Reviews: Simply Bar, RiceSelect, Daily Raw, Lärabar
***THIS POST’S GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!***
The winner is Caitlin of The Vegan Chickpea!
Please email your mailing info to
almostveganchef AT gmail DOT com
within 48 hours. CONGRATS!
News & Notes
- The lovely Celine Steen is giving away a copy of Practically Raw on her blog! Click here to enter to win before Sunday, April 1st.
- I guest-posted yesterday on Pure2Raw – click here to read my article, entitled Three Simple Diet Changes for Better Health.
Review time! (And psst…there’s a giveaway at the end.) I’ve got some great stuff to share with you today.
First, I received a box of Simply Bars in four flavors: Lemon Coconut, Cinnamon Pecan, Caramel Peanut, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.
Simply Bars are gluten-free and vegan, high in protein (16g), low in sugar and total calories, and low-glycemic, with a moderate amount of fiber to boot.
How do they taste? Sort of like flavored rice krispie treats!
They make a nice morning snack with a cup of coffee, too. 🙂
RiceSelect sent me a container of Jasmati rice (a hybrid of jasmine + basmati) to try.
The rice cooked up nice and fluffy, even on the stovetop (I don’t have rice cooker). I made a big batch just this week to serve alongside Dal Makhani.
My friend Nadia at Nature Insider recently published her first ebook, Daily Raw. If you’ve ever visited Nadia’s site, you know that she takes some of the most stunning food photos imaginable, and every single recipe in Daily Raw has an accompanying photograph to whet your appetite. Just look at the cover!
The recipes themselves are also refreshingly accessible and packed with flavor. Nadia knows what she’s doing when it comes to simple-but-delicious raw food! Check out her White Duchess Cake, a creamy white chocolate torte fit for a queen. Gah! I highly recommend you grab a copy of Daily Raw for yourself.
Lastly, I received a mini-box of everyone’s favorite vegan fruit-and-nut snacks with famously-short ingredient lists: LÄRABARs!
Of the four flavors they sent me – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Tropical Fruit Tart, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Banana Bread – the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is my favorite, while Matt’s crazy about the PB&J.
Want some for yourself?
Giveaway: LÄRABAR
The winner of this giveaway will receive a 16-count variety pack of LÄRABARs, mailed directly to your home.
There are five ways to win (please leave a ***separate comment*** below for each entry):
1) Comment below telling me your favorite LÄRABAR, if you have one, or your favorite bar-type snack of any kind.
2) “Like” Almost Vegan on Facebook AND LÄRABAR on Facebook and comment below confirming you’ve done so. (Bonus: “like” my FB post about the giveaway.)
3) Follow Almost Vegan on Twitter AND LÄRABAR on Twitter and comment below confirming you’ve done so (include your handle).
4) Tweet the following message and comment below confirming you’ve done so:
I entered to win a box of @LARABAR #vegan fruit-and-nut bars from @ChefAmberShea! #Giveaway here: http://wp.me/pYLdq-19q
5) Subscribe to my blog by email (at the top of the right-hand sidebar), RSS feed, or Google reader and comment below confirming you’ve done so (or already are a subscriber).
This giveaway is open to the U.S. only.
The deadline for entries is next Monday, April 2nd, 2012, at 10:00am CST.
I’ll be choosing the winner at random. Good luck!
3 years ago this week…
Indian spice hummus
(Overdue) February leftovers
2 years ago this week…
Skinny bitchtastic brownies
1 year ago this week…
P90X weeks 9-10: meeting some rawkstars
Almost Vegan 
Yummy eats. I could use a cup of coffee right now but I’m sipping on decaf chai. 🙂 I tweeted your giveaway! https://twitter.com/#!/singerinkitchen/status/185397569847963651
I like their discontinued bar, chocolate cherry. I have some left still! I take my time eating these beauties!
I like your post on FB and I already like you and Larabars on FB!
@singerinkitchen follows you and Larabar on twitter. Thanks!
I already subscribe to your blog. 🙂 Love the reviews on your book!
My favorite Larabar is the blueberry muffin and cashew. So delicious I could have them everyday!
I already like you on FB and Larabar too!
Hey Amber, I love the cinnamon roll LARABAR! I follow you on twitter(rjh121) and facebook. I also follow LARABAR on twitter and facebook as well. I tweeted the message https://twitter.com/#!/rjh121/status/185398182463811587. I have been following your blog since last summer. Thank you!
I looooove coconut cream pie!
I subscribe to you via email!
I like everyone on fb!
Did #2, #3 and #5
I love coconut cream pie! They have a ton of great flavors to pick from.
i haven’t tried larabars…but i have tried luna bars and like the white choc mac nut one
I favorite Larabar is the blueberry muffin flavor! I was so sad when I ran out of my big box from Vitacost 😦
liked both on facebook
I already subscribe to your blog!
