Vegan MoFo 2012

I am super excited to announce that I will again be participating in the Vegan Month of Food. I have participated since the very first year, and so much has happened since then!  So many amazing vegan cookbooks and products and restaurants and even a Vegan Blogging Conference have transpired since the inaugural year.

For this year, instead of a theme, I am going to follow a weekly schedule for my posts:

Mash Up Monday:  

Combing ingredients/flavors that wouldn't normally go together.  A special post will be made on October 15th in conjunction with Blog Action Day and the theme for this year is "The action of WE."  And I feel that topic is easily adaptable to the vegan movement as well.

Two for Tuesday:  

Two recipes using the same main ingredients.

Worknight Wednesday:  

Recipes thst are quick and easy, or utilize leftovers for easy worknight meals, or meals that make enough for perfect next day lunches.

Thoughtful Thursdays: 

Vegan book reviews.

Freedom Fridays:  

Anything I want!

Saturdays and Sundays:  

Bonus posts, nothing scheduled, but if I'm up for it, I will post.

I am so looking forward to this year's event, as hundreds of blogs are participating and Vegan MoFo International Headquarters will be doing daily round ups, giveaways, and providing us will an amazing RSS feed of all of the participants.

Nutrition Facts

I get tons of emails asking for the Nutrition Facts for my recipes.  So, I am slowly going to start adding the Nutrition Facts to all of the recipes on the blog.  This is a huge undertaking and will take me quite some time, so please be patient as I am working on this one recipe at a time.

I am using my favorite recipe calculator...the one over at SparkPeople.

The Nutrition Facts I am providing are for informational purposes only.  And, to be honest, I am putting them there for selfish reasons.  I need to know what I am eating too!

100 Foods and Environmentalist Should Never Eat

Kelly Sonora sent me this article on 100 foods an Environmentalist should never eat. Although the list does provide that a vegan and/or vegetarian lifestyle is certainly better for the environment, it also provides nothing left to eat! Seriously. If I follwed these rules, I wouldn't be able to eat anything at all! Anywho, it is an interesting read.

Just a Reminder...

When ordering a print version of Cozy Inside, it takes 7-10 days to arrive. So, since you are planning on ordering a few as gifts for the holidays, please keep this in mind.

Finally! We can order this AWESOME BOOK!

So Joanna's book is finally available for pre-order! Joanna says they will ship in time for the holidays so order up a few as gifts too!

!
Support this awesome woman and her awesome food, you will not regret it!

Pre-Order HERE!

Joanna's Book: For more information and teaser recipes visit YellowRoseRecipes.com

The Foodie Blogroll

I am now a proud member of the Foodie Blogroll. This is not a vegan site, but a site for foodies, and a link to all foodie type blogs. I will admit to enjoying browsing and perusing non vegan blogs, sites and cookbooks. There are lots of amazing ideas out there SCREAMING to be veganized. So check out the site, and if you have an awesome veggie or vegan food blog, apply to be included! I bet there are lots of omnis out there who love to browse and peruse our sites as well!

Blog Action Day: The Environment

I could be better. I should be better. But I do recycle my newspapers, bottles and cans and I shut off the water when I brush my teeth. But I COULD be better. I SHOULD be better.

Reduce my consumption of all things.
Reuse my things that I already have.
Recycle those things I can no longer use.

Cliche, I know. But if I actually lived everyday following these simple rules, I could be doing better. I WOULD be doing better.

I no longer consume any animal products. That is good. If I could only get Dan to do the same, that would be better.

I save and re-use my plastic grocery bags. That is good. If I bought and used (read: I have bought many but always forget to bring them) reusable shopping bags, that would be better.

I recycle my plastic water bottles. That is good. If I just used filtered water and filled up my own (I already own a nice insulated bottle) that would be better.

What do you do that is good? What could you do that was better?

Cozy Inside is finally available on AMAZON!

The Black and White version of Cozy Inside is finally available on Amazon.com! I know a lot of folks trust Amazon, while they are leary of less popular sites like Lulu and CreateSpace. SO, if you have been holding back because you were worried about internet fraud, etc...

CLICK HERE!

"Cozy Inside" Now Available in Black & White!

After much debate, I have released a 2nd edition of Cozy Inside in black and white. It is currently available for $11.95 plus S&H through CreateSpace. It should be available on Amazon within 2-3 weeks. I will keep you updated.

To order a black and white copy, visit my CreateSpace storefront. CLICK HERE.

Of course, the ebook and full color 1st edition are still available on my Lulu Storefront. CLICK HERE.

Is the Food Network Ready for TVP and the Nooch?

Here's how it went:

My call back time was at 11am at the Food Network Executive offices in Los Angeles. I finally got called in at 11:45am.

NO KITCHEN! Just a 36 inch round table with a black table cloth on it. The casting producer from Monday was the only one there.

He, first, had me do a 5 minute on camera interview. Then it was demo time, and yes he taped it. He said, okay, you have 3-4 minutes...I was like WHOA! 'Cause he told me 10 minutes on Monday...so I was a little nervous to squish it all in in 4 minutes without it sounding rushed, or me talking too fast, but I think I did okay.

He told me it was no longer up to him, and that he would edit my entire video and interview down to 3 minutes total and then send it out to New York. The executive producers take it from there and we should find out in 1-2 months.

For what it's worth, he told me I had the best vegetarian demo he had seen so far...but he could say that to everyone.

So, I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. If nothing else, at least I tried and have had this experience.

Is the food network ready for TVP and the Nooch?

Western Bacon Cheeseburger

Join the Flickr Pool!

Hey! If you have made anything from my cookbook, "Cozy Inside" (even if it's from the free recipes on www.cozyinside.com ) I'd absolutely love it if you would post a picture of it in the flickr pool!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cozyinside/

Thanks a million,
Joni

Do you like Burgers?

If the answer is, "YES!" then I need you! I have already started compiling recipes for my next book...and I need testers. It is going to be a book full of veggie burgers. 101 to be exact! If you are interested, send me an email with your email address and I can send you the instructions on how to log in to the testing page.

Shoot your email to me at:
jonicozyinside@yahoo.com

I didn't make this...

But I plan on making something from it! My mom has an awesome organic garden on her "ranch" out in Tehachapi, CA. I am so jealous! She promises to bring us some yumminess this weekend.

She blogged about it (yeah, she's a pretty hip mom!) so check it out!

http://ranchgirlkim.blogspot.com/2007/08/summer-garden-is-thriving.html

Pimpin' the Peeps

There are some pretty awesome people out there, doing some pretty awesome things...

Here are just a few:

Joanna: She just wrapped up testing for her cookbook "Yellow Rose Recipes" and I swear to you it will be one of the most used books in your arsenal. BUY IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON IT! It will be published by Herbivore.

You can visit her website at : http://www.yellowroserecipes.com/

Lolo: She is also going to be releasing a cookbook published by Herbivore. I was not privelaged enough to be testing for her, but I have been watching the testers posting "porn" of her recipes over on the ppk, and man, I cannot wait for this book.

You can visit her website at: http://www.veganyumyum.com/

Katie: She has created an awesome little zine that is jam packed with helpful information and really yummy recipes for some kind of ridiculously cheap price like $2.50, including shipping!!!

You can visit her website at: http://www.donteatoffthesidewalk.com/
and you can order her zine at : http://donteatoffthesidewalk.com/?page_id=61

Celine: She is also writing a zine that is sure to be packed with goodness and deliciousness, just go take a look at her blog and see for yourself. Her desserts make me quiver.

You can visit her website at: http://www.havecakewilltravel.com/

My Cookbook is Now Available!

My Cookbook, "Cozy Inside" is now available for download for a measley $8.

OR you can purchase the full color paperback for $24.95.

My storefront at Lulu is:
http://www.lulu.com/cozyinside

From there, you can download the ebook or buy the paperback! In any event...check it out, there is a free preview available to get a peek of the inside of the book!

Or, Click the button below to BUY IT NOW.

Friday?!?!

Just wanted to post a quick update... As of this morning, I recieved my final edits and only have a few minor changes to make before my cookbook will be released to the world! My goal is to have the e-book available by Friday afternoon, and the paperback available by the second week of August.

On a fun note...several months back, I submitted my vegetarian, lower fat version of my cousin Jerry's Greek Stuffing (which is included in the cookbook) to Better Homes & Gardens Magazine.

Yesterday I got a phone call from the magazine. The recipe has been chosen as an honorable mention and will be featured in the November issue!

I am not sure if they are going to feature it as a vegetarian dish or with meat, as they reserve the right to make any changes they deem appropriate. They are going to send me a certificate guaranteeing that it has been "Tested and Approved by Better Homes and Gardens."

Thanks, Jerry!

My Week in Eats

I have just returned from a week in Oregon. If I ever move to Portland, I am guaranteed to gain at least 600 pounds! Most times I totally forgot to take pictures of the food. I was too excited to eat!

Saturday:
On the Amtrak Train:
Breakfast: Coffee
Lunch: Veggie Burger*, Potato Chips, Coffee
Snacks: Tortilla Chips, Crackers and Wine
Dinner: Vegetable Stir Fry and Rice and coffee

Sunday:
On the Amtrak Train:
Breakfast: Oatmeal & Coffee
Lunch: Veggie Burger*, Potato Chips and Coffee
Snacks: Tortilla Chips, Crackers & Wine
In Portland:
Dinner: Vita Cafe (www.vita-cafe.com) The Big Boy Special, a deep fried veggie burger with vegan thousand island on a bed of seasoned fries.

Monday:
In Portland:
Breakfast: Laurelthirst ( www.laurelthirst.com ) Vegan Breakfast Burrito, tofu, veggie beans, veggie sausage, avocado and red or green salsa served with home fries and wheat toast.



Snacks: Iced Vanilla Soy Latte from Powell's Books ( www.powells.com/portland ) and a trip to Food Fight! ( www.foodfightgrocery.com ) to pick up snacks (Wasabi rice crackers, Uncle Eddie's Peanut Butter Choc. Chip Cookies and a tote bag) for the road.
Dinner: Kalga Kafe ( www.vegguide.org/vendor/view.html?vendor_id=867 ) Thai Coconut Curried Tofu & Vegetables, Flatbread and Organic Reisling.

Tuesday:
In Portland:
Breakfast: Junior's Cafe ( www.portland.citysearch.com/profile/8470161/portland_or/junior_s_cafe.html ) Vegan Potatoes with Garden Sausage and a side of Vegan Biscuits & Gravy.

Half eaten and enjoyed:


Snacks: Black Sheep Bakery ( www.blacksheepbakery.com) Vegan Macarroon.
In Salem:
Dinner: With the Holts, A nice sit down family dinner of...NACHOS!!! Tortilla chips, refried beans, pinto beans, rice and tomatoes.

Wednesday, the 4th of July:
In Salem:
Breakfast: Coffee at the Holts
Lunch: Subway 6 inch Veggie, Sun Chips & Iced Tea
Dinner: BBQ at the Holts, Boca Burgers, Pita Chips, Hummus, Veggies, Fruit and a whole lotta beer!

Thursday:
In Salem:
Breakfast: Coffee and leftovers at the Holts
Lunch: Quiznos 1/2 of a Veggie Sandwich (I saved the other half for the train) with mushrooms, olives, onions, peppers, Jalapeno Chips and an Iced Tea. I also went into a greek deli/ liquor store and stocked up on snacks for the train, including a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 in Banana Red, fritos, vegan fig newtons and some wheat thins.
Snack: Ram Brewery ( www.theram.com/or-salem.php ) French Fries and a Pineapple Long Island Tea.
On the Amtrak Train:
Dinner: The other half of my very soggy sandwich from lunch.
Late night snack: Mad Dog 20/20...the whole bottle.

Friday:
On the Amtrak Train:
Breakfast: Coffee, fig newtons.
Lunch: Veggie Burger*, Potato Chips, Coffee and Kahlua
Dinner: Veggie Burger*, Coffee
Snacks: Fritos, Wheat Thins and Jalapeno Peppers, Iced Tea & Coffee
Midnite Snack (the train was running 6 hours behind!): Veggie Burger* and Iced Tea

*When riding/dining on the Amtrak, the Veggie Burgers served in the Lounge/Cafe Car are Labeled VEGAN with an ingredients list attached. The Veggie Burgers served in the Dining Car are made with Cheese!!!

Secret Ingredients

Normally I just post pictures of food and recipes, but I thought this was an important subject so here you go. I am also going to permanantly place this list in the sidebar so it is easily accesible.

I just bought "The Vegan Sourcebook" by Jo Stepaniak. It's awesome. It's not a cookbook per say, rather a guidebook to nutrition and veganism. There is a chapter on secret ingredients. ARRRRRGHH! My life is being turned upside down! I thought I was pretty good about sniffing out sneaky animal ingredients, apparently not.

Here is a list of what to avoid, although she does mention some of these ingredients can be sourced from plants or animals. Research them first to make sure. Some of these are obvious, but some are not:

Albumin
Anchovies (duh)
Shortening (can be animal or plant)
Calcium Stearate
Carmine
Cochineal
Capric Acid
Casein
Clarifying Agent, aka fining agent
Diglycerides (can be animal or plant)
Disodium inosinate (can be animal or plant)
Emulsifiers, aka surfactants, wetting agents, surface acting agents (can be animal or plant)
Flavor Enhancers such as disodium guanylate, MSG (can be animal or plant)
Folic Acid (can be animal or plant)
Gelatin (duh again)
Glycerides, mono-,di-, and tri- (can be animal or plant)
Glycerols or Glycerine (can be animal or plant)
Isinglass (except Japanese isinglass which is made from agar)
LactoseLactic Acid, (only if it's synthetic lactonitrile is it vegan)
Lanolin
Lard (another duh)
Lecithin (can be animal or plant) she notes commercially this is mostly made from soybeans, although it can be made from egg yolks
Magnesium Stearate (can be animal or plant)
Monoglycerides (can be animal or plant)
Myristic Acid or Tetradecanoic Acid (can be animal or plant)
Natural Flavorings (can be animal or plant)
Oleic or Oleinic Acid
Palmitic Acid (can be animal or plant)
Pancreatin
Pepsin
Propolis
Rennet
Royal Jelly
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (can be animal or plant)
Stearic Acid or Octadecanoic Acid
Suet
Tallow (Found in many WAX PAPERS!!!)
Vitamin A (can be animal or plant)
Vitamin A2 (can be animal or plant)
Vitamin D (can be animal or plant)
Whey

It's Almost Done!

And will soon be available for download...within the next few weeks. I will keep you posted!

I am so excited!

Here is a Draft of the Cover:





I used ppk'er comments as my testimonials on the back cover. Tee-hee. I guess I should ask these folks if it's ok before I go ahead and publish it.

Just the Food

I started this new blog with only my food posts. I will still put the food posts in my regular blog, but decided to have a food only blog for the rest of the world.