-Cuisine | Veggin' Out And About

Red Lentil – Eclectic Vegan & Vegetarian Food At Its Best In Watertown, MA!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 12, 2014 in Vegan, Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly, Watertown | 0 comments

by Pegge Bochynski

Located on the Charles River, six miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts, Watertown is one of the oldest cities in the state and boasts a distinctive multicultural population. Armenian, Irish, Italian, Canadian, and Greek immigrants have enriched the town’s history—and cuisine—and the main street is dotted with ethnic restaurants and markets. Red Lentil stands out, however, as the only eatery in Watertown dedicated to serving vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free foods. Inspired by the ethnic diversity of the city, master chef Pankaj Pradhan creates delicious dishes drawn from Indian, Moroccan, Mexican, Italian, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cultures.

Red Lentil Exterior

Because we are amateur genealogists, we frequently visit Mount Auburn Cemetery, a national historic site located about a mile down the street from Red Lentil. We had heard glowing reports of the restaurant, so we decided to check it out after our morning walk at Mount Auburn. Our friends’ recommendations were not exaggerated. (more…)

Plant – A Paragon of Plant-Based Cuisine in Asheville, NC!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 7, 2014 in Asheville, NC, Eclectic, I-240, I-26, I-40, Organic and/or Non-GMO, Plant, Vegan | 4 comments

By Danielle Bussone

Plant-based is the name of the game in this all vegan restaurant in Asheville, NC. Everything in this restaurant is plant-based, hence the name, Plant. There are no animal products of any kind available in this cruelty-free, environmentally friendly and health conscious establishment. Of particular note, there are no genetically modified products in any of the foods prepared at Plant.

Plant Interior

Plant management has made a commitment to use only the finest ingredients available. Therefore, much of what you are served will be organic, to the extent it is available, and are sourced as much as possible from local farmers. Chef and co-owner, Jason Sellers, is fanatical about finding organic, quality ingredients. He has been instrumental in convincing other local chefs to buy organic products so that food venders will readily carry them. (more…)

VeGAL – Vegan Girl Athletes Unite!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 5, 2014 in Features, Living Plant-Strong! Profiles & Articles, Vegan | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

What is a VeGal and Why Would Anyone Want To Be One?

“VeGAL,” according to founder Andrea Medalie, “captures the essence of the female as it pertains to health, nutrition, fitness, beauty. As women, we have our own set of unique issues. VeGAL deals with issues and concerns unique to women. It is a delicate balance at best. When you factor in our plant-based diets, our health issues and nutritional needs along with our strong beliefs pertaining to animal rights and the environment, it becomes very complex. We need to have a resource in which women can come together, unite and offer each other support, information and inspiration.”

VeGAL embodies women of all ages, all disciplines, all levels, and all sizes who want to maintain a healthy vegan lifestyle and remain active.

Andrea Medalie – Original VeGAL

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Fern – Flavors From The Garden – A Vegetarian Gem In Charlotte, NC

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 5, 2014 in Charlotte, NC, Eclectic, Fern, I-277, I-77, I-85, Organic and/or Non-GMO, Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

The first time we visited Fern was during the Charleston Vegetarian Festival last summer. It was a blistering day and our beloved monster, Phoenix, was feeling the heat. We noticed the building as we were driving through town and it happened to be within walking distance of the festival. With covered out-door seating and entirely vegetarian, it seemed to be just the ticket. Phoenix settled down at the foot of our table and the waitress was kind enough to fill her dish with water. I had the Om Burger and I cannot for the life of me remember what Rich had. I can tell you that it was all delicious and I am filled with guilt every time I think about it. We had every intention of writing a review of Fern then but as it sometimes happens, life got in the way and Fern continued to slip farther back on our “to do” list. Recently, en-route to Charleston we decided to give Fern another try.

Fern: Flavors From The Garden Vegetarian Restaurant

Fern: Flavors From The Garden Vegetarian Café

Fern is a charming café with lots of tables and bustling activity. When we were seated we were brought a glass of water infused with cucumbers. This was an unexpected and delightfully refreshing treat! I remember how welcome that was on our parched first visit to Fern.

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A Vegan Dog Food? You Bet Your Pooch & Planet!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Feb 3, 2014 in Features, Living Plant-Strong! Profiles & Articles, Vegan | 2 comments

by Danielle Bussone

When a vegan friend harassed me into trying v-dog, a non-GMO, vegan dog food, I was more than a little skeptical. It seemed to me that it was animal activism taken a bit too far. Don’t dogs require meat to survive? The answer came as a surprise. They don’t, actually.

v-dog 20 lb. bag

In fact, two papers which were published in 2013, roughly three months apart, one from the University of California at Davis (one of the leading veterinary schools in the country) and the other from the University of Uppsala, in Sweden, came to the same conclusion. Modern dogs, the product of 14,000 years of evolution, have developed an enzyme composition which allows them to digest starch. Wolves do not share this trait. Wolves, like cats, are true carnivores. Unlike their wolf ancestors, dogs are omnivores. They cannot only survive, but thrive, on a plant-based diet.

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Dell’z Vibez – Smoothie and Juice Bar In Downtown Charleston, SC!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jan 31, 2014 in Charleston, I-26, Juice Bars, Vegan | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Just around the corner from Dell’z Diner you’ll find Dell’z Vibez (Vibes), a bustling smoothie and juice bar owned and managed by Dell’z daughter, Nicole (Nikki) Brown. Nikki, as it turns out, is Holistic Health Practitioner, a Certified Raw Foods Chef and Teacher.

Rich and I waddled in after stuffing ourselves at Dell’z Deli and couldn’t resist ordering something to drink. Nikki recommended something light which would help us to digest the heavy meal we had just consumed.

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