A Bit Of [VeganMOFO] & Weekend Stuff

I thought I would get some acupuncture done this weekend to see if it would transform my nervous energy to bliss. It did not happen, got to the clinic and it was packed, I even had an appointment and it did not matter. I was rather angry seeing it was a 30+ minute drive. So I asked for a refund and headed over to the Delta Humane Society thrift store and bought a few things, hung out with kittens and people who love cats.

To bust me out of my funk more Matt decided we needed doughnuts at Family Donuts & Deli again. The selection was smaller this time around but there were still some great ones to choose from. We tried a blueberry jelly filled and it was tasty!

Of course cemetery exploring was a must. Though the air quality is bad and everything looks murky and like a yellow bruise outside I had to get out there. The mausoleums were open and the air conditioner was on so Matt hung out in one while I explored. Matt snapped the above picture of me when I went back to get him

We rounded out the day having dinner at El Papagayo. I had green enchiladas - one with fried tofu and the other with chili colorado - both tasty options. This leads me to VeganMOFO - I would totally take Mr. President to eat here. No way am I going to cook and fill myself with anxiety! I would get him stuffed with nachos from the salsa bar, get him a round of Tecate and tell him to try a fried tofu dish!

I LOVE VEGAN DOUGHNUTS!!!!!! Family Donuts & Deli Carmichael CA

I was in Sacramento trying to handle personal business and feeling kinda crummy when I remembered seeing online that there was a doughnut shop nearby offering vegan doughnuts. When we plugged the address for Family Donuts & Deli into the GPA and saw we were super close. So like true vegan foodies we headed over to check them out.

 

Walking into the nondescript doughnut shop I was weary there were going to be vegan doughnuts. The guy behind the counter asked if we needed help and when I asked about vegan doughnuts he pointed to trays of vegan delights! My jaw hit the floor and my eyes glazed over. True Homer Simpson moment! We settled on chocolate stars filled with vegan custard (jelly was an option as well) and I got a cup of really good coffee with soy milk. 

Notice the look of lust in my eyes - sorry doughnut you time with me is short! Also how rockin' is the pentagram shape right?!?

After eating our doughnuts I decided my sadness needed more sugar so I got a glazed twist to split. The owners must have seen how sugar starved my spirit was so they sent over a chocolate log doughnut stuffed with chunky peanut butter. We had that after a late night screening of Strait Outta Compton in the theatre parking lot. Yum!
Family Donuts are top notch they are making delightful vegan doughnuts from scratch. Try a star doughnut filled with custard or a big as a plate apple fritter. You can find them on FaceBook or stop in on the weekend for vegan doughnuts at 9045 Fair Oaks Blvd Suite A, Carmichael, CA.

Turning 36

The last weekend in June I celebrated turning 36 with lots of fun and vegan food! My birthdays usually depresses me, I  feel really sad as I turn to June in my calendar. This gloomy feeling has not failed me for the last few years.

Matt wanted me to cheer up so what better way than celebrating my weekend with my childhood pal Hello Kitty. We headed off to Sacramento for the day and after sharing a burrito from Whole Foods we headed to the Sleep Train Arena to have some fun. Hello Kitty Supercute Friendship festival was a blast - full of activity, photos and fun.

We stopped for cupcakes and a muffin at Pushkin's. I got the toasted coconut - I love the crunchy bits of coconut on the top.

We stumbled upon the Catholic cemetery just as the guard was making his rounds and told us to get out. I have to go back - there were some gems here!

We can never go to Sacramento and not have dinner at El Papagayo. I cannot stress how good the food is or how awesome the owners and staff are to us. Everyone is friendly and it makes going back every time a treat. I got my taco salad with 1/2 tofu and 1/2 squash - squash scream summer right?

I have so many vegan cookbooks I stopped buying them. I was not using them enough and feet guilty. Matt bought me a few as gifts that I have made a promise to use them all this July with at least one recipe a week! I hope this encourages me to dust off some of my other cookbooks and use them.

So turning 36 has not been so bad. This summer heat is not doing me any favors but my plate is full and I will work on bettering myself/my mood/and the things around me as the heat burns on.

Last Two Weekends In Sacramento

So the last few weekends Matt and I spent time in Sacramento. Tattoos, to get, food to eat, death culture to explore. Fun times!

We went to midtown to have lunch and the first spot we chose did not have lunch hours so we were very hungry and decided to eat at Garden to Grill . We wanted to see if the place had improved since it was Sugar Plum after reading a bit about the changes in SN&R. I ordered a plate of pesto fries, a beer (to split) and Matt got a burger. It was $30+. My plate of fries above was cold, soggy, with a bit of pesto and a sprinkling of Daiya. Matt's burger looked more promising in the picture and even though he opted for the house made patty everything else from the bun to the sauce was store bought. I do not understand how a place can call themselves Garden To Grill when everything is heavy with Daiya and Gardein - which are great products but not something that I want my dine out meal to be made from the bulk of.
We liked Sugar Plum when it first opened. We would go there twice in one day if we were in town. After about a year in the place changed and then it went down hill. They do make really good whoopie pies and cookies you can pick up at Whole Foods and the co-op and at $2.99 they are really big and worth the price! I would not spend $30 there to dine again - in fact I would not even spend half that on stuff I can make at home and better.

Pushkin's Bakery has us covered with a tasty assortment of vegan cupcakes and muffins!

 El Papgayo has the best vegan Mexican food ever! The Baja tacos above is one of my fave dishes. Tangy, sweet and savory - all together and perfect in each bite!

My go to at Loving Hut in Elk Grove (and any LH) is the bbq vermicelli bowl. At the Elk Grove location I have to tell them no fake shrimp - not only do they creep me out I find them gross. Matt got a veggie burger and asked for no onions. I found fake shrimp in my dish under the noodles but luckily the giant slab of onion on Matt's burger was able to cover them up on the plate once removed. Ugh - seriously?

 
I was still riding on a cemetery high though after talking/interviewing a Buddhist master about life and death at the Ching Ming festival in East Lawn cemetery. I will be sharing the insight and bits of the conversation in an upcoming zine. 

We ended up back at El Papagayo - like always and this time around we both got the massive taco salad bowls - one of our faves. It is a massive fried flour tortilla with rice, beans, salsa, guac and choice your of filling spilling out.  I got the chile Colorado (potatoes, soyrizo) inside and was very happy while Matt opted for the fried tofu - his go to. This place is the best and everyone should go!

My Newest Tattoo - Nicrophorus Americanus

Over the weekend I got tattooed by Jessica at Reclamare in Sacramento. After trying to find someone who got bugs and had vegan ink/supplies I discovered her one night and knew she had to do it!
The gallery/shop is across from Odd Fellows cemetery - which is a major perk! The shop is clean, and has a nice airy loft quality to it.

The bug in question is a carrion beetle more to the point Nicrophorus Americanus. Basically they are insects that eat the flesh of the dead. I got into this type of insect after an episode of Penny Dreadful and went online to find out more. I had been wanting to get a creepy insect tattoo for the longest time, my fist choice; a death head moth has been done to death, not stopping me in the future from getting one but I wanted something more unique. Plus a bug eating away flesh is how I would describe having an anxiety attack: like bugs eating at my flesh.

Food, Iced Coffee, and Beer!

I never had Hamburger Helper as a kid, if I did maybe it was once and that was it. I am thinking it had more to do with the size of the box than what was in it. My dad sure could eat a lot and I do not think a box would be a safe bet for a family meal.

Here is my own version - vegan of course! Organic pasta, soyrizo, cashew chipotle cheeze + Daiya cheeze blend, a can of Rotel, cashew milk and a bunch of spices. Really creamy, really good!

I split a Baracuda cupcake from Pushkin's and iced almond milk coffee from around the corner via Temple with Matt.

Because it is iced coffee weather (this time with coconut milk) and one can never have/read/buy/trade too many zines. My coffee even has my name spelled right!!!

Beer: The Super Tramp from Dust Bowl Brewing is now a favorite of mine. It has a slight strawberry taste and is refreshing. Perfect for warm weather and spicy dishes. Bonus it is brewed locally! I was hoping to like the Old Rasputin stout more - because I like stouts plus it had good reviews but it was just okay in my book.

