blood orange cupcakes with easy
dark chocolate ganache 

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 10:09 AM
Blood Orange Cupcakes with Easy Chocolate Ganache

Two of my recipes [Blood Orange Cupcakes with Easy Chocolate Ganache and Jamaican Curried Couscous Salad] are featured in the June/July issue of GRID, a Philly publication that inspires readers to create a more just, livable and sustainable city. They're part of my article titled "Vegan Fare from Near and Far." It explains how gourmands can still be good environmentalists by combining exotic ingredients with local fare.

Want the recipes? Philly residents can pick up the free magazine at countless locations across the city. Or you can access the recipes online.

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make your own bath scrub 

Monday, June 22, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 11:34 AM
Homemade Salt and Brown Sugar Scrub

Scrub-a-dub-dub.  During summer when you bare more skin than usual, exfoliation is a must. I love pampering myself in the bath as much as any girl. But I hate forking out big bucks for those high-end salt and sugar scrubs.

I've seen scrubs sell for as little as $6 in drugstores and for as much as $40 in department stores. I make my own bath scrub  for ... get this ... about $1. It smells just as good if not better than the overpriced, mass-produced versions, and it works just as well. In addition, it contains no animal ingredients, no nasty chemicals and no artifical colorings. Plus, it's tested on humans – namely on me – and not on animals.

My upcoming cookbook includes a goof-proof bath scrub "recipe" with exact amounts, but to tide you over, here are some pointers for improvisation.  Try making your own and let me know how you like it.

  1. First, choose your scrub base. You can use table salt, coarse salt, white sugar, brown sugar, coarse sugar, finely ground almonds or other nuts, or any combination of the above. If your skin is very dry, skip the salt, and if your skin is oily, use 100% salt. [Be forewarned: if you have any cuts, the salt will burn!] Unless you're made of money, I strongly suggest that you repress your urge to use Pink Himalayan or Black Hawaiian finishing salts in your scrub. Fill a plastic container about 3/4 to the top with your base.
  2. Add enough oil to moisten your base. You can use olive oil [not extra-virgin], coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, vitamin E oil, or any combination. Mix well to ensure that all of the scrub is lightly moistened.
  3. Perfume your scrub. You can use a few teaspoons of vanilla, almond, coconut, lemon, peppermint or orange extract. Or add your favorite essential oil(s), a few drops at a time, until the scent pleases your nose. My favorite oils include tea tree, lavender, rose and sandalwood. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Mix well. Cover tightly. This scrub should keep at room temperature for a few months. 
  4. To use: In the shower, wet your skin. Scoop out some scrub and gently rub it into your skin in a circular motion. Use a bit more on problem areas. Rinse well. And don't forget to rinse the tub with hot water when you're done to wash away any oily residue.

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baltimore bytes and philly bikes 

Monday, June 15, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 8:32 AM
Baltimore Bytes

Last Saturday I visited my amigo, Leonard, two hours south in Baltimore. Charm City is always a feast for the eyes and the palette. For the eyes: this lovely art deco theater at dusk.


For the palette: a grilled pizza for lunch at Kooper's on Fells Point.



More visual sustenance...We did a mini art crawl and took in the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Walters Art Museum.


Besides boasting a world-class art collection that spans pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th century Europe, the Walters also houses an impressive collection of armour. I must admit, though: if I saw this happy soldier running at me, I'd be more inclined to give him a hug than to pull out my sword.



Newly remodeled church, against the clean blue sky.



Dinner: Tasty, filling falafel at Egyptian Pizza.



I came home with a container of Baltimore's famous Old Bay Seasoning to grace my austere [read with tongue-in-cheek] spice cupboard. I love Old Bay sprinkled on fries and on popcorn.


Philly Bikes

On Sunday, I rose bright and early. For breakfast, I made "Fronch" Toast from Vegan with a Vengeance, topped with a strawberry sauce that I threw together.



