Thursday, December 06, 2012

smarter cookies :: review and giveaway contest

8 Smarter vegan Cookies, waiting to be devoured
The nice folks at Smarter Cookies sent me samples of their vegan cookies to review. Since they tout the treats as being healthy [aka,"smarter"] and since the labels say they have up to 10 grams of protein per cookie, I was intrigued. After a rest, I am back to building up my running base, working my way up to 50+ miles per week, and that means protein, protein, protein. Endurance athletes, vegan or not, practically need an IV-drop of protein to help their overburdened muscles recover. Protein in a cookie?  Win, win!

Good stuff in.
I like the fact that these fiber-packed, low-glycemic index cookies are made from all pronounceable/GMO-free and mostly organic ingredients. They also contain 6 foodstuffs proven in clinical trials to help lower cholesterol. The motivation for this was personal; when the company's founder, longtime brain-cancer survivor Richard Harvey, was on chemo, the drugs caused his cholesterol to surge and so the smarter cookies were born as a partial dietary response. Talk about making something good form something bad.
Extreme Smarter Vegan Cookie close up: Look at those nuts and seeds.
The company stresses that these are made fresh and so you need to eat them fresh. But no matter how good a cookie sounds on paper, the real test is the flavor.

Taste test.
Smarter Cookies are subtly sweet, in the style of many Italian desserts. So if you have a serious Jo-Jo's or Oreo addiction or a serious sweet tooth, they may not be your cup of tea. Personally, I like that the sugar does not dominate: your palate can  – gasp! – actually discern most of the ingredients. All flavors pair nicely with a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, they are sold in cafes.

My favorite flavor was the Vegan Oatmeal Raisin, followed by the Vegan Original. After a long run, I would totally prefer either of these cookies and a glass of soy milk to a cardboard-like power bar. I was not as keen on the Vegan Peanut Butter or Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, but then again, I am generally not keen on any peanut butter cookies or cakes, so at least I'm consistent. 

Good points: Good-for-you, protein-packed cookies, super-fresh and loaded with healthful ingredients. Delicious with coffee.
Not-so-good points: Texture can be a tad crumbly. Subtly-sweet flavor may not appeal to everyone.

Win Smarter Cookies! Giveaway Contest

Smarter Cookies is giving away a free dozen cookies to one lucky Urban Vegan winner. All you have to do is to leave a comment telling us which flavor do you think you'd enjoy most. To get another shot at winning, leave the same comment on the Smarter Cookie Facebook page, mentioning my blog. I'll choose a random winner and will announce the name the lucky cookie monster early next week. US residents only, please.

If you can't wait til then, Smarter Cookies is offering a $15 discount off the posted purchase price and shipping rates for a Vegan Sampler pack. That's a significant saving if you want to try them or get them as a gift for your Just type in the discount code "gratitude" when you order.

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45 comments:

Meghan said...

I usually love anything peanut-butter flavored, so I'd guess I'd like the vegan peanut butter cookie the best. Restoring the karmic cookie flavor balance to your blog, at least...:)

urban vegan said...

Hahaha. That made me belly-laugh, Meghan :)

Tina. said...

I'm a big fan of oatmeal/raisin in general, so I'm assuming that would be my favorite.

Mina said...

I think I'd like to try peanut butter chocolate chip.

Mina

Melissa T. said...

Ooo. I'd like to try peanut butter and vegan chocolate chip. What a wonderful combination.

LC said...

The vegan oatmeal cookies all the way, for me!

Cadry's Kitchen said...

Vegan peanut butter chocolate ship sounds like my cup of tea!

Bianca said...

I'd probably love the peanut butter ... because I love all things peanut butter. And 50 miles a week?! Go Dynise!!

Crystal said...

The Peanut Butter Vegan Chocolate Chip Smarter Cookie looks taaaaasty!!!

Anonymous said...

Yum! Vegan peanut butter chocolate chip for me! Maybe the extra protein would inspire me to run too ;)

MC said...

ooh--all of these look so good--I would go for the peanut butter-chocolate chip first. I hope they are sold in Philly soon.

rick's lemonade stand said...

Thanks for your input Meghan, looks like it's going to be a tight race :^) I've heard 'tis best not to let your dogma be runned over by your karma. Thanks for keeping things in balance! Peace, Wellness and Blessings,

Richard (The Cookie Man) Harvey

rick's lemonade stand said...

Thanks for your input. All the best to you!

rick's lemonade stand said...

Thanks for joining the contest Mina :^)

rick's lemonade stand said...

Hearing lots of support for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Vegan from the Cyber scape. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Rick (The Cookie Man) Harvey

rick's lemonade stand said...

Thanks LC!

Amey said...

what a fun giveaway. plus, I love the idea of a cookie with 10 grams of protein!!! right on! Unlike you, I am a die hard Peanut Butter fan, so I'd go for PB and Chocolate... though, in this moment, I'm sure I'd eat any one of them! :)

Jasmine said...

I think I'd most enjoy the Oatmeal Vegan Smarter Cookie :)

mooxinator said...

I could dive head first into a pile of oatmeal cookies any day. But those original ones, with the whole almonds, they would be the ones I tore open first.
Thank you for more gift ideas!

Melissa said...

They all sound great, but I'd most like to try peanut butter chocolate chip!

Unknown said...

Peanut butter chocolate chip, most definitely!! I can't wait to try one :-)

I Art Fashion said...

Without a doubt, oatmeal raisin :) They look so tasty

Dynah said...

PB chocolate chip all the way!

Andrea said...

I'm on an oatmeal cookie kick so I'm going for the oatmeal raisin, though oatmeal chocolate chip would suit me better. Nice review, Dynise!

newsie15 said...

I think I would like the oatmeal raisin. I do love peanut butter, but it is a new thing for me, so I don't like to push my luck. Yum, cookies!

Anonymous said...

I desperately want to try the Vegan Oatmeal Raisin!! thank you :)

hollyfrench said...

Peanut butter!

Anonymous said...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip! :)

moonsword said...

I think I'd love the Peanut Butter Vegan Smarter Cookies the most. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Definitely Peanut Butter Vegan. :D
& thanks for the giveaway!

PurpleLarkspur said...

Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip!!

larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com

radioactivegan said...

The original cookie looks pretty delicious! I would be happy to eat any of them, though :)

Unknown said...

They all sound so amazing! I would absolutely love to try any flavor, I'm always up for vegan yummy goodness! If I had to choose I would probably pick peanut butter chocolate . I love anything peanut putter and chocolate! Yum.

Jordan said...

Oatmeal sounds good to me!

Anonymous said...

I adore chocolate and peanut butter so of course I would chose peanut butter chocolate chip. Recently made raw peanut chocolate brownies on my blog that were great.... check them out!

Lydia Claire said...

I'd really like to try Oatmeal Vegan Smarter Cookie!

Chris said...

Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip sounds delicious!

Sophie said...

Oatmeal raisin. Definitely. Thanks for the opportunity :D

rick's lemonade stand said...

Thanks for your input. If you haven't already, come see us on on our facebook page for another chance at the contest :^)

rick's lemonade stand said...

Yeah, Biance, I'd like to say I'm doing 50 miles a week on my bike :) Thanks for participating.

SC

rick's lemonade stand said...

I want to thank Dynise for taking a look at Smarter Cookies. We a really appreciate her comments and insights, and we're thankful for each of you who are participating in the contest. Please keep in mind that by leaving a comment on our Facebook account, you get another chance at the contest. So far the majority comments seem to lean towards the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. It is probably our most popular vegan cookie, although it often share's that limelight with the Original Vegan (chocolate chip and almonds). My two faves are the Original Vegan and The Oatmeal Vegan. I'd have a tough time picking one above the other, but sometimes I'm better at inventing cookies than deciding which ones I like best. Please keep our coupon code in mind if you do or don't win the contest :^) Peace, Wellness and Blessings, Richard Harvey (Smarter Cookie's inventor).

April said...

I am going Peanut Butter myself. As the sole vegan in my house, I am looking for ways to excite the munchkins...peanut butter cookies would surely do that :)

Unknown said...

I want to try the Vegan Oatmeal Raisin cookie.

rick's lemonade stand said...

Congratulations to Holly Hutcheson, of Nashville, TN. She won this particular contest. The rest of you can still get a great deal on Smarter Cookies by ordering a Vegan Sampler pack, which is set up with a $6 discount on the shipping when you check out and by entering 'gratitude' in the voucher box, you will get an additional $9.00 discount on the final tab. $15 dollars off of our posted shipping and price. We hope to hear from you soon ;^)

Peace, Wellness and Blessings

Richard Harvey
Smarter Cookie

Tickled Pink Janis said...

Hi Richard, 11-1-14

I love your poetry Richard and so does my hubby,

and now after coming to this blog, I understand your email address of
SmarterCookies.... ok

Some day I hope to eat your oatmeal raisin which would be my fav.

Tickled Pink Janis
hahahah

LaughterYogaInternational.org
plus
LaughterYogaAmerica.com

hahah :-))