Vegan Household

Eco Lunch Boxes. Tri-Bento Giveaway with Dipper Snack Container! Vedged Out 12 Days of Christmas

The Tri-Bento Lunch box. Yes you can have vegan mac & cheese (coming on the blog in 2014), a lovely little salad, some honeycrisp apples and homemade cashew yogurt (also coming on the blog in 2014) on the go.

I first found Eco Lunch Boxes while I was searching for unique and beautiful cloth napkins to feature in my food photography (If you follow this blog, you know that’s about as detailed as it gets when I come to props). And boy do they ever have gorgeous ones! Their hand printed textiles are made by artisans and come in so many designs and colors.

I also happened to be looking for a lunchbox, that was, ahem, dog proof. My dog is a sweetheart, but my kids aren’t good about putting backpacks or lunchboxes away when they come home from school and I can’t count the number of lunchboxes our pup has chewed through when we weren’t looking. Too bad the lunchboxes don’t come with a tracking device. This model is currently somewhere at my kids school.

The Eco Lunch Tray

There are so many options for lunchboxes on their site with various shapes and sizes to suite your individual needs. As the company name suggests, the lunchboxes are super environmentally friendly! The stainless steel bentos, lunch boxes & artisan lunchbags are plastic-free, waste-free, BPA-free, PVC-free, petroleum-free and vinyl-free. They also offer stainless steel utensils, stainless steel straws and pretty artisan knapsacks on the site here.

The Tri-Bento Three Tiered Lunch Container, all wrapped up in its lovely Persimmon Cloth Cover

This is the Giveaway Package a lucky winner will receive from Eco-Lunch Boxes. The Tri-Bento Three Tiered lunch container with a beautiful Cloth Cover, plus the Eco Dipper Snack Container.

Lunch all ready to go! For those of you who take lunch to work or have children that take lunch to school, you need these awesome lunchboxes! Head on over to Eco Lunch Boxes to get something for yourself or for your child!

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Or for a chance to win this amazing Giveaway, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only! You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Sunday December 22nd! I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 23rd of December. GO!!

Day 1: Free Vegan Lifestyle Magazine. Day 2: Free Case of Butler Soy Curls. Day 3: Alternative Outfitters Vegan Boutique $25 Gift Card and Free Messenger Bag. Day 4: Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder or Product of Choice Giveaway. Day 5: Tropical Traditions 1 Gallon Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway. Day 6: Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats, Allergy Free & Vegan Recipes. Cookbook Giveaway. Day 7: Extraordinary Vegan Cookbook Giveaway. Day 8: Emaline Delapaix, Music Download Giveaway. Day 9: Jazzy Vegetarian Classics Cookbook Giveaway. Day 10: Bring Joy Totes & Field Roast Celebration Roast. Day 11: Elianni Huge Gluten-Free Vegan Gift Box.

Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats. Allergy-Free and Vegan Recipes from the Famous Los Angeles Bakery. Plus, Sunflower Buttercup Brownies. Vedged Out 12 Days of Christmas

Sunflower Buttercup Brownies, pg. 49

I love reviewing cookbooks and this book is incredible for those who are gluten-free or have food allergies. Debbie Adler, the author of this cookbook was all ready running a successful California bakery, Sweet Debbie’s when she discovered that her young son had many life-threatening food allergies. She revamped her menu to make her bakery a safe haven for anyone with food allergies. It made her business boom! Who wouldn’t want these treats? These recipes contain no soy, gluten, eggs, dairy, refined sugars, soy or nuts. Yet they still taste incredibly delicious!

I have multiple friends who suffer from serious food allergies or who have children who do. While my family isn’t affected by these issues (so far, knock on wood) My own children, just being vegan, all ready have issues regarding food when they attend parties, sporting events, school functions and more. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be to eat ANYWHERE when major food allergies are involved.

