Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with vegan

best moist but structural vegan pumpkin pie recipe?

amtho — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:48:19 -0800

My ideal pumpkin pie is very moist, not too sweet, and quite structural. Is it possible to achieve this in a vegan recipe? We have a can of pumpkin in the cupboard. I'd love to whip up a pie. I have silken tofu, Bob's Red Mill egg replacer, tapioca starch, sugar, soy milk, rice milk, soy yogurt, bananas, and coconut milk "drink".

Does anyone have experience with a vegan (no eggs or condensed milk) pumpkin pie recipe that's delicious and moist, and solid at room temperature?

My previous attempts have either not gelled or have been kind of like eating dehydrated sugary pumpkin sediment - better than my description sounds, but not what I want. On reflection, I think that my favorite non-vegan pumpkin pies have had a lot of egg to provide the structure to keep them thick and moist while holding their shape when cut (and providing decent mouth feel).

Vegan recipes without modern or Asian ingredients?

archagon — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:28:01 -0800

Where can I find vegan recipes, especially for baked goods, that don't use modern ingredients like margarine and egg replacer, or Asian ingredients like soy milk and tofu?

Vegan until 6pm

timpanogos — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:06:28 -0800

Vegan until 6: Has this method worked for you or someone you know? I am interested in this article describing food writer Mark Bittman's approach to weight loss.

Has this no processed food, no animal products until 6 thing worked for you in any form? It intrigues me. After six he eats higher quality items and saves up for them throughout the day- but focuses on non processed items and veggies in the morning and afternoon.

I am currently vegetarian (I eat eggs on occasion). I am intrigued by this idea and would love to hear others' experiences and if they found it a valuable weight loss tool.

Proper culture for soy yoghourt

monocultured — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:35:18 -0800

Trying to make my own vegan soy yoghourt from scratch, I ended up with an uncultured mess. Please advise on proper microbial use, or improvements upon whatever else it was that I mucked up. I have a 1 litre yoghourt machine which plays a tinny "Macarena" when the 5-11 hour timer runs out, although I'm not certain of how exact the timer is. It does seem to keep the temperature constant at above room temperature though.

I made 2 litres soy milk — this I've done before since I occasionally make my own tofu — and let it cool. Mixed one litre into the machine with one sachet of the stuff in this picture and let it sit. After ten hours there was a 1cm gelatinous strata on top of the stuff, but below it was mostly curdled, like what you might expect if you mix soy milk with hot drinks.

The images below are after 24 hours. There's a slight tangy taste to the liquid, but it's nowhere near yoghourt levels of awesome, nor is there any texture except the grain you see. Looks like seperation, not a healthy process.

Texture 1 & 2
Separation 1 & 2

Possible stuff that has gone wrong:

1) Wrong kind of bacteria (intended for dairy?)
2) Contamination in the bucket (didn't wash it with boiling water)
3) Soy milk too watery or too thick

I'm in Sweden, so there's scant competition among the makers of soy products and I haven't found any starter kits to buy. The Alpro soy yoghourts are excellent, but I've read that they don't contain "live culture" so won't work as starters. Their yoghourt is what I ideally would end up with, so have that in mind, not the more gelatinous products out there.

What to use and where to get it would be appreciated — European stuff preferably — as well as any primers on the noble art of ennobleling the bean of soy by means of bacterium.

Leather-free fashion in Paris?

nicoleincanada — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:21:59 -0800

Where can I find leather-free clothing in Paris? Specifically, I'm looking for boots and shoes, but bonus points for jackets, belts and the like. I'll soon be spending a week in Paris, and it seems reasonable to expect that one should be able to buy stylish, leather-free footwear in one of the world's fashion capitals. But so far I've had zero luck on Google in finding any Parisian store that sells leather-free or vegetarian clothing (granted, I'm Googling in English due to minimal French language skills.)

I'm willing to spend some money - though not crazy amounts - for reasonably well-made non-leather footwear, casual or dressy. Stores that advertise as vegan/vegetarian would be awesome, but not necessary. Ideally I'd love to go to a store that specializes in this sort of thing, but I know of only Stella McCartney, and I suspect her flagship store will be trop cher for me.

As a runner-up, I'd be interested in any stores that typically sell some non-leather footwear. (Runner up b/c in my experience, the token synthetic pair of boots in any given place is usually frumpier and more cheaply made than the leather stuff. And then there's the offgassing...)

