Sublime

vegan cutlet & lasagna

On our way back from the Bahamas, we had a quick stop over in Fort Lauderdale so I checked my Vegman app to see if there were any vegan restaurants close by. It turned out that the renowned vegan restaurant

Sublime

was just a 15 minute walk from our hotel. The food was delicious, and the waiter kept bringing us over little samples of other dishes on the menu that I wouldn't have ordered for myself, but ended up asking for the recipe! Luckily they had a cookbook which we ended up buying. I haven't tried to recreate any of the meals yet, but two of our favorites (which were both little samples complimentary of the chef) were Mediterranean Polenta Squares & Frito Misto. Next time you're in Fort Lauderdale check out

Sublime

!

so tired from all the traveling, Levi slept through the whole meal

"100% of Sublime's profits support animal welfare. Sublime is the vision of owner Nanci Alexander. In 1989, Nanci founded the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) and has been volunteering as president since. She has been recognized by national and local organizations for her work on behalf of animals. The creation of Sublime is an extension of her efforts to reduce animal cruelty. Animal agriculture today represents the world's greatest source of animal cruelty, and the most significant step any individual can take to reduce this abuse is to move to a plant-based diet. The goal of Sublime is to show that plant-based food can indeed be sublime. Additionally, 100% of Sublime's profits will go to organizations that promote animal welfare and a vegan lifestyle."

Vegan Treats in NYC

While visiting NYC for the Jivamukti Tribe Gathering we discovered some amazing vegan treats. So many vegan restaurants and stores to choose from, here are just a few...

New Years brunch at Champs Family Bakery in Brooklyn

roasted vegetable salad at Angelica Kitchen

chai latte at Moby's restaurant Teany

new vegan boots from Moo Shoes

dun-well doughnuts in Brooklyn

Gourmet Grocery Store Downtown MTL

Thanks to Natasha (Levi's favorite nanny) we just discovered an awesome grocery store right downtown Montreal called Fou d'Ici. Part grocery store, part restaurant, they carry a mix of organic local food as well as ready-made meals, soups, sandwiches and salads; makes a perfect healthy lunch spot right downtown. Fresh produce from local farms, plus lots of other goodies to explore!

Fou d'Ici 360 BLVD. DE MAISONNEUVE WEST MONTREAL, QC, CANADA, H3A 0G6

Levi enjoying a leisurely stroll through the aisles

some of my favourite picks; nutritional yeast & hemp bliss

Végépâté & Veggie Stix

I tried making my own végépâté, it turned out pretty good, but so far nothing compares to the one from Fontaine Sante. It makes the perfect sandwich with tomato, pickle, cucumber, Vegenaise, mustard. Served with a side of Veggie Stix.

Levi's favorite - Veggie Stix from IGA - and they're Kid Kritics Approved!

végépâté sandwich with veggie stix

Some of my favorite végépâté sandwiches around town are found at:

Chez Jose

Aux Vivres

Que de Bonnes Choses (Hudson)

Dragon Bowl

One of our favorite meals. It's quick to make and super versatile. We switch from using quinoa, couscous or rice, with whatever veggies we have in the fridge. If it's cold outside we'll fry/roast/boil some onions, carrots, zuccini, sweet potato and layer it with kale/spinach (grain, then greens, then veggies, topped with sauce), and if it's warm out, we'll go more raw with shredded carrots, beets, peppers, bok choy, and occasionally some fried tofu or tempeh. You can pretty much put this sauce over anything. I often cook by color, making sure I have a combination of reds, yellows, greens, etc.

On the side, we'll have brussel sprouts, dumplings, spring rolls, or Jason likes fake ginger chicken from Yuan.

we like to rate recipes... this one got a 12 on 10

Dragon Bowl served with red quinoa and dumplings

Dragon Bowl recipe from Jae Steele's Ripe from Around Here vegan cookbook

Vegan Challenge

A little while ago I wrote a blog about a documentary called Vegucated, I liked it so much I decided to screen it at the studio. It's a "feature-length documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks". To follow up the movie, Frances (one of our lovely Jivamukti teachers) suggested we host a vegan challenge of our own. I thought it was an amazing idea... We invited as many vegan/vegetarian friendly businesses to get involved and created a fun filled Vegan Challenge for the month of June, 2012.

As part of my duties I will be posting vegan recipes daily on my blog throughout the month of June. Most will be tried and tested by myself & family, with a couple recipes submitted by our generous sponsors.

Good luck to all those who are taking the challenge! 

Vegan Challenge
June 1st-30th, 2012
In honor of the Vegucated screening, we will be holding a vegan challenge throughout the month of June. If you’ve ever considered being vegan, here’s your chance to be part of a group exploring the realities of veganism, and debunking the myths.
The month will include:
- Unlimited yoga for the month of June at Luna Yoga
- A Screening of Vegucated
- Get it Ripe vegan cookbook
- A guided trip to the grocery store
- Discounts on local vegan restaurants and shops,
- Daily recipes (posted on Jennifer’s blog)
- A vegan cooking course
- Weekly gatherings 
June 1st-30th
Cost: $100
Take the challenge

Vegan Challenge participants will also receive discounts from Crudessence, Green Panther & lole, samples from Tonic, Rise Kombucha & Cocos Pure, 2 week gift membership from My Yoga Online, and 25% off at the Yoga Festival Montreal 

Thanks to all our sponsors for their generosity! 
Please feel free to add your comments, feedback and questions

Get Vegucated

We recently showed the movie Earthlings in our teacher training. It's a heavy duty documentary about animal abuse (factory farming, scientific testing, etc). They showed it to us in the Jivamukti training, and it had such a huge impact I thought it was important to pass it on. Although it is a hard movie to watch, the trainees proudly made it through it. After the screening, most of the trainees felt sad, angry, and frustrated. They wanted to share the information with their family and friends, but weren't sure if everyone would be up to watching it... 

This week I downloaded (on iTunes) another documentary called Vegucated. It focuses on vegetarianism, with 3 meat-eaters taking a 6 week vegan challenge. I highly recommend it! It's less harsh than Earthlings, but still informative.

Rent or buy Vegucated on iTunes (super easy!)

Watch Earthlings free online

Jivamukti Gathering in NYC!

With a last minute change of plans we went down to NYC for the Blueprint for Joy Jivamukti Gathering and Levi's first road trip. With a week of asana classes, meditation sessions and lectures on animal rights, peace and unity, the place was buzzing! Although I wasn't able to attend all the classes, I did get to take class with David Life and Sharon Gannon. It brought me back to teacher training with so many familiar faces and the amazing energy of so many people gathered together practicing yoga and focusing on the goal of peace.

Asana lab with David Life

with Luna teachers Frances & Dawn B in NYC

my boys

Frances, one of several hundred in headstand!

Shopping for Levi's with Levi

Tofu scramble at Kate's Joint

Tea with yogini Kimberly and beau Tim

Vegan treats at Babycakes

Montreal Mock Meat

I have lots of vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends who love mock meat (simulated chicken, fish, etc. usually made with soy). Although Chu Chai is a great Montreal mock meat restaurant, there are also several places you can buy it to bring home and cook yourself. Two of Jason's favorites are: Tiende Santé Végétarienne on Duluth (mock ginger chicken) and Yuan on St Denis (it's a restaurant and grocery store). It makes a nice side dish, and is a good option if you're making the transition to vegetarian.

Tiende Santé Végétarienne on Duluth

Thinking of bringing a Tofurky for the family gatherings this Christmas... If you have a good one to recommend, let me know (it's gotta be good, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it!).

Veggie Eats in Montreal

Before going on a recent trip to NYC, I googled vegetarian restaurants in the area. I came across one of Moby's blog postings listing some of his favorites, and found it super helpful. I thought I'd do the same for Montreal...

Starting with my favorite Aux Vivres (amazing vegan food), Yuan (asian fusion), Pushap (yummy Indian), Bonnys (in Griffintown), Green Panther (Mile End) Chu Chai (for a nice dinner) or Chuch (for lunch), Divan Orange (venue/restaurant), Casa del Popolo (hearty sandwiches), Burritoville (Mexican), Juicy Lotus (in NDG), La Faim du Monde, Le Commensal (buffet/cafeteria style).

Some veggie friendly faves: Olive et Gourmando (awesome Viva Las Vegan sandwich), Veritas (yummy hummus & eggplant sandwich), Santropol (sandwiches, salads, pies), Chez Jose (vege paté), Clark Street Bakery (spicy aubergine sandwich), Shaika Cafe (chick pea wrap, in NDG).

Bon appetit!
P.S. Please feel free to add your favorites to the list...