A JOURNEY TO FIND VEGAN “MILK” CHOCOLATE

Hi! I’ve been a Vegan for three years now, and a Vegetarian for most of my life. My brother Ron helped me transition to Vegan status. I stalled and put it off for years. “Cheese”, “How could I give up my Cheese?” Marilou Henner helped me with that one. I listened to her speaking on a radio show one night and I woke up Vegan the next morning. In the back of my mind I always knew I would one day be Vegan. It seemed a natural progression. However, it was a total shock when my little brother announced he was going Vegan. This was “MR. Pizza Huts’ meat lover’s pizza with extra sausage”. (I guess the Mad Cowboy got to him. It surely wasn’t me.) When I was very young I tried to force my “Laurels Kitchen beliefs” (That was my vegetarian bible) on my family. Let’s just say that it didn’t work. Funny, my Dad who never calls any one of us by name calls me Pork Chop to this day.  He used to introduce me as his daughter the Vegetarian. My brothers that “Vegan brother of yours”. Could be this teasing was his discomfort that his children chose a different path? Really Dad! It could have been a lot worse.             We learned a lot about Vegan eating as time passed. One minuet it was okay to eat something. Next I’d learn how it was processed and I couldn’t eat it. By strict I mean that besides using no animal products we use no bone char or carbon refined sugar, bleached flour, gelatin, honey.We stopped using artificial and synthetic dyes. Some are vegan but who really needs them.Our chocolates are very attractive without them.While on vacation, I was trying to find a Vegan restaurant to eat at in Seattle . I was amazed at the vast array of offerings (as opposed to where I live in Cleveland Ohio), but upon calling and asking about ingredients used we were able to narrow it down to about one 100% restaurant. Other vegans may eat those refined products. I just can’t. and I look and feel a lot better for it emotionally and psychically. I felt great upon becoming Vegan. My attitude and outlook improved dramatically. I immediately began to lose weight. That helped my attitude also.                                                                                       My brother confessed he really missed milk chocolate. I on the other hand was perfectly happy without that option. Our Mom, always trying to make her “starving” grown up children happy, came up with a recipe which she was able to perfect. Ron said “You should sell this.” Calling him hard to please does not begin to scratch the surface though he is very talented.  He can name off the ingredients used in a recipe from one taste. So he became the official taste tester. (My niece and nephew lined up for that job as well.)  Since Ron felt  that there was a real need and a market for a Vegan light chocolate, and since Mom put her skills to the test we were delighted with the outcome, we thought we would put our resources together to put his idea out to all of our Vegan and any lactose intolerant friends who might be having the same cravings that Ron “USED” to have. Having to choose from Dark Chocolate and Dark Chocolate can really be boring.  I can relate to getting tired of dark chocolate. I was actually acquiring a taste for it. (Although it seems to taste somewhat bitter no matter how you fill it).Besides needing a vocation I wanted a way to put my activism to good use. As a Vegan who rarely cooks. I am so pleased and grateful when someone makes something delicious for me. I’d like to return the favor to those who choose not to or can’t eat dairy. We all deserve something special now and then. So “here we are”. And because we don’t know any other way our confections are made to order with strictly Vegan ingredients in a Vegan kitchen and they taste delicious.       So, thanks to Mom , we have developed a great Vegan Candy that tastes so scrumptious you won’t believe that a cow was NOT involved in our process.  (NO Whey!)No need to explain that, this chocolate is lactose free, Vegan, non dairy. Because our candy confections are superb and everyone will love them. To you from,                                                                                                                            Stacie & Ethel (Mom),(and indirectly, Ron)                                                                       Let us know what you think.

Allergin Info: Our chocolates are Vegan . While the best manufacturing procedures are used to sanitize equipment between uses you need to know that the chocolate is manufactured at a facility that also produces items made with dairy and tree nut s.

h. 216-544-3057    veganlcnw@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: Lactose Free Chocolate, NO Whey Candies, NOMilk Milk Chocolate, Non Bone Char Sugar, Organic Fruits and Nuts, Strictly Vegan Dairy Free Chocolates, Vegan Chocolate Candy, Vegan Gifts, Vegan Milk Chocolate

We have been selling our wares at different art fairs each week. This week we were placed accross from two ladies and their fudge. Their all American milky, buttery, and I suppose creamy & delicious fudge. I had the thought that we should leave then and there. Cause who doesn’t love fudge? I kept saying shes not really our competition cause we don’t sell fudge. But in Joe Six Packs eyes Fudge trumps anything Vegan. We had our share of eye rollers and people who pretended we weren’t there but It proved to be a nice day for us. We had several awesome vegan friends stop by ( just for us) and alot of people who really enjoyed our candy. The Fudge Ladies came over and tasted all our samples.” Mmm, Mmm, Mmm” they remarked after each bite” how good everything is”. Mom walked by their booth a little while later. She heard them say Catishly “we have the REAL Candy here” to their customer. This upset my mom but I understand the mindset too well. Or should I say the closed mindset. Meanwhile we had a continuious crowd at our stand. 1. Because the candy’s good. 2 .Because everyone who comes in becomes friends with Ethel. (Mom) So I noticed the fudge ladies scoping us out. Seems we had a competition going on. We would watch shoppers who snobbed us to see if thet bought the fudge. Fudge Lady came back over “seems like you all had a good day” she remarked in her nicest voice.( Probably to see who won) Like she couldn’t believe anything vegan would be good and as good their all American milky, buttery, and I suppose creamy & delicious fudge. And that people would actually choose to buy vegan candy.  I’m totally grateful for my food choices. Proudly Vegan, very healthy and glad to say I don’t miss fudge one bit. And if I do I know I can make a wonderful vegan one. When we were leaving the show Fudge Lady remarked. See you next time. Hmmm, I’ll keep my thoughts on that one to myself.

