Milk-a-wha? At Natural Product Expo West, Dairy Dominates.
Last year, you could hardly walk through Natural Products Expo West without consuming at least one beverage shot that promised to boost your energy. But this year, whether it’s because of a return to wholesomeness or a fascination with Lindsey Lohan, “milkaholics” can find dairy products that solve a whole host of problems. As a bonus, they almost always have clever branding and interesting packaging to draw you into the booth.
Do your children like bugs? Then they will love Lifeway ProBugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir. It’s a drinkable dairy product with probiotics (the “friendly bugs” – or bacteria – found in the stomach that boost the immune system) and great flavors like Sublime Slime Lime. Lifeway Kefir increases the level of good bacteria in the digestive systems of children and also promotes overall healthy digestion, and its colorful plastic pouches with funny bug illustrations make them an appealing Gogurt-like drink with added benefits.
Does your dog like frozen yogurt? Regular frozen dog treats are made mostly from water, dried whey, soy flour and animal fat. But yoghund frozen yogurt treats are not only made from real yogurt – they too have probiotics (or Yobiotics) to ensure the digestive health of your canine. First developed by dog boarders who saw common tummy troubles in canine guests, they can be given as a daily treat to enhance pets’ digestive and immune health. Also for dogs, Nature’s Milk offers a series of goat milk products – from protein-rich bite-sized bones to an entire line of goat’s milk shampoos and wipes – that are allergen-free for sensitive dogs.
Do you like ice cream too? All-natural dairy snacks from Late July Organic Snacks include its yummy Limited Edition Peppermint Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cookies. Late July’s evocative packaging shows a young child on an idyllic beach picnic with his family, and represents that “carefree time of year when your worries are a million miles away. A time so special it should only be paired with healthful, eco-friendly snacks that offer families the carefree choices they deserve.”
At the opposite end of the all-natural scale, Manitoba Harvest has a chocolate milk made not from dairy sources, but from hemp. The slightly-watery beverage is the chocolate-flavored equivalent of coconut milk – it sounds exotic, but is always a little disappointing. Manitoba Harvest says hemp protein is a truly organic plant-based protein that both carnivores and vegans can enjoy, and can be added to juices, smoothies and baked goods such as breads and pies.
Just about the only thing I haven’t seen milk paired with at Natural Products Expo West is alcoholic beverages – although I still have a whole day to visit the booths on the downstairs level. I’ll be watching out for throngs of milkaholics queuing up for free samples.