Someone Stop Me (or, Terri follow up)

Today, for the fourth time in just one week, I went to Terri's for lunch - and I pretty much never go out for lunch (never), nor for dinner for that matter. So what's gotten into me? Tasty vegan deliciousness, that's what. Normally I have to do it myself - but not anymore!

I ordered the quesadilla (yes, the Daiya kick continues) and the Brazilian Bombshell smoothie (I sort of needed the vitamin/energy boost today...ahem) - and of course, they did not disappoint. The quesadilla oozed cheesy-sauce goodness, the 'chicken' had a really nice smoky flavor to it and...I might have to become a regular smoothie drinker now (though the shakes also need to be investigated - hello? BUTTERFINGER?).

Then I met owners Craig and Mike - two super-nice guys who've been part of NYC's vegan food scene for quite some time (Blossom - one of my favorite restaurants...and they support Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary - and Candle 79 - haven't been yet, but it's on my list). And I'm not just saying that because Craig gave me a baked-in-house apple cider donut (thanks, Craig!). Or because he's letting me put out WFAS brochures. But it didn't hurt, either. :)

But, yes - I am eating my way through the menu at Terri's. Below, a chronology of my meals:

Friday, March 5 - dinner. Bacon Cheddar Chicken Ranch and Meatball Sub (this seriously tasted like a *MEAT*ball sub).

Monday, March 8 - dinner. Buffalo Chicken and Chickpea Tuna Melt. My friend and I argued over which of these four sandwiches was the tastiest - we still can't decide. EVERYthing is consistently excellent. No joke. Which is why I'm eating my way through the menu (because I know it's all good!).

Wednesday, March 10 - coffee break. Cupcake and coffee! I was planning to enjoy both back at the office...but the cupcake never made it that far.

Friday, March 12 - lunch. Quesadilla, Brazilian Bombshell smoothie and donut (haven't tried it yet - will do so after I'm done posting so I can give it my full attention).

If you haven't been to Terri's yet, GO. You don't know what you're missing - vegan, vegetarian, veg-friendly, anti-veg...this place will not disappoint. And if you're a friend of mine who's going, make sure you invite me!

The Turning Point

This past Sunday, I attended the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary's ThanksLiving 4.0 event - a vegan Thanksgiving celebration and fundraiser for the Sanctuary's farmed animal rescues. It was my first time attending the event, and I hope to make it an annual tradition going forward. The food was OUTstanding (vegan pumpkin cheesecake with whipped nutcream!), and I can't tell you how fantastic it was NOT to have to ask "what's in that" every time an hors d'oeuvre got passed - I could eat EVERYthing!

The presentations - by Nathan Runkle of Mercy for Animals and John Phillips of the New York League of Humane Voters, among others - were moving. So moving that I am committed to doing the vegan thing for real, not the half-assed veganism I've been practicing for the past year (which largely amounted to no eggs or dairy in the house - in fact, a big step for someone who kept more than 5 types of gourmet cheeses on hand at any given time and regularly made meals of cheese, crackers, olives and wine).

This is not going to be easy - not because I can't live without frittatas or La Tur, but because of the amount of vigilance needed: yesterday I ate several Hershey's Kisses and only realized today that they are made of milk chocolate (doh!). Still, I believe this is an important step I must take. I don't want to contribute to the suffering of dairy cows or the suffering of battery hens. Because I don't have to. And because I have a moral obligation not to.

I will be in Rome on my way to Paris for Thanksgiving Day this year. I'll be remembering the little critters at WFAS and keeping it vegan. No cappuccinos or croissants for me, thanks.