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chicago 2009: fall edition

November 20, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

Well, another surprise trip to Chicago means more food and photos.


I forgot to take a photo before getting to the very dark club, so please forgive the flash.
Yes, it’s what it looks like. I made these mini cupcakes for the benefit show put on for my cancer-boy friend, Jim. I ended up making almost a gross of these, and I don’t think I need to tell you they went like hotcakes. They’re chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, then mocha frosting with a bit of pink food coloring for the boybits. If you’re offended, you can turn the photo upside-down in your mind and then they look like hearts. I loved that nobody knew they were vegan unless I told them and that they made people giggle. Between the money raised, the good times, and my friend’s recorded announcement that his tumors have pissed off to another dimension, it was a very good night.


Because Jim’s immune system is completely shot, he couldn’t be at the benefit. We had a laptop and WiFi so we Skyped him in, and Tom and I swung by his place earlier in the day to hang out…and give him a cupcake. This is his dog—I don’t remember what her name is, but she rather took a shine to me. Dogs don’t usually do that. Anyway, she’s way cute so I’m sharing her cuteness with you.


And in a blink of an eye it was time to go home. Oddly enough, I couldn’t find so much as a pretzel or bagel-n-peanut-butter at O’Hare. (Unlike the Salt Lake City airport, where we found several vegan and vegetarian options.) We ended up at Macaroni Grill, where we both ate the expletive out of some pomodoro. The crayons on the table were named after foodstuffs. This one made me sad—it’s not even Italian so it could just as easily be named blueberry or…well, I guess blueberry. But why not blueberry? When you’re aiming at children, why not a yummy, healthy fruit rather than gross, stinky cheese?

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so veggiething’s dead

November 19, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

After being handed off from content editor to content editor, then not hearing anything until sending an e-mail for a heads-up, I’ve learned today that VeggieThing is dead. Don’t worry, though. Citysearch is more than happy to keep all that content we gave them.

So in the spirit of burning bridges, I say suck it, Citysearch.

UPDATE: That was last night. Just a gut reaction. I’m annoyed, but I think for good reason. We got a thank-you good-bye, but no apology. We all spent a lot of time and money dining out, photographing, and writing about our favorites. We spread the word and made suggestions about how the site could have been improved. We did it because it was fun, something we were intrested in and wanted to support. It could have been really cool if people knew about it. I feel it was a wasted opportunity, but when you’re dealing with a corporate structure, this type of result is to be expected. 

All right, I feel I’ve better explained myself.

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i heart gama-go

November 18, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

I’ve had my wallet since New York…at least six years. It still works but I’ll be the first to admit it looks like hell. So when we needed to put together a Gama-Go order for my brother-in-law’s birthday, we decided to throw some wallets on there. Tom’s (on the left) was crazy on sale. Mine wasn’t…but it’s super cute.

They’ve actually got quite a few wallets and bags—and I don’t think there’s a bit of leather to be found in any of them. So if you’re looking for designy, cruelty-free things that hold other things in them, check ‘em out. 

If you’re ready to place an order this weekend, they’re having an online sale on accessories and apparel: 48% off for 48 hours. It starts at 11:30 a.m. PST on Friday (11/20) and ends promptly at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Pretty sweet deal. Since I can’t take advantage of it, I figured I’d share the news and maybe you can.

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soup

November 17, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

veg soup

I made it through the bowl, but I probably won’t be doing it again. Tom, on the other hand, thought it was great. So he’s got a bunch of soup with his name on it (literally, if you get the right alphabet pasta). I couldn’t get over the mushy beany feel and the sediment in the broth, but that’s my deal.

This is pretty much just Bob’s Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix (green and yellow split peas, barley, lentils, and vegetable pasta), packed in those same plastic bags as the flours and such. I threw a vegetable bullion cube in with the water and added carrot and onion for the last 10 minutes. With a good hunk of hearty bread (recently had Trader Joe’s rosemary loaf—so good!), this soup can keep you going through the grayest of days.

I love meals that can shoot down the “eating vegan is so expensive” myth. At around $4 for the bag (7 servings)—not even cobbled together from the bulk bins—that’s 60¢ for one of the healthiest meals you ever will eat, with 21 grams of protein, a quarter of your iron for the day, and three quarters of your dietary fiber, with only 2 grams of the good fat.

While you’re at it, buy an extra bag for the food bank! Times is still tough, and if you can help, please do so.

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oatmeal: it’s a staple for a reason

November 9, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

oatmeal

Not just because it’s awesome in muffins and cookies, but oatmeal can also be used in an old-timey, no-nonsense breakfast treat.

