Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

One of my favorite snack foods has always been chips and queso dip. I take comfort in the act of dipping. I love the heat and the flavor. There is something otherworldly about a salty tortilla chip with hot cheesy orange sauce. I even loved the not-really-even-nachos from stadiums  and church fairs.  I have tried every vegan queso I have seen and have not yet found one that has said,”I am the real deal'” until now. In Florida we found a beautiful health food store called Earth Origins. Need I say more?  We had just rolled into town and were stocking the condo with yummies.

There is something about a health food store in a community other than my own that makes me go crazy as if I have never seen Tofurky slices or vegan cookies. I was not looking for it…but there it was in the refrigerator section, a carton of Wayfare “We Cant Say Its Cheese”  Mexi-cheddar dip. It was in a cream cheese-esque container so I wasn’t sure if it was really going to be dip like, or more of a spread. I threw it in the cart.

We debuted or non dairy queso on our chosen day for Thanksgiving with my in-laws. They are open-minded, adventurous eaters, willing to try new vegan foods, despite their love and admiration of all things cheesy.

My plan was to transfer it to a micro safe bowl and make it bubbly. That is my favorite way. I peeled back the plastic covering but had to taste it first. After All, who would feed their loved ones an unknown cheese-like product without trying it first? That would be wrong. I dipped a tortilla chip into the chilly cheese  with high hopes but guarded expectations. Somewhere in Montana an employee of Wayfare foods was involuntarily thinking, “I told you so.”

Even cold, it was like the queso of my dairy devouring past. It was creamy, cheesy and slightly spicy. I couldn’t be bothered to warm it, so I ate it right out of the carton with (my fingers)  tortilla chips. The fiend in me  wanted to hide it from the others but I did the opposite and became an immediate spokesperson for this superb vegan Mexi-Cheddar dip. I  believe that if my in laws and others can see how easy to find, amazing and exciting ,vegetarian and non dairy foods can be, they will make the effort to choose them. Wayfare foods are cholesterol, dairy, gluten and soy free. They are non GMO and kosher. My favorite part, I knew what every single ingredient was on the list, the first one being oatmeal. Strange but true.

You will find Wayfare Mexi-Cheddar dip at many major health food stores such as Whole Foods but you may also order it from Vegan Essentials . This would be the most fun thing to have (for yourself) at your next cocktail party, book club or for New Years Eve.  I recommend that while you are buying compassionate holiday presents and pleather Mary Janes from Vegan Essentials, you add a tub or two of Mexi-Cheddar dip to your cart. If for some reason you don’t love it…you can send it to me.

Have a delicious day.

Chips and queso image courtesy of Bigredkitchen.com

Tags: compassionate eating, compassionate products, dairy free, going veg, Mexi cheddar dip, plant based diet, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe, Wayfare foods, We Cant Say Its Cheese