Technorati Tags: Arts and Crafts fairs, No Whey Candy, Non Milk Chocolate, Vegan Candy,, Vegan Fudge Grateful Vegan

As the Holidays are approaching I am reminded of how many people there are to thank for our successes this year. First and foremost All My Gratitude Thanks and Heart go to Ethel without whom NOWhey! Candies would not exist. She reads labels, cleans, finds recipes, cooks endlessly. She puts up with my crap. Inspires me and carries me when I lose faith. To MZB, JSZ and RZB for there continued help support and great ideas. To Clair W. a wonderful salesperson, & helper who is willing to help whenever we need. And who so far only gets paid in candy. To Daniel W who gives me honest opinions. And never fails to make me laugh and see the bright side of things. To Wayne W. and Geraldine for their tasting skills and honest opinions. Stan W . For putting up with all this ( barely) And by talking us up to his friends.  Thanks also Vegan Bloggers for being out there ,and for your insight ,  ideas and guts. To all the Vegans who became our regular customers seeing your faces week after week made slow days and money loss worth while. Also non vegan customers who were willing and open minded enough to give us a try. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you all.

Jan. 19,2010 Thanks for the generous sample box of No Whey! Chocolates. It’s the best sample of anything I’ve ever received. I like how you shipped it in a recycled box, and the packaging for the candy is beautiful. The chocolates are amazing. Your family has made an excellent product. I love the Dark Chocolate Ambrosia. It’s better than Godiva Chocolates I tried before I went vegan years ago. Hi Ethel and Stacie,              Dec.31,2009 The tray is wonderful! We are definitely enjoying it. Every piece is delicious. I’m even taking photos of the chocolate and sharing it on my facebook page. I will tell my friends. Thank you again for the vegan-treat joy! I am so happy with it. And we’re saving the big chocolate 2010 for midnight! Thank you! Kristen

The Daily Vegan Tue, Dec 8, 2009

5 vegans (or any people with tongues) out of 5 will enjoy this chocolate, and we give it Your Daily Vegan’s 5 Hell Yeahs!

ETSY Feedback

	My favorite! Delicious chocolate =D	audible	12.30.2009			Deluxe Brownie Bar
		audible	12.30.2009			Toffee Crackle Crunch
	Yummy! =D	audible	12.30.2009			Extreme cookie dough
	Really yummy and attractively packaged!	eschiap	12.26.2009			Coco-Gone-Nutty
	Wonderful candy enjoyed by all!	eschiap	12.26.2009			Cranberry Cashew, Bark
	Yummy and quick delivery!	DollishLollies	12.11.2009			Toffee Crackle Crunch
	Yummy and Very quick delivery! thank you!	DollishLollies	12.11.2009			Crispy Crunch
	Thank you!	natalou	12.10.2009			Raspberry Truffles
	I received my package 12/9- thanks! The packaging is lovely	natalou	12.10.2009			Lemon Creme
	These are heavenly! I’m very thankful for the excellent service and the tasty vegan treats =)	audible	12.05.2009			Cookies and Cream Truffles
	My favorite! Yum!	tiffanyp13	11.25.2009			Peanut Butter Wedges
	Soooo delicious! You rock!	tiffanyp13	11.25.2009			Deluxe Brownie Bar
	Awesome! I have never seen a vegan cookie dough treat before and this tastes fabulous!	tiffanyp13	11.25.2009			Extreme cookie dough
	Love it! I surprised my other vegan friend with these treats and she loved them too!	tiffanyp13	11.25.2009			Toffee Crackle Crunch
	YUMMMMM “crunch” “crunch” “crunch” OKAY gotta go on a diet now this was super yummie VEGANS RULE!!	dkany	7.16.2009			Crispy Crunch
	OH man this is super yummieeee cant stop myself from eating the whole thing	dkany	7.16.2009			Toffee Crackle Crunch
	ohhhhhhhhh yummmmmmmmmmmmmm I want more )	dkany	7.16.2009			Vegan Light Chocolate No Whey’s, ZEN Bars
	super yummieeeee Gotta LOVE Vegan candy Gotta lock this up from my husband or else he will eat it all )	dkany	7.16.2009			Coco Gone Nutty
	This candy is delicious! I cut it into eight large pieces – but you could get more if you cut it smaller – and everyone loved it. They didn’t believe it when I told them it was made with NO dairy. You’ve GOT to try this smooth and creamy candy!!!	MZBeads	4.09.2009			Peanut Butter Pie
	I LOVE this candy. It actually tastes better than any non-vegan candy I’ve EVER had!!! It’s smooth and delicious!	MZBeads	4.09.2009			Coco-Gone-Nutty

Technorati Tags: 2009 reviews, delicious vegan chocolate, milkless