Livin’ Veg

Vegan Yum Yum Cookbook Review January 12, 2010

I’ve talked about Vegan Yum Yum’s cookbook before, but now that I’ve had it for a while I’ve had time to make quite a few of the recipes inside. So far, I have not been disappointed. Everything from the corn fritters to the pineapple baked tofu with seared pineapple rings and nutty greens to the more simple sweet and sour tofu with broccoli have been outstanding. In fact, (and the vegan world might go crazy if I say this out loud) but…I think this cookbook is better than the Veganomicon. And the Veganomicon had been my go to cookbook for ages! Of course that’s still a great book. I’m just saying there is a new delectable vegan queen in town and her cookbook will make your eyes roll back in your head. I gave it to my mom for Christmas, and she can’t stop cooking from it either.

Something I also love about Lauren’s recipes is her ingredients. Many of her recipes require just a few staples. She likes to use tahini, miso, nuts and other ingredients that keep well. She doesn’t send you searching for expensive hard to find ingredients. And most of the time a food used in one recipe will be used in multiple others. That’s both practical and economical.

If you still aren’t convinced, go check out her blog and make one of her recipes from there. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Vegan Gifts - Blog 3 December 14, 2009

My mom asked me the other day for some gift ideas for my birthday. (My birthday is a few days before Christmas.) So I figured for my third gift blog, I would put up some of the items I had mentioned to her.

The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen: For those of you who haven’t heard of Tal, he cooked for Oprah during her 21 day vegan cleanse. He has also cooked for Ellen Degeneres, who is now a vegan. He also started something called Veg Advantage, a free program for food service professionals to help them veganize their menus. For example, Veg Advantage will come to your university and show the staff how to make some simple and delicious recipes to serve in their dining halls. So great! And I’ve been hearing wonderful things about his cookbook.

The Matt and Nat wallet on sale with free shipping! My wallet is so old and funky. I’ve been meaning to get a new one and I’ve had my heart set on something from Matt and Nat but I just haven’t been able to justify spending $60 or more on a wallet. Happily, this adorable one is on sale with free shipping! It’s $46 and comes in four different colors. Made with antique hardware and from their Japanese Paper line, it’s both stylish and functional - and I’m sure it will wear better than my ten dollar fabric one from who knows where I got it.

And then there are these beautiful earrings with the splash of red color on the sides. They are handmade, fair trade and recycled. Perfect for a casual day or to dress up an outfit in the evening. I love the idea of wearing a simple color and then having these babies accent it all. At $64, they are a little pricier, but still reasonable for a pair of earrings. I never mind spending a bit more on a pair of earrings because I know that I’m going to wear them for years and years.

New Vegan Books Making A Splash November 2, 2009

There are a variety of awesome looking vegan books that have just been released into the market. (Just in time for the holidays!) Here is a little round up.

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer (The same guy who wrote Everything is Illuminated. This book made Natalie Portman switch from vegetarian to vegan. I also saw it in the front window of my local book store! Here is a blurb: “The everyday horrors of factory farming are evoked so vividly, and the case against the people who run the system presented so convincingly, that anyone who, after reading Foer’s book, continues to consume the industry’s products must be without a heart, or impervious to reason, or both.”)

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone (Silverstone is a long time vegan, activist and all round rad lady.  This book talks about health, happiness and diet all while choosing the diet that saves lives - human and farm animal.)

The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen (Tal was Oprah’s personal vegan chef while she did her 21 day diet cleanse and is behind the great org Veg Advantage that helps schools and other places vegefy their cafeterias. A fab looking cookbook.)

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero (These ladies hardly need an intro but in case you don’t recognize their names, they wrote Vegan With a Vengeance, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and the Veganomicon. My husband loves cookies and pre-ordered this baby like 6 months ago.)

Put them on your wish list for the holidays or just treat yourself.

No Impact Man September 25, 2009

No Impact Man is making its tour around the country and I’m desperate to see it. Sadly, it’s already been to NY so I’m going to have to wait. What is No Impact Man? It’s a film about a family that tries to produce zero waste for an entire year. That means no trains, subways, cars, elevators, food that isn’t local, tv, etc. Green to the nth degree.

I’m pretty green, but this movie is going to make me look like some wasteful celebutant. Not all my food is local. I drive to work 3 days a week (and work the rest from home). I am on my computer ALL the time. I go to the gym. I used to take the stairs, but a pesky foot problem has made it so I have to take the elevator. Basically, I want to see No Impact Man so it can give me a much needed kick in the butt. Sure 50% of my clothing is used, but what about the other 50%? How do we enjoy life and be as effective as possible. I think this movie might have some answers to that question.

I think we all wish we had the courage and conviction to do with No Impact Man has done in his book/film. Watch the trailer and be inspired. Then support the film when it comes to a theater near you. Or, buy the book. Even though, technically, that’s not too good for the environment. So! Buy the book used:)

Vegan Yum Yum’s New Cookbook! September 16, 2009

I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for this for quite some time. It’s finally here. Lauren Ulm’s vegan cookbook. And if it’s anything like her fantastic blog, it’s going to be awesome. I’m ordering my copy right now.

Here my dears are some of the recipes you will find inside:

Blueberry Waffles with Lemon Icing • Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake • Stuffed Banana Berry French Toast * Sweet Chili Lime Tofu • Tahini Lemon Rice and Beans • Corn Fritters • Eggplant and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes * Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto • Crispy Sesame Kale • Moroccan Spiced Root Vegetable Home Fries • Smoky Miso Tofu Sandwiches • Cannellini Bean Soup with Pan-fried Croutons • Chinese Broccoli Wontons in Ginger-Soy Sauce * Chipotle Basil Corn Chowder • Baked Mac and Cheeze • Gnocchi with Thyme Vinaigrette • Lime Peanut Noodles with Seitan, Kale, and Carrots

Oh yes. If you need to be convinced, then try making the sweet chili lime tofu from the recipe off her blog. I make it when we have omni company over because it’s so damn tasty.

I’ve also made the recipe that’s on her cover and all I can say is…delicious. I can’t wait to have Lauren’s creations as a part of my cookbook collection. I got seriously tired of dragging my laptop to the kitchen (trying not to spill things on it) as I cooked from her blog. No more.

The Power and Promise of Humane Education September 15, 2009

Kids are particularly adept at seeing injustice and taking action to make the world a better place. However, too often in a child’s education, world issues are left out of the home and classroom. As a humane educator, I’ve seen children learn about an issue and immediately take action to try and right the wrong. Clothing drives, pet food drives, petitions against child labor, water conservation. As a person who teaches kids about all these issues, I’ve seen them stand up and try to put this planet back together.

But if you aren’t a humane educator, how do you go about talking to kids about these issues? What do you say? What kinds of activities do you do? Well, lucky for us, the guru and biggest advocate of humane education, Zoe Weil, wrote a book called “The Power and Promise of Humane Education.” It is a must read for all parents and educators.

In the book you’ll find information, activity suggestions, resources, case studies and so much more. Humane education covers three areas: social justice, animal welfare and environmental protection. Try to think of an issue that doesn’t fit in those three categories.

But really, the best thing you’ll get out of the book is a brand new way of looking at education. Learning that emphasizes compassion, responsibility and courage. Education that tells children they can change the world every day with every choice they make. I’ve used this book countless times and recommended it a zillion times. Parents can use it with their kids and teachers can use it in the classroom. Use it yourself or give it as a gift. The impact will last generations.