From the FAQ:
Q. What types of materials are used in my design?

A. All of our fabrics are 100% cotton. The insoles and frame of your custom-designed shoes are made of high-quality faux leather (no animal hides here!)

Related Posts

1. Vaute Couture Tour
2. Vegan Sports Gear
3. Fashion is my Girlfriend

My husband and I have long been fans of Mark Bittman, The Minimalist of The New York Times, and I received his How to Cook Everything Vegetarian as a gift. Following Bittman’s usual style, it offers direct yet comprehensive recipe ideas full of ingredient twists, and an overview of tools and other kitchen essentials. The gem of this book is the chart outlining which recipes are vegan, which are quick to prepare, and which are make-ahead meals. I have found that quite a few dishes are vegan save for one ingredient as well, a change I can often make easily. I have also picked up The Vegan Table, The Kind Diet, Breaking the Food Seduction, and I am thinking about The Complete Vegan Kitchen.

I have always enjoyed baking, and I was not quite sure how anything would taste, especially my early attempts, WITHOUT EGGS. Eggs and cream and even cheese are staples in a standard baking pantry. So you can imagine my surprise when I had any success in this area, and I can credit it all to online research. I googled topics as generic as ‘vegan baking’ and ‘egg replacement’ to learn some of the basics. Then I made my searches very specific, first looking for banana muffins and then for chocolate cake. These muffins keep wonderfully and have become a go-to breakfast, and this chocolate cake with frosting were a big hit at my house. (Note to self: I must get to Sticky Fingers ASAP!)

Making my vegan diet work as part of my non-vegan social life is very important to me, so I am now always on the lookout for restaurants that might not seem ‘vegan’ but still have tasty vegan dishes. I have had luck at sushi spots (love Sushi Sushi on Macomb), for example, and several casual spots in town, even chains, should not be ignored, either. My friend kindly thought of Le Pain Quotidien when we were planning a lunch; she loves their fresh ingredients, and she had noticed that they have several vegan dishes on the menu. The key to social success is keeping our eyes open even in non-vegan environments. I am also really looking forward to the next DC Meat-Free Week. The snow kept me home last week, but I am excited to be involved in the future, especially because I already love several of the spots featured in February.

I would love to read about some of your favorite resources. I am also working on a post specifically about great websites for vegans, including folks to follow on twitter. Ideas? Please pass them along. And many thanks for all of the great comments so far!

Related Posts

1. Broke & Vegan
2. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
3. Tears, Shopping, & Morning Meals

DC Meat-Free Week has been a huge success, thank you to everyone who went out and supported the Restaurants and for everyone who helped make it so successful, especially Amber McDonald who I know spent a lot of time on this event. We got press from NBC, VegNews, City Paper, just to name a few. We will be defiantly doing this again in the future, no date set yet, but we will let you know!

To end DC Meat-Free Week we have added one more restaurant, the Science Club for Sunday the 14th. Come out and celebrate with us from 6pm to 3am, for Drinks, delicious Vegan dishes, and music!!!

Sunday, February 14th
Science Club
*Bonus Week End Celebration!*
1136 19th Street, NW
6 p.m. – 3 a.m. — No Reservations Needed
Featuring DJ Meegs vs. Video Killers from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Related Posts

1. DC Meat Free Week
2. One year of DC Vegan Drinks…
3. DC Vegan Drinks, Thursday January 8th

The back of card includes a special note of compassion for passersby outside the restaurant to read—and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these cards will benefit COK’s work on behalf of farmed animals. Each card is just $1.

What better way to show your loved ones—and the animals—how much you care? And while you’re at Sticky Fingers Bakery filling out your “I’m Clucky to Have You” card, be sure to indulge in some deliciousnous, and don’t forget to bring some home to sweets for your sweetie!

Related Posts

1. December DC Vegan Fundraiser for COK
2. sticky fingers bakery! free stuff today, COK benefit tomorrow
3. Weekend Events: July 26-27

Or if you don’t cook and have anything else you want to share let us know!!!!

Stay warm!

Related Posts

1. Veg-Friendly Eats & Drinks on Super Bowl Sunday!
2. Broke and Vegan– part deux
3. Chesapeake “Crab?” Cakes

Photo by Gracy Obuchowicz houndstoothphotography.com

We decided the only solution was to immediately offer Washingtonians the chance to experience amazing greens from some of DC’s most exciting restaurants during a Meat-Free Week.

The schedule is an impressive one! The restaurants participating in DC’s inaugural Meat-Free Week include RAMMY Award Winners, America’s first certified organic restaurant, the 2009 OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice Winner, and Washington City Paper’s 2009 Best Bakery and Best Vegan Restaurant. One restaurant boasts 32 secret doors. The First Lady has dined at two of the restaurants on the list, and the President even joined her at one.

Two of the restaurants are debuting new vegan menus, and one is offering discounted rates off their regular prices. Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder, will be attending dinner one night. And two of the events are fundraisers, including one with all profits donated to Haitian relief.

THE SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 6th
Great Sage – RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER
*New Vegan Menu!*
Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD
Gene Baur dinner moved to Saturday, February 27th.
Regular dinner option moved to Saturday, February 13th.

Sunday, February 7th
My Little Bistro – OPENING AT NOON TODAY
*New Vegan Menu!*
353 Cedar St., NW
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — No Reservations Needed

DC Vegan Bake Sale to benefit the victims of Haiti – RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER
Falls Plaza Giant, 1230 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Stay tuned for further details!

Monday, February 8th
The Mansion on O Street – *$5 Off Lunch or O’Dinnertini for Meat-Free Week Participants!*
2020 O St., NW
12 p.m. – 2 p.m — Lunch Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/lunch
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. — O’Dinnertini Reservations required at http://www.omansion.com/martini
**To receive the discount note “$5 Off Meat-Free Special” in Additional Comments of Reservation**

Tuesday, February 9th
Sticky Fingers Bakery to benefit Compassion Over Killing
1370 Park Rd., NW
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. — No Reservations Needed

Wednesday, February 10th
Busboys & Poets
All Locations!
8 a.m. – Midnight — No Reservations Needed
*Updated hours!*

Photo by Gracy Obuchowicz houndstoothphotography.com

Thursday, February 11th
The Source
575 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended

Friday, February 12th
Restaurant Nora
2132 Florida Ave., NW
5:30-10:30 — Reservations Recommended

Saturday, February 13th
Great Sage – *New Vegan Menu!*
Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Reservations Recommended

Sunday, February 14th
Science Club
*Bonus Week End Celebration!*
1136 19th Street, NW
6 p.m. – 3 a.m. — No Reservations Needed
Featuring DJ Meegs vs. Video Killers from 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.

How To Enjoy DC Meat-Free Week

Q: Why should I participate in Meat-Free Week?
A: At the same time that you improve your own health, you’ll benefit the planet, lessen animal suffering, and enjoy some of DC’s very best restaurants!

Q: To be a part of Meat-Free Week, do I have to attend every event?
A: Feel free to treat yourself to as little or as much delicious meat-free food as you want. You can come one day, but you’ll probably be tempted to come all seven…

Q: Can anyone come to the events, and do I need to R.S.V.P. in advance?
A: Meatatarians, carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and all others are welcome to attend any part of Meat-Free Week. The schedule indicates when reservations are recommended or required.

Q: How does Meat-Free Week work once I get to a restaurant?
A: The same as any other visit to one of these great locations! Dine with your party and order as you wish. When in attendance, your Meat-Free Week organizers will try to make themselves known. Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us what meat-free options you enjoyed.

Q: What does it cost to participate in Meat-Free Week?
A: We’ve provided you with a fabulous schedule of restaurants, but what you spend is entirely up to you. Treat yourself to a cupcake or indulge in a full tasting menu.

Image from Vaute Couture vautecouture.com

Q: Any advice?
A: Be adventurous. Try a restaurant you’ve never experienced before. Order a dish that you’ve never heard of. Or, order a favorite dish prepared in a new way. Expand your horizons. Bring a friend. Come alone and talk to your neighbors. Remember, you can win friends with salad.

Q: Are there plans for another Meat-Free Week in the future?
A: In 2009, Compassion Over Killing seized upon Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin’s idea to have a vegetarian week in Takoma Park, and Mayor Bruce Williams signed a proclamation establishing April 24-30 as Takoma Park Veg Week. As a result of the very successful celebration, Sen. Raskin is still a vegetarian! Compassion Over Killing will host another Veg Week in April 2010.

Q: What if I want to make every week Meat-Free Week?
A: Check VegDC.com for help finding even more veg-friendly options in DC. Or, contact any of the below organizations for information on the joys of embracing a veggie lifestyle!

Find DC Meat Free Week on Facebook

Sponsored by

Media inquiries related to DC Meat-Free Week can be directed to Amber McDonald.
202-631-0569 ~ amber.l.mcdonald@gmail.com ~ Twitter @AmberMcD

Related Posts

1. DC Meat-Free Week SUCCESS!!!
2. sticky fingers bakery! free stuff today, COK benefit tomorrow
3. What are you doing for World GO VEGAN days?

Tim
tim@dcvegan.com

Related Posts

1. Vegan Bake Sale-this Sunday!
2. Some Vegan Bake Sale Action!
3. Vegan Bake Sale this Saturday

For some people, this is not an issue.

But for those of us who are new to being vegan and who are not surrounded by vegans on a day-to-day basis, it can be hard to say to people, ‘Hey, I have made a decision that you might not understand at all and that changes my life rather significantly. Hope you like it!’

I have told some people: my husband (obviously), friends, colleagues. Without fail, I hear two questions: (1) Why? and (2) What do you eat?

These questions are usually not meant to be aggressive, but rather inquisitive. Once I answer the first question (why?), the discussion invariably turns not just to what I eat, but to what I eat in comparison to what they eat.

People start thinking about food substitutes: What about burgers? And cheese? And omelets? And pizza? They jump to what they think I am missing. They are surprised when I tell them that I am not concerned with food replacement. I am not interested in making a faux grilled cheese sandwich, or faux eggs, or faux anything. I am interested in healthy vegan meals that are tasty and have a lot of flavor. I do not expect my meals to taste like anything else. People are surprised to hear it, but I have found that it helps them to understand how eating this way can be enjoyable. They would not expect Chinese food to taste like a traditional Italian meal, but they can enjoy both equally.

As humans, we are naturally concerned with social ostracism, but to be successful making this change, we really need people on our side — and that means communicating in a way that allows them to support us. People in my life are terrifically supportive, but even I need to be prepared for the questions. My approach: start with sure-win audiences; be polite, patient, and relaxed; know what you want to say; have no expectations; and take ownership of your decisions.

With a gentle introduction, a lot of people are actually very interested in talking about conscious consumption — and ‘You’re doing what?’ can become ‘Good for you and good luck.’

Related Posts

1. I Want to Be a Vegan
2. the underappreciated salad
3. Zpizza has vegan pizza!

Related Posts

1. Green Bean Casserole
2. A New Java Green?
3. A BUNCH of NEW Vegan Items at Great Sage

I have spent much of my time over the past week reading. And watching. And listening. People have been incredibly supportive and have shared so many terrific ideas and resources. At times I have felt uplifted, excited about the changes I am making — and many times, frankly, I have just wanted to cry. I had thought about animal rights before this past week, but, apparently, I had not REALLY thought about them.

I was expecting it to take quite some time for my perspective to change. I was expecting to look at chicken and shrimp and even hamburgers — and want to eat them. I was expecting to want to eat pizza and ice cream and goat cheese. I knew that I wanted to be a vegan, but I was expecting it to be difficult, mentally. Instead, my mind has already started to focus on what I will be eating as a vegan, rather than what I am not eating. Cravings might come later, and I am still a work in progress, but I was surprised that I am more ready than I expected to be.

From a practical standpoint, buying food is now a different experience. In the past, shopping was simple: I knew what I needed and where it was in my preferred markets. But now I am not as familiar with my ingredients and options, so instead of trying to cover everything for a week in one big trip, I am going to the market with much more frequency.

Recipes and articles about vegan cooking are inspiring to me, so I now shop with a couple of specific items in mind (eg, ingredients for vegan quesadillas), and then I wander through the aisles. I look at items that I may not have purchased in the past, just letting myself be open to new foods and flavors. By taking the potential stress or pressure out of the situation, I have been able to enjoy it.

The challenge of the week has been breakfast. I do not want my usual (in the past) breakfast of Special K with skim milk, but I do not want to eat oatmeal every day, either. I love breakfast, and brunch is my favorite meal. I need to come up with some great morning ideas — or those cravings really might happen.

Related Posts

1. Resources for New Vegans
2. April 22 is Vegan Day at Bread & Brew!
3. Things that make me go…arrrrggghh!