National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

Does it get any better than National Chocolate Ice Cream Day? The answer is: No. It doesn't.


So what's your favorite vegan chocolate ice cream? I had been searching for the perfect homemade chocolate ice cream recipe for the longest time and I finally found it. Whether you have your own ice cream maker at home or stop off to pick up a carton, I hope you're able to enjoy this wonderful holiday!


Recipe: Perfect Chocolate Ice Cream

Recipe: Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
• 1 1/4 cups chocolate soy milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Two cans of coconut milk, chilled
• 12 oz baking chocolate, chopped (Ghiradelli 70% Cacao works perfectly)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Completely dissolve the arrowroot powder into 1/2 cup of chocolate soy milk. Set aside.
2. Skim the cream from the top of the cans of coconut milk. If this doesn't equal 2 cups worth, fill in missing volume with soy milk (or water from coconut milk). Whisk smooth.
3. Combine remaining 3/4 cup chocolate soy milk and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat and whisk regularly. When the mixture begins to steam slowly whisk in arrowroot mixture. Continue to cook until it becomes thicker and glossy, and begins to gently bubble.
4. Remove from heat and add baking chocolate. Whisk until smooth (mixture will be thick).
5. Add coconut milk and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
6. Let the mixture cool, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.
7. Make ice cream according to manufacturer's directions, adding chocolate chips at appropriate time.

The Official Start of Summer

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and for some vegans/vegetarians it can be a time to panic. But it doesn't have to be! Just because you may be invited to a BBQ party where you know meat will be served, doesn't mean you can't go, have a great time, AND eat delicious food!


It all goes back to my Easter Day post when I suggested bringing a vegan dish of your own. This can apply to any and every holiday, special occasion, party, gathering, etc. While everyone else is grilling up hot dogs, hamburgers, and other unmentionables, why not bring along some delicious Black Bean Burgers? Below you find a recipe that I love and plan to use this weekend at a friend's BBQ. I'm also going to try a new Key Lime Pie recipe that I'm pretty excited about. If all goes well, I'll not only be bringing it with me to the party, but I'll post the recipe here for you to try. I'll also be bringing along an incredible Taco Dip. I made this for some (carnivore) friends once and was told that it was the best dip she'd ever eaten! Woohoo! I love it when people eat something really yummy and can't believe it's vegan. It just goes to show that just because something is vegan, doesn't mean it can't taste good.


Enjoy your weekend!


Recipe: Taco Dip
Recipe: Black Bean Burgers

Recipe: Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Ener G Egg Replacers
• 1T chili powder
• 1T cumin
• 1t. hot sauce
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions:

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. In a small bowl, prepare egg replacers.
4. Stir the egg replacers into the mashed beans. Add pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce. Blend well. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
5. If grilling, place patties on foil and grill about eight minutes on each side. If baking, places patties on baking sheet and bake about ten minutes on each side.

Recipe: Taco Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 15.5 oz. can black beans, mostly drained
• 1 12 oz. container Tofutti vegan sour cream
• 1 packet vegan taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup black olives, chopped
• 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
• Salt, pepper, hot sauce, and cumin, to taste

Directions:

1. Spread the beans out on the bottom of a 9x9 dish evenly. Season with salt, pepper, hot sauce, and cumin, as desired.
2. Mix the sour cream with the packet of taco seasoning and blend thoroughly.*
3. Spread the seasoned sour cream on top of the beans.
4. Top with avocado, tomato, olives and green onion.
5. Chill for at least an hour, if possible.
6. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

*This step can be done ahead of time and chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve to allow for best flavor.

My Favorites - Egg & Dairy Substitutes

Reducing or eliminating eggs and dairy from your diet can be easier than you think. These are my favorite products to use when I'm cooking or baking - my can't-live-without staples!


Earth Balance - The EB line is pretty awesome. They have a variety of products to choose from based on your preference and/or what you're using it for. My personal favorite is the Whipped Organic Buttery spread for my bagels, muffins, sandwiches, you name it. I always keep sticks on hand since it allows for easy measuring. I also keep the shortening sticks as well for my baking needs. FYI - their products are 100% vegan and don't contain any trans-fats or hydrogenated oils.


Daiya Cheese - Daiya, oh Daiya. What would I do without you?! For anyone out there who thinks the same way I used to, believing they could never go vegan because they couldn't live without cheese - fear no more! Daiya (pronounced, DAY-uh) is hands down the best vegan cheese out there. It melts and stretches just like cheese should but without the plasticky and/or oily texture that you find in other vegan cheeses out there. For awhile Daiya only offered mozzarella or cheddar and I've been happy eating my pizza, grilled cheese and tacos again. However, they recently launched a new pepper jack cheese and I can't wait for a store in my area to start carrying it already so I can try it out!

Ener-G Egg Replacer - One 16 oz. box is estimated to yield over 100 "eggs". At just six or seven dollars a box, it's not only the compassionate choice but the economical choice as well! The box also has a shelf life of three years so there's no need to worry about spoilage either. The one thing I have noticed is that I always need to double the quantity of egg replacers that a recipe calls for. For instance, when I veganized a black bean burger recipe I had which called for one egg, I found two egg replacers worked perfectly. I also use warm water to prepare it since it seems to blend much easier that way.


Vegenaise - Who said you can't have mayo as a vegan?! My pick is the Organic Vegenaise.


Tofutti Cream Cheese - Tofutti has two vegan cream cheeses, one of which is non-hydrogenated. I sed this one for a while but found the unhealthier, hydrogenated version to be much, much better (surprise, surprise!). Plus, it's softer and easier to spread. It's my little guilty pleasure.

Tofutti Sour Cream - Its texture and consistency is almost dead-on, it's just slightly thicker. Use it in dips, on tacos or quesadillas, pretty much anywhere it calls for sour cream.

Mimic Creme - This is an almond and cashew cream that I love to use when I need something thicker than milk. Sometimes you just want that sauce to be a little richer and creamier, am I right? Mimic Creme is perfect in times like these. I also use it to make homemade ice cream sometimes. It's available sweetened or unsweetened so it can be used in both cooking and baking. I recently discovered that they also offer coffee creamers and non-soy vegan whipping cream. Woohoo!

Misconception Monday: All Vegans Love Veggie Burgers

Don't get me wrong - I know that there are plenty of vegans who enjoy veggie burgers. I just don't happen to be one of them.


In fact, I'm just not a fan of mock meat in general. My reason is based simply on the fact that they're usually (and quite ironically) geared towards carnivores. I find that more often than not, they're made to appeal to people as if they were in fact, meat - and this is what disturbs me. If I really wanted a burger, I'd eat one. But I don't want anything that looks, tastes and has the texture of meat because personally, it grosses me out.


I was at a (mostly) vegan restaurant recently and ordered what I thought was a stirfry-type dish. I noticed chunks of an unknown substance and assumed it was tofu. I took a bite and immediately panicked because I was convinced I just ate chicken. My friend started laughing at me and reminded me they don't even serve meat. I asked her to try it and she thought it was most likely seitan. After double-checking with our server, she was right. While I know exactly what seitan is, I had always been afraid to try it for fear that it would resemble meat a little too much for my taste. And I was right because it completely weirded me out!


I understand why mock meat products are popular, I do. I get that they appeal to carnivores looking for an occasional, healthier alternative or vegetarians/vegans who may miss eating meat. They can be great for those trying to transition into a meatless lifestyle. These companies have gotten so good over the years of replicating meat that I even couldn't even tell I wasn't eating actual flesh. Much like the time I tried Gardein's Boneless Buffalo Wings. And that's exactly why I won't eat it. Haha But that's just me, because I would never, ever knock someone for eating a veggie burger instead of an animal. In fact, I'd love it if more people did!

Misconception Monday: All Vegans Love PETA

It's always assumed that if you're vegan or vegetarian that you must be a card-carrying PETA member but this may or may not be the case. Although many can agree with PETA's mission of promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle and exposing the countless hidden realities behind animal exploitation, they sometimes feel that PETA's use of extreme tactics can turn people off.


Don't get me wrong - I think they've done some really incredible work in the campaign for animal rights. But unfortunately they usually pander to those already behind the cause. Those already "on their side" don't need all the in-your-face tactics like throwing paint on people wearing fur coats or naked women protesting. And for those not already "on their side", it usually winds up turning them off. When you come off like you're alienating and judging people it only makes them want to not listen to you anymore.


My opinion is that there isn't enough education out there for people to make informed choices. What I mean is that while the information is definitely out there, you usually have to go looking for it. There are billions and billions of dollars being spent by big corporations to brainwash people into believing things that aren't true. Like how high fructose corn syrup is natural because it's made from corn and therefore can't bad for you. I had to correct one of my co-workers recently because she told me she believes that whatever she sees in a commercial has to be true. And that's the scary reality. When all you hear is how "milk does a body good", why would you ever think otherwise?


This is where PETA comes in. More money is donated to PETA than pretty much any other animal rights group. Unfortunately it's still only a minute fraction of what big corporations are able to spend on advertising. This is why we think things like meat and dairy are good for us (Got Milk? and Beef: It's What's For Dinner)... That Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is "The Greatest Show On Earth"... That SeaWorld is a happy place "Where Worlds Connect"... And so on and so on...


So perhaps that's why they're so extreme? Because when you're going up against huge companies like McDonald's, Iams, and KFC, fashion designers like Donna Karan or even an entire country (the Canadian Seal Slaughter) you need to get more bang for your buck? Whatever the reason, I think that more people would listen if you just present the facts in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational manner. 


But maybe that's just me because that's the reason why I started this blog.  =)

Misconception Monday: Vegans Only Eat Rabbit Food & Tofu

While it's true that many (perhaps most) vegans enjoy fresh vegetables, fruit, and tofu, these aren't the only things they eat. In fact, since I've become a vegan I've not only tried foods I never would have before, but wound up falling in love with them. I eat from much wider variety of foods now than I ever did when I was a carnivore (or omnivore. Potato, potahto). My palette has changed completely and only for the better. Here's a short list of the foods which are now staples in my diet that I either never tried before or liked, but didn't eat often:


Agave - A wonderful sugar substitute produced from the agave plant (also used to make tequila!). It's about 1.5 times sweeter than sugar yet has a much lower glycemic index. Usually in the form of a thin syrup or nectar, it can be used in place of sugar. Though it's perfect for baking, be sure to follow specific recipes - it can't be substituted cup for cup since it's not only sweeter than sugar, but it's a "wet" ingredient as opposed to a "dry" ingredient.


