This year at Expo West (the largest natural products show in the US) – I found myself spending more time in my hotel room than on the showroom floor. The Kraft petition was going viral and the media was chasing me. It was a double edged sword, because yes, I wanted to get the message out there about how Kraft is exploiting Americans by using products banned overseas in their Mac and Cheese, but I also wanted to support all the growing and wonderful organic companies by sharing their new amazing products with you!
I wish I had a chance to see more. This is only a glimpse of what the show had to offer – I hope you enjoy the recap, new products and things that make me scream in excitement!
The night before the show got started, I caught up with my friend Max (the one I threw a GMO labeling fundraiser with last fall and who just started the very first pressed organic juice directory.) We ate at one of my favorite restaurants in the area, True Food Kitchen. This bowl of veggies is so beautiful, isn’t!
The first event I attended was a special organic lunch hosted by one of my favorite companies – Nature’s Path who is also sponsoring the new film “GMO OMG” (watch trailer here.) Sadly, I did not take a picture of the magnificent lunch that featured their new organic corn chips called Que Pasa Tortilla Chips, but it was a VERY delicious lunch. If you are looking for a 100% organic corn chip (which can be hard to find) you’ve got to check them out. I’m a huge fan of Nature’s Path Q’ia SuperFood Cereal (also unpictured) that made the base for some really yummy & healthy desserts…
At the event, I was fortunate to run into Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich and his wife, who are huge advocates for GMO labeling. I gave him the 411 on the Kraft Petition and he gave me a high five in total agreement. That was pretty cool.
Next I hit the showroom floor and had the best dried fruit I’ve ever put in my mouth. This dragon fruit is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I first tried this fruit while visiting Bali a few years ago, and it remains one of my favorite fruits EVER. Now I can have it here dried thanks to Navitas Naturals. Eating superfruit like this makes the perfect dessert – so chewy and sweet, almost like a starburst but without all the added sugar and other toxic ingredients.
Lucky for me, when I stopped by Navitas Naturals, I ran into my friend Mic LeBel who popped one of these Vermont Soaps in my bag (I had forgotten my own soap from home that I normally take with me when I travel). I was so happy I didn’t have to use the hotel soap anymore, it is always so harsh on my skin and god knows what’s in them.
Tried to visit dear Vanessa, owner of Gnosis Chocolate, but we just missed each other. Instead, I munched down on some of their new flavors… they are so inventive and one of the healthiest chocolates on the market!
Hung out with lab rats at the GMO Inside booth. (Have you joined GMO Inside yet? I’m on the steering committee and there are some exciting things to come!)
I met the very inspirational man behind the movie May I Be Frank…. if you haven’t seen it – it’s a must see, especially for those trying to change their diet and lifestyle.
I tasted Mary’s Gone Crackers new graham crackers. They were so good. Graham crackers are one of those foods that is a guilty pleasure for me, who doesn’t love them?… I am so happy that there are multiple choices for organic graham crackers (without GMO oils and ingredients).
My husband recently ate a whole box of Annie’s New Organic Cinnamon Grahams (unpictured) on his own… with of course a little help from me too! I like Annie’s better for taste, but Mary’s is Gluten free and a bit healthier, so take your pick.
Mary’s also has come out with a new flavor of their famous crackers (definitely the healthiest cracker on the market). Recipes using this VERY SPICY new flavor are already whirling in my head 🙂
I enjoyed seeing one of my favorite activists around… David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. They gave me their new organic certified shaving cream to try, it’s fantastic. And yes, of course David is a big fan of holding Kraft accountable for their hypocrisy.
Found non-toxic nail polish for me (and for children) called Piggy Paint. This experiment below says it all…. if nail polish is eating through Styrofoam, what is it doing to your nails and skin?
So many bright colors to choose from…I brought home some samples and couldn’t help but give them to Lisa’s 2 girls.
This product totally blew me away. Aculief is a natural way to relieve headaches and tension through acupressure…
So simple, so small and I now carry this in my purse if I ever need relief…
I finally got to try Sushine Burger – they are frozen veggie burgers available at most health food stores that I know many of you love. The ingredients are certified organic, Non-GMO Project certified and they are pretty tasty – much better than the other frozen veggie burgers you will find.
