Hi everyone! Guess what: it’s time for another giveaway here on Vegan Runner Eats blog! I feel extremely blessed for the opportunity to bring so many exciting giveaways to the readers of my blog in the past months, and let you know about great products made by small, family-owned businesses all over the country. Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
So what exactly is Neat, and how do you prepare it?
Neat is a dry, powdered mix of all-natural, gluten-free and soy-free ingredients that comes in four-serving pouches – that is, one pouch is enough to make a meal for a family of four. Basically, you mix Neat with a vegan egg replacer (chia seeds + water worked great for me, but you can also use flax seed or tofu) and form it into burger patties, meatballs, or crumble it up as ground ‘meat’, and cook it for a few minutes in a skillet. If you’re vegetarian, you can also use a regular egg instead of chia seeds.
How was it invented?
Phil and Laura Lapp of Lancaster, PA, along with their daughters Morgan and Kaitlyn, decided to go vegetarian in 2011: Phil, a competitive long-distance runner, had a history of high cholesterol and heart disease in the family, and daughters Morgan and Kaitlyn were inspired to become animal rights activists after watching a TV program. At first, the family was challenged to find a good substitute for meat – the girls weren’t big fans of beans or ‘mystery vegan meats’. That’s when Laura started experimenting with various ingredients (she had a background in science), and eventually came out with the kids-approved formula for what we now know as Neat! Phil went on to lower his cholesterol by 100 points within a year, and lost 30 pounds.
Where is Neat made?
Passionate to bring their discovery to the masses, Phil and Laura Lapp went on to found Neat Foods, LLC in 2012. Today, Neat is a family-owned and managed company with a grass-roots business strategy: Neat is manufactured in Leola, PA at VisionCorps food facility where 85% of all employees are blind or vision-impaired. With the statistics showing that up to 80% of vision-impaired or blind people in the US are unemployed, VisionCorps and Neat Foods, LLC do a wonderful thing by providing jobs to those who need them most. When we buy Neat, we are doing a good thing by keeping vision-impaired people employed!
Where can I find Neat?
You can buy Neat directly through their site, look up grocery stores that carry it using their store locator, or find it online on Amazon. Also, since you’re already here on the blog, try your chance at winning 2 PACKETS of Neat in this week’s giveaway! See details below.
What did I make with Neat?
I received 2 bags of Neat – one in Original, and one in Mexican flavor. I used the Original mix to make Italian meatballs:
The Mexican mix was used to make a variation of my classic Warm Potato Salad: I used half of the bag of Neat with chia seeds to make ground beef-like crumbles, and used them instead of beans in my original recipe:
And now – the giveaway part!
Neat Foods, LLC provided me with 2 BAGS OF NEAT MIX in Original and Mexican flavors to give away as a prize to one lucky winner of today’s giveaway. To participate, you must be over 18 years of age, and reside in the USA or Canada (sorry international folks – I’m paying for the shipping out of my own pocket).
The giveaway starts today on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014, and will last until Monday, August 11th, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Pick whatever options apply to you in the box below – or click on the link if the box doesn’t show up:
The winner will be randomly picked and announced here on the blog and through social media within 3 days of the end of this giveaway.
Now for some fine print stuff – can’t go without it!
Disclaimer 1: In case you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients in Neat (see the full list on their site here), please use your discretion when consuming it. Neat Foods, LLC and Alina Zavatsky of Vegan Runner Eats cannot be held responsible for your digestive trouble.
Disclaimer 2: I, Alina Zavatsky, was not paid or compensated in any form for arranging this giveaway. Neat Foods, LLC provided me with free samples of their products for a review and this giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Disclaimer 3: This post contains a link to Amazon.com. As an affiliate of Amazon, I receive a very small commission in case you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. The commission helps me pay for hosting and other blogging-related fees associated with running this blog. Thank you for your support!
I would love to win – always looking for healthy alternatives
Thanks for sharing soy free, vegan options
You’re very welcome, Sloan!
I am desperately looking for healthier meat subs that my picky kids will eat. I really want to try these.
A meat replacement made from real fits is something is love to try. I won’t try those other ones with tons of processed fake stuff in them. YUCK!
i’ve never heard of this brand and am always on the look out for new healthy foods to spice up my meals! My family is vegetarian, so it’s always fun to try out different meat replacements. thanks for the chance!
You’re welcome Tree!
I would love to win this because I love trying new recipes and resources with my husband! We are vegan newlyweds!!
Awww congratulations on being newly married, Emily!
I have been a vegan for 15 years and am always trying new things. I would love to try this product!
Glad to hear you’ve been vegan for 15 years, Willow, good luck with the giveaway!
I am trying to cut back on meat so this would be perfect for me!
Good job, Jordan!
This is awesome! I’m always looking for ways to make my meals more substantial and kid approved. I also love that this company employs blind or visually impaired people! How awesome is that?!
I agree, Sarah – I was very impressed when I found out about visually impaired people working for Neat.
I want to win because I am trying to substitute meat and this looks so good for you and tasty.
Thanks Helga, good luck!
I’m vegan and would love to try this healthy protein source!
I would love to try these products. Thanks for the chance
You’re very welcome, Holly!
I can’t live without food. And if I am going to eat it I will always try to do it the healthy way.
Way to go, Lea!
Always game to try new things, especially if they might help with cooking while camping.
That’s a good thought, Heidi – these might be pretty convenient while camping. If you try Neat when camping, please let me know how it works out!
When I became a veg 20 years ago, the meat substitutes were scary! Fast forward to today and I’ve found one I’m willing to try! I love Neat’s ingredientg
Glad to hear this, Nicollette, hope you’ll like Neat!
I am not a fan of fake meat. Just reading the ingredient labels reminds me that I am also trying to give up fake ingredients that I can’t pronounce. A “real food” option would be nice.
And, I love your blog. I just started running and also just started working towards a vegan diet. Every time I run I tuck the ends of my shoe strings into the laces and think of you 🙂
Aww that’s so awesome Martha, thank you for reading my blog! Glad to hear that you’ve started running, and that you think of me when tucking in the shoe laces!
I too am leary of meat replacements…but if it is made from whole foods if love to try it. LIving in a small town I don’t get to see & try products like this from local groceries. This would give the hubby the “meat” he thinks he had to have. :O)
I know the feeling, tee bone! Glad to see that some meat replacement manufacturers are making their products less ‘fake’.
I think you’ll like it. I’ve tried it before, and I thought it was pretty good. Like you, I don’t usually do meat replacements, but I think you’ll be satisfied by the ingredients.