Summer’s Heat Can’t Beat These Chocolate Treats
You may have noticed that the chocolate sections of our website are a little less populated this summer than they have been at other times of the year. This is because summertime heat, especially in this record-breaking year, makes creating, storing and shipping chocolates problematic. 
As you probably know, we have extremely high standards for the taste, quality and presentation of all of our products. In the case of our fair-trade chocolates, they’re made by hand, in small batches, using only the very finest dairy-free, organic and fair-trade ingredients. After all the premium ingredients and loving preparation, it would be a shame to have them arrive as a chocolate puddle. So, to avoid that tragedy while the warm weather continues into Fall, here are a few wonderful chocolate gifts that will not melt in the heat.
Our chocolate, salted chocolate, and chocolate rose caramel flavors all have the chocolate-y goodness we all love while being impervious to heat. If they get a little soft in warmer temperatures, simply refrigerate them for a short time to re-harden. Classic and peppermint drinking chocolates are perfect for creating rich and decadent dairy-free chocolate milk or milkshakes on hot summer days. For some taste-test fun, try several different non-dairy milks and ice creams in your milkshakes, then pick your favorite.
Last but certainly not least, our baked goods offer a variety of chocolate flavors that don’t mind the heat. Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies and several flavors of brownies are currently available including Toasted Coconut and Pecan. These artisan baked goods make excellent corporate food gifts for compassionate and eco-conscious companies. A dozen cookies or a tray of brownies cut into bite-sized pieces can easily be shared around an office or conference room. Don’t let the heat get in the way of your chocolate cravings…
Act now!
Perfect Combinations
Ever since we changed our cookie and brownie recipes to use oat flour instead of wheat, Allison has been a little bit obsessed with her own cookies. For a long time it was the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies that were her almost daily habit, but recently, her preference has leaned towards Double Chocolate Chunk. 
Last week I found her enjoying this little snack and we decided that the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie with a glass of So Delicious Coconut Milk was such a perfect combination we just had to document it! (Allison prefers the Unsweetened flavor, but I usually go for the Original or the Vanilla.)
That little snap shot got me thinking about other perfect dessert combinations and here are some of my favorites (more photos to come, I promise):
• Peppermint Hot Cocoa with a Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie to dip in it.
• Decaf Vanilla Nut organic coffee with So Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer and a Pecan Brownie on the side.
• Soft Peanut Butter Cookies warmed in a toaster oven with chocolate chips melted on top.
• Rooibos Earl Grey fair-trade tea made with 4-5 drops of stevia and a splash of rice milk and… never mind… that drink is so delicious it’s its own perfect combination.
What are your ideal dessert combos? We’d love to hear your ideas and see your photos.
Dad of the Day Giveaway!
Looked at a calendar lately? It’s almost Fathers Day! We love the Day O’ Dads over here at Allison’s and this year we’re looking for the Dad of the Day. Comment here on our blog telling us how you are going to celebrate your dad and what makes him so fantastic and June 19th might get a little sweeter! We’ll pick a winner next week, Monday the 13th, and if you win, we’ll send you or your pops a $30 gift certificate.
This Giveaway is now closed.
If you don’t win, don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered. Here’s a curated selection of products any dad (vegan or otherwise) is sure to love:
The Spice Lover’s Gift Set
For adventurous dads with a (slightly) daring palate! Spiced Peanut Brittle and Chipotle Caramels.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
Sweet and salty peanut butter hugged by delectable dark chocolate. Chocolate-loving Dad’s dream come true.
Chocolate Caramels
Buttery caramel. Smooth chocolate. Tootsies just rolled over.
Sweet Desires Gift Basket
For the dad who deserves it all! Peanut butter cups, vegan cookies, two flavors of brownies, four flavors of organic coffee, chocolate peanut brittle, vegan toffee and perfect gift packaging!
Salted Chocolate Brittle
If there was an edible Dad metaphor, this would be it. Classic buttery peanut brittle, rich dark chocolate topped with pink Himalayan salt.
Pecan Brownies
Sumptuous organic brownies fit for a king! Crowned with buttery toasted pecans.
Dad doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Here’s a variety of impeccable organic and fair-trade coffee. Excellent black, iced or otherwise.
Feel great about spoiling the ones you love. All Allison’s products are totally organic, use only the highest quality ingredients, and are cruelty free. And if Daddy loves you, he might share!
Friday with Friends: Gail Davis Rhamy
This week we’re very pleased to introduce to you Gail Davis Rhamy of the wonderful food blog, Hungry Vegan. Welcome Gail!
Allison’s Gourmet: You penned the book “So, Now What Do I Eat?” about veganism and convenience foods in 1998. You even included Allison’s Cookies in it! What are three of the biggest changes you’ve seen since then?
