Still feeling pretty new in this amazing world of blogging, I didn't feel that I had what it takes to commit to VeganMofo, a month-long celebration of vegan food.
VeganMofo is Vegan Month of Food.
Bloggers from all over the world will spend the month of September writing as much as they can about recipes, dishes they love, vegan food items they love and places they love to go to get amazing vegan food. Now this is not the official definition of Vegan Mofo but I think this is the general idea.
I didn't sign up for this because with work, home, etc I can barely get two blog posts out a week. But starting September 1st, I am going to give it a shot. I'm going to try to write as often as I can about what to me is the best part of being vegan: vegan food.
If you would like to know more about VeganMofo, check out this link: http://www.veganmofo.com/about/ On this same page you can connect with all of the bloggers writing for VeganMofo.
I am super excited!
Thanks for reading!
Zuma beach.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
My first recipe! My favorite tofu scramble
Yes, you are on the right blog. This is The Gay Vegans. I am not a food blogger and am super excited about this! This is my first recipe, and I am super stoked to share it with you!
Lately I have been making tofu scramble on Sundays for breakfast, and making enough so I can make tofu scramble burritos for breakfast throughout the week. Today I realized that after using so many recipes and a lot of tastes by trial, the recipe I now use is completely my own, and one I would like to share with you.
Here is what you need:
1 chopped onion
A splash of olive oil
2 tomatoes chopped
1/2 bag of frozen hash browns
salt and pepper to taste (I love a lot of pepper)
A box of tofu, extra firm (I think this is 1 lb)
Some fresh chopped garlic (to taste)
1 tsp of Tumeric
1 tsp of Cumin
1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper (if you want, you can make this 1 tsp!)
2 cups or so of chopped kale or spinach
One chopped avocado
Additions that I like but are not necessary for a scrumptious scramble:
A vegan sausage, crumbled
An additional green like Swiss chard
Daiya cheese shreds
Let's make tofu scramble!
Grab a skillet, put on high heat and add the olive oil and the onion. Once the onion starts sizzling go ahead and turn the heat down to medium. When the onions start to brown, add the tomatoes and then add the frozen has browns. Spread the hash browns out so the whole skillet is covered with them. Add salt and pepper and let the hash browns cook. I usually cover the pan for a few.
Then mix the hash browns and continue to stir them so they cook. When the hash browns are starting to brown add the tofu and spices. Now it's coming together! Keep mixing and stirring. When the tofu and hash browns look all cooked (and the tofu is yellow), go ahead and add the greens and avocado.
Note: If you're adding vegan sausage, add it before the veggies. If you're adding an additional green, add it with the greens. Cheese can be added with the veggies.
Serve and enjoy. This makes enough for Mike and I for breakfast with leftovers. Add some Dave's Killer Bread toasted with soy butter!
You can make breakfast burritos with the leftovers, wrap in foil and put in the fridge for a quick breakfast another day.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I love it! Please let me know what you think!
Thanks for reading!
Lately I have been making tofu scramble on Sundays for breakfast, and making enough so I can make tofu scramble burritos for breakfast throughout the week. Today I realized that after using so many recipes and a lot of tastes by trial, the recipe I now use is completely my own, and one I would like to share with you.
Here is what you need:
1 chopped onion
A splash of olive oil
2 tomatoes chopped
1/2 bag of frozen hash browns
salt and pepper to taste (I love a lot of pepper)
A box of tofu, extra firm (I think this is 1 lb)
Some fresh chopped garlic (to taste)
1 tsp of Tumeric
1 tsp of Cumin
1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper (if you want, you can make this 1 tsp!)
2 cups or so of chopped kale or spinach
One chopped avocado
Additions that I like but are not necessary for a scrumptious scramble:
A vegan sausage, crumbled
An additional green like Swiss chard
Daiya cheese shreds
Let's make tofu scramble!
Then mix the hash browns and continue to stir them so they cook. When the hash browns are starting to brown add the tofu and spices. Now it's coming together! Keep mixing and stirring. When the tofu and hash browns look all cooked (and the tofu is yellow), go ahead and add the greens and avocado.
Note: If you're adding vegan sausage, add it before the veggies. If you're adding an additional green, add it with the greens. Cheese can be added with the veggies.
Serve and enjoy. This makes enough for Mike and I for breakfast with leftovers. Add some Dave's Killer Bread toasted with soy butter!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I love it! Please let me know what you think!
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Rock is improving with acupuncture - Dr. Nancy Tharp
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| Rock, our schmeagle beagle, with Suga in the background. |
I am happy to report that since my last post about Rock, he has had a couple weeks of continued acupuncture and cold laser therapy and he seems to be feeling better.
I have very seldom used our blog to recommend a person (I stick to restaurants!) but I just have to let you all know about Rock's acupuncturist, Dr. Nancy Tharp. For a couple of reasons. First, many of our readers asked. Also, she has totally changed Rock's direction from being close to euthanasia to walking around and in a lot less pain.
For those of you who are reading about Rock for the first time, he is the senior of our family, almost 18 years old. When we got back from vacation he was struggling to walk. Our vet highly recommended Dr. Tharp and a few days later she was in our living room giving Rock treatments.
She does house calls!
Yes, we are still living in the reality that Rock is an old guy. With Dr. Tharp's treatments, I honestly think we can keep Rock in a lot less pain, with the ability to walk, as he lives his last months or year (years would be wonderful of course!).
For those of you in the Denver area who asked, here is Dr. Tharp's information:
Nancy Tharp, DVM, CVA
720.244.2198
vethealingarts@gmail.com
veterinaryhealingarts.com
She does acupuncture and Class IV Laser Therapy. Rock is getting both.
We have really been grateful to Dr. Tharp, and we both very much like her. If you have a companion animal in a similar situation as our Rock is and are in the Denver area, give her a ring.
Thanks for reading, and thank you so much to all of you who have sent love to Rock!
Monday, August 26, 2013
A simple request can help animals
Our lives are so busy and sometimes it can be easy to forget that in this crazy world, a simple request can help animals.
I have been thinking of this for a couple of days now.
In my day job I am a fundraiser for an agency that serves homeless youth. A local group wanted to do a fundraiser for us, in the form of a fashion show. I was thrilled. Who doesn't love a fashion show? Awesome music, great fashion and underwear models!
I wasn't even thinking of the animal cruelty aspect. At least in Denver, most fashion shows are pretty archaic and backwards, and include fur. Real fur. From tortured animals who lived their entire lives in fear and pain.
I didn't want to be any part of a fashion show from the 19th century.
This event was being planned by friends of the agency I work for, not by me directly. I asked to have a conversation with the person inviting designers and models, not knowing how that would go.
In the conversation, with the planners present, I brought up my personal feelings around fur and why I would be thrilled if our fashion show did not include fur.
No problem.
At all.
We get it.
I know the folks planning the event so I was not surprised at all. Just thrilled.
There are times when it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the horrible things happening around the world, in the US, in our own communities. It can also be easy to forget that seemingly small, simple conversations or actions can have a huge affect, an affect that can go on and on.
Thanks for reading!
I have been thinking of this for a couple of days now.
In my day job I am a fundraiser for an agency that serves homeless youth. A local group wanted to do a fundraiser for us, in the form of a fashion show. I was thrilled. Who doesn't love a fashion show? Awesome music, great fashion and underwear models!
I wasn't even thinking of the animal cruelty aspect. At least in Denver, most fashion shows are pretty archaic and backwards, and include fur. Real fur. From tortured animals who lived their entire lives in fear and pain.
I didn't want to be any part of a fashion show from the 19th century.
This event was being planned by friends of the agency I work for, not by me directly. I asked to have a conversation with the person inviting designers and models, not knowing how that would go.
In the conversation, with the planners present, I brought up my personal feelings around fur and why I would be thrilled if our fashion show did not include fur.
No problem.
At all.
We get it.
I know the folks planning the event so I was not surprised at all. Just thrilled.
There are times when it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the horrible things happening around the world, in the US, in our own communities. It can also be easy to forget that seemingly small, simple conversations or actions can have a huge affect, an affect that can go on and on.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
More dead Egyptians and Syrians
If you watch the national news or read any news-oriented websites you must know that in the last couple of weeks Egypt has exploded in violence that has left over 1,000 dead. In Syria, the death toll from violence since citizens began demanding the ouster of President Assad has added to the tens of thousands already killed by an attack that some say were chemical attacks leaving another 1,000 plus Syrians dead.
In the US, we are being informed about all of this, yet our nation seems to be just standing by and watching.
Believe me, I understand that both situations are complex. I also understand that, even though they won elections fair and square, many people, including many Americans, do not like the Muslim Brotherhood.
I'm also pretty sure that many in the Muslim Brotherhood and some in the Syrian resistance to not care much for gay people.
I am still sickened by all of the death.
Last week I watched as an older man, older than me, stood in front of a tank in Egypt waving his arms in what looked like an effort to stop the tank. Minutes later he was gunned down.
Yesterday I saw the video of bodies lined up in Syria after a supposed chemical attack.
I have always known that there is a lot of hate in this world.
So many viewpoints and so many things to think about.
In the midst of all of this slaughter, I don't even know what to do. Writing about it helps. Having conversation with others helps.
As a blogger who always tries to be a voice for the voiceless, I am a little puzzled. In Egypt a fairly-elected government is in jail, and when their supporters protest, they are shot dead. Yes, many refused to leave encampments, just like many Occupiers in the US refused to leave. And in Syria, how many will have to die?
Yes, both situations are complicated.
And more and more people will continue to die.
Thank you for reading.
In the US, we are being informed about all of this, yet our nation seems to be just standing by and watching.
Believe me, I understand that both situations are complex. I also understand that, even though they won elections fair and square, many people, including many Americans, do not like the Muslim Brotherhood.
I'm also pretty sure that many in the Muslim Brotherhood and some in the Syrian resistance to not care much for gay people.
I am still sickened by all of the death.
Last week I watched as an older man, older than me, stood in front of a tank in Egypt waving his arms in what looked like an effort to stop the tank. Minutes later he was gunned down.
Yesterday I saw the video of bodies lined up in Syria after a supposed chemical attack.
I have always known that there is a lot of hate in this world.
So many viewpoints and so many things to think about.
In the midst of all of this slaughter, I don't even know what to do. Writing about it helps. Having conversation with others helps.
As a blogger who always tries to be a voice for the voiceless, I am a little puzzled. In Egypt a fairly-elected government is in jail, and when their supporters protest, they are shot dead. Yes, many refused to leave encampments, just like many Occupiers in the US refused to leave. And in Syria, how many will have to die?
Yes, both situations are complicated.
And more and more people will continue to die.
Thank you for reading.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Going to the Olympics? Say you're gay!
The disgusting and disturbing stories continue to flow in from Russia. Gay and lesbian people are in a dangerous situation there, not only being targeted by violent thugs on the streets (many times wearing police uniforms) but also by politicians in the legislative system.
With the Olympics coming up next year in Sochi talk has turned to boycotting the Olympics. Sending a message to Mother Russia that your hate and violence towards gay people is unacceptable.
Unlike ours here in the US, but that's another blog post.
I'm sure there are many gay athletes who will travel to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee is still trying to figure out how safe these athletes will be if they come out. Russian law is pretty clear that they, and anyone openly supporting them, could be arrested.
Yes, just for publicly saying you are gay or publicly supporting gay people.
My idea is this: Go to the Olympics, whether you are an athlete or a fan or a family member or you just like to watch winter sports. If you are an athlete, blow the Russians out of the water. If you are an athlete or any of the others I listed, say you're gay.
That's right, tell the Russians you're gay. Tell the folks at the airport, tell the hotel employees, tell the taxi driver, tell the restaurant folks, the bankers, the gift peddlers, the security people and any Russian you run into: I am gay.
Wear a t-shirt, paint your nails rainbow colors (Like a Swedish athlete did this past week), carry a little sign, make a huge sign for the whole world to see.
I realize that we gay people ask a lot of our straight allies and those who support equality. This would be a huge ask. HUGE. Imagine what it would look like to the Russian bigots and violent predators towards gay people if tens of thousands of people in Russia for the Olympics simply said they were gay!
We have to speak out against this. Bigotry, hate speech and violence against gay people has to be met by those of us who support equality for all. We cannot let them have the only voice. Furthermore, I feel that I absolutely MUST take action to be a voice for the gay and lesbian people of Russia who live with the threat of violence or arrest every day, and yet still come out publicly and still show up for protests.
I am gay and I support my sisters and brothers in Russia.
Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Caring for a senior companion animal
Note: This is another one of those very personal posts.
Mike and I returned home from vacation to our senior companion animal Rock, a 16 1/2 year old Yorkie who in the time we were gone went from being old and not in great shape to being old and in bad shape and not being able to walk.
We all get to this point. Some more often than others. Mike and I certainly have been here before.
As Rock has gotten older he has lost a good portion of his sight and a lot of his hearing (although his hearing always returns when there is food or a treat involved!). He doesn't like going outside to pee as it's a long walk for an old dog with short legs, so he gets out of bed and pees in the hallway or the living room or the kitchen. He can't jump up on anything and gets uncomfortable easy. He never sleeps through the night and one or both of us are up two to three times during the night to take him out and love on him.
It can be exhausting. And we would do so much more.
His attitude and personality and appetite are all at 100%.
His back and legs are not. Upon return from vacation we took him to the vet and began the conversation around what we can do, and more distressingly for us, when nothing else can be done. After a long exam with our trusted vet and some x-rays, we decided to change the meds Rock is on and to invite another vet who does acupuncture and laser treatment for dogs and cats in a similar condition to our home. Yes, she does house visits!
More importantly, and very difficult for us but so critical for Rock, we decided that if the med change and acupuncture did not work within a week or so, and that Rock could still not walk or get up on his own, that we would do what we believe would be best for Rock and have him euthanized.
The emotions in just writing about this are huge and uncomfortable and in a sense tragic. Rock has been part of Mike's life for over 16 years and part of mine for almost 10. He is our family. He is my little schmeagle beagle.
The day after the vet visit and the change in meds the vet who does acupuncture and laser treatment came over. The treatments lasted an hour. She really impressed Mike and the treatments seemed to help Rock right away, at least in making him more comfortable in his own body.
Two days later Rock has been able to stand outside to do his thing, and has walked from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom. He is definitely showing signs of being in less pain, and we are cautiously optimistic. Not for ten more years with him, but a life with him that is one day at a time and includes him being in little or no pain with the ability to walk and go to the bathroom on his own.
Thank you so much for reading this post. I will keep you all updated as we continue this process.
Mike and I returned home from vacation to our senior companion animal Rock, a 16 1/2 year old Yorkie who in the time we were gone went from being old and not in great shape to being old and in bad shape and not being able to walk.
We all get to this point. Some more often than others. Mike and I certainly have been here before.
As Rock has gotten older he has lost a good portion of his sight and a lot of his hearing (although his hearing always returns when there is food or a treat involved!). He doesn't like going outside to pee as it's a long walk for an old dog with short legs, so he gets out of bed and pees in the hallway or the living room or the kitchen. He can't jump up on anything and gets uncomfortable easy. He never sleeps through the night and one or both of us are up two to three times during the night to take him out and love on him.
It can be exhausting. And we would do so much more.
His attitude and personality and appetite are all at 100%.
His back and legs are not. Upon return from vacation we took him to the vet and began the conversation around what we can do, and more distressingly for us, when nothing else can be done. After a long exam with our trusted vet and some x-rays, we decided to change the meds Rock is on and to invite another vet who does acupuncture and laser treatment for dogs and cats in a similar condition to our home. Yes, she does house visits!
More importantly, and very difficult for us but so critical for Rock, we decided that if the med change and acupuncture did not work within a week or so, and that Rock could still not walk or get up on his own, that we would do what we believe would be best for Rock and have him euthanized.
The emotions in just writing about this are huge and uncomfortable and in a sense tragic. Rock has been part of Mike's life for over 16 years and part of mine for almost 10. He is our family. He is my little schmeagle beagle.
The day after the vet visit and the change in meds the vet who does acupuncture and laser treatment came over. The treatments lasted an hour. She really impressed Mike and the treatments seemed to help Rock right away, at least in making him more comfortable in his own body.
