’s product selection. Every vegan knows how exciting it is to see a whole menu or shop section where we can eat or use absolutely everything!

Thrive’s vegan section is no exception. The vegan section has 30 large pages of options (60 products per page), and offers everything from pantry staples to vitamins and supplements to plant-based protein powders.

I live in a major metropolitan city, but I grew up in a very rural area with limited options for plant-based eaters. I could see Thrive being an important resource for people whose local grocery stores don’t carry Earth Balance vegan cheddar popcorn, nutritional yeast, etc.

ABILITY TO EXPLORE

In addition to the volume of products is the variety. Having lived a plant-based lifestyle for nearly a decade, I consider myself well-versed in healthy, vegan-friendly products.

However, when I browse through Thrive’s selection, there are products here that I’ve never seen in a store, or even heard of. In addition to the products I know and love, Thrive Market offers things like plant-based collagen support capsules, black elderberry syrup, and avocado oil.

THRIVE MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

✓ The Savings!

I’ll be totally upfront with you: I’m a dedicated Amazon shopper. I’ve had Amazon Prime for nearly a decade, and there’s rarely a week that goes by where I’m not getting at least one Amazon box on my doorstep.

However, I also love knowing that I am getting quality, healthy products at the best price possible. I know vegan-friendly, feel-good items are worth the investment, but why not get the most affordable option? In many cases, Thrive Market provides a comparable, if not better, price than Amazon and brick-and-mortar stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

Here are some examples of how a few products stack up:

*prices are as of date article was written – subject to change over time

Naturally, this differs from product to product. In some cases, generally where Amazon provides a bulk buying option, Prime does win out.

The only real way to calculate your savings is to research the products your family uses most on both sites. I find that Thrive is a fantastic option for “specialty” products, which are often marked up, as well as vegan-friendly beauty products.

Want to see even bigger savings? Compare Thrive Market’s prices to your local Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or health food store. I see the biggest savings when I compare Thrive to these stores.

It’s also important to factor in the amount you’ll save on hidden costs of grocery shopping. Ordering from an online retailer like Thrive can result in savings that go beyond the sticker price of the item.

Buying through Thrive means you’re not filling up your car with gas, or adding to the wear-and-tear of the vehicle. It means you don’t have to drag the kids to the grocery store on a beautiful Saturday, which can result in impulse purchases.

Don’t forget to keep these costs in mind when you’re comparing prices – while they don’t show up on your receipt, they’re ultimately areas that can help save you money!

✓ Free Shipping Over $49

Smaller, cheaper Thrive Market orders (less than $49) are subject to a $5.00 shipping fee. However, you can save on this fee by placing a larger order on Thrive. Orders over $49 ship for free anywhere in the United States.

Of course, reaching that free shipping minimum doesn’t have to mean filling your cart with impulse buys and chocolate bars (though it certainly can, if you want!). The most cost-effective strategy would be to do more infrequent orders while amping up the volume of products purchased.

My rule of thumb is that I always buy multiples of items I frequently use that happen to store well. This includes dry goods like grains, vinegar, and canned goods, as well as home and beauty products.

In my house, we use a lot of castile soap – it’s great for everything from homemade shampoo to non-toxic laundry detergent. Whenever I buy it, I always buy as many as I have room for. That way, It’s easy for me to make the free shipping minimum, and I get the added benefit of being fully stocked, so I don’t have to worry about running out.

✓ Worry-free Return Policy

One question always made me hesitant about online shopping – what happens if I don’t like the product?

In many cases, an online company’s return policy might be lackluster at best – leaving you with a full jar (not to mention out the cost) of a product you don’t like.

Thankfully, Thrive customers won’t suffer this dilemma. Thanks to the company’s “happiness guarantee”, customers can return any product, for any reason, for a full refund. I love this, because it allows me to explore and try new products without worry. I know if I don’t love it, I can send it back.

Of course, this policy has some limitations. Perishable items, intimate and sanitary goods, personal care items, digital downloads, gift cards, and final sale items are not eligible for this return policy.

If you have questions about whether or not the product you’re interested in qualifies for a return, you can contact Thrive’s customer service team before purchasing. There’s a whole team there dedicated to answering your questions and making sure you’re satisfied with your purchase.

THRIVE MARKET DOWNSIDES

× Search Filters

I appreciate that Thrive’s website is easy to navigate, especially regarding dietary restrictions and food allergies. The only minor complaint I have is that they make it difficult to “mix and match” dietary restrictions.

For example, I can look for products that are “vegan” and then filter for “gluten-free”, but all other Diet options will disappear. So if I also wanted to filter out “soy-free”, that option would not be available to me.

As many people live a blend of the searchable lifestyles in Thrive’s website, I’d like to see the ability to check off multiple options to better tailor my search results.

× Savings Depend on Where You Shop

Thrive Market has the potential to save you a lot of money – especially if you do the bulk of your grocery shopping in higher-end stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

However, if you do most of your grocery shopping at Aldi, or you shop the ads of your local grocery store, you may not see the same amazing savings as someone who shops at Whole Paycheck…er, Foods.

Like any grocery store, Thrive Market offers some great deals, but it isn’t the lowest price for every option. To really get your money’s worth, you’re going to need to do some research.

Of course, researching and comparing prices takes time and effort – two things which are precious, and hard to come by in a busy lifestyle. With limited free time, you need to decide if saving a few dollars on groceries is worth it to you. As someone who is motivated mostly by price (and who also gets a sick enjoyment out of this kind of thing), I find it totally worth it.

However, if the thought of comparison shopping makes your stomach turn, you may not find the bargains as incredible.

× Delivery Time

After nearly a decade of Amazon Prime membership, it’s certainly possible that I’ve been spoiled by two-day shipping. There’s something gratifying about knowing a product will arrive on my doorstep less than 48 hours after placing the order.

Currently, Thrive does not offer any expedited shipping. You can expect to receive your order within about a week, but your actual wait time may vary based on your location, weather, etc.

While a week is a perfectly reasonable amount of time to wait for goods to be shipped across the country, many of us have become accustomed to super-fast shipping thanks to Amazon, or are used to simply picking up our items at the grocery store and bringing it home same-day.

Ultimately, this comes down to your priorities. With Thrive, you have the potential to save a lot on a variety of hard-to-find, vegan-friendly items. However, what you save in cost, you pay for in time spent waiting. How tough of a con the waiting will be will depend on your priorities, and how much time you’re willing to sacrifice in exchange for monetary savings.

× Membership Fee Woes

With the rise of subscription- and membership-based services, this seems to be a common problem. Some users report that it is really, really difficult to get your membership with Thrive Market canceled.

Other online reviews paint a pretty negative picture of Thrive, and this is mostly due to issues with the membership fees.

Of course, since you’ve read through this review, you know that to place an order, you’ll be charged a membership fee. However, some reviewers were misled by the “free trial month”, and were upset when they were eventually charged the fee.

It’s also important to note that your Thrive Market membership will automatically renew each year if you don’t cancel it. This means that if you stop ordering from Thrive, but you forget to update your membership preferences, you’ll be charged another $60 membership fee the following year.

To cancel your membership, you need to call into the company – there isn’t an easy way to do this online. For millennials like myself, the thought of having to talk on the phone to a customer service rep to cancel my service is pretty baffling – I’d much rather send an email or submit a ticket. Additionally, sitting on hold on the phone takes up precious time, which is frustrating.

As with any subscription or membership service, be sure to read the fine print carefully, and make sure you know what you’re signing up for when you opt to take advantage of any promotional offers. Remember that companies don’t give things away for “free” for no reason.

Once you’re signed up, be diligent about canceling your membership when/if you no longer want to purchase, to avoid unwanted charges and headaches in the future.

If you’re hesitant, consider putting your Thrive membership on a pre-paid gift card. That way, there’s no risk of having your account erroneously charged after you cancel your membership.

THE VERDICT

I would absolutely recommend Thrive Market to my vegan friends, as well as anyone with dietary restrictions, or who is just looking to make more eco- and health-conscious purchases.

I find the selection alone worthy of the membership fee. In addition to an easy-to-navigate website, Thrive offers products that I simply can’t get in my local Whole Foods or health food store – and I live in a major U.S. city.

If you’re willing to put some time and effort in, you can really stretch your dollar by finding the grocery products and pantry staples on Thrive that are cheaper than Amazon or your local grocery store. This provides people with the ability to eat healthy, natural, and organic foods on a limited budget.

With a free 30-day trial built right into your membership, you can try Thrive risk-free. If you don’t love the service, or it doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel your membership.

However, I think you’ll be impressed by the vast selection of products, attention to dietary needs, and ease of use enough to make it a staple part of your grocery buying routine. Happy health food hunting!

THRIVE SPECIAL: Get 25% off your first order, plus a 30-day trial and free shipping!

The post Thrive Market Review: Think Costco Meets Whole Foods appeared first on Urban Vegan.

Also, these bars are unprocessed, uncooked and never baked. They are as close to their natural state as possible.

But us food junkies want something a bit more than just “It’s healthy and good for you”.

We also want it to taste good!

So how do these Larabars stack up?

After spending hours (nerd alert!) researching and trying these food bars, I’ve put together what I consider to be an honest and in-depth review that should help you decide whether or not these bars are for you.

The only downside is I was only able to try 9 flavors from their massive selection. Even still, I was able to get more than enough information to help me (and you) make a decision.

Let’s do this!

Review NavigationQUALITY STANDARDSINGREDIENTSPACKAGINGBAR SIZETEXTUREVARIETYTASTE & FLAVORApple PieBlueberry MuffinCashew CookieChocolate Chip BrownieChocolate Chip Cookie DoughChocolate Coconut ChewCoconut Cream PiePeanut Butter Chocolate ChipPeanut Butter CookieWHAT I LIKEDWHAT I DIDN’T LIKEBOTTOM LINE

QUALITY STANDARDS

Larabar’s ethics run deep and as you’ll see it’s no surprise why I would grant such a high rating for their quality standards.

When you purchase from Larabar, here’s what you are supporting…

• Vegan – Larabar Fruit & Nut Bars are made entirely from plant-based foods. They’ve also had their supplier switch to chocolate chips that are vegan-friendly.
• Non-GMO – Upholding the same beliefs since the start, Larabar continues using only non-GMO ingredients.
• Fair-Trade – The cocoa and coffee beans used in their products are sourced from farmers who are Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.
• TerraCycle – Each Larabar wrapper can be recycled and upcycled, eliminating the previous environmental strain of individual packaging waste.
• Kosher – All Bars products are certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union (symbolized by the “U” within a circle), including bars with the new dairy free chocolate chips.
• Dairy-Free – Made entirely from plant-based foods.
• Soy-Free – All bars are not made with soy or soy derivatives.
• Gluten-Free – Larabar has manufacturing controls set in place to assure there are no cross-contact concerns, which is periodically tested using Gliadin gluten testing.
• No sugar added – The natural sweetness of dates is where the “sugar” comes from. The only bars that contain additional sugar are the chocolate chip varieties, which contain cane sugar.
• No artificial ingredients
• No preservatives, fillers, or colorings

INGREDIENTS

What’s not to love?

The thing that makes Larabar so special is that they only use a handful of ingredients to keep the bars as close to their natural state as possible. At most you’ll find 9 ingredients with the cashew flavor having the least – only 2!

No additional vitamins, minerals or preservatives are added to the bars, which means what you read on the nutrition panel is a result of the quality natural ingredients – nothing more.

Once the ingredients are compiled, they are ground and mixed. Everything is unprocessed and never cooked or baked.

Every bar is going to be different but here’s a list of every ingredient. Keep in mind each bar will only use just a few of the ones listed below:

​Allspice, Almonds, Blueberry Juice Concentrate, Carrots, Cashew, Cashews, Chocolate Chips, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Dates, Dried Lemon Juice Concentrate, Dried Lime Juice Concentrate, Dried Pineapple, Dried Pumpkin, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Fair Trade Certified Coffee, Ginger, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lemon Oil, Lime Juice Concentrate, Nutmeg, Peanuts, Pecans, Peppermint Oil, Raisins, Sea Salt, Semisweet Chocolate Chips, Unsweetened Apples, Unsweetened Bananas, Unsweetened Blueberries, Unsweetened Cherries, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened Coconut, Vanilla Extract, Walnuts.

Shocking! All the ingredients are easy to pronounce, familiar, straightforward and natural – the way it should be!

PACKAGING

Generally speaking, product packaging goes unnoticed in the world of food and snacks. But when you’re food bar is all natural and unprocessed, shelf life is a top priority.

Larabar can achieve a 9-month shelf like with the use of multi-layer packaging. This multi-layer packaging keeps out UV light and is essential to maintain the freshness of the bars without having to introduce preservatives.

Regarding the individually packaged bars, I felt the wrapper was very solid and sealed up nicely. But when it came time to open the bars up, I didn’t have to struggle.

The other thing I liked about the packaging is that when it was opened up, the bar didn’t stick to the inside like other products (I’m sure you’ve probably experienced that before).Overall, my bars came tasting fresh and were seal perfectly.

BAR SIZE

The bars that I got came in around 1 3/8″ x 3 1/4″.

TEXTURE

To get a general idea of the texture, take a look at the short video below.

Apologies in advance: As I move closer to the camera, it starts to unfocus.  But I still think it gives a great visualization of the bars’ texture so I decided to keep it in this review.

On the whole, all the bars had a soft, chewy, yet solid texture to them with bits and pieces of nuts throughout. Once placed in the mouth they had a bit of “melts in your mouth” vibe going on, which I liked quite a bit.

But even though the bars were soft, I noticed that the fruity flavored bars (apple, blueberry) had more of a gummy texture and would bend quite a bit before breaking in half. I’m not saying this is a good or bad thing; I think it’s just the nature of adding more fruits to the bar.

Overall I’m quite satisfied with how the texture felt in my hands and my mouth.  I much prefer this type texture to hard and brittle like other bars in this category.

VARIETY

Regarding variety, Larabar has done a great job in appealing to as many different palates as possible. A total of 23 varieties can be had in the US and 10 in Canada.

By appealing to more taste buds, I think a greater number people will be able to enjoy the Larabar experience – which is awesome!

You know what they say: “Different strokes for different folks.”

​Personally, I’m more into the chocolate flavors and less into the fruity flavors, but I can also see how someone could love the fruit flavors more.

There’s literally something for everyone here.

TASTE & FLAVOR

Keeping in mind that taste and flavor are very subjective, I’ve given my thoughts on what each bar tasted like to me. I’ve also included my taste rating (out of 5 stars) along with images so you can get a better idea of what each bar looks like when opened.

Apple Pie

Our Rating: ✭✭✩✩✩

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

​​Every time I see the word “Apple” attached to a product I always assume artificial and not good. That’s because every “Apple” product in the grocery store is artificial and not good.

This bar definitely didn’t fit that category as it wasn’t terrible, but something felt off to me.

I’m a fan of apple pie, and this bar just didn’t have that vibe, to be honest. You could taste a hint of apple pie because of the apple and cinnamon ingredients, but everything else inside took away from that.

I also felt that the cinnamon was overpowering the apple slightly, but if you’re into that you might actually like this one.

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Apples, Walnuts, Raisins, Cinnamon

Check Price on Amazon

Blueberry Muffin

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✩✩

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

To be honest, I didn’t hate it or love it.

The funny thing is that I love fruits, but I just don’t seem to like them when they are mixed and turned into things like muffins and fruit bars. I guess I am a little biased in that regard.​

That aside, the overall taste was fine and if you’re into fruity things, you’ll probably like this. If you’re more of a chocolate person (like me), this might not be your cup of tea.

It also left an aftertaste, which I didn’t like.

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Cashews, Unsweetened Blueberries, Blueberry Juice Concentrate, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Vanilla Extract

Check Price on Amazon

Cashew Cookie

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✩

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

This one actually surprised me.

Because of the limited ingredients I was expecting it to just be – meh.

Not that there was a big flavor burst in my mouth or anything, it just didn’t hit me in the face like some of the others. It had a more laid back flavor, which I’m cool with.

My only criticism is that there should be more cashew in these things and less dates. I get that the dates are needed to hold the thing together, but when I see “cashew” on the label I sort of want to taste more of that.

INGREDIENTS: Cashews, Dates

Check Price on Amazon

Chocolate Chip Brownie

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

Hot damn, this one’s good!

What can I say? I’m a sucker for chocolate.

Overall, I quite liked that this one was less chewy than the others but still soft enough where it felt close to a brownie-like texture.

Not much negative to say here – These things are delish!

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Chocolate Chips, Almonds, Walnuts, Cocoa Powder, Sea Salt

Check Price on Amazon

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

Again, chocolate. I’m biased (hangs head in shame).

I think they came pretty close to achieving the cookie dough texture with this one – close enough for me anyway. Of course, it’s going to be firmer (because BAR), but once it’s in your mouth, it’s heavenly.

I also like that the chocolate flavor in this bar really overpowers the other ingredients, which is not the case for some of their other bars.

It’s sweet enough and has a nice satisfying effect. I could see myself grabbing one of these for a breakfast substitute when I’m in a rush or as an afternoon snack.

INGREDIENTS: Cashews, Dates, Chocolate Chips, Sea Salt

Check Price on Amazon

Chocolate Coconut Chew

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✩

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

I love coconut especially when it’s mixed with chocolate. I was hoping this bar would stack up, but to me, it’s missing that coconut texture and flavor I love.

That said, I don’t hate the taste, on the contrary, I quite like it. I reminds me of a rich chocolate fudge brownie mixed with walnuts.

I’d say that the walnuts and chocolate were the two flavors I could taste the most. Again, not bad, just not expected based on the name of the bar.

Overall, I gave this a 4/5 because I couldn’t really taste the coconut but I still think it’s a bar worth trying – especially if you like fudge and brownie.

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened Coconut

Check Price on Amazon

Coconut Cream Pie

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

Oh my, I’m in heaven. THIS IS WHERE THE COCONUT WAS HIDING.

After a disappointing coconut experience with the Chocolate Coconut Chew, this was pure coconut bliss.

If you love the flavor of coconut but also like to fell the coconut flakes and “grainy” texture than I’m sure you’re going to love this one. Hands down, this is my favorite of the bunch.

5/5 – Bravo!

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Unsweetened Coconut, Almonds, Cashews, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Check Price on Amazon

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Oh wow, it seems to me as if the bars are getting better as I’m getting through them all. This was another 5/5 for me because of, you guessed it, chocolate. Now add peanut butter to that, and it’s over.

You can really taste the chocolate chips in this one, which I like. That’s one thing I noticed in the other chocolate chip varieties – I couldn’t taste the chocolate chips, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Of all the bars I’ve tried, this one felt like the biggest guilty pleasure because the dates are almost invisible to my palate. It definitely tastes like something unhealthy and indulgent. Great job!

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips, Sea Salt

Check Price on Amazon

Peanut Butter Cookie

Our Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Canadian version shown in picture but is the exact same as US Version

I like the way the flavor hits my taste buds. Not too sweet but not too bland – it’s a great balance.

To me​, this is a subdued version of the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor, which was sweeter because of the chocolate chips. I like that there are two different peanut butter flavors I can go to based on my mood or craving.

Does it taste EXACTLY like a peanut butter cookie? Well no, but golly it’s close enough for me. To be honest, I like that the peanut butter flavor is not so strong – It’s like a milder version of the original cookie you know and love. Also the texture is a bit chewier than you’d expect from a cookie. But hey these are “flavors” and not replicas.

INGREDIENTS: Dates, Peanuts, Sea Salt

Check Price on Amazon

WHAT I LIKED

✓ The Ingredients!

​I love the fact that Larabar uses on only a handful of all natural ingredients to keep the bars as close to their natural state as possible. This means more nutrients and fewer preservatives and additives – Yay!

✓ Natural Sugars

Admittedly I could have placed this one in the “Ingredients” point, but I felt it deserved to stand on its own. I love the fact that the sugar is from that natural state of the ingredients and nothing more. The only added sugar comes in a couple of varieties with chocolate chips, which contain cane sugar. But that isn’t a bother to me.

✓ Ethics and Quality Standards

In today’s day an age with companies wreaking havoc on the environment, the introduction of GMOs, and the cruelty to animals, it makes it easy to support companies like Larabar whose ethics run deep. I understand that business is business and people need to make money, but why can’t they make money and still maintain a moral compass? Well, Larabar does just that.

Larabar is also mindful of sensitivities which is why their bars are also gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free.​

✓ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip & Coconut Cream Pie

Hands down, these are my two favorite flavors. Based on everything that I’ve tried and the reading other peoples opinions, I’m confident that I’d be making a good solid decision by purchasing more of these two flavors.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

× Shipments

Some Amazon reviewers noted that the package came with fewer bars than written on the box as well as the bars being past their ‘best before’ date. I didn’t experience these issues myself, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

× Size

This may be trivial to some people, but I felt the size of the bars were quite small. For some people, it may be just enough to get over the hump between meals, but I found myself wanting to reach for another.

On the flip side, their compact size makes them easier to keep in your pocket, purse or glove box, when you’re on the run.

× Greasy Fingers

When eating these bars, my fingers got really greasy. To the point of not being able to touch anything afterward. Though I’m not a fan of greasy fingers, I think this is just something that comes with the territory and certainly not a deal breaker for me.

The easiest way to curb this is to keep the bar in the wrapper and use that as a barrier between your fingers and the bar.

× Dates, Dates, and More Dates

I get that the dates are a critical part of the formula, they bind together all the ingredients, and they provide the natural sugars for the bar. But for some of the flavors, I felt like it was a bit much. Don’t get me wrong; I like dates. I just wish there was a way to reduce the flavor of the dates while still maintaining the sweet flavor.

BOTTOM LINE

If you’re looking for a healthy snack to tie you over between meals, and one you can feel good about eating, then this a great option for you. If you’re looking for something that’s more of a meal replacement, this might not be ideal as it is on the smaller side. Though, eating 2-3 might suffice as a good meal replacement.

On the flip side, because these bars are smaller they make great companions to carry with you while you’re on the run. Sometimes a quick fix is all you need, and these little guys do come in handy without invading your space.

Purchase Your Larabar on Amazon

The post An In-depth Larabar Review – Are They Worth a Purchase? appeared first on Urban Vegan.

This month, I decided to give Urthbox a try.

Urthbox is a healthy food subscription service. Like many other boxes, it contains snacks, beverages, and other goodies, but Urthbox stands out from the crowd by focusing on healthy, organic, and non-GMO products.

While the company isn’t exclusively vegan, subscribers can choose to receive the “vegan” box when making their purchase.

In addition to your dietary preference, you’ll be able to make a few other choices when ordering your box. This helps you get a package that’s tailored to your needs and preferences.

Article NavigationUrthBox Coupon CodeOptions: Variety is the spice of lifeHow does Urthbox work?What Came inside the UrthBox?Value of Combined ContentsWhat I LovedWhat Didn’t Wow MeThe Bottom Line

UrthBox Coupon Code

​Like other subscription services, Urthbox has some incentives in order to get potential customers to try out their service.  We love deals here, so Urthbox hooked up the UV readers with a nice little discount. 

For a Limited time, you can get $10 off your first month.  No coupon code needed​, just click this link to visit Urthbox and you’re discount will automatically be applied when you checkout – good to go!

Options: Variety is the spice of life

✓ Worry-free Return Policy

Subscribers can choose from four options: classic, gluten-free, vegan, or diet.

