Several evenings ago, I decided to try the "Boca Meatless Chili" for dinner. I had been asked to try it, and write an "honest review" on this product. I thought to myself,
"They really don't know what they're asking, for I shall indeed do an "honest review", a brutally honest review, and they probably won't like me anymore."
Well, here's is my review:
I read the ingredients and started to ask my sister about the ones I didn't understand. She's a doctor of Chemistry, but I decided against it, since I knew I had committed to sampling the product anyway. The one ingredient I saw that I didn't like was "sugar". But at least I saw NO corn syrup product, which is even worse than sugar, and that was EXCELLENT.
Truth be told, I didn't think I would like the product, so I went into my dinner with a negative attitude and NO APPETITE. I'll explain that later. But, with the first taste, I was pleasantly surprised! The Chili was DELICIOUS, and what is often true with soy products, tasted just like meat! You would not know the difference unless you were TOLD there was a difference.
I ate the whole bowl of chili. Some might not think that so unusual, but for me, it is very unusual.
I thought I might need to add spices -- no! Nothing more was needed. Get some cornbread, or San Francisco sourdough bread (which has probiotics in it) , a simple green salad, and you have a very well-rounded meal. That night, I had broccoli and carrots, but it's your choice.
My doctor has diagnosed me as anorexic (lack of appetite), and I find it difficult to want to eat almost ANYTHING, except for fish. When I report to my doctor that I have found another satisfying food source, he is going to be overjoyed, especially since he has been quite concerned, and has been talking to me -- too much -- about finding foods that I might enjoy.
Ordinarily, no matter how good the food, I would usually only eat half a bowl, but I could not stop eating this chili. It was spicy, and I liked that. It tasted like real chili, like the chili from back home -- Fresno.
********************BOCA MEATLESS CHILI********************
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People, let the meat go; soy is healthier. Despite my lack of appetite which I'm told was due to PREVIOUS severe illness that was beyond my control, guess what? I now have NO health problems -- none, and I maintain a consistent average blood pressure level of 100/60, even after a few cups of coffee. No diabetes, no heart disease, no high cholesterol, whatever you come up with? I don't have it, according to the tests. By the way, the aforementioned diseases run strongly in my family, and I keep telling my family,
"Don't you understand that it's due to your diet!?"
I also have no wrinkles, grey hair (maybe one or two), no aches or pains -- nothing. Diet plays a big role in this.
Hey Boca: you have a faithful new customer; ME! Thank you! I want more coupons!
What? Would a letter from my doctor swing it? If so, he WILL write you a letter saying,
"Get this woman some coupons!"
Also, your product is soooooo good, you don't need to add sugar to it; I promise you!
So there: that's my brutally honest review.
(One last thing: I did speak to Dr. W. [my sister] moments after writing this review, who was just with Monell Chemical Senses Laboratories in Philadelphia, but is in the process of moving back to her beloved Alaska, and when I mentioned Boca to her -- good Heavens!, she exclaimed practically before I could get the word "Boca" out of my mouth,
"I LOVE their burgers!"
She assured me that the burgers have no sugar in them; she hasn't tried the chili, but upon my recommendation, she shall. She didn't feel the sugar was a big problem, as long it was not the dangerous high fructose corn syrup.)
I have PLANS for the chili, like a spicy beef stew in the making, and some other recipes. I am also consuming the burgers regularly now, too. They are delicious, and very filling, especially when you top them off with lettuce, onions, and a tomato slice, served on a whole wheat bun.
Just watch my creative talents go to work. Very nice. I thank you for the introduction to these products.
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Comments: 62
I agree with you on processed foods. What surprised me is that my sister likes them. She is the same way, preferring thing like moose, halibut, salmon and deer to processed foods -- YUCK to the moose and deer!
Those are the natural hunt they have in Alaska, though, and again, she is like you.
But she looks at every ingredient on a box before purchasing it, and she is "into" Boca burgers. Now that surprised me.
Then, you are like me on the "spicy" and you know that you are to not drink water or beverages with it. My older sister's nose starts to perspire when she eats spicy; it very humorous to see the water beads, but she eats on.
Like I said, we are a family of spicy eaters. It's good for the respiratory system.
I'll have to try the chili, thanks Nee.
My family is from Montana and SD and they do a lot of deer, pheasant, antelope and elk there. I don't mind any of it, really... but it would not break my heart to spare the poor animals and stick to vegetarian. I just wish I could convince my husband to try it as well.
NOW I WANT BOCA CHILI !!!!
They've been around THAT long, and I didn't know???!!!
