virtually vegan sisters

Montana Bear Tragedy

2011-12-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

I received this email from a friend of mine...her sister's comment is below the picture. My friends comment is below that. Pretty hilarious.

Email reads:

Everybody should heed the warnings not to feed wildlife because they become dependent and don't forage for themselves any longer. It is such a tragedy to see what has been done to our country's wildlife.
The photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect U.S. wildlife.

Animals that formerly were self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democrat Party.
They have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance. This photo is of a black bear in Montana turned Democrat.
He's nicknamed Bearack Obearma. It is believed that he has become a campground organizer.

My friend's version:

Owing to greed and arrogance, this Republican black bear, known around the campgrounds as Herman "Raisin'" Cain, killed and ate 99% of the tourists who visited his park and now has to sit and wait for meals to be brought to him. Unfortunately, his lazy and incompetent colleagues, the rest of the 1%, have never had a moment's experience gathering or preparing a meal, and would be too selfish to share if they did. Raisin' would eat his young, if he could, but his wife left him after numerous sex scandals. Sorry, dude, you're fucked.

Healing of the Nation Event Canceled!

2011-09-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

I regret to inform you that the event which was happening on Sunday, September 11, 2011, "Healing of the Nation: Reggae and Yoga Festival" has been canceled until further notice....The City of Long Beach still has some growing up to do!

California Coastal Cleanup Day 2011

2011-09-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

It's time to make a difference! Join us for California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 17 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This annual event, sponsored by the California Coastal Commission and the City of Long Beach, is designed to increase public awareness about marine debris and inspire community action. Coastal Cleanup Day is a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages to help keep our beaches clean and healthy.

All you need to do is show up at any of our six beach cleanup sites and sign in. Cleanup supplies and free parking will be provided at each site. To limit the amount of bags we use, we encourage all participants to bring their own reusable bag or bucket to pick up trash.

Alamitos Beach
Ocean Blvd., at Alamitos Ave.
Belmont Pool
4000 E. Olympic Plaza
Bluff Park
Ocean Blvd., at Coronado.
Colorado Lagoon
E. Appian Way at Colorado St.
Mother's Beach
E. Appian Way under the 2nd St. Bridge
Pierpoint Landing
200 Aquarium Way

For more information visit http://www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter/ccd.">http://www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter/ccd. What you clean today can have a positive impact for our beaches for years to come. Please join us on September 17 and help make a difference.

Long Beach Events!!

2011-09-07T09:41:00.001-07:00

For those of you virtually vegans who like to have fun and maybe try out Kundalini yoga below are some events you might be interested in checking out...some are happening these weekend....and below those are listed ongoing dates for Kundalini!! I highly suggest you try this amazing style of yoga and Christine Cox is a wonderful teacher who will guide you through it gracefully....hope to see you around!!

Saturday, September 1o, 2011
3pm - 9pm
3rd Annual Latin American Day Parade
PARADE: Pine Avenue Between 6th - 3rd / FESTIVAL: Promenade Between 3rd and 5th.
Sirena Serpentina Closes this Event with Tribal Fire Bellydance!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

(Aldana Mica will have a booth at the event below....)

Sunday, September 11, 2011
10am - 8pm
Healing of the Nation: Reggae and Yoga Festival
Alfredo's Beach Club at Cherry Beach
Long Beach, CA

A Healing and Educational Celebration
FREE!!
Live Music
Fire Dancin'
Yoga
Healing Arts
Food
More!!

Sopurkh (ME) will be sharing Kundalini Yoga & Meditation 5:30pm

Sirena Serpentina Firedance Performance at Dark!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Monday, September 12, 2011
9pm - 12am
Full Moon Kundalini Kriya and Drum Circle
Trilogy Yoga
3141 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA, 90803

Pisces Full Moon Celebration
Come Meditate and Manifest all of your creative powers! The Pisces Full Moon reminds us to DREAM BIG and let our truth shine on and on and on!

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation
Drumming and Dancing
Yogi Tea and Treats
Fun!
Suggested Donation:: $20

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

ONGOING CLASSES

Mondays
Sunset Kundalini Yoga
6-7pm
Bluffs - Corner of Junipero and Ocean, LBC
Donations Welcome

Tuesdays
Morning Kundalini Yoga
9-10am
Bluffs - Corner of Junipero and Ocean, LBC
Donations Welcome

Tribal Fusion Bellydance
7:30-8:30pm
Omadawn Yoga Studio - 1650 PCH, Seal Beach
$17 or Class Package

Thursdays
Morning Kundalini Yoga
9-10am
Bluffs - Corner of Junipero and Ocean, LBC
Donations Welcome

Saturdays
Hoopdance
12-1pm
Bluffs - Corner of Cherry and Ocean, LBC
Donations Welcome

LB Surfrider giving away reusable bags!!

2011-08-19T12:16:00.001-07:00

LB Surfrider is giving out reuseable bags this weekend!

In support of the single use plastic bag ban, the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is giving away reusable shopping bags at two upcoming events. If you're having a difficult time affording reusable shopping bags stop by our table and get one for free! We hope to see you this weekend and one of our events:

Friday August 19, 9AM - 12 noon, McBride Park Free Food Giveaway. California Recreation Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813.

Saturday August 20, 10am - 12 noon, Food 4 Less, 6700 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805.

longbeach@lbsurfrider.org • Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter

Meatless Monday in EWG's New Study: A Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change and Health!

2011-07-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

Following is an email I received from Meatless Monday which I would like to share with you all...please read and pass it on! Also, I attached some really cute pictures of our kitty Silvi...he loves nori!

Hi Everyone-

Some of you may have already heard, but today the Environmental Working Group released a lifestyle analysis of the links between meat consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change and Health can help you to determine which protein sources are the most and least carbon friendly. At www.ewg.org/meateatersguide you can take their quiz and see how much you know as well as find great educational materials to learn more. They embrace the Meatless Monday concept and even recommend the recipes on MeatlessMonday.com (which come from you!) to improve personal and planetary health.

We hope this new research (re)inspires you to commit to go without meat, one day a week!

Happy Monday!

The Growing Experience featured in the LA Times!!

2011-07-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to let you know that The Growing Experience was featured in the online version of the LA Times Home Section today. Here's the link:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/07/growing-experience-urban-farm-long-beach.html

It's a great write-up about our local Long Beach farm and the programs they operate for the community. Check it out if you have a minute, and please leave a comment at the end of the article-there's a possibility that they could be featured in Sunset Magazine, if there's a lot of interest. That would be great to put Long Beach on the map! As usual, thanks for your support.

Green Long Beach Festival 2011

2011-06-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Join Green Long Beach! on Saturday June 11th as we “IGNITE CHANGE” towards sustainability within our local community and economy. Prominently located in downtown Long Beach on the Promenade between Broadway & 3rd St. from 10am – 8pm.

This year’s stimulating educational workshops will include Merry Blues Art: Green Cleaning Concepts at 12:30pm, Leap Frog Yoga: Kid’s Yoga, Linda Nicoles: “Plug-In America,” Rosie The Riveter High School: “Overview of program,” Stas Margaronis:“Rebuild the United States,” Theo Chocolates: “The Dark Side of Chocolate,” Apiana Native Landscaping: “Native Landscaping,” Stella Ursua: “What the Heck is a Green Collar Job,” Carol Rasaphangthong & Amy Tanaka Presents:“Cool Town Claymation,” and MORE!

LB Green Festival website

2011 Etsy Craft Party

2011-06-08T11:17:00.001-07:00

happening this Friday June 10th 7pm-10:30pm at 423 S. Brookhurst St. Anaheim, CA 92804

Hosted by: Nest Vintage & Handmade

Learn how to:

-screen print

-make seed bombs

-hand sew

-decopauge

$10 per person or free if you bring your own project

For info & to RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/etsy/anaheim-ca/147391/

714-504-2376

Nature Walk with Herbalist Julie James at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park!

2011-05-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

.......books from Julie's collection....

Last Saturday, we went on a nature walk with the meet up group "Green Wisdom".....Julie James, the master herbalist, guided our group through this beautiful park, recognizing over 20 plants, many of which we could eat and use in soups, make infusions and use for wounds and inflammation...to say the least....below are the pictures and names for each plant...along with my notes....

1) Coyote Mint, poofy purple flower, Laminaceae family like Rosemary

2) Bella Donna, somewhat toxic (night shade family)

3) Oak Tree, has tannins, boil leaves and apply to wounds, anti-inflammatory, cooling, good for skin irritations, constriction of tissue, use leaves dry or fresh, bark is medicinally stronger and the root is even stronger.

4) Mule Fat

5) Willie Blue Pearls, anti-microbial, Laminaceae family

6) Elder, common CA plant, beige flower clusters, best known as Elderberry, seeds are toxic if consumed in large amounts, black elderberry syrup is delicious and recipes can be found online, harvest berries around spring time to make syrup (remove seeds), improves circulation if taken over a long period of time, strengthens eyes and heart. Flower: immune system, make apple cider vinegar extraction and keep it for years!

7) Black Sage (salvia), Laminaceae family, anti-fungal, rich in essential oils, cooling and constrictive affect, helps reduce perspiration (make an extraction in vinegar for 2 weeks or stick leaves in your socks and walk on them).

8) Sage Brush (not salvia), aromatic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, good for pelvic area and uterus, not good for pregnant women, stimulates the liver and gall bladder, Asteraceae family....sorry, no picture.

9) Mugwart, stimulates dreaming

10) Green Walnut Tree, good for parasites (extract), harvest unripe hulls to make tincture....forgot to photograph....

11) Mustard Weed, on "Dirty Dozen" list because it's not a CA native and it's taking over the landscapes! High in sulfur, valuable for liver functions, warming affects for tissues, low metabolism, good if you have cold hands and feet.

12) Oat, also on Dirty Dozen list, harvest in early spring, milky oats are healing for the adrenals and nervous system. Oat straw: rich in calcium, magnesium and silica.

13) Goose Berry, tannin rich....also forgot to photograph....

14) Monkey Flower, for fear of the unknown

15) Loofa Plant!!

Loofa! But please remove the spiky things before using...

16) Horehound: respiratory system, good for excessive mucus, coughing, infection, extremely bitter taste, make a hot infusion or tincture.

17) Wild Lettuce, gentle sedative, make infusion or extract.

18) Milk Thistle, liver supporter, seeds can be eaten, not water soluble, make tincture/alcoholic extraction or just eat them!

19) Cleveland Sage, flowers taste great in a salad.

20) Nettles, awesome nourishing plant! For those living in Long Beach and who can not grow their own nettles....there is a vendor at the Sunday's farmers market that sells nettles...she also sell yummy mushrooms!

21) Lemonade Berry, so sour!

22) Wild Rose, CA native

.....and there were many more but I stopped taking pictures and notes and just listened to Julie and enjoyed the rest of the walk.....

Volunteering for Bunnies at LBCC!!!

2011-05-24T16:39:00.001-07:00

Picture found on this link

Yesterday was my first day volunteering at the bunny shelter located at LBCC Long Beach City College. I arrived at the shelter and was greeted by Donna Prindle, the caring leader of the group....She showed me around the shelter, introduced me to other volunteers and of course, the bunnies...We then started cleaning out their cages, feeding them pellets and changing their bedding and water....I couldn't believe it when she told me that they clean the cages every day...there are over 70 bunnies there!! That is a lot of cages and a lot of work.....It was a very fun experience, full of licks and some bites....the funnest part was when I got to cuddle with the bunnies...especially the little one....

So how do most of these bunnies end up there? Many inexperienced bunny owners drop them off and abandon them on campus...mostly after getting them from pet stores....w/o any training as to what the bunnies need and how to take care of them.....Easter time doesn't help either, as many parents get bunnies for their kids thinking they are cute at first and then realize the work involved.....these bunnies have not been neutered/spayed, therefore they reproduce....every 28 days they can have a new litter of around 8-12 bunnies....my goodness! Some of the female bunnies that show up at the shelter are already pregnant! I got to meet one of the bunny mom's and her 8 little ones, the cutest and softest creatures ever!!

Besides their cages being cleaned every day by volunteers, they get to hop around in play pins and receive a lot of love and cuddling time....their diets are pretty healthy too....they are fed veggie pellets, fresh apples, carrots and a bouquet of cilantro, kale, dandelion greens and parsley...while feeding them I was getting hungry myself! The shelter also takes care of neutering/spaying the bunnies so the population stays under control, thank goodness!

The bunnies at LBCC are in such good hands and it was a pleasure to be there and see how many caring people we have in our community.....next time I must bringing my camera so then I have pictures and videos to share with you all!

The shelter needs to find homes for these little guys and gals...and can always use more volunteer hands to help care for them as well. If you are interested in either of the above, please contact Donna Prindle at 562-938-4356 dprindle@lbcc.edu

2011-04-11T13:21:00.001-07:00

Here is some news that I received from Meatless Mondays.....their sister organization, The Eat Well Guide, released this cool widget to help people eat local on Earth Day and everyday thereafter throughout the year. Eat Well Guide is a free online directory for anyone in search of fresh, locally grown and sustainably produced food in the United States and Canada. Include the food-finder widget (see the code below) on your website and/or blog, to provide your visitors with valuable sustainable food recommendations. Just type a zip code into the widget to find nearby sustainable restaurants, stores, farms and other producers from our growing list of over 23,000 vendors. Supporting sustainable agriculture is a delicious way to show your commitment to the earth 365 days a year.

You can also direct people to Eat Well Guide from your Facebook or Twitter pages with this link: Free sustainable food-finder widget makes every day Earth Day

Here’s a link to download all the Eat Well Guide widgets. Or just copy the code below my signature:

http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Widgets

Here’s a preview of what the widget will look like:

As far as Monday widgets go, the Meatless Monday recipe widget and The Kids Cook Monday recipe widget are both now available:

http://www.meatlessmonday.com/meatless-monday-widgets/

http://www.thekidscookmonday.org/tkcm-toolkit/

Milan Kundera: humankind & animals

2011-03-25T00:20:00.000-07:00

"Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect humankind has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it."
— Milan Kundera

For more amazing quotes go here.

have a thoughtful weekend, wrapped up in books if possible.

Catalyst Chili Cook Off!!

2011-03-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

For all you chili lovers!! Fund Raiser to support The Catalyst Space, a community center in the East Village Arts Distric....

This Saturday, March 26th, 2011 from 6-10pm at Trinity Lutheran Church

759 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813

Tickets are $10, includes chili samples, one full bowl of chili (your choice), corn bread, chili fixin's bar, dessert, soft drinks and fun music by DJ Frank Foreal aka Frank(e)

Judges will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes

1st place $100

2nd and 3rd place ribbons

Check out this site for more details:

http://solshock.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/catalyst-chili-cook-off-fundraiser-march-26/

Iodine: eat that seaweed and keep the radioactive kind at bay!

2011-03-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

I came across this post from TheHerbalistSeattle.blogspot.com (which was a reposting of this article by Ryan Drum) and thought it was very appropriate to share especially for us on the Pacific coast fearing the consequences of possible nuclear meltdown across the ocean. Even if you're sitting pretty on the East Coast, or half way around the world in Mozambique, this information is useful and valuable in our nuclear age.

"Iodine 131 is hazardous because our bodies will happily take it in if we need iodine. Since prior to the human atomic age there was no iodine 131, we have no defense against it if we need iodine, and no way to selectively excrete it. IF we have sufficient iodine in our bodies, Iodine 127, the only natural iodine isotope, our bodies will not take in the heavier iodine 131... The critical information is: if we continually take in 150 micrograms of iodine 127 daily, we will most likely be protected from iodine-deficiency “iodine aggressive uptake”. We can do this by eating 5-10 grams of seaweeds daily. If we are worried about iodine 131 which reasonably might be expected in the seaweed, we can let the seaweed iodine 131 if any, decay for 8 weeks. How do we know and expect this seaweed iodine to be protective against iodine 131 fallout and decay? The Polish example. Within hours after the onset of the Chernobyl disaster, Polish authorities acted to get iodine solutions, potassium and sodium iodide tablets, even seaweed tablets and capsules into as many of their citizens as possible to protect them from the nearby huge amounts of iodine 131 coming their way. Over the intervening 20 years, the Polish people treated with iodine 127 have almost 1000 time less thyroid disease than neighboring countries even further than Poland from the Chernobyl disaster site."

WOW.

nori rolls
miso soup with plenty of wakame, arame, nori, kombu
seaweed salad at your local japanese restaurant
delicious crinkly seaweed snacks
eat up!!

Let the muse in!

2011-03-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

I absolutely positively love immersing myself in music on a regular basis, so I figured today I'd share that love with VVS readers, and introduce you to a GREAT Argentinian band called ONDA VAGA. These guys are just amazing so please watch the video below and then seek out their album (fuerte y caliente) in order to get a full taste of what they have to offer. so so good :)

Some Recipes from Joseph Nally.....

2011-03-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

As it usually happens...when looking for something on the internet...you end up moving from page to page and find more than you were looking for.....that is how I came across this article while looking for cashews and happiness...it is interesting and inspiring and I thought it was worth sharing...if you would like to read it, please check out the link below as well as some of Joseph Nally's recipes....

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/23/vibrant-vegan/

Watermelon Gazpacho

From Joseph Nally, Spokane

4 cups watermelon, divided use

1 cup tomato

1 cup cucumber

½ cup red bell pepper

½ small jalapeno

1 green onion

1 small handful cilantro

1 teaspoon minced ginger

2 tablespoons lime juice

¾ teaspoon salt

Puree 3 cups of watermelon in a food processor or blender and place in a big bowl. Dice the remaining 1 cup of watermelon into small pieces and place in a bowl.

Seed and dice tomatoes, cucumber and bell pepper. Seed and mince jalapeno. Mince the green onion using all of the white part and about 1 inch of the green. Chop cilantro, puree ginger and add to bowl with lime juice and salt.

Stir everything together carefully. Ladle into chilled soup bowls or chill in fridge before serving.

Yield: 4 servings

Massaged Kale

From Joseph Nally, Spokane

1 large head kale, shredded

2 teaspoons olive oil

½ lemon

¼ teaspoon salt

Debone kale and cut into shreds. Massage oil, juice from lemon and salt into well-shredded kale for about two minutes. If possible, let sit for 10 minutes.

Serve with a light and creamy dressing.

Yield: 6 cups

Mac and Cashew Cheese

From Joseph Nally, Spokane

3 cups whole-wheat macaroni

½ red bell pepper

1 cup coconut milk

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cups water

¼ cup corn starch

¼ cup yeast flakes

1 teaspoon onion powder

2 ½ teaspoons salt

½ cup raw cashew pieces

1 cup bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to directions on package.

Meanwhile, blend the rest of the ingredients except the bread crumbs until very smooth.

Drain macaroni and combine the pasta with the sauce in a casserole dish. Cover with bread crumbs and bake, uncovered, for 1 hour or until the sauce is thick all the way through.

Yield: 6 cups

Jicama Salad

From Joseph Nally, Spokane

4 cups jicama, cut into large peeled pieces

2 roma tomatoes

½ cup green onion

1 cup corn

2 teaspoons lemon juice

¼ teaspoons salt

Peel the whole jicama first then cut into roughly 1-inch cubes. Process in a food processor until they become small shredded pieces. Place into a bowl.

Dice tomato and the green onion and place in the bowl along with the corn. Dress the salad with the lemon juice and salt and fold together.

Yield: 4 cups

Creamy Dill Dressing

From Joseph Nally, Spokane

1 cup cashews

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Fresh dill, to taste

Blend everything except dill together in a blender until perfectly smooth. Fold in dill. Chill before serving.

Dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week. Great as a simple salad dressing, sauce for a pre-dressed salad, and as a spread on baked potatoes and some sandwiches.

Yield: 1 1/3 cups

Music is a constant

2011-03-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

via Design Crush

Tripti Kulai et Sri Chinmoy

2011-03-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

Last last weekend we visited the town of Montpellier....beautiful town with historic center, botanical garden, museums and lots of cute streets with stores to explore. We arrived on Saturday, checked into the hotel and walked around town....for lunch we stopped at an Indian restaurant called Restaurant Le Rajasthan ...inside, the setting resembles that of the 17th century, the furniture comes directly from the Rajasthan region which is rich in tradition. We shared the baigan bharta (eggplant) and mixed veggie dishes, along with white rice and garlic naan...oh, and of course veggie samosas....much smaller in size than the ones back in the States....about 1/3 of the size....and they are wrapped in a dough like tortilla and have a similar shape to the Arabic empanadas.

Restaurant Le Rajasthan

3 Rue Vallat

34000 Montpellier, France

04 67 66 29 75

http://www.rajasthan.fr/

For dinner we stopped at Tripti Kulai...an all organic vegetarian restaurant...we started with a mixed squash soup with parsley, I followed with a smoked tofu and quinoa vegetalienne (vegan) dish and my companion had a potato and veggie sausage dish called Gratinee Savoyarde (minus the reblochon cheese)....he also had a tea called Remede Elfique (elf remedy?) which we think might have caused him to feel a bit unusual after drinking it...and I had the Fontaine de Jouvence (fountain of youth) but I felt the same afterwards, just really full....and with no room for dessert :(

This restaurant is also associated with Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual master who has dedicated his entire life to serving humanity....to find out more about him please visit the following link: http://www.srichinmoy.org/francais/

Tripti Kulai

20, rue Jacques Cœur
34000 Montpellier
Tél : 04 67 66 30 51

http://www.triptikulai.com/

Walk the walk: support your farmer directly

2011-02-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

I must share this incredible post by Crystal Cun of the film FRESH* (hitting theatres later this year)

"Take a glance at your grocery bill. How much of that money do you think goes to the farmer who produced the food? Half? 70%? Actually, in the U.S., only 19% of the money spent on food goes to farmers and ranchers (USDA). And this share has been shrinking for the last few decades. The other 81% goes toward transforming these raw foods into processed products and transporting them to your grocery’s shelves."

Please go to their blog to read the full post.

Here's their movie's trailer, in case you're interested in learning more! I hope so :)

*About the film: FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Soaked Quinoa Time!

2011-02-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

While in France....and still living in a hotel without a kitchen (but only for another week)...I have been experimenting with soaking quinoa...and it's a lot simpler than I thought, just as long as I remember to soak it the night before...I have quinoa for the next day....

I fill up a jar half with the dry quinoa and half with water...rinse it, drain it, and then fill up the remainder of the jar with water again and let it sit over night....Note: besides traveling with a small mason jar, I recommend a small hand held colander for rinsing purposes....so that you don't loose any grains or seeds down the drain when you are rinsing them :(

The next day, I drain the water and rinse the quinoa once more....then it's ready to be mixed with dried fruits and honey for breakfast or ready to be wrapped up in a Nori sheet with raw veggies for lunch or dinner!!

I have been able to find yet another all organic (biologique in French) products store, this one much closer to the hotel....about a 1/2 hour walk....called Biocoop, their info is below....We have been really lucky to find organic food at most markets in France, big and small, chain stores and not....it seems to be much more accessible here than in Long Beach....but just as expensive or more.

Biocoop

301, av. de Grande-Bretagne

31300 Toulouse

biocoop.purpan@wanadoo.fr

05-34-36-61-01

Cauliflower Popcorn with Aioli!

2011-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

This recipe I tried and loved, except I cheated and added Aioli....for those of you not familiar with Aioli...it's a delicious garlicky vegan mayonnaise. This recipe can be found in the book called "Rapid Raw" Fast food with heart....pg.16......and Aioli can be found at Beach Health Tree in Long Beach (address below), Sprouts in Seal Beach and probably many other "healthier" food stores....

Ingredients:

1 Cauliflower, florets chopped

1 T flax oil, optional....or any other oil you like

1 T Nutritional Yeast

1/2 t salt

Spices (optional):

Chili Powder

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

My addition: Aioli :p

Serves 2-4

Pour (flax) oil over the popcorn size cauliflower in a bowl and mix. Sprinkle on yeast, salt and desired spices and mix. Serve with a movie.

Beach Health Tree

305 Redondo Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90814-2652
(562) 434-1155

3/50 Project

2011-02-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

I highly encourage you all to look into this excellent project, whereever you may live, in order to support locally owned independent businesses across the country, and even across the globe. Take a minute to read about it and then do what you can to spread the word and lend your support.
Thanks!

Veggie Weekend in Paris

2011-02-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Below are some of the delicious stops we made while in Paris...too bad it was a short visit...so much to see and taste!

Happy eaters at Aanchan Gastronomie Indienne on Friday afternoon.....late lunch!

We tasted some of the typical veggie dishes ....along with some garlic naan and white rice....

Mangolicious dessert.....

This came after our dessert...it had bits of fennel and something else I could not pin point...plus colorful sugary nibs....it left our mouths with a refreshing feeling

Aanchal Gastronomie Indienne, 104 Rue de l'Ouest- 75014 Paris

Tel: 01 45 40 73 32

Metro: Pernety et Plaisance, Bus: 62

Saturday and Sunday we had lunch at

Maoz Vegetarian 36 Rue Saint-Andre des Arts-75006 Paris

Tel: 01 46 33 87 19

They also have locations in Barcelona, Madrid and London

Falafel Sandwiches for 4.50 euros each, great deal and full belly!

Totally forgot to take pictures :(

Above, random fruit stand inside the subway station.....how cool is that!

Chocolate piano and chocolate-everything-else around it!!

On Saturday, we were lucky enough to pass by this store and find chocolate truffles!!

Un Dimanche A Paris, Le Chocolat

4-6-8 Cour de Commerce Saint Andre, Saint Germain des Pres

Tel: 01 56 81 18 18

Metro: Odeon

Saturday we had dinner at Bio Asia (Bio meaning organic)

16 Rue de l'Ouest-75014

Tel: 01 43 20 94 17

Metro: Gaite, Bus: 13

An all organic Asian food restaurant!!!

Again, forgot to take pictures :(

La Crêperie du Midi

2011-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday afternoon we were driving around starving....we had ventured off into this little town called Minerve and before we knew it it was past 2pm and the only restaurant open was not serving anymore food....we frantically went searching for food.....lucky enough we found a Creperie in St. Marcel near Narbonne.....as you can see below we took a break from our vegan selves and decided to enjoy some delicious crepes...two savory and one sweet....I wish I could remember the exact ingredients....but enjoy the pictures and imagine the filling you would want instead!

Carabanane Crepe (sugar and banana for sure, too much shantilly...whip cream)

Garden Crepe

ingredients?? fromage de chèvre???

We also had a cup of coffee....check out this cute cup/spoon set.....

And we also ordered some lemon verbena tea....another cute tea cup/pot set....

The creperie is located at: 2 Av. de Narbonne, 11120 St. Marcel, France near Narbonne

phone: +33 04 68 27 09 81

Could not find them online :(

Salad Sandwiches....almost all raw....

2011-02-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

While living in a hotel room in Toulouse France, with no kitchen, I am preparing lots of raw food...or somewhat raw....tonight I made salad sandwiches with an assortment of veggies and condiments....including: zucchini, cucumber, avocado, tomato, carrot, broccoli, onion, garlic, sesame seeds, squeezed lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, moutarde de Dijon, coriander powder, black pepper and alaea salt.

All of these ingredients between 2 slices of pain de mie (crumb bread)....and a little craving of mine....POTATO CHIPS!

Herbal Kitchen

2011-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I wanted to introduce you to a wonderful new book my sister and I ran into at our local library. It's called "Herbal Kitchen" by Kami McBride and it is a wealth of information and yummy recipes to incorporate the healing properties of herbs into our daily lives.

We're big fans of herbal medicine in my family, and this book seems to be the best complement to using those wonderful herbs in the kitchen.
Sure, I know it's good to add some astragalus to a soup in order to infuse the food with some kick-ass immune boosting goodness, but Kami McBride provides a refreshing recipe for astragalus apple juice for example. The drinks section alone sends me to "ooo" and "mmm" as I turn the pages... So creative, so delicious, so nourishing!

I highly encourage you to check your local library for this book, or if you're interested in glancing through it a bit just click to open and new tab and check it out!

Imagine the possibilities!!! and then make them :)

peas!

Vert de Terre

2011-02-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

Last night we found this great all organic/health food store in Toulouse called Vert de Terre...translates to "Green Earth". We purchased organic everything...fruits, veggies, quinoa, tea, bread, ginger, nuts, cereal bars, etc...we went crazy.....it was nice to finally find organic produce because the conventional one is just as bad here as it is back in the states...you can taste it! The owner is vegan so we were in heaven! Vert de Terre is located at 17 Rue Peyras, downtown Toulouse. http://www.happycow.net/gmaps/get-map-direct.php?vid=888

Check out this helpful food finder for when you travel: http://www.happycow.net/

Back at the hotel we prepared raw veggie burrito style nori wraps. Ingredients: zucchini squash, carrots, bell pepper, radish, avocado, garlic and ginger....dipped in soy sauce of course!

We also shared an already prepared veggie soup (which we heated up in the electric tea pot) accompanied by a nutty bread.

We are experimenting with quinoa...soaking it tonight overnight and will try to eat it raw tomorrow......will share the results soon!

Eataly pictures!

2011-02-02T09:21:00.001-08:00

Here is my winter salad and my napoli pizza....enjoy!

Eataly!!

2011-02-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

I have found home. If I ever go missing......please call Eataly in NYC on 5th Ave between 23rd and 24th. I probably have gone there and decided never to leave. Being in Eataly is like being in Italy, but with a NY accent!

This place is awesome. It is the brainchild of Mario Batali, celebrity chef extraordinare who prides himself on his authentic Italian cooking. Now, Eataly is not just a restaurant. Eataly is an Italian marketplace that carries any Italian foodstuff you can imagine (canned goods, honey, coffees, pasta, chocolate, wine, etc). They also have multiple "counters" like in a grocery store that specialize in different things, such as a butcher, seafood guy, fresh pasta counter, bakery, and even a vegetable butcher! They also have 4 different restaurants on premise from which to choose from (fine dining, all vegetarian, pizza/pasta, and fish). In addition to that they also have a Piazza, which is in the middle of the store and is standing only with high boy tables where you can order meats, cheeses, and wines by the glass. Thy also have a coffee bar and a gelato counter.

Now, obviously Eataly is NOT a vegan or vegetarian haven. They definitely have vegan/veggie options in regards to dining, and definitely in regards to foodstuffs, but if someone loves meat, they would have a field day as well. I feel like this place is a haven for people who LOVE food. Not just like it, but love it. The people who have love affairs on the side, the people who are torn between their loved one and this "other". I confess, I am currently having a love affair with Italian food. I can't get enough of it. I'm not talking about chain restaurants, or jarred pasta sauce, or frozen Italian dinners. I'm talking about simple, fresh Italian meals made in the old-fashioned rustic way. A big pot of homemade marinara, fresh ricotta (I know, I know), freshly baked crusty bread, a great quality olive oil, truffle honey. Those are the things I love.

I dined with a friend last night and had a splendid (and vegan!) meal. I had the napoli pizza, which was a fresh baked crust with homemade pizza sauce, and fresh herbs. I started with a winter salad of cauliflower, fennel, asian pear, and cabbage. It was lightly dressed with EVOO and salt and pepper. YUMMY! I also enjoyed a glass of prosecco rose. Molto bene!

All in all I love Eataly. I love walking by the truffle counter (yes, they have a truffle counter), I love the fresh espresso smell, and I just love watching people love fresh and rustic ingredients. There is nothing complicated or fussy at Eataly. It is just good food for just about every diet/appetite. I have been here twice, and I would go there again.

*I have pics, but I am on the Internet in a hotel in NYC and my connection is slow as molasses and will not accept downloads. BOO!

Ciao!

Vegetarienne Experience in France Part 1

2011-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

While in France we are visiting different restaurants, vegetarian when possible. The first night we arrived, we found "La Faim de Haricots" (which literally translates to "Hungry bean"), a vegetarian restaurant, buffet style, our kind of place....located in downtown Toulouse. We tried almost everything....so good we forgot to take pictures....I decided to go vegetarian that night and tried their savory tarts....with ricota and caramelized onions, délicieux!

On the weekend we visited 2 small towns, one of them called Cordes Sur Ciel, a fortified town built in 1222. After walking up the hill in the rain and exploring the little streets on top, we decided to have lunch at Auberge de la Cite, a little family owned restaurant up in the hills.

The dish consisted of a veggie medley and wild rice with an orange and a pineapple sauce. So sweet, so good!

The previous night we dined in Albi, another old town, dating back to the Bronze Age! I can not remember the name of the restaurant but I do remember that we got to order vegan food. Pasta with veggies and a veggie pizza....sans fromage (without cheese).

Back at the hotel on Sunday evening we prepared our own raw meal....I grated zucchini, chopped onions, garlic, red bell pepper, avocado and cashews...sprinkled lemon, added some olive oil, salt and pepper, yum yum! We brought some cooking utensils for the trip including: grater, knife, cutting board, tin containers and bamboo eating utensils....This way we can prepare some of our own healthy meals and don't have to always rely on getting restaurant food. Luckily, the hotel room has an electric tea pot that we can use to heat up water for tea and soup! Viola!

I have a SCOBY and you should too

2011-01-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday night I went to a class at Leaf Restaurant called "Fun with Fermentation" where I learned a lot about some wonderful bacterial cultures that make delicious fermented foods possible. It was an excellent class, and what's more, I took home a SCOBY to make my own kombucha and some kefir grains to make my own kefir and yogurt from coconut and nut milks.

YUM for my mouth and GREAT for my tummy-- the benefits and unique flavors of fermented foods simply can't be beat!

Chef Rod Rotondi, owner of Leaf Cuisine, led the fermentation class and I truly admire his simple approach to raw & vegan food. I'm seriously considering taking his next class in a couple of days, and I know I'll be buying his book one of these days. It's just too good to pass up!

Hannah taught us all about kombucha at the beginning of the class, and I can say that I'm much more confident about making my own delicious brew now. She's a great resource for those looking to learn about this ancient elixir, sells SCOBY's and kits to make the process as easy as can be for beginners, while also offering lifetime email support :)

So, not only was the fermented food awesome but the hosts were incredibly charming as well. I hope you look into their websites and youtube channel to discover more about these bacterial companions and ways to incorporate healthy food into your everyday. It's not hard! Do it!

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

2011-01-25T23:58:00.000-08:00

So we have all been working on reducing our animal product consumption for various reasons. Some do it for compassion towards animals, some do it for the environmental concerns, and some do it for the health benefits. So lets say that for health sake, you become vegan or "Virtually Vegan". You're feeling good about not ingesting hormones and chemicals, yet you come home and clean your place with Pine Sol, 409, Comet, and Clorox. I can't help but see the irony in that equation. You're trying to become healthier, yet you are filling your home with toxic chemicals on a daily basis. Our very own Eco Vegan sister puts together these wonderful healthy home cleaning kits. The basis of the kit are laminated recipe cards.

At first committing to using all homemade, natural cleaning products may sound a bit daunting. But I can assure you (from someone who leads a busy life and wouldn't normally take the time to do something like this) you DEFINITELY save time and money. Here are the basic ingredients that you need to start your kit:

1. White vinegar
2. Baking soda
3. Borax powder
4. Washing soda
5. Liquid soap (Dr Bronners Sal Suds and/or Castille Soap)
6. Essential oils (some good basics include: lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, pine, and rosemary)

One of my favorite recipes is below:

Scouring Powder
2/3 cup baking soda
1/3 cup borax
10-20 drops of essential oils of choice
1/4 cup finely ground herbs of choice (optional)

Combine all ingredients well. Use sieve to break up clumps. Pour in a shaker container and use as needed. Close container and use as needed. Use the scrub and leave on to soak the dirty area. For increased cleaning, after scrubbing spray with vinegar and let stand. Rinse well.

Eco Vegan sells her non-toxic cleaning recipe cards on Etsy. They can be found by clicking on the link below:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62398669/diy-non-toxic-cleaning-recipes-eco

Go Meatless Monday!!

2011-01-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

The food service provider Sodexo has officially unveiled it's Meatless Monday option in it's dining halls. The Meatless Monday Initiative with Sodexo was launched in more than 900 hospital cafeterias. Check out this reprint of Sodexo’s press release:

http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/Sodexo-Offers-Meatless-Monday-Option-Promote-Health-and-Wellness

Get Vegucated!

2011-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

This week I learned about a new independent documentary which follows three meat-and-cheese lovers on a 6 week vegan challenge--they get VEGUCATED, you could say, and it seems like quite a remarkable journey on film.
Here is the trailer for the film via Youtube.com;

Hopefully you'll be seeing it in local theatres sometime this year. In the meantime, share the light and vegucate a few friends of your own! :)

Learn more about the project here: http://www.getvegucated.com/ and follow them on twitter here: http://twitter.com/#!/vegucated

And, about the comment at the end of the trailer comparing vegans at dinner parties to "nuns at an orgy," I can relate, but I would compare it more to an enlightened monk at an orgy where everyone has STDs... No spank you!!!

Have a totally compassionate weekend--and keep enlightening the rest of the herd!

SPF Controversy Heats Up.....

2011-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

Interesting and "must read" short article that came my way...found at wholelifetimesmagazine.com....

Some studies show that people who wear sunscreen are more likely to develop skin cancer than those who don't. The reasons aren't certain....it could be that SPF simply doesn't help much, but people stay in the sun longer thinking it does; or even scarier, chemicals in some sunscreens may actually interact with the sun in a way that does more damage than sun alone. A new report from EWG reports that a a form of vitmin A found in 41% sunscreens, may be transformed into a potent carcinogen by the sun's rays. they also know that in the presence of sunlight, vitamin A can form free radicals that damage DNA.....The EWG released its 2010 sunscreen report card. Of 1400 SPF products, only 39 get their highest safety and effectiveness rating. Check out the report online at www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen

The key is to find mineral sunscreens that use titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as their main ingredients, and don't contain oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate (retinol) or artificial fragrance.

....In my case I try to wear a hat whenever possible, outside of the house of course although sometimes I do forget and end up wearing it inside too. I sunscreen I use is called Solar Body Block spf 30 from Devita, it's paraben free and 100% vegan, meaning it was not tested on any of our animal buds!! Bummer is I checked the ingredients and many are good including zinc, aloe vera gel, green tea, coconut oil etc...but somewhere down the list it reads "retinol"....better luck next time!

New Mexico Love!

2011-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

During the holiday vacation, my partner and I traveled to New Mexico...along the way, we passed by small towns....we met this friendly goat right outside of a mountain town called Cloudcroft....unfortunately he was in a petting zoo (which I needed to cross through in order to use a restroom at the stop)....he immediately came up to me and started rubbing his head on mine....one of the sweetest goats I have met so far....

The picture below was taken in City of Rocks, also in New Mexico....along the trail we found a heart shaped rock and around the same area we found 2 deceased crickets... I then decided to stage a little love connection and placed them looking at each other in front of the heart....who knows what the next hiker will think of when she or he finds this love scene....though the display probably blew away not long after....it was so windy in the desert!

Moderation

2011-01-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

This was meant for Wednesday.....but I did not have Internet access that day!

One thing I have come to realize about myself (and for that matter about others) is that when you try to do something to an extreme, problems can arise. An extreme in the vegan conversation we are having can mean a "strict" 100% vegan in every single aspect of their life (i.e. they eat vegan, dress vegan, and only use vegan products). The other extreme is someone who eats a typical what I call "Middle American" diet of LOTS of protein (i.e. red meat), lots of carbs/starches (i.e. potatoes, rice, pasta, etc), and fast food regularly. I, personally, have no desire to live with a Middle American diet....it does not suit me, is not in line with my beliefs, and in fact disgusts me when you look at the health of people who consume this diet. The 100% vegan extreme actually appeals to me, except that I don't feel that I have the strength and conviction to lead that path. For me it seems like a difficult name to live up to.

I do see others who live that life who do so with grace and dignity. Colleen Patrick Goodreau comes to mind, who is a vegan cookbook author from the Bay Area who touts "Compassionate Cuisine". Also, Crafty Vegan Sister, is pretty darn vegan herself. She has found herself being able to, for the most part, live that life. Alicia Silverstone (my personal hero.....just kidding......sort of) lives by the Kind Diet and is a tireless advocate for veganism and for animal rights. These people I identify myself with, but I don't put myself in their category.

I sometimes find myself with a blue cheese crumble in my mouth, or with a spoonful of vanilla bean ice cream in my mouth, or wearing a pair of leather shoes that have been in my closet for years.

I am finding more and more that moderation works best for me. I still have my beliefs about veganism.....I believe it is a healthier diet than a diet with animal protein in it....I still believe deeply in animal rights and that we as humans should have compassion for animals....I just don't find myself comfortable calling myself a 100% vegan.

And I feel like I am not alone. I frequently meet people who are at different levels of calling themselves vegetarian, flexatarian, pescatarian, vegan, etc.

Can't we all just get along?

I'll be back next Wednesday with my review of Eataly, Mario Batali's new Italian marketplace in NYC!

Aldana Mica featured on Solshock!!

2011-01-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Fashionably Rocking Upcycled Art

Meet Micaela Aldana, owner and creator of Aldana Mica: handmade finger-crocheted clothing, accessories, and upcycled art. Made from reused materials and a favorite among eco-friendly fashionistas,Aldana Mica pieces are one-of-a-kind. From aprons and scarves, to frames and yoga mat bags, she creates beautiful designs that we love. Also known as Micky, this ”crafty vegan” from Argentina frequents grassroots events as a vendor and often lends her recycled art crafting expertise to children within her community. Learn more about Michaela. View her latest and SHOP!

http://solshock.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/fashionably-rocking-upcycled-art/

listen and talk, but mostly listen

2011-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

I hope 2011 has started off well for all of you on the other side of the screen.
For me, the last 3 weeks have provided an opportunity to take some perspective on my life (my business, routines, goals, the here & now) which continues to unravel during this first week of the almanac...

Yesterday and today, in conversations and in reading, the subject of attentive and respectful conversation has come up. Although not inherently related to this, the topic of veganism tends to really try people's patience on both ends of the dialogue and I think it's always good to remind ourselves of the importance of equality in conversations (equality related to talking, listening, meaningfulness of the subject matter, respect, etc). Everyone should have a fair chance at saying their peace and should likewise listen to other's views with the same attention and reflection we all deserve.

Here is a link to an article recently published on the Veg Blog in case you'd like to read more about this subject relative to Animal Rights and Mormon Advocacy. It's sure to inspire you to have a talk with someone with radical views and share information in a safe and inviting manner.

wishing everyone light in this new revolution around our closest star; make it mean something!

Factory Farms in the US

2010-12-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a great website I just stumbled upon today called Factory Farm Map and, as you can well guess, it maps the factory farms in the United States. When you visit the site you are able to change the filters so as to see the difference for different types of animal operations, as well as the changes over time (1997-2007). It's a very useful educational tool since it also has information on how factory farms affect every single one of us in multiple ways.

I've also added a widget to the blog where you can see the map without leaving the page (check the lower right hand side of the screen). Seeing the information laid out like this is sure to make you want to analyze your relationship to this inadequate food system.

Make the last days of the year count and make 2011 a better year for your health, your karma and your planet: go veg!

Meatless Monday Recipes--make 2011 better than 2010!

2010-12-27T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
I hope this chilly December has been treating you well and that your stomach has been enjoying the bounty and utter deliciousness of root vegetables as mine has. (Nothing like a big bowl of mashed potatoes to cheer me up!)

Being that it's the last Meatless Monday of 2010 I would like to challenge you to make a new year's resolution of sorts by making all your 2011 Mondays a day where you go veg and treat yourself to a scrumptious and nutritious vegetarian meal (vegan, if you dare).

What's more--you have tons of people on your side, ready to help you find great recipes that flatter the herbivore in all of us. Meatless Monday has a myriad of recipes to choose from, and you can even access them from our Virtually Vegan Sisters blog (thanks to blogger widget technology).

<----------Look! Recipes!

Just look to the left of this post for ever-changing veg recipes to keep you inspired every Monday of 2011!

Cheers to a bright and more compassionate new year!

Crostini

2010-12-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

This is my new favorite thing! I made a bunch of different kinds ahead of time for my holiday party this past weekend and they were a major hit. You do all the prep work ahead of time, and then warm them up just before serving. You pick the topping of your choice (I had: mushroom walnut pate drizzled with truffle oil, garlic hummus and a sundried tomato on top, and chipotle olive tapendae). You just cut a loaf of french bread into small rounds.......warm a skillet with some EVOO and warm the crostini for about 2-3 minutes on the stove. The bottom gets warm and crispy and the topping will get warm as well. Yummy!

Nori Wraps with Orange Cashew Cream

2010-12-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

I believe I got this recipe from Dr. Weil's website, but I can't say for sure....sounds delicious regardless....

Light but filling, flavorful but simple, these wraps are my favorite summertime dish. The color of the nori sheets is a dark, shiny, green – almost black – and adds a striking contrast to the colorful filling.

Ingredients for Orange Cashew Cream

1 cup raw cashews
1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 to 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

Ingredients for Wraps

4 nori sheets (the kind used for sushi; found in the Asian section of a grocery store)2 carrots, grated or shredded
1 medium beet, grated
1/4 head red cabbage or green cabbage, shredded
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 avocados, sliced or mashed
Salt for sprinkling
Black sesame seeds, for garnish

Add the cashews, 1/2 cup of orange juice, and tamari to a blender, and blend until you have a creamy consistency. Taste, tweak if necessary, thin out with more juice, if needed, then transfer to a bowl.

Set out all your grated veggies in separate bowls, so you can grab them as needed to make your wraps.

Place a nori sheet on the counter or cutting board. Leaving a 1-inch border at each edge of the nori sheet, place a thin layer of grated carrots, grated beets, shredded cabbage, and alfalfa sprouts on top of the nori sheet. Place the avocado in a horizontal line across the middle of the shredded veggies, and do the same with the cashew sauce. Sprinkle on a little salt. DO NOT OVERFILL!

Working from the bottom, roll up the nori like a fat cigar, tucking in the veggies as you roll upwards. You should have a neatly packed cylinder at the end. Use a little water to “seal” the seam.

Serve as a wrap, as is, or using a sharp serrated knife, cut into 1-1/2-inch rounds.

Repeat. You should have enough veggies to make 4 wraps. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds for a pretty presentation.

Yield (Wraps): 4 servings
Yield (Dressing): 3/4 cup

Democracy Now!

2010-12-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Whether we are talking about veganism or not, it's important to get your information from credible and independent sources that aren't paid by industry to tell us what they want us to hear... (Take the "Got Milk" and "happy cow" commercials for example...!) Therefore, today I'd like to share a wonderful international news source for those of you that don't know about it.

Below is more information about Democracy Now, but first I'm embedding an updated video of today's report (it'll update daily so you can watch it here or directly on their website).

ABOUT: "Democracy Now!’s War and Peace Report provides our audience with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S.corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts. In addition, Democracy Now! hosts real debates–debates between people who substantially disagree, such as between the White House or the Pentagon spokespeople on the one hand, and grassroots activists on the other."

Inide Insides: Pumpkins!

2010-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's time I share another cool blog, this one simply presents awesome scans of fruits and vegetables: Inside Insides.

I thought the pumpkin scans were appropriate given the holiday season, so here is a look inside and out of the great cucurbita! Enjoy...

Wine + Apologies

2010-12-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

Greetings all you Virtually Vegan Sisters followers! What a month it has been. I hate to sound so "cliche" but the Holidays really are a busy time! A couple years ago I took a vow of "No Presents" (I try my best not to give or receive any gifts) for any holiday. I rarely "get" anything from giving or getting gifts......so I wanted to hold that true and not participate in them. I make exceptions with "experiences" and booze! I lieu of a physical present I have no problem taking/or receiving someone for dinner, going to the theater, going to a concert, etc. I also never turn down a good bottle of wine!

Even with my No Present philosophy, the Holidays are still pretty hectic....but in a good way. This time of year I find myself spending more time with friends, family, and cooking in general. Those are all things I love! So I have (as I mentioned last week) lagged a bit on my VVS posts. That is where the "apologies" of my post title comes from.

And now for the WINE part. I was just offered a position as a Pourer at a new tasting room in Santa Monica. It is called Wine Expo and has been an existing wine shop on the Westside for years now......and 2 months ago they opened an adjacent tasting room. So I will be working there......starting tonight! The specialize in small producers, specifically Italian reds and sparkling. More details to come....but please feel free to come by and have a flight!

Wine Expo
2933 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-828-4428

Aldana Mica on 562CityLife.com!!!

2010-12-14T10:16:00.001-08:00

Please check out the article below....written by the beautiful Molly Marina Haupt!!

http://www.562citylife.com/profiles/blogs/christmas-shopping-at-its-best-1?xg_source=activity

Meatless Monday: C'est la Vegan

2010-12-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

I want to take the opportunity to introduce you to Kim from C'est la Vegan today. This woman is not only an amazing baker in her professional life, but she is also a very inventive cook with mouth-watering recipes and one of the best blogs around!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Trifle

You should check it out and get inspired!
Last month she participated in "Vegan Month of Food (MOFO)" and presented really unique recipes all month long. Don't miss it!

All around the world - 2011

2010-12-09T23:14:00.000-08:00

woo! My calendar got a feature on ApartmentTherapy.com today. Click here to read their post about calendars with international flair.

Are you ready for 2011???
I am!

peas,
Eco-Vegan, aka Ana Belen

P.S.
Best thing I've heard today: ELT aka eggplant lettuce tomato sammich (as well as one of my many favorite songs). Can't wait to make my own version as well as tempeh barbecued ribs! I'm ready for the summer :)

Virtually Vegan Hanukkah

2010-12-08T10:47:00.001-08:00

So last night we celebrated something different for a change...Hanukkah!!

We made latkes which are similar to hash browns.....yummy!!! Potato anything is comfort food in my book, so I was all for it.....

I will share the recipes soon......

A bit of "latke" trivia from Wikipedia:

Latkes are traditionally eaten by Jews during the Jewish Hanukkah festival. The oil for cooking the latkes is reminiscent of the oil from the Hanukkah story that kept the Second Temple of ancient Israel lit with a long-lasting flame that is celebrated as a miracle. Despite the popularity of latkes and tradition of eating them during Hanukkah, they are hard to come by in stores or restaurants in Israel.The word leviva, the Hebrew name for latke, has its origins in the Book of Samuel's description of the story of Amnon and Tamar. Some interpreters have noted that the homonym levav means "heart," and the verbal form of l-v-v occurs in the Song of Songs as well.Levivot need not necessarily be made from potatoes. Prior to the introduction of the potato to the Old World, levivot were and in some places still are made from a variety of other vegetables, cheeses, legumes, or starches, depending on the available local ingredients and food ways of the various places where Jews lived.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_pancake

busy beegan

2010-12-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

I'm truly sorry for this delayed post but it's been such a busy week/month/season that my mind is out of the screen and into the world!
And, my world has involved lots of honey, actually...
which brings me to the topic of BEEgans. That's right--vegans that are A-OK with eating honey (from sustainable, responsible and small sources, of course).

Bee from Pairs of Spring by Merry Blues Art (me!)

You can read more on this topic of veganism and honey consumption on the wonderful Native Foods Blog.
What I have to say about it is simple: bees are insects-not animals. So, the initial argument that honey is an animal biproduct is misleading. If we follow that logic and exclude "insect biproducts" in our diets and lifestyles there goes soil and pollinated vegetables and our entire agricultural experience as human beings.
That being said, I do understand that what most vegans are opposed to is the fact that many bee operations are abusive, put bees under considerable and unnecessary stress, and have them pollinate pesticide-drenched crops leading to a doped colony and sub-par honey, etc. Therefore, the problem is the industry rather than the mere honey which is why I only buy and consume honey from small, local farms that respect the bees and their OWN need for their glorious gold goodness. The honey is meant for their own, after all. But it's such a rich food for humans (medicinal! delicious! healthful! BEST sweetener option EVER) that completely doing away with (all forms of) it simply to call myself "vegan" is ridiculous to me. That's why, I guess, I'm not vegan-- I'm beegan.

Not Feeling Very Vegan

2010-12-01T23:04:00.000-08:00

Greetings all my Virtually Vegan followers! Yes, I echo Crafty Vegan by saying that I too have taken an extended break from VVS. I have been definitely riding the leisure train for the last couple of weeks and really relishing in relaxing, enjoying my family, and getting into the Holiday groove.

On a similar note, I will say that I have been riding the leisure train in regards to veganism. Aside from my cooking, which is "usually" 100% vegan, I have been indulging (if that is the word) in whatever yumminess I see in front of me that others cook or at restaurants. That has included a lot of cheese and a lot of seafood.

I haven't been feeling "bad" about it either. I have really been making the conscious decision to eat these foods. I'm not sure what that means or what I should be feeling, but that is just what's going on. I will say though that I have been making some delish vegan dishes at home lately: Thai coconut soup, pumpkin curry, split pea soup, etc.

So for now, I'm living the life of moderation. Happy Holidays......till next week!

Foodie Vegan

Thanksgiving Past and Holiday Events

2010-12-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

Seems like I took an extra long Thanksgiving vacation...my apologies for not blogging until today :(....it must have been that delicious stuffing sadly cooked in chicken broth that made me forget....or was it the pumpkin cheese cake?!! Any how, my mind is back, my heart is in place and I am ready to make it through December healthy and animal product free!!

I wanted to share some info about events I have coming up.....some workshops and some fairs....

Tonight, Dec 1st at Iguana Imports, finger crochet class from 6-8pm. Workshop fee is donation based.

Dec 2, 3 & 4 Coastline Community College Art Gallery in Huntington Beach

Annual Holiday Art Sale

The sale takes place Thursday, December 2, through Friday, December 3, from 1 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to blown glass objects, shoppers will also find one-of-kind of art objects and unique gifts from local artists including jewelry and ceramics. Parking and entrance to the Coastline Art Gallery is free.

http://www.coastline.edu/events/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=209

2nd Saturday Artwalk in downtown LB, Dec 11th from 4-10pm and at Lyon'shttp://lyonartsupply.com/

Dec 12th at The Infinite, finger crochet class from 2-4pm, suggested donation $11

thankful

2010-11-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

‎"Be grateful of the Divine plan that will expedite the karmas of all the sacrificed turkeys, and be grateful that you are not one of the turkeys on the table." - Yogananda

The Infinite Yoga Studio

2010-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have been volunteering at The Infinite yoga studio since Sep 2010 and taking Kundalini classes with Dana and I am so happy about the way I feel after class, when I step outside into the world...I have yet to experience all the other wonderful classes they offer....check out their info below....

The Infinite is a unique yoga and movement center in Downtown Long Beach, CA that helps people prepare their bodies, minds and spirits for living a conscious, healthy lifestyle in these times.

We are a "give what you can, take what you need" center, providing a variety of classes and workshops by donation in yoga, movement, and whole life care.

The Infinite is dedicated to providing our entire community with a warm, open environment so they can develop a meaningful yoga practice and be happy, healthy and whole.

~ Experience Your Highest Self ~
~ Realize The Infinite Within You ~

http://theinfinite.us/

Meatless Monday: Thanksgiving Traditions...

2010-11-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Today I simply want to forward you all to a great post from The Veg Blog on the topic of Thanksgiving Traditions, and following traditions in general.
Hopefully it'll get you thinking about our upcoming American "Thanks-giving" holiday and how you'll spend it this Thursday.

Blog post below from 11/18/2010 via The Veg Blog

Just a quick post today about Thanksgiving and the “tradition” of eating turkey…

I used to be all about tradition, especially with regards to Thanksgiving. I loved the food, the family, the football, everything. These days, the family/friends portion of it more than suffices. After becoming vegan, it eventually became clear: tradition doesn’t always equal “good” or “right” and thus shouldn’t be some sort of magical excuse able to be applied to anything that someone wants to do. As has been said many times before, there have been a lot of “traditions” throughout history that have been pretty evil. There is nothing implicitly good about something just because it’s the way it’s always been done.

With that, two things you should read:

To My Friends at Thanksgiving by Mary Martin,

Traditions are decided upon. They are consciously, intentionally repeated. And new ones can be created at any moment. I choose to opt out of traditions that cause harm and are the direct result of the exploitation and commodification of beings just like Charles, but who look a little different. And I want Baby Sky to grow up in a home where there is just as much respect for chickens and calves and fishes as there is for greyhounds and cats and people. Of course, the world outside of our home tells a different story. But we can bring our story to that world.

and my favorite of the Buddhist sutras, the Kalama Sutra (emphasis mine).

Do not go by revelation;

Do not go by tradition;

Do not go by hearsay;

Do not go on the authority of sacred texts;

Do not go on the grounds of pure logic;

Do not go by a view that seems rational;

Do not go by reflecting on mere appearances;

Do not go along with a considered view because you agree with it;

Do not go along on the grounds that the person is competent;

Do not go along because [thinking] ‘the recluse is our teacher’.

Kalamas, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy; these things are censured by the wise; and when undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill, abandon them…

Kalamas, when you know for yourselves: These are wholesome; these things are not blameworthy; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness, having undertaken them, abide in them."

Good 'ol Cloris Leachman

2010-11-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

I had no idea she was a vegetarian!

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

*Also, note that yesyerday I made a post entitled "Simple Shoes", but it for some reason posted back on 11/15/10. So if you are interested in reading about or getting some new eco-friendly, hemp, vegan tennis shoes.....then check out the post!

A random mix of awesome

2010-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

I found out about a new website called the Vegan Voice where you can seek tons of information about veg activism and the general lifestyle: food, restaurants, resources, jokes, etc. The images above and below were taken from there.

Also, I don't want to pass up the opportunity to share this awesome video with you all. It's not related to veganism, but it'll certainly make you hopeful. Plus, the illustration is awesome. Enjoy!

Split Pea Soup!

2010-11-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

This is a recipe that I adapted from 2 places: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's "The Vegan Table" and the 101 Cookbooks website. It came out delicious. I also baked a fresh loaf of flaxseed bread to enjoy with the soup.

1 tbsp EVOO
1 1/2 large onions, chopped
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups dried split green peas, picked over and rinsed
5 cups water
1/2 tsp liquid smoke (this replaces the ham that is usually in this recipe; it gives a smoky flavor)

paprika
EVOO drizzle (since it's a fresh drizzle, use really good olive oil; otherwise leave it out)

Heat EVOO in a large pot over medium, high heat. Add onion and spices and cook for a minute or two until soft. Add the split peas and water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes or until the peas are al dente. Add the liquid smoke. Take an immersion blender and insert it in the soup and puree to your liking. Some like it completely pureed and some like it super chunky. You can leave it as is also if you'd like a more brothier, really chunky soup.

Top with a sprinkle of paprika and a drizzle of EVOO. Enjoy!

Simple Shoes-100% sustainable

2010-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

I have been needing new tennis shoes for a while now. My old ones (non-vegan) officially FELL apart today. And how fitting that my Simple Shoes came in the mail today. They retail for approx $55 per pair, but I was able to find some on Ebay for $25 + $5 shipping. And they were only worn once!

Simple was recommended to my by Eco Vegan and my good friend in Georgia. I went online and checked them out. They have a great website and each of their pairs of shoes has reviews listed, which is super helpful. I wanted to make sure the shoes are sturdy enough for working out and can get wet in the rain.

Here are some of the materials used to make Simple Shoes (as per the top of my shoebox I received today).

Latex-is a natural rubber. It's easy to mold and provides lots of cushioning.

Recycled car tires-We collect used and landfill-bound car tires, cut them up, and use them as outsoles.

Bamboo-is an endless resource because it's so plentiful......it's super soft too!

Organic cotton-Our cotton is 100% organic.....that means no synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or additives.

Water based glue-We use all water based glues. Better for the shoe makers and better for you.

Crepe-A natural rubber. It's tapped from the hevea tree.

Recycled inner tubes-We reuse rubber from landfill-bound car tire inner tubes on many of our shoes.

Hemp-Is soft and one of the strongest vegetable fibers available and it grows like a weed.

Interesting Yucca Plant in the Chiricahua National Monument

2010-11-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

photo taken by Tercer Mano

Story of Stuff: Promoting Awareness

2010-11-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

I'm super excited to share the newest movie from the people at The Story of Stuff: The Story of Electronics which "takes on the electronics industry’s “design for the dump” mentality and champions product take back to spur companies to make less toxic, more easily recyclable and longer lasting products. Produced by Free Range Studios and hosted by Annie Leonard, the eight-minute film explains ‘planned obsolescence’—products designed to be replaced as quickly as possible—and its often hidden consequences for tech workers, the environment and us. The film concludes with an opportunity for viewers to send a message to electronics companies demanding that they “make ‘em safe, make ‘em last, and take ‘em back.”

It's less than 10 minutes long and will encourage you to watch the other videos produced by Annie Leonard's team which are all equally brilliant.

Speaking of which, I can't wait for the stuff they have lined up for 2011: "Season Two will include explorations of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy, inspired by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision; the perverse role government subsidies play in undermining environmental sustainability and public health; and the central role consumer debt plays in the overconsumption—and economic instability—of American families. "

AWESOME!!!

Hi my name is __________ and I am addicted to sugar

2010-11-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

Fact: Over a third of the calories we eat is from sugar or white flour

Fact: Sugar give you an initial high, then you crash, then you crave more, then you consume more

Fact: Sugar is a mood altering drug

Fact: Rats when given the choice to drink water tainted with saccharin or intravenous cocaine, 94% preferred the saccharin water. Sweetness is more rewarding to the brain than cocaine.

I learned these intresting tidbits from my Goop newsletter this week (www.goop.com). Read more from Gwyneth Paltrow's interview with Dr. Frank Lipman. He is an integrative medicine doctor based out of New York.

http://www.goop.com/newsletter/103/en/

Fall Harvest Festival at The Growing Experience

2010-11-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

This Thursday from 2-5pm, come visit the farm, taste some yummy food, and learn about sustainability! Check out the links below for address and more details....

http://www.solshock.com/events/

http://kidsguidemagazine.com/calendar/fall-harvest-festival-in-long-beach/

http://events.presstelegram.com/long-beach-ca/events/show/151873845-fall-harvest-festival

http://events.pe.com/long-beach-ca/events/show/151873845-fall-harvest-festival

http://events.ocregister.com/long-beach-ca/events/show/151873845-fall-harvest-festival

Up-cycled Eco Art Class at Brewitt Library

2010-11-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Considering all the google links I found....how many students should I prepare for?!!! Well, the idea is to spread up-cycled art everywhere....and hope it grows like wondrous weeds....

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/upcycled-eco-art-class-micaela-salatino/

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151324788243948

http://www.lbpl.org/events/full_calendar.asp

http://longbeachcoastalrealestate.posterous.com/

http://my.losangeles.cbslocal.com/long-beach-ca/tags/art%20class

http://my.losangeles.cbslocal.com/long-beach-ca/tags/recycling

http://www.localxxl.com/us/local_news/long-beach-los-angeles-county-ca/take-a-free-upcycled-eco-art-class-with-micaela-salatino-1288361169-fts/

Meatless Monday: Cool Mint and Wild Rice Salad

2010-11-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

1 to 2 cups wild rice

1/2 chopped medium red onion

2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

1 big cucumber, or 2 medium chopped

2 to 4 heirloom ripe but firm tomatoes rough-chopped

1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice from lemons

1/2 cup olive oil

sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Cook rice according to the directions on the package. While rice is cooking chop the cucs, tomatoes, garlic and red onions; mix together in large bowl and set aside. Chop mint and squeeze the lemons. When rice is done, rinse well in cold water and drain. Mix rice with the chopped veggies and mint, add in lemon juice and stir all together. Add the olive oil and mix again. Salt and pepper to taste, then put in fridge until ready to serve. Can also be served immediately at room temperature. Finish with a sprig or two of mint.

Recipe from magazine? by Sharon Hall

Weapon of Non-Violence

2010-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

A Yoga Pose for the Body and Mind, Dr. Weil's Tip of the Day

2010-11-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

"Yoga is an excellent promoter of relaxation as well as a good form of nonaerobic body conditioning."

-- Andrew Weil, M.D.

This active version of Bridge Pose calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs.
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (SET-too BAHN-dah) setu = dam, dike, or bridge,bandha = lock

The Bridge Pose is a powerful tonic for body and mind. It provides an invigorating stretch for the chest, neck and spine. Traditionally, its benefits are said to also include:

Benefits

Stretches the chest, neck, and spine
Calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression
Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs and thyroid
Rejuvenates tired legs
Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with support
Reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache and insomnia
Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and sinusitis

It is also held to be a therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and sinusitis.

Contraindications/Cautions - Use caution if you are currently or have experienced any of the following:

Neck injury: avoid this pose unless you are practicing under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

Step by Step

Lie supine on the floor, and if necessary, place a thickly folded blanket under your shoulders to protect your neck. Bend your knees and set your feet on the floor, heels as close to the sitting bones as possible.
Exhale and, pressing your inner feet and arms actively into the floor, push your tailbone upward toward the pubis, firming (but not hardening) the buttocks, and lift the buttocks off the floor. Keep your thighs and inner feet parallel. Clasp the hands below your pelvis and extend through the arms to help you stay on the tops of your shoulders.
Lift your buttocks until the thighs are about parallel to the floor. Keep your knees directly over the heels, but push them forward, away from the hips, and lengthen the tailbone toward the backs of the knees. Lift the pubis toward the navel.
Lift your chin slightly away from the sternum and, firming the shoulder blades against your back, press the top of the sternum toward the chin. Firm the outer arms, broaden the shoulder blades, and try to lift the space between them at the base of the neck (where it's resting on the blanket) up into the torso.
Stay in the pose anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Release with an exhalation, rolling the spine slowly down onto the floor.

Modifications & Props
If you have difficulty supporting the lift of the pelvis in this pose after taking it away from the floor, slide a block or bolster under your sacrum and rest the pelvis on this support.

Variation
Eka Pada Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (pronounced ACHE-ah PAH-dah, eka = one, pada = foot or leg)

On an exhalation, lift the right knee into your torso, then inhale and extend the leg perpendicular to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds, then release the foot to the floor again with an exhalation. Secure the foot again and repeat with the left leg for the same length of time.

Beginner's Tip
Once the shoulders are rolled under, be sure not to pull them forcefully away from your ears, which tends to overstretch the neck. Lift the tops of the shoulders slightly toward the ears and push the inner shoulder blades away from the spine.

Deepen the Pose
Once in the pose, lift your heels off the floor and push your tailbone up, a little closer to the pubis. Then from the lift of the tailbone, stretch the heels back to the floor again.

Partnering
A partner can help you learn about the correct action of the top thighs in a backbend. Perform the pose, then have the partner straddle your legs and clasp your top thighs. He/she can brace your outer thighs with his/her inner legs. Next the partner should strongly turn the thighs inward and encourage the inner thighs down toward the floor (as you resist the tailbone toward the pubis). Recreate this action in all backbends.

Please consult your physician before starting this or any exercise program.

Information courtesy of Yoga Journal.

Meatless Monday: Banana Crumble

2010-11-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of bananas in my smoothies, PB sandwiches, and as a snack but I'd never made a dessert with them besides the occasional banana bread (which I haven't perfected quite yet).
I sought a fabulous recipe from the fantastic Colleen Patrick Godreau (in The Joy of Vegan Baking) and I was surprised to find she didn't have one! Shock! Horror? Well, kind of, but then I saw she had something called "banana crumble," checked that I had all the ingredients and therefore decided to go for it.
It was AMAZING! Wowowow!

A combination of bananas foster and a pecan-oatmeal cookie, served alongside a generous serving of Tempt vanilla ice cream (made from hemp milk) of course... Seriously good eats.
I highly encourage you to do it next time you find yourself with a couple of overripe bananas. Simply slice them and arrange them in a cast iron skillet with a little bit of brown sugar. Then combine your basic crumble (oats, flour, earth balance, vanilla extract, etc) and bake until crispy on top and bubbling on the bottom. Serve warm or at room temperature. YUM!

Confessions of a Vegan... a.k.a. Vegans are People too!

2010-10-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

I read a post about Vegan Confessions over on The Girly Girl Army blog and simply have to share it with you.

It's a very honest look at the guilt many people associate with a vegan lifestyle, and it's true that there are moments where we stray and that's perfectly acceptable. If your definition of vegan is limited to a 100% full-time, life-long commitment without the ability to forgive and move-on from a minor lapse in judgement, I'd say your in for a bad time. Instead, accept that mistakes will be made but that it's not the end of the world.

One small setback isn't going to keep me from fighting the good fight!

Some of the confessions I relate with:
“I still wear my wool sweaters. If someone asks, I say they are vegan. Nobody knows the difference, and I still buy anything new entirely vegan. Isn’t that greener anyway?” (reuse! reuse!)
“I cheated while I was pregnant. All I wanted was an egg. So I ate one. Then I ate another. It was anti-climactic. But I listened to my body. Not planning on doing it again.” (I'm okay with eating eggs from chickens I can meet and greet)
“While in Italy with my Partner, I ate pizza and loved every minute of it. I felt guilty, but I sat in the moment with it and enjoyed it.” (er...yea, traveling is tough)
“I have no intention of donating or selling my old leather shoes. I’ll wear them til they have no more wear in them.” (all two pairs of them!)
“I bought sardines for my cat, and found myself eating the whole tin.” (in my case it would be anchovies...)

Fear of a Vegetarian Diet!

2010-10-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

GOD forbid we teach children to eat healthy meat-free food once in a while!

http://www.bnet.com/blog/food-industry/fear-of-a-vegetarian-planet-why-the-beef-industry-is-freaked-out-by-a-kids-8217-contest/1749

I am not at all shocked that the National Cattlemen's Beef Association stood up against this blasphemy! Ha. Having children eat vegetables, whole grains, etc........that is PURE madness!

They must be living under a rock to not at least relate to or comment on how even slightly reducing people's consumption of meat (or even just animal products) can significantly affect their health in a positive direction.

I have an M.B.A. and I understand business, profits, gross margin, etc. But it seems highly negligent of the NCBA to turn a blind eye to research that is now out there. It reminds me of the "Tobacco Trials" and how the heads of Phillip Morris, etc all stood up on trial and took a vow that they were #1 telling the truth and #2 that there is no connection between cigarettes and cancer.

Shameful, I say.

Four Emergency Rescues

2010-10-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

From my email box to all of yours....

If you have trouble viewing this alert, please use this link: Message Viewer
If you'd like to share this message, please click here: Tell-A-Friend
.

Your support is needed now to provide urgent care for 18 recently rescued animals.

• An all-white baby calf – just days old! – was found abandoned and left to die.

• Fifteen broiler chickens were seized from an urgent cruelty
case at a small farm. .

• An elderly 21-year-old cow was lying alone and suffering
for days with leg and hip injuries.

• A wounded chicken was dumped by the side of the road.

Farm Sanctuary’s Emergency Rescue Team moved in without hesitation, because when farm animals are suffering, every minute counts. But with four urgent rescues in such a short time, we are in need of donations right now for our Emergency Rescue Fund. We need the resources in place to care for these 18 new animals, along with other abused farm animals we have recently rescued.

Please help these and other needy farm animals by donating to the Emergency Rescue Fund now.

Elliot, a young calf less than one week old, was found alone and suffering in the woods after being abandoned or possibly falling from a transport truck. No matter how Elliot arrived there, this baby was motherless, scared and in urgent need of rescue.

Donate now to help Elliot receive the care and love all newborns need.

Your emergency support will also help Martha, who was used by a farm for breeding for 21 years. Martha arrived with overgrown hooves and injuries sustained from falling in a creek bed, where she suffered for days before rescue. Martha’s age, ailments and injuries will require her to receive special care to ensure she is able to live out the rest of her life in comfort and peace.

Please support our 2010 Emergency Rescue Fund to help care for Martha – and ensure we are ready to respond to the next emergency call.

Recently, our phone rang with a desperate plea to save 15 young chickens who were neglected and suffering with no shelter at all. As “broilers,” these babies, already extremely large for their age, were slated to be slaughtered when full grown at about 42 days old, which is the industry standard. Now, with your help, these abused youngsters can live out their lives and receive treatment for parasites, leg conditions, broken bones, and more.

Please donate to Farm Sanctuary today to help ensure their full recovery.

We also need your urgent donation to help another special chicken, Viva, who was left for dead on the side of the road. When we found her, she was listless, covered with feces, and had a plum-sized wound under her wing. It will take more than a month of treatment for her painful injury to heal. But with your caring help, we know she can recover.

These animals will be given a second chance at life with your support. Your gift to the Emergency Rescue Fund at this very critical time will aid these and other very special individuals, who are counting on us for their survival.

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook

Farm Sanctuary, PO Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Farm Sanctuary’s financial report and state registration information.

Veggie Pride Parade!!!

2010-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Veggie Pride Parade - LA Saturday, October 30th
11 am to 4 pm Santa Monica, CA

Get your veg on and demonstrate your veggie pride by participating in this year's VEGGIE PRIDE PARADE - LA! First, we'll gather for a VEG RALLY from 11 am to 2 pm with special guests and presentations, dozens of vendor booths featuring LA's top veg restaurants, cruelty-free shopping, and nonprofit organizations to learn more about what you can do to help save the planet, the animals, and yourself! Then, we'll parade through the streets of Santa Monica and Venice on a highly visible parade route. Bring a veg sign and don your veg costume to draw heads and hearts to our cause! The VPP event is sponsored by Animal Acres - for more information, please visit: www.animalacres.org.

Pumpkin Smoothie

2010-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I got this one from my gym newsletter..........yummy!

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (I used roasted fresh pumpkin!)
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk (I used almond milk + a splash of vanilla)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 tbsp honey (or agave)
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Put all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

Quote from Henry David Thoreau

2010-10-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

"I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals, as surely as the savage tribes have left off eating each other when they came in contact with the more civilized.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Man and Beast

2010-10-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

I listened to an amazing story this week via The Moth and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Go here, the story I'm referring to is almost halfway down the page:

Alan Rabinowitz

Man and Beast

Director of the Science and Exploration Division, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, wildlife.

It's a really touching narrative and you may hold back a tear or two, but I promise it's inspiring and puts forth a great message about animals and our relationship to them.

all the best,

EcoVegan

Lets go to Nicaragua!!

2010-10-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hola Virtually Vegan Sister community. I was reading Budget Travel this past weekend and came across an incredible hotel in Nicaragua that I MUST visit. Here is the snippet:

It's one thing to stay in the heart of a Spanish colonial city-and quite another to stay in a Spanish-colonial mansion. Located smack in the middle of Granada's historic district, the sprawling 19th century Hotel Spa Granada has five garden courtyards, a lagoon-like swimming pool in the center and 15 expansive guest rooms (some with ceilings as high as 18 feet) that are decorated with handicrafts from a local artisan. A free spa treatment is included with every night of your stay, but the rates are so shockingly affordable-a 60-minute massage is $20, an aloe facial is $10-that a full day of pampering hardly qualifies as a splurge.

www.hotelspagranada.com

I have this romantic notion that I could go there for like a month and go on a meditative journey......or write a book.......or take an extended pleasure vacation with Virtually Vegan Boyfriend;)

Bon voyage................

Meatless Monday Dessert: Date Rolls by May

2010-10-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Image link
Ingredients:

Dates

Your choice of nuts: Brazilian nuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, etc.

Almond Butter

Coco Shreds

Instructions: You can make as much as you want for this recipe

1. Put all ingredients in separate bowls in front of you like an assembly line.

2. Break apart the dates and take the seeds out

3. Place one nut inside one date and cover the nut on all sides so that it's completely inside the date.

4. Take your date and nut and dip it in the almond butter bowl to evenly cover it.

5. Now dip it in the coco shred bowl and repeat.

Do YOU love Ira Glass?

2010-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

'cuz I know I do.
Which is why I made cards about it, and I know that makes me a total geek but I'm entirely okay with that.

I also made kitteh and puppeh cards for all eco-animal lovers out there :)

Check my shop to see more pics and info.

Vegetarian Pets?

2010-10-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

This is something that has always interested me.......can my dog (Zoe) and my cat (Ziggy) be vegetarians?

With some help from the Planet Green website, here is what I learned:

In regards to dogs, they are omnivores (an animal that eats either plants or animals). They are able to maintain a healthy, balanced diet from either source or from just one of the sources. So it IS possible for a dog to be completely healthy by eating a totally vegetarian (even vegan) diet. I consulted numerous other websites, and this seems to be the consensus.

If your dog goes vegetarian, he can contribute to "greening" the planet in these ways:
-Prevent soil erosion and pollution
-Reduce carbon emissions from meat production
-Cut back on cruelty from factory farms
-Help redistribute grains and soybeans that go to livestock
-Reduce waste from farms (i.e. methane gas)

When you change your dogs diet, it's best to do it gradually so that his tummy and his taste buds adjust to the new food. Vegetarian dog food can be found at specialty pet stores, natural foods stores, as well as online. Also, be sure to consult with your veterinarian to be sure that your dog is well-suited for a vegetarian diet and does not have any health problems that would interfere with a change in diet.

In regards to cats I first referred to the Vegetarian Society website. They state that cats are regarded as obligate carnivores, this means that in the wild they could not survive without eating meat to obtain all the nutrients they require. However, for the domestic cats there are commercial vegetarian foods available that contain synthetic versions of essential nutrients (i.e. taurine and other amino acids). Overall though, it is a bit tricky to switch your cat to a vegetarian diet because they require so many different nutrients in their diet. In fact, most websites I perused strongly discouraged people from putting cats on a vegetarian diet.

So it seems that for cats, there is more of a debate as to if they can live a healthy life on a vegetarian/vegan diet. Like any major decision for your feline/canine companion, be sure to do your due diligence and consult multiple sources for opinions.

In case you're wondering what we feed Zoe and Ziggy, they both get a Holistic (but not vegetarian) food from Trader Joes. They both gobble it up and seem to love the taste. And I feel good that I'm giving them a more natural/holistic diet than people who feed their pets more commercial pet foods that is full of so much crap. So, no vegetarian diet for my pets at this time!

Aldana Mica Wraps, Not the edible kind....

2010-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

These are some of my latest designs, made from various pieces of fabrics, neck ties, lace, beads and more.....

Meatless Monday: Fall Snacks

2010-10-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Can a treat be at once healthy and delicious? Yes, definitely, as proven by the two options below.

1) Date Rolls: take the pit out of a date, stuff it with a walnut, almond, etc. Fill the rest of the crevice with peanut, almond or sunflower seed butter and then roll the entire thing in shredded coconut. Mmm! These are completely decadent and surprisingly rich so a couple go a long way... although, you should make some to share as well!

2) Baked Apples (from Organic Authority): Core large apples and place in a baking dish with 1/2 cup of water on the bottom. Fill apples with: chopped walnuts, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (to taste). Bake at 350℉ until apples are tender (approximately 30 minutes).

And don't forget to enter to win my giveaway over at Opal Never Shouts! They will be choosing a winner soon

Merry Blues Art Giveaway

Giveaway & Compassionate Cuisine Highlights

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

First thing's first: This week I have a giveaway going on over at Opal Never Shouts. The winner will receive a $20 credit to my shop, Merry Blues Art, so be sure to stop by and enter to win!

Merry Blues Art Giveaway

Last friday we went to Compassionate Cuisine hosted by Animal Acres at the Japanese Gardens in CSULB. The event was close to home and promised delicious vegan faire so you can imagine that it wasn't something I was willing to miss! The setting was beautiful; the food, adventurous; the company, warm; the inspiration, running wild!
I was so excited to finally meet the wonderful Chef Tanya Petrovna of Native Foods Cafe. She has been a hero of mine ever since I found out about her restaurants and tasted her food.

What's so great about her is that she makes vegan food without labeling it that, and therefore allows her food to be enjoyed by all foodies, vegan and non-vegan alike. She makes most of her ingredients from scratch--even her tempeh and seitan! Flippin' AWESOME

She's a successful woman entrepreneur, representing outstanding food and immeasurable passion. I highly encourage you to visit one of her locations if you find yourself in Southern California. You don't want to miss it!

Italy memories

2010-10-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to post some wonderful pictures from my Italy trip:

First, the Tuscan countryside. Then you have an incredible view from our hike of the Cinque Terre. Then some lovely cocktails and grilled vegetable at an incredible bar in Venice named, Rosa Rossa. And lastly you have Virtually Vegan Boyfriend and myself at the Colosseum.

It doesn't get any better than that. I love exploring the world to get a feel for other cultures, other people, and other FOOD. God I love to eat!

A bit of October Astral Ammo...

2010-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Focus on Harmony

Astral Weather Report Oct. '10

October brings the energy of Libra –calling for peace, justice and grace. With Sun in Libra at the start of the month, and Mercury joining on October 3, the focus for the first three weeks is harmony and balance. Find ways to reset the balance. Maybe you are overcommitted in your work or you are too emotionally invested in a relationship and need to turn more attention toward your own needs. The New Moon on October 7 is your monthly portal of opportunity to set something new into motion. Be conscious of what you need to let go of, what you want to manifest and what you want to transform.

Relationships are a good thing to focus on this month, as Libra is the sign of marriage and partnerships. However, Venus, the planet of love and beauty herself, turns retrograde on October 8 and doesn’t return to forward motion until November 18. During this sensitive time, reflect and review past relationships. Instead of looking for new love, turn your attention inward, concentrate on self-love, and prepare to start afresh after November 18.

The emotional meter turns up during the weekend of October 22 thanks to the Full Moon in Aries on Friday night. Passion is in the air and everyone will feel more feisty than usual. A quarrelsome me-first attitude dominates the scene, but disaster can be thwarted if you breathe deeply and schedule time for some rigorous physical activity around this time.

The Sun moves into Scorpio on October 23 – starting a four-week adventure through this intense water sign. Use this time to delve deeply into your most intimate passions. It’s an all or nothing time, so get clear about what is most important to you. If something isn’t working, let it go. If something IS working, go all the way!

Japa Kaur
Astrology, Tarot, Intuitive Healing
JapaKaur.com

http://yogamint.com

Meatless Monday Recipe: Middle Eastern Crespeou

2010-10-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today's recipe comes from a vegan friend of mine, Miss Alison Rood!

Alison is newly vegan (within the last year, I believe)
and came up with this incredible looking dish.
It is a vegan take on a "crespeou" which is a sort of a cake made out of
layers of omelets and traditionally including cheese as well.
It originally hails from the Provence region of France.

What you will need:
1 package whole wheat lavash (the rectangular ones cut into halves; pack of 6 yields 12 "slices)"
2 avocados
1 can artichoke hearts, drained
1 can tomato paste
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 container hummus (I like to use eggplant hummus)
1 jar of olive tapenade (or just olives chopped, whichever you prefer)
1/2 cup zatar, approx (recipe below)

What to do:
First, prepare your zatar. Zatar is a Middle Eastern herb mixture.
1/4 cup sumac (can be found at a Middle Eastern market)
2 tablespoons thyme
1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons marjoram
2 tablespoons oregano
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 1/2 tbsp EVOO

Combine spices in a bowl and add EVOO 1/2 teaspoon at a time until you get a
spread. I used about 2 1/2 tbsp total

Set your zatar aside.

Mash up both avocadoes in a bowl. Set aside.

Roughly chop the fresh spinach leaves. Set aside.

Roughly chop the artichoke hearts (I do 3 hearts for one layer). Squeeze
out excess water (very important!) and set artichokes aside.

Heat up the tomato paste in a sauce pan until hot.

Quickly broil each side (10 seconds each) of your lavash slices. Only
do two at a time with the layer you are working on. I find they set
better if they are broiled right before they are stacked.

Here are the layers I like to do, but you can play around with the
order. I use a spatula to spread the sauces on.

start with a slice of lavash on the bottom
spread tomato paste and add fresh chopped spinach leaves
place a slice of lavash on top
spread on the olive tapenade
place a slice of lavash on top
artichokes
slice of lavash
zatar
slice of lavash
hummus
slice of lavash
repeat until you run out of a topping or lavash. Save the last bit of
zatar for topping on the final slice of lavash.

Voila! It's nice served warm, but is also delicious served cold. To
serve warm, serve it immediately, or put it in the oven at a low temp
(200 or so) until it is the desired temperature.

To serve, carefully slice into sqaures with a sharp knife (or slice
like a cake if you're using circular lavash). It might be a little
tough to get through depending on how many layers you're working with.
Enjoy!

virtually vegan sisters

Montana Bear Tragedy

Healing of the Nation Event Canceled!

California Coastal Cleanup Day 2011

Long Beach Events!!

LB Surfrider giving away reusable bags!!

Meatless Monday in EWG's New Study: A Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change and Health!

The Growing Experience featured in the LA Times!!

Green Long Beach Festival 2011

2011 Etsy Craft Party

Nature Walk with Herbalist Julie James at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park!

Volunteering for Bunnies at LBCC!!!

Milan Kundera: humankind & animals

Catalyst Chili Cook Off!!

Iodine: eat that seaweed and keep the radioactive kind at bay!

Let the muse in!

Some Recipes from Joseph Nally.....

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/23/vibrant-vegan/

Watermelon Gazpacho

Massaged Kale

Mac and Cashew Cheese

Jicama Salad

Creamy Dill Dressing

Music is a constant

Tripti Kulai et Sri Chinmoy

Walk the walk: support your farmer directly

Soaked Quinoa Time!

Cauliflower Popcorn with Aioli!

3/50 Project

Veggie Weekend in Paris

La Crêperie du Midi

Salad Sandwiches....almost all raw....

Herbal Kitchen

Vert de Terre

Eataly pictures!

Eataly!!

Vegetarienne Experience in France Part 1

I have a SCOBY and you should too

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Go Meatless Monday!!

Get Vegucated!

SPF Controversy Heats Up.....

New Mexico Love!

Moderation

Aldana Mica featured on Solshock!!

Fashionably Rocking Upcycled Art

listen and talk, but mostly listen

Factory Farms in the US

Meatless Monday Recipes--make 2011 better than 2010!

Crostini

Nori Wraps with Orange Cashew Cream

Democracy Now!

Inide Insides: Pumpkins!

Wine + Apologies

Aldana Mica on 562CityLife.com!!!

Meatless Monday: C'est la Vegan

All around the world - 2011

Virtually Vegan Hanukkah

busy beegan

Not Feeling Very Vegan

Thanksgiving Past and Holiday Events

thankful

‎"Be grateful of the Divine plan that will expedite the karmas of all the sacrificed turkeys, and be grateful that you are not one of the turkeys on the table." - Yogananda

The Infinite Yoga Studio

~ Experience Your Highest Self ~~ Realize The Infinite Within You ~

Meatless Monday: Thanksgiving Traditions...

Good 'ol Cloris Leachman

A random mix of awesome

Split Pea Soup!

Simple Shoes-100% sustainable

Interesting Yucca Plant in the Chiricahua National Monument

Story of Stuff: Promoting Awareness

Hi my name is __________ and I am addicted to sugar

Fall Harvest Festival at The Growing Experience

Up-cycled Eco Art Class at Brewitt Library

Meatless Monday: Cool Mint and Wild Rice Salad

Weapon of Non-Violence

A Yoga Pose for the Body and Mind, Dr. Weil's Tip of the Day

Meatless Monday: Banana Crumble

Confessions of a Vegan... a.k.a. Vegans are People too!

~ Experience Your Highest Self ~
~ Realize The Infinite Within You ~

Veggie Pride Parade - LA Saturday, October 30th
11 am to 4 pm Santa Monica, CA