Cheese Glorious Cheese....

There seems to be a new brand of vegan cheese coming out on a weekly basis. Whole Foods has all of the ones I mention below. They are a nice addition to veggie lasagne, or a treat on a veggie or grilled cheese sandwich. They are not whole foods, and are technically processed so go easy and enjoy them as a treat. Also, when choosing a brand, look for the fewest number of ingredients,  low fat and casein free versions. If they say vegan they are casein free. 

Please share in the comment section ones that you love as well!!! 

This Kite Hill cheese tastes like and melts exactly like Brie. I have made it for some cheese heads and they loved it. 

Chao cheese by Field Roast is SO good. I make grilled cheese with it and I have made it for my boys and pawned it off as regular cheese an they totally bought it. 

I am only putting this here because people swear by it and love it. I don't love the flavor or consistency, but too many people do for me not to mention it. To each his own on this one. Try it if you aren't crazy about the ones I mentioned (but you will be!)

Cheese glorious cheese.. Nope, it doesn’t fit into a Plant Based diet. Unfortunately, it shouldn’t be fitting into any diet. People often talk to me about going plant based  and find the idea of giving up cheese so daunting. For most, it seems that  the thought of giving up cheese is worse than the thought of never eating a burger or a pork chop again. I am not sure if the thought of giving up animals is easier because they are animals and people are now more aware of the cruelty that goes into raising and slaughtering animals, or that the message of meat harming our bodies is getting out there more. The word seems to be getting out there, but everywhere I turn someone is taking up the paleo diet (read my next blog for my beef with that reincarnate of the Atkin’s diet. Ugh.) I read article after article about dairy and how it adversely effects our health and our bodies and it ain’t pretty. Dr T. Colin Campbell would like it listed as a known carcinogen  because all of his studies and many, many others point to it as being harmful as well.  Head over to a dairy farm if you would like to be treated to the scenic view of to cows knee deep in their own poo kept in a state of constant lactation so that we can drink their milk and make products like cheese from it. I know, cheese has that creamy goodness and is so damn cravable which is why I am SO very happy to report that there are finally some vegan cheese options that do not contain casein (a milk protein shown to cause cancer cells to proliferate) that are DELICIOUS!! Most are made from almonds, or cashews, some from soy, and they taste and feel so much like cheese it is amazing. There are also ways to make your own ricotta and creamy cashew cheeses and they are yummy as well.  I am kind of lazy about making my own when there are ones out there now that are craveable, very low fat and taste soooo great.  If you are a cheese snob, you are probably rolling your eyes right now, thinking sorry, there is just no way. I must remind you that tastes do change. Give these many tries and stay off the milky stuff for a while before you try em. I bet you find them surprisingly good! Here is the break down of the ones I love. There are lots out there so don’t limit yourselves to just these. I know there is a vegan cheese shop in Beverly Hills that I have not yet tried, but I have heard it is amazing.