Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

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.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

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!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

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."

Saturday, October 16, 2010

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!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Recipe! (Healthy Rice)

...from How It All Vegan (Barnard, Kramer)

4 cups water
2 cups short-grain brown rice
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp cilantro, minced
1/4 small white onion, chopped
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp curry paste
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp flax oil
2 cups kale, chopped

In a medium pot, add the water and rice, boil for 30 minutes on medium heat.  Stir in the garlic, cilantro, and onion and cook 10 minutes more.  Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar, curry paste, salt, oil, and kale.  Makes 2-4 servings.

Enjoy!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Recipe! (The Best Ever Vegan Mac & Cheese)

Seriously.  It's really really really good!  Click HERE for the recipe.  Have a 9x13 baking pan and a blender handy...  You're gonna love this one.  Also, it's gonna feed you, plus 8 or 9 of your friends!

What's Your Milk Substitute?

I suppose we all have our preferences...  I have a particular method myself, too.  Soy milk in my coffee and for baking (the creaminess is similar to whole milk), rice milk in my cereal (consistency of skim milk), and I looooove chocolate almond milk for just drinking out of the carton...  I mean glass.  :)

What is your milk substitute?  Or are you still drinking cow's milk?  Sheesh.  Well, give one of these a try; I promise, you won't regret it!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Recipe! (Quinoa Salad)

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango

from Veganomicon (Moskowitz & Romero)...

serves 4-6

1 mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced as small as you can get it
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
A few leaves of lettuce for garnish

Combine the mango, red bell pepper, scallions, and cilantro in a mixing bowl.  Add the red wine vinegar, grapeseed oil, and salt, and stir to combine.  Add the quinoa and stir until everything is well incorporated.  Fold in the black beans. You can serve immediately or let it sit for a bit for the flavors to meld.  To serve, place a few leaves of lettuce on a plate and scoop some salad on top.  This tastes good chilled and is even better at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Recipe! (Jen's Creamy Basil & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta)

This comes from La Dolce Vegan (Sarah Kramer)...  a GREAT cookbook full of quick, simple, and animal-free recipes.  How much better could it get?

...A wonderful sauce recipe that can be whipped up in a flash while you're waiting for your pasta to cook. 

Dry pasta, enough for 2 people
7-8 sun dried tomatoes
1 package silken tofu
2-3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup fresh basil, tightly packed
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

In a large pot of salted water, boil the pasta.  While the pasta is cooking, in a blender or food processor, blend the sun-dried tomatoes, tofu, garlic, basil, and salt until smooth.  Set aside.  When pasta is almost done, add the broccoli to the pasta water and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.  Drain noodles and broccoli and return cooked to the pot.   Add the basil sauce and toss together well.  Serve immediately.  Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Recipe! (Slow Cooker Chili)

Stolen from the pages of the latest Yoga Journal magazine, by way of The Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World, by Lynn Alley (and modified from vegetarian to vegan).

Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Slow cookers vary, so adjust the temperature of yours to keep the liquid at a low simmer as the beans cook.

2 cups dried kidney or pinto beans
6 cups water
6 allspice berries
1 stick cinnamon
1/2 tsp each: dried Mexican oregano, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds
1/4 tsp aniseed
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1-2 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2  cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
Salt to taste
1/2 cup whipped silken tofu
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions, green part only
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Thoroughly pick through and wash the beans, then place them, along with the water, in a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker insert.  Grind the allspice, cinnamon, oregano, cumin, aniseed, and coriander in an electric coffee mill or with a mortar and pestle and add to the beans.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the beans are tender.

Add the diced onion, garlic, tomatoes, cocoa, and chili powder to the beans and continue cooking for 2 hours.

About a half hour before serving, add the bell pepper and corn to the beans. 

Season with salt to taste.  Ladle into bowls and top each bowl with a dollop of tofu and a sprinkling of green and onion and cilantro.

Enjoy!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Recipe! (Potato-Asparagus Soup)

Potato-Asparagus Soup

This looks ridiculously good, and perfect for filling the belly during the cooler Autumn weather; I can't wait to try it!  From the pages of Vegan With A Vengeance (Moskowitz)...

"I didn't spice this up too much because asparagus is my favorite vegetable and I like its flavor to shine through.  I like to add some fresh dill to each serving but it's completely optional.  If you like a chunkier soup, then just puree half of the soup, or use a handheld blender and puree to your liking."

3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" chunks
1 lb asparagus, rough ends discarded, tips cut into 2" pieces, lower part cut into 1/2" pieces
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, cut into 1/2" dice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
a few dashes black pepper
4 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Place potatoes in a stockpot and cover with cold water.  Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.  Add the asparagus, boil for 3 minutes, drain, and set aside.

Rinse out the pot, then in the same pot saute the onion in the olive oil for 5 to 7 minutes; add the garlic, salt and black pepper; and saute 2 more minutes.  Add the broth and bay leaves, boil for 10 minutes, discard the bay leaves.  Add the potatoes and asparagus, heat through, then puree three-quarters of the soup in a blender or food processor.  Reheat if necessary.  Add a squeeze of lemon and serve garnished with fresh dill.

Enjoy!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Triple Chocolate Cake

I know I'm already deviating from my prescribed plan, but I'm eating the best vegan chocolate cake right now... and I need to share it!  Since I (sure as hell) am not giving you any of mine, click HERE to find out about Fabe's cakes.  I like (no, I luuuuuurve) the triple chocolate.  (Thanks, KEG!)

Enjoy!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Recipe!

Hello friends...

October is Vegetarian Awareness Month (YAY), and I'll be doing my best to post a recipe every day to give you ideas... whether you're a long time veg*n, or someone just starting out!

Since it's Friday (and Fridays are my day off) I have a little extra time this morning to spend in the kitchen.  What will I be doing with that time?  Oh, you guessed it; banana pancakes!

This recipe is a repost from August '09, but definitely worth a second look.  So easy, SO good!  ~just ask my non-veg friends... this is a staple in my "impress the carnies" category~


Banana Pancakes!
-makes 2 or more servings-courtesy of How It All Vegan (Barnard/Kramer)-

On mornings that I find myself with a little more time, having guests for brunch, or just need something warm in my belly... this simple recipe always hits the spot. Sometimes I add blueberries to the batter, too. yyyyum.


1 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 & 1/4 C soy milk
1 Tbsp sweetener (I like raw cane sugar)

sliced fresh fruit (garnish) 


In a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together. In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork and add 1/4 cup of the "milk", mixing together until there are no lumps. Add the banana, sweetener, and remaining "milk" to the dry mix and stir together until JUST mixed. Portion our about 3/4-1 cup of batter onto a hot, non-stick pan or a lightly oiled frying pan and cover with a lid. Let sit on medium heat until the center starts to bubble and become sturdy. Flip pancake over and cook other side until golden brown. Repeat process until all the batter is gone. Garnish with fresh fruit and maple syrup.

 Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Quote

"As soon as I realized that I didn't need meat to survive or to be in good health, I began to see how forlorn it all is. If only we had a different mentality about the drama of the cowboy and the range and all the rest of it. It's a very romantic notion, an entrenched part of American culture, but I've seen, for example, pigs waiting to be slaughtered, and their hysteria and panic was something I shall never forget."
~Cloris Leachman

Friday, August 6, 2010

Dear Einstein Bros.,

(original post 4.26.08; and worth another shout)

I love your bagels. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Yummy-nummy goodness is the only appropriate description for a toasted, cinnamon-raisin bagel with peanut butter. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Seriously.


However... What is the deal with you NOT offering soy milk for your coffee? It's 2010, for cryin' out loud! Some of us don't do dairy. AT ALL. Whether it be for health or ethical reasons, there are quite a few of us out there.


Can't you cut us dairy-free folks a break, and carry soy milk for a perfect vanilla latte to accompany my perfect cinnamon-raisin/peanut butter bagel??? (I wouldn't mind giving my money to someone other than Starbucks...)


Yours Truly,
a bagel-lovin' vegan

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Quote

"Through the practices of yoga, we discover that concern for the happiness and well being of others, including animals, must be an essential part of our own quest for happiness and well being. The fork can be a powerful weapon of mass destruction or a tool to create peace on Earth."  ~Sharon Gannon