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September Veg Guide Updates!

Welcome to September! You know what that means; Veg Food Fest is a week away! We can’t wait to see you all at the Harbourfront Centre from Sept 6-8th to eat all your favourite things, but if you can’t wait for that, here’s what’s new and vegan in Toronto this month! Arvinda’s Square One, The Food District, 100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga. Square One mall in Mississauga has a fancy new food district, and in it you can find Arvinda’s spice blends, and a chai bar. Make your curries and other cooking even better with one of their blends! 2-4-1 Pizza Various GTA locations 2-4-1 Pizza is the newest pizza chain to introduce plant based meats and cheese. They have pre-made options, but here at the TVA office we’re fans of their Detroit-Style deep dish pizzas with vegan cheese and meat! Give it a try next time you’re looking for pizza and aren’t in the neighbourhood of one of the vegan faves. Starbucks Various GTA locations After what seems like forever, Starbucks is starting to roll out vegan foods. They now have a yogurt parfait available with fruit on the bottom, and granola… Read More

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

Discount Profile: Community Restaurant

Looking for a classy, sit-down restaurant with lots of space where you can meet friends for a hearty brunch or chow down on comfort food classics for dinner? Community Restaurant in Oakville is the perfect place, and as of September, they now give TVA members 10% off too! I was really impressed when I first walked in at just how bright and beautiful the space was, the ceiling topped with chandeliers and gorgeous artwork on the wall. But of course, my eyes soon shifted to the menu. We were there at brunch, and overwhelmed by the choices! My partner and I had just finished a long bike ride, so we wanted something warm and filling that would re-fuel us before our long ride back home. We ordered the chef’s omelette, which came with a really great chunky home fries, perfectly browned on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. The omelette itself was filled with a generous portion of wilted spinach, caramelized onions, and plenty of vegan cheese. We balanced this with a sweet dish as well: the mighty stack of creme brulee pancakes! Imagine several fluffy pancakes, topped with caramelized bananas, blueberry compote, and creamy nut butter. I… Read More

Filed under: Discount profiles Eat Veg Uncategorised

September 2019 Social Group Events

NEW TVA Social Group: Vegan Crafters! A group for vegans/vegetarians who knit, sew, quilt, cross-stitch, or anything else! Come to a meetup, bring your project, and hang out with fellow veg crafters! Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/vegancrafters or email crafters@veg.ca to find out about their first event. Veggie Movie Group The Veggie Movie Group is meeting up at a screening of Game Changes on hereMonday, September 16th at Cineplex Varsity. Click to RSVP on Facebook but also don’t forget to secure your tickets for the screening in advance, as it will likely sell out! Toronto Veg Families It’s time for the third annual vegan marshmallow roast! This year’s event is Saturday, September 14th at 3:30 pm in Greenwood Park. Click here for details on Facebook and to RSVP. Click here to RSVP on Facebook. Veggies of Hamilton-Burlington It’s time for an adventure! Join Veggies of Hamilton-Burlington for Tree Top Trekking on Sunday, September 29th at 10 am, followed by lunch (restaurant TBD). The tree-top trekking will take place at inbrook Conservation area, 5050 Harrison Rd (opened in May 2019). RSVP or ask for more details at hamiltonburlington@veg.ca. Read More

Filed under: News Uncategorised

August Veg Guide Updates!

It’s August! We’re one month out from Veg Food Fest, but have some great new things being served up in Toronto to hold you over until then! JUST Egg The most exciting thing that I have to report on this month is the launch of JUST Egg in Canada! We know that right now it’s available at most Tim Horton’s in Kitchener/Waterloo, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan and we hope that this is a sign of more locations to come. Order a “plant-based omelette” with no cheese, and enjoy!   Avelo 51 St Nicholas St. This new venture from the great minds that brought you Awai, and Away Kitchen & Cafe will be open soon in a cozy converted home just a short walk from either Yonge and Bloor or Yorkville. We can’t wait to see what they offer up!   Bloomers 715 Queen St. W. Bloomers recently opened a second location on Queen W! This is great because this area doesn’t have a lot of vegan sweet treats. Visit for some of their amazing donuts and baked goods, and a latté next time you’re in that neighbourhood.   by… Read More

Filed under: Featured Post Front page post News Uncategorised Veg Directory Updates

August 2019 Social Group Events

Durham Veg On August 7th at 6:30 pm Durham Veg will meet for dinner at Il Fornello (95 Kingston Road East, in Ajax). Please RSVP by August 5th to durham@veg.ca. Aug 7th at 6:30 pm  Dinner Social Group Meet with like-minded people for good food and conversation at Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant (884 Danforth Avenue) on Thursday, August 15th at 7 pm. RSVP to tvadinner@veg.ca by August 13th. Toronto Veg Fitness Enjoy a group hike in and around the Brickworks. Meet at the shuttle/TTC stop AT the Brickworks at 10 am on Saturday, August 27th. Don’t forget the great Brickworks market with lots of vegan options happens on Saturdays too, so bring your appetite and shopping bags! Click here to RSVP on Facebook. Veggies of Hamilton-Burlington Meet up for delicious coffee and desserts at Lick the Whisk in Hamilton before enjoying a walk along Bayfront Park with the group. Meet at Lick the Whisk at 29 Barton Street East at 10 am, or if you only want to join in for the walk, meet in the parking lot of Bayfront Park at 12:30. The event takes place on Sunday, August 25th. RSVP or ask for more details at hamiltonburlington@veg.ca. Vegetarians of High Park Join in for a special edition… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Cherries and Cacao Cherry Cheesecake

Care of Andrea Howe at glowingongreens.com  Cherries hold the prize for being the most popular summer fruit in our kitchens! They’re tart, sweet, and that perfect treat on a hot day. Not only are cherries bursting with flavour, but they are also packed full of amazing antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. Cherries are known for their deep red/purple colour. That bright colour comes from a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanin. These antioxidants can aid in cell damage repair, and preventing further harm from occurring, resulting in a reduced risk of many cancers and chronic disease. They can also reduce blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and increase metabolism. Are you an athlete? Cherries have been seen to enhance exercise performance and speed up recovery time by reducing muscle soreness in marathon runners. They can also reduce inflammation in those individuals with arthritis or inflammatory diseases due to their ability to fight free-radicals and reduction of uric acid levels in the body.  So, not only do cherries taste good, but they are a powerhouse for combating many health conditions. Add this superfruit into your diet with this Cacao Cherry Cheesecake… Read More

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

Discount Profile: Flower Lantern Vegetarian Restaurant

For those who still think all the good veg options are only in the downtown core, you obviously have not yet been to Flower Lantern Vegetarian Restaurant at Finch and Islington! I recently visited for the first time and was blown away by how flavourful and delicious everything was, not to mention the generous portions at a very affordable price! We started with two appetizers. The fried wontons came with a delicious, soft filling to contrast with the crispy, fried shell. We also delighted in the shredded mock meat rolls. The shredded mock meat was wrapped in a soft, rice paper roll and stuffed with plenty of lettuce too, which meant that even though it was a “meaty” dish, it tasted fresh and light. My partner and I almost laughed when the two main dishes we ordered came to the table because they were so huge! How were we going to finish so much food? Well, it turns out it was just so tasty we couldn’t stop ourselves and finished every last bite. The Huey-Style Vermicelli Bowl is actually a spicy soup with a wide assortment of veggie meats, vegetables and noodles too. It had a nice,… Read More

Filed under: Discount profiles elifelines Food and Restaurant News News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

July Veg Guide Updates

Happy summer! There is lots to talk about this month in the Veg Guide updates, so we’ll get right to it! New Vegan Businesses mugi 739 Bathurst Street. This entirely plant-based Thai restaurant at Bathurst and Bloor makes traditional Thai dishes from scratch with wholesome ingredients. They make their own tempeh, kimchi, and fish sauce alternatives and their meals are fresh and flavourful! Mugi is mostly takeaway, with a small counter for eating in the restaurant. New Locations of Popular Favourites Almond Butterfly 792 Dundas Street West Almond Butterfly makes awesome gluten-free baked goods, with plenty of vegan options and at their new location on Dundas you can also enjoy brunch in addition to their usual grab and go options! Choose from vegan tacos, banana crepes, or caesar salad, order a mimosa and stay awhile! Places with Great Vegan Options These places aren’t all necessarily new options, but they are good options we’ve been made aware of recently! It’s great how many places are now offering delicious vegan food! Bagel Nash 81 Gerry Fitzgerald Dr. In addition to regularly offering vegan soups, Bagel Nash now has vegan cream cheese and Beyond… Read More

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

July 2019 Social Groups

Dinner Social Group Meet with like-minded people for good food and conversation at Udupi Palace (1460 Gerrard Street East) on Thursday, July 18th at 7 pm. RSVP to tvadinner@veg.ca by July 16th. Toronto Veg Fitness Enjoy an outdoor yoga session in Dufferin Grove Park on Saturday, July 20th at 10 am. The yoga will cater to all skill levels, so no prior experience is necessary. All you need to do is show up at the park with your own yoga mat or towel, ready to try it out! Afterwards, they will head out for a short cool-down walk to Bloomers for some drinks/treats – or if you’re feeling ready for lunch, they have a fantastic lunch menu. For more details and to RSVP check out the Facebook event or email fitness@veg.ca. Toronto Starch Solution The Starch Solution way of eating is designed to prevent, improve, and even reverse many of the chronic diseases people experience. It is based on Dr John McDougall’s book by the same name, focusing on whole foods, plant-based, prepared without added fats or oils. If you would like to learn more about this way of protecting and improving your health, join them at 18 Wynford Drive on July… Read More

Filed under: News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

Food and Recipe of the Month: Peaches

Care of Andrea Howe at glowingongreens.com  Summer weather calls for peachy moods, and peach-filled recipes. This bright fruit is packed full of flavour and nutrients, and a perfect addition to your plate. Peaches are known for their abundance of antioxidants. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that aids in cell repair from free-radical damage, protecting your body from aging and disease. Additionally, they contain fibre, that key nutrient for improved overall health. Fibre reduces inflammation and can improve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS. It also reduces LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, thus reducing risk of Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. This juicy fruit can be enjoyed in a variety of ways like baked in a tart, sliced in a salad, or grilled as a decadent accompaniment. Peaches are an Ontario grown summer fruit and can be found at local farmers markets and grocery stores. Try this rich grilled peach pancake recipe at your next family brunch. Blueberry and Grilled Peach Pancakes Ingredients – 1 cup oat flour – 1 tbsp flax seed – 1 tbsp baking powder – 1 tsp cinnamon – ½ tsp salt – 1 cup… Read More

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