Something Blue

I was surprised by how bliss-inducing free yoga at Lululemon was. Held every Sunday at 10 am, I finally gave in and decided to try it. Although high intensity training is my regular schtick, it felt very natural to focus on breathing and posing. It wasn't as challenging as performing similar moves with faster reps, but it made me feel grounded and still gave me a nice release.

Still, don't give me that look. I don't have that yoga personality.

I was so open to the energy around me (NO!) that I found myself across the street at Starbucks for a soy latte. They actually nailed my drink. As a bonus, I found  2 Moms in the Raw granola bars at Starbucks, organic-vegan-raw-handmade snacks from two crazy/awesome mothers of the planet. They make sea crackers, too, but I haven't found those anywhere. The bars are very nutty and wholesome, and not a bad fix if you find yourself stuck in a desert with a Starbucks.

I tried the blueberry this morning and will probably use it as granola.. My blue nails and blue flats completed the look.

It was the 25th birthday so we brunched it up at XIX. If you're veg, this means overpaying for steel cut oats with soy milk and roasted fruit, but we didn't care. The buffet options were not enticing and the brunch menu was straightforward. We just wanted the view.

Later, on a whim, we called up Xochitl and decided to have dinner there. I had the squash tacos (above) on blue corn tortillas with eggplant chipotle salsa and asparagus, no cheese, and my blue striped shirted escort fell for a black bean/corn/cheese torta. Both were thumbs up, but the guacamole was too smooth and not garlicky enough. We liked the ensalada, especially considering how hot and muggy it was outside. Not that anyone isn't aware of the weather right now.

My forecast for this week: Cold summer salads and more NYC.

Raw Files

I had dress fitting numero dos in NYC yesterday and decided to do a little shopping for the honeymoon to make a day of it. After the fitting I dashed over to Calypso St Barth, a luxe resortwear shop with a couple of New York locations and an online shop that I glimpse occasionally. Their fashions are a little too boho-beachy for Philly everyday wear (especially since we are downcast Rainadelphia lately) but I had St. Lucia (see our resort above) in June on my mind. I tried on two Bantu bikinis, which they carry.

Bantu bikini made from African wax cloth.  

I chose this one, although both looked and fit like second skin. The line is entirely manufactured in Ethiopia and proceeds benefit economic development in Africa.Not to mention the colorful prints will lift your mood and put you in vacation escape-mode. Bonus: It's reversible!

 

I wanted some kind of beachy tunic coverup, which I've been seeing everywhere lately. I figured I would look stupid in this one, like an animal seance expert. The color is amazing (I chose the turquoise one with orange embroidery) and gives my arms a lightly tanned look. Bangle bracelets and AG Skinny Crops will round it out.

It was time for a late lunch of raw fuel. I went to One Lucky Duck, Pure Food and Wine's takeaway joint for a falafel salad with tabbouleh and a Mallomar. I picked up a fig bar and a bag of Rosemary Quackers for the road - things that would not melt this time.

I went crazy for the texture of the tabbouleh - extremely fine and nutty,  from the pulsed cauliflower, cucumber, parsley, and tomato. The raw falafel was flavorful and rich-tasting, made from nuts and seeds, and served with a lemon tahini and hot sauce. The dressing on the greens was tangy and creamy. I have the recipe for it, but no dehydrator yet.

The Mallomar was everything I'd heard it would be. Dark, sophisticated chocolate turned over a crisp graham cracker and a fluffy cashew cream that settled over the tastebuds like velvet.

The Rosemary Quackers were probably my favorite bite of the day, as I settled into my Amtrak cave for the ride home, shopping bags nipping at my heels, I snuck a cracker or two and if I was a talk show host with favorite things? I would definitely be pimping these. Almonds, flax, nut yeast, rosemary, sea salt. I can't stand how good these are.

Previously:  I Like it Raw

photos via Ladera and Calypso

Happy Hour is Really One Hour at Horizons

It was a green day. Green dress, cucumber/basil/shea/sea salt pedicure, green hummus and pita for lunch, iced green tea afternoon. We had plans for happy hour at Horizons, launched earlier this week, which is why my lunch was more of a snack. I knew that 5 pm would bring on a Korean seitan taco.

The Happy Hour Menu at Horizons is outside only, 5-6 pm, amongst the palms and rhododendrons on a balmy day. There are 3 bites to choose from, so we ordered one of each, thinking of it as an early dinner. The regular menu is not available until 6, which was just fine with us. We try to eat here often (it's the only veg restaurant in Philly that we get excited about) and were ready to take on some new items. At $2 for each snack, it's silly not to.



I went for a sake beverage and said yes please to a  Kyoto Sour. It matched my hue of the day, and who doesn't like a starfruit garnish? Probably David Chang and Tony Bourdain.



Beets and olives brought on more green and two of the most common things that we snack on. Except, in this case, only $2. Our beet and olive budget is insane, so cheers to this.



Meet the Korean seitan taco with kimchee mayo. You can't help but want it, eat it, get messy with it, declare it such a deal that you would eat it for dinner every day if you weren't such a mercurial being. The seitan has a wonderful texture that soaks up the spicy sauce. The best $2 bang for your vegan buck in town? Kiss this, tofu banh mi. We each had one and then turned to the fingerling fries with white BBQ sauce, with absolutely no green.

The white BBQ sauce tasted of horseradish, maybe mustard, and likely some vegan mayo. I never get into french fries, but I love fingerlings. White. I'm wearing that color tomorrow.



Our final bill, with tax, came to $18 and change for four dishes and two drinks. I know a lot of people hesitate to eat at Horizons casually because it is a mid-priced establishment. This is just proof that you can have a taste of Horizons that is more than accessible. And maybe head inside for an entree when you realize how worth it it'll be.

Hulk Hummus

Edamame hummus. I thought Coup de Taco's main star would steal the show, but it's the refreshing green dip and satisfyingly crunchy chips that make for curbside snacking done right.

Today I knew immediately that some leftover edamame from sushi takeout would end up as neon hummus. I baked some paprika-dusted pita into chips and pulsed those soybeans. I used this recipe, omitting the tahini because acquiring it would have been a huge pain in the ass. Still, yum.

I'm not sure what Coup de Taco adds to their hummus, but it is a bit different, spiced and guac-like.

Protein, fiber, and that ever important crunch factor.

Lithe Barres, Grooms Heads, and Cocktails

Sweet Freedom cookie sandwiches and brownies are sold at Di Bruno Bros in Rittenhouse. So what's next? I am thoroughly in love with their Magic Bars, which the ladies and token men at my bridal shower made short disappearing work of. Now I hear that  Alison Lubert of SF is creating a gluten-free/dairy-free Lithe "barre". She's a Lither and I've been fitting in a Lithe class weekly in addition to my workouts and can testify to sweet results from both parties. Lithe Method + Sweet Freedom thrills on occasion = Twiggy Delight.

The bridal shower involved pin the bowtie on the groom, flowers from Beautiful Blooms, some random decor from Eclatante's giftshop, feathers from a vendor at Fashion Weekend, my Master Cleanse Cocktails and homemade sangria, and catering from A Full Plate (peanut noodle stuffed cucumbers, tortellini and tomato skewers, tofu skewers with peanut dipping sauce, and tea sandwiches.

You didn't think I was this fem? It's not that bad.

Here is the cocktail that Josh developed for me after trying the sake version at Pure Food and Wine:

Master Cleanse Cocktail

* 3/4 oz. Bluecoat Gin
* 1/2 oz. Maple Syrup
* 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
* 2 dashes Bitter Truth Grapefruit Bitters
* 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

Shaken and fine strained into a cocktail glass.

And here I am making it for Lauren via her blog.  We love this thing. Just give us Magic Bars and MCs and it's a good time.

Sausage and Coffee, Vedge-Style

Renaissance Sausage, your truck source for veggie sausage, is not only at the Headhouse Square Farmer's Market on Sundays. Recent tweeting puts 'em at 4th and Spring Garden for midweek 11-2ish lunch breaks. We considered them on Sunday, but I wanted tofu frittata from Essene and coffee time with my main catch at new grindhouse Bodhi Coffee.

Josh's soy latte was wanting (too much cappy foam and too hot) but mine was worth a repeat. What gives? We had two different baristas. We'll try again.

Discovery Channel

I found this raw gelato from Organic Nectars in the Essene alt-cream aisle. It was pricy at over $9 a pint, but I was so intrigued by it that I knew our cashew-cream-loving apartment would be receptive. Later that night over a dish while watching the Flyers dominate the Bruins, I noticed how long it took to soften up. It did have the consistency of gelato, but I let it sit for a good fifteen minutes to get creamy and slightly melted, the way that I like it. It was very good, but I don't think I'd pay that much for it again. I'd rather enjoy a scoop of Stogo or split a cashew ice cream sundae at Pure Food & Wine with my main squeeze.

I also now have the recipe for those PFW sundaes from the restaurant's cookbook. And this, too: http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Simple-Homemade-Vegetarian-Cuisine/dp/156656770X

Because wouldn't it be nice if we had time to cook some indian food during all of this last month wedding planning? I can't even tell anyone that I'm blogging right now or they'll call me a vow-writing slacker.

Yes, I am going to write my vows soon.

A vegan deodorant that doesn't smell like a joke, Duross and Langel's ginger stick is a vegetable protein based odor repellent that is handmade in Philly.  I have wussy, sensitive skin that reacts to the slightest of abrasive ingredients, so I needed something simple and natural.

Brunch Bagels with Beet "Lox"

How do vegetarians do Mom's Day Brunch? With style and grace, the Babycakes cookbook, and thin slivers of beet for their bagels.

We prepped a ton of excellent espresso-grind iced coffee (Stumptown Bella Carmona), banged out two fresh juices (carrot/orange/pear and grapefruit/mint/blueberry/apple), mimosas, bagels with veggie cream cheese or hummus, slivered beets in place of lox with red onions and capers, fruit salad with dates, mint, and lime, and scones with curd and preserves. We had a cheese plate, nuts, olives, and crackers for mom-pleasing nibbles.

The beet-topped bagels were a winner. Schmeared with some veggie cream cheese, I was all ironed up.

The one recipe that I would die by: the Babycakes scone recipe. I must make them every other week as one of our go-to breakfasts, with various fruits and fillings.

The moms loved them. My mom, ever the skeptic, asked for the ingredients, and was shocked when I told her there wasn't a drop of butter. A scone without butter? And next you'll tell me that you're pregnant.

Prior Engagements

A few weekends ago we took some engagement photos with our photographer Tiffany Atlas, as a way to grow more comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding (6 weeks!). I prefer being the one taking the photos, but I had such an easy time with Tiffany that by the end of the session, I didn't even realize she was still snapping away and was completely caught up in Mr. Vedge-to-be.

Yes, I'm reading Viva Vegan

Won't you come inside for a soy cappuccino?

Superfood Supersnob

I have been searching for the ultimate smoothie mix, one that doesn't require combining a bunch of different ingredients (goji, lucuma, maca powder, chia seeds, etc) like a blender science experiment. Not that I don't have fun with my morning smoothie creations.

Essene started carrying Raw Superfood Protein Smoothie Mix from Essential Living Foods. A quick scan of the ingredients and I was sold. Superfoods are my preferred day-starter.

I mixed my first smoothie with soy milk, frozen strawberries and banana, and a scoop of cashew butter. It was chocolatey and shake-like. I felt immediately energized (this was long before I had finished my morning coffee). At 75 calories, 5 grams fiber, 5 grams protein per 2 tbsps of mix, I was sated for hours.

If only the American smoothie bar would just get it and stop loading up their drinks with honey and intense protein powders that provide way too much protein. I never enjoyed smoothies before I started making them myself, selecting ingredients that made sense, and now I know why. This mix has all of the items that I would put in a smoothie, minus the cold things.

Veg Out: Zavino

Upon entering Zavino to have a gander at the menu, an old friend/the host vouched for the Kennett mushroom pie and seated us immediately at a teensy, wonderful table. I spent a good minute wondering how a pizza could fit between us, and then I was quite certain that our pie would be a sensible portion of hot adulation.

I would have ordered any from the selection of unique veggie bites, but it was the cauliflower that got the gig, roasted and sent out with plump raisins and pine nuts. Come back anytime, my love.

Oyster, criminis, and shitakes came with the party, bechamel and mozzarella were there but not loud, the crust was all cracker and coal designated driving. Slices fit on narrow slivers of dishes, but we honestly could not put them down. This was enjoyment.

I couldn't help but notice and respect a younger thin-crust-loving crowd, a simpler bar with cocktails that are what they say they are with no slutty names, and a close-but-not-uncomfortable fit, table-wise.

The tomato pie would be my next pick.

Zavino, 112 S. 13th St.

I Like it Raw

After a full day of dress fitting, shoe shopping, and suit finding, we headed to Pure Food and Wine with our successful shopping bags and some exhausted bodies in need of energizing raw food. We were seated in the outdoor garden of the Gramercy Park hot(but not over 118 degrees)-spot.

Here I am with Vedge Mom, dissecting the menu and about to get our drink on.

Josh ordered the Master-Cleanse tini, fully aware that I might swipe it from him if I wasn't into my own drink, the pink, girly-as-hell Aloe Berry (berries, sake, lemonade). I wasn't and I did. The MCT (lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne, sake) was the quickest I've ever downed a cocktail in my life, not missing a beat. I confirmed that Josh would indeed whip up this lemony, cayenne-kicking baby at home for me. Provided it was made with gin and not sake, of course.

One half of our table bet on the Violet Salad special. We wanted to get down on some vio-greens. The extremely grassy greenstuff wasn't the easiest thing to eat, but the slightly bitter, peppery bite was similar to an arugula salad, had a balanced, citrusy dressing, and some crumbled cashew cheese.

Some of our tablemates saw the Iceberg and Cobb Salad with Portabellas and Manna Crystal Bleu Cheese Dressing being delivered to other tables and had to have it. The mushrooms were dehydrated slivers of luscious, jerky-like fun.

It took some time to get our entrees in the busy outdoor garden. Just because it's not cooked doesn't mean the kitchen isn't crafting some serious eats.

I thought my entree, the Pickled Beet and Cashew Chevre Ravioli was one of the better plates at the table (I tried to taste a bit of each one).I liked the creamy filling and the thin slivers of raw beet. The center of marinated cauliflower was a flavorful addition.

Mom's pizzettes were as different as could be - one heaped with greens and pesto, another clad with nut cheese and tomatoes, and the third a mix of mushrooms, onions, yellow tomatoes, and olives. She tried each but went for the middle guy as her dinner date.

Josh wasn't feeling his drunken zucchini noodles because of the crunchy texture. I thought they were pretty good but wouldn't order the dish myself because zucchini pasta isn't so exciting for me.

The entire table, some full, others not entirely sold on raw cuisine, leapt for dessert. We cooled off with the ice cream sundaes, dairy-free scoops with cacao, raw cookie pieces, and vanilla cream. The ice cream was so lush and smooth and the dark, rich content of the cacao made it feel adult.

The Trio of Chocolate Indian Spiced Ice Cream Treats did not disappoint with three mini servings of classics - chocolate cardamom coconut ice cream cone, pistachio gelato ice cream sandwich, and chai tea creamsicle

Afterwards, we walked around the corner to One Lucky Duck, their takeaway shop. I picked up some mallomars, face toner, and chocolate crispy cereal for the road. Of course, we came back to Philly to find that those raved-about mallomars had melted in the car.

Next time, mallomar, you are not getting away.