If you know me and my eating habits/quirks, then you might be surprised by my love of oatmeal. Granted, I love MY oatmeal and am too afraid to order it out. (Although one day I was penned into a Starbucks lunch and the only vegan thing they had to offer was the oatmeal and I got through it—they gave me little packets of dried fruit, nuts, and brown sugar to mix in according to my desires.)

I think oatmeal got a pass by always being there. I was raised with it. Growing up I ate those little instant oatmeal packets (apples and cinnamon, maple and brown sugar—you know the ones), and when I first joined the workforce, I ate those grown-up instant oatmeal packets that were made for women only. I don’t know if they’re vegan, but even if they are, I would no longer eat those packets.

Today I employ a pot, a little less water than suggested (for a firmer oat), Bob’s Red Mill organic thick rolled oats, and some special flavorings. I add to my water just a smidge of the following: salt, molasses, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Then, when it’s done—not done to death—I add some more smidges of stuff: brown sugar and Earth Balance. The result is a full-bodied, complex bowl of loveliness.

I’ll leave you with a shot of just the type of morning I love to start with said oatmeal. Thanks, Portland.

morning portland

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blah, blah, blah, cancer, blah, blah, blah

November 5, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

I know, whenever I break from vegan food, clothing, sundries, and issues, it’s like I’m always harping on about cancer. Sorry, I just really don’t care for the stuff. It’s one of the 80 reasons I went vegan, and it sucks that for many of us cancer seems a when, not an if.

Well, right now I have a good friend going through treatment and, being an independent businessguy, he could not afford to insure himself. So we’ve started a benefit site and whatnot for him. We’re arts-n-crafting to raise money—you don’t have to give a crap about Jim or his wonky body or even cancer (whatever, jerk)—if you like any of the stuff, then buy it for what it is—every penny goes to keeping him from seeing collections letters until he’s all fixed up. And if you’d like to donate a crafty bit (do you make soap or candles or magnets using vintage magazine ads?), let me know; if you’re in the Portland area, I’ll come pick it up so you don’t have to pay for shipping.

Here’s what we’ve got available right now (people swear they’re busy crafting away, so new stuff should keep coming in):

birdbag2
This totally handmade (by me) tote features a little birdy singing along with her favorite Scorpions record. The handle (big enough to go over a shoulder) is 2-ply sturdy fabric ribbon. $30 SOLD.

cancers
Here are a couple of cross-stitch projects I’ve done. I sold these two already, but I can make more in a matter of days. $15.

mike b piecetom t piece
And from some folks with more talent than myself are a couple of art pieces. The one on the left (11.5×21.5) is $80 and the one on the right (14.5×14) is $65 SOLD.

nicky tshirt
A friend had a friend who had t-shirt connex (see, everybody working together!), so these t-shirts were made for the cheap. They’re Hanes and there are five color combos. Check them out here. $20.

Finally, if you’re in Chicago, Reggie’s is hosting a Nuts to Cancer benefit show next Friday, 11/13. Everyone is donating everything, so this should be a big help (maybe pay for a whole day of chemo). Brian Kelly, American Draft, Rollo Tomasi, Blake Zweig, and Buttz to Nuttz will be playing. Tom and I will be flying out and I’ll be bringing vegan cupcakes decorated in a testicular theme (haven’t figured this out yet—that’s my weekend project).

Honestly, you’d be amazed at how great this is working. Jim is completely humbled by it; we keep hearing “ridiculous” from him. If you’ve got someone in your life going through this sucky a situation, let social networking use its power for good. This whole experience has left me maybe a little less cynical about the good people can do. And that’s saying a lot.

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trial and error: peanut noodles

November 4, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

I’ve expressed my love for Red and Black Cafe’s Black Dragon Noodles, but I can’t tell you just how often I eat them. Cheap, filling, and really close to home, these noodles are a gimme when I’m short on time and energy and my tummy starts making growly noises that make my cat run away and hide under the couch.

But it’s the simplest dish in the world—why can’t I make my own? If I can master the  peanut sauce and just have it on hand, what’s boiling up some noodles and cutting up some carrots? It would take about as much time as driving to Red and Black. Easy peasy slap-my-kneesy.

peanut noodles

Or not. I’ve never had peanut sauce aside from this noodle dish. Regular readers are well aware of my distaste of sauced-up foods in general, but this is a very simple and light sauce, more of a whisper of a coating. Most bottled/jarred peanut sauces have scary ingredients in them, and really, the Red and Black sauce tastes like peanut butter, a little oil, some soy sauce (?) and red pepper. No curry, no coconut milk, no nothin’ else. So after hopping around online, comparing recipes, I decided to try one as a jumping-off point.

Ugh, dog balls. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy too salty. After combining peanut butter, chili sauce, Bragg’s, sesame oil, and salt, we took half out and called it a “starter,” throwing it in the fridge for another day, then added a bunch more peanut butter…and a bunch more peanut butter and sesame oil and threw some cayenne in for a clean heat. We finally got it to a place we were happy with and tossed it with noodles (which were also not perfect—kinda gummy), lime juice, cilantro, scallions, and chopped peanuts.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was edible. It could have gone way worse. And there’s hope for tomorrow.

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halloween

October 30, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

sunny acres2

That’s me, my brother, and our tiny friends Tommy and Jenny at Sonny Acres in West Chicago, Illinois…probably 1984. You can’t see the kick-ass gold and white satin Jordache jacket I’m wearing. If you were alive then and knew someone as cool as me you’d know there was a horse head on the back with silky fringe for the mane.

You’re getting this vintage photo because I have yet to make any fun halloween treats. Last year I was way more on my game and made bloody cupcakes from space. This year there’s just so much going on and I have no functions to attend or even trick-or-treaters to expect. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid in my 120-unit building.

But what if I did? I’d want to give out vegan candy that kids would actually want. You don’t want to be that lame neighbor that gives the off-brand candy. As kids, we always put the weird candy aside as our contribution to the classroom gingerbread house. (As an OCD kid, the weird candy was still fun to count and organize, but I would never eat it.) And of course handmade treats are scary and wrong. What’s a gal to do? Well, PETA put together a list of packaged vegan candy. Just be cool and stay away from Smarties. Oh, you like Smarties? Yeah, you’re alone on that one.

And if you send your vegan kids out trick-or-treating, what do you do with nonvegan candy? Veg Family has a bunch of ideas for you. Honestly, this list is good for everybody—we used to haul way more candy than anybody could possibly eat before it went stale.

I’m going to leave you with one of the darkest, spookiest men in rock and roll giving you a tour of his dark and spooky library. (Are you picking up on my dark and spooky sarcasm?)

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snap crackle kakow

October 29, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

rice krispies treats

Look, Mom, just like normal kids! I just whipped me up a batch of Rice Krispies treats using Dandies vegan marshmallows. At first, I’d resigned myself to a tiny, relatively expensive treat, seeing as my $5+ bag o’ Dandies was about half the size of nonvegan marshmallows, but then I noticed the weight on the package. It’s 10 ounces, just like the big nonvegan bag, so I followed the traditional recipe, using a full 6 cups of cereal, and it worked perfectly.

This beat the hell out of my last attempt, with that ricemallow stuff and some kind of healthy crisped rice lookalike. A sad, stale-tasting brick, that was. Today’s treats were spot on, not soggy or crunchy.

If—I mean when—you try this, remember to use low heat. The density causes the Dandies to melt very slowly, but they will melt. Just keep stirring and it’ll get all uniformly gooey.

And is it just me or does a good third of your crispy-mallowy mixture miss the pan entirely and end up in your mouth instead? Come on, I know I’m not the only Snackie Onassis out there.

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cakes of the cup variety

October 28, 2009 by vegtasticvoyage

saint cupcakes

A funny thing happened while I was running errands: I accidentally went to the cupcake shop.

Saint Cupcake isn’t strictly a vegan cupcake shop, but they do have vegan versions of at least chocolate, vanilla, and an additional rotating flavor available every day. Not having been there before, I walked in and asked for “one of each vegan cupcake.” So that’s a chocolate-chocolate, a vanilla-vanilla, and a carrot cake. And they put my sweet little pretties in this super luxe box.

Last night Tom and I split the chocolate and vanilla, in the name of science, and we were both pretty darn impressed with the chocolate—heavy on the cocoa. Tom also gave the vanilla a thumbs-up, but I decided that I don’t think I like vanilla/yellow/whatever cake. I’d made some from VCTOTW and didn’t care much for them but I figured I’d done something wrong, but I didn’t care much for this one either. No bother, I do just fine with my chocolate. Oh, and the carrot! We just split the carrot cupcake a bit ago and both appreciated its spicy sass and fresh, carrot-y goodness.

Of course, cupcakes aren’t difficult to make, but sometimes it’s nice to pick up some treats on the fly. Or to just be lazy and splurge on the convenience. With advance notice Saint Cupcake will also do mini vegans. And they do weddings and ship too.

saint cupcake

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