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Month: October 2012

Giveaway: Strawberry Hedgehog

Giveaway: Strawberry Hedgehog

Winners!

coldandsleepy, soap: I love anything that smells like incense, as long as patchouli isn’t involved. Patchouli makes me want to die. I love Patchouli but I won’t hold that against you.
Monica, deodorant: I’ve been wanting to give this brand a try since seeing it on VBR! I think my favorite scents usually come from nature like jasmine or anything fresh and floral. Even my husband wishes for cologne that smells like dirt…he’s a little weird 🙂 You can totally get dirt scented essential oils, I have a perfume with dirt notes!

After the news broke that Urban Decay would be selling in China, which requires animal testing (but we got them to change their minds, woo!), I learned that a lot of vegans have no idea about what they are putting in their showers, medicine cabinets, and so forth. A lot of them are confused by animal testing, third party testing, parent companies, it makes you dizzy! A lot of people just give up on trying to navigate cruelty-free bath and beauty. If you are one of those people who doesn’t know where to start, let me give you a tip: shop with all-vegan, indie companies as much as possible! Yes, you will spend a little more money than at the drugstore, but what you put on your body matters just as much as what you put in it.

One of the companies you should definitely start with is Strawberry Hedgehog. Not just for the reasons mentioned above, but because Tracy makes beautiful, delicious smelling soaps (and a large variety to boot), scrubs, moisturizers, and now deodorant! Finding vegan, natural deodorant that works worth anything is definitely a challenge. Since I haven’t tried the deodorant, I went over to the most trusted source for Strawberry Hedgehog product reviews, Vegan Beauty Review. This is what Sunny had to say:

Why I love this deodorant above all others:

It comes in a jar—SO much easier to apply (compared to similar-ingredient “stick” versions which are crazy crumbly)
I tried the Peaceful Person deodoro (thanks, Tracy), and the beautiful and relaxing lavender-scented concoction seriously worked like nothing I’ve ever tried before (and I’m a stinky beast). It even out-performed Lavanila as far as its long lastingness goes. I was skeptical, too (the ingredients seemed too simple)… but it turned out to be simply amazing! My arm pits and I are in awe. And I wanna say, that granted Tracy of Strawberry Hedgehog is my homegirl, I am 100% keeping s–t real with y’all. You will NOT stink if you rock this stuff. If I’m wrong, you can b—h-slap me over the internet. 😉
You’ll never have to worry about pit stains on your clothing, clogged pores, toxic ingredients seeping into your skin, etc. when you make the switch to natural deodorant. Whatever you do, ditch the conventional name brands you’ve been buying at the store. They are all evil.



Tracy has offered up two prizes today for two lucky winners: one jar of the deodorant (your choice of either Femme Fatale, Strong Man, or Peaceful Person), and any three bars from her top 10 scents (pictured above). To enter, simply comment here and tell me what your favorite scent is (it can be food!), and which prize you would want. US only, a winner will be picked tomorrow (the 17th) at 4 pm CST.

Tuesday Roundup: vegan blogs make me happy

Tuesday Roundup: vegan blogs make me happy

So I have been having a rough time recently but luckily there is are a lot of high-spirited vegan blogs out there to cheer me up. These oatmeal blinis from “Including Cake” look like the perfect breakfast to fill someone’s day with happiness.

Or if just the idea of autumn gets you excited maybe these Butternut Squash Doughnuts from mama et de bébé hawk might be the perfect thing.

Nothing says love like being wrapped up like a dumpling and these beauties from V.K. Rees were like a culinary hug.

 Tacos + Whisky are a good way to jump on the happy train and these unpictured Bourban Seitan Tacos from Winged Snail sound totally delicious.

Southern Comfort food is so reassuring that it has comfort right in the title. These Crispy Crunchy Stuffed Tofu Pockets adapted from one of the happiest zines in the world Papa Tofu and cooked up with greens and grits by one of my favorite bloggers, Eating Appalachia was like veganmofo². I’ve wanted for years to try that recipe and Jes’s rendition looks like my ideal meal.

One surefire way to bolster your spirits is to eat a great quantity of chocolate which means Chocolate Covered Katie must be one of the happiest people in the world. She did a roundup of her Halloween candy recipes and I want to make them all. Especially these Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs.

And then if all that doesn’t work to brighten your spirits, there are always pictures of cute animals. Try and not have your heart warmed by these Turkey’s eating a Thanksgiving dinner at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary’s Thanksliving feast. “This Vegan Life“‘s post made me wish I could have gone too. Someday.

I also love posts about blogger’s animal companions. Ailsah the cat is adorable and inspiring the “Road to the PhD” to always remember to consider all the animals in the world. This post also made me question if I could ever hug a kangaroo.

I want too!

And The Chopped/Vegan Champion Is…

And The Chopped/Vegan Champion Is…

Oh no, you guys, you made this decision very very difficult! And that is a good sign. The future of vegan cooking is bright, and thanks to you, my faith in nooch dusted kitchens across the globe has been reaffirmed. There could be no better way to celebrate the Post Punk Kitchen 10th Anniversary than with a little culinary inspiration. So thank you!

But there can be only one Vegan/Chopped champion! Unless…

I’ve actually decided that for this competition, there are two champions. Brunch is such an indecisive meal, and my judging should be no different. I’ve picked two winners, one sweet and one savory. Both will be getting a $50 Vegan Essentials gift certificates, a PPK apron, the signed Isa book of your choice and any other goodies I feel like sending. But enough with the dilly dallying.

In the SWEET brunch category, your Vegan/Chopped champion is…
Butternut Squash Bread French Toast with Mascarpone Cream, Rosemary Popcorn Streusel, Apricot Maple Syrup and White Wine Poached Pear from Nichole Lontz!!!!


Thank you for your creativity and effort, Nichole! The judges (um, me and Allison) were impressed with your homemade butternut quickbread, your poached pear technique and your use of quality from-scratch ingredients, both from your pantry and from the basket. You cut no corners and it shows and that’s why you, Nichole, are our Vegan/Chopped champion! Plus, the adorable pic of your kitty helper didn’t hurt. Listen up, cheftestants, a kitty pic never hurts.

Now. The SAVORY category. Which might also be known as exactly what I would have made. Your Vegan/Chopped champion is…
Chick’n & Waffles from Stephanie at Ripe Cuisine!!!!!


Ok, the pic could be a little bigger, but let me elaborate. This is Butternut Squash Waffles With Homemade Popcorn Chick’n Tenders And Apricot Rosemary Syrup. Yes, there is a sweet element, but I say this is the savory category and what I say goes. The judges were impressed with, well, the absolute yumminess of it all. I would order this in a restaurant without blinking an eye. Unless my eyes were blinking uncontrollably from deliciousness.

But wait! We still have a few runner-ups who will each receive the Isa book of their choice.


The popcorn award goes to PJ at Vegan Cine Grub for Butternut Squash Swedish Pancakes topped with Rosemary-Apricot Cashew Ricotta and a Molasses Popcorn Candy Tower! Can you resist a Popcorn Candy Tower? Me neither. Coupled with Swedish Pancakes, a vampire movie and a bloody mary? GTFO! No, wait, stay. Brunch is not yet finished.


The double trouble award goes to Suburban Vegan for her two entries, one for sweet, one for savory. Pancakes and a breakfast sandwich, both utilizing all of the basket ingredients. I would like to marry you and have brunch every day!


Favorite baked good award goes to Joy at Braisen Woman for her amazing looking Fall in your Face Sticky Buns (Butternut-Popcorn Flour Buns with Rosemary-Cinnamon-Apricot Filling and Apricot-Rosemary Caramel.) I would like one still warm, please!


The “oh-no-she-didn’t” award goes to Vegan In The Sticks for her Rosemary Popcorn Breaded Scotch Eggs with Butternut Squash Yolk and Hot Buttered Popcorn Scones with a Sweet Apricot Glaze. Scotch eggs? Oh yes she did!

I’m not posting any more pics, but the following are still runner-ups who receive a book:
The “Polenta? Good thinking!” award goes to Cadry’s Kitchen for Popcorn Crusted Polenta Stacks with Barbecue-Glazed Squash & Cashew Cream.

The “Cute pic, good story, yummy crepes” award goes to X Means No Onions for her Butternut Squash Crepes with Apricot Glaze.

The “Captured-My-Tart” award (har har) goes to Colynn at But Yes I Do Eat Potatoes for her Butternut Squash, Apricot, and Raspberry Tarts With Rosemary, Popcorn, and Pecan Crust.

The “Holy Crepe! And Ooh a Rosemary Cocktail” award goes to Allysia at the Real Meal for her Sweet vs. Savory Crepe Showdown! I will take one of each!

The “Thank You For Overdoing It” award goes to Big Mike’s Eats for his five course menu! I usually go for quality over quantity but it didn’t look like quality was at all sacrificed in these five courses which each contained all of the basket ingredients. BRUNCHMAZING!

Ok, thank you everyone for making this so fun! The next few honorable mentions don’t get any prezzies, but they do get honorably mentioned.

Think Care Act gets a mention for her Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Mushrooms. Maybe more of a dessert? But who am I to say!

Johnnycakes at My Munchable Musings! Love me some Johnnycakes and these were the only ones entered.


Butternut Caramel Rolls
from Krista Wilder look divine.

I wish I could reach in and grab a fritter from Spa Bettie!

Napoleans? Triangles? Don’t mind if I do! Thanks, Killeen.

Vibrantlea Vegan offered a faboo looking sammy.

And Vandano Industries totally turned me over!

Meanwhile, there were a LOT of crepes, but the ones at Weekly Vegan Menu really stood out.

A well-rounded tart and salad at Two Cups Of Love.

And last but not least, Spade & Spoon. So long and thanks for all the hash browns!

Thanks for playing, see you at the next Chopped/Vegan challenge! Winners. Please email me at postpunkkitchen@gmail.com and let me know which signed softcover book you would like, and who to sign it to, along with your addresses! For the champions, the Vegan Essentials gift certificate will come to you via email. Congrats!

Giveaway: Cookin’ Crunk

Giveaway: Cookin’ Crunk

Our winner, a person after my own stomach!

Rushi: I love fried okra, i love it so much!

Check your email!

When I was trying to decide who to contact about giveaways based on what I thought people would be most interested in winning, Cookin’ Crunk immediately sprung to mind. Not just because Bianca is a popular and well liked vegan blogger, but because I have been hearing rumblings about this book for what seems like years. If you’ve read her blog for awhile, you’ve seen posts referencing ‘my upcoming book’ for awhile, so I think it’s safe to say that Cookin’ Crunk has been a highly anticipated book!

If you don’t know, the most widely accepted definition of ‘crunk’ is ‘to get excited’ (it’s also used as a synonym for getting drunk and/or high, but please do not try to smoke this book). I haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy yet, but after following Vegan Crunk for over a year and seeing pictures of a lot of the dishes featured in the book, I am definitely excited to get my hands on some authentic vegan southern recipes! For an in-depth review, Joni has you covered. If you can’t wait to win a copy, you can pick it up at your local bookstore or on the publisher’s website!

Book Publishing Co. has offered to send one lucky reader a copy of Cookin’ Crunk! To enter, simply comment here, telling me what your favorite (vegan) southern dish is. This one is open to US and Canada, because I am so late putting it up I will draw a winner tomorrow, October 16th, at 6 pm EST.

And while you’re at it, why don’t you go on over to Vegan Crunk and check out Bianca’s sandwichy MoFo theme and wish her happy birthday?

Round ‘Em Up Panda Style

Round ‘Em Up Panda Style

Panda here to do up a quick and easy Monday night MoFo round up. Comfort food! We are in the middle of the Great Deluge and so I am looking at some soups and sweets for a chilly night at home.

Tahini Too has a sweet potato curry recipe up to cure what ails you.

Tami over at Vegan Appetite has a big bowl of chili. You say chili, I say yes.

There’s a big bowl of bulgur bean bake with a pile o’ lima beans from too cheap for pinenuts. Limas and bulgur are two of my underrated favourites.

Did you say chili? Because yes, Joyful Girl has a pile of Mom’s chili on her blog today. And you know there will be a cat photo if you click on over there.

Awesome Vegan Rad has a cup of oyster mushroom chowder to keep you going through the fall and winter.

And the amazing Tofu Mom has a pumpkin cheesecake recipe up today that will finish off your evening of pure comfort food bliss.

 

Round Up: Lazy Sunday Style

Round Up: Lazy Sunday Style

Hey everyone, it’s John again. Today’s round up is courtesy of RandoMoFo, the easiest way to view VeganMoFo posts! I’m pretty lazy, so RandoMoFo is pretty much a gift from god. This Sunday morning I surfed and looked for the most interesting and appealing Vegan food offerings. I found everything from soups, burgers and dessert. You will notice a couple MoFo favorites and a couple you may have never heard of, so let’s begin!

eeks!

Fork and Beans whipped up some cool looking Frankenstein Soup which is sure to scare the crap out of your 85 year old Grandma.

mmm!

The Good Karma Kitchen brought the Smoky Paprika Cashew Cheese for these Southwest Black Bean Burgers.

slurp!

VegFusion touches my heart with this Lazy Minestrone.

delish!

mama et de bébé hawk makes the perfect Halloween offering, Baked Pumpkin Custard.

din din is served!

x means no onions brings comfort level to a whole new level with Wagon Wheel Sloppy Joes.

drool!

And last but certainly not least, TahiniToo visits El Nutri Taco in PDX and make my tummy rumble in the process.

This has been too much for a Sunday morning, I need to go eat!!! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Giveaway: So Delicious

Giveaway: So Delicious

Winners! I’ll email you after I feed my dogs.

Ashley: I would be drinking a nice hot cup of pumpkin spice while playing my resident evil 6 on xbox live with my boyfriend.
Megan: Knitting! Or lighting things on fire.
Kelly: Horror movie marathon! (Assuming the pumpkin spice makes it to the stores by Halloween!) It is, i’ve seen it!
Julia: I would totally warm it up and drink while watching the first snowfall.
Brandy: My wife and I love to make big Fall themed brunches and eat them outside with our rescue piggy, Peach and our guests. We would love to have some of this good looking sweet stuff to sip on with some pumpkin stuffed French toast!

…I swear, Erin and I didn’t plan to match the round-up and giveaway.

If dairy-free alternatives are taking over the world, So Delicious is leading the march. Their line is constantly expanding, and becoming available in regular grocery stores more and more. And they’re not just one-milk ponies, they offer soy, coconut, and almond products. From milks to yogurts to more ice cream and ice cream novelties than you can shake a stick at! There really is something for everyone in their product line. And unless you’ve tried all of their products, which has to be well over 100, you can’t tell me any different. So nyah.

One exciting new thing that they’ve added this year is…Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk! I’ve already seen this in my health food store so keep your eyes peeled.

Also check out the recipe section of their site for some amazing vegan recipes.

So Delicious has offered to send a free product coupon to five lucky winners! To enter, simply comment here, telling me what fall activity you would enjoy while sipping some Pumpkin Spice beverage (you can totally jump in leaves while holding a travel mug). This contest is US only, a winner will be drawn tomorrow at 2 pm.

Round-Up: Ice, Ice Baby

Round-Up: Ice, Ice Baby

It seems like all over the world, no matter the weather, VeganMoFo-ers are all about ice cream today! The fleeting spring warmth gave way to wind and even snow here this week, but in MoFo World, the sun is always shining and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a scoop outdoors.

Mandee at Cupcake Kitteh has said goodbye to the Sydney winter with some homemade, soy-free peanut and raspberry coulis ice cream. I’ll be right over!

Fanny is reminiscing about some ice cream-related good family times at Life Up North. Her bilberry ice cream looks intriguingly delicious, and is sure to create some new fond food memories.

Baker Bettie is pumping out some amazing-sounding comfort food recipes for autumn, but I think this super cute peppermint ice cream looks perfect for any season.

This cinnamon-mango green smoothie ice cream from the Vegetable Centric Kitchen looks like the most fun way to get a daily dose of greens. Tastier than a multivitamin, that’s for sure!

Katharina from Food and Blood knows how to stop her ice cream from melting in the Vienna sunshine. Take note of her technique!

This peach cobbler from V for Vegan is just begging for a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream. And with a super fun ‘Eat to the Beat’ theme this MoFo, you know they’ve got the beach party tunes as well as treats under control.

And lastly, on the way home from the beach, why not stop off at Belinda of Miscdebris‘ house? She might have some of this restaurant-worthy almond ricotta tart with zabaglione gelato left over- but I couldn’t blame her if it were long-gone by now.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be sitting next to a heating vent, cursing this unseasonably cold spring and cradling a tub of Hannah‘s French vanilla until December arrives.

Dine-Out Friday Round-Up

Dine-Out Friday Round-Up

Happy Friday, MoFo-land! Jess here, and my travelin’ bug is itching, mere days away from heading across the US and spending the rest of the month in New York. In the theme of vegan sightseeing, aka seeking out delicious, cruelty-free cuisine, I wanted to visit some blogs today who are dining out and showing off what’s available in their own towns, and beyond.

Alien’s Day Out snags the LAST VEGAN PAIN AU CHOCOLATE at the Veggie Holic Bakery in Hongdae, and it is awe-inspiring:

IMG_6702.jpg

Michele shares a glorious grilled cheese from Portland’s Cheese Cart on Vegtastic Voyage:

More Portland! Alice B of Silver Threads tries Sizzle Pie, for some New Maps out of Hell.

Not that I’m trying to rub it in, but I happened share some Rabbit salad & breadsticks at the other Sizzle location earlier today, myself.

Next up, the Gloria Gaynor biscuits from Biscuits & Groovy on Lone Star Plate.

I don’t know what to say besides I want to eat that plate. It will happen.

Moving on! Pumpkin chocolate sundae at Lula’s on A SoyBean’s blog (and more ice cream, treats from Cake Thieves and Sweet & Sara Marshmallows that I’m so stoked to get my hands on next week!!!)

More sweets, please:  Pecan Crumb Cake with Gingerbread Icing from the Deerly Beloved Bakery blog, who’ll be at two local street fairs this weekend, for those of ya in the Norwich (UK) vicinity!

You should go and report back, because I’m jealous.

Not exactly on my round-up topic, but come on, these vegan (and gluten-free!) corn dog mummies from Fork and Beans are so dang awesome:

Lastly, a very Hungry Caterpillar fruit snack from Fried Dandelions, because I continue to be a sucker for cutesy edible art:

See you next time!

Giveaway! Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner

Giveaway! Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner

Winner!  Beth from Whiny Vegans, who said, “I’d love some vegan cheese with my whine!”

***************************************************************

This book is hot like gooey melted havarti, and the internet is abuzz talking about it (of course we are, vegans always talk about cheese).  Lucky for you ‘cuz The Book Publishing Company has offered to giveaway a free copy to one of you lucky, lucky people.

This book has pretty much changed my life in the cheese missing department.

I’ve spent some quality one on one time with this book, and I think it’s an absolute keeper. So far I’ve made the fresh mozzarella twice, air dried cheddar, sharp cheddar, pub cheddar, yogurt cheese, air dried gouda, cashew yogurt and the quinoa rejuvelac a few times over.

If you can afford cashews (or have a cashew sugar daddy/momma/person), like cultured food, know where to find carageenan or agar powder, are a mad scientist in the kitchen and are a very, very patient person, then this book is for you!  Or, if you’d like to read more details about this book, or are looking for a good bedtime story, I wrote an unsolicited review last month on my own patch of the Internet.

How I love thee, cheese on bread. <3

A caveat…this giveaway is open to addresses in the US  only.  Sorry to our worldwide  cheese craving neighbors, but y’all know shipping is expensive and times, they’re tough.

For a chance to win, simply leave a cheesy comment on this post before Sunday, October 14th 9PM Pacific time, and I’ll pick a random comment on Sunday evening.  

ETA:  Please make sure you leave a way to get in contact with you.  I’m noticing a lot of the comments don’t link anywhere, and my Vegan GPS locator is in the shop!

xo
kittee