Hasta La Ideas

Humorous messages on classic Picard wafers

Gaufrettes Amusantes are traditional waffle wafers with a humorous twist. Written in either standard French or in our preferred Northern France’s Picard dialect—also called Ch’ti by locals—the funny phrases stamped on each cookie reflect the witty, working class community. Idiomatic messages like “Allo Cherie” (hello darling) and “Cha n’vaut pas un pet d’lapin” (it’s not worth a rabbit fart) add a touch of charm to morning tea or dessert.

Comptoir des Flandres uses a recipe dating back to 1894 to make the tasty wafers in vanilla, chocolate, chicory, hazelnut and raspberry varieties. The cookies sell individually (€3) or in boxed assortments (€10) at Comptoir des Flandres, and are available at many French grocery stores. Also available in the U.S. by the case at The Frenchy Bee for $49.

Two organic Tex-Mex snacks from a frozen burrito leader

Bucking the football-sized burrito, Evol recently introduced a new line of minis to its roster of made-from-scratch frozen burritos and wraps. The three-ounce portions are made with the same all-natural and organic ingredients that the fast-growing company has always relied on for its products, including sustainable, antibiotic-free beef sourced from Niman Ranch and cage-free chicken from Petaluma Poultry.

Available in five flavors, the pocket-sized snack options include classic shredded beef blended with Monterey jack cheese, and two chicken and bean offerings—one with rice, and one without. For vegetarians, there’s a bean and sharp cheddar combination, while vegans will appreciate the bright blend of sauteed vegetables, rice and salsa in the Veggie Fajita burrito. Usual cooking time in a microwave takes less than a minute, with 160-190 calories per burrito.

Yielding even more healthy choices to stock your freezer with this winter, Evol (which is love spelled backwards) also launched a new series of burrito bowl entrees last month, specifically with gluten-free and low-sodium eaters in mind.

The mini burritos are available at most Whole Foods stores, while the burrito bowls can be found at grocery stores nationwide.

Borrowing their name from the Latin word for energy, Navitas Naturals makes the best in exotic organic and raw superfoods packaged in equally refreshing zip-top bags. The Marin County, CA-based company’s 24 functional foods have seemingly unlimited possibilities for use. From simple snacking to flour substitutes, they all work as both a tasty ingredients and valuable sources of nutrition.

Navitas founder Zach Adelman was introduced to maca, a nutrient-dense root vegetable grown and consumed by the indigenous people of the Andes, while traveling through South America. Maca increases stamina and energy; Incan warriors used it in preparation for war. He brought it back to the U.S. and started selling it in powder and capsule forms. (It’s also used in some specialty chocolates.) Since then Adelman’s goal has been to search the world for “functional foods that have been used by traditional cultures for both medicine and nourishment.”

Bountiful information can be found on the Navitas website, which reads like an encyclopedic guide, filled with recipes, random facts, health benefits, and info on where Adelman sources the products. Available at Whole Foods stores and online, prices and quantities vary.

Goji berry cookies feature the antioxidant fighting power of Goji berries, the Chinese fruit famous for its bountiful health benefits. Made by NYC-based Goji Gourmet, a new bakery dedicated to deliciously healthy fare, the dessert incorporates other “Superfoods such as almonds, oats, oranges, ginger, honey, and walnuts to ensure that your sweet snacks still contribute to your overall well-being.”

The cookies come in intriguing flavor combos including Cherry Cacao, Ginger Walnut, Almond Oat, Orange Mint Chip and the inimitable Chocolate Chip. The ginger walnut and cherry chocolate were our favorites, but nearly all complimented the taste of the Goji berry.

At around 20 calories per cookie and with a nice balance of texture, moisture and density, the cookies offer a great way to infuse antioxidants into snack-time. The treats sell online from Gourmet Goji or from retailers nationwide, with prices starting at $3.