tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908396430207610542024-03-14T02:27:10.309-07:00Chicos and Beans: A Desert Vegan Survival GuideWit & Wisdom, Tips & Trials, and All Manner of Miscellanea for Vegan Living in PhoenixKenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-25416627281577568762013-09-24T10:30:00.000-07:002013-09-24T10:30:02.059-07:00The Cutting Board Bakery & Cafe, Mesa, AZ<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx7fSvMcCvF5FryUZCjlyP7aoyIE43iwdyhXwnkEG6hcmhKEkU9brW_GxU8De6o7f37fZqXEx-fLwp12QwCog6w3L9jItq674DrCSDke-ZCW7pfjtWOy2sXI5hezKtjGBHMxtuLRI3X0x/s1600/cuttingboardsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx7fSvMcCvF5FryUZCjlyP7aoyIE43iwdyhXwnkEG6hcmhKEkU9brW_GxU8De6o7f37fZqXEx-fLwp12QwCog6w3L9jItq674DrCSDke-ZCW7pfjtWOy2sXI5hezKtjGBHMxtuLRI3X0x/s400/cuttingboardsign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Board Bakery & Café Sign</td></tr>
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Southeast Mesa welcomes new vegetarian/vegan joint, The Cutting Board Bakery & Café! <br />
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The veg café is tucked into a new strip mall in Kiowa Village, just south of Baseline on Power Rd. The Cutting Board Café is open now, but the grand opening is on October 12th. They currently have just a banner sign up, and there's an old sign from the former tenant above their doors, so don't let that confuse you.<br />
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This past weekend, I made a last minute stop to check them out and found a very promising place to eat. I can't wait to see them grow into their potential.<br />
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I visited right between breakfast and lunch, and so I ordered breakfast, which is very hard for me to resist.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Board Service Counter</td></tr>
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Right from the start, the Tamari Tofu English Muffin called to me, which is a toasted English muffin with macademia pesto spread, baked tofu, avocado, and tomato slices. It came with a side of fresh melon, I'm not sure what kind. Simple, healthy, and yet still quite tasty. I'd definitely order it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9UXoz232nE84pR2zAXpiND70JA-iTtuT6DzDO2kD5lOU1nsgwsgSuhUTZHVXzE56_NjWsibl7StORlNXD5zLm6RPN-icB02q1s15x7zQq57UjaGBJPDaRlUnyxACX5kWQFs21bi2kuqu/s1600/cuttingboardfood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9UXoz232nE84pR2zAXpiND70JA-iTtuT6DzDO2kD5lOU1nsgwsgSuhUTZHVXzE56_NjWsibl7StORlNXD5zLm6RPN-icB02q1s15x7zQq57UjaGBJPDaRlUnyxACX5kWQFs21bi2kuqu/s400/cuttingboardfood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamari Tofu English Muffin, side of Fresh Melon, Mr. Marley Smoothie</td></tr>
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I'm not a coffee person, but I did note they had fancy gourmet coffees, plus things like soy, almond, hemp, and coconut milks, agave nectar and raw cane sugar; and perhaps most importantly, chai lattes, which is what I order when I am not ordering smoothies. This trip I picked a smoothie, and they had tons to choose from, so I tried the Mr. Marley, with pineapple, banana, coconut water, and hemp seed. Very refreshing, and a nice breakfasty choice.<br />
<span style="color: #272627;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #272627;">I do wish they had some kind of almond/peanut/nut butter smoothie, but maybe in the future. ::hint, hint!::</span><br />
<span style="color: #272627;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #272627;">Some of the things I'd like to try on return trips: the Santa Monica (kinda like a bread pudding French toast?), Lentil Cabbage Wrap, Olive Tapas, Tacos Duo (with "nutty meat"), Cheesy Mac, and the Seasonal Veggie appetizer with the walnut dill dip (I'm a sucker for dill!). That'll keep me busy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkr6sfWPemzPJQGaKfmbOM4uzSKU9rwLIxsF-xoQjz2N4RbQUIsTrK45nXx6ACvG8ytvg0ICzjf_dBI3p0KTeWUWnY92_vEaeOFiZM5iaXNn-dPLfK0iqRPIvaxgT8-r85XxR_z3KM5MO/s1600/cuttingboarddining2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkr6sfWPemzPJQGaKfmbOM4uzSKU9rwLIxsF-xoQjz2N4RbQUIsTrK45nXx6ACvG8ytvg0ICzjf_dBI3p0KTeWUWnY92_vEaeOFiZM5iaXNn-dPLfK0iqRPIvaxgT8-r85XxR_z3KM5MO/s400/cuttingboarddining2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Board Dining Area</td></tr>
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Follow them on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/2235%20S%20Power%20Road,%20Suite%20116,%20Mesa,%20AZ%2085209" target="fb">Facebook</a> for daily lunch specials and regular events, and check out their <a href="http://cuttingboardcafe.com/" target="cb">website</a>, it's got everything you need including the full menu.<br />
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<strong>The Cutting Board Bakery & Cafe</strong><br />
Ranking: ****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
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<strong>The Cutting Board Bakery & Café</strong><br />
2235 S Power Road, Suite 116<br />
Mesa, AZ 85209<br />
(480) 654-8081<br />
<a href="http://cuttingboardcafe.com/">http://cuttingboardcafe.com</a><br />
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<em>Hours</em><br />
Tuesday - Sunday 7am to 3pm<br />
Closed Mondays<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Board Front Façade (main doors to the left)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkixRPePKcegii5rZQjmERChTZ2ZJKgQ8n6xw6v9sl4qoskRUBo145FCRa-V-bxYFn38Fm7YgXwc2-3V9plup_BZ-7sLUiFcMDEN82nRj-O73MXjSWCLT7U3Ug_GqouhlRTbXiLS4GSks/s1600/cuttingboardfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkixRPePKcegii5rZQjmERChTZ2ZJKgQ8n6xw6v9sl4qoskRUBo145FCRa-V-bxYFn38Fm7YgXwc2-3V9plup_BZ-7sLUiFcMDEN82nRj-O73MXjSWCLT7U3Ug_GqouhlRTbXiLS4GSks/s400/cuttingboardfront.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Board Bakery & Café (behind the palm tree)</td></tr>
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Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-65669421276771688272013-08-15T22:40:00.000-07:002013-08-15T22:40:00.146-07:00On the Road: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Fountain Valley, CA<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chipotle Mexican Grill</td></tr>
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California's Chipotles have been testing out the vegan Sofritas filling option for their burritos, bowls, salads, and tacos. Lucky them. However, I did hear that the Phoenix metro area should also be featuring this option starting in September. So, here's a sneak peek about what we can look forward to!<br />
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The sofritas: <em>shredded organic tofu braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and a blend of aromatic spices.</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2b6DGyG8a1CtEYhFbCz-kUDC8b5Z6QrpqZwVgB6rrZ9B33U3VekC2XVdRiBloG7EswxCcv7cBdgXhDqyj40R1aIUumnAMR1pbZ8kCXUzuI30EH-V4Vin4-VwU53FBSv8jGouYE-QM2k/s1600/chipotle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2b6DGyG8a1CtEYhFbCz-kUDC8b5Z6QrpqZwVgB6rrZ9B33U3VekC2XVdRiBloG7EswxCcv7cBdgXhDqyj40R1aIUumnAMR1pbZ8kCXUzuI30EH-V4Vin4-VwU53FBSv8jGouYE-QM2k/s400/chipotle1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofritas Burrito, Chips & Medium Salsa</td></tr>
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Chipotle is very vegan-friendly and has a Build-Your-Own system for their food. <strong><span style="color: red;">Here's what you should avoid: pinto beans (cooked with bacon) and chipotle-honey vinaigrette</span></strong>, in addition to the obvious meats, cheeses, and sour cream. Also the location I went to today told me they had cheese in their guacamole, but I don't think that is standard, so check the location you visit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4i7Y8IG3IUWigFkN9RgqC8lGvJp31S9U0CBx5Bec8WhlG92Y9GCezGqbSkG1XNgr4ZhdMdxetEszkCKwgKcyQB7CSqVw0kFsZ5wqPSxVvahq8ShzsQ0yXpY0xhIEThREXauSqUByTvvF/s1600/chipotle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4i7Y8IG3IUWigFkN9RgqC8lGvJp31S9U0CBx5Bec8WhlG92Y9GCezGqbSkG1XNgr4ZhdMdxetEszkCKwgKcyQB7CSqVw0kFsZ5wqPSxVvahq8ShzsQ0yXpY0xhIEThREXauSqUByTvvF/s400/chipotle2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofritas Burrito Innards</td></tr>
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I ordered a burrito with the sofritas, cilantro-lime white rice, black beans, and pico de gallo. The burrito was humongous, filling, and delicious. I would have liked the guac on it too, but I didn't really miss it. I also got a side of chips and medium salsa. The salsa was nearly too hot for me to eat, but that could easily have been me.<br />
All in all, the sofritas is a great addition to the Chipotle menu. It's fantastic when chains add solid and reliable vegan items like this. The lunch hour and travel-eating have just gotten much easier.<br />
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<br />
<strong>Chipotle Mexican Grill</strong><br />
Ranking: ****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Chipotle Mexican Grill</strong><br />
18951 Brookhurst<br />
Fountain Valley, CA 92708<br />
(714) 968- 4003<br />
<a href="http://www.chipotle.com/">http://www.chipotle.com</a><br />
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<em>Hours</em><br />
Monday - Sunday 11am to 10pm<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHXcVTij64-R-8EEcZchugHMkP3RgeDHjf-nXA14qXtP8KmYxIosH7C0sQ1qMaiwm9qbUQOKAi8ALZEd5uE41_U_KmfxJ7TS_lGR4cKu8TWmg9WCTBFZw-N5UbnXg12EMB-niZScZN-I4/s1600/sofritasmenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHXcVTij64-R-8EEcZchugHMkP3RgeDHjf-nXA14qXtP8KmYxIosH7C0sQ1qMaiwm9qbUQOKAi8ALZEd5uE41_U_KmfxJ7TS_lGR4cKu8TWmg9WCTBFZw-N5UbnXg12EMB-niZScZN-I4/s400/sofritasmenu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featured Item: SOFRITAS!</td></tr>
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Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-75977678802221369132013-08-12T20:58:00.000-07:002013-08-12T20:58:00.354-07:00On the Road: Bo De Tinh Tam Chay Vietnamese Vegetarian Restaurant, Westminster, CA<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9SS4IyLB_v3VGyFbREeKXpHJgWAdSZPpX5ohRCrzzV-zjtFutYXR568F2gFApftA8uAuaX-dGeJFK2CsLwVvXT2IHV1UUbDKs7aKEcaiJed6yZlyKD97gv4t3hH26TBD70Y07I4TBMfe/s1600/bodetinhtamchay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9SS4IyLB_v3VGyFbREeKXpHJgWAdSZPpX5ohRCrzzV-zjtFutYXR568F2gFApftA8uAuaX-dGeJFK2CsLwVvXT2IHV1UUbDKs7aKEcaiJed6yZlyKD97gv4t3hH26TBD70Y07I4TBMfe/s400/bodetinhtamchay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo De Ting Tam Chay Vietnamese Vegetarian Restaurant</td></tr>
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Bo De Tinh Tam Chay Vegetarian Restaurant has two locations, the original small restaurant off Moran Street and their bigger second location on Beach Boulevard. Both are located within Orange County's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Saigon#Orange_County" target="ls">Little Saigon</a>, specifically within the city of Westminster. I happened to visit the location on Beach Blvd, which was tucked into an unassuming shopping center. </div>
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The dining room was elegant and peaceful full of dark woods, restful browns, little burbling fountains, and just an all around pleasant atmosphere. This would be a fantastic place for a date night or just a nice dinner out. I was told that usually the place is very busy, especially on the weekends. I was there on a Monday evening, and I got my food to go, so I didn't take advantage of the environment beyond the 15 or so minutes I waited for my order.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDxIePMiOTYQ6hj0_rlqrtULOXSnStuS0nlsNxl4QMHSBmzlmUgCqeQLFrASJdoBG_lCWa6NoojISP1VaDNZSd6CNdPdQ6-0NaGYNT_9xO2tGaCiMTGdmnZFbvQGCIzZ56oUVxhhMWmaT/s1600/bodetinhtamchayinwide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDxIePMiOTYQ6hj0_rlqrtULOXSnStuS0nlsNxl4QMHSBmzlmUgCqeQLFrASJdoBG_lCWa6NoojISP1VaDNZSd6CNdPdQ6-0NaGYNT_9xO2tGaCiMTGdmnZFbvQGCIzZ56oUVxhhMWmaT/s400/bodetinhtamchayinwide2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Dining Room</td></tr>
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The all vegetarian menu has approximately 200 items, and I was told only a few of them are not vegan... which unfortunately included the banh mi ca ri (French bread with veggie curry) which I initially had my eye on. But I moved on to choosing some vermicelli and rolls. The menu listed the Vietnamese name of the dish and the description in English, and many of the items had photos next to them. I didn't copy down the names of what I ordered, but I know they were #7, some kind of 'eggrolls', and #80 the vermicelli with sour ham.<br />
