New to everyone

Donut image courtesy of Hot Beans Wanigan images by Angela Del Buono

Brampton-area residents will be interested to know about Angela's latest find: Wanigan Fresh Market (4 - 250 Clarence St., Brampton) is a new warehouse outlet for organic and locally-grown produce featuring lots of other great veg-friendly offerings including Daiya. Open Tuesday to Saturday, more information and directions can be found here.

Khao San Road (326 Adelaide West, 647-352-5773) has opened in the Entertainment District.  This Thai restaurant offers a number of vegan and vegetarian dishes and keeps one of their deep friers exclusively for vegetable items.  They say that they'll soon be offering a separate veg menu to make ordering even easier. Open Mon-Sat for lunch (11:30-2:30) and dinner (5:00-10:00), and a full menu is available here .

New to us

The Brampton Raja Yoga Meditation Centre is now open in Springdale and features free meditation lessons once a week.  You can register by calling 905-494-0517 or online at http://www.raja-yoga.ca/course.php

Tammeron Centre: source

Angela also found Tammeron Centres for Well Being in Belfountain (45 minutes Northwest of Toronto) which offers raw food takeout Tuesday through Sunday from 11-6. For more information call 519-927-0069. Pick up some sinful raw chocolate truffles and a green smoothie and enjoy them in Belfountain Conservation area, just steps away.

Caroline tipped us off to Thrive Juice Bar in Waterloo (191 King Street S, 519-208-8808) that features a wide range of vegan and vegetarian lunch options as well as fruit "blendz" powered by Vega. Update: Lisa P. went over for a visit; read her review here.

New offerings

Images from Nonpareil

Camros Organic Eatery (25 Hayden St, 416-960-0723) is now featuring three varieties of organic vegan Jamaican patties from Food Fair favourite Taste of Life at their Hayden St. location. As they point out, the patties are "a tasty and healthy snack that work very well on the go."

Nonpareil Natural Health & Healing Retreat (658 Wellmans Road, RR #3, Stirling) has introduced a detoxification and healthy weight loss boot camp program that's available in 3, 5, 7, and 10 day formats.  For more information, call 613-395-6332 or email nonpareil@sympatico.ca

New events

Active Yoga (2281 Dundas St W, 416-538-1628) has 3 events coming up this month.  On Saturday March 5, they'll be hosting a special Advanced Workshop. On Saturday March 12, The One and Only Bikram is coming to town to give a seminar. Lastly, on Saturday March 19th, all the Bikram Yoga studios will be at Second City for the Bishnu Ghosh Cup Regional Championship.  Check their website for more information.

Burrito Bike goodness: source

Burrito Bike is having a Spring Fling covering the West end of Toronto on Friday March 4 going from 6 to 1 in the morning! Here's what they're saying: "This week we'll have our vegan or vegetarian delights: slow cooked pinto beans and brown rice, home-made tomato corn salsa, greens, purple cabbage, cheese, and chipotle sour cream (vegan optional,) add spicy guacamole for an extra dollhair. gluten frees avail." If you haven't seen our earlier mention of Burrito Bike, it's burritos, delivered by bike. Place your orders at 416-948-6676 or via burritobike@torontomail.com

New things to wait for

Fressen and Urban Herbivore owner Stephen Garnder was profiled in a recent Toronto Star article in which they revealed plans for a third Urban Herbivore location in the Eaton Centre North food court later this year. You can read the news for yourself while you check out his recipe for Moroccan Chickpea and Vegetable Stew.

New awards

New closures

Here are the stories from those who did the Veggie Challenge in Nov/Dec 2010. To read the full stories, click on the title above, or the "Read more" link below.

	We went completely meat, eggs and dairy-free for one week and LOVED it!          – Natalie, Hamilton, ON
	"I have been feeling more energized and happier with myself, knowing that I am helping the environment and my family." – BettyB, Port Coquitlam, BC

Becoming vegan: a challenge and an adventure
"My appetite for meat disappeared overnight."
– Linda, age 40-49, Lanark, ON

Happily vegetarian despite the difficulties
"The Challenge has done a lot to help me feel more confident and committed to choosing a vegetarian lifestyle."
– Stacie, age 30-39, Coal City, WV

I love animals and I was eating them
"I can still enjoy all the things I used to enjoy. I just substitute something else for the meat ingredient."
– Sophie, early 20's, North York, ON

My decision, my choice
"I will continue with my vegetarian life choice."
– Vanessa, teen, Embrun, ON

I did it for my health and I have never felt better
"I was also put on cholesterol medication and decided by becoming a complete vegetarian I could get off the pills."
– Heather, age 50-64, Port Perry, ON

Concerned about the treatment of farm animals
"It's been a very easy transition."
– Westie, age 50-64, Vancouver, BC

My daughter is a vegetarian
"The Challenge was a good learning experience. I now feel more confident that vegetarians eat healthy."
– Brenda, age 50-64, Sydney, NS

Diabetic vegan diet makes a diference!
"I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) at 18. ...it caused me to have weight issues, depression and low self esteem."
– Simone, age 30-39, Pickering, ON

Click "Read more..." for the full stories.    

Today the three co-hosts (Lisa O., Trisha, and John) talk a lot about raw food.  If you’re not sold on raw food yet you will be after listening to the podast and checking out Lisa P’s blog.  John talks about his experiences with a raw avocado pie and sprouting, Lisa discusses her chia pudding, and Trisha talks about a raw quinoa smoothie. 

However, there is some cooked food in store too.  Lisa talks about her burritos that are made with odds and ends that are found in the fridge.  They are pretty gourmet sounding that’s for sure. 

The podcast takes a turn for the serious for a brief moment when the trio discusses the Toronto zoo’s elephants and a proposal to move them to a sanctuary.  This leads to the discussion about captive animals for the purposes of entertainment/research and the proposal of a Toronto aquarium.  You want to see animals in their natural environment?  Go find them in their natural environment or if you don’t have the money to travel, go to youtube. 

Lastly Lisa has some great news about her current project, Veggielicious.  Keep your eyes peeled on veg.ca for news in the next few days about this event.

This week’s podcast is a lumpy 27 minutes.

Listen Now!

Today, (Pa)Trisha and Liam talk about the dogs in their lives and the places they would go if they wanted to add to their families. Though they haven't been to PAWS , they are on board with their no-kill policy and think it's great that they're working toward opening a premier animal sanctuary in Southern Ontario.

They also talk about Oprah's latest vegan foray. Author Kathy Freston inspired Oprah , and the majority of her staff, to try to go vegan for 7 days. They also discussed Matt and Natt's vegetarian workplace policies.

Liam is going to the Bahamas and is staying in Nassau. If you have any vegan food sugestions for him, please send an email to tvp@veg.ca. If he wasn't going to be there for Valentine's day, he would likely be going to L.A.B restaurant for their veg*n event as part of meatless mondays. There are only four seats left for the 9PM seating, so call 416.544.9800 and reserve before it's too late. If you want to surprise your loved one with some awesome vegan chocolate, take a trip out to Panacea (588 Bloor Street West) on Thursday Feb. 10 between 7-9 PM for their 3rd annual Chocolate Party!!!

This week's podcast is a live your best life 16 minutes.

Listen Now!

New Finds!

Deena sent us a Facebook message about a cafe in the Junction: "I have been enjoying the restaurant: Cool Hand of a Girl. It's on Dundas St. West in Toronto, just east of Keele St. and it's open for lunch. Try their grilled tofu sandwich with organic coleslaw side with pumpkin seeds. Very satisfying." You can find them at 2084 Dundas St. W, you can phone them at 416-832-1076, and you can internet them up at http://www.coolhandofagirl.com/

Mylk Uncookies : source

Mylk Uncookies (253 Gerrard Street East, West of Parliament, 416-276-3075) has a weird name until you say it out loud.  Then it's clever.  They're an "espresso boutique" that makes their own almond "mylk" and raw vegan treats, but if you like when people use fire to make food they've got you hooked up with traditionally baked goods from local bakers.  And, I'd assume, coffee.   "About: An Espresso Boutique that serves house-made almond mylk and raw vegan treats...along with traditionally baked goods sourced from local bakers. We have something for everyone."   TVA voluteer Lisa P   wrote up a lovely review with even more lovely pictures of their even more lovely creations. 

Chaska (125 Lower Jarvis St, S. of Front, 416-551-1177) was discovered by Angela, who reports that they feature "simple honest Indian food" along with desserts from Wanda's Pie in the Sky . You can eat in or take advantage of their takeout bar, which features 3 vegetarian options, 2 of which are vegan (the naan contains milk.) *****NOW CLOSED MARCH 2011****

Feel Good Guru’s LOVE Cafe Underground is a monthly vegan cooking class in downtown Toronto followed by an intimate 4-course dinner party for people to network, taste, teach, learn, love and laugh over delicious Local Organic Vegan Evolutionary cuisine. 

Fame and Fortune!

Congratulations to these veg-friendly businesses for some great media coverage:

Hibiscus scored the #2 spot on BlogTO's "Best Crepes in Toronto" list, which is extra cool since they offer vegan, gluten free crepes, which I don't think any of the other finalists come close to.  Thanks to Colleen for the heads up!  

Meghan's cooking class: source

Meghan Telpner from Love in the Kitchen Academy won the Best Healthy Living Blog category of this year's Canadian Food Blog Awards for her great blog Making Love in the Kitchen.  Congratulations!

Bunner's Bakeshop (3054 Dundas St. W., 416-528-2975) not only got a feature article in The Globe and Mail, but they were also nice enough to mention TVA's Vegetarian Directory - thanks to them for that, and also for you Directory readers for seeing their listing, getting in touch, and convincing them that there's demand for vegan gluten free baking (a fact further proven when they got the #1 spot in BlogTO's list of best new bakeries of 2010!)

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate!

Boardwalk Chocolates : source

Do you like chocolate? Do you like February 10?  Would you like to eat chocolate on February 10?  Then you need to attend the 3rd Annual Chocolate Party at Panacea (588 Bloor St W,) where Boardwalk Chocolates will be providing free samples for you and your friends from 7 - 9pm.  There'll be mysterious sugar free chocolate (that cleans teeth!?), regular truffles and Valentine's Day special boxes will available for sale.

Lesia Kohut, owner and executive chef of LPK's Culinary Groove (718 Queen St. E., at Broadview, 416-461-6440) is hosting a special Valentine's Day chocolate workshop on February 13 from 10AM to 4PM.  In this hands on workshop, you'll learn how to temper chocolate, make chocolate bars and various chocolate confections, and a delicious little chocolate box for all your edible treats! Recipes and methods will be provided. 

There's also an introduction to raw desserts taught by Stacey Burgess of Live On Chocolate, a former dessert chef of Live! Organic Juice Bar who you might know from the Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-off (she made those cool turtles! and took home two 2nd place prizes.) She'll teach you how to make mouth watering, delicious, low glycemic desserts using organic, raw ingredients, without sugar or any animal products or byproducts. You'll be guided with step by step instructions using equipment and tools that everyone has in the home, along with ingredients that are readily available. Recipes and methods will be provided, and students will take home an indulgence box at the end of class.

You'll need to bring an apron and a container for your treats.  For more information, contact LPK at 416-461-6440.

New Products!

Dr.Cow's cheese : source

Panacea (588 Bloor St W, 647-350-3269) boasted on Facebook that they're now carrying Dr. Cow raw cashew cheeses, raw cashew ice creem, Orgran cereal, and Lickin' the Beaters 2: Vegan Chocolate and Candy. Panacea is also stocking the long-awaited Tofurky Pizzas with Daiya Cheese at an introductory price of $8.99 each!  3 varieties are available:vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni, and vegan italian sausage with fire roated veggies.

Ying Ying Organic Soy Food (St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front St. E, 905-847-5592) is now stocking a frozen tofu stew (Thursday to Saturday) and spiced tofu jerky made from organic tofu.

The Specialest Specials!

Front Door Organics (www.frontdoororganics.com) is celebrating Family Day by giving away Grainstorm Pancake Mixes to customers who order selected locally-produced products this month.  For more details, visit their website.

Get a job!

Kindfood (399 John St., Burlington, 905-637-2700) is hiring!  If you are (or if you know) an experienced gluten free baker and cook, you should get in touch with them.

Winter isn't forever! Seriously!

Marni's retreat: source

Marni Wasserman is hosting a Delicious Rejuvenation Retreat in Collingwood on June 26-30, and I know that seems like it's really far away and it'll be winter forever, but you need to get on this one because early bird rates are ending on March 1.

Today Lisa O. is joined by the first time by Patricia, a new Saturday crew volunteer. We learned a little bit about Patricia, who's currently living up by York University but will be moving downtown soon.

Today Lisa and Patricia have been combing the internet to find out whether some celebrities are still vegetarian. If you have the scoop, let us know! 

LAB's Valentine's Day prix fixe meal is coming up soon, and space is still available for the 9pm seating.

Also in the news, Hibiscus ranked #2 for Best Crepes in Toronto, according to BlogTO! And Taco Bell has found an unlikely ally in PETA after the public discovered that the fast food chain's "ground beef" is primarily non-meat. 

Veggielicious is coming up soon! If you want to get involved, email veggielicious@veg.ca.

Today's podcast is a gluten-free 15 minutes.

  Listen Now!

L.A.B. restaurant will join Meatless Mondays on February 14th!

In support of Canada’s Meatless Mondays campaign, award-winning vegetarian chef Howard Dubrovsky has announced that L.A.B (Live and Breathe) restaurant, which is normally closed Mondays, will open as a vegetarian restaurant this Valentine’s Day only.

With a special all-vegetarian menu created by chef Dubrovsky, couples can put their money where their heart is this Valentine’s and show a little love for their health and the environment.

Reservations  

Dinner is $35, plus tax and tip, and includes your choice each of appetizer, main course and dessert. Please note that seating is limited, and reservations for seatings at either 7 pm or 9 pm on February 14 can be made by calling the Toronto Vegetarian Association at 416-544-9800. Reservations must be made by February 10th.

What's On The Menu?

Appetizers

Vegan Tomato Tom Kha Soup (Bok Choy Slaw/ Red Cabbage/ Ginger/ Lime Leaves/ Coconut/ Chili)

Vegan Long Bean Salad (Radicchio Paint/ Caramelized Onions/ Edible Flowers/ Shaved Radish)

Main Course

Vegan Bimbimbap a la French (Spinach Couscous/ Mushrooms/ Maple Carrots/ Roasted Onions/ Harrisa)

Lacto Vegetarian Kyoto Risotto (Sake Rice/ Edamame/ Oshinko/ Pickled Ginger/ Wasabi)

Dessert

Vegan Slow Baked Apple (Mulled Cider Sorbet/ Apple Chips/ Granola/ Sherry Gastrique)

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian LAB Smores (Chocolate Poached Pears/ Red Wine Marshmallow/ Graham Crackers)

Want to Dine for Free?

There's still time to enter our Veggie Valentine's poetry contest for your chance to win a seating for two at the L.A.B Veggie Valentine's Dinner.

Click here to enter the contest now! The deadline to enter is February 4th and the winners will be announced on February 11th.

P.S Make sure to secure your place for dinner just in case you don’t win. Call the TVA office at 416-544-9800 to make a reservation for L.A.B Restaurant's special Veggie Valentine's fixed price menu. Note: Seating is limited. Reservations may be made for 7 pm and 9 pm on February 14th and must be made by February 10th.

L.A.B is located at 651 College Street.

Here are stories from teens and those in their 20's who did the Veggie Challenge in Sept/Oct 2010. To read the full stories, click on the title above, or the "Read more" link below.

	I have felt amazing turning vegetarian.          – Alanna, Burlington, ON

Vegtastic! I love being vegetarian
"I like being a vegetarian because I can help the animals and stay healthy at the same time."
– Danielle, early 20's, Pickering, ON

Vegetarianism is right for my whole family!
"I spoke to my five year old daughter about how she felt about eating meat, and she said it made her sad."
– Krystle, early 20's, Toronto

Breast of Tofu was a hit
"I was feeling happier and better than I have in a while."
– Stacie, early 20's, Dartmouth, NS

Gallstone attack prompted gradual switch to vegetarian diet
"For me, starting slow was definitely the way to go."
– Carolyn, late 20's, Oshawa, ON

Saving the world one week at a time
"I hated the fact that eating meat meant eating muscle and fat."
– Rebekah, teen, Kitchener

The Veggie Challenge helped me understand
"Because I care about myself and my health being vegan is the next step."
– Gladis, late 20's, Toronto

My farming community didn't understand
"Great recipes! I didn't tell my family there was no meat, no one noticed!"
– Jane, Saskatoon, SK

We were totally inspired
"The Veggie Challenge was the push we needed."
– Carole, late 20's, Toronto

I now gladly choose vegetarian meals over meat!
"Turning vegetarian made me open my eyes to the truths about the meat industry."
– Catherine, teen

A new found respect for vegetarians
– Kyle, teen, Windsor, ON

Click "Read more..." for the full stories.   

Today Liam and John address a recent nutritional analysis of the Green Goddess Bowl from Fresh.  The results:  two thumbs up.  It is a pretty healthy meal as a dish with such a name should be.  The two debate how much sodium one should have in a given day; less than 2400 mg is the answer provided by their crack research team.

Liam reports that his previous love of Licks’ onion rings has been altered as the batter that they use to fry them is no longer vegan.   However, he has found a healthier alternative to these onion rings at Fresh where he can get his hankering satisfied with their B-B-Q burger. 

TVA is proud to announce that there is a Valentine’s Day poetry contest where one can win dinner for two to L.A.B. Restaurant.  For all you poets and wannabe poets out there please submit your poetry.

This week’s podcast contains less than 680 mg of sodium and is 25 minutes long.

Listen Now!

Today we have a special edition of the Vegetarian Podcast. Luke and Lisa O. interviewed Larra Skye, a local vegan musician, about her music, how she became vegetarian, and her adventures touring around the world and eating Mighty-O Donuts, as well as local favourites Graceful Vegetarian and Rancho Relaxo. Larra released her debut album The World Disappears in 2005 to great acclaim, and she became the top-selling independent jazz artist at HMV. She’s currently working on her second album and is raising funds by offering pre-orders on her website, www.larraskye.com.

Larra treated us to a live performance of the song "Pull Me In" (which will be on her new album). Find out more about Larra and find the listings for her upcoming shows by checking out her website: www.larraskye.com. You can also follow her on twitter and find her on Facebook .

  Listen Now!

Arbonne Information Session: A Benefit for the Toronto Vegetarian Association

If you’re into skin care and beauty products, you’ve likely heard of Arbonne. Arbonne is a health and wellness company that sells all herbal based products that are paraben free, but best of all, they are vegan certified and their formulas are never tested on animals.

Want to learn more and get your hands on some Arbonne products? Here’s your chance to do just that and support TVA at the same time!

Arbonne Consultant, Susy Bolieiro, will be hosting an Arbonne Information Session where 10% of all sales will go to TVA.

Come out on Saturday, February 26th to see the product lines set up, ask questions about the products, smell, touch and feel the products, and purchase products themselves if you like what you see! Everyone will get a handscrub with Arbonne’s natural aromatherapy line, topped off with fresh hand cream.

Plus, there will be a draw for those interested in trying their luck at winning a basket of Arbonne products worth $100. Raffle tickets will be 25 cents each and the prize will be given away at the end of the session.

Where? Central Eglinton Community Centre, 160 Eglinton Avenue East, in Toronto (enter through the East set of doors with the "Central Eglinton Community Centre" written above)

When? Saturday, February 26 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Remember! 10% of all sales will be donated to TVA.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Click here to RSVP on Facebook, or email Barbi Lazarus.

Click here to find more info about Arbonne.

Enter our poetry contest to win a free vegetarian feast for two at L.A.B Restaurant!

Meatless Mondays and the Toronto Vegetarian Association have teamed up with vegetarian chef Howard Dubrovsky, to create a pairing that is nothing short of poetic.  L.A.B. restaurant, which is normally closed Mondays, will open up just in honour of Meatless Mondays and become a vegetarian restaurant for the day, with a special vegetarian Valentine's fixed price menu created by Howard.  All you need to do is write your best veggie-friendly love poem and you could win a green feast at L.A.B. Restaurant on Valentine’s Day! Plus, a random draw will be done for the runner-up prize.

The rules are simple.

Draft your winning poem and visit meatlessmondays.ca/veggievalentine to enter. All you need to enter is your name, your email and your poem.

The deadline to enter is February 4th and the winners will be announced on February 11th.

Click here to enter the contest now!

P.S Want to secure your place for dinner just in case you don’t win? Call the TVA office at 416-544-9800 to make a reservation for L.A.B Restaurant's special Veggie Valentine's fixed price menu. Dishes and price to be announced shortly. Note: Seating is limited. Reservations may be made for 7 pm and 9 pm on February 14th and must be made by February 10th.