Gourmet Dark Chocolate Mesquite Brownies, pg. 39

I’ve become resourceful. We bring our own food to most events and some to share so others can taste how good vegan food is. This book is excellent for those who need to provide their own treats for themselves and their children, or for anyone who wants to have allergy free food for their guests.

Sunflower Buttercup Brownies

“Reprinted from SWEET DEBBIE’S ORGANIC TREATS by Debbie Adler. Published by Harlequin. Copyright Debbie Adler 2013.”

Must Have:

24 mini paper baking cups
2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour (Debbie’s special blend is on page 13)
2 1/2 teaspoons sodium-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon guar gum
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup coconut nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/8 teaspoon stevia powder
1 cup sunflower seed butter (Debbie’s sunflower butter recipe is on page 11)
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (Debbie’s allergy free chocolate chip recipe on page 12)

Must do:

1- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 24-cup mini muffin tin with mini paper baking cups.

2- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, guar gum and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle.

3- Add the grapeseed oil, applesauce, coconut nectar, vanilla and stevia and stir to combine. Next add the sunflower seed butter and stir to combine. Fold in 3/4 of the chocolate chips.

4- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups to the top and each with the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

5- Bake the buttercups for 18-20 minutes or until they are a light golden brown and bounce back slightly to the touch.

6- Transfer the muffin tin form the oven to a wire rack and let sit for about 15 minutes before removing the buttercups to cool completely.

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days or wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

Buy the paperback copy of the book on Amazon here or get the Kindle edition for just $9.99 here!

Or for a chance to win this amazing Giveaway, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only! You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Friday December 20th! I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 23rd of December. GO!!

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Alternative Outfitters Vegan Boutique $25 Gift Card + Free Messenger Bag! Vedged Out 12 Days of Christmas

I’m so excited about this day three Giveaway! Alternative Outfitters is offering one of my lucky readers a $25 gift card and a Free Messenger Bag! If you haven’t all ready heard of Alternative Outfitters, you’re going to love their store! Everything is 100% Vegan and Cruelty Free, but with awesome pricing that you may not find at some of the other online vegan boutiques! Vegan, Hip and Affordable, what’s not to love!?! Plus right now there are new specials going on every week!

Here’s that cute canvas messenger bag!

Alternative Outfitters has shoes, clothing, handbags, vegan beauty products and so much more for men and women.

Enter the giveaway! And in the meantime, hop on over there to get something special for yourself or for your favorite vegan here!

For a chance to win this amazing Giveaway, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only! You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Monday December 16th! I will notify the winner by email on Tuesday the 17th of December. GO!!

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Day 1: Free Vegan Lifestyle Magazine. Day 2: Free Case of Butler Soy Curls.

Celebrating 100 Posts!

It’s a good day all around, this post marks my 100th post since I started this blog in September 2012. I’m feeling all kinds of love and support! Thanks to all of you. Today I got twitter follows from Forks Over Knives, Dr. McDougall and a Hospital!?! I also got featured on the brand new site, Choose Veg. Feeling happy and blessed. Here’s a look back at 99 posts, in no particular order.

Healthied Up Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/05/healthied-up-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars/

Quinoa Tabbouleh: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/25/simplest-quinoa-tabbouleh-salad/

Insane Chocolate Layer Cake: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/21/insane-chocolate-layer-cake/

Vedged Out Lasagna: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/19/a-very-vedged-out-lasagna/

African Peanut Stew: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/17/the-ultimate-ratbag/

Happiness in a Cookie Bite: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/17/the-ultimate-ratbag/

20 Reasons Why Going Vegan Sucks: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/11/20reasonswhygoingvegansucks/

Super Soft and Snappy Ginger Cookies: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/27/woohoo-mofo-plus-extra-snappy-and-soft-ginger-cookies/

The Bear 100, Curtis: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/28/the-bear-100-curtis-823/

Black Bean Veggie Burger: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/01/black-bean-veggie-burger-with-guac-on-a-pretzel-bun/

Pretzel Rolls: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/02/whole-grain-pretzel-buns-or-rolls/