Heavens to Murgatroid. What a shame! Thank you, Doc!
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Julie,
Raw sugar is okay. It's the refined sugar that is no good. What I cannot understand about my sister is that she is nutty about animals, but yet she and her Alaskan buddies (and I have seen this) will hunt these poor animals and then . . . EAT THEM. One of her specific areas of specialty is moose. I'll never understand it about her. I tell her, "You study them, and then you EAT them! How primitive!" I still say the best way to go is MEATLESS. The only argument for meat is protein, and maybe -- I've noticed from before -- that meat warms up the body. Well okay: how about a good wool coat? That warms your body as well. Go meatless!
Let me check the packaging for sodium. Are you using sea salt? It is saltier that regular salt, and healthier.
The burgers do contain salt, and the chili has something called "disodium guanylate". Heavens to Murgatroid! I could look them up, or ask Chris (my sister). However, I get your point. Sea salt is not expensive, and might be an alternative to the more popular iodized salt. Maybe if consumers begin to demand this, companies would begin to use sea salt. The only difference in taste that I'm able to discern is that sea salt is far more saltier, so you had better not sprinkle as much, else your food won't be eatable.
Please let me know what you think. Also, remember to not drink fluids while eating the chili! Heh, heh, heh!
By my standards, it's only medium spicy, but by others, it might be very spicy.
Linda when I first tasted it, I had to look closely, because I was eating by candlelight. (You know how you're supposed to treat yourself like that sometimes -- china, crystal, candlelight, music . . . and Boca chili [uh]).
I thought they had fooled me for a minute, but it REALLY was soy, and good. I hail from a family of excellent cooks, and so I really thought I was not going to be impressed. I guess Boca got the last laugh this time. Linda, check back with me; I'll be interested in your opinion. In fact, knowing that you don't accept pings, I'll email this to you to make sure you get it. I would like you to post your opinion back on this thread. Here I come . . .
I know about Cajun food, and enjoy my girlfriend Lydia's Cajun cooking -- ooooh soo spicy. Now, I do wish you would try the chili. Granted, I would say the Cajun foods that I have sampled are a tad spicier, but just try this, and come back at me with your opinion.
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Beef! YUCK! Okay, I'll say this much on behalf of the cattlemen. One of my favorite uncles owned a dairy. I was just talking to one of my cousins (his son, for my uncle is now deceased) a couple of days ago. Those were fond memories, even though the cows were goofy looking things that seemed to have no motivation, except to chew cud all day and mooooo. I have nothing against cattlemen or cows; cows seem to be not-so-smart creatives, though. Bulls sort of frightened me. Shelley, the last time I had beef (not by choice) was in 1992, and I noticed that it stayed in my system for three whole days. That was NOT GOOD! Before that, I had not had meat since 1990. I was in D.C. in 1992, and someone thought they would give me a "surprise party". I only sampled a small bit of the beef (spaghetti), but brought me down. Shelley, try the soy chili won't you, please?
Thanks, Shelley!
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Thank you, Bhawana! There's the idea. Open to try new things! Let me know if you like it!
Thank you for the sweet thoughts and well wishes. Consider this: you won't be exposed in any way, shape, or form to mad cow's disease OR the price of beef versus these products, and maybe the pricing won't be so prohibitive. Plus consider one of my plans, which is taking the chili, adding red potatoes, celery, tomatoes, onions, chilis, carrots, peas, corn, broccoli, asparagus, and brussel sprouts -- my own version of a stew. What a well-rounded and healthy main course. With that dish I would not even add a salad; bread is optional. Your rue -- or gravy -- is already there with the Boca chili, believe me. Think about that. Plus, you may add or delete veggies according to taste, as well as spices; I omitted spices I might use, for spices are my own secret.
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Judi,
Please let me know what you think. I'm most interested now in those who try it for the first time myself. Thanks!
:=)
Yes, I would LOVE to serve up some of the stew I just mentioned to you. I understand it gets very cold in Wisconsin. My sister wanted me to tell you that where she lives (she owns property in Fairbanks and it gets as cold as 40 degrees below), that Wisconsin can't compete. Why in the world would Wisconsin WANT to compete with THAT, any ole way?
You are quite welcome, Jeff (for the review), and I hope you try the chili). Let me know what you think!
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Oh Gwen!
It's too bad that you are allergic. Should you eat soy at all if you are allergic, Dear Heart? Just a thought. I do understand why you like the burgers, though.
Thanks, Gwen!
Yeah I will definitely try it and tell you what I think.
Glad you like the chili! It's a favorite of mine, even though I make my own chili at home.
Fairbanks is -- indeed-- in Alaska, and boasts being the northernmost MAJOR city BEFORE getting to the North Pole, which it is. It is also the nearest major to a little delightful called the North Pole. I wish you would join me on one of my trips there one day, nature buff that you are; you would absolutely LOVE it.
How unfortunate that you are allergic to gluten, but very fortunate that you discovered it. Many people are, and have yet to learn this. The down size for you is . . . no more Boca meatless chili, unless they change the recipe, but I don't recall seeing gluten in the Boca burgers' ingredients, so you may still enjoy those.
Ada, with the discovery of gluten intolerance, which has to be recent, I believe more and more quality food manufacturers -- as I am beginning to see that Boca is -- shall, no doubt modify the recipe to appeal to their targeted consumers; in the case of Boca products, the targeted consumer would obviously be those who love soy products, conscientious consumers, and vegetarians. Give them some time.
The reason I say this is because it even takes the doctors a second to catch up. First the Research industry, then Medicine, and then the rest of us:
When I was ill for 3.5 years with a diagnosis -- "the etiology is unknown" -- the doctors said that they had ran "every test known to medicine" on me. Now, that's quite a claim and I did not believe them. I knew my sister and her world renowned mentor had been following my case, and when I told her what I had been told, she became annoyed, told me
"I can immediately think of SEVERAL tests I KNOW they haven't ran."
She was still in Philadelphia at the time, so she had me write the tests down myself; I did, and gave them to my doctor. He said of one of them (gluten intolerance),
"We ran that test."
Ada, they had NOT. Later, he telephoned me, and stated that -- after having checked my files -- none of those tests had been ran, and wanted me to return to get the lab forms for them.
It was not that they were incompetent -- OH NO!
I think it was that the tests were fairly new, and had just been overlooked, that's what. That's why I'm saying, once everyone is onboard and up to speed, things shall change, foods shall change ingredients. Just as you are not seeing as many foods with corn syrup and the unhealthy fats in them anymore . . . it shall change. Watch and see.
~~Long comment, but YOU started it, Ada! No, I'm just meddling.
Thanks Ada! (and thanks for allowing me to meddle.)
I DO have a plan! When you come to "the States", I shall throw a party for the "prolific published writer, Alison Pearce! I shall convince my niece to cook (she is a true gourmet cook, but just FOR YOU, I shall cook up a special dish with Boca.
You think I'm kidding, don't you? I'm not. All you must do is come to California, which is the hard part. Throwing a party is easy. The San Francisco Bay Area is a beautiful area with many things to do and see, so obviously don't come just for Boca food; it's a fringe.
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Hi Jan!
Yes, they are substantial in size, aren't they? I plan to have another very shortly, like after I finish this thread. The burgers are making me into a greedy one, I fear.
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Thanks Ronbo!
I can see you grilling the Boca burgers. Hmmm, I can also see you enjoying the chili.
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Kris M.
I do believe you have hit the nail on the head. It's everyone else who says I am anorexic, and I say I am NOT anorexic!
You pretty much summed up the foods that I enjoy eating Kris; how did you do that?
Then too, when I was a small child -- maybe 7 or 8 years old -- I read an article in "Health Magazine", showed it to my parents, thinking,
"Here! I've finally found my way out of eating meat!"
I presented the EVIDENCE to my parents about meat from "Health Magazine" (they subscribed to the magazine, so surely that would lend credence), and asked if I could become a vegetarian. Their response was a flat, "NO." Period. The End.
I thought I had my parents in a corner, but nothing doing. When you are a child, parents rule. I say that children should have some say.
Kris, thank you for what you have said; I am surrounded with family and friends who are criticizing me, and saying that I am anorexic. Now that my doctor has joined their ranks, it adds more pressure. If you are the Kris that I think you are, your opinion weighs heavily. Thank you!
I'm seeing a lot more gluten-free products, as well as vegetarian dishes and foods prepared without corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. As a vegetarian who is trying to maintain a low glycemic diet while avoiding glutens, I'm happy about that. I actually have a more interesting and varied diet than most of my friends who live on cheeseburgers, pizza, potato chips and Pepsi. Yuk! I still have a Boca burger on occasion (which does contain gluten) but I put it on a gluten-free bun with lots of veggies, and hope my stomach fails to notice it in the mix.
I want to go back to something that you said:
And by the way, I learned a long time ago that if you eat vegetarian, you can get "full" without ever feeling "stuffed" and I'd do it just for that reason, not to mention the health reasons.
That is true, so true, Julie. My family and friends fuss at me for not consuming
"enough calories" I don't know from calories, but I LOVE fresh fruits and veggies, and they fill you up, as does soy, as does yogurt, as does fish. I gone to eating dark chocolate to satisfy THEM, and even with that I had lost 2 pounds at my next doctor's visit, without exercising. (I was still prohibited from it, because of the surgery.)
People want to know how to LOSE weight? Eat correctly. Oh, and by the way, I eat butter -- yes, I do; I do NOT eat margarine; I will not touch the stuff. But, to make a point to my friends mostly, I'll add butter to boiled red potatoes, AND to toast. Butter -- in moderation -- is not bad. Just as I TRIED to tell people when we were being told that eggs were bad, NO, eggs are not BAD; eggs are kosher.
Speaking of kosher, more than one Rabbi has told me that the ideal Kosher diet is . . . guess what?
Eating vegetarian.
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Hi Stephanie!
Dipping tortilla chips into the chili is another good idea, and one of which I had not thought, and see! That brings up yet another suggestion:
Using the chili as a dip!
Well now, thank you, Stephanie for that idea!
Heating it, and topping it off with parmesan cheese -- oooh yes! My guess would love that as we're watching football!
I hope that people -- and Gather is filled with creative people -- allow their creative juices to flow with these foods!
Thanks much!
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Hi Cassi!
Please do try this, and let me know as well. I'll ping you to be sure you come back and express your opinion.
Thank you!
Everyone is going to catch up. You are just more "in the know". My sister was involved in some really cutting edge research and exposed to a good deal of this, plus, it's her world; many of her friends in other specialties do this type of research, so she naturally knew what was new.
She has access to everything at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn, I think it's called), and there is just so much that goes on in the area of research that does not immediately get to Medicine (not immediately), for it needs to be tested, retested, approved and so forth. That's why you cannot blame Medicine if it takes time before they really get onboard with new things. I knew that at the time.
I'm just grateful YOU KNEW. I'm only hoping others discover this knowledge for themselves. I'm confident -- as previously stated -- that Boca -- and other quality food manufacturers shall be sensitive to this intolerance once it is known how widespread the condition is, and shall adapt their line to satisfy their consumers. Everything is driven by reports, statistics -- and of course -- that bottom line; is it cost-effective to continue the product? Would the consumer still purchase it, and I am confident the consumer would. I know I would; it would appear you would as well.
Thanks again, Ada!
Perception is reality. As it turned out, my perception was changed. It became my pleasure, actually. Thank you for taking the time to read it, April!
I try to use their food as a back-up when I don' thave the time or energy to make my own whole foods. Although it's processed, in moderation I think they're fine.
You're correct. I look at the ingredients on the packaging too. They're safe. I will admit that I normally buy a soy product that is strictly soy, and go from there, and work from scratch, but ready made is nice.
Buying the chili was not my intention. I was looking for the burgers when a friend pulled out the chili and suggested I buy it, so I did; I'm glad I did, as it appears more people are unacquainted with the chili, and more acquainted with the burgers. Then too, while I do love the burgers, I really, really enjoy the spiciness of the chili.
Let me know what you think about the chili.
Thanks, April!
Whole Foods is a health/healthy foods supermarket there in the Bay Area. You do pay more, but then you get a better quality of product, mostly holistic, and/or organic foods.
I never try any without hearing what others think of them.
(Call me a chicken) lol
I just finished eating a Boca sausage . . . mmm, mmm, good! Normally, I would not think to even eat breakfast; yep, it was my breakfast/brunch, but the idea of that sausage sitting in the freezer was just too tempting.
Some of the products I buy may be specific to the Bay Area, though, not all of them are.
I don't eat many processed foods, Joy. I tend to prepare my own food. This is somewhat new to me. There is one product -- spinach lasagna -- a Stouffer's product that I occasionally purchase. By occasionally? I haven't purchased it this year, but if I decide to buy, rather than make my own, I would buy that one.
If you're specific about the food(s) you like I may be able to accomodate, although I am a "creative" cook. I decide I want something new, go into the kitchen and create this new thing, from scratch. Then, I give it some fancy name, and people have no idea that I just made the whole thing up. I know it's naughty, but it's how I do things. If people knew what I just told you, they would be hesitant to eat my food. With their not knowing, it's
"This is delicious."
and I'm thinking,
"Uh-huh. Not only is it delicious, but you don't even know you're not eating meat, and this food is very good for you, too."
Thanks, Joy.
I have learned that they are good products. My freezer overflows . . .
Thanks, Heather!