tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36612765144957506002024-03-12T20:07:51.062-07:00Flirting With Kindyolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-47806388506606661662013-01-24T19:56:00.001-08:002013-01-24T19:56:19.924-08:00Happy Second Veganniversary to Meeeeeee!Today, in the spirit of <a href="http://thekindlife.com/" target="_blank">living Kind</a>, I shall reflect on something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately...how not to be a vegan douchebag, both online and in the real world.<br />
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Two years ago today I started this Kind experiment that was only supposed to last a week. And somewhere along the way, my perception of the world changed.<br />
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And somewhere along the way, I realized that I’m not cool with eating animals, or the milk they produce, or the eggs they produce, because doing so is cruel, and really not necessary.<br />
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And somewhere along the way, I realized that not only is eating animals and their milk and their eggs unnecessary, but also that I’m actually better off without them.<br />
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And somewhere along the way I became comfortable with identifying myself as vegan, in spite of the militant extremist hippie pre-conceptions that come with this label.<br />
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And I still don’t know if I’m vegan or a vegan.<br />
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Before my shift in consciousness, I was more or less in the willfully ignorant category. My consumption of animal products was never really challenged by anyone, and though I obviously knew that farm animals were dying so I could eat them, I didn’t realize just how cruel this industry was, and had no idea about the cruelty inherent in the dairy and egg industries. Until I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kind-Diet-Simple-Feeling-Losing/dp/1605296449" target="_blank">The Kind Diet</a>, I never had to defend my animal product consumption, and I had no idea just how protective people are over their meat.<br />
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I’m pretty passive for the most part in the real world, happy to share my cookies, accept compliments on my non-leather shoes, and wear my "Eat Veggies Not Friends" shirt with a smile (though I will admit that my "what kind of asshole eats a lamb?" tote may come off as a tad confrontational).<br />
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I am super grateful when people point out the vegan items to me at a dinner party and when my co-worker orders a cheeseless pizza for me at our staff pizza lunch. I am proud of my mom when she puts down the purse she was going to buy at Winners after noticing the “Genuine Leather” tag. I never start the meat = heart disease discussion with anyone or comment on what someone is eating (unless it’s my mother...she gets me and loves me even when I go all preachy on her), though I am happy to give my opinion when prompted.<br />
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And in the facebook world, while I will share certain vegan-y animal rights things I come across on my fb profile, I will never venture over to anyone else’s profile to comment on his burger pic and start a dialogue about it. That, after all, is what public vegan facebook pages are for, as there is no shortage of meat eaters who make their way over to these pages eager to rile up the vegans and voraciously defend eating animals.<br />
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See, before two years ago, I never had to justify or question the morality of eating animals. None of my friends were vegan, and while I knew a few vegetarians, I was never in a position to have to defend my meat eating. Once this was challenged upon reading The Kind Diet, truth and reason and compassion won out, and I changed, because my eating animals was indefensible. So I’m totally fascinated by meat eaters who come on vegan fb pages to defend eating animals.<br />
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I get the whole willful ignorance thing, because I was there, and I get the whole shrug it off as the way of the world thing, because that is the easier way to make sense of it if you want to keep participating in it. But to actually feel that strongly about your right to eat meat and dairy and eggs in spite of the cruelty inherent in this practice, to go out of your way to engage people in a debate about it...I find this somewhat perplexing and entertaining.<br />
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I have certainly come across a ton of douchebag meat eaters, but I’ve also come across a ton of douchebag vegans. Holy crap can we ever be self-righteous, and violent, and insulting, and stupid. And we too are guilty of horrendously massacring the English language with embarrassing violations of spelling and grammar. Don’t you just love how people debating on social media thrive on taking jabs at the other guy’s grammar? <br />
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So to avoid being a douchebag online-vegan, I try to follow a few guidelines before jumping into a debate with a meat eater.<br />
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<i>* Avoid trolls.</i><br />
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Trolls can be pretty funny & entertaining sometimes, but those who frequent vegan pages tend to be rather unimaginative, as they all resort to the same, not particularly original strategy. That would be spouting any variation of “Mmmmm, delicious!” or “Can’t wait to slap one of those on the BBQ!” when commenting on a picture of a cute baby pig or a tortured duck or a bloody skinned animal carcass. Sometimes they’ll post nasty imagery in the hope of offending us overly-sensitive vegans, failing to realize that these are the exact same images the vegan pages post to raise awareness.<br />
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Actually, I haven’t watched <a href="http://earthlings.com/" target="_blank">Earthlings</a>. I think I'd have a brutal time processing it if I did. But I applaud those who have watched it. From what I hear, it's life-changing.<br />
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Anyways, the point is, trolls are only there for their own entertainment, not to actually seek out exchange of ideas. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that they exist because there are plenty of people who respond to them and give them the reaction they crave. So as long as there are idiot vegans who waste their time feeding the trolls on vegan facebook pages, there will be trolls. Therefore, I blame the vegans .<br />
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<i>* Be civil.</i><br />
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I make a valiant effort to avoid engaging in exchange of personal insults, regardless of whether someone is showing me that same courtesy, and regardless of how stupid someone appears to be. Sometimes it’s hard when you have people trying to argue that plants feel pain, and ask about vegans breast feeding their babies (because humans are animals and we’re against using animal products and all), and claim that your whole life philosophy is flawed because you drive a car that kills bugs, and if you were really vegan and against killing you wouldn’t drive a car because it kills bugs.<br />
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Riiiiight...I wouldn’t be walking or breathing either, because walking and breathing kills bugs too. And my car not only has the potential to kill bugs, it can also kill animals. And people. Including other vegans. Whoa. Mind. Blown.<br />
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So to avoid being a douchebag, I reply with sincerity as best I can. And yes, it can be hard to distinguish between the more advanced trolls and people with questionable reasoning skills asking a legitimate question, but sometimes you just gotta take a leap of faith and answer a question genuinely, because ridiculous as it may seem, it might be genuine. And before you think I’m being a condescending vegan douchebag right now by mentioning people’s “questionable reasoning skills”, that’s just because you haven’t dealt with people who accuse us of caring more about suffering animals than suffering people in the world. <br />
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Just google the link between <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20080129tuesday.html" target="_blank">meat consumption and world hunger</a> and tell me again how I care more about dead cows than starving children. Or how caring for one automatically negates caring for the other.<br />
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However, when I balance out all the crap conversations I have with the insightful ones, it’s worth it. If anything, it’s an interesting insight into how people think. And if I don’t think I can carry out a conversation without becoming a vegan douchebag, I just don’t respond.<br />
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<i> * Remember I’m not Chris Pine, and neither is anyone else, except for Chris Pine </i><br />
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With the exception of Chris Pine, perfection does not exist. We live in an imperfect world, and even the most militant vegan cannot live a 100% cruelty-free lifestyle. This doesn’t prevent the douchebag vegan from carefully scrutinizing the lives of others to catch them doing something wrong, because vegans tend to hold certain people and groups up as paradigms of vegan perfection.<br />
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<b>Ellen DeGeneres eats eggs layed by her neighbor’s pet chickens.</b><br />
Whaaaaaaaaat? I hate her. There’s really no ethical argument against what she’s doing, but I hate her. You let me down, vegan Ellen. You let us all down.<br />
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<b>Alicia Silverstone admits to Oprah that she slips up on cheese sometimes at a party</b>.<br />
Whaaaaaaaaat? Alicia, girl, you were my vegan guru. How could you be so cruel? What kind of example are you setting for humanity?<br />
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<b>I listen to my Zooey Deschanel Christmas cd even though Zooey is a spokesperson for Pantene, which tests on animals like a bunch of jerks so we can admire Zooey’s silky hair. </b><br />
Whaaaaaaat? How can I live with myself? I love Zooey and her epic bangs and her folky singing. If I was a true vegan I wouldn't love her or her epic bangs or folky singing. I hang my head in shame.<br />
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To avoid being a douchebag vegan, one must avoid being a <a href="http://theveganvoice.org/the-gotcha-vegan/" target="_blank">“Gotcha” vegan</a>, and acknowledge that nobody is capable of existing on this planet without having some sort of negative effect on it. As James McWilliams says, ethical veganism is not an all or nothing position, and the goal is a world as free of animal exploitation as we can achieve.<br />
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<i>AS WE CAN ACHIEVE</i>.<br />
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There are limitations, but these limitations don’t negate the effort altogether. I’d rather focus on all the positive strides vegan celebrities have made in raising awareness about animal cruelty instead of focussing on their consumption of non-exploitative pet chicken eggs (though why Ellen would still eat eggs baffles me...that shit is gross).<br />
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So onward into Year Three of a Kinder lifestyle. Much to learn, much to eat, and much to look forward to...<br />
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*To clarify: No, Chris Pine is not vegan. However, one day he may be. In the meantime, he makes the world a more beautiful place simply by existing within it and allowing us to bask in the perfection that is his face. Every negative thing that happens in this world can be mitigated simply by looking into his eyes, therefore balancing the state of the universe and allowing him to exist in this world with zero negative impact.
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Hence, he is perfect.
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I ended my<a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/01/genesischocolate-peanut-butter-cups.html" target="_blank"> first official blog post </a>almost two years ago with a quote from <a href="http://wilwheaton.net/" target="_blank">Wil Wheaton</a>.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f1d1d; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, hiraminpro-w3, 'ms mincho', serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><b>The next time some idiot says that gaming and gamers are antisocial, I think I'll mention this ... and then punch them in the dick.</b></i></span><br />
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I ended my <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2012/01/happy-veganniversary-to-meeeee.html" target="_blank">one year veganniversary blog</a> post one year ago with a pic of me and <a href="http://thekindlife.com/" target="_blank">Alicia</a>.
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So it’s only fitting that I jump into Year Three with another pic with Alicia...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahaha that's like the exact same expression as last year. I'm so unoriginal.</td></tr>
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...and another quote from Wil Wheaton, which serves as a good reminder to me as I strive to not be a douchebag vegan.<br />
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When it comes to living vegan, </div>
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I shall try, Wil Wheaton. I shall try.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-69044245629812188202013-01-23T23:32:00.000-08:002013-01-23T23:32:16.766-08:00What Do Vegans Eat...in New York. Part 2.Stand clear of the closing doors, please.<br />
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(Anyone who's ever been to NYC will totally get that.)<br />
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Just as certainly as hearing that phrase eighty-six times a day riding the subway, we came to expect an awesome dining experience at every vegan restaurant we went to in NYC. </div>
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A couple of Asian restaurants on <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/chef-chloe-coscarellis-favorite-vegan-eats-in-nyc/" target="_blank">Chloe Coscarelli's NYC list</a> were <a href="http://www.franchia.com/" target="_blank">Franchia</a> and <a href="http://www.hangawirestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Hangawi</a>. We hit up Franchia for an early dinner on New Years Day before seeing Book of Mormon, and it worked out perfectly. We were running short on time, but because we were there early there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant yet, so we were able to order quickly and get our food quickly. This place has an abundant selection of tea, and though I'm not a fan of tea, I fell in love with their plum iced tea...absolutely delicious.</div>
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Chloe recommended the assorted dumplings<br />
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which we ordered along with brown rice sushi<br />
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and potato pancakes.<br />
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Everything was perfect.<br />
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Rob the Husband especially liked Franchia because of the calm atmosphere and great service, and he just really appreciated how quickly we were able to get in and how the whole dining experience worked out under a time crunch. </div>
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Hangawi is a Korean restaurant on Chloe's list, and definitely one of the more unique places we ate at. You take off your shoes upon entering, and the eating areas are sunken into the floor, so you sit very low. The floor under your table is heated, so it keeps your feet toasty warm, though I don't know how smart it is to make it a policy to remove shoes, especially when you can't predict what people's feet will smell like after a day of wandering around New York.<br />
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But the atmosphere is zen and the food is pretty cool. Rob ordered a sesame porridge that looked like black goo and tasted awesome.<br />
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The combination pancakes were also delicious...very similar to what we had at Franchia.<br />
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The entrees were a bit odd. I ordered the mushroom sizzler, an entree of assorted mushrooms on a stone plate...and that's all it was. Mushrooms. They were great, and I'm a huge fan of mushrooms, but it was weird to get an entree that was just mushrooms...and pay $26 for it. I thought there would be more to it other than a few veggies thrown on top.<br />
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Rob ordered ssam bab...do it yourself lettuce wraps with veggies & rice. Very tasty, but super awkward to put together. It comes with romaine lettuce, and it was impossible to wrap anything in the leaves. Not a particularly elegant dish to eat in such a fancy setting. But it tasted good.<br />
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Hangawi was definitely an experience. The food is good but pricey...maybe that's so they can afford to heat the floors and keep customers' shoeless feet toasty warm.<br />
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It's not only important to keep your feet toasty warm when wandering around NYC, but also the rest of you...which is why we made the trip over the bridge to Brooklyn so I could check out <a href="http://vautecouture.com/" target="_blank">Vaute Couture</a>.<br />
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It is really hard finding warm outerwear that is not made with down or wool, and a few years ago Vaute Couture recognized this and set out to fill the need for fashionable, warm, cruelty-free outerwear. I already had two Vaute coats that I ordered online, and I absolutely love them! So when I realized the actual store was in Brooklyn, I was super excited to be able to go there in person.<br />
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I went in with the intention of finding either a black coat or puffy jacket, but my heart was quickly claimed by the adorable petal pink luxe <a href="http://vautecouture.com/collections/coats/products/yasuko" target="_blank">Yasuko</a>.<br />
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I. Love. This. Coat. Holy. Shit. Do. I. Ever. Love. This. Coat. :) :) :) And it's machine washable. Awwww yeahhhhh.<br />
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I totally lucked out with my timing, because there was a staff meeting in progress when we got there, so I got to meet pretty much everyone, including the founder, <a href="http://vautecouture.com/pages/about-us" target="_blank">Leanne</a>. She was very helpful in recommending her fave vegan eats in the city, including a place that serves a vegan omelette which wasn't on our radar. She was a sweetheart and obliged my request for a pic with her, but made me promise not to tag her on facebook or anything because she was all dressed down...which really didn't matter because the girl is absolutely gorgeous, but ima respect her wishes, because she designs incredible coats.<br />
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Like my adorable petal pink luxe Yasuko.<br />
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I'm in a bad habit of skipping breakfast, especially when I'm traveling, as I'm very rarely hungry in the morning...but I was eager to try the vegan omelette Leanne mentioned, so the next morning we headed to <a href="http://www.theorganicgrill.com/" target="_blank">The Organic Grill</a> for breakfast. This was one of the only places we ate at that wasn't 100% vegan (they serve eggs and dairy from Amish country). I kind of wanted to stick to all vegan restaurants on this trip since there certainly was an abundance of them, but the idea of a vegan omelette (not just a tofu scramble, but an actual friggen omelette) was too interesting to pass up.<br />
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I'm really glad we took Leanne's advice, because the omelette was awesome.<br />
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You choose your own fillings, so I went with spinach, vegan cheese, and cauliflower. I'd never had cauliflower in an omelette (vegan or otherwise), and now I question why that is, because cauliflower totally works in this context...it is seriously good. How have I never, in my 32 years, come across cauliflower as an omelette filling? I've been missing out. And so have you. I suggest you remedy this immediately and make yourself an omelette with cauliflower asap.<br />
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Also on the menu? Vegan perogies. Served with cashew sour cream. How could we not?<br />
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Thumbs up Organic Cafe. Thumbs up indeed.<br />
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The other exception we made to the 100% vegan restaurant plan was an Ethiopian restaurant called Meskell.<br />
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This was the only place we ate at that served meat, but we had to try Ethiopian food in NYC, since Ethiopian cuisine is my absolute favourite food everrrr. We even managed to find an Ethiopian restaurant in Stockholm a few years ago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockholm February 2010</td></tr>
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It's pretty simple to order at an Ethiopian place...we just get the veggie combo and try a bit of everything...cabbage, kale, green beans, lentils, split peas...all served with injera (bread that can be best described as a sourdough crepe).<br />
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Meskell also offered an avocado salad which I had never seen before at an Ethiopian place, so we had that too.<br />
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Because most Ethiopian vegetarian dishes are vegan by default, Ethiopian food is always a great bet for us.<br />
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And no NYC city dining experience would be complete without tracking down a food cart, so we were thrilled to discover <a href="http://www.cinnamonsnail.com/" target="_blank">Cinnamon Snail</a>. I had started following<a href="https://twitter.com/VeganLunchTruck" target="_blank"> these guys on Twitter</a> a few months ago, and they're always in a different location, so you have to check in the morning to find out where they're going to be that day.<br />
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I was expecting a few basic dishes and pastries. I was not expecting this.<br />
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This pastry case was sensory overload for me. You need to understand that when I look into a typical pastry case I'm usually scanning for that one item that might be egg & dairy-free, if I bother to look in the pastry case at all.<br />
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To look into a pastry case as glorious and colorful and interesting as this one with the understanding that nothing is off limits...I think I may have shed a little tear.<br />
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We kinda went nuts on the pastries...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: Lavender pear turnover, marshmallow cookie (it had a really cool name but I forget), raspberry blackout donut, bourbon custard donut, cinnamon snail</td></tr>
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And we still ordered breakfast.<br />
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Don't be fooled by the paper carton presentation. That there is the Standard American Riot...Blue corn pancakes with Vermont maple syrup, scrambled tofu, maple breakfast tempeh strips and greens. You out that on a fancy schmancy plate and you got yourself a fancy schmancy breakfast.<br />
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Friggen blue corn pancakes. Such a unique flavour. Brought me back to my grade 12 trip to Tijuana.<br />
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This breakfast was 5 star hotel worthy. Or so I thought until my 5 star hotel ended up THROWING OUT MY CINNAMON SNAIL PASTRIES.<br />
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Oh yes. Those incredible pastries in the photo above? The Plaza THREW 3.5 OF THEM OUT. Ohhh I was pissed.<br />
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You see, we stayed at the Plaza for the second half of our trip (staying for an entire week was wayyyyyyy out of our tax bracket). When we checked in we were gifted with a lovely fruit tray.<br />
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We had eaten the cherries, grapes and banana, and put our Cinnamon Snail stash on the plate with the remaining fruit.<br />
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And when we got back to the room later that night, it was gone.<br />
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Let me clarify that these were not picked over, half eaten remains. That plate was FULL. We'd only eaten the raspberry blackout donut and half the bourbon custard donut.<br />
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The cinnamon snail? Lavender pear turnover? Marshmallow cookie? Gone. Tossed with half a plate of perfect fruit.<br />
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Really Plaza housekeeping? Really?<br />
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I was more pissed with the wastefulness than anything.<br />
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So a couple of days later we tracked down Cinnamon Snail again. And stocked up. Again.<br />
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They were super busy this afternoon and sold out of a lot of stuff by the time we got there, but we still managed to score some good stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: peanut butter cheesecake brownie, marshmallow cookie, maple glazed donut, coconut Thai basil donut, raspberry cheese danish</td></tr>
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This time I hid the stash in a drawer. Stupid Plaza.<br />
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So we've covered NYC vegan fine dining, casual dining, and food cart dining, which leaves us with the most important dining of all...ice cream dining.<br />
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And for the best tity-milk-free ice cream in New York, and dare I say, the universe, you need look no further than <a href="https://twitter.com/lulasweet" target="_blank">Lula's Sweet Apothecary.</a><br />
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This ice cream is hands down the creamiest, most delicious, most satisfying ice cream I've had since Haagen Dazs. Actually, even if I was still partaking in titty-milk, I'd still choose Lula's over Haagen Dazs.<br />
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Since forsaking titty-milk I've discovered some great dairy-free ice creams that I love. But Lula's blows them all away.</div>
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This is a cashew based ice cream. Absolutely amazing.<br />
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We came here three days in a row. Because it was absolutely amazing.<br />
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Day 1: Rob didn't have any ice cream. He was all like, nah, you go ahead.<br />
Peanut butter chocolate cookie/ orange creamscicle<br />
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Day 2: Rob totally had ice cream.<br />
Orange creamscicle/espresso<br />
Vanilla malt/cookies & cream<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDuQS5mJE70/UQBzxtNgn_I/AAAAAAAACg0/YEaek-1brdk/s1600/IMG_1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDuQS5mJE70/UQBzxtNgn_I/AAAAAAAACg0/YEaek-1brdk/s320/IMG_1744.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 3: My first banana split in 2 years.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OM9e3eA7Hcs/UQDAHo5ASfI/AAAAAAAACtc/8eANBi67k08/s1600/bl20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OM9e3eA7Hcs/UQDAHo5ASfI/AAAAAAAACtc/8eANBi67k08/s320/bl20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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With cinnamon pecan, cookies & cream and chocolate ice cream, drizzled with chocolate fudge and marshmallow fluff, topped with gummy bears, coconut whip, and a maraschino cherry...but not one of those bright red artificially colored cherries...the real deal.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weLThHGOpic/UQB0TqomCPI/AAAAAAAAClY/CHxs1eeSMbM/s1600/IMG_2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weLThHGOpic/UQB0TqomCPI/AAAAAAAAClY/CHxs1eeSMbM/s320/IMG_2107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FofRelLXc8/UQB0UIIc50I/AAAAAAAAClc/LcvsXccqTTI/s1600/IMG_2109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8FofRelLXc8/UQB0UIIc50I/AAAAAAAAClc/LcvsXccqTTI/s320/IMG_2109.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It is ridiculous how happy ice cream makes me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Vancouver,<br />
<br />
We really really really need a Lula's Sweet Apothecary on the west coast.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Yola<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Lula's Sweet Apothecary,<br />
<br />
Please move to Vancouver.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Yola<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
New York was truly breathtaking. It is such a dazzling, dramatic, interesting place. And as much as I would have loved to eat 24/7, even I have my limits. So we did do a few things to pass the time between stuffing our faces...<br />
<br />
Like wandering...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4cvsSv63cU/UQBzh5OUgmI/AAAAAAAACek/Ev_owJRrbMQ/s1600/IMG_1632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4cvsSv63cU/UQBzh5OUgmI/AAAAAAAACek/Ev_owJRrbMQ/s320/IMG_1632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Frolicking...</div>
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Times Square-ing...</div>
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Hailing cabs...</div>
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Stalking SNL...</div>
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Admiring huge balls...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbjQSuvKeao/UQDNrozrY2I/AAAAAAAACys/8ZiZJe6J6Ug/s1600/IMG_2481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbjQSuvKeao/UQDNrozrY2I/AAAAAAAACys/8ZiZJe6J6Ug/s320/IMG_2481.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and huge trees...</div>
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Visiting the Apple cube...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lv32_-skXc/UQDNqvRwI-I/AAAAAAAACyk/pMbUMm5TwS0/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lv32_-skXc/UQDNqvRwI-I/AAAAAAAACyk/pMbUMm5TwS0/s320/IMG_2480.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Appreciating readily accessible vegan literature...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeIo7yqn-sI/UQDNcMH8LpI/AAAAAAAACws/lZq6D7qQQqY/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeIo7yqn-sI/UQDNcMH8LpI/AAAAAAAACws/lZq6D7qQQqY/s320/IMG_2129.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hating on Monsanto...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7K2hGFz5Xag/UQDNoIz6ZGI/AAAAAAAACyU/Ek4vjocajvg/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7K2hGFz5Xag/UQDNoIz6ZGI/AAAAAAAACyU/Ek4vjocajvg/s320/IMG_2477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Giving a dollar to what appears to be an animal rights cause but upon further examination just appears to be a weirdo filming me with an iPad that I totally didn't notice until Rob told me the guy had an iPad and was filming me...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9JuJMuXE8I/UQDNxK0DS8I/AAAAAAAACzg/loKmz8o5LZI/s1600/IMG_2486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9JuJMuXE8I/UQDNxK0DS8I/AAAAAAAACzg/loKmz8o5LZI/s320/IMG_2486.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Occupying Wall Street...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT0WElshmBY/UQBzn1iBVRI/AAAAAAAACfM/qbp5Jj8IcD8/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT0WElshmBY/UQBzn1iBVRI/AAAAAAAACfM/qbp5Jj8IcD8/s320/IMG_1677.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Visiting Thomas Crown...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wp1Hf0hZigI/UQB0SsM2UOI/AAAAAAAAClU/sZAaeGOvTTY/s1600/IMG_2080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wp1Hf0hZigI/UQB0SsM2UOI/AAAAAAAAClU/sZAaeGOvTTY/s320/IMG_2080.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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and Donald Trump...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzBa-zvhvsY/UQBz_bLrrUI/AAAAAAAACio/V_CUgYHVQR4/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzBa-zvhvsY/UQBz_bLrrUI/AAAAAAAACio/V_CUgYHVQR4/s320/IMG_1995.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're fired.</td></tr>
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Searching for Kevin McCallister...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb72lIyuYnY/UQBzm_Ggu8I/AAAAAAAACfA/XXiVdvjhvUw/s1600/IMG_1682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb72lIyuYnY/UQBzm_Ggu8I/AAAAAAAACfA/XXiVdvjhvUw/s320/IMG_1682.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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but finding the Plaza bear instead...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o8E_XsDIsPA/UQDar8XC6sI/AAAAAAAAC1w/7sBtYI_GbbA/s1600/bl24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o8E_XsDIsPA/UQDar8XC6sI/AAAAAAAAC1w/7sBtYI_GbbA/s320/bl24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gettin' our Met on...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXQTZm6Yrzc/UQDNttlgqRI/AAAAAAAACy8/eqNCrj4OFJU/s1600/IMG_2483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXQTZm6Yrzc/UQDNttlgqRI/AAAAAAAACy8/eqNCrj4OFJU/s320/IMG_2483.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq35h12DYBs/UQDNvcjb4UI/AAAAAAAACzU/Eh_DaoRSAg0/s1600/IMG_2484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq35h12DYBs/UQDNvcjb4UI/AAAAAAAACzU/Eh_DaoRSAg0/s320/IMG_2484.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwQTIxYdg7s/UQDarZhfAGI/AAAAAAAAC1o/F23OWvn6Rnc/s1600/bl23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwQTIxYdg7s/UQDarZhfAGI/AAAAAAAAC1o/F23OWvn6Rnc/s320/bl23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a nice little Renoir</td></tr>
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Gettin' our modern art on...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnjvDrCyI4E/UQB0LMV7HEI/AAAAAAAACkQ/WXL_d0KRp-s/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnjvDrCyI4E/UQB0LMV7HEI/AAAAAAAACkQ/WXL_d0KRp-s/s320/IMG_2051.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picasso</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCiq4eVUVJQ/UQB0O8xnElI/AAAAAAAACks/Xbv8LcSEyik/s1600/IMG_2053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCiq4eVUVJQ/UQB0O8xnElI/AAAAAAAACks/Xbv8LcSEyik/s320/IMG_2053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn2i97hEf3U/UQDNvNIZ9XI/AAAAAAAACzM/cDoeXfGtyqg/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn2i97hEf3U/UQDNvNIZ9XI/AAAAAAAACzM/cDoeXfGtyqg/s320/IMG_2485.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warhol</td></tr>
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Gettin' our Public Library on...</div>
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Gettin' our viewpoint on...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM0KW3QusLk/UQBzooFWIyI/AAAAAAAACfQ/89HC9Hu8Bk0/s1600/IMG_1695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM0KW3QusLk/UQBzooFWIyI/AAAAAAAACfQ/89HC9Hu8Bk0/s400/IMG_1695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcna2serYZc/UQB0AXRQ5iI/AAAAAAAACi4/wsxiuNDQIjM/s1600/IMG_1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcna2serYZc/UQB0AXRQ5iI/AAAAAAAACi4/wsxiuNDQIjM/s320/IMG_1999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gettin' our Central Park on...</div>
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And of course, getting my Stella on...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes those are non-leather Stella McCartney boots for 60% off, thank you for asking.</td></tr>
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I love New York :) It's a pretty great place to hang out.</div>
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Except for all the assholes wearing fur. </div>
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yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-75130540307798272632013-01-22T20:28:00.000-08:002013-01-22T21:03:53.531-08:00What do Vegans Eat...in New York. Part 1.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NYC. Wow. Just...wow.</div>
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Just as Christians make pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Muslims make pilgrimages to Mecca, every vegan, at one point in his or her life, must make a pilgrimage to New York.<br />
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This place is a vegan paradise. Or it would be if there weren't so many ignorant people wearing fur. But I digress.<br />
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Rob the Husband and I were lucky enough to cap off 2012 with a much anticipated trip to New York, where we ate, walked, subway-ed, and sight-saw to our hearts' content. But mostly ate.<br />
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I had heard beyond incredible things about New York vegan dining...tales of this mystical place where vegan cafes, casual restaurants, fancy-shmancy restaurants, wine bars, chocolatiers, food carts, bakeries and ice creameries existed in abundance, all in one city.<br />
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I spent the weeks before our trip researching the places we needed to try, and I stumbled across some great recommendations, including a <a href="http://chefchloe.com/blog/chloe-s-favorite-vegan-eats-in-sanfransico-and-new-york.html" target="_blank">top ten list from Chef Chloe Coscarelli</a>, which was most helpful (we ended up eating at 6 of her 10 recommended restaurants). Google was particularly helpful, of course.<br />
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So armed with a loose itinerary, an extra empty suitcase, and a soy hot chocolate no whip, we set off on our red-eye flight to NYC.<br />
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We arrived super early in the morning, and after dropping our luggage off at our hotel, we proceeded to lose our subway virginity and make our way to <a href="http://www.babycakesnyc.com/" target="_blank">Babycakes</a> for a breakfast cupcake.<br />
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Sadly, they were not yet open when we arrived, so we proceeded to wander, and were delightfully surprised to wander right around the corner and find <a href="http://www.mooshoes.com/" target="_blank">Moo Shoes</a>!<br />
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Sadly, they were also not yet open. I guess even in a bustling city like NYC businesses still don't expect to have people beating down their doors on a Sunday morning...unless you're Starbucks.<br />
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We killed some time at Starbucks and at the Tenement museum, and then made our way back to Babycakes for scones and cupcakes.<br />
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My fave? The savoury scone (left). It's packed with veggies and it's moist and salty and awesome. Ended up taking my banana maple cupcake to go...by this point the idea of a cupcake for breakfast had lost its appeal, but I was able to enjoy it later at the hotel.<br />
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Next stop was Moo Shoes, where we met the resident cat in a shoebox, Marlow.<br />
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This is why I love vegan businesses.<br />
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They also provided us with a very handy guide to NYC vegan dining by Farm Sanctuary, which was most helpful for the duration of our trip.<br />
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Oddly enough, I didn't buy any shoes, which left me no choice but to buy purses<br />
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and a pretty awesome tote.<br />
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Don't think I'll be wearing it to school, though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruelty is always out of style.</td></tr>
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On the way back to our hotel for a nap (cuz that's what old people do when they can finally check into their hotel after a red-eye flight) we stumbled upon <a href="http://wildgingerbedford.com/" target="_blank">Wild Ginger</a> and decided to go there for dinner before the Coldplay concert that night since it was very conveniently located close to our hotel. Did I mention we had tickets for Coldplay that night? Cuz we did :)<br />
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I really enjoyed the potato pancakes, dumplings, wontons, and samosas.<br />
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Rob had the fisherman's platter (an array of faux-seafood...which is so weird because even before we went vegan Rob hated seafood), but some of the items were way too fishy tasting for both of us. I have no idea how they simulated such a realistic fishy flavour, but it solidified for me just how over seafood (both real and faux) I am.<br />
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My entree didn't fare much better. Crusted mushrooms sounded promising, but they were extremely sweet...way too sweet for an entire entree. I had like four pieces and I was done.<br />
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The dessert was what brought us in here, and the home-made bananas foster ice cream was enjoyable, for sure.<br />
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So even though we chose our entrees poorly, we did enjoy the appies and dessert, and I was just really pleased to find a vegan restaurant so close to our hotel. The service was quick and we were able to to enjoy our dinner with plenty of time to spare to make our way to Barclays Centre for Coldplay.<br />
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Seriously, mind-blowing concert.<br />
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After seeing Paradise live, I can officially die happy.<br />
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Because we were going to be in NYC over New Years, we toyed with the idea of doing the Times Square thing. But securing a spot in the morning and then waiting all day in the freezing cold just didn't sound like the best use of our time (even if the payoff would be seeing Psy and Hammer doing a Gangnam Style/2 Legit 2 Quit mash up), so instead we made a reso at <a href="http://oneluckyduck.com/pages/pure-food-and-wine" target="_blank">Pure Food and Wine</a> to enjoy our last dinner of 2012.<br />
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This place is all kinds of classy. They had a prix-fixe menu for New Years, so we just ordered one of each of the options when an option for a course was available so we could try everything.<br />
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And as expected, everything was absolutely wonderful. This food is extremely creative, and you know there's all kinds of talent working in that kitchen to bust out food like this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edamame & Mushroom amuse-bouche</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kabocha Squash, Napa Cabbage, and Asian Pear Gyoza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilted Mizuna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celery Soup with Watermelon Radish Crisp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goma Dofu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso Glazed Eggplant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple Ramune Soda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon Sponge Cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Tea Tiramisu</td></tr>
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And yes, we ate it alllllllll.<br />
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Even more impressive is that this place is raw. Raw vegan fine dining? I think 2012 ended on a pretty incredible note.<br />
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We finished dinner in plenty of time to make our way towards Times Square, but at that point the areas around it had been blockaded off. We still managed to score a spot with a view of the ball about 15 blocks away and freeze our asses off for two and a half hours waiting for it to drop. It was worth it though.<br />
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What I started to notice about NYC that differentiated it from Vancouver was that though Vancouver has lots of vegan friendly restaurants, not too many are 100% vegan. In NYC, there was definitely no shortage of 100% vegan restaurants, and we made a point to try as many as humanly possible in the time we had.<br />
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The<a href="http://www.blossomnyc.com/" target="_blank"> Blossom</a> series of restaurants were incredible, and on Chef Chloe's list of recommendations. There are a couple of Cafe Blossoms, as well as a Blossom restaurant. We ended up eating at all three over the duration of our trip. We started with <a href="http://www.blossomnyc.com/cafeblossom.php" target="_blank">Cafe Blossom on Columbus</a> (Upper West Side) for a late breakfast/early lunch on our second day in NYC, and actually ended up eating here again for brunch on our last day.<br />
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Cafe Blossom on Columbus smells super fresh and green when you walk in, probably from the amazing stuff they juice throughout the day.<br />
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First visit:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom Pizza Bites</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oRpHP8cdgtg/UP4yOEFGRyI/AAAAAAAAB_k/ChteLXWLhoQ/s1600/IMG_1886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oRpHP8cdgtg/UP4yOEFGRyI/AAAAAAAAB_k/ChteLXWLhoQ/s320/IMG_1886.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caesar Salad with Tempeh Bacon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubergine Trio, Southern Seitan Sandwich and a side of steamed kale. </td></tr>
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Rob fell in love with their Caesar salad, and ordered it at both of their other locations expecting the same recipe, but it wasn't, which is actually one of the reasons we had to come back to the Columbus location...so he could order the Caesar salad again.<br />
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Second visit: Sunday Brunch Hells Yes<br />
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Rob succeeded in reuniting with his Caesar salad, and we also partook in the tofu benedict, live nachos, and stuffed french toast. And everything was incredible. The flax seed crackers from the nacho dish were exceptionally delicious.</div>
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You can never go wrong with raspberry stuffed French Toast. I mean, just look at that french toast. Dipping it in eggs is so unnecessary.</div>
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And in a realm all its own...the Butterfinger shake.<br />
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It doesn't look like anything spectacular, but you know that thing that happens when certain ingredients come together just right and the stars align just so, and you are completely in awe at how something can be so incredibly delicious that you are transported back to a time when you were a kid tasting something awesome for the first time and getting crazy excited about just how good it was, and you can hardly believe how lucky you are that you get to finish the whole thing?<br />
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Yah, the Butterfinger shake at Cafe Blossom on Columbus totally has that going on. It is ridiculous. I swear they spike it with magic. Soooooo good.<br />
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There is also a <a href="http://blossomnyc.com/cafecarmine_menu.php" target="_blank">Cafe Blossom on Carmine</a> (Greenwich Village), which we ate at on our last night in New York.<br />
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Disregard my posing like an idiot.<br />
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We had the absolute best service at this one thanks to an incredible waitress who totally reminded me of Emma Stone. She was from Toronto, and she knew <a href="http://www.govegan.net/" target="_blank">Sarah Kramer</a>, and was just superduper friendly and awesome and made our last dinner in NYC even more special. Of course, the food helped with that too...<br />
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Hello appies! Those would be Caesar salad (but not as good as the Caesar salad at the Columbus location), cashew cheese dumplings with tamari plum sauce, and trumpet mushroom scallops with cauliflower puree...<br />
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Hello entrees! Miso mustard risotto with mushrooms and seitan mushroom sliders...<br />
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Hello dessert special! Goji berry cheesecake w/ cacao nibs...<br />
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Loved this place. So. Much.<br />
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In addition to both Cafe Blossoms, there is also just Blossom. Also amazing. I guess the difference is that Blossom is mainly a dinner place, though they are open for lunch on weekends.<br />
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Very busy and very cosy. We got a nice little table right by the front window. And I'm running out of adjectives to describe how awesome Blossom food is, so I'll let the pics do the talking...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--i6uk-KdBio/UP4zLzyYNeI/AAAAAAAACI8/khVT6MC297k/s1600/P1090676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--i6uk-KdBio/UP4zLzyYNeI/AAAAAAAACI8/khVT6MC297k/s320/P1090676.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caesar salad (but not as good as the one at Cafe Blossom on Columbus)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3aOALoKuHI/UP4zMIO9kVI/AAAAAAAACJE/dxpmiUi9MAk/s1600/P1090679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3aOALoKuHI/UP4zMIO9kVI/AAAAAAAACJE/dxpmiUi9MAk/s320/P1090679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcini cigars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8a9SARjlJN4/UP4zLjAGSpI/AAAAAAAACI4/GTfbsiRgOTc/s1600/P1090677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8a9SARjlJN4/UP4zLjAGSpI/AAAAAAAACI4/GTfbsiRgOTc/s320/P1090677.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw zucchini lasagne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmFZFS7UJJk/UP4zNT9nMaI/AAAAAAAACJQ/NSkTjRtapMQ/s1600/P1090681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmFZFS7UJJk/UP4zNT9nMaI/AAAAAAAACJQ/NSkTjRtapMQ/s320/P1090681.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tofu in brandy cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SFgFja3BiE/UP4zOn6cIzI/AAAAAAAACJg/0hxhTiGuY-0/s1600/P1090682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SFgFja3BiE/UP4zOn6cIzI/AAAAAAAACJg/0hxhTiGuY-0/s320/P1090682.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port wine seitan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFjtli4C0rM/UP4zNywkVWI/AAAAAAAACJY/oL8VqSZgtZ4/s1600/P1090685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFjtli4C0rM/UP4zNywkVWI/AAAAAAAACJY/oL8VqSZgtZ4/s320/P1090685.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut lavender creme brulee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khlxhkkQJIQ/UP4zOl5ZZBI/AAAAAAAACJk/ujtd2NaDz-w/s1600/P1090686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khlxhkkQJIQ/UP4zOl5ZZBI/AAAAAAAACJk/ujtd2NaDz-w/s320/P1090686.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple cinnamon sticks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Holy food O. It was complete culinary debauchery in the best way possible. And I gotta give a shout out to the porcini cigars...phyllo wrapped mushrooms swimming in cashew pesto? Damn, I'm a lucky girl.</div>
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To sum up our Blossom experience...four meals at three Blossoms, all nothing short of spectacular. </div>
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And then there was <a href="http://www.candle79.com/" target="_blank">Candle 79</a>. NYC's premier vegan oasis. And indeed it is.</div>
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I had first heard about Candle 79 from Alicia Silverstone on her Kind Life blog over a year ago, and I've been dying to go there ever since. There is also a more casual Candle Cafe, so we just decided to give both a try in one day...Candle Cafe for lunch, and Candle 79 for dinner.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhH-yEysZwE/UP5WeEf_G3I/AAAAAAAACPE/NMUY_Z47JEQ/s1600/bl7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhH-yEysZwE/UP5WeEf_G3I/AAAAAAAACPE/NMUY_Z47JEQ/s320/bl7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Real time update...I just realized that there are two Candle Cafes...west and east. We totally missed Candle Cafe West. I'm seriously kind of devastated right now.<br />
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Shake it off, shake it off.<br />
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Sad face :(</div>
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Anyways, <a href="http://www.candlecafe.com/" target="_blank">Candle Cafe</a> was very similar to Cafe Blossom on Columbus in terms of the type of food they offered and the atmosphere. I loved everything about it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8n_kzv1wpWc/UP9VwDKJkwI/AAAAAAAACQk/EDbFwZGndpE/s1600/IMG_1949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8n_kzv1wpWc/UP9VwDKJkwI/AAAAAAAACQk/EDbFwZGndpE/s320/IMG_1949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That would be a sweet potato pie smoothie on the left (with almond milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and maple syrup) and a chia concord smoothie on the right (with pear, concord grapes, banana, pomegranate, and chia seeds). The average vegan (aka emaciated hippie) would be dissuaded from ordering an appy and entree and dessert when starting lunch with such a huge smoothie. But I'm not your average emaciated hippie. </div>
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Hence the appy,<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj8jDjRdL0k/UP9VuSLTAjI/AAAAAAAACQM/5pP9ZvdhOe4/s1600/IMG_1947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj8jDjRdL0k/UP9VuSLTAjI/AAAAAAAACQM/5pP9ZvdhOe4/s320/IMG_1947.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seitan chimchurri skewers as per Chef Chloe's recommendation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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entrees,<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fs86bORF2M/UP9VwtFCbrI/AAAAAAAACQs/O7b2tDfMbnY/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fs86bORF2M/UP9VwtFCbrI/AAAAAAAACQs/O7b2tDfMbnY/s320/IMG_1951.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcini mushroom crusted seitan and Paradise casserole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1051hzudxnQ/UP9VxDTXaWI/AAAAAAAACQ0/uDNg8y0ncdg/s1600/IMG_1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1051hzudxnQ/UP9VxDTXaWI/AAAAAAAACQ0/uDNg8y0ncdg/s320/IMG_1952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of my paradise casserole...layers of millet, black bean, and sweet potato</td></tr>
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and dessert.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_jCS_P3iwE/UP9Vy3geNfI/AAAAAAAACQ8/XQHYhxYWeyA/s1600/IMG_1953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_jCS_P3iwE/UP9Vy3geNfI/AAAAAAAACQ8/XQHYhxYWeyA/s320/IMG_1953.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate peanut butter cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We pretty much planned our days around where and when we would be eating. So knowing we had to work off this awesome lunch and work up an appetite for dinner at Candle 79 later that night, I made sure to cry extra hard watching War Horse that afternoon.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKg4lH8Bqx8/UP9bk3qzzVI/AAAAAAAACZk/44I3OQMLSgI/s1600/IMG_1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKg4lH8Bqx8/UP9bk3qzzVI/AAAAAAAACZk/44I3OQMLSgI/s320/IMG_1955.jpg" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">No lie, that show tore me to pieces.</span></a></div>
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Candle 79 most definitely lived up to all the hype. It was packed. Such a classy, elegant place.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqvRJlL0fUM/UP9gC7oJIhI/AAAAAAAACaw/dGDrR_Y6i3Y/s1600/bl8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqvRJlL0fUM/UP9gC7oJIhI/AAAAAAAACaw/dGDrR_Y6i3Y/s320/bl8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And as expected, the food was exquisite.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkfCJJyxsCE/UP9WfJ2EO5I/AAAAAAAACXk/S0J3C74QJY8/s1600/P1090641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkfCJJyxsCE/UP9WfJ2EO5I/AAAAAAAACXk/S0J3C74QJY8/s320/P1090641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't even remember what the amuse-bouche was, but I totally love the concept of an amuse-bouche</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHw79VLGCY/UP9WejrTlzI/AAAAAAAACXY/VrKQZAH3qXg/s1600/P1090644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHw79VLGCY/UP9WejrTlzI/AAAAAAAACXY/VrKQZAH3qXg/s320/P1090644.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickpea crepe with mushrooms, beans & squash</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah571ArD7rk/UP9Wfa7caEI/AAAAAAAACXg/Jm6HSvXzdAc/s1600/P1090645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah571ArD7rk/UP9Wfa7caEI/AAAAAAAACXg/Jm6HSvXzdAc/s320/P1090645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade live cheese plate</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsaX3gSTWzw/UP9Wf8GxD9I/AAAAAAAACXw/Ca2lOlZSuWE/s1600/P1090646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsaX3gSTWzw/UP9Wf8GxD9I/AAAAAAAACXw/Ca2lOlZSuWE/s320/P1090646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranate chipotle-grilled tempeh</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIhnPmpBk9c/UP9WhbXYOII/AAAAAAAACYA/8l-3LR4oMUM/s1600/P1090648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIhnPmpBk9c/UP9WhbXYOII/AAAAAAAACYA/8l-3LR4oMUM/s320/P1090648.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom butternut risotto</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMxOQGV3w7E/UP9WhrZV7nI/AAAAAAAACYI/NHZKHyYk4yU/s1600/P1090651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMxOQGV3w7E/UP9WhrZV7nI/AAAAAAAACYI/NHZKHyYk4yU/s320/P1090651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion rings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrzsb6V_8nw/UP9WiJF0F0I/AAAAAAAACYM/mAcL8BMWzOo/s1600/P1090652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrzsb6V_8nw/UP9WiJF0F0I/AAAAAAAACYM/mAcL8BMWzOo/s320/P1090652.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannoli!!! Friggen vegan cannoli!!! Holy shit I can eat cannoli!!!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTTYNso9UpQ/UP9t4jIzxnI/AAAAAAAACdE/-qSEh3N50QM/s1600/IMG_1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTTYNso9UpQ/UP9t4jIzxnI/AAAAAAAACdE/-qSEh3N50QM/s320/IMG_1960.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See this? This is me EATING CANNOLI!</td></tr>
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Dear Candle 79,</div>
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I want to live in you forever.</div>
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Sincerely, </div>
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Yola.</div>
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Dear Vancouver, </div>
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We need more vegan fine dining. </div>
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Sincerely, </div>
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Yola</div>
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Oh NYC. Sooo much great eating. Sooo much great shopping. And I'm nowhere near done singing your praises. But that's enough for one post. My new years resolution is to have way shorter blog posts. Actually that's not true. My new years resolution is to finally use the breadmaker I got for my wedding...almost 10 years ago.</div>
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And to learn all the words to all the Book of Mormon songs.</div>
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yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-86110516046762852832012-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:45:13.247-08:00Polish Christmas Eve with No Deprivation WhatsoeverOn Christmas Eve, Rob the Husband made a lovely little facebook post, plagiarizing sayings from Whole Foods gift cards to wish everyone a Merry Christmas:<br />
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A friend then proceeded to comment, wishing him luck with his Merry Christmas, insinuating that it wouldn't be very merry or tasty because us vegans are deprived of eating tasty animals in our Christmas celebrating.<br />
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I read this commentary not long after waddling away from the dining room, having just stuffed myself with traditional veganized Polish food and a few new dishes from Chloe's Kitchen that made their way into our Christmas dinner buffet, and I couldn't help but laugh. I really don't know whether our lovely friend was just taking a silly jab at us for the fun of it, or whether she truly believes that Christmas dinner cannot be enjoyed without a carcass on the table. Either way, I was entertained.<br />
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I proceeded to finish my apple cake square and lick the titty-milk-free cream cheese icing off my fingers before responding, assuring her that there was no deprivation during our Christmas celebrating. In fact, it turned out to be the kind of delicious excess you feel kinda shitty and embarrassed about, knowing that there are so many people in the world who would be privileged to eat a fraction of what we feasted on that night.<br />
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So, just what DO vegans of the Polish persuasion (or Polaks of the vegan persuasion, if you prefer) eat on Christmas Eve?<br />
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First, they start with<a href="http://www.theppk.com/2010/12/matrioshka-eggnog/" target="_blank"> eggnog a la Isa Chandra</a>, and spike it with a crap-ton of Filipino rum (mmmm...Tanduay...). Of course they provide an unleaded version for the kiddies and for those not wishing to partake in the rum-fueled deliciousness. Take note...when the alcoholic version disappears and you wonder what to do with the abundant leftovers of the non-alcoholic version, the solution is simple: add rum.<br />
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Next, they pay homage to their Italian brethren by eating crostini. Specifically, Chef Chloe's <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=4197&catId=11" target="_blank">Artichoke Walnut Pesto Crostini</a>. This is a tangy, bright, vibrant appy, really taken up a notch thanks to an abundance of fresh parsley (of which I am not usually a fan...but it's awesome in this dish).<br />
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They also appreciate when their cousin brings a delicious tomato basil crostini appy to add to the crostini awesomeness.<br />
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Every good Polak knows that it's not Christmas Eve without the borscht, and you can't have borscht on Christmas Eve without the uszka, and you have no business eating uszka if you don't <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2012/01/very-vegan-christmas-crazy-belated-but.html" target="_blank">realize that they are called uszka (which translates into "ears") because they actually look like ears</a>. So before hitting up the buffet in the kitchen, they sit down at the dining room table while the Polish moms come around and ladle out borscht over bowls of uszka. And within seconds the cream colored tablecloth is splattered with splotches of bright red as the first course of beet soup is eagerly consumed, thus signaling the official beginning of Christmas Eve in a Polish household.<br />
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And because there are 22 people at the table and this isn't the Royal Palace where each person is served simultaneously by impeccably dressed waiters in white gloves, everybody loads up their plates in the kitchen, where an incredible buffet of Christmas dinner awesomeness awaits.<br />
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The vegans are grateful that Polish Christmas Eve is traditionally meat-free, and they attempt to ignore the deceased sea creatures on the table (brought by guests). Instead, they load up on mom's incredible cooking, as well as some incredible Chloe Coscarelli dishes deemed appropriate for this night:<br />
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~ Mushroom perogies. Pure happiness. My mom learned how to make egg-less perogy dough last Christmas, and the world has been a brighter place ever since.<br />
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~ Meatless cabbage rolls. Mom started making these last Christmas, subbing in lots of delicious, meaty mushrooms for the traditional carcasses that go into cabbage rolls, once again, earning my eternal gratitude.<br />
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***I will concede, that if I was unable to partake in perogies and cabbage rolls on Christmas Eve, I would indeed be feeling a bit deprived, as my friend suggested. Alas, this is not the case, because my mom is an awesome veganizer of Polish food :) ***<br />
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~ <a href="http://vegocracy.blogspot.ca/2012/11/dining-in-thyme-for-creamy-scalloped.html" target="_blank">Thyme for Creamy Scalloped Potatoes.</a><br />
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These are simply amazing. Superduper creamy (thanks to a garlicky, thyme-y cashew cream sauce) but with no greasy, nasty butter or pooled oily bits on top of the potatoes. Thyme is an absolutely beautiful seasoning...just don't expect to find it at an Asian or Indian grocery store. I went to both T&T and Fruiticana, asked for the herb thyme, and the produce people at both stores proceeded to pull out their iPhones and tell me the time. <br />
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I doubled the sauce because I made a slightly larger batch of potatoes and I like my potatoes extra creamy.<br />
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~ <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/a-vegetarian-thanksgiving-table/" target="_blank">Coconut Mashed Yams</a><br />
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These were a real hit. I screwed up and mashed in too much coconut milk, making my yams a bit too mushy, but the flavour was not impacted in any way. These are super sweet and perfectly seasoned for the holidays with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Mixing in the currents is the perfect finishing touch. Absolutely loved these.<br />
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~ Garlicky Greens<br />
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Hellooo kale! This was a last minute addition to the Christmas Eve menu, just cuz I wanted more green on the table, and it was super simple to prepare. Rob did complain while he was washing and tearing four bunches of kale, claiming it would be wayyyy too much, even though I kept assuring him that it would shrink when cooked. And then he saw how much it shrunk (shrank or shrunk?) when it wilted on the pan and claimed that I was right and he would never question me again (that's how it went down in my mind, anyway).<br />
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Nothing too exciting to say about the garlicky kale. It was good. It was kale.<br />
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~ <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/08/health/20101108_thanksgiving.html#Maple-Roasted_Brussels_Sprouts_With_Toasted_Hazelnuts" target="_blank">Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Hazelnuts</a><br />
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Believe it or not, these were the belle of the ball. Who would have thought that friggen BRUSSELS SPROUTS would be the most celebrated dish of the evening?? I was never one of those kids who hated brussels sprouts, but I was also never particularly excited about them. So imagine my surprise when my 11 year old niece (my 11 year old EXTREMELY picky niece) saw them roasting in the oven and was all like, "Awesome! Brussels sprouts!"<br />
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At first I thought she was being sarcastic. She wasn't.<br />
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I was so impressed that I had to take a pic of her eating the brussels sprouts.<br />
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Notice that it was one of only three things that made the cut on her plate. And her facial expression has more to do with how weird I am for taking a picture of her eating brussels sprouts than a reflection of their taste, because she genuinely did love them, as did everyone who tried them. There were only a few stray sprouts left in the casserole dish at the end of the evening. Score!<br />
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So even though there were a few seafood dishes (brought by our guests) in our Christmas Eve spread, I had more than enough food to enjoy on Christmas Eve. I should have sent my friend a pic of my plate to assuage her concerns that I was deprived this Christmas.<br />
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Clockwise from top: Thyme for Creamy Scalloped Potatoes, green salad with my mom's homemade dressing, mom's sweet carrots, cabbage rolls, Coconut Mashed Yams, cabbage & chickpeas, bigos #1 (cabbage and mushrooms), bigos #2, Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Hazelnuts, Garlicky Kale, and perogies in the middle.<br />
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I almost finished it all. Almost.<br />
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Had to leave room for dessert, after all...<br />
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Oh hello Chloe's <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=grRQZ7yHvq4C&pg=PA225&lpg=PA225&dq=chloe+coscarelli+iced+apple+cake&source=bl&ots=2O_ER-Rvn0&sig=FB7jEVL8HkoCstLmb2ncLIT5_fY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qF7fUPHuBuiKiALHu4DwCw&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=chloe%20coscarelli%20iced%20apple%20cake&f=false" target="_blank">Iced Apple Cake Squares</a>, <a href="http://foodwhimzy.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/chloe-cs-sea-salt-toffee-bars/" target="_blank">Sea Salt Toffee Bars</a>, and <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/vegan-recipes-from-chef-chloe-coscarelli/" target="_blank">Cinnamon Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>.<br />
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The apple cake is one of my new fave desserts. It'll definitely be only a once in a while thing, as there is a lot of oil in it (though I might have to try it with applesauce), but oh man is it ever moist and delicious. I changed up the icing from the recipe, and iced it with a cream cheese icing made with Tofutti cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla. So decadent. I used the leftover icing to use for dipping strawberries. Holy Yum.<br />
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The Sea Salt Toffee Bars are also a once in a while indulgence, and are ridiculously sweet so you can only enjoy them in small doses. But oh man, the salt mixing in with the chocolate and sugary centre of the bar is something to smile about.<br />
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The cinnamon espresso chocolate chip cookies were a hit when I brought them to work earlier this year, prompting many a recipe request from my fellow staff members. While I had already been cookied out by this Christmas (having made them several times in the last couple of months), they have earned their place as a staple in my cookie arsenal. I just have to make sure not to overdo them next year so I can still enjoy them by the time Christmas rolls around.<br />
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When I first started flirting with the idea of veganism almost two years ago, one of my concerns was what I was going to do over the holidays. I naturally associated Christmas with a big dead bird on the table, and I had a hard time envisioning Christmas without one at the time.<br />
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It's amazing how much ones point of view can shift so dramatically in a relatively short period of time. When I now see ads for BC turkey farmers and images of families gathered around the revered turkey carcass on their Christmas table, all I see is unnecessary cruelty, suffering, and death. And apathy.<br />
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I was apathetic for most of my life, and now that the blinders have come off, I am fascinated by how fiercely protective and defensive people are over their right to carve into that dead, tortured bird on their Christmas table.<br />
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As luck would have it, Polish tradition is a meatless Christmas Eve, which made it pretty easy hosting this year. Yes, the fish on the table was a huge, sad turnoff for me, but I don't want to be a militant vegan bitch, so I dealt with it. But we certainly didn't need it to enjoy an amazing Christmas dinner.<br />
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You know what I discovered I really did need to enjoy an amazing Christmas Eve? My two year old goddaughter in a Santa dress looking for the baby Jesus in the manger...<br />
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Because while the food element can certainly consume a lot of our time and energy around Christmas, a little girl excited to find the baby Jesus in the manger might be just a bit more relevant.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-76363844874449270952012-11-24T14:46:00.000-08:002012-11-24T14:49:51.373-08:00I Love this Soup...Pumpkins Do NotA couple of weeks ago I was gifted some pumpkin. Not a pumpkin...some pumpkin, as in chopped up pieces of what I assume was a smiley Hallowe'en pumpkin that brought joy to children before being chopped up and ending up in a big ziplock baggie in the back of my fridge.<br />
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The nice thing about any type of squash is that this stuff lasts. Squash is the kind of thing you can totally forget about and find one day behind the Vegenaise and pickles as you're rummaging through the fridge, and you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover it because it's still in perfectly usable condition.<br />
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Problem is, I've never cooked with pumpkin before. Pumpkin puree, of course. But actual pumpkin parts that didn't come out of a can, no. Easy fix...internet to the rescue!<br />
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I googled vegan pumpkin soup, and sorted through a few recipes unenthusiastically until I came across <a href="http://foodandspice.blogspot.ca/2011/10/curry-laced-pumpkin-and-potato-soup.html" target="_blank">Curry-Laced Pumpkin and Potato Soup</a> from <a href="http://foodandspice.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Lisa's Kitchen.</a><br />
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Oh Lisa, you had me at "Curry-Laced."<br />
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I had all the ingredients necessary, and was finally won over when I noticed that it was a pureed soup. I LOVE making pureed soups because you don't actually have to put any effort into nicely dicing anything. You can just roughly chop up everything, boil it up in the pot, and then let the blender take care of the rest.<br />
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So I chopped everything up...<br />
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...boiled it up in the pot...<br />
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...and the blender took care of the rest.<br />
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Well holy crap that was stupid easy.<br />
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Rob the Husband noticed the curry as soon as he walked into the house.<br />
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This is a fragrant, savory soup, very convenient to prepare, and it's high on the awesome flavour scale. The curry really pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin and the potato, which provide a lovely creamy texture. I threw in some croutons because I'm crouton obsessed, but it totally doesn't need them.<br />
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I'm not usually comfortable going outside of my beloved cookbooks and venturing into the vast world of online recipes, but in this case the gamble paid off. We both very much enjoyed this soup and will most definitely be repeating the recipe. It's super quick, super easy, and super delicious. I'm a fan.<br />
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<i>Rob's rating:</i><br />
<i>4.5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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<i>My rating:</i><br />
<i>4 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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You know who's probably not a fan? The pumpkin :(<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9t-TGeLj5A/ULB2yQby3MI/AAAAAAAABzQ/yJzbHlqe1PI/s1600/sad+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9t-TGeLj5A/ULB2yQby3MI/AAAAAAAABzQ/yJzbHlqe1PI/s320/sad+pumpkin.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*found this gem of an image at TheSpookyVegan*</td></tr>
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-26735129649476874682012-11-23T15:18:00.001-08:002012-11-23T15:54:12.965-08:00Thankful for Kind Cupcakes & PieThe thing about Blogging is that I've discovered I kind of suck at it. Blog posts are supposed to be short & sweet (good reads for people with short attention spans who have a million and twelve other things that they could be looking at on the internet) and frequent (none of these crazy long breaks of several weeks -or in my case months- between posts).<br />
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Despite resigning myself to the reality that I suck at it, I find that I really do enjoy it. Kind of like singing. It's totally therapeutic. And having avoided blogging for a few months, I have a greater appreciation for how much I do enjoy it, if for no other reason than because I like talking about kind food, and I like looking at pictures of kind food, and I like preparing kind food, and I like going out and eating kind food and then talking about the kind food I ate. Same goes for kind shoes and kind purses and kind makeup and kind car seats.<br />
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Kind stuff is awesome.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to my latest kind obsession. For my birthday in September I got a stunning cookbook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451636741/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=chechl-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1451636741" target="_blank">Chloe's Kitchen</a> by the incredibly talented and adorable<a href="http://chefchloe.com/" target="_blank"> Chloe Coscarelli.</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaQ9egB_tM/UK_-uk2BDMI/AAAAAAAAByo/QqljeDq_PMI/s1600/chloebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaQ9egB_tM/UK_-uk2BDMI/AAAAAAAAByo/QqljeDq_PMI/s320/chloebook.png" width="255" /></a></div>
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She gained recognition after blowing away the competition on <a href="http://chefchloe.com/videos/vegan-cupcakes-take-top-honors-on-cupcake-wars.html" target="_blank">Cupcake Wars</a> with her vegan cupcakes, and has been charming the world with her insanely delicious food and lovable personality ever since. She definitely won me over, as evidenced by my almost daily quality time with her cookbook.<br />
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I seriously want to quit my job and just stay home all day and cook and bake stuff out of this book.<br />
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Anybody would after trying the recipe that sealed the deal for her on Cupcake Wars...the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/2012/09/chef-chloes-award-winning-ginger-nutmeg-spice-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">Ginger Nutmeg Spice Cupcake</a> (Chloe's Kitchen p. 201).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDZp7hLZLOE/UK_2ZH3L9mI/AAAAAAAABxA/xIIsZ8PTlX0/s1600/Thanks+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDZp7hLZLOE/UK_2ZH3L9mI/AAAAAAAABxA/xIIsZ8PTlX0/s320/Thanks+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I tried this recipe last month in preparation for Thanksgiving (us crazy Canadians celebrate in October). We spent Thanksgiving with some lovely friends, and I was especially thankful because they were hosting our first totally vegan Thanksgiving :) Not all our friends are vegan of course, but it is especially convenient having Thanksgiving dinner with the ones that are.<br />
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I was tasked with bringing dessert, and of course Chloe's cupcakes instantly came to mind as the perfect fall dessert...I mean, how could you go wrong with pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and a Cupcake Wars championship title? Yahhhhh...you really can't.<br />
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Unless you're allergic to cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, as is one of my co-workers. Then you could totally go wrong with this recipe. But that's the ONLY time, because this recipe is otherwise seriously perfect in every way imaginable.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZeSnJsxtcs/UK_2bO9drtI/AAAAAAAABxI/c8bGk_xy7JA/s1600/Thanks+6+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZeSnJsxtcs/UK_2bO9drtI/AAAAAAAABxI/c8bGk_xy7JA/s320/Thanks+6+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cake itself is moist and the spices come through beautifully, balanced perfectly with the fluffy vanilla bean buttercream. It's super easy to make too...the hardest thing about this recipe is scraping out the vanilla bean. The date caramel is the perfect finishing touch, and is also super easy to make...I just threw all the ingredients in my magic bullet (I did find that the recipe yielded wayyyy more date caramel than I needed). Now I just need to get one of those squeeze bottles for drizzling it on the icing.<br />
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I was so thrilled with the results that I gave into my inner fangirl and tweeted the pic to Chef Chloe...and being the sweetheart she is she made my night and re-tweeted me, because she is awesome like that :)<br />
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So these cupcakes were definitely a go for Thanksgiving dinner, but to put a festive spin on them I colored my Thanksgiving batch orange (with natural food coloring of course).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLRA-EUuYcc/UK_2WtdTwAI/AAAAAAAABw4/EF1979yUQ_Y/s1600/Thanks+4+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLRA-EUuYcc/UK_2WtdTwAI/AAAAAAAABw4/EF1979yUQ_Y/s320/Thanks+4+.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And to keep them safe I transported them in my nifty little cupcake transporter, a birthday gift from my bff :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQBzJxSoiUQ/UK_2TBY9AtI/AAAAAAAABww/PvHdWCYCqqM/s1600/Thanks+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQBzJxSoiUQ/UK_2TBY9AtI/AAAAAAAABww/PvHdWCYCqqM/s320/Thanks+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And because I'm Polish and we're all about overdoing it in the food department, I also made <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/cosmos-apple-pie_n_1151671.html" target="_blank">Cosmos Apple Pie</a> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Pie-Sky-Out---This-World/dp/0738212741/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321566506&sr=1-1&tag=vglnkc7195-20" target="_blank">Vegan Pie in the Sky</a> (p. 125) topped with<a href="http://www.theppk.com/2011/04/rad-whip/" target="_blank"> Rad Whip </a>(Vegan Pie in the Sky p. 199) which I paired with <a href="http://coconutbliss.com/coconut-bliss-products/ginger-cookie-caramel" target="_blank">Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss Ginger Cookie Caramel</a> ice cream, resulting in the most amazing pie-ice cream combo to ever grace a Thanksgiving table. It was declared (and I quote), "The most incredible apple pie any of us have ever tasted."<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuW6OxcNFM/UK_9RjS5okI/AAAAAAAAByg/yxdbi881fAc/s1600/Thanks+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuW6OxcNFM/UK_9RjS5okI/AAAAAAAAByg/yxdbi881fAc/s320/Thanks+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Rob's Rating: </i><br />
<i>Ginger Nutmeg Spice Cupcakes - 4.5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
<i>Cosmos Apple Pie - 5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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<i>My Rating:</i><br />
<i>Ginger Nutmeg Spice Cupcakes - 5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
<i>Cosmos Apple Pie - 5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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Both desserts were absolute perfection in my opinion. I definitely felt the earth shatter and heard the cherubim singing.<br />
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It was a pretty perfect end to an incredible kind Thanksgiving dinner of white borscht, millet cakes, breaded Gardein cutlets, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, gnocchi, and veggies.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZl0vkA5Qs/UK_2QP9e_-I/AAAAAAAABwg/wipj5YVszu4/s1600/Thanks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZl0vkA5Qs/UK_2QP9e_-I/AAAAAAAABwg/wipj5YVszu4/s320/Thanks+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The table looks so pretty without a big dead bird in the middle.<br />
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Indeed, I am thankful for the start of kinder traditions.<br />
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And in the spirit of sharing our thankfulness, I'm thankful for my handsome Galahad's first mom, who sent me the above pic, and I'm thankful that she entrusted me with him when she had to find him a new home a few years ago.<br />
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And I'm thankful for banned ads, because when something is banned it makes people all the more inclined to watch it.<br />
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And I'm thankful for sanctuaries and rescue organizations and wonderful, compassionate people who appreciate the beauty and value and dignity of all sentient beings.<br />
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And rainbows. I'm definitely thankful for rainbows.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-34229409074136848932012-08-02T17:38:00.000-07:002012-08-02T17:38:41.548-07:00Viva Las Vegan!Ahhh Vegas...a land of indulgence and debauchery, where you can forget about reality for a while and lose yourself in a world of entertainment, gambling, eating, shopping, and not have a care in the world.<br />
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Until you get the Visa bill.<br />
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But let's not bring ourselves down with silly things like the unpleasant reality of financial responsibilities. Rather, let us lose ourselves in a world where vegan fine dining is quickly emerging among the steak and lobster and (nasty) foie gras typically found in the multitude of classy Vegas restaurants.<br />
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:)<br />
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This year, <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/07/vegan-vegas-vaycay.html" target="_blank">as we did the year before</a>, we went to Vegas to celebrate my <a href="http://bachoochie.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">bff's</a> birthday.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbjuqG_8M4k/UBrJ2mW7ZUI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ynSbR3Ud6_I/s1600/P1080521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbjuqG_8M4k/UBrJ2mW7ZUI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ynSbR3Ud6_I/s320/P1080521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was an extra special trip for her because it was also her babymoon :) Yes indeed, bff Jr. will be making his appearance this December :) Superduper exciting!!<br />
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I've been to Vegas a few times, and one of my favourite restaurants is <a href="http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/sensi.aspx" target="_blank">Sensi</a> at Bellagio. The space is very calming, almost spa-like, with beautiful blues and beiges and browns and water features and a glass kitchen in the centre of the restaurant so you can see your food being prepared.<br />
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Sadly, in recent years we had stopped eating there because of the nasty Sonoma foie gras on their menu. Last year when our friends ate there they left this helpful suggestion on their receipt...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_oipuY99E4/UBsQdmgNQQI/AAAAAAAABuo/1iGyGTZdKsE/s1600/receipt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_oipuY99E4/UBsQdmgNQQI/AAAAAAAABuo/1iGyGTZdKsE/s320/receipt.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Given that foie gras sale and production was banned in California on July 1, 2012, I was hopeful that the Sonoma foie gras would be off the Sensi menu this year.<br />
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And indeed it was!<br />
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I was thrilled, especially since I had heard amazing things about a vegan risotto that was not on the menu, and I was eager to try it. So we made a reso and met the bff and her husband/babydaddy J for a delicious evening of Sensi awesomeness.<br />
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Appies to start the evening off...I think yes. <br />
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Heirloom tomato melon salad and arugula beet salad (easily veganized)<br />
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Light, tasty. Pretty perfect appies, in my opinion, though Rob the Husband was a little bored. </div>
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His boredom was short-lived, however, upon being presented with his sweet corn risotto entree:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7dqSJXOt8/UBrJlZk4-3I/AAAAAAAABp4/6hu0wtZv9DU/s1600/P1080507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mW7dqSJXOt8/UBrJlZk4-3I/AAAAAAAABp4/6hu0wtZv9DU/s320/P1080507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was pretty dang spectacular, and I have no idea why they don't feature it on their regular menu. The sweet corn really makes this risotto something special, lending a fantastic contrasting texture to the typical creaminess of the risotto. Why is this not on the regular menu??? Insanity.<br />
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As per our waiter's suggestion, I ordered the Diver Scallops with Asian vegetables and Jasmine rice, except they replaced the scallops with tofu. Meaning, they actually cut the tofu into the shape of scallops and seared it like they would sear scallops. Awesome :)<br />
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My tofu looks like scallops :) I love that :) :) :) And I'm a huge fan of Asian veggies and curry any day of the week, especially when there are mushrooms involved, so yah, this dish was absolutely perfect. I love seeing creativity and care go into specialty dishes, and I love when a chef treats a dietary request as an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, not as an inconvenience.<br />
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Seriously great dinner. And you know what goes great with a seriously great dinner? Seriously great dessert.<br />
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Now, normally, I don't get too enthused about desserts from non-vegetarian restaurants, since I always end up with the default sorbet. Which is still delicious, don't get me wrong. But because it's literally the ONLY dessert that most restaurants have to offer in the tittymilk-free department, it's just not that exciting.<br />
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Unless it's served in an ice sculpture.<br />
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Hells yes.<br />
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Sensi delivered. Amazing, creative food. Wonderful service. And a badass ice bowl to make a normally ho-hum sorbet dessert something memorable (the coconut sorbet on the bottom left, by the way, was remarkable).<br />
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And how better to distract people from their car payment, I mean, dinner bill, than with a light-up receipt pad.<br />
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And of course, we had to express our joy at seeing the diseased livers of tortured, force fed ducks and geese off the menu.<br />
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My printing looks like that of a 12 year old.<br />
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And to let the world know how awesome Sensi was for removing the livers of tortured, force fed ducks and geese from the menu, I tweeted my joy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnyh18Sx6w/UBsZM1q6GtI/AAAAAAAABvY/0RS2KMYAXR4/s1600/tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnyh18Sx6w/UBsZM1q6GtI/AAAAAAAABvY/0RS2KMYAXR4/s320/tweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Bellagio responded!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDqx8l_4QM8/UBsZNaBtL1I/AAAAAAAABvg/CLGfs80WX0g/s1600/tweet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDqx8l_4QM8/UBsZNaBtL1I/AAAAAAAABvg/CLGfs80WX0g/s320/tweet2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, I got really excited when Bellagio tweeted back at me :) Cuz I'm a fangirl like that.<br />
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After seeing Cirque Du Soleil's Elvis show (holy crap what a great time...stacking 4 guys vertically one on top of the other...CRAZY) we ended up gambling back at Bellagio, and since it's Vegas, if you're hungry at 1am, you eat, so we ate.<br />
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And even though the latte art on J's tittymilk latte was pretty lame...<br />
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...I was actually impressed with the food we were able to order at that hour.<br />
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Mushroom tacos and a portobello sandwich? Works for me.</div>
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The next day, because my favourite food in the universe is Ethiopian food, and Ethiopian food always has lots of vegan options, we journeyed off the strip in search of an Ethiopian place, and ended up at Mercato.</div>
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The thing about Ethiopian food is that it doesn't look particularly appetizing (I've had friends compare it to vomit at various stages of the digestive process), but it tastes amazing. The spices and flavours are bold, and you can't beat the variety you get in one sitting. My favourite is always anything cabbage (2:00 above).</div>
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This meal, which also included a HUGE tomato salad in which we barely made a dent, two of those lentil samosa things, and a Coke (I know...I'm going to hell) cost just under $20. In Vegas. $20. That's like the cost of a cocktail on the strip. Apparently we risked our lives venturing out there, as our cab driver warned us that this wasn't the safest area of town, but it was worth it. A carcass-free meal for $20. How can you go wrong?</div>
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The Visa was only relieved temporarily, as later that evening we returned to the strip for dinner at Encore. Any Wynn/Encore restaurant is a given for us, considering the incredible vegan menus they feature since Steve Wynn's vegan conversion. </div>
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Sadly, most of the restaurants at Wynn and Encore still serve foie gras, and as much as I would love to support the vegan incentive at these establishments, the nasty foie gras on the menu overshadows the phenomenal vegan options, and I can't dine there in good conscience. </div>
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Happily, there are a few that do not serve foie gras (or at least didn't have it on the menu when we were there), and among them is the gorgeous, classy<a href="http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/FineDining/Sinatra" target="_blank"> Sinatra</a>. </div>
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Here at Sinatra they have a beautiful vegan menu, and a seriously beautiful vegan Caesar Salad. </div>
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Considering how they stack the leaves you could play Jenga with this thing (I am totally dating myself with that reference). But I ate it before any Jenga playing commenced, as the creamy, fragrant dressing was irresistable. I could have ordered two more of these and called it a night, but then I would have missed out on my Gardein Marsala with forest mushrooms and potato gnocchi.</div>
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This was soooo creamy and rich and ridiculously caloric I'm sure, and Wow, was it ever impressive. Gardein never fails to amaze me, and when it's prepared by an executive chef, magic happens. That right there is love on a plate.</div>
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Anybody who thinks they could never give up meat needs to try this dish, because you get the best of everything on that plate...incredible, satisfying food with no hormones, no suffering, no death, and no artery-clogging cholesterol. Still a lot of fat, I'm sure, with that decaent marsala sauce, so this would never be a daily indulgence, but at $33 a plate, that's a good thing.</div>
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I also got to sample Rob's heirloom tomato soup and agnolotti with asparagus sauce.</div>
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Those orange droplets in the soup are basil oil. Seriously stunning soup. The agnolotti was delicious too, but way too small for Rob in terms of portion size. He could have eaten at least twice that, and he was finished before I was even halfway through my entree. We often joke about what we affectionately call "Voila!" portions at fancy shmancy restaurants, but in this case, even though the dish was very rich and carb-laden, it was definitely too small. Either that or Rob was just especially hungry that evening. Usually I'm able to polish off more food than him. </div>
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The benefit of Rob's small entree was that he ordered his own dessert. Usually he just has some of mine cuz we're both too full to order two, but this time it was dessert double duty. </div>
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My frutti di bosco with coconut sorbet came with the cutest candy spring. It would actually spring when you pushed down and released it. I was ridiculously entertained.<br />
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And of course I helped myself to Rob's chocolate plate of awesomeness.<br />
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Oh look. Vegan desserts that aren't just sorbet. What a concept. Take note restaurants of the universe! Not just for the sake of people with an aversion to the idea of consuming tittymilk, but maybe for like the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2009-08-30-lactose-intolerance_N.htm" target="_blank">60 percent of people with lactose intolerance</a>. And that's a conservative number.<br />
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But I digress.<br />
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Thumbs up Sinatra for an absolutely stunning carcass-free dinner in the land of indulgence.<br />
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And stepping out onto the adorable butterflies on the floor at Encore was pretty sweet too. Such a gorgeous hotel.<br />
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We came back to this end of the strip the next day for brunch, to Tableau at Wynn.<br />
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My pineapple juice looks so classy with a pineapple juice colored rose beside it.<br />
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Blueberry pancakes? Yes please.<br />
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Tofu benedict with potato hash? Yes please.<br />
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Yet another successful excursion to a Wynn restaurant thanks to their awesome vegan menu.</div>
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And no trip to Vegas would be complete without a visit to Wolfgang Puck, who I love not only because his food is yum but especially because he refuses to serve foie gras at any of his restaurants. We have made it a point to try all six of his Vegas restaurants, and with the bff's official b-day dinner at <a href="http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3801" target="_blank">Cut</a> this time around, we now only have two to go.</div>
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Cut, you say? Vegans eating at a steak house? Egad! What are we thinking? Granted, when the server brought out the cuts of raw beef for J to select his steak from I was more than a little turned off, but I was still looking forward to a decent meal. </div>
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Butter lettuce with avocado and champagne-herb vinaigrette (they just left out the bleu cheese). It was a good appie, and like the Sinatra Caesar salad, I loved the way it was assembled. </div>
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Unlike Sinatra and Sensi, Cut didn't really have anything to offer in terms of a vegan entree. The best they could do was put together a medley of side dishes, which was still very tasty. </div>
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Clockwise from top left: honey glazed root veggies (honey's a grey area for me), roasted potatoes, wild field mushrooms with Japanese shishito peppers, and a bunch of beans and peas. It was good. The mushrooms were actually very, very good. Everything was tasty, and even though it wasn't really an entree, and considering we were eating in a steak house, I enjoyed it and was grateful for it. <br />
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Dessert...surprise surprise.<br />
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Still, it was a Wolfgang, I didn't have to worry about foie gras on the menu, and the ambience was very cool...super modern and industrial. A swell way to end our Vegas excursion and a swell place to celebrate the bff's b-day.<br />
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All in all, Vegas was an awesome time.<br />
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Stellar eats. Stellar gambling.<br />
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Stellar Stella McCartney store.<br />
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Stellar new Stella McCartney Falabella purse :)<br />
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Yahhh :)<br />
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But she deserves a blog post all her own.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-39889834834488571892012-07-07T09:30:00.000-07:002012-07-07T09:30:46.060-07:00Boon Burger...Keepin' it Classy in the 'PegI recently took a little trip out to Winnipeg to deal with some *ahem* family issues, which actually resulted in a full out blowout in true white-trash style outside on a driveway in a residential neighbourhood like something you'd see on an episode of Cops, complete with a skinny dirtbag in a wife-beater with his jeans falling down his ass shouting expletives that would make any grandma blush...unless that grandma didn't speak much English, and thankfully mine does not.<br />
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This is the part where I'm supposed to say haha just kidding...I wish.<br />
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Needless to say, this wasn't the most pleasant trip to my hometown.<br />
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To make up for the overall unpleasant nature of this visit, Rob the Husband and I took advantage of our down-time and took refuge in Canada's first all vegan burger cafe, the delightful and amazing <a href="http://www.boonburger.ca/" target="_blank">Boon Burger</a>.<br />
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Four days in a row.<br />
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Boon Burger <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/ontv/shows/you-gotta-eat-here/videos.html?titleid=265117" target="_blank">was featured on <i>You Gotta Eat Here</i> </a> not too long ago, so you know they're doing something right. You can fast forward to about the 7:30 mark in the episode to see Boon, or you can watch from the beginning and see the story on Jelly Modern Donuts...drool. If they busted out a vegan donut I'd be there in a heartbeat.<br />
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This was my first time in the 'Peg since going vegan and since Boon Burger opened, but I have had the privilege of trying their food before. Rob had made a trip over in December and brought me back a burger, which I ate at room temperature driving home from the airport. And while I was able to get an idea of what Boon was all about from that imported burger, I was super excited to be able to try it out fresh.<br />
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<b>Day One: </b><br />
The first thing that caught my eye when I walked into Boon Burger was the plate of brownies on the counter calling my name. I ordered one of those immediately, because the burgers looked pretty big and I didn't want to be too full for dessert. They served it up with a little cup of vanilla soft serve (the flavour of the day), and holy crap was this ever a chewy, fudgy, indulgent brownie. It's the perfect size to get your brownie fix without grossing yourself out, and for $2.50, is a most worthwhile addition to any meal.<br />
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Rob's cousin became a huge Boon fan after we introduced him to the world of vegan burgers at <a href="http://lovinghutvancouver.ca/Vancouver_LH/HOME.html" target="_blank">Loving Hut</a> a couple of months ago when he came to visit us in BC. Since then he's become a Boon regular and has been tagging us in his fb posts at Boon and rubbing it in our faces every time he goes. Thanks, dude. Thanks. He came with us to Boon on this day and had the Backyard BBQ Burger minus the sauerkraut. What Polak doesn't like sauerkraut??<br />
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My first burger was going to be the one Rob had imported for me back in December...the Bacun Cheese Burger.<br />
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It's traditional and awesome with daiya and smokey bacun (tofu bacun that is) and typical condiments. The patty is their Boon patty made with mushrooms and brown rice. This was seriously delicious and especially satisfying in terms of taste and texture. When you watch how they make the patties on <i>You Gotta Eat Here</i> you can appreciate how much goes into them. They are baked, which is not typical for a burger, and this results in a truly unique and delicious burger experience. Top that patty awesomeness with gooey melty daiya and accentuate it with a couple of smokey bacun strips and you're good to go. <br />
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Rob had the less traditional Thanksgiving Burger, which the owner made and showcased on <i>You Gotta Eat Here.</i><br />
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This is unlike anything I've ever had before in terms of a burger experience. The potato-crusted patty sits between layers of yams, cranberry sauce and gravy. OMG. No, really...Oh. Em. Gee. I cannot even begin to describe the insanity that is the Thanksgiving Burger. It's super messy and when you take a bite out of it the gravy and cranberry sauce dribble down your chin, but ohhhh is it ever worth it. Especially when you get a particularly sweet mouthful of the glazed yams. It's just comfort food bliss at its best.<br />
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Being my first time at Boon I of course wanted to try everything, so we also ordered a Caesar salad and poutine and a vanilla shake, which complimented everything beautifully but proved difficult to finish. I was definitely glad I ate that brownie first :)<br />
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<b>Day Two:</b><br />
Having ordered way too much food the day before, I resigned myself to stick to just a burger and no sides...but started off with a brownie again. This time it was served with blueberry chocolate soft serve...which at first appeared to be a mistake, like someone started making blueberry soft serve but then someone added chocolate and then they were like oh crap now what? But you know what? The blueberry-chocolate, intentional or not, totally worked. It was actually my favourite out of the four flavours I had over the four days I was there. So of course we ordered the shake as well:)<br />
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I had the Backyard BBQ Burger, which came with sweet mustard and sauerkraut, but unlike Rob's cousin the day before, I was a good Polak and kept the sauerkraut.<br />
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Really really tasty. Thumbs up bbq sauce, thumbs up sauerkraut, and thumbs up to their in-house mayo. No need for the unfertilized products of chicken reproductive cycles in the mayo at Boon.<br />
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Rob had the Bombay Talkie Burger, another one featured on <i>You Gotta Eat Here.</i><br />
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Once again, Holy Crap did Rob ever nail his burger selection. This one is made with the buddah patty (a curried chickpea patty) and topped with yams, bacun, daiya and an insane bombay sauce. Like the Thanksgiving Burger, the Bombay Talkie has the most delightful sweetness to it, which contrasts beautifully with the curried patty. There is just soooo much great stuff going on in this one burger.<br />
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Wow. I realize I'm gushing like a fangirl. Well, if Wentworth Miller and Chris Pine came in vegan burger form, they would be the Thanksgiving Burger and the Bombay Talkie.<br />
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<b>Day Three:</b></div>
This was a special day for us at Boon because we brought Rob's Babcia with us for her first vegan burger experience. After we explained exactly what "vegan" meant (in her 87 years she had never heard of such a thing), she and her government-issued teeth were up for anything.<br />
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Including a brownie to start. Yes, I am so predictable. Chocolate soft serve and chocolate shake today. Score.<br />
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We decided to only order two burgers since Babcia would only eat a fraction of one, so I got the Salsa Burger... a black bean patty with avocado, daiya, corn chips and (duh) salsa.<br />
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The chips added a fun, crunchy texture which reminded me of when I used to put chips on my sandwiches at picnics. I knife and forked this one because I cut up a half for Babcia, which she didn't eat. She was too busy working her way through Rob's Oslo Burger.<br />
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The Oslo Burger was consistent with Rob's pattern of ordering burgers with a sweetness to them. It came with caper sauce and cranberry sauce, as well as gravy, beets and sauerkraut. And once again, holy crap was it delicious. Seriously delicious.<br />
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I discovered on this trip that I really like a hint of sweetness in my burgers. I didn't have a single bad experience with any of the burgers I tried, but the ones Rob ordered had an edge over mine, and I'm realizing it's the unique sweet flavours they had going on.<br />
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Babcia really enjoyed the Oslo burger, and couldn't believe there was no meat in it at all.<br />
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87 years old!! Such a sweet lady :) How does she stay so active? Frank's Red Hot Sauce...she puts that sh*t on everything.<br />
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<b>Day Four: Morning of departure... </b><br />
The way our flight was scheduled, we had just enough time on our last day in Winnipeg to hit up Boon just after they opened, eat comfortably, and make our flight back home. I hadn't had a burger with Boon's red pepper peach chutney yet, so I tried the Buddah burger made with (surprise surprise) the Buddah patty and slathered in chutney and curry mayo.<br />
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Definitely another winner. Is this place capable of making a bad burger? The Buddah Burger was very Indian-inspired in terms of the noticeable curry flavour, and just really, really delicious. I ordered sesame fries, which are baked and crispy and salty and perfect, just the way I like 'em.<br />
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For his last Boon meal, instead of trying something new, Rob went with the tried, tested and true Thanksgiving Burger. As they placed it in front of us the gravy and cranberry sauce dripped out over the patty making for a pretty delicious photo op. I mean, just look at that drippy goodness!<br />
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That's a beautiful burger.<br />
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I did have the brownie again (four for four!), which was served with blueberry soft serve, and of course we ordered the blueberry shake.<br />
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Four vegan shakes in four days. No tittymilk. Whose brilliant idea is it to put tittymilk in a shake when there are such ridiculously delicious tittymilk-free options?? Wake up ice cream overlords!<br />
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Well, until the ice cream overlords come to their senses, if you are in the Winnipeg area and you desire some seriously delicious soft serve or a seriously delicious shake and you'd rather not have that shake made with cow tittymilk, hit up Boon. And if they happen to have the blueberry-chocolate again, do a happy dance, cuz damn that was a unique and delicious flavour.<br />
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I'd like to find something negative to say about this place just so this post isn't all "I'm vegan and this is a vegan burger joint so ima just praise the shit out of it for the sake of supporting a cruelty-free business that is in line with my moral compass." Ummm...the visa terminal wasn't working on our last day there so we had to pay cash. How dare they have a technical problem?<br />
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Seriously, though. The food here is amazing. Not just passable meat-wannabe vegan fare. Truly amazing. The flavours are creative, the quality is superb, and the love is definitely evident in the food. Some of the burgers are messy as hell, and to be honest, my first experience with the square burger bun was a tad disconcerting. A square bun? Revolutionary.<br />
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The faves? Thanksgiving and Bombay Talkie.<br />
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Pricing? Around $8 per burger. More than typical fast food, but unlike a typical fast food burger, a Boon burger is generously sized and will actually fill you up, and it isn't made of crap. Even Babcia was happy with the price for the product. When a woman with candy in her pantry from 1994 thinks a burger is a reasonable price, you know it's so. Killer cruelty-free burgers and a clear conscience? I'm sold.<br />
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And for the record, no it wasn't Rob the Husband in the wife beater with his pants falling down his ass...although he did shout a few expletives. Rob's never worn a beater in all the years I've known him, and I've always wondered what he'd look like in one....hmmm...t-shirt tan with bright white shoulders and tanned forearms...<br />
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Yahhhh, never mind.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-68700597372865094342012-06-24T18:24:00.002-07:002012-06-24T18:28:08.654-07:00My New Hero, Philip WollenSaw a <a href="http://freefromharm.org/videos/educational-inspiring-talks/philip-wollen-australian-philanthropist-former-vp-of-citibank-makes-blazing-animal-rights-speech/" target="_blank">speech by Philip Wollen</a> today. Blown away. Brilliant speech. Brilliant speaker. Brilliant message.<br />
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I'm so thankful for people like this.<br />
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I'm in the process of editing a video from my school's mission trip to the Philippines that I need to have burned and ready to distribute to my students in 4 days before summer holidays, so I hope to get that done and then (when I have my life back) watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNED7GJLY7I" target="_blank">the entire debate</a> and jot down some coherent thoughts.<br />
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Until then, holy shit, did this guy nail it.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-60446740710887781432012-06-19T15:36:00.000-07:002012-06-19T15:36:40.620-07:00I Love it When We're Cruising Together: Part TwoSo I don't sound like a spoiled uppity shrew<br />
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who complains about cruise ship food when there are people starving all over the world, let me preface the following spoiled uppity shrew complaining with this: I am grateful to exist in a part of the world where I am not wanting for any necessities, especially healthy, wholesome, easily accessible food. I am simply comparing my cruise dining experience as someone who does not eat animal products with the dining experiences of my fellow cruisers, and the expectations people have when paying for a product and service.<br />
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When I have the luxury of choosing where I eat, I will choose restaurants with creative and appealing and delicious vegan options. When I go to a restaurant that is not my choice, I am usually able to make the best of it and am content with pretty much anything, complete meal or not. Obviously, if I go to The Keg, my dining experience isn't going to be as great as that of my omnivore friends because I'll be seriously limited in my selection and will likely have to settle for a few random sides and maybe a salad if I'm lucky. I'll still go because I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to spend time with my friends or insist that every restaurant we go to has decent vegan options. I'll probably nibble my dry baked potato (it'll only be dry if I forget to bring my own Tupperware midget full of Earth Balance butter and Tofutti sour cream) and down a few martinis to keep myself entertained, enjoying everyone's company. And then I'll just head to <a href="http://thenaam.com/" target="_blank">The Naam</a> afterwards for some Dutch Apple Cranberry Pie with a scoop of vanilla Tofulatti to salvage the evening. They're open 24-7 y'all. It's all good. I'm easy.<br />
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The problem with cruising is that it's not like I just have one "vegan at The Keg" dinner to sit through. It's Every. Single. Night. My family had a set dining time in a set dining room, and it was an awesome way to reconnect at the end of the day and spend time together. That is, after all, the purpose of cruising with people you love and don't get to see very often. And I thought that since they actually had a "VEGAN" box for me to click on my pre-cruising profile, they would totally be on board with rockin' vegan alternatives.<br />
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Especially considering the growing awareness of food allergies and intolerances, of which dairy is pretty huge, I would have expected a staff that serves such a huge variety of people from all over the world would totally be educated in this area and the menu would feature dining alternatives that work for a variety of food intolerances and lifestyle choices, which would limit the special meals that would have to be prepared. I feel for a chef and prep crew that has to feed thousands of people at a time, and then has to deal with special dining requests. I actually didn't think my specialty diet was all that special.<br />
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When it came to dinner on the ship, my family (all 15 of us) had a scheduled dining time of 6pm every evening. I really enjoyed this, as we were always sure to see each other at least once during the day, even if we spent that day doing different things.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dining room was elegant, there were a couple of formal nights over the course of the week, and it was a really classy experience every night. We had two tables for all of us, and it was really nice to just sit and visit and share the day's experiences. Everyone ordered off a menu that changed nightly, and the food was always really beautifully prepared and creative, especially considering the sheer number of people the kitchen had to serve. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On our first night there the head waiter sought me out, aware of my vegan food preference from when I filled out my personal profile. I told him that I wasn't picky and I was happy to eat anything off the regular meal that happened to be vegan, and if there were no vegan entrees I was happy to eat whatever they came up with. Seems simple enough.</span>
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So that first night I thought I was in luck, seeing a vegan by default melon appetizer on the menu. It was refreshing, and a pretty perfect way to start off this dinner experience. <br />
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The kitchen wasn't prepared to do a special meal that first evening, so I just ordered a pasta dish off the regular menu, minus the chicken. Easily veganized without the chicken, right?</div>
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Apparently not, as it turned out they weren' big on individualizing a mass prepared dish by making one without chicken. Swell.</div>
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I just picked the chicken off (I'm not big on sending food back and wasting it unless it's absolutely necessary), and I ended up really enjoying this dish. The sauce tasted super fresh and reeeeally delicious. It actually stands out as a highlight of my cruise dining, right up there with their guacamole. I looked past the bits of chicken carcass and was able to really appreciate this pasta.<br />
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The next evening I had a specially prepared vegan entree coming, so as the waiter was taking our orders I asked him if he could just let me know whether any appies on that night's menu were meat & dairy free. He suggested the chilled peach soup and salad.</div>
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The soup was very good...like eating peachy applesauce.</div>
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Then as the waiter was putting my salad down in front of me he said, "Oh sorry, there's cheese."<br />
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Yup, there was. And apparently he missed the bacon.<br />
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Ok. So first they can't hold the chicken when I order pasta, and now they recommend a salad with cheese and bacon.<br />
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That's ok. I'm a passive, happy Virgo who never wants to be that annoying pain in the ass vegan who's all picky and difficult at dinner just because she doesn't want to eat carcasses and titty milk.<br />
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So I thank him for the salad and eat around the cheese and bacon. After all, the staff is crazy busy, and it's only the second night. There's still plenty of time to figure it out.<br />
<br />
When my specially prepared entree comes it's pasta with the same delicious sauce from the night before and some deep fried, flavourless tofu. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Essentially the same dish two nights in a row, but whatever. It did taste very good (except for the ho-hum tofu).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NasGNQvgqO8/T8h0N0kFF_I/AAAAAAAABfE/pp2SFtdv3_E/s320/P1070540.jpg" /></span></div>
<br />
Luckily my godson was able to keep me entertained to make up for the boring tofu.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHxbZ11UXAY/T8h0L1SHU_I/AAAAAAAABek/EqTjSOH1A3w/s1600/P1070528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WHxbZ11UXAY/T8h0L1SHU_I/AAAAAAAABek/EqTjSOH1A3w/s320/P1070528.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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As the nights went on, when it came to dinner service, I came to realize that this vegan thing was more of an inconvenience than I thought it would be. I did have vegan entrees coming each night, but our dinners consisted of four courses (2 appies, entree, dessert), so I was always inquiring about whether any appetizers that night were vegan. The waiter was always pleasant and very friendly, but he never really seemed to know anything for sure, and it became apparent over the course of the week that he never bothered to find out in advance. I get that he had a ton of people to serve each night, but I figured it would be way easier for him to just ask someone in the know what appies were vegan friendly that night and let me know rather than having to deal with me asking him about each appy that looked potentially vegan.<br />
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Here's my idea of how things should have gone in a perfect world:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Good evening! So today you can order ____________ or ____________.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>or</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Good evening! Today you can order ___________ but it comes with <</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>animal product>.</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>or</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> Good evening! Sorry, no appetizers are ok for you today. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Me</b>: Thank you very much :)</span></div>
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Instead, this is how things went for the most part.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Good evening! What would you like?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> Is there any dairy in the <<u>appy option 1></u>?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Ummmm....yes, I think so.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me: </b>Ok, how about the<u> <appy option 2></u>? Any dairy in that?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Ummmm....I'm not sure. <i>*Starts getting fidgety because he has a crapload of other orders to take and time is tight*</i>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> What about <<u>appy option 3></u>? Is that one safe? Can you recommend something?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> <i>*looks over at menu* </i>Well, you could try the...hmmm... <<u>appy option 4></u>...no wait that's made with cream....um...this one has shrimp...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me: </b> Ok, I'll just get <<u>appy option 2></u>, but can you check if there's dairy in it, and if there is, then I'll pass. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Yes. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> Thank you very much :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>and</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter:</b> Good evening! What would you like?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> Is anything safe today?</span></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter: </b>Hmmm...no, I don't think so. </span></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> Ok.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><i>*Waiter proceeds to take everyone else's orders. Just before he leaves our table I inquire again...*</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> What about the <u><appy option 1></u>? It seems ok. Is it made with cream?</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Waiter: </b>Oh...ummm. No, that's fine. </span></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b>Me:</b> Ok, I'll have the <u><appy option 1></u>. Thank you very much :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
It got pretty tiresome, for both of us. But he was still always super friendly, and so was I. I can't say one negative thing about his demeanor. But there just wasn't that extra effort to make the ordering process easier for both of us by informing himself about the menu beforehand. Granted, I don't know what goes on behind the scenes in the kitchen, and it's clear that the staff works super hard and super fast to get things done on schedule. But when you're dealing with the same people for the whole week, you come to hope they come to give a shit. <br />
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I don't know. Are my expectations too high? I just think it would have simplified things if the wait staff knew the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of menu items for specialty diets. But from my experience, it really didn't seem like they had much experience or interest in dealing with that.<br />
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So over the course of the week I made due by lucking out with some vegan by default appies or just picking around appies that were mostly vegan...<br />
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Elegant and absolutely delicious pineapple wedge with honey (it's a grey area for me) and pistachios. I left the ricotta cheese behind.</div>
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Another chilled soup...I think it was cantelope this time. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfuGBXmG5Do/T8h0R9UL3LI/AAAAAAAABgE/l9VJEE8nhVE/s1600/P1070587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfuGBXmG5Do/T8h0R9UL3LI/AAAAAAAABgE/l9VJEE8nhVE/s320/P1070587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kiwi and grapefruit with fruit puree. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBcvwzHOJMw/T8h0ZLxFvgI/AAAAAAAABhk/A2zPxUNwbCI/s1600/P1070692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBcvwzHOJMw/T8h0ZLxFvgI/AAAAAAAABhk/A2zPxUNwbCI/s320/P1070692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Really good salad. Yummy dressing. </div>
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Salad. Not memorable.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAa8ifq3JUo/T8h0SfRp5CI/AAAAAAAABgM/tr0CbJrp9zU/s1600/P1070588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RAa8ifq3JUo/T8h0SfRp5CI/AAAAAAAABgM/tr0CbJrp9zU/s320/P1070588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another salad. Also not memorable.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn0DaxB-jKk/T8h0RpqZ7wI/AAAAAAAABf8/7ev6VneadBE/s1600/P1070586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn0DaxB-jKk/T8h0RpqZ7wI/AAAAAAAABf8/7ev6VneadBE/s320/P1070586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And of course, bread. Yes, that is my Tupperware midget of Earth Balance, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">which came in very handy. I know. I'm a loser. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now....bring on the entrees! I never stated any preference for my specialty entrees; I just trusted whatever they wanted to prepare.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Veggie stirfry with tofu. Or Tofu stirfry with veggies. It was all right. Same boring tofu as before. But whatever. It was food.</div>
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This one was just depressing. An entree of mushrooms, rice, and yam fries. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? This is like the absolute least inspired meal I think I've ever had. </div>
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Getting better. I LOVE cabbage, and the browned garlic gave this whole dish really great flavour. Thumbs up.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpGBO9My6Nw/T8h0cm7xW4I/AAAAAAAABic/6OqMsJtCCCo/s1600/P1070758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpGBO9My6Nw/T8h0cm7xW4I/AAAAAAAABic/6OqMsJtCCCo/s320/P1070758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty. Grilled eggplant & zucchini. Tasty sauce. Enjoyable. </div>
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More grilled veg. Tasted good, but been there, done that. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Stuffed pepper. A bit more creative, but stuffed with uninspired white rice. I love asparagus, though. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> That was the world of Ruby Princess vegan entrees in a nutshell. I appreciated the effort...except for the mushroom & rice night. Seriously, what was that?? Effing mushrooms and white rice for dinner? Yah, there's something to replenish the body at the end of an eventful day. Really, Princess? Really?? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">But really, I appreciated having something to eat alongside my family in our elegant dining space. Did the food fill me up? Yes. Would I consider any of those Ruby Princess vegan entrees good enough to place on a menu somewhere? With the exception of the pasta with the delicious tomato sauce, probably not. When you really think about it, these entrees were nothing more than glorified side dishes. I really liked the cabbage dish with browned garlic, but did it constitute a complete meal? Hmmm... they threw a potato on there for some carbs. Cool. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">If these are the types of meals people think vegans eat on a regular basis, I can totally see why they would be asking the 66,000 dollar question, "But where do you get your protein?" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">And let's not forget dessert. The only thing I was able to eat for dessert, out of the kajillions of cookies, pastries, cakes, frozen delights, brownies, mousses, tarts and the like, was sorbet.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Don't get me wrong. I friggen love sorbet. But when you are a dessert enthusiast and you're ON VACATION and you're trapped on a ship and sorbet is the only thing available ON YOUR VACATION and you can't drive down to The Naam for Dutch Apple Cranberry Pie with a scoop of Tofulatti, or pick up a vegan vanilla cupcake from Whole Foods, it gets a bit redundant.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Delicious flavours. But night after night, even the most delicious, creative sorbet (just like oatmeal and fruit for breakfast) got redundant.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Once again, I was grateful my godson was around at dinner to break up the sorbet monotony. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">When it comes to being able to offer a great vegan cruising experience, these guys aren't there yet. Food is a huge part of cruising and vacationing in general, and though I don't expect to have the same selection as my omnivorous peers, it would be awesome to see the same kind of care and creativity and passion go into the specialty meals that they put into their general culinary fare. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Cruise ship food is meant to impress. I'm not there to gorge, but I would have appreciated being impressed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">I was content. But definitely not impressed. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">This pretty much solidifies my assertion that cruising, though it has its awesome moments, is not for me. And the awesome moments were there.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Movies Under the Stars? Definitely for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>(and yes that is a Cleos chocolate peanut butter cup. I did bring some of my own stash anticipating the titty-milk laden desserts that awaited me on board)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Reading under the sun? (And reading something other than English 10 essays?) Definitely for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>(not exactly light, recreational reading, but definitely one of the most valuable and eye-opening reads ever)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Watching my sister swim to her heart's content in turquoise water? Definitely for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Finding a restaurant called Blue Bitch Bar and a town called Cockburn? Definitely for me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Dance parties with the coolest dancing partners ever? Definitely for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Discovering Guavaberry Rum Coladas? Most definitely for me :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Getting off the ship in Ft. Lauderdale to find Rob the Husband (who I left back in Vancouver as he was unable to join us on the cruise) waiting to surprise me?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Yah, that was pretty cool. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Until I realized how much it cost him to fly out for just a couple of days so he could surprise me as I got off the cruise ship. Then I was kinda choked. And horrified. I contemplated selling an organ to make up the difference. Surely someone in Florida could use a kidney? I had one to spare. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But then he gave me a vegan chocolate donut he got from Whole Foods, and all was right in my world again. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Because vegan chocolate donuts make everything (even reconciling the loss of a few thousand dollars in the name of a sweet romantic gesture) better. </span></div>
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-37665667396981524652012-06-15T18:32:00.000-07:002012-06-15T18:32:04.794-07:00I Love it When We're Cruising Together...Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Actually, that's not really true. I'm not a huge fan of cruising. I'd much rather hang out at a resort and rent a car and have total autonomy than be on someone else's schedule. But for the purposes of family gatherings, schedules can be a great thing, and therefore cruising can be a great thing. And when it comes to my family, I genuinely do love it when we we're cruising together, so I'll keep the title. Option number 2 was "Vegan Cruising: Food was Snoozing."</div>
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So in February (blogging in June about a February cruise...yay procrastination yet again), to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary (50 years, yay!), I joined my them along with my mom & sister, cousins and their kids on a Caribbean cruise on the Ruby Princess.<br />
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The beaches were fantastic, my family was amazing, the sun was blistering, and the rum was delicious.</div>
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This was my third cruise, second with the Princess line, and my first since forsaking consumption of flesh and titty milk and the unfertilized products of poultry reproductive cycles.</div>
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And I'm not planning on cruising again any time soon.<br />
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Like a lot of people, food has always been a huge part of my vacation experience. This didn't change when I went Plant-Strong. While my selection has certainly been limited, I've welcomed the challenge of sourcing out vegan-friendly eating establishments. I've had awesome experiences eating vegan in <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/03/vegan-veggin-in-banff.html" target="_blank">Banff</a>, <a href="http://Vegas/" target="_blank">Vegas</a>, <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/04/disneyland-cheerleading-babycakes-my.html" target="_blank">Disneyland</a>, <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/10/very-vegan-girly-birthday-weekend.html" target="_blank">Whistler</a>, the <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/08/okanagan-vegan-bloggin.html" target="_blank">Okanagan</a>...I even managed to make a go of it in the <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mission-impossible-eating-vegan-in.html" target="_blank">Philippines</a>. I recognize that not all restaurants are vegan-friendly, but it's actually been fun researching a location before going and trying to find a restaurant that will offer you more than veggie stir-fry. Though if veggie stirfry is all they have to offer, I'll still eat it with a smile.<br />
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Before cruising, everyone has to fill out a personal profile, listing, among other things, food preferences. So I clicked the vegan box (yes there was a vegan box! Score!), thinking this was something they would be able to accommodate easily. I remembered really great vegetarian options on my previous cruises, and considering how many people have dairy allergies and lactose intolerances, I expected that great vegan options wouldn't be too far-fetched an expectation.<br />
<br />
Ha. Ha. Ha.<br />
<br />
To sum up from a Plant-Strong perspective: buffet was quite good, dinner service was...good...ok...good. That's not really saying much considering the whole cruise experience and expectations.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the buffet. While the VAST majority of food, as expected, was not vegan, there was always enough to work with to start my day off right. That said, breakfast became very redundant after, like, a day. Oatmeal was always my default, rounded out with fruit and hash browns because there was absolutely nothing else for me to work with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First breakfast on board. That's a poached pear at 1:00. Very yum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deja vu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a couple of mornings I began to wonder whether<br />
my breakfasts would get more interesting...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...yah, apparently not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning of departure...miso soup for breakfast!<br />
Superheroes like Alicia eat miso soup for breakfast<br />
so I was allllll over that. Not my conventional breakfast<br />
food but I was eager (desperate) for a change.<br />
And it was goooooood.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So breakfast was great on the first day...and totally repetitive after that. This is the thing about cruising...you can't just go somewhere else for food when you've exhausted your options at one place and you want a change. No vegan-friendly bakeries to grab a muffin, no quaint diners to grab a tofu scramble, no juice bar to grab a titty-milk-free smoothie. I mean, I don't expect a spectacularly innovative vegan breakfast every day, but a week of oatmeal and fruit (while it kept me healthy and nourished and I was thankful to have it as opposed to nothing...yes, I know...#firstworldproblems) is just one reason why cruising (with this line anways) is not for me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lunches were really quite nice in terms of variety, and I always managed to fill my plate like any legitimate cruiser. I was able to load up on lots of veggies (always a good thing), and for the first couple of days there was a doable soup option. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First lunch on board...bok choy and beets is a promising start!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar version to puree for my tube-fed sister. An awesome, complete meal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5G0vyeQjos/T8QGwZAPTiI/AAAAAAAABAk/ZmytMFCK5GI/s1600/P1070580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5G0vyeQjos/T8QGwZAPTiI/AAAAAAAABAk/ZmytMFCK5GI/s320/P1070580.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gazpacho, yellow beans, lentil curry, squash. <br />
The pasta wheels had the most delicious red sauce, which made more appearances at future meals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrqBZ07zQ6c/T8QG40_MsKI/AAAAAAAABBs/be9jCLTv_ZY/s1600/P1070655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrqBZ07zQ6c/T8QG40_MsKI/AAAAAAAABBs/be9jCLTv_ZY/s320/P1070655.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't look too interesting, but probably my favourite lunch.<br />
A delicious rice noodle dish, similar to Filipino pansit...LOVE!<br />
And this guac was ridiculously good. Thank God for guac!<br />
Throw some couscous into the mix and I'm good to go. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxpE1TFsSmM/T8QSKRkMb3I/AAAAAAAABQo/ofA2ExF7exE/s1600/P1070691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxpE1TFsSmM/T8QSKRkMb3I/AAAAAAAABQo/ofA2ExF7exE/s320/P1070691.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super yummy tofu curry dish (thank you Indian food!) with<br />
chopped garlicky greens. Thumbs up for sure. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUW5KvEZIZ8/T8QHCTIV2gI/AAAAAAAABC8/pHxcTKiv9WM/s1600/P1070727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUW5KvEZIZ8/T8QHCTIV2gI/AAAAAAAABC8/pHxcTKiv9WM/s320/P1070727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't say no to salad when there are pumpkin seeds available.<br />
Tomato-okra stew above that with some roast potatoes and pasta salad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGRkf9Aoxkg/T8QSQbobHfI/AAAAAAAABSA/8MCcLZCydDo/s1600/P1070768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGRkf9Aoxkg/T8QSQbobHfI/AAAAAAAABSA/8MCcLZCydDo/s320/P1070768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello again curry. And greens and beets. I enjoy you. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my lunch on the beach in the Bahamas. They were serving burgers and hot dogs<br />
but I managed to make a decent carcass-free lunch out of the sides.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhXM8_d5azM/T8QijWRBHOI/AAAAAAAABUc/PYB7CHuS9PU/s1600/P1070475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhXM8_d5azM/T8QijWRBHOI/AAAAAAAABUc/PYB7CHuS9PU/s200/P1070475.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ah3ehkZcTHY/T8Qij5JH9kI/AAAAAAAABUk/QFndfloWKAU/s1600/P1070484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ah3ehkZcTHY/T8Qij5JH9kI/AAAAAAAABUk/QFndfloWKAU/s200/P1070484.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
And nothing beats eating lunch while having a beach pedicure by the pros.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So as you can see, buffet lunches on the ship were much more interesting than breakfasts. There wasn't necessarily more to choose from each day, but they definitely changed it up in the realm of daily vegan-by-default options. Considering my lunches consisted of just a fraction of what was available, you can imagine the daily selection at the buffets. And I was definitely more than pleased with my lunch experiences on the ship. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But consistently good lunch experiences are not enough to keep me on board for another cruise. Because when it comes to food, the real weight rests on the shoulders of dinner. And my dinner experiences, while they were "acceptable", certainly weren't memorable. Not for the right reasons anyways. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But that's a whole other blog post. And considering how long it took me to get down my Part One thoughts, I expect Part Two should be up by September. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That seems ambitious. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Almost as ambitious as a vegan expecting to eat something other than fruit and oatmeal for breakfast on a Princess Cruise ship.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh snap.</span></div>
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-13115204515112759132012-05-31T18:20:00.000-07:002012-05-31T18:40:17.927-07:00Vegg Trick MuffinI recently won a $5 gift card to McDonald's. My first thought was, cool, a couple of orders of fries. But then I remembered that McDonald's fries <a href="http://www.salon.com/2010/09/01/burger_that_wont_rot/" target="_blank">Never Go Bad</a>, and that kinda grosses me out. So then I realized that all I'm willing to eat at McDonald's (willing to eat...something sounds wrong with that) nowadays is the oatmeal.<br />
<br />
Which got me reminiscing about all the things I used to love eating at McDonald's. I have fond memories of Big Macs without onions, cheeseburger days in elementary school (damn those things smelled good), the failed McDonald's pizza in high school, $1.50 McChicken days during my college years, and more recently, fruit & yogurt parfaits, Egg McMuffins and BLT breakfast bagels (add cheese and bacon for an extra hit of awesome). <br />
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Even after going Plant-Strong I would still have McDonald's fries when the occasion called for it. I was grateful that I could still enjoy that indulgence in my new vegan lifestyle. Fries aren't a nutrient-rich whole food, but they taste damn good and are made without animal products, so they were a-ok in my book in the once-in-a-while category.<br />
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And then I saw the special features of Supersize Me, wherein Morgan Spurlock tries, unsuccessfully, to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udnYdSy0tMQ&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">how long it takes for McDonald's fries to go bad</a>. His intern accidentally throws them out. After 10 weeks.<br />
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Seeing those picture perfect fries, in picture perfect condition after 10 weeks was all it took for me to cross McDonald's fries off my once-in-a-while-indulgence list, permanently. I mean, holy shit, what the hell is in those things, and how the hell is it ok for whatever is in them to be in us??<br />
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Something is seriously wrong.<br />
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But just because I'm completely grossed out by McDonald's now (please God don't let there be some revelation about the oatmeal before I use my gift card) doesn't mean that I don't still long for that McDonald's-esque fix on occasion.<br />
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So I put my own spin on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MB0GBnpmBI" target="_blank">Strong Hearts Cafe's Egg Trick Muffin</a>: the Vegg Trick Muffin.<br />
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At his latest excursion to <a href="http://www.karmavore.ca/" target="_blank">Karmavore</a>, Rob the Husband picked up a package of <a href="http://thevegg.com/" target="_blank">the Vegg</a>.<br />
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This is essentially a mix for a vegan egg yolk made primarily from nutritional yeast. You blend it with water and it actually smells and tastes very similar to an egg yolk. It's a really interesting product, and the bag yields A LOT. I got practically a whole blender full from one pack. You can totally portion this stuff out.</div>
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For our first attempt we pulled out a block of tofu, cut out a few "egg" pucks with a cookie cutter, and followed the Strong Hearts Cafe recipe for the coating as seen in the YouTube video. We used "bacon" instead of "sausage" and added some jack-style Daiya we picked up in the States (they have Daiya blocks there...them Americans always get the cool stuff first). I assembled everything on an English muffin, squirted on some organic ketchup, and we were good to go. </div>
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This Egg Trick Muffin was definitely a winner. The texture is just like that of an Egg McMuffin, and the flavour is actually better, as real eggs always had kind of a mlechy aftertaste, like dairy milk. The seasonings they use in the coating are perfect. I was definitely an instant fan. </div>
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I also found my new official favourite veggie bacon....<a href="http://www.lightlife.com/Vegan-Food-Vegetarian-Diet/Smart-Bacon" target="_blank">Smart Bacon</a>. We picked up a pack to try (in the States, of course) and holy crap is this stuff ever good. I've found other veggie bacons to be pretty tough and kinda rubbery, but the Smart Bacon cooks up with a fantastic crispy texture and awesome smoky flavour. It was delicious on its own and was a perfect compliment to the TrickMuffin.</div>
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For experimental Round 2, I thought I'd make use of the Vegg and amp up the egginess of the TrickMuffin by soaking the tofu puck in Vegg after coating it. This worked out really well, as the Vegg cooked the puck and made the coating nice and crispy with less oil. I also tried doing it backwards by soaking the tofu in Vegg and then dredging it in the coating, but when I fried it up on the pan the coating just fell off, so it's better to have an outside layer of Vegg for sure. It also adds just that extra jolt of eggy flavour, making this sandwich pretty friggen perfect. </div>
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So there you have it...cruelty-free comfort eats that give you a fast food fix and taste awesome. Thumbs up Vegg Trick Muffin.</div>
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And I'd wager it doesn't take three months to decay. </div>
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-6268250971673067382012-05-28T23:28:00.000-07:002012-05-28T23:28:09.780-07:00A Skinny Bitch Mother's Day for My Skinny Bitch Mother<i>When I first started writing this post I started it with "Today is Mother's Day" followed by "Yesterday was Mother's Day" followed by "Last week was Mother's Day." Needless to say, it's taken a while to get this post off the ground. Ah well, such is the life of the procrastinator. </i><br />
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A couple of weeks ago was Mother's Day. A day to celebrate our mothers, and for some of us, a day to atone for all the crap we put our mothers through every other day of the year.<br />
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Though my mom has not gone totally Plant-Strong, she has seriously cut back on the animal products in her diet. She has her moments of clarity on a good day when she'll acknowledge the awesomeness of going Plant-Strong and how important it is for her health, but those moments sometimes compete with her old-school meat & dairy mentality. But I figure I gotta cut her some slack, as she has 60 years of erroneous thinking to battle, whereas I had half that.<br />
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There are things she loves (hello vegan Shepherd's Pie) and things she hates (like that fake sausage and fake sour cream and fake cream cheese crap), but overall she has responded positively to kinder, more compassionate eating. And since I'm always all over any opportunity to expose my family to new vegan eats and expand my recipe reservoir, Mother's Day was a perfect opportunity to bust out my Skinny Bitch cookbook and try something totally new. Or, as it were, four totally new somethings.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2-CkDMzOTg/T8PwhO4vlUI/AAAAAAAAA9c/annCy4Dz9WA/s1600/Mom+Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2-CkDMzOTg/T8PwhO4vlUI/AAAAAAAAA9c/annCy4Dz9WA/s200/Mom+Food.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Mother's Day 2012 menu:<br />
<b>* <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=BMdjgQUXPu8C&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=skinny+bitch+thai+coconut+soup&source=bl&ots=RfvFduxy6X&sig=_WAZHhe-acYHKp_uiitbns6IYFA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UP_DT5jXJe_TiAKEpLyhCA&ved=0CFAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">Thai Coconut Soup</a> <i>(Skinny Bitch p. 98)</i></b><br />
<b>* <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA116&dq=skinny+bitch+beet+cheese+napoleon&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4P_DT73mNuKciALhlYHaBw&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">Beet & Cheese Napoleon Salad with Candied Pecans and Shallot-Balsamic Vinaigrette</a> <i>(Skinny Bitch p. 116)</i></b><br />
<b>* <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=BMdjgQUXPu8C&pg=PA224&dq=skinny+bitch+asian+macaroni+cheese&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DgDET46fJcSbiALd-9zxBw&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">Asian Macaroni and Cheese</a><i> (Skinny Bitch p. 224)</i></b><br />
<b>* <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=BMdjgQUXPu8C&pg=PA229&dq=skinny+bitch+tempeh+no+meatloaf&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KQDET-3hN6XTiAKK9fWDCA&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">Tempeh No-Meatloaf </a><i>(Skinny Bitch p. 229)</i></b><br />
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This was a somewhat hectic meal to prepare, as I was doing it by myself, and trying to prep everything simultaneously proved a tad challenging, as I had never prepared any of these dishes before and I wanted to time everything so that things would go into the oven at the right time and come out together. The kitchen was a mess afterward with no time to tidy up before serving dinner, but considering I was only cooking for my sister, mother, and Rob the Husband, it was nothing to stress over. Overall, with the exception of the soup simmering on the stove longer than I would have liked, it all worked out pretty swell.<br />
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First course: <b>Thai Coconut Soup</b>.<br />
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There were a lot of ingredients going on in this soup and a few different stages of cooking. Some of the ingredients were hard to come by, but I learned that the local Asian grocery store is a great one stop shop for pretty much everything you'd need veggie-wise. They even had a little pre-packaged thing containing some of the more challenging items to find, like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, which was very convenient. This soup was an event to prep but definitely worth it, as the flavours just came together super nicely...the lemongrass and coconut especially gave it that wonderful Thai flavour, and it had the most perfect kick to it in the spiciness department.<br />
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This recipe actually didn't yield very much for me, which might have been because I was simmering it way longer than I should have while I prepped the rest of my dishes, thereby evaporating away a lot of the water. I did find myself adding water just before we were ready to serve, as it seemed a bit thick and too concentrated in flavour. Adding the water to dilute it spread the flavour out nicely to a more reasonable intensity, and the soup was enjoyed by all to start off Mother's Day dinner.<br />
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<i>Rob's Rating: </i><br />
<i>Thai Coconut Soup - 4 </i><i>Happy Tongues</i><br />
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Second Course: <b>Beet & Cheese Napoleon Salad with Candied Pecans and Shallot-Balsamic Vinaigrette </b>(Try saying that 5 times fast)<br />
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This was a super fancy-schmancy salad and involved a lot of prep from beginning (roasting the beets) to plating. I'm a huge fan of beets, so I bought golden as well as red to use as the middle layer of the beet & vegan cream cheese stacker. The recipe tells you roll the cream cheese mixture into a ball and place in a ziplock bag to flatten, but I didn't bother with the bag. I just rolled the balls and flattened them between my palms before placing them on the beets and it worked out great.<br />
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The highlight of the recipe for me was the candied pecans...holy crap were these ever good. They were a hard cunchy mess to scrape off the cookie sheet out of the oven (imagine scraping baked syrup off a cookie sheet), but they were ridiculously delicious. I was just hoovering them right off the pan. Everbody loved them on the salad too. The lowlight for me was the dressing, as it was made with cane sugar and shallots, giving it that sweet onion flavour that I'm not a fan of, but I was alone in this opinion, as everyone else enjoyed it. I ended up with way more dressing than I needed, as you don't end up using very much on the salad considering the powerful flavour.<br />
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Overall, this salad was super pretty and very elegant. It's also featured on the cover of the cookbook!<br />
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It's not a dish for a large dinner party, as each salad needs to be plated individually. It's a little intimidating when you first look at it, but it really delivers in uniqueness, it's sure to impress your guests, and it's worth making just for those leftover candied pecans (holycrapholycrap sooooo good).<br />
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<i>Rob's Rating:</i><br />
<i>Beet & Cheese Napoleon Salad with Candied Pecans and Shallot-Balsamic Vinaigrette - 4 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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Main Course: <b>Asian Mac & Cheese</b> and <b>Tempeh No-Meatloaf</b><br />
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These two dishes worked very well together, as the mac & cheese is quite light and the no-meatloaf is comparably intense in the flavour department. My first impression of the mac & cheese was not very impressive. I found the first bite quite bland and boring, as there was no cheese in it whatsoever (it didn't call for any vegan cheese at all). I was toying with the idea of putting in some Daiya anyway, but decided to trust the recipe and try it the first time as it was meant to be. The "cheesy" sauce is made out of cauliflower and coconut milk. It is actually quite tasty, and once I mentally took it out of the mac & cheese category and started considering it as a dish on its own merit, I liked it a lot more. It does have the satisfying, crunchy top thanks to the panko breadcrumbs, and with a dash of salt, after a few more bites I was sold. It's not as heavy as traditional mac & cheese and if you like cauliflower like I do, you'll really appreciate this one.<br />
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The delicate flavour of the mac & cheese was in stark contrast to the tempeh no-meatloaf, which turned out very bold and quite sweet, I'm assuming because of the ketchup. This meatloaf had the makings of serious comfort food, and a great tempeh texture. Tempeh is so unattractive to look at (especially the 7-grain stuff...all those dark grainy bits look like bugs), but I've never had a bad experience cooking with or eating it. This meatloaf goes super well with any kind of carb, like the mac & cheese (Kim Barnouin, the Skinny Bitch herself, recommends pairing it with Root Veggie Mash, p. 185 in the book). It's not something I could eat a large portion of by itself, but pairing it with something lighter in flavour is a perfect combination.<br />
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<i>Rob's Rating:</i></div>
<i>Asian Mac & Chese: 2 Happy Tongues</i><i style="font-style: normal;"> </i>(Ouch. He said it was bland and the top layer of macaroni was hard, but acknowledged that it had potential)<br />
<i>Tempeh No Meatloaf - 4 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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Leftovers the next day were pretty delicious too. Lots of leftover beets and plenty of pecans hells yes.</div>
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And there you have it...four awesome Skinny Bitch recipes for my awesome Skinny Bitch mother. She really is one of those women you love to hate. Case in point: 61 years old and not a bit of cellulite on her. She somehow neglected to pass that genetic gem on to me.<br />
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Thanks Mom.<br />
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<br />yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-13567798162109630662012-04-16T23:57:00.000-07:002012-04-16T23:57:06.224-07:00Mission Impossible: Eating Vegan in the PhilippinesThis post should technically, chronologically fit in right between Christmas and my one year Veganniversary, but it would appear that that's not how I roll, cuz when it comes to blogging I'm inconsistent and unpredictable...which some might find exciting and intriguing :)<br />
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Or not.<br />
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Anyhoo, just before New Years, I went to the Philippines for 12 days as part of my school's mission team, which has been traveling to the Philippines for several years now, building houses. A perk of teaching in a school that's big on outreach and social justice is that I've been lucky enough to go on the mission trip three times now (four if you count my trip to Tijuana ninety-eight years ago when I was a student). These trips always involve meeting incredible people on the other side of the world, playing with adorable local kids, and having your eyes opened so you can see the world in a way that you never have before. There's something about coming face to face with true poverty, interacting with people that live in conditions the likes of which we do not see here in Canada, that gives you a huge reality check that pictures and videos just can't. Especially when you realize that the vast majority of the world's population lives like this.<br />
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This trip is an incredible, life altering experience, not just for the students that go, but the teachers as well. In my opinion, it's the most important thing our school does, and I feel so incredibly privileged to be part of it.<br />
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There are always challenges that we face when we go, and I had a rather interesting personal obstacle to tackle this time around...this was my first Phils trip since going Plant-Strong.<br />
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It's hard enough for Filipinos to get their heads around vegetarianism. "Vegan" is an entirely foreign concept altogether.<br />
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I prepared myself in advance that I'd likely have to submit to some cheating (with dairy or eggs, never with meat), and I made sure to take along two big-ass ziplock bags of protein bars (mostly Cliff bars) and fruit snacks. I was determined to do my best with what the Philippines had to offer, but practically speaking, unless I was prepared to live off of white rice for 12 days, I'd have been screwed without my stash.<br />
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I had to break into my stash as early as the plane ride. Our dinner options were chicken or sausage. If you wanted a vegetarian meal you had to request one beforehand, which I did not. So I had to veganize the meal by myself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fmmnIC6-iQ/T3_URGvg_zI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2U9oqBuO7Bw/s1600/P1050908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fmmnIC6-iQ/T3_URGvg_zI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2U9oqBuO7Bw/s320/P1050908.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After...veganized!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I fared not much better at breakfast, but overall I had enough on the plane to get by.<br />
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We arrived bright and early to a gorgeous sunny day, and although it was breakfast time in the Philippines, we were still on Canada time. No worries...first stop: Jolibee!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi4zyWe2Wc/T4JdBPPpAVI/AAAAAAAAA2c/S2G-2QM2-1A/s1600/DSC08170_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi4zyWe2Wc/T4JdBPPpAVI/AAAAAAAAA2c/S2G-2QM2-1A/s320/DSC08170_2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer...this pic is from my 2009 trip...I didn't have any pics of Jolibee himself this time around :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">If you've ever been to the Philippines, you know who Jolibee is. This is like the quintessential Filipino fast food joint...like McDonald's, but more Filipino, and with a happy bow-tie clad bee mascot. In addition to burgers and chicken, they also serve spaghetti, so I decided to not even ask whether the noodles were made with eggs, and just go for a plate of spaghetti. Unfortunately, the sauce had meat in it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I inquired whether they had any menu items that were meat-free. This was it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-kDRFu4i5g/T4JdFU6hYAI/AAAAAAAAA2k/-QIF_cxr76M/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-kDRFu4i5g/T4JdFU6hYAI/AAAAAAAAA2k/-QIF_cxr76M/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Not quite the pinnacle of a healthy, Plant-Strong breakfast, but you know what? It was kinda delicious at the time. And I was kinda happy about being "forced" to eat fries, because fries always, always taste good, and are a pretty awesome guilty pleasure. And the puck of white rice came wrapped up like a burger...goodtimes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Our days in the Philippines were spent working at our village site, and our evenings were spent at our home base (a resort & conference centre). All of our meals were provided, and as expected, there was relatively little I could eat. Case in point, a typical breakfast...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69q5xwoH6Ho/T3_VAdzwAxI/AAAAAAAAA0k/LGWYOgni2Qc/s1600/P1070043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69q5xwoH6Ho/T3_VAdzwAxI/AAAAAAAAA0k/LGWYOgni2Qc/s320/P1070043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Lucky for me, we had some fantastic group coordinators traveling with us, and they asked the people preparing our food if they could accommodate vegetarian meals. So my breakfasts ended up looking something like this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6URgsV0i4s/T3_UeZPP1ZI/AAAAAAAAAw0/1fiD6wkZ4RQ/s1600/P1060248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6URgsV0i4s/T3_UeZPP1ZI/AAAAAAAAAw0/1fiD6wkZ4RQ/s320/P1060248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crunchy noodles and veggies for breakfast? Surprisingly, really good. Not your conventional western breakfast food, but I grew to love this stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ3WyeQ9DtM/T4znquwAaNI/AAAAAAAAA5s/Ww3NjjphQE0/s1600/P1060741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ3WyeQ9DtM/T4znquwAaNI/AAAAAAAAA5s/Ww3NjjphQE0/s320/P1060741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy noodles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsA3iGrJj4A/T4NLjvzksPI/AAAAAAAAA30/Cp75BJkxc4Q/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsA3iGrJj4A/T4NLjvzksPI/AAAAAAAAA30/Cp75BJkxc4Q/s320/IMG_0070.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Breakfast of champions!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Something definitely not a breakfast of champions? Deep fried tofu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRhDaZNkOM/T3_UYkwX2nI/AAAAAAAAAwE/WZnT1Q1kKcU/s1600/P1060041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRhDaZNkOM/T3_UYkwX2nI/AAAAAAAAAwE/WZnT1Q1kKcU/s320/P1060041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was not a fan of the deep-fried tofu. I know, I know...vegans are supposed to love tofu in any shape or form, and always be grateful for its presence at non-vegan establishments. But this stuff just was hollow and pretty flavourless. I can't remember if that was syrup or soy sauce on the plate, but I do remember being especially grateful for our abundance of fruit on this particular morning. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Whszb-W--WI/T3_U_LMZkLI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ErEn0_HqeC8/s1600/P1070042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Whszb-W--WI/T3_U_LMZkLI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ErEn0_HqeC8/s320/P1070042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Another unconventional breakfast...mashed potatoes with gravy and veggies. Go figure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcaMCH-SRco/T3_UxVBExJI/AAAAAAAAAys/9SqD9E8ghFg/s1600/P1060610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcaMCH-SRco/T3_UxVBExJI/AAAAAAAAAys/9SqD9E8ghFg/s320/P1060610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was super excited about this breakfast. Oatmeal & hash browns...a pretty traditional breakfast, and a little bit of home for which I was grateful.<br />
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You might notice bananas at almost every meal. That was because I ate a banana (or two...or twelve) at pretty much every meal. Filipino bananas are SO DELICIOUS! The insides are more yellow and they are smaller than the bananas we get over here. The smaller, the sweeter. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lunch was prepared for us daily at the work site by the lovely Mabuhay ladies who lived in village.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lc4H9JJVib0/T40RxSBBvBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/ZaSt0k7wFQY/s1600/Mabuhay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lc4H9JJVib0/T40RxSBBvBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/ZaSt0k7wFQY/s320/Mabuhay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always worked up an appetite...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x0uLqXztKg/T4ztMG-jyAI/AAAAAAAAA58/uwBlLxaLZzw/s1600/P1060374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x0uLqXztKg/T4ztMG-jyAI/AAAAAAAAA58/uwBlLxaLZzw/s320/P1060374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...even though most of the work I did involved visiting with adorable kids...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjFLZB00Izk/T4zwLt2Kn8I/AAAAAAAAA6M/k6KASb3nO68/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjFLZB00Izk/T4zwLt2Kn8I/AAAAAAAAA6M/k6KASb3nO68/s320/kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...visiting with adorable farm animals...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBSKXtGFN-4/T4zwc4e0vdI/AAAAAAAAA6U/c5FAnRyMeaM/s1600/P1060458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBSKXtGFN-4/T4zwc4e0vdI/AAAAAAAAA6U/c5FAnRyMeaM/s320/P1060458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6ezIuY41dU/T4zwmVGMnRI/AAAAAAAAA6c/yDgtBRonk24/s1600/P1060492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6ezIuY41dU/T4zwmVGMnRI/AAAAAAAAA6c/yDgtBRonk24/s320/P1060492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and filming the work everyone else was doing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQJWXpgN8Y0/T4ztfbI-lBI/AAAAAAAAA6E/v3o1ruCOmEY/s1600/P1060437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQJWXpgN8Y0/T4ztfbI-lBI/AAAAAAAAA6E/v3o1ruCOmEY/s320/P1060437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The food at our work site was plentiful and delicious, and the cooks were great at accommodating me with a vegetarian option, usually just a larger portion size of a veggie side dish with rice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AO0PiH_Jtcg/T3_UZm71-AI/AAAAAAAAAwM/GbrbJGy8vGY/s1600/P1060101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AO0PiH_Jtcg/T3_UZm71-AI/AAAAAAAAAwM/GbrbJGy8vGY/s320/P1060101.jpg" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AO0PiH_Jtcg/T3_UZm71-AI/AAAAAAAAAwM/GbrbJGy8vGY/s1600/P1060101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">The veggies don't look super interesting, so trust me when I tell you they tasted way more interesting than they looked. They were usually prepared simply with garlic, and were always incredibly flavorful. Never once did I get bored of the veg. </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhKRMxMDMYA/T3_UfGVMo2I/AAAAAAAAAw8/DGTseZVtFVo/s1600/P1060330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhKRMxMDMYA/T3_UfGVMo2I/AAAAAAAAAw8/DGTseZVtFVo/s320/P1060330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Helloooo mango. The mangoes in the Phils are INSANE. So freakin' sweet and delicious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was always exciting to see them at meals. It was funny because everyone at our table would get at least one or two pieces of mango, and then there'd be one left over, and we'd all wait and see if anyone else was going to take it, knowing that everyone wanted it but not wanting to be the jerk who took the extra mango; so the mango would kinda sit there on the table, taunting us with its orange glow, until finally someone would take the plate and say, "OK, anyone want more mango?" And we'd all try to act all nonchalant like we don't really care if we get another piece, like we'd be doing the table a favour if we ate it so it wouldn't go to waste, when really we're all secretly salivating, walking the fine line of waiting just long enough to reach over and take it so we don't seem too eager, but trying not to wait too long to allow someone else the opportunity to grab it, until finally someone would sigh and "reluctantly" claim the last piece of mango, and everyone else at the table would secretly hate him/her for the rest of the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya1kzhhs1yo/T3_Utp6-NmI/AAAAAAAAAyc/NX6qynkSgxw/s1600/P1060521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya1kzhhs1yo/T3_Utp6-NmI/AAAAAAAAAyc/NX6qynkSgxw/s320/P1060521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Some sort of squash and okra...anything green makes me happy :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2mrqVnH3ns/T3_UgPjmD_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/JRqDeYSmy54/s1600/P1060368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2mrqVnH3ns/T3_UgPjmD_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/JRqDeYSmy54/s320/P1060368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OMG PANCIT!!!!!! LOVE. PANCIT. SOOOOOO MUCH!!! This was supposedly a veganized version, but I think they just picked out the meat. That's ok though, because I had seconds from the meat-inclusive pile, and just picked around it myself. This stuff is SO amazing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5vPl4KDqabo/T3_Ug7xTobI/AAAAAAAAAxM/XN8w7ImaQQg/s1600/P1060369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5vPl4KDqabo/T3_Ug7xTobI/AAAAAAAAAxM/XN8w7ImaQQg/s320/P1060369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was always something I could make a meal of, except for one day... boiled pork soup day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paWHhMps4SY/T3_UzIPBr7I/AAAAAAAAAy0/gxU8BfAOG4k/s1600/P1060666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paWHhMps4SY/T3_UzIPBr7I/AAAAAAAAAy0/gxU8BfAOG4k/s320/P1060666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was given a broth with green veggies in it, and in spite of the rather unpleasant smell, I took a spoonful...and for the first time on the trip I actually gagged. Turns out this was a pork broth that just had the meat removed from it. Now, generally the smell of seasoned prepared meat doesn't turn me off. I guess boiled meat is another story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't help but wonder whether the broth would have smelled and tasted as nasty to me in the pre-vegan days. I used to eat (and enjoy) boiled chicken, and I used to eat meat broth no problem. But this particular dish this time around really wasn't something I could down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't want to be "that annoying vegan" who ungratefully shunned the food at the table. I made a point to always be super grateful for the special meal they would provide for me, and eat it enthusiastically, which until this soup hadn't been a problem. But unfortunately, I had to leave this bowl full and resort to my plan B:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhZVg4wLu5M/T3_U0EZk3KI/AAAAAAAAAy8/BFdGtZFtkPw/s1600/P1060668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhZVg4wLu5M/T3_U0EZk3KI/AAAAAAAAAy8/BFdGtZFtkPw/s320/P1060668.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkWpXpSEgTE/T3_U1L-VczI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dZ3rR5K2qfw/s1600/P1060670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkWpXpSEgTE/T3_U1L-VczI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dZ3rR5K2qfw/s320/P1060670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank God for Cliff bars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know what else I'd like to thank God for? Fried bananas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DU55s8_oQFg/T3_UalbVW_I/AAAAAAAAAwU/X39OsvDqZl4/s1600/P1060186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DU55s8_oQFg/T3_UalbVW_I/AAAAAAAAAwU/X39OsvDqZl4/s320/P1060186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--EuY5zb6TUs/T3_UcmQjWCI/AAAAAAAAAwk/0itN8pGjl6w/s1600/P1060229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--EuY5zb6TUs/T3_UcmQjWCI/AAAAAAAAAwk/0itN8pGjl6w/s320/P1060229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SO DELICIOUS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our last day at the work site they brought in a roasted pig for us. Like, the whole pig. Roasted. I snapped a pic after its upper half had already been chopped up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pRvZftkmes/T3_U9rTojMI/AAAAAAAAA0M/ZMAaVQveloA/s1600/P1060855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pRvZftkmes/T3_U9rTojMI/AAAAAAAAA0M/ZMAaVQveloA/s320/P1060855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've eaten this a few times before. On my Philippines trip in 2010 I took a pic of myself kissing the pig's head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DbO_TTa26E/T4zfvi1igdI/AAAAAAAAA38/Xm05Qok7ffE/s1600/pighead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DbO_TTa26E/T4zfvi1igdI/AAAAAAAAA38/Xm05Qok7ffE/s320/pighead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought it was kinda gross and funny at the time. Now it just makes me sad. And ashamed for posing like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Would I have ever posed with a roasted dog? A roasted cat? No. After all, that would just be barbaric. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what's the difference between a roasted pig or dog or cat? Hmm, let me think...there is none. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yah, makes me sad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But on a happier note, I got to eat taro for the first time! Green veg + gorgeous purple juice = double happy for me :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hGExxWrJHA/T3_U-ZdH0QI/AAAAAAAAA0U/TuZPO6Dr8pg/s1600/P1060856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hGExxWrJHA/T3_U-ZdH0QI/AAAAAAAAA0U/TuZPO6Dr8pg/s320/P1060856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owj_GFtpDx4/T3_U8eC9-KI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Fv-hoa_12zE/s1600/P1060854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owj_GFtpDx4/T3_U8eC9-KI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Fv-hoa_12zE/s320/P1060854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Indeed, lunches at our work site were pretty darn impressive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dinners at our hotel...well...they tried. There were a couple of nights where I was able to make myself a meal out of the side dishes they served, but most nights my special vegetarian dinners alternated between a plate of raw veggies and a plate of pasta...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqVr3vy1yP0/T4znCieqMiI/AAAAAAAAA5E/vWeX_ddjpCE/s1600/P1060038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqVr3vy1yP0/T4znCieqMiI/AAAAAAAAA5E/vWeX_ddjpCE/s320/P1060038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw veggie night...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SgvkXkIwqs/T4znLVakMiI/AAAAAAAAA5M/BSb_nTZQmas/s1600/P1060246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SgvkXkIwqs/T4znLVakMiI/AAAAAAAAA5M/BSb_nTZQmas/s320/P1060246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta night...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqOx282E9dc/T4znRK-KAsI/AAAAAAAAA5U/nTebel5AmG8/s1600/P1060422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqOx282E9dc/T4znRK-KAsI/AAAAAAAAA5U/nTebel5AmG8/s320/P1060422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw veggie night...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MN0bdaaws04/T4znWNS8ssI/AAAAAAAAA5c/QoFBd-2xw40/s1600/P1060609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MN0bdaaws04/T4znWNS8ssI/AAAAAAAAA5c/QoFBd-2xw40/s320/P1060609.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta night...<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K52lfimtsWs/T4znjhsHE6I/AAAAAAAAA5k/9fUS6F8qth4/s1600/P1060729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K52lfimtsWs/T4znjhsHE6I/AAAAAAAAA5k/9fUS6F8qth4/s320/P1060729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Raw veggie night...<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">You get the picture. I must say, though, the pasta was very good. Garlicky & goooood. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There might have been a night or two of room service fries as well...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53jClQqlfSE/T4zr6UYSeSI/AAAAAAAAA50/Qlf1s_LkRao/s1600/P1060730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53jClQqlfSE/T4zr6UYSeSI/AAAAAAAAA50/Qlf1s_LkRao/s320/P1060730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">During the last two days of our trip we had some downtime at another resort. The buffet was vast and pretty impressive, and I had something I've never tried before...glazed carrots and bananas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KD6ZoYYK5QY/T4z2SN755uI/AAAAAAAAA6s/e0_--lkBJmY/s1600/P1070048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KD6ZoYYK5QY/T4z2SN755uI/AAAAAAAAA6s/e0_--lkBJmY/s320/P1070048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> So weird, but actually good. The carrots and bananas complimented each other, and the sweetness of this combo totally worked. I managed to find some other stuff from the buffet to round out my meal as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xg5t2VIdUk/T4z4I1O4CZI/AAAAAAAAA60/5I7mnuCRomQ/s1600/P1070049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xg5t2VIdUk/T4z4I1O4CZI/AAAAAAAAA60/5I7mnuCRomQ/s320/P1070049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our dinners were pre-plated, and one night I just asked if they could make my plate with no meat and just give me the rice and extra vegetables. This is what I got.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-3wGLCYVOM/T4z4RT1YFuI/AAAAAAAAA7E/yTC_LYGmUk8/s1600/P1070052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-3wGLCYVOM/T4z4RT1YFuI/AAAAAAAAA7E/yTC_LYGmUk8/s320/P1070052.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Classy. I thought it was a pretty simple request. Apparently not.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And now, the confessional. There was some cheating. With pizza. And buko pie. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgYm1aEA9ZY/T4z1xwgDufI/AAAAAAAAA6k/keSvfl-BOi0/s1600/P1070046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgYm1aEA9ZY/T4z1xwgDufI/AAAAAAAAA6k/keSvfl-BOi0/s320/P1070046.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pizza was a given...I'm not going to send away a vegetarian pizza ordered especially for me and ask them to bake one without the cheese. I ended up eating a couple of slices with the cheese, and then ended up picking off as much as I could before eating the rest, as I didn't want to be dealing with dairy in my system after a year without dairy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buko pie a whole other story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaBEaJf2_FI/T4z6u0GZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAA7U/NfsambcZFSU/s1600/P1050952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaBEaJf2_FI/T4z6u0GZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAA7U/NfsambcZFSU/s320/P1050952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buko pie is coconut pie. And the buko pie from The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop in Los Banos is probably one of my most favourite things ever. This isn't coconut CREAM pie...no, we got actual slices of coconut meat making up this filling...and it is SPEC-FRIGGEN-TACULAR. Our fantastic co-ordinator Lulu remembered how much I loved it from my previous trip and hooked me up with some. How could I refuse??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because it's coconut pie, it is possible that it might be dairy-free, but I assume the crust has eggs in it.Yahhh, I ate it anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnJ8Mk3pntM/T4z7mVCrQGI/AAAAAAAAA7c/NbQvy00OS2o/s1600/P1060687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnJ8Mk3pntM/T4z7mVCrQGI/AAAAAAAAA7c/NbQvy00OS2o/s320/P1060687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe more than one slice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0p3G0pqVe9M/T4z7tU5qCqI/AAAAAAAAA7k/k6PCbV9rekc/s1600/P1070044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0p3G0pqVe9M/T4z7tU5qCqI/AAAAAAAAA7k/k6PCbV9rekc/s320/P1070044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Maybe like eleven slices. No exaggeration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFL-JgBLRhY/T4z7yvDOD0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/8v_GHV2FmdA/s1600/P1070045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFL-JgBLRhY/T4z7yvDOD0I/AAAAAAAAA7s/8v_GHV2FmdA/s320/P1070045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next time I go back to the Philippines, I may look into the ingredients of this buko pie. But for this trip, I remained blissfully ignorant. And it was indeed bliss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJfY-sAy3bQ/T4z789HjcII/AAAAAAAAA70/H6ORh5qJcjI/s1600/P1060738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJfY-sAy3bQ/T4z789HjcII/AAAAAAAAA70/H6ORh5qJcjI/s320/P1060738.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On occasion I'll notice people argue that vegans need to get their heads out of their asses and focus their compassion on the human suffering in the world. There are countless people living in poverty, fear, hunger, and despair, facing persecution and exploitation, so wouldn't our energy be put to nobler use working to alleviate that instead of focussing our attention on animals? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right, ok...but why must we be limited in our compassion? Abstaining from animal products is a choice I can make every day, relatively easily, without uprooting my life too much. It's a choice that any average person can make. I don't get to engage in humanitarian work every day. Though I try to stay informed on the issues, I have not dedicated my life to fighting for social justice. And even if I did, I could still do so as a vegan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not a matter of one or the other. Just because we haven't found the cure for cancer yet doesn't mean we need to stop Multiple Sclerosis research, or stop buying Girl Guide cookies (though I don't buy those any more...not unless they come out with a vegan cookie...then I'll be all over it hells yes). No, I'm not perfect, but cutting out the animal products is a choice that I have been able to integrate into my life, and my compassion for animals does not diminish my compassion for my fellow human beings. Except those idiots who make dumb statements suggesting that vegans have no business working to raise awareness of animal rights when the world has so many other problems plaguing people...I got no compassion for them. People like that are just trolls that deserves an upper cut to the jawline and a flurry to the solar plexus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, hey, maybe if we stopped filtering our crops and natural resources through the billions of animals we inefficiently and unsustainably raise each year for consumption (with seriously devastating environmental ramifications, I might add), we could focus distribution of these crops to <a href="http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/more-reasons-to-go-vegan.aspx" target="_blank">feed people</a>. What a concept. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I digress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a nutshell...The Phils were awesome. The people were amazing. The food was deelishus for the most part. Filipino Starbucks had soy milk. Score.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8EBJO0xWZI/T40PRmwqIQI/AAAAAAAAA8M/HXTR68B-O2c/s1600/P1060408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8EBJO0xWZI/T40PRmwqIQI/AAAAAAAAA8M/HXTR68B-O2c/s320/P1060408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkj4fiV04tI/T40PJC9pnsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/26D4yQ4qwL4/s1600/P1070066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkj4fiV04tI/T40PJC9pnsI/AAAAAAAAA8E/26D4yQ4qwL4/s320/P1070066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The food on the plane was not delicious at all...or maybe it was, but I couldn't eat it. Which is why my first stop upon arriving back in Vancouver was <a href="http://www.dharmakitchen.ca/" target="_blank">Dharma Kitchen</a> for a veggie burger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iae8nW56Xk8/T40Oj39X6WI/AAAAAAAAA78/fFsfk8fWpI4/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iae8nW56Xk8/T40Oj39X6WI/AAAAAAAAA78/fFsfk8fWpI4/s320/IMG_0122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Followed quickly by a much needed ten hour shower at home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*photo not available*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-84027832661431888442012-01-24T22:30:00.002-08:002012-04-01T15:06:18.250-07:00Happy Veganniversary to Meeeee!One year peoples! <br />
<br />
January 24, 2011 was the day I embarked upon my vegan voyage, having decided a few days prior to give this <i>Kind Diet</i> thing a try and see if it was something I could get on board with.<br />
<br />
One year later, I think I can safely say I'm on board and don't have any plans to ever jump ship. This ride is just too good.<br />
<br />
Feeling all nostalgic today, I went back and read <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/01/genesischocolate-peanut-butter-cups.html" target="_blank">my first blog post </a>, and was amused by this:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1f1d1d; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 15px; line-height: 14px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not going vegan...lots more to that lifestyle to consider...just dabbling for the time being (or as Alicia calls it, flirting) with the intention of making healthier and kinder lifestyle choices :</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I remember originally being very comfortable with this change because I avoided setting any huge expectations for myself. I just figured I'd cut back on the meat and dairy and try out some <i>Kind Diet</i> recipes for a while. I expected to go a week, but the food was really, <i>reeeeeeally</i> good, so a week became two, and two became fifty-two. This is primarily thanks to <i>The Kind Diet. </i>The recipes were delicious and kept me motivated to continue in those first few critical weeks, and Alicia's voice throughout the book was gentle and encouraging. I was reluctant to label myself anything at first, as I set out with the intention of avoiding labels and expectations, and didn't embrace the vegan title for a while. I wouldn't claim to be vegan, just that I was trying to eat like one. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">And eat I did. Lots. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Dessert too? Yes indeed. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Deprive myself? Hell no. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Over the last year I got excited about food. I discovered so many cruelty-free, insanely delicious options that I doubt I'd ever have had the inclination to experiment with. I discovered collard greens, nutritional yeast, vegan cupcakes, and a life-altering Caesar salad recipe. I started craving all things green and leafy. I made copious amounts of chocolate peanut butter cups. If I wanted to eat something, I ate it. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I didn't exercise any more than I used to (Pilates class and hiking with my ridiculously handsome dog when weather and time permitted), and I didn't make an effort to loose any weight, but by the summer I noticed that my summer clothes were fitting a little more loosely. </span></span>Now, a lady never reveals her weight, but I will admit that t<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 14px;">he muffin top that used to peek over the side of my pants had gone down some, and it turned out that after five months or so I had lost about 10 lbs and one dress size. Not a huge achievement in the grand scheme of things, but considering it was virtually effortless, I thought that was a pretty cool side effect of eating Kind. </span><br />
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Another awesome side effect of being plant-strong? Awesome poo. Yes, I'm going there. When Oprah's staff went vegan for a week, she mentioned that the washrooms at Harpo studios went through way more toilet paper than usual. That's because vegan poo is the shit. Without animal carcasses taking their sweet time to work their way through your intestines, you digest your food much more quickly and efficiently. Without going into too much detail (because you never know, I might run for Prime Minister one day and nobody wants a PM who talks about her BM's), I have definitely noticed a huge improvement in that area. Constipation no more.<br />
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I used to get an upset stomach once or twice a week. Nothing too serious, but definitely unpleasant. I never was able to figure out what brought it on, and just resigned myself to the idea that this was normal, because it was my normal. How many stomach aches have I had since going vegan, you may wonder?<br />
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Two.<br />
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I have had two stomach aches in the last year. One was after <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.ca/2011/02/week-three-conttrader-joes-asian.html" target="_blank">I ate a bunch of dried mangoes on an empty stomach</a> and felt like crap for the day and then puked them out in the evening. The second was in Vegas after eating at the Luxor buffet. Nothing against the Luxor buffet! It was delicious, but I accidentally ate beef adobo when I thought it was bean adobo. I'm not sure if it was a mental thing or a true physical response, but my stomach felt off for a few hours after that.<br />
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And that's it. Two stomach aches per vegan year vs. two per omnivorous week. Just another pleasant side effect of getting on board with The Plant.<br />
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The best thing about this past year, however, truly has been knowing that I've made a huge step in the direction of cruelty-free choices. The main reason I started dabbling in the vegan world was because I could no longer ignore where my food came from. It really horrifies me now to think about what the food industry has become. I had an awareness for years, but didn't want to look into it, because I knew I wouldn't like what I discovered. I was content ignoring the reality of what I was supporting, because the idea of making a huge shift in lifestyle was daunting.<br />
<br />
And then my bff bought me <i>The Kind Diet. </i>And I heard Alicia Silverstone's sweet and non-judgmental yet persuasive voice, and I couldn't ignore the reality of what it meant to purchase animal products any longer. I was lucky that Rob the Husband was eager to get on board, and the changes started happening steadily. It's a work in progress, and I'm far from perfect, but I'm happy and content knowing I'm no longer contributing to an industry that is so contrary to the ideas of respect and compassion for sentient beings.<br />
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I don't have to have a steak to be happy and enjoy food. A cow doesn't have to suffer and die to satisfy my palette. I'm good. Really.<br />
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Over the past year I have come to see how truly unnecessary it is to eat animals. I feel lighter, physically and mentally, not consuming animal products. Yah, I could eat a steak, but why would I want to? It's not necessary. It's not worth it. It's pointless.<br />
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So, so pointless.<br />
<br />
Paul McCartney had a revelation years ago while reeling in a fish: "I am killing him - all for the passing pleasure it brings me."<br />
<br />
Was the pleasure animals brought me, in the form of food, sport, decor, fashion, or beauty, really worth the suffering inflicted upon them? Was I that desensitized to the fact that these are sentient beings, and they suffer needlessly? Needlessly, because I can enjoy food, sport, decor, fashion, and beauty from other wonderful sources.<br />
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There was a time when I could eat a ham sandwich while watching <i>Babe </i>and still feel all warm and fuzzy when James Cromwell looked down and said, "That'll do pig." How does that make sense? Yahhh...it really doesn't. The disconnect and desensitization was there, and it was convenient. But I needed to check back into reality and re-sensitize myself to what was going on. Because the way I was carrying on when it came to animals made no friggen sense.<br />
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This is why, one year later, this "vegan thing" is no longer a "thing" I'm doing; rather, it has just become my life. I think I'm pretty comfortable calling myself vegan at this point. Like everything else in life, it's a work in progress. But it makes sense to me, I love how it has enriched my life, I'm giddy about the plant-strong changes I've seen my friends make, and the cupcakes are pretty damn spectacular.<br />
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I've discovered wonderful local eateries, kickass cruelty-free shoes, amazingly passionate organizations, and brilliant online pages and communities motivated by compassion and sharing ideals I feel good about supporting.<br />
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And now, to celebrate my one year veganniversary, I present a picture with my vegan bible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6FmgRsxIe8/Tx-aNGemHHI/AAAAAAAAAuU/PhBmEJOsblU/s1600/kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6FmgRsxIe8/Tx-aNGemHHI/AAAAAAAAAuU/PhBmEJOsblU/s320/kind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In my pantry, because I'm cool like that.<br />
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Please disregard the jar of pickled baby seal meat next to the foie gras. I swear I didn't buy that...it was a gift.<br />
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Onward to Year Two...no longer flirting with the Kind life, but going steady. Ima keep the blog name though, because Going Steady With Kind just sounds weird.yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-89592270339322514972012-01-22T19:02:00.000-08:002012-01-24T22:57:23.339-08:00A Very Vegan Christmas (crazy belated but I don't care)Um...so...yah...it's been a while.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>My last post was about my first vegan Halloween. And there's been a whole lotta stuff that's gone down since then in the realm of family drama, travel, getting knighted, stolen purses and spinal taps. Doesn't leave much time or inclination for blogging. </div><div><br />
</div><div>But now I'm kinda going through withdrawl. There's still not much time for blogging, but the inclination has returned, hence my Christmas reflection :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>And I was totally lying about the whole getting knighted thing. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It seems kind of late to blog about Christmas, but my tree is still up, as are my lights and a whole crapload of other decorations, so it's still appropriate. Plus we just had a snow day on Friday (score no school!) and my Zooey Deschanel Christmas cd is still in my car. I can drag this Christmas stuff out for a little while longer.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Which brings us to Christmas Dinner. This year we opted for a low-key Christmas, and just had some close friends over on Christmas Eve. This worked out great for me, as our tradition has always been a meat-free Christmas Eve. At my mother's insistence we still had fish on the table, but at least I didn't have to tolerate the revered turkey carcass that has been the centerpiece of so many Christmas Days. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The meal began with a Polish staple, <b>borscht</b> (beet soup). </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFLAJQ04JVY/TxvKvdBbJ6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/QK8Jr-Fhk0o/s1600/P1050891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFLAJQ04JVY/TxvKvdBbJ6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/QK8Jr-Fhk0o/s320/P1050891.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Vegan by default, this is a soup I grew up on, staining many a white shirt over the years. It's tangy and red and delicious, made even better paired with <b>uszka</b>, little perogy-dumpling like bits of dough stuffed with mushrooms. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaRdDr1DZNk/TxvK4x9FBPI/AAAAAAAAAs0/AAS1qCmI7w8/s1600/P1050893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaRdDr1DZNk/TxvK4x9FBPI/AAAAAAAAAs0/AAS1qCmI7w8/s320/P1050893.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Uszka literally translates into ears (gross), and this was the first year I bothered to question why they were called that, only to realize that they do kind of look like ears. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMtYhN33OkA/TxvKzxXECtI/AAAAAAAAAss/0l5DufoWevE/s1600/P1050892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMtYhN33OkA/TxvKzxXECtI/AAAAAAAAAss/0l5DufoWevE/s320/P1050892.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>This Christmas my mother was kind enough to veganize the dough so I was able to partake in the uszka goodness, which is awesome because beet soup just isn't the same without doughy, mushroomy chunks of awesome floating around in it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>A couple of years ago, after watching too many episodes of Hell's Kitchen (where Gordon Ramsay would always feature either lamb or beef Wellington at dinner service) I made it my life's ambition to try beef Wellington. I had the opportunity to do so on a cruise ship, and quickly discovered I loved meaty things wrapped in pastry (which should have come as no surprise considering the amount of cocktail wienies I've consumed in my life). This is why I was super excited to bust out my <b><a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/products/food-service/wild-rice-cranberry-fig-roast-en-croute" target="_blank">Field Roast Cranberry Fig Loaf</a> </b>for the main course this Christmas Eve. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmKrwhkAf-w/TxvLKv7MU6I/AAAAAAAAAtM/tV0w2UK5kdQ/s1600/P1050898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmKrwhkAf-w/TxvLKv7MU6I/AAAAAAAAAtM/tV0w2UK5kdQ/s320/P1050898.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>This dish has that special occasion vibe to it...it's not something you have just any day. It's awesome. The flakyness of the pastry on the outside combined with a tasty, slightly sweet inside thanks to the cranberries and figs makes for a nice, classy main dish. I topped it off with <b>Cranberry Apple Sauce </b>(which I think I found in a<i> Taste </i>magazine from BC Liquor stores a couple of Christmases ago) and <b><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=skinny+bitch+savory+gravy+recipe&source=bl&ots=ObnmjN9MeD&sig=LtWQx5rHpXszQ4F4kcjxpOueb-g&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nc4bT_mdAYWbiQKc4rnSCA&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">Savory Gravy</a> </b>from <b><i>Skinny Bitch</i> (p. 146)</b>.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This is hands down my favourite cranberry sauce...and I'm not even totally sure where I found the recipe. Regardless, it's super easy, delicious, and such an integral part of Christmas dinner that I'm going to go ahead and post the recipe:</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i>Cranberry Apple Sauce</i></b></div><div><i>- 1/3 cup apple cider or juice</i></div><div><i>- 1/4 cup sugar</i></div><div><i>- 12 oz bag fresh cranberries</i></div><div><i>- 2 apples, peeled, cored, & chopped</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i>In a medium, non-reactive saucepan, dissolve sugar into juice over a medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until cranberries pop and sauce thickens. Makes about 4 cups.</i></div><div><br />
</div><div>That's it. Super easy. Super festive. Super yum.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZmFB9Oej5M/TxvK_IcI-6I/AAAAAAAAAs8/DOUGKaXQk9o/s1600/P1050894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZmFB9Oej5M/TxvK_IcI-6I/AAAAAAAAAs8/DOUGKaXQk9o/s320/P1050894.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRDwD11AzY4/TxvLQDiv4UI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Xo3uUU_FX8g/s1600/P1050899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRDwD11AzY4/TxvLQDiv4UI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Xo3uUU_FX8g/s320/P1050899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The <i>Skinny Bitch</i> gravy is made with miso and nutritional yeast, giving it a strong, distinct flavour, and is super creamy. The recipe also makes a ton of the stuff, so we had a lot left over. It worked brilliantly on the Field Roast, and would be just as brilliant on mashed potatoes or Gardein or oatmeal (maybe if you're pregnant). </div><div><br />
</div><div><i>My Rating:</i></div><div><i>Field Roast Cranberry Fig Loaf - 4 Happy Tongues</i></div><div><i>Cranberry Apple Sauce: 4 Happy Tongues</i></div><div><i>Savory Gravy - 4 Happy Tongues</i></div><div><br />
</div><div>I also busted out a couple of tried, tested and true Alicia dishes...<b><a href="http://www.savorsa.com/2010/11/scarlet-roasted-vegetables/" target="_blank">Scarlett Roasted Vegetables</a> (<i>Kind Diet</i> p. 267)</b> and my favourite <b><a href="http://bakereadandbemerry.blogspot.com/2010/11/vegan-cornbread.html" target="_blank">Cornbread </a>(<i>Kind Diet</i> p. 163)</b>. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmKixwFcg8Q/TxvLE2_kOXI/AAAAAAAAAtE/PLvqsBFzKg4/s1600/P1050896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmKixwFcg8Q/TxvLE2_kOXI/AAAAAAAAAtE/PLvqsBFzKg4/s320/P1050896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dw6rGv6EOmA/TxvLVhJUfHI/AAAAAAAAAtc/xgwa-DWZH3E/s1600/P1050900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dw6rGv6EOmA/TxvLVhJUfHI/AAAAAAAAAtc/xgwa-DWZH3E/s320/P1050900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the help of my mother, we also veganized a couple more Polish staples...cabbage rolls and perogies, but they deserve a dedicated post of their own (coming soon! Unless I get another friggen spinal tap and end up with another week-long spinal headache and need another epidural blood patch so I can sit upright without my head exploding or I really do get knighted...that might result in another blogging hiatus). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My vegan dishes did have to share the table with some non-vegan options, because my mom hasn't quite embraced the plant-strong world fully yet, but overall the potential for a totally vegan Christmas was evident. And considering the copious amounts of leftovers we had (because overestimating the amount of food you will need is somehow engrained in the Polish community), I am hopeful that next Christmas we can eliminate even more animal products from the dinner table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCUqq1Ch-6Y/TxvLnn2pXSI/AAAAAAAAAt0/J-S7e2whDyk/s1600/P1050903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCUqq1Ch-6Y/TxvLnn2pXSI/AAAAAAAAAt0/J-S7e2whDyk/s320/P1050903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, we cannot forget dessert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Firstly, this <b><a href="http://veganyumyum.com/2008/05/easy-tarte-aux-pommes/" target="_blank">Tarte Aux Pommes</a></b> from <i><b>Vegan Yum Yum</b></i> has a delicious, easy to make crust, and with it's warm, fruity, cinnamony essence, it falls under the comfort food umbrella and brings me to my happy place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CFnYMS8HM4/TxvL0rPrqjI/AAAAAAAAAuE/_Flmqmxbvy8/s1600/P1050905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CFnYMS8HM4/TxvL0rPrqjI/AAAAAAAAAuE/_Flmqmxbvy8/s320/P1050905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div>I didn't roll out my dough enough, so it was a bit short to fold up over the top all around, but luckily this is a very forgiving dessert to assemble because you don't have to close off the top with dough. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Also, if you're in the mood for something <i>ridiculously</i> sweet and decadent, you must try this <b><a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/12/15/sinless-sticky-toffee-pecan-pudding/" target="_blank">Sinless Sticky Toffee Pecan Pudding</a></b> from<i> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1239872259"></span>Oh She Glows<span id="goog_1239872260"></span></a></i>. <a href="http://atgoodstuff.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">My friend</a> tweeted this recommendation to me, and I knew I had to try it. Holy crap, does this taste naughty without being all that naughty thanks to brown rice syrup. This dish is best right out of the oven while it's still nice and warm. and I'd assume it would be even better with ice cream. Brown rice syrup has a unique flavour, and it might take newbies a couple of bites to acclimatize to it if they're expecting a traditional caramel/toffee flavour, but the satisfying sweetness easily won me over.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5thRTAEN9k/TxvLutJd5zI/AAAAAAAAAt8/iGq60n0Q8-w/s1600/P1050904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5thRTAEN9k/TxvLutJd5zI/AAAAAAAAAt8/iGq60n0Q8-w/s320/P1050904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blurry pic quality...my bad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>My Rating:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Tarte Aux Pommes - 4 Happy Tongues</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Sinless Sticky Toffee Pudding - 4 Happy Tongues</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there you have it...an easily veganizable, delicious Christmas dinner that is colourful, nutritious, delicious, and kept me full all the way through Midnight Mass that night. And of course I snuck another piece of pie after Midnight Mass, because it was Christmas, and anything you eat in the middle of the night at Christmas doesn't count. Santa will totally back me up on that one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of Santa, we also left out vegan <a href="http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/soft-baked-cookies/snickerdoodle/" target="_blank">snickerdoodles from Enjoy Life</a> for him that night, along with a glass of almond milk. I'm sure he was most appreciative, because they were all gone by Christmas morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Rob the Husband, in addition to hooking me up with a<a href="http://www.sheandhim.com/#/music/" target="_blank"> She & Him</a> Christmas cd, an iPhone 4S (SCORE!!) and having my wedding dress heirloomed (after 8 years of it sitting scrunched in a bag in my closet), also got me a beautiful box of <a href="http://www.dierbe.ca/store/" target="_blank"><b>di erbe</b> </a>vegan bath stuff from Winnipeg...body lotion, lip balm, soap, and facial stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zopxXt1whl8/TxzI4DDpxXI/AAAAAAAAAuM/lofWL-pFahE/s1600/dierbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zopxXt1whl8/TxzI4DDpxXI/AAAAAAAAAuM/lofWL-pFahE/s320/dierbe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That bath stuff should make up for my<a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/10/very-vegan-girly-birthday-weekend.html" target="_blank"> birthday milk bath faux pas</a> in Whistler a few months ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The vegan gift awesomeness continued as my mom and sister gave me two vegan dessert books to add to my <i>Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxEFmsHzcUU/Tx-nuaJtG9I/AAAAAAAAAuc/oGCGnglzyaE/s1600/cookbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxEFmsHzcUU/Tx-nuaJtG9I/AAAAAAAAAuc/oGCGnglzyaE/s320/cookbooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sigh...so Christmas 2011 was the last time I'll experience my first vegan Christmas. As I approach the one year mark of my plant-strong lifestyle, I'm quickly running out of vegan firsts, having gone through all the major holidays and all four seasons. But I figure there will still be lots of other plant-strong firsts to experience along the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like my first time listening to She & Him's Christmas Waltz while eating kale chips sprinkled with nutritional yeast. Quick...go grab a bag of kale chips sprinkled with nutritional yeast and we can experience this first together! Unless you've already listened to She & Him's Christmas Waltz while eating a bag of kale chips sprinkled with nutritional yeast. Then it won't be a first for you. It's ok...Zooey loves you anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FVaFoAIVzok?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That just put a smile on my face for the rest of January :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I'll try not to smile too big because kale chips like getting stuck in my teeth. Not attractive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merry Very Belated Christmas :)</div><div><br />
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-58122149981059570072011-10-31T19:17:00.000-07:002011-11-01T01:28:01.134-07:00A Very Vegan Halloween<div style="text-align: left;">Ahhh, traditions. What kind of civilization would we be if we didn't maintain the traditions that define who we are, how we celebrate, and what we cherish?</div><br />
For the past few years, our Halloween tradition has been Sushi & Saw Night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOsEF9MNmtk/Tq5D900YPDI/AAAAAAAAApE/5xLkSPygW2E/s1600/P1050580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOsEF9MNmtk/Tq5D900YPDI/AAAAAAAAApE/5xLkSPygW2E/s320/P1050580.jpg" width="320" /></a>'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaZpdxMflw4/Tq5EP2MY2zI/AAAAAAAAApM/V53JrdAWhE8/s1600/P1050550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaZpdxMflw4/Tq5EP2MY2zI/AAAAAAAAApM/V53JrdAWhE8/s320/P1050550.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What better way to celebrate the eve of All Saints Day than watching people get brutally, graphically massacred in imaginative ways with a delightful ironic twist to keep things interesting, while at the same time gorging ourselves on sushi and Halloween goodies? I am having flashbacks of packages of individually wrapped mini chocolates and gummies that I would buy to hand out to kiddies even though I'd only ever get like 8 trick-or-treaters in my area every year, leaving all that leftover titty-milk and gelatin infused candy for me to consume. Which I would do gladly :)</div><div><br />
This year things were a bit different, as over the past few months everyone in my Sushi & Saw Circle has gone through a lifestyle evolution of their own (an evolution that has involved moving away from fueling their bodies with animal products), and it was clear that the Halloween-y snacks that play such an integral part in our Sushi & Saw Celebration would have to evolve as well.<br />
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As my friend J so eloquently put it,<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Vegan Saw night. Not eating cut up flesh while watching flesh get cut up...</b></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Giddy up.</span><br />
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This year's gathering was hosted by the ridiculously good looking Aquafolk.<br />
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Because our group consisted of both vegans and pescetarians, there were a couple of seafood sushi options (I think I accidentally consumed a scallop roll...oops), but everything else was vegan.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Iti0Sxf50/Tq5FDB83uTI/AAAAAAAAApk/KPFv0a8TO2k/s1600/P1050553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Iti0Sxf50/Tq5FDB83uTI/AAAAAAAAApk/KPFv0a8TO2k/s320/P1050553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ahVn3-HG6c/Tq5FBIPn8iI/AAAAAAAAApc/cNfirhLsLfo/s1600/P1050547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ahVn3-HG6c/Tq5FBIPn8iI/AAAAAAAAApc/cNfirhLsLfo/s320/P1050547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Replacing the individually wrapped mini titty milk chocolates and animal bone gummies might be a dilemma for the mere mortal, but for someone with an arsenal of kickass vegan recipes at her disposal (and a couple of donut pans), the solution was simple.<br />
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Donuts.<br />
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More specifically, Babycakes Vegan, Gluten-Free <a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/online/article/103638/Vegan-Donut-Recipe-from-BabyCakes-Covers-the-Classics">Plain Cake Donuts</a> from<b><i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BabyCakes-Covers-Classics-Gluten-Free-Snickerdoodles/dp/0307718301">Babycakes Covers the Classics.</a></i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FllonFUqvE/Tq8sjlxZ38I/AAAAAAAAAps/HLZlxLXhOMM/s1600/P1050557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FllonFUqvE/Tq8sjlxZ38I/AAAAAAAAAps/HLZlxLXhOMM/s320/P1050557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I LOVE, nay, ADORE, nay, WORSHIP....nay, let's scale it back to ADORE these donuts. So does everyone else who's ever tried them. They are super moist, incredibly tasty, and crazy versatile. They are especially perfect for the lover of all things vanilla, because a recipe for a dozen calls for 1/4 cup vanilla. Ohhh yeah, that's a lot of vanilla. <br />
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These are also stupid easy to make and bake up beautifully. The Babycakes cookbook provides you with recipe suggestions for toppings, and I made two different ones...cinnamon sugar and sugar sweetened chocolate dipping sauce.<br />
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Yes indeed, these went over brilliantly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnQ6HERZnvE/Tq8t9Cq25cI/AAAAAAAAAp8/-e59lw2UaeA/s1600/P1050561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnQ6HERZnvE/Tq8t9Cq25cI/AAAAAAAAAp8/-e59lw2UaeA/s320/P1050561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQlqoVPqIag/Tq8t9ggc-CI/AAAAAAAAAqE/4hSBCRYEojs/s1600/P1050564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQlqoVPqIag/Tq8t9ggc-CI/AAAAAAAAAqE/4hSBCRYEojs/s320/P1050564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>My rating:</i><br />
<i>Babycakes Plain Cake Donuts - 4.5 Happy Tongues</i><br />
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And no movie night would be complete without popcorn, so my very vegan buddy Mags busted out the kernels, which we found pretty fascinating for whatever reason.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRyTFrHZB8Y/Tq8wpcnzQHI/AAAAAAAAAqM/rfjLk5DR4c8/s1600/P1050571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRyTFrHZB8Y/Tq8wpcnzQHI/AAAAAAAAAqM/rfjLk5DR4c8/s320/P1050571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLlhj76g8iM/Tq8xEFN_s8I/AAAAAAAAAqU/E2ckV5WERMM/s1600/popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLlhj76g8iM/Tq8xEFN_s8I/AAAAAAAAAqU/E2ckV5WERMM/s320/popcorn.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>While we are on the topic of popcorn, I need to take a moment to provide some history about my relationship with popcorn.<br />
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Back in the days before I was tampering with impressionable minds in my classroom, I worked at a movie theatre (yeahhhhhh Colossus Langley), and in addition to seeing a crapload of free movies, I was able to enjoy (on my breaks only, of course) craploads of free popcorn (one refillable mini bag at a time...the theatre management powers-that-be didn't want us taking advantage of their generosity with the popcorn...garbage bags of which would be thrown away every night...just sayin'). I had always enjoyed popcorn, but it was during my employment at the theatre that I was introduced to popcorn seasoning. Just thinking about those little containers of powdery flavours makes me feel all fuzzy and smiley...ketchup, dill pickle, all dressed, sour cream & onion, salt & vinegar, and my personal favourite, white cheddar.<br />
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When these little containers of powdery popcorn seasoning sent from the gods became available for retail purchase, I was in heaven, and always made sure I had a healthy stock of white cheddar powder around for my home popcorn binges. When they stopped providing the seasoning at the theatres (cheap bastards), I would bring my own seasoning from home, just so I wouldn't have to endure popcorn without it.<br />
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I knew it wasn't the best stuff for me. I mean, it was pretty much artificial crap, but for years and years I didn't really care....until I went vegan and saw the milk ingredients on the package.<br />
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Boo.<br />
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Not gonna lie...the white cheddar popcorn seasoning was something that I actually considered not giving up...I toyed with the idea of keeping it around as an exception to my vegan life. I thought the two could coexist together...the white cheddar would just be the mistress that I'd have to hide from my vegan lifestyle. But then I remembered that I'm not a cheating douchebag, and there was no room in my pantry of wholesome Plant-Strong awesomeness for white cheddar seasoning. As appealing as I thought she was at the time, I quickly realized that she's just an artificial, shallow, classless tramp. I mean, you'd have to be a pretty selfish, desperate, pathetic food item to willingly compromise a person's relationship with their Plant-Strong lifestyle. No...I respected this vegan commitment and realized I had to purge the white cheddar seasoning. I didn't even keep her as a facebook friend, because honestly, what person with a shred of decency would?<br />
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Yahhh...that falls into the category of "Things Classy People Don't Do."<br />
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Which brings me to my current relationship with popcorn. After purging the white cheddar seasoning out of my life, I discovered <a href="http://www.bestnaturalfoods.com/nutritional_yeast.html">nutritional yeast</a>. This stuff is AMAYYYYZING. It has a cheesy, nutty flavour and is absolute perfection sprinkled on popcorn with some Earth Balance butter and sea salt. Normally, I wouldn't expect any of my friends to have this stuff in their pantry, but because Mags of The Aquafolk is vegan and awesome, we were all able to indulge in what is probably my absolute favourite snack ever.<br />
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<i>My rating:</i><br />
<i>Popcorn with Earth Balance Butter, nutritional yeast and sea salt: 5 Happy Tongues, easy</i><br />
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So full of sushi and well armed with donuts and popcorn, we proceeded to watch Saw 7...at least, some of us did. Some of us stayed safe behind the pillows.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9--mRul6rc/Tq9K7hB6CXI/AAAAAAAAArc/G6EUbdnuoMQ/s1600/P1050583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9--mRul6rc/Tq9K7hB6CXI/AAAAAAAAArc/G6EUbdnuoMQ/s320/P1050583.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFdZGgFzkd8/Tq9KKMHGK9I/AAAAAAAAArE/g7KsPg6IHxU/s1600/P1050591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFdZGgFzkd8/Tq9KKMHGK9I/AAAAAAAAArE/g7KsPg6IHxU/s320/P1050591.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQqIctd8dUs/Tq9KIwrqyXI/AAAAAAAAAqs/nDz4kajAbFE/s1600/P1050585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQqIctd8dUs/Tq9KIwrqyXI/AAAAAAAAAqs/nDz4kajAbFE/s320/P1050585.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FR0_W2pmsW4/Tq9KJzMQMOI/AAAAAAAAAq8/OsZMYpihi8k/s1600/P1050589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FR0_W2pmsW4/Tq9KJzMQMOI/AAAAAAAAAq8/OsZMYpihi8k/s320/P1050589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Indeed, it was a swell night of good eatin', great company, and decent entertainment. And no animals were harmed in the making of this lovely All Hallows Eve celebration (with the exception of a few scallops). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was sad to see our Sushi & Saw tradition come to an end with the final Saw movie, but that just means that we have to start a new tradition next year with a new series of creepy movies...but nothing involving possession or choppy walking ghosts. Hell no. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps Hannibal & Hummus?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For those of you who aren't down with baking stuff up for a Halloween party and would rather go the pre-packaged candy route, there is some pretty awesome dairy-free chocolate and gelatin-free candy out there. It's definitely more pricey than your traditional Mars bar, but the more people buy and the more popular it becomes, the more they will produce and the cheaper it will be as it moves away from the status of "specialty item." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found these chocolate bars at Nice Shoes in Vancouver:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXWpwL2t30Y/Tq9RpvN7hLI/AAAAAAAAArs/OlNNVlpBdLs/s1600/P1050707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXWpwL2t30Y/Tq9RpvN7hLI/AAAAAAAAArs/OlNNVlpBdLs/s320/P1050707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those would be the vegan equivalents of Mars, Reese, Snickers, and Three Muskateers. They are made with rice milk chocolate and are DELICIOUS! The Cleos peanut butter cups are especially divine. The peanut butter is so much creamier than Reese, and when I don't have time to bust out Alicia's pb cup recipe, this is a very worthy pre-packaged alternative.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And at almost $4 per bar you're much more careful with your calorie consumption :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But at the end of the day, I'd rather consume a $4 rice-milk chocolate bar than a $1 cow-titty milk chocolate bar. And I'm sure the cows would rather you did too :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</a></div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-1015776971604786382011-10-04T00:50:00.000-07:002011-10-04T01:11:06.287-07:00A Very Vegan Girly Birthday WeekendA few weekends ago (<b>Weekend 33.0</b>) I turned 31. Stupid thirties.<br />
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To try to forget about this whole getting old thing, I picked up some hot women and headed to Whistler to distract myself with eating, drinking, spa-ing, and zip-trekking.<br />
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It worked.<br />
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The swell thing was we had a 1:1 ratio of vegans:veg-heads...or as I like to call them, vegans-in-training.<br />
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Our Girly Whistler Weekend got off to a swell start, thanks to our gorgeous mountain suite at the Chateau Whistler. Had to use up some President's Club perks to get the room at a rate that was in our tax bracket, but it was totally worth it.<br />
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For dinner that Friday we met up with a stunning omnivore realtor and headed to one of my all time faves even pre-vegan conversion... <a href="http://www.mongoliegrill.com/">Mongolie Grill</a>. I was pretty choked to discover that neither of their soups were vegan...the Miso was made on fish broth and the Hot & Sour had egg in it (boo), but the plethora of delicious veggies and noodles and sauces I had to choose from to create my dinner masterpiece quickly put the soup out of my mind.<br />
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Oh hello delicious soba noodles and veggies in curry & coconut sauce.<br />
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It's also a nice bonus that most martinis are vegan by default.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTgmoveO9I4/ToaQFnGvasI/AAAAAAAAAl8/uofMqTomWo4/s1600/P1050125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTgmoveO9I4/ToaQFnGvasI/AAAAAAAAAl8/uofMqTomWo4/s320/P1050125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After a thumbs up dinner I tried to forget I was well into my thirties and ventured out to partake in the mountain nightlife. We scouted out a few establishments and sat through some generic music and observed the demographic partaking in the evening's merriment (a demographic whose report cards I very well could have been preparing a few months ago), and quickly realized we would be much happier capping off the first night of our Girly Whistler Weekend back at our awesome mountain suite.<br />
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But not before trying out the pole, of course.<br />
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We woke up Saturday to a gorgeous sunny morning and a day of zip-trekking and spa-ing ahead of us.<br />
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Because our suite was on the 8th floor of the Chateau Whistler, we wandered over to the Gold Floor Lounge down the hall and enjoyed a lovely complimentary breakfast there.<br />
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There were many tempting corpse and titty-milk breakfast items to pass over, but my dependable buddy oatmeal saved the day like he always does, and I was able to fuel up for the busy day ahead.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9OPYjlT7EA/Toa2M76jXCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/gpvwuwyxI0U/s1600/gold+lounge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9OPYjlT7EA/Toa2M76jXCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/gpvwuwyxI0U/s320/gold+lounge.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little did we know as we were enjoying our Gold Floor breakfast that our suite did not actually count as part of the Gold Floor and we weren't actually supposed to be in the Gold Lounge, because the Gold <i>Floor</i> at the Chateau Whistler is actually more like a Gold <i>Wing</i>. We discovered this when we tried to get back in for pre-dinner appies later that day...and were turned away after they asked us for our room number...which they didn't do that morning at breakfast...yahhhh...that was kinda awkward.<br />
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But seriously...the 8th floor is called The Gold FLOOR. If Gold Floor perks don't apply to every room on the 8th floor, call it the friggen Gold WING and avoid the awkwardness and confusion. Seriously, Fairmont...I love you, but it's simple english.<br />
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Oh well, whatever. We scored a free breakfast anyway. Suckas.<br />
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After unwittingly scamming the Fairmont out of four free Gold WING breakfasts, we proceeded to our first legitimate adventure of the day...zip-trekking. It might be worth noting that not only did we have a 1:1 vegan:veg-head ratio in our group, but also a 1:1 not-terrified-of-heights:terrified-of-heights ratio. Which made for an interesting zip-trekking experience. <br />
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You see, for whatever reason, my lovely friends, <a href="http://bachoochie.blogspot.com/">the bff</a> and <a href="http://vegetariandventures.blogspot.com/">WestCoastSunshine</a> signed on for zip-trekking in spite of their petrifying fear of heights.<br />
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Awww...she's afraid she's going to plummet to her early demise.<br />
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But you know what? They did it...and loved it...and can't wait to do it again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mags is unafraid...FIERCE</td></tr>
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Gotta throw in a plug for Whistler zip-trekking here...if you've never done it, do it. It is just exhilarating...breathtaking...mindblowing...kind of like biting into one of <a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/user/recipe/chocolate-peanut-butter-cups">Alicia's chocolate peanut butter cups</a>, except up in a rainforest soaring through the trees like a bird who has learned to exist on vegan peanut butter cups instead of worms and bugs.<br />
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If that's not an expression of exhilaration I don't know what is.<br />
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Having digested our unwittingly scammed Fairmont Gold WING breakfast over the course of our zipping adventure, we took the suggestion of our zip-trek guide and headed to Ingrid's cafe in the village for lunch.<br />
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</div>Hello delicious vegan burgers with a crapload of avocado. Oh yes, these were goooood.<br />
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Why people insist on eating a carcass burger when you've got incredible options like these is beyond me. Just sayin'.<br />
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I shouldn't be saying snarky things like that, though, because I effed up pretty big that weekend in the vegan department. Here goes...confession time.<br />
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We went to the spa on Saturday afternoon, where we all booked ourselves in for a massage and milk bath.<br />
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Yes, milk bath.<br />
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How did I book a milk bath without thinking that it was actually milk? I mean, it's called a friggen MILK bath.<br />
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I guess I shouldn't judge the Fairmont too harshly on their liberal application of the term Gold FLOOR when I can't even clue in that if I'm booking a MILK bath I will likely be bathing in MILK. As in cow titty milk. Which is not vegan.<br />
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Yah...I'm an idiot.<br />
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It's something that should have been so obvious too...like <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/05/unfortunate-cali-roll-auto-pilot.html">when I ordered a California roll and ate it and didn't even think about the fact that I ate fish until the next day when I was thinking about ordering another one. </a><br />
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I repeat. Idiot.<br />
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Oh well...the nail polish for my pedicure after the milk bath was vegan.<br />
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Relaxed and freshly marinated in milk, we headed back to our hotel for dinner, because Fairmont = Lifestyles menu. Hells yes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gazpacho!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wor2dL8MYvQ/Toa2IfWG3JI/AAAAAAAAAoA/UICSGryOpNA/s1600/beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wor2dL8MYvQ/Toa2IfWG3JI/AAAAAAAAAoA/UICSGryOpNA/s320/beets.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellooo raw beet ravioli</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellooo beets<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYAESARq1zk/ToaRhAekOXI/AAAAAAAAAnc/GoCSMi8WJ8I/s1600/P1050223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYAESARq1zk/ToaRhAekOXI/AAAAAAAAAnc/GoCSMi8WJ8I/s320/P1050223.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">My soba noodles & veggies in amazing broth...light and refreshing and perfect</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBqNcPaghz0/ToaRfbjQ12I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/uGJwkETzrnM/s1600/P1050218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBqNcPaghz0/ToaRfbjQ12I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/uGJwkETzrnM/s320/P1050218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a lot of food picture taking going on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic0FTf3vUDg/ToaRgnIgtjI/AAAAAAAAAnY/VkSihnEX53I/s1600/P1050222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic0FTf3vUDg/ToaRgnIgtjI/AAAAAAAAAnY/VkSihnEX53I/s320/P1050222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj_Uaabu4sY/Toa2QwXadII/AAAAAAAAAoM/OUbm0oOERew/s1600/quinoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj_Uaabu4sY/Toa2QwXadII/AAAAAAAAAoM/OUbm0oOERew/s320/quinoa.jpg" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">WestCoastSunshine loved her quinoa risotto. It was rather spectacular, I must agree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Something of interest...the bff ordered the non-vegan version of the quinoa risotto. All of us tried it and were overwhelmed by the taste of butter. It overpowered the dish...interesting indeeeeeeeeed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course there was dessert...</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUnWYYYz2TY/ToaRhfQBRHI/AAAAAAAAAng/niqE1B3HoU4/s1600/P1050272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUnWYYYz2TY/ToaRhfQBRHI/AAAAAAAAAng/niqE1B3HoU4/s320/P1050272.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This would be a poached apple stuffed with raisins...oh yes.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmJJEs-8Dy4/ToaRh0Zax0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/WoI4ZZX1E0s/s1600/P1050274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmJJEs-8Dy4/ToaRh0Zax0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/WoI4ZZX1E0s/s320/P1050274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WPdAkV-EwQ/ToaRiD2MNvI/AAAAAAAAAno/5pgwufYD-_Q/s1600/P1050281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WPdAkV-EwQ/ToaRiD2MNvI/AAAAAAAAAno/5pgwufYD-_Q/s320/P1050281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a cashew ice cream. We weren't too thrilled with it until we decided to look at it as cashew butter or cashew paste, after which we liked it just fine. It did not work as vegan frozen dessert alternative...way too thick with a consistency that was definitely not that of ice cream. It was like eating mouthfulls of peanut butter. Still tasty, though...would have worked well as a spread, and after we acknowledged it as such, we gave it the thumbs up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yay Fairmont :) Yay Lifestyles menu :) Yay seven grain cereal with hazlenuts for breakfast the next morning :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uofUTOduAhs/ToaRit6XTCI/AAAAAAAAAns/mg5ezAOZhEg/s1600/P1050328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uofUTOduAhs/ToaRit6XTCI/AAAAAAAAAns/mg5ezAOZhEg/s320/P1050328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...times four...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3a0vsvS2dc/ToqcYiauLYI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/AC7zIYSh_tg/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3a0vsvS2dc/ToqcYiauLYI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/AC7zIYSh_tg/s320/breakfast.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After breakfast (our waiter actually called us the healthiest table he served all morning) we lounged by the pool, followed by wandering the local market in the Upper Village. There were sooo many crazy neat things to buy, as an abundance of lovely people were peddling their vegan wares...vegan loaves, vegan spreads, vegan marinades...love love love. I totally scored some kickass tzatziki, a cheesy spread made with nutritional yeast, a couple of banana & zucchini loaves, some chimchurri sauce, and strawberry infused balsamic vinegar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grabbed lunch at Merlins before heading home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cmOUNjjVcA/ToaRkZezUDI/AAAAAAAAAn8/jC5MUIhu5A8/s1600/P1050345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cmOUNjjVcA/ToaRkZezUDI/AAAAAAAAAn8/jC5MUIhu5A8/s320/P1050345.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That would be a black bean hummus...thumbs up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alas, the Girly Whistler Birthday Weekend had to come to an end, as did my 30th year on this lovely planet. It'll be interesting to see what crazy things 31 brings. There's totally internal rhyming there. I'm all inspired to write a poem now...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Went up to Whistler with the girls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No boys allowed cuz boys are smelly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My boy cd has hair in curls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I like plants all in my belly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello Fairmont kickass mountain view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So nice it gave me cause to sing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Gold Lounge access kinda blew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cuz Gold FLOOR really meant Gold WING.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zipping through the trees among echoing cheers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My acrophobic buddies were down with that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And despite the bff's and WestCoastSunshine's fears</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They did not fall and make a splat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Massage and milk bath were quite a sensation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Left me feeling all relaxed and pretty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tried to block out the unsettling realization</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That I soaked in something that came from a cow titty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh year thirty-one, how full of insanity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have the first few weeks of you already been </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the way shit is going, excuse the profanity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I may just end up the next Mrs. Charlie Sheen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belated thanks to some awesome ladies for some lovely memories from a brilliant birthday weekend :) Gonna be holding on tight to those happy times for a while :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And another smiley face for good measure :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div></div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-50091385264772031372011-09-08T23:07:00.000-07:002011-09-09T07:15:09.068-07:00It's Good to Be a BitchI heart my <i>Kind Diet </i>cookbook. It was what started me on this plant-strong journey, and thanks to the amazingly delicious food it has yielded and Alicia's sweet yet persuasive voice, it motivated me early on to stay on this journey. It will always be my number one staple.<br />
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After realizing that this was not just a wave I was riding temporarily, I figured I'd better add more cookbooks to my arsenal. And along came<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Skinny-Bitch-Ultimate-Everyday-Delicious/dp/0762439378"> <i>Skinny Bitch.</i></a><br />
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Who wouldn't want to cook out of a book with a badass title like that?<br />
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So this summer I went on a bit of a <i>Skinny Bitch</i> cooking streak, trying out a whole crapload of bitch-tastic recipes.<br />
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<b><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114&dq=skinny+bitch+watermelon+heirloom+tomato+salad+recipe&source=bl&ots=ObmkjQdJeB&sig=tYQ57zWC0VyTYMt3PH3VZF-_HWI&hl=en&ei=PzdlTqSmF4nYiALcpIHMCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad</a> <i>(Skinny Bitch p. 114)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4INF_Nu5MA/TmVCF6GkCSI/AAAAAAAAAjU/0WojiJphFGA/s1600/P1020979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4INF_Nu5MA/TmVCF6GkCSI/AAAAAAAAAjU/0WojiJphFGA/s320/P1020979.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><br />
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Disclaimer...I just used regular tomatoes (even though I love heirloom) for this salad, just because I wasn't sure how it would turn out and heirlooms are expensive. This was super easy to make...you just have to simmer and reduce the dressing a bit, chop up and throw everything together, and you're good to go. Though this salad was really refreshing, I wasn't a fan of balsamic with watermelon. Those two flavours co-mingling tasted off to me. Rob the Husband, however, really liked it, and claimed it was his favourite of all the Skinny Bitch dishes we tried that day, and my mom got on board with the salad even though it took her a few bites. The tofu garnish added an extra dimension to the texture, which I did like a lot.<br />
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For summer refreshment, it really doesn't get any better than watermelon, and even though the flavour combo here weirded me out a bit, I'm sure it's something most people would enjoy.<br />
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<b><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=skinny+bitch+creamy+potato+salad+recipe&source=bl&ots=ObmkjQgJjC&sig=8etCHR4ZmzCGx_9zyMr0cIo84UQ&hl=en&ei=KkNlTqurIIHniALi4ZWqCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">Creamy Potato Salad</a></b> <i><b>(Skinny Bitch p. 119)</b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnyrIVxkF5A/Tml-dTcSQBI/AAAAAAAAAjg/1XXx0i5m9-s/s1600/P1020987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnyrIVxkF5A/Tml-dTcSQBI/AAAAAAAAAjg/1XXx0i5m9-s/s320/P1020987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is a fantastic summer BBQ staple. You just cannot go wrong with potato salad, and this version is no different from the potato salads I'm used to. Vegenaise makes vegan eatin' so easy. I added chopped pickles because pickles are awesome, but you can add anything. My mom made it for a BBQ this summer and added carrots, peas, corn...lots of possibilities.<br />
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<a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=skinny+bitch+curried+rice+salad&source=bl&ots=ObmkmOgRfA&sig=9iRPmmMDgin0-TqiMSQXGtLFPKI&hl=en&ei=4ItpTryYCIzTiALzlpWkDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false"><b>Curried Rice Salad</b></a><b><i> (Skinny Bitch p. 125)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyx5_JJ157s/Tml-Y9K_ZmI/AAAAAAAAAjc/uFXOO9S3uxY/s1600/P1020986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyx5_JJ157s/Tml-Y9K_ZmI/AAAAAAAAAjc/uFXOO9S3uxY/s320/P1020986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LOVED THIS ONE! Sweet, exotic, and really unique. This is definitely one of my favourite recipes of the bunch, and the one I'm most likely to repeat most frequently. I made it a couple of times this summer. It's a super delicious, guaranteed crowd pleaser. Love love love.<br />
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<b><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=BMdjgQUXPu8C&pg=PA232&dq=skinny+bitch+recipe+sweet+potato+leek+casserole&hl=en&ei=b5RpTvnXIfHViAK7sPnODg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">Sweet Potato Leek Casserole</a> <i>(Skinny Bitch p. 232)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZjki9fb1rc/Tml_ZQMEQRI/AAAAAAAAAkI/2COxDdZKlrM/s1600/P1030409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZjki9fb1rc/Tml_ZQMEQRI/AAAAAAAAAkI/2COxDdZKlrM/s320/P1030409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><br />
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Before going plant-strong, I never cooked with leeks. I always associated them too closely with onions, and therefore avoided them. Since pledging my allegience to The Plant, not only have I been cooking with leeks, but I've actually been enjoying them. I've also been building up a tolerance for onions, but I'm still not a fan of them when they mingle with sweet flavours. It would appear that this same aversion crosses over to leeks.<br />
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I didn't hate the casserole. I finished what was on my plate, but I didn't go back for seconds or partake in the leftovers. That was ok though, because Rob is a big fan of sweet potatoes and sweet onion-y flavours, so this dish was right up his alley. He loved it. So because of his enthusiasm for it and because it's really easy to make, I would definitely repeat this dish.<br />
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<b>Roasted Curried Cauliflower<i> (Skinny Bitch p. 175)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StweCCyEMzk/Tml_f0CVnVI/AAAAAAAAAkM/upZ3VRJgJvY/s1600/P1030410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StweCCyEMzk/Tml_f0CVnVI/AAAAAAAAAkM/upZ3VRJgJvY/s320/P1030410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><br />
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This was another super easy dish. It tastes just like it sounds...no surprises in this one. Though I love curry (like half of the recipes I'm talking about here are made with curry), I think I prefer cauliflower in its more natural form, like <b>Christopher's Cauliflower Steaks</b> in <i>The Kind Diet. </i>But if I'm on a cauliflower streak one week and I want some variety in how I prepare it, I would totally go with this recipe again. Just needs a pinch more salt for sodium-obsessed me.<br />
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One mid-weekday in July (<b>Wednesday 25.0</b>, to be precise), I went on a bit of a bitchy cooking spree, and cranked out four recipes that evening, just for shits and giggles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoZUMMQ87vI/Tml-0HybDrI/AAAAAAAAAjw/n53qXU7Oyz0/s1600/P1030389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoZUMMQ87vI/Tml-0HybDrI/AAAAAAAAAjw/n53qXU7Oyz0/s320/P1030389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm a huge fan of Indian food, and a lot of it is vegan by default. There were a couple of recipes side by side in<i> Skinny Bitch</i> that I was eager to try, and I couldn't decide which to try first, so I made them both that day.<br />
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<a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA168&dq=skinny+bitch+recipe+cholay+and+aaloo+south+beach&hl=en&ei=xY5pTp3bBqbkiALplPG0Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false"><b>Cholay and Aaloo (Chickpeas and Potatoes)</b><i><b> </b></i></a><i><b>(Skinny Bitch p. 168)</b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oayzkcvhkI/Tml-skESLZI/AAAAAAAAAjs/qgHaPcNmQdA/s1600/P1030387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oayzkcvhkI/Tml-skESLZI/AAAAAAAAAjs/qgHaPcNmQdA/s320/P1030387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvdQry7ZBPw/Tml_T47x36I/AAAAAAAAAkE/KGDzouzVvyk/s1600/P1030402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvdQry7ZBPw/Tml_T47x36I/AAAAAAAAAkE/KGDzouzVvyk/s320/P1030402.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA169&dq=skinny+bitch+recipe+baigan+aaloo+cumin&hl=en&ei=DZBpTo6BErTXiAKVtqGvDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">Baigan Aaloo (Eggplant and Potatoes)</a> <i>(Skinny Bitch p. 169)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofj3uEHWuwg/Tml_NvWBWeI/AAAAAAAAAkA/KZiwqBfiXMM/s1600/P1030400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofj3uEHWuwg/Tml_NvWBWeI/AAAAAAAAAkA/KZiwqBfiXMM/s320/P1030400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These seemingly similar dishes each had very different, distinct flavours, which I was not expecting. Because I was comparing them directly (they are actually neighbours in the cookbook), I had a definite preference for the chickpeas recipe. I like eggplant a lot, but the way the spices worked in the chickpea dish was more up my alley...it was more flavourful and seemed to have a hint of sweetness, maybe because of the ginger. I definitely liked the chickpea dish enough to repeat it, but I won't be repeating the eggplant.<br />
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Don't listen to me though, because my mom preferred the eggplant dish, and moms are always right.<br />
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<a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA189&dq=skinny+bitch+recipe+coconut+saffron+rice&hl=en&ei=eZlpTtTROYrXiAKUnMCXDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false"><b>Coconut Saffron Rice</b> </a><b><i>(Skinny Bitch p. 189)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hchT6K-8U8o/Tml-54qpGTI/AAAAAAAAAj0/vk17-CWdmpU/s1600/P1030393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hchT6K-8U8o/Tml-54qpGTI/AAAAAAAAAj0/vk17-CWdmpU/s320/P1030393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><br />
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OMG. This is not particularly interesting to look at, but holy crap is this rice nice. Cooking it with coconut milk makes it incredibly delicate and fluffy, and the hint of saffron just makes it beautifully elegant...or elegantly beautiful. I can't decide. Seriously, since <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/02/very-vegan-birthday.html">my first experience cooking with saffron</a>, I have been in awe of this stuff. It's so stupid expensive, but I find myself actually thinking it may be worth it. It is just exquisite, both in scent and flavour.<br />
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This rice was classy. It's like the food equivalent of Rachel Weisz.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEyIauP5KY0/TmmeN9sMI6I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/RJFeAquyD1o/s1600/RachelWeisz1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEyIauP5KY0/TmmeN9sMI6I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/RJFeAquyD1o/s400/RachelWeisz1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In fact, I think it should be re-named <b><i>Rachel Weisz Classy Rice</i></b>. Internal rhyming is awesome.<br />
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Wow. That is seriously a spectacularly gorgeous woman. Lucky James Bond.<br />
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<a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=_ixTknnuDEgC&pg=PA203&dq=skinny+bitch+recipe+coconut+almond+tofu&hl=en&ei=6J5pTsziBYHjiALqsdieDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">Coconut and Almond Crusted Tofu<b><i> </i></b></a><b><i>(Skinny Bitch p. 203)</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxCm226RY8g/Tml_AaQ4QaI/AAAAAAAAAj4/KRluqC8Lk-0/s1600/P1030394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FxCm226RY8g/Tml_AaQ4QaI/AAAAAAAAAj4/KRluqC8Lk-0/s320/P1030394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This tofu dish was pretty exciting too. It's a bit labour intensive, what with the dredging and the coating and the frying, but it's fun and yummy. It's good to eat it warm and crispy, so this isn't the type of thing I'd put out with the appies at a large dinner party, but for a more intimate gathering where it would be consumed quickly, I'd be all over it. It's a stellar finger food, and you can go nuts with dipping options. The book recommends serving it with Spicy Mango Chutney, but the mangoes we had were not ripe enough to make chutney with (Rob bought the mangoes....he is to blame for the lack of chutney that night) , so we ended up eating the tofu sticks with a sweet chili sauce. Thumbs up.<br />
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All in all,<i> Skinny Bitch</i> made for some entertaining readin' and some good eatin'. I must confess that when I bought the cookbook I didn't know there was another <i><a href="http://www.skinnybitch.net/">Skinny Bitch</a> </i>book that started it all (the "no-nonsense tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous"), and that there's actually a whole <i>Skinny Bitch</i> series.<br />
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I ended up reading the original<i> Skinny Bitch </i>book this summer, and it really does read like a bitch slap in the face...but in the best possible way. It's a very colloquial, accessible read, and it gets you thinking. The authors are in your face throughout, so people who aren't open to the information will write the book off as mean and snarky (and then go comfort themselves with some bacon and cow titty-milk), but I was marvelously entertained. It made sense. It's not for everyone, but it definitely is one strategy to get the message across that once we stop putting garbage in our bodies we will stop feeling and looking like garbage. And we can start by eliminating the cruel garbage (my Lord, the chapter where slaughterhouse workers share their stories...horrible...just horrible. I will never go back to supporting that industry).<br />
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There are still a ton of recipes I want to try, and I look forward to tackling them like I tackled <i>The Kind Diet</i>.<br />
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So if <i>The Kind Diet</i> is the Captain Kirk of my vegan voyage, that would make <i>Skinny Bitch </i>my First Officer Spock.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lead on, gentlemen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Any excuse to get a pic of Chris Pine in my blog. I'm shameless.)</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-26624905398028736942011-08-27T16:42:00.000-07:002011-09-05T12:55:10.342-07:00Kind Cooking Catch Up...Peach Crumble, BEP Croquettes, Guac-Bean Dip and Fruity Lentils<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When I started this blog, cooking vegan was a novelty. I'd find myself working excitedly through a recipe, in awe at the crazy ingredients I'd never cooked with before, and always pleasantly surprised upon tasting the final product how good it is. Taking pictures of absolutely everything I made (from scratch or from a box) was a given, and every day always brought something new to try.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">7 months later, cooking vegan is no longer something novel and strange...it's just become my new normal. I'm not surprised at how delicious vegan eating is any more...I just expect it. And I think I can honestly say that I have done more actual cooking and baking in the last 7 months than I have in the past several years. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And I love it.</div><br />
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But it would appear that the last time I talked about actually cooking something was in June. The summer bloggin' has seemed to go another route (vegan rants, vegan travel, vegan anniversaries, vegan Filipinos), so I'm definitely overdue for some <i>Kind Diet </i>recipe reminiscing. Granted, I've been repeating lots of my faves and don't need to discuss those every time, but the four new recipes I tried this summer deserve their moment in the sun.<br />
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I anticipate that when September comes and I fall back into the school routine again, I'll be more diligent with remembering to get Happy Tongue ratings out of Rob the Husband, but because this is more of a retrospective, I'm just gonna go by what I remember, because Rob is Rob and I can't expect him to remember back a couple of days, let alone a couple of months.<br />
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I also figure it might be a good idea to link to the recipes if I can find them online, just in case someone out there doesn't have <i>The Kind Diet</i> (for shame!).<br />
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<b>Friday 21.0:<a href="http://recipes.rodale.com/Recipe/peach-crumble.aspx"> Peach Crumble</a> (p. 194)</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqSQ01cpV1g/TlgLN8Mq_kI/AAAAAAAAAiM/7bSXovPuhMw/s1600/P1020627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqSQ01cpV1g/TlgLN8Mq_kI/AAAAAAAAAiM/7bSXovPuhMw/s320/P1020627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is a super yummy dessert that also works awesome as breakfast leftovers because of all the oats in the crust and the fruit. Alicia uses a ton of crust here, but it works because it's d'lish's.<br />
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My Crumble crust didn't stay afloat as well as Alicia's does in the pic, and it was kind of consumed by the fruity bottom (and as a result got a bit mushy), but flavour-wise it was a winner. The blueberries and peaches were a fantastic combo, and I'd catch Rob going back to the counter all evening and eating this right out of the pan. No sugar here...just maple syrup and brown rice syrup to sweeten, which makes it easy to indulge. Will definitely be repeating this dish again...it would be especially perfect on a cool, wintery day, snuggled up next to Chris Pine, listening to Alan Rickman read <i>The Time Traveller's Wife</i> while Natalie Portman braids your hair.<br />
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<b>Sunday 21.0: <a href="http://livingaveganlife.blogspot.com/2010/08/black-eyed-pea-croquettes-with-dijon.html">Black Eyed Pea Croquettes with Dijon Glaze</a> (p. 242)</b><br />
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On Father's Day this year we had my not-really-family-but-they-might-as-well-be-family over for dinner, and in addition to my tried, tested and true <i>Kind Diet </i>staples, I took a risk and made these croquettes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFETnaLNigE/TlgLTN-49dI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/cPsbTkyv2iY/s1600/P1020642_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFETnaLNigE/TlgLTN-49dI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/cPsbTkyv2iY/s320/P1020642_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They did not turn out.<br />
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I blame myself...we used the blender instead of a food processor to blend everything together, which was just a big ol' mess, and then we made them too big, so they ended up lumpy and bland.<br />
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The funny thing is that my cousin had just bought <i>The Kind Diet</i> and had been emailing me about it, and after I made these I told him not to bother with them, and he said they had already made them and liked them a lot.<br />
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Go figure. This means I definitely have to try them again (and make them the proper way) because they obviously have potential and I'm an idiot for using a blender instead of a food processor, and the Dijon dipping sauce is very good and super simple to make.<br />
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I got a feelin' that the next time I try these BEP croquettes imma be out of my head over these lovely little lumps. Fergalicious. No wait...that was her solo album...never mind.<br />
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<b>Tuesday 24.0: <a href="http://www.oprah.com/food/Cheesy-Oozy-Guacamole-Bean-Dip">Cheesy Oozy Guacamole Bean Dip</a> (p. 207)</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJySQQaMkb0/Tllb31nPAzI/AAAAAAAAAic/uiAQpBHqcmE/s1600/P1020963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJySQQaMkb0/Tllb31nPAzI/AAAAAAAAAic/uiAQpBHqcmE/s320/P1020963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was experimenting this day with a bunch of different recipes to serve at a summer BBQ we were hosting, and Alicia recommended this dip as part of her own BBQ meal plan. Perfect. I had been seriously missing seven layer dip, and this was an awesome warm version of it. Lots of Daiya on top resulted in a satisfying, indulgent, decadent piece of heaven that was indeed cheesy and oozy and all kinds of delicious. And I wasn't the only one that thought so...it disappeared super fast the day of our BBQ.<br />
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On this Tuesday of recipe experimentation I also gave the<b> <a href="http://heatherfeatherworld.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/fruity-french-lentils/">Fruity French Lentils</a> (p. 245)</b> a try.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odPLByo9_68/Tllb96IX9XI/AAAAAAAAAig/SE-hW2rDM2s/s1600/P1020983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odPLByo9_68/Tllb96IX9XI/AAAAAAAAAig/SE-hW2rDM2s/s320/P1020983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These were really pretty, and the raspberries and basil were a nice combo in the dish, but it wasn't one of my favourites, or Rob's. I dunno...I think I might just prefer lentils in something warm and savoury instead of something sweet and cool and summery. I didn't really dig the texture of the lentils prepared this way, but that's a personal thing. I can see this dish having a wider appeal, because the flavours were light and fresh...just wasn't my cup of tea.<br />
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Wait...I don't like tea. So maybe it <i>was</i> my cup of tea. It might be more appropriate for me to say it wasn't my cup of Rum n' Organic Cola.<br />
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Mmmmmm.....rummmm.....yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-41477032478883531922011-08-11T12:27:00.000-07:002011-10-06T02:21:34.144-07:00Okanagan Vegan Bloggin'Yay for titles that rhyme.<br />
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The other one in the running was <i>Wine, Sunshine & Eating Kind</i>, but<i> Okanagan Vegan Bloggin' </i>is more fun to say with a Swedish accent.<br />
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I love my province. No matter where I travel, I'm always happiest coming home to beautiful British Columbia. There really is no other place I could imagine being happier living. Oddly enough, for someone who loves BC so much, I haven't really done much in the way of exploring this place outside the Lower Mainland. So to remedy that, this past weekend Rob the Husband and I decided to bask in some BC adoration and head inland to the Okanagan.<br />
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We also just couldn't afford Italy this summer. But that's beside the point.<br />
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So on <b>Friday 28.0</b> we packed up an headed off to the fine city of Kelowna, where the weather is hot, the wine is plentiful, and the eatin' is goooooood.<br />
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First stop: wineries.<br />
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Confession: I don't like wine. I've never developed a palette for it. All that jargon you wine-drinkers spout about the oakiness and dryness and full bodied-ness and hints of passionfruit and honeysuckle and edam cheese make no sense to me. Wine tastes sour and rotten. Period. It's seriously gross, like a glass of sparkling punch that's been forgotten on a hot patio for two weeks after a summer BBQ and then you find it behind a plant and there are dead bugs floating in it alongside the raspberries that were once a lovely frozen compliment to the drink but are now mushy globs or fermented nastiness.<br />
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Blasphemous, I know.<br />
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While we're laying all our cards on the table, I feel the same way about beer, coffee, tea, and dark chocolate: Bitter and Harsh. Seriously gross.<br />
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But that's just me. It would appear I have the palette of a twelve year old.<br />
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Rob, on the other hand, joins the rest of the grown-up world in his love of wine. Hence the winery visits, which I totally loved, oddly enough. As much as I dislike the taste of wine, I very much enjoy wine culture, and it was lovely wandering around the vineyards, enjoying the views and learning about food pairings and getting acquainted with the distinct personalities of the wineries. Definitely goodtimes.<br />
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We had hoped to have dinner at the gorgeous Terrace restaurant at Mission Hill, but a quick glance at the Quebec Foie Gras on the menu quashed those plans.<br />
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No problem. We had taken a day trip out here last summer for Rob's birthday and had enjoyed dinner at the lovely Old Vines restaurant at Quail's Gate. Surely that would be a good option this time around as well.<br />
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Yah, no. It would appear that menus change over time, and sometime during the last year Quail's Gate decided that theirs was lacking the enlarged diseased liver of a force-fed duck.<br />
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Juuuust great. It appeared as though we would have to do a bit of research that evening instead of driving around hoping to find a place that worked. We checked out urbanspoon to find vegan-friendly Kelowna restaurants, and one of the ones that popped up was <a href="http://rottengrape.com/">The Rotten Grape. </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHemwrJXTbw/TkIjlKH35uI/AAAAAAAAAeg/vgK90NC5qTA/s1600/P1030885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHemwrJXTbw/TkIjlKH35uI/AAAAAAAAAeg/vgK90NC5qTA/s320/P1030885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Paydirt.<br />
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The Rotten Grape is probably the most vegan-friendly non-vegetarian restaurant I've ever been to. This place doesn't advertise itself as vegan-friendly per se or have a separate vegan menu, but it was spectacularly accommodating.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIi_kKa-8mw/TkIjkFEQGkI/AAAAAAAAAeY/d9zRg1_i9Xc/s1600/P1030880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIi_kKa-8mw/TkIjkFEQGkI/AAAAAAAAAeY/d9zRg1_i9Xc/s320/P1030880.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For one, they had Daiya. There was actually a vegan pizza (The Zen) on the menu that was made with Daiya, but our server advised us that they could vegan-ize any of their pizzas for us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G880pSDYAGA/TkIjktOvTDI/AAAAAAAAAec/j0k5-W59_ng/s1600/P1030883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G880pSDYAGA/TkIjktOvTDI/AAAAAAAAAec/j0k5-W59_ng/s320/P1030883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They also cooked with oil instead of butter and there were a lot of dishes that didn't even have to be altered...they were just vegan by default...just not advertised that way.<br />
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I was a happy gal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RnNleRZpKiI/TkIjlklSofI/AAAAAAAAAek/nSXPcKWyV84/s1600/P1030892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RnNleRZpKiI/TkIjlklSofI/AAAAAAAAAek/nSXPcKWyV84/s320/P1030892.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Both of their specials, the soup of the day (made with pesto) and the seasonal veg (yellow squash) happened to be vegan.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38jO48lSDZg/TkIjmDB7luI/AAAAAAAAAeo/TAML1Bxd6E4/s1600/P1030899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38jO48lSDZg/TkIjmDB7luI/AAAAAAAAAeo/TAML1Bxd6E4/s320/P1030899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFdo3T6b3Oo/TkIjvH3VvpI/AAAAAAAAAe0/O3qsJDR8l44/s1600/P1030902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFdo3T6b3Oo/TkIjvH3VvpI/AAAAAAAAAe0/O3qsJDR8l44/s320/P1030902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also ordered The Zen pizza (of course)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV2xpFdOZF4/TkIjt73oggI/AAAAAAAAAes/Exm8KRIlIHs/s1600/P1030900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV2xpFdOZF4/TkIjt73oggI/AAAAAAAAAes/Exm8KRIlIHs/s320/P1030900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">and the meze trio...hummus, olive tapenade, and bruschetta...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubl-eLQ_QRs/TkIjulVmt5I/AAAAAAAAAew/tWvnZMhz2nk/s1600/P1030901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubl-eLQ_QRs/TkIjulVmt5I/AAAAAAAAAew/tWvnZMhz2nk/s320/P1030901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was some good eatin'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3tKDYhtmq0/TkIjvzNDTjI/AAAAAAAAAe4/3coFVtRJ1cw/s1600/P1030903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3tKDYhtmq0/TkIjvzNDTjI/AAAAAAAAAe4/3coFVtRJ1cw/s320/P1030903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxbiJ8JkX-U/TkIj2Yh6rbI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Gr9u4FH-vyQ/s1600/P1030904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxbiJ8JkX-U/TkIj2Yh6rbI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Gr9u4FH-vyQ/s320/P1030904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The downtown setting was also perfect. We ate outdoors across the street from the beach, and there was live music going on to entertain us all night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0neOilD-O4/TkIj9R0N2fI/AAAAAAAAAfA/IlGXojij_Ak/s1600/P1030906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0neOilD-O4/TkIj9R0N2fI/AAAAAAAAAfA/IlGXojij_Ak/s320/P1030906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was a good thing because after we finished our food we were ready for round 2. We took them up on their offer to veganize any pizza and ordered this little beauty topped with olive tapenade, pears, pecans and beets. And Daiya, of course...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_IuB2FO3-g/TkIj9yNVTII/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZSKqk0feoH8/s1600/P1030932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_IuB2FO3-g/TkIj9yNVTII/AAAAAAAAAfE/ZSKqk0feoH8/s320/P1030932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWJ3_nDKo4c/TkIj-VHixuI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Q7oUN_aghLk/s1600/P1030937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWJ3_nDKo4c/TkIj-VHixuI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Q7oUN_aghLk/s320/P1030937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love me some veeeegan peeeeezza. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were also offering another special: Peppers Roulette. The deal is that you have no idea how hot each of the peppers is going to be when you bite into it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTEBpMLdVgU/TkIj-3qJi2I/AAAAAAAAAfM/zu0Hz8HpEdU/s1600/P1030939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTEBpMLdVgU/TkIj-3qJi2I/AAAAAAAAAfM/zu0Hz8HpEdU/s320/P1030939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Rob was down for the challenge until he wimped out after scoring a couple of spicy bites, leaving me to finish them off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pussy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sadly, there was no vegan dessert option to end off our night, but the super friendly accommodating service, perfect location, and plentiful delicious animal-product free dining options won The Rotten Grape the number one spot in my heart for Okanagan vegan dining. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No dessert meant last minute shopping time, which turned out to be a fantastic thing because Rob and I both scored some Earthy Soles vegan shoes. Rob's first pair of vegan shoes...awwwwwww...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HsHxvGFfA/TkQeFwiBUJI/AAAAAAAAAiI/wcDKsr_5B6A/s1600/P1040457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HsHxvGFfA/TkQeFwiBUJI/AAAAAAAAAiI/wcDKsr_5B6A/s320/P1040457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just to clarify, his are the grey ones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okanagan getaway Day 1 = Success.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Saturday 28.0</b>...getaway Day 2:<b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Helloooooo more wineries! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We started the day off at Cedar Creek, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfDFVkiNO3E/TkLbqY5phaI/AAAAAAAAAhI/n7LDA2lhxb0/s1600/P1030956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfDFVkiNO3E/TkLbqY5phaI/AAAAAAAAAhI/n7LDA2lhxb0/s320/P1030956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and while Rob perused the wines I perused the menu of their restaurant, The Vineyard Terrace. They had a stellar-looking vegetarian risotto on there and the most gorgeous patio views, so I was stoked to eat there. Unfortunately it was a bit early for lunch, so we resolved to come back the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztyS5ehrkBk/TkLbrWef4yI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LAIxn5v783Y/s1600/P1030984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztyS5ehrkBk/TkLbrWef4yI/AAAAAAAAAhM/LAIxn5v783Y/s320/P1030984.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We proceeded on to Hainle, where we had a great time chatting up the owner, Walter Huber, to whom I admitted my distaste for wine. He assured me that was only because I hadn't tasted one of theirs yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He then poured me an '08 Muscat dessert wine...and you know what? It was goooood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was reeeeeely reeeeeeeely good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I can officially claim that my wine aversion might not include the ones that are really sweet, because I actually found myself enjoying this one. Go figure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe my palette isn't stuck at the level of a 12 year old after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q733q2bDMB0/TkLeyZEMZKI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/BWuTU75O5Z4/s1600/P1040012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q733q2bDMB0/TkLeyZEMZKI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/BWuTU75O5Z4/s320/P1040012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iUoqV1xilw/TkLe0MEBbwI/AAAAAAAAAhU/OYvtus-0-Aw/s1600/P1040019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iUoqV1xilw/TkLe0MEBbwI/AAAAAAAAAhU/OYvtus-0-Aw/s320/P1040019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgRUFWWh6oc/TkLe0p7p6aI/AAAAAAAAAhY/U_G1kz78b5I/s1600/P1040034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgRUFWWh6oc/TkLe0p7p6aI/AAAAAAAAAhY/U_G1kz78b5I/s320/P1040034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After buying a few Hainle bottles and some wine jelly (yay no gelatin!) we proceeded to See Ya Later Ranch, which was conceptually my absolute favourite winery of the trip. Wanna guess why?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuG2rxeuVco/TkIkDSbTjFI/AAAAAAAAAfw/cEGvLBhCigE/s1600/P1040089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuG2rxeuVco/TkIkDSbTjFI/AAAAAAAAAfw/cEGvLBhCigE/s320/P1040089.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zvpj4_hpoM/TkLgP13my1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/sKWnekYyzhM/s1600/P1040089_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zvpj4_hpoM/TkLgP13my1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/sKWnekYyzhM/s320/P1040089_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdJ-SphYn7w/TkIkBKGQg2I/AAAAAAAAAfg/FmS4DVoejJ0/s1600/P1040072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdJ-SphYn7w/TkIkBKGQg2I/AAAAAAAAAfg/FmS4DVoejJ0/s320/P1040072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How adorable is this place? Super dog friendly, and they really highlight and honor our relationships with our canine furbabies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHFaSYp_dJI/TkIkAzzaMTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fw-Vm5C5Zkc/s1600/P1040070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHFaSYp_dJI/TkIkAzzaMTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fw-Vm5C5Zkc/s320/P1040070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LuI_nKWOGs/TkIkCXb8aGI/AAAAAAAAAfo/HIEfAjRw21o/s1600/P1040076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LuI_nKWOGs/TkIkCXb8aGI/AAAAAAAAAfo/HIEfAjRw21o/s320/P1040076.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iHngEAlo6E/TkIkC1U9fhI/AAAAAAAAAfs/c3D5j0UQIKc/s1600/P1040078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iHngEAlo6E/TkIkC1U9fhI/AAAAAAAAAfs/c3D5j0UQIKc/s320/P1040078.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"> Doggie Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6cKztfSRNo/TkIkB4t_BTI/AAAAAAAAAfk/xNOgNRMui3M/s1600/P1040074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6cKztfSRNo/TkIkB4t_BTI/AAAAAAAAAfk/xNOgNRMui3M/s320/P1040074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doggie Lounging Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They had a gorgeous patio open for lunch as well, so we sat down for the only vegan option they had...green salad with cilantro chipotle dressing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIa1jCtOn6c/TkIkAZacZZI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ljsnbzWDnqM/s1600/P1040057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIa1jCtOn6c/TkIkAZacZZI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ljsnbzWDnqM/s320/P1040057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was a fan. Rob was not. I love cilantro, so anything with cilantro is a good bet for me, but I don't really get why any place would just offer greens as a salad...busy salads with lots of veggies and seeds are so much more interesting. Still, I enjoyed it and especially enjoyed the view...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0H4yQoYW9U/TkIj_Q2IKiI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/xQ9CRkewanI/s1600/P1040054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0H4yQoYW9U/TkIj_Q2IKiI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/xQ9CRkewanI/s320/P1040054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1i6TatK7N8/TkIj_7f3sgI/AAAAAAAAAfU/egr0dP57IN8/s1600/P1040055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1i6TatK7N8/TkIj_7f3sgI/AAAAAAAAAfU/egr0dP57IN8/s320/P1040055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> They also use soy milk cartons for their vines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9UdHTLnORw/TkIkD6aZ0iI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ZezP3dzuPos/s1600/P1040117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9UdHTLnORw/TkIkD6aZ0iI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ZezP3dzuPos/s320/P1040117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just another reason to love See Ya Later Ranch :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our first night here, after my disappointing menu experiences with Mission Hill and Quail's Gate, I ranted on fb:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"Are there no nice restaurants in Kelowna that don't serve foie gras?" </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That question was followed by a drawn out expletive that starts with "f" and rhymes with "duck" (how appropriate), and I added a whole bunch of extra "u"s in the middle to highlight my frustration, which temporarily made me forget that I'm a lady and ladies don't drop f-bombs on facebook...that's just vulgar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily, one of my fb friends saw my plea and recommended The Fixx Cafe, where we ended up on Saturday evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vxp8i7UIbE/TkIkF7quIcI/AAAAAAAAAgE/YlqnOcS7K_A/s1600/P1040169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vxp8i7UIbE/TkIkF7quIcI/AAAAAAAAAgE/YlqnOcS7K_A/s320/P1040169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The chef herself came out to talk to us and make some recommendations. Although there were no vegan entrees on the menu, she offered to make a pasta with rice noodles and veggies, or a potato stirfry. We took her up on each of those, and ordered a couple of appies as well...hummus with warm pita bread (which was super crazy soft and delicious) and bruschetta.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVSpAg_lf7Y/TkIkEdLToaI/AAAAAAAAAf4/lqDokrpbF3Q/s1600/P1040164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVSpAg_lf7Y/TkIkEdLToaI/AAAAAAAAAf4/lqDokrpbF3Q/s320/P1040164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4tITeCF15M/TkIkEwK_0cI/AAAAAAAAAf8/g-2S-OGTUDM/s1600/P1040167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4tITeCF15M/TkIkEwK_0cI/AAAAAAAAAf8/g-2S-OGTUDM/s320/P1040167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKA-gjyzgOg/TkIkFEX15yI/AAAAAAAAAgA/sF2KFq4v_4Q/s1600/P1040168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKA-gjyzgOg/TkIkFEX15yI/AAAAAAAAAgA/sF2KFq4v_4Q/s320/P1040168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love when there's so much great stuff going on in a dish...there were a ton of veggies, including a whole bunch of wild mushrooms. Much appreciated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That made two Thumbs-Up Kelowna dinners in a row. Score.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVyXtsdxZg/TkIkH8IrRtI/AAAAAAAAAgI/h1KN0rX0MQc/s1600/P1040175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVyXtsdxZg/TkIkH8IrRtI/AAAAAAAAAgI/h1KN0rX0MQc/s320/P1040175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, no dessert, but luckily I found a gelato place downtown that made it all better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wandered in asking if they have any dairy-free options, and the guy replied, "Yup. Anything with a yellow handle."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7pxMYcbams/TkIkIY_0pyI/AAAAAAAAAgM/_EaWUaJToLs/s1600/P1040185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7pxMYcbams/TkIkIY_0pyI/AAAAAAAAAgM/_EaWUaJToLs/s320/P1040185.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cha-ching. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh hello one scoop lime and one scoop very berry :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUo-ffwhPI4/TkIkI6YdBnI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/sGRtHhwbh0o/s1600/P1040187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUo-ffwhPI4/TkIkI6YdBnI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/sGRtHhwbh0o/s320/P1040187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 2 definitely ended off on a sweet note. I say that because I am choosing to end my memories of the day at the gelato and our subsequent walk along the water, and completely block out the rest of the night and the casino at our hotel where the slot machines were tighter than a....never mind...I'm a lady and ladies don't make dirty "tighter than" jokes in the blogosphere. Just insert a filthy simile of your choice and we'll leave it at that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...Although camel's ass in a sandstorm is pretty funny, and not as rude as the ones referring to women who aren't...umm...free with their...umm...favours...you know what I'm sayin'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sunday 28.0.</b> Okanagan Day 3.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More wineries? Why not? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hester Creek. Gorgeous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xobu5qRohDM/TkL-yUEQrMI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Typk7nyWzj0/s1600/P1040235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xobu5qRohDM/TkL-yUEQrMI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Typk7nyWzj0/s320/P1040235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGd1fJqAH7o/TkL-xYNFLwI/AAAAAAAAAhg/JhhVCZ0xS0s/s1600/P1040230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGd1fJqAH7o/TkL-xYNFLwI/AAAAAAAAAhg/JhhVCZ0xS0s/s320/P1040230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n70oLQsVTB8/TkL-0b-2SVI/AAAAAAAAAho/i57y4YWVfnI/s1600/P1040211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n70oLQsVTB8/TkL-0b-2SVI/AAAAAAAAAho/i57y4YWVfnI/s320/P1040211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also Road 13, the makers of Rob's favourite wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbCC-84_h9E/TkL_vkDHCHI/AAAAAAAAAh8/gv6HhCnG3E4/s1600/P1040239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbCC-84_h9E/TkL_vkDHCHI/AAAAAAAAAh8/gv6HhCnG3E4/s320/P1040239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8h24EENYOU/TkL_AN54LXI/AAAAAAAAAh4/81Ud09KWaH0/s1600/P1040298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8h24EENYOU/TkL_AN54LXI/AAAAAAAAAh4/81Ud09KWaH0/s320/P1040298.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved Road 13 as well because we got to meet Meg and Phil, the winery's official "Weinery Dogs"!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQaQEkntvPU/TkIkJAg8YmI/AAAAAAAAAgU/8_EG7XuWU4U/s1600/P1040250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQaQEkntvPU/TkIkJAg8YmI/AAAAAAAAAgU/8_EG7XuWU4U/s320/P1040250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately the only decent pic Rob got of them was as they were each taking a leak. Oh well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAOqyHb6bGM/TkL-9iuhE2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/gi3EEspKusY/s1600/P1040257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAOqyHb6bGM/TkL-9iuhE2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/gi3EEspKusY/s320/P1040257.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road 13. It's all about the dirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We returned to Cedar Creek for lunch, and were choked to discover that the vegetarian risotto was made with titty-milk cream. Boo. But their heirloom tomato salad special was vegan by default, and because it wasn't busy the kitchen was willing to make us a pasta dish with veggies and olive oil. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So Rob and I split a salad...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYBZbQAYy7w/TkIkPPQxtWI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Sq7gNG5drc0/s1600/P1040313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYBZbQAYy7w/TkIkPPQxtWI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Sq7gNG5drc0/s320/P1040313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">...and we each had the pasta...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaQxIndP9Ok/TkIkPmBAFaI/AAAAAAAAAgg/6Azi1XKHNls/s1600/P1040318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaQxIndP9Ok/TkIkPmBAFaI/AAAAAAAAAgg/6Azi1XKHNls/s320/P1040318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OMG...the heirloom tomato salad with butter lettuce and strawberry vinaigrette was to die for. The tomatoes were insanely amazing. This is how tomatoes should be....naturally saturated with colour and flavour and allowed to just strut their inherent awesomeness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pasta was incredible too. The subtle dressing let all the flavours of the noodles and veggies really come through, and it felt light and just perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The meal was indeed perfect. So perfect that I ordered another salad and Rob ordered another pasta.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The waitress was like, "To go?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were like, "No."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then she said, "All that stuff people say about vegans not eating anything is so off."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello Round 2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCaOrf-YaWs/TkIkQJgCBAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/pcUrAQ14vXw/s1600/P1040320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCaOrf-YaWs/TkIkQJgCBAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/pcUrAQ14vXw/s320/P1040320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLFe7_2_Mv0/TkIkQqBAZUI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_wn6sL0oO-0/s1600/P1040323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLFe7_2_Mv0/TkIkQqBAZUI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_wn6sL0oO-0/s1600/P1040323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLFe7_2_Mv0/TkIkQqBAZUI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_wn6sL0oO-0/s320/P1040323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two salads and three plates of pasta later, we returned back to our hotel for some poolside lounging...stomach-down to hide the Buddah-belly that had resulted from my incredible lunch (I will be fantasizing about those heirloom tomatoes for months to come). I wasted the evening away attempting to tan (which really just results in an awkward looking pinkish hue) and reading The Mortal Instruments (yes, from the teen fiction section...don't judge me), and all too soon it was time for a late dinner (food again? Yes please). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted a pretty Lakeside location, and The Bonfire Grill at The Cove resort was the perfect spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs5FBKQGILk/TkNwpkuDKUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/v6hxAKniXcM/s1600/P1040366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xs5FBKQGILk/TkNwpkuDKUI/AAAAAAAAAiA/v6hxAKniXcM/s320/P1040366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we called to make a reservation we of course checked that they didn't serve foie gras and could accommodate us crazy vegans, and we ended up enjoying a lovely dinner tapas style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3Uz9YAT7E/TkIkQ8Xe_pI/AAAAAAAAAgs/HXToEuI0HwA/s1600/P1040378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3Uz9YAT7E/TkIkQ8Xe_pI/AAAAAAAAAgs/HXToEuI0HwA/s320/P1040378.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minestrone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwI08s-vObE/TkIkRTNqgKI/AAAAAAAAAgw/CDj_BrbQGwA/s1600/P1040379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwI08s-vObE/TkIkRTNqgKI/AAAAAAAAAgw/CDj_BrbQGwA/s320/P1040379.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beet & Fennel Salad (just subbed in a vegan dressing)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrd9yo_1xbs/TkIkSFmk8ZI/AAAAAAAAAg0/y-u1hrqNTFg/s1600/P1040381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrd9yo_1xbs/TkIkSFmk8ZI/AAAAAAAAAg0/y-u1hrqNTFg/s320/P1040381.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatbread with a bunch of veg minus the cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ot17S9TEuDo/TkIkSZSNf7I/AAAAAAAAAg4/ngfse9uRUK4/s1600/P1040387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ot17S9TEuDo/TkIkSZSNf7I/AAAAAAAAAg4/ngfse9uRUK4/s320/P1040387.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We added sides of asparagus, mushrooms, and mashed yams, and had ourselves a nice, eclectic, animal product-free dinner. Kind of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disclaimer: before bringing out the soup, our server informed us that the prep list for the minestrone had recently changed, and the kitchen wasn't sure whether it had been prepared with vegetable stock or chicken stock, because the person who prepped it earlier in the day had already gone home. There is a 50% chance that our minestrone was made with chicken stock. We still went ahead with it. And a lightning bolt didn't shoot out of the sky and pierce me through the throat (because that's what happens to vegans who willingly eat meat products), so ima guess it was a veggie stock. Or I'll just keep telling myself that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was definitely a swell night...swell location, swell food, and an unexpectedly swell bill at the end of the night...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Av5rMSa-zs/TkN1QGgzdEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/QzdqzCPZHzI/s1600/P1040409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Av5rMSa-zs/TkN1QGgzdEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/QzdqzCPZHzI/s320/P1040409.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't have high expectations for Kelowna when it came to vegan-friendly eating, but this lovely city proved me wrong. Everywhere we went the restaurant staff made the effort to accommodate us, and though our options were often limited, they were there nonetheless, and and we were grateful for that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Staying true to The Plant can be a real pain in the ass away from home. You have to think ahead and be flexible. Sometimes you luck out and sometimes you get screwed. I find that calling ahead and giving a restaurant the heads up if possible is a good idea, and I always make sure to be extra super sweet and friendly (because I'm a complete bitch in real life) and let them know that their efforts are appreciated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if all else fails, just fill up on wine. Cuz the good stuff is vegan :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-43355903164048620612011-08-05T01:01:00.000-07:002011-08-05T01:14:31.885-07:00A Very Vegan AnniversaryRob the Husband became Rob <i><b>the Husband </b></i> 8 years ago when we said some vows and stuff in a church in front of a bunch of family and friends and God and all that...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syb6tRAsaCs/TjueqN-gYzI/AAAAAAAAAeM/3qXYjpkIv4s/s1600/wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syb6tRAsaCs/TjueqN-gYzI/AAAAAAAAAeM/3qXYjpkIv4s/s320/wed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...so to commemorate that day (as is customary for many people) we went out and stuffed our faces.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>But where oh where could we find classy, anniversary-worthy carcass-free / titty-milk-free / shell-encased-fetus-free dining options in downtown Vancouver? Ahhhh, my favourite default setting:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Fairmont.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Come hither, and I shall tell ye a tale of a glorious hotel chain that wised up to the idea of catering to guests with dietary restrictions, creating delicious dining experiences worldwide for those limited in food choices by health issues, food intolerances, or lifestyle choices.<br />
<br />
Ok, that wasn't much of a tale.<br />
<br />
The Lifestyles menu, available at all Fairmont hotels, was introduced in January 2011, which is, incidentally, the same month that I started flirting with animal product-free eating. Basically, you can walk into any Fairmont restaurant, request a Lifestyles menu, and order one of their fine Lifestyle meal options. Whether it's gluten free you're looking for, or macrobiotic, raw, vegan, or acceptable for those with heart disease or diabetes, they have created meal options for everyone.<br />
<br />
It's pretty awesome.<br />
<br />
On Canada Day last month, Rob and I indulged in some stellar Lifestyles dining at Herons at The Fairmont Waterfront:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEDOi62VImk/TjnQzBA-IFI/AAAAAAAAAcs/fW6Qa5GGGrQ/s1600/beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEDOi62VImk/TjnQzBA-IFI/AAAAAAAAAcs/fW6Qa5GGGrQ/s320/beets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Appy Beets (I think it was beet carpaccio) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_eZZ-r9OQU/TjnQuOf1XfI/AAAAAAAAAck/XNqCUyIj0tg/s1600/soba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_eZZ-r9OQU/TjnQuOf1XfI/AAAAAAAAAck/XNqCUyIj0tg/s320/soba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My entree...soba noodles in the most insane, flavourful kombu broth with tofu and veggies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhCwcVh5c2s/TjnQxpbMkgI/AAAAAAAAAco/JoSXXlWtmEQ/s1600/zuch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhCwcVh5c2s/TjnQxpbMkgI/AAAAAAAAAco/JoSXXlWtmEQ/s320/zuch.jpg" width="320" /></a>\</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rob's entree: Raw zucchini "noodles"...I think tossed with a pesto sauce? Delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyLDToOW4Qg/TjnQtXZYheI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xIENOQ56NBA/s1600/dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyLDToOW4Qg/TjnQtXZYheI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xIENOQ56NBA/s320/dessert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dessert: apple crisp and a poached pear</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh so good. The standout of the bunch: definitely my soba noodles. OMG the broth was incredible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now as much as I love Fairmont, because they are a classy fancy shmancy hotel chain a lot of their restaurants serve foie gras (boo). When we stayed at the Fairmont Mission Inn in Sonoma a couple of years ago we were really choked that we couldn't eat at their hotel restaurant. Sigh. The ducks come first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had been wanting to eat at Oru at the Farimont Pacific Rim just down the street from the Waterfront for a long time, but kept avoiding it because they served foie gras. So when our friend (who works at Oru) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36cy4uJKOos/Tjse42M7i0I/AAAAAAAAAdw/AX_vWsxVwhE/s1600/P1030643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36cy4uJKOos/Tjse42M7i0I/AAAAAAAAAdw/AX_vWsxVwhE/s320/P1030643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">mentioned to us a couple of weeks ago that the menu had changed and foie gras wasn't on it, I was THRILLED. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So were the ducks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcPcnO1oXtE/Tjuewt_XgSI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/nkEZNO8T_Z8/s1600/tumblr_lh27gpTDCL1qzf9gso1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcPcnO1oXtE/Tjuewt_XgSI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/nkEZNO8T_Z8/s320/tumblr_lh27gpTDCL1qzf9gso1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oru it was, then, for celebrating 8 years of divorce evasion. The celebration was even more festive because it marked my <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-stella-falabella.html">Stella Falabella's</a> first day out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJD-AgcisIU/TjsenGjFvgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/NUNCvEhykZo/s1600/P1030592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJD-AgcisIU/TjsenGjFvgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/NUNCvEhykZo/s320/P1030592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After toasting the fact that we lasted longer than J-Lo and Marc Anthony, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY3bvqmUG4E/TjsesF58DsI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nDhSEHFwyuI/s1600/P1030627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY3bvqmUG4E/TjsesF58DsI/AAAAAAAAAdg/nDhSEHFwyuI/s320/P1030627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">we enjoyed a refreshing amuse-bouche,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jQPazCxwfY/TjsepSfdtzI/AAAAAAAAAdc/KJiGQU1Gblk/s1600/P1030622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jQPazCxwfY/TjsepSfdtzI/AAAAAAAAAdc/KJiGQU1Gblk/s320/P1030622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and then dug into our appies. The house made tofu was off their regular menu...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jM2MDwCP0xM/TjpS32t4j5I/AAAAAAAAAc0/741tg0-K9Rs/s1600/P1030645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jM2MDwCP0xM/TjpS32t4j5I/AAAAAAAAAc0/741tg0-K9Rs/s320/P1030645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and the spring rolls were the vegan appy off the Lifestyles menu</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y64CexDVBEE/TjpSz3Kv3OI/AAAAAAAAAcw/X3czlXb6TwE/s1600/P1030644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y64CexDVBEE/TjpSz3Kv3OI/AAAAAAAAAcw/X3czlXb6TwE/s320/P1030644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We both ordered the curried lentil dal off the Lifestyles menu because it was the only vegan entree they offered. It was hearty and Indian-y and delicious, and OMG the naan bread was INSANE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPfL5_aWJHg/TjpTF8ul-RI/AAAAAAAAAdE/G8hdeitYoMs/s1600/P1030659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPfL5_aWJHg/TjpTF8ul-RI/AAAAAAAAAdE/G8hdeitYoMs/s320/P1030659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyTgfHE6rBA/TjpTKQk-MoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/o9RCrA0KC7A/s1600/P1030661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyTgfHE6rBA/TjpTKQk-MoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/o9RCrA0KC7A/s1600/P1030661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyTgfHE6rBA/TjpTKQk-MoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/o9RCrA0KC7A/s320/P1030661.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's something I don't really understand. This curry dish was delicious. Most people won't bother asking for a Lifestyles menu, so most Oru diners won't even know about this dish. Why not just feature <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><i>everything</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> on the regular menu, and indicate which items are vegan/gluten-free/heart-healthy etc.? I mean, are people going to be offended by a dish's presence on the regular menu because it's labelled gluten-free or dairy-free? Why feature a separate Lifestyles menu at all? I mean, it does essentially close people off to these delicious options because most don't even know about them. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Just something to scratch my head over.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And because they gave me a finger and I now feel entitled to take the whole hand, I'd also love to see the Lifestyles menu evolve to include more options under each preference. We like to try lots of stuff when we go out to eat, and it's kind of a bummer having to order the same entree, even when it's delicious. This seems to be a pattern for us lately...in Vegas we had to order the same pasta at Lupo and the same vegetarian platter at Craftsteak. Sigh. Variety is what will keep people coming back. We avoided lunch at Griffin's at the Hotel Vancouver this week because they had the same zucchini pasta on their lunch menu that we had at Herons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all...I'm super grateful the vegan options are there at all. Now I'd just like to see more of them to give me incentive to come back again and again. And again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The real winner of the evening was definitely Rob's tofu. This stuff was sooooooooo yum. When I go back to Oru I am definitely ordering two portions of the stuff and making it an entree. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was only one snafoo in my awesome vegan-friendly Oru dining experience. I ordered a delicious drink (I think it was called a Kefir Colada or something like that)...lime & pineapple and probably rum and this ridiculous coconut foam that I could have eaten by the bucket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsOCybN97-g/TjseuoZnkkI/AAAAAAAAAdk/-TAJkV1pj4s/s1600/P1030637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsOCybN97-g/TjseuoZnkkI/AAAAAAAAAdk/-TAJkV1pj4s/s320/P1030637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TgWL3cfkWQk/TjsezsxFKpI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ECnm7xttScY/s1600/P1030639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TgWL3cfkWQk/TjsezsxFKpI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ECnm7xttScY/s320/P1030639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This drink was stupid good. I mean, holy crap was this ever good. I'm a fan of any kind of pineapple-coconut hybrid concoction, but the addition of lime and that coconut foam just put this over the edge. I never order two of the same drink (seems like such a waste when there's only so much alcohol your body can handle and so many incredible cocktails to experience), but this time I wasn't interested in sampling anything else...I only had eyes for my Kefir Colada.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VACFAUkVDBw/TjpS7SKEHHI/AAAAAAAAAc4/-3jUFwJ_wZs/s320/P1030652.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="180" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Number twoooo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VACFAUkVDBw/TjpS7SKEHHI/AAAAAAAAAc4/-3jUFwJ_wZs/s1600/P1030652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpmgPRCS0V8/TjpTCA8C03I/AAAAAAAAAdA/sYessy-PtpM/s1600/P1030655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpmgPRCS0V8/TjpTCA8C03I/AAAAAAAAAdA/sYessy-PtpM/s320/P1030655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35krSPSeIKU/TjpS-3Qw_jI/AAAAAAAAAc8/NEFcO7y9Gwk/s1600/P1030654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35krSPSeIKU/TjpS-3Qw_jI/AAAAAAAAAc8/NEFcO7y9Gwk/s320/P1030654.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfGsks9NUHU/Tjse14VV_HI/AAAAAAAAAds/-urhj3W1Zmo/s1600/P1030642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfGsks9NUHU/Tjse14VV_HI/AAAAAAAAAds/-urhj3W1Zmo/s320/P1030642.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love Love Love. This drink was love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, 'twas not to be between the Kefir Colada and me. Our relationship quickly went the way of the Hollywood marriage after we had the chance to speak to the bartender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started gushing to him about how awesome this drink was and how I wanted to run away with the coconut foam and have lots of little foamie babies, and name them Owen and Tristan and Leigha and Madeline, and the coconut foam wouldn't be able to protest against my baby name selections because it can't talk, unlike Rob who shoots down all my baby names and then can't even come up with one himself because he sucks (ok, he suggested "Charlotte" once, but that's it). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was seriously considering disregarding social conventions and leaving Rob for the coconut foam, until the bartender inadvertently crushed my foamie dreams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He proceeded to tell us what a labour-intensive process it is to make the foam. It involves melting down sugar and adding the lime juice and coconut cream and then that thickener stuff...oh what's it called again...starts with a "G"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Glyceryn?" Rob asked, looking at me with a hint of trepidation. I immediately started thinking<i> ohhh shiiiii....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...no not glycerin <i>(phew).</i>..the animal bone stuff <i>(shitshitshitshitshit)</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Gelatin?" I asked, knowing the affirmation was inevitable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...yah that's it, gelatin...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oops. Great. Just like that my fantasies of a future with the Oru Kefir Colada were dashed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know what? It was still a friggen delicious drink. Will I have it again? Nope. But if you're ever at Oru and you don't mind consuming animal bones and horse hooves in the form of coconut foam atop a Kefir Colada, enjoy one on my behalf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, great food, classy space, attentive service, and hot waiters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLJ2PzWMYK4/TjuXWs5Rk-I/AAAAAAAAAd0/goAb4U0y4_I/s1600/oru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLJ2PzWMYK4/TjuXWs5Rk-I/AAAAAAAAAd0/goAb4U0y4_I/s320/oru.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And after eight official years of tolerating each other, in spite of his frustrating lack of motivation and creativity when it comes to baby name suggestions, I suppose I'll keep Rob the Husband around a while longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I mean, he is kinda hot, in that non-threatening boy-next-door way...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZ3ez7caXQ/TjublnsfYcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/vOj8rOPwZBs/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZ3ez7caXQ/TjublnsfYcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/vOj8rOPwZBs/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And he loves the furbabies...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVSrI8206to/Tjud4jW5PAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Ue64C0NorQM/s1600/ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVSrI8206to/Tjud4jW5PAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Ue64C0NorQM/s320/ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DGZNNbgn4U/Tjud-AplDqI/AAAAAAAAAeI/qbbS_S3Sk3Q/s1600/ae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DGZNNbgn4U/Tjud-AplDqI/AAAAAAAAAeI/qbbS_S3Sk3Q/s400/ae.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And he did bring me and my Stella Falabella together...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlBCyFfFqwQ/TjubqCa6VwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/658txfq6j2M/s1600/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlBCyFfFqwQ/TjubqCa6VwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/658txfq6j2M/s320/ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2sncncF6_c/TjubvUSZGvI/AAAAAAAAAeA/GoBPt2HIZJk/s1600/ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2sncncF6_c/TjubvUSZGvI/AAAAAAAAAeA/GoBPt2HIZJk/s320/ac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmmmm....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"Stella"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If he shoots that name down I'm insisting on Falabella. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-23376955008142202212011-07-26T17:53:00.000-07:002011-07-27T18:13:46.132-07:00Filipino + Vegetarian = Oxymoron...Or Does It?<a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/01/genesischocolate-peanut-butter-cups.html">The catalyst that set my Kind journey into motion</a> was receiving <i>The Kind Diet</i> from my bff and her husband J, the last people on the planet I would ever expect to buy me a vegan cookbook.<br />
<br />
Firstly, they're Filipino.<br />
<br />
Secondly...actually, there really isn't any other reason. They're Filipino. 'Nuf said.<br />
<br />
If you google "oxymoron" the first thing that comes up is Filipino Vegan.<br />
<br />
When I point the finger in their direction and blame them for this vegan whirlwind, the bff throws her hands up in protest, claiming that she saw Alicia Silverstone on Oprah and knew I like shopping at Whole Foods and really just wanted me to make her the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.<br />
<br />
Fair enough.<br />
<br />
But here's the crazy thing. Little did I know, around the time I embarked on this Kind Journey, the bff's husband, J, started taking his own steps towards a Kinder, healthier lifestyle. Like I said, these guys are the last people I ever would have expected to buy me a vegan cookbook, so I could never in a gazillion years have envisioned J himself actually start moving away from eating meat...especially his beloved steak.<br />
<br />
For one, he's Filipino.<br />
<br />
Yes, we already covered that, but it bears repeating.<br />
<br />
He's also the type to get a tad cranky when his red meat stores start depleting. Celebratory dinners out with these guys usually revolved around steak, and it's always been a bit of a risk heading out with them knowing that J hasn't had his steak fix in a while...the carnivore within can be an unpredictable beast if left unsatisfied, and until the steak arrives at the table, nobody is safe.<br />
<br />
Yah, J really really loves his steak.<br />
<br />
As Rob the Husband and I started flirting with The Plant, J would throw in some playful vegan digs here and there on Facebook...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">"That cow had no chance. (sorry my vegan friends, I tried)"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> </span>- Feb. 5</i></span><br />
<br />
And when I posted a picture of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://farmsanctuary.typepad.com/sanctuary_tails/2011/02/meet-petunia-piglet-our-newest-valentine.html">Petunia Piglet</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">"Mmm... Sweet baby back ribs... You are not helping buddy"</span> - Feb. 15</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
Then his FB status updates took a different turn, and I experienced the epitome of a WTF moment...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">21 days of Vegetarianism. Any day now I feel that I shall revert back to my carnivorous ways. The thirst for carcass might be too much to overcome... Please pray. For the cows." </span>- Feb. 28</i></span><br />
<br />
21 meat-free days? Hmmm...<br />
<br />
I shrugged it off as a glitch in The Matrix or a shift in intergalactic planetary alignment causing radical behaviour in certain human lifeforms. The situation would surely adjust itself over time.<br />
<br />
Then Hell froze over.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">101 days since the vegetarian lifestyle change. Energy up. Healing factor improved. Strength and endurance up. Dominate your day." </span>- May 21</i></span><br />
<br />
Seriously. Dubya Tee Eff.<br />
<br />
J avoiding meat? That was like Homer Simpson avoiding donuts. Captain Jean Luc Picard avoiding Earl Grey tea. Transformers avoiding energon. Cookie Monster avoiding cookies...oh wait, Cookie Monster DID in fact <a href="http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/veggie.asp">tone down the cookie consumption</a> in recent years. Perhaps there was hope after all.<br />
<br />
When I talked to J about his meat-abstinence, he raved about how great he was feeling during his workouts and how much energy he had. He wasn't sure this was going to be a permanent thing, but in the meantime, it turned out Hell had in fact frozen over, and this meat free thing was working out awesome for him.<br />
<br />
And then came Vegas.<br />
<br />
We all knew it was coming. His wife's b-day in Vegas, the land of indulgence, populated by insanely delicious steakhouses all over the strip. Yes, it was only a matter of time...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">"</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">This 150-day vegetarian streak is seconds away from ending. Reverting back to my carnivorous days here in Sin City. Salivating as I write this post... Here we go!" </span>- July 7</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But wait...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">"Could've had a juicy steak. But noooooo... I just had to have the eggplant parmigiana. Which was fraking amazing! Streak continues. Samussesses are proud. Joe will disown me as a friend. Stay tuned..."</span> - July 8</i></span></span><br />
<br />
J. In Vegas. Had option to order steak. Got eggplant instead.<br />
<br />
Does. Not. Compute.<br />
<br />
Something was holding him back. Something was keeping him from taking the plunge. Could it be that he knew how incredible The Temple that is his body felt after all these months not having to process the carcasses of land-dwelling animals? Could it be that he was a tad hesitant to contaminate The Temple after all this progress? Could it be that his palette had evolved an appreciation for The Plant?<br />
<br />
