Because I get a lot of press releases and samples of new products, I’ve decided to do the odd review on here.
But not just any review. No way is my site turning into a vehicle for covert advertising.
I get absolutely bombarded with pitches. I don’t know how publicists get my email address, but they do. And it’s clear that many of them have NEVER visited my site, judging by the pitches. “Since you’re a business writer…” um, no. “Here’s a cake recipe for your Fourth of July party…” ditto.
The best was this week, when I got hit with not one but TWO releases about Tim Hortons, to which I had the pleasure of replying: “Thank you for the release, but I just did a trip where the goal was to AVOID Tim Hortons.” I’ve also asked Walmart point blank to stop sending me releases because I refuse to write about them.
All this is to say: I’m only reviewing products that are in line with my own personal philosophies, which tend to be: local, organic, natural, fun, travel-related, weird and/or just plain interesting to me. Trust me, I reject 95% of what is offered to me. I am not in it for “free stuff.” In fact, I abhor “free stuff” on principle it because I don’t need clutter!
What’s in it for you? I hope you occasionally spot something that you’d like to try out. I’ve definitely bought things I’ve seen on other blogs!
If you have any questions about the process or the relationship between bloggers and publicists/companies, please speak up. I’m all for honesty.
So, without further ado:
HARK, WHAT IS THIS? Blueberry Hemp Superfood Power Snacks by Navitas Naturals.
WHAT’S THE DAMAGE? One 8 oz bag is $8.99 on the Navitas website.
HOW DOES IT PROPOSE TO ROCK MY WORLD? This product will no doubt appease anyone with a restricted diet, because it’s:
- Gluten and dairy free
- High in fiber and Vitamin C
- Free of refined sugar, artificial colours and flavours
- Full of Omega fatty acids
- GMO free
- Vegan
- Made only with raw/organic ingredients
- No trans fats
INGREDIENTS: Date paste, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, dried blueberries, sesame seeds, hemp powder, maca powder, lucuma powder, maqui powder, natural blueberry flavor, camu camu powder.
LOOKS: The bag is full of bite-sized snacks. They’re essentially lumps of nutrient-dense superfood. They look a bit like those no-bake chocolate cookies you see sometimes at Christmas, but do not be fooled (although there is also a “Cocao Goji” flavour). I think they’re a good size as you probably don’t want to eat a brownie-like portion.
TEXTURE: There is a respectable level of crunch going on in that little cube. The dates are a soft matrix for a flurry of seeds. I remember once I had a (very unhealthy, not to mention creepy and putrid-smelling) roommate refer to the cereal I was eating as “birdseed.” He’d probably call these “birdseed cookies.” Or worse. But screw him! Argh, unresolved roommate issues…
FLAVOUR: The taste is definitely blander than the snacks we’re used to, a.k.a. Type 2 Diabetes bullets such as, oh, say…Oreos. I doubt I’d find myself at the end credits of Survivor with an empty bag, having mindlessly consumed all of these in one sitting. That said, the blueberry flavour is very fresh and appealing and overall the flavour is good.
VERDICT: I wouldn’t feed these to someone who is predisposed to mocking health food. But, as far as a quick snack goes, they’re loaded with good stuff and are completely guilt free. They’re made by a great company, too. Not a bad idea to have a bag sitting in your cupboard, to defend the Kettle Chips from an unexpected and violent attack.
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