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Both were delicious. The 'eggrolls' were nice and crispy with a light, almost sweet dipping sauce. The vermicelli had a base of greens, topped with noodles, peanuts, pickled carrots and radish, and the sour ham which resembled small slices of Spam. I was a little nervous about eating anything labeled sour, since that is not my favorite taste, but the sour was understated and a nice contrast to the other ingredients.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1RrcVRkXPPyy6etCGpOlya5espVXKsKIvzwm3vMr5rWha3jFg7hrG-O2Epd6ZwxEPLTJ2u0yJaanGIqPC0n8HWC0F7SddFSAxPIhQUaRF1-vyGtn3ralzj7EJ-CKfHEsJ6trh6Porv5e/s1600/bodevietnamese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1RrcVRkXPPyy6etCGpOlya5espVXKsKIvzwm3vMr5rWha3jFg7hrG-O2Epd6ZwxEPLTJ2u0yJaanGIqPC0n8HWC0F7SddFSAxPIhQUaRF1-vyGtn3ralzj7EJ-CKfHEsJ6trh6Porv5e/s400/bodevietnamese.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#7 Eggrolls, #80 Vermicelli with Sour Ham</td></tr>
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I'd really like to go back and explore the menu more thoroughly, but in the meantime, I highly recommend you pay this place a visit if you're in Orange County.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Bo De Tinh Tam Chay Vietnamese Vegetarian Restaurant</strong><br />
Ranking: ****1/2<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<strong>Bo De Tinh Tam Chay Vietnamese Vegetarian Restaurant</strong><br />
15352 Beach Blvd.<br />
Westminster, CA 92683<br />
(714) 891-4455<br />
<br />
No website, but here's their <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=17563" target="hc">HappyCow Listing</a>.<br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Monday - Thursday 9am to 9pm<br />
Friday - Sunday 9am to 10pmKenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-47446993628035531892013-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:002013-08-08T12:44:00.459-07:00On the Road: The Donuttery, Huntingon Beach, CA<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBg0aRcANCsra9RKDrIqPT0Z04_vCzLcip5zATl7sWjtT-miifdB63mHmo4TmnN2nN_JsppQC0B8X0mrKd7vSHMmVzefeikWaskzmIEEflQHxQKWkr5lCQtHpUOZLMmyrusLFl5yM3JBg/s1600/donutterydonuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBg0aRcANCsra9RKDrIqPT0Z04_vCzLcip5zATl7sWjtT-miifdB63mHmo4TmnN2nN_JsppQC0B8X0mrKd7vSHMmVzefeikWaskzmIEEflQHxQKWkr5lCQtHpUOZLMmyrusLFl5yM3JBg/s400/donutterydonuts.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Donuttery's Vegan Donuts</td></tr>
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The Donuttery is tucked in a busy strip mall in Huntington Beach. I was there just before 8am on a Monday morning and the place was hopping. They had a nice big sign on the counter indicating they served vegan donuts and quite a few racks were dedicated to the vegan donuts, which were all clearly labeled.<br />
<br />
The vegan donuts were all cake style, but the toppings differed in combinations of thick vanilla, chocolate, lemon, strawberry, and maple glazes with some plain, nut-covered, and coconut-covered.<br />
<br />
I sampled the strawberry, maple coconut, and chocolate peanut and they were all delicious. I was a little nervous when I found out they were cake donuts and not yeasted or raised donuts, but these were lightly fried and not dense at all. My omnivore family that shared the dozen donuts I picked up also enjoyed them, and were happy to inform me they couldn't tell they were vegan. This place is a definite win for vegan donuts!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn0H_uq_2X-Re9gwDDtpJhCuncIIVRk7i4NK5o-DiZA-qNqhjVODt5r-9v7VJgxG_WNL9jlpbYRvoUc1Ne2a3TYnI4SjoUJkBK5xHBEsdpB31I__pN3Uz97kKvcagCvNdAnHOr5_NQ61Y/s1600/donutteryfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn0H_uq_2X-Re9gwDDtpJhCuncIIVRk7i4NK5o-DiZA-qNqhjVODt5r-9v7VJgxG_WNL9jlpbYRvoUc1Ne2a3TYnI4SjoUJkBK5xHBEsdpB31I__pN3Uz97kKvcagCvNdAnHOr5_NQ61Y/s400/donutteryfront.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Donuttery </td></tr>
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<br />
<strong>The Donuttery</strong><br />
Ranking: ****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<strong>The Donuttery</strong><br />
17420 Beach Blvd<br />
Huntington Beach, CA 92647<br />
(714) 847-7000<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Donuttery/192378407448763" target="fb">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Monday 12am - Sunday 3pm (almost 24/7)Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-55856574622712443242013-08-05T12:38:00.000-07:002013-08-05T12:38:00.233-07:00On the Road: Mai Thai Restaurant, Fountain Valley, CAI was recently in Orange County, California visiting family, and as a result frequented quite a few vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants. So, I have a bunch of reviews to share over the next few weeks, starting today. Some are old faves and some are brand new. Yay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBcDPjaWMytTcHDub6jkWAj_m22hmWTSX3eCLi9eX21LgH83I2NZOFlTyf0W7V5KFdXfb7ZBJHL2-iOS3wakXAi2fAk8ans4nDMjHsR-eKm1_ATVDDg6NsMmhSd9Ccf7Dqc0yRvOuacLh/s1600/maithaispicybasil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBcDPjaWMytTcHDub6jkWAj_m22hmWTSX3eCLi9eX21LgH83I2NZOFlTyf0W7V5KFdXfb7ZBJHL2-iOS3wakXAi2fAk8ans4nDMjHsR-eKm1_ATVDDg6NsMmhSd9Ccf7Dqc0yRvOuacLh/s400/maithaispicybasil.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy Basil Tofu with Rice</td></tr>
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<br />
This little Thai and Chinese place is vegan friendly, and their website even talks about their <a href="http://maithaifv.com/vegetarian" target="veg">vegetarian options</a>. They offer tofu as an option for most of their dishes, and they will easily remove egg or other non-vegan ingredients. I've eaten here a couple of times because it's a nice place to go when you need to accommodate omnivores and vegans.<br />
<br />
I've previously enjoyed the Sweet and Sour Tofu, but this time the only thing I got was the Spicy Basil Tofu. It was really nice. The tofu had nice texture, but could have been a little more flavorful. The spicy sauce was tasty and just spicy enough for me. A very respectable place to visit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="fn org"><span class="organization-name"><strong>Mai Thai Restaurant</strong></span></span><br />
<span class="fn org"><span class="organization-name">Ranking: ***1/2<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span> </span><br />
<div id="hMisc">
<div class="contactInfoContainer" style="height: auto; width: auto;">
<div class="vcard">
<span class="fn org"><span class="organization-name"><strong>Mai Thai Restaurant</strong></span></span><br />
<span class="adr"><span class="street-address">17938 Magnolia St</span><br />
<span class="locality">Fountain Valley</span><span class="separator">, </span><span class="region">CA</span> <span class="postal-code">92708</span></span><span class="phoneNumbers"><br />
<span class="tel">(714) 963-4929</span></span></div>
<div class="vcard">
<a href="http://maithaifv.com/">http://maithaifv.com</a><br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Sunday to Thursday 11am to 9pm<br />
Friday to Saturday 11am to 10pm</div>
</div>
</div>
Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-68982777557911056812013-08-02T16:11:00.000-07:002013-08-05T01:22:57.755-07:00Hula's Modern Tiki, Phoenix, AZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj8jz9O4bK8RCY5d4RbYbZj9_ERSVquTN1qcTPS-8NP2etQNhFoX9Ek2Rp3opUjAeL3HU_c8V_cu06VIGekT8JZRSCMyxqHd-fbRN-oSSgI2uM3piKqQGY-94jhdVMA4UzVdcl4y95LWS/s1600/Hulas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj8jz9O4bK8RCY5d4RbYbZj9_ERSVquTN1qcTPS-8NP2etQNhFoX9Ek2Rp3opUjAeL3HU_c8V_cu06VIGekT8JZRSCMyxqHd-fbRN-oSSgI2uM3piKqQGY-94jhdVMA4UzVdcl4y95LWS/s400/Hulas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hula's Modern Tiki</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
Hula's Modern Tiki is a cute little bar and restaurant in uptown Phoenix, conveniently located off the lightrail. They're vegan friendly, and when I ordered, the super-friendly waitress was very well informed on what items could be easily veganized. I considered ordering some kind of encrusted tofu, the Spicy Tofu Tacos, the Jungle Tofu Bowl, or the Big Sur Black Bean Burger; the tacos, bowl, and the veggie burger I've heard are amazing (without modifications). Those were pretty much the veganizable options. I settled for the Jungle Tofu Bowl since it required the least modifications to make it vegan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsNfVrNP5VPn1262Z_4MH_Mgc3xp2-oaDtjPg911X705jZTS02e7rTxYvCEvZi09oBToEdELPN7QlisOwbv6T-KEVI76ae-dy1vCXdLU2e6Ucp0lqB-rZ5lfOeuUksCQluqsmqIZywUsa/s1600/hulajerkbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsNfVrNP5VPn1262Z_4MH_Mgc3xp2-oaDtjPg911X705jZTS02e7rTxYvCEvZi09oBToEdELPN7QlisOwbv6T-KEVI76ae-dy1vCXdLU2e6Ucp0lqB-rZ5lfOeuUksCQluqsmqIZywUsa/s400/hulajerkbowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
Jerk Tofu Bowl Served</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Jungle Tofu Bowl in all its glory; fried tofu, jungle curry sauce, fried sweet plantains on top of beans, rice, and a cabbage mix. This dish was delicious. The jungle curry sauce was not too spicy and the combination of flavors and textures really worked; the whole thing was quite filling and satisfying.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE4fYaO_oJCgfpXwzfzOzP6eRy5AYEnaXRTrgOg7ul-fUCJDSMGwK9Su0kxSa7IpC3g_bqHlbqB-3Lz_Qo0929VPxjhLBq-cP5gKe-OiyXoSPa4DC0CmdMN2KMwMBZV4sREbqSyoyIzNl/s1600/hulafood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE4fYaO_oJCgfpXwzfzOzP6eRy5AYEnaXRTrgOg7ul-fUCJDSMGwK9Su0kxSa7IpC3g_bqHlbqB-3Lz_Qo0929VPxjhLBq-cP5gKe-OiyXoSPa4DC0CmdMN2KMwMBZV4sREbqSyoyIzNl/s400/hulafood2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle Tofu Bowl Mixed & Half-Eaten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
We didn't get drinks during this visit and I don't know what liquor on their menu is vegan, but I'm sure they have some lovely fruity concoctions. They didn't have any vegan desserts on the menu, but the waitress did tell me that that the little place next door, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TwirlFroYo" target="twirl">Twirl Frozen Yogurt</a>, served vegan sorbet. Good to know!<br />
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Ultimately, this is a great place to go a night downtown, when cruising the lightrail, and especially when you have a mixed party of omnivores and vegans.<br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Hula's Modern Tiki Bar & Restaurant</strong><br />
Ranking: ****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<strong>Hula's Modern Tiki Bar & Restaurant</strong><br />
4700 N. Central Ave.<br />
Phoenix, AZ 85012<br />
(602) 265- 8454<br />
<a href="http://hulasmoderntiki.com/">http://hulasmoderntiki.com</a><br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Monday 11am to 10pm<br />
Tuesday - Thursday 11am to 11pm<br />
<span class="right">Friday 11am to 2am </span><br />
<div class="day">
<span class="right">Saturday 10:30am to 1am</span><br />
Sunday 10:30am to 10pm</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZIrlN9IVKMnPTRQ2YE-iK3hd2esS1mSPBfa7K0g-U3uE4hRfx9yzHH4dJYCrEZ-cRAr0IxXy9iQb5FLjQO7RmQ1OggAwqbTLcMAlif-vqehku4I6xY6KG5Lfjh_ryY88bQsMluhKl51e/s1600/hulastiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZIrlN9IVKMnPTRQ2YE-iK3hd2esS1mSPBfa7K0g-U3uE4hRfx9yzHH4dJYCrEZ-cRAr0IxXy9iQb5FLjQO7RmQ1OggAwqbTLcMAlif-vqehku4I6xY6KG5Lfjh_ryY88bQsMluhKl51e/s400/hulastiki.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
Tiki Decor</div>
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Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-77036746118613758572013-07-31T04:05:00.000-07:002013-07-31T04:05:00.343-07:00On the Road: Chocola Tree Organic Vegetarian Eatery, Sedona, AZ<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVURn-7s3SCKtxTt0D4nDvlv4PRkPGpukyOAi-wtvh23G2c53eOdfL-0fy2X5G5lCDeu3QaJmXVAONQGGL4Kz3W3f4epwQBLg3dcVsrcxVtZ0STJaIV9czTMRDKxtrsMx6tDSEIL1F6oH/s1600/chocolatreefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVURn-7s3SCKtxTt0D4nDvlv4PRkPGpukyOAi-wtvh23G2c53eOdfL-0fy2X5G5lCDeu3QaJmXVAONQGGL4Kz3W3f4epwQBLg3dcVsrcxVtZ0STJaIV9czTMRDKxtrsMx6tDSEIL1F6oH/s400/chocolatreefront.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocola Tree Restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chocola Tree is a charming organic gluten-free vegetarian eatery located in Sedona. It's practically vegan, is free of processed sugar and hosts plenty of raw and healthy-focused items. Chocola Tree has lots of beverages to choose from plenty of teas, plus coffee, smoothies, kombucha, and even a Chocolate n Maca drink which I ordered an enjoyed. I do like maca!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkDBa8z4XlN28bXQJFENsi7Y-Z5QSeDiiKPVf3D-CiBcwQw_Dpt-7oH22mKDqC-m4q572YE4AKjCLQ30en0VqqtwZBQpSIcKtkSB_XLLanGrqi66yWA3a4DSeuwq8q5h9dcS1rNhAAVrd/s1600/chocoladrinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkDBa8z4XlN28bXQJFENsi7Y-Z5QSeDiiKPVf3D-CiBcwQw_Dpt-7oH22mKDqC-m4q572YE4AKjCLQ30en0VqqtwZBQpSIcKtkSB_XLLanGrqi66yWA3a4DSeuwq8q5h9dcS1rNhAAVrd/s400/chocoladrinks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left to right: Tea, Ginger Lemonade, Chocolate n' Maca; flanked by waters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMLvUwySz9jW7M7KSeprE-IuZ89zwdejzqBYeIIhyphenhyphenXi_KgVwxCmOlawyDXrwpjTExoruMGXw_hRunArf_-SzMATHMONYGBTMfFBufYU2qT-d0JHr9oJRjYh9ArFWq8ZVsd7Xm5Hrfe7le/s1600/chocolahammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMLvUwySz9jW7M7KSeprE-IuZ89zwdejzqBYeIIhyphenhyphenXi_KgVwxCmOlawyDXrwpjTExoruMGXw_hRunArf_-SzMATHMONYGBTMfFBufYU2qT-d0JHr9oJRjYh9ArFWq8ZVsd7Xm5Hrfe7le/s400/chocolahammock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio Hammocks: There are quite a few available for a light snooze.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLQcZEw0ZFFcJOlLVw50dTgE0nVtYJoOU5sIBKbrIVPXw6hCg4xMPst8vSDuf9iE3lPAoOF8Lzg9YCw0RzNkEjD24bDbgOeLVzcnPUO0hnVEBMcfW-SKMUlIxvOHTKnPhyphenhyphen2Qgi23jegcd/s1600/chocolahummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLQcZEw0ZFFcJOlLVw50dTgE0nVtYJoOU5sIBKbrIVPXw6hCg4xMPst8vSDuf9iE3lPAoOF8Lzg9YCw0RzNkEjD24bDbgOeLVzcnPUO0hnVEBMcfW-SKMUlIxvOHTKnPhyphenhyphen2Qgi23jegcd/s400/chocolahummer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Mural</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Chocola Tree does have a small interior dining area but when I was there for lunch, no one was using it. Everyone was enjoying the beautiful day in the backyard patio area, which is nice and lush with fountains and plenty of birds, butterflies, and lizards. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxadMzx1s9u2GJ3hb1dFNiw5k-Zj1JDNM3LtnZxVrHTPa3q955Xm5HlR5O_JJjsqRepQjYCWDOd45wfDPcbZ5_9UEfhYWzi_0dynVNlbhmG8fi2bNU96ynup25GW4FO_74M4xUTbESs1Ag/s1600/chocolamenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxadMzx1s9u2GJ3hb1dFNiw5k-Zj1JDNM3LtnZxVrHTPa3q955Xm5HlR5O_JJjsqRepQjYCWDOd45wfDPcbZ5_9UEfhYWzi_0dynVNlbhmG8fi2bNU96ynup25GW4FO_74M4xUTbESs1Ag/s400/chocolamenu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hcyks0AxW6QAYq0xnyIFl3E3z-SQ6VohNzsf84It729sbqPfn-xkij0qXwsSHlppp5qtbvWi3V50hOAEcQe_y45dhY8JzRji9WPTX59-nB9njMw0Hex7AgyRSpPa2YQqwrn74XhHFSVY/s1600/chocolatreefood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hcyks0AxW6QAYq0xnyIFl3E3z-SQ6VohNzsf84It729sbqPfn-xkij0qXwsSHlppp5qtbvWi3V50hOAEcQe_y45dhY8JzRji9WPTX59-nB9njMw0Hex7AgyRSpPa2YQqwrn74XhHFSVY/s400/chocolatreefood2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from front to back: Sedona 2012, Banana Bread n' Butter, Spring Rolls, Morrocan Magic, Kefir Parfait </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For an appetizer, I had planned on sharing the Banana Bread n Butter, but it really was a one person serving. And it was incredible! So delicious, and then I didn't even want to share it. I also ordered the Sedona 2012 which is a tasty cooked tomato wrap filled with quinoa, potatoes, carrots, cilantro, hot sauce, vegan cheese, pico de gallo, mustard and guacamole. The Sedona was so filling, I couldn't finish it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIS5dZfTGdDq24Cx3OjkEO1B2SXukm38Crx2jbDlM3-YYJcf-oChmGVHDGuxqZ2hpWadC-0iZb7IRKZNdoqoGznWP7l0KoPPK2dtGhfCoY0MU2opHUWLzk69Y8MexsD-3lLNa-4QwPxY3/s1600/chocolamuralfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIS5dZfTGdDq24Cx3OjkEO1B2SXukm38Crx2jbDlM3-YYJcf-oChmGVHDGuxqZ2hpWadC-0iZb7IRKZNdoqoGznWP7l0KoPPK2dtGhfCoY0MU2opHUWLzk69Y8MexsD-3lLNa-4QwPxY3/s400/chocolamuralfence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Mural</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My dining companions had the Spring Rolls, Morrocan Magic, Kefir Parfait, and another Sedona 2012 and everyone was very happy with the meal. We were definitely too full for any type of dessert, though there were plenty of options including a large case of fancy chocolates, and at least some of the chocolates were vegan.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed my visit to Chocola Tree, but this is definitely a place with food geared more towards the health conscious, organic, raw foodies who will find their bliss there. A place perfect for the good energy of Sedona.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Chocola Tree Organic Vegetarian Eatery</strong><br />
Ranking: ***1/2<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<strong>Chocola Tree Organic Vegetarian Eatery</strong><br />
1595 W. Highway 89A<br />
Sedona, AZ 86336<br />
(928) 282-2997<br />
<a href="http://www.chocolatreecafe.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chocolatreecafe.com</a><br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Monday - Sunday 9am to 9pm<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAep4xGNN1yawPJRINOZp3Bfbhe4lL-wJmwdFFil1gSlgnQgZEGvSp4_D4xU30gHLQasbSYOx35HiXdMTZ3Rce4Kd6J0EnrT8rVWASbjW9bSn8M5acaLEQnTHanMYHY8k11rQTTzV5xaC/s1600/chocolachocolates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAep4xGNN1yawPJRINOZp3Bfbhe4lL-wJmwdFFil1gSlgnQgZEGvSp4_D4xU30gHLQasbSYOx35HiXdMTZ3Rce4Kd6J0EnrT8rVWASbjW9bSn8M5acaLEQnTHanMYHY8k11rQTTzV5xaC/s400/chocolachocolates.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolates display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ9IyJp_eZhEwaa7v2xekBxNd3lmR6FfoOEFSMNRuK0jANV65rzZFuoglEN53_ipAdKrGG4L3_eohQsLPvRAShH1ZD-RbL-JpRMOw64FgIxrvw4WXokY7VyUnWXRV7-2C1rhJHifWyrea/s1600/chocolatreemain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ9IyJp_eZhEwaa7v2xekBxNd3lmR6FfoOEFSMNRuK0jANV65rzZFuoglEN53_ipAdKrGG4L3_eohQsLPvRAShH1ZD-RbL-JpRMOw64FgIxrvw4WXokY7VyUnWXRV7-2C1rhJHifWyrea/s400/chocolatreemain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9TcpA49CBnJMEL0HUMM5rAh9_sUFqLNMJcS5HwONyXQvXguM4TmFiZLCX4iJcQc4lv5YMgYcW5tsqTvQlx1_i7ucWvwuOn6da9422RYSei3BCvN9oAkGyYkx5hp3ggu6bUkm15RfjKxg/s1600/chocolatreesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9TcpA49CBnJMEL0HUMM5rAh9_sUFqLNMJcS5HwONyXQvXguM4TmFiZLCX4iJcQc4lv5YMgYcW5tsqTvQlx1_i7ucWvwuOn6da9422RYSei3BCvN9oAkGyYkx5hp3ggu6bUkm15RfjKxg/s400/chocolatreesign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocola Tree Benches and Greenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomfxGFQVsInSYqsVK3gnXRWuZovuz1hU1j5vRUKpiBu01Ho_JaWBLpHst6OXTffnJZiTCx3xeBh6lJ6oLsHIzputUNFYs01DMxwGBy3PlHLxFjlo25jeuO_cLVNdVYaxaZBkBc1SmgL-9/s1600/chocolabldg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomfxGFQVsInSYqsVK3gnXRWuZovuz1hU1j5vRUKpiBu01Ho_JaWBLpHst6OXTffnJZiTCx3xeBh6lJ6oLsHIzputUNFYs01DMxwGBy3PlHLxFjlo25jeuO_cLVNdVYaxaZBkBc1SmgL-9/s400/chocolabldg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the front entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-2551755837555290882013-07-29T10:10:00.000-07:002013-07-29T10:10:05.284-07:00[Accidentally] Vegan TVThere's a blog and a YouTube Channel called, [Accidentally] Vegan, which collects videos of cooking shows where the recipes are, as the title suggests, "unplanned" vegan foodstuffs. Regulars from the Food Network (Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, etc.) are represented along with Martha Stewart, Debbi Mazar, The Chew, The Today Show, etc.<br />
<br />
I love it cause you don't have to worry about veganizing anything or making conversions. The recipes are ready to go as is.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/FoodNetworkVeg" target="acv">[Accidentally] Vegan YouTube Channel</a><br />
<a href="http://veganbananas.blogspot.com/" target="blog">[Accidentally] Vegan Blog<br />
</a><br />
Here's Asian Street Fries from Guy's Big Bite.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rVXsUKM_qNk" width="400"></iframe><br />Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-36414572747164797052013-06-06T09:25:00.000-07:002013-06-06T09:25:00.294-07:00Giovanni Powder Power Dry Shampoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRtFJ8VIFxPY95o4Q3bbOmpper3cY0ZdZAJuaANvTryTPMP7-jtPDGNjztNlU7JeaAW59m4WCyBZF-eprCo_H1jyevuj0RQrX-88cwGrOgW6fxdPH6H36xU69sTK7mkIZYWi0iNbAs8FS/s1600/giovannidryshampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRtFJ8VIFxPY95o4Q3bbOmpper3cY0ZdZAJuaANvTryTPMP7-jtPDGNjztNlU7JeaAW59m4WCyBZF-eprCo_H1jyevuj0RQrX-88cwGrOgW6fxdPH6H36xU69sTK7mkIZYWi0iNbAs8FS/s1600/giovannidryshampoo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm fairly new to the dry shampoo game. But after hearing about how awesome dry shampoos can be from my hairstylist I went looking for a vegan one. I found <a href="http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/" target="giovanni">Giovanni's Powder Power Dry Shampoo</a> from their Eco Chic Hair Care line. And I absolutely love it!<br />
<br />
It's wonderful for those days when you can't get your hair washed with traditional shampoos or you need to soak up a little extra oil and increase the volume. I don't always like to wash my hair every day, and I've found this powder is perfect for those days. It definitely delivers in the extra shine and volume department, and I've had many a really good hair day from this product.<br />
<br />
Camping season is in full swing, and I can see how this will be an awesome and convenient product when showers are not quite an option but your hair needs a little cleaning and maintenance. It's great for traveling in general.<br />
<br />
It's so easy to use! Just apply the powder to your roots, massage it into your scalp and hair, and then brush it through. The powder is bright white, and some people with darker hair feel it leaves their roots a little ashy looking. I've also noticed that since my hair is dark brown, but I just rub it in more and spread it out, and that usually does the trick.<br />
<br />
The product says it is for all hair types, but I only know how it works on mine which is brunette, color-treated, fine and straight. So, you'll have to give it a go yourself and let me know how it works.<br />
<br />
<strong>Giovanni Powder Power Dry Shampoo</strong><br />
<br />
Rating: *****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
[I got my Giovanni Powder Power Dry Shampoo at Whole Foods, but you can supposedly find it at Target, CVS, Wal-Mart, Sprouts, Ulta, and of course, online.] Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-66578142328585187342013-06-03T07:46:00.000-07:002013-07-30T22:48:24.320-07:00Bragg's Factory Diner, Phoenix, AZ<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLeJH9l42UXDVpBoLjeAbwASGVHwVHRH4kayJ2I5aYBN_-H-Cb_3UCLYId1heLybdJS1tXPMemUDZyvEh9_4FXR_OhdVnOqbpehK-VUA_xa8hwNGk1Sy15XassCun6hXfmCTQmpqKsRU/s1600/braggsfrontdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLeJH9l42UXDVpBoLjeAbwASGVHwVHRH4kayJ2I5aYBN_-H-Cb_3UCLYId1heLybdJS1tXPMemUDZyvEh9_4FXR_OhdVnOqbpehK-VUA_xa8hwNGk1Sy15XassCun6hXfmCTQmpqKsRU/s400/braggsfrontdoor.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bragg's Factory Diner's Flatiron Front Door </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bragg's Factory Diner is the latest of the all-vegetarian restaurants to hit Phoenix. Located off <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_60_in_Arizona" target="grand">Grand Avenue</a> in a one story flat-iron building, this cute diner itself is pretty dang small, but there is plenty of parking. So keep in mind, peak diner hours might include a little wait if you hit the rush. That said, I was there on a Sunday during brunch with a couple of friends and we were seated right away.<br />
<br />
