The Vegan Stoner

I'm a vegetarian, but also a college student. Which means I am two things - cheap and lazy. I found this online vegan cooking blog "The Vegan Stoner" and it seems like the perfect resource for someone like me. I am not a vegan, but still love the recipes and am always interested in eating vegan foods whenever possible. The illustrations are adorable and all of the recipes are cheap and easy to make. The creators of the blog, Sarah Conrique and Graham I. Haynes, are currently working on "The Vegan Stoner Cookbook" which I am very excited for as well! Take a look.. Vegan food isn't only for vegans! Below is a glimpse at two of my favorite recipes featured that I cannot wait to make - The Chickpea Wraps and Soy Lazy Tacos( Sorry they are so small, I'm still new at this blog stuff). Check out the blog here: TheVeganStoner

Food Inc.

Okay, I'm obsessing, I'll admit it. Last night I had to watch the documentary Food Inc. for my environmental class and it's literally all I've been talking about since. I blabbed my Mom and Dad's ears off, I called Max and made him listen to me for 45 minutes, I made a new friend at lunch today and then immediately started discussing the film with him. I told pretty much every person I ran into to watch it and everyone that said they had already seen it I responded with the quickest, "Oh my gahh what did you think?!?!" Just like that, straight Valley Girl.

I think the reason I am so obsessed with it is that it was not what I was expecting. I am already a vegetarian and didn't really want to sit and watch animal's being tortured for an hour and a half, I know that happens and I am already doing my part to not support it. But this movie isn't just about the inhumane practices, but is truly about the corruption that has been taking place in the food industry that no one seems to care about.

I don't want to tell you everything that happens, but I have a few key points.

1. I'm pretty sure McDonald's has enough power that if the CEO wanted to destroy the world he could. I wish I was a good writer because I am pretty much already creating the plot to a Vonnegut-esque novel in my head that I think could be pretty successful.
2. Unhealthy food needs high taxes, end of story.
3. I think EVERYONE should start to buy ORGANIC food. I already pretty much only eat organic, ruling out the Boulder salads I have in between classes. If the people demand it, they will get it. If you build it, they will come. Not a good reference, never mind. It's expensive now, but if it becomes the norm the prices will drop. IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY.
4. The revolving door of CEO's that head the FDA is sickening. Democrats can preach about their disapproval of big business, but everyone knows what is happening in Washington and it needs to be stopped. The food industry may be the biggest business of them all and it is run by a handful of companies that are controlling our lives whether you want to become aware of it or not.
5. As Americans we are consumers, and we're picky consumers. We need the best of the best. We return clothes when they don't flatter our bodies, we complain when we think we are being cheated or deceived in any good we buy. But, when it comes to food we turn a blind eye. The food we eat is probably the most intimate good we consume and yet no one ever questions where it comes from. We have completely enabled the food industry to get away with everything that they have done.

Food Inc. Website

Photo

Brown Betty Cupcakes

I stumbled across photographer Laura Novak's lovely photographs of Brown Betty cupcakes. I am completely obsessed with those cupcake stands! I have never seen cupcake stands before, I need them! Brown Betty is a family business located in Philly and after perusing the website I decided that I need to force Lauren to go there and give them a try, I don't think it will take much forcing. Two words: dessert boutique, brilliant.

check out Laura Novak's blog for more lovely photographs.