Unfortunately, you can’t blend box types, so you can’t get a box that’s vegan and gluten-free, or gluten-free and diet.

✓ Size & frequency

You can choose the size and frequency of your box based on your budget and snacking needs. Here’s the breakdown of the possible combinations, and what they mean for your wallet:

How does Urthbox work?

The ordering process is easy! All new orders placed before the end of the month are shipped in the middle of the next month. So, my order at the end of February arrived toward the end of March.

Urthbox takes all the effort out of compiling the snacks – you just designate which box you want in what size, and hang tight until it’s delivered.

I also used a coupon code, which allowed me to shave some $$ off my first box.  I still would have paid full price to try the subscription, but I’ll take a discount any day of the week.  

Like I mentioned above if you click this link to visit Urthbox, your $10 discount will be applied to your first order automatically (no coupon code need) – Score!

*Important* note about auto-renewals…

It’s important to note that, unless specified otherwise, all subscriptions will automatically renew on the first of the month.

If you don’t want to be automatically billed each month, make sure you email the company at support@urthbox.com before your next billing cycle. For example, if you are on the month-to-month plan and do not want a June box, you must email your cancellation request before June 1st.

Urthbox can’t accept returned boxes, and won’t provide refunds for requests that come in after the first date or mid-subscription.

This auto renewal process has been a hot button topic for some other subscribers who have posted their negative experiences online. Personally, I haven’t had any issues with the auto renewals but felt it was an important thing to mention.

What Came inside the UrthBox?

1. Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Cups

These snacks were my hands-down favorite of the whole box. They reminded me of Reese’s peanut butter cups, but updated (and veganized!) for adults.

These had a really light, delightful coconut flavor and a great peanut punch. The peanut butter filling was a little crumbly, but that didn’t really bother me. I liked the ratio of filling to dark chocolate coating, too.

These were delicious. I want to buy these in giant bags!

2. Jake’s Vitamin Candy, Mango Flavor

I was not a fan of these vegan candies. The one upside to them is that they have a good nutritional profile. They contain lots of vitamins vegans need, including the all-important B12.

However, these have an extremely sour taste that is overwhelmingly artificial. They reminded me of the chewable citrus vitamins I used to eat as a kid – and not in a good way.

The first ingredient in these candies is sorbitol, which is probably responsible for the strong aftertaste. However, if you’re diabetic or avoiding sugar, these are a good way to get a vitamin boost.

3. Protein Hunger Control, Chocolate Smoothie (FAIL!!!!)

When I first saw this in the box, I knew from the packaging that it wasn’t vegan (or part of the “healthy, natural” vibe Urthbox seems to be going for). A quick look at the ingredient list confirmed – the second ingredient behind filtered water was whey protein isolate, a milk product.

Even worse, the expiration date on this thing was September 2015 – a year and a half ago! It was a double-whammy that I couldn’t even give this to a non-vegan friend to enjoy – it had to go straight into the garbage.

It was really disappointing to receive this product.

I mentioned this to their customer service and they were very apologetic and helpful, which was actually nice to see. I talk more about this and their customer service below.

4. Everything Bagel Chips

These bagel chips had a great texture! I really enjoyed them with hummus – they are sturdy and super crunchy. I didn’t have any breakage issues when dunking my chips into the hummus. The chips are also on the small size – about the size of a quarter – so they weren’t overwhelming or tough to chew.

My only complaint about these was the flavor. As a lover of everything bagels, I would have liked for the flavor to be a little more assertive. Eaten on their own, these were a little plain. However, I’d totally buy these again as a vehicle for hummus or salsa.

5. Alo Light

I always liked aloe drinks, but I hated that they were always so high in sugar. Alo Light has only 60 calories per 16-ounce bottle, with 7g of sugar. I could see myself enjoying this beverage on a hot day – I bet it’s really refreshing in the summer!

It has a nicely balanced flavor of cucumber and melon, but if you’re sensitive to stevia, you might find the aftertaste hard to deal with.

This drink also contains pulp! I happen to really enjoy the aloe jelly – I even wish this had a little more pulp.

6. Nature’s Joy Almonds

Look, I like almonds as much as the next vegan, but I feel like including these in the box was a bit of a cop-out. I feel like box subscriptions are meant to introduce you to new, healthy snacks you might not try otherwise. I can get plain, raw almonds at any supermarket and convenience store in my neighborhood.

I wish this had some kind of flavoring – it was a little disappointing to receive plain, boring raw almonds in this monthly subscription box.

7. Peter Rabbit Organics Apple Fruit Snack

This organic fruit puree comes in a convenient squeezy pack. I imagine it makes a perfect lunchbox snack for vegan kids, but I thought it was ideal for distance running. I’m always looking for convenient, higher-carb snacks to bring with me on long runs. I loved that this came in a squeezy pack, but doesn’t include the refined sugars and dyes of traditional energy gels.

If I weren’t a runner, I’d probably find the texture a little odd – it felt a little like eating baby food as an adult. However, this would probably be great mixed into oatmeal or as a spread on toast. I also appreciated that it was resealable, so I could ration it out during my run instead of having to slurp the whole thing down.

8. VitaFive Health Without the Hassle Daily Gummy Vitamin Pack

This small sample pack contained two gummy vitamins that were shaped kind of like gumdrops. Because there was no labeling on the package, I have no idea if it was a multivitamin or a specialty vitamin. However, I do know that I want to purchase these in bulk!

The taste was absolutely delicious, and the texture reminded me of the Dots candies I used to eat as a kid. These would actually make me look forward to taking my vitamins every day.

9. Pasta Chips

I had never heard of a pasta chip before, but I am so glad I got introduced! These fun chips have the shape of cut up lasagna noodles, and have a pleasant, flaky texture.

Even better than the texture of these chips was the flavor. The bag in this box was rosemary flavored, and it was perfectly balanced, herby, and savory. I could have eaten a whole salad bowl full of these chips for a meal. They really did a great job with the flavor on these pasta chips, and the rosemary gives it a real “pizza” taste.

If you’re a vegan who hasn’t had authentic pizza in a long time, I think these would be a perfect way to satiate your cravings.

10. Peeled Apple-to-the-Core Snacks

I love dried fruit because it gives a great energy boost without a lot of added sugar or artificial ingredients. These Peeled snacks are as natural as they come, containing nothing but organic dried apples. The apples are cut into rings, and the snacks are 110 calories per serving.

I liked these dried apples quite a bit! Like the squeezy fruit snack, I found these perfect for long run fuel – they’d probably be great to bring along on a hike or as a nutritious after school snack. With just one ingredient, the organic apples, you can feel good about indulging in these.

My only complaint about these dried apples is that they aren’t as moist as I like dried fruit to be. However, this is a really minor complaint – the apple flavor on these is superb, and you can’t get better than a single-item ingredient list.

11. True Lemon Packets

When I first took these out of the box, I wasn’t sure what to think. What was I supposed to do with a baggie full of powdered lemon juice? However, after working my way through the bag, this quickly climbed to one of my favorite items in the whole collection.

The baggie included some packets of grapefruit, lemon, and lime juice, but what really made this item stand out was the flavored drink packets. In a past life, I used to love low-calorie powdered drink mixes like Crystal Light. However, to reduce my consumption of artificial sweeteners, I phased these out. I thought I’d never find another conveniently flavored drink mix that fit my new natural lifestyle – until I found these!

The collection included original lemonade, black cherry limeade, raspberry lemonade, peach lemonade, and watermelon agua fresca. I really enjoyed all of the flavors, but the watermelon agua fresca was so delicious that I’ve already ordered a giant case of it. It’s light and refreshing, with no weird aftertaste. I can’t wait to sip this on my porch all summer long!

12. Surf Sweets Gummy Bears

I enjoyed the flavors of these gummy bears! They came in fun citrus flavors like lemon and grapefruit, and had a light coating of sugar on the outside that provided a nice crunch.

There were about five gummies in this pouch, but I’m okay with that. This provided built-in portion control – I don’t know about you, but I can go from civilized adult to unsupervised child pretty quickly around a big batch of gummy bears!

I also enjoyed the texture of these gummies – they reminded me of those orange slice candies, which have a very firm texture. However, my husband, who prefers very chewy, traditional gummies, didn’t care very much for the texture. I would totally eat them again, though.

13. Primizie Crispbreads

These salty snacks were like a cross between a tortilla chip, a pita chip, and one of those skinny breadsticks you get at Italian restaurants. I loved the texture! They were firm, crisp, and thick-cut, and the little sprinkling of salt helped bring out the flavor of the crispbread.

My only complaint here is that these chips are extremely oily. They look visibly greasy when you take them out of the bag, and they leave a bit of oily aftertaste in your mouth. I generally don’t consume much oil, so the 210 calories per relatively small bag is a big splurge. However, I’d buy these as a “company” chip for sure. They’re thick enough to stand up to hummus and salsa!

Value of Combined Contents

Ever a bargain hunter, the value of the box was important to me. Did the cost of each item, purchased a la carte*, add up to the total price of the box?

*price of each item based off an Amazon, ThriveMarket, or similar site listing.

• Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: $1.00
• Jake’s Vitamin Candy: $1.25
• Peeled Apple Snacks: $3.00
• Protein Shake: $2.00
• Alo Light: $2.50
• Pasta Chips: $2.00
• Everything Bagel Chips: $1.00
• True Lemon Packets: $3.50
• Gummy Vitamins: $1.00
• Surf Sweets: $1.95
• Nature’s Joy Almonds: $1.50
• Peter Rabbit Organics Apple Snack: $1.50

Overall, my box came out to an estimated $22.20 worth of goods. Since I used a $5 coupon code, this comes pretty close to the amount I spent on it. If you include some of the product coupons that were included in the box, I broke about even on this box.

Plus, I have a whole bunch of new products that I would have never known I liked!

What I Loved

Overall, I really enjoyed this subscription box. However, there were a few products, and aspects of the subscription, that really stood out to me among the others.

✓ The Overall Experience

Like I mentioned earlier, having a subscription box show up to your door is a kin to the feeling you get on Christmas morning as a child.

Opening up my “present” was a fun experience, and I couldn’t wait to try everything in the box. It’s like when you first get home from Halloween and dump all the candy on the table – you’re so excited and just aren’t sure where to start.​

Regarding delivery timeline, company promises and overall enjoyability of the box, I’d give it an A+ rating. But that’s not to say this box is without faults, which you will see below.

✓ Four words: Unreal Peanut Butter Cups

These were, hands down, my favorite part of the Urthbox. I’ve got a big sweet tooth, but these were just a fabulous product. And I got two of them!

I appreciated that these were like “grown up” Reese’s cups. They packed in a delicious, peanut-butter-meets-chocolate flavor, but contained natural, healthy ingredients instead of tons of refined sugars and artificial flavors.

As a coconut lover, I really appreciated the addition of coconut flavor in this candy. I feel that the coconut-peanut-chocolate flavor combo is underappreciated, so it was awesome to receive these candies. The coconut flavor wasn’t overwhelming, so I think even if you don’t love it, you’ll still appreciate these cups.

Apparently, this company offers more flavors of these little cups, and I’m hopeful that I’ll get to try all the options before long.

✓ True Lemon Drink Packets

To me, the flavored drink packets from True Lemon are what subscription boxes are all about! By including a broad range of products from the company, I was able to sample each flavor and see which one I liked best. Trying each variety “a la carte” would be expensive and wasteful if I didn’t like a particular flavor. Having a packet of each option allowed me to explore my options.

I probably wouldn’t have tried the watermelon agua fresca on my own, but by trying it through this box, I found a delicious product that I can’t wait to buy more of.

With the warmer weather on its way, I’m so glad Urthbox introduced me to the refreshing and natural watermelon agua fresca! What started out as a “huh?” turned out to be a “yum!”

✓ Customer Service

Before grabbing this box and trying it out, I read other reviews online. Some of these reviewers were very negative towards the customer service. And even though I had some issues, the customer service I received was actually really good.

After I had found the whey-based protein shake in the box, I sent an email to Urthbox. I noted that it was really disappointing to receive a product in the box that both contained milk ingredients (because vegan!) and had been expired for so long.

A few days after I sent the email, I received the following response from Urthbox:​

“I want to sincerely apologize for this error. It appears that this particular vendor sent in a small batch of the incorrect product that affected just a few accounts. I have made sure to mark your account so that you will receive a free box in April to make up for that item. I completely understand your frustration but I assure you that was a mistake and will not happen moving forward. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Best,

Holly @ UrthBox”

While it was really frustrating to receive the protein shake in my Urthbox, I have to give the company props for this response. They owned up to the mistake and offered me an entire free box next month for the mix-up – Score!

I’m excited to give Urthbox another shot in the upcoming month and experience a “truly” vegan box from them in the near future. I understand that people make mistakes, and it’s refreshing to see a company handle issues in this manner.

What Didn’t Wow Me

Of course, few products are without a couple of downsides. Here are the handful of things that I wasn’t thrilled with about my Urthbox.

× Non-vegan items included in the box

While I appreciate the response from Urthbox about the milk-based product in my “vegan” box, I can’t lie and say it didn’t bother me. Expiration date aside, I felt a little betrayed by the company that I had been sent a product that contained dairy products, when I know the pain and suffering that is caused by the dairy industry.

I should note here that while Urthbox offers a vegan option, they are not an entirely vegan company. They offer boxes that contain animal ingredients, so mistakes and mix-ups like this are bound to happen eventually. I can understand that everyone make mistakes, but this particular product felt like a big oversight on the company’s part.

If you are a very strict vegan, have food allergies, or you’re purchasing a vegan subscription box as a gift for a friend, I’d argue that Urthbox may not be the one to go for. I always try to buy the vegan option from non-vegan companies to demonstrate demand, but this mishap shook my faith in the company, from a vegan point of view.

× Volume of food

When I first received my Urthbox, I was surprised and delighted at how heavy the thing was. However, I do think I would rather get a few more full-size items in my box, or a larger collection of products from the same company.

I mentioned earlier that I loved the True Lemon packets – this was a baggie that contained almost ten sample-size items from True Lemon. I loved it because I got to try all different flavors that brand had to offer. However, in some cases, things felt a little like cheap “free samples”. For example, the gummy bears only contained 5 candies in the pouch, and the gummy vitamins only had two measly gumdrops.

I wouldn’t harp on this as much if Urthbox didn’t boast about including “full size” items on the front page of its website. Receiving lots of samples from the same company is great, but in a few cases, like the vitamin gummies and gummy bears, I felt a little-taken advantage of.

It’s a shame too, because I really liked both of those products, and would have loved to have more of them or to try more flavors. I wish Urthbox would include a wider variety of certain flavors of items, especially if they are going to advertise “full size” products.

The Bottom Line

When it comes down to it, I enjoyed my first Urthbox experience. I felt like a little kid, opening the box and getting to try all the fun new items that were included.

On the whole, I enjoyed the taste and quality of all the items in the box. The peanut butter cups and powdered drink mixes were my hands-down favorites of the whole group, but my chip-loving husband liked their selection of salty snacks. I felt the box provided good variety, and for the most part, I felt like these were healthier alternatives to my favorite snack foods.

The only major disappointment of the box was receiving the whey-based protein shake. However, I felt Urthbox’s response was genuine, and I appreciate that they will be sending me a whole new box, free of charge, to make up for the mistake. We’re all human, and mistakes happen! But it’s refreshing to see a company step up and take steps to make it right.

While I don’t know that Urthbox would be my top choice for a strictly vegan subscription, I would definitely treat myself to this box again. It would also be a great birthday gift – I would love to receive a three- or six-month subscription as a present, so each month I could look forward to sampling new and exciting vegan products.

If you’re comfortable with buying from a company that’s not 100% vegan, and are ready to try some new products, I definitely recommend giving Urthbox at least one shot. Treat yo’self to some tasty, healthy snacks, and give yourself the joy of opening a special gift, just for you.

Don’t Forget!

You can save $10 off your first month, when using this link.  There’s no need to enter a coupon code, as it will automatically be added to your order.  Happy Snacking!

The post Urthbox Review – Is it Worth It? appeared first on Urban Vegan.

Made from Nanolon technology, Nano Towels are thick, plush microfiber cloths that can help you cut down on costs and consumption of traditional paper towels.

Are these microfiber cloths right for your family?

Read on for an overview of these eco-friendly alternatives.

Quick NavigationSummary of Our Nano Towel ReviewWhat are Nano Towels Made From?Why Make the Switch from Paper Towels?How Do Nano Towels Perform?1. Absorbability2. Multi-Functionality3. Quality of Clean4. Durability5. CostAre Nano Towels Right for Me?Where Can I Buy Nano Towels?

Summary of Our Nano Towel Review

Durability

When used normally, each towel can last 2-3 years, or 300-400 washes.

Absorbability

Spills are no match for these towels – liquids get cleaned up in a single swipe.

Multi-Functionality

Nano Towels can be used on a variety of surfaces, such as counters, cars, and flat surfaces, as well as non-traditional uses like wiping wet dog paws and snow boots.

Ease of Use

Soaking up spills and wiping down flat surfaces is easy as pie, but scrubbing will take a little more elbow grease (and cleanser).

Price

Nano Towels are expensive when compared to other microfiber towels, but may save you money in the long run if you tend to use a lot of paper towels.

​SUMMARY

While they won’t completely replace the need for paper towels in your life, Nano Towels can help you drastically reduce how many paper towels you use and ultimately throw away – sometimes as much as 80%.

The large, absorbent cloths soak up a lot of liquid, so they’re good for spills and families with young children, who have lots of small messes throughout the day that don’t need to be sanitized.

However, if you don’t already use a lot of paper towels, or if your cleaning routine involves cleansers and disinfectant, the Nano Towel might not be worth the price, and you might be better off with a simple microfiber cloth.

• Great absorbency – spills are cleaned with a single wipe
• Can be used on a variety of surfaces: counters, cars, fabric, etc.
• Large size makes for quick cleaning
• Great for removing stubborn fingerprints from stainless steel
• Easy to wash in the laundry

• Leaves streaks and fuzz on mirrors and glass
• Tacky, sticky material can be uncomfortable on hands
• Doesn’t sanitize; you still need to use a cleaner
• Doesn’t offer much compared to regular microfiber towels
• Expensive when compared to similar products

Purchase at Water Liberty (Save 20%)

What are Nano Towels Made From?

Nanolon, the material from which these towels are made, attracts liquid, dust, dirt, and grime like a magnet.

Some users describe the material as feeling slightly sticky, but this helps the cloth pick up messes instead of just spreading them around.

The towels have two sides, one for cleaning, and one for drying, which makes for efficient cleaning as you don’t need multiple cloths for one job. In fact, the company boasts that you don’t even need cleaning solution – simply use water, wipe the area clean, and buff dry with the other side of the cloth.

Simply toss it in the laundry after use and use it again next time you need something cleaned.

Why Make the Switch from Paper Towels?

People have plenty of motivations for switching from paper towels to products, but these can be boiled down to two main benefits: cost savings and sustainability.

Cost Savings

Like any consumable good, using paper towels means that, ultimately, you have to buy more. Where I live, in a major metropolitan area, a single roll of paper towels costs anywhere from $2-$4 per roll. With the average family of four using 1.5-2 rolls of paper towels per week, what seems like a small expense can add up over time.

Paper Towel$3.00 roll x 2 rolls per week = $6.00 per week x 52 weeks = $312 per year

The proof is in the math – the average family would spend over $300 for a year’s supply of paper towels, while the reusable Nano Towel option only requires an upfront payment of about $25.

While the initial cost is higher, you save money over time. And, considering Nano Towels last for two to three years depending on use, you’re looking at a savings of $600-$900 over the course of three years.

I don’t know about you, but I can think of a lot more things I’d rather spend $900 on than something I’m going to throw away. And that brings us to the second reason many people choose to ditch the paper – the planet.

Sustainability

Consider the same family of four using up to two rolls of paper towels per week – that eventually translates to over 100 rolls of paper towels, per year, in a landfill.

In addition to the sheer volume of trash, paper towels create, there are additional environmental implications of this convenience – for example, the trees cut down to make the paper itself, and the bleach that is often added to traditional paper towels to get them a gleaming white.

Reducing your use of paper towels is a simple way to cut down on the amount of waste produced by your household.

It’s unlikely that even a Nano Towel will be able to completely replace the role of paper towels in your life – sometimes it’s just the right tool for the job. But more than likely, many times you use paper towels are out of convenience. In these cases, where a reusable product that is more earth-friendly could do the job just as well, if not better, Nano Towel is an option that can help you cut down on your consumption of disposables.

So maybe you’re ready to switch to a reusable microfiber cloth for your light cleanup needs.

Why choose Nano Towel?

How Do Nano Towels Perform?

1. Absorbability

When it comes to replacing paper towels for the purpose of soaking up spilled liquids, Nano Towels are 100% worth the money. The texture of the cloth is thick and plush, so it can hold much of the liquid that paper towels and thinner microfiber cloths might leave behind.

The Nanolon material used to create this towel also provides superior absorption – each fiber is practically a magnet for water, and each one clings to the liquid to make sure it doesn’t drip all over the place.

Its absorbability also makes it a great drying cloth. Not just limited to sopping up spilled coffee or wiping down the countertop, use it to wipe down dishes before putting them away, or for a dry, shiny finish after washing your car.

2. Multi-Functionality

Nano Towel is also a winner as a homecare multi-tasker. With four towels per pack, one can serve as your traditional cleaner for flat surfaces and countertops, but the options for the remaining towels in the pack are practically limitless.

Wrap one of the cloths around the head of your Swiffer and tuck the corners into place to quickly and easily mop or dry tile or hardwood floors. Tuck a towel into your gym bag to wipe down cardio machines after use. Keep a cloth near your entryway to dry off wet snow boots or muddy dog paws to keep your floors clean in the rest of the house.

Chances are, if you can think of it, you can do it with the Nano Towel. This purchase definitely won’t be limited to your countertops alone.

3. Quality of Clean

In addition to being super absorbent for spills and light messes, Nano Towel is also a great choice for people who have stainless steel appliances. Every homeowner with a stainless steel fridge or dishwasher knows that the beauty comes at a price – the machines seem to show every single grease mark and fingerprint, which can be tough to buff out. The Nano Towel takes care of these with ease and doesn’t require the use of any harsh stainless steel cleaners.

However, there are certain surfaces that the Nano Towel doesn’t exactly excel on, including glass, windows, and mirrors. This is a scenario where the sticky, tacky nature of the cloths is a con rather than a pro – the towels tend to leave a streaky, fuzzy film on reflective surfaces rather than a glimmering, clear finish. If you use paper towels to clean your mirrored and glass surfaces, the Nano towel probably won’t be an adequate replacement for this particular task.

Additionally, stuck-on, stubborn stains require a little elbow grease, and often, the help of a commercial cleaning product. While the towel is well-made and super absorbent, it’s not exactly a magic tool for any mess.

4. Durability

Buy a pack of Nano Towels, and you won’t have to think about repurchasing for at least two years. Buy a few packs, and you’ll be set for nearly a decade.

With regular use, Nano Towels can keep on cleaning for 2-3 years and can survive 300-400 trips through your washing machine.

Not only does this keep costs in check, but it’s plain old convenient to always have your cleaning cloth on hand without having to worry about restocking when you head to the grocery store.

5. Cost

When it comes to microfiber cloths, Nano Towel tends to be on the expensive side, and some people are averse to spending nearly $25 on four towels.

