Two years ago, I was invited to attend the first ever Vegan Street Fair in North Hollywood, CA. I was in the middle of grad school, I had mermaid hair, Waits had just turned 5, Jeremy had just opened Still. It was wild times!

And it was a wild day, full of fun and old friends, sun and food, and then suddenly, 15 minutes of hardcore torrential hail! Good times, man.

Vegan Street Fair is put on by my friend Jess, and she has been busting her butt every second since that first day, to make this event as amazing as possible. There was a second annual Street Fair last spring (which I wasn’t able to attend), as well as well as VSF Nights, a boozy music party back in September (also sadly unattended by me).

The first Vegan Street Fair had an expected attendance of 3-5,000, but instead, 10,000 vegans and veg-curious folks turned up that day to par-tay. Then the second year, they prepared for 15,000 people, but were flooded with more than 20k. And this year?

This year 30,000 people filled multiple city blocks in the heart of North Hollywood, and it was awe-inspiring.

Seriously. When I arrived and saw how much space there was — block after block just completely lined on both sides with booths of vegan food from all over southern California, speakers blasting music up and down the entire stretch, smiling faces all around . . . well guys, I actually teared up. What an incredible event! What wonderful vegan outreach (VSF is free).

And mostly, what a blast!

And last weekend’s Vegan Street Fair was no exception. It was packed – and I mean overly-packed, haha, but that’s a good thing right? – with people from all walks of life. Very old and very young, all colors and backgrounds, hipsters and hippies and families and squares, and everything in between. Basically, it was a wide cut of the general overall LA populace, and to me that means just one thing:

Vegan has gone mainstream!

And I have to say, that’s still my favorite thing about Vegan Street Fair. Where other vegan events seem to target a very narrow demographic (ages 18-35, majority women, predominantly white, middle class) (which then drives the visual representation of veganism in general, in the mainstream), Vegan Street Fair is an event that breaks out of all those constraints. There are people of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s such a more inclusive, more representative experience of the vegan community.






The day ended with an amazing performance from vegan hip hop artist Grey (check out his video, it’s hysterical!), which was the perfect icing on a delicious cake of a day.

Good friends, good food, good music. It was everything a Street Fair should be.



So maybe I’ll see you next year. You better believe I’l be there!

♥

Hello, fellow podcast lovers — and fellow peaceful, progressive people! Today we’re going to deviate from green drinks and eco-friendly life hacks, into a more sensitive and incredibly important topic. Today I want to talk about what it means to be a white ally, and I want to share a few of my favorite podcasts that deal specifically with race, racism, racial politics, and the intersection of racial identity with other social issues.

It’s not an easy subject to talk about. And for a long time, I felt powerless because I just didn’t know how. I didn’t know how to talk about race. So, I stopped talking. It was more important for me, I realized, to start listening.

Being a part of this fight — actively and constructively — is something that is deeply important to me, and yet it’s not something I felt like I knew how to do. There is no textbook for how to be an ally! And, despite my very best intentions, I did not feel like I was equipped to have productive conversations about race.

So I began listening to the experiences of people of color. I educated myself about the invisible systems of power and privilege that animate our everyday lives. I learned new language to talk about these these things, and eventually, I felt like it was time again for me to talk.

My goal is always to communicate in ways which are honest and helpful, and in order to do that, I needed to learn the right language. The following podcasts have been such a beautiful guiding light for me in learning how to confidently and competently navigate conversations about something as complicated and fraught as racial politics. And that has allowed me to do the work I need to do as a white ally — to go out into the world and have these challenging conversations about racism (mostly with other white people).

So here they are, the podcasts that have armed me with the tools I need to help build a better world:




1. Code Switch
Code Switch is a relatively new podcast from NPR, although the contributors have been appearing, and talking about these issues, on many of the other NPR podcasts for years. Code Switch is the most professionally-produced podcast of the three I’m talking about today, and very NPR in it’s styling (insightful, intellectual, and maybe a little bit restrained). There are about a dozen contributors, all people of color from various backgrounds, with differing and unique perspectives on topics ranging from race in the LGBTQ community, to the embracing American flag; from #BlackLivesMatter, to the idea of living in a “post racial” America. Code Switch is less conversational and more formal, but it walks a lovely line between academia and emotion. It’s a perfect starting place for learning about these sorts of issues.




2. Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race
Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race is probably my very favorite of the three, and I’m sad to say that’s on an indefinite hiatus at the moment. But don’t let that stop you from going back and listening to all the old episodes! There’s about 20 hours of wicked-smart commentary, and it’s so well worth the listen.

The show is hosted by a a trio of authors — Baratunde Thurston (How To Be Black), Raquel Cepeda (Bird Of Paradise: How I Became Latina), and “token white guy” Tanner Colby (Some Of My Best Friends Are Black). These three hosts have such a great repartee, bantering back and forth about: “the ways we can’t talk, don’t talk, would rather not talk, but intermittently, fitfully, embarrassingly do talk about culture, identity, politics, power, and privilege in our pre-post-yet-still-very-racial America.” It’s freaking awesome, and you need to listen to it.




3. Intersection
Intersection is a podcast from The New Republic, hosted by Jamil Smith. The podcast is centered on race, but always explores the intersectionality of racial identity with other social systems such as gender, sexual orientation, body image and beauty standards, economic issues, etc. Often featuring interviews with various experts, researchers, journalists, and real everyday people, Intersection is a really important look at the way racial identity fits into a much larger social landscape.

This one, unfortunately, is also currently on hiatus. But hey, you can still go back and listen to all the old episodes, which haven’t gotten any less timely or insightful. Intersectionality is the way forward, and this podcast is like a roadmap for the future.

Oh And Also!
As I have begun to listen to more and more podcasts hosted by people of color, it’s made me realize — oh hey guess what? I really freaking enjoy media that’s presented through a non-white lens! Experiencing media that’s made by people of color makes me really wake up to the fact that almost all the media that I have ever consumed in my entire life has been made by white people, and that’s a really limited perspective. So, not only is it important to broaden that lens on an academic or political level, but it also just makes the media better. It’s just better and richer to learn about the world from a variety of perspectives. And that’s sort like a “no duh” statement to read, but at least for me, I didn’t even realize how narrow my lens was until I made the conscious decision to broaden it.

So with that said, here are a few more podcasts that I’ve been getting in to. They are not all specifically about racial politics, but they are all hosted by people of color and approach the world (politics, pop culture, everyday life) from that perspective:

Another Round
From Buzzfeed. “Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton cover everything from race, gender and pop culture to squirrels, mangoes, and bad jokes, all in one boozy show.”

Black Girl Dangerous
“Today, Vanessa told me,

That’s really what this thing is about.”

Two Brown Girls
“Two Brown Girls is a pop culture, film, and television podcast hosted by writers and critics Fariha Roisin and Zeba Blay.”

The Read
“Join Kid Fury and Crissle for their weekly podcast covering hip-hop and pop culture’s most trying stars. Throwing shade and spilling tea with a flippant and humorous attitude, no star is safe from Fury and Crissle unless their name is Beyoncé. (Or Blue Ivy.)”

Okay guys, now it’s your turn!! I want to know YOUR favorite podcasts about race, or produced by people of color. I’m always looking for more listening, so please please, lay ‘em on me! The more we share, the more we can all learn — to Be Better, Do Better.

♥

It feels like every year vegan cheese just gets better and better, with more innovation, more creativity, and more variety. But despite the epic advancements made in meltiness, stretchiness, and salty savory deliciousness, there’s still one thing that’s been sorely missing from the vegan cheese scene.

Because aside from high-priced or homemade cultured nut cheeses, we’ve pretty much had to live without a cheese that could be eaten cold, straight from the package. Like, a fruit or crackers cheese. Like . . . something sharp and creamy to eat with baguette. Or a tangy provolone to pair with crisp, sweet apples. Simple. Easy.

You know what I’m talking about. That delightful experience of slicing cheese straight from the block, bit by bit . . . best when done with friends. And wine. I mean, amiright??

And that’s what’s been missing from our vegan cheese scene! Well, until now.




(There is some wind noise going on here, and I apologize for that. I’m still getting the hang of this whole video thing, and there’s a learning curve. I hope you enjoy it despite the background wind!)

Quick video recap –> THIS STUFF IS FANTASTIC!


There are four flavors in the new line: American, Provolone, Mozzarella, and Garden Herb. And honestly? *Creamy* was the word of the day when we tasted these cheeses. Like, we all just couldn’t believe how amazingly fantastic the texture was! I’ve never tasted a vegan cheese that was so delicious and delightful to eat without heating.

But also, in case you’re wondering how it melts . . .




KAPOW!

Vegan 4-cheese lasagna. Waits ate 2 giant platefuls of this. Big hit, haha. Big hit.

So the new line of Follow Your Heart vegan cheeses should be hitting the shelves of Whole Foods and health food stores nation-wide, like now. Keep an eye out for this stuff!

OH AND ALSO! The awesome folks at Follow Your Heart are giving away THE ENTIRE LINE OF CHEESES to one lucky Bonzai reader! All you have to do to enter is answer this question in the comments below:

What are you dying to make with this new vegan cheese???

And as always, your friendly reminder – I think “like-gating” / “fan-gating” is weird and insincere, and I’ll never make you guys do it.

That being said, the truth is that social media stats are pretty important these days, in blogging as well as in business. So no, I’m not going to require you to “like” me all over the Internet just to enter this giveaway. BUT, if you do like my blog and enjoy the work I do here, then liking my Facebook page, or following me on Instagram or on Twitter, or subscribing to my Youtube channel, is a great, easy way to help me out. Those numbers really do count for something.

But no coercion. ALL you have to do to enter to win this WHOLE line of vegan cheese, is just leave a comment here, on this post, answering that question above. That’s it!

This giveaway will end on Saturday 25 April at midnight PST. I’ll contact the winner the next day.

Good luck guys!

♥ ♥ ♥




Congratulations to Linda Fritz-Murphy, who said:

“First, cubed with crackers and vegan red wine, on the patio, with a friend. Then, creative quesadilla time – mushrooms, greens, cranberries and provolone on a whole wheat tortilla shell…thanks for this opportunity!”

Yay, look for an email from me!

So anyway, I quickly became an Ethiopian lover, and I spent many a birthday or date night huddled around the table at Bete Lukas, happily soaking up miser wot, shiro, gomen, and tibs with springy strips of injera.

*sigh* I miss that.

Santa Barbara has no Ethiopian restaurants, and I’ve spent the past few years in a serious berbere deficit. Until now!

Because now I am completely equipped to make all my favorite sauces and stews – as well as oil and spice blends – thanks to my friend Kittee‘s new Ethiopian cookbook, Teff Love.

YOU GUYS THIS BOOK. This book is amazing. And really, Ethiopian cooking is amazing! I’ve been a bit immersed in it for the past few weeks, and I just keep thinking “The French ain’t got nothing on this!” Okay, perhaps an exaggeration, but truly. Everyone considers French cuisine to be the height of flavor and technique, but man . . . the intricacy that goes into an Ethiopian meal!

Complex doesn’t even begin to describe it. (Complex, yes, but not difficult. It’s a lot of steps but very straightforward, so don’t be intimidated. Plus, it’s WELL worth the work.)

I began my adventure by getting a batch of injera started. Injera is the traditional bread that’s served with Ethiopian food, and it’s sort of like a sourdough crepe made from a very nutritious and high-protein grain, called teff. You all know how much I love my ferments, so setting up a sourdough teff starter was pretty exciting for me. I even made a video on the last day of the process, because I was so proud of my bubbly little beasties!





Once the injera-making went off without a hook (see my excited Instagram that night) I knew this cookbook was a keeper. So from there it was on to ye’wot qimem, an incredibly aromatic spice blend that’s used in a number of dishes.

All in all, I’ve made four separate dishes out of Teff Love, not including the injera and the ye’wot qimem.

First up was ye’nech bakela alicha – creamy garlicky white beans in an onion-turmeric sauce (top left in the first photo up there^^). This dish was amazing, smooth and garlicky. It got better each time I ate it, as the flavors continues to merge and steep.

Next up was an old favorite, ye’misser wot – red lentils in a spicy sauce (top right in the first photo). Loads of berbere and perfectly soppy, it balanced so nicely against the crisp fresh salad.

Then came ye’atakilt alicha – stewed cabbage, potatoes, and carrots in a mild sauce (bottom right in the first photo). This was Jeremy’s favorite dish, and probably mine as well. Everything was so perfectly balanced, light yet comforting. Also, really easy to make!

And finally, on a totally last minute whim I threw together some ye’atakilt wot – potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower in a spicy sauce (bottom left in the first photo). I needed an excuse to use more of that delicious ye’wot qimem!

By the end there, I was an old pro at dry salt-sweating the onion, adding the oil and spices, and layering the flavors. These techniques were all new to me but I picked them up pretty quickly, and man, I learned so much! This book is just packed full of tips and tricks, troubleshooting and all sorts of amazing advice. Truly, Kittee went above and beyond.

What is your favorite Ethiopian dish, OR, if you’ve never had Ethiopian food, what are you most excited to try?

Remember – I think “like-gating” / “fan-gating” is weird and insincere, and I’ll never make you guys do it.

That being said, the truth is that social media stats are pretty important these days, in blogging as well as in business. So no, I’m not going to require you to “like” me all over the Internet just to enter this giveaway. BUT, if you do like my blog and enjoy the work I do here – and this goes for any blog really – then liking my Facebook page, or following me on Instagram or on Twitter is a great, easy way to help me out. Those numbers really do count for something.

So no, I will never manipulate you into following me as a way to get more entries in this contest. But hey, maybe you appreciate that, and want to follow me just because? Yay! Thank you!

But no coercion. K? ALL you have to do to enter to win a copy of Teff Love, is just leave a comment here, on this post, answering that question above. That’s it!

This giveaway will end on Wednesday 15 April at midnight PST. I’ll contact the winner the next day.

Good luck guys!

♥ ♥ ♥

Congratulations to Gillian, who said:

“I love all (vegan) Ethiopian food, but my favorite is usually the yellow lentil dish, which google tells me is kik alicha!”

Yay, look for an email from me!

Like, I legitimately clock multiple hours every single day: while I’m making breakfast and lunch, while I’m in the shower, while I’m driving, while I’m walking, during dinner prep, during gardening, and always during chores. It adds up!

Which means I need an extensive list of options to keep the information flowing. And that’s what I love about podcasts – the information flow. Music is amazing and emotional, but for me, I like to listen to something a bit more engaging. Whether it’s the exquisite storytelling of The Moth, the pop culture critique of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, or just a little good old fashioned sex talk with Dan Savage, I love podcasts because they stimulate me both emotionally and intellectually.

And now (finally) I’m sharing my very favorites with all of you. So here they are, in somewhat particular order:




1. Serial
Serial is the most popular podcast of all time, and I’m sure you’ve heard of it, right? Debuting last year, Serial became a bit of a cultural phenomenon, and I think it was probably the gateway for many people to get in on the podcasting game. Which is awesome!

Serial tells the the real story, in real time, of journalist Sarah Koenig as she re-opens and re-investigates the 1999 murder case of a Baltimore, MD high school student named Hae Min Lee. Lee’s ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, has been serving a sentence for her murder since his conviction in 2000. The podcast is released over a 12 part series (hence, “serial”), and follows Koenig as she digs into this confusing case – exposing police misconduct, jury misunderstanding, uncalled witnesses, incredible inconsistencies, and a hot mess of a defense attorney. Whether you believe that Adnan is guilty or innocent, Serial is a captivating, edge-of-your-seat exploration of our criminal justice system.

I listened to Serial from the very start, which means that I had to wait 7 excruciating days between each episode. You can binge listen to the entire thing, here.




2. The Slate “Suite” of Podcasts
I actually discovered the Slate podcasts through Serial, because they started running a “Serial Spoiler Special” each week to discuss the newest episode, and I was such a Serial addict that I wanted MORE Serial. That’s why I started listening to Slate’s Serial Spoiler Special, and from there I found all the other delightful Slate Podcasts.

To be honest, they all basically follow the same format, which is “really smart people talking about relevant, interesting things.” It’s a good formula! My favorites:

The Pop Culture Gabfest
Educated, insightful people discussing everything from the latest exhibit at MOMA to their obsession with a new bad reality TV show. Art, books, film, music, and social critique – they cover it all. And it’s FUN.

