Down & Dirty! 43 Fun & Funky First-Time Projects & Activities to Get You Gardening by Ellen Zachos

            

First off, let me say that I am no expert when it comes to gardening. Far from it actually. But I love the idea of being a better gardener, expanding on what I do know already. Gardening is considered the most popular hobby in the world apparently and it's not hard to understand the appeal for people of all ages, for so many reasons.

 As an amateur gardener, I've had my share of garden plots and patches over the years. And oh what fun it was to see even the "simple stuff" that I was not intimated to try: like potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes....come "shoosting up" through the ground. Shoosting btw is a Green Acres gardening/farm term from the old  TV series. Highly technical! LOL  

So, in spite of the fact that the summer is coming to an end right now, here in Canada. And in spite of the fact that I had no garden plot to cultivate this year...I still love to read about the process and dream of a groovy green garden in the not too distant future. That's where this fun book comes in: Down & Dirty! 43 Fun & Funky Projects & Activities to Get You Gardening, is a terrific book for gardeners and wannabees, like me. And it is rather unique too.

Author Ellen Zachos demystifies the process of gardening for those of us who are rather new/challenged when it comes to all things green-thumb related. Unlike so many other gardening books I've read/browsed over the years, this one is not only easy to understand; it is divided into 43 diverse, all-inclusive and eye-catching projects, with something for everyone, even the kids.

A sampling of the projects:

•  A Cutting Garden for All Seasons
• An Evening Garden that Glows in the Dark (how cool does that sound)
• A Garden of Feline Friends
• A Dinosaur Garden for Kids of All Ages
• A Garden to Delight Your Senses

Some easy and yummy-sounding recipes included too:

• Strawberry Sorbet
• Ratatouille (aka Summer in a Jar)
• Elderflower Champagne (a fun story to go with that one)
• Blueberry Sauce

Each project gives detailed information for: suggested plants, planting and care instructions, fun facts, large colorful photos and many helpful tips to get your own gardening adventure in full bloom. And in a highly entertaining and readable way.

By next spring/summer, I definitely hope to be getting "down and dirty" in my own special garden patch again.It is something I have been thinking and dreaming about for too long already. And when I do, this book will be the gardening guide I will have, close at hand.

The only problem I can foresee is making a decision what to start with. I find the majority of these projects very appealing so it's going to be tough to narrow it down to 2-3 to begin with. But it will be a whole lotta of fun, that I am sure of!

Overall rating for this book: Excellent. 5 out of 5. 

(or should I say: 5 Green Thumbs UP!)

Kashi Organic Cinnamon Harvest Cereal

I'm not a big fan of most types of cereal but once in a while, kind of like "it's gotta be KD" I do crave a bowl,  especially the shredded wheat types. And it's definitely got to be a cereal without a lot of added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

On a recent shopping trip, I noted a new cereal from Kashi: Organic Cinnamon Harvest and thought I'd give it a try. The photo on the box showed a bowl of small, tempting squares of golden shredded wheat. And when it comes to all things cinnamon, I'm a believer. I love it!

Turning to the side of the cereal box I was also pleased to note this very short list of ingredients:

Organic whole grain wheat, organic evaporated cane juice, organic cinnamon, natural flavor.

That was it! My kind of ingredient list. If you've been checking out cereal boxes lately, you'll already know that even a lot of so-called "healthier" choices available are still an ingredient nightmare. Sugar, sugar and more sugar in all it's cleverly-worded forms. Colors, additives. BHT added to the packaging for freshness.... NO THANKS!

So, back to the Kashi Organic Cinnamon Harvest. 

How did it taste? Maaarvelous darling, just marvelous! A definite cinnamon boost (and not artificial tasting either) in every bite. Lightly sweetened, not over the top. And oh so crunchy good.

This cereal is a keeper. I'm guessing it would also appeal to a lot of finicky eaters (ie: kids) who may be in the process of getting weaned off some of the junkier cereals that are still standard fare for so many families. Give this one a try. It really is different and it really is good.

I've tried some of Kashi granola type bars in the past and I was not impressed. I'm glad I gave this cereal a try though. And I'll certainly be buying more when this box is empty. Actually it's already almost empty, sigh...

If you stop by the Kashi website to read more about this cereal and all there products, it's a bit tricky to find all the cereals they have available. Click on the brown button/scroll bar across the top of the cereals shown and it will take you to the next set of choices. Kashi, ya gotta work on that! Not a good way to display your products to the best advantage.

