9 More Ways to Be Clean When Eating Out

It’s a lot easier to find fruits and veggies on restaurant menus, but sometimes the selection is nothing to write home about. Or worse, the portions take a magnifying glass to locate. Ready to change things? Go big. Aim to fill half your plate with vegetables and, if you can, add a little bit of fruit.

Here are 9 simple ways to reach that goal.

 1. Go a la carte: Scan “Side” and “Appetizer” sections of the menu for vegetable-rich offerings, preferably ones that center on vegetables prepared in a healthy way--steamed, roasted, or grilled.

2. Mix ‘n’ Match: Notice grilled vegetables or steamed carrots listed with an entrée you don’t plan to order? Ask to make it an a la carte side. You’ll probably need to pay extra, but the portion will likely be ample.

3. Open with Salad: Noshing on a raw bowl of veggies is a fast way to boost your produce count. Just go easy on the creamy stuff like coleslaw. Added bonus: Penn State scientists find people who eat salad before a meal end up eating less.

 4. Soup it Up: White bean soup, split pea soup, carrot-ginger soup—any soup that is chock-full of vegetables can count as a vegetable serving. One hitch: Cream-based soups, usually called bisques, are more cream (or should we say fat) than vegetable, so steer clear. Cream based soups are generally not Clean.

5. Rock the Vegetarian Offerings: Consider ordering a vegetarian dish as your main course. Don’t see any? Ask if the chef can honor vegetarian requests. Let your server find out what veggies are in the kitchen and order away.

6. Double It, Please:  Veggies that accompany most entrées are notoriously skimpy, so ask to double or triple the portion. Offer to pay for it, but chances are good you probably won’t be charged.

7. Make it a Stir-Fry:  It seems almost obvious, but most stir-fries naturally contain less meat and more veggies. If a stir-fry isn’t on the menu, ask if the chef can saute or stir-fry a medley of vegetables.

8. Have it Your Way: Menu items aren’t carved in stone. Ask and you’ll probably receive. Build a pizza with more vegetables and less cheese. Add extra veggies--cucumbers, sprouts, and roasted bell peppers--to a sandwich. Substitute steamed broccoli for the fries.

9. Ask about Fruit: Substitute sliced apples, oranges, or grapes for chips with a sandwich meal. Even if it’s not on the menu, most restaurants have fresh fruit (usually used for garnish) in the kitchen.

Nicer Melon Slicer

I have multiple Kuhn Rikon knives at home; I like their handle, the multicolored blades, and they just work really, really well. The small paring knives are excellent, as are the large chef's knife I own. All non-stick, all quality Japanese steel.

So I was grinning from ear to ear when I saw this advertised in this month's Cooking Light Magazine:
The Kuhn Rikon Melon slicer. It is specifically designed to cut larger, longer melons like watermelon, and melons like cantaloupes and honeydews.

     With its 11" long serrated blade, nonstick surface of Japanese steel, and matching knife sheath...this will be a Kuhn Rikon I will be adding to my growing collection. I am looking forward to peak melon season just around the corner and I can imagine this knife will become invaluable. Buying pre-cut fruit is just too expensive!


http://www.chefsresource.com/kuhn-rikon-melon-knife.html

Newstand Alert : Clean Eating Magazine April/May 2011

Just picked up the new issue while I was out this morning. Several interesting articles I'm looking forward to reading, including:

* Cleaned Up Southern Cooking
* Clean Crab cake recipe
* Excellent resource article on scallops ( I have a tough time getting them right! )
* Common cooking mistakes corrected ( Excellent for new and beginner cooks )
* A money saving week's worth of Clean dinner items ( I like not spending an arm and a leg! )

Jennie-O Turkey Burgers From Sam's Club Part of Nationwide Recall

 Check your freezer if you shop at Sam's... Jennie-O Turkey Store is recalling almost 55,000 pounds of frozen turkey burgers that may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recall applies for all packages of a raw turkey product: "All Natural Turkey Burgers with seasonings Lean White Meat" with a "use by" date of December 23, 2011. But if you're not a Sam's Club member, you can breathe easier -- the patties, sold in 4-pound boxes containing 12 patties, are found exclusively at Sam's Club, Jennie-O said on its recall website.