Somer & Erika

Forks over Knives publishes my testimonial: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/02/holy-freaking-crap/

Vegan French Toast: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/09/vegan-french-toast/

Dad’s Cowboy Beans: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/08/dads-cowboy-beans/

Sriracha and Olive Salsa Fresca: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/12/sriracha-and-olive-salsa-fresca/

Forks Over Knives Cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/Forks-Over-Knives-Cookbook-Plant-Based/dp/1615190619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368043207&sr=8-1&keywords=forks+over+knives

Plum Tart with Apricot Crumble: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/16/layered-plum-tart-with-apricot-crumble/

Vegan BBQ Sandwich: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/17/vegan-bbq-sandwich/

Smoked Coconut Gouda: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/22/smoked-coconut-gouda/

Pomona’s Pectin, vegan cheese’s best friend : http://www.pomonapectin.com/

George Monroy!

Vedged Out Calzone: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/23/vedged-out-calzone-and-a-welcome-party-for-george-monroy/

Cozy Roasted Butternut Soup: https://vedgedout.com/?s=cozy+roasted+butternut+soup

Not Beef Stew: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/10/not-beef-stew/

Vegan Monte Cristo Sandwich: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/28/vegan-monte-cristo-sandwich-vegan-mofo-iron-chef-challenge/

Vegan Aebleskivers: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/29/vegan-aebleskivers/

Macadamia Nut Brie En Croute: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/31/virtual-vegan-potluck-spooky-vegan-macadamia-nut-brie-en-croute/

Virtual Vegan Potluck Baby: http://virtualveganpotluck.com/

Double Dark Chocolate Coconut Pecan Cookies: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/09/double-dark-chocolate-coconut-pecan-cookies/

Buttery Vegan Pan Rolls: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/14/butterypanrolls/

Moroccan Lentil Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/03/moroccan-lentil-soup/

Happy Herbivore test session: https://vedgedout.com/?s=happy+herbivore

Oil Free Banana Muffins: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/07/oil-free-banana-muffins/

Mini Vegan “Meat” Loaves: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/10/mini-meat-loaves/

Vegan Dog? https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/18/v-dog-review-and-sample-giveaway/

V-Dog! http://v-dog.com/

Truck Stop Jo Jo Potatoes & Vegan Ranch Dressing: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/14/truck-stop-jo-jo-potatoes-with-vegan-ranch-dressing/

Mom’s 9 grain granola: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/21/moms-9-grain-granola/

Creamy Satay Soup with Tasty Baked Tofu: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/30/creamy-satay-soup-with-tasty-baked-tofu/

Toasted Sesame Tahini: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/02/toasted-sesame-tahini-pictorial/

Green Smoothie Challenge: https://vedgedout.com/green-smoothie-challenge-2/

Traditional Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/07/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-1/

Green Julius: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/08/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-2/

Razzleberry Lemonade Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/07/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-1/

60 minutes of torture!

Apple Pie Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Cauliflower or Parsnip Tabbouleh: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Cheesy Smoky Spicy Black Bean Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Veggie Stir Fry: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/11/vedged-out-green-smoothie-challenge-day-5/

Endless Winter

Vegan Hot and Sour Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/12/vedged-out-green-smoothie-day-6/

Abe’s Hearty Lentil Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/13/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-7/

Vegan Laksa: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/31/vegan-laksa/

Vegan Pani Po’ Po: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/29/vegan-pani-po-po/

Creamy White Bean Potato and Kale Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/22/creamy-white-bean-potato-and-kale-soup-with-vegan-sausage/

Vegan Stock Powder: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/19/vegan-stock-powder/

Vegan Peanut Butter Cup, made with Annie’s Chocolate: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/15/blogging-and-friendship/

Pepita Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/13/pepita-oatmeal-raisin-cookie-bars/

Chocolate Ginger Ice Cream: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/04/chocolate-ginger-ice-cream/

Annie’s Miso Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/15/blogging-and-friendship/

Frugal’s Apple, Walnut and Black Treacle Cake: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Chow Down Film Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/04/chow-down/

Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/06/vegan-cream-of-mushroom-soup/

Vegan Cheez-It’s: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/08/vegan-cheez-it-crackers/

Foxy Moxy Debut: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/11/individual-vegan-margherita-pizzas-with-homemade-fresh-moxarella-cheese/

Sesame Orange Seitan: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/14/meaty-cravings/

Almond and Pistachio Ice Cream: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/16/vegan-almond-and-pistachio-ice-cream/

Celebrating with Morgan: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/19/death-by-double-dark-chocolate-killer-fudge-pie/

Death by Double Dark Chocolate Killer Fudge Pie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/19/death-by-double-dark-chocolate-killer-fudge-pie/

Kittee’s Vegan Pudla: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/21/vegan-pudla-omelet-thingy/

Scott Jurek’s eat and Run Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/17/scott-jureks-eat-run-review-and-giveaway/

Sunwarrior’s Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/29/sun-warrior-liquid-vitamin-mineral-rush-review-and-five-bottle-giveaway/

Doterra Love: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/30/doterra-essential-oil-giveaway-lemon-lavender-and-peppermint-intro-gift-set/

Vegan Cherry Garcia: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/01/vegan-cherry-garcia/

Heart Healthy Pizza’s Spanakopizza: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/03/heart-healthy-pizza-review-recipes-interview-giveaway/

Heart Healthy Pizza’s Mad Cowboy Pizza:https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/05/heart-healthy-pizza-review-recipes-interview-giveaway-part-2/

Frosted Minty Stawberry Lemonade: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/11/frosty-strawberry-lemonade-with-mint-and-a-virtual-vegan-potluck-crash-course/

Vegan Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich:https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/12/caprese-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-with-vegan-tomato-basil-bisque/

Tomato Basil Bisque: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/12/caprese-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-with-vegan-tomato-basil-bisque/

Juice Feast + Ultra Green Juice Recipe: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/22/juice-feast-basics-ultra-juice-recipe/

Savory Spicy 8 Juice: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/24/savory-spicy-8-juice/

Curried Brown Rice and Ultimate Lentil Salads: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/02/myfootisadesert/

My Foot is a Desert MFA exhibition: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/02/myfootisadesert/

Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/06/fluffiest-maple-buttermilk-pancakes/

Food Bloggers against Hunger: Simplest Chickpea Salad: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/08/food-bloggers-against-hunger-simplest-chickpea-salad/

Somer Goes Raw for 30 days: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/27/somer-goes-raw-month-of-giveaways/

Frugal’s Hasselback Potatoes: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Frugal’s Roasted Sweet Potato and Parsnip Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Frugal’s Mushroom Orzotto: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Brookie Grasshopper Squares: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/27/keepin-it-kind-holiday-cookie-exchange-brookie-grasshopper-squares/

Quinoa Minestrone: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/26/breaking-a-fast-quinoa-minestrone/

Vegan Thanksgiving: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/19/vedged-out-thanksgiving-menu/

Dad’s Holiday Stuffing: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/19/vedged-out-thanksgiving-menu/

Vegan MOFO! http://www.veganmofo.com/

Smoky Vegan Split Pea Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/04/smoky-vegan-split-pea-soup/

Cashew Horchata: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/19/raw-vegan-lite-cashew-horchata/

Pepita Maple Butter Dressing with Carrot Ribbon Salad: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/25/pepita-maple-butter-salad-dressing-with-carrot-ribbon-salad/

VaPOOrize: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/05/vapoorize/

Tofu Feta: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/08/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-2/

Tropical Colada Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/09/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-3/

Pepperjack Cashew Cheese: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/23/updated-pepper-jack-cashew-cheez/

Frosty Strawberry Lemonade with Mint: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/11/frosty-strawberry-lemonade-with-mint-and-a-virtual-vegan-potluck-crash-course/

Chow Down

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Film Director Julia Grayer asking me to review her movie, “Chow Down” on my blog. It’s not often I get an email from a film director (okay, so this was the first time). I was flattered and more than happy to take the time to share this review with you.

