Native Foods Blog

Kind of so over the term "green"

It’s Not Easy Being Green:  Because We’re Not!  We are Human Beings.  We are Beige, Black, Brown, White, but certainly not Green!!! 

 

I am kind of so over the term “green” that is being used to blanket everything eco-friendly.  I mean first it was a color, and I love the color green, then it evolved into fresh, youthful, and vigorous while at the same time carrying the weight of “deficient in training, knowledge, or experience, i.e. green recruits” (Merriam-Webster.com).

 

 Okay, okay….  This combination does seem to describe most young people I come across these days, full of life and energy while lacking in direction and experience.  But hey, everybody needs a chance to hone his or her skills.  It is also used to cast a sickly pallor on the term envy.  And now it is used to described non-polluting and environmentally supportive people, ideas, organizations, etc.  That is far to many definitions for one word that is supposed to perform an already daunting task of describing a visual!  Giving this many definitions to a word should be illegal.  Imagine all those folks who are learning English as a second language…. Wait a minute!  You mean green is a color as well as a word that means this, this, and that!  Jeesh.   I started madly pondering the word green as I was putting together a sort of Green Cleaning 101.  However, I think a more appropriate title would be Healthy Household Cleaning 101.  Using natural products to clean your home is healthier for you and your entire family, especially young children and pets who spend WAY more time closer to the floor touching things and putting them in their mouths.  My three staple cleaning ingredients are baking soda, vinegar, and lemons. 

 

 

Baking soda is awesome.  It scours countertops, tubs, all kinds of sinks, teeth (don’t scour too hard!), and any other surface that needs a good ol’ fashioned scrubbing.  It also freshens laundry, helps to remove chemicals and pesticides from fruits and veggies, removes odors (bodily and refrigerator), extinguishes small fires!, and the list goes on….

Check out Green Living Tips for more ideas:

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/154/1/30-baking-soda-tips.html

 

 

Vinegar also has a lot of WOW factors.  Put it aside its funny smell, and it just may become your new BFF.  Not only does it ward off those pesky fruit flies, but it also removes odors from the air, cleans tarnished metals, acts as an antiseptic, preserves cut flowers, stops hiccups and much, much more.  Check out the two sites below for a slew of ideas on vinegar uses. 

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html#Health

http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/

 

 

The natural acids in lemon juice contribute to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which make it an ideal cleaning agent.  It also can be used as an antiseptic and pore minimizer for the face and hair highlighter (I think my Mother was doing this in the seventies), and the fresh citrus smell of the lemon is a universal crowd pleaser

.

Also, if you are cleaning with vinegar as well and can’t stand the smell, lemon will neutralize the odor of vinegar.  Read more at the links below:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Everyday_Uses_For_Lemon_Juice

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/136/1/24-handy-lemon-tips.html

 

 

 

It really is quite easy to simplify your cleaning regiment and remove toxic agents from your everyday routine.  Buy a reusable spray bottle and create your own natural concoction of vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a little water to replace your bleach spray. Pour yourself a glass of ice water and squeeze in half a lemon.  Then use that lemon to rub down your kitchen counters, sprinkle a little baking soda, scrub, then wipe off.  Drink your lemon water.  Lemons also help in regulating the digestive system!  See?  It all comes full circle.

 

Eat Peace,

 

Holladay Allen

Native Foods Café Tribe Member

Chef promotes taste and benefits of meatless meals

EXTRA!   EXTRA!   Read all about it!

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100811/LIFESTYLES02/8100344/Chef-promotes-taste-and-benefits-of-meatless-meals

EAT, PRAY, LOVE

EAT-The Senate Passes School Lunch Nutrition Bill! It's been lingering  since the spring but got a little push from the White House and it was well passed by Senate and food manufacturers. This is the legislation Michelle Obama was pushing to help reduce childhood obesity and will add foods to school lunches that are healthier choices, limit junk food sold, and help more kids get free lunches. So Yeah! Though we still have to ...

PRAY-Now decisions will be made on what foods will be sold and this will be left to the Agricultural Dept!  So now we have to send ...

 

LOVE- that all decisions are made with the kids and health in mind and not special interest groups or companies that promote vitamin water as a healthy choice instead of sodas. You've all read John Robbins Blog on that yes? If not do so I think you'll find it interesting....http://tinyurl.com/24x5p33

Eat Peace,

Tanya Petrovna

Executive Chef/Founder

Native Foods Cafe

A Shoe for Every Mood!

By Holladay Allen

Native Foods Tribe Member

Got the shoes blues?  Sick of staring at your closet trying to complement that perfect outfit with the same old shoes?  Well maybe we can be of some help!  Below are six awesome pairs of shoes, totally vegan of course, to carry you into fall.  Enjoy!

Every lady needs a solid black heel.  This is a closet staple.  Bamboo Footwear makes and beautiful version with a whole lotta lift and nice rounded design.

