The Picky Vegan

2010-01-20T23:57:00.003-05:00

I'm so sorry for the total lack of posts. This blog will probably remain dormant until late spring or so, when I'm done with school. I may take pictures on and off on the rare days when I make something different and photogenic, but I'll be saving them up. See you in the spring!

Food-Driven: Tue: Deliveries only. Wed to Fri schedule

2010-01-05T12:02:00.001-05:00

Food-Driven: Tue: Deliveries only. Wed to Fri schedule

Follow the link and vote for vegan cupcake day!

I've never actually been to the cupcake truck because whenever I've seen it out and about I'm usually in a hurry to get to class, but I would definitely seek it out if I knew that there would be delicious vegan cupcakes on a particular day!

(Personally, I voted for everyday... but I'll take any day it's in the downtown or med school area).

Really good but inexact...

2009-12-17T23:29:00.002-05:00

Raw snack: slice an onion (red or a sweet one). Marinate overnight in Bragg's or nama shoyu (or soy sauce if you don't care about being raw). Dehydrate. This is where I get really inexact, as I don't have a dehydrator, so I don't know real time or temp- I just shove them in my gas oven in the off position, where it's a consistent 100F. I left them in for a whole 36 hours- overnight wasn't nearly long enough, and then I forgot about them until the next day. I really like them like this (they're still pliable, I'm thinking you might want a slightly higher temp, shorter time though in a dehydrator). Store in the fridge.

I use parentheses far too often.

2009-11-27T15:19:00.003-05:00

I have a morbid fascination with advice columns. I read several Dear Abby-style columns on a regular basis. My fascination is probably along the lines of why I became a therapist in the first place, but I digress. I saw the question below in yesterday's Ask Amy column:

Dear Amy: How do I tactfully agree with someone when she complains about being overweight?

I have a friend who had lost a lot of weight before I ever met her, but she is still probably a good 50 pounds overweight. She used to work out but now can't find the time.

My problem is that sometimes she makes comments about how she is fat.

It's the kind of comment that someone would normally respond with, "You're crazy! You are not fat!" but I can't say that because it would obviously be a lie.

What should I say to this?

Friend of a Fat Friend

Probably half a dozen people who know me could have written that question. Well, not exactly (50 lbs would be a bit much. I'm a really short person), but something similar. The answer in the column is fine, but I think it lacks something. There are two kinds of people why say they're fat. Ones who actually are, and ones who aren't. I don't speak for the ones who aren't, that's a whole other issue. Ones who are however- they're not usually looking to be lied to. I don't think any of them want you to say what the writer above thinks. It's a defense mechanism: "I'm going to point out the obvious before you, because if I say it, you can't hurt me." It's the subconscious subtext.

All overweight people are overweight because they consume more calories than they expend, but people get there for all sorts of different reasons. In the American culture, there's a stigma that people who are overweight are immoral people (gluttony being one of the seven deadly sins) who have no control over themselves. It may be true that they are out of control; it may be true that they were once out of control. They may have also been "overweight" as infants and had no control over the beginnings of the problem. They may have been abused (physically, sexually, emotionally), they may have been teased, they may be uneducated about food, they may be a lot of different things. They may have a lot in their lives that they feel really embarrassed and ashamed about, and because they're fat, people sometimes feel entitled to make judgements about them. When they say they're fat, they probably not looking for you tell them otherwise, but they're probably not looking for you to tell them to lose weight. It's not your moral duty to make people feel even more badly about themselves. Someone who's saying they're fat (unless perhaps they're a fat activist) probably already feels badly enough about themselves.

I can't speak for everyone of course; there are people with issues who are looking for you to say, yes, you are fat. Most don't really want to hear that either- like I said, it's a defense mechanism. It gives the person saying it a false sense of control that no one else can hurt them if they bring up the while elephant in the room first, so to speak.

What can you do? Like the answer in the column, you want to gauge your response by what you're getting back- if they're in total self defeatist mode, changing the subject might be a very good idea, for the time being. Saying, "yeah, you could stand to lose 50 lbs," may be gutsy and "feel real," but probably won't be all that helpful in the moment. Offering to be a gym buddy or to go for a daily walk with them might be a better response.

But you know what I think people are looking for? (I'm totally projecting here). I think people just want to hear that they're still good and worthwhile people. That thin doesn't always equal attractive and fat doesn't necessarily equal unattractive. That you like being their friend for the person they are, not for what they do or don't look like. Now this might be a little different for someone who is a staunch fat activist, but for someone who's not, they're probably looking for a little reassurance. If it's not in you to give that, change the subject, but don't kick people while they're down. Someone who is saying that is probably coming for a place of insecurity, in the context mentioned above. (Someone who is saying, "hey, I'm fat and I want to make some changes," is a different story, of course). Remember that morality thing I mentioned above? I think there's also something in religious sayings about "Judge not, lest ye be judged." We all have our issues. Some just aren't as obvious as others.

Back to your regularly scheduled blog.

It's almost time for the holidays!

2009-11-24T11:37:00.004-05:00

But yeah, I'm sure you already knew that.

Today Slate reprinted their Guide to Vegetarian Turkey. I don't know; I think that the Field Roast Celebration Roast really deserved a better score- I like it a lot more than Tofurkey (though I have nothing against Tofurkey). I haven't had the opportunity to the the Gardein version (though new that I have a Whole Foods nearby, I should see if they have it).

Although I'm having a Celebration Roast this year, remember that you don't have to do a mock turkey for Thanksgiving. Some of the best Thanksgivings I've had involved pasta for the main dish (but with all the traditional sides, because come on, when else is it socially acceptable to eat mashed potatoes and stuffing and green bean casserole and pie all in one meal?). There's lot of other flavors of fall out there to try, so here's a few that I've done in the past:

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes and Spicy Green Beans

Roasted Lemony Brussels Sprouts with Couscous

Sesame Tofu

Pasta and Veggies and Roasted Chickpeas

Cannelli Bean Amaranth Soup

Pad Thai

Apple-Gingler Autumn Roll with Sweet and Smokey Tofu

Pumpkin-Spinach Risotto

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Pears and Nuts

Baked Apples with Barley-Chorizo Pilaf

Pasta with Black Grapes, Fennel and Vegan Sausage

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Roasted Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Pumpkin-Ginger-Edamame Risotto

And here's a picture of my more "traditional" meal from last year:

Happy (American) Thanksgiving!

Tempeh Piccata with Warm Wheat Berry Salad

2009-11-21T21:02:00.004-05:00

This one is actually from a few months ago, but I never got around to posting it.

The Tempeh Piccata is basically the Candle Café recipe, but using steamed tempeh instead of seitan (because it's what I had. I've made it with seitan before, both options are really good). I can't remember what exactly is in the Wheat Berry Salad, but I think it's cooked wheat berries, rainbow swiss chard and balsamic reduction. There might be some onion in there too, but I don't remember. That will teach me to post pictures so late!

Vegan Swap!

2009-11-20T16:11:00.005-05:00

I joined up in the Vegan Care Package Swap over at Cooking For A Vegan Lover's blog. I was paired with Pixiepine, who sent me an awesome package. Unfortunately, I can't find my camera so I could only take the pic with my iPhone, but if you click through, I have notes on the picture. Included are a Kiss My Face bar of soap, Raw Cacao Nibs, Vega Smoothie infusion, a granola plank, a chocolate bar (one for eating and one for baking!), sugar cookies, Sweet Thai Delight tea, Gummi Bears, and... a Lush conditioning bar!!!!!!!

I was a slacker and didn't send mine until today, but I hope she'll like the one I sent as much I like the one she sent!

Claire's Corner Copia

2009-11-19T20:41:00.002-05:00

I don't go to Claire's Corner Copia often because of the usual long line, but I happened to go early enough a few weeks ago that I beat the lunch rush. My favorite is the "CLT" (fake) Chicken, Lettuce and Tomato. Of course, I never eat the tomato. The sandwich was great, but the pasta salad on the side was awful- it tasted like it was just plain frozen spinach, when I was expecting a pesto. Aside from that, all was well, and Claire's is one of those places you just have to go to if you're ever visiting New Haven.

Last San Diego Post

2009-11-17T22:51:00.003-05:00

While I was researching restaurants I would be able to get to in San Diego, I came across Nature's Express. I jokingly posted on my Facebook page, "Would it be wrong to rent a car for the express purpose of going to an all-vegan drive-thru?" I swear I was joking, but I ended up renting a car while I was there so I could drive up to Los Angles to visit my brother.

So before I went to LA, I stopped at Nature's Express. I had planned to take the bus, but since it was Saturday and the bus ran less frequently, I was afraid I wouldn't be back in time for my presentation. Because of that, I went in the rental car, but there's not actually any need to drive. I actually walked up to the window, and you can order the food inside, too. The window was more like a 1950s drive thru.

Here's the menu:

I took my food back to my hotel room, so I knew I would be on time for my presentation (it would be really bad to be late to that!). I ordered the bacon cheese burger and fries. SO GOOD. This restaurant should totally replace McDonald's. I don't think that most people would even know the difference.

So that evening, I drove up to LA to visit my brother and see his band, The Quiet, play. We did go to a tiny vegan restaurant near the Hotel Cafe where he was playing, called Vegan House 2. None of the pictures came out at all (it was really dark in there). The food was okay, but nothing to write home about, as the saying goes. My brother said there was a fancy vegan restaurant that he wanted to try elsewhere, but traffic kept me from getting there at a decent hour. I guess I'll have to go back some time! :-)

And even more from San Diego!

2009-11-17T22:28:00.002-05:00

One of my best friends from elementary and high school lives in San Diego, so we got together while I was out there (I'm posting from home, now). She and her husband aren't vegan, but are really down with the vegan lifestyle. One of her favorite restaurants is Sipz, a vegetarian restaurant in San Diego. I'm not sure what neighborhood it's in, but it's pretty far from where my hotel was. :-)

Most items on the menu are vegan (the few that are not are clearly marked). The food is Pan-Asian Cuisine, much like the restaurant where I ate the previous evening. Definitely good food! I could live out here!

Summer rolls

Another type of summer roll

Fried tofu

Pho- I again forgot to take the picture before I started

Banana-coconut cake for dessert!

I surprisingly managed not to gain any weight during this trip, but I'm not sure how.

More from San Diego

2009-11-13T15:07:00.002-05:00

Last night's dinner was from The Asian Bistro, which is not entirely vegan, but will prepare all vegan/vegetarian options without fish sauce and with seperate utensils in a seperate part of the kitchen, which makes it pretty awesome in my book. Please excuse the low lighting in the photos- it's always so hard to get a goo pic when you go out for dinner!

I started off with a lychee martini.

Next up, appetizers.

"Flower" cups:

and Vegan Gyoza.

And some Pad Thai. I forgot to take a picture before I started eating, so it's half-eaten here.

There were a number of things on the menu that I would have liked to try- I would definitely come back here if my trip weren't so short!

Pizza Rules.

2009-11-11T20:00:00.004-05:00

I am sitting in beautiful San Diego, CA, here for the American Music Therapy Association annual conference. My day started this morning in New Haven, CT when my alarm clock (well, iPhone) went off at 3:30AM. It took me a bit to drag myself out of bed and to get dressed, but by 4:20AM (huh huh) I was on the road to Hartford, CT to catch a 6AM flight to San Diego, by way of Dallas-Fort Worth. I barely made it!

During the first leg of my flight this morning, I slept most of the time. I did bring some dried fruit and granola with me so I would have something to eat, which is good, because the food options at Dallas-Forth Worth are pretty useless for a vegan. The second leg of my flight this morning was much more entertaining, as it had on-board wireless. Best $14 I've ever spent (but totally would not do if I traveled by air frequently. Way too expensive for regular use). I kept taking pictures and posting them to Facebook to pass the time. Here's a picture taken somewhere over western Texas:

But you came here for the food, right?

I had high hopes that I'd be able to go out and explore this afternoon, since because of the time difference I arrived just a little after 12P, but I was (and am!) exhausted. I had checked out restaurants online before arriving however, and was interested in trying Pizza Fusion. Since they deliver to my hotel, pizza it was!

After I went vegan I still once in a while would order a pizza without cheese initally, but I stopped when I moved to New Haven. So it's been over two years since I've had pizza that I didn't have to make myself (or get from the freezer case!). Best part?

Do you see that "cheese?"

It's Daiya. First time I've been able to try it, and I'm very impressed. I think I'll stick with Teese as my standby for it's greater versatility, but I really liked Daiya. Plus pineapple and onion on a multigrain crust. Pizza just does not get better than this!

Stay tuned for more!

I almost forgot...

2009-11-01T17:21:00.001-05:00

Happy World Vegan Day, everybody!

Take Your Cookie to Work Day

2009-10-31T20:44:00.002-04:00

Especially take them if they are Mexican Chocolate Snickerdoodles from

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats. Man, they are good. I have no self control when it comes to sweet baked goods, so if I want to make cookies, I have to bring them somewhere that I can unload them. I am glad my coworkers don't seem to mind!

Yes, it is the last day of VeganMoFo. I have been terrible this year. All I can say is that hopefully this is my last year of school for a very long time, so maybe next October I will have more time for blogging. Happy end of VeganMoFo, everyone!

Top Chef... veg*n episode revealed!

2009-10-28T10:21:00.012-04:00

If you haven't seen the episode yet, don't worry, I won't spoil you on who won or who made what, but I will talk about the show in general and what the challenge was, so choose now if you want to keep reading.

The episode is called... "Meat Natalie."

It starts out with a Quickfire Challenge that is not vegan, and we'll just say that the contestants are totally blindsided by the Elimination Challenge. This episode might have been filmed before Natalie Portman went back to being completely vegan, as the challenge is vegetarian, not vegan. However, it appears that most of the dishes are vegan... even things that are "creamed" may not have actually had cream in them. It may very well have happened that they decided not to use the word "vegan" on the show, but still were actually cooking vegan. I did hear the word "butter" uttered (ooh, a rhyme!), but again, who knows if it was actually butter.

There is an episode of Top Chef Masters called "Dietary Restrictions" that aired over the summer that unfolded in similar fashion with the celebrity judge being Zooey Deschanel, so I guess we'll have to rely on that episode for total vegan goodness for now!

The episode was somewhat disappointing, especially compared to the Top Chef Masters one. While it's awesome to see all the vegan dishes, it's mostly just piles of vegetables. They look really pretty and the judges seem to like many of them, but it's really a whole bunch of side dishes. No tofu, no tempeh, barely any beans, no seitan and hardly any grains, even. Someone even uses *leeks* to stand in as their protein. I like leeks a lot, but I don't think that really works.

The best part about this episode? That it airs during Veganmofo, of course!

Top Chef... vegan episode?

2009-10-22T14:10:00.002-04:00

I just watched last night's Top Chef... and saw that their special guest next week is Natalie Portman, who recently returned to veganism. The teaser says something to the effect of "there's one catch..." but doesn't tell us. Is this finally going to be an all-vegan episode? I am totally excited with the anticipation!

Rice A Roni

2009-10-22T14:02:00.003-04:00

... the San Fransico treat!

I used to love those commercials.

I used this recipe as my starting point, but I added in some other grains: wild rice, millet, kasha and Israeli couscous, as well as some (already cooked) chickpeas. I'm not going to post my recipe, as I need to revise when to add some of the grains for optimal cooking, and I felt like there wasn't enough seasoning. I guess I'd probably end up turning it into more of a pilaf next time, but definitely not a bad dish.

And you know, Veganmofo!

Not more on Vitamin D...

2009-10-21T22:28:00.002-04:00

Last update for a while, I promise.

Getting liquid vitamin D2 for high dose therapy is not easy. Most pharmacies do not stock vitamin D liquid as a matter of course, so you'll have to have them order it (or you can probably order it on the internet, but keep reading). Liquid vitamin D is usually only used in very small doses; 2 drops, to be exact (which would be 400 IUs). Remember, I need to take 50,000 IU at once.

