News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association

Veg Out 485: Montreal Vegan Festival 2020

https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/VegOut20201031.mp3 On today’s show we will be talking about the Montreal Vegan Festival (Festival végane de Montréal). Our guests are Alexandre Gagnon, the president and one of the founders of the Montreal Vegan Festival, and Nafsika Antypas, TV host, executive producer, writer, author, and entrepreneur. While, like every social event this year, the Festival has switched to a virtual format, you can visit their website starting this weekend to check out a variety of speakers, cooking demos, roundtable discussions, and even sanctuary visits! Don’t speak French? No problem: all of the programming will be translated and subtitled. Links Montreal Vegan Festival Nafsika’s Website Nafsika’s Youtube Channel Meat the Future documentary on CBC Gem Credits Hosts: Steve and Sweta Guests: Nafsika Antypas and Alexandre Gagnon Editing: Sweta Blurb: Sarah Bradley Theme Music: Matt Judge… Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

Veg Out 484: Octogenarian Vegetarian Part 2

Thursday October 1st, 2020 was World Vegetarian Day. It was also the 80th birthday of our podcast host and volunteer Steve Beiko! In this second part of a two part interview, we learn about Steve’s athleticism, activism, and what veg life was like in the 1980’s and 1990’s. You can contribute to the TVA through our Steppin’ the Beet campaign, or support the future of Veg Food Fest here, and consider donating 80 dollars on behalf of Steve’s 80th birthday! You can write that in under “additional comments.” https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Veg-Out-Octo-Veg-Part-2.mp3  … Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

Veg Out 483: Octogenarian Vegetarian

Thursday October 1st, 2020 was World Vegetarian Day. It was also the 80th birthday of our podcast host and volunteer Steve Beiko! In this first part of a two part interview, we learn how Steve celebrated his birthday, and we chat about his early life as a vegetarian in the 60’s, and how he transitioned into veganism in the early 80’s. You can contribute to the TVA through our Steppin’ the Beet campaign, or support the future of Veg Food Fest here, and consider donating 80 dollars on behalf of Steve’s 80th birthday! You can write that in under “additional comments.” https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Veg-Out-Oct-3.mp3 Also mentioned: The 10th Annual Lisa Grill Compassion for Animals Award Ceremony  … Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

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

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

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

Filed under: Discount profiles Eat Veg elifelines News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Toronto Veg Blog Uncategorised

Veg Out 482: Virtual Veg Food Fest

https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/VegOut20200919.mp3 This year Veg Food Fest went virtual! Your friendly Veg Out hosts collectively watched nearly all of the online programming and have lots to share (in case you missed it, don’t worry: you can still catch all the online talks and panels at vegfoodfest.com for one more week). From the positive health impacts of a plant-based diet to building community through vegan social groups to youth activism, there are more possibilities than ever to bring veganism from the personal to the political and from your home to the broader community – whether that is virtual or in-person. Want to share your impressions, inspirations, and questions about Veg Food Fest programming? Did you host a Zoom viewing party with friends, fuelled by all your favourite vegan snacks? Tag us on Twitter or Instagram @TorontoVeg – we’d love to hear from you. Links Vegan Idioms TVA on Instagram TVA on Twitter Watch Veg Food Fest Content Credits Hosts: Steve, Sarah and Sweta Show Summary: Sarah Bradley Editing: Sweta Theme Music: Matt Judge… Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

Veg Out 481: Fast Food

https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/VegOut20200905.mp3 We’re just a week away from Veg Food Fest! Whet your appetite with this episode all about fast food from a vegan point of view. We are lucky to have a bevy of delicious (and sometimes nutritious) vegan fast food options in the GTA, but it’s not always easy to find them elsewhere, especially on road trips or in more rural communities (“cheese isn’t vegan?”). Hosts Sweta and Steve and special guest Barbi also share their thoughts on cross-contamination in restaurants, which is an interesting topic as more omnivore restaurants start to offer plant-centred meals. Plus, get a preview of what to expect at the virtual edition of Veg Food Fest, happening September 11-13. While it may not be quite the same as roaming around the Harbourfront Centre, we’ve planned quite the lineup of interactive events. Links Veg Fast Food Listing Animalkind, Ingrid Newkirk’s new book Veg Food Fest is coming soon – with a virtual twist. Mark your calendars for September 11 to 13 and get all the details on this year’s event! Credits Hosts: Steve, Sweta and Barbi Show Summary: Sarah Bradley Editing: Sweta Theme Music: Matt Judge… Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

September Veg Guide Updates

Hi Everyone! Welcome to September, time for back to school, Veg Food Fest, sweaters, pumpkin spice, and open windows. It’s not exactly the same as normal, but like any other month, there’s a few great new vegan restaurants to check out! Abu hummus 199 Baldwin Street.  Kensington Market has a new hummus restaurant, and it looks great! Abu Hummus serves up hummus as a meal, loaded with toppings like cauliflower, falafel, fries, or mushrooms. Vegan options are clearly marked, and there’s a bunch of them, as you’d expect from a hummus restaurant.    Chay Viet Vegetarian Ghost Kitchen (delivery or pickup only from 380 Dundas W.)  This new Vietnamese spot is a ghost kitchen–a restaurant that operates on delivery platforms only inside another restaurant. But they make great Vietnamese food, if you live near Dundas and McCaul, or you want to have a picnic in Grange Park.    localEats.to Pizzeria Du, Parka, Mugi, and others have banded together to form their own food delivery service! Order from these businesses from localEats to help businesses keep a bigger cut… Read More

Filed under: Front page post News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised Veg Directory Updates

Veg Out 480: Melissa James from Eastend Vegan

On this episode, Jeanette chats with Melissa James, the founder of Eastend Vegan. Melissa shares her vegan journey, how she crafts her almond cheese, being vegan in Scarborough, and previews some exciting new products that will be debuting at the Virtual Veg Food Fest. https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Veg-Out-East-End-Vegan.mp3 Check out Eastend Vegan on their website, Instagram or on Facebook. Virtual Veg Food Fest will be happening from September 11 to 13 at vegfoodfest.com.      … Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast

Veg Out 479: Virtual Veg Fest Preview with Ana!

This week, Steve and Jeanette welcome former host and RC volunteer Ana back to the show! Steve gives us a review of La Bartola, Jeanette shouts out two east side vegan businesses that have reopened, and Ana discovers a new vegan cheese. We also get an update from Ana on being vegan in Guelph, and all three preview the virtual Virtual Veg Food Fest. https://veg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Veg-Out-Aug-23-Virtual-Veg-Food-Fest.mp3   Mentioned on the podcast: La Bartola Lettie’s Vegan Fine Foods (new vegan cheese alert!) Animal Liberation Kitchen Tori’s Bakeshop Eastend Vegan Withrow Park Farmers’ Market Guelph Vegan Socials Crazy Carrot Nora Cooks… Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Resource Centre Toronto Vegetarian Podcast