  This shoe can take you from the office to the Academy Awards, or the movies with your special someone and your favorite pair of skinny jeans.

http://www.lulus.com/products/bamboo-colada-01-black-faux-suede-go-gaga-platform-pump/25526.html

 

I love the ladies rockin’ the men’s shoes these days, especially the Oxfords.  Bamboo makes another great shoe with this Grey Boyfriend Oxford.  Simple and stylish with clean detailing. They go great with shorts, pantsuits, skirts, you name it!

http://www.lulus.com/products/bamboo-vabene-03-grey-boyfriend-oxford-in-vegan-leather/24821.html

 

Saucony revamps its classic design in a vegan hemp version.  Yay!  These are a great looking pair of sneakers available in several colors.  Perfect for running errands, running after the kids, or just plain running!

http://www.mooshoes.com/products2.cfm/ID/611/name/Jazz-Grey-from-Women/a/518

 

Boots are a great way to march right into fall.  Ha!  They go great with skirts, tights, denim, leggings, whatever your fancy.  These are reminiscent of those flannel shirt days when it smelled like teen spirit.  Is grunge making a comeback? 

http://www.lulus.com/products/wanted-prague-gray-girly-construction-boot-in-vegan-leather/21433.html

 

Moccasins and fall weather go hand in hand.  Manimal handcrafts each pair of moccasins per order.  They are super rad and comfortable.  I own the Vegan Ribcage flat in Sand and I have traipsed around the country in it, walking many a miles, and they are still in great shape.  Best part is, you can toss them in the wash to clean.  Oh, and Kristen, the owner, is happy to answer any questions and accommodate custom orders!

http://www.save-the-manimals.com/

 

Feeling angsty!  Ready to put it all on black and head out for a night out on the town.  Iron Fist Clothing makes a line of fantastic pumps that cater to your inner demon.  And they are all vegan too!  My personal favorite is the Wolfbeater.  Show you teeth and say AHHHHHH!!!!

http://www.shop.ironfistclothing.com/Platforms-at-Iron-Fist-CID279.aspx

Wild Times at Native Days

It was an event like no other, desserts flying in every direction.  Discussion was raging in the cue, "peanut butter parfait or strawberry shortcake parfait...or?" 

 A few minutes later dogs came out o  fnowhere and a handsome young man questioningly stated (at the same time one woman was talking about her horse), "Did someone lose a cat?"

 

 
Sweet Pomeranians need homes!  They are so sweet and just came from a puppy mill in Iowa.  Great with kids.  http://www.southerncaliforniapomeranianrescue.com/

 

Lola, a German Shepherd needs a home!  http://www.gsroc.org/

Within moments another discussion erupted over who was going to cook the Jamaican Jerk Stew for the yoga party on Saturday and one of our favorite customers, Tamara, was heard quoting Gandhi. 

 

I mean it was wild! The Native Days have begun!

Native Days was created in my attempt to not just have Earth Day one day a year but to do a fun reminder every month, SO.......The first Tuesday and Wednesday of each and every month we offer Free Desserts*, promote local animal adoptions, give away DVD's,

 

 
DVD's FREE...recipes and fun stuff.

 

 cook booklets chock full of recipes, trips to visit elephants, my fave Paws Sanctuary www.pawweb.org, recipe tastings/previews with me, promote local environmental group activities, and the list goes on!   At every Native Foods location!

 

Hey it's going on today (Wednesday) too, some come eat and greet!
*With purchase of entree, Native signature drink and side. While supplies last (and we made a ton extra!)

Eat Peace,

 

Chef Tanya Petrovna

Founder,  Native Foods Cafe

Extra Extra! Native Foods Wows at Clinton Wedding!

Oh Chelsea!  We can just imagine it!  It is going to be so perfect!  For the first course, we will start with Cauliflower Crudite with Sesame Curry Whip to dip and Tempeh Pate on crostini.  These will be accompanied by farmer’s market tomatoes dusted with sea salt and fresh dill as well as Egyptian Dukkah (a delicious toasted nut and seed dust) with hot crusty bread and imported Grecian olive oil.

 Oh, and of course, in honor of your father’s notorious love of fast food, we will do Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders you can pop in your mouth with homemade seitan and cornmeal battered dill pickles.

The second course will feature a Zucchini Roasted Heirloom tomato soup with homemade Cashew Parmasean and a California Caesar salad with Tanya’s blackened tempeh and sliced avocados from the farmer’s market (either reed or bacon, whatever is in season).  Next, we will spotlight a Tempeh Scallopini with a savory mushroom shallot sauce and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.  This will be accompanied by swiss chard sautee with cippolini onions.  For dessert, mini Cardamom Rose cupcakes and blueberry cheesecake tartlettes. 

 

Well, sometimes we let our imaginations run wild here at Native Foods.  And it sure would have been wild to cater such a grand affair for such a sophisticated young lady.  Nevertheless, we are completely ecstatic that she chose a vegan menu for the most important day in her life. 

 

By Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe Tribe Member

Native Days ....Free Dessert & a Pet!

You've got to come check out the action at Native Foods today...Chef Tanya and the Tribe have put together two days of excitement for all.  Read on and hope to see you!

Weird Al's Tamale Pie Recipe

Due to a few facebook requests, here's the Weird Al's Tamale Pie that Chef Tanya veganized at a Cooking Demo at Native Foods Cafe  last Spring....Enjoy!

