Tag: vegan

Discover and Save at Ottawa’s Vegan-Friendly Spots!

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By Joyce Santos

On a Sunday evening, as Spring finally arrived, the Ottawa veg community gathered together at Hometown Sports Grill for VegOttawa Association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting. If you haven’t been to Hometown yet, look for the large vegan symbol displayed on their restaurant on Bank St., and pop in to try their impressive vegan menu. Ottawa’s only urban mushroom farm, SePi Mushrooms, had the brilliant idea to bring samples of their gourmet mushrooms, which Hometown cooked up into delicious lion’s mane skewers and blue oyster mushrooms on vegan pizzas. It was a great vibe with members of the veg community connecting with new like-minded friends. We heard some feedback about how helpful our blog posts are at highlighting member discounts. So on that note, let’s explore more of our vegan-friendly partners to help you decide where to pop into next with your VegOttawa membership.

Cinnaholic

How many times have you encountered the sweet smell of cinnamon at a shopping mall only to keep on walking and wishing for vegan options? Luckily, you can head over to Cinnaholic Lansdowne or Kanata for their gourmet cinnamon rolls that are 100% vegan. Their long list of toppings include fresh fruit, pretzels, vegan marshmallows, streusel, chocolate sauce and more. Their fully vegan menu also features Cinnacakes, cookies, brownies, cookie dough, cookie cakes and mini buns! They also offer catering for special occasions and events. Members save 15% on the entire menu. Find them at cinnaholic.com and on Instagram @cinnaholic.ottawa.

Chickpeas

Ottawa’s first and only falafel and hummus eatery, Chickpeas is 100% vegan and made from scratch! With several types of hummus, you can order a mixed plate to try them all – a colourful display including Red Beet, Mango, Avocado, Black Bean, Red Pepper and Jalapeño hummus served with pitas. They also have falafel wraps and bowls, salads, lentil soup, and unique specials like Fatteh and Koshari. The falafels are like no other and incredibly fresh. Find them at Ottawa Train Yards, chickpeasottawa.ca, and on Instagram @chickpeasottawa. Save 10% on their entire menu with a VegOttawa membership.

BanhMiYes

Bánh Mì was ranked number one in Best Sandwiches in the World 2024, according to tasteatlas.com. Ottawa is very fortunate to have our own vibrant Vietnamese-style sandwich shop featuring vegan Bánh Mì made from scratch with freshly-baked bread, vegan mayo and fresh veggies. Their menu includes the Vegan Tofu, Vegan Shredded Pork and Vegan Chicken Bánh Mì; as well as the Tofu or Vegan Chicken Vermicelli. Members save 10% on the vegan menu in store (Hintonburg & Merivale locations). Find them at banhmiyes.com and on Instagram at @banhmiyes.ottawa.

Keepin’ It Vegan

This exclusively-vegan bakery has cozy seating, a viewing window to peek behind-the-scenes and a variety of prepared take-home goods. With a red seal trained chef, they are famous for their vegan croissants including almond and chocolate, and the display case is filled with dreamy gourmet desserts like macarons, nanaimo bars and cheezecake. You can pick up freshly baked loaves of bread (GF options available) and enjoy sandwiches, muffins, cookies and hot drinks. They even have a kid-friendly space on Toddler Tuesdays from 9am-1pm. If you have a party coming up, you can pre-order their specialty cakes and customize your design. VegOttawa members save 15% on their entire menu. This women-run business is located at Craig Henry Plaza in Nepean and you can check out their menu at kvbakery.ca and on Instagram @keepinitveganbakery.

Maverick’s Donut Company

This local business bakes gourmet donuts from scratch daily, with several vegan options as well as vegan mini-mavs! Their menu changes seasonally and these donuts are a fantastic treat to bring to parties or surprise your friends at a meetup. Enjoy vegan donuts in their seating area with a hot coffee, or when seasonally available, try the vegan vanilla soft serve on top of a vegan donut! You can also custom order special designs on the donuts for special occasions. With several locations across Ottawa, VegOttawa members save 10% on up to 6 vegan donuts in store. Learn more about them at mavericksdonuts.com and Instagram @mavericksdonuts.

Saaboon

A stylish and urban boutique on Gladstone Ave. – Saaboon features locally handmade vegan soap and skincare that is plant-based and zero-waste with all-natural ingredients. The bar soap collection includes botanical soap made with fresh herbs, flowers and premium essential oils and they also carry body balm, lip balm, utility deodorant and more. This shop also now offers a variety of unique potted plants which makes this the perfect one-stop-shop for gifts. Check out their Instagram page @saaboon for behind-the-scenes reels showing how they make these specialty vegan products. Treat yourself to well-protected and nourished skin and save 15% on all soap and skincare from this vegan-owned shop, online at saaboon.com and in-store at 595 Gladstone Ave.

Thali and Coconut Lagoon

A bustling and vibrant dining spot with large windows facing the corner of O’Connor and Laurier — Thali is a perfect mix of casual and elegant atmosphere. It’s a fantastic spot for a lunch with colleagues, a night out with friends or dinner to celebrate a special occasion. The Traditional Vegan Thali is a delicious platter of curries and basmati rice. Other vegan menu items include Chickpea Curry, Eggplant Masala, Vegetable Samosas and Croquettes. 

Their affiliate restaurant, Coconut Lagoon, also features award-winning chef Joe Thottungal and his team. Their upcoming Earth Day Candlelight Celebration features an exquisite  6-course vegan menu including Jackfruit & Soya Biryani and grilled pineapple on vegan ice cream. VegOttawa members enjoy 10% on vegan menu items at Thali and Coconut Lagoon (including their special event menu). These restaurants are inspired by the incredible Kerala Cuisine found on India’s South West Coast. Find them at coconutlagoon.ca and thaliottawa.ca.

Copper Branch

We love this fully-vegan plant-powered restaurant located in Barrhaven. Our favourites are the Oven Baked Nachos, General Tao Bao Buns, Copper Burger Deluxe, General Copper Bowl and the delicious Coffee Cake Muffin. They also have amazing vegan pizzas on GF cauliflower crust! The dining area is spacious and welcoming, and you can pop in for a morning latte, all day breakfast, or meet up for evening drinks. Members save 10% at Copper Branch Barrhaven. Check out the menu at www.eatcopperbranch.com.

Strawberry Blonde Bakery

This bakery is a dream come true for those with alternative diets and food allergies – enjoy a treat without having to worry about cross contamination. They have a variety of beautifully- decorated desserts, including cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cake pops, donuts and handmade chocolate! Strawberry Blonde was recently voted top gluten-free bake shop in Ottawa! They have treats for special occasions, pre-order cakes (we love the Queen Elizabeth!) and savoury options like pizza buns and take & bake tourtiere. You can also spot their treats at several stores in the Ottawa area and they also have an online shop. They are 100% gluten-free, vegan, nut-free and kosher. Find them at store.strawberryblondebakery.com and on Instagram @blondebaking. VegOttawa members save 10% in-store at both locations (Westboro and Kanata).

Zengarry Fauxmagerie

Many are familiar with this local favourite – vegan cashew cheese that comes in many varieties including Sundried Tomato & Basil, Garlic & Fine Herb, Zesty Dill and Double Cream (great in recipes too). They also make vegan pesto and feature unique recipes on their website. VegOttawa members save 15% online and at their store in Alexandria. Check out their Instagram @zengarryveg and their online shop at zengarry.com.

Secondhand Stories

With all this talk about food, here’s one that isn’t food-related but you can find their books at some of our restaurant partner locations! Starting out as an online gently-used book shop, Secondhand Stories is now also a Non-Profit Chicken Sanctuary with 100% of book sales going to support the lovely rescued chickens. Follow them at @secondhandstories_ on Instagram for their awesome chicken content. VegOttawa members save 20% on Secondhand Stories books, which means you can buy even more books to help support this incredible sanctuary. 

Yugirolls

If you haven’t heard about Yugirolls, we’re not sure where you’ve been hiding! Well-known for their vegan egg rolls, they have a large exclusively-vegan Chinese food menu featuring Yugiballs, BBQ Bao, Salt and Pepper tofu and lots more. Check out their delivery options and pickup hours, and follow them on Instagram at @yugirolls. VegOttawa members save 10% on catering orders, as well as select pop-up events. 

Van Tran Photography

Yugirolls’ owner is also the professional photographer behind Van Tran Photography, specializing in artistic portraits and headshots. Check out the stunning collection of photos on Instagram @vantranphoto. VegOttawa members save 10% on photography services in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Also check out the Vegan Camera Project @thevegancamera featuring beautiful portraits of rescued animals to help support local animal sanctuaries!