BFN.I'm heading to the kitchen to fill up a bowl with Kashi Organic Cinnamon Harvest. Yummm...

                         

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Clorox GreenWorks Laundry Detergent

A few weeks ago, CBC TV,  here in Canada broadcast a report about their findings, after checking out three popular "green" laundry detergents and the claims of plant-derived ingredients these companies were making.

You can read the (very interesting) full report and viewers reactions at:

CBC report re: "green" laundry detergents.

What I was pleased to note was the green detergent that I personally prefer: Clorox GreenWorks Laundry Detergent came out with top marks. The others: Sunlight Green Clean and Purex Natural Elements tested were both "wash-outs" based on this report.

I've tried a number of green laundry detergents in the past few years. Some good, some not. For me, a big part of what makes a great detergent (green or otherwise) is it's cleaning ability. Yes, I always prefer green products but if it doesn't do a great job, then all the "greening" in the world isn't going to make it a product worth buying.

Clorox GreenWorks Laundry Detergent delivers on it's promises. Their laundry detergents are 97% plant derived, biodegradable, phosphate free, free of harsh chemicals, not tested on animals, reasonably priced. Best of all:  IT REALLY CLEANS! Even tough stains come out, without the use of additional stain removers, bleach etc...when using this product. I've noted this again and again.

I use the non-scented (Free and Clear) type of this detergent as I don't like scents of any kind in detergents and that's what you get. Clean, fresh clothes without any scent.

There is a lot of information over at the GreenWorks site about all their products including page after page of customer reviews. I've also previously reviewed their dish soap here.

I was sold on GreenWorks Laundry Detergent after the first couple of uses. Seeing/reading  the CBC report made me feel even better about finding and buying this product.

From the GreenWorks website re: GreenWorks Free and Clear Laundry Detergent:

It’s tough on dirt and stains — and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.* A powerful combination of naturally derived cleaning ingredients will leave your clothes, towels and linens fresh and clean — without phosphates, optical brighteners or harsh chemical residue. Formulated for both standard and high-efficiency (HE) washers.    

If you are making the effort to provide  a greener home environment for you and your family, GreenWorks Laundry Detergent is definitely worth a try. It's a great product even if you aren't.  But there's really no excuse not to "go green" when there are products this good on the market!
               

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Mrs. Dash (Original Blend) Seasoning Blend

As an avid cook and cookbook author, I try and use a lot of herbs and spices when preparing recipes.I like to have a wide variety of spices and herbs on hand, to experiment with flavour blends for various dishes. I usually have a well-stocked selection of the dried/crushed/ground varieties that tend to change with the seasons and my cooking preferences, as well as fresh herbs when they are more suitable for a dish. Some come, some go....

One seasoning that is always in my kitchen cupboard is: Mrs. Dash Original Blend.

This is an all-around great product:

• It adds a significant flavour boost to most savory dishes.
• It is salt-free.
• Contains no MSG or other questionable ingredients.
• Colorful. Adds an eye-appealing finishing touch. And how a dish looks is a big part of how it's perceived and enjoyed.
• It's very reasonable price-wise considering the number of herbs and spices it contains.

                                 
From the Mrs. Dash. com website: 

An all-natural, salt-free herb and spice medley, Mrs. Dash® Original Blend brings amazing flavor to any recipe. So go ahead and add some of this perfectly balanced blend of onion, black pepper, parsley and basil to your dishes and watch them turn into truly delicious delights.

Original Blend Ingredients: Onion, spices (black pepper, parsley, celery seed, basil, bay, marjoram, oregano, savory, thyme, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, mustard, rosemary), garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice powder, citric acid, oil of lemon.

Check out their easy-to-navigate and informative website to read about all of their products and browse a variety of recipes too.
                                      
Mrs. Dash comes in 2 sizes of containers: 192g. and 71g. The larger size is my preference and a more economical choice at about $9. here locally; that may vary depending where you live. And unlike some seasoning blends that I've purchased, then rarely used and left to get stale in the cupboard, that certainly hasn't been a concern when it comes to Mrs. Dash. I use it every day!

I'm including a recipe that includes Mrs. Dash as an ingredient, from my cookbook: Cream of Carrot Soup . With Autumn on the way and the root veggies at their peak, it's a great time to try this soup!

Mrs. Dash comes in a variety of seasoning blend choices. I've tried a couple of the others too but I always come back to the Original Blend. It's the best all-around seasoning blend that I've ever tried so why mess with a good thing!

Only one thing that I can think of that would make Mrs. Dash Original Blend even better and that's an Organic version. Perhaps it's something the company is already considering given the current and growing interest in all things organic. I hope they are.


Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Lumosity.com

We all know how important it is to keep our bodies in the best condition possible, which includes regular exercise of various kinds. But how often do we consider giving our brain a regular "workout" to keep it functioning at peak performance, throughout our lives?

I recently took advantage of a 2 week trial offer for "brain training" with Lumosity.com. I was surprised and pleased by what this company has to offer.

Lumosity.com provides a progressive series of brain exercise programs, tailored to each individuals needs and also to provide ongoing challenges to improve.

From the Lumosity.com site: Improve Your Brain: Lumosity.com has been clinically proven to support brain health. Our users report profound results: faster name recall, greater attention to detail, better concentration, and quicker problem-solving skills.

                         
Areas addressed include: speed, attention, memory,problem solving, flexibility. In each specific category, online games/exercises are offered that are not only helpful and challenging  but a lot of fun too. Progress is individually tracked for each member so that you can monitor where you are doing well and also where there is room for improvement.

I thoroughly enjoyed most of the games I've tried so far, especially the Route to Sprout (helps with navigation skills when driving etc...), Bird Watching (for improving peripheral vision) and Lost In Migration (helps with focusing on one specific task at a time) to name but three of dozens of games to choose from.

What has been really exciting for me is that after only a couple of weeks of training, I have already noted improvement in real life tasks such as: easily remembering names, being more focused when working on a specific project, being able to perform calculations of all kinds quicker and more accurately...it's been significant.

Lumosity  has millions of members from around the world. Their easy to navigate and attractive website and simple sign-up process makes it easy to give their program a try, without risk or with no long-term obligations required.

They also don't swamp your inbox with a lot of emails you don't want. You can choose to have a weekly or daily reminder to "brain train" sent to you if desired. And their support team has quickly answered any questions I've had, with a personal email, not a form reply or the ever-popular "q and a" list. (don't you just hate when they offer those by way of reply?)

Two minor negatives about Lumosity. There were ongoing technical issues with one game I tried to play several times: Penguin Pursuit which last I time I checked still seemed to be acting a bit wonky. Also, the Assessment exams offered to also track progress should in my opinion record a member's latest scores and dates of exams taken. But these are minor in comparison to all the positives I have found over at Lumosity.com.

Definitely worth signing up for their trial offer. Monthly, yearly and family plan rates are all very reasonable too should you decide to become a long-term member.

Brain training can be fun and very rewarding too, thanks to Lumosity.com. And isn't exercising your brain (not just your body) important too?

Overall rating for this product/service: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

 

Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask (for Hair)

A couple of months ago, I wrote a review for: Live Clean Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo. Since I was quite pleased with that product, I recently decided to give another Live Clean product a try, this time: Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask. And I'm happy to report that this was another winner from this company's hair care product line. Over this past winter, my long, (very) thick hair had become very dry and hard to style. Normally, I don't have problems like this, my hair is usually quite healthy and shiny looking. Regular conditioners were not doing much to rectify the problem so I went looking for an more intensive hair conditioner/mask to try. Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask delivers on it's claims of long-term conditioning and shine. This is a very  thick, rich conditioner/mask and it is applied after your hair is shampooed, combed through and left on 5-10 minutes before rinsing out. It has already made a noticeable difference in the appearance and feel of my hair (I've used it about 4 times so far). And not just immediately after washing and styling my hair either. Even a couple of days later, my hair is much easier to style. The condition of my hair seems to be consistently improving and staying that way, which I am very happy about. This product has a very pleasant mild fragrance and contains Argan Oil which contains a natural source of concentrated vitamin E. You can read more about the properties of Argan Oil here. One tip when using this hair mask: take the time to thoroughly rinse your hair after using this product. It is very thick and rich as I mentioned above and a quick rinse of cool water wasn't enough to get it all out. A few extra minutes of rinsing does the trick. I didn't find this a disadvantage though. The conditioners that rinse out quickly are usually the kind that don't do much either! Here is some additional information about this product: From the Live Clean site: exotic nectar - argan oil conditioning mask

Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask with certified organic grape seed and olive oils is a rich, creamy formula that revitalizes hair and restores shine, softness and manageability. Regular use can help restore elasticity and re-build. And do stop by the Live Clean site to read more about all of their products and more about their company and it's environmental initiatives etc... Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Discover the Gift by S. Aziz and D. Lichtenstein

Discover the Gift. It's Why We're Here is co-authored by Shajen Joy Aziz and Demian Lichtenstein, who are a brother and sister.

I borrowed this book from the local library. After getting it home and starting to read the book, I was glad I hadn't shelled out any of my own cash for it.

It appears that the spin-offs and knock-offs of The Power and The Secret are continuing to be churned out, judging by this book. The similarities throughout are hard to miss. First of all, the presentation. This book is printed on smooth, heavy stock paper (recycled content of any kind, I doubt!) and with bright blue text and glossy photo page additions. So much for honoring Mother Earth!  That kind of (or lack of) regard for the environment does counts these days. And in this case of this book, against. And it certainly does brings to mind the glitzy presentation of The Secret and The Power. (click to read that book review).

Then there are the celebrity quotes sprinkled liberally throughout. Some of these quotes had some merit but again, filling pages with the thoughts and opinions of other people, is that really authoring a book?

I found the brother/sister tale that they had to tell, rather strange to say the least. All about resentments and sibling bickering that in later years magically transformed into peace, love and harmony when the two patched things up and started working together on this book, other projects and I'm guessing making a fair bit of cash for their efforts along the way.

                        

So many things didn't ring true, reading through their personal stories. Parents and family members portrayed as such loving, caring individuals and then a bit further along leaving both of the authors (as children) in need of security and love. It got to be all a bit too much to waste my time on but again, the lack of consistency is what came through.

So what in a nutshell is The Gift suppose to be for the rest of us? Here are some quotes from the book by way of example:

"If you take away every thing and you are left with no thing,then what is possible? Anything."

"Unity consciousness. It's a quantum physics concept reflecting the idea that we are all just part of a unified field of energy. Put more spiritually, we are all part of a divine essence, and once we realize this we are one step closer to discovering our Gift and sharing it with the world."

"To release the shackles around my heart and unchain the extraordinary miracle of my existence, I had to be open to the possibility of experiencing my life as a Gift."

Oops sorry, nodding off again......Enough said. And on and on and on....A lot of double-speak that's been rehashed and re-written, again and again.

I don't know who is taken in by this kind of self-help book. I think it's sad to realize that so many people still are. As I said at the beginning of this review, I'm glad I only borrowed this one from the library. It's going back on the shelf very soon.

Overall rating for this book: Bad. 0 out of 5.

The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs

                                                               

You know those days when you've already put in a busy, busy morning and happily, the afternoon is free? The sofa beckons invitingly, to curl up for the afternoon with an entertaining book. And one with a story that's not too much work by way of  plot twists and turns.  Well, I had one of those days yesterday and I completed: The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs before it was time to start supper.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons: Ms. Wiggs  has a true gift for bringing her characters and their surroundings to life adding to the story with each turned page. And I have always loved quilts and the (idea of!) making one. A very special quilt plays a key part in this story of a middle-aged mother (Linda Davis) and her teenage daughter (Molly) who together embark on a trip across the U.S. to arrive a week later at the college town where Molly will soon begin a new and exciting phase in her life. It was an engaging read that continued to entertain to the last page, complete with a happy ending!

A lot of memories and thoughts from the past came back to me, reading this book. Some good, some sad... My own relationship with my dear mom when I was in my late teens. The "I know it all and so much more than you do" attitude that we (my friends and I) all seemed to have in regard to anyone over 30, our parents especially. The gentle coaxing (to no avail) of my parents when they could see I was heading in a direction (I left university to get married) that I would live to regret years later. It all came flooding back as I came along for the ride with Linda and Molly.

If I had to pick out the strongest point of Susan Wiggs' writing style, it would definitely be her ability to breathe life into each character and make them believable throughout the book. One downside: I did feel that the repetitious "whinny" tone of daughter Molly a bit much by the end of the book. True to life I'm sure, for many families with teenagers but it did get to be a tad tedious.

I know that Ms. Wiggs has a large fan base of readers and I can understand why. I plan to check out some of her other novels in the future too.

If you are looking for a light read that will especially appeal to empty-nesters, soon to be empty nesters and quilt-lovers too, you might want to check this one out.

                               

From the Amazon product page: Linda Davis's local fabric shop is a place where women gather to share their creations: quilts commemorating important events in their lives. Wedding quilts, baby quilts, memorial quilts—each is bound tight with dreams, hopes and yearnings.

Now, as her only child readies for college, Linda is torn between excitement for Molly and heartache for herself. Who will she be when she is no longer needed in her role as mom? What will become of her days? Of her marriage?

Mother and daughter decide to share one last adventure together—a cross-country road trip to move Molly into her dorm. As they wend their way through the heart of the country, Linda stitches together the scraps that make up Molly's young life. And in the quilting of each bit of fabric—the hem of a christening gown, a snippet from a Halloween costume—Linda discovers that the memories of a shared journey can come together in a way that will keep them both warm in the years to come….

Overall rating for this book: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Patons Pure 100% Organic Cotton Yarn

                         

This is my new favorite organic cotton yarn to knit and crochet!

I recently purchased 3 skeins of this yarn: in Fern, Sea and Blue Grass for a project I'm including in the beginner's crochet book I am currently working on.

Sea

Blue Grass

The photos do not do this yarn justice. It has a beautiful sheen. Doesn't fray, split or shred when working with it. It is soft but not too soft as some cotton yarns tend to be. It has a nice stability when working with it.The texture of this yarn is exceptionally nice.  A definite stitch definition (and I was only using a simple single crochet stitch for the most part). And another bonus: it's organic cotton which is always my preference. Very, very pretty!

I plan to make a short cardigan or shrug in this yarn too, as soon as I can.

The only downside I just noted online was that several sites selling this yarn only have limited color choices available and others have discontinued it. I've included the Amazon link on the left sidebar here to one of the sellers I did find. Local stores may have this available too. I bought mine online some time ago from Herrschner's Canadian site but today I didn't note this yarn available there. This yarn is definitely worth looking for!.

Here are some of the basics about this yarn:

Weight Category: 4; 100% USA grown cotton; 2.8oz.80g; 117yd/107m. Gauge: 20st x 26r = 4in/10cm on size 7/4.5mm knitting needles and H8/5mm crochet hook. Care: hand wash; tumble dry low or dry flat; do not bleach; do not iron; do not dry clean.

Re: care instructions. I'm guessing that if a garment or other item made in this yarn was put in a laundry/lingerie bag or pillowcase on delicate cycle it probably could be washed by machine. I haven't tried this yet. I do know I've gone this route before with other "hand wash only" yarns and it worked fine. But again, it would be a test to find out, in your own washing machine. I wouldn't chance it on a larger, irreplaceable item though!

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

The Happiness Is...Prize Winners!

                                       
Here's the link to the Prize Winner's List for the Happiness Is...Contest!

               

Congrats to all the winners!


All of the entries were wonderful. If you missed them, well worth stopping by to check these out too.

I'll be back with some new reviews very soon. I'm working on several right now.

Happy Week! G :<)

See You In August!

I'm taking a short break from blogging.

You can read more here.


In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy some of the many reviews in the archives.

Thanks for your continued support and comments, all appreciated.

See you soon....G :<)

Just Pure Minerals Vegan Lipstick

I have finally hit gold when it comes to finding a really great lipstick that is made from natural ingredients and is vegan too! Just Pure Minerals  sells the best of the best, in my opinion when it comes to a natural and vegan lipstick that actually "walks the talk".

I've checked out dozens of products/websites over the past couple of years and tried several so-called "natural" lipsticks. For one reason or another, none of these brands met my expectations.

Sometimes the textures were not actually what I would consider a lipstick, more like colored lip gloss. And speaking of colors, there are some really strange ones out there (whatever floats your boat I guess) all the way from the darkest brown to an almost colorless pink. I don't want to look like I've got chocolate icing on my lips or that I'm not breathing any more, thanks all the same! I thought lipsticks were meant to make you look better LOL.

 And last but certainly not least, the ingredients. For example, I guess you could call carmine (click this link for more information) a natural ingredient if you want to stretch that definition a bit but do you really want to have a dye made from dried up dead bugs smeared on your lips??? I don't.

Read the fine print, that is if you can find it. Remember, if they don't want to share the ingredient lists up front with the products, there is usually a very good reason why. Even some of the very popular "natural" lipsticks out there in the mainstream marketplace use a lot of questionable ingredients including carmine that I just don't think belong in a product that is called natural.

From the Pure Minerals website at Etsy:

"Our Cerise lipstick is a smooth, vibrant shade of raspberry. Our lipsticks are handcrafted in small batches and with all natural ingredients! The cleanest, safest, prettiest lipstick for those who love lipstick. A simple healthy formula of vegetable waxes, oils, and mineral pigments that go on creamy and last. Just Pure minerals lipsticks moisturize your lips just like a lip balm. No synthetic dyes or fragrances, no animal by-products, parabens, or other nasties you don't need or want on your lips all day! Just Pure Minerals. Purely beautiful, Beautifully pure. "

I have tried several of the shades of Just Pure Minerals lipstick and the Cerise (as described above) one of the newer shades offered there is my absolute favorite. A lovely, medium raspberry shade. Not over the top but with some ooomph to it at the same time. A beautiful soft texture too but one that still stays on the lips. A pleasant light fragrance. And best of all, ingredients that you don't make you cringe when you read them.

Did you know that over a lifetime, most women ingest POUNDS of lipstick? I think back to some of the junk I've consumed in that respect over the years and that is something that makes me cringe!

The price for Just Pure Minerals lipsticks are very reasonable too. A full size lipstick is only $9.00. Compare that to others on the market that can go as high as $35-40 a tube. This is a real bargain!

Just Pure Minerals also sells a  wide variety of mineral foundations, concealers,blushes, lip gloss...and the customer service is excellent. Very personalised assistance in my experience. Above and beyond to insure that customers are truly pleased with their purchases. Definitely worth a visit. And if you've also been searching for that elusive natural lipstick that you will want to purchase again and again, maybe your search is finally over. I know mine is!

 

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Turtle Island Tofurky Jurky

I previously reviewed Tofurky Beer Brats Vegan Sausages, here at My Real Life Reviews a few weeks ago, you can read the complete review here.

I recently found out about another Turtle Island product Tofurky Jurky (yes that is the correct spelling) and I was again impressed by the quality of their products.

I should mention first of all that I am not normally a fan of jerky of any type. I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and most jerky is traditionally made from meat-based products. And even when I did eat meat, a long time ago, I was never a jerky-lover. But I had received some samples of these Tofurky Jurky products which are vegan (the Original and Peppered flavours) so I thought I'd give them a try.

Well, they were actually quite good. I thoroughly enjoyed them. A firm, chewy texture ( a good workout for teeth!) and a  bold and spicy taste, for both flavours.The Peppered Jurky in particular would be a good choice if you like peppery-flavoured foods of any type, this would probably be very appealing.

From the Turtle Island site:

Tofurky® Jurky

Now exclusively sold online - Order here !

Tofurky® Jurky is the first great tasting vegetarian jurky made in a real smokehouse. First we marinate our jurky in GMO-free soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice and organic evaporated cane juice, then slowly smoke it over red hickory chips where it obtains the unique, natural smoky flavor of real jerky. Smoked and dried to perfection, Tofurky Jurky is a great snack on the trail, at work or for lunches.

• High Protein/Low Fat Snack
• 100% Vegan
• Smoked in a Real Smokehouse, No Liquid Smoke
• Perfect for Camping or School Lunches
• No Preservatives or Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Our "Jurky" is vacuum-sealed to ensure freshness. We are proud of the result and feel this product is equal or superior to any competing product of animal or plant origin.
Shelf life is 6 months unrefrigerated.

                          
What I also noted with these snacks is how satisfying they are. If I eat 2-3 pieces of these, I don't feel hungry for several hours.  With 4 pieces (they are cut in circles) only containing 100 calories and with 12 grams of protein, this is a good bang for the buck if you are looking for a snack to take on the go. For hiking, long walks or bike rides...ideal.  Or anytime you want a quick and satisfying snack. No refrigeration required either.

Whether you are a jerky fan or not, meat-lover or vegetarian, Tofurky Jurky is definitely worth a try.

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Contest Announcement for Take A Happy Break

                                                      
For the month of July, I am hosting a contest at one of my other blogs:

Take A Happy Break.

Stop by to join in the fun and have the chance to win several prizes too!

Spread the word, share the contest button/link if you'd like to and hope to see you there. :<)