Tomorrow’s Tamale Pie

Serves 6-8

 

 

¼ cup     olive oil   

1 onion, chopped in ¼ inch pieces

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, chopped in ¼ inch pieces

1 tsp.    salt

3 cups cooked red beans

2 cups salsa fresca

1 Tbsp.    chipotle juice

1 Tbsp.    cumin

2 tsp.    coriander

2 cups     textured soy protein (optional)

1 ½ cup   water

¼ cup soy sauce

 

2 cups corn meal

2 cups unbleached flour

4 tsp.    baking powder

¼ tsp.   sea salt

1 cup      water

¼ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup maple syrup

4 oz.     firm silken tofu (Mori-Nu)

1 small can chopped Anaheim chiles

 

3 cups Daiya Italian Shredded

1 cup   cilantro leaves

½ cup chopped green onions

1 cup    sliced black olives

 

 

1.   Preheat oven to 375°.

2.   Heat olive oil in skillet and sauté onions, garlic, red bell pepper and salt until lightly browned.

3.   Add red beans, salsa fresca, chipotle juice, cumin and coriander and simmer for 10 minutes.

4.   While red beans mixture is simmering, place textured soy protein, water and soy sauce in saucepan and bring to boil then remove from heat and cover.

5.   In a bowl mix together the corn meal, flour, baking powder and sea salt.

6.   In a blender place the water, vegetable oil, maple syrup and tofu and puree.

7.   Fold into corn meal and flour mixture and add small can of chopped Anaheim chiles.

8.   In a casserole dish spread textured soy protein on bottom and then top with red bean mixture.

9.   Spread cornmeal mixture on top and bake for 20 min.

10.  Remove from oven and top with cheese and bake another 10-12 minutes.

11.  Garnished with cilantro, green onions and black olives.

12.  Serve with great friends and a Mexican beer.

 

Top 7 Vegan Blogs

Blog.  Blogging.  Blogged.  Blogger.  It is mind-bloggling!  How did this all start anyways?  Well, the word blog comes from the word weblog, which is a website containing series of entries arranged in reverse chronological order.  This term was coined sometime in the late nineties.

 

 

A couple of years later, someone cleverly separated weblog into two words “we blog” and before we knew it, the word blog had become a noun AND a verb at the same time.  Whew!  Well, I love blogs.  They allow me to delve into the minds and musings of people I will probably never meet due to geographical location and general overpopulation (there are just a whole lot of us running around).

 

 

 A couple of months ago I chucked my television.  No!  I am not trying to give you some holier than thou lecture on how I am so cool because I don’t watch TV.  Even though I have not had cable in years, due to the fact that I would rather spend my hard earned money on food and traveling (and expensive shoes, which is equally as silly, I know), I still found my self glued to the TV watching the 14 broadcast channels that came in via my rabbit ears.  So when my TV stopped working a couple of months ago, I let it go. It took up a lot of space in my tiny living room!  Now I get home and spend way too much time on the computer watching music videos and reading blogs. 

 

We here at Native Foods absolutely love how much the blogosphere has become inundated with people passionate about food, especially vegan food… and vegan culture!  Much love and respect to all you bloggers, who after a long day at work, come home, make a delicious vegan meal from scratch (or partially from scratch), and take the time to photograph, describe in detail, and share with the rest of the world.  Same goes to all you folks whose idea of cutlery is the drawer full of plastic forks and knives from that Thai place down the street: all your pictures and detailed restaurant romances are downright inspiring.  And those of you who take the time to review beauty products and other vegan goodies:  love, love, love to you.  So off we go! 

 

Our top 7 favorite vegan blogs:

 

#1:  http://www.quarrygirl.com/

She really is queen bee of the vegan blogs.  Hers is THE go-to blog for all things new and vegan (food-related) in Los Angeles and Southern California (and random other parts of the world).  We heart you QG!

QuarryGirl's Mascot

 

#2   http://avegancookingshow.tumblr.com/

Ummm… this guy made a vegan cookie monster cake!  And he posts great pics of NF dishes.  Enough said.

 

 

#3    http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/

Mr. Katcher is a handsome animal rights activist who informs us of vegan men’s fashion, delicious recipes, and pressing issues and concerns in the vegan/ world community. Easy on the eyes and stimulates the brain: What’s not to like?

 

 

#4   http://vegansaurus.com/

They technically call themselves a Vegan Guide to San Francisco, but they really seem like a blog collective with 11 peeps contributing to the daily updates.  Super funny awesomeness that gives you some great ideas for living it up vegan-style in the Bay

Area.

 

#5   http://cuteanddelicious.com/

Crafts and vegan food?!?!  Sign us up.  Miss Alix is like the alternative vegan Martha Stewart.  And her kittens are awful cute.

 

#6   http://myownveganjoy.blogspot.com/

Totally vegan.  Totally in German.  Totally awesome!

Vegan macht glücklich.

 

#7   http://girliegirlarmy.com/

All things vegan and fabulous.  Seriously, anything you can think of!  From handbags to vegan chicken wings to designer bedding.  Thanks Chloe Jo!

By Holladay Allen
Native Foods Café Tribe Member