To narrow things down further, I'm aware that there are good options available for online ordering - I've resisted because I have wide and weirdly shaped feet, and don't feel like dealing with the hassle of shipping shoes. But if you've had great experiences at any given online store, I'd love to hear about it.

And finally, I've found a lot of thorough lists of vegetarian restaurants in Paris online. No concerns there. This is just about fashion.

Spiritual/Temporal concens and questions about veganism.

Tchad — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:47:36 -0800

How does one reconcile vegan principles with environmental concerns? A number of vegan friends (some of them are actually Jains) lead wholly vegan lifestyles to the best of their abilities. This means in addition to dietary restrictions: no leather or suede, no silk, etc.

Not being a vegan or vegetarian myself, I am curious about something that runs through my head and I want to wrestle with a bit:

If one is avoiding all animal products, they will probably be using man-made products. Vinyl instead of leather, polyester or rayon instead of silk, and so on. I am thinking functionally, perhaps not ideally.

It seems to me that these choices are more demanding and detrimental to the environment and to humanity in the long run because of the industrial process and carbon footprint that goes along with their manufacture.

I also wrestle with the environmental impact as it relates to the distant future - My leather soled dress shoes if left on a hill-top will be dirt in 100 years. My vinyl dress shoes with a rubber sole will not.

I know that living naturally is possible with hemp, bamboo, cotton, ramie, and so on, but I am also trying to think about functionally living in urban areas and what is available (for example: bamboo fabrics are expensive as yardage and it seems a poor vegan would be more likely to buy a few yards of poly knit for $2 a yard than bamboo for $15)

So here is my question - does anyone have any links or references to this? I am not looking for the meat packing industry's position paper on why vegans need to be force fed Black Angus, nor am I looking for a vegan paper that declaims the plight of factory farms.

I want something broader and more scientific or thought out. I am curious, but not looking for points to argue to convert folks one way or the other.

Personally, my own outlook is that one should not abuse their position on the food chain or place in the world, but rather take care of it by living well. For me this means that I do not gorge on meat, never allow plastics in my life if I can help it, recycle what I can, buy used if I can find the same thing or better, and in general try to be thoughtful about my own place while balancing out what the future impact is on humanity and the earth.

I also understand that I may be incredibly biased in the way I have framed the question in my own mind. It just keeps popping up as I go through the thought process.

What I am not looking for: Fun-making of vegans or vegetarians or anti-meat rants. I know I probably don't need to say that here, but I usually avoid talking about this because people feel so strongly one way or the other. Vegans (and especially Jains) get 100% respect from me because of the discipline and effort their lives take.

I am sincerely trying to figure out what information is out there from an environmental living-with-the-earth perspective. Is this something that vegans think about but decide the spiritual payoff is worth the cost of the process? Is this something I am off the mark about?

Thoughts? References? I need to educate myself about this so I know what compromises I am willing/need to make for my own life.

Where to take a vegan friend without "punishing" the carnivores in the party

dorgla — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:17:51 -0800

Where in Seattle has good vegan lunch options? Don't want a strictly vegan venue, as the rest of us are omnivores, and we'd like to wash our lunch down with beer, if possible.

vegan junction city KS - "No results found"

mezzanayne — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:24:45 -0800

Vegan eats in Junction City, KS? I'll be in Junction City, KS today around 10am. I'm looking for a place with vegan options. So far (via Google) I've found 2 coffee shops that aren't open on Sundays, a Mexican restaurant that no longer exists, and a Chinese restaurant that doesn't open until 11:30am. I won't be in town long and I'll want to eat shortly after arriving. Fast food is always an option (I know that I can easily eat at Subway or Taco Bell) but a local sit-down place is preferred. Bonus points if it's got good coffee and/or is close to I-70 highway.

Happycow.net has nothing. Google is failing me. Please help me to find a decent vegan meal.

Thank you!

Healthy smoothie suggestions please.

MaryDellamorte — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:16:22 -0800

Looking for suggestions for nutritionally well-balanced smoothies that can replace meals. During the week, I'm too tired after work to cook a proper meal so I figured a good smoothie could do the trick. I just don't know where to start. Since it will be replacing a meal, what things should I add to it to get optimal nutrition? A friend of mine suggested wheat grass, but I have no experience with that. I do not use dairy or any other animal products. Thanks!

What are some vegan restaurants in Colorado?

MaryDellamorte — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:50:08 -0800

Are there any vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants in or around the following places in Colorado: Denver, Boulder and Breckenridge? The boyfriend and I will be in Colorado in September. He's somewhat familiar with those three areas since he lived among those places for 12 years but he hasn't lived in Colorado for about 5. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If there are any other suggestions for things other things that we should do or see, those suggestions are welcomed also, thanks!

Any vegan celiacs in the house?

pseudostrabismus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:20:48 -0800

Please suggest tasty vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free recipes that are not too difficult for a first-time vegan cook to attempt. My friend's dad has recently been diagnosed with stage IV cancer of the tongue and lymph nodes. He's seeing doctors and a naturopath, who has suggested he try a candida-type cleanse diet as the first stage to an alkaline diet. Essentially a vegan celiac diet (more details below). He also needs to keep his weight stable despite having a lowered appetite, so very palatable foods that are higher in calories would be good.

Any recipes you could suggest would be so appreciated- my friend's mom is understandably stressed already, and learning a whole new cooking style is an extra challenge at a time like this.

FOODS TO AVOID:
wheat or gluten
dairy
eggs
sugars (see below for okay substitutes)
tomatoes
potatoes
red meat
citrus (except lemons and limes)
not too much fruit allowed
fried anything
chocolate
caffeine
alcohol
vinegars (except apple cider)
soy
anything fermented

FOODS TO FOCUS ON:
rice, teff, quinoa etc (but not kamut or spelt)
legumes
2 fruits a day
vegetables (all should be lightly cooked)
chicken
fish
rice and nut milks
as many nuts and nut butters as he wants
good oils (hemp, flax, coconut, olive)
all kinds of spices
bragg's
maple syrup
stevia
brown rice syrup

Any recipes you can suggest would be much appreciated!
Thank you in advance.

Steady Hands

candyhammer — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:04:49 -0800

Is there a vocal anti-caffeine group, similar to the Straight Edge movement/ True Love Waits/ AA / truth.com/ Vegans/ er.. Pro-Lifers*?, etc.-- that specifically focuses on caffeine? *(LMAO-- okay, Pro-lifers was a bad example.
"I used to have an abortion every day! couldn't leave the house without one.")

I'm a caffeine junkie through and through; I'm not trying to quit, and I don't suspect that I ever will-- that's not why I'm asking

(I've historically taken the "do it or stop" view when it comes to any sort of chemical, and have never had a problem "trying" to quit anything. but who cares?).

The reason I'm asking is that I saw a band named after a specific kind of tea a while ago, whose myspace profile declared the tea to be

"full of energy but free of caffeine, just as we are,"

and it struck me as unnecessary and unusual to make such a declaration; made me curious as to whether it is a common thing, specifically whether there are organized, named groups that take said apparently hard stance.

I know Straight Edge seems to have various-- well-documented-- stages of strictness (re: caffeine/nicoteine/OTC pain meds like aspirin, etc) just as vegetarianism and veganism in fact do (re: fish or not/"organic" and related distinctions/strict fruitarianism, etc etc), but I have never heard of an Ex-Joe kind of brigade.

I'm genuinely curious, but parody sites and such a la "People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables" are also welcome, and the discussion should be thought to eventually include other real-life, arguably 'out-there' anti-groups that you may know of in general as well.

It seems that most groups who base their identity on the fact that they are "anti-" anything are ineffective at best and insane at worst, and they usually make for an interesting study in social science.

Give me your best vinaigrette recipes.

MaryDellamorte — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:38:13 -0800

I love a good vinaigrette, but I would like to make my own. What are you favorite recipes? I've never made it before, so some tips would be helpful also. Restrictions include no meat or dairy. Thanks!

Is it okay to take Effexor without its capsule?

Anonymous — Sat, 16 May 2009 07:22:02 -0800

Is there any particular reason that Effexor comes in gelatin capsules? Inside the capsule there are a number of small pellets.

I'm a vegan so I've just been pulling the capsules apart over my mouth, with my head tilted back, and tossing the capsules in the garbage.

I haven't noticed any difference in mood after doing this for a month or so. The only difference I have noticed is that the pellets are extremely bitter (so discovered after having one of them catch in my teeth).

But why aren't the pellets just one solid pill, like bupropion? Is it the bitterness, or does the capsule actually do something (and if so, what)?

Reverse veganization

zenofthefrisbee — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:00:10 -0800

How can I incorporate animal protien and supplemental iron in my vegan diet? That sounds contradictory, I know.

