Top 5 Vegan Finds at the 2017 Cannabis Cup!
Alex and I had the pleasure of attending our very first Southern California Cannabis Cup last weekend at the San Bernardino fairgrounds and had a total blast. We really didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised when, after following respected magazine account High Times on instagram, we saw that tickets were reasonably priced. So we bought them! We arrived in the afternoon (the event went 3 pm to 11 pm) and got checked in pretty easily, barely bag searched, and sent in to get wristbands. Anyone could get in with a ticket, but to get into the sampling + smoking section, you had to have proof of your medical rec on you. After getting into the inner sanctum (and the sampling tents!) we started seeing similarities between this event and something like Expo West. It's basically the same idea - an expo of all the growers, sellers, and products hitting the market in one place, for people who consider themselves connoisseurs. There was everything from flower and bud to smoke, to crumble and shatter to dab, to edibles from every corner of the stoner culinary world - including some really great vegan ones! We scoured the show, taking the occasional dab and sucking down CBD water to stay hydrated, looking for the very best, newest vegan, GF, and better for you edibles at the show and found some really great ones. Scroll down for my list of the best in show - you may find yourself a new must-have treat!
1. Mary Jane Juice Co. Fresh-pressed Juices + Nut Milks We found the Mary Jane Juice Co. nearly last at the show (pictured above 👆), but we're so glad we did! They had a sampling of at least 6 flavors at the show, but these two were the stand-outs for us; the 100 mg Vanilla Almond Milk and the 200 mg Ancient Healing Tea. They're both low-sugar, vegan, and totally raw, plus each packs a hearty cannabis punch to help sure whatever's ailing ya! The milk, smaller in dosage size, was $10 and the tea was $20, but it would also be more than one serving for most people. These drinks are packed with good-for-you-ingredients so you can reap the pain relief benefits of the drink along with the inherent nutritive value of the drink itself. They're guilt-free, great on the go, and taste great - no weird marijuana aftertaste. Find more info on their Instagram!
2. Cheef Naturals Chews + Super Fruit Bars
Okay guys, all terrible branding and racism aside (the name Cheef and their branding at the show -- white girls dressed as Native Americans -- realllllly needs to be reconsidered) these edibles are really phenomenal. They're one of the only edibles I've seen on the market with a focus on being super, super healthy. I'd tried their super fruit bars before and loved how they tasted like a raw, flax-y granola bar. The high was great too, but it just felt so nice to eat an edible that aligned with how I eat the rest of the time. The coconut caramel chews are a new product, very similar in texture to Cocomels, but infused with marijuana. And packing a hearty THC punch with 5 doses (100 mg) per chew! Find more on their products here.
3. Half Lit 25 mg THC Pops
These pops just get cooler and cooler! Not only do they taste great, pack a solid little punch, and are made with organic ingredients, but when you finish this pop you can recycle the stick by PLANTING it! It contains cannabis seeds, so when planted and watered will turn your trash into a big, beautiful plant. I love this idea! Such a clever way to cut waste and encourage recycling. Just make sure that if you plant the stick, you live in an area where you won't get in trouble if you get caught. Be smart friends. (Here in CA we are allowed to keep plants, but please check your laws before you plant anything! Duh. 😝) We picked up a pineapple and watermelon pop for later, and hope to start seeing these at more of our local dispensaries soon! Find out more about them here.
4. Zendo Infused Peanut Butter
This was one of my favorite product from the show, and maybe the one I'm most excited about for other people to try. It's literally just an infused peanut butter, which each packet 1 oz packet containing a 50 mg serving of THC (hybrid strains). It's the perfect healthy snack, literally containing just all natural raw peanuts and cannabis. With no added sugar or weird ingredients, this edible is perfect for people looking to stick to a specific diet or who have to eat healthfully because they're not well. Plus, it packs a great punch of protein! (If you have to do chemo and can't get a lot of food down, this may be a great option as well.) This same company also makes a similar single serving packet of coconut oil, perfect for eating raw or cooking with. I can't wait to slather this stuff all over my morning toast, add it to my smoothie, and make a soba noodle salad using this for the peanut sauce. It's so versatile! Find more at ZendoEdibles.com.
5. Cali Gold Genetics Cannabis Infused Body Butter
This booth caught our attention as we were walking by because they were one of the few advertising as a VEGAN product - which we loved, and of course stopped to check out. These body butters are made with quality, moisturizing ingredients like cupuacu butter, kokum butter, cannabis infused coconut and olive oils and vanilla infused jojoba oil, and rubs on super thick and emollient, but not greasy. There are 4 different types, all designed to alleviate pain, inflammation and irritation and to protect and nourish your skin. It's amazing stuff! I actually talked to the woman at the booth for awhile about my psoriasis and she explained that she actually started making these salves as an alternative to medicated psoriasis creams for her boyfriend. I've started using it on my psoriasis on my thighs and have been loving the results - super moisturized and no flaking! Find more about their salves other website here.
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Juicero Organic Juice Press Review
If you haven't heard of Juicero yet, listen up - because this thing is AMAZING! I was sent one to review, but I wasn't compensated. I just love it! With my wedding quickly approaching (115 days people! 😬), I have been looking for a way to commit to my morning green drink routine, and have also been totally avoiding sugar. It's tricky business, and it can be hard when you're busy to commit to buying and hauling home enough produce to make a morning habit routine. Plus, my regular juicer has been on the fritz for months and cleaning it is such a pain in the butt - I avoid using it for that very reason. And that sucks!
Juicero is juicing made smarter - quite literally. This app-based juicer is clean, quick, and couldn't be easier to use. When the juicer came, it came wrapped in a big sturdy box. It was fun to open it and I immediately fell in love with how clean it was. All of the wrapping it came in - and ALL of the juice pack - are completely recyclable. That was a main concern of mine before starting, but I was reassured that all of the cardboard, paper and plastic used are 100% recyclable. Not perfect, but a fair trade for the convenience. The process from delivery of the machine to your first glass is juice is simple. Pre-selected packs you order online or through the app are delivered to your door in refrigerated, well wrapped packaging - again, totally recyclable. We got a mix of organic juices over the few weeks including the Greens, Sweet Greens, Spicy Greens, Root Renewal, Granate Glow, and Beta Glow. My very favorite is the Spicy Greens - with a kick of jalapeño - for its flavor, and the fact that it only contains 12 natural sugars. Alex is more partial to the sweeter Beta Glow, but we've both been loving waking up and enjoying a glass before we eat breakfast. It gives me little more energy during my morning workout and helps to stave off my hunger for a little longer. It can be hard to get the full 5 cups of fruits and veggies recommended into your diet every day but drinking fresh, cold-pressed 100% juice is a great way to infuse a daily diet with more fresh fruits and vegetables - so if you're on the fence, this may be the perfect solution. Juicero has engineered the first home, cold-press juicing system that makes raw, organic juice at the touch of a button.
One of my favorite things about the Juicer really is all the technology; first, the packs all contain a QR code with information that the juicer reads at each press. It send info about the juice, what farm the produce was collected on, and when to enjoy your pack by right to your cell phone. Expired packs won't be pressed, so you'll never have to guess at the freshness of your packs. Sure you can't SEE the produce inside, but it come out tasting AMAZING! And actually CUTS DOWN on waste because of the lack of food scraps and ability of the packaging to all be recycled again. You can personalize your weekly orders so you're getting a different range of juices each week if you like. Then you just pop your pack in the press, press the button, and watch as your juice is delivered fresh from the Juicero to your glass. You can even open the package up and use the pulp, if that's your thang!
I have totally loved using the Juicero and will definitely continue use it - at about $7 a pack it costs me the same as going out and buying a green juice, but is absolutely more convenient. Plus, just this morning I saw they added a NEW Mini Greens flavor that I have to try. Juicero isn't available everywhere yet, but it will be soon - get more info + order at Juicero.com. Use code AP10 for 10% OFF!
**Full disclosure: I was given this product for FREE to review. I was not otherwise compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
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