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Happy Holidays from VegNews!

20 VegNews Think. Eat. Thrive.™ November+December 2010

Cher

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“The VegNews staff. Actually, that’s already happening—Champagne cocktails for all!” “Devo, Ellen, and

Woody Harrelson would guarantee a festive party.”

“Georges Laraque, after a long day of teaching me hockey techniques!”

“Paul McCartney. I’d party with him eight days a week.”

“Anyone who’s hungry!”

“My best friends, my family, and my boyfriend, Don Draper.”

“Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, MLK, Audrey Hepburn, Chopra, Oprah, and Clooney.”

Who would attend the

holiday party of your dreams?

LauraBeverly

GabrielleBrooke

Rachel

Liz

Cherylyn

Think. Eat. Thrive.™ Issue #76: November+December 2010

StaffPublisher & Editor-in-Chief Joseph Connelly

Associate Publisher Colleen HollandManaging Editor Elizabeth Castoria

Art Director Sutton LongAssociate & Web Editor Abigail Young

Associate Editor Liz MillerOffice Manager Lyndsay Orwig

Editor-at-Large Laura Hooper BeckEditorial Assistants Gabrielle Pope, Brooke Still

Technical Guru Paul “Private School” RussellAdvertising Director Colleen Holland

Advertising Sales Representatives Lara Bradley, Jill PetzkeCopy Editors Anne Callery, Adrian Carstens Assistant to the Publisher Frankie McGee

Departments10 Questions Joseph ConnellyAsk Laura Laura Hooper Beck

Dairy-Free Desserts Beverly Lynn BennettThe V-List Joseph Connelly

Raw Done Right Gena HamshawMy Sweet Vegan Hannah Kaminsky

High-Tech Chef Jesse MinerVegGuru Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

VegWellness Christina PirelloGlobal Vegan Robin Robertson

Hot Urban Eats Terry Hope RomeroVeganize It! Allison Rivers Samson

Vegan Nutrition Ilyse Simon, RDI Can’t Believe It’s Vegan Brooke Still

November+December ContributorsColleen Holland, Joshua Katcher, Rachel Klein, Christina Pirello, Cherylyn Tompkins, Will Tuttle

VegNews Advisory BoardYouth & Teens Nathaniel Barnett

Food Ken BergeronMilk & Dairy Robert Cohen

Nutrition Brenda Davis, RD, Vesanto Melina, RDPoultry Karen Davis, PhD

Digital Photography Derek GoodwinHealth & Fitness Ruth Heidrich, PhD

Communications Jennie KerwoodMedical Michael Klaper, MD

Animal Agriculture Howard LymanVegan Research Erik MarcusAnimal Rights Jim Mason, JD

Activism Bryan Pease, JDTechnology Thomas Russell

Humane Education Rae Sikora, Zoe Weil

The Fine PrintVegNews accepts articles for publication. Publication of an article does not necessarily

reflect the official position of The VegNews Network.

The VegNews Network assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and/or artwork, which become the property of VNN unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Subscriptions: Send orders to VegNews, PO Box 461390, Escondido, CA 92046-1390; email vegnews@pcspublink.com; or contact 760-291-1546.

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Questions: Email: subscriptions@vegnews.com. Tel: 415-665-NEWS. Web: vegnews.com.

COPYRIGHT ©2010 by The VegNews Network and the individual authors and artists. All trademarks are owned by The VegNews Network.

VegNews Magazine is printed on 100% FSC certified and 75% post-consumer recycled paper using soy-based inks.

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ContributorsJoshua KatcherCool Green Guy, p.98Joshua Katcher is a fashion, food, and lifestyle expert. He founded The Discerning Brute in 2008 as a resource for ethically handsome men who want to make intelligent decisions concerning fashion. Joshua lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is a self-taught vegan chef, filmmaker, ceramic sculptor, Veggie Award winner, and dad to Enzo, a rescued chihuahua. His signature holiday treat—vegan rugelach—is legendary.

Rachel KleinCrazy for Caramel, p.78Rachel Klein runs Miss Rachel’s Pantry—a vegan meal delivery, catering, and personal chef service in Philadelphia. When she’s not cooking, she’s scheming ways to leave the city and start a cat sanctuary. The caramel-covered food feature is Rachel’s third set of recipes for VegNews, having previously tackled homemade dim sum and tantalizing tapas. Visit her at missrachelspantry.com

Liz MillerBlissful Beginnings, p.54If VN Associate Editor Liz Miller could capture the weeks leading up to the holiday season inside a snow globe, she definitely wouldn’t spend the other 11 months of the year staring into it longingly. This year, after baking vegan cookies and researching the history of Buddhism, she will spend the rest of the sweater-wearing season reflecting on the many blessings in her life that are not food-related, namely, her loving family, friends, and faraway furry companions, Tigger, Muffin, and Weezy F. Baby.

Cherylyn L. TompkinsBig Easy Eats, p.70Cherylyn L. Tompkins grew up in a military family that transplanted her to New Orleans 21 years ago. She created the FabuNOLA e-newsletter after her return to New Orleans in 2006. A conscious lifestyle maven who loves salsa and swing dancing, she turned to a soy-free vegan lifestyle more than three years ago and promotes holistic nutritional wellness for better health and happiness. Learn more about Cherylyn at fabunola.com.

Will TuttleSwiss Hits, p.72Will Tuttle, PhD, and author of the best-selling The World Peace Diet, is a recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award, and has taught college courses in creativity, humanities, mythology, religion, and philosophy. For this story, Will traveled with his spouse, Madeleine, to her native Switzerland to report on all that the country has to offer. They travel full-time in a solar-powered RV and present more than 100 lectures, retreats, workshops, and concerts annually.

Thanks

Big

EatsEasy

70 VegNews Think. Eat. Thrive.™ November+December 2010

VegEscape

Although known globally for its culinary pleasures, New Orleans is not usually uttered in the same sentence as the word vegan. Don’t let this deter you from letting the good times roll. These insider insights will take you on a tour of the town, and in typical foodie style, there’s something delicious at every turn. From an amazing assortment of international cuisine to distinctly Creole flavors, take in the nightlife, culture, and history of the Big Easy.

CreoleCravingsAlthough many diverse flavors mingle in the heart of New Orleans, you’re probably itching to get a fix of the taste that made the city famous. Thankfully, all the beans and greens at soul food restaurant Praline Connection are vegan. And Mat & Naddie’s proudly declared “viva las vegans” this summer when it hosted vegetarian wine dinners at its Creole-themed restaurant in the Riverbend area. The eclectic dishes will definitely satisfy, and the organic greens and herbs are grown in the restaurant’s garden.> Praline Connection, 542 Frenchmen St.; pralineconnection.com> Mat & Naddie’s, 937 Leonidas St.; matandnaddies.com

LastingLocalConnectionsAlways remember to reach out locally before you travel. The New Orleans Vegetarian Meet-Up group gathers regularly at local establishments and produces the NOLA Veggie Fest each May. Attend the group’s monthly vegan potlucks or bake sale to make lasting connections. And while you’re in town, spend some time giving back with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a group that continues to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes.

NOLA’s finest, red beans and rice, are even finer minus meat.

From farm-fresh produce to local hot spots, enjoy all NOLA has to offer—vegan-style. By Cherylyn L. Tompkins

VN celebrates 10! vegnews.com VegNews 71

FarmFreshGetting your servings of fruits and veggies might seem daunting in the land of seafood and gumbo, but don’t despair. The Crescent City Farmers’ Market supports local, sustainable, and organic vendors. Fresh vegan soups, pestos, fruit juices, popsicles, hummus, kettle corn, and tamales are found alongside super-fresh produce straight from the farm. The Farmers’ Market in the French Market District is the oldest open-air market operating in the country and keeps the legacy going strong with the freshest offerings you’ll find anywhere.> crescentcityfarmersmarket.org; frenchmarket.org

JustJuicedLocated in the Lower Garden District, Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar is only blocks away from downtown, with many galleries and museums to visit, such as the Contemporary Arts Center, National World War II Museum, and Louisiana Children’s Museum. Start your day off at this charming café with fresh, organic juices or daily specials—don’t miss the Watermelon Limeade. Pair your juice of choice with the Avocado Pesto Sandwich and a bowl of seasonal fruit, and you’ve got yourself a breakfast of champions.> 1418 Magazine St.; surreyscafeandjuicebar.com

Lookingfor LagniappeWhile novice tourists head to Bourbon Street, savvy visitors make their way to Frenchmen Street—a bustling strip to enjoy lagniappe, or “that little something extra,” in the Faubourg Marigny. This lively area packs a highly entertaining punch, especially between the 500 and 600 blocks. Late-night dining options include Mona’s Café, 13, Mimi’s, Lazizza’s, and Yuki’s, and all are near a handful of happening music venues featuring NOLA’s signature live jazz.> faubourgmarigny.org

LatinLovers The delightful Spanish flavors of New Orleans are a reminder that the Creole culture is influenced by more than just the French settlers, with colonizers from places such as Haiti, Spain, and Africa. Continental Spanish cuisine including veggie paella and tapas are phenomenal at Lola’s, Café Granada, and Galvez Restaurant. > Lola’s, 3312 Esplanade Ave.; 504-488-6946> Café Granada, 1506 S. Carrollton Ave.;

cafegranadanola.com> Galvez Restaurant, 914 N. Peters St.;

galvezrestaurant.com

Sorbetto&Shopping Does finding vegan desserts seem challenging in the land of bread pudding? Uniquely flavored sorbets provide a welcome solution. La Divina Gelateria, a local chain, is a refreshing choice for this cooling treat. Magazine Row, where you’ll find La Divina Gelateria, is particularly fun, as it offers shopping excursions from nearby boutiques to antique stores. Enjoy local seasonal specialty sorbetti flavors such as Strawberry Balsamic, Satsuma Fennel, and Turbo Dog Chocolate. The eco-conscious gelato shop also serves veg-friendly lunch options at all of its locations.> 3005 Magazine St.; ladivinagelateria.com

EthnicAdventuresVenture to Hoshun Restaurant, Lebanon’s Café, SukhoThai, Boswell’s Jamaican Grill, or Taj Mahal’s Indian Cuisine for their flavorful and distinctly international tastes. At Bennachin Restaurant, a bustling African eatery, treat yourself to the signature Jama Jama. This fragrant sautéed spinach dish pairs nicely with black-eyed pea fritters, coconut rice, and fried ripe sweet plantains. Bennachin is conveniently located in the French Quarter, near Jackson Square and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park for all your sightseeing needs.> Bennachin; 1212 Royal St.;

504-522-1230

Transplanted to New Orleans 21 years ago, Cherylyn L. Tompkins, is the creator of fabunola.com, which showcases all things cruelty-free and fabulous about her city.

Fresh okra from the Crescent City Farmers’ Market makes perfect gumbo.