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Veg-Friendly Resorts

A common question that repeatedly comes up in the Toronto Vegetarian Association Facebook group is: do you have any recommendations for a veg-friendly vacation resort? Many thanks to members of the group who have responded! Check out these options below. More to come soon! If you have any other suggestions to add please email admin@veg.ca Ylang Ylang in Costa Rica Lands in Love in Costa Rica Sandos Caracol EcoResort in Mexico (one on site restaurant is vegetarian) El Dorado Seaside in Mexico (clearly labelled vegan options on menus) Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia offers an all-vegan restaurant called Emeralds      … Read More

Filed under: Travelling Uncategorised

Discount Profile: Cinnaholic

It’s no secret that I have a huge sweet tooth. So, of course, the opening of an all-vegan cinnamon bun shop almost right around the corner from home sent me running soon after Cinnaholic opened their first GTA location in the Promenade Mall in Thornhill. Yes, you heard that right. Vegans now have their own version of Cinnabon, but better. Why is it better you ask? Because Cinnaholic goes over the top with creative concoctions well beyond the classic cinnamon bun. The first time I went, my father and I split two flavours. One was The Cookie Monster, which is topped with, among other things, raw cookie dough! On my second trip (yes, there has already been a second trip…) I got the Hot Cocoa, which is topped with chocolate brownies and vegan marshmallows. Choosing just one or two flavours is a very difficult decision. There were flavours such as Blueberry Pie, Nuts About Maple, Strawberry Dream, and so many more. To make things more complicated, you can also choose from 17 flavours of frosting such as cake batter, banana cream, and hazelnut, and 20 toppings such as coconut, pretzels, various fruits, and caramel sauce, to create your… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Molasses

Care of Amy Symington of ameliaeats.com  When thinking of molasses we’re often reminded of the stick-to-your-ribs, molasses-rich baked beans, grandma’s sticky date spread, or hot porridge on a cold morning topped with heaping spoonfuls of the sticky stuff – past memories of our childhood. Even now, most packaging found in the baking aisle screams old timeyness. However, one should not be fooled by the nostalgia of it all; molasses has never been more “now.” Derived from cane or beet sugar, molasses is most commonly used in baked goodies. This holiday season, molasses more than surely makes a guest appearance on the dessert table in various spiced cookie and cake forms. However, its deep, rich and bold flavour can sneak its way into the most unfamiliar areas of the kitchen and we should be joyful that it does. Molasses has a great deal of (gasp) nutritional benefits to note; blackstrap molasses in particular. It is obtained after the third extraction during sugar processing and has the lowest sugar content of all the extractions (the first and second are lighter molasses and have higher sugar contents). Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper, as well as being a very… Read More

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

December 2018 Social Group Events

TVA Reads On December 12th, join the TVA Reads for a vegan potluck and discussion of the book A Street Cat Named Bob, by James Bowen. Make sure to read the book before the potluck so you’re ready to discuss it! On January 16th they’ll meet again to discuss Happily Ever Esther. Save the date! RSVP is required to tvareads@veg.ca. You can also search for the group on Facebook to learn more. Veggies of Hamilton-Burlington On Saturday, December 15th at 5:30 pm, join this group to try the new Southeast vegetarian restaurant Little Asia. It is located at 24 King Street East, in Dundas. RSVP to hamiltonburlington@veg.ca by Friday, December 14th.  Vegetarians of High Park Check out the all-vegan restaurant The Goods at 279 Roncesvalles, on Friday, December 21st from 6 to 8 pm. RSVP required by Tuesday, December 18th to highpark@veg.ca. Learn more about the group at highparkveg.wordpress.com. Read More

Filed under: News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

Veg Guide Updates – November!

Welcome to November! It might be getting colder out, but that’s just a good reason to try out some of the warm and cozy restaurants we have in our Veg Guide updates this month! Grasshopper 2252 Queen St. East. One of our west end favourites is opening a new location in the Beach! Look for this third location; called Grasshopper Salon will serve a more upscale cuisine than the other two locations. We can’t wait to try!           Green Earth 804 Danforth Ave. We were very excited to hear that Green Earth has reopened! Now at a new location near Pape Station, this vegan restaurant is a great addition to the east end!         Lettuce Love Cafe 326 Kerr St., Oakville. Burlington’s yummy vegan and gluten free restaurant has opened its second location! Check out Lettuce Love in Oakville to satisfy your cravings for breakfast, bowls, smoothies and more!       Mad Radish  A new restaurant from the founder of David’s… Read More

Filed under: Front page post News Uncategorised Veg Directory Updates

Food and Recipe of the Month: Tomatoes

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  Tomato Tamato! These vegetables (or fruit to be correct) are nutrition powerhouses. They can be found in different varieties from small cherry tomatoes, to large hot house tomatoes, as well as many different colours. Tomatoes are known for their lycopene content which is what gives them their bright red colour. Lycopene is an antioxidant that protects the body from harmful free radicals, which can prevent heart disease, many cancers, as well as accelerated aging. An interesting concept with lycopene is that the amount of it in processed tomato products is often much higher than in fresh tomatoes. So pizza may be a healthy option after all! However, it is still recommended to consume fresh tomatoes more often, to get the other benefits such as fibre and vitamin C which is destroyed with heat. Eating tomatoes raw or cooked has amazing health benefits. Adding them to sandwiches, salads, salsas, or soups will increase your fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidant intake. Try this easy homemade tomato sauce recipe to have over vegetables, pasta, or on pizza! Tomato Basil Sauce Ingredients: – 1 head of garlic, roasted – 2 tbsp olive oil –… Read More

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

November Social Group Events

Social Dinner Group The next dinner is on Thursday, November 15th at 7 pm at Coco Rice (669 King Street West). RSVP to tvadinner@veg.ca by November 13th. TVA Reads Save the date for the November meeting on November 21st! RSVP to tvareads@veg.ca or ask to join their Facebook group. Veggies of Hamilton-Burlington Meet up for dinner with like-minded individuals at Green Leaf South Indian Restaurant (865 Upper James Street in Hamilton) on Sunday, November 18th at 6 pm. It is an all vegetarian Indian restaurant that opened in October 2017! RSVP to hamiltonburlington@veg.ca by Saturday, November 17th at 6 pm.  … Read More

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Discount Profile: Boon Burger

Care of Danielle Kirshenbaum A day in downtown Barrie is always a must-do for my husband and I while staying at my in-laws nearby cottage over the summer. We love walking along the gorgeous waterfront, wandering along the famous Dunlop street where you’re always sure to see a variety of quaint coffee shops, casual and more upscale restaurants, juice bars, groups of people enjoying cold beers on patios – and now – my new favourite reason to venture to this bopping downtown mainstreet: Boon Burger Cafe is here! For those of you who have never been to this little piece of vegan heaven, the menu for this burger joint is entirely plant-based and most of the ingredients are prepared in-house. The atmosphere is quaint with picnic benches and adorable pics of animals adorning the walls. Gems from the menu include the Surf’n turf burger with bbq sauce, vegan cheese, bacon, veggies and sriracha, peach chutney & tartar sauce – surprisingly spicy but delightful; and of course my personal favourite, the Greek Almighty on the chick’n patty with Boon’s out-of-this world olive tapenade. The poutines are delicious too – as my non-vegan poutine-loving friends have… Read More

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

Vegan Halloween Candy

Gone are the days when you thought you had to forgo handing out candy on Halloween because you feared there were no vegan options. Here is a list of vegan Halloween candy and other ideas for giving out to trick or treaters (or just enjoying for yourself of course).   Maynards Candies: Sour Patch Kids, Fuzzy Peaches, Watermelon Slices, and Cherry Blasters Rockets Most plain salted potato chips Twizzlers Sunkist Fruit Snacks Surf Sweets by Wholesome makes vegan candies too, which have been spotted at Bulk Barn! Sweets from the Earth: You can order individually wrapped mini cookies just for Halloween! Details here. Made Good: They also have mini Halloween granola bars that have been spotted at Costco! See the photo above. New Moon Kitchen: They are also selling “Spookies” – individually wrapped, chocolate chip cookies. Only $20 for 50 cookies!… Read More

Filed under: Front page post News Toronto Veg Blog Uncategorised

Food and Recipe of the Month: Leeks

Care of Amy Symington, of ameliaeats.com  The lovely leek is a cousin to both garlic and onions, and like garlic and onions it is a part of the health promoting allium vegetable family. Allium vegetables are rich in antioxidants, specifically flavonoids, which have been shown to aid in preventing heart disease and stroke. Leeks are also high in dietary fibre which helps to maintain blood sugar levels, consequently aiding in type 2 diabetes prevention and management. And like garlic and onions, they may also aid in reducing oxidative stress which in turn may reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to fibre they are also a good source of vitamin B6, iron and magnesium, and a very good source of folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. Eat them thinly sliced in a slaw, slow cooked in a soup, stew or chowder or have them caramelized and on a salad, sandwich or pizza. Or of course, in this delicious sandwich! BLTA – coconut bacon, caramelized leeks and roasted tomato with avocado on cornbread Makes 6 sandwiches Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 1.5 hours Sandwich ingredients: 2 tsp grapeseed oil or canola, divided 4 cups whole grape tomatoes… Read More

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