Amy Pereira

Although I am neither vegan nor a total raw foodist, I value a plant-based diet and fully appreciate the effect that eating vegan can have on our planet’s resources and inhabitants. Interestingly, my body makes antibodies to eggs and dairy (and almonds), so I find it necessary to specifically prepare meals and treats that exclude these items. When it comes to baked goods and sweet treats, I use vegan recipes or simply modify recipes to be vegan. If a recipe calls for butter, I use raw coconut oil instead. If it calls for eggs, I use 1 tablespoon of ground flax or chia seeds (mixed with one tablespoon of water to make a gelatinous paste) as an egg substitute. If it calls for almond butter (or almonds), I replace this nut with other nut/seed butters (or nuts/seeds).

Very recently, I made Natilla for a friend who grew up in Colombia and enjoyed this special treat during the holidays. When my friend discovered that he should avoid all forms of dairy, he thought this custard-like dessert became off-limits. I, instead, viewed his new dietary restriction as an opportunity to make some recipe conversions (and as an opportunity to present him with a treat just as delicious as he remembered but without the adverse effects to his health!). While the original recipe called for milk and butter, I used coconut milk and coconut oil in their place. These coconut products, along with coconut sugar, cornstarch (or arrowroot), cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, sea salt and nutmeg resulted in a slightly sweet treat, which was a huge hit with my friend, his wife, (and their Puerto Rican house guest). In fact, they all begged for the recipe since they said the Natilla disappeared far too quickly for their taste!

Many other popular holiday sweet recipes can also be easily altered. My neighbor brings us a huge can of what she calls, Peanut Butter Buckeyes, every year at the holidays. While very delicious, I always find myself with gastrointestinal distress if I eat them. This year, I decided to try to make a small batch, using raw coconut oil instead of butter and 72% chocolate instead of the milk chocolate and paraffin (yes…paraffin, “food-grade” wax of petroleum origin- no thanks!). My vegan Buckeyes turned out beautifully- I actually enjoyed them more than the original as I was able to modify them to not be so sickeningly sweet!

While both of the treats I mentioned above can be modified to include more enzymes and to be vegan-friendly, they are not necessarily enzyme-rich (Natilla is cooked and devoid of enzymes while Peanut Butter Buckeyes only contains some from the raw coconut oil). Because I value high-quality foods, especially those which are enzyme-rich, I will share a recipe for raw, vegan truffles. For me, feeling good about the product (and ingredients within) is every bit as important as the flavor. The following recipe may be great for those of you who wish to indulge a bit this season but who also want to feel good about what you are bringing to share (or what you are savoring all to yourself!).

Vegan Raw Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw coconut oil
• 1/3 cup raw agave (or raw honey if you prefer it over agave)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (I use sea or mined salt)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup raw cacoa powder (unsweetened cocoa powder works too but raw cacoa often offers far more nutrients)
• 3 tablespoons carob powder (may use this amount of cacao if you have no carob)

Instructions:

• Blend all ingredients in food processor.
• Roll into balls (approximately one tablespoon per truffle) until all truffle mix is used up.
• Enjoy!

**This recipe is a great base for whatever personal touch or twist you’d like to add! Feel free to roll in (or add to the mix) a little flaked coconut, nuts, chopped goji berries, or anything else desired. Adventurous, greens powder fans may also add a little chocolate greens powder to the mix, although know that if the greens powder is not raw it may affect the enzyme content of the truffles. Also know that a highly sweetened greens powder in place of the unsweetened cacao/cocoa powder may adversely affect the final outcome.

Internationally renowned registered dietician and Enzymedica fan, Ashley Koff, RD discusses “what supplements you should and should not take” on CBS “The Couch.”  (New York, CBS Local, 10/22/12)

Fast forward to minute 6:12 where Ashley describes the benefits of digestive enzymes.  Look for Enzymedica’s Digest Gold™ and Acid Soothe™.

Click the Image Below to Watch the Clip!

