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MISSION STATEMENT

V-EGANISM is independent in thoughts and actions, only choosing what is right and just for animals, humans, and the environment. V-EGANISM however does have a mission statement which is how the founder of veganism, Donald Watson, originally coined the word's definition. It was a perfect definition then and it still is a perfect definition now. So the following paragraph is V-EGANISM's official Mission Statement:


"V-EGANISM educates people and helps people and animals regarding the political and social justice cause, Veganism, which is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude--as far as is possible and practical--all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, cosmetics, household products, entertainment, service or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment."


OPERATION V-EGANISM SHARING LINKS

I share links daily regarding animal rights/veganism on Twitter. https://twitter.com/LorraineVegan.

Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Maneki Neko Cat

Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Maneki Neko Cat

Love & Peace Maneki Neko Cat

Love & Peace Maneki Neko Cat

Animals Killed Counter

The Animal Kill Counter: Basic Version << ADAPTT :: Animals Deserve Absolute Protection Today and Tomorrow

Animals Slaughtered:

0 marine animals
0 chickens
0 ducks
0 pigs
0 rabbits
0 turkeys
0 geese
0 sheep
0 goats
0 cows and calves
0 rodents
0 pigeons and other birds
0 buffaloes
0 dogs
0 cats
0 horses
0 donkeys and mules
0 camels and other camelids

These are the numbers of animals killed worldwide by the meat, egg, and dairy industries since you opened this webpage. These numbers do NOT include the many millions of animals killed each year in vivisection laboratories. They do NOT include the millions of dogs and cats killed in animal shelters every year. They do NOT include the animals who died while held captive in the animal-slavery enterprises of circuses, rodeos, zoos, and marine parks. They do NOT include the animals killed while pressed into such blood sports as bullfighting, cockfighting, dogfighting, and bear- baiting, nor do they include horses and grey- hounds who were exterminated after they were no longer deemed suitable for racing. Courtesy of ADAPTT

Veg Movies Website - Largest collection of Animal Activism films!

VegMovies plant-based and animal-friendly movie directory


Truth!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Dairy-Free New Year's Eve Recipes





Most New Year's Eve recipes contain some sort of dairy. The link below has a recipe collection of cruelty-free dairy-free renditions of the classics that are sure to bring in the New Year right!

Cruelty-Free New Year's Eve Recipes


Thursday, December 19, 2013

Cruelty-Free Christmas and Kwanzaa Meals





Again, like Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, there are thousands and thousands of holiday cruelty-free meals, so here are some of the best Christmas and Kwanzaa links to them:


Vegan Christmas Recipes



A Joyful Vegan Christmas Dinner


Top vegan Christmas & holiday recipes








Vegetarian Kwanzaa Feast (actually, all "vegan" meals)




HAPPY CRUELTY-FREE HOLIDAYS!!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Become Vegan for the Right and Only Reason: For the Animals



I hear that how vegans should not push too hard in educating others about veganism, but I disagree and feel this is missing the point of why we become vegans in the first place. It's for the animals, not to please other vegans.

Look at it this way for example: I decide to continue being cruel towards animals--eating them--because some human was too hard on me in trying to get me to become vegan? What does the "pushy vegan" have to do with whether or not I would become a vegan? I would become vegan for the animals' sake not for the sake of pleasing some vegan.

People that use pushy vegans as an excuse not to become vegan really isn't becoming vegan for the right and ONLY reason anyway--for the animals. They are thinking of becoming vegan to please or get along in the vegan community, otherwise they wouldn't care how aggressive a vegan was. If they find that vegan too preachy/aggressive but they need support, then they should go to vegans that do a softer approach. 

I think how vegans educate others varies according to their style/personality. 

Gary Yourofsky said in an interview, during one of his lectures at a school that a person was complaining he was too preachy and aggressive with his approach. He said something like, "OK, how many people here feel I'm being too aggressive?" No else else raised their hand. He said to this person, "How can this be? They heard the same lecture as you, but yet they feel I gave the lecture fine." Gary then said in the interview that it doesn't matter how you talk to people about veganism; either people are ready to hear it now and become vegan or they are not at that time. 


It's about whether you want to hurt animals or not. Period. It's the facts in the message that changes one to being vegan--not any person. Tell it to a person strongly or softly, it's still the same news, the same facts.

So those vegans who turned omnivores again never were vegans for the animals anyway. They were just vegans probably for the sake of being social in the vegan community, like as if we are some kind of club, otherwise they would have said (If they felt the vegans were being pushy), "Screw you guys. I'm staying away from you all, but will stay vegan of course because I'm doing this for the animals."

It's all about the animals--and that's thee only way to stay a vegan for life. It has to be or otherwise that potential vegan, newbie vegan, or a vegan for years, will in time come up with some excuse to go back sooner or later to their omnivore ways.


So to those vegans who say, "I don't care how a person becomes vegan, as long as they do," should care. Because why a person becomes vegan is important to whether they stay vegan for life, or in a day, month, year or so to becoming an ex-vegan.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Animal Protection Laws: Where Does Your State Rank?




The Animal Legal Defense Fund published it's longest-running, most comprehensive report that tracks animal protection laws across the entire U.S. This year’s biggest trends included strengthening penalties for neglecting an animal (now a felony in six more states) and requiring that abusers reimburse those who care for cruelly treated animals—including Arizona, the most-improved jurisdiction in 2013. 

The best five states for animal protection remained the same this year, with Oregon enacting a felony penalty for animal neglect and rising to the number two spot. North Dakota completely revamped its cruelty code to include a felony cruelty provision for the first time, and jumped out of the top states to abuse animals. South Dakota is now the only state that does not include a felony penalty for even the most heinous acts of cruelty. 

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Chain



The Chain, by Robin Lamont, is a novel with a message on animal rights. Here is the synopsis of the book:

Jude Brannock, a seasoned and passionate animal rights investigator, is drawn into the lives of a damaged family in a small town that depends on a meat packing plant for its survival.
Jude has been summoned to Bragg Falls to meet with a whistle-blower who has documented the dangerous conditions for workers and the brutal treatment of pigs about to be slaughtered at D&M Processing. But when she arrives, she finds that her contact has committed suicide and the video he made is gone. The deeper she probes, the more the town’s residents turn against her – afraid that an exposé will shut down the plant. But beyond the local resistance, there is a more sinister force that will do anything to hide what is happening behind the secretive doors of the slaughterhouse.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Gift Idea Picture Books Especially for Pagan Families (with animals too!): Winter Solstice

Lucia and the Light, by Phyllis Root



In a cozy cabin high in the mountains of the Far North, Lucia and her family live a snug and contented life. But one day the wind screams fiercely and the sun does not rise over the mountain. Someone has stolen the sun! "Perhaps it has lost its way," says Lucia, who despite her mother's pleas sets out to find it with only a bit of bread, a tinderbox, and her milk-white cat to keep her company. In dramatic pastels, Mary GrandPré illuminates troll-pocked frozen mountains and wraps Lucia's family in a blanket of warmth. Inspired by Nordic lore, Phyllis Root spins a golden yarn of courage, love, and the age-old longing for the return of light.



Sun Bread, by Elisa Kleven


Winter's gray chill has set in and everyone misses the sun-especially the baker, who is a dog.  So she decides to bring some warmth to the town by making sun bread.  And as the bread bakes, rising hot and delicious, everyone comes out to share in its goodness.  Everyone, including the sun itself.  With a lilting, rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and a recipe for baking your own sun bread, this tasty treat from the illustrator of the best-selling Abuela is just right for all ages to enjoy.



La Lagartija y el Sol/ The Lizard and the Sun, by Alma Flor Ada

A Folktale in English and Spanish



Once, a long, long time ago, the sun disappeared from the sky. Everything was dark for many days. All the animals went to search for the sun in the rivers and lakes, through the fields and forests, but the sun was nowhere to be found. Little by little all the animals gave up, except for the faithful lizard. Finally one day she found a strange glowing rock and discovered the sun fast asleep. But no one could persuade the sun to wake up. Then the emperor organized a great feast, with the finest dancers and musicians, so the sun would wake up and never fall asleep again. Since that day, all lizards love to lie in the sun, to remember the day when one of their own brought light and warmth back to the world.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Cruelty-Free Shea Butter Soaps


I bought this cruelty-free soap above about a week ago and it smells so great! There are two kinds so if shopping for it, make sure it's cruelty-free.

I'm becoming sort of a Shea Butter freak as my lip balms' main ingredient is Shea Butter, and on Sunday, I just bought below, another cruelty-free Shea Butter soap:

The smell rocks! I want all my body care items to have Shea Butter in it!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Morrissey Performing "Meat Is Murder"


Morrissey performing The Smiths classic "Meat Is Murder", live at the Music Box in Hollywood the night before Thanksgiving (11/23/11)

Songwriters: Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Steven Patrick
Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER

And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It's death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER


And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is MURDER
And the turkey you festively slice
Is MURDER
Do you know how animals die ?


Kitchen aromas aren't very homely
It's not "comforting", cheery or kind
It's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of MURDER


It's not "natural", "normal" or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of MURDER


NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
Oh ... and who hears when animals cry ?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Cruelty-free Hanukkah Meal Recipes and Celebration


Hanukkah (/ˈhɑːnəkə/ hah-nə-kə; Hebrew חֲנֻכָּה, Tiberian: Ḥănukkāh, usually spelled חנוכה, pronounced /χanuˈka/ in Modern Hebrew; a transliteration also romanized as Chanukah,Chanukkah or (Chanuˈkah), also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The extra light is called w shamash (Hebrew: שמש‎, "attendant") and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating on the Hanukkah is forbidden.

As with Thanksgiving, there is also a plethora of cruelty-free Hanukkah recipes to choose from. Here are recipe/links to some of the best ones on the Internet:


Vegan Chanukah Doughnuts

Vegan Hanukkah donuts. Hanukkah is the perfect excuse to indulge in all things fried, and just because you eat a vegan, egg-free or dairy-free diet doesn't mean you can't also love Hanukkah donuts! This homemade vegan Hanukkah doughnut recipe is a great Israeli treat. For an extra sweet vegan Hanukkah donuts, dust them with a bit of powdered sugar. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages yeast
  • 1/3 cup + 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 4 cups bleached spelt pastry flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup soy milk
  • 2 tbsp potato starch
  • 1/4 cup margarine, melted
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • oil for frying

Preparation:

In a glass bowl, mix together the yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar and the water until the yeast and sugar has dissolved. Allow to sit for ten minutes.
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a third bowl, combine the 1/3 cup sugar and remaining ingredients, except for oil. Add the yeast mixture, and then gradually add the flour and salt. Combine until a stiff dough forms.
Cover and allow to sit for one hour.
On a floured surface, knead the dough for about one minute, then roll out to about 3/4 inch thickness. Cover with a dish towel or cloth and let rise for about 20 minutes, until doubled in size.
In a deep fryer or a deep pan, heat several inches of oil over high heat. Test the temperature by placing a small piece of dough in the oil. The oil is the right temperature when the dough rises to the surface almost immediately. If it doesn't rise to the top, the oil is not yet hot enough.
Fry the donuts in oil for a minute or two, turning over as needed, until browned on both sides. Allow to drain on paper towels.
Makes about 12 homemade vegan Chanukah donuts.

Many more cruelty-free meals and celebrations can be found at these websites:


Hanukkah with a Vegan Touch

Classic Vegan Hanukkah Recipes

A Happy Vegan Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah Checklist

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cruelty-Free Thanksgiving Meal Recipes


Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving has its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, and has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.

Since there is such a plethera of cruelty-free holiday recipes on the Internet and in books, I thought I'd mention two of the best websites for your Thanksgiving holiday menu:


The links below are your premier source for Thanksgiving recipes and menus to create a memorable dinner! Create mix-and match menus from the following recipes, from soup to dessert, complete with vegan stuffings and main dishes—all the holiday traditions you adore, updated for a compassionate plant-based feast for even more recipes and menus for Thanksgiving and other major holidays.


VEGAN THANKSGIVING DINNER

For more cruelty-free recipe ideas, check out this site:

Healthy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes: From Brunch to Dinner to Dessert


Have a kind Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fellow Vegans: Get Your Facts Straight




I have talked with healthcare professionals and have done independent research regarding animal rights/exploitation and have realized many vegans, when discussing animal exploitation have their facts wrong and to make it worse, other vegans parrot the ones in error in their activism instead of doing their own research to find out what is truth.

And when I say research, I mean going to sites that are not vegan websites, but sites just giving unbiased facts; you will know those by seeing they are clearly not "animal rights" sites but still give positive information regarding veganism/plant-based eating. We don't need to lie or stretch the truth about animal exploitation/animal abuse. There is enough real hard facts to show clearly that being vegan is the only decent, ethical way to be.

With human nature, it's tempting to bend the truth to make one's cause look that much more inviting so others will agree with it (and not just the vegan cause, but any cause). As activists, we need to not be tempted to lie but just state the truth.

Do your own independent homework. Be well-informed.

The truth is all we need to set animals free.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A Personal Rant Message I Sent, Now for Public Viewing....






Sometimes I feel vegetarians are actually saying something like: "OK now, be nice and VERY patient with me or I'll start eating meat again. I WARN YOU!" Like some kind of blackmail threat.

What happened to the newbie veggies in the world that were all fired up, the way one would be when finding a new interest? Eager and all excited to fight for animals' rights!! Sadly, I see that less and less these days. 


Those new, energetic vegetarians-turned-vegans are the ones to help keep us tired, weary and semi burnt-out old vegans inspired. But they are hardly around anymore.

Instead, I see vegetarians and some newbie vegans with this (at least to me) chip on their shoulder, being ultra sensitive, cranky and constantly complaining about how hard it is becoming vegan. I think those are the ones that are waiting for ANY excuse to start eating meat again. 

Many people are quick to say that they are "vegan", but want to take it real slow in actually becoming vegan. Is it just the title label: VEGAN is all they really want and screw the activism? It seems that way sometimes.

I thought about this and I would say someone saying they are 90% vegan (or whatever the hell percentage they want to say) at a vegan forum, is like someone going to a pro-life forum saying they are 90% pro-life because while they support pro-life, they still have abortions every 6 years or so; I don't think that sort of talk would fly well in a pro-life forum...To me, that's how it sounds when people say they are "certain percentage vegans".

I can understand there needs to be time and ridding of old animal items and such to becoming vegan, but how much time? And the information and products available today is a helluva lot more than when I became a vegan. People on welfare can be healthy vegans. Some vegetarians/new vegans could just be a little more positive about their changing and not look at veganism as some kind of laborious chore. Heck, those type of people should watch Earthlings every freakin' day!!

It would just be nice to find a little nice haven for vegans only, somewhere on the Internet--just for vegans, especially for those who have no vegans friends offline. Well, my search continues in looking for some vegans offline to make friends with, where I can speak my mind privately and not having to worry about non-vegans--or newbie vegans--threatening to go back to their old ways again. 

Monday, November 4, 2013

The True Meaning of Veganism




The definition of "Vegan" is effed-up and vegans are the main reason it is! 

There is no such thing as vegan food, vegan clothing, etc. Veganism is an ethical, world view idea. Veganism is a social justice. Non-animal food is just that--plant/vegetarian food. Non-animal clothing is man-made/cruelty-free clothing. The food/clothing is NOT an ethical, social justice; the food/clothing isn't political: it's simply food/clothes that a social justice person--a vegan--would only eat/wear.

The only thing that is vegan is the person who believes in the social justice of animal rights; one who believes in veganism.

I too, am very guilty at erroneously calling foods, clothing and other items "vegan". I will no longer do so and instead say, plant food, man-made, cruelty-free... when describing items used by vegans.

Someone once on Facebook brought this up and said how there is no such thing as a vegan restaurant as one is only mentioning food. The busy group pretty much ignored her thoughts and went on discussing other things. I was like, 'Wow! This is definitely food for thought and one reason why vegan is made to look as a joke in this day and age, and her statement gave one of the reasons why and it just went over everyone's heads!'

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Gathering in Community - Joining the Circle




I attended an October 24th meet at my church called, Gathering in the Community - Joining the Circle. It's about seeking a smaller group within the large church congregation community with whom to make connections and for spiritual development.

Before the gathering, we were emailed notes to prepare for the meeting. One such notice was to bring a small item representing who we are.

Above, is what I brought. I've been collecting bookmarks since the 1970's, now having about 275 bookmarks from all over the world. But sometimes I make them, like the one above. Bookmarks is a special collection of mine and the longest collection of 3 things I collect.

Also, I decided to mention what pretty much sums up who I am as a person, what I most talk about and what I most study/read about. To know that I'm a pagan and a vegan is to already know a lot about me. So I was very proud to show this bookmark off. I had just made it the night before the gathering!

Also, I met a fellow vegan there! Out of about 12 of us, there are 2 vegans so far.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Vegan Halloween Treats and Party!



Instead of doing my own homework in creating an awesome Vegan Halloween list for everyone, I have decided to leave it to the experts--meaning finding the best links for your Vegan Halloween. 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Yellow Moc Croc Double Zip Around Wallet Vegan Friendly








The title of this blogpost is the official name of this gorgeous vegan wallet I got from Amazon. It's nice and big--like having two wallets in one!

The color, design and texture is brilliant; it looks very expensive like a designer wallet (it's originally sold by Fourever Funky). I used to keep my wallet inside my bag when taking things out of it; now I'll be pulling out my wallet to show it off. And best of all it's cruelty-free! Win-win for all!

It's designed to look like mock crocodile skin {rolling eyes}, but I didn't get it because it's supposed to look like faux animal skin; I got it because it's so pretty, huge (I NEED a large wallet with all the stuff I put in it) and is the best looking vegan wallet Amazon had to offer in my opinion.

It's the coolest wallet I have ever had. Vegan accessories are so stylish!









Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Pro-Life (like Pro-Animal) is Being Liberal





For many years, I have considered myself an Independent, politically speaking. But there are times when doing my market research work where that answer isn't quite good enough so they ask, well, which side do I lean toward--Conservative or Liberal? And I still could not answer.

The main reason why I have not made up my mind is because of two huge issues that are most important to me in this world: The life of an animal and the life of an unborn human.

Politically (and unfortunately), these two issues commonly fall this way: If one is a vegan/animal rights person then they are liberal. If one is pro-life then they are conservative. Hence my dilemma. But after really thinking about it, I have decided that they are both on the same side. They both are about fighting for the lives of living beings. So now, which side are they both on? The conservative side or the liberal side?

I believe they are both on the liberal side, as liberals are more likely (generally speaking, as a whole) accepting of anyone and everyone, regardless of who they are, than conservatives; so this makes sense to include as liberal thinking: animal rights and human rights--including the unborn rights. It makes sense to me that it would be liberal to be pro-life.

I believe every innocent being has the right to live, survive, thrive, be free and given a chance to pursue their own happiness, regardless of age, nationality, race, creed, ethnicity, species, born and unborn.

Next time this question comes up to me, I'll say I'm Independent, but I lean more toward being liberal.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

My (Cruelty-Free) 3rd Susan Nichole Bag!



My 3rd Susan Nichole vegan handbag just arrived today; fast delivery--as usual. It's so smooth and soft. Awesome quality! I loves it!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Cruelty-Free Wraps at Hospital



So today, I went to have a TB test prior to volunteer working in the healthcare field. After I got the test at my local hospital, I went to one of the hospital's cafes and found these two vegan wraps there (click on photo for larger view)! They also had two other vegan wraps, but they were just vegetable wraps with hummus on the side.

The Tex Mex taste better; I don't like black olives, which the Famous Sicilian wrap has in it. But both are delicious.

Very nice to see some great vegan food options for staff at the hospital.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

October 4th is World Animal Day


World Animal Day is tomorrow, but it dates back to October 4, 1931 when, at a convention in Florence, a group of ecologists sought to raise awareness for endangered and rare animal species. On this day, animal life, in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned in locations all over the globe. These 24 hours are the chance to give back and celebrate animal life in an especially special way (as every day is "world animal day") in all its shapes and sizes, from mice to elephants, and recognize the positive influence they have on our lives. Over the years, World Animal Day has evolved into a day to honor all animal life and appreciate the love and companionship of our companion animals.
October 4th was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animalsWorld Animal Day, however, has now gone beyond being the celebration of a Christian saint and is today observed by animal-lovers of all beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds. Animal blessings are held in churches, synagogues, and by independent animal chaplains in parks and fields. Animal recue shelters hold fundraising events and open days, wildlife groups organize information displays, schools undertake animal-related project work like organizing trips to shelters and farms. Individuals and groups of friends or co-workers donate to animal charities or pledge to sponsor a shelter animal. People donate food/money to cat and dog shelters or adopt an animal. You could even organize an animal related quiz night to raise money for animal charities.
World Animal Day is celebrated in different ways in every country, with no regard to nationality, religion, faith, or political ideology.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

F.A.A.R.M.'s First Year Anniversary!




Today is the first year anniversary of my animal rights blog, Faith and Animal Reverence Ministry.

I'm very proud of this blog and how far it has come in development. Although I don't get many comments directly on the blog, I do get tons via my email box and there's many more people who don't contact me, but are faithful readers.

To you all:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I would not be doing this blog if it weren't for all of you emailing me and reading my blog. Of course, F.A.A.R.M. goes beyond this blog, and reaches many others via social media networks, educating people on the streets, and helping people to pay for education and/or treatment for their companion animals. So, again, thanks so much for the financial and readership support!

Last, I like to mention above, I just got this bracelet from Cafe Press yesterday. I will wear it every time I go out, to help bring awareness to Veganism, and to educate others about Animal Rights. I deliberately wanted to get something bold and beautiful to stand out as I want people to know I'm vegan before they even meet me! That's one way to be "loud" without being verbal. ;-)

For the Animals!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Two Vegan Voodoo Doughnuts



I was downtown yesterday at a focus group. Fortunately, to get there, I walked right by Voodoo Doughnut. Most fortunately, the line was very short; it was about a 10-minute wait in line to get my vegan doughnuts (here's a hot tip from one of the Voodoo Doughnut employees: Locals, to avoid a long line, it's best not to go to Voodoo Doughnut in the summer time and on weekends--way too many tourists during that time!).

Here is what I bought yesterday: My usual favorite--the vegan Cock-N-Balls, and my first time trying the vegan Double Chocolate. The Double Chocolate is good too, but not as good as the Cock-N-Balls.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Vegan Mabon





Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when Wiccans take a few moments to honor the changing seasons, and celebrate the second harvest. This year, Mabon will be celebrated on September 22. 

It is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings. 

Depending on one's individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Mabon, but typically the focus is on either the second harvest aspect, or the balance between light and dark. While we celebrate the gifts of the earth, we also accept that the soil is dying. There is food to eat, but the crops are brown and going dormant. Warmth is behind us, and cold lies ahead. 

Here are some vegan recipes to help celebrate Mabon:


Simple Roasted Vegetable Medley

1 medium-sized butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1" cubes
1 lb. potatoes, cut into 1" cubes
1-2 onions, cut into wedges
1 head garlic, cloves peeled and crushed 
1 Tb. minced garlic 
1 tsp. rubbed sage
1 tsp. rosemary
3 Tb. oil, divided
Kosher salt and black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 450F.

2. Toss the squash, potatoes, onion, garlic cloves, 2 Tb. oil, sage, and rosemary in a large roasting pan (a "turkey pan"). Season with salt and pepper. Roast, covered, for 25 minutes. Toss once. Add the minced garlic, and the remaining oil (if necessary).

3. Roast 25 minutes more, tossing once, until vegetables are browned on the edges and completely tender.



Three Squash Soup 

4-5 cups of squash 
1 cup of rice milk (or you can use almond milk or soy milk) 
1 large carrot 
1 med-large parsnip 
1 medium onion 
2 celery stalks 
2 TBSP olive oil 
A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) 
Salt & pepper to taste 
Herb for garnish, like parsley 

Preheat the oven to 375°. Cut the squash in half, remove seeds and compost them. Also, roughly chop up the carrot, parsnip, onion & celery.


Fill a 9X13 glass cake pan with approximately 1 inch water and place the squash face-down in the water. Take the chopped vegetables, toss with the olive oil and place on a flat cookie sheet in a single layer. Put both squash and vegetables in the oven to bake. This could take 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes depending on your oven, the size of the vegetables. 

Keep an eye on the vegetables to make sure they don’t burn--but you want the squash skin to brown. Once the squash is soft, remove from the oven and let cool just enough so that you can handle them and scoop the flesh out of the shells (but not cold!) and put them into a food processor. You can process the squash first until very pureed, and then add veggies and do the same thing. Add the milk, salt, pepper, cayenne at this time.  Serve warm with herb garnish. 

Alternative suggestion: Some people like their squash soup sweet, so feel free to add maple syrup or agave syrup. 



Vegan Pot Pie 


Note: You can also add extra vegetables. 

For the filling: 
1 cup diced carrots 
½ cup parsnips or golden beet 
2 cups peeled and diced potatoes 
2 garlic cloves whole and unpeeled 
1 sage leave finely chopped 
4 sprigs fresh thyme 
2-3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 
½ tsp salt 
1 flavored vegan bouillon cube 
¼+ cup flour 
3+ cups water 
2 tsp tamari 
1 cup (approximately) of frozen mixed vegetables, thawed 

For the crust: 
2 cups all purpose flour 
1 cup barley flour 
½ tsp baking soda 
½ tsp salt 
1 tsp poppy seeds 
½ cup canola oil, chilled in the freezer for at least 30 minutes 
½ cup of ice water 
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 

If you didn’t cook the root vegetables with the above recipe, preheat the oven to 425°. Place the vegetables (not the frozen!), garlic, sage and thyme on a cookie sheet, drizzle with oil and mix well, flatten to a single layer. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Stir occasionally. When done, remove from oven and allow to cool a little. 

While the vegetables are cooking, put a medium sauce pan on the stove at medium heat. Pour in the 3 cups water and bring to boil. Add the bouillon cube and boil until there are no pieces floating around and add the tamari. You can put the flour into a Tupperware container with cold water in batches and shake it to mix it well before slowly pouring it into the boiling water. Whisk it to evenly distribute (try to avoid clumps) and cook until thickened stirring frequently, adding more flour if necessary.  


When the vegetables are cool, remove and discard thyme  and squeeze the garlic out of its skin, place the skin in the compost and mash the bulb up then mix well with the roasted and thawed vegetables. Add just enough gravy to coat the vegetables and set aside. 

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all dry crust ingredients and whisk together. Drizzle in the canola oil and mix with your hands until incorporated and forming M&M size balls or slightly larger. Mix the ice water and vinegar together, then drizzle into flour, continue to mix with your fingers until it holds together. 

Flour the surface you’ll be working on and knead the dough onto it a couple minutes. Divide into 2 pieces (making sure to wrap up the one you’re not using with plastic wrap). You can use this as pie crust (both top & bottom) and make one big pie. Or you can make small pies by cutting out circles (you can use a 6+ inch bowl as a cookie cutter). Put a tablespoon or two on the bottom piece of dough and then place the top one over top--and make sure to seal the edges! Bake at 275° until browned about 30 minutes for the big pie, 20 for the small one. 



Apple Carrot Bread


1 cup almond milk or rice milk 
½ cup applesauce 
1 TBSP canola oil 
2 cups whole wheat flour 
2 cups unbleached flour 
¼ cup raw sugar
1 tsp salt 
1 tsp cinnamon 
½ cup grated carrot  
2 ¼ tsp (or 1 package) dry yeast (if you’re using bread machine yeast, follow the instructions on the package) 

Measure the milk, applesauce, and oil into the bread pan. Add the whole wheat flour, unbleached flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and grated carrot. Make a well in the dry ingredients and measure in the yeast. Select the basic whole wheat bread cycle for a 2-pound loaf. Baking time will be about 50 minutes. 
Serve this with homemade apple butter, peanut butter, or plain soy butter.



Pumpkin Muffins


1 ¾ cups all purpose flour 
1 ¼ cups raw sugar 
1 Tbsp baking powder 
¼ tsp salt 
1 tsp ground cinnamon 
½ tsp ground nutmeg 
½ tsp ground ginger 
¼ tsp ground allspice 
1/8 tsp ground cloves 
1 cup pureed pumpkin (Do NOT use pumpkin pie mix!) 
½ cup non-dairy milk 
½ cup vegetable oil 
2 Tbsp molasses 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a twelve-muffin tin. 


Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. In separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, non-dairy milk, oil, and molasses. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix. 

Fill the muffin cups two thirds of the way full. Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. 

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