Me: Vegan

It’s no secret among my friends that I love to cook.  Put me in a kitchen for couple of house, give me a pile of ingredients and a great chef buddy to work with and some beautiful things are likely to happen!

We started by putting together a list of things that Thanksgiving cannot happen without, and then added some of our personal favorites.  Here’s what we came up with:

Tofurkey

Roasted Hubbard Squash  -

We cut off the top of the squash and carved out the guts.  Then we covered it in foil and popped it into the oven at 350 degrees for one hour and 20 minutes.  When it was done, we carved it into strips and served it with the stuffing and gravy on top.

Hearty Vegan Stuffing -

1 loaf of bread, we used Silver Hills Squirlly cut into 1-in. cubes
1 pound some kind of Tofurky Italian sausage (or your preference)
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup vegan butter– I like Earth Balance, melted
1/2 of a large onion or 1 small onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
14-15 ounces (about 1 3/4 cups) Veggie Stock
1 egg substitute, with dashes of salt and pepper added to it
a VERY generous pinch of poultry seasoning
large baking dish, greased

Directions:

I should mention that according to my mother’s recipe, the bread should be left out for 1 week in a paper bag to get a little stale, however, she has made this without leaving the bread out and it tastes the same. I surely don’t do it.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the  ‘sausage’ (crumbled or chunked) until heated through.  Add the celery in, then add the onion and garlic.  Saute until tender.

In a large bowl, add the cubed bread and all the other ingredients. Mix together.

Add the stuffing to the baking dish and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until the stuffing is not watery. Don’t cook too long or it may dry out.

This can also be prepared a day or two ahead. Just bake it for 45 minutes and refrigerate. Bake for 20 more minutes or so when ready to serve.

Enjoy with or without the vegan gravy of your choice

Two Gravies

Yorkshire Puddings -

Ingredients at room temperature:

2 cups sweet rice flour
2 tsp guar gum
2 cups soy milk
Egg Replacer for 6 eggs
1 tsp salt
Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Mix with whisk. It’s ok to leave a few lumps.(Batter should be super runny.) Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Put a half a cap full of oil into each muffin cup.  Fill muffin cups about half full of batter and bake approx. 25 mins.

Variation – I did these Gluten Free, however you can use wheat flour instead of the sweet rice flour, and just eliminate the guar gum which isn’t necessary with wheat flour.

Pumpkin Pie! -

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Have ready, one 9″ unbaked pastry crust

Blend in blender:
2 cups solid-pack canned pumpkin
1 cup almond milk
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. EACH ground ginger, nutmeg and salt
1/4 tsp. ground allspice or cloves

Pour the filling into the pastry and bake 60 minutes, covering the edges with foil if they begin to brown too quickly. Cool on a rack, then refrigerate overnight before serving.

Portabellos with Almond Sauce

Roasted Seasonal Mixed Veggies

Scalloped Potatoes -

6 medium potatoes, peeled and super thinly sliced
4 tablespoons earth balance
3 tablespoons flour (we used sweet rice flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 cups Almond milk
1 small onion, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 325ºF.

Heat 3 tablespoons of earth balance in a saucepan over low heat until melted. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in almond milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Heat to boiling. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Arrange potatoes in greased 2 quart casserole in 3 layers, topping each layer with part of the chopped onions and 1/3 of the sauce. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of earth balance, broken into little pieces.

Cover and bake until potatoes are tender, about 60-70 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minute before serving.

Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Daiya cheese to the sauce and mix to melt.

Olives

and

Chocolate Chip-Coconut Cookies

Recipes to come very soon!

Leading a busy life, full of activities is difficult enough on its own.  Trying to stay healthy and eat three meals a day, ideally that consist of something better than a handful of brazil nuts and a Happy Planet juice, is a whole other ball game.  I have created a network in my mind of the closest Vegan restaurants, Vegan friendly places to grab a bite to eat, and places to eat if you’re in total desperation

My #1 suggestion to travelers and locals alike, is to check out www.happycow.net for their absolutely invaluable list of Vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly places all over the world.  This site has pulled me out of innumerable binds in my Vegan life (which makes me think I should drop them a donation!)  Below is a list of the Vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly places in town that I eat at regularly and would happily recommend:

3G – 3424 Cambie St.  They have wonderful service, and feature nearly all Vegan, chinese food (do ask about dairy in the “meat” dishes though.)  **I recommend: The “Chicken” Drumsticks, you can’t go there without ordering them!

Bodhi Choi Heung – 3932 Fraser St.  This is a wonderful Buddhist restaurant that is nearly Vegan, but again, do ask about egg or dairy in items.  **I recommend:  The Lemon “Duck” it is in a VERY sweet lemon sauce so please be warned if you aren’t a fan of super sweet food.  I find it devine though, and the crispy bean curd “duck” is simply amazing!

Loving Hut – 546 West Broadway.  I adore this place because it is smack in between my work and my school, right on a major transit hub (Broadway & Cambie.)  They have traditional American food like pizza (with Daiya cheese,) caesar salad, soups, wraps, nachos and the like.  **I recommen: The Loving Hut Pizza;  it’s got a heavenly garlic sauce and is creamy, cheesy and just a flavour sensation!

Budgies Burritos – 44 Kingsway (Kingsway & Main.)  100% Vegetarian burritos to go, or to stay if you really want.  These are typical, Amercian style burritos, with Yves Ground Round, or various types of beans, veggies, and instead of cheese (which is only available as dairy) they can substitute extra avocado for no extra charge. **I recommend: The Poser on whole wheat, with black beans and fresh salsa, done Vegan.  Can’t go wrong.

Organic Lives – 1829 Quebec Street.  100% Raw, Vegan place with a somewhat limited menu and hefty prices, but delicious and unique.  **I recommend: The Caesar Salad with raw croutons.

All India Sweets – 6507 Main St.  This place has traditional Indian food with a $9.95 vegetarian all you can eat buffet every day until 10pm which has a fair bit of Vegan options.  They also have samosas, tikkis, and weird little curried things that are grab-and-go for $.75  **I recommend: The Buffet, it’s cheap, and the curries are all delicious (though one looks like tofu, but is actually cheese!)

Banditas Tacqueria – 2781 Commercial Drive.  Absolutely fabulous Vegan food!  I wouldn’t say that it is Mexican at all rather it is based upon Mexican and they have used the idea to create a terrific, unique menu.  They use Daiya cheese and can make basically everything Vegan upon request. **I recommend: The Taco Salad done Vegan.  The lime dressing tastes so fresh that  I have a theory that they make it fresh for every order.

Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Dr.  Great vegetarian late night spot for a beer with friends, or to catch some local music or maybe even a poetry slam?  Not much for Vegan options though…  **I recommend:  The Tofu Scramble, it’s the best on I’ve found so far in town!  Seriously, delicious.

Sejuiced – 1958 W4th.  This place is a rad little juice bar, with soups, salads, sandwiches and little dessert treats as well.  I’m somewhat confident that they are just about Vegan except for honey, and maybe something else that isn’t coming to my mind right now.  Suffice it to say, they are chock full of Vegan yummyness!  I recommend:  The veggie sandwich.  It sounds so boring and plain, and it is in the best way!  It is a simple, perfectly made sandwich.

Gorilla Foods – #101 – 436 Richards St.  If raw food is new to you, Gorilla will ease you in with foods you’re used to but happen to be completely raw.  Menu includes devine smoothies, raw pizza, raw fudge, raw soups, raw falafal.  Everything is 100% raw and Vegan, and shall I add, made with love <3  **I recommend:  Thai Collard Fresh Wraps;  I can’t recommend these highly enough in fact!  They are absolutely heavenly and come with a beautifully spiced chutney.

Sweet Cherubim – 1105 Commercial Dr.  They have Indian food and some American food, but after half a dozen rotten salads, 2 or 3 rotten somosas, and a rancid bowl of stew, I have abandoned their food possibly forever.  However, their desserts are to die for, and have (so far) never steered my wrong.  **I recommend: The Bliss Ball.  Anyone in East Van will tell you that you haven’t lived until you’ve tried them!

The Cafe @ Eternal Abundance – 1025 Commercial Dr.  This is a tiny, all Vegan and Organic, half raw, half cooked cafe with soups, raw zughetti, a raw burrito, raw burger, salad, etc.  **I recommend: The Gazpacho, but you can only get it during the summer months.  It is totally raw, mostly local, and 100% delicious!

Deserts – 905 Commercial Dr.  They are totally vegetarian, and have a great Vegan selection.  It’s quick, cheap food on the drive, and you’ll enjoy your meal, so I recommend it when you’re in a hurray.  **I recommend:  The Vegan Falafal, it’s soooo good!

Hon’s Wonton House – 1339 Robson St.   This is a huge restaurant with two completely seperate kitchens, one with meat and one that is completely vegetarian.  I love the food here, and there’s a terrific variety of veggie chinese food.  **I recommend: The Bean Curd Skin Rolls in Black Bean Sauce, always a hit.

The NAAM – 2724 W 4th.  I’m fairly confident that this is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver.  There is nearly always a line up out the door, and they are open 24 hours.  The service is iffy, but the food is always good; not a ton of Vegan options, but they do used Daiya!  **I recommend: The Thai Noodles.  It’s sort of their take on Pad Thai.

Karmavore Vegan Shop – 468 East Columbia St.  Karmavore is an absolute must visit for Vancouverites.  They have a marvelous selection of Vegan meats, treats, books, shoes & boots, Vegan condoms (that’s right,) clothing and so much more; all 100% Vegan!!!  **I recommend the invaluable Vegan Bodybuilding book by everybody’s favorite Vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke.

This is by no means a complete list of veggie friendly places to eat in our fine city.  I strongly encourage you to check out happycow for the full list.  You can also email mevegan.com at penniesforprince@gmail.com  for personal advice, recipes, feedback, or maybe a home delivered batch of Chocolate Cupcakes with Blueberry Buttercream Icing!

Bon Appétite!

One of the things that many people gripe about in regards to being Vegan is that it’s just not feasible to be Vegan while traveling, or in tiny towns.  I’ve always felt that is a very weak excuse.  I know where I stand in regards to objectifying and eating animals, and those feelings do not change just because I love to travel.

So this August I had a wonderful opportunity to go to my traditional family home of Binscarth Manitoba (population 450.)  Naturally, I was well aware that small town Manitoba is not the Veganism capital of Canada.  Since Binscarth is nowhere near an anything, we flew into Regina Saskatchewan, then drove 4 hours.

I started my journey my checking out the invaluable www.happycow.net for a list of health food stores in Regina to stock up on Vegan staples for our time away.  I found a fantastic store Nature’s Best (2224 14th Ave, Regina, Saskatchewan.)  While the store is not vegetarian, they are filled with all of the staples you could want for a few days away from ‘civilization’ such as; vegan cheeses, tofurky meats, produce, bulk nuts, canned soups, breads, vegan snacks, chocolates, and even a great vegertaian sandwich bar.  I picked up a package of frozen Tofurky Kielbasa Sausages (which kept them nice and cold all the way to Binscarth) half a dozen Primal Strips, two chocolate bars, 3 grapefruits, 2 pears, a handfull of dried chickpeas, a handfull of dried black beans, a veggie sandwich, and refilled my Food Fight water bottle (which I never leave home without!)  Honestly, I think I ate better than most of the people I travelled with!

Our first night in Binscarth I enjoyed a tofu scramble with peppers and a soy-teriyaki sauce.  Breakfast the next morning consisted of fresh fruit, and a juice with Vega.  Lunch for the others was steak sandwiches, so I thought I would have something along the same lines.  I found some Vegan bread in our lovely hostess’s freezer, spread some mustard on most slices,  I sliced up the Tofurky Kielbasa Sausage to make long, thing strips, and put that on the bottom with some cucumber and tomato slices in the middle, and cut up a Primal Strip for some extra “meat” on top.  Everyone was jealous of my sandwich, which to be honest, looked amazing.  For dinner we all went to the only restaurant in town, Arbuckles.  I wasn’t sure if or what I would be eating, so I just went with an open mind.  Our meals came out and she placed in front of me the most exquisite roasted peppers stuffed with a spiced quinoa, with beans on the side and a beautiful salad to start!  Naturally I was immensely grateful and very impressed.

Our final morning was another refreshing breakfast of fresh picked fruit with juice and Vega.  Our lunch was full of Vegan foods that most people forget are Vegan.  I made up another sandwich, and had a cob of corn with some salt and olive oil, and a baked potato, which was more than enough food to fill me to the brim!

I left my extended family and Binscarth feeling well fed, excited by the surprising meals I had experienced, and deeply proud to come from the family that I do.  If you’re ever travelling in the middle of frigging nowhere Manitoba, you would do well to make a stop in Binscarth.  It is a special town, filled with wonderful people, lots of history, and natural beauty.

I felt totally violated, DISGUSTED and 100% certain that Hawkers on Main St is forever dead to me.

Have you had this experience?  Please comment with your stories and experiences!  AND, check out mevegan’s new facebook page!  Just search mevegan.com

One of the questions I get asked when I am at family functions, or catching up with distant friends is: “So you’re Vegan, what do you eat?”  Unlike every Vegan’s least favorite “But where do you get your protein?!?” question, the “what do you eat?” is not asked out of ignorance, as much as it is out of legitimate curiosity.  I feel like it is asked to give the asker a more clear picture of what a Vegan diet is like in practice and how many or few restrictions it has.  I created “The Everyday Vegan” column for the above mentioned sort of people who are simply curious about what I, personally, eat from day to day.

Please bear in mind, that since Vegans are just normal people who choose to consume a herbivorous diet, the dietary preferences from individual to individual vary quite widely.  While most Vegans are healthier than their animal consuming counterparts, there are certainly junk food Vegans, just like junk food meat eaters.  I try to remind myself that binge eating deep fried tofu and fudgie coconut icecream is only marginally better than binge eating deep fried chicken and dairy icecream.  (However it is certainly vastly more satisfying!)

So, without further ado, here is what I ate today:

Breakfast — Cereal (Panda Puffs to be precise) with almond milk.  Peanut Butter Panda Puffs have far less sugar than I had feared at 7g per 30g, AND are totally gluten free, so really they’re a health food…or so I’m telling myself….

Mid Morning Snack — A bunch of roasted, unsalted Cashews.

Lunch — 2 packages of the Garlic and Veggie flavoured noodles from Thai Kitchen.  Usually I go out of my way to turn them from glorified Mr Noodles into a legitimate meal by adding a bunch of fresh veggies, and some cubed tofu, but I was lazy and hungary so I ate them plain, which kind of sucked…

Snack — Primal Strips!  Mmmmmmm, if you’ve been Vegan for more than 10 minutes, you know what I’m talking about

Dinner — A Big Ass Salad.  Seriously, this salad is full of everything.  I used about 8 shredded leaves of Romaine, a whole can of black beans, 2 roma tomatoes, about a 1/4 cup of fresh, chopped dill, a chopped orange pepper, about 2 tablespoons of hemphearts, and I just threw a bunch of olive oil and balsamic on top with a dash of fresh ground pepper and BAM, a perfect supper (and sooo filling!) on a swelteringly hot night.

Midnight snack — Smoothie, similar to the Purple Power smoothie I posted a couple of days ago.

So there you have it, my nutritional day in a nut’s shell.  Stay tuned for more suggestions, ideas, and general info about what a Vegan lives off of to stay alive, healthy and happy.

Mmmmmm!!  Best smoothie ever recipe:

* 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

* 1 sliced banana

* 1 cup soy or almond milk (today I used VitaSoy)

* Roughly 25 unsalted cashews

Blend like crazy in the blender (VitaMix if you are so blessed,) make sure the cashews are completely liquified.  Pour your thick, purple goodness into your favorite mug or glass, and ENJOY!!!

(Taken from The Vancouver Sun, Thursday, August 12, 2010.)

VANCOUVER — Animal-rights activists have started a campaign to raise awareness about the “grim realities” of University of B.C. animal research, which they say have been hidden from the public for years even though the work is funded by taxpayers.

The campaign is worrying UBC officials, one of whom said he is afraid it could lead to violence because “there are nuts out there.”

“Few local residents are aware that UBC has such an extensive research program,” campaign organizer Brian Vincent told The Vancouver Sun. “Unfortunately, UBC has been less than forthcoming about its research activities.

“The public has the right to know that their tax dollars are paying for highly invasive research on animals, including experiments on cats.”

The group, which was formed several months ago but had not gone public until now, has been connecting with like-minded people over the summer via e-mail, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, and seeking information about animal research through freedom-of-information requests, some of which UBC has refused.

The activists are looking for details about nine medical researchers — including one who they say has been experimenting on cats since 1980 — and are distributing posters appealing to university employees to become whistleblowers.

Vincent says the group — Stop UBC Animal Research — has about 200 members, including students, faculty, other professionals and seniors.

The university admits it could do a better job of communicating with the public about its research and the difficult issue of animal experimentation.

But John Hepburn, vice-president of research, said UBC will not provide information about individuals because of privacy and safety concerns.

Although Hepburn said he believes the Vancouver group’s promise of a peaceful campaign, he’s worried about the potential for violence, which has occurred in some American states, where researchers who work with animals have seen their offices firebombed and their families threatened.

“I trust that the local people are responsible, but there are nuts out there,” he said in an interview.

Hepburn recently sent an e-mail to UBC staff members urging them to be wary of strangers in and around research facilities and to contact campus security if they receive any threats or encounter sidewalk protests.

“I encourage you to remain vigilant and familiarize yourself with university resources available to help mitigate potentially unpleasant and violent situations,” he wrote.

Vincent suggested the university’s warning was an overreaction, stating: “All of Stop UBC Animal Research’s activities have been entirely legal and peaceful. Those activities certainly do not warrant the inflammatory rhetoric in Dr. Hepburn’s e-mail.”

Although he is out of the province this week on holidays, Hepburn said the university has received 75 to 100 e-mails thus far — mostly from local activists but also from concerned people in places such as California and Britain — and he will respond to them as soon as he returns to work.

He said he will assure them that UBC research on animals — mostly genetically modified mice, but some larger animals as well — is tightly regulated by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), an independent organization that monitors animal experiments in publicly funded institutions.

Nevertheless, he agreed the issue is challenging for everyone, including researchers.

“I don’t think anyone wants to do research on animals, but sometimes it has to be done,” he said, adding that he doesn’t know any university in Canada that conducts medical research and doesn’t use animals.

Thousands of UBC research projects involve animals and while invasive surgeries are “not something you would want to happen to your pet kitty-cat,” there are always solid, scientific reasons for doing the work, he said.

UBC has a committee on animal care that includes lay people, scientists and veterinarians and reviews all animal research to ensure it complies with the CCAC’s guidelines and policies.

One member of the UBC committee is Shawn Eccles, chief animal protection officer for the British Columbia SPCA.

Eccles, a committee member for three years, said he agonizes over his conflicting roles and his knowledge that decisions by the committee can result in animals suffering.

“I struggle with this every day, but if I didn’t do it, who would?” he said in an interview. “Maybe I will serve my penance in hell.”

While not suggesting that other committee members are less committed to animal welfare, he noted that the requirement to include lay people does not specify that they must be animal lovers.

“I make it clear that it is fully my intention to speak for the animals.”

Geoff Urton, the SPCA’s animal-welfare manager, said the issue of animal research is ethically challenging and should be debated publicly. For that to happen, UBC will have to be more open about its research, he added.

“We understand that there are benefits from animal research [including] benefits to other animals,” Urton said. “But how do we measure what is an acceptable amount of suffering from one animal to help another?”

jsteffenhagen@vancouversun.com

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/fears+animal+activists+campaign/3388234/story.html#ixzz0wSm4uYrk