If you take a look at the bottle, there are 8000 IU/milliliter. To get 50,000, you need to take 6.25 mL. It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper.

That is reason #1 you'll want to get it from your pharmacy instead of online- the pharmacist will give you a syringe to draw it up (you can then mix it in a little water or juice- it's very sweet but otherwise flavorless- actually, so sweet it's kind of revolting. I vote for a lightly sweetened juice).

Reason #2... it's expensive. According to my pharmacy slip, the generic brand is about $68/bottle. One bottle will get you somewhere around 9 doses at the 50,000 level. It's not that bad in the grand scheme of things, but I think it's a lot. So, here's the deal: Liquid Vitamin D is technically an over the counter product; but at this high dose, it actually requires a prescription. If you can get your medical provider to write a prescription for you (they may not know that this dose needs one, since it's gonna say in their drug look-up it's OTC- I know, I have the same one they're all using), it can be put through your insurance as a prescription medication, if you have insurance, and if that insurance covers medication and it's an approved medication (this dose seems to be commonly covered).

So there you have it. I'll follow up again in a few months to say if it's working.

Please note, I don't provide this information because I want you to run out and start taking a dose like this. High dose vitamin D therapy can be very dangerous unless you're actually severely depleted. Check with your medical provider first!

Another Lovely Day

2009-10-18T16:07:00.006-04:00

To be perfectly honest, this week is not going to be pretty. I have a bunch of really stupid but required trainings to do to for my internship, so I don't think I'm going to have time to post most days this week, though I will do what I can. Maybe I can make it up next weekend, which hopefully will not be so busy.

Yesterday, I had the really good kind of busy- the go-into-New-York-and-see-a-show kind of busy, which is always often, and something I have not taken advantage of very much since I've been in New Haven. Of course, ticket prices are kind of a drawback, but I was able to get a really cheap ticket to Next to Normal. Totally worth it, even if it means squeezing writing two papers into one weekend day.

Before the show, a little shopping was in order. The only place I really wanted to go was Lush, as I wanted some bath bombs and bars. I love me some bubbles in the bath, and it's not easy to find an all vegan variety!

I got some solid perfume and a chocolate face mask, too. I love this place.

Dinner was at a Vietnamese place that one of my friends really likes. The vegan pickings were slim, but I was happy with my tofu and greens. I love that it's plated sort of like that awful thing from KFC that uses two pieces of fried chicken instead of bread to hold cheese and bacon. This is so much more civilized.

Of course, my dining companions' meals were not civilized, nor was the whole pretending they were screaming before dipping them in the boiling water (they had a seafood Shabu Shabu, which had some whole shrimp and prawns- eyes and everything...) I had to actually ask them to stop. I usually don't make any fuss over omni friend's meals, but that was a little bit too much to take. I still couldn't look down at that end of the table, even after they toned down the "playing" with their food.

After the show, we happened to go out an exit which was by the backstage exit, so I hung around like a total fangirl for autographs.

Alice Ripley signed my program! Yay!

Alice Ripley is a totally nice and gracious and charming star, and she posed for a picture with me even though I didn't ask and her handlers had said no posed pictures. Awesomeness!

I love having a day like this... I just wish I had vegan friends to share that with. I would so much rather go to a vegan (or even vegetarian) restaurant before the show, but it can be a pretty hard sell, especially where I haven't been to any in that area before and can say "oh, this is totally awesome, and you'll love it." I have very few vegan friends in "real life," and of the few I have, I can't imagine going to a Broadway show and then standing outside in the freezing cold to wait for autographs would top any of their lists of things they'd enjoy doing. Total bummer.

Braised Leeks and Seitan Stroganoff

2009-10-16T19:46:00.004-04:00

This was just so good, I am going to make another batch of seitan even though I don't have time just so I can make it again. Really, really good.

I started with this recipe (and got the idea for the leeks from here). I braised the leeks with balsamic vinegar, which was really nice. I left out the mushrooms (of course!) and added green beans and peas. From the gravy, I left out the mustard and tamari (just didn't need it, it was so good), and I also added a sprig of chopped rosemary, which I think really made the dish. A great meal for a cold day!

Blog Action Day: Climate Change

2009-10-15T20:32:00.003-04:00

It is October 15. Guess what it was doing this evening in New Haven, CT? If you guessed snowing, you'd be right.

Now, I'm not sure how out of the ordinary in the grand scheme of things that is; I'm sure it's snowed this early in the season long before the industrial revolution, but it's the kind of thing that makes you think.

I'm tired, and I don't want to preach. I know that there are people out there who scoff at vegan diets as being helpful in the climate change issue, because many of the foods we eat have to be trucked or shipped in or is genetically modified. This is true. For the most part, it doesn't have to be.

I think the best advice out there for vegans and non-vegans alike is to be aware of what you eat. Awareness is a funny thing. It might help you eat less. It might help you eat better for you. It might help you eat better for animals. It also might help you eat better for the planet.

And veganmofo!

Vitamin D update

2009-10-14T17:58:00.002-04:00

It took a bit to get all of my Vitamin D lab work back (it seems to not be something labs deal with frequently), but it seems that indeed, the way to treat is with large doses of Vitamin D- 50,000 IU of D2 once a week for eight weeks.

The kicker? The large dose Vitamin D comes in gelatin-filled capsules. D'oh! The good news is, there is a liquid form, but it's hard to find. You may have to ask our pharmacy to order it, which is what I'm doing.

Earlier: more than you wanted to know about Vitamin D.

2009-10-14T16:57:00.002-04:00

It's getting much harder to keep up with the blogging. This is a tough semester. I knew that it would be to an extent, but not nearly as bad as it has turned out to be. So eating well suffers. What has helped is that I did some planning ahead, as you will see here is more planning ahead.

Aside from some frozen vegetables, there's not a whole lot of "convenience food" here. Well, much of it is convenient, but I made it myself, so I know what's in it and have a lot of control. I've got several meals, chili and soups, plus frozen rice and beans ...

...and a whole bunch of vegan sausages that I made from Vegan Brunch: Homestyle Recipes Worth Waking Up For--From Asparagus Omelets to Pumpkin Pancakes.

It helps. I took this picture a few weeks ago, and pickings are getting sparse, but it definitely helps.

Squirrel Sounds!

2009-10-13T13:08:00.002-04:00

I was walking down the street, and heard a strange sound coming from a tree. I stopped, and right at eye level, there was a squirrel sitting in the tree, making this almost crying like sound. It didn't appear to be hurt in any obvious way. It looked right at me for a moment or two, and then scrambled up to a higher branch when someone else walked by. At that point I decided to capture the sound, because I had no idea what it was all about. It sounded a little sad!

Of course, you can't actually see the squirrel, but it is up there!

Today in Pictures

2009-10-11T15:05:00.005-04:00

After eating a non-blog worthy breakfast late this morning, I decided to take myself for a walk on this beautiful Fall day. Leaves here in New Haven, CT are just beginning to turn colors- by next weekend it should be really beautiful. Here's hoping we have some nice weather to go with it.

After walking around and then sitting in the Downtown park to do some reading, I headed home. On my way, I passed by Ahmisa/Earthbound Cafe. It looks like the cafe is coming along pretty well:

Here's hoping it opens soon, and Ahimsa re-opens along with it.

While listening to the Red Sox/Angles Playoff Game, I baked some bread for sandwiches, using dough I made from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking. I went with mini-baguettes. Thankfully, I was able to eat before Paplebon choked and ended the season for the Sox. Otherwise my lunch might have eneded up thrown somewhere.

After letting them cool a bit, I made a sandwich with vegan "goat cheese," agave mustard, lettuce, onions, oven-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers. I served it along with some Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash Soup that I made yesterday. I followed the recipe for the goat cheese up to draining it; but I then ended up wrapping it in additional cloth and leaving it in the fridge. I did not bother to bake it, instead leaving it raw, since it firmed up quite nicely in the fridge. To be honest, I don't remember exactly what goat cheese tastes like, but I know I used to love it. This was good on it's own, but I'm not sure how close it really was. I would make it again, if I had the ingredients on hand.

Excellent lunch.