A Sad Day in the Burgh

Vegan Mostess (my favorite)

While I was on vacation last week, one of my favorite Pittsburgh institutions closed its doors.

Dozen Bake Shop has been serving up lovely cupcakes and baked goods over the past several years, staring out as a little place in Squirrel Hill and expanding to a number of store fronts around the city. For whatever reason, they abruptly announced their closing last week.

I have posted about Dozen before; they were an excellent place for a 3:00 cupcake fix. They were one of the few places that offered vegan cupcakes (and awesome molasses cookies) daily and year round in Pittsburgh. It was such a shame to see them go. *tear*

I have visited many other awesome bakeries and cafés that serve delightful vegan baked goods, but Dozen will always old a special place in my heart.

This song pretty much sums up my feelings.

Do you have a favorite vegan dessert place? Comment and tell me about it! Maybe I can add it to my "must visit" list...

Tweet

Handmade Arcade

I like arts and crafts.

I wouldn’t consider myself an “artsy” person, although I did teach Arts & Crafts for a very short period of time in college. Fun little fact about me.

Recently, Pittsburgh has hosted some great craft / artisan markets. Handmade Arcade & I Made it Market are just two that have been huge successes on the Pittsburgh scene. These markets are so popular that they are always jam packed with people.

I love that these artisanal markets have become so popular. Not only does it reinforce the work of folks who are creating great crafts, but it also encourages us to support our community and local businesses.

My mom is a very crafty person who, as my brother so lovingly says, spends most of her money on pizza delivery and crochet yarn; which in Boston is called YAHHHHHHHHN. Craftiness runs in my family. However, my memories of any of the high school gym craft fairs that I went to with my mom were of aisles of lace doilies and cross-stitch letters on blankets.

Not anymore my friend.

I went to the Handmade Arcade last week with a friend and was so pleasantly surprised! So many fun people! So many cool items! It was like Etsy came to life in Pittsburgh.

These pictures are just a sample of the things I saw and loved. It was packed so I couldn't get as many pictures as I would have liked.

Watch your local blogs and newspaper to see when the next craft fair is coming to your town. Always great to lend a little support to our crafty friends out there!

Check out a couple more pictures after the jump, including an item that I absolutely fell in love with and practically threw money at the artist to own.

Tweet

Pierogi Casserole

What do the church ladies make in your town?

You know what I am talking about…  Every town has Nana’s that spend 11 months out of the year preparing for a church picnic. At every one of those church picnics there is one food item that people rave about. Maybe it’s baklava? Empanadas? Cookies? Seitan wings?

Picture = Bad
Taste = Amazing

Although my hometown didn't have a huge Polish population, I was baptized in a Polish church and my parents were married there. The Nana’s at that church got together every day for about 11 months making pierogi (by hand) for the annual Polish Picnic. It was a really big deal.

The weird thing is I really don’t remember eating them. I just remember the stories of how many they made. I am sure they were good though because they always sold out.

Now that I live in Polish Pittsburgh, pierogi are a part of life. Finding vegan pierogi is a bit challenging, so when I saw another ‘burgher post a recipe for Pierogi casserole I totally knew I could veganize it.

So presenting the Chubby Vegan Pierogi Casserole, just in time for St. Josephs Day!  (Thanks to my Polish co-worker for that bit of knowledge)

Although my little camera doesn't do it justice, it is rich, cheesy, and just good. Yum!

Recipe and more pictures after the jump…

Tweet

Pittsburgh Vegan Meet Up

Do you feel all alone?

Do you cry into your seitan every night wishing upon a star that you will meet new vegan friends?

Do you live in Pittsburgh?

Well here is your chance friend!

What: Pittsburgh Vegan Meet Up with Your Daily Vegan (KD & CN), The Chubby Vegan (JP), & Vegan Tweeter (AE)

The Date: Sunday, March 13^th

The Time: 12:00 pm (noon)
Location: The Zenith, 86 South 26^th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203 (South Side Neighborhood)

On their quest to find great vegan hotspots around the country, KD & CN from Your Daily Vegan are setting their sights on Pittsburgh. Exciting right!

The Zenith will be their first stop for a little Pittsburgh vegan adventure to try out their amazing veg brunch. What a delicious way to start…

This is a really informal gathering but if you are planning on coming please leave a comment below and let me know.

If you have been to Zenith before, you know it gets pretty busy on Sundays. I emailed them and gave them a “heads up” but haven’t heard back yet. Zenith is pretty much community seating so even if we can’t all sit together at least we can all just have the chance to meet up and give our visiting friends a little PGH vegan love.

Hope you can meet up with us! With love and carrot kisses-

The Chubby Vegan (JP)

Tweet

Lazy Vegan Corn Muffins

Pittsburgh is not really known for its amount of sunny days. I read a statistic once that said Pittsburgh is one of the cloudiest cities in the country.

Don’t know if that is true or not, but it sure is depressing. Nothing against the good ‘ol Burgh, but gloomy days just make me want to do one of three things:

1. Nothing
2. Eat
3. Do nothing, while eating.

Today I choose option 1…. nothing. How boring.

So since I am feeling so lazy today I have the perfect lazy vegans recipe; vegan corn muffins from a box. Really, you can’t get much easier than that.

 

I was a little hesitant when I bought the box (Dr. Oetker) and it has taken me FOREVER to finally make it. 

I will say I was pleasantly surprised. I have a very particular corn muffin affinity. There was a non-vegan donut shop in my hometown called, “Honey Dew Donuts.” They had corn muffins that I would push over a nana for. Legit.

Since going vegan I have not found for the "magic bullet" cornbread yet. I have had some pretty good cornbread though. That’s what I would call this version… pretty good.

But on a scale of one to “it’s so good I contemplate murder for more,” I would give it a 4.5. That means, I would make it again.

More pictures and Chubby Vegan notes after the jump.

Tweet

Just Another Sunday Funday

City living sure can have its benefits.

I grew up in the “suburbs” of Boston, but I was close enough to both Boston and Providence to have the chance to experience city life growing up. 

I have always known I was a city guy. The hustle and bustle, the activity, the culture, the diversity, the life, the love, the food; all of it just gets my heart racing.

It have been in Pittsburgh for 5 years and I still have a love hate relationship with it. But no matter what, I am just thankful to have the resources of city living available to me.

If you have ever visited the ‘Burgh, you may have heard of our famous Strip District. It is essentially our warehouse area where trucks and rail have brought in produce (and other things) for more than a century. At its peak there were over 71 produce dealers in the Strip District. Today, it is known more for being the hub of ethnic food markets, restaurants, cheap Steelers stuff, and some remaining produce dealers. I love it.

Last year, the Pittsburgh Public Market opened in one of the empty warehouse buildings. I have been dying to go ever since and finally made it down there this weekend.

It is so fun! I wouldn’t call it the ultimate vegan hotspot, but I imagine when local summer produce starts rolling in it gets much better. There were a little bit to many meat distributors for my liking right now, but…

My favorites were a stand selling about a million flavors of olive oil, a Greek restaurant stand with veggie stuffed grape leaves (YUM), and an organic bakery that had vegan Coconut Cashew Macaroons. 

Don’t mind if I do.

So if you ever make it to Pittsburgh, visit our local public market. But, wherever you live, visit your local farmers market and support local community agriculture. Buy fresh, buy local.

As Martha would say, “it’s a good thing.”

More pictures after the jump.

Tweet

Is Hospital Food Healthy?

Hospitals are supposed to be havens of healthy lifestyles, right? They are huge buildings that house people for the sole purpose of making the sick better. Makes sense that at its core hospitals would serve healthy and delicious food for all of their patients and visitors.

<Thump>

Oh, excuse me…. I just fell out of my chair from laughing at that.

In my last two posts I (lovingly) detailed husbands recent adventure at our local wellness center. While he was there, both times, I couldn’t help but observe the culinary wonders they brought him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Okay… so let’s put it out there. The vast majority of people at hospitals are old folks who can’t live without their Friday fish sandwich and slice of enriched white bread. But for reals people, you can’t tell me that hospitals can’t offer some more nutritious and vegetable centered cuisine. I mean, really? Am I being to ignorant?

In case you didn’t know, husband is not a chubby vegan- just a chubby carnivore. We are a mixed family and we deal with that. So while at the hospital he was served a variety of plates of pork chops, chicken things, and crab cakes. They did ask him if he had any dietary needs, which he does not. I imagine this is probably meant more for diabetics and food allergies, but I really wanted to ask them if they could accommodate a vegan diet. Since I didn’t ask, I will try not to judge too much.

However, I just wish that hospitals would step it up a bit. His plates all looked like those crappy pictures from 8^th grade nutrition class (fistful of meat, palm full of vegetables, and a scoop of starchy something). Lame…

In all reality I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I have read that medical doctors only get about a second of nutrition training. Plus, how many medical professionals are smoking cigarettes and drinking gallons of soda and energy drinks. Right?

*stepping off my soap box*

If you want to read more about my venture into the hospital cafeteria and their vast assortment (lies) of vegan food, follow me after the jump.

Tweet

Ready for the Weekend

I drink.

Sorry.

Truth be told, I love a good cocktail. What chubby vegan doesn’t? Hands? Bueller?

Margaritas, (cheap) beer, vodka, and wine… yes please. Believe it or not, I didn’t drink until I was 21. No joke. I was such a good boy.

 

When I made the transition to veganism I was so saddened when I learned how much alcohol was poisoned with animal products. Ugh! *shakes fist* Thankfully there are awesome vegan sleuths that compile websites like barnivore to let you know what types of beer and wine is vegan friendly.

In a random trip to my local PA State liquor store I asked a staff member if they had any organic wine, expecting them to faint in shock. (note: my part of town is not known for being very cosmopolitan) To my shock and delight, the store clerk presented me with his favorite organic wine. He said, “it doesn’t give my daughter headaches.”

Well, all right!

The bottle was a cabernet sauvignon (my favorite) from a CA winery named Frey Vineyards. Come to find out it was the 2003 winner of best vegan wine from Veg News.

Let me just tell you, it is my ABSOLUTE favorite red wine. It’s totally vegan friendly, affordable, and delicious. I could easily tear through the whole bottle, which I may do from time to time. (Shh…that’s a secret)

So when you just want a good glass (or bottle) of wine, give it a try. This chubby vegan gives it a giant seal of approval!

Tweet

Super Bowl Spicy Nuts

Today is the big day… Super Bowl Sunday!

Honestly, I have always looked forward to the super bowl for one reason… the food! I never cared about the game when I was a kid (big surprise); I just always looked forward to going to my Uncles house and eating all of the food. I remember it was the first place I ever had an egg roll. Weird.

Since the Steelers are in the Super Bowl, there is definitely a sense of crazy in Pittsburgh today. Black and yellow has been on the radio non-stop and the stores are packed with people buying chips and beer. You know the drill.

So if you are one of the millions of Americans participating in some Super Bowl antics tonight, here is a recipe for some crazy simple spicy nuts. Although it is not my most favorite recipe ever, they are a good side item to have on your table of (vegan) party yum yums tonight. This is true even if you are just having a food and commercial watching party! (Which, no joke, I heard this loving long haired man talking about at Trader Joe’s yesterday)

So try some spicy mixed nuts! These are ESPECIALLY good served warm over ice cream… For sure!

Recipe and more pictures after the jump.

Tweet

It’s a Quiet Storm in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is where I live. I wouldn't necessarily call it my home town because I didn't grow up here. I moved here in 2006 with husband and that’s that.

Pittsburgh is known for lots of things; the Steelers, bridges, colleges, sandwiches with French fries on it. One thing it is not known for is being a hotbed of vegan delights.

Fortunately we have a couple of places that shine in “Americas Most Livable City” for their vegan fare. One of those is a delightful gem in the Garfield neighborhood called The Quiet Storm. It’s a mixed vegetarian and vegan restaurant that has lots of yummy items on their menu including their famous Spicy Peanut Wrap (OMG YUM), Home fries (delicious), and Cheesy Snake (a vegan hoagie-mmm).

I went to the Quiet Storm a few weeks ago with my friend Lauren for a smorgasbord of vegan yum yums. Doesn’t it just make you feel good when all of the vegan items are clearly labeled on the menu and you don’t have to ask the server a million questions?

*sigh*

Lauren had the Spicy Peanut Wrap, which is a spicy gift from god.

I had the house burger, which is slightly larger than my head... and delicious!

We both had vegan milkshakes. They look equally as good as they taste.

We rolled out with full bellies and happy faces. So raise your glass (of vegan milkshake) to Quiet Storm. It’s a delightful veg restaurant in Pittsburgh and DEFINITELY worth a visit. So, go…. Now…!

And PS, some of the servers are really cute… *bad chubby vegan*

More pictures, after the jump!

Tweet

Vegans Are Everywhere

Meeting another vegan is an indescribable joy. It is sort of like reconnecting with a long lost friend, that you have never met. Vegans seem to instantly have a bond that goes much further than the compassionate choices you make.

It’s a beautiful thing.

Recently I sat down over a delicious lunch at Quiet Storm in Pittsburgh to chat it up for my first Chubby Vegan Interview.

Meet Lauren, a definitely NOT chubby vegan extraordinaire. Lauren is a fitness instructor, full time staffer at a health technology company, proud cat mama, 3 time marathon runner, and all around cool chick.

We chatted about living vegan and here is what she had to say…

What made you decide to become a vegan?

I was a vegetarian for 18 years and it was just a natural extension to that. It just didn’t make sense to me to eat animals, it just ethically was not right. I prefer to think of animals as my friends; like my cat Dotty who is my best friend. Overall, I know this is cliché, the health benefits are really high too and I think you are always focused on what you eat.

Do you find your friends and family support your decision?

Some do and some don’t. Most of my family thinks I am crazy but my friends have always been supportive. My closest friend is also vegan. My family is pretty traditional, they can grasp that I won’t eat scrambled eggs, but not that I won’t eat a cake with eggs in it. It has been over 18 years since I have eaten meat and my grandmother asked me over Christmas how I wanted my steak cooked. So…

What are your vegan staples; your easy go to vegan foods?

Probably peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because I am so busy and don’t cook a lot. I also live off the hot bar at Whole Foods and vegan Amy’s Macaroni and Cheese.

What is the best vegan food you ever ate? Where was it?

Definitely VegiTerranean in Akron, OH… The carrot cake there was the best thing I ever ate!

Read more of Lauren’s interview, after the jump!

Tweet

Did You Celebrate?

What’s a chubby Pittsburgh vegan to do on a national holiday like Vegan Pizza Day? I saw so many vegans out in the blog-o-sphere who made their own amazing vegan pizza using so many delicious ingredients.

I wanted to try something different though. There had to be a pizza joint in Pittsburgh producing high quality and delicious cruelty free pie… right?

I was in luck!

I found two places who cook up vegan pie, Pizza Sola and Pizza Fusion. I decided to give Pizza Sola a try since it is pretty close to my house.

I ordered, get ready for it, a half onion/pepper and half pineapple / banana pepper pizza. Yum, yum, gimme some!

It was mighty delish! Bravo Pizza Sola on catering to us chubby ‘Burgh vegans!  

Their vegan pizza was a cheese – less pizza so I decided to add a little Daiya mozzarella at home and throw it in the oven for a few seconds. Ideally, it would have come loaded with some delicious teese or daiya, but baby steps… baby steps.

I served it up with a chubby vegans dream, Frank’s Hot Sauce, homemade vegan ranch and some beer.

*belch*

So I would give it a chubby thumbs up and recommend giving Pizza Sola a visit the next time you are looking for some vegan pizza. Plus, they are open late to top off a night of boozing and debauchery. Score!

More pictures and a vegan ranch recipe, after the jump!

Tweet

Is it Friday Yet?

I usually like Thursday… It means the weekend is almost here!

But don’t you ever just feel like you can’t possibly make it through the day. For me, it's usually at about 2:30 when you look at the clock and realize how many hours you have left at work.

I like my job but we all have those days. Don’t lie… Sometimes you just need a little boost to get through it.

Enter my guilty pleasure… vegan cupcakes!

I know, I know, cupcakes are so late 2000’s. But I don’t really care; I still love them.

So today I took a mid afternoon walk to one of my favorite Pittsburgh bakeries, Dozen Bake Shop, for a little afternoon guilty pleasure.

Vegan vanilla cupcakes, my love for you is real. AKA, the reason I am chubby.

What is your late afternoon guilty pleasure?

Head after the jump for more photos from my mid-day vegan cupcake emergency!

Tweet