Moving Onward and Upward

Hello, all! I am in the process of moving this blog over to WordPress. If you would like to continue reading, follow me here.

-TLR

Keeping the Dream Alive

Although this blog has been part of a class project, writing about my vegetarian experiences is something I have come to thoroughly enjoy. I hope to keep this blog updated until I (hopefully) forward it on to a different host.

This week for class, I created a website about sustainability that lists different ways people can be more green on a day-to-day basis. Of course, being vegetarian was on that list! Check it out here!

-TLR

Veg on the Road Pt. 2: Kansas City, Kansas

This past week was my first back since Spring Break and I have to admit, it took a toll on me. So, to try and keep my spirits up, I have decided to write an ode to my favorite spring break eatery on my 19 hour journey from Texas to Minneapolis, Minnesota: Noodles & Company.
In case you haven't already figured it out, Fort Worth is pretty much the least vegetarian friendly place to live in, which always makes it fun to go out of town and enjoy a plethora of restaurants that have veg fare. Over the summer this past year, I made the first of many trips up to Minnesota (my best friends Brandon and Courtney are getting married there) and stumbled upon this gem of a restaurant chain while shopping in Roseville. Noodles & Company, founded in 1995 in Boulder, CO, offers noodles, salads and sandwiches with flavors and flair from all corners of the world. Their menu is broken down into three sections: Asian, Mediterranean, and American. Once you figure out which of the dishes you want, you choose the size of your dish (sizes are regular for $5.50 and small for $4.50). For an additional $2.25 you can add your protein, which for my fellow vegetarians would be the organic tofu. This is something I love, because non-organic tofu can be made from GMO (genetically modified) soy beans, which is not so great for your health.
On our way up to Minnesota, Brandon and I spotted our first Noodles & Company in Kansas City, Kansas, and were beyond stoked to eat there again. This time around, I decided to try the Indonesian Peanut Saute, described as the spiciest dish on their menu. Though I do admit it packed a lot of heat, it was nothing my Texas taste buds couldn't handle. Full of a great mix of veggies and tofu, this Asian noodle dish also contained fresh, crispy bean sprouts, which gives your tongue a break from the spicy flavors. Overall, I though the dish was pretty well-rounded in taste and nutrition.
This past month, Noodles & Company has really been boosting their street cred by using social media to create a buzz about their Mac and Cheese. Though I am lactose intolerant, I sometimes break the rules (oops) and this is one of those times a girl has to make an exception. The Wisconsin Mac and Cheese trumps any Kraft you have in a box at home, and you can get your dose of veggies by adding broccoli for only an additional 75 cents. Totally worth it.
I am dying for Noodles & Company to come to Fort Worth, but at the moment, the closest one slated to open is going to be in Austin, TX. Check out their site and follow Noodles and Company on twitter (@noodlescompany) to learn more about their history, food and more.

Veg on the Road: Abilene, Texas

Since I began blogging about my vegetarian lifestyle, I have mainly written about restaurants in the DFW area. I have turned into what some call a locavore, one who primarily eats and shops at local businesses, or eats food that was grown or made within a certain radius of their home town. It is a movement designed to decrease your carbon footprint and become a more sustainable consumer.

 However, I decided it was time to shake things up a bit and write about someplace new. I recently visited my friends Brandon and Courtney in Abilene, Texas for Abilene Christian University's big event of the year, Sing Song, and it didn't take long for them to introduce me to the local vegetarian fare.
Abilene, Texas, is a relatively small town (in comparison to DFW) and gave my friends quite some trouble finding vegetarian-friendly places to eat when they decided to first make this lifestyle change. They would constantly have to make trips home to Fort Worth to stock up on vegetarian essentials, a huge inconvenience to them since Abilene is about 2 and a half hours away. Luckily, they stumbled upon an Abilene gem: the Natural Food Center.

At first glance, the simple colors of the store front don't suggest the Natural Food Center may have anything special to offer. However, this simple store-and-restaurant offers a wide selection of vegetarian essentials, as well as a cafe side where you can order for lunch or dinner. They have a rotating menu which offers vegetarian options daily-- a surprising find in the 'Lene. 

I jumped at the chance to try something, but had a tought time deciding between the Curried Quinoa, Vegetarian Frito Pie, or the homemade Veggie Burger. Eventually I settled on the Vegetarian Frito Pie, since I had had little to no chances to try a vegetarian chili since giving up meat. I paired it with a Blue Sky Natural Orange Cream soda from a cold case in the store, which was also awesome since I have tried hard to give up products containing HFCS. Needless to say, it was delicious! The chili was a great substitute to the ones I used to eat (though it still isn't the same as having one made by Mom), and the melted cheese on top was the perfect way to top of an old favorite. 
After eating, I took to perusing the ailes of the Natural Food Center. They offered multiple types of flour, soy products, LARA bars, drinks, tofu and other things that aren't typically found at a grocery store. They also offered great vegan and natural beauty products, among them being the Nature's Gate line (which I am currenly using and LOVE). Beyond the shampoos, they had a wide selection of natural deodorants, skin care products, and oral mouthcare products. If you are looking for a guilt-free place to shop in Abilene, the Natural Food Center is the place to go, and I cannot wait til I can pay another visit to this store. 

Vegan Pancakes

Before Sprouts opened off of I-20 in February, i took a trip out to Whole Foods to stock up on some necessities and decided to look for a vegan pancake mix for those Sundays I can't make it to Spiral for their brunch special. I ended up buying a bag of Organic Oat Bran Pancake and Waffle Mix from Organic Arrowhead Mills.
When I went to Abilene to visit a few friends, I brought his with me for a brunch party we decided to have and the pancakes we a hit! The batter looks a little thick initially, but once they cook up, the texture is perfect and they taste delicious. We added bananas and vegan chocolate chips to them and topped them off with some agave syrup for a filling meal. I can't wait to have them again and figure out different things to add to the mix. Check for it next time you decide you want to make a big breakfast (or have breakfast for dinner).

Fort Worth Fave: Spiral Diner

Favorites. We all have them. They are what we use to describe ourselves, characteristics that people use to distinguish you from all others. Since I began writing this blog, people regularly ask me where in Fort Worth I enjoy eating the most, and the answer is simple: Spiral.
The Spiral Diner I frequent is one of two locations and can be found on Magnolia in the Near Southside of Fort Worth, Texas. A vegan restaurant with a classic diner feel, this restaurant has a friendly staff and a menu to satisfy any taste. All dishes on the menu are 100% vegan, and owner Amy McNutt is dedicated to using quality local and organic ingredients as often as possible. Each month, Spiral offers three to four blue plate specials and a seasonal soup (my favorite of these having been the butternut fennel soup in November).

For the months February and March, my favorite of the blue plate specials was the Teriyaki Bowl. It includes teriyaki-marinated tempeh and pineapple with carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and onions, all served atop hot steamed brown rice. I could not get over this dish! I am a huge fan of Asian flavors, and I will admit that since being vegetarian I have not found a place that makes a good teriyaki dish til now.
The same day I decided to try this bowl, my friend and seasoned Spiral waitress Britney suggested I try their latest flavor of "i-scream", Salted Caramel, in their latte shake. This lovely number has salted caramel ice-cream blended with a shot of espresso and topped with dairy-free whipped topping and caramel drizzle. The salt from the i-scream brings out awesome flavors from the espresso, and since then, I have been back twice just for the shake.
For those who don't care for shakes, Spiral also specializes in vegan baked goods. These include (but aren't limited to) brownies, cookies, cupcakes, tortes, cobblers, and cinnamon rolls that are large enough for two people. They also make cakes for special occasions, such as weddings or birthdays.
Each Sunday, Spiral Diner offers a pancakes brunch special that anyone (vegan or not) must try. For $6.95, you are privy to as many vegan pancakes as you can eat and can choose between either plain or the featured pancake for the week. Top it off with warmed agave to give it that homemade touch.
If you are ever feeling adventurous, or just want some down home vegan cooking, hit up Spiral and tend to your appetite.

Starbucks: More Than My Daily Fix

Two years ago, I took a class offered at TCU and taught by Dr. Keith Whitworth on sustainability and green living. Over the course of the semester, I learned more about myself, the environment, and the ways we have a huge (and mostly negative) impact on our planet through the way we conduct our everyday routine. Our spending and shopping habits as Americans create waste at an astonishing rate: 99% of the things we purchased 6 months before are no longer in our possession, mostly from a perceived obsolescence created for us by the media.
At the time I was working in retail, a business that literally drives its sales by encouraging people to buy more of things they really don’t want— things that advertisers, the fashion industries, and businesses make us think we want— and relentlessly encouraging people to open credit cards, the likes of which have caused our economy to end up in the shambles it is in presently. The fact that I was supposed to be a cheerleader for the people who change trends and force our gently used clothes into a landfill with the introduction of seasonal fashion lines began to bother me. So I decided to do something.
I spoke to a few people about the loathing I had for my job, and my desire to work for a company that practiced active corporate social responsibility. This is what led me to Starbucks.
The Starbucks Mission Statement reads:

Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Automatically, I felt this was something I could get behind. Still, living in an age where people are questioning the big business more and more about what really goes on, I was skeptical. Then I read into their corporate social responsibility efforts.
Although Starbucks is a part of the corporate sphere, they are trying as best as they know how to give back to the communities in which they do their business, both domestically and internationally. They make sure their beans are ethically sourced by participating in programs like the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ partnership with Conservation International program. They ask partners (Starbucks employees) to contribute to their communities, and have set a goal to increase community involvement to over 1 million hours by 2015. They combine a passion for touching people on a personal and global level.
And so I came to work at Starbucks in October of 2009. After having almost been there a full year, I can say that it has truly been an enriching experience. My partners are uplifting, they are like family. The people that walk into our cafe and make it into their third place— the place they go when not at work or home— have become some of my greatest friends. My experience has brought me to this insight I hope to take with me after graduating from TCU: If you can find a company that believes in the things you believe in, then that’s just perfect.

Below is a video about just one of the many contributions Starbucks makes to the global community and is a big reason I decided to work for a company that shares my beliefs.

Something Green Is Brewing On Magnolia: Avoca Coffee

Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth is the street one wanders to see the products of clashing cultures in the city.  Some know this area as the "granola district" because of its modern hipster vibe, and others see it as the stretch of concrete that houses some of the finest dining in Fort Worth. Booming with up-and-coming restaurants and entertainment venues, the only thing Magnolia has yet to offer is a good independent coffee house – until now. 

Answering the call is Avoca Coffee, a local roast and coffee house that boasts a full menu of espresso beverages and teas, which will move into the neighborhood this spring.

Unlike many of its corporate brethren, Avoca Coffee intends to emphasize the impact of each person’s actions on the planet, including their morning cup of coffee. They plan on doing things a little differently. Instead of the throw-away bags you can pick up from the supermarket or a chain coffee shop, they are selling their house-roasted coffee in recyclable glass jars.

Many people don’t realize the impact their everyday activities can have on the environment, and owners Garold Larue and Jimmy Story believe by encouraging the re-use of their bean jars, customers will in turn think of other changes to their lifestyles they can easily make. Being a green business is also crucial if Avoca Coffee wishes to cater to a growing and influential market of consumers who desire to purchase products from exclusively environmentally-conscious businesses. Along with their bean jars, Avoca will strive to be sustainable through support of local bakeries, the showcasing of Fort Worth artists, and direct relations with their bean farmers.

"We want to bring the public to coffee," says Story. "We can do so by allowing them to see where the coffee comes from. Perhaps not the grove, but definitely the bean in its purest form."

Furthermore, customers will be able to view the entire Avoca Coffee roasting process right on location, making for an even richer experience. Not only will you be able to pick up your double tall latte, but you will also be able to see the beans roasted by artisan coffee roasters.

Residents of the greater Fort Worth area are abuzz with excitement, and it’s not from caffeine. Many are excited to finally see a local coffee shop open up in Fort Worth. Avoca Coffee will be the only one of its kind. This past week, the sign could be seen going up on the front of the shop, directly across the street from Spiral Diner. With its prime location and unique position on sustainability, Avoca Coffee promises to be a central gathering place for Fort Worth locals who want to say "no" to the corporate coffee chain. And whether you are an artist or foodie, the common word on everybody’s lips will be, "Avoca." 

Friend Avoca Coffee on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@AVOCAcoffee) for more updates on the shop and the official opening dates.

Social Media at Work: My Blog on The Veg Daily

 

As an Ad/PR major, I am constantly being reminded of the power of social media. I am plugged in on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and (of course) Blogger. I use a Twitter-Facebook-Blogger social media mix to get my blog posts out there, and today I found out it paid off! The Veg Daily, an online publication composed of stories, photos, and blogs that are tweeted with the hashtag "#veg," picked up my article on Hot Damn, Tamales! from earlier in the week. Thanks to The Veg Daily, this truly made my day! Follow The Veg Daily on Twitter (@VegGalaxy) and check out their daily publication at http://paper.li/VegGalaxy.

Milk Alternatives

When I was vegan, I knew I would have to give up milk products, which I have found to be considered the hardest part of the transition when talking to my vegan friends. Cheese and milk are in so many delicious foods, the thought of giving up those things is almost frightening. What some may not know is that I have been lactose intolerant since I was young, so I have always tried to regulate my dairy intake. I have tried many different milk alternatives -- there was no WAY I would give up cereal -- and below are some of the alternative I have had the fun of trying in recipes, with my cereal, or just drinking by the glass.

Soy Milk- (Gluten-Free)
Soy milk is created from soybeans and is slightly thinner than cow's milk, and is sold in either the refrigerated dairy section or in shelf-stable packaging. It comes in many different brands (Silk is extremely popular) and flavors, such as original, unsweetened, and chocolate. Silk also offers their Silk Light, which is lower in calories than the regular Silk. There has been some research that finds a correlation between soy bean products and cancer in women, so making sure you go with a non-GMO and organic brand is important if you are going to drink soy instead of cow's milk. Furthermore, it has been possibly linked to stunted growth in males, so boys, limit how much you drink.
Soy milk is probably the most common milk alternative that is offered at restaurants and businesses. Starbucks carries its own vanilla soy milk (it's organic, too!), so you can always choose to make your latte or Frappuccino dairy-free.

Almond Milk (Gluten-Free)
Almond milk is my new found love. I am a sucker for dark chocolate anything, and Silk's PureAlmond Dark Chocolate flavor caters to all my cravings while supplying vitamins I need since I don't drink milk. Almond milk is made from, you guessed it... almonds! It is made by a process where almonds are softened in filtered water and blended into a liquid that is extremely close to cow milk. You can also find this in the dairy cold case or in shelf-stable packaging. For those worried about GMOs, or for the male reader, this is a great alternative and is close to what you may be used to.

Oat Milk
Oat milk is an interesting milk alternative, one that took some getting used to. It was recommended in a few of the vegan cookbooks I picked up when I began my meat-free journey, and it is hard to describe. Made from oats, this liquid is a beige color, thicker than cow's milk and has a sweet flavor to it. When I use it, I typically pour it out from its shelf-stable container into a larger one so I can water it down a little to the desired consistency. For those looking for a gluten-free milk alternative, oat milks are typically not gluten-free, though there are some.

Check out these alternatives and see which one is best for you. The best test (in my opinion) is using it with a plain cereal to see how you like the taste, but it is all about personal preference. 

Hot Damn, Tamales!

Having lived in Fort Worth all my life, I tend to take it upon myself to try and support local businesses in any way possible. First, this helps with the local economy, which is always good. Second, having good, local food creates a sense of pride for your city that you just can't replace. This is why on Monday, I finally decided to head down to Magnolia in Near Southside to try out Hot Damn, Tamales!, a local tamale shop with three tables for in-house dining. I decided to bring Ashley, a fellow vegetarian and good friend of mine, to check out what vegetarian tamales they had on the menu.

Hot Damn, Tamales! is extremely well priced, especially considering everything you get with your meal. They offer one choice, the tamale plate, which comes with three tamales of choice, black beans, Spanish rice, and homemade pico de gallo, all for $8.50. While you wait for your meal, they bring out homemade tortilla chips and salsa, which Ashley and I agreed could go up against the best. For my plate, I chose one three cheese queso tamale, one wild mushroom and Texas goat cheese tamale, and one black bean and Oaxaca cheese tamale.  It is hard to find good vegetarian tamales with flair, even in Texas, as the traditional tamale is made with chicken, beef, or pork, but Hot Damn, Tamales! is definitely the place to head if you are craving a traditional but meat-free tamale.

They also offer tamales in orders of a half-dozen or dozen for take-out, ranging in price from $9 to $24. Furthermore, they offer vegan friendly and gluten free options, so practically any dietary need can be met with one of their tamales. Check out their website for restaurant hours, prices, and a full list of all the tamales they offer.

Vegan Banana Muffins

Last week when I was sick, my mom was awesome (as she always is) and waited on me the entire time. She made these vegan banana muffins for breakfast and I thought I would share the recipe with you. These are made with no dairy or eggs, and the banana is used to bind the ingredients together. My mother made them plain, but adding cinnamon or chopped walnuts make for a yummy twist on the recipe.

Vegan Banana Muffins

3 browned (ripe) bananas
1/4 cup oil or vegan margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1. Pre-heat oven to 360 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork till soft. Add the oil or vegan margarine and sugar and cream together.
3. In a separate bowl, combine together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Combine with the banana mixture, stirring gently just to combine.
4. Grease or line a muffin pan, and fill each muffin about 2/3 full with batter. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. 

*We use Earth Balance brand vegan margarine, which can be found at WalMart. 

An Ode to Sprouts

Since I began my veg journey, I have found many different places to dine out in Cowtown. Whether I want Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean or Italian inspired dishes, Fort Worth has grown to include meatless options on practically every menu, making it simple to join friends (vegetarian or not) for a meal. However, one thing Fort Worth has failed to cater to -- until recently-- is the growing demand for vegan/vegetarian products and organic, locally grown produce. This is why there was a buzz when everyone heard we were getting a Sprouts Farmers Market off Hulen and I-20.

According to the Sprouts website, the mission of the Arizona-based health store chain is simple. It reads:

"Sprouts Farmers Market: Helping America eat healthier, live longer, and spend less."

What more could we ask for? Especially during these hard economic times, people are constantly looking for ways to save without having to cut out the food that is best for you. Sprouts offers organic and locally grown produce, which not only supports local farmers and the economy by investing your disposable income close to home, but it is also better for the environment. On top of it all, Sprouts sports a vast selection of vegan and vegetarian products that are typically only found at Whole Foods Market in the DFW-Area, the closest of which to Fort Worth being off I-30 in Arlington. For anyone wanting the substance of Central Market with Target price points... this is the stuff your dreams are made of.

The Grand Opening of Sprouts was this past Wednesday, January 26, and the response from Fort Worth residents could not have been greater. The store was fully staffed with new and seasoned employees who willingly escorted you to anything you were looking for, which was definitely needed with the heavy traffic. Nothing is more refreshing than entering a retail location with employees who know their product knowledge. Not only that, but the excitement from the shoppers caused anyone and everyone to talk to each other about their personal experience at the opening, which allowed time to pass quickly when standing in the lines that stretched from the front registers to the produce section.

Of the vegetarian products I found, what excited me most was finding Oogave Watermelon Cream Soda in the bottle. This is typically served on tap at Spiral Diner on Magnolia Avenue and is my all-time favorite soda. I was also excited to find Gimme Lean vegan sausage, which is the closest to the real thing when you are craving a country breakfast. It can be used in most recipes to substitute ground beef. Extra perks at the opening were the Sprouts brand San Francisco Style Sourdough Bread at $1 a loaf, as well as the bulk granola on sale for $1/lb.

Needless to say, we are excited to have Sprouts in Fort Worth. This store completely supports both vegan and vegetarian dietary needs, and even more so the needs of the DFW area.

Cooking with Emily: Oven-Roasted Veggies

This past week, my friend and coworker, Emily (co-author of What Would Martha Do? cooking blog) decided to have my friend Casey and I over to learn a quick and easy one-pot vegetarian dish. Emily is a great go-to for easy, yummy foods, and I was so excited to learn this recipe from her. The idea is to make in large batches on a Sunday so you can pack it as your veggies for the entire week.

Oven-Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
2 heads of broccoli
4-5 baking potatoes, cut into sixths
12-15 fresh Brussels sprouts, halved
6 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cloves fresh garlic, whole
1 lemon, quartered
olive oil
salt
pepper

1. Set oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a shallow roasting pan, combine the lemons, potatoes, onions, sprouts, carrots, and garlic.
3. Separate the heads of broccoli into little "trees", cutting the stalk if necessary. Combine broccoli with other vegetables, mixing them all together.
4. Once mixed, coat the veggies in olive oil liberally, as this creates the crispy texture when roasting. Sprinkle salt and pepper on veggies to taste.
5. Place the pan in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check the veggies and stir. Place them back in the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

Serves: 3-4 people


This is my variation of the recipe from memory. Adding fresh herbs to the pan also makes for a great variation of this dish.

University Park: McKinley's Bakery and Cafe

Of all the spots I enjoy in Fort Worth, one of my favorite places to spend a day lunching or shopping is University Park Village located 2 blocks from the TCU campus. After doing some window shopping, my friends Brandon, Courtney and I visited McKinley's Bakery and Cafe to check out the vegetarian fare on their menu.

When you walk in to the cafe on a Saturday afternoon, the place is busy beyond belief, filled with hungry shoppers from the surrounding stores. McKinley's menu is a simple one, offering soups, salads and sandwiches that remind you of home but served with flair. Saturday's soup of the day was a vegetarian-friendly Tomato, Basil and Rice soup. They have many hot and cold sandwiches to  choose from, the Egg Salad, Veggie and Grown Up Grilled Cheese sandwiches being the 3 vegetarian options on the menu. There are multiple pairing options on the menu, so you are able to order a plethora of sandwich-soup combos to suit your appetite.

Since I am a fan of the classic tomato soup and grilled cheese, I sprang for a cup of the Tomato, Basil and Rice Soup with the Grown Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It was amazing! The soup was different from the typical tomato basil and lacked the cream base, which made it lighter (as well as vegan friendly!). With fresh basil leaves, it was both aromatic and delicious.

The Grown Up Grilled Cheese was definitely different from the homemade sandwich, made with tomatoes, cheddar and provolone and grilled on two slices of pumpernickel bread. The sandwich also came with a small serving of fruit with a sweet dip, potato salad, and a tiny zucchini muffin, all of which were worth the $7.95 paid.




This trip to McKinley's made me wonder if I was just a fan of the grilled cheese because I am a vegetarian or because it is a comfort food that most Americans can identify with. Growing up, this was a typical "feel good food" for my family. Is there ever a point where you are too old to eat a grilled cheese sandwich? Let me know what you think on my poll.

Vegetarian Breakfast Comes to Starbucks

Of all the things I used to miss about being a meat eater, fast-food breakfast was definitely high on the list. For the most part, vegetarians have an extremely limited list of places they are able to eat at via drive-thru before things begin to feel redundant. This is why I got so excited when I saw the new addition to the Starbucks breakfast menu: the Veggie Artisan Breakfast Sandwich.

For those who don't already know, I have been working as a partner for Starbucks for some time now. A few years ago, Starbucks brought Artisan Breakfast Sandwiches to their menu, but only offered wraps as meat-free options for vegetarians. However, before the end of 2010 they added the Roasted Vegetable Panini sandwich as a veg option for lunch, and then debuted the Veggie Artisan this month. The breakfast sandwich offers a vegetable frittata with peppers and onions, topped with Monterey Jack cheese and toasted on a ciabatta roll. Pure, hot breakfast heaven. To make it even better, the sandwich is only 350 calories, meaning you don't have to skimp on your morning latte.

Fellow vegetarians, this is a must try for anyone who misses the convenience of a McDonald's drive-thru but wants a more healthful option. (Word around town is carnivores love it, too!)

Veg in Texas

Hey, there. Welcome to my blog, Vegetarian Tiff.

Simply put, this blog will be about living as a vegetarian in Fort Worth, Texas, a town that loves their steaks, steakhouses, chicken fried steaks, etc. 

I did not choose to become a vegetarian because of my deep love for animals (though I do love them). Like many girls my age, I read Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, which discusses the benefits of veganism (one who includes NO animal products in their diet, including eggs and dairy). What really made me want to join this revolution were the dietary and environmental benefits the authors of the book described. After reading the book cover to cover on my way home from Minneapolis, I stepped off the plane dedicated to a diet free of animal products.

However, after about a month of hardcore veganism, my dedication to my new-found lifestyle slowly declined. After returning to school, I realized it was going to be harder than I had imagined to be a functioning vegan in college. One B-12 deficiency later, I was eating eggs again. It wasn't long until I became lax about foods containing milk products. But the one thing I knew I would never, EVER, eat again was meat.

When I made the switch to a meat-free diet, most people didn't understand why I would choose a diet that was "so difficult." In reality, though, this town has a lot to offer as far as vegetarian dining. All you have to do is look. Although eating vegan was something I didn't have the time or energy to do, eating vegetarian is something I don't have to think about anymore. It has become a part of who I am and is something I no longer second-guess.

So, as a reformed carnivore, my goals for this blog are as follows:

• Write about the benefits, frustrations, complications, etc. that come with being vegetarian
• Post about vegetarian food options at local restaurants and chains, as well as recipes I may find or try
• Include interesting and educational information about "green" living through vegetarianism

Happy reading!