Or could it be that he just hadn't gone to Craftsteak yet?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A6pFg8E34M/Ti7_X5SXEnI/AAAAAAAAAb0/E6-a7Wut6ng/s1600/craftsteak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3A6pFg8E34M/Ti7_X5SXEnI/AAAAAAAAAb0/E6-a7Wut6ng/s320/craftsteak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpka_DiQGw/Ti7_XOs_pXI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ZT0aMIP_lAs/s1600/P1030067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpka_DiQGw/Ti7_XOs_pXI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ZT0aMIP_lAs/s320/P1030067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So for the bff's official birthday dinner, we did indeed go to Craftsteak.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Put up against 16 oz of Craftsteak rib-eye, The Plant didn't stand a chance...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6WMmpaIjM4/Ti7_RQoZSqI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UVfr3WHWEWI/s1600/P1030063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6WMmpaIjM4/Ti7_RQoZSqI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UVfr3WHWEWI/s320/P1030063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7SqzHmgPL8/Ti78qrFzCnI/AAAAAAAAAbI/WQiQOSupN5M/s1600/P1030076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7SqzHmgPL8/Ti78qrFzCnI/AAAAAAAAAbI/WQiQOSupN5M/s320/P1030076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkQ6V0GG9bs/Ti7817jFBYI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Qg1RZTiP040/s1600/P1030078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkQ6V0GG9bs/Ti7817jFBYI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Qg1RZTiP040/s320/P1030078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I figured upon taking his first bite of cow carcass in 151 days, one of two things would happen...</div><br />
Scenario A: J would find that his palette had changed and the steak didn't taste nearly as good as he remembered it.<br />
<br />
This happened to Rob the Husband when he tried a Starbucks Double Shot about a month ago. He used to drink these daily and loved his fix of espresso and cream with a passion. After several months of living free from caffeine and dairy, he decided to try one again, and was seriously unimpressed flavour-wise. Plus he had an upset stomach for the rest of the day. I had the same unimpressive taste experience with feta cheese (which I used to ADORE) and my former favourite yogurt cookie from Evelyn's Cafe in Banff.<br />
<br />
It's like watching reruns of Saved By the Bell and realizing it's just not quite as awesome as you remember.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bflYjF90t7c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, scrap that. Saved By the Bell is still every bit as awesome as I remember.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Hmm...let's see then. It's like going to that restaurant you used to love when you were young because they had a buffet with a sundae bar, but now you realize that sundae bar is and has always been nothing more than watery soft serve, stale gummy bears, and sprinkles that are all mixed up together because people use one spoon for all the sprinkles even though there are three different kinds, resulting in sprinkle cross-contamination, where you get the rainbow ones mixed in with the chocolate ones and vice versa, and they get all stuck together because sometimes people use their own ice cream spoon to scoop the sprinkles, which is just gross, especially when they are coming back for seconds and you know that spoon has been in their mouth.<br />
<br />
Scenario B: The steak would taste every bit as amazing as J remembered it, resulting in a transcendental, almost religious experience.<br />
<br />
Well, in the case of J and his first steak in 151 days, it was Scenario B.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtvM4CkjPe8/Ti787Sr8g2I/AAAAAAAAAbU/S6PMi7SQKJM/s1600/P1030080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtvM4CkjPe8/Ti787Sr8g2I/AAAAAAAAAbU/S6PMi7SQKJM/s320/P1030080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul7G3isE0wg/Ti79BBrF3qI/AAAAAAAAAbY/sJ1KOMHEh9I/s1600/P1030081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul7G3isE0wg/Ti79BBrF3qI/AAAAAAAAAbY/sJ1KOMHEh9I/s320/P1030081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XZsVuhClGo/Ti79G8CUnyI/AAAAAAAAAbc/OEqgJbyDcFY/s1600/P1030083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XZsVuhClGo/Ti79G8CUnyI/AAAAAAAAAbc/OEqgJbyDcFY/s320/P1030083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dude really, really loves his steak. He savoured every bite of that Pittsburgh style chunk of cow flesh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvIPYhX4fQY/Ti79SbynG7I/AAAAAAAAAbk/Ik_Ugr0xJIM/s1600/P1030086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvIPYhX4fQY/Ti79SbynG7I/AAAAAAAAAbk/Ik_Ugr0xJIM/s400/P1030086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See that smile? That's how I imagine I would feel eating a tub of Haagen Dazs. Though I have found some seriously delicious non-dairy ice cream alternatives (helloooo Purely Decadent Peanut Butter Zig-Zag), I need to be honest and admit that nothing tastes quite as awesomesauce as my Banana Split or Bailey's Irish Cream Haagen Dazs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">J's smile was short-lived, however, as his digestive system brought him back to reality. It was a good thing he took the time to really become acquainted with each and every morsel of that rib-eye, because he'd be spending the next couple of days digesting it. Shortly after finishing the steak he admitted that it wasn't sitting so great. He said he could almost feel the animal fat sticking to his insides, and he felt heavy and off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASiTCaJycA0/Ti8NfAiNRpI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kZaBz-mtB3Y/s1600/J+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASiTCaJycA0/Ti8NfAiNRpI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kZaBz-mtB3Y/s320/J+full.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dinner we continued the birthday celebration at David Copperfield (who was AMAYYYYYYYZING!!!!) and then met up with more friends at Gold Lounge, where the effects of the steak were really taking over...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA3zvzvRwl8/Ti8Puj_yTNI/AAAAAAAAAcM/D70cLAqSb5M/s1600/JV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA3zvzvRwl8/Ti8Puj_yTNI/AAAAAAAAAcM/D70cLAqSb5M/s320/JV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bff hadn't had meat in a while either, and wasn't feeling so good after her Craftsteak shortribs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The non-meat eaters, on the other hand, were feelin' just fine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6kIORVDJ-w/Ti8PDYLe9bI/AAAAAAAAAcA/K69xdw9mch0/s1600/P1030126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6kIORVDJ-w/Ti8PDYLe9bI/AAAAAAAAAcA/K69xdw9mch0/s320/P1030126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMax7xdPGpY/Ti8PHH89r_I/AAAAAAAAAcE/iah0TIuvQz8/s1600/P1030128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMax7xdPGpY/Ti8PHH89r_I/AAAAAAAAAcE/iah0TIuvQz8/s320/P1030128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In all seriousness, my bff didn't even get on the dance floor for some birthday shimmying and we had to cut the celebratin' short because both of them genuinely weren't feeling well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcVuDwQVcY/Ti8PK95N4FI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LF8esGJ5I_8/s1600/P1030129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcVuDwQVcY/Ti8PK95N4FI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LF8esGJ5I_8/s320/P1030129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steak facepalm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And J's FB update that night?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Broke the 151 day no-meat-streak today with a $51 dollar 16oz rib-eye prepared Pittsburgh style at Craft steak. It tasted great at the time...<br />
<br />
Regretting it now...<br />
<br />
Tum tum owie..." </span>- July 10 (1:39am)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was instantly reminded of <i>Skinny Bitch</i> p. 123...<i>"Chances are, because your body is now pure, the vice item will make you feel a little nauseous, or headache-y at the very least...Do not discount these negative feelings. They are your new, healthy, clean, pure organs speaking to you."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go figure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>As expected, the steak stayed with him for a while...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Oh fermenting..."</span> - July 10</i></span><br />
<br />
And our next dinner out (at La Cave) was a very different experience from the night before...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Back to my 'vag'etarian ways..." </span>- July 10</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGK725L2KCs/Ti9fN8WZ57I/AAAAAAAAAcc/RlNA6FHjCsQ/s1600/la+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGK725L2KCs/Ti9fN8WZ57I/AAAAAAAAAcc/RlNA6FHjCsQ/s400/la+cave.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
Indeed, it was a very different experience from the night before.<br />
J even lost his Gardein virginity to Rob's Gardein with celery puree...and liked it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz91Uk9Nmvk/Ti8WxUTzp6I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/X6iTgXSNYdU/s1600/P1030177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz91Uk9Nmvk/Ti8WxUTzp6I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/X6iTgXSNYdU/s320/P1030177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He even bought some when we got back home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7ehNk24SUw/Ti8XvIAuqmI/AAAAAAAAAcU/i9_W2PFTyHo/s1600/j+gardein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7ehNk24SUw/Ti8XvIAuqmI/AAAAAAAAAcU/i9_W2PFTyHo/s320/j+gardein.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, I follow my bff and her husband grocery shopping all the time. Nothing wrong with that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, their home cooking experience with Gardein was not so great and J swore off pseudo veggie meats, but their Kinder and healthier lifestyle changes continue... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Released from the grip of certain foods, your body will begin to heal itself..."</span> - July 24</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh em gee he's quoting Alicia :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, the bff and J are officially flirting with a kinder and healthier lifestyle, and I'm having so much fun peeking in on their journey. From the delicious documentation of the bff's forays into Kinder cooking....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epmSAZKUP7A/Ti8dhaVbXXI/AAAAAAAAAcY/vJi4QfWq6ZI/s1600/eggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epmSAZKUP7A/Ti8dhaVbXXI/AAAAAAAAAcY/vJi4QfWq6ZI/s320/eggplant.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parmesan creamed spinach and baked eggplant sandwiches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...to their 4 year old daughter's insightful observations...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">"Mommy, this family doesn't eat meat anymore." </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...these guys are totally moving in a direction I never, Ever, EVER expected. And I am shocked and amazed and delighted by it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thing is, when you figure this Kinder lifestyle out, it really is one of those things you want to jump up and down about and proclaim to the universe. You want everyone in the world to get on board, especially those you care about, because you know it's the direction we all need to head in, not just for our health and for the well being of billions of needlessly suffering animals, but for the sustainability of our planet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The truth is, we just can't keep up our current state of animal consumption. <a href="http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/vegetarianism-in-a-nutshell-environment.aspx">The Earth can't keep up</a>. Moving away from animal products is simply evolution. So when I see people I love getting on board with making Kinder choices, of course I'm thrilled, because I know the earlier they figure it out, the better off they will be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Especially when the aforementioned people I love are the same people who unwittingly got me on board. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't see it coming. I'm sure they didn't see it coming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I mean, come on, they're Filipino.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just goes to show that with a little bit of motivation, perseverance and determination (yes, here comes the cliche), anything is possible. You just need to put your mind to it, go for it, possibly break a sweat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOZEF319OZoYeRQqFJOKmmeQ488xgmX5rsBW0KBT1i6Jo5VaVldBCK4PEAbX7Y5elNG87c1umKweyWUMpQYA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And knowing the motivation, perseverance, and determination of my fantastic bff and her fantastic husband, when it comes to their own Kind journey, I'm sure we ain't seen nothin' yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh Hot Sundae, how you remained a mere one hit wonder, I'll never figure out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-31543056225263820712011-07-20T17:54:00.000-07:002011-07-20T17:54:02.592-07:00Vegan Vegas VaycayAhhh Vegas. The land of crazy happenings. Where Michael Buble gets his food quicker than me and not betting max on a Wizard of Oz slot machine means the difference between winning $500.00 and $353,000.00.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy3kXySmhHY/TicX-R3LaOI/AAAAAAAAAX4/sv6--o04CUU/s1600/jackpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy3kXySmhHY/TicX-R3LaOI/AAAAAAAAAX4/sv6--o04CUU/s320/jackpot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But I'd rather not think about that. Moving right along...<br />
<br />
Rob the Husband and I were thrilled to spend <b>Weekend 24.0</b> in Vegas celebrating the bff's birthday. We knew eating Kind in Vegas was going to be a challenge, as practically all of the nicer restaurants there serve foie gras...even the ones that boast stellar vegan options.<br />
<br />
Here comes the foie gras rant...ready...GO!<br />
<br />
Foie gras is such an unnecessary, pointless, cruel product. There is just no humane way to force feed a duck with the intention of engorging its liver to ten times the normal size, and I can't fathom why any restaurant would feel the need to have it on their menu as a delicacy. Any talented chef shouldn't need to have such a controversial product blemishing his or her menu.<br />
<br />
Rob and I have been boycotting foie gras for years now, avoiding eating at any restaurants that serve it. Unfortunately, it seems as though Every. Friggen. Restaurant. in Vegas serves it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGr9c1NGNw/TicYoirvkZI/AAAAAAAAAX8/zgE-TQS1IKA/s1600/P1030031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGr9c1NGNw/TicYoirvkZI/AAAAAAAAAX8/zgE-TQS1IKA/s320/P1030031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This was at Julian Serrano at Aria where we stayed. Some good looking vegetarian options on the menu, but come on, foie gras CREAM?<br />
<br />
Pointless.<br />
<br />
Lucky for us, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17740638/ns/business-consumer_news/t/wolfgang-pucks-new-kindler-gentler-menu/">Wolfgang Puck does not serve foie gras</a> (yay!), and he has restaurants a plenty in Vegas. On our first night there (<b>Friday 24.0</b>), we met up with the bff and her husband at <a href="http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3860">Lupo</a> at Mandalay Bay. Rob had made resos earlier that day while we were waiting in a 90 minute border line up. He had inquired about vegan options when he called, and I guess they made a note of this, because our server was prepared with vegan suggestions that weren't on the menu.<br />
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Even the breadsticks guy advised us to stay away from the white bean dip for the breadsticks, as it was made with bacon fat. Lucky for us, the olive tapenade was animal product free, and the breadsticks were just goodtimes.<br />
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We have the same picture from her birthday in Whistler the year before.<br />
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We like breadsticks.<br />
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It was at this point that we realized Rob had left the sd card for our camera at home, so I didn't get a pic of my delicious beet salad (minus the cheese), but borrowed the bff's camera for my delicious pasta pic...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a lot prettier when they put it down in front of me before I ate half of it. Not a whole lot of selection when it came to vegan options here, but they were very helpful and knowledgeable and happy to oblige. And this pasta was seriously delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Saturday 24.0</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rob was never a big buffet guy to begin with. He is a grazer, and doesn't eat much in one sitting, so buffets were never a smart option for him. They make even less sense for us now, considering we can't eat the majority of the food they set out, so we had totally written off the idea of buffet dining in Vegas. However, upon checking into Aria we were informed that we had two free buffet breakfast/lunches, and you can't beat free, so we gave it a go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Aria buffet was a bit of a let down in the vegan option department, but like I said, it was free, and you can't beat free. The sushi was nice and the asian noodles were really good. We deliberately came for brunch instead of breakfast, because we knew we'd be screwed for vegan breakfast options. Oatmeal anyone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>This was our first buffet experience since crossing over to the vegan side, and it was hilarious watching people load up their plates with craploads of meat, totally disproportionate to what you would see at a sit down meal, just because they could eat as much of it as they wanted (and meat's the most expensive thing after all, so let's cram as much of it into our systems as we can...screw the salad).<br />
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I never used to gorge on meat when it came to buffets, but I'd definitely score an extra piece or two (or five...or eight) of bacon. It's just so weird seeing it now...makes me want to hand out a copy of <i>Skinny Bitch</i> with chapter 4 (<i>The Dead, Rotting, Decomposing Flesh Diet</i>) bookmarked to everyone with half a foot of meat piled up on their plates. Ahhh, the crazy vegan perspective.<br />
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We spent a lovely day shopping (hellooo Anthro)...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...went back to our room to soak my sore feet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ItzjyKWMv5k/TicfTJ95uOI/AAAAAAAAAYU/jC-AYh9hdh4/s1600/P1030058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ItzjyKWMv5k/TicfTJ95uOI/AAAAAAAAAYU/jC-AYh9hdh4/s320/P1030058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCJSC2eXBJY/TicfcwaR_lI/AAAAAAAAAYY/X2DJzuoDLVw/s1600/P1030044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCJSC2eXBJY/TicfcwaR_lI/AAAAAAAAAYY/X2DJzuoDLVw/s320/P1030044.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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(oh hello Anthro bag full of sale items)<br />
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...and met the bff and her husband J at <a href="http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/craftsteak-steak-house.aspx">Craftsteak</a> for her birthday dinner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OZmeUc7_yY/TicpJPMzQ4I/AAAAAAAAAYk/W3Huw4DmYNo/s1600/P1030067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OZmeUc7_yY/TicpJPMzQ4I/AAAAAAAAAYk/W3Huw4DmYNo/s320/P1030067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1dUgHL5GT4/TicpZzYh3RI/AAAAAAAAAYo/dw2IcaPlaDM/s1600/P1030064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1dUgHL5GT4/TicpZzYh3RI/AAAAAAAAAYo/dw2IcaPlaDM/s320/P1030064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Craftsteak is restaurant that I would normally avoid because of the foie gras, but it wasn't my choice and I wasn't going to miss my bff's b-day dinner,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbLnlEKkRYo/Tico-XxfqcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/pRGYP4Jepnc/s1600/P1030074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbLnlEKkRYo/Tico-XxfqcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/pRGYP4Jepnc/s320/P1030074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>so I saw eating there as an opportunity to be super nice and tip super well and then leave a pleasant suggestion about removing the FG from the menu.<br />
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It turned out that I had nothing to worry about, however, as I was very pleasantly surprised upon receiving the menu to see that the foie gras was nowhere to be found.<br />
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Now, I don't know whether they took it off temporarily or whether their menu changes seasonally or whether I was just stoopid and couldn't find it, but I was Soooo. Very. Happy. to see that it wasn't on there. Score.<br />
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J was especially excited to be at Craftsteak because he was going to be breaking his 6 month meat-free streak. And break the streak he did...but that story deserves a blog post all its own :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yulbaKdMBxE/TicrkF5ZleI/AAAAAAAAAYs/WJheHNj0vZI/s1600/P1030071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yulbaKdMBxE/TicrkF5ZleI/AAAAAAAAAYs/WJheHNj0vZI/s320/P1030071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With the arrival of our lovely vegan friend Mags and the pescetarian Aquaman, we ended up with a 1:1 vegan ratio at our table.<br />
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Was this carnivorous steakhouse up to the challenge? Indeed they were...<br />
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</div>Because the menu here is a la carte, we were prepared going in to just order a few sides and try to make it work, but they offered a vegetarian platter (easy to veganize by eliminating the butter), which put together a sampling of a whole bunch of their sides, allowing more variety on each plate. And it was delicious.<br />
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The chef himself came out after our meal to say hello, and he mentioned that they get a ton of requests for the vegetarian platter, explaining that everything on it is selected to provide a range of tastes and textures to keep it interesting. Swell.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3nMOmtxPs/TicscsJCcEI/AAAAAAAAAYw/qGlgIeA0-Ks/s1600/P1030093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3nMOmtxPs/TicscsJCcEI/AAAAAAAAAYw/qGlgIeA0-Ks/s320/P1030093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The sorbet for dessert was swell too.<br />
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We also had sorbet at Lupo the night before...seems like sorbet is the default vegan dessert option of choice for most restaurants. Lovely though it may be, it does get redundant.<br />
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All in all, 'twas a swell night. Dinner was lovely, David Copperfield was crazy amazing, Gold Lounge was goodtimes, and gambling into the wee hours of the morning was cut off prematurely by the realization that we had to wake up for church in the morning.<br />
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<b>Sunday 24.0</b><br />
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Brunch buffet again...this time at Luxor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgW8Z1Ho14w/TicufZAHkKI/AAAAAAAAAY4/pTf6k8pUYLA/s1600/P1030158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgW8Z1Ho14w/TicufZAHkKI/AAAAAAAAAY4/pTf6k8pUYLA/s320/P1030158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">They had a few vegan options...you know...hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush...it filled us up.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tF7mlHN3hU8/TicuayTD6QI/AAAAAAAAAY0/pPR48VShy8w/s1600/P1030157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tF7mlHN3hU8/TicuayTD6QI/AAAAAAAAAY0/pPR48VShy8w/s320/P1030157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I was pleased to see bok choy there. Yay greens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div>But now confession time. I effed up. Big.<br />
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Worse than <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/03/fawlty-towers-millenium-falcon.html">cheating with the Millenium Falcon</a>. Worse than my <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/05/unfortunate-cali-roll-auto-pilot.html">Cali roll faux pas</a>.<br />
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I ate meat.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See that brown stuff at 1:00, upper right corner, between the rice and salad? I thought it was bean adobo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No. It wasn't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUdXvAJJDZs/Tic11dfFfoI/AAAAAAAAAZE/D5JX3kN9hWM/s1600/P1030159_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUdXvAJJDZs/Tic11dfFfoI/AAAAAAAAAZE/D5JX3kN9hWM/s200/P1030159_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em3wRTxMZPs/Tic11ot-vNI/AAAAAAAAAZI/km3vjVdUtCw/s1600/P1030159_2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em3wRTxMZPs/Tic11ot-vNI/AAAAAAAAAZI/km3vjVdUtCw/s1600/P1030159_2_2.jpg" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Stupid beef and bean starting with the same letter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyhoo, after a day of watching Lion King and shopping (during which I bought a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilice">hairshirt </a>to wear as punishment for accidentally eating the beef adobo...until I realized hairshirts aren't vegan), we met up with our troupe for dinner again, this time at <a href="http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/la-cave">La Cave</a> at Wynn. We knew we wanted to eat at Wynn because of its <a href="http://www.aolnews.com/2010/08/23/las-vegan-strip-casino-mogul-mandates-animal-free-dishes/">vegan initiative</a> (yay <a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/post/steve-wynns-new-vegan-lifestyle">Steve Wynn going vegan!</a>), but a lot of their restaurants still serve foie gras, so Rob sourced one out that did not have it on the menu, and had a variety of creative vegan options.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yxVFwlsh5c/Tic_x4cG5AI/AAAAAAAAAZM/5hff4kTKUgo/s1600/LaCaveMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yxVFwlsh5c/Tic_x4cG5AI/AAAAAAAAAZM/5hff4kTKUgo/s320/LaCaveMenu.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yxVFwlsh5c/Tic_x4cG5AI/AAAAAAAAAZM/5hff4kTKUgo/s1600/LaCaveMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">The dishes were tapas style, so we ordered a few...</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJLncOJna44/TidDY_SnfqI/AAAAAAAAAZY/fjbSAO7mBmg/s1600/P1030169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJLncOJna44/TidDY_SnfqI/AAAAAAAAAZY/fjbSAO7mBmg/s320/P1030169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salt Roasted Beets, Vegan Cheese, Pistachio</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKvLzWdRm2s/TidDdh1BZbI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6XD6MlPASLY/s1600/P1030170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKvLzWdRm2s/TidDdh1BZbI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6XD6MlPASLY/s320/P1030170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mushroom Tortellini, Arugula, Tomato "Cream" Sauce (soooo good we ended up ordering two)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sU-PDgRkxfs/TidDjf4iKzI/AAAAAAAAAZg/oJtdiVkNV-k/s1600/P1030171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sU-PDgRkxfs/TidDjf4iKzI/AAAAAAAAAZg/oJtdiVkNV-k/s320/P1030171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fiery Artichoke, Roasted Red Pepper, Olives, Marinara Flatbread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsVInLUQfCM/TidDnlBj1mI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kvkpu8zaulE/s1600/P1030172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsVInLUQfCM/TidDnlBj1mI/AAAAAAAAAZk/kvkpu8zaulE/s320/P1030172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Gardein with Celery Root Puree, Lemon Caper Sauce</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Great food. Huge table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zPzyTlJBSo/TidDs77abvI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ehUHcRRtw3s/s1600/P1030167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zPzyTlJBSo/TidDs77abvI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ehUHcRRtw3s/s400/P1030167.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My only complaint about La Cave is their complete lack of vegan desserts. I mean, if you boast a menu with great vegan options, why the hell wouldn't you offer vegan dessert options? Even Lupo and Craftsteak at least had sorbet. This place had Nothing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wynn dining verdict: Huge Win for dinner. Epic Fail for dessert. Would go back in a heartbeat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Monday 25.0</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last day in Vegas...yay cabana rental at Liquid! Our own pool and they bring the food and drinks to us...does it get much better? I think no.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntzIfF1Ules/TidGvLiDNzI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/eGebvN95WhU/s1600/P1030199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntzIfF1Ules/TidGvLiDNzI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/eGebvN95WhU/s320/P1030199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_L-uMZVp3s/TidGndpo9wI/AAAAAAAAAZs/tm2PS-S7mQE/s1600/P1030201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_L-uMZVp3s/TidGndpo9wI/AAAAAAAAAZs/tm2PS-S7mQE/s320/P1030201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pRpouGTnkE/TidGqx0CitI/AAAAAAAAAZw/HdzYmstETWE/s1600/P1030204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pRpouGTnkE/TidGqx0CitI/AAAAAAAAAZw/HdzYmstETWE/s320/P1030204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzwAGiZ7Q7w/TidGzX4f0nI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ncfwwynKFo0/s1600/P1030257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzwAGiZ7Q7w/TidGzX4f0nI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ncfwwynKFo0/s320/P1030257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My apple and endive salad...subbed out the cheese and subbed in a lemon vinaigrette. Heaven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of heaven...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFNSnvSm1bo/TidIN2kNV6I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/ySnNclqys7k/s1600/P1030241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFNSnvSm1bo/TidIN2kNV6I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/ySnNclqys7k/s320/P1030241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W85gpPDQzzk/TidIS1uzOrI/AAAAAAAAAaA/a3LdioMdadw/s1600/P1030245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W85gpPDQzzk/TidIS1uzOrI/AAAAAAAAAaA/a3LdioMdadw/s320/P1030245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MP3X-V18B0M/TidITnRnvnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/pM61mkjNH-A/s1600/Vegpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MP3X-V18B0M/TidITnRnvnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/pM61mkjNH-A/s400/Vegpool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yah, I could stay here forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alas, 'twas not to be. We had to say farewell to our friends and head on over to the airport (after Rob surprised me with my <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-stella-falabella.html">Stella Falabella</a>), where we got fb updates about their beautiful, classy, amazing dining experience at <a href="http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/sensi.aspx">Sensi</a>, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOMglK00PVY/TidKofgO-4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/n_A7gsQbB8s/s1600/Sensi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOMglK00PVY/TidKofgO-4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/n_A7gsQbB8s/s320/Sensi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...while we too had what I'm sure was an equally classy, amazing dining experience at the airport...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Fy7_MnyCM/TidJMGy82GI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mXy_YFTmedM/s1600/P1030293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Fy7_MnyCM/TidJMGy82GI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mXy_YFTmedM/s320/P1030293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sensi could easily be one of my favourite restaurants in the universe if if wasn't for the stupid Sonoma Foie Gras on their menu. Because my friends are awesomesauce, beautiful people, they thought of the ducks during their dining experience there and took the opportunity to plant a Kind seed...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUizKz1X4rM/Tic_z-5BEvI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/0R4HDCyPyBE/s1600/SensiFG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUizKz1X4rM/Tic_z-5BEvI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/0R4HDCyPyBE/s640/SensiFG.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love them :) The ducks love them too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our Vegan Vegas Vaycay ended off on a pleasant yet unexpected vegan note. Rob went to get some snacks for the plane, and came back with vegan cookies from a smoothie bar. Go figure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWJFBoOEsbc/TidTAkXuTWI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/4jZv_zkTh5Y/s1600/P1030295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWJFBoOEsbc/TidTAkXuTWI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/4jZv_zkTh5Y/s320/P1030295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And they had a nice little message to go with them:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-As4r4wKJRZE/TidURZarEGI/AAAAAAAAAaY/CRV9NCzUtYg/s1600/vegcookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-As4r4wKJRZE/TidURZarEGI/AAAAAAAAAaY/CRV9NCzUtYg/s400/vegcookie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I agree with the cookie wholeheartedly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661276514495750600.post-37211970825818039192011-07-14T16:32:00.000-07:002011-07-14T16:32:16.794-07:00My Stella FalabellaI went to Vegas last weekend without a Stella McCartney Falabella Deer Flap Shoulder Bag, and thanks to the Rob the Best. Husband. Ever., I came home with one :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afVB9XqCCKE/Th90XloLVsI/AAAAAAAAAXw/G_8XGaZHiW0/s1600/Stella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afVB9XqCCKE/Th90XloLVsI/AAAAAAAAAXw/G_8XGaZHiW0/s400/Stella.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Yes, Rob the Husband will now go by his new moniker, Rob the Best. Husband. Ever.<br />
<br />
Actually, that takes too long to type. Screw it.<br />
<br />
The journey to my Stella Falabella was long and frought with peril (ok, not really...unless you look at my current bank statement), and it began many moons ago (more like six months ago, but whatever).<br />
<br />
Back in January, when I decided to take steps towards flirting with a kinder lifestyle, one of the things I was struggling with was rationalizing the concept of never eating meat again. Allow me to give you some insight into what my animal product consuming self was thinking at the time:<br />
<br />
<i>Limiting meat...sure. Giving it up entirely....insane. After all, I'd be doing this first and foremost for ethical reasons, and I wear leather, so how does it make sense to give up meat if I wear leather and sleep under a down-filled duvet and retire to my study every night to admire my collection of moose heads? </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>It's kinda dumb, right? Ergo, so is the idea of giving up meat. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>That settles that.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Unless...</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Oh shit. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Shitshitshitshitshit.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>No more wearing animals or sleeping under them or admiring their decapitated heads on my wall. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Shitshitshitshitshit.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Then my animal product consuming self tried to approach this predicament from another angle...<br />
<br />
<i>Leather Is Not Bad. I would never wear fur, of course...fur is just evil. But leather is efficient. It's about not being wasteful.</i><i> Use the whole cow. Otherwise you'd just throw the skin away and what good would that be? </i><i>After all, I eat cows, so it doesn't make sense not to wear them.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Unless....</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Oh shit.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Shitshitshitshitshitshit.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
The whole eating cows thing was a rational justification for wearing them. It was such a natural part of my life and upbringing....I eat them, so what's wrong with wearing them? And of course I want the real leather shoes...much better quality after all. Of course I want the real leather purse...fake just looks cheap. <br />
<br />
But it didn't make sense. If I wanted to live a kinder life, I'd have to recognize that it involved more than eliminating certain things from my diet. I'd have to eliminate certain things from my closet and household as well. And that sucked. I'm surrounded by a lot of animal products.<br />
<br />
It sucked even more when I had my <a href="http://flirtingwithkind.blogspot.com/2011/02/petunia-piglet.html">Petunia Piglet epiphany</a> around Valentines Day and realized that I really didn't want to ever eat meat again. I started feeling a bit guilty about all the stuff in my home (and closet, especially) that came from exploiting an animal.<br />
<br />
But then, right on cue (I tell ya, timing has been on my side in this Kind lifestyle shift), I came across <a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/post/recycled-leather-handbags">something Alicia said</a>: Use what you have, and don't buy any more.<br />
<br />
I was totally down with that. I could still strut in my Cole Haan boots, lounge on my leather couch (I'm currently typing this while sitting on my leather kitchen chairs), and wear my ivory tiarra...I just didn't need to buy any more.<br />
<br />
I started looking up vegan designers, and was instantly drawn to <a href="http://www.mattandnat.com/">Matt & Nat</a> and <a href="http://www.stellamccartney.com/default/">Stella McCartney.</a> I got super excited when a few days after learning about them, I found a Matt & Nat purse at Winners.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6xzY-eCrPs/Th94y9aNDQI/AAAAAAAAAX0/DoiurygMmMI/s1600/Matt%2526Nat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6xzY-eCrPs/Th94y9aNDQI/AAAAAAAAAX0/DoiurygMmMI/s320/Matt%2526Nat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Score!<br />
<br />
This has become my every day purse, having replaced my go-to leather purses. I am still deciding what I want to do with them. In the aforementioned Alicia post, Alicia states that while she will buy secondhand stuff that has leather in it, she's not comfortable sporting something that screams, "I was a dead animal." I totally get where she's coming from here, as I'm really no longer into wearing my leather jacket or purses.<br />
<br />
Yah, I love my Matt & Nat :)<br />
<br />
And this brings me to the story of my Stella Falabella.<br />
<br />
Stella McCartney, of course, is vegan. For her contemporaries in the high fashion industry, using fur and skins is the norm. Stella is definitely one of the pioneers of her industry,<a href="http://www.stellamccartney.com/default/stellas-world/green-me/green-me-stella-charlotte-casiraghi.html"> applying a philosophy based on ethics and sustainability</a> to her clothing and accessory lines.<br />
<br />
I heart her :)<br />
<br />
I was super excited to discover that there was a Stella McCartney store in Vegas, cuz we were going to Vegas for the bff's b-day. AND we were staying at Aria at City Centre, where Crystals was located, where the Stella McCartney store was.<br />
<br />
Perfect.<br />
<br />
So on Saturday 24.0 Rob and I moseyed into the Stella store, where I was immediately drawn to a gorgeous pair of nude pumps...but I knew I'd get much more use out of a purse, so I moseyed over to the purses and fell in love.<br />
<br />
There were SO MANY beautiful bags, large and small. I couldn't pick which one I loved most, which ended up being a non-issue really because even the cute little ones were all beyond my tax bracket. I stuck around and touched and caressed and fondled the bags in what I'm sure was an inappropriate manner, hoping to find an elusive sale sticker or something. Finally, dehydration from drooling set in, and we left the store, saddened that I wouldn't be giving one of the Stella Falabella bags a good home.<br />
<br />
Rob and I discussed the possibility of winning a sweet slot machine jackpot before the end of our trip and coming back for a bag, and while we certainly enjoyed our share of ups on the casino floor, on our last night in Vegas we ended up retiring to our room $230 down (boo).<br />
<br />
I tried to put Stella out of my head and enjoy our last day in Vegas poolside, and succeeded. It's amazing how a little eating and drinking and swimming and tanning with awesome friends can distract you from thinking about spectacularly gorgeous vegan purses. As we went back to the hotel room later in the day to grab our bags and leave for the airport, I didn't suspect anything when Rob said he needed to run to the gift shop.<br />
<br />
I organized our bags and waited in the room for him for about 20 minutes, until finally he showed up with a huge smile on his face holding a bottle of Voss water. I didn't remember the gift shop carrying Voss, so I was a little like, "What the eff? Where'd you get the Voss?"<br />
<br />
Then he gave me a kiss and said, "I got it for free. Don't hate me. Go open the door."<br />
<br />
So I opened the hotel room door.<br />
<br />
Holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit.<br />
<br />
There was a tan and brown Stella McCartney shopping bag on the floor right outside the room. Apparently you get a free bottle of Voss when you buy something there.<br />
<br />
Holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit.<br />
<br />
I couldn't believe it. Seriously, I couldn't believe it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCFMqzTTlf0/Th90Tf_CtwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/G9_fFexAZvY/s1600/Stella+Surprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCFMqzTTlf0/Th90Tf_CtwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/G9_fFexAZvY/s320/Stella+Surprise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I freaked out for a few seconds as he took pictures of me making some really unattractive faces while I was opening the bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1eMyyafDK4/Th90HE992LI/AAAAAAAAAXY/BB7fR92OPms/s1600/shock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1eMyyafDK4/Th90HE992LI/AAAAAAAAAXY/BB7fR92OPms/s320/shock.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And finally, I was in possession of the MOST GORGEOUS Stella McCartney Falabella Deer Flap Shoulder Bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe_Nx5eouYw/Th90MpQ1CNI/AAAAAAAAAXg/wK6cE22KGWc/s1600/Stella+Happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe_Nx5eouYw/Th90MpQ1CNI/AAAAAAAAAXg/wK6cE22KGWc/s320/Stella+Happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I love this bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2doeUERaaOw/Th90VGlz8PI/AAAAAAAAAXs/wlkPzg8PEB4/s1600/Stella+Veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2doeUERaaOw/Th90VGlz8PI/AAAAAAAAAXs/wlkPzg8PEB4/s400/Stella+Veg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uluc1XjQ85g/Th90JJUlZCI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tVoKvFj5grE/s1600/Stella+Anima.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uluc1XjQ85g/Th90JJUlZCI/AAAAAAAAAXc/tVoKvFj5grE/s400/Stella+Anima.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I love that it's vegan.<br />
<br />
I love that it's classy.<br />
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I love the contrast of the soft material and chain detailing.<br />
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I love that an animal did not have to die for me to enjoy it.<br />
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I love that it's made by a designer who is going against the grain of her industry with her commitment to animal and eco-friendly fashion.<br />
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I love that my husband picked it out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love having Rob on board for this Kind journey. It makes it easier and so much more enjoyable to do it together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And while he didn't have to buy me the MOST GORGEOUS Stella McCartney Falabella Deer Flap Shoulder Bag to retain his status as the Best. Husband. Ever., I certainly won't hold it against him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5QRU7NGEjM/Th90QigHzyI/AAAAAAAAAXk/r1xtPFS-8S4/s1600/Stella+Rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5QRU7NGEjM/Th90QigHzyI/AAAAAAAAAXk/r1xtPFS-8S4/s400/Stella+Rob.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
By the way, I was totally kidding about the moose heads and ivory tiara.<br />
<br />
Or was I?<br />
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</div>yolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490983856499809941noreply@blogger.com1