About Ashley Koff, R.D.  Celebrity Dietitian, Author, Health & Lifestyle Contributor

Ashley Koff is an internationally renowned registered dietician who is on a mission to help people get healthy by bringing quality eating into every home. With television appearances, print and online contributions, a new book and as an assistant faculty member at the Continuum Center for Health and Healing at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, Koff’s goal is to educate the public on being a Qualitarian.  Visit Ashley’s website:  http://www.ashleykoffapproved.com/

On August 25th, retailers were invited to Irving, TX to attend an event sponsored by NPA SW (Natural Products Association – SouthWest) – “education day.”

Central to the event were three educational speakers, Terry Lemerond (president and founder of Europharma), Dough Kaufmann (host of the television series “Know the Cause” and Enzymedica’s own chief “enzyme expert,” Dave Barton.

Barton travels the country to train consumers and retailers on the use and benefits of supplement enzymes, and regularly writes features published on Enzymedica’s blog.

“I was honored to have the chance to participate in this event, which offered a unique opportunity to provide education and resources to a large audience of retailers,” Barton said.

The event was free and open to NPA SW members, who could send up to 4 employees per store. Also included was complimentary lunch and numerous door prizes.

Enzymedica was excited to attend Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore last week.

Expo East is one of the principal tradeshows that Enzymedica attends each year, and is attended by retailers, distributors, manufacturers and other natural products industry suppliers.

Central to the event was an announcement of Enzymedica’s newest addition to it’s digestive enzyme product line, GlutenEase 2X. Building upon the success of GlutenEase, Enzymedica has brought forward a new formula which features an exclusive, high-potency Protease Thera-blend (G2) for enhanced digestion of gluten and casein.*

Unlike other Thera-blends, the G2 combination is blended specifically for its ability to enhance DPP-IV activity and increase the speed and efficiency of gluten protein digestion. This product digests twice as much gluten protein as the original GlutenEase, and Enzymedica is excited to offer it in an upcoming promotion with a 100% money back guarantee.

“A food intolerance is, in essence, an enzyme deficiency. Individuals with occasional discomforts from eating gluten need to visit their health food stores and ask for GlutenEase. The ability to enjoy expanded food choices is too good to pass up,” said Kim Barton, Enzymedica’s Marketing Director.

While those looking for a critical care gluten digestion supplement should consider GlutenEase 2X, the product is not intended for individuals with Celiac. GlutenEase 2X will be available to consumers beginning in October, 2012.

A key showcase event at Enzymedica’s booth was a retailer appreciation reception, which Enzymedica held on Friday and Saturday. Retailers were invited to join Enzymedica staff for a glass of wine and organic chocolate as special thanks for their partnership and business.

“Expo East was a tremendous success for Enzymedica this year, and we are truly pleased to give a token of gratitude to our retail partners for their continual support of our brand,” said Scott Cloud, Enzymedica’s Executive Vice President of Sales.

Enzymedica offered retailers on the spot, 10-minute training sessions in our booth, led by Enzymedica’s Director of Education, Dave Barton. These sessions served to answer some of the most commonly asked enzyme-related questions by both retailers and consumers, and also highlighted our dedication to building product understanding.

Another key initiative at Expo East was Enzymedica’s “Green-Friendly” education station. Rather than load their bags with large amounts of printed material, Enzymedica used an iPad and custom-developed web application, which allowed retailers to enter their email address and have product literature and other information emailed directly to them.

Dear Customer,

September marks Enzymedica’s 14^th anniversary. Due to your outstanding support and partnership throughout these years, we are proud to announce that we are relocating to a state-of-the-art, 45,500 square foot facility.

This facility will allow us to not only maintain the standards of quality that have led us to become America’s #1 Selling Enzyme Brand, but to exceed them for years to come. In addition, as part of our core mission to support sustainable business practices, we are seeking a LEED certification for the building.

We anticipate being completely functional in our new home on September 24^th. During the move, we are taking every precaution necessary to insure that there will be little to no interruption of our customer service and shipping capabilities.

Our new address will be 771 Commerce Drive, Venice, FL 34292-1731. Please update your files for billing and invoice services, effective September 24^th. Our corporate and customer service phone numbers will remain the same.

As we enter a new chapter in our company’s history, please know that your business has played a key part in our growth. We truly look forward to providing you with exceptional enzyme formulas for years to come.

Sincerely,

Scott Sensenbrenner

Chief Executive Officer