Five Favorites (vol. 51): Lenten Essentials

1  //  coconut milk

2  //  Annie's Naturals Goddess salad dressing

3  //  unsweetened almond milk

4  //  lentils

5  //  Vegenaise

Mid-Lent calls for a Lenten fast line-up.  I mentioned many of these last year, but I'm discovering how much I loved them now that I can't find them.  They or similar products are probably available at a bigger store like Tesco or Morrisons, but within walking-distance are Aldi or the Co-Op, and they limit their stock to English and Welsh staples.  Delicious!  But very buttery.

These products aren't just great for Lent but for any time, and I made use of them all year long.  The coconut milk (for cooking, not drinking) is an essential for Thai curry.  Lentils go in lots of soups and the occasional Indian experiment.  Vegenaise is a good substitute for mayonnaise; just don't expect it to taste exactly the same and enjoy it for what it is, and it's delicious!  And a tip from the experienced non-dairy milk drinker: if you get something like almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc., look carefully at the label to make sure that it says unsweetened.  They sneak in a ton of sugar to make it taste nice, and I don't blame "them," but if you're aiming for a healthy option, there's no need for the extra calories.

Hope you're Lent is going well.  See more community favorites at Moxie Wife.