The PDX Vegan Hundred!

The PDX Vegan Hundred: 100 Great Foodz in Portland, OR

1) Copy this list into your own blog, facebook or website, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Italicize any items that you would never consider eating (I changed that from crossing out because I'm a noob and don't know how to do that!).
4) Post a comment here once you’ve finished and link your post back to this one.
5) Pass it on!

1. Fries with spicy tofu sauce at Dots - oh yeah!
2. $1 Corndog from Hungry Tiger Too - I tried a corndog when I was 4 and it was disgusting. Never again!
3. Chick-o-Stick doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts - but I prefer the yeasted variety.
4. Tiramisu from Portobello -I tried to order this the one time I went, and they were out of it!
5. Vegan Mulita from Gorditos or Gorditos II - I have got to fix this one! I live in NW, so I get my taco/chimichanga fix at Cha Cha Cha.
6. Nanotear Ham and Cheeze sandwich from Tube - just took a bite of one about a month ago, so proud of myself! That thing looks so gross to me!
7. Milkshake from Sip
8. Gnocchi from Portobello
9. Caramel Nut Bar from Sweetpea Baking Co. - I think I've tried everything but this!
10. Soft serve from Blossoming Lotus - I don't even like ice cream, but this is good stuff!
11. Local cherry tomatoes from a farmers market - those purple-y green-y ones are my fave!
12. Dong Po Tofu from Bay Leaf - I've never been to Bay Leaf! What kind of vegan am I???
13. Jerked chickun from Assase Ital - it doesn't look appetizing to me, but people in line always tell me I have to try it!
14. A Big Big Lunch Special from an Indian cart - like over 100 times. By a lot.
15. Soy latte made with Stumptown espresso - does a mocha count? Mmmmm moooccchhhhaaaaa.
16. A crappy tofu scramble - the places that serve them in NW come to mind...
17. Cornmeal pizza from Dovi Vive. - I have got to try this stuff! I'm just never in the neighborhood.
18. Weeping Tiger sandwich from Bye & Bye - I love it! Almost as much as the bbq tofu plate!
19. Bye & Bye or Floor Punch from Bye & Bye - boozy, gigantic, and delicious.
20. A Bowl meal from a cart - nope! I have a few beloved carts I stick to...
21. vegan nutella from freddy's hazelnuts - holy crap, why have I not heard of this???
22. soy curls in bulk from food fight or proper eats - it's silly, but soy curls weird me out. Like Tofurkey brats used to, but now I love those, so I need to try soy curls!
23. buffalo wings from Vita - we went there for Valentine's Day this year, and I finally understand why people like buffalo wings! It's all about the sauce. Jesse thinks all his meat-loving friends would love these wings.
24. the weekday vegan pancakes from Laurelthirst - I've made a point to go there when I have a day off a few times!
25. Maple vegan sausage waffle from flavourspot - my mom got this and I tried it. I liked my strawberry and faux whipped cream one better!
26. Drunken noodles with pepper steak from Thai Food Cafe - need to go there!
27. Macnocheeto from Homegrown Smoker - I still haven't been there :( Bad vegan!
28. Veggie platter from an Ethiopian restaurant - only once. I don't like injera!
29. Blackberries picked from a public place - only my whole life!
30. Baba Ganouj from Ya Hala - I love their hummus...
31. Coconut Mashed Yams from Papa G’s - that sounds tasty!!!
32. Butternut Squash Wontons from Hungry Tiger Too - these are amazing. Heaven in your mouth!!!
33. Vegan slice from Bella Faccia - yum yum!
34. Apple pie from Whiffies - I went to the carts once and didn't even see Whiffies! Too much to drink at that point... I did find vegan poutine, though!
35. Chili dog from Zach’s Shack - that does not sound appetizing.
36. Vegan poutine from Potato Champion - oh yes! See above!
37. Missionary Chocolate Truffle - Jesse got me a box for Vday this year, so good!!!
38. Apron Activists 4-Course Dinner - I'm too poor! Wah wah wah!
39. Hot Wok at New Seasons - There are so many NS in this city, and I don't live near one!
40. Che Guevara Burrito from Laughing Planet - well, in bowl form. I don't like flour tortillas.
41. Bryan’s Bowl from Por Que No? - actually never been there. Like 12 years ago it was a corner store right by my best friend's duplex, and you could buy cigarettes if you flirted with the old guy that owned it.
42. Pad Thai from Pad Thai Kitchen - I like it! Not the best curries, but the noodles are where it's at! I think the Pad Kee Maow is even better.
43. Cupcake from a stand at Last Thursday - I am always distracted by the firedancers?
44. The Giant Pancake at Hungry Tiger Too - I've never ordered breakfast food there!
45. TLP from Red & Black Cafe - yum!
46. Cornmeal tempeh plate from Proper Eats - I've only been there once... I hope to live closer soon!
47. Tofu Po Boy at Palm State Gumbo - Didn't even know about it!
48. Maple Walnut Scone from Back to Eden - they're famous already!
49. Vegan Mezza platter from a Lebanese restaurant - I have eaten so many of these....
50. Crispy eggplant from Fujin
51. Lemongrass Tofu Sticks from Van Hanh
52. Tofu Salad Bun at Pho PDX
53. Cocktail made with local liquor - I am drinking one right now! haha Hot toddy with Clear Creek Distillery apple brandy and agave.
54. Biscuits and Gravy from Paradox - HOG style for life!
55. Smoky soy curls from Homegrown Smoker - I need to hang out on Alberta more!
56. Field Roast sausage - I always eat the Celebration Roast for Tday, but it's all good all year really.
57. Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce - I like it a lot, but still prefer the versatility of Sriracha.
58. Toddbot's Triangles - I want to! They aren't at my farmers market :(
59. Local microbrew - I'm so not a beer person, but I have sampled many. Ruby from McMenamin's being my favorite. Yes, I'm a girl!
60. Hot Lips soda - good stuff. You can fill up your growler with it, too!
61. Herb Crusted Tofu with Mushroom Marsala from The Farm Cafe - It is perfect.
62. had a picnic in Laurelhurst Park - a PPK potluck picnic! And many summer picnics with the kids in my class after playing and feeding the ducks :)
63. burrito from Shelley's Honkin Huge Burritos - I had one when I was vegetarian, wasn't that impressed. I got a free coupon for some new student thing at PSU.
64. Eggplant tibs from Bete Lukas - Sounds tasty.
65. Tator Tots before noon or after midnight - after midnight for sure!
66. Lone Ranger from Chaos Cafe - Never been there. Weird.
67. Sunday brunch at Sweetpea! - Love this so much!!! I need to go more often.
68. Tofu at a BBQ place (for example Derby Mustard Sauce Tofu at Russel Street BBQ) - no, but I need to! I didn't know there were vegan options at RS!
69. Mint Fava Falafel at Nightlight Lounge - I want!
70. An unexciting hummus plate at a bar. - like every time I go to McMenamin's! It's so cheap on the happy hour menu, though...
71. Vegan meatball sub from Aalto Lounge - never even been there, I don't think?
72. Koi Fusion spicy tofu tacos - good, but not great. Not enough cilantro!
73. Veggie dog from the Vegi dog stand - my good friend works there, but I've never had one and don't plan on it!
74. Sesame chicken from a vegetarian chinese restaurant - sampled from someone Else's plate, but I prefer tofu!
75. Bagel with bacun scallion cream cheese at Sweetpea. I get this every time I go to Sweetpea...
76. Vegan savoury crepe
77. Veggie kibbeh - good, but I regretted not getting a mezza.
78. Club Vegan at Backspace - had a few other sandwiches there, though...
79. ice cream sundae from Back to Eden - I haven't been there yet at all!
80. Raw fudge from Blossoming Lotus - I've never tried it! Should I? I got awful stale carrot cake there once and I've never gotten dessert again!
81. Tempeh Reuben - yum yum! I love sauerkraut!
82. Pause vegan burger
83. vegan ribs
84. something baked with local marionberries
85. Veggie bento box - Chef Naoko makes a tasty one, and it's right by my work!
86. Dave's Killer Bread - Dave got me to like sandwiches! The only sandwich bread that has ever tasted good to me!
87. Higher Taste Buzzitos - I don't like them (my flour tortilla issue). Higher Taste TLC burger, what what!?!
88. Thai food that the server swears is vegan, but you taste fish sauce. Sad but true.
89. Elephant ear from the Saturday Market - which ones are vegan? I keep forgetting about this!
90. Dovetail sticky bun - omg, these are so amazing.
91. savoury pie from Nicholas restaurant - I love the spinach and pine nut one!
92. Salad rolls from the Just Thai cart - I hear such good things about this cart!
93. Vegan torta from Gorditos II - Tortas don't sound too good to me, but I'd try one.
94. Nutritional yeast on your popcorn at a movie theater - popcorn is Devil food! Yuck yuck yuck!!!
95. Vegan grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheese Grill
96. Pasilla burrito from El Nutri
97. Something from the vegetarian menu at Andina
98. Vegan Steak and Cheese from D.C. Vegetarian
99. Dragon Noodles at Red and Black - this is yummy!
100. Falafel from Wolf & Bears -too many new places to keep up with!

Score: 50/100! I need to eat out more!!! And only 4 things I wouldn't eat - pretty good for a picky eater such as myself!

Much love to JessSconed for this awesome Portland-centric Vegan Hundred!!!

Kozy Shack? More like Kozy Crap!

Hi friends! So, VeganMoFo obviously hasn't worked out for me this year. Between my best friend having some major complications giving birth, presenting at a state-wide conference, and everyone at work besides me being out sick, life has been extra crazy! Excuses, excuses!

I'm sure you're wondering - what's this Kozy Crap all about? Well, I did a major shopping trip at Grocery Outlet the other day, and one of the amazing deals I scored was the last 4 pack of Kozy Shack vanilla soy pudding cups for $.99. I rarely buy stuff like this (I'm way too much of a cheapskate for most prepackaged foods), but I have had the Zensoy stuff before and really liked it. I opened up a pudding cup for a snack last night, and was shocked when I stuck my spoon in it! It was not at all creamy, and pretty firm, yet gelatinous. I thought, "hmmm, maybe it just needs a stir", but after stirring it had a clumpy consistency. I thought, "hmmm, well maybe the texture is off but it will still taste good!" (I'm such an optimist!). Nope. Blech. "Hmmm, maybe it's past the expiration date?" Nope! It's good for another month! I threw it away. It was THAT bad. The only vegan food I remember ever throwing away was the old Galaxy soy cheese (though the rice singles that they have now are pretty tasty).

So, beware! Vegan public service announcement, over and out. xoxo Chelsea

The perfect fruit

Top 5 Reasons Why Avocado is the Perfect Fruit

5. Avocados act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
4. Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, 4% vitamin C, 8% folate, 4% fiber, 2% iron, 4% potassium, with 81 micrograms of lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene.
3. Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit.
2. Avocados contain more potassium than bananas.
1. The Aztec word for avocado was ahuacatl, which means "testicle tree". Seriously!!!

Top 5 Ways to Eat an Avocado

5. Cut in half, fill each hole with Goddess Dressing, and top off with Sriracha.

4. On a bagel!

3. In sushi!

2. Mango Avocado Salsa!

1. With Mexican food!

fajitas...

enchiladas...

tacos... (these are from Cha Cha Cha)

tostadas...

and last but never least...

NACHOS!!!

So my new saying is, "an avocado a day keeps the doctor away!" Good thing they just lowered the price to $.69 at Fred Meyer! xoxo Chelsea

Bruschetta bellissimo!

Oh, the age old question - is it broo-sket-uh or broo-shet-uh? The first one! I will never forget this because bruschetta was my fall back meal in Italy, and for my first meal I was corrected very loudly for mispronouncing it by a waiter who mocked me in a New York accent! This was only fitting after my repeatedly-setting-off-the-alarm-in-the-bank-ordeal, but I still turned red as tomato!

After getting lots of local yummies at the farmers market this weekend (tomatoes, potatoes, basil, apples, cilantro, onions, peppers, zucchini, garlic, kale, and some more tomatoes), Jesse couldn't wait to make bruschetta for dinner! He even set everything up all pretty-like so that I could take a photo for "my blog thingy." Sorry for the crappy quality photos, I left my camera at a friend's place!

Chop up all your veggies (and your apple... it's good, I promise!) and have some vino!

Mix it all up in a bowl with olive oil and balsamic to taste
*If fresh garlic gives you heartburn like it does me, roast some garlic ahead of time!

Now, drizzle some olive oil on your baguette, and toast that baby up!
If using roasted garlic, "butter" your baguette with it before popping it in the oven.

Fresh, local, and quick dinner is served!

A VeganMoFo survey!

I saw this fun survey on VeganShizzle, and couldn't help but take it myself! I added a question to the bottom, and you should do the same!

1. Favorite non-dairy milk?
Hazelnut! Chocolate almond is a close second!

2. What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook?
A good soup now that the weather is cooling down, an apple/pear crisp or cobbler, and whatever is next to test for Vegan Crunk!

3. Topping of choice for popcorn?
Popcorn is gross!

4. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?
Every pancake I ever made until I tried Isa's basic recipe in VWAV.

5. Favorite pickled item?
Hot peppers!

6. How do you organize your recipes?
I stick loose recipes under the spoon and fork sorter thingy in a kitchen drawer. There are so many I can barely open the drawer... maybe I should organize that someday! Put 'em in a binder or something.

7. Compost, trash, or garbage disposal?
I live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old apartment building with no outdoor space or modern things like a garbage disposal, so trash by default.

8. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods...what would they be (don't worry about how you'll cook them)?
guacamole, dark chocolate, and mussaman curry!

9. Fondest food memory from your childhood?
A few doors down lived Besta and Papa, the sweetest old couple in the whole world. Their grandkids were my age and visited often, so I spent a lot of time at their house. When I spent the night, Besta would make us Norwegian pancakes in the morning :) RIP Besta and Papa!

10. Favorite vegan ice cream?
I really like the Tempt Hemp stuff, in whatever chocolate flavor, as well as Coconut Bliss. My teeth are very sensitive to cold, so I don't eat icecream very much.

11. Most loved kitchen appliance?
Japanese rice cooker that Phanny gave me!

12. Spice/herb you would die without?
Cilantro

13. Cookbook you have owned for the longest time?
The Higher Taste, a Hare Krishna gave it to me when I was a teenager.

14. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?
Strawberry freezer jam! Nothing compares to its deliciousness!

15. Favorite vegan recipe to serve to an omni friend?
Desserts seem to be the way to go, so brownies, cupcakes, cookies.

16. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?
Tofu!

17. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?
Breakfast because then it's the weekend!

18. What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?
Jar of walnuts, jar of brown rice, jar of lentils, jar of quinoa, VWAV, french press, coffee bean grinder, Tapatio, red wine vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce (we have very little storage space in our kitchen!).

19. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.
Corn, black bean Gardenburgers, blueberries.

20. What's on your grocery list?
We don't have a car, so I do frequent visits to many grocery stores. Tortilla chips, bagels, veggies, almond milk, nooch, tofu, and I need to get over to Food Fight and try some Daiya cheese!

21. Favorite grocery store?
Trader Joe's. I love a good deal!

22. Name a recipe you'd love to veganize, but haven't yet.
This is not really my area...

23. Food blog you read the most (besides Isa's because I know you check it everyday). Vegan Crunk probably! Though I have about 30 that I read regularly.

24. Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?
Vegan truffles from Missionary Chocolates.

25. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?
Does a $20 bottle of Rose marked down to $9 count? I'm really a penny pincher, so I can't think of anything else!

26. Ingredients you are scared to work with?

Yeast! It's weird!

27. Favorite food cart?

I love Saigon Kitchen at PSU and eat there at least once a week, but Asaasse Ital is a new favorite as well.

28. Top 3 favorite cuisines!
Thai, Mexican, Lebanese.

Have a great weekend!!! xoxo Chelsea

Happy VeganMoFo!!!

I can't believe it's been a whole year since the last VeganMoFo! I miraculously posted every day last time, but am sticking with the VeganMoFo goal of posting every weekday for this time around. I'm so excited to read all of your awesome blogs, try out recipes, spend more time at the farmers markets, and take lots of fun vegan-centric surveys (and maybe some freezer-tag???)!

And now, for the first day of the Vegan Month of Food, I present - a post on vegan makeup! Say, what?!? I know, I know, you can't eat it, but...... long story short, some jerk almost hit me on my bike yesterday, and swerving to avoid him, I crashed. Nothing major, but when I woke up today my body was wicked sore! So I left work after an hour and a half and laid around all day feeling sorry for myself, checking my Facebook, and eating Tofurkey brats. You all know the brat is where it's at, so I thought I'd share my recent love for Urban Decay Cosmetics instead.



A month or so ago, I saw a post on the PPK including a coupon code for like 30% off your entire order at Urbandecay.com! Urban Decay is a cruelty-free company, but only about half of their products are vegan, so make sure you see the purple paw print before ordering! Being the thrifty, glitter-loving vegan that I am, I couldn't resist some new lip stuff. I managed to limit myself to three: lipstick in Gravity (reddish purple), Ultraglide lip gloss in Gash (dark red), and XXX Shine lip gloss in Joyride (glittery bright pink).

Lipstick: B+. Long lasting and applies evenly, but without being thick at all. The only negative is that it isn't as shiny on the lips as it appears in the tube.

Ultraglide: C-. This gloss loses big points for being way too sticky! I can only wear it when my hair is pulled back, or try to discreetly peel the stray hairs off my lips all day. Not cool! It also isn't as shimmery as it appears in the tube.

XXX Shine: A+! I loooooooove this stuff! It's pretty, has visible glittery-shimmer, and gets bonus points for the minty freshness it gives the lips upon application!

Another thing I love about Urban Decay - each package states after the ingredients list: "We don't do animal testing. How could anyone?" Agreed!

A Vegan Crunk tester, and activists vs. mall cops!

Oh man, is it a sweet deal to be a recipe tester! The pickin's are pretty slim for cajun and southern foods, let alone vegan-style, here in Portland. So it was quite a treat to have tempeh gumbo for dinner last night! Nice job, Bianca!

Tempeh Gumbo and whole wheat french bread

Newsflash!

Remember a few months ago when the Radical Cheerleaders for Animal Rights were cheering about puppy mills in front of Scamp's in Lloyd Center? And as they were leaving a fellow activist was thrown to the ground and arrested? Well, Lloyd Center has dropped it's charges against Matt Rossell and lifted his 4 year ban from the premises in exchange for his promise not to sue. But there's an even bigger victory! Scamp's has closed all of it's doors! Check out this write-up in the Oregonian http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/animal_rights_protester_makes.html