The Political Gabfest
Liberal-leaning but not as left as me, still smart, and saucy-when-needed. They cover current events, but not necessarily the predictable ones. I appreciate their perspective, and it keeps me up to date on what the more moderate crowd is thinking (ie, gets me outside my radical little bubble).

Mom and Dad Are Fighting
The only parenting podcast I listen to, and I must admit I’m relatively new here. But I like the two hosts and their openness about their parenting triumphs AND failures. I like the guests and the many views presented. I like the solidarity of “none of us know what we’re doing here, we’re all fumbling through this parenting thing together, man”. I like.

Slate produces a number of other podcasts, some of which I listen to (like the Double X gabfest for women), and some of which I don’t (like Hang Up and Listen, their sports podcast), and all of which are available for your perusal, here.




3. Citizen Radio
A political podcast that’s left of left of left, that’s smart and subversive and really, really fucking funny. That’s not afraid to criticize liberal leaders, or to call out all of us – all of us – on our shit. And I just dropped that “fucking” and that “shit” on purpose, because if that makes you balk a bit, then this is definitely not the podcast for you, haha (Which is also totally okay! Different strokes for different folks, and variable messaging for the variable masses. Right?).

Citizen Radio is the project of a husband-wife team of badass brainy jujitsu-armed (yes, really) vegans. And if that doesn’t sell it, I just don’t know what will. They talk a lot about the stuff that mainstream networks are too cowardly to face, like racial politics (real ones, not the pretend ones), about sexism and misogyny, and about cultural appropriation. They will call you out on your privilege! And it’s awesome. I’ve learned more from listening to this podcast than I ever learned from NPR, Air America, MSNBC, or any political or sociology class I ever took in college (truth!)

And, I laugh all the way through it.




4. Savage Lovecast
Sometimes you just need some good old-fashioned sex talk. You know, like how to navigate your polyamorous relationship, where to find a partner who’s “GGG” (good, giving, and game), and whether or not you need to DTMFA (dump the mother fucker already). And so much more! Dan Savage writes the infamous Savage Love sex advice column, and his seriously sinful Savage Lovecast is even more incredible.

I hope it goes without saying that this is not for the faint of heart, but what I love so very much about Dan Savage is not only his cutting wit, not only his scandalous humor, but also, jeepers, the man is WISE. His political/activist monologues are always full of passion and insight. And although he’s a proud freak in the bedroom, he’s also a loving husband who just celebrated 20-years with his partner Terry, as well as a dedicated father of a perfectly well-adjusted teenaged son.

I like that Dan Savage lives waaaay outside the mainstream, and he does life right. This podcast is smart, funny, and sexy as hell. I love!

But seriously don’t listen to this if you’re easily offended.




5. NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour
Who knew that I, of all people, would be such a sucker for pop culture podcasts!? But what can I say, it’s just so much fun to hear smart people talking about interesting things (basically that same Slate model here). Some of them are petty and some of them are poignant, but all of them are POP.

Pop Culture Happy Hour is fun because they have an ever-revolving collection of NPR writers, bloggers, and staffers that come on to share the spotlight. It’s always a fresh perspective, and I’ve learned about so many bands, books, shows, and movies that I don’t even know where to start.

This podcast makes me extra happy for Fridays!




6. RH Reality Check
Amanda Marcotte is a writer who covers feminism and politics, and she is one of the most inspirational writer/activists that I follow. And, she’s also the host of RH Reality Check, a podcast that covers women’s sexual and reproductive health news. SO EXCITING RIGHT?

Okay, so I know that’s probably pretty . . . serious sounding. And it is, actually, but it’s also perfectly penned and beautifully bite-sized (half an hour once a week). As a woman and a feminist, I feel like it’s so important to keep track of the many ways that women’s issues are playing out across the country. And just a heads up – it’s sort of dismal.

Which is why we need to stay informed, and keep fighting. So give this podcast a listen so you can get inspired and fired up!




7. Invisibilia
Remember up there ^^ when I said that Serial is the most popular podcast of all time? Well, I lied. It WAS the most popular podcast of all time . . . until Invisibilia hit the scene this past winter.

“Invisibilia” is Latin for “all the invisible things”, and Invisibilia, the podcast, is about just that. All the invisible forces that influence our everyday lives, from emotion to sensory perception to technology, and more. It’s kind of like Radio Lab meets This American Life, with the perfect balance of whipsmart science and deeply personal storytelling.

The premier season contains a quick 6 episodes. And oh my goodness, the final episode, “Our Computers, Ourselves” had me bawling my eyes out at the majesty and the tenderness of the human experience.

Good stuff. Really, really good stuff.




Oh And Also!
Here are a few more that I listen to regularly. They don’t make the “favorites” cut, but they’re still in the frequent rotation:

RuPaul’s What’s The Tee? with Michelle Visage
Legendary drag queen RuPaul talks about life, the universe, and everything with his best squirrel friend, Michelle Visage (who recently went vegan!).

Radio Lab
Science through the lens of humanity.

Freakanomics
The “economics” (not money, just social science) of life. Explores “the hidden side of everything”.

The Moth
People get up on stage in front of strangers and tell a true story, live, without notes.

Our Hen House
An animal rights and ethical veganism podcast hosted by a couple of sassy broads who I just so happen to know and love. Changing the world for animal.

This American Life
One of the pioneers. The name says it all.

Okay guys, now it’s your turn!! I want to know YOUR favorite podcasts, cause lawd knows I’m always on the lookout for more! So please please, lay ‘em on me!

Thanks guys! Looking forward to hearing what you love to listen to!

Here’s what we found in our snack box this March:





So what do you think of the question I asked at the end (see how I did that there? now you HAVE to watch it, ha!). Yes? Or no? Lemme know in the comments below!

And if you’re interested in learning more about Vegan Cuts, I can tell you that they have a lot to offer!

As you already know, we get the monthly Snack Box Delivery, which we just adore.

There’s also a monthly (or one-time too, if you just want to try it) Beauty Box delivery service for makeup and body products.

Or, if you’re interested in easing into a plant-based lifestyle, they have a “Healthy Vegan Starter Kit” to kick off your adventure!

Maybe you have an awesome new mama in your life? The “Family Starter Kit” is perfect for the wee baby vegans (and the ones who love them!)

And just last week, Vegan Cuts released their brand new “Vegan Vitamins Essential Box“, which is a perfect spring pick-me-up if you’re wanting to shake off that winter slump.

In other words, SO MUCH GOOD STUFF! And just so you know, those are all affiliate links up there (ie, if you click through and buy, I’ll get a commission – a great way to support the site!). But if that makes you feel uncomfortable just skip these links and make your way to Vegan Cuts here <-- NOT an affiliate link. My intention is never to deceive you, so I'll always tell you when links are affiliates. Groovy?

Alright guys, so let me know! Yes? No? I can handle the truth! I really just want to give you what you want, so let me have it.

Thanks y’all! Happy Monday!

♥ ♥ ♥

Two years in a row I secured a press pass, got everything all lined up, scheduled the time off . . . and then had to cancel my trip at the last minute. Two years in a row I missed my chance, but this year, I finally made it. EXPO!

For those of you unfamiliar, Expo West is the largest natural products convention in the world. It takes place annually at the Anaheim Convention Center, and sees over 70,000 people perusing the thousands of companies exhibiting their latest and greatest natural food, supplement, bath and body, and eco-lifestyle products.

But . . . mostly food.

And she’s right. And it got me thinking, as I drove myself and a trunk full of product samples, and also half of a 37 pound fresh jackfruit, 3 hours home to Santa Barbara.

What would my readers be interested in? Cutting edge food science innovation? (you guyssss the new cheeses are crazy, crazy I say! SO good. Daiya ready-made mac is what dreams are made of)

Or the most creative, most whole-foods-plant-based, absolute healthiest new foods? (like you guys, Miyoko’s Kitchen makes amazing artisan vegan cheeses using whole, natural ingredients and applying ancient, traditional cheesemaking techniques. And they’re SO good!)

And then I realized, that really, I – and my readers too I’m guessing – appreciate both. Because we believe in balance. Because we know that processed foods, though maybe not the healthiest, is also a wonderful treat that make veganism more accessible and more enjoyable. And we know that the healthiest foods are equally as important, to keep us nourished and strong and happy and vibrant. It’s all about balance, and embracing the entire spectrum of vegan options.

But then, I began to think about what’s really important to me. Like if I were to make my “Best Of Expo” list, what would be my most important criteria? Food science innovation? Ultimate health?

And I bet that’s important to you, too.

So this year I’m giving out three awards. #1 – for the Best Food Science Break-Through, #2 – for the Best New Healthy Option, and #3 – the Integrity Award.

Plus pics of all the other goodies, and oh-so-many shenanigans! Without further ado, I present: Highlights From The 2015 Natural Products Expo West

Daiya cheesecake drops in Whole Foods and health food stores across the nation, like ASAP. Like this week.

GO GET IT.

I was a little hesitant to pick these as my winner for “healthy option” because they contain sugar, but in the end I had to do it. These Hemp Heart Bites by Manitoba Harvest were simply my favorite, and I haven’t seen anything else like them out there. Just organic hulled hemp seeds with organic cane sugar, a bit of vanilla and a hint of sea salt.

THESE ARE SO TASTY. They’re kinda crunchy and kinda chewy. They remind me of a Bit-O-Honey or the inside of a Butterfinger, but of course they’re full of protein (10 grams per serving!) and healthy omega 3 fatty acids. These would be great for an after school kid snack . . .

. . . Too bad Jeremy and I ate them all before Waits could try them (they were too good!)

And finally, the winner of my “Integrity Award” goes to One Degree Organic Foods, for their organic, VEGANIC line of whole grain products: cereals, breads, flours, and seeds. Speaking with the folks at this booth was like a big bright breath of fresh air. These are good people, and they really care, and they’re really pushing the boundaries of sustainable food production.

Oh yeah, and they have chocolate rice crispies* so they WIN. (*by which I mean veganic sprouted brown rice crisps made with organic coconut sugar and organic cacao)

You can read more about this amazing company, and their amazing commitment to Integrity, here

And well, that about wraps it up for my 2015 Expo West report. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun, and I just can’t wait for next year!

And I’m sure you’ve seen all the bloggers recapping with all their highlights, so what about you guys – what products are YOU most excited about? Let me know in the comments below!

Oh and PS – Michelle from Vegan Break put together this adorable video => “Vegans Invade Expo”, and it’s funny to me how many times my blue hair pops up in the background. I definitely don’t blend in!

Also you can see Colleen Patrick-Goudreau creepin’ on my beer. Shenanigans!





Cheers!

But I gotta say – I am just continually impressed and delighted by the BURSTING vegan scene that’s happening in Los Angeles right now! Events, meetups, shows, gatherings, so much enthusiasm, and more so than in any of the other cities I’ve experienced – DIVERSITY. It’s truly special and I feel so grateful to be a part of it.

And last weekend’s Vegan Street Fair was no exception. It was packed – and I mean overly-packed, haha, but that’s a good thing right? – with people from all walks of life. Very old and very young, all colors and backgrounds, hipsters and hippies and families and squares, and everything in between. Basically, it was a wide cut of the general overall LA populace, and to me that means just one thing:

Vegan has gone mainstream!

What a wonderful thing to experience. And it really was a wonder of a day, full of catching up with old friends, getting to know new friends (I finally got to meet Laura Yaz from Big Fat Vegan Radio!), and sampling delicious bite-size treats from dozens of SoCal restaurants and vendors (which was like, actually the point of the event).

So without further ado, here’s a few photos from our day:

Of course, it did continue to rain on and off for the rest of the day. Soggy.

So thanks, LA. I think I kind of love you.

And cheers! Cheers to LA and the badass vegan army that’s making it burn brighter than ever. All my love.

So recently MattRuscigno, my ex-vegan-investigating partner in crime, asked me to review his new book, Superfoods For Life: Cacao. And I was like OH TWIST MY ARM FINE, BUT ONLY BECAUSE WE’RE FRIENDSIES and then I ran away and I ate ALL THE CHOCOLATE. For research!

But all joking aside, Matt is so the dude to write this book. The man is legit (registered dietitian with a master’s in public health), but more importantly, one of the things I love most about Matt (and why we work so well together) is that we have a similar approach to food and nutrition. Which is essentially to keep a very open mind, but with the bottom line being: “Okay, but what does the science say?”

And I really appreciate that, in a book like this. Because as it turns out, holy moly, a LOT of research has been done on cacao! Which means there’s this totally comprehensive body of evidence to pull from, and say yeah, actually, cacao is kind of badass!

75 recipes to be exact, all custom created by Joshua Ploeg, the punk rock vegan chef. And man, does this guy understand something special about flavor pairing. Again and again I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the recipes in this book. For example that simple smoothie up there – it’s blueberry and cacao, which isn’t really anything new. But then with added cinnamon? Okay, I can get behind that . . . but added cinnamon AND lemon? I was skeptical, but boy … I was wrong.

I don’t know how he does it, but like I said – again and again. He has a gift! Like no joke, coleslaw made with CHOCOLATE and DILL. I seriously can’t even. But it’s AWESOME!!

But more than that, this book will tell you why you should be eating more cacao (and I mean gosh, who doesn’t want to hear that?!)

For example, cacao is a rich source of minerals and antioxidants. It’s anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy. It helps to regulate hormones and to reduce symptoms of fatigue. It has complex and myriad phytochemicals, and it’s a great source of some of the healthiest plant-based fats!

All of these benefits are covered in fascinating detail – with science to corroborate – throughout the book.




One of my favorite things about the book – and since it’s from Matt, whose integrity is razor sharp, I wasn’r particularly surprised – was the section on labor practices and the importance of buying fair trade. He also covers the environmental considerations associated with cacao, and man, I just appreciated this section so much.

There’s a lot that goes into our food systems and our dietary choices. More than just immune-boosting or organic certification. And it’s so refreshing to see these issues tackled both gracefully and articulately.

SO. GOOD.

This Jerk Tofu will be in regular rotation ’round these parts, for years to come. The flavors! Unreal man, just unreal.

It’s worth it for the jerk tofu alone. Trust me!

Cheers!

♥

I’ll admit, I was nervous. This is the first time I have ever directly partnered with a large company, and certainly the first time that I’ve been financially compensated for doing so (and yes, full disclosure, I am being compensated for my participation in the program). So, as I’m sure it goes without saying, this had me feeling slightly apprehensive. I mean, what would be expected of me? And would I be compromising my integrity in the eyes of my readers?

Like, y’all know I’d breach contract before I’d say something I couldn’t stand behind. So . . . was I setting myself up to be sued? (Haha) (But no seriously)




Okay, so maybe I was being a little bit silly. (Tendency to totally over-think things? Check!) Because honestly? All my reservations were resolved within the first few minutes of the first Goodness Circle conference call. And I am SO happy to be a part of this team!

I was raised by hippies in a certified-crunchy household, which meant I grew up using Tom’s products. So I was familiar with the brand insomuch as I knew they were all-natural, and were pioneers in that field. Because of this, Tom’s is one of the most widely available natural + eco-friendly + cruelty-free brands around. And that was the main reason I decided to accept this partnership. I love that Tom’s means access. Tom’s is in Trader Joe’s, in regular grocery stores, and in drug stores. Tom’s means that almost anyone, almost anywhere, can choose a safer and more wholesome product for their family.

What I didn’t know going into this, and what I quickly learned in that first conference call, is that Tom’s is a company that’s completely centered around social responsibility and community building. For example, 10% of ALL profits are donated to charity, every year. I couldn’t believe that!

As well, every Tom’s employee is encouraged to take 5% of their paid work time to go volunteer with the organization of their choice. That’s to say, they will go work somewhere else, and Tom’s will pay them as though they were working at Tom’s. 5% of their hours, every year.

Dudes. That’s incredible! You can learn more about their charity and community outreach programs, here. I have been completely impressed with this company, and the more I learn, the more I love them. Yes, no company is perfect. But that’s okay, because neither am I. What I really appreciate is Toms’ openness to hearing from their customers, and making changes.

I look forward to sharing my ideas (and YOUR ideas) with them over the next year (and have, in fact, already begun to do so). I am excited to see what will grow out of this partnership. And now I want to ask you – what would you like to see? Do you use Tom’s Of Maine products? Y’all are conscientious, informed, inspiring eco-warriors. I’d love to hear from you!

♥ ♥ ♥