The diner is full of fun kitschy salt and pepper shakers and mismatched vintage dinnerware, which gives it a cozy and welcoming vibe. The art on the walls is a nod to the history of Phoenix, with lots of old photos from residents and a giant painting near the registers featuring some of our more famous icons and residents.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF2Gx-0QopjTQi5jfZ1x2vVS_xM5GwEdaioJi5qbkNwIiG0_dPymYiuySWV4ryo54WT3N-PwyHAkBrkUOzMWaPngqQLlzVLf8o-4Er_rmh2_4dLCeI4Rhfk_kEL9iA8boTwx50GyUTbFC/s1600/braggsbrunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF2Gx-0QopjTQi5jfZ1x2vVS_xM5GwEdaioJi5qbkNwIiG0_dPymYiuySWV4ryo54WT3N-PwyHAkBrkUOzMWaPngqQLlzVLf8o-4Er_rmh2_4dLCeI4Rhfk_kEL9iA8boTwx50GyUTbFC/s400/braggsbrunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clockwise from front left: Frank Lloyd Bite, Koo-Koo-Pancakes, The Classic, Side Biscuit & Gravy (part of Frank Lloyd Bite)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bragg's is a vegetarian diner serving breakfast (all day) and lunch. Breakfast includes entrees like coconut curry waffles, cinnamon ginger French toast, banana pancakes, scrambles, soyrizo breakfast burritos, and hash browns. And lunch includes tasties like the eggplant "bacon', lettuce and tomato; the portabello reuben, the beet burger, and a kale salad. But they all have much more clever names like the Frank Lloyd Bite, which is what I had (two pancakes, hash browns, eggplant "bacon", & a side biscuit & gravy).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WG-giVlE0s-sWKo9BlcupxaCzbqMZ0wDPBAhGxtLRQ1K2onzGFXuoNmTmqNwPLcn5Z6ERTsUMaakLgU9IJPzkpeeo1U-KgLsqGUBD6k7LcICSPBSrddWtJIo9KKQEloggxqiA3QC4sh4/s1600/bragsflbite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WG-giVlE0s-sWKo9BlcupxaCzbqMZ0wDPBAhGxtLRQ1K2onzGFXuoNmTmqNwPLcn5Z6ERTsUMaakLgU9IJPzkpeeo1U-KgLsqGUBD6k7LcICSPBSrddWtJIo9KKQEloggxqiA3QC4sh4/s400/bragsflbite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Lloyd Bite (minus the Side Biscuit & Gravy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really liked the pancakes, they so hit the spot. I dislike eggplant, but I wanted to try it anyway because it sounded so interesting. It was okay, very edible for eggplant. The one person in our party who liked eggplant enjoyed it. The hash browns were hash browns, so nothing fancy there, but delicious as usual. I'm not big on biscuits and gravy, this one had a poblano gravy, but I think if you like those things you would really like these. I'd eat it again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL29nJ9Hpj_TqGK1lK6AEw0O_Yxx4NCWWFDfgF14VnZ7wuOoLHPG1ve61uscukFpPHBb8f9tKFnKVWYsyMv-vzYjHoiDs8ZDxAoxRYK97DyvMI5TXMkXuUnnUzGqf0oRWqXitY6WPbyp5X/s1600/braggsbiscuitgravy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL29nJ9Hpj_TqGK1lK6AEw0O_Yxx4NCWWFDfgF14VnZ7wuOoLHPG1ve61uscukFpPHBb8f9tKFnKVWYsyMv-vzYjHoiDs8ZDxAoxRYK97DyvMI5TXMkXuUnnUzGqf0oRWqXitY6WPbyp5X/s400/braggsbiscuitgravy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side Biscuit & Gravy (smaller version of Bwiscuits & Gravy entrée)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I sampled the Koo-Koo Bananas Pancakes that my friend order and it was really good. The side of fruit that came with it was fresh and ripe which I really appreciated even though it wasn't even my meal! I begged some forkfuls of another friend's Classic scramble which was pretty good but not my favorite entrée that day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVQDRvUFw77qx0mcmP7UyPr6JYrtXq4iYAalkEEjEFO3EY_6pVJ8Pv9JmIB7v3zA6x8mVNdqYs56r7Tx1vrFzc5tIN-d6ONOml6nEarIPYvj464_99jEPh2nCG4980HrOy-cmf9syWtD4/s1600/braggsbananapancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVQDRvUFw77qx0mcmP7UyPr6JYrtXq4iYAalkEEjEFO3EY_6pVJ8Pv9JmIB7v3zA6x8mVNdqYs56r7Tx1vrFzc5tIN-d6ONOml6nEarIPYvj464_99jEPh2nCG4980HrOy-cmf9syWtD4/s400/braggsbananapancakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koo-Koo Bananas Pancakes with Side of Fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfrYi_T8pkYbdfXt-ddmav9H8r3vCxNhyrXEm9CXEUoJl8fSyJU4iPySvxIyiwJkLFmAFRVWsECEJBosG7705vh9tVpdn_n-67PU6jyct0wkR8uMQqTmS4uYvsgONNAFwCowJ40vHshMJ/s1600/braggsscramble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfrYi_T8pkYbdfXt-ddmav9H8r3vCxNhyrXEm9CXEUoJl8fSyJU4iPySvxIyiwJkLFmAFRVWsECEJBosG7705vh9tVpdn_n-67PU6jyct0wkR8uMQqTmS4uYvsgONNAFwCowJ40vHshMJ/s400/braggsscramble.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Classic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My friends agreed they would come back and make this place a part of their regular rotation. And I am definitely going back because I want to try those coconut curry waffles that I hear such good things about and the French toast which is one of my favorite foods. <br />
<br />
And of course they serve PIE, they are a diner and housed in the old Bragg's Pie Factory building afterall. Plus donuts and other pastries, and they all rotate in a little display case as any proper diner would host.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyN-XXHjTeEchdsoniEfgTmSY-mgp6IWz6If9WRKvRdp63yvMI9eIojSCFoc_9UAAbtykS3azKesUbxLnRqBDs6YbulNSWvd33DvIuqeLc3R9HLQhExIOYkxirey-gdZZSSF4pJNW_gkE/s1600/braggsfactdinerinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyN-XXHjTeEchdsoniEfgTmSY-mgp6IWz6If9WRKvRdp63yvMI9eIojSCFoc_9UAAbtykS3azKesUbxLnRqBDs6YbulNSWvd33DvIuqeLc3R9HLQhExIOYkxirey-gdZZSSF4pJNW_gkE/s400/braggsfactdinerinside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diner Seating and Dessert/Pastry Spinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alright, so give this place a try and let me know what you think! Check out Bragg's <a href="http://instagram.com/BraggsFactoryDiner#" target="insta">Instagram</a> for a deeper look at their goodies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>EDITED TO ADD:</strong><br />
They now serve dinner and have extended hours which have been updated below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Bragg's Factory Diner</strong><br />
Ranking: ****<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<strong>Bragg's Factory Diner</strong><br />
1301 NW Grand Ave (Grand Ave runs diagonally across the Phoenix grid)<br />
Phoenix, AZ 85007<br />
602-733-8076<br />
<a href="http://braggsdiner.com/">http://braggsdiner.com</a><br />
<br />
<em>Hours</em><br />
Tuesday - Thursday 7am to 9pm<br />
Friday - Saturday 7am to 10pm<br />
Sunday 7am to 2pm<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpeRN3i85V70tGpsCM7W_MPeYj16TFGQrpqR6INv4FlG70Xh3MdvMWJKc-dHrvXJsXbOJNs_zCEMXc1sGdXqEa98p58oMgLYdaDkrrOnuNHTYVog865PxTmjx8WfcxvpCFkURvzG-60a5/s1600/braggsfactdineroutside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpeRN3i85V70tGpsCM7W_MPeYj16TFGQrpqR6INv4FlG70Xh3MdvMWJKc-dHrvXJsXbOJNs_zCEMXc1sGdXqEa98p58oMgLYdaDkrrOnuNHTYVog865PxTmjx8WfcxvpCFkURvzG-60a5/s400/braggsfactdineroutside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bragg's Factory Diner from the Parking Lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeNtQaZlMcXKFoG3iGixHD2M0McBXOYZER1gJbHBfLXP8_uJjNDv4ElSF6a6g4DR-kfKK5YFZRE91llx8J48hFrzWTRyPhPk0o6lB6rillQ-jbXWTDH6SzJZTPE_3jPzGnkXnez_zvMq5/s1600/braggsfoxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeNtQaZlMcXKFoG3iGixHD2M0McBXOYZER1gJbHBfLXP8_uJjNDv4ElSF6a6g4DR-kfKK5YFZRE91llx8J48hFrzWTRyPhPk0o6lB6rillQ-jbXWTDH6SzJZTPE_3jPzGnkXnez_zvMq5/s400/braggsfoxes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl and Foxes Mural (on a nearby building)</td></tr>
</tbody><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dtWZxKCqu0YRlyUuVHzm3oXGWMUSHYpJ-tDK4cdxAPCld8zTPy49hFFE3uKFWpgYYOq3M9R823I_ThYiSnH-CzB68PVvu-S049VpMo_cFE4Kmk8FaVvSdaTX4L0cEQPo4v-lQZVWHl9u/s1600/braggsrecycleman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dtWZxKCqu0YRlyUuVHzm3oXGWMUSHYpJ-tDK4cdxAPCld8zTPy49hFFE3uKFWpgYYOq3M9R823I_ThYiSnH-CzB68PVvu-S049VpMo_cFE4Kmk8FaVvSdaTX4L0cEQPo4v-lQZVWHl9u/s400/braggsrecycleman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recycle Mural in Bragg's Factory Diner Parking Lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</table>
Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-16797402328071731542013-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-22T09:00:05.847-07:00Earth Day Phoenix 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK2LyMfevbtxr5wzhIrfJ1Y41FP-kAjsIYW-X3M0jgSwc93-rzoti2ryd8xn3FvFqDH8obCZcuoPuAbBA0_SMCigyeNgI-6V0Aup96kENrJDsTttU2_FfA_SjkGFOWC1ovrhNRNLz2LTh/s1600/earthday2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK2LyMfevbtxr5wzhIrfJ1Y41FP-kAjsIYW-X3M0jgSwc93-rzoti2ryd8xn3FvFqDH8obCZcuoPuAbBA0_SMCigyeNgI-6V0Aup96kENrJDsTttU2_FfA_SjkGFOWC1ovrhNRNLz2LTh/s320/earthday2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's Earth Day! One of my favorite days of the year. And today, I'm at <a href="http://earthdayphoenix.org/" target="edp">Earth Day Phoenix</a> with <a href="http://www.cultofkale.com/" target="cok">Cult of Kale</a> and other friends, and we're handing out food samples, vegan information brochures, and smiles to all the attendees that come by our booth between 11am and 1:30pm. Come say hi!<br />
<br />
[Maybe you were there? Thanks for stopping by!]<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Here are the store-bought products we are sampling at our vegan info booth as well as tips for locating them. </div>
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<br /></div>
<i><strong>Vegan Meats</strong></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXEmV2HJHDQvUk-wtTCLMRwDu6Cqm-FJRLaHg-Sgx2zP-occBl_DIzjKZvyC7RojBstSX-AcHBRINNvH5d5I7zykKyYGRWw2dXMDgrJ_tvyDl85yCW72TQB0P4qbuWauvfpONQ0GUHQ9k/s1600/fieldroastsausage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXEmV2HJHDQvUk-wtTCLMRwDu6Cqm-FJRLaHg-Sgx2zP-occBl_DIzjKZvyC7RojBstSX-AcHBRINNvH5d5I7zykKyYGRWw2dXMDgrJ_tvyDl85yCW72TQB0P4qbuWauvfpONQ0GUHQ9k/s200/fieldroastsausage2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.fieldroast.com/" target="fieldroast">Field Roast</a>: <br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Mexican Chipotle Sausage (chorizo-like)</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Italian Sausage</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Smoked Apple Sage<br />
Frankfurters<br />
</div>
Found at Whole Foods, Luci's Healthy Marketplace, Phoenix Public Market, and New Frontiers Marketplace (Sedona & Flagstaff). Ask your local grocer to stock these!<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hr131kJ9i5N7ioKz9-XRoKyhXOj_KnVdSaoKwq0PFgm_44qwUATKixUjZWuy2cj3RFc_oPErPRdbYpG7DAWE5yZTm5N1OuSaA6VBQqXzvZCsIDI4vFe5qJtTPcx3eSqjrrLl-FBzH4Po/s1600/gardeinbeefless_tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hr131kJ9i5N7ioKz9-XRoKyhXOj_KnVdSaoKwq0PFgm_44qwUATKixUjZWuy2cj3RFc_oPErPRdbYpG7DAWE5yZTm5N1OuSaA6VBQqXzvZCsIDI4vFe5qJtTPcx3eSqjrrLl-FBzH4Po/s200/gardeinbeefless_tips.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="http://www.gardein.com/" target="gardein">Gardein</a>:</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Beefless Tips</div>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Found at Whole Foods, Safeway, Bashas, Fry's Marketplace....and possibly others.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
***<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<i><strong>Non-dairy Milks</strong></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-uhfI-xt1vVMLGY5iIIbG4ZvXZsXh5HD6L1LQAlepi9JbZAwH-5UZAUzaTHyMpuX01Mkcqx-VXUzP5UQ6Ra18-tRLYScf5nZxllTrV8exfhngYWMr9_fzha-uF5VRskHhZrJ5tcqgG8A/s1600/albreezechocoshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-uhfI-xt1vVMLGY5iIIbG4ZvXZsXh5HD6L1LQAlepi9JbZAwH-5UZAUzaTHyMpuX01Mkcqx-VXUzP5UQ6Ra18-tRLYScf5nZxllTrV8exfhngYWMr9_fzha-uF5VRskHhZrJ5tcqgG8A/s200/albreezechocoshelf.jpg" width="105" /></a><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TJMi6RxH6mvsGGj5EauiDpYtuYVmq6g0PCzPBOUKiNJNMWMLJ4xtIQBLKzPJ44IJoVXtjWwY6ErhXXcrHABe4YwSGM9WCeQDqd7KT3nBGQllj1NtRUtKuqKLARd2KtThzCPjUPEgrr9s/s200/albreezevanifridg.jpg" width="101" /><br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.almondbreeze.com/" target="bd">Blue Diamond Almond Breeze</a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Sweetened Chocolate Almond Milk </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Found at Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and possibly others.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRQwOokxE84jWFVGwfEJwtAoHqt1TZJuRhFfkM6O_0WBHAJcPUWQWxBb2HeNDVdPte5gj1LUZKvdnr_4ZlILUfyZJTNMmKoTU-kzsdkHc_oDSpdEIOiOJ9V_zbdP431DxPCZWL8xPzTtT/s1600/ailkchoco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRQwOokxE84jWFVGwfEJwtAoHqt1TZJuRhFfkM6O_0WBHAJcPUWQWxBb2HeNDVdPte5gj1LUZKvdnr_4ZlILUfyZJTNMmKoTU-kzsdkHc_oDSpdEIOiOJ9V_zbdP431DxPCZWL8xPzTtT/s200/ailkchoco.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5C1yQu2HRHTnBSUf7ivZJ83h8-zPUSTd_JpIBgCTfQ_bEQ59ik1QuiHAsoPG0PjZe-oClna6zN5JjaQgkFy2WJ_wYxdL5hOrKIbgo6OxxeAZhPQjPuPLzvuRz_rE_Zxhd-d94omFrnRs/s1600/silkvanilla+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5C1yQu2HRHTnBSUf7ivZJ83h8-zPUSTd_JpIBgCTfQ_bEQ59ik1QuiHAsoPG0PjZe-oClna6zN5JjaQgkFy2WJ_wYxdL5hOrKIbgo6OxxeAZhPQjPuPLzvuRz_rE_Zxhd-d94omFrnRs/s200/silkvanilla+copy.jpg" width="88" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="http://silksoymilk.com/" target="silk">Silk</a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Vanilla Soy Milk<br />
Chocoloate Soy Milk</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Found at Sprouts, Whole Foods, Frys Marketplace, Walmart, and many other grocers.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafXq8ANiUgwBwpOJWaHAMucD2BwubBbly80fRw1Cg_UqTWkh6mT6bJFqP8Z0k7ZqPiPS8rPUUeKEqugCWoMkqZfSAVcJEspQI6_ElsCBI6-ax9WYVWg6fN3jjnEt9BE5ujYK-2_n8Qbze/s1600/so_delicious_cocovanilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafXq8ANiUgwBwpOJWaHAMucD2BwubBbly80fRw1Cg_UqTWkh6mT6bJFqP8Z0k7ZqPiPS8rPUUeKEqugCWoMkqZfSAVcJEspQI6_ElsCBI6-ax9WYVWg6fN3jjnEt9BE5ujYK-2_n8Qbze/s200/so_delicious_cocovanilla.jpg" width="97" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqv3oxC2OpSYr-mz1LTVvWRHwwsXyoQ33CUdKpVRhPhItyoTaRWxkg0dZkY82WlGzWg27WmslYDSNfS5j3janQJg2AxcyfFIbyvHIzffDsiPmAD0xLZx1AGzJKQ1uxHqRD8sTtMmYQ0s_/s1600/chocococo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqv3oxC2OpSYr-mz1LTVvWRHwwsXyoQ33CUdKpVRhPhItyoTaRWxkg0dZkY82WlGzWg27WmslYDSNfS5j3janQJg2AxcyfFIbyvHIzffDsiPmAD0xLZx1AGzJKQ1uxHqRD8sTtMmYQ0s_/s200/chocococo.jpg" width="108" /></a><br />
