5 Easy Ways to Support Earth Day

The grass is greener on the [out]side! 

1) Download a thirty-day 'green living' challenge here. Lots of great tips for becoming more green in that guide. I recently committed myself to the challenge listed on Day 3. No more dryer sheets. Instead I'm going to be using wool balls that are reusable and made by independent artists. I bought mine off of Etsy. 

2) Check out EarthDay.ca and look for events happening in your area. There weren't too many events registered for Toronto, which made me sad because over 3 million people live in the city! I thought there would have been tons of events listed. 

3) Commit yourself to a green challenge. EarthDay.org has several pledges you can make here. Easy ones like pledging to recycle E-waste.

4) Seeing as today is Monday, make today a meatless-Monday! Reducing your overall meat consumption is always good for the environment. I'm cooking up some tempeh tonight. 

5) Get outside and enjoy the beautiful Earth we live on! Garden, walk, sit on the deck/patio, bike, etc. Now that is Spring, it's time to soak up the fresh, fragrant, and floral air! 

Goodbye Food Boutiques

A famous vegan shop closed shop closed late last year. This shop was located in Montreal, Quebec. They only sold vegan foods, but mostly treats like veggie "beef" jerky, a variety egg substitutes, dairy free "milk" chocolate, cheese-less cheese, and other goodies.

When I became vegan in 2007, I really longed for some sort of cheese substitution. After reading about this product called Daiya on food blogs over and over again and hearing about its "amazingness", I really, really wanted to try it. I searched online and came across the recently closed vegan shop who not only sold it in Canada, but shipped it to anywhere in the country. I ordered 5 lbs of the stuff (luckily it can be frozen) and had it shipped with ice packs to Nova Scotia (where I was living at the time); the total delivery cost somewhere between $60 and $80. Yikes.

I now find this story hilarious. That "brand new" cheese-product that I died to try, Daiya, is now sold at my local convenience store. No joke. For about $5. I can't believe I once had to have it shipped from across the country and pay an exorbitant price in order to taste it. And now, even though it is super accessible, I don't even eat it anymore. Funny that.

Now, I was never a vegan "veteran", but apparently I still started my vegan journey at a time when it wasn't all that well-known or popular. I can't imagine how vegans functioned in the eighties or nineties  A time when the only way you could get tofu was to find an Asian grocery store I'm sure. I bet these vegans were a heck of a lot healthier though; they didn't fill up on all the junky "fake" foods that now exist.

While some vegans cried out at the closure of this shop, I think it was a positive development. Does the closure of a large vegan food vendor mean that the diet is fading away? That fewer people are vegan? Not necessarily.

I think that the shop's closing is positive because it means that vegans (and those who can't eat eggs, dairy, certain forms of meat, Celiacs, follow restricted diets, etc) no longer have to order fake foods from thousands of miles away and pay ridiculous fees for said foods. They don't have to search online for special treats because they are now offered at Starbucks, Second Cup, Loblaws, Metro, on airplanes, and in convenience stores.

With the rise of food intolerances and allergies, big box stores and large food chains are taking notice and making non-allergenic foods available to their customers (obviously they are doing it for profit reasons as allergen-friendly food is a growing market, but whatever).

The three-aisle convenience store by my house sells almond milk, tofu dogs, and gluten-free flour (to name only a few special-diet foods, they sell many other awesome products). And this isn't so just because I live in the big city of Toronto. When I visited relatives over Xmas, who live in a very rural town, I still managed to find Daiya, coconut milk yogurt, and even a whole shelf devoted to Udi's gluten-free breads in the bakery section of their small grocery store.

A whole shelf devoted to Udi's gluten-free breads, muffins, and more.

While I am very sad for the owners of the vegan shop and worried for small business owners everywhere who have to compete with big corporations, I still like to think that the closure of niche food boutiques like this vegan one is positive. I think it is a sign that it is becoming easier to be vegan and easier to follow a diet that is dairy-free, egg-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, etc).

Goodbye niche food boutiques, hello more accommodating grocery stores!

Beans & Rice

My favorite food staple: Beans & Rice!

Health Benefits:

This combo makes a good vegetarian protein source because beans, when combined with rice, makes complete protein meal. A complete protein meal means that it contains all of the nine essential amino acids (i.e. the building blocks of protein). The problem with most vegetarian protein sources is that they are incomplete (meaning they lack some amino acids), and one amino acid is missing, the body can't synthesize full protein chains. Naturally complete sources of protein include animal products (meat, dairy, fish, eggs) and soy. Incomplete proteins (which are prominent in a vegetarian/vegan diet) include all grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Nevertheless, when two incomplete protein sources are combined, such as beans and rice, a complete protein meal is formed!

Other Practical Benefits:

Super cheap. Easy to make. Non-perishable. Flexible. Plain so it can be seasoned any way you like it. Can make a big batch on the weekend and have on hand for a week's worth of dinners. Can make a big batch and freeze too. A great staple to have on hand!

Instructions:

Cook up some rice. Cook up some beans (alternatively, drain and rise a BPA-free can of beans). Combine said rice and beans. Serve with a mountain of veggies and a sauce/seasoning/spice of choice (see below for some ideas). Voila: dinner is done!

Toppings/Garnishes:

Some ways to dress-up your beans and rice include smoothering in curry sauce; using as a base for a bunch of stir-fried veggies; adding soy sauce/tamari/miso, sesame oil, and some greens for a macrobiotic-friendly meal; or top with salsa, chili powder, and guacamole to add some Mexican-flare (pictured below!).

Beans & Rice, topped with salsa, guac, cumin/chili powder, and some greens. 

Fakin' Bacon.

Do eat pork but craving bacon? Allow me to present the solution! Bacon: Saving Millions from Becoming Vegan! (The caption featured on the bag below).

 Bahaha! Found this funny bag here.

Fakin' Bacon

1 package of firm tofu (or tempeh) or two chicken breasts (I haven't tried this with chicken, but I imagine it would work?)

2 tablespoons each maple syrup, soy sauce, and veg oil
1 tablespoon vinegar 
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili or Cajun powder
1 teaspoon garlic and onion powder (optional)
Pinch of cayenne pepper or dash of hot sauce

Stir together all of the marinade ingredients. Slice firm tofu/chicken into thin strips. Marinade the tofu/chicken for at least 30 minutes. Place strips on a wire rack (placed onto a baking sheet to catch drips). Bake for 30-40 minutes at 400F until crisp.

When I was at the market on the weekend, I came across bacon cookies.  I guess that should be next on my list of 'must makes'. Also, if I do recall correctly, a winning recipe at the Vegan Bake-off was a vegan maple bacon donut. If a donut already exists, it looks like a vegan bacon cookie can most definitely be done.

Here is a picture of my thai-inspired salad topped with some fakin' bacon (cabbage, red and orange peppers, greens, cilantro, peas, and spicy peanut dressing):

Hippie Fest.

My weekend felt very bohemian, very urban, and very vegan. It was like I attended my own hippie fest.

Saturday - Dined at the most popular vegan restaurant in Toronto (Fresh).  Ordered my first green juice (caution: for experienced palates only!). Ate this super soup/salad/cornbread/hummus combo (below). Hung out in Kensington Market with all the other Torontonian hippies who came out to play on a Saturday.  Shopped at a health food store, bought a floral dress for $7, rocked on...

Sunday - Attended the Raw Vegan Festival. Tried so many types of raw chocolate; marveled at how different they all tasted. Bought Dandelion Root Coffee and Cashew Curry Nut Butter (below); marveled at the hippie-ness of these two purchases. Stumbled upon the Annex Festival on Bloor. Part of Bloor Street was shut down to accommodate musicians and vendors. Wandered through the festival, mostly in a daze due to 30 degrees Celsius sunny weather. Came home and watched a documentary about raw chocolate.

Time for this flower child to sign-off. 

Love & Peace, 

 Becca

Yo, Yo, Yogurt!

Reminding all readers: tomorrow is June 1st which means the Nature Challenge begins tomorrow! Sign up here.

What's up today? A product review of: Amande Almond Milk Yogurt.

I recently bought a blueberry almond yogurt at my local grocery store.  A yogurt made from almond milk, how cool! Since I don't eat dairy, I was really excited to have some yogurt again.  I have tried soy yogurts in the past, but I wasn't a fan.  Apparently you can also buy coconut milk yogurts too, but I haven't tried them yet. Pictured to the right was my single serving of the blueberry flavored yogurt. 

Becca's PROS: Awesome texture/consistency, no refined sugar (sweetened with fruit juice), high in calcium (fortified), the company makes a variety of flavors, satisfied my yogurt craving

Becca's CONS: So-so blueberry flavor, very expensive (this single serving was $2), very sweet (which can be a pro if you like sweet yogurt), contains practically no protein

To summarize, this yogurt was a nice treat but I won't be buying it on a regular basis.  Nutritionally, it doesn't compare to dairy, especially in the protein department. However, since it's sugar-free, it would make a great dessert.

Goodbye, Greek.

I tried Greek yogurt for the first time in my life this week.

I became vegan before I had even heard about Greek yogurt.  But because I read a lot of food blogs (I am quite obsessed to be honest :P), I kept hearing about the wonders of this Greek yogurt. It kept popping up and I kept thinking that I just need to give this product a little taste. It is apparently a popular food staple for breakfasts, in smoothies, and as a condiment (like sour cream).  I contemplated for awhile whether or not I should give it a try (even though I now eat eggs and fish, I do not intend to reintroduce dairy into my daily diet).

Last week, I finally bought a tub of organic Greek yogurt (the one pictured to the right) just to see what all the hype was about. I was surprised how much it tasted like... yogurt. It tastes just like a remembered yogurt tasting, but it it thicker and sourer (probably because it was not sweetened, unlike the yogurts I used to devour years a go).  It was alright...  I'm glad I tried it, because now I know that I really am not missing much by keeping Greek yogurt out of my life.  Also, the dairy (after not eating dairy for almost four consecutive years) didn't quite agree with me. Not in a ohmygoshIfeelsosick kind of way, but in a rumble-y tummy and irritated bowel kind of way (but I'll spare you the specific details). Enough malaise to know that dairy is just not for me.

Nevertheless, if you do choose to eat dairy, I'm thinking that organic Greek yogurt is probably one of best sources of dairy available.  It's organic, contains good bacteria (probiotics), calcium, lots of protein (18 grams per serving), and is sugar-free (if you buy plain that is).

I will finish up the tub of yogurt I have already purchased (I hate food wasting!), but then it's goodbye, Greek.

Funny Bones.

Some vegan and medical comedy for you today!
'Cause we all know that---aside from Naturopathic Medicine---laughter is the best medicine ;)

Comics are from Cyanide and Happiness.

A Fishy Confession.

Speaking of diets and "what you eat", it occurred to me that my blog readers may not know that I am technically no longer a vegan. Even though I still love veganism and adhere to many of the diet's values, since Summer 2011, I've been eating eggs and fish each about 2-3 times a week. The reasons for my transition from veganism to eating animal products are complex, and thus I won't get into them all here. However, I will defend the vegan diet by saying that I didn't start eating them because I was deficient or was lacking. I was very careful regarding with my nutritional intake. Nonetheless, as I've long said, I would never recommend a vegan diet to a stranger, friend, or patient, unless they were ready for the challenge. It is a tricky diet that needs to be followed carefully. With that said, it is a great diet and can be very helpful for treating many health concerns. I still love veganism and the diet, and while I am sad to no longer call myself a vegan, I still feel vegan at heart. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my eggs and fish and will probably be eating this way for a while yet.

I do not intend to reintroduce dairy (I don't think humans should be eating dairy; it is the least natural food in our diet and causes a ton of health concerns). As for chicken, pork, and beef: no immediate intentions there either. As for my fish and egg choices, I am devoted to eating as ethically and sustainably as possible. I only buy organic, free-run, and free-range eggs, organic fish (still problems with this, more later) or small fish (which don't impact depleting fish populations as much, more on this later!), and I don't eat animal products in restaurants when I don't know how the products were sourced.

May I present to you today my first fish recipe on the blog. I think it is quite delicious and Tony likes to eat this sauce as a salad dressing too. It is quite versatile; I bet it would be amazing to coat potatoes (sweet or regular white) before roasting.

Maple-Soy Salmon Sauce

4 teaspoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil

Drizzle the sauce over baked salmon (makes enough for 2 pieces). Alternatively, double all ingredients and let salmon filets marinate in the sauce for at least one hour before baking (then bake at 400* for 30 minutes, flipping once, about halfway through). Bon appetit!

Sugar Rush.

Yesterday was Toronto's Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off. I volunteered at it last year, but this year I was feeling extra inspired, which led me to submit an entry into the competition. There were eight categories that you could enter and over forty participants baking goods to compete. I entered the "Gluten-Free Chocolate" category and submitted my Lady Bites (a peanut-butter-chocolate cookie creation). I had to bake 100 cookies to share with the community at large, who in turned acted as judges, rating each of the sweets in order to select the winner. In addition to the taste-testing aspect of the day, participants were also judged on their presentation skills (I had to create a display for my cookies).

Tony came with me and we had fun setting up my 100 cookies to be tasted, taking many pictures, tasting all the goodies (sugar coma ensued), and viewing all of the different dessert displays (there was so much variety! Everything from pistachio to pineapple desserts were featured). Another fun tid-bit: George Stroumboloupolous was in attendance! He stood about a foot away from me for quite some time too (apparently he recently went veg?!). Oh, and it is interesting that the winning entry last year was a "salted caramel cupcake" while this year's top prize went to a "Dulce-de-leuce (a caramel-like syrup) cupcake". Note to self: caramel is key!

Aside from the fun, I unfortunately have a few complaints about the event. Now, please don't judge me as a sore loser. I had no intention (or hopes) of winning the competition. I was in it for the fun and the opportunity to do some mass baking! Therefore you can take my complaints as sincere and not whiny, why-didn't-I-win complaints.

Complaint #1: Organization for the lose. I thought the event's organization was a mess. I was really disappointed and I didn't feel appreciated as an entry baker. This is my number one reason for not competing next year (I've already decided that this was my first and last time entering the bake-off).

Complaint #2: Businesses for the win. The winners of all the major categories were professional bakers representing real bakeries. I don't find this fair. If my career was to bake everyday, I bet I could create some real fabulous desserts. At least I'd hope so; my bakery's business would depend on it! Amateur bakers should not have to compete with the pros.

Complaint #3: Sugar for the win. My recipe did not contain any refined sugar (I was aiming for a slightly healthier cookie but definitely not bird food). But you know which desserts won? The most ooey-gooey-syrupy-icing&fat-ladened-superrich desserts ones. You know, the chocolate cookie, topped with a layer of cream, dipped in chocolate, then drizzled with more icing, types of cookies one. Or that brownie with the hot fudge, marshmallow fluff, chocolate drizzle, and candy sprinkles adorning its super moist cocoa base. Moral of the story: go big or go home! If you want to win over people's hearts (or votes), you need to seduce them with lots and lots of sugar.

Complaint #4: Sweetness for the win. In hindsight, I don't know how "totally fabulous" it is to host a bake-off in order to promote veganism. Using sweets to convince people that you be vegan and have your cake too. I think Tony summarizes it best: "It is a shame that this event is showcasing the least healthy part of a diet for which a main draw is healthiness. Next year it should be an hors d'oeuvres competition: still bite-sized but real food".

Hmm, since this post is already super long, I'll post my pictures and my submitted recipe tomorrow. See you then!

Welcome, October!

In this morning's olive post, I neglected to wish my readers a "Happy October First".

I really love October, mostly because Fall is my favorite season, Thanksgiving is loved dearly by the foodie in me, and Halloween is just so much fun. Also, October 1st (today) is World Vegetarian Day!

Have yourself a happy October first and rest of the month.