But my doctor just told me that I am protien deficient and anemic, and that I must eat animal protiens and more iron. Every body is different, and apparently mine can't survive on a strict vegan menu alone. Now I am having trouble imagining how to incorporate meats in my meals. I've looked into whey protien mixes, but am interested in ways that I can hide meat (and extra iron) in my diet without, you know, tasting it. Basically I'd like my diet to remain as vegan as possible on the surface, while satisfying my body's protien requirements.

Fish is out; I can't palate it. Chicken, pork, and beef are better.

So, what are some good recipes to hide animal protien in?
Are there any prepared foods (like I'd buy at Whole Foods on my lunch break) that might work?
What are my other options outside of meat? Do eggs count?

How can I eat more protein within a vegan diet?

jfricke — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:43:07 -0800

I was shocked how little protein my current diet consists of. How can I make sure that I get enough protein? Problem: I am almost vegan I have been a vegetarian since I am twelve and I have been almost vegan for two years now. Almost vegan means I eat vegan at home but when I am invited or eat outside I also eat cheese from time to time.

Last week I started a nutrition log at gyminee.com. I was quite shocked about the little amount of protein in my current diet. My questions are:

(1) How much protein should one eat daily? The gyminee.com suggestion of 150 to 200mg seems extremly high to me. Do you need more or less protein, when all your protein sources are non-animal?

(2) What is the best vegan food to increase my protein intake besides soya milk and tofu? If you are vegan, how do you make sure to get enough protein?

(3) Is soya protein powder a good alternative?

What're your favorite vegan recipes?

GilloD — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:45:54 -0800

Vegans: Your favorite recipes? Entrees and desserts, more inside. I am cooking for 8 regular folks and one vegan tomorrow. Many, many years ago I was a vegetarian myself, but I was also unmarried and young and broke, so the majority of my meat-free catalog is "Veggieburger" or "Meat dish minus meat plus fake meat".

I'd like to be modestly more ambitious than that- A lentil dish I had planned contains a good deal of yogurt and so I am out of ideas. Rather than plumb the depths of vegan eating forums, I figured I'd check in with the Hive mind to see what Vegan or veggie loving MeFites could vouch for.

To that end, I'm looking to conjure an entree and a small dessert, but I'm willing to take a listen on anything. I'm ready to be adventurous, but I'm also short on time. I'm just looking to avoid recipes that are little more than "substitution" recipes. (i.e. Vegan Cake! Take regular cake, minus butter, plus soybutter!)

(I hope this makes sense. My brain is fried. I worked like a 16 hour day yesterday and then got up at 5AM and I am onyl now catching up on my life. Save me!)

Women's shoe question

a robot made out of meat — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:14:30 -0800

Ms. Vegetable wears a size 10.5 wide shoe. She is looking for vegan shoes in her size - black, brown, grey, and/or colors, but not white or metallic. In particular, she is looking for shoes for the office - ones that can be worn with pants or skirts/dresses, with a slight heel, with a T-strap or a Mary Jane-type look. Examples: These, but in her size. Or like this, but not leather. More examples she likes

She's also looking for more sophisticated weekend shoes. Right now, she only wears sneakers on the weekends because that's what she can find. She's looking for ballerina-type-flats, or Keen-type

Probably not too chunky (her feet are large enough as is), probably not with huge straps. Closed heel. Closed or open toe.

Price range< $150

Quick vegan lunch near American University in DC?

obliquicity — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:22:53 -0800

Fast vegan lunch options at/near American University, in Washington, DC? I am going to be at American University for a conference this weekend (Friday-Sunday) and have dinner and Sunday brunch taken care of (although I'm open to suggestions if you have a passionate desire to share your favorite). Friday and Saturday lunch, however, is another story -- there's about 15 minutes between sessions and the box lunches on offer are not vegan. So... I'm hoping that some of you know of a place within walking distance that has something vegan on offer, preferably as take-out. Bonus points if I can pick it up on my way in (i.e. before 9:30am). I will be going to the University from Dupont Circle, if that makes a difference -- but probably traveling via Metro, so can't really stop on the way.

Toppings for a cheeseless pizza.

MaryDellamorte — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:03:47 -0800

What do you like to put on your cheeseless pizza? I'm not too creative when it comes to cooking and I usually eat my pizzas with tomato sauce, tomato, pineapple, and spinach...sometimes with basil. It seems to be a really good combination. What other unique combinations are good on a pizza without cheese?

Please do not include anything with meat, dairy, butter, mushrooms, onions or peppers. I'm not really a big fan of vegan cheeses since they usually wreak havoc on my stomach. I'm pretty open-minded otherwise.