Three people in Colorado, Ohio, and Wisconsin fell ill after eating the Jennie-O ground turkey, leading the FSIS to determine there is a link between the product and the outbreak, the agency said on its website. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening for those with weak immune systems.

Couponing Ethics and Honesty...

     The couponing blogosphere and forums are a-buzz with the suspected fraudulent coupon misuse shown on TLC's new series, Extreme Couponing last Sunday. It has gotten to a fevered pitch, with thousands of couponers emailing TLC to complain - and I even saw postings by several people who have emailed shows like The Today Show and TMZ to get them to publicize this. I don't know who I'm more disappointed by: the couponer ( who has misused coupons in the past and then had the hubris to do it on national tv ) or the network that apparently turned a blind eye and didn't bother to check the legality of what the shopper was doing!

Weusecoupons.com: Extreme or Illegal? You Decide

Jill Cataldo: Was Coupon Fraud Shown on TLC's Extremem Couponing?

Krazycouponlady.com : Beginner Tips to Avoid Coupon Fraud

There are many other postings discussing this, but Nathan at WUC, Jill at Jillcataldo.com and Joanie at KrazyCouponLady sum it up just as well.


If you have begun using coupons in an effort to save money on Clean Eating grocery items, and have printed some of the coupon I link to...here are 2 main ground rules you may not be aware of...

1. Never, ever photocopy Internet coupons. Coupons you print at home are limited to 1 or 2 prints. A print campaign may consist of ( for example ) 200,000 prints for the coupon. Once 200,000 have been printed, the campaign is inactive. Let's just pretend that some photocopy that coupon, and 250,000 coupons are redeemed. The grocery stores that attempt to get reimbursed for coupons # 200,001 through 250,000 will NOT be reimbursed. You've essentially stolen that money from the store. Don't photocopy coupons!

2. Don't use coupons for ANYTHING other than the product ( size and type ) named on the coupon. There are unethical ways to "decode" coupons and use them for similar but different products. Don't do it - don't even go there. Use the coupon as the manufacturer intended - and if the coupon says "Grape flavor only" - don't use it for strawberry flavor.


If you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to contact me here, or over at WUC. Couponing honestly and with integrity is vital to keeping the flow of coupons open for all.

Thanks so much!

Food and Mood

     I've previously discussed how eating healthier, nutrient dense foods can be mood enhancing. You can experience a definite boost in mood just by eating the right foods in the right combinations. It is a direct reflection of the old computer programmer's phrase "GIGO" - meaning "Garbage In, Garbage Out" - if you put bad code into a computer, you get a junk program coming out. Put bad food in your body, get a poor response from your brain and body.

Here is a list of a few foods to elevate your mood and stay Clean at the same time.

1. Spinach

Take a tip from Popeye; he did have great pipes and boundless energy. Spinach is rich in folic acid, which promotes healthy red blood cells and a strong immune system, which keep you energized and free of happiness-sapping disease. If you’re not so fond of this leafy green in a salad or steamed with balsamic vinegar, chop it fine and stir it into soups, stews, a stir-fry, and tomato sauce for a sneaky nutritional punch that's good for your mood, too.

2. Walnuts

Give your brain a boost with a daily handful of walnuts for the mineral magnesium. This superstar nutrient is good for fighting depression, healthy bones and teeth, new cell growth and promoting the function of insulin in the body. Research shows that the polyphenols and other antioxidants in walnuts help strengthen neural connections, improving your memory, organizational and math skills as well as your puzzle-solving ability. Walnuts can help you feel, look and think well. That alone is enough to make you want to crunch on walnuts, smile and give that advanced Sudoku a try.

3. Whole-grain breads

Looking for happiness? Don't be a carbo-phobe; the body needs carbohydrates for energy (it's hard to happy when you're tired). And if you are worried about the carbo-load woes, simply choose healthy carbs instead of the “empty-calorie” ones, such as high-sugar Twinkies that have a rumored shelf life of seven years. Whole-grain breads provide selenium, an essential mineral that boosts the immune system and fights free radicals. Studies also show that selenium is an effective tool in warding off various types of cancer, including breast, stomach, prostate, liver and bladder cancers. That should have you whistling your way to a whole grain loaf.

4. Organic Cheese

While you don’t want to snack on rich, high-fat brie or camembert on a frequent basis, cheese is a dairy wonder-food that is packed with calcium, protein and zinc, an essential trace mineral. The body doesn’t produce enough zinc on its own, so including the mineral in your diet will ensure you reach your daily quota. Like magnesium, zinc plays an important role in cellular function and it’s beneficial for hair and skin health, eyesight, cognitive functions, and even taste and smell. Naturally lower-fat cheeses, such as goat’s cheese and ricotta, offer many diet-friendly options, or you can add a flavorful sharp cheddar to sandwiches and salads.

5. Bananas

Handy to transport for a snack or a lunch dessert, bananas are packed with potassium and B vitamins. The B vitamins work together for energy, digestion, and a healthy nervous system. They also promote healthy cell renewal, which is important for your skin, hair and nails, which constantly renew themselves to grow. Research shows that a B vitamin deficiency can lead to feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. Get to peeling.

6. Turkey

If you only eat turkey at Thanksgiving, it’s time to increase your consumption. This lean poultry is a great source of tryptophan, an essential nutrient that’s been linked with an increase in serotonin, a hormone produced by the body. Serotonin is popularly known as the “feel-good hormone”, or the body’s own natural tranquilizer, hence the happiness factor. Other sources of trytophan include low-fat dairy and, to a lesser extent, vegetables, grains, nuts and beans. In addition to the holiday feasts, add diced cooked turkey breast to salads and soups or nestle slices of turkey breast and cheese in a whole grain pita.

7. Salmon

There is a lot of buzz about omega-3 fatty acids, and with good reason. Studies show the omega-3s promote cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol as well as reduce inflammation of the body's tissues. These healthy fats have also been linked to the healthy development of the eyes, nervous system and brain. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3s, along with other fatty fish, and flax seeds. Have a serving of salmon at least once a week, opting for fresh or frozen wild salmon or canned wild salmon. You can also try food products that are enriched with fish oil or flax oil. Look for animal products, such as milk and eggs, that contain omega-3s, a natural occurrence when these animals are fed a diet rich in omega-3s.

8. Whole Grain Pasta 

Complex carbohydrates also stimulates the production of serotonin. These carbohydrates also take more time to get digested, thus, keeping you happy for a longer time.


Some food combinations to try when feeling less than 100%?

  - A turkey and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread with a banana on the side
  - Spinach salad topped with salmon
  - Spinach and walnut salad
  - Whole grain pasta tossed with spinach , cheese, and salmon

 Thank you, sheknows.com

Clean Eating Video : Baked Penne with Vegetables

     Use what you know about Clean Eating to make this the cleanest recipe possible... make the penne whole grain / whole wheat, keep the salt to a minimum, and use the Cleanest ingredients possible. My husband watched Giada again last night ( if you are new to CE Eve, my husband is a big fan of hers, mainly for the view... ) and this inspired me to post one of her videos.

5 Steps Toward Clean Eating

     Thinking about making the change from your current ( and perhaps less than stellar ) nutritional habits to Clean Eating can be daunting. It is a big change, and not one taken lightly.

     Recognizing that what you are doing now isn’t working is a huge step in itself, and you should be commended for it. Perhaps you are just in the beginning stages of investigating Clean Eating. Maybe you just heard about it and are researching it. Maybe you followed a link here and are curious as to what Clean Eating entails.

     Click on the tabs at the top of the screen here at Clean Eating Eve, and investigate Clean Eating, and nutrient dense foods.

     You may recognize that Clean Eating is indeed a wise choice, but you might not be ready to “take the plunge” full scale into this change of habit. What can you do to ease into Clean Eating? What small changes can you make in your nutrition that will show you Clean Eating is a healthy and viable option to what you are doing now?

     Start by picking 1 item in the list below, and try it for 2 weeks. If after 2 weeks, you feel like you can handle that addition, add another item – and keep going!

5 Steps Toward Clean Eating

1.       Increase your water consumption. It may sound like a small thing, but it is a vital part of Clean Eating. A fully hydrated body burns its fuel more efficiently and keeps hunger and cravings at bay. Work your way up over the course of a week or two until you are easily drinking 50+ ounces of water a day. 

2.       Increase fruit and vegetable consumption. If you know you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis ( and you know, don’t you? ) , strive to correct this. Eat fruit with breakfast and lunch. Eat salads, and a large portion of colorful vegetables several times a day. 

