It’s no secret how much I love dessert. My sweet tooth seems to know no bounds. And so I am constantly on the look out for healthy desserts. One of the reasons I love the vegan world is that “healthy desserts” are not an oxymoron – people have gotten creative. After all, we can’t just add sticks of butter and cups of cream to achieve flavor! One of my favorite vegan desserts (although they are really delicious any time of day!) are Wonderfully Raw’s Coco-Roons.
Coco-Roons are a primarily raw, organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, dairy-free, and soy-free version of the traditional macaroon. Except while traditional macaroons rely heavily on egg whites and sugar, the Coco-Roons are made primarily from unsweetened coconut, almond flour, unfiltered maple syrup, cold-pressed coconut oil, vanilla extract, and Himalayan crystal salt. There is some variation in the ingredient list because Wonderfully Raw has SIX different flavors!!
Personally, I love the Vanilla Maple flavor – you can really taste the coconut and the slight hint of sweetness from the maple syrup. It’s a classic. Not surprisingly, I also reach for the Brownie and Cacao Nib flavors when I am craving chocolate. The Brownie Coco-Roons have a satisfying chocolate taste without being too sugary sweet. The cacao nibs are special, because they add a pleasant chocolately crunch in contrast to the otherwise soft Coco-Roon.
Are Coco-Roons Raw?
As I said above, Coco-Roons are primarily raw. Wonderfully Raw uses unfiltered maple syrup that while processed at low temperatures to retain as many nutrients as possible, is not technically raw because it is heated. (To learn more specifics about raw foods click here). Wonderfully Raw believes that maple syrup is superior to raw sweeteners like agave because it is rich in antioxidants, helps digestions, aids in muscle recovery, has a lower glycemic level, and is nutrient dense (it is a good source of manganese and zinc). So Coco-Roons uses one non-raw ingredient in all of its flavors, making the product primarily raw.
6 Types of Coco-Roons
Still have more questions about Coco-Roons? Take a look at their excellent FAQ page or their website!
Also, be sure to check back in next week for a second post on Wonderfully Raw. This time I’ll be focusing on their line of Brussel Bytes and Snip Chips!
I don’t live under a rock. I had heard of subscription boxes. But I thought they were only for makeup. Once I found out there were boxes devoted to delivering vegan treats to your doorstep each month, I was ready to try one! And so the research began (after all I wanted to try a quality box!). Conscious Box appeared on list after list of “the best” vegan subscription boxes, including VegNews’ “5 Amazing Vegan Subscription Boxes.”
What Is the Conscious Box?
Conscious Box is a subscription service that delivers 10-20 ethical, natural, non-GMO products to your door each month. They offer 3 boxes: (1) classic, (2) vegan, or (3) gluten-free (I am of course partial to the vegan option!). Conscious Box pledges not to include products that use animal products or any animal derived ingredients in its vegan box. They also participate in the 1% for the Planet, meaning that they donate at least 1% of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. More questions about Conscious Box? Check out their helpful FAQ Page!
I ordered my vegan Conscious Box, and a few days before Christmas, it arrived! Merry Christmas to me!
This product is designed to decrease oxidative stress – a process that occurs when your metabolism doesn’t fully neutralize free radicals. The packet is divided into two compartments (1) the bottom is filled with purified, reverse osmosis water and (2) the top is filled with antioxidant-rich root and fruit extracts (including Dandelion Root, Licorice Root, Angelica Root, Artichoke Flower, Lemon Balm Leaf, Acerola, and Lemon). The directions instruct you to squeeze the packet until the seal between the two compartments breaks and to then shake the packet until the water has dissolved the extracts.
REBOOTizer gets credit for truly creative packaging that makes it possible to enjoy the product on the go. REBOOTizer tasted sweet with a slight caramel after taste. It’s difficult to say whether I had fewer free radicals after drinking it. REBOOTizer suggests drinking a pouch for 6 consecutive days. Perhaps, documenting a 6 day experience with REBOOTizer will be the subject of a future blog post!
Women in Ghana have been hand pressing this soap made from coconut oil, raw shea butter, cocoa pod ash, water, and palm kernel oil for centuries. Finally, a product that has an ingredient list that I understand! The soap is said to diminish acne, clear oily skin and blemishes, and relieve eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. The soap has a mild smell and an attractive brown color. I love that this product relies on natural ingredients to naturally nourish skin!
I loved these roasted chickpeas. They were crunchy and slightly salted. With 90 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein per serving, it’s a snack you can feel good about eating!
I drink more cups of tea per day than I can count. And Mighty Leaf Tea is one of my favorite brands. I don’t know how they do it, but this tea is organic, flavorful, and fresh. If you drink tea and haven’t tried Mighty Leaf yet, you are missing out!
This lavender scented, coconut oil based bar is certified USDA organic. The soap is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty free. The aloe vera moisturizes the skin while the ground lavender buds ensure that it smells absolutely amazing! Lavender is calming and helps to relieve stress. And couldn’t we all use a little less stress in our lives?
I think savory tea is a brilliant idea. Tea has already conquered the dessert landscape (I do love a good chocolate chai or vanilla bean tea!). Savory is the next frontier. I loved the curry and carrot flavors mixed with the green tea. Absolutely delicious. I will definitely be ordering some soon!
I love lip balm (See my Booda Butter post for more on my lip balm obsession!). And this one smells amazing. Pleasantly citrusy with a hint of juniper. And most importantly, the balm kept my lips hydrated. I’m thrilled to have a new lip balm to add to my rotation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this bar. Peanut and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Plus, Two Degrees Bars are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Even though the bar tastes like a dessert, I felt good knowing that I was also eating a nutritious bar full of quinoa, chia, and millet. Two Degrees also is on a mission to feed hungry children. For every bar you buy, Two Degrees feeds a child a meal. What a great cause.
Two Degrees Chocolate Peanut Bar
(9) Logic Product Group Wash & Shampoo and Liquid Dish Soap
I’m always looking for new, natural body and home care products. After all, I don’t want to absorb chemicals through my skin or eat them off my plate. So thank you Logic Product Group for making these natural products. I liked the shampoo (I don’t care if it’s made for kids, shampoo is shampoo!). It left my hair feeling clean and soft and had a nice, light scent. The liquid dish soap had a mild citrus smell and left the dishes clean without a film. I’m happy to have this company on my radar!
Ok, so I don’t have a baby. But I’m glad Conscious Box included this product. As much as I worry about being exposed to toxins and chemicals, I worry even more about babies being exposed to them. So thank you Conscious Box for showing everyone that there are natural options for baby care!
BumBoosa Baby Wipes
Conclusions:
I loved my Conscious Box. It was convenient (dropped off on my doorstep!) and provided a variety of vegan products to sample. I’m excited about some of the new products and companies I discovered. The added bonus? Coupons for many of the products are included in the box! I hope you enjoy Conscious Box as much as I have!
For more information on how to sign up for a Conscious Box subscription check out:
