Editor’s Pick: Nomoo Cookies

As a lover of all things sweet, I was certainly impressed with Nomoo Cookie Company. The company was started by David Bader, who often made cookies for his friends but many of them couldn’t enjoy them because they kept kosher. Bader shared his frustration with his colleague, Gretchen Dossa, whose daughter had a severe dairy allergy which forced her to rely on certified-kosher foods and to learn how to cook without dairy. Together, and with a team of long-time friends, the two started a gourmet, dairy-free, certified-kosher cookie line.

All of the cookies are baked to order without preservatives and ship the same day. Retail packaging consists of single or double packs and are sleeved for catering. The shelf life is about 10 days but if refrigerated, they can last up to one month.

Available in flavors such as Almond Oy, Big Chipper, Big Chipper with Walnuts, Choco-Lift, Flyin’ Hawaiian, Flyin’ Hawaiian with Pineapple, Ginger Slap, Oat-rageous, and Sugah Sugah, there’s certain to be a cookie to satisfy every palate.  

Editor's Pick: Laiki Rice Crackers

With restored interest in ancient grains and discoveries of the antioxidant-rich contents, red and black varieties of specialty rice have been on the move into store shelves across the country. With the hopes of capitalizing on not only the trends, but also the natural goodness and benefits of the grains, Bay Area food start up Grains of Health has created Laiki Rice Crackers.

At first glance, one might assume the texture and taste to be similar to that of sand paper—the look and feel both promoting such a thought. (I don’t hesitate to try many things, and I didn’t here either, but I can’t deny my second glance when I opened the package.) But these are anything but. 

The crackers are small and dull in color, but are filled with flavor. Truly. And with only three ingredients—black or red rice, palm fruit oil and sea salt—nothing else, it’s a refreshingly light salty treat. The flavors of the black and red rice, both vaguely different, really do shine through. It’s a low calorie snack—each small package only 100 calories—that won’t have you reaching for the potato chips. They’re wholesome; they’re minimally processed; and, as mentioned before, zero allergens.

I’d imagine the snack packs to have an incredible reception with everyone looking for the next flavorful way to make it through the snacking day. And these did the trick. Laiki Crackers are available online at laikicrackers.com in two pack sizes: 3.5-ounce resealable stand up and portion-controlled, single-serve 100-calorie snack packs.

Editor’s Pick: Love Grown Foods

There’s something so wholesome about Love Grown Foods. Perhaps it’s that they’re free of GMO’s, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils, or perhaps it’s that they make me a little nostalgic for the healthy breakfasts my mom served for me when I was growing up.

With six different products in a variety of flavors, Love Grown Foods offers something for every picky eater—for the record that’s my sister, not me. My personal favorite is the Hot Oats on chilly mornings, perfect for rapidly approaching fall weather. Available in four flavors—Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry Banana Walnut, Peach Vanilla Almond and Strawberry Raspberry—they are the perfect light, healthy breakfast to rev up my metabolism for the day.

Editor's Pick: Fruit Bliss

 I enjoy snacking on pieces of fruit throughout the day, but I don't always remember to pack them before I leave the house and sometimes it can be impossible to get out of the office to go grab something. Enter Fruit Bliss. The organic, preservative-free dried fruit products are my favorite go-to. It's a different kind of fruit snack. Although they're dried fruit, they're always juicy and conveniently healthy.
Founder Susan Leone has been taking an interest in nutrition since she was a teenager. Her healthy lifestyle continued well into marriage and she stumbled upon rehydreated fruits while visiting family in Turkey. She decided to expand the concept and share it with the U.S. market.
Operating under the motto, "Made from the fruit, the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit," the company steams each piece along the way, a process that infuses water so they retain their juiciness. There are four mouthwatering options available: Organic Deglet Nour Dates, Organic French gen Plums, Organic Turkish Apricots and Organic Turkish Figs. It's almost impossible for me to decide on one bag, so the company also offers a medley which includes all four. Additionally, they're available in a standard size and small bags as well.