However, to figure out whether or not this will help your family save money, consider how many paper towels you use, and what you use them for. If your family can blow through multiple rolls of paper towels per week soaking up messes and drying hands, a $25 upfront payment might save you money in the long run when you aren’t purchasing and repurchasing disposable paper towels.

However, if you use paper towels in a way that Nano Towel is not well-suited for, like tough stains or reflective surfaces, they may be an extra expense, rather than a good replacement for the disposable wipes.

Video Demo:

Are Nano Towels Right for Me?

Nano Towels are worth the value if you’re someone who usually uses paper towels for simply wiping up spills, or does mostly light cleanups that don’t need sanitization or elbow grease.

Maybe you just want to dust the mantle, or you need a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way to clean up spilled juice from your child’s breakfast. The superior absorbability of Nano Towels makes them a good replacement for the paper towels you’d use in these situations, and will probably save you money in the long run.

However, if you’re looking for something that will help you scrub, sanitize, and deep clean around the house, you’d be better off with a more economical microfiber towel. While the towels are great for wiping up spilled liquids, they don’t offer anything special in the deep-cleaning department and tend to leave behind streaks and residue on reflective surfaces.

Where Can I Buy Nano Towels?

Nano towels are available for purchase on Amazon (what’s isn’t these days?), but I personally recommend picking them up at Water Liberty because you save about 20% off your purchase. Water Liberty also offers bundle packages, which Amazon does not, resulting in savings as much as 33%.

The post Nano Towels Review (Do They Really Work?) appeared first on Urban Vegan.

What I had hoped would break down into a green, creamy beverage had big chunks of kale and shards of ice floating in it. As I found myself making healthier choices in the kitchen, I knew it was time to upgrade my blender.

Vitamix is a household name when it comes to blenders, and the standard to which other companies compare themselves.

This review focuses on my personal experience with the Vitamix 5200, one of the most popular models offered by the brand. It’s used in many professional kitchens, popular chains like Starbucks, and homes all over the world.

Review NavigationQUICK SUMMARYWhat Comes with the Vitamix 5200?How to Get Started Using Your VitamixCleaning the BlenderNoiseWhat We Like✓ You can practically blend a golf club in this thing.✓ It’s built like a tank✓ It looks great!✓ Full Control✓ Company CommitmentWhat I Don’t Like× Overheating× Not dishwasher friendly× You can’t automate tasks× CostThe Verdict & Final Thoughts

QUICK SUMMARY

Price/Value: ✭✭✭✭✩There’s no getting around it – the Vitamix is an expensive appliance. Even if you view the blender as a worthy investment, at nearly $450, it requires parting with a significant amount of cash to get started. This can be a barrier to entry for those whose budgets are a little leaner.

Ease of Use:✭✭✭✭✭The Vitamix 5200 gets five stars for how easy it is to use. Even though you have plenty of room for customization and control, if you can dump a few ingredients into the canister and flip a few switches, you can make smoothies, soups, and frozen desserts – just to name a few.

Accessories:✭✭✭✭✭In addition to the plastic tamper that’s used to press thicker, more stubborn foods down into the blades, the 5200 also comes with an impressive amount of resources to help you learn about your machine and get started using it. With an owner’s manual, recipe book, and instructional DVD, all of which are also available online, the company really arms you with the knowledge to start making the most out of your new appliance.

Support:✭✭✭✭✭The customer support for this machine is worth the cost of the appliance alone. The company has an incredible commitment to the satisfaction of its customer base. While I have never had to contact customer support (the blender is extremely durable), a brief Google search reveals the countless good experiences purchasers have had with the company. From prompt responses to minimal hurdles to jump through when returning/exchanging a machine, the company is an A+ organization to work with.

Warranty:✭✭✭✭✭Vitamix provides a 7 year warranty, the longest of most blenders and incredibly long for an electronic device. The long warranty really speaks to the quality of the machine, and the commitment the company has to customer satisfaction.

WHAT WE LIKE

• You can practically blend a golf club in this thing
• This thing looks sharp – and not just the blades!
• My Vitamix works just as well today as it did the day I bought it.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

• The plastic cannister is not dishwasher-safe
• The Vitamix 5200 is not a set-and-forget-style blender.
• When the motor gets overheated, the entire machine shuts off.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though purchasers have a variety of options when it comes to buying a high-powered blender, Vitamix always comes out a top brand – and with good reason.

Powerful enough to crush ice and heat soup, durable enough to last for 30+ years with proper use, and an amazing multitasker, the Vitamix is an incredible addition to any home kitchen.

However, at around $400 per unit, the Vitamix 5200 isn’t for everyone. If you’re only using your blender every now and then, and for mostly soft foods, this is probably more than you need to spend on a blender.

However, if you’re a home cook that enjoys making many staples at home, a smoothie lover who needs to power through ice and seeds, or want to have the ultimate control over how much sugar, salt, and fat makes its way into your family’s meals, read on for a complete review of the product.

OUR RATING

4.5

Buy from Amazon

What Comes with the Vitamix 5200?

The standard 5200 model comes with:

• a 64-ounce wet blade container
• The high-powered motor base
• A plastic tamper for pushing thicker foods into the blades, and an impressive collection of resources to help you get started using the product.

The Getting Started Guide is your owner’s manual and provides details about each aspect of Vitamix ownership, from how to use the machine to troubleshooting to how to register your appliance. The guide is specifically geared toward homeowners and is an easy-to-understand entry point to the world of high-powered blending.

Once you have a handle on how to use your blender, the cookbook provides you with recipes that showcase what your blender can do, in addition to being healthy and delicious. It includes recipes like a Tropical Cooler Smoothie, Curried Carrot Soup, and Orange Sorbet using just three ingredients.

For visual learners, the Vitamix 5200 comes with an instructional DVD, so you can watch and follow along with over an hour of scrollable content.

Check out a Vitamix 5200 Unboxing:

The Motor

Let’s start with the real foundation of this blender – the high-powered motor.

With a 2-peak horsepower, 120V, 60Hz, 11.5A motor, home cooks can power through fibrous vegetables, seeds, and a canister full of ice with relative ease.

The blades move so quickly that if you let it blend long enough, it will heat the contents of the container – meaning you can make piping hot soup right in the blender.

Dimensions

The unit itself is on the tall side – with the container attached to the base, the whole thing is 20.5h x 8.75d x 7.25w inches.

The whole unit is too tall to be stored in my kitchen cabinets, so I leave it on the counter with the container off the base, but you may want to store in a cabinet or on counter space that is not located directly below your cabinets.

The entire unit weighs about 10.5 pounds.

The container itself is made from BPA-free plastic and holds 64 ounces, so you can make big batches of soup, beverages, and ice cream at once.

Warranty

The 5200 model comes with a whopping 7-year guarantee that covers the product in cases of faulty or broken parts.

Seven years is a long time, especially when compared to competitors.

The length of the warranty goes to show the level of commitment Vitamix has when it comes to the quality of the blender and the satisfaction of the people who purchase them.

How to Get Started Using Your Vitamix

The  Vitamix 5200 is extremely easy to use. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the owner’s manual, you can plug in and start blending whatever sounds good to you.

The blender produces the best results when you layer your ingredients, so liquids like water, milk, and broth go in first, soft foods like tomatoes, bananas, and avocado go in closest to the blades, and dry or hard ingredients, like carrots and ice, are added last. As the blades move, they will draw the ingredients downward, and the liquid/blended soft foods will help blend the harder foods into a smooth, creamy puree. Adding your ice or harder foods first can make it more difficult to reach that silky consistency, and may cause them to get jammed up around the blades.

For thicker foods like frozen treats and nut butter, the model comes with a plastic tamper, which is designed to press foods down into the blades. The tamper must always be used with the lid, as a special guard helps it stop before it reaches the blades.

A Personal Note:

I found the tamper to be what sets the Vitamix apart from other blenders. Whereas many cheap blenders I owned before this one would choke up on ice, forcing the blades to spin around uselessly, the tamper allows me to press unprocessed ingredients downward and achieve the silky smooth consistency that I’m looking for.

Sure, it requires you to hang out near the blender and help, but the end product is a thousand times better than anything I’ve ever gotten from another appliance. Even my food processor doesn’t compare to the texture I achieve using my Vitamix.

Cleaning the Blender

While the plastic canister can’t go in the dishwasher, it is extremely easy to clean, as the model is self-cleaning.

To clean your Vitamix 5200:

• Fill the blender halfway with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap
• Place the lid on the container, set the dial to 1, and turn the machine on the variable setting.
• Turn the dial all the way to 10, then flip the switch to high
• Let the blender run on high for about half a minute, then turn it back down to the lowest setting before shutting it off
• Rinse the canister with water and allow it to dry with the lid off so that moisture won’t get trapped inside

If you need to get more stubborn ingredients off the canister, like nut butter or sticky chia seeds, you can use a sponge or scrubber to loosen it before starting the self-cleaning method. Be mindful of your fingers when cleaning near the blades.

Noise

There’s no getting around it – yes, the Vitamix is loud!

It’s not ear-piercingly loud – you can stand next to the machine while it’s running – but I’d hesitate to use it while my husband was sleeping.

Considering the blades are moving quickly enough to turn cold ingredients into steaming hot soup, the sound isn’t that bad, but if you’re looking to make early-morning smoothies while the kids are asleep, you may want to reconsider the level of noise that your household can handle.

Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, Container, Black, Self-Cleaning 64 oz

• Create every course of your home-cooked meal – from fresh smoothies to creamy desserts – in minutes. The Vitamix 5200 is the universal tool for family meals and entertaining
• Variable Speed Control: 10 Speeds you can easily adjust to achieve a variety of textures. The dial can be rotated at any point during the blend, so you’re in complete control!

Buy from Amazon

What We Like

✓ You can practically blend a golf club in this thing.

Okay, maybe not an actual golf club (seriously, don’t try that at home), but really any tough, hard, or fibrous food you put in here gets obliterated. The Vitamix 5200 really can blend just about anything – by blend, I mean completely liquefy.

Celery? No problem. Ice? Creamy. Peels and seeds? Like it never happened. A smooth texture, and less effort on your part, since you can drop the whole thing in there, skin, seeds, and all.

One of my all-time favorite smoothies uses big juicy blackberries in it, whose flavor I love, but tended to shy away from because I’m not a fan of having to chew the seeds in my beverage. However, when I put blackberries in a Vitamix smoothie, the powerful blades completely obliterate any semblance of seeds or skins, and you don’t get any seeds stuck in your teeth while drinking your smoothie! The Vitamix delivers all the smooth, pleasant aspects of juice, while keeping the nutritious fiber that would get removed by a juicer.

The power on this thing is unparalleled – the motor that powers through skins and seeds is enough to not only blend raw butternut squash down to a creamy soup, but moves the blades quickly enough to heat the soup. And I’m not talking about little warm pockets either – I’m talking piping hot, steam pouring out of the container heat. Perfect for small spaces and quick meals, you can achieve a creamy hot soup without ever having to fire up your stove or dirty a pot. Just blend, finish with salt and pepper, and serve.

✓ It’s built like a tank

I love the fact that the 5200 lifespan outlives it’s warranty.  It’s no wonder Vitamix offers such a great warranty on it’s products – they really do stand the test of time.  I’ve had my Vitamix for a number of years now, and it works just as well as it did the day I took it out of the box. In fact, some reviewers on the internet have noted using their Vitamix for well over thirty years!  If you’re going to drop this kind of money on a kitchen appliance, it’s good to know that you’ll basically be able to turn it into a family heirloom. 

✓ It looks great!

​This thing looks sharp – and not just the blades! The sleek, industrial design looks beautiful on my countertop, and since it’s already out, I’m more likely to use it more often.  I know that this is purely superficial and if it works great who care right?  But my kitchen is like my sanctuary (cheesy, I know) and I like to keep it not only looking clean but looking good.  Thank you Vitamix for spending time on the design!

✓ Full Control

For cooks who are control freaks (and I use that term lovingly), the Vitamix is an ideal machine. High-powered and extremely durable, the machine offers the ability to apply just the right amount of power instead of relying on pre-programmed options.  By using the two toggle switches and a dial that adjusts the power level, you can really have a hands-on approach to your smoothies, soups, sauces, and frozen desserts.

✓ Company Commitment

Lastly, I love the commitment the Vitamix company has to its customers. Offering an unparalleled 7-year warranty on the blender, a quick internet search also shows that Vitamix offers five-star customer service (I’ve simply never had an issue that I’ve needed to contact the company).  If you’re going to drop this kind of money on an appliance, it feels good to know that the company has your back, and won’t abandon you in the unlikely event you run into a problem.

What I Don’t Like

The Vitamix 5200 is the most popular high-tech blender out there for a reason – it has overwhelmingly positive reviews on nearly every site. However, no machine is without its limitations.

× Overheating

Because the motor is so powerful, it does have the chance of becoming overheated, especially during a hard-working task like grinding almonds down into butter. When the motor does overheat, the entire machine stops – usually abruptly, and sometimes right in the middle of your task. While this prevents the unit from breaking, it can be frustrating to be stuck halfway through your job, with half-blended almond butter or quickly melting ice. As there’s no indicator of when the machine can be turned back on, you have to keep trying until the motor can be switched on again.

× Not dishwasher friendly

The plastic cannister is not dishwasher-safe. While it’s easy to clean after thinner things like smoothies and soup, it’s a real pain to have to scrub homemade peanut butter out from behind the blades.

× You can’t automate tasks

The Vitamix 5200 is not a set-and-forget-style blender – it needs some help to achieve that amazing consistency. If you like a more hands-on approach to cooking, this shouldn’t be an issue, but if you’re looking for something you can walk away from, this may not be the best model for you.

× Cost

Lastly, I have to say it – the Vitamix is expensive. At nearly $450, this is a serious investment when it comes to building your kitchen arsenal. The cost may create a barrier to entry for those who might have trouble putting up almost 500 bucks for a blender. However, the cost depends on what you use your blender for. If you only break your blender out now and then for mixed drinks, or you find yourself blending mostly soft foods like bananas for your post-workout smoothie, this machine simply may not be a good value for your needs.

However, if you’re like me and consume lots of raw foods, enjoy getting hands-on in the kitchen, and make lots of things like nut butter and sauces from scratch, you can really consider this purchase to be an investment. It’s going to last a long time, and it’ll help you achieve a texture you simply can’t get from other blenders, but the value of the machine is really going to come down to how often you use it. A $450 machine you’re using several times a day is a very different value from one that collects dust in your kitchen cabinet.

The Verdict & Final Thoughts

If you’re a cook who appreciates making your own sauces, nut butter, and frozen desserts and wants complete control over the ingredients that go into your family’s food, the Vitamix is absolutely worth the price. While the price of entry is high, you’re getting a superior product that is capable of handling a variety of tasks, delivers unparalleled quality in the final product, and is something you’ll be able to use for decades.

I simply can’t imagine my kitchen without my Vitamix blender. Because I can choose the amount of fat, salt, and sugar that goes into each of my homemade dishes, I feel good about what I’m putting in my body and feel that the long-term benefits to my body are worth the upfront cost of the appliance. If you find yourself disappointed by your traditional blender, are ready to take your family’s nutrition into your own hands, and want it all in an easy-to-use appliance, the Vitamix 5200 is definitely worth a spot on your countertop.

Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, Container, Black, Self-Cleaning 64 oz

• Create every course of your home-cooked meal – from fresh smoothies to creamy desserts – in minutes. The Vitamix 5200 is the universal tool for family meals and entertaining
• Variable Speed Control: 10 Speeds you can easily adjust to achieve a variety of textures. The dial can be rotated at any point during the blend, so you’re in complete control!

Buy from Amazon

The post Vitamix 5200 Review (Real User Experience) appeared first on Urban Vegan.