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/" target="sode">So Delicious</a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Vanilla Coconut Milk<br />
Chocolate Coconut Milk (shelf stable)</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Found at Sprouts, Whole Foods, and others.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz7OkTi0_dUHt7C8sqi6cbOnVtG7lm-eSjlVZMbk5gFNOqkAJDXu1Dn5bkSuRmsbFqU3fRM3ZeMA5fhm_vG_wygisU3jRl01H814lNCFL0XdQwsx-kPZ6dh0ftoUB-Dezv4n8nwzFRII0/s1600/horchatard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYz7OkTi0_dUHt7C8sqi6cbOnVtG7lm-eSjlVZMbk5gFNOqkAJDXu1Dn5bkSuRmsbFqU3fRM3ZeMA5fhm_vG_wygisU3jRl01H814lNCFL0XdQwsx-kPZ6dh0ftoUB-Dezv4n8nwzFRII0/s200/horchatard.jpg" width="105" /></a><br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<a href="http://www.tastethedream.com%22target=%22rice%22/">Rice Dream</a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Horchata (shelf stable)</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
Found at Sprouts and Whole Foods. <br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
The stores mentioned are not a comprehensive list of locations where these products are sold, just where I know they are. Check your local grocers, especially Fry's Marketplace, Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc. If you cannot find the products you are looking for at a grocer near you, ask them about ordering some in. The more requests they get, the more likely they carry those items. <br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
If you are open to shopping online, you can also buy many of these products from <a href="http://www.veganstore.com/" target="pangea">Pangea</a>, <a href="http://www.foodfightgrocery.com/" target="ff">Food Fight Vegan Grocery</a>, and <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/" target="ess">Vegan Essentials</a>. </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Cookies</em></strong><br />
<br />
The cookies sampled were from the <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="wf">Whole Foods Bakery</a> as supplied to them by <a href="http://www.aphroditedesserts.com/" target="aphrodite">Aphrodite Bakery</a> according to the label. Whole Foods sells these cookies regularly, and they are quite delish!</div>
<br />
If you'd like to make your own vegan chocolate chip cookies from scratch, here is the best recipe ever, from the Post Punk Kitchen and Isa Chandra Moskowitz. You should be familiar with all of the ingredients, except maybe tapioca flour and the almond milk, but that's not so strange nor hard to find. I get Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour from Sprouts and Whole Foods, but I know other grocer's carry it and other brands. Also, make sure you get the semi-sweet chocolate chips without any dairy (check the ingredients list).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theppk.com/2008/11/chocolate-chip-cookies/" target="choco">Post Punk Kitchen's Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe</a><br />
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<br />
Thanks for your interest in veganism! Feel free to browse the yellow-orange tool bar items at the top, they have the most information for new veg*ns. And please do not hesitate to leave your questions in the comments, tweet, post on facebook, or just plain email.Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-20665764192845460202012-12-22T10:39:00.002-07:002012-12-22T10:39:59.220-07:00Recipe Round-Up: Une Bûche de Noël Végétalienne / Vegan Yule LogA couple nights ago my sister emailed this video of the Vegan Black Metal Chef with his recipe for a Vegan Yule Log Cake and asked me to make one for our family dinner. Here's the PC version of the video which was presented by CHOW.com. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2HuU_m0hi1w" width="400"></iframe><br />
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As you can see, VBMC's version is super easy to make with a vegan cake box mix, some egg replacer, and a couple jars of store-bought icing and frosting. Simple. But it looks like a glorified German Chocolate Cake to me. And if I'm going to make one of these Yule Logs, I'm going to try something a little more traditional and a little less chocolatey.<br />
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I've seen recipes for Yule Logs before but it's been awhile, and to be honest, I was never interested because these things tend to be designed for chocoholics. I like my chocolate in moderation and usually it has to have nuts or crunchies in it.<br />
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So I did some google-digging. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%BBche_de_No%C3%ABl" target="french">Bûche de Noël</a> or the Yule Log Cake is a traditional French dessert served around Christmas.<br />
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And apparently there are two types of bûche de noël or yule log cakes, a génoise and buttercream version or a frozen yule log. The génoise is like a rolled-up sponge cake layered with icing and topped with a ganache and designed to look like firewood. <br />
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The frozen yule log, on the other hand, appears to be a far more complicated French version shaped like a bread pan with layers of biscuit, mousse, ganache, pralines, creme brulee, and icing.<br />
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I'm pretty sure I'm going to make a génoise cake, and most of the recipes I found were for that style, but I was able to provide some recipe ideas on the frozen yule log for those of you interested in that one.<br />
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<i>Génoise-style</i><br />
~The Gluttonous Vegan's <a href="http://www.thegluttonousvegan.com/2008/12/hello-friends-my-girl-diana-has-let-me.html" target="gv">Christmas Yule Log</a><br />
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~Vegan Good Things' <a href="http://vegangoodthings.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-holidays-to-all-my-gift-to-you.html" target="oinge">Orange Spice Bûche de Noël with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting & Chocolate Ganache </a><br />
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~Sweet Vegan's <a href="http://www.sweetvegan.net/vegan-yule-log/" target="svyl">Yule Log</a><br />
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~Hasta La Vegan's <a href="http://www.hastalavegan.com/2009/12/chocolate-yule-log.html" target="cyl">Chocolate Yule Log</a><br />
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~Végéta-Löu's <a href="http://www.vegetalou.com/2011/12/17/the-end-of-the-pyear-buche-patissiereyule-log/" target="french">Bûche Pâtissière/Yule Log (Pear/Chai/Chocolate)</a> (in French and English)<br />
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~My Paper Crane's <a href="http://www.mypapercrane.com/blog/?p=1612" target="mpc">Vegan Peppermint Icebox Yule Log Cake</a><br />
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~The Healthy Voyager's <a href="http://healthyvoyager.com/a-month-of-holiday-treats-pies-cupcakes-breads/" target="hyl">Holiday Yule Log</a><br />
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~Fuck Yeah Vegan Recipes' <a href="http://fuckyeahveganrecipes.tumblr.com/post/14332887907/fuckyeahveganrecipes-quatre-buche-de-noel" target="fyv">version</a> of Bryanna Clark Grogan's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Almost-No-Fat-Holiday-Cookbook-Vegetarian/dp/1570670099" target="bry">Basic Holiday Roll</a><br />
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~Inhabitots' <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-a-festive-decadent-vegan-yule-log-cake-for-the-holidays/2/" target="inhab">Vegan Yule Log Cake</a><br />
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~BORO Magazine's <a href="http://boromag.com/food/holiday-recipe-raw-vegan-yule-log/" target="boro">Raw Vegan Yule Log</a><br />
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~Vegan Peace's <a href="http://veganarch.blogspot.com/2009/12/yule-log-cookies.html" target="cook">Yule Log Cookies</a><br />
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<i>Frozen-style</i><br />
The original <a href="http://veganbits.com/non-vegan-french-yule-log/" target="non">non-vegan Yule Log recipe</a> modified by the vegan <a href="http://daringbakersblogroll.blogspot.com/" target="db">Daring Bakers</a>. <br />
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And here are some of the vegan bloggers that participate in Daring Bakers, their versions, and how the modifications they made.<br />
~<a href="http://madcapcupcake.com/2008/12/29/traditional-french-yule-log-vegan/" target="mad">Madcap Cupcake</a><br />
~<a href="http://veganbits.com/vegan-yule-log-december-daring-bakers-challenge/" target="bits">Vegan Bits</a><br />
~<a href="http://shellyfish.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/une-buche-de-noel-vegetalienne-a-vegan-yule-log-happy-holidays-daring-bakers-style/" target="muse">Musings From the Fishbowl</a><br />
~<a href="http://pacificoutpost.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/daring-bakers-challenge-french-yule-log/" out="out">Cooking at the Pacific Outpost</a><br />
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If you decide to make a Yule Log, post a comment and link to any photos and tell us about it!Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-82609875690865990882012-11-14T00:59:00.000-07:002012-11-14T00:59:00.409-07:00Penzeys Spices & Vegan Eats World<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCWYCP4SinCklqCvI_8Lxi4t8clfp5Mu7fwNA4kaMe5QmV4BvrxZs3yjL9ApHK9pbW4-8ULIBysX3f5f2kRursDr0hftk4S39UardtbOmo_JGHO8f3jn4DwGrX2cbLGZIywqJyiU_bnCO/s1600/penzeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCWYCP4SinCklqCvI_8Lxi4t8clfp5Mu7fwNA4kaMe5QmV4BvrxZs3yjL9ApHK9pbW4-8ULIBysX3f5f2kRursDr0hftk4S39UardtbOmo_JGHO8f3jn4DwGrX2cbLGZIywqJyiU_bnCO/s400/penzeys.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penzeys Spices, Tempe Marketplace, Arizona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.penzeys.com/" target="penz">Penzeys Spices</a> is a national chain with three locations in Arizona; Tempe Marketplace, Paradise Valley Marketplace (Phoenix), and Tucson. They also sell their spices <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/" target="penz">online</a>.<br />
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I recently wanted to make Terry Hope Romero's Pistachio Date Quinoa Salad from <em>Vegan Eats World</em>. But I didn't have any <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac#Cultivation_and_uses" target="sumac">sumac</a>. I know the Middle Eastern Bakery in downtown Phoenix carries it, Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket most likely does, but I needed a place in the north east valley. Then I remembered I had seen this little spice shop at the Tempe Marketplace. I called ahead and they stocked several container sizes of the ground up Middle Eastern berry. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1E0xkp1dbtI70zncxXU4Z3XUpgGByRoHXdYUCn3RqfbO6AMSU1Oi5ajcFxl8AQX4UkKXUy7wTUFJdow-A5v2NvWwZQD-eYu8fVlzc-FL6EPNlqqOu2zyMEjFt1ouZeGyuvKmxZWxlqEa/s1600/veganeatsworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1E0xkp1dbtI70zncxXU4Z3XUpgGByRoHXdYUCn3RqfbO6AMSU1Oi5ajcFxl8AQX4UkKXUy7wTUFJdow-A5v2NvWwZQD-eYu8fVlzc-FL6EPNlqqOu2zyMEjFt1ouZeGyuvKmxZWxlqEa/s320/veganeatsworld.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan Eats World Cookbook by Terry Hope Romero- 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up!</td></tr>
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Penzeys Spices is a cute little shop with a good vibe next door to the Men's Wearhouse. I also noticed they had smoked paprika which I had been looking for previously. I had been using regular paprika as a replacement, but I kinda want to go back and get some smoked paprika. They had both Hungarian style AND Spanish style and I wasn't sure which I wanted to sample.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASbewFguWFSEo8yMrZJzjKYrYM3vfJbZVHvO5BCoBFW-ZjGlq3vEIgrB2gCE9wprBIkXPT9vyeYOec9ZBdFQXyS0hTSlF7IsId6qOKmB492hE2J1qAnJEJTbMOvaVSFDZ-Qx8jbRvbUw/s1600/sumacspice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASbewFguWFSEo8yMrZJzjKYrYM3vfJbZVHvO5BCoBFW-ZjGlq3vEIgrB2gCE9wprBIkXPT9vyeYOec9ZBdFQXyS0hTSlF7IsId6qOKmB492hE2J1qAnJEJTbMOvaVSFDZ-Qx8jbRvbUw/s1600/sumacspice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASbewFguWFSEo8yMrZJzjKYrYM3vfJbZVHvO5BCoBFW-ZjGlq3vEIgrB2gCE9wprBIkXPT9vyeYOec9ZBdFQXyS0hTSlF7IsId6qOKmB492hE2J1qAnJEJTbMOvaVSFDZ-Qx8jbRvbUw/s200/sumacspice.jpg" width="131" /></a>Anyway, I got the sumac and made the Pistachio Date Quinoa Salad, and I have to say I was impressed with the salad. It has chickpeas, spinach, parsley, onions, ground coriander, fennel and cumin seeds, as well as the sumac and title ingredients. My first thought was <em>this is interesting...</em> because I didn't know how to process the flavorings. <br />
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But it's a really nice salad, makes a nice, bold statement. I used about 3 tablespoons rather than the called for 4 to 6 tablespoons. Sumac smells like lemon vinegar, and the flavoring is oddly similar though reported to be less acidic and milder. The salad would be great for potlucks and such when you want to blow people's minds, and because it can be eaten at room temperature.<br />
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Anyway, for those of you with some BIG plans for holiday dinners or for those of you talking Terry's global cuisine cookbook, you have a good chance of finding what you need at Penzeys Spices, so give them a try.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jMcnLq4Si2EDNv2EsfFONDujV0WRUC8iWboQXwXolgp1dhvR8RURE0XJywul1V3f1CQkwAXZk3Tif3NZIv2Zw1eimPK5iN5CpqeVP8vxdZN5SWiQwFqTwNzbPw33f1EMA3mFQgWku3Kf/s1600/pistachiodatequinoasalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jMcnLq4Si2EDNv2EsfFONDujV0WRUC8iWboQXwXolgp1dhvR8RURE0XJywul1V3f1CQkwAXZk3Tif3NZIv2Zw1eimPK5iN5CpqeVP8vxdZN5SWiQwFqTwNzbPw33f1EMA3mFQgWku3Kf/s400/pistachiodatequinoasalad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The final product: Pistachio Date Quinoa Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-10340228962582000212012-11-12T18:45:00.001-07:002012-11-12T18:45:47.256-07:00Recipe Round-up: Vegan Thanksgiving GoodiesEvery year more and more vegan holiday recipes are shared. Below is a link to my previous Thanksgiving Recipe Round-up, and after that, the rest are links to goodies being talked about this year.<br />
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<a href="http://chicosandbeans.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksliving-menu-round-up.html">2010 Thanksliving Menu Round-Up</a><br />
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[And if there is one dish I could personally recommend for Thanksgiving, it's the <a href="http://chicosandbeans.blogspot.com/2010/11/sage-and-pumpkin-seed-encrusted-seitan.html">Sage- and Pumpkin Seed- Encrusted Seitan with Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Sauce</a>, it's a fantastic main dish.]<br />
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Moving on to the new stuff...<br />
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~Chef Chloe is well-represented over at the <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/a-vegetarian-thanksgiving-table/" target="nyt">New York Times Vegetarian Thanksgiving</a> section with her Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Pudding, Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Hazelnuts, Harvest-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, Coconut Mashed Yams with Currants, Southern Skillet Black-Eyed Peas and Cauliflower, and Quick Biscuits with Maple Butter.<br />
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~Oh She Glows blogger, Angela Liddon has some healthy recipes featured at Veg News: <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5132&catId=11" target="_blank">Guilt-Free Garlic Mashed Potatoes</a>, <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5133&catId=11" target="_blank">Sumptuous Shepherd's Stew</a>, and <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5134&catId=11" target="_blank">Sinless Sticky Toffee Pecan Pudding</a>.<br />
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~<a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5146&catId=11" target="_blank">Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits</a>, <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5148&catId=11" target="_blank">Coconut Butternut Squash Soup</a>, <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5147&catId=11" target="_blank">Herbed Cream Collards</a>, and <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5111&catId=10" target="_blank">Fourless Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream</a> from several awesome vegan chefs via VegNews.<br />
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~Dreena Burton's Plant Powered Kitchen has a whole bunch of <a href="http://plantpoweredkitchen.com/vegan-thanksgiving-christmas-recipes/" target="dre">Vegan Thanksgiving and Christmas Recipes</a>...too many to give you the details, just check out her post.<br />
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~And of course, <a href="http://www.theppk.com/category/recipe/holiday-thanksgiving/">The Post Punk Kitchen</a> has an entire category of recipes perfect for Thanksgiving.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><em>Let me know what you plan on making!</em></span>Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-60774967790384068052012-11-08T19:48:00.000-07:002012-11-08T19:48:04.099-07:00Passionate Vegan's Pumpkin Chili<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kpj-oSnS2sY" width="400"></iframe><br />
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from <a href="http://passionatevegan.com/" target="pv">Passionate Vegan</a> via Katherine Lawrence of <a href="http://www.plantbasedhealth.com/" target="pbh">Plant-Based Health (dot)com</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/VegNewsTV?feature=watch" target="vnt">Veg News TV</a> Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-32883659776377716862012-10-18T19:14:00.000-07:002012-11-03T09:56:55.945-07:00Voting Resources<br />
Some voting tools for the upcoming elections:<br />
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<a href="http://www.humanevotersarizona.org/" target="humane"><span style="color: #04356e;">Humane Voters of Arizona</span></a> (HVA) is an all volunteer, non-partisan group that helps gather information on candidates running for office and their stances on animal rights and welfare issues. They select and support the candidates who care about animal protection for each election. Not only does HVA share their recommendations for humane candidates on their website, they also share each candidate's history and responses to their questionnaires.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3PgP8R-NB9d7m_Pi631FsSq0E0KJegy_JfiVDatCMWdh41NcDmevYZQ29LPXx_Br0YGEIVbbCuVv1e-afhxgNdr3W4Ur1733av7JIgkNolmYMRbW2uxvlv_2OjBrg16NAk_f2rA0zVAC/s1600/alcv_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3PgP8R-NB9d7m_Pi631FsSq0E0KJegy_JfiVDatCMWdh41NcDmevYZQ29LPXx_Br0YGEIVbbCuVv1e-afhxgNdr3W4Ur1733av7JIgkNolmYMRbW2uxvlv_2OjBrg16NAk_f2rA0zVAC/s200/alcv_header.jpg" width="184" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.azlcv.org/" target="league"><span style="color: #04356e;">The Arizona League of Conservation Voters</span></a> (AZLCV) is a non-partisan organization that works to "<em>mobilize voters, endorse and elect leaders, advocate on behalf of conservation measures, hold elected officials accountable and ensure a sustainable and high quality of life for all Arizonans</em>."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME7b2oKldhRzg6RguLEX57ZxQ-BKKje4SrdaSP0kaRbqsREnBD-YbNzCPBQTcctyy-pm8PrKtylMwZRQx3BSxMHmJFxKDNuiY8f93jeJkzzGbrkJhLnFQxTtxEq_OH9nyv-NynXhWaAy5/s1600/logo-green.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME7b2oKldhRzg6RguLEX57ZxQ-BKKje4SrdaSP0kaRbqsREnBD-YbNzCPBQTcctyy-pm8PrKtylMwZRQx3BSxMHmJFxKDNuiY8f93jeJkzzGbrkJhLnFQxTtxEq_OH9nyv-NynXhWaAy5/s1600/logo-green.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sierraclub.org/voterguide" target="sc">The Sierra Club</a> is a large grassroots organization that strives to "explore, enjoy, and protect the planet." They have an official voters guide that covers the U.S. and highlights the important races in each state, and listing their endorsements.</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YTmmyy2BNFhfxBx2RJkUdDQDCXzDLtNJdK_uM7Xz0ZbF2OZXpQD0lHali3IM3sXftOyztVf27M78S8d0BV9M05TZWivRkKjwZF1oZ0mfjeS7dPlMpL8D07rqQuIICUJ7k1Tlk6m7yP3n/s1600/factcheckorg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YTmmyy2BNFhfxBx2RJkUdDQDCXzDLtNJdK_uM7Xz0ZbF2OZXpQD0lHali3IM3sXftOyztVf27M78S8d0BV9M05TZWivRkKjwZF1oZ0mfjeS7dPlMpL8D07rqQuIICUJ7k1Tlk6m7yP3n/s1600/factcheckorg.png" /></a><a href="http://www.factcheck.org/">Fact Check [dot] Org</a> is a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate <em>for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics</em>." They monitor the accuracy of what is said by U.S. politicians in TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.<br />
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<a href="http://votesmart.org/">Project Vote Smart [dot] Org</a> is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides "<em>factual, unbiased information on candidates, officials, issues, and legislation</em>." <br />
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Go forth and vote! And choose wisely. Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-50839144753860253342012-10-01T01:23:00.000-07:002012-10-01T01:23:00.617-07:00Je Slaque...and VEGAN MOFO!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjTicAYZVJO9iqowtM_f8cu4D9vU9iOmskRWSnFWM6s-sFeEOZR8U1c2EX_M8JxOcfngmNWvPlidNpRwdJcXhGvtgE7Raf1z78mICxNTqhV9YcTySshNO0-7OkV2rEIGC3oOUBf04-HlE/s1600/veganmofo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjTicAYZVJO9iqowtM_f8cu4D9vU9iOmskRWSnFWM6s-sFeEOZR8U1c2EX_M8JxOcfngmNWvPlidNpRwdJcXhGvtgE7Raf1z78mICxNTqhV9YcTySshNO0-7OkV2rEIGC3oOUBf04-HlE/s1600/veganmofo.jpg" /></a></div>
Ok, I've really been slacking on the blog. I've been posting some content on Facebook and Twitter at least, but I'm not all that sure who follows there.<br />
<br />
I'm going to try to get more posts going in the near future. I am considering taking guest posts...if you're interested shoot me an email about what you want to talk about. This is an ad-free blog though, so please no peddling anything.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, it's <a href="http://www.veganmofo.com/" target="mofo">Vegan MoFo aka Vegan Month of Food</a>....and there are over 600 participants who will be blogging nearly every day about vegan goodies. So if I keep slacking in October, you'll probably find an overabundance of great content at these blogs.<br />
<br />
The cool thing is that the <a href="http://www.veganmofo.com/" target="mofo">Vegan MoFo</a> site will have a blogroll and an RSS feed. They'll also highlight some of the things they found that they liked. You can find blogs by language, category, country, state, etc. <br />
<br />
If you find something super cool, post it a link in the comments or on Facebook or Tweet me.<br />
<br />
Happy surfing!Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-83604021930315249992012-08-27T15:00:00.000-07:002012-08-27T15:00:09.035-07:00EAT MORE KALE! Mesquite-Avocado Kale Salad<br />
Maybe you're still not sure about kale. Maybe you tried it and didn't like it. Maybe this recipe from Heather of <a href="http://www.healthyveganrecipes.net/" target="hvr">HealthyVeganRecipes.net</a> with fix everything for you!<br />
<br />
