Vegetarian restaurants

Bombay Delights (Newin Centre Mall, Hurrontario & Dundas, Mississauga, 905-803-9755) is a new vegetarian South Indian food-court eatery serving dosas, chaats, uttapam, a Thali plate (full meal), idli, puris, the Bombay Veggie Burger, lassis and ice cream. Hours: Tue-Sun noon-8:30pm, Fri-Sat to 9pm. Closed Mon.

King’s Cafe‘s (192 Augusta Ave) renovation has taken longer than expected, but they should reopen very soon with a sleek new design.

Fresh (three locations in Toronto, www.freshrestaurants.ca) has added sound muting. From their December e-newletter: “...we installed sound panels at Fresh on Bloor and they have reduced the noise levels dramatically.“ Fresh has also added some ways to save money. There are now two vegan soups on the menu, plus the addition of a new cup-size. On weekdays, they have meal deals: one main and one juice are offered at half price each day, while quantities last.

Meal delivery, vegan pet food and a new group

Veggie D'Light (www.veggie-dlight.com, 647-349-8223) is a new weekly vegetarian/vegan meal delivery and catering service run by Peter and Natasha. Vegetarians for over 20 years, they had been informally catering for friends and family for years. Natasha writes: “The response was always how amazing the food was, and that we should open a business. So we started Veggie D’Light. We saw a need for a delicious, balanced, plant based diet that can be enjoyed in the company of loved ones, within the comfort of home.“ Many organic ingredients used.

Green Leaf Vegan Distribution (www.greenleafvegandist.com, 905-882-1331) sells nutritionally complete 100% vegan pet food for dogs and cats. See their website for a list of stores that carry it.

Hamilton Vegetarian Society (www.hamiltonveg.ca) is a new group in Hamilton. They network with the community and promote local sustainable food choice. Their website includes: events, local veggie restaurants and food stores, recipes, articles and much more.

Options at non-vegetarian restaurants

Basil Thai, Bloom Cafe, Clintons, Na Deul Mok, Kelseys and Ginger Taste of Health

Today John and Colleen discuss the vegan chilli cookoff.  Colleen reports that there were sixteen different kinds of chilli - enough to satisfy everybody.  She also reports that it was quite busy which is a great sign that there'll be a third annual event next year.

John discusses Brendan Brazier's new book.  Colleen and John talk about how great it is when a waiter uses the word "vegan" before you do.  The vegetarian food bank is also talked about and the resource centre is still accepting non-perishable food items on their behalf.

This week's podcast is a huzzah -inducing 26 minutes.

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Today Angelina and John are full of beans.  More specifically, Angelina responds to Colleen's question from a few weeks back about how to properly make beans from scratch as opposed to buying the canned version.

The two also talk about the vegetarian directory update in the latest issue of Lifelines.  Both Angelina and John are impressed that there is a 100% vegetarian pizza place in Brampton that uses rennet-free cheese and they also have vegan options.  Speaking of Lifelines, you should really sign-up for the new E-lifelines .

The co-hosts are going to spend the rest of the afternoon watching A Delicate Balance.  If you haven't seen it yet please put it on your list of things to do.  Watching this movie is a good excuse to stay indoors and avoid the cold, but if you've been exposed to the dry air you maybe battling chapped lips.  John recommends using Avalon Organics vitamin C lip balm as a cure.  Angelina suggests beating the cold by testing out your own favourite vegan chilli recipes in preparation for the vegan chilli cook-off.

You may also want to check-out the latest issue of Veg News as Angelina has an article in the magazine about how a vegetarian diet relates to longer quantity and quality of life. 

This podcast is a sprouted 23 minutes.

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Today John, Colleen and Liam discuss Ethiopian food and the Blog T.O. top ten Ethiopian restaurants in Toronto. There were some agreements and disagreemens from the co-hosts, but they all agreed on one thing: Ehiopian food is A-O.K.

They also discuss their excitement over the upcoming 2nd Annual Vegan Chilli Cook-off. This will be taking place on January the 31st.

Colleen and John talk about their recent experience of eating at Urban Herbivore when a woman wearing a full-length fur coat walked in the restaurant. Both John and Colleen had to pick their jaws up off the floor (just as I typed that sentence someone walked into the resource centre wearing a fur coat. Ugh!).

This week's Question of the Week delves into the subject of placenta. This topic of conversation is definitely a podcast first.

Ruffage dog treats were a part of the discussion too as John and Liam were able to interview the co-founder (Jason) and talk to him about his products.

On a sad note a TVA member recently lost her dog in the High Park area. For more information and to see if you can help out please click here.

This podcast is a placenta-free 36 minutes.

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Join the Toronto Vegetarian Association

With holiday feasts just around the corner, what better time to inspire people to opt for healthier, greener, more peaceful food choices when celebrating with friends and family.

Your generous contributions to the Toronto Vegetarian Association have already begun educating and supporting thousands of people in the greater Toronto area, with more than 1000 people taking the Veggie Challenge in 2008 alone! Thank you for your support!

With a fresh new Board of Directors, a new Special Events and Sponsorship Coordinator and new programs planned for 2009, the Toronto Vegetarian Association is building momentum towards a truly food-savvy city. We hope you’ll make a donation to TVA this holiday season so that we can keep this momentum going in the new year!

We’ve got plenty of ideas for 2009 – such as a candlelit Earth Hour Dinner, a comprehensive Diabetes Education Program and celebration plans for the 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair! But we need your support to turn these dreams into reality.

Please consider making a gift to the Toronto Vegetarian Association this holiday season, on behalf of farm animals, the environment and your own personal health. We thank you for your donations and your efforts towards inspiring people to choose a healthier, greener and more peaceful lifestyle.

Today John's flying solo for the podcast, but that doesn't mean that there's not a lot to talk about.

There's a new documentary which has been recently published called "A Delicate Balance - The Truth" which focuses on human health (or lackthereof) and how people can restore their health through the foods they eat and how our food choices impact upon our environment. The film links animal agriculture to climate change. You can view the trailer here. There's a long list of individuals connected to the vegetarian movement in this film. You can watch the full documentary on-line for $4.95 (U.S. Dollars)

There are some products that you may consider picking up in the not-too-distant future. If you've got a health-conscious active individual to buy a present for consider picking up Brendan Brazier's new book Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide. If that person's a little smelly after their workouts consider buying Organic Grooming by Herban Cowboy Dusk Deodorant - Angeline strongly recommends it. Angeline also wants to plug Nature's Gate Organics Lavender and Aloe Deodorant (for the ladies). There are also some hair products that are apparently a sure fire hit (Live Clean Green Earth and orgnx) both of which will make you feel real purty (pretty) while also appealing to your animal welfare ethics.

Lastly it should be mentioned that it's time to get out that old world chilli recipe and veganize it. The Left Feet vegan chilli cook-off is just around the corner. Here's a little reminder of what this is all about from last year's festivities.

The next podcast will be posted on January 10, 2009. Have a great holiday!

This podcast is a short and sweet 12 minutes.

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Whether it is Christmas, Chanukah, Solstice, or Kwanzaa – enjoy a vegetarian feast. We have links to the best recipes, tips on what to serve, gift suggestions, and E-card links. Plus, how to avoid stress when vegetarians and meat eaters will be at the same meal.

Below are some of the latest vegetarian-friendly discoveries and updates.

New vegetarian restaurants

Rainbow Tree Healthy Deli (925 Yonge St, n. of Davenport, 647-427-4758) serves quick and healthy vegetarian meals to go including Asian and western-style deli sandwiches with mock meats, salad rolls, salads, bagels with tofu cream "cheese", hot combo specials, etc. Breakfast items are served all day including omelet sandwiches (vegan version available), spelt muffins, scones, spanakopeta, croissants, apple walnut turnovers and more. They also sell mock meats from a freezer. Everything is egg-free and mostly vegan. Take-out only, but they do have a couple of stools if you ask. Biodegradable take-out containers and cutlery. Very friendly service.

The Jasmine Garden (10 Meadowglen Dr, Unit #2, Whitby, 905-493-1967) offers an international parade of curry, stir-fry, and pasta dishes. Most entrees are vegan and many are gluten-free. A separate lunch menu features quick items.

Khalsa Pizza (470 Chrysler Dr, Unit 7, Brampton, www.khalsapizza.com, 905-799-1800) is a 100% vegetarian pizza place with rennet-free cheese and vegan options. Delivery, take-out and eat-in counter.

Restaurant renovations

Camros Organic Eatery (25 Hayden St, www.camroseatery.com, 416-960-0723) has doubled in size. There are now several tables to eat at. They have also opened a second location at Sheppard and Leslie. See Camros at CCNM.

King’s Cafe (192 Augusta Ave, s. of Baldwin, 416-591-1340) is closed for renovations and will reopen with a brand new design around Christmas or early January.

Toronto's first all-vegan store

Panacea (588 Bloor St W, w. of Bathurst, 647-350-3269 www.panaceaecoshop.com) offers a completely vegan grocery section including refrigerated and frozen products. The store also carries vegan snacks (such as marshmallows and smores), cosmetics, fair trade clothing, environmental products, ArkII's animal rights merchandise and more. There is no need to read ingredient labels when shopping here!

Year-round farmers' markets

The Green Barn Farmers’ Market (76 Wychwood, s. of St Clair at Christie) is now open year-round (Saturdays 9am-noon) in the new Artscape Wychwood Barns project. This former TTC maintainance barn has become a multifaceted community centre with arts and culture, environmental leadership, a year-round greenhouse and affordable housing. The market features fresh produce, honey, artisan cheese, prepared foods, mushrooms, wild foods and more. There is also music, children's play areas, hot lunch food made from market ingredients, and food demonstrations, all in a historical setting.

Other year-round farmers' markets include Dufferin Grove (Thursday 3-7pm),
St. Lawrence Market (Saturday mornings) and The Village Market in Thornhill (Saturdays 8:30am-1:30pm). See our farmers’ markets page for details.

New cooking class

Fully Nourished (Near Bayview and York Mills, www.fullynourished.ca, 416-449-4476) offers natural, organic and whole foods cooking classes. Held on weeknights between 6:30 and 9:30pm, each $80 class includes eight recipes and dinner.

Planet Organic Market has two new locations

This natural food store chain now has locations in Thornhill (8190 Bayview Ave, s. of 407, 905-886-0045) and Vaughan (8020 Bathurst St, s. of 407, 905-707-5303). They offer packaged and bulk foods and a deli. Open daily.

Raw food supplies

877MyJuicer.com (www.877myjuicer.com, 877-695-8423) sells juicers, blenders, food dehydrators, wheatgrass juicers, grain mills, air purifiers and more.

New discount offers

Rainbow Tree Healthy Deli is offering 5% off (10% with min. $10 purchase) and Fully Nourished Cooking Classes is offering discount cardholders 20% off. See descriptions above.

Prerna (790 Broadview Ave, at Danforth, 416-800-3004) is Magic Oven’s new Indian restaurant. They offer a full dinner menu that is mostly vegetarian with vegan options. 10% discount for cardholders. Tony writes: “The food is simple and wholesome (no grease floating around), and we use many locally-grown ingredients – we are committed to offering LFP certified produce. We have some great lunch specials starting from $7.“

LPK’s Culinary Groove (718 Queen St E, at Broadview, 416-461-6440) is a new bakery with organic cakes, pastries and chocolates. Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free desserts are available. 10% discount for cardholders.

The Green Barn Farmers’ Market
76 Wychwood (s. of St Clair at Christie)
greenbarnfarmersmarket.org

The Green Barn Farmers’ Market is now open year-round (Saturdays May-Oct 8am-noon outside, Nov-Apr 9am-noon indoors) in the new Artscape Wychwood Barns project. This former TTC maintainance barn has become a multifaceted community centre with arts and culture, environmental leadership, a year-round greenhouse and affordable housing. The local and mostly-organic market features fresh produce, honey, artisan cheese, prepared foods, mushrooms, wild foods and more.

Continue reading for more photos and information.

In connection to the launch of the new book, The Raw Food Revolution Diet: Feast, Lose Weight, Gain Energy, Feel Younger (by Davis, Melina and Soria), two events have been announced in Toronto and London this week!

A raw foods evening will take place on Thursday November 27th in London, Ontario that will include tips about raw diets, as well as a cooking demonstration.

A one-day workshop will take place this Sunday November 30 in Toronto that will include practical information and guidance about becoming raw or simply introducing more raw foods into your diet, including dozens of culinary presentations. 

View their flyer (1.1 mb pdf) for more information.

Khalsa Pizza
470 Chrysler Dr, Unit 7, Brampton, 905-799-1800
www.khalsapizza.com

A new vegetarian pizza place has opened in Brampton with rennet-free cheese and vegan options. They offer delivery, take-out and an eat-in counter. The place is family-owned and offers lots of fresh toppings including various veggies, olives, tofu, paneer, hot peppers, veggie pepperoni, veggie ground beef, etc. Free toppings include coriander, ginger, garlic, chili flakes and more. Choice of crusts include classic, thin and stuffed. A whole wheat crust is $2 extra. Specials are available.
~~Hours: Sun-Wed 10:30am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-midnight.