Shall I give you the good news or the bad news first. Hmmm, let’s start with the bad news. I was so busy enjoying myself on Thanksgiving, that we forgot to take pictures of all of the delicious food, so my plan is to make one thing a week between now and Christmas from our dinner and post the pictures for all to see. The good news, I had a request for the recipe to my vegan Keylime (actually just lime) pie. It was super, duper delicious and I could eat it over and over again. It didn’t set quite as well as I hoped, but no matter, it was still delicious and cut a lot like a chocolate or banana cream pie.

Keylime Pie

Juice from 8 limes
2 tbsp grated lime peel
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
2 Packages Tofutti Cream Cheese
1/2 container Tofutti Sour Cream
1/2 cup Agave Syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 vegan premade pie shell
Cook pie shell according to package directions. In a saucepan, heat lime juice and water until it begins to boil. Pour into a glass measuring cup and set aside. Rinse out pan and wipe dry. Put in cornstarch and slowly pour in lime mixture, rapidly stirring the whole time. Turn heat to low and stir in maple syrup and lime peels. Cook for about 10 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken. Using a mixer, mix sour cream, cream cheese, agave syrup and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add lime mixture and mix well. Pour into pie crust and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. After removing from oven let cool before placing in the refrigerator. Make sure to refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Has anybody seen Fast Food Nation yet? I am asking for the book for Christmas, but have yet to see the movie advertised. Anyway, I saw this horrible review of the movie, written by an anti-organic person, who fills the article with lot’s of misinformation. Needless to say, I am sorry I read it and even sorrier that there are people in the world who will believe the horrible propoganda in this article. Anyway, have a read for yourself and let me know what you think. It’s called Notions for a Fastfood Nation. I encourage you to write to this person and tell him what you think of his article.

Rumor has it that Heather Mills McCartney is planning on opening a Vegan Fastfood Chain. I have mixed feelings about this. First, I can get plenty of vegan fastfood, it is going out to a nice restaurant that can be problematic. I would love to see a chain of vegan fine dining. Two, there is enough fastfood in the world. Vegan fastfood isn’t all that much more healthier than the nonvegan counterpart. Afterall, many (not all) french fries are vegan and they are one of the most unhealthy things a person can put into their bodies. On the other hand, it would be great to be able to go to a restaurant and order a vegan shake when the urge hits or a vegan hot fudge sundae. I can pretty much get vegan hamburgers in a lot of diners, but vegan sundaes, now that would be a novelty.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is taking time to enjoy the holiday season, now matter how you may celebrate it. I am looking forward to some Christmas parades and holiday wonderlands with my son. He gets so excited, which always brings a smile to my face. I am also looking forward to picking up a potted Christmas tree next weekend that I can donate after Christmas. I love decorating Christmas trees. We will make some hot cidar, put on Christmas music and spend some nice family time together. Hope you have some happy family traditions for this season.

It was definitely an interesting weekend. I won’t bore you with all the details, but it was crazy. The good part was seeing my grandparents and aunt’s and uncles. The downside, my poor grandparents were living in filth and we only got about half as much done as we would have liked to in cleaning it. At least my grandmother has enough room now to walk with her walker from her bedroom to her livingroom and is no longer looking at piles of dust filled trash in every corner of the livingroom.

Anyway, let me change the subject to food. It was very difficulty eating vegan on the road. I had my handy-dandy restaurant guide, which, unfortunately wasn’t much help. We stopped at Carl’s Jr. on the way to my grandparents. I thought great! I will get a salad bar and maybe a baked potato. Unfortunately, not every Carl’s Jr. has these items so I ended up eating crisscut fries (the only vegan item on the menu). We picked up dinner at Stater’s Brothers where I was able to get a veggie sandwich. It appeared that they had quite a few vegan options in their deli case, but I was too tired to inquire about everything so I got a side of fruit to go with my sandwich.

The hotel we stayed at (Super stated that they had a continental breakfast in the morning. I thought, well at least I should be able to get fresh fruit for breakfast. I was amazed that they did not have fresh fruit out in the morning. The only items they had were Otis Spunkmeier muffins (definitely not vegan) and raisin bagels. So I opted for the high sugar bagels because at least they didn’t have dairy products. For lunch I went to an old standby, Taco Bell, where I had my favorite, tostada no cheese add guac. And for dinner I went to Olive Garden and had the Capellini Pomodoro and Minestrone Soup. I was happy that the soup didn’t use vegetable broth and the breadsticks use are coated in margarine not butter. Unfortunately, their house salad dressing has cheese which is why I went with the soup.

The next more I got another lovely dry raisin bagel and for lunch had leftover Capellini Pomodoro. Last night we went to Denny’s for dinner and I figured I could have the spaghetti, but Denny’s revised their menu and no longer serve spaghetti as an option. So I went with the boca burger, which was hopefully vegan and the only item on the menu not dripping in animal products.

I am soooooo glad to be home and look forward to making a big healthy salad for dinner tonight. We got our first ripe tomato and a bunch more cucumber today. It is supposed to be 105 outside today so I doubt that I will be cooking much for a day or two. Just lot’s of fresh fruits, salads and veggie sandwiches.

[tags] vegan restaurants food blog blogs eatingout [/tags]

I have finally posted The Vegan Place Ezine and Eating Vegan Recipe book. Both of which are free. I am excited about these projects. Both are a work in progress so let me know how you like them. The Vegan Place Ezine is designed for vegan and vegetarian women. It provides helpful resources, articles, vegan fashion, health related topics and more. If you have an idea for an article or a new section that you would like to see added please let me know. Next month I am hoping to add a section on beauty and will be adding some poles this month so check back.

The cookbook includes many of my favorite recipes, some have been adapted from nonvegan recipes and some are creations of my own. Let me know if you have tried any of the recipes and how you like them. I am looking forward to getting your feedback. I have tried all of the recipes on my family and they have been quite successful, but I am always curious to find out what others think. Suggestions to make the recipes better are always welcome.

Tell all of your friends about the new additions to my site and I hope you enjoy the articles and the different sections.

[tags] vegan vegetarian ezine blog blogs recipes free [/tags]

IceRocket Tag: vegan

I have two things to post about today. Both of them having to do with how badly I have been eating out the past two days.

First, I veganized a taco bell tostada (no cheese, add guac). It was sooo good. It is definitely one of my new favorite quick and cheap, eating out foods. It wasn’t just okay good, it was really good.

Second, we had sandwiches from Vons last night and I realized that the name of the sandwich that I get is the same as Harmonia’s new forum, Veggin Out. Anyway, I thought that was pretty cool.

[tags] vegan vegetarian tacobell food dinner blog blogs [/tags] IceRocket Tag: [vegan]

When one types in the term vegan into the major search engines (google, yahoo) a huge list of forums and blogs appear. This can be a blessing for vegans, who may lack support at home, at work, or in the community. Many vegans often feel isolated from the rest of the world because of their beliefs. We are just people, who choose not to consume animal products due to issues of animal cruelty. It seems that a lot of times people feel like vegans will judge them because they do consume animal products, and indeed some may. But many of us just want to take the first step, by not being the source of animal suffering. If presented with the opportunity, we also like to educate people.

The internet provides a great forum for vegans to educate others. People can choose to read what we have to say, or choose not to. That is the great thing about freedom of speech, part of it is the freedom to not read or watch something that is not in agreement with one’s one beliefs.

I have learned so much about veganism and people in general visiting vegan forums and posting blogs and articles about veganism. I been a careful label reader for the past few years, but thanks to vegan forums have learned for additional ingredients to look for, that may seem innoculous at first, but are indeed not. I have also learned about how some food is processed with animal products, though this may not be listed on the label. For example, many wines and beers are processed using pigs guts or other forms of animal products. I would have never thought of questioning the processing of my fermented grapes and distilled barley and hopes. It is crazy.

More than anything I have found great support online. Everytime somebody comments, with understanding, on what I have written I feel a great sense of community. When I go to other people’s blogs and read what they have written, I often feel a sense of connection.

To of the first sites that I visited in my search for vegan resources were:

Vegan Freaks

Vegan Represent

Since that time I have visited so many wonderful sites and would like to provide you a list of just some of the many awesome websites that provide great resources for new vegans, vegans new to the internet, and internet and vegan veterans. I hope you find these resources as helpful as I have and are as appreciative as I am to technology for the ability to connect to vegans all over the world.

Vegan Resources
Thank you to Kleopatra and Kai-vegan for visiting my website, for which, if they had not I would not have been able to find many of these great resources. Hugs to both of you.

[tags] vegan, vegan resources, vegan technology [/tags]

IceRocket Tag: vegan

Last night I went out to eat with my family. We went to Carrow’s. I was thinking that they usually have a pretty good variety of food, at least they should have pasta. So I get there and the only three things they have on the menu that may be possibilities are spaghetti with marinara sauce, garden burgers, and a plain salad. I figure the garden burgers probably have egg in them, I know the ones at the grocery store do and I was hungry and wanted more than a salad. You know the commonly heard phrase, “oh, you could have a salad.” So I opt for the spaghetti with marinara sauce. It comes with grated parmesan cheese on top and some cheesy garlic bread. So I order it without cheese or bread and a side salad no croutons, no cheese, add Italian dressing. So I am eating my spaghetti and I get about half way through and there is a coating building up on my fork. I am thinking my pasta is not sticky, what is this coating? I take another bite or two and then I notice very small bits (about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pin) of white stuff in my sauce. I cut one in half and realize that it is cheese. So I didn’t get the grated cheese on top, but the marinara sauce had cheese in it. I don’t really blame the waitress, because they are usually pretty much clueless about what is in the food. I should have had her ask the chef is there is anything on their menu, besides salad, that is vegan friendly. My guess is no. For all I know there was probably cheese in the Italian dressing. I told my husband if we got out to eat there again with my family, I will be eating before we go and ordering a plain salad and will bring my own dressing.

This is one of the down falls to living in a small area. I think I am just going to pick up the phone book and start calling every restaurant in it to find out who will provide me, graciously, with vegan options. I will make a list of all items I can eat and that way I know where I can go and what I can eat. Anyway, Sexy Vegan Chick was gracious enough to put together a post of fast food restaurants that have vegan options or vegan alternatives to offer.

Vegan Fast Food Options

[tags]vegan, Carrow’s, fast food, vegan eating, vegetarian[/tags]
IceRocket Tag: vegan

I don’t know if you have ever been to a tapas bar, but they are one of the greatest experiences you can have with food. I had the pleasure of going to a tapas bar when I was living in Phoenix. Tapas is basically Spanish for appetizer. At a tapas bar, they serve nothing but appetizer style foods and lots of wine and sangria (of course the more I learn about the processing of wine, the more I realize it is best to do your own tapas party, where you can make sure you serve vegan wine). The great thing about tapas bars, is that many of them are vegan friendly. Many European foods are vegetable rich and naturally vegan. At the tapas bar I went to in Phoenix, I simply asked about the vegan choices and the waitress was able to (graciously) point to several items on the menu. Anyway, I wanted to share a very Spanish recipe for grilled vegetables that would be a great inclusion if you wanted to throw your own tapas party. I also included a recipe for Sangria, because what tapas party would be complete without Sangria?

Vegan Spanish Grilled Vegetables (Gluten Free)

2 zucchini

2 yellow or orange bell pepper             

1 onion

4 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic

salt and pepper to taste

1 can garbanzo beans

4 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp olive oil

Chop garlic and place in a bowl with olive oil. Slice fresh vegetables and brush with olive oil and garlic and sprinkle with small amount of salt and pepper. Place vegetables on a grill covered with tin foil and grill until tender. Mix 4 tbsp tahini with 1 tbsp olive oil. Remove vegetables from grill and top with garbanzo beans and tahini.

Sangria (Gluten Free)

1 bottle of merlot

½ cup of honey or brown rice syrup

2 cups sliced fruit (strawberries, grapes, melon, orange)

Mix all ingredients in a punch bowl, add ice, and serve.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you how many times I have called a Mexican restaurant and asked them “do you put lard in your beans or use vegetable oil or water?” Just to find out that they put nasty pig fat in their beans. Or better yet, they act like they don’t know what I am talking about, so I just assume that they use lard. Eating Mexican food in a restaurant can be a difficult task, though there are some restaurants that do not use lard, such as Taco Bell (if you call that a restaurant) and Baja Fresh just to name two very popular food chains.

What do I like to eat at Taco Bell. Well today I tried for the first time the seven-layer burrito, no sour cream, no cheese, extra guacamole as suggested by sexy vegan chick at her blog My Life as a Vegan. It was delicious. Thank goodness, I can travel and know that wherever I go I can get something to eat. (For more fast food ideas check out her blog at http://aveganlife.blogspot.com/2006/03/vegan-fast-food-options.html

When I go to Baja Fresh I always get the vegetarian nachos, no cheese, no sour cream, no guacamole, add fresh avocado and lettuce. They order taker usually looks at me as if I am crazy, but I assure you I am not.

If you are not into going out to eat and would like to make Mexican food at home, here is a vegan recipe that is sure to be a hit with the family. Hope you enjoy it.

Bean Tacos (Vegan, Gluten Free)

8 gluten free tortillas

1 cup leftover tortilla soup

2 cans pinto beans

1 onion

2 cups pico de gallo

2 cups iceburg lettuce

1 avocado, cubed

Chop up onion and mix with leftover tortilla soup and pinto beans. Add salt and pepper and heat on the stove at medium heat. Mash beans while they cook. Heat tortillas in a stainless steel skillet with a very small amount of olive oil. Spoon beans onto tortillas and top with lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado. Fold tortillas in half and serve.

As many vegans are aware, Pam Anderson provides a celebrity voice for PETA. She attends rallys and is very vocal about her support of the organization. Well now Pam and PETA are asking for your help to stop severe cruelty to the chickens that are raised and slaughtered on behalf of KFC. According to PETA, KFC engages in extreme animal cruelty, by doing things such as placing chickens in boiling hot water while still alive, killing them by throwing them against walls, and crippling them in a fashion that the animals are unable to walk while still alive. Pam has created a video that provides more detailed information on the amount of cruelty that is being suffered by these animals and invokes a call to action to stop KFC from engaging in such practices.

To join Pam Anderson and PETA in their fight to provide more humane conditions for the KFC chickens please click on the link below and e-mail the video to as many of your friends as you can.

KentuckyFriedCruelty.com
You can also sign up at this link to assist in the campaign against KFC.

I feel the need to sound off a little today. I am a frustrated vegan in a nonvegan, not particularly vegan friendly world. I find solace in vegan forums where understanding abounds, but otherwise I can’t even seem to get my own family to understand. My parent’s always tell me, “well, I don’t know what you can eat on your ‘diet’.” As if being vegan is a diet. I tell them veganism is not a diet it is a way of living, but they don’t get it. They just think I’m being weird because I don’t eat meat. When we have family gatherings I get the look of pity, “oh, what is Cindy going to eat.” I tell them don’t worry about me I’ll bring my own. My food always gets eaten up and I am the only one without leftovers. Oh, the irony. When we go out, I hear “oh, I guess Cindy can just eat a salad.” Oh, yes, I want to pay somebody to make me a drab, nonorganic salad in which I have to bring my own salad dressing to ensure no animal products.

Going out to eat is a whole other problem. Thank goodness, I like to cook. But there are times when cooking is not reasonable. I live in a small community where there is a steak house on every corner, but try to find a vegan friendly restaurant. I frequently have to resolve myself to eating vegetarian when we go out and I just try to push aside any cheese or other dairy. Not exactly the best scenario. Even when I buy a sandwich or nachos I get strange looks from the order takers when I tell them “no animal products, please.”

But I am not giving up. I try out new recipes everyday. I am an adventerous cook with my spices and my veggies. My resolve is strong, and I get continued strength from a wonderful online community. The vegan community is one of the most supportive communities that I know of. I also get strength from reading John Robbins book The Food Revolution. I feel like I should have stock in it as much as I tell others about it. It is a truly enlightening book, one which openned my eyes up to the enormous amount of suffering experienced by animals in factory farms.