Vegan Wedding Website Debuts This Week!
A friend of Allison’s Gourmet, Kristin (you might remember her contributing to the AG blog a few months back), has launched a brand new website dedicated to vegan couples who are engaged and/or married. We’re so excited!
The aim of the website, adorably named Rose Pedals Vegan Weddings – and yes, that pedals like on a bicycle! – is to feature real vegan engagement and wedding stories each week; as well as provide resources to vegan couples who are planning their big day. They plan to list a variety of vegan vendors, everything from cruelty-free photographers, dresses, and tuxedos to makeup, nail polish, décor, and music. And yes, our vegan wedding favors will be there too!
The website has just launched this week and they are actively seeking couples who would like to be featured, as well as vendors, and advertisers.
Check out www.rosepedalsveganweddings.com for details.
Good luck, Kristin!!
Amazing Valentine’s Day Offer from Blendtec
I know it’s Monday Yumday, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share a special offer for one of my favorite kitchen tools, the Blendtec Total Blender. I first tried this high-powered blender in November and decided that it would be my holiday gift to myself, so ordered one in December.
We use it every morning for smoothies and it’s pure perfection when making all the rich creamy sauces needed for my vegan recipes. One of my favorite things is that you simply push a button for a pre-programmed setting and walk away. The blender does the rest and even turns off when it’s done!
There are two promotions they’re offering.
The first is for $50 off a factory reconditioned Blendtec Total Blender (see details below), which carries the exact same warranty as a brand new model. This is the machine I ordered, but when I discovered that it has just the 3-inch blade, I later ordered the Wildside container, which has the unique and fantastic 4-inch blade. The 3-inch will do just fine, but if you want the full experience, the 4-inch blade will pulverize just about anything (and they have some crazy videos to prove it – warning, not all videos are vegan) and makes it super easy to scrape out the contents from the wide base.
This offer applies to orders placed between January 31 and February 8, but I wanted to give you a little time to research and fall in love with it before you send the link to this post to someone special who will be delighted to get this gift for you (unless you want to be your own Sweetheart and get it for yourself!) So, to get the $50 off the reconditioned model, use this link, order between January 31 and February 8, and then enter the code “CHOCOLATE”.
The second offer they have is free shipping on only the Wildside 3-quart (left) and the Wildside 2-quart & 3-quart Combo (below right).
Enter “HEART” at checkout when ordering these two items to receive free shipping. (Note: The $50 off does not apply to this offer.)
Blendtec Special Offer for Cyber Monday Only
Soon, I’ll be sharing a new series of posts where I talk about some of my favorite kitchen tools. What better way to kick it off than with a special offer? Blendtec is a wonderfully powerful (3hp) blender that I’ve recently had the opportunity to try. I’ve used a VitaMix for many years and was wowed by the Blendtec. I love the sleek look, square container that has a wider base (4-inch blades) than the VitaMix, which helps it blend better and makes it low enough that it doesn’t bump into my cabinets when on the counter, and easy clean-up. The presets are great for smoothies – I simply push a button and walk away. In 1 minute and 28 seconds, my morning protein shake is perfectly smooth and waiting for me. Now if only it could measure out all the ingredients! 
Blendtec is offering a fabulous Cyber Monday deal (see P.S. below) of an additional $50 off a Factory Reconditioned Blendtec Total Blender, complete with a 3-year warranty! Note: This model has the standard container with the 3-inch blade, but you may choose to do as I did and order an additional “Wild Side” container, which has the awesome 4-inch blade. Quantity is limited, so if you’re ready to go for it, order now and enter “Cranberry” in the promo code field. This is a perfect gift for the chef (or budding chef!) in your life. And if that’s you, feel free to send this post as a hint. 
Be sure to check out the great live demo videos on their site too!
Bonus: They’re designed and assembled in the US!
Allison’s Veganizing “Top Chef: Just Desserts”
Last Week's Veganized Recipe: Vegan Battleship Chocolate Bundt Cake with Sour Cherry Compote and Frozen Soy Yogurt with Orange Flower Water
In case you’re out of the loop, our friends at vegansaurus! have been putting a vegan spin on the Bravo show “Top Chef: Just Desserts.” Here’s how it works: each week on the show the contestants create these crazy desserts and one (or several) of them win that night’s challenge. Then, vegansaurus! gives the winning recipe (or one of them) to a Top Vegan Chef to veganize.
This has been going on for weeks with amazing veganized recipes from the likes of Terry Hope Romero, Alexandra Jamieson, and Melisser Elliot. The final episode of “Top Chef: Just Desserts” aired on Wednesday night and our very own Allison is hard at work creating a vegan version of one of the winning desserts as I write this. For now, which recipe she’s working on is top secret, but the smells coming from our test kitchen are making it hard to concentrate…
what was I saying… oh yeah – Check out vegansaurus! on Monday for Allison’s complete recipe and photos!
Save Lives: Go Fur Free!
As you prepare for winter this year, wear your own skin, and let animals keep theirs by avoiding fur and leather, even as trim or decoration on your winter outfits. Animals used for fur are either trapped and suffer horribly for days before being killed for their skin, or are fur-farmed where they suffer extreme weather conditions and cramped, crowded cages before being killed in horrible ways to preserve their pelts. Also, although fur may be labeled “fox” or “rabbit,” imported fur is often from cats, dogs, and any number of other animals due to lax labeling regulations.
There are so many animal-friendly, cruelty-free options for your cold weather clothing that there is really no reason not to choose vegan! Check out vegan companies like Alternative Outfitters and Vaute Couture for super cute faux-wool and faux-leather jackets, as well as shoes and bags. You also might be surprised to find how many mainstream companies offer vegan options as well. Instead of down, try ecological synthetic insulation (often made from recycled plastic) for your coats and sleeping bags. Polar fleece is another green and vegan option to replace your wool sweaters or socks. For more compassionate bundle-up options see this post on Compassionate Coats by the lovely ChloéJo at The GirlieGirl Army.
