Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. – Albert Camus

Abused patience turns to fury. – Thomas Fuller

Dairy is like a drug, a cruelty-filled drug.

You’ll need:

• Corn meal
• Extra firm tofu
• 1 can of pinto beans
• 2 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 1 tsp soy sauce mixed with 1 tsp of water
• Pepper to taste
• Hot sauce (of course)

Cut tofu into slabs, toss in soy sauce mix then place into an iron skillet.  Cook on each side until nicely toasted.  Set aside.  In the same skillet, toss in pinto beans.  Add salt/pepper to taste and garlic- cook until nicely toasted.  While the beans are toasting up, cook the corn meal according to the package.  It’s usually something simple like mix with water and bring to a boil.  The key, I find, with creamy polenta is of course to keep whisking it to prevent lumps.  When it’s all done, pile it all on a plate and dump hot sauce all over it.

That’s it.  No really, that’s it. Enjoy.

PS.

This might seem so simple it’s not worth of recipe status.  Not so.  You can dress up this simple plate as much as you want. I’ve added onions and peppers to my beans, piled tomatoes, guacamole, and cilantro to the top with a squeeze of lime.   Then there’s those times I’ve added black-eyed peas (in place of the pintos) and greens.  Mix it up, it’s good stuff.

A GTs Kombucha lid wrapper is Jahnni’s favorite cat toy. She’s all about reuse and recycle.

I’ve been sitting here trying to write this post all day.  I keep typing and erasing, typing and erasing.  It’s no shock to me that I can’t write, it’s been happening for the past two months.

It’s been 60 days as of today that my soul-dog Olli died.  In that 60 days I’ve had two senior kitties diagnosed with a terminal disease, both failing at a steady and fast past.  And to be frank, it sucks.  It all sucks.  It’s hard to watch loved ones die obviously, so caring for the cats is bittersweet.  I’m grateful for every second of every minute of every day that I have with them.  I go out of my way to give them the things that they enjoy to help ease the burden of their diseases.  I will sit in an uncomfortable position for hours because a sick kitty is in my lap and I don’t want to disturb them.  It’s bittersweet, like I said.

And that’s not even addressing the underlying grief of losing Olli.  Trust me when I tell you, it’s no fun to talk to me about that, it’s sad.  Truth is, all this sadness is making it hard for me to talk about anything.  I simply have nothing to say.

So, I am saying goodbye to YDV for awhile to care for my girls and grieve for my lost friend.  I’ll come back again when the time is right.

Before I go, a few things.  I’m still selling (and will continue to sell) t-shirts over at YDV Souvenirs, perhaps you’d like to buy one?  You can feel good about your purchase too!  I donate a portion of proceeds to charities that care for the lives of animals.  The latest design:

Because Lobsters really are freaking cool!

I’ll still be on the web during my sabbatical from YDV.  Stay in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram (user name is Your Daily Vegan)!  Seriously, stay in touch- you know how much I heart you.

Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to the following folks who graciously donated an item for review.  The reviews unfortunately didn’t post (see: circumstances above) and everyone was super understanding and awesome about it.  Good folks, that’s what I’m saying.

Everyday Happy Herbivore by Lindsay Nixon.  Nixon’s new book offers up over 175 vegan meals that you can make in 30 minutes or less.  In true Happy Herbivore style, the food is low fat/fat free, packed with nutrients and made with the stuff you’d find in almost any pantry.  Perfect for folks who are interested in eating healthy food but don’t want to spend a million years in the kitchen cooking 3 meals a day, or folks who are just looking to add some tasty recipes to their repertoire. (There’s single serving dessert recipes in this cookbook.  Single. Serving. Desserts. Swoon.)  Check it out at Happy Herbivore.

The Tourist Trail by John Yunker.  This fiction novel has everything that a great book needs; Action! Spies! Adventure! Love! An environmental/animal rights message and heroic vegans!  I read it, I loved it, and I passed it on.  Find out more at The Tourist Trail.

[Also, this is hilarious.]

Comfortably Unaware global depletion and food responsibility…what you choose to eat is killing our planet by Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander.  This easy to read book takes a look at the consequences of our eating habits and the effect they have on our planet.   Comfortably Unaware refers to our own general complacency about our actions.  This book is a good primer and conversation starter for folks who care and want to make a difference.  Find out more at Comfortably Unaware.

That’s It. Fruit Snack Bars.  In a word, delicious.  These vegan, all-natural bars are made with 2 whole servings of GMO-free fruit and nothing else- that’s it.  They’re convenient, low calorie and perfect for a healthy snack on the go or in a packed lunch.  They come in several kicking flavors; Apples + Cherries, Apples + Apricots, & (my favorite) Apples & Pears.  Check them out at That’s It.

Vivian Sharpe Vegan Superhero by Marla Rose.  This new (vegan) adolescent fiction book deserves high praise indeed.  Erik Marcus reviews this book nicely (and says what I would if I had reviewed it), be sure to check it out.  You can find more at Vivian Sharpe Vegan Superhero.

So, it’s goodbye for now.  I’ll be back around again- hopefully under much better circumstances.  ox

In Loving Memory, Olli

Sunrise 2004 ~ Sunset 2012

Periodically I get thick envelopes from my mom filled with newspaper clippings: cartoons, coupons and articles that she knows will interest me.  It’s a little packet of love.  Recently she sent me just such an envelope and among the offerings was a long article by The Plain Dealer’s Food & Restaurants Editor, Joe Crea, titled “Picking Veganism.”

Cleveland isn’t known for embracing the consumption of fresh produce, soy products and whole grains, so I was both thrilled and surprised to see that my hometown paper had devoted a lot of space to plant-based eating.  But as I read the article, I felt twinges of disappointment.  While I do my best not to be a preachy, whiner of a vegan, I couldn’t help wish that Mr. Crea had included some things in his article and nixed others.

What Mr. Crea did right: There’s a good definition of the nuts and bolts of veganism – what we eat, what we don’t eat – the ins and outs of which can confound carnivores.  There’s an interesting discussion of how area restaurants are slowly modifying their menus to accommodate folks who shun animal products – how it’s not enough now to just serve up pasta primavera or a plate of roasted vegetables and call it a meal.  Vegans are demanding tasty creativity on their plates.  The article helpfully includes links for vegan resources and nutritional information and even has several easy plant-based recipes for readers to try at home.  And finally, Mr. Crea discusses the various reasons why people choose veganism, from economics, to health, to animal ethics.  Overall, it’s a worthy primer.

Despite these positives, the negatives nagged at me.  The most glaring omission, to me, was the lack of real vegans interviewed or profiled in the article.  By real I mean folks who have completely forsaken the consumption of meat, fish and dairy products.  Instead, he includes several people who let’s say, dabble in veganism.  He states that health issues (excessive bruising, digestion issues) forced his article’s subjects to resume eating small quantities of dairy products or occasionally eating fish.  These people are vegetarians, flexitarians or pescetarians, but they are definitely not vegans.  Go ahead, write an article about these various diets, but why include them in an article about veganism?  Why not profile people (surely Mr. Crea could have found some, even in Cleveland) who are thriving on a plant-based diet?

Another shortcoming was that there was minimal mention of the effect that veganism has on lowering cholesterol and clearing away deadly plaque from arteries.  The article states that cancer is the number one killer in America.  Did I miss something?  What about heart disease?  You know, that pesky disease caused by consuming red meat?  According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading cause of death for American men and women is heart disease.  Moving to a plant-based diet is a virtual guarantee of controlling or completely wiping out this killer.  It could be the single most compelling reason to turn to veganism.

Finally, protein.  That red-flag of a word.  Mr. Crea could’ve mentioned Vitamin B12 or how some vegans make the mistake of consuming too many processed and pre-packaged foods – bigger problems surely than getting enough protein.  The protein myth has dogged vegans for decades and the fact is that Americans by and large consume more protein than needed by the body.  Vegans who get a full complement of whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables, along with legumes and soy are assured of getting adequate amounts.  This article could have helped lay to rest the protein myth; instead it perpetuates it.

I get that for most people the thought of becoming vegan is daunting.  It’s a major commitment.  Mr. Crea suggests “baby steps” and transitioning into the diet and that’s fine.  Whatever path gets you there.  But the challenges are what make it so important for the mainstream media to accentuate the positive.  Talk about how one’s eating horizon expands once meat myopia is overcome – I’m a firm believer in converting people through their stomachs.  Talk about the increase in energy, the improved blood tests and the desire to care for and nurture one’s body.  Talk about the respect for the “lesser” beings – cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, fish, birds, etc. – that comes when one stops consuming them.

There are plenty of vegan sites and publications extolling the ethical and health reasons to eat animal-free.  That is preaching to the enthusiastically converted.  We need to see mainstream media picking up and running with positive, informed articles about veganism.  That is why The Plain Dealer article is so maddening.  An opportunity was lost.  The failure of this article and similar articles is that there is a seeming hesitation to just come out and write: a plant-based diet is the healthiest diet for the human body.  While they include information about plant-based diets improving cardiovascular health and lowering cancer rates, they soften the message by adding the nonsensical such as: veganism might be a good move for some people.  Couldn’t everyone stand to improve their health and increase longevity?  It’s as if the USDA and FDA are looking over reporters’ keyboards.  Isn’t the media supposed to be the watchdog for the American people – to question these governmental agencies (lobbied heavily by the meat and dairy industries) that are still espousing the consumption of unhealthy meat and dairy?

But my main point is this: why go to the trouble of writing an article about the benefits of a plant-based diet and not talk to the experts?  The men and women who are living and loving pure veganism – who are healthy, happy, full of energy and passion for their chosen diet?

Mr. Crea and The Plain Dealer got it right by publishing a lengthy, pro-vegan article.  But they got it wrong in so many disappointing ways.

Your Daily Vegan isn’t very daily lately, is it?  I know, sorry about that.  Life has been sucking pretty hard over here lately- not that we want to talk about that.  Instead we’ll talk about some of the awesome vegan stuff I’ve been sent to test out, it’s funner- you know.

So, here’s two ways to brighten your vegan day.  Up first, honey- or should I say, honee.

Bee Free Honee

Let’s talk honey.  (Let’s not talk about how honey is or isn’t vegan m’kay? It isn’t.)  Ah, honey.  I used to love it’s syrupy golden sweetness.  I dumped it in tea, I added it to my morning oats, I drizzled it on hot pita bread, I poured mounds in my super secret BBQ sauce- I ate copious amounts of it is what I’m saying.  Then I became vegan and so honey was eliminated from my diet.

Enter Bee Free Honee.  My honey free days are now over.  Bee Free Honee is a “apple honey” made from apples, vegan sugar, and lemon juice- that’s it.  It’s thick with a sweet, slightly tart flavor very similar to clover honey.  It makes an awesome addition to…well, almost everything.  I dumped it on my granola, I ate it on (vegan) buttered saltines, drizzled it over countless pitas, mashed it in a PB & banana sammie- it’s delicious.

[Incidentally, I just realized as I was typing this that I have all the ingredients to make vegan baklava. VEGAN BAKLAVA!]

Anyway, I love this stuff.  You’ll love this stuff too.  Get yourself some at www.beefreehonee.com.

Prem Soaps

From a kitchen somewhere in Brooklyn comes Prem Soaps.  Man, there’s a lot of things that are cool about Prem Soaps.  First, the scents, those super fantastic not-to-overpowering scents are divine.  I’m typically very smell sensitive (which is probably why most, if not all, of my personal care items are only as scented as the bare ingredients are- natural) and I really dug everything I sniffed.  The packaging takes advantage of the three R’s- reused, reusable, or recycleable.  The candles and bath salts come in adorable mason jars that you can return for money off your next order.  And the shipping?  The products are shipped by ground shipping only (to reduce Co2 emissions from airplane use).  Solid.

Then there is the massage candles, yes- massage candles.  Simply light the candle for 20 minutes to create a warm pool of organic and therapeutic oils, then massage into skin.  Hello sexy time!  Or not, but either way- lots and lots of fun.  These would make a fun gift for a couple- or as wedding favors, bridesmaids gifts, welcome gift at a B&B- I could go on and on.

Check out Prem Soaps for yourself at www.premsoaps.com!

[I also want to comment upon something that struck me when I read Prem's homepage.  First, I want to clarify that I'm bringing it up as a way of addressing my own feelings about vegetarianism & veganism.  I was a vegetarian for many years before I became vegan.  My vegetarianism opened my eyes to animal exploitation certainly, but I hadn't considered all forms of animal exploitation- namely dairy (and sometimes sea life).  Today, I know that animal exploitation goes far beyond my plate or closet.  It includes any time an animal is used for our own purposes or amusement.  I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to encourage my vegetarian friends at Prem Soaps to research these things at length.  We are the animals best and only defense, and they need our help.]

Gratitude and thanks to both Bee Free Honee and Prem Soaps for graciously sending me some of their products to review. 

Disclaimer:  Views and opinions expressed here are those of YDV and derived from personal experience.  These opinions are not influenced in any way by the receipt of goods or services.  We will always notify you when a product has been given to us to review, test, use, or talk about.

When I made the choice to give up eating animal products, I suddenly realized that in my effort to protect animals from the harsh cruelties of factory farming (along with many other things), I was missing something very important!  My wardrobe had a spattering of wool and silk but more evidently, my shoe and handbag selection were primarily made of leather.  I was dismayed by the fact I had never thought about this and that my passion for fashion was unnecessarily counteracting my beliefs.

Right then and there, I decided that I would never purchase a garment made of any animal product.  The switch was not exactly what I call simple and easy.  Often it took hours scouring the internet for the perfect vegan shoe or handbag.  When I tried out some non-leather accessories, it became clear to me that while these products were cruelty-free, many were made of cheap, non-sustainable materials and would fall apart easily.  They were “vegan by default”; labeled as vegan solely because they were made of no leather.  I figured other women were having this same difficulty and set out on a mission to make these items more easily accessible!

In September 2011, my sister Tracey and I set out on a journey to bring together vegan and sustainable handbags, shoes and accessories that are high-quality and fashionable all in one place!  With the mission to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice your sense of style for your values, Compassion Couture was born!  All of the items on the site are handpicked by Tracey and I – We put our heart and soul into this site and we hope you absolutely love it!

With all of that said, we are extremely excited to showcase our newest items for spring!  There are three trends for this upcoming season that stand out to me most – all of the items shown below are either already up on the site or are will be very soon!

Wedges – In my opinion, wedges are not going out of style anytime soon!  Year after year, I rely on these to give me the height of heels without hurting my feet!   A couple of my favorites:

Who said wedges couldn’t be rocker chic?!  Cri de Coeur’s Clio is made of high quality PU, recycled linen with a recycled wood platform.

Bold Colors – Spring is all about playfulness and fun.  What better way to express this than by what you are wearing?!

Lara Miller’s Bret Multi Dyed Scarf can make a cruelty-free statement paired with any plain white “tee”. This scarf is made locally in Chicago out of hand-loomed bamboo.

Sophisticated and luscious, Matt & Nat’s Devo features clean symmetrical lines and the vivid color of Papaya; perfect for the spring season!  Large enough to fit all of your work essentials, yet whimsical enough to wear out for a day out on the town or a lazy-day BBQ.

Modern Embellishment – This is the “Vogue” term for fashions that are interesting as well as designs that are intricate and feature beautiful details.

Gunas’ Neon Hostess Purse is the perfect example of modern embellishment with its woven detailing throughout the body, a smooth patent leather top as well as silver-metal touches and a slight pop of red.

As with all Olsen Haus shoes, the Mars is high-quality, stylish, cruelty-free and fair trade!  Made of linen and microfiber suede, these pumps are ahead of the curve and fashion-forward with buckles galore!

Every time I put on a pair of shoes or an ethical fashion accessory, I’m delighted by the number of non-vegetarians/vegans that compliment me!  These items are sure to make a great impression and show all consumers that there are “ethical fashion” options are out there, and they look and feel just as great if not better than the fashions that they are used to!

Compassion Couture Shop Online

Compassion Couture is a one-stop boutique for high quality, fashion-forward handbags, shoes and accessories that are both cruelty-free and eco-friendly.  We solely offer products by companies that place a strong emphasis on producing their goods in a sustainable and ethical way.  From sexy pumps to casual boots to chic bags, this is the one place a girl can splurge guilt-free!

Web: www.CompassionCoutureShop.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CompassionCoutureShop
Twitter: @CompassionCtre

YDV Readers get a 15% discount on what’s new at Compassion Couture Shop! Simply use the code “yourdailyvegan” at the checkout!  Discount applies to new spring arrivals in the “What’s New” section only, good through 3/28/12.

Yesterday I sat outside in the beautiful sunshine and ate my lunch.  It’s been a warm winter in Ohio, the days feeling much more like summer than winter.  I’m not complaining really, I prefer warm weather to snow.  I had put the birdbath back outside earlier in the day, and I watched familiar birds and squirrels join me in a noontime meal.

I was eating a bowl of Chunky Sweet Potato Stew and its spicy sweetness was the perfect compliment to the warm rays of sun.  This African-inspired dish from Morocco is made with chunks of sweet potatoes, carrots, and vegetables married with a rich- and slightly spicy, coconut curry broth.  It is, simply superb- in looks and taste.

This dreamy stew comes from The Healthy Voyager’s Global Kitchen by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, the creator and mastermind behind The Healthy Voyager web series and radio show.  Let your taste buds travel to Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Thailand, Greece, and more- all without having to break out your passport.  This gorgeous cookbook is jam-packed with tantalizing recipes from around the globe, 150 to be exact.  Sinful Sticky Toffee Pudding.  Bolognese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach.  Seitan Wienerschnitzel.  Carribbean Callaloo.  Kele Wele, just to name a few.  All gloriously vegan.

I’m just going to come right out and say it- I love this book for so many reasons.  First, I love the overall design of the book.  The recipes are grouped by locale, making meal planning a cinch.  There’s a quick reference legend for special dietary needs on each recipe, shopping lists, and kitchen tips.  But really what shines in this book are the recipes- and of course the photos, they’re pure candy for your eyes.

I’m already planning my next taste bud tour, I’m thinking Just Like Oma’s Apfelstreudel (Apple Streudel) will fit the bill nicely.  Before becoming vegan, I had been eating my own Oma’s Apfelstreudel all my life- I can’t wait to try this vegan version.

And now you can too!  Enter to win your very own copy of Global Kitchen, your tastebuds will thank you over and over again.

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited and all that.  Contest runs March 15, 2012 through March 19, 2012.

How To Enter:

To enter to win one copy of The Healthy Voyager’s Global Kitchen, you can do any of the actions below.  Each action counts as a separate entry, so make sure you leave a comment for each one you do!  Winners are selected from these comments only.  So many ways to enter, so many ways to win! Good Luck!

1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway! Make sure you link to this post!
3. Follow The Healthy Voyager on Twitter.
4. Like Your Daily Vegan on Facebook.
5. Like The Healthy Voyager on Facebook.
6. Mention this giveaway on your own blog or in a blog post!

Gratitude and thanks to Carolyn Scott-Hamilton and Dalyn Miller | public relations for graciously providing a review copy and giveaway copy of this book.

Disclaimer:  Views and opinions expressed here are those of YDV and derived from personal experience.  These reviews are not influenced in any way by the receipt of goods or services.  We will always notify you when a product has been given to us to review.

[Update March 21, 2012:  This giveaway is now over.  Congratulations to our winner, Chloe, who was selected using a random number generator.  Didn't win this time?  Visit Gratitude Giveaways for more chances to win great vegan swag.]