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Generation Vegan
voice of the vegan generation
07/02/08 Thank you for not breeding
 08:42:20 am, Categories: General, I thunk
Free Spay/NeuterThe Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA has a mobile spay/neuter program and they are offering free sterilization surgery in Pacifica, CA for low-income pet owners on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the parking lot adjacent to Little Brown Church, 1850 Francisco Blvd, Pacifica, CANo appointment is necessary, and pick-up is the same day (later that afternoon). Just bring your dog or cat to the vehicle between 8-9 am. Please call to confirm (650) 340-7022 x387
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06/05/08 HELP Animal Place Mooooooooooooove!
07:38:03 pm, Categories: I thunk
There are a handful of groups that I support every year, and Animal Place, a sanctuary and education center for farmed animals in Vacaville, CA, is one of them. I took a group of 25 Bay Area Veg folks to their sanctuary early last month. It was unseasonally hot, and I don’t even have fur or feathers. Despite the heat, we all had a great time. You can browse some photos in the BAVeg galleryWe learned that they have an exciting opportunity right now — to move from their over-grazed, water scarce 60-acre sanctuary & education center in Vacaville to 590 acres of rolling pastures in the California foothills of Grass Valley. Room to grow means more rescues, more outreach, more education. Mudslides in winter, and searing temperatures in summer make life difficult for the animals at the current Vacaville site. With one well dry, Animal Place’s water situation is tenuous, at best. At the new location in Grass Valley, pastures are irrigated year-round, ensuring a constant supply of water for the rescued animals. It also offers better weather; it is 10 degrees cooler year-round. (I can certainly appreciate that!)Let’s do more than hope Animal Place raises their necessary funds. Let’s help them raise the necessary funds!If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, please join Bay Area Vegetarians on June 17th for vegan pizza party & boutique fun(d)raiser for Animal Place. You can read more information in the BAVeg BlogIf you don’t live close enough to attend the benefit, I hope you will support Animal Place with a donation, by sponsoring an animal, etc.
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05/30/08 The Usual Suspects Cafe (SF)
10:37:47 pm, Categories: I thunk, Podcast
Ironically, one of my last blog post in this space noted my blase attitude towards vegan food in the Bay Area. Well, I am happy to report that I am cautiously optimistic about a new vegetarian restaurant with a heavy emphasis on vegan food. It’s on Broadway, just off Montgomery, and probably trekkable from Montgomery BART if you’ve got good leg muscles or are allured by vegan food.The Usual Suspects Cafe, opened by Bob Bosco, in San Francisco is making a splash with local veg folks in the know. It’s a diner, it’s familiar foods made vegan, it’s great desserts, it’s talented chefs cooking with passion & pride, and they’ve got a commitment to organic.Just hours after eating there, I wrote the official description review in the Ultimate Guide:Styled like an American diner, this new face in the SF restaurant scene offers a variety of vegan favorites like pizzas, sandwiches, burger, falafel, lasagna .. and they make their own seitan and sauces/salad dressings/cashew cheese. And, yes, vegan desserts, too. In an interesting twist, there are a few pizzas made with dairy, then it says everything is vegan except items which are marked that can be made vegetarian. Room upstairs available for private parties.My official review: “The vegan pesto/cashew cheeze is delicious! Mint chocolate cake also delightful. Similar type of food to Herbivore, but better tasting. My 1st visit to Herbivore, it took me a year before I went back to try it again. This place - only day 5 of their being open, and I’m ready to go back tomorrow. My only “complaint” – the menu says 9″ pizza but it’s really barely 8″. Hey, when it comes to vegan pizza, size does matter!”Okay, I alluded to Herbivore. Let’s compare the vegan offerings side by side:Dinner at Herbivore Berkeley on Sunday 5/25 vs Dinner at The Usual Suspects 5/29Without meaning to, I had the lasagna at both restaurants so that’s an easy enough compare.Entree- Herbivore: what I immediately noticed was layers and layers of mostly noodles, very scarce filling. It didn’t seem dry but sauce was not really noticeable. It wasn’t a standout but it was okay. Served with a big side salad. Can’t remember if it came with bread, probably did. (I don’t tend to remember salads and breads because I’m not big on either one.)- The Usual Suspects: not as many empty layers of noodles, so that’s good. Lots of sauce, good flavor. I thought it could have used a touch more filling. Served with a piece of toasted bread.- The winner: The Usual Suspects.Dessert- Herbivore: Black China Carrot Cake - it was wonderful. Fresh, moist, and lots of frosting. Yumm.- The Usual Suspects: they didn’t make the cake, but it was a vegan chocolate mint cake. Fresh, most, loved the mint.- The winner: Both really good and I’d have either one again. Price1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 1 dessert at Herbivore and at The Usual Suspects Cafe were priced about the same, approx $33 including tax but before tip.AttitudeIn my perspective as a customer (whose only experience with restaurants is being a customer), and having dined at dozens of vegetarian restaurants, it was enjoyable to talk to chefs who are vegan and know the local veg restaurant scene (and their competition). It was reassuring to talk to the owner who was friendly and seems knowledgeable about the restaurant business and what it takes to succeed. This trio seems the most self-aware and savvy of other restaurants and their shortfalls, and how to avoid them in their venture. I hope this serves them well because unfortunately the restaurant business is a tough one. The Usual Suspects Cafe serves up is what the Bay Area sorely needs: yummy (mostly organic) food with attentive service in a comfortable & attractive environment.And I really liked the music at The Usual Suspects, and I did not miss the constant door openings and cold wind disrupting your meal typical of eating at Herbivore.Update July 2008 - The Usual Suspects Cafe in San Francisco, owned by Bob Bosco, is open despite some rumors to the contrary that it has closed. They have had a shakeup in the kitchen and are now serving vegan Russian food. Especially with new restaurants and especially if you’re making a special trip - call first to confirm availability
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09/23/07 Food Scraps
08:54:41 am, Categories: I thunk
Cleaning up various bits of paper that have been floating around the past year or so. Found this little scrap with 4 things scrawled on it2 cinnamon sticks10 whole cloves or 1 tsp powder2″ piece of fresh ginger sliced thin1 tsp nutmegI knew right away what that was .. the do-it-yourself seasoning to make hot apple cidar! We had a bunch of people coming over to the house, a gallon apple juice, and couldn’t remember what to do with seasoning in. The wonders of Skype messaging and a friend who can make great vegan food with her eyes closed.Now I need to find that creamy country gravy recipe that came on the side of the Tofurky box one year ….
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08/06/07 Fed Up with Vegan Restaurants
07:49:13 am, Categories: General
There’s probably some lone vegan in the middle of nowhere who I hope isn’t reading this …. I do admit that only another vegan in the SF Bay Area can understand when I say that I am fed up with the vegan food selections. Or, at least, at the restaurants that I normally frequent. What is that saying, familiarity breeds contempt  On the bright side, that means more cooking at home and actually saving quite a few bucks because eating out is typically costs, at least, twice as much as eating at home. And, the quality of ingredients I buy at home is much better than the store (normally all organic, and seasonal produce.) Our local Safeway’s is doing a good job at keeping our sweet tooth satiated. Peanut Butter Zig Zag, Cookies and Cream, and Butter Pecan. I remember when getting vegan ice cream was a special trip to a health food store – not any more!For anyone with access to fresh, tasty tomatoes, you’ll love this recipe. Angel Hair Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce(from The American Vegetarian Cookbook by Marilyn Diamond)Pasta: 8 oz angel hair pasta, cooked according to directionsFresh Tomato Sauce:3 lg ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/2″ dice1 lg garlic clove, minced (2 tsps) 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 2 tsps diced)1/4-1/2 tsp saltfreshly ground pepper2 tbsps extra virgin olive oilCombine all ingredients for the sauce, mixing well. If you have time, let the sauce sit for 30-60 minutes. Add half the sauce to piping hot pasta, mix, and then top pasta with remaining sauce. This is a wonderful, very fresh, in-season sauce. If you love garlic like we do, or if you live in Transylvania, double the garlic and it’s even more delicious! 
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04/15/07 My Ancestors Diet: The China Study
12:32:01 pm, Categories: General
Just in the last year or two, I was at some group gathering and the topic of Harry Potter came up. And someone naively admitted to not knowing who Harry Potter was. The rest of us laughed and joked, "Where have you been, living under a rock?"That's how I feel about The China Study, at least in the veg community. Published in January 2005, this book was widely trumpeted and publicized as yet another way to prove the benefits of a plant-based diet. Everyone I know who read the book raved about it.Yet I was resistant. Not to the book's message, but just to reading about it. I admit, I do have a bias. I went to hear Colin Campbell speak, and I felt alienated by his matter-of-fact introduction and use of animals in experiments. Since I was already vegan, and have read more books on the subject than the average American, I didn't read it. But when a small group of us decided to gather to read non-fiction books about vegetarianism and animal rights, I suggested this title. I already owned the book, in hardback, and figured I might as well read it.Just in the first 25 pages, I can tell this is going to be an engaging book to read and digest the facts it contains. - The United States pays more for health care than any other country in the world.- According to the American Cancer Society, men have 47% chance of getting cancer; women have a 38% chance.- One in 13 Americans has diabetes (p. 14), which can lead to blindness, limb amputation, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, & premature death- Heart disease kills 1 in 3 Americans (p. 15) - "The answer to the American health crisis is the food that each of us chooses to put in our mouths each day."- "In short, it is about the multiple health benefits of consuming plant-based foods, and the largely unappreciated health dangers of consuming animal-based foods, including all types of meat, dairy and eggs."- "Impressive evidence now exists to show that advanced heart disease, relatively advanced cancers of certain types, diabetes and a few other degenerative diseases can be reversed by diet."I haven't finished the book yet, but the book has given me a renewed apreciation for my good health. For anyone who lives in the Bay Area, our discussion is on Sun May 6th in SF at MaggieMudd ice cream parlor. And, yes, of course, they have many flavors of vegan ice cream.Eat beans, not beings.
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04/02/07 The Price of Tomatoes and the True Cost of Cupcakes
08:11:38 am, Categories: General
I remember working once with someone who noted every penny he spent. Personally, I'm one of those people who have never had a budget in my life. Alot of my enjoyable activities are not expensive. There was a long period in my life when I was absolutely crazy over the vegan cupcakes produced by Black China Bakery in Santa Cruz. They cost $3.50 at Herbivore Restaurant in San Francisco. When Chris and I went shopping for other discretionary items, we'd often question whether we wanted this $10 widget or 3 cupcakes. Surprisingly, with such a tangible comparison, on more than one occasion, we did find we'd rather have cupcakes over the widget. When it comes to groceries, I pretty much buy basic foods and occasionally splurge on luxuries like vegan Follow Your Heart Cheese or Vicolo's corn meal pizza crusts, and, of course, dining out. With tax season looming around the corner, money has again been on my mind. Over a span of a couple of days, I had an opportunity to price two similar products. 28 oz can diced organic tomatoes in Pacifica at an independently owned grocery store, Muir Glen brand 28 oz diced organic tomatoes in Daly City, Trader Joe's store brand - The Pacifica store wanted twice as much ( $2.99 ) as the $1.49 price tag at the Daly City store (which undoubtedly does more volume and since it's a store brand, it's cheaper)So it does pay to shop ... especially since I often travel by Daly City so it's just as convenient for me to shop there as in Pacifica. Now I'm wondering what 28 oz diced organic tomatoes at Safeway, O Organics store brand would cost me ...
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03/31/07 Eating beef linked to male infertility
08:22:01 am, Categories: General
Sons born to women who ate a lot of beef during their pregnancy have a 25 percent below-normal sperm count and three times the normal risk of fertility problemsIs that evolution at work to save the cows? Now what about the chickens, pigs, ducks, goats, rabbits ...
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03/29/07 Vegan with a Non-Vegan Family
08:13:22 am, Categories: General
It's not uncommon to be the only vegan in your family. And it's typical that it's our family that causes us the most stress on being vegan, unless they live far away. After all, food is the center of nearly every family event that I've ever attended.Much as I would look askance at raw mashed potatoes made from cauliflower, my non-vegan Chinese parents may look at roasted yams and kabocha. But I wouldn't judge them too harshly. I've actually had dinner with a local vegan who picked out broccoli florets and strips of bell pepper from a vegan macaroni and cheese dish.So for this family outing, I decided to take my family to Manzanita in Emeryville (like most people, I used to think this restaurant is in Oakland but it's actually Emeryville, right on the border), instead of our usual vegan lunch at Golden Lotus (we all enjoy the faux meats). Manzanita is macrobiotic food, and in many ways the total opposite of the Vietnamese fare at Golden Lotus -- no faux meats, simple foods, low sodium, and it all tastes so healthy. While we were there, we noticed another man, who seemed like he could have been around my age, who brought his family to Manzanita too. His parents (who looked like senior citizens, like mine) looked at the food, served buffet style, and the Mom flatly refused to eat there, and walked out, saying she'd sit in the car while they dined. My parents were a bit skeptical, but they willingly agreed to try it, and did try all the different dishes (about 9 different items). But, I think I was the only one who really enjoyed it. By 3 to 1, vote was the food was overpriced for its organic simplicity. But I like simple fare; for example, I like broccoli plain or am equally content to eat cooked Yukon Gold potatoes with a dash of salt. Anyways, we all agreed that next time we'd go back to Golden Lotus. Their fu young is a very tasty dish, for vegans and non-vegans.Oh! The coolest part of the trip was the drive back. It was gridlock going southbound across the Bay Bridge - looked like the newest parking lot in SF. Because we made a wrong turn somewhere, GPS eventually figured out where we were and directed us to travel on Adeline to Peralta to Mandela Parkway, where we were able to enter directly onto 80 and approached the bridge on the lanes to the right, which turned out to be exclusive to Fast Trak. So, we didn't stop at all, and were surprised and then gleeful to speed directly to the tollbooths while we imagined others were sitting in their cars frustrated and fuming by the congestion, and spewing exhaust into the air.
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03/28/07 Yet another one of my Star Wars Sites
11:22:12 pm, Categories: Movies and Television
Okay, still no real updates here. I've moved my main Star Wars site over to it's new domain. BothanJedi.com
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Generation Vegan
A new blog and podcast, hosted by Tammy and Chris. Two vegan advocates - hoping to share ideas and strategies that work for them when doing outreach, thoughts on everday vegan living, and other happenings in their lives.
Tammy and Chris are founders of San Francisco Bay Area Vegetarians - one of the largest local grassroots vegan advocacy organizations in the nation.
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