Livin’ Veg

Tell Me Your Favorite Vegan Cookbook May 29, 2009

Now that the vegan diet is more accepted, and dare I say it, even cool, there are more and more cookbooks coming out. Frankly, I’m a little overwhelmed. I keep getting amazon recommendations for new cookbooks but I don’t know which ones are good and which ones are “eh.”

I currently own the following: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, Vegan with a Vengeance, Veganomicon, Vegan Fusion World Cuisine from Blossoming Lotus, and Candle Cafe’s Cookbook. I can personally attest to the fact that all of these cookbooks are awesome. I recommend any of them. As for websites, I love Vegan Yum Yum.

I’d like to expand my cookbook library, but not without some first hand cooking experience. Tell me what books you love and what books to avoid. Tell me online websites that have vegan recipes that you adore. Tell me whatever you think will help in my search for more awesome cookbooks. Your help is most appreciated. And hopefully, other people’s comments will help you too.

Vegan Shoes by Cri de Coeur on the Cheap May 28, 2009

I love Cri de Coeur shoes but sadly cannot afford them. That is, until Nimli put on a ridiculous sale slashing the prices in two. Score.

The boots pictured to your left were originally $340. Um. Yeah. I can’t afford to spend that on one pair of shoes. I would love to have that kind of money to burn, but it’s not going to happen any time soon. However, now they are $99. Now that’s an amount I could talk myself into spending!

They have plenty of other pairs as well, all at great discounts. Check them out here and get a kick a$$ fall wardrobe right now.

Vaute Couture Vegan/Eco/Fair Trade Coats May 27, 2009

Vaute Couture just released a preview for their coat collection. And  my dears, I love what I see. What you see in the picture is the Bomono. You can also see the El by going to Leanne’s blog here.

These are descriptions of the four coats:

the Vaute: an hourglass pea-dress/coat inspired by art of Brooke Hagel
the El: a vintage shawl collared knee length dress coat inspired by art of Dallas Shaw
the Pea: the military inspired vegan pea coat with versatile collar and vintage buttons.
the Bomono: the oversized bomber kimono with vintage buttons and fold over cuffs.

Let’s just take a moment to consider the Bomono. I love how it’s loose fitting on the top but pinches in around the hips for a slim look. This way you can still wear as many layers as you’d like underneath and not sacrifice style. I love the vintage buttons, the bright blue color (although all these coats come in four delicious colors).

Go to Vaute Couture’s website to find out more. I for one know that I’m going to save my pennies to get my own coat for this coming fall/winter. Yes, it’s because I love clothes. But I also love supporting up and coming vegan designers who want to be vegan in the true sense of the word. Kind to animals, people and the environment.

PS: They are looking for boutiques to carry them. If you’re interested, go to the website and contact Leanne.

Climate Change Worsening Animal Disease May 26, 2009

Climate change is doing a lot of bad stuff - contributing to droughts, further endangering already scarce species, raising temperatures. Now, add this to the list:

Climate change is widening viral disease among farm animals, expanding the spread of some microbes that are also a known risk to humans, the world’s top agency for animal health said on Monday.

The three most mentioned diseases were bluetongue, spread among sheep by biting midges; Rift Valley fever, a livestock disease that can also be picked up by people handling infected meat; and West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquito from infected birds to both animals and humans.

Read the full article here… Being veg is the best thing you can do to fight climate change. So kudos to you for already doing that. As we all know, climate change is very scary and a very real threat. It’s changing our entire world in both subtle and not so subtle ways. And we’re the ones responsible. That knowledge stops me dead in  my tracks sometimes. But then I take a deep breath, keep walking and brainstorm more ways I can be a better steward to the earth. I get better at it everyday. I’ll admit, sometimes it’s frustrating, but most of the time it feels great to know I’m making a difference, no matter what the size.

Akawelle Necklace May 25, 2009

Thank you mom and dad for a beautiful graduation gift! Livin’ Veg viewers: my parents got me the most exceptional necklace. Lovely in design and meaning. Read below and you’ll see what I mean…

The history of each necklace begins in Liberia. In the part of Liberia where I am from, many thousands of bullets were fired during the war. Even though the war ended in 2003, the spent shell casings can still be found, scattered across the land in places.

Handcrafted, the leaf pendant is made from melted bullet shells, the part that is left over after the bullet is fired. The bead is the actual bottom of the bullet shell.

I chose the word “life” to be inscribed into the leaf to remind myself that new life can begin after hardship. It is even possible for new life to arise from something as terrible as war.

I love the fact that profits from the jewelry go to Strongheart House - “It’s a home and center of healing, learning, and excellence for exceptional young people either displaced or orphaned by war or other circumstance.”

Click here to see the options and get your own.

And for those interested, Rahm Emanuel was a fabulous speaker. He totally teared up when he talked about nearly dying as a teen and his mother’s care for him during that time. He was funny, humble/arrogant, and inspirational. Thanks for coming Rahm!

Vegetarian Women May 21, 2009

Hello ladies (or I assume mostly ladies viewing this blog…but I might be happily wrong),

Please excuse me if I don’t post tomorrow and for my tardiness posting today. I’m graduating tomorrow, so things have been hectic, but I’ll be back on my regular schedule Monday morning. Oh, and if you want to watch my graduation live (not to see me) but to see my awesome speaker, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanual, go to slc.edu at 10am Friday and you’ll see the whole thing. This awesome company PNG is streaming the whole thing live! Cool tech.

Now on to things not about me. I just found out about a nifty site called Vegetarian Women. It deals with issues affecting…you guessed it…vegetarian women. You can chat with other women on the forum, shop for vegan items, read news, see featured women. Basically lots of cool stuff. I’ll definitely be checking it out. Well, I will be once I graduate. Hooray!

Have a great weekend!

Micael Vick and PETA Spoof PSA May 20, 2009

PETA will not be using Michael Vick in any of their public service announcements but here is a spoof on what it would be like if they did. What I really appreciate is that this makes fun of PETA and Vick. The best spoofs take on everyone, and this one does. Watch the video below.

Here is the good part about Vick’s horrible crimes. EVERYONE now knows about dog fighting. Even the kids I teach know what it is as long as I say Vick in the same sentence. Of course I wish Vick wasn’t a sociopathic animal abuser. But I am happy some good came out of a horrible situation.

Via Ecorazzi

Feel Good Story: Fawn And Baby Bobcat BFF May 19, 2009

For the past two weeks wildlife rescuers have been trying to help save animals from the Jesusita wild fire in CA. 300,000 people have had to evacuate their homes and over 8,700 acres of land have been consumed.

Out of all that terrible news, there are some happy stories. One in particular that I think you’ll love. A baby bobcat was found dehydrated and near death. The little guy was nursed back to health. While getting better, they brought him a unique roommate. A three day old fawn. Now, usually they would keep these two creatures separate, but because of the chaos and the lack of space, chance put them together. Here is what happened:

During the mayhem of the fire, they were forced to put animals anywhere they could, since they had run out of crates large enough for the fawn. The kitten ran to the fawn, and it was instant bonding.

Read more here and enjoy the pic:) How much do I wish there was video…

Sunshine Burgers And Compostable Dishes May 18, 2009

In my quest for the great vegan burger for my grad BBQ gathering, I have finally settled on the fantastic Garden Herb Sunshine Burger. Very yummy, sturdy (some veg burgers fall apart as you eat them), and great with onion, lettuce, and tomato.

Many of my guests will be veggies, but about half of them will not be. And I’m positive they have never been to an all veg BBQ before, so I’m determined to make it a hit. Honestly, the success of the veg movement hinges on how good our food is. So food choices when serving omnis matter.

For our BBQ menu, we’re also going to have veggie/tofu kabobs, quinoa salad, bruschetta, carrot ginger salad, and much much more. Especially including desserts. Cakes and cookies galore. Yum! I’ll post the full menu when it’s been finalized.

Also, to be more eco friendly I have purchased compostable dinner plates and cups. I’m using real utensils, so no worries there. Here is an example of the kind of cup I bought. I would have preferred to use real plates, but frankly, didn’t have enough. So these will break down in my compost in 45-60 days. Not too shabby!

Summer Ants - Tell Them To Stay Outside (Nicely) May 15, 2009

This is the time of year that ants start to appear in our homes. And as much as I like insects, I’m never happy to see them in my house. Usually when an insect makes it’s way into my house, I take a piece of paper and a cup and then I catch the little creature and put it outside. That works with insects that don’t show up by the dozens. It doesn’t quite work with ants. But I don’t believe in killing them. So what’s a girl to do if she cares about all creatures big and small?

Use a humane method that’s cheap and easy. Ants hate the smell of cinnamon. And I mean HATE. So sprinkle some cinnamon where the ants are entering your home or wherever you see them congregating, and those ants will hightail it out of there. This won’t hurt the ants and you’re kitchen will smell nice:) A perfect solution!