Category Archives: Post Grid

Jane Velez-Mitchell builds a Vegan Media Empire

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Jane Velez Mitchell

Over the past 9 years, journalist and CNN media host Jane Velez-Mitchell has developed a new media channel, UnchainedTV, focused on bringing veganism to the general public.

Jane grew up in a pescetarian household, and she had already become vegetarian when she interviewed fourth-generation cattle farmer turned vegan Howard Lyman, who gained notoriety after appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996. She had developed her career working as a TV news reporter and news anchor in various TV stations around the country, and was working on a show called Celebrity Justice.

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Eliminate animal agriculture, stop global warming!

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Cattle eating hay through bars in barn.

Eliminating animal agriculture over the next 15 years would effectively stop global warming in its tracks — largely halting the increase of greenhouse gases for the next 30 years, according to a recent study.

According to this study, the largest contributor to that decrease in warming the planet would be a massive expansion in prairie, forest and grassland as the global economy converts away from land-dependent practices like cattle-raising, said co-author of the study Patrick Brown. According to Brown, we have long known that animal agriculture is a potent source of greenhouse gasses, primarily as a result of methane and nitrous oxide released from livestock waste. The change in land use adds to that.

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Vegan athletes compete at Mr America contest

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Robert Cheeke – vegan bodybuilder

A team of 28 vegan athletes just participated in this year’s Mr America competition in Atlantic City, NJ, to show the world that vegans can be just as strong, muscular and fit at meat-eaters, if not better.

The Mr America contest includes 4 different challenges for both men and for women:

  • Bodybuilding, where the judges score each athlete based on muscular development, proportion, conditioning, posing and general appearance,
  • Olympic weightlifting, where the athlete lifts a 400-600 pound barbell from the floor to an overhead position,
  • Kettlebell sport, where athletes have to repeat a certain movement with a designated weight in a certain amount of time.
  • Crossfit, which is designed to test the athlete’s level of physical fitness, measuring strength, speed, agility and overall fitness.
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Adopt a Farm Animal in honor of Mother’s Day

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Cows - Liberty and Indigo

Oscar winning actor, Joaquin Phoenix, recently urged people to adopt a farm animal in honor of Mother’s Day. In February, he visited the slaughterhouse, Manning Beef in California, to facilitate the rescue of a cow and her newborn calf and deliver them to Farm Sanctuary. Phoenix negotiated the release of the animals from the slaughterhouse alongside a group that included fiancée and fellow activist Rooney Mara, both his and Mara’s mothers, Earthlings director Shaun Monson, Los Angeles Animal Save Founder Amy Jean Davis, and Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur.

He named the cow Liberty and the calf Indigo.  “It’s impossible not to smile at the love that radiates from Liberty for her calf, Indigo, or the marvelous curiosity they share for their new life roaming spacious land in permanent sanctuary. Thanks to generous supporters like you, Liberty is able to nurse Indigo, bond with her, protect her, and watch her grow up—just as nature intended,” Phoenix said.

Farm Sanctuary, with locations in upstate New York and southern California, provides space and freedom for farm animals that have been rescued from stockyards, factory farms and slaughterhouses.  They do what they can to rehabilitate and provide lifelong care to help animals recover from abuse and neglect.  Farm Sanctuary operates the country’s largest farm animal rescue and adoption network. Every year, they assist with hundreds of urgent placement needs, including helping to secure homes for victims of cruelty and neglect, factory farm victims, such as those rescued from natural disasters or transport accidents, or for animals who are surrendered by farmers or guardians.

To sponsor a farm animal today, choose the type of animal who’s right for you and complete the monthly sponsorship registration form. Sponsors make a year-long commitment to a shelter animal and make monthly, quarterly, or annual payments. In return, you will receive a sponsorship certificate with a color photograph of your sponsored friend, and other benefits depending on your animal.

Tempting Barbecue Recipes

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Grills Gone Vegan_low resIt’s summertime.  Time to light up the grill.  Yes, there are endless possibilities for grilling without using meat or fish. One option is to check out this wonderful cookbook from the Book Publishing Company, which captures a wide variety of possibilities in one easy-to-use book.

Grills Gone Vegan is the latest cookbook from Tamasin Noyes. Tamasin has been vegetarian for over thirty years, and vegan for much of that time. She and her husband, Jim, live in northeastern Ohio with their two cats. Along the way, Tamasin has baked for a vegan café, worked in restaurants, created a nonprofit group that sent handmade cards to children with life-threatening illnesses, and had a vegan soap company for ten years.

Passionate about cooking, Tamasin spent several years as a cookbook tester for some of the leading vegan authors. She is also the author of American Vegan Kitchen and the coauthor of Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day.

Here are a couple of delicious recipes:

Portobello Burgers with Mango Chutney Marinade

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Luscious Legume Recipes

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Legumes (beans) are a great source of plant-based protein, plus they are packed with fiber and other nutrients. Their health benefits derive from direct attributes, such as their low saturated fat content and high content of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients, substances only found in plant foods that act to help prevent cancer and many other diseases.

The vitamin profile of beans  includes vitamin C, and seven out of the eight B-vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and folate—but not vitamin B-12. Additionally, the mineral composition is quite notable, with amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Beans are a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. On average, beans provide 7 or more grams of total dietary fiber per ½-cup serving. Dietary fiber intake contributes to feelings of fullness or satiety and helps maintain functioning of the digestive system.  

Be sure to include beans in your daily meals.

Hoppin’ John Salad

Makes about 10 1/2 cup servings

2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, or 1 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely sliced green onions
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 tomato, diced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 – 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Combine black-eyed peas, rice, green onions, celery, tomato, and parsley in a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix together lemon juice, oil, salt, and garlic and pour over the salad. Toss gently. Chill 1 to 2 hours if time permits.

Homestyle Squash and Pinto Beans

Veggies, rice, and beans make this all-American dish a welcome guest after a hard day. Serve with a salad and fruit wedges.  Makes 4 servings.

1/4 cup Vegetable Broth
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeno pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup sliced yellow squash (1/2 -inch thick)
1 cup sliced zucchini (1/2-inch thick)
1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
1 16-ounce can pinto beans, drained
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 fresh thyme sprigs
2 cups cooked brown rice

Heat broth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeno, and garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in squash and zucchini and sauté 2 minutes. Add corn, beans, tomatoes and their liquid, and thyme. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Discard thyme. Serve over rice.

Italian Chickpea Spread

Enjoy this delicious, low-fat spread in sandwiches or on crackers. It’s satisfying and light.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

2 cups drained cooked or canned chickpeas (1 15-ounce can)
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 salt
1 black pepper

Combine all ingredients in food processor and process into a smooth paste, stopping to scrape down sides of work bowl as necessary. Chill several hours or overnight before serving to allow flavors to blend. Keeps 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.

Provençal Vegetable Quiche Recipe

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Untitled-1Here’s another delicious alternative to using eggs.  Silken tofu can be used in many ways, such as for a breakfast scramble, a chocolate pudding, or as in this recipe, a quiche.  This recipe is from our own Veg-Feasting Cookbook, which is packed with delicious recipes from around the world, all provided by local restaurants and Vegfest chefs.

Provençal Vegetable Quiche

By Chef Robin Robertson, Author, Presenter at Vegfest

Silken tofu is used instead of eggs and cream in this light and luscious quiche. Mediterranean spiced vegetables and a flaky crust make it a good choice for a light lunch or supper entrée served with a crisp green salad.

Serves 4 to 6

Crust:

  • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup chilled corn oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cold water, or more as needed

Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 leek, white part only, washed well and chopped
  • 1½ cups chopped zucchini
  • 1 cup chopped white mushrooms
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh or canned tomatoes, well drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ¼ cup pitted black olives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh marjoram leaves
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon leaves
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups drained and crumbled firm silken tofu
  • 1 cup soymilk or other dairy-free milk
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan-style nondairy cheese (optional)

To make the crust, combine the flour, corn oil and salt in a food processor and pulse until crumbly. With the machine running, add the water and process until the mixture forms a ball. Flatten the dough, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to fit into a 10-inch quiche pan or pie plate. Line the pan or plate with the dough and trim the edges.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. To make the filling, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leek, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the liquid evaporates, about 7 minutes. Stir in the olives, herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

In a food processor or blender, combine the tofu, soymilk, mustard, cayenne and salt to taste. Blend well. Spoon the vegetable mixture into the crust and sprinkle with the Parmesan-style cheese, if using. Pour the tofu mixture over all, distributing it evenly.

Bake until the filling is set and the top is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting.