Happy World Vegetarian Week! May 21, 2008

Posted by Ryan at May 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

The world looks so much happier during World Vegetarian Week, doesn't it? So in keeping with the theme of going vegetarian, here's my story:

I'm a huge fan of traveling. During college, I went on a road trip across the country by myself (one of those "find yourself" kinds of trips). Notice how I set the timer on my camera for this "soul-searching" photo of me at the Grand Canyon:

What I didn't expect to find though, was a stretch of the highway in northern Texas nicknamed "Slaughterhouse Row". I was unfortunate enough to have a convertible at the time, so all of the sights and smells of the meat industry hit me... hard.




The rest is history. I made the connection that the animals I was eating were violently killed in bleak surroundings like this one, and I stopped supporting it. I went vegetarian, and a few months later, I went vegan.

NOW FOR THE FUN PART. Here's my favorite vegetarian meal (can be consumed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner):

Blueberry Pancakes

These fluffy pancakes are packed full of delicious blueberries, and are the perfect start (or end) to your day.

2 cups flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 cups vanilla soy milk
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and sift together. Add the soy milk and oil and mix until the batter is smooth.
• Ladle the batter onto a hot pancake griddle. Add frozen blueberries. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Serve with fresh blueberries.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

If done properly, they should look like this:



Mmmm mmmm good.

- Ryan!

P.S. - A final word of advice to those who want to venture across the country on a road trip: Don't camp next to the Grand Canyon. The wind coming out of the canyon will knock you (and your tent) over in the middle of the night. Don't be a fool; sleeping upside-down isn't cool.

I <3 Pancake Day! February 5, 2008

Posted by Marta at February 5, 2008 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

So when Martin (from peta2 UK) first sent me this blog, being that I'm American, I thought he was actually referencing what people over here refer to as pancakes. Turns out those crazy Brits are referring to crepes when they say pancakes. You learn something new every day, right? Either way, pancakes are delicious! Anyway, take it away, Martin.
-Marta

Ever since I was a kid I have always looked forward to Pancake Day. I guess it's just part of my obsession with food that makes it one of my favourite yearly celebrations. If any of you guys remember my sandwich blog from a while ago you will know about some of my more kooky food combinations and now it's your chance to show me what you've got. I will start you with a basic pancake recipe and let's see how it goes for you. Let me know the creations you come up with.

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup soy milk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Mix in the soymilk and oil and, with an electric mixer or wire whisk, beat just until the batter is smooth.
- Measure 1/2 cup batter onto a hot, oiled griddle. When bubbles appear on the upper surface of the pancake (in about 2 minutes), lift with a spatula and flip the pancake. Cook the pancake for another 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and keep it warm while you make the remaining pancakes.

I have a personal favourite of chocolate spread, sugar, banana and syrup. What's your favourite?

Rock on!

Martin

P.S. Join the Street Team!