San Francisco Vegan Drinks (Video)

Last night I attended my first SF Vegan Drinks hosted by VegNews and VeganSaurus and had a blast. Not only way the company great (Robert Cheeke was in town!) but I got to use my new camera. And when I say new, I mean it was gifted to me less than 2 hours before the event (thanks to my incredible boyfriend Owen). What perfect timing - I got to test out my camera on some internally and externally beautiful people! Anywho, check out the video to see how much fun SF Vegan Drinks is - if you're not in the Bay Area then you should seek out a vegan drinks in your area. And if there isn't one nearby then start one yourself, even if it begins with just you and your cat/dog/goldfish and a bottle of organic beer or virgin mojito!

Videos: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau Speaks At 2011 San Francisco Veg Fest

On World Vegetarian Day 2011 (October 1st) I attended the San Francisco Veg Festival, which was a really lovely event despite its small size. The highlight was easily a talk by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a well known vegan author, speaker and all around advocate. After all the buzz around her talk at the Vida Vegan Bloggers Conference in Portland, I knew I had to record her SF lecture so I could share it with you. It was about 50 minutes in length, but I went through and edited it down to 3 segments totaling 24 minutes so that it'd be easier to watch. 

Video: Spork-Fed Vegan Cookbook Launch at VegNews in San Francisco

Last night I attended the Spork-Fed vegan cookbook launch at VegNews in San Francisco and had a blast. I know the Spork Foods sisters (Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg) from Los Angeles and it was great to see them, especially after everyone has been raving about their new book. I can see why - the book embodies their sweet, knowledgable spirits, it's fun to look through, the photos are gorgeous and it's full of important information about cooking vegan.

Video: Organic Delivery, Best Indian Food Ever, Funny YouTube Videos, Vegan Advice, VegFest and More!

The title kinda speaks for itself - aren't you curious where I had the best Indian food EVER?!

Video: How to Get Vegan Protein & B12, Give Up Caffeine, Achieve World Peace, And Win Free Food!

Sorry for the delay on this weekly roundup (usually get them up Monday mornings) but better late than never!

Healthy Finds At Kroger's Foods Co.

If you frequent this website you know that I shop mainly at natural markets like co-ops and Whole Foods. I stopped shopping at Trader Joes because of all the packaging and lacking organic options, though I do enjoy the occasional visit. However, these stores are all quite expensive due to their high quality offerings, and I realize that not everyone can afford to shop at them and may not have a location nearby. So I've decided to start visiting bigger chains with lower price points in search of healthy foods - focusing on vegan items of course. 

Video Review: z pizza - Vegan and Gluten-free Pizza Made with Organic Ingredients

Berkeley Vegan pizza

Forget Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Dominos - go for something healthier and higher quality. If you live in a big city in the U.S. chances are there's a place call z pizza nearby, where you can get a delicious pie with fresh, organic ingredients. Today's video features z pizza in West Hollywood and their vegan and gluten-free pies, including an interview with the store owner and son of the founder.

Video: Natural to Eat Meat? Bras Cause Cancer? Vegans Can Be Bodybuilders? Organic Mexican Food? Another Giveaway?!!

It's Weekly Roundup video day!! As usual I had a ton of things to share, but there one ran a little longer than I had hoped - but don't worry, it's worth your time (though I'm biased)!

Veg Speed Dating at San Francisco's Millenium Restaurant

I got a lot of great feedback from my coverage of Karine Brighton's Veg Speed Dating event in Berkeley last month - even though I didn't participate I had a blast being there and meeting all the interesting people. Well, it's about to get even better because the next event is happening at one of the best vegan restaurants in the country (so I've heard): Millenium! If you are single get your hot butt to this event, no matter how shy or skeptical you are. You will feel so comfortable and meet great people, if not love interests than new friends or business partners. Don't believe me? Check out my video from the Berkeley event:

Video Interview: Bomb Truck in San Francisco Serves Gourmet Vegan Popsicles!

It's always exciting to randomly come across a sign with the word "vegan" on it, which is what happened to me a few weeks ago on a San Francisco street. While walking down Valencia in the Mission District I stumbled across a teal-colored van with the "organic vegan" on it - of course I had to stop. Upon inquiry I met Barbara, the woman behind the gourmet popsicles and a small business called Bomb Truck. While not everything she makes is vegan, the majority of her handmade treats are, and they're delicious. 

Q&A: Where to Buy Tofu in Bulk in San Francisco

Question: Do you know where in SF or East Bay I can buy organic tofu that isn't wrapped in plastic? Asian markets sell tofu in bulk bins but they're likely not organic. I've asked Hodo Tofu and they don't offer that option in stores.  If you have any leads, please let me know. Trying to cut down on my plastic waste. ~ Mary


Answer:

Video: Forget the Dating Sites - Go to Veg Speed Dating!