Gail Davis Rhamy: WOW! With respect to veganism in the United States, there have been so many positive changes in the last decade. If I had to pick just three, I’d say that the first is how the marketplace has really exploded with fantastic options. The first edition of “So, Now What Do I Eat?” contained more than 1,000 plant-based convenience foods, but at the time, there really were no palatable vegan cheeses that didn’t also contain hydrogenated oils. Now you’ve got Daiya, Vegan Gourmet, Dr. Cow Tree Nut Cheeses, Sunergia Soyfoods, and Ste Martaen! And back then your milk, yogurt, and ice cream choices were very limited, but now we’ve got all these rich creamy milks, creamers, yogurts, and ice cream made from cashews, hemp seeds, hazelnuts, and my favorite—coconut!
The second change is the explosion of vegan cookbooks and blogs. Back then, there were maybe 400 vegetarian/vegan cookbook titles. Now there are thousands, with new titles being published every day. And there are thousands more vegan bloggers out there, giving people the opportunity to browse great-tasting vegan recipes with their eyes. How can you not look at the photos on blogs like fatfreevegan.com, veganyumyum.com, or any number of other great vegan blogs and not be tempted to try the recipes, even if you’re a hardcore omnivore?
The third change is one that’s hard not to notice. Fueled by the decades-long efforts of longtime vegan activists, veganism is finally going mainstream. With television personalities like Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Dr. Oz, and Martha Stewart dedicating segments or even entire shows to veganism plus articles in major magazines and newspapers extolling the virtues of going vegan, millions of people have begun to view plant-based eating in a whole new light. It’s starting to be seen as less of a fad and more like the true rational, healthful, sustainable, and compassionate dietary choice that it is. I’m excited that the film Forks Over Knives is out there in mainstream movie theaters across the country. It has the power to positively transform lives.
AG: What are a few of your current favorite vegan convenience foods?
GDR: Haha! Let’s see…So Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer. It’s so good, I have to restrain myself from drinking it straight out of the container. 
I bake with it, it’s wonderful in chai, and I mix a couple of tablespoons into my hot cocoa, too. Healthy Top Whipped Cream Topping is pretty darn amazing. I also like Nacho Mom’s Vegan Queso (see recipe below) and evol Burritos Vegan Fajitas. (I wish they’d make more vegan options!)
AG: What are some of your preferred vegan food blogs and resources?
GDR: A few of my favorite blogs include Opera Singer in the Kitchen, The Vegan Version, and Healthy Slow Cooking (Kathy Hester creates incredibly original oatmeal recipes!). Vegan Bite by Bite is a wonderful book by Marilyn Peterson, who is an awesome and inspiring example of living life as a vibrantly beautiful vegan. Vegsource.com continues to be my go-to source for all things vegan-related, and quarrygirl.com‘s reviews of Los Angeles-area vegan eateries make me sorry that I’m not living in LA.
AG: Care to share with us a recent recipe you’re enjoying?
GDR: I’ve been enjoying shirataki noodles for lunch several times per week. 
They’re very filling, but calorie and fat-free. I particularly like mixing them with Nacho Mom’s Vegan Queso and mixed veggies to create a simple, yet satisfying Mexican Pasta. In less than fifteen minutes, you’ll have a lunch that’s both filling and flavorful.
Ingredients:
1 3.5-oz bag shirataki noodles
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 cup spinach, packed
1 tomato, diced
2 heaping tablespoons Nacho Mom’s Ultimate Vegan Queso
Directions:
1. Prepare shiratake noodles according to package directions, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, sauté onions in broth for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add tomatoes and then spinach, stirring to combine. Cover, and heat until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Add queso to pan, and stir all together, heating through for 2-3 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
AG: If someone’s looking to “green” up their diet, but leads a very busy life, lives alone, or can’t really afford to prepare elaborate meals, what grocery store items would you suggest they pick up?
GDR: The simple answer is fresh fruits and vegetables. As much as I love to cook, there is nothing quicker or better for us than whole, ripe, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. But beyond that, I’d like to encourage people who feel pinched for time (who doesn’t?) or who feel they cannot afford to prepare elaborate meals to invest in a couple of wonderful cookbooks: The Get Healthy, Go Vegan Cookbook, Supermarket Vegan, and 
Vegan Unplugged are filled with recipes that are easy, affordable, and can be made with ingredients found in just about any supermarket. Another book I really like is How to Eat Like a Vegetarian Even If You Never Want to Be One.
AG: What would you most like to create in the kitchen with Allison and what’s your most-loved Allison’s Gourmet item?
GDR: I’d love to be in the kitchen with Allison creating a vegan Napolean. If anyone could do it I know Allison, the queen of veganizing, could. Napoleans were one of my favorite desserts when I was growing up, along with rice pudding and chocolate eclairs. So creating a vegan Napolean with Allison would be living out a vegan fantasy.
