Category Archives: Product Reviews

Product Review: Jovial Foods

Photo of Jovial Cookies for blog post, "Review: Jovial Food Products," on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T., Charis Freiman-Mendel.

Jovial cookies are both healthy and tasty. Who’da thunk such a combination could exist?

If your idea of a good time involves a trip to Whole Foods, then you probably have heard of a recent fad in the health food world: Jovial. JOVIAL is a relatively new brand offering a nutrient-rich, healthy product line. It claims to go “beyond organic,” by using Einkorn, an ARCHAIC and pure variety of wheat. The Jovial brand also features gluten-free cookies and pastas.

The first Jovial product I tried was the Crispy Cocoa cookies. The folks at Jovial should consider changing the name to “Perfection In A Box,” because they are so good. These healthy treats, which are made of Organic Cocoa and Einkorn flour, are simple, incredible, not-too-sweet and completely addictive. Three of these cookies served with a glass of cold milk gives me my sugar and dessert fix for the day without providing unnecessary additives and artificial sweeteners.

Photo of Jovial pasta for blog post, "Review: Jovial Food Products," on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T., Charis Freiman-Mendel.

Jovial pasta.

I used to think that tasty whole grain pasta was an OXYMORON… not any more. Thanks to Einkorn, Jovial whole-wheat pasta does not suffer from the gritty texture and earthy taste of the traditional variety. Grit no more; each strand is as smooth and tasty as white pasta while still managing to hold any added sauces, oils or flavorings. I recommend serving it with high quality organic extra virgin olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and salt. Delicious!

Ingredients:

Crispy Cocoa Cookies: Organic Einkorn Flour, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Organic Rice Syrup, Organic Cocoa, Leavening (Monocalcium Phosphate, Baking Soda), Salt.

Whole Grain Einkorn Pasta: Organic Whole Grain Einkorn, Water.

With Joviality,

Charis

  • JOVIAL = cheerful, happy
  • ARCHAIC =very old
  • OXYMORON = figure of speech combining contradictory terms

Pictures From France: Part Deux

Photo of Mont Saint-Michel for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

CHIVALROUS knights once roamed the streets of Mont Saint-Michel.

Photo of Mont Saint-Michel for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

The gusting wind outside of Mont Saint-Michel is anything but a ZEPHYR.

Photo of Nutella for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

I have a PREDILECTION for all things Italian, especially Nutella. In France, it’s easier than I thought to get your Italian fix.

Photo of dinner dish for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

The fish dish at “Auberge De Launay” in the Loire Valley was ADORNED with an edible flower. What a wonderful touch!

Photo of oil and vinegar decanter for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

You can’t help but MARVEL at this innovative and space-saving oil and vinegar decanter.

Photo of McDonald's happy meal for blogpost, "Pictures From France: Part Deux, on www.SATgourmet.com, by author of "Cook Your Way Through The S.A.T," Charis Freiman-Mendel.

“La moche Americaine” AKA The ugly American AKA The REPUGNANT American.

Jordane, owner of Hotel Mas De La Croix D'Arles, St. Remy De Provence, France

At Hotel Mas De La Croix D’Arles, Etan, the PROPRIETOR’S hunting dog, is surprisingly lovable.

The adventure continues!

Charis

  • CHIVALROUS = brave, valiant
  • ZEPHYR = light breeze
  • PREDILECTION = preference
  • ADORN = decorate
  • MARVEL = to be astonished
  • REPUGNANT = repulsive, obnoxious
  • PROPRIETOR = owner

Product Review: The Salad Sac

Photo of salad sac for salad sac product review on www.SATgourmet.com by charis freiman-mendel, author of "cook your way through the s.a.t."

"Salad Sac:" A gimmick or true wonder?

During our recent spring break road trip, we DETOURED to Jekyll Island, Georgia, a must-see for my brother, who is interested in US history. The Jekyll Island Club is the place where, in 1910, financiers came up with the idea to create the Federal Reserve Bank. Sorry, Ben Bernanke, but me and my Mom decided we’d rather shop.

 My Mom found the “Salad Sac” in one of the tourist shops  and decided to try it because she hates throwing out food, and because the saleslady was so PERSUASIVE. The Salad Sac is a practical storage solution for keeping vegetables fresh. The idea behind it is simple. Place washed and slightly damp greens (or any produce) in the bag, refrigerate and enjoy crispy veggies for days.
I have no idea why this simple cotton bag works, but it does. We tried it out as soon as we got home from vacation, combining collard greens, dandelion greens, lacinato kale, spinach and celery all together in the sac. The veggies took on a perfectly crisp texture and stayed that way for days.

Some other benefits of the salad sac:

  • eliminate salad spinners
  • eliminate paper towel-drying
  • prepare salads ahead of time (note: do NOT put salad dressing in the bag!)

This product is definitely not gimmicky and I give it my UTMOST recommendation. Fortunately, you can buy it online for $10.95. Unfortunately for my Mom, she spent $25 for it on Jekyll Island!

 Charis
  • DETOUR = deviate
  • PERSUASIVE = convincing
  • UTMOST = highest