Black Beans - My first experience eating black beans (or beans of any kind) was one I'll never forget. I was at Panera Bread with a friend of mine and he ordered their Black Bean Soup. Since I was transitioning from vegetarian to vegan at the time, I thought it'd be best to at least try it since I felt the need to find new alternatives to protein. I've been hooked ever since. Now it's in my soups, wraps, dips, tacos, quesadillas, etc.


Black-eyed Peas - I don't remember what initially made me try these but I use them all the time now. They have a very mild flavor (almost no flavor to me) which allows me to add them to a variety of dishes for added protein without affecting the overall flavor of the dish.


Celery - Celery was a vegetable I never liked. Ever. All of a sudden, I'm into it. Don't ask, I can't explain it.


Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) - The first time I tried chickpeas was when I first tried falafel. Ah-maz-ing. I'll have to post the recipe...


Flax Seed - This is essential due to it's high omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content. I grind whole seeds in a coffee grinder (used specifically for this purpose - otherwise flavors will mix) and store it in an air-tight container in my freezer. You can add it to smoothies, baked goods, almost anything - and boost it's nutritional content.


Gazpacho - This is my new favorite soup. I tried it at Jaleo (read my review here) and fell in love. I was always weirded out by the fact that it was a cold soup. I'm glad I got over it because it is just fantastic.


Hummus - How do I love hummus? Let me count the ways... Haha I eat hummus at least 4 or 5 days out of the week. I dip carrots, pita chips, or anything else I can into it. There are countless flavors and varieties out there, I know. But when it comes to my hummus, I love nothing more than a traditional, creamy dip. YUM!


Peppers (any color) - Just like celery, I never found peppers appealing (unless they were hot peppers like jalapenos because I love the heat). Now I put them in my stirfrys, on my pizzas, on sandwiches, anywhere I can.


Soy/Almond/Rice Milk - I now use all three of these. They all have different flavors and thicknesses so depending on what I need it for, I use something different.


Taboulleh - My mouth waters just thinking about this now. Don't get me started on this incredible, healthy salad. Spoon some onto a bit of fresh pita and tell me that's not heaven in your mouth. Haha


Yes, I enjoy the occasional salad but it's not even close to being something I eat on a regular basis. And when it comes to tofu, well? As much as I understand why it's popular among vegetarians/vegans because it's high in protein and lacks flavor (allowing it to take on the flavors of whatever dish you put it in), I'm just not a fan. There's something about the texture and consistency that I can't get into.


So now when someone learns I'm vegan and asks the usual, "So then what do you eat? A lot of tofu and salads I bet!" I'm happy to answer back, "not even close!"

Restaurant Review: Jaleo - Part Two

If you haven't read the first part of my review, read it here.

I returned to Jaleo just a couple days after my first visit. I had some time to kill before meeting up with my friend so I figured I'd stop in for a drink and possibly one or two tapas. I sat at the bar and contemplated my beverage options. I had already started my night with a couple dirty martinis and thought it'd be best to go with something a little lighter. I asked the bartender (Amanda?) for a suggestion and she offered to make something up for me. Believe me when I tell you that I'm not normally a fruity cocktail kind of girl but what she came up with was phenomenal! She started with Ciroc Red Berry and added their homemade rosemary-infused lemonade and fresh raspberries. She shook it all up and let me tell you - it made for one hell of a martini! After a few of those the other bartender, Alicia, decided it should be named after me. So if you want to try it at Jaleo, see if they remember the "C-Razz". Haha


I thought it'd be best to order a couple tapas if I was going to continue drinking and without hesitation ordered the gazpacho and Papas Arrugas. I was so disappointed when she told me they were out of the Papas Arrugas so I decided on the wild mushrooms over potato puree instead.


My gazpacho came first and it was heaven. I got the whole bowl to myself this time and I savored each and every spoonful. I really must find a recipe. And soon!


Then my mushrooms came. I was a little confused when I realized that there was no potato puree underneath. I asked Amanda (what was her name?!?!) what happened. She explained that they were made with butter so they kept them out for me. WHAT???? I told her I had ordered them a couple days ago and that my server specifically checked with the chef to make sure they were vegan and was told they were because they whipped the potatoes with olive oil. Amanda told me that she checked when I placed the order and was told they weren't.


I was bummed. I was confused. I was upset. Who was right? Who was wrong? Did I really eat those potatoes with butter the other night?


Enter: Michael Ploetz - General Manager of Jaleo. He came over to talk to me about this whole "potato situation". He explained that they had bounced around between using butter to make the potato puree and olive oil but that they now use butter again. So yes, I most likely ate potatoes made with butter a couple nights before. Uggh. The irony was that I wasn't even going to order the mushroom tapas and only did because they were out of my yummy baby potatoes. So when he offered to bring me an order I was confused. Amanda chimed in that they were out of them because you couldn't select it in their computers. Michael insisted that they had them and would bring me some. I was happy to finally get my wonderful baby potatoes but unfortunately I was once again full by the time they arrived. Haha  Thanks Alicia for wrapping them up to go for me - it turns out they're also really, really good cold from the fridge!