Here's the toast a-toasting, and the sauce a-simmering.



Photo by Chris Boyd.

I like to run outdoors whenever possible. Last Sunday's run coincided with the 25th Annual Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, known locally as the Manayunk Bike Race. Cheering on the occasional rainbow blur of bikers certainly made my jaunt much more interesting and fun. The 57.6 race is famous....or infamous... for the bikers' four treks up the steep and grueling Manayunk Wall.



After my run, I browsed the stalls of the countless health-centric vendors who had set up shop along the course. Here, Pablo inspects the mountain of *free* goodies that I toted home in my *free* backpack [not pictured]. As you can see, I hit the Larabar mother lode. The sales rep needed to clear out her stash so she urged me to "Take more, take more!"


I enjoyed a simple summertime dinner: Sloppy Joes and corn on the cob. (This classic recipe will appear in my upcoming cookbook.)


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urban bird watching, contest winner and interview 

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 8:13 AM
Urban bird watching
This morning during breakfast, I heard a commotion of frenzied chirping outside our window. Outside, a baby house finch perched on the telephone pole, practicing his aviation skills under the watchful eye of his red-headed mama, pictured here. (The little one was too fidgety to photograph.)


And the contest winner is...
Herbstonne! Congratulations, and thanks to all who entered. Herbstonne, please email me with your address so I can send you your coupon.

Urban Vegan Interview...
On another note, fellow Philly vegan and Urban Vegan recipe tester extraordinaire Ed Coffin did interviewed me a few weeks back for The Examiner.  Check it out here.

Ed is fantastically involved in animal rights here in Philly and has been instrumental in implementing Philadelphia's wildly successful Vegan Drinks gathering, held monthly at Horizons. Ed's just a young'un, currently studying to become a nutritionist, but he has already accomplished so much. I predict great things for him.

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win a free container of silken creations! 

Friday, June 05, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 9:58 AM

Time for another contest, kids.
I remember when it was hard to find brown rice in a grocery store, so I'm extra tickled to see the number of innovative new vegan products lining the shelves these days. One of them is Silken Creations, pre-flavored in dark chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.  This silky smooth soy product is a no-brainer for desserts, mousses and smoothies. You can access recipe ideas on Nasoya's handy database. (Lately, I've been making a lot of vegan ice cream, so can't wait to try Silken Creations as a base. )

Win a coupon for a FREE container of Silken Creations.
Leave a comment and tell me how you would like to use this product. Be sure I can contact you via e-mail. I'll randomly choose a winner in the next few days.


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10 cool iphone apps for veg-heads 

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 - Posted by urban vegan at 7:49 AM
I love my iPhone. And I love the fact that there are so many cool apps for veg-heads and the environmentally conscious. Best of all, most apps are free or cost very little. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

  1. Vegan Steven (Free):  Using iPhone's GPS, this handy app locates vegan and veg-friendly eateries near you.
  2. Vegan YumYum (Free): A mobile collection of some of  Lauren Ulm's favorite recipes, complete with her gorgeous photography.
  3. iVegetarian (Free): You can never have too many free veg restaurant guides.
  4. Cruelty Free (Free): A shopping guide featuring cruelty-free companies that have earned the Leaping Bunny logo.
  5. iRecycle: Helps you find recycling locations throughout the United States.
  6. VegOut ($2.99): An extensive listing of vegan, vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants, powered by every veg traveler's favorite site, Happy Cow. 
  7. Veggie Passport ($1.99): Allows you to explain your dietary choices in more than 30 languages. A must for travelers.
  8. Vegan Express ($1.99): This handy app gives you a quick overview of vegan foods available in 110 chain restaurants. Makes eating out easier. Great for business travel.
  9. 3rd Whale (Free): Points you to healing and wellness professionals, natural food resources, and environmentally conscious retail within walking, biking and driving distance.
  10. Natural Cures (Free): A database of natural remedies for everything from acid reflux to zits.

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