Eat Veg

Discount Profile: Pizzeria Du

Discount: 10% off Tues-Thurs, and Sunday, for take-out or delivery Veg Status: All vegan Location: 536 Queen Street West Who doesn’t love a good pizza with a crispy crust? I certainly do! So I was very excited to hear that Pizzeria Du was participating in LocalLicious in March, and offering a stellar deal of a pizza, appetizer, and pint of gelato for only $34. While Pizzeria Du is of course, known for their pizza, they have quite a few appetizers and salads to choose from so it wasn’t an easy choice! I decided to try something I haven’t had before: panelle. I was super impressed with the crispy fried coating and the brightness of lemon! The wide range of gelato flavours (they have more than 25!) also made for a difficult decision. There are classic flavours like chocolate, mango, or strawberry, and unique ones like tamarind or stout beer. I went for something in middle: hazelnut praline. Of course, the pizza was the star of the show. The Canadian Deluxe was topped with a generous mix of both veggie meats and vegetables! There was veggie pepperoni and ground beef, as well as fresh mushrooms and green peppers. Pizzeria Du makes… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Spring Mix Soup

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  The weather is getting warmer and our meals are getting brighter. The transition from winter to spring means we are able to include more fresh produce as growing season is beginning. One of the earliest and quickest growing produce we have in Ontario is Spring lettuce mix. These adaptable greens can handle cooler temperatures and moist weather. They’re a perfect April ingredient. Spring lettuce mix often includes a variety of greens including, spinach, radicchio, arugula, and frisee. This variety of greens offers a range of different nutrients. The most notable ones being fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Fibre is a powerhouse nutrient in produce with the ability to reduce risk of cancer and chronic disease, including Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found mostly in leafy greens. It helps with blood clotting, wound healing, and can aid in bone health. Vitamin C is also a nutrient that promotes wound healing and skin repair. This means that leafy greens are an essential ingredient for healthy skin. Finally, antioxidants are found in all fruit and vegetables. Their abundance in leafy greens is quite notable. Antioxidants… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Microgreens

Care of Andrea Howe, of Glowing On Greens Microgreens are an exciting, fairly new ingredient to add to our meals. Due to their small size, they are more concentrated, meaning they have higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants when compared to their mature, full grown counterpart. Microgreens come in different varieties, including alfalfa sprouts, broccoli shoots, amaranth, and watercress. They are a crunchy and delicious ingredient to add as a garnish, or to include in salads and sandwiches. Microgreens have become popular due to their beautiful addition to meals, and their nutrient profile. Studies of microgreen have found they have up to 40 times higher the antioxidant level compared to their more mature versions. Higher levels of antioxidants in the diet can lower the risk of many chronic diseases and cancers, including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. These crunchy greens also contain fibre, which can help to lower the risk of various diseases and cancer. Along with benefits to your health, microgreens are a fun way to add an extra element to your dish, along with added benefits to your health. Try using them as a garnish to your soup, stew, or in this Warm Sweet Potato Couscous… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Food of the Month News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Nutrition Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Food and Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Gnocchi

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  When we think of pumpkins, we usually picture it as an October staple served at Thanksgiving, or on our porches for Halloween. However, pumpkins in November are just as acceptable before we make the transition to winter months. Pumpkins are part of the winter squash family, along with spaghetti, acorn, and butternut squash. Its hearty and rich flavour can be used in a variety of recipes including sauces, lattés, or blended into doughs. This versatile vegetable is not only good for autumn recipes, but for its exquisite nutritional profile. Pumpkins get their bright orange colouring from a nutrient called beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is an antioxidant that plays a role in reducing the risk for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Vitamin A is also famous for its benefits to our skin. It can fight free radicals which can contribute to aging, skin damage, and fine-lines. Pumpkin is also low in calories and high in fibre. This means that it is a staple ingredient to be used when trying to lose weight. Fibre helps the body feel full for longer while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Fibre also plays a… Read More

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Butternut Squash Ravioli

Care of Andrea Howe of Glowingongreens.com Autumn is a time that brings warmth into your life through hearty meals, family gatherings, and cozy sweaters. When I think of autumn foods, butternut squash recipes are without a doubt my go-to. Butternut squash is not only good for comforting and warm recipes, but it is packed full of nutrients. Squash is a category of many vegetables, including zucchini, pumpkin, or butternut squash. Their bright orange colour comes from the same nutrient that gives carrots their colouring– carotene! In the body, carotene is converted into Vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, bone health, and immune function. Butternut squash is also packed with vitamin C which aids in immune health, as well as skin and tissue repair. Both vitamin A and C are important to have in the colder months to help keep your immunity strong. Butternut squash contains many antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that can lead to cancer and disease development, one reason consuming at least one green and orange vegetable every day is recommended. Eating a diet rich in orange vegetables, including butternut squash can lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic… Read More

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Discount Profile: Valiant’s Modern Plant-Based Eatery

If you are ever in the Barrie area, or even relatively close by, a great place to stop by for a wonderful meal and some special treats is Valiant’s Modern Plant-Based Eatery. My partner and I were on our way back to Toronto from Muskoka one afternoon and had been looking forward to this stopover for quite some time. Valiant’s certainly did not disappoint! Being in the downtown area, near the waterfront and Heritage Park, makes it the perfect location for an after-meal stroll. The interior space is relaxing, casual, and inviting. They had some great music playing in the background which really created a genuine ambience of friendliness and community. The menu itself was very large and in fact a bit overwhelming! Of course, this is a good thing, since there are so many awesome options to choose from. It all sounded and looked so good, gluten-free and non-gluten free alike! Although the pizza was tempting, we decided to go for the burgers including the bacun cheeze burger…. doubled! This, as it sounds, included 2 patties, 2 bacun strips and 2 cheeze slices. As you can imagine it was extremely filling and tasted… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Basil Pesto

Basil – the famous herb which is likely in everyone’s vegetable garden in the summertime. Basil is known for its fresh and flavourful taste, and is popular in many recipes in Italian and Thai cuisine. The two most common variaties of basil are Genovese basil and Thai basil, however there are well over 15 types. Basil is rich in many vitamins and minerals that can greatly benefit our health. It contains antioxidants, including chlorophyll, giving it that bright green colour. Antioxidants are able to fight free-radical damage, and reduce the risk of cancer cells and diseases from forming. Basil also contains essential oils, which are anti-inflammatory, so it may be beneficial for those with arthritis, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also be helpful for those who experience headaches, poor digestion, or acid reflux. Not only does it contain these powerful nutrients, but it can also be used as a flavour enhancer in cooking, replacing added sugar or salt. Therefore, using basil in your cooking can reduce the amount of unnecessary additional seasoning. Basil can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, sauces, and tea. It’s most popular use is in pesto,… Read More

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August Veg Guide Updates!

Happy August everybody! A short but very sweet update this month, featuring lots of Mexican food, ice cream and savoury pies! How amazing is it that we continue to have great vegan restaurants open, even during a pandemic? Give these places a try, they all sound amazing!    La Bartola Taco Shop 588 College St If you were lucky enough to try La Bartola’s awesome Mexican food at the World Cafe during last year’s Veg Food Fest, you know this new spot in Little Italy is not to be missed! Check out their awesome brunch, or go for dinner and cocktails, there’s an outdoor patio, and indoor seating available!    M1lk Gelato 536 Queen St. W. Operating out of the front of Pizzeria Du, Queen West’s newest vegan pizza joint, M1lk Gelato offers 100% vegan gelato in scoops and cones. Flavours like black & white sesame, hazelnut, coffee, pistachio, and even stout beer are all creamy and delicious!    Mexhico Restaurant 37 Dunlop Street West, Barrie Opening August 28th, this Mexican restaurant in Barrie… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Black Beans

Care of Andrea Howe of glowingongreens.com Beans are certainly a magical fruit due to their nutritional content, but especially the black bean, being a popular legume used all around the world. It can be found in Mexican cuisine, veggie burgers, chilies, and more. Its significance may be deceiving, because even though it’s small, it is packed full of important nutrients. Black beans are famous for their fibre content. Fibre can help regulate stools, lower blood sugars and weight, as well as decrease the risk of heart disease and various cancers including bowel, colon, breast, and prostate. Just one cup of black beans contains 15g of fibre, which is half of your recommended daily intake. Black beans are also full of vitamins, specifically B vitamins. These vitamins, including thiamin and niacin are important for growth and development in children, as well as for our brain health. Finally, black beans are a great source of plant-based protein, as well as rich in iron, with about 4 grams of iron in every cup. This makes them an important ingredient for vegetarians/vegans, women, and infants. The soft texture makes them a great snack for infants, but make sure to add a little lemon juice… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Spinach

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  Spinach, a favourable leafy green, is famous for being packed full of non-heme iron, as well as shrinking down into almost nothing when cooked. This vegetable is unique as its mild flavour can be incorporated into almost every type of dish, from smoothies and green pancakes, to pasta and salads. Not only is it impressively versatile, but it comes with an abundance of nutrients. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, which is especially important for infants, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, and those not eating meat. Iron travels in the blood attached to hemoglobin to help deliver oxygen around the body. It is best absorbed with vitamin C, so add a little lemon or lime juice over your spinach salad for maximum nutrient benefits. Spinach is also packed with potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, and calcium, which are all important nutrients for strong bone health. These nutrients can strengthen bone density and reduce fractures, especially in older adults and women over the age of 50. Spinach loses volume when wilted and condenses, which is the best way to maximize the benefits of these nutrients. Spinach can be found in various forms, such as… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Food of the Month Nutrition Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes