A Very Gentle Thanksgiving

This Sunday past, I gathered with 55 individuals - some vegan, some vegetarian, even some meat-eaters like my mom and sweetheart who shared in a cruelty-free feast for the third annual Gentle Thanksgiving held by God's Creatures Ministry in Wayne, New Jersey.

To start: Trader Joe's white bean hummus and garlic hummus, with mini pita bread and chips. Check out their vegan list of offerings. My vegan TJ staples are tofu for eggless scrambles; soy creamer for coffee/tea; and almond milk for cereal. Also heart their vegan apple strudel and meatless meatballs (great for spaghetti or in sub sandwiches). To name just a few.

Trader Joe's pumpkin bread and cranberry sauce. I've veganized this mix at home using Ener-G egg replacer.

Tofurkey and the works: green beans, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and a biscuit.

Joe Dwyer, author of Shelby's Grace, was on hand. Shelby, found chained in a gas station, scared and hungry, now works as a therapy dog, and is a glowing example of how animals can forgive even after suffering the most egregious cruelty.

I coveted, but did not go home, with any of the fine raffle prizes. Love cozy pasta nights at home.

I could so picture this green candle and cheerful holly plant on my coffee table.

Sweet potato soup for frugal office lunches, apple crisp mix, cranberry trail mix, couscous: it's as if the person creating this basket thought of me personally!

Sweet ending: apple crisp and pumpkin pie.

My turkey that my family sponsored from Farm Sanctuary as a birthday gift arrived in the mail. Daphne was seized in a neglect and cruelty case this year, and lives at their Watkins Glen, New York shelter.

Said it before, will say it again: stand proud if you are shunning turkey this year, even if you are the only one at your table doing so (which is usually the case for me). I don't feel the least bit deprived I'm not doing something millions of others are doing just because that's what "they" say we should.

That said, educate, but be accepting of others choices. Someone at the dinner said he walked out of a Thanksgiving dinner and is no longer friends with the hosts because they didn't 'get it' about turkey. This gives vegans and vegetarians a bad reputation. Isolation is no way to foster a world of compassion. A veg lifestyle will simply not be everyone's choice - but reducing animal consumption through non-dairy; meat-free; and eggless alternatives is something realistically all can strive for to some level. If people can go veg, even better. Food for thought as we strive toward our goal of reduced animal suffering.

Fashion Whys?

* Why do so many people buy (literally and figuratively) into "they" (who are they?) telling us what the "must haves" are this season and we should purchase the latest "trend" (but don't wear it next year, you'll be out of style!) If something is a "must have" perhaps "they" should send us all one - for free.
* Why should we drool over and purchase expensive fashion way beyond our means. No matter how much I love an article of clothing, I'll inevitably tire of it or no longer fit into it and pass it on. How many $100 skirts and tops did I used to buy at Anthropologie, seduced by catalogues of women basking in a French farmhouse or in a field? How I wish I had the cash instead. Those purchases were frivolous looking back, not a "splurge" or "treating myself" - my old way of thinking.
* Similarly, that if a celebrity is wearing something, you should go out and get it too. I hear all the time in the vegan community that an expensive coat or shoes have been worn by vegans such as Emily Deschanel, Alicia Silverstone and Natalie Portman so we should be coveting them. I understand the marketing value in our celebrity obsessed culture, however, I DO NOT have their bank account, nor do the majority of women.
* Why do we think that just because something markets itself as "eco-friendly" it must be. Are "natural" food products all really "natural?" A colleague who works in marketing expressed his view that Americans cannot tie themselves to a social movement (we were talking about the environmental cause) unless consumerism is attached. We definitely want to support companies that reflect our values, but we need to do our homework or it's buyer beware.
For instance, bamboo is still regularly promoted on environmentally minded blogs, but the FTC has issued numerous advisories on it (such as this one).
* Why should people interested incorporating veganism more into their life get rid of perfectly good non-vegan items in their closets that were purchased before becoming interested in animal welfare? I still have non-vegan items in my household I bought years ago, and use them unapologetically. I will even acquire non-vegan items second hand through swaps and thrift. I don't let any activist shame me for my decisions or let them try to micromanage my life.
*Why does the label affixed to the clothing or accessory have such an impact on how we view it? How much of it is psychological? Recall the I Love Lucy story of Lucy, Ethel and those "Jacques Marcel" dresses. While browsing at a consignment shop, two women were shopping and one announced the label of every item of clothing she picked up from the rack. Even once declaring, "Made in Italy!"

