Sophie's Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets and Vegenaise Tartar Sauce

Sophie's Kitchen Fish Fillets (and onion rings)

Recently Follow Your Heart released several new products, including Vegenaise Tartar Sauce. Never a fan of tartar sauce but definitely a fan of Vegenaise, I was really interested in trying it. I finally found it at Whole Foods, but I needed something to go with it. Luckily, I also found Sophie's Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets.

I really liked the combination, so tasty! The tartar sauce is tangy, thick, and creamy. It's strong, so you don't need a lot. And the faux fish, well, I don't know how fishy it is on its own, but I liked the texture and I liked the flavor. Works for me! And the combination is definitely awesome.

The Vegenaise Tartar Sauce is gluten-free and soy free. And while Sophie's Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets are not gluten-free, they do offer vegan scallops, prawns, shrimp, and crab cakes that are.

Sophie's Kitchen focuses on vegan seafood options; crab cakes, calamari, scallops, prawns, shrimp, and breaded shrimp, in addition to the breaded fish fillets. If you're interested in trying them, head over to the website because Sophie's Kitchen has a manufacturer's coupon for a buck off, good through December.

The other new items in the Vegenaise line are Horseradish Sauce, Pesto Vegenaise, Barbeque Vegnaise, Roasted Garlic Vegenaise, and Chipotle Vegenaise. Looking forward to trying some of these as well, but Whole Foods only had the Horseradish in stock as of this post.


Follow Your Heart's Vegenaise Tartar Sauce
Rating: ****1/2

Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Fish Fillets
Rating: ****

***** awesome! Highly recommended.
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.
*** not bad at all.
** eh.
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.

[You can find Vegenaise products and the Sophie's Kitchen line of seafood at Whole Foods. I think they are both relatively new products, so keep an eye out at the grocers who sell vegan items.]

Eating Vegan from Vending Machines

I've been meaning to do a post on how to eat vegan out of vending machines, because sometimes you just don't have a choice. But after a recent discovery, I have to tackle it a little differently than originally planned. Because, first, you have your generic junk foody vending machine, and then you have your healthy food vending machine!

Generic junk food vending machines often have accidentally vegan items.

Some common vegan options:

~plain salted nuts- usually your options are peanuts or cashews, most of the flavored nuts are not vegan
~classic potato chips- almost all big name brand plain potato chips are simply salt, oil, and potatoes

~Oreos- regular oreos, the cakey ones are not vegan
~Nutter Butters
~Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels
~Twizzler's Strawberry Licorice

It's not much, but it's something.

~~~

But then I recently came across the 2bu vending machine. This thing is wicked cool, and vegan, healthy food friendly. Mind blown!

Here's how it works. The 2bu Healthy Vending machine has a digital screen where you can review the ingredients and dietary information of every single item in the machine. In addition to that, you can see complete lists of all the items that are vegan, organic, gluten-free, or kosher. They source local items when they can, and they're Energy-Star rated with motion sensors for all the lighting.

The 2bu website says all of their snacks meet their standards of:
• All-natural ingredients
• More whole-grain selections
• No preservatives or artificial ingredients, flavors or sweeteners
• No trans-fats


You know what this means, right? I don't have to tell you what should be vegan in the 2bu Healthy Vending machine, the machine itself will tell you! That said, here are a couple great vegan snack options:


Sahale Snacks Soledad Nut Blend
(almonds, apples, and flax seeds, with date, balsamic vinegar and cayenne)
This mix is sooooo good! The ingredients sounded like a strange mix, but they work.


Alternative Baking Company Outrageous Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
ABC Baking Company is not my favorite vegan cookie maker, but these are very satisfying.

Some other vegan goodies: Original PopChips, Steaz Peach Iced Teaz, Larabars, Raw Revolution bars, and Coconut Water (can't remember which brand.)


Okay, it remains to be said, the big downside out of eating from vending machines is cost. And while junky food vending machines are pricey enough, the 2bu Healthy Vending is quite a bit more. Perhaps you get what you pay for, but I have to say that Soledad Nut Blend is rather more than I would want to spend from a vending machine. I am sure this is why it has debit/credit capability. It's not a pocket change kind of vendor. Still, it's a great start at a better world of vending!

Writing Opportunities- Green, Veg, Animals

I know there are at least a few of you out there who are writers, and if not writers exactly, you are passionate about getting the message out there about animal welfare, animal rights, the environment, and veganism. You have a story to share, or you'd like to be a regular contributor. I recently received a list of places that are looking for contributions for their periodicals, magazines, websites, etc. I thought I'd share some with you today.


ECORAZZI
http://www.ecorazzi.com/jobs/
---
Ecorazzi is looking for daily and weekend writers.
We’re looking for people with a healthy combination of pop culture experience/obsession and passion for topics like humanitarian issues, healthy eating, the environment, charity, science, animal rights, and other pertinent issues. Good grammar, experience with WordPress, editing images (very important), and ninja-like skills in digging up leads are all big pluses.

=====

VEG NEWS
http://www.vegnews.com/web/pages/page.do?pageId=13
---
VegNews welcomes freelance inquiries and is open to a variety of subjects relating to vegetarianism. Covers personal essays, business profiles, food features, personal stories on going vegetarian, restaurant reviews, vacations, book reviews and exposes. Tends to pay only for feature-length pieces, but pays up to 35 cents/word.

=====

ANIMAL SHELTERING
http://www.animalsheltering.org/magazine/
---
Animal Sheltering is for everyone who cares about the animals in their community: from humane society directors and city animal control managers to kennel staff, volunteers, and private individuals working as activists, breed rescuers, wildlife rehabbers, veterinarians, and more. Half the writers are new to the magazine.
Query or manuscript accepted - asm@humanesociety.org

=====

KIND NEWS
http://www.humanesociety.org/parents_educators/classroom/frequently_asked_questions_kind_news.html
---
Kind News reveals the beauty and wonder of the animals who share our world while also exploring the challenges they face. Through profiles of amazing kids, features about rescued animals, pet care tips, and how-tos on helping backyard wildlife, Kind News encourages youth to coexist humanely with animals, celebrate the human-animal bond, and become active in efforts to protect animals. Please send emails to youth@humanesociety.org or write us at Kind News/Publications Department, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037.

=====

ALL ANIMALS MAGAZINE
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2011/11-12
---
Our award-winning bimonthly magazine, All Animals is packed with stories about The HSUS and the humane movement, including profiles of people on the front lines, tips for pet owners and wildlife watchers, heartwarming tales of rescue and rehab, actions you can take, and more. (HSUS - Humane Society of the US)

=====

I EAT GRASS (dot) COM
http://ieatgrass.com/2012/02/ieatgrass-is-looking-for-interns
---
The vegan food and culture blog is looking for an blog/copy editing intern, plus a social media intern and recipe writer/tester intern.

Blog/Copy Editing Intern: Duties will include creating, writing and editing posts about food, culture and current events for our blog and newsletter. Candidates will also be responsible for feature interviews and weekly columns. Commitment: 15 hours per week.

=====

VEGAN MAINSTREAM
http://www.veganmainstream.com/blogger-application
---
We are looking for talented writers who understand the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle, and who can write professionally with unique perspective about this lifestyle. Experience in marketing, blogging, entrepreneurship, HR, legal, finance or other professional functions are a plus. We are looking for individuals who can do feature interviews, provide recommendations, advice, editorial analysis and commentary on the latest challenges and opportunities facing vegan professionals and the larger vegan/vegetarian community.

=====

HAPPYCOW (dot) NET
http://www.happycow.net/blog/?page_id=1031
---
The Veggie Blog is designed to be a community supported feature where quality articles on veg*nism and related topics of interest may be shared. There’s no regular commitment, so you may post as much or as little as you like. Ideally, we’d like for you to write about restaurants or vegan topics relevant to your area. Articles should be educational or entertaining, relevant to vegetarian/vegans (if including recipes- plant based only), and non-commercial in nature.

=====

VEGAN SOAPBOX
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/want-to-write-for-vegan-soapbox
---
We are always looking for new vegan voices that will engage, educate, and inspire readers. Are you a vegan? Do you write? Would you like to submit a guest post? These are the kinds of articles that we’re looking for:

• Your story: how you went vegan and/or why you are vegan
• News and commentary from a vegan perspective
• Interview with an animal activist, vegan writer, or vegan chef
• Useful information for newbie vegans
• Activism ideas for animal lovers and advocates
• Original vegan recipes or veganized version of nonvegan recipes
• Lists (ten vegan lunches, five vegan cookbooks for singles…)
• Inspirational animal rescue stories

=====

THIS DISH IS VEG http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2010/08/write-for-this-dish-is-veg-as-guest.html
---
This Dish is Veg is looking for:

·        GUEST WRITERS/RECIPES — Guest writers share personal posts and/or recipes on TDIV from time to time.

      ·      NEWS WRITERS — News writers choose from TDIV provided news tips and press releases.
      ·        OPINION WRITERS — Opinion writers are willing to share their highly-opinionated views on a variety of topics covered on TDIV.
      ·        Q&A WRITERS — Q&A writers answer incoming questions from readers.
      ·        OTHER — If you would like to join the team but don't fit into one of the above categories, drop us a line and tell us what interests you.

Vegan Bake Sale- TODAY!

VEGAN BAKE SALE
Saturday, April 14th 11am-6pm

Baked Goods  (Gluten-Free options) ** Raffles ** Handmade Vegan Soaps 

This is going to be pure sweet tooth satisfaction! Local artists, bakers and individuals are donating their time and goodies to make this one amazing bake sale! Help us help the planet, feel free to bring your own take home container.

RAIN OR SHINE
All proceeds go to Autism Speaks

Please Bring Cash!
Location: Strawberry Hedgehog Headquarters
526 W. Mariposa St.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
http://strawberryhedgehog.com

Engrained, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Engrained, Memorial Union Entrance and Welcome Desk

I was recently at a conference hosted by Arizona State University. I took the opportunity to lunch at Engrained, a sustainable cafe located on the second floor of the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus. The cafe is what I would call eco-chic and features organic, locally harvested, fair trade goods with indoor and terrace seating.



Engrained has a few vegetarian and vegan items clearly labeled on the menu, which is seasonal and rotates every so often. I wanted to order the Earthbowl (aloe quinoa mosaic with mustard greens pesto) which seems to be a regular item, but for some reason they were out of the ingredients needed to make it. Big bummer. So instead I ordered the Prickly Pear Salad  which is not currently on the menu, and I didn't record the ingredients, so I can't give you the specifics. But  I do have a picture. And I can tell you it was quite good, even if a couple of the greens were the bitter kinds which I don't care for.


Prickly Pear Salad

Before you get your main entree, they come by and offer up some homemade tortilla chips. I do think it's a little strange they don't offer you a dip, just tortilla chips. Another slightly strange thing is that every order automatically comes with unlimited beverages. While, I am not a tea person, I decided to try their prickly pear tea anyway. I've heard it is delicious. But it was lost on me, because all teas taste the same, a rather bland beverage. I don't know why I keep trying when my taste buds are clearly defective.

Prickly Pear Tea and Tortilla Chips

Here's how the cafe works: Enter through the inside of the Memorial Union, second floor. Stop at the welcome desk and get assigned a numbered table for your party. Make your way over to a display of menu items. Pick your poison and pay at the register. Then get yourself a beverage and find your table. They'll bring the food to you.

One of my favorite things about Engrained is that they utilize local unique ingredients like aloe and prickly pear cactus. Engrained is not cheap college cafeteria food.  It is worth the visit if you are already on campus, but I'm not sure I would make the effort of battling ASU traffic or pay for parking to get there otherwise.


Engrained
Ranking: ***1/2

***** awesome! Highly recommended.
**** hey, this is pretty dang good.
*** not bad at all.
** eh.
* bad. Keep looking for alternatives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Engrained
Memorial Union, ASU Tempe Campus
1290 S. Normal Ave
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-965-4239
http://engrainedcafe.com

Hours
Monday - Friday 11am to 4pm

Memorial Union, ASU

Life Gets In the Way

Nami's Biscuits and Gravy, served on Sundays...DELISH!

This isn't a personal blog, so I have been avoiding talking about why the posting has been so sporadic and missing lately.  But I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry and I know it's been a bit of a bummer. The fact is there has been quite a lot of family trauma and drama over the past few months, on top of constant overtime at the day job and schoolwork. I'm afraid it has just been too much for me, and the blog has suffered a bit as a result.

/Whinefest/ I didn't even get to participate in most of Terry Hope Romero's recipe testing for her global vegan cookbook as I had planned.(Sorry, Terry!) And I also won't be at this year's Earth Day Phoenix 2012 event handing out vegan samples as I had planned. Both are huge disappointments for me. I am, however, hoping to contribute to the vegan bake sale next month! And I'm thinking that I'll be able to get this blog back up and running shortly.

I have a couple local restaurant reviews coming soon, so look for those. And April 1st is my veganiversary. 6 years, baby! If you have ideas on how I should celebrate, let me know!

Great American Meatout 2012

From the Meatout.org Website:

"Meatout is the world's largest grassroots diet education campaign. On (or around) March 20, thousands of caring people in all 50 U.S. states and two dozen other countries encourage their friends, families, and communities to "kick the meat habit” and explore a wholesome, compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The 2012 goal of Meatout is to distribute free vegan food samples to 30,000 people!"

Are you participating?


Highlights from the 2011 Meatout Campaign.