Happy Summer! This past week I had the opportunity to attend the All Things Organic trade show at McCormick Place here in Chicago. It was a much smaller show than the Housewares show but fun nonetheless and this time, I brought along my little guys to check things out.
There are some great food products out there that should be arriving on store shelves soon. These items are 100% organic, most are gluten & nut free which makes me very happy since my toddler has a nut allergy and the people behind these brands were passionate about their products. I’ll be reviewing (6) vendors total over three posts.
Today’s Picks: Part 2 to follow tomorrow!
ORGANIC B.R.A.T
Yes, you read that right. B.R.A.T—as in Bananas, Rice, Apple, Toast, the diet that is usually recommended when someone has a stomach ache or the flu. Rice based and enhanced with electrolytes, calcium and vitamins, this is the perfect alternative to Pedialyte. My toddler is teething at the moment (ah those stubborn molars) so his eating habits have been a bit sporadic to say the least. He’s turned into a grazer and like most parents, I fear that a diet of Cheerios, carrots and organic milk will not sustain him for long. The Vanilla flavor was an instant hit with him and we are slowly working our way through the other three flavors thanks to the generosity of the company’s owners Greg and Ilsa who generously sent us home with a stroller full of samples. So far, from what I’ve tasted of them as well, they’re yummy! Started by Greg and Ilsa Toepfer, who needed a solution when their two little ones were sick and couldn’t have any dairy and the traditional BRAT diet wasn’t keeping them satisfied, their products are gluten free, lactose free, casein free and made with a conscious. 10% of their profits go to support various children’s charities including Autism Speaks and Celiac Society. Look for Organic B.R.A.T. at your local Costco store soon or ask your local Whole Foods or grocer to carry it. For more information, visit their website at www.bratdiet.org. Best of all, their .35oz size bag is perfect for school lunches, travel and contains (1) scrumptious Fuji Apple. Great for birthday parties, especially for those who are allergy conscious (no nuts/wheat/dairy/eggs to worry about). Yogavive, the producer of Yogachips is based in Napa, California and their products can be found in the Bay Area/West Coast. They’re hoping to be in grocery stores nationwide by the fall so keep a look out for them. They’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike! Visit www.yogavive.com for more information. The great thing about bringing kids along is the honesty you get when it comes to taste testing! We met the folks at Yogachips at the show who provided us with some samples to nosh on. With my 4 year old, the Strawberry Apple flavor was an instant hit. The 2 year old loved the Caramel flavor. What are Yogachips? They are organic fruit snacks produced by Yogavive whose company is committed to producing USDA Organic products. These products are sourced worldwide which allows for a smaller carbon footprint through the manufacturing process and helps bring the awareness that healthy eating and organic farming is a global effort.