Animal Justice

Animal Justice is Canada’s only national animal law non-profit. Animal Justice lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection laws, push to hold industries accountable for abusing animals, and fight on behalf of animals in court. You can help support their mission by checking out their online shop at shop.animaljustice.ca featuring Unisex and Women’s Tees, Tote Bags, Athletic Wear and more. VegOttawa members save 15% on online store items and all proceeds from sales go to support their mission for animal protection.

Head Space Hair Studio

A hidden gem on Merivale Ave. – Headspace Hair Studio is a vegan and cruelty-free salon with services including cuts, highlights, colour, wellness treatments and more. Enjoy a completely vegan and inclusive experience with gender-neutral pricing. VegOttawa members save 10% on in-store services. Book your appointment at headspacehairottawa.com and check out the fashion-forward styles on their Instagram page @headspacehair.ottawa.

VegOttawa members can find exclusive online discount codes when they log into their membership, and display their membership from a mobile device at point-of-purchase. In case you missed it, read our recent blog posts Ottawa’s Ultimate Vegan Pizza Round Up, and our Plant-Powered Perks blog featuring our newest partners, Find Your Light Life Coaching, Luxe Teeth Whitening and Amy Longard Nutrition. If you’re not a VegOttawa Association member, sign up today to enjoy discounts at more than 35 local vegan-friendly businesses. Your membership also supports our non-profit organization’s mission to support, inspire and promote vegan lifestyle, community and business in Ottawa.

If you’re an Ottawa business with vegan-friendly items or services, send us an email at info@vegottawa.org to receive our latest partnership info and join our growing list of business partners.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyce Santos is the current Vice President of VegOttawa Association. She has been vegan and previously vegetarian for over 25 years. In addition to her role with VegOttawa, she does freelance PR and Communications for vegan businesses. She can often be found enjoying the live music scene and exploring trails with the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club.

This post is not sponsored by any of the businesses or organizations listed.

Plant-Powered Perks! Check Out VegOttawa’s Newest Discounts

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By Joyce Santos

VegOttawa Association has been committed to promoting the plant-based lifestyle since it was established in 2006. We have grown to include over 35 business partners in Ottawa, offering vegan discounts from a wide range of categories. So far in 2024, we have added 5 new business partners that offer exclusive discounts to our 250+ members! Let’s get to know these amazing local businesses in today’s blog post.

New Discounts – Health & Wellness, Beauty, Gourmet Food and Restaurant!

SePi Mushrooms

Have you heard Ottawa has a new local indoor urban mushroom farm? We were super excited to hear about this sustainable, hyper-local farm that offers specialty mushroom subscription boxes including lion’s mane and blue oyster, delivered right to your door. I was likely one of the first members to sign up for a subscription box and eagerly awaited the first delivery. The 1lb box of lion’s mane arrived in sustainable packaging, incredibly fresh and with an impressive aroma. We spent the day cooking up some unique recipes from their website – like the Spicy Cumin Lion’s Mane Skewers. SePi Mushrooms’ subscription boxes come with recipe and fact cards, and you can choose which specialty mushroom to receive for each order or a mix of two! I’d suggest it’s time to elevate your cooking with these gourmet mushrooms and never look back! Members save 15% on any subscription plan at sepimushrooms.com/weeatmushrooms.

BanhMiYes

Every few weeks, our VegOttawa team has meetings just down the street from BanhMiYes in Hintonburg – a vibrant Vietnamese-style sandwich shop on Wellington Ave. I had heard about their vegan sandwiches and found myself walking straight over there after every meeting to order the Vegan Tofu BanhMi – made from scratch with freshly-baked bread, vegan mayo and fresh veggies. I couldn’t stop thinking about these incredible sandwiches and I am thrilled to have them join our business partnership so that VegOttawa members can enjoy savings at both of their locations. Their other menu options include the Vegan Shredded Pork and Vegan Chicken BanhMi; and the Tofu and Vegan Chicken Vermicelli. Members save 10% on the vegan menu in store (Hintonburg & Merivale).

Luxe Teeth Whitening Studio

Vegans may be surprised to learn that teeth whitening products can include animal-sourced ingredients that have been tested on animals. Thankfully, you can still get that brighter smile in the comfort of your home with Alannah, owner of Ottawa’s new mobile teeth whitening service, Luxe Teeth Whitening Studio. She uses vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and Canadian-made ingredients! We are so pleased to offer members a new discount on this unique service. You can choose between 60 and 90 minute sessions, and sit back and relax to your favourite music (although I’m not sure how relaxing MY music playlist would be for Alannah!) Now you can drink all the vegan lattes and keep those stains away. (By the way, members have quite a few options for vegan latte discounts!) Members save 15% on any teeth whitening service — book yours today at luxewhitening.ca and mention your membership to get the discount.

Find Your Light Life Coaching

These past few years have brought a whirlwind of change for many, and some of us may find ourselves re-evaluating different aspects of our lives – our values and goals, relationships and even careers. Life Coach, Jessica Robson, decided to make it her mission to help and empower others to overcome their most challenging obstacles and start living a happier and more meaningful life – to help people rediscover who they are and to find the light within themselves. She has generously offered a FREE first life coaching session exclusively to VegOttawa members, with 10% off subsequent sessions. Find Your Light Life Coaching is vegan-owned and Ottawa-based with online meetings. Check out findyourlightlifecoaching.com for more info and to book your free first session.

Amy Longard Nutrition

You may have seen Amy whipping up plant-based recipes on local TV, speaking at an event, or sharing her vegan finds on her Instagram stories. She is a multi-talented plant-based chef, registered holistic nutritionist, speaker, published author and consultant. She has made it her life’s work to educate and guide people toward more conscious food and lifestyle choices. Amy now offers members 10% off on her virtual cooking classes as well as her upcoming Fit and Healthy Over 40 program with Sam Shorkey (of Jacked on the Beanstalk). Check out her website amylongard.com to register for her program in April and keep an eye out for upcoming cooking classes in May.

If you’re not a VegOttawa Association member yet, sign up today to enjoy discounts at more than 35 local vegan-friendly businesses. Your membership also supports our non-profit organization’s mission to support, inspire and promote vegan lifestyle, community and business in Ottawa.

If you’re a local business with vegan-friendly items or services, send us an email at info@vegottawa.org to receive our latest business partnership info.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyce Santos is the current Vice President of VegOttawa Association. She has been vegan and previously vegetarian for over 25 years. In addition to her role with VegOttawa, she does freelance PR and Communications for vegan businesses and music artists. She can often be found enjoying the live music scene and exploring trails with the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club. 

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This post is not sponsored by any of the businesses or organizations listed.

Ottawa’s Ultimate Vegan Pizza Round Up!

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By Joyce Santos

Whether you’re hosting guests or unwinding on a Friday night – ordering pizza and accommodating food preferences and dietary restrictions can lead you down a Google search rabbit hole. Luckily, local pizza chains are catching on that offering a vegan menu is the perfect way to satisfy all and take in that big pizza order. In this blog post we highlight local favourites according to a recent poll in our VegOttawa Facebook group – but first, let’s go back to 2018 when the demand for vegan options was just beginning to grow.

From Milano’s

In those days, gravity was your friend holding veggie toppings in place on your cheese-less saucy pizza. For long-time vegans, this was the only way to eat pizza for decades. Local restaurant chain Milano Pizza saw an opportunity and jumped into the vegan scene with an innovative menu. They connected with locals in the Ottawa Vegans and Vegetarians Facebook group to get their opinions and gauge interest on new vegan products and unique menu ideas. Now, six years later, their vegan menu remains among the top favourites. Many pizza chains around the city have since added vegan options to their menu. Here we highlight local favourites along with pizza-making tips and vegan news.

Explore Ottawa’s Vegan Pizza Scene

Gabriel’s – With a delicious crust on the thicker side, Gabriel’s is the top local favourite with their plant-based pepperoni (Field Roast brand) and dairy-free cheese. The first location opened in Orleans in 1977 and they have since expanded all across the Ottawa area.

Milano – Their “Vegan Vegan Vegan” menu includes the Oh Sweet Vegan and Garden pizzas with non-dairy cheese and generous amounts of veggie toppings (including broccoli!) The menu also goes beyond just pizza with Beyond burger and chicken platters and Vegantine Poutine loaded with veggies.

Fiazza – Another favourite in our recent poll, their signature pizza is the Spicy Vegan including roasted button mushrooms, jalapeno slices, herb tofu and vegan pepperoni.

Hometown Sports Grill – featuring a large vegan menu, their vegan pizza includes Italian tomato sauce, vegan pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions and black olives. You can enjoy your pizza with friends while watching a game in their dining area or order your pizza to go. Other vegan menu items include vegan poutine, chick’n tender platter, southwest nachos and cauliflower wings.

Heartbreakers – Located in Parkdale, their Veggie Supreme can be made vegan with cashew cream, pickled red onion, basil and castelvetrano olives. Castelvetrano olives have a distinct green hue and are famous for their crisp, meaty texture and mild buttery flavour.

