Eco Bacon

What's up with bacon, my Minnesota friends? Is it the weather?

Max Sparber from MNSpeak, Stephanie March from Foodie File, Conner McCall from Conner's Blog, and of course, Emily from Because Emily Says So are all into the bacon. Even Doniree had a bacon-wrapped pear salad from Town Talk Diner. (Not to mention MICHAEL J. NELSON of MST3K, who has signed over his life to eating a month of nothing but bacon.)

Not wanting to be left out as a vegetarian, I thought I'd shoot my own uh.. veggie bacon food porn!

Mmmm... ok, granted this looks like crap even to me. Its main ingredients are egg whites, soybean oil, textured soy protein, and modified corn starch. It's not even that good for you. Sigh.

Some day, my friends, I will participate in this baconophilia with you in my own veggie way (just not 'till they engineer a better substitute). For now, I'll stick to BLTs without the fake B. Sometimes, it is not easier being green!

Vegan Shoes, Natalie?

Am I the last person to hear about Natalie Portman's collaboration with Té Casan to create a line of vegan shoes?


“All of my shoes are from Target or Stella McCartney," says Portman. "As a vegan, it's been challenging finding designer shoes made of alternative materials." The line launched January 15 online and hit stores February 1.

Now, call me old fashioned, but any reference to vegan clothing always throws me for a bit of a loop. I'd prefer a more technical description, such as "leather free" or "no animal products." The "vegan clothing" label stresses me out, as if I'll be expected to eat it or something. Maybe I just have unfortunate associations with the early days of spelt egg-free cakes that tasted like chalk. All it means is that the shoes are made free of leather or any other animal products, and 5% of the profits (all of Natalie's share) will go to as-yet undisclosed charity (various non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental preservation and animal rights) - one source said it would be The Nature Conservancy.

Speaking of old fashioned, does anyone else think the shoes look, well.. a bit outdated?

My read: save energy, wear your old shoes, and donate $10 to charity (equal to 5% of the $200 you would have spent on the vegan footwear).

But mistake not my sarcasm! I appreciate Natalie's efforts. Maybe someday I'll find a pair of $20 animal-free classic-style shoes and 100% of the profits will go to charity (oh wait, it's called Goodwill...).

I kid, Natalie, I kid. I'm just jealous.

OMG Veggie Meal Plans!

Can anybody say, "Godsend?"

image © 2007-2008 Cassie Young, www.veggiemealplans.com

So I basically don't cook anymore (thanks, holidays), but almost want to just to try out some of the gorgeous meals on this site.

Cassie Young, 39, from British Columbia generously shares recipes from her real life dinners.

Swiss Chard Soft Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa? Butternut-Pecan Pancakes? Red Lentil Dal, Roti, Curried Cauliflower and Peas?

Yes please!