Is the warm temps in your area yet? What are you looking forward to this spring?

Headless In Old City Cemetery - Sacramento, CA

This is a photo I took last weekend at Old City Cemetery (Sacramento, CA). This is the second time Matt and I have been here. This time we entered at the newer cemetery section and crossed over starting from the back. I spotted the above image pretty quickly, it is so awesome, a true cemetery find in uniqueness.

And because I always have to snap a photo of myself in each cemetery I go to here I am surrounded by some old stones.

This cemetery is really nice. It is spacious and very nicely maintained. When we were there a handful of groundskeepers were on site keeping things clean. In the summer you can see animals frolic around and fruit on trees. Check out the site for tours and other info.

El Papagayo - Best Vegan Mexican Food!

I have labeled myself a vegan Mexican food snob and have taken Matt along on the ride. We grew up within miles of each other, had the same taco truck experiences and remember certain foods. We want those memories in our mouth just veganized with love!
When we talk to others about vegan Mexican food we ask them what their fave place is and often a certain northern CA location often comes up. At this point Matt and I look at each other and inwardly roll our eyes because we do not care for the place. People - El Papagayo is where it's at - you need to eat here in order to taste authentically awesome tasty Mexican food!

We plan our day around going to El Papagayo. Lately going up to Sacramento just to consume delicious food is why we are up there.

I always start off with a strawberry margarita, Matt gets a Tecate and I usually steal a sip or two. To go with our drinks we grab loads of chips and salsa from the chip station. My fave salsa is the tropical one with fruity bits and cilantro.

I have been getting the taco salad. It is a large flour tortillia that has been fried then stuffed with beans, rice, veggies, vegan cheeze and your choice of add in, my first go around was nopales.

Last time I had half tofu and half ranchero mushrooms (this is the only place I like mushrooms at!). The salad is so huge that I may need to rethink my eating game plan, almost passing out in a food coma is no fun!

There are so many vegan options that you will have a hard time choosing what to order. Everything from the tacos to the enchiladas have been legit! They even make a really tasty horchata that you must get to go!  The family that owns and runs this place is really top notch in services, kindness and cooking skills. The prices are really good, much food to money payoff! Make it a point to check out this place or I will roll my eyes at you next time we talk Mexican food!

Address: 5804 Marconi Ave Carmichael, CA 95608

My Current Go To Snacks - Vegan, Paleo, Protein & Tasty

These Earth Balance Cheddar Squares (aka vegan cheeze-itz) are amazing! I have not has the original in like 20 years but from what I remember these are spot on and delicious! I like getting a bowl of peanut butter and some of the crackers and mixing them together! Matt approves of these crackers too! I am holding onto our last box till we can get over to a Whole Foods Again.

I like to eat snacks grouped together for lunch since I tend to eat a bigger dinner. I get into a snacking rut...So I was looking for new snacks and came upon Graze.com. So far I have gotten 2 boxes and they had some stand out products. On Saturday Matt and I dug into the box that came that day and really liked the Tropical Sundae fruit mix, so much so we went out to search for more dried mango to munch on. Side note: have you ever noticed how much crap they put into dried fruit nowadays, finding simple dried fruit is hard!
You can customize your box selection to get only vegan items (go through after trashing non-vegan stuff to make sure there is no honey, I believe I found one honey product in the mix) and trash any products that you are allergic to our simple would not like. Use this code to get your fist box free: KENDYP89P.

I picked up this cookie while in Sacramento because I had not had anything directly marketed as paleo for vegans yet. I am not a fan of fad diets but I do tend to go for high protein and low/no sugar picks. I liked this cookie so much so that I have been trying to make my own version at home. Matt said it was to dry - whatever Matt! So far I have made a tasty batch of cookies that were not so pretty! I will keep trying though!

Sacremento, Sizzling Tofu And More

We went to Sacramento on Saturday. We had not been up there for awhile and wanted to do some shopping and eating. We had lunch at Pita Kitchen which is always tasty. The headed over to the mall and did shopping. My score of the day is this Juicy Couture ring:

I have been wanting this cuff  in black but it was leather and I have not found an alternative. I figure the ring captured the style and it was on sale!

We stopped into a new fave store in the K Street  mall called Good Stock. I found some fun jewelry and Matt found a hat. We then made our way to Lush were I spent way to much. I am in love with Let The Good Times Roll, it smells like candy!After that we went to Whole Foods and were disappointed in the selection of to go stuff, no vegan pastries and hot case items...boo! Oakland Whole Foods really worked it's magic on us.

Dinner was Loving Hut in Elk Grove. I ordered a stand by noodle bowl and it arrived with faux shrimp, I had to pick those out, the make me squeamish. Matt tried a new special, a sizzling tofu plate, pictured above. I sampled it and it is really good!

Fun day and it made me want to go back to Sacramento again soon to the stores we missed out on.

Black Keys & Sacramento

Last Saturday we got to see the Black Keys play with the Arctic Monkeys in Sacramento at the Power House Pavilion. I bought the tickets like 6 months ago to celebrate Matt's birthday this week (he saw them like 7 years ago!). It was a huge concert and the show they put on was really great!

We got up to Sacramento late. We had a late lunch at Pita Kitchen Plus - my new favorite place! Really good sandwiches and vegan baklava! The mint lemonade is so yummy - I described it as a mouth orgasm! We did a bit of shopping at Whole Foods, hit up Never Felt Better and while we were waiting for food for a light dinner ( I had two $2 tacos - pictured above and a bite of Matt's Reuben)  to be prepped at Sugar Plum Vegan* I bought a zine and some local music at Phono Select.

A really fun day in Sacramento and I can't wait to go back and have more baklava! 

*New owners, same problems. Food running out and service that is slow and not really organized.

Saturday Shopping & More In Sacramento

We had a fun time up in Sacramento. The beauty class I spoke at had a great turn out - you can read about it over on Never Felt Better's blog. I got to finally check out the new location and do some shopping - the new location is great! Shout out to Vegan Flower - I saw someone looking at your dog treat book - I told her how awesome you are - she bought it!

Before the event we tried to do some shopping - everything was packed, we could not even get into the Arden mall. We headed to the K St. mall which was pretty empty as far as malls go. We got our Lush fix. My favorite product is the Snowcake soap...


As Matt and I where checking out - I picked up a hunk - sniffed it and then passed it to Matt - who said it smelled like Playdoh and so I had to get some!


I hope to go back to Sacramento soon and do some shopping and looking around! We have been so busy - our house proves it - we still do not have our tree up. At this point - I am like why bother!

Sacramento Birthday Fun

My birthday is officially tomorrow but my boyfriend took me to Sacramento on Saturday for birthday fun since I did not want to have a get together this year.


First up Sugar Plum Vegan really hooked me up for my birthday meal. We ate for free (Matt gave them a good tip though!). I had the antipasto panini - so tasty. They have stepped up their game with the tempeh bacon and Daiya - in the past it was a bit scarce or dried out - this time perfect! Across the street Never Felt Better was having a bake sale, we dropped off some cakey moist brownies and low cal chocolate muffins (recipe testing these for the next issue of my zine).


At the bake sale I bought the magnet above, a tasty Sweet Cups that I shared with Matt and a doughnut that I shared with Matt and Mar when we got home later that night. I could not buy much due to the fact it would have been melted in the car since we were running around all day. I also bought some gifts at Never Felt Better and dropped off The Easy Vegan zine (which is 32% off in my Etsy right now till June 30 for my birthday. Use code HAPPYBDAY when checking out).


At Phone Select where the bake sale was hosted I bought some zines and then we walked a block over to Dragatomi and I bought a few blind box toys! I love the best Friends Forever series!




While in Sacremento we looked at a few tattoo shops, did some shopping at Lush and Whole Foods and the Lego store for Matt. I even tried out some crackle nail polishes, I do not paint my nails often - but I get a urge now and then!


We made our way on home stopping at Loving Hut for dinner. I had the Heavenly Salad which was light but filling!

Thank you Matt for a fun day!

Anniversary - Easter Weekend

Over the weekend my boyfriend and I celebrated our five year anniversary. We headed up to Sacramento for a day of eating, shopping and having fun.



First stop was to Never Felt Better where we restocked the store with our goodies and picked up some stuff - like Nacheez - which I will review this week! Jen always carries the coolest stuff!


We had lunch down staires at Sugar Plum Vegan. I had a yummy tofu frittata!


We walked off lunch around mid town. We heard about a designer toy store on our last trip to Sacramento so we searched it out. Dragatomi could easily clear out my bank account. Matt bought me a Bossy Bear and I bought a blind box Miss Cupcake - which was turned out to be the strawberry character - awesome! I am lusting after the kitties pictured! We also discovered Spanglish art gallery/store/work space! I was really into the photos on display by Amanda Lopez. I can't wait to take a screen printing class in the summer!


We looked around Ikea and got some ideas, bought some vases then headed to another part of town. At the mall Matt stocked up on Lego bricks as we sipped a supper yummy blueberry - pineapple kona pop iced tea from Teavana. We stopped at Whole Foods and made our way back home.

In Elk Grove we stopped at Loving Hut for dinner. We had golden rolls and for dinner I got the Golden Beauty with brown rice. Super crispy tastiness!


The Easter bunny brought Mar a cat bed that is shaped like a cat face - he loves it! Also he got a natural paper poof ball as you can see in the corner!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Day Trip - Sacramento

So last weekend we headed a hour up north to Sacramento. Over the last few years I have really fallen in love with Sac! From vegan restaurants and Whole foods to walking around mid town and all the little shops.

Here are some of my favorite Sacramento places, some big and some small - however they are all worth checkin' out!

-First up is what I like to think of as the 'vegan house' on K Street. Sugar Plum Vegan and Never Felt Better team up to offer food, baked goods, stuff for the house and all your vegan cheeze needs! I love having so many choices under one roof!

Potato mashers at Sugar Plum:


-Staying on the grid I like going over to the Gluten Free Specialty Market that carry a lot of vegan products! Even if you are not GF (I am not) it is worth seeing what vegan stuff they have to buy!

-Lush in Macy's at the K Street Mall. The staff at this location are super nice, some of the nicest sales people I have encountered!

-Queen Sheba has a all you can eat vegan buffet for lunch Monday through Friday. The best day to go is Friday for the tofu tibs. The bread is so tasty you will want to smuggle it out in your pockets!

-Teavana in Arden mall is a good place to sample a lot of teas. I love the fact that they have sample stations and little cups you can help yourself to trying some exotic blends. Matt who is not a big fan of tea even likes the Strawberry Paraiso White Tea with popcorn bits...

-Whole Foods on Arden gets Bicycle Bakery fudge cake in - so damn tasty, you need a slice - now!

-On our way home from Sacramento we have been stopping at the recently opened Loving Hut in Elk Grove. We love starting off with something fried - which is a rare treat and I then take 20 minutes trying to pick something since I want to try it all!


Bonus picture - Matt at his gallery debut at Side Show Studios. There was a lot of cool art going on that night! I can't wait to go back and get tattooed by Char!

[day 18] Interview With Jen - Never Felt Better

Last month I got to check out the new all vegan shop Never Felt Better in Sacramento creating a buzz! Not only does Jen - the owner know how to pick some awesome stuff (including some of my handmade goods)she is super awesome and all around nice!

I got to ask Jen a few questions about being vegan in Sacramento. I can't wait to be back in Sacramento next month for shopping!


-what gave you the idea to open Never Felt Better?
i have always wanted to open my very own store. in the early 90's it was a flower shop, then a buy-sell-trade, then a craft co-op. when we lived in portland we saw how successfully herbivore/foodfight! grocery thrived within the vegan community and it became a no-brainer. i think with NFB, i have found a marriage of my passion for veganism and handmade that can be sustainable here in sacramento.

-how do you pick what goes into the shop?
i love to support my friends who work so hard at their businesses and who have supported me over time. i have had a mental checklist of folks whose items i have fancied for years since going vegan that i would love to carry in the store. i like to think the handmade items i buy are not only cute and well made but things people want to spend money on.

-what are your favorite items you carry?
the vegan dish pottery bowls and mugs, herbivore tee's, and all the food items. especially now i have a fridge full of sweet and sara smores and marshmallows!

-what is your favorite place to eat in the Sacramento area?
we love au lac veggie, of course sugar plum vegan, loving hut in elk grove and zpizza in roseville. we love to eat out so i could not even come close to choosing just one.

Turning 31!

I turned 31 on June 28th. I had a amazing 3 day birthday that involved coffee-walnut cupcakes and friends, San Francisco fun and good eats , a concert in Sacramento a more awesome food.

I decided to make two different cupcakes for my birthday. The one that had the most positive response was the coffee-walnut cupcakes with coffee butter cream frosting. This cupcake is super dense and rich and has loads of coffee flavor. The recipe is something I came up with after veganizing and reconstructing a few recipes. If you do not like StarBucks feel free to use a different brand of instant strong coffee.


Super Walnut Coffee Cupcakes + Coffee Butter Cream Frosting
[makes 12 standard sized cupcakes]

3/4 cup Earth Balance (room temp)
3/4 sugar
3 tbsp. of Egg Replacer with 9 generous tbsp water - mixed
1 1/4 cups ap flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ cup walnut pieces
1 packet* of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast- dissolved in 1 tbsp. of hot water

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.

Beat the Earth Balance and sugar together until creamy and then slowly add the Egg Replacer mixture. Sift in the flour and baking powder and then mix in. Fold in the walnuts (checking for big chunks, discard those). Divide the mixture between the cupcake liners evenly. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

[Coffee Butter Cream Frosting]
2 tbsp. of plain soy milk
1* packet of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast-
6 tbsp. of Earth Balance
1 1/4 cups of sifted powdered sugar
large walnut halves to decorate

Warm the soy milk in a pan (do not boil) add coffee and stir until dissolved. Let cool in a medium sized bowl till warm - not hot. Beat in the Earth Balance and frosting till creamy. Frost each cupcake and decorate with a walnut half.

*About 2 teaspoons



For my birthday we usually take a mini day trip, this year I really wanted to go to Japan Town in San Francisco with a few stops. We got off BART and went over to Westfield Mall to have lunch at Loving Hut. We both ordered combo plates. The food was good, I even got a mock beef dish and it was not to ‘beefy’ which is sometimes the case when using mock meats.




Once in Japan Town I went crazy with all of the cute toys in the mall. We had a blast taking photos and decorating them at Pika Pika. I walked out with lots of super cute stationery from Kinokuniya. I could spend all day and all my money in this mini mall. We went across the street to the New People store/mall and I fell in love with some of the goth lolita stuff on the upper level. I really liked Black Peace Now’s stuff!



We headed down Filmore and had soy yogurt at Fraiche Yogurt with lil pillows of mochi settled on the side. Then we walked down hill (later up hill - my poor feet!) To eat vegan Chicago deep dish pizza with loads of Dayia at Patxis Chicago Pizza. I was never a huge fan of ‘commercial’ pizza since I grew up with hand made pizza from a Sicilian grandma, then vegan options are usually not tasty. Patxis just rocked the taste buds that night and we were both amazed at how good it was.





The next day in Sacramento we started off eating at the all you can eat vegan buffet at Queen Sheba . I always load up on enjeera and lentils!


I just really wanted to try Sugar Plum Vegan after seeing they opened a store front. I had tried a gluten free - vegan brownie at a craft show one year and it was yummy. The owner was super nice and we both got our order fast. I got the midtown club and my boyfriend got the tempeh reuben panini - they were both damn tasty and we are not even sandwich people. We stocked up on sweets for after the concert (we saw Dum Dum Girls perform at Blue Lamp - good show, clean venue!), the owner even through in a large cowboy cookie! The best thing we had (on our way home!) Was the peanut butter creme filled giant cookie - tasty!
Can I just applaud Sugar Plum Vegan for a bit...Living in the valley we don’t have vegan food on every corner. People from bigger cities thinks that we are often lame and write shit about us. Sugar Plum Vegan gives me hope, they are offering monthly workshops and kick ass food without the attitude. I look up to Sugar Plum Vegan - they started off how I am starting off with my own vegan bakery and it gives me lots of hope.



Yay smaller town vegans and having a awesome bday!