Little Jo Berry’s — Available on Fridays, their regular and personal size pizzas include the Big Mac, and Steak and Havarti (locally-made by Rad Faux Cheese).

Pizza Nerds – Established in 2020, this local pizza shop offers a variety of pizzas named after Ottawa streets, with the option to sub vegan cheese or gluten-free crust. Their Albert – Kimchi Pizza features house-made vegan kimchi, green onion and black sesame seeds! Located on Bank St. and in Old Ottawa South.

Toppers – We’ve seen specialty vegan pizzas with unique flavour combinations on their menu along with their standard Titan Veggie, with options for vegan cheese and whole wheat or cauliflower crust.

Panago – This menu’s plant-based options include the Spicy Hawaiian with a smoky tropical sauce, Deluxe Pepperoni, Beyond Spicy Calabrese with Italian sausage crumble, Mediterranean and Beyond Summer BBQ topped with fire-roasted corn.

Red Swan Pizza – A hidden gem with locations in Kanata, Stittsville, Gloucester and Orleans, their vegan pizza comes with optional sesame coated crust and a menu featuring the Vegan Keto and Vegan Veggie Feast.

Pizza Pizza – A great value and a popular choice for parties, their vegan toppings include Field Roast plant-based pepperoni, sundried tomato, roasted garlic, fire roasted red peppers and spinach. You can also add plant-based chick’n sandwiches and bites to your pizza order.

Pizza Workshops and Locally-sourced Toppings

Exciting news from 613 Plant-Based! Starting in May 2024, they will be hosting private and public wood-fired pizza workshops using their homemade vegan cashew cheese and sausages – learn how to make Italian-style pizza from scratch! Located just outside of Carleton Place, 613 Plant-Based offers prepared meals delivered in the Ottawa area, including build-your-own pizza kits.

Make your own pizzas at home! Start with your own homemade pizza dough recipe or use prepared crusts, pizza kits (Costco has one!), focaccia, Greek pitas or bagels. Try some of Ottawa’s locally-made pizza toppings including Zengarry Fauxmagerie’s Sun-dried Tomato & Basil cashew cheese and Fresh Basil Pesto found in local stores, their online shop and their store location in Alexandria. (Shown: margherita pizza by Zengarry)

As you savour these vegan pizzas around Ottawa, your choices support sustainability, compassion, local businesses and the thriving vegan food scene in our city.

VegOttawa Association members can enjoy a 10% discount on the entire vegan menu at Milano Dalhousie, and Hometown Sports Grill as well as 15% off Zengarry cashew cheese and pesto online and at their store.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyce Santos is the current Vice President of VegOttawa Association. She has been vegan and previously vegetarian for over 25 years. In addition to her role with VegOttawa, she does freelance Communications for vegan businesses. She can often be found enjoying the live music scene and exploring trails with the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club. 

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This post is not sponsored by any of the businesses or organizations listed.

Ottawa Embraces Veganuary: Starting Off 2024 with Compassion and Inspiration

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By Joyce Santos

Earlier this year, we held weekly challenges and giveaways on our VegOttawa Instagram page to celebrate Veganuary – a month dedicated to encouraging a vegan lifestyle. While many of our followers are already vegan, it was also a great opportunity to celebrate, share experiences and facts, and win vegan prizes!

We received generous prize donations from VegOttawa partners with vegan menus: Keepin’ It Vegan, Hometown Sports Grill, Strawberry Blonde, Cinnaholic and Maverick’s. As we rolled out our first week, we sparked excitement and had more local businesses offer prizes! Ottawa’s newest plant-based restaurant and wine bar, St. Elsewhere, joined in on the fun, as well as 613 Plant-Based meal service. Peace-Garden Vegetarian offered gift cards as they celebrated the opening of their new location, a relaxing and welcoming space, after 31 years at their previous spot. Local delivery superstars Gopher It Deliveries also hopped on to deliver a vegan pizza kit prize to one of our nine lucky winners. It was amazing to see the Ottawa community come together to celebrate and inspire the plant-based lifestyle. You can find these Ottawa vegan restaurants in our Ottawa Veg Business Directory.

In our first weekly challenge we asked VegOttawa followers to cook a vegan meal. We saw photos of delicious-looking creations including taco salad loaded with greens and olives, pizza with mushrooms and greens, nachos with kale and red habanero sauce, split pea soup, a Persian dish called Ash, chocolate and pear coffee cake, and even vegan leftovers assembled into food art! That same week we saw local plant-based chef and nutritionist, Amy Longard appear on CTV Morning Live to give tips for eating more plant-based meals in 2024. The segment featured her Chickpea Salad Wrap recipe and beautifully prepared meals from Naturally Vero Cafe. Local Instagram foodie and blogger @veganeats613 celebrated the month with 31 Days of Easy Vegan Snacks presented in beautifully-made reels and photos with accompanying recipes. Veganuary was really off to a great start in the Capital!

In week two, we asked everyone to tell us why it’s environmentally sound to be vegan. Interesting truths included, “Two words: Manure Lagoon” and “To save the rainforests from being clear-cut to create areas for cattle grazing.” Other facts shared: oat milk uses less energy, fewer carbon emissions and land use compared to cow’s milk; less water and land pollution; being vegan helps maintain ocean ecosystems by eliminating overfishing; it decreases the burden of food production on the planet; cows emit large amounts of greenhouse gases. We loved seeing the high-level of environmental awareness in our vegan community! There are numerous environmental reasons to go plant-based and the VegOttawa team will be sharing these and other interesting facts at an upcoming Earth Day event. 

In week three, we asked how being vegan can benefit your health. Our followers benefit from more fibre, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and inflammation; lowering cholesterol and blood pressure; improved skin appearance, gut health, mental health knowing they are lessening harm, and being motivated to cook at home from scratch. One response pointed to “wallet health”! And it’s true – discovering tasty recipes using pantry staples such as dried legumes and grains can be very friendly to your grocery budget – something we can all appreciate these days. If you love savings too, you can enjoy discounts on Ottawa vegan menus with a VegOttawa Association Membership.

In our final week of Veganuary we asked everyone to share what inspired them to be vegan. Some were inspired by talks like “The Best Speech You’ll Ever Hear” by Gary Yourosky; Animal Justice’s Paw & Order podcast; Dr. Greger’s evidence-based talks on a whole foods plant-based diet, and the documentaries Vegucated, Cowspiracy, and Dominion. Others were inspired by personal experiences: “The animals. I grew up on a farm. I saw they are sentient beings, no different than cats and dogs”, “Learning more about the egg and dairy industry”, realizing “animal milk is to feed their own babies”, and from visiting animal sanctuaries. More inspirations were climate change, trying to live more sustainably and nourish their body, and even food intolerances.

Our followers then shared helpful tips for new vegans like checking out recipe bloggers Nora Cooks and Sam Turnbull, “Get a pressure cooker and look up one-pot recipes”, “Massage your kale!”, “Start small and slow – take foods you love and adjust the ingredients to vegan alternatives and have fun with it!”, and to try recipes from other countries as many of them are delicious, healthy and easy on the budget. More helpful tips can be found on our Vegan Resources page.

We loved reading all of these thoughtful and inspiring responses and welcoming many new followers and members. Veganuary highlights can be found on our @VegOttawa Instagram page. Check our new Ottawa Community Events page regularly and sign-up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about Ottawa vegan events and meetups, and we hope to see you soon at an upcoming event.

P.S. We’ll have free vegan food at our Annual General Meeting on March 24, 2024 at Hometown Sports Grill’s penalty box room.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyce Santos is the current Vice President of VegOttawa Association. She has been vegan and previously vegetarian for over 25 years. In addition to her role with VegOttawa, she does freelance PR and Communications for vegan businesses. She can often be found enjoying the live music scene and exploring trails with the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club. 

This post is not sponsored by any of the businesses or organizations listed.

NEW DISCOUNT: Yugi Rolls

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Yugi Rolls will now offer a 10% discount for VegOttawa Association members on catering orders!

Yugi Rolls is a Chinese food vegan pop-up that creates delicious plant-based egg rolls and more. Every other week they announce specialized menus for pop-up events at Little Jo Berry’s.

Their usual menu, available frozen and at their pop-up events includes:

  • Yugi Rolls (Vegan Egg Rolls)
  • Potstickers
  • Almond Cookies
  • Rice Rolls (Gluten Free Egg Rolls on Rice Paper)
  • BBQ YugiBaos
  • Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice

In addition, they also serve up delicious options like Won Ton Soup, Sweet and Sour Fried Won Tons, Sweet & Sour Yugiballs (Vegan Chicken Balls), Spring Rolls, Cantonese Chow Mein, Sweet & Sour Vegan shrimp with sauce, and more!

Is your mouth watering yet? Don’t delay – make sure you book Yugi Rolls for your next event! Simply email Van at info@yugirolls.com to make your order.