One major source of clothing for me now: seasonal clothing swaps I co-organize with two lovely co-workers. Leftovers went to charitable thrift shops, including New York City's Housing Works, and the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop in Weswood, New Jersey.

We provide light refreshments during the lunch hour swaps from wallet and vegan-friendly Trader Joe's. For fall: olive hummus and reduced guilt pita chips; pomegranate sparkling cider and spiced apple cider, maple leaf and snickerdoodle cookies, and apples.

Here are some of my finds.

I recently saw vegan sweaters touted on a popular vegan fashion blog. The cheapest one: $150. My "new" Heather B vegan sweater for fall/winter, free.


A cotton Old Navy skirt. Loved the autumn-inspired leaf pattern, and the whimsical pink trim.

The cheerful polka-dot shoes from Nine West, never worn; a black cotton cardigan, American Eagle Outfitters, and a Janette John 3:16 cotton dress that someone brought back from the last swap since it didn't fit her. I'm wearing the dress in fall with boots, leggings and a cardigan, and will pair it with ballet flats in spring and summer.

Lest you think I'm immune to the label lunacy: I confess this story to be true. This top was put out as a "preview" item early the day of the swap to advertise. No one claimed it before or during the swap, until my coworker who brought it in said, "You should take it, it's from Anthropologie." Suddenly, it was more attractive. I did take it, and have worn it with a long sleeve white Banana Republic swap shirt underneath. It goes perfectly with my Old Navy skirt.

Consider hosting a swap of your own for frugal fun everyone can enjoy in today's economic climate. Swap with friends, co-workers, family members - anyone! Include beauty products, gift items like candles and frames, and accessories so everyone can find something if there's an excess of one size. Donate the leftovers to a charitable shop (find one through TheThriftShopper.com).

This female blogger's "in's": financial empowerment, embracing your own sense of style, a closet (and household) filled with only items you truly are using and love, and independent thinking. Out: uniform thinking, living beyond our means, trends and "must have's."

I am grateful for:

Never having a shortage of reading material to spark the imagination.

Why oh why do I even browse the shelves at C.A.T.S. Resale Shop? Of course I found another intriguing book for just 50 cents.

My co-worker Kathy organizes a book club. From the library, our latest pick takes us to Italy. My stomach is already growling.


I can't imagine eBooks replacing some things.

Children's books are just so magical. This treasure was from the This-n-That Thrift Shop in Hillsdale, NJ, and awaits one very lucky young reader.


Random acts of kindness, like the weekly tea time started by Kathy. She suprised us with fresh fruit salad to accompany bluberry and cranberry orange scones. Lively conversation followed.


Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Think we don't need a revolution? The next time you are at a major supermarket, take a look what's in everyone's carts.

Each week, I laugh, I cry, I cheer on from my couch. The flashmob: bloody brilliant!



Saving money, and eating healthier, by making most of my meals at homes.

My latest picks, mostly from Old Hook Farm, a few things from Trader Joe's.

On the menu? Veggie fajitas (mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, corn); vegan spinach florentine ravioli; fresh beetroot salad, wraps with avocado, hummus, roasted red and yellow peppers, and red leaf lettuce. For breakfast: granola with fresh strawberries and almond milk, and fresh grapefruit. A really yummy dessert: strawberry mango crisp.

Eating banana cake in my parents' kitchen with a glass of iced coffee after taking the dog to the park. Check out this easy vegan banana muffin recipe.

A pot of homemade roasted cauliflower soup. Roasted anything is usually amazing in my book. I adore soup year-round.