And maybe you just need to try mesquite powder.<br />
<br />
No cooking necessary. Light and perfect for summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tbHU-h_wKJo" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Recipe at: <a href="http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/recipe-mesquite-avocado-kale-salad/" target="ogp">One Green Planet (dot) Org</a>Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-20142488342759003612012-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:002012-08-24T10:30:02.666-07:00Fashion Friday: Saucony Shoes<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCieCpUZoLhRv7hxPC7339dNp4UX-i1NtWXxWYtZBa7MNidH81_akLnusfa9AORSELyzuzIhhSLP6QEWHji3Q-S55hXxyCWDhaZ9qQkex3WDzlOhZ1pJDpXULn8I8KvV2cqRimy3j-mIpX/s1600/saucony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCieCpUZoLhRv7hxPC7339dNp4UX-i1NtWXxWYtZBa7MNidH81_akLnusfa9AORSELyzuzIhhSLP6QEWHji3Q-S55hXxyCWDhaZ9qQkex3WDzlOhZ1pJDpXULn8I8KvV2cqRimy3j-mIpX/s320/saucony.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saucony Women's Jazz Lo Pro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have never owned a pair of <a href="http://www.saucony.com/" target="saucony">Saucony</a> shoes. But I might be interested now. They have two lines of shoes they have labeled vegan and lots of different color combos. Here are a couple examples. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEqc5uvdTmjIuziPnhNGBgQdg7HdkfuRKtcwmnxVYRckVhwtyVVhps9LtFHgSW3Uq5n47yLbQFnwZ7qHLWqTYrC8MG5JIA4EtbFrjU657I4e79H1MyRArW-fc1a2Ue86jqQmZabHURRK5/s1600/saucony2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEqc5uvdTmjIuziPnhNGBgQdg7HdkfuRKtcwmnxVYRckVhwtyVVhps9LtFHgSW3Uq5n47yLbQFnwZ7qHLWqTYrC8MG5JIA4EtbFrjU657I4e79H1MyRArW-fc1a2Ue86jqQmZabHURRK5/s320/saucony2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saucony Men's Bullet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Just type "vegan" in the search box and you should get all the vegan styles in your search results. Go forth and <a href="http://www.saucony.com/" target="saucony">browse</a>.Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-91843627674791167192012-08-01T09:30:00.000-07:002012-08-01T09:30:02.187-07:00Trader Joe's Vegetable Pakoras<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwtNXG-QKSCUhQKtTEIbEGCj1p9aGhbt9xBudov0BeDxFCy6DpbZM20z8PRidYSeO3aQJS7d2xSo1LK-n-GfPx0dQA81bWaNnsP2Ks1U7VNOj9fU0ouSqx9QWi4odSeV4gHwosF_c3V1E/s1600/2012-07-22_16-52-42_920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwtNXG-QKSCUhQKtTEIbEGCj1p9aGhbt9xBudov0BeDxFCy6DpbZM20z8PRidYSeO3aQJS7d2xSo1LK-n-GfPx0dQA81bWaNnsP2Ks1U7VNOj9fU0ouSqx9QWi4odSeV4gHwosF_c3V1E/s320/2012-07-22_16-52-42_920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trader Joe's Vegetable Pakoras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I recently picked up these Vegetable Pakoras at <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/" target="tj">Trader Joe's</a>. So good! They're lightly fried balls of potatoes, onions, chickpea flour, carrots, cauliflower, with a sweet and tangy tamarind dipping sauce. They tasted nothing like falafel in case you were wondering about the chickpea flour, and the sauce was perfect. My only problem was there was not *enough* sauce. I don't think I overdipped, TJ's definitely skimped on the sauce a bit. I'll be picking these up again. They are great appetizers or sides, and I ate them all as a main course. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Trader Joe's Vegetable Pakoras</strong>Rating:
****<br /><br />***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />**** hey, this is pretty
dang good.<br />*** not bad at all.<br />** eh.<br />* bad. Keep looking for
alternatives.<br /><br />[You can find the Vegetable Pakoras at Trader Joe's.]Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-23010710857840331512012-07-29T08:30:00.000-07:002012-07-29T16:24:21.755-07:00Sweet Leaf Organic Half & Half Lemonade Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u1ZI2-ovWUpmsTmLU6zTkIQkg0oksxSuNpqsERiXF13W0tChsJUpkTjmQliDB26ybRokRj0IX2o1E_qmjWIlU2UpghaoMjNFugZypjp3GDhirh0h-fm-Lktp_z_NZ2S2r8aoPRFI63HG/s1600/sweetleaforganicteahalfhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u1ZI2-ovWUpmsTmLU6zTkIQkg0oksxSuNpqsERiXF13W0tChsJUpkTjmQliDB26ybRokRj0IX2o1E_qmjWIlU2UpghaoMjNFugZypjp3GDhirh0h-fm-Lktp_z_NZ2S2r8aoPRFI63HG/s1600/sweetleaforganicteahalfhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u1ZI2-ovWUpmsTmLU6zTkIQkg0oksxSuNpqsERiXF13W0tChsJUpkTjmQliDB26ybRokRj0IX2o1E_qmjWIlU2UpghaoMjNFugZypjp3GDhirh0h-fm-Lktp_z_NZ2S2r8aoPRFI63HG/s200/sweetleaforganicteahalfhalf.jpg" width="86" /></a>I adore <a href="http://www.sweetleaftea.com/" target="sweet">Sweet Leaf</a>'s Organic Half & Half Lemonade Tea. It takes two things I don't really care for alone and combines them into something great! Lemonade is too tangy, and tea is too bland. But together, this is the perfect pick me up for the afternoon daze. <br />
<br />
YUM!<br />
<br />
They have lots of other flavors of tea, sweet tea, lemonade, and diet versions as well that you can try. The diet sweet tea isn't bad, but I'll always choose the Half & Half.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Sweet Leaf Organic Half & Half Lemonade Tea</strong><br />
Rating: ****1/2<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
[You can find Sweet Leaf beverages at just about any grocer or convenience store.]Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-39455272940596312132012-07-23T08:41:00.000-07:002012-07-24T20:49:59.530-07:00Recipe: Skeptical Salad<br />
I have no idea where my sister found this recipe originally, but it has been a staple in my family for several years now. It's one of my favorites, because it is so dang simple, and yet so delicious. I called it "skeptical" because I couldn't understand why there were green onions in it and how the combination could possibly taste good. But it does, although the green onions are optional if you aren't a fan. Also, I adore the dressing! And you can eat this with strawberries during the spring and summer, and with pomegranate arils during the fall and winter. Both versions are excellent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj8mANnPhcsziw9Vnmfo5RbHHQ-9754m2tq7NUfhcd8VLFI0IJC4ab8laxUaSznXt5Qr15lk5tw-7fIU_pJ9aWoyqqqOScWIE98WVSczc2rlBa3zW8nEFiSHy62p6-wQHYIIaQH6IC4ZJ/s1600/skepticalsaladwinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj8mANnPhcsziw9Vnmfo5RbHHQ-9754m2tq7NUfhcd8VLFI0IJC4ab8laxUaSznXt5Qr15lk5tw-7fIU_pJ9aWoyqqqOScWIE98WVSczc2rlBa3zW8nEFiSHy62p6-wQHYIIaQH6IC4ZJ/s320/skepticalsaladwinter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeptical Salad </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Skeptical Salad</span></strong><br />
<em><strong>Salad Base</strong></em><br />
<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
<br />
Mixed greens<br />
*1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced OR 1/3 cup pomgranate avrils<br />
*11 ounce can of mandarin orange segments in juice<br />
*2/3 cup green onions, sliced<br />
*1 cup glazed walnuts<br />
<br />
DIRECTIONS:<br />
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Dressing</em></strong><br />
<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
1/4 cup orange juice<br />
1/4 cup agave nectar<br />
2 tablespoon vegetable oil<br />
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard<br />
<br />
DIRECTIONS:<br />
Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Shake/mix well before pouring on salad.Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-42226215555905725922012-07-16T11:00:00.000-07:002012-07-16T11:00:04.600-07:00Kettle Cuisine Frozen Soups<br /><a href="http://www.kettlecuisine.com/" target="kettle">Kettle Cuisine</a> offers a couple of frozen soups that happen to be vegan. They're pretty healthy, with natural ingredients, and a low amount of calories. Sodium isn't perfect, of course, but not too bad. They're also gluten-free.<br />
<br />
I was actually pleasantly surprised by these soups. I'm not really a fan of canned soups in general, so I wasn't expecting much from the frozen ones either. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyMX8so8qz35dnC1-w8F12f9MuexVlhPDLV7bAfFs7Pnk0LPCKnHYg1p_zdRFzuHDTF9FsC_xeWujQu77mp0cJjoscCpVO5M-kOZOxQacn4elQfMLSPLZv2EMcNv5jFKrGznR0X_oHQ75/s1600/kettlervs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyMX8so8qz35dnC1-w8F12f9MuexVlhPDLV7bAfFs7Pnk0LPCKnHYg1p_zdRFzuHDTF9FsC_xeWujQu77mp0cJjoscCpVO5M-kOZOxQacn4elQfMLSPLZv2EMcNv5jFKrGznR0X_oHQ75/s320/kettlervs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><a href="http://www.kettlecuisine.com/content/foodservice-details/Roasted-Vegetable-Soup/109.aspx" target="rvs">Roasted Vegetable Soup</a><br />
<em>"Savoy cabbage, sweet carrots, tender potatoes and chopped leeks in a puree of sautéed vegetables with extra virgin olive oil and hints of thyme and clove."</em><br />
<br />This one was a little on the bland side, maybe just too leeky, but it wasn't too bad. I'd buy it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. I think someone who likes leeks might like it a little better than I did, because I think it's just a flavor preference.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMRMybbsMeYxul9etJ__Pf4wMmXux6FmFfbrpY0LtCqsWhiANtB2CFEW4Jj4tEe6e_eaOyhn3wzuicGC2Vdk6-aa-l8c0IIKDKktlOEawiYkBj-VUZVYk3vKBwZP39wDoROsz0_wy2-FS/s1600/kettletsgv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMRMybbsMeYxul9etJ__Pf4wMmXux6FmFfbrpY0LtCqsWhiANtB2CFEW4Jj4tEe6e_eaOyhn3wzuicGC2Vdk6-aa-l8c0IIKDKktlOEawiYkBj-VUZVYk3vKBwZP39wDoROsz0_wy2-FS/s320/kettletsgv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.kettlecuisine.com/content/foodservice-details/Tomato-Soup-with-Garden-Vegetables/113.aspx" target="rtv">Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables</a><br />
<em>"We cook red-ripe tomatoes to perfection, then combine them with hand-prepared squash, carrots, celery, green beans, and our own blend of Italian seasonings for a soup that is as full of flavor as it is fresh vegetables."</em><br />
<br />I've never really liked tomato soups, but I actually liked this one. I've bought this one several times now for lunch at work, and had some french bread with it. If you need something low calorie and pretty filling for a quick convenient lunch, this is a good option.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>Roasted Vegetable Soup</strong><br />
Rating: **1/2<br />
<br />
<strong>Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables</strong><br />
Rating: ***<br />
<br />
***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />
*** not bad at all.<br />
** eh.<br />
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br />
<br />
[You can find Kettle Cuisine frozen soups at Sprouts and Whole Foods, I know for sure, but you can probably also find them at your local grocery store.]Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-72376958619487355772012-07-07T01:30:00.000-07:002012-07-07T15:56:33.197-07:00Recipe Round-Up: Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese<br />
Today is National Macaroni Day. Mac 'n' Cheese is probably the most popular way to use macaroni noodles. <i>Good</i> vegan Mac 'n' Cheese recipes used to be but a dream, but now there are many fantastic and inspired vegan recipes out there. I've gathered quite a bunch including some gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, grain-free, paleo, and raw vegan options. Some are baked, some are more traditional, some use nutritional yeast, or cashews, or Daiya shreds. Do some browsing and see which ones catch your eye.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Recipes!</i></b><br />
<br />
Cooking with the Vegan Zombie: Vegan Mac & Cheese<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NJhpL2iAvrI" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
*<a href="http://greenvegetarian.com/" target="green">Green</a>'s Chef Damon Brasch <a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2010/09/damon_braschs_vegan_mac-n-cash.php" target="gr">Vegan Mac-n-(Cashew-Cheddar)-Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Fat Free Vegan Kitchen's <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/10/easy-macaroni-and-cheeze.html" target="ffv">Easy Macaroni and Cheeze</a> and <a href="http://fatfreevegan.com/blog/2011/02/17/baked-macaroni-and-cheese/" target="ffv2">Baked Macaroni and Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Happy Herbivore's <a href="http://happyherbivore.com/2009/06/soy-free-mac-n-cheese/" target="sf">Soy-Free Mac n' Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Chef Chloe's <a href="http://chefchloe.com/entrees/vegan-mac-n-cheese.html" target="chloe">Vegan Mac 'N' Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Vegan Housewives' <a href="http://www.veganhousewives.com/southern-baked-mac-cheese/" target="south">Southern Baked Mac & Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*That Was Vegan?'s <a href="http://thatwasvegan.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/cauliflower-n-cheese-and-a-cool-new-blog/" target="cauli">Cauliflower n' Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*The Wannabe Chef's <a href="http://www.thewannabechef.net/2012/05/22/gluten-free-vegan-mac-n-cheese/" target="wanna">Gluten-Free Vegan Mac n Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Vegan Dad's <a href="http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/06/creamy-mac-and-cheeze.html" target="dad">Creamy Mac and Cheeze</a><br />
<br />
*Post Punk Kitchen's <a href="http://www.theppk.com/2011/02/mac-shews/" target="ppk">Mac & Shews</a> and <a href="http://www.theppk.com/2012/02/sunflower-mac/" target="sun">Sunflower Mac</a><br />
<br />
*VegWeb's <a href="http://vegweb.com/recipes/no-nooch-no-tofu-excellent-mac-n-cheese" target?no?="">No-Nooch, No-Tofu, Excellent Mac 'n' Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Happy Healthy Life's <a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2011/08/fake-out-mac-n-cheese.html" target="fake">Fake-Out Mac 'n Cheese</a>, <a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/01/vegan-mac-n-cheese-two-dairy-free.html" target="dill">Baked Dill Mac n Chreese (with spicy sausage)</a>, and <a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/01/vegan-mac-n-cheese-two-dairy-free.html" target="easy">Easy Mac n Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*The Gluten Free Vegan's <a href="http://www.theglutenfreevegan.com/2011/12/mac-cheese-vegan-and-gluten-free/" target="gfv">Mac & Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Manifest Vegan's <a href="http://www.manifestvegan.com/2009/05/just-like-real-mac-and-cheese-guaranteed/" target="mani">Vegan Mac & Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Seitan Beats Your Meat's <a href="http://seitanbeatsyourmeat.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/jalapeno-mac-n-cheese-recipe-and-new-wholesoy-flavors" target="jalapeno">Jalapeno Mac n Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Allison Rivers Samson's <a href="http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?catId=10&pageId=40" target="vegnews">Vegan Macaroni & Cheese</a> (via VegNews)<br />
<br />
*Cheeky Kitchen's <a href="http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2012/03/creamy-vegan-mac-cheese.html" target="creamy">Creamy (Vegan) Mac & Cheese</a><br />
<br />
*Glutenfree Goddess' <a href="http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/best-vegan-baked-mac-cheese.html" target="gfg">Best Vegan Baked Mac & Cheese</a><br />
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*Vegan Yack Attack's <a href="http://veganyackattack.com/2012/05/05/mexican-macaroni-cheeze/" target="yack">Mexican Macaroni & Cheeze</a><br />
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*The Noochy Noodle's <a href="http://thenoochynoodle.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/mac-n-quiche-with-caramelized-onions-spinach-and-smoky-curls/" target="nood">Mac n’ Quiche With Caramelized Onions, Spinach and Smoky Curls</a><br />
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*My Darling Lemon Thyme's <a href="http://www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com/2012/03/roast-tomato-and-thyme-macaroni-cheese.html" target="thyme">Roast Tomato and Thyme Macaroni 'Cheese'</a><br />
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*Vegetarian Times' <a href="http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/mac-and-cheese-2/" target="vt">Mac and Cheese</a><br />
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*Aylin Erman's <a href="http://ecosalon.com/nutritional-breakdown-macaroni-and-cheese-gets-a-sweet-potato-revamp/" target="eco">Whole Wheat Macaroni and Sweet Potato Cheese</a> (via EcoSalon)<br />
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*The Paleo Mama's <a href="http://thepaleomama.com/2012/06/17/paleo-mac-n-cheese/" target="paleo">Paleo Mac n Cheese</a><br />
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*Olives for Dinner's <a href="http://www.olivesfordinner.com/2012/02/vegan-macaroni-and-cheese.html" target="olive">Vegan Macaroni and Cheese</a><br />
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*Get Sconed!'s <a href="http://getsconedpdx.com/2011/05/20/smokey-baked-mac-cheese-and-inspiration-from-bang-bang-cafe-in-seattle-wa/" target="smokey">Smokey Baked Mac n Cheese</a><br />
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*The Spunky Coconut's <a href="http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/2011/12/butternut-mac-n-cheese-dairy-free-vegan.html" target="butter">Butternut Mac-n-Cheese</a><br />
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*Vegan Yum Yum's <a href="http://veganyumyum.com/2007/10/mac-and-cheese-cheeze-yeast/" target="yum">Mac & Cheeze</a> and <a href="http://veganyumyum.com/2009/01/mac-cheeze-take-2/" target="yum2">Mac & Cheeze (Take 2)</a><br />
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<b><i>Some Mac-n-Cheese recipes from popular vegan cookbooks that you might have handy (these are from the cookbooks I have handy):</i></b><br />
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Mac Daddy from Veganomicon<br />
Mac and Trees from Appetite for Reduction<br />
Baked Mac and Cheeze from Vegan Yum Yum<br />
Claire’s Macaroni and “Cheeze” from La Dolce Vegan<br />
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<a href="http://thenoochynoodle.wordpress.com/" target="noochy">The Noochy Noodle</a> has a more thorough <a href="http://thenoochynoodle.wordpress.com/recipes-to-try/" target="blog">blog post</a> on vegan Mac 'n' Cheese recipes in cookbooks, and a whole blog dedicated to vegan Mac 'n' Cheese, as a matter of fact.<br />
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<b><i>Too hot? Don't feel like cooking? Restaurants!</i></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.pomegranatecafe.com/" target="pome">Pomegranate Cafe</a> has a Southwestern Mac & Cheese.<br />
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<a href="http://greenvegetarian.com/" target="green">Green</a>'s Mac-n-Cheese isn't on the regular menu, but Chef Damon often offers it up as a special. Join the Green Facebook group or follow Green on Twitter for notices on specials.<br />
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Or if you are lucky enough to be in the area, Peta has a list of the <a href="http://www.peta.org/features/top-five-vegan-mac-and-cheeses.aspx" target="5">top 5 vegan Mac-n-Cheese dishes</a> at restaurants in the U.S.<br />
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<i><b>Or you can always try one of these frozen meals.</b></i><br />
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I prefer the Amy's, but the Candle Cafe is pretty good too.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.candlecafefoods.com/prod-macaroni-vegan.php" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFArzidod0W4vkujGDEmZWe8SdTgA7nc4GnD1sxNXMVne1ngNcY3VgCW-Sb698OUnneJqJgL4eTJc2ZtD6uHfLErwaEEhrVtzmbwlT86zjTHsQkHv697RPQZfjc7AQaoav9pHAakj0-SzL/s200/Candle+Cafe+Macaroni+and+Vegan+Cheese.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candle Cafe's Macaroni & Vegan Cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/entrees/000043" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ymnl-1EqrRuaqQx5JxOJnW8H_EcBFmw7cXTPJmENuhzm4DGkSC_9UQPCgxWXMLRclYADz7qvhTDBnWv_AyyXutO8UFcfFc1cp2EZVsx4mQ16JtOskKRzTnQnXt5g8tRdRnbme8F0fH_v/s200/amysmac.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy's Dairy Free Rice Macaroni & Cheeze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /><b><i>And, lastly, here are a couple of 'cooking' videos for raw vegan Mac 'n' Cheese.<br />
</i></b><br />
Corin Stephenson's Raw Vegan Mac 'n' Cheez<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bGr_7ssptog" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Mrs. Leafy Greens' Raw Vegan "Macaroni and Cheese"<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iMeSobO-1lg" width="400"></iframe>Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190839643020761054.post-68162095283142724112012-05-07T00:10:00.000-07:002012-05-07T00:10:51.112-07:00Sophie's Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets and Vegenaise Tartar Sauce<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdlUPW0yUF9jDQsv0GD61hHuh-_MoU2GDxWVZytTScryBeHz6omAFkjbyoZsJBYtE7acwDoyeA_Rq4YIYT8vWfI3ktlSfy3Y4yU1Iwwvt4e1JGrfA2kXl5P_MUywjvZ8bRviPeC_teQLV/s1600/vegfillettartar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdlUPW0yUF9jDQsv0GD61hHuh-_MoU2GDxWVZytTScryBeHz6omAFkjbyoZsJBYtE7acwDoyeA_Rq4YIYT8vWfI3ktlSfy3Y4yU1Iwwvt4e1JGrfA2kXl5P_MUywjvZ8bRviPeC_teQLV/s320/vegfillettartar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie's Kitchen Fish Fillets (and onion rings)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently <a href="http://followyourheart.com/" target="fyh">Follow Your Heart</a> released several new products, including Vegenaise Tartar Sauce. Never a fan of tartar sauce but definitely a fan of Vegenaise, I was really interested in trying it. I finally found it at Whole Foods, but I needed something to go with it. Luckily, I also found <a href="http://sophieskitchen.net/" target="sophie">Sophie's Kitchen</a> Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-y0rPDaHrZx_cSMcO2mNGB5iFBNL9KTxwb2dgPwWGH2Ny5dH0kMvWDPWGha7rdRW7lpsmWBcLunCs1WHvlysYPUSz3hgkeOgzOpDe7JDihLu7TySq0RB0EWRxeTVljepVJecEeDkkgJv/s1600/vegan_fish_fillets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-y0rPDaHrZx_cSMcO2mNGB5iFBNL9KTxwb2dgPwWGH2Ny5dH0kMvWDPWGha7rdRW7lpsmWBcLunCs1WHvlysYPUSz3hgkeOgzOpDe7JDihLu7TySq0RB0EWRxeTVljepVJecEeDkkgJv/s200/vegan_fish_fillets.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
I really liked the combination, so tasty! The tartar sauce is tangy, thick, and creamy. It's strong, so you don't need a lot. And the faux fish, well, I don't know how fishy it is on its own, but I liked the texture and I liked the flavor. Works for me! And the combination is definitely awesome.<br />
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The Vegenaise Tartar Sauce is gluten-free and soy free. And while Sophie's Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets are not gluten-free, they do offer vegan scallops, prawns, shrimp, and crab cakes that are.<br />
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Sophie's Kitchen focuses on vegan seafood options; crab cakes, calamari, scallops, prawns, shrimp, and breaded shrimp, in addition to the breaded fish fillets. If you're interested in trying them, head over to the website because <a href="http://sophieskitchen.net/" target="sophie">Sophie's Kitchen</a> has a manufacturer's coupon for a buck off, good through December.<br />
<br />The other new items in the <a href="http://followyourheart.com/products/category/vegenaise/" target="veg">Vegenaise</a> line are Horseradish Sauce, Pesto Vegenaise, Barbeque Vegnaise, Roasted Garlic Vegenaise, and Chipotle Vegenaise. Looking forward to trying some of these as well, but Whole Foods only had the Horseradish in stock as of this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gADxp1YP27U2y-_aWGmPlgoodNKKcDB3SDvHgrk7bPTOa3PvspFrmkio9ZiJQeTAVYbyFJUUU2grDsWQp2tMl-vbcyTe3bUTGBCDQIX9ZIMO8b6f5m606q7VGf4UlWbBOtoAikB4kWxN/s1600/vegenaisetartarsauce.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gADxp1YP27U2y-_aWGmPlgoodNKKcDB3SDvHgrk7bPTOa3PvspFrmkio9ZiJQeTAVYbyFJUUU2grDsWQp2tMl-vbcyTe3bUTGBCDQIX9ZIMO8b6f5m606q7VGf4UlWbBOtoAikB4kWxN/s200/vegenaisetartarsauce.png" width="109" /></a><strong>Follow Your Heart's Vegenaise Tartar Sauce</strong><br />
Rating: ****1/2<br /><br /><strong>Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Fish Fillets</strong><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />***** awesome! Highly recommended.<br />**** hey, this is pretty dang good.<br />*** not bad at all.<br />** eh.<br />* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.<br /><br />[You can find Vegenaise products and the Sophie's Kitchen line of seafood at Whole Foods. I think they are both relatively new products, so keep an eye out at the grocers who sell vegan items.]Kenikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505500084578850678noreply@blogger.com0