Eating Solo? You can purchase YugiRolls delicious food from their website (order online for pop-up pick up), or shop frozen from Little Jo Berrys, Keepin’ It Vegan, ​Natural Food Pantry & other locations. 

Creamy Corn Chowder Recipe

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Simple, hearty and Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder! The perfect soup to give you all the warm and cozy Fall feels!

This Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder is a healthy and budget friendly vegan meal! If you are new to vegan or vegetarian cooking, you’re in luck. This meal is super easy to put together, even for the novice cook!

Cashew cream is what makes the wonderful texture of this soup. Cashew cream is a simple mixture of soaked cashews and plant milk blended until velvety soft.

What you will need:
For this recipe you will need some very basic ingredients that you can find at any local grocery store, they are:
– Yellow Onion
– Garlic
– Potatoes
– Carrots
– Vegetable broth
– Corn (fresh or frozen)
– Cashews
– Plant Milk
– Spices

How to Make this Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder:
Making this corn chowder is easy. Start by chopping all the vegetables and sautéing them in a heavy bottom pot with a bit of oil. Next, we add the seasonings, broth, cashew cream and the corn. Once everything has softened it’s time to blend! This part is based on preference. If you want a super soft soup without any chunks then the entire soup can be blended, but it is equally delicious if you leave some veggie bits for extra texture! Finish it off by melting in some vegan cheddar cheese (optional).

If you have never made cashew cream, it is done by simply soaking cashews for a minimum of 4 hours and then blending in a high powdered blender with plant milk until smooth and creamy. If you do not have 4 hours to soak the cashews, they can also be softened by boiling for 5-10 minutes before blending.

If you are using corn fresh from the cobb, remove the kernels by gently running a knife down the length of the cobb. I find it easiest to place the cobb directly in a large bowl while doing this to avoid a big mess!

Finally, serve alongside a freshly toasted baguette or your favorite veggie sandwich!

Note: If you find your soup too thick and want to thin it out, add additional plant milk.

Storage: This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. Re-heat on the stovetop or microwave.

RECIPE


Ingredients:
– 1 tbsp Cooking Oil
– 1 small Yellow Onion (diced)
– 2 Medium Carrots (diced)
– 3-4 Garlic Cloves (diced)
– 3 Medium Yellow Potatoes (chopped)
– 5 Corn Cobbs or 2 cups frozen corn
– 3 cups Vegetable Broth
– 1 tsp Parsley Flakes
– ¼ tsp Paprika
– Salt and Pepper to taste
– ½ cup Shredded Vegan Cheddar Cheese (optional)

Cashew Cream Ingredients:

– 1 cup Soaked Cashews (minimum 4 hours)
– 1 cup Plant Milk

Directions:
– Start by pre-soaking cashews for a minimum of 4 hours by placing them in a bowl and covering with room temperature water. Alternatively, you can boil the cashews for 5-10 minutes to soften. Drain and rinse the cashews and add to a blender with the plant milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
– In a large heavy bottom pot, heat oil to medium-high heat, add onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook for 2 minutes before adding the potatoes and spices. Stir and continue to cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
– Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and place on a tight-fitting lid. Continue to cook until the vegetables have softened.
– Stir in corn and cashew cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
– Using an immersion blender or standard blender, blend contents of the soup until the desired consistency is achieved.
– Return to the pot and add vegan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
– Serve immediately alongside a toasted baguette.

I hope you liked this Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder as much as we do! For more recipes by
Stunningly Plant-Based you can visit https://www.instagram.com/stunningly_plant_based/ or http://www.stunninglyplantbased.com

NEW DISCOUNT! Jacked on the Beanstalk!

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VegOttawa members enjoy 15% off the regular priced coaching and protein powder purchases!

Samantha Shorkey brings a friendly don’t-be-a-stranger approach to her fitness enterprise. Having earned her pro card in 2014 and being the first-ever vegan WNBF bikini pro, Shorkey also brings her expertise to Jacked on The Beanstalk. Shorkey is an ACE-certified personal trainer and certified Weight Management Specialist who can help you meet your fitness goals whether you are interested in building muscles or just looking to get into shape! With customized online coaching and meal plans, Jacked on The Beanstalk can help you transform into a healthier you!

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Tahini Dressing Recipe

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Before I tell you all about this recipe, let me introduce myself! My name is Holly and I run a Vegan Food Blog called Stunningly Plant-Based. I was born and raised here in Ottawa, and I have been vegan for the last 10 years. My goal is to showcase the simplicity of living a plant-based lifestyle that is easy and attainable for anyone! I have always been passionate about health, so a year ago I decided to work toward becoming a Registered Nutritionist. I want to provide even more valuable information to my readers about the health benefits of plant-based eating. Join me to explore all the delicious and nutritious ingredients this beautiful earth has to offer!

This Vegan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Tahini Dressing is packed with flavour and nutrition! Perfect for a potluck, or a summer side dish.

Summer is officially here! Bring on the warm days, picnics, and time spent with family and friends. Today I am showing you how to make a salad perfect for this time of year. This Vegan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Tahini Dressing is full of colourful veggies, satisfying crunch, and a deliciously creamy dressing. 

What’s great about this recipe is that it is completely customizable. If you don’t have the ingredients listed below, try some of these alternatives:

  • Want to use up the leftover veggies in your fridge? Roast them up and toss them with your go-to crunchy greens. 
  • Millet gives this salad a little extra bulk and texture. If you don’t have millet, good alternatives can be quinoa or couscous. 
  • Sprinkled on top are crunchy roasted chickpeas, these can be subbed out and replaced with various seeds such as roasted sunflower seeds. 
  • The tahini dressing can be made sweeter by adding more agave or maple syrup.

I can’t forget to mention that this delicious bowl is a nutrition powerhouse. It contains loads of fibre, various vitamins and minerals, protein, some iron, and antioxidants. 

How to Make this Vegan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Tahini Dressing:

Roasted Chickpeas Ingredients:

  • 1 can of Chickpeas
  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • ½ tsp Paprika
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch of Kale
  • 1 large Sweet Potato
  • 1-2 Beets
  • 1 Green or Yellow Zucchini
  • 1 cup of Millet

Tahini Dressing Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup Tahini
  • 1-2 tbsp Agave or Maple Syrup
  • Juice of half a Lemon
  • 3 tbsp of Water

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Drain and rinse the chickpeas, and toss in a bowl with oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper until they are well coated. Distribute onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and set aside. 
  • Prepare the vegetables by slicing them into thin discs and then again into halves. The beets should be the thinnest as they take the longest to cook. Aim for ½ cm or less. 
  • Distribute the vegetables onto a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Place both the vegetables and the chickpeas in the oven side by side on the middle rack. Remove the chickpeas after 15 minutes and the vegetables after 20-25 minutes or until tender. 
  • As the vegetables and chickpeas are cooking prepare the millet according to package instructions. Set aside and let cool.
  • Remove the vegetables from the oven and let cool. Adding the vegetables to the salad when they are too hot will soften the kale. 
  • Prepare the dressing by whisking together the tahini, agave, lemon juice, and water.
  • Finally, assemble all the ingredients in a large salad bowl, leaving the roasted chickpeas until last to retain their crunch.

Tip: Massaging the kale for 3 minutes with some olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt will enhance the flavour and reduce bitterness. 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to share even more plant-based dishes with you!

Instagram: instagram.com/stunningly_plant_based

NEW DISCOUNT! Zengarry Fauxmagerie

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VegOttawa Members now save 15% off their dairy-free cheeses and pestos (excluding bundles) and 10% off in store from Zengarry Fauxmagerie.

Did you know Zengarry first launched in 2013 at VegOttawa’s VegFest?! Since then, Zengarry has become an Ottawa Vegan household name and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Zengarry to our business partner and discount list!

Dairy free and vegan, Zengarry’s cashew cheese is lovingly prepared in small batches in their modern production facility. Their team is committed to creating delicious, high-quality artisanal plant-based cheese and dairy alternatives. The result: a rich and delicious plant-based cheese that’s good for you and the environment!

With so many delicious options to chose from, you can now save, meaning you don’t have to choose. You can buy them all with this stellar discount!

NEW DISCOUNT! Kyan Cuisine!

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VegOttawa members can enjoy 15% off first-time purchases!

Kyan Cuisine was founded in 2019 with a commitment to bring nourishing, healthy and vegan meals to the community. Eating balanced meals while leaving animals out of the equation has never been easier with Kyan supplying 100% plant-based meals directly to your door.

From family sized buddha bowls to frozen meals to homemade dressings and sauces. Kyan Cuisine has a variety of options that are sure to make you lick the plate. I mean, who could pass up a lentil walnut taco mix or thai coconut curry soup?! Kyan Cuisine also offers corporate event catering!

Make sure you run over to Kyan Cusine to make your first order today!