Here's the moral of the story - - - I could have been extremely upset over the fact that I ate something with butter in it. Am I happy about it? Of course not. But I didn't do it intentionally and I believe that my server did actually check with the kitchen. Where the mishap occurred, I may never know. I also accept partial responsibility since I definitely know better than to not go directly through the manager or chef for all my menu questions.


All in all, I think Jaleo is an excellent restaurant. Yes, there was a snafu and depending on your personal perspective it was either catastrophic or not a big deal. Maybe it's somewhere in between. I think that's where I am because in my opinion, it certainly wasn't enough to ruin my feelings about the restaurant as a whole. Michael handled the situation properly - he addressed the issue with me and was very professional and helpful about it. Though I don't know for sure, I have a feeling Alicia brought it to her manager's attention because she saw how disappointed I was (it certainly wasn't because I asked her to). They definitely went above and beyond if you ask me and sometimes that's what makes all the difference.

Restaurant Review: Jaleo - Part One

I went back to Las Vegas (my second trip as a vegan) less than two months after returning from the first trip. A friend of mine was going and I decided to tag along. This time I was staying at the brand new Cosmopolitan and was pretty excited about it. On a side note, I really enjoyed it there and would definitely recommend the resort.

As you could expect, I immediately looked into the menus on their website. I was concerned at first that I couldn’t find anything definitive within their 13 restaurants so I decided to call their Concierge Desk for assistance. The woman I spoke with immediately suggested both Jaleo and China Poblano once I told her I was vegan. I had seen their menus already and didn’t think there would be anything that interested me but I took her word anyway. What’s the worst that could happen? I’d have to venture out to the same restaurants I’d been to already? So what? No big deal. I’m a pro now as a Vegas Vegan. Haha

On my first night I called again to the Concierge for suggestions on where to eat. Why? I don’t really know. She also suggested Jaleo and China Poblano. I was so hungry at that point that my friend and I just headed down to Jaleo in hopes of finding not only something vegan, but something delicious. That IS the point, no?

My friend and I were starving so we were extremely happy that we were seated right away. When our server arrived I asked her for suggestions on what to order given my “special dietary needs” (as my friend likes to call it). Haha  She went through the whole menu and pointed all the different tapas I could order. I must say, she did a great job of selling the menu. She also advised us that most people order 2 or 3 different tapas so given how hungry we both were, we ordered three each. My (carnivore) friend surprisingly ordered two vegan tapas (Pan con Tomate and Gazpacho estilo Algeciras) and one non-vegan. I chose Setas al Ajillo con La Serena, Trigueros con Romesco and the Papas Arrugas.

The tapas are served as soon as they’re ready and the first to arrive was the Pan con Tomate. My friend was kind enough to share and for that I’m grateful. I expected it to be similar to bruschetta but it was actually very different. It was less oniony and more tomatoey (yes, those are culinary terms).

Next up was the gazpacho. I'll be honest, I had never tried gazpacho before because it always weirded me out that it was a soup that's meant to be served cold. My friend started raving over how good it was and that I should try it. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just taste it. It blew me away! I'm now officially a gazpacho fan and scouting the perfect recipe...

Finally one of my tapas arrived - Trigueros con Romesco which is grilled asparagus in a romesco sauce. To put it simply, it was fantastic. If you like asparagus you must try this one.

Another tapas I ordered came next - Setas al Ajillo con La Serena (sauteed wild mushrooms over a potato puree). Being the mushroom lover that I am, this one was over the top. If memory serves, there were chanterelles, trumpets, wood ears, possibly others...? The mushrooms were served over a potato puree, but more on that later (read Part Two).

The last of the tapas were my friend's non-vegan dish (no need or reason to discuss here) and my Papas Arrugas which are baby potatoes meant to be dipped in one of two sauces - mojo verde or mojo rojo. This tied with the gazpacho as my favorite tapas of all. The sauces were out of this world! I asked a couple of times what each one was made out of and despite how similar and simple they were, I can't remember now. All I know is that I was really bummed that I was so full already and couldn't eat more than a few. My friend was more than happy to polish them off!

Needless to say, we had a really great meal! The food was truly exceptional and the service was too! It was so great that I stopped in a couple nights later. For more on that visit, read Part Two!

World Penguin Day!

In honor of World Penguin Day, I give you Cookie the Ticklish Baby Penguin.

Misconception Monday: Vegans Don't Get Enough Protein

This is quite possibly the biggest myth out there regarding veganism. In reality, vegans are able to get all the protein they need from a variety of plants. The real hidden truth is that most people are eating too much protein!


America has become protein obsessed. And that's putting it lightly. Everywhere you look it's protein shakes, protein bars, protein powders, and of course - Meat! Meat! Meat! People are eating protein like it's going out of style! On top of that, they're led to believe that the best and/or the only way to get protein is from meat and dairy. Meanwhile, eating too much animal protein has been linked to Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stones, certain cancers, the list goes on and on.


We can get all the protein we need from plant sources while at the same time, get our calcium, iron, fiber and other important vitamins and minerals. Relying on animal sources for protein gets you just that - protein - without any of the benefits I just mentioned. That being said, when you consume foods that high on the food chain you're also getting cholesterol, saturated fats, herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, the list goes on and on.


Not to worry though. You don't have to live on soy and tofu if you don't want to. You can find protein in just about everything. It's in breads, pasta, vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, legumes, etc.


For an extensive chart detailing how protein-efficient different foods are check out Soystache!

Happy Easter!

To everyone celebrating today - Happy Easter!


To everyone else, bear with me. Personally, I don't have plans to celebrate the holiday. Why, you ask? Well for one, I was never a religious person so it holds no special, spiritual meaning for me. Two, I have to work. But honestly? It's mostly because I find it odd that people choose to celebrate eternal life by coloring and eating eggs (one of the only two things on Earth that create life) and eating a dead animal (usually a pig or lamb).


Sorry for the blunt delivery, but I'm not one to sugarcoat anything. Plus, it's true! Think about it. I understand that people have their traditions and that they're important to them. But how about starting some new, compassionate traditions during the holidays?


A friend of mine asked me on Friday what I did to celebrate Earth Day. He was shocked when I told him, "nothing special". Then I explained that it's because I celebrate the earth every single day. I live a vegan lifestyle (which for those who haven't read my Earth Day post yet, is pretty much the greenest thing you can do)... I recycle anything and everything that can be recycled... I don't waste electricity or water... I use eco-friendly cleaning/laundry/beauty products... I avoid bottled water at all costs... And that's just to name a few!


This conversation reminded me of a disagreement I had this past Christmas with someone else. I was scheduled to work on December 25th and didn't see any reason I should take off. After all, I had plans to celebrate with my work family that day. It really seemed to bother this person way more than it bothered me (most likely because it didn't bother me at all). But it was clear that he and I see Christmas in two very different ways. He feels the only place you should be on Christmas Day is at home with your family. But I see Christmas as a season and that's exactly how long I celebrate it for! I start "celebrating" as early as October by listening to Christmas music, decorating, watching Christmas movies, baking goodies - all the while doing special things with all my loved ones.


The point I'm trying to make is that for me, there doesn't need to be one specific day for celebrating something because I already celebrate it every day of my life. One day isn't the "end all, be all" for me. I'm not saying I don't enjoy certain holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, because I do. Perhaps it's a little differently than others do but hey, that's me.   =)


Whether today marks the 1st or 101st time you're celebrating a holiday as a vegan, or if you want some ideas on how to celebrate Easter in a more compassionate way, here are some tips:

• Vegan chocolates, jelly beans and candies are easier than ever to find these days. Since I'm not into candy all that much I'm certainly not qualified to recommend which one's the best. But seriously? Just google "vegan chocolate" or "vegan jelly beans" and I'm sure you'll have more than enough options to choose from.
• Instead of dyeing eggs from chickens, how about painting wooden eggs from your local craft store? I personally try to avoid using plastics but I know many people like to use plastic eggs that they can hide candy or small toys inside of. If they're being reused year after year, then hey. It definitely beats using real eggs in my book.
• Go play in a park or take everyone on a walk (don't forget the dogs!). Do whatever you can to stop and appreciate the beautiful nature around you. Spring is full of gorgeous sights, intoxicating scents and glorious sounds. Stare at the trees budding and the flowers blooming... Smell the flowers and fresh grass... Listen to the birds singing... Enjoy the peaceful moment!
• Plant something! Whether it's just a couple of seeds in a pot or an entire garden bed, this can be a wonderful tradition to start with your family. Spring is the perfect time to start growing most flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
• Host an Easter brunch or dinner in your own (vegan) home.
• If hosting isn't an option, be sure to bring one (or two, or three?!) delicious vegan dishes wherever you're going. That way, you'll not only have something to eat but you'll also introduce something new to the group.

I hope you all enjoy your day no matter how you choose to spend it!  =)

Happy Earth Day!

What's the best way to go green? The answer - without a doubt - is to go vegan. Think I'm biased? Okay. But it's still true. Here are some startling facts:

• Human population of the U.S. - 270,000,000
• Number of humans that could be fed by the grain fed to livestock - 1,300,000,000
• Animal agriculture contributes more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than all the cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined
• Seven football fields' worth of land is bulldozed every minute to create more room for farmed animals
• Of all the agricultural land in the U.S. 80% is used to raise animals for food and to grow the grain needed to feed them
• One pig raised for food consumes 21 gallons of water per day
• One dairy cow consumes up to 50 gallons of water per day
• It takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of cow flesh
• It takes 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat
• More than half the water used in the U.S. goes to raising animals for food
• Production of excrement by total U.S. population: 12,000 pounds per second
• Production of excrement by total U.S. livestock: 250,000 pounds per second - without a sewage system
• As of 2006 there was a "dead zone" the size of half of the state of Maryland in the Gulf of Mexico. No plant or sea animals exist there due to the high nitrogen levels caused by waste runoff from factory farms. The runoff seeps into nearby waterways which almost always lead to the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

These are just a few of the startling facts about factory farming. But you can make a difference! The Smithsonian Institute reported that if every American replaced one meal containing chicken with one containing vegetarian foods every week, it would be the same as removing over half a million cars off the road. So how about Meatless Mondays? Do you think you can go meatless for just one day of the week, every week? Try it! Do it for the animals, the Earth and for you!

Why I Became A Vegan

Believe me when I tell you that if just a couple years ago someone told me I'd be a vegan one day, I would have thought they were crazy. Now that I get asked all the time what ultimately influenced my decision to go vegan, I think it's only appropriate that I address those reasons here on my blog...


I grew up eating meat and dairy products but I think even early on I knew that on some level, I didn't want to eat them. I can tell you that I never, ever liked drinking milk or eating eggs on their own. I wouldn't even put milk in a bowl of cereal for breakfast. In fact, it wasn't until I went vegan that I had milk (rice) in my cereal for the first time.


Little by little, I stopped eating different meats. First it was hamburgers, then it was steak. I'll never forget when my mother told me that sausage was encased in intestines. There went that, too! Then I learned what hot dogs were made of (more like, what they aren't made of) and I stopped eating those too. By the time I was about 12 or 13, the only meat I ate was chicken and white meat only.


From very early on I was also an avid baker and couldn't even imagine how to bake without butter, eggs or milk. The thought of actually being able to use anything else didn't even cross my mind. I went on through life thinking that I had to eat chicken because I needed protein (where else would I get it from?). I also ate things with eggs and dairy in them because that was all I knew.


The funny thing is that I don't really remember what was going on in my life at the end of 2008 that made me decide that my New Year's Resolution for 2009 would be to convert my entire household to cruelty-free products. I guess I remembered how passionate I was when I was younger when it came to animal rights and wanted to do something to make a difference. (Side note: I'll also never forget how devastated I was when I applied to volunteer at my local chapter of the A.S.P.C.A. and was rejected because their minimum age requirement was 16 years old - I was probably only 9 or 10.)


I took on the task of changing out almost every product that I use with excitement and satisfaction. I felt like I was really making a difference and enjoyed trying new things. I admit that it probably got somewhat pricey at the time but I also didn't have someone to go to for advice on what the best cruelty-free, eco-friendly, safe laundry detergent was (Ecover!)... Or liquid hand soap (Mrs. Meyer's!)... Or shampoo and conditioner (Avalon Organics!)... Needless to say there was a lot of trial and error to determine not only what works well but that I also liked! Somewhere in the middle of it all, someone pointed out that I should really read the labels and avoid these horrible things called "parabens"and "sodium lauryl sulfate". But more on ingredients another time...


It was around this time that I also started reading books like The Omnivore's Dilemma, Animal Liberation and Diet For a New America. I also watched documentaries like Food Inc. (highly recommended) and did a lot of research on the internet. By the time 2010 rolled around my thoughts and views on the food I was eating had done a complete 180.


I'll never forget January 11, 2010. Why? Because it was the last day I ate meat. I sat there eating my dinner and could barely get through the first of two pieces of chicken. I forced the last bite of the first piece down and stopped. I said to myself (and out loud), "that's it. I'm done." And I was. I couldn't bear to eat it anymore after learning everything. There had to be another way.


Fast forward to June. I had just purchased the cookbook, The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. In the first few pages she explains her journey of becoming a vegan. Then, I read it - the sentence that changed me forever. And I quote - "There is no greater feeling than knowing that my behavior is aligned with my values." !!!! That was exactly what I had been trying to do in my own life at the time. I decided right then and there that I had to go vegan. My values included animal rights so I no longer wanted to participate in the pain, suffering or violence against any sentient beings.


I thought about it for a moment and decided to give myself until the end of the year to work it all out. I figured six months would be enough time to find substitutes that I liked. Ironically, my biggest fears (ice cream, cream cheese and other cheeses) wound up being the least of my worries. What's there to worry about when you have Tofutti and Daiya?! It was so much easier than I thought that I found my kitchen was already 100% vegan by Autumn.


I'm eating so much healthier than I ever have now that I care about what I put into my body. I've never felt better in my entire life. I have more energy. My skin glows. I've lost weight (and continue to lose weight). I feel wonderful not only in my body but in my soul.


And that right there is the best feeling in the world.




If you'd like more information on cruelty-free products go here!
Toying with the idea of going vegan? Here are 57 excellent reasons!

Misconception Monday: Milk, It Does A Body Good...

This was the slogan I grew up hearing over and over again. Did anyone know that the National Dairy Council wound up settling a lawsuit because it was false, misleading and deceptive advertising? Interesting, right? That's because by that point we were all brainwashed into thinking that milk actually was good for us. The truth is that dairy has been proven to cause cancer, obesity, heart disease, allergies, diabetes, and even osteoporosis - the one thing we were told it would prevent!


Human beings are the only species on the planet that drink the milk of another species. We are also the only ones who continue to drink it throughout the rest of our lives. Every other mammal produces milk when they give birth, feed their young, and then stop. So then why do we drink a cow's milk? Because the dairy industry has spent billions of dollars convincing us that we should - that's why.

Dairy cows hooked up to milking machines

And it's worked! It's worked so well in fact, that in order to keep up with the demand, dairy farmers inject their cows with hormones so that they produce much more milk than normal. The average free cow will produce about 1.32 gallons of milk per day to feed her young. The average dairy cow? 11.62 gallons!! That's a LOT of hormones! Hormones that undoubtedly end up in their milk as well.


What else is in milk? Viruses, bacteria, hormones, antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides, pus, feces, blood and more! Then it's "bleached" with hydrogen peroxide. Yep, that's right. Hydrogen peroxide.


Remember something else... Cows do not "give" us milk. Humans enslave cows to steal it from them. By supporting the dairy industry you're supporting the veal industry. How? Because the dairy cows must always be pregnant in order to keep producing milk. So they're artificially inseminated (another thing we "steal" from male cows. Use your imagination to figure out how!) as soon as possible after giving birth. Her babies are taken from her as soon as they're born which as I'm sure you can imagine, is extremely distressing for both the mother and her young. Most of the girls are sent off to become milk-producing machines like their mother while most of the boys are doomed to become veal. Veal calves are confined in small crates so that they can't move (so their meat is tender) and fed a poor diet to be kept anemic (so their meat is white).

A veal calf in a crate too small to turn around in

There are many alternatives to dairy milk that are so much better for our bodies. The best part is that they don't cause any pain or suffering either! Try soy, almond, coconut, rice, oat, hemp or cashew milk. I think they're all wonderful in their own way and use different milks based on what I need them for. I hope you have fun trying all your different options out, too!


(Little known fact: The popular soy milk brand, Silk, is actually a company owned by Dean Foods - one of the nation's largest dairy farmers. So while many consumers think they're making a more compassionate choice by drinking soy milk instead of dairy milk, they're still putting their money into the pockets of a dairy farmer when buying from this brand.)

Happy Birthday Lily!!

The bestest, cutest, sweetest, mushiest dog in the world, Lily.

In honor of my little girl's birthday today, I thought it would be the perfect time to address why she is also a vegan! The funny thing is she was actually a vegan before me.   =p


I was at a time in my life when I had begun reading and watching everything I could get my hands on in regards to our food system. It was only natural that the questions I had eventually turned to the pet food industry as well. After reading and seeing all that goes in to a food system meant for humans, I couldn't even imagine what they made pet food out of.


Imagine my shock and disgust when I found out that pet food is made from 4D meat! 4D is a term used to classify meat that is either Dead, Disabled, Diseased or Dying; basically it is meat unfit for human consumption (according to the USDA). Their food also includes heads, hooves, organs, blood, feet, bones, tumors, fetuses, tails - the list goes on and on. Then, if it's dry food, it's sprayed with used restaurant grease to make it more palatable to the animals. THEN it's sprayed with preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT (BHT is the same stuff that's in jet fuel and embalming fluid) which are known carcinogens! Pretty scary stuff...


Have we already forgotten about what happened in 2007? When over 5300 pet food products (most of them manufactured by Menu Foods) had to be recalled? It was later discovered that the recall was due to the contamination of aminopterin (used in rat poison), cyanuric acid (used to stabilize chlorine in swimming pools) and melamine (a nitrogen-rich chemical usually used in plastics and laminates). The combination of these chemicals makes for a lethal cocktail, usually resulting in kidney failure. It killed thousands of pets and sickened even more. Unfortunately, these recalls happen very often. Perhaps not on such a large scale as the one in 2007, but they are common nonetheless.



I had been feeding Lily with Newman's Own Organics but after discovering what pet food was really made from I started looking around on the internet for something more plant-based. One day I was in the pet food store and walking down the aisle toward the Newman's food when out of the corner of my eye I saw a bag labeled, "Vegetarian Formula". I stopped in my tracks to check it out and was overjoyed when I saw how much better it would be for Lily. After all my searching on the internet here, right in front of me was Lily's new food! That day I went home from the store with Natural Balance dog food instead and have been ever since.


So how does Lily like her new vegan food? To put it simply - she LOVES it. I've never seen her get so excited for her food before. Now she drools uncontrollably at feeding time. One day I made the mistake of leaving an open bag out while I showered. When I came out, it had been knocked over and eaten out of. Mind you, she has never, ever done anything like this with any other food. Another time I left an unopened bag thinking it would be fine since it's sealed. Silly me!

The aftermath.

When I took Lily for her first checkup as a vegan even the vet noticed how great she looked. He said her coat looked shiny and wonderful and that she was finally at the perfect, healthy weight. He asked if I did anything so I told him - she went vegan!


I know this is somewhat of a long post but the crazy thing is I've only scratched the surface! Plenty of people still think that dogs are carnivores and must eat meat. It's simply not true. I feel that everyone has the right to feed their pet whatever they choose. That being said, I strongly encourage everyone to look into what exactly they're giving them. There are virtually no regulations regarding what goes into pet food OR how they label it. Hence, 11 significant recalls in 12 years. Here's a wonderful resource for everything you need to know about pet food!




Author's note: While this post is based on information about the pet food industry as a whole, veterinarians do not recommend feeding cats a vegan diet. Dogs, like humans, are able to acquire all their nutritional requirements from a plant-based diet. Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores with completely different digestive systems and needs. Please always consult with your vet if you have any questions regarding your pet's diet!

Natalie Portman Drops Vegan Diet While Pregnant

The news broke this week that vegan poster-child, Natalie Portman, has reverted to a vegetarian diet now that she's pregnant. Being as I've never been pregnant I was a little hesitant to even blog about it since I'm unable to speak from experience. But I'll try anyway.  =p


I can certainly see both sides of it since I firmly believe you should learn to listen to your body and do what it tells you. But where she loses me is how she justifies it because she was "craving cookies and cake". Huh? Doesn't she live in NYC where there is a plethora of vegan restaurants and bakeries? Isn't she also a multi-millionaire who can afford to hire someone to bake delicious vegan treats FOR her?


Is there something more to this story or what? She admitted that plenty of women adhere to a vegan diet while pregnant and that you just have to be extra cautious when it comes to your iron and B12 levels. Very true. So now she's going against her ethics (which are what she has always claimed led her to a vegan lifestyle to begin with) because of pregnancy cravings?


Again, I am in no position to judge but I'm confused nevertheless.


I want to know - what are your thoughts????

Recipe: The Perfect Grilled Cheese

On my last two visits to Las Vegas (which also happened to be my first two trips as an official vegan) I made a stop at Whole Foods for some essentials. In their Las Vegas store I happily discovered that they have an ordering counter for fresh food like pizza, sandwiches, stir-frys, etc. Both times I had a vegan grilled cheese that is to die for! I tried re-creating it myself and what resulted is a masterpiece. I now give you, the most amazing grilled cheese you'll ever eat...

I've found that the perfect grilled cheese is made by both stove and the microwave. <GASP!> I know, I know. It may sound sacrilegious but trust me. It's a surefire way to get both a perfect brown color AND melted cheese. Without the microwave I would always end up with burnt bread by the time my cheese melted. This recipe yields 3 sandwiches (or in my opinion, enough for 2 people. Haha). This is because I feel that 1/3 of a tomato and 1/3 of an avocado are the perfect amount to put on a sandwich. Feel free to adjust ingredients and/or measurements according to your own tastes if you'd like, but try it at least once without changes. It's phenomenal.  =)


6 slices of bread (I prefer whole wheat or whole grain)
Earth Balance
Daiya Cheddar Shreds
1 tomato
1 avocado
1 jalapeno pepper
Veganaise
Salt and pepper, to taste


Begin by preparing the jalapeno. Cut off the stem and then slice the pepper down the center to the tip. Remove the seeds and membranes. Cook the pepper in one cup of boiling water for 2 -3 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse in cold water. Drain and dry it off with a paper towel. Slice into small pieces and set aside.
*Remember to use extra caution when handling jalapenos!


Slice tomato and avocado into thin slices. Set aside.


Butter one side of each slice of bread with Earth Balance. Spray a griddle or large pan with non-stick cooking spray. Over medium heat place the bread in the pan, buttered side down. Spread Daiya Cheddar Shreds over three of the six slices. Once your bread has reached a golden brown color remove it from the heat. Place the slices with the cheese on it onto a plate.


Microwave the bread 15-20 seconds per slice (depending on your microwave) until the cheese is melted. Arrange each sandwich by piling on the tomato, avocado and peppers. Salt and pepper to taste. Microwave each assembled sandwich for about 10-15 seconds to warm the sandwich up. Remove the top slice and spread some Veganaise.


Slice in half and enjoy immediately.

Misconception Monday: All Alcoholic Beverages Are Vegan

Beer, wine, liquor... They're vegan, right? Well the answer is yes --- AND no.


I think this is one of the most shocking facts for non-vegans to comprehend. I get asked quite often whether or not I "can drink" as a vegan and like I said, the answer is both yes and no. I can drink alcohol if I want to but depending on what it is, it may not be vegan. How?


Sometimes it can be obvious. For example, Bailey's Irish Cream is made with - you guessed it! Cream! So no, vegans won't drink it. Many beers are also made with honey, so no to those too. But for the most part, the answer lies in the refining process. Isinglass (a form of collagen that comes from the swim bladder of fish) is a positively charged substance, and when added to wine or beer, it attracts negatively charged particles in suspension, and then drops to the bottom, aiding in clarification. In Layman's terms, the swim bladders are used in the filtering process to make the finished product less cloudy. 

A fish's swim bladder

But isinglass isn't the only animal part used for clarification. Sometimes it's filtered through egg whites, gelatin or even blood. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?


But that's just for clarifying. Then you have a very popular red coloring, Carmine (also known as Cochineal, carminic acid, crimson lake, natural red 4 or E120), and is made from crushed, pregnant cochineal beetles. Yes, bugs! They are boiled alive not only to kill them but to dissolve their waxy coating as well. Then, once they're completely dried out they are crushed into a fine powder. It's then used to color everything from red wine and fruit juices to cosmetics and fabrics.

A cluster of Cochineal Beetles

I know that to many non-vegans it may seem extreme that I'll avoid a bottle of wine just because there are trace elements of isinglass in it and/or because it was colored with bugs. But the real point (I think) is this: there are plenty of wineries, distilleries and breweries that achieve the same outcome but without using any animals in the process. So if I have a choice between one who does and one who doesn't, I'm obviously going for the one who doesn't.


*If you're interested in drinking animal-friendly alcohol, be sure to check out Barnivore. They maintain an extensive list of who is vegan and who isn't.