Vegan babies eat what?

onhazier — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:06:47 -0800

What do I feed two vegan infants? I may be receiving a placement of two little ones tonight. Both are vegan due to their parents religion. As a foster family, we have to honor this. No problems. However, I've no idea what to feed the little ones. One is only 8 months old and may be malnourished. The other is about 18 months old.

What milk replacement do you provide when breast milk is not available? What can I cook for the children to ensure they are getting proper nutrition? Is there an appropriate multi-vitamin that I can give them as well.

This is an emergency placement, so I'll need to know what I need to provide for them tonight.

Thanks!

Is my vegan diet causing memory and focus problems?

davathar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:22:22 -0800

My diet is almost totally vegan. I can no longer think straight and my memory is getting worse all the time. I'm struggling to regain mental clarity and control. I'm not willing to give up veganism. But I need solutions. For the last three years I've been practicing a vegetarian diet that is almost totally vegan. I occasionally eat dairy and egg products when other people cook for me as a concession to the difficulty of cooking vegan without experience. That, and I love cheese.

My decision to practice a mostly vegan lifestyle is morally motivated by my feelings about animal treatment. So I don't plan to ever go back to eating meat or fish of any kind. And more and more I'm cutting out dairy and eggs as I prepare more meals at home and seek out vegan friendly restaurants.

The problem is that I've noticed that my mood, mental clarity, and energy levels are poor these last few years. And I noticed the same thing when I was vegetarian about 10 years ago, but my diet was quite loaded with bread and cheese back then, so I figured that accounted for it.

I can read the same paragraph 5 or 10 times before realizing that my mind was elsewhere the whole time and I don't remember what I've read for the last few pages. The feeling that comes with this is the same thing all day long in all activities. My days end up being like a scattered random series of events that I'm in control of, but don't always remember initiating.

My memory has gotten so poor that I can watch a movie that I saw just 6 months ago and absolutely know that I saw it and remember scenes after I see them happen again. But I can't remember anything about what will happen for the rest of the movie at any point. In my programming work I struggle to remember the names of functions and the structure of the framework I'm using, or the code I've written already. In the past I used to be able to remember whole stories in great detail and keep complex programming structures in my mind while I worked on them.

I'm in my head all the time.

My Diet:
I currently take Omega 3 supplement in the form of Flax Seed Oil with added vegan source EPA. I have a spoon full of Lecithin daily, usually with pulpy OJ that makes the lecithin granules almost disappear. I take a high quality but low dosage whole food vegan multi. I take a B complex. And occasionally I take C, B5, Magnesium, and Zinc supplements also.

I have about a cup a day of Soymilk and tofu maybe once a week. Though that will likely increase soon since I just got a Soymilk Maker to save on costs. I'm a little worried about all the contriversy about Excessive Soy consumption.

I do eat a lot of bread, and consequently a lot of Gluten and high starch food. A friend of mine only buys "Sprouted grain bread" saying that it doesn't have the same tiring effect on her after eating that more refined and non-sprouted grain breads do. That stuff is very expensive ($4 or $5 a loaf) though, so I haven't tried it at home.

Due to not living near a good source of fresh foods and usually eating single course meals, I don't eat a lot of greens or other fresh veggies. I eat cereal for breakfast every day. And I eat a lot of dishes with beans and rice. Usually it's black beans or chick peas. Onion and green pepper are about the freshest I get with veggies.

I drink about 6 beers a week (one or two at night occasionally) and a few times a year I might actually get drunk. I drink about 3 cups (8 oz)of coffee per day mostly to keep from getting withdrawal headaches and because I like the taste. I don't think it helps with my clarity. It may even hurt.

My activity levels:
I work from home and almost never leave except for shopping or dinner with friends.

My exercise habits are that a few times a week I'll do a few sets of push ups and maybe sit ups. I stretch almost every day. And I walk my dogs in the yard a few times a day for 5 or 10 minutes. I haven't worked up a sweat in months.

Stress:
I sleep well most of the time, getting about 8 hours a day on average. My schedule is mostly consistent but I take naps occasionally when feeling particularly down.

My business has been crushed by the real estate economy the last few years and the stress has been overwhelming at times. The business hasn't gotten better yet, but I've settled into a pretty constant stress level. My lack of energy combined with the stress often leads me to feel depressed and hopeless.

What I try already:
I've taken the strategy of isolation from friends and family and even business associates in order to combat the growing challenge of mental distraction that seems to consume entire days and weeks with almost nothing to show for accomplishment. In the process I've given up my personal homes, my vehicles except for an old van, and most of my possessions like my tools. I've broken up with two good girlfriends and resisted new relationships from forming. Thinking about all that adds to the feeling of depression. But if I regain control of my mental clarity, I expect it will be worthwhile and recoverable. And I'm not much help or fun to be around when I'm stressed and scatter brained anyway.

I'm at my most clear when writing something like this or writing to a friend or in my journal. But it's incredibly time consuming. I limit my writing so I don't end up doing it all day long.

I've dabbled with Meditation, but as with exercise I've lost focus to develop the habit and it's a rare thing for me to sit still doing nothing unless I'm going to sleep.

I have almost no emotional content to my feelings lately. I'm holding on to sanity for the most part. But the days are passing and I'm aging with nothing changing for the positive in my life. I only keep going on the hopes of something more interesting being around the corner. But daily motivation to do anything is such a struggle that it's seeming less and less likely I'll get over the hump to that more interesting life I've enjoyed in the past.

The major potential factors I see as being responsible for what I consider borderline schizophrenia and severe memory loss are Lack of Exercise, missing nutritional elements, and stress.

I'm trying to fight the stress by simplifying everything in life and removing the distractions so I can focus better and get back in control of my daily life.

I'm trying to satisfy my dietary needs while staying vegetarian, but there's so much conflicting information out there that it's confusing and I may be missing something critical.

Exercise is probably the area I have the most trouble with. I just never have the energy to "feel like" doing it. I know it's sort of a chicken or egg argument. But I find it so incredibly boring that it takes a ton of motivation to get me to even spend 5 minutes working out. And the whole time my mind is screaming out to be doing something productive instead.

The challenge:
I almost hate to waste the time of readers here with all of this. I feel like I already answered the question of how I can improve my clarity and get my brain back. Diet and Exercise. Just do it. Stress will take care of itself if I take care of myself... But there is obviously something missing. Every time I try to do something, I do it once and the next day I forget, or don't feel like it, or get distracted by something new to try.

How can I become consistent in doing something that works? What mental perspectives may work well enough to stick with this rattled brain long enough to develop good supportive habits? Are there any quick fixes in diet or otherwise that may help in the mean time?

Thank you.

Vegan Chili

turgid dahlia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:32:39 -0800

I want to make a vegan chili stew. Help me make it nutritious and delicious and I may let you have some. Extended culinary noodling inside. I like to make stews and chilis and pasta sauces and weird vegan soup things. I've decided that tonight, with the assistance of beer, I am going to make the greatest chili known to all humankind. Here's what I'm going to do:

1) Soak some tvp (textured vegetable protein) in vegetable stock, garlic and pepper

2) While this happens, lightly molest some red onions in olive oil

3) Add tasty soaked tvp to pot where the onions and olive oil are

4) Add crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, grated carrot, chili flakes, a variety of herbs and spices and possibly red wine

5) Permit to stew for a while, then add corn kernels, mushrooms, and spinach

6) Permit to stew for longer, then serve with rice.

Now, my questions are thus:

1) What am I doing wrong?

2) What can I do better?

3) What else can I add?

4) Is frozen corn or canned corn more nutritious?

Basically I want your tips on making the greatest vegan chili ever, packed full of good healthy stuff, good and hot but not too painful. Help me put together a shopping list, Metafilter! The concept of "chili" is, so far as I can tell, a particularly American one, so advice from that corner of the planet would be greatly appreciated.

What are some good bulk vegan recipes?

MaryDellamorte — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:04:40 -0800

I hate to cook. What are some delicious recipes you like that are simple to make, easily made in bulk and still taste good left over? I work in a restaurant and order take out all the time, so I never really have to cook. I want to save a little more money though and start making my own meals but I'm at a loss because I've never really done a lot of cooking. I love to bake, just not cook. I want stuff that I can make in large quantities that I can heat up and eat for a few days to lessen my time spent in the kitchen. One catch though, I'm looking for vegan recipes, but a lot of recipes can be tweaked to be made vegan. Thanks!

Holistic Resource Finder?

eric1halfb — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:47:01 -0800

Are there any online resources for finding local organic/holistic resources? I'm trying to find a resource that will help me to locate organic grocery stores, health food stores, yoga studios, co-ops, holistic health care providers, etc. It would be ideal if I could search by state and then city, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have already used yogafinder. This is essentially what I'm looking for, but a little too limited in scope.

Thanks!