I've been to an Expo... or two

It's been a busy couple of weekends for me heading first to Long Beach for the Health Freedom Expo, then to Anaheim for Natural Products Expo West.  Both were multi-day affairs that I was unfortunately only able to spend one day at; so I made the most of my time at each.

The Health Freedom Expo was founded in 2005 as a way to educate the public about natural health, allowing a forum to speak out against the controls Big Pharma, the insurance industry and the government have over the public's right to information about healthcare choices.

From the Health Freedom website: "Today, the Expos flourish in Long Beach, California and Chicago, Illinois. In each market, the Expo's format, focus, and mission have stimulated the marketplace and empowered the health freedom movement. Annually, each Expo features natural health experts as prominent keynote speakers, presents over 90 informative lectures and holds a number of interactive discussion panels as well as screens current documentary films that relate to pressing health care concerns. The exhibit hall features more than 200 dynamic exhibitors who showcase the finest in natural health products, services and introduces cutting-edge discoveries."

Highlights from my visit to the expo on Sunday, March 3 included a lecture by Dr. Michael Gregor of nutritionfacts.org, "Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death", all but one of which (accidents) can be helped/prevented by a plant-based diet; and, "Cure Your Cravings" with Alex Jaimeson, Morgan Spurlock's wife, the woman who coached him back to health after filming "Supersize Me."

This past Saturday, March 9, I went to the Natural Products Expo West. Natural Products Expo West is the world's largest tradeshow for the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. This was my first year attending and one day at the expo was certainly not enough! There are 1000s of exhibitors in attendance, every one from new brands just making their way on to the market, to well established companies showing off new products. 

Holy moly was I overwhelmed by the scope of businesses and products presented to me! It was such an exciting event to be a part of and so much fun to get a sneak peak of some of the new items about to hit the grocery store shelves. 

Here are a few of the highlights of some products I sampled: 

Mary's Gone Crackers is my favorite brand of gluten free crackers. When I don't have time to make my own crackers, I turn to these for snacking, and often use them for catering as they are pretty clean, having only a few ingredients.  I was thrilled to try their two new soy free flavors. The Super Seed is by far my new favorite flavor! Also, they debuted their new gluten free vegan graham cracker, so new they hadn't even creating the packaging for it yet. 

Mr. Dewie's is an almond milk based ice cream created by two brothers out of Oakland, California. This is by far the best non-dairy ice cream I have ever tasted... move over Coconut Bliss! They use simple, high quality, mostly locally sourced, organic ingredients. It's seriously so creamy and delicious. Bonus, they use a dedicated soy, gluten and peanut free facility. Mr. Dewie's is not yet available down in the Los Angeles area, but they are in the works for online ordering. 

 

Chicago Vegan Foods debuted their new soy free "Teese" product. I'd heard wonderful things about Teese but had never actually tried because of the soy.  I was thrilled to finally give it a try. While I still prefer to make my own nut based cheeses at home, I was very impressed by the new soy free Teese and would certainly recommend it over Daiya for someone looking for non-dairy alternatives. I liked the way it stretched and the melted nacho cheese was very tasty and reminiscent of ball park nachos (the good kind, not the gross ones... you know what I'm talking about) and didn't really leave an after taste like some vegan cheeses do.  They also announced their new large size Dandies marshmallows, perfect for making S'mores (perhaps on those new GF vegan graham crackers Mary's is coming out with?). Of course, I only recommend these products in small amounts or for special treats, not regular consumption as they are processed foods.