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Sol Cuisine Almond Grain Burgers

I am in serious need of a haircut! Between my busy schedule and my stylist's, I wasn't able to get an appointment until Friday.

Unfortunately, this means I look ridiculous. I've tried leaving my hair curly, blowing it out straight, and doing it half curly, half straight. No matter what I do, it looks awful. And because it's too short for a ponytail, there is little I can do. So I'm wearing a hat. Inside the house. All alone. Yep, it's that bad. I can't even stand to look at it myself.

At least it will look nice for Florida. We leave Sunday and I can't wait!! I'm just crossing my fingers (on both hands) that no one gets sick while we're away. The first year we went Big A got an ear infection. With Little A's track record lately - of getting sick with something every other week - she's right on schedule for a new bug. Given that she's already being a true terrible 2 lately, I can only imagine how trying the trip will be if she isn't feeling well.

Well enough about locks and little ones. On to food.

Burgers are undoubtably "in" right now. Every neighbourhood in Toronto now seems to have at least one gourmet burger restaurant. Just what we need while dealing with a growing obesity crisis!

Burgers CAN be a quick and healthy meal, particularly if you make them at home, avoid adding fatty toppings, use whole grain buns, and side them with steamed veggies or salad instead of fries.

At least one dinner a week is burgers - to give me a night off from cooking - and I often have them for lunch.

Now it's probably been at least 15 years since I've eaten a beef burger, but wild salmon, chicken or turkey, and veggie are among my favs. Veggie burgers, in particular, are convenient, because often they don't require cooking, and are usually less expensive than fish or poultry burgers.

Unfortunately, a lot of veggie burgers are either tasteless and rubbery, or - particularly those which contain cheese - are no better than a beef burger because they pack such a wallop of saturated fat and calories.

My favorite veggie burgers are the ones that mimic meat - since I am a flexitarian and do like meat - but these can be very high in sodium, and generally are made with soy protein isolate, which I try not to consume in large quantities. The tastiest I've tried are Yves The Good Burger, and Veggie Patch's Garlic Portabella Burgers.


I am not a big fan of curry or Mexican black bean flavour burgers because when I am in the mood for a veggie burger, I want something with a conventional "burger" seasoning that goes well with, well you know, ketchup, mustard and some melted low-fat cheese. I now have a new one that fits the bill.

Sol Cuisine's Almond grain burgers are yummy and have a pretty impressive ingredient list: Organic Spelt, Organic Soybeans, Organic Okara, Almond Butter, Filtered Water, Carrots, Onions, Green Lentils, Tomato Powder, Organic Amaranth, Olive Oil, Tapioca Starch, Almonds, Sea Salt, Inactive Engevita Yeast, Spice, Modified Cellulose, Dehydrated Garlic, Xanthan Gum.


They don't have a meaty taste or texture, so those who do not like meat will enjoy them, but they are tasty, moist and go well with the usual burger condiments. Although not as high in protein as the others, they are a bit lower in sodium and are high in fibre. Available at most health food stores, they are about $4.99 for a box of 4, making them a great, affordable, quick and easy meal.

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