Category: Eating - WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN

WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN

putting lawnmowers out of business

2/5/2015

Thinking GREEN is more important than ever and growing herbs, veggies, fruit and flowers at home is not the latest hype but essential for environmental change and for improving the future health of our planet and its inhabitants.

People are beginning to second guess the all American symbol of proud home ownership - the forever green lawn.

The resources needed for its care can be considered wasteful, after all the prettiest lawn has nothing more to give back than the image of a well groomed property, when that very same space and irrigation investment can be used to create food for people and nourishment for nature's winged pollinators, which are declining at a disturbing number and speed.

Drought issues and the concern over genetically modified produce, and commercially grown fruit, vegetables and herbs that are treated with pesticides and fungicides motivate many to recreate their backyards, porches, decks and balconies into functional gardening spaces, enjoying the experience of working with nature while growing plant based foods for healthy family meals.

The fact that gardening and growing vegetables and herbs is not limited to the outdoors and to the warmer seasons at all, makes SEEDS ideal for gift giving at any time of the year; what can be more inspirational and meaningful than something that symbolizes good things like Growing, Nurturing and the endless cycle of Life itself.

Links:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/07/serious-green-turning-lawns-yards-into-edible-gardens.html

Seed Gifts: http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/seed-products.html

Sowing thoughts, inspiration and plant food with SEEDS.

LEMONS, cabbage and birds at the bay

1/19/2015

Off the beaten path in San Francisco is a true green jewel, a peaceful oasis hidden in the Marina District and only visible to those who are on the look out for places to experience beyond Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.

The lovely Fort Mason Community Garden caught my forever searching eye on the way back from a city hike to my hotel, and I just couldn't resist adding time to explore the unexpected find with its organized chaos of the garden layout, plants, gardening tools, recycled household items, figurines and beautiful birds. The warm and gentle late afternoon sun was my perfect partner for catching the spirit of this retreat.

A delightful blend of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and flowers awaits the senses and one wants to linger under in the calming ambiance of ripe lemons, gorgeous cabbage and fragrant rosemary, and simply absorb the beauty of the moment under the watchful eye of the Garden Buddha and the kind bee.

The garden is also a paradise for many bird species, including a number of nesting birds, some of them living there all year round, such as the community of House Finches and the Lesser Goldfinches. One can find Mockingbirds here, Ravens, Hummingbirds and many other winged friends, and in Spring the bird lover's eyes and ears can welcome the Hooded Orioles back, which only reside during the warmer months and after their return from their winter retreat in Mexico.

Wish I could have stayed longer but then again ... there is always a next time in San Francisco - with a visit of Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason Center.

Links:

Photography Susan Placek @ http://www.cocoonworx.com/

The rules for playing in the dirt : http://playndirt.com/listings/fort-mason-community-garden/

Fort Mason Center http://fortmason.org/

Greens Restaurant - http://www.greensrestaurant.com/the-cuisine/the-cuisine

For more than twenty years, San Francisco's beloved Greens Restaurant has been in the avant garde of the cooking revolution in America. Through its endlessly inventive, ever-changing menus and bestselling cook-books, Greens has introduced millions of delighted fans to a sophisticated, meatless cuisine packed with transcendent, satisfying flavor. The heart of Greens cookings to use the best, freshest ingredients.

the soup dilemma

12/11/2014

Coffee time at a dear friend's place with nice people.

I skip the pastry with the whipped cream and ask for almond milk for my coffee knowing that my friend always has it in her fridge.

Someone say's, "You don't take regular milk?"
I go, "No, I'm vegan".
"Oh." Short break. "Why?"
I go, "Well, first and foremost for ethic reasons".

Everybody looks puzzled and someone says, "What do you mean by for ethic reasons?"
The lady next to the one asking discretely explains with her voice lowered and her head slightly tilted, "You know, she means how they treat the animals and such ..."
I nod, "That's right", and I add that there actually is an advantage for me too as I don't get all the nasty stuff, and I start talking about antibiotics, hormones and all the "goodies" that come into the body with the consumption of meat and dairies ...

The room suddenly turns very quiet and the eyes and faces around the table tell me that this is not exactly what they want to hear and that everybody hopes the conversation topic will be changed soon. After all, who wants to talk disgusting things over coffee and cake. "We all have to die someday." someone says.

Soon after the topic "immunizations" and flu shots is brought up. I am asked if I get flu shots and I go, "No, never. I try to keep my immune system healthy through good food and a somewhat healthy life style."

"Exactly!", agrees the lady who explained what "ethic reasons" means. "I don't get them either. No way. It's all bad for you. When I don't feel so great I make myself some good old-fashioned chicken soup and that gets me back on track. And, I stay away from hydrogenated fat, that's a killer, therefore I read all labels when I go grocery shopping".

Then my friend announces that I make terrific vegetable soups and that she loves them so much with all those spices and veggies in there, yum .... She's right, I think I really do make great soups. When I cook I usually end up with a huge pot of it and so she has been treated to my soups many times.

The chicken soup lady says, "I too love vegetable soup. Do you use chicken stock ... or are you not allowed to use that either?"
I go, "No, I don't use chicken stock or anything from the animal and it's not about not being allowed but I choose not to use it for the reasons I previously explained."

"Oh." Another short break. "But then, how DO you make vegetable soup?"

This time I am puzzled and quiet and it painfully dawns on me ... we still have a long, long way to go.

Vegan Soup Links:

http://www.marlenewatsontara.com/category/recipes/soups-recipes/

http://mouthwateringvegan.com/http:/mouthwateringvegan.com/vegan-life-magazine/soups/

http://ohsheglows.com/categories/recipes-2/food-sides/sides-soup/

realizing The amazing potential of change

11/10/2014

There is no better motivation to switch and stick to a plant based nutrition than compassion and empathy with the animals. Not consuming animal products of any kind however doesn’t make a person a true vegan. The vegan philosophy goes way beyond the dinner table; it is a commitment to a life style free of any animal products, which is not limited to foods but includes clothing and everyday merchandise as well.

The growing popularity of veganism and demand for vegan products represents a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and for those who realize the amazing business potential that comes along with this fundamental change in our society.

Welcome to Planet Vegan presents business owners, their vision, passion and their journey to success through creating, designing, inventing, manufacturing and selling vegan products, while actively contributing with their work to end animal exploitation by humans and acknowledging the value of all life on Earth.

Submit Vegan Businesses to be featured
(No associate, consultant or pyramid businesses)

Maya Epler, Fashion Designer

That's a whopper!

8/25/2014

Burger Kind, the second largest burger chain in the U.S., is about to swallow a big bite.

After their revenue fell 6.1 percent to $261.2 million in the second quarter of 2014, the meat monster sensed the smell of profit in coffee.

In the future they will not just kill millions for food, by merging with a Canadian coffee and donut chain they will also be able to save millions.
Dollars that is.

The purchase of Tim Horton's would not only give birth to the world's third largest fast-food chain, it would also be Burger King's passport to move headquarters to Canada and to escape Uncle Sam's taxes.
Talks about the merger with 'modest political risk' according to Will Slabaugh, analyst at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock, Arkansas, caused both of the company's shares to soar on the New York Stock Exchange prior to the deal (18% for Burger King and 21% for Tim Horton's).

In the past Burger King has been brewing Seattle's Best coffee (owned by Starbucks), the marriage of the two companies would also promise a sweet wedding gift for Burger King by getting access to the grocery business and selling packaged coffee at North America's supermarkets.

By the way, both of the burgers pictured are real. The one above has been and the one below IS sold at Japanese Burger King locations. Quite a contrary to Japan's traditional low fat food ... but that's another story.

Links:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/burger-king-may-buy-canadas-tim-hortons-to-cut-its-taxes-2014-08-24

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-24/burger-king-in-talks-to-acquire-tim-hortons-restaurant-chain.html

LKM is the answer to the missing GG

6/23/2014

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

Observing life on this planet and following the news feeds one wonders, what the hell is wrong with people? How on earth is it possible that mankind is capable of committing those gut wrenching crimes and atrocities, not just against each other, but also against other sentient beings, against nature and ultimately against the very foundation necessary for the survival of our own species.

While there are many different factors playing an important role in the madness, it all boils down to a simple conclusion: Mankind suffers from a serious lack of Compassion, one’s ability to be concerned for another being’s welfare.

Immanuel Kant, a respected figure of modern philosophy, considered Compassion a weak and misguided sentiment: “Such benevolence is called soft-heartedness and should not occur at all among human beings,” he said. Unfortunately his thoughts continue to have a major influence in contemporary thinking even though the guy clearly must have been born with a huge biological deficiency: The G gene.

Human genes are made of bases, the nucleotides, which come in four types: A, T, C, and G, which again appear in combinations, AA, AG or GG, the latter one being associated with empathy, positive emotions and sensitivity to the weaker links and the underdogs of society. People carrying the GG gene are believed to be more caring which reflects in their body language, such as smiling, loving gestures, head nodding, eye contact and the willingness to listen. Furthermore a person’s hormonal balance and small differences in it can have far-reaching effects on empathy. This fact in itself should raise a gigantic red flag and opens another can of worms: Mankind’s mind boggling consumption of hormone loaded meat and dairies and all the misery that comes from and with it.

But let's not blame it all on the genes. We as a species have come way too far to let a genetic footprint get in the way of mental enlightenment and global change.
Remedy may be here in a practice which in recent years has become not only main stream in the Western world but has grown in popularity: MEDITATION.

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism and seems to be most needed in this world. It refers to a mental state of unselfish and unconditional kindness producing all four qualities of love:

Friendliness (Metta)
Compassion (Caruna)
Appreciative Joy (Mudita)
Equanimity (Upekkha)

Meditators begin with cultivating loving-kindness towards themselves, then towards their loved ones, friends, strangers, enemies and all sentient beings, replacing negative and destructive emotions with positive ones. Ancient Buddhist collections of texts “Pali Canon” define the benefits of Loving-Kindness meditation (mettā bhāvanā) as followed:

“One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings. The devas protect one. Neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one. One’s mind gains concentration quickly. One’s complexion is bright. One dies unconfused and – if penetrating no higher – is headed for the Brahma worlds”. (Wikipedia)

If only Kant would have had LKM meditation available at his time, his soul might have been nourished with Kindness and Compassion and some of his thoughts might have never been published in the first place.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81

http://www.inner-light-in.com/2012/09/empathy-meditation-and-loving-kindness/

http://www.stwr.org/economic-sharing-alternatives/the-biological-basis-of-compassion.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

http://buddhist-meditation-techniques.com/loving-kindness-meditation/

Where kind food is on the rise

5/18/2014

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

If you think Austria is all about The Sound Of Music, white horses and Mozartkugeln, think again.
This tiny little state in the heart of Europe seems to become a trendsetter for change into the right direction and for a new lifestyle, and I must say, I am mighty proud of my old home country.
Not a day goes by without exciting news about new vegan shops, restaurants, bakeries and ice cream parlors opening up. I will gladly write about them in the WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN Blog and feature them one by one as each deserves special attention.

If there is one place that I can't wait to see and visit, it is the one in Vienna, where the feast starts visually with the restaurant design and interior.
What used to be an Indian Fashion Boutique "Dancing Shiva", is now an explosion of colors, and the brand new gourmet temple "Dancing Shiva Superfoods", specializing in raw vegan foods and dishes. Cocoa, Goji Berries, Maca Roots and other Superfoods are processed into delightful dishes, satisfying eyes and taste buds.

As Professional Master Pastry Chef, having had my training at "Demel", one of the most prestigious Viennese pastry shops, I especially appreciate what "Simply Raw Bakery" has to offer: Sweet raw vegan delicacies made from the best of nature's treasure chest, organic fruits, nuts, seeds, superfoods, vegetables and herbs. Pastries for a new age, loaded with Love, Compassion, Kindness, Vitamins, Enzymes and Trace Elements. Simply raw, available in Vienna.

About 45 minutes outside of Vienna is another stunning vegan restaurant, "Schillinger", cooking for the local community since 1793.
After 200 years of serving authentic Austrian cuisine based on meat and tons of dairies, Schillinger's owners made the impossible possible and turned their place into a vegetarian restaurant at first, before converting it into 100% vegan, without sacrificing a single classic Austrian dish from their menu. Meat and dairies have been replaced with numerous national and international awards for this remarkable transition.
Who would have thought that Fritattensuppe, Gulasch and Schnitzel can actually be kind and peaceful!

Austria, here I come!

Dancing Shiva Superfoods

Simply Raw Bakery

Schillinger

All images published in this article have been downloaded from the internet to support promoting the featured businesses, hoping that this doesn't cause any copyright infringement in any way. Please do feel free to contact me should there be an issue.

Links:

http://www.dancingshiva.at/

http://www.simplyrawbakery.at

http://www.schillinger.co

deliciously guilt free fast food at 24 locations

5/16/2014

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

Driving back home from the airport the other day I came across one of the VeggieGrill locations here in town. I had left LAX hungry as currently all restaurants at the International Terminal are closed due to construction. The VeggieGrill had been on my "vegan restaurants to go to list" anyway, so it seemed like perfect timing to pop in for a bite and a sip.

The fast-food style restaurant offers a nice variety of dishes, from Starters to Bowls - the Bombay Bowl with herb-roasted veggies, super grains, steamed kale, cannellini beans, cilantro/green curry sauce with coconut milk, almonds, hemp seeds was very tempting - Homestyle Plates, Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups of the day, Taco Plates and plenty of Sides to choose from. Patrons may pick pairs from each menu category.