Do I have to pick just one? Well, okay—If you would have asked me what my favorite Allison’s Gourmet item was a week ago, I would have said Pecan Brownies. But since then I’ve tasted her new Chocolate Rose Caramels (the Bulgarian rose she’s using is incredible!) and Salted Lavender Caramels. What’s really interesting is that I’ve never been a huge fan of caramels. But these two amazing flavors have not only made a caramel-lover out of me, but as soon as I finish one, I start asking myself when I’m going to treat myself to the next!
We’re so glad you like the new caramel flavors, Gail! You have so many great recipe, cookbook and food blog suggestions that just reading this post is making us hungry!
Monthly Clubs, Baskets and Samplers, Oh My!
If you’re anything like me, each new month here at Allison’s brings new cravings for all the marvelous new monthly flavors. 
Even if you’re not a monthly club member, there are several ways to get your hands on an awesome selection of our vegan baked goods. Several of our vegan gift baskets include a variety of cookie flavors, and for even more variety our Decadent Bliss and Ultimate Nirvana vegan gift baskets also include a baker’s choice selection of our vegan fudge and heavenly brownies. Our Just Cookies, Baker’s Choice and Baker’s Choice Ultimate Samplers also offer a variety of cookie flavors for your sampling pleasure as well as different sizes of original and pecan brownies to satisfy your chocolate-tooth. So, stop craving and start enjoying all the flavors of these pure, compassionate treats.
Club Orders Shipping Today!
I hope that everyone had a fabulous, fun and safe long weekend! For all our wonderful monthly club members, your brownie, fudge, and cookie of the month club orders are being shipped today for delivery later in the week.
We have some very special flavors for you this month including our first ever wheat-free cookie flavor, (Wheat-Free) Peanut Butter, our uniquely delicious white Apple Pie Fudge and everyone’s favorite Pecan Brownies. If you’d like to try some of these flavors (who wouldn’t?), but you’re not a monthly club member, you can still order our brownie, fudge and cookie of the month flavors on our website this month, while supplies last.
Last Chance to Order for Father’s Day!
What are your special Father’s Day plans? We’re planning a friends and family barbecue for Sunday afternoon with veggies and mushrooms on the grill, vegan potato salad and lemonade. For more great vegan menu ideas, check out my Veganize It! column from VegNews Magazine.
If your Father’s Day plans are still undecided, it’s not too late to order some delicious treats to let your Dad know you’re thinking of him. As a gift for a Dad far away, I recommend our Classic and Spiced Peanut Brittles, or our amazing Cherry Almond Bark. For something to share as a family, try our Pecan Brownies, or a Gourmet Vegan Sampler. Order today for delivery before the weekend.
Olivia says:
Today is also your last change to enter our Father’s Day Giveaway for a chance to win a Peanut Brittle Duo for a special Dad in your life! Enter now!
Monthly Clubs: A Great Deal for Everyone
If you’re looking forward to our upcoming flavors this summer, like Soft Peanut Butter Cookies and Cinnamon Snickerdoodles, you might consider a cookie of the month club membership as an easy way to experience a variety of cookie flavors and save money at the same time. 
Club members receive a 15% discount on all their orders, including their monthly clubs, which are shipped automatically in the first week of each month.
Monthly Clubs are also a great way to give a gift that will be appreciated for months to come. If you have a special someone who might love some Pecan Brownies, Soft Peanut Butter Cookies or Apple Pie Fudge, a gift membership for them will still give you a discount on all your regularly-priced orders! Sweets and savings, all at the same time.
P.S. Don’t forget to enter our Father’s Day Giveaway, we’ll pick a winner this week!
Father’s Day Gifts Made Easy
Father’s Day is only three weeks away on June 20th, and instead of scrambling for a gift at the last minute this year, why not plan ahead and order your father’s day gifts today? 
With our delayed delivery date option you can place your order on our website now, choose a delayed delivery date closer to Father’s Day (we recommend June 17th) and we’ll ship your order so it arrives fresh and on time.
If you’re still trying to decide what to get Dad on his special day, we have some truly delicious father’s day gift ideas for you. Our Classic and Spiced Peanut Brittles make excellent gifts, as well as Cherry Almond Bark and Pecan Brownies for the more chocoholic fathers out there. A fair-trade coffee sampler or our Classic Vanilla Lover’s Gift Set also make great gifts for Dads.
Chocolate for Men
Pssst…I know a secret: Moms aren’t the only people who love chocolate! Believe it or not, Dad’s like chocolate, too! Although they may not admit it as freely as some women I know, most men really do love good chocolate. Father’s Day is coming up in a few short weeks, and while you’re thinking of father’s day gift ideas, give chocolate some consideration. We think dads might especially enjoy our peanut butter cups, pecan brownies and cherry almond bark.
Okay, but what if your dad really doesn’t like chocolate? We have some excellent non-chocolate father’s day gift ideas too. Check out our spiced peanut brittle, chocolate chip pecan cookies and our aromatic selection of fair-trade coffee.