I know I might be late to the party, but I finally got to sample coconut chips. Tasting these Dang chips gave me the idea to roast the Nutiva Coconut Chips (which are organic, unlike the ones pictured) I had at home with a bit of coconut palm sugar in the oven…and my goodness, they are so addictive, like candy! And speaking of Nutiva, I was able to get a sneak peak at one of their new products which is in R&D right now… and wowsers, it’s gonna be good! I wish I could tell you what it is, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.
Brad’s Raw Onion Rings makes a very popular version of dehydrated kale chips… So, when I saw that Brad’s is now making onion rings, I flipped. THEY ARE SO RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING. I want to buy some asap, but haven’t found them in stores yet…. When I do, they will hopefully replace my husband’s chip addiction!
I know Little Duck Organics is for kids, but I seriously could see myself eating this stuff. The cereal is made with ancient grains Quinoa, Chia, Buckwheat, Oat and Millet, in addition to 100% organic freeze-dried fruit.
I drink Numi Tea every single day…So when I saw the new “savory” flavors, it rocked my world. I tried every single one….the carrot ginger was insane and tasted like you were drinking a light broth. Very satisfying!
When I went over to the Sambazon booth – I had no idea they were fans of Food Babe. I was totally shocked when they gave me this beautifully engraved wooden bowl…. It’s a great feeling to find out cutting edge organic companies are following your blog and like what you are doing! I’ve been using their freezer Acai packs for years in smoothies…
I met the folks behind Veggie Go’s – 50% fruit and 50% vegetables dried, packed and ready to throw in your bag…I really need to buy some for my nephews.
I ended the show with a lovely dinner with some amazing GMO heroes and the GMO Inside Steering Committee Members at Au Lac Fountain Valley restaurant. We drank elixirs, ate huge ridiculous watercress salads, and sipped on one of the best raw coconut based soups I’ve ever had. I felt honored to be in the presence of so many very inspiring leaders.
(Pictured here, from left around the table, Dave and Lisa from Food Democracy Now!, Zuri Allen Star, Leah Segedie, Jeffrey Smith from Institute for Responsible Technology, Me, Pamm Larry, John Roulac, CEO of Nutiva, Kat Schuett, Cheri from Label GMOs Hollywood and Alisa Gravitz Green America (not pictured))
I had to end the show early because I got a surprise phone call from the Dr. Oz Show. I headed straight from LA to NYC to be on the show, I didn’t even have time to come home first! What a whirlwind it has been since…I’m glad I finally got to share all of these awesome products and experiences with you from Expo West. I simply can’t wait till Expo East in the Fall…
Food Babe
P.S. Have you seen any new organic products that you love? I’d like to see what has caught your eye lately. Please feel free to share them with me and other readers in the comments below.
I want to try everything on this list! Mary’s Gone Crackers are amazing. I hope the jalapeño ones come to a store by me soon! I’ve had those coconut chips – delish. That tea looks divine and those fruit/veggie strips look awesome!
Watch out, cause they are CRAZY spicy… but dipping them in guacamole is something I want to try soon. I bet the cooling nature of avocados would be an awesome complement.
Thanks for the heads up! I like spicy but overly spicy ruins it. Ill proceed with caution 🙂
I want everything on this list as well.
Haha. Me too. Sadly, all I have left from the show is a few samples of Numi Tea, the Sambazon bowl and Aculief.
Id love to try the Aculief! Does it really work? I am a huge tea drinker so the teas sound good! The spicy hips sound like they would be delish with guac! Heck i wish i were there with u..its llike vegan heaven!
It’s been effective for me, but, I’ve only used it maybe three times. I’d like to use it over a year to know for sure!
I’ve been doing what Aculief does for years just by pinching that area with my fingers for a few minutes. Your fingers get tired quickly from holding pressure so this is definitely something I want to look into! Thanks! (And I can’t wait to get some of these food products, they all look yummy!!)
Wow! What a great collection of products. I’m excited to try many of them. Thanks for sharing!!
Cannot wait! I’m gong to ask at all the stores I shop at and see if can carry these products. Hope Costco will carry the spicy crackers since they already carry the regular ones. Thanks for the preview!
Scrolling down the list I was wanting to try everything as well….but then the Numi Tea Fennel Spice really was the topper! Can’t wait to find it in stores!
OMG…I have been to Au Lac restaurant a few times. I went to Fountain Valley High School. In fact, my very favorite Chinese food place is next to Au Lac. SMALL WORLD!
I am dying to try the Duck cereal! And I will definitely buy the graham crackers and veggie snacks for my kids. It’s tough to find good “on the go” snacks for my toddlers.
Good grief I love your blog!
I am the grocery buyer for our local natural foods Co-Op here in Chester CT and with each of your posts, I can’t wait to see all of the products that you love and why. Many of them I already know, but you always highlight something I haven’t tried yet, which I usually then immediately add to that week’s grocery order (if it’s available)! I’m looking forward to attending the UNFI tabletop show here in May to try all these awesome new goodies first-hand!
Thanks for all the great work you do!!!
Oh my. So many new products I need to try! And it I seriously want to attend one of these shows. Thank you for posting this.
Awesome stuff! Interested in the nail polish and the Acurelief…and I was actually just about to order the Numi in Carrot Curry! I love their teas. Would love to try Brad’s…I’ve seen it at TJ Maxx so I may grab some. Thanks for the post!
Cannot wait to write these down AND try them all. Thanks girl, I appreciate your tireless running around for me. Lol. Cuz I take it all personal and i am in awe!. Thanks thanks thanks!!!!!!
We LOVE Piggy Paint. We’ve been using it for about 2 1/2 years now…just remember it’s water based so we apply it to our 4 year old frequently. It’s super safe though and comes in tons of colors. Walmart even carries small bottles if you want to give it a try. Thank you for sharing all of these products!
Those Numi teas look awesome! I drink Numi’s green tea and roobios chai currently. Can’t wait to try the new flavors!
Thank you for sharing!! 🙂
I WAS IN ATLANTA RECENTLY AND CAME ACROSS SOME AMAZING POPSICLES…!!!
THEY WERE CALLED
HERO POPS.
HAS ANYONE TRIED THESE AS WELL, THEY ARE ALL NATURAL AND AMAZING, WITH CREATIVE FLAVORS. BUT I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BUY THEM . ANY REVIEWS ON THIS GREAT PRODUCT..? I WOULD LIKE IT IN MY STORE…!
I LOVE Vermont organic soaps! My cousin lives in Vermont and introduced me to the line. they also have cleaning products that work very well with no harmful chemicals!! I am going to try all the other products on this list. I tried Harmless harvest coconut water and LOVED IT! Thanks for all your great articles, tips and advice!
Where did you find the harmless harvest coconut water as I didn’t see it in whole foods? Thanks!
It’s in the fridge section by the raw juices – it should be there!
I’m a big fan of phoney baloney’s coconut bacon & pig out’s whole grain bacon bits:
http://www.phoneybaloneys.com/bacon/
http://www.veganstore.com/product/wayfare-pig-out-whole-grain-bacony-bits/vegan-meat-alternatives
Just wanted to let you know I went into the dollar tree today and was pleasantly surprised to find Non-GMO sweet potato chips with sea salt at the register! Kudos to dollar tree!!!
Where will expo east be? I’d love to go.
Baltimore, MD
I’ve been buying products from Navitas Naturals for some time now – they are great!! Highly recommended!
Definitely looking forward to the release of that documentary!!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Great products! Can’t wait to try some of them. The kids foods actually look the best 🙂 The veggie/fruit snack sounds like a good thing to take on trips.
I have to say, Numi is one of THE best companies out there. Very ethical and their teas contain no junk, meaning no “natural flavors” or other junk that is allowed in so-called organic teas by USDA. I’ve been buying their tea for a few years now an love them. (no I don’t work for them but I always like companies that truly live up to organic/natural and not just try to get by!)
It’s exciting to know you are another huge Numi tea fan 🙂 Hopefully I can ask them to host a giveaway soon!
Sorry if this is a repeat… I don’t think the first one went through
Great products! I want to try the kids ones they look the best.
I just have to say that Numi is one of THE best tea companies out there. They are truly organic, ethical, and don’t have any junk that other organic companies sneak in like “natural flavors,” soy, and all kinds of junk. I’ve bought them for a few years and can’t say enough about them. Love them!
I’d love to know how the Aculief works for you over the long run – I have terrible migraines and if I could get off meds it would be wonderful. I will say a (95%) vegan whole-food diet really has helped a great deal with the frequency, but I do still get them.
Yes, I agree! My husband gets migraines from time to time and sometimes headaches once a week. I was going to get some Tumeric for him, but this seems like a good solution especially when he’s at work. Would love to know if this really works.
What a fantastic trip that was! And omg, what an honor it must have been to sit next to Jeffrey Smith. I cannot imagine the conversations at this table. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall next to you guys!
I’m a Charlottean, too, and follow both you and Lisa. It does my heart good to see so many people waking up to GMOs and Monsanto. I spread the word on Facebook and Twitter as often as possible. I admire you greatly for your work and for the passion you bring and inspire in us all. Please don’t ever stop. We need you!
Ginger ~ Steele Creek
Can you tell me where I can find Veggie-go’s and dragon fruit? Does Little Ducks Organics carry GF foods? If so, what stores can I get them at? We have Sprout’s, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. I do majority of our shopping at Trader Joes but make some trips to Sprours and Whole Foods and never seen any of the products I’m curious about.. Some advice would be helpful and greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!
I’m hoping I can order one of those aculief things online! My mom has had headaches almost daily for a year & a half and after numerous doctors, specialists, tests, medication and other treatments, has still not been able to resolve them! I pray this can help her!!!! I’ll be looking for some of these other great products to try too!
I am willing to bet money that if your mom is eating clean (no aspartame, MSG or glutamates, no wheat, no fragrances, hormones adjusted) that she is being bombarded with chemicals in the real world. Everywhere we go there are fragrances being sprayed on us. I know, I suffer and very seldom get migraine anymore. However, I had to smell popcorn oil at a museum and then ate some ribs, just the smoked rib. I will try the ribs again to test my theory that it was popcorn being popped in a large, respected museum that made me sick.
What a fun trip that must have been!! And what an honor to sit next to Jeffrey Smith! I would love to have been a fly on the wall at that table. Oh at the conversations that must have gone on!!
I’m a Charlottean too, and I want to thank you for what you do and for your continued passion for the issue of GMOs. I wish more people would wake up to them. I opened the Pandora’s Box of GMOs when my son was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I do everything I can to spread the word on Facebook and Twitter of how dangerous they are and of the dastardly doings of Monsanto. I follow both you and Lisa and am grateful to be among such good company in the battle for our right to know what we are eating. Please don’t ever stop! Keep up the good work and one day we will create the change we wish to see in this world!
Can’t wait to try some of these! I will be looking out for the Marys Gone Crackers Graham Crackers. My kids love graham crackers! On another note, I was extactic to find that Costco is now selling Mary’s Gone Crackers brand. There are only a few things that I buy there, but it is nice that they are appealing to the more health-conscious customers now. 🙂
Wonderful info, thanks so much. Is the expo west next year open to the public? If so would you please announce it as it approaches? It would be wonderful to go. Thanks for working so hard to make a better world for everyone, you are my Food Guru!!
Thanks for all the information on the new products! I SO appreciate that you mentioned Vermont Soap Organics! I absolutely LOVE this company and all their products! My whole extended family has been using their products for years and they’re great–even for babies/kids! Their peppermint soap is to die for! Thanks for all you do!
I would love to try a few of these. We are a military family living overseas and I’m trying to find an online store that will ship to us. Any ideas?
What a list, I hope I can find these things in the store, but its so nice to see all of this, Wow, good job. Boy I hope I can find these. Thank you
Foodbabe,your website inspires me but many of the products are not available in Canada.well maybe in Vancouver but I’m talking small rural towns.Do you have any Canadian contacts ? All the best!
Great info! I’m going to try the Sambazon, Navitas Naturals dragon fruit, Mary’s crackers and the Gnosis Chocolate, right away!! I’ll have to look for Veggie Go’s because I do not want to buy them bulk without trying them first. Thank you!
Hi Food Babe-
I would love to attend an organic trade show like this. Does Chicago ever have them? If so, can anyone attend or is there special criteria in order to attend?
Thanks!
Hi FoodBabe!
I enjoy your blog and emails and I’m learning a lot. It’s great work you are doing on the GMO’s! I’m still trying to understand some of the issues you bring up. Like carrageenan – I used to picture it as a nice healthy seaweed product, and you opened my eyes to what that really is! And I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out if I should be taking fish oils or not, or which brands.
Here’s another thing I I wonder about regarding products from the show…When you mention that some products are gluten-free, is it because so many people have gluten intolerance, or do you view gluten as inherently problematic? I’ve always taken the view that if the gluten is in the food naturally I’m OK with it, but I won’t buy products where it’s added to boost fiber content. (if you just want an undigestible fiber filler, sawdust would do the trick just as well, right?) Do you have a blog about that? Keep up the good work!!
Bart
Terrific post! Most of these look so delicious! I am looking forward to trying the coconut chips especially. The thing is that we’ll probably have to wait so long for these to come to stores! Hopefully they’re available online.
Are you going to be on Dr. Oz again?
Ok- So I was so excited to try almost all of the things on this list. I went to Soap.com to see if they sold Navitas fruit stuff like you mentioned above and a lot of the reviews were regarding their high mold content in the bags, the fact that the don’t come from Tibet as claimed, they come from China and are not organic at all. There were many reviews about customers getting severe stomach cramps lasting 12 hours and vomiting. Here is the link:
http://www.soap.com/p/navitas-naturals-organic-goji-berries-16-oz-pouch-280891
I just wanted to know what you think on it FoodBabe.
I just tried some Peach Crisps by Brothers All Natural. The package says no added ingredients- just freeze-dried slices of peaches. They taste really good and its almost like eating potato chips. They say they are non-GMO and have all these certifications (CIQ Inspected, HACCP Certified, etc.) but no USDA Organics stamp. As a consumer trying to pick out quality products, which certifications should you make sure the product has?
We love “Simply Sprouted Way Better Snacks.” My favorites are their Multi-Grain Tortilla Chips and their Black Bean Chips. Yum!
I suffer from terrible migraines and was just reading about acupressure. Where can I find the Aculief?
When I changed my life to organic,was very hard and challenging at first.
Food shopping nightmare,too many companies with GMOs,and still,this is a big battle with them!
They don’t want to label,so Hurray for those,whose making NON GMO,healthy food,BOYCOTT on others!
Thank you to them!
Thank you FOOD BABE!
A couple of months ago, I found Nuttzo for the first time at Whole Foods. I think it is a great product and am very happy I found it. It is an organic nut and seed butter, here is the website for it.
https://gonuttzo.com/
When I click on the like button to post it on facebook, it does not show the whole thing so I can share it? I have tried this a couple of times now, and won’t let me share it. Don’t know if it is on your end or mine?
That all looks amazing. I wish I had disposable income so I purchase this stuff.
Hi Food Babe! I would love to try these products. I live in Hawaii and my only health food store kind of sucks! They don’t have a very good selection of non GMO products. Do you know of an online store or website that I could order from? Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication! It’s good to know someone is looking out for us!
I would love to go to the expo next year! I am going to look into it. The newest organic food that I have found is the Raw Protein Powder. I know you mentioned it on your website before because that is why I chose it! I just feel so much better after starting to use it! Other than that, I have been eating organic bell peppers. They are a pricy food ($3.50 each) in my area, but they taste amazing!
Thanks for the update! However, I find it so discouraging when I see some of the packaging. Those onion rings look great – but I won’t be buying them due to that large plastic container. Same goes for all those individually packaged dried fruit things in plastic. Recycling is great – but it is the last way to do anything…and unfortunately doesn’t do as much as people think. (Reduce and ReUse are so much better)
There are so many more options now for packing I would love to see some of these companies using them.
The Piggy Paint is great i found them online after i had my daughter and she wanted to have her nails painted like the grown up women did lol 🙂 i can´t wait to get my hands on the Aculief! to try it out and to try the Dragon-fruit 🙂 I am lucky i live in an area where it´s easy get my hands on organic food (and i grow my own veggies in the summer) and there are real health stores around i did not realize many people do not have access to that 🙁
Good job Food Babe! you are an inspiration to all of us keep up the good work! 🙂
Cool stuff! I do find it interesting that Aculief does not disclose anywhere the material used to make the plastic clip. I’m a little wary of attaching plastic to my body. Wouldn’t it be better for self (and the environment) to listen to your body’s cues and take a moment to rest and use your built in clamp, aka your opposite hand?