Marine Life: Sea Animals Are Not Named For Their Flavor

Sometimes I wonder if there is any kind of marine life that isn’t eaten, and maybe considered a delicacy, somewhere in the world. Even coral is ground up and marketed as a calcium supplement and cancer cure, although the Food and Drug Administration warns us not to believe the hype.

Coral aside, many of the animals at the reef look and sound pretty tasty. Jellyfish implies sweet, while purple-striped jelly suggests extra sweet goodness.

I don’t eat pigs, but might be willing to try porkfish sausage. How about a hogfish bacon, lettuce sea slug and tomtate sandwich? Is that kosher?
Sea cucumber sounded like something that belongs in a salad, until I found out it comes in chocolate chip and cookie dough varieties. Maybe we will never find them in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, but they must taste better than their cousin, the donkey dung sea cucumber. I mean, they just have to, right?

The candy basslet looks just like those little striped sucking candies my grandmother used to keep in her purse. Instead of a fishbowl, keep them in a candy dish on your coffee table, and watch your guests’ surprised faces when they reach for one. The peppermint basslet looks like it should be decorating my Christmas tree, or maybe a Christmas tree worm.

An orange icing sponge might be a tasty treat. Just add “cake” at the end, and it’s a dessert. I can wash it down with some tea and honeycomb cowfish.

Come to think of it, even coral calcium might not be so hard to swallow if it came from soft mushroom coral. I like mushrooms.

For more information on Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, which don't taste anything like the tails of actual whales, contact us.

The Search For Gluten Free Chinese Food Ends Here

One of the most difficult things about trying to live gluten free today is attempting to figure out what is safe to order from your typical restaurant menu.  Eventually, most establishments will probably offer a separate menu for those who are sensitive to gluten.  Until then, there are some foods that you can feel confident in ordering at the restaurant where you get your favorite chinese take-out.

• Desserts

Chinese New Year's cookies, almond cookies, steamed puddings and Chinese rice cake.  Some examples include Tangyuan (a dumpling), Nian gao (Chinese New Year Cake), the ear-shaped Erkuai and Tainan Bowl Rice Cake.

• Appetizers

Dim Sum is a favorite dumpling made with rice and Spring Rolls are often made with rice flour wrappings.  Fried Bean Curd is another good choice in appetizers.  Fried foods are often made with a corn starch coating so inquire if your favorite is gluten-free.

• Entrees

Most rice dishes are gluten-free including steamed and fried rice, sizzling rice and rice noodles.  Also, Stuffed Bean Curd and Bean Thread noodles are good choices.

• Rice Flour

Rice flour is used in steamed noodles, rice buns, pancakes and wraps that surrounding fillings (make sure they do not contain soy sauce), steamed dumplings and many types of traditional cookies.
At Whale Tails Chips, we hope we can help made sticking to your diet while eating out much easier.  It is always a good idea that you inquire of your server which foods will fit your needs for a gluten-free meal.
When it comes to your questions about healthy eating and snacking, we want to assure you that all of our products are kosher, organic, GMO-free with zero trans fat and, of course, naturally gluten free.  In addition to all natural ingredients, our unique shape for an organic tortilla chip is a reminder that Whale Tails Chips is actively involved in worldwide marine conservation and educational programs.  Contact us to learn more or to find your new favorite snack!

The Gray Whales Have Returned To Point Reyes National Seashore

The rangers at Point Reyes are reporting that the Gray Whales are back and are at the peak of their annual migration south.  They are also reporting that the gigantic Bull Elephant Seals have made themselves at home and the first seal pups of the season have been born.

Point Reyes is one of the best areas to view the whales up close because of how the point extends about 10 miles out into the ocean. The Park Service is running shuttles on the weekends to take visitors out for an up close encounter.

Here are some facts about this annual migration event which is the longest migration of any mammal on earth:

• Summers are spent at the feeding grounds of the Chukchi and Bering seas.

• As winter approaches, signaled by the shortening days, they begin their migration to their winter home in Baja, California.

• Their migration will mean a total journey of about 10,000 miles.

• Their average swimming speed is about 5 mph but they can swim for 20 hours straight.

• Fully one third of their lives are spent migrating.

• They will once again be seen at Point Reyes on the return trip in March.

While the Gray Whales are the major draw for a watching experience, the Elephant Seals are another, fascinating creature that can be viewed at this time of year.  They descend on the beach in great numbers and the best viewing can be found at North Drakes Beach.  This is the time of year that they mate and fight so the scene can be quite dramatic (and loud) at times.

At Whale Tail Chips we hold a special place in our hearts for these gentle giants that share our planet.  We also feel pretty strongly about the snack products that we have to offer.  We take great pride in providing you with healthy, delicious and environmentally responsible snacks that are a great addition to your whale watching picnic basket.  If you get a chance to visit Point Reyes and want to show off a picture or two, please contact us and let's share!

6 Rumors You Could Totally Make Up About Pygmy Right Whales and No One Would Know the Difference

You probably know by now that scientists in New Zealand have just discovered a whale that everyone thought was extinct for 2 million years. Little is known about Pygmy Right Whales because they rarely come to shore. So, we imagined our own exclusive interview that never happened with one of these mysterious creatures and present these 6 rumors that have been subjected to absolutely no fact checking.
Question: How do you deal with the loneliness of being the last surviving family member?
Answer: It’s tough. I have to push myself to get out there and make new friends. I tired omegle, but every time I meet a nice stranger to chat with, they disconnect as soon as I mention I’m 21 feet long and have a distinctive snout.
Question: Is it true you’re going to be on the Dr. Phil Show soon?
Answer: Sure, my people are talking with his people. But if he tries to pitch me that weight loss book, he’ll be the one crying.
Question: Do you feel like the general public just doesn’t get you?
Answer: Tell me about it. We’re all just so tired of being known as the animal with a hole in it.
Question: What do see in store for the future?
Answer: Glad you asked. Now that we’re up to Twilight 5, I think the whole vampire thing has peaked. I predict whales will be the next big thing.
Question: I know I may be treading on sensitive ground here, but how is the lawsuit going?
Answer: Let’s just say this thing with Jonah has been dragging on so long it's Biblical. The guy stays three nights and skips out on his bill?
Question: What’s your favorite snack food?
Answer: Now that’s an easy one. I eat Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. I’m especially partial to the Organic Blue Corn infused with Chia, the ancient Mayan super seed. It’s the secret to my survival.
Seriously, of course all of us at Whale Tails are excited about this news. As Felix Marx, a paleontologist at the University of Otago, said "It's the last survivor of quite an ancient lineage that until now no one thought was around." Contact us for more whale news and chips.

The Keys to Healthy Vending Machine Snacking

Vending machines aren't the first thing that people think of when someone says health food, but just because you're headed to the breakroom for a mid-afternoon snack doesn't mean you can't beat the munchies and nourish your body at the same time.

The key to a healthy vending machine experience is forethought. Try to find something that is low (or moderate) in calorie count, but still filling.
Here are a few tips to keep your trip to the vending machine from being a diet disaster.

Fiber keeps you full, and can help to keep the glycemic index down to boot, so look for whole grain options.

Protein is another gut-pleaser. Like fiber, it will keep you full longer, so you can avoid additional trips to the vending machine, or worse, a quick stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home. Look for seeds and nuts for a quick protein boost in a low-cholesterol package.

Beware of empty calories. Sugar-laden candy and processed baked goods can leave you hungry for more even after you've consumed as much as 300 calories! No nutritional value here. Look for something that not only has some fiber to keep you full, but also a dose of the good stuff. How about our organic blue corn ships infused with chia? They're packed with omega-3, essential amino acits, and calcium. There's nothing empty about this snack!

Avoid sodium traps. Processed foods account for most o f our sodium consumption. Skip the salty potato chips and the leathery, sodium-riddled beef jerkey. Fortunately, the gourmet Hawaiian sea salt that we use on our chips is astonishingly low in sodium content.

Bottom line: take just a minute to consider your options when you're standing in front of the vending machine. With the right snack choice, the afternoon craving can be conquered!

Have a healthy vending machine story? Let us know all about it.