3.     Identify your problem food. Perhaps you recognize you have a significant dependency on soda. Or maybe you are like I was, and your love affair with Cheez-Its knows no bounds. Maybe you’ve fallen into a repetitive pattern of eating junk food in the evenings. You know these aren’t the way to a healthier you – but what to do? Work towards making this food a “sometimes” or “only on special occasions” food. Start understanding that this food or pattern is holding you back from the healthier person you want to be.

4.      Decrease the amount of significantly processed foods from your diet. Junk food ( candy and chocolates, ice cream, chips ). Processed meats ( bacon, sausage, pepperoni, ham ). Convenience foods ( frozen pizzas, Mexican foods, breakfast items ). Start recognizing that homemade versions ( though they might take more preparation time ) are ultimately healthier and you can control the ingredients and portion size.

5.      Start replacing foods you are eating now with their organic counterparts. Organic dairy, organic meats, organic fruits and vegetables. All have fewer additives, hormones, and chemicals which ( for many people ) do not allow the body to work as efficiently. Procuring the healthiest food available is a key component to Clean Eating.

Other things to do? Make wiser choices when eating out.  Practice portion control, and be mindful that you don’t need as much food as you thing you might. Limit empty calories in alcohol. Alcohol has calories but little to no nutritional benefit. Eat slower, and savor the food you do consume. Using the 5 beginning steps above can yield significant results both mentally and physically – and you just might surprise yourself.

New Mambo Sprouts Coupons!

 Remember, not all of these products are Clean -please examine before purchase.

 Mambo Sprouts Coupons

$1 off any One Kashi Cereal
$1 off one 32oz or 64oz Naked Juice Smoothie
$.75 off any One Santa Cruz Organic Product ($1.99 minimum purchase)
$1 off any one RW Knudsen Family 32oz Just Juice
$1 off any one Organic Valley Omega 3 1/2 Gallon Milk
$.50 off any one Luna Protein Bar
$1 off any one 4-pack of Yobaby or Yobaby Meals Organic Yogurt or one 4-pack of Yobaby Drinkable Yogurt
$1 off any 3 Clif Bar Energy Bars
$.75 off any one Box of Stash Tea
$1 off any two 32oz or larger Blue Diamond Shelf-Stable Almond Breeze Almond Milk
$1 off any one Lightlife Product
$.50 off an one Organic Valley Half and Half Creamer
$2 off any one box of Numi Perth Tea
$.75 off of one bag of Lundberg Family Farms Rice Chips
$1 off any two HappyBabypuffs, Happymelts, Happymunchies
$1 off any one Country Choice Organic Product
$1 off one Uncle Matts Organic 59oz Juice
Buy any one American Flatbread get one free
$1 off one package of Organic Barbecue Sunshine Burgers
$1 off any two 32oz Lifeaway Kefirs
$.50 off any one Organic Valley Soy Creamer
$1 off any one jar of 16oz Peanut Butter and company brand peanut butter
$3 off any one Wellness Dry Dog or Dry Cat food
$1 off any one Newman’s Own Thin and Crispy Pizza

Beans, Beans...

5 New Ways of Preparing Beans

 

 

1. Roast ‘Em Garbanzos
   Chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) can be tossed in a bit of olive oil and roasted in the oven until crispy, making them an easy, tasty, and nutritious snack. They taste best if coated in some spices before roasting. Try curry powder for an Asian twist, or cumin and chili powder for a Southwestern flair. If you are using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain the liquid away before cooking. Use a hot oven (400F), spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet, and set the timer to 25 minutes. Depending on the oven, you may need to add more time. Let the roasted beans cool slightly before eating

1. Make Black Bean Balls and Patties
   Black beans are popular in chilies, stews, and soups because of their lovely flavor. Have you ever considered using them in place of ground meat to make bean loaf, bean balls, or bean patties? Use your original recipe and replace all of the meat with cooked beans (make sure you rinse off canned ones before grinding them up in the food processor). If you are not sure about switching to an all-bean "meat" base, use half bean mixture and half ground meat of your choice.
   
   
2. Bake Kidney Bean Bread
   Although it may seem unusual, baking beans right into bread is an easy way to increase your intake of legumes. The beans are cooked until soft, mashed, and added right into the bread dough. Think about it: You have carbs and protein already "packed" into one edible item! This is great for the kids' snack on the go or the school/office lunchbox.
   
   
3. Mash That Fava
   Next time you need a tasty side dish, try mashed fava beans in place of mashed potatoes. (If you can't part with your potatoes, you can do a half potato/half fava mixture.) To cut down on cooking time, you can buy split fava beans in Middle Eastern grocery stores. Note that how you process the cooked beans will determine the end texture: Pureeing the beans in the food processor will yield a gummier texture. If you want a fluffy texture, use a potato masher or run them through a food mill.
   
   
4. Serve Red Lentil Pancakes
   We tend to think of pancakes as a breakfast item, but there is no reason why we can't have pancakes at other times. South Asian cuisine, in particular, makes extensive use of lentils, and one of the most common ways to use them is in thin, crepe-like savory pancakes to enjoy as a snack or as part of a meal. Many traditional recipes call for lentil flour, but you can definitely find recipes that use soaked or cooked lentils.

Thank you, healthcastle.com

Emotional Guide to Your Diet

I saw this online, and I knew it would be something I had to repost. I like what this poster has to say, and the healthy mantras on the "Very Happy" side are well worth internalizing. Remembering that your mood is very closely tied to the quality of what your body receives to eat is an important part of Clean Eating. You can elevate your mood and your overall happiness by giving your body's machine what it needs to run at optimum performance...and processed foods are not good fuel!

Clean Eating and Trader Joe's Grocery Stores

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, or will be traveling to an area of the country where TJ's are common, I heartily suggest that you make a visit to stock up on CE essentials. Trader Joe's operates stores in many locations in the US and are growing at a significant rate opening stores across the country. There are many reasons to shop at Trader Joe's, even if you aren't a Clean Eater - but here are some of the top reasons in my book:

1. They sell their bananas for .29 / lb. Beautiful, delicious, perfect bananas, more than 1/2 off the price of "normal" stores.
2. Broad selection of organic foods. They have an excellent selection of minimally processed / minimal ingredient frozen and jarred foods. Most are low sodium, organic, and remarkably Clean.
3. Snack Foods: TJ's has a wonderful selection of nuts, trail mixes, raisins, and crackers. You will enjoy trying the various organic snack crackers
4. Stevia: In my humble opinion, TJ's brand of stevia is the tastiest on the market. Some stevia can taste bitter, or with an unappealing licorice taste ( which personally, I don't want in my coffee! ). TJ's stevia is mildly sweet, and not bitter. When I go to TJ's, I always buy a box of stevia - even if I don't need it. I don't want to run out!

5. Trader Joe's Non-fat Greek yogurt: Perhaps the best on the market today. Hands down, no doubt about it. Try it and see. You'll be thanking me later.
6. Organic dairy products: Except for Whole Foods, nobody has a larger selection of organic dairy products than Trader Joe's. You will enjoy having freedom of choice between different cheeses and dairy products, rather than having to "settle" for the single organic brand your local grocery store carries.



However...be advised: if, like me, you generally don't eat foods packaged and manufactured outside of the US, examine the packages of what you are buying - particularly the frozen and canned foods. I picked up a package of Thai pot stickers the other day with a mind to cook them for my family - only to discover they weren't just flavored with Thai spices - they were manufactured in Thailand. I'm not xenophobic - but I'm not consuming foods where I really am not comfortable with their manufacturing standards.

Do you frequent a Trader's Joe's? What is your favorite Clean product they sell?

Poached Salmon with Asparagus and Citrus Marinade

   It is that time of year where most of the country is emerging from Winter and welcoming Spring. And if Spring hasn't come to your area yet - be assured, it is just around the corner.

 While browsing the grocery store sale circulars yesterday, 3 items caught my eye: salmon, asparagus, and spinach. 3 yummy and very Clean staples. What to do with them? What better way to celebrate Spring than with this delicious meal that is light and Clean.


Poached Salmon with Asparagus and Orange Vinaigrette

Serves 3-4

1 skin-on wild Alaskan salmon fillet (about 1 1/2 lbs and 1 inch thick)

1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest

1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs lemon juice

1 bunch medium-thick asparagus

3-5 scallions

1/2 tsp finely grated orange zest

2 Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tsp champagne vinegar

2-3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

4 cups washed organic spinach

Fill a saucepan wide enough to hold the salmon with 2-3 inches of cold water.  Stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice and 2 tsp salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and gently place the salmon in the pan, skin side down.  Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer until the salmon is just opaque throughout, 10 - 12 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.  Cover loosely with a piece of parchment paper to prevent the surface from drying, let cool 20 to 30 minutes.  Once cool, the slamon can be refrigerated, covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 2 days.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath.  Blanch the asparagus until crisp-tender and the color brightens, 1 - 2 minutes minutes.  With a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the asparagus to the ice-water bath.  Once cool, drain and pat dry.

Combine 2 sliced or minced scallions, lemon and orange zests, 2 Tbs lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar and 1/4 tsp of salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.  Gradually whisk in the olive oil until emulsified.

Arrange the spinach on 3-4 plates, topping with the asparagus.  Break the salmon into pieces and arrange on top of the spinach.  Drizzle with the vinaigrette and garish with remaining sliced scallions.  Enjoy!

Note:  This salad is so versatile... add additional veggies to your taste.  Salad may be prepared when salmon is warm, room temp or chilled!  Perfect to have on hand for a quick meal.

Thank You, FoodBuzz.com!

Greek Yogurt Taste Test

     Greek yogurt is such a staple in the Clean Eating diet that I thought I'd review the major brands ( and up and coming brands ) with a comparison taste test. Please note: I bought all yogurts with my own money. I haven't been paid to write any reviews.

For consistency's sake, I purchased the Vanilla or Honey Vanilla flavor of each brand I reviewed, and purchased ones with 0% fat. ( personally, I don't eat the "high test" versions, with some having upwards of 15+ grams of fat per serving. That isn't just Unclean, that is Unhealthy! )

Oikos yogurt is actually a sub division of Stonyfield Farms, one of the leading manufacturers of organic yogurts in the US. It is made from organic milk, and doesn't contain any artificial flavoring, preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics - very Clean. Taste wise, it is thick as you'd expect Greek yogurt to be, and on a "tart scale" of 1 to 5, I'd give its tanginess to be about a 3  meaning moderately tangy. I didn't find it to be too sweet, or too much like a dessert pudding. I will definitely buy Oikos again when on sale.

Chobani yogurt is derived from the Turkish word meaning "Shepherd." It is extremely rich and thick, but is definitely less tangy than other brands...about a 1.5 on the tangy scale. If you like your yogurt less tangy, Chobani is the choice for you. It is hormone free and gluten free - certified Kosher if that is something important to you. I buy Chobani on a regular basis.

Dannon yogurt is the national brand which I feel is most made to appeal to consumers who are used to regular "fruit on the bottom" yogurt we are all familiar with. It is middle of the road; nothing to get excited about or to go out of your way to purchase. It's...there. As for tangy? Not so much. It does have added sugar, so be aware if you are truly looking to eliminate added sugar from your diet. There are other much better yogurts out there for Clean Eaters...you may as well make every bite meaningful.

Trader Joe's non fat Greek yogurt ( if you have a TJ's near you... ) is an excellent choice for the Clean Eater. Made without hormones or artificial anything, their Greek yogurt is almost universally acclaimed for it's richness, smoothness, with a great balance of sweet and tang. I love this brand, and when I get to my ( very crowded ) Trader Joe's, it is the one product I make sure gets into the basket. Tang factor is about 3.5 on the scale of 1 to 5. Not the tangiest - but definitely no shrinking violet. You know you aren't eating what I call "Jello Pudding" yogurt. It is a definite must try / must buy.

 

Fage Yogurt ( "full test" shown above; I don't have a pic of the 0% fat kind! ) is the national brand that I am told comes closest to the tangy goodness you can actually find in Greece. It is a definite 4 on the tangy scale from 1 to 5, with a richness and smoothness I enjoyed. It is also made from organic milk and is very low in ingredients like most of the yogurts above ( except for Dannon! ) Fage is not for the beginning Greek yogurt eater, unless you really have always enjoyed tangy yogurt. You can either spoon the honey into the yogurt chamber, or bend it so it adds, like this:

So overall, I rank the above like this ( according to my taste ) :

Trader Joe's
Chobani
Oikos
Fage
Dannon


Dishonorable Mention:

Safeway brand Greek Yogurt


What brand do you recommend to others, and why?