Monday, November 30, 2009

Veg News 2009 Veggie Awards



So, apprently 35,000 vegans voted in this contest on Vegnews.com. Here is what we learn:

Fave Musician: Jason Mraz
Favorite Online Vegan Store: Vegan Essentials
Favorite Vegan Cookies: Newman's Own Organics
Favorite Hair Care: Aveda

Interesting.

To view the entire list (which includes links to the many winners) click HERE.

Website Find

Vegvine.com calls itself "the vegan google". It has lot's of great links on the top bar, but I think the coolest and most helpful aspect of the site is the "Local Veggie Links" tool.

You simply type in your zip code and get a breakdown of categories for your area:
Vegan Restaurants
Veg*n Singles (by State)
Singles (by city although not all are Veeg)
Animal Rights Meet ups in your area

Very cool resource for people who don't live in typically Vegan friendly areas.

Test run: I did a search of my Momma's zip code in Florida. Check out the results HERE.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Fun Fact: Coretta Scott King was a Vegan!



"Coretta Scott King called her adoption of a vegan diet in 1995 a blessing. Her son, Dexter, had been vegan since 1988, saying that an appreciation for animal rights is the "logical extension" of his father's philosophy of non-violence."
Source

Pirogies (need I say more?)

I just discovered this great site: vegancampus.com. I'll look more into it and post more info later on, but right off that bat I spotted a recipe for one of my favorite foods: PIROGIES!!!





Pirogies can be filled with almost anything! I'm thinking potato and Daiya Cheese sounds preeeetty gooodd! Have you tried Daiya Vegan Cheese? It's new and supposed to be the best tasting and best MELTING vegan cheese out there!

Somebody make this recipe and send me a review & pics! (I'll also take a free sample!)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

A quote that basically sums it all up

"Just how destructive does a culinary preference have to be before we decide to eat something else? If contributing to the suffering of billions of animals that live miserable lives and (quite often) die in horrific ways isn't motivating, what would be? If being the number one contributor to the most serious threat facing the planet (global warming) isn't enough, what is? And if you are tempted to put off these questions of conscience, to say not now, then when?" ~Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer





Tofu....for breakfast???

I busted out my first vegan cookbook on Saturday; Peta's Vegan College Cookbook. These recipes are crazy simple! In fact most are meant to be made in the microwave (kinda gross, I know), but most can be cooked in the oven or stove top.

Today I tried making the "Morning in Mexico Scramble"

Ingredients:
1 package Firm Tofu (drained and rinsed)
2 cups corn tortilla chips
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups Salsa


This recipe makes 3 servings. I only wanted 1 serving, so I used about a quarter of the tofu, a handful of chips, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder and 1 cup of salsa.

I had bought (at Trader Joes) FRESH salsa. I really think this made the whole dish! Fresh tomatoes, onions and basil added lots of flavor! Check your grocery store in the refrigerator section.


I'd seen a lot of "fake meat" recipes that used soy sauce for flavor, so I added a couple of splashes of Low Sodium Soy sauce for an extra kick.

Directions:
Mash tofu and microwave for approx 4 minutes
Mix in Tortilla Chips and Onion Powder (and soy sauce?)
Microwave for approx 2 minutes
Add salsa (The recipe said to heat for another minute, but of course I didn't see that part! But I thought the cold salsa was nice and help cool the dish)

Total cooking time: Approx 8 minutes
Add a toasted slice of pita w/ vegan butter and this is a great easy (and tasty!) breakfast!




Note: I made this for breakfast for the last three days(!) I added a sprinkle of Mexican Blend/Shredded Soy Cheese from Trader Joes...totally delish!!

*Full credit for this recipe goes to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Starza Kolman/Marta Holmber

Friday, November 27, 2009

The Vegan Cowboy!

This is a great clip from The Dr. Oz show about an overweight, diebetic, meat loving cowboy who went vegan for 28 days.

If he can go Veeg - anyone can! This video could be a great conversation starter (esecially with men!).

Check it out:

FIRST POST!

Welcome to my new blog A Simple Vegan!


As a vegetarian for over 13 years I thought I knew why I didn't eat meat. But in fact it wasn't until very recently that I became informed of the horrors of Factory Farming (more factory than farm). I also never understood what the big deal with eating eggs and dairy products was. I mean...all female cows make milk, right? "Contrary to popular belief, cows don't just produce milk for kicks. They are mammals, just like human ladies -- they need to get knocked up before their bodies produce milk. In factory farms they are artificialy inseminated to keep them constantly pregnant"

Oh well, chickens lay eggs, like..everyday! Right? "True,but in nature "layer" hens would not be crammed 8 to a cage with a floor the size of a file drawer, unable to spread their wings or do anything chicken-like. Hens are run through a food-and-light deprivation process for over a week, which forces another laying cycle and increases profits. And like the male dairy calves, male chicken offspring are so useless to the egg industry they are routinely killed at few days old."


Now that I know the truth of the horrible treatment (torture would be a better word) of animals raised for food, it is a moral issue for me. It is - for me - simply wrong to participate in this. I can't turn a blind eye to it and no matter how badly I might want to eat cheesy pizza, or yummy creeeamy feta cheese, or perfectly crispy bacon...I simply would not like myself for giving money to the people who knowingly abuse animals.

If you give money to something quite simply: you are supporting it.
If every time you bought a bottle of water - 100% of proceeds went to Al Qaeda - would you just shrug and say "I know its wrong. I don't agree with what they do! But I really need my bottled water!"

I'm guessing most people would answer No. For me it is the same thing.
If you buy milk, eggs or meat that comes from a factory "farm" (99% of whats in stores is from a factory farm) you ARE condoing the systematic abuse and torture of thinking, feeling, intelligent creatures.

I'm certainly no expert - and would never claim to be one. But when you see blatent cruelty in the world it's hard to just pretend it isn't there.

*exhales* OK end rant.

In the past month or so I've found so many helpful websites, articles and books on vegan living. I wanted a way to compile and share them with friends, family (mommy!) and anyone else venturing into the Vegan lifestyle. I am a newbie and would greatly appreciate any "oldie" vegans sharing there wisdom with me. If you have info to share or would like to guest blog, please email asimplevegan@gmail.com

Stay tuned for lot's of great links, "simple" recipes and fun animal postings!

Thanks for reading!!
~Ashley