I like both on FB!
Following both you and larabar on twitter @ThatAshlei
Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/ThatAshlei/status/185403393899106305
Peanut Butter and Jelly!
I tweeted the special message!
I’m following you on Twitter! I’m olliedemars.
I subscribe on Google Reader.
blueberry pie is my favorite!
I love their Coconut Cream and Cherry Pie bars!
i like you both on fb already 🙂
And I love the brownie flavor of Larabar.
I FB like AVC and Larabar!
i subscribe to your blog through google reader!
I subscribe to your blog via Email.
My favorite Larabar is apple pie!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!
My favorite Larabar flavor is Cherry Pie 🙂
I like both Almost Vegan and Larabar on facebook as Janel Myers.
BONUS: I also like your FB post about the giveaway.
I subscribe to Almost Vegan by email with janel dot myers at yahoo dot com.
My fave Larabar is the banana bread – so good!
I tweeted about the giveaway (handle is @plant_fueled)
I follow your RSS feed
My fave is cherry pie, although I just saw blueberry muffin and that might knock it out of the running. 🙂
PB & J or cookie dough for me!
And wow, Nadia’s site and photography…gorgeous!!
I like you on FB & Twitter @averiecooks
I already follow you and Larabar on FB (and I liked your giveaway post!).
I follow you all ways, twitter, FB, I follow Lara, I am a follower & a liker!
I already follow you both on Twitter. My handle is bluetamarai.
I tweeted about the giveaway!
The cherry pie is lovely!
I subscribe to the blog via email. Thanks for the chance to win!
You and Larabar are now officially “liked” by me!
fave bar is definitely the chocolate chip, although when i’m trying to be healthy i go for the banana bread pretty often.
I was already subscribed to your blog. I am originally from KC, too. Being vegan in a city that runs on BBQ–a tough gig, yet you pull it off with panache!
My favorite flavor is PB & J!
My favorite Lara Bar is also the chocolate chip cookie dough
Liked both on facebook
Liked your post
Subscribed to your blog
like you and larabar on FB
liked your post on FB
email and RSS subscriber
I love their peanut butter one!
I follow you both: https://twitter.com/#!/ColourfulPalate
follow on twitter.. love lara bars!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/ColourfulPalate/status/185432756321402880
I love Larabars and cannot pick just one favorite- I have three! They are in no particular order: chocolate coconut, carrot cake, key lime. YUM!
My favorite flavor is either Cherry Pie or Blueberry Muffin – they’re both so good, I can’t choose just one! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I “liked” Almost Vegan and Larabar on FB 🙂
I followed Almost Vegan and Larabar on Twitter (@StephanieBlind).
I tweeted about your giveaway!
And I subscribed to you on Google Reader.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is my favorite. Great texture and just enough sweetness
Yup, have to agree with both you AND Matt…those are two of my faves. I also love the lemon and coconut cream pie. The list of ones I DON’T like would be much shorter. 🙂 Not crazy about Jocolats for some reason.
Your Dal Makhani looks super yummy. Indian food gets a big YES in this house. In fact, we have a dozen samosas in my fridge from Swagat (from up North in Zona Rosa). I will be surprised if they last 48 hours in this house.
I love apple pie and cinnamon roll Larabars, but there are so many flavors I haven’t tried yet. Like blueberry muffin!
I like you and Larabar on facebook
I liked your post on facebook, too 🙂
I love the chocolate coffee Larabar!
I follow you both on twitter!
@j_mosh
Liked Almost Vegan on FB
Liked Larabar on FB
Liked your FB post about the giveaway
followed both on twitter @chicosarah
tweeted the giveaway!
subscribed via email and google+
I love the chocolate chip cherry torte LaraBars!
cookie dough is my favorite too!
i like you both on facebook!
My favorite Larabar flavor was the pistachio before it was discontinued, so I’d have to say that my current favorite is the key lime pie
Cashew Cookie!
I haven’t seen them in a while, but i love the chocolate coconut larabars 🙂
I tweeted! 🙂
https://twitter.com/#!/sunobie/status/185472960432320512
I’m subscribed
I “Like” Almost Vegan and Larabar on Facebook and the FB post about the giveaway
I’m following Almost Vegan and Larabar on Twitter (@sunobie).
my favorite larabar flavor is carrot cake.
liked larabar and almost vegan on fb, and liked your post about the giveaway.
i already follow you in my google reader 🙂
LOVE Larabars. Favorite is definitely the lemon!
I Like Almost Vegan and Larabar on Facebook.
I love the Peanut Butter Cookie. I enjoyed one today! Yum!
@thymebombe follows both of you on Twitter.
I follow Larabar on FB! (@absoule)
I am subscribed to your RSS feed.
I liked your post and you on FB!
Favorite bar – Everything Bars made by Houston’s own vegan bakery, Sinfull Bakery “all of the sin, none of the guilt.”
Liking your FB post about the giveaway.
Liking LARABAR on facebook
Liking Almost Vegan on Facebook.
My favorite larabar is chocolate chip cookie dough! I LOVE larabars!!
I liked Almost Vegan on facebook, and already liked larabar on facebook 🙂
I liked your post on facebook about the giveaway!
I followed Almost Vegan on twitter and already followed larabar 🙂 My handle is CassondraMarie6
I tweeted about the contest… although I wish I hadn’t 😉 I want to win!! LOVE larabars!!
I am already an email subscriber of your blog
My favorite kind of larabar is blueberry muffin!
I’m following your blog via google reader!
I “like” Almost Vegan and LARABAR on facebook
I just tweeted about this giveaway! @rebeccaablock
I’m following both you and LARABAR on twitter!
Blueberry muffin is my favorite – I love blueberries!
I like Larabar on Facebook
I like Almost Vegan on Facebook
Following you on Twitter
Following Larabar on Twitter serene_streams
Just tweeted your giveaway link serene_streams
My favorite larabar is the peanut butter chocolate chip. I’m completely addicted
following larabar on twitter elyseallibad
Pb&j is my favorite larabar flavor!
Hmmm… let’s see. I really like the Tropical Fruit Tart and Ginger Snap flavors, but Key Lime Pie is really good too. Oh, and I also had a Cappuccino flavored one (it wasn’t a Jocalot) and it was AMAZING. And well, the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough one is awesome when you have a serious sweet tooth. Lol. I love LaraBars. 🙂
Those first bars look so good, except for the soy–my tummy really doesn’t like soy 😦
I’d love to enter for larabars, though–if I have time later I’ll fill out some entries.
love
Ela
My favorite larabar is the coconut cream pie!
Already subscribed via Google Reader!
My favorite Larabar is the Chocolate Cherry Torte! Satisfies my sweet tooth!
Like Almost Vegan, Larabar and your post on Facebook!
Follow Almost Vegan and Larabar on Twitter! @billiejeanie327
Tweeted!
Already subscribed via email!
The cashew cookie bar is my favorite!
My favorite flavor is blueberry muffin. Wish I had some right now!
I love the coconut Lara bar flavor
My favorite is the tropical tart!
I like Larabar on Facebook
I like you on Facebook
Following Larabar on Twitter
Following you on twitter and tweeted – thanks so much!
My choice would be the blueberry muffin so I can have it for breakfast with my morning coffee!
Like Larabars on Facebook
Like you on Facebook too
My favorite is chocolate chip cookie dough.
I liked both on fb and also liked the post about this give away on fb.
I follow both on twitter – @rrnancyr
I tweeted about the contest.
I subscribe to your blog by email.
Cherry pie is my larabar jam.
My favorite flavor is peanut butter cookie!
I love Larabars! This week my favorite is the peanut butter cookie–they have so many great options though that it changes all the time.
I already “like” Almost Vegan and Larabar on facebook.
I subscribe via Google reader.
subscriber via rss
I do not have a fave flavor. I am new to the vegan diet and have not tried them.
Love all of the chocolate Larabars, but Key Lime is actually my fave.
I’m not on Facebook, but I follow both you and Larabar on Twitter (I’m @Rawdorable).
I tweeted about it (I’m @Rawdorable).
Of course I get your e-mails 🙂
My favorite Lara Bar would be Peanut Butter and Jelly. So good.
I subscribe Via E-Mail.
My favorite bar is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough…so delicious!!
I subscribed to your email.
I tweeted! @haikustohorror
I love the carrot cake bar, but really, I’ve liked every one I’ve tried. Yum!
This Monday will be my 2nd month as a Vegan (yaaay me)! I’ve never tried a Larabar before, in fact I haven’t had any type of bars in the past 2 months, so I would have to go back before being Vegan & say that I always loved me a Kudos. LOL Would love to try these though, so thanks for a chance to win!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
I already “like” your FB page. I “liked” the Larabar page & I “liked” your post about this giveaway 🙂
Thanks for another chance to win!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
I’m now following you & Larabar on Twitter. I’m GILBYSGIRL. (Gilby is my pupster) 🙂
Thanks for a 3rd chance to win what look to be some yummy bars!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
I was happy to Tweet about the giveaway 🙂
Thanks for a 4th shot at winning!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
My favorite Larabar flavor is blueberry muffin
I’m already a very happy subscriber to your blog! 🙂
Thanks for the 5th (wow) & final chance to win these yummy sounding bars!
Puppy Hugs,
Wendy
my favorite bar is cashew cookie
liked the almostvegan facebook page
liked the larabar facebook page
follow both on twitter
madvad123
subscribed to blog on email
Did them all…. and my fav is chocolate chip cookie dough! I also subscribed, liked the pages, and tweet-ed!!!
I liked lara bar
I liked almostvegan
My fav flavor: chocolate chip cookie dough
I subscribed to your newsletter.
I tweet-ed about the giveaway!
I liked your post on your FB page!
I love raw revolution! especially, the raspberry/chocolate!
My favorite flavor is Cherry Pie.
I already “Like” Almost Vegan on FB and now Larabar.
Already subscribed via RSS feed.
I love Luna Bars, but would like to start getting larabars instead!
my fave flavor is the chocolate chip brownie!!!
I LOVE LARABARS! Apple Pie is pretty tasty 🙂
I like the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar
I “Like” Almost Vegan and Larabar on Facebook.
I tweeted!
I “Follow” Almost Vegan and Larabar on Twitter.
PB & J!
I liked Larabars and Almost Vegan on FB AND your post! I have recently discovered your page and book and your recipes are awesome! I will be sharing!
I love the tropical coconut!
I like you, larabar, and this post on FB!
I subscribed!
I loveeeee cashew cookie & peanut butter cookie larabars!
Already “like” both & liked your post
I have not had a Larabar but would love to try them. I currently really enjoy the Kind date and walnut bars
Already follow both via twitter @aveganfoodsnob
Already subscribed via google reader
Definitely Peanut Butter Cookie! It’s like a dessert for me. Thanks!
My favorite is cashew cookie.
My favorite Larabar is PB & J. I eat them almost everyday.
I like Larabar and Almost Vegan on fb
Cherry Pie!
“Liked” both pages on FB!
Followed both on twitter (@adinaturally)
I follow you both on Twitter!
… & also tweeted about the giveaway! (@adinaturally)
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/lifewithscouty/status/186177476173643776
Love these! I am off on a hike in the UK this month and am nervous that there will not be much vegan food there so I am taking Larabars and Luna bars.
I’ve never tried a Larabar because they are expensive, but I’ve made a knockoff via Tracy at shutterbean.com. It was lemon-flavored and delicious. I’d love to see what I’ve been missing and try the real thing.
I subscribe to your blog via email.
Love the Cherry Pie! My husband likes the Cashew Cookie!
I like Almost Vegan on Facebook!
my favorite Larabar flavor is the apple pie (in a close second is the cherry flavor, tart, but delicious)
Hi Amber!
I made your cheesy chili kale chips and they taste awesome!! : ) I did have one issue with them, but it was with ny dehydrator, NOT your recipe. This is the first thing I ever made in mt brand new 5-tray Excalibur dehydrator. I cooked therm for about 8 hrs. with my dehydrator set to about 118-120. They did not come out as crisp as my store-bought varieties. I took the chips out of the dehydrator because I didn’t want to over dehydrate them. (Is that even possible?) Or is it unsafe to store them in an airtight container if they aren’t completely dry? Will that harvest bacteria? Sorry to bother you with this but I am brand-new to this and trying to get the hang of dehydrating. I am really enjoying your book and I plan on updating my review on Amazon.com now that I’ve tried many of your recipes. They have ALL been excellent!
Hi Tara! The great thing about kale chips is that you cannot over-dehydrate them – I often leave mine in there for days, until the batch is gone, just to keep them crisp. The weather in your area (especially humidity) can also affect/extend dehydration times. So no problem – just stick ’em back in there till they’re dry!
So happy you’re loving all the recipes and congrats on the new Excalibur! 🙂
Sorry for all the typos! I’m on my iphone…
I like Peanut Crunch Clif bars before marathons. I really want to try chocolate chip cookie dough Larabars!
My favorite Larabar is Peanut Butter Cookie
I love the chocolate chip cookie dough flavor. So delicious!!!
Such a fabulous giveaway! 🙂
I love the Cashew Cookie bars, sooo tasty. They’re definitely my favorite snack. (:
Just wanted to let you know I tried your curry roasted califlower recipe, but I had to sub peanut oil for coconut oil. I liked it. It doesn’t really taste like a curry, like Indian food. It just gives extra flavor to the cauli, and when it finished roasting, the underside was really caramelized and crunchy. Maybe if I got off my lazy butt and turned it a second time, both sides would have browned equally. Anyway, very delicious, very easy lazy recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I’m kinda boring I guess, because my favorite Larabar is actually just Cashew Cookie. Simple and super yummy!!