PART TIME HALF ASSED VEGAN NOTES - A tasty little snack that was just meant to be

I've been to the local Publix grocery store just about every day this week (mainly because I keep refusing to write down a list).  On one visit, I noticed a brand spanking new vegan section for alternatives to deli meat and cheese. (Me *high pitched, eyes wide*: ah-ha! ah-ha!).  While I'm looking forward to trying the vegan meatballs, I'm a little terrified of what they mean by vegan eggs, but maybe I'll buck up and try them in the future.

Tonight back at said grocery store, I had no choice but to stop by the vegan deli section.  I think once I explain, you'll understand why.  Carr's Rosemary crackers were on sale and they must have a white cheese and hard salami in order to enjoy properly. Or do they?  That vegan section might have a tasty plant-based alternative.  See, I had no choice.

To be honest, I was in a bit of a daze.  The sliced "meat" looked like meat, but the packaging didn't say what it was replacing.  It did make suggestions to use it in a Reuben sandwich, so I was thinking it might taste like pastrami, not hard salami.  I figured if I hated it, I'd just go back and get real salami. What's one more visit to Publix?

Once home with my booty, I wasted no time in slicing the plant-based "meat" and "smoked gouda".  The "meat" by itself was perplexing.  I could taste tomato and that was fine, but you really need to create a different category to describe the flavor and texture.

But - and here it's exciting - once you pile the "meat" and "cheese" on the rosemary crackers, suddenly all the flavors and textures meld together like they were soulmates.  It was simply meant to be!

Field Roast Smoked Tomato Deli "meat" with Follow Your Heart Smoked "gouda" on Rosemary crackers
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

The low down:

Original Field Roast Grain Meat Co. (R) Vegetarian deli slices smoked tomato flavor
with hearty tomatoes, hickory smoked infusions with red wine, old world spices and herbs
Serving size - 3 slices
Calories - 100
Calories from fat - 25
Total fat - 2.5g
Dietary fiber - 2g
Protein - 14g

Follow Your Heart (R) Smoked gouda style slices VEGAN, non-GMO, gluten free, soy free
Serving size - 1 slice
Calories - 60
Total fat - 4.5g
Protein - 0g

Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

I'm not going to analyze the crackers because even if it turns out that they're made with animal products, I will NEVER give them up.  I love CARR's rosemary crackers and that's that.

Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

However, I was still proud of my snack, so I finished it off with Soy Delicious fake ice cream in Vanilla Bean (dairy free) and crushed Oreos (still vegan).

So Delicious Dairy Free FAKE ICE CREAM Vanilla Bean and Milk's Favorite Cookie
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

This has been a public service announcement of sorts.

Make someone else's day magical!
Mackenzie

#FakeIceCream
#FollowYourHeart
#VeganCheese
#FieldRoastGrainMeat
#VeganDeliMeat
#Publix

PART TIME HALF ASSED VEGAN NOTES - send a message

One of my previous posts for women only mentioned This is L feminine hygiene products available at Target.

However, I also wrote an ECO-FRIENDLY EVERYTHING post and ECO-FRIENDLY WATER ON THE GO post.  We have to get a grip on the single use plastic we're using.  No more plastic choking our marine life.  Nothing like tying things neatly together.

I just sent the following message to support@ThisIsL.com

I was wondering if the plastic strips and wrapping on your feminine hygiene products are actually plastic, or if they're biodegradable.  There's a company in Indonesia called Avani making certain "plastic" products out of cassava starch.  Zero negative impact to the environment.  I'm hoping you'll take your positive efforts one step further and switch to a biodegradable packaging and wrapping material.

Keep up the great work - just go one step further to biodegradable wrapping!

Best regards,

Please take a minute or two and copy/paste the message in an email to support@thisisL.com.  

We'll start one company at a time and rescue our planet!  If you take a look at their mission on their website, you'll see they're already committed to good causes.  

I believe they'll listen to us.

Make someone else's day magical!

Mackenzie 

PART TIME HALF ASSED VEGAN NOTES - Mixed Up Salad (customer) at Jason's Deli

I'd had this salad before, and was surprised to see chicken on top. It precluded my intention of a less half-assed vegan blog post.

A closer look at the menu revealed CHICKEN was the first ingredient listed.  The voice in my head said I should have my eyes checked.

Undaunted, I went back to Jason's and asked if they'd hold the chicken.  Troy told me enthusiastically, "Yes, however you want it!"  Troy made my day, that's for sure.

The proper name of the salad is "Nutty Mixed-Up Salad".

Grilled 100% antibiotic-free CHICKEN (request it to be withheld)
organic field greens
grapes
feta (not vegan, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can ask for that to be withheld as well)
cranberry-walnut mix
organic apples
Balsamic vinaigrette

Nutty Mixed Up Salad - Hold the Chicken
at Jason's Deli, Plantation
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

Nutty Mixed Up Salad - Hold the Chicken
at Jason's Deli, Plantation
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

This is a yummy salad with lots of textures and a nice balance of flavors

To make myself even happier, I also ordered the strawberry shortcake.  It's my day off, right?

Strawberry Shortcake
Jason's Deli Plantation
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

Troy even offered to toss my empty peach iced tea bottles, but when I asked him if the store recycled the bottles, he said he'd make sure of it.  I would have been perfectly ok carrying them home to recycle, but Troy also told me that Jason's  Deli doesn't rely exclusively on plastic containers.  They have containers made from sugar cane, which are fully biodegradable and present the food better than plastic because they breathe.  Jason's is also family-owned, and got started in Vermont.

Several menu items can be customized to be vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free.  You can make it easy on yourself and ask for the Vegan All The Way menu at the register.

Troy beamed with joy and pride - it was just all over his face as he shared the story of the deli with me, and showed me the sugar cane containers.

Nutty mixed up salad, peach iced tea, strawberry shortcake - $15.02

Jason's Deli #184
1361 South University Drive / Plantation, Fla

#foodies
#vegan
#placestoeatPlantationFL

Make someone else's day magical!
Mackenzie

RANDOM THOUGHT - Dogs and Cows

I've seen plenty of posts on Facebook where American activists are pushing for Korea to give up slaughtering dogs.  I wonder if any American would taken an Indian seriously if they organized to push us to give up slaughtering cows.  While Kevin Spacey may have fallen from grace, I can't help but be moved by his portrayal of a vegetarian in K-PAX.

 

Different culture have different values.

I think torturing animals (and humans) is just plain wrong.  Even when hunting.  The idea is a quick kill with minimal suffering.  But if Americans knew how their burgers and bacon were treated when they were living animals, perhaps they'd be ASHAMED of the industrial farming machine.  It's just heartbreaking.  Animals have feelings and longings and personality.  One person I've heard of won't eat mammals, and perhaps that's a great rule for dining humanely.

That's just my opinion.  And I do love a good burger.  That's why I want to try Adina's at Gulfstream.  Farm to table type restaurant.  Grass fed cows.  I can't deny that predators on this planet eat other animals and humans are predators, but there's no moral reason to keep prey living in shitty conditions all the days of their lives.  So I'd like to try grass fed burger because the animals get to live their normal day to day grass-eating lives until it's time to be converted into dinner.

PART TIME HALF ASSED VEGAN NOTES - A Burger After My Own Conflicted Heart

There's meat-eater, there's vegan, then there's fence-straddlers like me.  No worries, Burger-Fi has us covered.  Not only do they have a great veggie burger, and not only do they have a 100% plant based Beyond Burger that bleeds (beet juice) like a real burger, but they have the Conflicted Burger for people like me who just can't seem to quite go 100% vegan.

The Conflicted Burger is a veggie patty and a meat patty.  It's a double burger!  It's so good.  It's big, it's juicy, it's tasty and may just count as a serving of vegetables.  Please take note that the lettuce is actually GREEN, not that colorless garbage that you get at other places.  That's a sign of vitamins.

Burger-Fi Conflicted Burger
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

Burger-Fi Conflicted Burger with Oreo Shake
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

No burger is really complete without a milkshake (there's that half in the half-assed vegan coming out again).  Oreo shake (with extra Oreos of course).  Damn right, I ate it ALL.

Friendly Kyle took my order (and totally got it right).  Manager She-She really hooked me up with the extra Oreos!  Thank you She-She! 'Preciate ya.

Kyle and Manager She-She at Burger-Fi Aventura
Photo: Mackenzie Littledale

Now for the fully vegan, get the Beyond Burger, hold the cheese.

For the meat eaters, nothing is better than the CEO burger with Wagyu beef.

For fence-straddlers, take me at my word, go for the Conflicted Burger!

Burger-Fi is all over, but if you want friendly service and to get your order right, go to Aventura.

18139 Biscayne Blvd. / Aventura / 33160
Call in your order for pick up - 305-466-0350

Conflicted burger with Oreo shake $15.94

#Foodies
#BurgerFi
#MackenzieLittledale
#HalfAssedVegan


Make someone else's day magical!
Mackenzie

PART TIME HALF-ASSED VEGAN NOTES - but cauliflower NEEDS cheese

I've got this Facebook friend who's really involved in charity events at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Fort Lauderdale.  I don't get around Fort Lauderdale that much, but when I saw an Anthony's in Aventura, I decided to stop in.

It was around 3:45-ish and I was invited to sit anywhere I wanted.  First, it's great to work weird hours.  I have my run of just about any restaurant I want with my schedule.

I ordered a red sangria (wait until you see the pic.  You're gonna be so jealous!)  It's full of fruit, so that's pretty vegan.  Off to a great start, right?  You bet!

Then, the star of the show - a specialty pizza.  Remind me to fill you in on a little secret about Anthony's.  Roasted cauliflower with olive oil and garlic, Romano and mozzarella, topped with bread crumbs.  You see from the description that trying to force this delicacy to be vegan would be foolhardy.  Cauliflower NEEDS cheese.

The manager - I'd share a picture, but he's camera shy, and I'd tell you his name, but he's self-described "low key" - wanted me to mention their loyalty program campaign.  Sign up and be entered for a drawing.  The prize is free wings for a whole year, but I thought that was out of place for a Half-Assed Vegan Notes post.

Red Sangria at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Aventura
Can you see all that fruit?
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

Roasted Cauliflower Pizza at Anthony's
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

You Could Win Free Wings for a Year
(So inappropriate for a vegan post)
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

So, right, the secret.  Anthony's lunch menu is until 3:00, but IF YOU ASK FOR IT AT 3:45, THEY'LL STILL GIVE IT TO YOU.  I got that awesome pizza for 10 bucks and change.  Big savings and it'll easily serve 2 people.


Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza
17901 Biscayne Boulevard / Aventura, Fla.

#Half-AssedVegan
#MackenzieLittledale
#AnthonysCoalFiredPizza
#foodies

Remember, go to the Desktop Version and click on "Follow" for more

Have a wicked awesome day!

PART TIME HALF-ASSED VEGAN NOTES - It's OK to eat chicken on Fridays

My friend introduced me to Carrot Express in Sunny Isles Beach.  Once I had the Legal Wrap, I haven't wanted to try anything else on the menu.  It's just so good!  The secret ingredients are the cheese and the cilantro lime sauce.

The Legal Wrap

grilled chicken
cilantro brown rice
black beans
chipotle sauce
jack cheese
pico de gallo
whole wheat wrap

The franchisees Nando and Veronica assure me that the wrap is just as good with the ginger soy sauce, but I'm not in my adventurous 20s anymore.  I know what I like and that cilantro lime sauce is the BEST!

Veronica and Nando, Franchisees of Carrot Express 7-14-18
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

I am, however, eager to try the Poke Bowl on my next visit.  Just look at it!

Poke Bowl
brown rice or quinoa
fresh ahi tuna
seaweed salad
edamame
arugula
scallions
avocado
carrots
pickled ginger
cucumber
sesame seeds
crispy onions
topped with spicy mayo and eel sauce

Veronica tells me that substitutes are perfectly welcome, so you can take a dish with meat and substitute to make it vegetarian or full on vegan. Or, if you're me, you just don't want avocado.  They're totally ok with making the wrap or juice blend the way you like.

Nando assures me that the Legal Wrap is one of the top two best selling wraps, so don't miss out!

When you check out, pick up a container of organic almond cookies at the register.  Talk about an impulse buy.  They are so full of genuine almond flavor, you'll be glad you topped off your healthy meal with a healthy cookie.

Carrot Express is at 170 St and Collins Ave in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.  Say hello to Nando and Veronica.  They're very enthusiastic about the food and the business!

#foodies

PART TIME HALF-ASSED VEGAN NOTES - I came so very close

I had every good intention of eating full on VEGAN for dinner tonight, but the Vegan Bowl at Bolay (opened May 2017) has tomatoes and tofu.  I will rarely say yes to raw tomatoes.  As for the tofu, I just wasn't feeling it.  Tofu doesn't have the right "mouth feel" for a protein.  Maybe it's just me, but I know damn well what meat is supposed to feel like, and I feel (rather strongly) that a meat substitute should feel like what it's substituting or it's not convincing.  If I'm not convinced, how could I possibly be satisfied?

Still being game and thinking I could improvise this vegan thing, I opted to build my own bowl.  I ordered a small bowl with cilantro noodles and quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH) with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.  What I really wanted was their cauliflower because it's amazing.  It's so amazing that I wouldn't be surprised if a kid would ask for more, but cauliflower is no longer an option at Bolay.  I shed one tear and got over it.  The Brussels sprouts and sweet potato are out of this world, and I always LOVE the cilantro noodles!

Bolay makes ordering pretty easy.  Choose your size, choose your base, choose your veggies, choose your meats and then toppings.  On days when I allow myself the indulgence of protein, I really have to make a case for their shrimp.  It's plump and delicious and seasoned really well.

Then - and here's where I blew it and un-veganized my meal - I got the pesto sauce.  It contains dairy.  Diehard vegans will shake their heads disapprovingly, but I'm not even trying to go all out vegan.  I'm not even opting for all out vegetarian.  I just want to do it part time.  Half-assed.  Because I do love meat.  It's the chronic inflammation and cardiac arrest that I'd like to eliminate from my future.

Bolay is in Pembroke Pines at Hiatus Road and Pines Blvd. in the same plaza as Walgreen's, European Wax Center, Verizon, and Jared Jewelers.  For the guys, it's at the northeast corner of Hiatus and Pines.

Bo - Bowl
Olay - FUN!
Bolay!  Bolay all day!!

We start with quinoa and cilantro noodles

Quinoa, Cilantro Noodles, Kale, Baby Spinach
Bolay Pembroke Pines.
Photo by Mackenzie Littledale

Then add Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes

Finish with pesto sauce and Voila!  A half-assed vegan meal that tastes great!