A New Yorker In Boston OR : A Simple Post For Not So Simple Times

I have a car.
I live in Queens NY.
I want to go to the above event.
I have room for a couple of people.
Does any body from the NYC area wanna go?
Email me : brownbirdrudyrelic (a) gmail . com
Thank You

A Perfect Vegan Monday OR : Isa Chandra Rules OKAY!

Isa from the Block

Either i'm a victim of that fuzzy little thing called pessimism or I just don't allow myself to adorn that shiny coat called naivety - but - I don't think Veganism will ever overtake our current situation. I don't. And. I have my reasons. So. Poo! No perfect world for me.

But I do like to daydream though. And you can bet your sweet sass that I have my ideas of what that perfect world would look like.

In my perfect world, Paula Deen wouldn't exist and Isa Chandra would kick Rachel Ray's EVOOin ass. For Sure.

And. Well. Lo and behold! : Isa's in the news! If you haven't heard or seen it, then have yourself a gander.

Go Isa!

She's even brought a sweet recipe to boot! And. Well. There's also this Vegan Lemon Cheescake recipe from the same AP story too. Oh. And, this piece on the Essentials of a Vegan Baking Pantry.

Okay. So. Maybe we won't take over the world, but, we sure have better food no?

Oh. And. I stole this above photo from Sharyn Morrow.

Tantalizing Tidbits To Tickle Your Vegan Ears OR : Vegan Podcasts At A Glance

Irrespective of where you may have been sleeping (under a rock or not) you probably know what a podcast is by now, so, I'll spare the semantics and get right to the point. Here's a listing (in no order) of some of the best vegan/vegan related ones out there for your auditory pleasure.

Erik's Diner - Animal Rights Activists and Author Erik Marcus' survey of all things vegan/AR related. From interviews to politics to food talk - it covers it all.

Vegan Freak Radio - The podcast of Bob & Jenna Torres (of Vegan Freak fame) two foul-mouthed, irreverent and hardline-as-hell vegans who don't pull any punches- it's equally funny as it is informative.

Let's Get Baked - Seriously, quite possibly the best of the punch. (probably because, I myself am more of a foodie) Mixing music with vegan foodiness. The jumble up rad recipes with rad music. Not to be missed. Totally.

Go Vegan Radio - This was described to me as "the most reputable vegan podcast out there" - and this may be true because it's actually a radio show. Interesting, informative and esteemed.

Vegan Cooking School - A cooking school and a podcast wrapped into one big ball of hoo hot yell yeah - now you're cooking with MP3!

Vegan Radio - Contrary to popular belief this has nothing to do with Cuba Gooding Jr going vegan. It's a cooperative (featuring Derek Goodwin of Veganica and Megan Shakelford of Oh Sweet Mama Vegan Bakery) show with things in and out of the vegan sphere.

Blogging The Bloggers OR: A Vegan Blog Round Up Diversion

Get out your paintbrush. Okay. So. Admitting that you visit about 50 blogs (uh, and counting...) a day either paints you as someone who has their thumb on the pulse of the Vegan blogosphere or is juggling a few social ineptitudes.

I don't know, you be the judge - beside, I have enough baggage already, the last thing I need is an existential magnifying glass pointed at my forehead - and, well, those things are heavy.

So. I was asked recently: "what and why do certain blogs make it to the roundup?" and "Why are some blogs featured while others are not?"

1. Recipes - this, my dear friends is the whole reason I read blogs. Out there. Hidden just above the froth that is the html and code are delectable treasures created by an assemblage of talented vegan chefs. They inspire me!

2. Ingenuity - daily, I never ceased to be amazed at the awe-inspiring inventiveness of those vegan bloggers who take recipes and flip them on their head to create masterpieces separate from their inspirata.

3. Literary Prowess - some bloggers do nothing but concoct amazing anecdotes; some, do this so well that I can't help but blog about their blogging - in turn creating some peripheral dimension that threatens to destroy us all!

And. Lastly.

4. Food Porn - okay, so, yeah, long gone (at least for me anyway) are the days of "I'm a vegan and look what I ate yesterday" food bloggery - but there are some bloggers that somehow, someway tantalize me with the kind of food pictures that make me drool all over my keyboard.

*Oh. And. The above photo is totally ripping off Black Flag.

The Vegan Bookshelf : A Look At Some New Vegan Cookbooks Just Around The Corner

Vegan Fusion World Cuisine
Publication Date: October 15th, 2007
Gotta Have it Factor: 6 outta 10

The Paperback version of the long out of print book by the same name. The World Famous Blossoming Lotus restaurant's skinny on a plethora of recipes that has made this place what it is and how it is regarded today.

VEGANOMICON
Publication Date: October 28th, 2007
Gotta Have It Factor: 11 outta 10

Seriously, I have never seen so much buzz about a vegan cookbook before, the thought, the idea the mere mention of this book sends vegans into uncontrollable fits of joy and happiness. Yeah, it's hard to get vegans to agree on anything (politics, food, honey, etc.) but word around the stove is that vegans are in a hand-holding cumbaya campfire singing tizzy over this one.

And. Well.

It's easy to see why - The Post Punk Kitchen's Isa Chandra Moscowitz & Terry Hope Romero are veganism's kick-ass answer and antithesis to all things omnivore. Sorry Sarah Kramer, there's some new queens of the Herbivorous throne.

My Sweet Vegan
Publication Date: November 2, 2007
Gotta Have It Factor: 8 outta 10

Knitter extraordinare, part conscious-cooking blogger at the Bittersweet Blog and amazing photographer Hannah Kaminsky's new book looks too sweet to pass up! You can rest assured that though this book will probably keep you in dentist bills, it will definitely keep your sweet tooth satisfied - and well, that's always good enough for me.

The Gluten-Free Vegan
Release Date
December 28th, 2007
Gotta Have It Factor: 5 outta 10

From the looks of things, author Susan Obrien already has slew of gluten-free cookbooks under her arm, this though, would be her first vegan foray in the field.

She's Got Vegan Soul and She's Super Bad

Every now, again, sometimes, somewhere in between and/or out of nowhere, a "reputable" publication will do a story about something vegan-related. More often than not though, it's a implicitly pejorative sucker-punch using veganism as a catylist to depreciate the vegan movement through mainstream society. It's the way the world works I suppose.

With that said, other times, these same "reputable" publications will do a piece that's more of a splash of cool water than boiling broth.

Case in point: Today's Washington Post's piece about Levita Mondie-Sapp, a 37-year old mother of two who uses veganism not only as a conduit to address health issues but to cook up some delicious soul food as well. The piece is brief, but refreshing.

Also, thankfully, the Washinton Post has even gone so far as to include some delicious looking recipes from Ms. Mondie-Sapp's semi-business Vita's Eatery. Check Em Out: Vita's Vegan Orange-Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Vita's Barbecue Tofu, Vita's Collard Green Won Tons, Vita's Vegan Corn Bread and Vita's Vegetarian 3-Bean Chipotle Chili.

Vegan With A Valence OR : The Vegan Blog Roundup

Have Cake Will Travel has it in the bag with this baguette recipe - Ah, yes, always consistent and carbtastic too!

Seitan Is My Motor is in test kitchen mode, mulling over a collection of recipes that run the gamut, siting Vegan Yum Yum to Vegan with a Vengeance. I love it when she get's all hyper-informative. Cooking smart!

When in doubt turn your leftovers into a glut of gourmet goodness. Vegan Visitor has many a trick up her sleeve, for instance, check out this Creamy Spinach Pesto recipe - a little ingenuity and inventiveness goes a long way no?

Oh. And. Speaking of inventive cooks and their respective cookery - Isa over at the PPK blog is smoky sweet with this Chili Pumpkin Cranberry Risotto with Spicy Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. Yeah, say that 5 times really fast. Whoo!

Ever heard of Hempmilk? Yeah, I've seen in the health food store a couple of times and I've been meaning to try it. Need an excuse? Well, how about this Almond Butter Hemp Cookie recipe from Veggie Girl? Uh-hum, motivation!

Need a new vegan book for your collection? Well, The Veg Blog has got the skinny on 3 books you may or may not have heard of or have or some variation of...

How It All Freegan OR :How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Jump On The Freegan Bandwagon

Judging from the reflection emanating from my peeled eyelids and unlocked ear buds as of late, you would think that Freeganism was either the next cool thing or in the least an inexorable monster swallowing up the countryside at the speed of molasses.

It’s been written about, opined, touted, analyzed and blogged to bits - creating a stir from the fringes to the front and center. Regardless of where you stand on the matter (I kind of fall somewhere between ambivalent and can’t be bothered - and besides, people have been dumpster diving long before there was a hot new catchphrase) it’s interesting to see how it’s being (soy)milked at the present moment.

FOR EXAMPLE:

CBS News ran a story yesterday. Newsweek did a "oh look I'm a freegan for a month" story. NPR picked up some of the slack with some 'spaning. And SuperVegan had a bit of back and forth in it's comment sections - mostly related to Susie Cagle's heated idea on the matter. (By the way, she's kinda my favorite vegan at the moment because of this post at her blog).

Have Blog Will Travel OR: The Vegan Blog Roundup

Even a veritable stomach virus can't stop me from blogging....

If I had any legislative powers whatsoever, I would probably nominate Celine of Have Cake Will Travel for mayor of Bake City. She's at it again with a slew of recipes that will not only tame your sweet tooth but they kick carbtastic ass. Case in point: Carob PB cookies, Bundle of Carbs and mini cupcakes. I just want the key to the city.

Seitan Is My Motor is rumbling in the jungle with this Zebrabread. What an inventive recipe no? Yeah. Somebody call David Attenborough.

Jess of Get Sconed has returned from her San Francisco trek and guess what? She's brought recipe links and food porn. Now, discuss amongst yourselves.

Here's an example of October Math: October = Pumpkins / Pumpkins = Yeah! - So. Uh. I don't know what that was about, but, anyway, Vegan Visitor is using her pumpkin power with this tartastic Savory Pumpkin Tart.

Oh. And. Speaking of October...

It's Canadian Thanksgiving in the VeganFeast Kitchen!

A Veg Up On The Competition OR: The Vegan Blog Roundup

Veg Blogs Rule!

Vegan Yum Yum puts the 'veg' back in vegan with these Autumn vegetable recipes. Awwww, remember the good ol' days before meat-analog and Seitan worship, yeah, me neither.

The Urban Housewife's Blog is a candy-coated sugar dream; never failing with her sugarific recipes. Watch. Like. Check this out. Wait. Ready? Chocolate Peanut Butter Woopie Pies. Uh, huh, Just call me Sugar Rush Limbaugh.

So. Have Cake Will Travel, makes some Carob Brownies, right? Then, blogs a bit, then, takes a bite and blogs some more. Real time vegan cooking blogging. Too bad they didn't come out so good. Oh. And. She even gives me a nice little shout out on her blog. Yeah, we're tight like that, in fact she's a featured rapper on my next album. Okay. I totally made that up.

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving? Hells Yeah! Vive Le Vegan throws it down!

Seitan is My Motor is booming back to her bread ways with these "Hairy Rolls". Yeah, I know the Dill. Ugh, yeah, I went there...

If you read enough Vegan Blogs then you may very well experience different emotive stages mixed with a shot of awe and jealousy. Case in point: Cakemaker to the Stars insanely amazing Chocolate Rose Cocoa Puff Cake. uhmahgaw Kittee, you rule!

Susan V of Fat Free Blog is dishing up some Gluten-Free Cracker recipes. Somehow, someway she's always making the stuff I've been thinking about. She's like psychic or something.

And. Of. Course. There's VEGANOMICON! - Veg By Dawn!

His Vegan Gal Friday

Casey Affleck is the less annoying Affleck. (Sorry, Ben, you irk me) Word around the campfire is that he's also a passionate Vegan. Read about him HERE.

Well, yes, those dumpster diving food salvagers have had there share of the spotlight in recent weeks. Whoa, that Adam Weissman is some PR maven no? Recently a writer for Newsweek got down and dirty with Freeganism and the outcome was an interesting read, or a least an exercise in idiosyncratic pop culture porn journalism. For those who want the auditory scoop then you can hear about it on NPR.

You could literally build a fort with the amount of paper being used to report on David Warwak - (or at least fill up on your share of soymilk and internet cookies) - The guy has been all over the news, and filling up the blogsphere like an SUV at a gas station - word is, the cat wants his job back.

Y'know what's annoying? When people use implicit remarks to disparage veganism? Hows this for a quote by ABC news on drastically reducing cholestorol using the Portfolio Diet - "Of course, the down side is that this is a vegan diet -- no animal foods at all" HewMeanIGottaBeallHellthy? Boo Fucking Hoo!

Vegans Understand Vegans Simply Because We're Vegan

I'm out of the Went Vegan office today.
I'll see you upon my return!
Happy Veg!

Photo By Mike Wells

The Feast Of The Beast Of The Mau Mau Or : The Vegan Blog Round UP

More Kale in your diet? Vegan Yum Yum show you how you can do this with this traditional Irish Colcannon. Kale Bill.

Need More Yufka in your diet? Seitan Is My Motor shows you exactly what Yufka is and has this nice Triangle recipe to soften the blow.

There's nothing like throwing together a few things from the fridge for some last minute Gourmet Goodness. Check out Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan's (you ready?) Oven Roasted Herbed Tempeh with Zucchini and Sun Dried Tomato Creme Sauce over Linguine (whew...)

If you've been privy to Kitte's Cakemaker to the Stars blog as of late, you know that's she's recently triumphed with her Injera recipe. Now. She puts it to good use. What pizazz...

How does one use up the last of this season's corn? Vegan Visitor has a nifty little Chili Corn Chowder that looks like it will solve this conundrum. mmmmm corn....

The Vegan Hump

So, not much on the Veg front today....

There's nothing like a beef recall to further drive home the viability of a vegan Diet. "The Topps Meat Company recalled 21 million pounds of ground beef last week after samples from a New Jersey facility tested positive for a dangerous strain of E. coli." Ewww. How. Gross.

Also, "Two news studies by PCRM experts confirm that a vegan diet is the best diet plan for long-term weight loss and can significantly increase chances of survival after prostate cancer diagnosis"

And.

Gothamist asks "Is Vegetarian Restaraunt week a failure?" - Uh, where do I sign up?

A Most Excellent Vegan Adventure, Or : The Vegan Blog Roundup

Have you ever wanted to concoct your own Jellied Cranberry Sauce? Well, Vegan Yum Yum shows you how! SLURP!

Have Cake Will Travel is up to her carbtastic tricks again with this Dark Rye Whole Wheat Bread - Whew! This gal can bake!

Vegan Eats and Treats is caballing at the SF VegFest and blogs it all in honor of World Vegetarian Day. Can somebody say Luuukkkkie?

The Village Vegan is using her vegan tomato power with this wonderful heirloom tomato tart with capers, olives and carmelized onions.

Aparently Don't Get Mad Get Vegan and I are in total accordance, Have Cake Will Travel's blog kicks vegan ass! Somebody get this gal a book deal!

It looks like Squirrels Vegan Kitchen has returned with a armory of recipes for the world's perusal. My kinda eats!

What happens when you take one of the vegan world's best blogger's and pit her against a challenging Ethiopian bread recipe? You get Cake Maker to the Stars triumph over Injera!

Isa has said goodbye to her long-lasting-always-interesting-livejournal and has made the switch to Wordpress. She is so cool.

And. Finally.

Though I have yet to post anything about her up until this point, which, is super weird considering this is hands down MY FAVORITE vegan blog of all time - Susan V of Fat Free Vegan shows why she is undoubtedly one of the best out there with this Mac and "Cheeze" recipe. Always inventive, always delicious!

It Takes A Vegan Tuesday To Make A Thing Go Right

Today's WHA? News has to come from recent Peta Spokesperson Dita Von Teese. Check this quote out "Peta is totally aware of me wearing fur. I'm not working with Peta to tell people to be vegetarians or to stop wearing fur. I am there to strictly speak about spaying and neutering your pets." Uh....What?

Former director of operations for the San Francisco SPCA, Nathan Winograd's book "Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America" is causing quite a stir by "challeng[ing] the very foundation of nearly every theory and principle of shelter management in this country: The idea that there are more pets dying in shelters each year than homes available for those pets." You can read more HERE.

Mary Britton Clouse is a chicken rescuer extraordinare - "she founded Chicken Run Rescue in 2001, believed to be the only chicken adoption organization in the nation." You can read about this poultry liberator by going HERE. Or watch a video HERE.

Since World Vegetarian Day was yesterday there's been a bit of this and that all over the news - Here's some interesting views on vegetarianism from a wide variety of people displaying various opinions from the wishful to the ill informed. Yeah.

I just can't get enough of Thiru Kumar - The Dosa Man's Vendy Award is big news in NYC (where I reside) and he's been everywhere from the small rags, to the blogs to the big papers. Here's a detail of the what went down at the Vendys from Gothamist.

And. Well, there's nothing like a foie gras story to make you lose your appetite. Bon apet-gross...

Oh. And. The Above photo has little relevance other than it being a picture of Tuesday Weld and it's Tuesday today. What?

I Get So Veg in The Knees or : The Vegan Blog Roundup

Tomato Crazy? The Concious Kitchen bids a fond farewell to tomatoes with a great piece and scrumptious pictures.

I've always appreciated Have Cake Will Travel's loquaciousness, frequent postings and great photos. Okay. So. Check this out. Pumpkin Risotto, Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Buns, Disco Stew and finally Coconut concoctions. You go girl!

The Village Vegan is flying off to Italy tomorrow (bon voyage!) and leaves behind this amazing Eggplant Raita to oogle.

Seitan Is My Motor is cooking up a recipe roundup and the results fantastic! Vroom! Vroom!

Sometimes vegan bloggers blow you away with their pictures and adventures - even make you wee bit jealous. Well, Eat'n Veg'n did just that with this arsenal. That's it, I see some dirty dishes in my future!

It's definitely nice to Let's Get Sconed back in the Fray with this WOO HOO! of a recipe in this: "Sick Soup".

Too! Too! Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! is all successes with this array of culinary triumphs!

Ah Yes! What a nice post! Dosas! And just in time to Celebrate Thiru Kumar's Vendy Award win. Cake Maker to the Stars has the scoop!

Vegan Mondays Are Always Better Than Carniverous Mondays!

Today, October 1st, is World Vegetarian Day - what is it all about? (Hell, it's been around for 30 years now...) Get your read on here, here, here, here, oh yeah and here too.

Well, those crossed fingers and well wishes have done the trick - or well, it was probably the tasty food he dishes up everyday in Washington Square Park...! New York City's beloved Thiru "The Dosa Man" Kumar has won the Vendy Awards! Hell. Yes. Naturally, he's all the rage !

I like Terry Romero of the Post Punk Kitchen even more now after reading this little bit about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 15th Annual Chile Pepper Fiesta - I'm quite the Chilihead myself y'know.

In Evansville, Indiana : "A national animal-protection organization is $400 richer thanks to the efforts of 13 men and women who walked two miles in Downtown Evansville on Sunday to protest factory farming and the inhumane treatment of animals at stockyards."

Everybody's favorite Freegan Adam Weissman is in the news again - love or loathe him, the guy gets around. Totally. So, like, who's this guy's PR agent?

A PETA Billboard Asks Al Gore, 'Too Chicken to Go Vegetarian?' - here's the official press release. Oh, Al, you gotta talk to Al. (obscure reference alert)