Image from peta.org

‘Easy Vegan‘ is all about practicality. Sure, in an ideal world we’d prepare each meal at home, from organic fresh-from-the-field produce. But what about when you’re held up at work and get home *starving*, with no motivation to cook? And what about when you’re visiting Uncle Bob, in nowhere-ville, and there’s nothing fresh to eat? Or what about when you’ve got that ‘fast/greasy/naughty food’ itch that just really needs to be scratched? What then?

For times like those it’s good to know what’s worth grabbing – and what’s better left on the shelf. Hence, the ‘Easy Vegan‘ guide.


I recently received a small but exciting box in the mail – free nuts! (insert joke here) The nice folks at Sahale Snacks sent me their two vegan varieties to sample and review (see my Integrity Policy here, under ‘Give Me Stuff’). The cool thing about Sahale Snacks is that their nuts have been picked up by Starbucks! So, setting aside any thoughts on the coffee monolith, it’s great to know that wherever there’s a Starbucks (which, let’s face it, is *everywhere*), there’s also reliable vegan eats! (please do note there are 2 varieties that aren’t vegan – the Roasted Almonds with Honey and Sea Salt and the Barbecue Almonds with Mild Chipotle and Ranch)




Sahale Snacks: Soledad Almonds with Apple, Flax Seeds, Date, Balsamic Vinegar and Red Pepper

On the bag: “Influenced by the heat of the Mediterranean sun, this delectable snacking experience features almonds, apples, and flax seeds, tickled with date, balsamic vinegar, and cayenne.”





Our Thoughts: The ingredients sure sound like overkill, but the flavor is totally balanced and nothing overwhelms . Sweetness from the apples leads into a well-rounded and complex flavor profile. The aftertaste is just the tiniest bit of heat – a nice little kick!

Upon tasting, Damian’s eyes got real wide. “What?”, I asked, “do you like it?”. His response: “It’s just so . . . interesting!”

I agree. And we both gave our thumbs up. Would eat again!




Sahale Snacks: Cashews with Pomegranate and Vanilla

On the bag: “We think we’ve found the perfect combination of sublime flavors: pomegranate, vanilla, and cashews. Our whole cashews are teamed with pomegranate and apple, and balanced with pure vanilla beans. Our light glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness.”





Our Thoughts: Okay, I gotta admit I was skeptical at first. It was the vanilla that threw me. But wow, guys, these sort of blew my mind! Very sweet but also complex, I was reminded of the Pralines & Cream ice cream that was my favorite as a child. Such amazing flavors!

The only problem I have with these is my potential to eat the whole bag. NOM.




So guys, now that you’ve read the reviews, here’s the fun part: Sahale Snacks is giving out a gift pack just like I got, to one lucky Bonzai reader. You’ll receive both flavors of vegan nuts and maybe a little something extra as well. All you have to do is leave a comment here! I’ll use the random number generator to choose a winner later this week. Good luck!

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Tags: products, quick/easy/cheap, vegan

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