Zevia and Oakland A's team up to offer zero calorie soda at ballpark

Starting with their 2014 Opening Homestand later this month, the Oakland Athletics will introduce Zevia as the first-ever naturally sweetened, zero calorie soda in Major League Baseball.

The groundbreaking partnership will include Zevia zero-calorie, naturally sweetened sodas available at concessions throughout O.co Coliseum in branded coolers, sampling for fans, in-game advertising and promotions, along with special events on the 2014 calendar.

Zevia will offer six of its familiar flavors in stadium throughout the season, including Ginger Ale, Cola, Ginger Root Beer, Cream Soda, Black Cherry and Grape. Zevia is sweetened with a blend of stevia, a plant-based, smarter alternative to artificial sweeteners, so it is both all natural and contains zero calories. Recently, monk fruit was also added as a key ingredient to sweeten its product offering.

"From their success during the 1970s and 80s to the era of 'Moneyball,' the A's have always been an innovative franchise that succeeds using a different path than their competitors—this is every bit the Zevia story, as we've built the leading zero calorie, naturally sweetened soda brand, while our larger competitors stay in the bullpen," said Zevia CEO Paddy Spence. "American families have made clear they want alternatives to artificial sweeteners—the Oakland A's just gave them one."

"We are pleased to be working with Zevia to provide our fans with a natural zero-calorie option," said A's President Mike Crowley. "The A's have always been open to a new way of doing things and we are thrilled that Zevia has come on board as a business partner."

Zevia branding will be highly visible at the Coliseum, appearing on rotating billboards behind home plate and as sponsor of the team's popular Dot races, which appear on the stadium video boards during inning breaks. Zevia will also receive title sponsorship of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including recognition on an A's co-branded pink rally towel, distributed to 10,000 fans at that game.

In addition to the A's sponsorship, Zevia works with a number of high-profile partners who were brand fans before becoming partners. Shepard Fairey's commercial agency Studio Number One creates Zevia's colorful brand visuals, while family-friendly rapper Biz Markie serves as a spokesperson.

About ZeviaZevia is the first soda brand focused exclusively on zero calorie soda naturally sweetened with a unique blend of stevia and monk fruit. Zevia provides an alternative for soda and diet soda drinkers who are looking for beverage options without sugar, calories and artificial sweeteners. With natural formulas that are certified vegan, Kosher and gluten-free, Zevia is sold at more than 16,000 grocery, natural and specialty food stores in the United States and Canada. Please visit www.ZEVIA.com to learn more about Zevia. Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/ZEVIA or "like" us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ZEVIA.

photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Zevia

Mori-Nu Silken Tofu ideas, substitutions and recipe

April is Soy Foods Month!

Get to know Mori-Nu Silken Tofu – available in the refrigerated tofu section or on the shelf in the Asian dry goods aisle.

Mori-Nu Silken Tofu has a 12-month shelf life from date of production thanks to Tetra Pak’s ® modern packaging system that extends the shelf life WITHOUT preservatives and protects the product from the effects of light, air and harmful bacteria.

Mori-Nu Silken Tofu is gluten-free, low in fat and carbohydrates and proudly made with non-GMO U.S. grown soybeans.

Tofu is a primary source of protein for over one billion people every day. Tofu is the perfect healthy substitute for meat, eggs, and dairy because its free of saturated fat and cholesterol.

Mori-Nu Silken Soft Tofu- ideal for dips, sauces and smoothies
Mori-Nu Silken Firm Tofu – ideal for entrees & desserts
Mori-Nu Silken Extra Firm Tofu – ideal for grilling, stir-frying & sautéing
Mori-Nu Silken Lite Firm Tofu- 1 gram of fat and 30 calories per serving. For entrees & desserts
Mori-Nu Silken Organic Tofu- USDA certified organic. For entrees & desserts.
Mori-Nu Nigari Tofu – authentic Japanese flavor, ideal for traditional East Asian dishes

Use pureed Mori-Nu Firm Tofu to replace:

• Eggs in cookie dough
• Yogurt in fruit shakes
• Milk when making pudding
• Cream in pureed soups
• Stock in gravy
• Cream in sauces
• Oil or sour cream in salad dressings
• Egg yolks in soufflés
• Mayonnaise or sour cream in dips and spreads
• Milk in mashed potatoes

Low Fat Spinach Dip Recipe

• 1 package Morinaga Silken Tofu - Soft or Lite Firm
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or sour cream
• *VEGAN: 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise (Vegenaise, Nayonaise)
• 2 Tbsp. powdered vegetable broth or powdered onion broth
• 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
• 2-3 medium green onions, chopped
• 1/2 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, coarsely chopped
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place tofu, powdered vegetable broth, and mayonnaise or sour cream in food processor. Process until they are a smooth puree. Add the spinach, green onions, water chestnuts, and lemon juice. Process just until all ingredients are blended. Dip should be thick and have lots of texture. Season to taste with pepper. Serve with fresh vegetables or crackers. Keeps up to 2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Lund University engineering students create ultimate veggie burger

A group of engineering students at Lund University in Sweden noticed there was a rather lacklustre range of veggie burgers available in supermarkets, despite a growing demand for green products. And sure enough - too many additives, no flavour, and no texture, were common complaints they came across when they asked consumers.

WATCH: how to create the perfect vegan burger

The food technology students didn’t stop at vegetarian, however; they set about creating a vegan burger, and one that could handle mass production and frozen distribution at that.

Their initial survey identified three key areas where consumers saw a need for improvement: more flavour, more texture and less additives.

“People have an increasing awareness of things like additives and the health effects of eating too much meat or dairy. At the same time, the effect of the foodie movement is people won’t compromise on taste or flavour to the same extent,” says Jannika Timander, the student who led the group project.

Their first problem was getting an entirely vegan product to hold together. Without being able to use eggs, and with their strict commitment to avoiding additives, they instead worked hard in the lab to make the starch from the potatoes act as a natural binding agent.

To add crunchiness and texture, they chose pieces of cauliflower and several seeds. However, the cauliflower had to be pre-blanched in order to eliminate bacteria, a criterion for keeping it safe when mass-produced. They tried three different blanching methods before finding one that retained some texture in the cauliflower. In addition, the three seeds they chose luckily survived commercial blast freezing without losing virtually any crunchiness or flavour.

The group also had to optimize the temperature in the oven, making sure the starch would behave predictably every time, even when mass produced.

“We quickly realized how different this project was from cooking at home. We had to apply everything we had learned about the science and standards of food production,” says Jannika.

When they had settled on three prototypes with different combinations of seasoning, they recruited a test panel of 30 vegetarians and vegans that chose a winner – the ‘yellow beet chili burger’. The ingredients? Yellow beets, potatoes, carrots, cauliflowers, fresh chili, lemon pepper, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and salt.

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is ranked as one of the top 100 universities in the world. With high-quality education and research at eight faculties, we are one of the most comprehensive universities in Scandinavia. The University has 47000 students and 7000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. Lund is often considered to be Sweden’s most attractive study destination and huge investments are currently being made in the new research facilities MAX IV and ESS in the city.

Top 10 workout songs for April 2014

The Top 10 Workout Songs for April 2014

Winter's over, and this month's top 10 list is full of tracks that'll propel you into the great outdoors. In the playlist below, you'll find Foster the People channeling David Bowie, a Miley Cyrus slow jam reinvented as a club banger, and a Wisin track that pairs Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. Extra kudos are in order for Kylie Minogue whose song “Into the Blue” was voted into last month's top 10 and returns this month in a ferocious remix. So, don't waste another moment: get some tunes, get your shoes, and get moving. Spring's here!

Here's the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred--the web's most popular workout music blog.

Foster the People - Best Friend - 115 BPM

Wisin, Jennifer Lopez & Ricky Martin - Adrenalina - 126 BPM

Miley Cyrus - Adore You (Cedric Gervais Remix) - 128 BPM

Mystery Skulls - Ghost - 120 BPM

Major Lazer & Sean Paul - Come on to Me - 110 BPM

Breathe Carolina & Karmin - Bang It Out - 130 BPM

Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't with It) - 128 BPM

Kylie Minogue - Into the Blue (Patrick Hagenaar Colour Code Remix) - 129 BPM

American Authors - Best Day of My Life (Gazzo Remix) - 125 BPM

Avicii - Addicted to You - 128 BPM

To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine. 

Posted by Chris Lawhorn from RunHundred.com. 

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/43536733@N03

Guardians of Rescue steps in after 100 chihuahuas are discovered

America is a nation that loves its dogs, having an average almost two dogs per average household, according to the United States Census Bureau. A home in Louisiana has exceeded all expectations, however, as 100 Chihuahuas were found in a local home in Grand Cane. Animal Control Officer Harold Renfro wasn’t prepared to handle the sheer volume of dogs, so he reached out to Guardians of Rescue, a nationwide animal rescue organization. Guardians of Rescue will be transporting 11 Chihuahuas and three terrier mixes to Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue, located in Port Jefferson Station, New York.

Local publicity of the finding alerted adopters to the DeSoto Animal Shelter. Of 28 of the dogs that were taken to the shelter, only 11 Chihuahuas have yet to be adopted. These 11 dogs will be spayed/neutered, receive special care, and socialization.

"The Chihuahuas left are extremely nervous, fearful and do not show well to the public, we have to treat this situation delicately,” said Dori Scofield, vice president of Guardians of Rescue. "The shelter is full and these are the dogs that needed us most. It was not necessary for us to take the easily adoptable ones. We help the underdogs of the world."

The cost for health certificates and transportation totals over $1,000. Guardians of Rescue is asking the community to make donations, if possible, to help assisting them in getting the dogs to safe and loving homes that they all deserve. Donations to help Operation Chihuahua can be sent to Guardians of Rescue via the Website at www.guardiansofrescue.org or may be mailed to GoR at 34 E. Main Street, Suite 303, Smithtown, NY 11787.  

About Guardians of Rescue

Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is a national organization whose mission is to protect the well being of all animals. They provide aid to animals in distress, including facilitating foster programs, rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.

VineMarket.com offers vegan, gluten-free and organic groceries

Quidsi, Inc. unveiled VineMarket.com, a newly revamped grocery website dedicated to natural living that offers thousands of the finest natural and organic foods, from snacks and beverages to pantry staples and quick meals. VineMarket.com also features a Special Diets Filter, a drop-down menu allowing users to sort and shop for products that are free of specific ingredients or allergens.

With just one click on VineMarket.com customers can use the Special Diets Filter to easily shop peanut free, dairy free, tree nut free, soy free, gluten free, kosher, vegan, and organic food. Formerly Vine.com, the newly redesigned website continues to offer a wide selection of natural and organic grocery products and household items and is now the only site to allow shoppers to filter such a large breadth of natural and organic foods by dietary preference and allergens. In addition to curating lists of products free of major allergens, VineMarket.com also identifies items that are made with customer-preferred ingredients for a highly personalized shopping experience.

"The idea for VineMarket.com was inspired by two people on our team, Rachel and Melanie, who have food allergies and wanted an easier, less complicated way to shop for groceries that meet their requirements," said David Zhang, Vice President of Retail at Quidsi and head of VineMarket.com. "Rachel and Melanie are not alone. According to FARE, the organization forFood Allergy Research & Education, about 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies. We know how difficult and time consuming it can be to sort through grocery options and read long ingredient labels, and hope that our work on VineMarket.com will help make it easier to shop for natural and organic products while adhering to the dietary needs of everyone in the house."

All foods and products on VineMarket.com have been chosen to meet 'The VineMarket Standard,' a set of guidelines created by the site to help customers shop for products that meet our natural or organic criteria or that we believe can help customers reduce their impact on the environment. VineMarket.com food, drinks and nutritional supplements are also free of a long list ofBanned Ingredients, including high fructose corn syrups, bleached or bromated flour, artificial fats, trans fats, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. More than 20 chemicals, heavy metals, animal byproducts, phthalates and parabens are also banned from personal care, cleaning, laundry and cosmetic items carried on the site. 

VineMarket.com customers can also look forward to a shared shopping cart with Diapers.com, Soap.com and Wag.com, as well as fast and free 1-2 day shipping on orders of $49 or more and 24/7 customer care.

About Quidsi, Inc.Quidsi owns and operates Diapers.com (baby care), Soap.com (everyday essentials), BeautyBar.com (luxury beauty), Wag.com(pet supplies), YoYo.com (toys), Casa.com (home & houseware essentials), VineMarket.com (natural and organic grocery),AfterSchool.com (kids' sports & activities) and Bookworm.com (children's books). The company's mission is to make life easier for consumers by creating a new type of e-commerce experience, delivering products in 1 to 2 days and providing incredible customer service. Quidsi is redefining e-commerce by combining the focus and one-on-one connection of a specialty store with the scale, efficiency, choice, value and reliability of a national retailer.

Gardein introduces new Golden Fishless Filet

Garden Protein International, Inc.—the makers of gardein, the plant-based complete protein brand currently sold in over 20,000 stores in North America— announces the launch of golden fishless filet.  Rich in flavor and texture, this protein innovation also provides omega-3s with no cholesterol. The crispy and breaded fish-free product will be introduced at Natural Products Expo West 2014 in Anaheim, Calif., on March 7-9, 2014 and is now available at select US retailers.

Each serving of the golden fishless filet (96g) contains 32mg of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. At only 180 calories, each two-piece serving contains 9g of protein and is made with non-GMO soy, wheat and canola oil. The cholesterol-free, vegan and kosher filets are a healthy and convenient option for tacos, sandwiches, as a snack served with fries and coleslaw, or a delicious dinner served with rice and veggies.

Consumers are looking for healthier protein options and gardein is committed to developing great-tasting meatless foods for everybody. As the fastest-growing meatless brand, gardein offers a broad assortment of items that deliver real meat taste, texture and nutrition. This protein-packed, delicious option allows consumers to enjoy fish in a safe, sustainable and socially responsible way.

"Our consumers were asking for a meatless product that would replicate the classic fish and chips meal," said Yves Potvin, founder of gardein. "We spent a lot of time perfecting the flaky, moist texture on the inside and the crispy coating on the outside. I believe we've done it and I'm so excited to see people fall in love with it."

Visit gardein at booth #4389 in hall D at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., from March 7-9, 2014 to sample gardein's new golden fishless filet as well as additional protein products including the crispy chick'n sliders and gluten-free beefless ground.

Also visit gardein.com for additional information, including delicious recipes using gardein's golden fishless filet and other gardein products.

About gardein™:

gardein ™ (garden + protein) is a plant-based protein brand offering a variety of delicious, convenient and versatile foods. gardein tastes good, is good for you, and good for the planet. Launched five years ago, gardein is now the fastest growing brand within the category. gardein creates mouthwatering center-of-plate foods people love that deliver real meat taste, texture and nutrition—with no cholesterol and less fat and calories than traditional proteins. Are you a skeptic? Try it. gardein turns doubters into droolers everyday with innovative products made from non-GMO soy, wheat and canola, ancient grains and veggies. Gluten-free options are also available in gardein's broad product portfolio.  gardein is available at over 20,000 retail locations as well as in many restaurants, colleges, universities and other venues across North America.

Bitsy's Brainfood Cereal for Kids -- It's vegan!

On a mission to make healthy fun, Bitsy's Brainfood, the world's first "smart" snack brand for kids, launches a line of organic fruit & vegetable cereals built around its core principles, that healthy bodies and healthy minds are connected and learning to "eat smart" should be fun. Available in three tasty flavor combinations: Fruit & Veggie 1,2,3, Carrot Raisin Crunch, and Banana Squash Squares – the new line offers families a smarter cereal alternative made from real, organic ingredients that kids want and need and packaged in way that's educational and fun. Bitsy's Brainfood cereals are now available in retailers throughout the U.S. and at major online retailers for a suggested retail price of $4.99- $5.99.

Created by Alexandra Buckley Voris and Maggie Jones Patton, two moms who share a passion for kids' health, Bitsy's cereals are made with real fruits and vegetables. All three varieties are fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy development, including Vitamins A, C, and D, plus Zinc, which helps brain and body cells to develop and grow, Iron, which helps deliver oxygen to the brain and body, and Vitamin B12, which can help support the nervous system and brain function. Additionally, the cereals are certified organic, non-GMO, Kosher, and Vegan. The Banana Squash Squares variety is gluten-free.

"Bitsy's Brainfood was developed to show kids and their parents that 'healthy' can be fun and delicious. We're all about innovating with foods that families eat every day, like cereal. We love making foods better, by baking in organic fruits and vegetables, and calling out those ingredients front and center. We believe traditional food has done a disservice to kids, teaching them from an early age that the only 'yummy' flavors are chocolate or vanilla. Why not 'Banana Squash'? You won't find us hiding any carrots around here," said co-founder Maggie Jones Patton.

"As parents, we understand the practical challenge of getting everyone out the door in the morning, not to mention pulling that off while managing to nurture kids' bodies and minds," added co-founder Alexandra Buckley Voris. "It's one of those things, though—as parents, our lives are busy, so we thought a lot about how to turn everyday experiences, like breakfast, into teachable moments. Learning about what kinds of foods fuel us is so central to our ability to learn and play!"

Bitsy's Brainfood cereal boxes include fun brain games, and its website teaches kids about nutrition and how to "eat smart" with interactive games and characters designed to promote good health. It also features resources for parents and nutritious recipes for the whole family.  

For more information, visit bitsysbrainfood.com.

About Bitsy's Brainfood: Bitsy's Brainfood was founded by Alexandra Buckley Voris and Maggie Jones Patton, two moms who share a simple belief— that healthy bodies and healthy minds are connected, and learning to "eat smart" should be fun. The first Bitsy's Brainfood product to market was a line of mega-delicious and ultra-nutritious Smart Cookies. For additional information on Bitsy's Brainfood, please visit bitsysbrainfood.com.

Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup

Carrot Ginger Soup

Yield: 6 servings (about one cup each)

VEGAN

Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 1 lb. carrots
• 1-inch piece ginger
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• Pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• 1 quart water plus 1 Tbs. light miso
• Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste (or white pepper)
• Chiffonade of basil or Thai basil for garnish

Directions:

1. Peel and coarsely dice onion.
2. Peel and slice carrots.
3. Peel and slice ginger (scrape skin off ginger with the dull back-side of a paring knife).
4. Peel and chop garlic.

1. Warm olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add onion, carrots and ginger.
2. Sauté over medium heat until starting to soften.
3. Add garlic, and continue to cook for a minute longer.
4. Add cayenne, water and miso, and bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Turn down to a simmer and cook, covered for 15 minutes.
6. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed.
7. Continue to cook another 10 minutes, until very soft. Puree in the blender until smooth. Adjust seasonings and add more water if too thick.
8. Garnish bowls of soup with a chiffonade of fresh basil or Thai basil, and serve.

Nutritional Analysis:
Calories per serving 53
Calories from fat 16
Total fat 1.7 g
0 Transfat
0 Mg. cholesterol
52 mg. sodium
k271 mg. potassium
Total carbohydrates 9.1 g
Dietary fiber 2.5 g
Sugars 4.4 g
Protein .9 g
Vit A 13%
Vic C 17%
Calcium 09%
Iron 7%
Nutrition grade A
Low in saturated fat
High in dietary fiber, iron and potassium
Very high in vitamin A, B6 and C

Founded by mother-daughter duo Terry and Tracy Paulding, Paulding & Co. specializes in creating innovative event ideas for families and corporate entities through public cooking classes and exercises.

Product Review: Kaeng Raeng Soy Free Cleanse

Chances are, you enjoy drinking smoothies and probably drink them on a regular basis. Not only because they are delicious, but because you can pack fruits, vegetables, and super foods into one amazing drink. Plus, they are great as meal replacements or when on the go.

What if you could drink delicious smoothies to help you lose weight, feel great, and fight cravings and bad habits? With the new soy free Kaeng Raeng cleanse, you can do just that! Similar to their original formula, the soy free cleanse is vegan, gluten free, nut free, caffeine free, all-natural, non-GMO, and absolutely delicious!

If you have a soy allergy or are simply trying to cut back on soy, choose Kaeng Raeng’s soy free formula for a 3-day beginner cleanse or a 6-day veteran cleanse. A 6-day cleanse is ideal for people trying to lose weight. Enjoy 3 meal replacement pouches per day and blend into smoothies with liquid, frozen fruit, vegetables, and ice, or simply mix with water, juice, or non-dairy milk.

Enjoy three delicious flavors including “Into The Blue,” “Joyful,” and “Daybreak.” Each flavor is absolutely delicious and incredibly filling!

For my second Kaeng Raeng cleanse, I chose a 3-day beginner cleanse in the soy free formula and I lost 5 lbs. in three days, but I also felt incredibly full and satisfied after each Kaeng Raeng smoothie. I didn’t feel weak or like I had gone without food—instead I felt revived and strong! I even continued working out during my cleanse. I felt great! Plus, I could hardly finish each smoothie because they are so large and filling! However, you can also snack on raw fruits and vegetables or even nuts if you are looking for a little something extra during your cleanse.

Order your Kaeng Raeng cleanse just in time for summer. Why diet or give up your favorite foods when you can do a quick and easy cleanse that helps you to lose weight, kick cravings, or switch to a whole foods, plant based diet. Kaeng Raeng will help! By the end of your cleanse, junk food will be the last thing on your mind.

Order your Kaeng Raeng cleanse today and follow their motto—“be healthy, be strong!”

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit: Kaeng Raeng