Two days later Rock has been able to stand outside to do his thing, and has walked from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom. He is definitely showing signs of being in less pain, and we are cautiously optimistic. Not for ten more years with him, but a life with him that is one day at a time and includes him being in little or no pain with the ability to walk and go to the bathroom on his own.
Thank you so much for reading this post. I will keep you all updated as we continue this process.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Loving Los Angeles
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| Mike at the Hollywood Farmer's Market |
Please note that this post is simply to let you know where we went during our two day trip. It does not include full restaurant reviews, just brief snippets.
I guess we all think of different things when it comes to LA. Hollywood, movie stars, palm trees. I think of good, vegan food. And this trip LA did not disappoint.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City. Great hotel and wonderful service. I loved their pool and spent as much time there as I good. Pure relaxation. And they let us bring Suga for an additional $50.00. All well worth it as for us it was the perfect place to relax and go out on food missions from.
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| The awesome pool at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza |
Real Food Daily is a staple for me when in LA. Both of us had been there and we went to the West Hollywood location for lunch. They were still serving their weekend brunch so I got the tofu scramble and the French toast. The French toast was the best I have ever had, Mike got the Reuben and he said it was the best Reuben he has ever had. Adam our server was awesome and attentive.
What makes a trip like this even better is being able to spend time with friends. Dinner on Saturday night was with one of my dearest friend Bettina and her husband James. They suggested Shojin and we went to the newer location in Culver City. At first I wasn't all that thrilled as Shojin is a Japanese sushi place. As the food started arriving at our table I was quickly surprised and soon was thrilled to be there.
From texture to taste to service, Shojin gave me a rare food experience and I loved it. If you ever have the opportunity to dine at Shojin, go for it.
Sunday morning we went to the Hollywood Farmer's Market. Definitely don't miss this. We left the hotel at 8am so there was no traffic for the 25 minute drive. The Market is huge, much larger than what we have in Colorado, and there are dozens of options for food and drink. We got to see and taste all sorts of vegetables and fruits and talk with growers about items we have never or rarely seen. The amount of organic produce is what really blew Mike away, and I just loved the immensity of it.
Crossroads was our destination for dinner on Sunday and we were meeting fellow blogger Kristy and her husband Chris for dinner. A new restaurant in West Hollywood and all vegan, we were pretty excited. Crossroads has the feel of a fine dining restaurant and serves small plates. Having just experienced Shojin, my expectations were high. Crossroads delivered, and I think a future trip to LA may or may not include a meal there. The best part of the dining experience was the company, and we were delighted.
Lastly, I just have to tell you about Sun Cafe in Studio City where we ate on our way out of town. What a delight. Great service, incredible food, wonderful atmosphere (we sat outside and Suga was able to join us) with a mix of raw and other options. The server was amazing, and we left smiling for sure.
Oh LA, I sure do love you. As we kept enjoying LA, many of our readers kept sending recommendations. We weren't able to go to even a small fraction of what is offered in LA. All the better for another trip.
Real Food Daily
Shojin
Crossroads
Keepin it Kind - Kristy's blog
Sun Cafe
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Anti-gay and anti-animal: Rep. Steve King of Iowa & his amendment
It isn't always easy finding politicians who support equality and even the basics around animal welfare. Many times I cringe when I see some type of animal group giving an honor to a politician who did something good for animals yet is hugely anti-gay.
Here we have a politician from Iowa who is anti-gay and wants to undermine the progress that California and other states have made in ensuring farm animals are treated a tiny bit more humanely. Full disclosure: I have not read the entire amendment, just articles about the amendment and King's comments regarding the amendment. What I gather, having spent more time reading about this than the average voter/consumer would, is that his amendment would take away any state laws or mandates around animal protection.
Here we have a politician from Iowa who is anti-gay and wants to undermine the progress that California and other states have made in ensuring farm animals are treated a tiny bit more humanely. Full disclosure: I have not read the entire amendment, just articles about the amendment and King's comments regarding the amendment. What I gather, having spent more time reading about this than the average voter/consumer would, is that his amendment would take away any state laws or mandates around animal protection.
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