A Life Vegan

Rainbows, Running, and Refueling

alifevegetarian — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Today I ran in the Brooklyn Pride 5k. Standing at the start line, I thought, ‘Pride week is to many of the people here, probably like what a Veg Fest is to me.’ And, for me, Veg Fests are an opportunity to feel less in the minority. The labels I carry with me (woman, vegan), I’m somewhere in the rainbow ribbon of my finisher’s medal; we all are.

One of the most adorable things I saw, aside from puppies and tutus, was a family in Joe hearts Jeff t-shirts. The couple was getting married right after the race! At the Brooklyn Half, I saw a newlywed running in a veil. It always impresses me when people go out of their way to hype up for a race. At the Brooklyn Pride, one guy even had wings on. So help me, if I ever run a Disney race, it’s on like Donkey Kong.

Can’t say I’m super excited about my time of 28:21. Wish I’d dug deeper to at least maintain under a 9 min mile. It’s not about not meeting or exceeding your expectations or dreams. It’s that feeling after when you think, I could have done better. I was off my target at the Brooklyn Half by 14:02–sub 2 hour you will not elude me–but I felt I’d given all I had. I felt accomplished. I’m signed up for a 10k in July; I want sub 1 hour…I’ll take no regrets.

Afterwards, after cheering on the remaining runners, I hopped the subway to Smorgasburg. After devouring a couple of Fatty Beet Sliders from Chickpea and Olive, I sucked back the most delicious mango lemonade from Bombay Sandwich Co. I almost got a second it was that good. I wasn’t the only one who thought Smorg was a good call and spotted a few rainbow ribbon racers sprawled out on the grasses.

Satisfied, and getting a little too sun-kissed, I headed back to the train. I nearly spent $4.90 on ice cream when I spotted the Van Leeuwen truck–they now have two vegan flavors–but common sense got hold of me through the delirium of the mid-Saturday sun. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when places have new vegan offerings…but I had to seriously talk myself into buying a pint last week for $5, so I’m not about to shell out so much for a little cup of it. With my sweet tooth peaked though, I headed to Peacefood Cafe.

Fellow bloggers Emily, of Jersey City Vegan, and Stacy, of Vegan Fatty Boombalatty, were exchanging about the vegan ‘cronut’ and I had to check it out. A cronut is a croissant married with a donut…and it makes one fuggly baby in my humble opinion. Apparently, it’s good, but my eyes locked onto the chocolate croissant and I knew it was love.

After I made it home, I nursed that baby and a good book. I’m pretty aware my measly 5k didn’t justify all the food I knocked back today, but there are some days when you have to just say, ‘I’m fortunate. This day may not happen again. Carpe fudgin’ diem!’

Giveaway: At the Edge of the World

alifevegetarian — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:00:31 +0000

The Sea Shepherd New York Crew has been doing really great work! Earlier this year, a pair of members went to Taiji, Japan to be Cove Guardians, documenting dolphin captures and killings. More recently, a few members participated as Dam Guardians to document the treatment of sea lions in Oregon and Washington. As well, another member recently returned from Sea Shepherd’s ninth Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign.

To celebrate, I’m giving away a copy of ‘At the Edge of the World.’ Comment below by 6/8/2013 for your chance.

Click the image below to comment on Facebook and find me @alifevegan on Instagram for bonus chances to win.

Contest open to U.S. residents only.

Drop Sweets Not Bombs

alifevegetarian — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:28 +0000

Tomorrow, Sunday, April 28 at MooShoes in Lower Manahattan there will be a vegan bake sale to benefit Food Not Bombs NYC.

Click the image for more info!

Win my NYC Veg Food Fest goodie bag!

alifevegetarian — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:22:08 +0000

The NYC Vegetarian Food Festival was so much fun. Big thanks to Nira Paliwoda and Sarah Gross for being confident enough to think they could pull this off…and craziness to do it…there are more pieces to a festival than most people would think.

Giveaways are also fun! So I collected goodies for one lucky reader. For this one, I’m taking a page from the women of Our Hen House and asking entrants to drop me a line…it’ll make it way easier to contact the winner!

To enter to win, all you got to do is send a quick email to ALifeVegan@live.com with the subject “NYC VFF goodie bag“.

The bag contains samples thanks to Raw Revolution and Vegan Cuts as well as gifts of Home Free, Pukka Tea, and Sea Shepherd.

Giveaway open 12:01am EST 3/20/2013 through 11:59pm EST 03/27/2013. Winner chosen at random. Open to U.S. residents only.

On the Hunt at the 2013 NYC Veg Food Fest

alifevegetarian — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 03:00:00 +0000

I can’t hide my enthusiasm for the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival this weekend. I still remember the first festival. The three plus hours in line. The team of FoodSwings dressed like devils and angels. Dayna explaining to me just what Sea Shepherd does. It was so worth it.

This year is shaping up to be memorable as well! Let’s share it! Scavenger Hunt!

All peeps need to do is tweet @ALifeVegan with #huntnycvff. Deadline will be 3pm Sat. Winner will be tweeted by 4pm and must pick up their prize in person.

Stop by the fast moving snail (Bonus love if you get them to make a face)

‘I am not a nugget.’

Grab some PHOOD!

Find the Dolphin in the skull

Find a running carrot

Learn about one of the happiest places on Earth (Clue: especially of you’re a farmed animal)

Go back in time with campfire favorites

Spot the dapper gentleman with the spiffy mustache

Find a feast for your eyes…and tummy!

How many can you find?

Game on!

Meet The Shannons

alifevegetarian — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:00:21 +0000

I go the chance to meet Annie and Dan Shannon last night. Their new cookbook “Betty Goes Vegan” is getting tons of kudos. Be sure to catch the clip of them on The Today Show. Another chance to meet the duo next week, at GreenLight Bookstore in Brooklyn, Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 7:30pm.

Chocolate That’ll Make The Heart Melt

alifevegetarian — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:37:25 +0000

Lovers of chocolate single and coupled, likely take advantage of Valentine’s Day as an excuse to indulge. Why go for the same old sampler? Variety is the spice of life. Fire up your taste buds with some sweet treats. There’s something for everyone!

For the animal lover: Rescue Chocolate: 100% of the net profits go to benefit animal rescue organizations.

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: Today! (Feb 5th)
For those in NYC, you can purchase at the Vegan Shop Up on Saturday, Feb 9th at Pine Box Rock Shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Pick: A gift box lets you try them all

For art lovers: Lagusta’s Luscious: Organic and handmade, Lagusta pays attention to the details. Each piece is like a little work of art.

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: Today! (Feb 5th)

For those in New York, you can visit the shop in New Paltz, NY

Pick: Hand-painted chocolate love birds…maybe too pretty to eat

Gone Pie

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: This Friday! (Feb 8th)

For those in NYC, you can purchase at the Vegan Shop Up on Saturday, Feb 9th at Pine Box Rock Shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Pick: Chocolate covered PB crispy hearts

Obsessive Confection Disorder

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: This Friday! (Feb 8th)

Pick: Naught Bites

Gnosis

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: By Noon This Friday! (Feb 8th)

Pick: Passion Truffles

Allison’s Gourmet

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: request delivery by Feb 13th and they’ll try to accommodate.

Pick: Cherry Chocolate Brownies

Vegan Treats

Last day to order for Valentine’s Delivery: ASAP! They’re selling out fast.

Pick: Large candy box so you get the vegan Twix

NYC Special Pick!
Chickpea and Olive

For those in NYC, you can purchase at the Vegan Shop Up on Saturday, Feb 9th at Pine Box Rock Shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Pick: All their truffles are delicious, but definitely try the Sesame.

What can you buy with $9?

alifevegetarian — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:00:14 +0000

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has started their ninth Antarctic campaign to defend whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. They hope their latest campaign, Operation Zero Tolerance, will be their greatest success in challenging illegal whaling.

The direct action marine conservation society cannot carry out their work alone. Beginning tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 19th, the organization is encouraging those who believe in their work to participate in a special fundraising challenge by pledging just $9.

This year’s campaign, which lasts 3 months, is not yet fully funded. Help the Sea Shepherds stay between the whalers and their prey for as long as they can. $9 is less than the price of a couple of Venti Starbucks drinks.

If you have the funds to spare, you can run with the theme of “9″ by donating $9, $99, or $999. Even as little as $5 can help the organization with its efforts.

The goal is zero kills. Help support the whales.

Waving Bye to New Paltz

alifevegetarian — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:00:31 +0000

Following Hurricane Sandy, I got the chance to spend three weeks in New Paltz, New York. It’s a quaint little town. Highlights included runs up Main Street, a stop at the beautiful Mohonk Mountain House, visiting their campus of SUNY, eats at Karma Road, and sweets at Lagusta’s Luscious…of course.

Today, my father made the trip up for my last day in town and we couldn’t resist stopping at my favorite place. In addition to warming up with some spicy hot chocolate, we both enjoyed Chai and Chocolate cupcakes by Sweet Maresa’s…I could do shots of the icing. As well, I grabbed some treats for the road.

Along the counter were preludes of the treats to come this holiday season. Chocolate Christmas trees and reindeer.

While I am extremely excited to be settling back into my life, focusing on work, I’ll miss the solitude of my runs–just me and the road– and the stars in the sky…yep, that far out you can actually see those babies.

Lagusta’s Luscious
25 North Front St
New Paltz, NY. 12561
(845) 255-8834

Sweet Maresa’s
25 North Front St
New Paltz, NY. 12561
(845) 706-3626

MFA takes on Butterball for Round 2

alifevegetarian — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:30:05 +0000

Mercy for Animals’ undercover investigators have again brought to light animal cruelty at Butterball turkey facilities in North Carolina. According to the nonprofit organization, abuses documented last month included:

workers kicking and stomping on birds, dragging them by their wings and necks
throwing turkeys onto the ground or on top of other birds
serious untreated illnesses and injuries, including open sores, infections, and broken bones

This new footage comes on the heels of a guilty plea, in August, for felony animal cruelty by a former Butterball employee. The latest footage echoes the cruelty of last year. Butterball is the world’s largest producer of turkey meat, responsible for “30 percent of the 46 million turkeys who are killed for Thanksgiving.”

Ahead of the holiday, MFA felt strongly about promoting awareness of the footage. In the initial days following its release, their main website, MercyForAnimals.org, redirected to a special investigations site, ButterballAbuse.com.

MFA encourages leaving turkeys, as well as other animals, off your holiday menus. Get some great ideas at ChooseVeg.com.