My mom made homemade croutons to add to the soup. Simply toast whole wheat bread, cut, sauté in Earth Balance and garlic powder. Done.

The guilty pleasure of an afternoon weekend nap. My friend Slyester at the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop is an enthusiastic a napper as I am. He is often in nap prose when I see him.

The Closest I've Come to Mexico in New Jersey

Pancho's is good, and does score some major vegan brownie points for offering tofu sour cream and soy cheese, but the most authentic, and best, Mexican food I've had in Bergen County, New Jersey: La Batalla in Bergenfield.

I've blogged about this charming restaurant before, but it's so worth mentioning again.

Food is home-cooked here, and doesn't come out in five minutes, like it has at Pancho's. Feeling like you are in someone's home kitchen in Mexico is an accurate way to describe it. While you wait, snack on their complimentary chips and salsa. I love that this is BYOB, which saves a small fortune.

My stand-by is vegetable enchiladas (hold the cheese). The rice is cooked in chicken stock, so you can substitute with a small salad with sliced avocado. This entire feast cost $9.95.

I've gotten in the habit of bringing my own take-out containers for leftovers, so I can enjoy it all over again the next day (if there's any left!) and not have any disposables going into the landfill.

There's a vegetarian plate, $9.95, (cheese enchilada, cheese chile relleno, guacamole burrito), but go with the chile relleno with no cheese and guacamole burrito if you want to omit the dairy.

The service is always friendly, and the food....making my mouth water as I write this. I truly feel like I'm eating at local spot in Mexico, after a day of sandy beaches.

Bergenfield's main street is filled with "For Rent" signs, like many main streets. While I eat most meals at home, I will continue to support local, reasonabley-priced establishments such as this.

Visit La Batalla, 83 N. Washington Ave, Bergenfield, NJ.

How about a little Mexican packed into your lunch bag or for a festive, inexpensive dinner after a long day? These are new at Trader Joe's, and made it immediately into my shopping cart.

Add your favorite fillings. I like shredded lettuce, black beans and corn, or simple guacamole tacos.


If at home, finish with a fruit floe. A strawberry floe has just 100 calories, lime, just 60. The price is right: $1.99 for four bars. Their mango tangerine sorbet is just as yummy and wallet-friendly at $2.49 for a pint.

Why I Heart Trader Joe's

As (so-missed) Tim Russert scribbled "Florida, Florida, Florida" on election night 2000, I declare, "prices, prices, prices."

I visit my local farm every week for produce and some vegan products, but for almost everything else, I hit Trader Joe's.

A staple in many vegan refrigerators: tofu. These are the best prices I've seen, especially for organic. Make everything from tofu scrambles to chocolate mousse.


Love or hate them, mock meats are a humane alternative to the real deal.

In the mood for Southern-inspired fare? Try the chicken-less pulled chicken in barbeque sauce (in the refrigerated section) on a bun with their organic sweet corn (in the freezer aisle) and organic lemonade. The beef-less strips are great for stir-fry's.

Try the chicken-less strips in casseroles (add noodles, a can of mushroom gravy and can of peas and carrots). Their chicken-less stuffed cutlet goes well with rice pilaf and a green salad. They have soy chorizo for just $1.99 if you're looking to make Alicia Silverstone's chorizo tacos. My favorite tacos: bean or guacamole. Simple!

Being of Swiss heritage, my family loves our strudel! Oh, we love all dessert, really. Vegan apple strudel, $2.99, for a package of two.

These vegan cafe twists will be making an appearance at an upcoming clothing swap at work. Perfect for your next coffee break. Don't forget their soy creamer, just $1.49 for a pint.

There's always food sampling in the back at their Westwood, NJ location. At last, a vegetarian one!

Beans are one of the healthiest and least expensive protein sources for vegetarians and omnivores alike, in my humble opinion. Nuts are another great protein source, either sprinkled on salads or eaten just by the handful. Find a large selection here.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for (soy) ice cream. I love their cherry chocolate chip and chocolate varieties the most. You can make 'milk'-shakes with non-dairy 'milk'. Other flavors: vanilla and mango vanilla. For vegan and organic, $3.29-$3.69 for a quart is a terrific deal. I see small containers for $5+ at Whole Foods. Avoiding soy? Go for sorbet.

This lavender scented detergent has a built-in fabric softener, so I only have to buy one product. They have lavender dryer bags, but thanks to Project Laundry List, I've abandoned my dryer for good, hanging drying everything on a drying rack in the bathroom. Saved: $1.50 per load.

Their recycled paper toilet tissue got Greenpeace's approval. For a 12-pack, $3.99.

Look your best, for less. With fair skin, a daily moisturizer with an SPF is a must for me. This one is a steal at $3.99. I used to use a seaweed one from The Body Shop, $18, which I liked, but switched when I ran out to save money.

Cruelty-free toothpaste for just $1.99! Yes, please! The Tom's of Maine brand next to it is $3.99.

Don't want to spend $10 on shampoo? Me neither. This one is just $2.29.


I save a small fortune by getting haircuts at Supercuts, just $15, and for every eight cuts, the ninth one is free. With clothes, haircuts, beauty products, and food, I no longer foolishly think I am "treating myself" to something because the cost of it is high. We shouldn't equate the "best" with being the most expensive. That's thinking drilled into our heads by marketers, and sadly, perpetuated by many women who encourage other women to waste their money on costly products when you could be living the good life, for less.

Get your bargains on at Trader Joe's. Check out their vegan list for quick reference.

Want to contact Trader Joe's to expand soy cheese offerings (their soy cheese contains non-vegan casein), bring back the roasted vegetable pizza (so cruel to discontinue it!) or have other suggestions? Let them know.

Check out PETA's Caring Consumer site to find cruelty-free (non-animal tested and no animal ingredients) companies.

Happy humane and budget-friendly shopping!

Whenever I leave (fill in the blank),

I find myself thinking...

Whole Foods Market: "I can't believe I spent $60 for two bags of groceries!"
Trader Joe's: "I can't believe I got an entire cart full of groceries for $50!"
Stop & Shop: "I can't believe how Americans shop. All that processed food. And bottled water in everyone's cart?"
Old Hook Farm (my local organic farm): "I can't believe how fresh and inspiring everything is. I can't wait to get in the kitchen and cook! I love supporting my local family farm."

Needless to say, I do almost all of my shopping at Trader Joe's and Old Hook Farm. Trader Joe's for the basics (organic almond milk, recycled toilet paper, cruelty-free toiletries such as $1.99 toothpaste, etc.) For produce and some vegan products, I hit the farm.

I rarely go to Whole Foods. This place has earned the name "Whole Paycheck" for a reason. They do have a few vegan items I can't find, such as cheese (check out Alicia Silverstone's cheese post). With a gift card in hand, I paid a visit to their Paramus, New Jersey store.

Vegan pizza! I didn't buy any ($7.99/lb.) There's a private label frozen version for $4.99. I think making your own may be the cheapest and healthiest way to go. When I asked at Trader Joe's when the roasted vegetable pizza was coming back, they said it was discontinued due to slow sales. Sob.

I did buy Rising Moon Organics butternut squash ravioli. I can't wait to saute these in olive oil, shallots and sage.

Read the fine print: the Tofutti cream cheese and sour cream at Whole Foods does not have partially hydrogenated oils. The Tofutti sour cream at Stop & Shop and the Toffuti cream cheese at Trader Joe's does. In fact, partially hyrogentated soybean oil is the second ingredient listed.

I love a cup of non-dairy hot chocolate on a blustery day, but these vegan marshmallows, at $7, will not be in it. Sweet & Sara are also outpriced at $7.

These were the cheapest soy yogurts I saw, for 89 cents (*note-contains dairy cultures). The Trader Joe's private label soy yogurt (in peach, strawberry or raspberry) are 99 cents. I used to eat yogurt daily when I consumed cow's milk as you could always find a great sale. Now, I have it occasionally. Yogurt cups=tootbrush? Learn about Preserve, available at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

This WholeSoy & Company chocolate hazelnut frozen soy yogurt is good alternative for un-vegan Nutella cravings. The crème caramel variety goes wonderfully on a warm apple crisp.

I also spotted vegan sugar. Vegan sugar? According to Grassroots Veganism with Jo Stepanick:

"Cane sugar is filtered through activated carbon (charcoal) which may be of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Over half of the cane refineries in the United States use bone char (charcoal made from animal bones) as their activated carbon source. The bone char used in this filtering process is so far removed from its animal source that cane sugar processed in this method is deemed kosher pareve, which, according to Jewish dietary laws...A number of vegans disagree with this perspective." Read more.

Am I going to obsess over this? No. I recall advice that has helped keep me sane as a vegan from Kathy Freston's Quantam Wellness.

"Vegans and vegan wannabees shouldn't be too concerned about ingredients that make up less than two percent of their meal. You will obviously want to avoid dishes served with meat, cheese, or eggs, but you need not get crazy if there is a dab of butter or whey or other animal product in the bun your veggie burger is served on. You won't appreciably stop animal suffering by avoiding such minuscule amounts of animal ingredients. The goal is to eat in a conscious, animal-friendly manner without driving friends, family, or the waiters at restaurants nuts."

I've seen too many people attempt veganism, then have a moment of weakness around a communal cheese platter (myself included), and abandon it altogether deeming it too restrictive. I drink wine rarely so I don't consult barnivore for a single glass of wine out. Vegan favorite Yellowtail (only the reds are vegan) are non-organic and flown in from Australia. That doesn't sound very animal friendly. The issues are complex. All we can do is make the best decisions with the information we have at the time.

Happy Independence Day

It's the Fourth of July, can you believe it? Many of us may not always agree with the course the nation and its people are following. "Jefferson, I think we're lost," Michael Stipe declared in R.E.M.'s Little America. I'm not sure if he referred to that Jefferson, but I like to think he did. But our country's independence, and our freedom to protest for a better America for all its inhabitants (including animals), is worth celebrating.

That said, I am hours away from devouring a veggie burger smothered in vegan cheese hot off my parents' grill. Mango lemonade, carrot salad, corn on the cob and Trader Joe's soy cherry chip ice cream are all on the menu. I cannot wait!

Enjoy the simple pleasures of summer. Gazing at fireflies. Taking in the sweet smell of honeysuckle. Sipping lemonade in the sun. Eating watermelon.

As Tori Amos reflects in her haunting song "Gold Dust,"

"How did it go so fast, you'll say as we are looking back, and then we'll understand, we held gold dust in our hands."

Frugal Seasonal Weekend Joys...

Scoring a vegan cherry pie, normally $12.99, for half the price at Old Hook Farm.

A tofu scramble for brunch at my parent's house, enjoyed outdoors on a sunny day. I don't remotely miss scrambled eggs. Just saute some diced onion in olive or canola oil, add your favorite veggies, diced tofu, and grated vegan cheese if you have it on hand. Season with turmeric, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Served here with Litelife Gimme Lean Sausage and toast with apricot jam.

Organic pink lemonade from Trader Joe's, $2.99. Perfect for any summertime BBQ. Their organic mango lemonade pairs particularly well with grilled vegetable fajitas.

This lemonade matches the cute H&M dress I picked up at C.A.T.S. Resale Shop for just $4. I soundly reject the notion stapled into so many women's heads that you are "treating yourself" to something special just because you are spending a large sum of money. You can look completely fabulous for next to nothing.

Other second life items pictured: a gold Mossimo dress, $14, purple beaded necklace, $7, both from C.A.T.S. Resale Shop; green flowery strapless dress, $12, from C.A.T.S. and yellow Gap cardigan, $10, from Fabulous Finds; blue cotton dress, $0 (from a clothing swap); and the H&M dress with my grandmother's broach.

These items didn't come with a glossy ad campaign of a model shopping for veggies at her local CSA, nor are they "organic." But they were given a new life to a very grateful owner, are totally vegan, completely wallet-friendly, and quite adorable.