Vegan Score: exposing Seattle's vegan goodies

Moving up! Update your RSS and Email Subscription to Seattle Vegan Score

2013-05-12T07:59:00.002-07:00

Hello Vegan Score Friends. This blog is moving platforms from Blogger to Wordpress. The main web site address, www.veganscore.com, will now go to the new site automatically, but all permalinks to specific posts will go to these older pages. We don't want that! So go update your subscription and RSS feeds or you receive the blog via email at http://veganscore.wordpress.com/. Don't miss any posts!

Fire and Earth Kitchen is hosting a benefit for Mosqoy and you're invited!

2013-05-02T16:38:00.003-07:00

Hey y'all!

I wanted to let you know about a super sweet event coming up hosted by Fire and Earth Kitchen. Saturday, May 11th, Fire and Earth is teaming up with international charity Mosqoy to educate, entertain and feed us all! Hurrah!

All the info is here: http://worldofgoodgathering.tumblr.com/

From the site:

Evening to include:

*Vegan, gluten-free cooking demonstration, food sampling, and recipe sharing by Fire and Earth

*Presentation by Mosqoy with stunning photography of the Sacred Valley of Peru.

*Exhibit and sale of all natural handwoven textiles produced by women’s cooperative in Peru.
*Wine from local producers

*Food samples from local favorites, Firefly Kitchens & Seattle Salsa Guy

*Appetizers, light buffet dinner, and dessert (vegan & gluten-free) by Fire and Earth Kitchen
*Live traditional Cuban music by local superstars The SuperSones

Soooo, basically, a bunch of awesome folks are getting together to eat amazing food, listen to sweet international jams, and talk about all the badass work they do? SIGN ME UP.

Tickets are $55 in advance, $65 at the door and you can buy them here (all proceeds benefiting Mosqoy).

Get to it and see you there!

Vegan Love from Pettirosso on Capitol Hill

2013-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you've already ventured into the expanded and improved Pettirosso under the savvy ownership of the sisters that own Bang Bang. If so, you are a smart and classy vegan. If not, and you've not thought twice about this place in years, you need to give it a try. Trust me.

Under Yuki and Miki Sodos' purview, Pettirosso is a sweet, cozy, modern, and delightfully vegan-friendly bar. You'll find Sean's Vegan Mac (made famous at Bang Bang), an other fresh and interesting vegan specials. During their daily brunch you can order vegan biscuits and gravy (if they don't run out - it is very popular), tofu scramble, or upgrade to fried tofu and noodles for more of a lunch time meal. They even have a few fresh baked vegan treats in the dessert case.

Not only will you find scrumptious vegan vittles, you can also imbibe on quality concocted concoctions from their beautiful bar. Make sure to ask for your bloody mary vegan, they are happy to oblige. The atmosphere is perfect for hiding away on a rainy spring day or going out for an impromptu drink and a snack. Oh, don't forget to order some handmade pickles. Yummm. Pickles.

These sisters aren't just vegan-friendly, they truly love vegans. For real. They will treat you well. See you around!

Pettirosso
1101 E Pike St,
Seattle, WA
www.pettirossoseattle.com

Vegan-Friendly Mobile Falafel Food Truck

2013-03-31T12:37:00.001-07:00

My first falafel was long before I had that vegan twinkle in my eye, but I've since relied on the Middle Eastern staple for many late night dinner or guaranteed vegan option when out with mixed company. On St. Patrick's Day, I visited the Fremont Flea Market for a little Sunday Funday and some extensive treasure hunting and guess what! I got hungry. So, I opted for a little falafel party at Falafel Salam. They have an 90% vegetarian menu and some funny dudes slinging snacks out of their mobile operation.

I ordered the house falafel pita (spicy, because that is how I do) and was serenaded with a sweet cover of I'm so Excited by Cindy Lauper while I was waiting. This sandwich was serious business, folks. It was packed with layer after layer of deliciousness--hummus, arab salad, tons of falafel, pickled mango and topped with tahini. This was all stuffed into a fresh, soft pita and then right into my mouth. I basically raved about it the whole time I was eating it. My lunch date was like "DUDE, I GET IT. YOU ARE GONNA MARRY YOUR FALAFEL."

Falafel Salam takes their cart all around town so you'll have to check the website to see where they are hanging out when hunger strikes, but it looks like Sundays they have a regular gig at the Fremont Flea Market (last week they did the Harlem Shake, whatever that is, with some other Fremont Market regulars). So, if you like your falafel with a side of fun, I recommend chasing them down for your next meal.

Falafel Salam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FalafelSalam

Twitter: @falafelsalam

Gourmondo Catering Feeds Us Seattle Business Vegans

2013-03-24T14:23:00.001-07:00

How many of you have been at a work thing (technical term) where everyone is getting a free meal except you? ::raises hand:: Well! Have I, Juawana, got news for you! Gourmondo Catering wants to feed you at your fancy pants business lunches! I was given the chance to try all three of their vegan options and let me tell you, I ate them all! In one day! Just kidding. I ate them one day at a time. But, it definitely made up for the times I had to buy myself lunch at conferences and all-day trainings when everyone else was fed for free.

Below is my full report (complete with co-worker betrayal and treachery):

The first day I dove into the Soba Noodle Salad which was delicious! Hurray! The box lunches come with a green salad, Sun Chips and a Flying Apron brownie for sides (so much food!). The green salad was fresh and the balsamic vinaigrette was perfectly tangy and well blended. Also, you can't tell in the picture but there were secret dried cherries in that salad. SURPRISE! Delicious. The soba noodles were chewy in a good way. The veggies were firm and crisp and the whole thing was topped with black and white sesame seeds. Chomp!

Next up was the Wheatberry Protein Salad. Let me tell you, I was way into it. Since the Soba Noodle lunch box lacks a strong protein presence (though still super filling), I was happy to have a bean salad to fill in the next day. Wheatberries, edamame, cannelini, kidney and garbanzo beans with veggies in a herbalicious vinaigrette make up this super filling box lunch. Also served with Sun Chips and a Flying Apron Brownie (which, once again, I had to save for an afternoon snack).

The last day was very controversial. My omnivore co-worker was fiercely jealous of all my delicious vegan food that he stole the chips and brownie out of my box lunch! ::shakes head:: I was ready to start a real, live inquisition but he confessed immediately and agreed to buy me lunch at a future time. So, YAY! Truth be told, I noticed because I was going to steal them for a snack myself, expecting the rest of the meal to be plenty (and I was right!). At first I didn't think the Grilled Vegetable Panini was a real panini because I was under the impression that paninis were made on fancy grilled rosemary bread or something, but according to the internet, paninis don't have to be grilled. This was on french bread and even though it was in the fridge for three days (vulnerable to thieves), it still did the trick and satisfied my (angry) lunchtime hunger. Plus it came with the green salad so I got to taste those surprise salad cherries again. I quickly forgot about the workplace betrayal.

So there you have it, folks. Start sending those requests now to get your employers to start respecting your awesome vegan lives and feeding you when they send you to Yakima or Tukwila or conference room B all day to learn about the fascinating new developments and skills in your field/industry/agency/passionate lives.

Gourmondo Catering Company
309 South Cloverdale Street, Suite B-24
Seattle, WA 98108
EM: gourmondo@gourmondocatering.com

PH: 206.587.0190

Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Show Down in Seattle

2013-03-10T20:01:00.003-07:00

Juawana and I were volunteering at Vegan Haven one Sunday afternoon when we decided to use our hard earned money and our valuable volunteer time to do what every person who has ever tried to pick the perfect vegan chocolate peanut butter cup, has wanted to do: Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Taste Test! The Contenders: Justin's Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Sjaak's Organic Peanut Butter Bite, Cleo's Peanut Butter Cups by Go Max Foods, and Mama Ganache Bittersweet Peanut Butter Cup.

Of course, with a testing team of two, we had to add a tiny bit of science to our results - so we calculated the value and also provided you some feedback on their chocolate to peanut butter ratio and their sweet to salty ratio and scored these along with flavor and texture on a 1-10 scale. Without further ado:

Juawana's impressions: My favorite was Cleo's but it might have something to do with all the dopamine that floods into my brain when I eat something that sweet. I also preferred the texture over the rest because it was soft and melty in my mouthy. Next in the ranking for me was Sjaak's. Where Cleo's was a little too sweet, the Sjaak's salt to sweet ratio was perfectly balanced on my tongue. The Justin's weren't too sweet and had the added bonus a salty aftertaste, but overall I wasn't impressed by flavor and the chocolate was too hard. My least favorite was the Mama Ganache with chocolate a little too on the bitter side (and too much in ratio to the PB) and the texture was much to dry for me to fancy. My score sheet:

Anika's impressions: My favorite was the Justin's brand because it was the least sweet and the chocolate was very bitter and flavorful. If you like your candy less sweet, then Justin's is perfect. Cleo's was the sweetest of all four, and by far the smoothest and was very melted. The Sjaak's chocolate was crispy and sweet - it's innards were more buttery than peanutty. The Mama Ganache was a bit too dry inside - kind of crumbly, no melt whatsoever, but there was lots of delicious dark chocolate. My score sheet:

The value bit: Here is how it breaks down cost per amount:

Cleo's = $0.052/gram
Mama Ganach = $0.047/gram
Justin's = $0.045/gram
Sjaak's $0.044 /gram

There you have it kids: If you like your cups sweet, then Cleo's is your winner. If you like your cups bitter, then Justin's is your perfect treat. If you like to get the most for your money, then make Sjaak's your pick. If you like lots of super dark chocolate, then grab yourself a Mama Ganache cup next time you are at Vegan Haven or Central Co-Op.

Counter Clockwise from 12: Cleo's, Sjaak's, Justin's, Mama Ganache

El Borracho's Vegan Nachos!

2013-03-02T12:09:00.001-08:00

I'm Nick, a new Vegan Score correspondent. Last year, the vegan-friendly Pan Africa Restaurant moved from their location by the Pike Place Market downtown to West Seattle. Mexican restaurant El Borracho opened a few months later in the space downtown. A hot tip last week alerted us that they offer a ton of vegan options: burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and nachos. (Thanks Lapoint!)

The vegan nachos are the best I've had. The chips stay quite crisp under generous amounts of Daiya cheese, vegan sour cream (!), and guacamole. Piled high on a dinner plate, there's plenty to share or keep to yourself if you're hungry.

The vegan quesadilla is available mulita style (corn tortillas) or gringa style (flour tortilla). I opted for the latter. It was tasty, with Daiya cheese, tender potatoes, and poblano peppers. They have several house-made salsas, all vegan, which I recommend if you want to add some heat.

Owner Kittie Davidovich also runs Le Bon Ton Roule in Ballard which has a ton of vegan Cajun options - more on that soon!

El Borracho is located at 1521 First Ave between Pike and Pine. They're open 11 AM to 10 PM Mon-Fri and 11 AM to 11 PM Sat-Sun.

For even more vegan Mexican food, check out past posts on El Chupcabra in Phinney Ridge or Bimbo's Cantina on Capitol Hill!

The Froyo Craze Finally Welcomes Vegans!

2013-02-05T16:20:00.001-08:00

What is the one thing you daydream most about when you're walking down The Ave past a thousand bubble tea cafes and collegiate youths? Right! Vegan frozen yogurt! So, you can imagine how surprised I was when I was doing just that and I caught a glimpse of a sign I'd never seen before. "We have soy froyo!" it said. "What trickery is this?!" I thought.

CUTE.

But, it wasn't a trick at all! They did have soy-based frozen yogurt and I did immediately order it (after confirming that it was, indeed, vegan). Oh my gosh, y'all. This stuff was hella legit! It had the kinda sour taste of dairy-based frozen yogurt and it wasn't too sweet nor was it secretly soft-serve ice cream masquerading as yogurt (like others I've had). DANG! The woman working divulged the secret that the sour yogurty taste comes from lemons. LEMONS. Life gave them lemons and they gave vegans a delicious frozen treat. What a wonderful world. There were lots of fruity and nutty toppings to add, too. EAT EM UP! I mean, just look at it! It's beautiful!

The next time you're wandering through our beloved and very vegan friendly University District, be sure and stop by Citra for a taste of the froyo craze--now welcoming vegans (um, that's still a craze, right? Who cares! Still delicious!).

Citra

4730 University Way NE Suite 105

(206) 327-9012

Scratch Deli Secret Vegan Sandwiches

2013-01-27T11:53:00.002-08:00

Hungry for a sammie and near 12th on Capitol Hill? The house that used to be the People's Republic of Koffee just south of Lucky Devil is now Scratch Deli and they'll make any of their sandwiches vegan for you!

What? Yes, they will hold the dairy and replace the meat with either fresh tofu or a fresh mushroom mix - depending on what you like and what is best for the sandwich. Check out their menu here to get an idea (and see the foot note!). Their sammies feature locally-sourced ingredients or are made entirely from scratch, so you won't find any fake meat here, just whole foods. (Tho Field Roast is local, so maybe they'll offer their deli slices some day.) What is crazy is that there is no place inside the deli that tells you that you can get anything vegan! It's like a big vegan secret or something.

We tried the Cuban (mustard, pickles, peppers, caramelized onions) with the mushroom mix instead of pork (photo above) and the BLT with tofu instead of bacon (photo below). The sammies are wrapped up like mini subways and are way more delicious than any wrap. The pickles, mustard, and caramelized onions on the Cuban provided a ton of bright flavor, but I had to add hot sauce to my BLT because the tofu wasn't well seasoned. I think the trick with this place is to pick a sandwich that would have a lot of flavor without aioli or very salty meat. Next time I'm going to try the Buffalo Blue with habañero sauce. I hope they start making house made vegan spreads, sauces, and aiolis too.

But, wait, there's more! I had the best cream of broccoli soup of my life at this place. Carefully made with a cashew cream base, perfectly seasoned and topped with black pepper and croutons, this soup is heavenly. I'm not kidding. Would I joke about soup? No. I will be going back for this soup constantly (until Summer gets here at least) and you probably should too. And like the vegan sammies, you'd have no idea that the soup was vegan unless you asked. Secret soup! Last but not least, they have a bunch of great beers - on tap and otherwise. These are all very visible so you'll have to trouble finding a brew to tip.

The atmosphere is very coffee house, with vintage furniture, big old wooden tables, people playing scrabble and doing on home work. The big front windows let a ton of light, even during these dog days of winter. And of course, what would an indy coffee house deli be without some delightfully quirky art? Scratch has it in spades. Go there. Hang out.

Go eat: 1718 12th Ave. Seattle, 98122 (bus #10, 11, 84, and more).
Like on the face: www.facebook.com/ScratchDeli
Follow on twitter: @ScratchDeli

Big Fun on the Bayou (but really in Pike Market)

2013-01-26T13:54:00.000-08:00

On the search for more vegan secrets in Pike Place Market, Anika and I stumbled into Bayou on First−a tiny dinner-like dive on First Avenue.

Wandering passed the many store fronts and skimming several menus, we decided to get in out of the cold and warm up with some black-eyed pea jambalaya (because who the heck says no to black-eyed pea jambalaya? NO ONE.) The place was cozy and the folks we're helpful and friendly. They assured us that the dish was vegan and served it without the cornbread, a sign, in my opinion, that they know what's up. The dish was warm and filling (we shared one order and we were more than satisfied. When coupled with the Louisiana Hot Sauce left out on the tables, it is unstoppable. The dish was light on the vegetables but a meal worthy of wading through the flood of downtowners and tourists lurking around the market.

Downtown Seattle really knows how to answer the call when those voracious vegan comfort food cravings are brought on by the infamous Northwest winter months. Also on the menu at Bayou is a vegan tofu scramble. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but you should and report back to me immediately! Bayou serves breakfast from 8am-11:15am and lunch until 3:30 Monday through Thursday−staying open until 6pm Friday through Sunday.

1523 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 624-2598
http://www.bayouon1st.com/

Tipsy Vegan Tuesdays at Lucid Lounge

2013-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

Hey drinkers, and eaters, and music lovers. The super mega rad owner Lucid Lounge, David Pierre-Louise, is partnering up with Wayward Cafe to launch Tipsy Vegan Tuesdays this February 5, 2013!

And not just vegan cocktails, beer, and wine (tho' that would be plenty for me) but the fine folks over at Wayward Vegan Cafe will be providing a home-style southern fare buffet from 6:00 pm until the food runs out. Check out this menu:

Southern fried seitan cutlets
Baked macaroni and cheese
Barbeque-basted tricolor baked beans
Spicy collards with rice and beans
Yankee cornbread
BLT potato salad
and more!

Every first Tuesday of the month, Wayward will provide a changing vegan menu and David will be providing strictly-vegan designer cocktails, including 'mock'tails for all your sXe, (detoxing, recovering, or driving) friends! I'll try the spiked ginger lemonade (fresh squeezed lemon juice, house made organic ginger syrup, bourbon) and you try the "Spiked Sloan" which is house-made chocolate soy milk, vodka, and coffee bitters. The music will be custom-mood-fitted so take someone special and thank David for making Seattle even more vegan-friendly. UPDATE: For the inaugural event, there will be live folk+ roots music thanks to Br'er Rabbit!

Tipsy Vegan Tuesdays (1st Tues of the Month)
Lucid Lounge
5241 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
206-402-3042
info@lucidseattle.com
6 pm to 12 am
Bus lines #71, 73, 43 (and more a few blocks farther) and they run late
RSVP on the Face.

Nicole Georges - Let's all be like her when we grow up.

2013-01-12T14:41:00.001-08:00

Thanks be to the comic gods, Nicole Georges is stopping by Seattle on a book tour promoting her new graphic memoir, "Calling Dr. Laura." She'll be hanging out at one of our best book stores, Elliot Bay Book Company. Praise be!

If you already know who Nicole Georges is, then I am sure you are jumping up and down and writing "January 30 - Best Day Ever" on your calendar right now. If you don't know her, today is the day you fall in love with a brilliant vegan author and artist!

Famous for her autobiographic zines, animal portraits and sweetly poignant Gay Animal calendar, Nicole has won the hearts of other artists, vegans, feminists, teenagers, queer human and non-human animals alike. Even if she couldn't tell a story, her illustrations are moving, honest, and will make you feel silly, generous, sad, and hopeful all at the same time. But she isn't simply an illustrator - she is a comic teacher and natural story teller. Nothing about her stories feel dishonest and they give us a mirror for our majorly dysfunctional families.

“An engrossing, lovable, smart and ultimately poignant trip through a harrowing emotional bottleneck in family life. It's great art, great writing, a great story – I can't wait for what's next from Nicole. What a wonderful book.” —Rachel Maddow

Her first full graphic memoir will be available January 22, 2013. It is filled with stories from her young childhood through adulthood, and is drawn in a few different styles - each perfect for the chronology. Jam packed with fears, friends, and family secrets, it's bare nakedness is disarming.

Oh, did I mention that she is a super rad vegan with a heart and home full of animals? Yeah, so go to the reading and buy the book already! Wait, that sounded bossy. How about, "If you like awesome things, good stories, beautiful drawings, supporting vegan artists, and hanging out in book stores, go to the reading and buy the book." Yeah, that was better.

Nicole Georges
Book Reading: "Calling Dr. Laura" graphic memoir
Elliott Bay Book Co
1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
7 pm (one page says 8, but I think it is at 7)

"Nicole Georges spins a riveting family mystery. There's a powerful chemistry going on between her delicate drawings and the probing honesty of her investigations. Calling Dr. Laura is disarming and haunting, hip and sweet, all at once." —Alison Bechdel

Agent of History: Activism and Veganism

2013-01-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Some of you know that I was a history major - it's because of this that I feel strongly about the power of individuals to change the world - but don't easily fall into despair when things aren't quite right. Today I share with you a post that I did for NARN, slightly modified, but related to history and change.

The Bad News:
We humans systematically breed, torture, and brutally kill billions of animals each year for pleasure. We do unspeakable things to our fellow earthlings - creatures with physical and emotional needs similar to ours. Most people's eyes, hearts, and minds are closed to these horrors. Most of us are complicit and literally pay others to do these atrocious deeds to animals. It is happening right now as you read this. Millions are in pain, suffering, dying without hope in crates, shackles, cages, and boxes all over the world. 98% of human society, our society, finds this is acceptable. Even many vegans find this acceptable - feel that being vegan is a personal choice and they don't care what soever what other people do.

The Good News: Things change. Just in the past 5 years the blinders have started to fall, people from all backgrounds around the world have been moving in droves to a more compassionate and reasonable lifestyle. People have taken to the streets in Italy, Cork, Syracuse, Turkey, and even our little NW town, to speak out for those who can't speak for themselves. Almost every week you hear of a new influential person who is trying veganism. There are more positive sentiments online around veganism than there are negative. People are sharing what they learn and know about being vegan and aren't annoying about it. Some vegans are even likable (gasp!). The tide slowly turning, very slowly.

What Matters: Things don't change without us. We are the problem and the solution. The animals in cages today, and their offspring for generations to come, are counting on YOU AND ME to help them, to do something. There is no magical group working working for their rights and freedom while you hang out watching the game. You, me, your mom, you weird cousin, that guy holding a sign by himself in the rain outside the UW Primate Testing Facility - We are their hope. If we don't tell people what is happening to animals, hearts will remain hard and closed. If we don't work to change things, they won't change. The suffering will continue unabated. If we chose being popular over fighting injustice, then we should all despair.

So What?

You matter. Right now, decide to use your talents, energy, and love to work to evolve humanity. Be one of those people that drive and prod us forward. Join the groups that will push society into a saner, kinder, and more sustainable future. By helping to open others hearts and minds, you'll open cages. Every animal counts. Every cage matters. The way we are in the world is the root of evil, and must strike at the roots.

It comes down to this: being vegan means you'll be on the right side of history. But being an activist means you are an agent of history. If you aren't sure how to get started, come to the next NARN open meeting January 13.

Vegan Talk Radio Ga Ga

2013-01-05T11:08:00.001-08:00

"I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio"

I LOVE RADIO. There. I'm a die hard NPR news listener and Radio Lab makes me truly happy (did you listen to the recent one about genetics - I did not care for the toad story). Fresh Air, The Conversation with Ross Reynolds. Don't get me started on why Marketplace is important. My love for radio aside, I didn't think I'd live to see the day when Seattle would have it's very own vegan and animal welfare radio show. But I did! And I'm not totally ancient yet.

Living Humane, hosted by Christie Lagally airs from 2:00-3:00 pm PST on KKNW 1150 AM Sunday afternoons (Saturday afternoons in January and February) and is available via podcast for those of us not free at that time. Her show debuted on November 25, 2012 with interviews with NARN Founder Esterly, plus a great conversation with the folks at Motley Zoo.

The format is basically information and interviews with groups, people, and non-profits that work to live humanely. Guests range from local vegan entrepreneurs, to activists, to authors, to animal advocacy group leaders. She also shares upcoming related events and there are even public service announcements. It is so fun listening to real interviews, with real people right here in our community. I'm already super impressed (and once again re-inspired to start doing Vegan of the Week again).

Christie doesn't have years of experience as a radio host, but she does have an impressive background in writing and journalism, with an emphasis on companion animal welfare issues. As you can guess, she doesn't get rich from advocating for animals on the radio, so she also has a day job as an aerospace engineer. And she's been vegan for 17 years! I got a chance to ask Christie a few questions so that you could know more about the voice behind the radio show.

Vegan Score (VS): How did you decide to go vegan?
Christie Lagally: In spirit, I feel like I've been a vegan my whole life because, as a child, I was so disturbed by meat. I loved animals, and I knew meat was a dead animal. I didn't want to or like to eat it. Additionally, I've been intolerant of dairy milk most of my life and suffered a lot of stomach problems as a result. But in a 'meat and dairy' centric family in Colorado, I didn't really get to choose to be a vegetarian till I was a teenager and when I was about 19, and I wrote a paper on health and vegetarianism only to learn about the problems of the milk and dairy industries and the health issues associated with eating animal products. I read about the sad realities of dairy cows' lives and chickens in cages, and that was enough emotional pain for me. That very day I began a vegan.

VS: What made you decide to start a radio show after having so much writing experience?
Christie: The radio show was an evolution of events actually. I began working with print media and radio and television stations to promote a shelter I was volunteering with in Richmond BC, to raise awareness of issues and help raise funds for our work. I learned a lot about what worked, and what didn't.

It was when my friend and I started a campaign to ban the sale of dogs in Richmond's pet stores that I truly learned how being a part of the 'mainstream' media allows us to fully integrate animal welfare and animal rights into our culture. During that campaign, every type of person came to our City Council meetings to advocate for the animals. It wasn't just animal rights advocates; it was the entire community. My experience as a guest on the Christy Clark Show in BC regarding the puppy sale ban convinced me of the power of radio to reach people who may not have otherwise been interested in animal issues. So once in Seattle, I worked for a while to find a way to get animal welfare/rights issues on the radio and KKNW Alternative Talk radio was interested in the program. This is great station for the show because, again, it brings together people from all walks of life.

VS: What do you hope people get from the show?
Christie: Awareness! And accurate, honest, and professionally delivered information so people can make good choices. I had one listener write to me after the first show on 11/25 where we discussed the Woodland Park Zoo elephants with Rachel from NARN. The listener wrote "I had never before realized how trying it must be for an elephant to live in a cage even with some outdoor space! So your program awakened me! I'm sure you are doing much to sensitize us!" I was so touched by this comment because this is exactly what I hope people will get from the program.

VS: What stories do you have in store for us?
Christie: Upcoming programs on Living Humane will include interviews from authors like local athlete Ben Greene to animal rights activist, Pete Keller. We will also have executive directors from Coalition Humane and the Feral Cat Spay Neuter Project. Additionally, Paul Shapiro from the HSUS will be coming on the program to explain to us the recent $500 million settlement between HSUS and the Hallmark Meat Company and what it means for future animal welfare lawsuits.

VS: How can people connect with you?
Christie: Information about the Living Humane and podcasts are located at livinghumane.com. People can follow us on Twitter @livinghumane. We take recommendations for show guests, and feedback on any show. The program is entirely funded through either donations or the sale of commercial airtime which is available to any animal-friendly business or non-profit at a low cost. Most of all, I hope people want to listen and if they have suggestions, I hope people give us feedback!

______

So there you have it friends. Radio by a vegan but for the world - human and animals alike. Each show is only an hour long, so have a listen to some past episodes and tune in today (Saturday) at 2:00 pm.

Get fancy: Vegan Crumpets

2012-12-19T19:53:00.001-08:00

Hello! My name is Juawana and I am a new Seattle Vegan Score correspondent! I'll be adding to the already awesome and useful posts about adventures in veganism here in glorious Seattle. My credentials are these: I am vegan. I love food. I love finding local secrets. BAM! Expert level status. Now on to my first post.

Pike Place Market is full of vegan secrets - from soups to sweets (stay tuned for more posts about that!). Today though, I am talking about crumpets, because I am fancy as hell.

The Crumpet Shop at Pike Place Market has a lot to offer us - namely their perfectly toasted and naturally vegan crumpets! The awesome woman who answered all my questions reported that in addition to nut butters, vegans can enjoy a chocolate hazelnut spread, maple butter (SO LEGIT), Marmite (what! it's like taking a UK vacation just for breakfast), as well as a number of jams, jellies and marmalades to top their crumpets. Just make sure to specify no butter when ordering since that's standard procedure in the crumpet world. If a single crumpet isn't going to satisfy your fierce herbivoracious hunger then add a bowl of groats! They even have soy milk laying around for your porridge-loving pleasure.

I was smart enough to try the Marmite on a crumpet in addition to ordering my usual maple butter. I liked it! It's a little unusual and a lot salty, but it's a great option for folks who are looking for a more savory crumpet experience. I bet you could even get some of the veggies they offer (tomatoes or cucumber?) on there if you asked nicely.

The Crumpet Shop is a true gem for tea lovers, anglophiles, locals and tourists alike. The walls are covered with tea party murals, the shelves are stacked with jams, maple butters and carefully picked loose leaf teas for you to take home or gift. The service is always quick and cheery.

What are you waiting for? Get thee to tea time!

The Crumpet Shop

1503 1st Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101

Open 7:30am-5pm

Vegan Mexican on Planet Belltown

2012-11-25T16:43:00.002-08:00

It's true that we can't get really great Mexican food in Seattle (I don't know why exactly). But you can get OK Mexican food - especially when the establishment is run by folks with actual experience with authentic food from Mexico: enter Space Taco Mexican Grill.

This a-few-months-new Belltown joint offers plenty for Belltown vegans, including nopales (prickly-pear cactus meat)! This super hardy vegetable is perfect for those who don't want fake meat or tofu in their traditional Mexican fare. Just order the vegetarian stuff, hold the cheese.

The refried black beans and the Mexican-style rice are made without meat stock or lard and each dish offers the option of being topped with fried jalapenos! The vegetarian tacos come with seasoned nopales, tomato, onion, and cilantro (below). The mini tostadas we ordered (above left) came with refried beans, chopped tomatoes, lettuce and radishes and they were drizzled with a red sauce. I highly recommend the tostadas.

They have a mega deal for happy hour: 2 tacos and a beer for $5. Seriously. And the chips come with two really yummy salsas.The service was also stellar for a little hole in the wall. If you are in Belltown, give 'em a go! Just look for the Space Needle with a red sombrero (I'm not kidding).

2421 2nd Avenue (Between Wall and Battery)
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-5312
www.spacetaco.net

Seattle Likes Its Coffee Black

2012-11-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Instead of shopping on Black Friday (who does that anyhow?), two vegan gal pals and I wandered out of the rain and into the incredibly beautiful location of the newest capitol hill coffee shop: Black Coffee Co-Op. I think it is totally kismet that I finally got to check out Black Coffee on Black Friday since it is the antithesis of corporate consumerism.

Black Coffee is a worker’s cooperative run coffee house totally designed around community. The night I went, the high ceiling locale on the corner of Pine and Summit was filled with people playing
games, drinking coffee, even someone plucking on a banjo like instrument. The barista was boogieing to some sort of peppy music and the whole thing reminded me of one of my favorite albums: Choice of a New Generation (Fifteen (c) 1993). There is a great upstairs location for small meetings and superior people watching.

In addition to delicious soy and almond milk lattes, they had a huge array of Wayward Cafe vegan sandwiches, including the breakfast sammie! Also beer and wine by donation. The coffee is from local roaster Kuma Coffee, which practices direct trade with coffee bean growers. Rumors were floated of future vegan pastries. Although all of their food is and will be vegan, like most other cafes, they do have cows milk (boo and why?). There was a little library small public library, and some local indie zines and such for sale. They host events for social activists and radicals of all shapes and sizes.

This all may sound very hippy + punk haven, but it was way better than those stereotypes do justice. It is basically a coffee shop for people who care about the world and each other. And refreshingly unhip. I'll be spending a lot of time there for sure.

Now go visit! And follow 'em on Twitter @blackcoffeecoop and friend 'em on Facebook.

Black Coffee Co-Op
501 E. Pine St., Seattle, WA, 98122
7 am to midnight every day

She is So Sweet! - Vegan Cream Pie Cookie Sammies

2012-11-18T19:53:00.002-08:00

If you have been to Vegan Haven lately then you have seen the newest edition to the local vegan sweets selection: Ain't She Sweet gourmet creme pie cookie sandwiches!

Ain't She Sweet Vegan Baking was founded by (17 year vegan!) Jovi and her partner Jonathan after they moved to Seattle from Chicago. Jovi had always craved traditional oatmeal cookie creme pies. Rather than sit and wait for someone to create them - they took matters in to their own hands. And thank goodness!

These vegan creme pies come in so many amazing flavors: Traditional Oatmeal with Vegan Creme; Cranberry Oatmeal with Lemon Creme; Chocolate Chip with Banana Creme; Maple Pumpkin; and Oatmeal Raisin too! And for the holidays, Chocolate Chip with Peppermint Creme.

You can pick up your very own at Vegan Haven (of course) some Cafe Vita locations, Cafe Kopi, Manna Mills co-op in Lynnwood, Sno-Isle co-op, A Muddy Cup, Espresso by Design, Blue Saucer, and Equal Exchange Espresso, Madison Market, and Ken's Market.

Jovi and Jonathan dropping off at Vegan Haven

Locally made. Vegan business. Organic ingredients. Sweet as pie. What's not to love?

Buy some cookies then like them on the FB and follow them on the Twitter.

Vegan Athlete - New Book - Seattle Author

2012-11-16T20:30:00.001-08:00

If I have to start out one more blog post extolling the virtues and wonders of the Seattle vegan scene, I may have to personally gag myself. Oh, but lo! I can't help it. It's our city's fault for being so wicked awesomely full of vegan people doing radical things.

What’s next? Oh, just that a local Seattle vegan, Ben Greene, has co-written a new book: “The Vegan Athlete: Maximizing Your Health and Fitness While Maintaining a Compassionate Lifestyle.” It’s true. I hope this is the next big vegan book hit, not just for Ben’s sake, but for all those folks who still believe that veganism is incompatible with health and fitness. It is so ridiculous, when you consider all of the incredible athletes who are vegan, but the myth persists.

The Vegan Athlete won’t be out until January – but the good news is that you can pre-order it. This is the best way to reserve your copy and support vegan books. If you love Vegan Haven (formerly Sidecar), I’m sure they’ll carry it as soon as it is available too. And I hope, hope, hope that Ben will do some sort of book tour starting in Seattle.

And that isn’t all folks. Turns out Ben is a totally rad guy: he has just finished is SECOND Ironman Triathlon on November 10th. That's right, not a marathon. Not a triathlon. A freaking IRONMAN - we are talking about 17 hours of straight endurance. But he isn't your average athlete - he has had to work twice as hard and twice as long to overcome the challenges with his legs, hips, and ankles caused by cerebral palsy. He didn't jump out of this world a perfect athlete and knows that we all have our own challenges to overcome.

In addition to being a vegan book author, Ben also owns his own fitness company here in Seattle: Greene Multisport and you can hire him as a personal trainer. He can help with triathlon training programs, prepared vegan meals, strength training, weight loss programs, 1 on 1 coaching sessions, and more. He also helps with nutrition - including his “5 Day Smoothie Reset” service which is pretty awesome. His services are pretty affordable considering he will probably be famous in just two months. Heh.

You might see Ben around town. If you are into sports or veganism in anyway, follow him on Twitter at @Vegan_Trainer. Lastly, someone should start some sort of vegan athlete crew around town. Imagine a gang of mega healthy sporty champions who are also sweet as pie to animals. I'd like that.

Seattle Film Screening: Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.)

2012-11-11T07:38:00.001-08:00

Imagine a young dog, physically and emotionally exploited, bred to be experimented on, cornered in a galvanized steel cage, shaking in silence and terror, awaiting the human hand that will reach in to take her for another round of torture. This isn't science fiction. This scene plays out hundreds of times a day - at the hands of humans, in the name of human progress and products. It sends shudders down our spines. I know.

Even with this knowledge in hand, most of us do nothing about it but sulk and turn away. Some, not many, protest, write letters, stand as witnesses outside laboratories to try to keep illuminated what the industry would hide. But an extremely rare few are haunted by the image of each individual animal, and risk their own freedom to rescue them from their tormentors: they are the Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.).

Whether you think A.L.F. members are "terrorists" because they steal "property," and vandalize laboratories or you believe they are champions of freedom for both humans and animals - you should attend the Seattle screening of the new French drama, "Animal Liberation Front" directed by Jérôme Lescure. Based on a series of true events, this fictional account explores the lives of A.L.F. members, and the twisted society that allows the exploitation of the weak at the hands of the strong. No matter your opinion, this film was made for you. It was made for all of us.

Director, Jérôme Lescure

This one-night-only screening of Animal Liberation Front" is not be missed. Darius Fullmer, formerly imprisoned animal activist, will be speaking before the film, then after, a member of the film team, Gauthier Lamothe, will be available for Q & A. Put it on your Facebook calendar and invite your smart and inquisitive friends.

Animal Liberation Front
Date: Monday November 26, 2012
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Grand Illusion Cinema, 1403 NE 50th St., Seattle (map)
Bus routes: 30, 48, 70,71, 72, 73, 74, 83, 373, 542, and 556
Cost: $7

Don't skip watching this movie because the stories of these animals frighten or depress you. Instead, this should be the reason you go. See you there.

PS: In unrelated news, we just adopted a former laboratory dog. She is a beautiful, loyal, smart, affectionate, and playful girl. I can't give you all the details, but I'll write a post up to introduce her soon.

Vegan Recipes Spread the Good

2012-11-08T04:32:00.002-08:00

Hear ye, all vegan cookers, bakers, chefs, and recipe hounds! NARN (Northwest Animal Rights Network) needs your amazing recipes for the 2012 annual holiday recipe hand out!

Each year NARN distributes vegan information, restaurant guides, and vegan holiday recipes to the greater Seattle community. Believe it or not, many people still say that they don't know what to cook to make their holiday tables cruelty-free - and we just can't have that, can we?

Join in the fun! Submit your holiday recipe to rachel[at]narn.org by Friday November 16, 2012. The best recipes will be included in the guide AND the author will get a gift certificate to Vegan Haven! (If you have a blog, they'll include the URL so more folks find your delicious cooking ideas and recipes).

Tips: 1. Keep is simple with a short list of ingredients. 2. Recipe should be a somewhat traditional holiday (Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.) dish - but don't be afraid to add a modern twist. 3. Make sure the ingredients are easy to procure without going to specialty stores so our friends that don't live near Sidecar can still whip up something delicious.

NARN needs a variety of recipes from main dishes, salads, and breads, to sides and drinks, and of course, special deserts - so send those recipes in ASAP and use your vegan cooking skills to spread compassion this holiday season.

Deadline: Nov 16, 2012
Submit: email Rachel of NARN

Read and be Smarter: On Sport Hunting

2012-10-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, believe it or not, I feel an affinity for hunters. (WHAT? Wait). Of course, not because I believe in stalking and killing wild animals when it is completely unnecessary for survival and unsustainable at our population levels. It's because I can, at some level, appreciate someone willing to do the terrible and brutal work of killing before consuming. Somehow this is better than the billions of people who get their dead animals in Styrofoam and plastic wrap containers - already turned from living animal into "meat." It strangely seems less detached. But, this affinity is fleeting. Nobody here need kill for survival, and to do so in the name of "food" is to make excuses for the "sport" of hunting. Really, there is a sadder side to people who enjoy this process.

Most who read this blog are city folk, like me, and we don't think much on hunting. It might seem far away from our cement and light-rail lives. But it isn't really that far. In just King County alone, 2516 people received deer hunting permits in 2012 (see http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting for all sorts of stats). Hunting happens on public land, maintained and regulated by our tax dollars. The Washington State Dept of Fish and Wildlife even has a "Go Hunt" website in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. to help hunters find their prey. They even call it a "harvest."

"Exposing the Big Game blends spectacular photography, indisputable facts and clear reasoning. Jim does not mince words in describing the senselessness and depravity of hunting and the psychopaths who kill for pleasure." - Peter Muller, President of the League of Humane Voters

Human's love of sport hunting is a tie that holds us to our worst selves, it combines our basest desires to kill with the modern technology that allows us to do it without risk or discretion.

Photo by Jim Robertson, from Animals in the Wild.

Maybe you disagree? Either way, it is a topic worth exploring. Come out this Friday, November 2, to spend some time with Jim Robertson, author of Big Game: Living Targets of a Dying Sport. Jim, a wildlife photographer and naturalist will be signing his book at Pizza Pi from 6-8 pm. You can pick up a copy of his book at Sidecar for Pig's Peace too.

"Jim Robertson has a gifted eye for wildlife photography and his writing incorporates humor, insight and factual observations. If we all could see these magnificent creatures as Jim sees them, there would be hope, not just for their survival, but for our own survival also." - Captain Paul Watson, Founder and President of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

You don't have to care about hunting to care about what happens to wildlife. You don't have to care about hunting to want to understand the issues fully. On Friday make your city-self go eat pizza, drink a pint of Manny's, and meet Jim.

Photo by Jim Robertson, from Animals in the Wild.

Show Up:
When: Fri Nov 2
Time: 6pm-8pm
Where: Pizza Pi (5500 University WY NE)
Why: To be smarter, to know the facts, to be engaged, get a book signed

Faces of Veganism: Freaks Foodies and Speaking Up

2012-10-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

I've been vegan for almost 20 years. That seems like a really long time for anyone who has just awakened the vegan monster within them. But it really seems like just yesterday that I was making fun of my vegan friends, refusing to eat a vegetarian piece of pizza, and flaunting my love of meat (the rarer the better). Thinking back over what I see as a brief but amazing adventure in living a vegan lifestyle - and seeing how others have embraced veganism - what is clear is that everyone's journey is a little different. I can say that I have seen some different "phases" or maybe "faces" of veganism.

They aren't in the same order for everyone, but tell me if you recognize any of these. They can last for 10 days or for 10 years. Sometimes I am all 5 at once!

I'm vegan! I'm my family thinks I am a freak and I want to be loved so I pretty much never mention it to my grandma, and I downplay any inconveniences and never talk about how others hurt animals around people who aren't vegan. I don't use the world vegan often and nobody at my work probably even knows. Veganism is a personal, private choice.
I'm vegan and I want some comfort food! I try to make or eat everything that is labeled vegan. It doesn't matter that I haven't eaten a real vegetable in weeks. And I go out to eat with my friends many times a week just to be with like minded people and eat vegan waffles and gravy and cake. Why isn't everyone vegan? The food is so amazing!

Biscuit, potatoes, sausage from Redwood Sunday brunch.
I'm vegan and I want omnivores to know that vegans aren't freaks, and I'm normal, so everyone should know that I am vegan. I've got vegan pride. So I talk about how good vegan food is to anyone who will listen. And I tell my co-workers how good it feels to be vegan. And I make vegan food for my family, friends, and anyone who will eat my food and let sing vegan praises. I invite others out to dinner. I eat healthy so that I can be a good vegan role model. I rarely mention the animals at all. Just food. And I do everything else normal so vegans aren't so scary.
I'm vegan but all of the animal suffering around me still makes me incredibly sad. I want others to discover how easy it is to be vegan. Someone influenced me once, so maybe I can influence others? How can I be supportive and encouraging while also telling the hard truth about how animals suffer in factory farms, laboratories, fur farms, zoos, circuses, and beyond? I'll do some vegan outreach at the Fremont Fair. I want a vegan world! Veganism is political!

Doing vegan outreach at the Tilth Festival this summer.
I'm vegan and I want to help animals right now. I don't need to fit in anymore. Animals are suffering this very moment and I can't turn away. I can't forget them. I want to make a difference. When history is on our side, I want to say that I spoke out. That I made a fuss. That I didn't let let suffering and tyranny run rampant on my watch. That I tried to do something with my time and talents.

Recognize any of this? I'd say I've been stuck in 4 for a while, but have been inspired to be more vocal of the past few years. The idea that being silent on an issue is tantamount to consent has really been on my mind. My friend Pete is fond of the slogan: "Silent = Consent." I don't consent to the horrors that are perpetrated in the name of human desires. I won't be silent. My new favorite quote:

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” -- Elie Wiesel

It's my favorite because it admits that we sometimes feel powerless - but that even if that is the case, we should still speak out against injustice.What do you think? Recognize any of these? Have there been other faces of veganism for you? Is there a big difference between veganism that is personal and veganism that is political?

Peppermint Patties and Pigs

2012-10-14T12:49:00.001-07:00

What if I told you that you could eat amazing homemade vegan peppermint patties AND help the 180+ pigs up at Pig's Peace Sanctuary? Oh, you would jump at the chance? Great, because let me tell you how.

“These are peppermint patties I dream about.” ~ Lucy Gillespie, Baltimore MD

After learning that Pig’s Peace needed more donations, fellow Seattle area vegan blogger, Katie G., who writes Serenity in the Storm, wanted to do something more to help. Using her mad peppermint patty skillz, she has devised a little plan. Donate $50 and you’ll get a dozen of her magical vegan patties and a print from the sanctuary. Donate $35 and get a print. No matter how much you donate, Katie will be thanking you personally.

“I’d come all the way across the country for one of these peppermint patties” ~ Anne Franks, Pittsburgh PA

You know you want to try these patties. Helping Pig’s is on your list too. Just combine them both. Make today a patty and pigs kind of day. More information on her blog.

“They are delicious with a creamy, rich, peppermint filling and wonderful dark chocolate coating. They are the best peppermint patties I have ever had and the bonus is that they are vegan, too.” ~ Ruth Saks, Seattle WA

Go Seattle!

Monday Movie Night

2012-10-08T15:05:00.001-07:00

Vegans, documentary lovers, science hounds: It's time to get out of the house! There is a free documentary film screening tonight on capitol hill. The film, Maximum Tolerated Dose, which is so new it isn't even on the film festival circuit yet, is being shared with Seattle as part of National Primate Liberation week.

Maximum Tolerated Dose [trailer II] from decipher films on Vimeo.

Equal parts found-footage mash-up, verité investigation, and artful meditation, the film charts the lives of both humans and non-humans who have experienced animal testing first-hand, with hauntingly honest testimony of scientists and lab technicians whose ethics demanded they choose a different path, as well as the simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of animals who have seen both sides of the cage. This film will help us re-ignite the debate about animal testing by bringing these rarely-heard perspectives to the fore.

The film sponsors, NARN, and Seattle ADL are turning the local improv, indie, and fringe theater, Odd Duck Studio, into a cinema with a pop up screen and projector. Word on the street is that after the film, the Director of Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW will be guest speaking. There will even be a vegan concession stand!

See you here:

FREE
Monday, Oct 8, 2012
Odd Duck Studio
1214 10th Ave., Seattle (near 10th and Union)
7:30 pm
Bus routes: # 2, 12, 43, 49, 60, 9