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you likely want to date someone else with the same lifestyle, but that can be challenging - only about 3% of the population is vegetarian and approximately 1% are vegan. And even if you can find people with the same way of living, it then comes down to connection and attraction. Personally, I've only clicked with a few vegan men - my wonderful boyfriend falls into the "veg curious" category. So what's a single plant eater to do? How about try veg speed dating?

Weekly Roundup: A Crazy Sexy Diet, Cure for Erectile Dysfunction, Healthy Soda, & Magical Enzymes

Welcome to another health and sustainability weekly roundup!

Here's what I talk about in this video:

Bi-Rite Creamery: One of the Best Vegan Ice Creams I've Had

One of my favorite aspects of living in a new city is exploring all vegan options, even at non-vegetarian establishments, and San Francisco is full of them! I would say at least 50% of the time I check out a menu I spot the word "vegan" and almost every time I see something I can easily veganize. Tonight after spending some time in Dolores Park I decided to stop by Bi-Rite Creamery and see if the vegan option I read about was worth getting. The flavor was Chocolate Coconut and since the line to order was out the door I figured I had pretty good odds. Boy was I right.

Eco-Vegan Daily Download: Vegan Dating, Drive Through, and Organic Wine

Vegan News

Image from QuarryGirl

You won't believe this, but a vegan drive through is opening outside of Los Angeles! Best of al, they'll have jackfruit! It's called Plant Food for People and will be located in Highland Park. Check out QuarryGirl for the rest of the scoop.

Movin' On Up: A New Path for Eco-Vegan Gal

I have some big news to share: I'm moving to the Bay Area! But don't you worry - this only means better things for Eco-Vegan Gal!

Here's the story:

After living in Los Angeles since Fall 2004, it's time for a change. I moved out here to be in the film industry and spent 5 years working in every aspect of the business as I could. But something else was brewing in me and over the past couple years I realized I was more passionate about eco-vegan journalism (at least right now) and it's completely taken over my life (in the best way)! Last year I started craving a move to shake things up a little - at first I was set on relocating to NYC, but San Francisco sounded really great too. It was just my luck that a few months later I met an amazing man from the Bay Area - so my fate was pretty much determined! Over the course of our long distance relationship I've fallen in love with SF. I've been seriously considering the move for the past month and realized that I'm fortunate to be able to do my work anywhere, and the Bay Area seems like an ideal place for an eco-vegan gal!

I have made so many great friends and business connections in Los Angeles and that's really hard for me to depart from, but I'm determined not to let my move effect those important relationships. I really look forward to the new people and businesses I'll meet in the Bay Area and all of the positive ways it will shape this website. In fact, a large motivation for me to move is to find a less expensive place to live (such as the East Bay) so I can finally publish all the content I have in my Eco-Vegan Gal queue!

My move happens in July after a long vacation in June with my family and friends in Massachusetts. If you have any advice or you live in the Bay Area, please let me know! I look forward to spending more time with the VegNews staff, shopping at Rainbow Grocery all the time, eating at Gracias Madre as much as possible, and finally trying restaurants like Millennium and Cinnaholic.

EVG Q&A: Vegan Bakeries & Wedding Cakes in San Francisco/Bay Area

Mocha Brownie from Sugar Plum

Question:
 Do you happen to know a good vegan bakery in the SF bay area that would be willing to do a vegan wedding cake?  A girlfriend of mine is getting married and is having trouble finding a reputable bakery.  It doesn’t have to be a vegan-only bakery, just one that’s willing to do a vegan cake.

Answer:

Calculating Long Distance: The Green Way to Travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco

My boyfriend lives in San Francisco, and he's totally worth doing the long distance. But every time we travel to see each other some things cross my mind:

1. It takes a lot of time out of my day if I'm traveling (3 - 9 hours each way)
2. It is expensive ($100-$150 round trip)
3. Traveling isn't very eco-friendly

For now, this is what we have to do to be with each other. So I decided to figure out the way to travel with the smallest carbon footprint.

Berkeley Vegan Earth Day - Friday April 22nd

There are many events in the San Francisco Bay Area that take place in honor of Earth Day, but none that focus specifically on the positive effects of veganism on the environment. Vegan Earth Day presents a new tradition that celebrates the link between veganism and a healthy environment. Adopting a vegan lifestyle is the soundest way to make a positive impact on animals and the environment, but this event will explore reasons and ways to take that commitment even further.