Category Archives: Staples

Miyoko’s cheese wheels – review and sustainability

You may find Miyoko’s cheese wheels at the Grocery Outlet, if you’re lucky. I liked the Smoked English Farmhouse but preferred the Black Ash – they exhibit a level of sophistication that has been lacking in vegan cheese. Miyoko’s Creamery gets 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact.

Miyoko’s vegan butter– review & ethical rating

Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter raised the bar in the vegan dairy space. In terms of taste and texture, it’s my favorite vegan butter. Miyoko’s Creamery gets a perfect score of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact.

Explore Cuisine pasta – sustainability and ethical review

Explore Cuisine makes a range of high-protein pastas from organic legumes and other sustainable ingredients like Spirulina. The three that I tried all had a great texture and flavor and I’d recommend them for anyone looking for sustainable protein sources and/or alternatives to wheat-based pasta. 4.5 stars for social and environmental impact.

Gardein turk’y roast – sustainability and ethical review

Gardein is a brand of vegan meat substitutes that is owned by Conagra Brands. I’ve previously evaluated Earth Balance, also owned by Conagra and it scored very poorly for sustainability. Gardein is better and although there’s room for improvement, it gets 3.5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact.

NotMilk – sustainability and ethical review

NotMilk is a brand of pea-based, vegan milk that’s produced by the Chilean company, NotCo. Like Ripple milk, this is based mainly on pea protein and sunflower oil. I tested both products in tea, coffee and cereal. NotMilk gets 3.5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, with one easy way to improve to 4.5 stars.

Nature’s Path Pumpkin Raisin Crunch cereal

I bought a box of Nature’s Path Pumpkin Raisin Crunch cereal at the Grocery Outlet. I’m not in the market for nutritionally poor cereals, whether flakes, puffs, charms, loops, or Os. This cereal, comprised of organic whole grains and seeds, is more substantial and nutritious than most. 5/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact!

Blue Evolution seaweed pasta

This week’s post is about a new seaweed pasta product from Blue Evolution. I’m a fan for three main reasons: flavor, nutrition, and sustainability. Sustainability is the key here – we should all be eating seaweed to heal this planet. Blue Evolution is a forerunner in bringing sustainable seaweed aquaculture to US shores. 4.5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact.

The impact of processed food

An article came out in the Guardian today: Revealed: the true extent of America’s food monopolies, and who pays the price. It’s a good reminder for me to point out that we should minimize our processed food intake as much as possible. Ethical Bargains aims to highlight the most ethical processed food choices, but any ethical diet should consist of mostly fresh veggies and fruit.

Is Earth Balance ethical?

This is the second of two products made from palm oil that I’m evaluating for ethics and sustainability. Earth Balance is now owned by Conagra, which rates poorly on palm oil sourcing. I’m scoring it 1 Green Star for social and environmental impact.

Nutiva Shortening & Palm Done Right

I’m going to feature two products made from palm oil to highlight the differences in ethics and sustainability. First up is Nutiva Shortening, made from organic palm oil that’s certified by Palm Done Right. 4.5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact.