Pinkwashing.

Fucking Pinkwashing.

Want to help your friend battling cancer?
Babysit their kids.
Pay for their weed.

Want to help raise awareness?
Boycott Monsanto; eat local and organic.
Teach those around you about doing the same.

Stop buying stuff painted pink...
Let's take care of each other.

Just Walk Away

A few weeks back I attended a vegetarian potluck.  I can't tell you how great it was, knowing that food would only be a topic of discussion in the context of pleasure, curiosity, and sharing recipes.  

BUT.

Surprisingly, I was challenged by a woman that insisted veganism was invalid because we could not prove that animals actually dislike abuse and murder; citing as an example...?
The S&M community.  

As in, some people get off with pain; so how do we know the animals aren't?

Um... 

I think I just met the real-life version of an internet troll.

I admit here and now that I failed at patience and compassion.  But I did excuse myself before my head actually exploded.

Yay, Me.   

While I haven't found much on animals and S&M...  Here's a start for looking into animals and emotions.

Cookbooks!

A list of my favorites...

The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein
Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Vegan With A Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
How It All Vegan! by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer
La Dolce Vegan! by Sarah Kramer
The Urban Vegan by Dynise Balcavage

And for dessert...
Sinfully Vegan by Lois Dieterly

Find music. Cook. And dance in the kitchen!

What's In Jen's Fridge?

Let's play detective.  By special request, my favorite "meat free alternatives"... or you know by now what I call: F'EAT!

Before I get into this, let me again claim that this is what we vegans call "junk food."  Faux meats are processed, and therefore immediately less desirable for those looking to focus on whole or raw cuisine.  That being said, these are the ones I keep in my freezer at ALL TIMES.  Just in case, you know, I have an omnivore for dinner.  ;)

This is the Boca I spoke of last week... super yum.  And to be perfectly honest, just as good (if not better) than the Tyson chicken patties my grandmother fed me as a kid.  These have flavor!  And if you want an authentic "fast food experience", and Vegenaise and dill pickles...  Voila!  I can't seem to remember where I picked these up, but it was probably Whole Foods. 

Only at Trader Joe's.  The veggie MASALA burger.  YUM.  I do not like mushroom burgers, and I just won't enjoy something that's trying to imitate beef.  With these you'll taste (and see) potatoes, carrots, peppers, and corn.  They will be a favorite if you like Indian cuisine. 

Last night's dinner.  I try to pair up these "riblets" with something to create a down home-type meal.  Corn and tater tots are often the accompaniments!  The sauce is great, a little sweet; just like I like it.  A big hit with the omni's, and you get get Morningstar products all over the place!  Safeway and other big chains.   

Another chicken alternative, and also only at Trader Joe's.  Honestly not my first choice as a "go-to" but they are convenient in the oven or microwave, and you can easily chop them and add to a salad!  :)

(Alright I forgot to take a pic myself, but this one is really in my fridge.)  Perfect for tacos!  Oh, and it comes in "regular" flavor, if you like it for your spaghetti sauce.  Seen at Basha's, Sunflower, and Whole Foods.

And here we are...  I've saved the BEST for last.  Kung Pao F'eat!  Woo Hoo!!!  Another favorite among my omni friends, this makes a really good stir fry.  Just like on the box, add peppers & peanuts (I also add bok choy), pair with brown jasmine rice, and you've got yourself quite a meal.  *Joan, if you're reading this, I know you hated it...  but in fairness to my reader(s), it was the sauce/flavor issue and not the f'eat.  ps.  I love the sauce.  I have found so far only at Whole Foods.

And there you have it!  Some of my faves... But Go!  Experiment!  Live long and prosper!

I love my F'EAT!

"What IS f'eat?" you ask...

Faux meat!

A wonderful introduction for the veg-curious crowd, and great "junk food" (only because it's processed) for us long-standing veg'ns, faux meat is a great alternative that often gives you the protein that your body is needing when your brain thinks it's craving meat. In fact, the f'eat I tried tonight (Boca brand Spicy Chick'n patties) contains more grams of protein than the animal product it mirrors. :)

Check it out!

Really, I try to limit my f'eat intake to once or twice a week. There are a lot of sources of good protein for a veg'n... (tempeh, quinoa, and almonds, for instance) but sometimes it's nice to have a meal that will please omnis and veggies alike. :)

Ps. My all-time favorite f'eat is from the brand Vegetarian Plus; Kung Pao "Chicken."

Recipe! (Focaccia Bread)

Olive & Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia Bread

(from The Garden of Vegan, Barnard & Kramer)

Focaccia is a traditional Italian flatbread which is drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with coarse salt and coarsely chopped herbs, and baked.  These days it comes soft or crisp, thick or thin.  This is our version of a classic favorite...

-1 pizza dough, uncooked:

2 tsp dry active yeast
1&1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp dry sweetener
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt

In a large bowl, stir together the yeast, warm water, and sweetener.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  With a wooden spoon stir in 2 cups of the flour until well combined.  Stir in the remaining flour and salt.  On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 6-8 minutes or until smooth and elastic.  Transfer dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl, turning dough until covered with oil.  Cover with a cloth and set aside in a warm, non-drafty spot and let rise until double in size (approx 1-1&1/2 hours).

-1&1/2 tsp dried rosemary
-1&1/2 tsp dried oregano
-1 tsp coarse sea salt
-1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
-2 tsp olive oil
-1/3 cup olives (your choice), chopped
-1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  In small bowl, mix together the rosemary, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Set aside.  Punch down dough and roll out to form a rectangle.  Place loaf on lightly oiled cookie sheet and let rise for 30 minutes.  Dimple surface of dough all over with fingertips and brush surface with olive oil.  Sprinkle rosemary mixture evenly over dough and top with olives and sun-dried tomatoes.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edge is browned. 

Enjoy!

Sometimes...

(when your non-veg*n friends are at Whole Foods and they come across vegan baked goods... and it makes them "think of YOU", so they just HAVE to pick it up in case you've not seen it before...)

...

Being the "token" Vegan kicks ASS.