You will notice that I love absolutely everything. Well, I was drunk for half the posts I wrote, so yeah, I did REALLY FUCKING LOVE EVERYTHING! And then I sobered up and starting taking pictures of things I love with my new camera, which made me love them even more! So sorry I'm not sorry!
I'm going back to work tomorrow for 7 or 8 days straight, so I'm about to not like things so much. Boo.
But I do love comments! That will get me through it! I LOVE comments! So much!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Leftovers! Sandwiches! I love Vegenaise SO MUCH.
I am just so excited about my new camera. And 'turkey' sandwiches! This will probably be the last post for a little while. Maybe an hour?
Cheese and Crackers are Fun Again!
Hors D'oeuvres are fun again!
Perfectly manicured cracker. I know, I know.
First Christmas Present!
(It is an apron, not a bib. I like to tie my aprons up really high. I do not know why I do this.)
Still Christmas-ing at Grandma's House!
Critical Race Theory, Saturn Cafe, Beer Revolution, and Souley Vegan. Exhausting Two Days and Longest Blog Post EVER. But Worth It! So Worth It!
For some reason, I like to spread myself too thin on a regular basis. I take up every invite, run around the city like a crazy person, end up being late for everything, see everyone, have a blast and sometimes eat too much. This kind of activity leaves me really tired on a regular basis, but hey! I'll sleep when I'm dead, on my weekends, on public transit.
For example, last month, in a two day span, I went to work, went to the chiropractor, saw Breeze Harper speak at UC Berkeley, ate at Saturn Cafe, slept, went to work, went to Beer Revolution and then Souley Vegan. Two days of public transit to the East Bay. How I worked out there for 3 months over the spring and early summer, I don't know. Oh yeah! I was really fucking depressed.
I was super excited to see Breeze Harper speak. She wrote a book I have yet to read, called Sistah Vegan. I've watched a couple of her videos and I especially love that she talks about intersections between veganism, classism, racism, sexism and hetrosexism. (I think in the vegan community, the lines and intersections are hardly studied, especially those between veganism and classism. That's why I love The Food Empowerment Program so much.)
The Breeze Harper lecture was very insightful. This woman is brilliant! She read us part of her dissertation, which I liked, but my favorite part was when she answered questions from the listeners. Here is a video from that night, as she recorded the event.
Some points of interest for me included:
*The difference between looking at a vegan diet within a Eurocentric framework vs an Afrocentric one.
For instance, the reasons and health issues around veganism and diet vary considerably due to differences
in backgrounds and ethnicities.
*Black women tend to have higher risks of fibroid tumors, and womb health is an important issue within
the black community. The womb is also a important topic because it brings up the point that
within American history, the black womb has been used for such atrocities as rape and enslavement,
particularly child enslavement. Black women cannot begin to heal themselves within a Eurocentric
framework of health and diet.
*White middle class neoliberalism is usually considered the status quo amongst the vegan community.
Within this framework, veganism is a tool in which there is justice for animals, but what about things like
child labor and fair trade? Aren't those important aspects to consider as well?
*We live in a carno-centric society. (The colonizer's diet.)
*We live in a society that does not recognize black women as the Queens that they are.
*Suffering of animals vs suffering of people due to racism, colonization, white supremacy and slavery.
The idea of going vegan to reduce all suffering, not just that of animals.
*The kitchen as a laboratory of healing.
*The belief that African people (pre-colonization and slavery) followed a mostly vegan and raw diet.
Using veganism as a tool to resist the effects of colonialism, colonization and imperialism.
*PETA has a one dimensional approach to animal liberation. Again, going back to the notion of the
white, neo-liberal framework. Animals may not suffer because of the 'cruelty-free' products they post, but
what about the people that make said products (food and beauty)?
*Vegan conciousness is constructed through societal privileges and oppressions. But there are many ways
to come to veganism - the Eurocentric moral framework of veganism is not the only way.
*Healthy is a socially constructed term. In our society healthy = skinny and that is FUCKED UP. There
is also the notion that if you go vegan, you'll get healthy and skinny (Skinny Bitch, anyone?). However,
many of us know that this is untrue. I, for instance, struggle with my weight so much since going vegan, it
has not been some quick fix to getting skinny. Plus, there is so much vegan junk food out there! SO
MUCH. It's easy to be vegan and be unhealthy, just as it's easy to be skinny and unhealthy or vegan and
NOT skinny. But skinny shouldn't equal healthy and it definitely shouldn't equal beautiful. FUCK YOU
SOCIETY!
There was so much information! My mind was effectively blown. I can't wait to read Sistah Vegan! After the discussion, I headed to Saturn Cafe to eat dinner with my old roommate Vanessa. Of course I ordered too much food. I like Saturn all right - so much junk food though! Like I'm going to just order a salad when I go there, yeah right! I want nachos!
Sean and I ordered so much food. The sampler plate AND the Crispy Tofu Burger. Plus beer. OMGAWD, I was still full from the night before. I feel kind of sick thinking about the amount of food I consumed in a 24 hour period.
For example, last month, in a two day span, I went to work, went to the chiropractor, saw Breeze Harper speak at UC Berkeley, ate at Saturn Cafe, slept, went to work, went to Beer Revolution and then Souley Vegan. Two days of public transit to the East Bay. How I worked out there for 3 months over the spring and early summer, I don't know. Oh yeah! I was really fucking depressed.
I was super excited to see Breeze Harper speak. She wrote a book I have yet to read, called Sistah Vegan. I've watched a couple of her videos and I especially love that she talks about intersections between veganism, classism, racism, sexism and hetrosexism. (I think in the vegan community, the lines and intersections are hardly studied, especially those between veganism and classism. That's why I love The Food Empowerment Program so much.)
The Breeze Harper lecture was very insightful. This woman is brilliant! She read us part of her dissertation, which I liked, but my favorite part was when she answered questions from the listeners. Here is a video from that night, as she recorded the event.
Some points of interest for me included:
*The difference between looking at a vegan diet within a Eurocentric framework vs an Afrocentric one.
For instance, the reasons and health issues around veganism and diet vary considerably due to differences
in backgrounds and ethnicities.
*Black women tend to have higher risks of fibroid tumors, and womb health is an important issue within
the black community. The womb is also a important topic because it brings up the point that
within American history, the black womb has been used for such atrocities as rape and enslavement,
particularly child enslavement. Black women cannot begin to heal themselves within a Eurocentric
framework of health and diet.
*White middle class neoliberalism is usually considered the status quo amongst the vegan community.
Within this framework, veganism is a tool in which there is justice for animals, but what about things like
child labor and fair trade? Aren't those important aspects to consider as well?
*We live in a carno-centric society. (The colonizer's diet.)
*We live in a society that does not recognize black women as the Queens that they are.
*Suffering of animals vs suffering of people due to racism, colonization, white supremacy and slavery.
The idea of going vegan to reduce all suffering, not just that of animals.
*The kitchen as a laboratory of healing.
*The belief that African people (pre-colonization and slavery) followed a mostly vegan and raw diet.
Using veganism as a tool to resist the effects of colonialism, colonization and imperialism.
*PETA has a one dimensional approach to animal liberation. Again, going back to the notion of the
white, neo-liberal framework. Animals may not suffer because of the 'cruelty-free' products they post, but
what about the people that make said products (food and beauty)?
*Vegan conciousness is constructed through societal privileges and oppressions. But there are many ways
to come to veganism - the Eurocentric moral framework of veganism is not the only way.
*Healthy is a socially constructed term. In our society healthy = skinny and that is FUCKED UP. There
is also the notion that if you go vegan, you'll get healthy and skinny (Skinny Bitch, anyone?). However,
many of us know that this is untrue. I, for instance, struggle with my weight so much since going vegan, it
has not been some quick fix to getting skinny. Plus, there is so much vegan junk food out there! SO
MUCH. It's easy to be vegan and be unhealthy, just as it's easy to be skinny and unhealthy or vegan and
NOT skinny. But skinny shouldn't equal healthy and it definitely shouldn't equal beautiful. FUCK YOU
SOCIETY!
There was so much information! My mind was effectively blown. I can't wait to read Sistah Vegan! After the discussion, I headed to Saturn Cafe to eat dinner with my old roommate Vanessa. Of course I ordered too much food. I like Saturn all right - so much junk food though! Like I'm going to just order a salad when I go there, yeah right! I want nachos!
Half an order of vegan nachos.
And a small Crispy Tofu Sesame Salad.
As if this night had not been tiring and gluttonous enough, I had agreed to meet my friend Sean the next night, over in Oakland for beer and soul food. I have lived in the Bay Area for 2.5 years and had not eaten at Souley Vegan until last month. You would not believe the amount of flack I received. Irritating amounts of flack.
Beer Revolution. Many beers to choose from and right next door to Souley Vegan! It was uncomfortably packed. So I sat outside at one of the tables, waiting for Sean, who was stuck in traffic. Unfortunately for me, it was cold and drizzling. Welcome to Bay Area fall nights!
Make sure you always bring your ID. I saw a man, who was definitely not in his 20's, maybe over his 30's, get carded. I mean, he was so over the age of 21, it was embarrassing to watch. I guess he had forgotten his ID and watching the scene unfold was a joke. But a really unfunny one. Like, seriously? The doorman is REALLY not going to let him in? Yikes.
And then...Souley Vegan! Yay! Finally! I guess if you are drinking at Beer Rev, you can order from Souley Vegan and they will bring your food over. So I've heard through the rumor mill.
Sean and I ordered so much food. The sampler plate AND the Crispy Tofu Burger. Plus beer. OMGAWD, I was still full from the night before. I feel kind of sick thinking about the amount of food I consumed in a 24 hour period.
Sampler plate, minus mac'n'cheese because I cannot stand nutritional yeast in large amounts. I think we subbed more greens.
Crispy Toasty? I don't even remember.
I really loved Souley Vegan, but oh man, I'm not eating the whole day of, before I go there in the future. Lie! But I'll try to lightly snack, because this food is FILLING. I would like to go on a sunny afternoon, in which I can enjoy the deck at Beer Revolution and eat Soul Food.
Was it weird to be eating Soul Food after the 'Critical Race Theory and Veganism' discussion? Yeah, a little. I thought about the lecture a lot. For instance, the links between soul food and slavery, fried food and an African diet of mostly raw foods. Education! It's not always easy or comfortable.
I LOVE THIS STUFF!
But I love this stuff (soy creamer). If it's not around, I will drink my coffee black.
Coffee! I love it so much. How do you make yours? I like mine super strong with some cinnamon sprinkled on the grounds during the brewing process.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Vegan Christmas!
Yum yum. Steamed carrots with olive oil, salt and pepper, the Gardien turkey with the gravy it came with, and MY GRANDMA'S STUFFING!
I can't wait for the turkey sandwiches! I felt like the 'turkey' could have done without the breading, but whatever! Still delicious! And you get two in a pack. I guess to share? But I am a glutton, so one was for dinner and one is for sandwiches!
The Sugar Free Coconut Bliss was tasty - a little bit chalky. In the future, I'm sticking with the regular one, but I'm still thankful that my Mom went and got this for me. Now I can have dessert at Grandma's house!
The Sugar Free Coconut Bliss was tasty - a little bit chalky. In the future, I'm sticking with the regular one, but I'm still thankful that my Mom went and got this for me. Now I can have dessert at Grandma's house!
Happy Christmukkah!
Dammit, you guys. I miss that show, The OC. Adam Brody, you are the cutest and I want to date you. I sat through The Romantics because you were in it and I miss your face!
That being said, I celebrate Christmas. My family called it an 'American Holiday' (when I inquired as to whether or not any of the relatives I have on my Grandpa's Jewish side celebrate Hanukkah -- they do not).
Here is what I will be eating tonight::
I'll let you know how it is!
My mom picked me up some dessert!
I didn't know they made a sugar free version! It's made with Stevia, which I don't normally like, however in this ice cream, I'm sure it's delicious! (Usually made with agave nectar, you guys know I love that stuff! I can't handle sugar very well, but agave nectar doesn't bother me)
And for my hors d'oeuvres:
Holy Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer! Have you had this? It's amazing! Crystal Paul brought it home one night and I went nuts! So did our roommate Rurik, and he isn't vegan! I know ominvore standards shouldn't matter, but you know what? THEY DO TO ME! Cause some vegan stuff is weird, let's not lie to ourselves. So if someone who doesn't choose this lifestyle is all "Oh My Frosty The Snowman, this is good!" then I'm happy.
(It's available at Rainbow. The checker told me that his roommate told him, "it's delicious in Mac'n'cheese". Trying it!)
(It's available at Rainbow. The checker told me that his roommate told him, "it's delicious in Mac'n'cheese". Trying it!)
Merry Christmas! Or Happy 5th Day of Hanukkah!
Here is some vegan fudge, my co-worker Kyle's fiancee, Ashley made! Did you catch that?
Maybe she will give me the recipe!
Ashley is a swell dresser and as she and Kyle were giving me a ride down to Redwood City, she sat in the backseat wrapping presents (Kyle drove, obvi. No one is that talented, right?). It hit me that people who dress themselves really well probably wrap presents fantastically. I can do neither.
I hope people don't judge how much I love them based on how their presents are wrapped.
Maybe she will give me the recipe!
Candy cane pieces and Oreos? So cute!
Ashley is a swell dresser and as she and Kyle were giving me a ride down to Redwood City, she sat in the backseat wrapping presents (Kyle drove, obvi. No one is that talented, right?). It hit me that people who dress themselves really well probably wrap presents fantastically. I can do neither.
I hope people don't judge how much I love them based on how their presents are wrapped.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Here's the Deal
Hey Everyone!
I feel real bad because I've done what I always do - spread myself too thin. I started this blog when my dreams seemed so far away, I didn't even know what they were anymore. I was depressed and this blog kept me going. But things have changed, as they always do.
I applied to be a writer at Vegansaurus (as much as you can apply for an unpaid job, right?) and they chose me! Dream come true. I wrote in my 'Work' section here, that I wanted to help a new restaurant with their recipes and I got hired at a place (though due to happenstance, not cause the owner saw my blog). Another dream come true.
So, I'm like an official blog writer (really? this is my life?) and a pastry chef at an up and coming restaurant in San Francisco. Which means I don't always have enough time for this blog baby. :( Follow me at Vegansaurus, okay? Cause sometimes no one comments on my work, or they just say shitty things! I'm totally the celebrity correspondent over there (another dream come true!).
I will still post my recipes first here, but they will be few and far between. I likedrinking sleeping, when I'm not working.
Try not to hate me. I like you!
jb
I feel real bad because I've done what I always do - spread myself too thin. I started this blog when my dreams seemed so far away, I didn't even know what they were anymore. I was depressed and this blog kept me going. But things have changed, as they always do.
I applied to be a writer at Vegansaurus (as much as you can apply for an unpaid job, right?) and they chose me! Dream come true. I wrote in my 'Work' section here, that I wanted to help a new restaurant with their recipes and I got hired at a place (though due to happenstance, not cause the owner saw my blog). Another dream come true.
So, I'm like an official blog writer (really? this is my life?) and a pastry chef at an up and coming restaurant in San Francisco. Which means I don't always have enough time for this blog baby. :( Follow me at Vegansaurus, okay? Cause sometimes no one comments on my work, or they just say shitty things! I'm totally the celebrity correspondent over there (another dream come true!).
I will still post my recipes first here, but they will be few and far between. I like
Try not to hate me. I like you!
jb
Celebs are saying "I'm hating it" to McDonalds and I'm loving it
Merry Christmas to me! Today I’m getting two of my favorite things: Mercy for Animals and Celebrities,and they are working together! Thank you Santa!
A whole slew of celebs, including my faves, Ryan Gosling, Emily and Zooey Deschanel and Alicia Silverstone, with MFA, fired off a letter to McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner over the mistreatment of egg-laying hens for the Egg McMuffins.
Excerpt from the letter includes:
On behalf of compassionate people everywhere, we implore you to help end the needless suffering
A whole slew of celebs, including my faves, Ryan Gosling, Emily and Zooey Deschanel and Alicia Silverstone, with MFA, fired off a letter to McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner over the mistreatment of egg-laying hens for the Egg McMuffins.
Excerpt from the letter includes:
On behalf of compassionate people everywhere, we implore you to help end the needless suffering
of these animals by adopting strict and meaningful animal welfare policies worldwide, including
the commitment to prohibit the purchase of eggs produced by hens who spend their miserable
lives crammed into tiny wire cages.
Now, Ryan Gosling, it's time for you to go vegan so we can plan our animal-by-product-free wedding together. Kthanks.
I need to make being an on set caterer to the stars a new life goal. Stat!
lives crammed into tiny wire cages.
Now, Ryan Gosling, it's time for you to go vegan so we can plan our animal-by-product-free wedding together. Kthanks.
I need to make being an on set caterer to the stars a new life goal. Stat!
Call me crazy (you wouldn't be the first), but I miss these two together. Probably because I've watched The Notebook too many times to count. What a sap!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thai Idea Part Deux
I don't think I was as generous in my first Thai Idea post, as I should have been because I just ate there for the second time, and oh boy, it's good stuff!
I've been dying to try the crab cakes and Praram. A Thai restaurant is only as good as it's peanut sauce, at least that is how I judge them. Thai Idea, FTW! (I've used the catch phrase FTW like 5 times today. I never use it normally, but my friend Sean tweeted about how much he hated it, along with 'nomnomnom', 'at the end of the day' and 'how are the herpes'. So now I can't stop! All those other slogans are super annoying, but I kind of like FTW! See that Sean? FOR THE WIN!)
Crystal Paul, her bestie Arman and I all had it for dinner tonight. We got so much food, we made a buffet for ourselves in the kitchen.
I've been dying to try the crab cakes and Praram. A Thai restaurant is only as good as it's peanut sauce, at least that is how I judge them. Thai Idea, FTW! (I've used the catch phrase FTW like 5 times today. I never use it normally, but my friend Sean tweeted about how much he hated it, along with 'nomnomnom', 'at the end of the day' and 'how are the herpes'. So now I can't stop! All those other slogans are super annoying, but I kind of like FTW! See that Sean? FOR THE WIN!)
Crystal Paul, her bestie Arman and I all had it for dinner tonight. We got so much food, we made a buffet for ourselves in the kitchen.
Crab cakes. Nomnomnom. OMG, just kidding. I hate that phrase. HATE IT. I'd totally get these again, though. Fried but not overly greasy and so tasty.
Wing Bombs!
Praram with soy chicken and vegetables. Any dish with vegetables and peanut sauce is a winner in my book!
Pad Basil (Crystal's fave)
I don't even know what this was, but I liked it! At the end of the day, that's all that matters, right?
Do I feel as though I'm missing out on culinary delights as a vegan? NO! I do not. Thanks, Thai Idea!
For the record, I have never seen someone write 'how are the herpes'. When do people say that? Why? I just don't understand.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
WineDebut.com offers vegan wine! Buy some fancy bottles, and get the party started!
My very handsome and single (ladies!) roommate Dan works at the cutest wine store evs -- VinDebut in West Portal. Recently (last week) Dan unveiled VinDebut's latest feature - Winedebut; a website in which you can buy their fancy wines and have them shipped to your door! You don't have to leave the house to get the sophisticated party started! Parties with wine are so sophisticated, no question.
Dan* not only writes the detailed and humorous descriptions of wines, he also labels which wines are vegan! (Only three at the moment, but he's working on it) All you have to is enter 'vegan' in the search bar and taa-daa! Vegan wines! You can also impress all your friends with the knowledge you siphoned off the website! Definitely a win - win situation for everyone involved.
Why yes, I would love a bottle of this VEGAN Cabernet! Flavors of cassis, plums, dark cocoa, and espresso? Sounds delicious to me!
Right now, new customers receive 10% of their orders, as advertised on the site. Chuck the cheap shit out the window (or donate it to me) and go fancy for the holidays!
*He's smart, he's funny, he knows how to use a computer and he will hook you up with wine for life! He truly is San Francisco's hottest eligible bachelor Get it, ladies!
[Photos courtesy of Winedebut.com and used with permission]
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