Generations have been enjoying them. Now the Oreo is turning 100 today. Nabisco developed the cookie in 1912 at its Chelsea factory (NYC). The Oreo cookie has no cholesterol; the presence of which is a given that a product contains animal ingredients. As a result, PETA has the Oreo on its list of “Accidentally Vegan” foods. Some might argue that PETA’s list, with its 99.9% caveat, is flawed and therefore the Oreo should not be celebrated.

PETA and chefs offer up some recipes, in case you decide to celebrate the day:
Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oreo Crumble Cupcakes
Colleen Grapes’ Oreo grasshopper pie

The speakers were so informative. I laughed through Dr. Gregor’s lecture as he made nutrition fun.

The samples were plentiful. Vegan marshmallows, Yves sandwiches, PB, raw ice cream…just so much.

It was said, and really is true…unless you liked eating sprouts by yourself…there has never been a better time to be a veg*n.

Two days, three stages, 90+ vendors and organizations, and 1000′s of people. For me, the high points were many but five top my list.

5. Jill from Vegan Cuts knowing of my blog…holy crow.

I walked up taking pictures and Jill asked if I was a blogger. When I said, ‘Well, yeah,’ then told her my blog name, she actually remembered that I’d written something about a promotion that were having. (That’s my giddy, selfish, happy moment.)

4. Getting to know you

The atmosphere in the festival is amazing. You can get the chance to talk with speakers like Dr. Gregor and Ellen Jaffe Jones, vendors about their products, but also just strike up conversations with other festival-goers.

3. Next generation

I love kids. (Granted, it’s not always cuteness for the parents, I’m sure.) The children running around the festival, though, represent a new beginning. As McFood’s little lab rat, I’m very curious (and also excited and worried) about what the future holds for the little veg*n babies of today.

2. Vegan athletes

I’m kind of trying to soak up everything Matt Brazier and Brendan Brazier have to say. After 9+ years as a vegetarian, I’m finally catching on to the real nutritional benefits of plant-based eating and how to better fuel myself.

1. My dad

My dad actually walked over to me and was like, ‘Hey, I think I’ll go make a $1.’ He did, which he put right in the donation jar…then pulled out another dollar to by their DVD so he could take it home for my mother to watch. Then, after listening to Dr. Gregor, he turned to me and said, ‘I may never eat another egg again.’ This event can be eye opening.