The Usual Suspects:

Prominent Authorities from the plant-based community star in this film

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Author of “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease“. Also known as the Physician that turned former President, Bill Clinton, into a vegan.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, The Nutritarian Doctor. His book, “Eat to Live” may be the greatest weight loss book ever written.

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Author of “The China Study“, the most comprehensive study of health and nutrition ever conducted in relation to diet, cancer and disease.

Dr. Neal Barnard, President and founder of the PCRM (Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine) and author of many health books.

The Story Line:

Three very sick patients adopt a plant-based diet in order to overcome their serious health issues. I want you to watch the film, so I won’t give you the outcomes (you can guess it’s gonna be good, eh?) Let’s just say the evidence that diet can reverse disease is overwhelming to the affirmative.

The Discussion:

Here’s some obstacles to eating plant-based that are brought up by characters in the film. I don’t feel like these obstacles were adequately addressed or solved when the film finished, to the point that those who watch the film may not be willing to give a plant-based diet a try. I thought you might like to chime in with me regarding these ideas:

Doesn’t taste good? Wrong!

1- Eating a Whole Foods Plant Based Diet is hard/doesn’t taste good/and is limiting.

I eat a greater variety of foods and prepare more flavorful meals then I have ever done in my life since adopting a plant-based diet. If it doesn’t taste good, you’re doing it wrong.

2- It costs too much.

Maybe. I admit I spend more on groceries now than I used to. However, the additional amount I’m spending costs me far less than the monthly medications I used to have to take. It also costs less than health care for cancer, heart disease or diabetes.

3- I can’t do it because I don’t have a support system.

Bull. Even if you don’t personally know anyone else following a plant-based diet, you can get online and find support groups. Hey, I even belong to two on facebook. Dr. McDougall and Dr. Barnard also have fantastic plans for starting out.

4- My family won’t eat a plant-based diet with me.

Um, my family does. Yours can too. Start with plant-based reproductions of the meals you’re used to eating. Help to educate your family about the benefits of eating a whole foods plant-based diet. My family begs me for green smoothies and even my youngest will eat most anything I prepare. We’re in it together and we love it. It may take some time, but your family can love it too.

Watch the Movie and Join the Conversation:

It’s available to watch free here on Hulu. Or you can watch it on Amazon Prime here without commercials for $2.99. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon here.

V-Dog Review and Sample Giveaway

Lucky has a Giveaway for your dog!

It’s been a week since our first shipment of V-dog arrived! From day one, it was clear that Lucky preferred V-dog to his other up-market brand dog food. Hardly a surprise since most commercial dog food is greasy and smelly. V-dog smells fresh, because it is! He loves the breath bones too (we love them even more, his breath is totally fresh after eating them)! More importantly though, adjustment has been easy and Lucky hasn’t experienced any gastrointestinal upset or problems with the switch!

Since V-dog was kind enough to send us 2 five-pound bags of dog food to review, we want to share with you. I was gonna give the second bag to one lucky winner, but what’s the fun in that? I know lots of you want to try it. So, we are breaking up the second bag to send out samples to the first 10 20 comments here that request a sample! If I get more requests than that, we’ll see what we can work out 😉 Requests only for followers of this blog within the U.S. please.

Update: I’ve received far more than 20 requests and cannot accept any more. Sorry!

Did I mention the bag is compostable?

Why switch to V-dog?

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward gave me permission to share part of this article of his:

As a long-time vegetarian vet, I’m often asked whether I feed my pets meat. I’m never certain whether it’s an honest question or an attempt to trip me up. It’s similar to being asked, “If you don’t eat meat, where do you get your protein?”

My protein comes from the same place the animals people eat happen to get theirs — plants.

Can Your Cat or Dog Be Vegetarian or Vegan?

The simple answer is that dogs can do just fine on a carefully balanced vegetarian or vegan diet, while cats cannot. Sure, you can try to work around the whole cats-are-obligate-carnivores thing by supplementing certain synthetic amino acids, but it gets tricky — not to mention dangerous to the cat’s health.

So the answer is yes for dogs, but no for cats.

The comment that I most often hear after I state that dogs can be fed a vegetarian or vegan diet is that canines do better on a meat-based diet. Again, I’m not going to argue. There aren’t any studies that I’m aware of that have compared longevity and disease occurrence in dogs who’ve been fed meat versus canines on vegetarian diets.

Interestingly, one of the world’s oldest dogs, Bramble, who lived to a reported 27 years old in the U.K., was never fed an ounce of meat by her strictly vegan owner.

Still not convinced? Check out the ingredient list above. It’s human grade people!

After lots more research, this particular article really pushed me over the edge: Article used with permission from V-dog:

Vegetarian Diets Can Be Healthy for Dogs

by Dr. Armaiti May, D.V.M., C.V.A.

For both ethical and health reasons, many vegetarians and vegans choose to feed their companion dogs vegetarian or vegan diets. Up to 50 % of commercial pet food brands are comprised of “meat meal” and “byproducts,” which include various body parts (such as beaks, brain, spinal cord tissue, bones, lungs, intestinal tracts) slaughterhouse wastes, 4-D meat (from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals), supermarket rejects, as well as rendered dogs and cats from animal shelters. Other contaminants which have been found in commercial pet foods include old restaurant grease containing high concentrations of dangerous free radicals and trans fatty acids; PCBs, heavy metals and other toxins, particularly from fish; bacterial, protozoal, fungal, viral, and prion contaminants, along with their associated endotoxins and mycotoxins; hormone and antibiotic residues; and dangerous preservatives.

Many speculate that the increase in incidences of cancers, kidney failure, and other degenerative diseases in our companion animals recently may be due to the harmful ingredients in many commercial meat-based pet foods. This has led people to feed alternative diets. Dogs can be healthy and in fact, thrive on a vegetarian or vegan diet, as long as all necessary nutrient requirements are met. Dogs are biologically omnivorous, but can adapt well to a plant-based diet which meets all their nutritional needs.

Lucky loves V-dog!

The final convincing: one of my Facebook friends, Veterinarian Dr. Michael Roth (Veggivet) mentioned to me that he feeds his own dogs V-dog.

There are other vegan dog foods on the market, but V-dog is the only fully vegan dog food company. To learn more about their company, please visit their site here.

….and I’ve got no doubts your dog will eat it, love it and thrive on it!

Update: I’ve received far more than 20 requests and cannot accept any more. Sorry!

Vegan Dog Food?

Something special arrived on my porch yesterday. I wasn’t going to talk to you about it til’ January, but I can’t help myself. I’ve been plant-based now for nearly a year. Our Portuguese Water Dog, Lucky, is part of our pack. Since we changed our diet as a family, inevitably, he’s wanted to change his. He’s started to turn up his nose at his (upmarket brand) dog food. He steals loaves of freshly baked whole grain bread. When I open the crisper door of my refrigerator he cries for an apple. He’s been known to sneak off with a whole bunch of bananas if they’re left on the counter-top, later I find the peels (expertly peeled) in my back yard. I suspect he needs to go back to dog training school, but I also suspect he doesn’t really like his greasy smelly commercial dog food much. Who can blame him?

Look at that smile! 🙂 We had to use our “leave it” command to get him to not gobble these up while I was taking the photo.

The owner of V-dog generously offered Lucky a couple bags of dog food and some treats to try out and for me to review my dog’s response here. Lets just say the response was overwhelming. As soon as I cut one of the bags open, he was right by my side. To my surprise, the food didn’t smell unpleasant at all like other dry dog food does. I offered him a few pieces as a treat. Gobble gobble, my kids came home from school and wanted to test it out on him too. Gobble gobble. For dinner that night I mixed 1/3 V-dog with 2/3 of his other commercial food. Guess what? He somehow sorted the bits and only ate the food from V-dog, leaving the other dog food behind in the bowl. I all ready know he’s a convert.

Take it!

For those of you who think I’m nuts (I’m sure even some of you vegans do!), next week I’ll be presenting you with evidence as to how dogs can thrive on a plant-based diet and how commercial dog food is full of yucky stuff. Indeed V-dog meets all the national nutritional standards that traditional dog food does. The label is 100 times cleaner though. In fact, it’s so clean that they say their dog food is human grade… So I ate a piece. It tastes like an unseasoned lentil loaf or a vegetable type cracker…

I’ll let you know how Lucky is doing with it and I’ll be doing a GIVEAWAY to some of you who may be interested in transitioning your dog too. Check out V-dog’s website for more details. Stay tuned for another Giveaway tomorrow!

VaPOOrize

Um, yeah, this non-toxic cleaning spray does exactly what you think it does, It cleans up human/pet poo, pee or vomit. It cleans said substances off carpet, upholstery, hard floors and even walls (yes, my toddler was a poo painter for a period of time). This solution is perfect for homes with babies, toddlers, and pets. A similar store-bought solution (pet clean up spray) can set you back $5-$10 bucks. This solution should cost you no more than a dollar to make. The best part? It really disinfects and completely eliminates odors and bacteria. Believe me, with potty training a toddler and house training a puppy in the last year I know what I’m talking about. For those of you without small children or pets, don’t click the close button on this post, this is also a great all-purpose cleaning spray. I love to clean my kitchen counter tops with it.

VaPOOrize

1 C. hydrogen peroxide
1 C. distilled water
1 t. baking soda
20-40 drops high quality lemon essential oil (don’t skimp here, we’re talking about poo, and lemon oil is a powerful disinfectant, deodorizer and bacteria killer)
few drops of a natural liquid dishwasher soap

Lucky, Portuguese Water Dog – 13 weeks old

Method: Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle, put the spray cap on and shake to blend. Using clean cloths (or disposable cloth baby wipes) remove as much of the offending matter as possible. Saturate area to be cleaned with the VaPOOrize spray. For hard surfaces you can wipe the area clean straight away. For carpet or upholstery: let absorb for a few minutes to really disinfect. Scrub area with (multiple) a clean cloths or disposable cloth baby wipes, I really like the Costco brand for these type of emergencies. Repeat the process if necessary until odor and stains are completely gone. Let area dry. When completely dry, vacuum to restore nap to the carpet.

Disclaimer: this solution has never EVER bleached or discolored any of my carpet or upholstery, but please test this spray in an inconspicuous area on your carpet or fabric to verify colorfast-ness.

Winner of the Compassion Couture Giveaway

Click here to find out who won!

Compassion Couture $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

Today I’m hosting a giveaway from our sister blog, the Virtual Vegan Poluck for Compassion Couture. I have a $25 gift card to give to one lucky winner.

Compassion Couture is a one-stop online boutique for high quality, fashion-forward handbags, shoes and accessories that are both vegan and eco-friendly. The site exclusively offers products by companies that place a strong emphasis on producing their goods in a sustainable and ethical way. From sexy pumps to casual boots to chic bags, this is the one place a girl can splurge guilt-free! Just in time to treat yourself for the Holidays!

To enter the Giveaway, simply click on the link below and you’ll be directed to the Rafflecopter Giveaway Gadget

click here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Giveaway will run through November 27th and I’ll announce the winner on the 28th!

p.s. you don’t have to wait until the giveaway is over to shop there, Compassion Couture has a huge sale going on right now. Check it out!

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Sunflower Buttercup Brownies

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The Usual Suspects:

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Why switch to V-dog?

Can Your Cat or Dog Be Vegetarian or Vegan?

Vegetarian Diets Can Be Healthy for Dogs

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VaPOOrize

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