After some consideration I decided to order 2 Sides, Steamin’ Kale for $ 3.50 with ginger-miso dressing, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and Cauli-Mashed Potatoes + Gravy for $ 3.25, made from fresh cauliflower blended with mashed potatoes, topped with porcini mushroom gravy with fresh rosemary, a combination that's right up my alley.

The Strawberry Lemonade from the drinks bar was most refreshing, I mixed it with organic unsweetened green tea and while waiting for my food to be brought to my table I noticed that the VeggieGrill even offers locally produced craft beer and wine choices.

Even though the interior has "fast food" written all over, the silverware sets wrapped in napkins already waiting on each table give the place a bit of a more upscale feel.

The steamed kale was just right, tender but not overcooked, and so was the perfectly seasoned ginger-miso dressing. Mashed potatoes is one of my comfort foods, the blended in cauliflower and the savory mushroom sauce turns this simple dish into a creamy and fluffy delicacy.

There was no room left for one of the reasonably price desserts, Carrot Cake for $ 3.75, with fresh carrots, walnuts, topped with cream cheese frosting. Maybe next time.

I must have liked the food, when I was done the bowls were (almost) licked clean.

Links:

The VeggieGrill has currently 24 restaurants in Southern and Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
http://www.veggiegrill.com/index.html

Photography: http://www.cocoonworx.com

SEEDS FOR SOWING GOODNESS

5/8/2014

Don't we all have those days when we wish things would be as simple as black and white with nothing in between, without the millions of shades of grey that make our world as complex as it is? All the madness on this planet might be fixed easily if there was only either "good" or "bad".

For some unknown reason though the Universe doesn't work like that. Instead, we are all part of that mind blowing web called "life", where all is connected, where each single action of each single person matters and all is one.

It is my deepest desire to be part of something good, to be one of the many tiny little seeds in our society who crave for fundamental change on this planet, and who want to contribute somehow with something in this process of awakening the kind of human qualities that are lacking, but essential in becoming what we claim to be: HUMANE.

I chose Vegetable Seeds as a symbol of life, of new beginnings and of nurturing the human mind and soul, and combined them with one of my passions - being creative - for sowing Goodness and ultimately growing KINDNESS, COMPASSION, PEACE, HARMONY and HAPPINESS, envelope by envelope and seed by seed.

Contact for free logo personalization for businesses, organizations and non-profits and for wholesale.

Links:

http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/store.html

http://www.thecreativeideashop.com/seed-gifts.html

why are carrots good for your business?

5/7/2014

Originally - and that is 5,000+ years ago, Carrots were not grown for food but for a variety of ailments.

Based on the information historical documents and paintings provide, that's how long Carrots have been around and planted by humankind, also often mistaken for parsnips, one of their close relatives. Carrots were anything but orange back then, they were purple, red, white, and yellow. That is until the 16th century, when Dutch carrot growers invented the orange Carrot in honor of the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family. Cross breeding pale yellow with red Carrots resulted in the bright orange colored Carrot we know today.

With its measly 25 calories and 6 grams of carbs, but 2 grams of fiber per average size Carrot, this vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A, giving you more than 200% of your daily requirement in just one Carrot. Furthermore these pretty edible roots are loaded with beta-carotene, a compound that is naturally converted to vitamin A when consumed. The deeper orange the Carrot, the more beta-carotene you’re getting.

Carrots are good for your eye-sight, for your bowels, for preventing or treating allergies and rheumatism, killing germs in the mouth and maintaining healthy gums, supporting liver function, and improving your skin and its tone. Carrots help reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of heart disease, regulating blood sugar and lowering the risk of cancer development.

You may have known all of the above. But ...

Did you know that Carrots also provide excellent medicinal uses for your business too?

Carrots given out as Seeds are a powerful promotional ailment with health benefits for your business kicking in from the moment they are given out. The initial impact this giveaway causes what is known as the mental and physiological state of "surprise", triggering positively valenced emotions, followed by anticipation and the excitement of planting and experiencing the growing process from seeds to edible vegetables.

The carotene content of the harvested Carrots, providing a powerful anti-oxidant, becomes invaluable in the second phase of this all natural and organic treatment, which through consumption, helps your clients and prospects to protect their brains from oxidative stress, and ultimately supports the three main stages in the formation and retrieval of memory:

ENCODING - receiving, processing and combining the given information
STORAGE - creating of a permanent record of the encoded information
RETRIEVAL - calling back the stored information in response to your efforts

In other words - Carrots make your business more memorable.

Contact THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP with your inquiry for a Carrot business treatment tailored to your needs.

Click here for more information about Carrot Seed Cards with FREE Logo Personalization and many other ideas for creatively using Seeds for GREEN, VEGAN AND ORGANIC business marketing and promotions.

Links:

http://www.TheCreativeIdeaShop.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot